One thousand years earlier…

Daphnes Nohasen sat in the newly built castle courtyard, the sounds of masons breaking huge granite slabs for the rebuilding of the castle echoing in the air. It was a clear, fair day, with a light breeze and the blooming flowers of early summer lightly perfuming the air with their scent; but Daphnes had other things on his mind. He tapped his foot impatiently, watching the guards make their rounds and systematically plucking apart one wildflower after another.

Finally he heard the sound of footfalls and jumped to his feet. But even before the person arrived, Daphnes knew it was not the one he had hoped to see. "Hello, Grandfather," he greeted Rauru.

Rauru's eyebrows disappeared into his snowy hair. "Don't sound so happy to see me," he said in jest.

Daphnes sighed. "I'm sorry…I was hoping the Princess might stop by."

Rauru clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I understand. But Zelda has many demands on her time, and as much as she would like to see you, she has other tasks she must complete first."

"Why can't I attend the Sages' meetings?" Daphnes demanded as they walked back to Rauru's home. "I'm going to take your place eventually, aren't I?"

"You still haven't mastered all the spells you must know to keep Ganon imprisoned, Daphnes. If you like we can work on them when we get home."

More than eager to continue his training, Daphnes insisted they begin almost after they entered the gate. Within Rauru's leafy estate, the Light Sage coaxed his grandson gently, never pressing him or scolding him as he strained to master the all-important spells.

"There, there…ease up a bit…you want to contain it, not crush it," Rauru instructed as Daphnes, beads of sweat glistening on his face, struggled to maintain a magical barrier around a rather complacent frog. The barrier fluctuated and wavered; Daphnes pressed a little too hard, and the frog croaked contemptuously as it broke free and hopped with a grumpy gait down the path.

Wiping his forehead in disgust, Daphnes panted, "I don't understand…the concept is simple enough, but I just can't seem to do it…"

Rauru frowned slightly at the young man's angry tone. "A heart darkened by shadow cannot maintain these spells. Are you still feeling resentful toward Zelda?"

"Maybe a little," Daphnes admitted.

"Well, we can't practice if you're going to feel this way. Go take a walk around town, cool off, and then when you come back we'll try again. Don't stay out too long; there is something important we need to discuss when you return."

Daphnes shuffled off. He felt eager for another try, but there could be no arguing with his grandfather. The only person who had managed to shout him down was the late King. Daphnes' mind lingered on that fateful day when Zelda had asked him to plead her case through Rauru, but it was to no avail.

Seven nightmarish years he had spent hidden away in Kakariko, with his grandfather manning the Spirit Temple and Zelda hiding in exile. Day after day he cursed himself for not having the courage to search for his betrothed. Every time he managed to journey more than a few yards away from the village entrance, hideous monsters and animated skeletons would pursue him and eventually drive him back. Neither the fields nor the mountain path were safe.

His cousin Armand, however, did not fear the monsters. Daphnes often begged him to search for Zelda, but Armand's intelligence did not match his bravery. Though he searched, he could not find her. One day, he left the village and did not return for nearly a month. The village had been ready to declare him dead when he appeared at the gates, quite shaken. He had been taken prisoner by the Gerudo, and escaped out of sheer luck; another young man had kept their attention by sneaking around the compound.

Soon afterward Daphnes met the young stranger for the first time. He walked casually into the village with such an air of self-confidence that Daphnes could not help but be drawn to him. The oddly-dressed individual – his clothing resembled Kokiri tunic for some reason – carried a Hylian shield once carried only by the long gone knights of the castle, as well as an impressive sword of a make that Daphnes had never seen before. As Daphnes crept closer to him, he realized that the stranger was no older than himself.

The stranger sat on the steps and rummaged through his knapsack; Daphnes saw a strange assortment of items appear and then disappear back into the knapsack. As he reached for a small round object, he noticed Daphnes and greeted him kindly, watching him from startlingly blue eyes. "It's rare to see someone my age around here. My name is Link. What's yours?"

