So sorry it's taken so long to update! A little thing called life has just been crazy lately and I think I'm finally getting a break. 8D

I had some people asking about Isra's amnesia and recall, so I thought I'd put a note here for any others who have the same question. Unless there is head trauma involved in amnesia, it's really a matter of finding the right retrieval cues for someone to regain their memory. A lot of research has been done over the emotional, physical, and psychological bond mothers and their children have. I'd recommend looking into it sometime – it's really intriguing! So it's likely that, if Talisman couldn't have gotten Isra to remember, her son could. But Isra's isn't a typical case of clinical amnesia, since she lost her memory from being pulled out of the Realm of Lost Souls. It might not even be right to call it amnesia but I'm sure the Hylians, like myself, would label it that for lack of a better term.

Thanks to Melkor44, Katia0203, Joseph Kuo, Macartyjr2, ZeLinkFanGirl, Mangageek26, Screen, Katie, Jay Foren, joshban13, Dreams the Hylian, thespiritmaiden, vermillion ruby, Kamil the Awesome, zelinkfan123, Gisela Cordero, Bean Zaeske, DawnAndNightfall, Blueberry-Waffles23, YukieClair, RhaedaLeeMire, Katara012, and DragonbladerX5 for your reviews!

Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda


CH. 28

Isra's small cavern was full of the Rebellion's leaders: Impa, Logon, Link, Zelda, Talisman. Galen had even invited Burning Joe to come, and he sat crouched against the wall. The warm lantern lit their faces in orange and red, reflecting in their eyes. Isra sat on her cot, fiddling with her jewelry, but looking happier than Link had ever seen her. Galen was sitting beside her, watching expectantly.

"It started coming back slowly," she was saying, glancing at the floor. "And then it hit me all at once. It was a fairly strange sensation. It was like my memory had never been lost." She shrugged one shoulder. "I recalled the castle, my marriage to Mordecai, my . . . friendship with Talisman, and getting trapped in the Realm of Lost Souls."

Link almost wondered how much private information she would divulge when Talisman said, "You don't have to tell us any personal details, Isra. Only what you feel comfortable with and what you think can help us."

Her blue eyes flicked up to him. "I think I would rather tell everything. It was secrets that got me into this mess. I don't want any more of them."

"I'm okay with that," Galen replied.

Talisman paused, then sighed, his shoulders dropping. "I suppose it is best."

Impa looked at Zelda curiously, and the princess gave her a knowing nod.

"My marriage to Mordecai was arranged," Isra began. A small smile ran over her face. "I'm sure you all want to know how he could love anyone. He was wealthy, high in power, and my family was very sophisticated. I can't say we ever truly loved one another . . . but we were very fond of each other. I knew his strictness, his ambition, his self-centered view of things. But I didn't mind. He gave me everything I needed and wanted. And while I did not have power over him, I did over everyone else. Mordecai trusted me to make decisions. I suppose I was like another Talisman to him, only more intimate. He never did force me to give up part of my soul to that terrible Sword of Spirits. And he had no reason to suspect I would betray him. And I never did betray him in the way he would have been worried about. I never tried to steal his throne or the Sword. I never wanted more power." She huddled in on herself. "Even after I learned about how dark he could truly be, that still made me feel guilty. That I betrayed him in a way he never thought I would."

Link glanced over at Talisman, but the man had his golden hood down and his expression was hidden.

"It was never enough for Mordecai. He always wanted more power, more control, more land. He won it all through war. He promised me that, once he had an empire, the war would stop. And it did, but he had reached too far. It was too many people to control. Instead of dividing the governments or letting life go on, he tightened his grip. He wanted everyone answerable to him, or to one of his few generals. His daughter, Sephora, was one. Talisman was another. There were a few others who are long dead now. I had a lot of control, too. But Mordecai's laws became harsher and he dealt with rebellion more lethally. It was getting out of control. He ruled through fear. I felt that I was the only one of his 'generals' who saw something wrong in all this. That is, until I spoke with Talisman.

