The Legend of Zelda: On the Brink

Chapter 4: Prophecy

The night before…

Link, Hyrule's unknown Hero of Time, walked into the ballroom of the castle the line of guards and soldiers saluting as he walked by, as they did everyone. Unlike most balls held at the castle, there was no speaker to announce the arrival of all the guests, the high respected officers of the Hylian army did not where their decorated uniforms and the Royal Family did not sit at a head table for all to gaze upon. This party was different from all the rest. It was the Annual Masquerade Ball. Every year, since the Princess was eleven years of age, the ball was thrown.

The nineteen year old general glided through the crowded ball room, smiling from all the creative costumes and masks the people had made for themselves. Link wore his own mask, one that could be bought at the Mask Shop in the Market Place, but people marveled it non-the less. The Keaton Mask matched Link's yellow tunic along with the cloak that hang from his shoulders. The robe was made up of three long tails resembling those of the extinct Keaton foxes, the yellow fur blending into a white and then into the pitch black tip. Along with his costume, Link wore his usual white tights and a pair of black leather boots.

As Link walked through the thick crowd of masked guest, Hylian, Zoras and Gorons alike, he searched. In the face of every Hylian he searched for familiar features but there were no positive results. Finally he caught a glimpse of golden blonde hair. His pace quickened as he brushed in between a Zora woman and a Hylian man. As he squeezed his way past them he could smell the ale on their breath. Link chased after the strands of blonde perfection until he finally caught up with them.

"Zelda," he addressed the woman. She was dressed in a black and pink gown, ruffles spilling out from the bottom, and a single fabric cord emerged from the center of the top to attach to the brilliant gold necklace, which was what held the slim dress up on the perfect figure. Black and Pink metallic feathers sprouted from the porcelain mask that covered her entire face, and matching plumage hung from her ears.

"Link how did you know it was me? Is my costume not good enough?" she asked as she approached him.

Link shook his head and smiled at her motionless face. "No, but nothing could hide your beauty from me."

Zelda smiled as she looked up at her hero. "Good answer," she giggled, in her heart knowing he was sincere. She wrapped her arms around his mid section and squeezed. He returned the embrace, rubbing her bare back with his black gloved hands. "I'm glad you came."

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked pulling back from the hug. "I have nothing better to do. This has become my life. Attending parties, and mingling with the 'people' of Hyrule… It's become part of the job description." Link's voice seemed sad but he tried to cover it up with a smile.

"Well," Zelda started leading him outside to the unoccupied balcony. "What did you expect when you were knighted and appointed General at the age of seventeen? The life of fame never sleeps." The young woman walked to the railing lining the edge of the gallery and placed her white silk gloved hands on the marble surface.

Link came alongside her and leaned against his elbow and forearm next to his discarded mask setting on the balustrade. He faced the Princess and smiled. He didn't speak a word, only gazed into her deep blue eyes. He knew he would eventually fall into the sapphire irises and willingly be trapped there.

"What?" Zelda asked noticing the smile exposed across his tanned face.

Link stood up straight and drew the nineteen year old woman close to him. He ran his hand up her side and to her face. Sticking his thumb under the chin of the porcelain and pulling it up, Link removed the mask, revealing Zelda's fair skinned face. Leaning in, gracefully, Link laid a soft kiss on her naturally pink lips, before she could even react. He pulled back and smiled at her. "I like you better without the mask." Link's voice was calm and soothing.

He reached up and caressed her check with his cupped glove. She nuzzled her face in his hand, her color-dusted eyelids enveloped her cerulean orbs, and she conformed her own contrasting glove to his. Her eyes opened once again staring into Link's face. His had slipped behind her head and pulled her closer for another kiss. Their lips met, each swiveling their head in the opposite direction. Their lips parted faintly, and the kiss was intensified by the lock they had created.

The Hylian General pulled away, stroking the Princess' cheek tenderly. "Yeah. Definitely, no mask."

Zelda laughed. The orchestra inside started to play a new song and the Princess grabbed her beau by the hand. "Let's dance."

Link allowed Zelda to drag him to the dance floor where the other guest still wore their masks. The General spun his partner out only to have her return to his arms. She placed her hand on his strong chest and followed the steps of the dance. As Link moved backwards, Zelda moved with him, their eyes never straying from contact with each other. As the music quickened, the steps did as well. Spins, twirls, dips, and lifts went along with the music. Finally the song ended with a low pounding note and people clapped, excited by the good dance.

Both Zelda and Link were out of breath as they waltzed of the dance floor. It was later into the night and the number of guest was starting to dwindle. The two lovebirds waved back to an elderly couple giving a gesture of goodbyes. Neither one could remember ever meeting the couple but they pretended like they knew them anyway.

The Hero of Time led Zelda outside and continued through the main quad into several other small gardens until they found the courtyard looking into the throne room. "I've always loved this spot," Zelda said sitting down on the stone bench to the right of the window.

"I know," Link responded simply. "It's getting late; I shouldn't have brought you out here. An escort to your room would have been more appropriate huh?" Link scratched the back of his blonde mane and smiled.

