A/N: It's. FINALLY. Done. Chapter one, that is. x_x And I fear that this is going to be a LONG fic if it doesn't eventually die on me. Well, either way... enjoy! Hope people don't get too attached to it, given it'll probably take me about six months to crank out the next chapter, if this keeps up. >_
*******
Chapter One: Convention
"And that's why, Princess, we need to strengthen our relationship as a country
with the Zoras, and— Princess, are you all right?"
Zelda tore her eyes away from the sights of the lively market below and back to
her numerous advisors, all arranged around the large table. It was quite the task to keep
her attention on the droning voices of the consultants as they rambled on of political
status and security… How she longed to go outside again. Working hard to prevent her
face and tone from betraying the weariness she actually felt, she cleared her throat a bit.
"I-I'm fine, thank you. And I approve of your decisions. If you've nothing further,
then perhaps we should bring our discussions to a close?"
The head advisor nodded briskly, rising and signaling for the others to stand.
"Certainly, Your Highness. We will take our leave, then."
With a bow almost perfect in its synchronicity, the men departed, leaving Zelda to
stare at the door in their wake. She sighed and allowed herself to recline as fully as
possible in the stiff-backed leader's chair of the counsel room. Closing her eyes, she
heard the noise of the city dim to a vague hum in the back of her mind, sleep slowly
beginning to claim her…
Mist. Mist was all she could see. Then…
A wall of stone stood before her. Not of polished stone, either. No… this
was untouched rock, like that of a mountain face. Possessed by a need, then, to reach out
and touch it, she felt it yield and crumble beneath her hand to reveal a brilliant metropolis
of white plateaus and silver sun and rushing water—
Only to find herself swathed in shadows and blindness as clouds gathered in the
sky and crept along the ground like black snakes, compelling her to run as she had never
run before, the creak of cracked glass groaning beneath her feet. With a great report, the
ground buckled, leaving only the descent…
She woke with a gasp, hands clutching the armrests to ensure she would not fall.
Dreams that came this vividly could only be prophecy, and if this was so, she had to
forewarn others without any delay.
"Impa!"
She felt rather than saw Impa's sudden presence behind her. "My Princess? You
look pale."
The Princess's tone was hurried. "Impa, I just had a dream and I believe beyond
all doubt it was a divination. Thus said, we must assemble the Sages and send a
messenger to retrieve Link immediately. And… bring me Sheik."
"Princess?"
Zelda nodded, brow knitting as she folded her hands in her lap. "Yes, I know how
difficult he is to find. But we need to notify everyone, especially if this foretells a new
threat to Hyrule like I am afraid it does! You, of all, would understand that, Impa."
"I do, My Princess. I go." The Sheikah woman's habitually severe features
softened a shade as she offered a bow to her young sovereign and companion.
Producing a flash pellet from the depths of her armor, she vanished in a burst of
light.
The Princess slumped back against her chair and let out a breath. Her heart was
still pounding. And Her brow knit. What was that pain she felt beneath her glove? She
pulled it off.
There, on her palm, she was bleeding?
Zelda clasped a hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp of horror.
*******
Straightening his tunic, Link looked up and smiled as Malon ran to him, his bow
grasped in her slender hand. "Link! You forgot something!"
He nodded, a soft, slightly sheepish chuckle rising from his throat. "Thanks."
The fae-like girl clasped her hands in front of her and blushed a bit, playing with
the bracelet that hugged her wrist.
"Are you going to go now?"
"I should," he nodded again, shifting his weight onto the other foot. "I don't like to
stay in the same place for too long" He shrugged. "I've always been that way."
Malon stood in silence for a moment, noting the way the passing breeze ruffled
his soft hair— she pretended not to, of course. "Link, don't you ever…"
Brow furrowing over sapphire eyes, Link wondered if she even intended to
continue the question after a few long seconds. He supposed that all women acted this
way, given his limited experience with them. At least, all the women he was around did.
Well, not Saria. But could he ever really consider Saria a woman? She remained eternally
a child, but she did possess more sincerity and wisdom than many of the adults he had
encountered. And yet, her love for life had always shone true and strong over all else,
uncomplicated by adulthood. In a way, he longed greatly to have that joy again…
"Link."
His gaze flitted to Malon, who despite her constantly sweet demeanor looked
rather dissatisfied at the moment. Bowing his head in apology, he held up his hands in
supplication, bidding her continue.
