Author's Note: Philo: Na, Link isn't stupid. Remember, the Tri-Force is still resting whole in the Sacred Realm at this point, because Ganondorf never got his hands on it. So, Link naturally assumed that Ganondorf, while a powerful sorceror, would be as mortal as anyone else. Of course, we begin to see that's not really true. Why you ask, well, I can't tell you quite yet, but refer back to chapter one for a hint of a clue. As for Mido, well, I guess you'll just have to read this, won't you? :)

Interlude

The Shattering

The Shattering. In the years to come, that is the name in which this day will come to be known by. The lands of Hyrule, everything, everything simply shattered. This fateful day, the day Ganondorf escaped imprisonment, the day the Hero of Time was hurled from the Tower of Hera will come to be known as one of the most cataclysmic days in the history of the world. Mountains crumbled, rivers and lakes dried up, forests were destroyed, and ancient ruins and cities long thought lost to the ravages of time rose from the depths of the earth. And, perhaps the most devastating of all, those magical seals placed by Princess Zelda on everyone's memories, on the memories of those dark, alternate seven years shattered. And the people remembered. They remembered the devastation, the burnings. Those who died in that alternate time remembered their own deaths, and those that watched their loved ones die had to live it all over again in their memories.

The world shattered, and, high above everyone else, on the highest rooftop of the Tower of Hera, Ganondorf, the former King of the Gerudo, laughed.

X X X

Zelda sits at a small fire pit within the Korai Village, a seemingly haven of safety located high in the trees of the Lost Woods. Her thoughts wander as she consumes slowly her simple meal of bread, cheese and a little dried meat. A warrior's meal, nothing glorious, only the essentials to get you to where you happen to be going. And, no surprise to the Princess, she enjoys it. Long has she been bored and ill feeling towards her station in life, in the dullness of state affairs and political dinners, in the day to day dealings of running a country. And now, with her true memories returned to her, the memories of those seven years spent masquerading as Shiek, she finds she much prefers the simple life of a warrior to that of a ruler or politician.

But here she sits, a warrior ready to be born, and she hasn't a clue as to what to do. The earth tremors from a few hours prior had subsided only a short while ago, leaving everyone within the village, Zelda included, extremely apprehensive. She had heard the whispering going on in the village, that something felt different about the forest. "If the magic of this forest has been invaded, then all of Hyrule much be must worse off," Zelda thinks to herself.

"Rupee for your thoughts Princess," a soft, yet firm voice says, interrupting Zelda from her thoughts. Zelda looks up to find a young woman of no more than her own age sitting down at the fire pit, seating herself across from the Princess. Something tingles in the back of Zelda's memory, as if she should know this young woman dressed in a flowing green gown. Certainly Zelda should remember, as strikingly beautiful as she is, with her long green hair, and sparkling eyes the color of emeralds.

"Just thinking on much things have changed in the past few days," Zelda replies with one of her winning smiles. Zelda hands a piece of her bread to the young woman, who gratefully accepts. "I'm sorry, I feel as if we should know each other, have we met before?"

"We have," she answers, a knowing and mischievous smile adorning the green haired girls face. "Though, there's really know reason you should recognize me…sister."

And with that last word the floodgates open and a memory invades Zelda's mind, of a young girl with green hair dressed in the colors of the forest, giving the Princess of Destiny a giant hug after they had just banished Ganondorf to the Sacred Realm, "We did it Zelda, we did it sister," the little girl cried out, overjoyed at their success.

"Saria," Zelda exclaims in a whisper. "But…"

"…How?" Saria finishes for the Princess with an easy smile. "Much has changed in the world. "It's complicated to explain, but when you sent us all back in time seven years ago, the fundamental nature of the magic protecting this forest was changed. Kokiri were never meant to leave the forest. It was thought that when a Kokiri left the forest, they would die. And, in a way, that was true. Before Ganondorf, should a Kokiri have left the forest, the magic protecting them would be broken, and they would age and die like any other mortal. But, with your reversal that has all changed. If we leave the forest, we still age, up to a certain point. But, we are now immortal beings, Kokiri no longer. We are the Korai, appointed guardians of the forest by the Great Deku Tree himself."

