Disclaimer: Duh, I don't own LoZ. If I did... If only I did...!

T-Lea:Alright, I received a comment asking if Mido, Saria, and Maron would remember Link. No, they wouldn't. I've already written a chapter explaining this that will be published later in the story, and once you all read it, it will make sense. Also, I know that it seems as if I'm following the events of OoT, but I'm really not. I'm playing off of old ideas and new ideas. Anyway, enjoy! After this chapter, I'll post one more before taking a break to edit the others and write more. Review, please!


An Encounter In Hyrule Town

Taron pulled up his cart before a large stretch of stone walls on both sides of the land. A large, wooden gate was lowered over a thin river, and two guards were stationed at the front just beyond, heavily garbed in metal mail, and each equipped with a spear. Link glanced around at the stop, and once his eyes met the castle before him, his jaw dropped slightly, and the previous dreams he had rushed back to him at the familiar sight.

"Well, here we are, son," Taron called back to Link. "Just beyond these gates is Hyrule Market Town. You can buy all your needs there without much fear."

Link slid off the back of the cart, and only turned back to Taron when he remembered the bottle from the milk from the previous day.

"Sir," he said, approaching Taron, "here's your bottle back— "

"No, no," the old man replied, shaking his hand. "You may keep it. Who knows? maybe it will prove useful on your journey."

Link thanked him, and then shoved it into one of the pockets in the cloak. Then, he waved Taron off with a last thank-you for the ride, and then watched as he departed. Now all that awaited him was the large castle that stood before him.

"Hyrule Market Town," Link mumbled, crossing the lowered drawbridge to the inside of the walls. "This is it, Navi. Once inside, we can find information about the other two Spiritual Stones that the Great Deku Tree wants me to find."

"Just be careful," Navi hissed in his ear. "Security looks tight around these areas, so you must be on your best behavior."

"Right."

Link quietly passed the guards, careful to keep his sword hidden, and then quietly proceeded to the market in the far distance. Upon emerging from the watchful eyes of the gate guards, Link soon found himself in a packed street crowded with small shop-stalls, and building-shops. Women wandered about idly, looking at all the wares merchants carried from all over the world; men joked, talked, or gambled; and children ran about the streets, chasing stray dogs, and—in one, little girl's case—a cuckoo with a bad temper. From the thin slit in Link's hat, Navi drank in the sight with awe.

"Amazing," Link gasped, staring around at the busy people and playing children. "Who knew that such a place could have so many people gathered all at once?"

"Well, it is Hyrule Market Town, after all, Link," Navi whispered in his ear. "It must be a hot spot for buying wares in the kingdom to take back home."

"Do you think I can get some information about the other two Spiritual Stones here, Navi?" he asked her, slowly walking through the crowded street as he glanced around at every packed and bustling corner.

"If you want to find something, Hyrule Market Town is the first place to find information," she replied simply. "I am sure someone around here has heard news about the other Spiritual Stones."

Link paused just outside a shop that was shaped like a mask as he gripped his chin in thought. "I'm not sure about this, Navi. I mean, what if no one knows about the whereabouts of the other Spiritual Stones? Are we even sure that someone hasn't gotten them before us?"

"The Spiritual Stones are well hidden, Link. The Great Deku Tree knows this very well, and that is why he gave you this task. Do not abandon your hope over an idle thought."

Link flushed a deep-red color, then agreed silently as he continued moving. He watched as a group of children sat against the wall of a shop that seemed to be closed during the day, eating ripe, red apples. As soon as he passed these children, he crossed paths with an apple stand that displayed lush red, green, and yellow apples. He paused to stare at them, but then a young child nudged past him.

The person selling the apples—which was a large brute with a muscular body, and a face full of black, scraggly hair—flashed the boy a wide, grimy smile. The boy did not return it, however, but quickly snatched an apple from the cart, and then sprinted off as the man shouted after him, brandishing his fist. Link watched as the boy navigated through the crowds; but though he was fast, the person who captured him was faster.

Standing amidst a group of bustling people, was a young boy who had his head veiled with a brown hood, and wore a brown, rough traveling cloak over his shoulders. His feet were protected with a pair of humble sandals, and he wore a white tunic with a belt tied firmly around his middle like Link's, but no leggings. The young boy froze in terror at being captured, and then dropped the apple at his feet. Curious, Link watched from the safety of the apple cart as the shrouded boy knelt down, and placed the apple in the young boy's hands again.