"Daphnes Nohasen." He pulled himself up to his full height. "I'm the grandson of the Light Sage," he added, feeling a need to show some level of importance in the presence of this person.

Link nodded. "Yes, Rauru, I know him. You live around here, Daphnes?"

He shook his head. "Well, now I do. I used to live in the castle, but…"

"I understand." Link gave Daphnes a knowing glance. "Maybe soon, things will change, eh?"

Daphnes didn't comprehend this statement at first. He, as well as many others, believed themselves doomed to live in the shadow of the sorcerer king forever. It was not until they witnessed the fall of Ganon's tower that they realized the age of fear had ended. Daphnes felt proud to know personally the Hero that brought him down.

Link often mingled with the newly built castle town's inhabitants after the meetings with the sages, and Daphnes found himself unconsciously wandering around the Hero's haunts. He always felt better after speaking with Link; the Hero's self-confidence was contagious.

But when he found Link, he recoiled in disgust. Link stood chatting with one of the Sages, one whose presence Daphnes could not stand; Nabooru, the Gerudo.

Filthy, half-human savages, he thought to himself, keeping his distance so neither could see his face. It was not until nearly a year after his return that Armand confided in him what had happened at the desert fortress. The thought disgusted him and he regarded the women as parasites, only able to survive by mating with other races when their disturbed kings perished. Such an existence was not natural, and had certainly not been brought into being by the Hylian Goddesses. The Gerudo were interlopers, after all, who had come to Hyrule from some distant country across the Wasteland.

When I'm King, he thought to himself, I'll make sure not a single Gerudo remains in Hyrule.

When Nabooru finally turned and left, Daphnes approached Link, who gave him a broad smile. "Hello, Daphnes. It's been a long time since we've spoken."

The two clasped hands warmly. "Far too long. I have been studying hard by my grandfather's side." Daphnes nodded at Link. "And I'm sure you're busy as well, cleansing Hyrule of the stains of darkness that Ganon left behind." He tried to keep the loathing out of his voice, watching one of the 'stains' walk out the gates, her bright red hair and dark skin easy to single out.

If Link noticed, he didn't make any sign of it. "I have indeed. Ganon's influence reached far, but luckily most of it dissipated with his imprisonment." He smiled. "I'm sure you will master the arts of the Light Sage just as well as your father."

Daphnes returned the grin half-heartedly and changed the subject. "It is good to see Hyrule finally becoming stable again, eh? I will do all I can to ensure this era of peace remains during my future reign."

A brief shadow passed across Link's face. "Have you spoken with Zelda recently?"

Goddesses, can this man read my mind? Sheepishly Daphnes shuffled his feet. "No, actually. She's been so busy, after all…"

Link clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I was just about to go speak with her. Surely she can't refuse to see both of us."

Daphnes laughed. "That's a good strategy."

The two walked up the pathway to the castle, chatting idly about inconsequential things. Suddenly Daphnes saw Rauru walking toward him. "Ah, Grandfather, Link's just had a brilliant idea to get an audience with the Princess. I'll stop by to continue training afterward, all right?"

Rauru frowned at both. "Did you tell him?" he asked Link, who shook his head.

"I thought it best if Zelda told him herself."

Daphnes' head swung back and forth between the two. "Told me what?"

Rauru placed his hand gently but firmly on Daphnes' shoulder. "I think this is something my grandson should hear from me."

"Of course." Link made a short bow to the Light Sage, then nodded to Daphnes just before he left. "I promised Saria I'd walk her home. I'll see you later."


"What?"

Rauru scowled at his grandson. "This is why I chose to reveal this information to you. I didn't want you making a scene in front of Her Highness."

"A scene? Goddesses above, don't you think I have a right to be angry?"

"I still won't have you make a disgrace of yourself in front of the Princess. Like it or not, you are one of her subjects and will remain that way." Rauru spoke gently, firmly.

