Chapter Two: Darkness

After that the family went back inside and Malon tended to Link's wounds. The father took his son up to the attic and opened a chest on the far side of the room. The room was musky and dark, it smelled of rats and dust, shadows were stretched strangely on the wall by the setting sun. Careful with his injured arm, Link knelt beside the chest and eased it open, sending a fog of dust into the air. Shane coughed.

"Here we are," Link said quietly, his voice back to it's normal, easygoing tone. He removed a long, felt, green hat from the trunk, handed it to Shane.

The boy looked it over uncertainly, shaking some dust out of it. He recognized it as the same hat that was depicted in all the paintings of his father: Part of his outfit from when he'd been the young Hero of Time. Shane took a deep breath, realizing he was about to see something not even Malon had seen for years. The story went that Link had put the clothes away the day Shane had been born. "Father," he tried to protest, "I can't-"

"If you don't feel like a warrior," Link said kindly, "you can at least look like one." Next he pulled out a long, green tunic that looked like it would fall to Shane's knee, and then a skin-tight, long sleeved shirt and a matching pair of trews. "Quickly," Link instructed, put these on."

A little reluctantly, Shane removed the tunic he was wearing, shivered as his body was exposed to the cold and began wrestling with the undergarments, then he pulled the tunic over his head just as Link dropped the belt on the floor, followed by the gloves and the boots. Shane buckled the belt and pushed his bare feet into the boots. "Father," he complained, "I feel silly." He tried the gloves on next.

"Now the hat." Said Link, ignoring his son's objection.

Obediently, Shane tried on the hat. He looked in the near by mirror, was so shocked by his reflection that he actually gasped out loud. The boy looking out at him appeared almost eighteen and was a doppleganger of the legendary Hero of Time, aside from his darker hair and eyes. "I look just like you." He whispered.

"You're my son." Link clapped a hand on Shane's shoulder, thrust the knife he was still holding at the boy, "Here. I'm sorry, I don't have a sword for you to use, but your trip to the castle should be relatively safe if you stick to the main roads. From there, depending on what happens, you'll be able to get a better weapon."

Shane couldn't help snorting, "From there I guarantee I'll be coming home. I'm just going to tell Zelda what's happened and then she can send someone for Lily."

Link shrugged, "That's up to you, Shane, I can't control where you go and what you do after you leave home." He looked seriously at his son, "I just want both of my children home in one piece, only you can make that happen now."

"I'm not you." Shane said softly as his father adjusted the hat, "I can never be you…I walk in your footprints, but you don't know how big they really are."

His father grinned, a rare sight, "I didn't think I was a hero when I started out on my first quest either, but now look who I am. I have everything I could ever want. I know that if you look deep enough you can find your own hero right inside yourself. Now hurry, what the Gerudos will do with Lily I don't know, but if you don't get moving I'm afraid it might be too late."

"Father." Shane wanted to say more, there was so much his heart was burning to express, but he didn't know how to make the words.

Link hurried him quickly back downstairs, snagging a long, dark cloak off a peg in the wall. "For when it gets cold." He explained.

Malon had already packed up a small provision of food and arranged it carefully in a wallet. She handed the ration to her son, wiping tears from her eyes and trying to smile. "I don't know when you'll have time to eat again, Shane, but I packed this for you. It's not much…"

Touched by his mother's affection, Shane accepted the food, "Thank you Mother."

At last, Link shoved another small wallet at Shane. "Money, for when the food runs out, or whenever you need something."

Shane tied the two wallets to his belt and Link helped him drape the cloak around his shoulders. The two men hurried out to the stable, not stopping to light a torch. Link brought Darkness out.

"He just ate so he should be strong for a while. Don't worry too much about how hard you're working him. What matters right now is saving your sister."

"I know." Shane slid into the saddle and looked down at his father, still struggling to find one last goodbye that simply wouldn't come. "Father-"

"There's no time, Son," his father said plaintively, "you must ride now."

Shane looked out at the setting sun, knew it would be long past dark by the time he reached Hyrule Castle. "Goodbye Father," he said softly, "I'll see you in a few days…maybe tomorrow."

Link nodded but it was impossible to read his thoughts. He leaned close to the horses face, his lips just inches from Darkness' ear and Shane heard him say, "Go Darkness, watch over the life of my son as your mother watched over me." With that he slapped the stallion's rump, sending him flying out into the meadow.

