Back in the day I thought strangely enough I that I had better get a move on. There was a part of this story I was avoiding so, viola - an incomplete chapter (well as far as I was concerned it was incomplete.) And now for something completely different; well not completely...but I did do a major re-write on this chapter as well as the ones that follow. Somewhere along the line I figured out I needed to be more plot specific with a few things...so yeah - heads up for that. And if anyone can figure out what the heck Tetra's talking about, let me know, cause it didn't make any sense to me either...and I wrote it... oh my and since the Twighlight Princess wanted to know...

And you can thank El Hustino for showing me how to make my world a bolder and mostly formatted place. So moving now in hopefully the right direction…

(While realizing I have absolutely no chance of ownership, I will again disclaim all)

Nagori Saimon and Senkyoku
by achitka

Chapter 11
The Best of Friends

Southern Fairy Island

Aryll stared at the planks of long boat's decking as Senza rowed them toward Southern Fairy Island. The sea was calm, but every movement sent new waves of pain through her injured leg. She tried to focus on anything else but Jasper's almost constant screeching didn't help. She felt a headache coming on and snapped at the bird, "Geez! Will you lighten up already?" Undeterred, the gull continued her tirade and Aryll asked, "Remind me again why we brought you?" She stuck her tongue out and this of course only inspired more squawking.

"Is she always like this?" Senza asked.

Aryll looked up and realized her tongue was still out. She pulled it in and made a show of straightening her dress. Thoroughly embarrassed, she cleared her throat and said, "Umm, no. But she's usually the calmer of the pair."

"I was wondering how did she end up with a name like Jasper?"

"That's what happens when you name someone before you can tell the difference."

Senza grunted and Jasper finally quieted as the pirate continued to row toward their destination. The island was still a ways off and Aryll smiled as she remembered how frightened she used to be of him. He was strangely serious minded for a pirate and when she'd been smaller, his dark eyes always seemed so stern. Aryll was quite convinced he didn't really like her at all. So it surprised her when he asked, "How did you come up with those names anyway?"

"Dead relatives," Aryll replied. When he raised an eyebrow, she continued. "Remember the story my Grandma told you about the family that ended up on Outset after the flood?" He nodded. "Well, the youngest children's names were Jasper and Jake. They were twins, I think...or at least they looked so much alike that people thought they were...Never mind that...When this one and her friend started hanging around, "Aryll said pointing at the bird,"they looked so much alike that I thought of them as twins, sooo..."

"Ah." Senza said. The boat rocked in a wave and Senza must have noticed her grimace because he stole a glance back at the island. "We're almost there Miss Aryll, only a little longer. So how much of what she's saying can you understand?"

"Too much," Aryll said while she rubbed her temples. "But she's not making a lot of sense right now."

"Well, what is she saying?"

"That she's worried about Link."

"Really?"

"Yes," Aryll listened closer to her friend and said, "She says there is something wrong with that man, and she must mean Al, that Link left Outset with. Of course, she's not giving a reason."

"Do you think you could teach me to understand her?"

"Sure, I can try, I guess." Aryll put a hand out and stroked Jasper's head and the bird calmed a little. "My Mother always said you had to born with the knack for it though."

Jasper's cries persisted but now the gull settled into quieter tone.

"She's really upset about something." Senza said.

Aryll nodded and pulled the bird into her lap. "She keeps repeating we're not to go to the tower and that the time isn't right." Aryll held the bird up in front of her and asked, "Right for what?"

This sent Jasper into a whole new fit of screeching that made Aryll grimace. She set the gull down and watched as the frustrated bird hopped from the boat and swam to the nearby shore of the island. Once there, Jasper paced back and forth, intermittently running from the shore to the seashell shaped dome, all the while calling to her.

"Alright!" Aryll shouted exasperated, "Can we get a little closer to shore first?"

Senza smiled and said between strokes, "Bossy little thing."

"You got that right."

The Deku Tree

Tetra must have stared at the postbox for a lot longer than she realized, because Niko had to pull at her arm to get her attention. "Yeah we'll get going, but there's something I have to do first."

Damn ghost was right, she chided herself, I need to take care of this. Tetra sat down and pulled out the writing kit along with her last unopened letter. She hadn't puzzled out the mystery behind them, but she'd no more time to waste on it. She pulled out the parchment and wrote a very brief note. Tetra stared at the words as she waited for the ink to dry. It was vague but not impossible to figure out. Well, she hoped so anyway.

She sealed it with a piece of knotted string and as she neared the postbox she was hit by a weird premonition, something bad was happening, she just couldn't tell where or maybe when. Tetra focused on that feeling for a moment and realized it was tied to Link. She growled as a stab of anger hit her at the thought of him. No! Whatever it was she needed to deal with it and that anger was only getting in the way. Tetra closed her eyes and refocused on the source of her unease. She looked at their supplies and pulled five arrows out of her quiver. She broke one and tied the lot to the letter before she posted them.

