"Zelda..." Link said softly.
The Princess tilted her head forward, her brow furrowing. "You address me as if you know me...why is this?" she asked.
Osfala looked back and forth between the two before setting his eyes one the door, his gaze lingering for a moment before he looked back at Link. "Do you two want some privacy?" he asked.
"Leave us." Zelda replied.
"Right away-err...yes, your Highness." the Sage said before performing a hasty bow and exiting the room.
Link smirked, looking away from Zelda for a moment. "Should I be worried for my friend?"
"Why would you be?" Zelda asked.
"Because if you're here that means Impa isn't far behind." the Hero answered.
Zelda's eyes went wide as shock washed over her, the Princess regaining her composure and narrowing her eyes at the boy in front of her, his golden fringes nearly obscuring his sky blue irises. "How...how do you know of Impa?"
"I know much about you." Link replied. "I know that you when you were young you'd be put to bed by a lullaby played on a flute, your favorite dish is Great Sea Sturgeon accompanied by Ordonian rice, your favorite flower is the Black Rose, the fruit you like the most is strawberries, not just because of their flavor but their vibrant red coloration...and I know you dream of me."
Zelda tensed and took a step back, her breathing instantly growing heavier. "I don't know how you know these things about me or how you justify having the audacity to claim that I dream of you...but I do know that...that you aren't wrong." the Princess admitted.
Link felt a flutter inside of him, it was a very rare occasion that he would remember their past before you and it was even rarer that they'd meet before she'd remember but never before had he gotten through to her so quickly. "Don't you see?" he asked. "These things about that I know...they aren't due to something other people would understand...you and I know each other better than anyone else, we've lived many lives together and this is just another cycle for us."
Zelda looked at Link, her gaze somewhere between curious and distressed. "You...spe...speak sense or I will tell my father you tried to kidnap me!"
"Impa would know that I did not." Link answered.
"Impa will agree with whatever I say...now I will have no more of this 'past-lives' nonsense...tell me who you are why I see you whilst I sleep!" the Princess demanded.
"I am Link, just Link. I have no family name as parents died when I was very young, I was taken in by a man named Jek, a humble fisherman in Lake Hylia Township, that is where I grew up, that is where I met my first friends and it's where my past first caught up with me in this life and was for why you dream of me...let's just call it destiny." Link explained.
"What do you mean 'destiny'?" Zelda snapped.
"You told me to stop talking about 'past-lives' so I can't really explain it." Link responded.
"You believe I'm destined for you?" Zelda replied.
"I burned away the poison in your blood and healed with a touch, did I not?" Link asked.
"You may be well versed in healing magic." Zelda countered.
"You have magic, do you see an aura around me?" Link answered.
Zelda went quiet for a moment, her eyes setting on Link as they began to glow, she took a step closer as she noticed it. He did have an aura, but not a magical one, it was something else, the only other time she'd seen it was when she looked upon herself. "That aura..."
"It emanates from the Triforce." Link explained as he held up his hand, the Triforce of Courage glowing brightly on the back of his glove.
Zelda looked down at her hand as her Triforce of Wisdom reacted to the call of it's sister.
"These were given to us by the Goddesses themselves, you and I are part of something so much bigger than all of this...and some day you'll understand that." Link said.
"I...came here to thank you for saving my life and nothing more...I...um...give you my thanks and I must be leaving now." Zelda said, a flustered tone to her voice as she quickly turned towards the exit, her dress swishing across the stone floors.
"Wait!" Link shouted.
Zelda, stopped, turning to look at him, a curiousness upon her features he could tell she was trying to push away. "What is it, Sir Link?" she asked.
"You've dreamt of him too, haven't you?" Link responded. "A tall imposing man who radiates strength and darkness, his skin is green, his gold and his hair red, his face exudes a ferocious ambition that threatens anyway that gets in his way and when you see him...all you feel is fear."
Zelda's entire body went cold as a shiver reportedly shot through her as her arms began to tremble. "Who is he?" she breathed.
"His name is Ganondorf and he's here right now...Termina isn't responsible for all the strange and violent goings on in Hyrule, it's him and if we don't prove that many innocent lives will be lost." Link explained as he strode over to Zelda, the Princess watching him wearily. "I can't fight him without you."
Zelda's shivers ceased as he grew near, the Princess becoming enraptured in his eyes, the desire to agree to his proposal and go with him beginning to overpower her when images of her parents and Jakob flashed through her mind. "I...I'll think about what you've said." Zelda answered as she quickly looked away and took a step back.
"Zelda, please." Link pleaded.
"That's Princess Zelda, or rather, 'your Highness' to you." Zelda answered. "You've given me much to think about and I must ponder it...I will take my leave now."
"I saw you and the King standing in front of it...the Royal Library...the original one." Link called after her. "You and I made that library...and we sealed it. The Portrait within it...that is us...you know this..."
Zelda stopped for a moment, a multitude of questions arose in her head but she pushed them away, she was betrothed to Jakob and destined to become the Queen of Hyrule someday, she couldn't afford to become more fixated on this. "Thank you for saving my life, I suggest you leave and go far away, my father does not plan for you to return from Termina with your life." the Princess said as she drew up the hood of her cloak and closed it over her dress, bowing her head as she made her way down the hall.
Link made to respond, but instead just lowered his head as she left, not even sparing so much as a look back in his direction.
Impa stood waiting at the end of the corridor, making her way over to her ward. "So how'd it go?"
"Can we just go home, please?" Zelda asked.
"That well, huh?" Impa said.
Zelda sent gave her Guardian a glance before turning and looking back ahead.
Impa walked side-by-side with Zelda, scanning the town for any possible threats, but all she saw was the occasional pub owner put out an empty keg or a market vendor getting ready for the morning. Her thoughts began to turn towards Zelda, the Princess' birthday wasn't for another month Ganondorf was already on the move. Impa let out a quiet sigh as she and Zelda made their way through the quiet streets of Castle Town.
Link watched the two disappear around a corner before heading back to his space, finding Osfala looking around curiously.
"That didn't sound like it went the way you wanted it to." the Sorcerer remarked.
"Oh no, that's exactly what I wanted." Link replied sarcastically.
