A/N: Well, they're changing around stuff at the site again... I wonder how it'll turn out THIS time...
Redlance: Well, the one thing I know is what Link is afraid of!
Link: O.O You wouldn't...!
Skywise: No, we'll let the readers find out in the chapter!
Link: T.T;;
Before it All Began: Chapter 6: True Courage
By the afternoon, they reached a certain area of Death Mountain: a long, thin, stone bridge connected two cliff-tops, and below was a long, very long drop to the cracked, sun-baked earth below.
Impa stood next to Link as they looked to the other cliff where the bridge led. "Now, Link, you must walk to the far side, touch the Bomb Flower, and return, all without aid."
Link peered over the side fearfully as Darunia approached. "Don't sweat it, Brother! Why, I've seen you walk tightropes thinner than this!"
"B-but it was never so far to fall, Darunia..." Link's voice shook with fear.
"Go on, kid, give it a try!" said Nabooru. "She's worth it, ain't she?"
Link glanced over his shoulder at Zelda, who looked back with concern. His mind made up, he slowly and hesitantly took a step, then another, and another...
...And then he looked down.
"Oohh..."
"NO!!" Saria cried. "HE'S LOSING HIS BALANCE!!!"
"Link!" Malon called, outstretching a hand. "Come back! We'll help you!"
Link nearly toppled, but turned and hurried back. His supporters grabbed a hold of him for comfort as he stepped off the bridge.
"There...You're safe now..." Malon sighed.
"C-can't do it..." Link stuttered, gasping for breath. "T-too high... Too high..." He shivered as he sat on the hard ground, hugging his bent legs close and burying his face from view.
"Hmmp! Tis a stupid test!" Talon grumbled. "I wouldn't do it- for anything!" He eyed Zelda accusingly.
"Dad!" Malon exclaimed, annoyed. "Please don't! It's hard enough already!"
Zelda, quite concerned and guilty, bent down near him. Noticing the movement, Link slowly looked up at her, slightly shaking in cold fear.
"Zelda..." he breathed. "If you die for you... what would be the sense?"
"Oh, Link, don't apologize!" Zelda tightly hugged him close in comfort. "You tried. That's all I except."
A shadow suddenly fell over them. They looked up at Ian, who chuckled mockingly.
"So, the fierce savage cowers like a frightened squirrel!" He leered down at the still shaking Link. "Hah! Well, Zelda, what do you think now of your wild suitor?" With that, he took a step back, and another, onto the bridge.
"Ian!" cried Impa. "What are you doing?"
But he ignored the call and strolled calmly as the wind blew by. "As if a stroll across this strip of rock were something to be feared! It is nothing! He is a coward to the very heart!"
"The wind! Ian, be careful!"
"What of it?" He stood proudly in the center of the bridge. "I can stand against it, unlike him! Find yourself another woman, you so-called hero! You're not worthy enough for the princess!"
Suddenly, the wind howled like an angry beast, sending in swift and heavy gusts against the proud figure on the bridge, and Ian toppled. One of his wildly flailing hands caught a tiny spur of rock, saving him from instant death. For once, the crowd felt worried for the knight's safety. As many cried out in panic, Link watched in fear, but then remembered an oath he silently made before any of this.
'Ever since Ganondorf's plague... No one must die! Even if he is my enemy!'
Without a second thought, Link crawled onto the bridge despite his terror of heights, and outstretched a trembling hand towards his rival.
"H-here! Grab my hand!"
Fearing his own life, Ian grabbed hold of his gauntlet-covered wrist without thinking twice. Link strained all his might to pull him back onto the small bridge. The crowd watched anxiously.
"One wrong move..." Saria said fearfully. "...and they both fall!"
Finally, Link pulled Ian up far enough so he could climb on himself. The crowd cheered.
"He did it! Link saved him!" Malon cheered.
Zelda let out a deep sigh of relief. -Thank the goddesses...-
When Ian regained his composure, he looked at Link hatefully, reaching back for his dagger. He then lunged and stabbed his rival in the shoulder. Link cried out in pain and collapsed, clutching his bleeding wound. And incredibly, Ian stood and backed away, only to back into Nabooru's knife point. It was clear that the entire crowd was angered, but only she spoke.
"He saved your worthless hide, and you're just gonna LEAVE HIM THERE!?" she growled. "Go back and help him, or we'll..."
"No, Nabooru, no one will do anything." Impa stopped her.
"But Link, he can't..."
"Wait and see!"
Link trembled as blood dripped through his fingers. Long moments of tense silence passed, until his eyes snapped open and the trembling stopped. On the back of his left hand, the golden Triforce of Courage he swore to protect shined brightly.
Slowly, suddenly ignoring his injury, he rose, stood erect against the wind, and took a step forward, and another, and more. He knew what he had to do, and now he did it without thought or emotion. There was little sense of triumph as he touched the Bomb Flower, until he turned back to meet his relieved supporters, who never doubted their friend's courage.