"Was that letter for Link?" Niko asked.

"Gah! Why do you keep sneaking up on me like that?"

"Sorry," Niko said sheepishly. "But is it?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell me what's in it?"

Tetra stared at him and mastered the urge to box his ears, shook her head, and walked away.

"Just a hint?" he said behind her.

She ignored him as she continued up the hill. When Niko caught up to her, they made their way up the cliff face without much trouble until they stood before the entrance to a great cave. The water disappeared into the maw and Tetra looked at Niko, he shrugged, and together they slogged through the shallow water into the darkness. After a few minutes, they spied a light ahead and made their way toward it. As they stepped into the brightness, Tetra cursed when she realized they were right back where they started from. The pair exchanged glances and walked back into the cave. When they returned to the same spot Tetra muttered to no one in particular, "Why does everything have to be a problem?"

"Maybe it's me." Niko said.

"What do you mean?" Tetra asked scanning the darkness.

"I don't really have any reason to see the Tree," Niko said and shrugged. "Maybe you can only get in if you have some sort of business with it."

Tetra looked at him with curiosity and asked, "You think?"

"It's like, the tree is hidden for a reason." Niko added in a conspiratorial tone, eyes shifting from side to side.

She cocked and eyebrow at him and she pursed her lips in mild irritation. "You're probably right, can't have just anybody wandering in, but I don't like it."

"You'd better go, it's getting late. I'll hang on to the packs," Niko said and started to make his way to the edge of the pool.

"Hold on," Tetra said and pulled out a small sack with a knotted loop, "I need to ask about this," she said hold it up. She tied the bag to her belt and started in alone. After a few yards, she looked back and could see Niko, but there was a haze surrounding him, similar to the kind you'd see on a really hot day. When she turned back around, her mouth dropped open. Tetra's astonishment turned to delight as she found herself surrounded by dozens of fireflies. They drifted lazily around her on the cool breeze that flowed toward her from up the river she found herself standing in.

There wasn't anywhere she could easily climb out, so trying to make as little noise as possible, she waded through the water. Tetra took in the beauty of the place and when she came to a gentle waterfall, she climbed up. This was followed by a second and then the slow moving river curved into a third. Tetra found a low spot at the waters edge and climbed out onto the riverbank. She took a good look around and she thought as she looked up, This place is huge. I truly did not appear to be this large from the outside. Odd that.

Sun peaked through the branches of a massive tree that stood at the center of it all and Tetra walked around its base toward what she hoped was the front. She stopped when she came to a small pond. She spotted a large lily pad out in the open and decided that this was as good a place as any to take a break. Tetra stepped on to it and smiled as it bore her weight with no problem at all. She sat down with a sigh. Damn time loop must be catching up with me again, she thought, and Tetra struggled with her fatigue for a moment yawning mightily.

Tetra knew of the Great Deku, though she'd never met the forest guardian. Link came here often to speak to the Tree. He'd even tried to convince her to come with him a few times. She always declined his offers, not that she'd any reason to. Just one more way to put off the inevitable. Still, Tetra remained apprehensive at the thought of meeting one of the few creatures still alive from the time before the Great Flood that buried Hyrule beneath the ocean.

Resting her chin on her knees, Tetra sighed and gazed at the Triforce symbol on her hand. Her denial of her destiny brought her into this situation and now the tiny piece of the Goddess Nayru's power embedded in her hand was all she had left to fight the shadow. Within it rested the knowledge and wisdom borne by all the previous bearers and this was now at her disposal. That knowledge is my power, she thought, and I will not fail.

The Triforce of Wisdom shone more brightly than it had in years and Tetra recalled how it frightened her that she could lose the part of herself that was Tetra Shukkon to her fated role as the Crown Princess of Hyrule. That was the real reason she locked it away; she didn't fear the knowledge or its power, she feared losing herself to it. She tipped alarmingly as she felt the lily pad suddenly rise out of the water, and Tetra sprang up pulling her cutlass from her scabbard. She eyed the forest for potential enemies.

"Welcome," a deep booming voice said behind her and Tetra spun. Completely awestruck, Tetra was unable to speak as she stood there, sword raised and her mouth hanging open. Link had told her he was big but the Tree's enormous features dwarfed anything her imagination might have come up with. She shook her head when she realized she was staring with her cutlass raised and said, "You're the Great Deku Tree."

There was a hint of amusement in the voice when he answered, "Unless, young lady, you know of another gnarled old root like myself then yes, that is who I am."

Tetra smiled and sheathed her sword. She straightened and said with all the authority she could muster, "My name is Tetra Shukkon, I am..." she paused to take a deep breath before she corrected herself. "I was the captain of the Pirate Ship Hoshimawari, and I've come here to ask a favor."

"It has already been done."

"I don't understand?" she said confused. "I haven't asked for anything yet."

"Nor do I, Princess," the Tree said sounding perplexed, "but it was not until you entered the cave that I remembered what had been done three weeks ago. You see Princess, I am rooted therefore I am both here with you and there three weeks from now. The item you requested is where you asked it to be placed."

