Chapter 7: By Moonlight
The fire-red jewel glowing in the darkness lighted the scene below. Raner watched uncertainly as the dark figure rushed the orange robed figure below. "Is it Link or Mishcana who still stands?" he wondered to himself. He withdrew his sword and prepared to launch himself below. "Fire Attack." He heard the young girl below him utter. Her arrow lit, she launched at her assailant and he stepped back, distracted a moment. Realization hit him; this creature, this thing that appeared like Link must be weak to fire. Murmuring an old family spell his sword glowed dully with fire's radiance. As the dark figure went to slash the young Mishcana, Raner fell on him and knocked away his sword. A ferocious battle ensued between the two. His opponent kept dodging his blade and he in turn did so to his enemy's. Mishcana breathed heavily and leaned upon her bow. Weariness was written upon her face and her eyes lay half closed. Raner saw her and fought more fiercely. Dowan's sword flew out of his hand and impaled a tree. The dull-red sword advanced upon his throat. "Yield, warrior or I will kill you." Said Raner in a deadly, deep voice. Dowan shook his head and chuckled. "You could not defeat me if you tried. Very well, you have won the battle, but I will have them all soon enough. My master commands me." Dowan launched a Deku seed at Raner and he covered his eyes against the flash. When he opened them, the dark man was gone. Raner sighed with relief as sweat dribbled down his forehead.
He checked on Mishcana first and helped her to her feet. She teetered back and forth and complained of being dizzy. "I over used my magic, Raner." She explained to his concerned inquiries, "Worry about the princess and Link, I can stand. I'll be fine . . ." her tone drifted off as she swooned and landed softly in his arms. He held her tenderly a moment and looked up at the moon. Its gleaming face disappeared behind the trees and the four were covered in darkness.
When Mishcana awoke she was astride Epona. The horse's soft mane cushioned her head. She was belted into the saddle and seated. Beside the horse Raner walked slowly holding Epona's reins. The path was clearer of trees now, and the moon shone overhead. The Kokiri woods surrounded them still and Raner looked tentatively at his surroundings. Behind Epona a make shift carrier had been constructed. It dragged across the ground and carried the two bodies of Link and Zelda. "Mm. Are we lost?" asked Mishcana sleepily. Raner startled and spun around searching for the origin of the voice. Seeing Mishcana awake he visibly relaxed and nodded. "We are. I finally understand why Link calls these the Lost Woods, now, and why he bid me never enter. I can't find our way out." He came to a stop and unbuckled her from Epona. "Let's rest here a while. I need wait for Link to awaken; he knows these woods better than anyone. I will only get us more lost." Mishcana nodded and sank down to the ground and leaned her back upon a sturdy cedar tree. "Alright, but how did Epona get here? Link didn't wake up did he? They gave him a heavy dose." Raner shook his head and flopped resignedly beside the young girl. "Forgive me. I found your silver whistle in your robe's pocket. My mother taught me how to play one like that when I was younger. I remembered Link's song, I needed a horse to get you three out of there, and so I called her. I hope he won't mind." Mishcana shook her head, "He'll probably be happy you did. Those Yeril were scary. At least, I think that's what they called themselves. They looked so much like Hylians, but they were so dark skinned. What happened to them, I wonder?"
Raner turned away sadly from Mishcana. "Dead. Strange creatures that looked like bulldogs came charging through their ranks. They were no match for the fierce creatures. Dowan, the man who attacked you, lead them and called them moblins. I have encountered one or two while wandering the forest tonight, but none have seen me. Lady luck is with us." Sadly, Mishcana nodded and looked to her fallen companions. "I hope they wake up soon. I dare say Zelda will wake before Link. She drank much at the party, but Link was given the stuff pure. Maybe I can get us out?" Raner looked at her hesitantly, "Can you walk long enough? You could barely stand a scant two hours ago unless I miss my mark." She nodded and stood up. "The over-depletion of my magic is recovered. I couldn't light a candle, but I can walk. My whistle, if you please?" Raner nodded and handed back the whistle. He was tall enough that when sitting he was nearly her height. The whistle kissed her lips and she began to play. Saria's song echoed through the woods. In the distance an answering tune played out through the darkness. "This way. Someone's trying to help us." He followed Mishcana leading the Epona as he went. They passed through a large log and came soon to another 3-pronged path. Again Mishcana played the song and an answering tone came back. They travelled this way for a long time until at last they came to a small area lit by a strange beamlike light.
