Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda characters from the game. I do own Hairai Caldon.

A/N: This chapter contains action in it and a tradegy happens to Hairai. Also, there is angst, but it's towards the end of this chapter. I would like to thank everyone who reviewed my chapters so far. Another BIG, HUGE, THANKS, to Paul Sheldon. :) Please review. Here's the chaos. :P

Note: Princess Zelda's Telepathic message-Italics

Hairai's letter-Bold Italics

Rating: PG-13 (Action sequences and just in case)

Pairings: NOT QUITE YET!

LTTP 2036

By

Marih Dimitri(aka MJ19AQ)

Chapter Five: Vow

Hairai walked down the road looking behind him as his house was slowly dimishing into view. He trekked forward towards the castle, looking at his surroundings. Soon, he approached the castle when he saw a castle guard with a giant shield at the entrance of the castle. Hairai crouched down at a nearby bush, watching carefully as the guard paced back in forth, bored from his post. Upon on the castle walls, Hairai saw another guard that was carrying a spear with him, pacing back and forth in forth out of boredom. Hairai waited until both guards were facing the opposite direction, towards the west. Soon, Hairai ran towards a tree and hid his body at the back of the tree, overlooking at his shoulders whether or not the castle soldiers had seen him. The castle soldiers were still overlooking at the western side of the castle, apparently watching an argument that had occurred between two other guards. Hairai turned his attention to a bush that was surrounded by a couple of trees in the north eastern side of the castle. He eyed the solider who was guarding the eastern entrance to the castle. The solider walked off from his post, turning his back from the castle. Hairai instantly ran towards the bush, skidding across the grass and landing flat on his stomach. He quickly turned around to check if he was seen. The soldiers keep on pacing back and forth, not noticing the swift movements that Hairai had made. Carefully, Hairai lifted up the bush from it's platform, revealing a secret entrance to the castle.

Hairai entered into the secret entrance, putting the bush back in it's place before falling into the darkness. Hairai fell right into a secret corridors that lead to the outside garden to the main entrance of Hyrule Castle. Hairai carefully walked down the corridors, watching his every surroundings. Suddenly, Hairai heard footsteps coming from the hallway below. He leaned pressed his back against the wall, waiting to see who was coming. Soon, two soldiers were walking out of the corridors along with Agahnim, following behind them. Hairai glared at Agahnim, never taking his eyes off of him, overhearing his conversation.

"Princess Zelda must be guarded well. Anyone foolish enough to come up to the castle and attempt a rescue mission must be stopped. I don't want any interruptions. Princess Zelda must be casted into the Dark World at the brink of the full moon. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!" Agahnim ordered.

Hairai silently seethed at Agahnim, knowing what terrible power the young wizard possessed. Slowly, Hairai's shield started to slid off his arm until it softly clanged on the cemented floor, creating a small sound. Hairai quickly looked up as he noticed that the soldiers had heard the sound that the shield made. Agahnim looked keenly in the darkness, searching for the source of the sound.

"We are not alone," Agahnim stated. Hairai, realizing that Agahnim sensed his presence, Hairai slowly came out of his hiding place, taking his stand against him. Agahnim saw Hairai fully, piercing his sapphire eyes at him.

"Who might you be?" Agahnim inquired.

"It does not matter who I am, Agahnim. But I'm here to free the Princess from your evil grasp," Hairai boldly said.

"Hmm. You share the knight's bloodline from the royal house of Hyrule. I can sense it in my bones. You were foolish enough to come here for I shall let NO ONE interrupt my purposes," Agahnim exclaimed, glaring dangerously at Hairai.

Hairai pierced his eyes at Agahnim, unsheathing his two swords, preparing for battle. "I will get her out of here, Agahnim. I don't know exactly what's going on or what you purpose to do with her, but I guarantee that you'll never get away with it,"Hairai spurned at Agahnim.

