Chapter 14

Rescuing Hyrule's Heir

"What!?" I cried in response. "What do you mean? What happened to the prince?"

"You have been watched ever since you two left Rauru." Tog explained. "A group of my kin found the prince alone when they were really looking for you, so they surrounded him, and are currently trying to release information from him." He may not be a senseless moblin, but he was able to watch the rest of his kin closely without much suspicion.

A thousand questions swirled in my mind, but the emotion of grief and guilt overtook me the most. I left him behind! Would he be captured right now if we went into the swamp together? "How did this happen?" I wondered aloud. "He is an excellent fighter, he would have been able to fend them off."

"I don't know, I just know they have him, and they mustn't! This is bad!"

"You're right, do you know where he's being held?"

He nodded. "They found him just south of here, in the woods. Come on!" He then swung his arm, beckoning me to join him, and we traveled south.

At first, we didn't talk much. No, I was too busy feeling regretful for what I have done. If he was in the woods to the south, then obviously, he found a way past the ledge and was making his way to the swamp to catch up with me. He didn't go home, but who was I kidding? Of course he wouldn't! He didn't trust me.

He must have been determined to go on towards the swamp. He knew where the swamps were, but I think he had to have known that it would be impossible to find the palace without the map. Even I had to make use of the map just to avoid getting myself lost.

But as my mind kept busy feeling sorry for someone who I never thought I would feel sorry for, another question came to me that I had to speak aloud. "How did you find me here?"

"You should know the answer to that by now." The moblin replied without looking back. "Everyone of Ganon's band has been stalking, and watching you. And even though I would like to think myself as your ally, I'm not a stranger to their news on where they last said you were spotted. When they started to argue on if they should enter this dreaded place or to wait for you to come out, I came in looking for you." His scoff sounded more like a snort. "I swear I've been all over the place! I even think I lost my red water of life before I got turned around over here. All well."

"That was your red water of life?" I asked, now feeling relieved that it was of a friend's and not an enemy's.

Then, the moblin did look back at me. "Oh, you found it then? Excellent!" I was already reaching to retrieve it, but he noticed and spoke before I even had it out. "Don't bother, I want you to keep it. You'll need it more than I do."

"Thanks."

When the swamp thinned, I almost knocked over the moblin when he suddenly stopped. Somehow, he remained on his feet even though he was way shorter than I was. "Sorry," He quickly apologized before he went back to his thinking for a moment. "We can't afford to be attacked right now..." He wondered, but then spoke up. "Remember when I told you how Ganon's minions are waiting for you to come out of the swamp? Well, we can't have that, not when we're trying to find His Highness without drawing too much attention. I think we have to stick to the walls, if we take a bit to the southeast, then we can reach the mountains and then make our way to the south part of the woods."

"But what if they're watching there too?" I asked.

But he shook his head. "These guys aren't that smart. Your friend told the moblins that you went to the swamp, but, of course, he doesn't know where the palace is. Count that as a good thing. And as I said earlier, they don't want to go into the marsh, so they're waiting, but only at the road. They don't know that there is a traitor among their kind." He smiled a toothy grin and pointed at his chest with his fat, blue tinted thumb before continuing more to the east than to the road.

Once he mentioned Ganon's minions, yet another question burned in my thoughts. One that I felt didn't mean much to ask, but I found myself keep coming back to. "Can I ask a question?"

"Might as well. You're going to ask anyway." He chuckled.

But I choked, and I didn't know how to ask through a wave of worry that always came with this thought. "Are the rumors true? Can Ganon come back using my blood?"

He sighed, and spoke softly. "Well, it's hard to say. Such a spell does exist, but only the most powerful wizards can cast it. Story goes, resurrection needs a powerful wizard who specializes in dark magic to capture the victim's enemy, if there is one, if not, the magic-user must endure some other test depending on how they died. You are Ganon's killer."

