Legend of Zelda: Eternal Blue

by TaintedWisdom2014

Set Seven Years after events of the game, the story starts following Ruto, Zelda, Malon and Saria. Link will show up later in the story. There is also a timeline separation with flashbacks to the past. It is a trial run for the Ocarina of Time Past-Present style. I hope everyone enjoys.

1. Eternal Time

Legend of Zelda:Eternal Blue

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Zelda or any of its affiliated characters...I do however own any Original Characters I bring into the storyline. Suffice to say I am not gaining any profit from the story and it is purely for the enjoyment for others.

It's Rating is PG-13 and is set after Majora's Mask.

It will also have a sequel that will follow Link's Story in Twilight Princess (not the same Link in this story).

I do hope you enjoy...

Some of the chapters will be similar to this one, the one half being the present, the other half being a flashback to the past. The past timeline will eventually catch up with the present timeline and there will be no more split. I hope you enjoy the style, I am experimenting with it as it is Ocarina of Time based and I felt that a Time Split of two separate timelines that are memories and current timelines would make for an interesting read. The danger in the past may happen but readers will know that because they are alive in the present that none of them shall die in the past. The real question is how do they get out of their predicaments, and how does Zelda learn some of her new magic. She doesn't have as much magic as a child after all.

The flashbacks to the past focus heavily on different girls depending on which chapter it is. Believe it or not, there won't be much of Link for a while in the story. This is about the four girls that were left behind in Hyrule at least until Link finally returns.

He won't be involved in the past timeline unless it is a flashback to the events of Ocarina of Time (before Link drew the Master Sword!)

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Characters

Zelda - Eighteen: At Eighteen years old, the princess of Hyrule is well known for being beautiful and very wise. She is also extremely proficient with the bow and sword. She is courageous and kind and will not hesitate to help someone in need, even if it means disobeying her father to do so.

Ruto - Seventeen: A year younger than Princess Zelda, Ruto is the princess of the Zora Kingdom. She is, obviously, a Zora female. She is really attractive and is deadly with a sword. She is also very much a tomboy and almost never acts in a princess manner. She is constantly fighting off suitors that her father is picking for her.

Malon - Sixteen: A farm-girl from Hyrule's Lon Lon Ranch. She met Link when he was traveling through and now has somehow become really close friends with both of the Princesses of the Hyrule area. She is a tomboy (much like Ruto) however she isn't quite as far as Ruto was along the ways of being a tomboy as she still wears dresses. That said she won't hesitate to defend her friends and she is the best at archery. She is also a fast learner and can learn how to use things quickly.

Saria - Eighteen: A very special young woman who is half Kokiri, half Hylian. It shall be explained in this chapter why that is, but suffice to say, she ages slower than a normal person (starting from sixteen on that is). As such she still looks sixteen at this point. She is a lot like Link in many ways, she has mastered a wide variety of items and can utilize them to great effect. She also has powerful magic she has learned from her Kokiri blood. She cannot and will not hesitate when her friends are in danger!

Darunia - Forty-Three: He is the Goron Leader with a heart of gold. He is protective of Saria and Ruto in particular. He also has loyalty to Princess Zelda and would do virtually anything to keep her out of harm's way.

Impa - Forty-Nine: The attendant to Princess Zelda since she was young. Impa is a Sheik warrior who is really agile and strong. She will stop at nothing to protect the Sages and Princess Zelda from harm.

Rauru - Infinite: A being that has stood the trials of time within the Temple of Time's Sacred Realm. He cannot leave the Sacred Realm (but when he does find a way, he takes on the form of Kaepora who shows up in Chapter Two). His physical body, however, must never leave the Sacred Realm or he will die.

Nabooru -Twenty-Two: Finally we have the Gerudo girl who is the protector of the Spirit Temple and is also the Sage of Spirit. She is also a woman born to a race that mostly have girls (as only once ever 100 years is a man born to their race).

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Chapter One: Eternal Time

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

A crash was heard from deep within Zora's Domain. It was heard all the way down the Zora River near Kakariko Village...it was loud enough that a man who had started taking up the duty of being a Postman dropped his Delivery Bag in shock. He looked up the River, "What in the name of the Goddess is going on up there?" He shrugged then picked up his Delivery Bag. He had to go that way anyways to deliver a letter for Princess Ruto of Zora's Domain.

Up in The Domain, things were hectic...a young Zoran female had a sword drawn and she was standing side by side with a young woman with long flowing golden hair. She was glaring down the blade length at her father who was backed against the wall.

Her voice was menacing, "What do you mean...you've arranged for a suitor for me? I have told you this again and again father...I will marry only one man."

The Zoran King said, "Be reasonable Princess...it has been eight years...he is not returning, not now, not ever."

