Author's Notes: Hello! Thank you all for the reviews! This chapter isn't as
long as the last one, but it's still long! No more author's notes until
after the chapters, now. Well, enjoy!
The Legend of Zelda:
Fate VS Destiny
Chapter 6: Meetings
Link stood rooted there on the spot, thunderstruck.
"What?!" he demanded.
"She's gone. Disappeared. Vanished without a trace," said the guard desperately.
Link refused to believe his ears. Not now . . . Oh, why did it have to be now . . . ?
"When did that happen?" he said.
The guard shrugged. "Search me. From what I've heard, it happened last night, not too long after the moon rose. Oh, and her horse went missing, too." He sighed and looked at him (or at least, he thought he did; it was hard to tell with that helmet). "Listen, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but I'm kinda busy right now, and . . . well . . . "
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure. Sorry," Link said.
He knew that the soldier wasn't being truthful (there wasn't anybody else around), just a bit overemotional with the previous events. So he thanked him and entered the Market. Navi flew out of his pocket.
"Now what?" she asked.
"We're gonna get as much information as we can," he responded.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Link started his investigation by asking people around if they've seen anything the night before. However, he would get the same replies:
"No. Sorry."
"Didn't see a thing!"
"Why would I be hanging around in the dead of night?"
"Sorry, I didn't see anything suspicious last night."
And so on . . . He was even desperate enough to ask a nine-year-old girl holding a Cucco, even though he knew the answer. He was exhausted.
"Navi, this is hopeless . . . We'll never get through this . . . " he said.
"Don't give up, Link!" said Navi. "We'll find her! All we need to do is ask the right people. You know, the ones that are bold enough to hand out in the middle of the night just like you!"
Link groaned.
"Come on, Link," she said. "I'll help you."
She flew near the fountain in the middle of the Market with Link following nearby (slowly), and led him near a tree where two men were chatting. They looked almost identical. One of them, who was wearing a red shirt, was laughing his head off and the one wearing a blue one looked pretty annoyed.
"These two always tend to give away unwanted information whether they want to or not," whispered Navi. "Come and listen, Link. Things are getting interesting."
Link hesitated, and then slowly walked closer and listened carefully. Although the sounds were a bit blurry, he could make out what they were saying.
"WHAT?!" yelled the red guy. "What were you thinking, hanging around at night, huh?!"
"I told you," said his friend desperately. "I lost a bet and my friends decided to punish me by giving me a Dare."
"They dared you to play Sand Man at midnight?" he said with a giggly voice.
"No. They dared me to stay, hanging on a tree - this tree, actually - until they were satisfied, which was after passed 3 in the morning."
The guy in the red shirt suddenly burst out laughing.
"Wha-ha-ha! And you accepted? You actually did? Ha ha ha! You have GOT to be the craziest guy I know! Wha-ha-ha!"
His friend was growing nervous for some reason.
"Yes, but that's not the point! See, I saw someone leave Hyrule Castle Town last night!"
The man suddenly stopped his laughing and replaced it by a very serious look. "You sure you weren't dreaming?"
"I'm positive."
The man in red started pacing around in circles with his arms behind his back, thinking carefully, until he stopped and said, "Do you think it could have been the kidnapper? I mean, it DID happen last night, you know."
Link's heart skipped a beat. He leaned closer, not wanting to miss anything.
"No," replied the guy in blue. "There was only one person wearing a dark cape with a hood, so I couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl . . . "
"But the gate's always closed at night! There's no way the guy could have left without ending up in a dead-end!"
"You're not listening to me!" his friend said desperately. "This - person - just popped out of nowhere with a brown horse - a stallion, I think - ; the gate lowered and the guy escaped on horseback!"
His friend burst out laughing again.
"Wha-ha-ha! Hallucinations! You've been having hallucinations again! You should seriously see a doctor about this. A horse and a person wearing a cape. Honestly! Now, I've heard it all! Wha-ha-ha!"
Link backed away slowly. This was all the information he needed. A person leaving Hyrule Castle Town on horseback in the middle of the night . . . That was just like his dream! And what did the guard say? //Her horse went missing, too. // A sudden bolt of excitement ran through his body. That dream . . . It hadn't been a dream at all! It had been a vision! And that meant -
"Navi," he said. "The Princess didn't get kidnapped . . . She ran away!"
The fairy stared for a moment. "What?"
"The Princess, she ran away! Listen - I had a vision last night and I saw her escape town! And remember that horse and rider we passed this morning? That was her!"
"Link," said Navi. "Are you sure you're not making this up?"
