Hero by Heart

Chapter 21

Zelda didn't sleep well. Somewhere during the night her fireproof elixer had started to wear off, making the heat almost unbearable. She had woken up drenched in sweat and had to look in her bags for another elixer, which took her way too long.
After finally downing the cool liquid, she felt better, but getting back to sleep had proven difficult. She felt sweaty and dirty and couldn't get comfortable on the hard rock bed.
As morning rolled around she didn't feel much better, with aching muscles and burning eyes. She didn't want Link to know, however, so she put on a brave face.
The climb up here the previous day had been way more difficult than she had anticipated, leaving her exhausted and aching everywhere. The thought of another rough climb today certainly wasn't a fun prospect.
But as Link led her out of the inn, she discreetly stretched her sore limbs and took a few deep breaths, preparing herself for the day.
Instead of turning right, as Zelda had expected, Link led her to the left, immediately entering the small cave-like structure next to the inn.
'I figured it might be easier to buy you the Flamebreaker Armor too. It's a little heavier to carry around, but it's more dependable than those elixers,' Link said, pointing out the items for sale.
Zelda nodded, pulling out the boots and inspecting them. They felt quite heavy, but she was sick of the constant heat, so it would have to do.
They paid and, after she pulled the armour on, quickly left the shop, this time heading past the inn and up the path, towards the big Goron pacing in front of his house.
'Goodmorning, Bludo,' Link called out.
'Well, well, well,' the big Goron rumbled. 'Who do we have here? If it isn't our young friend Link. And is that the princess of Hyrule my old eyes see there?' He held out his giant hand for her. 'It's wonderful to see you again, Princess!'
Zelda smiled kindly, shaking his massive hand. 'It's good to see you too! It's been too long.'
'Rumour has it that the two of you defeated that filthy beast at the castle,' Bludo said. 'Is that true? He is truly gone?'
Link nodded. 'He won't trouble us any longer.'
'That's wonderful! Amazing! It was about time that nasty dog got taken care off. Good riddance.'
'Bludo?' Zelda gently asked his attention. 'Is it possible for us to head up to Vah Rudania today? We would like to do some research.'
The Goron frowned, dragging his hand over his bald head. 'Why would you want to do that? It's no longer needed, right?'
'No, but there is still much to learn about it,' Zelda patiently explained. 'We are trying to take a look at all the Divine Beasts.'
'Well, be my guest. I have to warn you though, it's tough to climb up that volcano, even for us Gorons.'
Zelda nodded. She knew it was going to prove difficult and she dreaded the climb, but her desire to see the Beast won it from her reluctance. She just had to deal with it.
'You can ask Yunobo for some help. I think he would be happy to be of service,' Bludo said. He then turned to Link. 'Ever since you and him stopped that rampage of Vah Rudania, he has been in much better spirits. He seems much more confident now.'
'That sounds like a good plan,' Link said. 'Do you know where we could find him?'
'Lately he spends a lot of time staring off into the distance, from on top of the entrance gate. You should look there.'
     Zelda and Link said their goodbyes to Bludo and headed back towards the towns entrance, where they indeed saw a Goron standing on top of the gate.
     'Brother!' The young Yunobo called out. 'It's good to see you!' He took Link into a massive embrace, almost completely obscuring the small Hylian from view.
     Zelda chuckled, which gained her the attention of the Goron.
     'Oh!' He said, his eyes growing big. 'You must be... I mean... uh... hello?'
     Zelda gave him a friendly smile. 'Hello. You must be Yunobo. I have heard so much about you.'
     The Goron nodded, awkwardly putting his hand in his neck. 'You have?'
     'It's all good, don't worry,' she quickly said. 'I heard you and Link defeated the Divine Beast when it was out of control. You were very brave from what I've heard.'
     To Zelda's delight she could see his face light up at those words. He even stood up a little straighter, sticking his chest out.
     'That was great... I still can't believe we actually did that!'
