A/N: First chapter of my first Zelda Fanfic! Please do enjoy. Reviews are welcome.

FREEDOM

Chapter One: Ladder from Hell

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Do you know what hell is? Not the fiery place that bad people go when they die, but an actual hell on earth. I do. It's where I lived for the first decade or so of my life.

That's right, I, Link Forester, was raised in the most violent and brutal hole in all of Hyrule, a prison called The Arbiter's Ground. The Grounds is a waking nightmare, a place where men are thrown to rot for the rest of their lives. There is no mercy; there is no hope. The only light that ever shines into the place is through the small barred windows, which only give a small glimpse of the burning, dry desert that surrounds the Grounds. Even if one managed to escape, they would surly die and whither in the harsh environment outside. There truly is no way out. Or, at least, that's what I thought for most my life.

I knew why I was in there. My father and mother had committed high treason against the crown, and were sentenced to five generations in the Arbiter's Ground. Unfortunately, being their son means I'm only generation two. So I was doomed to sit in the festering prison for my whole life, along with my children and my children's children.

I know, pretty unfair right? Well that's what life was for most these days, unfair. Hyrule was in one of its deepest depressions due to our 'oh so glorious' king, Daphnes Harkinian IV. Actually, it wasn't just him, but his father too. In my opinion, they deserved to be locked up in here with me. Daphnes Harkinian III was the one who single handedly drove the country into the ground with his greed and thirst for power. Daphnes Harkinian IV had, at first, been a promising king, or at least that's what my dad told me. But something happened, and it drove the man insane. The princess, his daughter, Zelda Harkinian VII, vanished.

Her disappearance was dubbed a national tragedy, as well as one of the biggest mysteries in Hyrule history. Nobody knew where she went, or how she went, but one day she was there and the next day, gone without a trace. She was kidnapped at a very young age as well, about five years old is what Link heard from his father.

No matter what the reason, though, Daphnes IV lost it, condemning innocent men for his daughter's disappearance. That was when my family and I were sent here. The king believed my father, one of his closest friends and most loyal knights, was in on a conspiracy to kidnap his daughter, so he sent him, my mother, and I away. I was about eight when he damned us to the Grounds, didn't even know what was happening until it was too late.

So there I was, stuck in the Arbiter's ground with no way out, imprisoned for no fair reason. For twenty-three years I was locked up in this hellhole, trying to fend off the murders and rapists. Luckily, I wasn't completely alone. There were other families who had been locked up for similar reasons that I could confide in. While most didn't last very long, some lucky ones, including myself, were able to band together and survive the prison.

The group of innocents included sister, my Aryll, Colin, Saria, and me. We were all sons and daughters of the men and women accused of high treason to the crown. Unfortunately, we were all orphans as well. Most our parents were killed by the other inmates, starvation, or disease while trying to protect us. I'll never forget the day when my father and mother were killed, as much as I wish I could.

But now I have a single purpose, keep my little sister alive. Aryll is all I have left, and is the only flower who has been untainted by the gulag. I've done my best to keep her in our cell, bringing her all the necessities so that she wouldn't have to go and face the horrors outside.

It wasn't enough, though. I knew that eventually, Aryll would be thrust into the hars reality of where we were. Every year I continued to lie to her, though, telling her that we would be freed sometime. Never did I think there was a drop of truth in that sentence, not until my twenty fourth birthday…

"Link! Link, wake up sleepy!"

I awoke to see Aryll's smiling face hovering over me, her dirty blond ponytails hanging down in front of my face.

"Get up Link!" I rubbed my eyes and sat up from my cot drowsily.

"What is it?"

Aryll smiled and grabbed my hand, yanking me out of my bed and up on my feet. "You aren't serious, right? Don't tell me you forgot your own birthday!"

Birthday? I had completely forgotten that I was turning twenty-four that day. Then again, it was pretty difficult to keep track of time inside the Arbiter's Ground. Everything just seemed like one, long, grueling day.

"So, do you wanna see what I got you?" Aryll chirped, tugging on the grimy rags that I was forced to wear.

I laughed light heartedly, trying not to ruin my sister's good mood. "What did you get me?"