"No," confessed Link. "But I have a feeling I'm right about this one."
Navi flew around in circles, thinking this over. Suddenly, her eyes grew very round.
"But Link, if it's all true . . . She could be anywhere by now!"
"His heart dropped and felt as if he had stepped into an icy shower. "You're right," he confirmed. " We'll have to get some supplies . . . "
"You're not thinking, Link! You don't have any money!"
He opened his mouth (to tell her he had 10 rupees) but closed it. She was right; with the money he had, he wasn't close to buying much.
"Do you think I should go back and tell the Queen I've changed my mind about her money offer?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Nah. I have a better idea. Follow me."
Navi led him near the entrance to Hyrule Field and pointed to his left where he saw a tiny wooden door he hadn't noticed before.
"Have fun!" she cheered before diving back into his pocket.
Link slowly walked to the door and opened it. His jaw fell.
Jars.
Everywhere. On the floor; on the stairs; on the steps; under the table; on top of the table; everywhere! He was too shocked for happiness, and he couldn't help but grin. The next thing he knew, Link was smashing and breaking jars everywhere and picking the money that fell out of them. He had done this many times before, in the Kokiri Forest; it was fun. The jars kept refilling themselves after every take and he would smash them away as he pleased. Before he knew it, his moneybag was full and he was carrying more rupees than he could count. He walked out of the room and headed for the Market once again, clutching his 'wallet' from time to time (hoping it wouldn't disappear).
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Link left Hyrule Castle Town equipped with his new Hylian Shield (a dark blue shield with silvery edges, a red bird-like figure in the middle, an upside down, yellow triangle beneath it, and the picture of the Triforce on top of it), his new sword (bronze handle with hard, resistant and deadly blade), his refilled Bomb Bag (a product from certain creatures called Gorons; he couldn't remember how he had gotten those in the first place), his bottles were filled with red potions and holding fairy spirits (there were a lot of those underneath a hole in the Forest Meadow), and Navi was snoozing peacefully under his new hat (exactly the same as the last one).
Just like Talon said, Epona didn't go anywhere and Link gave her a few carrots to munch. He was wondering where on earth he would go if he were a runaway princess when he heard a soft hoot ahead of him.
"Link . . . Look up here!"
He looked up and saw a huge brown owl perched on a tree branch nearby, staring at him with big, black eyes.
"Hello, Link. Hoot hoot," the owl said. "It has been a while since I last saw you . . . Four years, in fact . . . I must say, you have grown into a fine young man. Hoo."
Link just stared in complete shock and amazement. This owl could talk?! No, that couldn't be . . .
"I believe that you are searching for the Princess? Hoot" the owl continued.
Link, who couldn't find his voice, nodded slowly, even more shocked.
"I see . . . Here. I have something for you. If you get lost somewhere in Hyrule, I'm sure this Map will be helpful. Hoot hoot"
He reached under his wing (with his beak) and pulled out a neatly rolled piece of parchment which he dropped at Link's feet.
"The Princess is headed for the forest. You might want to catch up with her. Farewell, Link . . . And good luck. Hoo hoo hoot!"
With that said, the huge bird soared into the sky and flew out of sight before Link could say anything else. Navi popped out of his hat.
"Is it time to go yet?" she asked.
Instead of answering, he bent down, picked up the parchment and slowly unrolled it. It was indeed the Map of Hyrule. Up North were 'Hyrule Castle Town' followed by 'Kakariko Village' and 'Death Mountain'. To the East was a place called 'Zora's Domain' with the 'Kokiri Forest' right under it. Going South is 'Lake Hylia' and the 'Gerudo Valley' to the West. A tiny circle labelled 'Lon Lon Ranch' stood in the middle right next to the words 'Hyrule Field'. Navi leaned forward.
"Cool map. Where'd you get it?"
Link tore his eyes off the parchment and looked up. When he finally found his voice, he said: "And owl gave it to me."
"Oh, him. He's okay. Kind of a blabber-mouth but always has some useful - "
"Wait. You actually believe me?" he asked.
Navi shrugged. "Of course I believe you. It's not the first time I see that bird around." But before he could say anything to that, she shook her head. "That's not important right now, Link. We have to go back to Kokiri Forest."
"Right," he mumbled.
He rolled up the map and put it in one of his pouches; as soon as Navi was back in his hat, he mounted Epona and sped up to the East.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun was halfway across the sky now, and Link and Epona were edging closer towards his home. Suddenly, the mare stopped dead in her tracks a few yards away from the entrance.