"You know I'm the Princess?" Tetra asked and groaned when her eyes strayed down and she realized her ever-shifting clothing had done so once again. She was in full princess mode complete with headgear and Tetra sighed. Why pink of all colors? as she said sardonically, "And here I was worried you wouldn't agree. Any chance I can get you to call me Tetra?"

The tree chuckled making his leaves shake. "As you wish, all of us on the Great Sea owe much to you and Link."

She blushed and felt irritated at the mention of Link's name. The corded sack was still there, woefully out of place with her "outfit" and Tetra pulled out the carved box. "I was also hoping you could tell me what this is?"

The tree raised the pad a little higher until she was even with one of his great eyes. His wooden eye examined it as she held it out and the Tree asked with a touch of awe. "How unusual, where did you find this?"

"I didn't. Link did. He brought it to me for my birthday and the goddesses only know where he picked it up. Some hole somewhere I'm sure. The latch seems to be stuck and I haven't been able to open it."

"It is well that you did not."

Tetra looked at the box, but other than the ornate carvings, it looked no different from others she'd seen like it in the past. "What is it?"

"What you hold is called a kagenmi, ancient magic that," the Tree said as the pad turned. In his effort to see all of it, Tetra almost tipped her over the edge.

"Wait!" she cried.

"My apologies Tetra, but that is truly a rare item you have there."

"What does it do?"

"A kagenmi allows the user to view the past and the future. The moon side, called kako, will show you events shadowed by the past. The sun side, called mirai, will illuminate the future, but only the future as it could happen from the moment in time the box is opened. Most are sealed by magic to assure they are not misused."

"Well, that doesn't sound very dangerous."

"It is always dangerous to know too much of your own future. The information you get from the past cannot be changed, but attempts to change the future often fail and usually with disastrous results."

"I'll keep that in mind." Tetra said replacing it in the bag. She smiled at the Tree and asked, "It seems odd to wonder but, what if I hadn't come here?"

The Trees branches did a fair imitation of a shrug. "It is a curiosity of this time loop's magic. It is well that you were able to escape the main."

"Well you're giving me a lot more credit than I deserve. I wouldn't have gotten out at all if not for a fairy named Nagori."

"Nagori..." The Deku's large face took on a puzzled expression as he said, "A fairy of memory. This is unexpected." The Tree closed his eyes and appeared to be listening to something very far away then said with his eyes still closed, "There is trouble coming and you cannot remain here much longer." The forest guardian opened them again. When he spoke, his voice was full of concern, and Tetra got an uneasy feeling as he said, "Be very careful young Tetra Shukkon. The Shadow chasing you will not rest until he has discovered your location. I must also warn you of another danger; there is another fairy, once called Kage, he has returned to himself and will likely be sent by the shadow to find you. Venus has many children and not all are of good heart."

"A bad fairy?" she felt confused. "I never thought that possible, was he in some sort of cage. I mean how could he return to himself?"

"Kage, until recently, was bound by very strong magic but that binding has been broken."

"How?"

"I do not know."

Tetra thought of Nagori and wondered where the fairy could be. Did she break it? She dismissed that and Tetra whispered a prayer to the Goddesses to help keep the fairy safe, she remembered the other reason she came here. "There was one other thing," Tetra said and hesitated. "Will it-"

"The small one may remain behind," the Tree said as Niko materialized next to her complete with their gear.

"Whoa," Niko said looking all around. "That was weird."

"Niko, you're a good first mate, top rate, but I want you to remain here."

"But Miss-" he said but stopped when he got a look at her. "Whoa."

"Don't start that again and no buts, I can't take you with me where I'm going, so stay here and look after any of the Koroks...who might need...looking after."

"But, will you be okay if...you know, you start to fall asleep again?" Niko stopped when he saw the glower on her face. "Alright, but can you answer one question for me?"

"You're just not gonna let that go are you?" Tetra growled with mounting irritation. All Niko did was shift his weight from foot to foot. "Come here," she snapped and grabbed his ear. Tetra leaned close to him and whispered. Still holding the tip of his ear, she straightened up and laughed at his shocked expression. She shook her head and asked, "See what being nosy will get you?" She pulled his ear as she leaned back over and whispered fiercely, "One other thing, swabbie," and her voice held all the authoritative tone learned from years of being his Captain. "You breathe a word of that to anyone, and I'll gut you myself."

Niko paled and gulped. He nodded so Tetra released him and picked up her pack by the straps.

"Oh and Niko?"

"Yes Miss?" he asked nervously.

"You're fired."

Dolls

Al stood up and looked carefully at the barrier, touch it while it did look familiar, he couldn't quite remember why. He reached out and thought to touch it do it but pulled his hand back coward at the last moment. Instead, he ran the flat of his hand a few inches sucker away from it and pulled it back again as his hand began to ache. Whatever it was made of, it would likely give him a nasty shock if he did touch it. He heard a door slam and looked up, sighed and looked back over at the window.

