Just so you know, I've skipped ahead quite a bit...there's a reason. And I don't own Zelda...damn.

Ch. 25: The Beginning of the Unknown

Zelda sat up straight in her throne, subtly stretching her back as she placed her hands properly in her lap, keeping a steady gaze with the guard who kneeled before her. She looked up as something caught her eye. There was nothing there...nothing standing by the oak doors. Odd, she thought, I could have sworn I saw something there...

She looked down at the guard. Ah, she thought, I remember him...I appointed him and his two other companions two years ago. She stifled a tremor. Two years, she thought, and still no fabled attack...and Link reported that the Desert Temple was deserted. Looking up, she noticed the other guards' discomfort, the subjects' boredom...Link leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, but there was an odd look in his eye as he glanced over the sea of heads accumulated in the throne room. Did he see it as well? I wonder, she thought. Something in the air didn't feel right to her.

Quickly, she turned her attention back to the guard. "Is there anything else you would like to report, my good sir?" she asked him.

"Well, I guess there is," the guard said, standing up to his full height. She raised an eyebrow at him, thought, Am I missing something? His eyes...where have I seen them before?

The guard inched towards her; Zelda felt something wrong. Link began to inch protectively towards her. He senses it as well, she thought, but, what am I missing?

The guard stopped in front of her, an odd look in his eyes. Turning to the two guards next to the throne, he nodded. Instantly, the two guards whipped out long knives, the one on the left grabbing Zelda's head and pulling it back while the other on the right held his knife to her throat. There were several screams from the crowd.

With a cry, Link lunged forward. "Don't move!" the guard in front of Zelda said, drawing his sword and pointing at her. "Or your damnable Queen dies!" Link halted, enraged. "You two were idiots not to realize it!" the man cried. His companions laughed coldly.

Zelda narrowed her eyes, forcing calmness. "I understand...you're one of Ganon's men. All three of you are," she said with a reserved air.

"Riut is my name, bitch. I'm here to carry out Ganon's wishes! Death to the Royal house and the Hero of Time! Long live Lord Ganon," Riut cried, raising his sword.

There was a whir of something, then Riut cried out in agony, crumpling to the floor, an arrow in his back.

Zelda looked up with surprise, wincing at the knife tip at her throat. The crowd of subjects stepped away from the cloaked figure that held the bow, the hood covering the face completely. Though there was a tumult of noise from the crowd, the figure remained silent, calming letting the bow fall to the floor.

"What...what the...?" the miscreant with the knife said, relaxing his hold on it for a moment. Zelda tried to still her breathing as she stared at the cloaked figure. Who is that? she asked herself.

"Hey, I don't know who the hell you are, but you're not gonna fuck up our plans, got it?" the knife-man said. He made to drive his knife into Zelda's throat; many screamed, but Zelda was staring in amazement at the now-empty space where the figure had once stood.

The figure appeared next to her, grabbing the man's arm and twisting it painfully upward until he dropped the knife, letting it fall to the floor. She stared dumbfounded even as Link did. The other man, the one who held Zelda's hair, stepped back, staring dumbfounded at the figure, eyes wide with fear. "Kita...Kita, let's...let's get out of here!" he screamed, backing away.

"Shut up, Higg!" Kita yelled. Not wanting to appear as a coward, Kita swung his arm at the figure, who blocked it expertly, then kicked him in the gut, sending Kita to his knees. Enraged, he grabbed his knife and lunged at his attacker, knife poised out in front; the figure merely stepped calmly aside, watching as Kita, realizing his folly only too late, hit the ground, his knife driving into his stomach in a fatal slice. He died without a sound.

Higg, frightened, sprinted out of the throne room, attacking anyone who came near him, expertly dodging the guards until he made it through the oak doors.

Zelda stared in disbelief at her unknown savior, who was staring after Higg. "Who...?" she began. The figure waved her off with a wave of the hand, then ran off after Higg even as Link came running up to Zelda.

"Who was that?" he asked earnestly as he knelt down to her, inspecting her for any injuries.

"Link," she said, grasping his arms, "follow them, please." Nodding, he ran off in pursuit.

"My Lady!" a servant cried, running up to her, "Are you alright?"

Higg ran wildly down to the Market, nearly crying in his terror. He knew full well that...that thing was following him like the shadow of death. I've still got my bow and arrows, he thought with a grin, taking the bow from his pack and fingering it as he ran. He could hear the footsteps behind him. Turning, he cried out to the figure, who halted, "Come on, you demon! Meet your death!" He drew an arrow, notched it, and pointed it at the cloaked figure. Several screams ran through the crowd that looked on.

