A/N I know, I know, I had this a bit late. I was a bit busy yesterday, and the story completely slipped my mind. But no worries, we have a new chapter, and the schedule is back to normal! I hope you enjoy the final chapter to Arc 1: Emerald!

Stats of Link: Level: 7.93 Health: 2.25 Defense 2 Magic: 0 Attack: 1 Spells: 0

Two days since the Great Deku Tree died…

Link entered what must have been the castle courtyard. There were a couple barrels near a door, which Link figured must have been the one leading to where Julian was. For a little while he toyed with the idea of leaving Julian there, but he figured that it wouldn't go well. He sighed as he turned the latch, unlocking the door.

Julian walked in, looking around. "Okay, you need to get past the guards." He deduced. "Lucky for you, I have an idea for that." He turned and took off, leaving Link by himself.

Link was about to yell at Julian for ditching him, but then he heard a large crash. "What was that?" A guard shouted. He, as well as a few dozen more, went toward the noise, leaving the entire courtyard free for Link to cross. However, not all of the guards were led astray.

"Blast…" Navi muttered.

Link noted that two guards remained. they looked pretty serious about their job, apparently showing that they were guarding something very important. Link knew that if he stayed too long, he would get discovered.

He looked for an opening, and found one. He ran forward, trying to make as little noise as possible. Unfortunately, he slammed his foot down on a twig, snapping it. The guards paused, and Link knew he had been caught. Suddenly, Julian, in his human form, ran by him and blew past the guards. They shouted, and gave chase.

"Well, that works." Navi said.

O-0-O

They entered a round, grassy area of the courtyard. No one was in there except for a small girl peering through a window. She turned around as Link approached. She gasped in shock. "Who?! Who are you? How did you get past the guards?"

He could see that she was very pretty. Her eyes were a startling blue, like Link's. Her hair, as well as her eyebrows, were golden. She wore an elegant white dress with a purple tunic covering the front. embedded in it was a ruby on the neck and an insignia of three golden triangles arranged into a secret fourth triangle on the bottom.

Link heard a chuckle and turned around to see Julian. Without his disguise on.

"Wait, wha-" Link did a double take. Julian chuckled.

"The answer to your second question is that I provided a distraction." He said.

"Well, you didn't get them all." Link muttered. Julian whipped his tail forward, knocking Link off his feet.

Navi flew out of Link's cap, about to berate the boys for their bickering again, then the girl gasped. "Is that… a faerie?! Then, are you… are you from the forest?"

Link nodded, getting up. "Yeah. not this bozo, though." He said, pointing at Julian. Julian's tail whipped forward, knocking Link down once more.

"Then…" She continued. "Then… You wouldn't happen to have… The Spiritual Stone of the Forest? The green and shining stone?" She clarified when Link looked confused.

"Well? Do you have it?" She asked. Link nodded and pulled out the Kokiri's Emerald. The girl laughed in delight.

"Just as I thought!" She said. "I had a dream… in the dream, dark storm clouds were billowing over the land of Hyrule… but suddenly, a ray of light shot out of the forest, parted the clouds, and lit up the ground… the light turned into a figure, holding holding a green and shining stone, accompanied by a faerie… I know this is a prophecy that someone would come from the forest.. yes, I thought you might be the one…" She turned toward Julian. "However, I do not recognize you from anywhere… what are you? You look like a dragon as well as a human…"

Julian stretched, revealing his full wingspan. "I am a Dragonian." He said. "Just call me Julian. It's nice to meet you at last, Princess of Hyrule."

Link's eyes bulged, and Navi missed a wingbeat. They were talking to the princess of Hyrule?!

"Oh, I'm sorry!" The princess said. "I got carried away by my story and didn't even properly introduce myself!" She lowered her head and smiled at the Triumvirate. "My name is Zelda, Princess of Hyrule." She leaned toward Link and cocked her head. "What's your name?"

"My name is Link, and this is Navi." Link said, grinning.

"Link…" Zelda murmured. "Strange… it sounds somehow… familiar…" She shook her head. "Okay then, Link… I'm going to tell you the secret of the Sacred Realm, that has been passed down by the Royal Family of Hyrule. Please keep this a secret from everyone…" Link nodded.

Zelda took a deep breath. "The Legend goes like this… the three goddesses hid the Triforce which contains the power of the gods somewhere in Hyrule. That power can grant the wish of whoever holds the Triforce. If someone with a righteous heart makes a wish, it will lead Hyrule to a golden age of prosperity... if someone with an evil mind has his wish granted, the world will be consumed by evil… that is what has been told. So the ancient Sages built the Temple of Time in order to protect the Triforce from those with evil hearts."

She grinned. "That's right… the Temple of Time is the entrance through which the Sacred Land can be reached from this land. But the entrance is sealed with a stone wall called the Door of Time. In order to open the door, it is said that one must gather the three Spirit Stones and put them in the temple. And one more thing is necessary… the treasure that the Royal Family protects along with the legend… the Ocarina of Time!" She pulled out an ocarina strikingly similar to Julian's except that there was no gems inlaid on the back.

