No Time To Rest

<---Index

The group had only been seated for two minutes when the angst ridden Shadow got to his feet, saying, “We move out now!” Everyone looked at him in shock. He was the last person at the present time they would have expected to be cutting the reprise short. Mido looked at him and said, “Your injuries are pretty bad, Link. I'm surprised you survived them at all, and that's not including the fire stunt you pulled. How did you do that anyway?” Shadow shook his head. “Gift from the goddess Din from the Golden Land. Don't know why she gave it to me, but I plan to use it as many times as necessary. Now get up and get moving.”

The group started heading out as the wounded Shadow took a heavy swig of Chu Jelly potion. Turning to the others, he said, “We don't have time to rest,” the dark elf said to the wind. “Link, Sheik and... tears started welling up in his eyes. “No... I can't think about it... I can't think about losing her again... Not this time!” Turning to the others, He yelled, “Are you three ready to move?” Mido grumbled in reply, “Yeah, yeah. We're move... what IS that annoying sound?”

Listening carefully to the rather annoying theme, he said, “I don't know the tune, but I know the off key singer.” Waving his good arm, he yelled, “TINGLE!!! OVER HERE!!!” Sure enough, Tingle's voice chimed clearly through the air, “Mr Dark Fairy! I have been looking everywhere for you! Are you doing well?” Looking at his arm, the warrior replied, “I've been better. Where are you?” Landing softly behind him, the balloon he traveled with neatly tucked into his bag.

“Tingle the Mighty, at your service.” Shadow sighed. “Not going to give that up, are you?”
“Nope!” came the cheerful reply. Looking at his arm, the creature said, “Hmm? Looks like you got into a nasty fight.” Mido said, “Yeah, Banshees. Now who... or What are you?” Tingle smiled and prepared to answer when Shadow replied, “Our eye in the sky.” Turning to him, he asked, “Any chance you have a map on you? I'll pay any price.” Tingle shook his head. “I was just finishing one up. It you take a little time, but I can have one for you in about two hours.”

Shadow nodded. “Good. I'll pay. And if you have a compass, that would be a big help.” Smiling, he replied, “Now that you mention it, Miss Okito asked me to give you just that, as well as these fine gifts.” He handed the dark elf a compass and a large, rather full quiver of arrows. Smiling, he said, “It holds seventy-five arrows. Should come in handy, yes?” Smiling, Shadow took the Quiver and compass, saying, “I need that map ASAP, so try to be quick.” Tingle smiled. “Certainly. I'll even give you a thirty percent discount.” Nodding, the black garbed warrior said, “Deal.”

With that, Tingle took to the air and Mido asked, “Okay... since when did you become friends with a salesman?” Shadow shrugged. “I think it was about the time that he saved my sorry butt from a possessed fairy Queen and the demon controlling her.” Looking at him for a moment, Bargo said, “That's just weird.” Shadow nodded. “Tell me about it. Now let's go.” The four warriors traveled deeper into the woods looking  for a landmark that they could use to go in the right direction. The sound of a banshee screeching in the distance caught their attention.

Looking in the direction of the sound, Bargo said, “looks like someone took one of those buggers down. Whoever it is got lucky. This place is no man's land. All the monsters are toxic.” Shadow nodded and said, “Then let's try to keep from running into another one of them. I don't want to take any unnecessary chances. I have to help my friends.” Mido sighed. “He's taking this personally.” Liara turned to him and whispered, “If you looked at the visitors, you'd know why. One of them looks exactly like my little Saria, from so long ago. It's only natural that he has a personal stake in this.”

Mido shook his head. “He's practically committing suicide for a girl? What's with him?” Bargo chuckled and replied, “One day, you'll find out for yourself, Mido. One day...” Looking at her as though she had suddenly grown a second head, he completely disregarded the entire comment. Looking at Shadow, who had gained significant ground, ran to catch up. Looking at his fellow villager, he said, “Hey, Link. If something's bugging you, you can let me know, you know?” The warrior didn't reply. The look on his face was one of desperation. He wasn't only trying to save his friends, he was trying to save himself as well.

As they made their way through the woods, a piece of paper tied to a rock landed on top of Mido's head. Picking it up, he saw a note saying, “Pay me when you get back to the others. I'll keep an eye on them until then.” Looking at the sky, he said, “Is he always this generous?” Shaking his head, the dark elf replied, “I guess he didn't remember he still has my wallet.” They continued along the path using the map and compass to guide them. As they continued onward, Shadow said, “This place is like a maze.” Mido nodded. “A long time ago, that's exactly what this place was. It would challenge Kokiri who wanted to become warriors. When the light faded from this world many eons ago, the maze became filled with dangerous creatures and a cursed mist.”

Continuing, he said, “Without the light to bless this world, the darkness spread, infecting all living things. The people, the soil, the water, and even the gentle creatures of this world. They became far more dangerous than anything known to the races, and therefore had to be given names as such. Even we Kokiri were not left unaffected by the darkness. Our eyes became as blood and our skin as ink. No one alive on this world resemble the original life... no one but you, Link.” Looking at him with a note of surprise, Shadow said, “What do you mean?”

Mido sighed. “Because. When you were a baby, your parents found you on their doorstep. You only just barely had the skin and hair of our people. But your eyes were unlike any we ever saw. The tenderness of your skin was not the kind that would belong to this world. You didn't resemble a Kokiri, but your immunity to the illnesses, your adept ability to live off the land, your ease in learning fighting skills. There was no question. You were a Kokiri born from both worlds.

We found your parent's long after we found you. They were sick and dying. They told us everything about themselves and we told them about you. Just so you know, You have your mother's eyes.” Shadow nodded. “Well, just let me ask one thing about them.” Mido nodded. “When they died did they...” His friend shook his head. “They dies in their sleep. There was no suffering.” Shadow nodded. “That's good news. In this world, a death without suffering is a luxury.” Liara handed him an item she had been carrying around for a while.

“Here. It was your mother's.” Shadow opened the parcel and looked at the contents. Inside was an Ocarina. He picked it up and held it close to his chest. As the group stood there, Mido said, “Go on, Link. We'll understand.” Putting the instrument to his lips, he played a song on the instrument that was his only family memento. The song was both sad and and beautiful at the same time. The four listened to it with teary eyes.

In the shadows of some Thorn-Berry bushes, a lone figure watched the group listening to the melody. Quietly and without disturbing anything around it, the figure vanished into the shadows it came from.