This story is Rated PG~13
Most of the Characters belong to Nintendo and are used without permission simply for my own sanity's sake.
Chapter 4
I donned a black gown for the ceremony. I could care less what Tomman thought. I would not wed this day. I mourned for my love and would mourn for Hyrule if I could not accomplish what I set out to do.
The bolt clicked open an hour before sunset.
"Black?" he spat. "That's rather untraditional."
"Call it breaking tradition if you must have a reason." He pursed his lips, but said nothing.
A large train led us from the castle to the Temple of Time. Those of Hyrule Castle Town lined the procession path. Word of Link's death had obviously spread quickly as many hissed and spat in the direction of Tomman. His guards would attack on occasion, throwing spatters to the ground. I had a guard to either side of me, preventing me from intervening with any of the torment that was befalling my people. We reached the doors of the Temple, the shallow reflecting pool glowing orange in the fading daylight. I knew this would be the last sunset I would see, one way or another.
We entered the Temple with only one other guard who held me, the rest remaining outside to fend off the gathering people. A priest of the Temple waited by the vacant black marble altar, a look of anguish on his face. The doors closed heavily behind us and Tomman stopped, setting down the large pouch he had carried with him. He looked back at the door, raising a hand. Summoning a black mist that swirled above his head, he brought his hand down, sending it to the door. The mist encircled the door, shrouding it. I looked to him, attempting to hide my shock.
"We all have our little secrets, don't we?" he said smugly. "I don't wish to have our ceremony interrupted. Don't worry, Princess," he added, grabbing my face. "This will be short and sweet and soon it will all be over for you." He smiled as he thrust his tongue into my mouth. I clamped my jaw down hard, biting his tongue. He howled in pain, staggering backward. I raised my hands above my head, summoning a disabling power from the Triforce. I spread my hands, aiming for both Tomman and his guard. The guard was little trouble, losing consciousness quickly. Unprepared, the force of the blow was enough to knock Tomman off his feet, sliding him across the cold tile of the Temple.
"I do not wed today," I stated firmly. "Even if I have to bring this Temple down myself, I will see to it that you will never rule this kingdom."
~~Zelda? Can you hear me?~~ Rauru's voice rang through my ears. ~~We have freed Impa and are now here, awaiting you word. What will you have us do?~~
~~Place a spell of protection upon the Temple of Time,~~ I answered quickly. The Temple would surely topple without it. ~~Then see if you can break the barrier Tomman has placed upon the door.~~
~~As you command.~~ I could feel a strange power start to pulsate through the Temple. Tomman seemed to feel it too as he scrambled to his feet.
"I don't know what you are trying to do, but it shan't work." He regained his footing, shaking off the aftereffects of the Triforce's blow. "Very well then. If you will not wed, there is something you will do." He looked to the Door of Time. "Open the door," he said, motioning to it.
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play games with me, girl. I know what lies beyond that door. And if you will not wed me to give me this kingdom, then I will take it the hard way."
"What makes you think that by opening that door, you will gain this kingdom?"
"The power of the Master Sword will give me the throne." He was disillusioned, bordering on insanity.
"Even if I wanted to, which I most certainly do not, I don't have the proper keys with which to open the door."
"You mean these?" He smirked as he opened the large pouch he had carried from the castle. A strange light glowed from within the pouch as he reached in, producing the three Spiritual Stones. "I had a better use for your Hero's body than food, I'm afraid. He was a wonderful puppet in convincing the pathetic creatures who held these that I, or rather he, needed them." I closed my eyes, my blood boiling. He had not only killed the Hero of Time, but went on to deface Link's body with his presence. The Triforce churned within me, building a powerful blast that would hopefully render Tomman useless.
"You still have not all the keys." The Ocarina of Time was still missing. "And besides, the Triforce is no longer within the Sacred Realm."
"No," he said, looking at me intently. "But a piece is within you." He began walking slowly toward me, setting the pouch down. "And I will find a way to take it from you."
"You'll have to kill me first."
"With pleasure." I waited until he was no more than an arms' length away before releasing the magic building within me. Without the aide of the Sages, it took every ounce of strength within my body to control it, as Tomman flew across the Temple, landing at the feet of the frightened priest. I held the shaft of light upon him as long as my body would hold out, hoping it would be enough. Completely drained, I released the spell, falling against the cold, polished stonewall. I slid to the ground, my legs unable to support me. My eyes slowly drifted to Tomman. He was little more than a pile of a being on the floor, unmoving.
My eyes shot up as one of the high, stained-glass windows shattered, a dark form swinging through it. The form landed on the tile on all fours, the rain of glass shards sparkling around him. The glass stopped in mid-flight, rising back up to the shell of the window, mending itself. The spell of the Sages worked well. My eyes went back to the figure that slowly rose in the center of the Temple. My weak body could not take another battle, but the crystal blue eyes that fell upon me filled my body with a joy and a strength I know not how I found. I scrambled to my feet, running with newfound energy, barely able to form the words.