That last part made me feel sick, and Tog mumbled somewhat and then continued. "And, maybe, some of the wizzrobes can master this type of magic. But what's the point of this conversation anyway?" He brightened his tone. "This is the hero, Link! You'll kill them all before they even have a chance to chant Ganon's name! Isn't that right?"

"Uh, yeah." I answered, trying to feel the truth in his compliment, but this news only made me feel worse. I was hoping that the talk from all the monsters would just be a false hope for them, but now, it might be right. Ganon had a lot of wizzrobes on his side... Maybe this wasn't even a rumor or a hope, but a plan.

"Here we are." Tog whispered as we neared the entrence to the southern woods. He looked at me and placed his finger before his lips. I nodded, and walked as quietly as I could.

As we walked, the air around us was still enough that I could already hear the voices. "We've been watching the road for hours!" One gruff moblin remarked. "He's not coming!"

"You're making a huge mistake." An all too familier voice piped up. "If you take up battle with him, then you're surely to lose your life." I was surprised when the royal prince of Hyrule wasn't shaken in his speech.

Now we rounded a tree where we could finally see where the prince was held. There must have been a little less than a dozen moblins from what I could see. Most were standing around in a circle facing two moblins that must have come down from their watch of the road. And there, I saw him! His Majesty was sitting at the base of a tree with gnarled robe tied around him.

The moblins have all turned to look at him like they wished he would have kept his mouth shut. One was even annoyed to the point that he came towards their hostage grumbling and stuck a dinner knife towards him. "I am really tired of your pestering. Give me one good reason why you're still breathing."

But the voice that spoke against that was not the hostage's. "No, not yet!" Another moblin called and joined his upset ally. "Endure it a while longer, brother. We can make him pay once we have Link, but until then, we need him."

His friend responded only with a deep growl. But Zelda's stubborn brother didn't take the hint. "It's true though, think about it. Link hasn't been taken down by anything so far. Moblins, stalfos, gleeok, even the mighty Ganon died! Which matters to you the most? Chasing after a hero in dying hopes of resurrecting your long dead master, or the life you'll lose if you continue? Choose one."

The angry moblin thrusted the knife a bit closer to the prince's face. "You keep your mouth shut, or I might be forced to disappoint my kin here." The other beasts then went back to their scolding and bickering.

There was only one thought in my head at that point. That was the first time I heard him say "hero" without sarcasm.

"So what's the plan?" The grunted voice whispered behind me.

"I don't know." I answered. "Give me a moment to think..." There were so many moblins! There was no way I could fight them all by myself, but if I could have some help from the other two, we might be able to. They were just moblins. Even better, if we can split them up, it should be even easier to take them out. "I need a distraction." I looked over at Tog, and whispered what I had so far. It would be risky, but it was the best I had.

"Are you crazy?!" He blurted, and I hurriedly shushed him. Luckily, I don't think anyone even noticed. He glanced from the monsters and back to me. "You can't take all of them! I don't even expect that from you." He went back to whispering.

"Not for very long, some will stay back here." I countered. "And that's why I need you. Free His Highness, and then come help me with the other moblins. With the three of us, I'm certain we can take them."

"That's still pushing it, even for you."

"Are you going to help me or not?"

A still moment of silence passed between us, and I could almost see his scattering of thoughts. "Fine." He sighed.

"All right, give me a second to reach my position on the road, and then send them over."

He nodded with a frown on his face and went back to watching the argument. I tried to creep quietly out of our hiding place and head for the road a little while away. As soon as I reached the dirt path still in the woods, I stood and waited.

I wasn't standing there for much longer than that when I drew my sword and shield when I heard the slight ruffling. They were thinking to ambush me, but they didn't know of my knowledge. I quickly casted "shield" and waited for them to edge a little closer.

