Disclaimer: I do not own these Characters.
Chapter Two: Twins?
The light world's best wizard Granhem was staring at the knight in front of him. Link had finally figured it out. Took him long enough, He thought. But the story was still unbelievable. Marin? Alive? The twin sister to Zelda, Hyrule's only surviving heir to the throne...alive? Dare he believe such a thing could be true? He thought about the Queen. She had foreseen this. That is why she had put together the eight-year spell that until a few years ago had been intact. But it had self-destructed; perhaps the queen had also foreseen that too. So now Link was remembering. But did this girl remember? All along, the heir to the throne; right on their borders. Perhaps she had even been living in the dark world for a time.
"I know this sounds stupid Granhem, but I figured you would know about these things. Your older than time. And...well it just makes sense. I mean it's possible isn't it?" Link argued, eyes pleading. "Of course it is possible for Zelda to have a twin sister. In fact, it's the truth." Granhem answered. "What?" He stammered. He had thought that Granhem would say "Good Gods Link, have you been drinking?" not this. "Yes my boy, Zelda has a twin sister, named Marin. I have written proof by the Queen and the king. She was kidnapped at age four; by the dark lord Agahnim, working under Ganon. Her pug Cameron was kidnapped with her. And palace scholars have yet to find out why in the world they took her. They believe it has to do with the Triforce. But if you have found her, in the light world, that means that she must be brought to the palace immediately, and by force if necessary, to be protected." Granhem said. Link looked as if he might faint or cry or scream, or do all three. "What's more, this means that Zelda and you have both been living lies. You think you are just a knight, but you are much more my boy." Granhem continued. "Zelda thinks she is the only child by her mother, but in fact she has a sister. And much more than that." "But...but why? Why don't we remember anything until now?" Link asked quickly. Granhem sighed. "The last wish of a dying woman. When the dark lord attacked, he attacked the queen, who was already weak, and she was dying, but stayed alive to tell us her last wish. She and I both agreed it would be safer, for Marin, if she were found, that no one knew about her at all. It would reduce ransom attempts." Link stared at the old man in wonder. Zelda had a twin sister as nice as Marin? And how could a part of his past be so missing from his memory? "But... I don't remember her at all. I..." He stopped, remembering his dream.
Granhem nodded.
Marin watched the stormy sea from her window, thinking of Link the Knight. As she thought, a large wagon flashed into view under the lightening and rain on the road coming to her house. It held seven large, looming figures, lumped into it. Marin frowned. Who could it be? Not anyone from the village, in this storm, and it was too late anyway. Tarin was off the island, out to trade his wares in another land, this could not be him. The wagon rolled closer and stopped a few hundred feet from her house. All seven of the figures, including the one driving the horses got out and approached her door. Nothing to worry about, she thought, just a few drifters. Then came the soft knock on the door. Marin went to it warily. When she opened the door, she found seven very large, burly, and mean looking men at her doorstep. They all wore dark cloaks over armor, and one of them, a man with a puffy red scar over his left eyes, had left his cloak untied, showing the Triforce insignia one the chest of his armor. "Yes?" Marin asked carefully, only opening the door a crack. The man with the scar grinned. "Mightn't we be invited in little lady? We've important business to be discuss'n with ya." He replied in a lilting, deep voice, sneering wickedly at her. "And that would be?" Marin asked snippily. The man grinned, and suddenly shoved the door back slamming it loudly against the wall. In the next second he was at her, a large hand around her throat, the other gripping her right wrist. Marin struggled for breath, and dug her left thumb into the man's left eye. He howled with pain as she stepped back and kicked him squarely in the groin. He let go of her and she stumbled back into the grip of another large man, who grabbed both her wrists and yanked them behind her back. Another man came forward and grabbed her feet and waist, apparently meaning to carry her out into the pouring rain, but she kicked him in the face and bit another's hand. Her wrists twisted out of her captor's hands, but quickly she saw she was vastly outnumbered. The men jumped on her and between them all, carried her out silently, covering her mouth with a tight gag and blindfolding her swiftly. She felt the rain pouring down and soon was soaked. The men threw her into the wagon. "Damn wench nearly broke my wrist! I oughta break her back for it!" cried a loud voice, and she felt them all pile into the wagon and it moving along. "Well I'll have a black eye and ma' nuts ain't recovered; I need suffrage for that too! Th' master wont pay us well either!" the first man she had hit wasn't too happy with her. He reached over, and Marin felt a large pain on her forehead, and blacked out.
Slick Watara was on guard duty with some dwarf from the south forest. The dwarf was complaining loudly about sitting outside the palace gate in the pouring rain. Slick nursed a headache and wondered why Link had wanted him of all people to wait for the seven guardsmen who were supposed to be coming back from whatever errand they had run for the head knight. He thought of his home out on the lake and wished he was there, curled up in his cave by the fire with his pet lizard, and instead of running around doing whatever Link wanted. If he hadn't been in debt to Link for his life he might've walked home right there. He thought about Link asking him for help, something that he rarely did. "I need someone I trust to pick up the cargo that some guardsmen will be dropping off for me next week, on Friday. If you aren't busy?" he had asked, his bright blue-green eyes flashing with- something. Link had looked almost as if he was trying to act casual, but he was hiding something. Slick was perceptive, and picked this up quickly. "Sure Link, I'm not busy that night. What's the cargo?" He had asked Link, curious as to why this was happening, and about the reason behind that gleam in Link's eyes. "You'll see. I've written a request to have it sent to the castle tonight. Just make sure it's taken care of. It's... precious cargo. I'll be taking the Squire's on their mid-year camping trip, but I'll be back by the morning, otherwise I would pick it up myself. I need someone I trust." Was all he would say, and his eyes told Slick this was important.
