Chapter 5 Morning
"Yawn!" Link woke up from the first good sleep he had since-since- Wow! Before Ganondorf cursed the Deku tree. Link sighed at the memory and opened one eye. Link looked beyond the bed to see Taro and Derek.
'What time is it?' Link looked past the two to the window. The sun was high in the sky signaling that it was late morning. Link rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes. Link heard a movement from one of the teens as he did this.
"About time you woke up." Derek said with a friendly grin. "I should have took the late morning patrol instead of the early morning patrol, you slept like the dead kid." Link sat up and stretched his sore muscles.
"Mph!" Taro snickered loudly. Derek's smile grew wider when they saw the state of Link's hair. "Before we do anything, we have to do something about that hair of yours." Link blinked confused.
"What's wrong with my hair?" Link asked the two shrugging boys. "Where are Navi and Cera?" Taro looked behind Link to the headboard. Link turned to see the pair of fairies looking back at Link.
"I think that's your hair problem." Derek said in a snigger. "Two fairies and one head of hair to perch in equals a rat nest. Let's see if we can so anything about that hair and you can tell us how you became the Hero of Time."
"Alright." Link sat on the floor while Taro tried to brush out the youth's hair with a comb. "It all started in the Kokiri forest. In time here, it wouldn't be more than two months ago. I was awakened from my sleep by Navi and was told to go see the great Deku tree. I met my friend Saria on the way there and talked to her about Navi. Before I could enter the Deku tree's clearing, I ran into Mido."
"That Mido's a real jerk." Navi growled during Link's story. Link shot her a glance to shut up. "He is! Mido picks on Link all the time calling him Mr. Nofairy! Then telling him that he had to have a shield and sword before he could go see the Deku tree!"
"Navi! Let me tell the story!" Link growled in her direction. Navi shut up but still glowed as if angry. "After I got the Kokiri sword, and a Deku shield, Mido begrudgingly let me in the clearing. That's where everything went downhill. I learned that the Great Deku Tree had been cursed and I was asked to lift the curse. I went into the great Deku Tree's hollow and defeated the source of the curse. Inside, I found the slingshot I have today and defeated Gohma with it."
"Ech! That was the first and worst battle you ever fought Link." Navi said remembering the horror. Link let a tear slide down his cheek in memory.
"It was all in vain, The Deku Tree died shortly afterwards. Before the tree died, he told me to seek out the princess of destiny in Hyrule Castle and he gave me the Kokiri emerald to take with me. I left the forest." Link rubbed his eyes dry. "Ever since I left the forest afterward, I had nothing but trouble."
"So you tell us, what sort of trouble?" Taro asked pausing to get another knot out of his hair. Link went to explain the trouble getting into the castle with Malon and her father, seeking princess Zelda out, learning the song of the royal family, going back to the forest to find Saria and going to Death Mountain after making a short stop in Kakariko Village.
"I played Saria's Song to their leader Darunia and made him dance like you wouldn't believe. Trust me on this. He then gave me the Goron bracelet you see me wearing and that let me bomb the opening to Dodongo's cavern. I got the bomb bag in there as well and defeated the Dodongo King to let the Gorons in." That got Taro's attention.
"You mean you took on a King and WON? That's incredible! How big was this guy?" Taro asked. Link's goofy grin made Derek wonder something.
"Not very big, he was a little bigger than that Wolfos I fought in Deku Town though." Thump! Derek was on the floor staring wide-eyed at Link.
"No-NOWAY!" Derek squeaked. Link sighed and nodded. By now he was able to do that because his hair was completely brushed through.
"Because of my great deed, I was sworn in as Darunia's blood brother and was given their Goron ruby. That's when I had to make my way to the great fairy's pond high in the mountains." Dead silence passed between the boy's. "What?" Derek shook his head at Link.
"You're amazing do you know that kid?" Taro said in a whisper. Link looked at the two teens in confusion.
"Oh! All great fairies aren't the same you know. Some give you special spells, other's give you special items and some increase your magical powers. I should know, I've seen enough of them. Anyway, after I had the Goron Ruby, I made my way into Zora's Domain. Ergh! What a nightmare that was!"
"You only had to get swallowed by Lord Jabujabu and save the princess. Besides, you got the boomerang out of it and the Zora Sapphire." Navi said landing on his shoulder. Link cringed at the word 'Zora Sapphire'.
"Do I have to remind you that's supposed to be an engagement present!?! I'm still trying to figure out how to get out of that particular mess. I should have known by the way she said 'My most precious possession.' I'd still be clueless if I hadn't gone seven years into the future and been told by Ruto in the water temple."
"You were serious about that!?!" Derek and Taro said in unison. Link blushed terribly and looked down to the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Yes." Link said sheepishly. "And it's still in effect since I got rid of Ganondorf. I tell you, it was tempting to stay in that possible future so I wouldn't have to marry her." Taro suddenly thought of something.
"If you stay here kid, you'll be safe from that." Taro said with a wolfish grin on his face. "No children are allowed to be wed here unless they have a marriage contract between them. No contract, no wedding." Link sat up straight and looked Taro in the eye.
"Are you serious?" Link said eyes brimming with hope. Taro nodded and Link fell back on the bed. "Thank you! Someone up there likes me!"
"That is," Derek continued. "Unless she comes looking for you and makes you sign a contract with her. I've had a few close calls with that myself." Link's smile grew even wider.
"Only I know how to get through the seal that the Deku Tree put up. This is great! I can still live in The Lost Woods and high tail it over here when I hear that she's looking for me." Derek and Taro looked at him strangely. "What?"
"What did you mean by 'seven years into the future' 'possible future' and 'water temple?'" Derek asked. Link went on to explain the long tedious tale of the temples, the master sword, the sages and his trips back and forth. Link finally ended his tale giving some surprising news.
"When I defeated Ganondorf, Zelda sealed him away in the dark realm and I was sent back to my rightful time as a kid. No one remembered me really because only the people most affected by Ganondorf's rule would remember. That includes the Sages, Zelda, Malon, Navi and myself. I remember everything while no one else can hardly recall what happened in the future. They know my exploits as a child but that's it. I can't probably even go see Nabooru in Gerudo Fortress without being thrown in jail again. Technically, the Gerudo pass shouldn't even exist or the items I collected. I have to wait seven years before I can even try wielding the megaton hammer again."
"That still doesn't explain how you can transform your shape." Derek said. Link sighed and continued.
"I know, I'm getting to that." Link went on to tell of his and Navi's separation and his search to find her. "I was actually forced into Termina by a skullkid stealing Epona and cursing me into a Deku body. You wouldn't believe the time I had getting my body back. Anyway, I had to go to the four corners of this place and clear out the evils in their temples."
"Is that how you got the masks?" Cera asked cautiously. Link shook his head. "Thought not. And where does this Tatl come in?"
