Link looked over his shoulder as his horse continued on, Zelda wasn't far behind, but it still made him uneasy not having her in his sight after their fight with Ganondorf in Labrynna Castle. Link frowned slightly as he thought of what Labrynna Castle once was, Erris had turned it into something more along the lines of a fortress than a home for the royal family of which he was the only remaining member...if Cia is not included, that is.
The sun was setting quickly and the winter cold was setting in, they had just passed through Fernridge, so he knew they couldn't be too far from Oak Hollow, but it still made him nervous, especially due to the fact Audrik had decided to travel with them...as if it wasn't dangerous enough bringing two royals out into the country side, Captain Viscen wouldn't take "no" for an answer when it came to sending an entire compliment of guards with them, no matter how obvious it made the fact that the travelers were important.
Link turned his attention back to the road ahead, becoming aware of Kallil's horse gaining on him, though he did not acknowlede it. Kallil jumped at the chance to pay a visit to his home, one of Link's many homes, truth be told he didn't mind Kallil coming along so as to have at least one fellow traveler that knew their way around the small village.
"Link, can we talk for a moment?" Kallil asked as he pulled up beside his friend.
"About what?" Link responded, his gaze remaining forward.
"Well, there are a lot of things I've been meaning to ask...I just haven't found the most opportune of moments until now." Kallil answered.
Link scowled, he knew what Kallil wanted to say, and it wasn't something he wanted to deal with, it was rather something he'd forget, even if he knew he couldn't. He turned to look at Zelda, the Princess laughing and engaged in what looked to be a pleasant chat with her brother.
"Kallil, I know what you're going to ask...and to be honest, I've said all there is to be said, Oreck made his decision, and he did so for selfish and immature reasons, that is no fault of ours." Link stated.
"Well what are we supposed to tell his family? We have his four siblings and both of his parents to worry about, don't you think they'll ask where he is?" Kallil said.
Link grit his teeth, they very well couldn't tell them the truth, it'd be far too much for Oreck's family to handle...if they even believed him, that is.
"I'm sorry Kallil, I've lived many lives, but after searching my memories of every one, I still can find no definitive solution to our situation." Link answered, sending Kallil a telling glance, the latter easily receiving it's meaning.
"Well, cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we?" Kallil remarked.
"I guess so." Link answered, returning his gaze to the path ahead of him.
"What are you going to tell Marin?" Kallil asked.
Link's eyes opened slightly wider, his hands tightening on his steed's reigns. He felt guilt well up inside of him, with all that had happened he had forgotten about her yet again, he thought back to his fight with Oreck at the eastern gate, and Oreck's accusations that he did not care for her. Link denied it then, but the further he got into the role of "Hero" in this life, the more his former, ignorant self's life he forgot, he had to face it, any feelings he had for Marin were gone, his love for Zelda easily taking over...Goddesses, what will he say to her?
"I...I don't know." Link stammered.
"So you're just going to return with a betrothed and try to avoid her?" Kallil asked.
"Since when were you the guardian of morals!?" Link shot louder than he would have liked.
"I'm just trying to help my best friend prepare for what's to be an awkward confrontation." Kallil stated.
"There will be no confrontation, we've been gone for nearly a year, she's probably found herself another suitor by now. Besides, you only care because she's your cousin." Link answered.
"That's not true, I care because she's not just my family, she's my friend, and yours, remember when we were children and the three of us banded together to fight our bully, the feared Oreck?" Kallil said with a laugh.
Link tensed, the memory only caused him pain, Marin was sure to hate him after this, and he knew Oreck already did, there was no way around that fact, he tried to kill him for the Goddesses sake. It was a common thing in all of his lives for his friends from his time without his memories to become alienated and disdainful towards him after his regaining of said memories.
"I need to speak to the captain for a moment." Link said before marching his horse onward towards the guard that was in front of him.
"What do you think those two are fighting about?" Audrik asked, an amused smile on his face.
"Something that is more than likely none of our business." Zelda answered, her pleasant smile remaining on her face.
