~ Disclaimer ~ I stand by what I always say, I don't own Zelda. But
Nintendo might let me keep Link if I promise to be good ^_^
Link: Don't even think it! Look at what you've done so far! Y-y-you killed people!!
*With a bunch of flowers* And the audience loved it. At least it was not exactly for naught and not everyone died.
Link: Where did you get those flowers?
Merrick: I gave them to her as means of apology for trying to kill her. And Now, I'll give what I owe to you!
Link: What? No, stay away! HELP!!
Merrick, why do you want to beat up Link, exactly?
Merrick: Cause he called my friend scary. That's why. Not to mention what he did to Crystal!
Oookay. CrysSton, could you possibly give us a hand or two?
CrysSton with her very large mallet: Gladly!
*Merrick is knocked all the way back to Shadow Knights house.*
^_^ Thank you. Now, if all the horse playing is done, on with the dedications. I must say, people responded fast to this one. First off is CrysSton16 for her excellent talent with big heavy mallets. Then the official dedications go to Shadow Knight, FantasyGamer9 (I don't know yet. Just wait and see.), Gsfreak (Another person threatening me?!?), Veilius (No ,it refuses to work for me), and Snowsilver (All the happy chapters was getting a bit monotonous so I decided to spice it up a little. It doesn't get too happy after that point, though. Not until the end)
Now, on with the real show!
~~~~~~~
~ Coming of the Sword ~
Link couldn't sleep as the night wore on. He stayed by Crystal's bed until her rest seemed to become more peaceful. Goddesses knew what she was going through in her fevered dreams. Link patted her arm encouragingly before going back out into the moonlit night to help the gravediggers at the other side of the town.
Picking up the wooden, steel tipped shovel, Link went over beside the hard- working Roland to help with his hole. Due to so many casualties, it had been decided that they would create a mass grave deep enough where even the Wolfos would not be able to dig into it. Even then, once the remains of the dead were placed in and ceremoniously covered, they would pour dirt in just enough to cover them completely, put a layer of stone over the dirt, then finish filling it in.
It was hard, strenuous work and soon Link felt muscles in his arms, shoulders, back, and even his legs and stomach getting stressed. The images of the Wolfos plagued his thoughts and unless they were giving instructions, no one spoke throughout the process. More than likely, they were going through the same images Link himself was. But one image that probably none had was the image of the fun-loving, fighting fit, talkative, and cheery Lance falling to his knees. Link recalled the boys' golden eyes rolling back. He was dead before he had hit the ground.
Link leaned heavily on his shovel, the lump swelled in his throat too much to breathe with. Again, Roland shook him out of his sorrow though the large man had dirt sticking to his cheeks, tracing where his own tears had fallen like stain marks. Link nodded to him and with renewed force, drove the shovel into the hard packed, cold earth.
In the fair grounds, people were taking away the fallen who were obviously dead while others checked the ones who were only wounded. Miraculously, half the people had survived the slaughter and were taken to a cleaner place where their wounds were dressed and were given medicines and healing concoctions to help speed their recovery along.
Among the wounded was Andrake. His hurt ankle from the crash did not serve him well in the sudden attack. Despite the gash in his side and that e limped on the slightly swollen ankle, Andrake refused to sit and be useless. Consequently, his actions of searching for more living set him to a bed, strapped at his waist and young lady was told to watch him and make sure he didn't harm himself. The girl, too young to stand the scene outside the walls, gladly watched Andrake.
Andrake had struggled against the ropes but with his injury on his side just above the ropes, movement was limited. He tried to relax with his hands behind his head. His thoughts lay heavily on Crystal. Why had he seen her neither in the fight nor among the wounded? It had to be she was in one place or the other so how could he have missed seeing her? He closed his eyes in concentration, a show that made his attendant more alert when a knock sounded at the door.
The young lady let the person in but carefully, knowing the patient was completely defenseless. "Don't worry, I only want a few words." The voice said from behind a cleverly set shawl. The hood served to hide half the boy's face but the fact that the intruder was a boy was made plain also by appearance.