Shane yanked hard on the reigns, steering Darkness toward the gate; when he had his stallion on the right course he turned and watched as both his parents faded into the shadows, and soon Lon Lon Ranch was just a speck against horizon.

It was midnight and raining by the time Shane reached the gate into Hyrule Castle. The torches were burning dimly and the drawbridge was up. Darkness was soaked and restless, kept whickering and prancing back and forth. The cloak Shane had drawn about himself when the rain began was also soaked all the way through and his teeth were chattering from cold. He'd never ridden so quickly in his life. He was so nervous that the Gerudos were still around, or that the monsters of the field would attack him when he didn't even have a sword. It had been almost seven hours since he'd left home and the quest looked more hopeless than when it had started.

He shouted up at the drawbridge, "Hello! Open the gate! Please open the gate!"

A guard's head appeared over the turret, "Who goes there?"

"My name is Shane, I live at Lon Lon Ranch, and I'm on important business!"

"Shane? The Shane? The son of the Hero of Time? Tell me ya're not jokin'."

"I'm not joking. Please let me in now!"

"How can I be sure ye're really who ya' say ya' are?"

Shane thought a moment, "Well, you could open the gate and let me in."

"Oh, what a good idea," the guard said sarcastically, "why don't we just let in Ganondorf's ghost and the whole Gerudo army as well? Be gone, young rascal, I'm not lettin' ya' in."
"For Love of Nayru, open this damn gate! It's cold and dark out here!" Thinking he'd heard a noise behind him, Shane turned around, certain he'd see Skull Children sneaking up on him.

"Don't getcher' toggles in a bunch, kid, just go up to Kakariko Village and get shelter there. They take anybody at all hours of the night. It's only a mile or two away."

"What the hell?" Shane's short fuse was finished, "I don't have time for that! You stupid, ill-bred, old bastard! My sister's been kidnapped, and I have to see the Queen as soon as I can—I can't let a filthy, low-born, half-dead-"

"Look kid, if yer plannin' on winnin' yer way in here with all of yer charm, ya'd best change strategies. I've been guard at this 'ere gate over fifteen years-that's more'n yer life I'd bet-an' I'm not lettin' in some hot-headed fool like ya' just 'cause he's pert 'nough to throw a fit. The Queen isn't even awake at this hour. Now get yerself outta' 'ere, or I'll arrest ya."

Shane stared at the man, realizing he was probably right about the Queen, but still hoping that at any moment he'd change his mind, but the soldier's head disappeared and so after a moment he turned his horse, trotting slowly back up Zora river until he could see the lights of the town.

In the morning Shane was just as cold as the night before. He'd been unable to find shelter for the night and so had passed most of the sleepless hours sitting miserably under a tree just inside the town, Darkness whickering and grazing at his leisure. To comfort himself Shane had eaten some of the bread and cheese Malon had packed. For a long time he'd thought about simply going home, lying to his parents about seeing the Queen, but he remembered Lily's beautiful face and how angry she'd been when her brother had refused to help Link. The memory gave him renewed cause and at the crack of dawn he was back at the drawbridge and then over it the very instant it was down. He rode through quickly, glaring at the soldiers as he passed. They simply watched him go.

Hyrule Market was bustling with activity for so early in the morning. Merchants in bright colors were shaking the rain out of their awnings and setting up shop for the day. Browsers were already out perusing the wares and small children chased Cuckoos and dogs through the streets, constantly under foot. The little town wasn't very big, and it was, in Shane's opinion, filthy, the people who weren't merchants were dressed in rags, but still there was a smile on everyone's face, and a laugh on their lips. Many of them greeted the cloaked stranger as he trotted through the town on his black horse. Others tried their best to make him buy something. Either way, Shane ignored them, kept both eyes fixed on the castle up ahead. He was determined to get this over with, but he was worried that the soldiers wouldn't let him through.

The boy plummeted straight out of town, and stopped his horse so quickly in front of the gate that Darkness reared up and cried out, piercing the sky with his rich voice.

"Look at this'un," a guard said without interest, "thinks he's hot stuff he does. I s'pose I'll handle 'im if you won't." He stopped in front of Shane, grabbing Darkness' reigns and pulling him down, "And where is it, I'd like to know, that yer goin' t'day, young master?"

