A/N: Ah, fight scene... How I love thy fight scene...

Link: So get to it!

SSG: YEAH!!! CHAPPIE TIME!!!

Okay, alright! Here it is!

Rise of the Heroine of Time: Chapter 6: The Battle For Peace

Dawn. The air was stiff, and the land seemed to hold its breath, preparing for the unholy war that would soon begin on its grass.

The Royal Army stood on the north side of Hyrule Field, mounted atop their strong horses and holding their spears, knives, or bows at ready. They were prepared for anything, and not afraid to die.

Florence sat atop Maple, Northern Star in her grip. She kept a gaze on the fields before them in anticipation, anxiety running through her rapidly.

Link rode atop a trotting Epona through the ranks of Zora archers, Sheikah warriors, and Hylian soldiers, looking over his army one last time.

"Remember, give them no mercy, for you shall receive none in return!" he called out to them all. He trotted up next to his daughter in front of the line. They exchanged glances, then looked back to the horizon. And just in time.

A dark shadow seemed to creep over the horizon as the Evil King's army came closer slowly. Hundreds of feet, claws, and paws stomped across the plains in a heavy rhythm that shook the earth. As the evil army approached, Florence began to grow nervous, and looked to her father.

-Father...- she sent. -I-I am afraid...-

Despite the heavy atmosphere, Florence caught a comforting smile from under his helmet. -Do not worry. Just remember everything I've taught you, and what you're fighting for. They won't stand a chance!-

Florence smiled back, then looked back at the advancing army. Soon, the heavy marching halted, and the armies faced each other, ready for battle. Nothing moved. The air was stiff and heavy as lead. Time seemed to stand still for a long time as they stood a mile apart, staring each other down.

Link's sharp eyes could see Ganondorf atop his black stallion, leading his undead army. Near him was another, younger man perched upon his own horse. Was he an apprentice? It didn't matter. He was allied with Ganondorf, and he was going to die along with the Evil King.

Link drew his sword and shield, ready to lead his army into battle. With this single gesture, the Hylian soldiers lowered their spears into charging position, the Sheikah drew their various weapons, and the Zoras held their bows at ready. Several inhuman growls and calls echoed across the grassy plains from the monstrous army. Ganondorf also drew his large sword, as did his accomplice.

Finally, as the sun completely emerged from under the mountains, Link held up his sword and cried at the top of his lungs, "ATTACK!!!"

Both armies charged, and when they met, all hell broke loose. Barbed and poison-tipped arrows flew through the air, as well as spear points, knives, and blood-stained blades. Horse hooves pounded on the dry ground, crushing the scattered bones and weapons from destroyed Stalfos and other creatures. Pure warriors and grotesque monsters exchanged blows as the bloodthirsty melee continued.

Link swung his Master Sword mercilessly at his foes, killing any and all that would dare get in his way. Usually not used to armor, he learned to use his metal attire to his full advantage; when he had weapons locked with an enemy, he charged forward and crushed the beast with his steel garbs. Secretly, Link was beginning to enjoy this, for he hadn't had a fight like this in years. The warrior within him rejoiced with each slaughtered adversary, and only whet his appetite for more blood.

Florence as well reveled in the spur of the fight, where her blade sliced through her opponents and their cutting edges ringed off her glittering armor. Fighting was in her blood. She was not afraid of death anymore, much less delivering it. The warrior within her was free, and Northern Star was a thirsty blade.

The Hylian soldiers stuck to what they knew best- stabbing and hooking with their steel-tipped spears. Many of them were slightly afraid of the magic-born freaks, but they continued to fight for their homeland, and weren't afraid to fall. And neither were the Sheikah, who attacked with illusions and swift movements, swinging their knifes, tonfas, and other small weapons. The Zora archers unleashed several arrows at a time when they could, creating a wave-like impression of rushing arrows. They stayed in the back, protected by large shields, but a few monsters got a lucky break and managed to get in and kill at least one Zora before they got shot by another's arrow.