As Slick squinted into the darkness, he fingered the long wooden staff he held in his right hand. It was a light brown, and held indentions for the hands on each side. Suddenly he realized that he was nervous. He racked his brain for the reason but nothing came up. Before he could figure out why he was nervous, a looming cart pulled into the outer courtyard; the horses muffled hooves quiet on the paved stones. Seven guardsmen jumped out of the wagon, pulling a lumpy, moving shape with them. Slick sniffed. He hated these men, they were always getting in trouble for harassing the palace women, but workers were little and far between these days, and they were loyal. Slick felt his stomach turn when he heard muffled screaming. The dwarf, hearing the sounds from the shape, ran for it. Slick opened the gate for the men, and let them into the inner courtyard, which was lit by a few wavering torches. The men, who looked weary (one sporting a black eye, and another limping) dumped their cargo onto the hard stones angrily, and went off to their rooms. Slick sighed. The palace really needs to work on the quality of its guardsmen. He thought Slick slowly walked toward the...person? Lying on the ground. As he approached, the person moaned and turned over to face him. Slick saw a soaking wet girl sitting before him. Her hands and feet were tied tightly, and bleeding from the ropes that rubbed against her skin. She was also gagged and blindfolded. She had a large amount of orange-red hair, at least from what slick could see, and a round face. She wore a soaked blue dress with gold trim that was plain, and she wore no shoes, her feet were scrapped and bleeding. Slick sighed softly. He would definitely speak to someone about the guardsmen and have one or all of them fired. He held back his anger for the moment though, more concerned with the girl. He came close to her, and knelt beside her. He set his staff down slowly, and pulled off her blindfold. Wide, pretty blue eyes full of fear and confusion stared up into his own green ones. He sat his soaking body down next to her, and whispered, in a voice that was strong, deep, and well controlled, "I'm going to take off this gag. If you scream, I will knock you over the head with this stick." He gestured with his staff. "Understand?" the girl nodded quickly, and he could see intelligence in her eyes. As Slick took off her gag, Marin breathed a sigh of relief, and was silent. The strange man standing above her looked like an elf, but with longer ears and naturally blue hair. Marin had never seen a man with blue hair before. Of course in the rain, it looked more blackish blue to her. He had kind eyes, and a gentle hand that checked the large bump on her head.
"What's your name girl?" he asked, as a deep green shimmer surrounded one hand. Marin was amazed at it. It was the same color as his eyes, and when he touched her forehead with his hand, it felt cool, like water, and the pain lessened.
"Marin." She answered softly, and then she was being carried by the (elf?) man into the castle before her. His grip on her was firm and gentle, and she found herself feeling very tired, and very comfortable. He carried her for a long way, and eventually she fell asleep in his arms.
Marin heard voices. Loud voices. She rolled over and opened her eyes. She was in a small but cozy room, which was filled mostly by a gigantic bed in the middle. Marin was covered in thick blankets, and felt slightly less bruised. She had been healed. The voices came from the hallway outside the room, in which the door was opened, and as she shook her head, clearing it, they grew clearer. "I swear to Mirrea and the son of Flashka that I did not know of this Slick. Don't be a fool. You don't know what you're talking about!" a loud and very angry voice was yelling. Marin sat up quickly, recognizing it as Link.
Where am I?
The castle?
Lonnie... The next voice scoffed. "A fool? That girl could have been killed Link. I don't understand. I thought you had half a wit of sense." The anger in this voice was clear too. Marin thought it might have been the man who had carried her to this place, this room. She looked around. The room smelled musky, and a nightshirt hung from the back of the chair next to the bed. Marin saw that her dress had been dried and neatly flattened.
Slick stared angrily at Link, confused, confounded, and abashed. He knew he had to believe Link; he would never have hurt anyone. So why was it so important for the girl, Marin, to be delivered here so soon? He saw a shadow behind Link, and as the person came into the light he saw it was the old wizard, Granhem. "Perhaps I can explain." He said slowly, and Link whirled in surprise. Marin wondered who the old man speaking was. He sounded very wise. Marin tried to hear, but the voices floated away, obviously going to a different room. A few minutes later, Link came into the room again. "Ahh. You're awake. Well, you should be asleep. It's late, and you didn't sleep well. How are you feeling?" Link asked cautiously. He picked up the nightshirt and handed it to her, avoiding her eyes. Marin hadn't noticed she wore no clothing. She scoffed and pulled the nightshirt roughly over her head. "What is going on here Link???" Marin asked, trying to control the rage building inside her. Link sighed, sat in the chair, and took her hand. "You need to sleep. It will be explained later." He said to her, and then Marin thought she saw a faint orange glow before she drifted off to sleep again.
