Disclaimer: Like most of the best things in life, Zelda doesn't belong to me. Life's not fair.
A.N: I'd like to say a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who has left messages of good will in their reviews. I'm very touched and grateful for all of your support and it makes me very sad to find out that so many of you have gone through or are going through the same thing as me and my family. I know that my grandpa is too. So thank you all, very much.
Well, I don't know how it's happened but this chapter is even more mammoth than the last! 7000 words +! If I'm not careful, this story will be over before I know what's happening!
Chapter 7: The Prophecy
Link returned to the campfire a little later, pleased with the knowledge that Darunia and Nabooru were safe and sound. He knew that Zelda would be too.
The others were seated around the campfire, sad and motionless.
"What's the matter?" He asked cheerfully, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "You look like someone's died."
"Hathan did." Voren said glumly.
Link looked around at the drawn faces and mumbled his apologies.
"I know this sounds heartless right now, but you guys really don't have time to grieve over it." He said quietly. "You've got to channel this emotion into something that you can draw upon in the fight, don't dwell on it now."
Yorich got up, with his great fists balled.
"I don't give a shit what a little runt like you has to say about somethin' you know nothin' about." He growled.
Link stood his ground, aware that he was going to try to hit him.
"Go ahead and hit me. It's not going to do anyone any good right now." He said angrily. "Hyrule will still be at war, and Hathan will still be dead. But if it makes you feel any better, then hit me by all means."
Yorich wound up to punch, but he stopped as Link's eyes bored into him.
"I thought so." He said quietly. "If you'd excuse me."
They watched him as he went into his tent.
"He's right you know." Forn said.
No one spoke up to agree with him, though they all did.
"C'mon guys, he wouldn't want us to be sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves," Forn continued. "He'd want us to be raising Hell somewhere, presumably with some of those lovely Gerudo ladies."
"Give it a rest Forn." Tristian muttered.
Voren got up from the fire and stood by his brother's side.
"Yeah, I'll go to the Gerudo with ya. Anyone else?"
Tristian shook his head.
"I'll stay here. I need some sleep."
Yorich followed the twins as they went in search of relief. Tristian remained seated by the fire, staring into its dying embers. When the others returned later, they still found him in that position.
******
Zelda was lying curled up in a ball in the tent, shaking all over and rocking herself back and forth.
"Zel?" Link asked.
He sat beside her and tentatively touched her side. She jumped and stared at him with wide, scared eyes before she collapsed into a sea of tears.
"I can still feel his pain." She whispered. "There was so much blood, so much pain..."
Link was disturbed by her attitude and took her in his arms, hugging her closely.
"It's OK, everything's alright." He said softly. "Just cry it out..."
"No it's not alright!" She sobbed, clutching the fabric of his tunic. "Hathan is dead, and I was powerless to do anything to help."
"Hey, hey Zelda," Link soothed, stroking her hair. "Don't you talk that way. You did all you could, it's not your fault. It's nobody's fault except the serpent that killed him."
Link's reminder of the serpent caused a fire of anger to stoke itself in Zelda's heart.
"Serpius." She snarled. "He was the one that killed him. Hathan was unarmed, and that...that..."
Her voice trailed off into tears and she buried her face in Link's tunic.
"I can't stand it anymore, I just can't!" She cried. "You should of seen the look on Hathan's face, he was begging me to stop the pain and I couldn't! I've seen that look on the faces of every single person who died, even those that I've killed, and I can't understand it! What right does anyone have to take away life like this? We're supposed to be civilised for Nayru's sake!"
Her body racked itself with her anguished sobs, and Link found it hard to disagree with any of her points. He remembered the first time he'd killed. He'd never forgotten it. He just chose not to remember the experience. A long time ago, he'd learnt to detatch himself from all feelings of guilt when he fought, reminding himself with every stroke of his sword that the enemies he was facing were souless monsters. But when he'd faced Kotake and Koume in the Spirit Temple...
He chose to escape his thoughts and concentrated on comforting his friend.
"Oh Zellie." Link whispered, using his long forgotten pet-name for her. "The sooner I get you out of here, the better."
His hand was still in her hair, carressing the silken strands lovingly and finding the sensation addictive.
"But you're still going to be here." She murmured. "And so is Aidyn, and Olaran..."
She felt Link's muscles tense with her mention of his father.
"And the twins, and Tristian and Yorich and Calamar. How can I be comforted when I know that you will still be risking your lives?"
Link kept stroking her hair.
