---

Knight of Shadow Epilogue

---

Link held his arms up, peering into the blinding light to catch the medallion Nabooru had given him. He had gotten all the sages to help finally; it was time to fight Ganondorf. The cool and breezy air of the Chamber of Sages was a balm, and Link was loath to leave it right away, despite his duty to save Hyrule. He could feel the other sages' presence and called out to Rauru. After a brief moment the older man appeared before him, looking as wise and kind as he had before.

"What assistance of mine would you like, Hero of Time?" he asked with a warm smile.

Link wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to ask, just a general idea that Rauru held the answers he needed. He heard a whisper on the breeze.

the sword…

The hero grasped the Master Sword and pulled it from the sheath, holding it before the sage.

"You told me before that only one could use this sword."

Rauru examined the young man before him, observing the uncertainty that had appeared with his question. "What troubles you?"

"Someone else used it," Link answered. "If I am not the only one, then Ganondorf could also gain access to the sacred realm and time through it."

The troubled expression on Link's face alerted the sage to the consideration he had given these things. He chose to tread lightly on the subject to protect Link's maturing feelings but put his mind at ease.

"Young hero, what circumstances lead you to believe another can use this blade?" Rauru asked.

Link stared at the sword in his hands as if contemplating his explanation. "I know you see many things from this chamber." Link was silent for several moments before continuing, "Malon was able to use the sword."

"Does it bother you that she was able to?" the old man asked carefully.

"No!" Link replied immediately, which assured the sage in his thoughts. "I was glad it saved her." He sheathed the sword. "I am just confused."

"I understand your question, but I may not answer all of it for you. Fate and the goddesses work on their own in the space of time that has already been decided."

The lost expression on the young hero's face almost amused the old man. "Link, you are the only one that is able to use that sword."

"I do not understand."

Rauru considered his next words. "What do you know of the manner by which people are bound together through fate?"

"Nothing."

"The goddesses know many things before we do. They know the bonds that experience will develop, many of which are not visible to individuals at the current time."

Link blamed his young mind for his inability to grasp what the sage was explaining. "Is the sword safe?"

"Yes," Rauru replied. "You will understand in the future why young Malon was able to wield it. In the meantime, do not fret. No other will be able to touch the sacred blade."

"Thank-you," Link said quietly, bowing his head in thanks. When he glanced back up the old sage had already vanished again.

---

Link approached the bridge that the sages had made for him to reach Ganondorf. He briefly hoped that Malon was well and at the ranch, safe from the battle that was about to take place. The people had suffered in the miserable land for long enough. He had to save Hyrule, no matter what the costs.

fini

-and thus begins the next series... Check soon for the posting of "Whispers of a Hero" the continuation of my Zelda fanfiction timeline. Thank-you for reading.

-MtG