Chapter 8: A Hero Rises

" I can't believe it…" Malon whispered to no one in particular.

She lightly sighed with an affectionate smile on her face. Shifting to a comfortable position, Malon sat within her windowsill, looking out at the night sky. After volunteering to put the horses away and finish up cleaning the stable, she went up to her room, afraid that her mind will never escape what she had learned earlier today.

She pulled down the bottom of her thin sky blue night grown and continued to run a comb through the thickness of her hair, humming Epona's Song. She briefly closed her eyes, thinking about the happiness of her future. It was truly too good to be true. She had a future with Link? Nothing more could bring her joy at the moment.

When she opened her eyes she found herself staring out in the direction of Hyrule Market and Castle. Link, hopefully, was there…with Zelda. It wasn't that she didn't like the princess, but had just envied her. Zelda had the looks, the fame, and above all was princess. Zelda was far better than her. Malon confessed that she was tense at first thinking that Link had liked Zelda more, but Durnal was all the proof they needed. It proved to her, that maybe Link had feelings for her after all.

Although right now—he didn't show them. And it was killing her.

Malon sat the comb down on the nightstand next to her bed. She glanced around the silent darkened room, listening to the soft conversation downstairs, between Ingo and her father. Malon knew that her father didn't' like her having a son. It was obvious when she first saw his expression after Durnal explained everything. Her father would always explain to her, that the perfect man would be someone who is just like you. He wanted her to marry another farmer, someone who wouldn't run off and never come back. He didn't understand about her true feelings for Link, and why she had chosen him and not others.

As Malon continued to look out the window toward Hyrule Castle, a soft quick knock came to her door. She rubbed her lips together turning her attention to the shadow that appeared underneath the door crack. Once the knock came again, Malon politely told the person to come in.

The door slowly opened and a young strawberry blonde head poked inside the room.

" M-Malon…"

Malon chuckled lightly and smiled leaning her head back against the windowsill. " Come in Durnal, it's okay."

The door opened just wide enough so that Durnal could squeeze himself through. Once the door had closed, the room went back to its darkened state. Durnal looked around for a bit, before taking a couple of steps deeper into her room.

" I'm sorry if I woke, you…" Durnal apologized. " I just couldn't sleep."

" It's okay," Malon turned her body, resting her bare feet upon the cold wooden floor. " I wasn't sleeping anyways." She held her hand out to the bed, letting Durnal know that he could stay with her.

A smile formed in Durnal's lips as he walked over climbing onto the queen-sized bed and getting comfortable underneath the blue covers. He pulled the covers up to his shoulders lying on his side so that he was facing the window where Malon sat.

Malon's smile slowly vanished as she pondered the same question over and over again in her head, wondering if this would be the right time to ask.

" Why didn't you tell me the truth earlier?"

Durnal lifted his head shaking the long bangs out of his eyes. " You told me not to tell."

Malon laughed softly. " But I don't remember that."

Durnal smiled, lying back down. " I'm sorry…"

" Durnal you don't need to apologize. Everything now makes sense…" She whispered.

" I really did want to tell, it was killing me, but I just couldn't."

" How did you get here?"

The room was silent for a moment. Durnal didn't move, almost like thinking back on what had happened. " Teleportation. I was at the Temple of Time, with you and dad…everything went white and the next thing I knew I was surrounded by Kokiri."

" It must have been scary…" Malon pictured everything in her mind; the thought frightened her.

Durnal nodded, blowing his hair to the side. " It was…but Saria took care of me until I was well enough to walk…."

The white light…

"…Then, like my parents had told me, I was supposed to stay at Lon Lon Ranch, my home."

" You must have been the white light we witnessed."

" Excuse me?" Durnal questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Malon nodded. " One night we saw this bright light in the sky. It looked like a shooting star almost, it must have been you…"

Durnal shrugged, lifting the covers over his shoulders again once they had fallen. " Possibly."

Malon held her arms, astonished that the light they witnessed in the sky was the start of all of this. Who would have thought that the light she saw, was her future son? Many things were happening at once, especially this new villain that's supposedly going to rule the world in the future.

" You love Link, don't you?" A random question was what came out of Durnal's mouth.

Malon couldn't hide anything from him. She sighed deeply biting her lip. " Yes, but…I still don't think feelings for me has developed within him yet."

" Well, you told me that you were the one who made the first move…"

Malon's eyes widened by this, she reacted quickly to his statement. " Really?"

Durnal nodded, " Hopefully that helps you out."

Malon smiled, fiddling with her hands. Maybe she did have to make the first move…instead of waiting for Link. She had to let him know the truth before it was too late.

I'll have to tell him, when he comes back….

Durnal yawned and rubbed his sparkling blue eyes. " Will you sing me to sleep like you always do?"

" Epona's Song, right?"

" Yes, you would sing it to me when I had trouble going to sleep. Being in the future that we lived in, you sung to me every night."

How could Malon say no? She forced herself to get up from the windowsill and walk over to the bed. She walked over to the other side and sat down on top of the covers next to him. Durnal switched to the other side so that he was facing her, and laid his head on her lap.