"How is this evenpossible?" Daphnes slammed his fist on the table to punctuate the last word. "Link isn't a member of the Royal Family! He's lived in the forest for most of his life! What does he know about ruling?"

"He is the Hero of Time. That much should be obvious to you." Rauru's face grew redder as his anger rose to the surface. "I don't see how the one who brought us out of darkness could be less qualified than yourself."

"But Zelda and I were betrothed at birth! We've always been the best of friends! She hardly even knows him!"

Rauru shook his head. "She's known him since he appeared seven years ago in the castle courtyard, fulfilling the prophecy that she received from the Goddesses in her dreams. Then, when he returned after his seven-year sleep, she guided him in the guise of a Shekiah, helping him carry out his quest."

"What?" Daphnes gripped his hair and pulled. "When did this happen?"

"I never mentioned it to you because of the threat that hung over our heads for many years. And in any case, there was no need for you to know until now. The Hero professed his devotion to the Princess and Hyrule in our meeting today, and we Sages decided that the two of them will take their place as our next leaders." He reached out to Daphnes, but Daphnes knocked his hand away.

"This isridiculous!" Daphnes couldn't find words to match his rage. The situation seemed too surreal. Just a moment ago he had been blissfully walking by the Hero's side, planning his rule as King, savoring the demise of the demon king. Now everything had been turned upside down. He pushed Rauru away and bolted out of the house, ignoring the old man's cries.


"I demand to see the Princess!" Daphnes roared in the impassive guard's face. "I demand to see her now! I am the Sage of Light's grandson!"

"Her Highness has ordered us to leave her in peace," the guard said to him, in the exact same voice and tone as he had the five previous times.

"What's wrong with you?" Daphnes' voice echoed throughout the halls; several courtiers poked their heads out of doors with puzzled expressions on their faces, wanting to know what all the hubbub was about. "This is important, man! The future of Hyrule is resting on this!"

The second guard, on the other side of the door, frowned at Daphnes. "If you don't quiet down, boy, we'll have to take you downstairs."

"Boy?" He clenched his fists, ready to let fly. "How dare you, you simple servant, address one of the nobles in such a…"

"Enough!" Zelda emerged from her chamber, eyes afire. She turned her sharp gaze on Daphnes. "This is not like you. Come inside and talk like a civilized person if you wish to speak with me."

Daphnes didn't like this, but followed her without a word. Once inside, he grasped Zelda's wrist. "Zelda, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. Just because the Sages think it is a good idea doesn't mean…"

She shook her hand free and looked him in the eyes. "Daphnes, I did not make this decision against my will."

He stared, open-mouthed in shock, then stuttered, "But…Zelda…you don't…I mean, what about us?"

Zelda looked away. "Much has changed in the past eight years, Daphnes. Hyrule has changed. I have changed. I spent seven years in exile, always on the edge of oblivion, always skirting Ganondorf's watchful gaze. There is no way I can describe what it felt like." She turned back to him. "I got to know Link quite well in the last few months of those seven years, and have become even closer to him in the past year as we have helped rebuild Hyrule together."

Daphnes made a face. "How close?"

Her scowl matched his. "Don't be crude. That's not what I…"

"He's a friend of that filthy Gerudo!" Daphnes shouted. "She's probably already taken him and…"

"Hold your tongue!" Zelda stared at him as if seeing him for the first time. "Nabooru is a Sage, and as such, is your grandfather's equal and yoursuperior."

"Superior?" He snarled. "Those nasty desert-grubs, fouling our Spirit Temple with their false snake goddess…"

Zelda held up her hand, her face deeply clouded. "Obviously you have not learned from my father's mistakes. If he had not instigated the Fierce War…"

"What does the Fierce War have to do with it? Ganondorf was the type of person who would have taken the Triforce from us even in an era of peace."

"He would not have had so many followers if my father had not given them a reason to hate us."

"He was their King! They followed him out of loyalty!"

"Nabooru did not serve him. She fought against him. And that, as well as her role as the Spirit Temple guardian, is what brought the Goddesses to awaken her as a Sage."

