Midnight in Hyrule Castle. Usually, a time of sleep, quietness and contemplation for its inhabitants, workers and guests. All of the suitors who had arrived had been feasted well, and started to get acquainted with Zelda as a person. They were now all sleeping soundly, stomachs full. Well, nearly all of them were sleeping…
Ganondorf was sulking on his luxurious bed in the castle room, his darker skinned head cradled in his hands in anger. "Grrr!" he moaned loudly. "How did those feckless excuses for knights manage to find those other suitors? They were well hidden deep within those woods…"
He sat up, punching one fist viciously into his palm. "I'm not even here for her precisely, moreso for what she has got…"
He glanced down at the back of his balled up hands, the Triforce of Power visibly glowing on the right. "Why must you tease me? I'm so close to another piece…" He shouted loudly in anger, massaging his temples. "I only have to Triforce of Courage left to find after this, I can't waste a moment. But where is the holder?"
It was always on his mind where the Holder of the Triforce of Courage was. He remembered the meeting he had with King Moblin all those years ago, whilst he had been bleeding into his own carpet. The holder of courage had been spotted! His heart had leapt. But since then? Nothing. No talk of any holder of the Triforce, no utterance of his name.
Ganondorf's self-pity was interrupted by a timid knock on his door. Ganondorf retrieved his usual demeanour, and answered grumpily, "What do you want?"
Slowly, a servant opened the door to Ganondorf's room. "Is everything alright, my Lord? I heard shouting coming from within your room, and we thought there could be an intruder…"
"The only intruder is you! Get out!" Ganondorf shouted. The servant paled, and quickly closed the door, terrified of Ganondorf's loud booming voice. This left Ganondorf alone again, to figure out what he was going to do, and when. Slowly but surely, a plan started to formulate in his head.
"If the Princess, the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom were to be 'kidnapped', then Farore would be forced to send the holder of Courage after her to rescue her. Chances are, they will be unprepared physically and mentally, so they should be no problem for me to 'deal with'…" he thought, his forehead creasing as he plotted.
Knowing what he now had to do, he didn't bother taking his armour off as he lay back fully onto the bed, waiting for sleep to take him. "You'd best be prepared Hyrule. I will take you into a new age, and no-one will get in my way. No one."
Link sighed as the heavy blade opposite him met his own with a deafening clash of metal. His opponent was tiring, and each consecutive blow got weaker and weaker, until he was barely able to move his blade up into the air. Link raised his own sword to parry yet again, but his opponent's sword simply clattered to the ground, with its owner ripping his helmet off and gasping for breath, his bright red face flushed with sweat.
"Oh come on Hedgers! (Link's training opponent)" Captain Flank yelled from outside the training arena. "He's hardly doing anything, but you tire already?"
Hedgers glanced over at the Captain, still taking huge breaths, his body shaking from exertion. "He... He's too good at parrying!" he gasped, slowly bending down to feebly lift his sword off the ground.
"That's the whole point of swordplay!" Flank shouted dejectedly. "Finding your enemies weakness and exploiting it. That involves parrying, and you'd better get used to it!"
Hedgers glanced back to Link, who had now also taken of his knight's helmet. He on the other hand had not perspired, and calmly sheathed his sword. He extended his arm forwards for a handshake after the spar, which Hedgers gratefully accepted, thankful that the humiliation was over.
Captain Flank looked around the other knights, who were eagerly watching Link. "Anyone want to fight Link next?"
Said knights quickly backed away from the arena, looking as if they were doing something else completely. Flank laughed at this, and shouted "Cowards!" He turned back towards Link, who still stood in the ring. "Come on, you can get out of there now!" he shouted, a large smile still on his face.
Link ambled out of the arena, gently swinging his arms as he went. "How can you not be tired?" Flank asked incredulously. "You've just fought half of the knights here, and you aren't even sweating."
Link shrugged. "This is training, so I know nothing seriously bad can happen. On the battlefield, you don't know what is going to come at you next, so I probably will be sweating when we are actually in action."
"If we get into action." Flank corrected. "The only problems we are likely to have are with moblins. There is no threat of war with any of our neighbours, so get used to training with us lot."
"I thought I had…" Link smirked, earning him a semi-offended snicker from the knights. Link was going to comment further, but his attention was drawn by loud snarling noises coming from nearby. "Shade?" he asked.
"Ah, I think one of the others found a large piece of cloth while they were patrolling earlier, and Shade is now 'playing' with it…" Flank grinned, as the snarling noise came closer, along with grunts of tired knights.
