Chapter 7

Meeting

Link didn't know what to do, he only had an hour to make a decision on whether to go or not…in such a traumatic time, how would he know who to trust and who not to? Not to mention when he doesn't even know who the heck he's dealing with.

But he had an hour, and with that hour, he began a continuous pacing back and forth across the room, lost deep in thought.

Several thoughts crossed his mind as to who it could be, but deep in the pit of his mind, he knew it couldn't be…all whom he had met in that alternate future and were of the few that did remember. Rauru was one who he thought it might be, but what kept him doubting this was the thought that surely he would have summoned him to the Chamber of Sages or wherever he dwelt in that other realm…not in such secrecy would he arrange a 'meeting'…would he?

Impa, Ruto (he shuddered at the thought of even her very name), Nabooru, Darunia…Saria? But no, the letter had been written and Link doubted any of those options could have written it besides Impa…maybe Nabooru, but he didn't know all that much about her. But Impa…he wondered if she was alive or not…that night at the castle had been to crazy for him to stop and see if she was ok…who knew where she was?

…defeating your new opponent and rescuing the princess… whoever it was had certainly known what troubled him of late… Zelda…how it pained him that Zen had taken her from him so easily…how he hoped she was ok and Zen was not harming her…Whether he was or not, Link would make Zen suffer severe consequences…even if the guy was a heck of a lot stronger then he was…Link would find a way to make him pay dearly for his actions.

They said they could offer help…Link despised the thought of ever admitting this, but it was the truth, he did need help. Apparently whoever had written this letter thought they could give it to him…but the danger of the situation plagued his mind. In the next moment a decision formulated itself into Link's head…

Grabbing his cloak from the wall, he strapped his sword to his side and draped the cloak over himself in such a way that it would keep hidden the fact that he was armed, he wasn't about to be caught unprepared…again. He gazed out the single window and knew what time it was by the position of the sun…the 'meeting' was to take place in approximately ten minutes. He quickly strode from his room and out into the crisp evening air of the outdoor world.

He passed by the charred remains of the burnt down house, once home of the woman who had started this mess by giving him that necklace…moving on, he came upon the 'Grand Palace.' The place was known for its bar…and being everything but a grand palace. Not exactly what he would define as an inconspicuous meeting…He entered the molding and hideous brown building and made his way to the back before sliding into a booth, avoiding the early drinkers as they stumbled about in their state of drunkenness.

Several minutes ticked by, but nothing could have possibly prepared him for what happened next. A few of the men gathered around his booth, 'trapping' him within. Each held a somewhat angry expression as their bloodshot eyes eyed him cruelly.

"Looks like we gots ourselves a pesky young 'un up in our territory, eh boys?" one spoke, his words pouring out like a big jumbled slur.

Link ignored them, hoping they would go away…for one, they had horrible breath that he could smell from where he was and second, what the heck had he done to them! Unfortunately for him, they didn't look like they were going anywhere soon.

"Yessirree." another said, but he received a smack upside the head.

"Don't talk stupid." the one that had hit him snapped.

"Then all y'all quit talkin' stupid and leave me be, I ain't done nothin' to ya as I recall," Link growled.

"Now that ain't no way to 'aspect yer elders." another said.

"What say we give 'im the 'ole hard lesson?" the man that had spoken first, now spoke again.

"Listen, I don't want any trouble." Link began, but then added in a dangerously calm voice, dripping with menace as he fingered the hilt of his hidden weapon. "But I sure can bring it on."

Before any real action could begin, a sudden voice rang out, ripping through the air with a strong and regal authority to it, "Stop this pathetic insolence." it was the voice of a female.

All the men gathered around Link swung around to have their attention focused on the speaker, even Link couldn't help but stare. It was a woman, clad in fine garments of red and white, a shimmering golden cloak hung draped about her person. Her beautiful face radiated in an angelic glow, framed by perfect red hair that cascaded around her in perfect waves, her face was set with fiery and almost familiar, shining golden eyes. How out of place such a perfect woman seemed in a place such as this.

After studying her for a few seconds, Link's eyes widened as he realized who it was…or who he thought it was anyway… He had a feeling after his realization that this was who he was supposed to meet. He shoved past the men and grabbed her arm, dragging her behind him out the door. At first she protested, but then followed along willingly.

He led her to the secluded and confined region of the graveyard.

"Link, Hero of Time? Am I not correct?" she questioned when her arm was released from Link's grasp and she stood facing him.

"Right. And you are?" Link had the feeling that his superstition was right.

"Din, mother of your enemy." she said, a sort of sadness seemed to radiate in those magnificent golden colored orbs.

This had been Link's suspicion, but to find out the truth of it, he could only stand there stunned for a few seconds. But his awe soon turned into slight agitation, "What was with that entrance back there? Dressed like that, you definitely turned a few heads, if you were hoping to have this in more secrecy after that whole letter thing then I mean seriously, what is the big deal?"

