A/N: Here is chapter two of my story! I hope you all enjoy, and remember, reviews are appreciated! They help me improve my writing and motivate me to continue.

Sunshine Muncher: I hope it lives up to your expectations!

edboy: Thank you very much!

ShadowNinja: I'm glad you liked the first chapter! Hopefully, you'll like this one just as much.

Chapter Two: The Job

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After being stuck in a practical closed off hole in the ground, the first step outside can be somewhat, overwhelming. I'll never forget what it was like to take my first step out of the Arbiter's Ground. Immediately, when the doors sun flooded through like a divine light, almost blinding me. I shielded my eyes as the large stone doors were opened further, revealing the full majesty of the Gerudo Desert.

After letting my eyes adjust, I took a deep breath and stepped off of the stone floor and onto the hot sand. As I felt my foot sink into the natural terrain a broke down, falling to my knees and sobbing loudly.

I couldn't help myself; it was just so beautiful. The sun was no longer a blinding light, but a beautiful orb, bathing me with its healing rays. I picked up a handful of sand, feeling it fall between my fingers. I hadn't felt the sun since I was eight, playing in the fields in front of my fathers estate. This was it; I was finally out.

"Forester, lets get moving," Sheik barked, patting me on the back and pointing towards the carriage that was up ahead."

"I'm sorry," I sniffed, blushing in embarrassment as I stood up and wiped my eyes, "it's just… it's just that it's been so long since I've seen the sun."

"Well you can see the sun all you want after you do this job," Sheik told me encouragingly

I nodded and ran off towards the royal carriage, where my two employers, Tael and Tatl, awaited. When I approached the doors, they swung open, and Tael offered me his hand, helping me up into the cart. Once I was seated, Tatl motioned for the driver to get a move on.

I watched out the window as the Arbiter's Grounds shrunk into the distance, feeling a little more alive every foot I was away from that Goddess forsaken prison. But even with the distance, it still kept a part of me, keeping me chained to it no matter where I went. Once I finished the job, then I could fully appreciate the freedom I once enjoyed when I was younger.

"Doesn't it feel nice to be out of that dirty prison?" Tael asked, watching Arbiter's Ground fade away with me.

I sighed with relief, "You don't even know the half of it. So where are we heading?"

"The Great Sea," Tatl told me as she used a small kit to reapply her make up, "we will be pushing off at north Hyrule Dock."

"Wait, we're going out to sea?" I said skeptically, "But I don't have any experience sailing? Not that I'm complaining about this opportunity…"

"No Mr. Forester, this is not a sailing expedition," Tael cut me off

Tatl continued her brother's thought, as I quickly found was an annoying habit of theirs, "You will be going to the city Skyloft."

When I heard the word Skyloft, it felt as if an anvil had just crushed all my hopes. Sklyoft was the name of a mythical floating paradise, where only those most devoted to the Goddesses were allowed. My father had told me stories about Skyloft, how the grass was green and lush, and their technology was years ahead of ours. He also told me of a mystical power that was rumored to lay dormant within it. But it was all myths, tales that were told to entertain children.

"You want me to go to a mythical city?"

"Oh I assure you, Skyloft is no myth," Tael clucked, waggling his finger as if he were disapproving of my suspicious thoughts.

Tatl nodded in agreement, "Yes, Skyloft is very real."

"Alright," I sighed deciding to give into their wild claims, since it was my only chance of freedom, "What do I have to do?"

Tatl smiled and bent over, grabbing something from under her seat. She then pulled out a mahogany box with a gold plaque. Engraved on the plaque was 'For Link Forester'.

I took the box and placed it in my lap. It was pretty light, but there was obviously quiet a few things inside. Only a small clip kept the lid shut, so I flipped it up and checked the wooden box's contents. Inside were four strange items.

The first, and probably the least abnormal, was a sharp iron dagger. It looked fairly high quality and easy to conceal. The second item was a piece of paper with a picture of the wings of Hylia, a rupee, and a duel edged sword. The third item was a golden key with a picture of a bird and a birdcage on the handle. The last was another strange piece of paper with the most detailed and realistic picture of a young woman on it, who, from the drawing, looked about my age.

