Author's Note: This is my very first attempt at writing a Zelda story. Ugh. I'm a much better beta-er then writer. This will be eventually a Sheik x OC fiction, although I'm taking a good deal of time getting there.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, with the exception of Tori, my OC.

"It's late, Tori."

He reclined in his black leather swivel chair, steepling his fingers. His sharp green eyes scanned her with an expression of boredom, his handsome, swarthy face seemingly unaffected by the puppy eyes his adopted daughter was giving him. Frameless glasses were perched on the edge of his nose. He was classically dressed, with crisp black dress pants and a loose white dress shirt that was rolled up to the elbow, and a gray vest completed the look. He was the epitome of a wealthy businessman working hard. The sleek black laptop in front of him whirred its agreement.

"Twenty minutes. Please? I just want to get one little key, that's it," pleaded his seventeen year old adopted daughter. She was stunningly beautiful, with shy gray eyes and long honey colored hair. Her figure was slim and slender, with gentle curves and a little extra weight in all the right places, if you get my drift. She was dressed in blue jeans that were torn fashionably at each knee, and a simple black t-shirt.

"Fine. But twenty minutes only," he said, turning back to his work, dismissing his daughter. Tori nodded once, something flickering in her gray eyes, and shut the mahogany office door with a gentle thud.

She went downstairs to her bedroom, which was large and spacious. It had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves along two walls, crammed with paper-back books and thick binders. The binders were stories of Tori's own creation, and the paperbacks were where she got her ideas. The remaining walls that weren't covered in books were painted a lilac color, and she had two Star Wars posters adorning her walls. Underneath her posters was a couch and a large TV. Instead of Wii's or Playstations, she had asked for, and received, an old, dusty Nintendo 64. Alongside the old console, she had three boxes full of games. But her favorite, the one she was currently working on, was Zelda: Orcana of Time.

Tori sat down on her couch and turned on the N64. It hummed to life, and she watched (like she always did) the cutscene before the game started. It showed Link riding Epona through Hyrule, and she sighed a little. It would be so nice to ride Epona, battling monsters and freeing people from deadly spells. More importantly, she could meet her favorite character, Sheik. Tori manipulated the controller expertly, hacking her way through several Big Skulltas. Ten minutes passed, then fifteen. She got the key, and opened the door into a large, fiery room. Tori was so immersed in the game she barely heard her father knocking on the door.

"I thought I said twenty minutes," he said sternly. Tori jumped, then guiltily put down the controller.

"Sorry," she said, shutting off the console. James ruffled her hair in a paternal gesture, but it was hollow.

"School night, remember? We don't want you looking tired for your teachers," he said. Tori bit back the reply that was hovering dangerously close to her lips. Was that all he cared about? How she looked? She knew she was pretty, but she was convinced there were other girls much prettier then her. How little she knew.

Her father left, shutting the door behind him. Tori turned off the lights and got into bed, closing her eyes. All the simmering anger that was bubbling against her adopted parents was dying away as she slipped into sleep. Before she did so, she could have sworn she smelled heather.

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*

Tori woke in a very familiar setting.

She was in Hyrule Field, not far from Kakariko Village. A stream rushed past her, chattering and laughing, weaving around rocks. She was lying against a tree, and a signpost that said Kakariko Village à was to her left. Tori jumped up, her heart hammering. The azure sky was high above her, and the sun blazed down, dappling the shade on her cheeks and arms. She smelled the sweet scent of grass, and the gentle prickle of the short spikes tickled her bare feet. Unfortunately, she was still dressed in her jeans and t-shirt. She looked around, noting the rough-hewn cement steps that led up to the Village. Across the field, a hazy blur in the distance bespoke of Lon-Lon Ranch, and she could see the high, proud, imposing wall of Hyrule Castle in front of her.

Tori assumed she was dreaming. After all, how else could she be in her favorite game? She bit down hard on her hand, pain racing up her arm. It left a dark ring of teeth marks on her palm, but she didn't wake up.

Okay, that theory is out the window.

She mounted the stairs uncertainly, feeling the coolness bleed into her feet. She shivered. If this was a dream, why wasn't she wearing proper clothes? Then again, how was all of this possible, anyway? Tori walked slowly up the steps and saw the familiar wooden gate of Kakariko, with the sentry posted on the side. He nodded carelessly at her, taking in her strange appearance and the confused look on her face.

