I broke my record for updating quickly. I'm sure you've seen my profile. -dodges a rotten tomato- Hey, I said I was sorry:( I didn't mean to keep you all waiting! -sniff-
alwatssakaura: I'm glad you like this fic! I finally updated, so I hope you enjoy!
qwertumz: Don't be jealous of me anymore. I haven't updated for a long time. Okay, not exactly a long time, but you know what I mean.
Evil Mastermind Lloyd: Zach will discover the truth soon enough...
ShinigamiLenne: Yes, this is going to end in two chapters. Maybe. Two VERY LONG chapters. :D
LoneWolf92: I'm glad you're a fan of AitB and this! I'm trying to update as fast as I can!
adrian: Link may tell Zach...and he may not! ;)
Turtel: EVERYBODY LUBBERS ZACH! I MEAN LINK! I MEAN, YOUNG LINK, BECAUSE ZACH LOOKS LIKE YOUNG LINK! YEAH! Whoa, caps. I love that button.
Ripuku: I'm glad you like this story! I worked hard, so you'd better like it! 8D Just kidding.
TheGoddessKnight: Link will have to tell Zach sometime soon, or Zach will just have to be nosy...
sasukeuchiha180: Yes, the common question, "When will Zach learn the truth/When will Link tell Zach?" It shall all be revealed!
Nienna Calmcacil: Yes, I'm always hyper! MWAHAHAHA! -cough- Anyway, you update your story! I updated mine finally, so you should too! I need some hot Roy/Malon action! Whoa...did I say that out loud?
Kokirigirl: It shall all be revealed!
Ayadin: Thanks for the 4th of July thing...I'm so outta it! -sobs- Happy July 26th!
maximushyrule: The suspense is building as we all want them to be found, right?
Link Fangirl01: Yay, I'm glad everyone is loving this! LoL...and here's my updation!
SnowCrystal: Yes, everything may be solved in two more chapters...two LONG chapters:D
inuchick22: We all lurv Zach. He's lurvable!
LadyAkki45: Yes...poor Link...poor Zelda...poor Zach...screw Byral!
Akartra: There will be only two more chapters...and maybe a -cough-sequel-cough-. :)
Happyham: Yes, because it's not good to commit adultery. Tsk, tsk, Link. Control your hormones. Oh well. If that didn't happen we wouldn't have a story!
Living the Legend
Chapter Nine: The Letter
"Please stay with us tonight, Mal," Zelda asked the ranch owner as they got up from dinner. Zelda had already invited Malon to dine with them that night.
"I couldn't," Malon replied, "I told Ingo and Father I'd be back by twilight. Otherwise, he'd get angry for working more than he's getting paid to do."
Zelda smiled, wrote something on a little parchment, and ordered a servant forward. "Go to the treasury, and tell them I sent you to collect 200 Rupees. Keep them safe and give them to Ingo at Lon Lon Ranch."
The servant bowed and left to do his task. Malon giggled, then spoke, "Well, maybe I can work something out." She paused. "Being rich comes with it's advantages."
Zelda was forced to laugh as well. "Let us retire to the parlor once again. We have so much to catch up on."
Malon nodded. "We do."
The two women headed towards the parlor and took their seats in the comfortable chairs by the fireplace. Servants flooded in with more tea and dessert. Malon kindly refused the delicacies, but Zelda ordered that the servants simply leave the food on the table so that they could eat if they wanted to.
"I hate this marriage, Mal," Zelda sighed. "Byral has been good, but not kind. He's barely tolerable. He puts so much disappointment in Zach and I. And now he's ordered for Zach to rule Hyrule, not just our country. Hyrule is bigger and more of a responsibility."
"And you think Zach can't handle it?"
"He'd be far better off dealing with our home country first. Hyrule could be left to one of my relatives," Zelda said. "You know what I don't like? When a woman marries, she loses everything her father has worked for, if there are no sons in the family."
"How strange," Malon mused. "When my mother married, she still kept the ranch."
"It is so much different in the Royal Family," Zelda murmured.
"I understand," Malon consoled.
The two sat in silence.
Zach opened one eye. Judging from the position of the sun, it was about 3:30 in the afternoon. He chanced a look at Link. The man was asleep, snoring slightly. Zach crawled closer.
"Hey, Link," he whispered.
No reply.
"Link!" Zach said a little louder.
"Mrmmph..." Link responded.
Zach smirked at the man's behavior and crawled over to Link's sack.
Time to find the truth about things...maybe Link has something in his sack...Zach though deviously as he pulled the string loose.
After pulling out victuals, the canteens, and some weapons, Zach came across a letter. It had the Royal Seal one it.
