He could hear the small murmuring of voices as he stirred from sleep. He was intending to open his eyes, but the searing pain in his head was begging that he do otherwise. Groaning groggily, he rubbed at his temple. Then, he remembered what happened.
"Malon?" He questioned with a slur, sitting upright instantly. His eyes shot open and he saw a few buzzes of light scurry out of his vision and behind a rock that he could barely make out. At that moment, he realized that he had no real idea where he was. It looked as if it were a rocky cave of some sort. Dark and dewy, like the underground.
"Malon?" He stood up slowly, not pretending that the ache in his body was unnoticed. Another ball of flashing light zoomed past him, and he could have sworn he heard it giggle.
"What the…?" He reached for his sword but it wasn't there. Again, he remembered where it was. "Who are you? Where am I?"
"This is a fairy's cavern." A small, girlish voice said. "We brought you here to rescue you. You were unconscious and soaking in the storm that just passed. We couldn't let you expire." It explained.
"So how do I get out of here?" He queried rather hastily. "I need to find someone very important."
"I would think we should get acquainted first."
Link sighed softly. "I am Link of Kokori Forest."
"Are you the Hero?" A small voice asked. "The Hero of Time?"
Squinting his eyes, he looked towards the rock. "I believe so. Why?"
"I've been waiting." Slowly, a glow of light rose from behind the rock. "I am Navi."
"You're a fairy." He said quietly. He hadn't truly spoken nor seen them up close. Everyone else in the Forest had gotten fairies and when he was little, he wondered why until the King himself had told him that he was indeed not one of the Kokori people, he was sent there when he was little because evil forces had been trying to take him.
"And not just any fairy. Your fairy." Easily, she began floating closer to him. "And I am here to lead you on your path."
"What path?" He questioned warily, the urge to swat her out of his face tempting.
"You know of nothing that you are intended, do you?" Shaking her small head, she sighed. "You are to retrieve the Master Sword and slay the Destroyer of Time. The one who holds the Triforce of power."
Looking completely confused, Link shook his throbbing head. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"The powerful Gannondorf!" She screeched in impatience. "Have they told you nothing?!"
"Pardon me if my head is a little out of whack right now, little one." He told her with an unconscious rub of his temple. "It is just that there is much weighing on my mind right now."
"I can see." She sighed. "You have been out for two days." He looked much different than she had expected, much younger at that. But already, she had taken an instant liking to him.
His eyes widened in alarm. "Two days?!" His heart wrenched with worry. "Malon."
"For now, she is fine. But we must hurry if you wish to save her." Flitting back over to the rock, "Halo, Shansii, come out already. He is who we presumed." From behind the rock, a blue and green light floated into sight.
"Then you must be off." Halo spoke solemnly, her voice silky.
"We wish you home, Navi." Shansii said sadly. "We will miss you." She bowed her head in good riddance.
"I should try my best to return." Bowing her tiny head, she flew back over to Link with a sigh. "Let's be off, now. We have much to discuss."
"I need to find Malon, fairy." Link spoke in urgency, her name slipping his mind.
"Of course, but you would have to get her out of the grasp of the Destroyer and he, you cannot face alone. You must unlock the Temple of Time." She started quite rudely. "And by all means, I am to be addressed as Navi, not fairy." She reminded with a slight temper.
"I'm truly sorry, Navi, but I am worried about Malon." He said sincerely, rubbing the back of his sore neck. He had not known that things would get so complicated. "If anything were to happen to her, the strength to do anything else would cease." He thought about what she had probably been enduring for the last two days and shuddered at the thought. He would destroy Gannon.
"Which is why you must find her, or else Hyrule would face great danger." After a moment of silence and buzzing near his head to give them light in the dark fairy cavern, she glanced at him. "You are not afraid to face Gannon?" Her question was out of curiosity and probably a little admiration. His main concern seemed to be Malon and not the danger of what he was to do. The goddesses had surely picked a great hero.
He shook his head surely and truthfully. There was only one thing he was scared of. "I am only afraid of losing Malon. She is my life."
Navi gave him a small smile. "I will do whatever I can to make sure we find her."
"As will I." Link promised himself.
"She is feisty, Gannondorf." Falco, one of Gannon's trusted minions stated. He was holding Malon, one arm wrapped around her waist and arms and the other covering her mouth.
Gannon stalked towards the squirming woman, his eyes narrowed in malice. "My poor angel." He said in mock sadness, running a finger along her cheek. "He isn't coming. Don't you know that I killed him?" With a flick of his hand, he ordered Falco to release her.
