A/N: -Le gasp- What's this?! An update?! Well I'll be!

Huh…not much else to say. The motivation bucket has been refilled, an I'm on a roll, no stoppin' now. Let's see how long this'll last…

Disclaimer: Ain't mine. And no, this disclaimer was not copy-and-pastied. It's completely original, I swear! …Erm…okay, maybe not…

"Ah…Grandma Fay? Grandma Fay, are you awake? Something's happening again and…I thought you might want to know…"

Sure-Belle spoke cautiously and softly, the way she always did, as she stepped cautiously through the front door of an elderly woman's household. Making painstakingly sure that the door did not creak upon closing, while at the same time balancing her favorite blue water jar on her head, she peered cautiously from the tiny entrance hall to the hearth where her adoptive grandmother usually lingered. The small, motherly old woman could often be found dozing by the fire in a comfortable wicker chair, or perhaps brewing some of her trademark soup when her constant weariness would abate somewhat. Now appeared to be one of those times as the said woman turned from her wooden table, greeting Sue-Belle with her large, warm smile.

"Oh, but of course you may come in, dear." Grandma Fay beckoned with a tiny finger. "Come, come, have some of my good soup. Here now, you just sit down and let me do the serving, dear, and put down that blessed jar for a brief moment, why don't you? You needn't carry it around all the time like that, you know. I'm sure your grandfather wouldn't mind in the least. Doesn't it get so tiring?"

All this was said as Grandma Fay then came forward, taking the slightly blushing girl by the arm and leading her to a chair before turning back to a large black pot and spooning out some broth in one of the few bowls to be found in the household.

Feeling rather flustered by such kindly and unnecessary treatment, Sue-Belle reluctantly set her jar on the table beside her and busied herself by instead twisting her blue braid anxiously between her fingers.

"Really, Grandma Fay, you needn't bother," she muttered, reddening. "I only intended to be here for a short time, to bring you water and news. Don't waste good food on me - you know I don't eat that much anyway -"

"Nonsense, child." Shaking her head, Grandma pushed the now-steaming bowl across the table and sat down comfortably in her wicker chair, regarding Sue-Belle warmly. "You really must eat more, you're so thin. But I thank you for the water, though I'm sure I've strength left to attend to myself. It's that daft grandfather of yours that you need to worry about, dear."

"Mm…yes, I know." Sue-Belle glanced at the awaiting soup and, deciding to be polite, she took up a spoon and dipped it delicately. Then she sighed. "I really shouldn't be such a bother to you, though, Grandma Fay. You deserve some rest, and peace and quiet -"

"Oh, do quite bothering yourself, dear." Settling more comfortably in her chair, the small old woman's smile only widened. "I rather enjoy your company, you know. It gets lonely in here, all alone in this house - it's refreshing to have a young soul in here. It reminds me of good times -" she paused, "- but that's beside the point. I believe you were going to tell me something, dear? Oh, and please, just Grandma will do, as I have told you before."

"Oh! Y-Yes, of course, Grandma Fa - I mean, Grandma." Feeling abashed, Sue-Belle hastily took another gulp of soup to cool her nerves somewhat. Overly shy, Grandpa Sturgeon always liked to say about her. Probably very true. But then, Grandpa Sturgeon knew practically everything, so that wasn't very surprising. Savoring the warm, invigorating warmth of the golden broth, she settled herself down, feeling indeed a tad calmer. "But yes, I was going to tell you something, wasn't I?"

"Indeed, dear. You said something was happening…again. It isn't another kidnapping, I hope?"

The question was lighthearted and joking, but Sue-Belle knew that Grandma was still secretly pained, even now. Once again she felt a rush of pity.

"Oh no, Grandma, nothing like that, I assure you. The children are quite safe." Sue-Bell leaned forward now, feeling the slightest rush of anxiety. "It's something else. Do you remember those pirates that came a month back, Grandma?"

