AN: Well, I think I've changed my mind and I'm going to combine this story with the short one I was going to have after this. The short one I've decided can't really stand on it's own, or at least it doesn't need to. So this will go on for a few chapters longer than I originally had planned. Anyway, I thought I had something else to say, but I seem to have forgotten it.
Chapter Twelve: Close To the Truth
Two Days
"No, no, that can't be it. He's locked in the Dark Realm for all eternity, he's not the cause of the problems in Hyrule," Ruto's voice wavered as if she were not quite sure herself. Indeed the land had been ravaged by what seemed to be a vengeful nature these last few months, but surely there was no evil will behind it?
"I know Ruto, that does not make sense, but what else could account for it?" Darunia clenched and unclenched his huge leathery hands and his black shining eyes shone rashly. "Who else would have the power and will to destroy my city!?"
"Hush Darunia, hush! We shall not jump to conclusions!" Impa said with her usual calm air of authority. Her eyes too were the windows to her emotions; deep red orbs that spoke of apprehension, even though her face did not. But now they watched the princess, sitting straight backed against Rauru's old chair (if you could call anything in the Sacred Realm what it appeared to be, that is), golden hair lying flatly over her shoulders. She did not smile and her diminutive movements in the chair showed her great worry.
"Besides, Ruto's right, as much as I hate to admit it…but Ganondorf is gone, done for, we defeated him nearly four years ago!" Nabooru paced habitually up and down the room, hands clasped at the small of her back and her eyes ablaze with fury.
"But he has the Triforce of Power, should we just think of him as gone forever?" Saria's small, childlike voice sounded meek after the Spirit Sage's emotional outbursts. Her blue eyes too were tired and alarmed at the same time, a combination that was not fit for the child's face they gazed out from. "I mean, surely the Gods' power can't be subdued so easily?"
"He's in the Dark land of the Sacred Realm, which was created by the Gods, wouldn't that mean it will hold him?" Stated the Fire Sage. Zelda shook her head, for the first time breaking her vacant stare.
"We don't know, what we do know is that something is terribly amiss in our lands. If this is Ganondorf's doing, then we cannot be caught ill prepared, don't you think?" Zelda assumed that their silence meant agreement. "As a precaution, I'd like to have us all stay here in the Sacred Realm, so that we may watch for any change. I'd also like to tell my father to mobilize his troops…for the worst case scenario. Darunia, Ruto, Nabooru, best to send word to your peoples as well. If it is true what we fear then Hyrule will need all the strength it can afford."
"Do you think that's really necessary Zelda?" Ruto gasped.
"And aren't you forgetting that that might be more trouble than it's worth? Our peoples don't always act in the…kindest interest toward each other." Nabooru interjected.
"It won't come to that, I'm sure," said the princess with a tired sigh, "but I do not want to be ill prepared, that's all. The Evil King is not a matter I wish to underestimate." Again, she thought.
"Do you think this has anything to with your vision, Princess?" Impa asked calmly, looking to her. The Sheikahan stare still sometimes sent a small chill up Zelda's spine. Zelda blinked, having thought of her vision before, but not able to come up with a clear answer. The only thing it did do was to promote her worst fears.
"If it does, I don't see the connection," answered Zelda simply.
"Should we tell Link? I think he should know," Saria stated.
"I will tell him," Zelda said in a way that no one would think to say otherwise. Told him once, I should be the one to tell him again, she determined as she parted from the room to deliver her message. The other sages looked on after her with the first real pangs of doubt and fear settling in.
***
Zelda stood amongst the glittering splendor of the Chamber of Sages, but she could no longer derive comfort from its beauty. The ever-changing sheen of the walls, draped in tranquil colors of blue seemed to extend up into the heavens and then down again into the foundation of the universe. There was no floor to speak of, no ceiling, only the platform which floated fixedly amongst the void. Here there were no fantasies of the mind to cover as a façade such as her own bedchamber, with its canopy bed and little hair brush so neatly made up or put away, this was the Sacred Realm in its true form.
She stepped out onto the center of the platform and cleared her thoughts with a deep, cleansing breath. Her violet eyes withdrew behind her eyelids, each one perfectly lined with dark, full lashes as Zelda spread her arms and opened the way for her mind to speak. Diligently she sought him out, over the bustle of the shops and people in the market, through the forests of Kokiri. Like a bird her thoughts swooped over Hyrule is search for the Hero of Time.
Far off in the distance Zelda could see a small form moving steadily across the Field and as she drew near, she could make out the form of her beloved friend, riding gallantly as ever atop Epona. His face was grim though, as hard set and burdened as she had ever seen it. Was there a chance that somehow he felt the gloom hanging over their heads already? Zelda's heart tore looking into his unhappy eyes, but knew that she must follow through with her duty and tell him that their so dearly cherished peace was being threatened once again. (AN: And I can't get rid of this line, so ignore it, it means nothing.)
Zelda blew a cool, welcoming breeze toward Link that flew over the field of Hyrule heralding her presence. Link immediately felt the stirring wind against his sweaty and cropped scalp, which shivered involuntarily. It was not an ordinary summer breeze though, no, he could feel Zelda's presence strongly. Link closed his eyes and when he again opened them the figure of Zelda was standing in front of him, a translucent form of herself. Link could see likewise that her eyes and face were burdened by a terrible weight, only that on her slight form, she seemed to be drowning in it.
