Disclaimer: "The Legend Of Zelda" Names of characters, places, etc. (C) by Nintendo.
My second attempt at this story, because the first one had so many problems connected with it That I more or less had to give it up. But now it's back! New and Improved!
This story takes place several years after the events in "Majora's Mask". I have also changed some details to fit my story better, so don't rip my head off ;)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, my "first" fanfic. Also I would appreciate any productive criticism from anyone.
Chapter 1: To Forge a Future
The big man in the flowing red robes looked across the table at the green clad youth. Between them lay a large purse filled to the bursting point with golden glowing jewels. The young man raised an inquiring eyebrow at his opposite.
"Is that all?" he asked calmly. The red man sighed.
"No," he said. "This is the advance payment. You will receive the remaining fifty thousand upon the safe return of my daughter."
The youngster smiled coldly. "Deal," he nodded, swiping the purse off the table. The old man sighed again and stood up from the stool on which he had been sitting.
"Then I can expect you to be at the palace at noon tomorrow?" he asked.
"I'll be there."
"Very well. Good day to you."
"As to you, your Majesty."
His Majesty Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, King of Red Lions, Protector of the realm that is known to us as Hyrule, left the small, one room tree house in Kokiri Forest which Link, Hero of Time, called his home. It was really cluttered in there. Many items hung from the circular wall, like such things as a boomerang, a slingshot, a small short sword and several masks. Behind Link was an open window through which a small fairy fluttered serenely to sit on the table in front of Link, facing him.
"One hundred thousand rupees, Navi! Can you believe it?"
"Of course I can, Link," said the little being. "You've gotten greedy, you know. Don't you think asking the king if the fifty was all you were going to get a little fresh?"
"No, why? And besides, I can finally ask her! I've been waiting for months and finally I can!"
"You could have asked her before, you know. She wouldn't have said no."
"What do the two of you talk about behind my back, anyway?"
Navi puffed up her cheeks and looked away. "Girl talk. None of your business."
"Whatever. Come on, we gotta go to town. I need some things."
Even though it was late afternoon, almost evening, Hyrule Castle Town was bustling with activity. People running from shop to shop, banging into each other, laughing, talking, arguing. Link felt good being among the citizens of Hyrule, but as his eyes fell upon the palace, his face darkened. He strolled around Market Square for a while stopping only to buy a gold ring with a single emerald embedded into it from a jeweler's stand. Then he made his way to Shield Road, where all the smithies were located. He stopped in front of a new shop. What was special about this partucular one was the writing on it's sign: "Borgor's Kwaliti Plades". Link couldn't help but grin. He knew that the shop must belong to a Goron, because Borgor was not a Hylian name and he also knew that the Goron's were notoriously analphabetic. He stepped inside and, sure enough, there was a big, heavy, mountain dweller standing at the forge.
"Excuse me?" Link said.
"Aye," the Goron said, turning around. "How can I he..." He stopped in mid sentence, looking over from head to foot. "Well I'll be stoned if it isn't Brother Link! What can I do for you?"
At least that hasn't changed. Good old Darunia, still calling Link his brother. Darunia, King of the Gorons, was the Sage of Fire and the only one besides Saria Link could really talk to about "The Ganondorf Incident" as he had come to call it.
"I need a sword,"said Link. "A good one. Money doesn't matter."
Borgor scratched his cheek, a slightly worried expression flitting across his face, as if he didn't know what kind of blade he could make to befit the legendary Link. Then he suddenly grinned broadly. "Come back tomorrow morning. I'll have something ready for you."
Link Nodded and left the smithy. Not feeling like returning to the forest (which incidentally was impossible, as the Gates had already closed for the night), he decided to take a room at one of the inns. But before he could reach the door of his favorite place, "The Six Sages" hotel, he was stopped by a scrawny, slightly trembling royal guard.
"What?" Link snapped at him.
"By.. By royal decree, you, S-Sir Link of Hy-Hyrule..."
"Just get to the point, you jackass!" Link said violently. He never had much respect for the Royal guard. They were all cowards and would rather flee than do any fighting. The only thing they were any good at was archery, probably because they can do that from a reasonably safe distance, Link thought.
"Umm, I umm... The Princess wants to see you." the guard ducked as if half expecting Link to hit him. Link only snorted and made his way up to the palace.
"Sir Link!" the wimpy guard shouted after him. "I'm supposed to escor..."