"Ma'am, can I help you?" he asked politely. Tori shied away from him.

"Um…no. No, I'm fine. Just looking for someone." she said. If she could find Link or someone she knew, perhaps they could tell her how to get out of this place.

The guard smiled helpfully. "Well, this is Kakariko, home of the Shekiah. There haven't been any newcomers, other then that crazy blonde boy. Who were you looking for?"

Tori spun around. "Wait…crazy blonde boy?"

"Yes, Ma'am," continued the guard. "He had on funny green clothes and he had a fairy with him. Looked almost like one of the Forest Folk, but he was too old for that. Is he who your looking for?"

"Yes. Yes, that's who. Where did he go?" she asked desperately.

The guard scratched his head. "Well, it's not my business to pry, but I did overhear him telling the fairy that he needed to go up Death Mountain. Wait, where are you going?"

Tori took off, running past the guard and into Kakariko Village. She saw the familiar tree with the spiky shrubs around it, with the fat "boss" sitting there with a grumpy expression on his face. She ducked around him and hurried up the stairs. Thank goodness she knew the game so well. Tori darted breathlessly to the gate to Death Mountain, rushing past the sleepy sentry who shouted something to make her slow down. She ignored him and ran up the mountain path.

The path was rocky, and small stones tore into her feet. The path itself was carved deep into the canyon, and high, sheer walls rose up on either side of her. Tori became uneasy, and felt the back of her neck prickle in fear. She had the distinct impression of being watched.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge, many legged spider jumped down on her. Tori cried out in fear and kicked out at it. Her bare foot merely thumped off the hard brittle shell, and she backed away. This was so much easier in the game, Tori thought hysterically. The spider followed her, its beady black eyes squinting menacingly at her, its tiny bow mouth working frantically, saliva dripping from it in anticipation of it's next meal.

Tori struck out, catching the spider off guard and knocking him back a pace. She grabbed at its spiky, bristly leg and twisted hard. There was a crunching sound, blue blood spurting, and the beast squealed in pain. She reached for another leg and twisted again, and the creature backed off. Tori's heart was pounding and her mouth was dry with fear. The spider limped away, favoring its two front legs.

"Unorthodox, but effective," said a voice behind her, making Tori scream. She whirled around and her heart stopped beating for a moment.

There was Sheik, dressed in his cowl and purple garb of the Shekiah. Tori backed up, raising her fists which were still covered in sticky blue blood. Sheik might have smiled; it was hard to tell, because all she could see was on pale red eye and a thatch of spiky blonde hair.

"Relax, child. I won't hurt you." Sheik said calmly, taking a step closer. "You're looking for Link, aren't you?"

"Yes," Tori said, her gray eyes still wide with fear, "So what if I am?"

"So am I," Sheik said simply. "I have to meet him in Death Mountain Crater, before he enters the Fire Temple. Why not travel together, at least for the time being?"

"I don't know," Tori said uncertainly. "My mom taught me not to travel with strangers."

Sheik's eyes lit up with something like merriment. "Then let us be strangers no longer. I am Sheik, of the Shekiah."

"I am…Tori, of the…Chicago-ians, I guess," She said. Sheik took a step closer.

"You're wounded," he said, his eyes on her shoulder. Tori glanced down and saw a ragged cut that the spider had made when he jumped on her. She blushed and clenched her shoulder.

"It's fine, really. We should find Link." Tori said. She started up the mountain path, and heard a low laugh behind her.

"Tori…there is a much faster and simpler way. Also, it will save your feet." Sheik said. He gave a piercing whistle, and a shape passed over the sun. A huge tawny owl landed on the ground in front of her. Tori screamed and backed up, straight into Sheik, who gave another low laugh and held her shoulders firmly.

"Relax," he murmured in her ear. "He's friendly."

The bird shuffled forward and spoke in a gruff English accent. "Wake me up from my nap again, Sheik, and my debt to you will be filled."

"Forgive me, wise one, but there is a girl here who is ill-prepared to be traveling up the mountainside. Will you give her a ride up to Death Mountain Crater?"