"Talisman shared my same sentiments. That there was an evil to Mordecai that was rampaging out of control. He was sending people into the Realm of Eternal Darkness with the Sword, or he was outright killing them. Our worry grew deeper, and we bonded over that. When I tried to voice my concern to Mordecai, he hit me and told me it was not my place to question him, or I would end up just like the others. Dead, or imprisoned. I was heartbroken, so I went to the one person I felt I could rely on. And Talisman was there for me the way no one else was. One thing led to another, and eventually we had an affair."

Impa and Logon tried to hide the shock on their faces, looking quickly over at Talisman. But the man was standing as still as a statue.

"Whoa," Burning Joe remarked. "This story is on fire."

Isra pushed her wavy brown hair back, continuing. "I became pregnant, and Mordecai suspected it was not his. We hadn't been intimate very often. When I did have the child, Talisman became very active in helping to raise him. Mordecai became more suspicious, and eventually I told him. I suppose I should have anticipated his fury, but it shocked me all the same. He and Talisman argued for hours. When night fell, I went to Mordecai in private to try and calm him down. But he used a magic medallion and locked me into the Realm of Lost Souls. That baby boy I had was Galen." She gestured to the young warrior beside her.

Galen flashed a grin.

"What was it like in the Realm of Lost Souls?" Zelda asked. "I went in to free you, but I didn't see anyone else. What's it like to be imprisoned there?"

"Awful," Isra sighed, her voice wavering with emotion for the first time. "It was an endless void of white. I was all alone. It felt like an eternity. I tried talking to myself, doing physical activities. But there was no sensation, so it became meaningless. I thought I was losing my mind. The knowing was the worst part. Knowing that my torture would never end, never change. And then," she gave a soft smile, "it shattered like glass. I lost consciousness and woke up in this cave."

"That doesn't sound like any fun," Logon commented.

"No fun, no fun," Burning Joe agreed.

"It wasn't." She shook her head. "You all do not have to worry about me feeling sympathetic for Mordecai. If any of the love I had for him didn't vanish in my life before the Realm, it's gone now. He has become a monster, and he needs to be stopped."

"So . . ." Link began, knowing so much rode on this one question he almost didn't want to ask, "do you know anything that could help us stop him? Help us destroy the Sword of Spirits?"

"Mordecai trusted me, but not that much," Isra replied. "He told me a little bit about it, just vaguely what it could do. I mostly saw first-hand its destruction. It's such a terrible necromantic blade. He found it by buying it off some dark sorcerer. Greed is an ugly thing." Their expressions fell but a mischievous smile crossed her face. "However, when Talisman and I were discussing ways to stop Mordecai's madness, I did some research on my own. I went through my husband's journal where he recorded notes about things. Nothing personal, nothing intimate. But things for him to remember about the kingdom he ran, about who was serving him closely, and about the weapons he had. He did write down the one thing that could destroy the Sword of Spirits permanently, and he had underlined it. I think he wanted to remind himself to be wary and lookout for this thing so he could see it coming. The information wasn't of any use to Talisman and I back then, but perhaps it is now." She glanced up at Zelda. "I think some of us are more then they seem."

"What is it?" Impa asked after a beat of silence.

"The Triforce," Isra replied. "The united Triforce can stop the Sword."

There was another pause of stunned silence before they all looked at one another, particularly at Link and Zelda. The two exchanged shocked and hopeful glances.

"We have two pieces of the Triforce with us," Impa stated. "But General Ganondorf has the third."

"I'll talk to him," Link said quickly, drawing attention to himself.

"You'll do no such thing," Logon retorted.

Impa nodded. "It wouldn't be safe."

"None of this is safe," Link responded. "Ganon won't hurt me, I can promise you that. I'm not sure where he stands with Mordecai, but I can at least give it a try."

"You haven't seen him in years," Talisman cautioned. "He might not be the same man you left."

The Hero smiled. "I'm hoping he's not."

.

LoZ

.

