AN: So, this is my first time posting in this fandom, and my first time posting in a couple of years, so I might be just a little bit rusty. Umm, I guess I'll get the obligatory I don't own this franchise, and I make no profit from my works message out of the way.
Also, my warnings are that this is going to be a slash fiction, pairing Link and a male Sheik (to those of you who wish to dispute Sheik's gender, feel free to give me your arguments, I find the debate simply fascinating, but know that I won't be changing this story regardless of your irrefutable logic.)
Despite having checked over the piece a few times, I'm sure I made several mistakes, so please feel free to notify me of any corrections needed, and I'll see if I can fix them.
After Princess Zelda had handled the immediate consequences of what would be known to most as "The Legend of the Hero of Time," a debriefing was called to discuss the rebuilding of Hyrule, and how those affected by the events of recent years would move forward. This meeting had been called by the Goddesses themselves, as they felt it their responsibility to influence the realm of mortals because their power had been corrupted and brought Hyrule to the brink of destruction; as such, those who had been invited by the deities knew that their attendance was compulsory. Naturally, a meeting of this nature was held in the Sacred Realm, and the attendees were a very select group consisting of the Goddesses themselves, the seven sages, and the Great Fairies, accompanied by Link's companion Navi.
"Our purpose for gathering is to discuss the events surrounding the bearers of the Triforce, and how we shall move forward." A woman, whom everyone recognized to be a manifestation of Nayru said, effectively starting the meeting, immediately after the last of the guests appeared in the sacred realm. Nayru and her sisters appeared larger than life, as golden women, dressed in their signature colours; Nayru in blue, Din in red, and Farore in green. They did not stand on the same platform as the sages, the platform that each one had taken Link to after he defeated the evil in their temple, instead they levitated a few feet above the ground, not unlike the way the great fairies presented themselves in their fountains.
"The first thing we must do is contemplate the consequences, both good and bad, of sealing the bearer of the Triforce of Power in the prison he created for himself by corrupting the Triforce." Din spoke, seeming to pick up where Nayru had stopped speaking.
Farore then began to speak; "The seal on Ganondorf is imperfect. He will be able to escape his prison eventually, and given the opportunity to do so, we are confident that he will."
The goddesses allowed this news to be absorbed by those in the sacred realm for a few moments. "Princess, we understand this is an odd situation to be in, but you, and everyone here, may speak freely and ask questions of us. Nothing is off limits, and we will answer all that can be understood." Farore added, breaking the silence with an amused laugh.
"Yes, your holiness," Zelda said while bowing deeply, "Why is the seal imperfect?"
Nayru fielded this question. "Right now, the seal is flawless, and if things were to stay the way they are, Ganondorf could never escape; however, the sages themselves are the reason the seal is imperfect. The seven of you have obligations to rebuild Hyrule, and to do so will require you to leave the Sacred Realm and your temple, which will, in time, weaken the seal."
"But do not despair," Farore chimed, "though the deal will be broken, your efforts have bought Hyrule many years of freedom from his evil. Right now, Ganondorf is far too weak to even consider escape; he must lick his wounds for a long while before he will be strong enough to even attempt escape. Furthermore, even if he could, the seal will still be too strong for many years to come. Ganondorf will come again, but it will not be for many generations. Your efforts, and the efforts of Link, the Hero of Time, have given Hyrule a future of peace and hope, and for that you deserve not only the thanks of the people of Hyrule, but our gratitude as well. So for these things, we thank you."
Naryu then picked up where Farore left off. "But yes, the seal is imperfect— and this means that today a prophecy shall be created. When the Evil Sorcerer escapes his prison, there shall always be hope: for Link and Zelda shall be borne again, and Link will once more wield the Master Sword. This champion of courage and the Princess bearing great wisdom shall challenge and defeat the evil force once more. And the sages shall be there to once again seal this evil away and restore peace to Hyrule for as long as possible." All those gathered felt the weight of Nayru's words, and instinctively, they knew that they had just witnessed a prophecy being made.
"But it seems we have one final issue to discuss, for there is one more who has earned our praise. Perhaps, he deserves praise most of all, as he devoted his life to defeating Ganondorf, and yet no legend, well known or obscure, will ever speak of his deeds. Come forth Sheik, a shining example of the good the Triforce can create." Din said, with a tone of softness that seemed almost uncharacteristic of the goddess of fire.
