Zelda walked down the stairs towards the palace dungeons, a guard on either side of her. Torches lined the corridor walls, but they provided little light. She had let the prisoner spend the day in his cell, completely alone, in an effort to make him a little more malleable to her questions. He had been fed, of course—the Hylians weren't barbarians—but nothing loosened the tongue like solitude and darkness, even if that tongue was only used in anger. Zelda had been playing this game long enough to know anger was a valuable tool.
She was dressed in a long black gown with long sleeves and thin black lace at the collar with a circlet of gold around her head, hoping the captive would be intimidated. Judging by his reaction, she had been correct.
"I would question you now," she said, here voice toneless and even. The man slowly nodded, taking a deep breath.
"I figured as much, as did me boss. He said I was to tells ya everything you wanted."
This caught Zelda off guard, but only for a moment. "Of course," she thought to herself darkly. "Rolondrof still thinks he is unbeatable. He's giving me all the tools I'll need, daring me to challenge him."
"Very well," she said, staring the man down. "My first question is this: how many of men, Lizaflos, and Staflos does Rolondrof have stationed at Barsmill?"
"I don't know the exact number, but in total, I'd say close to a thousand strong, with more coming in from the bordering countries daily. There's also about five or six Iron Knuckles already operational, with more on the way." He plucked up the courage to grin. "Quite a large army for you to handle, eh missy?"
One of the guards that had accompanied Zelda cuffed the man on the side of the head, hard. "Show respect for your ruler, dog."
Normally Zelda didn't condone such displays, but this man needed to be taught who was in charge. "Perhaps." She circled the cell, walking around the man. "What can you tell me of this Church of Ganon?"
The prisoner took a little longer answering this time, choosing his words so as not to get another reprimand. "Only what I've heard from the followers. I'm no fanatic, I just work for the guys." Zelda glared at him impatiently. "They seem to believe that some fellow named Ganon, who was banished to the Sacred Realm some years back, will return and lead them into righteousness, whatever that is. It only started a few months back, when Rolondrof and Skorn first came from the west and started preachin' about it. It's become quite popular over the last little while. As a matter of fact, they say this Ganon chap is to be returning within the next few weeks, at least accordin' to their bible, the Dragmire."
"I see." This news troubled Zelda. How could such a cult have risen without her knowing? If such a movement of fanatics and mercs was really occurring within their borders, how had Rolondrof and Skorn managed to sneak them past her spies?
"Tell me," she continued, "Tell me of Rolondrof and Skorn."
"Well," the man said, relaxing a bit. "Rolondrof is a skinny young chap, but he has the tongue of a forest fairy. He could charm the skin off a Goron, which is why I thinks his little religion got so popular. He's in charge of the Church, and the faithful have sermon every day at sunset. Skorn's in charge of us grunts. Now there's a big bloomin' bloke. Massive sucker, he beat an Iron Knuckle with his bare hands—his bare hands—in front of us when we first signed on just to prove that he could. But he's an honorable fellow, won't fight unless he has to and only then for honor. A lot like those Sheikah folk you sometimes hear stories about."
"And what of a man called Link? Have you heard any mention of him?"
The prisoner thought for a moment. "I heard that a group of men were supposed to go after a man by that name a few days back, but other than that, I don't know much."
Zelda nodded. She turned to one of her guards. "Bring him some food and drink, but leave the lamps unlit." And with that she exited the cell and headed up the stairs alone, ignoring the man's pleas of protest. As soon as she was out of sight of the dungeon, Impa and Shrike appeared beside her on the staircase. "I trust you discovered something of use?"
"Indeed," the older woman replied. "I have seen several of these cult members entering the city over the past day, and what this man says is more or less what I gathered from overhearing them. Also, his description of Skorn confirms that the brothers have studied Sheikan history, and are familiar with some of our traits."
Zelda nodded. "Shrike, any luck with Link?"
"No your highness. I traveled as far as Lupis, but I found no trace of him, and I fear it will remain that way for some time. If he does not wish it, Link will not be found."
"Also," he continued, "I rode by Barsmill on my way back, and unfortunately this man is correct. There is an army gathering there, with more coming in."