I've done this a thousand times. I was a swordsman, and a good one at that, I knew I was, but for some reason, my confidence was beginning to lack. You'll be fine, you just have to hold the horde until the others can come. But there were a lot of moblins. The thought of getting capture hasn't scared me in years, but the thought now seemed to bother me. First, they'll take me hostage, then they'll call the wizzrobes, and before you know it, Ganon will come back from the dead.

What will the people do? Ganon and I would switch places, he will be alive, but my life would be spent. Will there be another person who could vanquish him? Someone who cares about Zelda as much as I do? Less likely. Especially about Zelda! She won't be loved as much as I love her. I... I love her. And it never crossed my mind, but if I somehow die out here, I will never see her again to tell her that.

The next accidental shift of brushed up leaves stole my attention back to the world around me. This was the time. I can't be lost right now! I moved with barely a breath at first... But then I jumped and struck the closest moblin before they could react! The beast couldn't protect himself in time, except to back away in time to save his neck from taking the slice that was now on his arm.

Then, all the enemies at once jumped from their positions and brought their spears before them. The one that I attacked flinched in pain, but I couldn't take advantage. No, I knew the wiser move was to spin back onto the road to not only fight on more solid, even ground, but to break them from surrounding me. Attacks came in rapidly! And instead of looking to score a few hits, I only parried and blocked what I could.

There were enough moblins that the ones attacking me were blocking some more in the back. These moblins were quickly moving out to the side and surrounding me yet again. I was about to keep backing up and trying to stop them from doing this, but then I let them make a complete circle around me and surprised them with a spin-attack. Many of them were able to block the swinging strike from dealing any damage, but whether if they did or didn't, the attack spread them out away from me.

When I was free for just an arm length of breath, I saw that some of them were injured from the sword. This breathing space didn't last long however, soon they closed in on me again like forced currents, but this time was a little different. These enemies were not only smart, but had wonderful teamwork. Moblins were not known for this, so I was quite amazed with seeing it. They chose not to completely surround me this time, knowing now of my skill with the spin-attack.

But now they seemed to attack in a rhythm. A spear thrusted forward, retracted, and was replaced by another. Come on, you two! I can't hold them off forever! I shoved my shield to the side, blocking another swing, and then stabbed at the moblin in front of me.

The beast couldn't react in time, my sword plunged in its chest, and he fell to the ground. But he was replaced by two more. The small hits and nicks were already building up on me. I stung everywhere, and spots of blood were seeping through my still dirty tunic that reeked of the bog. What's more, the mud and mingled swamp bothered my wounds even more.

My sword was able to fall one more enemy before the moblins around me were becoming distracted. They took up battle with the two newcomers. Finally, my companions have made it! The enemies seemed to split their attentions, a few stayed with me while the others fought with the other two. "Just in time!" I yelled. "I knew you two would show up eventually!"

"Sorry, Link." Tog shouted back, wielding a small dagger. "We were occupied with the few that stayed behind."

Feeling suddenly stronger, we fought against the small horde. The monsters were still quite powerful, but their power came from their large group, and minutes into the fight, we were winning! A spear was pushed towards me, but I braced my arms against the shield and shoved back. I wasn't noticing that the beast next to me was slipping away. As a matter of fact, many of the monsters took the moment to edge their way free of the battle and make a run in all different directions. Then, once they were free, the ones fighting took their chance!

"Link!" His Majesty yelled. "Stop them! That is the same group of monsters that dropped the roadblock!" Then the prince bolted off and ran after one of the directions in pursuit. I heeded his advice and ran after them myself.

The moblins that I was chasing was a broken group of only three. I ran after them as fast and my legs could physically go, and I was even starting to gain up on them! But then, as we neared some close trees on either side of us, the moblins all at once ran past either tree and I lost sight of them.

The rustling caught my attention yet again, but I hesitated. The three of them were now split up again so they were all running in different directions. By the second I was able to react, they were long gone. Wow, I thought, who knew moblins could have so much power? I sighed, and, deciding that the rest of the chase was pointless, walked back to the road.

