A/N: Ho hum. . . Time for another chapter. Yayness.
Skywise: (pokes head out from under a desk) Is she gone?
Link: Yep.
Skywise: Whew! Good! (crawls out, but gets tackled by SSG) AAHH!!
Link: Oops, I lied! XD
Redlance: XD Ha ha!
XD Well, yeah, she's still hanging around. Go read her fics! :) Anyway, time for the chapter!
Before it All Began: Chapter 4: The Challenge
The next morning, Zelda met Link at the gates as promised. She wore the same clothes, but with some of the new furs attached on as warm collars. After and affectionate greeting, they departed for Hyrule Field.
Stepping past the drawbridge and out of the market, Zelda gazed in wonder at the grand Hyrule Field. It was larger than she ever imagined! And it was just the start of their grand tour.
First and foremost, they headed straightaway south into Lon Lon Ranch. Hyrule Field was massive, and required a horse to travel across. As Link went to ready his horse Epona for the ride, Malon helped Zelda ride atop a horse. Zelda caught on quite quickly, and in no time, she was riding along in glee, circling the corral. Soon, she rode atop Epona, sitting comfortably behind Link as they rode on through Hyrule Field.
Their first stop was Kakariko Village. It was a quaint little town, slowly rebuilding after the Dark Age. Most people who were too poor to buy a home anywhere else settled here in the well-built homes. Little shops began to open, and the large windmill slowly creaked against the bright sky. Not wanting to miss anything, Zelda insisted they even view the graveyard behind the village. They were silent as they strolled past each grave, especially the one above the Royal Family's tomb. Zelda stopped briefly to send her prayers to her passed relatives, especially her father.
The mood brightened when they hiked up Death Mountain to Goron City. The Goron tribe greeted them quite pleasantly as they stepped into the large, cave-like city. They quickly found the Boss of the Gorons, Darunia, in the lowest chamber. Darunia was a good friend of Link's to the point where they called themselves Sworn Brothers. So naturally, the two were greeted with welcoming hospitality. As Link brought out his ocarina and played Saria's Song, Zelda danced gleefully with Darunia to the cheerful tune. It was the most fun she had in a long while.
Next, taking the scenic route across Hyrule Field, they walked through the entrance and crossed the bridge into Kokiri Forest. They were greeted with laughs and giggles as the Kokiri children leaped on top of Link playfully. Zelda giggled as they all rolled around in the grass, laughing. Link's childish, playful attitude amused her so. After they played and laughed with the children for a little bit, they cautiously stepped into the Lost Woods. Link warned Zelda to be careful on their way to the Sacred Forest Meadow, for there were still some monsters in the forest, leftover from the Dark Age. They got through safely, though, and stepped into the beautiful Sacred Forest Meadow. There was a calm, clear sensation in the air in this part of the forest, and as they walked through it, Zelda smiled, happy that she was sharing this moment of beauty with Link.
They soon left the forest and went up the Zora River and past the waterfall into Zora's Domain. The water below cast beautiful reflections on the cave walls as the elegant, fish-like Zora people greeted them. Past King Zora's Throne, Princess Ruto led them into Zora Fountain and told them the "Legend of Zora" while showing them Lord Jabu Jabu. Zelda listened intently, ever so interested in learning new things, and quite amazed.
As the sun passed overhead past noon, they crossed the field towards the desert, but stopped at the Gerudo Fortress. Link had somehow become a member of this reclusive group a while age, and Zelda was a female, so both were accepted into the fortress without trouble. They spent a few hours with a few of the female thieves, talking and laughing about anything they could think of. Posing as a curious foreigner from Termina, Zelda quickly learned much of the common customs, and for the first time, she drank extra- sweetened wine from their storage and realized why men loved drinking it so much.
Finally, they reached Lake Hylia to the south as the sun set and night came. They laid together in the cool, soft grass, staring up at the night sky.
"See, Zelda?" said Link, pointing up to the star-filled sky. "Ever since the first hero defeated Ganon, the goddesses drew a picture of him in the stars so that all would know his great deeds forevermore."
"You see him up there, Link?" asked Zelda. "Strange, all I see is stars!"
