[Hello again

[Hello again.  It's R. Cybelle Gil and I must say this had to be one of my favorite stories to write on a video game.  I love the Legend of Zelda series and Link in Zelda 64 is an absolute hunk!  (Sorry guys!  But isn't it true, ladies?)  Of course, I couldn't let an opportunity for a story about this to pass, especially because I always had a question about this series that was never answered.  The question is… "What exactly is the 'Legend of Zelda'?"  Notice that in every game the story is about Link, not Zelda and the 'legend'.  So I fixed that.  This is a story, literally, on the 'Legend of Zelda'.  By the way, this story is based solely on "The Ocarina of Time".  It has nothing to do with any of the other Link games.  It takes off only from Zelda 64.  Have fun and enjoy the story! J]

Legend of Zelda:

The New Era of Hyrule Begins

A Legend

            Deep beneath the castle, in the midst of all the passageways and mysteries, lurks the hidden walls of ancient writing.  Writing that depicted the future of the land in which the great castle had been erected.  A single torch flickered in the darkness of a hidden room, the light bouncing against the strange markings engraved on the walls.  The old sorcerer's eyes squinted against the dim light of the torch as he stared at the inscription on the walls.  His cloak whispered about him, moved by a wind that seemed to emerge from nowhere.  He paid it no heed, for he was engrossed in the tale before him.  In the legend engraved upon walls of a stone he had never seen before.

            The Legend of Zelda.

            His lips moved to the ancient words that only he and his apprentice knew.  The story unfolded before his eyes, as the writing seemed to form a life of its own.  The magic in the walls pulsed… But he knew that the magic did not lie in the walls, but in the words that were inscribed upon it.  The sorcerer's old eyes grew wide in astonishment and disbelief as he continued to read the legend.  He shook his head and read again—making sure his sight and understanding were not failing him… They were not.

            "Unbelievable…" he murmured in horrific amazement.  It could not be.

            The whispering wind rustled more forcefully against him.  The old man wrapped the cloak more tightly around him as he continued to read his eyes unable to be turned away from the picture the words produced.  The chill of a wind that should not be crept up his body… But the sorcerer turned away from it and wrapped himself, trying to ward away the chill and the wind.

            But it would not be ignored.  The wind whistled and swirled around the man, blowing the cloak free from his grasp.  The old man twisted in the wind that circled him, staring in amazement as the fire of his torch was teased and tortured by the same wind that seemed to laugh echoingly.  The sorcerer turned and twisted away from the writings on the wall from the force of the laughing wind.  And his eyes grew wide in paralyzing horror and absolute terror.

            Believe it.

            No one heard the old man's scream, nor the clatter of the torch falling to the floor, the flames dying into nothing but ashes…

*          *          *

            The warrior stared out into the dark horizon.  The wind of the beach swirled around him, blowing his hair and tunic into twisting snakes about him.

            A storm was coming.

            The dark blue eyes narrowed watching the waves crash against the surf and the rocks, watching the dark clouds hovering over the horizon and stretching toward the beach like the dark tendrils of an evil god.  He took out the blade that was strapped to his back and held it across his body, preparing himself.

            The rain began to fall.  It fell like shards of ice pricking the skin, and the warrior began to train beneath the onslaught.  His movements were quick and lithe, the muscles of his arms and legs twisting with his maneuvers and his technique.  It was the dance of death and power, a ritual that every warrior partakes of when he knows…

            The muscles of his back and shoulders turned with a thrust; his muscular arms flexed and twisted with the sharp turn and the silent slice, every one of his movements perfect, everyone of them in harmony with skill.  The blade sliced through the hard rain, his body leaping and moving with deadly grace as he trained beneath the sharp pounding of heavy rain.

            With a movement faster than the eye could detect, he was once again facing the dark horizon and the tortured waves which the rain crashed against.  His breathing was hard and labored with his exertion, his tunic plastered against his muscular body and his long golden hair dark and dripping with the falling water.  He raised the blade, the double edges of the sword facing the horizon and himself.  His eyes narrowed and a flash of lightning blasted from behind him, lighting the fire in his eyes, and echoed his fate with the crash of thunder that followed.

            He lowered the blade and leaned his head back against the thrashing rain, his face taking the brunt of the sharp watery blows.  He let the rain cleanse his spirit for the battle that lay ahead, for the fate that was destined to be his no matter what the case.