Link took a step to the side as he watched the spectacle, his heart pounding in his chest. "Savior...who are you?"

"What do you want with me?!" Higg cried, his voice shaking. His assailant remained silent, standing poised and ready. "Say something or I'll shoot this down your damned throat!"

"Fire it, then," the figure said, "if you're so skilled."

Link started at the voice. It couldn't be...could it? he thought earnestly.

Laughing, Higg pulled the string back as far as it would go, then let it fly, a triumphant grin on his face. Link blinked in surprise, wondering if he had really seen that movement. Somehow or another, the figure had dodged the arrow, shot from a mere fifteen feet away, and was now running towards Higg in a blur of movement. Screaming, Higg drew his knife and swung at the figure, who blocked it with a strange-looking staff, then drove it into his neck, bursting the vein there. Higg slumped to the ground, his eyes rolling, foam at his mouth as he convulsed in his death throws.

Link took a step forward, still in disbelief as he watched the figure kneel down to the dying man, placing hands over him; Link discerned a few mumbled words. Then, the man stilled immediately, dying painlessly; then the figure was gone before his very eyes.



Zelda leaned against the door, grateful to get away from the pestering, bothersome servants. Who was that? she asked herself again, rubbing at the small cut on her throat.

"You know, if you keep rubbing at that you'll only irritate it further."

Zelda flung herself against the door, startled out of her wits at the voice, and then at the cloaked figure who sat on the bed. "You...you're the one who saved me!" Zelda cried, eyes wide. "How...how the hell did you get up here?"

"I have my ways," the figure replied. "And you, my Lady, shouldn't use such vulgar language."

"Who...who are you?" Zelda whispered.

"You haven't figured it out yet? My, my, are you losing your edge a bit, Zelda?" Standing, the figure threw her hood back.

Zelda cried out. "Airaen!!" she yelled, sinking to the floor. "Goddess...how...?"

Airaen grinned, crossing her arms. "I don't blame you...I do look a bit different, don't I? I'm sorry for the secrecy, mother, but I had to. I wouldn't have been able to get in here at all, let alone the Market."

Zelda stared at her daughter in disbelief, noting the darkness of her skin, the lean, subtle muscularity of her body, the brightness of her eyes. "You've....you've grown up," she said quietly, getting to her feet. She's an adult...I know it...but she's only seventeen, Zelda thought. I can sense that alertness about her, so subtle, yet so deadly...it frightens me...

Airaen sensed her mother's thoughts, the way she analyzed her. She sighed inwardly. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get back," Airaen said, stretching, "but I had to finish something...and Ahrima wanted me to stay a bit longer."

"Ahrima?" Zelda asked.

"I'll explain it all later. For now—"

Airaen never finished.

Zelda ran to her, wrapping her arms around her daughter and holding her close. "I was worried about you! Where in Din's name have you been?!" Zelda sobbed.

Airaen was startled beyond belief, her arms hanging limply at her side. A...hug, she thought to herself. Slowly, she returned it, feeling slightly awkward, then smiled. "It's okay, mother...I'm back. I'm alright..."

"Is it me, or have you gotten taller?" Zelda asked, pulling away to get a good look at her child. Airaen shrugged.

The door burst open; instinctively, Airaen threw her mother protectively behind her, brandishing her staff in front of her at...Link. "Goddess, I could've killed you, dad!" she laughed, relaxing.

Link stood in the doorway, fighting off the urge to scream in anger and cry at the same time. "Ha," he said, smiling, "I knew it was you." He ran towards her in an embrace, laughing.



"Ilyses? I've never heard of that place," Zelda said, crossing her arms as she sat on the bed next to Link.

Airaen shrugged, leaning against the door. "I doubt many people have heard of it," Airaen said. "I'm sorry you had to go through the fact that those guys would've killed you. I would've killed them before, but, well...seeing that I'm oh-so-popular here, I thought I should let your people figure it out first. Can't go off killing people if you don't have a reason for it, you know."

Neither Link nor Zelda liked the way she casually spoke of killing, winced at it. "How," Link said slowly, narrowing his eyes at Airaen, "did you know those guys were some of Ganon's men? They were here for two years."

Airaen shrugged, said, "It wasn't obvious? Their movements, that skulking way they shifted their feet, the way they constantly fingered their weapons?" Both shook their heads. "Oh...never mind then. I thought it was obvious." She smiled. "I left Perigan outside in the Field. My Goddess, he was like an insane little puppy when he saw me! It was a little annoying, but I had to get here. So, what have you two been up to?"

