I'm baaaaack! Thanks to ??? for reviewing....I'm assuming you're the person who leaves a blank where their name is, whom I have been referring to as Anonymous. If you're not, thanks anyway, and sorry for the identity crisis.

Linky boy and Zelda still don't belong to me, no matter how much I hope......but the Hybrid does! And so does the storyline! No stealing, kids. Thanks.

-Shawshank

Chapter 12 Tyr

Link looked at the strange girl, tilting his head slightly to the side with his confusion. She stared at him from where she sat in the shadows, only her right eye gleaming through the darkness.

Then he noticed the fresh goose egg on his forehead.

"Ow, ow ow ow ow OW!"

He danced a strange jig around the clearing, holding his aching head and whining to the heights of the Sacred Realm. The girl sat and watched, fighting back the urge to laugh out loud.

It had been a long time since laughter had sprung from her throat.

When Link finally sat down, further jolting his new wounds, his complains started up again.

"Ah, oh, ha, eek!"

He shuffled around, trying to get comfortable. He removed his sword-which was starting to poke painfully into his back-and shield, both of which he had left on after the battle with Verdance. A Death Mountain-sized headache hit him full force as the memories assaulted him. He groaned under his breath, his eyes drifting shut.

The lids snapped open again, revealing blue orbs whose depths seemed to go on forever. They swiveled around towards the other young woman, who was cushioned by an outcropping of luxuriant grass. Her breathing was gradually speeding, and both warriors knew that she was waking. The girl remained in the shadows, her pale violet eye glinting with the reflected dusklight that was shining through the leafy branches.

For the first time, Link noticed that the sun was setting. It had been high noon when he had finished the fight; how long had he slept? His body was still getting used to the longer days in this place.

He cracked his neck and cleared his throat, making the shockingly coloured eye swing back to him. The hairs on the back of his neck rose, and he knew that this meeting was not chance. This was the other the Goddesses had spoken of to him.

"What's your name?"

The eye in the shadows narrowed, once again giving him a good look-over. It blinked, then seemed to sag. He heard a small sigh.

"It doesn't matter. My tribal name and honor have been stripped from me."

Yes, definitely a female voice, though a bit on the low side-and not a bit friendly. He waved a hand around, hoping to make light conversation.

"What is this place called?"

Almost instantaneously, he heard a snarling coming from the bushes. At first he thought she had been followed by some beast; then he realized it was she who was snarling.

"Isn't it my turn to ask the questions now, Scrawny? What's your name?"

To his great disgust, he felt his cheeks and neck heat with blood. He could just barely hear a light chuckle coming from the darkness. He tried to cover his embarrassment with a sharp retort.

"You didn't tell me yours, why should I tell you mine?"

"Do you have honor?"

"Well, I guess-"

"Do you belong to a tribe?"

"Sort of; I grew up with the Kokiri-"

"Then your name matters. Mine doesn't. I am nothing."

"Is that why you won't come out of the shadows?"

The eye suddenly disappeared, and he realized that she had hidden her face. Apparently this jab had struck a sensitive place.

"I-I'm sorry, I just."

The eye reappeared as if by magic.

"No, you have a right to be curious. However-"

"No matter what Link says, you won't come out."

Zelda sat up, having thrown in her two rupee's worth. Link glared at her.

"For just how long have you been awake?"

She smiled smugly. His face heated again, and he thanked the Goddesses for being born of darker skin than most.

"Long enough. I'm sensing some unusual things from you, Shadow Girl. Will you come out?"

The eye narrowed, looking distinctly angry. Link fought back the urge to shudder. Even if most people believed only men were fit to rule, he was almost more afraid of the women in his life than Ganondorf Dragmire himself.

The eye circled the clearing, evaluating its surroundings. Finally, its owner stood up and stepped into the ever-fading circle of light. Link had to force himself not to lunge for his sword.

