Chapter 10

Link finally opened his eyes. He had searing pains everywhere on his body, but he forgot about those and looked around. He was in some castle, in fact the throne room of a castle. He realized he was chained up to a wall, and he was far above the floor. Stain glass windows surrounded one side of the large room, and the other was just, wall. He looked on his side and froze in shock. His mouth dropped right down as he saw Zelda, Faria, Taursus, Mardera, Jarlis, and Malon also chained to the wall, all unconscious He looked down and also saw Artra tied up by a chain leash almost. He then looked forward, and saw Ganondorf and Emralda smiling wickedly at him. His eyes widened with shock as he saw them.

"So Link, Mirren's brother, is the first to awake" said Emralda, "how interesting."

"Yes, and soon the others will awake, and we can explain the whole reason for what happened" Ganondorf added. Link's eyes narrowed as he gritted his teeth. He then began struggling recklessly and trying everything he could to escape.

"What have you two done to us!? Tell me now!!!" Link shouted. Ganondorf grinned.

"But Link, then that would ruin everything" he began, "It's easily better to tell everyone at once." Link was now enraged.

"Tell me now you disgusting excuse for a living thing!!!!" screamed Link. Everyone else then chained up slowly opened their eyes and woke up. They all looked around in confusion of where they were.

"Well brother, I see they have waken up, let's tell them" said Emralda turning to Ganondorf with a grin. He nodded and everyone instantly looked to them with shocked looks on their faces. "You all already know why you're here, but I don't really believe you all know the point to this...'' before being interrupted by Taursus.

"You're darn right you she-devil!!" he yelled. Even though she had been insulted, Emralda smiled.

"Ya know, you're not really in the position to be saying things like that" she replied, "I could kill you early before everyone else..." Everyone gasped in shock.

"What? You're going to kill us too?" Zelda asked sounding a little fearful. Ganondorf turned and looked at her.

"I guess you could say that" he answered, "let me explain our plan. As you all know, we've wanted our revenge on Mirren ever since he had killed us all those years ago, so we decided to do our worst. We knew that Mirren would be crushed if we took from him his best friends, so that's exactly what we did. With this, he'll be enraged at the same time. We told him where we all are, so he should be here in at least a few days. When he comes here and tries to destroy us, we'll defeat him in battle, and kill all of you right before his eyes. As he suffers to see his most loved ones die, we'll then kill him. Getting our revenge, and making his death the most sorrowful one ever!" Ganondorf then let out a diabolical laugh and began to walk away as everyone just looked at him with faces of fear and shock. Emralda ginned evilly.

"Savor your final moments, because soon after Mirren arrives, you'll all be dead" She then out her own laugh of wickedness and followed Ganondorf. As everyone else just stared in shock, Link gritted his teeth.

"Mirren will get here, and he'll do everything he can to save us, I just hope he'll be able to" he said. Zelda then looked at him with a smile. Link looked at her strangely and wondered why she could be smiling.

"Mirren will get help, I can tell you that" she whispered. Link thought of who could help him and soon though of them. He smiled back at Zelda, Mirren still had a chance.

Mirren slowly opened his eyes. He slowly got up and looked around. He had no idea where he was, but all he knew was that it wasn't a normal place. It had walls that were nothing more than waterfalls, the ceiling was just a patch of darkness, and the floor was like diamond almost. He got on his feet and looked at where he had been hit by Emralda's attack. His stomach was completely healed, and it seemed like nothing had ever happened to him. As he stared at his healed body, suddenly six colored clouds began appearing before him. There was a green one, a red one, a blue one, a purple one, an orange one, and a yellow one. They kept on forming into something until finally the Six Sages appeared before him. He jumped back in surprise and looked at them. He had met a few of them before, but not all at once, and this was certainly nothing he had predicted would happen to him.

"Hey, where am I? What am I doing here?" he asked. Rauru stepped foreword and looked at Mirren.

"You are in the Chamber of Sages" he answered, "and why have we brought you here? Isn't it obvious Mirren? You were practically ready to die from Emralda's attack. She had never meant to hurt you that badly, but she didn't know. Anyways after they left with Zelda, we took you and brought you here. Saria healed you, so you thank you for how you're felling right now." Mirren then looked at the Kokiri girl and smiled.

"Thanks Saria, Link has told me a lot about you, I'm glad to have finally met you" he said. Saria smiled back and nodded.

"I'm glad to see you too, but right now isn't the time for idle chit-chat" she replied, "Mirren, you have an important task ahead of you." Rauru now took over.