That same wistful smile reappeared instantly. "I guess it's nothing. Just… don't
you ever want to live a… simpler life? Like back in the forest, or in the city, or… here?"
The tentative refusal he haphazardly composed in his mind died on his lips
with the thud of an approaching horse on the ground. The man that rode the powerful
beast slowed to a stop before them and hopped off, offering a bow after wobbling
considerably to regain his balance.
"Ah… Good day, Miss. Please forgive my intrusion. You, sir? You are Link,
correct?"
Link raised a brow and nodded, straightening as he took note of the traditional
Triforce crest decorating the horse's bridle. "I am. Do you come from the castle?"
"Her Highness wished me to retrieve you," the messenger explained, "I was told
to tell you it concerned a… a prophecy."
Malon and Link exchanged a look, then the hero turned back to the jittery man.
Malon, herself, didn't know much of what was going on, truthfully, but the Princess was
known for her prophetic dreams— the last one resulted in backbreaking labor and
inhumane treatment under Ingo. She didn't care to experience that again, much less
something worse. Her thoughts were interrupted by her friend's voice.
"I understand. The Princess wants me to come now?"
"Yes, sir."
He turned to the girl, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Malon. I'll see
you soon."
Her answer was a small, kind smile. "I know. Good luck, Link."
With that, he mounted Epona and followed the messenger into the distance.
*******
"Her Majesty requires our assistance. There was a prophecy."
"I feared as much. But do you believe this assembly is a truly necessary
measure?"
"Lord Rauru, she would not take such action if she was not certain!"
"Yes. It had merely been my hope that Hyrule might at last enjoy its peace. Have
you all any objections to investigating this prophecy, should any need to act arise?"
"Forgive me, Brother, but I can't."
"Darunia?"
"My son… he is gravely ill. I have to request that I stay out of this one unless I'm
absolutely needed… I'm sorry."
"It's all right, King Darunia… we understand."
"And the rest of you? You will go? Saria."
"Yes, Lord Rauru."
"Ruto."
"Of course."
"Nabooru."
"Yes."
"And I must stay to guard this realm. I will watch over you all."
*******
Link rode on, quiver and shield bouncing at his back with each gallop and leap
Epona made over the land. The hour passed slowly, wonder and slight trepidation
nagging at the back of his mind, and upon reaching the Castle Town gates, dismounted
his horse and left her to drink from the clear waters of the river nearby. Never once had
she wandered off without returning to him as soon as he played her song. He patted her
hindquarters to show his appreciation and walked across the strong wooden bridge.
It had been about seven years since the banishing of Ganondorf, after which Zelda
had returned Link to his own time. True, he had gone to visit her some five years ago to
find that she, herself, had memory of that epic battle, but they had still been children
then… Wise as she was, she could not grasp the weight of what had passed, nor was he
quite fully aware of it at the time. He was sure she would ask him how all these years
had been since they last saw each other when he arrived; he would smile and tell her how
good life was now, now that he was able to live his life as a normal child.
It was nothing but a lie.
It would have been one thing if he couldn't remember, he thought. But to have to
wait, through seven long, slow years, getting to know those who were once his friends all
over again… it had been agonizing. No one recognized him. They had all forgotten.
He shook his head to clear the thoughts away and made his way through town and
up the winding path to the castle, though he couldn't help but observe the way people
looked right through him. Saria knew all about it now and was willing to understand. He
had at least that much, and she constantly lent him her ear, but he knew there was
something selfish in the way he felt when they ignored him; when he was treated as
unimportant; just another young man in a crowd. In the end, it made him want to refrain
from saying anything at all, really. Because he was the hero. Wasn't he, even after all this
time?
The guards welcomed him warily, but with the mandatory respect when
addressing one of Her Majesty's friends. They led him to the throne room, and there he
finally saw her. He found it very difficult not to smile then. She changed so much— and
yet so little— over time. He had seen it more than once, but each time it amazed him. Her
eyes brightened and she lost a little of her regal bearing as she ran down the stairs to
throw her arms around him, jostling him a little as he let out a laugh.
"Indeed I have missed you, Link," Zelda calmed herself a bit, offering a modest
curtsy. Link grew into a man so well, every time. Somehow, rather than the flutter in her
chest that she had expected, she felt a humble swell of what was perhaps pride. Though it
surprised her a bit, it was not unwelcome. "You have been well, I hope?"
