Author's Note: This is my first fan-fic so please don't flare me too harshly if you must flare me at all. Any suggestions to make it sound better would be appreciated as well.

***

The Gates to Freedom

Kiera lingered in the doorway, peering in at her father. He and the female Gerudo leader were having a hushed conversation. But that wasn't why Kiera was there. No, she was more interested in spending time with her father. She wanted him to come outside and play with her for once. He was always cooped up in his quarters, either having a meeting or plotting. Kiera didn't like that at all. So today she was going to try to get her father out for some fresh air.

Kiera's father suddenly glanced up at the doorway and into her eyes. Fearful, she quickly drew back behind the door, her little heart pounding heavily against her chest.

No. This wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to have knocked on the door already, but he spotted me first! Now Papa will beat me! I must go!

But before she could hurry off,

"Yes, Kiera? What is it?" came her father's angry voice. His voice was scratchy and deep and sent goosebumps up the back of her neck. Oh, yes, he was very angry. She would need to hide from him the rest of the afternoon if she were to escape harsh punishment.

Kiera slowly opened the heavy wooden door. The female Gerudo leader looked down at her distastefully, Kiera's father at his desk gazing down at her with malicious eyes.

"Come in, child," he hissed impatiently. Kiera hung her head, wringing at the hem of her gown uncomfortably. She slowly stepped into the room, the heavy door slamming behind her. She quickly snapped her head up, her eyes wide with fear.

"Papa—"

"YOU DARE DISTURB ME!" The man barked, jumping out of his seat and slamming both of his gloved hands down on his desk. The desk vibrated dangerously, a few unpleasant splintering noises echoing around the room. The female Gerudo leader didn't flinch a bit at his quick motion nor his impressive strength, rather, she smiled instead. Kiera, however, cringed away from her father and the desk threatening to shatter.

"S-sorry, Papa," Kiera whispered, tears nestling in the brims of her eyelids.

Her father sighed heavily before settling back down into his seat. "What is it, child?" he asked as politely as he could, an edge of irritation in his voice.

"I just. . .I just. . ." she hiccuped.

"Spit it out, child!"

"I just wanted to play outside with you," Kiera blurted out quickly. She quickly covered her mouth, looking up at her father's expression. At first he showed no indication of being irritated or happy about this news. Rather he looked a bit shocked by her quick outburst. Then his eyebrows lowered and his blank expression became vile. He stood up once more, placing his hands more gently on the desk.

"Outside?" he repeated. "Me? In the middle of the desert?"

Kiera didn't answer his questions immediately. At first she thought they were rhetorical questions, but then thought better of them when she saw her father's face turn purple with rage at her silence. "No, Papa. Not the desert. Let's go somewhere cooler to play. Somewhere outside—"

"Somewhere outside?!" he copied. "Somewhere outside?! Child, we will not leave the desert! Where else can I scheme in peace? Where else can I scheme at all?!"

"Please, Papa, I want to see the world," Kiera begged.

Kiera's father suddenly bounded across the room and caught a handful of her hair. He towered over her, forcing her onto the floor; firmly gripping her hair, he looked straight into her fearful eyes. "NO!" he bellowed into her face. "THERE WILL BE NO PLAY OUTSIDE THIS FORTRESS! YOU ARE TO STAY HERE UNTIL I SAY SO, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Kiera nodded fearfully, her eyes overflowing with tears. Her father released her head where she quickly crawled away from him into the wall behind her. He returned to his full height and called for a guard. One of the Gerudo females came rushing to his side. "Take my daughter outside and find someone to play with her. Make sure she doesn't leave the fortress again," he said firmly.

The Gerudo female nodded and lifted Kiera gently to her feet. She quickly hurried out of the room. Kiera's cheeks became flooded with her quick-flowing tears. She hiccuped and coughed and wailed all the way down the spiral staircase. Kiera was so frustrated, but scared at the same time. Her father never spent time with her. He always pushed the responsibility onto either a guard or one of the fortress dwellers. What made it even more frustrating for Kiera was the fact that no one ever played with her nor did they listen to her when she was sad or when she was angry or even when she was happy. They always just wandered the fortress on their rounds. Even as she cried her little heart out, the Gerudo female escorting her didn't even flinch at her wails nor did she show any indication she cared.

