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It was that time again, Zelda wanted to return to the surface. She’d spoken with both her father Gaepora, and almost begged her companion Link to return to the surface. How she missed the world below the clouds. The vibrant greens of Faron Woods, the fiery reds of the Eldin Volcano albeit a dangerous place to explore, and the warm desert of Lanayru. The last time they’d visited the surface world, they spent an afternoon with the Kikwi after they’d been attacked, and the time before that they’d taken a trip out on the Lanayru sea where Link fought against Screvo. It was never a dull moment with Link at her side, even if there were times where her life was put at risk, but every time that was the case, Link protected her without fail.
Today was no exception, soon after breakfast they departed to the surface. They’d discussed their plans over a hearty meal, settling on the Lanayru for their date. Together they mounted their loftwings and took a leisurely dive below the clouds. Zelda fell to the desert with grace and elegance, a feat Link could only dream about, instead he tumbled to the ground, even with the sailcloth as support.
Link once told his companion about the miracle of the timeshift stones, scattered about in the sands, that aided his journey, allowing him inside the Lanayru mines and to cross the expanse of the Lanayru sand sea. But either of those locations were the destination for their date this sunny afternoon. Instead the pair trudged through the desert with their hearts set on the Temple of Time.
It held a special place in both their hearts, it was the location Zelda disappeared through a portal with the younger Impa and entrusted the Goddess harp to Link, so that he might one day find her when her transformation had completed. It was where they first met again after they were separated, following the imprisoned arrival. Where they split off to complete their own journeys before reuniting and sealed away Demise for eternity.
But they weren’t here to take in the sights of the Temple of Time, instead they’d ventured to the outskirts, where weaving railroad tracks awaited them. Link’d used them once before on his journey, but they needed timeshift stones for it to work. They’d once been used by the ancient robots to transport unearthed timeshift stones to the Lanayru mines during Hylia’s time, but now no life lurked in the expanse, the pair wondered if the railroad could be used for pleasure instead. A fairground ride for a fun date. Though Link recalled his time on the mechanism and almost shuddered at the thought of riding it once more. His last experience had not been a pleasant one.
Link helped Zelda into one of the minecarts, allowing her a moment to get comfortable at the base while he located the correct timeshift stone. He climbed into the cart beside his companion and shot the timeshift stone with his slingshot. The sapphire stone lit, transforming the land into its vibrant past self. Little robots chirped around, continuing the work they’d begun centuries ago, without concerning themselves of how they awoke from their slumber.
At the north of the chamber sat a stone door, with a carving of an ancient robot. Once its friends had revived, he too woke from his slumber, opening himself up and allowing the pair entry to the railroad. One robot skipped over, placed their hands on the back of the minecart and gave it a gentle push. Electric energy pulsed through the vehicle, propelling it through the door and chugging along the track.
Zelda felt a swell of excitement surge through her body. She moved to the front of the minecart, her pale hands gripped tight onto the edge. Link didn’t budge from his spot at the back of the cart, instead he tucked his knees into his chest and supported himself with a hand gripping the edge of the cart. His form was like a cat who was about to be dunked into the bathtub.
The minecart cranked up a steep incline, with each click of the mechanisms, Link sank deeper to the base, bracing himself for the next part.
‘Link, this is incredible,’ Zelda squealed, beaming from ear to ear. ‘Oh, here it comes.’
She noticed the part the young hero feared most, the sudden drop into doom. The cart halted at the top of the railroad, then without another second hesitation, dropped into the smooth decline. The rickety tracks increased the cart's speed, causing the pair to hurl down the railroad with such a velocity, even Link was struggling to hold onto the sides.
While Zelda was busy squealing with excitement at the top of her lungs, thoroughly enjoying her first experience on the minecart. Link was slumped in the back of the vehicle looking green around his gills. He scooted to one side, clinging to the edge of the cart and hanging his head over the side like a sick dog.
The minecart shifted, shaking from left to right as it continued tumbling down the tracks. Zelda released her hands off the front of the cart and was now waving them in the air, moving herself with the shifting of the vehicle. But unlike her, her companion riding in the back wasn’t enjoying the ride as much as she was.
Around tight bends they fly, high above the Lanayru desert. Zelda waved to the many ancient robots they passed, hard at work mining timeshift crystals. She was truly having the time of her life. Whizzing up and down, round and around the railroad, travelling from one end of the desert to the other, increasing in speed as they went.
But the pair’s journey was reaching its end, now that the Temple of Time was coming into view. Zelda enjoyed the remainder of her ride, and when the minecart finally skidded to a gentle halt, her face was still lit up with joy. She leapt out and the sand beneath her boots crunched. She stretched out her body still hyped from the roller coaster adrenaline, she’d almost forgotten about her companion.
Zelda turned back to the minecart and peered inside, seeing the half conscious Link slumped in the corner with his soul almost leaving his body. His face seemed paler than usual and his eyes were firmly shut. She couldn’t help but to laugh at the scene, the hero couldn’t handle the journey down the railroad.
‘My hero,’ she cooed softly, leaving the poor Link sleep off his ordeal.
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