"Who?! Who are you?" The question dangles from Princess Zelda's hand-covered lips. "How did you get past the guards? Wait…" She pauses and takes him in. He's blue-eyed and blonde and long-eared, like her, but his skin is darker, like he's used to the sun. What catches her attention most, though, is the light blue glow surrounding him. The fluttering wings. "Is that… A fairy?! Then are you from the forest? Then… Then you wouldn't happen to have the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, would you?! That green and shining stone… Do you have it?"

For a moment I think she's gone crazy. I've never seen her so eccentric before, and she's never mentioned to me half of what she's saying now, though I've been with her every moment for three days. There must be so many things inside her head that she can't keep track of them, can't communicate.

If I could see the future, maybe I'd be the same way.

The boy – so strange, a boy. I've never really seen a boy my age before, except Kiraji, and he hardly seems human – reaches into his tunic pocket, pulls out an emerald adorned in gold, and presents it to her. For a moment, the thief blood in me is stirred; we Gerudo have an insatiable lust for pretty things. But I resist until he puts it in his pocket again.

"Just as I thought!" The princess exclaims, smiling wide. She then tells him of the dream she had about him, her eyes flicking to me as she speaks. The entire time she talks, he doesn't once look to me, as though he hasn't realized I'm here. His fairy, though, flutters to where I am, to the side of the window, among the flowers, and settles in my lap. Up close, she's a thin-topped and plump-bottomed creature; her hair is bobbed short and she wears loose skirts. Everything – her skin, hair, and clothes – is a pale shade of blue. She sits there and smiles at me, as though she's known me forever, and listens to Zelda talk. "Oh, I'm sorry!" she cries. "I got carried away with my story and didn't introduce myself! I am Zelda, Princess of Hyrule. What is your name?"

For the first time, the boy ventures to speak, stumbling over his words. "I… Um… I-I'm L-Link… M-my name is Link."

"Link…" Zelda puts her finger to her chin and tilts her head thoughtfully. "Strange… it feels somehow familiar."

I agree. Not only do we both know this boy from our dream, but we feel a connection to him, too. But it feels different for me than it seems to feel for her. In the princess' eyes, I see a recognition beyond a veil of confusion, as though she knows him from somewhere, but can't place where. For me, despite the dreams… Everything feels new. Today is a beginning. For her, it's a continuation.

"Ok then, Link." She looks at me again, then back to him. "I'm going to tell you both the secret of the Sacred Realm passed down by the royal family. Anali, come here."

The fairy leaves me and lands on Link's shoulder. He seems grateful for her company. Meanwhile, I stand beside him. He looks at me, then averts his eyes, kicking at the ground with his boots, eyes on the floor. It's almost like he's scared of me…

"Will you two keep this a secret from everyone?"

"Ok," he murmurs, and I nod with him. She tells us then about the Triforce being hidden in the Temple of Time in Hyrule, about Sacred Realm from which outsiders are barred by the Door of Time, and about wishes, about righteous hearts and evil minds. About how she figured out in a round-about way what I had overheard from the mouth of Ganondorf himself: that he wants the Triforce for himself, to destroy Hyrule with it. "To open the Door, you need the three spiritual stones, and the treasure of the royal family – the Ocarina of Time! We have to get through the Door and into the Sacred Realm. If we do, we can get the Triforce before he does and defeat him!"

"Someone's coming," I say, pointing with my chin to the window. I can feel him even through the castle's stone walls. His presence makes my spine quiver.

Zelda's voice turns hurried. "I forgot to tell you. We were spying through this window when you came. The dark clouds in my dream… I think they symbolize that man in there!" She sweeps her hand as Ganondorf strides in and kneels at the throne. Strange how, even as a king himself, he goes to such lengths to make himself a mongrel. Link peeks in to watch. "Do you see the man with the evil eyes? That's Ganondorf, leader of the Gerudo," she glances at me. "Anali's people, who hail from the west. He swears allegiance to my father, but I'm sure he is not sincere."

Ganondorf looks up, as if hearing her talk or sensing our presence. Link jumps back from the window enough for me to be in sight. I dip my head and hide my face with my bangs.

"What's wrong?" Zelda asks. "Did he see you?" Link only nods. "Don't worry… He doesn't know what we're planning… yet!" She looks at us both. "Link… Anali… We're the only ones who can protect Hyrule now. You've got to help me!"

So this is what she wanted me to do, all along. For a moment, Link looks uncertain. Zelda looks at me, frantic. "Please!" She gasps.