But fighting these monsters had its dangers. Stalfos still lived even if their head had been detached from their bodies; they jumped up and bit into the soldier's legs, even breaking through the armor to cause serious wounds. Wolfos attacked the horses, causing them to collapse and send the riders flying, and Redeads gained more strength when they ate the pale corpses on the ground. These and other monsters only had one thought in their mind: Kill.

But the battle continued, and it was difficult to tell which side would win over the other so far.

Link continued to wave his sword atop Epona, his body bruised by blows that padding couldn't cushion. As his sword went through a Moblin, he wasn't glancing over his shoulder, or he'd see the Lizarfos closing in on him from behind.

-Link, look out behind you!-

Pulling his sword out of Moblin bone, he quickly turned to see an arrow plant itself into the Lizarfos' throat. It gurgled, then collapsed.

Confused, Link looked to where the arrow came from to glance upon a Hylian dressed fully in armor, holding a small bow. He looked under the helmet into those glistening blue eyes.

-Gwen...?-

She nodded, releasing another arrow into an advancing Stalfos' skull.

Link broke away briefly from the chaos to join his wife on the rocky ledge. -I thought you were staying at the castle!-

-I know, I'm sorry!- Zelda sent, still keeping her bow up. -I thought about Florence, and how she was willing to fight because she could use her skills to fight beside you.-

Link smiled. -And your old archery skills made you change your mind?-

-Yes... I don't like dealing death, but I'll do it to any and all who try to hurt you or Florence.-

-Shall I inform her?-

-She already knows. You get back in there and fight, Link. We'll win this war together, I promise.-

They exchange a brief kiss, and Link rejoined the battle.

Meanwhile, despite his protest against this war, Jurich couldn't help but fight a little. He tried to calm himself, but the more soldiers he killed, the harder it became to control himself. But finally, a dark send from his half father broke through the madness within his mind.

-Now is the time, Jurich! Find the king and capture him! We're beginning to lose ground!-

Coming back to his senses, Jurich briefly broke away from the battle so he'd have time to plan this out. He didn't know what the king looked like, but he knew one thing- he could send. He doubted there was anyone else on the battlefield who could send besides himself and Ganondorf, so he gave out an open Black-send, open to all but Ganondorf, hoping this would help him find the king that much quicker.

All in their separate places in the battle, Link, Zelda, and Florence felt the Black-send hit them at full force. Reeling from the flash of pain, they all collapsed one way or another. Link fell off his horse and landed hard on the ground. Slightly shaken from the impact, Link watched as Epona kept going. And as she turned to rejoin her faithful rider, she was tackled from all sides by a pack of Wolfos.

"NO!! EPONA!!" Link cried, stumbling to his feet with his sword drawn. With complete fury, he slayed all the Wolfos in one mighty swing. He then kneeled down by the dying horse, unable to believe that his trusted horse was actually going to die, here on this cursed battlefield. Epona whined softly in pain as she reached up with her snout, and gently licked Link's cheek with a soft tongue. She gave one last whinny and collapsed.

A few tears escaped as Link nuzzled the soft fur of his faithful horse. She had always been loyal to him until the very end, and he found it hard to let go.

Suddenly, he felt a hand grab him and pull him to his feet, handing him his weapons. -Stay up, Link! They're on us more than ever now!-

-But Gwen...- He glanced down at Epona. -Epona...she...-

-I know, Link. There will be time for mourning later. You mustn't let your guard down!-

Link bit back the ache in his heart, quickly changing it into fury, and he became more relentless than ever as he rejoined the battle again.

Meanwhile, having falling off her own horse (Maple had however run to safer regions outside the battle), Florence was left shaken from the hard impact against the dirt. Jurich noticed her fall, and thinking she was the king, he quickly approached her. But he stopped when he actually caught a glance of her face.

It wasn't the king for sure, but he couldn't tear himself away from this woman. Eyes as bright blue as the sky... Hair golden as the sun... Skin pale, like soft sand... As he drank in the sight of her alien beauty, a name echoed through his mind.

Kalm...Kalm...