There was a small log upon the ground and another up high. A strange figure stood illuminated by the light, playing on his flute Saria's Song. He leapt off his high log and ran over to them eagerly, worry making him come swiftly. Two fairies swooped down and flew anxiously around Link's head. One was black and one was yellow. The yellow spoke fretfully, "Is he alright?" She flew after Mishcana and berated her soundly. "If you did this to him or let this happen, I'll fight you!" she flew at the small orange-robed Kokiri-Hylian then turned her attention upon Raner, and flew at him instead. Casually, he swatted the fairy out of the way and whistled innocently. "Could it be?" the skull-kid asked, "Little Mishcana, all grown up?" She nodded happily, "Knock it off Talt, they're friends." The little fairy's wings drooped sadly and she flew back to her black brother. "I'm sorry, I don't remember you too well. I need your help though. We are lost and need help finding our way back to the Kokiri village." Mishcana said. He nodded slowly. "I'll help you, because Link once helped us three. Though, I don't like adults much." He jerked his fist in the direction of Raner. "Talt and Tael, can you lead them out of here? Come back when you're done." The two fairies bobbed in concession. Tael landed in Mishcana's hair while Talt took up the lead. "Thank you, skull child, for your aide. I won't forget it." He shrugged slowly and asked her, "Would you tell him his friend misses him when he wakes up? Tell him to come visit sometime. He needs to have some fun, not just protect that princess all the time." Mishcana agreed eagerly and led by the fairies the foreigners left the Lost Woods.
They passed through the Kokiri village in silence for none were awake. Talt lit the way while Tael chattered happily. After crossing the bridge and leaving the forest completely the two fairies halted. Tael looked backwards at the woods behind him, "We have to go back from here. I wonder if we can wake him, Talt?" Talt nodded to her brother. "Let's combine our magic and give it a shot." The two pounced happily over Link and fluttered pixie dust upon him. His eyes opened silently and he screamed. "Gah! What's going on?" Talt and Tael fluttered happily midair, "Hiya hero, how you doing?" Talt asked joyfully. "Talt?" she nodded. Link looked confused and turned his head to see Mishcana and Raner standing nearby. Epona, he realized, was here too. "What it Farore's name happened?" Raner stepped forward grinning happily. "Mish escaped with you guys from the camp then saved you guys from Dark Link, who now calls himself Dowan by the way. I saved her from him and he fled. I do not believe him defeated. Skull-kid and his fairies helped us out, though I do not know who he is." Link sighed distraughtly and his eyes slowly closed. "I'm too tired to keep my eyes open. It's good to see you again Talt, and you too Tael. Where's skull-kid?" Tael's wings drooped laggedly, "In the forest. Talt, we should get back. Good bye Link." The other echoed the sentiment and Link smiled, "Thanks for everything, my good fairies." The fairies flew off swift as humming birds back into the forest.
"Is Zelda alright?" Link asked to no one's surprise. Raner smiled, "Yes. Sleeping. If you need to Link, just drift off again. I can get us home from here." He murmured something sleepily and said no more. "Mish, mount up alright? You're fast, but your legs are small. I'm going to get us back as hastily as possible." Raner helped Mishcana onto the horse and together with the horse he ran towards Hyrule castle.
Return to Part/Chapter list
Go to the Chapter Eight: The Great Fairy Magic