Chapter Nine

Travel Plans

The Gate towered over Zayna like some horrific beast blotting out the horizon. Ancient and terrible, the rusted doorway heaved in and out with deep, booming breaths. Lightening flashed and thunder rolled, echoing across the blood-drenched sky. Things flew past her head: A crackling ball of blue energy. A disembodied head, cackling maniacally. A small child, talking to herself.

With a cavernous sigh, the Gate rippled and a tiny part of it flowed off like liquid. The liquid twisted one way then the other as if it were trying shape itself into a solid form. Hair sprouted from the top of the liquid like a dozen snakes escaping from a basket. Eyes, ears and a mouth formed. From the mouth a forked tongue darted in and out. It had taken the shape of her mother's head.

"Ssssssssooooooooo," it said, its voice split and amplified a million times over. It resonated through Zayna's head. "Youuu have finallllyyyyy commmmmee, Keeeeeyyyy."

Zayna threw back her head to let out a scream, but smothering black liquid poured into her mouth, gagging her.

Suddenly the Gate jerked. A tiny opening appeared, from where she could hear millions upon millions of voices moan in pain. A grey, clawed hand slowly appeared from the crack. Ever so slowly, it made its way towards her, its yellowing nails sharp. She retched as she felt the fingers close around her throat.

"Opennnnnnnn," a voice sighed. "Opeeeeeeeennnnnnnn."

Zayna awoke with a start, heaving. Her eyes focused to see the black, unfeeling eyes of a rat staring at her while hanging onto her face. With a disgusted snarl, she jerked her head violently making the rat spin into the air, squealing.

She heard a quiet chuckle and her head started to pound.

"Not enjoying the company?" Chalance Vance said from outside the cell.

"Well," said Zayna. "If I knew you were going to put me in with your relatives I would have prepared something. Who's that then," she cocked her head towards the rat she had just knocked off. "Great Uncle Vancey?"

The sorcerer snarled. For a second, she saw the energy bars that penned her in flicker ever so slightly.

"Oh, and that one," she said, pointing down with her nose at a bloated, jet black rodent. "That must be your mother."

Despite her words, she felt exhausted, her stomach gnawing at her with hunger. Her body was so stiff it felt like tar coated lead. Worse was the burden of defeat her spirit carried. She had sought out the Hero of Time because she knew he, and only he, could help her out her predicament. And now he was dead.

Her mouth tasted sour. How would he have reacted had she told him the whole story from the very beginning?

"I have decided," Vance said, pulling her out of her thoughts. "To inform the King of your capture."

"Why, thank you," Zayna said, her sarcasm heavy. "I'm so honoured."

The sorcerer ignored her. "The path is dangerous," he said. "War is being waged. I will need his help to get you where you need to go."

War? With whom? How long had she been imprisoned? Weeks? Months? Had the outside world changed so dramatically since her capture?

"Could this be?" she asked with a sneer. "The mighty Chalance Vance needing someone's help?"

He growled in anger and Zayna noticed that, once again, the energy bars had thinned in response to his outburst. Something stirred in her heart and she locked the fact away as her mind started working on a plan.

"Be prepared," he hissed. "For travel."

Zayna raised an eyebrow. "It is a little difficult to prepare for anything while I am chained to a wall. Even your miniscule brain can see that."

Again, the sorcerer flared and again the bars dimmed. This was too good to be true.

She watched as Vance pondered his options. His body straightened and she knew that he had come to some sort of decision. With a wave of his hand the iron clasps around her wrists and ankles opened and she fell into the shallow, filthy water below. Rats scattered in panic.

Pain vibrated through Zayna's body as her muscles tried to compensate for being unused for such a long time.

"You will get a few supplies," he said. "Get yourself ready."

Zayna looked up, her face dripping. The water smelt of sweat and waste. "Where are we going?" she asked, but she knew the answer already. She just had to hear it. Just to know that her worst nightmare was truly becoming realised.

"Why," Vance replied, grinning as he feigned sweetness. "To the Gate, of course."