" She was with the skullkid and was separated when they cursed me. She came along because she knew I would go after him. I had to collect the masks in order to get the fierce deity mask to battle majora. I tell you, that's one battle I'll never forget." Link laid back on the bed staring up at the ceiling.
"So, you were pulled into this land, paired with the enemies fairy, went through similar temples and saved everyone? In just three days?" Link shook his head at Derek's question.
"No, I had help from a song. Every time I played it, it would send me back in time to the beginning with all my masks and abilities in tact. I'm surprised on how many times I did that. I was in a three day time loop for months and only three days passed here."
"What's this fierce deity mask you speak of?" Taro asked in a small voice. Link sat back up on the bed. Looking off into space, he answered.
"Pray that you never have to see me fight in it. That's my all out last-ditch resort mask. If I had that mask before I went into the temples, the bosses wouldn't have stood a second before me." Silence. "And that's just the tip of it. I'm stronger now than ever before because I came prepared this time. I have all of my magical weapons, my spells, my useful masks and more weapons. That doesn't include any of my songs or items like the Goron bracelet or gold scale. Not to mention the abilities that the great fairies granted me in Termina."
"What sort of abilities?" Navi asked excited. Link looked to the excited fairy on his shoulder.
"Well, any damage done to me is now cut in half, I have a longer magic meter and I have the black rose fairy sword." Cera and Navi gasped.
"You mean those abilities stayed with you? I'm impressed." Navi said excited. Only the things Link learned as a child stayed with him from the fairies and that included the three spells of magic.
"Wow! We stayed in here for a long time! Look, the sun is pretty high in the sky." Taro said looking out the window. "In fact, I think Zirain should be coming back soon." Derek looked out the window and nodded.
"What did Zirain have to do today anyway? I knew he was off somewhere but I still don't know where he went." Link asked at the two teens. Derek and Taro did a quick glance in the others direction.
"He had to report to his superior here. I have to go tomorrow." Derek said in a low voice.
"I don't have that problem since I'm a Neutral and I live off of my parents legacy. That's why we are all such good friends; if they get into trouble one of us can at least bail out the other." Link put on his hat that had been sitting beside him on the bed.
"That sounds like a good idea." Link got blank stares from all the people present. "You protect each other and are all good friends. I wish I had someone like that on my journey's other than a fairy partner of course." Link winked at the pair on the headboard. "I really could have used some help in all my wanderings. I probably wouldn't have done something as stupid as let Ganondorf get his hands on the triforce."
"Link?" Derek asked slowly looking at Taro. Taro nodded and smiled. Link looked at Derek.
"Yeah?"
"How would you like to be an official member of the Trio Hero of Neutral? We could make it a quartet." Link gaped open mouthed at Derek. Link was about to say something when he snapped his mouth shut. "Something wrong?"
"I'd love to be in your group." Link said enthusiastically. Derek and Taro beamed. "But I can't right now." That made the pair stop in shock.
"What? Why?" Taro finally croaked out feeling bitter. Link sighed loudly and shuffled his foot around on the floor as if he was being scolded.
"I made a promise to the mayor of Deku Town that I would try to stop the war that's going on between the Blue and Yellow families. If I was accepted into your group, I would drag you guys into it and I don't think I can do that to you guys." Link said in a low voice. Derek and Taro looked at Link and started laughing. "What's so funny?" Link asked not understanding the situation.
"Here we were worrying about asking you to help us try to stop the war and you've already promised someone else!" Derek said through tears. "That's funny! I can't believe we were so worried about it. Come on! Let's go and wait downstairs to tell Zirain the good news!" Link looked at Derek confused.
"What are you talking about?" Link asked. Taro shook his head.
"It means that you're in. Worried about dragging us into trying to make peace. Hah! We can take care of ourselves in a fight. We aren't called the three hero's for nothing you know." Link cast a confused look to his fairies on the bed.
"Don't ask us. We don't know what they're talking about either." Navi said taking flight. Link was shuffled out the door and down the stairs into the common room. To their surprise, Zirain was just coming through the door. Zirain spotted them instantly and made a motion for them to come outside.
'I wonder what's up.' Link was led to the stable where Epona was kept. 'Zirain looks a little nervous.' When all of them had entered, Zirain started to talk.
"We have big trouble guys!" Link, knowing that wasn't good, looked around to see if anyone was near them. "I just got told to be on battle alert. Battle Alert! You know what that means!" Link looked confused for a moment.
"The kid doesn't. That means that the final battle between Blue and Yellow is near. They alert their followers to be ready and then appoint the time of the battle with their allies. It looks like we may be in for a war." Derek explained. "And that also means that Soaran is going to make a play for power when both sides are weakened." Link swallowed hard.
"What do we have to do?" Link asked in a low tone. "What do we have to do to stop it from happening?" Link was met with serious stares from all three youths.
"First thing I think we should do is collect the pendants of power and stop the alliances from getting involved. That means that Soaran won't make a play for power if he knows that there is a chance that he might be attacked from them." Zirain said to Link. Link's heart skipped a beat.
"The leaders of the alliance can only be set free of the alliance if a promise is broken by another. Say if you were to promise that you would get their cat out of a tree and someone else did it, they could give that pendant to the other person and be free and clear of the alliance." Taro said continuing on. "Somehow, both blue and yellow kingdoms lost their pendants of power a long time ago. The alliance is still in effect though and only losing their pendants will get the four tribes around here out of the war."
"If we could somehow collect the pendant's, put them in their rightful place in the three goddesses temple, we could stop the war." Derek said interrupting Taro. "It sounds a whole lot easier than it's going to be simply because of the missing pendants. There are only four known in existence; Deku, Zora, Goron and Gerudo." Link took a deep breath and calmed himself.
"That's one down and three to go then." Link said quietly earning him looks from his companions. Link pulled out the pendant the Deku Mayor had given him and was rewarded with gasps from the three. Derek's shaking hand took the pendant from Link's outstretched hands. "Is this one of the pendants? Mr. Juba gave it to me when I defeated the Wolfos." Derek looked it over.
"It is! My goddess! I don't believe it! You've started the saving of Hyrule without us kid." Derek handed back the pendant to Link. "It looks like that's the reason the alert's been put up, lady Blue lost one of her alliance members and Yellow smells blood." Link nodded understanding. It was time to go get the other pendants.
"Where are you going?" Taro asked as Link started to mount Epona. Link unhooked Epona's reigns from the stall.
"I'm going to find the other pendants and save Hyrule. I have the Deku pendant that leaves the Zoran, the Gerudo and the Goron to collect. Which one should I do first?" Link asked the teens. Zirain looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Go to the East gates, we will meet you there." Zirain turned to the other two teens. "I think it's time that the trio of Neutral City disbanded. Get your things together because we are leaving Neutral City by ourselves." That made all people stop in their tracks.
