Wow second chapter and it was pretty long when I wrote it up on paper, god knows how long the next one will be. Ike and the gang will be making their debut soon, very soon so hang in there guys. Though i've have 11 hits on this story, if noone reviews it it will stop, but i don't want to do that as i love this story alot. so please can we review even if you don't like it, it would be nice to know what you all think of it and how it can be a better story to read.

Chapter two

The carriage journey seemed to take forever, though that may have been on account that the streets were blocked so as people in Castle Town could catch a glimpse of princess Zelda and the foreign royals. While it was necessary for this to be done, it didn't appeal to them to go up to them and say yes look at us, you must bow down to us

"I hope we can get this over and done with quickly. As much as I may like Zelda, Lily. I don't want to hang around here."

"Well you know that there's going to be the feast as normal, then talking, then sleep. Oh wake up, eat oh and then guess what, more talking. It's going to be a fun week really."

"Well that's what you have to do and I for some of it but replace talking with training with the royal guards."

A small smile crossed lily's face, while this was all true and Zelda was fun to be around they didn't want to be here. As lily could sense that this week was going to start off as one of many events that would be the start of something terrible. She just couldn't shake that feeling. Well it was nothing to worry about it wasn't like something bad was going to happen here, was it?

It was 11 at night and the town was quite save the sound of a horse hitting the cobbles. Boredom had taken hold of Aeron half way through dinner. It was too, well quite and it was eerie. It was as if Zelda wanted to say something but was too afraid to do so. He missed the people here he felt like he was home sometimes. Though it was times like now that he found himself not for the first time wishing that he wasn't a prince. One person that might understand would be long time friend and partner in crime, the "chosen hero" the hated title that was his destined birth right. Link. Right now he felt sorry for lily having to talk politics and resent events in the nations. This would be quite a few right about now. Though tonight was NOT about that now. This was about fun, drinking, women and maybe a game or two. Remembering the different events that brought the two of them together. He was 17 when he was with the Rangers of the Woods. He had had a huge argument with the leader about having a bit of free time, stupid really thinking about it. At midnight he mad his escape from the camp and went to the nearest province. Ordon. He had reached a bridge with his horse Edin. When suddenly he was set upon by dead things. Terrified at what was happening, he made his horse cross the bridge in the hopes that people would be there. Seeing light ahead, he went towards it in blind hope. Turning around he found he wasn't being chased any more.

"You know it's a good thing we have those protections in place or you might be dead by now. Unless you brought them here in which case, get out or you die here and now."

"No, no wait don't please. Morgan, I wish I never wanted freedom from the Rangers and…."

"Wait, the Rangers of the Woods, Ashata right? You don't look old enough to be. I've seen them they have a prince or what ever. About 17, wild child from what Bo's told me really"

"Bo the mayor of Ordon, likes sumo or what ever it is?"

"Ok if you know Bo, I'll take you to him to prove it. If he remembers you then you can stay with me the night, sounds fair?"

"Er ……. Yeah it's fair, how far is it? As we met him outside here in Hyrule fields"

Grabbing the reins of his horse, he got down and walked besides this new stranger.

"So how do you know of us then? Wait lets guess, Bo?"

"Ha-ha yeah was really. Everyone's talking about you guys."

"Never realised we were so popular really"

"Why you in Hyrule then. We don't get many visitors in these parts. Tell me before I knock on the door"

"What we're here already. Wow. Ok then, it's for my sister, she's well the future queen and we're helping her with new lands, mapping out really. I miss her but you know, do what you have to."

That night went down as one to remember. Bo knew who he was and because of that, had a night of fighting, his first real taste of ale which was good. It was nearly sunrise when they got to Links house and both collapsed onto the floor and laughing for some reason. It still amazed him that he could remember half of it. Getting an hours rest after a night of drinking isn't fun when the captain is yelling at people about a certain prince going missing. It also wasn't fun having him yelling at a new friend and being told it was his fault for this and that this wasn't the end of it. That was until Bo stepped in and explained it to his. How, is still a mystery? Since then and until he left, all his spare time they were together causing havoc with the kids, training with each other and exploring the surrounding woods. He missed that and that is what tonight was all about now. He had a message sent to all the bars in the town asking if Link was there; keep him there till he got there. A message came back from Thelma's bar, saying that it wouldn't be a problem. Link had found out and sent a new message saying he'd meet him in the square. So here he was again. Having sneaked out yet again to meet up.

