Hello everyone, here is a story that has been cooking in my head for a while now, I hope you enjoy it. If there is anything you people would like to know about just leave me a message or more importantly a review. I used names from older legends but they are just names in my story, there is no particular reason I chose them besides the fact they sound cool. With that I would like to announce that I do not own the Legend of Zelda. Now on with the story.

The Legend of Zelda: Age of Dissent

In the past the land of Hyrule was ruled by a benevolent and wise king. But those were the days of old and his son had to grow up with them. With stories of how grand and great his father was the young prince grew to be bitter and angry. He always felt that he had to measure up to the man that his father was but he never could in the eyes of his subjects. Eventually they grew restless and started to rebel. This led to the great rebellion and a new age of darkness.

"Men, to the gates, DEFEND YOUR KING!"

The rebels had finally made it to the gates of Hyrule castle and King Leon was at the head of the defense, rallying his men to defend their home. He didn't know how it happened. The last reports stated that the rebel army was nowhere near the castle but just a few days ago they had arrived and started to set up. Rows of men and equipment were setting up to lay siege to the castle right outside the walls. Their armor and metal glinted in the sunlight; their banners standing proudly showing the houses that had betrayed their king. He did not like it and those traitors would pay dearly in blood. He didn't know where they had received aid from but he did have a few guesses.

At the moment archers and ballistae were raining down on the army outside but they were matching the damage with their own firepower.

"Steady men, the iron knuckles will be here in but a moment" he stated his men nervous and unsteady. He understood their feelings. He was also waiting for his best troops to arrive to the gates.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, he heard the steps of their heavily armored feet stomping and their drums thumping as they made their way to the front gate. The soldiers making a path for those that would take the brunt of the charge. Even in the smoke and fire the iron knuckles steel armor shone brightly in the sun, their crisp regalia bright. They were the greatest unit of the Hyllian army and they did their best to show it. They marched their way up to the gate, readied their shields and settled in to take the charge. The boom of the enemy battering ram ringing in the air. The iron knuckle leader making his way over to the king.

"Sir, your iron knuckles are here and ready for your orders."

"Good Sir Gallahad, the enemy is at our gates and I need you to hold them back. Once the enemy is stopped from entering the city make your way to the enemy encampment and capture their leaders. Leave no others alive, the kingdom does not need traitors."

"As you wish my liege"

With that Gallahad made his way to the head to the formation yelling orders and encouragement to his troops along the way. He made his way to the front of the formation and yelled to all his men.

"MEN, THE KING HAS ORDERED US TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS LAND! Our women and children, OUR WAY OF LIFE is at stake if we fall. Do NOT disappoint me! Remember your training and your brotherhood. WE STAND TOGETHER!"

With that Gallahad put on his helmet and turned to the gate just as the battering ram broke down the door. The rebel army started to pour thru the door and the steel of the iron knuckles held steady meeting them in battle.

"My liege the enemy generals are here awaiting your punishment." Gallahad stated.

"Good, kill them all and hang their bodies from the gates. We will now start to root this rebellion out. Be ready in a week, we ride to destroy those that threaten this kingdom. " King Leon said as he turned back to the castle.

With that Gallahad ordered his troops to slit the throats of the enemy leaders.

With the destruction of the rebel army at the gates of Hyrule castle and the loss of the leaders; the rebellion started to unwind. The Hyllian army swept across the landscape sowing destruction to the cities that had allied themselves to the rebellion. Kakariko, Snowpeak, Clock town, Zora metropolis, Evergrande, and the Spires all fell to the might of the army and the iron knuckles. Eventually the army made it to the heart of the rebellion, Mari. The high castle walls were no match to the Hyrullian trebuchets, battering rams and ballistae. A few siege towers were even erected in order to breach the city. Once the gates were brought down the iron knuckles were the ones to lead the charge into the city. A few days later it was all over, the city was in ruins. The king had had his revenge.