The cloak, which he parted upon entry, was a deep blue color with hints of green and brown. She could see that the cloak served more purpose than simply keeping him warm. He was probably about sixteen and even then stood taller than most others his age. Yet, despite his intimidating stature, he held a sympathetic softness in his deep red eyes. "I-I can't leave the patient unattended. It's my orders." He nodded to her, a few locks of bright red hair fell to his face but he gestured her aside to where he could reach Andrake.
With a few murmurs of uncertainty, she stepped aside to let him in all the way where he closed the door behind him and pulled back the cowl. Pointed ears were the first new discovery of this person that she noted. The second was his clothing. Under the cloak, which he soon set aside, he wore a crimson tunic and tan leggings. The leggings seemed to be of a tough material, which made her wonder where this man had been in the past. Lastly, she noted his well-worn boots. They looked to be of a special make, not nearly so wrinkled or bulky as the usual style. She would not have been surprised if he had made them himself but then looked to Andrake.
The two young men regarded each other for a moment. An uneasy silence filled the room as they intently stared at each other. She was about to ask his name when he began his inquiry to Andrake, "So, what exactly happened to you? I heard you were one of the fastest runners. Just as fast as most horses. Could you not out-maneuver the Wolfos?" Andrake shrugged but winced as stiffness in his right shoulder made itself known. Andrake laughed at himself for a moment before answering, "Not totally my fault that my ankle refused to work. Before the attack, I was going to get my sister away from that foreign swordsman when she slipped me up. I go sliding along the ground and crashed into a booth wall, ankle feeling as though it was stabbed. I recall a sharp pop."
"Twisted. Nothing to worry about. Nor is your flesh wound." Andrake looked at the man, eyeing him critically and finally questioned further, "If it is not my injuries that you want to know about, then pray tell, why are you here?" The man pulled a nearby chair in front of him and straddled it, leaning his well-muscled arms on the back of it, "In all truth, I want to know more about the foreigner you were talking about." Andrake nodded but said, "If you can get me out of here, then I can tell you more. But now I am curious. How did you know earlier that I had been with this foreigner in question?"
"Call it a hunch. Unfortunately, you have too loyal an attendant to allow me to free you and we have seen enough violence for one night, I believe. Now, do you know why Link is still here? He should have moved on by now." Andrake was silent for a considerable amount of time before finally answering, "I was going to help him to leave, let him go off on whatever quest he was on before running into that lycanthrope, Shekro, when he went and screwed the plan up. Now he is with my sister and apparently there is a higher force keeping me from parting them. These people won't let me go!"
Now the stranger rose and returned the cloak around himself. "Hey, where are you going so soon?" Andrake again struggled against his bonds as the man replaced his hood to mask his face and ears before he answered, "I told you, I only needed a few words. I must be off now. Recover swiftly." With the last words, her removed a vial of bright red liquid from his cloak and flicked it toward Andrake. Andrake caught it and looked at it curiously as the man nodded a farewell to the attendant and dismissed himself from the room.
He walked across the grounds, resisting the urge to stay and help. There was still much more to do before Link could be convinced to leave. He headed out of the city unobserved and started calmly walking toward Katie's citadel to have a few words with her as well. Dealing with her may prove more challenging as se takes interest in tall, mysterious newcomers but there was no avoiding an encounter with her if the end of this war was to be brought before the beginning was complete.
Link wiped more sweat from his brow before it could fall, stinging into his eyes. Roland nodded in approval of the width and depth of the gap. Altogether, the diggers moved out of the hole. They should not be needed for a while so Link went back toward the inn to find Crystal. He wondered when she would awaken but did not want to wake her too quickly.
Crystal was sound asleep in peaceful dreams as he came beside her bed once again. He grasped her hand in his own and spoke reassurances to her when another form came through the all and stood in the doorway. Link turned reluctantly to the person to discover it was Gramps, alive and well. Link smiled widely and rose from the bed to embrace the old man. Gramps returned the hug with a few solid thumps on Link's back and then parted to see to Crystal.
Gramps touched his hand to the side of Crystal's face as though to examine her before saying, "It seems like she sleeps well, doesn't it? Yes, but it will be quite a while before she wakes. I suggest we take her home. Perhaps that will make the realization of this attack less a blow. Come, help me." Rather than helping him, Link took all of Crystal's weight into his own arms.