"We're warriors." He said finally. "Risking our lives is what we do best."
Zelda looked up into his eyes and challenged his gaze with her own. It seemed to Link that in that moment, hours could have passed and he would not have noticed. He saw the anguish in Zelda's soul through the portals of her eyes, and wished with every fibre of his being that he could soothe that pain.
"I don't want to feel like this anymore." Zelda said quietly, looking away and placing her face against Link's chest. "I know that if I do, then the grief will drive me mad."
"I know you don't." Link replied. "And I wish I could help you feel better."
Zelda sighed.
"I know why the others go to the Gerudo. They don't want to feel like murderers, they want to feel loved. They want to know that they can bring pleasure to others instead of pain, and they want to blot everything out around them."
She looked up at him again, and her eyes were pleading with him.
"I want to lose myself in you, Link."
Oh shit.
Link's thoughts were disjointed and panicked.
OK, calm. The most beautiful girl in Hyrule is requesting that you ease her pain by rolling about in the blankets with her. Why is this even a question you're asking yourself? Go!
Wait a minute, this girl also happens to be the best friend you have and, unimportantly, she's the heir to the Hylian throne. Is there any need for this conversation?
So? No one will ever know, it'll just be your secret.
Yes, but you'll never be able to go back to being 'just good friends.' You'll ruin your friendship.
But she wants you. She needs you to make her feel better.
And she'll just feel worse in the morning. She's unstable, you'll be taking advantage of her.
Isn't this what you've been lusting after since the moment she revealed herself to you in the Temple of Time?
"I, er..."
You can't do this.
Why not?
Because you care for her.
With that thought, Link shook his head.
"Zelda, you know that I can't do that."
The look on her face was one of hurt, and it almost broke Link's heart.
"I just can't." He said, before she could protest. "I can't. Now is not the time, or the place, or the person. You shouldn't be offering something as precious and important as yourself to a nothing like me, and if I was a weaker man I would, believe me I would. I mean, why wouldn't I? You're beautiful, and intelligent and amazing and..."
Oh boy, way to go.
"But you're also my friend and the Princess of Hyrule and it is my duty to protect you at all costs, even if it is from myself."
Zelda looked up at him sadly, and Link gave her a hug.
"Zelda, if I were to do what you ask of me then you will only regret it and I don't want to offer you the opportunity to make you suffer."
"But I..."
"I think it would be better if I slept somewhere else tonight. I'll give you some time by yourself."
He left the tent quickly, shutting the canvas flap behind him and once again blocking the tent of light. Zelda lay down again and wrapped her arms around herself.
Way to go. You've well and truly terrified him. Don't think he'll ever talk to you again.
"I'm sorry." She whispered.
Zelda didn't go to sleep that night. She lay awake thinking how she'd be able to put a stop to the war, and by the time morning came, she knew just what she had to do.
******
Link awoke the next morning and was surprised to find himself lying beside his horse. She was lying on the ground while he had his head resting on her side. She snorted and nibbled at his hair.
"Yeah, morning Epona." He yawned.
Epona nickered softly and tickled his cheek with her lips. He smirked and stretched.
"Yeah OK, I'm up. One of these days, you are going to have to be put in foal because you'd make the best mother in existence."
He got up and scratched the mare behind her ears before he went in search of some water. After spending a night sleeping next to a horse, he was in need of a wash.
There was a small stream that pooled near the Goron campsite. He stripped to the waist and began to wash himself in the refreshingly cool water.
"Morning kiddo." Nabooru called.
Link looked up and smiled at his friend's approach.
"Morning Nabooru."
The Gerudo looked at his chest approvingly and then came to sit beside him on the grass.
"You're up surprisingly early this morning. Get kicked out of your tent for snoring?"
Link smiled weakly and dried his face on his discarded tunic.
"I didn't sleep there last night. Zelda was shaken up pretty badly. One of her friends was killed last night."
Nabooru nodded. She was fully aware that Sheik was there and also knew of his true identity. Every Sage knew.
"Didn't you think that it would have been wiser for you to stay with her?"
Link shook his head.
"I don't think so. You see, she wanted me to comfort her."
"Ah, I see."
The Gerudo looked at him, working something out in her mind.
"So why didn't you jump at the chance?"
"Nabooru..." Link warned.
"What? I mean Zelda's a pretty girl, there are more than a few men who are lusting after her."
Link rolled his eyes and pulled his undershirt back on.
"And the fact that she asked you to comfort her..."
