CHAPTER 1

The Younge Hylian

I woke early on the morning of my journey. I was up so early the sun hadn't even risen. Even though it was still dark my older brother Jecra was already up.

"Sheik," he said, as he watched me pack up a horse. "I don't see why you can't just understand. Merlian wanted this."

I glared at my brother in annoyence. "I don't want to hear anymore about it, Jecra!" I growled. "I don't want to remember that. Besides I told you last night. I only want to see mother and that's all."

He grabbed my arm and forced me to look at him. It was easy to tell he didn't believe me. "Listen, Sheik," he said. "I don't think this will be a good time to see her."

"Why not?" I demanded.

"She doesn't want to see you," he replied.

I blinked then it all seemed to become clear, very clear. "Is that why I wasn't allowed to leave the house all these years?" I asked filled with rage. "Because she didn't want to see me?"

"She didn't want to see you because..."

"Because why?"
He looked away. "I can't say." was all he said.

I jerked my arm free. "Well it doesn't matter now," I said. "I'm too old to be grounded now. I am going to see mother whether she wants to see me or not."

He wouldn't look at me.

I mounted my horse. "Don't be so down," I said to him. "I'll be back."

He still wouldn't look at me.

"Well, good bye," I said, trying to sound like I didn't care, even though what he was doing hurt me.

"Bye."

I leaned over and gave him an ackward hug. "I'll be back soon." I promised.

I kicked the horses sides and began to race away, feeling guilty for lying to my only brother.

Well it isn't a full lie. I was going to see my mother, Impa the Shadow Sage but I was also going to Hyrule for another reason. This one wasn't so nice. It was revenge.

As I rode I thought about my twin. She had been one of the sweetest, kindest people in the whole world. She'd do nothing to hurt anyone. My hands gripped the reins tighter in rage. She has taken advantage of my sisiter!

"Well princess," I said, "You're not going to get away with it. Not while I'm still breathing."

For the next few hours I rode without thinking. By the time I stopped for a rest I was aware that it was late afternoon.

I got off my horse nd reached into the saddle bags and pulled out some bread. I sat down on a rock to eat. As I did so I took in my suroundings. I was at the base of a giant mountain that had a fire ring around the top. From my mothers description I remembered that it was called Death Mountain. And I have to go over you, I thought staring up at the volcano. Well I'm ready, whether you are or not.

I stood and got back on my horse. Here I come!

I made the horse head toward the mountain trail. As we got higher I began to feel the ground rumbling. Don't tell me this things still active! I thought, glancing upward, anxiously. Suddenly giant flaming rocks came cascading down at me. My horse reared an neighed loudly in fright. I held tightly to the reins in and attempt to stay on.

I looked up at the sky which was as red as fire. More flaming rocks rained down and my horse bolted down the path.

It ran panic striken for a minute then suddenly halted. Since I wasn't ready for the sudden stop I was flung from the saddle and onto the ground. I sat up just in time to see volcanic ash raining down. I screamed and covered my head trying to protect myself. Searing hot ash landed on top of me and I screamed in pain. What a way to die! I thought.

Then as suddenly as it started it stopped.

My horse, which miraculously hadn't run off, came up to me and nuzzled my cheek. I patted its thigh as I got up. I opened one of the saddle bags and began to apply salve to my burns. After I wrapped them up in cold clean cloth I pulled my hooded cloak out of another bag and put it on. It would protect me from anymore sudden raines of fire. We set off once again.

Suddenly I heard loud shrieks coming from above me. I looked up just in time to see a young man in a green tunic back up towards the ledge.

"Look out!" I shouted, not wanting him to fall off.

The young man didn't seem to hear me. His attention was diverted to something in front of him. Suddenly a huge silver and red dragon appeared. The young man slashed at it with his sword but the blade only glanced off the dragon's scales.

The dragon dived and shot a blast of fire at the him. I watched in horror as the fire ball hit him so hard he fell down the rocky slope and landed in a heap in front of me. I heard a small snap as if a bone had broken.

"Um... Mr.," I began.