"Waiting for you to come home!" they both said in unison.

"Oh...sorry," she replied. "Well, now the fun begins." She rubbed her hands together.

"Fun?" Zelda asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, sure...Ganon's coming in a rather bold move...I think it's stupid, but, that's his choice." There was a long silence. "Well, I think it's fun!"



"Hey, that's the guy that saved the Queen!" an old woman cried, pointing. Airaen, cloaked again, didn't even turn to her, kept walking.

"Where do you suppose he's going?" the woman's companion asked, nudging her. The old woman shrugged as she watched the mysterious figure exit the Market, moving towards the gate.

"Something strange about that guy."



Ah, good, the gate's open, Airaen thought as she passed under the wall and out onto Hyrule Field. She sang for Perigan, who came galloping up. "Hello, there, old friend," she said, patting his neck; then she swung her leg over, positioned herself, then urged him on. "Let's make a quick visit, huh, Perigan?"

Perigan neighed happily in reply as he galloped forward.



"I'm a traveler looking for a nice ranch to buy!"

"No thank you! This Ranch is not for sale, so beat it, punk!" Malon cried, running towards the entrance to the Ranch.

Airaen nearly died from laughter. "A punk, am I? That's a new one," she called, laughing hysterically.

"Airaen! Great Goddess, it's you, child!" Malon yelled, tears falling down her face as she ran towards her. "I'm all dirty and grimy, Airaen, from all those chores you neglected to do since you've been gone. My, how you've changed these past two years!" Malon embraced her, holding her close.

"Does royalty still have to do chores, then?" Airaen asked with a giggle.

Malon pulled back in shock, eyes wide. "So you know, then," she said quietly.

Airaen shrugged, said, "It was obvious. Besides, I always figure out secrets, don't I?"

Malon, sighing, asked, "I'm guessing you're hungry."

Airaen clapped her hands in delight.



"So, how's your father?" Malon asked as she placed a steaming plate of steak and potatoes towards Airaen.

"Fine, I guess. He's angry at me for leaving, but that's reasonable, I guess," Airaen answered, taking a long drink of Lon Lon Milk before diving into her meal. "I missed this place," she said quietly between bites.

"And your...mother?"

Airaen shrugged, said, "The same, I guess. And, no, I'm not angry with her."

Malon was shocked, thought, This isn't the same Airaen...how much did I miss? Airaen glanced her way, smiled knowingly at her, said, "I can't stay long, I'm sorry. I've got to send word to a...friend of mine, and then I have to get back to the Castle. I heard Gate was slinking around here somewhere."

Malon, putting aside the fact that Airaen wasn't coming back to stay as she had always done, replied, "Oh, the fairy...yea, he's been around here. Should be here, at least. Are you going to use him as a messenger?" Airaen nodded. Raising an eyebrow, Malon asked, "For whom?" The girl blushed involuntarily, biting her lower lip. Malon leaned forward, an odd smile on her face. "You know," she said slowly, "it's usually the guy who's supposed to write to the girl."

Eyes wide in shock, Airaen whispered, "What...um...well...how did you know?"

Malon giggled. "Your father let it slip on one of his messages to me."

Airaen groaned, said, "He didn't...I bet he was pissed." Malon nodded. "Damn him!"

Malon, standing, said, "Come on, I'll help you find Gate."



"My, my, if it isn't the stupid fairy," Airaen said in a mock-childish voice.

"Where the hell have you been?! I've been worried sick looking all over Hyrule for you!" Gate replied as he flew angrily in her face.

Waving him away, she replied, "Oh, stop it. I've got a message I want you to deliver to Roh, can you do that?"

"I am NOT your errand-fairy! You can kiss that message goodbye. Deliver it yourself!"

"Come off it, Gate. Would you please do it?"

Malon stood at a respectful distance, watching the conversation with amusement, a soft smile on her face. Airaen tapped her foot impatiently.

"NO!" Gate yelled, flying away.

Airaen sighed, thought, I didn't want to have to do this. "Nefasala kentai, Gate!" The fairy stopped dead in his flight, turning. "I invoke the right of bondage to me, fairy."

Malon was shocked, thinking, What power in her voice. Amazing. "Where...where did you learn such words?" Gate asked as he flew back to Airaen, who handed him a piece of paper.

"I'll tell you later, Gate. Just deliver this to Roh, please. And...tell him it's...it's urgent," she said with a blush.