            He turned his back, which now faced the dark and stormy horizon and he stared into the woods before him, past the boundaries of the beach.  The blue eyes were as dark as the storm that blew over the ocean, glowing with the power within him.

            "I'll be waiting," he whispered into the wood.

            For the Hero of Hyrule knew something was coming.

*          *          *

            "Dalan!"

            In the midst of a terrible storm, the fiercest they had ever seen, two Pryderi—people from one of the many islands surrounding the land of Hyrule—struggled in the small boat they had built.  They had dreamed of coming to the mainland…but as the storm continued to rage around them, that dream seemed farther away than ever before.

            The young woman reached for her brother as he almost toppled over the edge of their boat.  She pulled him back in with a heave as the waves crashed against and over them, the wind blowing fiercely and the rain furiously pounding on top of them.  Both were drenched to their bones as they stared into the sea, seeing no land in any direction.

            The huge man sighed as the wind howled, enveloping the sound.  He shouted over the wind, "This is perfect, Rhaea!  It was a beautiful day when we left the village.  Now look at this!  It would be a miracle if we did find Hyrule!"

            Rhaea stared into the midst of the storm, the rain blasting against her face, her wings twitching with the heavy water and cold wind.  She shuddered and shook her head.  She turned to her older brother and stared into the golden eyes exactly like her own.  "You're right, Dalan.  It doesn't seem like we're going to make it.  If only we didn't have such rotten luck."

            Dalan grabbed a hold of her as another huge wave washed over them.  He stared down at her with a scowl.  "This has nothing to do with luck!"

            But just as he released her to try to steer the buckling boat, another huge wave crashed over them hurtling the two against a huge pile of jagged rocks that they had not seen.  The boat shattered and the two flew in opposite directions, the waves overpowering them.

            Rhaea gasped for air as she tried to stay afloat, her watery eyes searching for her brother in the darkness.  But as she was pulled under the water, the ocean swallowing her, she could only fall into unconsciousness and let the water determine her fate.

            Dalan could feel the heat of his own blood as he kicked furiously against the currents that would pull him down.  Blood seeped from his arm, the sharp rocks' gift to him as he tried to make it to shore…and to spot his sister.  But in the darkness he could see no sign of her and the salt water was burning his wound with such paralyzing pain, he had no idea how long he would last.  And as a crash of thunder sounded over him, the waves hurtling him against the sand, he fell into unconsciousness—the loss of blood, the pain and his exhaustion sending him over the edge into oblivion.

*          *          *

            Dalan slowly awoke.  His eyes fluttered open, his body blissfully numb.  But as his eyelids open, the bright light invaded and formed a headache that awakened all the aches and pains in his body.  His arm burned like fire, his entire body ached and the splitting pain forming in his head only grew.  He gave a low groan, wanting to go back into the dark oblivion without the pain, but he knew that he had to face the reality.

            He was alive…and Rhaea was probably very dead.

            The ache that suddenly grew in his heart overpowered the one in his head as he turned his face away from the heat of the sun.  But as his body screamed with tension and pain, the thought of his sister's death faded away to the back of his mind where he could dwell on it later.  For the moment the demands of his life were becoming painfully insistent.

            Suddenly a soothing presence entered his mind, easing away the terrible headache.  Dalan slowly opened his eyes, staring at the shimmering sand until his eyes adjusted to the bright light of the midday.  He slowly turned his head and faced an angel.

            Her hair glistened with sunlight and the glowing smile made the beautiful blue eyes shimmer.  Dalan blinked in awe.  He had never seen a creature so beautiful in all of his life.  Perhaps he had died after all, for surely this ethereal being had to be from paradise.  But when the pain of his arm shot through his body he remembered quite clearly that he was very alive.

            Zelda blinked down at the strange man as he winced in pain.  Must be his arm.  She had found him early that morning, bleeding profusely from the jagged wound on his arm.  Knowing that she should not move him, she mended the arm and watched over him until he slowly awoke.  She had never seen any being like him before.  Never had she seen hair so black, or ears of such a strange shape.  Unlike her ears and the rest of the Hyrulian people, his ears were much smaller and rounder though they still had the pointedness that characterized their people from the others.  His body was one of a warrior and she knew that it had taken all of his strength to survive the storm that had hit the day before.

