Disclaimer: I own nothing…well almost nothing anyway '^_^'

Disclaimer: I own nothing…well almost nothing anyway '^_^'

Legend

By: Matthew Handy

An ancient myth

Many years ago, the world was in an age of chaos. It was during this time that a legend was born. A legend of a young, Elvin girl, born of royal lineage, and the boy who would overcome all odds to bring peace to her kingdom.

In this legend, there was an ancient relic known as the Triforce, and an evil that would stop at nothing to possess its power. In the end, it would take the courage of a young adventurer to bring an end to this evil.

It was a legend of Zelda, a boy named Link, and the fated night that would change them both…forever…

The fragile calm that Hyrule has enjoyed is about to be shattered…

Part one

Chapter 1 – A Nightmare and a Dream Girl

"Just a little farther…" called the young elf. He continued to climb, finally pulling himself up onto a small ledge.

Heaving a sigh, he ran his fingers through his sweat-drenched, blond hair and waited for his friend to join him. He didn't have to wait long.

A few moments later, a hand reached up. "Link," the boy called, "Tell me again why we're climbing up Death Mountain during the hottest part of the Summer."

Link reached down, clasping his friend's hand. He pulled up with all his might, hauling the younger boy over and onto the ledge. Both of them sat, gasping for breath. They sat silently, recovering from their climb.

It was a beautiful day in the ancient land of Hyrule. The sun was high in the cloudless sky, giving the two onlookers a marvelous view of all of Hyrule. The kingdom spread out before them. Link looked out at it in awe. Never before had he been this high up on Death Mountain, and as he gazed down at the tiny place that he called home, Link began to realize just how small his world truly was.

Link laughed and slapped his companion on the shoulder, "Because, James, it's there. That's why we do everything, isn't it?"

James sighed in mild annoyance, "Yeah, bro." he glanced up at the cloud of thin, gray ash that rose from the top of Death Mountain's peak. He squinted and could almost make out the Tower of Hera, an ancient temple that was said to be haunted, and was off limits to most people, "But still. Climbing up the side of an active volcano isn't exactly my idea of a good time." He exhaled sharply, regarding his older brother with a bit of uncertainty. James' long, brown hair swayed as the breeze began to pic up. A moment later, the boy's head drooped, letting his green hood fall to the ground.

"I'll tell you!" Link affirmed, "Hyrule has never looked so beautiful."

"I guess…" James replied, noncommittal.

The older boy looked at his brother, "Something wrong?"

"Nah. I dunno, Link. Everything looks so tiny. I'm not sure that I like being this high. And…" James trailed off.

"And?"

"I just got a bad feeling."

Link laughed, "Aww, James! You always have a bad feeling about everything. What's with you today? You've been nervous since I dragged you out of the house to do this."

James laughed too. He wiped the sweat from his brow, "Well…it was kinda sudden. You're always so impulsive. I know it's going to get you into trouble some day."

"I know, I know," exclaimed the older teen, "Don't worry about me."

They both sat in silence for a time. Link looked up the sheer cliff that stood above them, "You know?" Link finally admitted, "Maybe it would be best to go back from here. It looks too steep to climb any further."

"Agreed," responded James. Then a moment later, "You know what?"

"What?"

James looked at Link with a solemn glance, "I think this place will be important to you someday. I'm glad we came here, or I wouldn't have known. I think you'll do something important on this mountain some day."

"Whoa…you're starting to scare me, James," said Link. He tried to keep his own expression serious, attempting to figure out what his brother could possibly mean by that.

Before James could clarify himself, the ground under them began to rumble. Both boys looked around frantically, quickly realizing that the mountain itself had begun to quake. Link attempted to stand, but succeeded only in stumbling and falling back to his knees. Meanwhile, the younger boy scrambled trying to get as far away from the edge of the outcrop as possible.

"Link!" James cried out. He clung to his brother, attempting to gain some comfort from the older boy, but that was comfort that Link didn't have himself.

"It's ok," Link said shakily. He knew it was a lie, but at the same time, he didn't want his only brother feel abandoned. James had always looked up to Link, and he knew that if he lost hope, James would be completely lost.

Suddenly, there was a loud crack, and everything went black…

"What's happening?" questioned Link. Even as he said it, he couldn't be sure if he had spoken it aloud. "A dream?" The boy questioned to himself. Link felt as though he was floating in the blackness, with no real footing, and no sense of up and down.

*Is anyone there?*

"What?" Link could have sworn he'd heard a voice. The voice of a young woman. Her cries echoed though the nothingness, ringing in his ears.

*Am I…all alone again? Am I destined to never be heard?* The voice seemed to pout sullenly.

