Legend of Zelda: The Lost Sage

by Soulless Suicune

After the events of the Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf's seal drastically weakens and forces from both within the Sacred Realm and outside Hyrule's borders threaten the kingdom. After a series of attack and trouble brewing from Hyrule's neighbors, Link begins to investigate and uncovers secrets that shatter his loyalty to both his kingdom and the goddesses.

3. Chapter 3

A/N: Here's Chapter 3! For those who reviewed, thanks again. Please tell me what you think of this chapter, especially if you think its too melodramatic. I tried to get a sense of Zelda's depression and guilt, but I'm not sure if I went overboard or not. Anyway, enjoy and R/R :)

Chapter 3

The Chamber of Sages

Zelda smiled, finding the way she delivered Link's gear quite humorous. Maybe some of it had been out of spite, but warping them in one big messy pile made her laugh, especially knowing how much Link hated messes. If only he could give the knights and other soldiers a lesson on cleanliness, or her father, for that matter. Even Rickard grinned, despite being shaken by what Link said. As cruel as the words had been, Zelda had to agree somewhat with them. Her father had chosen him due to his relationship with Link, while not bothering to see just how the two felt about each other, nor bothering to check out Rickard's actual skills. Not that he was a bad sword fighter or guard by any means, but her father chose him in part to try and annoy Link.

"Sorry for the delay, Rickard, Link needed those back at the temple," she said.

"That's fine, Princess," said Rickard.

Zelda nodded and allowed him to lead her outside Link's house. Before locking the door behind her, she turned back and let her eyes linger over the interior. She gave a sad sigh, her eyes focused on the table they sat at minutes ago. If only their meeting went better. Some of the tension and mood lay with her, but a large portion lay with Link, also. Link would always be a close friend of hers, despite his at times pompous attitude, but the way he looked at her, the way he freaked out when she told him about her engagement to Wulfrick bothered her. She could understand him being disappointed, but his attitude troubled her. She knew she looked attractive, but his staring and thinking just due to their hero princess connection meant they should get married irritated her.

She quietly closed the door. Link did care about her and his other friends, but she couldn't help but regret what had been in the past, so much about him had changed. What happened to the nice courageous boy who didn't have a self-inflated ego she met so many years ago? He wasn't an arrogant prick like many others she knew, but his attitude, especially after he realized Rickard became the Great Knight, no, she didn't like that all. His heart still went to the right place, protecting Hyrule, those in the Forest Temple, and caring for his friends, but she couldn't get past his now massive ego, or refusal to believe her about Saria. Normally, Zelda would have understood, but from what she knew, the two hadn't gotten along these past few years. How could he truly say he still knew her? Then again, her own relationship with the forest sage had deteriorated long ago, and what had she done? Nothing.

"I something wrong, your grace?" Rickard asked.

She shook her head, keeping her eyes focused on their destination. "No, I'm fine, Rickard. Please, let us go."

He nodded and approached four guards. Zelda stayed back and watched, part of her keeping her eyes open for anything suspicious, but mainly keeping her focus on Rickard. Hopefully Link wouldn't be proven right about him, judging by the way he addressed the guards, Zelda had hope. He'd only been the Great Knight for over a year. Her father had spent six trying recruit Link, and now Rickard had taken the position. She couldn't have been happier. As much as she still partially wanted Link to have that title, the rank of Great Knight shouldn't have gone so long empty.

"I will escort the princess to the castle," said Rickard. "I want you four to look for any traps, ambushes, or anyone suspicious around Link's house and the surrounding area."

"Yes, sir," they said and did as told. Rickard smiled and turned back toward Zelda. She grinned and followed him.

So far, nothing seemed out of place. No one on the rooftops, no bombs, or any devices she could sense that could be used as a trap. The peasants had been ushered into their places of residence as the guards searched. Anyone caught outside would enact suspicion, but that didn't mean they were guilty of anything, she had to keep reminding herself. Seriously, ever since Ganondorf's reign ended, she had become so paranoid.

As she expected, the area around the castle swarmed with guards and soldiers. She looked at Rickard. Had they contacted anyone yet? An assassination attempt on her father, as bad that sounded, didn't really surprise her. After all, she knew how much the newly conquered territories despised him, and her for that matter. She frowned. Hopefully they'd be able to improve relations with the people there, though her father seemed bent on maintaining those areas by force rather than diplomacy.

So much on her mind right now, and so little she could do. Once she returned to the castle, she'd speak with the sages. No one had much information on the missing sage, though the last council had been weeks ago. Or maybe Darunia uncovered something in the forest. She could only hope. Zelda grimaced and prayed to Hylia, for any sort of news, good or bad, about the missing sage, the forest, or the assassin. Link hadn't brought any good news, only confirming the issues which plagued her. As much as she hated holding information from him, she felt it necessary, especially on seeing his reaction when she told him Saria left by her own will. To be fair, she didn't know for sure if the former Forest Sage had been responsible for what happened in Kokiri Village, the Lost Woods, and so forth, but all the evidence pointed to her. As for the Deku Tree, Link said he possessed the powers of the Forest Sage, but that couldn't be possible. Only she, her father, and the goddesses could dictate who became a sage. Had Saria somehow circumvented the sage process when she abandoned the position? Had her anger become fierce enough to tap into the seal and use some of the Triforce of Power? Could that even work? No, that wouldn't make sense. They would know, hopefully, if she somehow managed to give the tree her powers.

"Your grace," Rickard said, pulling her from her thoughts. "Do you think I failed? I should have stopped the attempt on your father's life."

Zelda sighed. Damn it Link. "You did your job, Rickard. You caught the assassin before he even touched my father. Where was he when it happened?"

"In his chambers."

"Then there wouldn't have been a reason for guards to be with him. It doesn't matter that someone wanted my father dead, what matters is that you caught the assassin. You are a good Great Knight, not as confident as you should be, but you are doing your job well."

"Thank you, your grace."

"Don't let Link bother you too much. I know he isn't the same boy you remember from Kakariko, but he's still a good man, despite his haughty attitude. He'll warm up once he sees how good of a job you're doing."

Rickard remained quiet. Zelda couldn't blame him. He may not be the best knight there could have been, but Rickard was a good man. Anyway, she felt safe with him and she trusted his ability to keep Castle Town safe from anyone wanting her and her father dead.

Sage of Time and bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom, which such power, and with the guards, she should feel safe, but she didn't, she felt vulnerable and terrified. A dark part of her, a part she wanted to quash, told her that a certain former sage had done this. Zelda violently shook her head, earning a worried stare from Rickard night. No, she wouldn't have done this. As angry as she had been when she left, Zelda knew Saria would not have tried to kill her or her father.

"She doesn't even know how to hire and contact a Sheikah, I think," she said bitterly to herself.

Hylia, she really needed to stop having these thoughts. Such thoughts did nothing, they only helped amplify her already deep depression. As the leader of the sages, the responsibility ultimately went with her. She liked to think all the sages to be friends, even if one of them had stormed out of the Sacred Realm, even if she called Zelda a viscous tyrant.

Zelda stared off, her eyes glazing over as she attempted to search her soul for answers. Was she a monster? Had she really been as cruel as Saria made her out to be? She should have handled the situation differently, she should have said more, been more aware, more helpful, but she hadn't. In part, she had been responsible for causing one of her dearest friends to storm out on her. No, she couldn't, shouldn't blame herself. Fault lie in the Kokiri girl, well, woman now. She gulped. No matter how much she wanted to, no matter how much she could contort, speed up, or slow down time, Zelda knew she couldn't change the past. What happened had happened, no amount of grief or begging could change things.