The bird clicked his beak sharply. "Oh, very well then. Come on, young one, grab onto my talons."

Sheik released her shoulders and Tori stepped forward warily. His talons were huge, shining claws. He gave a few swoops of his powerful wings and he hovered in the air. Tori grasped the claws, which were now at chest level, and he took off. She gave a cry of alarm as he dug his talons into her shirt, keeping her aloft easily. Tori saw Sheik watching them, and then he disappeared with a crack and a cloud of dust.

Flying by bird was a singularly unpleasant and exhilarating experience. For one thing, the bird traveled much faster then a hang-glider but much slower then an airplane, and it was fun to feel the stiff breeze blow through her blonde hair. On the other hand, she was terrified that the bird would suddenly let go and she would plummet like a stone onto the rock plateaus below.

The bird dropped her gently on a ledge close to the entrance of Death Mountain Crater. "I wouldn't go in there, if I were you," the bird said in an insufferably know-it-all tone. "The heat will burn your feet. Get it? The heat will burn your feet. Who-hoo-hoo-whoo!"

He soared off, cart wheeling in the open blue sky. Tori hunched over, shaking. She was cold, tired, and sore. Also, her stomach was beginning to rumble. There wasn't anything she could do about her feet, so she went inside. The heat hit her like the heat from an oven, billowing up and making her cheeks red. She choked on the smoky air, then caught sight of Link and Sheik talking a few yards away. She hurried forward, but then she remembered. Hookshot was needed to cross the broken bridge. Tori groaned, and coughed a few times.

Then she heard the tinkling strains of "The Bolero of Fire". It was more beautiful then she could have imagined, the sweet sound of Sheik's harp and the smooth, deep whistle of Link's Orcana. For a moment, she forgot the heat, and wrapped herself in the music. It was so unearthly beautiful, so magical, that for a moment she forgot who she was.

After a while, it stopped. Link took a step backwards, and Sheik disappeared with a crack. Link turned around and looked straight at Tori, then continued into the Fire Temple. Tori jumped to her feet, calling out to Link, but it was lost in the rumble of lava that erupted from the crater. She coughed twice more, then left the cavern, her heart sinking. Outside, in the clear air, she found a rock to sit on (which wasn't hard). Then, for the first time in almost ten years, Tori cried. She wasn't a crier, as a rule, but she was so worried about getting back that she couldn't help herself.

Gradually, she calmed down after the first initial sobs. She wiped her eyes with the heels of her hands and looked around. Theoretically, the Great Fairy was right next door, but she didn't have any bombs to blow the wall up. So she stayed there, hoping and praying for something to tell her where to go.

Twenty feet above her, resting lightly on the top of Death Mountain, was Sheik. The girl intrigued him. There was something about her, something different, that he liked. She was obviously in pain. He could hear her crying to herself. He decided he had to do something. To leave her out on the top of Death Mountain would be murder. The poor thing would be eaten by some nasty insect, or worse, encounter the fiery dragon.

"So, where do you plan on going next, newcomer?" Sheik asked. Tori jerked her head up, startled. Seeing it was Sheik, she buried her face in her hands again.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I don't belong here, Sheik. I come from somewhere else, a place far away."

Sheik lounged against the rock lazily. "I could see that the second I saw you," he said quietly. She gave a watery chuckle.

"Do I stick out that much?" she asked.

"A beautiful girl running headlong up Death Mountain with no weapons or supplies, dressed in clothes that look as though they belong on a peasant? Yes, you do." Sheik caught himself. He shouldn't allow himself to become attached to the girl, nor should he prattle on like a bumbling idiot.

"At any rate, I at least need to escort you down the mountain. You'll die out here alone." Sheik said.

Tori shrugged, looking down the mountainside bitterly. "Who cares," she said. "I don't belong here, Sheik. Maybe if I die here, I'll go back to where I do belong."

Sheik came over to her silently. The girl was more depressed then he had thought. "I doubt that," he said softly. "Come with me, Tori. I'll bring you back to Kakariko Village."

She stood up at last, looking around. She looked at Sheik helplessly. "What do I do?" she asked.

"Stay very still," he commanded. He came over to her and took her wrist in one of his calloused hands. There was a blinding flash of light, a crack, and they both vanished.

