A/N: so, instead of finishing my other stories (after a couple months of neglect), I'm just going to start a new one instead. The idea had been floating around in my head for a while now. Based off Twilight Princess

Passing of the Shadows

Chapter 1

Leaving the Familiar

The sun rose over the sleepy village of Ordon. A single soul was awake, and was making his way towards the northernmost home for an important job. He stopped a couple yards away from the raised door.

"LINK! Get your sleepy ass down here!" The man, Rusl, yelled out. After a bit, a bunch of crashing sounds erupted from the building. The noise eventually settled, then a young teen came out the door.

His face was cringed up from the pain of falling a story and half. "What do you want, Rusl. Fado has me rounding up the goats in…say three hours or so." He rolled his left arm forward, trying to massage away the pain.

Rusl exploded into laughter. "You can do that and maybe even put some rails around your bed after you get back from Castle town." He pulled out a sheathed blade. "This is our tribute to the Royal Family of Hyrule so we can stay autonomous in this world. I want you to deliver it."

Link's eyebrows rose in surprise. "But…what about.."

"No, don't say that." Rusl turned back to the village. "Some of us aren't meant to leave," he turned back to Link, "but you are. I just feel it." He strolled up to the ladder leading from the door. "This will help you be ready to leave and maybe discover something about yourself."

"Do I get a choice in this?" Link inquired while taking the weapon out of his mentor's hands.

Rusl just laughed. "Of course not, Link. You may want to stop by the spring, since I don't spot Epona here…" Link spun around, realizing that Rusl was right. He took off running down the path leading towards the Faron Woods, the farthest from home he ever had been.

The spirit spring of Ordona providence was a beautiful place at dawn. The mysterious rocks softly glowed. Link entered the small inlet, discovering his oldest friend, Ilia, washing Epona.

After a couple minutes, she turned towards the entrance before jumping slightly. "Oh hi Link! I didn't see you there." She turned her head slightly sideways. "Rusl having you deliver the sword to the Royals? I guess you're here for Epona." Her voice was laced with sorrow.

He slowly walked over to her. "Yeah, unfortunately." His voice dropped slightly. "I'll try to return as soon as I'm done, ok?"

She softly smiled up at him. "Ok." He gave her a quick huge before mounting his stead and taking off. Crossing the bridge into Hyrule, Link felt a strange 'pull' from the Eastern Faron Woods. He brought Epona to a slow trot, before dismounting. A path he'd never seen during any of his trips to this area suddenly came visible.

He followed it into the ruins of an ancient building. Little of the original roof remained, but there was an open doorway. Link cautiously made his way up it and into what was once a circular room. In the center was a sword, stuck in a pedestal of sorts. The hilt was a bizarre blue, which stuck out like wings of a bird. A small yellow stone linked the hilt to the blade. He guessed it was here for centuries, although it appeared as sharp as when it was made. Link walked up to the pedestal and slowly drew the blade. The hole in the rock glowed as it left, but settled away. A sheath appeared automatically, by magic. He blinked, and then appeared where he left Epona, but the doorway was gone.

It was way past high noon when he reached Castle town. A shadow was hovering over the western entrance, covering the sun trying to shine down on the city. Link gave it little thought as he trotted up to a small group of guards.

"I have a delivery from Ordon Village for the Royal Family." They quickly discussed his request, some of them arguing with each other.

One of them looked back at him before replying in a monotonous voice. "We are at war. None are allowed to speak with the King. Go home."

Link, not one to take surrender easily, walked over to an inn. He got a room for the night before turning in. His last thoughts were on the sword he found in the woods.

What was it?

A/N: please review…or add as a fav…or add an alert…or all three…or just two.