"Weird...it's my country's Royal Seal...not Hyrule's..." Zach observed, murmuring softly as to not wake the sleeping Hylian. He opened the letter.
Link,
I bring grave news. I am arriving in Hyrule in a few hours' time, and was not able to contact you earlier. I must tell you this now as there is no other way. Do you remember that one night? You came up my balcony to talk...and so much more.
Zach wrinkled his nose. What did his mother mean by "so much more"?
Being the unknown Hero
of Time is not easy, Link. I know the world has forgotten your
adventure. But I have not. I remember when we defeated Ganon
together. I still love you. Link, I gave birth to a son. There is not easy way to
say this, but I must say it now. He bears my wisdom and your courage. Prince Zachary is our son. Not mine
and Byral's. Ours.
Zelda
Zach read the last line over and over again. Prince Zachary is our son. Not mine and Byral's. Ours. He gulped, hoping it was inaudible. He looked over at Link.
He's my father...and he always knew...he couldn't tell me...and that's why he's on this journey with me. To protect me...he loves me...millions of thoughts hammered their way into Zach's mind, and tears began to form in his eyes. This is why I don't love Father...I mean, King Byral...and Link's the Hero of Time! The Princess in the story was Mother! It was her story she told at my bedtime...oh, Goddesses, this changes everything!
Zach folded the letter back up and put everything in its designated place. Tears squiggled down his pale cheeks as he looked at the sky. He looked at Link every now and then, thinking over and over, That's my father, the Hero of Time.
He never got to sleep.
"Men, halt!" Byral held his hand up, signaling the King's men to rein their horses to a stop. Byral dismounted from his horse and began walking around on foot. They were at a tiny bridge that hung over a river, leading to the Castle Town's moat. He stared at some hoofprints in the ground, leading to some shrubbery. Byral knew Zach had taken Shadowbrooke because that was the only horse missing when he went to the stables to get his own horse. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he let out a loud, "Shadowbrooke! Come here!"
There was a stamping of hooves in the shrubbery, and a worried neigh. Suddenly, the black stallion leapt forth, pulling a sorrel mare. Their reins were apparently attatched.
The mare was digging her hooves into the dirt, whinnying over and over. She obviously didn't want to come near the men. Shadowbrooke pushed forth harder, not daring to disobey his master. Though he was Zach's horse, he was originally trained and used by Byral.
"Good boy. Come, and bring the mare!" Byral said softly to the black stallion.
Shadowbrooke came closer. The mare whinnied and finally dug her hooves in a good spot, causing the male horse to stumble and stop.
"You men have lived in Hyrule for a while," Byral called to the King's men. "Do any of you recognize this mare?"
"I think..." one man stammered, "I think that is a horse from Lon Lon Ranch..."
"Two of you head to Lon Lon Ranch and scour the place for my son and his kidnapper," Byral ordered. He didn't believe Zach had run away. "Question anyone there, and take them into custody, and bring them to me."
Two men broke of and began riding in the direction of the ranch. Byral turned back to Shadowbrooke. "Boy, you are a strong stallion. You are letting this mare hold you back?"
As if Shadowbrooke understood Byral, he again began to push forward. Suddenly, the mare let out a nicker. Shadowbrooke stopped. The mare repeated the sound. It was light and playful...almost flirtatious. The mare began to walk in front of Shadowbrooke, nickering with soft snorts all the while. Shadowbrooke became entranced.
"Shadowbrooke!" Byral called.
The mare let out a playful whinny, and began to gallop. Shadowbrooke followed, not only because their reins were tied together, but he wanted to.
"Three of you follow them! They made lead you to my son!" Byral demanded. "The rest of you follow me up this path. Where does it lead?"
"Kakariko Village, and then Death Mountain," a man replied.
Byral gulped at the sound of "death". "Venture forth!" Byral ordered shakily, mounting his steed. They galloped up to the stairs, but upon reaching them, the horses stopped with frightened whinnies.
"The horses fear some magic in the mountain," another man spoke. "We must continue on foot."
"Alright," Byral grumbled as he dismounted once more.
The sun set, closing the day, but to Link it was time to wake up. He yawned, drank some water, and was about to shake Zach awake when the boy stood up. "I'm already awake."
"I guess it's hard to sleep during the day?"
"Very."
Link laughed, but noticed Zach's dismal look. "Pray, what is the matter?"
"Nothing," Zach tried to look more optimistic. When should I tell him? When should I tell him that I know?
Link smiled at the boy. "Let's continue up, then."
The night was filled with the sounds of metal hitting wood. Link and Zach pulled themselves up the side of the mountain nearly all night. They rested on a ledge every now and then, eating and drinking. Zach was afraid to meet Link's gaze, as if Link would read his mind. He was afraid Link would find out he knew...