"Yes, with everyone you love captured, you must go to Emralda's citadel and defeat Ganondorf and her once and for all" he began, "even though the rest of their plan is meant for you to come there, you must follow it, and do as they hope. Mirren, you must defeat them, if you are to save your friends. But you sure as heck won't with the weapons you have." Suddenly Rauru threw his arms out towards Mirren. His hands glowed yellow, and so did Mirren's body. Mirren looked at this in surprise and watched in shock as armor slowly appeared on his body. After a few more seconds, everything was on him, and Rauru stopped the spell. Mirren looked at his new armor, and just couldn't believe it.

He now had chain mail gauntlets on his hands, steel knee pads and elbow pads, chain mail pants, a long red cape, golden shoulder pads, and indigo colored body armor that seemed to be steel also. Mirren just stared at his new armor and in shock and couldn't believe how incredible it was.

"This is a special armor we Sages created especially for you Mirren" Rauru said, "It's incredibly strong and will absorb a good amount of force from every attack done on you. And don't worry, the armor won't slow you down at all. It may be the strongest armor ever, but it's as light as a feather." Mirren then examined it and realized it really wasn't heavy at all! This was the greatest armor ever to him!

"Wow!" he exclaimed, "this is just awesome! This'll really help me defeat them, thanks!" Rauru smiled and let out a chuckle.

"Well I'm glad you like it, but that's not the only gift you'll be getting to help defeat Emralda and Ganondorf" he said. Mirren looked at him a little surprised, but smiled.

"Really? Wow, what else could you guys give to help me?" he asked. All the other Sages grinned. Mirren noticed this and was surprised once again by the odd behavior of them.

"The other thing you'll be getting is not from us, but three even better ones" Rauru said as he grinned like the other Sages. All the Sages then stepped away as suddenly a red, blue, and green light came into view. After a few moments, the three Goddesses appeared. Mirren's eyes bugged out in shock as he jumped back from complete surprise. He couldn't believe now that the Goddesses of Hyrule were standing right before him! He just stared in shock as his mouth dropped. He tried to speak, but only got gasps of shock out. The Goddesses smiled at him and moved closer.

"You need not to speak Mirren, we understand how surprised you are" spoke Nayru. Mirren looked at them and slowly got out of his trance. They were the most amazing women he had ever seen! (besides Zelda) Din was wearing a red sleeveless shirt and had red hair with a golden tiara. On her wrists were two loose, but shining golden bracelets. (Oracle of Seasons form, only more older looking) Nayru was also wearing a sleeveless shirt, but instead her's was blue. She also had a white blouse, and long blue hair. (Also Oracle form) Farore was in a beautiful dark green robe and dress similar to Zelda's, and had long, lighter green hair also like Zelda's.

"Oh my God" Mirren whispered, "What would you three have for a kid like me?" Din smiled.

"A special sword stronger than the Master Sword, the most powerful of blades ever" she said. Suddenly a great sword appeared in her hands, and she handed it to him. "Mirren, this is a sword made by us three, it is the Goddesses' Sword, it will be your only hope to defeat Ganondorf and Emralda" Mirren just stared at the beautiful weapon. Its bronze hilt was shining like no other, and the great blade of it sparkled. It looked so amazing, almost like it was made of platinum. He finally took it in his hands and held it. He was just mesmerized by what he was holding; the Goddesses' Sword. He held it up in the air and soon put it away in his scabbard since his other sword was gone. He then looked at the three smiling Goddesses.

"You can do it Mirren, we believe in you, defeat them" Farore spoke, "save your friends and live in peace. Then you can Zelda how you really feel about her." Mirren's eyes then narrowed a little as he turned away from her.

"I can never tell her" he whispered. Farore and Nayru looked surprised, but Din just looked angry.

"And why is that?" she asked. Mirren finally turned to her, his eyes still narrow.

"Because, she could never go for me!" he answered, "I'm just a kid. She's like ten years older than me. She could never date me or anything! What could she do with me!? Why would she ever go for me, a little kid, when she could have Link. I mean, he's her age, strong, handsome, he's perfect for her! There's nothing I could do with her, she's got Link, that's all she needs and wants. She would never ever go for me!" Din's eyes filled up with anger.

