Long chapter, everybody, and sooo much fun to write.

Inspired by Ocarina of Time.


Chapter Twenty-Eight: Of Pivots


Link spent the time between Ganondorf's arrival and his thirteenth birthday showing Alya and Nabira around the Palace, and finishing his studies and combat training.

Ganondorf joined Link's pre-dawn practice, and the Gerudo King was pleased with his progress, though the boy had a little more trouble fighting the larger man as he'd mostly sparred with boys his age in the absence of his stepfather.

With the new, greater intensity of his training, Link was often quite sore, and began to take long soaks in the tub to ease his aches and pains.

The more time passed, the more a certain thought recurred in his mind. Finally, he cornered Ganondorf.

"Why?" He asked, and the Gerudo King looked perturbed.

"Why what? I thought I had taught you to speak explicitly."

Link groaned, and corrected himself.

"Why pick me to collect the blood of three races? I mean, I'm only twelve – well, almost thirteen. Surely there must be someone better to go on these missions!"

"In fact, there were."

"What?" Link questioned, and Ganondorf sighed, bringing up a broad hand to massaged his temples.

"Aside from you, there are only two others who I trust enough with my plans, can move freely in Hylian circles, and whom are not too valuable to move from their current position. I sent these two – and no, I will not divulge their names – to the Zora and up to Gorons. The first likely offended the Zora, as their drowned corpse washed up on the riverbank near Flatmouth. The other was physically frail, and was crippled in a freak rockslide. You are my best hope of succeeding – and surpassing both of those I sent off first. You make friends easily, you are young and nimble, and by the Goddesses you are more blessed and canny than any Hylian stripling I have had the fortune to meet. You, Link, are my last hope to put the Hylians in their place. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Link whispered, feeling trapped.

"Good." Ganondorf let go of the boy's shoulders and leaned back. When had he grabbed onto Link? The Hylian youth hadn't noticed it. "Very good, Link." And the Gerudo King left him there, to struggle with himself.


With spring slowly approaching, Link began to read up on the Gorons, Zora, and the denizens of the Lost Woods, looking for the key to gathering a sample of each people's blood, willingly given.

The Gorons lived in the heart of the volcanic Death Mountain, and according to the legends and dated reports, they 'ate fire.' What this meant, Link wasn't sure. Only time and experience would tell.

The Zora were sirens, of a sort – part fish, part man or woman. Unlike the Gorons, the Zora were a reclusive sort, but were actually spread throughout much of Hyrule, in Lake Hylia, the rivers, lake chains, and the Sourcewater – the great drainage basin of the mighty Zora River. The Sourcewater itself was held as sacred to the fishlike people. Their slippery skins dried out quickly, so they could not move far from a water source.

The Kokiri themselves were hidden deep in the dank depths of the southeastern rainforest named the Lost Woods (a rather uncreative name, Link thought, were it not for the winding, mazelike paths inside). Apparently they never aged, but all reports and records about the mysterious children were so dated that great care had to be taken to not damage the aged parchments.

It was a daunting task. One he would have to do alone. He wasn't quite sure how he would do it, exactly, but it had to be done, nonetheless.

Link sighed deeply, then stretched in his chair, pushing away from the desk as he yawned. Hard to believe he was turning thirteen tomorrow. He yawned again, and decided to turn in for the night, standing up and stumbling towards the bedroom. He pulled on warm nightclothes, headed to the bathroom to wash his face and clean his teeth. That done, Link ran a circular bed warmer between the sheets, then turned the warmer's heat off, and sank gratefully into bed, snuggling up under the down-filled comforter.


Tanner woke Link at dawn, as usual. Link stubbornly remained in bed for about fifteen minutes, just savoring the warmth of the bedclothes and the comforting weight of the evergreen and gold patterned comforter. Finally, though, he gave in to reason and flopped out of bed rather gracelessly. Despite the heating charms set up in his rooms, the cold floor still stung his bare feet. It was not yet Midwinter, and the days were still getting longer and colder. Link hurriedly pulled on a pair of thick socks, before leaving his bedroom for the sitting area of his rooms, where he had pushed chairs out of the way to make a space to practice in. At first when the cold weather had hit, he had warmed the courtyard with spells, but had quickly given up and started training indoors, as the area warming charms took too much energy to be practical.

