Questline: The Power of One

Chapter 2.

The Biggest Challenge Yet

We arrive back at the castle where we see a few guards and Princess Zelda waiting in the throne room for our arrival. Tabatha tells us to wait outside the throne room. So Malon, Cecilia, and I wait outside the doors while Tabatha walks in.

Malon looks over at me while holding little Cecilia and says, "We are about to meet the actual Princess Zelda! This is so exciting. Do I look okay? Should I have dressed better?"

"Malon you look fine. Trust me theres no reason to freak out. Princess Zelda is a nice person. She's not a judgemental person. If she was then I doubt she would have given me the time of day when she first saw me in that field." I tell her.

I look behind us, over to the guards and noticed the guard that threw me down the steps. I turn around and walked over to him saying, "Hey jerk, remember me? I bet you had a good old laugh about thowing me down those steps before you found out who I was. Didn't you?"

The guard takes notice of me and begins putting his hand up as he tries to explain why he did it and that he was just stressed and how he feels bad.

" Ohh really? All I heard was a brunch of excuses and no apology. Your lucky we have a child in our presence!" I say as I glance over at little Cecilia.

I look back at him and say, "Perhaps the princess would like to know why I happen to just disappear?"

He begins to look scared so I quit antagonizing him and then say to him, " Look, I realize you were just doing what you thought was your job, so for that, I won't tell the Princess. But next time you better sure you know who your talking to before just assuming their a trespasser and throwing the down some steps. You got me?"

He looks at me and nods and with that I begin walking back to Malon and Cecilia.

Just as I get back, Tabatha opens the door and calls us in.

We walk through the doors and approach Princess Zelda. Malon continues to carry little Cecilia. We come to a stop infornt of Zelda. She looks over at me and says, " Aleks, I'm glad to see your alright. Tabatha told me about the heroic deed you pulled off in town today. I see you made a couple of new friends today as well. Hearing about how you took care of that hord of Moblin seemingly with ease was incredible and only further proves that you are who I believe you to be."

She smiles as she says, "Hearing about what you did was truly inspiring."

Little Cecilia scrambles down from Malons arms and runs up to me and starts tugging on my pants as if she wants me to pick her up.

I reach down and and pick up Cecilia and then look over to Princess Zelda and I say, " I'm sorry for worrying you when I fell unconsious in the woods and again when I went wondering the town. I had a dream or vision last night that I believe confirms what you told me yesterday princess."

She continues looking at me with excitement in her eyes, holding her hands together at her chest as she asks, "Does that mean you remember your past here?"

"Sorry Princess, but I don't. But I do believe I might know the dragon now that you spoke of. And if the dragon I saw was the same one you told me about, then I'm willing to stick around and do everything I can to help." I tell her.

She sighs a breath of relief as she says, "Thank you Aleks. I was really hoping you would. Honestly I wasn't sure if we could do this without you. This dragon is way too powerful for Hylian hands alone. I'm honestly not even sure if Link himself could handle this alone."

I look at her in confusion as I ask, "Link, princess?"

Malon stops me there as she says, "Oh my Goddesses! Link is only the greatest hero to have ever walked all of Hyrule and then some. He defeated the most powerful super villian ever, Ganondorf! He is also really, really cute."

I look over to Malon and reply, "All but that last part sounds great Malon. If I ever meet him, then I now know just what to tell him."

"Hey Link, there is this girl I know. Her name is Malon and she thinks your really, really cute and probably wants to marry you." I say out loud as I start laughing.

Malons face turns red as she gives me a peircing death stare and with that my laughter then turns to silence as quickly as it started.

Princess Zelda laughs slightly as she proceeds to say, "Well Malon, nows your chance to meet your favorite hero of all time."

The princess nods to the guards standing over by the door and they begin to open the doors. Next, we see this man walk through the doors. His blond hair waving as he walks. He has a striking apperance with a sword and shield strapped to his back. He's clothed in a green tunic with a long green hat, chainmail under the tunic, white trousers, and brown worn boots and gauntlets. He is being followed by what looks to be a little blue fairy.

"Link, it's so good to see you again after all this time. You remember Aleks here don't you?" Zelda asks as she looks to Link.

I look over to Link and he starts staring over at me in disbelief of what he is seeing. He suddenly starts walking over to me. Upon reaching me, he extends his arm with his hand open and holds it out.

I look at him and smirk as I grab his hand and begin shaking it.

We could hear Malon in the background as we shook hands saying, "Wow, two of Hyrules greatest heroes meeting and shaking hands in the same room as me. I never could have even imagined it."

Cecilia grabbed hold of me tightly as we shook hands.