2

A storm was approaching. Link, rocking from side to side in Epona's saddle, saw the dark, angry clouds drift over Hyrule Field. Flanking him were two Royal Guards and the Messenger. Seated behind him on his horse was Chitz the Imp, laughing away maniacally whilst the guards gave him irritated glances.

Link felt a lot better. He had new clothes and his familiar supplies were, once again, strapped to his back. Shield, bow and boomerang – he couldn't ask for anything more. At his waist, trembling slightly as the breeze caught them, were his hookshot and sword. He felt a lot better, but he didn't feel content. In the distance he saw Hyrule Tower stretching to the sky and he could faintly catch the sharp glint reflected from the windows of the castle.

Thinking of the castle made him feel sick and apprehensive. Yet, there was also the slight thrill of anticipation. His heart felt like a leaf battered one way and the other by a strong wind. He wanted to see Zelda. He did not want to see Zelda. He wanted to see Zelda. He did not want to see Zelda.

Link shook his head and thought of Fran instead. The hunter had been delighted when news of Link's release had reached him. Tessa had been pleased too, though she had seemed a little distracted. Talon hadn't been told and Link wondered how the Ranch Owner would react when he discovered him gone. The two other hunters that had found Link in the forest had joined Fran and his daughter as he left for the castle. Fran had made him promise to come back and visit as soon as he was done meeting with the Queen. In a sudden gesture, Tessa had made Chitz come along too; to 'make sure' that Link would come back. The Hero of Time laughed quietly.

"Haha … what's so funny Hero boy? Haha" Chitz said from behind him.

Link caught one of the Guards gritting his teeth in frustration and stifled a laugh. The Guards had not been too taken with the Imp. One night they had angrily chased him around the fire 'to cut out his cursed giggling tongue.' Link smiled again.

"You are, my friend."

"Oh? Haha … yes, yes," Chitz sniffed. "I always fancied myself as a comedian … haha!" He paused, thinking. "Though I'm not as funny as my cousin Pimp. He used to travel around the country spreading his tales of mirth. Haha. In fact, maidens used to fall in love with him just because of his jokes! Haha."

Link cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, really? I suppose he must have…" He frowned as the words sank in. "Pimp…the Imp?"

The Hero of Time sighed as Chitz howled in laughter. "Got you! Haha! Got you good!"

Link saw one of the Guards idly tap his fingers on the hilt of his sword. The expression on his face told Link that Chitz was one wrong word away from having his neck snapped.

"So, Chitz," said Link, trying to divert attention. "Ever been to the castle?"

"No. Haha," Chitz replied. "The King doesn't like Imps!"

"Is that so?" Link said quietly.

One of the Guards came to a sudden stop, holding up a hand. "Hold!"

The group waited. A gust of wind threw droplets of cold rain into their faces. Not too far ahead they saw a trio of riders galloping towards them. Slowly, their features came into focus and the group saw that the riders were crimson clad Hylian soldiers.

In a curious motion, the lead soldier drew his sword as he trotted to a halt. "What is your business?"

Lomi, one of the Guards accompanying Link, replied, "Captain, sir. We are taking the Hero of Time to the castle."

The Captain's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he looked at Link. "Who gave this order?"

"Why, the Queen, sir."

At the mention of Zelda's title, the other two riders drew their weapons. All three of them slip off their horses.

Link felt tense at the sight of the weapons. Not because of the peculiarity of their reaction to the Queen, though that did mildly surprise him. No, his apprehension came from memories of his defeat at the hands of the Demon Riders. Doubt clutched at his heart. Had the five summers he had spent away from adventuring dulled his senses? Did he still have what it took to get the job done?

Lomi gave a panicked glanced towards his fellow Guard. He looked back to the Captain, his expression alarmed. "I don't understand, sir…"

"You are with the Queen?" the Captain asked, his voice hard.

Link slipped off Epona and whispered to Chitz to go run and hide.

Lomi, the other Guard and the Messenger all disembarked too.