"Will see about that. Guards, exterminate him," Agahnim ordered. Swiftly, the soldiers ran up to Hairai, thrusting their swords at him. Immediately, Hairai defended himself by blocking their attack with his own swords. The soldiers were thrusting their swords with Hairai, twisting and turning, swiping away at him but he blocked their attack everytime. Both soldiers jumped up and prepared to strike Hairai in a mid-air assault, but Hairai did a back flip, avoiding the strike blow that came down upon him. Hairai sent a swift kick at the soldiers, causing them to both stumble on the floor. Agahnim was watching the battle, growing impatient at every moment that he continued seeing Hairai striking the soldiers with poise and accuracy. Agahnim started to form a massive ball of energy on his hand. Swiftly, Agahnim unleashed the ball of energy directly at Hairai. The ball of energy hit it's target as Hairai was hit with the blast. He tried to block the energy using his two shields, but the amount of the energy was to much to handle and he collided back into a wall, losing his grip on the shields and swords that he was holding. Agahnim took a sword from the soldiers and walked up to Hairai, glaring at him dangerously. Hairai was trying to recover from the blast, standing up against the wall, glaring at Agahnim. Agahnim channeled his power directly to the sword. In on swift movement, he struck Hairai across the chest, causing him to collapse on the floor. Agahnim threw the sword back to the solider and glared down at Hairai, who was slightly breathing in ragged breaths.

"Humph! So much for rescuing Princess Zelda. Leave him here. He's no longer a threat to us!" Agahnim said. Soon, Agahnim and the two soldiers walked out of the corridors, leaving Hairai on the floor. Hairai was bleeding profusely, wincing in pain as he tried to breath, thinking about Link and Aryll.

"I-I'm...sorry...Link and Aryll," Hairai gasped out. Hairai sat there at the cold wall, trying his best to stay alive.

Back in Hairai's house, Link and Aryll was still sleeping. It had been an hour since Hairai had left the house unnoticed. Soon, a stiff breeze of wind came through the house while the rain was still pounding outside.

"Help me...

Please, somebody help me..."

Link stirred around in the bed, not knowing whether or not it was just the wind or a bad dream. Suddenly the sound could be heard again.

"Help me...

I'm trapped in a dungeon. Agahnim has taken my friends and casted them away. Soon, I will be

next. He murdered my father and now he has complete control of the castle. I scared. I don't

know what he will do next. Please...help me..."

"PRINCESS!" Link shouted, rising up from his bed. Aryll woke up due to Link's shouting. She rubbed Link's back as he was sweating all over.

"Brother, I something disturbing you?" Aryll asked, concerned.

"I-I...thought...I heard Princess Zelda's voice calling out to me for help," Link said, confused.

"It was all a bad dream, Brother. You have nothing to worry about. Get some rest for you shall need it for tomorrow, when Hairai is going to take us to the castle," Aryll soothed, patting Link's back.

Link nodded at Aryll. Soon, both covered themselves and started to drift off to sleep when the sound was heard again.

"Please Help me...

Many people are in danger in Hyrule. Agahnim has already killed my father and he plans to

take complete control of Hyrule. When that happens, everyone will suffer. Please...before it's too late...help me..."

Both Link and Aryll rose up from the bed and looked at each other. Soon, the both of them got out of bed right away and headed to Hairai's bedroom. Link opened the door from his bedroom and proceeded to go into Hairai's bedroom with Aryll following behind him.

"Hairai?" Link shouted only to hear no response coming back to him. Link approached Hairai's bed and carefully removed the covers only to find no one in the bed. Aryll looked at Link, concerned showing in her eyes. Link, along with Aryll, walked out of the bedroom and hurriedly went down stairs, searching around the kitchen area for Hairai. Soon, Link saw a piece of paper on the kitchen table. Both Link and Aryll walked to the kitchen table, examining the piece of paper curiously. Link grabbed the parchment and started to read the words out loud.

Link and Aryll,

I have gone out for a bit. Something...urgent came up and I needed to take care of it. Don't worry about me. I'll be back in the morning. Then, I will take the both of you to the downtown district for breakfast. I want to treat you to one of my favorite diner's in town. We'll spend the rest of the day exploring. Sounds like fun, huh? Anyways, don't go out of the house. It's still raining outside and I don't want the two of you catching a cold. I'll be back as soon as I can. Get some rest.