            But nothing had prepared her for the iridescent gold eyes beneath the long dark lashes and amidst the rugged face.  Her breath had caught in her throat when the eyes turned their dazed, confused gaze on her.  She had entered his mind to ease the pain in his head, but when the eyes seemed to burn into her, she had lost her concentration.  His face was now away from her, the mesmerizing eyes tightly closed against the pain.  She slowly entered his mind, easing her way to stop the pain.

            Who are you?  What are you doing?

            Zelda froze when she heard the words speak into her mind.  She stared down in stunned amazement as the man turned his face back to her, the glowing amber eyes gazing at her in question.  She swallowed.  This couldn't be.  No one had ever been able to speak into her mind, though she had had the ability to speak into the minds of others for as long as she could remember.  Who was this man?

            The man lifted an eyebrow curiously, almost as if he was wondering why she hadn't answered yet.  Zelda swallowed and flushed darkly, unsure why.  What was it about this man that made her feel so exposed?  Feeling the amber eyes burning into her made her flesh hot and her mind putty.  What was wrong with her?

            Dalan smiled up at the woman who obviously too shocked to speak.  He had no idea what had come over him to speak into her mind, but he just felt that it was all right if he did.  He had never been able to do that with anyone besides Rhaea… He shook his mind away from thoughts of his sister.  He would deal with that pain after he had recovered.  Perhaps he should make her more comfortable?
            Are you an angel?

            Zelda blinked down at the curious man before her.  He thought he was dead?  Her lips twitched.  Well, with the pain he had gone through and awakening to see a woman hovering over him with the sun shining behind her…yes, it was understandable that he would believe such a thing.  Zelda smiled.

            I am no angel, just someone who wishes to aid another in need.

            The man smiled and slowly nodded.  Zelda bit on her lower lip as the iridescent eyes of the man continued to burn through her.  She had never experienced anything like it.  She shook off the sensation and concentrating on the task at hand asked, "Can you understand my words?"

            Yes, was the response.  Zelda nodded and said, "Can you stand?  We need to remove you from beneath the glare of the sun.  Your arm was very badly wounded, but it is healing now.  Be gentle with it."

            The man nodded and with her aid tentatively stood up.  Dalan winced as his legs screamed with the agony of holding up his weight.  Slowly, Dalan made his way into the forest beyond the beach with the beautiful woman helping him.  When they reached the security of the forest, Zelda slowly eased him down upon a soft bed of grass and kneeled beside him, checking the bandages of his arms.

            Dalan stretched, his muscles screaming, but he paid them no heed as he removed the tension from in them.  Zelda watched in stunned amazement as he moved, watching the muscles on his arms and torso ripple.  She had removed his tattered shirt to use as a bandage, but as she watched him move, her cheeks flushing, she wished she had found some leaves to use instead.

            Dalan flexed the aching muscles and rubbed the knotted muscles in his neck.  How long had he been laying there in the sand unmoving until she arrived?  He supposed he would never know.  He turned back to the beautiful woman whose cheeks were glowing red.  Dalan's head tilted to the side curiously.  Why was she so flushed?  Was she all right?

            "Is all well, lady?"

            Zelda's eyes widened in shock, her skin rippling with excitement.  She had never heard a voice like that in all of her days alive!  The sound that had come out of the man's mouth was nothing short of rumbling thunder.  Perhaps it only gave the impression of that sound because he had just awakened, but the heat inside of her grew a hundred-fold.  Her cheeks flushed evermore darker.

            "Yes," she murmured, her eyes moving to the grass beneath them.  Dalan smiled, finally realizing what was wrong.  He had discomforted her when he spoke into her mind.  Perhaps that had never happened to her.  The corners of Dalan's eyes crinkled when he smiled at her.  "I am Dalan.  I come from the island of Prydereus of the coast of the land of Hyrule."

            Zelda looked up and saw the smile.  Her breath froze and her heart stopped.  Dear Spirits!  This man was absolutely devastating to the senses.  Zelda shook herself mentally.  She had to gain control.  This was no ordinary person.  He had the same telepathic ability she did and he was from another land all together.  Get a grip on reality, Zelda!

            The woman's eyes smiled though he had seen them shimmer with confusion.  Dalan waited for her response, and when she gave it he could not stop the shiver of awareness and bewilderment that ran up his body.