Zelda exhaled, venting her frustration. "How did all this happen without our knowing? It shouldn't be possible."
Neither Sheikah had an answer, and they disappeared back into the shadows as Zelda came to the top of the stairs. She was surprised as she saw who was awaiting her. A motley trio was standing behind a flustered page. "I'm sorry, your highness," the page apologized, "But they insisted on meeting you in person."
"As it should be," boomed the mighty voice of Chief Darunia. "Now, return to your duties boy. We would have word with Sister Zelda." The page obliged as quickly as possible.
"I think you scared him back into diapers, Darunia," laughed Nabooru, queen of thieves, a deep, slightly accented sound. "But you were right. These matters cannot wait."
"Indeed, they cannot," said the soft yet imperious voice of Queen Ruto. "Once again, it seems Hyrule's fate lies in our hands."
* * *
"Wow," was all Malon could think to say, as she stared at the magnificent sight before her. She and Link were watching the sun set into western valley, the sky changing into shades of blue and purple and red.
"Yeah," Link agreed. "I never get tired of seeing it. It's even better when you're actually in the valley. Then you can see it setting into the mountains separating Hyrule and Putnia."
"I'd liked to see that someday," Malon replied quietly. They were camped in a small clearing in the small forest on top of a hill. Epona was off to the side, feeding on some nearby grass.
"If I ever get the chance, I'll make sure you do."
"I hope so. You're so lucky, Link; you've been all over Hyrule, even into some of the border countries. You're friends with Gorons and Zoras and Gerudo, and even the Kokiri. I'd give anything to have your life."
Link stood up and added another log to their small fire. It was a chill evening, and every bit of warmth counted. "Believe me, Malon, you wouldn't. You have no idea what my life is like."
"I would if you'd tell me," she replied, sitting across the fire from Link. "All you ever tell me on your visits is where you've been, never what you were doing."
Link poked absently at the fire with a twig. "Let's change the subject, ok?"
"No. Tell me. I can take whatever it is."
He didn't answer for a long while, and Malon patiently awaited his reply. "You think that all my journeys are grand adventures, like in your books," he said, "But really, more often than not, I'm off quelling some corrupt insurrection, or slaying baby eating monsters or tracking down murderous rapists. I've seen the darkest aspects of this world Malon, and most of the time they outweigh the good. I haven't had a moment of peace since I was ten years old, before I even met you. I was on my first quest that day we met in the market in fact. Nothing's been the same since then. The reason I don't tell you these things is because you shouldn't have to know about the darkness. You should be allowed to stay in your books and imagination and not have to think about the stuff I'm doing and why I do it. No one should, you especially."
Malon didn't say anything, knowing he was right and wishing she hadn't asked. "If you hate it so much, why don't you stop? Leave it to soldiers?"
"Because if I stop," Link replied, "People suffer, die, and my peace of mind isn't worth that. I'm the only person alive who can do the things I have to do. I have no choice. The goddesses saw to that the day the sent my mother to the forest."
Again, neither of them said anything. After a while Link asked, "Have you ever heard the forest fairies sing?" Malon shook her head. "I don't know if there are any here, but sometimes if you play some music they'll echo it. If they really like it they'll remember it forever and play it when they're bored." With that, he withdrew his ocarina from its pouch and put it to his lips. He started playing, a haunting tune, yet still it was moving, almost…romantic, Malon thought.
As the song went on, she saw lights blink into being in the forest, and heard the music being echoed by high, lovely voices. She added her own, mixing it with Link's song. Link had never played the song in public before, and Malon had never heard it, but they were in perfect harmony, never missing a note, and the fairies noticed this. Even after Link stopped playing, the fairies continued the song. Link and Malon stared at each other across the fire. Then, Link stood up and walked over to her side. He bowed slightly, smiled shyly, and held out his hand. Malon smiled back and took his hand. He wrapped one arm around her waist, she rested one on his shoulder, and they danced, slow, meaningful, with passion. They never took their eyes off each other, and the barely heard the fairies echoing their song. After a while, Malon rested her head on his strong chest, and he rested his on her warm head of red hair. They danced long into the night, the fairies singing, and Epona, if one could believe her species possible of it, was smiling.