Chapter Three

Link was still contemplating his dilemma when the door opened and Ganondorf walked in.

"Enjoying your stay Legendary Hero," said Ganon with emphasized sarcasm in his last words. "No? Good." Links eyes followed him as he paced back and forth. "What shall I do with you? Or a better question: How to kill you most painfully?" The Evil figure smiled.

"If you're trying to get me to beg for my life, it won't work."

Ganon's smile faded and it was replaced with clenched teeth. "Even if it would save your life?" Link spit in his face. In return he got a fist to the face. "We'll see if no food or water will soften you up. Guards!" Two lizards walked into the room. "He receives no food or water for a week! He is to be in total solitude."

"You can't do this!" shouted Link desperately.

"Watch me." And Ganondorf left, the two lizards following him. The door was closed and locked.

Good, thought Link. Now I won't have company for a week. Plenty of time for escape. He looked around. His only light was a lit torch outside his door. His eyes quickly adjusted. The room was bare except for a bed and a chair, neither of which Link could use because he was chained to the wall. He looked at his chains. They were rusted, but not enough so as to allow Link to break them. He jerked the chains just in case. No luck. I will make it out.

He thought for a second. His eyes drooped. No! I won't fall asleep. The dreams he had been having lately puzzled him. Why is it that Ganon was in them? And why did he die? He wasn't sure if Ganon was the cause or someone else…

Now is not the time for philosophizing. I got to get out. He looked around the room once more. Everything was the same. Nothing had changed. With great reluctance, Link let himself sleep.

Where am I? He looked around. A heavy fog kept Link from seeing more than two feet in all directions. Then the fog started to clear. A field. I'm in a field. I'm free! He could scarcely believe it. He ran. He ran as fast as he could. He reached the top of a hill. There was nothing but open plainlands for miles. He heard a noise behind him.

Link turned and there he was, Ganon. What is he doing here! Then Link remembered. "This is a dream," he whispered to himself. Ganon began to charge. Link tried to make himself wake up. It wasn't working. "Oh no!" A spear plunged into his chest, and he fell to the ground. Pain! He had never felt such pain. He reached for the spear to pull it out and found that he could not grab it. Ganondorf walked over, sword drawn.

"Now you die!"

Link awoke in a cold sweat. Another dream. What is happening to him? The torchlight had gone out and it was completely dark. So much for being able to see. He lifted his arm to scratch his face. It was then that he realized that it was free. In a violent jerk in his dream, he had broken the chain from the wall. Yes!

Link used the pointed end of the broken link to pick the rest of the locks. He felt his way quietly to the door, placed his hand on the knob, and began to slowly turn. It was locked. Now what, Link thought to himself. He found the broken chain and tried to pick the door lock but the hole was too small.

It only took him a minute to decide to break down the door. He stepped back, and summoning all of his strength, gave one mighty kick. It fell to the ground. I just hope no one heard that, thought Link with a smile on his lips.

He saw a lit torch down the hall. He walked over and pulled it from its nook in the wall. Now, thought Link, forward or backward. The hall ran endlessly in both directions. He decided to continue forward. It wasn't long until he reached a stairway. He carefully climbed, trying his best not to make any sound. But the pervading silence made his footsteps all the louder.

He reached the top and peeked around the corner. The main hall was empty. He was about to leave when he realized that he forgot his sword and shield in the throne room. He saw the infamous doors to the room at the end of the hall. He quickly made his way over and peeked inside. The room was empty. He walked in and saw his sword standing in the corner next to his shield. He walked over, picked them up, and put them where they belonged, on his back.

He stepped out of the room, quietly shut the door behind him, and walked down the hall. He would make his plans for rescuing the royal family outside where there was less of a chance of getting caught. He walked out of the castle and into the courtyard. It was dark. There was Epona, right where he had left her. She gave a little whinny at his appearance. He walked over, gave her a pat on the neck, and untied her. He walked her out of the castle grounds, through the town, and into Hyrule Field. Sitting under a nearby tree, Link tried to decide what to do next. He couldn't go back without a well formulated plan that was for sure. He would need Light Arrows…

He glanced up and saw a figure approaching. Link stood, a little wary of the man, for it was a man. A very old man.

The figure stopped and threw up his hands. "I mean you no harm. I just need to rest." The man gave a wheezy cackle. "I'm Grendel." He stuck out his hand to Link. Link didn't accept it. "Still suspicious are ya. That's alright. But I ain't leavin'." He sat a few feet away. "Mind if I start a fire? Okay. It'll warm us both. I'm chilled to the bones." The man pulled some wood and tinder out of a pack he was carrying. It wasn't long until he had a roaring fire going.

"What do you want old man," said Link, still suspicious of the stranger.

"Just to rest," he said. "Then I'll be on my way." Link watched as he stuck his hands closer to the fire in an effort to fight off the icy chill. "I'm from the Lake. It's usually warmer there. How 'bout you?"

"The forest," Link replied coldly. He wasn't about to trust a total stranger. He had been through too much recently to do that.

"Ever been to the Lake?"

"No."

"You should go sometime. There are all sorts of treasures down there. I found these just the other day. You can have 'em. I have a feeling you'll need them." The ancient pulled out something wrapped in cloth and handed it to Link with a smile and knowing look in his face. "Use them wisely. There are only five."

Link looked at the bundle and began to slowly unwrap it. Inside were five Light Arrows! Link looked up to ask the old man where he had found them, but the man was gone. Link stood and looked around. It's like he vanished into thin air, thought Link. Was I dreaming? No. There is the fire and there are the Light Arrows.

Link sat back down. Who was that man? What did he say his name was? Link couldn't remember. All he knew is that he wouldn't have to find any Light Arrows now. He could go straight for Ganondorf. "It's time to end this." Link stood, placed the precious Arrows in his quiver, and began walking toward the Castle.