            "This is Hyrule.  I have never heard of this island, but then we do not keep in touch with many of the islands around Hyrule.  I am Zelda."

            Her voice was the sound of rippling water and Dalan could not believe what was happening to him because of that tantalizing voice.  Who was this woman who could speak into the minds of others and affect him in such a way?  He shook his head to clear it, confused by his own thoughts.  What did it matter who she was?  She had helped him, saved his life…and he had her name.  That was all he needed.

            Dalan smiled, making Zelda suck in breath.  He didn't notice.  "I thank you, Zelda.  You saved my life, I now owe it to you."

            Zelda shook her head, her smile wane.  He was definitely from another place.  He didn't even know who she was!  And she couldn't have him owing anything to her!  The crowned princess of Hyrule, sneaking away from the castle and saving a stranger to the land from near death?  The Chancellor would have Dalan's head and her hide!  "No, Dalan, please.  I did what anyone else in Hyrule would have done if they had found you instead of I."  Which was true enough, but they probably would have moved him and killed him in the process—if they weren't terrified by his appearance first, of course.  "You owe me nothing, Dalan.  Your gratitude is enough."

            Dalan shook his head.  Obviously, she did not realize his code of honor.  "You don't understand, Zelda.  My people have a code of honor that is sacred to us.  When one of us has been given a gift beyond price, a favor, a life…we must repay it in kind.  It is part of our code of honor.  I owe you my life."  Dalan grinned rakishly and Zelda thought her heart was going to explode.  "If you are worried about me following you till my debt is repaid—do not fear.  I will be there when it is time for the debt to be repaid.  Fate has a way to make that possible."

            Zelda blinked, trying to find where her voice had gone and why her heart was doing a dance within her chest.  What did this man do to her?  It was like nothing she had ever felt in her life.  She had a connection with him she had never had with anyone…and she believed his words.  Somehow fate would make sure his debt would be repaid.  Plus…they had a connection.  That would be enough to warn him if she was ever in danger… Zelda shook herself mentally.  What was she thinking!  How would he know that?  How could he communicate with her in that way?  She looked into the shimmering golden eyes and her confusion faded away.

            It really didn't matter.  This man was unlike any other.  Somehow she would find out everything she would need to know… It was within their destiny…somehow…

            Dalan and Zelda stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity.  The smiles in their eyes reflected the emotion inside of them both.  Zelda had never felt so at peace; so relieved of the burden she bore.  Dalan had never felt so free, or so tied to another life, another soul… Their destiny had begun, their fates intertwined with that one soul-searching moment.

            "Zelda!"

            The trance was broken.  Zelda's smile faded as she turned and winced.  It was Kerwick, her bodyguard.  She smiled ruefully.  Actually, he was more like a nanny than anything else.  But soon he'll be calling her 'Princess!' and she couldn't let Dalan know who she was…not yet.  She turned back to the man before her who had an eyebrow lifted as he looked beyond the trees to the voice who called.

            "I must go, Dalan."  Zelda quickly stood and turned to the direction of Kerwick's voice just as he called another resounding "Zelda!"

            Dalan stood and clasped her shoulder.  Zelda turned and he smiled kindly.  Her heart stopped with the glow of his eyes and the warmth of his smile.  Who was this man?

            Dalan nodded.  "I understand.  Go then.  We shall meet again."

            Zelda blinked up at the huge man before him and shook her head, clearing it from the muddle his smile had made of it.  She then stared at his arm.  She looked up with a curious look.  "How is your arm?"

            Dalan shook his head.  "Do not worry, Zelda.  Your healing works well.  I shall be fine.  Go now, before whoever calls you looses his voice."

            Zelda grinned.  She had never felt so alive…so free!  "That fool?  It would be a miracle if he did loose that monstrous voice of his!"

            "ZELDA!"

            She jumped and Dalan chuckled quietly.  Her body shivered with the sound of his laughter.  "Like thunder…" she murmured quietly.  She smiled at the huge man before her and gave a small wave.  "Until we meet again, Dalan of Prydereus!"  She turned and began to run through the forest nimbly, practically flying through the trees and vegetation.  "I'm coming, Kerwick!"

            Dalan smiled as he stared at her disappearing form.  "Until we meet again…Zelda."