With Love,

Hairai

Link slowly released his grasp from the parchment that he held, watching it slowly glide down on the table. Link turned his attention to Aryll, who already knew what he was thinking of.

"You're going to follow him, aren't you Brother?" Aryll inquired, knowing the answer. Link deeply eyed Aryll with fire inside of him. Soon, he started to walk hastily upstairs towards his bedroom, with Aryll following him closely. Link entered into his room and opened the closet. Quickly, he took out his green tunic and white pants with his belt hanging on the tunic. Aryll watched as Link quickly stripped himself off of the soft cotton pants and shirt. He slipped on his white pants and put his white t-shirt on. Quickly he slipped on his green tunic, fastening the belt around his waist. Link was about the get his brown boots out of the closet when Aryll stepped in front of him.

"Brother, last time you detained me from joining you in battle. This time, however, I shall be at your side no matter what dangers lie ahead. I'm ready for it," Aryll firmly said.

"Aryll..." Link replied but was interrupted by Aryll. "I shall hear none of your excuses, Brother. I'm going along with you, whether you approve or not," Aryll boldly said, looking deeply in Link's oceanic eyes, filled with determination. Link shook his head and smiled at Aryll.

"You did not let me finish, dear Sister. I was inquiring whether or not you wanted me to hand over your garment for battle," Link stated, chuckling at Aryll's stubbornness. Link grabbed the green halter-top dress for Aryll and handed it too her. Turning around, Link closed his eyes, waiting for Aryll to slip on her garment. Aryll quickly stripped the night gown off of her and stripped off her bra. Aryll slipped on her green halter-top dress, making sure that it was nice and snug, fixing herself in the process. Aryll tapped on Link's shoulder, signaling him that it was okay to turn around. Link turned around, seeing that Aryll was dressed. Soon, he grabbed Aryll's slender brown boots and gave them to her, grabbing his brown boots in the process. Aryll slipped her brown boots on, making sure that they were nice and snug. Link slipped on his brown boots as well, making sure that they fitted in a tight snug as well. Aryll quickly brushed her hair, straightening out all her strands evenly. Both Link and Aryll walked out of the bedroom and rushed downstairs.

Link, along with Aryll was about to walk outside when Aryll noticed an old looking chest next to the couch in the living room. Immediately, Aryll walked up to the chest and opened it, revealing an old lamp in the chest. Aryll took the lamp out of the chest and held it up, showing the lamp to Link.

"Brother, we can use this to light our way into the castle," Aryll said, looking at the lamp. Link examined the lamp, seeing that the lamp was unused for years, but looked like the lamp that his uncle had carried with him all the time. Link nodded at Aryll and opened up the door, putting his green cap on. Link walked outside with Aryll in the pouring rain, closing the door behind them. Running towards the pounding rain, Link and Aryll dashed out, walking behind the house and running towards the castle.

Along the way they saw a sign on the road. Link approached the sign and put his fingers on the touch on screen. A hologram popped up in which letters scrolled on the screen reading, "I will give 1000 rupees to anyone who brings me the descendants of the wise men. The King". The hologram disappeared in which Link and Aryll looked at each other seriously, knowing that Agahnim was behind this. Link and Aryll continued to walk down the road, approaching the castle. Crossing the drawbridge, Link and Aryll walked up to the entrance but they were halted by a castle solider.

"Yo, kids! It's raining out here and it's well past midnight. Go home!" the soldiers said, pushing Link and Aryll out towards the road. Link and Aryll turned around, glaring at the solider, who had his back turned on them. Link and Aryll proceeded to walk along the right path of the road, where they saw another castle solider blocking the eastern entrance to the castle. Link looked at his surroundings, noticing a bush surrounded by tree at the northeastern side of the castle. Link and Aryll quickly walked up to the bush. Link glanced behind him, making sure that no one was watching him and Aryll. As soon as Link saw that the castle soldiers had their backs turned away from him and Aryll, Link lifted the bush and tossed it aside, revealing the secret entrance to the castle. Quickly Link and Aryll fell down the hole, undetected by the castle guards. Soon, Link and Aryll entered inside the a secret corridors that lead to the castle garden and the main entrance to the castle. Stealthily, Link and Aryll walked up the corridors, keeping their senses keen in case a castle solider was present.