"This plan is brilliant," Zelda stated as she and Link made their way through the winding tunnels. "I almost can't believe you came up with it it's so brilliant."

"Hey!" he laughed. "Be nice. I know the generals better than anyone else, so I know how to work this situation."

"When are you planning on leaving?"

"Just before nightfall. It will be easier to sneak into Hyrule Field in the cover of darkness."

"Aw." She grabbed his arm and spun around him, ending up face-to-face and pressed close together. She blinked up at him. "I'm going to miss you."

He grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'll miss you, too. But I won't be gone longer than necessary."

They shared a kiss and then Zelda said seriously, "Be careful, Link. So many enemies are out there."

"I'll be super careful. You know me." He winked his single eye. "And you be careful here with Mitch. I don't want to come home to a crisis."

She jutted her lower lip out in a pout. "I can't kill him while you're gone?"

He laughed, and they kissed again before he pulled away. "I have to go pack, and I believe you have some Sheikah training to attend to."

Zelda sighed, shaking her head. "More teleportation practice. As if I haven't got it down already! I'll see you later, love."

"Bye, Zel."

Link watched her go and then headed towards his room. As he turned down the tunnel, he saw Megan leaning against the rocky wall by his green curtain. She gave a nervous smile as he approached, her red hair shining in the dim light.

"Hi, Megan," he greeted, slowing to a stop. "Do you need something?"

"Well . . ." she tucked some hair behind her pointed ear, glancing to the side. "Me and my friends were talking, and we were wondering . . . " her eyes flicked up to his face, "are you the Hero?"

He blinked in surprise. "What . . . What would make you think that?"

She shrugged. "You look like depictions of the Hero. You're fighting against evil and you're such a good warrior. Better than most of us, maybe all of us. And I've never seen the Master Sword in person, but I'd bet my last rupee that blade you carry is it."

Link looked to the side, but couldn't help the smile that spread over his face.

Apparently taking his silence as an answer, Megan held up her hands. "Don't worry, I won't tell anybody if that's what you want."

"It's not really that," he replied, looking back to her. "But there's a lot of responsibility and . . . importance riding on the person who calls themselves the Hero. And this rebellion isn't about me, it's about saving Hyrule." His smile turned lopsided. "So I don't really like to announce it."

She laughed, pushing off the wall. "I can't believe I'm alive to see a legend come to life. Don't worry, Link, I won't say anything."

"Thanks, Megan." As she moved to leave, he said, "Wait a moment. I'd like to ask you something." As she stopped, he continued, "You came to the Rebellion with Mitch, right?"

She nodded. "I did. Me, Ruby, Tal, and Scout – goddesses rest his soul."

He gave a nod in memory before asking, "What was Mitch like before he came here? I know Zelda and I aren't the only ones he's bullied, but it's getting serious."

Megan let out her breath heavily, inclining her head. "Yes, I know. Mitch is . . . he's Mitch. He's the way he is and he doesn't care if anyone has a problem with it. Tal and I met him in Hyrule Castle Town. He was holding secret meetings with Scout and Ruby to protest Mordecai's rule. We all wanted to do something, but we didn't know what. Mitch was passionate about stopping Mordecai . . . too passionate. Some plans he suggested were ones that would put civilians in danger. When we called him out on it, he would shrug them off as 'necessary losses'. And he was all for capturing Mordecai and torturing him to death." She shook her head. "Extremely radical. We all stayed together, though, because there were only five of us and even if Mitch came across as . . . crazy . . . he was a man of action."

Link nodded, digesting her words. It was a short story, but revealed so much about Mitch's character. A man driven by passion so intense that he'd sacrifice innocent people. A man who didn't just want justice – he wanted vengeance. And his relationship with Zelda was testing the limits of Mitch's dark side.

"Do you know anything about his childhood? His background?" Link asked, wondering if he could get any further information to use.