Gramps nodded but with a measured look of concentration clouding his eyes and began to lead the way out of the inn and to where the cart was left. Link followed silently behind as Crystal slightly murmured her disapproval of the rocking ship. Link found himself chuckling and tried to correct his pace.
He carefully set Crystal into the seat but the old mare was missing, possibly taken by the Wolfos in the attack. Link played Epona's song in his ocarina, calling Epona to him and easily hitched her to the wagon. Epona placidly accepted the direction to pull the wagon and they started to the field once again. This time, since they didn't need speed, Link led Epona by walking alongside her and Gramps silently rode in the wagon, considering Link. He knew if the boy was to learn, he would have to learn very soon.
They came unto the house and Link quickly unhitched Epona to where she wandered to the keg of water always kept filled beside the house. Link once again took Crystal in his arms and carried her into the house, led by Gramps who opened and closed the front door. Shekro tried to jump up on Link but quickly stopped himself as he saw the girl injured. He whimpered in question but was mostly ignored. Link set Crystal into her bed and saw to it that she was comfortable before returning to the table where Gramps once again sat in consideration while petting the disheartened Shekro.
Link sat opposite the man and said while resting his forehead in his hands, "Well, now what do we do? Do we wait for Crystal to awaken or do we go back to the town?" Gramps shook his head and finally let open his own suggestion, "Link, how would you take it if I taught you?"
"Pardon?" Link looked up questioningly. Gramps leaned forward, showing himself to be serious in his offer and said, "I used to be a great swordsman. I've taught Crystal all he knows. Andrake wanted me to teach him but neither of them have what it takes. Heart. You have the passion suiting a certain technique I've withheld from the two of them. Now, before it is too late, I want to teach it to you. It may serve you well in this upcoming war." Link regarded him momentarily then sat up straight. Shekro perked his ears to Link at the movement, "What is the technique? How long would it take to learn?"
Gramps stood up and went to the carpet before the hearth. He set the carpet aside a bit and turned back to Link, one finger to his lips, signaling it was secret. Link nodded and Gramps removed a loose floorboard. Under it was a long, narrow item wrapped in old cloth. Gramps carefully unwrapped the item as though it was sacred and revealed to Link a blade.
It was obviously crafted by a master and well handled though by looking at the silver-like blade, one could not tell it was not fresh from the forge. Its grip was that of a dragon's neck with the head facing the wielders' wrist. Flare just before the blade was the shape and design as though it were the dragon's wings. Link was entranced by the silver jewels that were the dragon's eyes.
"This, Link, is the sword that created the technique. It's said that the handle of this blade was forged from a dragon's gold. Flamed by the dragon's magic breath, it will burn only those wanting to use this blade purely for power. I myself have wielded this blade a countless time in my youth but always to protect Dondoran, my home, and to protect Crystal herself."
Link stepped closer to the blade, noticing the marks that were engraved on the dragon's neck. Gramps almost playfully balanced the sword on one finger directly in the center of balance as Link tried to read the marking but the letters were foreign to him.
Gramps read for him, "What comes around goes around, use this blade for evil and evil will come upon you. It would seem the crafter had a sense of humor but the saying is true enough. Evil turns on itself, you know. Now, for as long as Crystal is sleeping, which will be a good long time, I want to train you to use your blade as I use this one. You will be mirroring my movements with your own blade. When I think you are ready, you will use the attack against me and we will see if you have what it takes.
"This move cannot be defended against unless the same move is used against it. Because of this, I want you to teach this move, if ever, only to one other person. Make the choice wisely then carry this technique to your grave." Link held a startled look on his face until Gramps corrected himself, "Far from now, of course. Understand?" Link nodded solemnly and Gramps eased his fingers about the neck of the dragon hilt. Link drew his own sword as Gramps brought the blade to bear. Shekro watched with absolute interest as the two touched blades in agreement. The deal was sealed.
~~~~~~~
There, we finally get to see the attack. In the next chapter, of course. Link finally gets to learn the move but with his own sword!
Things are still at a fairly upbeat pace but now why is the man looking for Katie? I'm sure we all know who he is. For those who don't yet or are not sure of it, I'm not going to spoil it. In the mean time, I'm going to get some well-deserved dinner!