The field was set just a few inches short of it hahahaha now he had no way to check on Sen. He must have let his interest in it slip when Kei was here, why else would she cut off his view of it. He felt an odd moment of irritationtold you and rubbed his long thin face in frustration.

He pushed his hat back on his head and tried to focus on what he had to do next. When he began to pace, the hat on his head fell forward blocking his sight for a moment and the sound of childlike laughter rang in his head. Dismissing the sound, he reached up to adjust the hat and when he took his hand away, it pushed forward again. giggle

Al stopped and looked up at the brim and slowly moved it back into place. When it happened again he snatched the hat off and looked carefully at the contents. The painted straw dolls inside, had been with him since his father's disappearance. They were the only link he had to a man who face he could not remember. The dolls were a little beat up from all the time they had spent in his hat though. The only constant was that the color on their painted faces never faded. He noted the girl doll still slept peacefully, but his eyes got wide when he saw that the decorated eyes of the boy were open.

He pulled it out and returned the hat to his head. Al turned the doll over in his hands and poked at the doll's straw stomach. He almost dropped it when he heard the laughter again. He looked around wary of a trap, but the laughter had a familiar ring to it and he said to himself, "Strange, very strange." Al looked at the tiny face again. "If you're awake, can you hear me?" laughter The little head nodded, and almost dropped the thing in response. His hands shook. So many questions were running through his head, but first things first.

"Can you tell me where Saimon is?" Nod. "Where then?" The lack of response made him wonder. "You're going to make me guess aren't you." Nod. So Al thought about his questions and asked, "Is he still with Link?" The little head shook. "Nearby then?" Nod. "Is he safe?" Shrug. This was taking too long, Kei was bound to come back sooner rather than later, but if there was a chance that Saimon was somewhere nearby he'd have to risk it.

"So, if I looked hard enough should I be able to find him?"laughter Nod. Al turned and looked all around him, but could see nothing new about his prison. Glancing at the window, he asked, "Outside?" Another shake. "Then..." laughter Al paused and looked even closer at the boy's face and asked the doll, "Saimon?" Nod. "Goddesses." Al said as he sat heavily on the floor, he was struck by a thought then and asked the doll, "What about Kage, where is he?"

(Coming here.)

"Well that can't be good." Al sighed when he realized he not only knew exactly who Kage was but worse what that represented. More and more of his forgotten past unfolded and it threatened to overwhelm him. He sat back against the wall and closed his eyes as memories long dormant began to flood back into head; it all left him a little dizzy.

He could remember it all now, from the cave, the town elders, the sages, the lights, and Hito. More frightening for him though was the reality of just where his long missing parents were and he truly wished he could not remember.

For now, he recalled the shack, the tekuragari, the rending heat, and the meal the next day. He felt sick and stared blankly for a while. Al used to wonder why it was they came after them. He simply hadn't understood, for he was not a very compassionate person. He'd always been selfish, vain and difficult to say the least, but he used to think he had some redeeming qualities. To find out how wrong that was threatened to send him spiraling into depression.

Now Al struggled as he tried to reconcile the vileness that was he as a child. He also knew, he could not even say that he'd been too young. He knew it, the wrongness screamed at him everyday he and his sister traveled. Until the day came when something snapped inside and Mei became all that was left. He could hear his other self's muffled laughter and it made him cringe. There was no way to change the past, but he determined, that now more than ever neither he nor Mei would do no further harm. When he thought he could think straight, Al asked the doll, "What happened?"

(My binding with Kage has been broken.)

"I can see that, who broke it? Hito?"

The doll shook its head. (The Wind Waker.)

"Link did this?" Nod. "But how?" Shrug.

So one of the tekuragari was free, but why would Link do that? Al wondered and decided perhaps the Hero did not realize the danger the tekuragari posed to anyone who were exposed to them.

"Senkyoku?"

(Gone)

"But how?"

(Jasper)

"My brother?"

(No, the seagull.)

"Seagull?" He puzzled it out and remembered the lone gull that had been circling outside when he placed Sen's crystal out there. Link said that particular gull was a friend of his sister's. Al was still amazed Link's sister taught them to carry letters.

What still eluded him though, was the identity of the man who fought with Hito. His face was still incomplete. There was an image of golden eyes peering through the darkness at him but it was clouded . Still, that man must have known what he and his sister were, what they'd done, the monster they'd become. Still, he "rescued" them and took them into his family without a backward glance.

Al looked again at the field of energy surrounding him and realized he knew why it had looked familiar. It must be made up of the same kind of magic used to trap Hito in the past. That shield served to keep the Shadow contained, but Kage and Kageri managed to evade capture and the longer he and Delia were away from Hito without them, the worse the voices and disturbing sounds tormented them.

