Nothing seemed to fit into place. The simple puzzle that had once made up
her life had suddenly attained more pieces then fallen apart. Everything
had suddenly been transformed and even the things that were familiar, the
things she had taken comfort in the most, had become foreign to her.
Malon's past hovered before her after hiding for so long in secrecy, finally ready to be found. And her future, clouded in a dark veil of uncertainty, hung just a hairsbreadth away, close, but intangible.
She was jumpy, and although she dubbed the feeling nervousness she knew it was something else entirely. It shifted in the shadows of the empty Market and lurked in the dark corners of her mind. It was in the cold sweat the covered her body and chilled her bones, in the nausea that pained her stomach.
It was fear.
Fear of this dark and desolate place that had once been so vibrant and full of life. Fear for her friends' lives as they plunged headlong into an unknown danger. Fear of Ganondorf with his inhuman eyes and evil smile.
But the thing she feared the most was herself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Link had remained a comfortable few paces in front of Malon, allowing her time to think. Even though he did not entirely understand her feelings, any female's feelings for that matter, he knew sorrow when he saw it, and he knew fear.
He had reacted badly when the truth about her heritage had arisen and was regretting it now. A part of him wanted to turn to her with a goofy grin and tell her everything was fine, that he wasn't angry or frightened of her. But the other part of him, the more adult part, knew that she needed to be left alone, if only for a few spare moments as they trekked toward the Temple.
So the silence stretched out between them as the sky darkened to twilight and the stars began to appear, tiny pinpricks of light amidst the blues and purples.
Link watched them for a minute, struck by their magnificence, and wholly unaware of the fact that this would be one of his final childhood memories.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It took a moment for Malon to realize the only footsteps she heard echoing off the stones of the gray pathway were her own.
"We're here." Link announced, voice hovering somewhere between the thin line of excitement and fear.
At the declaration Malon looked up from her shoes, and saw the end of their journey towering menacingly before them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Already having fallen into the shadows, the Temple seemed sinister in the twilight hour. The colossal edifice of stone and marble instantly reminded Malon of a dangerous predator, its dark windows resembling eyes in the fading light. It loomed above the small party with an intimidating intensity, seeming to stare down at them with rancor as they approached its broad wooden doors.
Malon froze, the foreboding feeling becoming so severe it paralyzed her for a moment. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "You can make it." She whispered, "Just another few steps."
Malon's eyes snapped wide open as the Voices of the Three Goddesses, having been mercifully silent during the march to the Temple, roared suddenly to life within her mind, their cries echoing painfully.
"Beware!" they shrieked fearfully, causing her both physical and mental agony. "You must not enter the Temple!"
Malon fell to her knees, scraping them against the rock pathway while grasping her ears. "Stop." She whimpered, clawing at her head in an effort to make the pain abate, "Please, stop."
The Voices didn't hear her pleas, their screams only growing in intensity, "Beware," they continued, "For if you enter the Temple all will be lost!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Malon blinked slowly into wakefulness, and then flinched at the throbbing ache in her head. "What happened?" she croaked, surprised at the sound of her own voice.
"Goddesses of the Triforce, Malon! You scared the crap out of me!" Navi growled, her faint blue light only making the young girl's head hurt worse.
Malon groaned, rising up from her uncomfortable position on the ground with Link's help, "I feel like a horse kicked me in the head."
"Are you going to be okay?" Link was careful not to raise his voice, for which she was immensely grateful, her head still ringing with Navi's frightened greeting.
"I don't know." She murmured, now steady enough to stand. "The Voices all started screaming at once, it was so loud it hurt."
"What did they say?" the ever impatient fairy quested, sitting cross-legged on Link's hat, looking ready to take off at any possible moment. "It must have been important if they were screaming."
Malon glanced up at the Temple of Time, shivering at the sight of its colossal form before replying. "They said if I entered the Temple all would be lost."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You can't!" Malon growled, pointedly clutching his tunic, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "I won't let you go in there!"
"Well you certainly can't go." Link grumbled, trying to remove the forest green tunic from the young girl's death grip, "You said yourself the Goddesses didn't want you to."
"If I shouldn't go in why should you?!"