What's so bad about that? his conscience asked.
I don't know...I just can't tell him! Zach replied.
"Here we are," Link announced as they pulled themselves up. It was a wide ledge, big enough to run around on. A dark cave loomed ahead, probably leading to nowhere but lava. The circled opening could be reached if they climbed higher, but it was only a few more meters. He could see fine from here. He had a full view of Lake Hylia and Castle Town. He saw almost all of the castle and the dot of Lon Lon Ranch in the distance.
"The view is worth it, isn't it?" Link grinned to the boy.
"Of course," Zach replied absently.
"Zach, something is bothering you," Link spoke firmly.
"Uh...well, I feel like we should be heading to Goron City," Zach thought up quickly.
"That's all good, but let's stay up here for a while. We'll need our rest, as we can't hookshot our way down. We'll have to climb."
Zach gulped. He wasn't the best climber, but he was willing to try. He felt ashamed, always being brave and adventurous at his home, running around the castle. This was totally different. He was constantly scared, but somehow, the presence of the Hero of Time made him feel better. After a few hours of admiring the gaze and resting, they started down. Zach was nervous. It was an incredible far drop if he were to slip. Even the next ledge seemed far away. Link climbed down easily. Zach wanted to cling to the wood, but he knew he had to move. He had wanted to go up, and now he needed to go down. He had himself to blame. He looked at Link again. He's the Hero of Time...he's my father...I'm the son of the Hero of Time! Goddesses, I'm excited and scared...but what of Fath--King Byral? He's not my real father... Zach's mind was so clouded with thoughts he lost his footing. He immediately began to fall, screaming all the while.
The next moment happened in only seconds, but felt like hours. Link jumped from his position and caught the boy almost simultaneously (his reflexes are quite good). In a split second his hookshot dug into the wood and pulled them back up.
"Th-thank you..." Zach was startled that it had only happened in seconds.
"You're zoning out a bit," Link said worriedly. "Here. Get on my back, and I'll carry both of us down."
"I couldn't. I'd be a burden," Zach said. He still couldn't bring himself to grab the wood. He just wanted his father to hold onto himself some more.
"It doesn't make a difference," Link replied, and before Zach could protest (his royal manners always kick in...), Link swung the boy up and onto his back. Zach instinctively wrapped his arms around Link's neck and the Hylian began to make his way down.
Zach tried not to look down, but stared at the sky and the cloud patterns, to take his mind off things. They rested on ledges that came, but overall, Link didn't seem to have a problem with Zach on his back. Zach clung like a leech. The day continued with them making their way down. It was a lot slower, but they were going at a moderate pace. They rested everytime they came to a ledge now, not caring about whether it was day or night. They eventually reached the bottom, where the avalanche had taken place.
"I'm going after Byral," Zelda declared that morning at breakfast.
"Zelda, you can't!" was Malon's immediate reply. "What about your father? What will he think?"
"He won't know. He's too busy, anyway," Zelda answered, almost bitterly.
Malon knew she couldn't argue with a queen, and nodded reluctantly. "I can't do anything about it, so just be careful."
"I always am," Zelda smirked to Malon. In an hour she was ready.
"Wait," Malon called. "I'll come with you. Let me go to the ranch so that I can prepare, as well."
"What if Ingo and Talon stop you?"
"I have plenty of lies ready," Malon grinned.
The two rode fast and hard to Lon Lon Ranch as the day wore on. Malon gasped at what she saw when they passed the front gates.
"What's going on?" she demanded to the King's men. Talon and Ingo were tied up with spears at their throats.
"Put down your weapons!" Zelda ordered. The men obeyed at the voice of the Queen. "What is happening here?"
"King Byral ordered us here to search for your son," one man spoke. "He told us to take any person into custody and question them."
"For the love of the Goddesses, that is my father! Please, let them go!" Malon cried.
"Release them," Zelda demanded, and the men were forced to obey. "Do you know where Byral is now?"
"Last we saw him he was at the entrance to Kakariko Village," the other man spoke.
"Ride with us there," Zelda spoke.
The men mounted and obeyed. Malon checked her father and Ingo to make sure they were alright. She told them simply, "Zelda's son is lost. I'm helping her search for him. It's alright. These men will protect me." Talon reluctantly let her go; Ingo didn't care because a certain servant had given him a load of money the previous night, and didn't mind working. The four left the ranch half an hour later.
There ya go! I'm writing the last chapter (OH NOEZ!) right now...so please review! I'll update ASAP!
Epona's a genious, isn't she?