Link gave him a pat on the shoulder, having to stretch out as far as possible to do so. 'We sure did, Big Brother.'
Yunobo smiled broadly at the two of them, before turning his attention towards the Divine Beast, which was clearly visible from here.
'Ever since it has stayed there, not moving. I went back up one day, but it won't do anything. It's all dead.'
'That's why we're here,' Zelda said. 'We want to investigate the technology and find out why. Bludo said you might want to help us to get in. Will you?' She offered him her kindest smile, which he quickly returned.
'Of course! There is nothing to be scared of now. If you know the right ways, it's easy to get there.'
     'If you don't mind, we would like to go there today,' Link said.
     Yunobo nodded. 'I'll be ready in a few minutes. Meet me at the plateau above the village, near the bridge.' And with that he turned and rolled away.
     Zelda looked at Link and smiled. 'He is nice.'
     Link laughed. 'You should have seen him when we met. He was scared of everything. I'm happy he's doing better now.'
     Zelda nodded, before following Link as he led her down to the main road again.
     'I packed some stuff, so we can pick that up at the inn. We should be able to make it with that.' He said, his eyes turned forwards.
     Zelda nodded again, even though he could not see her. He looked determined and so sure of himself, not even doubting climbing up an active volcano. She admired that about him.
     After getting their stuff, they walked out of the City and up a steep path. Yunobo was already waiting for them, standing on the bridge he talked about earlier.
     It wasn't big, but it enabled them to cross the burning hot lava streaming down.
     Without a word both Link and Yunobo started walking, so Zelda simply followed.
     Even though she had been here before, the view kept impressing her. The mountain rose up into a clear blue sky, with orange and steaming lava all over it. In front of them were small rock islands in a lake of fire, with steam rising up everywhere, moving in the wind.
She was incredibly grateful for her armour, with all that fire and lava around them. It was heavy, but that was definitely worth it.
They now walked past the entrance to the Abandoned Northern Mines and up again, through a tunnel carved into the mountain. On the other side they came out on a long, narrow bridge. It looked like it was hastily made, twisting a bit and with lots of iron poking out.
Zelda took a deep breath, before carefully stepping on. She trusted the Gorons and their crafting skills, but this bridge looked ready to crumble right onto the City below.
On the other side she let out a breath she hadn't even realised she was holding. She glanced at Link, but he kept his gaze forward, not showing any sign of having heard.
As she walked on, however, he gently grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Zelda's face split open in a smile, but she quickly tried to wipe it away, acting as if nothing was different. She did feel a boost of energy though, which she was grateful for.
They now reached Death Mountain Marker 7, indicating they had reached the Hot Springs. Zelda looked at the water longingly.
'Maybe we can go in on our way back,' Link suggested, following her gaze.
Zelda nodded, even though she was slightly disappointed. She wanted to take a break and feel the delicious water on her skin, relaxing her sore muscles, but she knew they had to go on. She did not want to have to climb a volcano in the dark.
So she sighed and walked on, passing between the separate pools of steaming, delicious water.
The road continued past pools of lava, while streams flowed in from above them. It was so beautiful and yet so dangerously hot. Zelda couldn't help but feel impressed.
Just when the Bridge of Eldin came into view, Yunobo led the way to the right, where a strange-looking machine stood.
Zelda wasn't really paying attention to what Link and Yunobo were discussing, instead examining the machine and how it worked. It looked quite impressive.
When she turned around she noticed how both guys were watching her, making her feel a little self conscious.
Link then stepped towards her, close enough to softly talk without the Goron hearing.
'This is the easiest way to go up for you. It won't require any energy and it's very fast, but you have to be willing to do it.'
Zelda quirked her eyebrows. 'Why wouldn't I be?'
Link chuckled, dragging a hand through his messy hair. 'It might be a little dangerous. Yunobo is there to protect you, but I can't be, so we will have to trust him.' He looked over his shoulder at the young Goron. 'He will keep you safe, I'm sure of that, but I'd rather have you with me.' He now smiled at her sheepishly.