"All joking aside, this is going to make things more difficult, isn't it?" Osfala asked.
"Very much so...I knew I wasn't expected to survive on the front lines, but the King gave me exactly what I needed, a place in Hyrule's politics, military and a close proximity to Zelda...this won't end the way he, Jakob or Ganondorf want it to." the Hero growled.
"You were looking for a better sword, right?" Osfala cut in.
"Yes...wait...what did you-?" Link said, spinning around to find Osfala reaching for a blade that had been closed in a chest. "Do not touch that!" he snapped.
"Why?" Osfala asked, quickly retracting his hand.
"That's the Four Sword, it's supposed to create three duplicates of yourself to fight alongside or otherwise aid you." Link explained.
"That sounds quite useful if I do say so myself, imagine if you had brought that to fight Ganondorf." Osfala answered.
"It has it's uses, but each duplicate has their own consciousness that's based on a personality trait of yours and when you let go of the sword they remerge with you, prolonged use can cause mental instability and split personalities." Link said. "Which is why I want to make sure no one else can get their hands on it."
"Right, sounds reasonable to me." Osfala said as he closed the chest. "So what now?"
"We go back to the Castle, sleep as long as we can and tell no one of this." Link responded.
"Shouldn't we tell the King that Ganondorf is alive, well and galavanting around Hyrule freely?" Osfala asked.
Link sighed before standing up and heading for the door. "I've done that before, it never ends well for the Soldiers sent to stop him, if they even believe me...we should get going, the later we're out the more questions will be asked."
Osfala merely nodded as he followed Link, taking a last look at the Hero's collection before closing the door.
oOo
Snow fell around a large manor, the winds beginning to pick up and the falling snow swirling as a sudden flash lit the night air, Jakob Lirien stepping out of it, he disliked warping but it was the only way to get to his home in a reasonable amount of time. The High Lord began trudging forward through the snow, a small stack of books in his arms. Jakob looked up as the door to his home opened, an older man holding it.
"Thank you, Alden." Jakob said as he made his way inside, the older man taking his books so he could remove his coat.
"This is quite the collection you've brought, Lord Jakob." Alden remarked. Alden had been the head servant for the Lirien family for three generations, his family having served as long as anyone could remember. Alden himself had begun training under his father in service of Jakob's grandfather many years prior but had been the only one of his family Jakob had ever known.
"I know, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm willingly conducting some research." Jakob replied as he shook off his coat before hanging it. "I'll take those." he said as he took the books back from Alden.
"May I ask what you've brought, my Lord?" Alden said.
Jakob set the stack down on the desk in his study before looking up at his servant. "Hyrule Historia, The Hylian Legnendarium, Gaepora's Chronicles, King Daphnes' Compendium, the Book of the Goddesses and Tales of the Hero."
"Ah, wanting to brush up on your history, Sir?" Alden replied.
"Kind of." Jakob said.
"I must admit, if you wish to learn about Hyrule's history, Tales of the Hero may be best left unread, my Lord." Alden stated.
Jakob breathed a deep sigh, placing his head in his hands before looking up at his servant. "Alden...what are your thoughts on the Hero of Hyrule?"
"May I speak freely, Sir?" Alden asked.
"Of course." Jakob said with a wave of his hand.
"I believe the Hero to be partly a religious figure and partly to be a tale for children...all these things he's said to have accomplished are deeds I believe were carried out by other warriors who's names have been lost to time and were thus attributed to this nameless but nonetheless legendary Hero...I have read Tales of the Hero and I must say, some of his feats are...well...impossible." Alden explained.
"I thought the same thing for a long time...but I saw something tonight and now...I don't want to but I'm starting to believe." Jakob admitted.
Alden adopted a look of concern as he regarded his Master, he had noticed to the late hour at which Jakob arrived but opted not to say anything about it until now. "My Lord, if I may ask...what's happened to you?"
"I don't wish to talk about it right now...but just an hour ago I was clad in broken armor walking the streets of Castle Town on my way to my quarters at Hyrule Castle to bathe and get a fresh set of clothes...this night has not been kind to me...but worry not, I am fine."
"Sir, you are the second most powerful man in Hyrule and you are telling me that you were walking the streets alone without a single guard and what you've told me about the state of your armor leads me to believe you had gotten into a conflict of some sort...please excuse me but I cannot help but worry." Alden called out.
Alden's sudden outburst gave Jakob pause, the Knight taking a seat and adopting a pensive expression. "What if you saw something that challenged everything you believed?" he began. "Something you can't ignore...something that will eventually take everything from you?"
"Goddesses...what's happened to you?" Alden asked.
"Just answer the question." Jakob replied.
"Well...I..." Alden stammered. "I would not want to believe...I may refuse to until I could be absolutely sure and if I knew this...something was going to take from me all that I have...I would damn well fight it until I could no longer."
Jakob nodded as a more serious expression took hold of his features. "That is what I intend to do."
"My Lord, will you please tell me-" Alden began, going silent as a hard knock came at the door. "Who could that possibly be? Especially at this time of night and in this weather?"
"Whoever it is, it must be urgent, tell them to meet me in the sitting room." Jakob said as he got up and made his way down the hall, Alden bowing once before heading the opposite direction. Jakob thrust open the doors and allowed himself to fall into a large armchair, the room already being warm and well-lit thanks to Alden's diligence when it came to keeping the fireplace and candles burning.
Soon enough Alden entered the room, holding the door as footsteps approached, Jakob's ears twitching as he recognized the clanking of armor. "My Lord, Captain Yotin of the Castle Town Guard is here to see you."
"Very well, show him in." Jakob replied.
"Show me in, you say this as if I actually have to ask permission." the Captain said as he strolled into the room, four Guards following close behind.
"You four!" Jakob called, eyeing the other Guards. "I meant for only the Captain to enter, the rest of you can wait outside.
"Sir?" one of the Guards asked as they turned to look at Yotin.
"You heard him, that's the King's Hand, he's ranked much higher than me, wait outside the room, we'll be done soon." the Captain answered.
"Wait outside the house." Jakob said.
The four Guards stood still, looking at each other in silence until one stepped forward. "But the weather up here is...rather cold, My Lord."
