Chapter 3: The Three Magic Seals

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It was morning. Link heard the bird singing and woke up to begin his morning routine: stretching, pushups, sit-ups, washing up, and finally getting dressed. As he relaxed in the tub he had filled with hot water (He asked to have it brought at 8:15 in the morning) he thought, this morning seemed no different than the others…but for some reason it felt different. Of course, other than him sleeping in a bed in a mansion, but it wasn't that, it was definitely something else.

As Link finished dressing, he heard a knock, "Sir Link it is time to rise," said Sven. "I am already up, thank you though," replied Link. "Breakfast will be ready shortly; you of course are expected to dine with Lord Sagno," said Sven. Politely Link said, "I have already accepted his invitation, and will meet him at nine as stated." At this, Link heard Sven walk off to begin his work.

Link made his way to the dining room. As he walked through the high arched doorway, he saw many weapons including: All types of bows, broadswords, cutlasses, and many others he had never seen before. But two weapons seemed to stand out, his old sword, and a longer blade beneath it. It was sheathed and had familiar designs on its sheath. Near it was also a shield, which looked similar to his old shield but had different designs and was larger. While he was still gazing at them, Lord Sagno walked into the room and said, "I see you found your old sword, the new sword, and the shield crafted for you." At this Link turned around and gaped as if he didn't understand a single word Lord Sagno said.

Lord Sagno than said, "Go on, they are yours." Link then turned around and walked to the wall where they were hanging. He picked up the sword, drew it, and felt it rest in his hand perfectly. It was the right length and when he then strapped the shield on to his arm, it was the perfect weight and size; he then belted the sheaths and the shield to his back, and sheathed his new sword. As he did this he heard a small bell ring, then Lord Sagno said, "Ah, breakfast is ready take a seat, Link."

Breakfast was wheeled out and set in front of them; it consisted of fried pork, ham, toast and jam, and a side of beef broth. They began eating, were soon finished, and quite full. They began talking about Link's plans and after the table had been cleared for a while and the blinds drawn, they finished talking.

Link was to ride out of the west gate at about three, turn northwest carrying rations and clothes for three days and obviously was to have his sword and shield. He was only to do reconnaissance, searching for openings in the castle defense and such; then he was to return and make plans for the attack.

As he was packing, he heard a small knock, Link said, "Come in." In walked Celicia, although now instead of looking like a little girl she looked like she was about Link's age. She said, "Sir Link, I had no time to thank you yesterday for rescuing me…sort of." "Well I was glad to help. Why, yesterday did you look like a little girl and not like a young women?" asked Link

"It was magic or I should say a magic cloak. It makes someone look older or younger than they really are and it can also change what you are wearing yet you only feel as if they are what you were wearing." said Celicia. "And sound different to for you sounded like you were a little girl too not just looked little." said Link. "Yeah, that too, I'd like you to have it for your journey, it may come in handy." "Thank you. I will wear it when I leave." "I hope it will serve you well Sir Link." said Celicia. "I believe it will. Also you can stop calling me Sir Link, just call me Link." "Then I take my leave." said Celicia as she walked out the door.

"Now to finish packing." Link said. Soon he began thinking to himself, "What a nice, beautiful girl"; then he began thinking of what she wore and how she looked, blue skirt, blue slippers, and a blue shirt with blonde hair just hanging past her shoulders; he also noticed that she was just a little shorter than him. Link snapped back to reality and said to himself, "Whatever…finish packing." After he put the rations and clothes in his pack he went down to lunch, of course with the governor. This time his daughter was also at the table, she sat opposite Link.

Lord Sagno said, "As you can see my daughter will be dining with us." "Where is your wife Lord Sagno?" asked Link. "She died three years ago from unknown causes." replied Lord Sagno. "I'm sorry…" "It's okay you didn't know." replied Celicia. After that Link ate also knowing the pain of losing his mother. Then he remembered Ganondorf had killed his mother, he became quite angry and showed it.