"How dare you ever say that about Zelda!" she scolded. Everyone gasped in shock of Din's rage as she stared Mirren in the eye. "Never go for you? Never go for you?" she began, "sure Mirren, she really couldn't date you, but does that mean she'd never like you!? I don't think so! Mirren, have you noticed how much she already cares for you!? She likes you a heck of a lot! Maybe not with true love, but Mirren, you're favorite boy in the world! She said you were cute, she said she was sorry when you got hurt, she held you in her arms when you were injured, she took you to your room when you couldn't get there by yourself, she was so afraid for you when Dark Link and Phantom Ganon attacked. Mirren, she definitely likes you already! Tell her you really love her and get this big secret off your back, and Mirren, she'll treat you even better. She would do anything to make you happy believe me! Mirren, you're such a great warrior with a huge heart, but right now you're being a coward!" Everyone just stared in shock at what Din had just said. Even Mirren's eyes filled with shock, his mouth dropped as he looked away in shame.

"Din, you mustn't be too hard on him..." Nayru began before Mirren interrupted her.

"Yes she should!" he yelled. Everyone then looked at Mirren and were surprised at hi remark. "I have been a coward! I was a fool for saying that! I should've thought of this, but I didn't! I should've realized how much she cares for me right now; but I was a fool and acted like she would never like me! If I really was the courageous person I was; I'd tell her! And I promise right here right now, I'll tell her. If I can save her and everyone else..." Mirren was about to speak more, but he suddenly stopped, and everyone looked at him in surprise and waited for him to speak again. He then fell to his knees and hands as he looked down at the floor. He began weeping, but began to speak also. "I can't take it anymore" he said still crying, "Ganondorf and Emralda have just destroyed me. They've taken my best friends, my brother, and Zelda, the girl I've fallen in love with! I just can't take it, it's too much!" He then stopped speaking, and just fell down totally and began weeping. All the Sages, and the Goddesses just watched him as he wept in complete sadness. They felt terrible for him, and looked with faces of sorrow for him.

Farore then knelt down next to him and put her hand on his back. She then picked him up and held him close as he still wept. She felt incredibly sorry for him, and knew the pain he was feeling.

"Cry Mirren, let it out" she whispered in his ear, "Don't worry though, we'll help you save your friends, and then you're ready, you can tell Zelda."

A little while later, Mirren was sitting alone. He was still hurting from all of what happened, and he just sat there meditating on it. He thought of all his friends, the ones who had helped him so much so far. Mardera, the Gerudo he saved from the Ogre Pirates and became great friends with. Jarlis, his lifelong pal, and the one who helped him defeat the Wolf-Bear. Taursus, the Minotaur who saved him from the Dodongos and helped him afterwards. Malon, the girl who had taught him how to ride, and given him Artra as his own pony. And Faria, Zelda's sister, his best friend who he always spent time with. He also thought of most importantly Link and Zelda; his most loved ones. Link, his only living family. The one who had been there for him all the time. He cared for him, helped him, and taught him how to be such a great archer. Mirren still remembered that day when he had first met Link. He remembered just turning around, and seeing his brother. He remembered the embrace they had, and the tears of joy Mirren had as he finally saw his older brother. He finally thought of Zelda. A girl who had just become his love in such short time. He didn't know what it was about her, except he just for some reason felt great whenever he was around her and whenever he did things with her. He just couldn't get her off his mind at times; he knew that he truly loved her. Ever since that night when he, Link and Jarlis came back from Terlon Forest, he started to like her. When she put her hand on his cheek and said he was cute with a smile, Mirren just began to be greatly fond of her. He had felt like he loved her after that, but wouldn't admit it. But when she held him her arms and carried him to his room when he was injured, that was when he was positive he loved her. As he thought of all these things, a couple tear drops dripped through his closed eyes and cascaded on the sparkling floor.

All the Sages and the three Goddesses watched as Mirren wept silently. They felt terrible for him. They knew how hard it was for him to live through such pain, sorrow, suffering, and tragedy. And it was even worse since he was so young. Unfortunately, the Sages really knew that they couldn't help; but the Goddesses were a different story. Nabooru and Saria looked at each other sadly, but soon nodded with determination in their eyes. They stepped away from the Sages, and walked over to the Goddesses.

"Listen, I know it isn't going to be easy, but is there any way you three could talk to him?" Saria asked quietly with her hands on her heart in sorrow for Mirren.

"Yes, and we know we Sages won't be able to help" added Nabooru, "but we know that the Goddesses of Hyrule could." The three beautiful Goddesses looked at the female Sages, and thought of it.

"We could most certainly try, and it will be hard" Nayru spoke, "but we're willing to do everything we can for Mirren.