Grandma's smile faded just a little. "I'll warrant I can, even with my memory as bad as it is these days. Those people forced Link to take our family shield with him, you know." She paused thoughtfully. "I can't say I hate them for it, of course. It's only common sense, really, isn't it dear? It only goes to show that they cared for Link's safety, doesn't it?"

"Well - I don't know. Yes, I suppose so, if you put it that way." This observation left Sue-Belle rather taken aback. "Pardon for arguing against you, Grandma, but I always thought pirates were just - well - pirates. But then, I never thought of it that way, I guess."

"I don't expect you to, dear." Warmth returning somewhat, Grandma reached forward and patted the girl's knee. "You have a life to live, and a daft grandfather to take care of. I, however, have had plenty of time to think of things. A little too much, if you ask me. But let's not dwell on such things." She sat back. "I really must quit interrupting you so, dear. Why don't you tell me what the news is already, before it gets old and withered as my wrinkly face, hm?"

"Oh! Yes, yes, of course." Sue-Belle paused, feeling as though she had just repeated something she'd said before. She shook her head, shaking the troublesome thoughts away. "What I was getting to, Grandma, is that I think those same pirates are coming this way again."

"Indeed?" Grandma's eyebrows had already risen significantly. She leaned forward slightly again. "Are you sure?"

"Oh, don't take my word for it. I haven't seen them yet myself. But Great-Uncle Orca says he has." Sue-Belle put down her spoon, placing the now-empty bowl to one side beside the water jar, and returned to fiddling with her braid. "You know how he's been climbing up and down the lookout tower ever since Link came back, watching for his return. I don't know why, myself. I asked him once, and he said something about an unfinished challenge - nothing I'd understand. But anyway, he went up this morning, and just a few minutes ago he came back down, saying he could see a white sail with red on its edges and a print of two crossed scimitars in the distance. He said he remembered that same design on that pirate ship."

There was a pause as Sue-Belle then looked at Grandma expectantly, and Grandma failed to look back, her wrinkled, beady eyes clouded in deep thought. At length, however, the little woman stirred.

"Is that so, dear?" Another pause. "Well then, I suppose all the townsfolk are getting ready to meet them. I only hope they don't plan to plunder our little village or anything. We haven't much for defense, you know. Unless you count Orca, I suppose." A brief smile flickered across her features. "But then again, I needn't feel so worried about that. It's more likely that they are probably Link's friends by now." Her smile widened even more. "Don't you think so, dear?"

Sue-Belle shifted uncomfortably - she still wasn't really sure. She'd heard plenty about some awfully nasty pirates back in Windfall, before they'd all been eradicated by one particularly nasty woman captain - who had been a pirate of sorts herself, by the rumors. That, of course, had been quite a few years back. Anything could have changed. Besides, she had caught a glimpse of this particular crew's captain herself - none other than a tanned, yellow-haired girl about as old as Link. Surely they couldn't be that bad.

Hm…perhaps that soup was finally getting to her…Grandma did have a knack for mind-changing broths…

With a sigh Sue-Belle stood up, mind wandering back to the present. Grandpa Sturgeon would be getting impatient, waiting for his midday shower water. With these thoughts now dominating all else, she quickly turned back to the table, scooping up her water jar in the same movement.

"I'm terribly sorry, Grandma Fay, but I really must get going. Grandpa Sturgeon will be waiting for me. Where would you have me put this water?"

Soon after a blue-haired girl could be found stepping out of the household, a considerably lighter water jar balanced easily on her head as she started back for a nearby well, while at the same time a small old woman could be found within that same cottage, rising from her chair and drifting to a small in-built lookout deck, which gave one a good view of the ocean beyond. There she old woman stood, leaning against a thick rail for support, gazing and gazing, looking particularly closely at a steadily growing brown speck on the horizon. A brown speck with white sails.

"Anchors aweigh!"