She slashed the sword through the air and shouted, "I KNOW he is returning!"

The blonde placed her hand on the Zoran girl's shoulder, "Come now Ruto...let's go back to Hyrule Castle. I know you'd regret it if something happened to him."

The Zoran girl sheathed the blade in her scabbard on the back. It was a special blade crafted by the chief Blacksmith of Hyrule castle. It took a replica of the Kokiri Sword and had used Gold and Steel Alloys to make it into a powerful weapon. It was adorned with Sapphires on the hilt to match the Princess' fierce tenacity and her deep connection to the water. She glared at her father, "When I return, your precious Suitor had better be long gone...the last one tried to have his way with me and if Impa had not been there, I don't know what would have happened."

The blonde girl shed a tear at the name Impa...she hadn't seen Impa since the woman had entered the Sacred Realm alongside Darunia and Saria. They had yet to return, but that was a year ago. They had last been seen dragging the evil King Ganondorf into the portal.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Inside the Sacred Realm...

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Saria stretched, "I'm still shocked the Great Deku Shrub gave me the power to leave the forest. It must have been because of my powers as the Sage of the Forest."

Impa knelt and stroked her hair softly, "Indeed child...we must get this duty done and quickly. Once Ganondorf is dead, we can return to Hyrule all together. The Sage of Water and the Sage of Time are waiting on the other side for us. I think the Deku Shrub changed the kind of being you are Saria...otherwise you wouldn't have aged the way you have."

Saria smiled, "Well I don't look the same now do I?" It was indeed true...the girl who was supposed to never age beyond the age of ten years old had in fact aged to the appearance of seventeen. Her green hair had grown out and Impa had taken tender care of them, ensuring they grew properly. Saria had been granted a special place in the forest...and Hylian DNA had been added into her Kokiri DNA which enabled her to age at the same rate as a Hylian. The upside of having Kokiri DNA was that she could never be lost in the Lost Woods.

Darunia picked her up, "Even with your changes I can still carry you when you get tired." He glanced over at the captive Ganondorf and kicked him forward, "The only reason I don't slit your throat right now for the trouble you caused was because of Zelda's orders. She wants you slain on the soil of the Triforce itself so you can see what you shall never obtain...of course it only has one piece sitting there...Wisdom. Power is still embedded in your right hand and Courage is guarded by the Hero of Time. Either way you look at it, you will never get the Triforce."

Ganondorf however merely smirked, "Death is not the end for me...Goron rat. I will only be the beginning. You think you can defeat me? Only the Master Sword itself can destroy me and none of you are courageous or pure of heart enough to wield it. The one who can fled Hyrule like a coward."

Saria growled, "Why you little jackass piece of..."

Impa interrupted quickly, "Saria, such language is not appropriate for a young lady." She back handed Ganondorf across the face, "And you shut up. You have caused my Princess Zelda enough pain and suffering in her young life, nevermind the death of the Great Deku Tree. You also have ruled over the Gerudo Desert with an iron fist. The only two people who actually were sad about your incarceration were Twinrova, Kaede and Koume. Nabooru actually had to calm them down and used the Mirror Shield to place them in stasis by reflecting their own magic back at them."

Ganondorf smirked, "You won't succeed Impa...Rauru is getting old and your magic is also fading. We aren't even halfway there yet."

Rauru said, "Even should we fail to get you to the Triforce's location, Darunia and Saria will not. Remember the Sage of the Forest as well as the Sage of the Water has the strongest magic save the Sage of Time herself. Either way, you will be put to death."

Ganondorf's smirk was still on his face, "We shall see...old man...we shall see..."

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

The Zoran girl and the blonde made their way back down towards Hyrule and walked right by the man with the Delivery Bag. He stopped in front of them, "Princess Ruto? I thought you'd be at Zora's Domain."

She said, "I needed some air...what can I do for you Jacque?"

Jacque the postman said, "I have a letter from a man named Link here...it is attached with a Silver Rupee as well."

Ruto's eyes went wide, "It's a letter from Link? Are you sure it's THE Link?"

Jacque said, "Certainly I'm sure...the delivery process was started five years ago upon Link's instruction to my twin brother in Termina...you know that alternate..."

The blonde waved her hand, "Yes we know of Termina. I visited there two years ago to see the Festival. Quite an interesting town I should say. Everyone there knew of Link who had saved their very town. They had seen him climb into the Clock Tower after only three days and stopped the moon from falling on the town and forced it to revert to its normal location."

Jacque said, "Well the letter was addressed to Princesses Ruto and Zelda..." He handed the Letter to blonde girl and said, "I would remind you that delivery is not free in Hyrule anymore Zelda."