Zelda couldn't help but smile back lovingly. It was really sweet when Link got protective and caring like this. 'I think I will be okay. How does it work?'
'Yunobo rolls up, like only Gorons can. He will get in that way,' he pointed at the broad opening of the machine. 'And I will make an explosion on that side,' he said, pointing at the other end. 'It will send him out flying at the mountain.'
Zelda raised her eyebrows, looking at him incredulously. 'And where do I come in here?'
'He would take you in his arms,' Link said softly, looking at her with big eyes.
Zelda let out a soft gasp. He was actually talking about shooting her off towards a volcano in the arms of a living rock. It sounded insane.
     'Look,' Link said, stepping even closer to her. 'I know it's crazy, it's scary, but I really think it's the safest way.' He gently grabbed her hand and looked her intently in the eyes. 'Would you do it?'
Zelda thought for a second, but then slowly nodded. She trusted Link. If he thought it would be better, she wasn't going to doubt her. Plus the feeling of his hand on hers made her feel braver than she was.
     Before she knew it she was being held securely in the arms of Yunobo. It wasn't really comfortable, but she did have a sense of safety.
     He curled himself up into a ball, careful not to crush her. Then he slowly slid into the machine, which Zelda only knew by the sounds and smells. She kept her eyes shut tight.
     Somewhere in the distance she could hear Link, speaking some soothing words, but she didn't register them. There was an explosion and her stomach seemed to leave her body.
Zelda did not like this at all. Her mind couldn't comprehend the motions her body was making, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.
Within seconds there was a loud crash and suddenly they came to an abrupt halt. Zelda's breath was knocked out of her and she doubled over, suddenly free of the tight embrace.
Her hands landed on hard, hot rock and when she opened her eyes she saw small streams of lava running by her.
After slowly regaining her senses, she stood up and looked down. They almost made it all the way to the top, leaving the machine to look like a little speck in the depths. They were so high!
'Are you alright?' She heard Yunobo timidly ask from behind her.
She turned around and gave him a shaky smile. 'Y-yeah. I'm okay. Thank you.'
Yunobo smiled at her, before putting his hand in his neck and looking over his shoulder. 'We do have to climb a bit further. Do you want to do that now or wait for a bit?'
Zelda looked behind the big Goron to the peaks rising up. It wasn't really far anymore and it looked decently climbable.
'Let's go. No use in waiting around. I want to get this over with.'
Yunobo nodded and held out his hands for her to step in. With his big size and incredible strength he boosted her halfway up the mountainside.
Zelda took it slow, careful not to make a single misstep. Yunobo helped her out here and there and slowly but steadily they gained more and more height, until finally they reached the top.
Zelda took a few deep breaths, feeling the hot air burn in her throat. She looked around at the stunning view, taking in the shape of Vah Rudania right next to them. But before she really let herself pay attention to the surroundings, she looked down.
Way down there, hardly visible, was the Bridge of Eldin. She could just make out the machine behind it and started searching for a small speck against the dark rocks.
After what seemed like an eternity she finally saw movement, on top of a pillar of rock that protruded from the mountainside.
Link had already climbed quite the distance, but he was maybe on about a third of the total climb. How was he ever going to make that? This mountain was brutal.
With her eyes Zelda followed Link the entire way, as far as she could see him. Now and then she held her breath, waiting for him to emerge from behind some overhanging rocks, but he kept coming closer and closer to her.
Yunobo stood behind her all this time, not saying a word and leaving her to it. He probably didn't even fully understand what all the fuzz was about.
     When Link finally climbed over the final ledge and stood up, Zelda stepped forward and threw her arms around him without thinking. She clung onto him tightly, afraid to let him go again.
     Without realising, she had been so scared. Scared for herself and flying through the air, but also scared for Link and the massive climb he just did.
     Link softly chuckled, still panting slightly. He then gently stroked her hair. 'It's alright. We made it,' he whispered in her ear.