"What are you talking about!?!" Cera demanded in Zirain's ear. "You three are good friends! You shouldn't part just because-"
"We are leaving to make sure that we can save Hyrule! Derek, you go to the Goron City atop Misty Mountain. Go to the fountain at exactly noon each day once you get there. Link will try and meet you there as soon as possible. Taro, you go to your aunt in Gerudo Keep. She will contact you once Link is there. Keep your ears open and your mouths shut. If there is any thing that's been bothering the natives, look into it. If anyone asks you why your there, tell them you had a fight in Neutral City with either of us. Once Link and I figure out a way to get the Zora pendant, I'll send Link down the line. We all try to meet back here once the pendants are collected and hope that it's enough to stop the war. Now, let's leave. The guards are on the lookout for fairies so you two will have to fly over the walls and meet Link and I outside the gates. Think you can do it?"
"Shouldn't be a problem." Cera said cheerfully. "Let's go Navi! I can't wait to get this trip started! It sounds like a real adventure."
"You mean it sounds like trouble." Link muttered under his breath. Link didn't exactly know what they all meant by 'down the line' but he guessed it was something important.
"Let's go Link. I have a feeling that we are in for a long day's ride ahead of us still." Zirain gathered up his bag that had been ready in the corner and tugged at Epona's harness. Link said farewell to his comrades and left with Zirain. "Did they take you anywhere today?" Zirain asked once they were out of the city.
"No. We spent most of the day talking in the room." Link said looking around for Navi and Cera. Zirain shook his head.
"I thought not. That's why you guys were still at the inn when I came back. Looks like we're going to have to make a stop." Link didn't notice the comment because he found two little bright lights out in the distance.
"Pheeeew!" Link let out a loud whistle that made Zirain cover his ears. The two lights became brighter as they neared the pair on the ground.
"Juta! You certainly have a healthy set of lungs! The only person who can whistle like that I know of is Lord Hunter himself." Zirain chuckle at Link's embarrassed blush. "Isn't anything to be embarrassed about even though you probably called all the dogs in the neighborhood." Link went even more crimson.
"Link!" Navi called out as soon as she was in range. Link waved and the two dots of light settled on Link's hat. "That was easy. Now what happens?" Navi asked shooting a glance to Zirain. Link shrugged his shoulders and leapt off of Epona.
"Up you go." Link said to Zirain motioning him to get on Epona. "Just point me in the direction and we can get there a lot faster." Zirain looked at Link as if he was deranged.
"Are you mad?" Zirain asked. "You should ride Epona, I'm older and I'll be able to keep up with her at a trot." Link put up his hand to silence him.
"Are you forgetting to whom you are talking to? I can keep up to Epona at a dead run, not a trot." Zirain sighed and climbed up on Epona. Link pulled out his bunny hood and put it on. When Link heard a snort that wasn't a horses, he looked up to see Zirain barely containing his laughter.
"You look cute kid." Zirain commented through a loud snigger. Link smiled almost instantly and grabbed Epona's reigns.
"Which direction?" Link asked still grinning.
"Just go straight until we come to the fork in the road that splits three ways." Zirain said casually. Link grinned and turned towards the road.
"Hang on." Link and Epona went off at a dead run catching Zirain off guard. Zirain let out a startled gasp and held on for dear life as the field scenery whirled by in a haze. Link was a blur in a bunny hood. It wasn't too long before Link slowed as he saw the fork in the road ahead. Zirain finally had the courage to look up when Epona came to a complete stop.
"We can't be there yet!" Zirain said in a small squeak. Link took off his bunny hood when he stopped directly before the three forks in the road.
"Now where?" Link asked looking at the center road. For some strange reason, he felt an urge to go in that direction. Zirain got off Epona and winced. Navi and Cera floated out of Link's hat and floated about two feet from Link.
"I sense something Link." Navi said circling the place where the three roads forked. "There's something here."
"Where do these roads lead?" Link asked Zirain. Navi didn't like being ignored and fluttered around Link's head.
"Well, the one to the right leads to Gerudo Keep, the one in the middle goes to Hunter's capital; Topaz City. We are going to the left, that's Zora territory and my village." Link looked to the left road. On the signpost, it read 'Watercrest City and Bulbbe Village'. Link guessed that Zirain was from Bulbbe.
"Link!" Cera growled at the young boy.
"Now what?" Link asked growling at the pair of fairies that were trying to get his attention. "I know there's something there. We can check it out when we're not trying to save Hyrule!"
"Actually, they're right. Taro and Derek were supposed to bring you here today in the early morning. You see Link, this spot is why the trio hero's of Neutral City exists." Zirain dropped his bag on the ground and pulled something out.
"What are you doing Zirain?" Link asked trying to look over his shoulder. Link then noticed that he had armor and a sword in the bag. A BIG sword and shiny armor. "Whoa."
"These were given to us by the Great Fairy of War. It was during our young years when we first met and - I won't go into details but we ended up here at this junction and in trouble. There was a bright light and we disappeared. The Great Fairy of War had saved us and decreed that it was our job to become the best warriors in the known lands of Hyrule. I don't know what spell she cast but, Taro became quicker, Derek became smarter and I became -well- smarter in a way. I could handle any type of weapon because of my upbringing so there wasn't any reason to adapt my body. I was not a tactician and that got us into trouble. We did as we were told and have become the warrior's she wished us to be."
"So the Great Fairy of War is here? How do we get to her?" Link asked excited at the prospect of getting another ability or item. Zirain scratched his head sheepishly.
"I don't rightly know. We all come back once a year since it happened to see if it'd work again and every year nothing happens. This time might be different because you're here. Let's try going to the spot." Link obediently followed Zirain's directions and stood in the spot.
"Now what?" Link asked. Before anyone could answer, Link was blinded by a flash of pure white light and seemed to vanish into nothingness.
"Link!" Navi shouted into the early evening fields of yellow Hyrule. Link was nowhere to be found.
'Zirain?' Link's thoughts were blurry and disoriented. Link's eyes were open though he couldn't really see anything that looked familiar. It was if light had suddenly burst from the ground below him and engulfed his being. Link stopped floating with a sudden flash of red light and he found himself on the smooth floor of a fairy fountain.
"Welcome Hero of Time." Link sat up to see a great fairy. There were always subtle differences between great fairies, where it was the shape of the nose, hair color or their laughter; this fairy however was noticeably special. Instead of vines covering her body, sleek folds of metal encompassed her modesty and her hair was white as snow. Link thought that she didn't look like any Great Fairy of War to him.
"Um Hello? Are you the Great Fairy of War?" Link asked in a timid voice. The fairy let out a laugh like all great fairies do.
