Hi everyone, its been awhile. Classes and work have kept me a bit busy. Disclaimers, as always, are in chapter 1. Enjoy.

Ch. 15

...And inspirations, that we deem our own,

Are some divine foreshadowing and foreseeing

Of things beyond our reason or control.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Though the Kingdom of Hyrule had an army of considerable size and abilities, it lacked in a navy, and had not had an over-water trade industry going in many years. The last remains of the fleets of Hylian ships were anchored off the southwestern coast on a beach most commonly referred to as The Bloody Sea. It had been the location of the last major battle in the great War of Hyrule, and the shipping business had not been active since. Ichiro made plans to send a brigade of soldiers, along with the clan of carpenters from Kakariko there to start work on rebuilding the remains of a ship that had lain rotting on its side for over a decade. In the meantime, Ichiro would choose the highest authorities aside from himself in the Castle and place them in the temporary positions of leaders until a member of the Royal family could continue the monarchy. Link and Saria found themselves busy in weapon practice, charting, learning to read maps, and preparing themselves for the dangerous journey to come.

The preparation took a solid month, in which the town gate was mended, the people were calmed, and Hyrule Castle town returned to as much normality as it could muster. Although it was a time of sadness for the residents of the town, it was also a time of excitement as for months to come the townsfolk would proceed to congratulate their neighbors and themselves and repeatedly expand on and tell stories about the time when they had formed an army and charged the gates of Hyrule Castle.

Link found himself kept busy much of the time, and he had taken to drilling with a new platoon of young trainees. It was a surreal time for him, having only attempted a few years ago to be in the same place he was now, and now he couldn't even really enjoy it. The King and Queen were dead, the Princess was captured, and the whole of the kingdom teetered on the edge of panic.

He saw little of Saria now, since she and Tappor were now studying scrolls and researching all remaining material from the obliterated library for their journey. Link, like any born fighter, didn't have a large amount of patience, and would have rather been in the battle-field than in a library. They were able to meet up at meals and talk about events that were happening, though, and both were glad to be able to share more stories of the childhood that they had seemingly shared in another life and time. Both had agreed not to tell any of what they discussed to either Ichiro or even Tappor, who would have found the information thrilling. It was best kept between the least possible people, Saria had warned, and Link didn't argue. It had come as a big enough shock for him; there was no need to cause anyone else the grief.

It was not that Link was growing sentimental, or that he was longing for home, more, he was thirsting for knowledge that sometimes seemed to lay dormant right behind his eyes, and sometimes seemed to be down a long murky tunnel. Through Saria did he start to learn bits and pieces of who he was, though it was never enough to give him a real taste of his 'old' life. At night, while he rested in his bunk bed in the barracks, Link often thought back to his lonely childhood, and how nice it would have been to have someone like Saria around. More and more now in the lull between drilling and learning, did he meditate on his life, and he would aimlessly wonder where it was all going to. Something in his was telling him that this journey was what he needed, what he wanted, and that somehow, some way, perhaps in the midst of all of it, he could find himself.

*************

It was the last afternoon of the month that Ichiro called a meeting of the heads of the castle, and announced to them all that the following day he and a group of soldiers, would set out for distant shores to find and return the princess. The residents of Hyrule Castle looked on with hope, bidding the travelers safe waters and a good journey. When the meeting was over and the room was emptying, Link and Saria came up to speak to Ichiro.

"Will the ship be ready when we arrive?" Saria asked, her brow furrowing in worry. Of all three, she had the most trepidation about going on the water. It would be a far cry from the calm and sleepy forest. Ichiro nodded, rolling up several scrolls.

"The carpenters just finished two days ago, and a messenger arrived this morning. It is best that we set out as soon as possible, at first light."

Link nodded.

"Are we taking anyone else with us?" He asked.

"A royal guard, for protecting the Princess when we find her, and that fool scholar," He added with a look of disgust. Saria sighed, and met Link's eyes with a look. Link shrugged, and they both left.

On unspoken agreement, they headed for the gardens, and stepped out into the sunlight. The gardens had overgrown slightly since the gardeners had been in mourning and had not thought to tend them, but in a way it made them even more beautiful in their wildness. Link and Saria strolled around the small sanctuary, fitting in well in their green tunics and, in Saria's case, hair.

"I miss the forest," She finally said, reaching out to cup a bloom that had spread open on the branch of a bush. The bloom was a deep purple, almost red, and contrasted nicely with the light green of the bush. "A garden can't compare."

Link nodded, lost in thought. "I haven't been there in so long... I wonder if they even remember me." He did not have to say who it was for Saria to know he was referring to the Kokiri. She sighed, and let the bloom slip from her hand, to sway gently from its branch.