Link heard small, gasping sounds coming from the corridors down on the hallway. Slowly, he walked towards the source of the sounds, gesturing Aryll to follow him closely. Link and Aryll approach the source of the sounds, only to be shocked when they see Hairai slumped against the wall, breathing slowly in ragged breaths, wincing in pain, two shields and swords tossed at his right side. Without hesitating, Link and Aryll quickly run up to Hairai side, kneeling down with tears in their eyes.

"H-Hairai," Aryll slightly choked, "W-What happened to you?"

Hairai slowly opened up his eyes and turned his head, looking directly at Link and Aryll, smiling weakly.

"M-My...young...ones..."Hairai managed to gasp out, "I...told...you to...stay...indoors! Y-You'll...catch...a...cold!"

"That's not important now, Hairai. What happened to you?" Link sternly asked, tears swelling up in his eyes. Hairai slowly inhaled the air around him, then slowly exhaled out, softly looking at Link's deep oceanic eyes. "I...I heard...a...message...from the...

Princess. I-I...was...about to go...inside the castle to...rescue...her, when I ...was...confronted by...A-Agahnim," Hairai gasped., "H-He saw me...so I defended...myself. I-I was...able...to allude...the castle soldiers...but...Agahnim struck me...and slashed me."

Both Link and Aryll looked at each other, fire burning from their eyes. Link turned his attention back at Hairai.

"We shall avenge you, Hairai," Link firmly stated, anger rising inside of him. Aryll carefully lifted Hairai up from the floor, wrapping her arm around his waist. Hairai gently held Aryll's hand, stopping her.

"N-No...my child...there's nothing...that you...can...do...to save me," Hairai said, knowing that death loomed near him. Aryll tears started to flow from her eyes, gently gliding down from her cheeks to the cold floor. Hairai softly wiped a tear away from her cheek, smiling weakly at her.

"P-Please...let me...lie...here," Hairai gasped out. Aryll gently settled Hairai down against the wall, her tears flowing down her cheeks. Hairai looked at both Link and Aryll, smiling weakly at them. Hairai looked to his right and saw the two swords and shield tossed aside. He turned his attention back to the two siblings.

"I-I...know...that the both...of...you...are...skilled...in the art...of fighting," Hairai softly whispered, gasping for air, "T-Take...those swords and shields...with you...and rescue...

Princess...Zelda."

Link and Aryll eyes widen, never wavering their eyes from Hairai.

"How did you come to the conclusion that we have knowledge of the art of battling," Link inquired.

Hairai weakly chuckled at Link, looking deeply in his eyes. "I-It...wasn't hard...to figure out. Y-You...both...speak...differently...from everyone...else. B-Both...of you...have a well postured...behavior. Y-You're both...Hylanians! I-I...know...that...you...came from the...past," Hairai explained, wincing in pain, "Y-You...both...are warriors! I-I...have...the bloodline...of Knights...flowing inside of me. So...do...you!"

Link and Aryll nodded at Hairai's explanation, understanding his reasoning.

"As...bloodline members...of the royal...knights of Hyrule...I ask you to...please rescue...Princess...Zelda. Take the sword...and shield...with you. F-Focus...you're energy...into the sword...making your...power flow freely...into it. T-That is the secret...technique from...the knights...of Hyrule. Use...it...well," Hairai instructed, breathing slowly.

"We shall follow your instructions, carefully," Aryll said, looking deeply in Hairai's dimming eyes.

"Come...closer...young one," Hairai whispered, gesturing Link and Aryll to approach him. Link and Aryll went up closer to Hairai until they were face-to-face with him. Hairai weakly hugged Link and Aryll, sobbing weakly and gasping for air. Hairai broke the hug, his body getting colder for the loss of blood. Hairai looked at both of Link and Aryll, placing both his hand gently at Link and Aryll's cheek.