Link knocked on the princess' door, praying that she wasn't awake and that he wouldn't have to go through with this as planned, despite the reassurance of Granhem's hand on his shoulder. But never mind his prayers, the door swung open and a tousled looking Zelda stood before him. He sighed. She was only five feet tall, and wore a silk pink nightgown. Her blonde-orange hair cascaded down to her waist in shining waves. She had a pert nose, bright sparkling blue eyes that hid vivacity and twinkled with amusement at the sight of her favorite knight at her door at three-o clock in the morning. Her lips were full and dark, and she was as radiant as ever. Lonnie suddenly wished that he were on a different continent. He tried to ignore the resemblance between her and Marin and was amazed how different they were despite being twins. "Why if it isn't my knight and protector, dear sweet Link, and my favorite wizard! Why are you two here? I never thought that you of all people would take to knocking on girl's doors at three in the morning Link, but where are my manners? Come in dears." She said regally and teasingly, and pushed the door back, pulling the two into her room. Link sat at her desk, covered in love letters from her many admirers, and looked at his hands. Granhem stood next to him, and Zelda sat across from him on the bed, trying to look as sexy as possible for Link. "I have to tell you something you won't believe...but you must listen to it my girl." Said Granhem. "Your mother kept a secret from you. A dark one. And now that it has come back up, in the form of ... well. You must know. When you were barely a baby, there was an attack on the castle." Zelda sat up, looking excited at the thought of a secret. "That's how your mother was killed I'm afraid. You knew that. What you didn't know, were the details. The king of the dark world, Ganon, the evil ruler, descended upon us on a dark cloud. He ordered his servant to kidnap the oldest daughter of the queen, the heir to the throne. And Agahnim DID kidnap the heir to the throne." Zelda's eyes widened and she looked at Link, and opened her mouth. "Shh. You weren't kidnapped, your twin sister was." Granhem waited for this to sink in, and plunged on. "A spell was cast so that only eight years later could anyone but I remember the horrid day and then only if they were ready. Link, apparently, has been put in destiny's hand, to roll her dice. He found your sister last month. She spent eight years in the dark world. And then, two years on a small island south of here." Zelda's mouth was hanging open. "What? I have a sister? A twin sister? She looks like me??" she babbled, clasping her red jewel that hung around her neck in her hands, and nervously rubbing it. "When you thought I was dead, the shipwreck. I washed up on her island. And...she found me. Saved me. I owe my life to her. She looks a lot like you Zelda. I thought it was you at first. And...she is here." Link said, still looking at his hands. "You meet her tomorrow. And then, we will have a huge banquet and ball for her, in a week. She will meet your father, her father." Zelda smiled. "I've always wanted a sister!" she cried and began to laugh.
Marin awoke to find Link staring at her from the chair next to the bed. He looked exhausted, he had dark lines under his bright turquoise eyes, and his tousled hair fell into his face. He wore a plain white tunic and dark breeches. Marin looked around again, realizing that the room she had been sleeping in was Link's room. It was slightly messy, his chain mail hung in a corner on a dummy, and the bed smelled distinctly of him, musk and grass and soap. Marin opened her mouth to say something and Link looked at the door. Marin saw a tall, thin and OLD wizard standing in the doorway, wearing an amused smirk and sincerity in his eyes. "Hello Marin." He said with a smile, walking to the bed to stand above her. "Hello Granhem" she said, and shut her mouth. "How did I know your name?" she asked to herself really more than to him. "I have reason to believe you have had many a mind spell put on you. It may have affected your memory. You remember certain things but not others correct? If I was able to explore your mind I could explain it in more detail." Granhem answered casually. "I- Why am I here?" she asked, sitting up. Granhem smiled. "If you will get dressed and come with us, you will find out." He answered, turned around, and left. Marin stared at the space where he had been, and then looked at Lonnie, questioning. Link shrugged tiredly, handed her a pretty green shift and a blue dress, and exited. Marin put on the dress and shift, brushed out her mid-back length hair with a brush on the desk, put on soft slippers next to her bed, and opened her door. Link stood before her, wearing a dark sapphire colored tunic and black, tight breeches. He smiled wearily at her, and offered his arm. "I'm taking you to see the old king. He is very wise, but he is dying, and bedridden. Soon-Zel-er soon someone will have to take over the kingdom." He explained, ignoring the raise of eyebrows Marin gave him. As they walked, Marin tried to calm her fluttering heart; sure she might die of fright. They walked slowly down the hall; turned, walked out of the wing of the castle they were in, and into an older one, down spiraling stairs until they reached a huge oak door. Link pounded on it solemnly, and waited for an answer. Marin felt suddenly calm as Link smiled at her, gave her a reassuring wink, and stood beside her. The door opened slowly, and a boy a little older than 16 appeared from behind the huge door. He wore a long blue cloak (blue was all right, Marin would have been scared if it was black) and a light blue floppy wizards hat, just like Granhem's. He had deep green eyes, and from under his hat, Marin saw bright blue hair sticking out. "Hi Link." The boy said, smiling warmly at Link, and then at Marin, fixing his curious green eyes on hers, and opening the door wider for them to enter. Link looked nervous, Marin noted, as he introduced her to the elf before her.