A single tear dripped from her eyes. Where had she gone wrong? Where had her father and the goddesses gone wrong? Rickard said something to try and comfort her, she ignored him. Damn it, damn it all. Could all the chaos in the Sacred Realm be her fault, or all of Saria's? No, deep down, Zelda knew she had been just as responsible, if not more so, for what happened. Sage of Time and yet not able to see how much one of her friends had been suffering. Useless, she'd always be useless, unable to help those she loved.

She never claimed to be perfect, but as a princess, a sage, and a bearer of the Triforce, her mistakes did more damage than those of anyone else. Now she could only mend the damage and try and make Hyrule safe again. For the past several nights, weeks, and months, she prayed every night at her bed, begging the goddesses to not let her fail again.

Once they entered the castle, her somber mood only worsened. Her father stood in the entrance of the main hall, speaking with several guards. He looked regal in his red robe and golden crown. She smiled. She knew he hadn't been hurt, but seeing her father standing strong and giving orders somewhat lightened her mood. Normally, the red carpets, lamps, and white walls of the castle gave her comfort, but now, it didn't offer any of those luxuries. She couldn't help but glance up to the upper level and the golden rails above, half expecting to see a shadowy figure watching them. She didn't, but it didn't ease her nerves.

"Your majesty," Rickard said on their approach and knelt.

Her father smiled and ran toward Zelda. He threw his arms around her and she hugged back with an almost equally fury. She nearly wept into him arms, as she did as a girl, and as she did once Ganondorf had been defeated and she found her father alive. With all her strength, she forced herself not to sob. No, a princess and future queen had to appear strong in front of her subjects. Her father patted her on the back, his eyes casting her in a knowing stare.

They broke their embrace. Her father motioned for Rickard to rise. "Sir Rickard," he said with a great air of formality. "Thank you for making sure Zelda was unharmed and saving my life. I will always be in your debt." To the other guards he said, "Dismissed, I wish to speak with my daughter and the Great Knight alone."

They saluted and left. Daphnes looked over Zelda for a moment before saying, "How did it go with Link?"

By his tone, Zelda knew he was upset, though by the attempt on his life, or from Link not coming to him, she couldn't be sure. "It went well. He shared with me some insight of the events in the forest. Father, it's worse than we feared. The Deku Tree has gone mad, he attacked the Kokiri, and a group of Kokiri survivors are held up in the Forest Temple. Even some skull kids and stalfos are with them. From what Link said, the forest creatures attacked them earlier this day ."

His face deepened further. "Any news on the traitor?"

Traitor… the world stung worse than it should. She left nearly a year ago, but hearing her father call someone she once considered a dear friend a traitor tormented her. "We have no news on her, Father. Link said once he returned to the Forest Temple he would go searching for her. Unfortunately, I had no tips to give him on where to start looking." Though knowing Link, he'd probably have a good idea.

"Yes, Link," he said, his voice filled with spite. Zelda had hoped her father's attitude toward him would lighten once Rickard had been chosen, but it hadn't. Bad blood existed on both sides, with neither party willing to admit fault. Both could be so foolish at times. Zelda had attempted to mend their relationship in the past, but honestly, with how Link had been acting recently, she stopped trying.

"Your grace," Rickard said. "The princess wanted me to send a small force to the Forest Temple to aid them. Do I have your leave?"

"Yes," King Daphnes said. "I want the situation in the forest dealt with as soon as possible. What concerns me more is the assassin. Who is he with? Why did he attack? I don't care about my own life, but I would not have them make an attack on you, Zelda."

"Father," she said. "You are the king. Your life is worth more than mine."

He grunted. "Don't give me that nonsense. You are a sage and a bearer of the Triforce, but most importantly, my daughter. I already have the protection around the castle doubled, and I want Impa and at least one other guard with you at all times when you leave the castle."

Zelda shook her head. "Father, that isn't needed. Impa will be enough. Besides, you remember what I did as Sheik, right?"

The King folded his arms. "Yes, but you are still my daughter. After your mother died at Ganondorf's hands," he took a deep breath, for a second, Zelda thought her father would break down. "I can't afford to lose you, too."

"Father," Zelda said, her voice drifting off. "I'll be fine. Please, don't worry about me. It was you the assassin went after, not me."

"Yes, now, please, tell me everything you and Link discussed."

She did, in full detail, including what she suspected about the forest. Her father nodded glumly, even Rickard paid full attention despite him knowing the least about these events. Then again, he did have to go to the forest. She made sure to stress about the Deku Tree, telling him not to enter the meadow. If it attacked Link, someone it had known for years, then who knows what it would do to someone it didn't know, especially after Link said Hylians had attacked.

"So," her father said. "You think the assassin and this group could be related?"

"It's possible, your majesty," Rickard said. "Though I still believe this may involve the new provinces. They may not be the instigators, but we know how much they miss their independence."

"Yes," her father said glumly. "Looks like I may need to crack down on them even harder."

"Father," Zelda said. "Punishing them for something we don't know for sure they did will make the situation worse. We shouldn't be trying to force them into submission."

He looked at her rather harshly. She didn't back down. "I tried playing nice with Ganondorf, and we saw how that worked out. No, intimidation is the only way to get them to listen. It worked with the Gerudo once we disposed of Ganondorf, and it will work with them."

"Father—" Zelda started.

He shook his hands. "Zelda, please, I am the king. You are learning fast, but I know more about these affairs than you do. Focus on the Sacred Realm, and I will focus on our physical realm."

Zelda folded her arms but didn't respond. He'd find out soon enough brute force rarely worked in maintaining order. Besides, he rarely listened to her words about the Sacred Realm, claiming affairs there to be less important. Sure, he wanted Saria captured, but he didn't care much about the sages said, nor did he care about why Saria had been dissatisfied. He may have cracked down at the Gerudo, even destroying their fortress, but only her own sharp mind and Nabooru eased tensions.

"What are your orders, your grace?" Rickard asked. He looked bothered, by from what her father said, she couldn't be sure. If the new provinces did revolt, he'd be leading the forces trying to bring them under control.

"I'll handle the outlying provinces. Don't worry, Zelda, I won't be too harsh on them." She held her head high at her father's look. He continued, "As you already sent out people to investigate the assassin and speak with the Sheikah, I have no orders for you, only to report what you find once you reach the forest."

"Father, in all due respect, finding a new Forest Sage, capturing the old one, and finding out who attacked the forest and dealing with them is more important than bossing around our new territories. Hyrule could be at an even greater threat now. Without a Forest Sage, the seal has weakened drastically. This is more important than a couple unruly provinces we seized by force."

"Link can defeat Ganondorf again, and I trust your judgement, Zelda. You are more fit to handle the affairs of the sages than I am. Once I receive more word of this attack, I will respond in full force and make them regret attacking my kingdom. Until then, I have need not bother with the workings of the sages."

She looked down. "Yes, Father."

"Good, now, if you don't have anything else to report Sir Rickard, you may be dismissed. I trust you will gather a sizable force to take to the Forest Temple?"

"Yes, your majesty. I already plan on who I'm taking."