"He was rather proud of his background, so he talked about a lot," she replied with a hint of exasperation. "He's an only child, grew up in a wealthier middle-class family. He went to a private school, but was kicked out for getting in fights. But he excelled in public school, despite discipline problems. Mitch bragged about the fights he'd won, which always struck me as odd. He'd been working at a small business that was shut down due to Mordecai when we met." She shrugged one shoulder. "Nothing too spectacular."

"Alright, thanks again."

"No problem, Hero."

Link went into his room and stuffed a small pack with some food and a canteen. He wore a dark green tunic and brown woolen pants that he tucked into leather boots. He kept his black gloves on and stuck a dagger in his belt, a bow and a few arrows were strapped to his back along with the Master Sword, and he fastened a forest brown cloak around him. And of course he kept the royal ring around his neck.

Sending a farewell burst of love to Zelda, which she quickly reciprocated, Link left the cave system.

It got dark rapidly as he made his way through the maze of the forest. It was a moonless night, concealing him in the shadows of the towering trees. He heard an owl in the distance and the buzz of insects. The air was cool and crisp, tinged with the scent of bark and dirt.

He knew the quickest way out of the woods and reached it within a few hours judging by the way the stars turned. He jogged out into the open expanse of Hyrule Field. A quick sweep of the area showed that he was alone, but he pulled his hood up just in case. If soldiers were out they would question him no matter what, but any passing citizens were likely to steer clear of someone whose face they couldn't fully see. Plus they'd be unable to give an adequate description of him.

Link alternated running with walking to save up his stamina. He drank some water from his canteen when he got thirsty, and judged his direction based on the sky and the landscape around him. Hyrule Field was a dark blanket under his boots, the mountains bordering him on one side.

It was dawn by the time he saw a small watchtower in the distance, lit in golden honey with morning mist rolling off of it. Exhausted from his fast travel, he staggered towards the wide road that led right past the tower. Soldiers in shining armor stood around, about five in total and likely more in the tower. Green hills waved in the distance that the road disappeared into.

At last a soldier spotted him as Link drew closer. "State your name and business to be allowed to pass."

Link sighed, keeping his hood up to look more threatening. He quickened his pace, drawing himself upright despite his tiredness. He snapped out, "My name is Step Aside and my business is Or Else."

The men exchanged glances, hefting their spears. "You're outnumbered here, sir. Comply or you'll be arrested."

Link raced forward, ducking under a spear swung by the only soldier who had fast enough reflexes. When another came to stop him he pivoted by and hooked his foot around the man's ankle, pulling up and sending him to the ground. Link broke into a full-out run when he was tackled from behind. He hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him. The soldier also saw it fit to punch him a few times in the back.

"Stay down," the man warned.

Link did as he was told, whimpering from the cramps in his stomach. The knight on top of him wrenched his hands behind his back and snapped his wrists in shackles. He then got off of the Hero to turn him over on his back, his hood falling down.

The men glanced at one another as they took in the young man before them. "That's not him, is it?" one asked.

"He's got that black eye path," another offered.

"If it is him, he's dangerous," one said, obviously a captain by the insignia on his armor. "Take his weapons."

Link made a show of trying to squirm away which he regretted when the soldiers pulled him back by his feet, causing his hands to burn against the grass. They took his dagger, his pack, and unstrapped his bow and Master Sword. He was yanked up to his feet, quickly frisked, and when no more weapons were found the captain said, "Now we're going to take you to see the boss and you're not going to give us any trouble, you hear? Any chance you want to try and tell us who you are now before things get ugly?"

Link regarded him with a glare.

"Very well, have it your way."

As he was forced to walk along the road with an escort of four guards, he heard one of the men whisper excitedly to another, "If it really is that guy we've just captured, I think we'll get promoted!"

They came to a carriage with one horse attached. A soldier mounted it while the other three went in the back with Link. He sat against the wall, watching the plains outside rise and fall as they travelled. The hours passed and a few times Link attempted to escape only to be shoved back down by the knights. He thought they were unnecessarily rough. And the carriage had a bad wheel which made the trip pretty miserable.