Tog was already there and His Highness was just joining him. "Any luck?" Tog asked, rubbing his head like it hurt.

"No," I answered. "I lost them..."

"Yeah," the moblin returned. "I actually caught up to the one that I was chasing, but I wasn't expecting him to swing back and hit me over the head with the wood of his spear."

The prince kicked at the dirt in a fit of anger, sending a cloud of dust upward. "Curse it all!" He yelled. "They were right there! How can they keep eluding me!?"

"Calm down," Tog said. "We should just be thankful that none of us are seriously injured."

"And I am still confused on why you helped me." The prince pointed.

The moblin opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted. "This is Tog, he's a friend of mine." I explained. "He is the one who told me that you were captured, and he wanted to help."

His Majesty's eyes looked at me, but he refused to make contact. He seemed upset, but in a different way than what he showed towards the smart group of enemies. "I don't need your help."

Guilt started its butchering yet again, and I knew what he was thinking about. This is usually a time when I would fire another insult back at him, where I wanted to hurt him for hurting me. But I didn't want to this time, no, I was greatly bothered and felt like I was deserving of his response. "Listen, I..."

"Well, I have to say that was a lot of fun." Tog interrupted like he chose to not get involved in something that didn't concern him. "And I'm so glad that His Highness is now safe, but this seems rather personal and I think I should be on my way."

I turned my attention to him. "That's a shame." I honestly remarked. "But I know you really went out of your way for us, and I don't want to ask you for anything more. So, thank you, very much."

"Don't worry about that." He returned. "I'll see you around some time." With that said, he turned around and took to the road. We wished him our goodbyes, and when we were alone again, a distilled silence took place.

The prince bit his lip and bile rose back in my throat. I didn't want to continue on what I was going to say. I didn't want to apologize to him with words, but he deserved it, and I wanted him to know. "What happened back there was very wrong. I left you on your own, and because of it, it was my fault you were captured. I can't even tell you how..." I swallowed, feeling every word in my gut. "How sorry I am."

What made me feel worse though, was that he kept quiet, like he was still trying to process the apology. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness." I found myself continuing, and hoping for a clear response. "But I regret doing that now, and...I can't believe I'm saying this. I would like for you to join me again."

"You would?" He asked, and there was no accusation in his tone. I nodded. "All right." He spoke calmly. "But now, there is something I want off my chest. Some of the things you said left me thinking, and I'd realized, you're right. I never trusted you, as a matter of fact, I haven't trusted anyone. Not since Father died. I mean, I didn't even trust my own sister! And if there's anyone I should trust with my sister's life, it's you."

The sound of day-light insects surrounded us and became louder than our voices. "Well, I suppose we're even now." I concluded. "Shall we continue on our way before night comes?"

A genuine smile showed. "Sure." He then fell into place beside me, and we followed the eastern road. The atmosphere around us seemed calmer and more pleasant now that the stress of unspoken anger has drained. The wind flickered over the natural canopy of leaves, making them clash like windchimes, and sending in tiny rays of sun and still blue sky.

"Might I ask," The prince spoke regally. "Where are we going now?"

"I just came from Midoro Palace, so..." Without slowing, I brought out the map to see where the next temple was, but the closest would be the hardest to reach yet.

"What?" His Majesty asked me, and it was then that I realized that I had stopped walking.

"The closest one to us is the Island Palace." I explained. "And it's on the island south of the Harbor Town of Mido."

"What? But that island is-"

"I know." I interrupted. "No one ever reached it safely."

"Who would have thought that there was an ancient temple there?" He pondered, leaning slightly to look at the map in my hands.

"I don't know, but we have to find a way to reach it somehow."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading! And don't forget to review, it really helps me out. And most of all, thanks for reading such long chapters. Not all of them will be this long, I promise. But let me know if this, or something else, bothers you. I welcome critics.