"Stealing in even the worst of conditions is wrong," the shrouded boy told the other, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But I can see you have suffered greatly without a single meal, and that you have begged much with little acknowledgment from others, even though you are quite young."

The shrouded boy took hold of the young boy's hand, and then led him back to the apple cart. He pushed by Link, and then approached the brute man without unveiling his crown.

"This young man has taken an apple from your cart without pay," the boy announced simply. "I have come to pay for him in hopes that you will forgive him for his rude act."

"'S long as I get payment, I don' care who pays for it," the brute replied in a rough voice. "I ac'ept."

Link watched as the shrouded boy retrieved a small pouch from the inside of his cloak, and then withdrew a blue rupee. He handed it to the large brute, who took it without any hesitation, and then pocketed the object without a second glance.

"Lucky this young'un came to help yeh," the brute growled at the small boy. "I could'a called up the guards to have yeh tried by Princess Zelda, herself. She would'a had yer head, that she would!"

"That is enough!" the shrouded boy barked, just as the small boy burst into tears. "He is only a child, and I doubt that any princess of this land would dare try a mere orphan for trying to survive! I suggest you show a bit more compassion for those at your cart, good sir. Come," he added to the small boy sobbing hard, "you needn't linger here any longer. Let us find you some proper clothing."

The shrouded boy turned with the other boy at his side, but then stopped short at the sight of Link. For some unknown reason, Link noticed that he shivered involuntarily, then steered the boy away from Link's direction with a feeble excuse-me.

Link watched until they were well out of earshot, then he turned his attention to the brute standing at the apple cart.

"Yeh here to steal?" the brute asked him, growling.

Link shook his head. "No. But. . . Do you know anything about two Spiritual Stones that have been hidden well? Um. . . They may resemble an element."

"Wha' is this? I haven' heard nothin' about Spiritual Stones," the brute growled as he prodded the inside of his ear with his pinky. "Lemme see here. . . Hmm. . . I'm a merchant from across seas, so I know nothin' 'bout things 'round here. Ask 'round them other carts with local merchants. I'm sure they got the information yeh're lookin' for."

The man turned to a family of three as they approached. Link turned away from the apple cart, and then scanned the wide variety of blended carts bearing different wares scattered about the streets. Glancing around at the many crowds and bustling people, Link's hopes began to fade.

"Navi, do you think we'll be able to find information here?" he asked her, hopeless.

"We haven't started asking around yet," she replied. "Link, do not abandon hope."

"But look at all these people and merchants selling their wares," he protested in a grumble. "There's just too much ground to cover, and not enough time in one day!"

"If necessary, we will find some place to stay the night, and try again tomorrow," Navi replied simply.

"I haven't any money," Link mumbled.

Navi rapped him hard on the head, and he flinched at the sudden attack. "You complain too much, Link! I cannot believe the Great Deku Tree assigned such a whiny boy to find the Spiritual Stones, and then head for the mountains! And here I thought that he had every right to give you such a task, but you complain too much!"

Link did not reply, but rather stepped up to a young girl in a sunbonnet who was busy chasing a hot-headed cuckoo.

"Excuse me, but have you heard of any Spiritual Stone that might symbolize an element?" he asked the young girl, who was busy jumping on the balls of her feet in impatience.

"Sorry, no," she replied through her huffs. "But I can't catch that cuckoo! How frustrating!" And she sprinted off to chase the bad-tempered bird as it let out a howl of distress, and then took off again.

Although that one girl didn't have any information about the Spiritual Stones, Link didn't give up. He moved around the market, asking any available person he could for information about the Spiritual Stones. But no one seemed to know what he was talking about, nor anything about these Spiritual Stones. Hours later, the sun began to depart from the sky, and discouraged, Link dropped down in front of a shop that was known for a game called "Bombchu Bowling", to rest.

"How is it that no one around here has heard of the Spiritual Stones?" Link asked Navi, resting his chin on his knees as he watched the remainder of the people retreat into their homes. "I asked almost everyone on the street today, and no one knew anything about it."

"Do not give up hope, Link," Navi told him, soothingly. "We will find information soon enough."

"Yeah, but what if this continues tomorrow, and the next day?" he asked her, sighing heavily as he buried his head in his knees.

