//------------------------------// // [7] Problems, Plans, and Postage // Story: Hero Of Harmony // by MattTOB //------------------------------// As soon as she released Spike from the hug, Zelda rushed back to the bookcase and grabbed a map. "Right, we should get planning right away." She spread the map across the table, and Spike looked over it. The fact that the distance he'd covered in the last day wasn't even an eighth of the size of Hyrule worried Spike. "Now then," Zelda began to talk to herself, "We already have the Triforce of Wisdom, so that leaves Courage and Power." Spike blinked. "Wait, we do?" The Princess responded by holding up her right hand, showing Spike the symbol on her glove. "I'm the bearer of it, so yes." The drake's jaw fell. "That's the Triforce?!" "Well, this is just the mark of a bearer, but the actual Triforce does indeed resemble this." He muttered, "So that's why it's on all those tapestries..." Zelda turned her attention back to the map. "Our scouts have determined that neither piece is in Hateno nor Lurelin Village, so that rules out two places. The rest, we'll have to check ourselves." Spike cleared his throat. "So, um, what exactly are we getting the Triforce for?" She blinked, embarrassed that she'd forgotten to explain. "Oh, right. A couple of nights ago, I had a vision that Ganon, the embodiment of evil and the blight that has cursed our land since time immemorial, is planning his return." Spike's eyes widened. "Woah. He sounds bad..." Zelda nodded. "He wants the Triforce so that he can rule not just Hyrule, but the whole world. The last time he returned, my Grandmother sent the previous Hero seven years into the future, where it was discovered that his rule will bring the kingdom to decay. We must not allow this to happen." Spike was now visibly trembling. "Th-then what'll we do?" She pointed to four spots on the map, marked 'Goron City', 'Gerudo Fortress', 'Reto Village', and 'Zora's Dominion'. "The four other rulers should be able to help us. I shall go to the Gerudo, as they only allow Vai in their city." Spike blinked. "What's a 'Vai'?" "It's the Gerudo word for 'woman'," Nuha explained. "Ah," Spike nodded. "You, young Spike, shall go to one of the other kingdoms and speak to their ruler." "Alright, then," the drake leaned in closer to the map, looking over not just the cities' names and locations but also their surrounding topography. All three were in mountainous areas, but each seemed to have a different climate. From what he could tell based on the map, Zora's Dominion was surrounded by a large reservoir, Reto Village was atop a snowy mountain, and Goron City... He pointed to the red around that city. "That's a volcano, I'm assuming?" Zelda nodded. "How astute of you. Would that be a problem for you?" "Actually, just the opposite," Spike corrected. "I'm actually a dragon, so I'm naturally fireproof." She nodded. "In that case, I'd like to request that you head up there first. It would save us the hassle of obtaining enough fireproof elixirs to go ourselves." Spike saluted. "You can count on me!" Hamzah muttered to himself, "And here I thought that the Kokiri Forest could get hot at times... Oh well, why not?" Zelda bowed slightly, her hands clasped together. "We are most grateful, young Spike and friends. I shall gather the equipment you'll need, and we will set out in the morning. In the meanwhile, Captain Eran, would you kindly show our guests to the Guest Suite?" One of the guards who'd escorted Spike in (the same one who'd ordered the maid to fetch Zelda) nodded, then beckoned for Spike to follow him out the door. Spike snuck one last glance at Zelda as they left, seeing her Royal façade slip as soon as she thought he was out of eyesight. In that single moment, she gave in and beamed in excitement, jittering slightly. Spike smiled to himself, then continued to follow the guard. Later that night... Spike sat down on the bed, fiddling with his hat. Hamzah was looking in a mirror, while Nuha was perusing the bookshelf for any books about Gorons. "What do you two know about the Hero?" Spike broke the silence. Hamzah replied without missing a beat, "He's the series of reincarnations of the original Knight that helped seal Ganon away the first time. He represents the Triforce of Courage, so he's naturally brave. Most of the time, his name is Link, but he also goes by other monikers." Nuha inquired, "Why do you ask?" The young dragon sighed, taking off his hat and looking down at it. "I really don't know if I can live up to all that. I'm not brave; I'm afraid of so much..." Nuha went to reply, but Hamzah beat her to it: "Courage isn't a lack of fear; courage is about not letting your fears control you." Spike blinked, musing over it. "But still, I'm just unsure about all this..." Hamzah couldn't help but let out a chuckle, "You're in a completely different world, with different species than you're used to, and they're asking you to help them retrieve some ancient artifacts that'll save them from complete and utter devastation; I'd be surprised if you WEREN'T uncomfortable with any of this!" Even though he couldn't see it, Spike knew that Nuha was smiling warmly to him. "But I'm sure you'll do great, little guy. If the Deku Sprout believes in you, then I do, too." He sighed. "I suppose you're right... I just wish I could tell Twilight I'm okay..." Then an idea struck him. He leapt off of the bed and scoured the room's dressers for any paper, eventually finding some. He grabbed a quill and began writing, praying to Celestia that this would work. Twilight, meanwhile, was in stage 3 of a meltdown. Her eyes were on the verge of bursting with tears as she desperately searched through all her books, trying to find anything to bring her best friend back. But then, just as all hope seemed lost, a scroll appeared in a wavering flash of green fire. Twilight's eyes widened; she knew that fire anywhere. Before the letter could fall even an inch, it was already in her magical grasp, and she began reading it right away. Twilight, I'm still alive, and doing rather well! You wouldn't believe what's happened to me since I tripped into that spell; I ended up in the place it depicted, called Hyrule. So many different species live here, from fairies to bipeds, and even a talking tree! Thankfully, everyone I've met so far has been kind. Two of the fairies, Nuha and Hamzah, have been by my side since I found them in the forest, and they're great company. And with some help from the Great Deku Sprout, as well as a Princess named Zelda, I'm on my way towards retrieving a means of getting home. I won't lie: it'll be tough. But please stay strong, and have courage! As Hamzah said, "Courage isn't a lack of fear; courage is about not letting your fear control you." I just hope to Celestia that this letter gets to you. Be back as soon as I can, Spike 💜 Twilight smiled, but not for the reason Spike had wanted. Instead of a reassured smile, it was a determined smirk. By sending this letter, he'd inadvertently given her a bead on his location.