Well, I finally got the LoZ OoT Manga, both 1 and 2! Yay! I read it all afternoon, and I LOVE IT! –huggles Link- Er…yeah.
Alli-dunno: Well, obviously, Link is not that stupid, and I'm glad you like my depiction of Zelda and Malon. :)
Ayadin: Yes, iron fences…-points to Zach- You're so screwed!
foxdude33: Everybody gets writer's block. In the summer, I get more time to think, so yeah.
Maximushyrule: Yes, well, Link has his sexy little talents. But he isn't psychic. ;)
SnowCrystal: Yes, go enjoy my other story. :D LoL. I'm updating as quickly as my little brain may permit!
Link Fangirl01: Wow, fave'd and alerted! Thanks. :D
Living the Legend
Chapter Five: Lake Hylia
"Get ready," Link shouted. He gave Epona a sharp kick; with a whinny she trampled forward, and soared over each fence with little difficulty. Zach cleared the first one; it was only about three feet off the ground. But the next was five, and the following was six-and-a-half.
"I trust in you, Shadow," Zachary whispered as they neared the second fence. Shadowbrooke barely made it over. Zach pressed himself to the saddle as the last fence approached. Closing his eyes, he yelled, "You can do it!"
Shadowbrooke threw in one last spurt of energy, and they flew over the fence. Zach thought they were actually going to make it when the front of his leg grazed the pointed edges and made a deep cut. Zachary screamed, causing the horse to become startled as it landed, and the boy was thrown from the saddle.
Link was there instantly, inspecting the boy. Zach winced at the sight of his blood seeping out of his wound. Pain was shooting through his spine and starry figures danced before him as a result from the fall. Link put an arm on the young Hylian's shoulder, and gave him a small smile. Working quickly, he bandaged the wound and picked the boy up, laying him on the horse.
"You made it, Zach. Very well done for a novice such as you. Come, we are near the lake. Do not let your hopes down now," Link consoled. He stroked the mane of Shadowbrooke before returning to Epona.
Zachary looked forward. The wan white moon glistened at its twin in the waters that were not far off. The boy was indeed excited. He found no energy to kick Shadowbrooke, so he said feebly, "Go."
Surprisingly, the horse obeyed, trotting forward. Link waited until Zachary was up next to him before ordering Epona to go onward.
"What are your plans for when we arrive at the lake?" asked Link.
Zachary answered, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You're the one who wanted to come here," jested Link.
"My intent was to run away, and I remembered stating quite clearly that I wanted to come here to begin my journey, though I did not clarify about what I would do," Zachary retorted.
"I'm apologize, your Majesty."
At this Zachary froze and glanced at Link worriedly. He was relieved to see that Link was being playfully sarcastic.
"There is a nice fishing spot by the lake," informed Link. "Plus…other things."
"What sort of things?"
Link looked ahead, thinking about his answer. "Well, for one, there are some baddies you can train against. And a nice happy little scarecrow…"
Zachary somewhat felt that this what not what he meant by "other things."
There must be something secret in this lake! Zachary thought excitedly. I'm going to find out…whether Link wants to keep it a secret or not!
They came to the quiet lake. Epona and Shadowbrooke dove for the water and began drinking voraciously, from the hard and long run. Link dismounted and helped Zach off to wash his wound and rewrap it.
"These waters are almost magical," Link mused. "Because the Zoras live beyond that hole deep under the surface."
"The Zoras?" Zach remembered them from his mother's tale—they existed?
"Yes, the Zoras. Sometimes you'll meet on in the waters if you take a swim," Link spoke.
Zach felt his leg getting better and he could walk with little difficulty. Thanking Link, he stood and looked at the place where the water drained into the lake between two high canyons.
"Is you go up that river a few miles, it while eventually take you to Gerudo Valley," Link explained. "Another way is to go through the field, cross that canyon on a bridge, and do a little bit of traveling."
"It's almost like you know everything around here," Zachary commented.
"I've had…experience…" Link drawled. "Have you eaten? I can make something."
Why is he drawing away from the subject? And why would he have experience? Zachary pondered. His stomach growled, breaking his thoughts. "I am…quite hungry. I didn't pack any food."
Link smiled at the boy. "Well, I'll catch us some fish. If we fish at that place," Link pointed to a building not too far off, "they won't let us keep the fish." Link took his arrows out. "So let's fish here."
"That will actually travel through the water?" Zach asked, pointing at the arrow which he knew would slow down.
"Well, it will graze those at the surface," Link spoke. "If you're up to it, you can dive in and get them as they thrash around. They won't last once you bring them on land."
Zach nodded. He waded knee deep into the water. Then he stopped. "How are we going to get fish to the surface?"
Link smiled wryly and went to Epona's saddlebag. Taking out a bread crust, he smashed it up and threw the pieces in the water about ten feet away from Zach. In minutes there where a few fish at the top, parts of their silvery sleek bodies glinting in the moonlight as Link let his arrows fly.