Navi watched them argue, surprisingly silent as she contemplated whose side she was really on. She knew that Malon didn't want Link to go because she was afraid for him, which touched Navi to her little shining blue heart, but Link had made a promise to the princess of Hyrule. He would keep the Triforce safe from Ganondorf, no matter what the cost. Navi was well aware that the only possible way to ensure its safety would be to enter the Temple.
"I promise I'll come back as fast as I can." Link hissed in exasperation, "But if you hold me here any longer it'll take forever!"
Malon's chin trembled but her blue eyes remained steadfast in their defiance, "What if you don't come back?"
Link opened his mouth to make another promise, then closed it and looked at her thoughtfully. She stared back at him, tears brimming about her eyes, and he realized a promise wasn't quite enough.
Malon blinked at him in confusion as he rummaged through his knapsack, muttering about organization before a triumphant grin spread across his face.
"Here."
He placed something in her hand, obscuring it from view with his own small fist. "Someone I loved very much gave this to me," He said as seriously as his ten years allowed, "I promise I'll come back for it as quickly as I can."
Then, showing some slight signs of embarrassment and clumsiness, he placed a child-like kiss on her cheek, whispered something to her and then rushed into the depths of the Temple. Navi's soft glowing light followed suit, if only with a bit more hesitation, into the dark entranceway until that too was swallowed by the darkness.
Malon watched them go, feeling both elated and apprehensive all at once as she glanced down at the gift in her hands. She looked into the darkness of the Temple once again, replaying his whispered words within her mind.
'I'll come back for you.'
Her tears fell upon the fairy ocarina in her hand, its simple wooden frame glinting in the pure moonlight, making it appear to be something more than a mere child's memento. It seemed as though it were surrounded by magic.
And to her it was.
It was surrounded by the magic of him, of his promise to her. The gift promised that he would return.
That he would return for her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Link had been in the Temple numerous times before, had seen the white marble interior more often than he could count in the course of the last few days. But as he looked at it now, the blood red carpet against the gray flecked white marble leading up to the alter, it felt different some how.
"Come on, Link." Navi whispered quietly into his ear, "Let's see what these Stones can really do."
He approached the alter slowly, dreamily, unsure if he was really awake anymore. It all seemed surreal, although he wasn't sure why. He had made it through his journey, had taken everything that had been thrown at him in stride and somehow overcome it.
This was it.
The three Spiritual Stones leapt out of his knapsack, burning with an inner light, they made their way to the alter and fell into the appropriate places. Emerald green followed closely by ruby red and ending with sapphire blue lined up on the black alter, their light shining brilliantly. When the magical glow faded away Link pressed the Ocarina of Time to his lips. He closed his eyes, and played the song that would allow him to open the door, the Song of Time.
This was the end of his journey.
The Triforce above the door began to glow gold, it trilled a single soft note which was followed by a deep rumbling as the door began to open.
Link licked his dry lips in anticipation, secretly wishing Malon was with him if only to see him accomplish this final task.
The rumbling stopped the door wide open at last. Link stepped forward, nearly hitting the alter in his anticipation to see what had been locked away for so long.
Buried deep within the marble floor, silver-blue hilt glinting in the dim light, was a sword, magnificent even without being fully revealed. Link let out the breath he had been holding as he approached it slowly.
"Could it be?" Navi's voice was soft with wonder as she flew around the hilt of the sword, "I thought it was just a legend."
"What is it?" Link questioned, somehow afraid to touch it without knowing what it was.
"The Master Sword." She quietly replied, "I can't believe I'm actually seeing it."
"What should we do?"
The fairy stared at the Master Sword for a moment before saying, "Well, I guess you pull it out."
Link nodded slowly, processing the words. He reached out hesitantly, unclenching his hand and putting one finger against the pommel of the sword. A soft sound emitted from the sword, almost like a sigh, followed by several small chirps, making Link jump back in surprise. A few more seconds passed as he waited for the sword to explode or something equally ridiculous. When nothing happened he turned to Navi, only to realize she had taken shelter within his hat.
"Why did it do that?" he asked the fairy, staring at the now silent sword.