She was quite gorgeous, with golden blonde hair and cobalt blue eye. The woman wore a pink dress, with a white cloth wrapped around her neck. Her beautiful hair was done into two braids, each held together by purple string, wrapped in an intricate fashion. On here wrists were two amethyst colored bracelets with the wings of Hylia engraved on them. As I continued to examine the picture, I got the strange feeling that I had seen this girl somewhere.

Then it hit me, the eyes, the golden hair, the carefree smile, it was strikingly like a painting I had seen of the princess when I was seven. This had to be her. Even as a young woman, she kept those striking blue eyes and those same blonde locks.

"This is the lost princess, isn't it?"

Tatl smiled and clapped slowly, "Smart one, isn't he brother?"

"Indeed sister," Tael responded, giving his twin a wicked grin

I couldn't believe it. I was to save THE princess Zelda, the jewel of Hyrule. I didn't know whether to be honored because I was chosen for the job or terrified of its magnitude.

"You want me to save the princess?" I asked again, still in utter disbelief

"The deal is quite simple, really. Bring us the girl and, in exchange, we give you your freedom. Sound simple enough?"

Bring them the girl, and I get my freedom. That was the deal. So simply put, I couldn't even have imagined what I was about to get myself into. But if it meant my freedom, that's all the incentive I needed.

"So you want me to go to a city that I don't even know exists, for a princess that could very well be dead?"

"Well that's not a very good way of putting it," pouted Tatl

I decided that the woman was right, it was probably best to stay optimistic about my situation. After all, it was my only chance for freedom, so I didn't have many other options.

"Let us change the subject," Tael randomly suggested

"Yes, Mr. Forester, I assume you are an adept fighter?" Tatl asked me

I nodded. Years in prison had taught me to fend for myself. I was the one who had to beat off the perverts and psychopaths who threatened Malon and Aryll, and my dad taught me some moves as well. "I believe that I am a very adept fighter."

"Good, that may be something you need," Tael told him, "We have know idea how the people of Skyloft will react to an outsider."

"So that's where the knife comes in?"

"Yes, but only if necessary. I do not wish to partake in the slaughter of an entire city, if it can be avoided."

"I understand," I told them, putting the knife back its scabbard and placing it next to my seat. I hoped and prayed that it wouldn't come to violence. But whatever was keeping the princess didn't seem too intent on letting her go; otherwise she would have returned to their kingdom.

"Do you have any more questions, Mr. Forester?" Tatl asked with a yawn, "If not, I suggest you rest. You have a long journey ahead of you."

"I do have one. Why was I chosen for this job? Why did the king pick me and not one of his royal knights?"

Tatl and Tael looked nervously at each other, and then turned back to me. Tael cleared his throat and then answered, "You will find that out in good time Mr. Forester."

"But right now, you have a chance to give yourself and your sister a chance at life," Tatl continued, "Isn't that enough?"

I had to admit; I was a little annoyed by how they danced around my question. But in a way, they were right. I wasn't doing this for my country, but for my sister and myself. One can hardly blame me for not fiercely loving the kingdom that through my family and I in the Arbiter's Ground to rot.

"I have no more questions," I told the twins as I lay across my seat, pushing the knife to the floor of the carriage. I closed my eyes and let the small and smooth movements of the wagon lull me to sleep.

As I slept, I dreamt I was on my family's estate, running barefoot through the grass during a cloudless day. I could feel the soft ground beneath my feet, the warm sun hitting my face, and the soft wind brushing against my cheek. It was a perfect day.

As I ran through the lush green fields, I spotted a woman in a white cloak holding a shiny golden harp.

I tried to speak to her, but found I could not utter a word. So I decided to wave to her, trying to attract the beautiful maiden's attention. Finally, she turned towards me, but her face did not show, for her hood's shadow concealed it.

"Greetings hero."

I tried desperately to respond, but still could not say anything. Rather, all I could do was nod, giving her confirmation that her words had not fallen on deaf ears.

"You have met a terrible fate, haven't you?" she spoke again in a silky smooth voice, sending shivers down my spine.

Again, I tried to tell her something, anything. What did she mean terrible fate? If anything, the goddesses were smiling down upon me. I should have been locked up in the worst place on earth at the moment, with no hope of escape.