Malon leaned her back against the wall and began to stoke his head, rubbing the tips of her fingers through his hair. Durnal closed his eyes as she began to sing Epona's Song; her soft soothing voice filled the room, drifting Durnal off into deep sleep.

Malon thought about how she had changed ever since Durnal had entered her life. How she had become more of a mother, instead of an adolescent. How she had left her child years behind, and moved toward becoming an adult. How she had learned to love and care for others instead of just herself.

She just laughed at the thought that it was her own son, who had taught her a new meaning of life.

After finishing her song, Malon noticed that Durnal was finally asleep. His eyes were closed tight, his mouth slightly hung open as a small snore escaped his lips. Malon leaned over and lightly kissed his forehead goodnight.

He is a gift…

"…A gift through time…"

By daybreak, Link had finally arrived at Hyrule Market. There wasn't much danger, so the ride at night was smooth and peaceful. He had to admit, he was exhausted, and kept asking himself why he didn't just rest the night at the ranch. They would more likely have a spare room for him to stay, but he believed that he wouldn't be able to sleep, after finding out Hyrule would soon be in danger.

Link left Epona in front of the drawbridge as he dismounted her and headed inside to Hyrule Market. Just like the other day he had passed by, the lively people and villagers were out and about, making Hyrule Market a crazy place to be. He quickly bypassed all of the people and shops, heading straight down the dirt path leading to the castle.

Meeting Princess Zelda was a lot easier than when he was a kid. Now he didn't have to carefully sneak in, making sure all of the guards didn't notice him. He remembered it being interesting, but very stressful. There were so many places that he had to go, and hide, he had almost felt like giving up. If it weren't for the pesky fairy, Navi, then he probably would have.

After greeting the king, for a much longer time than he had planned, Link discovered that Zelda was out in the garden, where they had first met when kids. Link wasted no time in getting to her, since time wasn't on their side. From Durnal's information, Takara would soon be free.

Link stopped under the tunnel and saw the princess standing at her window, looking inside to the main hall, where he just was. Impa, her guardian and Sage of the Shadow Temple, stood by the entrance to the garden, watching her every move. Link politely smiled at the Shiekah, while Impa replied by crossing her arms and nodding.

He never really communicated with any of the Sages much, since he barely saw them. Saria, was his childhood friend from when he was living in Kokiri Forest, this was before he found out she was Sage, before he was the Hero of Time and found out the truth that he is a Hylian. Of course Ruto's crush for him never died off, and Darunia's brotherly act never seemed to escape Link's mind. Nabooru and Impa seemed like the only Sages who he barely talked too.

Link carefully walked across the garden over to where Zelda stood. Her back was to him, and her appearance never left his mind. Wearing her white and pink dress, the many Triforce Symbols and, of course, the beauty of her long blonde hair, Link just couldn't forget her look.

" I knew you would come," Zelda spoke softly.

" Then I don't have to explain why I'm here." Link replied boldly.

Zelda lightly chuckled, which surprised him at first. She turned around, and slowly walked down the couple of steps toward him. Her light blue eyes shimmered in the sun. " I'm glad you returned safely." Link nodded. " Did you quest turn out all right?"

Link frowned. He cleared his throat placing his hands behind his back. " I came here for answers."

Zelda nodded and motioned him to follow her. She seemed prepared for his questions. " As you probably guessed, Hyrule is in great danger…"

" From a witch named Takara…am I correct?" Link sat down next to Zelda when they both reached the stone bench placed within the garden.

" You must have learned this from, Durnal…" Zelda grinned placing her hands on her lap.

" Did you have a prophecy?" Link questioned raising an eyebrow.

" More likely, yes. I saw a young boy asking for help, his name is Durnal, and he's your son from the future."

Link paused for a moment, many thoughts raced through his head. "…So all of it is true…"

Zelda nodded softly, understanding that he was talking to himself. " Everything that he has said…"

" Then there's no way I can stop her?" Link lowered his head looking at his dirty-gloved hands.

" Link, you can't change the past—but you can change the future. That's why you sent him back."

" I sent him back into the past, so I can fix my mistake and make sure the future turned out perfect…" Link recapped, steadily. " But the mistake…Durnal didn't remember what it was."

" That's the only thing I fear," Zelda spoke with desolation.

Link faced the young princess, seeing the sorrow across her face. " What do you fear?"

She quickly licked her lips and deeply sighed. " Link…I don't have a prophecy on what the mistake is…I don't see how you can fix it."

" Why not?"

" Something happens to me…it's the only way…"

" I don't understand…"

" Takara probably does something to me to make it so that I don't explain my dreams…unconsciousness, kidnapping…death…"

Link swallowed hard on the last word. He couldn't imagine anything happening to Zelda, not something serious like death. When he pictured the future in his mind, he pictured her there…alive just not in charge. Takara finds out that he's trying to stop her, and she uses his weaknesses to bring him down. Hurting or kidnapping those close to him, Princess Zelda, Durnal, Malon or even one of the Sages.

" Then…" Link swallowed once more, still finding it difficult. " I have to find out the mistake myself."