Zelda laughed and said, "Glad you stopped just calling me Princess...it drove me crazy, never liked being referred to by title anyways." She handed over a red rupee, with a blue rupee as a tip.

Jacque tipped his hat, "Thank YOU very much Zelda..."

Ruto tipped him a red rupee as well, she was in a good mood. She then looked at the front of the letter, it stated, "Open with Malon present..." She blinked, "Interesting I wonder if it's something critical?"

Zelda shrugged, "Who knows, but looks like we're going to see Malon at Lon Lon Ranch."

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

In the Sacred Realm...

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Darunia shoved Ganondorf against a pillar and chained him there. He then unveiled the Single piece of Triforce sitting on the pedastal, "Behold what you shall never have Ganondorf...the Second part of the Triforce. The Triforce of Courage was taken with Link on his journey, just in case you ever made it into the Realm without being under captivity."

Rauru said, "When you are dead...the Triforce of Power shall join the Triforce of Wisdom, and if Link ever returns to Hyrule, Courage shall return to its rightful place at the side of the other two, forming the full Triforce."

Saria said softly, "Or if the unthinkable were to occur and he died..."

Ganondorf began laughing, "Well at least we know one thing you worms...he's alive. Now that I know that...I ensure you that I shall be the one to kill him!" He began pulling at the chains and the Triforce of Power began to glow on his right hand.

Darunia darted forward, "Quickly hold the chains, we cannot allow him to escape his bindings!" He held one chain while Impa held the other.

Saria began chanting an ancient spell of the Forest to put Ganondorf into a deep sleep until the moment of his execution. She had been the only one opposed to bringing him to this sacred spot, she had wanted to just make it a public execution in Hryule itself, but she had been outvoted by the Sages. She hoped her instincts weren't wrong.

The evil prince of darkness let out a roar and broke the chain Impa was holding then surged forward grabbing Darunia's blade which had been brought to perform the deed. He then ducked under a full swing by the powerful Goron and flipped backwards and ran Impa through.

Saria let out a scream then changed her spell. She had no choice...she knew the sages crests would activate. She held the now deceased Impa's hand, of which started to glow purple, while hers glowed green.

Darunia chanted while he held Ganondorf at bay from reaching Rauru and Saria. His hand began to glow red.

Rauru had been chanting ever since his statement earlier and his hand was already glowing white.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Zelda froze as she entered the Hyrule Plain, "The Sages...they are in trouble. We can't go to them, but we need to chant as well, or Ganondorf may very well come back to haunt us!"

Ruto held her forehead, "I KNEW I should have gone with them. None of them save Darunia and Impa have combat training."

Zelda shot out, "No time for regrets...chant and quickly!"

The two held hands and began to chant, Link's letter in Zelda's other hand.

A myriad of Blue and Gold began to shine from their hands, and the symbol for the Triforce of Wisdom appeared on Zelda's hand holding Link's letter.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Far away south of Gerudo Desert...on an unconscious man, a crest glowed golden on his left hand.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

In the Sacred Realm...

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Ganondorf found himself frozen, "W-what is this magic?" He looked at the sages then saw what they were planning to do, "No! I won't be sealed away by you damned Sages!" He charged towards Saria getting past Darunia, but the blade froze a milimeter from her neck. He found himself being dragged back and he was held onto a black mirror. "No!" He shouted as he vanished inside the Mirror, his voice resonating with the soil of the Sacred Realm, "My malice and hatred shall never fade. As long as there is someone with the designs to carry on, your precious Hyrule shall NEVER be safe from my grasp!"

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Saria fell to her knees and panted, "Thank...god that's over with..." She looked to her right then broke down in tears over the caretaker who had given her life trying to stop Ganondorf.

Darunia rubbed her back and helped her grieve.

Saria growled brokenly, "I will never forgive him for this...where did we send him anyways?"

Rauru said, "Legend tells of an alternate Hyrule...called Lorule. We have sealed him within their Sacred Realm. It is also known as the Twilight Realm. Let us return home."

Darunia picked up Saria and Impa's body and carried them.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Zelda and Ruto set foot within Lon Lon Ranch and immediately a red blur tackled Ruto. A sweet feminine voice called, "RUTO!"

Zelda smiled and said, "Now, now Malon, let Ruto breathe!"

Malon got up sheepishly, she couldn't help it. The three of them had been friends alongside Saria ever since Saria had been allowed outside of the forest.

She led them into the field where the horses and the cows were grazing, "Bessie has been missing you Zelda!"

Zelda couldn't help laughing at that, "Oh come now...Cows don't miss people..."

The cow lumbered over and licked Zelda's cheek. Zelda blinked looking at the cow then said softly, "I stand corrected."

Ruto grinned then said, "Hey Malon, check this out, we finally got a letter from Link. It has a Silver Rupee with it."

