Chapter
3
"A Rider in the Night"
Deciding
that it would be best to leave Epona behind at the gate, Link walked into the
busy streets of the Hyrule Market. Familiar faces went by as he quickened his
pace towards the gray, looming
castle. Some people recognized him and waved with the smiles bright on their
faces, completely unaware of Link's shadowy apprehension of the future.
Link smiled as best he could back at them, trying to give them a little
assurance; everyone knows that when Link is in a hurry, something terrible was
amiss.
Again Link thought about the dream and its meaning. His mind pushed out
all the possibilities that would make sense as to why he had that dream, but all
his thoughts and theories led to dead ends.
With his concentration focused inward, Link's attention was not given to
the direction he was running, and soon he bumped into someone, sending him and
the stranger sprawling.
Wiping the dusk out of his eyes, Link looked up at the stranger, who was
getting up and brushing themself off. The stranger turned to look at
him.
"Fairy Boy! Link-kun, where have you been all this time? Otousan and I
were wondering if you would every visit the ranch again!"
Not a stranger! Link weary heart lightened a bit from the sight of an old
friend, the red-haired Malon. She offered Link a hand and pulled him up, where
he brushed himself off, laughing quietly.
"I've been busy, Malon," Link answered, "and I didn't visit the ranch
that long ago!"
"True," Malon teased, "but you should visit more often anyway! By the
way, Fairy Boy, what's the hurry to get to the castle?"
"Um...I..." Link stammered, "I-I going to see Princess Zelda-sama, I need
to ask her something."
"Is that so...?" Malon said, turning her head to the side with a puzzled
expression on her face, "And what for, may I ask?"
"Well... that is... uh..." Link was not used to being interrogated by
anyone, especially the nosy Malon. But soon Link thought of a way to get out of
answering her questions -- he didn't want her to worry about anything unless
there was a good cause.
"Malon, look! Your otousan's here, and he looks
angry!!"
"Huh?" Malon turned to the area where Link was pointing, but did not see
her father. When she turned around again, it was as if Link hadn't been
there.
With a strong stride in his run Link ran out of the Hyrule Market while
he had to chance to get away. He felt guilty for not answering Malon or staying
longer, but he really had no choice.
'Now is
not the time to think of that, ' Link
thought to myself, 'now I was focus on getting into the castle without
getting caught.'
Getting
into the castle proved to be an easier task than Link originally assumed. Then
he reminded himself that his skills have much improved since the last time he
had snuck into the castle to see Zelda. Within no time, and with the guards
completely unaware that Link had slipped by them with ease, Link was in the
Castle Courtyard.
The
sweet smell of flowers tickled Link's nose, and again he was reminded of his
home in the forest. He hoped that everything would be alright, that nothing
would happen, no one would have to die or be killed, Hyrule would be
safe...
But
when Link found that Zelda was waiting for him and was expecting him, Link's
hopes of peace fell and shattered.
"Welcome,
Link." Zelda began, "I was waiting for you to come. Come, we have something we
need to discuss immediately."
Once
again Link noted to himself how much older she sounded, though she was the same
age as he. Unlike the last time Link had seen her, Zelda had her long golden
hair showing, trailing down her back. Her beautiful blue eyes were touched by a
serious look, yet they still shined with the innocentness of youth.
Zelda
watched Link as he trotted up to her. She noticed how much stronger he looked
since the last time she had seen him. Link's blue eyes were serious, yet they
portrayed the happiness of seeing her again. She was surprised to see that Link
was a little taller than her now -- them being the same height only a few months
ago.
She
remembered the first time she met him; it was a mysterious meeting. He just
suddenly appeared behind her as she was watching her father through her window
in the courtyard, without any explanation of how or why.
She had
told herself that he was a complete stranger and couldn't be trusted, but
something deep down inside her heart told her that this little boy meant no harm
whatsoever. What was more puzzling was the feeling she felt towards him, though
she had never met him before -- she felt safer, and that no evil could ever come
to destroy Hyrule with this boy against it.
The
feeling puzzled her greatly, but she didn't hate it. When Link had left that day
she yearned for the feeling to come back again, and after that she often looked
forward to his visits. Such a strange boy, yet she felt that he could be trusted
with anything.
But now
was not a time for a friendly chat, danger was at hand. Being of Royal Blood,
Zelda had the power of magic within her. She could often sense danger before it
happens, and had come to trust this ability more and more recently. Now that
Link had felt the terror approaching as well, her suspicion was assured of its
reliability.
She
knew of his coming due to her ability to sense him when he's nearby, she's
always had this strange talent, and it has caused many people to whisper cruel
things about her behind her back. She knew of this, and her heart was burdened
by it.
She
listened intently to Link's dream, and everything was as she expected, expect
one fact...
"Are
you sure you were alone?"
"Yes.