Daphnes frowned, blocked. He tried a different route. "But Zelda, Link doesn't know a thing about politics or maintaining a country. He's a warrior. He's a phenomenal warrior…but he's not a ruler."

"And what do you think I'll be doing all this time?" She gave Daphnes a hard look. "Sitting in my chamber? Is that what you would force me to do if you were King?"

He shook his head, stuttering. "No, no…of course not…"

"Why do you doubt Link's intelligence and valor?"

"I don't, I…" Suddenly his mind snapped, and he found himself in the middle of a discussion he'd never intended to begin. "Zelda, I tried to find you, I really did…but I couldn't…there were too many monsters, too much darkness…" He felt tears sting his eyes and bitterly cursed himself for this double weakness. "It didn't mean I loved you any less! I tried and tried…but it wasn't enough…"

She regarded him with a strange expression on her face. Was it pity? I don't want your pity, Zelda. I deserve so much more…

Without a word, he turned and ran from the room.


Daphnes wiped the tears from his eyes as he walked purposefully toward the Lost Woods. Link was a fair man. Perhaps he didn't know Daphnes had been promised Zelda's hand since birth. He probably didn't know how close they were, or Daphnes' role in trying to convince the King that Ganondorf was dangerous. Surely, when Daphnes pointed out all the complexities of being King, all the training and educated Link had never received, the Hero of Time would reconsider his proposal.

The Lost Woods turned lost children into Skullkids and adults into Stalfos, but the magic of this place held no danger to a grandson of a Sage. Daphnes wandered through the forest, at times calling out both Link's and Saria's names.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar tune. It was a lullaby that he had heard Impa sing to Zelda when they were both very young. He knew it to be a kind of code, given only to members of the Royal Family as well as trusted vassals like Darunia. Who in this forest could know this song?

Following the haunting sound, he came upon Link sitting on a tree stump in a small glade, playing an Ocarina. Daphnes' blood boiled. So, the warrior knows this secret too? Master Sword, Ocarina of Time, Triforce of Courage…why have the Goddesses granted all these things to him? Why, if I had a Triforce of Courage, I could have helped Zelda too…anyone could, if granted the power of the gods!

The tune died down. Saria smiled and left. Daphnes approached Link. "So, you must think you're the Goddesses' gift to Hyrule, eh?"

Link's smile of greeting faded, replaced by a puzzled expression. "I don't know what you mean, Daphnes. I assume you've heard about the Sages' meeting, but I…"

Daphnes sneered in his face. "Anyone could have done what you did, with the power of the Goddesses to help them. You had a piece, Zelda had a piece…it was two against one. Of course Ganondorf fell."

"I don't think it's as simple as you…"

"That piece should have gone to me!" Daphnes snapped. "I was next in line for the throne! I have royal blood! Why would the Goddesses choose you, some orphan fairy-boy who lived in a tree stump?"

If Link felt insulted by this, he didn't show it. "I do not pretend to be able to perceive the Goddesses' minds."

Daphnes snorted. "Spoken like a true Hero!" His face twisted in mockery. "Admit it, you're using your position to get at Zelda and take the throne!"

Link's face darkened. "I'm sorry, Daphnes, but maybe we should speak about this some other time. You're understandably angry, and I don't think anything I say now will help you." He turned to leave.

Daphnes drew his sword and swiped at him. "Don't you turn your back on me!"

In that one brief moment, the entire world changed.

No foe could bring down the Hero of Time. But Link had never expected an attack from a friend.

Daphnes did not intend to inflict any grave wounds on the Hero; he only wished to deliver some minor cut, some brief strike to give him a taste of the pain he himself felt. But his rage possessed him, and his slash went wide.

Both stared at each other in shock and horror as blood from the Hero's neck struck Daphnes across the face and chest. Before he could even comprehend what had happened, Link fell to the ground, dead.

Daphnes stared at his motionless body on the ground, frozen, his mind completely shattered. Somehow, he thought time itself would stay still if he himself did not move. He stood in silence, willing Time to turn itself backwards.