" Yes, I believe so, but you can overcome her Link, you're the Hero of Time."

Link nodded slowly. " Yes, but have you already forgot? According to the future, I have failed."

" And that's why Durnal is here, to warn you of Takara, and make sure that the failure never happened." Zelda comforted him, placing her hand on his.

Link looked down at their hands, and noticed the Triforce, slowly appearing. He was destined to do this, and even if he failed, his future self had found a way to make it so that it never occurred. The only problem for Link, was that he had to make sure that he just didn't redo time and end up with the Master Sword in pieces. He had to locate the mistake and fix it for good.

" Princess Zelda…" Impa interrupted walking closer to the two Hylians. " I have been informed by Nabooru of the Spirit Temple, that Takara's escape is near. All ready strange lights have formed around Desert Colossus."

Princess Zelda stood to her feet, reluctantly letting go of Link's hand. Time was running out, and they had to be prepared for anything. It was time for a hero to rise again.

" Link, we must head to the Temple of Time."

Link looked up at Zelda and Impa with a frown, hoping that he didn't have to go through time again. " What for?"

" The Master Sword awaits you…"

Link stood at the entrance to the Temple of Time, looking up at the old and gray building, reminiscing about the past, and when he first had to come here. It was after he had retrieved the last Spiritual Stone from Zora's Domain. Navi, the fairy she was, had told him to see Princess Zelda. When they had gotten there, she had fled from Ganondorf leaving Link with nothing but the blue Ocarina and the Song of Time.

Once he had played the Song of Time at the alter, the door opened which lead to the room where the Master Sword was held. When he pulled the blade from its pedestal, he was sucked into seven years of sleep. He was told that he wasn't old enough to become the Hero of Time. When he turned seventeen, his true journey began.

Now eighteen; Link's returning to the Temple of Time to once again retrieve the Master Sword. Hopefully, things will stay the way they are and he won't be sucked into sleep for a certain amount of years.

" Let's hurry." Zelda who was accompanied by Impa, quickly headed inside the building.

Link took a deep breath and followed the two into the Temple of Time. At the far end of the building, at the alter were the three Spiritual Stones, twirling in circles. The sparkling colors shimmered in the room. Behind them, were the large closed doors with the Triforce Symbol, keeping the Master Sword safe and secured.

" Do you have the Ocarina?" Zelda turned her attention to Link.

Link nodded triumphantly. " Of course."

" Then you know what to do."

Link took out the blue instrument and slowly brought it to his lips. He never played the Ocarina ever since the journey at Termina. Just because he hasn't played it for so long, didn't mean that he had forgotten how to use it. He remembered clearly, and memorized all of the songs he was taught, especially this important one…The Song of Time.

After the lovely slow ballad was played, the ground rumbled as the double doors slowly opened. Link put the Ocarina away, and walked through to the other room. The Master Sword stuck out of its pedestal; the light from the window above shinned down the powerful weapon.

Walking up to the item that defeated Ganondorf and his incarnation Ganon, Link slowly sighed and nodded to himself. Princess Zelda and Impa waited patiently by the door, watching as Link regained his heroic title.

Grabbing the butt-in with his left hand, Link easily pulled the sword out, gripping tightly as he swung it into the air. A blue ring of light circled him, as the Triforce Symbol lit on the ground and on his hand. Link felt the power returning to him. He felt like his old self again, the one everyone remembers.

" You are the Hero of Time, Link." Zelda said proudly, she smiled.

Link turned around and faced them, as he continued to gaze at the weapon he dearly missed. Feeling all of the energy and power that developed inside of him, it was hard to believe that he failed to a witch.

A witch had the power to destroy one of the two items that made him the Hero of Time.

A/N:

Don't really have much to say except that if it weren't for working all day until 5:30 then this chapter would have been submitted sooner. I was very exhausted when I got home, and I had a choice to either read to finish up my summer project or write another chapter. It was tempting but I had switched off, so one day I read and the other day I wrote. Hmmm…I guess it worked out. I finished the book and another chapter! Yeah! Go me!

This chapter is longer than the last two, so that's a good sign. Also, the story from here on will be very exciting since we're getting into the part where Takara is freed and Hyrule is in the need of a hero…wait! I can't spill too much and ruin it for you! That wouldn't be nice. You'll just have to wait and see.

Note: We're now in the middle of the story, one half is finished and the other half has just begun…

Zeldafreak123: Cool! LOL. I'm the same way when reviewing others. I just don't know what to say and hate saying the same thing over again. Thanks a lot.

Xakattack: Always looking forward to your reviews. Hope the novel is going well.

Liz0888: It will get better once Takara is freed…hmm…. You got the chapter you waited for! Also thanks about the project, I finished the book and now to the writing…haha…much fun…

Tuskon: Hmm…I wonder what Durnal forgot…and Takara isn't free yet. Note: Yet! She will be soon, but not telling when.

NoOnSh: Thanks so much for the review! I do this for my readers and because I enjoy it.

Harrypotterfan: Thanks a bunch!

Thanks for the reviews, everyone!

Until Next Time!