I Don't own the rights to nintendo or any of its characters and elements. Also the dialogue in the story was based off of the script from the Movie Gladiator.

Hi everyone! So here's the first chapter of what looks to be a great story full of twists and turns in every direction! The story will contain some plot elements from the movie Gladiator with a legend of Zelda spin. There will be some original characters and some from the series. Some roles may be changed just to keep things interesting. Not really much more I can say about it now so let me know what guys think!

The chapters will be pretty short and I'll try and Update twice every week! Ok so Enjoy!

At the height of its power, The Hyrule Empire was infinite, stretching from the Deserts of Lanaryu in the east, to the titanic waves of The Great Sea in the west. Over a quarter of the Land's population lived and died under the banner of the Hylian Royal Family.

In the winter of The Fifth Year of the Goddess Nayru, King Daphnes Nohanson's Campaign against the Barbarian Yoto tribes in the North was drawing to an end.

One final stronghold stands in the way of a Hylian victory and peace throughout the empire. This is where our story begins…

1

THE BATTLE IN THE NORTH

'If everything is lost, is the battle truly won?'

-unknown-

The wind was like a hammer, whipping against Link's face, cold and chilling him through his many layers of leather and steel. His breath steamed and frost formed on the tip of his beard. Needless to say, he was cold.

But, his expression was unmoved as he stood among the many ranks of the massive Hyrule army. The air was dead silent, except for the sharpening of swords and the whining of horses, itching for battle.

A small fairy caught his eye; the tiny being's fragile wings fluttered gently as it landed on a nearby twig, feeling around for something to eat. Link smiled at the gentle creature and had a sudden urge to be somewhere else. To be back home with his wife and son on their small farm. Where the days were peaceful and relaxing. A time when life was much simpler—The fairy flew away and Link snapped back to the frozen wasteland that used to be a rich forest or maybe a town filled with activity and life. But now all that was left was death. But if all went well, today would be the last of the bloodshed. That's what Linked hoped.

As Link walked through the soldiers, making his way to one of his lieutenants on the left flank, the men saluted their general. All of them giving similar looks of admiration and respect. Most of these men had been with Link from the start of the campaign and he knew every single one of them by name. They had formed a bond, made of blood and sweat, and Link was determined to honour that bond by leading them once again to a Hylian victory.

'Still nothing?' Link asked as he approached his First lieutenant, Rusl. Impa, Link's First Major, was there as well.

'Not a sign.' Rusl responded scanning the ridge in the distance, 'He has been gone for nearly two hours, General.'

Impa, followed Rusl's gaze to the distant trees that were scattered across the terrain, 'Do you think they will fight General?' she asked.

'We shall know soon enough.' Link replied.

'Soldier! I ordered you to move those catapults forward! They are well out of range!' Rusl was yelling at one of the men.

'The range is good.' Link cut him off calmly, not taking his eyes off the ridge in the distance.

'But sir, the danger to the cavalry-'

But he was interrupted by the distance cries and battle drums of something very large. The rumble shook the very roots of the trees. The Yoto were approaching, ready to make their own final stand against the Hylians.

'I think that answers your question, lieutenant,' Link said to Impa, gesturing to a headless figure riding towards them, bearing the Hylian Crest. 'It seems Diplomacy has failed.'

The white steed ran wild through the ranks of the soldiers, while the headless body spurted blood in all directions. In the distance, one of the Yoto's was brandishing something that looked very much like a human head. He threw it in the mud and drew his weapon. The army behind him followed suit. Their shouts became louder and fiercer. The barbarians were shaking and waving their shields and spears, ready for battle. Link looked back at his men, who also seemed just as anxious to begin.

Link bent down on one knee. He grabbed a bit of dirt from the ground and lifted it up to his nose. The feel of the dirt between his fingers and the smell of the frozen earth filled him and he was overcome with a strange feeling. Everything around him dulled down but he felt his own mind sharpen. Not anxiety or nerves, but a heightened sense of things. The cold wind against his skin, his steady heartbeat and shallow breathing. The chants of the barbarians in the distance and the Hylian army at his back, each man ready to fight, each one ready to die.

One of his knights brought him his horse, a beautiful golden brown, Hylian mare, with a mane as black as the pits of hell itself. She pawed at the ground impatiently waiting for Link to take control of her reigns. He looked at Rusl and Impa, 'On my signal, unleash hell.' He said and galloped off to the front to lead the charge.

'May the goddesses smile upon you today.' Rusl called after him.

'And you also' Link yelled back over the cheers of the soldiers as he raced by.

He heard Rusl shouting behind him, 'Load the catapults! Infantry move up for advance! Archers ready!'