"Indeed I am. Well young one, shall I examine you to see what needs done? It will tingle for just a few moments." Link let out a small gasp as a white glow enveloped his body. When the glow died down, Link let out a shiver; he never got used to the magical aura of these great fairies.
'How can one being have so much power?' Link asked himself. 'I mean how do they get it? Is it given to them or do they make magic themselves?' Link's pondering came up short when the great fairy turned her attention on him.
"Well, it seems that I have a dilemma on my hands. You are quick witted, fast and strong so I can clearly not enhance one of those abilities for you. Ah, you also have other great fairies powers. Hmmm, you have a sword technique also; Din's fire, Farore's wind and Nayru's love. My goodness! You even have the black rose fairy sword. Well! This won't do at all! I will just simply skip the small things and give you this." Link felt the transfer of magic like always and was surprised to see another spell in his items called Din's power.
"What does it do?" Link asked the fairy. Link looked up to see himself back on the road staring at Navi.
"Link!" Cera and Navi floated into Link's personal space each hugging a cheek. "I'm so glad you're alright! What happened?" Navi asked in a worried tone. Link held the new spell stone in his hand.
"I saw the Great Fairy of War and she gave me a spell called Din's power. I wonder what it does." Link held out the stone and concentrated.
'No time like the present to find out.' Link was now in his magic trance for the spell. Link knew that he did some sort of steps and said a few words to cast the spells but he wasn't prepared for what happened next. Link held up the stone in his left hand mumble the incantation and a red whirlwind encircled his body. When he was done, his whole body was giving off a red miasma.
"Whoa." Zirain said in awe. Link flexed his muscles and found it to be the same. Link didn't feel any different but knew that he was full of power. "Nice, you probably could pick up a boulder and throw it over your shoulder as if it were salt." Zirain said while getting back up on Epona. "Well? Let's go! We have a Hyrule to sa-"
"BRAAAAT!" A trumpet sounded in the distance. Navi and Cera were so alarmed that they instantly went under Link's hat. Link looked down to see that he was still glowing! There would be no way to explain this to whoever was coming up the road! Link took out his stone mask and put it on.
"Link?" Zirain whispered. Link took hold of Epona's harness and led her to the other side of the road so whoever was coming could pass. Link saw the yellow banners first. It was a group of about six people. One person was holding the yellow banner with a lion on it, four were heavily adorned in armor and weapons and one person was in the middle of the group.
'I've never seen such blue eyes!' Link thought in wonder. The man had black hair and the deepest blue eyes that Link had ever seen beside his own. Link studied his more adept features; long well muscled legs, medium build, not too brawny except for his arms. 'Probably a mean swordsman.' The man carried with him a bow and three swords. The bow was slung over his back along with his biggest sword. The other two swords were more delicate and strapped to his waist. He was riding a beautiful black mare that was saddled up with the most beautiful saddle Link had ever seen.
"Hold!" The man suddenly shouted. Link's heart leapt in his throat. The man and his group stopped near Link, Epona and-
'Where's Zirain?' Link looked around to see Zirain kneeling beside Epona. Link hadn't even heard him getting off her! Link chokingly put his attention back to the man. He trotted his horse up to Zirain and Epona. Link quietly made his way over to the other side of Epona.
"Rise." Said the man. Zirain did as told and rose to his feet "You are Zirain are you not?" Zirain swallowed to dampen his throat.
"Yes sir. My Lord Hunter." Link turned his head quickly in the direction of Zirain before he looked back to Hunter. Hunter chuckled.
"Good to see that I'm still known among the lower ranks. Tell me hero of Neutral. Where are you going with such a marvelous creature as this? I have never seen such a fine horse before even though it is just a colt." Link swallowed hard. Zirain didn't even flinch.
"I'm taking the colt to Watercrest. For a friend sir." Zirain said with little hesitance. Link looked to Hunter and prayed to Din that he would accept the answer. Hunter nodded.
"I see. Care to give me the name? I might want to purchase such a fine beauty as her and breed her someday." Link closed his eye's shut. Link's first thoughts were on the fine line of don'tdoitdon'tdoitdon'tdoit!
"I'm afraid I don't think that he'll sell sir. Epona is one of his prized possessions and trained to be loyal to him. The only reason he let me ride her was because she likes me well enough that she wouldn't buck me off as soon as I climb into the saddle." Hunter frowned at this knowledge then shrugged it off.
"Alright then, best be on your way. Be ready for the upcoming battle, we are going to crush the Blue family." Hunter didn't seem too enthusiastic to Link though. Link thought he was being more disheartened than boastful. Link let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes sir!" Zirain saluted the man. Hunter did something then that made Link's hair stand on end. Hunter stared directly at him. Link knew that Hunter shouldn't be able to see him. Yet, Hunter's gaze fell on where Link was standing and Link almost backed away at his gaze.
'How could Zirain talk to Hunter without quivering in his boots? I'm scared out of my ever loving mind!' Link closed his eyes and shuddered. Then, there was a noise of horses thundering away and Link opened his eyes. To his relief, Hunter was on his way to Neutral.
'There was something wrong with Zirain or that horse.' Hunter grumped to himself. 'I spent enough time around my beloved to sense that there was great magical power in the vicinity.
"Sir?" Hunter turned to his life long friend and right hand man Souta. Souta was Zirain's uncle so he knew the boy well. Zirain was a loyal blue soldier that had marvelous potential. The only flaw with the lad was that he insisted that he be sent to patrol in Neutral City.
"What is it?" Hunter asked in a gruff tone. Souta leaned over in his saddle towards his mentor. Souta didn't want all the other guards present to hear what he was about to say obviously so Hunter did the same.
"I sensed something strange back there. Did you?" Hunter nodded. "If I didn't know any better sir, I would have sworn my nephew had a pendant on him. I didn't see any ruffles in his tunic however. Do you think it be wise to send someone after him?" Hunter weighed his options for a moment.
"It couldn't hurt to send someone after him, just to make sure that he's telling the truth. Zirain would know that he was being followed though, bright kid that he is. I don't think we can spare the manpower right know though. The Zora's are very disgruntled right now and I'm at my wit's end. I don't think he's lying about that horse not being his and I know for sure that he was telling the truth about taking it to Watercrest City for a friend."
"My Lord?" Souta asked puzzled. Hunter looked up at his friend.
"Come off it man! You know that your brother's boy has that Neutral nobleman as a friend. I think that it's his horse that's being taken to Watercrest. For his reason, I don't know. Still, I sensed something magical about them. Do you think that he was hiding something other than the owner's name?"
"Yes." Souta said turning back in his saddle. "I wouldn't put it past him to be up to something. You know how kids are these days." Hunter pondered the strange encounter until they reached the City gates where Soaran was waiting to greet him.
That's it for this chapter.
