Chapter One: Her Beginning

Katie

"Peter, run!" I screamed at him. He bolted downstairs, sobbing.

"You will not come into my house, boy, and try and take my children away from me!" My father roared.

Jasper stepped in front of me, hiding me from view. "You don't deserve Katie!" He shouted back. "Peter's afraid of his own shadow because of you!"

My father struck Jazz across the face. I screamed in fright when Jazz fell to the floor. My father turned upon me and struck me with a blow across the face so sharp that I passed out.

I awoke in a small, lush garden full of rose-like flowers. I was surrounded by three golden figures, each shinning a different colour around their edges. The one to my left was green, the middle was red, and the far right was blue.

"She is awake now, sisters." The sweet, melodic voice came from the blue figure.

"Of course she is, Nayru. Awaken, young Katie. We have much to tell you." The red one gestured to me.

I sat up and stared at the figures in awe. "H-how do you know my name?"

The green figure laughed. "We know everything, young Katie. We are the Goddesses of Hyrule."

My mouth formed a perfect 'o' of surprise. "Hyrule? Where is that?" I paused. "Wait, first, where am I?"

The green Goddess laughed again. "You are in the Sacred Realm, Katie. Our home. I am Farore, this is Din and Nayru." She gestured first to the red figure, then to the blue.

"Hyrule is not on the Earth you know. It is an entirely different place." Din added.

"Is this heaven? Or Hyrule's version of it?" I asked, unsure that I was still alive.

"No. And yes, you died on Earth. But your Human God had promised you to us a long time ago, before you were even born." Nayru told me.

"I died?" I asked in amazement.

"Your father's blow to the head killed you." Din replied.

"Why do you want me, Goddesses?" I asked.

Farore said, "You are to help our Hero of Time destroy the evil that lurks in Hyrule."

I nearly laughed, but they all looked deadly serious. "Me? But I'm just a girl that's never done anything right!"

"In the human world. You were destined for Hyrule from the beginning. Your beginning." Din said.

"My… beginning?"

"You have no knowledge of your past. Try to remember your family and friends." Farore told me.

Let's see, I have a sister and a brother… and a very important father – that is, his job is important, although I can't remember why now… what about my mother? Oh yes, she died when I was young. What about my friends? Did I have any? I can't seem to recall any…

Nayru appeared to read my thoughts. "We felt that it would be better for you to forget about your old home. You know nothing of their technology or scientific advancements."

"Scientific advancements?" I asked.

Din shook her head. "Your world is much more advanced than Hyrule. We didn't want you to accidentally advance Hyrule's technology a hundred years." The other Goddesses nodded their approval.

I thought for a moment, and then thought to ask, "Why can I understand you? Do Hylian's speak English?"

"Some of them do, yes. They call it 'Terminan', however. Most speak Hylian, however." Farore answered.

Before I could ask another question, Nayru put her hand up.

"Sisters, her time is now. She must go." She said with authority. "Katie, you must trust the young man you are about to meet. He will protect you, guide you, and teach you. He is the Hero of Time."

"Hero of Time." I repeated the title softly, and nodded my agreement to her terms. My skin then began to glow a bright shimmery gold. I rushed to say, "Thank you!" and waved goodbye. They nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

Link

The rain soaked the path and turned it to mud. I slowed Epona's pace so that she wouldn't slip. I reached the stone wall and continued on, heading toward Kokiri Forest.

A small burst of lightening flashed directly in front of Epona and I, not even ten feet away. I put my hand on her neck to clam her when she reared in fright.

When the blinding light subsided, I saw a girl lying exactly where the lightening had struck. I quickly dismounted Epona and rushed toward her, afraid that she had been hurt.

I knelt by her side and gingerly picked her up. She felt frail beneath my hands. Her strange clothing was soaked. I felt a strange sensation in my left hand, and saw that my Triforce mark was glowing brightly.

I swept her near black hair away from her face to get a better look at her. I gasped, but the sound was drowned out by a clash of thunder. She's not…?

The girl wasn't Hylian. Nor was she a Zora, or a Gordon, or a Gerudo. She wasn't any species I'd ever met.