"Do at least one of you fellows have magic?" Jakob asked.
"I do, My Lord." one Guard answered.
"Then conjure a damn fire!" Jakob growled. "Alden, show them out!"
"Right this way, Sirs." Alden said as the men slowly filed out before him, the older man closing the door as they left.
"Was that really necessary?" Yotin asked as he took of his helm and placed it on the table next to him, revealing his darker complexion, red irises and closely shaved white hair.
"I'm not in the best mood right now and I'd rather talk to my good friend alone." Jakob said. "If you wish, I can have Alden prepare some tea for us."
"I appreciate it, but I'll have to be leaving soon, it took my men and I an hour to get up here and we'll be lucky if it doesn't take twice that long to get down." Yotin replied.
"My apologies, my ancestors constructed this home during the second Hyrulean Civil war, they thought that the slopes of Snowpeak would be an advantageous position should they have to endure a siege...they never did." Jakob explained with a smirk. "So, to what do I owe your presence, Captain?"
"You can call me by my name, you know." the Captain answered.
"As you wish...to what do I owe the visit, Lancis?" Jakob asked.
"The King wants to speak to you and Sir Link tomorrow." Yotin replied.
"What? I can understand the King wanting to speak to me...but him too?" Jakob answered in disbelief.
"I'm afraid it's not under the circumstances you're imagining." Yotin began. "King Gustaf wishes to hold a hearing, you and Sir Link did abandon your posts yesterday for hours. You didn't reappear until the middle of the night and at the time I left Sir Link and his Sorcerer friend hadn't yet returned."
"Damn him." Jakob growled. "He's been in my life one week and he's already gotten me in trouble."
"You are the King's Hand and the second most powerful man in the realm next to the King, I wouldn't be surprised if you out of this unscathed...in fact...this is more of a personal call, you weren't supposed to know until tomorrow, but I saw fit to give you warning so you could prepare. I can assure you the same will not be done for the Peasant Knight."
"The damned Peasant Knight...some farm boy sneaks into a Royal Ball and he's given a Knighthood for it, I'll never understand the King's reasoning." Jakob said.
"The King wants to keep a close eye on the boy while disposing of him by sending him off to war to die. We weren't the only ones there, the other guests saw Sir Link save the Princess' life and I'm sure the King was grateful as well, but the boy definitely ins't right in the head. King Gustaf thanked him with a Knighthood while also preventing any eventual problems Link may cause by sending him to die in the most admirable way possible...to all those who saw him save the Princess, he'll just have given his life for Hyrule and they'll move on."
"As insightful as that is, I still can't accept him." Jakob replied. "I refuse to."
"And no one's forcing you too, but remember, if you get him stripped of his Knighthood and dismissed by the King, you won't be able to keep an eye on him anymore." Yotin answered, Jakob remaining silent. "Anyway, I must be going by now, my men must be eagerly waiting for me on your doorstep."
"Yes, thank you for the warning, Lancis...see you in the morning." Jakob said.
"Have a good night, my friend...and best of luck tomorrow." Yotin said as he exited the room, closing the doors behind him.
Jakob sat, visions of Link saving Zelda's life through means he was only beginning to understand flashing through his head. The Knight tried to suppress his rage, grinding his teeth before slamming a fist down on the armrest on shooting to his feet, turning to face the fireplace and slowly lifting his gaze up to the portrait of his father that hung above it.
"I won't let him take all we've worked for."
oOo
Veran sat on a tree stump, cradling her head in her hands, for the first time since her resurrection by Koume and Kotake she had felt fear, the Hero and the other Knight that bested Twinrova were closing in on her and the Sorcerer she fought was gaining ground and thoughts of being thrown back into the cold confines of the Dark World began to inch into her mind, the end result being panic on her part...and now she had ran away.
Ganondorf would be furious and he would looking for her, this she knew...she thought of running, trying to get away, but that was no guarantee, hoping for mercy was her best chance.
"Veran!" a young voice called as the sounds of someone stepping through the underbrush echoed around the trees.
The Sorceress felt slight relief as she recognized Bastion's voice, but didn't let herself believe even for a moment that Ganondorf wouldn't have consequences for her actions in store for her.
"There you are!" Bastion called as he hacked through a tangle of branches with his blade.
"Don't act so surprised, you know how to track me by now." Veran answered. "My essence is very unique as I am the last of my kind."
"I won't apologize for being glad I found you." Bastion replied.
"Very well." Veran responded. "It is I who must apologize...for leaving you back there on your own...for running away."
"I don't blame you, even Lord Ganondorf hesitated to enter the battle at first, yet he'd never admit it." Bastion said.
"What consequences will I face for this?" Veran questioned.
"None right now...after the Hero and his allies got away Ganondorf collapsed again, this time Koume and Kotake are having more trouble trying to summon his soul back to his body. By the time they succeed, he may have forgotten about that." Bastion explained.
"Even if he does, the witches will remind him." Veran answered.
"True, but I'll come to your defense." Bastion said.
"What is this loyalty you have to me?" Veran asked.
"You, Ganondorf and even the witches are my family, but out of all of them you were the only one to ever show me any real care. My Father just wanted me to get stronger while Koume and Kotake thought of me as a servant, but you never pushed me, abused me or looked down on me, even when I was a child...and that is why I still want to move forward with our plans to dispose of them...because I want my freedom."
Veran didn't show it, but Bastion's words had awoken something long repressed inside of her, a type of of love she forgot she was capable of. "You will have your freedom, we just have to plan accordingly."
"Once he travels to the world of Twili we will break the Mirror of Twilight and then Twinrova will be the only thing standing in our way." Bastion said.
"Hopefully everything works out that way." Veran replied as the two made their way back to the Forest Temple.
oOo
Link dashed through the course, side-stepping every obstacle with ease, he was pleased to find that the training courses in this era provided Armos Soldiers, the stone soldiers leaping forward at him only for Link to effortlessly dodge their attacks, getting behind them and tapping the crystal on their backs with his sword, deactivating them before moving on to the next. The Hero narrowed his eyes as one last Armos Soldier hopped out in front of him, Link maintaining his course until it lurched at him, the Hero quickly spinning around it and tapping it's crystal with his sword, the Knight going dormant.
