The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link

Chapter 19: Meeting the Elders

Zelda traversed the winding pathways the led up the volcano, being careful to dodge the flaming rocks plummeting from the skies.

"Sheez, what is with all of the mountains in your land?" Midna groaned, hot on Zelda's heels. Zelda just simply sighed in response.

The two came up over a rise in the path the traveled that led them into a large, flat opening settled into the mountain. There were about six or seven scattered Gorons around the area.

"You're gonna need some stealth to get past those Gorons," Midna said, "They don't play nice; be careful."

Zelda nodded, and Midna slipped into her shadow. Zelda surveyed the area before her, planning a route that would get her up the metal structures that led to their chief. She dropped down a couple steps and kept to the shadows to her right. She looped around until she was on the opposite side of the expanse, and she neared a small doorway of sorts, about three feet off of the ground. She looked around her, making sure than none of the Gorons had noticed her, and then gripped the edge of the opening, pulling herself up into it. It led into a tall room that held only a platform that appeared to be an elevator.

Zelda carefully stepped onto it, testing the integrity of the metal. It seemed strong enough, so she moved herself onto the large button switch that rested in the center of the platform. It didn't budge.

"Hey!" She heard a somewhat deep voice call behind her. Zelda froze. Her heart began to beat faster as she quickly tried to formulate an escape plan; she knew not what this Goron thought of her being there and she had to assume the worst.

Zelda turned a one-eighty, facing the Goron behind her, and slightly dropped her guard in surprise. This one stood no taller than six feet, a modest height for a Goron. He was also quite lanky, adorned with tattoos, and possessed a darker skin color than his tribe members.

The Goron chuckled. "Don't worry, Queen, I know why you're here. I am Gor Liggs--I'm one of the Goron elders." He then laughed again, adding, "Though you could probably tell!" in reference to his ancient appearance. Gor Liggs seemed to be much more easy-going and amiable than the other Gorons, and Zelda welcomed this.

"Hello, Gor Liggs," Zelda said, bowing. "I am Zelda, Queen of Hyrule. I am currently on a quest to save my country from impending evil; I have heard that you may be in a bit of a..." She cleared her throat, " 'pickle', as they say."

Gor Liggs bowed his head slightly. "Ah, yes; our tribe is not in the best of times right now. Our home of Death Mountain is currently enraged and erupting violently without pause. We will be in very big trouble if we can't stop it soon. Gorons are extremely proud, you see, and will sooner die than receive help."

Zelda pressed her delicate hand against her chest. "I cannot stand to see such a wonderful, peaceful people suffer and perish so terribly. I must provide aid to my family." She straightened herself in emphasis.

"Well, thank you very much, Queen. I greatly appreciate your concern. If you really wanna help, then please, come with me.

~~~

"Gor Liggs, what are you doing with that human?" There was another Goron Elder, standing in a sumo wrestling rink as Zelda and Gor Liggs entered. The second Elder crossed his arms; he was significantly shorter, standing only at about four feet at most, but was less gaunt and had lighter skin than Gor Liggs.

"Gor Coron, this is Queen Zelda. She's here to help us in our plight."

Gor Coron squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Zelda carefully. He eventually came to a decision. "Alright. I will let you help. But you cannot tell Darbus, both of you. His sense of pride is too great." The Goron turned around and strolled over to the door behind him, standing beside it. "This is the entrance to the Goron Mines, and thus the heart of the volcano. If there is anything that can be done for this mountain, it will be found in here. Good luck." He bowed once.

Gor Liggs added, "Good luck."

"Thank you very much for allowing me to aid you." Zelda bowed in response before heading into the entryway of the Goron Mines.