"There, now go!" Link cried, and Zach dove into the water. It was surprisingly warm, and he swam to the fish that were grazed by the arrows. He caught them one by one, throwing them to the bank, until it was all settled. Four fish lay dead on land; the rest had swum away. Only a few feet down were Link's sunken arrows.
"I've never caught fish that way," Zach said, smiling. In fact, I've never fished before at all. "I'll get your arrows." Link looked about to protest when Zach interrupted, "An archer must always keep a full quiver." Link smirked at this and nodded, giving Zach the opportunity to dive down. He grabbed the four arrows when suddenly, something wrapped their limbs around him. The air was knocked out of Zach as he squirmed to get free, turning to look at his adversary.
It was a fish…or so he thought. It was a pale pearly white, with turquoise diamonds along its back. It had a tale and fins, but arms and legs. Zach almost cried, but saved his breath. It was a Zora. It pulled him hard through the water, and Zach didn't have any strength to fight. Just when he thought his lungs would burst, he surfaced in an illuminated cave. A thunderous waterfall fell nearby, and a long stony staircase rose above him.
He turned and got a good look at the Zora.
"Wh-who are you? Why have you brought me here?" he stammered. The water here was ice cold.
"Why, Hero, you don't remember?" the Zora looked astonished.
"Pardon me?"
"It was you who saved our Lord Jabu Jabu so long ago."
"You've mistaken me for someone else."
"That is impossible. You must be the Hero."
Zach was taken aback. He remembered in his mother's tale that the Hero of Time had once had to go save a Zora Princesss from the stomach of a great fish. They thought he was the Hero of Time? "No, he has passed on. I have only heard stories of him."
"How is that so? It has only been eighteen years since we last saw him," the Zora spoke. By now more had gathered around the floating two.
"I'm sorry, but I am very confused," Zachary whimpered.
"Eighteen years ago our Princess Ruto was caught in the stomach of Jabu Jabu," the Zora started. "And a boy just like you saved her."
"Well," Zach started, "I look quite young to have aged eighteen years, don't you think?"
"Yes, that is true. But is it possible that you are his son?"
"Excuse me?"
Murmurs broke through the Zoras as some nodded.
"It seems he is the right age to be his son," one Zora whispered.
"He's even dressed like him," another commented. "Without the hat."
"My-my father is a carpenter from Hyrule," Zach lied.
"Seems like that's where he would be now," a Zora mused.
Zach said, "I am not related to him! I thought that tale took place hundreds of years ago. Not eighteen!"
"We apologize, then," a Zora said sadly. "We would have just liked to see him again. But you—you are the splitting image of him. The Hero's blood must run in your veins without your knowledge. We shall see. We apologize if we are mistaken, and will take you back."
Zach nodded as he took a deep breath. He held the shoulders of one Zora as it swam at an amazing speed back to Lake Hylia. Zach surfaced, looked around, and found the Zora gone. In his hand nestled the four arrows.
"You can hold your breath for that long?" Link called from the shore. He now had a fire going and the fish were cooking over it.
"I-I…" stammered Zach. He climbed out of the water. "I was taken away. By the Zoras. They mistook me for the Hero of Time." He shivered.
A hard look found its way on Link's face. Zach wondered why.
"Strange," Link smiled suddenly. "The tale is old and gone now. And yet they remember."
"Yes, they do," Zach shivered again. "They scared me. It was only a few seconds, but it was so strange."
"How strange for the Zoras to want to see the Hero again," Link mused. "Well, the fish are almost done."
"I've always wanted to meet the Hero of Time," Zach suddenly started pouring out his feelings as Link handed him some fish. "And now that it's only been eighteen years since he was last seen by the Zoras, he may still be alive, somewhere, correct? I've always wanted to be part of the legend."
"I'm sure he's alive," Link looked at the stars. "And very close. Closer than you think."
"Yes, maybe," Zach followed Link's gaze at the night sky. "To tell the truth…I miss my mother."
"I'm sure you do."
"I'm actually sorry to leave her. She could do nothing to help me. My father ruled all. But it's for the better, I suppose."
"Yes, it is."
Zach looked quizzically at Link, expecting a scold from the man. "It is?"
Link made a slight frown, as if he realized he had made a mistake. "Well...for you, I mean. Your mother may be worried sick."
"Yes…I'm sure she is."
"Link," Zach decided to clarify some things. "Why is it you are not married, with a family? I mean…to tell the truth, I don't think Malon should live at the ranch forever."
Link smiled at this. "Malon is a beautiful woman, indeed. I may marry, in time. I actually quite enjoy being alone."
Zach laughed, but inside he swore he would find out who Link really was.
By the way, I have no idea how the Zoras are doing eleven years after OoT. I mean, the water was frozen and stuff, but then Link freed them, so they were good, right? I don't know. If something did happen, please tell me. I'll make corrections.