He didn't train much, not on his birthday, but he'd followed the same morning routine so often that it was soothing rather than tiresome, and by the time he was done with the last set of the Fox forms, he was fully awake. After washing up, Link changed out of his nightclothes and into a particularly fine change of winter clothes, a dark navy tunic, over a white shirt and trousers of the same color, all with simple, geometric black embroidery on the cuffs. Thick socks and fleece-lined shoes completed his outfit. At the chiming of the Palace bells, he bowed to the little shrine to Din he'd set up, and lit a cone of incense. He stretched luxuriously one more time, before bidding Tanner a good morning and settling down in his favorite armchair with the intent to enjoy a good book until it was time for breakfast in the Great Hall. As the cone of incense burnt down on the tiny shrine, its long tail of smoke filled the room with the scent of cedar.

At last, the clock on the mahogany mantel chimed nine times, and Link marked his place and set his book aside. He said a polite goodbye to Tanner, and locked his rooms behind him, cheerfully striding down the hall of the Green Wing. A few yards from the doorway to the halls that connected the various wings, Karlen fell into step beside his 'rival'.

"Master Link," He drawled, long legs slowing so Link's shorter, thinner legs could keep up.

"Sir Karlen," Link acknowledged warily. "Challenge anyone to a duel, lately?"

Karlen sneered, then turned his gaze away.

"Don't be ridiculous." He scoffed haughtily, "Duels are outdated. Nothing but the stuff of fussy tradition. Or didn't you hear?" Link grinned.

"I must have forgotten. Thank you for reminding me, Karlen." The older boy harrumphed, and was quiet until they reached the door that led to the Great Hall.

"Watch yourself around the Princess, Link of the Gerudo." Karlen said softly. "You won't get far if only she likes you." Link's head snapped to look at his rival.

"Did it ever occur to you, in any of our interactions, that maybe I enjoy her company?" He asked incredulously, "Maybe I don't have to have false intentions."

"I highly doubt it, Link of the Gerudo." Karlen said stiffly, then added in a dismissive tone, "Good day to you."

"And you, Sir Knight." Link said to Karlen's back as he walked away to his table. He entered the Hall himself, and saw Zelda sitting at the High Table. She looked unusually pretty that morning, clad in a white and apple green dress, a thick robe of emerald velvet over it, and a sheer veil of pale green covering golden hair twined into braids. The Crown Princess noticed Link's regard, and twiddled the tips of her fingers at him in a subtle wave. He smiled back, and headed for his own table.

There, Danek, Arek, Harlan, and Finnes greeted him warmly, Arris a little less enthusiastically, but the stocky boy with the comically bushy eyebrows didn't sound mean, but rather, indifferent. They informed him that there would be a party for his birthday, in one of the nicer study rooms in the Old Wing, later that afternoon.

Lirina came out with trays of cinnamon rolls and nakne, enough for the table, in addition to the usual breakfast staples of bacon, eggs, and toast. Fruit was, unfortunately, no longer in season, and time-seals notwithstanding, was not served at the Palace for anyone besides the Royal Family during the winter.

Lirina handed Link a mug of Kalika so fresh it was still scalding.

"Kancha wanted me to tell you she'll be providing food for your party as her present to you, and sends her congratulations." The servant told him.

"Thank you, Lirina, and return her regard with my own." The woman curtseyed prettily, and left to serve the other tables nearby, leaving Link to dig into a generous portion of cinnamon roll.


After breakfast Link played a few rounds of card games with his friends in Danek's rooms until it was time for the party. At fifteen o'clock, all six boys trooped down the hallway that connected the Blue Wing to the Old Wing.