"Of course they do, Link. You're not exactly easy to forget." She said, moving on to admire a fountain.

Link snorted. "Should I feel insulted?" He asked, reaching a hand out to gather water and let it run through his fingers. Saria looked up at him.

"Of course not. I meant it by your character. Its hard to forget somebody as-"

Link flicked the water up at her, and she fell back, spluttering in outrage.

"Pigheaded as you!" She finished, glaring at him. He laughed, and sent another spray of water in her direction. Saria ducked, and retaliated, using both her hand to scoop and shove the water at him. The small water fight went on for several more minutes, until both were soaked, and an old maid came out to scold them. They tried to look sheepish, but in the end, both fell into a fit of laughter, and the maid left in a huff. Afterwards, they retreated to take a seat on the fountain's edge, and admired the sunset.

"Its nice to see the sun like this," Saria commented. "I don't think I'll ever grow tired of watching it set."

Link nodded. "Its hard to see in the forest because of all of the trees. I remember how amazed I was when I first stepped out into the fields and saw the open sky... Wow," He commented, remembering it. The setting sun cast a rich red onto everything it touched, and both tipped their heads back as it began to dry their shivering bodies.

*************

Morning came early, and while the servants forcefully insisted that they carry Link and Saria's supplies to the wagon, the two were brought before the outfitter to make sure all of their clothing fit. The outfitter was a brisk woman who tut-tutted at either of them when they did so much as look the wrong way, though it was all done amiably.

"Now now, my dear," She tutted at Saria, "you are such a beautiful young woman, but you insist on wearing these drab clothes! None of the young men will be able to see your curves underneath this nonsense!" Saria rolled her eyes at Link, and Link chuckled to himself. The outfitter, seeing Link's smile, gave him a crafty squint.

"Or is that your plan, young man?" She chided Link. "Shame on you for keeping her all to yourself!" Link looked bewildered and a faint red rose on his cheeks. Saria laughed silently out of the woman's view, and it was Link's turn to roll his eyes when she met his gaze.

*************

Ichiro was waiting impatiently by the wagon for them when they arrived, and gave Tappor a seething look when eventually, the short scholar, leading several servants carrying large trunks, came out at a casual pace. Around them in a formation the Royal guard was traveling horseback. Each guard had sword and shield, and a heavy spear tied to their mounts. They were a serious bunch, and did not turn as Saria bid them good-morning. She sighed, and climbed up into the wagon ahead of the supply one. Link paused at the supply wagon's side, the whole scene reminding him of home. He drummed his fingers on the wooden paneling, and then pulled himself up into the driver's seat. Ichiro would be driving the wagon ahead of him, and he would be taking this one. Tappor finally scrambled up into the seat beside him, and peered around in interest.

"It's so nice to see the country side after being cooped in a castle. Wouldn't you agree?"

Link groaned inwardly, wishing that he could at least ride with Ichiro so he wouldn't have to deal with talking the whole cross-country trip. Saria had taken the seat beside the stoic Ichiro, who even now was taking his job of commanding a wagon seriously. He turned to the waiting Tappor.

"I guess I haven't really been in a castle that much, so I wouldn't know." He responded as politely as possible. Tappor nodded, unfazed.

"Well, I suppose anyone can still admire such a lovely trip, no matter where they have come from. It is only my deepest hopes that we do not come up against much trouble on this journey ahead of us."

Link could at least agree with that.

*************

Ahead, Saria squirmed uncomfortably on the hard wagon seat, and turned to Ichiro. "Have you ever been on a ship?" She asked, trying to make conversation for the trip ahead.

"No, though my father had." He said, and made no further attempts at conversation. Saria sighed inwardly, and looked back to see Link looking slightly annoyed as Tappor talked away about something or another. She smiled, and waved back at them. Tappor gave a very delighted wave, and Link gave her an exasperated look. She laughed, and turned to face forward again, feeling excitement and slightly nervous at the start of her first quest.

*************

As they traveled through the town, surrounded by the guard, the whole of Hyrule Castle town came out to line the streets and cheer. Some groups held up colorful signs wishing them luck, and others threw confetti at them. Link, Saria, and Tappor turned to grin and wave to the enthusiastic crowd on either side of the procession. Ichiro and the guard remained as stoic as ever, though, to many people's furthered excitement. It was the Chief of the Guard: Ichiro the Magnificent! The more he tried to ignore them, the louder they cheered and some even began to weep, holding their children up for a blessing, until Link and Saria were beside themselves with barely suppressed laughter.

A young guard at the drawbridge saluted fervently to each of them, and received a curt nod from the Chief, sending him into fits of emotion.

