Prologue

Quick disclaimer: I do not own the characters from The Legend of Zelda nor do I own the story of Beauty and the Beast.

Once upon a time, in the golden land of Hyrule, a young hero lived in a shining castle. A lad of royal decent, a prince, revered for his heroic deeds as a destroyer of darkness and bringer of light. His years of ruling the great kingdom however, had taken a toll on his once pure and kind heart. He had become selfish and unkind - no longer holding the wisdom befitting of a ruler.

The hero that was born while he was merely 12 years of age was long gone. The 16 year old man, he had become, lived in the hero's shadow. His advisors and servants worried. Was there no way of bringing back their most loved hero and monarch?

No one knew. Not even the most revered six sages, the Prince's advisors, knew. In two years, he was to be King of Hyrule. Those who knew well of his decent prayed to the Goddesses for a change.

The night was cold and dark. It was the Winter, the coldest yet.

A thunderous knock was heard on the castle gates. The guards on watch opened the gates, allowing the harmless stranger in. From their view, it looked like a young orphan seeking shelter from the elements.

A runner was sent to the benevolent sages, who might persuade the Prince to allow the child to stay for the night. A storm was brewing on the horizon, of course.

The Prince used to allow all manner of people within the castle walls during the cold seasons, since he too used to live on the road during the dark uprising, only 4 years prior. A lot changed in that time. Hyrule had improved yet the Prince worsened.

"Goddesses, look after that child," a guard spoke to his comrade.

"Din, hold her in your strong arms, share your warmth. Nayru, may your wisdom guide the Prince justly. Farore take this child you created and keep her living. May your courage steer her hand," a priest spoke in sermon as a comfort to the shivering figure in the main hall. The sages conversed in hushed voices as the priest took his leave.

"There is something odd about this 'child'," spoke Impa, Sage of Shadow.

"I can agree that she isn't like the others," Saria replied, the Sage of Forest.

"Aye. Most are babbling on, asking for food or blankets," said Darunia, the Sage of Fire, "This one hasn't even made a noise."

"I wonder..." mused Ruto, the Sage of Water, "Is she even a race of Hyrule?"

"What do you mean?" asked Saria.

"She's means that whatever it is..." Nabooru paused, "It isn't a Kokiri, like yourself, a Goron or Zora-"

"I knew she wasn't one of them! I'm not stupid!" Saria snapped.

"It's cus' you Kokiri look like children," Darunia chuckled, ruffling Saria's hair.

"Get off, you big oaf!" She cried, pushing his large hand off, "Do all of you Gorons act so rough with other races?"

"Oh no, no," he grinned back.

"I'm sure Goron children are larger..." Ruto thought aloud, "and Zora children of that size don't leave a pool of water for long."

"Yes, Goron children are more rotund," Darunia scratched his head, "Is she one of the more human races?"

"It isn't a Gerudo. Most don't leave the desert 'til adulthood unless they're part of a caravan," Nabooru replied, "There haven't been many for years."

"It is no Sheikah, nor Hylian," Impa informed them, for she had been looking closely at the figure while they conversed, "It's not human either. What-?"

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!" cried the Prince as he entered, "Did I not say that the castle was closed to unknown visitors?"

"Prince," Impa bowed her head, "I apologise. The guards let the child in."

The man huffed and stalked towards the figure.

"Who are you?" He snapped.

No reply.

"Where are you from!"

No response.

"Do you deny your sovereign-?!"

"Now, now, I wouldn't say that," the creature spoke lowering it's hood.

"An imp!" hissed Nabooru.

"One of the Twili, no less," spoke Impa in a hushed tone, "Be on your guard."

"You-!" The Prince sneered at the creature.

"You look at me, like I am a monster. I have not harmed you. Why do you-?"

"Guards!" The Prince shouted, "Remove this thing from my castle! I will not have it's darkness defile-"

"DARKNESS?!" It cried as the room darkened. Her presence seemed larger as her shadow cascaded across the room, covering each corner.