Somehow, their rescuer's disappearance and the loss of their memories of him came together with Saimon and Senkyoku's appearance to make the insanity stop. The two events were related, Al just didn't know how, but it was the only answer that made any sense. He felt he should be able to remember more and it frustrated him greatly that he could not.

His thoughts turned then to the woman who had raised them. Never once, did she imply to him or anyone else that he and Delia were not her own. Her gentleness always pulled him out of his brooding, calmed his fears, and made him feel safe. Just as if he were right where he should be. He remembered some folks would refer to her as Lady, but never in front of her. If she did over hear them, she would always correct them and ask them to call her Natsumi or just Natsu. To him, she was simply Mom. Who were these people really?

When Saimon first arrived in his world, Al was deathly afraid of the fairy. His memories of the Shadow and the Tekuragari were still too fresh. His mother's acceptance of the fairy was the only reason Al listened to the fairy at all. Thereafter, Saimon served as the conscience Al seemed to be lacking. Constantly reminding him to be more aware of his actions and how they affected everyone else around him. It wasn't until he was much older that Al realized this was the part of himself that broke when he became the child named Mei.

Saimon never wavered in his appointed task, chiding him constantly and there were times he wished the fairy would just go away. All that nagging made the fairy a little saucy, and it struck Al, just how quiet everything was. The random noises and voices had retreated to a dull buzz. A muffled squeak made him realize his hand was clenched, so he eased his grip and held up the doll. Al's eyes narrowed and he said, "You can talk and you made me do all that guessing?" shrug, laughter Al smiled and gave the doll a little hug.

"I have missed you Saimon."

(Yes you have old man, yes you have.)

5/3/06

Look before you Leap

Link looked at the cliffs of Outset and smiled. It's always good to come home, he thought. He turned the King of Red Lions toward the coast and sailed in at a leisurely pace. As he neared the beach, he realized no one was out. It was late in the day, but there was usually someone around. There weren't even any kids out playing. Link walked toward his home and as he passed the postbox, it began to wiggle and shake. He approached it and it said:

Package for Link. Postage due, 20 rupees will you accept?

Link sighed and said yes while he deposited a red rupee into the slot. A small package popped out into his hands and he looked at it and wondered. Five arrows with one broken...okay, that's strange enough, but the letter was sealed with a piece of string. Tied with a knot so complex he realized the letter had to be from Tetra. Link paused, should he open it now? Or wait? He stowed the arrows in his pack and as he walked toward his house, he pulled out her other letter from his pocket. It hadn't been twenty-four hours yet, so he put it back and looked at the envelope of her latest correspondence. He really needed to ask her how she did that. He removed the string and wrapped it around his wrist, opened the letter and read:

Ere winter's solstice began
relations lost, remembered pain
all to sacrifice the gull
to speed the ravens flight

Poetry? Link turned the parchment over, nothing else was written there, no reason for the arrows and he didn't have his bow so...he bumped into the steps of his front porch. Tetra always was fond of word games, but this was just nuts. Why couldn't she ever just say what was on her mind? Ravens were pretty rare these days, hmmm.

"What are you trying to tell me!" he yelled at the paper and shook it furiously.

A brisk wind blew by him almost pulling the letter out of Link's hand and he quickly turned to keep it from getting away from him. As he looked up, he noticed it was almost full dark and not one house on the beach had its lamps lit. Link shoved the letter into his pocket and moved slowly around the light in his house either, even the hearth looked low. He pulled out the staff and walked back around the porch. Link shivered when a blast of icy cold wind blew by him. The three symbols on the staff took on an eerie glow in the moonlight and Link remembered on Great Fish, he'd noticed the same thing happened when he had accidentally set off that Quake emblem.

The staff must be reacting to some kind of magic, he decided and Link looked around. Everything was still, and as far as he could tell, it was deserted. Not good he thought and stepped off the porch. Link headed back the way he came but paused when he looked up at the cliffs and wondered if anyone were up there. That's when he noticed the rope bridge had been cut on the fairy fountain side.

Link started to get a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something was very, very wrong and whatever it was, now involved everyone on the island. He had no way of knowing where they all were, or even if they were still alive. He didn't like that feeling and wasn't left much time to think about it when he noticed a movement to his right and lifted the staff just in time to deflect a poorly aimed blow from a bokoblin's broadsword.

Turning to face it Link set his feet as he brought up the staff and caught the monster just under its furry gray snout. As grunted he swept its feet out from under it. It screeched as its head snapped back and toppled. The bokoblin exploded into a haze of blue-black smoke. Where the hell did these come from? Bokoblins, like their cousins the miniblins were not that bright, but they were bigger and relentless if they thought they had you cornered.

Link spun and caught two others that were approaching on his left. They fell back but he heard no explosions. He also had no idea how many of the creatures there were to deal with. He dropped and rolled backward and came up on one knee, thrust outward to finish off the same pair as they rushed after him.

When the smoke cleared, Link gaped and realized he had at least a three or four dozen in front of him. "Not good odds," he muttered to himself. While a few rushed toward him, the majority were milling about, as if they were confused to find themselves there. Weirder and weirder he thought.