The tall, burly man threw her onto the ground before Gannon. She got on her hands and knees and heaved heavily. "He is not dead." She spoke harshly. "He is going to kill you." She looked up at the tall, greenish man through the disheveled mess of her hair. "And I will greatly enjoy watching." She spat.
He laughed evilly and grabbed her by the hair on her head, standing her up until she was dependent on her tippy-toes. He pulled her face closer to his, glaring down at her with gritted teeth. "I take that as a no to my proposal of marriage." His voice was calm though his features were not.
She smiled emotionlessly, ignoring the pain he was causing. Staring straight into his evil eyes, she answered him. "Never in my living days."
He released her, letting her starving, thirst-ridden body crumble to the floor. "Falco, return her to her headquarters."
"Why don't you give up?!" She yelled, weakly struggling against Falco.
"You are a fool, Malon." He started, turning his back to her. He had to devise a plan if he ever wanted her to marry willingly.
"You are!" She screamed back passionately. "To think I'd actually marry you!"
"You are more of a fool to not." He shook his head and turned to her, waving his hand at Falco to stop his movements. "I would only require your services for a short time." If he had to resort to tall tales, then he would.
Her mouth gaped open in disgusted shock. "What services?!" She sounded appalled.
He chuckled lowly. "Not those services, dear. I can always get that elsewhere." He gave her a pensive look. "I would only need you to accompany me to the Fortress of the Gerudo." He lied. "Once they see that I have married, I would let you on your way."
"And why me? Couldn't you find a willing partner?" She didn't quite believe him. There had to be more to the story. He wouldn't struggle all this time with an unwilling mistress just for that, she thought.
"I'm sure you would want the great deal of wealth and power that comes along with my name." He started, walking toward her. "I know of your father's situation. Wouldn't you love to have the power to exclude Ingo from the ranch?"
She scowled at him. "What gives you that power? How do you know of my father's situation?" The thought intrigued her, but he was evil and she knew there had to be a catch.
"I know very much. More than one would think." He smiled. "I am the King's right hand man. I have suggested a many of things and he has always took see to my suggestions. Being as my wife, I could assist you." His fingers formed a steeple below his chin.
Stubbornly, her eyes clouded over with hot tears. Her arms were still being held by Falco. Every thing was all screwed up. She hated crying. "And…and what of Link?"
He gave her a fake, sympathetic look. "He is gone, my dear. You should learn to cope with the loss. I am extremely sorry it had to come to the death of him. But you must protect those whom you still are able, wouldn't you agree?" He struggled to hide his smirk of triumph over that cowering fool.
She closed her eyes, still not sure if she could handle the thought of Link actually being dead. For some reason, she couldn't come to believe it had happened. Whether it was denial or fate, she did not know. "No." She breathed the word calmly. "I won't marry you."
He waved his hand at Falco in slight anger. "I'm sure you'll change your mind." He told her and watched as Falco dragged her off. "Or I'll change it for you." He whispered to himself. He had to marry her. He had to tie her to him, for when the time came, she could give him what he knew that she would hold. Without the possibility of someone finding out he was withholding her. His plans would come to ruin if the kingdom knew what he had planned.
His eyes narrowed. He had to marry her.
Link purchased a horse by the name of Efron from Kakariko Village. His face suggested that he was deep in thought. Navi glanced at him from her spot on his shoulder sadly. She knew what his thoughts were by the look on his face. "You love her dearly, don't you?"
Distracted, he turned toward her briefly. "Yes . Why?"
"You seem extremely worried." She noted, biting her lip. "I have been sent from the goddesses to assist you in completing your tasks and I will do just that." She spoke with a fierce determination.
"I thank you." He nodded sincerely. "I don't believe I could do this alone anymore." Looking troubled, he shook his head as he hopped onto the horse. "I promised her that I would never let another thing harm her." He winced as he thought about where she was and who she was with.
"You nearly died trying to keep that promise." She reminded in admiration. "Any other man would have. But your strength and courage over powers you. I believe you make a perfect hero."
"I can't help but feel as if I've let her down." He told Navi sadly. "She is probably…terrified. Alone, with that monster. Had it might've been better if I never had admitted my feelings?" He couldn't help but wonder. "I feel responsible for her situation."
"No one is responsible but that despicable monster." She told him surely. "Besides, the prophecies have mostly come into action. Mostly, the way that they were intended." Smiling over at him, she sighed. "This would have happened anyway."
