Chapter one

A new start

Cold fingers lay placidly over an unmoving chest. Three years passed since air greeted its chest. Candles gave illusion of his breathing as they flickered in the dim cavern. A false hope for an end to a painful nightmare. Upon a stone altar embellished with shimmering gems he lay awaiting the end of death. At any moment it seemed he would sit up and run a hand over Zilly's cheek, offering kind words of comfort and promises of better days. He enjoyed running his fingers through her hair and whispering tales of the world above into her ears as they sat beside a burning fireplace.

Defeated by someone perfectly equal, his punishment was eternal rest. Unfortunate for the person who only knew of his kindness. The world above deserved atonement for this crime.

A gloved hand stroked his cheek. It had been so long since this young woman had heard his voice. Her white hair was long and open, her red eyes looked gently at the body of her beloved.

"Big brother... I swear they will pay. I am finally ready. IT has appeared in the box so I know father has failed. It is time." She leaned down and kissed his cheek gently. She then turned and walked down the few steps to one of the pews where a box lay with the initials S.Z. on it. She opened it and within lay a golden triangle. She touched it, the triangle absorbed into her, leaving a triangular mark on the back of her hand. Taking the gloves off, she noticed that the glow was almost unnoticeable. Perfect. She picked up her golden handled sword and latched it to the belt that hugged her long red dress that barely reached to her bare feet. She looked out of the broken window at the world. Black sky, red sun, almost no grass, and water that was a sickly green. This would change. She would see to it.

Turning, she made a hand motion and a portal opened up revealing a flourishing land. Hyrule. She walked through the portal and for just a moment all those sensitive to evil could feel a new force enter that prosperous kingdom.

Fog surrounded the both of them as Zelda erected a barrier against the transpiration of time. She poured out her lamentations and promised to remedy her mistakes. Link listened as best he could in his fatigued state.

"Link… Give the Ocarina to me. As a sage, I can return you to your original time with it," Zelda spoke, her hand outstretched almost apologetically.

Looking down to the Ocarina, Link considered. Reversing time to his childhood hardly seemed like a great idea. Tampering with time at all had been strange. Even if he missed growing up, why go back? They were here now and despite her blunder, they were both alive. With Ganon sealed what more was there to fear. He was about to hand her the Ocarina when he suddenly stiffened.

Zelda's eyes widened and she shivered. Heaviness filled the air around them, breaking her focus and the cloud barrier around them ruptured. They stood in the fields outside the ruins of Hyrule Castle. "What was that?" she asked, still shivering.

He shook his head. "I'm not sure, but something doesn't feel right." Drawing his sword, he whistled loudly for Epona. "I promise to give you the Ocarina, but right now, I'm going to find out what this feeling is!" he called, mounting the rich red steed and riding off.

As he left, she clasped her hands together. "Please hurry," she whispered under her breath. How much higher would the consequences stack before she could undo what had been done?

The feeling disappeared as the young woman walked away. This land was so wonderful; so beautiful. Just like home should have been. That aside, she had to be careful. Mistakes her father made she would not repeat. There was plenty of time. She would get to know this world first. All she did know was she had to go to the temples. All in good time. Good things came to those who waited, and she had waited years.

Seeing a house in the distance, she began walking. As she approached, she noticed a long fence surrounded by a stone-dirt wall. This couldn't have been just a house. Walking around the wall, she came to a stop at an entrance and read the banner. 'Lon Lon Ranch'. Tilting her head curiously, she entered.

She blinked in surprise what were these... creatures? The barn door opened, causing the young woman to jump, and another woman exited the barn humming happily. The woman smiled and walked over.

"Welcome to Lon Lon Ranch. My name is Malon. What's your name?"

"Zilly." Came the answer. She was nervous, this was her first interaction with someone of this world.

Galloping drew near behind the girls and Link came to a sudden halt before them. Epona whinnied in protest, kicking her fore-hooves up, but settled moments after. Dismounting, Link walked over and immediately nodded to Malon. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice stern. He was tense; ready for battle. The taste of darkness no more than an hour earlier left him on edge. "Malon?" he asked eagerly, sparing Zilly a glance and trying to appear pleasant as he pursed his lips in anticipation.