Till next time!
Link: Don't even think it! Look at what you've done so far! Y-y-you killed people!!
*With a bunch of flowers* And the audience loved it. At least it was not exactly for naught and not everyone died.
Link: Where did you get those flowers?
Merrick: I gave them to her as means of apology for trying to kill her. And Now, I'll give what I owe to you!
Link: What? No, stay away! HELP!!
Merrick, why do you want to beat up Link, exactly?
Merrick: Cause he called my friend scary. That's why. Not to mention what he did to Crystal!
Oookay. CrysSton, could you possibly give us a hand or two?
CrysSton with her very large mallet: Gladly!
*Merrick is knocked all the way back to Shadow Knights house.*
^_^ Thank you. Now, if all the horse playing is done, on with the dedications. I must say, people responded fast to this one. First off is CrysSton16 for her excellent talent with big heavy mallets. Then the official dedications go to Shadow Knight, FantasyGamer9 (I don't know yet. Just wait and see.), Gsfreak (Another person threatening me?!?), Veilius (No ,it refuses to work for me), and Snowsilver (All the happy chapters was getting a bit monotonous so I decided to spice it up a little. It doesn't get too happy after that point, though. Not until the end)
Now, on with the real show!
~~~~~~~
~ Coming of the Sword ~
Link couldn't sleep as the night wore on. He stayed by Crystal's bed until her rest seemed to become more peaceful. Goddesses knew what she was going through in her fevered dreams. Link patted her arm encouragingly before going back out into the moonlit night to help the gravediggers at the other side of the town.
Picking up the wooden, steel tipped shovel, Link went over beside the hard- working Roland to help with his hole. Due to so many casualties, it had been decided that they would create a mass grave deep enough where even the Wolfos would not be able to dig into it. Even then, once the remains of the dead were placed in and ceremoniously covered, they would pour dirt in just enough to cover them completely, put a layer of stone over the dirt, then finish filling it in.
It was hard, strenuous work and soon Link felt muscles in his arms, shoulders, back, and even his legs and stomach getting stressed. The images of the Wolfos plagued his thoughts and unless they were giving instructions, no one spoke throughout the process. More than likely, they were going through the same images Link himself was. But one image that probably none had was the image of the fun-loving, fighting fit, talkative, and cheery Lance falling to his knees. Link recalled the boys' golden eyes rolling back. He was dead before he had hit the ground.
Link leaned heavily on his shovel, the lump swelled in his throat too much to breathe with. Again, Roland shook him out of his sorrow though the large man had dirt sticking to his cheeks, tracing where his own tears had fallen like stain marks. Link nodded to him and with renewed force, drove the shovel into the hard packed, cold earth.
In the fair grounds, people were taking away the fallen who were obviously dead while others checked the ones who were only wounded. Miraculously, half the people had survived the slaughter and were taken to a cleaner place where their wounds were dressed and were given medicines and healing concoctions to help speed their recovery along.
Among the wounded was Andrake. His hurt ankle from the crash did not serve him well in the sudden attack. Despite the gash in his side and that e limped on the slightly swollen ankle, Andrake refused to sit and be useless. Consequently, his actions of searching for more living set him to a bed, strapped at his waist and young lady was told to watch him and make sure he didn't harm himself. The girl, too young to stand the scene outside the walls, gladly watched Andrake.
Andrake had struggled against the ropes but with his injury on his side just above the ropes, movement was limited. He tried to relax with his hands behind his head. His thoughts lay heavily on Crystal. Why had he seen her neither in the fight nor among the wounded? It had to be she was in one place or the other so how could he have missed seeing her? He closed his eyes in concentration, a show that made his attendant more alert when a knock sounded at the door.
The young lady let the person in but carefully, knowing the patient was completely defenseless. "Don't worry, I only want a few words." The voice said from behind a cleverly set shawl. The hood served to hide half the boy's face but the fact that the intruder was a boy was made plain also by appearance.
