A/N: So here's my first LOZ fanfic. First of all, this story does contain some spoilers, so don't read if you're just beginning the series. Or if you want to, that's fine, too. One other thing: I know how Sheik's gender is among one of the most debated things in the entire LOZ franchise, but, according to official OOT artwork, Sheik is depicted as a male. Therefore, I will be depicting him as such. Please read and review; I could use some constructive criticism!
The young princess of Hyrule entered the throne room in a hurry, running even though her dress was long and easily stumbled over. The cloth over her head was torn from falling pieces of rubble. The castle was crumbling. Princess Zelda stopped dead in front of the throne, where her father was tied up in thick ropes and gagged with a black cloth.
"Father!" the princess uttered. She began tugging at the ropes and trying to undo the tight knots. The king of Hyrule began muttering under the cloth, speaking frantically. Zelda tore the gag from her father's head. The man's old face was drenched with sweat and some blood was dripping down each cheek. Zelda touched his face gingerly and whispered, "Father, what happened to you? What's going on?" The king's eyes were wide with worry.
"It's Ganondorf. He's waged a war on my kingdom and our people, with the hopes of becoming king by means of force. I'm afraid that the entire kingdom of Hyrule is currently losing this battle. Zelda, my dear daughter, I want you to listen very closely to me."
"Yes, father, I will."
The king looked around, panting and checking to see if the coast was clear. When he didn't spot anyone, he continued.
"I need you to find Impa so she can take you to hide from the King of Darkness. Please find her and run away to a safe place!"
The princess' eyes filled with tears.
"No, father, I must stay with you! I can't let them hurt you any more!"
"As long as he cooperates, the former king of Hyrule will be safe with me, princess," said a dark and deep voice. Zelda whirled around to see a man dressed with dark clothing and with flaming red hair. He smiled evilly as he chuckled. "That goes for you, too, young Zelda."
A burst of Stalfos(Ganon's skeleton guards) entered the room, charging for the girl. The king yelled for her to get out as quickly as she could.
"Don't look back, daughter! Find Impa and leave this place!" he cried. Not looking back, the princess felt tears streaming down her face. Zelda ran as the dark man tried to grab her, as did the Stalfos. The little girl slipped past them and rushed to the corridor of the crumbling castle. She nearly ran into a tall figure with white hair and a blue and silver outfit. She had red eyes and pointed ears.
"Impa . . . !"
The figure, Impa, covered her mouth sharply and hissed,
"Quiet, princess. Come with me, now." Zelda obeyed her caretaker, nodding her head and letting tears fall from her eyes.
Impa led the young princess to the stables, where a single white stallion kicked its legs and cried out, terrified by the sounds of war. The caretaker jumped on the horse's back and immediately began running her hands through the gray mane. The horse instantly calmed down.
"Princess Zelda, come here."
Impa lifted the girl onto the horse and put her in front, and then she wrapped her arms around her. The caretaker commanded the horse to gallop to Hyrule field from the castle. Zelda looked back at the castle as it became smaller in the distance. The town was in ruins. People were screaming and scurrying away from the Stalfos guards, who were setting the buildings on fire. Impa noticed the young princess looking back.
"Zelda, no!"
It was too late. The traumatic scene was imprinted in the young girl's mind. More tears wet her pale cheeks as she listened to the helpless citizens.
"Impa . . ."
"Look ahead, Zelda. Never look back; not now," replied the caretaker, "I'm going to take you to the place that I grew up in. You'll be safe there."
The princess only nodded and shut her eyes, whimpering in fright as any young child would. They were approaching the drawbridge around the castle town. Suddenly, a voice roared behind them, along with the sound of another galloping horse. Impa cursed silently as she saw Ganondorf giving chase.
"You'll never escape me, Sheikah woman!"
Zelda longed to crane her neck backward, but her caretaker forced her head to face forward.
"Don't look back-only ahead."
The drawbridge opened, crashing to the ground. As the horse stormed through the bridge, Zelda noticed a little blond boy wearing green standing in front of the moat around the town. Link. She had no time to say anything to the boy, but instead threw a small blue instrument to him that she knew would help him along on his journey—the Ocarina of Time.