"Bloody git, would have to be cold tonight. Easy there, easy, easy. Where the hell are you?"

More than once Aeron had wished he stayed indoors instead of coming outside, or at the very least brought a thick coat with him. Slowing getting down from Edin, and starting to stroke her head. After a few minutes, Edin started to whinny and get scared.

"Hey girl what's wrong? Ok, ok calm down nothing will hurt you"

All of a sudden a hook appeared from no where, latched onto the building opposite Aeron. Now all too fully aware of what was happening, his training kicked into high octane. First things first he had to get Edin and himself out of harms way. Grabbing the reins he raced across the square and down the southern road.

"Come on girl, move it now unless you want us both to die?"

Bucking onto her hind legs and getting more terrified by the minute, he decided that for both their sakes it would be easier to blindfold her, take her into darkness, tie her there and deal with the problem. Grabbing his sash, he started the process.

A cold harsh voice sounded in the air that sent a shiver down his spine. Yes he was scared but he had to know who it was. Though whoever it was, it certainly wasn't Link.

"I believe we have a truant prince on the loose here."

The sound of the hook being drawn together, but that didn't stop the stranger from talking and filling the air around him

"You know I did hope you would present me with a bit of a challenge, but you were so caught up with your horse, that you failed to stop me on a number of occasions there. How very disappointing"

Fed up of this whole situation. Without meaning to he shouted

"Who the hell are you and what are you trying to do here?"

"Now, now we wouldn't want to wake people now wound we?"

"Give me on good reason why I shouldn't just come up there and kill you right now"

In a low voice that was strange to him

"Tut, tut, now that won't do here. Aren't you meant to be courteous as a prince of Ashata or have I got that wrong?"

The stranger was starting to annoy him big time here, but he didn't know where any of the guards had heard any of this and were coming or not. The only thing that came to mind was to keep this person talking, find out more, and then make a plan about what to do next. In the same low voice

"Well you haven't given me much reason to do so now have you? And you still haven't answered my questions."

"Too true, well who I am is of little concern to you right now and what I am doing is delivering a message to royals telling them of my masters' plans"

"And what…"

"The message is clear, hand over land and power to us and you and your people live. Ignore the claim or refuse us leads you all into death never to return. When you have reached a decision look for this sign and follow the whispers to go with it. You have three days. Like your sister who you will pass the message onto has also been received by Zelda and the leaders of each state in Tellius. Three days heed this and pray you do the right thing for your people."

With that the stranger turned and headed into darkness embrace. In a blink of an eye whoever or whatever it was, was gone. The only sign that anything or anyone was here was a small token made of stone. The carving was nothing he had ever seen before. Dark red was flowing down the pillar with a chimera on top of the spire. Before he had time to examine it further the voice filled the air again.

"Just so as you know, Link is safe but won't be if you don't find him and choose the right cure for him to live. Don't worry he's still here in the city. The only problem is where and how long you have got till he dies. Midday and if he hasn't taken it he dies a painful death from inside out. Chop, chop and happy hunting."

The last statement filled Aeron with a sudden fear. As if the first one wasn't bad enough, he now faced the prospect of losing his best and closest friend he had. The only problem he faced now was what to do first. Go to Lily and tell her everything or find Link? If he did the first not only would he lose time in finding him, but also if he did vice-versa he'd have the same problems. Both way he was screwed, and even now he was wasting time. Tonight had been a disaster and he was going to make it right. He would go after Link and be dammed with the consequences' later. After all, he was known as the reckless prince, he may as well live up to his reputation. Racing down the southern road, he would start at Thelma's and work his way out there. After all he owed him that, plus a few beers to make up for this.

The clock over the mantle piece chimed midnight as did the clock tower in the square. Not only was Lily tied but she had been watching Zelda pacing up and down the room several times now. The two princesses advisors were getting grumpy, Generys most of all. Leaning over towards Lily she whispered.

