Chapter 10

  Riding the Elephant - Link

  Link was pleased. He let out his breath. He was glad that he wasn't walking, but that wasn't the real reason; he was glad he was here. Now he had the chance. He hoped to tell Max what was really going.

  Link lay his head down on Max's head, turning slightly so he was closer to the elephant’s ear. Link knew that elephants had excellent hearing and was counting on that. He whispered so low that he hoped Max would hear him, but he dared not get too loud. The one thing he couldn't do was to allow Jezreel to know that he was telling Mac why they were in the Lower Plains.

  “Don't talk,” Link whispered, “but if you can hear me, just wiggle your trunk.

  Link lifted his head and looked ahead, then saw Max shake his trunk.

  Link hoped he was correct in thinking that Max was wiggling his trunk because he heard and not just because he got sand in it. But trusting that he did, Link lay down his head again, turned his face toward one of Max's ears, and said, "Jebreal is not very trusting." he continued to whisper, "but what can you expect? She's a bird. They have a history of not trusting. Something about what happened a hundred years ago or so with the dwarves."

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  Max seemed to nod, and Link, not wanting Jezreel to know they were talking, said, "Don't nod. Can you wiggle your ear?"

  Max paused for a moment. Link could tell that he was trying to move his ears without moving his head, though he didn't pull it off very well. A moment later, the ears wiggled and the head just a little bit.

  Link continued, "This has to be the will of the creator for you to go with us. You heard the squawk every time I tried to tell you something? Well, Jezreel, she's supposed to be in charge at that moment."

  Link got quiet because he saw Jezreel's shadow moving closer. He held his tongue for a second and then lifted his head a little bit and said loudly, louder. "Thank you, Max. This is much easier than walking. I appreciate it."

  "As I said," Max responded, "I've got to keep you healthy if I'm going to find my way home. Besides, you can see better from up there."

  "I most certainly can," Link said, loud enough that Jezreel could hear, "but I'm also a little tired, so I'm going to lay my head down."

  "All right," Max accepted. "Go ahead. I'll let you know if I see something."

  Link looked up and said, “I think we have other eyes, too.”

  At this, the bird gave out a shriek, and Link smiled, knowing that he just irritated his compatriot again. Link couldn't really hold it against the bird. She, after all, was the one who was supposed to be in charge. She was very cautious, which could be good, especially considering what they were doing.

  Max, being here, changed everything. His friend needed to know everything. Link knew, knew with every part of his being, that Max could be helpful. So, he laid his hat down and started to explain the whole story.