"Even so, someone must know something about them," Navi replied.

Skeptical, Link exhausted the remainder of his energy and fell fast asleep against the wall. When he next awoke, it was to something that had swept past him. He wasn't sure why, but he suddenly had a blanket wrapped around himself. He let out a gasp, and then immediately turned his attention to his far right as a black figure made its way to a back alley. For some unknown reason, Link found himself thinking back to the strange, dark older person that resembled himself, and jumped to his feet in haste and followed behind the figure at a quick pace.

He followed it into the dark alley where he then crept behind at a slow pace, and only jumped behind boxes or rubbish when he suspected the figure was suspicious of a pursuer. They passed by many people loitering in the back alleys, and some, Link could tell, were attending illegal shops set up only in the shadows of Hyrule Castle, itself. Finally, they came to a deserted alleyway where only one door lingered. The figure stopped short from just up ahead, and Link paused at the turn of the corner, placing himself behind it and peering into the alleyway at his pursuer.

It knelt, and placed something down on the ground that seemed more like cloth than anything. Then, slowly, the figure rose back to its feet and placed its hand on something at its side. Link could tell that it was probably a weapon like the one Link had on his right hip, and froze as a familiar voice tore through the silence.

"I know you are there," the figure said. "Come out so that I may see you."

Link, at first, was struck dumb by the fact that the figure had felt his presence. He was even more surprised that he was that detectable, but nonetheless, obeyed the figure and stepped out from the shadows to be admitted to the full moon's rays that shone down on the empty alley.

"Who are you?" he asked of the figure.

"Am I to answer a question from one who pursues his brother?" the figure called back in response. "I will not give an answer, when you have given no reason to follow after me."

Link's face reddened in the night, and he moved his hand to the back of his neck in shame. "If I gave you the impression of my presence being an enemy, I apologize," he replied quietly. "I've no reason to fight you, nor want to harm you. I was merely curious— "

"Curious?" the figure repeated quietly, cutting in. "And do you know how dangerous curiosity can be, young master?"

Link slid his hand down to the hilt of his sword as his pulse began racing in his ears. "Yes, for I have experienced it, myself," he replied on a serious note, thinking back to when he met the dark shadow of himself.

"Hmph." Link felt that the figure smiled to itself. "Experience? Well, then, does this situation seem familiar to you, young sir? Do you feel a threat being here in this alley with only my and your presence?"

Link gulped, and gripped the hilt tightly in his hand. "No. . .I don't," he lied hesitantly.

The figure laughed icily. "Then why are you gripping your sword?"

Link was absolutely astounded by this person's blind knowledge. This person knew that Link was following him, and now could see right through the back of his skull that Link was gripping his sword as if in preparation for a battle. Gulping, he allowed his eyes to travel down to his opposer's side, where he, too, noticed, that the figure was gripping his own sword in caution.

"You ask from experience," Link shot back, a grim chuckle in his voice. "For you, too, are gripping your sword. Do you fear me in this darkness, as well?"

The figure laughed again, but this time in amusement. "You stand well, sir," it complemented. "Fine, we are equal. Relax your hold on your weapon and face me."

The figure slid its hand back to its side and spun to face Link. Upon revealing itself, Link gasped in shock as he noticed the familiar face of the young boy from earlier that day that had rescued that poor boy from his life of thievery.

"I-It's you!" he stammered, pointing a shaky finger at him. "You're from the apple stall!"

"Is that so strange?" the figure replied tightly.

"Well. . .no," Link replied, embarrassed, burnt-out. "I. . .just thought that what you did today for that young boy was noble of you."

"Well, it wouldn't be so noble if Hyrule was a bit friendlier," the boy replied, disgruntled. "Honestly, day by day I see these poor children begging for food and shelter. And for what? to eventually have to steal and then get tried by Princess Zelda? It sickens me!"

Link frowned. "Is Hyrule not a good place to live?"

The boy looked at Link as if he was stupid. "You must be foolish to believe that Hyrule is a place where all live in peace! Sure, the Royal Family claims that all you see is peaceful and prosperous—but look at the Gorons on Death Mountain! Do you have any idea how much their lifestyle is being jeopardized right now by how active the mountain has become of late? And how about that foolish Kakariko Village living at the base of that mountain, only thriving on a living by the natural metals they receive from the mines in the mountains? What of the Zora race living in the sea? I've heard rumors that the fishermen aren't doing very well with their fishing. For some unknown reasons, the fish are all dying off! Do you know how much the Zoras rely on red fish to keep living, young master? And there are rumors that those in the western deserts are gathering an army that will spread across these lands and wipe out all that is Hyrule! So, if you really must wonder if it is safe and prosperous here in these lands, then I must respond with a firm no."