"Who's there?" Link called, "I'm here! What's going on?"

*Hello?* Suddenly the woman seemed hopeful. *Is someone out there?*

"I am!" cried Link as loudly as he could.

*Oh! By the goddesses. I thought I would never find the one who could hear me!*

Link wasn't sure what to say in reply. He didn't have to wait long though for the unseen maiden to continue.

*Help me!*

"What?" Link stuttered.

*Please help me!*

"How? How can I help you?" he didn't know why, but Link somehow believed the girl. He was certain of her sincerity.

*I am being held prisoner in Hyrule Castle. I am communicating with you through telepathy.*

"Telepathy?"

Suddenly, a flash of energy hit Link, sending him sprawling through the void. He screamed, but it went unheard…

Chapter 2 – Waking Dreams

Link jerked awake. He sat up quickly, covered in sweat, just as a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky outside his window. Link gasped, trying to make sense of what had happened. He could remember the vision vividly, almost as if it had been real.

"It…was a dream," Link muttered to himself. It was the only explanation. As he mulled it over, Link idly looked out his bedroom window. There was a terrible storm raging outside. Rain came down in torrents and the wind howled.

Link could only guess when it had started. Hadn't it just been sunny? A moment later, Link realized that that had been a dream as well. Or rather a recollection. With more effort than he would have liked, Link forced the unpleasant memories to recede once more.

"What a weird dream…"

The storm didn't matter to Link. He just wanted to get back to sleep. Maybe he'd dream of that girl again. Perhaps even learn her name. Link laid back down, sighing in relief as his body relaxed.

*Are you alright?*

"Huh?" He could have sworn he'd heard the dream girl. Only this time, he was awake. Wasn't he?

*Please forgive me. I had to break off our connection. I was almost found out.*

"I must be going crazy!" Link sat up once more, not sure if what he was hearing was really real.

*I hope not. You may be the only one who can save me, neigh, all of Hyrule!*

"I don't understand," Link confessed, "How can I save you? How can I even find you?"

*I will lead you to me!* The girl declared. *Please! I think that something terrible is going to happen!*

Link thought it over for a moment. "I'm coming," Link told her. Again, Link was somehow sure that the girl was sincere. Almost as if he knew her. Like she was an old friend. He wasn't sure exactly.

Link quickly got dressed. He grabbed the first thing he saw, which happened to be a dark green tunic that his uncle had given him on his last visit. Link pulled on his boots and prepared to leave. However, he took a moment to look back when something caught his eye. On his dresser, one of the few furnishings in his scantily filled room, was his brother's old green hood. It was one of the few things that remained that really reminded Link of him. Though he considered leaving it, Link quickly remembered the rain, and retrieved it, placing the cap firmly on his head.

Carefully, the lad made his way past his father's chamber. He hoped hot to wake him. The last thing he wanted to do was explain why he was sneaking out during the middle of the night. He was sure that he'd just get sent back to bed, and if he was, he'd never find out if this mystery girl was real or not.

***

Link barreled out into the storm, the rain instantly soaking his tunic. He trudged forward, however, not willing to let a little water stop him.

*I will guide you, gentle sir. Just follow my voice and you will find me. Head to the castle.*

"Alright," Link agreed. Lightning split the skies, and the wind roared around him. Still, Link wouldn't be slowed down. Rain came down in sheets, causing mud to splash up on the lad's clothing as he trudged toward his goal: the light of the torches in Hyrule Castle's tower.

Oh no!

"What is it?" Link questioned in confusion.

*One of my captors is here. I'll show you…*

"Show me?"

Even before those words left his lips, the scene around him changed…

All of a sudden, Link was in a damp, musky, stone-walled chamber. He seemed to be seeing things from the perspective of the mysterious maiden. She reached up, clutching the iron bars in front of her. She clasped them so hard that her knuckles turned white from the strain.

A thin, blond lock of hair fell down into his vision, likely the girl's. However, he couldn't pay much attention to that. Instead, Link focused on the man before him. It was a knight, clad in ruby-red armor. Though the man's face was covered by his helmet, Link recognized the knight immediately. For he had seen that armor on one man only. It was the man that Link admired most other than his father. The man whose skill and bravery had turned the tide of war many years ago. A man who Link would never have guessed would let an innocent lady be imprisoned.

It was the Captain of the Hylian Guard.

"Please, Devon," the girl pleaded, "Snap out of it! Let me go!"

"You no longer order me around, wench!" the knight captain spat out. His voice was even and cold. Almost distant, "You are here by order of the King."

"My father would never order such a thing!" retorted the blond girl.