The two of them came to the trap door's ladder. Kiera stopped suddenly, wiping her face with her bare arms. "I can make it from here," she mumbled angrily. She pointed out the guard at the bottom of the ladder and the Gerudo female nodded, spinning on her heel, tossing her spear back over her shoulder, and marching off back down the corridor from whence they came. Kiera sighed heavily, sorrow overwhelming her mind. She glanced down at the Gerudo guard at the bottom. She was mindlessly examining her fingernails. Kiera gripped both ends of the ladder and slid down, startling the Gerudo. She jumped away from Kiera, but just as suddenly as she did, jumped back into place, back stiff. Kiera giggled slightly at her disposition, but it wasn't enough to cover up her sorrow.

She looked upon the Gerudo's fortress before her. It was large and vast and crawling with fortress dwellers and their guards. At the far end of the valley stood the gates of freedom—A name give to the gates by Kiera because of what lied beyond. Just to be able to breathe that air, to touch real flowing water, to meet other people, to join in the musical laughter of other children—but that wasn't where she belonged. Her place was here, in this dreary fortress, with its same dwellers and her same, aggressive father. The world beyond was sacred ground—she could not touch it without severe consequences.

She remembered the time when she was six years old and had escaped the fortress. She'd only made it to a vast field full of green grass when her father had mounted his horse and hunted after her. After that she'd been brutally beaten in which she still bore some of the scars on her back. She flinched at the memory of the pain, but also smiled at the memory of that vast field of green grass. Her heart fluttered excitedly at the thought and she took a small step forwards, but then caught herself. She instinctively looked around herself to make sure no one had seen her eager movement. The Gerudo male behind her was busy picking his nose again. He didn't seem to notice her movement at all nor did he seem to realize she was even there anymore. Kiera heaved a sigh of relief.

Maybe just one more time.

Kiera started off for the vast fortress before her. The many patrolling guards appeared to not acknowledge her as she walked into one of the stone buildings. It was the kitchen. A stew was simmering on the stove, several loaves of freshly baked bread laying idly on the tables. Kiera rushed to get her canteen and filled it with the warm soup. She broke slightly to listen for any movement or any voices in the vicinity. None. No one had been there for quite some time, it seemed, nor did it appear anyone had any intention of being there for quite sometime. Kiera hastily grabbed two loaves of bread and stuffed them into her bag.

". . .Yeah, and that's what I told him too, but—"

Kiera snapped her head up and cast a glance down the corridor. She could see two shadows approaching. Quickly tying the bag shut, Kiera scrambled into the opposite corridor and out of sight. She flattened herself against the stone walls as she crept along, her heart fluttering in her throat. All she had to do was make it out unnoticed. The voices from before started up strong from behind her. They were getting louder as they passed into the corridor. Kiera spun around on her heel to see two female Gerudo's conversing loudly. She backed out into another room where she backed into another Gerudo.

Kiera spun around quickly, her heart dropping into her stomach. The Gerudo peered down at her with a look of curiosity. "And what do we have here?" she asked, a hint of amusement to her tone. "A filthy rat?"

"No, ma'am," Kiera said, matter-of-factly. Her mind was buzzing with all sorts of excuses to voice to the Gerudo, but wasn't sure which would be the wisest to say in this situation.

"What?" the Gerudo asked, surprised by her comeback.

"I was just wandering around," Kiera replied flatly.

"Oh? Then what's this stuff?" the Gerudo asked, gently lifting the bag from Kiera's side. She turned it over and over as she examined the rough texture. "What do you suppose is in here?" She looked down at Kiera for some clue, but she gave her none. She untied the strap and turned it upside down, it's contents sprawling across the stone floor. "Bread?" she asked, bewildered. The Gerudo found herself disappointed by the very normal contents for she was expecting to catch this child up to no good again.

The Gerudo ruffled her eyebrows as she contemplated Kiera's possible reasons for sneaking around with a bag full of bread. Kiera felt uneasy as she watched a broad grin spread across the Gerudo's face.

"Did you steal it?" she asked in atonement for her disappointment.

"No," Kiera half shouted. "Why would I need to steal it? I live here and am the Lord's daughter. I can do whatever I want with the food here." She crossed her arms importantly.

"Alright, alright," the Gerudo said with concern, unable to believe she was wrong. She knelt down and scooped up the two loaves of bread, placing them back into the bag, and then tied the straps securely. She cautiously handed the bag back to Kiera who felt quite confident in her end of the argument now. She took it gracefully.