On his staff, the emblems glowed even more brightly and Link decided better now then never and focused a little magic into the quake symbol. He held the staff firmly as he thrust it into the ground in front of him. The center wavy line and outer border circle of the symbol lit up. He felt the staff pulse as the magic shot like a cannon into the ground. The area surrounding Link rippled and he watched the bokoblins begin to fall about. Those with weapons either lost them or fell on them, sending them back to the netherworld in a haze of bitter smelling smoke.

Once the shaking stopped, the boko's that did not disappear scurried about in confusion. Link decided it was time to try one of the other emblems. He put his hand near the top of the staff and covered the emblem that sported the lightening bolt. Link focused a little more magic then the last time and held his breath. A peal of thunder directly above him made him look up. Puffy black clouds rumbled and swirled above him. When the vapors suddenly began to rush toward him, Link closed his eyes and hoped he wasn't killed outright by it.

Instead, he only felt the cold wind as it rushed by and around him. Part of the wind swirled for a moment at his feet, while the rest coalesced into little balls of icy wind. Unsure of what to do next Link lifted the staff and when he brought it down he gave an outward push to the magic. The haze burst forth from around him with incredible speed and everything engulfed by that icy cold wind, froze where it stood. The balls of icy wind then chased down those not caught by the initial ring.

When everything stopped moving Link walked through but only glanced at the frozen bokoblins. One in particular caught his attention and Link took a small step back when its eyes shifted to look at him. It unnerved him a little that the gray eyes, which were an odd color for boko anyway, seemed familiar and looked most distressed. His intuition nagged at him, but he ignored it. He'd gotten very good at ignoring that lately, but when Link moved closer to the creature, its eyes filled with fear.

I don't have time for this right now," he thought, trapped or not, Link, was not feeling particularly charitable. He needed to get a move on if he was going to figure out where everyone went. So he pulled out a couple of bombs and tossed them over his shoulder as he turned and walked away.

After they exploded, he turned back to survey if any had survived, but took a step back when he found himself faced by the Wind God, Zephos. Sitting on a small cloud, the large blue frog-like Wind God's hands were smoking and the deity did not look at all pleased to be there. Link looked past the Wind God and saw that none of the remaining bokoblins were destroyed.

Confused, Link asked, "Why did you help them?"

"Why indeed," Zephos said. Link cocked his head, he could hear the anger in the Wind God's voice but Link didn't understand. Zephos noted Link's confusion and snapped, "Have you grown so unsympathetic, that you would destroy even those creatures that were unarmed?"

"They're bokoblins, they attacked me."

"You are not answering the question, Wind Waker, and these creatures are not all what they would seem to be. You would do well to look at them in the daylight."

Link looked at the frozen monsters, they looked like any other he had fought and destroyed. What he didn't notice before, were a few of the creatures that were shorter than the rest. They were off to one side in a small group, and actually looked too young to be fighting any battles. They were pathetic and decidedly out of place, Link sighed, was that it?

Still, Link knew he could not disregard Zephos' words completely and too irritated to wait for morning he pulled out the Wind Waker baton and conducted the Song of Passing. Night suddenly lifted and Link's mouth dropped open in astonishment when several of the bokoblin forms melted away. Left behind were his missing and stunned neighbors. Link was more upset when the smaller of the creatures he'd thought of as pathetic, turned out to be the children.

Link was horrified. He knew, without a doubt, if he'd taken the time to put the pieces together, he would have figured it out. He would have and though tricked he knew he tossed those bombs without so much as an iota of regret; he'd come that close to murdering all of his neighbors. Something Al said floated up and Link shivered. "He's not an 'it', Link, he's darkness, evil wrapped up in a malevolent soul. He'll kill you if he can, and if he can't do that, he'll kill or destroy those that you love instead."

While Link didn't have a clue why Zephos would just appear as he had, Link fervently sent a prayer of thanks to the Goddesses for once again keeping an eye on him and aiding him when his own deeds were leading him to disaster. Link then put the staff away and looked up at the oversized frog and nodded as he accepted the rebuke.

The Wind God nodded as he said, "It is well that you have come to your senses."

Several explosions pulled Link's attention back to the scene in front of him,in time to see those creatures that did not change form, succumb to the magic of the staff. When Link didn't see his grandmother among those left behind, he started to worry. Zephos was in front of him again and when he saw Link's dismay offered some advice.

"The staff you carry is an ancient one. While it holds immense power, it does not know the difference between good and ill. How you wield it will decide that. The last to carry it, rarely invoked its power when it became clear the ease with which that power could corrupt even the best of hearts." The deity's voice softened and took on the tone of a scolding parent, "Wind Waker, do you not remember the trials you endured to gain the Master Sword? Could it be that you have forsaken all the wisdom you gained in that quest? Or have you become impatient with your role as Hero of Winds?"