Disclaimer: Link isn't mine. *sob*
"Yawn!" Link woke up from the first good sleep he had since-since- Wow! Before Ganondorf cursed the Deku tree. Link sighed at the memory and opened one eye. Link looked beyond the bed to see Taro and Derek.
'What time is it?' Link looked past the two to the window. The sun was high in the sky signaling that it was late morning. Link rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes. Link heard a movement from one of the teens as he did this.
"About time you woke up." Derek said with a friendly grin. "I should have took the late morning patrol instead of the early morning patrol, you slept like the dead kid." Link sat up and stretched his sore muscles.
"Mph!" Taro snickered loudly. Derek's smile grew wider when they saw the state of Link's hair. "Before we do anything, we have to do something about that hair of yours." Link blinked confused.
"What's wrong with my hair?" Link asked the two shrugging boys. "Where are Navi and Cera?" Taro looked behind Link to the headboard. Link turned to see the pair of fairies looking back at Link.
"I think that's your hair problem." Derek said in a snigger. "Two fairies and one head of hair to perch in equals a rat nest. Let's see if we can so anything about that hair and you can tell us how you became the Hero of Time."
"Alright." Link sat on the floor while Taro tried to brush out the youth's hair with a comb. "It all started in the Kokiri forest. In time here, it wouldn't be more than two months ago. I was awakened from my sleep by Navi and was told to go see the great Deku tree. I met my friend Saria on the way there and talked to her about Navi. Before I could enter the Deku tree's clearing, I ran into Mido."
"That Mido's a real jerk." Navi growled during Link's story. Link shot her a glance to shut up. "He is! Mido picks on Link all the time calling him Mr. Nofairy! Then telling him that he had to have a shield and sword before he could go see the Deku tree!"
"Navi! Let me tell the story!" Link growled in her direction. Navi shut up but still glowed as if angry. "After I got the Kokiri sword, and a Deku shield, Mido begrudgingly let me in the clearing. That's where everything went downhill. I learned that the Great Deku Tree had been cursed and I was asked to lift the curse. I went into the great Deku Tree's hollow and defeated the source of the curse. Inside, I found the slingshot I have today and defeated Gohma with it."
"Ech! That was the first and worst battle you ever fought Link." Navi said remembering the horror. Link let a tear slide down his cheek in memory.
"It was all in vain, The Deku Tree died shortly afterwards. Before the tree died, he told me to seek out the princess of destiny in Hyrule Castle and he gave me the Kokiri emerald to take with me. I left the forest." Link rubbed his eyes dry. "Ever since I left the forest afterward, I had nothing but trouble."
"So you tell us, what sort of trouble?" Taro asked pausing to get another knot out of his hair. Link went to explain the trouble getting into the castle with Malon and her father, seeking princess Zelda out, learning the song of the royal family, going back to the forest to find Saria and going to Death Mountain after making a short stop in Kakariko Village.
"I played Saria's Song to their leader Darunia and made him dance like you wouldn't believe. Trust me on this. He then gave me the Goron bracelet you see me wearing and that let me bomb the opening to Dodongo's cavern. I got the bomb bag in there as well and defeated the Dodongo King to let the Gorons in." That got Taro's attention.
"You mean you took on a King and WON? That's incredible! How big was this guy?" Taro asked. Link's goofy grin made Derek wonder something.
"Not very big, he was a little bigger than that Wolfos I fought in Deku Town though." Thump! Derek was on the floor staring wide-eyed at Link.
"No-NOWAY!" Derek squeaked. Link sighed and nodded. By now he was able to do that because his hair was completely brushed through.
"Because of my great deed, I was sworn in as Darunia's blood brother and was given their Goron ruby. That's when I had to make my way to the great fairy's pond high in the mountains." Dead silence passed between the boy's. "What?" Derek shook his head at Link.
"You're amazing do you know that kid?" Taro said in a whisper. Link looked at the two teens in confusion.
"Oh! All great fairies aren't the same you know. Some give you special spells, other's give you special items and some increase your magical powers. I should know, I've seen enough of them. Anyway, after I had the Goron Ruby, I made my way into Zora's Domain. Ergh! What a nightmare that was!"
"You only had to get swallowed by Lord Jabujabu and save the princess. Besides, you got the boomerang out of it and the Zora Sapphire." Navi said landing on his shoulder. Link cringed at the word 'Zora Sapphire'.
"Do I have to remind you that's supposed to be an engagement present!?! I'm still trying to figure out how to get out of that particular mess. I should have known by the way she said 'My most precious possession.' I'd still be clueless if I hadn't gone seven years into the future and been told by Ruto in the water temple."
"You were serious about that!?!" Derek and Taro said in unison. Link blushed terribly and looked down to the floor as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
"Yes." Link said sheepishly. "And it's still in effect since I got rid of Ganondorf. I tell you, it was tempting to stay in that possible future so I wouldn't have to marry her." Taro suddenly thought of something.
"If you stay here kid, you'll be safe from that." Taro said with a wolfish grin on his face. "No children are allowed to be wed here unless they have a marriage contract between them. No contract, no wedding." Link sat up straight and looked Taro in the eye.
"Are you serious?" Link said eyes brimming with hope. Taro nodded and Link fell back on the bed. "Thank you! Someone up there likes me!"
"That is," Derek continued. "Unless she comes looking for you and makes you sign a contract with her. I've had a few close calls with that myself." Link's smile grew even wider.
"Only I know how to get through the seal that the Deku Tree put up. This is great! I can still live in The Lost Woods and high tail it over here when I hear that she's looking for me." Derek and Taro looked at him strangely. "What?"
"What did you mean by 'seven years into the future' 'possible future' and 'water temple?'" Derek asked. Link went on to explain the long tedious tale of the temples, the master sword, the sages and his trips back and forth. Link finally ended his tale giving some surprising news.
"When I defeated Ganondorf, Zelda sealed him away in the dark realm and I was sent back to my rightful time as a kid. No one remembered me really because only the people most affected by Ganondorf's rule would remember. That includes the Sages, Zelda, Malon, Navi and myself. I remember everything while no one else can hardly recall what happened in the future. They know my exploits as a child but that's it. I can't probably even go see Nabooru in Gerudo Fortress without being thrown in jail again. Technically, the Gerudo pass shouldn't even exist or the items I collected. I have to wait seven years before I can even try wielding the megaton hammer again."
"That still doesn't explain how you can transform your shape." Derek said. Link sighed and continued.
"I know, I'm getting to that." Link went on to tell of his and Navi's separation and his search to find her. "I was actually forced into Termina by a skullkid stealing Epona and cursing me into a Deku body. You wouldn't believe the time I had getting my body back. Anyway, I had to go to the four corners of this place and clear out the evils in their temples."
"Is that how you got the masks?" Cera asked cautiously. Link shook his head. "Thought not. And where does this Tatl come in?"