"Nabooru!" Link snapped. "I could and would never take advantage of Zelda that way. She's not a..."
"Gerudo." Nabooru finished for him. "I think I'll let that one pass."
"I'm sorry." Link apologised. "It's just that it gets me so frustrated to know that there's nothing I can do for her."
"What you did last night was enough. You're a gem Link, a real gem. There aren't enough men like you in the world."
Nabooru put her hand on his shoulder.
"Listen kid, I seen 'em all, and you're a cut above the rest. Someday, all your dreams are gonna come true, and no-one's going to be happier when that happens than me."
She cut a sidelong glance at him while he pulled his tunic over his head.
"I was talking to Darunia yesterday, and he agrees with me. You should finish this."
"Finish this?"
"The war. Those serpents wouldn't stand a chance if you were to pull the Master Sword. We were wondering why you haven't already done so."
Link buckled his belt and walked over to where he'd left Epona's saddle.
"I guess I haven't really had a chance to yet. Besides, I thought that this was a situation that I could handle on my own."
He produced a wrapped object from his saddle bag and took it over to where Nabooru was sitting by the edge of the pool.
"You see, when I was eleven, I stumbled across this weird place called Termina. I tell you Nabooru, there was some crazy stuff there, and the weirdest things of all were enchanted masks."
With that, he peeled back the layers of fabric covering the object and revealed a strange, painted mask. Its eyeless face stared at them, and Nabooru felt a cold shiver run straight down her spine.
"Link, what is that?" She asked.
"It's one of the enchanted masks." He replied. "The most dangerous of them all, the Fierce Deity Mask."
Nabooru picked it up and dropped it back down again.
"This mask is possessed."
Link nodded.
"It has that power as well, the power to possess whoever wears it for too long."
He shuddered involuntarily at a memory that still haunted him.
"After Termina, I went on to other places, other lands, and I fought many battles. Not once during those times did I need this mask. But then, about a year ago, I came to a place called Athaz which was inhabited by the most evil creature I'd seen since Ganon. It was mindless, its only thoughts were of destruction. It had not motive. I had to stop it, and I had nothing that was powerful enough to do so except this mask. So I used its power to defeat this beast, but at the same time I lost control over my own thoughts and inhibitions. I didn't know what mercy was, Nabooru, I even destroyed the people who were in its power without a second thought. They begged me to spare their lives, but the mask wouldn't let me. I couldn't control it. And I'm afraid that if I use it again then I'll lose power over myself."
He wrapped the mask up in its fabric covering again.
"Why have you told me all this?" Nabooru asked.
Link looked down at the fabric parcel in his hands.
"I suppose I needed to get it off my chest. But you and Darunia are right. I'll be back later."
He quickly saddled Epona and sprung into her saddle.
"Where are you going?" Nabooru asked.
"Where do you think?" Link returned. "If Zelda asks, tell her that I'm going to get her out of this mess once and for all."
******
"Today is the day, Serpius. Everything that you have fought for will be attained by this evening."
Serpius sipped from his pre-offered goblet of wine and raised his glass to Griselda.
"As you say my lady, everything shall be as Fate commands. The father shall show himself today, and everything will be complete. Are you certain that it will work by destroying the father?"
Griselda nodded.
"One element need be removed, and if it must be the father then so be it."
"Even though you wanted the mother."
Griselda ran her index finger around the rim of her wine glass.
"I should have liked to have known who she was. Fate had chosen her for a reason, and I am still curious to know what quality it was that the mother possessed to have made her a suitable dam for such a child."
She sighed.
"That is unimportant, however. What matters is that you destroy the father of that child. He will reveal himself with a spectacle so awesome that you will be without a doubt that they shall be the one."
"And you shall still assist me with your powers?"
Griselda nodded.
"I shall. No harm shall come of you today, Serpius, and Hyrule shall be at your mercy."
The serpent lord took up the priestess' hand and kissed it.
"And when I take it, you may be my queen as a gesture of my gratitude."
Griselda shook her head.
"No, I will not. My place is here, amongst my priestesses. Noble life was too much for me, I craved the calm behind these walls. However, if you desire a queen then why not marry one of my daughters?"
Serpius scowled.
"You scowl at me Serpius, though you do not know what an advantage it would be. The youngest of my children is wed to a noble, the eldest a chaste priestess. Yet my second child is of a beauty so exquisite and pure that no man has ever failed to be moved by her."
"I have heard the same be said of the Princess of Hyrule."
