Disclaimer: Zelda isn't mine. Though I recently purchased a Ganondorf action figure that looked pretty cool, but it said "Ganandorf" on the front. I didn't know whether to be entertained or angered by it.

AN: Well, here's another chapter of Dragonclaw. I know I got a lot of good reviews near the beginning of this, but the posts are slowing down and I wonder if I am, too. I've tried to make them as exciting and detailed as the first chapters, but if it's not good enough, I'm sorry.

Also, someone recently reviewed this story saying that Link is too naïve. I don't mind if you don't like that part, but here's my explanation:

Link has spent his entire life in a forest filled with child-like sprites who know no sickness or strife. Then he's thrust into a world filled with actual adults who know about frightening issues and death and hunger and all that nasty stuff. . . I don't know about you, but I just thought it would make sense for Link to be naïve.

Dragonclaw

Chapter. . . what are we on, Seven?

Shadow People

They hadn't been given a chance to fight back. Though the cold hand had released them from its grasp, Link and Malon still felt the effects of its clench, and they stood frozen in their spots as Ganon called for his guards once more. This time, however, they were greeted by the smirking faces of the Dynamic Trio, who'd been pursuing them earlier. Malon sneered at Derek's smug grin, the Dark General giving them the order to execute Malon and Link, throwing the two in a cold dungeon that forced them to recall the traumatizing moments they'd endured in Ganon's presence. Link shivered, rubbing his arms and staring bitterly at the molding brown door that they had just entered through.

"Great! Brilliant!" Malon shouted, causing him to jump. She glared at him, her blue eyes shimmering in anger. He frowned, not sure of why she was so angry with him.

"What?" He asked, then winced at her reply. He expected her to be upset that they were trapped in a dungeon with a death sentence, but he had no clue why she was taking it out on him.

"'What'? 'What'? Why did you tell him your name was Dragonclaw? Look where that got us!" She cried, gesturing around the cold, dark room. The walls were made of cracked pale stone that felt slick under the fingertips, and the floor was just a plain, dirt ground with straws of hay scattered across it. There were no windows, and the only way out seemed to be the wooden door. Malon went over to try and force it open as Link bowed his head, his cheeks flushing in his embarrassment.

"Sorry," He mumbled, hearing her fist beating against the door of their prison, "But you felt that. . . thing. . . like ice. . ." He studied her through his bangs, noticing her shudder at the mention of the unseen force. So she HAD felt it, after all.

"Of course I did. It's a spell. Drains the life out of you. . . Never heard of anyone actually USING it before. But most of the time, it takes AWAY your ability to tell lies, since that requires imagination, and therefore, life." She turned and frowned at Link peering at him through slit eyes, then shrugged, turning away and kicking the wall. She thumped her foot against a few stones, then took a step to her left and tried again, periodically searching for weaknesses.

"So why'd you tell him your name was Dragonclaw?" She asked again. Link stared at her in confusion, trying to compute what she'd just said. She just said that it could have effected him, making un unable to tell lies, but still she wanted to know why he'd given out his name?

"You must know that it's blasphemous, even if you are a forest kid. I don't know about the laws in other regions, but in Hylia, the consequence is imprisonment." She snorted, the sole of her foot knocking against another stone. "Guess that's not good enough for us, though, if Ganon is ordering our execution."

"I. . . didn't know that." Link's brow was furrowed as he tried to figure out what she was saying. He wasn't allowed to say his own name? "Why is it blasphemous?" He asked. Malon gave the wall one last kick as she closed her rounds, emitting an exasperated shriek. She shook her head, turning to stare at him. Link was relieved to see that she'd taken out her anger on the wall, for her expression was mildly softer than before.

"I keep forgetting you don't know anything." She said, her voice matching the look in her eyes. She took a seat on the moist ground, ignoring what it did to her new slacks and tunic as she looked into his eyes.

"The Dragonclaw were the original rulers of Hyrule. They were a massive, powerful clan whom everyone respected. Now, only one remains: Princess Zelda." She sighed, taking the wide-eyed and horrified expression on his face for comprehension of the story. "It is said," She continued, "That they were blessed by Din, Nayru, and Farore, so we are to hold the Dragonclaws in our minds as Children of the Goddesses. That's why it's sacrilege to say that you are one." She finished. She was lecturing Link like he was a child again, but he paid no notice. His mind was buzzing from what Malon had told him. If it were true, then that meant – He was stirred from his thoughts as the door opened. Malon shot to her feet, raising her arms and brandishing her knuckles threateningly at the man in the shining armour who entered their prison. Link stood up, too, grabbing Malon and holding her back before she could attack the man, who Link automatically recognized as the guard who'd stopped him from revealing too much, before.