Zelda looks at eveyone and says, "Link, Aleks, Malon, and of course Tabatha, and you two as well my little Cecilia and Navi. I want all of you to be ready in one week."

I look over to Zelda and ask, "Why? What happens in a week?"

Zelda looks over to me and softly laughs as she says, "Well, it's why I have been busy for so long to be honest. Tabatha knows what I'm talking about."

Tabatha smiles and somewhat giggles.

"I'll be hosting a Ball!" Zelda announces with a glint of joy in her eye.

Malon and Tabatha start jumping with joy.

Zelda looks at us and says, "When this event takes place, I'll want the guests of honor to be the first to dance. And those guests of honor are all of you guys and girls. Link, Aleks, Malon, Navi, Tabatha, and you too Cecilia. All of you are guests of honor."

Zelda then looks over to Tabatha and proceeds to ask, "Tabatha, I understand that you told me you already have a partner in advance?"

"Aye, that I do your majesty." Tabatha says in her country like accent.

Zelda then looks over to Malon and says, " Link, I understand that Malon here is a secret admirer of you and I was wondering if you would like to go with her as her partner? Would that be alright with you Malon?"

Malons face turns so red, I thought she was about to pop.

"Y-yyy-y-yesssss Y-your mm-m-mmmajesty." Malon says as she stumbles over her words embarrassingly.

Link smiles as he nods his head in a yes motion.

Zelda then turns to Navi and asks, "What about you Navi? Would you be able to bring a dance partner?"

Navi looks over at Link and Link nods at her. Then Navi flies over to Zelda, "I'll be going with him over there. Hes really cute." She says as she points over to me.

Zelda then giggles as she says, "Isn't he just a little too big for you?"

Navi then shakes her head, "Not if shrink him for one night. One long night hehe." Navi says as she giggles with a sinister grin.

Link then walks up and grabs Navi and puts her in his hat and says, "Please excuse her. She will be bringing one of her fairy friends instead." Link laughs and as he steps back you can hear Navi struggling and rebeling in the hat.

Zelda then says, "What about you Aleks? Is there anyone you wanted to go with?"

I look to Zelda and say, "Well I don't really know anyone here besides all of you. That and dancing really isn't something I'm the greatest at, but maybe with some time looking and some time being taught. Then I might be ready."

Zelda smiles as she says, "Fair enough."

Zelda then looks back over to Tabatha and asks, "Tabatha? Would you mind helping Aleks practice everyday? You'll be release from any duties I had planned for you before. That and you and Aleks being around the same age should help him build some confidence in asking someone."

Tabatha looks over to Princess Zelda and says, "It would be my pleasure." She turns and looks back to me and smiles.

"Well lets all meet back here in one weeks time then. See you all then. Your all dismissed." Zelda says.

As we all turn to walk out, Zelda says, " Oh, Aleks. Can you come walk with me for a bit?"

I turn back around and begin to walk with the princess, "Sure. Whats on your mind princess?" I ask.

She looks to me and says, "That Navi, she's a funny one right?"

I look ahead and smile as I say, "Yeah, it was kind of funny I guess."

"Look Aleks, I want you to stay with us." Zelda says.

I look at the Princess and ask, " Huh? What do you mean princess?"

She stops walking and begins to say, " What I ment was that I want you to stay with us in Hyrule for a while, you know, before you go and dissappear for along time again and forget about us all over again."

"Princess it's not like that" I say before she interupts me saying, "And how would you know. You have memory loss. You can't remember anything. Not even... " Zelda gets silenced as I stand there holding her in an embrace.

"Princess, I know what you say isn't true. Because this embrace is exactly how I feel right now, and it's all for you. The sad thing is I don't even know you but for some reason I keep feeling like I've known you my whole life." I explain to her.

I continue by saying, " And even if for some reason what you say turns out to be true, thats not me anymore. Clearly I'm not the same Aleks you met all that time ago. But maybe thats for the better. I'm here for you in your time of need just as any friend would be. And I'll continue to be there for you, just as I'd be there for anyone or creature that needs my help."

Just then I released the princess from the embrace and I look her in the eyes as I say to her, " And even if my memories should ever be erased again, then I just want you to remember one thing Princess. You don't need to always be on my mind to always be in my heart. Because that, my princess, is were all of my friends truly belong."

She starts crying and grabs me before I completely let go of her and hugs me for a long period of time before looking up to me and says, " Thank you Aleks. Really. Thank you. I needed to hear that more than you know."

I look back at her and then say, "Anytime princess." As I smile. "Well I guess I better get going. I think I kept the gang waiting long enough. I still need to save Link from Malon." I laugh.

Princess Zelda lets go and says, " Go see to them Aleks. I'll see you in one week."