"Aren't you at least a little offended your betrothed has chosen to neglect you in favor of that guardsmen who is apparently, and I quote, "not the guardian of morals"?" Audrik asked.
Zelda gave a short, stifled laugh before replying. "It's not fair to demand his attention all the time, I have had hundreds of years of it after all."
"Well, his loss, more of my dearest sister's company for me then." Audrik said.
"Speaking of my company, why did you decide to travel with us?" Zelda inquired.
"Father always told us "be thankful for what you have, because some are not so lucky." Audrik said, doing his best impression of the King.
"What about that?" Zelda pressed.
"I just wished to see how those who are not as lucky as we apparently are live?" Audrik responded, deciding not to laugh after receiving a glare from his sister.
"That's very rude to Link, his family, his friends, and the other inhabitants of Oak Hollow." Zelda said, a serious tone to her voice as she scolded him.
"Uuuugh, I'm so sorry, sister, can you ever forgive me?" Audrik groaned sarcastically.
"Yes, but you must punished first." Zelda said, whipping a small pebble she had collected during one of their stops at Audriks leg, the projectile making it's mark.
"Ah!" the Prince exclaimed, "Quarreling children again, are we sister?" Audrik called.
"Our fights were much more intense as children...they always ended with you running to mother, father, or Oren for protection." Zelda teased.
"Glad to hear you've been honing your fighting skills for so long in this life." Link said with a laugh as he dropped back to join them.
Zelda blushed, slightly embarrassed about being caught acting so childish with her brother.
"She has been ever so cruel to me, Mr. Link, shall you save me from her?" Audrik said, casting a hand over his forehead in mock distress.
"Well then, it would seem it rubbed off on you, as it's been quite cruel of you to leave Minister Hawkwood in charge of satiating the nobles...even when you were present." Link stated.
"I...I...have to talk to the captain." Audrik said, kicking his horse toward the man.
"Well, that took care of him." Zelda said with a smile.
"I haven't had any alone time with you today, I wanted to get it any way I could, luckily for me, making your brother nervous is easy, doesn't want to face up to the abuse he condemns his Minister of Royal Affairs to, does he?" Link said.
"Oh, most definitely not." Zelda replied with a laugh.
Link had been craving this, a time when they could be carefree together, a time when they didn't have to think about the storm that was on it's way.
4 months ago
"Where's the Princess?!"
"She promised she'd address us immediately!"
"What are you hiding?!"
Audrik couldn't help but take offense at the last question from the Gamelonian delegate, but at the same time he couldn't help but ask himself the other two questions, where had his sister gone and why has she not returned?
"Please, honorable guests, I ask you to calm yourselves, my sister is feeling under the weather at this very moment, and I ask she not be disturbed, any concerns you have may be directed towards me." Audrik said with a grin.
One of the delegates stepped forward, she was in her later years, but still maintained a youthful type of appearance. "So you're telling us that the Princess not only knows we were attacked in her own home, by one of her own Knights, and will not even brave the walk from her quarters to address this?" she asked aggressively.
"Well...I..." Audrik said before a man stepped forward.
"You are lying to us!" he exclaimed as he came within a stride.
Audrik sensed Oren tense behind him, his expression hardening as the glares from the crowd grew more intense.
"One of our Knight's has a wound to his head and our Princess was nearly killed, and you have nothing to say!?" a younger man yelled.
"I have many things to say about this matter, but none of those sentiments would convey the regret I feel over this happening, and neither will they make the fact that this happened any less true." Audrik said, his cordial expression vanishing, a severe expression taking it's place.
"Well then, since you can't seem to find your words, what actions shall you take to make this right?" the woman shot.
Audrik turned and exchanged glances with Oren, the Sheikah man almost protesting once he saw the look in the Prince's eyes.
"We will extradite Sir Mathias to your land for trial, for you to sentence as you wish." Audrik stated.
"We have no land in which to try him in." she answered.
"That's why I will have our very own Admiral Ginthorne lead our forces to retake your Kingdom from the Dragon Knight!" Audrik proclaimed.