" She was with the skullkid and was separated when they cursed me. She came along because she knew I would go after him. I had to collect the masks in order to get the fierce deity mask to battle majora. I tell you, that's one battle I'll never forget." Link laid back on the bed staring up at the ceiling.
"So, you were pulled into this land, paired with the enemies fairy, went through similar temples and saved everyone? In just three days?" Link shook his head at Derek's question.
"No, I had help from a song. Every time I played it, it would send me back in time to the beginning with all my masks and abilities in tact. I'm surprised on how many times I did that. I was in a three day time loop for months and only three days passed here."
"What's this fierce deity mask you speak of?" Taro asked in a small voice. Link sat back up on the bed. Looking off into space, he answered.
"Pray that you never have to see me fight in it. That's my all out last-ditch resort mask. If I had that mask before I went into the temples, the bosses wouldn't have stood a second before me." Silence. "And that's just the tip of it. I'm stronger now than ever before because I came prepared this time. I have all of my magical weapons, my spells, my useful masks and more weapons. That doesn't include any of my songs or items like the Goron bracelet or gold scale. Not to mention the abilities that the great fairies granted me in Termina."
"What sort of abilities?" Navi asked excited. Link looked to the excited fairy on his shoulder.
"Well, any damage done to me is now cut in half, I have a longer magic meter and I have the black rose fairy sword." Cera and Navi gasped.
"You mean those abilities stayed with you? I'm impressed." Navi said excited. Only the things Link learned as a child stayed with him from the fairies and that included the three spells of magic.
"Wow! We stayed in here for a long time! Look, the sun is pretty high in the sky." Taro said looking out the window. "In fact, I think Zirain should be coming back soon." Derek looked out the window and nodded.
"What did Zirain have to do today anyway? I knew he was off somewhere but I still don't know where he went." Link asked at the two teens. Derek and Taro did a quick glance in the others direction.
"He had to report to his superior here. I have to go tomorrow." Derek said in a low voice.
"I don't have that problem since I'm a Neutral and I live off of my parents legacy. That's why we are all such good friends; if they get into trouble one of us can at least bail out the other." Link put on his hat that had been sitting beside him on the bed.
"That sounds like a good idea." Link got blank stares from all the people present. "You protect each other and are all good friends. I wish I had someone like that on my journey's other than a fairy partner of course." Link winked at the pair on the headboard. "I really could have used some help in all my wanderings. I probably wouldn't have done something as stupid as let Ganondorf get his hands on the triforce."
"Link?" Derek asked slowly looking at Taro. Taro nodded and smiled. Link looked at Derek.
"Yeah?"
"How would you like to be an official member of the Trio Hero of Neutral? We could make it a quartet." Link gaped open mouthed at Derek. Link was about to say something when he snapped his mouth shut. "Something wrong?"
"I'd love to be in your group." Link said enthusiastically. Derek and Taro beamed. "But I can't right now." That made the pair stop in shock.
"What? Why?" Taro finally croaked out feeling bitter. Link sighed loudly and shuffled his foot around on the floor as if he was being scolded.
"I made a promise to the mayor of Deku Town that I would try to stop the war that's going on between the Blue and Yellow families. If I was accepted into your group, I would drag you guys into it and I don't think I can do that to you guys." Link said in a low voice. Derek and Taro looked at Link and started laughing. "What's so funny?" Link asked not understanding the situation.
"Here we were worrying about asking you to help us try to stop the war and you've already promised someone else!" Derek said through tears. "That's funny! I can't believe we were so worried about it. Come on! Let's go and wait downstairs to tell Zirain the good news!" Link looked at Derek confused.
"What are you talking about?" Link asked. Taro shook his head.
"It means that you're in. Worried about dragging us into trying to make peace. Hah! We can take care of ourselves in a fight. We aren't called the three hero's for nothing you know." Link cast a confused look to his fairies on the bed.
"Don't ask us. We don't know what they're talking about either." Navi said taking flight. Link was shuffled out the door and down the stairs into the common room. To their surprise, Zirain was just coming through the door. Zirain spotted them instantly and made a motion for them to come outside.
'I wonder what's up.' Link was led to the stable where Epona was kept. 'Zirain looks a little nervous.' When all of them had entered, Zirain started to talk.
"We have big trouble guys!" Link, knowing that wasn't good, looked around to see if anyone was near them. "I just got told to be on battle alert. Battle Alert! You know what that means!" Link looked confused for a moment.
"The kid doesn't. That means that the final battle between Blue and Yellow is near. They alert their followers to be ready and then appoint the time of the battle with their allies. It looks like we may be in for a war." Derek explained. "And that also means that Soaran is going to make a play for power when both sides are weakened." Link swallowed hard.
"What do we have to do?" Link asked in a low tone. "What do we have to do to stop it from happening?" Link was met with serious stares from all three youths.
"First thing I think we should do is collect the pendants of power and stop the alliances from getting involved. That means that Soaran won't make a play for power if he knows that there is a chance that he might be attacked from them." Zirain said to Link. Link's heart skipped a beat.
"The leaders of the alliance can only be set free of the alliance if a promise is broken by another. Say if you were to promise that you would get their cat out of a tree and someone else did it, they could give that pendant to the other person and be free and clear of the alliance." Taro said continuing on. "Somehow, both blue and yellow kingdoms lost their pendants of power a long time ago. The alliance is still in effect though and only losing their pendants will get the four tribes around here out of the war."
"If we could somehow collect the pendant's, put them in their rightful place in the three goddesses temple, we could stop the war." Derek said interrupting Taro. "It sounds a whole lot easier than it's going to be simply because of the missing pendants. There are only four known in existence; Deku, Zora, Goron and Gerudo." Link took a deep breath and calmed himself.
"That's one down and three to go then." Link said quietly earning him looks from his companions. Link pulled out the pendant the Deku Mayor had given him and was rewarded with gasps from the three. Derek's shaking hand took the pendant from Link's outstretched hands. "Is this one of the pendants? Mr. Juba gave it to me when I defeated the Wolfos." Derek looked it over.
"It is! My goddess! I don't believe it! You've started the saving of Hyrule without us kid." Derek handed back the pendant to Link. "It looks like that's the reason the alert's been put up, lady Blue lost one of her alliance members and Yellow smells blood." Link nodded understanding. It was time to go get the other pendants.
"Where are you going?" Taro asked as Link started to mount Epona. Link unhooked Epona's reigns from the stall.
"I'm going to find the other pendants and save Hyrule. I have the Deku pendant that leaves the Zoran, the Gerudo and the Goron to collect. Which one should I do first?" Link asked the teens. Zirain looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Go to the East gates, we will meet you there." Zirain turned to the other two teens. "I think it's time that the trio of Neutral City disbanded. Get your things together because we are leaving Neutral City by ourselves." That made all people stop in their tracks.