"My words confuse you, do they not?" she asked him in a purely indifferent tone, "You believe that what lies ahead is a brighter future. Let me tell you, there are some things worse then what you have been through."

I wanted to tell her that she knew nothing. I wanted to let her know that anything was better then where I had been put. But of course, being mute at the time, I could say nothing.

"Tread carefully hero. Many have attempted the path you are about to take."

I glared at her, trying to show that no matter what this woman told me, she would not cause me to stray from this path. My sister, Malon, and Colin depended on me, and Hylia as my witness I was not going to let them down! I managed a grunt of determination, holding up my clenched fist. The cloaked woman merely looked once in my direction, and then turned back away.

"You are courageous and determined. I see know that you will not stray from this path. Good. If you are to venture to the once blessed city called Skyloft, you will need the will and strength of character to endure hardship."

I nodded, giving the woman a confident smile. In return, she sighed, as if defeated, and tugged once on her horse's reins. The stallion whinnied, kicking its front feet into the air, and then galloped off, faster then I could follow. Who was that woman?

Once she disappeared from sight, I suddenly began to feel a searing pain in my right hand, as if someone had taken a branding iron to it. I cried out in pain and fell on my knees, clutching it tightly. When I looked to see what was wrong, I saw three bright, golden triangles glowing on the back of my hand.

The three triangles were put together to form a larger triangle, with two on the bottom and one on top. But one of the three was different than the others. The triangle on the right was fully engulfed with the golden light, while the others were just outlines.

The pain was almost unbearable. As the triangle glowed brighter, the pain only intensified. What did this mean; I thought to myself, am I cursed? Is this some sort of ancient marking?

Suddenly, a booming voice yelled down from the sky, "MR. FORESTER! WAKE UP MR. FORESTER!"

The three triangles on my hand stopped glowing as the field around me began to dissipate into nothingness.

I woke up panting, drenched in my own sweat. All I could think about was the strange dream I had, and the cloaked woman. Who was she? And what was that mark on my-

As soon as I remembered the mark on my hand I looked down at the back of my right hand, where the strange symbol had been. But when I checked, there was nothing there, my hand was bare as ever.

"He looks as if he's seen a ghost brother."

"Quite so, sister."

I looked up and saw the twins smirking mischievously at me. I noticed the cart had stopped, and I heard the sounds of waves washing up on the shore. We must have made it to the great sea!

"This is it, right?" I asked, making sure my assumption was indeed correct, "This is the Great Sea?"

"That it is, Mr. Forester," Tael answered as he opened the door for us. Both Tatl and I stepped out and waited for her brother, who closed the door behind him. Tael continued to speak as he stepped out of the carriage; "My sister and I will prepare the row boat while you prepare yourself. Once we push off, there is no going back."

"There is a bar in the nearby port town. Maybe you could get yourself something before we leave?"

I didn't know if the twins had realized that I had no rupees. Being locked in a prison your whole life doesn't exactly leave you with much to spend. But I decided to let them prepare for the voyage, since it was obvious they were trying to get rid of me.

The port town didn't take long to walk to, being only three minutes away from the docks. It was pretty small, with just a shop, an inn, and a quaint cottage.

The little inn Tatl and Tael had suggested was called 'Stock Pot Inn'. As I approached the door, I could almost feel heat permeating from it. The windows were well lit, with small candles on each sill.

When I walked in, I was immediately greeted by the friendly innkeeper with a hearty "Welcome traveler!"

I waved politely to her and walked up to the bar to sit down. The keeper bent down and pulled a cup from under the counter. She asked me in a sweet tone of voice, "What can I get for you?"

Now being stuck in a prison may have deprived me of some things, but alcohol was not one of them. The prisoners, being the sneaky criminals they were, constantly found a way to sneak in ale. They were usually able to bootleg a pretty good supply. Booze made criminals more volatile, and often led to riots and more death in an already violent prison. But, I admit to partaking in some drinking, despite Malon's constant scolding. It was hard to resist when you're stuck in a place where reality is a harsh truth.

"I'm afraid I don't have any money," I told her, not wanting the innkeeper to bother making something for someone who couldn't pay

The innkeeper looked over my tattered cloths and my multitude of scars with her dark blue eyes, as if trying to read me, and then said, "Count this one on the house, traveler. You look like you could use it."

