Fan Fiction Friday: Daruk’s Song – Part 2

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Death Mountain seemed to be hotter today. I pondered the heat as I made my usual roll around the mountain, looking for rocks to eat. I stopped abruptly when I heard a monstrous yell further down the hill. My mind shot to those pesky red lizards that had started making homes up here and bothering my brothers. I wasn’t too concerned as they could usually handle themselves pretty well, but I started to rush when I saw that it was one of those little people. He had a sword in his hand and was fending them off, but that didn’t mean that I shouldn’t hurry. I rolled as fast as I could, but I was too late. By the time that I reached the small-fry, he had slain the whole lounge of lizards! He sighed as he sheathed his sword and I admired his strength for a small-fry. He must have been as strong as my Goron brothers!

I got distracted as I admired this normal-looking Hylian, so much so that he pushed me away and slayed another monster! I, The Great Daruk, almost caught by a monster… and this tiny Hylian saved me. I wiped the astonished look off my face and hoped he didn’t see my awe. “What’s your name, goro?” I asked, extending my boulder sized hand for him to shake. 

“Link.” His hand was tiny, but I could feel some strength from that Hylian. “You?”

“The name’s Daruk! Mightiest Goron of Death Mountain. Thanks for having my back little buddy,” I said with a grin. “Now, what’s a little guy like you doing up here on Death Mountain? You must have some sort of death wish to spend time in this heat.”

Link rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a few bottles full of red liquid.

“Ah, I see. You must’ve gotten that elixir from the guys down at the mine?” I asked, looking at the bottle in his hands. Link shook his head. “No? Well then how did you get hold of those?” I asked with curious excitement. “I don’t know of anyone else who can make such a thing.” 

Over the next few hours, Link and I sat among the mountain cliffs and chatted. That little guy loved to eat! Apparently he cooked often too. Meat, vegetables, sometimes bugs… Most decent people that I know wouldn’t eat such things! Link told me he would eat just about anything so I took the opportunity and offered him some of the Rock Roast I had on me. Little guy was completely speechless after eating a few bites. I always knew that Hylians could eat rocks! They just never bothered to try…

As we chatted, I learned that food wasn’t the only thing that Link and I had in common. Link was apparently known back at his home for being very strong, much like me! He told me that when he focused, it seemed like time slowed down! He also spoke about Hyrule’s princess too. I didn’t know the little lady, but he spoke as if he was concerned for her.

“You’re okay,” I told Link, giving him a mighty pat on the back. He gasped, and I realized that I must’ve hit him too hard. “Hope to see ya again some day.”

Link looked back, cast a small smile, and headed down the hill without another word. 

“I really like that guy,” I said aloud after he disappeared out of sight. “Yeah! Link’s the kinda guy that’ll have your back no matter what! We also shared a mighty meal together! I’ve decided… Link is officially a Brother!”

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Many days after meeting Link, I came face to face with Hyrule’s little princess. She traveled all the way to Goron City to meet me! Upon entering the city, I could tell that the Hylians were extremely uncomfortable in the extreme heat, even with their protective clothing and elixirs. Being the nice guy that I am, I offered to walk down the mountain with them so we could chat, and so that they wouldn’t be sufferin’ in the sweltering temperatures.

“Little princess, what brings you here to Death Mountain? I don’t see many Hylians this far up the mountain, let alone royalty,” I asked as we walked. 

“Well to cut to the chase, I was hoping that you would pilot the Divine Beast Vah Rudania.” she piped in her tiny voice. “Are you familiar with it?” 

“I sure am, and count me in tiny princess!” I said proudly. “I’m the fearless Daruk after all, and if Hyrule needs my help, I’ll gladly lay down my life.” My brothers had held peacefull relations with Hylians for generations and this was the least I could do. In the days since my encounter with Link, more and more monsters had stirred around Death Mountain. Even the volcano itself seemed to quake in anticipation for disaster.