"Link," she said, holding out her hand to him, even though she knew he could not take it. Link dismounted and bowed; for this was not a friendly visit, this was one of duty.
"Princess," Link replied, staring at her. Indeed in her eyes she did seem like she was drowning, or threatened to be swallowed whole by the hopelessness of the situation. She had strength though; Link knew and never doubted that. Even now as she stood before him, he could see that control taking over.
"Link, there is great urgency I must speak to you of. As you well know of the recent events that have blotted our country's tranquility?"
"Yes," he gulped hard, keeping his voice steady.
"Then no doubt you are troubled just as I am."
"Indeed."
"Link, answer me in more than one word responses," Zelda sighed despondently as another breeze blew over the Field, but not one hair on her head moved, nor fold in her elegant dress ruffled. The smallest trace of a smile appeared on Link's face as he steadied Epona with a stroke on the neck.
"I'm sorry, Zelda," said he. "Yes I have felt the change in the land as well as seen it. There is something amiss here." Involuntarily the image of the Market, blacked and demolished, and the memory of Zelda, aged and weary clinging to a blind Impa, rose again in Link's mind before he had a chance to restrain it.
"What was that?" Zelda's gaze became keen upon him and Link cursed himself for not being in more control. Desperately he sought for a cover, but Zelda's mind had bored into him.
"What was what?" He asked, his face gone stone straight again.
"What I just saw in your mind, don't deny it Link."
"Why were you looking at my thoughts? I thought we were beyond that. Do you have some reason not to trust me?" Link said harshly, feigning well an act of feeling violated. Truly she had every right to know, but he would not and could not let her.
"Of course I trust you! But don't change the subject---" Zelda momentarily faded after she said this and Link saw her face contort with discomfort. In an instant she was back again, but obviously shaken.
"Zel? What's wrong? Did you have another dizzy spell?" Link wanted to step forward and cradle her in his arms, but her telepathic projection would not allow that. She steadied herself and took a long drawn out breath.
"I am fine, it was nothing," she said, but her voice was undeniably weakened. "Now, my strength is leaving me, I cannot stay much longer. Link, come to the Temple of Time, there are preparations we must see to. We fear that the Sacred Realm has lost its hold of Ganondorf. Hurry."
And she was gone.
He had been waiting for them to finally realize what was afoot, and to think he nearly let himself be exposed. If it were not for Zelda's sudden illness, she surely would not have let it rest until she had bored it out of him. If they knew, then Loraefin's life would surely be forfeit without even a chance for him to save her. Mounting Epona again, Link took off toward the Temple. Not for a moment could he allow himself to doubt his decision, not for one, or else his sanity might truly be lost.
He rode into the Market place with such a look on his face that none dared to speak with him. The skies had become clouded and dark since the morning. An odd wind blew in from the desert, warm and dry that chased people indoors. Epona did not like the smell of it any more that Link did. Thunder rolled far away, as an early summer storm drifted toward Hyrule from the southwest. His pace quickened and he pushed the growing lump of dread that was knotting in his stomach down and away. It was too late to be troubled by doubts and he could not afford them.
Walking up the stairs and down the small path the Temple Link could feel his footfall become heavier and heavier, as if each step toward the stone sanctuary was a step closer to his own doom. He thought of Loraefin here. He pictured her when he first set eyes on her, some two years before.
She had been carrying in firewood with Megeara and Joshuan just as he had awakened from sleep. Her hair had been bound back and she had gazed at him with her always-curious storm-blue eyes. Link had always thought she had a hansom face, not simply because they were friends, but as a man, and now looking back on past memories, he would not deny it if it was said she was beautiful. She had such life; so much good-humor…He would not murder Loraefin with only a future's herald to tell him so.
Then another thought rose in his mind and it physically made him halt his stride. It was the night of the Fall Bazaar, when they had first discovered her bruised and sullied body. The same, heart-wrenching emotion lurched again within him even as he stood so perfectly still. After she had left him that night, Link felt that there was something wrong and after Loraefin did not return, he followed her. The image he met was almost too much for him to bear.
Fear, anger, despair all lanced through him at once as he called for help, meanwhile dragging one of the men who attacked his Fin to his feet and then slamming him against the stone wall with all his strength. When the others finally arrived, Loraefin's father and family had the look of death in their eyes, even Joshuan, who so rarely expressed anger. When Link took one of the attackers and held his neck exposed to Greysir's blade, and then feeling the warm blood seep over his hands as the throat was slit, he felt justice being served.
Link looked down at those same hands now, but looked at them differently. They were the hands of a murderer, as well as the hands of a hero. How could he forget that?
Shaking off these invading thoughts as another clash of thunder rolled away somewhere off in the distance, Link once again resumed his walk toward the temple where the last link in his mission lay; the Master Sword.
The altar was before him now, he only had to speak the incantation to release the Doors of Time and free the Master Sword from its stone pedestal. He could feel the Sages' power with him, lending him their strength to complete the task. The words mumbled from out his lips and Link felt the ground shake beneath him as the ancient doors cracked slowly, swinging open.