"It wanted to know who you were!" the fairy barked, "It was asking your name."
"How did you get that out of those whistle noises?" Link quested, surprised that Navi had understood.
"It was asking in the Ancient language." Navi replied quietly, "The one the Ayins used to speak."
"So it was made by the Ayins?" Link backed away from it, feeling insecure. "Do you think Malon would understand it?"
"Possibly." The fairy's reply was muffled from his hat, "She may recognize it but I doubt even her mother ever thought to teach it to her, it was thought to be a dead language over five-hundred years ago, long since forgotten."
"So what should I do then?"
"I should think that would be obvious." Navi sniffed, managing to sound haughty even though she was still hiding within his hat. "You need to introduce yourself."
"To a sword?!"
"Yes you ninny," the fairy sighed, "To a sword."
Link looked at the blade, and, feeling utterly nonsensical, bowed his head to it. "My name is Link; I am from the Kokiri Forest and by order of the Royal Family, have come here to protect the Triforce of the Sacred Realm."
There was no response.
Link looked up, brows drawn together in confusion and irritation. Had he just introduced himself to air?
"Navi, it doesn't seem to--"
He was cut off by a soft, low whistle.
Startled for what seemed like the millionth time that day, Link watched as the sword pulled itself out of the stone floor, blade coming fully out, only to hover in the air, waiting patiently.
"What is it doing?" Link asked, looking up to see Navi peeking out of his hat.
"I think it's introducing itself." Navi replied her tiny eyes narrowed in concentration as she listened to the whistled Ayin language. "It says, 'I am the sword of Legend, the Goddesses made me, the Ayins wielded me, the Hylians forgot me, and for hundreds of years I have guarded the Sacred Realm from those who would seek the Triforce for erroneous reasons.'"
"Kind of full of its own importance." Link murmured, only to be shushed by Navi who continued.
"'I have long since awaited the Dreamers that the Goddesses spoke of at the beginning of time, but tell me young one, where is your friend? There were supposed to be two of you.'"
"Is it talking about Zelda?" Link questioned confused by everything that was happening. "Ask it if that is who he's talking about."
A sharp, angry whistle followed his statement, and Navi giggled at Link's wide eyes, "He says he can hear you," Navi explained, grinning, "He may not have ears but he isn't deaf."
"Oh, I didn't think--" Link began, only to be interrupted by a short agreeing whistle.
"It says you're right, you didn't think." Navi translated, trying very hard not to laugh.
Link glared at the sword for a moment, "Well is it Zelda or not?"
The Master Sword let out a whistle which, to Link, almost sounded embarrassed.
"It doesn't know." Navi translated, "It would have to see her, like it has seen you, to know."
"Well you have bad timing," Link spoke directly to the sword this time to avoid insulting it, "The Princess Zelda has been sent into hiding because of Ganondorf, I don't know where she is."
The sword hovered silently for a moment, seeming to consider Link's words. A series of whistles followed his statement and Navi once again began to translate.
"'Then the times have indeed grown dark, it is different from what Nayru's daughter foretold in the Beginning.'"
"Nayru's daughter?" Link questioned before he could stop himself.
The sword, seeming displeased at being interrupted, let out a few clipped whistles.
"It says that the Goddesses each left a child at the Beginning to watch over Hyrule. Farore left Time, Nayru left Fate, and Din left Death to govern the People.
Time was the oldest, and therefore the strongest. He held sway over the past, present, and future, able to change the flow of it but not what happened during it."
Fate was the middle child, the Weaver of the Threads; she could do what her eldest brother could not. She could manipulate, she could change the future by disturbing the present, cruel or kind as she pleased."
The final child, Death, was the youngest and arguably the least powerful. He can cut the Threads that the Weaver makes but only with her permission. He can influence the past but only with his brother, Time's authorization. He is the most bitter of the Three because though he is the son of the powerful Din he possesses no real power himself."
"You got all that out of three short whistles?" Link asked, blinking in surprise.
"It's a rather odd language." Navi assured him, "The longest whistles are usually the shortest translated words."
The sword let out a sharp, loud whistle to reclaim their attention, then began speaking again, making Navi sigh in annoyance as she was, once again, forced to decipher it's language to Link.