Malon plopped herself down on the grass and said, "Well let's sit down, have some milk and read it together!"

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Link's Letter

"Dear Malon, Ruto, Zelda, Saria, Darunia and all the rest of my friends. By the time this letter arrives in Hyrule, I should already be within the Gerudo Valley, making my way back to Hyrule. In the time span, I should have travelled across the world and seen all of our beautiful planet. I will have many stories...but I hope you are all doing well.

I found Navi on the other side of the planet...she was helping out a village with an illness and upon finding the Golden Waters of Legonia, I have cured the village. It is now that I write the letter. I miss you all...

The Silver Rupee I have enclosed is a present to Malon for her to help with the Farm. I have made arrangements for a number of gifts and they shall be given upon my arrival. Speak to Nabooru for me and have them search for me, for if I do not arrive within three days, I may be lost in the Desert.

Written with affection: Link

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Ruto stared in surprise at the letter, "Seems like he took a shine to Malon."

Zelda shook her head, "It's not that...I know he cares about all four of us. But it's not that simple. As far as he knows, Saria will never grow up, and both of us are princesses with royal treasuries."

Malon sat back, "It only makes sense he'd send money to help out the one who doesn't have one. Speaking of the Sages, how is everyone doing Zelda?"

Zelda's smile faded, "I don't know...I had a strange feeling when we left Zora's River and we chanted to unleash the Sages' full might on Ganondorf, but I don't know what the result of the battle was. If he got loose, there is no weapon save the Master Sword that can cut him down. We will know in about two days, that is how long it will take for them to arrive back here."

Malon held Zelda's hand tenderly, "Don't worry...I'm sure they are alright."

Zelda shed a tear, "I just have a horrible feeling something has happened to one of them...I just can't tell who it is..."

Ruto held her other hand, "No matter what happens, we are all here for you...but I have an urgent errand to attend to in Gerudo Valley. I have to lead the search party alongside Nabooru to find Link. If he is out there, I'll find him. Didn't that Gerudo Princess want us to have him show up there to be tested to see if he could be a good replacement as leader for Ganondorf?"

Zelda nodded, "Indeed...I told her what Link had informed me of, including his skills in their fortress and she is very curious to see if he would be a worthy leader of the Gerudo."

Malon said, "Ingo said he'd watch the farm if I ever wanted to take personal time so now is as good a time as any. I will go with you to find him."

Zelda bit her lip then said, "As will I...but if we don't find him within two days, we need to return to see to the Sages and find out what has happened. If one is injured, I wish to be there to heal them."

Ruto looked at the sky, "Agreed...besides after two days I would need to return to Lake Hylia to rejuvenate in the waters of the Lake. It would be a perfect timing to pause the search at least from the three of our end."

Malon smirked, "You never stopped wanting him did you?"

Ruto shot up off the grass, "Oh like the rest of you didn't? Zelda had a crush on him the moment she laid eyes on him, you developed a crush after seeing how well Epona listened to him and Saria...well she was special from the get-go."

Zelda ran her fingers through her blonde hair and said, "All we can really do is wait for him to choose one of us. There's also the option of using the Hyrulean Law that allowed a male as long as he is royal to choose..."

Malon flushed, "Are you serious?"

Zelda said, "Sure why not? It's not like we are strangers with each other. I personally wouldn't have a problem with it..."

Ruto said softly, "That's getting ahead of ourselves...first we have to find him and figure out how he is thinking nowadays. For all we know he is married to another, or he already has chosen one of us in his mind. We won't know until we find him."

Zelda held Ruto's hand softly, "Agreed, let's get to it. Do we have enough horses?"

Malon grinned, "Do we have enough horses...where do you think we are? The Desert? Of course we do!" She whistled and three horses came racing up. One was a light grey, one was a dark brown with a white blaze on its muzzle. The final one was a brilliant white. "Take your pick everyone." She got up on the brown horse, "This one is mine though...I've ridden her since I was fourteen so no one else rides her."

Ruto got up on the gray horse and said, "I still never get used to this. I always preferred to swim where I was going..." She bit her lip nervously.

Zelda got up with the grace she had been raised to show. She sat like the others though as she hated sitting the way "princesses" were supposed to sit. She had never really been a stereotypical good princess, as she had been slightly tomboyish...but nothing compared to Ruto. She stole a look at the blue skinned princess. The Zoran girl had always been a bit of a tomboy, despite having probably the best looks amongst the entire group of girls. She never even wore clothes as it was not within the custom of the Zoran Domain Tribe to do so. She also was never ashamed of how she looked, but she was more than happy to show someone the business end of a blade if that person oggled her without her permission.