"This is Marin." He said simply, looking around for something. "Hi Marin, I'm Tarll, I'm Granhem's apprentice. He'll be here shortly; he was just finishing up an important experiment." Tarll said, kissing Marin's hand with a sweet smile and shyness, his eyes teasing. Marin looked around and saw they were in a large basement, the walls covered with shelves, racks of odd things, and the floors clear except for a few bulky shapes. A long, winding stairwell was in the east corner, and now Granhem was coming down it, looking a little dusty. He smiled at Link and Marin, told Tott to clean up and sort out something or other, and then led Link and Marin away again. They walked back to what seemed to be the main floor of the large castle. "Now Marin, prepare yourself for this. You may be a bit confused and shocked. We're going to the main dining room now. Not to eat of course, though I don't doubt you're famished, but to see the old king." They led Marin through a dizzying array of corridors, until the came to a large open door. It opened into a huge room, with a ceiling as high as at least five people stacked on top of each other head to toe. The middle of the room was filled with a long table, which must have fit over three hundred people. At the end of the room that they were slowly walking down, an old man sat in the highest chair, and a girl stood next to him. Marin was amazed to see the girl had bright orange hair like her, only slightly blonder. She also had sparkling blue eyes, eyes that glittered with spirit and life, and, Marin was surprised to see, hate. The girl was wearing a deep pink dress that glittered with jewels. She wore a tiny crown on her head, encrusted with rubies and diamonds. Her shining blonde/orange hair was curled perfectly down her back. The girl inspected Marin, her eyes seeing every detail from the smudge on Marin's arm, to the tear in her skirt. Her eyes stayed held on Marin's ears for a while, and Marin blushed. She was well aware her ear's were not normal, they weren't pointy and long like an elves, nor slightly curved and pointed like a Hylian, they were mixed. Most people of high breeding and culture frowned upon this. The girl's eyes eventually lit on Link and stayed there, obviously trying to convey some message. Link looked more uncomfortable than before as she did this. Marin turned to the king. He looked worse for wear, his eyes blank, his face Grey to match his hair. He looked into her eyes, and again Marin felt the darkness, pulling at her. She tried to block the image out of her head to listen to what Granhem was saying, but the darkness came anyway, this time not feeling the same. She felt the pulling like the darkness did, but this time it felt different, like it was pulling her in the opposite direction. She was three, and she was being spun, around and around by a very tall man, a handsome man, and he looked into her eyes, laughing and grinning and Marin thought
Papa?
Is that you?
And then she was saying it aloud without thinking about it, under her breath. "Papa." She muttered, and Link looked at her. Marin shook her head. The-whatever it had been-was gone. She smiled at Link, who looked relieved. She then listened to Gandalf, who turned to her and said "and so Marin, this is your twin sister, Zelda." The girl-zelda, smiled regally at her, amused at her confusion. "What?" "Your sister, your twin sister zelda. This is she. You have waited 14 years to meet each other again, and now you will." Granhem said, wondering if this was because of the vacant look Link had told him about, how Marin had blanked out. Marin looked totally lost and confused. "Let's go over it again. When you were four, you were kidnapped from your father, this man here, and your mother, who is dead. The dark lord of the dark world kidnapped you, and I suppose that when you escaped you had your brain washed or erased, because the memories are nonexistent for you. You had a twin sister. This is she." Granhem said again, slowly. Marin's brow crinkled. "You're telling me that she is my twin sister? I have a total blank of anything before age 12. Someone washed my brain. All I remember of my past are what has been recent, from the island. I know I lived in the dark world until I was 12, and I often get memory zaps, well sort of, where I remember things from the dark world But other than that..." Granhem looked stricken. Link looked very angry, and Zelda turned a little pale but returned to staring at Link and smiling. "You had your brain washed?" Granhem said vaguely. Marin nodded. "It must have been by a very powerful sorcerer, that kind of thing..." he exchanged glances with Link, who now looked worried. "I was willing. That's why it was easy." Marin said, voice shaking, and looked at her hands. When she looked at Zelda, Link and Granhem were gaping at her. She bit her lip, straightened up and tried to put some resolve into herself. I'm not going to let these people, my family, I suppose, change me. I'm going to get through this with pride. No matter how hard it is, she thought. "Well." Granhem muttered slowly. "You will no doubt slowly be regaining your memory from what you have told me. But there is another matter." He turned to the king. The king looked up at her, took one of her young, tan hands in his, and said to her in a gravely voice "I know you were hurt young lady, but your getting a chance to be safe. You are the heir to the Hyrulian throne. You must accept your responsibilities. No one is forcing you, but this is important. You have a family now. No matter how much you think of Zelda and an old man, we are your family. Give us a chance." Link looked up, and said softly "You have more family than that too. I'm your family." Marin turned and looked into Link's turquoise eyes, surprised at his sincerity. I barely know him and he acts as if he needs to protect me for some reason. And I feel safe with him. Safer than I ever have. And...that memory...was it this old man before me? My papa? She asked herself. She looked before her, at the man who would have look young, were it not for the disease that made him look pale and ragged. "What we want to know is, would you like to stay, here, and live with us, learn to adapt to palace life, and have a family?" Granhem asked. Marin sighed, and nodded. "I want to get to know you. I will stay." Everyone felt the strong tension lift off of the group of people standing in the middle of the banquet hall. Link grinned.
Marin knew she had to be quiet or the crew would hear her. Lonnie was kneeling next to her, his face pale with fear that they would be caught. As the boat started to pull away from the cold shores of the dark world, Marin felt a weight lift from her heart, but couldn't be happy. The long hours of pain, torture, humiliation, rejection, fear and uncertainty gripped her heart like a vise. Lonnie was staring at her, his dark eyes intense. Marin saw she was tightly gripping his hand with hers. "I know. I feel it too." He whispered, his dark eyes set in a thin, shadowed face. "I think I can make it go away. For both of us. We can go to sleep and wake up far away...and safe..." Marin looked at her soot-covered arms, and down at her course, charred dress. "Ok." She murmured.
As Marin awoke from the nightmare, Link, at the other end of the castle, in the knight barracks, was also dreaming of a memory...
Tarll was rushing into his chambers, a panicked expression on his face. The 14-year-old collapsed onto his bed, trying to catch his breath. His bright blue hair a dark contrast to the cream colored sheets. Link, who had been writing up his homework, quickly poured him a glass of water. Tarll sat up and gulped it down. "The dark world castle, it's burning down!! I ran from the dungeon, Granhem's going crazy. They say he had over two thousand child slaves in there!" Tarll watched Link's expression, and was not at all surprised when Link jumped up, grabbed a cloak, and ran out his door.