Link grinned, hand rising to the back of his neck, and replied, "I have."
With her first laugh of genuine good humor all day, she then shook her head,
turning her head to gaze out the window at the land below. "I'm sorry to disrupt this
reunion so, but as much as I enjoy it, there are matters we must attend to."
She watched Link sober and nod, following her gaze to the bustling town and the
people inside it. "You sensed some kind of threat?"
"I think so, yes," she waved a dismissal to the guards, who bowed and exited the
chamber, "I have called you and the Sages here to investigate further. If need be, I will go
as well."
Link stood upright at that, expression one of protest. "Princess, I have all respect
for your decision, but why are we acting so soon? Isn't it a little early to do something
when we don't even know what we're looking for yet?"
"I…"
He was taken aback by the haunted look that suddenly made Zelda's eyes seem
opaque, a chill passing through the room. "I cannot explain it clearly, but I will tell you
that it is unlike anything I have ever dreamt before. The symbolism was completely
different… The meaning of it all still escapes me, but still I do understand. In a— a more
instinctive way. The realism of the dream was incredible. I heard and saw everything as if
it existed directly in front of me, and—"
She stopped to take a breath, closing her eyes. Link felt as though it was difficult
to say, which accounted for her simple removal of her glove at that moment. He gaped at
the jagged slash along the palm of her hand.
"…No dream has ever hurt before."
"Worry not, Princess, for you have my sword as well."
Link whirled on the new voice. The doors had been locked! …Hadn't they?
With a soft chuckle, he stepped out from behind a pillar and made his way toward
the pair. Link couldn't put his finger on the origins of the man's style of clothing— he
dressed ornately, yet it didn't quite venture outside the realm of practicality. A deep blue
long-sleeved tunic embroidered with unidentifiable patterns along the collar, sleeves, and
hem in shiny silver threads, he noted. Loose in the sleeves, rather… snug in the torso.
Judging by the stranger's body, he was well used to travel, labor, and combat. Link's eyes
were drawn to the crimson-sheathed blade at his waist, which contrasted with the soft cream
of his pants.
But as Link's gaze rose up to his face, he felt a strange tug in his chest. Pale hair,
even more so than his own, bronzed skin, eyes the color of blood… He knew who this
man was.
"…Sheik?"
~end chapter one
*******
Chapter One: Convention
"And that's why, Princess, we need to strengthen our relationship as a country
with the Zoras, and— Princess, are you all right?"
Zelda tore her eyes away from the sights of the lively market below and back to
her numerous advisors, all arranged around the large table. It was quite the task to keep
her attention on the droning voices of the consultants as they rambled on of political
status and security… How she longed to go outside again. Working hard to prevent her
face and tone from betraying the weariness she actually felt, she cleared her throat a bit.
"I-I'm fine, thank you. And I approve of your decisions. If you've nothing further,
then perhaps we should bring our discussions to a close?"
The head advisor nodded briskly, rising and signaling for the others to stand.
"Certainly, Your Highness. We will take our leave, then."
With a bow almost perfect in its synchronicity, the men departed, leaving Zelda to
stare at the door in their wake. She sighed and allowed herself to recline as fully as
possible in the stiff-backed leader's chair of the counsel room. Closing her eyes, she
heard the noise of the city dim to a vague hum in the back of her mind, sleep slowly
beginning to claim her…
Mist. Mist was all she could see. Then…
A wall of stone stood before her. Not of polished stone, either. No… this
was untouched rock, like that of a mountain face. Possessed by a need, then, to reach out
and touch it, she felt it yield and crumble beneath her hand to reveal a brilliant metropolis
of white plateaus and silver sun and rushing water—
Only to find herself swathed in shadows and blindness as clouds gathered in the
sky and crept along the ground like black snakes, compelling her to run as she had never
run before, the creak of cracked glass groaning beneath her feet. With a great report, the
ground buckled, leaving only the descent…
She woke with a gasp, hands clutching the armrests to ensure she would not fall.
Dreams that came this vividly could only be prophecy, and if this was so, she had to
forewarn others without any delay.
"Impa!"
She felt rather than saw Impa's sudden presence behind her. "My Princess? You
look pale."
The Princess's tone was hurried. "Impa, I just had a dream and I believe beyond
all doubt it was a divination. Thus said, we must assemble the Sages and send a
messenger to retrieve Link immediately. And… bring me Sheik."