As this stranger continued to stare at her with those strange purple eyes, Florence stuttered in fright, "W-what do you want?"

Jurich didn't answer, but grabbed her by the waist forcefully and heaved her over his shoulder.

-I have he... him, Father!-

-Good! Then retreat for the desert!-

Ignoring the kicking and screaming maiden over his shoulder, Jurich quickly mounted his horse and followed the many retreating monsters westward. They left their enemies confused.

"Where are they going?" asked Zelda in confusion.

"They're retreating!" Link exclaimed, not quite sure what was going on himself. One moment these creeps are fighting for blood, the next they flee like scattering rats.

Zelda sighed, removing her helmet. "I guess that's good, then. No more blood will be spilled, at least today."

Link looked over the aftermath of the battle. Many corpses laid on the ground; even horses were among the many dead. Sheikah warriors gathered around the wounded, doing everything they could to heal the moaning soldiers. The grass was stained dark red in many spots, especially underneath the dead ones. The smell of Death lingered on the wind's breath as a drizzle began to drench the scene, and a muggy, unpleasant smell filled the air. It would be a sight Link would never forget.

But something else was on his mind at the moment. "Zelda... Where is Florence?" he asked softly. "I can't see her anywhere..."

As a soldier approached, Zelda, growing worried, asked him, "Do you know the whereabouts of our daughter?"

"No, but I can have a group search for her."

"Please do."

The soldier nodded, and after creating and sending out a search party, he approached Link with the grim results of the battle. "There are many wounded, Your Majesty, but more alive than dead. The body count of Ganondorf's army is more than ours, not including the scattered Stalfos bones."

"That is good news," Link commented. "That means we won the battle."

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

That was good news, but even so, if Florence wasn't safe, this win would mean nothing to Link then.

A few minutes of worrying later, the search party approached the royal couple with a whining Maple. "We found her horse near the ranch, but there's no sign of her anyway, Your Majesties. And she's not among the dead."

The two grew more worried, and as Link comforted the restless horse with a gentle caress on her muzzle, he reached out in a send to his daughter. -Florence! Can you hear me? Please answer!-

The send reached Florence loud and clear as she was still hefted over this stranger's shoulder, riding in the Gerudo Valley. She was greatly afraid, but hastily responded to her father's call.

-I've been captured, Father! They're taking me to the Gerudo Fortress! Don't follow, they've smashed the bridge and have many monsters guarding the--!-

The send abruptly ended, and both parents heard it. Link froze in horror, his skin pale.

"No... Oh please no...!" he whispered, his voice breaking.

Understanding, and equally afraid, Zelda held her shaking and frightened husband tightly. "She's not dead, Link... We'd feel it if she were," she softly assured. "But there's nothing we can do... but hope she's okay..." she began to cry as she held him closer.

Link didn't answer as his tears dropped onto his armor along with the raindrops from above. He wanted so badly to follow the army and rescue his daughter, but he knew he couldn't. All he could do was hope that his only daughter would survive in the enemy's fortress.

Goddesses, please! He silently begged. Keep my daughter safe, I beg of you! I want her to return to me safely, please...


Florence tried once more to send to her parents, but once again, her kidnapper Black-sent her, and she painfully winced as a mighty headache began to develop.

"Stop sending, it won't help you," he muttered quickly.

Knowing more sending attempts would only increase the headache, Florence eventually stopped and accepted her role as a war hostage. The young Gerudo realized this, and to her surprise, he hefted her off his shoulder and placed her behind him on the horse's rump, turning back ahead of him. Florence looked up at this handsome young man hesitantly.

Tyryn... Tyryn... Why has that strange name embedded itself in my mind...? She pondered as she continued to stare at this mysterious man. Who was he...?

A/N: Well, how was that for a war chappie?

SSG: GREAT!! AWESOME!!!!

Link: Epona... :'(

It's okay, Link, it's only a fic! Epona's really still alive, see?

Epona: (trots up)

Link: EPONA!! :D (snuggles her)

SSG: Aww... so cute!

:) Yuppers! Review people!!