"Close your eyes," she told me, grabbing my wrists and pushing my hands in front of my face. Once she was sure I wasn't peeking, I heard her run off to grab her present. A couple seconds later, Aryll said, "Alright big brother, open you eyes!"

I moved my hands out of the way and almost fell over backwards when I saw what Aryll was holding up to me. In her hands was the biggest, most disguesting rat I've ever seen, squirming and squeaking.

"Sweet Hylia, Aryll," I yelled, trying to back away from her 'present', "Where the hell did you get that thing?"

"Do you like him?" she asked me, shoving the vile thing closer to my face, "I named him Mr. Squeaks! He can be our shared pet!"

I took another look at the rat, who seemed just as unhappy with the situation as I was. "Aryll, I don't know…"

My sister decided to pull out the big guns, looking right at me with a sad look in her big blue eyes. She knew it was my one weakness; I couldn't resist the puppy eyes. I began to sweat as she continued to press on, giving me a look of utter disappointment and sadness. It didn't take long for me to crack, even though the creature WAS hideous, "Fine, Mr. Squeaks can stay…"

Aryll shrieked happily, and began running around their small cell happily. I simply sighed in defeat and sat back down in his cot. There was simply no defeating the puppy eyes.

As Aryll was doing her victory lap, I heard a knock on the cell door. Aryll quickly stopped running when she heard the knock, and run under her bed, just as I had taught her to do when someone comes knocking. I got up and cautiously went up to the heavy iron door.

"Password," I stated once, putting my ear up to the door so I could hear the answer

A boy's voice answered from the other side, "It's me, Colin."

"COLIN!" Aryll yelled happily, immediately running from out from under the bed and pushing me to the side.

She and Colin, the second youngest in our group, was the son of a council member. He and Aryll had developed some sort of realationship over the years. I, being the overprotective big brother, was always wary around him. But I knew when it came down to it; Colin would protect Aryll with his life, which is more than I could ask for. Plus, it was nice to know Aryll had someone else she could love, other then me.

Colin stepped in, along with Malon, a red headed woman who was about my age as well. Malon was the daughter of the owner of Lon Lon ranch, a once proud and successful farm.

"I'm guessing the girly scream meant Aryll gave you your present," Malon giggled as she closed the door behind her, locking it so that no one else could follow them inside.

"You knew about this?"

"It's all Aryll's been talking about for weeks," laughed Colin, taking a seat on the floor next to Aryll, "She was pretty excited for your birthday."

"Happy days like this are few here. Gotta take what you can get," Malon added as she reached into her sewn on pocket, "speaking of, I have your present from me right here."

Malon pulled out a small star carved out of the stone that lined the prison walls. While it wasn't very shiny, I appreciated the effort it must have taken to make it. She had probably used her fingernails to wear down the rock to make the shape.

"Wow Malon, Thanks! How long did it take you to make this?" I asked as I carefully took the star in my hands, making sure not to break any of the edges off.

"I started last year," Malon told me, smiling as if all that time she put in was nothing, "But it was worth it in the end!"

Malon was definitely the best friend I had. She may have been the one of the only options, since she was the only one around my age in this prison that wasn't a complete psychopath. Malon was sweet and nice, definitely not someone who deserved to be in prison. Like the rest of us, she was suffering without any logical reason.

"You know, one day we'll get out of here," I said to my friends as I walked over to the small window in our room and placed the star on the sill.

"I seriously doubt that." I turned around and saw Colin giving me a skeptical look.

Aryll slapped Colin on the arm playfully, "Don't be so down Colin! The Goddesses will reward us for our patience. When I get out, I'm going to see everything!"

Malon and I laughed at her child like innocence. Aryll was simply the most adorable girl ever. She gave us a pouty look, crossing her arms and stiffing her upper lip. "I'm serious! After being stuck in here for so long, I want to see as much as I can! Dad told us about a beautiful world out there, and I intend to experience it first hand."

I sighed sadly. Sometimes I wish our father hadn't told us his stories about the beauties of Hyrule. While the tales were nice at the time, it now only filled him with a sense of longing. It was a longing to feel grass beneath his feet, to see the clouds above him, and to feel the sunlight hit his skin.