Link had to admit he loved the battle. Maybe not the killing so much but the strategy. Not to say he was bad in close combat, in fact, many considered him the best in Hyrule, but Link preferred to outsmart his enemies. That is exactly what he planned to do with the Yoto. He would lead the charge in the front while Impa would take the cavalry and flank them from behind. With Rusl providing cover with the catapults there was no way the Yoto could win this battle.

The adrenaline pulsed through his veins and his heart rate quickened as he drew closer to the front. It is funny, but he never felt more alive than before war.

Link stopped at the front of his men, all eyes were on him, waiting to give the order to attack.

'Brothers!' He addressed them, 'What we do in this life echoes in the next! Today not even the gods can deny us victory! Today we are immortals and we shall live forever!' His men cheered and stomped their feet and banged their shields. Link looked back to where Rusl was waiting and raised his sword. On the signal Rusl yelled 'Fire!' and the catapults let fly a dozen fireballs that crashed like thunder down upon the advancing barbarians. And the archers released hundreds of flaming arrows that filled the sky like little birds of death. The flames spread quickly causing much confusion and fear among the Yoto ranks.

Link saw his opportunity, 'CHARGE!' He bellowed.

Their cavalry was met with the full force of whatever was left of the Yoto. The Yoto were an enormous people, wielding heavy weapons and raw grit and determination. They were already desperate from the long months of war and fought that way, refusing to give even an inch to the Hylians.

Link ripped through their ranks, slashing and stabbing wildly. His horse trampling and kicking any incoming Yoto. But suddenly a spear cut his horses legs from under him and he was thrown headfirst into the mud. Scrambling he tried to get up but immediately had to defend an incoming axe. He barely had time to deflect the blow with his sword and launch a counter attack from his back. Clambering to his feet and saw two more attackers. He dodged the first axe swing and countered with a clean slice to the rib-cage. Without breaking stride, pivoting on his heel, he stabbed the other before he could even raise his weapon.

Turning Link raised his sword to the sky, giving Impa the signal to attack from the back . About a hundred more Hylian soldiers, all on horseback came galloping from the woods where they had been waiting for Link's signal. They joined the battle eagerly killing many and then all Link could concentrate on was his sword. It was a blur as he cut down more barbarians than he could keep track of. The mud was drenched in blood and bodies and the screams of the soldiers could be heard well into the night.

And then, finally, it was over. It's funny how that happens, how a war can end just as quickly as it begins. Link panting heavily, vision still blurred from the adrenaline and exhaustion, looked wearily around to see his men sweeping the battlefield looking for any survivors and killing the remaining Yoto.

'Hylia Victa!' He shouted and raised his sword to the sky. His men did the same. The war was over, the Barbarian Yoto tribes had been completely wiped out. A time of peace would at last descend upon Hyrule but Link couldn't imagine a greater cost.

'Do you think he is really dying?' Daltus asked for the third time.

'He's been dying for ten years' Zelda replied as the royal cart bounced along the muddy path, its wheels threatening to get stuck in the soft ground.

'I know that,' Daltus replied to his sister, 'But if he weren't really dying then he wouldn't have sent for us'

Zelda rolled her eyes, in exasperation, getting a little tired of humouring her brother, 'Maybe he just misses us.'

But Daltus continued, '…And the senators, he would have sent for them either or maybe…'

'Please, Daltus!' Zelda cut in, 'For two weeks we've been on the road to the north and for two weeks you have not stopped your incessant scheming. It is hurting my head!'

But again, Daltus continued, 'I know he has made his decision! He's going to announce it… He's going to name me… and the first thing I shall do is honour him with games worthy of his majesty!'

Daltus's excitement was like a small child playing with their favorite toy, He loved the games in the Great Arena in Hyrule City, but he loved the thought of being King even more.

Zelda gave a small laugh, 'Well, the first thing I am going to do is have a hot bath, thank you very much.'

The carriage rattled to a stop. There was a knock on the wagon door.

'Your Highness's we have arrived at our destination.' Daltus jumped up eagerly out of the carriage. The servant bowed as he appeared in the doorway, a battle weary soldier was at his side. 'Sire,' He said and gave a bow not nearly as proper as the servant.

'Where is His Majesty? Daltus commanded

'At the front Sire, he is with the general seeing over the wounded who are still coming in' the soldier answered

'My horse! Servant, bring me my horse!' Another servant brought out a royal black Lannaruyu stallion. Its flawless main looked completely out of place in muddy camp. Daltus mounted his steed with all the dignity of a king and before he rode off he turned to Zelda, who was still at the door of the carriage waiting for someone to help her through the mud.

'Kiss?' He asked his sister

Zelda gave him a half smile, kissing her hand and tossing it his way.

Well that does it for the first chapter. It took me a while to write the battle scene but I think it flows OK. Let me know what you think. So ya i can't really say much at this point just keep on reading! Don't forget to comment ans stuff!