Hi, and welcome to my new fic! This is my first multi-chapter fic, and it's actually gonna be a pretty big project! Now let's hope I can figure out how to post subsequent chapters…

This is a novelization of one of the best and underrated games in the series: Oracle of Ages. I WILL be taking some creative liberties, and including one or two elements from the manga, but the plot will mostly stick to the game. As for update frequency, I can make no promises. I know this from both past experience and from the fact that college consumes your soul.

I'm going to feature one Zelda fanfic per chapter, starting next chapter.

Inspiration for this project: The depressing lack of fics on this site for the amazing GB/C games. Also, SkywardPrincessOfTime and Kabrex :)

Also, a huge thanks to my beta, who's a friend of mine not on FFN.

Enjoy!

Oh, and I guess we're supposed to put disclaimers for some reason. I don't really know why, considering if we actually owned any of this the site wouldn't be called FAN-fiction, you know? So yeah, Disclaimer.

~ Prologue ~

.:.

"Link!"

The boy stuffed his head under his pillow, and tried to go back to sleep. He wasn't particularly hungry after waking up in the middle of the night due to another nightmare.

"Link Avalon! Where are you?"

Uncle, I'm not hungry, and I have a horrible headache. I don't want breakfast, so stop shouting! Unfortunately, he didn't have the energy to actually voice these complaints.

"Liiiiink!"

The door flew open.

"Oh, there you are, Link! Still in bed? You didn't look so good last night. You alright?"

"Mornin'... No I'm not 'alright'. My head hurts like I smashed it with my own hammer..."

"Well, breakfast is on the table, and there's a visitor here for you. Get dressed and come to the kitchen quickly."

A visitor? Who would be calling for him? He had returned to the orchard after the war to escape from the publicity, and no one but Zelda knew where his home was. She had respected his privacy and didn't bother him with more than a letter on occasion, but Link hardly thought the postman counted as a "visitor". He'd finished pulling on his tunic at that thought, so he trudged downstairs to the kitchen, only to stop dead in his tracks at who he saw.

A Knight of Hyrule was sitting at the table, laughing jovially with his uncle before noticing him standing in the doorway.

"Ah, you must be Link!" he exclaimed. "Princess Zelda wished me to deliver a letter to you. It was 'too important to be left to the postman', she said. I'm honestly not sure how I could have gotten it here quicker, but who am I to disagree with the Princess?"

Link stared dumbfounded. Zelda...? He walked to the table and sat down, where his uncle placed a plate of eggs and ham in front of him, which he promptly pushed away.

"A letter? She's sent them through the postman when she's contacted me before. I wonder what's so urgent this time?"

"Why don't you read the letter to find out? I've got it right here." He pulled a regal envelope out of his pack, and handed it to Link.

Link stared at the parchment. He was somewhat nervous to read the letter, as the whole situation was so unusual.

"What's wrong, Link?"

He looked up at the voice of his uncle. "N-nothing. Just a headache." With that, he opened the letter and began reading.

Dear Link,

It has occurred to me that I never formally recognized you for your assistance in both the war and the restoration. I know you dislike publicity, but I was hoping you would come to the Castle and agree to be Knighted for your actions. If nothing else, I'd like to see you again. I've missed your smiling face around the castle. My vassals are good to me, but I feel I do not need to stand on ceremony with you. Please give your answer to the Knight who I've sent with this letter, and I hope to see you in the near future.

Love, Zelda

Link did a double take at the last line. Love, Zelda? Not to mention the lipstick that had been smeared next to her name... It didn't seem like her, but then again, who was he to judge? He hadn't seen her in almost three years; People could change. But recognition for his deeds would mean facing the crowds that he had come to avoid. He did want to see Zelda again, though... How many guys could say they were friends with the Princess of Hyrule? Something about the timing of her letter seemed strange, too. If it was a "few weeks ago" that she decided to reward him, why would she not send the letter immediately?

"Anything interesting?" He jumped and looked up to his uncle, who had spoken.

"I guess..." he replied. Then he turned to the Knight sitting across from him and said "Tell her majesty that I need some time to decide, but that she will know my answer within the week."

The Knight nodded. "Sir!" he said, standing and saluting, before heading out the door.

.:.

"So why are you hesitating, again?" his uncle asked from his favorite chair by the fire.

Link sighed in irritation. This was the sixth time he'd been asked the question, and would mark his sixth answer. "You know why. I'd rather not be put in the limelight like that. That's why I came back in the first place; I couldn't handle the pressure. After the war, I've felt like I have to live up to the legend they've painted of me."