The truth of those words struck like a blow. Not only impatient, but also indifferent. The Wind God was right and since Ganon's defeat, he hadn't really paid any attention to that title. The magnitude of that failure hit and left a hard knot of worry in his stomach.

"Know this, Link Namaki, you can never again just be a young man of Outset Island. From the moment you pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal you bound yourself to a hero's destiny. It will never be something you can lightly set aside."

Link's memories of that event were fuzzy at best and he could almost sense the weapon he'd left in Ganondorf's head at the bottom of the ocean. That by itself was why he'd decided that was where Tetra was headed. Shoulders slumped he bowed to the Wind God and said in a low pained voice, "Thank you Zephos, I beg you to accept my apology. Please pray to the Goddesses on my behalf for redemption for my transgression." Link then straightened and waited. Zephos gave him the barest of nods and turned to the traumatized islanders.

"People of Outset, I would ask that you forgive the young hero for his impatience and lack of understanding. He was unaware of your plight and sought only to protect your homes and island." The Wind God moved closer and spoke so that only Link could hear. "Your redemption will have to wait, Wind Waker. Your time grows short. If you wish to help your Princess and defeat the Shadow, you will have to outwit as well as outfight your enemy. It is crafty and will seek to distract you as it did here. You must become single-minded in your purpose. Already you have let yourself wander. It will stop at nothing to gain what it desires." The cloud Zephos was sitting on moved back a bit and he added, "Do not waste the hope granted you."

Link and the villagers watched as the guardian spirit of the Triforce of Courage rose back up to the heavens and out of sight. Link was left standing there. Nothing he could say would ever make it better. As a group, his neighbors turned their backs to him and to began talk. Link knew whatever punishment they came up with he would have to accept. Carelessness combined with an ungenerous heart had brought him to this point so he stood silently and waited.

From time to time angry looks were thrown in his direction from the crowd. Rather than endure them Link stared down at the grass. Well what was left of it, he was dismayed to see that an entire section of it was missing. Wiped bare by the magic he'd set loose. How could he have not noticed that before?

"Link?" he heard Sturgeon's voice and looked up. "We have decided on a punishment, but have also decided to wait until this matter is cleared up before we carry it out."

"Thank you, Master Sturgeon," Link said and bowed. He tried not to sound too relieved, but was more than a little nervous when he turned to the crowd and bowed to them also.

"As soon as this is over I will return and accept my punishment."

Several of Link's neighbors nodded and the crowd began to disperse. Sue Belle however remained rooted and shot him a glower that made him wince inside. A small group of boys, were having a very animated conversation on the beach. Like the adults they stood in a tight circle whispering to one another. "I'll settle this," one boy said and tromped up the beach until he was right next to Link. The other boys followed closely, but stopped a short distance away. Zill was Link's second or third cousin, Link never could remember which. The boy still wore his hero clothes from his coming of age party a few weeks before. Tradition said he was to wear them for a month and then was free to dress as he chose.

"Hoy Zill," Link said.

"Link, tell these guys you weren't really going to blow us up like the frog said."

Link was taken aback by the question, should he just say no? Thoughts of redemption flitted briefly through his head but redemption with a lie...Link sighed and thought, Better just tell the truth.

"Zill," Link said as he knelt and brought himself down just below eye level with his red haired cousin. "I'm afraid the big frog was right."

Zill's smile faded. "But...you're the Hero right?"

For the first time, in a long time, Link thought before he answered that question. "Yes."

"So...you were going to blow us up?"

He met the boy's eyes and repeated, "Yes."

"But...why?"

Link bowed his head again, he knew he was adding injury but there was no going back now. "I'm sorry Zill, I don't have a good reason for what happened. I knew something was wrong and I should have checked it out..." Link paused and raised his eyes as he chided himself, No excuses Namaki. Looking up again he said, "The truth Zill is that I got lazy and chose poorly."

The boy was quiet and he pulled off his hero's hat. Zill's voice was lowered as he said, "But you're supposed to protect us..." Zill was no longer looking at him. His eyes were staring at the ground. Is there a way to make any of this better?

"You're right," Link said and he paused for a moment. "I...I failed in that." Zill's clothes marked him as a man of the village now and when Zill met his gaze a second time there was a fierceness to them that Link knew well. The people of Outset were a proud and stubborn lot. The Hero should not fail. So Link did the only thing he could think of in that moment. He stood to his full height and bowed to the children and went on as if addressing one of the village elders, "All I can ask is your forgiveness and your prayers. I will accept my repentance when it comes and hope you will allow me to make amends for my poor judgment."

Startled, Zill nodded. The other children noticed and turned to Zill. The boy scratched his head absently and bowed slightly in response. Once straightened he pushed his red-gold hair out from in front of his green eyes and replied ,"I'll have to think about it."

Link nodded. "That's the best way to come to a decision," he said and watched as the boy surrounded by his friends walked back up the hill toward his home. Zill was taller than most of the group, and the others trailed after him asking questions. As Link watched the group continue up the hill, he knew just how much damage he'd done. As word spread, and it always seemed to when he was involved, people would be less inclined to help him and he had no one but himself to blame.