"What are you talking about!?!" Cera demanded in Zirain's ear. "You three are good friends! You shouldn't part just because-"
"We are leaving to make sure that we can save Hyrule! Derek, you go to the Goron City atop Misty Mountain. Go to the fountain at exactly noon each day once you get there. Link will try and meet you there as soon as possible. Taro, you go to your aunt in Gerudo Keep. She will contact you once Link is there. Keep your ears open and your mouths shut. If there is any thing that's been bothering the natives, look into it. If anyone asks you why your there, tell them you had a fight in Neutral City with either of us. Once Link and I figure out a way to get the Zora pendant, I'll send Link down the line. We all try to meet back here once the pendants are collected and hope that it's enough to stop the war. Now, let's leave. The guards are on the lookout for fairies so you two will have to fly over the walls and meet Link and I outside the gates. Think you can do it?"
"Shouldn't be a problem." Cera said cheerfully. "Let's go Navi! I can't wait to get this trip started! It sounds like a real adventure."
"You mean it sounds like trouble." Link muttered under his breath. Link didn't exactly know what they all meant by 'down the line' but he guessed it was something important.
"Let's go Link. I have a feeling that we are in for a long day's ride ahead of us still." Zirain gathered up his bag that had been ready in the corner and tugged at Epona's harness. Link said farewell to his comrades and left with Zirain. "Did they take you anywhere today?" Zirain asked once they were out of the city.
"No. We spent most of the day talking in the room." Link said looking around for Navi and Cera. Zirain shook his head.
"I thought not. That's why you guys were still at the inn when I came back. Looks like we're going to have to make a stop." Link didn't notice the comment because he found two little bright lights out in the distance.
"Pheeeew!" Link let out a loud whistle that made Zirain cover his ears. The two lights became brighter as they neared the pair on the ground.
"Juta! You certainly have a healthy set of lungs! The only person who can whistle like that I know of is Lord Hunter himself." Zirain chuckle at Link's embarrassed blush. "Isn't anything to be embarrassed about even though you probably called all the dogs in the neighborhood." Link went even more crimson.
"Link!" Navi called out as soon as she was in range. Link waved and the two dots of light settled on Link's hat. "That was easy. Now what happens?" Navi asked shooting a glance to Zirain. Link shrugged his shoulders and leapt off of Epona.
"Up you go." Link said to Zirain motioning him to get on Epona. "Just point me in the direction and we can get there a lot faster." Zirain looked at Link as if he was deranged.
"Are you mad?" Zirain asked. "You should ride Epona, I'm older and I'll be able to keep up with her at a trot." Link put up his hand to silence him.
"Are you forgetting to whom you are talking to? I can keep up to Epona at a dead run, not a trot." Zirain sighed and climbed up on Epona. Link pulled out his bunny hood and put it on. When Link heard a snort that wasn't a horses, he looked up to see Zirain barely containing his laughter.
"You look cute kid." Zirain commented through a loud snigger. Link smiled almost instantly and grabbed Epona's reigns.
"Which direction?" Link asked still grinning.
"Just go straight until we come to the fork in the road that splits three ways." Zirain said casually. Link grinned and turned towards the road.
"Hang on." Link and Epona went off at a dead run catching Zirain off guard. Zirain let out a startled gasp and held on for dear life as the field scenery whirled by in a haze. Link was a blur in a bunny hood. It wasn't too long before Link slowed as he saw the fork in the road ahead. Zirain finally had the courage to look up when Epona came to a complete stop.
"We can't be there yet!" Zirain said in a small squeak. Link took off his bunny hood when he stopped directly before the three forks in the road.
"Now where?" Link asked looking at the center road. For some strange reason, he felt an urge to go in that direction. Zirain got off Epona and winced. Navi and Cera floated out of Link's hat and floated about two feet from Link.
"I sense something Link." Navi said circling the place where the three roads forked. "There's something here."
"Where do these roads lead?" Link asked Zirain. Navi didn't like being ignored and fluttered around Link's head.
"Well, the one to the right leads to Gerudo Keep, the one in the middle goes to Hunter's capital; Topaz City. We are going to the left, that's Zora territory and my village." Link looked to the left road. On the signpost, it read 'Watercrest City and Bulbbe Village'. Link guessed that Zirain was from Bulbbe.
"Link!" Cera growled at the young boy.
"Now what?" Link asked growling at the pair of fairies that were trying to get his attention. "I know there's something there. We can check it out when we're not trying to save Hyrule!"
"Actually, they're right. Taro and Derek were supposed to bring you here today in the early morning. You see Link, this spot is why the trio hero's of Neutral City exists." Zirain dropped his bag on the ground and pulled something out.
"What are you doing Zirain?" Link asked trying to look over his shoulder. Link then noticed that he had armor and a sword in the bag. A BIG sword and shiny armor. "Whoa."
"These were given to us by the Great Fairy of War. It was during our young years when we first met and - I won't go into details but we ended up here at this junction and in trouble. There was a bright light and we disappeared. The Great Fairy of War had saved us and decreed that it was our job to become the best warriors in the known lands of Hyrule. I don't know what spell she cast but, Taro became quicker, Derek became smarter and I became -well- smarter in a way. I could handle any type of weapon because of my upbringing so there wasn't any reason to adapt my body. I was not a tactician and that got us into trouble. We did as we were told and have become the warrior's she wished us to be."
"So the Great Fairy of War is here? How do we get to her?" Link asked excited at the prospect of getting another ability or item. Zirain scratched his head sheepishly.
"I don't rightly know. We all come back once a year since it happened to see if it'd work again and every year nothing happens. This time might be different because you're here. Let's try going to the spot." Link obediently followed Zirain's directions and stood in the spot.
"Now what?" Link asked. Before anyone could answer, Link was blinded by a flash of pure white light and seemed to vanish into nothingness.
"Link!" Navi shouted into the early evening fields of yellow Hyrule. Link was nowhere to be found.
'Zirain?' Link's thoughts were blurry and disoriented. Link's eyes were open though he couldn't really see anything that looked familiar. It was if light had suddenly burst from the ground below him and engulfed his being. Link stopped floating with a sudden flash of red light and he found himself on the smooth floor of a fairy fountain.
"Welcome Hero of Time." Link sat up to see a great fairy. There were always subtle differences between great fairies, where it was the shape of the nose, hair color or their laughter; this fairy however was noticeably special. Instead of vines covering her body, sleek folds of metal encompassed her modesty and her hair was white as snow. Link thought that she didn't look like any Great Fairy of War to him.
"Um Hello? Are you the Great Fairy of War?" Link asked in a timid voice. The fairy let out a laugh like all great fairies do.