"I've quite figured that out." He grumbled lowly. "Fate is not very friendly."
"Don't say that." Navi encouraged. "There may be better times ahead."
After a moment of silence and after leaving the village, Link sighed. "Where are we headed?"
"To the Temple of Time." She declared. "It is just after Hyrule Castle."
"Gannon will surely know of my whereabouts when I go." He told her worriedly, more for what he might do to Malon if he knew that he was coming.
"We will be taking a shortcut. He won't be able to see you." She smiled. "I know my way around very well."
"And when we get there, what will happen?" He asked.
"For that, we will have to see." The smiling triumph left her voice.
He looked over at her on his shoulder. "You sound indecisive. Something could go wrong, could it not?"
"There is always that possibility." She said quietly. "But I don't think that will be the case. I have met you."
"And…?" His face showed confusion.
"And I believe that you will not let Hyrule down. I know you won't." She whispered the last part. "You are too brave to die. You are truly the hero."
Link laughed a little at that. "Daft would be the proper word."
"It is not daft to fight for what you love." She corrected, flitting to the horses head, facing Link. "It is plain bravery."
Settling for her words, he sighed. "How long will the journey be?"
"Not long at all." She crossed her small legs and leaned back on her hands. "We should be there by dusk."
"I should try to hurry before then." He gripped the reigns tighter and kicked his feet, urging the horse faster.
Nearly loosing her balance, Navi held out her wings fluttering to keep her in place. "By this rate, we should be there before the next two minutes." She laughed lightly.
He genuinely smiled at the small woman. "That is my intention, Navi."
Malon sat in the hole of her doom in the corner, her knees pulled up to her chin. She sighed as she stared from the small window that she had been graced. Her arm could barely fit through it let alone her body. She sighed again and rested her cheek on her knee. Poor Link. He had most likely died trying to defend her. Every time she thought of it, it made her want to sob. But she held it in, because if she cried, she'd be mourning. And she still had that small spark of hope that he'd woken up from where he was and was coming to get her.
"He's dead." Falco said evilly, glancing through the bars of the door as if he could read her thoughts. "Never to return, in another term."
"Oh, he will come. And you will be sorry." She promised evenly, glancing his way.
Falco laughed arrogantly. "Pathetic."
"You'll think that when he comes." She stood to her feet. "Because he will come."
"Why don't you just marry Gannon? You could send out a party in search of him as Gannon's wife." He lied shamelessly, as Gannon had told him.
That piqued her interest. "What?"
Falco dramatically checked his surroundings before looking to her again. "Gannondorf didn't want to tell you, but that's what he meant earlier. You'd have greater authority than you do now."
"And how do I know if you're a liar?" She eyed him warily. "Why would you aim to aid me?"
"Honestly, I am tired of you fighting me every time I am ordered to retrieve you." He smirked sheepishly. Holding out his thick arm, he revealed scratches. "You are a hell cat."
Raising one brow, she eyed him plainly. "You deserve it if nothing else."
"I wouldn't disagree with you. I simply just follow orders." He shrugged listlessly.
Standing quietly for a minute, she sighed. "I fear he may kill me." She whispered. "Would he?"
"He would not." He said, though he was truly unsure.
She rolled her eyes with a grunt of disgust. "I dread sleeping next to him. Honestly, I hate him. He tried to kill the only man I ever loved."
"I believe he did." He told her softly. "But I don't permit you not to believe otherwise. If you should want to search for him, you should use the resources you are being offered. You could always run away from him." He suggested.
She stared into the dark eyes of his, trying to see if he was seemingly befriending her. "This is odd. Why are you telling me these things? I thought he was your higher?"
"He is. But that doesn't mean I condone with his ways." And honestly, he wasn't lying about that. "I just do as I'm told, Lady." Noting her face of inquiry, he took a step away. "Remember what I've said."
She watched him walk away, dreadfully considering her options.
He rode up to the old, abandoned looking temple and stopped. "I believe we're here." He informed his light-lit friend.
She flew up eyeing the place. "I believe you are correct. Come." She urged, flying towards it.
He hopped from the back of Efron, his eyes never leaving the temple. It looked old, as if it should've fallen apart ages ago. But it vaguely looked familiar. "As close as this place is…I've never seen it." He told her gently. "But I believe I've dreamt of it…" He walked up the old cracked stairs and to the tall doors. Turning the knob, he opened one, the creak was loud and noisy.
Navi flew inside first. "It is old. It has been waiting for you." She told him as he stepped inside.