Eventually the army made its way back to the castle but King Leon left his best general, Gallahad, in Mari in order to clean up and repair the city. The army was met with cheers and adoration from the citizenry. They were ecstatic that their men were back from battle. Even the queen was happy that her king was back in the city. That same year the king had a daughter and he was overjoyed, his wife had lost two previous children before birth and the couple thought that they were never going to have children but it seemed that the goddesses would allow the bloodline to continue.

Even with the rebellion defeated there was trouble, therefore the king kept an iron hold over his subjects. Plenty of times his personal guard, the iron knuckles would be sent out to restore order in some part of the kingdom. Eventually Gallahad and his protégé Erec started to question the wisdom of their king. One day they brought up their concerns to the king and were dismayed by what he said.

"My liege, do you not think that your citizens would be better served if they were allowed to express themselves and be able to celebrate some of their traditions?" Gallahad asked.

"Sir Gallahad, I do not believe that my citizens should be celebrating debauchery and entertaining heretical ideals that go against the teachings of the goddesses." King Leon stated as he sat upon his throne, his wife and queen beside him and his daughter on his other side. "I believe that my subjects need a firm hand in order to realize that what they are doing is wrong. I WILL NOT allow my kingdom to fall to the terror that was experienced just a decade prior."

"But my liege the people are chafing, they believe that they should be allowed to live as they like." Gallahad said, choosing his words carefully.

"Then it is your job to educate them properly Sir Gallahad. Do not allow any unrest to overtake this kingdom, we do not need a repeat of those troubled times; otherwise it will be your head." Leon said heatedly. He then noticed some of his ministers enter the chamber. "Continue your efforts in educating the populace, I have the utmost faith in you. You may leave." With a wave of his hand the king bid goodbye to his general and his captain. With that Gallahad and Erec made their way out of the chamber.

As they walked Erec started to talk to his leader.

"Sir, do you think that we should be following the king's orders, the cities are grumbling and the iron knuckles will not be able to continue as before, we are still not at peak condition. We are barely 500 men strong." Erec said to Gallahad.

"Erec, be quiet with your doubts. I will not punish you for your thoughts but others in the castle will. I believe in our king. That does not mean that I think there are things that could be done better. As it stands we will do as the king asks but we won't be nearly as tough as the king desires." Gallahad whispered to Erec. "Order the iron knuckles to be on the lookout for those that show promise, even if they are from those cities that rebelled. Those children can be reeducated. Otherwise continue as you were and one day you might even have my position."

"Sir don't speak like that. You are a great leader."

"I know Erec, but men are mortal and I can feel my mortality. I am not the man I was a decade ago. Therefore keep on the lookout for those that would be worthy of the title iron knuckle. We are few, but we are proud and tough."

"I have been on the lookout for those that we might be able to recruit into our ranks sir. One of our former comrades Tristan has had a son and he seems like he would be a good addition. I believe the boy's name is Link."

"Link eh? I will have to test this boy to see if he is worthy of the title iron knuckle. If he is of Tristan's blood then I have no doubt."

With that Gallahad and Erec made their way out of the castle and back to the iron knuckle barracks.

"Link, do you think that you could get some more wood for the fire. Your father is having another fever." Links mother Eurydice asked her son.

"Sure thing mother." Link replied starting to make his way out of the house.

Link lived in the outskirts of Hyrule castle city in a manor that his family had been given by the king for his father's service. His father, Tristan had been injured fighting in the rebellion wars. He was first doused in burning oil leading the charge and scaling the walls of Mari. This ruined his body. He then lost his left arm and leg later on in battle. His men quickly took him to the medical tent, some even losing their lives but they had so much respect for Tristan that they willingly gave their lives. He has since been bed ridden and was slowly losing strength. His wife, the witch Eurydice, was able to use her magic in order to keep him strong but eventually he would lose and be able to meet the goddesses in death.

Link brought in some logs that he had split earlier on and rekindled the fire using the fire spell his mother had taught him.