Griselda smiled softly.
"Ah yes, as have I. That is what they said of my daughter in the days when she lived outside these walls. Though of Princess Zelda I have heard many say that her eyes hold a divine air, much like her paternal grandmother, and that she holds a wisdom so deep that many say the judgement of Nayru is blessed upon her. Foolish words for a mere slip of a girl to be honoured with. I should like to meet her some day and see if the rumours are true."
Her voice had adopted a scornful note to it which sounded almost as though she was jealous.
"That day may come, my lady. When I ride into the capital with you by my side, we shall show the Hylian people true divinity."
"By that I suppose you mean the power that you shall be bestowed once endeffera is no longer a threat."
Serpius nodded and licked his lips.
"Then we shall see who is the most powerful being to have ever lived. I will show the Dark King real power."
******
Zelda sat in the rain with the others, feeling as miserable as the weather. She hadn't seen Link all day and she supposed that he was avoiding her. Why shouldn't he be? She'd probably freaked him out by offering herself to him like that, perhaps she should try to find him and apologise.
"I'd like to speak with Sheik."
Yorich, Voren and Forn's jaws dropped as Nabooru approached their campsite. The Gerudo leader was famous amongst the ranks of the Hylian army for being the only Gerudo to choose who accompanied her to bed and coming to claim them, and it appeared to them that it was for that purpose she desired to speak with Sheik.
"Oh pack it in, boys." Nabooru said sharply, noticing their expressions. "Can't a girl talk to a friend without it being thought she wants to have her wicked way with him? 'Sides, if I wanted a real man don't you think I'd be finding myself in the lodgings of General Olaran at this moment? C'mon Sheik."
Zelda followed Nabooru past the envious onlookers and into the Gerudo tents.
"OK Princess, I think it'd be better if you turned back to normal. One more woman's voice isn't going to be noticed here."
Zelda glumly turned back to her normal self and looked at Nabooru tiredly.
"What did you want to see me about?"
"No disrespect intended Princess, but you look worn out. How much sleep did you get last night?"
"None." Zelda replied glumly.
"Ah."
Nabooru took two small beakers from a trunk and poured some brown liquid into them.
"Drink this, it'll make you feel better."
Zelda sipped at the liquid and felt as though a torch had branded across her throat.
"We call it 'Gerudo's Fire', it's reserved for occasions like this." Nabooru informed her. "Don't worry, it aint killed no-one yet."
"That's very reassuring." Zelda laughed.
Nabooru smiled.
"That's better. Now, how are you feeling after yesterday?"
"Miserable."
Zelda sighed and slumped onto one of the cushions in the corner of the tent.
"A man died yesterday because Serpius used some kind of magic to poison his blade. I couldn't do anything to save him."
"I know. Link told me."
Zelda looked at her in surprise.
"He did? What else did he say?"
Nabooru sat down beside her.
"Nothing that makes me think any less of you than I did yesterday. He cares a great deal for you, you know that Zelda."
"As a friend."
Nabooru nodded.
"And more. You know he was cut up about not being able to offer you any comfort other than words last night, and he's gone to do something about this wretched war once and for all."
Zelda sat bolt upright.
"He has? When?"
"Early this morning. He's gone for the Master Sword and he'll be back by sunset so that he can put Serpius away for good." Nabooru said proudly. "There's nobody better, is there?"
"No. But why didn't he tell me?" Zelda asked, feeling confused. "I would have gone with him..."
"I think this is something he felt he had to do alone. And besides, he's doing this for you."
"For me? But why?"
Nabooru laughed.
"Oh Zelda, can't you tell?"
"Tell what?"
"The boy's crazy about you!" The Gerudo chief laughed. "He'd rather die than see you suffer in any way."
Zelda looked shocked.
"But last night, he said that it was his duty to protect me..." She stammered.
"Trust me on this one, Princess. He would go above and beyond the call of duty for you."
Zelda sat quietly, looking at the liquid in her beaker.
"Well I feel that is time I went beyond the call of duty myself." She said softly. "If Link is not back by sunset, then I myself will turn the serpents back. The power of the Triforce of Wisdom will hold them long enough for him to arrive and put paid to Serpius."
She took another sip from her beaker and thanked Nabooru for her hospitality before turning back into Sheik.
"I'll see you tonight." Nabooru said.
A small smile crept to Zelda's lips, unseen by Nabooru.
"Yes, you will."
******
Olaran, Aidyn and Calamar were seated around a table in Calamar's tent, discussing the war.