"She is right," I murmur, almost choking on my accent. "I have heard him plotting, back in the Valley. He wants the Triforce, and with it he will conquer Hyrule." I swallow. "Princess, your people have been good to me; you have been good to me. I will not let him destroy you!" I turn to the boy.

My fate.

"What say you?" I ask. He glances in my eyes, then away. Down at the floor again.

"I… I'll help!"

"That's a boy, Link!" The fairy pipes from his shoulder, pulling affectionately on his ear. He grins, face reddening.

"Oh, thank you!" Zelda cries. "Anali, my pad and pen, please."

She's had me taking notes on the things we pick up around the castle. Made me carry a notebook and quill around, as well as other things, to make it look like I was just another attendant. Rather silly, really – but now I think she's had another purpose in mind this whole time… I give her the book and ink and quill from their place beside me. She scribbles something onto the parchment and tears out the page, folding it.

"This letter will help you. Take it to the guard at the gate below Death Mountain. He should let you through, then. Go and see the Gorons atop the mountain and get the Spiritual Stone of Fire; then to Lake Hylia and get the Spiritual Stone of Water." She hands the letter to Link and he pockets it carefully in his tunic. "Anali…" Her face turns worried. "I've something for you, too."

"For me?"

She loosens her hair bindings and unleashes her blonde locks. From the cap part of the binding she takes a small, blue instrument.

For a moment, she holds it to her chest with both hands and takes a breath.

"This is the Ocarina of Time. Guard it – and Link – with your life."

"But – Princess, no!"

"It's the only way to keep it from Ganondorf's hands!" She cries. "If you two have it, and you're traveling constantly…" She sighs, cradling it like a child. "It's the only way…"

"She's right," Link chirps, looking away when I look at him. "Um… If Ganondorf is here in the castle… There's no telling what he might do."

I bite my lip. "All right! If it's for you, Princess… I'll do anything."

"Ok." Slowly, she hands it to me, and slowly I take it, holding the Ocarina gently. "I trust you both." She sees something beyond us, in the center of the courtyard. "Impa will show you the way out. Don't be afraid of her. She'll give you supplies and send you on your way."

"What will you do once we have gone?" I ask.

"I'll stay here and try to convince Father of Ganondorf's schemes. And I'll be praying for your safety. For both of you."

"All right," I say.

"We'll be back before ya know it, Princess!" The fairy pipes. She follows us as we head down the courtyard toward Impa.

"Everything the princess has said is true," she says when we reach her. Her sharp gaze seems to scare Link as much as it did me. "Have you and musical talent, boy?"

"Y-yes," Link replies. "I-I can play an Ocarina."

"Good. Then I will teach you a song I sang to the princess as she slept; there is power in its notes, and it will help you in your travels. Only royal family members know this song." She puts her fingers to her lips and whistles something. I can't make sense of it, but Link seems to be able to pick it up. On his Ocarina – a pink version of what I hold in my hands – he plays the notes of Impa's whistle, and they form something of a melody. I can sort of see what she meant when she said the notes have power – I feel a little different just hearing them.

"Got it?" Impa asks. Link nods. "Good. Now follow me. I've much to give you."

Inside one of the castle's store-rooms is a pile of things too numerous to count. Of them, scrolls and bags are a plenty.

And dust.

So much dust that all of us are sneezing.

Finally, she pulls out a scroll and unrolls it, then nods, coughing.

"Fairy, you are versed in parlor tricks, yes?" She asks.

"My name is Navi," she says, crossing her arms. "And my magic is not a parlor trick!"

"Regardless, yes – come here." Navi flits over and peers at the scroll. "You can read this, can't you?"

"Of course I can! It's an item duplication spell."

"Can you memorize it fast?"

"Memorize? Once you put something in front of me, you can't get it out of my head!"

"Good. Now, duplicate this." She holds up a small leather pouch that looks like it's to go on the side or the thigh.

"Didn't you hear me?" Navi spits. "I said I could do it."

"Then do! Hurry; we haven't much time."

"Fine." She flutters over to the bag and touches it, leaning close as if whispering to it. Blue light flashes in Impa's hand, and suddenly, a second bag appears beside the first.