"if she doesn't stop doing this I will go over there and slap her till she tells us what she was going to say nearly three hours ago."

Smiling to herself as much as for her, she nodded in reply

"I thought you weren't talking to me now?"

With a knowing smile

"Oh please can we forget about that now. Dillon's been going on about that all day now just leave it."

"Can we please be quite, I'm nervous and don't know how to say what I'm going to say to you"

With that Zelda carried on pacing up and down again. Looking at each other. Generys rolled her eyes, put her hands into her lap

"We never would have guessed, what with us sitting here since dinner ended. Oh I don't know THREE HOURS AGO"

"Please Zelda, whatever is troubling you hasd to be of some importance. As I've never in all my time knowing you seen you do this."

Standing up Lily walked over towards Zelda by the fire, held her hands and lead her towards a vacant chair next to her

"You can trust me, you know that."

"I know but my people have already faced and come out of one danger and now we face another"

Suddenly Zelda burst into tears and collapsed onto Lily's shoulder.

What I', I to do, not only is it my nation, but Tellius and yours too."

"Can we please talk plainly here. In the name of Morgan, this has gone on long enough"

"GENERYS, enough of that. Zelda please tell me I don't understand you"

"Three nations face a danger. An unknown danger. I've received a token before you arrived and a message from a stranger saying, if we don't hand over land and power our people die, yours, mine and Tellius. We've just come out of one passing and now I have no clue what to do. I assume you got this message too?"

A look of horror crossed three faces. Barrus, Zelda's advisor, Lily and Generys. A small voice sounded from the corner next to the fire.

"Princess, are you telling me, US that something has entered our lands and is spreading discord within the courts?"

"No Barrus just me, and by the looks on your twos faces, this is the first time you've heard of this."

"Yes, yes it is Zelda. What of princess Midna, does this affect her in anyway?"

"Since her lands are one with Hyrule, I don't know how but they are, then I just don't know. But I hope not"

"Princess how, why?"

"I don't know Barrus, I just don't but one things for certain we must contact Tellius and all its state leaders."

"But Zelda, sorry princess, how can we they lay a week maybe two weeks by sea's travel by that time who knows what they will choose. If they go with them, then they become our enemy. We can't afford that. Not with the disrepair we face. It would be disastrous."

"Barrus is right; I for one agree with him, we must hope that they go against what they say. We cannot contact them; we're on our own here now."

"I admit I agree with both advisors, though Generys you're wrong there is a way to contact them. Though it hasn't been used in a while but who knows?"

"Lily don't say it please don't not now, but I know we must take arms against them"

"Yes we must but not without Tellius and not without knowing more about these people who threaten us all."

"lily your right, if this is your decision then we must call forth my teachers after the three days and tell them everything. What about you Barrus? Your views"

"If this is it then I'm inclined to protect us all. We must warn the other provinces and find a way to protect them all before it's too late. But I wonder princesses how are we to contact Tellius. As far as my knowledge has lead me to believe there are seven nations in one country. You can't possibly contact them all at once."

Doubt crossed Barrus' mind as he looked at the pair

"Or is there?"

Breaking the silence that was only broken by the cracking of fire across the logs, Zelda replied

"There is one way we can but we can't guarantee it will work. The artefact in question is a mirror. When you look into it and say the names of the people who have them, you can talk to them or leave an imprint upon each of their's to tell them you need to talk."

"Does it still work though Zelda?"

"who knows, but right now it's the only thing we have, we have under three days left to tell them what we will do and we must tell them what our decision is or we surely will perish when they least suspect it of happening. Hurry we must do both tasks at once as I fear they will do something to their advantage."

With Zelda speech done, one look passed to each member in the room, nodded to one another. Stood and followed Zelda and Lily to the back of the room. Pulled back the painting of Zelda's father for it revealed a winding staircase. Lighting a torch with a wave of Lily's hand over the torch, passed to Zelda and into the gloom of the tunnel where the unknown lie in wait.

A/N well that was one hell of a job for me. Hope you liked it. Wonder what's going to happen with everyone. Hehehe. Well you know the what to do, I won't post any more up until you all R and R. (or it stops :( )