“Thank you, Daruk,” Zelda replied in her sweet voice. 

“I’m not sure if it’s Calamity Ganon’s fault or what, but I hear monsters have been attacking people more than ever lately.” I turned to face the princess. “Times like these you need a horde of mighty Gorons behind you if you leave the castle!”

“You sound like my father,” Zelda replied, her voice taking on a solemn note. “He’s assigning a knight to watch over me wherever I go. I’ve heard that the top contender is the most skilled swordsman in all of Hyrule.” 

“That could only be…” I had begun to vocalize my thoughts. Brother Link had to be Zelda’s future knight! He was a Hylian, after all. And he did speak briefly about Zelda. I stopped in my tracks and stopped the princess too. “They really are all over the place.” I watched a small group of Moblins run behind a cluster of rocks. “Someone must be being attacked! Wait here, Princess!” 

I rushed forward and swung the Boulder Breaker with all my might. The rocky sword made contact with two Moblins and flung them into the air. They screamed in terror and agony as I took them out, one by one. I brought the sword down among the rocky terrain and the shockwave made the monsters scatter in fear. They wouldn’t be bothering us again. “Spineless Cuccos! No monster stands a chance against the almighty Daruk!” I laughed heartily as I watched them scatter. Nothing like the thrill of a good fight!

Zelda and her knights rushed forward, out of breath from hurrying down the mountain. They looked relieved and I was glad that I could protect them from harms way. 

“Oh!” Zelda chimed, taking a few steps closer to the rock cluster. She got down on her knees and opened her arms, “You’re safe now. It’s okay…” The dust settled and happy barking ensued from a dog. Zelda’s laughter filled the air as the dog barked again.

A dog… I began to shake.

“It seems our friend here was the one being attacked; what a precious boy. Daruk, you saved his life!” Zelda exclaimed, turning towards me.

I was so ashamed of my Goron strength. Of all the things behind that rock, it had to be a dog! The Great Daruk was scared of only one thing, and that was dogs. I trembled from afar and watched the princess with the playful pup. It barked again and I hid my face behind my protective shield. Daruk and dogs did not mix!

Zelda giggled, patted the dog’s head again, and sent the little one on its way.

“Good riddance!” I yelled, as the dog pranced away happily. “And stay safe!” I sighed. “Little princess, I’m sorry ya had to see that side o’ me today. When I was a kid, dogs used to chase me. I still panic when I see one o’ those critters.”

“I never imagined the great Daruk would have a weakness,” Zelda said, with a smile on her face.

“So tell me, Princess…” I began tentatively.

“Yes?” Zelda said, smiling brightly.

“Calamity Ganon isn’t a dog monster, is he?”

The princess began to laugh and it filled the dry mountain air. I couldn’t help but laugh with her. ‘Ole Daruk still afraid of dogs. I’m thankful for such an understanding, Princess.” 

Before the princess left, I tried to offer her and her knights some of the best Rock Roast I had on me. She took it willingly, but her smile from earlier faded as they left the mountain. She must’ve had something foul on her mind. 

Our anti-Ganon team was made of up different kinds of people, and I couldn’t wait to meet them all. Four Champions to pilot the Divine Beasts, with one swordsman to take on that swine, Ganon; and finally, the princess! Our team was six strong! It had the makings of an epic tale and I couldn’t wait to show Calamity Ganon what for.

Death Mountain seemed to smile in my favor as I made my way home, and I couldn’t wait to tell my brothers of my task. I knew that I had made a lofty promise to the princess. My life, and my honor as a Goron was on the line. But if it meant protecting Goron City, Death Mountain and Hyrule, I would do it. Because Goron brothers keep their word.

 

Heather Beard is a writer for Zelda Dungeon. She’s a (crazy) cat lady with a passion for Zelda lore, and really cheesy pizza. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and Twitter!

Featured image artwork is by the author, Heather Beard.