The Legend of Zelda:
The Conflict of Dreams
By Shalazar
Chapter One
Link took a long drink from his bottle as he sat in the cool shade of the oak tree. He had been riding Epona all afternoon and had stopped to rest both himself and the sweating horse. He finished his drink and laid down. I'm not going to fall asleep, he told himself. But exhaust overtook him and he began to doze.
Immediately he was transported into the world of dreams. He dreamt of times past. He was riding alongside Zelda in the Hyrulean Fields. He looked over at her and smiled. She smiled back, a hint of color appearing on her cheeks, and quickly turned away. Link looked ahead and laughed to himself. He turned back to Zelda and what he saw made him turn cold. It was no longer she riding beside him, but Ganondorf. Link immediately drew his sword to attack. But Ganondorf was quicker. He sent an orb of dark energy hurtling into Link, causing him to fall off Epona.
Link rolled for a few feet and quickly regained his balance. He looked up and saw his sword a few feet away. He dove for it and was back on his feet in one rolling motion. But when he looked around, his foe was nowhere to be seen. He ran to the top of a small hill a few paces away and scanned the horizon. Ganondorf was gone. It's like he disappeared, thought Link.
He ran to Epona and jumped on her back. I must go to the king and inform him of what has happened, thought an ever fearful Link. He was not afraid of Ganondorf, he could handle him. He was afraid for Zelda. He'd almost lost her once. He wasn't about to lose her again. Trees whipped past his face as he raced for Hyrule Castle. Suddenly a tree appeared out of nowhere in front of him. He jerked the reins to the left in order to dodge the tree, but ended up hitting his head on one of its lower branches, sending him flying off his horse. He landed with a thud.
Link sat up. He realized had been dreaming and couldn't help but laugh. A small wave of relief swept over him as he stood up and dusted himself off. The sun was setting on the horizon. He pulled out his Ocarina and called Epona. She came behind him and whinnied. Link walked over and began to stroke her mane. "You have always been one of my most loyal companions" he said affectionately to her. "I shall never forget you old friend." With that he hopped on the saddle and started back to the castle.
When Link came to the drawbridge he dismounted and walked in guiding Epona by her reins. The town that met him was not the usual 6:00 town. Where vendors and people should be, there was silence. Something's not right, thought Link. He quickly hurried to the castle. The door was standing open with no guards. Link tied Epona to a tree and quietly drew his sword and shield.
He walked towards the open door and peeked cautiously inside. When he was sure that no one was there he stepped inside. In the torchlight he could see signs of a scuffle in the carpet. Link immediately crouched and began to walk towards the throne room.
An armed lizard came around the corner in front of him. He was caught. Immediately the creature gave a cry and leapt towards Link, sword drawn. Link blocked the attack with his shield and gave a counterthrust, stabbing the lizard in the stomach. Blue blood poured out and the lizard gave a cry of pain. It fell to the floor, dead. The noise of the battle brought two more lizards from the same corridor.
They rushed Link. He sidestepped one of the blades, but the other caught him on the shoulder. Link winced in at the cut. He gave a wide swing and chopped one of the lizards in half. The other, seeing his two dead companions, turned and fled. "Oh no you don't," said Link. He quickly put up his sword and shield and drew out his bow. He locked the arrow, sighted and released. There was a sharp twang and thud as the arrow embedded itself into the lizards head.
Link lowered his bow and walked towards the throne room. He opened the door and walked in. It was pitch black inside. Then suddenly green fire lit the torches. "Welcome back Link," said the deep voice of Ganondorf. Link took a crouched position, sword in hand, to prepare for what was next.