"Who said you father was King anymore…" he replied smugly.

The girl gasped, quickly drawing back from the bars in horror, "No!" she cried, fighting back tears of sorrow. She wouldn't let her captor see her cry.

"The master says that you've been calling out again," Captain Devon continued, "If you bring some poor fool here, I promise you that you'll bring him strait to his doom. The master is…bringing the schedule up a notch. Unfortunately for you, you are no longer needed."

With that, the man turned sharply and exited the chamber, leaving his poor captive to cry over her lost father.

"I'm sorry," Link tried to comfort the girl. Consciously, he picked up his pace, hoping to get to her as quickly as possible.

*There is no time to grieve.* She replied resolutely. There was an obvious sadness in her voice.

Still, Link had to agree with her; there would be time for mourning after she was save. Something still bothered him though. If this girl's father was the King, wouldn't that make her the…princess? No! Impossible!

*This way!* she shook him from his thoughts with her pleading. It could wait. Whoever she was, it didn't matter for now. All that did matter was getting her to safety.

Chapter 3 – Destiny Awaits

Link slowly approached Hyrule castle. He was exhausted from his trek cross the plains which surrounded the palace.

Around him, the rain began to lessen. Soon, the old, wooden gates that led to its inner sanctum – came into view. Just seeing the old castle made Link remember the days he'd spent watching the knights of Hyrule, under the direction of their captain, training and preparing for war. Link and James would always listen to what Captain Devon would say, and then mimic the soldiers when they'd combat with one another. Link couldn't help but smile at the memory. Yet still, he wasn't here to reminisce; Link had a job to do.

"Hey!" came the gruff call, "Hey! You there!" Link froze for a moment, and then looked up. The voice had come from a small sentry post near the gate, "What are you doing up in the middle of a night like this?" questioned the unseen soldier.

"I'm…" Link wasn't sure if he should tell the man the truth or not, "I'm not sure," he said weakly, "I need to get inside!"

The guard laughed, "This might come as a surprise to you," he said sharply, "But we here don't just let anyone in."

"I know, sir!" Link called. He yelled at the top of his lungs, trying to overcome the blaring wind, "Really, it's important!"

"Listen, kid. Why don't you go to bed? This isn't that kind of night for some boy to wandering around in."

The guard just wouldn't listen to him. Not that Link blamed him. He had to look pretty ridiculous standing there in the rain. If he'd been that guard, he probably wouldn't have let him in either.

*Oh! Oh God! I…*

"Hello?" Link whispered. He got no response. That's when he noticed something odd.

He looked up at the main tower and gasped when he saw smoke billowing out the windows. Something inside the castle was on fire…a moment later he came to another conclusion: The whole castle seemed to be on fire! Fire lit up the insides of the castle…even the stone appeared to be burning.

"Look!" Link cried, pointing up at what he saw.

The guard exited his sheltered post looked to where Link was pointing. "By the…the fools!" the guard cried out, "This can only mean one thing…" He looked down to Link, "Go home, kid. I'll take care of this…"

"I want to help too!" cried Link. He knew that this was his last chance to get inside the castle.

To his surprise, the guard paused for a moment, "I'll take care of the fire as best I can. But I have a special task for you if you're up to it."

"I'll do it!" Link assured.

The guard nodded, "Find Princess Zelda. I believe that she's somewhere in the lower levels of castle. Zelda will be safe there for a bit, but you must get her out of the castle!" a moment later, a Hylian broadsword fell at Link's feet, "Take it," the knight ordered, "I am one of the few Hylian Knights who still swear their allegiance to the Royal family. Don't expect help from the others."

With that, the gate slowly opened, lowering over the castle's moat. Link hesitated for a second before taking hold of his new weapon and running boldly into the castle courtyard.

Without looking back, Link thrust open the doors of Hyrule castle, entering the main court. The lad was almost immediately greeted by a rush of heat and caustic smoke. Link recoiled from it temporarily. The fire was everywhere, destroying hundreds of years of culture, literature, and valuable artwork in mere seconds.

Link took a step back, choking on the thick fumes. He wasn't sure what to do. For lack of any better idea, Link simply gritted his teeth and ran inside. Fortunately, Link quickly noticed, his rain drenched tunic immediately became a blessing rather than a curse. The clothing and cap protected his body from the bulk of the heat.

Surprisingly enough, the halls were empty. Any knights that were usually there were probably fighting the fire or had been evacuated already.

One could hardly tell that this was the great castle of Hyrule. Terror filled Link as the banners of the royal crest burned to nothingness. The stone walls and flooring became scorched. The fire seemed to be consuming everything.