Link was taken aback at all this knowledge of the world that was Hyrule being in so much turmoil. How was it that such a young boy whose identity wasn't even known to Link, knew so much about the outside world when Link didn't? This boy didn't seem as if he was much of a traveler, and he knew much about the Royal Family, too. He had to have been an inside source!

"What does the princess do?" Link wondered. "Doesn't everyone admire her?"

"Oh, sure," the boy replied bitterly, "everyone admires Princess Zelda. But that is only because she is the oldest of the siblings belonging to the Royal Family, and the most fairest. And yes, she does do something to help, but the only thing that dear King and Queen, and older sibling Princess can think about, is locking up and placing protection around the Temple of Time. I think it is absolutely ridiculous to try to protect that place when all our adversaries will be focused on trying to find the eighth sage!"

Link's eyes widened at this. "The eighth sage?" he repeated, curiously. "What do you mean by that?"

The boy's anger suddenly evaporated, and he stared at Link with an observing, piercing stare that chilled Link's blood. He probably spoke too much and asked too many questions, for he was sure this boy was now very suspicious of him.

"You haven't heard say of the eighth sage yet?" the boy asked of him, skeptical. "You must be joking! Everyone in Hyrule, and Kakariko Village—and even the Gorons and Zoras—know about it. Where did you come from that you have no knowledge of the eighth sage?"

Link was beginning to wonder if maybe he should try to change the subject, and only just then realized that what his true quest was, was to find the other two Spiritual Stones and take them deep into the mountains with himself. But, first, he wanted to know more about what this boy knew.

"I am a wanderer, so I do not know much about the stories and rumors of your land," Link lied simply.

The boy's face lightened considerately at this news, and it seemed almost as if he exhaled a relieved sigh.

"Forgive me for treating you with such rudeness," he told Link, bowing his head in apology. "I am not very fond of the people living in the surrounding lands of Hyrule, and it is not every day that I meet a wanderer who does not wish to do business in this market. You have my sincere apologies."

"No, no," Link replied hastily, urging him to lift his head. "It is nothing. I can understand your hostility. It seems as if you hold a lot of anger for the Royal Family."

"Yes, much," he replied bitterly, looking back up into Link's face. "And you. . . What of your attire? I have only ever heard of a child wearing green clothing from the stories of the Hero. Do you come from the lands he once lived within?"

Link quickly looked down at his clothes before shaking his head with a nervous smile. "No, you have it all wrong! I made these clothes for my travels, and since I cannot afford any fancy dyes, I was only allowed to use green dye. It is quite unfortunate." Link flashed him an anxious smile, wondering to himself how long he could keep up this charade.

"How interesting," the boy replied thoughtfully. "Tell me. . . What is your name, wanderer?"

A name, Link thought to himself frantically. He wants a name! Erm. . . "Rin!" he replied a bit loudly, his pulse in his ears. "My name is Rin."

"Rin?" the boy repeated with raised eyebrows. "Why, that's a girl's name!" He giggled.

"Eh heh. . . Is it?" Link was starting to feel quite foolish.

"Tis a fine name, though," he went on. "And mine is Pip. Pleased to meet you Mr. Rin." He bowed to Link, in which Link bowed back a little hastily in embarrassment.

Once they lifted their heads again, it seemed as if they entered a dimension of awkwardness. Link averted his gaze from Pip, and Pip cleared his throat as he tucked his hands behind his back. Now that they had covered their introductions and unveiled their secrets to each other, it seemed as if they had nothing to say. Lucky for Link, Pip decided to say something first.

"It is a nice night," he stated hesitantly. "Perhaps. . .you wouldn't mind accompanying me for an evening stroll?"

"Of course not!" Link answered immediately, and only realized five seconds afterwards that he was being extremely foolish and reckless. For he left Navi asleep under the blanket back against the wall of that Bombchu Game's building, and he hadn't the time to idly wander around when there were things to be done.

"Great! Then, please follow me," Pip replied brightly. "I must teach you much about our culture here in Hyrule."