The creature standing before them looked to be somehow caught between worlds. Her left eye was that of a reptilian creature, surrounded by a glittering, green-hued patch of scales. The arm on her left side was bulky and obviously not human. Her left foot, too, was a three-clawed thing that looked as though it could inflict heavy damage. She wore no shoes, loose, dark creamy pants, and a form-fitting tan shirt that looked as though it had been worn through a storm of swords. Around her neck was strung a pendant in the shape of a tear; it was a prism, and depending on the angle you looked at it, it appeared to be either green or blue, or even red. Her jaw-length hair was held back by a turquoise headband that was embroidered with a moon, and a thin scar ran through the end of her right eyebrow which was closest to her nose. Her ears were definitely pure Hylian, although they were a bit longer and more slender than either Link's or Zelda's. Her hair was a silvery blonde that was closer to white, and over her shoulder hung two swords. One was a huge broadsword that Link didn't even want to think about trying to wield, and the other was a thin fencing saber.

Link and Zelda fought to keep their mouths from dropping open.

Her eyes glinted with a dangerous light as she drew both of her swords, hefting the larger one in her left arm. The pride shone through her voice as she spoke, lifting both swords into a fighter's stance, crouched close to the ground.

"I am Tyr."

The third moon, a pure, perfect crescent, rose to frame her body. Zelda felt the third pendant in her pocket, put there by Sheik, begin to heat up and glow. She took it in her hand and watched the light shining from her fingers. Then, as if in a trance, she paced silently over to the cursed woman whose entire body was tuned in completely to her environment. She sheathed her swords and knelt, lowering her head. Zelda lifted her hands, holding the braided cord in both, and placed it around the girl's neck. Link stepped forward, and they stood in a circle, all of their necklaces glowing. The moon pendants rose, mirroring their cousins in the velvet sky above. Their auras of courage, wisdom and power blended together, separating into all the elemental colours. Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow, Spirit, Time. Sprites danced around them, dressed in all kinds of colours from all over the spectrum. Magic swirled in the clearing, and the Goddesses knew that the Three had found each other.

The moon floated behind a tree, ending the moment and bringing them all back to their senses. The cold breeze invaded their light clothing, causing all but Tyr to shiver. She had spent too many nights sleeping on the open land to care about a small breeze. However, this was no ordinary breeze; they could all feel it. Something evil had felt their power, and was responding to it. Link looked at Zelda, and saw that her lips were blue. They all moved instinctively closer together, Tyr with some hesitation. They walked together deeper into the glade, where Zelda started a fire. Their magic exhausted, they were sleeping before they hit the ground.

***

( So. They have found the Third. )

The Hybrid?

( Yes, Apprentice. )

Will we continue our study?

( Apprentice, I-we cannot. )

The Circle has cancelled the study?

( No. I have. It is not right to look into the dreams of the Destined. I would not be able to live with the guilt. )

What will we do?

( It is not a question of what *we* will do; rather, what *you* will do. )

I do not understand, Scholar.

( Neither do I. That is why you must go. )

Go where? I have never been outside of the study house in my lifetime!

( Exactly. You need to be exposed to the outside world. This is no place for you to spend your days. I will pack supplies for you. )

But.where will I go?

( You will meet the Destined. Do not protest. I have found a creature that may be useful in getting you there quickly. Tell them anything they wish to know, but remember our Cardinal Law. )

Yes, Scholar. I will go.

( Good, good. I knew I chose well when I accepted you to train with me. )

I won't let you down. Tell my birth parents for me; I met them a few years back, they were very nice.

( I will, child. Now, go! I cannot lead them off for long! )

Farewell, Scholar! Wish me fortune!

( Good luck, child. Good luck. )

***

Sorry that chappie took forever. I just could NOT find time to get this down, what with all the tests we've had recently. Besides, reruns of Star Trek were on!

Thanks to frequent readers, especially ??? and the person who never signs their name in; unless you're the same person. Anyone care to clear that up for me? Hello? Hellooooooooooooooooooooo??????

Ah, I'm such a dimwit. Whatever. Feel free to ignore my ramblings, and let me know what you think. Suggestions are welcome.

-Shawshank