"Princess?"
Zelda nodded, brow knitting as she folded her hands in her lap. "Yes, I know how
difficult he is to find. But we need to notify everyone, especially if this foretells a new
threat to Hyrule like I am afraid it does! You, of all, would understand that, Impa."
"I do, My Princess. I go." The Sheikah woman's habitually severe features
softened a shade as she offered a bow to her young sovereign and companion.
Producing a flash pellet from the depths of her armor, she vanished in a burst of
light.
The Princess slumped back against her chair and let out a breath. Her heart was
still pounding. And Her brow knit. What was that pain she felt beneath her glove? She
pulled it off.
There, on her palm, she was bleeding?
Zelda clasped a hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp of horror.
*******
Straightening his tunic, Link looked up and smiled as Malon ran to him, his bow
grasped in her slender hand. "Link! You forgot something!"
He nodded, a soft, slightly sheepish chuckle rising from his throat. "Thanks."
The fae-like girl clasped her hands in front of her and blushed a bit, playing with
the bracelet that hugged her wrist.
"Are you going to go now?"
"I should," he nodded again, shifting his weight onto the other foot. "I don't like to
stay in the same place for too long" He shrugged. "I've always been that way."
Malon stood in silence for a moment, noting the way the passing breeze ruffled
his soft hair— she pretended not to, of course. "Link, don't you ever…"
Brow furrowing over sapphire eyes, Link wondered if she even intended to
continue the question after a few long seconds. He supposed that all women acted this
way, given his limited experience with them. At least, all the women he was around did.
Well, not Saria. But could he ever really consider Saria a woman? She remained eternally
a child, but she did possess more sincerity and wisdom than many of the adults he had
encountered. And yet, her love for life had always shone true and strong over all else,
uncomplicated by adulthood. In a way, he longed greatly to have that joy again…
"Link."
His gaze flitted to Malon, who despite her constantly sweet demeanor looked
rather dissatisfied at the moment. Bowing his head in apology, he held up his hands in
supplication, bidding her continue.
That same wistful smile reappeared instantly. "I guess it's nothing. Just… don't
you ever want to live a… simpler life? Like back in the forest, or in the city, or… here?"
The tentative refusal he haphazardly composed in his mind died on his lips
with the thud of an approaching horse on the ground. The man that rode the powerful
beast slowed to a stop before them and hopped off, offering a bow after wobbling
considerably to regain his balance.
"Ah… Good day, Miss. Please forgive my intrusion. You, sir? You are Link,
correct?"
Link raised a brow and nodded, straightening as he took note of the traditional
Triforce crest decorating the horse's bridle. "I am. Do you come from the castle?"
"Her Highness wished me to retrieve you," the messenger explained, "I was told
to tell you it concerned a… a prophecy."
Malon and Link exchanged a look, then the hero turned back to the jittery man.
Malon, herself, didn't know much of what was going on, truthfully, but the Princess was
known for her prophetic dreams— the last one resulted in backbreaking labor and
inhumane treatment under Ingo. She didn't care to experience that again, much less
something worse. Her thoughts were interrupted by her friend's voice.
"I understand. The Princess wants me to come now?"
"Yes, sir."
He turned to the girl, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Malon. I'll see
you soon."
Her answer was a small, kind smile. "I know. Good luck, Link."
With that, he mounted Epona and followed the messenger into the distance.
*******
"Her Majesty requires our assistance. There was a prophecy."
"I feared as much. But do you believe this assembly is a truly necessary
measure?"
"Lord Rauru, she would not take such action if she was not certain!"
"Yes. It had merely been my hope that Hyrule might at last enjoy its peace. Have
you all any objections to investigating this prophecy, should any need to act arise?"
"Forgive me, Brother, but I can't."
"Darunia?"
"My son… he is gravely ill. I have to request that I stay out of this one unless I'm
absolutely needed… I'm sorry."
"It's all right, King Darunia… we understand."
"And the rest of you? You will go? Saria."
"Yes, Lord Rauru."
"Ruto."
"Of course."
"Nabooru."
"Yes."
"And I must stay to guard this realm. I will watch over you all."
