Chapter Nine: Troubles with Zihark

"So...now the forest is in danger?" Link asked. He hadn't even spent a day in peace when Zihark informed him that Ruto had received a message that was a distress call from the forest nearby. Apparantly, a phantom Link was causing trouble there. When Zihark explained what the letter had said, he didn't seem very confident that anything could be done about it.

"Yes, and they are asking for the hero that saved them from the volcano's wrath," was Zihark's reply.

Link said, "I guess that they're wanting me to come there and save them from this phantom Link. You know, I'm beginning to think that Ganondorf might not be involved in this at all."

Zihark seemed surprised and asked, "What do you mean?"

Link had just picked up his Megaton Hammer, which he had been allowed to keep by the fire lords, and replied, "I mean that it really seems that this Shadow Link is doing all of the bad things around here, not Ganondorf. Have you noticed that Ganondorf has never been mentioned in these doings?"

Zihark said, "Well, that could just be him sending his minion out to make it seem like its his minion doing the work and not him. You know that leaders aren't stupid enough to make themselves publicly known."

Link asked, "Why not?"

Zihark sighed and said, "Because, if they did, then they would be leaving themselves open. No one should, in their right mind, leave themselves open during combat or war. It just is not smart. So, what I'm saying is that Ganondorf is letting his minion be the one that is known, while he himself is in hiding. At least, that's a theory I have."

Link began to walk towards the door and said, "I guess that all will be revealed in time."

Zihark said, "By the way, Ruto will not be able to come with you this time."

Link stopped, and then asked, "Why is that?"

Zihark asked, "Why does it matter?"

Link turned to him and replied, "Zihark, if you have not noticed, we are combat partners here. If something happens to her, I'm supposed to find out what's wrong and see if I can help."

Zihark said, "Link, her condition is none of your concern! You will be going alone, that's all you need to know."

Link began to get angry and said, "Zihark, tell me what is wrong!"

Zihark growled, "It is none of your concern, 'hero'."

Link was taken aback by the sarcastic way that Zihark said hero, and then said, "Zihark! You are purposely hiding something from me that I should know! What is it?!"

"What is going on?" they both heard Ruto ask.

Zihark was about to say something when Link said, "Zihark here tells me that you are unable to come with me to the forest."

Ruto said, "Yes, he's right. My father, he-"

Zihark said, "Link, do not worry about this. It is none of your concern. How many times will I-"

Link turned to Ruto and asked, "Your father...what?"

Ruto replied, "He has fallen under a grave illness suddenly. We were not aware of it until recently, though I do not know why Zihark refused to tell you that. Zihark, what is wrong? You've been acting so strange lately."

Zihark seemed surprised and asked, "Have I?"

Link said, "Yes, you have. You've been arguing with me over pointless topics, you patronized me, and you about fought me over something that I had a right to know."

He turned to him and said, "I don't know if I should trust you after all of this, Zihark."

Zihark seemed hurt by that remark. He bit his lip and turned away. Link gently pushed past Ruto and whispered, "I'll be back before long with a cure. What is his sickness and what herb can be used to cure it?"

Ruto whispered in reply, "It is a special herb that grows in the forest temple. It has purple leaves, and is very tall. It shouldn't be hard to miss."

Link said, "Alright, then I will look for it."

Ruto seemed surprised and asked, "Are you really going to try and save my father?"

Link turned to her and smiled. He was about to say something when Ruto happily said, "Oh, Link, you're so kind! I'll be waiting here for you to return with it."

She walked past him and walked off. Link turned back to Zihark and frowned when he saw him glaring at him. Link walked away and then he heard Zihark call, "I've warned you once already, Link! Don't push this!"

Link stopped, anger flushing his face, and then called back in sheer, unbridled anger, "You don't have a say in what I do, Zihark!"

He stormed off, and little did he realize that Zihark stood there, horrified by the way that Link had replied. He didn't know what was causing him to do this. It was like something was in him forcing him to think angrily about these pointless things. He knelt down on the floor and asked, "Lords of water, what is happening to me?"

Hey, please review, people! Reviews give me more incentive, and the more incentive I have, the more often I post, and the better my stories are! So, don't forget to review, as usual! XD