"Good," Zelda said. She forced a smile. "Remember, don't approach the Great Deku Tree until we learn more. Head straight for the Forest Temple."

"Yes, your majesty. I pray both of you will be safe and that I will find out who did this," Rickard said. He saluted the king, gave both a curtesy bow, and left the castle. Zelda watched him go. Hylia bless him on his quest. Hopefully, he wouldn't run into too much trouble out there. Maybe he'd find a peaceful way to end the troubles in the Lost Woods.

Once Rickard left, she turned to face her father. He looked glum, more so than before they had talked. As much as he obsessed over his conquests, Zelda knew he worried about what she told him, and the safety of their realm.

"Father," she said. "Before the assassin attacked, did you have any idea someone wanted you dead?"

He shook his head. "Not that badly, no. Link's the only one I can think of who'd want me dead."

"Don't say that! You two may disagree, but he's loyal to you, to Hyrule."

"Yes, but your Hero of Time is turning into a liability."

Her eyes narrowed. "How so?"

"Tell me, have you heard from Prince Wulfrick?"

"I received a letter from him yesterday. Why bring him up? Link doesn't even know much about the Terminian Royal Family. I know he's infatuated with me, but he wouldn't dare or even think to have Prince Wulfrick or you murdered."

Her father rapidly shook his head. "That's not what I meant. I know Link wouldn't do that, what I mean is his attitude toward you. He may try and scare off the prince, possible risk damaging our ties with Termina. I know he helped establish ties between our two kingdoms after the fake moon and Majora, but you know he'd do anything to get you to marry him."

"He may, but he's smart enough to know that would only anger me further. Besides, he still may look at me that way, but I believe he knows I won't ever consider marrying him." No, not anymore. Once, years ago, she constantly dreamt about marrying him. The Hero of Time and the Sage of Time, Hyrule Historia would have recorded their accomplishments, their love, and how they raised the next generation of royalty and commoners in the age of peace they had fought for. A union between the Sage of Time and Hero of Time had sounded so poetic to her. Not anymore. All those dreams she once had, now gone. In a way, they'd be nightmares now.

"I only say this because I worry about you. I trust Link's loyalty, I just don't like his obsession over you."

"I wouldn't go that far." She wouldn't, Malon might, but Zelda knew Link wasn't obsessed about either of them. He deeply loved her, yes, but Link wasn't the obsessed stalker her father or Malon claimed. Her own feelings aside, she could understand why her father felt that way. "Trust me, he won't come between the prince and me. Even if he tried, I wouldn't let him."

Her father's eyes softened. "You're still not happy about the marriage, are you?"

"I just wish I could have known about the whole engagement and had more of a choice. I love Prince Wulfrick. He's a gentleman and I'm sure he'll make a great king. I just wish I had more of a say in the whole thing."

He looked down. "I'm sorry, Zelda."

"Don't be, it's necessary. Sometimes duty must go beyond our own wishes. Our duty to the realm must always come first." Did it though? She knew her father would agree, and many of the sages, too, but a certain forest girl didn't see things that way. She looked down. Had she been in the wrong in telling that to Saria? Or had Saria been in the wrong? Or maybe both of them shared the blame. Both had been chosen for roles they didn't want. The only difference that Zelda grew into being happy about the thought of marrying Wulfrick. She truly loved him, and she knew he loved her. She may still not be thrilled with a politically arranged marriage, but she loved Wulfrick with all her heart.

"It was nice having him as the castle," her father said.

She smiled. "It really was. I still can't believe he cleaned up the whole throne room and dining hall just because he felt guilty about throwing up on you." Goddesses, she and Wulfrick had been so drunk that night. Both of them, especially him, had been so embarrassed by what happened. Part of her couldn't help but find the whole affair hilarious. From what she had been told, Impa had to literally carry her to her room. That thought made her grow red. She shuffled around.

Her father huffed. "I still have in mind to throw him out the next time he comes. Still, he's a good lad." He cracked a smile. "Who am I kidding. I hated that robe, best excuse ever to toss the damn thing."

"Didn't Grandmother give you that robe?"

"Yes, and trust me, I have better heirlooms to remember her by than that hideous thing." He burst out laughing and hugged her. "She'd be so proud of you."

Her eyebrows rose. "Would she? This whole mess with the sages, it's my fault."

"No," he barked. "What happened is not your fault. You followed your orders from the goddesses, and you did your best to mend the situation. Her refusal to see reason doesn't say anything negative about you. You are a great sage, and you will make an amazing queen one day. Besides, your stunt as Sheik and leading the underground resistance movement, that would make anyone proud."

"Thank you, Father."

"You better believe it. I know you may disagree with some of my policies, but I love you, Zelda. The whole thing with Prince Wulfrick, I just wanted to your mind off Link and onto something that would make you happy."

"Father, that's fine. I understand, and I do love Prince Wulfrick, I just wish you have told me before informing me who I would be marrying."

He nodded. "Yes, of course."

Zelda smiled. "I should write to him again. He'd want to know what has happened here."

"Yes, also warn him about Avina. If the attack really was from them, Termina could also be threatened. They dislike Termina almost as much as they dislike us."

"If there isn't anything else you need from me, Father, I will depart to my chambers to speak with the other sages."

"No, go ahead. I love you, Zelda."

"I love you, too, Father."

She smiled and made her way toward her chambers. That went better than she thought. She didn't mean to upset him about her engagement, especially as she liked the man. Her father did always have hers and the realm's best interest at heart, though if only she could have known more about his plans before they went though. If only he could put regard for his own safety up there, she'd be even happier.

Prince Wulfrick, the thought of the Terminian price made her smile. As much as she hated fawning over such things, the eventually wedding made her grin like a child. She had already seen some of her noble and servant friends get married. Thankfully, the prince would be moving to Hyrule so she wouldn't have to move. His older brother would be the one taking the Terminian throne, not either of them. Then again, if she had been marrying his older brother, they'd probably work out an arrangement for her to remain here. After all, with the whole sage and goddess connection, the descendant of Hylia had to remain in Hyrule. Or so the stories said.

The actual ceremony itself they decided would be in Termina, though due to her time as Sheik, it would have a Sheikah undertone, along with some aspects from Hylian culture. She shook her head and gave a light laugh. She had so much important things to think about now and a future wedding was on her mind? Maybe it was simply a way to cope with everything that she had learned, with all the chaos in her life.

When she reached her chambers, she collapsed on her bed and rubbed her face. So much to do. She groaned and forced herself up and silently closed the door. Other than her four-poster bed, a desk, and a few dressers, her room sat rather bare, other than a small shrine at the center of her room. At the three corners of the shrine, stood a small golden statue of the Three Golden Goddesses. At the center stood a silver statue of Hylia, the goddess of Hyrule and Zelda's ancestral mother. Unlike the three other statues, the one of Hylia stood taller than Zelda, staring down at her with motherly affection.

She knelt at the foot of Hylia, her strawberry blond hair tumbling down to her eyes. After a quick prayer to each of the goddess she fell silent and meditated, forcing her mind out toward the Sacred Realm and to contact the remaining sages. Thankfully, all of them currently resided in the Sacred Realm. For the year, they all had used up their time to leave, other than Nabooru. As of now, they hadn't had any orders from the goddesses or royal family that would permit them to leave the Sacred Realm.