Link wanted so much to back down from the idle walk, but decided against it. He thought to himself that perhaps this walk could benefit him in a way. Pip seemed like a nice person, and if he were to tell him of the stories and rumors of Hyrule, then perhaps he would bring up the Spiritual Stones in them and their locations. Then, in the morning, he and Navi could locate them and finish their task early to retire to the mountains. But, then again, Link also knew that acquiring those stones wouldn't be such an easy task. It could take months, possibly even years to obtain them.

Link followed after Pip as he began leading him out of the alley and back into the empty marketplace. Once there, he immediately led Link over to a fountain amidst the stone landing, and peered inside at his reflection. Link looked in as well, only noticing how full the moon appeared that night once again.

"There is much talk amongst this town during the day that the very water flowing from this fountain comes from Hyrule castle," Pip told Link. "And they even say that on nights with a full moon like this one, you can see Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, reflected on the moon's face."

Link concentrated hard on the surface of the milky moon's face, but was unable to see any goddess. He cast a quick glance at Pip, noticing that his face entered an almost dreamy state as he stared down into the reflection. He seemed as if he was lost in another dimension of thought, possibly daydreaming about kissing a girl. But, his expression seemed more of that of a love-struck girl staring into her thoughts about having a boy kiss her. And then, Pip's expression fell to that of unhappiness.

"Can you see it?" he asked of Link. "Can you see Nayru?"

Link quickly returned his attention back down to the full moon's reflection. To be honest with himself, he couldn't see anything but the moon. He couldn't even understand how such rumors could come to be, but he supposed that whomever made it up had to have seen something in the moon.

"No," he replied quietly. "I cannot see anything."

Pip struck the water with a free hand, razing his fingertips on the cool surface as he turned and leaned against the stone outer wall.

"I could never see her," he replied, disappointed. "I suppose she'd look very beautiful. But then, I am sure it was only Princess Zelda's reflection she saw in the water and not Nayru's. She is, after all, the culprit behind that stupid rumor."

"You mean she came to this fountain one night and glimpsed her reflection?" Link wondered, curiously.

"Oh, yes," Pip replied matter-of-factly. "Princess Zelda is a very naughty girl who loves sneaking out of the castle for evening walks. Of course, with all the monsters roaming around these days, it would be quite terrible if she were to suddenly go missing and never be found."

Although Pip probably was trying to make that sound as if it was a bad thing, his tone of voice held amusement within, as if he wouldn't mind that happening to Princess Zelda. Link, however, noticed that Pip knew an awful lot about Princess Zelda and her hobbies, so that must have meant that he belonged to the Royal Family in some way.

"How do you know so much about the Royal Family, Pip?" Link wondered.

Pip looked at him quickly. "I serve them," he replied simply. "I'm like a slave to them, and I am bound to the castle and the walls surrounding it. If I leave, I will surely be punished severely."

"I am sorry," Link mumbled in sympathy. "You must envy me for wandering."

"Perhaps," Pip replied, looking back down at the moon's reflection, "but my worth here is possibly even greater than Princess Zelda's, herself."

"Why do you think?" Link stared at him, eagerly.

Pip sighed, turning his face away from where Link could see his expression. "Did you know that every girl born into the Hyrule family is named Zelda? Well, every first born girl; and since then there has only been one girl born each generation to the Hyrule family. And this girl may receive brother-siblings if the family decides to bring more children into their lives. So, tell me, Mr. Rin. . . What happens when a second girl is born into the family? Is it an omen. . .a sin. . .or a gift? I do not know, myself. . ."

Link stared at him as he stared down at the moon's reflection in misery. The turn of conversation didn't seem to fit with their previous conversation, and it seemed to Link that Pip seemed very distraught with this piece of information. Link, himself, didn't know about that, but now that he knew about this piece of information, he began to wonder to himself what would become of the second girl born into the family. Would they call her Zelda, *too?

"I do not know, either," Link replied truthfully. "Why do you ask of such curious things?"

Pip shook his head without even looking up at Link, indicating the end of the conversation. Link stared back down at the moon's reflection as nostalgia crept over him. That feeling of dreadful loneliness was upon him again, and he felt his heart jolt as a nasty sensation of sorrow washed over him. He noticed how his face fell in the reflection, and he also noticed how sad Pip's expression was, too.