"It says we're being rude." She smirked, "It also wants to volunteer to help you seal the Sacred Realm from Ganondorf."
"How?"
"It says, 'In whatever way I would be useful.' it also wants to see Zelda, so it says you will have to find her."
"Great." Link sighed, "What is it going to do, hover around me? I'm sure it's too heavy for me to wield."
A few whistles from the sword and Navi translated, "It says before you even think of where to find the princess we'll need to seal the Sacred Realm from Ganondorf."
"Oh fine." Link threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, "Now how do we do that?"
Another soft whistle, this one less smug than the others followed his question.
"It says it will help."
The sword lowered itself back into the stone floor, one last whistle echoing off the small room before it fell silent.
"Well?" Link asked Navi, who had gone silent. "What did it say?"
"It wants you to draw it out of the stone." She said quietly, "It says that if you are indeed worthy, the Sacred Realm will open for you."
There was something she wasn't saying; Link could tell that she was withholding information. "What if I'm not worthy?" he pushed.
Navi looked at him, small eyes troubled, "If you aren't worthy of entering the Sacred Realm," she paused, turning to look at the mute Master Sword before finishing. "Then you will be destroyed by its guardian."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes: Umm, well, that was odd, I must admit. I never intended to give the sword a personality, it kind of just popped out on the paper. Honorably annoying isn't it?
I'm sorry this chapter has taken such a long time; I've been incredibly busy as of late, what with school being a pain in the posterior and all.
The children of the Goddesses are something that has been brewing in my head for quite sometime, I just figured I'd start to introduce them before I completely forgot. Everyone who was confused by Death suddenly appearing, (The Pilot wants to know who he is hmm?) well this is just starting to explain things.
The next chapter will be, more than likely, incredibly short. Then again this chapter was supposed to be incredibly short too, but now it's just, umm, short. So I guess I'll just have to see what pops into my head when I start writing it.
Thanks to everyone who will review this, the comments really help, and I appreciate them more than you could possibly imagine. (I'm so lonely *cries*)
Is it just me or has FFnet been screwing up royally lately? I tried to post this earlier and got squat!
-- Alanna
Malon's past hovered before her after hiding for so long in secrecy, finally ready to be found. And her future, clouded in a dark veil of uncertainty, hung just a hairsbreadth away, close, but intangible.
She was jumpy, and although she dubbed the feeling nervousness she knew it was something else entirely. It shifted in the shadows of the empty Market and lurked in the dark corners of her mind. It was in the cold sweat the covered her body and chilled her bones, in the nausea that pained her stomach.
It was fear.
Fear of this dark and desolate place that had once been so vibrant and full of life. Fear for her friends' lives as they plunged headlong into an unknown danger. Fear of Ganondorf with his inhuman eyes and evil smile.
But the thing she feared the most was herself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Link had remained a comfortable few paces in front of Malon, allowing her time to think. Even though he did not entirely understand her feelings, any female's feelings for that matter, he knew sorrow when he saw it, and he knew fear.
He had reacted badly when the truth about her heritage had arisen and was regretting it now. A part of him wanted to turn to her with a goofy grin and tell her everything was fine, that he wasn't angry or frightened of her. But the other part of him, the more adult part, knew that she needed to be left alone, if only for a few spare moments as they trekked toward the Temple.
So the silence stretched out between them as the sky darkened to twilight and the stars began to appear, tiny pinpricks of light amidst the blues and purples.
Link watched them for a minute, struck by their magnificence, and wholly unaware of the fact that this would be one of his final childhood memories.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It took a moment for Malon to realize the only footsteps she heard echoing off the stones of the gray pathway were her own.
"We're here." Link announced, voice hovering somewhere between the thin line of excitement and fear.
At the declaration Malon looked up from her shoes, and saw the end of their journey towering menacingly before them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Already having fallen into the shadows, the Temple seemed sinister in the twilight hour. The colossal edifice of stone and marble instantly reminded Malon of a dangerous predator, its dark windows resembling eyes in the fading light. It loomed above the small party with an intimidating intensity, seeming to stare down at them with rancor as they approached its broad wooden doors.
