"Link," said a voice in his dream, "you are in great danger. Everything is not as it seems. A great evil is yearning to return to the world of the living, and only you can put a stop to his revival."
"Wait!" said Link, though he couldn't tell whether it was his mouth or his mind that was speaking. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
"Hurry to the fairy fountain in Karak," the voice replied. "Many questions will be answered there."
~.~.~.~.~
Link awoke to the sound of a scream, coming from outside the cabin. He jumped out of his hammock, quickly dressed in the clothes he wore the previous day, and rushed to the window. The scene in the side yard was shocking. Lucinda was being restrained by a moblin, a great pig-like hominid armed with a long ashen spear. Lucinda's mouth was covered, and a look of terror was in her eyes, letting Link know that the scream was hers. Harold was standing in a fighting stance a few feet away, his double-bladed axe in hand.
Without really thinking, Link ran to the fireplace, grabbed the sword displayed on the mantle, and ran out the front door. As he stepped outside, his uncle flew across the yard and into a tree, knocking him unconscious. Lucinda was lying on the ground a few feet away, looking as though she had fainted. Link turned his head to see the moblin standing bow-legged, holding its spear in both hands across its chest, a look of rage painted across its face.
Without warning, the beast charged towards Link, intent on impaling him on the end of the spear. With agility he didn't know he had, Link rolled to the side, cleanly dodging the monster. The moblin stopped, looking around stupidly for its lost prey. Link saw his chance and slashed at the confused monster, causing it to scream in pain. Crazed with pain and anger, the moblin turned around and thrust its spear at Link. Luckily, its aim was a little off, and Link, dodging the point, grabbed the shaft and did a backflip, pulling the spear from the moblin's grasp.
Now unarmed, the monster decided to test its strength, and it began to charge towards Link. Just as the creature was about to slam into his target, though, Link dropped the spear, leaped into the air, and bringing the sword beneath his feet, planted it into the back of the moblin's neck. He then quickly jumped off of the monster's back and, pulling the sword with him, landed a few feet away from the moblin. By that time, the monster had fallen forward onto the ground, and it vanished in a puff of violet smoke.
Link watched the spot where the beast fell for a few seconds, but his attention was quickly drawn to his left hand. Amazingly, his birthmark was glowing, as was the design on the hilt of the sword. Most surprising of all, though, was the fact that a symbol exactly like Link's birthmark was glowing on Lucinda's left hand, even through her glove. 'What could this mean?' Link wondered. However, his thoughts were interrupted as Lucinda and Harold began to stir.
When she realized that her birthmark was glowing, Lucinda immediately gasped. She was comforted a little, though, when she realized that Link also bore a shining birthmark. 'At least he won't suspect my true identity,' she thought of Link.
Harold, though, was a little more concerned. "Both of you need to leave immediately," he said quickly. "It is no longer safe here. There is a fairy queen living in the nearby town of Karak. I suggest you go there and seek her advice."
Pondering over the second mention of the fairy that day, Link absent-mindedly grabbed Lucinda's outstretched hand. Pulling her up, he quickly led her into the forest. She was the first to speak.
"It seems that we share the same birthmark," she said cautiously, not wanting to reveal too much. "Odd, how they were glowing just a few minutes ago."
Link was about to reply, when he was interrupted by hoof beats. Lucinda's horse had found them, and his saddlebags were filled with bread and salted meat. "A gift from my uncle, it seems," said Link.
"How kind of him," replied Lucinda, glad that the conversation had turned away from the morning's events. "By the way, how long will it take to reach this town?" she asked.
"It will probably take a day and a half, traveling on foot," Link replied. "Do you think you're up to it?"
"I will try my best," she replied, though she knew that her body was not used to such hardship.
The day passed slowly for the two travelers, but the weather was fair. A couple of hours after the sun reached its zenith, they decided to take lunch beside a shallow brook. After eating, they both removed their boots and sat beside the stream, letting the cool water run over their tired feet. After a few peaceful moments, Link decided to start a conversation.
"So, Lucinda, what's it like being nobility?" he asked. "Probably a lot more exciting than the life of a woodcutter, I would guess."
"You would be surprised," she said simply. "My life was nothing more than boring, sophisticated balls, lessons on being ladylike, and an assortment of boring, stuck‑up adults." She nearly spat out the last few words. "Actually, I was rather charmed by your uncle's little cabin, and if given the choice, I would rather live there than my father's mansion," she finished. But in her thoughts, she added, 'I do miss the castle, though, and father most of all."
Link countered her almost immediately. "What you saw was a day of celebration," he said. "Usually, I'm up at dawn, chopping firewood or keeping house all day."
Unexpectedly, she laughed.
"What's so funny about that?" Link asked, his hands on his hips.
"I just imagined you wearing an apron!" she said, giggling.
Link thought about that for a minute, and then started to laugh as he imagined himself pushing a broom and wearing a white apron embroidered with pink flowers. He looked over at Lucinda, and she was smiling a sweet, honest smile. Suddenly, Link realized that he cared about her, and it almost felt like love at first sight.
"Lucinda," Link asked, "do you believe in destiny? I mean, I saw your birthmark earlier, exactly like my own. It looks like we were meant to be together."