"You feel it," Pip grumbled to Link. "You must. . .for you bear such a pained expression. You know, I once had a brother. My father told me that my mother took my brother to the forest one day to be blessed by the Forest Spirit. . ." Pip shook his head as Link cast him a sideways glance. "She never returned, Mr. Rin. My father told me that my brother was taken by the monsters living within the forest, and that my mother never received the blessing of the Forest Guardian. When I stare at this moon, I think about them. . .my mother and brother. I feel. . .lonely. . .inside. Like maybe I'm searching. . ."

". . .for someone," Link cut in quietly, causing Pip to look up. "Yeah, I feel it, too. I am searching, too. . .for someone."

Pip stared long and hard at Link, like maybe he was one of the Goddesses that revealed herself to him. Link stared back nervously, wondering if he should say something to him. After a long, awkward pause, Pip suddenly grabbed Link by the arm and began leading him towards a small staircase in the distance that seemed to lead to a temple.

"I almost forgot!" Pip called back to Link. "I want to show you the Temple of Time."

Pip dragged Link through the many empty stalls and buildings until they reached eight stone steps leading up to a grand, old temple that seemed to have been standing since the dawn of time. Pip led Link up these steps and onto the upper landing that overlooked a pond that sat beside the temple. As both boys approached the sacred temple, Link began to feel a strange throbbing in his chest that had nothing to do with nostalgia nor hunger pains.

"There is a legend amongst my people that speaks of a young boy garbed in green attire—such as yourself—who came from a forest in Hyrule's time of perish," Pip began on a breath, staring up at the ancient, sacred temple. "It is said in this legend that this boy fought all of evil and came to this temple where he was later sealed away in the Door of Time, because he was too young to be the Hero that everyone needed—too weak. Here is where the Triforce lies, and here is where the Master Sword is put to rest." Pip looked at Link. "He saved Hyrule after seven years. . .not in a day, as most people know the legend. And do you know what happened to him after he saved Hyrule?"

Link's heart began to bound. Was this it? Was he finally going to find out what happened to the Hero that had saved Hyrule in the First Age? He shook his head to Pip's question.

"The Hero of Time," Pip began quietly, "he fell in love with a girl. . .the twelfth Princess Zelda of Hyrule, that is. But she said to him after he saved Hyrule that he had to go back to his time and live the boy he was always meant to live. However, his time period had changed. He no longer belonged in the forest, nor anywhere else because he was an orphan. So, rejected in love and homeless, he began wandering in search of a friend. A friend that. . .he had known in his past life." Pip sighed heavily before turning his attention to his feet. "He had a fairy guide who led him through all the danger he had been through on his travels, and when he went back to the way he was meant to be, he lost her. After realizing that he couldn't be with Princess Zelda, he decided to go on a personal journey in search of her, his fairy, Navi."

"Navi?!" Link nearly exclaimed. "Wh-What?"

Pip looked at him. "Why do you react in such a way? Have you met a fairy with that name?"

Link nodded quickly, forgetting his position. Pip sighed again.

"I suppose she's still out there," Pip went on heavily. "Because the Hero of Time was a Hylian, he had no right to find Navi, so she must have hidden herself in the forest to make sure that he could never find her again. She, like every other creature in this world, knew her place. . . and the Hero of Time, didn't. He thought that he could still find her."

"What ever happened to him?" Link wondered in a barely audible voice.

"He died alone," Pip mumbled in response. "Actually, I do not know what happened to him. But I do know that when this age falls into darkness once again, there will be no hero to save us. The Hero of Time will never return to help us, and the Goddesses will most likely bring rains forth from the heavens and drown our nation to prevent the evil from spreading."

"Do you think?" Link asked in fear.

"I don't know," Pip shrugged, "but I do know that the Goddesses will one day end our nation in such a way to spare our very way of life. Those who will be lucky enough to survive will carry on our legacy, and the spirits of this world will guide them."

Link gulped quietly. "When do you think that prophecy will become reality?"

"At the turn of the Fourth Age," Pip whispered under his breath. "A new Hero will come soon, but we will all be forgotten once that Hero leaves this country."

Link thought that perhaps what Pip predicted could be truth, but he was not sure, himself. Pip was strange to him, and he didn't know what to think of the boy. He gave off more to Link than just a servant to the Royal Family. He seemed as if he knew everything about the history of Hyrule, and even more about the people within the Hyrulian family. If Pip hadn't told Link that he was a servant, Link would see him as one of the members of the Royal Family.