She put the ocarina back into a fold of her dress, then said, "I forgot to tell you… I was spying through this window just now…" She gestured toward the window she was looking into before she noticed Link.

"The other element from my dream… The dark clouds… I believe they symbolize that man in there! Please look through the window." Navi had long since disappeared into Link's cap, and Julian had laid on the grass, looking as if he wanted to go to sleep. Link obliged, peering through the window.

Link saw two people, having a conversation over maps and wine. The first man was rather large and plump, wearing a crown on his head. however, it was the second man that grabbed Link's attention. his skin was dark, as was the clothing he wore. he was very tall and muscular, wearing a full suit of armor very easily, and he wore no helmet. His hair was red and wild, but pushed back against its natural course, like fire against a strong wind. His eyes were solid gold, and an orange gem adorned his forehead.

"Can you see the man with the evil eyes?" Zelda asked. Link nodded, keeping his gaze on the dark man. "That is Ganondorf, leader of the Gerudo." Zelda continued. "They hail from the desert far to the west. Though he swears allegiance to my father, I am sure he is not sincere. The dark clouds that covered Hyrule in my dream… I believe they symbolize that man!"

Just then, Ganondorf looked away from the king and straight at Link. Link yelped in shock and scrambled away from the window.

"What happened?" Zelda asked in alarm. "Did he see you?"

"I-I'm not sure…" He stammered. For some reason, that man looking at Link had scared him deep within his bones. He wasn't sure whether to run or to curl up into a ball and start sobbing.

"Don't worry." Zelda said, putting a hand on Link's shoulder. "He doesn't have any idea what we're planning… Yet!"

"Why not tell your father?" Julian asked, yawning. "Surely he would need to know about your dream…"

Zelda shifted uncomfortably. "...Yes." she finally said after a few moments. "I told my father about my dream… However, he didn't think it was a prophecy." Her eyes narrowed. "But I can sense Ganondorf's evil intentions! What that man must be after must be nothing less than the Triforce of the Sacred Realm! He must have came to Hyrule to obtain it! He wants to conquer Hyrule… No, the entire world! Link… Julian… Navi… we are the only ones who can protect Hyrule!"

"You got that right, your highness!" Link said.

Zelda smiled. "Thank you for believing me! But please just call me Zelda." Suddenly, her expression grew somber. "I… I am afraid… I have a feeling that man is going to destroy Hyrule. He has such terrifying power! But it's fortunate you three have come… we must not let Ganondorf get the Triforce! I'll protect the Ocarina of Time with all my power! He shall not have it! You go find the other two Spiritual Stones! Let's get the Triforce before Ganondorf does, and then defeat him!"

She ripped a piece of parchment from a nearby book, pulled out a quill, and started writing on it. "One more thing," She said. "Take this letter… I'm sure it will be helpful to you." She handed Link the letter.

They turned around and noticed a tall, slender woman was waiting, having not made her presence known.

"Now, my attendant will escort you out of the castle." Zelda continued. "Don't be afraid to talk to her."

Zelda's attendant had grey hair and wore tight clothes. Her skin was light and smooth, despite the indication of age, and her irises were deep red. She casted an imposing aura that made Link understand what Zelda meant.

"I am Impa of the Sheikahs," She said. "I am responsible for protecting Princess Zelda. Everything was exactly as the princess foretold. You're a courageous boy… You are heading out on a big, new adventure, aren't you? My role in the princess's dream was to teach a melody to the one from the forest. This is an ancient melody passed down by the Royal Family. I have played this song for Princess Zelda as a lullaby ever since she was a baby… There is mysterious power in these notes. now, listen carefully…" She whistled three notes twice, paused, then whistled them again. Link pulled out the ocarina Saria gave him, but fumbled at translating the notes.

"I know how to play." He said defensively when Julian looked at him. "I Just don't know what ocarina notes she's playing…"

"Here," Julian said. he pulled out his own ocarina and played the six notes, and after that Link was able to play Zelda's Lullaby on his ocarina.

"If the soldiers find you, there will be trouble." Impa said. "Let me lead you out of the castle."

O-0-O

"You brave lad… We must protect this land of Hyrule!" Impa said as they exited the Town Market and entered Hyrule Field. She then pointed toward a distant mountain. "Take a good look at that mountain. It is called Death Mountain, home of the rock-like people, the Gorons. They hold the Spiritual Stone of the Mountains."

She moved her finger down to a set of stairs near the mountain. "At the foot of Death Mountain, you will find my village, Kakariko. That is where I was born and raised. You should talk to the villagers there before you trek Death Mountain."

She then turned to the Triumvirate. "The song I just taught you has some mysterious power. Only Royal Family members are allowed to learn this song. Remember, it will help to prove your connection to the Royal Family."

The Triumvirate stepped forward, about to depart for Kakariko Village. "The Princess is waiting for you to return to the castle with the Spiritual Stones." Impa finished, stepping behind them. "All right. we're counting on you!" Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and when the Triumvirate turned around, Impa was gone.

"Well, ready for the next chapter?" Julian asked Link. Link grinned in anticipation.

"Yeah!" He cheered. "Let's go!