Oren stood stalk still behind his overconfident ward, completely dumbstruck by his newfound brashness, remaining silent as the Prince turned and shot a smile at him.
"You promise this?" the woman asked.
"On. My. Life." Audrik said slowly.
"Well how do you-" the female delegate began, going silent as Audrik shot his arm out.
"Minister Hawkwood will gladly answer any questions you may have, I must contact the Admiral at once." The Prince said before turning and walking away, hearing the delegates verbal assault began as Minister Hawkwood meekly made his way out of the nearest hall.
"Prince, please tell me that was just a boast for show...to appease them." Oren said, knowing such was not the case, but holding out hope anyway.
"Oren, we are taking back Gamelon, we can't allow the forces of evil to control three of the five countries in this land, it gives them a major advantage that we cannot tolerate!" the Prince exclaimed.
"We'll have to march through Termina to get there, the rulers of the territories there may not like that." Oren cautioned his ward.
"Already taken care of, my friend." Audrik said confidently. "While my sister has been concerning herself with this Zora conundrum, I have been exchanging letters with Mayor Thaddean Met and Chief Darmani, we've agreed that the time to strike is now...the Deku Kingdom may even join us! In this case we can be thankful for their extreme, centuries old xenophobia." Audrik proclaimed.
"Your sister is not going to like this...not at all." Oren said.
"Well, I don't like that fact that my big sister has gone off to parts unknown without informing me. You and I are on the same page, so to speak...are we not? You know, with your wife seemingly having gone with her, Lemuria was quite worried when she couldn't find her." Audrik said with a laugh, stopping abruptly after realizing what he had said.
"What's this about my daughter?" Oren asked.
"Oh, look at the time, will you? I really must attend to some pressing matters in my study, good day, Oren." Audrik said, walking briskly down the hall after pulling out his time piece for all of two seconds.
"Prince." Oren said.
"Good day." Audrik called as he walked away."
"Prince Audrik." Oren said as he began to follow.
"I said good day!" Audrik called, nearly breaking into a run.
oOo
Link let fear grip him slightly as Ganon's maniacal laughter boomed throughout the room, a fierce storm raging at the Demon King's command.
"Link..." Zelda said, placing her hand on his shoulder.
The Hero stared straight ahead as he held the Master Sword firmly, feeling a chill shoot through him as Ganondorf, his appearance having become demonic, turned to him, his blood red irises locking with his bright blue...then suddenly everything went white as the sounds of leaves rustling greeted him, the swirling wind suddenly dissipating as Ganondorf's maniacal laughter slowly faded away until it was gone all together.
Link opened his eyes, not even having been aware he had closed them.
"Wha...what's going on?!" Link shot, shocked at the sudden change of scenery.
Just a moment ago he, Zelda, Impa, Cia, Erris, and Elgon had been in Labrynna Castle's main hall, Ganondorf and the two Gerudo women standing in front of him...all while the Demon King relished his new power, with Link unable to do a thing. He reached towards the ground, smiling slightly as his fingertips came into contact with the wet grass and moss beneath him...he thought it might be an illusion cast by Ganondorf but no, he was really here, he was really in Kokiri Forest.
"Link!" Zelda said, grabbing his shoulder tightly and subsequently causing him to glance upwards.
What must have been hundreds of small beings surrounded them, all dressed in traditional green Kokiri garb, the Great Deku Tree towering above them all.
"Link...how did we get here?" Zelda asked.
"I assumed this was your doing." Link said, giving the silent Kokiri around him an unsure glance.
"It was our actions that brought you here." the Great Deku Tree proclaimed, his voice startling the Hero and the Princess. "When we sensed the Demon King's sudden rise in power, we cast a trans-location spell, taking you here immediately, for if we hadn't, we fear Ganondorf may have had the power to end you there, something that cannot happen."
"How did you know where to find us?" Link asked, genuinely confused.
"I've been keeping track of you using your spirit energy, the Hero's energies aren't exactly hard to find, especially with the Triforce of Courage behind them." a familiar voice replied.