"I will show you darkness!"

The Prince drew his blade, the holy and mythical Master Sword.

"I was born to the shadow! You know nought of dark, Princeling."

"I know enough!" He bared his teeth.

"Link!" cried Saria, "Don't antagonise her further! Please!"

"You were once a great hero..." The imp glared at him while whispering, "No more..."

Light enveloped the room, it's source was the imp. It grew so bright that all had to cover their eyes.

When it dimmed, a tall figure replaced the imp. It was a she for definite, and she was a great beauty. Her blue skin gleamed in the light of the torches, and the stark red hair were akin to the flames that lit it. Her bearing was proud and aloof, like royalty.

"I cannot be..." gasped Nabooru.

The woman's fierce, blood-red eyes were fixed on the Prince as she walked forward.

"Link, descendant of Her Grace, Hylia, and the Heroes of Legend, Prince and Sovereign of Hyrule and the surrounding lands, I curse you!" She spoke in a voice that was both strikingly beautiful and would strike terror in the strongest of hearts, "There is no love within you. You lack trust in those who are close and the innocent. Ye had judged me by appearance and failed."

"Lady Midna, no!" cried the Prince.

"You are unworthy of the Master Sword," she placed her hand on it's tip, lowering it. The Prince hissed and dropped it, as if burnt.

Cries of "Link!", "Your Highness" and "My Lord" erupted from the Sages.

"Silence!" Midna screamed, outstretching a hand towards them, while positioning the other at the Prince, "A curse upon your house and all within it! If you, Prince Link, can find one to love you as you are and you love them in return, than may my curse be undone. If not, you will reflect your soul for all time."

The Prince grabbed at his head and screamed in agony, before letting go as claws grew out of his fingers, fur poked through his skin, his spine extended as a tail was formed, his teeth turned to fangs. His body and face changed, clothes tearing to shreds. He began to resemble a wolf. The result was harrowing as he stood like a human yet was frighteningly tall and beast-like.

The Sages raised their arms in defence using their powers to attempt to reverse the curse on the rest of the people and castle, yet were unable to save any as the castle grew dark.

The Prince cried out as he looked at his hands and ran further within the castle.

"His servants will resemble the monsters of dark or be turned to stone. You sages, if you leave the castle, will appear as monsters if you leave also," Midna informed them, "I am not powerful enough to change you fully."

Her hand opened as three golden triangles flew out of them, "Your Triforce is the seal. Allow no one to touch it or there shall be dire consequences for the rest of the kingdom. It will glow for 10 years at best before it returns to the Scared Realm. Once it returns, the spell is permanent."

"How did you get this?" Impa gritted her teeth, "Li- The Prince had it returned to the Sacred Realm."

"It doesn't matter. I have returned it to Hyrule again," Midna looked at the sword laying on the ground, "He may use the blade as a mirror. A way to see out of his castle. A Spirit resides within it. You should hope that someone will come that can wield the Triforce or the Master Sword should dark times come during the Curse. Farewell."

With a swish of her cloak, the Lady Midna dematerialised, leaving the castle.

"Oh, what are we to do?!" Saria cried.

"We rule the kingdom. Same as normal," Ruto nodded.

"No, we can't. Keep the castle locked and secured. We will have no one know what happened to Link," Impa ordered.

The Sages silently agreed. There was nothing else to it. Hyrule Castle must be isolated.

The Prince concealed himself in his castle. He allowed the sages to rule in his stead, setting things up for Hyrule to rule itself until the curse was lifted.

He saw nothing more of his kingdom. The castle was isolated, far from the castle town but near enough. The Spirit of the Master Sword, Fi, began to be his only company. The Sages annoyed Link as did the little fairy that once accompanied him. Navi had not been in the castle when the curse befell all those within, so she had not changed and could leave at will.

Dark days were ahead. Days lengthened into weeks, weeks to months. A few years passed and the Prince fell into despair.

"Who would ever love a monster like me?" He growled.