After twenty minutes of meditation, peace filled her and a small light engulfed her. A smile crept across her face and she could feel the presence of her fellow sages as they connected with her. With a deep surge of thought and accessing her powers of time, she exploded into a shower of silver energy and entered the Sacred Realm.

As always, the faint blue light of the Chamber of Sages drew her attention. In their section of the Sacred Realm, only their large blue platform with the seven pedestals of the sages existed. Behind the pedestals of each of the sages an invisible door awaited, allowing them entrance to their designated rooms. Occasionally, Zelda would sleep in her room inside the Chamber of Sages to spend more time with the other sages. She hadn't done so for a while now. In fact, the last time she slept here would have been around five years ago. She frowned and examined her feet. She really needed to spend more time here. After all, only she had been permitted to be outside the Chamber of Sages whenever she wanted.

The others would be here soon, thankfully. Normally the serene atmosphere of the chamber made her feel at peace, but now, knowing that they numbered one less, she felt more alone than ever. Once on the silver pedestal of time, she waited. At one point, hers had been at the center of the chamber, but she never liked having everyone's attention on her, so she shifted its position to be between the Rauru and Nabooru's pedestal.

Seconds later, five flashes announced the arrival of the other sages. Each of them looking radiant on their arrival. The flashing lights always made her smile, only once, okay twice, had she skipped like a child on seeing them. They all greeted each other. She couldn't help but feel relieved to be here, to be surrounded by friends who understood her better than nearly all those outside the chamber. A smile forced its way onto her face, not wanting to betray her true emotions.

Normally, the six of them made the platform feel crowded, but not today. Despite her best efforts, her eyes and mind wandered to the empty green pedestal between Darunia's pedestal of fire and Rauru's light pedestal. She swallowed and looked away, forcing herself to make eye contact with Ruto whose pedestal stood directly across from hers.

After what to her seemed to be hours, she said, "I am sorry to call you all in such short notice, but Link brought more troubling news. News that could pertain to well," she forced herself to not look away, "you know."

"What did Link find?" Ruto asked oddly spitefully. Zelda grimaced. The zora hadn't taken kindly to Link spurning her affection. Zelda didn't blame him. Not only did the chamber keep them separated, the zora princess could be quite difficult to deal with for long periods of time. Actually, maybe the two should be together.

Once Zelda explained the situation, the zora turned more sympathetic and worried. "Zelda, this isn't your fault."

"I know," Zelda said. She didn't dare look at any of the others. She forced herself to raise her chin and took a more commanding attitude, even if it came out as forced. "That aside, we need to take greater action with the situation in the Lost Wood deteriorating so rapidly. Darunia, have you noticed anything from there? Any sign that Saria could have returned and riling up trouble?" Nayru, why did it hurt so much to make that suggestion? She was their enemy now. She shouldn't continue to think of the former Forest Sage as a friend. Goddesses help her.

"I haven't noticed anything other than what I've reported about the changing nature of the forest creatures," Darunia said. The goron stared at her. "As a sworn brother to your father, I will do my best to find her, but my duty still remains with Death Mountain and keeping the volcano calm."

"Your duty is finding a rogue sage," Nabooru said. She folded her arms. "With all this talk you've been giving about so called goron honor and your desire to find Saria you do have little to boast on."

Darunia growled, his eyes widening with anger. "Without a sage, the seal weakens. Death Mountain has been acting up because of that. It takes nearly my full effort to make sure the mountain doesn't erupt. Not only would my people die, but Kakariko and the surrounding area would be destroyed."

"Maybe I should be the one looking for her instead? I'd have burnt that forest to the ground and found her by now."

"Enough," Rauru said firmly. Zelda smiled at him, not in the mood to quell an oncoming argument. "Darunia is managing well with keeping an eye over the forest, Nabooru. Anyone would be hard press to govern over their region and watching another, while also trying to counter a weakening seal. You have yet to notice the its weakness in your domain."

"Then why not allow more of us to go out and investigate ourselves, old man? We'd be more useful outside the Sacred Realm."

"You know well enough that isn't up to me."

Nabooru's eyes narrowed. Before she could respond, Zelda said, "Actually, Nabooru," she gave a relieved smile when the Gerudo looked over at her, "some of you may have to leave the chamber, especially after what I heard."

"And what is that, your grace?" Rauru asked.

"I know from here you can keep a close eye on the desert and what happens within its borders, but I need you to keep a closer eye, to be there in person. I have a feeling Avina has been sending soldiers either across the desert or around the coast. The forest has been attacked, but not by Saria. Something caused the Deku Tree to go mad. That could have been her, but it also could have been from this group that attacked us."

Nabooru smiled and nodded. "Very well, Zelda. However, my reach doesn't extend into Avina itself."

"I know, and that's why I need you to keep a closer eye on the desert, watch over the border for any soldiers passing through. I need you there in person, utilize the temple and the other Gerudo structures if you need to." Especially since inside the chamber, she could only look at evil forces traveling across the desert. Avina may be an enemy, but Zelda wouldn't call them evil. An enemy, yes, but they weren't evil, not evil like Ganondorf anyway.

"If I may be so bold, your majesty," Rauru said. "I believe it would be in our best interest for Nabooru to remain here and keep watch from afar."

"And why's that?" Nabooru said with a chiding voice. Rauru shot her a glare, but maintained his focus on Zelda.

"I think this would be best because if Ganondorf's seal does break, he'll arrive first in the desert. I know your section of the seal has remained the strongest, but once it breaks, he'll be released into the desert, as far as possible from the castle. You'll need to be here to tell us when that happens."

Nabooru grimaced and shook her head. She looked furious, but ended up saying, "I see your point, but I do need to return to the desert, anyway. It's harder to maintain control of the Gerudo from here. I know I left already this year, but my time away was only a few days, not the full length. If you do not send me back to the desert to observe possible movement from Avina, I request to use the remainder of my allotted time."

Both had a point. Zelda placed her head on her hand to think. Her request made sense. She could order the Gerudo to patrol the desert. Only Rauru's constant looks made her doubt the decision.

"Rauru," she said. "I fine no fault with Nabooru's request, but I can tell you have doubts. Why?"

"It is not my place, your grace. I can only offer my humble opinion and that is for Nabooru to not patrol the desert. Maybe the Gerudo, but not her."

"And why not?" Nabooru asked.

Zelda raised her hands. "Please, Nabooru, let me handle this. I know it's my choice, Rauru, but I respect your opinions."

"I just worry about the seal. When it breaks—"

Nabooru interrupted him. "The seal will last a week and a half. If I sense it weakening faster than normal I will return. Or do you still not trust me?"

"It's not you I mistrust, Lady Nabooru, it's your people. Hyrule and the Gerudo have been enemies for generations."

"They aren't enemies anymore," Darunia said, pounding his chest. "They are allies. We have no reason to distrust them, especially Nabooru."

The Spirit Sage smiled. "Thank you, Darunia."

"Your eagerness to trust those who claim to be allies will be your people's undoing, Darunia." All of them, even Zelda herself, looked at the Light Sage, their eyes wide with shock. "It isn't Lady Nabooru I don't trust, it's the history between our two peoples." He shook his head. "But ignore me, I am but an old man lost in my ways. I just feel her remaining here would be the best option for the protection of the seal."

"I do see your point," Zelda said. "But as both Nabooru and I said, the seal will last a week and a half, and she can always return if it becomes to weaken drastically. Nabooru, your request is granted."