"Indeed I am. Well young one, shall I examine you to see what needs done? It will tingle for just a few moments." Link let out a small gasp as a white glow enveloped his body. When the glow died down, Link let out a shiver; he never got used to the magical aura of these great fairies.
'How can one being have so much power?' Link asked himself. 'I mean how do they get it? Is it given to them or do they make magic themselves?' Link's pondering came up short when the great fairy turned her attention on him.
"Well, it seems that I have a dilemma on my hands. You are quick witted, fast and strong so I can clearly not enhance one of those abilities for you. Ah, you also have other great fairies powers. Hmmm, you have a sword technique also; Din's fire, Farore's wind and Nayru's love. My goodness! You even have the black rose fairy sword. Well! This won't do at all! I will just simply skip the small things and give you this." Link felt the transfer of magic like always and was surprised to see another spell in his items called Din's power.
"What does it do?" Link asked the fairy. Link looked up to see himself back on the road staring at Navi.
"Link!" Cera and Navi floated into Link's personal space each hugging a cheek. "I'm so glad you're alright! What happened?" Navi asked in a worried tone. Link held the new spell stone in his hand.
"I saw the Great Fairy of War and she gave me a spell called Din's power. I wonder what it does." Link held out the stone and concentrated.
'No time like the present to find out.' Link was now in his magic trance for the spell. Link knew that he did some sort of steps and said a few words to cast the spells but he wasn't prepared for what happened next. Link held up the stone in his left hand mumble the incantation and a red whirlwind encircled his body. When he was done, his whole body was giving off a red miasma.
"Whoa." Zirain said in awe. Link flexed his muscles and found it to be the same. Link didn't feel any different but knew that he was full of power. "Nice, you probably could pick up a boulder and throw it over your shoulder as if it were salt." Zirain said while getting back up on Epona. "Well? Let's go! We have a Hyrule to sa-"
"BRAAAAT!" A trumpet sounded in the distance. Navi and Cera were so alarmed that they instantly went under Link's hat. Link looked down to see that he was still glowing! There would be no way to explain this to whoever was coming up the road! Link took out his stone mask and put it on.
"Link?" Zirain whispered. Link took hold of Epona's harness and led her to the other side of the road so whoever was coming could pass. Link saw the yellow banners first. It was a group of about six people. One person was holding the yellow banner with a lion on it, four were heavily adorned in armor and weapons and one person was in the middle of the group.
'I've never seen such blue eyes!' Link thought in wonder. The man had black hair and the deepest blue eyes that Link had ever seen beside his own. Link studied his more adept features; long well muscled legs, medium build, not too brawny except for his arms. 'Probably a mean swordsman.' The man carried with him a bow and three swords. The bow was slung over his back along with his biggest sword. The other two swords were more delicate and strapped to his waist. He was riding a beautiful black mare that was saddled up with the most beautiful saddle Link had ever seen.
"Hold!" The man suddenly shouted. Link's heart leapt in his throat. The man and his group stopped near Link, Epona and-
'Where's Zirain?' Link looked around to see Zirain kneeling beside Epona. Link hadn't even heard him getting off her! Link chokingly put his attention back to the man. He trotted his horse up to Zirain and Epona. Link quietly made his way over to the other side of Epona.
"Rise." Said the man. Zirain did as told and rose to his feet "You are Zirain are you not?" Zirain swallowed to dampen his throat.
"Yes sir. My Lord Hunter." Link turned his head quickly in the direction of Zirain before he looked back to Hunter. Hunter chuckled.
"Good to see that I'm still known among the lower ranks. Tell me hero of Neutral. Where are you going with such a marvelous creature as this? I have never seen such a fine horse before even though it is just a colt." Link swallowed hard. Zirain didn't even flinch.
"I'm taking the colt to Watercrest. For a friend sir." Zirain said with little hesitance. Link looked to Hunter and prayed to Din that he would accept the answer. Hunter nodded.
"I see. Care to give me the name? I might want to purchase such a fine beauty as her and breed her someday." Link closed his eye's shut. Link's first thoughts were on the fine line of don'tdoitdon'tdoitdon'tdoit!
"I'm afraid I don't think that he'll sell sir. Epona is one of his prized possessions and trained to be loyal to him. The only reason he let me ride her was because she likes me well enough that she wouldn't buck me off as soon as I climb into the saddle." Hunter frowned at this knowledge then shrugged it off.
"Alright then, best be on your way. Be ready for the upcoming battle, we are going to crush the Blue family." Hunter didn't seem too enthusiastic to Link though. Link thought he was being more disheartened than boastful. Link let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes sir!" Zirain saluted the man. Hunter did something then that made Link's hair stand on end. Hunter stared directly at him. Link knew that Hunter shouldn't be able to see him. Yet, Hunter's gaze fell on where Link was standing and Link almost backed away at his gaze.
'How could Zirain talk to Hunter without quivering in his boots? I'm scared out of my ever loving mind!' Link closed his eyes and shuddered. Then, there was a noise of horses thundering away and Link opened his eyes. To his relief, Hunter was on his way to Neutral.
'There was something wrong with Zirain or that horse.' Hunter grumped to himself. 'I spent enough time around my beloved to sense that there was great magical power in the vicinity.
"Sir?" Hunter turned to his life long friend and right hand man Souta. Souta was Zirain's uncle so he knew the boy well. Zirain was a loyal blue soldier that had marvelous potential. The only flaw with the lad was that he insisted that he be sent to patrol in Neutral City.
"What is it?" Hunter asked in a gruff tone. Souta leaned over in his saddle towards his mentor. Souta didn't want all the other guards present to hear what he was about to say obviously so Hunter did the same.
"I sensed something strange back there. Did you?" Hunter nodded. "If I didn't know any better sir, I would have sworn my nephew had a pendant on him. I didn't see any ruffles in his tunic however. Do you think it be wise to send someone after him?" Hunter weighed his options for a moment.
"It couldn't hurt to send someone after him, just to make sure that he's telling the truth. Zirain would know that he was being followed though, bright kid that he is. I don't think we can spare the manpower right know though. The Zora's are very disgruntled right now and I'm at my wit's end. I don't think he's lying about that horse not being his and I know for sure that he was telling the truth about taking it to Watercrest City for a friend."
"My Lord?" Souta asked puzzled. Hunter looked up at his friend.
"Come off it man! You know that your brother's boy has that Neutral nobleman as a friend. I think that it's his horse that's being taken to Watercrest. For his reason, I don't know. Still, I sensed something magical about them. Do you think that he was hiding something other than the owner's name?"
"Yes." Souta said turning back in his saddle. "I wouldn't put it past him to be up to something. You know how kids are these days." Hunter pondered the strange encounter until they reached the City gates where Soaran was waiting to greet him.
That's it for this chapter.
Disclaimer: Link isn't mine. *sob*