"Well, you have to look carefully," Link sat up and held Zelda close, trying to show her. "And imagine lines in between them. See those three, how they're lined up horizontally? That's his belt!"
"Oh, I see!"
"And those stars line up the limbs, and that really bright one up there is the tip of his sword!"
"I see him, Link, I see him!" Zelda smiled, and her eyes looked up into the deep blue sky, full of wonder. "Wow. . . I never knew there were pictures in the stars. . ."
"Yep. You just need to look carefully and use your imagination. Go on, look for more pictures!"
Zelda looked carefully, then pointed up. "Oh, I've got it! See those four? They shape into a heart!"
"Oh, I see. Not bad." He looked closer. "Hey, there's another one right beside it. They share a star."
"That's right," Zelda said softly. "They're bounded together by love. . . like us."
Link looked back down at Zelda as they shared a gentle silence. She reached up and gently caressed the side of his face.
"Link. . . The last couple of days have been so magical. . ." she whispered. "No one has ever done anything like this for me. . ."
Link smiled warmly. "Zelda, it was my pleasure to do all this for you."
They gazed into each other's eyes for a long time. Zelda, needless to say, was spellbound by this caring, gentle young man. Just by looking into those beautiful, bright blue eyes, she knew her heart was set on him. If only it wasn't so difficult. . .
Soon, they found their faces getting closer and closer. Zelda closed her eyes, preparing herself for her very first kiss. . .
"PRINCESS!!! GET AWAY FROM HIM NOW!!!!!"
Startled, the two looked up to find Ian approaching fast with a reluctant Impa following.
"Ian!" Zelda cried in shock. "What--OW!!" She cried in pain as he grabbed her by the arm and tugged, forcing her onto her feet.
"Let's go, Your Highness," he hissed. "Impa told me all about your little escape plan, and it stops right here, right now!"
Zelda looked at Impa, who averted her eyes away.
"I-I'm sorry, Zelda. . . I tried not to tell him, but. . . he threatened to let me go. . . And I couldn't leave your side, ever. . ."
"Oh, Impa, don't apologize," Zelda said softly, embracing her attendant. "I know it's not your fault. . ."
Ian left the two alone and turned to meet a seething Link.
"Ian, you JERK!!" he yelled in complete anger. "You ruin everything!"
Ian scowled. "I'm only doing what's best for her!"
"DUNG!! Dung TWICE!!! You've kept her inside that castle forever! She feels like a prisoner! That's why I snuck her out, so I could make her happy, unlike you, snake!"
"But at what cost!? Look at what she's become!" He turned sharply to Zelda. "Those rags are not meant for a princess. Remove them this instant!"
Zelda released Impa and faced Ian. Then, mustering all her courage, she crossed her arms and muttered, "No."
"Princess!" Impa gasped, shocked.
"Thatta girl, Zelda!" Link cheered.
Ian was seething. "What did you say!?"
"I happen to like these clothes, and they were a gift from Link. I'm keeping them on, and there's nothing you can do about it."
Ian trembled like a volcano, then faced Link, scowling viciously. "Look what she's become because of you!"
"I didn't do anything! She's been under your pressure for too long, and she's had it! She--Oof!!"
Ian grabbed his shoulder and pushed him to the ground. He then brought out a small, gold weapon and threw it at Link. It buried itself point first into the soft grass, an inch away from his skin. After recovering from his shock, he looked curiously at it. It was a golden knife, and the hilt was decorated with many Triforces.
"Impa. . . What is that?" Zelda asked in a hushed voice.
The Shiekah's face brightened. "A Challenge Knife! I haven't seen one in years!" She went over to pick it up. "When we all return to the castle, I'll tell you what it means." She looked at Ian. "That includes Link."
Ian grumbled and proceeded. Link, completely clueless, followed. Zelda knew as little as Link about this ritual, but she became nervous, knowing it could bring many changes to her life. All was quiet on the way back.
A/N: Well, it's gonna start looking a lot like Elfquest now. For those of you who recognize it, don't think to much about it, k?
Link: Ian is such a JERK!! I almost got a kiss!!!
Redlance: Oh well. I'm sure you'll get one soon enough.
Link: Thanks.
SSG: Wolfriders are squishy!!! :D
Skywise: Can't. . . breathe!!