But she was beautiful. Her lips were small and pale, smiling slightly even in unconsciousness. Her face was a soft, heart shape. Dark eyebrows accented her closed eyes, matching the dark colour of her long curly hair.

I decided to take her with me to Saria's. Perhaps she knew what she was, and why she had just survived a lightning strike. I stood up with her still in my arms. I returned to Epona, and mounted her with difficulty, still holding the girl.

I withdrew my cloak from my bag and lay it over the girl to shield her from further rain. Epona set off at a steady pace toward the forest. The gentle bouncing rhythm awoke the girl.

She stared up at me with large, grey eyes. "H-Hero of T-time?" She asked in Terminan.

I smiled down at her. "Yes ma'am, the Hero of Time, at your service." I told her. Is she a sage? If she isn't, why did she just call me that? And why is she speaking in Terminan this far from Termina?

She smiled weakly. "The Goddesses, they… "She began coughing violently.

"The Goddesses…?" I asked, gently rubbing her back to help with her coughing.

"…told me to trust you." Her eyes closed again.

So she was sent by the Goddesses! That explains why I don't know what she is. Perhaps she's to help me defeat Ganondorf. I still don't know where to go now, I mused. After all, I only have five out of six medallions. I think I'm missing… the light one?

By that time, we had reached the forest. It was gently sprinkling inside, for the trees above caught most of the heavy rain. I rode Epona slowly towards Saria's house and tied her to a nearby tree. I picked the girl up and knocked on the door.

Saria's head poked out slightly. "Oh Link! I was expecting you soon…" she broke off when she noticed the girl in my arms. "Oh my goodness! Come in, come in! You two should get out of this weather." She stepped aside so I could enter.

Saria's small house was warm, despite the lack of a fire. She bounded towards her bed and said, "Lay her here. Do you know her name?"

I did as instructed, laying the girl down on the small bed. "No. But she knew me." I said in Terminan, the language the girl had spoke in.

Saria covered her body with a blanket. "Oh, she did? Well, that proves you're already famous, Link." She teased, switching to Terminan as well.

I ran my hands through my untidy hair. "But the thing is, she called me the Hero of Time. And she said something about the Goddesses…" I paused, trying to remember. "She said they told her to trust me."

"Hero of Time? Link, only sages know you by that name." She frowned.

I sighed and looked down at the girl. "Didn't you hear me, Saria? She was sent by the Goddesses." I paused for a moment. "And she's not from any species that I know of."

She gasped. "She's not Hylian?" She asked, staring at the girl.

"No. Just look at her ears, her nose. I don't know what she is." He sighed. "I was hoping you did."

She laughed. "Well, whatever she is, I bet she has a name." She smiled and went to sit on the edge of her bed.

I looked down at the floor. I felt guilty for not telling Saria about how the girl had survived lightening. It's just a minor detail, Link. Forget about it, I told myself.

Navi emerged from my hat. "Hey, Saria! She has a bag!" She fluttered over to the girl.

Saria gently removed the bag from the girl's shoulders. It was odd, and looked nothing like any bag I'd ever seen. I hadn't noticed it back in the field. She set it next to the bed.

"Oh, Link. About the Light Temple…" Saria began.

I blushed. "I'm sorry, I came here to ask you about that, but… she distracted me."

She waved her hand. "Oh, I'd be distracted too, if I found a girl like her out in the rain. Anyway, as I was saying, the Light Temple will not be assessable until spring."

I gasped. "What? I have to wait the entire winter to earn the Light Medallion? Why?" I shook with anger. I took deep, even breaths, trying to calm myself the way Sheik had taught me. The destruction that Ganondorf could do in five months! That would be unthinkable! I shuddered.

"The Temple entrance is in the Sacred Realm, which is corrupted at the moment."

I began to say something, but was cut off by a weak voice from just behind her.

Katie

"I was just there."

They both turned to stare at me. "Pardon me?" The girl with green hair, Saria, asked. The Hero of Time stared at me in bewilderment.

"I was just in the Sacred Realm, I think."

Saria frowned. "What did it look like?"