"Yes, I promise to help him as much as I can" added Farore, "I feel like I have a special relationship with Mirren, like we're almost family or something. Probably because since Link has my Triforce, and Mirren is his brother. So it's almost like we're as close as brother and sister, or even mother and son for that matter. But however it is, I will do everything in my power to help Mirren, count on it Saria!" Saria smiled and nodded her head in a grateful manner.

"Thank you Farore, I just can't stand to see him like this any more" she replied.

"Me too" added Nabooru, "It hurts me. I and Link were great friends, and we went through a lot together. So it's also like with your Farore, like me and Mirren are close." Farore nodded.

"I will also help" said Nayru, "it's like with all of you. Since Zelda has my Triforce, and since Mirren has fallen in love with her, I feel like we're also family. And Din will help too. Right Din?" Din had her backed turned for the whole conversation. She put her head down and looked and sounded a little ashamed.

"I don't think I can talk to him anymore for a while" she answered, "I really did get a little too tough on him. I should've realized he's just a kid, and it's incredibly hard for him to deal with all this. If I were him, I wouldn't speak to me either." Nayru then walked over to Din and put her hand on her shoulder.

"If Mirren was the sweet, brave, gentle, mature child that he really is Din, he'd understand why you did that" she whispered, "I wouldn't be surprised if he was actually grateful for what you did. Because of that, he realized he wasn't acting like himself, and he was being a coward. And remember, because of you, he promised us he'd tell Zelda." Nayru now smiled and Din turned to her. She sighed and nodded her head.

"Alright" she replied, "I'll go with you two." Farore also smiled and the three Goddesses turned to the brooding Mirren. Nayru and Farore stopped smiling for the time and realized how serious the situation was. They began walking over to him as Nabooru and Saria both whispered:

"Thank you, thank all three of you."

Mirren kept on thinking of everything and kept dripping tears before he suddenly noticed the three Goddesses. Farore and Nayru knelt down to the sides of him, and Din stood above him with her arms crossed.

"Are you feeling any better Mirren?" asked Farore gently and softly like Zelda had spoken to him when he was hurt. Mirren opened his eyes and looked at her with tears in them. He couldn't speak, so he could only shake his head. Farore put her arm around his shoulders and knew what he was feeling. Mirren finally spoke.

"I'm just crushed by this all" he said quietly from his sorrow, "I just miss them all. They took my best and most loved friends. All of them. I just can't get over it. And that they're doing this all because of what I did to them all those years ago to some piece of the Triforce I never had. This is all because of me!" He then closed his eyes and turned away as he wept. He kept on crying before Nayru spoke.

"Mirren, I know how hard this is, but you're going to have to go and fight them" she began, "you must face your fear, and conquer the most powerful evil ever here in Hyrule. If you defeat them, you'll be the second Hero of Hyrule, and you'll also save all your friends." She then took Mirren's left hand and covered it with hers. "And if you do that, you can Zelda that you love her" she said, "when you're ready of course. And believe me, she won't care at all. Zelda is a very understanding girl, and already likes you. Mirren, if you tell her, she'll like you even more. It'll be almost like you'll be her own little brother." Mirren now opened his eyes and looked at Nayru. He managed to smile a little, even in his condition.

"Thanks Nayru.." he said. He then turned to Din. "And thank you too Din, you also helped. Din closed her eyes and turned away in disgust of herself.

"No Mirren, I was much too tough on" she replied, "I was too hard and got a little too angry back there. I treated you like a fool and a coward. I'm sorry" Mirren now turned his head in shame.

"No Din, you were right" he said, "I was acting like a fool and coward. I said the stupidest words ever when I was saying Zelda wouldn't like me, and I've been a coward to keep this dumb secret from her. So thanks." Din's eyes opened up and turned to Mirren. She looked rather surprised, but smiled at his remarks. "But I'm so worried, if I don't save her and everyone else, Ganondorf and Emralda will kill them!" he suddenly said sadly as before, "I just could never stand to see them die. And it'd be even worse since I'd never be able to tell Zelda how I felt about her." A tear dripped from his eye and landed on the ground. Farore now knew she needed to help him, or he might lose all hope.

