The Legend of Zelda
Ti'ana's Story
__________by Ti'ana MYST
Chapter Thirteen
Nikita tapped her foot impatiently against the saddle of her horse. It had been less than a half hour since she left Lon Lon, but she was very intolerant when it came to waiting. Finally, she could hear Ti'ana approaching.
Flicka reared back as a giant Poe rose out of the ground in front of her. Ti'ana was unarmed, as Nikita knew, so, acting quickly, she drew a bow and two arrows, shooting them directly at the back of the ghost. Gerudo women were very skilled when it came to aim, so it was no surprise she didn't need any more arrows than two.
Ti'ana struggled to calm down the horse. Finally, Flicka kept all four feet on the ground without a problem and Ti'ana walked her over to Nikita.
"Please, Nikita, I don't want Ganondorf to hurt her. I'll go in first and you can bring Flicka in afterwards. Watch her carefully."
Nodding, the Gerudo woman took hold of the reins Ti'ana offered to her. "Don't worry so much about the horse than your own life and the lives of your friends. Ganondorf has no interest in the mare. He wants you."
Agreeing, Ti'ana muttered, "Why me?" She trudged into the valley with her head hung low.
Dark clouds began to roll in and cover the sunlight. A low rumble of thunder filled Hyrule Field. It was difficult to hear, but the ground moved slightly in sync with the noise. A flash of light streaked across the sky, but it didn't come from the clouds; it came from the middle of Gerudo Valley.
Ti'ana remembered the day Ganondorf kidnapped her: the sky was dark like it was becoming now. Taking this as a bad omen, Ti'ana shivered uncontrollably. She gingerly stepped across the flimsy wooden plank that swayed at her every move. It almost tipped over completely, causing Ti'ana to leap the last three feet onto solid ground.
A thought ran through her head as she walked further. The bridge connecting Hyrule Field to Gerudo Valley was broken, and she had left Flicka in the care of Nikita.
Sighing, she walked to the edge of the cliff, and was surprised to see the bridge fixed. "When did this happen?" She questioned quietly as she tested the sturdiness of the wooden bridge. After tapping the toe of her leather sandals, stepping on it completely and jumping up and down a few times, she was content with it and walked across.
An old, overweight man stood in front of a tent. She nodded a hello, and jumped back when he sneered at her.
"Kids these days!" He grunted. "Worthless, I tell you!" Motioning to the tent, he continued, "'Specially those four bum carpenters in there. Only work well together. After that fairy kid came and saved 'um from the Gerudo women they got their heads together and fixed that bridge."
Ti'ana nodded and stepped back a little. "I'll be.. going now." She sprinted away from the man. As she ran, she secured the veil around her face and nearly ran into a wall.
Upon entering the darkened valley, Ti'ana ran into Nikita's friend, Judit.
"Ti'ana!" She gasped. Her eyes darted around the valley. "Ganondorf is angry," Judit added nonchalantly as she grabbed 'Ana's arm. "He requests your presence in the Spirit Temple. You're friends are being held captive until your arrival."
Ti'ana yanked her arm away. "I'll go myself." She pulled out her ocarina. Nuli, who was resting on top of it, fluttered around Ti'ana. Ti'ana placed her lips on the mouthpiece and played the first few notes of the Requiem of Spirit. Nuli didn't ask questions; she flew rapidly around Ti'ana and the two were transported to the Spirit Temple.
***
Malon watched in horror as Taabu was strewn about the room from Stalfos to Wolfos to Iron Knuckle. He was badly beaten up and Malon couldn't tell whether he was conscious or not. Blood trickled down his brow over his lips and a dark purple spot was forming around his right eye.
A Guay kept flying past Malon and would occasionally pull out a strand of her hair. She wanted so much to swat at it, but her arms were held behind her back in the mouth of a Giant Deku Baba, who was planted in a large pot, as a Blue Tektite rammed into her stomach with its head.
Ganondorf sat on the stairs inside the Spirit Temple. His forehead rested in his hands, shaking his head every now and then. He turned his head to see the mangled Taabu and helpless Malon. "All right, I believe that is enough for today."
The moblins didn't listen. They continued beating up the two teenagers.
Ganondorf stood up and boomed, "I SAID STOOOOP!"
The Guay holding a piece of Malon's hair hovered above her. He flew away, not realizing he was still holding it, and yanked the hair from her head. As she cried out in pain, Ganondorf shocked the small, birdlike creature in midair, instantly knocking it out. The Deku Baba let go of Malon immediately.
At a snap of his fingers, Ganondorf's henchmen all disappeared. Taabu was in worse shape than Malon thought. He could barely keep himself on both feet. "I hate to bother defenseless yet bothersome beings, but I had a deal with Ti'ana that you two would be under my control until she came here."
Taabu struggled to stand up straight. "You can kill me, but don't hurt Ti'ana."
Ganondorf appeared to smile, a twisted, evil grin that spread from ear to ear as he sat down. "I admire your nobility. Even so, what goes on between Ti'ana and I are not your business. You are only here to ensure she comes."
"She's already here," Ti'ana's voice echoed through the large fore-chamber of the temple.
Ganondorf stood up. "Lady Ti'ana, I didn't think you'd make it."
"I wouldn't abandon my friends, Ganondorf. Of course, you wouldn't know about loyalty to friends now, would you, King?"
"You mock me, Ti'ana." He stalked over and circled around her like a lion hunting his prey. "You always were the sarcastic type." He placed an arm around her shoulder. "Why can't you just obey me like all my other slaves? I have given you privileges galore. I have turned the world upside-down for you!"
Malon was confused. "What is he talking about?"
Ganondorf faked a gasp. "Why, Ti'ana, you haven't told them your secret? I know I have not yet announced it, but you didn't tell your friends?"
He smiled again, almost like a little schoolboy who had just found a Golden Skultula. "Well Malon, Taabu, your friend Ti'ana is the new Queen of Hyrule!"