"What are you doing?!" Malon cried, trying to pry away Link's hands from around her waist and arms. She obviously wanted to use this moment to try and escape, believing that they'd have no other chance.

"Stop!" Link released his grip on her waist and held both her hands. Malon went still, but allowed Link to keep a grasp on her shoulders, just to be sure that she didn't try to attack their visitor again.

"Who are you?" He asked over her hair. The man blinked, an amused smile gracing his lips. His white-blond hair hung in quills above his deep-scarlet eyes. His appearance was so striking that it left Link standing, speechless, for a moment.

And then he spoke.

Link had heard about the Sheikah in his studies, though he hadn't believed he'd ever see one due to their steadily declining numbers. The Deku Tree had spoken of their sharp features and graceful fighting skills, but no stories of their smooth and deep voices could possibly prepare Link for what he heard.

"We must hurry." The Sheikah said, simply. Link felt Malon go limp as she stared placidly at the newcomer. He released her from his grasp, equally moved by the tone of the Sheikah's voice. Any residual dread or chill that had been left by Ganon's spell disappeared when he spoke, and it soothed any worries that Link may have had. He allowed the guard to bind him and distantly noticed Malon obediently following behind. He didn't pay much attention as the man soothingly whispered for them to follow, adding an extra comment every now and then. Vaguely, in the back of his mind, Link remembered hearing something about Sheikahs using their voices to cast spells, but he didn't really care. He effortlessly locked the thought away, putting all his attention to the delightful sound of the words. Looking back later, he remembered the musky smell dark surroundings giving way to brighter light, and, eventually, the glow of the sun, but he was too involved in the Sheikah's way of speaking that he didn't even notice.

It wasn't until a good while later, when the man led them into a small enclosure of trees, that Link suddenly regained his sense, his eyes blinking at the setting sun as he watched it from over a ridge. He studied his surroundings, years of geography lessons flashing through his mind as he struggled to place his position. They stood on the edge of a sharp cliff, strange vines sprouting on its sides and spilling over into the field miles below them. In the distance, he could make out Hyrule castle, nestled comfortably inside the city walls, and he frowned, wondering how long it took them to get there. The sun was just setting, so it couldn't have possibly been more than a few hours. Malon stirred next to him and he turned, studying her expression as a look of horror spread across her face.

"Dirty trick!" She shouted, whirling to look at the Sheikah. Link had forgotten about him, and his mind jumped to the same conclusion as Malon's. The man had cast a spell on them to make them lose their senses, and here they stood over a cliff.

"You were trying to force us over the edge!" Malon accused, though Link quickly dismissed the thought himself. The man had tried to save him from Ganon's wrath once, and then again in the dungeon. He'd had way too many chances to kill them, or allow them to be killed, all ready. Malon's eyes flashed angrily as the man, still wearing Hylian armour, shook his head calmly.

"No, I took you out here to save you." His voice, now, was still soothing and deep, but not nearly as much as it had been in the dungeons.

"What in Din's name are you going on about?! I mean, scrub spawn, man!" Malon's temper was rising and she cursed at their savior. "We're thrown in prison, and for no reason apparent, you bust us out by brainwashing us and force us to a cliff!" She huffed, agitated, her cheeks flushed as she tried to catch her breath. Link bit his lip, watching her silently as the fire in her eyes continued to blaze. The Sheikah began to laugh, gentle at first, then louder, but always flowing. The flame died for a moment in her confusion, but was quickly revived, flaring even brighter then before.

"What are you laughing at?"

His laughter simmered into light chuckles as he studied them.

"Your friend," He spoke, facing Link, "Is rather quick-tempered. She's a good companion for you, Link." He turned to sit on a boulder, leaning his elbow on his knee and placing his hand to his cheek, a soft grin on his lips.

"Who are you?" Link asked, ignoring the still-fuming Malon.

"My name is Sheik."

"Oh, how original." Malon snorted, turning to study a nearby tree when Link shot her a glare. Sheik continued to speak.