She then looked over at Malon. The girl may not have been trained with a sword, but no one was better at archery than she. The only one who came close was Zelda herself. She may have the magic, but Malon was an expert at sniping from long range. Zelda had to wonder just where Malon had learned to perform at such a legendary level. She had won the archery tournament for five years in a row. She wondered if Malon was even better at archery than Link was.

She smiled at the recollection of Malon entering the Forest Temple as a test of her skills and had emerged after taking down all the aerial targets with Ruto guarding her from close range.

Then she thought upon her own abilities as the three of them rode towards the desert. She had powerful magic and had the ability to channel Fire, Ice and Light into her arrows. She had even found a way to channel Darkness which had come in handy on more than a few occassions when tracking Ganondorf all those years ago. She then thought to the green haired girl that had united them all...

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Flashback Seven Years ago...

Ages:

Zelda - Eleven
Ruto - Ten
Malon - Nine
Saria - Eleven
Darunia - Thirty-Six
Impa - Fourty-Two
Rauru - Infinite
Nabooru - Fifteen

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

A green haired girl found herself at the entrance to the Kokiri Forest. She looked back at the rest of the Kokiri, "Why? Why are you doing this to me?"

A male Kokiri pointed, "You're the only Kokiri whose Fairy has changed color since that pain in our ass Link left. It changed from Blue to Yellow. Explain yourself you witch!"

She held her hands together, "I don't know...I really don't...all I know is that Sonya did change color..."

Mido said, "Then I have no choice, I hearby banish you from living in Kokiri Forest. If by some freak of nature you do survive, you are allowed to enter, but only to go into the Lost Woods. If you speak to any Kokiri, you will be thrown out of the village again." He spun on his heel and left her on the bridge in shock.

Saria looked at the exit to the Forest, "But...I c-can't just leave here. W-what am I supposed to do about food and water?"

Mido shouted back, "You problem witch, not mine!"

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Saria fell to her knees then heard footsteps behind her. She quickly held out a Deku Stick ready to at least put up a fight if someone wanted to hurt her. She froze when she saw Princess Zelda walking into the forest.

Zelda blinked, the blonde haired girl was merely eleven years old, but she could tell something was wrong. "You are a Kokiri girl aren't you? Why aren't you in your village and in tears no less?"

Saria choked back a sob then said, "Th-they cast me out because they think I'm a w-witch!"

Zelda glared then said, "Well we will just see about that!"

Saria clung to her, "No! It's bad enough they did it to me, but they can't think that way of you...I don't want that for you!"

Zelda said, "What is your name?"

Saria blinked back tears, "S-Saria..."

Zelda said, "Do you know who I am?"

The green haired girl was about to shake her head when suddenly in her heart she knew, "Princess...Zelda of Hyrule."

Zelda smiled, "That's right...fine if you don't want me talking to them, I won't. However as the Princess I swore to Link that I would check on the Great Deku Tree to see if a new one has sprouted yet. I will speak to him about this." She then slipped a strange wrapped item in the green haired girl's hand. "It's a delicacy from Hyrule Castle."

Saria opened it and found it was some strange apple on a stick. She blinked and said, "What...it's covered in some brown sticky substance, is it tree sap?"

Zelda laughed and gave the green haired girl a hug, "It's something Malon's father developed called Caramel. Eat that up but make sure you take a drink from this flask when you're done. It's grape juice."

Saria took the gifts and said, "I don't even know why all this is happening, this morning I woke up, I was a normal Kokiri Girl, now I'm apparently a witch."

Zelda said, "You're no more a witch than I am...of course I'm probably a bad example as I literally do have magic." She charged ice into her right hand and made it float into the air next to her. "But still I will find out what I can." She made the ice magic vanish then left Saria on the bridge.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Upon reaching the entrance to the Great Deku Tree, she was stopped by Mido who had taken it on himself to guard the Deku Tree's Remains.

He said, "Who are you to see the Great Deku Tree?"

Zelda threw back her hood and showed the royal symbol on her ring, "The Princess of this Realm, that is who. I have come at the request of the Hero of Time to check on the Great Deku Tree."

He snarled, "Well don't bother, the Deku Tree is dead, and we will be gone relatively soon! We found the culprit and has just banished her, you probably walked by her on the way in."

Zelda said, "I did...however dealing with her is not my problem...I will also not be deterred by a Kokiri Child who does not know the full scope of this forests power as well as its courage. Now stand aside...or be moved aside by the power granted to me by the goddesses of Hyrule itself!"

Mido gulped then stepped aside as she swept past him.

Zelda drew her blade and cut down a Deku Baba on the way, then spun slashed another one causing two sticks to appear. She shouldered the two Deku Sticks for Saria later. She stopped in front of the dead tree and saw a sprout at its foot. She knelt and said, "Deku Sprout right?"