"Saria?!" Zelda said in disbelief. "I haven't seen you since the age of the Hero of Time! I...I no longer thought you to be among us." Zelda said, kneeling as the green haired Kokiri girl made her way over.
"My apologies, I meant reveal my presence sooner." Saria said with a smile.
Zelda leaned in and embraced her. "I've often wondered what became of you, I thought you'd left Kokiri forest for good...and aged like the rest of us." Zelda admitted.
"The Kokiri needed a leader, and there was no one better for the job." Link said with a smile, Saria nodding at him.
Zelda moved away from Saria, her expression suddenly grim. "We need your help..." she said quietly.
"With what?" Saria inquired.
Link looked behind him, the unconscious form of Erris, guarded by Impa, and the seemingly semi-conscious Elgon lying behind him, all while Cia was no where to be found.
"Elgon has been gravely injured, but it is not a physical injury, it is one of the spirit." Zelda said.
"You know now, don't you?" Saria asked urgently.
"I know that Elgon has been many people including Rauru..and my father." Zelda answered.
Saria bowed her head in acknowledgement, walking forward slowly. "I must see him." The Kokiri girl walked towards Link, slowing as she saw two individuals lying behind him, stopping in her tracks as soon as she was within half a meter. "What...what is he doing here?" she growled, indicating Erris.
"Saria, please-" Link said, his friend cutting him off.
"He injured the Great Deku Tree, attacked my people, and tried to kill you! Or have you forgotten? When we initiated the spell I sensed more than just the presence of you and the Princess, but assumed they were allies of yours, if I had known it was him I would have left him there!" Saria exclaimed.
"I knew he was present, it is my will that he be here." the Great Deku Tree said, the worried Kokiri seemingly being put at ease by his words.
"But...why?" Saria asked, a gentle tone to her voice.
"The demon that inhabited him has been taken from his body and his Kindgom taken from his rule, he may be a great ally in coming days." the forest deity responded.
"I understand." Saria replied, slowly walking towards Elgon, and eyeing Erris as she passed.
"Not to worry, if he makes a move he'll be down in seconds." Impa reassured her fellow sage.
"It's good to see you again Impa, you get younger with every incarnation." Saria said, Impa giving the girl a small grin.
Link and Zelda looked on as Saria knelt, passing a hand glowing with green energy over Elgon's body.
"Cia isn't here." Link said, glancing at the Princess.
"I've realized, she managed to find her way out of the trans-location spell, but I assume she's still near, she wouldn't abandon Erris after all." Zelda responded.
"True, what if she tries to make her escape with Erris? I intend for him to stand trial for what he's done...if I don't get him first." Link said, furrowing his brow as he looked at the Prince's crumpled form.
"If she does, I'll stop her." Zelda replied.
Just then, the Kokiri behind them parted, Link looking on in shock as hundreds of Zora, some injured, passed through the entrance into the Great Deku Tree's meadow, leading them was Trystane, Thrakon, Kallil, Aren and Mikau.
"I wanted to tell you earlier, we managed not just to pull you out of danger, but your friends and the Zora also." Saria called to them while treating Elgon.
Impa joined Link and the Zelda, looking on with a grin.
"Link!" Kallil shouted as he ran forward, grinding to a halt a short distance before meeting his friend, Trystane, Thrakon, and Aren caching up soon after.
"Princess Zelda!" Trystane proclaimed, bowing quickly, the others following suit.
"You don't have to address me like that, here we're all equals." she said with a smile, indicating their surroundings.
The four men straightened up, looking around them as they did so.
"Where is "here"?" Thrakon asked as he inspected his surroundings, eyeing the Kokiri carefully.
Link looked over the Kokiri around them, they seemed cautious, but not distressed as her thought they would be if hundreds of Zora and a group of Hylians appeared in their domain, especially after being cut off from the rest of the world for hundreds of years.
"This is Kokiri Forest, home of the Kokiri, and the Great Deku Tree." Link answered, pointing an outstretched arm towards the forest deity.
"Correct me if I am mistaken, but was this not your home in a former life?" Trystane asked.
"That is true." Link said with small smile.