More on the way! Please Review!
Chapter Two: Twins?
The light world's best wizard Granhem was staring at the knight in front of him. Link had finally figured it out. Took him long enough, He thought. But the story was still unbelievable. Marin? Alive? The twin sister to Zelda, Hyrule's only surviving heir to the throne...alive? Dare he believe such a thing could be true? He thought about the Queen. She had foreseen this. That is why she had put together the eight-year spell that until a few years ago had been intact. But it had self-destructed; perhaps the queen had also foreseen that too. So now Link was remembering. But did this girl remember? All along, the heir to the throne; right on their borders. Perhaps she had even been living in the dark world for a time.
"I know this sounds stupid Granhem, but I figured you would know about these things. Your older than time. And...well it just makes sense. I mean it's possible isn't it?" Link argued, eyes pleading. "Of course it is possible for Zelda to have a twin sister. In fact, it's the truth." Granhem answered. "What?" He stammered. He had thought that Granhem would say "Good Gods Link, have you been drinking?" not this. "Yes my boy, Zelda has a twin sister, named Marin. I have written proof by the Queen and the king. She was kidnapped at age four; by the dark lord Agahnim, working under Ganon. Her pug Cameron was kidnapped with her. And palace scholars have yet to find out why in the world they took her. They believe it has to do with the Triforce. But if you have found her, in the light world, that means that she must be brought to the palace immediately, and by force if necessary, to be protected." Granhem said. Link looked as if he might faint or cry or scream, or do all three. "What's more, this means that Zelda and you have both been living lies. You think you are just a knight, but you are much more my boy." Granhem continued. "Zelda thinks she is the only child by her mother, but in fact she has a sister. And much more than that." "But...but why? Why don't we remember anything until now?" Link asked quickly. Granhem sighed. "The last wish of a dying woman. When the dark lord attacked, he attacked the queen, who was already weak, and she was dying, but stayed alive to tell us her last wish. She and I both agreed it would be safer, for Marin, if she were found, that no one knew about her at all. It would reduce ransom attempts." Link stared at the old man in wonder. Zelda had a twin sister as nice as Marin? And how could a part of his past be so missing from his memory? "But... I don't remember her at all. I..." He stopped, remembering his dream.
Granhem nodded.
Marin watched the stormy sea from her window, thinking of Link the Knight. As she thought, a large wagon flashed into view under the lightening and rain on the road coming to her house. It held seven large, looming figures, lumped into it. Marin frowned. Who could it be? Not anyone from the village, in this storm, and it was too late anyway. Tarin was off the island, out to trade his wares in another land, this could not be him. The wagon rolled closer and stopped a few hundred feet from her house. All seven of the figures, including the one driving the horses got out and approached her door. Nothing to worry about, she thought, just a few drifters. Then came the soft knock on the door. Marin went to it warily. When she opened the door, she found seven very large, burly, and mean looking men at her doorstep. They all wore dark cloaks over armor, and one of them, a man with a puffy red scar over his left eyes, had left his cloak untied, showing the Triforce insignia one the chest of his armor. "Yes?" Marin asked carefully, only opening the door a crack. The man with the scar grinned. "Mightn't we be invited in little lady? We've important business to be discuss'n with ya." He replied in a lilting, deep voice, sneering wickedly at her. "And that would be?" Marin asked snippily. The man grinned, and suddenly shoved the door back slamming it loudly against the wall. In the next second he was at her, a large hand around her throat, the other gripping her right wrist. Marin struggled for breath, and dug her left thumb into the man's left eye. He howled with pain as she stepped back and kicked him squarely in the groin. He let go of her and she stumbled back into the grip of another large man, who grabbed both her wrists and yanked them behind her back. Another man came forward and grabbed her feet and waist, apparently meaning to carry her out into the pouring rain, but she kicked him in the face and bit another's hand. Her wrists twisted out of her captor's hands, but quickly she saw she was vastly outnumbered. The men jumped on her and between them all, carried her out silently, covering her mouth with a tight gag and blindfolding her swiftly. She felt the rain pouring down and soon was soaked. The men threw her into the wagon. "Damn wench nearly broke my wrist! I oughta break her back for it!" cried a loud voice, and she felt them all pile into the wagon and it moving along. "Well I'll have a black eye and ma' nuts ain't recovered; I need suffrage for that too! Th' master wont pay us well either!" the first man she had hit wasn't too happy with her. He reached over, and Marin felt a large pain on her forehead, and blacked out.
Slick Watara was on guard duty with some dwarf from the south forest. The dwarf was complaining loudly about sitting outside the palace gate in the pouring rain. Slick nursed a headache and wondered why Link had wanted him of all people to wait for the seven guardsmen who were supposed to be coming back from whatever errand they had run for the head knight. He thought of his home out on the lake and wished he was there, curled up in his cave by the fire with his pet lizard, and instead of running around doing whatever Link wanted. If he hadn't been in debt to Link for his life he might've walked home right there. He thought about Link asking him for help, something that he rarely did. "I need someone I trust to pick up the cargo that some guardsmen will be dropping off for me next week, on Friday. If you aren't busy?" he had asked, his bright blue-green eyes flashing with- something. Link had looked almost as if he was trying to act casual, but he was hiding something. Slick was perceptive, and picked this up quickly. "Sure Link, I'm not busy that night. What's the cargo?" He had asked Link, curious as to why this was happening, and about the reason behind that gleam in Link's eyes. "You'll see. I've written a request to have it sent to the castle tonight. Just make sure it's taken care of. It's... precious cargo. I'll be taking the Squire's on their mid-year camping trip, but I'll be back by the morning, otherwise I would pick it up myself. I need someone I trust." Was all he would say, and his eyes told Slick this was important.