Gonzo's deep bellow resounded once more across the deck, making Tetra flinch at the prow. One, because that same bellow seemed to practically echo across the empty beach of Outset Island. And two, because that was the exact opposite term for laying anchor at a harbor. To anyone listening, it would sound as if they were leaving, not arriving. Tetra almost felt like slapping her forehead, but she refrained with some difficulty.

"Idiot…"

Still grumbling, she reluctantly detached herself from the prow and instead drifted onto the deck with the rest of her crew, who were crowding eagerly at the rail. Gonzo was already shoving his way through the tiny crowd, the rope ladder coiled on one shoulder.

"Hey now, move it, yeah? Come on, nudge over! I've gotta get this to the edge for the Miss, yeah? So just move it, an' make way already. Can't you see she's gettin' impatient?"

"Gonzo!"

"Huh?"

Gonzo turned back to Tetra, who was indeed getting impatient. Very impatient. "I have some orders before you louts go clambering out of here," she said to the rest of them. Her crew immediately turned to face her, almost all of them looking nervous, Gonzo among them. "Now listen here, you lot," she continued. "I'm getting off. I need to have a word with the people here. But as to the rest of you, since I don't want to waste too much time here, I want this ship steered over to that cavern behind this isle. Bomb it down when you must. Make sure you get that treasure. When that's done, I want this ship back on harbor in an hour at most. Got that?"

"…Uh…aye aye, Cap'n!"

"Good." There was a pause as Tetra eyed them all maliciously. Then she turned to Gonzo, who stood stiffly at attention. "Well, what are you waiting for, you dolt?" she snapped. "Get that ladder ready, so that I can get off!"

"O-Oh! Yeah!"

After much pointless shouting and much scolding on Tetra's part, she finally found herself standing on the makeshift wooden dock on Outset, watching her ship with a stern eye until it had tacked out of site on the island's bend. That done, she then turned her attention to the island itself for the first time.

It was empty.

Tetra paused, looking around incredulously. Yet it was true. There was not a soul in sight. The waves sighed softly as they washed against the sandy shore, and the wind whispered cheerfully through the thick leaves of the scattered palm trees, but that was it. Complete silence enveloped the entire place.

Alarmed and cautious, Tetra walked forward, the crunch of sand greeting her as she stepped off the dock, looking around once more. The houses were still there, yes…that lookout dock was still there, too…but not a single human entity could be found.

The memory of Greatfish flashed briefly across her mind. Could Link have been too late? But no - the glass girl had told her that he was still perfectly all right, treasure in hand - and nothing else here seemed out of place. So why did no one seem to be here?

"Um…" Tetra paused again, totally unsure. She'd probably feel like an idiot, but it was worth a shot. She took a deep breath.

"HELLO?! IS ANYBODY HERE?! IF SO, AN ANSWER WOULD BE NICE!" She stopped, regaining her breath, then added hastily, "WE MEAN NO HARM!"

…Nothing.

Well that was just great. Here she was, stranded on this empty shore with nothing to do until her ship returned. Tetra groaned, feeling frustrated. Another dead end. That and…what would her men think of her? Not good, not good at all…

"You look troubled, dear. Is everything all right?"

Tetra could have jumped out of her skin - and nearly did, though being a pirate hardened you up against that sort of thing. Instead she whirled around frantically, searching for the source of the voice - and locating it on the porch of the nearest cottage, off to her right behind a line of small trees. Standing there, looking quite homely and undisturbed, was the smallest old woman she had ever seen. The lady was clad in a darned, featureless red dress complete with a purple sash wrapped around her waist. Her shortness could have partially been due to the stoop of her small shoulders - she seemed half leaning forward, bent with old age. She had white hair pulled back in a bun, and a wide, tanned face, complete with a wealth of wrinkles, twinkling eyes, and a wide smile.

Caught completely by surprise, Tetra could do nothing but gawk, until the lady beckoned with a tiny finger. "Come in, dear. You look like you could use some company. Would you like some food? I've still got some soup left, if that suits you."