She dipped her head. "Thank you."

Zelda tried to ignore Rauru's crestfallen face. Of all the sages, he was the most experienced of them, and she greatly valued his input, but she had the final say. Besides, the Gerudo and the royal family had become official allies. Yes, they still had a lot of tension, but she and Nabooru helped restore somewhat civil relations between their people. Rauru even admitted that old prejudices died hard. That aside, his constant rejection of the idea puzzled her.

"Zelda, please reconsider. You know I trust Lady Nabooru, it's only that the desert, especially near the Avinian border, can be very dangerous. Who knows what they Avinians will do if they see a lone woman, let alone a patrol, near their border."

So, Avina was the real problem here. Zelda kept her focus on the Light Sage, not even hearing Nabooru's snarky response and his counter. After Ganondorf had been dealt with, he had mentioned Avina to Zelda several times, but she never thought he'd see them as such a problem. She couldn't fathom why. Maybe what she said about the attack made him speculate.

As far as she knew, of all the sages, only he knew much about Avina. Few gorons and zoras did. As far as she knew, Impa knew of them, but they didn't worry her. Impa… Zelda's thoughts drifted to the Sheikah woman. As always, she looked like stone, her entire body unmoving. Her eyes had been focused on Zelda from the start, some lingering remnants of her original sense of duty. Now in the chamber, she had, well, changed, not personality wise, but a more physical and even internal change. Zelda couldn't explain why, but Impa wasn't the same woman who had become the Shadow Sage.

"As much as I love you two squabbling like peasants," Ruto said, her chiding voice cutting through the Light and Spirit Sage's argument. "I believe we have more pressing issues to attend to." She folded her arms haughtily, but her expression softened a bit when she addressed Zelda. "Zelda, did you, the goddess, or your father find any lead on a replacement sage?"

Replacement, goddesses, Zelda had forgotten about that. With one less sage they needed a new Forest Sage. Instinctively, Zelda took a glance at the emerald pedestal. She wished she hadn't.

"The goddesses have been silent about a new Forest Sage," Zelda said truthfully. Though she hasn't been actively seeking a new one, she knew her father or the goddesses would have informed her if they had any leads. She'd only be able to put off her own search for a little longer. Even without her or her father though, she knew the goddess would be searching.

"And we still have no leads on the old one?" Ruto asked. She frowned and glared at the forest pedestal.

"I may have something," Darunia said proudly, beating his chest in the way most gorons did.

"You're just now telling us?" Ruto asked.

"We were distracted little zora." Darunia's smile widened at Ruto's glare. "Ha! You should know I always get the right information, what does it matter if I didn't say it the second Zelda summoned us." He addressed Zelda. "Anyway, your grace. I have a few leads telling me of a woman matching Saria's description heading toward southern Hyrule. I sent a few gorons out to search for her, but we haven't heard anything definitive yet, only rumors."

She watched the goron as he talked, proudly and eagerly as he often did when giving away such vital information. She couldn't help but sense something off about him. His usually boasts seemed tuned down. In fact, for the most part, he had been pretty reserved when he came into the chamber.

"Are you certain, Darunia?" Rauru asked. "Your last lead led us to a dead end. You know how vital it is that we find her, right?"

"I do." Darunia growled. "I am more certain this time of her location. Have any of you found a lead?" Silence. "No, I thought not."

"I wasn't questioning you, I was just wanted to make sure for certain. Do you know where south?"

"I want to say Lake Hylia. Maybe you could find her there little zora, after all, you are so adamant in hunting Saria down yourself."

Ruto rose her head high. "If your information is correct, I will gladly bring her in. I, after all, am the Water Sage and more competent than certain Fire Sages."

"Ruto, please," Zelda snapped. Ruto narrowed her eyes, Darunia laughed.

"Says the lass who still fawns after Link." Darunia said with a barking laugh. Even Nabooru let out a light chuckle, both earning the ire of the zora princess.

"Can we please leave my future husband out of this?" Ruto asked. Zelda couldn't help but roll her eyes. "But yes, I would gladly go after the traitor if you would allow me, Zelda."

"Of course," said Zelda. "Please though, if you find her, don't hurt her. We need her alive, and—" she forced herself to not look beyond Rauru's pedestal, "I would like to speak with her."

Ruto grinned, showing her rows of teeth. "I promise I won't hurt her too much."

As much as she wanted to warn her against being too harsh, Zelda knew there wasn't a point. Oh Ruto, to be consumed with so much hate really wasn't like her. Zelda wanted to speak with her in private, but now wasn't the time.

Despite what she wanted to say, Zelda only said, "Just don't do anything you will regret."

"Trust me, I won't. I won't regret bringing her in at all."

Before Zelda could respond, Rauru shouted, "No!" They all looked at him. "I am sorry, your majesty, both of you, but Princess Ruto cannot be allowed to leave. With Nabooru going out of the chamber the seal will be weak enough already."

"We've already been over this, old man," Nabooru said. "Why are you so against us doing our duty? Goddesses, I still remember having to deal with your spiel for three whole hours once I awakened."

"You do not understand. The goddess commanded—"

"Us to protect the Sacred Realm and Hyrule at all costs and to find and apprehend all enemies of both Hyrule and the Sacred Realm. Both Ruto and I will be able to return here in an instant if needed."

"Both of you have already used your allotted time outside."

"Rauru, enough," Zelda said with enough force to earn a flinch from Rauru. He dipped his head and quickly apologized. "Of them, only Ruto used her allotted time, either way, this comes from a direct order from me. Besides, both will return once their missions have been complete, and both know to keep their focus on their duty and not to interact much with others. If the seal weakens faster, I trust both will return to us the instant it becomes known to them."

Rauru threw up his hands. "Fine, ignore the decree from the goddess. They're as bad as Saria if they leave."

"Don't you dare!" Ruto shouted. She leapt from her pedestal and lunged at Rauru, only to be held back by Darunia. "I know my duty to the goddess! I know what an honor this is and I will do as they and Zelda command. Don't you dare compare me to that little forest bitch."

"Then you know your place is here. You are the Water Sage, not a zora soldier. Use your time here to search for her. She is a traitor to Hyrule, the evil radiating from her should be as obvious as the evil from Ganondorf. You have no need to return to Hyrule, especially as Sir Link made it clear he does not care for you."

Darunia grunted as Ruto begun to trash in his arms. She screamed, clawed, and kicked, but couldn't break the goron's hold. For her effort, she did make him grunt in annoyance. Zelda couldn't help but feel for her. With all her anger, she knew her friend to be hurting inside. Contrary to what Rauru said, Link never claimed to not care for her, he only made it clear that he had no intentions in marrying her. Funny really, how Link scorned the one woman who wanted to marry him.

"Ruto, for the love of Din, calm down," Darunia said once the zora begun to harness her powers over water to break his hold. She grimaced but calmed herself. Once he made sure she wouldn't attack the other sage, Darunia let her go.

"Someone will need to hunt her down and bring her to us. The traitor won't return on her own will. She is a wench, but not one who radiates the sort of evil Ganondorf does." Ruto said.

"She isn't evil," Darunia snapped, smashing his foot into the ground for added affect. The rest turned to him. "She may be misguided, but she is not Ganondorf." His eyes narrowed with such fury that even Zelda felt afraid. "Do not compare her to him."