XD Review, people! Things are getting interesting!!
Skywise: (pokes head out from under a desk) Is she gone?
Link: Yep.
Skywise: Whew! Good! (crawls out, but gets tackled by SSG) AAHH!!
Link: Oops, I lied! XD
Redlance: XD Ha ha!
XD Well, yeah, she's still hanging around. Go read her fics! :) Anyway, time for the chapter!
Before it All Began: Chapter 4: The Challenge
The next morning, Zelda met Link at the gates as promised. She wore the same clothes, but with some of the new furs attached on as warm collars. After and affectionate greeting, they departed for Hyrule Field.
Stepping past the drawbridge and out of the market, Zelda gazed in wonder at the grand Hyrule Field. It was larger than she ever imagined! And it was just the start of their grand tour.
First and foremost, they headed straightaway south into Lon Lon Ranch. Hyrule Field was massive, and required a horse to travel across. As Link went to ready his horse Epona for the ride, Malon helped Zelda ride atop a horse. Zelda caught on quite quickly, and in no time, she was riding along in glee, circling the corral. Soon, she rode atop Epona, sitting comfortably behind Link as they rode on through Hyrule Field.
Their first stop was Kakariko Village. It was a quaint little town, slowly rebuilding after the Dark Age. Most people who were too poor to buy a home anywhere else settled here in the well-built homes. Little shops began to open, and the large windmill slowly creaked against the bright sky. Not wanting to miss anything, Zelda insisted they even view the graveyard behind the village. They were silent as they strolled past each grave, especially the one above the Royal Family's tomb. Zelda stopped briefly to send her prayers to her passed relatives, especially her father.
The mood brightened when they hiked up Death Mountain to Goron City. The Goron tribe greeted them quite pleasantly as they stepped into the large, cave-like city. They quickly found the Boss of the Gorons, Darunia, in the lowest chamber. Darunia was a good friend of Link's to the point where they called themselves Sworn Brothers. So naturally, the two were greeted with welcoming hospitality. As Link brought out his ocarina and played Saria's Song, Zelda danced gleefully with Darunia to the cheerful tune. It was the most fun she had in a long while.
Next, taking the scenic route across Hyrule Field, they walked through the entrance and crossed the bridge into Kokiri Forest. They were greeted with laughs and giggles as the Kokiri children leaped on top of Link playfully. Zelda giggled as they all rolled around in the grass, laughing. Link's childish, playful attitude amused her so. After they played and laughed with the children for a little bit, they cautiously stepped into the Lost Woods. Link warned Zelda to be careful on their way to the Sacred Forest Meadow, for there were still some monsters in the forest, leftover from the Dark Age. They got through safely, though, and stepped into the beautiful Sacred Forest Meadow. There was a calm, clear sensation in the air in this part of the forest, and as they walked through it, Zelda smiled, happy that she was sharing this moment of beauty with Link.
They soon left the forest and went up the Zora River and past the waterfall into Zora's Domain. The water below cast beautiful reflections on the cave walls as the elegant, fish-like Zora people greeted them. Past King Zora's Throne, Princess Ruto led them into Zora Fountain and told them the "Legend of Zora" while showing them Lord Jabu Jabu. Zelda listened intently, ever so interested in learning new things, and quite amazed.
As the sun passed overhead past noon, they crossed the field towards the desert, but stopped at the Gerudo Fortress. Link had somehow become a member of this reclusive group a while age, and Zelda was a female, so both were accepted into the fortress without trouble. They spent a few hours with a few of the female thieves, talking and laughing about anything they could think of. Posing as a curious foreigner from Termina, Zelda quickly learned much of the common customs, and for the first time, she drank extra- sweetened wine from their storage and realized why men loved drinking it so much.
Finally, they reached Lake Hylia to the south as the sun set and night came. They laid together in the cool, soft grass, staring up at the night sky.
"See, Zelda?" said Link, pointing up to the star-filled sky. "Ever since the first hero defeated Ganon, the goddesses drew a picture of him in the stars so that all would know his great deeds forevermore."
"You see him up there, Link?" asked Zelda. "Strange, all I see is stars!"
"Well, you have to look carefully," Link sat up and held Zelda close, trying to show her. "And imagine lines in between them. See those three, how they're lined up horizontally? That's his belt!"