"Please sir, I don't have time. I must see the Queen before it's too late!"

"The Queen? What's a mutt's-whelp like ya' want with 'Er Majesty?"

Insulted by the man's words, Shane raised his chin up a little, "My younger sister has been kidnapped, Sir, I must see the Queen for help."

"Kidnapped?" A second guard demanded, "By who?"

"The Gerudos."

"Yer sister, lad? The Gerudos have no use for girls; they might like a bonny lad like yerself though." At this the two men chuckled.

"There's no time for jokes," Shane snarled, "my sister may die because you two clowns can't get your act together."

"Well, well, this'uns got a fierce temper, ain't he?"

"Like a fire." The other agreed.

"Well, Sir Rider, if yer out t' save yer sister, I'd suggest ya' get yer horse movin.' It's up t' you t' save 'er now."

"Rons," a female voice scolded, "what are you doing?"

Shane glanced up and noticed for the first time that a beautiful young lady with streaming blonde hair and a perfect face had approached; she was riding side-saddle on a large, white mare and was dressed in the finest materials rupees could buy. She had an air of command about her, a look on her face that made Shane want to do whatever she said, although she was only his age, and not a day older. A middle-aged woman dressed in dark armor was standing at the girl's side, looking very stoic.

"M' Lady!" the soldier named Rons stuttered, "Yer out a bit early t'day, ain't ya? Goin' down to oversee workins for the festival?"

"You haven't answered my question, Rons. Now what are you doing?"
"Ah, this lad, m' Lady, he says he wants t' see yer mother, and I naturally can't let just ol' anybody int' the Castle, that'd be high treason, it would."

"Fool!" The Princess snapped, "Don't you know who this boy is? This is the only son of the Hero of Time! Let him in immediately."

Looking at Shane differently, the guards hastened to let him in.

Several minutes later, Shane found himself standing in the foyer of the royal castle, his damp cloak removed. Darkness was led away to the royal stables for grooming and feeding, and Shane was led by Princess Jennifer herself up to the audience chambers of the Queen.

"You look so different from last year." The Princess giggled, "And you're wearing your father's clothes! I'm really glad to see you, though, and I'm sorry about the soldiers. They take their job very seriously."

Shane tried to find something to say, but only found himself blushing and shrugging.

The Princess giggled again, just as they reached the audience chamber door. "All right, you know the drill, just kneel, she'll offer you her hand, you kiss it and tell her how gracious she is, and then she'll tell you to rise. Only after she asks what you want do you answer. Got it?"

The boy only nodded, took a deep breath to prepare himself. The door swung open and he was allowed into a large room decorated lavishly with golden ornaments and crimson carpet leading up the dais to the throne. Queen Zelda was seated on the left-most throne, dressed in a splendid, silk gown, a long, draping cape falling all the way to the floor. Her eyes were a lighter blue than his father's and her hair was also a gentler color, gossamer and long like tassels of silk. The boy tried retain a confident air, raised his chin and threw his chest out, looked at Zelda with respect, but not nervousness, then, remembering his etiquette, he knelt, forehead to floor.

"Shane," Zelda said. She had a smooth, robust voice. It was gentle and tender and yet filled the whole room effortlessly. She extended her hand, "It's so good to see you."

With a trembling hand, Shane took hers and kissed it softly, "You're too gracious, my Lady."

"Nonsense, not to you, Shane. I owe my life to your father. Anything you like, you have but to ask. Come now, rise, I want to see you."

Slowly Shane rose, looked shyly at the Queen.

"You grow more handsome each time I see you. Now, Child, tell me what brings you here."

"It's my sister, Majesty."

"Lily?"

Shane nodded, "She's been kidnapped by Gerudos; my father broke his sword arm and he can't go after them. He sent me here to request assistance."

Zelda looked vaguely horrified, she leaned over to whisper to her advisor, then said, "These Gerudos, Shane, can you describe them for me?"

He thought a moment, "Well my Lady, they didn't look like normal Gerudo that I've seen. They were dressed different, in blue instead of purple. And they had their hair dyed black. Does that mean anything.?"

"Oh, this is just as I feared." The Queen shook her head and rubbed her temples. "Did they say what they wanted with your sister?"

Shane swallowed hard, lied, "No my Lady."

Looking very pale, Zelda nodded.

