Chapter 3: Sheik

Gradually, the rippling blue light dissipated. Link and Navi discovered that they were back in the Temple of Time. Nothing appeared to have changed since they had gone. Not a single sign indicated that time had passed at all. No dirt had gathered, no cobwebs had been spun, not a single crack had appeared in the masonry. It was hard to believe that seven years had passed despite what Rauru had told them and the evidence of Link's matured body.

"Seven years…" Navi whispered. "It's so hard to believe. Yet if what Rauru said is true and Ganondorf has seized dominion over the world, I fear what awaits us outside."

Link's thoughts traveled out the doors of the temple. In his mind he saw an orange sky and dark smoke rolling across it. He heard the roar of flames, the screams of people, the growls of beasts… the town under attack just as he had left it…

"Whatever it is," said Link grimly, "we have to face it. We… I failed and I need to make up for it… no matter what it takes…" With a grim expression, he strode down the steps of the pedestal and headed toward the antechamber.

From the shadows behind him, a figure took a careful step forward. The sound was slight but it was enough to cause Link to pause. Navi spun around, gasped, and ducked behind his shoulder. "Behind you, Link," she whispered.

Link gave a slight nod. He flexed his fingers. Then with a sudden yell he whipped his sword out and spun to face the stranger.

The stranger did not react except to lift his hand, indicating for Link to lower his sword. He was garbed from head to toe in white, with a red symbol on his chest - a single eye with a tear and a wide grin. Link had seen the symbol before on the Gossip Stones and also the Mask of Truth that the Happy Mask Salesman had given him.

"Who are you?" Link demanded. He hadn't lowered his sword but was keeping it level with the stranger's chest.

The stranger lowered his hand. His entire face was hidden behind a white cloth except for the eyes, which Link noticed with a start were red - the same color as Impa's, which must mean this stranger was a Sheikah.

The Sheikah spoke, "At last, you have returned. Impa told me I would find you here." His voice was muffled behind the cloth and sounded strangely soft.

"Then she is alive?" Navi asked hopefully. "And Princess Zelda?"

"They are both alive," confirmed the Sheikah though he had given a strange pause first. This worried Link, so he asked, "Where are they? Ganondorf, did he…?"

"He is completely unaware of their location," answered the Sheikah. "For the moment, they are safe. Impa waits for you now at Kakariko Village."

"Then we should go." Link turned to Navi. "Maybe she knows where we can find the Sages."

"Then it's true," said the Sheikah, taking a step forward. "You are the one who will restore peace to Hyrule. The youth whose destiny it is to vanquish evil with the Blade of Evil's Bane in his hand. The Hero…" His eyes grew bright, hope burning within them.

"How long we have waited for you to return," he continued. "Seven long years the world waited…"

A lump developed in Link's throat. He ducked his head. "I didn't mean to disappear. I thought I could use the Triforce to defeat Ganondorf. I thought I could use the Master Sword against him, and then…"

"You are not at fault," said Sheik with conviction. "If anyone is to blame, it is Princess Zelda. She should have known better. She was a fool to think she could control the Golden Power, and worse still she involved you in her scheme." His voice had become hard, almost bitter.

Navi bristled. "You shouldn't talk like that about the princess. She was only doing what she thought was best."

Sheik turned his back to them and took a few steps forward. "If you knew the mistakes she's made, the lives she ruined with her plans, you wouldn't feel so generous toward her. She deserves nothing less than the harshest condemnation."

"And who are you to judge her so harshly?" Navi demanded.

The Sheikah stiffened. For a moment, he didn't reply or even move. Then he slowly turned and gave the two of them a low bow. His voice came out oddly stiff, "I am known as Sheik, one of the remaining survivors of the Sheikah tribe, and it is my duty to aid the Hero in restoring the land of Hyrule to its former glory."

"And how will you do that?" Navi asked.

Sheik swept his hand through the air. "Scattered across the land are temples that act as gates to the Sacred Realm where the Sages draw their power. Unfortunately, many of the Sages disappeared long ago. However, their bloodline lives on, and just recently the temples have become active. They will call to the descendants of the Sages."

"So I just look for these temples?" Link asked.

Sheik nodded. "You must, for though the descendants will hear the call they cannot awaken as true Sages without your help. Just entering the temple will not be enough to awaken them."

Link shook his head. "Then how do I awaken them?"

Sheik dropped his chin a fraction. "I will teach you. It is up to you to find the Sages and guide them to the temples. Once there, I will teach you what you need to know." He lifted his head and continued, "To begin your search, I recommend returning to your home village in the forest. I am certain a descendant is there - it may even be someone that you know." He nodded to the doorway behind Link. "Your equipment is at the base of the altar where you left them though I'm afraid time has been harsh on many of them."

"Oh, okay," Link glanced back and then turned to Sheik again, "Than…" He stopped in surprise, for the Sheikah had vanished.

After a pause, Navi remarked slowly, "Something doesn't seem right with that Sheik character. I'm not certain we can trust him."

"Why not?" Link asked. He turned to the doorway and walked forward.

"Well, for starters, why does he hide his face? And did you hear the contempt he had for Princess Zelda? Even when he speaks, there's something in his voice like he's hiding something…"

They descended the steps that curved around toward the altar where the three Spiritual Stones - the Kokiri Emerald, the Goron's Ruby, and the Zora Sapphire - lay gleaming in their hollows. Link frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe we should ask Impa about him. Didn't he say we'd find her there? If he's a Sheikah then she should know about him, right?"

"That's assuming Sheik was telling the truth, but that does sound like a good idea. Kakariko Village should be a good place to find out what's going on," Navi agreed. Then she pointed, "Oh, Link, your adventure pouch!"

It was right where Sheik said it would be - right where Link had left it seven years ago. He stooped to pick it up and that's when he discovered something else sitting next to it. A smaller pouch filled with rupees. Attached to the drawstring was a card. The writing on it was a little faded with age, but Link could still read it. It said,

Your payment of 50 rupees

for the Snorkeling Mask has

been received. It has been

a pleasure doing business

with you.

Yours in friendship,

the Happy Mask Salesman

Link wasn't smiling when he finished. Navi didn't have to ask why. She had read the card over his shoulder and she also felt a certain disquiet toward its author. Regardless, she said, "It was certainly gracious of him to return your wallet… however unexpected it was."

Link didn't respond but tore off the card and tossed it. For a moment he handled the wallet indecisively as though wondering if it was safe to keep, but eventually he tied it to his belt. Then he turned to his attention to his adventure pouch and sifted through it. He found Sheik had been right about some of it wasting away over time. The Deku nuts, sticks, and pellets had become gritty powder and his slingshot had become useless since the leather of the sling had grown stiff and cracked. The only things that had survived the seven years were the three glass bottles, the bombs, and the Ocarina of Time.

With his adventure pouch back on his hip, along with the bomb bag and wallet, he made his way to the opening of the Temple of Time. At the threshold he stopped.

His fairy sensed his hesitation. She remained silent for a moment and then said, "Whatever is waiting for us out there… we'll face it together… and we will fix it."

Link nodded slowly. He closed his eyes, recalling the sounds he had heard in Hyrule Castle Town the last time he had been there - the howls, the screams, the crackling of fire… He let out a wavering sigh.

"All right," he said at last. "Let's go."