The cloak, which he parted upon entry, was a deep blue color with hints of green and brown. She could see that the cloak served more purpose than simply keeping him warm. He was probably about sixteen and even then stood taller than most others his age. Yet, despite his intimidating stature, he held a sympathetic softness in his deep red eyes. "I-I can't leave the patient unattended. It's my orders." He nodded to her, a few locks of bright red hair fell to his face but he gestured her aside to where he could reach Andrake.
With a few murmurs of uncertainty, she stepped aside to let him in all the way where he closed the door behind him and pulled back the cowl. Pointed ears were the first new discovery of this person that she noted. The second was his clothing. Under the cloak, which he soon set aside, he wore a crimson tunic and tan leggings. The leggings seemed to be of a tough material, which made her wonder where this man had been in the past. Lastly, she noted his well-worn boots. They looked to be of a special make, not nearly so wrinkled or bulky as the usual style. She would not have been surprised if he had made them himself but then looked to Andrake.
The two young men regarded each other for a moment. An uneasy silence filled the room as they intently stared at each other. She was about to ask his name when he began his inquiry to Andrake, "So, what exactly happened to you? I heard you were one of the fastest runners. Just as fast as most horses. Could you not out-maneuver the Wolfos?" Andrake shrugged but winced as stiffness in his right shoulder made itself known. Andrake laughed at himself for a moment before answering, "Not totally my fault that my ankle refused to work. Before the attack, I was going to get my sister away from that foreign swordsman when she slipped me up. I go sliding along the ground and crashed into a booth wall, ankle feeling as though it was stabbed. I recall a sharp pop."
"Twisted. Nothing to worry about. Nor is your flesh wound." Andrake looked at the man, eyeing him critically and finally questioned further, "If it is not my injuries that you want to know about, then pray tell, why are you here?" The man pulled a nearby chair in front of him and straddled it, leaning his well-muscled arms on the back of it, "In all truth, I want to know more about the foreigner you were talking about." Andrake nodded but said, "If you can get me out of here, then I can tell you more. But now I am curious. How did you know earlier that I had been with this foreigner in question?"
"Call it a hunch. Unfortunately, you have too loyal an attendant to allow me to free you and we have seen enough violence for one night, I believe. Now, do you know why Link is still here? He should have moved on by now." Andrake was silent for a considerable amount of time before finally answering, "I was going to help him to leave, let him go off on whatever quest he was on before running into that lycanthrope, Shekro, when he went and screwed the plan up. Now he is with my sister and apparently there is a higher force keeping me from parting them. These people won't let me go!"
Now the stranger rose and returned the cloak around himself. "Hey, where are you going so soon?" Andrake again struggled against his bonds as the man replaced his hood to mask his face and ears before he answered, "I told you, I only needed a few words. I must be off now. Recover swiftly." With the last words, her removed a vial of bright red liquid from his cloak and flicked it toward Andrake. Andrake caught it and looked at it curiously as the man nodded a farewell to the attendant and dismissed himself from the room.
He walked across the grounds, resisting the urge to stay and help. There was still much more to do before Link could be convinced to leave. He headed out of the city unobserved and started calmly walking toward Katie's citadel to have a few words with her as well. Dealing with her may prove more challenging as se takes interest in tall, mysterious newcomers but there was no avoiding an encounter with her if the end of this war was to be brought before the beginning was complete.
Link wiped more sweat from his brow before it could fall, stinging into his eyes. Roland nodded in approval of the width and depth of the gap. Altogether, the diggers moved out of the hole. They should not be needed for a while so Link went back toward the inn to find Crystal. He wondered when she would awaken but did not want to wake her too quickly.
Crystal was sound asleep in peaceful dreams as he came beside her bed once again. He grasped her hand in his own and spoke reassurances to her when another form came through the all and stood in the doorway. Link turned reluctantly to the person to discover it was Gramps, alive and well. Link smiled widely and rose from the bed to embrace the old man. Gramps returned the hug with a few solid thumps on Link's back and then parted to see to Crystal.
Gramps touched his hand to the side of Crystal's face as though to examine her before saying, "It seems like she sleeps well, doesn't it? Yes, but it will be quite a while before she wakes. I suggest we take her home. Perhaps that will make the realization of this attack less a blow. Come, help me." Rather than helping him, Link took all of Crystal's weight into his own arms.