"I said," spat the Captain. "Are you with the Queen?"

"Well," Lomi answered, confusion and fear making his voice crack. "Yes, of course … aren't we all?"

The threesome shifted their swords into an en guard position. The Captain pointed his sword directly at Link. "Then prepare to die."

Link's face hardened in determination. No. This time there would be no defeat. He drew his weapon.

3

"I need an army."

Zelda pulled on the black gloves as Prince Chizan watched her. Her whole outfit – pants, shirt, cloak and hood – was jet black. She had dressed before letting Chizan into her chamber, the gloves being the last thing to be put on. Briefly, she had considered donning her old Shiekah disguise that she had worn in her battle against Ganondorf, then decided that it would attract too much attention. That had been in another place and, indeed, an entirely different time. On the table before her were her shield, her bow and her sword. It had been a while since she had had to use them, but she still felt that she was ready.

"The Freelander army will be ready to repulse any attack by the King," Chizan answered.

Zelda shook her head. "No, that's not what I mean. I need an army under my command."

Chizan sighed. "You plan to take back your country by force?" he asked, his voice quiet.

Zelda opened her drawers, pondering over what items she had to take. "How else can I take it back? You said it yourself – Cyle and Chalance Vance are evil. They can not," and here she looked directly at the Freelander. "And they will not be allowed to rule."

She peered back inside the drawers, shuffling useless trinkets around to see if there was anything practical she needed. Her heart ached so much that she had to fight back tears. She was not the type to sit and drown in a swamp of self-pity. In another time, in another place when Ganondorf and raped her land, she had spent many long, lonely years hidden as a Sheikah plotting his downfall, waiting for her Hero. Link had defeated the enemy and she had sent him back in time to relive his life as a child. And yet she, and the whole of the world, had somehow retained their memories of that other timeline. The memories were just as real as their memories in this timeline. Ganon himself was still imprisoned in the Dark Realm even in this reality. In effect, they had all lived two lives. She had always thought that it had been a message, a warning not to repeat history.

Link. There was no time to warn him about what had happened, she thought, sadness colouring her musings. Hopefully, word would reach him before he arrived at the castle and he could make his own escape. She felt a slight shiver of fear as she imagined what Cyle would do to him if he came here.

"I cannot promise you an army," the Prince continued, breaking her thoughts.

"I'm not asking you for anything, Your Highness," she said. "I'm just stating a fact – I need an army."

"This is not the time to discuss this," he said, his tone thoughtful. "When we get back to the Emirate, we will then prepare."

"No," she said quickly. "They will be waiting for us." She paused, noticing the quizzical look on the Prince's face. "I don't know how and I don't know when. Maybe at the bays or maybe when we set sail, but if we try and go back to your country they will pick us off easily."

"Then where…?"

Zelda's hand closed around the cold, star shaped gold pendant that Duchess Toriya had given to her. "We have five days. In that time I need to round up as many allies as I possibly can."

"And after that…?"

"Then we set sail for the Morolak Kingdoms. I have friends there." She frowned a bit, considering. "No. I set sail. You should go home and let your people know of the situation."

"No," he said, his voice calm, but firm. "My two Guards will try and find a passage home that will avoid any possible … ambush. I will accompany you to the Morolak Kingdoms."

Zelda was torn. On one hand, it would be useful to have the Prince with her. On the other hand, it was not his responsibility. "You do not have to come. I can take care of myself."

Before the Prince could answer, the door to her chamber burst open. Zelda flinched, thinking that it may be her ex-husband. Relief flooded through her when she saw the figures of Tyron and Mina. Tyron looked grave and Mina ran up to her before engulfing her in a vicious hug. Tears streamed down her Advisor's face.

"Don't go," she moaned. "Please don't leave me."

Zelda closed her eyes, stroking Mina's hair. "Hush," she said gently. "I cannot stay here, Mina. You know that."

Mina looked at her, a fierce expression lining her face. "Take me with you."