"Oh, I see!"
"And those stars line up the limbs, and that really bright one up there is the tip of his sword!"
"I see him, Link, I see him!" Zelda smiled, and her eyes looked up into the deep blue sky, full of wonder. "Wow. . . I never knew there were pictures in the stars. . ."
"Yep. You just need to look carefully and use your imagination. Go on, look for more pictures!"
Zelda looked carefully, then pointed up. "Oh, I've got it! See those four? They shape into a heart!"
"Oh, I see. Not bad." He looked closer. "Hey, there's another one right beside it. They share a star."
"That's right," Zelda said softly. "They're bounded together by love. . . like us."
Link looked back down at Zelda as they shared a gentle silence. She reached up and gently caressed the side of his face.
"Link. . . The last couple of days have been so magical. . ." she whispered. "No one has ever done anything like this for me. . ."
Link smiled warmly. "Zelda, it was my pleasure to do all this for you."
They gazed into each other's eyes for a long time. Zelda, needless to say, was spellbound by this caring, gentle young man. Just by looking into those beautiful, bright blue eyes, she knew her heart was set on him. If only it wasn't so difficult. . .
Soon, they found their faces getting closer and closer. Zelda closed her eyes, preparing herself for her very first kiss. . .
"PRINCESS!!! GET AWAY FROM HIM NOW!!!!!"
Startled, the two looked up to find Ian approaching fast with a reluctant Impa following.
"Ian!" Zelda cried in shock. "What--OW!!" She cried in pain as he grabbed her by the arm and tugged, forcing her onto her feet.
"Let's go, Your Highness," he hissed. "Impa told me all about your little escape plan, and it stops right here, right now!"
Zelda looked at Impa, who averted her eyes away.
"I-I'm sorry, Zelda. . . I tried not to tell him, but. . . he threatened to let me go. . . And I couldn't leave your side, ever. . ."
"Oh, Impa, don't apologize," Zelda said softly, embracing her attendant. "I know it's not your fault. . ."
Ian left the two alone and turned to meet a seething Link.
"Ian, you JERK!!" he yelled in complete anger. "You ruin everything!"
Ian scowled. "I'm only doing what's best for her!"
"DUNG!! Dung TWICE!!! You've kept her inside that castle forever! She feels like a prisoner! That's why I snuck her out, so I could make her happy, unlike you, snake!"
"But at what cost!? Look at what she's become!" He turned sharply to Zelda. "Those rags are not meant for a princess. Remove them this instant!"
Zelda released Impa and faced Ian. Then, mustering all her courage, she crossed her arms and muttered, "No."
"Princess!" Impa gasped, shocked.
"Thatta girl, Zelda!" Link cheered.
Ian was seething. "What did you say!?"
"I happen to like these clothes, and they were a gift from Link. I'm keeping them on, and there's nothing you can do about it."
Ian trembled like a volcano, then faced Link, scowling viciously. "Look what she's become because of you!"
"I didn't do anything! She's been under your pressure for too long, and she's had it! She--Oof!!"
Ian grabbed his shoulder and pushed him to the ground. He then brought out a small, gold weapon and threw it at Link. It buried itself point first into the soft grass, an inch away from his skin. After recovering from his shock, he looked curiously at it. It was a golden knife, and the hilt was decorated with many Triforces.
"Impa. . . What is that?" Zelda asked in a hushed voice.
The Shiekah's face brightened. "A Challenge Knife! I haven't seen one in years!" She went over to pick it up. "When we all return to the castle, I'll tell you what it means." She looked at Ian. "That includes Link."
Ian grumbled and proceeded. Link, completely clueless, followed. Zelda knew as little as Link about this ritual, but she became nervous, knowing it could bring many changes to her life. All was quiet on the way back.
A/N: Well, it's gonna start looking a lot like Elfquest now. For those of you who recognize it, don't think to much about it, k?
Link: Ian is such a JERK!! I almost got a kiss!!!
Redlance: Oh well. I'm sure you'll get one soon enough.
Link: Thanks.
SSG: Wolfriders are squishy!!! :D
Skywise: Can't. . . breathe!!
XD Review, people! Things are getting interesting!!