Conqueror

Chapter Eight

Link cleared his throat, smoothing his shirt and wringing his hands together as he walked next to Impa. They were going to see the princess. Link still couldn't believe his luck…or was it misfortune? He was actually going to meet the princess!

As they entered a grand courtyard, Link was told to wait at the entrance while Impa went to alert the princess of her visitor. Link did as he was told and had no problem studying the courtyard in awe. The place was massive, and it wasn't even a quarter of the size of the castle! The courtyard consisted mainly of a large field of grass, but here and there were delicate arrangements of flowers, some stone walkways and a small stream around the outside path. Link shook his head. His friends in the village were never going to believe this.

Impa walked back into the courtyard and motioned for Link to follow her into the next room. "The Princess will see you now."

Link's pulse jumped slightly with nerves as he nodded. What would he do when he met her? Bow? Kiss her hand? Tremble in fear? He didn't even know what she looked like. He'd heard she was the loveliest princess to grace Hyrule in a few millennia. He supposed he was lucky he was going to meet her, if that was the case.

As he entered a large room with a red velvet carpet, Link was overwhelmed as he looked up against the far wall. Against it stood a young woman, probably no different in age to him. He knew the second he laid eyes upon her. This was the Princess.

Impa stood to the side and smiled faintly. "Zelda, this is Link."

As soon as Link had stepped up to her, he bowed hesitantly, gaining a smile from the princess. "Ah, Link. Don't worry about formalities around just me and Impa. I do appreciate it…and it is a pleasure to meet you finally, after knowing about you for so long."

Link brought his eyes up to meet her face, unsure how to ask this. "You knew about me? How long have you known about me?"

Zelda's eyes wrinkled in a kind smile. "A long time now. You see…I've been receiving visions about a darkness being defeated by someone from the forest from the time when I was old enough to understand who my parents were. I've just not been able to figure them out until my later years."

"Begging your pardon," Link started, then bit his tongue. Formalities were a no-no, she'd said. "What's Impa talking about when she mentions an alternate universe? I've had her explain this all to me and I still don't get it. She told me to ask you because you'd be able to explain it better."

Zelda nodded, her rose-colored lips turning upwards at the corners in a faint smile. Link really couldn't believe how beautiful this woman was. Had he thought that in this 'alternate universe', too?

"Well, Link…please sit down. This may take awhile," she said, gesturing to some chairs that sat off to the side. The three of them retired to the chairs and Link leaned forward, eager to hear Zelda's explanation of his 'destiny.'

"Link, you don't have to believe me if you don't want to, but I sure would appreciate if you listened with an open mind. All that I'm about to tell you is absolutely true."

Link nodded. "I'm ready."

Zelda smiled again, her gaze leaving his eyes to the table in the middle of them. She watched her clasped, gloved hands as she told him the story and didn't remove her gaze until she was finished.

"You've heard that you've already defeated this shadow before, I'm sure."

Link nodded.

"Well, when you defeated it, you were seventeen years old. You may not believe it because you're still just a boy of fifteen, but when it happened, you were definitely older than you are now. Once the evil had been defeated, I sent you back to your childhood, as a Kokiri…I sent you back to what would have been age ten for you. On your way back, your memory of that event was erased and you woke up in your bed the next morning as if nothing had happened."

"Saria…"

"She was alive when you returned." Zelda paused. "I'm sorry for your loss, Link…but please understand that she's definitely in a better place as a Sage. She can help you now."

Link nodded, biting his lip to keep tears from flooding his eyes.

"So…I was sent back in time and my memory erased…that's why I don't know all of this?"

Zelda smiled, shaking her head in agreement. "That's correct. The way I see it is…you were meant to be the Hero of Time no matter what happens. Ganondorf will always return unless you grow up, take up the Sword of Time and defeat him."

"Ganondorf?"

Zelda paled. "I…I'm not even sure that it's him."
"Was that who I defeated last time?" Link asked, frowning.