The largest study room had been transformed into a fine party room – the tables pushed to one side, the sturdy sofas clustered together. On the tables sat a feast of various toasted sandwiches, finger-foods, and a rather large fruitcake, frosted white and decorated with winding geometric designs of red and blue icing. A string quartet sat in one corner, playing merry tunes just quiet enough for the party goers to still easily hold an audible conversation. Ganondorf was there, as was Alya and Nabira. Zelda sat primly at the head of the eating table, with Impa lurking close by. Along with the Princess came her female friends, Aileena, Aldrissa, Kareena, and Gilda. Ferrick and Fran had come too, as well as Ruby, Deana, Tanner, and Kancha.

With girls there, the boys were allowed to dance with them under the close supervision of Ferrick and Impa. Whirling Zelda through a jig, Link was grateful he'd taken lessons from Ferrick and Fran on Hylian dancing in order to prepare for the Midwinter festivities. When all the food had been eaten, everyone tired of dancing and games of pantomime, it was time to open the presents stacked on a back table. There was some bickering over whose gift should be first. The matter was settled by Zelda, who calmly decreed that Ganondorf's gift should be opened first.

Link tore brown paper off a wooden crate, and sifted through sawdust to pull out a sheathed scimitar. Drawing the blade, he found it was finely hammered steel, with a bit of turquoise in the hilt, and dark etchings on the flat of the curved sword. Link tested the edge and found it to be quite sharp. He murmured his thanks to his King, grinning, and the man nodded, pleased with his heir's response. When Link was about to turn to the next present, Ganondorf stopped him.

"There are more items still in the box, Link."

"Really?"

"Yes." Link dug through the wood shavings and pulled out two cloth-wrapped books – one volume a guide on edible plants around Hyrule, complete with realistic illustrations, the other a new book of riddles. The King was thanked once more, and then Zelda offered her present to Link.

It was a leather scroll-case wrapped in oilcloth. Within was a large scroll that unrolled to reveal a variety of highly detailed maps of Hyrule. Link stared, wondering why Zelda had given this present. It would be a useful item, for sure, but Zelda couldn't have known he would be leaving the Castle for the wilderness of Greater Hyrule. Could she? Link let himself grin at Zelda, and thanked her enthusiastically. As he rerolled the maps up tightly, a small note fell out. He automatically pocketed it, rather than examine it and reveal its existence, then returned the scroll to its case.

The young ladies who were friends with Zelda clamored to be next, and presented Link with a wall hanging they had made together, a scene of the desert as the sun set. Link thanked them and didn't mention that there were no coconut palms in the desert – and sparrows did not live there either. Also, the sand color was off.

Danek, Link's closest friend after Zelda, handed him a large jar that contained a powder that, when mixed with water, created a tonic to ease muscle cramps and soreness.

"I thought that would be best, since you train so much." Danek explained. It was indeed a very useful gift – and Link made sure to express his pleasure to his friend.

Arek had brought a massive variety basket of time-sealed fruit, which Link promptly released and shared with everyone – apples, oranges, grapefruit, sweet limes, pears, various berries, a pineapple, and a whole watermelon. Lirina got out a knife and cut the fruit up and divvied the portions out to the partygoers.

Harlan had bought a handsome leather belt, stamped with the Gerudo design and charmed to fit the wearer perfectly, no matter how much the person grew. There were brass fasteners for a sword belt, purse, and eating knife.

Finnes handed over a package that turned out to be a set of knives – an eating knife, a hunting knife, and a skinning knife – all with bone handles inlaid with abalone. Apparently it had come all the way from the Sourcewater, and had been crafted by one of the fishmen themselves.

Arris quietly gave Link his present – a finely crafted belt purse, with a red rupee in it for luck.

Ruby presented Link with a dragon pendant made of jade – apparently it was a charmed amulet for good luck and longevity.

When it came for his turn, Fran produced a short sword, which Link took carefully, and gasped when his dishonest sponsor let go – it was lighter than he'd thought, with a nice heft to it, perfectly balanced, and just the right length for his size.

"It be from the best swordsmith in all Imally, livin' in the boonies south of Sideland."

"It's amazing, Sir Fran." Link said, awed.