Rauru lowered his gaze. "She is a traitor, but I agree, she isn't that sort of evil. Evil or not aside, we should have the king send men after her, or Sir Link can go find her."

Ruto's eyes narrowed. "Link? He'll do nothing to capture her. He'd probably let her go."

"You'd be surprised," Zelda said. The zora princess turned to her. "However, Link is currently investigating the Forest Temple as of now. Though I do know he wants to find Saria himself. I will inform him of this matter. As for soldiers," she took a breath, "I will not send them after Saria. It would be best for one of us or Link to bring her in."

Rauru faced her. "Your majesty, your misplaced guilt will not aid you. She is an enemy of the kingdom. You shouldn't feel sympathy for her."

"Shouldn't I?'" Zelda asked. "Her leaving is in part my fault. I should have talked more with her. I should have tried harder to ease her mind."

"You did nothing wrong, Zelda," Nabooru said. "You handled the situation to the best of your abilities."

Wrong, she couldn't be more wrong. She appreciated the words of comfort, but they only rang hollow. "I shouted and screamed at her, called her names I shouldn't have. You don't understand Nabooru, none of you do. I placed a heavy burden on someone I knew had hesitations, I called her a child and weak minded, I grew so mad I attacked her. Why don't any of you understand this is my fault! I am the leader of the sages but I times I act worse than a Kokiri, I—" She fell silent, not realizing until the end her voice had grown louder and louder. The end of her sentence, goddesses, she said it again. No wonder Saria felt so demeaned, when they all treated her like a child.

"Zelda," Darunia said. She hadn't noticed him approach her. He threw his arms around her. Her efforts to remain composed failed and she ended up breaking down into him embrace. "You can't blame yourself, Zelda. You cannot. You may have some fault in this, but you know all of us also played a role in her leaving. The rest of us could have done better. I was the closest to her and I didn't notice her depression and anger. Maybe you weren't perfect, but at least you tried. That's more than a few of us can say. We are all here for you, and we will make this right."

How long they remained that way, she wasn't sure. Never had she thought Darunia would be the one to comfort her, but she couldn't have been more thankful for the Fire Sage. "Thank you, Darunia," she said quietly.

Darunia smiled and returned to his pedestal. Ruto seemed taken aback by what happened. She returned her focus to Rauru. "Anyway, if Link is searching for her, I have every right to look, we all do. You see how badly upset Zelda is? The sooner we bring her in the better."

"Princess Ruto," Rauru said. "Please don't drag her grace into this. She has suffered enough at the hands of the traitor. I must put my foot down. We cannot have another sage leave the chamber."

"And why not?" Ruto said. "Is there something you are hiding from us that we should know? I know not to talk too much with those outside unless it is my allotted time. I do not understand that order, but I shall not break it."

"It's to keep your mind on your mission. Sages are only allowed out to do one thing, serve the will of the goddess."

"Exactly," Zelda said. "And I am the voice of the goddesses and a descendant of Hylia herself. Ruto has all my confidence in this mission."

"Thank you, Zelda," Ruto said.

Rauru threw up his hands. "Very well! Bring down the Chamber of Sages and tear the Sacred Realm asunder if you must. I will speak with the goddesses on this, your grace." Before Zelda could respond, Rauru turned around and stormed out to the passage of his room behind his pedestal.

The other sages looked at the light pedestal. "I'll speak with him," Zelda said. "Anyway, unless either of you have more to say, you are all dismissed. Nabooru, Ruto, you two are granted permission to leave the chamber and fulfil the orders of the goddesses. However, Nabooru, it still stands that you can only be out for the rest of your normal allotted time. Ruto, I want weekly reports from you."

"Understood," Nabooru said. Ruto only nodded and the two departed for their rooms to leave the Sacred Realm.

Now only two sages remained, neither looking ready to leave. "Darunia, Impa, may I help you two?"

"Yes," Darunia said. His normal boastful voice became serious. Zelda paid him her full attention. "I have a second lead on Saria. I believe the one I gave Ruto to be more correct, but this one is inside my domain, near the northern end of the mountain range. I request permission to leave and search for Saria."

"Why didn't you say this before?" Zelda asked.

"Because I have better sources for the one I gave earlier. This is only a hunch based on a few rumors. If I don't find her within a week I will return."

She looked at the goron. For once, he seemed uncertain. "Darunia, what aren't you telling me? You know I want to find her as much as you do."

"I know, but this is more personal. Its inside the Death Mountain Range and my area of influence. If this rumor does indeed turn true, I want to speak with her. Ruto will maim her if she finds her. Neither of us want her hurt. Please, let me do this."

Zelda stretched out her arms. Normally she'd allow him to leave, but with two of the remaining sages outside, they needed the rest here. Maybe she should speak with the goddesses first. None of them had been outside under orders from herself or the goddesses since Ganondorf and directly after his reign. As much as she wanted to allow Darunia to search, she didn't want to gain the ire of the goddesses.

"I may disagree with him in Ruto and Nabooru's case, but you know why we can't have too many sages outside the Sacred Realm for an extended period."

"Because that could weaken the seal into the Sacred Realm and make it easier for mortals to enter." Darunia shook his head. "I don't buy that. I understand we can better look after the seal and monitor evils from within the chamber, but sometimes, we are needed outside more than we are needed here."

"I know, I just," she shook her head, "no, never mind, go and find her Darunia. This is a critical situation anyway. Go find her, please. If she isn't in the mountains, you have my permission to go south and search with Ruto."

"Thank you, and as a sworn brother to you and your father, I will make sure to bring Saria back safely," Darunia said and begun to walk away.

"Darunia, wait." He turned at her call. "Is there something else you aren't telling me? I know you think this is a lesser lead, but it's still odd for you to wait until after most of the others left."

Darunia stood on top of the fire medallion and said, "No, there isn't anything further. I just really want to find her and bring peace back between us." He gave Zelda an oddly knowing smile and vanished in an explosion of fire. Zelda couldn't help but laugh. Trust Darunia to leave in a showy way.

"No wonder he and Link get along so well." Or used to, anyway. She wasn't aware of their relationship, but Darunia still held him in profound respect and admiration. There may be some tension with them, but their relationship hadn't imploded like his and Rickard or Malon.

She turned to leave when she caught notice of Impa. The Shadow Sage staring at her. "Impa," Zelda said. Her voice drifted off from staring into the hurting eyes of the Shadow Sage. "I'm sorry, I," she chocked back a sob. "I didn't know."

The sage said nothing, only staring down at Zelda with condescending eyes. Zelda reached out her hand to grab Impa's hand, it felt so cold, so hard. Zelda forced herself to look at the face of the woman who had once been her mentor. "If you can feel in yourself to, please, Impa, forgive me."

Impa wouldn't respond, or she couldn't respond, Zelda wasn't sure. After a few more moments of uneasy silence, Impa turned and departed from her pedestal. So, she hated her too. Not that Zelda could blame her. Zelda didn't fully understand what happened when her sister took the role as the new Impa. Zelda had agreed to the change, along with Impa, but none of them knew this would happen. None of them knew the outcome would leave Impa a shell of herself.

She turned and walked, eventually finding herself to be sitting upon the forest pedestal. She brushed her hand over the emerald green surface. "Hopefully I don't fail the others." After about ten minutes, she forced herself to her feet. Grief wouldn't get her anywhere. With an attempt to force her sorrows away she approached the entrance of Saria's room. Maybe she could find something here, maybe have an idea just where the Kokiri had gone to.