I smiled gratefully, "Thank you…"

"Anju," she finished, brushing a lock of red hair behind her ear as she reached for a bottle of Pumpkin Ale, "So what brings you here?"

"I'm just here for a job," I told her, leaving out the part where I was in jail for the past decade or so. I figured that if she knew I was from the most infamous prison in Hyrule, I would be less welcome to stay.

"A job?" She asked as she handed me my glass, "What kind of job?"

"Just something to bring in some rupees."

"Seems like what you need more then anything is a change of cloths," Anju pointed at the tattered rags I had been wearing for the past two years. "I actually happen to have a spare outfit around here."

"Really? I'd be very grateful if I could borrow it!"

"Oh, absolutely! Here, let me get it for you, sweetheart," Anju told me with a sweet smile, disappearing into the kitchen. When she came back, she held a green tunic, white leggings, a pair of leather gauntlets, and a pair of brown boots. "Try these on!"

I found the outfit was unexpectedly light when I took it from her, even with the chainmail under the green tunic. Anju turned around and covered her eyes as I switched out of my prison outfit and into the cloths she had given me. I was surprised to find that the cloths fit me perfectly, and looked quite good.

"I'm changed." Anju turned around and smiled when she saw me.

"Those cloths used to be my husband's armor," she told me as she looked over the outfit, "but seeing as my poor Kafei is gone, he won't be needing it anymore."

"I love it," I said, turning around so Anju could see the whole thing.

Anju nodded, but was still scowling as if something was off. "Something is missing…"

I gave her a quizzical look. What could have possibly been missing? The outfit was comfortable, functional, and looked fine. Anju suddenly snapped and exclaimed, "That's it! I know what you're missing!"

She reached under the counter and pulled out a long green hat. Anju handed it to me and watched expectantly as I tried it on. When she saw the complete knight's outfit, a wide smile crossed her face. "That's perfect! You look like you were born to wear it!"

I had to admit, Anju was right. The hat did top off the outfit nicely, plus it fit my head perfectly. It was definitely the best I've looked in a long time, and it felt good to be in clean cloths for once.

"Now you take care of that," Anju told me sternly, waggling her finger at me, "It was Kafei's second favorite!"

That was the second time she mentioned Kafei, her husband who I assumed had passed away in the line of duty. I didn't ask her about it, because it seemed like a sore subject. After all, I knew what it was like to lose a loved one. My parent's death was not an experience that I would share with some stranger. But then again, I was must less trusting then Anju seemed.

The two of us stayed silent for a bit as I drank my Pumpkin Ale, savoring its sweet taste with each sip. As I enjoyed my drink, I heard the door swing open behind me. I turned around and saw both Tatl and Tael walk in. Tael seemed to have a rather joyful look, while Tatl, who was sopping wet, was glaring murderously at her brother.

I raised my glass to them and asked, "What happened?"

"Brother thought it would be funny to push me in the water."

"It was funny sister, you must admit."

"T'will be even more funny when I throw you to the sharks during our trip."

I groaned as the two continued to bicker. After they began exchanging obscenities, I finally intervened, "TAEL, TATL! Is it time to go?"

The twins turned away from each other, and gave me an innocent smile. In unison, they answered, "Of course Mr. Forester! Let us get going!"

I sighed with relief and stood up from my stool. Turning towards Anju, I said, "Thank you for the cloths and drink Anju."

"Anything to help a kind hearted traveler," she responded, curtsying slightly

I then followed the twins out of the Stock Pot Inn and to the docks, where a single rowboat bobbed up and down in the water. The moon only made the dock barely visible, so I had to walk carefully, making sure to not accidently meet the same fate poor Tatl had.

Tael was the first to step in the boat, from which he helped the rest of us board, being extra careful not to upset his sister once again. I felt myself stumble a couple times as I tried to take my seat, behind the twins. It was the first time I had actually been on a boat, so the feeling was a bit overwhelming. But by the time Tatl and Tael managed to untie the boat from the dock and push off, I was able to get a hold of my stomach.

"Get yourself comfortable Mr. Forester," Tael called as he began to row, "It will be a bit of time before we reach our destination!"

A/N: Well, that's the end of this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed, and remember to leave a review, they really help!