Standard disclaimers:  This work started as a novelization of the game "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," and though differing from the original work does bear SIGNIFICANT similarity to the original.  The original, and many characters are Copyrighted by Nintendo Games, Mr. Shigeru Myamoto, and other fine creative people.  Other aspects are inspired by, or owned by J.K. Rowling, Simon Schama, Sir Walter Scott,  Ms. Rumiko Takihashi, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, and other luminaries.  All other material, including excessive length, new characters, new insight into old characters, and the fermenting of cheap ale over burning witches is entirely mine, and I solemnly declare copyright and copyleft to the same!  If you are going to rip me off, at LEAST cite me, and make the bloody mess readable!  Also, be thou warned!  This is NOT the Rt. Hon. Mr. Myamoto's pseudo-Tolkenesque world, but a ficticious artifice imposed upon the real one!  Purists who are offended by these words are owed no sympathy, for they have been warned!  Note also that due to my luddite unfamiliarity with the posting system here, the following chapters are from Part II, "The Boy Without a Fairy."  Parts 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 may be created and posted as appropriate, if this small sample proves satisfying to both you the reader, and me the maniacal egotistical author.  Also note, to those who read the dates in the chapter headings who have the profound question—when does Link die?  ***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER  He Doesn't.  SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER*** Also note that this is part two of the work as currently posted here.  It may change depending on where I place the twenty-first century portions, and how I incorporate them into this work.  Also, new characters not created in Mr. Myamoto's original work will be introduced later in this section.  The high rating is due to the fact that Link and Saria are married, and consequences of that relationship.  I've tried to tone it down as much as possible, but they do indeed do what married people rightly do, and they are right to do it.  At least, if I thought otherwise, a certain Kokiri boy would be most vigorous in his disagreement with said thoughts.  If you are stupid enough to need the disclaimer, please don't try any of this at home. (Thursday, 21 March A. D. 457, First Day of Spring) Chapter 1

"Link…  Wake up…  Link, the chosen one…" 

Link desperately wanted to wake up.  He was hoping that he was having a nightmare.  He hoped that he would wake up safe in his bed, with Saria safe in hers.  If they were life-mates, sharing the same bed, fine.  If not, they could fix that soon enough!  Even if he never got his fairy, even if he had to leave the Kokiri, they would find a way.  And if they couldn't, she at least would still be alive!  As he woke up more though, he knew!  This may have been like a nightmare, but it was all too real!  He had seen her raise her sword in his defence in the Temple of Time!  He had raised the Master Sword in both hands to defend her!  Each had struck, engaging Ganondorf in battle.  But then, this horrible fog rose over him, removing him from the battle, to the sound of Ganondorf's evil laughter!  Link wept bitterly to himself.  But what else did he see?  He saw Mido trying to draw her back just as the fog overwhelmed him!  Did Mido succeed?  Was Saria still alive?  Was there any reason to hope?

Link finally opened his eyes.  At first, they wouldn't focus.  As they started to work again, he was able to make out a man standing about seven feet from him.  This man stood six feet tall and weighed about eighteen stone.  He was bald on top of his head, and had medium length white hair.  His beard, moustache, and eyebrows were also white.  He had blue eyes.  Looking into those eyes told Link that this man was truly an ancient man!  Other than the white hair and baldness, the man could have been twenty!  But gazing into the man's eyes told Link the plain truth; the man before him was truly ancient, perhaps as old as the Great Deku Tree itself had been. 

The man saw that Link was awake, and spoke.

"I am Rauru, one of the ancient Sages…  Ages ago, we ancient Sages built the Temple of Time to protect the entrance to the Sacred Realm…  This is the Chamber of Sages, inside the Temple of Light." 

Link looked around quickly, since his eyesight had recovered.  He stood on a Triforce crest in the centre of a raised six-sided platform.  Rauru was standing on a gold coloured pad along the edge of the platform.  This platform was in the middle of a large room, with shimmering magical walls similar to the chamber of a great fairy.

Rauru continued.  "The Temple of Light, situated in the very centre of the Sacred Realm, is the last stronghold against Ganondorf's evil forces.  The Master Sword—the evil-destroying sword that you pulled out of the Pedestal of Time—was the final key to the Sacred Realm.  Link…  Don't be alarmed…  Look at yourself!"

Link did as Rauru told him.  He discovered that he no longer had the body of a Hylean boy, but a young Hylean man!  He was trim, but muscular of build.  He guessed that he was over two feet taller then he last remembered, and probably now weighed about fourteen stone.  He looked in amazement through Navi's eyes.  Had he not known he was looking at himself, he would almost not have recognized himself at all!  He was dressed differently as well.  He wore a forest cap, green jacket with a leather belt, and boots that came up just below the knee, as he did when he was… small? 

But instead of the shorts he had worn, he now wore a body suit similar to one a Hylean would wear.  Yet the body suit was knitted from deku wool, not the cotton or lamb's hair the Hyleans would use.  He also wore fingerless leather gauntlets on his hands.  Navi was also amazed at the change in his appearance.  She said "Look, Link!  You're big now!  You've grown up!"