The Sprout said slowly, "Yes...I am just newly born..."

Zelda said, "About the green haired Kokiri child..."

The Sprout said, "Before The Great Deku Tree died, he gave Link the power to turn one Kokiri into a Hylian/Kokiri mixed blood by touching them and having great affection for him or her. The one whom he held the hand of was Saria."

Zelda blinked, "Does that mean she can leave the forest safely?"

The Sprout said, "For the first time crossing the magical barrier, she must be holding the hand of a non Kokiri or she will die...after that she can leave and enter freely at will. By holding the hand of a non kokiri, it will activate the Hylian Blood within her. She will also begin to age. If she chooses to remain, she will stay ageless until she steps through the barrier."

Zelda said, "Is there anything I can do to help you grow strong?"

The Sprout said, "Nothing, however I will be just fine...just pray for Nayru and Farore to send a powerful burst of rain to give me a bit more strength."

Zelda smiled, "I promise...and I'll make sure she is alright...Saria was her name right?"

The Sprout said, "Do not speak of my existance to the Kokiri Children yet, also do not tell them of her new nature. They will find out over time. This is why her fairy turned yellow by the way. It showed her transition to her new blood type."

Zelda bowed, "Of course..." She made a prayer and a powerful rain began to fall. "I will see you again within a year Deku Sprout."

The Sprout smiled, "I will see you at that time...Princess Zelda. You must introduce her to the other Princess of the land, as well as your friend Malon from Lon Lon Ranch...the future does depend on it."

Zelda smiled, "If she meets Ruto, she will meet Darunia almost certainly. They are close friends, despite being of two totally different races. I will do this."

She turned and put her hood up and left the sacred forest glade. She walked right by Mido who watched the purple robed girl leaving the forest. "What a strange girl...princess of our realm huh?" He huffed then went back to block the entrance again.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Zelda walked up to Saria and said, "How was the Caramel Apple?"

Saria grinned, "Well it did make me feel better...but now what? I can't go back into Kokiri Forest and I can't leave this bridge or I will die."

Zelda held her hand and said, "Come with me..."

Saria clung to the rope, "What did I just say? I can't leave here or I'll die! Kokiris are forbidden from leaving the Forest as we are spirits of the Forest."

Zelda said, "Do you trust your princess?"

Saria gulped and looked into Zelda's brilliant blue eyes and said slowly, "Yes...but I'm scared."

Zelda slowly removed Saria's hand from the rope bridge, "Then walk forward alongside me without fear. I promise you will be fine and you will be the first Kokiri to ever see the outside world."

Saria held her hand tightly and the two stepped out of the forest.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

She held her other hand over her eyes as the sunshine nearly blinded her. When her eyes adjusted, she looked around her in shock...she was standing outside the forest. She spun around and gasped, "H-how in the...world?" Her eyes flickered to Zelda, "Zelda...how am I standing here?"

Zelda's eyes were warm and with a serene light within them, "Do not worry...I will explain everything as we travel..."

Over the next three hours, they travelled over the field and Zelda explained everything.

Saria's eyes were wide as saucers, her jade green eyes reflecting the light above her, "So you're telling me...that when Link held my hand as he left the Forest...he unknowingly transferred a magical gift from the Great Deku Tree to me? The ability to leave when the time was right and to start to age? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Zelda said, "Well would you want to remain a child forever, or grow older and have children of your own? Maybe with a certain blonde hero?"

Saria flushed deeply, "Sh-shush. I bet you have a thing for him as well!"

Zelda stretched then said, "Sure do, but I never denied it to myself, nor did a certain other princess. We will meet her tomorrow in Hyrule Castle. I have requested her and Malon to arrive at the palace. Malon already has been my friend, but I have only met Princess Ruto once at a gathering at the castle. It will be nice to meet her."

Saria was still flushed pink, "Still...you don't know where..."

Zelda shook her head, "No one knows where he is...all I do know is that he did as I asked and took the Ocarina of Time far away from Hyrule so that the evil man Ganondorf could not steal it and force open the door with the Song of Time and the three stones. With the Ocarina of Time gone, the song will not work."

Saria held her forehead, "I haven't heard my song played by Link for a very long time. I was worried after a year had passed and nothing had come through."

Zelda stroked her green hair, "You have no need to worry...I promise you he is alright. Besides I would know if he died." She held her right hand forward and Saria could see a golden triangle shining on her wrist...it was to the bottom left of a set of three. "If he had died, the triforce on the right hand side would be glowing until I touched it forcing it to return to the Sacred Realm. The fact that it has not glowed within a year is proof that he's alive...we just don't know where."

Saria blinked, "So those golden triangles tell you the condition of the other holders or something along those lines? I always knew he was courageous but I never knew it was so much so that he'd inherit that kind of power."

