So, it's been a while. Sorry. I've had this story in my mind for a couple of years now, but never wrote it down. Well, now I am. Keep in mind that any similarities to other fics are purely coincidental, again, if any. I do not own The Legend of Zelda.

1

Beginning. The Capital. Resistance.

Hyrule, the kingdom chosen by the Goddesses. A blessed land. For as long as it had existed, every hundred years a great evil would descend upon it. Every great-grandchild generation would see the shadows fall and a hero rise. The heroes all descend from the Hero of Skies, the mortal form of the Goddess Hylia's chosen Knight. And Hylia started the Royal Family of Hyrule as a mortal. Once her daughter had reached a certain age, she became a divine Goddess once more and returned to the heavens, promising to watch over the kingdom that she had founded.

Now Hyrule has grown greatly. The current ruler, King Herbert III, had recently become mysteriously ill. Unable to govern, he declared his daughter, Princess Zelda, to be ruler in his absence. Princess Zelda was a kind, benevolent girl of sixteen years. For several weeks, the King was sick and the Princess governed with fairness...

It was nighttime and the guards were pacing the battlements of Hyrule Castle. Everyone else was asleep in their chambers. All seemed to be fine. But things were not as they seemed this night.

Sensing something, the Princess of Hyrule awakened. Something was wrong. She got out of her large, canopied bed and stepped onto the marble floor. She pulled a robe on over her long, white nightgown and slid into a pair of silk slippers. Once done, she left her bedchamber. Briefly pausing before the double doors of her sitting room, she opened them and quietly stepped into the hall.

The Princess went up four floors, up to the castle roof. There were no soldiers here. Sensing it stronger here, she walked forward to the center of the roof. Unseen, darkness began to swirl. Wind blew the Princess's golden hair. When her senses spiked, she knew that something was terribly wrong. Her blue eyes widened. Down below, at the highest level of battlements, some guards swore they heard a scream...

After that night, something changed. Princess Zelda was no longer a kind, benevolent girl. Overnight, it was like she was a different person. She began creating strict laws and sending the soldiers to enforce them. People who had once adored her began to see only a cruel princess. News spread to the other towns and villages slowly.

In one of Hyrule's villages lived an important family. There was no blue in their blood, though they were far better and well-bred than any noble. The Hero's family. Their house was no manor but was well kept.

''Link!'' a blond man called through the house. A moment later, a boy entered the room. ''Ah, son. Are you ready?'' he asked.

Link was a boy of sixteen. Golden blond hair framed his face, thick and just long enough to be put into a small ponytail, falling to the hollow of his throat, a half inch above the collarbones. His blue eyes were as clear as Lake Hylia on a sunny day. He was slim but well built, quite able despite his deceptively slight frame. He was wearing a green tunic with a white high collared undershirt, white leggings and brown boots. A green cap that matched his tunic was nestled on his head. Both of his ears were pierced, a small silver hoop in each ear.

''Yes, father,'' Link replied. His father wanted him to leave the village and enjoy the rest of the kingdom. And he was excited about it.

''Good. I think you'll have a wonderful experience. I sure did!'' the man said.

They both went outside. It was a nice looking day, not too hot either. The man walked up to his son, holding a belt with a sheath attached.

''Here. Many famous men in our family have wielded a sword at some point, as history will tell. This one has never been used,'' he said, handing it to Link.

Link unsheathed the sword, testing its weight. His father had, of course, taught him swordsmanship. The sword was nothing fancy but its blade shone in the sunlight, the tip sharp and unused. After testing it, he sheathed it and put the sword belt on, strapping the sword to his back.

''A fine sword. Where did you get it?'' Link asked.

''I bought it. But does it matter?'' his father replied with a laugh.

''In any case, I pray I won't have to use it,'' Link said.

He wasn't so sure he wanted to use a sword, what with the violence that entailed. His father simply gave him a grim look. And he was reminded of his supposed destiny. The great-grandson of the previous hero was destined to be the next. And he was the great-grandson of the last Hero of Hyrule. Hopefully he wouldn't have to be one.

Seeing that look on his child's face, the father changed the subject. ''When you leave, don't forget to head to Lon Lon Ranch to get yourself a horse. And don't worry, the rancher already knows you are coming. After that, you can go off wherever you please,'' he said.

''All right. I won't forget,'' Link said in his gentle, respectful voice.

''Haha! I think I told you that before, didn't I? Off with you! When my father handed me my sword, I was off running right away!'' his father said.

Link smiled. ''Well, I'm off,'' he said. He briefly embraced his father before walking out of the village.

Hyrule Field was so big! Fortunately, the ranch wasn't too far out. Link ran towards it, the unfamiliar weight of a sword on his back. He was very excited to start exploring the country.

Link ran into Lon Lon Ranch. Talon, the owner, had been expecting him, just like his father had said.

''Link! How are you?'' the rancher asked, slapping him on the shoulder.

''Good. Better, considering that today starts my trip,'' Link replied brightly.

''Ha! Family traditions are fun, aren't they... Well, then! Let me show you your horse!'' Talon said.

They went near the stables. A redheaded girl his age walked up, holding the reins of a beautiful Clydesdale horse. The horse was brown with black and white legs and a white mane.