Din was clearly startled by all this but quickly came up with a comeback, "Uh-huh, at least I wasn't fixing to start a bar fight."

Link didn't think he should get into an argument with a goddess…technically he shouldn't have snapped at her either but heh…too late. "Whatever…what do you want anyways?"

"To help you." she stated simply.

"You said that in the letter, how can you help me against Zen and getting Zelda back?" with that question, another one that had been bugging him popped into his head and right out his mouth without a thought, "And is such an evil abomination as Zen really…your son?"

She sighed deeply, the sadness in her eyes only appeared to grow at the mention of his name, "Yes, it is a fact that he is my son. Of course, he wasn't always like this…he was once the perfect child, someone any mother would surely want for her own…but…he has such immense power…it drove him to the darkside, turned against me wanting to destroy this beautiful land and its inhabitants and…" she paused and took a deep breath. "I didn't and still don't have my sister Farore's courage, even if he is my son…I should have killed him back then…locking his spirit away was far from enough…this however, is where you come in."

"Me? I thought you were supposed to help me, not vise versa. Wasn't that what this whole lil meeting deal was about?" Link questioned.

"Yes, that is why I am here, to give you help on what to do about the situation. But, in the process of helping yourself once I have given you the information I need to relay to you, you will also be helping me. Technically I am not supposed to be helping in earthly affairs, but I feel I must do something since I brought such an evil into the world."

This whole time, Link couldn't help but notice that Din hadn't directly said Zen's name once…maybe it hurt her to much to even say his name...but Link didn't venture to comment on this, "And could ya please tell me what this information is?" he asked instead.

"Well, first of all, you stand no chance against him as you are now." she began.

"Gee…that's real encouraging…" Link muttered bitterly.

"But, in order to defeat a god, you must become as strong as one." Din continued, ignoring what he had just said. "There are certain items that will allow you to do such a thing, but the only catch is, they are locked away within two temples heavily guarded by monsters…"

"Yippee." Link said sarcastically.

"Sadly, the only hint I can give you is of the whereabouts of the first temple you must conquer…it lies deep in the desert, farther past even the domain of the goddess of sand, such a trip is dangerous in itself, but the temple holds powerful monsters that will be new and old to you. I must go now, before my son senses my presence, the location of the second and last temple will be revealed to you in due time. I leave you with the gifts of magic, the spells of fire, love, and wind, and all your wounds have been healed. Good luck on achieving victory and saving your loved one. I apologize to be such a bearer of bad news, but time is against you and if you take too long, who knows what he may have already done to the princess…" with these parting words, she was gone…just like Zen when he had taken Zelda that terrible night…

Three crystal shaped objects appeared in his hand and he smiled in light remembrance of the things…she had said his wounds had been healed? To be sure of her words, he flexed his hand and jumped around a bit, no pain whatsoever and his hand moved easily, back together again. His mind then returned to the task at hand, that temple Din had said would contain items he needed…to become as powerful as a god?...He swung around with a grim expression set on his face as he headed back towards the town to collect things he would need for the journey.

His mind hadn't yet registered the thought as how he was even going to get as far as the Desert Colossus, but he was simply determined, those concerns would come later. Right now, he was focused on saving Zelda…and Hyrule.

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"Stay away from me, you filthy scum." Zelda spat, backing as far away from Zen as her chains would let her.

He only laughed heartily at this action and stepped forward, "Even in such a desperate state, you are as beautiful as any goddess."

"Well aren't you the kind gentleman?" Zelda sneered. "Stay away from me and I mean it! You'll be sorry when Link comes and saves me."

Zen held his sides as he doubled over laughing, "That insolent boy! Stop…me? Hahaha You have got to be kidding. Despite the accomplishments he has made which I acquired by searching his mind, he doesn't stand a chance. If that pathetic gerudo king made him suffer, then he's in for a wild ride of pain---." Zen suddenly stopped speaking and stiffened as if sensing something, then a smirk spread across his face, "If my mother thinks she can get away with helping, then I will just have to prove her wrong and blow it right back up in her face…or should I say him?" Zen seemed highly amused at his 'joke,' if you could call it that.

Before Zelda could say anything, Zen left the room slamming the door and leaving her in total darkness. She was safe from him for the time being while he made plans of treachery…but she feared what he would do when he came back, oh how she hoped Link was ok…

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…sorry if that chapter was a bit too much devoid of action for your liking…it was for me and I was the one that wrote it lol…but heh, it is very necessary so there ain't really nothin' I can do 'bout it…hopefully the action'll pick up next chapter…crap, gosh this whole time I've been several chapters ahead of what's been posted, but now it appears that I've fallen behind…heh (maybe it's the lack of reviews cough cough lol)…well if I get inspired enough then maybe instead of just one chapter a week I can manage two…maybe…hopefully…

Thank you reviewers!

-blondie91

Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda…yaddah yaddah yaddah, y'all know the drill : )