Zelda beamed, "I know...I just wasn't expecting it. One moment I was sending him to get the other two jewels of the set to open the Door of Time, next thing I knew he was returning, acting far more mature than he was the first time I saw him. He warned me of the coming disaster and how if he drew the Master Sword that it'd unleash Chaos. In response I ordered him to take the Ocarina of Time with him on a Journey, far away from Hyrule. In the meantime we have been hunting down Ganondorf, trying to prevent his rise to power. It won't be easy though, he has the Triforce of Power and my father is stubbornly believing that Ganondorf is loyal to him."

Saria paused looking at Lon Lon Ranch on their right and said, "There is a way...if we can convince him to speak to the Great Deku Tree, maybe he'd be convinced after seeing what happened to the tree. Mido said the tree was killed by Link and myself, but that can't be. Link loved the Great Deku Tree, as did I. I believe that this Ganondorf is responsible."

Zelda gasped, "Now why didn't I think of that? Of course he may not listen to a baby Deku Tree..."

Saria grinned and said, "True...but he'd see the deceased tree behind the Sprout...it's a shame there's no proof behind it though." Her eyes flickered the right then she shied behind Zelda.

A young man was racing across the field, wearing a Bunny Hood. He stopped in front of Zelda, "Princess? What are you doing out here? It is dangerous on the field at night."

Zelda patted her Royal Dagger and said, "I have myself covered...but what about you?"

He said, "I can outrun anything in the field easily. Get yourself into a location soon, it will be nightfall any minute."

Zelda blinked then turned and strode into Lon Lon Ranch with Saria at her side.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

In Lon Lon Ranch, a red-haired girl was singing softly to the horses and the cows. She seemed a bit sad though as Epona, her favorite horse wasn't there. She turned when she heard people entering the farm and swiftly drew her bow. She notched an arrow and closed her eyes as Fire elemental power entered the bow. "Who enters the Farm?"

Zelda waved her arms frantically, "Whoa Malon easy girl it's me!"

Malon pointed her bow at Saria, "And that one? She has a fairy like Link did! Why is she out of the forest?"

Zelda stood between the two of them, "This is Saria...Link's Childhood friend. She is also part Hylian...it'd take a long time to explain but I'll do my best. We are travelling to Hyrule Castle, but we needed a place to sleep for the night."

Malon lowered the bow and exclaimed, "Well why didn't you say that she was a friend of Link's? Any friend of yours and Link is a friend of mine." She raced up and hugged Saria and before the greenhaired girl knew what was going on, she was whisked into the barn.

Zelda blinked then followed a bit confused. Nothing could prepare her for what happened when she entered the barn.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Malon said, "So Saria...ever have combat training?"

Saria blinked, "W-well a little. Link taught me some swordplay before he left the forest. Said something about evil coming to the Forest and I'd need to guard it. He had a metal shield in his right hand and the Kokiri Dagger in his left hand."

Malon blinked, "He couldn't wield that before...he must have practiced in Hyrule a bit to be able to wield it." She quickly picked up two bokans and said, "Well then...show me what you know!" She took a combat stance.

Saria took a slightly defensive stance and was stunned at the speed in which Malon attacked.

Zelda walked in to find the two of them slashing at each other with Bokans. She was blinking in surprise but grinned, "Really Malon? Right off the bat?"

The red haired girl dodged a horizontal swing and said, "She definitely learned from Link!" She jumped back as Saria did a spin slash.

Zelda laughed then said, "I'm going out on a night-time hunt. I swore that I'd guard Hyrule so I have to take one of the ponies and take out any of the Skeletons I see."

Malon blinked then said, "You sure you'll be alright?"

Zelda shouldered a small bow and said, "Don't worry, I'll be just fine Malon. I didn't watch Link for the short time he was training in the Castle Courtyard for nothing." She left outside and left the redhaired girl and Saria alone.

Saria flicked the Bokan and said, "Want to postpone this? I want to help Zelda!"

Malon yawned then said, "Sure why not...I could do with some killing of those Skeleton freaks of nature!" She walked out with Saria.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

A few minutes later, Zelda tore out of the Lon Lon Ranch and notched and arrow to her bow. Six skeletons unburrowed around her. She froze for a split second before she spun and fired two arrows in quick succession, taking out two of them.

As she turned she saw that one was about to strike her off the horse but as she braced for the impact, the skeleton exploded in front of her. She glanced around, her eyes were wide as saucers then she looked around for who had saved her, almost expecting it to be Link.

She didn't expect to see Malon holding her bow pointing it in her direction, "Really Zelda...you always do this. Rush in without thinking and unlike Link, you don't have the same level of courage to handle everything. You're supposed to be the wise one of the three."

