Chapter 4: Hyrule Castle
disclaimer: Zelda and all characters of the game are property of Nintendo. In no way do I expect to get paid for this.
After a full day's ride to the north, Link and Boris made their way to the great city gates. The gate keeper from above took notice to the travelers and spoke. "Who goes there?"
Link raised his sword in the air. "I am Link of Hylia, and this is my uncle, Boris. We have traveled from the great lake to deliver a message to the King Daphnes Nohnsen. Open the gate."
The armored gatekeeper signaled the men to open the gate doors. Once opened, they rode on through the city towards the castle. The city was large and full of busy people. Guards would stand at posts and the people wondered the streets performing their tasks. As they rode on, the gate keeper waved a large red flag to signal the castle gate keepers to let Link and Boris inside the castle walls. The castle gate keepers opened the gates for them and they rode on to the draw bridge that led them to the castle. As the draw bridge lowered, Link and Boris dismounted their steeds and were greeted by two armored guards who escorted them inside the castle.
The King was sitting on his throne in the great hallway, going over documents with a few land owners. An attendant approached the throne and bowed to his King. "My Lord, there are two messengers from Lake Hylia who wish to speak with his Royal Highness."
The King sent the land owners away and signaled to the door men. They opened the large doors and in walked Link and Boris. They approached the throne and kneeled to their King.
Another attendant stood between them and spoke. "State your names and your business to the crown."
Link raised his head and spoke. "I am Link of Hylia, and this is my uncle, Boris. We come to alert the King of a possible threat."
The attendant took a step back and the King spoke. "Rise, messengers of Hylia."
They stood up and Link looked upon the King. "My Lord, a small army of goblin foot soldiers attacked Lake Hylia yesterday morning. The attack was stopped with few casualties, but it had no logic behind it. Lord Gorlois sent me as the lake's newest knight to inform you of this attack. We believe that this attack maybe a sign that a greater force is coming. Where, when, and why, we know not."
The King dropped his gaze from Link. "This can not be possible. We have not had attacks from the goblins since the Death Mountain battle one month ago. If this is true, then we must be ready for war."
Link narrowed his eyes at that word. The King once again looked upon Link. "Go back to Lake Hylia and wait for my summons. Tell Gorlois to ready his men for battle. If this threat thickens, Hyrule must be ready for war."
Link and Boris bowed to their King and turned around. They were stopped when the King spoke once again.
"You said you have recently become a knight. What was your father's name?"
Link turned to face the King. "Sir Tristan of Hylia."
The King's heart skipped a beat as he heard that name. "Is that so?" Link became somewhat confused at his reaction. "I have another assignment for you, Sir Link, but now is not the time. Once you have delivered the message to Gorlois, I want you to report back to the castle. Say your good-byes to your loved ones before you come back, for you will be away from your home for a time."
Link gave out a worried expression as he and Boris bowed to the King once again. As they left, Daphnes told an attendant to fetch Princess Zelda.
Link and Boris crossed the outside draw bridge, Link frowned at his uncle. "Why would the King want me to take part in some special assignment?"
"It is not your place to question the King's word," said Boris. "You will do as he says."
"Uncle, you can not hide the fact that he became especially interested in me when I mentioned my father's name. Now tell me what he knows about him that I do not."
Boris lowered his head. He knew quite well what the King's motive was. "There will come a time when all will be revealed to you, Link, but now is not that time. We must hurry to Lake Hylia so we can tell Gorlois of the King's wishes." With that, they mounted their horses and rode south to Lake Hylia.
"You are certain of this?" asked Princess Zelda in the throne room.
"Beyond any doubt, my daughter. He carries the legendary hero's sacred bloodline. If our worst fears are brought upon us, then that boy will be the only link to Hyrule's great hero and maybe the only one to wield the Blade of Evil's Bane."
"Then I will guide him in his quest. I know well the old stories."
Daphnes held Zelda's hands and looked deep into her eyes. "Be cautious, my dear child. These are troubled times, and we know not the face of our true enemy."
"None of our soldiers survived, my Lord Ganondorf," said Lord Aghinim in the main throne room of Death Mountain Castle."What is your new plan of action?"
Ganondorf sat on his throne and looked upon Aghinim. "Their lives were a necessary loss. Our enemies are still without knowledge of my presence. Therefore, I still have the upper hand. Send your troops to Goron Mountain. I believe we have waited long enough."
An evil grin escaped Aghinim's lips as his master gave out his demand. "At once, my master."