[Author's note: This story tells a bit about Roam's past, a character I created in my last fanfic, Link's Ascension. Roam is not the Roam from Nintendo Power's Link to the Past comic; he was simply my inspiration. Also, it is not necessary to read Link's Ascension first, as this is a stand alone story. The title comes from the original Zelda's instruction manual, and this story is basically an elaboration of the events told in the manual's backstory. As such, this is a prequel to the original Zelda game, albeit this one not dealing with Link's part. In case you are wondering, the Triforce of Courage is still hidden away at this point (see Adventure of Link storyline), so is not mentioned here (as no one knows of it). Tallon is a village situated within the LoZ playing map. This story is placed approximately 4-5 years before Link's Ascension, and starts two days before Zelda 1]
Roam's small white horse galloped through the courtyard of Hyrule castle, heading directly for the group that stood expectedly. From his position, the general could see many of his troops staring at him from the barracks or their posts on the castle walls. Normally, during battle, the sight of the general would inspire cheers from the soldiers and a renewal of their strength, but silence filled the air today. A few were simply relieved at the small respite from the siege, but most stared at their commander with worry in their eyes. Some desperately hoped that the situation was not as bad as the rumors and their own eyes told them, but others were resigned to their fate and just wanted to know how soon it would be over. But Roam paid them no heed and kept his face expressionless. It would all be decided soon enough.
He quickly dismounted and approached the group. He was the last one to arrive, as his duties at the front had kept him occupied. The king was in the center of course, surrounded by his seven counselors. Prince Andruin was also present, much to Roam's delight. He too had just come off the front lines; his tactical knowledge and military skill second only to Roam's. The Prince had been an invaluable ally up there, and his quick thinking had already halted two major offenses. But he too looked grim, and knew as well as Roam did that they were only delaying the inevitable.
The King started the meeting with no formalities. "I am sure you all know the message the enemy has given us. It is an ultimatum; surrender within the next four hours or die. If we do not surrender, they claim they will kill everyone in the castle, leaving no stone unturned. Sir Roam?"
Roam cleared his throat. "Although I wish it were not so, your Majesty, I believe they have the capability to do it. Their army outnumbers ours six to one, and they show no sign of fatigue. Likewise, we have seen no major loss of morale in their ranks, and they continue fighting even after injured. We are at our last line of defenses now, and our troops are becoming tired. We are running out of arrows and other supplies. The best we can hope for is to make it costly enough to discourage them, but I see no sign of that happening."
The king glanced at his son, and Andruin slowly nodded. "He's right. We've never fought a battle like this before, Father. They're demons. Only a portion of his army is human. The rest consist of wild beasts and creatures of the underground, and some are too terrifying to describe. Have you seen the skeleton warriors, the Stalfos? Every day we cut through their numbers, and every day more seem to appear. They are relentless, uncaring about death, no thoughts of laying down their weapons. They will keep coming at us until we collapse."
"So there is no hope of waiting this out, or possibly wearing them down to nothing?" The king seemed to have expected this answer, but even so he looked for hope.
"None. There are simply too many of them. And like Prince Andruin stated, they seem to regenerate." Roam hated being the bearer of bad news, but the king needed the truth. Hyrule was doomed, and there was nothing he could do about it.
"What about stalling them? Word must have reached the neighboring countries by now. Perhaps some will come to our aid." The old man, minister of the state, did not seem to want to give up yet.
Roam sighed. "We can hold out only for a few more days I believe. They continue their attack day and night, which wears our troops out too quickly."
The king shook his head. "I cannot risk the lives of all these people on a baseless hope."
"What about the Triforce, My Lord? Can you use it to aid us?" The newest of the seven councilors, Roam mused, and undoubtedly not aware of the Triforce's limits.
"We have tried. The Triforce is a very focused tool, and cannot work well against a broad army. And it resists... killing people." The king's voice lowered. "It is a symbol of peace. It cannot truly be used in war." Roam was not as sure about that last part, but it was not his place to speak. The king continued, "It seems we have no choice but to surrender. But I am not ready to give up everything yet. He may have our country, but he will have little else. If only I knew what he was after."
A new minister spoke up, the minister of finance. "My Lord, I fear there is only one reason that this adversary would attack Hyrule. I believe he is after the Triforce." The king looked up in surprise, and the councilor continued. "Considering the, ah, unique makeup of his army, I believe there is little doubt that he is a great practitioner in magic, particularly the black arts." Nods of assent percolated across the small council. "As such, it stands to reason he would like more magical power, specifically the Triforce. Furthermore, with an army of his size, he could have aimed his attack at other, stronger kingdoms. Hyrule is a small and unimportant country except for the magic triangles. What else could he be after?"
The king nodded. "Your analysis makes sense. When used for evil, even necessary evil like a war, the Triforce corrupts the user, which is why I cannot use it here. But if it fell into the hands of an evil man, or beast as this leader seems to be, than he shall be able to use it for even greater evil. With the Triforce, he could conquer the world." Hushed murmurs around the council. "We cannot let it fall into his hands."
Roam spoke up. "Your Majesty, if you try to save it somehow, surely he will take his anger out on you. I cannot allow that."
But the king cut him off. "You must. I am old now, and my reign shall end." He smiled grimly. "It is time I passed on my inheritance. Roam, gather a dozen of your best knights. While we go to surrender, you will escape out the back with Andruin and Zelda, as well as the Triforce. You must move quickly, and do not look back. Perhaps someday, my son and daughter can come back to claim the throne and Hyrule. But today, we must salvage what we can."