Link turned around and shouted back: "I can find my own way! Just stay away from me!"
Link was furious.
How dare she have the nerve to summon me like some errand-boy? I'll tell her just what I think about that.
Ignoring the guards at the main gate, who asked him for his reason for coming to the palace at this late an hour (stupid guards cant even coordinate something as simple as this, Link thought menacingly), he marched straight into the Royal Palace of Hyrule.
The grand door to the throne room flew open with a bang and Link stormed inside, his face dark with anger. Princess Zelda was sitting on the throne in her usual white and lilac dress reading through an official looking piece of parchment. She looked up to see Link storming towards her. "Oh! Hello Link," she said in mock surprise. "What brings you here?"
"Will you stop that!" Link retorted. "You know exactly why I'm here!"
Navi fluttered out from under Links hat and attempted to fly over to the princess. But before she could get away, Link snatched her out of midair and unceremoniously stuffed her into a belt pouch, which he closed tightly.
"Let me out!" she yelled.
"Not a chance, you little traitor," Link hissed back.
"My my, Link. You do seem testy today," she got up from her throne and walked over to him. "Don't you want me to give you kiss?" She leaned forward, closing her eyes and pursing her lips. Link took several hasty steps backwards.
"No, I don't," he said. "And get to the damn point, already. I haven't got all day."
"Well, seeing as you're going to be my bodyguard, I think you should start right now." she giggled and moved in for another attempt to kiss Link, who avoided her just in time.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You're acting like a teenager here!"
"Aw," she stuck out her lower lip in a mock pout. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"Hell, yeah there's something wrong with that! And what do you need me for? You got these guys here, don't you," he waved his arms around, indicating the many guard situated along the walls.
"Granted, they're bloody cowards, but I don't think someone's going to be kidnapping you tonight. I'm leaving."
He did just that, ignoring Zelda altogether. She had abandoned her girlish behavior and started screaming like a banshee at her soon-to-be bodyguard.
"Link? Link! Stop right there! You can't do this!"
"Watch me!" he yelled without turning around.
"Link! I'm not done with you! LINK!!!"
The Six Sages looked slightly less welcoming when Link finally arrived there, but that was just the reflection of Link's own state of mind. He went over to the bar, ordered a tankard of mead and sat down in a corner, staring into space. He didn't know how long he had been sitting there, motionless, when he heard a voice.
"You usually never drink alone. What's wrong?" it said.
Link looked up into Malon's deep blue eyes. Her plain white dress and brown boots were smudged with dirt, but that did not distract from the boundless beauty of her face, which came across even better than before because she had gotten into the habit of wearing her fiery red hair in a ponytail. Her eyes, however, which usually shone with the light of constant joy, were darkened by a worried expression.
"Nothing," Link mumbled.
"Then why are you sulking?" She sat down opposite him, her eyes fixed upon his face After a moment's silence and another large gulp of mead Link sighed deeply and told Malon everything about his day, beginning with the King's visit in the Forest. When he got to the part about going up to the castle, Malon interrupted him. "You actually went to her?" she asked.
"It's not like I had a choice," Link noticed his voice rising, but he couldn't stop himself anymore. "She forced me with this decree thing. I had to go. Besides, the whole thing was a bleeding farce! She even tried to kiss..."
"I knew it!" shouted Malon. "I knew you still had feelings for her!"
The whole taproom had gone silent, but Malon continued her rant. She told him, at quite some length, that she was very upset about what he had done, that he was insensitive, cruel and even heartless to causing her so much pain. Then she resorted to name calling. All the while Link listened patiently, until she started using more colorful terms. That's when he decided that it was best to intervene. He got to his feet, pulled Malon towards him and kissed her firmly on the mouth. When he finally released her, she tried to slap him, but he just grabbed her hand and put around her ring finger the golden band he had bought earlier. Malon stared perplexedly at the shimmering emerald. All of a sudden her attitude changed and she threw her arms around Link's neck. "Yes!" she whispered into Link's ear as the spectators cheered for the newly betrothed couple.
But not everyone was content. A small, feeble, muffled voice which came from Link's waist said: "Are you gonna let me out now?"
A/N: Well, so much for the new first chapter. I dind't change all that much in this one, mostly because it was the best of the old lot. I would appreciate any reviews, as long as they aren't insulting. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.