"Good." She tosses the bags to us. "Put those on. Anali, here – let me help you." By help, she means make my dress shorter – which she does by circling around me with one clean cut from a dagger. Underneath the dress are the pants I wore when I was banished and the cloth armor they've made me wear since I came. Malon's old dress now looks more like a long man's shirt than a dress, and for a moment I'm mad at Impa for destroying it. But then I see what she's doing; I could hardly move in the dresses, much less fight in them. Now I can move freely. Link and I loop the bags around us – he securing his in his belt, and I fastening mine around my leg. "These bags are special," Impa explains. "When you put something in it, that item becomes small and takes no space in the bag at all, no matter how big it is. When you want to take something out, all you have to do is think of the thing when you put your hand in. The item will come to you and be made big again when you take it out."

"Incredible!" Navi exclaims. Link puts Zelda's letter and his Ocarina in the bag, then takes the Ocarina out again. It's like Impa said. He stares from the bag, to his hand, to Impa and back.

"What about maps?" I ask. "If we are traveling, we will need to know where to go…"

Navi titters. "Who needs maps when you have me? I've got a natural sense of direction! The longer I stay somewhere, the wider a field of knowledge I have!"

"That's… But how…?"

"Almost all fairies have some special talent or power! But you wouldn't know that, huh, since you come from far away?"

I shake my head. The Goddesses have fairies? I never would have guessed…

"You can explain it on the way," Impa snaps. "How much food do you have, boy?"

"I… I've got Deku Nuts that I can roast." He smiles hopefully.

Impa sighs. "We'll need to be getting you more food."

After packing the rest of my things – including more hair dye, for the kind we used washes out after only a few baths – and arming myself, Impa leads us back through the castle and through the town markets, where the crowd parts for her; without so much as an argument, she is offered produce at half price. Link looks mystified by her power and authority, and I find myself wondering, too. We carry our bread and fruit and water out of the town gates, where Navi duplicates them and we put them in our new bags. All the while, Impa faces east.

"Take a good look at that mountain." We look up and see a form of rock towering into the sky. Dust clouds form halfway up, and it's impossible to see the top. "That's Death Mountain, home of the Gorons and the Spiritual Stone of Fire. At its foot, you will find Kakariko Village, where I was born and raised. They are a kind people; they will help you whenever you are in need." She takes one final look at us. "The princess is waiting back at the castle. Good luck. We're counting on you!"

Then she disappears in a flash of light.

For a moment, the two of us just stand there, Link kicking the dust and I looking for a way to speak.

"Anali," I say at last, holding out my hand.

"Link," he replies, taking it. Still avoiding my eyes, he gives me a shy smile.

I watch Link's back as he walks ahead of me, Navi in the lead, taking us along Castletown's moat. I'm to protect the Ocarina of Time. To protect Link. He has a sword and shield, but I have no idea if he knows how to use them. Every so often he looks back at me, not really looking at my face. When I am near he gives me a shaky, fake smile and runs on with energy. He has a round, imploring face and innocent eyes and he reminds me of a beggar dog you find in the street. So hungry and eager to please.

"Why did you say yes?" I ask him. At once, some of his nervousness disappears, as though he were afraid I would kill him with my words. "To Princess Zelda, I mean. When she asked for help." It's hard to imagine this boy having as much reason to do this as I do. Why had Zelda not sent me on this quest alone? Does she think I'm useless?

"Y-you saw her face, didn't you? How could I not help?"

Somehow his answer surprises me. But should it really be that much of a shock? Everyone in Hyrule has been so…

"Besides," Navi cuts in. "After what happened to the Great Deku Tree…" Link looks down, as if in agreement.

"What happened to the…?"

Navi looks down, flushing dark blue with anger. "Not long ago, he was cursed by a man of great magic. Looking at Ganondorf, I have no doubt in my mind that it was him! Right, Link?"

"R-right!" He agrees.

"He'll pay for what he did!"

So, a quest of vengeance. Maybe in a way I could say the same.

"We should get going," I murmur. "We cannot do anything if we just continue to stand here."

Navi's blue-ness fades. "You're right. This way!" Again, she takes the lead and flits away, leaving Link and I far behind.

We share a glance as her light grows smaller with the distance and walk side by side, one or the other of us always a step or two behind.

"U-um…"

I turn at his voice. He looks shy all of a sudden, like he's nervous to talk. "Y-your hair…"

"What about it?" I snap, instantly regretting it. My voice made him jump.

"N-nothing," he mutters, looking down. "S-sorry."

"No, keep talking," I say gently. "I was wrong to bite at you."

But his ears turn red and he doesn't say anything.

This is going to be a long journey.