Well, I'm pretty sure," Link admitted, "it was just me, no one else could have
been there. I would have known it, there's no other way!"
Zelda
frowned, when she had had the dream, she was there along with Link. The change
in events caused her to worry greatly; what did this new revelation mean?
The sun
was leaning heavily on the horizon, casting an orange-red glow upon Hyrule. Link
and Zelda's shadows grew darker and longer, and soon Zelda realized that this
discussion would have to continue tomorrow. Despite her hospitality, Link
refused to stay in the castle for the night.
"I'm a
peasant, I shouldn't be here in the first place," he protested, "and if someone
found me, what would happen then?"
"Link-kun,
it's too late for you to start going home now. The forest is far away, and even
with Epona it would be dangerous to travel at night. Please, stay, it's for the
best."
Finally,
Link gave in, and with Impa's help he was taken to a small room, which had been
unoccupied for ages. Cobwebs hung thickly at every corner, and with every step
Link took disturbed dust swirled up into his face, causing him to
sneeze.
"Well,
it's better than nothing, I suppose." Link said quietly to himself, despite the
fact that he was yearning to go outside, to feel the wind through his hair and
to have the cool night air upon his skin. Soon, Link slinked out of the castle
more quiet and stealthily than he had getting inside.
Leaving
the Hyrule Market proved to be a bit of a challenge, since the gate is closed at
night. But by climbing a tree and hopping onto a nearby roof of one of the tall
houses, Link dropped outside to find Epona still waiting.
She
whinnied quietly, but cheerfully at his sight. Link strode up to her and mounted
carefully onto her back, and with a "He-yah!" off they went through the Hyrule
Field!!
The
cool night air was bliss against his smooth skin; and immediately Link became
more relaxed. Epona, sensing Link's tension melting away, neighed happily and
increased her speed.
Link
had no idea where he wanted to go, he originally just wanted to get outside to
feel the night air on his skin, but now he feel like a little night ride. And,
judging by Epona's obvious contentment with running through the field, Link
decided it was the best thing for the both of them.
Link
relaxed even more, and thought to himself that he should really do this more
often to relieve the stress of living as the Hero of Time. And for the first
time in ages, Link allowed himself to enjoy the fun of being a
kid.
"Faster
Epona, faster!" he yelled giddily as Epona happily did so. The two raced through
the field, leaving dust and rustled leaves in their wake. Link looked up at the
billions of stars that dotted the sky in wonder; it had been a long while since
he looked up there at those bright blue stars, and he had always been fascinated
by their beauty.
He
allowed Epona to take over as he craned his neck to the dark midnight sky,
gazing at the twinkling orbs hung so far up there. Epona slowed down a bit as
Link leaned forward onto her mane, with his eyes half closed. He was tired from
the day's events, and despite the disturbing dream he had had only the other
morning, Link dozed into a lulling sleep...
But was
soon woken up again by Epona's shrieking whinny and her frantic gallop. Link
woke up immediately, and quickly guided Epona to a path that would help her keep
up her speed and avoid ditches and streams.
Only
then did he allow himself to look behind him at his pursuit. As he turned, his
eyes gazed upon a sight he had never seen before in all his experience as the
Hero of Time.
It was
mounted upon a huge black beast, twice the size of Epona even in her adult
state. At first Link thought it was a Wolfos, but it was leaner, and the
powerful muscles rippling underneath its black fur told him that this creature
was no Wolfos whatsoever. Its speed was amazing, and despite its burden it
easily gained on the frantic Epona. Its snout was narrower than the Wolfos, but
it was filled with sharper, whiter teeth. It moved with a liquid steel grace,
completely shaming the clumsy Wolfos gait.
But
what was stranger to Link was the dark rider the wolf-creature carried upon its
broad back. It was nothing but a shadow, almost, a dark silhouette with ruthless
red gleaming eyes. Link watched in horror as it drew out a long bow and
positioned a sharp black arrow as it pulled back the
string.
Link
urged Epona to moved out of the way, by the panicked horse did not comply. Her
instincts told her to run, and that is what she did.
The
black arrow flew, cutting through the cool air like a knife into Link's right
shoulder.
"Ahh!"
Link tumbled off Epona as pain that he had never before had experienced cut into
his shoulder, paralyzing him and making him completely helpless. It was as if an
icicle had been driven through him, and had caught fire somehow and was burning
through his insides. He cried out in pain, and tried to call Epona, but she was
too far ahead in her panicked run to hear him or even notice that he was
gone.
Link's
eyesight began to slowly fade. The edges of his vision were becoming black as
the pain became unbearable.
Before
he lost consciousness, the last thing Link perceived in the world around him was
the wolf-rider coming to a halt, and preparing to dismount towards his
convulsing body.
A last
round of agonizing pain went through Link's body again, and he saw no
more.
~End of Chapter 3