"But when I reversed time…you would have never left the forest, I sent everyone back to before that happened," Zelda explains. "And what of everyone else here?"

"True, we all were sent back to a time before I left the forest as a Sage," Saria replies. "And, with no memories of anything that had happened, we of course had no idea of what had happened in Hyrule…or to Link." Saria takes a deep breath before continuing, "Link was always like a brother to me, I always tried to look out for him, and he did the same for me. When he left after the Great Deku Tree died…I was…lost without him. And a few of the others, who had felt bad about blaming him for the Great Deku Tree's death, wanted to see him again. So, we left the forest to search for him. But…we never found him. I have talked with him on occasion over the years, thanks to the connection of our ocarina's, a special type of forest magic. He never said much though, just checked in with me. Anyway, when we returned to the forest, we didn't notice anything different, obviously. But, after six months, a year passed, those of us who had left noticed we had grown taller. So had the other Kokiri. When we asked the Deku Tree Sprout, he explained the situation to us. So we left, for fear of influencing the others, and established our own home here, and appointed ourselves, with the Great Deku Tree's blessing, the guardians of the forest. Others have joined us over the years, but we are a small group."

"I had no idea," Zelda breaths, a sad look in her eyes, "I'm…"

"Don't apologize sister," Saria interrupts. "None of us here are sorry. We did what we had to do, and we have no regrets over it. And we continue to do what we have to do, as protectors of this realm. Invasions from the south have increased, and we are very much needed."

"So…how is it that you remember me?" Zelda asks.

"Those tremors you felt earlier…something terrible has happened sister," Saria says, a haunted looking filling her eyes. "The seals you placed on everyone's memories…they've been shattered, torn asunder by some dark, powerful magic. We all remember everything. And I suspect, so to does everyone else in Hyrule. Perhaps all over the world."

"By the Goddesses," Zelda breaths. "The panic, the…terror people must be feeling."

"Yes," Saria replies simply. "My scouts reported back in just a few minutes before I came over here. Panic has indeed struck the land. Villages are burning, people are fleeing and rioting."

"And all because in my arrogance I thought I could give the world a better life," Zelda says, her eyes as downcast as her heart and spirit.

"What is done is done Zelda. Now we must move to right things," Saria says.

There is a long moment of silence before Zelda nods her head in agreement, "You're right Saria. First thing is first, we need to contact Link. You mentioned a connection between yours and his ocarina's?"

Saria hesitates before speaking, a pain and hollowness flashing across her features. "Zelda…I…I can't feel Link anymore."

"What…what do you mean?" the Princess asks, fearing the worst.

"That's why I didn't come talk to you sooner, I've…been searching," Saria explains. "You see, over the years a different sort of bond formed between Link and I, because of our ocarina's. We can use it to communicate, but it also allows me glimpses into his emotions. Shortly before those ground tremors, before I regained my memories, I tried to talk to Link. All I got through the ocarina was his emotions, that of determination and resolve. And then, a brief flash of resignation, and then…nothing. I can't find him Zelda…he's gone," Saria cries, rising quickly and moving to Zelda, embracing her sister Sage. "Link is dead," she sobs, as tears fill both women's eyes.

X X X

"Link is dead," Ganondorf's strong and commanding voice rings out over the assembled moblin horde in the city of Necropolis. Upon Ganondorf's release, the army had been recalled to wait in the city for their Lord's return. "The Hero of Time is no more, and with him, the last of Hyrule's hope to stand against me," he calls out, and the roaring and snarling of the crowd greet the evil King's words. "Soon, very soon, we will begin our march to take what is ours. Until then, we remain here, to await the proper time."

With that Ganondorf steps from the balcony in the tower in the center of the city, with Kareena at his side, into his private chambers. "You go to all that trouble just to sit here on your backside with an army. Some Dark Lord you are," a voice calls out from the shadows.

