Kingdom of Power, of Courage, and of Wisdom

Majora's War - Giving Chase

Following the battle, Ganondorf Dragmire, Kuroko Dragmire, and Link departed to meet up with the Dragmire exodites. As Ganon expected, the group was halted by the Fae forces on their border. A wall of vines and trees rose to meet them and a number of wooden shells stood before them. The Fae to have escorted the exodites and the Fae to halt them were conversing in their silent way when the three found them.

One Fae stepped forward and bowed to them in greeting, "Son of Din, it is a pleasure to see you again."

Ganondorf returned the greeting, "It is good to see our brothers have found us, but which Fae am I speaking to?"

"You know me as the patriarch and elder. We fought together in Kanyou of Qin and Mitagi of Qin." Elder looked down at his shell. His wooden shell was covered in vines and leaves and looked ancient, most unlike the smooth and polished wooden form he used among the Qin. "Though I understand why you may not recognize me. This shell is different from the one you know. Yet be assured I am the one you already know."

Seeing him again, Link burst out in smiles and loudly exclaimed, "Elder! What happened to you, you look so old!"

Elder chuckled, "It is good to see you too, Son of Farore. I assure you, I do not age as you think. What you see is merely the empty husk I am using as a vessel of wooden flesh for my purposes here."

Kuroko merely stared in wide-eyed, slack-jawed awe. Elder turned his attention to her, "I see you have brought yet another of Din's lost." The wooden giant bent its legs forward and leaned down towards her. She fled back several steps and hid behind Ganon, but no further as Elder made no forward actions but to briefly bow. "I taste great pain in your shell and your cracked soul screams. If you desire it, you may stay for a time and let it heal."

Ganon looked back at the frightened woman and smirked in amusement. "She may wish it later, as she was victim to a Majora's Exile mask; but for now there are more immediate concerns. Rebellion has risen among the Majora concerning my blood and kin."

"Yes, your escorts have told me. I understand what has arisen against you and your purposes here." Elder briefly cast his gaze across the Dragmire people before him. "My soul says to accept you here, yet I also have reservations."

Ganon narrowed his eyes at his old friend. Would they not be accepted here? "Reservations?"

"Those we welcome are under our protection, but also become seperate from the world. Part of this seperation demands that there is no return to the world, at least while the generations they knew yet live. Yet you wish to be welcomed, and under our protection, but also to return to the world quickly. This is not in our ways. We yearn to aid you, but you seek conditions that are impossible. Even if I were to try and bend the rules, the ways of the forest and the powers would keep you here against your will."

"But-" Link stepped in, "You accepted Zelda and I for a few days and then let us go!"

"That was in a specially chosen location that is neutral ground," Elder answered. "And there is no such neutral ground that can hold all of you. You must stay out."

Ganon continued to glare at the Elder silently. Elder saw his trepidation and said, "I know it is distasteful, but it is for your own protection."

Link looked between the two of them and stepped back. Ganon eyes and hair looked particurally red and fiery.

Ganon whispered harshly, "The Majora told me to take my kin and leave for our protection. We come to you to flee our pursuers, and you tell us to stay out for our protection. Shall we go to Qin next to be rejected as well 'for our protection'? Elder, your words ring hollow when I remember being among an escort of children who entered your forest to seek a masking trial into the depths of your domain and returned safely."