Tetra blinked. "I - well -" At the moment she couldn't really see any other alternative. "Yeah. Sure."

Her first tentative sip of soup made Tetra's eyes widen. An explosion of warm, creamy flavor had erupted on her tongue, and as she slurped up another spoonful an invigorating strength coursed through her body, vibrating in her very bones. Suddenly she felt as though she would indeed find her mother's long-sought treasure, that she would indeed meet Link again, when all this was over. Frankly, she felt as though she could take on the whole world two times, and still be ready for a third assault.

Heavens! she thought incredulously. If Link's been fed this every day since his birth, it's no wonder he's somehow managed to survive all this time! This soup must be the stuff of the goddesses…

Grandma, as the old woman had simply introduced herself, sat back, watching Tetra knowingly.

"Is it good, dear? Would you like some more?"

Tetra looked down in surprise, realizing she had indeed practically cleaned the bowl without even realizing it.

"Uh…yeah. It's…well, I can't really describe it. But yes, I'd like some more. Please."

Huh, odd. She'd never been one for manners before. This lady already had an influence on her.

Then again, she wasn't really surprised. She had known this was Link's Grandma the moment she had first started exchanging words with the little woman. She could see a slight impression of Link in the way she acted, the way she spoke, even. She had that sort of unparalleled politeness that made you want to be courteous too, but she wasn't a stiff type of person. No, despite her age, this Grandma seemed full to the brim with life, life and a deep love for anyone that got close enough to her heart. Tetra could tell that, like Link, Grandma was the type of person that would go out of her way to make sure an ailing comrade got better, the kind to defend those she believed in on a whim. Like Link, she could easily tell the intentions of anyone you set before her.

A final similarity between the two, and the one that Tetra could see most clearly, was that, in Grandma's point of view, you either were her friend or you weren't. Though it seemed apparent that she preferred to think of everyone as a friend, except under extreme circumstances.

And so, naturally, she treated Tetra with due motherly friendliness, much more than Tetra might have expected for a stranger that had, besides, helped her only grandson set off to defeat unspeakable evil.

"Thank you," she mumbled as the said grandmother pushed a fresh bowl of broth her way.

"Not a problem, dear." Grandma settled back comfortably in that wide wicker chair. Then she regarded Tetra again, this time rather seriously. "So, lass…what brings you here again, on this insignificant little isle that people call Outset? Is there something you want of us? I do understand that you are captain of your pirate crew, right?"

"Mm…yes. But no, it's got nothing to do with taking anything." Tetra swallowed, remembering her purpose here. She carefully set down her spoon, feeling slightly sober despite the effects of the soup. "I'm…we…my crew…we're friends of Link's."

"I thought as much," Grandma agreed, nodding, a slight smile flitting across her face.

"Yeah. And I wanted to know - well - here, you see, we've been looking for him for a while now. We kind of lost track of him along the sea current…" Tetra made a point not to add any more details to this particular statement, as she was sure Grandma wouldn't take it too well. "Yeah, so we lost him - I mean, we lost sight of him - for some time, and I've been kind of looking for him since. Seeing as this is his home, I wanted to check around and see if he's been here."

Wow, that was surprisingly difficult to get out. Fancy having to stretch the truth in front of this pious old woman.

Grandma herself did not seem to notice the tenseness in Tetra's shoulders, sitting back in her chair. "Ah, Link. Yes I saw him indeed. Just the other night, in fact. I can tell you that he was quite bright and chipper when I saw him, as I'm sure you're glad to hear." She paused, looking at Tetra in an odd way. "Hm…he's about the same age as you are yourself, isn't he dear?"

"Yeah…" Tetra wasn't paying much attention, being busy wondering how she ought to put her next question, and so she didn't notice as Grandma's smile widened significantly, as though in some secret joy for the future.

"Well, dear that's very good to hear. Are you two close friends?"