Malon froze, the foreboding feeling becoming so severe it paralyzed her for a moment. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "You can make it." She whispered, "Just another few steps."
Malon's eyes snapped wide open as the Voices of the Three Goddesses, having been mercifully silent during the march to the Temple, roared suddenly to life within her mind, their cries echoing painfully.
"Beware!" they shrieked fearfully, causing her both physical and mental agony. "You must not enter the Temple!"
Malon fell to her knees, scraping them against the rock pathway while grasping her ears. "Stop." She whimpered, clawing at her head in an effort to make the pain abate, "Please, stop."
The Voices didn't hear her pleas, their screams only growing in intensity, "Beware," they continued, "For if you enter the Temple all will be lost!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Malon blinked slowly into wakefulness, and then flinched at the throbbing ache in her head. "What happened?" she croaked, surprised at the sound of her own voice.
"Goddesses of the Triforce, Malon! You scared the crap out of me!" Navi growled, her faint blue light only making the young girl's head hurt worse.
Malon groaned, rising up from her uncomfortable position on the ground with Link's help, "I feel like a horse kicked me in the head."
"Are you going to be okay?" Link was careful not to raise his voice, for which she was immensely grateful, her head still ringing with Navi's frightened greeting.
"I don't know." She murmured, now steady enough to stand. "The Voices all started screaming at once, it was so loud it hurt."
"What did they say?" the ever impatient fairy quested, sitting cross-legged on Link's hat, looking ready to take off at any possible moment. "It must have been important if they were screaming."
Malon glanced up at the Temple of Time, shivering at the sight of its colossal form before replying. "They said if I entered the Temple all would be lost."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You can't!" Malon growled, pointedly clutching his tunic, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "I won't let you go in there!"
"Well you certainly can't go." Link grumbled, trying to remove the forest green tunic from the young girl's death grip, "You said yourself the Goddesses didn't want you to."
"If I shouldn't go in why should you?!"
Navi watched them argue, surprisingly silent as she contemplated whose side she was really on. She knew that Malon didn't want Link to go because she was afraid for him, which touched Navi to her little shining blue heart, but Link had made a promise to the princess of Hyrule. He would keep the Triforce safe from Ganondorf, no matter what the cost. Navi was well aware that the only possible way to ensure its safety would be to enter the Temple.
"I promise I'll come back as fast as I can." Link hissed in exasperation, "But if you hold me here any longer it'll take forever!"
Malon's chin trembled but her blue eyes remained steadfast in their defiance, "What if you don't come back?"
Link opened his mouth to make another promise, then closed it and looked at her thoughtfully. She stared back at him, tears brimming about her eyes, and he realized a promise wasn't quite enough.
Malon blinked at him in confusion as he rummaged through his knapsack, muttering about organization before a triumphant grin spread across his face.
"Here."
He placed something in her hand, obscuring it from view with his own small fist. "Someone I loved very much gave this to me," He said as seriously as his ten years allowed, "I promise I'll come back for it as quickly as I can."
Then, showing some slight signs of embarrassment and clumsiness, he placed a child-like kiss on her cheek, whispered something to her and then rushed into the depths of the Temple. Navi's soft glowing light followed suit, if only with a bit more hesitation, into the dark entranceway until that too was swallowed by the darkness.
Malon watched them go, feeling both elated and apprehensive all at once as she glanced down at the gift in her hands. She looked into the darkness of the Temple once again, replaying his whispered words within her mind.
'I'll come back for you.'
Her tears fell upon the fairy ocarina in her hand, its simple wooden frame glinting in the pure moonlight, making it appear to be something more than a mere child's memento. It seemed as though it were surrounded by magic.
And to her it was.
It was surrounded by the magic of him, of his promise to her. The gift promised that he would return.
That he would return for her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Link had been in the Temple numerous times before, had seen the white marble interior more often than he could count in the course of the last few days. But as he looked at it now, the blood red carpet against the gray flecked white marble leading up to the alter, it felt different some how.
"Come on, Link." Navi whispered quietly into his ear, "Let's see what these Stones can really do."
