Reclaiming Power
Ch. 2 - Returning to the Castle

There was a bear. It looked like a bear, anyway. I couldn't really tell.

I'm standing in the middle of Hyrule Field, except nothing is the way it's supposed to be. I can see Romani Ranch on the hill, in place of Lon Lon. I foolishly decide to investigate it. Even now, I know it's a stupid thing to do. But dreams don't always allow you the option.

As I draw nearer to the ranch, the images around me get more garbled and twisted. The green grass turns into a large violet puddle. I see all this happening, it just doesn't phase me. I barely seem to care.

I thought the cow was a bear. I suddenly remember my illness, and realize that it's the cause of this bizarre stretch of my imagination. I feel slightly relieved that I'm not a complete psycho.

Something feels wrong. As I step into the gateway to the ranch, I realize that the world is all messed up. This isn't Hyrule, this is Termina! It looks like it, anyway. It still feels like home.

Even in my slumber, I feel my eyes flutter open a bit. I can see the worried gaze in Zelda's violet eyes. I wish there was a way for me to comfort her, but I'm still asleep. I've learned, during the past few days, that I can't awaken until my dream is over. It's the weirdest thing. But when I do wake, I don't remember what happened to me.

There's Romani! Her childish giggle immediately grabs my attention. She frolics around in the field, just as she did when I was little. I feel my heart melt as she rushes over toward me. I stoop down to give her a hug.

"Grasshopper!" she cries happily. "You came back! I knew you would!"

I affectionately ruff the hair on her small head. Only then does the fact strike me: she hasn't grown up. I find it odd, but manage to ignore it.

My eyes flutter again. Zelda is standing there looking so worried, but she sees the tiny smile on my face. Romani was my shining light in Termina, the one I ran to when I needed to talk. She was so much like Zelda in that way.

Romani grabs my finger in her tiny hand. "Come on, let's practice! Those ghosts won't get our cows this year!"

I laugh and run after her to the course. Epona neighs softly, kicking up some dirt with her hoof. I mount her and readily pull out my bow. "Go!"

Epona and I ride through the field, toward the chicken house. Worry passes over me as I realize that the objects in the distance aren't balloons. I squint my eyes, trying to see more clearly, and suddenly a bolt of magic knocks me to the ground next to Epona, and I'm being dragged along by Skull Kid.

I scream as my hands slip off of his leg, but instead of hitting the ground like I did before, I fall into an endless abyss, the evil laughter of Ganondorf echoing through my mind. Then it all stops.

Zelda glanced worriedly at Malon. "He said 'Romani,'" she whispered, taking her husband's sweaty hand. His smile had disappeared, replaced by a look of anguish and fear. "Is Romani some sort of illness? Is it a type of dark magic?"

Malon shrugged, taking Link's other hand. "Never heard of it. I've heard Link mention the word a few times before, but he never explained it to me."

"So it's not bad," the princess sighed in relief. "I was so worried. Thank you for coming, Malon, but I'm sure your family is beginning to worry..."

"Don't worry about it," she assured, quickly gathering her things. "Kelsey is probably off playing with your children now, anyway. It would be best for me to leave, though, I suppose. Can you send someone to get my daughter please?"

"Oh, sure," Zelda said, reluctantly leaving Link's side and fetching a guard or free servant.

Meanwhile, the sun was setting over Hyrule Field. Prince Jason, Princess Janine, Malon's daughter Kelsey, and a Gerudo girl named Rikaaya were just approaching Lon Lon Ranch. It normally took a full day to travel from Hyrule Castle to Gerudo Valley and back, but poor Epona couldn't carry all those people. She was getting old, after all.

"Can we just stay here the night?" Janine begged her friend. "My feet are killing me!"

"My mom's not here," Kelsey said appoligetically. "Besides, Daddy's probably drunk and..."

"Forget it," Jason said quickly, leading the group. He kept Rikaaya in the corner of his eye, expecting her to pull a knife on them or something. He didn't - and could probably never - trust the girl, or any theif for that matter. Things were looking worse and worse as the light grew more dim. Finally she stepped in front of him, a determined glare in her eyes.

"We stop here for the night," she said firmly. He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut in again. "Look at that horse! She can't make it too much further before she gives in!"

Jason sighed, dropping Epona's reins. "Fine, we camp here. Keep behind the ranch entrance; we don't want a drunken idiot raging out at us. Stay away from any windows, too."

Satesfied, the Gerudo pulled the butterfly clip out of her flowing, fiery red hair. It fell gracefully onto her shoulders and poured down her back. She handed the clip to the prince, who gave her a confused glance. "It's yours for the night. Please keep it off of the ground, will you?"

"Sure," he said, dropping the clip into his pouch. Whatever, he thought, settling down on the ground.

Janine stared at the grass, hatred in her eyes. "Why do we have to sleep here?" she demanded, kicking her brother gently. "I'm a princess! I shouldn't sleep in mud!"

"It's not mud, it's grass," Kelsey said quietly. "There's mud over there, if you'd rather."

"No, thank you," she snapped, laying stiffly on the ground. Before long, she drifted off to sleep, warmth and happiness dancing in her dreams.