"Sure…" Tetra had pieced it together now. Quite ignoring the odd wording of Grandma's last question, she instead leaned forward in her chair, soup completely forgotten, her customary questing expression now on her features. "There was one other thing I'd wanted to ask, too. Particularly you. You seem to be the oldest one around here…"

"Oh, dear me…" Grandma chuckled. "I'm very much flattered, dear, but I fear you're rather wrong in that reckoning. I'm surpassed by several years by a man named Sturgeon, and in addition he's far more learned in lore than I. You might want to speak to him in that sort of manner."

Tetra blinked. "But there's no one else here, is there? The island was pretty empty to me…"

"Oh, don't fret over that, dear." Grandma laughed again. "All the folk are quite living and solidly here, I assure you. Everyone else has simply gone in lockdown, you see. We don't get armed visitors that often, and we're rather cautious of them, so I beg your pardon. I fear they won't be out and about for some time yet, either. So I suppose you're going to ask me your question anyway, hm?"

"…Uh. Yeah." Tetra blinked again. Unlike Link, his woman seemed to enjoy talking circles around her visitors.

"Then go ahead, dear. I've time to spare."

"…Okay. Alright. Then." Tetra shook her head, gathering her thoughts again. "Yeah…okay. You see, we're pirates. And pirates have to make a living around here."

"Indeed." Grandma nodded seriously.

"Well, of course, most pirates go about doing this by obtaining treasure. Like my mother." Tetra tried with some difficulty to fight down the knifelike lump that instantly arose by merely mentioning her. She took another spoonful of the now somewhat-cold soup, which helped some. "My mother was also pretty well-told in lore and the history of the Great Sea. She'd always been interested in the past. One day she discovered that there was this great treasure, treasure of a value beyond men's wildest dreams. And this treasure was hidden at the bottom of the sea."

Tetra paused, then sat back. She was beginning to feel much more comfortable, now that she'd started. Grandma now seemed almost a part of her crew, sitting opposite and listening patiently.

"Of course, the Great Sea's a big place. A very big place. And the sea-bottom is no different, I'll warrant. So my mother spent most of the rest of her life searching everywhere for clues, little by little beginning to graph out a location. Or, more correctly, a 'path' set by the goddesses long ago, a path that leads directly to the treasure itself." Again Tetra paused, bracing herself for this next statement. It was going to hurt. But somehow, with was mollified by Grandma's patient, understanding presence. "But my mother - she died unexpectedly when I was nine. Lost overboard in a nasty storm." The words came out blunt and very gruff. Grandma only nodded solemnly, and Tetra continued, feeling her burden lighten somewhat.

"This was bad for us, of course. I had to learn to be captain, and quick, or our little crew wouldn't be long to survive. And I did, with a little bit of time, and a little bit of help. We came out all right in the end, especially financially - my mother had left me her entire fortune, which was pretty big…" and she still didn't know how it could have possibly been so large… "…so you'd think we'd have nothing left to worry about. Me and my crew could have gone our separate ways, settled down, and lived prosperously. But I - I don't want to. Not yet." Here Tetra bit her lip. "I can't settle down knowing that the treasure my mother spent so much of her time searching for is still out there somewhere, unfound. I know she wouldn't want all her work put to waste. I wanted to find it for her. And my crew did too. We had been one big family before that storm…"

Tetra paused, feeling surprised. She had not wanted to blurt out so much of her private life to this lady. But somehow, the fact that she had did not disturb her in the least. Tetra found that she trusted Grandma to keep her secrets…kind of how she would have with Link. With those thoughts she plowed on.

"So we began to search. I had to start from scratch, since all of my mother's discoveries had been lost with her…and it's taken a while. Look ma'am, you have to understand why I'm here." Tetra leaned forward. "I've combed every history book to be found on Windfall Island. I've wandered between every trap-ridden island on the Great Sea. And I've found charts. Traces. Legends. I've managed to actually chart the area of the path - it's hanging on my bedroom wall right now. But I still need something more. I need to know exactly where it is on the surface of the ocean. Without that, it's all for naught." She sat back. "So…I just wanted to know…if perhaps you knew anything. Anything at all. About some great treasure of the past."