He approached the alter slowly, dreamily, unsure if he was really awake anymore. It all seemed surreal, although he wasn't sure why. He had made it through his journey, had taken everything that had been thrown at him in stride and somehow overcome it.
This was it.
The three Spiritual Stones leapt out of his knapsack, burning with an inner light, they made their way to the alter and fell into the appropriate places. Emerald green followed closely by ruby red and ending with sapphire blue lined up on the black alter, their light shining brilliantly. When the magical glow faded away Link pressed the Ocarina of Time to his lips. He closed his eyes, and played the song that would allow him to open the door, the Song of Time.
This was the end of his journey.
The Triforce above the door began to glow gold, it trilled a single soft note which was followed by a deep rumbling as the door began to open.
Link licked his dry lips in anticipation, secretly wishing Malon was with him if only to see him accomplish this final task.
The rumbling stopped the door wide open at last. Link stepped forward, nearly hitting the alter in his anticipation to see what had been locked away for so long.
Buried deep within the marble floor, silver-blue hilt glinting in the dim light, was a sword, magnificent even without being fully revealed. Link let out the breath he had been holding as he approached it slowly.
"Could it be?" Navi's voice was soft with wonder as she flew around the hilt of the sword, "I thought it was just a legend."
"What is it?" Link questioned, somehow afraid to touch it without knowing what it was.
"The Master Sword." She quietly replied, "I can't believe I'm actually seeing it."
"What should we do?"
The fairy stared at the Master Sword for a moment before saying, "Well, I guess you pull it out."
Link nodded slowly, processing the words. He reached out hesitantly, unclenching his hand and putting one finger against the pommel of the sword. A soft sound emitted from the sword, almost like a sigh, followed by several small chirps, making Link jump back in surprise. A few more seconds passed as he waited for the sword to explode or something equally ridiculous. When nothing happened he turned to Navi, only to realize she had taken shelter within his hat.
"Why did it do that?" he asked the fairy, staring at the now silent sword.
"It wanted to know who you were!" the fairy barked, "It was asking your name."
"How did you get that out of those whistle noises?" Link quested, surprised that Navi had understood.
"It was asking in the Ancient language." Navi replied quietly, "The one the Ayins used to speak."
"So it was made by the Ayins?" Link backed away from it, feeling insecure. "Do you think Malon would understand it?"
"Possibly." The fairy's reply was muffled from his hat, "She may recognize it but I doubt even her mother ever thought to teach it to her, it was thought to be a dead language over five-hundred years ago, long since forgotten."
"So what should I do then?"
"I should think that would be obvious." Navi sniffed, managing to sound haughty even though she was still hiding within his hat. "You need to introduce yourself."
"To a sword?!"
"Yes you ninny," the fairy sighed, "To a sword."
Link looked at the blade, and, feeling utterly nonsensical, bowed his head to it. "My name is Link; I am from the Kokiri Forest and by order of the Royal Family, have come here to protect the Triforce of the Sacred Realm."
There was no response.
Link looked up, brows drawn together in confusion and irritation. Had he just introduced himself to air?
"Navi, it doesn't seem to--"
He was cut off by a soft, low whistle.
Startled for what seemed like the millionth time that day, Link watched as the sword pulled itself out of the stone floor, blade coming fully out, only to hover in the air, waiting patiently.
"What is it doing?" Link asked, looking up to see Navi peeking out of his hat.
"I think it's introducing itself." Navi replied her tiny eyes narrowed in concentration as she listened to the whistled Ayin language. "It says, 'I am the sword of Legend, the Goddesses made me, the Ayins wielded me, the Hylians forgot me, and for hundreds of years I have guarded the Sacred Realm from those who would seek the Triforce for erroneous reasons.'"
"Kind of full of its own importance." Link murmured, only to be shushed by Navi who continued.
"'I have long since awaited the Dreamers that the Goddesses spoke of at the beginning of time, but tell me young one, where is your friend? There were supposed to be two of you.'"
"Is it talking about Zelda?" Link questioned confused by everything that was happening. "Ask it if that is who he's talking about."
A sharp, angry whistle followed his statement, and Navi giggled at Link's wide eyes, "He says he can hear you," Navi explained, grinning, "He may not have ears but he isn't deaf."