At last they rolled to a stop. Link was dragged out and taken towards a mansion made of stone and wood. It was three stories tall with chimneys that spouted gray smoke and the smell of roasting meat. A garden was spread around the grounds. It would have been quite a scenic place if it hadn't been for the large amount of soldiers that were on patrol.

They checked in with the guards at the door and were allowed inside. They passed through a grand foyer and went down a narrow wood hall lined with doors. Link noted the people that they were passing by. Many more soldiers, servants, maids, some people who appeared to be civilians. They were given curious glances, but everyone minded their own business. Link noticed some of the workers smiling as they did their jobs. Evidently people liked working here.

The captain unlocked a heavy metal door and Link was pulled down at spiraling staircase of stone. The light grew dimmer and the air colder. And after a short walk the dungeons opened up before him. In comparison to the dungeons at Mordecai's castle, these were well-maintained and very clean, although dark and a little smelly. He could only make out one other prisoner in a far cell.

The captain opened up the first cell on the right and Link was tossed inside. He hit the stone ground hard and rolled into a sitting position, watching as the barred door closed with a clang.

The captain locked it as he said, "We'll tell the boss of your arrival."

.

LoZ

.

The prophecy hadn't plagued Zelda's dreams for so long that it startled her to be once again plunged into that void of black. The oppression of that darkness was enough to make her huddle in on herself, desperately reaching for her bond and thus Link's presence. She was asleep, though, and he was far away by now. But she could still feel him on the edge of her consciousness, and that was comforting enough.

She'd often wondered about what this part of her prophecy meant. Visions seldom were clear, but she still had no idea what this darkness could mean. Was it a location? Or was it symbolic?

Before she could ponder it further fire sprang up around her, hot and bright. She couldn't make out any details other than the flames, so she wasn't sure if it was real fire she'd encounter in the future, or maybe it was a symbol for destruction.

Or perhaps she was over-thinking the whole thing.

And then Link was there, giving her that optimistic smile. The same age he was now, the same look. "It's going to be okay."

Obviously this was going to happen soon. Very soon. All these years of having that prophecy and wondering what it meant were coming to an end. It both relieved and scared her. Relief that her questions would be answered, and fear at what the answers were.

As the vision came to an abrupt end Zelda sat upright in her bed, panting. No matter how many times she had it, the vision never failed to give her an adrenaline rush powerful enough to wake her. She pushed her hair back, sighing.

It just didn't make sense. Despite the fact that Link had helped Mordecai and then turned on him, despite the fact that the Rebellion had gained two victories and was flourishing, and despite the fact that they now knew how to destroy the Sword of Spirits and Link was putting the plan into action . . . the prophecy was still the same.

And that made her worry.

.

LoZ

.

Acroff lounged in a chair that was far too big for even Ganondorf as he scribbled doodles on a piece of parchment. Morning sunlight cascaded through his window to pool on the polished wood floor. The room was wide and rectangular - his private courters. And he very much liked the space. At the far side was his bed and he also had a seating area and shelves full of, well . . . junk. Odd things that he would see at a market and decide he had to own. A rock that glittered, a necklace with fake gems so gaudy it was always amusing, a child's doll that looked like a cross between a witch and Sephora, a bottle full of sand art, fragrant incense, a collection of foreign coins, and on and on.

After he had moved out from his parents' home and joined the circus, he'd never had his own space. Never had his own house. So this beautiful mansion sat in the sprawling Eastern Kingdom seemed too good to be real. He amazed even himself that he liked to keep the whole thing clean and orderly. Perhaps he was a homebody after all.

After the brief encounter with Link on the watchtower, life had slowed to a steady routine. Sometimes it was peaceful. To be at ease in his home with people there to look after things and cook him the best meals. To not have to worry about anything. But then, in the back of his mind, was the knowledge that the Rebellion was out there, Mordecai's rule was being challenged, and as a general one day he'd have to choose a side. He already knew which side to choose, though. If only he knew where Link was.

A knock sounded at his door and Acroff put aside the scribbles and stood up. "Come in."