"Yes," she replied, lost in thought, "it does seem that our fates are intertwined."
Suddenly, compulsively, Link reached behind Lucinda's head and kissed her, a long, passionate kiss. To his surprise, she didn't resist.
~.~.~.~.~
They traveled for the rest of the afternoon, Lucinda riding sidesaddle on the horse and Link leading it. They slept that night in a flowered clearing full of dancing fireflies and the occasional stray fairy.
Link had a strange dream that night. He dreamt that he was fighting through a horde of skeletons, smashing their bones with a shining sword. Suddenly, the skeletons vanished, and in the shadows, Link saw a pair of glowing hazel eyes. As if on cue, the owner of the eyes leaped out at Link, a gigantic lion. Just as it was about to tackle Link, though, the lion faded into nothingness, the dream melting into senselessness.
Lucinda's dream that night made a little more sense. It was a memory of her last night in the castle, but she felt detached, as if she were a disembodied spirit watching from above. Her body was sleeping peacefully in her bed below, when suddenly crashes could be heard coming from the Great Hall. Lucinda woke immediately, creeping to the door and opening it a crack. Peeking out, she saw the ugly pig creatures sneaking into her parents' bedroom. A moment later, she heard first her father's and then her mother's scream.
Trying not to cry out, Lucinda quickly dressed in her riding clothes, pulling on the gloves to hide her birthmark. Stealthily, she climbed into her dumbwaiter and pulled herself down into the kitchen. Her nanny was there, the old woman who always wore the thick red hooded cloak. She led Lucinda out into the stables, telling the child to be brave, though she herself was crying. Lucinda was crying as well, little rivulets streaming down her cheeks. She climbed atop her pure white horse, and before she left, her nanny instructed her to head into the forest, where a knight loyal to the family resided.
After that, Lucinda dreamt of nothing else that night.
~.~.~.~.~
The next morning was beautiful, just as the past few mornings had been. Link and Lucinda awoke to the music of songbirds twittering in the trees. After a quick breakfast, they once again embarked on their journey.
The path was much easier that day, owing to the fact that the forest gradually thinned as they drew nearer to the town. Around midday, they reached the town's border. Karak was a small market town, with a bazaar lining the main street. Behind the booths, many small houses were built, most about the size of Harold's cabin. The street was filled with citizens, shopping for their daily supplies or practicing their respective crafts. A temple stood at the end of the road, though it looked as though it had been neglected for a long time.
Link and Lucinda walked toward the temple, trying to drown out the yelling. However, Link stopped suddenly to read a flyer posted on a wall. It read:
"King of Daphnes Murdered! King Gregory Hyrule II and his queen Priscilla were murdered three nights ago as they were sleeping. The assailants, which, according to a castle guard, were moblins, appeared out of seemingly thin air, crept into the royal bedroom, and slit the king's and queen's throats. However, Princess Zelda escaped from the castle, and her whereabouts are unknown."
"This is terrible!" Link exclaimed. "The king and queen murdered in bed! I do hope the princess is all right."
"I'm sure she is," Lucinda remarked mysteriously.
Link shook his head, then continued to lead Lucinda towards the temple. They entered and found themselves in a long hall, candles flickering along the walls. A tranquil pool of lay at the far end of the hall, the crest of the royal family engraved in the floor near the water's edge. Link and Lucinda walked to this spot and stood there, puzzling over the marking. Finally, Lucinda spoke.
"Tales say that fairies enjoy listening to music," she said. "Perhaps you should play your ocarina."
Link pulled out his ocarina and played Zelda's Lullaby. As the last notes faded into the air, the water started to ripple. Before Link's and Lucinda's eyes, a woman with white wings shimmered into existence above the pool. Her hair was silky and was the color of ripened wheat, and her white gown trailed to the ankles of her bare feet.
"Link," spoke the fairy, "I have called for you because a great evil is once again reawakening. Look at your sword hilt. The design that you see there is of an artifact called the Triforce, and this artifact can grant the wishes of any man who touches it. The evil spirit desires this artifact above all else. Link, you must not let him have it!"
Confused, Link asked, "How can I do such a thing?"
Unperturbed, the fairy answered, "You must search for the Fountain of Dreams. It is guarded by a great stone door, and the Three Pendants are required to open the door. Only from the fountain can you retrieve the Blade of Evil's Bane, the only weapon that can harm the evil spirit."
"This sounds like nothing more than a fairy tale!" Lucinda exclaimed incredulously.
"Young Lady," the fairy said sternly, "I am a fairy, and my tales should not be taken lightly. Link will discover your secret soon enough, as you will be accompanying him. You have a critical part to play in this quest, as well."
Turning back to Link, the fairy continued. "The first pendant is hidden beneath this very town," she explained. "Only one house in town has red shutters on its windows. Enter this house. The man inside will say, "Darkness is gathering across the land." To this you must reply, "When light fails, nothing can escape the shadows." Once you say this, the man will lead you towards your goal." She looked Link up and down, and frowning, said, "The place where he will lead you is cold and dark. I suggest you buy some supplies." At this, she handed him a wallet filled with rupees. "Farewell, Link," she said. "May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce!" And with that, she was gone.