His boots tapped against the aged tile. "It is completely empty, Navi." He noticed.
"There," she pointed, "is where you must go." Three jewels floated in the air over a stone-inscribed mantle: green, red and blue. The two of them seemed drawn to their magical, reflecting light.
"What are those?" He asked cautiously.
She eyed him confusedly. "You do not know?"
He glanced at her, unsure if he was supposed to know or not. "What?"
With a tinge of sympathy, she sighed. "Link, you're father…he was the one who retrieved those stones. They opened the sacred doors to the temple."
"My father?" He whispered in utter awe. "How…?" He'd never even knew he had a father. All he could remember, and even those thoughts were vague, was talk of his mother around the town.
"Your father's name was Draven. He was no younger than you when he was slain ruthlessly by traitors of theGerudo." She explained carefully, sadly. "You were his only blood. You were inside of your mother when it all happened. When you were born, you were christened by the goddesses with his courage."
"And my mother?" He asked, his throat clogging at the news. He wanted to know more of his parents who he had no idea were of great importance up until now.
"She died during birth." She announced morosely. "Though it is believed…that someone devised her death." She eyed him evenly, readily. "Namely Gannondorf." She stared at him knowingly.
And then he understood her. "So he tried to kill me even then?" His fists balled in fury at her silent answer. "I will kill him."
"It is the only way that Hyrule will be freed of the impending doom it faces." She said desolately. "And I am sorry that you had not been forewarned of this information. I was led to believe that you'd know before the day came."
"What day?" He asked distractedly, eyeing the jewels that his heroic father had once touched.
"This day." She nodded her miniature head towards the jewels. "The doors are open…it is time for you to proceed."
Flexing his fingers, he eyed the doors angrily. "And proceed I will." He gritted, storming to the door. He stopped just before them when he noticed that Navi was not following him. "Are you coming?" He asked, turning towards her.
"I am not allowed." She stated sympathetically. "But I wish you luck."
Swallowing hard, he nodded and stepped closer to the doors, but they opened themselves. From the doorway, the dark room held nothing but a sword in the middle of it. And the sword was stuck in a stone, a paranormal stream of light shining upon it. Link gazed, it was beautiful.
Then, some sort of gravitational pull was urging him towards the sword. He listened. He followed. He slowly ascended the three steps until he stood directly before the sword. Then, he heard a soft woman's voice.
It is meant for you to be here. It always has been. With this access, you have been chosen as the key holder of the Triforce of Courage and only you can unlock the power of the Master Sword.
Link swallowed and looked towards the dark ceiling that he couldn't even see. "Who are you?"
You will know in time. But for now, you must defeat Gannondorf and retrieve his piece of the Triforce.
"What piece is that?" He whispered to the voice.
The Triforce of Power.
"Then where is theTriforce of Wisdom?" He wondered aloud.
You will know to look where scars are healing.
"What?" He didn't understand.
Take hold of the sword, Link. It is in your destiny.
He glanced at the shining, silvery blade before clenching his fists. "Here goes nothing." He murmured before grabbing the handle. He pulled at first, but there was no budge. Then, as it slid from the fitted cut in the stone, a large bright light began to swallow him. The power was strong. So strong that it stole a loud yell from his lungs. Staring into the air with the sword in his hands, he watched helplessly as the brightness engulfed him.
Falco accompanied Malon into the main room, where Gannon stood near the hearth. They stopped near the doorway.
"I am to believe you wish to speak with me." Gannon spoke without even turning to her.
"Yes." Holding her head high, she glared at his back. "After thoroughly considering your offer I've…I've come to the conclusion that I see fit."
Turning to her with a sheer look of disbelief, he crossed his arms. "And that is…?"
She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. "I will marry you. Under one condition."
His eyebrow twitched upward. "And that is?"
"I am not obligated to consummate the marriage." Her eyes held his evenly.
He nodded quickly. "Of course. There would be no obligation, my dear."
"Very well." Never looking away from him, she narrowed her gaze. "Might I have a bite to eat? Surely you wouldn't starve your betrothed."
"Never would I dream of it." Smirking, he flicked his hands towards Falco. "Retrieve supper for the lady and myself."
"Of course." Falco bowed and slid a look at Malon's eyes before leaving.
"Come." Gannon motioned to the fireplace. "Join me by the fire."
Forcing a smile, Malon obliged. Surely, she'd find a way to break him down. What better way to do it than to marry the lout? She'd find out his secrets and then she'd report them to the king. A smirk of victory almost took her over. She wasn't as daft as he thought.