Malon smiled at him looked a tad confused. "Of course I'm alright. 'Are you' is the question." Zilly looked at this man. The resemblance to her brother was striking. "Zilly this is Link, The Hero of Time." Malon announced. Zilly bowed.

"It is an honor to meet you." Zilly said calmly with a small smile.

The calmness of the two allowed him to relax. Nothing seemed amiss. He nodded and took Zilly's hand, planting a kiss on his thumb in greeting. "The honor is mine, Lady Zilly," he told her. Her proximity made the thoughts of darkness melt away as wind to an ominous cloud. He glanced to Malon. "Hero of Time is a little much, really," he grinned toothily. "Just call me Link, Malon. We're still friends." Returning his attention to Zilly, he asked, "Do you work here? There's no better place to raise horses." Realizing he still held her hand, he dropped it and looked away with a blush. "My apologies…" he said, glancing away even though his eyes wanted to wander back to the red orbs of her enticing gaze.

Malon's smile grew as she watched Link's interaction with Zilly. For once Link seemed to take more than just a subjective interest in someone. It was adorable.

"No, I don't, but I wouldn't mind working here. It's nice." Came Zilly's response as she ignored the apology. "I've been traveling and decided to see what this ranch had to offer." She looked at the horses again and saw the one different one. The rich red mane and matching tail fell brilliantly over its black body. This horse was far different than the others.

"Oh my... it's beautiful." Zilly said walking over to it.

"Oh be careful that one isn't very nice!" Malon warned. "That was Ganondorf's horse."

Turning his attention to the horse, Link looked down. Only an hour before, Ganondorf was alive. To think that his horse was here felt unreal. He fearlessly walked forward, following Zilly. Surely it was tame after its owner passed. Clapping a gentle hand on Zilly, he pushed her behind him.

Whatever came over him, he did not understand. Reaching up to the horse's maw, he gave it an apologetic gaze and muttered, "I'm sorry…"

The horse reared up before backing away looking almost angry at Link. Zilly stepped forward and put one hand out. "Hey easy calm down. No one is here to hurt you." The horse stared at her looking uneasy. Zilly pet its neck gently. "There we go." She smiled.

This time the horse complied and even whinnied contentedly at her as if its hostility were completely vanquished. "You two got it to calm down. That's great. Usually when we try to touch him he kicks or bites us. He did neither with you two." Malon complimented as she walked over.

"I would buy him, but I have no Rupees." Zilly said petting the horse.

"Well you could work here for him." Malon suggested. "We've done deals like this before. He does seem to like you." The horse nuzzled Zilly.

Rupees? Link had plenty at this rate. His hand was halfway in his coin pouch with a fistful of them when he realized it. Reluctantly, he dropped them and sighed. He couldn't imagine how Malon would look at him if he footed all the money right here and now for a horse once owned by an evil overlord to a random stranger. What was wrong with him? Glancing at the steed perplexedly, he tried to figure out what was going on in his head.

This woman gave him the same feeling he had around Princess Zelda. Compliance and immediate submissiveness. He'd do anything for Zelda. Around Zilly it was the same. He was willing to fall to a knee and present her with Ganon's horse. Why? Halfway through his thoughts, he rejoined Malon and Zilly, his face contorted with worry.

Zilly looked at Link. "Are you alright?" Malon looked worried.

"Link do you need some sleep?" Malon asked kindly. "You can take the spare bed upstairs if you need to."

Shaking his head, he said, "No. I'm alright. I think I could actually use a drink. I'll head back to Hyrule for now," he told them, waving as he left for Epona. He could return tomorrow and see if the taste from before manifested again.

Malon waved good bye. "Fare well Link. I hope to see you again." Zilly said bowing.

-
Authors Note

I am rewriting Shadow of Hyrule with the help of my dear friend MayrisErin. I didn't like the flow of the story, so a rewrite was a good idea. I hope you all enjoy this, in my opinion, better version.