"Well, that wasn't so..." Link began, turning to find the other Knights still struggling with their first Armos Soldier.
"Wow, well done Sir Link!" Lord Ashcroft explained as Link sheathed his training blade.
"Yes, yes, he completed the course quickly but that means nothing." Jakob said dismissively, Link meeting his gaze, both glaring at the other.
Lord Ashcroft looked at the two curiously. "Well, I thought it was impressive and deserving of commendation."
"Do what you wish." Jakob answered.
"Wait for the others to finish and we'll construct something more challenging for you, Sir Link." Ashcroft called.
"Thank you, My Lord." Link said, taking great care not to acknowledge Jakob.
"Goddesses, one must wonder what's happening between you two." Ashcroft said.
"It's nothing." Jakob growled.
"Certainly seems like there's something going with you and Sir Link the Unnamed." Ashcroft said.
"It's no one's business but my own what goes on between the Peasant Knight and I." Jakob said as he took a step back.
"Fine then, I can respect that...but may I ask why you aren't out there showing all of them how it's done?" Ashcroft said.
Jakob groaned internally, time like this he almost considered removing Link from the front lines so he could get rid of Ashcroft instead. "I know this course forward and back, they need more training than I." Jakob said, the true reason being the injuries he sustained at the hands of Ganondorf, this only further stoking his anger at Link as he saw the newcomer, he suffered the same attacks up and about as if nothing happened.
"Oh, what's this now?" Ashcroft said, Jakob turning to find Yotin and a small team of Guards headed their way.
"You know, one of these days I'd like to see these Guards try this course, seeing as they're in charge of keeping us safe." Ashcroft remarked.
Jakob ignored him as Yotin made his way over to them.
"Sir Lirien, Sir Link, the King calls for you!" the Captain shouted.
"Well, it seems I must be going now, see to it that they continue training in my absence." Jakob said.
"Yes, My Lord." Ashcroft said.
"You called for me?" Link asked.
"I said your name, didn't I?" Yotin asked.
Link nodded as he followed the Captain and Jakob towards the Castle, restraining his curiosity all the while.
oOo
"Will Jakob be joining us?" Minister Crenissa asked.
"Not today, he's leading the other Knights in their training." Impa said as she thumbed through a book.
"I'm rather unconcerned about it, he's growing too arrogant." Minister Kalwin commented.
Minister Thalmont sat at the Council table, keeping to himself. He knew that his association with Blackmoore would come up at some point, but what he didn't know was how to convince he knew not of his intentions.
"It's good to see all of you here early." King Gustaf said as he entered the room, the Ministers going silent.
"How fares the Queen?" Impa asked.
"She's awake, but still isn't speaking." the King said as he took his seat, a severe expression on his face.
"Is something bothering you, my King?" Minister Svelheim asked.
"I saw Jakob and the boy Link in the training yards...it's as if they're trying to make it seem like they didn't just disappear last night with little explanation." Gustaf explained.
"If I'm not mistaking, we are holding a hearing for them shortly, correct?" Minister Thalmont asked.
The room went quiet, everyone regarding him with a suspicious glance before the King spoke. "Yes, they will be made to answer for their absence along with the Sorcerer the boy brought along with him."
"I have questions for him, he says he's a novice yet his skills outclass those of some of my best students." Minister Svelheim said.
"Since you're feeling like speaking now, did you have any idea what your friend Blackmoore was up to?" Impa chimed in, eyes set on Thalmont.
"I knew that question was going to be asked at some point and no, despite being a good friend of mine he hid his intentions well." the Minister answered.
"If he contacts you again, you will let us I know first, do you understand?" King Gustaf growled. "That bastard injured my wife and daughter...once he is found I will make sure death is no short road for him."
"I would expect no less." Thalmont responded.
"Do any of you bring good news?" the King asked.
"I do have news, I'm afraid it's not good, though." Minister Talon said.
"Out with it." the King said with a sigh.
"The illnesses from the rural areas are beginning to spread to larger villages and towns, my Healers and Physicians have no idea how to treat them, both magical and practical means have no effect." Minister Talon said.
"Do we have any more healers to spare, perhaps more competent ones?" the King posited.
"I've sent them all, my King." Minister Talon said.
The King lowered his head and massaged the bridge of this nose with his index finger and thumb before looking back up, his gaze settling on Impa. "It looks like you have something to say."
"Like the other Ministers, it's nothing good." Impa began. "It would seem preliminary reports were correct, a village in the Faron Province was raided by beasts and burned to the ground. Unlike other instances they left nothing behind."
"Don't we have a Guard contingent out there?" the King asked.
"The Village was small and only had about eight Guardsmen stationed, they would have been easily overwhelmed the beast's sheer numbers." Impa explained.
"I have something." a voice said as the door opened slowly, Lady Lywater letting herself in.
"You're late." the King growled.
"Sorry, I was doing some research, you didn't want me to come unprepared, did you?" she asked.
"Do you mean to say..?" Minister Kalwin began.
"Lady Lywater will be taking the former Lord Blackmoore's place as the new Minister of Royal Affairs...I position which she won't maintain if she's late to our next session." the King said.
"I apologize, I was just following up on something happening in a Village in which my family's ancestral seat is located." Lady Lywater explained.
"What fresh hell is this?" the King groaned.
"Children have been disappearing, first in small numbers but then five of them vanished in one night. Unlike other Lords and Ladies I care for the smallfolk under my care, so naturally I want this sorted out." she replied.
"Children? Who would do such a thing?" Minister Trondheim responded.
"Witches, Bokoblins, Lizalfos, Poes, you name it." Impa said.
"You can't afford to hire someone to look into this for you?" the King asked.
"I did." Lady Lywater answered, taking on a serious expression. "They never came back."
"I'll see who I can spare, but with the war effort going into full swing I'm not sure how many men that will be." Impa said.
"I only want one." Lady Lywater replied.
"Who might that be?" Minister Crenissa asked.
"Sir Link."
oOo
Impa stood at the doorway, waiting for the other Ministers when she noticed a familiar face. "What in Hyrule are you still doing here?" she called as she made her way over to Captain Eldrin.