A chill wind blew around the three girls until they saw something by the entrance to Zora's Domain that made the night seem all that much colder. Zelda leapt off her horse and drew her blade and charged towards the problem.

A Zoran female was in the middle of ten of the skeletons. She was wielding a rapier, "Oh come on now...is that all you jackasses have? Child Shadow Link was harder!" She quickly ducked under two swings of their bony arms and stabbed one through the gut, causing it to explode. She picked up a bone arm and chucked it like a boomerang cutting down two more. She spun to block one with her blade but found two swiftly advancing on each side. "Guess you guys just don't know when the quit huh?"

Zelda and Malon notched arrows to their bows while Saria closed her eyes and a green light surrounded her. She pointed her hand forward and a blast of leaves cut two more of them to pieces, while two arrows exploded the two that were about to attack the Zoran Female.

The Zora girl spun and saw the three girls advancing. "I take it you aren't in league with these monsters?"

Zelda said, "If we were, we certainly wouldn't have killed them...be on your guard, more are coming!"

The four girls stood in a square like pattern, facing the four compass directions, "Be ready and attack as one!" The Zoran girl exclaimed sternly.

Zelda smiled then drew her dagger as did Malon who had a dirk, but Saria had no close range weapon save her Deku Sticks. She had a plan though which would help them all.

Ten more skeletons popped up with a giant one lumbering behind it. She quickly tossed a Deku Nut in front of the Giant One and used Farore's Wind to blast apart one of the Skeletons what was holding an eight inch blade that fell to the ground. Before it vanished, Saria rolled grabbing it off the ground.

The Zoran female saw Saria attacking the giant one on her own. "Um girls...your green haired friend is attacking that thing!"

Zelda's eyes went as wide as saucers, "She'll get herself killed! We have to dispatch these little ones quickly and go to her aid!"

Malon slashed through one, "That could be tougher than you think! Kill one and three more pop up. I think that the big one is spawning them!"

Zelda swiftly pulled out an Ocarina and began to play a song, she had a plan. In a few seconds a powerful thunderstorm began to rage around them as a torrential downpour covered the girls and the skeleton...but what was significant was the lightening. She dove to the ground pulling the Zoran girl and Malon with her as lightning began striking the skeletons.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Saria dodged a lightning strike and pulled out a Deku Leaf and slid along the now wet terrain. She quickly began sending powerful blasts of wind at the Giant Skeleton. She growled, "If you think I'm going to fall just because you're big, you have another thing coming you giant pain in the butt!"

The Zoran female grinned, "I like this one...she's got spunk!" She leapt up and used her own Zoran abilities with water to slide alongside her.

Saria laughed, "This is incredible...I never thought fighting monsters would feel so fun!"

The Zoran female laughed, "I haven't had this much fun in a while either! Hey Fifty points to the person who takes it down!"

Saria glared, "You're on...hope you're no girly girl!"

The Zoran female's smile faded for a split second, "I'll show you who is a girly girl!" She flipped into the air and shot a powerful water stream knocking the Skeleton back but Saria was behind the Skeleton already and had steadied it with a Leaf Blast.

Zelda watched and sweatdropped, "Uhm...think we should just leave the big one to them then eh Malon?"

Malon shook her head, "What is up with those two? I didn't think they were so...violent!"

Zelda grinned, "Well I know who the Zoran female is now...it's Princess Ruto!"

Malon's jaw dropped, "THAT is Ruto? Wow she's just...so fast and agile. Yet she acts like a boy!"

Zelda nodded, "Yes...it was quite the trouble for the King. Even my father disapproves, but although I obey my father, it doesn't mean I always obey." She quickly pulled out her bow and fired an arrow taking out another skeleton next to Malon.

Malon fired a Fire Arrow at a Skeleton then quickly swapped off to Ice Arrows and fired that as well.

It was here that everything began to go horribly...horribly wrong...

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Ruto quickly vaulted over a sword slash but saw the flat of the blade send Saria crashing into the nearby bridge. She slid over to her and checked her, "She's alive...but I have to act fast." She held her hands over Saria's body and began to glow blue as an aqua colored light began shining around the two.

Without the two girls attacking the big skeleton, Zelda and Malon quickly found themselves being overrun.

Zelda quickly fell to her knees when one finally got her in the side and Malon bravely pushed her against the trees and took Zelda's blade and began dual wielding, slashing at any skeleton that got close.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-LoZ-EB~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

And that'll do it for Chapter One. What did you all think? And what will happen to Zelda, Ruto, and the rest? Obviously they will survive (as they have to for the present timeline to occur) but how? Does Saria recover fast enough to help them? Or does someone else join in the fight?

Stay Tuned for the next chapter!