Legend of Zelda
Dawn of the Negaforce

Chapter 7
Relaying

All was silent in the woods as the still darkness lingered on. Though some few strands of light were slowly beginning to peak over the horizon, it would be many hours yet before the night gave way to dawn.

All throughout their return to the village, the pair of mounts and their riders had remained quiet. There was a peaceful silence throughout the forest trail that neither parties felt eager to disturb.

One rider, a young palace messenger sitting atop her ebony stallion who goes by the name of Ada spent the majority of the ride back in deep thought.

Ever since the moment she had passed the glowing spring, she could not rid her mind of its presence nor the pain she felt when she had neared it.

Perhaps the pain had not related to the enchanting pool at all. After all, a spring is nothing more than a source of fresh water, no matter how luminous it appeared in the moon's velvet shine. However, something inside of her continued to prod persistently at the suspicions in her mind. She felt as though she knew the answer, but it was just at the edge of her reach, tingling her fingertips, just as her trusty leather bag had been shortly before. And perhaps, with a little help, she could seize it in her grasp.

Ada was soon startled from her thoughts by the farm boy who accompanied her atop his auburn and white mare, Link. "Not that it's any of my business, but I couldn't help but wonder what it is that's so special about that bag of yours that you felt the need to risk your life in order to retrieve it."

No longer immersed in her mind's eye and now more aware of her surroundings, Ada could see that they were nearing the forest's edge as the trees had become less dense and she could spot a clearing just ahead.

Quickly realizing that Link was patiently awaiting her response, she replied with a firm nod, "Indeed, it isn't. Though I suppose I can tell you that my bag isn't what's so important but the letter it carries." In assurance, Ada lightly patted said bag which had earlier been reattached in its usual place at her hip.

"This letter is of vast importance as it is being delivered on behalf of Princess Zelda, herself!"

Ada said this with such a great sense of pride and dignity that Link was certain her back could not be straighter nor could her nose point any higher.

Though he felt the urge to snicker at the prideful messenger and her steed who, having sensed his rider's drastic change in mood, was now ambling with an exaggerated rise in the knees, Link was reminded upon mentioning of the golden symbol of Hyrule's power and wealth itself, Princess Zelda. He felt the rush of warm memories of the princess's radiant beauty, elegant grace and divine dignity. However, apprehension soon replaced nostalgia as Link found himself questioning as to what the dominion of their vast kingdom would possibly want with anyone all the way out here.

Link relayed his wary question to the messenger, however, her reply was strict and stated with an authoritative tone, "I am afraid that that is information I cannot disclose to anyone but the recipient of the letter."

"And who would that be, if I may ask?" Link persisted.

Ada could not halt the grin that edged its way across her lips as she felt the return of her overwhelming sense of nobility for having been selected with the heavy responsibility of her important duty.

Her head tilted towards the heavens, eyes searching among the silver smoked clouds in the pre-dawn sky for the copper skin and rust tinted hair of the one she strove to impress most so he could see and hear of the great honor she had been bestowed.

"The recipient of this letter is none other than the Hero of Light who resides in the village of Ordon in the Ordona province."

Link found himself quite startled and barely managed to retain a rare fit of laughter that threatened to erupt from his chest. Apparently, neither did this messenger know her location –understandable as she had obviously become disoriented after her injury- nor did she recognize Link for who he was. Unsurprising as he had long since stored his hero's tunic after Ganondorf's defeat and reshouldered his usual Ordonian ensemble.

He no longer resembled a hero, but instead the same simple farm hand that he had once been and Link knew that that was exactly what Ada saw him to be.

Finally certain that his withheld chuckles had been quelled, Link opened his mouth to explain his situation before he was swiftly interrupted by the oblivious girl as she pulled her steed to a halt and dismounted. "I would like to request that in the morning, you point me in the direction of Ordon, Link." Ada asked decisively.

Link only managed a small noise of agreement as he realized they had exited the woods and passed straight through to the village entrance, missing his home while distracted in his efforts to cease his downed laughter.

As he prepared to begin again, Link was once more interrupted as the young woman continued her speech, "You know, you should consider yourself honored to bear the same name as a hero!"

Acting quickly before he could be interrupted a third time, Link hastily spoke Ada's name.

"Yes?" Ada turned, oblivious, to gaze expectantly at the somewhat exasperated face of Link, still mounted atop his trusty steed.

Link couldn't help but sigh mentally in relief at finally gaining the girl's attention. He felt the pull of an ironic smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he thought of the situation at hand, "I am Link."

Ada could only stare in bewilderment as she failed to understand his meaning.

Choosing to dismount so he could speak to her at level, Link elaborated, "The Hero of Light. I am him."

Ada continued to stare as if in a stupor before suddenly throwing her head back and releasing a boisterous cackle that echoed throughout the quietly sleeping village. Link was momentarily startled before realizing indignantly that she was indeed laughing at him. His brown and pallid mare; Epona, as though understanding the situation, huffed grudgingly at his side.

Link waited, unamused, for the uproarious woman to cease her fit. As her quacking body finally began to calm, Ada barely managed to question through lingering hiccups of laughter, "Y-You? The Hero of L-Light? The Link w-who defeated the evil Ganondorf?" Ada soon regained her composure and moved to wipe a stray tear from her eye before continuing, "I am very grateful to you for aiding me earlier and I mean no offense, but from the looks of you, you're not long past man-hood, and not a single inch of you resembles a hero!"

Link felt his jaw clench as he felt more than a little offended at the girl's harsh words, though her tone was blunt, as though stating a mere well-known fact.

What right did she have to criticize him? She was certainly no older than he and was obviously lacking any common sense, having thought it a brilliant idea to dangle herself off the face of a cliff in the first place, when she could have easily waited till morning to request for help in retrieving her delivery.

No, as far as Link could see it, she had no right to criticize him at all!

However, through all of his grief, Link knew very well that it would be pointless to argue with her and chose instead to prove the ignorant woman wrong.

"What if I were to prove it to you?"

Recognizing the challenge in his eyes, Ada could only smirk heatedly as she accepted, eager to humble the blue-eyed man that stood before her.


AN: Oh my goodness, I feel so horrible! I've made you all wait for nearly a YEAR for an update? I can't believe myself! *shot*

Anyway, I honestly hope my readers will forgive me. RL has been kind of hectic lately and I was seriously lacking any sort of motivation to finish this chapter. One upside to this long break is that I have been able to consider latter aspects of my story more thoroughly and I have plenty of new and interesting ideas on where to take this. Hopefully it's a path you'll all enjoy! On a side note; yes, it is going to take a while for any sort of positive relationship to form between these two. I wanted to include development in the story. After all, it's not really that interesting when a pair falls desperately in love at first sight, right? *cough* twilight *cough*

Ahem.

Once again, I am deeply sorry for the long wait, and I thank my readers; faithful, past and new wholly! I don't necessarily deserve it, but I would like to request that you leave a review. It'd been nice to know how my writing is going and whether or not any of my previous readers are still around.

Thank you.

~BBBA