"Ah, Impa, I was hoping I'd see you again." the Captain answered.
The Sheikah woman leaned in close. "Rauru, what are you doing?"
"Listen, with the Sages and Sahasrahla dead and Zelda without her memories, Link needs as many allies as he can get right now...so I've resigned from my posting as Captain of the Guard for Lake Hylia Township. I managed to use my good record to be instated as a Lieutenant of the Guard here in Castle Town."
"That's not the plan, you get Link to where he needs to be and maybe offer him some assistance along the way, but this, this will definitely make him suspect even more than he already does." Impa argued.
"The truth about us has to come out some time, maybe in this life, maybe in the next." Eldrin said.
"Weren't you supposed to take the Link's friends home, though?" Impa asked.
"I had Carac take charge of that, he's acting Captain until the find a new one, perhaps it will be him, but I'm not sure." Eldrin answered.
"Well, I hope they're safe this time, the Goddesses know you didn't do much for them." Impa hissed.
"I did the best I could, if you haven't figured it out yet, I may be younger in this life than I usually am but I do not have magic. Besides, none of that would have happened if they hadn't snuck away with Link before I could take him myself." Eldrin replied.
Impa closed her eyes and sighed before looking back up at her fellow former Sage. "Our role is to secretly aid Link and Zelda but already Link has gone up against Ganondorf but long before he was ready...of course I wasn't there but I tracked him, Osfala and Jakob once they arrived and by the looks of they had been beaten quite decisively and barely managed to make it out alive."
"Whatever the case is, I'm here now and I will do better." Eldrin said.
"We both need to do better...things are progressing faster than they should be and when they reach a tipping point, we need to be ready." Impa said before turned and walked away, filing into the Throne room.
Eldrin followed her, noticing as he entered the room that Osfala was already present, fear apparent in his eyes. Soon enough, Captain Yotin entered, bringing with him Link and Jakob, both glaring at each other before taking their spots on opposite sides of Osfala, the young Sorcerer being used as a buffer.
Link felt his heart quicken as he found Zelda sitting next to her father, an empty seat where the Queen would usually sit on his other side.
"Ministers and Senior Military officials, we are here today to hold an inquiry into the whereabouts of Lord Jakob of House Lirien, Sir Link the Unnamed and the Sorcerer Apprentice Osfala due to their absence and use of unauthorized magic within the Castle. To those who wish to say something, wait until after the three in question have spoken, then I will hear your testimony. If I find their answers suspect or unsatisfactory, I will strip the individual of their titles and cast them out or if I deem it necessary, imprison them...let us begin with Sir Lirien." the King said.
Link looked over at Osfala as Jakob stepped forward, the two making eye contact, Link wanting to apologize and express his remorse as dragging his new friend into this, but knew he had to stay silent. The Hero looked forward, meeting Zelda's gaze, the two staring into each other's eyes for a moment before the Princess broke it off.
Jakob noticed Zelda looking in Link's direction and used all the willpower he had to ignore it, instead focusing on the task at hand, he could always deal with Link later.
"My King, my betrothed." Jakob began, barely being able to hold back a smirk as he saw Link tense out of the corner of his eye. "I hope you can excuse my absence last night for it was unplanned, I merely saw Sir Link and Osfala racing through the Hall and up the stairs and wanted to see why they were behaving so improperly."
Link ground his teeth as Jakob spoke, wanting nothing more than to shout at him right then and there, but held himself back for he and Osfala's sakes.
"And what did you find?" the King asked.
Link leaned forward, awaiting Jakob's answer, only for the Knight to pause, the whole court watching him shift uncomfortably as his mouth hung slightly open.
"Have you been struck mute? We require an answer!" Minister Kalwin called.
"Somehow...Sir Link knew of the location of an enemy base...Osfala warped him there and I...after grabbing Link's shoulder was taken along my mistake." Jakob explained hesitantly.
"Impossible!" Minister Svelheim called. "Osfala is a novice student, warping is a feat of magic that takes years of experience to master!"
"I do not, lie, Minister!" Jakob called.
"Quiet!" the King called, the chatter in the court dying down. "Take a step back, I have questions for the others."
Link and Jakob exchanged glances, the Knight seeming less confident than before.
"Sir Link, is what Lord Lirien says true?" Gustaf asked.
Link stepped forward, locking eyes with the King. "It is my King, I would not deem anything he has said inaccurate. I knew of the enemy installation due to this." Link said, quickly drawing the blade he had taken from Bastion, the Guards around him drawing their spears and pointing them in his direction, the King raising hand, signaling the Guards to stand down.
"What does that sword have to do with this?" the King asked.
"Before I came to Castle Town my home village was attacked by raiders and one of them dropped this sword, I've carried it ever since and Osfala used the bond the blade had with it's owner to track them." Link explained, feeling Osfala eyeing him as he lied, but it was the only explanation he thought the King would believe.
Minister Thalmont tensed in his seat, that his sword, the one he had dropped during his fight with the Hero in Lake Hylia Township. His nervousness gave way to confusion however due to the fact that if they used magic to see who had held the sword last and track them it would have lead back to him...a new worry overcame him as he realized the King might take the sword and perform the same spell on it to see what the boy found...and it would take the, straight to him.
"And why did you hurry off on your own?" the King asked.
Link thought about telling the truth about Dahlian, Viktor and Zinnia being taken to bait him, that he was the Hero and that Ganondorf was responsible when he hesitated...the people in this age weren't prepared for that and he knew from experience he'd just seem insane as a result. He looked up, prepared to give whatever excuse came to mind when Zelda's connected with his, he could swear her sapphire blue irises gleamed with recognition as she looked upon him, the Hero deciding it was time.
"I hurried off on my own, because this quest is my own." Link said as he stepped forward.
"What are you doing?" Jakob hissed.
"He's telling the truth." Osfala answered, equally as shocked.
"I am the Hero of Legend!" Link shouted as he brought up his hand, the Triforce beginning to glow until it built into a brilliant golden light, it's power illuminating the chamber. "I am the Champion of the Goddesses and the defender of Hyrule."