''Link, this is my daughter, Malon...'' Talon said proudly.

''Nice to meet you,'' she said, smiling.

''Nice to meet you as well. That's a nice horse,'' Link said politely.

''She's yours. Her name is Epona,'' Malon replied.

Talon grinned. ''It's been a tradition for some time now to give the firstborn men of the Hero's family a horse named Epona. They're finely bred,'' he said.

Malon led Epona over to Link. He reached out and ran a hand through the mare's silvery white mane. Epona whinnied happily.

''She likes you already!'' Malon said.

''I suppose you'll be off now?'' Talon asked.

''Yes. Thank you for the horse... I'm not sure I deserve such a fine one...'' Link replied.

Talon waved Link's worry away. ''Nonsense.''

Link mounted his new horse and took the reins. His father had taught him how to ride. He gently nudged the mare with his heels and left the ranch at a leisurely pace.

Once he was out in Hyrule Field, he stopped for a moment, considering where to head off to. He decided to go to the capital, Castle Town. He nudged Epona again and set off at a fast trot. The mare was quite a fine horse, he barely had to direct her.

In half an hour, he arrived at the walled capital. He dismounted his horse and led her across the drawbridge and through the gates. Castle Town was large and bustling. Of course, when it had been named so many centuries ago, it was a town, but now it was a city. As he walked through the paved streets, he noticed that people were glancing nervously at soldiers. Link wondered why. Sure, the King was sick, but for what reason did the soldiers merit distrust?

As Link was pondering this, shouting interrupted his thoughts. Two soldiers were harassing a middle aged man. They started to beat him harshly. Most people winced and looked away. Others sent disapproving looks at the soldiers but did nothing.

A young man, probably about twenty-two, appeared and started to fight with the soldiers. Link was unsure what to do. He certainly did not want get involved in a fight with the soldiers but he didn't approve of them beating someone seemingly for no reason.

The fight continued on. Though the soldiers were trained, the young man was quite good as well and he drove them back. Both soldiers made a warning gesture at him before retreating.

Link walked up to him. He had wavy dark brown hair and bright green eyes. He was wearing a plain light brown tunic with darker leggings and he had a sword, which he now sheathed.

''Hey, you're new to Castle Town, right?'' the young man said.

''Yes. I just came from my village,'' Link replied.

''Ah. I see.''

''What was that all about?'' Link asked.

''Ah, I guess news hasn't really reached your village yet. You know how the King left his daughter in charge when he became ill?'' the man said. Link nodded. ''Well, for about four or so weeks, she was a fair ruler. But now, she's a tyrant. The soldiers all do her bidding and enforce her cruelty,'' he continued.

''What?'' Link exclaimed, incredulous.

''The lower classes are abused incessantly. Most people look the other way, afraid to go against the soldiers. But there is a group dedicated to removing the Princess from the throne. We fight for justice against oppression,'' the man said, hinting that he was part of that group.

''So you're rebelling against the Royal Family?'' Link said, appalled.

''None of us believed that the Princess would become such a horrible person. She was always such a nice girl. But not now. You saw what those soldiers just did to that man.''

''That I did. I wanted to help but I wasn't sure if I should,'' Link said.

''I understand. And hey, you look like a righteous boy. Would you fight for the people? You can join the Resistance, of which I am the leader. We certainly need more people,'' the man said. At Link's hesitation, he added, ''You don't have to decide right now.''

Link thought about it. On one hand, he probably shouldn't get involved with a rebellious faction, for that would make him a traitor to the Royal Family and the country. But on the other hand, the ruler was clearly corrupt and needed to be stopped...

''I would be honored to join,'' he said after a moment.

The man smiled. ''What's your name, boy?''

''Link.''

''Well, Link, I am glad to have you with us. My name is Risbon.'' The two of them clasped hands. After the handshake, Risbon went over to the beaten man to see if he was all right.

''Thank you,'' the man exclaimed.

''What were they beating you for?'' Risbon asked.

''I made a comment about how badly the Princess is ruling,'' the man replied.

''Ah. Those cowards. Two against one was a dirty thing to do,'' Risbon growled as Link nodded his agreement. ''And hey, you are absolutely right about the Princess. You were brave to speak out,'' he added.

''I'll do it again. I don't care how many times they beat me, I will do it. I know that you lead the Resistance. Keep doing what you're doing,'' the man said.

''I will. They won't bring us down.''

The man grinned at Risbon before heading off, probably home to tend to himself. Risbon turned to Link. ''Come on. We should get off the streets. With me being the most wanted person in Hyrule right now, more guards will show up soon.''

Can't say much on this chapter or I'll spoil the plot! But things aren't what they seem. I'm sure some of you have figured it out. Shh. On a different note, I don't believe in reincarnation, so no, Link and Princess Zelda are not reincarnated in any of my fics. Link is descended from all the other Links. Badass Hero family, yeah! This fic does follow the canon Nintendo time line...but with my own fourth split added. This fic is on the fourth split. It's similar to the Child Timeline split where Oot Link warns the Royal Family...but this time he had to fight Ganondorf again, this time when he turned sixteen naturally (not in a 7 year magic sleep).