"Mother, what is it?" Jennifer demanded.

"I'm sorry, Shane," the Queen rose, turned to look out the window, her back to the young man, "I'm afraid I cannot help you."

"Your Majesty?" Shane felt frightened by her words; his heart began to pound. Why was it that the only person who might be able to possibly help him was refusing to?

"It's ironic, really, your father sent you here to ask for my help, and yet it's I who should be asking your father for help. When will he be able to fight again?"
"It was quite a bad break, Your Majesty: the bone pierced his skin; it might get infected for all we know. Why? What is this all about?"

She looked at him again, full of sympathy, "I'm afraid I must be very honest with you, Shane, for there is a great evil moving once again in our land, the likes of which I only trust your father to fight. I had hoped to rely on him once more to defeat this evil, but with the news you have brought I feel little hope."

"What is this evil, Mother?" Jennifer asked, her voice trembling slightly.

The Queen looked at both teenagers carefully, "It seems that a powerful man named Argoka'shomen is gathering power. He has black powers which I can scarcely comprehend. Witnesses say that he is taking control in the desert, just as Ganondorf did, only now, as you may or may not know, there is a new King of Gerudos, a youth who wishes to rule on his own terms rather than follow an outlander, and thus the Desert Thieves have split so that there are two forces of them: those who follow their King, and those who follow Argoka'shomen. The latter are known as the Rebel Gerudos, and they are brutal, worshipping a sand Goddess their leader brought with him. They have sacrificed several Hylian youths to her, and I believe they intend to do the same to your sister, although," Zelda looked thoughtful, "it has occurred to me that all of the victims before her were young men."

Shane felt himself becoming sick with fear but forced himself to hide it. "What does Argoka'shomen want?"

"All I can presume is that he intends to take over Hyrule, and with my husband away in the Netherworld of Xaton, and most of the army with him, I don't see much hope of us defending this land."

The boy was troubled and frightened by the news. He looked around, hoping to find an answer somewhere among the riches, "Can't the Triforce help us?"

The Queen shook her head, her golden hair catching the light beautifully, "Not so long as the bearer of the Triforce of Courage is unable to fight."

"What can we do?"

"I had a dream of a man dressed in green as you are now fighting and winning this battle, but with Link injured the likelihood of that coming true seems to be no more than a dream." She sighed, "Perhaps that was only wistful thinking on my part."

Suddenly Shane felt angry: angry at the darkness that was surrounding, at the helpless resignation of the Queen and even at his own father, but the reasons were mystifying for him. If only they didn't have to rely on the hero all the time, if only these black things didn't happen. It awakened a strange anger in him at being told that it was hopeless, that no one could do anything. "So there's nothing you can do? No way to save my sister?"

Zelda appeared hesitant, studying Shane carefully. She had obviously noticed the anger that was twisting his normally calm features. "There are three pendants, and if someone were to gather them we might have a chance to win."

"Pendants?"

"Ancient pendants of the gods. Each resides in its own temple in this land, and their powers might be enough to destroy Argoka'shomen, the trouble is gathering them. Link will, of course, be unable to take up this quest." She looked slyly at Shane, "You however, are young and able-bodied."

His blood ran cold, he fought with his fear, "Me, Your Majesty? I'm just a kid, how can I do this?"

"You are your father's son, he did many a great thing when he was even younger than you are. I am sure that if you endeavor hard enough you will be rewarded with success."

"But my Lady, wouldn't it make more sense to send someone older and stronger? I don't even hold a piece of the Triforce. I'm no warrior, I'm a simple farmboy."

"You'll have to save your sister anyway," Zelda persuaded, "if you don't help her no one will. I refuse to make a move until my husband is home with the army; I simply cannot send our defensive troops to fight an offensive battle, that would leave us utterly exposed."

"I know, but there must be some other great warrior who can do it."

"As it stands now," she said slowly, "your father is the only great Hylian Warrior we have."

Shane sighed and studied his feet. He felt like her statement was an insinuation toward his own, pathetic demeanor.

"Shane," she said tenderly, coming closer to draw him in against her, "you are like a son to me, I would never ask that you do anything to endanger yourself, I would never put you in harm's way. If you truly feel that you cannot complete this mission with your life then by all means, decline, but as I've said, if you do, there will be no one left to save your sister."