Soon, they were out on the fields, and all fell into a calm silence. Link held the reins of the two horses loosely in his grip, expertly relaxed to the horses' rhythmic walking. Tappor wasn't as fortunate, though, and he was jostled about quite a bit before he could steady himself also. Ahead of them, Link could see Saria trying to start a conversation with the Chief of Guard, and he shook his head wryly. They'd situated it this way, though, to keep Tappor and Ichiro apart, for who knew what sort of argument could be started? Sooner or later the two would have to get a long, Link realized. They would all need to band together for the journey before them.

*************

Towards noon, Ichiro stopped his wagon at a crossroads, and climbed out to speak with one of the guards. Link watched curiously, and then also climbed out, and made his way to the front to hear the conversation.

"...This way is all wrong. I don't care if it's a shortcut!"

"But sir, this would save us several days of travel-"

"At a greater price, soldier! The forest is not kittenplay!"

"But its only the outskirts, sir, we won't even go past where the sun shines-"

"Excuse me," Link butted in. "What's going on?" Ichiro looked angry at the interruption, but he responded anyway.

"He wants us to take a shortcut through the Lost Woods, to save time. But it is a foolish trade for a few days if we are ensnared in the dark magic of that forest!"

"I don't think that will happen," Link said. "If you stay in there too long, it may, but not if we travel quickly, it shouldn't." Ichiro was about to retort in annoyance at Link, who he considered to be a clueless town boy, before Saria spoke up.

"He's right. Unless you really go in too deep, or stay too long, no one should be affected." Ichiro squinted his eyes at her.

"And how would you know this?" He growled.

"Because I used to live... around the outskirts of the woods," She lied, "And I went into the woods many times to gather mushrooms and kindling. As long as you don't stay long, nothing happens." Ichiro eyed them suspiciously for several more moments, and she finally pointed to Link's ocarina at his belt. "That's a rare wood from the forest," She said, guessing that he had been studying it before. "You won't find a wood like it anywhere in Hyrule, except from the fruit trees in the woods." Finally, convinced, he grudgingly turned to the head of the guard, and nodded.

"Fine, we'll take the eastern route. But keep your eyes open," He ordered each of them. "This isn't a game! You've all been chosen for the purpose of saving the Princess! Stay sharp!" He turned and climbed back into the wagon, and Link and Saria exchanged glances, before both went back to their places. The wagon caravan started moving again, and they did not halt their progress until nightfall.

*************

Kafka leaned back in the slightly blood-splattered throne chair, and idly watched their prisoner. Juno, who had no patience, and who was never still, was pacing around her, making sure her bonds were not too tight, or her cuts too great. Command rested at the stolen throne's side, it's blade wiped free of any traces of remaining blood.

Zelda crouched in a stoop, her tear-streaked face held up defiantly. She was in agony, not from her own wounds, but from the memory of her mother and father who had stood protectively in front of her. Both had considerable magic powers, but neither had been able to stand up against the seemingly, at first, harmless young travelers. Kafka grinned, and leaned forward.

"Well well, Princess, what do you think of our humble home? Its yours now, for the time being, I would get used to it if I were you."

Juno knelt down at the Princess' side to check that her bound wrists weren't being cut by the rope, and Zelda jerked away from the touch, meeting the wide blue eyes with a fearless look. Kafka laughed.

"You're a spitfire, all right." He turned to his brother. "I don't think I even want that stupid bit of land, after all. This is so much better. I didn't even see any real magic... That old bastard must have been lying to us!" Juno nodded, and hopped up the steps to lean on the throne behind his brother.

"She's a treasure," Juno said, eyeing the lovely princess happily. "I think maybe someday I'll marry her."

"Marry her?" Kafka scoffed. "She's an animal! Look at her ears, how they're pointed! She must be some kind of damn cat!" Juno hadn't seemed to notice, though, and watched her thoughtfully from behind the throne. Kafka sighed, his amusement gone, and rose, stepping forward to lift the princess' chin.

"Poor brave cat," He smirked. "Soon enough you'll learn your place." Zelda jerked her head away, and said something in the strange language that all of the Hylian natives spoke. "It's fortunate that I don't know what you're saying," He laughed cruelly. "Because you're in no place to make me angry! Slave!" He called out, and at the back of the chamber, the frail and pathetic looking creature they'd taken to Hyrule rose with a clatter of his chains. "Take our royal guest to the room we had prepared for her!" Juno tried to help the princess up, but she wrenched away from him, and rose on shaky, weak legs to follow the wretched slave. Kafka went back to sprawl in her throne chair that he'd saved from Juno's destruction, and watched her leave thoughtfully.

"So, old fool," He muttered to himself where Juno, who had left to also see the princess to her room, could not hear. "This is what you were so interested in our getting for you... Well, I don't think we'll be doing business, after all."