Gramps nodded but with a measured look of concentration clouding his eyes and began to lead the way out of the inn and to where the cart was left. Link followed silently behind as Crystal slightly murmured her disapproval of the rocking ship. Link found himself chuckling and tried to correct his pace.
He carefully set Crystal into the seat but the old mare was missing, possibly taken by the Wolfos in the attack. Link played Epona's song in his ocarina, calling Epona to him and easily hitched her to the wagon. Epona placidly accepted the direction to pull the wagon and they started to the field once again. This time, since they didn't need speed, Link led Epona by walking alongside her and Gramps silently rode in the wagon, considering Link. He knew if the boy was to learn, he would have to learn very soon.
They came unto the house and Link quickly unhitched Epona to where she wandered to the keg of water always kept filled beside the house. Link once again took Crystal in his arms and carried her into the house, led by Gramps who opened and closed the front door. Shekro tried to jump up on Link but quickly stopped himself as he saw the girl injured. He whimpered in question but was mostly ignored. Link set Crystal into her bed and saw to it that she was comfortable before returning to the table where Gramps once again sat in consideration while petting the disheartened Shekro.
Link sat opposite the man and said while resting his forehead in his hands, "Well, now what do we do? Do we wait for Crystal to awaken or do we go back to the town?" Gramps shook his head and finally let open his own suggestion, "Link, how would you take it if I taught you?"
"Pardon?" Link looked up questioningly. Gramps leaned forward, showing himself to be serious in his offer and said, "I used to be a great swordsman. I've taught Crystal all he knows. Andrake wanted me to teach him but neither of them have what it takes. Heart. You have the passion suiting a certain technique I've withheld from the two of them. Now, before it is too late, I want to teach it to you. It may serve you well in this upcoming war." Link regarded him momentarily then sat up straight. Shekro perked his ears to Link at the movement, "What is the technique? How long would it take to learn?"
Gramps stood up and went to the carpet before the hearth. He set the carpet aside a bit and turned back to Link, one finger to his lips, signaling it was secret. Link nodded and Gramps removed a loose floorboard. Under it was a long, narrow item wrapped in old cloth. Gramps carefully unwrapped the item as though it was sacred and revealed to Link a blade.
It was obviously crafted by a master and well handled though by looking at the silver-like blade, one could not tell it was not fresh from the forge. Its grip was that of a dragon's neck with the head facing the wielders' wrist. Flare just before the blade was the shape and design as though it were the dragon's wings. Link was entranced by the silver jewels that were the dragon's eyes.
"This, Link, is the sword that created the technique. It's said that the handle of this blade was forged from a dragon's gold. Flamed by the dragon's magic breath, it will burn only those wanting to use this blade purely for power. I myself have wielded this blade a countless time in my youth but always to protect Dondoran, my home, and to protect Crystal herself."
Link stepped closer to the blade, noticing the marks that were engraved on the dragon's neck. Gramps almost playfully balanced the sword on one finger directly in the center of balance as Link tried to read the marking but the letters were foreign to him.
Gramps read for him, "What comes around goes around, use this blade for evil and evil will come upon you. It would seem the crafter had a sense of humor but the saying is true enough. Evil turns on itself, you know. Now, for as long as Crystal is sleeping, which will be a good long time, I want to train you to use your blade as I use this one. You will be mirroring my movements with your own blade. When I think you are ready, you will use the attack against me and we will see if you have what it takes.
"This move cannot be defended against unless the same move is used against it. Because of this, I want you to teach this move, if ever, only to one other person. Make the choice wisely then carry this technique to your grave." Link held a startled look on his face until Gramps corrected himself, "Far from now, of course. Understand?" Link nodded solemnly and Gramps eased his fingers about the neck of the dragon hilt. Link drew his own sword as Gramps brought the blade to bear. Shekro watched with absolute interest as the two touched blades in agreement. The deal was sealed.
~~~~~~~
There, we finally get to see the attack. In the next chapter, of course. Link finally gets to learn the move but with his own sword!
Things are still at a fairly upbeat pace but now why is the man looking for Katie? I'm sure we all know who he is. For those who don't yet or are not sure of it, I'm not going to spoil it. In the mean time, I'm going to get some well-deserved dinner!
Till next time!