A small gasp jerked him out of his trance, and he looked up to see Saria standing there, her face a picture of terror. She bent down to pick up something on the ground, then ran off.

Witness.

If a Hero falls in the forest and nobody knows, is he really dead?

She's a witness. You can't let her tell anyone.

Daphnes pursued her. He heard her shout out plaintitive cries, pleadings not to hurt her, begging him to tell her why he did what he did. He did not listen. She was an anomaly, an unnatural and unwanted force that would bring his whole world, his whole existence crashing down. Her cries for mercy did not reach his ears as he cut her again and again.

Streaming blood, she stumbled into the Kokiri village. Daphnes could not follow. He turned and ran back to where the Hero lay, never noticing the small round object hidden in the grass where Saria had dropped it.


Mido gently carried the semiconscious Saria in his arms as he ran to the sprout of the Deku Tree, his face set in a grim expression as the others clambered around them with shrill, hysterical voices.

Setting her down in front of the Deku Sprout, Mido asked softly, "Is there anything you can do?"

The Deku Sprout frowned deeply. "I'm sorry…she is too gravely injured. Even if I were at my full strength there would be nothing I could do…"

Mido gently stroked Saria's hair, his voice breaking as he spoke. "Saria…who did this to you?"

Her eyes fluttered, and she struggled to speak. "It was…it was…he's gone, he will return…Mido, you must warn…" With a great effort, she fought to say more, but choked on her own breath. With a soft sigh of resignation, Saria fell still and died.


Daphnes hauled the corpse over his shoulder and walked unsteadily toward the Forest Temple. Nobody ever went in there, other than the Hero himself; but he would have to figure out a better hiding place later on.

Something fell from the Hero's hand. Startled, Daphnes caught sight of a small triangle of gold lying there on the ground. Its host dead, the Triforce of Courage had materialized outside his body. Daphnes picked it up.

It lay in his hand without any sign of its power. Of course, Daphnes thought bitterly to himself. The Triforce of Courage will not bond to a coward who killed the Hero and a Sage.

Suddenly an even more horrible thought lanced through his brain. One of the keepers of the seal on Ganon was dead. The Evil One could return…

Daphnes hid both in a dark corner of the Forest Temple. He would need to find a better hiding place for the Triforce later, somewhere that the Dark One would never find it.

Perhaps that would be some small penance for the crime he still needed to conceal…


After washing off as much of the blood as he could in a small spring in the Lost Woods, he retraced his steps back to Hyrule Castle, determined not to speak a word about what had happened. He expected the entire country to be in pandemonium. And yet, people walked about the town and the castle as if nothing had happened, as if Daphnes were not a murderer, as if Link's body did not sit among the nameless bones inside the Forest Temple. It made it so much easier for him to imagine that it never happened.

But as he walked home, one of the palace messengers approached him. "Daphnes Nohasen, the Princess has asked for you to see her."

His heart sank. He would have preferred execution on the spot rather than confronting Zelda about what he had done. But there was nothing he could do.

He arrived to find her in her chambers, ill in bed, with Impa at her side. Rauru stood next to Impa. "Daphnes?" she said weakly. "I'm so glad you're all right…something terrible has happened…one of the Sages has been killed."

A slight glimmer of hope returned to him. "Which one? How do you know?"

"Saria…I could feel it…I could feel terror, and pain…Daphnes, I've tried to call Link to me, but for some reason he won't answer. I've asked the other Sages to look for him as well. Daphnes, you are his friend, and we will need the Hero of Time if the seal on Ganon weakens and breaks. Please, will you look for him?"

Daphnes took her hand, and licked his lips; Zelda could sense some kind of internal struggle within him, but her mind was too clouded to perceive what it meant.

He could feel the eyes of all three on him. He opened his mouth, and closed it again, two sides of him fighting against each other. Finally, the coward, the weakling, the one he so fully loathed, won out. "Of course. I'll leave right away."