"You are lucky you gained some magical abilities from your mother." Tristan said as Link started the fire.

"It's nothing father, if it wasn't for your abilities you never would have met her in the first place." Link replied.

That is true, a witch of Eurydice's caliber would never have been impressed by a normal man. It would have taken a man of extraordinary caliber, such as an iron knuckle, to catch her eye. Therefore once Tristan saw Eurydice and her beauty he knew he had to make her his wife. It wasn't easy but eventually Eurydice fell for him.

"Son you will make a fine man one day." Tristan said with confidence. *Cough, cough.*

After saying that Tristan went into a fit of coughing. His wife quickly turned her attention to him trying to allay his coughing fit him and his son running to his side. After he had finished coughing he took his hand away from his mouth, it had specks of blood on it.

"Listen son." Tristan once again turned his head towards Link. "I do not have much longer in the world, therefore I would like you to pick up the mantle that I once proudly displayed." After saying this Tristan pointed to his armor that was set up on a mannequin against the wall.

"Each Iron Knuckle has their own armor made for them and they wear it proudly in service to the kingdom and to their brothers. You have heard me tell you stories of my time in service. I would not trade it for anything. My brothers stood by me and continue to help us out. They are my family in all but blood."

"Once I pass away I will be cremated in my armor and my spirit will go up to the golden halls of the goddesses so that I may be with my ancestors. Therefore once I pass away you will be the man of the house, take care of your mother. She was one of the greatest things that has happened in my life."

After saying these things to his son Tristan lay his head down and fell asleep, his body no longer able to stay awake. His wife and 12 year old son stayed by his side for the rest of the night.

A few weeks later Tristan got his wish and his spirit passed on to the golden halls, where there is peace and plenty. At the funeral Gallahad decided that it was time to introduce himself to Link. He then made his way over to the boy and his mother as they were finishing their meals.

"Hello there Mrs. Rookwood, young Rookwood. My name is Gallahad and I am an Iron Knuckle in the service of the king."

"Hello Sir Gallahad." Eurydice said while nudging Link causing him to speak.

"Hello Sir Gallahad. My father has told me many stories of you and the times that he spent with you in the service of the King." Link said while bowing his head.

"I am glad to hear that. Your father was a one of a kind man, always fearless and leading the charge. I am glad that he had a child to pass down his legacy."

"I am nothing special Sir Gallahad." Link replied. "But my father has taught me many things, things like how to be virtuous and kind."

"I am glad to hear that Link, the Iron Knuckles are always looking for dedicated men to defend the kingdom. I'll tell you what, once you come of age make your way over to the castle. There you can sign up for the army and if you show enough grit and determination you may even be able to join the Iron Knuckles."

"You really think so Sir?" Link asked.

"If you are anything like your father, then I have no doubt." Gallahad said.

With that said Gallahad gave Link a personal letter of recommendation.

"If you decide you want to join the army of Hyrule then make your way to the capital city. Once there go to the barracks and give the men at the station this letter. This will allow you to get in without any trouble."

After handing the letter to Link Gallahad said his good byes to the boy and his mother. He then made his way over to the stables, prepared his horse for departure and made his way back to the capital.

"Link, I want you to think long and hard about this decision. Your father wants you to join the army but this is your life. You have to choose what you want to do with it." Eurydice said to her son. "It is a great opportunity for pride and prestige, but do not allow those things to go to your head. Many men before you have fallen to the vices of the world and I would not want to see you fall. You must be a better man because the world is at a shortage of better men."

"Very well mother I will think and pray long and hard about this decision." Link replied.

With that the mother and son turned back to the proceedings, accepting condolences for the others that had arrived to express their sorrow.

In a town on the edge of the kingdom a group of Iron Knuckles was about to enter a chapel of the heretics. They were led by Captain Leopold Goethe, a man that was quite harsh and more terrible than normal. He was put in charge by the king to find and quash any heretics that were found in the kingdom. He had his own personal hand selected group of men that followed his every order.