"Oh, I didn't think--" Link began, only to be interrupted by a short agreeing whistle.
"It says you're right, you didn't think." Navi translated, trying very hard not to laugh.
Link glared at the sword for a moment, "Well is it Zelda or not?"
The Master Sword let out a whistle which, to Link, almost sounded embarrassed.
"It doesn't know." Navi translated, "It would have to see her, like it has seen you, to know."
"Well you have bad timing," Link spoke directly to the sword this time to avoid insulting it, "The Princess Zelda has been sent into hiding because of Ganondorf, I don't know where she is."
The sword hovered silently for a moment, seeming to consider Link's words. A series of whistles followed his statement and Navi once again began to translate.
"'Then the times have indeed grown dark, it is different from what Nayru's daughter foretold in the Beginning.'"
"Nayru's daughter?" Link questioned before he could stop himself.
The sword, seeming displeased at being interrupted, let out a few clipped whistles.
"It says that the Goddesses each left a child at the Beginning to watch over Hyrule. Farore left Time, Nayru left Fate, and Din left Death to govern the People.
Time was the oldest, and therefore the strongest. He held sway over the past, present, and future, able to change the flow of it but not what happened during it."
Fate was the middle child, the Weaver of the Threads; she could do what her eldest brother could not. She could manipulate, she could change the future by disturbing the present, cruel or kind as she pleased."
The final child, Death, was the youngest and arguably the least powerful. He can cut the Threads that the Weaver makes but only with her permission. He can influence the past but only with his brother, Time's authorization. He is the most bitter of the Three because though he is the son of the powerful Din he possesses no real power himself."
"You got all that out of three short whistles?" Link asked, blinking in surprise.
"It's a rather odd language." Navi assured him, "The longest whistles are usually the shortest translated words."
The sword let out a sharp, loud whistle to reclaim their attention, then began speaking again, making Navi sigh in annoyance as she was, once again, forced to decipher it's language to Link.
"It says we're being rude." She smirked, "It also wants to volunteer to help you seal the Sacred Realm from Ganondorf."
"How?"
"It says, 'In whatever way I would be useful.' it also wants to see Zelda, so it says you will have to find her."
"Great." Link sighed, "What is it going to do, hover around me? I'm sure it's too heavy for me to wield."
A few whistles from the sword and Navi translated, "It says before you even think of where to find the princess we'll need to seal the Sacred Realm from Ganondorf."
"Oh fine." Link threw his hands up in the air in exasperation, "Now how do we do that?"
Another soft whistle, this one less smug than the others followed his question.
"It says it will help."
The sword lowered itself back into the stone floor, one last whistle echoing off the small room before it fell silent.
"Well?" Link asked Navi, who had gone silent. "What did it say?"
"It wants you to draw it out of the stone." She said quietly, "It says that if you are indeed worthy, the Sacred Realm will open for you."
There was something she wasn't saying; Link could tell that she was withholding information. "What if I'm not worthy?" he pushed.
Navi looked at him, small eyes troubled, "If you aren't worthy of entering the Sacred Realm," she paused, turning to look at the mute Master Sword before finishing. "Then you will be destroyed by its guardian."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes: Umm, well, that was odd, I must admit. I never intended to give the sword a personality, it kind of just popped out on the paper. Honorably annoying isn't it?
I'm sorry this chapter has taken such a long time; I've been incredibly busy as of late, what with school being a pain in the posterior and all.
The children of the Goddesses are something that has been brewing in my head for quite sometime, I just figured I'd start to introduce them before I completely forgot. Everyone who was confused by Death suddenly appearing, (The Pilot wants to know who he is hmm?) well this is just starting to explain things.
The next chapter will be, more than likely, incredibly short. Then again this chapter was supposed to be incredibly short too, but now it's just, umm, short. So I guess I'll just have to see what pops into my head when I start writing it.
Thanks to everyone who will review this, the comments really help, and I appreciate them more than you could possibly imagine. (I'm so lonely *cries*)
Is it just me or has FFnet been screwing up royally lately? I tried to post this earlier and got squat!
-- Alanna