"You were right, Darunia," Link chuckled. "That Goron hug did bring me luck!"
Darunia laughed as he brought Link into another hug. As the crowd cheered for him, Impa stood with a smile.
"So be it! The trial has ended! Link is the victor!" she proclaimed.
Zelda wrapped her arms around him. "Oh, Link, I knew you could do it!"
Ian stood there watching in a tight-lipped silence, then he finally took off, running away with thoughts of his own.
Impa sighed. "Fears born of outside sources are much easier to overcome than fears born within the soul... Ian defeated himself the moment he stabbed Link in the shoulder."
"But what was he afraid of, Impa?" Link asked.
"Change of order," Impa answered ruefully. "Everything must be right according to him, or he cannot live in this world. And ever since you came..."
"Are you saying... he's afraid of me?"
"He's afraid of what you may do the change the Royal Family. That's why he wanted Zelda, so he could keep things the way it is- the way he wants it."
"That creep..." Link grumbled.
"Well, at least he won't be meddling with you and Zelda anymore, lad," Talon chuckled, placing a hand on his good shoulder. "You way to her is clear!"
Link faced Zelda as the two gazed at each other.
Zelda smiled warmly. "That's right," She took his hand in hers. "Come, let's head back to the castle, Link. I can heal that wound of yours, and we'll have some... private time..." With that, they both walked down the mountain together.
The crowd cheered once more as they left, then began to descend the mountain themselves. Except Darunia, of course; this place was his home.
Saria walked beside Nabooru. "So that's why Ian kept Zelda inside the castle... He abused his power to keep her away from the outside... Since men are above women..."
"That rule ain't right," Nabooru responded, smiling. "And sun bless me, Link may be the one to change that!"
----------
Later at the castle, the two lovers were alone in Zelda's bedroom. Link, shirtless, sighed in comfort as Zelda placed her fingers on the wound, using her powers to heal it.
"Your hands are as soothing as warm milk..." Link sighed softly. "I never knew you had this power, Zelda..."
Zelda smiled slightly. "There are many powers you don't know I have..."
Link looked up at her, noticing the sad look. "Zelda... are you okay?" he asked softly.
Zelda lowered her gaze. "Link... If you would've fallen off that bridge to your death... I-I don't know what I'd..." She stopped and sighed.
Link understood, but smile playfully. "You... would've had Ian's head on a silver platter for starting this whole mess! But since I'm still here, he won't be messing with us anymore, right?"
Zelda smiled and nodded. She lifted her fingers, and the wound had disappeared. As Link went to retrieve the rest of his clothes, she caught the sight of his knife.
"Can I see your knife, Link?" she asked curiously.
Link nodded and handed her his knife as he sat back on the bed. Zelda looked at the sheath, which was chiseled with prints of leafs and branches. The hilt had a similar design with forest-like elements. Slowly, she drew the knife out and exposed the long, silver blade.
"That knife's my only blade right now," Link said as he began to slip on his white shirt. "I had to return both the Kokiri and Master Sword after my journey. Darunia made it for me since I had no blade."
"I can see why you care so much about it." Zelda smiled.
Link grinned sheepishly. "Yeah..."
"Are you going to keep it when you regain the Master Sword?"
"Of course," He pulled the shirt down over his head. "It's always useful to have a knife."
Zelda turned thoughtful as she slipped the knife back in. "The Master Sword... You regain it at your next birthday... That's in a week, isn't it?"
Link's face beamed. "Yep! I can't wait to get my trusted sword back! I've missed it!"
Zelda nodded, thinking. Link slipped on his tunic and tightened the belt. Then, remembering something, he sat back down and looked at Zelda lovingly.
"Zelda..." he started. "Tonight is the monthly Festival of the Goddesses at the market. There's many stalls open, beautiful lights and entertainment, and..." He paused, taking Zelda's hands in his. "I'd be honored to take you."
Zelda smiled softly, almost hesitantly. "Link, I'd love to go... But Ian..."
"Oh, Ian can go fish up a tree for all we care!" Link laughed. "There's nothing he can do to ruin our night. So?"
Zelda smiled. "Let me go change!" And she quickly went into her large closet.
Link smiled and looked out the window at the orange sky. Below he could see the villagers preparing for the big event. He had a big feeling this would be a night they would never forget.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. My internet was having problems, so I couldn't go on for a while. Plus I've been playing my new game!
Link: Another one?
Yep! Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga!!! :D
Skywise: -.- You and your games...
Redlance: (playing GBA) Oh no, I got Game Over!!! STUPID CACKLETTA!!!
Link: At least it draws attention away from me...
Skywise: Oh yeah!! YOU'RE AFRAID OF HEIGHTS!! (points at Link and laughs)
Link: -.- Me and my big mouth...
Redlance: (yelling at the GBA) ARGH!!! STUPID STUPID STUUUPIIIIID!!!!
XD Yeah, so review, peoples!!!