As Slick squinted into the darkness, he fingered the long wooden staff he held in his right hand. It was a light brown, and held indentions for the hands on each side. Suddenly he realized that he was nervous. He racked his brain for the reason but nothing came up. Before he could figure out why he was nervous, a looming cart pulled into the outer courtyard; the horses muffled hooves quiet on the paved stones. Seven guardsmen jumped out of the wagon, pulling a lumpy, moving shape with them. Slick sniffed. He hated these men, they were always getting in trouble for harassing the palace women, but workers were little and far between these days, and they were loyal. Slick felt his stomach turn when he heard muffled screaming. The dwarf, hearing the sounds from the shape, ran for it. Slick opened the gate for the men, and let them into the inner courtyard, which was lit by a few wavering torches. The men, who looked weary (one sporting a black eye, and another limping) dumped their cargo onto the hard stones angrily, and went off to their rooms. Slick sighed. The palace really needs to work on the quality of its guardsmen. He thought Slick slowly walked toward the...person? Lying on the ground. As he approached, the person moaned and turned over to face him. Slick saw a soaking wet girl sitting before him. Her hands and feet were tied tightly, and bleeding from the ropes that rubbed against her skin. She was also gagged and blindfolded. She had a large amount of orange-red hair, at least from what slick could see, and a round face. She wore a soaked blue dress with gold trim that was plain, and she wore no shoes, her feet were scrapped and bleeding. Slick sighed softly. He would definitely speak to someone about the guardsmen and have one or all of them fired. He held back his anger for the moment though, more concerned with the girl. He came close to her, and knelt beside her. He set his staff down slowly, and pulled off her blindfold. Wide, pretty blue eyes full of fear and confusion stared up into his own green ones. He sat his soaking body down next to her, and whispered, in a voice that was strong, deep, and well controlled, "I'm going to take off this gag. If you scream, I will knock you over the head with this stick." He gestured with his staff. "Understand?" the girl nodded quickly, and he could see intelligence in her eyes. As Slick took off her gag, Marin breathed a sigh of relief, and was silent. The strange man standing above her looked like an elf, but with longer ears and naturally blue hair. Marin had never seen a man with blue hair before. Of course in the rain, it looked more blackish blue to her. He had kind eyes, and a gentle hand that checked the large bump on her head.
"What's your name girl?" he asked, as a deep green shimmer surrounded one hand. Marin was amazed at it. It was the same color as his eyes, and when he touched her forehead with his hand, it felt cool, like water, and the pain lessened.
"Marin." She answered softly, and then she was being carried by the (elf?) man into the castle before her. His grip on her was firm and gentle, and she found herself feeling very tired, and very comfortable. He carried her for a long way, and eventually she fell asleep in his arms.
Marin heard voices. Loud voices. She rolled over and opened her eyes. She was in a small but cozy room, which was filled mostly by a gigantic bed in the middle. Marin was covered in thick blankets, and felt slightly less bruised. She had been healed. The voices came from the hallway outside the room, in which the door was opened, and as she shook her head, clearing it, they grew clearer. "I swear to Mirrea and the son of Flashka that I did not know of this Slick. Don't be a fool. You don't know what you're talking about!" a loud and very angry voice was yelling. Marin sat up quickly, recognizing it as Link.
Where am I?
The castle?
Lonnie... The next voice scoffed. "A fool? That girl could have been killed Link. I don't understand. I thought you had half a wit of sense." The anger in this voice was clear too. Marin thought it might have been the man who had carried her to this place, this room. She looked around. The room smelled musky, and a nightshirt hung from the back of the chair next to the bed. Marin saw that her dress had been dried and neatly flattened.
Slick stared angrily at Link, confused, confounded, and abashed. He knew he had to believe Link; he would never have hurt anyone. So why was it so important for the girl, Marin, to be delivered here so soon? He saw a shadow behind Link, and as the person came into the light he saw it was the old wizard, Granhem. "Perhaps I can explain." He said slowly, and Link whirled in surprise. Marin wondered who the old man speaking was. He sounded very wise. Marin tried to hear, but the voices floated away, obviously going to a different room. A few minutes later, Link came into the room again. "Ahh. You're awake. Well, you should be asleep. It's late, and you didn't sleep well. How are you feeling?" Link asked cautiously. He picked up the nightshirt and handed it to her, avoiding her eyes. Marin hadn't noticed she wore no clothing. She scoffed and pulled the nightshirt roughly over her head. "What is going on here Link???" Marin asked, trying to control the rage building inside her. Link sighed, sat in the chair, and took her hand. "You need to sleep. It will be explained later." He said to her, and then Marin thought she saw a faint orange glow before she drifted off to sleep again.
