Chapter 5: A Beastly Acquaintance Part Two

A/N: Yes, I've been gone for a while again. But I have started writing more often. I haven't touched this chapter since August last year. Gosh, I'm such a good author. Leaving an update for so long. Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Legend of Zelda, nor Beauty and the Beast.


The inside of Hyrule Castle was very grand but quite dismal too. Gaepora noted the cobwebs, the dirt on the floor, a thin layer of dust over everything.

"I know it's not quite as nice as it should be but..." Saria sighed as she opened a simple door, leading to a quaint sitting room, "But at least he lets me water the plants."

Gaepora entered the room, looking at his surroundings. There was an earthy feel to the room, with natural colours of brown and green being used. Many plants lay in small pots, flowers, spider plants and bonsai trees. The room smelt of wet soil and sweet scents from the flowers.
There were a few books on a shelf. A sofa and a few cushioned chairs lay in the centre of the room, facing a wood carved fireplace. A few tables were also present, many holding pots and trinkets, a few holding tea sets and unlabelled tins. There were a few near the chairs and a coffee table in between them all.

"I hope this place will be alright for the night. I would offer the bed next door but it's a bit small for you," the little girl said as she brushed past Gaepora after gently closing the door. She lit a fire as Gaepora sat down, placing Epona's saddlebags on the floor next to him. He accepted Saria's offering of tea, and sat back comfortably as the Sage bumbled around her room, making a herbal tea.

Suddenly, the door opened and a tall woman stepped in. She was toned, with white hair pulled into a braid by her face. She had white tattoos by her eyes and her lips were painted red. Around her neck was a medallion holding the symbol of Shadow. She wore a deep blue sleeveless shirt with matching pants that were very baggy. A symbol was embroidered into her shirt.

Gaepora gasped as he recognised it as the Sheikah symbol, the eye and teardrop. His sound caused her vicious red eyes to lock onto him.

"It appears that I was correct that we were not alone in this castle," her voice was deep, commanding respect and authority.

"Impa!" Saria cried, almost dropping the teacups she was carrying.

Gaepora's assertions were confirmed by Saria. That was Impa, the Sage of Shadow, the only known Sheikah in Hyrule.

"You know the rules, Saria! No one is to enter the castle!" She crossed her arms frowning at the young girl.

"Yes, I know. But what was I supposed to do? He can't leave until tomorrow."

Impa sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"If it's any help, I don't intended to stay. I simply got lost on my way to Castle Town. I will leave once the gate opens again."

"Good," Impa stated, "You'll leave at first light. That's when it will open again. Be sure to keep this quiet."

"I know, we don't want his majesty knowing. It'll be fine as long as-"

"It is my duty to tell the others."

"Aw, Impa!" Saria whined, "One of them will say something!"

"Hush. Entertain our guest and make him comfortable for the night. He'll need enough rest to leave by dawn," she turned to leave, "Also, Saria, you're missing your medallion."

Impa closed the door as Saria growled,

"I know where it is. Excuse me, if I want to pretend to be a normal Kokiri for a bit!"

Gaepora chuckled.

"Sorry about that..." Saria blushed in embarrassment as she brought over the tea, setting it on the coffee table, "I'll be right back with some blankets and a pillow for you. Help yourself."

Gaepora noticed she'd also placed some biscuits on the tray. They were cut in the shape of trees, flowers and leaves, similar to how a child would draw them.
Gaepora bit into one. It was very sweet, lots of sugar had been added. Perfectly made to his taste. He lightly brushed the crumbs from his moustache once he'd finished, concluding it was shortbread and tipped the crumbs into his mouth.


Impa enter the small chapel within the castle where the other sages had gathered.

"Well?" demanded Rauru, "Is there another being in the Castle?"

"An old Hylian man. He will be no trouble," Impa replied cooly, crossing her arms.

Ruto grunted,
"It was Saria, wasn't it? She let him in. She delights herself in looking after strays."

"Ruto!" Darunia snapped.