The King, like the rest of the court, sat rooted in their chairs, a stunned silence falling over the room. He almost wanted to stand, call the boy's claims ridiculous and cast him out, but he could feel it, the energy the coursed through the room interacted with the magic in his own veins and he knew this was something greater than just a simple spell. Gustaf was roused from his stunned state as Zelda shot to her feet, looking down at her own hand as her Triforce of Wisdom reacted to it's sister's use.
"What...what is this?" she asked, though through her dreams and visions, she had already begun to know.
"I've come to face Ganondorf, the greatest evil ever created and the King of Demons, this is the power of the Goddesses!" Link called out as one last blinding flash shown from his Triforce before he lowered his fist and looked back at the King, the man's mouth agape.
The court sat in silence, not a single sound was heard until a cry rang out.
"They live! The Prochpecy is fulfilled! The Hero of Legend and the Princess of Destiny are among us once again!" Minister Kalwin called as he rose from his seat and began down the stairs. "You have mocked me, called me mad for believing but here they are! Among us right here and right now!" the man called as he position himself between Link and Zelda.
"I...I can't believe this." Jakob stammered, the realization finally washing over him, visions of the passages he read and the pages he examined flashing through his head, everything made sense, even though he didn't want it to. The Knight almost became lost in though when his whole body tensed, his teeth clenching together and his eyes going wide, in every tale of the Hero he read, he and the Princess married, they had children, they became King and Queen...
"I want to refute this, but I can't." Minister Svelheim said. "I think we can all agree on what we sensed, that was not magic, but raw energy of a kind I have never felt before."
"But it's not dark energy, it's something else." Impa responded.
"It's the power of the Goddesses." King Gustaf said as he stood.
"I've been telling you all of this for decades and all it took were the Hero and Princess to appear themselves to convince you!" Minister Kalwin said.
"Father..?" Zelda said quietly as she braced herself against her seat.
"Yes, Zelda?" the King asked before looking down, an alarmed expression taking over his face. "Zelda dearest, what's wrong?" he asked.
"My...my head!" Zelda exclaimed before clutching at her temples, the Princess letting out a cry before fainting.
"Zelda!" Link and Jakob called out in unison, both glancing at each other fiercely.
"Well, this is certainly getting out of hand." Thalmont muttered before looking down to find a Guard he didn't recognize staring at him, the Minister merely looking away before the realization hit him. "That's the same guard I faced at Lake Hylia." he thought.
"Minister Talon!" the King called.
"I'm here, my King!" the Minister of Health said as he raced down the stairs. He positioned himself over Zelda, hands glowing with energy as he ran them over her unconscious form. "It's...it's her magic, it's going crazy like it's trying to burst out of her body." he began.
"Let me through!" Jakob shouted as he burst through the line of Guards that had formed.
"Out of the way!" Link called as he followed.
Jakob whirled around to face Link, his dark hair falling over half of his face. "You! She is my betrothed! You are nothing to her!"
"Fellows, this is the not the time or place for this!" Captain Yotin shouted.
"Link! Let it go!" Eldrin called as he approached them.
The man's voice didn't register as the Hero's eyes fixed on the Knight before him, their faces beginning to twist with rage.
"You know exactly who I am...and who she is to me." Link replied.
Jakob let out a cry of rage as he charged at Link tackling the Hero to the ground, the guards watching the two, not sure what action to take.
The King looked up from Zelda at the sound of the disturbance, his eyes fixing on Jakob and Link as they grappled on the floor. "What in the Goddesses names is going on?!" he roared.
"My, my, what is going on between those two?" a feminine voice sounded from over Osfala's shoulder.
The young Sorcerer turned to find Lady Lywater standing beside him, a fascinated and amused look on her face. "You think this is funny?" he asked.
"In a dark sort of way, yes." she said with a smirk.
"Sahasrahla warned me about people like you." Osfala answered wryly.
Link tilted his head to the side to avoid a punch, Jakob's fist instead hitting the ground, the Hero throwing a knee into the man's stomach, Jakob crying out before Link grabbed his chest on both sides, tossing him off and getting to his feet.
"Stay away from Zelda, you bastard!" Jakob yelled as he charged at Link.
Link leaned forward as Jakob through a right jab followed by a left hook, Link catching both his hands and gripping them tightly. "I may be a bastard, but I'm twice the man you are!" he said before releasing Jakob's right arm before pulling his left forward, twisting it back and causing the Knight's stance to widen. In one fluid motion, Link pulled Jakob's arm to right and swept out his right leg from underneath him, the Nobleman falling to the ground. "I have over one-thousand years of training and experience, so I'd stop here if I were you."
I'm not you, I'm better than you!" Jakob said as he shot to his feet, extending a hand, summoning his blade into it. "I'll kill you where you stand!"
Link reached for his sword, finding it wasn't there, he had no time to think of this however as Jakob was upon him. The Hero took up a defensive posture, ready to dodge to the side when all of sudden blackness overtook him, blotting out his vision and silencing everything around him, his entire body beginning to lose feeling.
The Court watched as shadows enveloped both Link and Jakob, the two crying out in alarm as they struggled against them before falling to the ground.
"Thank you, Impa." the King said as he looked over at the Sheikah woman, shadows extending from her hands and across the floor.
"No need to thank me, I tired of their antics." she said as she ceased the spell, both Link and Jakob lying stunned on the floor.
"Take them both to the dungeons, I'll speak with them later!" the King called, Guards rushing over to gather up the two.
"But my King, that boy is the Hero of Legend!" Minister Kalwin called.
"I don't give a damn who he is right now, after his display my daughter fell suddenly ill and then he had the audacity to start a fight while she was being tended to...I'm not even sure I believe his claims yet." the King replied.
"Then I will go get the proof you require myself." the Minister said before storming off towards the dungeons.
"First my wife now my daughter...Goddesses help me." the King said as Healers carried Zelda out of the room.
Thalmont watched from the second floor as he clutched his blade, having taken it from Link while everyone was distracted, he needed to make sure the same fate that befell Blackmoore didn't await him.
Below, Eldrin watched him from behind a pillar as people filed out of the room, chatter about the Hero of Legend fighting the Hand of the King filling the air. The former Captain waited until Osfala exited before calling the boy over.
"You there! I need a word with you." he called.