Shaking his head, Link continued forward. After a bit of searching, and maneuvering around bits of burning debris, he found a large door with a staircase that which led down to the basement level.

***

As he descended, the smoke finally decreased to a more tolerable level.

Sword ready, Link made his way down to the dungeon level. Glancing about, the green-clad boy quickly spotted his goal – a long row of iron bared cells. And in the last jail cell, Link saw a young girl. She lay on the floor, apparently unconscious.

Rushing to her cell, Link tried to open the door, but to no avail. It was locked tight. Link silently scolded himself for even thinking it would be that easy.

While Link attempted to form a plan, he took a moment to look at his mystery girl. She was about his age, seventeen or so. Her hair was pale blond, held in a delicate braid, and her skin, milky white. She appeared to be about Link's height, maybe a little shorter. However, it was obvious the girl was raised as royalty. Her clothing, though torn and covered in dirt, was majestic, royal blue and stunning even in its condition.

She had a welt on her forehead…probably would become a bruise. Link hoped that she'd be alright.

Suddenly, though, Link heard a noise. It sounded like a boot hitting the ground. He spun sharply around to see a soldier not ten feet away from him. In his hand was a sword, and on his hip was what appeared to be the keys to the jail.

"Halt! I thought I heard something!" the soldier chortled, "What is a foolish child like you doing here?"

"I came to save the Princess! We've got to get her out of here!" Link reasoned, "She'll die!"

The armor clad soldier chuckled, "That's the point. She's not an asset anymore. Not that it matters any to you. You shan't see the light of day again."

Link took a step back, bringing his Hylian sword up, "I'm not about to lie down and let you kill me!" he snapped.

The soldier shrugged, "Of course not! Then it wouldn't be nearly as much fun!" With that, he charged at Link, swinging his sword horizontally at the boy's head. Link quickly ducked, avoiding the blow, and setting the guard off balance. His sword awkwardly hit the bars of a nearby cell. Still, he seemed undeterred, "You are the one who needs saving, brat! You and the princess will be together soon enough!"

He swung again, but Link proved to be more agile. He avoided the blow, and retaliated with a strike of his own. Swinging his sword, Link caught his adversary at the place where his armor met his helmet. He expected the soldier to fall, but instead, the man began to spasm. He suddenly stood back to his feet, writhing and screaming in agony. All of a sudden, light poured from the soldier's body, consuming his flesh and destroying the rest of him.

Right before Link's eyes, the man disintegrated, leaving only a pile of armor to mark the place where he had stood.

Link eyed up his fallen foe, hesitating before reaching down and grabbing the guard's key ring. Then, he went over to finish his night's sacred mission. He unlocked the maiden's cell, then carefully picked her up into his arms.

"Let's get you out of here," Link said to her unconscious form. A moment later, he began to ascend back to the surface…

***

With the princess in his arms, Link ran back into the freezing storm. Not long after they had made their hasty escape, the main tower collapsed. The falling stone caused most of the remaining structure to cave in as well.

After he got to a safe distance, Link set his charge down on the ground so that he could rest a moment. He sat by her, watching the utter destruction that occurred not far away. The girl moaned softly, and slowly faded back into consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at her rescuer.

"Are you alright?" Link asked her.

She simply nodded, sitting up and turning back to her former home. They both sat there for some time, for there was nothing else that they could do. Link could think of no way to comfort the girl, as she sat with a hardened expression. The two looked on silently as Hyrule Castle burned.

***

By the time the two had been had reached Link's house, the once torrential storm had been reduced to mild drizzle. They approached the front door, and Link paused, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. My home isn't nearly as splendorous as a castle," Link said lamely.

His companion looked to him, "Don't worry," she replied, distantly, "I am certain that at the moment, you're home is in far better condition…"

Link paused, suddenly realizing what a jerk he had just sounded like. This poor girl, princess or not, was in shock and he was trying to be a hotshot. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be," she relaxed some, almost as if to let him know that it was alright.

Link nodded, and opened the door.

"Link!" came a commanding voice. The maiden behind him jumped slightly, likely thinking that some soldier had followed them. Link winced; it was his father.

The two entered Link's house. His father was sitting at the dinning room table, "Link," his father said again. The man's brown hair was a mess, as usual after sleeping. Though still, he commanded an air of respect, "You had me worried sick. I go check on you in the middle of the night, and find you gone. Now you're sneaking back in with some girl?" he shook his head, "What's come over you?"

"Well…you see…" Link stuttered.

However, he was cut off by his companion, "I'm sorry sir. This is mostly my doing. I needed your son's help. You see, my name is Zelda. Princess Zelda of Hyrule…"