"It's magic too – this baby can channel magic through the blade. I figgered it might work better even fer you – music being naught but vibration anyhow." Link fingered the grip, which was of finely sanded wood, fitting his hand perfectly. The rest of the hilt beyond the grip was unremarkable, and Link could see there was space for his second hand, if he needed a little more leverage than usual.

"Thank you very much, Duke Fran."

"Yer welcome, laddie. Now come on, boy, there's still gifts to be opened yet."

Ferrick grinned sheepishly, holding three wrapped spheres in his arms, each the size of a large apple.

"I'm afraid my gift is not nearly as impressive as Sir Fran's is, but I hope you will like it nonetheless. Here -" He handed Link one, "Don't unwrap it, or it'll start to spoil." The younger boy turned the misshapen ball over in his hands. "My gift to you is three amber fruit, right from the Sand Cat Estates near Crimen, in South Hyrule. They haven't been time-sealed, but rather, wrapped in the leaves of the very trees they came from, then dipped in wax, and then wrapped in muslin. This process of wrapping preserves the fruit. Amber fruit is rather useful, and one bite can heal most minor wounds, and speed up the healing of larger ones. I hope you will never need to even unwrap one of these – either way, they will bring you good luck."

"Thank you, lord Ferrick." Link said quietly, and Ferrick smiled at him.

"You are very welcome, Master Link."

With all the presents given, the adults congregated in one corner to talk, while Arek broke out a new box of Riddler's Way – a game board made of wood, carved to look like a maze with spaces to place pawn-pieces. The game involved two teams, and one pawn-piece per team. The teams could advance by correctly answering a riddle given to them by the other team. Whoever made it to the center of the maze won. The game was made more complicated in that some pathways on the maze-board did not lead to the center, but to dead-ends or other paths instead. The children quickly divided into teams, with Zelda on one team and Link on the other.

It was supper time by the time the adults insisted on ending the party, and everyone agreed that there should be parties like this more often, with more games and music and less pomp and dignity as most Court parties did.

After supper, and Third Worship, Link headed back to his rooms, feeling elated, and somewhat curious about what Zelda's note was about. The Castle servants had already carried his presents back to his suite. Link noted Tanner had been at work – for the two new swords were hung up with his older weapons on his bedroom wall.

Ganondorf let himself into Link's room.

"Did you enjoy yourself today?" The older man asked, and Link nodded furiously.

"I did, sir. It'll be a shame to uproot my friend's lives, but it has to be done, doesn't it?"

"It does indeed. I have no plan to slaughter them all, so you needn't worry – it will be as bloodless as possible. So long as no one resists." Ganondorf assured his student. "Now, for the presents from family." Link perked up at that. The Gerudo King handed him a sheer piece of cloth out of a box. "From your mother, a Gerudo veil. It filters out everything but breathable air. Dust, poison, gas, smoke, all will be filtered out. It is not, however, waterproof, and will not save you from drowning, so beware." Link nodded, fingering the loops that were meant to attach around the ears. Out of the box came a small ring with a clear stone set in it. "Your Aunt Aya made this herself – an adaption of your own lightstone. It will shed bright light with the tiniest pulse of magic, or, if you are out of magic, a double tap of the stone. It will size itself on your finger, and release you when you speak your aunt's name." Next was three narrow, elegant glass jars, their tops attached by hinged wire. "Your Aunt Dinah created these, and I am sure you will find a use for unbreakable glass jars, somehow." The boy set the trio of jars aside. "And finally, a bow, quiver and arrows from Reya and Aru. The bowstring is horsehair, and will not snap or fray. The arrows have been fletched by the young warrior Aru." Link reached into the box to caress the silky finish of the bow, the wood golden and smooth under his hand. He then pulled it out, strung it with some difficulty, and tested its tension. Very good. Not perfect, like the sword from Sir Fran, but still, very good.

"Now as I understand, the servants have presents of their own to give you. I will not hinder them. Goodnight, Link."

"Goodnight, King Ganondorf." As soon as Ganondorf left, Tanner entered by way of the servant's door.