"Listen, I know I've been seen with Link quite a bit but I had nothing to do with that." the Sorcerer replied.
"I know that, I had a question of a different sort." Eldrin explained.
"What do you mean?" Osfala responded.
"Right when the Princess fainted, did you sense anything, like a sudden and small spike in magic, but not from them?" Eldrin asked.
Osfala thought back, searching through his memories of that moment before looking up at Eldrin. "Now that you mention it, yes, but I assumed it was Minister Talon as he was rushing to her aid...why do you ask?"
"Because I was watching Link the entire time, one moment his sword was there in it's sheath, then the next it disappeared as if it just blinked out of existence." Eldrin said.
"I noticed he didn't have his sword when Jakob drew his...it seemed odd seeing as he was training right before this." Osfala responded.
"I used to be the Guard Captain for Lake Hylia Township, there was a raid one night conducted by two attackers, I couldn't make out their faces but I could hear their voices...Minister Thalmont was one of them...I'm sure of it." Eldrin explained. "Can you sense any magic around him...anything he could have used to retrieve that sword without anyone seeing it?"
"I didn't get a good look at him." Osfala answered.
"Well, then get one now, he's right there." Eldrin said, gesturing towards the third floor from behind his pillar. "And try not to make it look like you're watching him"
Osfala ducked behind a pillar himself, peeking out and staring at the man, narrowing his eyes as he spotted an aura around something that was tucked into his jacket. "He's got something with him."
"But what is it?" Eldrin asked urgently.
"I don't know." Osfala said, both he and Eldrin watching as Thalmont turned and entered the hall to his left, leaving their line of sight.
oOo
Hyrule's Southern Shores
Ganondorf stood at the edge of the tree line, clad head to toe in black armor with ornate silver trim around it's edges, his dark red cape resting upon his back. Behind him stood Bastion, Twinrova, Veran and Blackmoore plus a a compliment of two-hundred beasts hiding within the trees.
"Blackmoore, where's your friend?" Ganon growled.
"He was called into a council session, it appears the Hero and Jakob got themselves in trouble and the entire council had to be there to watch them get eviscerated by the King...unlike me he hasn't sacrificed his position for the cause so he still has to do those things."
"Our guests are going to be here any moment, so you'd do well to send him a reminder." Ganondorf said as he eyed the shoreline, ten ships nearing them, their hulls clad in steel with two rows of canons peering out their sides with one large cannon mounted on the bow of each vessel.
"I don't see why we need to enlist the help of Mercenaries, they're untrustworthy." Veran said.
"Says the coward." Twinrova hissed.
"You would have ran away if that Knight didn't sink his sword into your back." Veran replied. "How shameful is it that after centuries upon centuries of growing your powers a mortal human Knight defeated you?"
"You dare speak to us like that you little wretch?" Twinrova growled as fire began to flare around her, frost spreading over the ground.
"Calm yourselves." Bastion said. "You can fight all you want after this is over."
"You won't stand for this, will you?" Twinrova asked as she gestured at Ganondorf.
"Restrain yourselves or I'll incinerate the both of you." the Demon King growled.
"Well, there's your answer." Bastion muttered.
A flash suddenly illuminated the forest, the beasts beginning to stand from their crouched positions while Bastion, Veran and Twinrova turned to see the newcomer, only Ganon and Blackmoore remaining unfazed.
"Welcome to the party, Halkkon." Blackmoore said.
"...Glad to be here..." Thalmont said as he looked around wearily as the beasts, Bastion, Twinrova and Veran glared at him.
"You're late." Twinrova said.
"I was held up, I told Blackmoore that through my Seer's Stone...did he not-?" Thalmont began.
"I did...they didn't care." the former Minister replied.
"Well, I'll have you now this crystal was quite useful." Thalmont said as he pulled a crystalline shard from his jacket. "It was able to freeze time just long enough for me to take my sword back from the Hero...he didn't even notice."
"Your sure that's all they had that could possibly lead them back to us?" Veran asked.
"Positive." Thalmont answered.
"We'll speak of this later, they've arrived." Ganondorf said as a rowboat carrying three men reached the beach.
The Demon King marched down the sands, Veran, Twinrova, Bastion, Blackmoore and Thalmont behind him.
"That man is absolutely massive." Blackmoore said as he set his eyes on the man that stood in the center of the three.
"That's the Captain." Veran replied.
"Well, by the Goddesses it's really you." the man said as the two groups met. "When word got out that we'd been hired by Ganondorf himself, most of my men cautioned me not to come...the ones who believed it, that is."
"My existence was once common knowledge and once I'm done here, it will be once again." Ganondorf replied.
"Hmph, well, it's nice to finally meet you." the man said as he approached Ganon, the Demon King being forced to tilt his eyes upwards as he stood a head above him, something he was not accustomed to.
"I assume you've readied you forces for what's to come." Ganondorf replied, forgoing his greeting.
"I have eighty-four ships, each with a crew of seventy men, I don't need to be ready because no one's ready for us." the man answered.
"Then why haven't you attacked any of the five lands before?" Veran asked in a skeptical tone.
The man turned his head, a smirk forming along his lips. "Who says we haven't? We raid here and there, we're not too interested in taking an entire Kingdom...unless paid to do so." he said before turning back to Ganondorf and motioning towards Veran. "How about adding her as payment for our services, I like that blue skin of hers."
"You dare-!" Veran growled, Ganondorf holding up a hand as she started forward.
"Veran is one of the most powerful Sorcerers to ever live, you'd do well to respect her." the Demon King stated.
"Fine then...but there's still the matter of payment." the Captain said.
Ganon's features twisted somewhat at the man's words before he composed himself. "What do you mean by this? I've already given you three ships weight in gold and two-hundred thousand rupees, you mean to tell me this is not enough?" he growled.
"You paid him how much?!" Bastion asked in disbelief.
"This boy your financial advisor or something?" the Captain asked.
"Calm yourself, Bastion, these are parts of a fortune I've been amassing over the course of centuries, it is no business of yours." Ganondorf snapped.
"I wonder where he's been hiding that." Blackmoore muttered.
"I'm afraid there's one more thing I wanted to add." the Captain said.