Through one of the closed doors at the far end of the room, Shade emerged backwards, his jaws firmly attached to one end of a piece of cloth. He was pulling back vigorously, whilst two young knights were being dragged through the door, pulling back with all of their might to comic effect. Shade paid them no attention, snarling and tearing into the cloth, whilst heaving the knights back, who were now just being towed.
All of the other knights started cheering as they came closer, enjoying the awed and terrified expressions on the two knight's faces. Shade kept pulling back, until he met Link's side, at which he gave the cloth a final rip for good measure, before dropping it.
Link grinned up at the two younger knights, who were not much older than he was, and staggering back to their feet. "I think he took you for walkies!"
"More like a drag…" one of them chuckled. "He went straight through that cloth; it was in one piece a few minutes ago…" They all looked down at the cloth by Shade's paws, ridden with teeth marks and drool from his excitement.
Shade was shifting from foot to foot, still bounding with energy and the thrill from the tug-of-war. "Should I take him out on patrol then?" Link asked, "So he can burn his limitless energy off?"
"Please do!" one of the younger knights shouted, causing much laughter from the others.
"I don't see why not." Flank replied, scratching his thin beard. "I'd suggest going on horseback, even if just going through town, as Epona's horse armour has finally arrived. It should be waiting in the stables." The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and he continued speaking, in a lower voice. "Plus, I believe a certain redhead is due to deliver milk to the castle soon, who might be susceptible to a certain young man in armour…"
The knights started roaring with laughter, as Link tried to keep a straight face, but a slight red tinge rose to his cheeks. "Whatever…" he said quietly, before scuttling off to the stables, Shade happily in pursuit, tail wagging.
A few minutes later, Link had strapped Shade's armour on, as well as armouring Epona up fully, headpiece and all. It was more for show, but he still wanted to prepared for anything, as well as looking exemplary for all others in town. Seeing as they were only patrolling through town, Link decided to let Shade walk on the ground, sticking close by to Epona.
Trotting out of the barracks, Epona neighed uncomfortably, not used to the extra weight and restricted movement of her armour. Link gently patted her back comfortingly. "Easy girl, you'll get used to it."
As they slowly moved through town, the midday sun shone warmly down on them, reflecting the mood of the citizens of Castletown. They all smiled and waved as Link and Shade passed by, and Link returned the gestures in the form of polite nods, whilst Shade kept silent.
After circling around the market square for a short while, Link and Shade's ears perked up as they heard a loud clattering coming from the town drawbridge. Glancing behind him, Link smiled behind his helmet as he saw the unmistakable milk wagon from LonLon ranch, with Malon and Talon both perched atop.
They had not spotted Shade yet, so Link thought quickly to Shade, "Hide in Epona's shadow, we'll surprise her."
Shade obeyed, and slunk into Epona's large shadow, as the LonLon ranch wagon sidled up to Link.
"Morning sir!" Malon called out, nodding her head in respect, not expecting an answer. She glanced at Epona briefly, but didn't recognise her due to the large amount of plate armour.
"Nice to see you too Mal…" Link said, taking off his helmet, smirking at both Talon and Malon's surprise.
"Woah, hi… Link." Malon said quietly, blushing.
"Hey there Link!" Talon said, grinning. "Looking mighty fine, might I say." He looked all around Link, searching for Shade. "Where's your wolf? Shade?"
"Right here!" Link replied, whistling clearly. At this signal, Shade trotted out from Epona's shadow, much to Malon's delight.
"I didn't recognize you with all that armour on, or without Shade!" she exclaimed. She turned, taking a closer look at Epona. "Is that Epona?"
"Yep!" Link cheerfully responded, patting Epona's flank. "The forge finally completed her armour, so she looks ready for action now, don't you?"
Epona neighed happily in response, at which Malon giggled. "I never imagined that she would look so… so intimidating! She looks ready to smash her hoof into someone's face!"
"You've raised her well Link!" Talon smiled, admiring Epona's full stature.
"No, it's all thanks to you for giving her such a loving start in life!" Link replied, moving Epona sideways to Shake Talon's big hand. "Anyways, do you have a delivery to make?"
Talon's eyes shot to attention. "Darn it! We need to get a move on!"
"I can come along with you now, my presence will help keep the streets clear as you go to the castle…" Link said.
"Sure, whatever you say Link." Malon replied, as they all set off.
The suitors were all follow Princess Zelda, as she took them on a long slow walk around the castle grounds. Ganondorf was at the very back of the group, patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity to abduct the Princess, so he could remove her Triforce. He had gone out earlier, and tied his jet black horse up near the castle gates, to the confusion of the guards that stood nearby.
As the group slowly made its way around the Castle walls, they arrived at the main doors of the Castle, near to the gates leading down into Castletown. All of the suitors suddenly stopped, as did Zelda.