"They said they'll keep looking," Malon said worriedly, closing the door to Link and Zelda's room. She quickly sat at Zelda's side. "I'm so afraid for them!"

"I can't understand why Jason and Janine would do something like this," she said in disbelief, still holding her husband's hand. He hadn't improved much in his condition; in fact, he'd gotten slightly worse. "If they don't get back soon, they might not even get to say goodbye..."

The princess hung her head in sorrow, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Malon took her free hand and held it comfortingly. "I'm sure he'll be okay, at least until the kids get back. Whatever is killing him won't penetrate his love for his family. Don't worry, Princess."

She glanced out the window, wondering if the children were okay. Kelsey had never been out past ten o'clock before. There must be something wrong. She decicively pulled on her cloak and left the room, leaving Zelda slightly confused and Link still in need of her help.

Malon sneaked around the guards, barely dodging their sight. She crept out into the field and happily set off toward home, Lon Lon Ranch. Her pace was quick, and she hummed a soft tune in time with her steps. She was certain that the children were just around the corner.

"Malon," someone whispered. She quickly stopped and turned around, seeing no one behind her. The deep voice sounded very familiar.. "Malon," it said again, causing chills to run up her spine.

"Who's there?" she stuttered, constantly turning to see her follower. "Who is this?"

Two rough hands grabbed her arms, pulling her face-to-face with the person. All she could really see was his sinister red eyes. She gasped, her face going pale. "I'm your worst nightmare," he hissed. After that, the girl fainted.

At that very second, Link shot out of bed, clutching his wife's hand as tightly as he could. "Link!" she exclaimed in surprise. "Are you okay? What happened?"

"I..Mal..but.." he mumbled. "She..she..Ganon..eeehhhhhhh..."

Zelda cried out in frustration. "What are you talking about!? Look, just go back to sleep. It's okay."

"No..but..you don't understand," he said, this time more awake. "She's gone."

Zelda just gaped at him for a few seconds. "You mean..forever?"

He didn't answer; he just looked to the ground and whispered, "I'm sorry." They held each other's hands, tears streaming from their eyes. If anyone did not deserve this fate, they were sure it was Malon.

Jason opened one eye, focusing it immediately on Rikaaya. It looked like she was prowling through his knapsack. He immediately grabbed his dagger and crept up behind the girl. After a few seconds of consideration, he tackled her and held the dagger to her throat.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, trying to pry his arm off of her.

"I suggest you leave my stuff alone," he said coldly. He released her arm and pulled the dagger away. "Don't think I don't know a theif when I see one."

"That's just because I'm a Gerudo," she snapped. "Surprise! Not all Gerudo are theives! Wow, imagine that, Prince Charming!

"Most are," he retorted, "and I have every reason to believe that you're one of them."

Rikaaya stepped back in resent. "Excuse me? I'm the one who came to you for help! I could have NOT risked my life and just let Gonondorf take over! But no, I wanted to be safe and keep you in power. Din knows why, now! To think, you'll be the King someday! Hah!"

Jason stepped back as well, very offended. "Well I'd make a better King than you would Queen!

"I am gonna be the queen! I'm Nabooru's neice! She has no children of her own, so I am next in line for the throne. And I ruined it all to save you."

The prince had no comment for that. He just glanced around and noticed that they had awakened Princess Janine and Kelsey. He sighed and quiclky apologized, starting off again for the castle. His sister hurried over to walk next to him.

"That was kind of rude of you," she said softly as Kelsey comforted Rikaaya, who was almost crying hysterically. "She's saving the kingdom by enlisting Daddy's help. The least you can do is give her the benifit of the doubt."

"Dad would have saved us anyway," he said stubbornly, leaving her behind. She sighed and went back to join the others.

"I wasn't going through his stuff to take anything," she whispered, tears in her emerald eyes. "I just wanted my clip back!"

"Don't worry about it," Janine said, biting her lip. "My brother over there is just a little cranky in the mornings. Don't tell him I said that or he'll literally kill me. His temper is about that long," she said, holding her fingers close together.

"After this is all over," Rikaaya said slowly, "tell him that I'm sorry."

"Okay," Kelsey assured her. "Only a little longer to go and we'll be home again. Then Link can leave to help you and me and mom will go home. Dad should be okay by now..."

"Let's hope so," Janine said as they approached the drawbridge. Rikaaya was cautious to cross, as Gerudo were not openly welcomed in the market, but she managed to stay fairly well hidden between the royals. When the group reached the castle gates, Janine abruptly turned and said to Rikaaya, "You have to stay here. There's no telling what would happen if Mom or Dad saw you."

"Okay," she said, watching the other three scampering up to the bedroom. She glanced around warily and noticed a large group of guards heading her way. "Janine didn't say to stay here if my life was in danger," she decided quickly, running after the group.

~end of ch. 2~

Well how do you like it? I think it's okay. Really, this is the first story of mine that I don't completely hate. Just partially. ^_^
Anyway, please review. I always beg for reviews, has anyone noticed that besides me? :) Thank you!