"And what might that be?" Ganon hissed.
"Like all children, my parents read to me Tales of the Hero and in every story he wielded the Master Sword, apparently it was forged by the Goddesses themselves and contains their own power...if you're real that means it's real...and I desire it." the man said.
"That's preposterous!" Ganondorf spat. "Someone like you could never wield a weapon such as that, it only lends it's power to the boy and even if I were inclined to give it to you I do not possess it nor can I access it's resting place."
"Would you take issue with telling 'someone like me' where to find it? Because I care to test my luck with retrieving it." the Captain said.
"I'll get it to you after I've taken Hyrule and the boy has been disposed of...does this please you?" Ganondorf asked.
The man looked like he was pondering it for a moment, tapping a finger against his chin before looking back at the group in front of him. "Fine, but you better come through on that or else I'll turn my men on you."
"I would expect no less." Ganondorf answered.
"Looks like we have a deal then...so we'll start with Termina, meet your armies there, then make our way into Hyrule." the Captain responded.
"That's correct, don't make me regret this." Ganondorf answered.
"I'll do what I've been paid to." the Captain said before starting back towards his ship.
The group watched the man leave for a moment before Thalmont broke the silence.
"Is that who I think it was?"
"Yes, provided you believe him to be Captain Daemus Ginthorne." Twinrova said.
"He's a means to and end and nothing more." Ganon growled.
"You don't actually intend to give him the Master Sword, do you?" Bastion asked.
"Of course not! If Ginthorne doesn't die in battle then I will be the end of him, I don't intend for him to make it to the end of this." Ganondorf said. "I know it's a prize you want for yourself and if you serve me well, then we'll see if it accepts you."
Veran looked at Bastion, deciding to voice her thoughts to take Ganondorf's attentions away from him. "Why must we hire outside help to secure the Sacred Grounds?"
"The Sacred Grounds hold a type of energy, something humans can easily pick up on, that why they built their city directly on top of my former prison, I must take Clock Town to regain my power to it's fullest extent. I am not strong enough for that task at the moment and beasts aren't suited for it."
"We definitely have our work cut out for us." Blackmoore said.
oOo
Link laid in his cell, staring at the ceiling, unable to turn his thoughts away from Zelda. He knew it wasn't her birthday, if so there would have been a celebration thus the state she was in was his fault, he called on the Triforce's power and it's sister's reaction triggered something within her...maybe now she'd remember who she was...who they were. The Hero closed his eyes tightly, trying to summon more productive thoughts about how to counter Ganondorf but all he was greeted by were thoughts of the so-called Demon King easily besting him...he hated to think of what would've happened had not Osfala arrived just in time.
Link tilted his head to the side as the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, not paying it much mind as it was most likely the Guard making his rounds.
"Still in there, I see." a feminine voice called.
Link sat upright, finding Lady Lywater looking through the bars at him. "Did you come down here to taunt me?" Link asked.
"Of course not!" she replied, feigning offense. "If I had known they had failed to release at the same time as Jakob I would've come sooner."
"Jakob's already been let out?" Link exclaimed.
"It seems the King wanted to have a word with him, but they decided you hadn't learned you lesson yet...it seems they aren't quite convinced you're the Hero." Lady Lywater answered.
"And you are?" Link countered.
"Enough so to secure your release...on one condition." Lady Lywater said.
"And that would be?" Link asked.
"Children are going missing in the lands my family is supposed to be watching over, I thought this a fitting task for a Hero such as yourself."
"I'm supposed to be going to Termina, seeing as all attempts at proving their innocence failed." Link responded.
"Not all attempts." Lady Lywater replied, a smile curling along her lips. "The King has delayed engaging them, instead looking for more reason to believe it was them behind the attacks."
"At least this day brings some good news." Link said.
"So, you will have more than enough time should you decide to help me." Lady Lywater responded.
"There are children going missing and you think I'll refuse to help?" Link began. "I'll do what you ask."
"You think he's involved, don't you?" Lady Lywater asked.
"He?" Link countered.
"Ganondorf." Lady Lywater said.
Link shot to his feet and approached the bars separating them, not standing more than arm's length away from the woman. "You don't just believe that I'm the Hero, you don't just simply believe all this is true...you know it is."
"Well of course, my great Grandmother always told stories of the Hero, the Twilight invasion and of course the fearsome Ganondorf and his beasts, I may have known her as my great-grandmother...but you knew her as Ashei."
oOo
Hello everyone! Thanks for your patience, I know it's been a while but I hope this chapter was worth the wait!
James Birdsong: Thanks! Good hearing from you as always!
Queen Emily the Diligent: I'm sorry! I know I left off at a bad place but I hope this chapter made the wait worth it! Thank you so much! I think this is the first time my work has been described as 'awesome' and that's pretty awesome! I'm glad I kept you on your toes! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Generala: Kind of, but with Impa's help, you know how that goes! Jakob has his own motivations, this chapter explores them a little bit more, but he was raised to think he's better than everyone else and I don't see him abandoning that mindset any time soon. He sees Zelda and Hyrule as his birthright and doesn't believe in the Hero and Ganondorf thus he believes the Royal family has only Royal/Noble blood in their veins and doesn't want to accept that there's some cosmic order that's going to see him edged out of the life he had envisioned for himself. I do have to apologize for the wait, I think it's been almost two months so I am very sorry about that! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for the review!
LoruleanHeart: Jakob, while kind of a jerk in all other respects, still has some honor here and there. I still have uses for him in the future, so fortunately for him, becoming a Stalfos isn't on his to-do list. Link and Jakob's rivalry came to head in this chapter, I hope you enjoyed that as well as I hope you enjoyed Link and Zelda's reunion! Thanks for reading and thank your for your reviews!
Ultimate-blazer: I love that you love the fights and old man Ganon! Thank you for your feedback and your positive reviews! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
That about wraps it up, as always, thank you to all of those who checked off follow and favorite on my story and my profile, it really helps to keep me going!
Once again, I apologize for the wait, I've been going to school and working full time so I'm very short on free time but I'll have a break soon enough and with that time I'll hopefully be able to update my stories in a more frequent and reliable manner!
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
-Prometheus17