Sheik did not truly appear, but to those gathered it seemed merely as if they realized that he was there. Most of those gathered immediately turned to Zelda, to see if she was still there, which she was. And so was Sheik, which signified to everyone that his presence was the doing and magic of the Goddesses themselves. Sheik faced Zelda and knelt, with a customary salute of bowed head saying "your highness," before turning to the goddesses and kneeling the same way but saying "your holinesses." Farore promptly responded to this, bidding him to stand.
"Sheik. You are a most curious being. I daresay that you truly deserve the name Sheikah, not only for your valiant deeds done in the name of the kingdom and of the Triforce, but because the nature of your existence truly made you a person of the shadows." Farore stated, addressing only Sheik, giving the other members of the conclave an unspoken understanding that for the moment, they were more or less spectators.
Nayru then began to speak. "Indeed, for you are not entirely human, but the shadow of one; created from the magic of the Triforce of Wisdom to both hide the princess and guide the Hero of Time to his destiny.
Unfortunately, you have had to make great sacrifices for Hyrule, even the ultimate sacrifice; unlike the others, it was not a matter of destiny that you had been subconsciously been preparing for, as it was with the sages; nor did you choose to aid Link, as the fairies did. You had no choice in this life, and it was brief, hard, and with little reward. For that, we wish to thank you for all that you have done, without complaint and until now, without reward."
Sheik began to say that it was not necessary, that it had been an honor to Serve Hyrule and the Goddesses, but Din quickly cut him off.
"Nonsense," she said. "We insist. You were not given a proper life, and we wish to repay what we feel we owe you."
Din was silent for a moment before she began again. "Sheik, I can give you glory and power. If you wish it, you can be reborne as a great and powerful warrior king, whose wondrous deeds and conquests will be sung of for centuries to come. All of Hyrule will adore the great King Sheik, and you shall be the king of a prosperous and powerful nation."
Sheik began to think on this not unappealing prospect, only to stop when Farore dove into a pitch of her own. "Sheik, I can give you freedom and peace. You can return to Hyrule, not bound by flesh and blood, but to be free as a part of nature. You can be a part of the spirit I Hyrule itself, and feel joy of true peace and oneness."
Again, Sheik found the offer tempting, but Naryu began to speak slowly, with a knowing smile. "Sheik, I know what you truly want." She paused, as if she was deciding the exact wording, and as she began to speak once more, it became apparent that she was carefully choosing her words. "You wish to love and to protect. What you desire is a beautiful wish. And it is fitting, to end such brutal times, with love... That is why it saddens me to say that I, nor my sisters, nor anyone here, can give you this."
Nayru's choice of words had been sufficiently cryptic, for only Sheik and the Goddesses themselves understood what was being said; however, Sheik wished that he did not understand. Nayru's words had filled him with a sadness and pain he had only felt once before in his life; right before Zelda undid the magic that had created Sheik, revealing herself to Link, and ending his existence.
"But," Nayru continued in her slow and melodious voice, "I can give you the possibility of it. We can give you that much. Truly obtaining what you want is out of our hands, but we can bring you to that which can grant your wish."
Sheik raised his head to look the directly at the Goddesses, and replied simply. "That is more than I could ever ask from you."
"That may be, but you have given more than we could ever ask of you, so we would be glad to give this gift to you. Now will you accept it?" Din spoke in response to Sheik's words.
"Yes."
"Then so be it, and so may this meeting end. You may return to Hyrule, to begin to heal the land." Farore said, and instantly everyone was gone from the Sacred Realm, everyone except Sheik.
The three goddesses then began to speak as one. "Powerful magic has been used recently on him. You should know this. Zelda has sent him back, to live the childhood that was taken from him."
"Does this mean he will not remember me?"
"His memories of these times have been forgotten. But they are not gone completely. He may come to remember you, but it will take time, and that is only if he wants to remember.
We have one final question for you. Are you willing to accept that he may reject you in favor of another?"
Sheik smiled at this question, and thought for a moment before answering. "Yes. If he rejects me, then I shall love him from afar, and it will be enough to know that is happy and loved, even if I do not make him feel this way."
"Then so be it.
Body of shadows,
Mind of magic,
Soul of duty;
Be free."
AN: That is the prologue/first installment of this piece. If anyone wants me to continue or discontinue, please let me know so that I know whether to continue posting or not. Furthermore, if anyone has any questions regarding my creative choices (regarding the writing mechanics or my use and derivation of the canon material) please comment, and I promise I'll respond with the intent to answer your question. I hope to have some actual plot and character development coming at y'alls real soon. Until then, Toodles!