"Thank you," she said politely.

"Surely, but what is it for? Surely you aren't going to eat that all by yourself. . .?" the Gerudo tried.

Kiera's confidence evaporated as her brain began furiously working up an excuse for this one. The Gerudo waited patiently for her answer, a sly grin spreading across her amused face. "Well?" she pressed. Kiera crossed her arms again and looked her straight in the eye challengingly. The Gerudo's grin slipped from her face. She wasn't expecting Kiera to retaliate.

"It's for Papa. I'm bringing him lunch," Kiera replied angrily as she crossed her arms tightly across her chest.

"For. . .Papa?" the Gerudo repeated. "What? Did you make him mad again?"

Kiera's face flared red at this question, but she didn't back down. "Yes! Yes, I did!" she huffed irritably. "So what?"

The Gerudo threw back her head with a roar of laughter. Kiera stood baffled at this sudden response to her attitude. She could feel heat tickling the tips of her ears and fresh tears forming in her eyes, but she didn't dare let them slip for fear of giving the Gerudo more satisfaction. She was embarrassed.

"Go along now, Kiera. Go give your father his lunch before he becomes more furious," the Gerudo said light-heartedly, shooing Kiera along the corridor. Kiera could feel her anger reaching its peak, but let it be for she was getting her free card to go. She hurried along the corridor, the Gerudo's laughter bouncing around in her head. Her fuming stopped once she stepped back out onto the grounds.

Two Gerudo guards were pacing back in forth right in front of her, but did not acknowledge her presence. Kiera slipped right past them and up a flight of stairs onto a deck. She looked out upon the valley's grounds. Guards everywhere. Kiera's motivation began to slip from her as she realized how many guards were between her and the gates to freedom. Any one of the guards could scoop her up and send her right back to her father's quarters if she so much as hinted she was going to try to make a break for it. She was just too small. Maybe if she possessed some fighting ability then she could make a break for it no sweat, but because she didn't know how to fight nor knew where to learn, she was stuck.

But I want to get out of here, she told her fear angrily.

It's not worth it, her fear argued.

But if I don't, I may never get the opportunity, she tried.

No!

Kiera threw her hands up exasperated. She dropped down in the dirt, a puff of dust erupting all around her. Her fear was just too great. Her will wasn't enough to disintegrate the fear held within her. Frustrated tears raced down her cheeks. I wanna, I wanna, I wanna! she screamed inside her head. I wanna get away from here! I hate it here!

Kiera buried her face in her hands and began to sob. It was pathetic, really. She couldn't do anything but cry about it. She wanted so much to defy her father to his face, to get the guards off her back, to run wild to the great beyond. If only she had the power to. If only she had the courage to. If only she possessed the wisdom to show her the way out. . .

The back of Kiera's right hand suddenly started to glow. Kiera slowly opened her eyes at the bright light. She pulled her hand away from her face and stood up startled. A bright yellow triangle was etched into her hand. No, four triangles were etched into her hand, the one in the middle being the brightest of the four. Kiera's heart jumped into her throat. She looked around quickly to see if anyone had noticed. No one had. She quickly covered the glowing triangle with her left hand and pressed it to her chest. What do I do? What do I do? How did this happen? Why did this happen? What's happening to me? Kiera slowly lifted her left hand to peek at the glowing triangle. When she caught a glimpse of its radiant light she slapped her hand back down over it. Oh, no, oh, no, oh, no! What do I do?

Kiera turned to her home and started for it when she stopped herself. "No, Papa won't hear of it right now. I must figure this out by myself," she told herself firmly. "But what do I do?"

Escape!

Kiera jumped, looking around wildly. Someone had just shouted into her ear, but who was it? There was no one around. Was that you, fear? She asked mentally.

Escape! Now! You have the power to!

Kiera didn't move. She couldn't figure out who it was whispering into her ear. Was it whispering into her ear? Maybe it was fear sounding an alarm inside her. Maybe that was all she could do. Maybe something very bad was happening to her and fear was telling her to get out of there before anyone found out.

NOW!!!

Kiera spun around to face the gates to freedom. Her heart began running laps inside of her. Her breath caught in her throat she glanced around at the pacing guards. She gripped the top of her right hand tightly, taking in ever sound and every existence. Taking a step forward, she shut her eyes tightly. Am I really going to do this? She questioned herself, doubt filling her mind.

Yes, you are! Go! You won't get caught.