Celicia, being worried, asked, "Are you okay Link?" "No, I'm not. I like you, have lost my mother. It was 13 years ago, she…was killed by Ganondorf." At this, he began to cry openly. Although he usually was very serious, it seemed this was the right time for him to let his pain out. Celicia walked over to Link with a napkin and began dabbing his eyes and said, "Dear Link, please stop crying, it seems like a bad time to be crying."

Link replied, "No, no I need to cry once for the loss of my mother; I've been holding it in for years." In the back of his mind, he felt that the governor's daughter had feelings for him, of which he shared. It was now 12:30 and Link went to prepare Epona for the days ahead. After he had finished putting the packs on the Epona's back and belting them down he told Sven to wake him at two thirty, for he needed a good rest before his journey began.

After he crawled into bed, he fell asleep in minutes. While he was sleeping, he dreamed of Zelda. He knew they could never be together for he was an orphan not of noble birth. He also dreamt of Ganondorf laughing, as if something was happening to Link. He quickly awoke; he heard a voice at the side of his bed. "Sssssh, it's okay. I was only a dream." "Why are you in my room?" asked Link. "I thought you were still back in Hyrule," said Link, still drowsy. "I'm not Zelda, it's me Celicia and I heard you talking to someone; Link are you ok?" "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, just a nightmare." said Link.

"I hope so, by the way it's two thirty. I told Sven I would wake you, but it seems you woke yourself. Come, my father and I will see you off at the west gate," said Celicia. As Link followed Celicia, he noticed she looked sad. "Has the enchantment got you too?" asked Link. "No, I just don't want to see you go, that's all." Link stopped and said, "I'll be back I promise. I never break a promise." and began continued walking.

Celicia stopped this time, "Link, look me in the face. Just because you'll be back doesn't mean you'll come back alive. I want to tell you something." she paused, "Link I…I…" "Shhh, no need to speak, your actions have already told me. Don't cry." said Link as he held Celicia in his arms. "I will return." said Link as he stroked Celicia's head, "I will."

As they continued on their walk to the gate, they did not speak. When they reached the gate, Link spotted Celicia's father, "Link, we thank you for risking your life to save the city." said Lord Sagno. "Sir I am not only doing this for the city but for the rest of the world, so as they may find peace with the sealing of Ganondorf and the extermination of his son." replied Link and in his mind he thought, and for my Father and Mother too.

After Link had departed from the gate, Lord Sagno saw his daughter crying and said, "Sweet daughter, he will return for he has the goddesses with him and the Triforce of Courage also. I think the only person who needs be worried is the son of Ganon." "Father, thank you and dear Link, I will wait for you." said Celicia.

Now Link could just see the city and he shed a tear, "I will be back Celicia." Link said clutching the cloak in his hand. Now he began to turn northwest and rode where stone had once been laid. In the distance, he could see the castle. He rode on for another two hours and then stopped to eat. He lit a fire to cook the meat and toast the bread. His dinner consisted of pork, roots, and bread and of course, he let Epona graze nearby.

Once he had finished, he lay down to rest with one eye open; as he often had to do when he was in unknown territory or forests with wild animals. He was soon snoring and away off in a weird dream. This is what he saw: Link was running and running from something he couldn't see, he yelled, "It's the shadow!" but then it grew in the shape of Ganon and then into the castle which he was to ride to. There was a door of which the likes he had never seen before. It had three symbols and much ancient text of which Link could not read.

Then Zelda appeared next to him, Link this door says, "The Hero who collects the crystals shall seal in stone the son of Ganon; but this door is sealed by Ganon's magic seals: one of Fire, one of Water, and one of Earth." Each is protected by Ganon's creatures of which you will have to defeat to obtain the magic seal to unlock the door. Link, The Hero of Time, you must break the door and locate the crystals in the castle to seal his son in a stone unbreakable by Ganon himself. Zelda said, "Farewell." and faded away.

Now Link woke up, "Well, now I know I can get in through the front door." He sat up, rekindled the fire, and cooked his meal. "Now I just have to find out where the dungeons are located." A few miles from the castle was a village. As he rode into town, the villagers looked at him. They were surprised a visitor was passing through.