"Father this has gone on long enough." Aidyn said grimly. "We lost too many men yesterday, if they ambush us again then we're done for. This has to be finished."
"The lad's right, my friend." Calamar agreed.
Olaran nodded.
"I know that he is, although I don't see what I can do to stop it short of challenging Serpius myself."
"Well why don't you?" Calamar asked. "Gods man, you're the best swordsman in the army. How many people have ever beaten you in a duel?"
Olaran smiled to himself, holding a dear memory of the last time he had been beaten in a duel. He had been twenty seven years old, and stationed in the home of an elderly lord named Bertram for the night. That evening he had gone outside to practice duelling with a sack full of straw, and had come across a strange looking figure who was perched on the railings that penned in the lord's horses.
"You practicin'?"
He had nodded.
"Mind if I watch?"
The watcher had been eighteen years old and was surprisingly tall for one of her sex. Her hair was long and fell in unruly auburn curls past her shoulders. Also strange was the way she was dressed; grey woollen leggings, a purple tunic and a pair of soft leather boots that came to mid-calf. One could never have called her beautiful, but there was an alluring appeal to her looks. Her eyes in particular had intrigued the young army captain, as he had been at the time.
"Only if you are certain that it won't bore you, my lady."
The girl had laughed.
"I got a better idea. Why don't you fight me? You'll have a better time with an opponent who fights back than a sack of straw."
Sceptical, but keen not to offend the daughter of his host, he had agreed and gone at her half heartedly. He soon realised his mistake, as the girl was lithe and graceful with her movements and beat him the moment he decided that she wasn't such a pushover.
"I heard that you were supposed to be the best in Hyrule!" She had laughed while her stick was placed at his throat.
He had smiled knocked away her stick with his hand.
"And I had heard that damsels were supposed to be delicate and retiring."
The girl had laughed again, and Olaran soon found the sound of her laughter to be addictive.
"You call me a damsel again, and I'm not gonna be as forgiving. But maybe you'll beat me if you fight with all you've got."
"I'd wager the same, only I don't make bets with young ladies."
"Lady huh?" She had replied with a bemused grin. "No one ever calls me a lady. I don't do the whole 'lady of the manor' thing, I leave that crap to my mother. If you're gonna call me anything, don't call me that."
"Why's that, Auburn?"
The girl's nose had wrinkled indignantly.
"My name's not that, either. Do me a favour, just call me Ariala."
That had been the night that Olaran realised he had met his match and fallen for the only living child of his host. Seven years later she was dead, and now their youngest son, the son who had the same spirit and attitude as his mother, was lost to him as well.
"Fifty."
Olaran snapped out of his daydream and looked up in surprise.
"Excuse me?"
"We lost fifty men on the first day. Yesterday, it was ten times that amount." Calamar said grimly. "That's not many on the scale of armies, but that was just us. There were heavy Goron and Gerudo losses yesterday as well."
"That many?" Olaran asked, shocked. "I suppose it could have been worse. At least that massacre didn't last too long."
"Aye, that it could have." Calamar agreed. "But luckily for us, there are some damned good fighters in this army."
Aidyn nodded.
"Link alone took down over ninety."
Olaran's eyes widened.
"Ninety?"
Aidyn nodded.
"How did you know that?"
"I have my sources." Aidyn grinned. "Those two twins in Calamar's regiment have been running a sweepstake for him since the first day. They count and get him to confirm their total. He's killed at least a hundred and forty so far."
"He beat you at the tournament didn't he Aidyn?" Calamar asked.
Aidyn nodded.
"Yeah, and he still wasn't trying his hardest. Did you know he fought right handed in every fight except ours and still won despite being left handed? I've never fought anyone like him. Even yesterday when we sparred, I got the feeling he was holding back..."
"Must you two talk about this boy when there are more important matters to deal with?" Olaran snapped.
He got out of his seat and marched out of the tent, leaving his comrades stunned.
"What's the matter with him?" Calamar asked.
Aidyn shrugged.
"I don't have a clue."
Olaran strode into the area where he knew his estranged son was camped. Many of the soldiers were laughing at a vulgar story being told be the twins until they realised the general's presence and stood up.
"Where's Link?" He asked quickly.
Awkward glances were exchanged.
"We haven't seen him all morning, sir." Tristian said respectfully.
"Well who was the last to see him?" Olaran demanded with impatience.
"Sheik, I think." Forn said. "They share the same tent..."