"It was a small garden, full of pink flowers. Three gold figures where there, and they called themselves Goddesses." I said, recollecting. "Farore, Din, and Nayru."

The Hero of Time brushed his blonde hair out of his eyes. "How did you get there?" He asked.

"Um..." I paused. "I don't know. All I know is that I went there after I died."

Saria looked at me with concern. "Um, dear, you're not dead. You're perfectly alive."

I shook my head, which made it ache. I let out a small groan. The Hero knelt next to me. "Are you alright?" He asked softly.

I found myself wanting to stare into his deep blue eyes, but I quickly looked away instead. "Yes. Just remind me not to move my head."

He smiled. "I'll try to. So, about the garden…"

I sighed. "All I remember was getting murdered and waking up in the garden. That's all."

He shook with anger. "Someone… murdered you?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"Yes. I've no idea who, though. Or why." Why does he look so… upset? He barely knows me!

Saria frowned. "Then how are you alive?" She blushed. "Not that I'm mad you are or anything..." She added quickly.

I thought about it for a while. Finally, I said, "Your Goddesses said something about how I was… promised to them by my God."

The Hero shook his head, confused. "Why do you keep saying 'our' Goddesses? And who is your God?"

I recalled enough from my conversation from the Goddesses to say, "I am not from Hyrule. I'm from… another world. Earth."

Saria nodded once. "That makes sense. We sages have known that the Goddesses have a relation with another deity from another world. We also knew that it wasn't a good relation. But apparently, it has become friendlier as of late." With that, she walked to the door and said, "I'm going to my temple now. You may both stay here if you wish. Goodnight, Link and …?"

"Katie."

She smiled sweetly. "Goodnight Katie." She left and quietly closed the door behind her.

The Hero, Link, looked at me again. "Katie…" he mused quietly. "It's a beautiful name."

"Thank you, for saving me earlier, Link." He blushed and looked down, his bangs falling in his eyes. He muttered something that sounded like, "No problem."

"So, is this your house?" I asked, truly curious.

He smiled and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "No, this is Saria's."

"Oh! Then why did she leave?"

"She had sage duties to attend to, I guess." He shrugged.

I tried to sit up, but suddenly noticed that I was soaking wet. "Um, Link?"

He had been staring out into space, but was instantly looking at me when I said his name. "Yes?"

"Have you seen my bag?" I had barely asked before he handed it to me.

"Thank you. Um, do you mind if I change out of these soaking clothes?" I asked.

He blushed. "No, of course not! I'll just step outside…"

I giggled as he hurriedly left the room. I pulled my fuzzy pajamas from my bag and slipped into them. Navi, Link's fairy, wouldn't stop commenting on how fuzzy they were. She then bounced around the room and began laughing. When I had finished laughing with her, I went outside to get Link.

He was standing underneath a tree a few feet away, petting a large brown mare. I dimly recalled riding on a horse in his arms. It must have been this darling horse, I thought.

I walked over to him and the horse and smiled. "She's beautiful."

He smiled. "Isn't she? Her name's Epona. You can pet her, if you like."

I stepped closer to her and began petting her mane softly. She neighed in satisfaction.

Link moved over to the side of Epona I was on and told me, "Pet her just underneath her ear. She loves that." He laughed and began rubbing her neck.

I did as I was told and Epona's eyes closed in a blissful peace. Link's hand brushed mine has he rubbed her neck in circles, and he mumbled, "I'm sorry."

I shivered from the cold and stopped petting Epona. Link noticed and asked, "Would you like to go back inside?"

I nodded, and he led the few feet back to Saria's house. He opened the door and I nearly ran inside, and jumped back into her bed, pulling the covers over myself. Link laughed.

"A little energetic, aren't we?" He grinned and shut the door.

"I'm not used to it being this cold, I guess." It must be below zero, it's absolutely freezing! Yet he's just wearing a medieval style tunic and he's not complaining… well, he's the supposed Hero of Time, maybe he has special powers, I thought.

He laughed. "It's barely winter! It must be warmer wherever you came from."

"Yes, even in the middle of winter, it was never this cold." I laughed along with him.