*******
Link rode on, quiver and shield bouncing at his back with each gallop and leap
Epona made over the land. The hour passed slowly, wonder and slight trepidation
nagging at the back of his mind, and upon reaching the Castle Town gates, dismounted
his horse and left her to drink from the clear waters of the river nearby. Never once had
she wandered off without returning to him as soon as he played her song. He patted her
hindquarters to show his appreciation and walked across the strong wooden bridge.
It had been about seven years since the banishing of Ganondorf, after which Zelda
had returned Link to his own time. True, he had gone to visit her some five years ago to
find that she, herself, had memory of that epic battle, but they had still been children
then… Wise as she was, she could not grasp the weight of what had passed, nor was he
quite fully aware of it at the time. He was sure she would ask him how all these years
had been since they last saw each other when he arrived; he would smile and tell her how
good life was now, now that he was able to live his life as a normal child.
It was nothing but a lie.
It would have been one thing if he couldn't remember, he thought. But to have to
wait, through seven long, slow years, getting to know those who were once his friends all
over again… it had been agonizing. No one recognized him. They had all forgotten.
He shook his head to clear the thoughts away and made his way through town and
up the winding path to the castle, though he couldn't help but observe the way people
looked right through him. Saria knew all about it now and was willing to understand. He
had at least that much, and she constantly lent him her ear, but he knew there was
something selfish in the way he felt when they ignored him; when he was treated as
unimportant; just another young man in a crowd. In the end, it made him want to refrain
from saying anything at all, really. Because he was the hero. Wasn't he, even after all this
time?
The guards welcomed him warily, but with the mandatory respect when
addressing one of Her Majesty's friends. They led him to the throne room, and there he
finally saw her. He found it very difficult not to smile then. She changed so much— and
yet so little— over time. He had seen it more than once, but each time it amazed him. Her
eyes brightened and she lost a little of her regal bearing as she ran down the stairs to
throw her arms around him, jostling him a little as he let out a laugh.
"Indeed I have missed you, Link," Zelda calmed herself a bit, offering a modest
curtsy. Link grew into a man so well, every time. Somehow, rather than the flutter in her
chest that she had expected, she felt a humble swell of what was perhaps pride. Though it
surprised her a bit, it was not unwelcome. "You have been well, I hope?"
Link grinned, hand rising to the back of his neck, and replied, "I have."
With her first laugh of genuine good humor all day, she then shook her head,
turning her head to gaze out the window at the land below. "I'm sorry to disrupt this
reunion so, but as much as I enjoy it, there are matters we must attend to."
She watched Link sober and nod, following her gaze to the bustling town and the
people inside it. "You sensed some kind of threat?"
"I think so, yes," she waved a dismissal to the guards, who bowed and exited the
chamber, "I have called you and the Sages here to investigate further. If need be, I will go
as well."
Link stood upright at that, expression one of protest. "Princess, I have all respect
for your decision, but why are we acting so soon? Isn't it a little early to do something
when we don't even know what we're looking for yet?"
"I…"
He was taken aback by the haunted look that suddenly made Zelda's eyes seem
opaque, a chill passing through the room. "I cannot explain it clearly, but I will tell you
that it is unlike anything I have ever dreamt before. The symbolism was completely
different… The meaning of it all still escapes me, but still I do understand. In a— a more
instinctive way. The realism of the dream was incredible. I heard and saw everything as if
it existed directly in front of me, and—"
She stopped to take a breath, closing her eyes. Link felt as though it was difficult
to say, which accounted for her simple removal of her glove at that moment. He gaped at
the jagged slash along the palm of her hand.
"…No dream has ever hurt before."
"Worry not, Princess, for you have my sword as well."
Link whirled on the new voice. The doors had been locked! …Hadn't they?
With a soft chuckle, he stepped out from behind a pillar and made his way toward
the pair. Link couldn't put his finger on the origins of the man's style of clothing— he
dressed ornately, yet it didn't quite venture outside the realm of practicality. A deep blue
long-sleeved tunic embroidered with unidentifiable patterns along the collar, sleeves, and
hem in shiny silver threads, he noted. Loose in the sleeves, rather… snug in the torso.
Judging by the stranger's body, he was well used to travel, labor, and combat. Link's eyes
were drawn to the crimson-sheathed blade at his waist, which contrasted with the soft cream
of his pants.
But as Link's gaze rose up to his face, he felt a strange tug in his chest. Pale hair,
even more so than his own, bronzed skin, eyes the color of blood… He knew who this
man was.
"…Sheik?"
~end chapter one