"The others should be here soon." The tall, black-haired man said, setting a box down on the dining table. Sure enough, Deana came within ten minutes of Tanner's arrival. She sat down in the chair Link offered her, sighed deeply, and swept rich brunette hair off her forehead.

"I'm afraid there will be no others tonight. Queen Alia apparently needed the others for some reason or other. I'm a bit afraid it's quite beyond me. But I have brought their gift to you." She indicated her overstuffed messenger bag. Tanner sat down next to Deana, setting a box in front of him.

"I found a shoemaker in the city, who was willing to make a commission for a young Lord. I took your favorite pair of boots for a day, so he could have the fit of you. They're a little larger to spare you some room for growing." Tanner removed the box top and drew out what looked to be a simple pair of sturdy traveling boots. "The soles are thicker than usual, and they should last you for all of your journey."

"J-journey?" Link stammered, staring. Tanner chuckled.

"I'm in on it. You were the one who changed my mind – that nobles could be different… Should be different, and treat their servants better. It's time the people of Hyrule had a king who thinks of more than the next feast or hunt, a queen who provides a good example to all women, not some frivolous harpy."

"I knew as well," Deana confessed, "Though I do not know how it will come about. The less I know, the better. But I have hope that things will change, soon. Too long have I been mocked for being a message girl, and of the fourth rank. My gift to you, Master Link, is a guided tour of the city, before you go in the spring. I think, however, the most valuable gift," And here she pulled a strange leather bag out of her message bag., "Is this unusual bag which will serve you well as a pack. Though how the others found this, let alone afford it, I do not know." Link took the bag, which was worn, battered leather, adorned by a single rupee set into the hide.

"Where is the opening?" He wondered, turning it over. Deana smiled.

"To put something in it, simply touch the item to the rupee. When you want the item, touch the rupee and the opening will reveal itself. It holds more than it should possibly hold. How much, I do not know. You will have to find it yourself." The sitting area clock chimed ten times, and Deana stood. "I should go – it is late."

"Deana -" She turned, "Thank you, and please send my thanks to the others. You all have helped me more than you would know." She smiled brightly, and curtseyed.

"I will, Master Link. Goodnight." Tanner showed her the way out, and Link sat back with a sighed, thoughts churning furiously.

So they knew. They knew. They even trusted him, had faith in him! How could he… everything was just so cockeyed…

And as for Zelda, that was the worst part of it. He didn't want to betray her. Didn't want to see her in his mind, distraught again, like with Elba, only worse, because it would be his fault, his willing betrayal of her trust.

Bile rose in his throat at the very image of it, and he swallowed hard. Then again, pushing down acid. He ran to the bathroom, and retched into the toilet, violently. That seemed to make his stomach feel a little better, but guilt still gripped his heart in a steely grasp. When his shaking stopped, he rose and rinsed the taste of acid and fruitcake out of his mouth.

Suddenly, he felt very tired, after the long day, with all its excitement and revelations. Link washed up quietly, slowly winding down to bed. As he changed out of his clothes, a note fell from his pocket.

It was Zelda's note – the one hidden in the scroll she'd given him.

Link,

I hope you enjoy this scroll of maps. I have a feeling they'll be useful. They were only the first part of my gift to you. Meet me at the same salon you gave me Nutmeg in, after lunch, next Starsday. I need to talk with you.

Sincerely,

Zelda.


1. Okay, a little thing about winter on Vanity and in Hyrule. The winter solstice/midwinter is the last day of the year, of a four-hundred day year. Midwinter is the equivalent of our New Year's and Christmas combined.

2. As you've noticed, COTS does not fall parallel to OOT exactly. Link will be a little older than in OOT when he first sets off on his journey to collect the keys to the Triforce.

3. Link is due to leave in chapter 30, something I am really looking forward to.

4. Three hundred reviews! I'm delighted, just completely amazed. When I first started this story, all I hoped for was a hundred. I had no idea how much this story would change, or that anyone would like it at all, though I'd hoped so. Again, thank you to everyone who reviews. Whenever I have a bad day, I just read my reviews, and know I have something to contribute, and it inspires me all over again.


Please review. It makes me a happy author.