His laughing died down slowly. "Well, if that's the case, you'll need warmer clothing." He said.

My laughter died. "But I don't have any Hylian money." I felt myself frown.

"It's called 'rupees' and I've got loads. Don't worry about anything; I'll take you to Kakariko Village tomorrow and show you around." His smile was nearly too big for his face.

"That sounds like fun. Thank you." I sneezed.

"Excuse me, what was that last part? I didn't understand it."

"The sneeze?" He looked at me, confused. I made a weak imitation of my sneeze, and he said, "Yes, that! What does it mean?"

I burst into laughter and Link blushed. "It's… not… you!" I said in-between laughs. "It's… that… you… don't… know… what… a… sneeze… is!" He gave up his confusion and instead joined me in laughter.

Link

Her laughter died down and before I realized it, she was asleep. I went over to her and pulled the thin blankets over her shivering figure. My ungloved fingers brushed briefly over her shoulder, and I felt her freezing skin. Her land must be much warmer than ours is. I'll have to get her a good cloak tomorrow.

I walked over to Saria's couch and stretched out on it, my legs hanging over the side foolishly. As I stared at the low ceiling, I couldn't help but return to my earlier mood. Ganondorf is going to get to continue his rule for another five months and I can do absolutely nothing about it. I growled. Wait! Perhaps the Goddesses wanted it to be like this, so I could find Katie. She must be important to beating Ganondorf, I can feel it. That's why my Triforce mark glowed when I found her.

I glanced over in her direction, and saw her tossing and turning on the bed. She nearly rolled off the side, but violently turned the other direction just in time. I jumped off the couch and knelt next to her, unsure of what to do. I heard her mumbling words, but I couldn't make them out.

She must be having a nightmare, I thought. As if she knew what I was thinking, she began screaming. I shook her violently, but she wouldn't wake.

"Katie, wake up!" I said loudly next to her ear. She stopped screaming and stared up at me with her large grey eyes.

"…Link? Wha-what?" She shook her head and let out a gasp of pain.

"Shhh, it's okay. You were having a nightmare." I began smoothing her hair comfortingly. Now that it was dry, I saw that it was a shiny dark brown.

She shook her head again, but this time bit her lip to prevent herself from making any sound. I continued to smooth out her hair, but said in my most stern voice, "Stop shaking your head, Katie. I think you might have hurt it."

"Okay." She closed her eyes. "I think it's just a headache, though." She sighed and opened her eyes, looking straight into mine.

I glanced at the clock above her head, and read "23:10." I looked back down at Katie, who was still staring at me.

"You should go back to sleep," I said. "You look exhausted." In truth, she looked downright sick. I considered trying to heal her, but decided against it.

"So do you." She mumbled.

She closed her eyes and sighed, looking tense. I stopped smoothing her hair and pulled my ocarina out of my bag. I played Zelda's Lullaby for her, hoping that she would relax and fall asleep.

Her eyes remained closed, but she smiled. "That's beautiful, Link." She mumbled. "Thank you."

Within no time, her breathing slowed and she fell into what I hoped was a dreamless sleep. I stopped playing Zelda's Lullaby, because I heard a different tune in my head. I began playing the slow, sweet melody.

I knew exactly what to call the song. "Ilia's Song…" I murmured before putting my ocarina up and heading slowly back to Saria's couch.

I, like many of the Kokiri children, believed in the spirit, Ilia. She safeguards the dreams of good children, but curses those of the bad.

I feel asleep with her song still playing in my mind, the lovely tune dulling all my thoughts.

AN: How do you like the first chapter? It's a little on the short side, but that's because the introductions needed to take place.

For those of you scratching your head in confusion: the original plot of the game up to this point has not changed, except for one detail. Link has gone through all the temples and received all the medallions. The only thing that has changed is that Rauru never gave him the Light Medallion when he first awoke from his slumber.

As for the sprit Ilia (ill-ee-ah), she is a fictional character, named after the character of the same name from Twilight Princess. As for Ilia's Song, look up Ilia's Theme Music. It's a beautiful tune that's melody fits perfectly for this story.

Please review, I'd like to know how I did! Thanks for reading!