The Legend of Zelda: The Regal Flame

Chapter 14: Level 2- The Riverroot Tunnels

The entrance to the Riverroot Shrine was some ways past the south end of the village. The trees began parting, lining each side of the path in a symmetric manner. The path narrowed until it was about three yards wide, and the roots stretched across the path, the next always higher than the other, until they became branches, forming a staircase. As they got higher, they could see the trees were growing over a stone structure, twining and swirling around the stone in gorgeous patterns. The staircase was about thirty feet tall, and led to a large opening at the top of the structure that held a stone gazebo, surrounded by vines, and fairy balls. A small stream poured in from the trees, circling the gazebo like a mote, and twinkled with the light from the fairys. Behind the gazebo, was a large stone wall, with strange patterns carved into it that were reminiscent of the roots and vines that hung around the area, and in the middle of the wall, was what Link recognized as ancient Hylian text.

    "This is where my mother prays." Birch told them. Then he pointed at the stone wall. "That slate seals the entrance to the temple. The meanies made mother close it behind them when they took her in."

     Link walked over, and pressed his hand to the wall. It was solid, and it didn't feel like it would budge. "How do we open it? And what does this text say?"

    "You ask too many questions at once!" Birch scoffed, as he walked over to join Link at the wall. "I can't read it, but it must tell you how to open and close it."

    "That's convenient..." Link said, scratching his head in confusion. "Do you know anything about this, Mari?"

     Mari sat on Link's shoulder, and shrugged at the stone door. "Beats me. If there is a book that tells about how to open ancient doors, I haven't read it." She sighed. "And I can't read Hylian that ancient. It has to be nearly a thousand years old."

     Link pursed his lips, not sure where to go from there. If only Zelda was with him. She always seemed to know what to do.

    "Um, if it's any help, I do know how she closed it. I was there." Birch admitted.

      Link's face lit up. "That could be helpful! How did she do it, Birch?"

    "She played her lyre." He said simply.

      Link and Mari sat for a second, taking in his brief answer. Then Link sighed in disappointment. "But she still has it. There goes plan B."

    "Hang on, Link," Mari warned him. "What if you played your flute? I know it's not some special lyre, but it's worth a shot."

      Link shrugged, considering this, then said, "I'll try. Let's hope something happens." With that, he raised the flute to his mouth, and started playing the tune Darcy had taught him, Eldin's Verse.

      He didn't expect much, but not a second after the melody was complete, the stone door rumbled, and slid open, all the while groaning groggily.

      Link stared in amazement. "But how..?" He asked no one in particular.

    "I can't believe it worked either!" Mari laughed.

      Even Birch was impressed. "And that wasn't even the song mother played to close it!"

      Mari flitted into the door, which revealed only a staircase, leading only into darkness. "Well, it's open! Let's go!"

      Link immediately raised his hand, motioning for her to stop. "Wait! That was too simple. It could be a trap."

      His warning made Mari hesitate, but Birch strode in. He turned back around, giving Link a determined look. "Trap or no trap. We won't know if we just sit here. My mother and friends are down there!"