"I'm sure that we'll do that someday, Aryll," Malon told her, noticing that I was lost in my thoughts at the time.

"What do you think Mr. Squeaks?" Aryll asked, holding her hideous rat out in front of her. The rat just stared blankly at her in confusion, not really comprehending the situation. Malon giggled, "I think Mr. Squeaks would love it."

"So Link," Colin said, changing the subject, "Today you get your birthday rations! Imagine that, actual food and drink for one day! Are you not excited?"

"How could I not be?" Every prisoner, on their birthday, was given actual food, if they had behaved themselves all year. It was a way of keeping the inmates docile enough not to start riots every other day. On the whole, considering the type of people who lived in Arbiter's Ground, it worked pretty well.

"Any minute, the guards are going to come in and whisk my brother away to a breakfast of milk, bread, and cheese!" Aryll exclaimed happily, clapping for me

As if on queue, there were three loud slams at my door, followed by a loud command, "INMATE! OPEN THIS DOOR!"

I walked over and let in the guards, who quickly filed into the room, followed by the captain and warden, Sheik Shadows. Sheik Shadows was an intimidating looking man to say the least. He wore the garb of a sheikah warrior, a testament to his training and ability. His head was covered in wraps, only showing his blood red eyes, easily his most intimidating trait. Sheik Shadows was not a man you wanted to mess with.

"Mr. Shadows," I greeted with a respectful bow

Sheik nodded towards me, returning the gesture, "Mr. Forester, it is your birthday today. Will you come join me for your breakfast?"

"I would be honored."

I waved to Colin, Malon, and Aryll, who all gave me happy smiles, secretly wishing they were in my place. Sheik led me out of my cell and had the guards place chains around my arms.

"Know I do not wish to do this," Sheik me him as the guards finished up restraining my arms, "You are one of our better behaved prisoners. But, unfortunately, it is one of the rules."

"I understand, sir," I responded submissively, bowing my head to show him that I had no intent to rebel.

"Good," Sheik motioned for the guards, and we began to make our way to his office, where each year the meal was waiting. As I passed by the other cells, I could see the prisoners clamoring towards me, shouting threats and other obseneties. I just stayed calm and reminded myself of the first rule of prison; don't show that they're getting to you. I had to stay strong, lest they spot a sign of weakness.

"Almost there," Sheik said as he unlocked a door and held it open for me. Once I stepped in, he closed it behind me and led me up the stairs to his office.

The warden's office never ceased to amaze me. Not because it was nice, but because it was the exact opposite. The walls were chipped, the desk was atrocious, and the surrounding torches barely lit the dank room. I always assumed that the warden would to live extravagantly. After all, Arbiter's Ground was the most infamous prison in all of Hyrule. Certainly he was paid well.

"Sit," Sheik told me as he pulled up a chair in front of his desk, "Let us talk."

I nodded obediently and sat down in front of him, looking the sheikah in his red eyes. The food was quickly put down in front of me by one of the guards.

I looked hungrily at the warm, fresh bred, the melted butter, the slices of Ordon goat cheese, and the goblet of milkwine. This was probably the best birthday ration I had ever gotten.

"Link," Sheik said in his usual serious tone of voice, "there is something I need to talk with you about."

Oh no, I thought, had something happened? Had I done something wrong? All those years of good behavior might be done the drain!

"W-what is it sir?" I gulped, looking at him nervously

"There is someone here to see you." My jaw almost dropped. Someone came to see me? Who? I didn't know anyone outside the prison. All acquaintances of my father had either forgotten about me or were to scared of the crown to remember me.

"A-are you sure?"

Sheik gave me an 'are you serious?' look, "Yes, Mr. Forester, I am sure. But there are things we have to go over before you meet with them."

"What?"

"Not many people are allowed to get visitors," Sheik told him, "And if they heard that you had one, they may strike out in anger. Now I am only allowing this because of your good behavior during your time here. Show them respect and they may help you out of your situation."