"Alright men, we will be entering the premises of a heretical place of worship. Do NOT allow these people to leave. I want men at every door and make sure to watch the windows. We CANNOT allow them to escape and lead others down the path of wickedness." Leopold stated to his men.

With that the Iron Knuckles marched up to the building and a group, led by Leopold, burst thru the front door.

"You are all under arrest by order of the King." Leopold shouted to all the men and women that were in the building. "Come quietly and there will be no trouble."

"We will not be bullied by the King and his lapdogs." A man wearing a priests garb shouted while making his way up to Leopold. "Goddess Hylia, bless her and her name, should not be repressed by those that do not know the true path. There are four goddesses not just the golden three. Allow us to spread the good news."

As the priest was saying this he was making his way up to Leopold. Once he made his way to Leopold he was roughly grabbed and thrown to the ground. Then with a glint in his eye that could be seen thru his helmet Leopold stated his verdict.

"These heretics cannot be converted. Burn them to the fiery depths."

With that the doors were blocked and torches were thrown into the building. Screams were then heard as the men and women were burned to death.

"Let this be a lesson to those that believe in the heretical teachings of the unenlightened. There will be no forgiveness. The King has declared that the golden goddesses along with their triforce are the only things that should be praised. Dire consequences await those that believe otherwise." Leopold stated to the crowd that had gathered at the foot of the burning building.

Once the building had been burned down Leopold and his men made their way out of the village in order to continue their mission.

A few months later the land experienced a terrible winter. Many people were ill prepared for it. Therefore the King opened up his warehouses and allowed his army to distribute food to those in need. This did not help everyone because sickness and plague also ran rampant, especially in one manor.

"Mother are you going to be ok?" Link asked his mother who was lying on her bed, her face sallow and frail.

"Oh Link, you care for your mother too much." Eurydice said to her son who had waited over her ceaselessly the past couple of weeks. "Do not worry though son, I will be with your father soon enough."

"Mother do not talk like that, you are not going anywhere." Link said as he grabbed a bowl of water and a cloth started to dab her face. "What will I do without you?"

"That is up to you my son. This is your life, you have to live it your own way." With that Eurydice started to nod off and eventually she fell asleep. Even after she fell asleep Link continued to keep watch over her.

Even with Links constant watch a few days later his mother also passed. She along with her husband was cremated in order to honor her memory. After the funeral Link sat in his father's study in the manor and thought. The maids and butlers were always there to help him but he was kept in deep thought about his future. Over the course of a few years Link continued his studies and learned everything that he could from those that would teach him. He was even prone to wander out of the manor and would come back weeks later to the consternation of the housing staff. The first time he did this the staff thought that he had died and were about to vacate the property. Once he turned 17 though he gathered up the staff and shared with them his decision on what he was going to do with the rest of his life.

"Thank you everyone for gathering here. I have made my decision about what I am going to do with myself for the rest of my life. I am at the age where I become a man and am therefore able to make decisions for myself. I have decided to join the army of Hyrule and follow in my father's footsteps in order to become an Iron Knuckle. Therefore I will be leaving the manor for a long time but I will continue to employ you in order to keep it in tiptop shape. Also your families will be able to stay here just like before."

This was a great relief to the staff because they were worried about what would happen with their futures. They had thought Link would just allow the manor to be sold off or forgotten in order to decay. With Links announcement they were happy that they would be able to continue to have a roof over their heads and a place to live. They were also glad that Link was thinking about them and their level of respect for the boy rose even higher. It seemed that the young boy was a true leader and thoughtful of those under him. With that the young man started to pack for the trip to the castle where he would be able to join the army and then one day join the ranks of the Iron Knuckles. On the eve of fourth month Link made his way out of the manor atop his trusty steed Epona and into the adventure of his life.

Here starts my story, I hope you guys and gals like it. Look out for the next installment at a later date.