"What is it? Why did we stop?" piped Navi.
"Shh! Be quiet!" he urged in a hushed tone. He quietly dismounted and squinted his eyes forward. He could see figures ahead. Link walked closer with Navi fluttering behind and hid behind a tree to get a closer look. Right by the entrance stood a light brown stallion with long, jet-black hair. The boy leaned closer. The horse was being petted by a figure wearing a chocolate brown cape. No dough about it: that was definitely her.
Without even thinking, Link walked closer (making sure he didn't step on any twigs or leaves), but before he could open his mouth, the girl reached inside he cape and whirled around to face him, revealing a bow and an arrow aimed straight at him. She was shaking slightly, but her aim was set. So was her voice.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
Link blinked in surprise and quickly brought his hands up, like a criminal who had just been caught by a guard.
"Hey, woaw! Easy there! I'm no bad guy (at least I don't look like one)! I'm not gonna hurt you or anything. Honest."
The girl gave him a long, searching look. Her hood was hiding her face. Navi flew up to her face, suddenly illuminating it.
"He's right, you know," she said. "He won't do any harm. So please don't hurt him!"
She just stared in awe as the fairy flew around in tiny circles. The girl looked like a child admiring a new doll. Finally, she lowered her bow and put it away.
"You know," said Navi. "You look nothing like your mother."
She frowned. "My mother?"
"The Queen, of course!" said Navi.
The Princess looked at Link in horror. "How - how did she . . . ?"
"I - it's a long story . . . " he said. "And besides, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
She smirked.
"Try me."
"I'd rather not, your Maj - "
"Oh, please," she said, shaking her head. "Don't get started with the 'royalty' business. We've only just met! I mean, I think we did . . . "
There was a slight pause. She then reached up and lowered her hood, revealing bright, golden hair and a pair of amazing lilac eyes. Navi was right: she didn't look a thing like her mother, who turned out to be a brunette.
"Who are you, anyway?" she asked kindly.
He extended his hand towards her.
"I'm Link. What's your name?"
She looked at his hand for a moment and hesitated. Then, slowly, she shook it with her own and smiled.
"My name's Zelda."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Author's Notes: End of chapter 6! I really hope you liked it! Now, my fingers hurt . . . Anyway, PPLLLEEEEAAAAASSSEEE review!!!!!!
He he! Ciao!
Ani ~_^
The Legend of Zelda:
Fate VS Destiny
Chapter 6: Meetings
Link stood rooted there on the spot, thunderstruck.
"What?!" he demanded.
"She's gone. Disappeared. Vanished without a trace," said the guard desperately.
Link refused to believe his ears. Not now . . . Oh, why did it have to be now . . . ?
"When did that happen?" he said.
The guard shrugged. "Search me. From what I've heard, it happened last night, not too long after the moon rose. Oh, and her horse went missing, too." He sighed and looked at him (or at least, he thought he did; it was hard to tell with that helmet). "Listen, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but I'm kinda busy right now, and . . . well . . . "
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure. Sorry," Link said.
He knew that the soldier wasn't being truthful (there wasn't anybody else around), just a bit overemotional with the previous events. So he thanked him and entered the Market. Navi flew out of his pocket.
"Now what?" she asked.
"We're gonna get as much information as we can," he responded.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Link started his investigation by asking people around if they've seen anything the night before. However, he would get the same replies:
"No. Sorry."
"Didn't see a thing!"
"Why would I be hanging around in the dead of night?"
"Sorry, I didn't see anything suspicious last night."
And so on . . . He was even desperate enough to ask a nine-year-old girl holding a Cucco, even though he knew the answer. He was exhausted.
"Navi, this is hopeless . . . We'll never get through this . . . " he said.
"Don't give up, Link!" said Navi. "We'll find her! All we need to do is ask the right people. You know, the ones that are bold enough to hand out in the middle of the night just like you!"
Link groaned.
"Come on, Link," she said. "I'll help you."
She flew near the fountain in the middle of the Market with Link following nearby (slowly), and led him near a tree where two men were chatting. They looked almost identical. One of them, who was wearing a red shirt, was laughing his head off and the one wearing a blue one looked pretty annoyed.
"These two always tend to give away unwanted information whether they want to or not," whispered Navi. "Come and listen, Link. Things are getting interesting."
Link hesitated, and then slowly walked closer and listened carefully. Although the sounds were a bit blurry, he could make out what they were saying.
"WHAT?!" yelled the red guy. "What were you thinking, hanging around at night, huh?!"
