Disclaimer: See Previous chapters.
A/N: Here we go folks, the heart of the story I wanted to write. Enjoy, and review, please!
*****
They say that Time is like a river, and we are but riders upon the currents, with as much power to change our direction as a leaf. And yet, there are a few ways for one to change his or her course. With the Master Sword, I was once able to dance between to points in time, my actions somehow affecting each point. But those two points were unchanging.
Now I strode freely through streams of light, something that I cannot fully understand or explain. As I walked, I was able to glimpse how the Hall of the Master Sword changed, sometimes noticing only minute changes as I traveled backward through time.
When the streams of light begin to darken, I knew instinctively that I was near my goal. Fire and rubble was strew throughout the Hall, and still I traveled. When the motes of darkness disappeared, I ceased my song, stepping back into the river of Time.
*****
"My Queen," a guardsman said, his voice soft, as if he was unwilling to disturb his Queen's prayer. "My Queen, we must be off. Your military advisors await you."
She rose slowly, smoothing her dress as she rose. Her golden hair caught the candlelight and seemed to shimmer. Her eyes, a startling shade of the deepest green, held a great sadness as she slowly tore her gaze from the Master Sword.
"Go and tell them I will be there momentarily," she said finally, still not looking at the guardsman. With a murmured "My Queen," he said, his right hand pressed over his heart as he turned and left.
"Hero of Time," the Queen said softly, tears barely held in her eyes, "Where are you?" With a final sigh, she turned and began to walk from the chamber.
The soft scuff of leather on stone caused her to freeze. Her mind wheeled as she slowly turned to face the sound.
He stood with one hand on the hilt on the Master Sword, almost caressing the blue steel. He looked just as he had in her dreams, save for the slightly haunted expression on his face. The green of his tunic, the mirrored surface of his shield. He even wore his hat, which sat precariously on the golden locks of his hair. He looked at her and gave a slight smile, then drew the blade smoothly from the stone, proclaiming himself. The Hero of Time.
"Zelda," he said quietly as he sheathed the blade in the scabbard on his back and hung his shield on the small hook on the scabbard. "It's been some time, Princess."
"Queen," she said absentmindedly. "Do I know you?"
"You should," he replied before chucking softly. He moved closer to her, standing a just out of arms reach. His left hand rose and absentmindedly brushed some of his hair back out of his eyes. "Do you remember a small boy, dress much like this, who snuck into the castle one day?"
"Link?" she said with a small laugh. "You were the Hero of Time?"
"Am, Zelda. I am the Hero of Time."
With a suddenly laugh she took a step forward and embraced him tightly. Her laughter quickly faded into tears as she clung to him. Link wrapped his arms around her, holding her as she cried. It was long moments before she finally quieted, looking up at him.
"I've prayed for your return for so long," she said quietly. "I... Hyrule needs you. He's returned, somehow."
"I know," he said, either not noticing or ignoring her small slip. "That's why I've returned."
"Step away from the Queen!" Two guardsman shouted, their halberds lowered as they slowly approached.
"My Queen?" Link asked as he backed away from her slowly, a small smile on his face.
"Lower your weapons," Zelda ordered, a smirk on her face. They did so reluctantly, obviously concerned about the stranger before them. "Be at ease. This is..."
"Link," he supplied his own name, with a small smile towards the Queen. "Just Link."
The guards nodded slightly, lowering their weapons slightly as Zelda walked between them, motioning for Link to follow. He did so with slight hesitation, falling quickly into step with her as she traversed the halls. Servants they passed gave him a strange look, but said nothing.
"These are dark times, Link," Zelda said quietly. "Gannon has returned, and with an army to back him. He means to take by force what he had lost, or raze the kingdom trying."
"I know," Link replied softly. "He'll succeed unless I can stop him."
Zelda gave him a strange look, but didn't ask any of the questions tumbling through her mind. They had reached a set of double doors moments later, guarded by two men in full platemail armor. They bowed slightly and opened the doors at her approach.
Murmured courtesies filled the small room as she entered, every man and woman within bowing their heads slightly before returning their attentions to the large map that dominated the table in the center of the room. Every individual seemed worn and weary to Link's eyes, who followed in the Queen's footsteps, never out of arm's reach.
"My Queen," one man said, bowing stiffly. His brown hair framed his strong face, dominated by a pair of hazel eyes that spoke of deep intelligence. The leather armor he wore was slightly dirty and torn in places, showing the bandages underneath. "We do not have time for prayers anymore. We must mount some sort of defense against the Dark Army."
"He is right, my Queen," a woman spoke. Her black hair was cut short, and she wore leathers similar to the man's. "If the Hero cannot summon the courage to..."