Kiera popped her eyes back open. Something just passed through her. Something strong. She felt every tendon, every muscle in her body jump to life. She felt her stomach loosen with confidence. Overwhelming knowledge of her situation flooded into her brain. Fear was right. She wasn't going to get caught. Nobody noticed her and nobody would until after she was long gone. She wasn't sure how she knew this, but every fiber of her being knew it. With one confident step, Kiera set off towards the gate. Her excitement began welling up inside of her with every step she took and before she knew it she had broken off into a brisk jog.

Kiera reached the gate with ease. No alarm had been set off and no guards had gotten in her way. And to Kiera's surprise, the two Gerudo guards positioned on either side of the gate were asleep. Kiera felt great happiness within her at this sight and without another moment's hesitation, set off through the gates. She was finally free.

Kiera's heart lifted dramatically. The air around her was crisper, clearer, easier to breathe. She was still within the desert, she knew, but she also knew she was about to venture into a land much more exciting than this and full of more life. Kiera went briskly and without looking back for fear that someone had already noticed her disappearance and was already bounding after her. She ventured around a large rock pillar supporting a ledge above her and then stopped. There it was! The bridge leading into a fresh world full of lush grass and happiness.

Then Kiera's heart sank down into the pit of her stomach.

Gerudos. Lots of them all over the place. They were hauling timber logs and boxes of supplies her way. She slipped herself behind the rock pillar in hopes of not being seen. But I wasn't supposed to be found out yet, she moaned to herself.

Hush. There is still plenty of time. Do not be frightened. You will make it through this just fine. Climb down the cliff.

"The cliff?" she whispered, averting her eyes out towards the valley then over the huge drop between this land mass and the next. "Down there?" she whispered, almost hoarsely.

Either that, or you can go back home.

Kiera glanced back at the Gerudos walking in her direction. "Good point," she muttered. She puffed up her chest forcefully then crawled behind a couple of large boxes placed near the pillar. She peered around to make sure no one had seen her then started off for the cliff. She was almost there when,

"Hey! You there!" a voice boomed.

Kiera dropped down onto her belly at the voice. She closed her eyes tight, awaiting the firm hands on her shoulders.

What are you doing? The voice hissed into her ear. Get up!

Kiera slowly opened her eyes. She glanced around to see a Gerudo scolding another one for spilling the contents of a box all over the place. Kiera sighed, relieved, but realized she couldn't dawdle for too long. She may not have been caught that time, but if she stayed in one place for too long, she just might be. She climbed back onto her hands and knees and continued onwards. As the cliffs neared, her anxiety lengthened. How on Earth was she going to be able to get down the cliff unharmed?

Kiera finally reached her last box with every Gerudo on their way into the valley. She peered down over he edge of the cliff, her fear wrapping itself around her throat. She took a step backwards and fell onto her bottom. I can't do it, she said.

Yes, you can, the voice urged. Hurry!

Kiera took another deep breath then swallowed down the fear in her throat. She peered over the side of the cliff again, noticing a platform halfway down and sturdy rocks for climbing down. Some of her fear subsided at the sight, but most of it lingered. I can do this. Kiera swung her legs over the cliff, gripping the top of it firmly. She searched around with her feet until she found some sturdy earth to cling to. Then with her first step, she began advancing down the cliff. Once Kiera had gotten the hang of it, it wasn't so scary. It was just one foot after the other, one hand after the other.

Soon Kiera's foot hit solid ground. She was at the midpoint now. She placed both feet on solid ground and knelt down to take a brief break. She could hear some of the Gerudos above having a heated argument. About what, she did not know. Below Kiera, the river's water was sloshing violently against the cliffs. Kiera wondered what the river was emptying into. It seemed to her that a body of water would look beautiful after the violet waters receded.

C'mon.

Reality filtered back into Kiera's mind. She cautiously got to her feet again and began back over the side of the cliff. She caught another rock under her foot and right when she released the cliff, it gave way under her foot. Kiera began the long drop to the river bed below, sliding along the side of the cliff. Kiera feverishly reached out for any rocks she could possibly grip on to, but they were ripped away from the cliff as her lower body made contact with them. Suddenly, she was ripped clean from the cliff. The pressure pushing down on her from above and the pressure pushing on her from below turned her upside down. She began barreling down headfirst. Kiera braced herself, throwing her arms over her head instinctively, as she made sharp impact with the violent waters.