"So where's Sheik?"
"Last we saw of him, that Gerudo chief Nabooru wanted to talk to him." Yorich said, binding up a split in the shaft of his axe with a strip of cloth. "He ain't been back."
Without saying thank you, the general sped off in the direction of the Gerudo camp.
"Well well well, whaddya know. Link and Sheik disappear at the same time." Yorich chuckled.
"What are you implying?" Tristian asked.
"Think about it. Those two are always going off to 'talk', the brat is always protecting the pipsqueak and whenever one of us comes along when they're talking, they shut up. Suspicious, ain't it?"
"Yorich, are you suggesting that they're..."
"Gay?" Forn gasped, finishing his brother's sentence. "No way!"
"What other explanation is there? Have you ever seen either of them go to the Gerudo camp on their own accord? And they share a tent." Yorich said, laying down his case with practiced precision.
"They couldn't be gay. That'd be... really weird. I mean, I thought they were all like those carpenters." Voren said. "Those two seem normal."
"Well, there's nought as queer as folk!" Yorich laughed.
"Oh shut up Yorich." Tristian snapped. "Don't you think that there are more important things to be discussed than those two? What is it with you guys? You see two guys who are good friends and you just jump to conclusions like that! Isn't it possible for two men to have a strong friendship with one another without them being called gay? Honestly..."
He walked off into his tent, muttering under his breath.
"Well, I stand by my convictions." Yorich said once he was gone. "If they aren't gay, then they're definitely hiding something from us."
******
The early afternoon heat had no affect on the cool stone building that stood in the east of Hyrule Castle Market Town, and Link was glad to finally dismount and walk into the Temple of Time after his four hour ride. In his hand he clutched the Ocarina of Time, as cautious with it as he had always been since the Skull Kid had snatched it. Putting the clay instrument to his lips, he played the song that had permanently engraved itself in his memory and watched as the recently reclaimed Spiritual Stones glowed in the magical aura that the mystical music created.
After he had returned from the future, he and Zelda had a long discussion about what they were to do with the keys to the Sacred Realm. As the guardian of the Kokiri's Emerald, Link, Darunia and Ruto had decided that a new hiding place should be found for the gems, somewhere that only the Sages and Link would know the location of. They had hidden them, after much deliberation, in a small chest that had been stored temporarily in a hidden alcove deep within the Shadow Temple that could only be seen by using the Lens of Truth. That of course had been Link's first port of call.
Now the chest lay open at Link's feet as the stones hovered above their allotted indentations on the altar. The young man held his breath, still awestruck by the great stone door as it magically rolled back into the wall and left an open passage that led to a dimly lit room. He walked up the steps and into the sword chamber, unable to do anything but walk silently towards his goal. The single shaft of sunlight glistened on the polished iron of his sword's blade, making it appear silver in the gloom. Standing before the pedestal, Link placed his hands on the hilt of the Master Sword and tugged gently. The blade slid from the stone as though it had been placed in butter, and Link felt as though a missing part of his being had returned itself to him. He was the Hero of Time once more.
"It is good to see you again, my young friend." A familiar voice said.
Link had been so caught up in the moment of drawing his sword that he had not noticed that he had been teleported to the Temple of Light.
"Hey Rauru, how's things?" Link grinned.
"I think that now is the time I told you about the enemy you are facing, Hero of Time." The elderly sage said gravely. "Things are not as simple as you may have thought."
Link rolled his eyes.
"The story of my life. What's up this time?"
Rauru looked at him sternly.
"Seven years have taught you bad habits. You used to be such a polite child."
"Sorry, I'm just a little keen to get back to the battle field. I left the Princess there..."
"Ah, I see." Rauru said knowingly. "So it is for that reason you came back for the Master Sword. You did not do it to prove to everyone that you are the Hero of Time..."
"No. I'm past that now."
"So if not to prove to everyone, then just your father."
Link's eyes narrowed.
"I don't have a father Rauru."
"Then might I suggest you make peace with General Olaran. He would be a worth ally to have for the task ahead of you."
"No, you may not." Link snapped. "I don't need that man's help."
"So you would rather forsake the well being of the Princess just to satisfy your own pride?"
"I would never do anything that would cause her suffering." Link said fiercely. "I'd sooner lay down my own life before I did that."
"Well I suggest that you listen to me and take my advice." Rauru said primly. "Because it would seem that your stubbornness and pride have clouded your normally sound judgement."
Link opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it.