I begin running to the the front entrace of the castle and then just before I reach the front doors I get hit in the shoulder by a pebble being thrown at me from in the room somewhere.

I stop and look around for where it was thrown from and by who. As I look around, I spot a red headed girl looking at me from across the room standing in a hallway entrance. She waves at me to follow and then walks into the hallway.

I begin to jog towards the hallway but when I get there she's already thirty feet down the hallway and turning the corner. She stops before turning the corner and proceeds to look at me as if making sure that I follow. I stop and look back at her. She waves me to keep following.

I then start jogging down the hallway until I catch up to her. I ask her, "Whats up? You wanted to see me?"

She doesn't say anything but instead points to a door, as if telling me to enter. I reach over and turn the door knob and proceed to enter the room.

As I enter the room I'm greeted by a male voice saying, "Hey, you must be Aleks. Welcome."

I look around and see a slightly shorter guy who looks to be around my age sitting on a couch drinking what smells like coffee.

I walk up and sit in a chair sat across from the couch facing him and ask him only one thing, "Please tell me thats coffee your drinking?"

He laughs as he says, "I'm really suprised you know that. Nobody here knows what coffee is. Believe me, I've tried asking. Why? Would you like some?"

My eyes water out of sheer joy and bliss as I ask, "Please!?"

He laughs and begins pouring a cup.

After he hands me the cup and I take the worlds greatest tasting sip, I ask him, "So why was this lady sent to get my attention and bring me here? Why doesn't she talk?"

He smiles as he says, "Oh, Raven? Shes always like that. It takes some time for her to warm up to a new face. Anyways, my names Gaius and the reason I sent Raven to find you was simple. Your the hero Aleks we have all heard about. Even People in other lands have heard of your bravery and we came to ask you for your help."

I take another sip and then ask, "Help with what?"

Gaius pauses as he holds his cup and then says, "Ganondorf is back."

Raven walks up to Gaius and stands next to him looking to me. Two words leave Ravens mouth as she says, "He's dangerous."

I look to both of them and ask, "Where is he? Where can I find this Ganondorf? What's his plan?"

They both look back at me and Gaius says, "I don't know where he is or what he's planning and neither does Raven but what we do know is that "Something Dark" rescued him from the Sacred Realm and Ganons not the only one this dark force has brought back."

"There are more villains under this forces influence." Gaius adds.

Gaius breaks the tense air by saying, "But we seem to have some time on our hands for now while this force remains inactive. I'll keep an ear to the ground for anything new, but for the time being, I hear you have an up and coming Ball to prepare for."

I laugh, "Yeah and boy am I unprepared for it. I still need to find a dance partner and its only a week away. Atleast Tabatha was willing to help me practice my dancing." I say with a big grin on my face.

Gaius smiles and then looks over to Raven.

"Why not take Raven here. Shes been needing to get out and have some fun whether she admits it or not." Gaius says as he turns to me.

Ravens face is like stone. Unchanging as she hits Gaius saying only three words, "I don't dance."

I say to Gaius, "Well she's certainly to the point isn't she? Thats okay. I wouldn't want her to if she she wasn't comfortable going."

Gaius then interupts by saying, "Oh she is going reguardless, as am I. It should be fun. I just figured some fun would do her good."

Raven then walks to the door and opens it as Gaius says, "Well thats all I had for you for now. But lets just keep this between us for now okay? I'd hate for a panic to break out and cause whatever dark force is out there to start whatever plan it has earlier than we are ready for."

Gaius Smiles and then says, "I thank you for your time Aleks."

I get up and nod to Gaius, thanking him as I walk to the door. Upon reaching the door I stop and look to Raven. She looks me in the eyes as I hold out my hand to her in a fist. She then looks to my hand and places her hand out. I drop the pebble, she earlier threw at me, into her hand and then continue out the door.

I begin to run down and then out the hallway I came threw and then out the front castle doors. To my suprise, Malon, Link, Tabatha, and Cecilia were all still waiting outside for me.

As I jump down the steps, Malon makes a comment saying, "What happened in there Aleks? That took forever. Were you confessing your love for her or something?"

"No. To make a long story short, after I finished talking to the Princess, I was getting ready to head out the doors when I got stopped by a girl named Raven who wanted me to follow her so I could talk to her friend Gaius. And so I did. But I'm here now. Sorry for making you all wait so long." I tell them.

Tabatha then looks at me puzzled but says nothing. Out of nowhere, I feel these little hands grab mine. I look down to see Cecilia holding onto me like glue on paper.

I look to everyone and ask, "Well guys, where are we headed now?"

Malon suggest, "Lets hit up the bar. I could use some drinks after a day like today. That, and it's probably the only place we can find you a date to the Ball Aleks."

