This is an Alternate Universe, as such many of the thing in this fic will be different from what happened in OOT or other Zelda games, but will still center around the main characters and the landscape as we all know and love it. An example of the changes made, is, for instance; Sheik. He is now a living breathing character, and not just Zelda in disguise. Others may become noticeable in time. I hope you all enjoy. Also understand that the Hyrule field is in this fic much larger than in the game. And it would take many days to cross it.

I HAVE NO SPELLCHECK! EXPECT SPELLING TO REFLECT THIS. Despite my efforts to the contrary.

Chapter 1.

There was no birdsong as the day dawned, a misty overcast hanging over the once green fields of Hyrule. The dark clouds and light rain draped the landscape in a forboding darkness even as the heavy winds shriekd angrily against the stone walls of the city of Hyrule itself. Far in the distance dark smoke could be seen, rising into the sky in large billowing clouds. All centered above one location far over the horizon. The Gerudo wall.

Erected over a century ago the tall black walls had been built by ancient Hylians to keep the fearsome Gerudo locked in the deserts that was their home. In over a hundred yeasr, no Gerudo had made it past that bastion of civilisation. The Royal family defended it well, for if it were to fall into the hands of the Gerudo then they would be able to control the flow of armies into Hylian land. And it had withsood armies... until now.

The smoke heralded it. The wall was on fire... The small town that lay behind it would have been subjected to the flames, the people slaughtered for their defiance. A powerful warning to all others. And with the fall of the wall, so went over a third of the Hylian army and some of it's best generals.

The Princess of Hyrule, Zelda Harkinian took a deep steadying breath, fighting back the bitter tears that threatened to break through her impenetrable mask. She couldn't be seen to be weak here, not here. Standing on the walls of her home staring out over the vast plains of Hyrule field. Already in the distance she could see a trail of people making their way to the castle from Lon Lon ranch, refugees from the war that was so soon to come. Already the town was packed to bursting, people having come from Kakariko earlier that week. They would need to construct some new shelters...

The priness was a fairly short woman, with long golden hair and a graceful body. Her face was small and pale, with bright blue eys and a small pert nose. Her rosebud lips were downturned in a small frown. The Princess was clothed in a long light pink gown, the hem reaching down to her feet. A small golden coronet was set in her beautiful hair.

"Zelda, there is nothing you can do from here..." A light voice commented from her left. Zelda turned to look at her guardian Impa, one of the Sheikah. She had pale skin and silvery hair, bright red eyes looked down on her in kindness. The woman wore dark black segmented iron armour, covering her like a carapace. Two long swords were strapped to her waist.

"I have to be seen Impa. With my father close to death and our kingdom in such need... the people need to see that we still care." There was the dull clash of steel below them, heralding the beginning of training for the soldiers. Zelda noticed that there were almost twice the soldier's numbers in peasents, picking up weapons and training alongside them. All read to defend their homes and their loved ones.

"Yes, but you can do more good if you are seen to be working. You will soon need to be in the audience chamber, people need your wisdom." Zelda sighed, it was true. Soon she would have to sit in a chamber whilst everyone came to her with questions, expecting her to have answers. And yet, she had to have them, she had to be seen to be wise. For the confidence of all. Thank the Godessesses that Impa would be there to offer her advice.

"Very well Impa, let us be away."

The cells were dank. Dark grey stone covered in green moss and crawling with insects and spiders. Water dripped loudly from the ceiling onto the stone floor, forming small puddles that rippled as each new drop fell. A single iron door stood inset in one wall, a small high window being the only other source of light. There were torches in the cell, but no flint or tinder with which to light them. The window too, although not barred, was so small that it only allowed a thin beam of light into the darkness.

The air too was old and stale, the stench of sweat and fear assaulting the young man's nostrils. He though, was calm. Years alone and on the road had given him a firm control over his fears. Dark and isolation held no problems for him. He had been forced to sleep in caves more dark and dank than this, with only angry wolfos for company. Admittedly he had his sword with him then, but still, he was more than confident in his own abilities. And after all, what reason could they construct to keep him imprisoned so? He had done nothing wrong.

He would be free of here, and away from this cursed city. Hopefully he could be gone before the Gerudo reached here. Before everyone was slaughtered.

Zelda sat on a padded cushion. Her face held in a mask of concentration, despite the fact that she was screaming inside. Really! Couldn't these people figure out the answers on their own?

"Of course you should start harvesting crops. We are at war, and we need all the food we can have now!" The man bowed and nodded furiously, as if her wisdon had solved all his problems. Zelda was furious, if these people had shown some initiative then they could have started harvesting the crops three days earlier! Impa touched her arm lightly and shook her head, indicating that Zelda must keep her patience. Zelda didn't know how Impa could stand all this time, the woman was as immobile as a rock, always standing.

"My esteemed princess." A man bowed, before asking, "Regarding the construction of temporary homes for refugees, where shall we place them." Impa didn't evern bother to advise her, the answer being so obvious that this man could have done it himself.

"Anywhere you have room, the people must have shelter for the hard times ahead." The man bowed and there was a faint murmuring around the hall. Most probably about the bit she had tacked on the end. Rumours could be powerful, and Zelda knew that one about her benevolance might calm the populace. She hated this manipulation, but it was necessary.