Ganondorf snorts mirthfully, "I wondered when you would show up," addressing Dark Link as he steps from the shadows.

"He's like a bad rupee my Lord," Kareena says vehemently. "Always showing up when you least expect it to, or when you least want it to."

"Tsk tsk my lady," Dark Link mocks, wagging a finger at her. "Is that any way to treat the man who made you what you are today?"

"Lord Ganondorf is the sole reason for my salvation. All you did was stick a knife in my gut," Kareena shoots back.

A ghost of a smile fills Dark Link's face, "Was it good for you to?"

"Enough," Ganondorf says, his voice low but commanding. "Why have you come back?"

Dark Link simply shrugs his shoulders, "You're out now, figure I'd listen to what you have to say, see if I like it…" he pauses, letting a wide grin fill his face, "besides, even I can burn only so many villages before boredom sets in."

"Awww, little Dark Link got lonely," Kareena laughs mockingly. But, before she can even blink Dark Link is on her, slamming her hard into the wall of Ganondorf's chambers, his right forearm bracer pinning against her neck, close to crushing her windpipe.

"Listen carefully witch," he says in an icy, low voice. "That name no longer holds any meaning for me. It was the name of a soft, weak, careless fool who got himself killed. I am Azrael, I am…"

"You are truly my Angel of Death," Ganondorf says with a wicked chuckle. "Release Kareena…Azrael. And welcome."

X X X

Three days later…

"I hope the Great Deku Tree understands…" Zelda says, trailing off.

"Don't worry Zelda, this was his idea," Saria says, clasping Zelda's hand. "He said that Ganondorf is holed up inside Necropolis with his army for the time being. So, at least we have some time. Not much, but, well, this is something we all need."

Zelda nods her head, watching as her father, King Hyrulian steps up to the dais. Here, in the main courtyard gardens of Hyrule Castle was gathered the Sages, many of the Hylian military, and most of the population of Castle Town. All in honor of one man. "My friends," the Kings voice booms out over the crowd. "I thank you all for joining us here on this, a most sad, and solemn day. With all that has happened these past few days, this may not seem like much, but this must be done."

The King looks out over the crowd, watching the sad faces, the tear filled gazes, and the haunted eyes of his people. "Much tragedy has struck these fair lands of ours in recent days. But, it is because of this tragedy that we can all now remember why we gather here today. And I, for one, am glad for that. We come together today to honor the life of a great man, perhaps, dare I say, the greatest in our history," the King says, pointing to a spot just off to the side of the dais. There, thrust through a large circle of stone, is Link's sword, and his trademark green cap, the only things recovered in the mountains by Darunia himself.

The King motions to his daughter, and Zelda releases Saria's hand, making her way to stand beside her father. "We all can now remember Link," Zelda begins, her voice catching ever so slightly at the sound of his name. "And we all know him now as the Hero of Time. In a world that should never have happened, Link saved us all. Where others cowered, his courage shone like a light in the darkness. He stood up to Ganondorf in the name of all of us, and he beat the Dark Lord down. When time was reversed, he did not use his position to seek out fame or fortune. He traveled the world as a nameless wanderer, helping those he could and moving on. These are the actions of a true hero. This is no fitting tribute," Zelda says, pointing at the sword. "Nothing could ever be a fitting tribute for…" Zelda catches herself, almost saying for the man I love. "Nothing could ever be a fitting tribute for the Hero of Time. But my father has already commissioned something special, and hopefully one day soon, we'll all be able to see it."

Zelda steps away, tears flowing freely down her face as Darunia, gentle giant of a Goron that he is, embraces the young woman in comfort. "The world has become a dark place again," the King says. "But we must now look to ourselves. We must use Link as our example and we must find our own courage. But not today," the King says, a sad smile upon his face. "Today is in celebration of Link's life. Many of us have stories of this extraordinary young man. Today, let us all share them, and maybe, we can know our hero a little better."