She approached the edge of the barrier and pushed into the small energy shield that marked the entrance of the room of the Forest Sage. Once inside, Zelda could only stare in awe. The room itself was rather lengthy, nearly twice the size of the entrance of Hyrule Castle. As for width, it was only about half that, but still a remarkable sight.

Saria's room had been dominated by trees, plants, and animals, with her beloved song in the background. Zelda smiled and reached out her hand for a small bird to use as a perch. Of course, none of the animals or plants were real, only decoration chosen by the sage when she woke.

As much as she loved life at the castle, the beauty of the forest captivated her. The whole room had been set up like the Kokiri Village, with a mix of the strange tunnels of the Lost Woods. At the center sat Saria's house, with a tree that looked like Link's house to its right, along with a few smaller buildings which served as one bedroom houses.

Above her, the fake sun shined bright, casting strange shadows against the ground and tree like walls. Zelda smiled and listened to the running water of a nearby creak. As much care and dedication Saria did to transforming her room, she still found it unsatisfying. Then again, Saria did have to remake everything when she returned from Hyrule on her trips outside the chamber. The only reason things remained now was due to herself and Darunia keeping up the room, despite the goddesses wishing they wouldn't. As much as she loved and respected the goddesses, they seemed to think they all should view Saria as an enemy, nothing more.

Once at Saria house, Zelda walked in. Unlike normal, the inside was bare, with only a few drawers and tables. The rest had faded away before Zelda could speak with the goddesses. In a way, the bareness of the house suited her. If she remembered right, the house had always been sort of empty. She couldn't be completely certain, but to her understanding, the inside of the houses of the sages often reflected their emotion. With no one to add their emotion to it, of course it had become empty.

She searched, expecting to find something they had missed the first time they searched the building. Like last time, she found nothing. Only a small journal Saria wrote in which Zelda dared not to read. Normally, she would have left it aside, but maybe it had been due to the conversation with the other sages, she found herself flipping through tis pages.

The beginning entrees were of her time in Kokiri Village. Some contained bits about Link, Mido, and other Kokiri. She skimmed the first few pages, part of her mind telling her to set the journal down. She shouldn't be prying, but she had to. She needed to find something.

Instead, she found nothing, other than what she already knew about Saria being unhappy. Those passages, she could handle. What truly struck at and hurt Zelda had to be the recording of their arguments. The anger, the rage in those words stabbed at her. Once she reached the end, Zelda hurled the book aside. She knew what Saria had said to her, and yelled in anger, but she had hoped those hurtful words to be nothing but that, words. To know that Saria had written down and thought her to be a monster and a bitch and what not. Her hands shook, no, she wouldn't be sad, she wouldn't cry. Anger would be preferable to this.

"Saria, did you really hate me so much?" Zelda asked, her voice trembling. She examined the house one last time. A few Kokiri symbols and nothing else. She looked to the bed and glanced under it for a moment, but again, nothing.

"What are you doing here?"

Her head smacked the wooden beam of Saria's bed. Zelda cursed and forced herself to stand, grimacing from the throbbing pain in her head. "Impa?" She asked. "I'm looking for more information."

"Only the Forest Sage is permitted in this room."

"You know that's not true. Any of the sages can enter another sage's room."

"Only the Forest Sage is permitted in this room."

"Impa, please," Zelda said. "No, I have every right to be here. I don't understand fully what happened to you, but I'm sorry. I didn't know you would be trapped inside your own body." She didn't. Then again, maybe Impa didn't know. This voice speaking, it wasn't truly Impa's. Well, it was, but it wasn't. When her sister took her role, Impa's spirit sort of split, half going into the new body on Hyrule, the rest only containing emotion. While this wasn't Impa speaking to her, the anger was her.

"Leave, the goddesses have had enough of your meddling."

"Meddling? What do you mean? Impa, please calm down, I know you can. I didn't know this would happen."

"Only the Forest Sage is permitted here."

She threw up her arms. "Now you're just being difficult! I have every right to be here. Go back to the shadow room. That's an order!"

She stomped away, only turning back to see Impa staring hatefully at her. Zelda snarled. "What? I can and will be here. Just because you're almost a soulless creature doesn't mean you can harass me." Damn it. Both her and Saria. She didn't deserve this hate and disrespect.

"Princess Zelda, you must leave. You have more important duties to fulfill than grieving here."

Zelda gasped. For once, she sounded like the real Impa. "Impa? Is that really you?"

She remained silent and turned away. Zelda called after her, but the Shadow Sage didn't look back. She only said, "The goddesses have commanded this room be torn down. It has only caused grief to you and Darunia. I recommend you leave, Princess." She spat and vanished. Zelda could only stare.

"Impa," Zelda said quietly. For how long she stood in that room, she couldn't be sure, only knowing that her eyes focus on the spot Impa vanished from. Only the chirping of the birds and gently rushing water of the stream soothed her. Maybe she shouldn't have come here. Necessary, yes, but now she wished she wouldn't have called them. No, that was foolish, this needed to be done. That… thing wasn't really Impa, not really, only a drone of sorts acting from pure emotion.

She frowned and forced herself to leave the room and its peaceful forest behind. Once gone, she stared down at the green medallion and her focus turned to the purple one. She shrugged and made her way to the medallion and to the door. Locked, of course it would be. As the leader of the sages she could force her way through, but she wouldn't. She pounded on the barrier to try and get Impa's attention.

"Impa, please, we need to talk," she shouted into the chamber. Only the echo of her own voice returned.

She continued knocking for a good several seconds until a voice said from behind her, "What do you want, Zelda?"

She leapt up in fright, and forced herself to not scold the Sheikah for terrifying her. "I want to talk. I know you're angry, and I'm sorry, Impa. Please, can we just go back to normal."

If Impa, or whatever she now was could understand, Zelda wasn't sure. Only that Impa stared at her and said, "You have better things to worry over Sage of Time."

"I know, I just, you mean so much to me. You protected my family, helped me get used to my role as Sage of Time. With all that has happened here, I just," she shook her head and remained silent.

Impa approached her. Zelda flinched only for Impa to place a hand on her shoulder. "You need not worry, Sage of Time. This one understands her place."

What does that mean? Before Zelda could ask, Impa vanished. She hung her head. She had to get to the source of this. Not even her father understood what had fully happened to Impa. If she was but a drone of emotion, or some of her personality managed to linger, Zelda couldn't be sure. If Impa had become a being of pure emotion, could she be reasoned with? After all, if the first Impa's emotion only remained, what she become would only feel anger, and probably not know why.

"Goddesses, what have I done?" She said to herself. "I really thought that would help. I didn't think," she said. Of course, she didn't think. If she had paid more attention, Impa would be better, and maybe her sister wouldn't seem so odd in comparison. The power over time and wisdom and somehow, she failed to see this would happen.

She returned to the purple pedestal and knocked again on the barrier, but knew Impa wouldn't come. She had been told the process would be safe, but again, she should have done her own research. That could be worried about later. She needed to see one last sage and finally she could leave the chamber. Once at the golden pedestal, she knocked on the barrier, this time, thankfully, being allowed in.