"Now listen to me, Hero of Time. There is more to the Serpent Lord than you may think. He is aided by an accomplice who is possessed of magical powers. Her name is Griselda de la Lune, and she herself could prove more a threat to you than Serpius."
"How?"
"She has great power over the mind. Not through her magic, mind you, but through pretty words and promises. Once she was a priestess, but now she concentrates merely on searching for a child of prophecy, who she has sought for many years. And she is close to fulfilling that dream."
"The old child of prophecy trick again? Who is it this time Rauru, me or Zelda?"
"Niether of you. The child has for many centuries been known as endeffera, the child of Courage and Wisdom."
"Courage and Wisdom? Does this have anything to do with me and Zelda?" Link asked.
"That much has yet to be determined."
"Then who was this endeffera person anyway?"
"That was the name of the demi-goddess who was born to the goddess Nayru and to Valour. It was he who forged that sword you are holding, and he was the son of Farore. Endeffera sacrificed herself by using her full power to protect the Sacred Realm from the threat of the Evil Realm. With all her strength gone, the child died. Such was the grief of her mother that she saved the essence of her daughter to honour the firstborn of two mortals that she deems worthy.
It has been foretold that this child is to be born Endeffera's unspeakable power, and a day will come when this power will be unleashed. It will lie dormant within the host for many years, but when it is unleashed this power will choose whether to save, or to destroy. And if destruction is to be the case, then not even the Triforce will have to power to contain it."
Link whistled.
"I guess it would be wise not to piss this kid off then."
"No it would not. That is why Griselda sought to destroy the child by eliminating one or both of its parents. Griselda's intentions are honest, it is Serpius who is not. When he agreed to aid her in her search for the child, he made her promise that she would not eliminate the child until she had found a way of transferring the power of endeffera into him."
Link nodded grimly.
"And let me guess; he would become the most powerful being in Hyrule."
"No. The universe."
"It's a good thing that our dear friend Ganon is locked in the Evil Realm." Link said dryly. "If he knew about this then things might be more complicated than they already are."
"Oh he knows alright." Rauru said. "You may not have noticed, but every monster in Hyrule holds his memory. They know that you exist, but they don't know you."
"Yeah, I know." Link said, remembering Moreth.
He sighed and placed the Master Sword into the scabbard on his back.
"So, have I got to save this kid or help Griselda destroy it?"
Rauru looked at him, adding things up in his mind as he did so.
"You must protect it, and put an end to Serpius. If Serpius were to gain control of this power, then you can be certain that he will use it to open the seal to the Evil Realm and try to take hold of Ganondorf's Triforce."
Link didn't like the tone of Rauru's voice.
"And he wouldn't succeed."
"No. Like Endeffera, the host of this power can only use it once, and it will have no control over when that time will be. They will be powerful, but not enough to be able to defeat Ganondorf. He will take that power, and because of the mystical power of the Triforce, he could theoretically be able to control it."
"I thought you said that the Triforce wouldn't be able to contain it?" Link queried.
"It won't, not if it is used raw by the one who it is destined for. However, the Triforce could be used to help the child hone his or her ability to control it. That way, when the hour of judgement is at hand, then the host may have the skill needed to use the power for good purposes. Do you understand what must be done?"
Link nodded.
"Protect the kid, and when it's born use my Triforce to help it."
Rauru smiled and clapped the swordsman on his shoulder.
"I am glad you understand. Now you must hurry in your return to the battlefield. Serpius will be on the look out as Griselda has predicted that one of the parents will reveal themself tonight. You must not let Serpius get hold of that person, is that clear?"
Link nodded.
"It's clear."
A warp point appeared on the Triforce emblem on the floor, and Link made his way to step into it.
"And Link?"
He turned around to face Rauru again.
"Family is precious. Your father loves you, and he has been punished enough for a sin that was not his doing. Make the most of him, you'll never realise what you've got until it's gone."
******
"Damn it!" Olaran cursed, as the serpent army swarmed down the hillside towards them. "They've doubled in number again!"
The acting General of Nayru, his nephew Ramone nodded.
"I don't like this."
"Me neither." Aidyn agreed.
"Well I've had enough." Olaran announced, holding up his hand to keep the troops behind him as he rode forward. "If Serpius wants a fight then he can find one in me."
"But father, what about what Sheik said?" Aidyn asked.
"Now's the time to stop hoping for a myth to save us. I know what I must do."