"Find a messenger to tell this Ganon that we shall be prepared to surrender in one hour. Good luck to you Andruin. And you too, Roam. Our future lies with you now. This meeting is adjourned."
Roam's small white horse galloped through the courtyard of Hyrule castle, heading directly for the group that stood expectedly. From his position, the general could see many of his troops staring at him from the barracks or their posts on the castle walls. Normally, during battle, the sight of the general would inspire cheers from the soldiers and a renewal of their strength, but silence filled the air today. A few were simply relieved at the small respite from the siege, but most stared at their commander with worry in their eyes. Some desperately hoped that the situation was not as bad as the rumors and their own eyes told them, but others were resigned to their fate and just wanted to know how soon it would be over. But Roam paid them no heed and kept his face expressionless. It would all be decided soon enough.
He quickly dismounted and approached the group. He was the last one to arrive, as his duties at the front had kept him occupied. The king was in the center of course, surrounded by his seven counselors. Prince Andruin was also present, much to Roam's delight. He too had just come off the front lines; his tactical knowledge and military skill second only to Roam's. The Prince had been an invaluable ally up there, and his quick thinking had already halted two major offenses. But he too looked grim, and knew as well as Roam did that they were only delaying the inevitable.
The King started the meeting with no formalities. "I am sure you all know the message the enemy has given us. It is an ultimatum; surrender within the next four hours or die. If we do not surrender, they claim they will kill everyone in the castle, leaving no stone unturned. Sir Roam?"
Roam cleared his throat. "Although I wish it were not so, your Majesty, I believe they have the capability to do it. Their army outnumbers ours six to one, and they show no sign of fatigue. Likewise, we have seen no major loss of morale in their ranks, and they continue fighting even after injured. We are at our last line of defenses now, and our troops are becoming tired. We are running out of arrows and other supplies. The best we can hope for is to make it costly enough to discourage them, but I see no sign of that happening."
The king glanced at his son, and Andruin slowly nodded. "He's right. We've never fought a battle like this before, Father. They're demons. Only a portion of his army is human. The rest consist of wild beasts and creatures of the underground, and some are too terrifying to describe. Have you seen the skeleton warriors, the Stalfos? Every day we cut through their numbers, and every day more seem to appear. They are relentless, uncaring about death, no thoughts of laying down their weapons. They will keep coming at us until we collapse."
"So there is no hope of waiting this out, or possibly wearing them down to nothing?" The king seemed to have expected this answer, but even so he looked for hope.
"None. There are simply too many of them. And like Prince Andruin stated, they seem to regenerate." Roam hated being the bearer of bad news, but the king needed the truth. Hyrule was doomed, and there was nothing he could do about it.
"What about stalling them? Word must have reached the neighboring countries by now. Perhaps some will come to our aid." The old man, minister of the state, did not seem to want to give up yet.
Roam sighed. "We can hold out only for a few more days I believe. They continue their attack day and night, which wears our troops out too quickly."
The king shook his head. "I cannot risk the lives of all these people on a baseless hope."
"What about the Triforce, My Lord? Can you use it to aid us?" The newest of the seven councilors, Roam mused, and undoubtedly not aware of the Triforce's limits.
"We have tried. The Triforce is a very focused tool, and cannot work well against a broad army. And it resists... killing people." The king's voice lowered. "It is a symbol of peace. It cannot truly be used in war." Roam was not as sure about that last part, but it was not his place to speak. The king continued, "It seems we have no choice but to surrender. But I am not ready to give up everything yet. He may have our country, but he will have little else. If only I knew what he was after."
A new minister spoke up, the minister of finance. "My Lord, I fear there is only one reason that this adversary would attack Hyrule. I believe he is after the Triforce." The king looked up in surprise, and the councilor continued. "Considering the, ah, unique makeup of his army, I believe there is little doubt that he is a great practitioner in magic, particularly the black arts." Nods of assent percolated across the small council. "As such, it stands to reason he would like more magical power, specifically the Triforce. Furthermore, with an army of his size, he could have aimed his attack at other, stronger kingdoms. Hyrule is a small and unimportant country except for the magic triangles. What else could he be after?"
The king nodded. "Your analysis makes sense. When used for evil, even necessary evil like a war, the Triforce corrupts the user, which is why I cannot use it here. But if it fell into the hands of an evil man, or beast as this leader seems to be, than he shall be able to use it for even greater evil. With the Triforce, he could conquer the world." Hushed murmurs around the council. "We cannot let it fall into his hands."
Roam spoke up. "Your Majesty, if you try to save it somehow, surely he will take his anger out on you. I cannot allow that."
But the king cut him off. "You must. I am old now, and my reign shall end." He smiled grimly. "It is time I passed on my inheritance. Roam, gather a dozen of your best knights. While we go to surrender, you will escape out the back with Andruin and Zelda, as well as the Triforce. You must move quickly, and do not look back. Perhaps someday, my son and daughter can come back to claim the throne and Hyrule. But today, we must salvage what we can."
"Find a messenger to tell this Ganon that we shall be prepared to surrender in one hour. Good luck to you Andruin. And you too, Roam. Our future lies with you now. This meeting is adjourned."