"Father!" she called out. Ganondorf looked up, and saw the king of Hyrule standing on the steps of the castle, waving out to them.
"Ah, Zelda!" he replied, taking her hands as she came up to him. "How are you finding the suitors? Any favourites?"
"Umm, I'm keeping my options open for the moment, as some are a bit more obnoxious than others…" she said, glancing quickly in Ganondorf's direction. The other suitors snickered at this, boiling Ganondorf's blood. He clenched his right hand tightly, the Triforce of Power dimly illuminating his hand, thankfully hid by the sunlight. As a result of his power, the rope tying his horse up to the gates came undone, and the horse came bounding over in his direction, under his full control. He glared upwards at everyone, who were now all staring at him. He leered.
Now was the time to strike.
Epona kept up a steady pace as Link and Shade accompanied Talon and Malon up the hill to the castle. They mainly talked about how the ranch was faring, and any recent moblin sightings. Link couldn't help but notice that Malon kept glancing over at him, and quickly turning away when he met her gaze, suggesting something. He decided not to bring it up until Talon was busy.
As they approached the gates leading to the Castle, the two guards on duty nodded respectfully to Link and Shade, before asking Talon about what business he had at the castle with the milk float. Despite the answer being obvious, Talon replied calmly.
Link had zoned out of what was happening nearby, as had Shade. They were both focused on what was happening near the steps leading up to the castle. They had spotted the King standing with Princess Zelda in front of all the suitors, all looking at one person. Ganondorf.
"Is everything alright Link?"
The question snapped Link back to the moment. He quickly turned his head around, seeing that Malon had asked the question, looking curiously at him. "What were you looking at?"
"Er…"
Link's next words never came, as an enormous bang filled the air, audible from miles away. Epona reared slightly at the noise, as did the two mules pulling the wagon. The light around them was also filled with streams of black and dark purple, an truly insidious sight.
"What was that?" Talon shouted looking all around their area. Link's head snapped back to the Castle steps, as Shade started barking violently, his fur sticking up on end, eyes narrowed.
Link's eyes then focused, as the darkness cleared from around the castle steps. Ganondorf was still standing, but all of the suitors had collapsed to the ground, along with the King. Zelda had been caught partially by the blast, but had been partly protected by the King who had tried to jump in front of her as the blast happened.
Ganondorf cackled, whistling to his horse to come nearer. He sauntered over to Zelda, who was coughing and spluttering on the ground. "You're mine now, Princess." He quickly bent down, and forcibly thrust her over his shoulder, and ran over to his horse.
The guards that had been standing next to the gates charged forwards, swords drawn. "Stop at once! You are under arrest Lord Ganondorf!"
Ganondorf snorted as he now mounted his horse, Zelda still coughing violently behind him. "Hah, just try and stop me fools!" He clenched his hand again, and sent a smaller wave of dark magic towards the guards, sending them sprawling away with another small explosion.
Happy that he thought he was free to run, Ganondorf looked up, and snarled as he saw Link atop Epona alongside Shade, standing in the gateway itself.
"Link?" Malon cried out. "What are you doing?"
"GET BACK!" Link shouted, drawing his sword with a dramatic flurry. "Ganondorf, I thought you might be one to try something! Turns out I was right!"
"Hah, you're that 'knight' from yesterday, aren't you?" Ganondorf sneered, drawing closer, whilst holding an arm around Zelda, who had now partially recovered. "You have that wolf you managed to tame with you. Just try and stop me with my power!" He clenched his hand once more, and sent another blast of magic in Link's direction.
Ganondorf was not expecting what happened next. He had imagined Link to be sent flying away, allowing himself to escape. But, Link simply swiped his sword at the magic, which deflected off the metal, and far away into the sky.
"WHAT THE…" Ganondorf shouted in rage, before panicking. "You'll have to catch me!" He set off at a gallop, Prince Zelda screaming in terror behind him. He charged past Link and Shade, leaving a trail of dust behind him. Link and Shade both snarled in anger, and Shade leapt up onto Epona's back, as Link prepared Epona to give chase.
"Link, what do we do?" Malon shouted in terror.
"Get some of the staff from inside the castle!" Link shouted as Epona bolted off in hot pursuit. "We'll deal with Ganondorf!" With that, he whipped his head around, and urged Epona faster, spurring her energetically. "Let's see what you're made of Ganondorf" he thought angrily.
A/N: DRAMA! IT'S ALL KICKING OFF NOW. The final showdown? Nope. No way. Not even close, so don't worry about it.
Review with what you think will happen next, I'm interested to see where you think that I will take this story. Who knows, you could be right, or partially inspire me…
Anyways, thanks for reading this chapter! See you next time!