He pushed himself up on one arm and caught sight of me. That's when I got a good look at him. He was definatly of the Hylian race, even though he wore Kikori clothing. He had blond hair and big blue eyes. He was about seventeen but he could have been younger.

He tried to say something to me but collapsed. I, feeling sorry for him, got off my horse and grabbed the Hylian under the arms. I drug him to my horse and lay him across the saddle. I remounted and made the horse gallop down the slope.

The dragon must have spotted me because he flew after me, his eyes flaring hatred and a hunger to kill.

The horse ran panic striken down the trail (He must have sensed we were being chased) only a few feet ahead of the angry dragon. I looked back and saw it getting closer. My horse must have sensed it too because it went even faster.

It slid down the slope a little and I could see a cave up ahead. I kicked the horse and it ran its full speed. I forced it to go for the cave. I could feel the heat of the dragon's breath catching up to us.

I looked back and saw a huge fireball coming toward us. Just when I thought we were going to die we skidded into the cave and was able to escape the firey blaze.

I sighed in relief and got off my horse. I pulled the Hylian off it, as well, and lay him on the ground. I chanced a peek outside and didn't see anything.

The dragon was gone.

I heaved another sigh of relief and returned to the spot where I'd left the Hylian. I knelt down and looked him over. He seemed okay, but I noticed a bruize on his head and searched the saddle bags for some cloth and herbs.

After I found them I went back to the Hylian and adminisred them to his wound.

When I was done I sat down near the entrance of the cave and pulled out my gold harp, the last thing I had been given before Zelda had taken my sister away. It was special to me because it had been my very last present from my parents. While I had spent many hours alone I had taught myself the songs of my people. I had even come up with some of my own. They could take every thing else from me but they couldn't take my music.

As I sat there playing my thoughts went back seven years. I could still remember the day Zelda had arrived at our village. How she'd become friends with me and my sister. How she hadn't even tried to stop them from giving my sister's body to her. I closed my eyes. Why couldn't it have been me? Then there was the final insult. They gave her my name!

I got angry all over again. Well she's going to regret tearing my family apart! I thought playing a song louder and louder, worser and worser.

Suddenly I heard someone say. "What is that awful racket?" and looked back to where I'd left the Hylian laying.

He was sitting up warily and looking around for the source of the sound.

I got up and walked back toward him. "Are you okay?" I asked.

He looked up at me and backed away slightly. That's when I realized I was still wearing my cloak. I didn't take it off, though, I just said. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Who are you?" he asked.

"I'm a Sheikah," I answered not wanting to give my name.

"But I thought the Sheikah's were dead," he said.

"Most but not all," I said shaking my head. "Impa's still alive isn't she?'

He nodded. "How do you know about Impa?"

"I met her once before," I said, not wanting to give out too much information.

"You did?" he asked. 'When?'

"A long time ago," I said guardedly.

"Oh. So why are you in Hyrule?"

"I'm here to visit Impa," I replied, getting annoyed at all his prying questions.

"Do you know where she lives?"

"Yes, she lives in Kakariko village just down that path."

He was quite for a moment then he asked. "Do you want me to take you to her?"

"NO!" I practically shouted. "I know where she lives okay? Stop asking me so many questions and go to sleep!"

"Why should I?"

I glared at him. Was he stupid or something? "Listen, Hylian, I don't like you asking me all these questions. It's late, you're tired, and I think you might have sprained your ankle. So, please go to sleep and leave me alone."

The young man looked like he wanted to push it further, but changed his mind. Instead he lay back down and pretended to fall asleep.

I turned my attention back to the trail.. I could see part of the town and the rest of Hyrule. Soon, Princess, I thought, Soon I'll have your pretty little neck entwined in my hands!

Author's note: Okay, before anyone gets mad at me. Yes, I do believe Sheik (Zelda/Sheik) is a girl. The Sheik in this story is not the same Sheik that Zelda pretended to be, but a relative. I gave this fic a lot of thinking before I wrote it. I figured it would be a good idea for Sheik (story Sheik not Zelda/Sheik) to have Impa as a mother. Impa seemes old enough. I hope this doesn't affend anyone.