"I must be getting home now," Pip spoke up after a few minutes, turning to face Link. "If I am not home soon, my father will worry. It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Rin, and please do watch yourself while wandering. There is a foul wind that plagues my mind these days, and only today has it become stronger within the castle's boundaries. War is upon us, and I fear that we may lose more allies than we will need."

"I will heed your words, Pip," Link replied, bowing his head. "I am very pleased to have met you. Do watch yourself on your way home."

As both boys turned to depart, the air in the atmosphere suddenly changed—which they could both sense—and they each shouted to each other, "Run!" before scrambling in two different directions and drawing their swords as a group of masked men surrounded them in a heartbeat. They closed in on the two youths, causing them to meet back-to-back with their swords raised at the ready.

"Outnumbered," Link observed bitterly. "Pip, can you fight well?"

"Well enough," Pip replied between grit teeth. "Let's take them, Rin!"

Link couldn't really disapprove of Pip's response, especially since they were outnumbered by men that seemed as if they wanted a fight, so he agreed silently and launched himself into the group that surrounded them, swinging his heavy sword this way and that at the men. But with each hit he managed, they burst into black ash that disappeared into thin air. Link wondered about this strange reaction to death, but couldn't focus long enough before new opponents would come flying at him. He fought with little strength, and every blow to his sword resounded through the metal and shot up into his arm, weakening him greatly.

He watched Pip's back well, and made sure to protect him from other opponents that seemed to have the uppercut. Link sliced, slashed, and deflected blows as best he could; received a nasty scratch to his cheek from being caught off balance; was rapped hard on his left elbow; and then finally hit the ground as fatigue washed over him. From his far right, Pip was thrown to the ground, as well, winded and sore. Link knew that they were too outnumbered and would soon be dead if they stayed there for much longer, but he was too weak to stand, and he had received too many bruises to his left shoulder and arm to even have the chance to lift his sword again. He looked up as his opponent reached him to deliver the final blow, but something interesting happened.

The masked man stopped in mid-swoop, and then cocked his head to the side as he stared at Link in curiosity. Then, without any warning at all, the man burst into black ash and disappeared from view. Link jumped and glanced around as the other masked men followed his lead, leaving Link and Pip in the silent darkness once more.

After a long pause, Link was finally able to regain himself. He staggered to his feet, swaying like a drunk man, and then fought his sword back into his belt. The pressure of the sword on his right side made him moan in pain, but he forgot it immediately as Pip scrambled to his feet, brushing dirt off his cloak.

"Pip!" Link gasped, hurrying over to his aid. "Are you— You're hair!" Link's jaw fell open immediately as he caught sight of Pip's hair, which was actually an apple-red that was cut short and really seemed of abnormal standards. And Pip's face was pale and soft; smooth, even, it looked to the touch. In fact, staring at Pip, Link noticed that he looked nothing like a boy at all. . .he was a girl!

"Quit gawking!" Pip snapped at him. "Is it so strange I bear such hair color?" He—or she—shoved his—or her—sword back into its proper belt before focusing on Link again. "Did you break your jaw during that battle, or what?" Pip demanded angrily. "Shut. Your. Mouth!"

Link obeyed—slightly heated and confused—before Pip pushed past him and looked up at the full moon hovering lowly in the sky. He or she brushed her or his hair back before drawing up the hood once again and turning back towards Link with a teasing smile playing on his or her face.

"You must be dim," Pip called over to Link, "for even those of this town knew who I was earlier this day in the marketplace. I am a familiar to them, and they do not mind me disguising my true identity."

Link blinked.

"Princess Fionna!"

Pip's face fell immediately as a mixture of irritation and fear swept across it. Link glanced over her shoulder as a figure carrying a sword came hurrying towards them. It was only then that Link began to truly understand what was going on: Pip wasn't a boy at all, like Link had thought. He was a girl! And not only that, but a princess. A princess!

"The second princess to the throne," Link whispered to himself, watching as Pip slowly turned to see the figure hurrying their way.


T-Lea: I could have done better with this chapter... Okay, what is with that girl that always chased that Cucco around in OoT in the Market?

*Too= Zelda 2? XD Sorry, lame joke; had to point it out.