Chapter 2: To trap a King.

Having one week before Ganon made his move, Link instructed the king to go about his normal business, but to keep on his guard for any suspicious activity. Zelda also went about her regular duties, instructing the guards to allow link free reign of the castle grounds. Link was honored, and relieved that he no longer had to sneak into the castle.

Link, with knowledge he had gained concerning the method of assassination Ganon used, began to prepare a trap for the man who would become a demon king.

After a few hours of work, link began to feel hungry. There were two days left before the Gerudo thief made a move, and he had finished planning the scenario. In the future timeline, Link had discovered from Sheik that the king had been killed during a meeting held in the main hall of the castle, with multiple officials present. Only the king himself was aware of the plot, as link had warned him to not spread the word until after the incident took place. Link set up the traps without anyone's knowledge that he was doing so. In secret he placed magical recording devices and magical seals at the entrance of the room. Once the members had entered, only the king could leave unless Link shut off the magical seals.

Link entered the café and ordered his lunch, which consisted of Lon-Lon milk and some chicken soup. He didn't recognize anyone in the place, and sat contentedly in a corner, eating his meal quietly. As he ate, he noticed a young girl trying to steal some ones meal. Her hair was dirty blonde and it all curled in one direction. Her tank top was white with intricate designs on the bottom of it. She had a strange pouch around her pants leg, and she appeared to be slightly younger than Link.

"Hey! Let me go, let me go!" The girl protested, struggling against the iron grip of the café owner, with limited success.

"Sorry kid, but you tried to rob the wrong café. Let's see what the guards have to say about your behavior." The café owner grinned, sensing a hanging in the near future. Before he could call out, Link intervened.

"I'll pay for her. Let her go mister." Link interjected. He had seen too many people killed during his travels, and didn't want to add this girl to the list.

"Humph. Do you have the rupees to pay for her crime? I doubt a kid like you is walkin' around with enough food for three families." The café owner retorted snidely.

Link, saying nothing, tossed a purple rupee at him. That was 50 rupees! Link could more than cover it. The shop owner let the girl go, and gave the food she stole to link. Link placed it on the table where he had been eating and left the café. The girl, startled that a boy her age could toss around so much money, took the food outside and gave it to the starving and homeless kids. She had a home, and a place in higher society as the daughter of a nobleman. Her name was Ilia. She realized that the boy might have more rupees, and went after him to steal it for the kids.

Link, who was questioning his apparent disregard for his finances, suddenly bumped into the girl from before. She smiled at him, and tried to take his wallet. Link smiled back and jumped into the air. He grabbed the roof above him and swung onto it. He looked back down at the awestruck thief and waved. She looked upset, and climbed up after him. She was determined to get the wallet, but Link wasn't about to let her.

He ran across the rooftops of castle town, followed closely by the girl. "I need that wallet!" she thought to herself as she ran after him. It soon became clear to her that she wouldn't catch him. He swung back towards the café, and saw the young children eating the food he had paid for. He understood now why she was so determined.

Link stopped and drew his sword. Ilia hesitated, and pulled a dagger out of the pouch on her leg. Link was shocked to see the same look of desperation that he himself had worn so many times before in his travels.

"Why are you so determined to get my money?" Link asked the girl, to make sure he knew her motives.

"Those orphans need that money for food and clothes! What do you use that much money for?" She asked, somewhat angry and ready to fight.

"I use it for food mostly, otherwise its to buy equipment for my travels."

Ilia studied the boy. He was slightly older than her, but talked and moved as though he had experienced much, more than anyone her age. His sword was undecorated and slightly damaged from use, and his shield was battered. Focusing on the shield, she could make out scorch marks on it. If the gear was any indication, he had been through a lot in his young time.

The boy sighed, startling her into realizing she had been staring at him. She blushed slightly as she once again raised her dagger.

"I have 200 rupees in my wallet. If you disarm me in a fair duel, I'll give it to you." Link said.

With no hesitation, Ilia charged toward Link, momentarily surprising him with her speed. He recovered quickly and began defending and dodging.

"I'm Link by the way." Link said between slashes.

"Ilia." The girl replied, sending wave after wave of attacks at her foe. She knew she was tiring quickly, and tried to retreat to catch her breath. Link, however, had other plans.

"HIYAA!" He shouted as he sent a devastating blow to the dagger, ripping out of the weakened arm and sending it flying towards another rooftop.

Ilia sat down, defeated, as Link held the sword to her neck. With a grin, he sheathed it and began to walk away.

Ilia, angered and upset, closed her eyes to prevent the tears that were coming. She had failed the orphans. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw that Link had fetched her dagger.

"This is a good blade, but I think a smaller blade might suit your speed a little better."

Ilia took the Sword and returned it to her magical pouch. As she did, Link unattached the wallet from his belt. He took a yellow rupee, 200 rupees, and gave it to her.

"Make sure those kids get some shoes." He said as he pulled out a Deku Nut. He tossed it at the ground in front of him, stunning Ilia temporarily. When she returned to normal a few seconds later, Link had vanished. and she was the proud new owner of 200 rupees. As she dashed off to the market, she reflected on the young boy's strange duel.

"Was he planning to give me that the whole time? Heh, guess there are some nice people left in Hyrule." Ilia thought, grinning to herself as she dashed down the street.