"Mirren, I know how hard it is for you right now, and doing this will be even harder" she began, "Mirren, you must get rid of all this sorrow. I understand how you feel, and you every right to weep, but you must be stronger. I'm not scolding you whatsoever, because I'd probably be doing the same thing if I were you. But Mirren, for the sake of your friends, for the sake of Zelda, for the sake of your brother Link; you must turn all of your sorrow into rage." Mirren opened his eyes and looked at Farore. He was surprised at what she said, and confused on what she meant for that matter. Farore knew this, and explained it to him. "Mirren, your sorrow is what's keeping you from being the courageous, excellent warrior that you are. If you get rid of it, you'll be back to normal. And if you turn all that into anger, it'll make you stronger. With your rage, you'll be able to fight and defeat them with the great power. You won't be able to totally get rid of your sadness, but that's good. When sadness and anger mix, you'll be an unstoppable force. Just don't think of how bad everything is and not how hard it is without them, instead think of how angered you are that Ganondorf and Emralda did this. Be angry, use your full rage, it's the only way to defeat them."

Mirren now understood it. He knew she was right, and how much his anger would help him.

"You're right Farore, I must become enraged, and then I'll defeat them" he said softly. His eyes then narrowed and he stood up. "Even if it's the last thing I do; I'll defeat them, and save my friends!!!!" he yelled. He then thought of everything. Ganondorf and Emralda just stealing his friends. Taking them to their citadel. And having them at the risk of dieing. He thought of his only brother, going away forever. He thought of his friends, the ones who had helped him and always been there for him. Then he thought of Zelda, the girl he had fallen in love with; with all this, his sorrow turned into rage.

He screamed in anger, and a vast amount of power began rushing through his veins. He unleashed that power, and the ground beneath him began to crack. Great amounts of wind poured out as he let out all of his anger and power. His great energy began to surround him, and he began glowing with gold light energy. Suddenly, an upside down golden triangle appeared on his right hand. It glowed with power, and Impa gasped in shock.

"No way; is that really what I think it is?" she asked in a whisper of complete shock. Farore turned around and grinned. She nodded.

"Yes, Mirren has it, but we mustn't speak of it yet" she whispered back, "not even he knows. And we must keep it a secret until the battle with Ganondorf and Emralda. They could be watching us somehow, and then they'd know what great power Mirren posses." She then turned back to Mirren, who was still screaming, unleashing, and glowing in power and energy. The symbol kept on shining, but Mirren still didn't notice it. Farore smiled.

"That's it Mirren" she spoke to herself in her said, "you can defeat them; I know it."

For the rest of the time in the Chamber of Sages, everyone discussed and planned for their attack on Emralda's Citadel. They all decided that they'd leave the next day at dawn and travel the whole way to the land of Herlassia. There the Six Sages would stay on the bottom part of the huge castle and take out all of Ganondorf's and Emralda's forces. Then the Goddesses and Mirren would go up the tower and as one Goddess stayed on one floor to fight the forces, the others would keep going up until Mirren got up to where the throne room was alone to fight Emralda and Ganondorf. This was where Emralda and Ganondorf spent most of their time, so everyone figured it'd be best to attack, not to mention everyone who had been captured was being held there. As the three Goddesses and the Six Sages discussed the plan, Mirren stood alone thinking. He was ready to fight Emralda and Ganondorf with his new found power. He was ready to save his friends and loved ones.

"I will defeat them" he thought, "No matter what happens; I will save them all."

Link just lay motionless against the wall of the throne room he had been chained to. He hadn't had anything to eat or drink for a while, and he was getting tired. But he didn't think about any of his pains or weaknesses, he just thought of Mirren.

He thought of how sad Mirren must've been, and how hard it must've been for him to lose every friend and loved one he had. He knew that Mirren loved all of his friends, and would suffer greatly if he'd ever lose any of them, and in less than two days, that happened. But he knew Mirren would find some way to be strong and make it through everything. He knew that Mirren's heart was huge, and he was incredibly courageous. He knew that he would do anything to get there and save everyone, even if it meant losing his own life.

As all of these thoughts rushed through his head, he just thought of that day when he first met Mirren. He remembered going into his village, and saving him from the shadows of Ganondorf and Emralda. He remembered taking him back to Hyrule Castle and healing all of his wounds. He remembered Kaepora Gaebora coming by and telling them all about Mirren. Then he remembered when Mirren finally woke up, and he set his eyes on his older brother. He remembered the tears of joy Mirren shed, and that embrace they had in happiness for finally finding each other.

"Please Mirren, don't lose hope" he said to himself in his head, "don't give up. Give it everything you have to defeat Emralda and Ganondorf. Please Mirren, we're all counting on you. All of us. Malon, Artra, Mardera, Jarlis, Taursus, Faria, Zelda, and I. Don't give up Mirren, you can do it; I know you can."

Link then closed his eyes as tears dripped through them and stained the ground.