Link knocked on the princess' door, praying that she wasn't awake and that he wouldn't have to go through with this as planned, despite the reassurance of Granhem's hand on his shoulder. But never mind his prayers, the door swung open and a tousled looking Zelda stood before him. He sighed. She was only five feet tall, and wore a silk pink nightgown. Her blonde-orange hair cascaded down to her waist in shining waves. She had a pert nose, bright sparkling blue eyes that hid vivacity and twinkled with amusement at the sight of her favorite knight at her door at three-o clock in the morning. Her lips were full and dark, and she was as radiant as ever. Lonnie suddenly wished that he were on a different continent. He tried to ignore the resemblance between her and Marin and was amazed how different they were despite being twins. "Why if it isn't my knight and protector, dear sweet Link, and my favorite wizard! Why are you two here? I never thought that you of all people would take to knocking on girl's doors at three in the morning Link, but where are my manners? Come in dears." She said regally and teasingly, and pushed the door back, pulling the two into her room. Link sat at her desk, covered in love letters from her many admirers, and looked at his hands. Granhem stood next to him, and Zelda sat across from him on the bed, trying to look as sexy as possible for Link. "I have to tell you something you won't believe...but you must listen to it my girl." Said Granhem. "Your mother kept a secret from you. A dark one. And now that it has come back up, in the form of ... well. You must know. When you were barely a baby, there was an attack on the castle." Zelda sat up, looking excited at the thought of a secret. "That's how your mother was killed I'm afraid. You knew that. What you didn't know, were the details. The king of the dark world, Ganon, the evil ruler, descended upon us on a dark cloud. He ordered his servant to kidnap the oldest daughter of the queen, the heir to the throne. And Agahnim DID kidnap the heir to the throne." Zelda's eyes widened and she looked at Link, and opened her mouth. "Shh. You weren't kidnapped, your twin sister was." Granhem waited for this to sink in, and plunged on. "A spell was cast so that only eight years later could anyone but I remember the horrid day and then only if they were ready. Link, apparently, has been put in destiny's hand, to roll her dice. He found your sister last month. She spent eight years in the dark world. And then, two years on a small island south of here." Zelda's mouth was hanging open. "What? I have a sister? A twin sister? She looks like me??" she babbled, clasping her red jewel that hung around her neck in her hands, and nervously rubbing it. "When you thought I was dead, the shipwreck. I washed up on her island. And...she found me. Saved me. I owe my life to her. She looks a lot like you Zelda. I thought it was you at first. And...she is here." Link said, still looking at his hands. "You meet her tomorrow. And then, we will have a huge banquet and ball for her, in a week. She will meet your father, her father." Zelda smiled. "I've always wanted a sister!" she cried and began to laugh.
Marin awoke to find Link staring at her from the chair next to the bed. He looked exhausted, he had dark lines under his bright turquoise eyes, and his tousled hair fell into his face. He wore a plain white tunic and dark breeches. Marin looked around again, realizing that the room she had been sleeping in was Link's room. It was slightly messy, his chain mail hung in a corner on a dummy, and the bed smelled distinctly of him, musk and grass and soap. Marin opened her mouth to say something and Link looked at the door. Marin saw a tall, thin and OLD wizard standing in the doorway, wearing an amused smirk and sincerity in his eyes. "Hello Marin." He said with a smile, walking to the bed to stand above her. "Hello Granhem" she said, and shut her mouth. "How did I know your name?" she asked to herself really more than to him. "I have reason to believe you have had many a mind spell put on you. It may have affected your memory. You remember certain things but not others correct? If I was able to explore your mind I could explain it in more detail." Granhem answered casually. "I- Why am I here?" she asked, sitting up. Granhem smiled. "If you will get dressed and come with us, you will find out." He answered, turned around, and left. Marin stared at the space where he had been, and then looked at Lonnie, questioning. Link shrugged tiredly, handed her a pretty green shift and a blue dress, and exited. Marin put on the dress and shift, brushed out her mid-back length hair with a brush on the desk, put on soft slippers next to her bed, and opened her door. Link stood before her, wearing a dark sapphire colored tunic and black, tight breeches. He smiled wearily at her, and offered his arm. "I'm taking you to see the old king. He is very wise, but he is dying, and bedridden. Soon-Zel-er soon someone will have to take over the kingdom." He explained, ignoring the raise of eyebrows Marin gave him. As they walked, Marin tried to calm her fluttering heart; sure she might die of fright. They walked slowly down the hall; turned, walked out of the wing of the castle they were in, and into an older one, down spiraling stairs until they reached a huge oak door. Link pounded on it solemnly, and waited for an answer. Marin felt suddenly calm as Link smiled at her, gave her a reassuring wink, and stood beside her. The door opened slowly, and a boy a little older than 16 appeared from behind the huge door. He wore a long blue cloak (blue was all right, Marin would have been scared if it was black) and a light blue floppy wizards hat, just like Granhem's. He had deep green eyes, and from under his hat, Marin saw bright blue hair sticking out. "Hi Link." The boy said, smiling warmly at Link, and then at Marin, fixing his curious green eyes on hers, and opening the door wider for them to enter. Link looked nervous, Marin noted, as he introduced her to the elf before her.