Now I almost spit milkwine on the warden. Freedom? A possibility for freedom is what he said? My God, it was happening! I was going to be free!

"Mr. Tatl, Ms. Tael, you may enter now," Sheik called

The door quickly swung open, almost knocking out the guard standing next to it, and in walked a man and a woman who looked to be brother and sister. They were a bit strange looking, both in their features and how they walked. Tatl and Tael kept their heads held high, but in a way that looked more goofy than regal. They both wore very dull outfits, not fitting for anyone of high stature. Both had jet-black hair, along with long faces and bright green eyes.

"Hello Mr. Forester," they said in unison

"My name is Tatl."

"and I am her brother, Tael."

"Hello," I greeted, bowing to show as much respect as I could, just like Sheik had suggested.

"He is so nervous brother," giggled Tatl, "Shall I cut to the chase, or keep him waiting?"

Tael laughed, "I do believe the boy will have a breakdown if we do not tell him soon. Go ahead!"

"Right then," Tatl said, clearing her throat, "Mr. Forester, we are messengers from the king of Hyrule, his highness, Daphnes Harkinian IV."

"The king?" I gasped. Now I was really nervous. Was he going to finish off the Forester lineage, kill my sister and I so we couldn't cause him trouble?

"Wonderful job sister, now he thinks he is going to get executed," Tael told her with a roll of his eyes

I sighed with relief; it wasn't execution.

"Oh dear, I am sorry Mr. Forester, but do let me finish before making assumptions. The king has sent us because he has a job for you. Know that it is not an easy task, but then again, I believe you will find the task worth it for your freedom."

"Job? Freedom?" I responded. This was it! My chance to free both my sister and I, the opportunity I had been waiting for my whole life!

Tael nodded, "If you complete this job, both you, your sister, and your friends will be free of this prison."

"I'll do it!" I exclaimed excitedly, almost jumping from my seat with happiness.

"I'm happy you accept!" Tatl said, "Gather anything from your cell you may want to bring, which should not take long, and then meat us in front of the prison. The warden will personally make sure your family and friends are protected while you are away. Please do hurry though, Link, we are on a time constraint."

"Freedom?"

Malon was crying tears of joy as Aryll danced in circles. Colin simply stood with his mouth gaping open, trying to comprehend what I had just announced. Their reaction didn't surprise me. After all we had been stuck in the Arbiter's Ground for over a decade. It was nothing short of a miracle that we had this opportunity to begin with.

"Wait," Aryll cried out, tugging on my torn cloths, "Where are you going?"

I bent down on one knee in front of Aryll so I could be at eye level for her. For the longest time I was all she had. But I trusted Sheik Shadows to keep my sister safe. If he didn't, well, it wouldn't even be worth living on the outside.

"I'm have to do the king a favor before we get our freedom," I told her, looking into her watering eyes, "But I promise I'll make it out. Then we can travel the world, just like you wanted to!"

"Alright," Aryll sniffled, launching herself at me and giving me one last hug before I had to leave.

I then turned to Malon, who was just as teary as Aryll. I put both my hands on her shoulders and made sure she was paying attention. "Malon, I need you to look after my sister and Colin while I'm gone."

Malon gave me a hug and then a quick kiss on the cheek, "Alright Link, you can trust me. I'll keep them safe."

"Link, when will you be back?" Colin asked me as he put his arm around my sister, comforting her

"I don't know." Colin looked to the ground dejectedly after he heard this. I knew that he always looked up to me as he was growing up. But he was thirteen now, old enough to fend for himself and protect Aryll, who he knew Colin would throw down his life for.

"I need you to protect Aryll, Colin. You're the man for now." Colin merely nodded, giving me a look of deSkylofttion.

"You can count on me."

I pulled all of them into a group hug, cherishing my make shift family. I was going to come back, for them. "Please… stay safe."

"Mr. Forester!"

I turned around and saw Warden Shadows leaning in the entrance, looking at me impatiently. "We have to get moving."

"Alright." I turned to Malon, Colin, and Aryll to give them one last wave, and then followed Sheik out of the room. As I left, I heard Aryll yell, "Good luck big brother! I know you can do it!"