"Yes. He was the King of the Gerudo, and an evil ruler. You defeated him and the Sages sealed him in the Chamber of Sages where…we thought he'd never escape."

"Sages…as in…Saria?"

"Among others. That must mean she's meant to be a Sage, no matter what."

"Looks like we have no choice in any of this," Link muttered. Zelda sighed with sad eyes. "Yes, I suppose it does. But…Ganondorf, if this is who the shadow is…will not be an easy foe. You realize that."
Link raised his eyebrows and sighed. "I was coming to that conclusion. I suppose I have to go on perilous quests, too?"

Zelda smiled. "Have you read your own legend somewhere?"

"Perhaps I have," he joked. "So…what's this about you training me?"

Impa stood. "Excuse me, Princess, Link. I shall return shortly."

Zelda nodded. "Well, Link…Impa tells me you know nothing about magic skills and haven't had any weaponry training of any kind."
Link shook his head. "No, I guess not…"

Zelda smiled. "I suppose it's good that it's going to be two years before this all comes to pass. We need all that time to get you ready."

---

Sweat poured past Link's brow and he used the back of his right wrist to wipe it before it trickled into his eyes. He now held a sword against one of Zelda's best swordsmen. The man grinned as he overpowered the young man and took a swing, not expecting the blonde boy to roll out of the way.

Zelda watched from the sidelines as the trainer took another swing at Link, only to miss again. Link may not have been too skilled with his word just yet, but he was quick enough to get out of the way of another one. The princess had to admit…while she'd spent the last two years teaching and training Link in the ways of a hero, she'd developed a small crush on him. He'd grown up well in the last two years, growing stronger and taller, losing most of his youthful appearance as he grew into a handsome young man.

He was more muscular now and his eyes glowed with not only determination but focus and revenge.

Link signaled for a break and leaned forward, his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. The swordsman jogged off to get a drink, leaving Link to lay in the grass to rest for a moment.

Link sprawled over the plush grass, his face towards the warmth of the sun. He smiled faintly, enjoying every moment of it, when the sunlight was blocked by a shadow. He groaned and opened his eyes, grinning with mischief when he saw it was the princess who was standing over him.

"Afternoon, Princess."

"You're doing much better now, Link. I'm proud of you."
"You always say that," he said lightly, sitting up and petting the grass next to him. "I warn you, though. I stink."

"I'm sure you do," Zelda joked, folding her legs under her as she sat next to him.

"Well…is it time yet?" Link asked, his eyes suddenly far away. Zelda frowned slightly, wondering what he meant.

"Time for the sword…time for…Ganondorf."

Zelda trembled at the mention of the evil king's name and bit her lip. "I think it's getting there. My dreams have been more intense these past few moons…I fear the time could be close at hand."

"You fear?"

Zelda glanced at her folded hands, ashamed. "I do not fear. I have faith in you."
"Good. Have faith in yourself, also. I couldn't do this alone."

"No. You have me, and you will have the Sages." Zelda sighed, a touch of sadness in her sigh. "I hope this is all worth it," she found herself muttering.

Link ignored her doubt and turned his face away from her, glancing at the grass on his other side. He was quiet for a long moment.

"Are you going to send me back to …my childhood again? You know, when I defeat the evil…"

Zelda knew he'd ask her eventually. She smiled, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I don't know."

"You don't know? Don't you have, like…some guideline to follow?"

There was so much she wanted to tell him, like how she was the final Sage, how it was entirely up to her on what happened to him…but she couldn't. It wasn't time yet.

"I'll consult with the proper people for that answer, Link. Until then…keep training."

Link knew she was hiding something from him, but for the most part, he didn't mind. She would tell him in due time if it was important. With her, it was always "in time". He supposed it was a good thing she was the Princess of Destiny. He supposed it was her destiny to tell him the answers to his questions. For that, he was thankful. He had plenty of them to keep her busy.