Sighing, the fairy flew off, yelling, "Just because you know a few more things now doesn't mean I find you the more enjoyable, child!" As he flew off towards Sidar, he thought, Goddess, it's good to see her again.

"Well, that's settled. Sorry, Malon, but I've got to go back to the Castle to wait for him," she said, turning to her.

Malon, nodding, replied, "Just don't do anything...naughty."

"Malon!"



"Of all the stupid things she makes me do," Gate grumbled as he flew over the Forest of Sidar, blinking in the sunlight. He knew he was flying faster than he should, but the Word of Bondage Airaen had invoked was hard to break away from. He sighed, thinking, How did she get so powerful?

Quickly, he flew over the familiar gate, over the villages full of people, then finally made his way to Roh's house. "Is Lord Roh in?" he called as he flew by a window.

"Gate!" Netha cried, seeing him. "I haven't seen you in quite some time."

"Yea, yea, I know...listen, I've got a message for Roh...can I give it to him?" Gate asked hurriedly.

Netha nodded, said, "Yea, Lord Roh just finished with his lunch. He should be still in the dining hall. Shall I get my Lord for you?"

"No, no, it's alright...I'll go to him."



"Gate! What brings you here, my good friend?" Roh cried, standing as the blue fairy flew into the room.

"I've got a message for you, Roh...it's urgent," Gate said as he flew up to him.

"From whom?" Roh asked, taking the message from Gate and opening it.

"From Airaen...she's come home, you know."

Startled, Roh looked up, said, "Airaen? She's...she's back!"

"Read the letter, idiot," Gate said, getting impatient.

Roh read the letter silently to himself, allowing Gate to fly behind his shoulder to read it as well.

'Roh, I'm back. I need a favor of you: Ganondorf's alive and he's coming in an open attack on the Castle soon (don't ask about how I know...I just do). As for more important matters, I need your help as before...I need you to come to the Castle this time, though. Please, I'm begging you this time...I missed you, Roh. I'll be waiting for your reply via Gate.

All my love,

Airaen.'

Roh sat back with a slight smile as he placed the note on the table. "Icarn! Hey, Icarn, could you come here, please?" he called.

Through a door, Icarn appeared, bowing low as he saw his Lord. "Yes, my Lord?" he asked, standing and leaning on the table.

"Send word out to my men...Lady Airaen needs our help again. Ganondorf the King of Demons is back, Icarn. He's going to attack the Castle openly," Roh said, leaning forward.

Icarn swallowed, said, "An open attack, my Lord? But, that would signify his army is more powerful...than...before."

"I know, Icarn," Roh said, his eyes intent. "But, we have an obligation to the Royal Family. Muster our army, Icarn...all five hundred of them."

Bowing, Icarn exited to do his Lord's bidding.

"All right, then," Roh said, rubbing his hands together. "We'll leave as soon as everything's ready."

"I guess I'll give your reply to Airaen, then, Roh?" Gate asked, a little apprehensive of having to make such a journey once more without stopping.

Roh, nodding, said, "Yes...I'm so sorry you have to travel so much, Gate...but, you and I both know how Airaen gets if she doesn't get her way."

"Oh, how I know," Gate said glumly, flying away.

"And...and Gate!" Roh cried to the fairy, who turned back to him. Blushing, Roh stuttered, "Tell her...tell her I love her still."



Airaen rode back to the Castle on Perigan at full speed. Malon had wanted her to stay longer, but Airaen knew how pressing her tasks were. I'm not even Queen yet, she thought glumly, and I already have more tasks than I did chores back there. She grimaced, remembering how Malon would not let her leave until she had made up a few missed chores. "I'm not even done with half of them!" she cried in dismay; the good thing was, Malon gave her all the Lon Lon Milk she so desired.

Looking up, she saw the Castle gate looming in the darkness, closed against intruders. But I'm not an intruder, Airaen thought with a smile. She had traveled non-stop for more than a day, but she was not weary. Stopping Perigan with a quick nudge, she climbed down to the floor, patting Perigan on the back. "Good boy, Perigan...go where you want, now. I'll probably be back for you soon," Airaen said, then turned away to stare up at the wall in front of her. The climb won't be as bad as those damnable cliffs, she thought happily, crossing the moat.

And now to wait for the end, she thought.

&&&

Woo, what a craaaazy chapter, guys! But, hey, Airaen's back!

Airaen: Yes, after much damnable traveling...sob Ara puts me through so much!

Ara: Well, you're the main character! Deal with it! I'm your creator dude, thing...yeah.

(After we settle this, chapter 26 will be up...please review!)