Tori stumbled, and Sheik caught her with easily. She felt nauseous, and the world spun, colors bleeding into each other. Sheik gave another low laugh.

"I forgot how hard that is the first time you do it," he said. "Come, let's find you something else to wear besides those…unusual clothes."

She followed him to the center of town, where he pointed out the shops that she could go to. Before she could protest, he poured a handful of gold coins into her palm and vanished without a trace. Tori looked around, startled. Then she sighed and pocketed the money. She entered the first shop with a heavy heart. She had never been good at shopping…

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*

Sheik checked the well carefully. The place still reeked of evil spirits; the very earth complained of it. Impa had done her best to seal the well, and at first it had been a good, tight seal. But there was a hairline crack across the mortar, stretching from side to side. The wall wasn't normal, and neither was this crack. The wall was encased in a magical barrier, and the crack meant the spirits behind it were waking up. The spell was disintegrating.

He stood up, a grim expression on his face. Then he caught sight of her.

She was standing in the middle of the town, completely changed from when he last saw her. She was wearing black riding pants that were tucked neatly into a new pair of boots, and a sage green tunic that cupped her beautiful figure just so. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight braid, but the change wasn't just on the outside. She had lost that frightened, terrified look that she had once had. Now she looked calmer, and slightly excited.

He noticed she was testing swords, swinging them clumsily. The shopkeeper was standing by her and trying not to laugh as she hacked away at bushes and grass. She tossed the sword aside and picked up another. A subtle smile, hidden by his cowl, traced itself on Sheik's handsome features. He went closer to the center so he could hear them talking. Sheik waited patiently, hidden out of sight by a large box.

"I'll take this one," Tori said decisively. The shopkeeper grunted his approval.

"T'at's a fine liddle weapon yeh got t'ere, lass. I'll take twenny rupees fer it," said the shopkeeper. Tori looked scandalized.

"For this old weapon? I'll not pay a penny over fifteen rupees." Tori said, haggling expertly. Sheik bit down lightly on his hand to keep himself from laughing at the sight of the pretty young girl running rings around the bewildered shopkeeper. She knew how to barter, at least.

Tori ended up with the sword of her choice, a one handed sword that look sharp and dangerous, with a sapphire set in the pommel, for seventeen rupees and three crescents. A Hylian shield, the best money could buy, was bought for sixty three rupees precisely. She had knocked him down from a hundred, pointing out that he was overstocked on them. Tori tied a small pouch on her belt, and slipped in the last of Sheik's money. She settled the shield on her shoulders and sheathed her sword firmly. Tori no longer appeared the confused country bumpkin; now she looked every inch the traveling wanderer. A bard, perhaps, or a disgraced princess.

Sheik followed her out of Kakariko Village, and noticed she was heading straight for Lon-Lon Ranch. A few minutes out of the Village, and she stopped to sit on a log and catch her breath.

"Leaving so soon?" Sheik asked, dropping lightly from a tree. Tori shrieked and toppled off the log, reaching for her sword. Sheik bit back another laugh. The poor thing was still so tense.

He helped her to her feet, and she dusted herself off. She looked at him with a mixture of relief and annoyance. "I thought you might have been a Poe." she said ruefully, swinging her sword and clipping a few blades of grass.

Sheik ducked the blade. "Poes only come out at night, unless they're Great Poes," he reasoned. "By the Goddesses, young one, why did you buy a blade if you can't use it?"

Tori shot him a look. "Smarty-pants, I was planning to learn. I can practice on trees and stuff until I get to Lon-Lon Ranch."

"Trees won't help you train," Sheik said with a raised eyebrow. "They don't fight back."

"The last thing I need is an enemy who will actually fight back," Tori snapped.

"No," Sheik said, surprising himself, "You need a friend who will actually fight back."

Tori stared at him. "Since when have we been friends?" she asked. "I don't need your help."

"Unless I'm not mistaken, you do need my help. You won't get very far without knowing how to use a sword. Evil is abroad in Hyrule." Sheik said solemnly.

She swallowed. "I know. All right, so where do we start?"

Sheik began walking towards Lon-Lon Ranch. "We start by getting some horses," he said.