"Link!" I fell into his arms, kissing him more deeply than I thought I had the power to do. "Oh, Link," I said, tears flowing quickly as he held me. "You were. . .you were dead. . ."
"Well," he said carefully, "I. . .was. . .but I'll explain that later." He pulled me back, his eyes falling on Tomman who slowly stirred.
"You," he hissed, pulling himself to his feet with the aide of the marble altar. "How many times do I have to kill you, boy?" Link stepped in front of me, blocking Tomman's path. He drew his sword, raising his shield before him. I stayed back to regain my strength. That last blow did little more than render him unconscious for a moment. I feared what it would take to put him down for some length of time. I focused, pulling my strength and wits together as I tried to keep my balance. I looked up to see Link stepping toward Tomman, readying himself. Tomman sneered, drawing his hands apart, away from his body. A spark of black light fizzled between his hands, growing quickly. Tomman turned to Link, slapping his hands together, creating a steady beam of black magic surging right toward Link. The Hero threw his shield up, successfully blocking the magic. But Tomman's magic was powerful to say the least, as Link's boots began sliding on the polished tile floor. He tried to keep his footing, but found it was best not to fight it too much else he'd fall. He continued sliding backward until his heel hit the wall. The stream became stronger and larger, reaching the edges of the shield. I wasn't ready, but I had little choice. I had to act. I placed one hand to my chest, more to balance myself, my right hand shooting out in front of me, a green glowing ball forming from my fingertips. The sphere of light hit Tomman, doing little more than knocking him off balance. Tomman fell to one knee, releasing Link from the stream of magic imprisoning him. Link acted quickly, rushing the fallen Prince. But it was in vain as Tomman threw a hand up, a stark white ray blasting Link back against the wall. "Stupid boy," he said under his breath as he staggered to his feet, standing over the stunned Link. The wind had been knocked from him; he barely moved even as Tomman approached, Link's sword in his hand. "Now, dear Princess. Unless you would like to see him die for the second time in two days, I would suggest you take the Ocarina of Time from the pouch and open the door." My breath caught in my throat. He did have the Ocarina. I thought quickly. Even if I did open the door, it seemed that he did not know that Link was the only one who could pull the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time, or else he would not have killed him the day before. Another plan formed quickly in my mind as I stepped carefully toward the pouch. I reached in to find the gleaming Ocarina resting silently in the bottom of the leather bag. I looked back to Link who had composed himself, his eyes wide yet fearless as he stared down his own weapon turned upon him. Tomman looked at me as well, impatience forming in his eyes. "Open it now!" he cried out. I raised the Ocarina of Time to my lips, playing the simple melody of the Song of Time. The notes resonated through the Temple as it began to shake slightly. I looked behind me as the Door of Time began to slowly slide open. The chamber was dark save the single ray of light piercing the blackness, lighting the Master Sword in the center of the chamber. Tomman's breath was almost a hiss as he inhaled deeply, tossing Link's blade to the far end of the Temple. He stepped away quickly, nearly running for the door. He grabbed me, pulling me off my feet, dragging me into the chamber with him. "I think it should be best that you witness this first hand, my wife." He threw me to the side of the chamber as he stepped carefully up toward the sword.
~~Link! Grab one of the Spiritual Stones from the altar!~~
~~What? Have you lost your mind Zelda?~~
~~If I tried to trap him in here with the Song of Time, he would surely stop me before two notes left the Ocarina. He's too preoccupied right now to see you. Grab one of the stones. The Door of Time will close.~~
~~But it will trap you.~~
~~I can warp out. Just do it before it's too late!~~
Tomman's fingers nearly brushed the blue enameled finish of the hilt as he stepped closer. I glanced to Link carefully as he walked up slowly to the altar. Tomman grasped the hilt of the blade, a sudden charge of magic flowing through him. He was not one chosen to carry the blade and would surely have perished had he been of normal mortal men. This was my chance as I turned to Link.
"Now!" I called out, watching Link swipe the Spiritual Stone of the Forest from the altar. I in turn focused the magic of the Triforce building within me. I unleashed the magic on Tomman, coupling with the protective magic of the Master Sword. He cried out in anguish as the Door of Time slowly closed. My vision began to tunnel as I shook of the blackness trying to claim me. My work was not yet finished, as Tomman still stood, his hands still upon the glowing hilt of the Master Sword. His painful cries echoed in the dark chamber as the Door of Time slammed closed. Prince Tomman finally collapsed, rolling down the shallow steps surrounding the Pedestal of Time. My hands dropped as I staggered forward, my vision nothing more than two tiny pinholes of light. I stepped forward carefully to see that he was truly dead. Tomman laid lifeless, killed by the protective powers of the Temple of Light. My work complete, I collapsed, giving in to the darkness.
