Disclaimer: Do you suppose my parents will buy the rights to Zelda if I pass all my GCSEs? Didn't think so. So, I'll never own it. *sigh*
A.N: Yay, the fic's surpassed the 100 review mark! Thanks very much everybody! And guess what, it's not over yet!
Chapter 7: Link vs Aidyn (round two)
The reassembled crowd had gathered around the remains of the ring and were waiting anxiously for the fight to get under way. The guards, the competitors from the senior competition and more people than Link had ever seen in one place before were out to watch him fight, and he felt a miniscule lump rise in his throat that he quickly swallowed. So what if he had to fight with such a huge audience? At least this time people would believe him if he won.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Zelda beaming at him and giving him the thumbs up, and he felt instantly more confidant. He had a kiss to win, not to mention a tournament.
"Ready to settle this?" Aidyn asked, tossing aside the scabbard which he kept his sword in at his hip.
Link took a brief moment to size up Aidyn's weapon. Just over half a metre long, fairly sturdy looking and made of iron, reflecting the setting sun so that it glowed red-gold. Not a bad looking blade, he thought.
"You bet I am, but don't expect me to go easy on you just cause you helped me out back there."
Aidyn smiled and took up a fighter's stance.
"That's the last thing I want you to do." He replied.
Link removed the Kokiri Sword from its place on his back, although slung over the opposite shoulder to its usual position. He made no mistake removing it and held it tightly with his right hand.
"Let's get going."
They didn't need an announcer to start them as Link allowed Aidyn to make the first move. Much to both boys' satisfaction, the sound of both swords meeting resounded with a clang around the arena to a tumultuous cheer. Link was able to interpret how much force was used in the blow and responded with one of his own. Aidyn blocked it sufficiently, although his opponent was pleased to note an extension in his footprints as the power of the blow forced him backwards.
"Nice one." Aidyn praised.
"Thanks." Link replied, blocking as Aidyn cut down upon the face of his sword.
Sparks flew upon impact and the crowd 'oohed' and 'aahed' in response before applauding.
"I've just broken a record." Link laughed.
"What's that?" Aidyn asked.
"This is the longest fight I've fought at this tournament without having won already. Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
Aidyn jumped out of the way as Link feigned a slash at his belly before changing to attack his sword at the last minute. He defended, though just barely.
"You're good." Aidyn said, breathing slightly heavily.
"Same to you." Link replied, not tired in the least.
"Looks like I better stop holding back."
Aiyn lunged and used so much force that Link nearly lost his footing. The crowd gasped and applauded heavily, cheering loudly.
"Let's get this over with before it gets dark." Aidyn smiled.
He began attacking sequentially, left, right, up, down over and over again. There was so much power behind each blow that Link was forced to walk backwards while defending with both hands.
Link had better do something soon, otherwise this fight's gonna be over. Zelda thought, leaning forwards from her seat and watching intently.
The same thoughts were going through Link's mind as Aidyn drove him backwards. Now was definitely the time to change tactics. He began to laugh to break Aidyn's concentration and it worked.
"What's so funny?" Aidyn asked.
"I've been playing with you and everyone else since the start of this competition." He chuckled.
"How so?" The older boy asked curiously, stopping mid-swipe.
"Because..." Link grinned, swiping Aidyn's sword back and tossing his into the air. "I'm left handed."
He caught the sword with his sword hand and swiped the air confidently.
"Still think you can take me now?" He teased, unleashing a terrifyingly quick and accurate horizontal cut.
Aidyn's eyes widened in suprise, which was a response echoed by his father and about everyone else in the arena with the exception of the Sages, who were all smiling smugly.
The boys flew at each other, both quick and deadly accurate with their blows. The audience were on tenterhooks, and the atmosphere was electric as cheering squads had appeared and were ecouraging their champions.
"AIDYN!"
"GO LINK!"
Both boys failed to bat an eyelid as the fight continued at its worse. Hardly anyone could tell what was happening exactly as the boys were fighting so quickly that Link's sword appeared to be moving in a blur.
"Gods, where does that boy get it from?" Olaran breathed, staring in disbelief at what he was seeing. "He's like a demon!"
Zelda had never fully realised the full extent of Link's skills. Although they were nothing pretty or fancy, they were amazingly powerful and were extremely deadly. She could see why it was that the Goddesses felt fit to award him with the Triforce of Courage and felt even prouder than she had felt before.
Aidyn was weakening, Link could see that as his blows were beginning to lack the conviction that they had held at the start of the fight. He too was beginning to feel tired by his efforts, and he needed to be the one to finish this. He had saved just enough magic to utilise the Spin Slash Attack only once as a last resort. Besides, he wanted to win a victory that would be talked about for months to come.
"What do you say we finish this now?" He laughed, crouching low in the snow and holding back his sword.
Aidyn was breathing so heavily and the blood was pounding in his ears that he could hardly hear his opponent speak. He looked at Link curiously, particularly when the sword began to buzz and glow blue. Zelda was on the edge of her seat and watched as Link's sword changed to glow orange. Olaran could scarcely believe his eyes.
"If that is what I think it is, then Link is truly a greater warrior than any man I have ever met." He breathed.
Link saw Aidyn's bewildered expression and smiled.
"I'm sorry to have to do this Aidyn, it's nothing personal but I have to beat you now."
He unleashed a fully charged Spin Slash that caused all the snow around them to fly in the air and mask what was going on. It was as though a snow and fire tornado had devastated the arena as it swirled around the two boys. The audience gasped and went completely silent, until something in the arena clanged. Everyone held their breath as the snow began to clear...
Link was standing in the centre of the arena with the Kokiri Sword in his left hand...
And Aidyn's in his right.
******
The crowd were still cheering as they stormed the field and hefted the victorious ten year old high above their heads, even Aidyn who was beaming and ruffling the hair of his new friend.
"You said you'd win and by the Gods you did!" He laughed. "Three cheers for Link!"
The crowd were more than happy to oblige and tossed him in the air in correspondance with the 'hoorays'. Link was enjoying this, apart from the fact that he was beginning to feel a little air-sick.
The mob carried him to the Royal Box, where he was placed in front of the King and bowed politely. He couldn't ignore the huge grin on Zelda's face, and suddenly felt himself blushing involuntarily when he remembered that he was going to get to kiss her. Well, it was about time too. He still hadn't quite forgiven her for not rewarding him with a kiss after saving her and Hyrule from Ganondorf.
"Congratulations Link, that was a magnificent victory!" Harkinian announced, receiving a chorus of cheers in response to the announcement. "In commemoration of your victory, I present you with this medal and a place at the high table at tonight's banquet!"
The applause was thunderous as Link's medal was place over his head by the King and he had his hand shaken by him. The boy then turned to Zelda, bowed to her and kissed her hand before going to shake Olaran's. It was only afterwards that Link noticed the sygnet ring on his right hand. It was made of gold and had a circular panel with a unicorn's head engraved in the middle. Link didn't know where he had seen that particular coat of arms before, but it was strangely familiar to him...
I'll let you claim your prize after supper.
Zelda's voice echoed through his head and he was brought back to earth and Zelda's smiling face. Who cared about some stupid unicorn's head? He was going to kiss a princess after filling his belly with the best food in Hyrule.
And quite frankly, he couldn't wait!
A.N: To quote the words of that sports commentator at the 1966 World Cup Finals 'They think it's all over...' Well it ain't by a long shot ^_^!