The Queen's eyes brimmed with tears. "No, Mina," she said sadly. "You're better off here. You are safer here." She wished intensely that that was true.

She noticed Tyron out of the corner of her eye. He had a backpack ready and was in travel clothes. She raised an eyebrow. "And where are you going?"

"With you, my dear," he said with a smile. "Where else would I go?"

Zelda shook her head violently. She threw her hands in the air, exasperated. "Has everyone gone insane? None of you should be coming with me. This is my responsibility. I can do this alone."

There was silence for a moment, before Tyron said in a soft voice, "We know you can. But you cannot deny us the right to serve the Queen we love. Our lives are bound to yours."

She felt her jaw tremble as emotion overcame her. "Mina is still not coming," she said with a tone of finality. She held up a hand to still the girl's cry. "It is far too dangerous and you are not ready." She stopped to soften her tone and smile. "I will miss you, though."

Again, her Advisor hugged her, weeping softly. This time Zelda could not hold back the tears and she closed her eyes as they flowed.

Prince Chizan coughed politely. "What is our first destination?"

The Queen looked out the window, as the rain started to pour down, hammering against the glass. The blobs of water congealing there blurred her vision, yet she could still make out most of the better-known landmarks. Her eyes came to rest on Death Mountain and she felt her hand tingle. She didn't need to look down to know that the hand was the one with the markings of the Triforce of Wisdom.

"Let's go visit the Gorons."

4

Lomi gagged as the sword slit his throat, his blood mixing with the rain as he collapsed in the mud.

There was just Link left now against the Captain and one remaining soldier. The other soldier lay face down on the grass, a sword jutting out from his back. Attached to the hilt of that sword was a severed hand.

Link was soaked to the skin, his boots slipping in the soft mud. Water dripped from his hair and rain fell on his weapons with a metallic tap. The Captain thrust his sword, but Link knocked the parry away with his shield, trying to keep his footing. The other soldier kept zipping in and out, nicking Link with small cuts that were more annoying than painful. The Hero of Time was disgusted at his cowardice.

The Captain snarled, baring his teeth. With a cry he swung his sword in an outward arc. Link ducked, feeling the blade sweep through the rain above him. The momentum carried the Captain forward and Link plunged his shield into the man's stomach knocking the wind out of him.

The other soldier moved. Bringing his sword down, he sliced Link's arm. The Hero of Time roared in pain, dropping his shield. He rolled away as another thrust came. Gritting his teeth, Link held his sword in both hands, waving it about to keep them from attacking. He glanced at his arm. Not too deep a cut, but the blood was running down his arm making his grip on his hilt slippery.

Link took in a deep breath to calm himself. He would not lose this.

They circled him like vultures around a carcass. The Captain spat. They kept wary stares on him, meaning they still considered him dangerous. That was good.

Suddenly Link threw his sword up into the air. Shocked, both of them watched it fly.

Fools.

The boomerang knocked the soldier out just as his sword began its spinning descent. Catching the blade in one hand, Link plunged it into the Captain's chest. The soldier fell to the ground, a bewildered expression still plastered on his face.

Link let out a sigh of satisfaction. He had won. He pulled his sword free with a grunt, catching his boomerang with his free hand as it made its lazy flight back towards him.

"Bravo! Haha! Bravo!" Chitz came running out from whichever rock he had been hiding behind as Link wiped the blood off of his sword. The Hero tore a strip of fabric from his tunic and tied it tightly around the wound on his arm.

"Where now, Hero? Haha. To the castle?"

Link peered through the gloom towards the castle, his hair now plastered to his face by the rain. Honour demanded that he fulfil his side of the bargain that had caused his release and go and see Zelda. But it was clear from the actions of these soldiers that things had gone awry over at the fortress.

His gaze fell on Death Mountain and abruptly he felt his hand tingle. Lifting it to his face he saw the markings of the Triforce of Courage throb like a beating heart. Putting his sword back in its scabbard he motioned to Chitz to follow him.

"Let's go. I have a promise to keep to an old friend."