I look over to Malon and say, "Ouch, You really think that low of me even after I saved your life today Malon? And here I though we were going to be good friends?"

Malon then says, "I was only kidding. After what you did today and once we get word out about who you are, Im sure the whole town will want to go with you. Even all the other fairies besides Navi."

Navi flies up and hits Malon in the head.

I look to everyone and say, "Honestly guys, after everything today. I'm really not that worried about a date for now."

Tabatha then interupts the group by saying, "Everyone, Aleks already has two options for dates."

Malon stops Tabatha by asking, "Who are they Tabatha? I've been around Aleks for most of the day and we are the only ones he's been around besides the princess and that Gaius guy. Your already going with someone, Link and I are going together, Cecilia is way too young to be his date, and Navi is way too small. Did I miss someone?"

"You missed two Malon." Tabatha says with her eyes wide and her index finger up.

She then turns to me and says, "First off, there's Raven Aleks. Gaius and Raven are friends of mine from my home country. And the most important one you overlooked, Malon, is the princess herself. She hasn't got anyone to go with and to be honest she wasn't planning on going with anyone. But I'm willing to bet if Aleks here asked her, she'd be thrilled beyond words."

Tabatha continues to stare at me as she says, "Well Aleks, would you mind going with one of them? I can talk to Gaius if you want to go with Raven. But if you choose the princess then your best bet is to ask her yourself. Both of them have their rooms on the third floor and every room occupied on that floor has atleast one or two guards present and at all times."

I look to Tabatha and say, "Both of them are still in the castle behind the door so, I'll be right back."

I turn around and begin leaping up the steps and as I do, I can hear Tabatha shouting at me saying, "Aleks, you still haven't told us who your gonna ask yet!"

I shout back to her saying, "You'll know once I come back out!"

I can hear Malon in the background shouting, "Goodluck Aleks, whoever you pick!"

I run through the door and to the left hallway and begin sprinting down the hallway.

Once I make it down the hallway, I make a right turn.

I can see stairs ahead leading up.

Once I make it to the stairs, I begin running up the stairs for about two flights and then proceed to run down the hallway.

I then notice the door and think to myself, "Thats the room."

I look at the guards. They stare back at me as the say, "State your buisness Aleks.

I reply with, "I just need to ask her something. If she doesn't want to be bothered though then I understand."

One guard knocks on the door and announces, "Aleks wishes to visit."

The door opens and Princess Zelda steps out of her room In not her usual dress but instead in her night gown with her hair unfixed, "Aleks, I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't expecting company with the late night approaching. I must look a mess." She says as she tries to hold her hair.

I look to her and smile as I begin saying, "Not at all princess. Infact, I kind of like this look on you. But anyways, I kind of had something I wanted to talk to you about in private. I promise you it's important. Or atleast, it is to me."

Zelda shows a concerned look as she says, "Oh, uh, well come in then."

She holds the door open and allows me to enter. I pick a spot on the ground and then begin to sit when she gabs me by the wrist and places me to sit on the bed.

She begins sitting next to me and asks, " Whats wrong Aleks? What did you want to talk about that was so Important?"

I could hear how tired and sleepy she was so I didn't want to keep her awake but the closer I came to asking her, the harder it got to actually say the words.

"Princess, You know how I said that I would be there for you whenever you need me right?" I asked her.

She looks at me with tired eyes and says," Yeah I remember."

My heart is racing a mile a minute at this point, but I continue with trying to ask her.

I then decide that it's do or die time and to lay all my cards on the table.

"Whats important to me is that for one night, I would like to be there for you more than just when you need me." I say to her.

In my head I'm screaming to myself, " YOU IDIOT! DO YOU NOT REALIZE HOW PERVERTED YOU SOUND AND TOO THE PRINCESS OF ALL PEOPLE!?"

She looks at me as she wakes up a bit after hearing that and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"Princess I was thinking about who I could go with to the Ball with and to be honest there really isn't anyone that I personally know here. But then I kind of remembered all of the crazy things that happened today, from meeting Malon, to fighting a horde of moblins, to having a heart to heart moment with you, and to top it all off, I learned alot today." I explain to her.

She continues to look at me almost wide awake now and says, "So you wanted to go with Malon? Is that what you wanted to talk about?"

"Princess, I wanted to finished today off with no regrets and no I don't want to go with Malon. Princess, the last thing I want to do before the days over is." I stop there and stand up.

I turn to look at her as I reach down and pull her up by the hand and hold her close.

"Princess, will you be the one to go with me to the Ball? Will you please be the one I get to dance with? I ask her.

Her tired look snaps away instantly as she wraps her arms around me and holds me tightly saying, " Yes! Yes I will! I never, ever thought I'd ever hear you ask that!