A man also on a horse confronted link. "Boy, move out of the way" said the man. Link noticed he carried a sword. "Sir, I see you carry a sword and as a warrior I have a right to a challenge. Do you except?" said Link. Laughing the man said, "I except, but under my conditions, first blow with the flat of the sword wins." "I except your conditions." answered Link. The man's page took both horses and held their reins while the field was set.

They both took their place at the corners of the field and waited for the page to signal that they could begin; "Go." said the page. Link and the man charged each other and met in the middle. Link swung at the man's head, it was deflected by his shield, and the man quickly swung back, Link blocked it and rolled to the left swing for the man's elbow; the man was quick and blocked the blade. Link quickly stood up and rolled underneath the man's split legs and tapped his back with the flat of the sword before he could spin around.

Link sheathed his sword and said, "Very good. I haven't had such a challenge in over a year." "Neither have I, especially from a boy. By the way, my name is Hirmo Nasido. What is yours?" "I am Link." "Come then Link, I should be glad to have you for dinner." said Mr. Nasido. "I would be glad to except but I have pressing matters to attend to, all of which I cannot speak of here Mr. Nasido." replied Link. "Call me Hirmo, please. I then must have you at my house for I must speak with you. I had a vision," said Hirmo, of which the last words he whispered.

As Link followed Hirmo through the streets, everybody seemed to stop what they were doing and follow them. "They have not seen outsiders for years," said Hirmo. "But a Gerudo traveled through here not within a year ago." answered Link. "Yes, but seeing the man was no strange occurrence for he comes to visit his castle often." said Hirmo. "Oh." replied Link. When they passed onto Hirmo's property, the crowd stopped and went back to their work.

After they dismounted their horses and left them to the stable keepers, they went into the house to bathe; as was custom after a challenge in this village. After they had bathed and changed clothes, they sat down at the table with Hirmo's wife and two sons already seated. The food was brought out, like in Lord Sagno's Manse, and they began to eat. Hirmo's boys began to ask about Link and he told all he could (What he didn't have to keep a secret.) When they were finished and the table cleared Hirmo asked for Link to follow him.

As they were walking through Hirmo's house, Link saw a padded room and the boys training with wood swords. Link thought, "I started with a real sword and didn't have any time to train, yet I still surpass their father's skills. I wonder why." "Here we are Link, take a seat. Now to talk about my vision, 'I was outside my house and your face appeared. I asked who you were and went to draw my sword, but you motioned that you were a friend and I stopped. I began to walk into my house and you disappeared. I thought nothing of it when a book of mine started glowing. I read the spine and it read The Land of the Kings,' then I woke up. What does it mean?" said Hirmo. "Wait did you say Land of the Kings?" asked Link. "Yes, I did." "Where is that book? I believe it is what I am looking for. Could you hand me it?" "Sure, here it is." said Hirmo, as he brought the book off the shelf and handed it to Link.

As Link began to page through the book he saw a door with three symbols and exclaimed, "This is from my vision. This is the door to that castle!" and continued to flip the pages he found a map and said, "This must show where the seals are located; this is what I've been looking for!" and showed it to Hirmo. "Ah, I see. What are you going to do now that you found the map?" asked Hirmo. "I do not have enough food to continue on so I must return to Kespor." said Link. "We could supply you with more food. We have enough here." said Hirmo. "I must leave for Kespor to show this map to Lord Sagno, to read the book, and get the map copied." said Link and also thought, for Celicia.

"When are you to leave then?" asked Hirmo. "I will leave now and in disguise," said Link, as he wrapped the magic cloak around himself. "Then I bid you swift travel to Kespor Link, farewell." said Hirmo. "I will see you again after I have defeated Ganon's son when I return to Kespor the final time. Now farewell," Link said, looking and sounding like his adult self. When he had saddled Epona and hopped on, he rode at full spur out the gate towards a sad return to Kespor.

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As I press on through each chapter, I get closer to the day that I finish this story. For those who are new to this story, I have only made the ideas clearer and in some cases fixed wording issues, but none of the original is lost. Enjoy.

To my loyal readers,

~RangerIke~