Link coughed slightly, drawing the attention of the dozen or so men and women. Each looked him over briefly before turning their efforts back to the Queen. When he coughed again, no one paid him any heed.
"Excuse me," Link finally said, a slight edge to his voice. "Would anyone mind catching me up here?"
"And who are you?" a magi said, his face hidden under the cowl of his robe. "Why are you here?"
Link didn't answer. Instead, he slowly drew the Master Sword from it's sheath, letting the magic blade speak for itself. Muttered oaths and sharp gasps filled the room as each man and woman realized just who Link really was.
"The Hero of Time..."
*****
The Next Day...
Link rode easily, his eyes scanning the horizon as he lead the small patrol in the general direction of Gannon's army. They had been mounting strikes from the desert fortress of his people, testing the resolve of Hyrule's forces. They had been beaten back each time, but held the main strength of the Dark King's forces in reserve.
"Any ideas yet, hero?" the woman in leathers, Lylth, asked casually. She had been the first of the advisors to overcome her shock, and now treated Link like a wayward brother. Never gave him any sort of rest, which really didn't bother him. He did need to stay grounded.
"Not yet," he murmured, "I've only been back a day."
She snorted in reply, but motioned for her scouts to spread out. Each man and woman carried light horse bows and sabers, and rode with a easy grace. These were often the first to meet Gannon's army in combat, and were no strangers to the dangers posed by their constant forays.
Link continued to ride straight for the Gerdu fortress, the heart of Gannon's power. He was eager to see how this army measured up, and to face his nemesis... Talim's murderer.
Shaking his head slightly, Link raised his hand. Every scout nocked an arrow and looked around hesitantly. Link remained motionless in his saddle, listening intently as he gazed towards the narrow stone pass in the distance.
"Head back to the palace," he said suddenly. "Lon Lon ranch is under attack. Bring out a small force, quickly."
Lylth nodded as she turned her horse and rode off, her scouts following quickly as Link brought his heels to his own horse, riding hard towards the ranch.
*****
Gannon strode through the remains of the ranch house, delighting at the feel of the burnt wood beneath his boots. Death and destructions were what he lived for. With a small smirk, he turned towards the corral, waving his minions back as he strode towards the young woman who stood bravely before the gate, holding a pitchfork in both hands. She shook slightly as he approached.
"At least you fear for your own life, bitch," Gannon said, a small smile playing across his lips. "Put down that pitiful weapon and this will go so much easier for you."
She shook her head slightly, her grip on the pitchfork tightening slightly. Such defiance, Gannon mused. Such a waste.
"Take her alive," Gannon ordered as he crossed his arms, laughing slightly. "I'll deal with her tonight."
Gannon's minions, rugged pig-faced humanoids, demons, and undead, approached the woman slowly, laughing and jeering at her, enjoying the fear on her face as they closed the circle slowly.
The first minion to reach for her, a small demon with olive colored skin, stopped suddenly a hair's breath from touching her. It glanced over it's shoulder with a strange look before collapsing. A single arrow protruded from it's chest, still quivering slightly.
"What is the meaning of this!" Gannon shouted as his minions fell back, confusion written clearly on their inhuman faces. They didn't see the rider approach until he was almost upon them.
Clad in green and wielding a strange bow, the rider unleashed arrow after arrow into the throng. Each arrow pierced flesh with deadly accuracy, clearing the area around the woman quickly. One quick thinking pig-man quickly threw his spear at the horse, earning an arrow, and death, for his efforts. The damage was done, as the horse reared slightly, stumbling as it's life's blood sped from the gaping wound. The rider leapt from the saddle, rolling before quickly regaining his feet. Still firing arrows, he quickly ran to stand before the woman.
"Enough!" Gannon shouted, waving his minions back. "You, archer, have earned a slow death." The Dark King approached slowly, drawing twin swords from the sheaths at his side. "And you've earned the girl a slow, painful death as well."
"I don't think so," the archer said, slinging the bow over his shoulder. "Leave now."
Gannon laughed as he leapt at the young man, his blades whistling through the air. One moment the man seemed unarmed, and unprepared to meet his attack with anything but flesh. And yet, with amazing speed, the young man drew a strange shield and sword from his back, blocking the attack easily and pushing Gannon back.
Growling in frustration, Gannon looked at the man again. He wore a strange green tunic, belted at the waist. The mirrored shield looked so familiar, and the sword...
"Not you..." Gannon murmured, taking a step back. "How...?"
"Things have changed, murderer," Link said coldly. "Destroyer, rapist, tyrant. Time to die."
Even as his last words rang out, Link leapt to the attack, the Master Sword humming with long unused power as the Hero of Time moved to the offensive.
*****