Rauru's room held a great beauty, like Saria's, but was much simpler at its core, and in a way, that too made it more beautiful. A large expanse of Hyrule Field with the sun shining down. A small mountain stood at the north, a small desert in the west, a forest in the east, and a small lake and river to the south. At the very center of the field stood a small circle of hovels where Rauru and other sages could sleep.

Once she stepped inside, she found herself face to face with the Sage of Light. "Hello, your majesty," he said with a smile, but Zelda could also sense disappointment on his face.

"Rauru, we need to talk. I didn't mean to upset you. I only want the best for Hyrule, and sending those two out I believe is the best. Really, I respect your advice and I'd be nowhere without you." She fell silent as he rose his hand.

"Your majesty," he said. "I know. While you were speaking with the others and in the Forest Sage's chambers I prayed and talked with the goddesses. They said it was fine, only that you do not do it again. We cannot afford so many sages to be outside."

"But why? You know the seal will be safe."

"You should know the answer to that. Only so many of us can be out for a certain amount of time, and that time lessons with one of those sages no longer existing."

"I know," Zelda said. "But we need to find Saria and keep an eye on the west. Avina isn't evil, at least, not in the evil that Ganondorf is. They won't show up in the Sacred Realm, unless they are corrupted or they actually threaten Hyrule."

"True, but you know how unstable the chamber and realm itself is now."

"I do."

He motioned toward the hovels. "Come with me, your grace. I have much to tell you after my prayers and meditation."

She smiled and followed him, allowing herself to bask in the gentle sunlight and warmth of the room of light. Here all of her pains and troubles seemed to slip away. From the scenery, or some sort of magic she wasn't sure, only that now she felt happier than she had in days. Or maybe it had to do with being with the sage who had taught her so much. In a way, he was like a second father.

"Did I displease the goddesses?" She asked. Rauru remained silent until they reached his hovel. He held open the door and she slipped through. The inside was simple and quant. A kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom. She sat on a nice chair emblazed with the Triforce as Rauru went and grabbed them both a drink and some food. Inside the Sacred Realm, they didn't need those luxuries, but there were still nice to have, especially as Zelda spent most of her time outside the realm.

Rauru pulled up a second chair and the two faced the window and looked outside as the sun slowly began to set. Zelda smiled, the twilight sky always appearing breathtaking. Wulfrick had proposed to her under such a sky. Normally it wouldn't be needed, as the marriage had been set already, but that he cooked dinner for both of them, set up a candle lit table outside, and took her to Laky Hylia as the sun set greatly humbled her.

"They are not happy that you let three sages out of the realm while we look for a rogue one."

"Three? I only, they told you about Darunia?" Her eyes widened. When she became sage, the goddesses said they wouldn't intrude like that, and would only give private information to other sages at one's request or if the situation called for direct intervention. "How does this call for action? Darunia found another lead so it only made sense to let him investigate."

"Your grace, they do not do this to upset you, but for your protection. You've been troubled these past months, and you are not thinking correctly."

"And how am I not? I have done everything required of me to protect Hyrule and her people."

For a moment, she saw a twinkle in the elderly sage's eyes. "They are not doing this to upset you or the spy on you, but because we are all worried. I understand your judgment, but the goddesses still are displeased and want to observe closer. They still trust you, they just want to keep a close eye on things, especially with the seal weakening."

"I understand, but, they had no reason to tell you. I know they are goddesses and what not, but that conversation between Darunia and I shouldn't have disrupted their plans. If anything, it will make trying to find Saria easier. If they want to seal to become stronger again, they should focus on finding a new Forest Sage. Not berate me for following their orders and tracking the old one."

He dipped his head and smiled. "Of course, your grace. I mean no disrespect."

She gave a curt nod and focused on watching the sun slowly set. At times like this, she forgot they sat in a room inside the Sacred Realm, not actually in a house in Hyrule Field. The smell of the grass and sounds of the creatures of the field drifted through the open window. Such on idyllic setting, so peaceful and serene. If only the world outside could be as this.

"Rauru, what really is the issue," she found herself saying. "I know we can't afford too many sages outside with one missing, but we still have two here, and the mortals won't know how to access the Sacred Realm anyway, if they even know about the access point. None of them know sages being outside the chamber weakens the seal for mortals."

"It is only a precaution. Besides, Ganondorf did break in, did he not?"

"He had the Triforce of Power. That, and none of the sages had been awakened. You only awoke after he broke into the Sacred Realm. He had resources available to him most mortals don't." Funny the term mortal, as even as sages, none of them were immortal. Except, seemingly Rauru. The Sage of Light truly was ancient. How he managed to live several lifetimes beyond that of the average Hylian, she'd never know.

"Even so, we should always be cautious, your grace."

Yes, but this seemed more than being cautious. "Is there something else going on?"

"No, your grace. If anything more needed to be said, or if I knew of a greater threat than the weakening of the seal, I would tell you."

He didn't look directly at her and the slight inflection of his voice told her he lied. If he lied about not knowing something greater or that he would tell her, she wasn't sure. She only knew he wasn't being honest. All the sages kept secrets, but that he hid something from her, she didn't like. He seemed to notice her suspicions as he stood up.

"Your grace, I am sorry, but I must call this meeting off. I am afraid I have more to speak with the goddesses about and it is near time for my evening meditations."

An hour early, but she didn't say anything. She stood up and shook his hand. "Thank you for your time, Rauru. Please, if there is anything I need to know, if I offended you in some way, or something I should be aware of, don't hesitate to tell me."

He nodded and kissed the ring that symbolized her being the Sage of Time. "Of course, your majesty. I will inform you the second something threatens Hyrule. May the goddesses bless you."

"And you, too," Zelda said.

For a second, their eyes met. His narrowed. He wasn't happy. As much as Zelda wanted to speak more with him, she knew the stubborn sage wouldn't speak. With a heavy sigh, she turned away and left the hovel, too aware of the eyes drilling into her back. Did he not trust her? Maybe he knew more about Saria? If so, why wouldn't he tell her? He had to know she caught on to him, and yet, he kept alluding her questions.

His actions bothered her more, but she tried not to dwell. After all, he knew how much this all upset her, with Saria leaving and the ramifications. Perhaps he wanted to protect her from more emotional harm. He shouldn't. With all the problems going on and all the nights she spent weeping, she wanted to know all she could, to know how to make things better. Hurt all this may, but she didn't like people keeping things from her, even if to try and protect her.

Or maybe it had more to do with Rauru being so used to ruling the sages. Before they awoke, he had been the leader of the sages, guiding the older generations of sages in protecting Hyrule. As far as she knew, there hadn't been a Sage of Time since Rauru had first become a sage. Some things did die hard, and maybe fully relinquishing leadership was one of them.

With a final look back at the distant hovels, Zelda left the room and returned to her pedestal in the chamber. For a second, she could have sworn she saw Impa watching her, but the woman had vanished. Zelda shook her head and knelt on the pedestal. She could worry about Impa another time. Now, she needed some rest and time to think over what had been discussed.

Rauru, Impa, Saria, Link, all of them causing her so many headaches. After nearly ten minutes, she finally forced those thoughts away and focused on leaving the chamber and a second later in an explosion of silver, she found herself at the foot of the goddesses' shrine in her room.

Directly above the statues, a purple fairly floated. Zelda grimaced. Tael had come, this couldn't be a good sign. "Hello, Tael," she said.

The fairy looked at her, but before he could speak, erupted into an explosion of purple fire.