"It's never easy to find out your hero is just as human as yourself," Sturgeon said next to him. "You're probably wondering about your Grandmother and Sister."

"Yes," Link said as he watched the still retreating figure. "Can you tell me where they are?"

"Aryll left the island a few days ago with the pirates, though their captain was not with them." Sturgeon let out a troubled sigh. "As for your Grandmother, she and Orca disappeared not long after that."

"Disappeared? How long has she been missing?" Link was sure the shadow was somehow involved and also realized this was the first distraction to be thrown in his path.

"It was shortly after your Sister and the pirates left the island, though I have some ideas as to where they might be."

"Master Sturgeon," Link said interrupting him. The old man looked up at him and Link hated what he had to say next. "I can't let myself get sidetracked again. I just wasted three days on Great Fish. I have to get focused on the real problem. Can you tell me anything about a Shadow of Legend called Hitokage?."

The old man paled but asked, "But ...?"

Link's insides roiled at the unasked question. The Shadow was forcing him to choose. Choose between Tetra and his Grandmother. "You're not making this easier." His voice sounded flat to his ears. Sturgeon looked out at the ocean and frowned.

"You are right of course, Orca is most likely with your Grandmother, so I'm sure he'll do his best to look after her," the old man said, but Link heard the note of disappointment in his voice. Turning he called to his granddaughter as she approached. "Sue Belle? Can you get me the large green tome with the gold lettering on it?"

"Of course, Grandfather," she said and Link noticed the glare she shot him again. She turned away quickly and headed up the small hill to their home.

"Please bring it to Link's house."

She waved but did not answer, so the pair headed toward his house. As they past the postbox, again it began to wiggle and shake.

Two Letters for Link - will you accept?

Link said yes but wondered idly why they hadn't shown up with the other one as two letters of varying size fell into his hands. One appeared to be from Medli the other from Makar.

Meet distractions two and three, Link thought as he read them. While the handwriting look genuine, the content was uncertain and vague at best. Both Sages were much stronger than they were when Link had played his part in their awakening so Link pocketed both deciding the pair would need to fend for themselves. He needed more information if he was going to get anywhere.

By the time they reached his porch, Sue Belle made it to them with the book expertly balanced on her head. As she handed her grandfather the book she still glared but forced a nervous smile, which he returned. When Sturgeon took the book from her, she said to Link, "How could not see? I want to believe you would never purposely hurt anyone Link, but your eyes they frightened me..."

Link realized she had been the bokoblin that had looked at him so mournfully. "Sue Belle, I..." he faltered; he could see she was upset but her glare was back as she turned and hurried away.

Sturgeon sighed and said, "They will see the right of it eventually Link, don't worry."

"I don't know Master Sturgeon," Link said as they went inside. "Of all the mistakes I've made lately, this one's gonna end up being the worst." Link lit the small lamp on the table and opened the curtains to let in the morning sun. A familiar smell drew him to the hearth and he noticed there was still some soup left in the pot. He filled two of his bottles and dumped the rest into a pair of bowls. After he handed one to Sturgeon and he sat down nearby.

Link ate quietly while the old scholar looked through the dusty pages. Sturgeon mumbled to himself from time to time, took a spoonful of soup, and returned to his research. Link needed to rest, but his overtired mind jumped around, not settling on anything in particular. Instead, he tried to focus on the puzzle Tetra had given him; he hoped he figured it out soon.

Ere winter's solstice began

Okay, so it was something that happened before the solstice but when? Before their last argument, he ran into her at the market festival on Windfall. Link recalled they'd gotten on pretty well that day, even had a nice dinner...the memory was weirdly clouded. He remembered walking and talking, a ride on the ferris wheel...Link blinked when the rest of the night piled into his head from where he'd shoved it after she ripped his head off the following morning. Something he said set her off, he still didn't know what and Tetra never told him. Of course, he was so angry with her that he hadn't put any real effort into finding out what was bugging her. He returned his attention to the next line.

relations lost, remembered pain

He really wasn't sure what this was referring to but had a feeling it had something to do with the disagreement that took place shortly after that, on her ship just before her birthday. It disturbed him that he seemed to only remember things in relation to their last argument.

all to sacrifice the gull

That line really bothered him. Something bad was coming that had nothing to do with the shadow directly. Aryll maybe? Why would his sister be sacrificed? Seriously he wished she would just tell him instead of making him guess.

to speed the ravens flight

Not a clue. Whatever she was getting at, he was missing it completely. When did Tetra mentioned ravens before that? Ravens were smart bird with a tendency toward brashness. Link pulled his hat off and dropped it on the table. He was tired, the magic used by the wind waker could really pull it out of him if he'd already been awake too long. As he sat in his Grandmother's favorite chair, he drifted off. His dreams were full of gulls being chased across the sea by flocks of ravens.