There was silence among his soldiers as his stallion walked nobly down the hillside to meet the serpent horde. Every eye was upon him, including those of a rider who was seated on a grey mare at the crest of the Hylian's hill.
"Serpius, I challenge you to come and face me." Olaran called.
His voice resounded around the valley and the serpents stopped in their tracks. Serpius rode forward on an angry looking beast that looked like a horse, but instead of hair its body was covered with a myriad of black scales and had sharp spines in the place of a mane.
"So, we meet at last." Serpius purred, his blood red eyes glowing evilly. "Hyrule's greatest general. It is a pity that we fight now, I had so hoped that this could be saved until I had taken the lives of your subordinates before you."
Olaran smiled grimly.
"You will not have that chance to do so. Even if you take my life, there is still my son to contend with, and he will see you slain."
Serpius laughed a cool, hollow laugh that sent a shiver down the spines of all who heard it, serpent and Hylian alike.
"Well if that is the case then why are we standing around here talking?" Serpius asked. "I love the idea of a challenge, and the more the merrier."
The watcher on the hill sensed the evil intent of the Serpent Lord and could contain herself no longer. Olaran had ignored her words and she would never forgive herself if something were to happen to him. Summoning a vast amount of her power, she hurled it towards Serpius' army and took no time to notice the disintegration of the serpents that she had destroyed as her horse galloped down the hillside to where the two leaders met.
Serpius was instantly on guard the moment the magical orb hit, and his eyes scanned the horizon for the sorcerer who had wiped out a quarter of his force. The sound of impending hoofbeats led him to the source, and he caught sight of a fleeting white shape come tearing down the hillside towards him. It was only when the horse came close enough that he realised that the sorcerer was in fact a sorceress, and that he realised that this had been what Griselda had warned him of. The girl's golden hair flowed out behind her like the rays of the sun, and her azure blue eyes burned with a fire of such anger and hatred that he had to look away. Despite the fury of this maiden, he was overwhelmed by her beauty.
"What in the name of the Fire Gods is she doing?" Darunia asked.
Nabooru, who stood beside him, looked just as shocked.
"Oh Gods, I curse myself for not having noticed this before!" She groaned. "She's going to hold him off until Link gets here!"
"She's what?" Darunia cried. "If this is wisdom then I'd like to see her when she's indulged in a moment of sheer stupidity!"
Their eyes weren't the only ones to have recognised Hyrule's Princess, as the shocked murmurings and outbursts of the soldiers confirmed.
"What in the name of the Triforce is the Princess doing here?" Ramone gasped.
Aidyn's mouth dropped at the sight of Zelda galloping down towards his father.
"If she's here, then something terrible must have happened to Catrine!" He cried. "Oh Gods, no!"
Zelda pulled Demeter to a halt and stood beside Olaran's stallion, looking a proud and defiant figure in the late evening sun.
"I Zelda, Princess and heir to the throne of Hyrule, command that you and your army withdraw from this land before I am forced to destroy you." She announced in a voice that was so full of power and authority that no one would have thought to disobey her.
Serpius began to laugh, and Zelda's eyes narrowed.
"Do you take me for a jester, sir?" She snapped. "For I do not take kindly to being laughed at."
With those words, she hurled another energy orb at more serpent warriors. Jaws dropped at the sheer magnificence of the Princess' magic. Even Serpius stared in disbelief at the space where his serpents had once stood.
"I give you this choice." Zelda commanded. "Leave now and you life shall be spared. If not, then may the Gods have mercy upon you for you shall receive none from me."
Olaran's horse snorted nervously as the general stared in disbelief at his goddaughter.
"That which I have heard of your beauty was not exaggerated Princess." The Serpent Lord hissed. "If anything they did not do you credit. However, no one told me of your... abilities."
Zelda kept her eyes narrowed as she glared at him vehemently.
"My abilities are known unto myself and myself alone. You will leave this kingdom and its people in peace, else you shall face the full extent of my powers first hand."
Serpius laughed again.
"I would, only you didn't say please."
Zelda sighed.
"Then you leave me no choice."
She raised her hand, but as she did so she felt a terrible pain shoot through her body. She doubled over in agony and fell from her saddle to the floor, breathing heavily. The pain rendered her immobile, and she was helpless as Serpius leapt from his beast and grabbed her.
In an instant, Olaran had dismounted and drew his sword, placing its tip at the serpent's throat.
"Unhand her or I will not hesitate to relieve you of your head." He growled.
Serpius grinned evilly and in a flash, he had vanished.