"I was sent to make sure you didn't reveal yourself to Ganondorf. Unfortunately, I was dealing with other matters when you arrived, and when I got to you, it was too late." He leaned in, his scarlet eyes fixed intensely on Link's face. He felt shivers run down his spine and his hand went up to scratch his neck, hoping to ease his nerves.

"Ganondorf's been looking for you for a long time, Link, and you walked right up to him and offered your hands for bondage and your neck for slitting. You're lucky he didn't kill you right away, though he's probably wishing he had, now."

He let Malon and Link digest this as he turned his face to the horizon, watching the red orb glowing in his two eyes, like settings suns themselves. Link opened his mouth to speak, but was prematurely silenced by a wave of Sheik's hand. He frowned, exchanging muddled glances with Malon as the last of the sun dipped below the edge of visible Hylia. They were slowly basked in darkness, and soon, in the cover of the trees, they could hardly see their hands in front of them.

"Honestly!" Malon's sudden outburst seemed like a scream in the silence they'd grown accustomed to. In the dim light of the moon, Link could see Sheik tense, but say nothing. His eyes were turned upwards, following the moon in its path across the sky.

"You're speeding up time!" Malon exclaimed. Link jumped, suddenly realizing that, by the position of the moon, it was already midnight. It was then that the sky slowed down, the canopy of night seemed to stop in its revolution across the world.

"I thought it was just a myth." Malon whispered, staring at Sheik in awe.

"Well, I knew they could do that. The Deku Tree told me. But I didn't realize that that was what you were doing." Link said, unable to restrain the smug sound of his voice at knowing something that Malon didn't. Sheik grinned proudly, enjoying his glory, before they heard a rustling in the bushes. Link and Malon turned quickly, alert and as ready for battle as they could be, though they didn't have their weapons.

Sheik sat calmly, his eyes on thebushes as they parted, revealing a tall woman. She had pure-white hair and blazing red eyes that shown with such ferocity that even in the night, Link and Malon found themselves falling backwards in shock. She wore a tight, violet tunic and Huntress shorts, with high boots and silver gauntlets. She stood, towering over them, a vengeful look in her eyes, and Link couldn't help but sigh in relief when he realized it was directed towards Sheik. He turned his head, noticing the mild look of fear on the Sheikah's face, his smirk long gone.

"W-what?" He said, his voice shaking. Link noticed Malon smiling impishly, and he admitted that it was rather entertaining to see the cool and calm Sheikah crumble beneath the will of the newcomer.

"Twice!" The woman exclaimed, her voice even more melodious and booming than Sheik's. Link's eardrums rang as she spoke, and he felt himself grow drowsy.

"That's twice today that you've changed time! Why?" It did not take a sage to realize that Sheik was merely an apprentice playing with a fire much too hot to touch, and Malon couldn't help but laugh at the predicament. The Sheikahs ignored her, the exchange only going between the two of them.

"You said you weren't coming down until midnight-" He started, but was cut off by a sharp wave of the woman's hand.

"So you wait. I gave you permission to use the magic to facilitate your escape. Not to indulge your impatience." She scolded Sheik with a calm, cool face, like Zora rivers, but the young man was still humbled before her. He remained silent as she cast a disappointed eye over him, and slowly turned to face Link. He felt his chest thump at the idea of her using her voice against him, but he stood strong, facing her with pride and dignity. It was to his shock and amazement when she smiled, her skin around her eyes creasing slightly, betraying her youthful appearance.

"Link." She said, simply, but her tone of voice was enough to bring him to his knees, blinking up at her as memories somehow forgotten washed over him. The intense waves of feelings and thoughts, combined with voices and images that struck his mind as new, but his heart as familiar, nearly knocked the wind out of him, and he struggled to blink back tears.

"I know you." He croaked, as Malon stared at him incredulously. She was impatiently watching the exchange with interest, not wanting to interrupt, but wanting to understand.

"I am Impa." The soft smile on her tinted lips broke as she saw the look on his face. It seemed that she, too, was remembering things at a great pace. "I was your nursemaid before you left. You've grown so much. . ."

Duh duh duh. . .

There was originally another 10 pages to this, but I decided it was too much for one chapter, and I broke it up into segments. This seemed like the best place to end it. Tune in next week for Chapter 8!!!