"I told you," said his friend desperately. "I lost a bet and my friends decided to punish me by giving me a Dare."
"They dared you to play Sand Man at midnight?" he said with a giggly voice.
"No. They dared me to stay, hanging on a tree - this tree, actually - until they were satisfied, which was after passed 3 in the morning."
The guy in the red shirt suddenly burst out laughing.
"Wha-ha-ha! And you accepted? You actually did? Ha ha ha! You have GOT to be the craziest guy I know! Wha-ha-ha!"
His friend was growing nervous for some reason.
"Yes, but that's not the point! See, I saw someone leave Hyrule Castle Town last night!"
The man suddenly stopped his laughing and replaced it by a very serious look. "You sure you weren't dreaming?"
"I'm positive."
The man in red started pacing around in circles with his arms behind his back, thinking carefully, until he stopped and said, "Do you think it could have been the kidnapper? I mean, it DID happen last night, you know."
Link's heart skipped a beat. He leaned closer, not wanting to miss anything.
"No," replied the guy in blue. "There was only one person wearing a dark cape with a hood, so I couldn't tell if it was a boy or a girl . . . "
"But the gate's always closed at night! There's no way the guy could have left without ending up in a dead-end!"
"You're not listening to me!" his friend said desperately. "This - person - just popped out of nowhere with a brown horse - a stallion, I think - ; the gate lowered and the guy escaped on horseback!"
His friend burst out laughing again.
"Wha-ha-ha! Hallucinations! You've been having hallucinations again! You should seriously see a doctor about this. A horse and a person wearing a cape. Honestly! Now, I've heard it all! Wha-ha-ha!"
Link backed away slowly. This was all the information he needed. A person leaving Hyrule Castle Town on horseback in the middle of the night . . . That was just like his dream! And what did the guard say? //Her horse went missing, too. // A sudden bolt of excitement ran through his body. That dream . . . It hadn't been a dream at all! It had been a vision! And that meant -
"Navi," he said. "The Princess didn't get kidnapped . . . She ran away!"
The fairy stared for a moment. "What?"
"The Princess, she ran away! Listen - I had a vision last night and I saw her escape town! And remember that horse and rider we passed this morning? That was her!"
"Link," said Navi. "Are you sure you're not making this up?"
"No," confessed Link. "But I have a feeling I'm right about this one."
Navi flew around in circles, thinking this over. Suddenly, her eyes grew very round.
"But Link, if it's all true . . . She could be anywhere by now!"
"His heart dropped and felt as if he had stepped into an icy shower. "You're right," he confirmed. " We'll have to get some supplies . . . "
"You're not thinking, Link! You don't have any money!"
He opened his mouth (to tell her he had 10 rupees) but closed it. She was right; with the money he had, he wasn't close to buying much.
"Do you think I should go back and tell the Queen I've changed my mind about her money offer?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Nah. I have a better idea. Follow me."
Navi led him near the entrance to Hyrule Field and pointed to his left where he saw a tiny wooden door he hadn't noticed before.
"Have fun!" she cheered before diving back into his pocket.
Link slowly walked to the door and opened it. His jaw fell.
Jars.
Everywhere. On the floor; on the stairs; on the steps; under the table; on top of the table; everywhere! He was too shocked for happiness, and he couldn't help but grin. The next thing he knew, Link was smashing and breaking jars everywhere and picking the money that fell out of them. He had done this many times before, in the Kokiri Forest; it was fun. The jars kept refilling themselves after every take and he would smash them away as he pleased. Before he knew it, his moneybag was full and he was carrying more rupees than he could count. He walked out of the room and headed for the Market once again, clutching his 'wallet' from time to time (hoping it wouldn't disappear).
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Link left Hyrule Castle Town equipped with his new Hylian Shield (a dark blue shield with silvery edges, a red bird-like figure in the middle, an upside down, yellow triangle beneath it, and the picture of the Triforce on top of it), his new sword (bronze handle with hard, resistant and deadly blade), his refilled Bomb Bag (a product from certain creatures called Gorons; he couldn't remember how he had gotten those in the first place), his bottles were filled with red potions and holding fairy spirits (there were a lot of those underneath a hole in the Forest Meadow), and Navi was snoozing peacefully under his new hat (exactly the same as the last one).
Just like Talon said, Epona didn't go anywhere and Link gave her a few carrots to munch. He was wondering where on earth he would go if he were a runaway princess when he heard a soft hoot ahead of him.
"Link . . . Look up here!"
He looked up and saw a huge brown owl perched on a tree branch nearby, staring at him with big, black eyes.