His uncle was getting impatient. This also marked the sixth time he'd tried to talk sense into the boy. "Link, you left to fight of your own free will. No one but you had any hand in that. Now, if you can split a Moblin's skull, you can deal with a few adoring fans. I'm not letting you stay here to become an old hermit. Go to the castle and at least tell her your feelings about the matter in person. It'll make more of an impact, if nothing else."

"But—!"

"No buts. That's an order." His tone was final.

Link sighed in defeat. "...Fine." With that, he stood up and walked to his room and collapsed on his bed in exasperation. Surprisingly, sleep came to him quickly, and was peaceful for the first time in a long time.

.:.

Link double-checked his saddlebags. He'd finished packing the few items that he'd need. Although he knew he wouldn't need anything more than standard traveling supplies, he had decided to bring his sword simply because he felt too vulnerable without it. The rest of his (rather impressive) arsenal was staying home, as it would only serve to weigh down his horse.

"Good luck, kid." He turned around and saw his uncle watching him from the doorway. "I know you'll have a blast just being on the road again, even though I also know you're trying to hide the fact that you agree just to prove me wrong," He winked.

"So long, uncle," Link said with a grin.

"Same to you, Link."

.:.

"Link, I'm so glad you decided to come."

"Well, of course! I began packing immediately!" he lied.

"Well, again. I'm glad you did," she smiled. "Do you think you'll accept the offer of Knighthood?"

"I'm... still not sure about it, to be honest."

They were in her personal living chambers, sitting across a table from each other. After eating dinner (which was more like a feast in his opinion) in her lavish dining hall with several court members, she had wanted to talk to him privately before he returned to the guest chambers he'd been given during his stay. "Actually, I had wanted to ask you about something else, as well. Have you heard of the recent uprisings in Labrynna and Holodrum?"

"No, I hadn't. Are there problems in the colonies, then?" "Yes. It's not a question of loyalty or discontent among the people, however. The uprisings I'm referring to... well... I..."

Link sensed her discomfort with the topic, but also sensed that she wanted, or rather needed, to say whatever it was. "Go on."

"Link, I'm sure you haven't forgotten the beasts you faced in the war?"

"I have nightmares almost every night, actually..."

"I'm sorry to hear that... The truth is, there have been increased sightings of not only nuisances such as octoroks, but reports of moblins and even darknuts simply roaming the fields."

Link looked at her, dumbstruck. "Darknuts? I've never seen them travel so openly!"

"No one has. It's unprecedented."

"Princess, I—"

"Zelda."

"Zelda, then. I don't know that I can face those horrors again... I've had perhaps a week of sleep without nightmares in the last three years. I don't know how much help I can be to you."

"I know, and I wasn't going to ask you to fight. But... I was hoping you could help train the Knights and give tactical advice. Would you be able, and willing, to do that?"

"...Yes, Your Majesty."

"I'm so relieved!"

"I guess this means I've just agreed to be Knighted, huh?"

She laughed at that. "I guess so! I'll start the preparations tomorrow, then. We'll hold the ceremony in two days' time, so feel free to rest tomorrow."

Link smiled, his first real smile during the conversation. "I'll be sure to take that rest." With that, he finished the tea Zelda had given him, and headed to his own chambers. He had a lot to think about tomorrow, and he went to bed more troubled than he had been in a long while.

.:.

Two days later...

"Valiant Link, your Courage has given you the strength to defend this land when others would not. I, Princess Zelda of Hyrule, hereby bestow upon you the title of Sir Link the Undaunted. Please rise and step forward to place your hand upon the Sacred Triangle of the Heroes of old."

He had insisted it be a small, private ceremony. He had also insisted that the normal Knighting customs be followed, even though he was already the True Wielder of the Triforce of Courage. He didn't want special treatment that would set him apart from the other Knights. He knew he probably wouldn't be returning to the orchard after this, except on leave, but he had also decided that he didn't mind so much.

As he reached for the Triforce, he felt the familiar tingling sensation he had known during the war. This constant tactile companion had often guided his hand and blade even when he himself was unaware of an incoming attack. The sense of security and familiarity was welcome. He finally placed his hand upon the golden metal.

Suddenly, Zelda was gone. The Altar was gone, along with the Triforce. Even the Temple was gone. Then he realized he was gone.

Not gonna lie, that chapter was a pain. Why? Because I just wrote an entire prologue based on the incredibly vague opening scene: www. youtube watch?v=57H07Im4vfE

Fun fact: "Avalon" is a place in Arthurian legend whose name roughly means "Isle of Apples". It is apparently where Excalibur was forged. In addition to other references, such as the Master Sword (sword-in-the-stone deal), makes you think, huh? Link was depicted as owning an orchard in the Link to the Past2005 Manga, as well. There are also apples throughout A Link to the Pastas healing items in addition to hearts.