One of his captains stepped inside, giving a quick bow. "My lord General, we captured a young man trying to force his way past our southeastern watchtower. We've apprehended him and he's in the dungeons right now. General . . ." his voice dropped fractionally, "we believe he might be Link."

Acroff's body jolted as if an electric current had passed through, his icy blue eyes flying wide. A second later he had his composure back. It probably wasn't Link. Link was too good to get captured by border patrol. Still, this was something to look into.

"Take me to him," the white-haired man said.

The captain escorted him across the wide mansion and to the steps leading into the dungeons. They went quickly into the darkness, Acroff's mind racing with possibilities. The only light came from the torches, casting their dancing shadows against the wall. And just when Acroff decided this staircase was much too long they reached the dungeons and the Captain pointed to the first cell.

Acroff stepped up to it, peering through the bars. Leaning against the far wall, his hands shackled behind him, was Link. The young man favored him with a lopsided grin and Acroff realized Link had allowed himself to be caught. He wanted to talk.

Acroff flashed a quick smile before keeping his expression stony as he turned to the captain. "I'd like to talk to him privately in my courters."

"Yes, my lord General." The man quickly unlocked the cell and stood Link up. He grabbed him firmly by his arm and the back of his neck as they went back up the stairs and into the brightness of the mansion. They headed back to Acroff's room without a word, and once inside he picked up his Demon Staff, turning it idly over in his hands.

The white-haired man looked up. "You can take the shackles off, Captain. He's no threat to me. And please leave us."

The man looked worried, but said, "As you wish, General." He unlocked the bindings and left with a quick bow, shutting the door behind him.

Link and Acroff regarded each other, smiles hovering on their faces.

"It's been a long time," Link said.

"Too long," Acroff agreed.

There was a beat of silence before the general dropped the Demon Staff and raced over to Link, capturing him in an embrace. They both laughed.

"I've missed you!" Acroff exclaimed.

The Hero twitched in his friend's too-tight hug, replying, "I've missed you, too. I've missed you so much."

The man pulled back, keeping his hands on Link's shoulders. "Look at you! How old are you now?"

"Seventeen."

"Seventeen," Acroff repeated, shaking his head. "It makes me feel old."

Link laughed, patting the man's arm. "You're still not as old as Ganon."

"Too true!" He skipped back a few feet, spreading his arms. "Welcome to my home! Although since you purposefully let yourself get captured and brought here, I have a feeling this is more than a hello visit."

"It is." He gestured to two white chairs that were facing each other. "Let's sit." As they settled into the cushions, Link continued, "I'm sure you know that the Rebellion has freed the Zoras and the Gorons. We were at a bit of a loss as to what the next target should be, so we took a wild chance . . . and it's paid off."

Acroff raised one eyebrow. I'm listening."

"Zelda went into the Realm of Lost Souls and freed Mordecai's wife, Isra. From her, we learned a way to destroy the Sword of Spirits."

Acroff didn't realize his mouth had fallen opened until he started to speak, "Y-You . . . Wow. That's gutsy, it really is." He tilted his head to the side. "Aren't you a little worried that you shouldn't be telling so much information to one of the Master's generals?"

Link laughed, grinning. "I know whose side you are on."

"Oh, really? I did lie to you to get you to help Mordecai."

"You've changed since then. We both have." Acroff noticed how the young man kept shifting in the chair, the furniture seemingly so comfortable it made him uncomfortable. He briefly wondered where Link had been living this whole time. Not somewhere luxurious, given how he was dirty and his clothes were rugged. It made him sad, almost.

"You don't know . . ." Acroff began, carefully choosing his words, " you don't know how worried Ganondorf and I were about you. Mordecai told us he sent you into the Realm of Eternal Darkness. He never told us you escaped."

Now it was Link's turn to look surprised. "Oh . . . I'm sorry, Acroff."

"Don't be. You did nothing wrong. So," he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, "how can I help in destroying the Sword of Spirits?"