"Hello, Link. Hoot hoot," the owl said. "It has been a while since I last saw you . . . Four years, in fact . . . I must say, you have grown into a fine young man. Hoo."
Link just stared in complete shock and amazement. This owl could talk?! No, that couldn't be . . .
"I believe that you are searching for the Princess? Hoot" the owl continued.
Link, who couldn't find his voice, nodded slowly, even more shocked.
"I see . . . Here. I have something for you. If you get lost somewhere in Hyrule, I'm sure this Map will be helpful. Hoot hoot"
He reached under his wing (with his beak) and pulled out a neatly rolled piece of parchment which he dropped at Link's feet.
"The Princess is headed for the forest. You might want to catch up with her. Farewell, Link . . . And good luck. Hoo hoo hoot!"
With that said, the huge bird soared into the sky and flew out of sight before Link could say anything else. Navi popped out of his hat.
"Is it time to go yet?" she asked.
Instead of answering, he bent down, picked up the parchment and slowly unrolled it. It was indeed the Map of Hyrule. Up North were 'Hyrule Castle Town' followed by 'Kakariko Village' and 'Death Mountain'. To the East was a place called 'Zora's Domain' with the 'Kokiri Forest' right under it. Going South is 'Lake Hylia' and the 'Gerudo Valley' to the West. A tiny circle labelled 'Lon Lon Ranch' stood in the middle right next to the words 'Hyrule Field'. Navi leaned forward.
"Cool map. Where'd you get it?"
Link tore his eyes off the parchment and looked up. When he finally found his voice, he said: "And owl gave it to me."
"Oh, him. He's okay. Kind of a blabber-mouth but always has some useful - "
"Wait. You actually believe me?" he asked.
Navi shrugged. "Of course I believe you. It's not the first time I see that bird around." But before he could say anything to that, she shook her head. "That's not important right now, Link. We have to go back to Kokiri Forest."
"Right," he mumbled.
He rolled up the map and put it in one of his pouches; as soon as Navi was back in his hat, he mounted Epona and sped up to the East.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun was halfway across the sky now, and Link and Epona were edging closer towards his home. Suddenly, the mare stopped dead in her tracks a few yards away from the entrance.
"What is it? Why did we stop?" piped Navi.
"Shh! Be quiet!" he urged in a hushed tone. He quietly dismounted and squinted his eyes forward. He could see figures ahead. Link walked closer with Navi fluttering behind and hid behind a tree to get a closer look. Right by the entrance stood a light brown stallion with long, jet-black hair. The boy leaned closer. The horse was being petted by a figure wearing a chocolate brown cape. No dough about it: that was definitely her.
Without even thinking, Link walked closer (making sure he didn't step on any twigs or leaves), but before he could open his mouth, the girl reached inside he cape and whirled around to face him, revealing a bow and an arrow aimed straight at him. She was shaking slightly, but her aim was set. So was her voice.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
Link blinked in surprise and quickly brought his hands up, like a criminal who had just been caught by a guard.
"Hey, woaw! Easy there! I'm no bad guy (at least I don't look like one)! I'm not gonna hurt you or anything. Honest."
The girl gave him a long, searching look. Her hood was hiding her face. Navi flew up to her face, suddenly illuminating it.
"He's right, you know," she said. "He won't do any harm. So please don't hurt him!"
She just stared in awe as the fairy flew around in tiny circles. The girl looked like a child admiring a new doll. Finally, she lowered her bow and put it away.
"You know," said Navi. "You look nothing like your mother."
She frowned. "My mother?"
"The Queen, of course!" said Navi.
The Princess looked at Link in horror. "How - how did she . . . ?"
"I - it's a long story . . . " he said. "And besides, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
She smirked.
"Try me."
"I'd rather not, your Maj - "
"Oh, please," she said, shaking her head. "Don't get started with the 'royalty' business. We've only just met! I mean, I think we did . . . "
There was a slight pause. She then reached up and lowered her hood, revealing bright, golden hair and a pair of amazing lilac eyes. Navi was right: she didn't look a thing like her mother, who turned out to be a brunette.
"Who are you, anyway?" she asked kindly.
He extended his hand towards her.
"I'm Link. What's your name?"
She looked at his hand for a moment and hesitated. Then, slowly, she shook it with her own and smiled.
"My name's Zelda."
*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*
Author's Notes: End of chapter 6! I really hope you liked it! Now, my fingers hurt . . . Anyway, PPLLLEEEEAAAAASSSEEE review!!!!!!
He he! Ciao!
Ani ~_^