Lance awoke with a jolt. He had no idea what was going on. He looked all around him. Zelda and Marin had stunned looks on their faces. His father was standing, a concerned look on his.

Lance sat up, only to receive excruciating pain in his head. He clutched it with a moan and slumped back down. Link rushed up to him.

"Lance, are you all right?" he asked. "Yes, father, I'm fine," he replied.

"What's going on?" he asked. "You were poisoned by the Deku King, remember?" Link replied.

Lance did remember. Suddenly a boiling hatred welled up inside him, and he wanted to kill that filthy hunk of wood. I Wait, /I he thought. I Didn't I already kill him? /I

"How are you feeling?" Link asked. Lance shook that thought away and said, "My head is killing me… how come I'm alive?"

Link had to smile at that one. "Your father went on another grand adventure," he replied. "I went and got you some Deku sap. It was the only cure."

Lance was stunned. His father went to the Deku City! I He isn't nearly in a good enough condition! /I he thought.

Lance sat up again, ignoring the throb in his head.

"The king's working for Arkannas! I saw the devilish look in his eyes that wasn't him!" Lance declared. They all looked around at each other. Was he out of his mind?

"Are you sure?" asked Link. "Yes, of course I'm sure!" Lance replied.

Link sighed and said, "Well, Lance, you're going to need some rest if you want to continue your reign as king. Now—"

Suddenly a messenger burst into the room, panting heavily.

"Your highnesses!" he shouted. "The Zora and Goron armies have arrived! They wait outside for King Lance!"

"Father I—" Lance began, but Link interrupted him. "I shall represent my son as I go out to meet them," he said. Lance slumped to the bed in defeat. Marin went to his side and grabbed his hand.

The messenger nodded and left the room. Link quickly entered his own bedchamber and dressed in his old royal attire. He thought he'd never have to wear it again. I I guess I was wrong, /I he thought.

Lance's new bodyguards then accompanied him as he walked to the stable, where he entered his son's carriage and was taken down to the plaza, where the two armies awaited.

Link then waited as they started the bumpy descent down the dirt road and to the Hyrule Market. It wasn't a long wait, but a tedious one. It reminded him too much of his former royal position.

The carriage halted in front of the fountain, where Link climbed out and saw the two largest armies he had seen in his entire life. He was impressed, and showed it plainly on his face.

The two commanders of the armies stepped forward. The Goron one was adorned with much more tattoos than his brothers. He had the traditional Goron tattoo on his shoulder, but he had many designs of Farore, Nayru, Din, the Triforce, and many other religious relics.

"I am Portan, commander of the Goron armies under Darunia," he declared. The Zora commander then stepped forward. "And I am Mikao, brother of Mikau, soon-to-be husband of Ruto," he said. Link's eyes widened.

"You are Mikau's brother!" said Link. The Zora nodded. "I knew him as I child! I buried him!" he said.

Mikao took his turn to widen his eyes. "You are the one who buried him at Great Bay?" "Yes, I am," said Link. Mikao grabbed Link's hand and said, "Pleased to meet you, very pleased. It's an honor."

Link took this opportunity to examine the armies' weapons. The Gorons wielded massive axes, maces, swords, and slings. Their armor was clad all over their bodies, a deep red color.

The Zoras were almost the complete opposite. They used small, but agile weapons. They wielded rapiers, one-handed maces, and bows. Their arrows were tipped with Octorok blood. Link cringed at the thought, since his son was recovering from the effects such a poison.

"We are honored to join the ranks of King Lance," said Portan with a bow. Link cleared his throat and said, "Actually, I'm representing him. I'm the King Father, Link. My son is recovering from a coma." Portan's eyes bugged. I Enough with the big eyes! /I Link thought.

"You are Link?" he asked in astonishment. "Yes," Link said, trying not to show his annoyance.

"My father, Darunia, named my brother after you!" he declared. Link was getting sick of coincidences. "Yes, I met him. You must be his younger brother," Link said, again trying to hold himself back.

He then appointed the two armies an empty spot each in the castle. They always had plenty of room.

Now, it was time to focus on the upcoming battles that would be faced against Arkannas. Link just hoped that his son would recover before Arkannas returned from Kalthein. He had not the strength to lead an army.