"This is Marin." He said simply, looking around for something. "Hi Marin, I'm Tarll, I'm Granhem's apprentice. He'll be here shortly; he was just finishing up an important experiment." Tarll said, kissing Marin's hand with a sweet smile and shyness, his eyes teasing. Marin looked around and saw they were in a large basement, the walls covered with shelves, racks of odd things, and the floors clear except for a few bulky shapes. A long, winding stairwell was in the east corner, and now Granhem was coming down it, looking a little dusty. He smiled at Link and Marin, told Tott to clean up and sort out something or other, and then led Link and Marin away again. They walked back to what seemed to be the main floor of the large castle. "Now Marin, prepare yourself for this. You may be a bit confused and shocked. We're going to the main dining room now. Not to eat of course, though I don't doubt you're famished, but to see the old king." They led Marin through a dizzying array of corridors, until the came to a large open door. It opened into a huge room, with a ceiling as high as at least five people stacked on top of each other head to toe. The middle of the room was filled with a long table, which must have fit over three hundred people. At the end of the room that they were slowly walking down, an old man sat in the highest chair, and a girl stood next to him. Marin was amazed to see the girl had bright orange hair like her, only slightly blonder. She also had sparkling blue eyes, eyes that glittered with spirit and life, and, Marin was surprised to see, hate. The girl was wearing a deep pink dress that glittered with jewels. She wore a tiny crown on her head, encrusted with rubies and diamonds. Her shining blonde/orange hair was curled perfectly down her back. The girl inspected Marin, her eyes seeing every detail from the smudge on Marin's arm, to the tear in her skirt. Her eyes stayed held on Marin's ears for a while, and Marin blushed. She was well aware her ear's were not normal, they weren't pointy and long like an elves, nor slightly curved and pointed like a Hylian, they were mixed. Most people of high breeding and culture frowned upon this. The girl's eyes eventually lit on Link and stayed there, obviously trying to convey some message. Link looked more uncomfortable than before as she did this. Marin turned to the king. He looked worse for wear, his eyes blank, his face Grey to match his hair. He looked into her eyes, and again Marin felt the darkness, pulling at her. She tried to block the image out of her head to listen to what Granhem was saying, but the darkness came anyway, this time not feeling the same. She felt the pulling like the darkness did, but this time it felt different, like it was pulling her in the opposite direction. She was three, and she was being spun, around and around by a very tall man, a handsome man, and he looked into her eyes, laughing and grinning and Marin thought
Papa?
Is that you?
And then she was saying it aloud without thinking about it, under her breath. "Papa." She muttered, and Link looked at her. Marin shook her head. The-whatever it had been-was gone. She smiled at Link, who looked relieved. She then listened to Gandalf, who turned to her and said "and so Marin, this is your twin sister, Zelda." The girl-zelda, smiled regally at her, amused at her confusion. "What?" "Your sister, your twin sister zelda. This is she. You have waited 14 years to meet each other again, and now you will." Granhem said, wondering if this was because of the vacant look Link had told him about, how Marin had blanked out. Marin looked totally lost and confused. "Let's go over it again. When you were four, you were kidnapped from your father, this man here, and your mother, who is dead. The dark lord of the dark world kidnapped you, and I suppose that when you escaped you had your brain washed or erased, because the memories are nonexistent for you. You had a twin sister. This is she." Granhem said again, slowly. Marin's brow crinkled. "You're telling me that she is my twin sister? I have a total blank of anything before age 12. Someone washed my brain. All I remember of my past are what has been recent, from the island. I know I lived in the dark world until I was 12, and I often get memory zaps, well sort of, where I remember things from the dark world But other than that..." Granhem looked stricken. Link looked very angry, and Zelda turned a little pale but returned to staring at Link and smiling. "You had your brain washed?" Granhem said vaguely. Marin nodded. "It must have been by a very powerful sorcerer, that kind of thing..." he exchanged glances with Link, who now looked worried. "I was willing. That's why it was easy." Marin said, voice shaking, and looked at her hands. When she looked at Zelda, Link and Granhem were gaping at her. She bit her lip, straightened up and tried to put some resolve into herself. I'm not going to let these people, my family, I suppose, change me. I'm going to get through this with pride. No matter how hard it is, she thought. "Well." Granhem muttered slowly. "You will no doubt slowly be regaining your memory from what you have told me. But there is another matter." He turned to the king. The king looked up at her, took one of her young, tan hands in his, and said to her in a gravely voice "I know you were hurt young lady, but your getting a chance to be safe. You are the heir to the Hyrulian throne. You must accept your responsibilities. No one is forcing you, but this is important. You have a family now. No matter how much you think of Zelda and an old man, we are your family. Give us a chance." Link looked up, and said softly "You have more family than that too. I'm your family." Marin turned and looked into Link's turquoise eyes, surprised at his sincerity. I barely know him and he acts as if he needs to protect me for some reason. And I feel safe with him. Safer than I ever have. And...that memory...was it this old man before me? My papa? She asked herself. She looked before her, at the man who would have look young, were it not for the disease that made him look pale and ragged. "What we want to know is, would you like to stay, here, and live with us, learn to adapt to palace life, and have a family?" Granhem asked. Marin sighed, and nodded. "I want to get to know you. I will stay." Everyone felt the strong tension lift off of the group of people standing in the middle of the banquet hall. Link grinned.
Marin knew she had to be quiet or the crew would hear her. Lonnie was kneeling next to her, his face pale with fear that they would be caught. As the boat started to pull away from the cold shores of the dark world, Marin felt a weight lift from her heart, but couldn't be happy. The long hours of pain, torture, humiliation, rejection, fear and uncertainty gripped her heart like a vise. Lonnie was staring at her, his dark eyes intense. Marin saw she was tightly gripping his hand with hers. "I know. I feel it too." He whispered, his dark eyes set in a thin, shadowed face. "I think I can make it go away. For both of us. We can go to sleep and wake up far away...and safe..." Marin looked at her soot-covered arms, and down at her course, charred dress. "Ok." She murmured.
As Marin awoke from the nightmare, Link, at the other end of the castle, in the knight barracks, was also dreaming of a memory...
Tarll was rushing into his chambers, a panicked expression on his face. The 14-year-old collapsed onto his bed, trying to catch his breath. His bright blue hair a dark contrast to the cream colored sheets. Link, who had been writing up his homework, quickly poured him a glass of water. Tarll sat up and gulped it down. "The dark world castle, it's burning down!! I ran from the dungeon, Granhem's going crazy. They say he had over two thousand child slaves in there!" Tarll watched Link's expression, and was not at all surprised when Link jumped up, grabbed a cloak, and ran out his door.
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