"I-I...know that the both of you...are not my children,...but I consider you...my children. I...love...you," Hairai softly whispered, his breath shallowing,

"P-Please...Save...Princess...Zelda. S-She...is...your...destiny."

"We love you too, Hairai," Link choked, shedding his tears freely down his cheeks. Aryll shed her tears also, flowing freely down her cheeks. Hairai stroked Link's and Aryll's cheeks softly, smiling at them, never wavering his eyes off of them. Hairai shuddered a bit, his hands losing their grasp as he slumped down the floor, closing his eyes, and expired.

"H-Hairai?" Aryll cried out to him, but he remained motionless. Aryll immediately flung herself on Link's chest, crying out profusely. Link wrapped his arms around her protectively, shedding his tears, flowing them freely on his cheeks as they fell on the floor. Aryll calmed down and was sniffling on Link's chest, her eyes looking at Hairai, as he lied motionless against the wall. Aryll broke off of Link, drying her eyes with her hands. Link dried his eyes with his hands and looked at Aryll, fire welling up inside of him. Both Link and Aryll looked at Hairai's motionless body, fire sparking inside of them.

"Farewell, Hairai. We shall avenge you and we promise that Princess Zelda will be rescued out of Agahnim's reach. I shall smite him for what he has done to you. I promise you that," Link firmly stated. He turned his attention to the swords and shields on the floor. He got up and walked towards them, picking up a sword and shield. Link turned his attention to Aryll, looking at her seriously.

"Aryll, this is a dangerous, perilous journey we will partake. From this point on, many foes will be seeking our souls. Are you certain you wish to join me in battle?" Link inquired, looking deeply into Aryll's eyes, seeing fire and determination.

"I said this before, Brother. I shall never leave your side for I plan to join you in battle, no matter the consequences. I'll be right by your side, no matter what fate has in store for us," Aryll responded firmly, looking deeply into Link's eyes.

"Very well, Aryll. Take this sword and shield with you," Link said, handing the sword and shield to Aryll. Aryll took the sword and shield, sheathing the sword behind her and carrying the shield on her back. Link also took a sword and shield, sheathing the sword behind him and carrying the shield on his back. Aryll bended down, placing a kiss gently on Hairai's forehead. She rose up and walked towards Link. Link walked up to Hairai's body, bended down and placed a kiss gently on his forehead. He rose up and walked towards Aryll, walking past her. He turned around and gestured Aryll to follow him. Aryll follow Link down the corridors, glancing back at Hairai's body. Soon, Link and Aryll saw a small set of stairs that lead to a door. Link and Aryll walked up the stair and through the door.

Link and Aryll saw another corridor, where two soldiers were walking around with daggers in their hands. Link and Aryll unsheathed their swords, preparing for battle. Suddenly one solider spotted Aryll walking toward him. He ran towards her, thrusting his dagger to her. Aryll blocked the attack with her shield and with one swift move, she struck down the solider with her sword. Another solider eyed Aryll and started to run towards her but was thwarted by Link, who quickly thrusted his sword, striking the solider down. Link and Aryll sheathed their swords and carried their shields behind them, walking down towards the end of the corridor. Aryll took out her lamp and light a cement torch with the lamp, illuminating the room. Link saw a chest to his left and immediately opened it up, grabbing some rupees cards that were left behind in it. Aryll grabbed some pots that were on the floor and broke them, revealing some magic bottles that were inside of them. Aryll took the magic bottles and carried them.

Link and Aryll walked down the corridor at the opposite direction until they reached another set of small stairs that lead to a door. Both of them walked up the stair and through the door. Closing the door behind them, Link and Aryll observed that they were in the garden section of Hyrule Castle. Link looked to his right and saw the main entrance doors to the Castle. Link and Aryll proceeded to walk through the trees and bushes, going out to the main walkway. Soon, some castle soldiers saw them and started to run towards them. Link and Aryll ran towards the main entrance, reaching the doors. Link and Aryll opened the doors and walked inside the castle, shutting the doors behind them.

Well, that's the end of this chapter. In the next chapter, both Link and Aryll meet Princess Zelda and then the adventure begins. Please review and I will update as soon as I can. Bye for now!