The blonde bit his lip as he grinned. "I knew you'd want to help. The united Triforce can destroy the Sword. I have Courage, Zelda has Wisdom, and-"

"Ganon has Power," Acroff finished. "You want me to teleport you there?"

"Yes. And I wanted to talk to both of you to see how you can help."

Acroff jumped to his feet, striding across the floor to fetch the Demon Staff. "Well then let's go! I haven't talked to Grumpy Gerudo in awhile."

.

LoZ

.

Ganondorf had been sparring in the sandy courtyard of Gerudo Fortress when he received word that General Acroff was here to see him, along with a visitor. Normally when he would receive visitors he'd be sure to dress more sophisticated, but since it was just Acroff he kept his sparring clothes on – loose with padding on his shins and forearms.

He made his way into the shade of the fortress, the air still stiflingly hot. He turned a few corners until he came to the meeting room. For some reason, Acroff had requested to see him there. He shook his head. Always melodramatic and unpredictable. Of all the generals, why had Acroff been the one he saw eye-to-eye with?

Ganon pushed opened the meeting room door, greeted with a circular room that had low benches with dark red cushions on them, and banners painted with oils into Gerudo scenery. It smelled of the spice that was burning, allowing a twisting trail of smoke into the air.

On one of the benches sat Acroff with a wide, wide smile. And beside him sat Link.

Ganondorf was so stunned that he froze just inside the room. Link. It was Link. He hadn't seen the Hero in three years, had thought he was locked in eternal torment for most of that time. The only image he'd had of this older Link was from Acroff's description. But now he could see for himself.

He had become quite handsome, although Ganon had always thought he would be. He had the right features for it. There was a little bit of youth still clinging to his adult face, but his single eye was world weary well beyond his years. The Master Sword was strapped to his back, dirt stained his clothes and he looked like he hadn't had a good bath in awhile. But there was a smile on his face that brightened the area.

"Link," Ganondorf breathed, shaking his head. "You're all right."

"Yeah, I'm all right."

Before his pride could overcome his relief and joy at seeing the little boy he used to know, Ganon spread his arms and said, "Embrace me."

Link shot up off the bench and held the big man tight. They stayed like that for a few seconds before Ganon let go and both sat down on benches opposite of each other.

"What's going on?" the Gerudo asked.

"Link came to see me, let himself get captured and taken to my dungeons, the sneaky thing," Acroff beamed. "The Rebellion found a way to stop the Sword of Spirits."

"We freed Mordecai's wife from the Realm of Lost Souls," Link explained. "She told us how."

Ganon was impressed. He'd waited years for this moment. The right opportunity to strike at Mordecai. It seemed to have finally arrived. "How will we do it?"

"The Sword of Spirits can be only be destroyed by the united Triforce," Link told him.

The Gerudo let that sink in for a moment. They needed him. They needed his Triforce piece. Then he nodded. "I'll be happy to help. How will we make it happen?"

"We're not sure yet," Link replied. "The Rebellion's leaders wanted to wait until we definitely had your help. Although one idea we've been tossing around is an infiltration and attack."

Acroff glanced at the blonde. "It's going to have to be a good one to get into Mordecai's castle."

"Agreed," Link answered. "So we probably won't have anything solid for a few days."

Ganondorf said, "I'll give you one of the sacred Gerudo rings. It will give you, or whoever you send, free passage here to tell me your plans. Myself and my army will be at the Rebellion's disposal."

"I wish I had something awesome like that!" Acroff exclaimed. "I'll guess I'll just write you a note and put my silly seal on it. I think I could get my army to turn on Mordecai, but if not I'll just come."

Link laughed. "Thanks. That will help."

"Before you go running off again," Ganon said seriously, "I want you to fill me in on everything that's happened to you until today."

"Me too! Me too!" the white-haired man agreed.

The Hero felt happiness warm his heart. He had missed his two general friends. He hadn't even realized how much he had missed them until they were reunited. And even though the Rebellion was important, he knew it could wait a few hours while they talked.

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