"I can't perform my duties to my people. I cannot protect my temple. Goddesses, I haven't seen a lake in years, Darunia!"

"I haven't been with my clan for years, nor seen my mountain. Do you hear me complaining girl?" Darunia narrowed his eyes, drawing himself up to his full height.
"No..." Ruto sighed.

"Let Saria play house for now. There's nothing wrong with that. As long as he doesn't know."

Nabooru groaned from the pew she drooped over.

"What is it?" Impa sighed.

"Why do we do this? Why the hell are we scared of the man who saved us all? It's bloody stupid!" Nabooru ranted, throwing handfuls of gestures everywhere.

"Link has not been the same since that day," came a voice by the altar, "Surely you've noticed the change in behaviour, personality..."

"Seres..." Rauru gasped, "I hardly noticed-"

"Often you are all caught up in your own arguments and pity to notice that your leader remains steadfast," the beautiful maid continued praying, knelt down, "We must have faith."

"The Goddesses allowed this to happen. Why-?" Darunia began.

"And I wouldn't exactly say Link is "steadfast". He just seems the same as usual. Angry," Nabooru moaned.

"Because perhaps this will lead Link to a better path," she rose and dusted off her dress, "And by leader, I meant myself, Nabooru."

"I was fooling around."

"Very well, o great leader," Ruto grinned, doing a faux curtsey, "We certainly will follow in your pious example of hope."

"Ruto, really? All of these years and you'd think you would be less of a spoilt brat..." Seres groaned.

"Hey! I've been a sage longer than yo-"

"Seres, what do you suggest we do? About this man?" Rauru asked.

"Is he to stay long?" She questioned.

"Until dawn," Impa replied.

"Try to stay silent over this. Even I have difficulty in quelling Link's temper at times. Hopefully, this should go over smoothly. Saria smuggled him in, she should be able to get him out."

Thus, she turned back to pray.

"Very well," Rauru bowed, gesturing to the others that it was time to leave.

He left, trailed by the others. His eyebrows at Impa, who remained. As he close the door, he began to her say speak to the Seventh Sage.

"There is something else about him. I sense-"

The door close, allowing the conversation it's privacy. While he may have been the longest serving sage, it was not his place to pry into what Impa, the spymaster sage, wished to tell the young priestess.

He always found the choosing of the sages odd often. He knew the history beyond the legends and it still baffled him.
How was it that a human priestess, a Hylian scholar, Zora princess, Goron Patriarch, child of the forest, Gerudo thief and Sheikah Matriarch meant to work together?


For Gaepora, dawn came all too soon. He was roused by Saria, still exhausted, who quickly gave him some tea and breakfast. She quietly ushered him through the palace, out to the entrance. She hid him behind a few bushes as she retrieved Epona from the stables. He had almost fallen asleep again by the time Saria returned. She took the saddlebags off him and began attaching them. Suddenly, she turned gasping to a deep commanding voice boomed,

"Saria, why is that horse here?"

"Oh! Y-your highness!" She quickly bowed, "She, uh, appeared last night just before the gates closed. I just happened to already be here with the plants... As usual. I... I only came to let her back outside. Her owner must be worried."

"Certainly. Get rid of it quickly. I want no man to enter this castle."

"Of course."

Gaepora saw a large shadow move back into the castle. He gulped as he poked his head above the bush.

"Who... Was that...?"

"Gaepora, it's almost ti-" she clamped her mouth shut up, her youthful eyes wide and expression terrified.

"Hello, old man..." drawled that same voice but from behind him, "You'll be coming with me..."

Gaepora then saw clawed palms grab his arms as he turned to face it.


A/N: So I hope you enjoyed! Look forward for an update next week! The next chapter part (yes, I'm sorry) has been written but I'm busy rereading my chapters as I have noticed a few mistakes in them still. I've noticed that I haven't acknowledged new followers (and maybe a few old, woops) so...
Thank you to la-hija-de-Dios and starmariofan4 for following! Thanks to SoraMythos9276 and Fey Beauty for favouriting!

Feel free to review! Thanks for reading!