Chapter 10

Twist Of Fate

Link did not move until he could no longer see them. He silently prayed to the Goddesses that they safely make it to Lon Lon Ranch.

A noise behind him startled him, he hadn't even heard whoever it was coming. He turned around to find to his horror none other than Ganondorf. He drew out his sword and took a defensive stance. The black stallion pawed at the ground with his right hoof and neighed.

The desert man chuckled. ''So you think you can defend them? Don't act dumb I know you saw them go. If you value your life kokiri boy you would tell me which direction they took and then run back to your forest.''

''Never!'' shouted Link. ''I'll never tell you where they went, and I am not a coward!''

''Hmm…You are sillier than I thought. Maybe your fairy can knock some sense into you. But just in case perhaps I should teach you a lesson.''

''Don't you dare even lay a finger on him,'' threatened Navi.

''Oh my a fairy who dares threaten me…I should teach you a lesson as well.''

Ganondorf raised his right arm and muttered a spell so quickly that Navi didn't even have time to throw a counter spell. A ball of energy hit Link right in the chest. The fairy watched helpless as the boy collapsed in the mud.

''Looks like you're nothing but a fly after all if you can't even protect your protégé,'' chuckled Ganondorf. ''Even if you don't tell me which way the princess and her guardian went, I will find them. It's only a matter of time before they share the same fate as the rulers of this pathetic land!'' He spat on the ground and kicked with his heels the flanks of his mount and was off.

The princess tightened her cloak around her. She was grateful that Impa always kept a packed saddlebag just in case. She felt cold and miserable out in this rain and darkness. But most of all she was worried about the Kokiri boy and Nabouru. If they were caught or killed there would be no hope for Hyrule.

''Impa do you think Link will be alright?''

''I'm sure he will be. He looks strong enough…Perhaps his fate is tied to the Hero Of Time. If anyone is able to find this hero and inspire him to save us it will be that boy.''

''Ya that's what I thought…''

In the distance the lights of Lon Lon Ranch could be seen. Within 20 minutes they would reach a safe haven…at least for the moment. Zelda was exhausted and too tired to think about tomorrow. She trusted the Sheikah to have figured out a plan already.

Impa suddenly stopped the horse and looked around.

''What is it?'' asked Zelda.

''Hush! Listen…''

At first Zelda couldn't hear anything but the sound of the rain. She froze in terror as she suddenly heard the sound too. They were being followed and whoever it was, it was catching up fast.

''Damn it!'' swore Impa. She cursed at their fate as she made the horse break into a mad run. Of course a mere riding mare was no match for trained war horses. Judging by the sound there must be at least 15 of them. She held on tightly to the little girl.

Zelda let out a frightened gasp as she saw them. Impa turned her head to look and uttered a Sheikan curse. Ganondorf had caught up with them and he wasn't alone. With him rode 13 Moblins, a kind of hideous half bulldog half man race. Soon they would be surrounded and forced to stop. Might as well end it now.

Impa quickly dismounted and held Zelda in front of her with one arm. With the other she unsheathed her katana. The enemies surrounded them and dismounted as well.

''Whatever happens, stay in front of me for now,'' Impa addressed to Zelda. ''I have to be able to see you at all times.''

Swords were drawn and the air hung thick with suspense of the imminent battle.

''Hand over the girl and we won't harm you old woman!'' said Ganondorf.

''Over my dead body!''

The desert man laughed at the irony of those words. ''You Sheikahs! Devoted until the very end, no wonder you are the last of your race. Kill her, but do not harm the girl she is mine.''

Impa fought back even though she knew it was going to be a loosing battle. In her fury she managed to kill two Moblins. She might be old but the fire of the warrior still burned within her. She knew she had to do something to give the girl a chance to escape. She gave her instructions telepathically.

''Zelda try to escape between one of those monster's legs and run as fast as you can without looking back, I'll cover you. Don't go to the ranch since they now know that was where we were going. Find a place to hide and stay there until I tell you or come for you.''

''But…''

''Don't worry you'll be fine.''

Zelda looked to the left and took a deep breath. Waiting for an opportunity she did as Impa told her and ran.

Impa managed to kill another Moblin. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a Moblin going after Zelda. She threw a dagger at him, stopping him fatally.

''Hmm…4 down 9 more to go.''

Impa screamed as she felt a sharp pain in the abdomen and fell to her knees. She had been stabbed in the stomach. She vaguely heard a hideous laughter as her vision started to blur. She saw Ganondorf catching up to Zelda and throwing her to the ground before her vision faded and everything went black.

Zelda saw that she couldn't get away. Impa had probably been killed and Ganondorf was catching up to her. Her vision blurred as tears filled her eyes. Only Link and Nabouru now could find the hero. It was obvious now that Ganondorf wanted her dead. The princess was violently pushed and she fell down. She turned on her back and saw the desert man grinning evilly over her.

''I was going to let you live but you proved to be quite defiant. That is not a quality I like in a future wife.''

Zelda saw his katana gleam as the blade caught the light of a lightning, and then there was nothing.

When Impa regained consciousness the rain had stopped and the first rays of dawn were beginning to shine. The Moblins and Ganondorf were gone and so was her horse. She tore a piece of material from her cloak and wrapped it around her abdomen as a temporary bandage. It was a miracle that she had survived, the enemies must have thought she was dead.

She slowly got up, feeling dizzy. Impa looked around at her surrounding when something caught her attention not to far from her. She went to inspect when panic and a great sorrow hit her. She suddenly had trouble breathing as a lump formed in her throat.

''No…No it can't be!'' she yelled as she fell to her knees and cried.

On the blood covered ground were pieces of Zelda's dress.