"There is but one more petition." Impa whispered into her ear with a smile, Zelda nodded fighting the urge to sigh in relief.

Four guards marched into the hall, their armour burnished and dented from fights, each wielded a long spear. Zelda raised an eyebrow. Impa seemd to notice something, for she stepped forward, so that she could easily place herself between Zelda and any threat. Always the last to know, Zelda felt frustrated. She stood from her cushions, drawing eyes to her.

The front guard bowed low and stepped to the side, revealing that two guards had been flanking a young man, holding him up by his arms as they dragged him into the audience chamber. Zelda drew a breath at the sight of him. Tall and muscular the young man looked well able to take care of himself. Dressed in a light green tunic over a white shirt, it was belted at his wasit with a thick brown belt, his legs were hugged by white hosen, reaching down to his large brown boots. She could see a light brown strap reaching diagonally across his chest, as if to hold some weapons to his back. He was at the moment, unarmed, naturally.

"This man was found wandering the streets suspiciously after night." One guard explained as the other two dropped him on his knees a few feet in front of her seat. Impa kept a hand on her swords, even though the man made no hostile move. Zelda tried to see his face, without makign it obvious. It was a hopeless affair, the man was looking at the floor, his long blonde hair falling over his face and hiding it from view.

"When asked for identification by an officer, he was unable to produce anything. We of course took him to the guardhouse and foudn that we too could find no identification of him. Not in any of our records." Zelda listened intrested despite her previous boredom. "We searched for record of him, but can find nothing. We therefore were forced to assume that this man is not a Hylian." He left it hanging, in this time, with the war, anyoen not a Hylian was an enemy.

"What is your name?" Zelda asked, shocking all by speaking to a prisoner. There was silence as they waited for him to speak, it was wasted. Zelda was confused. She was a princess, and although she hated it at times, she had no idea what to do with a person who did not follow her commands. She had never been trained for a person who refused to answer. "Show me your face." She commanded, not at all sure why. Impa gave her a dissaproving look but did not interfere. The man remained motionless.

"You will obey the princess's commands!" A guard exclaimed angrily, taking the man by the scruff of the neck and pulling his face up so Zelda could see him.

She was struck dumb. An angular face, a strong jaw and a straight nose. His dark blonde hair hung over one side of his face, a small scar was etched above his right eye. But that was not what froze her. His eyes... a deep powerful violet they seemed to pierce her through in that instant, rooting her to the spot. There was no fear in his face, his eyes. Only a steely determination that said she would not hold him.

"There is also your Highness, a small creature that visits him from time to time, but we have been unable to capture it, or even ascertain what it is." Zelda was intrigued, Impa seemed annoyed.

"What is your purpose here?" Zelda asked, recieving bo reply, she could tell that her failure to elicit a response was not playing well with the people here. They saw such a failure as a reminder that she was still so young and inexperienced. "Do you not speak?" No answer, she had to end this, no matter how intrigued she was.

"My advisor and I shall retire to discuss this decision. Take him back to his cell until we call for you. This audience is over." There were nods and affirmatives as the people drifted out of the large chamber. Making way for her and Impa as they left through a door at the back. Heading for Zelda's private rooms.

"Will Sheik be back tonight?" She asked her guardian, reffering to the young sheikah that Impa had taken as her apprentice. He was Zelda's own age, seventeen winters, and good fun. Almost like a brother to her. Impa kept her red eyes on Zelda as she shrugged.

"He will or he won't. It was a dangerous task I set him. If he has learned from my trainign he should be fine. If not..." Zelda laughed despite herself, as optimistic as always from Impa. "But more importantly," The woman intoned, breaking through Zelda's laughter. "That young man, why did you refrain from making a decision? Kill him or let him go is there really that much to think on?" Zelda shrugged as Impa opened the door to her chamber, entering first and checking for threats.

"I wished to think on my decision." Zelda replied, walking over to the bed and flopping down on it. Impa snorted.

"Nonsense, you want more time to think about "Him", I saw the way you looked at him Zelda." Zelda blushed furiously, both embarassed and angry.

"A decision made in haste is a foolish one!" She retorted, "And i don't know what you mean!" Zelda added as an afterthought, making Impa laugh.

"A lover is all well and good Zelda, and I know you are stressed from the troubles. But it would be for the best if you kept yourself pure, a baby could ruin the image of you, and that could be dangerous at this hour. Save such feelings until after this is over." Zelda scowled angrily.

"Impa, I have no intentions of doing what you seem to believe of me, it would be wrong just to kill him, and foolish just to let him go. if you will not help em on this matter then perhaps you shoudl just leave." Zelda's voice was icy, which was what she wanted, for she was furious! Impa rushed forwards and knealt before her.

"I apologise my Princess, I will aid you all that I can. Please forgive my words." Zelda smiled and let out a small laugh.

Below the castle the man was laying against the wall of his cell, tucked into the dryest corner he could find as he drifted off to sleep, his head restign on his arm. The day was still young, but there was little else to do here, and he needed his energy. One never knew when an opportunity would present oneself. And he intended to be ready to take it. Although... that princess was very beautiful... He shook his head. The mind was focused on the task at hand. He would not be held here!

So chapter one up. Is it any good? is it worth continuing? I don't know! That's why you should review and tell me! Go on, you know you want to.