Rauru continued.  "The Master Sword is a sacred blade which evil ones may never touch…  Only one worthy of the title of "Hero of Time" can pull it from the Pedestal of Time…  However, you were too young to be the Hero of Time…  Therefore, your spirit was sealed here for seven years.  And now that you are old enough, the time has come for you to awaken as the Hero of Time!" 

Link spoke for the first time.  "Rauru, you say my spirit was sealed here for seven years.  When you did this, what became of my life-mate?" 

Rauru replied, "Ganondorf was too intent on gaining the Triforce!  When I claimed you from the battle, I blocked Saria's view of Ganondorf, and his view of her!  He ignored this, so intent was he on gaining the Triforce!  She, and the warrior who accompanied her escaped without injury."

"But Ganondorf did enter through the door you opened in peace, even unto the Sacred Realm itself!  He obtained the Triforce from the Temple of Light, and with its power, he became the King of Evil…  His evil power radiated from the temples of Hyrule, and in seven short years, it transformed Hyrule into a world of monsters. 

"He was opposed, which has bought you some time.  Even I opposed him, with some success.  But I lack the power I had in ancient times, and Ganondorf has made me weaker yet.  My power now has only little influence, even in this Sacred Realm… 

But it protects this Chamber of Sages yet.  And, there is still hope…  The power of the Sages remains.  When the power of all the Sages is awakened, The Sages' Seals will contain all the evil power in the void of the Realm…  I, Rauru, am one of the Sages…  And your power to fight together with the Sages makes you the Hero of Time!  The Hero of Time, chosen by the Master Sword!  Keep my spirit with you…  And, find the power of the other Sages and add their might to your own!

Rauru raised his arms, and tossed a coin up into the air!  The coin traced a high, arcing path through the air, and came to Link, who caught it.  Rauru said "This is the Light Medallion!  It contains the essence of my magic power and strength.  As long as you carry it, you will fight with my strength, as well as your own!  Find the other Sages, and save Hyrule!"  As these words echoed in Link's mind, he found himself travelling by magic!

Link and Navi found themselves back on the pedestal in the Temple of Time!  The room was darker than it had been just a few minutes before.  Or was it in fact seven years?  A quick look up at the window revealed that whatever day it was, it was mid-day.  But there hadn't been a cloud in the sky when they had entered the Temple!  The sky was covered with clouds.  Or was it smoke? 

Navi said, "Link, we're back in the Temple of Time.  But have seven years really passed?"  She quickly added, "It looks like you won't be able to use some of the weapons you found as a kid anymore.  Let's get out of here!" 

Link and Navi started to leave.  At first, they sensed a presence behind them.  Then, they heard the sound of a boot on stone.  Link turned around, drawing his sword and raising his shield.  The person who was behind him was not an enemy, or at least he didn't attack.

He stood slightly shorter than Link, and was of slender but muscular build.  He had blond hair, and red eyes.  He was dressed in the garb of a Sheikah warrior of old.  But unlike the old Sheikah warriors, he carried no shield, and only one short sword!  The Sheikah warriors carried shields similar to the Hylean shield he himself had in front of him.  And they, like the Nipponese Samurai warriors of legend always carried two swords!

The person spoke openly, yet something carried beyond the words the person spoke. "I've been waiting for you, Hero of Time.  When evil rules all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call those destined to be Sages, who dwell in the five temples.  One is in a deep forest, one is on a high mountain, one is under a vast lake, one is within the house of the dead, and one is inside a goddess of the sand.  Together with the Hero of Time, the awakened ones will bind the evil and return the light of peace to the world.  This is the legend of the temples passed down by my people, the Sheikah.  I am Sheik, survivor of the Sheikahs.  As I see you standing there, holding the Master Sword of Legend, you really do look like the legendary Hero of Time.  I only hope you can give truth to your appearance.

"If you believe the legend, you have no choice.  You must look for the five temples and awaken the five Sages.  One Sage is waiting for the time of awakening in the Forest Temple.  The Sage is someone I am sure you know.  Because of the evil power in the temple, the Sage cannot hear the awakening call from the Sacred Realm.

"Unfortunately, equipped as you currently are, you cannot even enter the temple.  But, if you believe what I'm saying, you should head to Kakariko Village.  There, you will find the hookshot, which will draw you into the Temple.  We will meet again."  Sheik threw down a deku nut, and disappeared behind the flash!

Link asked Navi "Is this 'Sheik' to be believed?  It sounded like it wanted me for a life-mate!" 

Navi answered, "I sensed some deception in Sheik, but not in what he told you.  I sense that 'Sheik' is not that person's real name.  Sheik might not even be a man!"  Link answered, "I hope Sheik is a woman!  Better to have a Sheikah woman lust for me, than a man!"

Link took out his ocarina, and played the song of his wedding.  He received no answer.  The quiet ate at his heart.  But, as he was about to give up all hope, he felt her!  It was just for a moment, but he felt her all the same!  And she was alive!  He said to Navi "Let's get going!  We'll find out soon enough what year it is!"