"No, I'm glad you did," Zelda reassured. "Say, how about we stay out here and watch the stars and moon tonight. There's no need for us to separate when we are staying on the same piece of land. Stay here with me tonight."

"What is someone comes looking for you?" Link asked tossing his cloak aside before he sat down on the cool grass.

"They won't. Everyone knows I'm with you." Link lifted an eyebrow as if to question her statement. "Well, they should…" Zelda smiled, kicking her flat bottom slippers aside.

"What if it grows cold?" Link asked again leaning back on his two arms.

"Do you not want to stay here?" she asked cocking her head to the side.

"Oh, Zelda I do. I'm simply trying to be logical about this whole thing."

"Fine, I will go to my room, you to yours. I'll notify everyone that I'm going to bed and they will leave me alone. Then we will meet back here. You can bring some warm blankets and I will wait for you." Zelda smiled the whole time she laid out her plan. "Is that logical enough for you, Mister General Sir?" she asked jokingly.

"Good enough," Link laughed back, standing to his feet.

Fifteen minutes later, Link laid out a blanket on the ground. The white crocheted bedspread was placed in the center of the small courtyard facing directly up at the brilliant night sky. Another green cotton sheet sat at the foot of the blanket, ready to cover the couple when they finally lay down. Zelda sat on the stone bench, with her white silk nightgown tucked under her legs, looking at the General set up the night time arrangement. He smiled at her and extended his hand.

She grasped it and allowed him to pull her up. When she was standing, Link pulled her even closer and placed a small kiss on her forehead. "G'night," he said playfully, suddenly pulling away and throwing himself down on the blanket. Zelda laughed as he patted the empty space next to him. She collapsed onto the soft fabric next to him and laughed some more.

Before pulling the green cover over them, Link removed his yellow tunic and tossed it to the side. Zelda snuggled up against him, laying her neck on his bulging arm. The two laid there, sporadically pointing out different constellations in the stars. An hour after watching the stars and soaking in the enjoyment of each other's company, Princess Zelda and General Link finally well asleep, cuddled up peacefully.

Darkness

Present, Evil

Overwhelming, Devastating, Disturbing

Presence, Rage, Fear, War

Joy, Happiness, Peace, Love

Dying, Extinguishing, Changing

Desired, Non-Existent

Light

The land of Hyrule was prosperous, living in an age of peace. The Hylians, Zoras, Kokiris, Dekus, Gorons, and Gerudos lived in happiness. The bickering that had once plagued the races was now gone.

Zelda looked down upon her homeland, smiling, happy to know that it was quite safe and sound. Then suddenly, from the northwest, a dark shadow came, it first flooded through the raging Zora River passing under the great bridge leading to Gerudo Fortress. Zelda looked down at the shadow curiously. Thoughts of what it could be that was plaguing her wholesome nation ran through her mind.

Then six lights flickered to life. One yellow emitting from the Temple of Time in the Market Place of Hyrule Castle, a crimson light from the Fire Temple in the volcano of Death Mountain, one violet gloom from the Shadow Temple in Kakariko Village, a green flicker protruding from the Forest Temple deep in the Lost Woods, a bright shining sapphire in the center of Lake Hylia where the Water Temple lies, and an orange glow shone from the desert in the Spirit Temple. Each light, Zelda knew, represented a Sage. Then, each source sent a beam of power at the shadow that was advancing its way into Hyrule. Zelda smiled, thinking that the lights would soon pierce through the darkness.

But the darkness never left neither did it stay put. It was advancing again into the desert and continuing down the river to Lake Hylia. Princess Zelda's eyes widened in horror as the unnerving sight unfolded before her. To her relief, two other lights appeared. A strong bold light of pea green beamed next to a distinct pink pillar of power. Zelda knew what they were. The two lights symbolized the Hero of Time and the Princess of Destiny. The two lights jumped into the shadow but the shadow overtook their trail, forcing the pink and green to break the connection before they were overtaken.

Zelda once again felt fearful. The darkness was growing still. She guessed what would happen next. Her teeth gnawed on her pink painted finger nails, anticipating for Hyrule's next stand. It felt like an eternity to her before the predicated lights appeared. But finally they did. A sapphire blue beam shot into the sky the symbol of the Triforce of Wisdom. Accompanying the blue was a strong much bolder column of emerald light representing the Triforce of Courage. Then there was an unexpected light shining. It protruded from Lon Lon Ranch, a dark ruby collection of power shown brightly. The three lights joined together and pierced the light. Thankfully, the darkness retreated a few steps but once the strike was over it continued, seeming as though it would never end.

An attack of green, blue, and red diamonds fell from the sky, piercing the shadow. Holes were created in the shadow revealing the earth that had belonged to Hyrule. Then everything went black…

Zelda shot up from her sleep. Perspiration was covering her face and neck and her silk nightgown stuck to her skin. Droplets of sweat formed on her brow, and her breathing had increased severely. She threw the green covers to the side, not realizing that she took Link's covers as well. Link sat up and placed his strong hands on the small of her back. "Zelda, Zelda, are you okay?"

Zelda turned around and looked into his eyes. "Oh Link, something terrible is going to happen."

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What did ya'll think? I know the dream was kind of repetitive but I was trying to get the point across. So yeah…Let me know what you think!