"I suppose that means we have you to thank for saving us from the villainous hordes that assailed us, my lord!" Trystane called to the Great Deku Tree.
"Friends of the Hero, are friends of mine." the Great Deku Tree responded, his voice obviously startling Kallil, Thrakon and Aren, but somehow failed to disturb Trystane.
"It's an honor to meet you, Link speaks very highly of you all." Zelda said to the group before her.
"You..you're the Princess!" Kallil said enthusiastically.
"That she is." Aren answered plainly.
"I never got to properly introduce myself during the Battle in the Great Hall...or any other time we have had the chance to meet...not that I did not notice...or...not that I was intimidated or anything." Kallil said with a nervous laugh.
"Pull yourself together." Link said, throwing an arm around his friend.
"It's truly an honor." Zelda said extending a hand, Kallil hesitating before taking it."
"It's all mine." he said, sounding like he was out of breath.
Impa walked forward, eyes making contact with Aren's. "I'm pleased to see you are unharmed." she said, placing a fist in her open hand and bowing, the young Sheikah man returning the gesture.
"Please excuse my surprise upon seeing you here, I did not know you took part in the battle." he said.
"You're easily forgiven, you've brought honor to our tribe by fighting with the Hero." she replied. Aren giving her a short smile.
"If I may ask, how did the battle go after my unintentional departure?" Link inquired, a concerned look overtaking his face and Zelda's.
"Well." Trystane said, placing a hand on his chin. "After Erris's tower fell apart and Thrakon dispatched the Blin Emperor, their forces, with the exception of the Garo nearly fell into chaos, but those damned Black Knights were able to reign them in and keep them organized...but a while after you left the Black Knights suddenly fell inactive...as if they were frozen, and not by my doing. What made it even more strange was the sudden disappearance of the Garo from the battlefield. We actually thought we might have a chance at that point, but shortly before we arrived here the Black Knights re-awoke and led the forces with more ferocity, they were cutting through us like a rock through parchment...we attempted a strategy in which we spread out into a v formation in order to funnel them in and surround them, a maneuver I regret to say we vastly overestimated the tactical feasibility of." Trystane explained. "Then all of a sudden we were here...where did you go?"
"Erris tried to escape, but he unwittingly took me with him, straight to his home Labrynna Castle. That's where I found Zelda and Impa...and Ganondorf." Link answered.
"The Demon King lives...and you met him in battle?" Trystane asked in disbelief.
"Isn't that sword we retrieved supposed to be able to kill him...did you do it? Is he dead?" Thrakon asked apprehensively.
"I'm afraid not, he possesses a power in this life that allowed him a few more moments of life after being run through with the Master Sword...and that's all he needed." Link said, lowering his head.
"Needed for what?" Kallil asked.
"The Garo's disappearance and the seemingly unconscious state of the Black Knight occurred for the same reason...Ganondorf had to take all the energy he was using to control them in order to absorb two powerful demons, Mahlik and Majora...you may know Mahlik due to his possession of Erris, but Majora hasn't been out of the Dark World for close to a millenia." Link explained, thinking back to his confrontation with the demon...he had thought Majora defeated then, but he now realized he only managed to banish, and not destroy him, something he sought to rectify in this life.
"I have read about this Majora in ancient Ikanian scripture...if he and Mahlik have been merged with the Demon King, what does this mean?" Trystane asked,
"It means he's basically a god now." Link responded, the cheerful feeling he had upon seeing his friends again fading away.
"Ganondorf cannot be a god, even with Majora and Mahlik his strength is not enough." Zelda said, fisting her hands.
"What the Princess says is true, while he has reached new heights of power, he is still in a mortal form, and can be defeated." the Great Deku Tree added.
Link turned to face his former guardian, only to be met with a shriek from Saria. The small Kokiri girl suddenly flew into the air, Zelda catching her via telekinesis and bringing her back down to earth.
"I'm afraid the forest god is wrong...I cannot be defeated." Elgon said as he stood up, the unmistakable voice of Ganondorf slowly overtaking his own.
"It's Ganondorf...he's possessing Elgon!" Saria exclaimed.