There was silence. The hearth crackled quietly. Grandma was still for a moment, face thoughtful.

Finally, she slowly shook her head. "My dear little girl," she said in a soft, almost sad voice. "I see now that you've had much pain. I know how much this treasure obviously means to you. But…" She paused, looking bemused. "I'm afraid I really can't help you. I doubt even old Sturgeon could. Dear, the only lore us people on this island know is that of a great kingdom…which, as some used to call it, was a Treasure of the Great Sea. Such tales have been passed down for many, many generations…we even carry out this kingdom's traditions…but I fear this will be of no help to you. It could not, besides, be the same treasure you seek." She opened her hands helplessly. "I fear I have nothing to tell you, dear. I'm terribly sorry."

Tetra was silent herself. She felt rather numb, hollow inside.

"…Oh…"

This was it. This had been Tetra's last hope, a hope to complete her mother's final wish. But it had resulted in a final dead end, just as she had guessed all along. There was nowhere else to go, nowhere else to search. She had used every link she had known of, and more, but that was all. She was at her straw's end. Her mother's pendant pressed, ice-cold, against her neck.

With an effort, the stunned girl finally managed to rise to her feet. "Well. I'm sorry to hear that." Her own voice sounded strange, cold. "I guess I'll be going on my way now. My men'll be waiting."

But even as she had started for the door, she paused again at Grandma's voice.

"Oh, but dear, I think I have something that might help you!"

She slowly turned around.

"…Really?"

"Yes, yes indeed." Grandma herself was on her feet now, and she managed to come over beside her. "I almost forgot - lass, do you know about fairies?"

Those little balls of glowing light and myth? Sure…

"Yeah, I guess."

"Well then, we might be in luck." Grandma took her hand eagerly. "Dear, did I ever mention that there is a fairy spring here, on Outset? And, what's more, it is also the dwelling place of a Great Fairy! You know what those are as well, I assume?"

Now Tetra's eyes were widening as she understood the implications of this woman's words. A Great Fairy, as old as time itself! Surely…

"Yes, I do!" Suddenly she felt almost as excited as Grandma.

"Then heed my words, dear." Grandma squeezed her hand a little tighter. "You can go there right now if you must, though I fear I can't come with you - my old bones won't permit. That besides, I doubt even a sturdy Rito postman would be able to carry the two of us at once."

"A Rito postman?" Tetra frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you see dear, the bridge to that particular fairy fountain - and the forest you dropped into last time, I might add - is broken, and currently undergoing repairs. The only way to possibly get there would be by flying. And I'm sure a good Rito postman would be able to carry you there easily enough. I expect one should be here soon, to deliver letters from Windfall - there's a nice girl there who writes to Sue-Belle daily, you know. Hmm, what is the time?" Grandma leaned to one side, glancing at a window and gauging the height of the sun. "…Well! He should be here right now! Off you go dear, quick-like now, before you lose him!"

"O-Oh! Right!"

Hardly knowing what she was doing, Tetra found herself dashing through the door, in time to cause an extremely familiar Rito to jump with a startled squawk. Her thoughts, which had been whirling incessantly from the moment Grandma had mentioned the Great Fairy, now stopped as she recognized just who it was.

Quill gazed back incredulously, surprise soon melting into a frown as his feathery eyebrows bunched together.

"Ah, Tetra. I've been wanting to have a word with you…and I must say, I really don't appreciate insults. I suppose you remember Greatfish?"

She remembered all too well. Laughing nervously, Tetra took a step back.

"Oh. Quill. Yeah…uh…look, I can explain…"

A/N: …Phew. Crap. Four hours of solid writing is not good for a person's eyes, or brain, for that matter.

X.x

I…I don't have the energy to spell-check…so just review, please, and let me know so I can fix it later.

Yes…later…that sounds nice…so I'll see you. Later. :)