Link drew his sword, Trystane, Kallil, Thrakon, and Impa doing the same as they ran to his side while Zelda called forth her light powers, a golden aura surrounding her.
"I couldn't just let you leave, now could I?" he taunted as charged a ball of dark energy and launched it at them, Zelda blocking it with a light barrier.
"You wouldn't hurt the Light Sage would you? Your soft heart will be your downfall!" Elgon roared as he charged them, a red glow having taken over his eyes.
"What do we do? If we hurt him we're also hurting Elgon!" Thrakon called out as he dodged another bolt of energy.
Link grit his teeth as he charged toward the possessed Elgon, dodging blasts of energy along the way. He didn't want to hurt his friend, but did he really have a choice? The Hero found himself upon the Light Sage and brought up his sword to strike, bringing it down on Elgon, who effortlessly blocked the slash with an energy barrier.
"If I didn't know better I'd think you actually meant to do some harm with that, hero! But alas, I know you wouldn't dare!" Elgon roared in Ganon's voice. He pushed Link back while charging a bolt of electricity in his other hand. "Meet your fate, Hero!" he roared as he shot the blast towards him.
Link braced himself only to be teleported out of the way by Zelda.
"Link, Sir Trystane has a plan that might actually work." she said, her breathing heavy.
"I don't think I have the time to hear him out."Link replied, looking over the panicking Kokiri around him, they tried to run, but found Ganon had erected a barrier in front of the meadow's only exit, he didn't want anyone to escape.
"Impa is going to lead your team in distracting him and Mikau has agreed to lend us his forces if necessary." Zelda replied.
Link turned forward, finding Ganon/Elgon fending off numerous thrown harpoons and assaults from his team. "Well, Trystane, let's hear it before Ganon gets Elgon killed!" Link shot.
The Hylian Knight rushed over, looking Link in the eyes. "I can freeze him, it might hold him long enough for us to figure this out!"
"Are you insane? That would kill him!" Link answered.
"Not if I used red ice! It's something I've only begun to learn to command, but if given enough time I'm sure I can use it." Trystane answered.
"You better be damn sure!" Link answered.
"I am!" said Trystane.
"Then get to it." Link replied.
Link and Zelda braced themselves as a the ground shook, turning to see that the possessed Elgon had managed to dispatch all of his assailants with one powerful burst of energy. The Hero and the Princess looked at each other, knowing what they had to do.
"You go left, I'll go right." Zelda said before they took off, leaving Trystane to work on his own.
Zelda launched bolts of light energy as she ran, Elgon blocking each one with ease.
"You must try harder if you want to hurt me, Princess!" he taunted.
Link darted in from the side and swung the Master Sword downward, Elgon barely dodging it before darting in and delivering a powerful punch to the Hero's stomach.
Zelda took to the air and shot a bolt of electricity at the Light Sage, the blast striking him as he was about to deliver another blow to Link. Zelda teleported to her betrothed's side and immediately teleported them to the other side of the meadow.
"Link! Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine, I've taken harder hits than that." Link said as he stood.
"You usually don't take any hits at all." Zelda replied.
"I'm usually not fighting the possessed body of my sword instructor and reincarnated light sage." Link said.
The two jumped out of the way as a ball of fire crashed into the ground between them, Elgon teleporting into it's point of impact. "Clever what you did there, using electricity to impair my functions without harming this body." he said with a sinister smile. He made to launch another blast at the Princess when he came to a complete stop. "What...is...this?!" he roared.
Link looked to Zelda, realizing she was not responsible for this, he then looked to his right and found, to his shock, Prince Erris was awake, holding Elgon telekinetically.
"Now!" Erris yelled.
Trystane cast a stunned glance over his shoulder at the suddenly conscious Prince, but knew he didn't have time on his side, immediately sending a red mist at Elgon, the cloud condensing around him until he could no longer be seen.
Link and Zelda inched closer as the mist dissipated, finding Elgon completely encased in the crimson ice.
"How's that for a first attempt?" Trystane asked, meeting with silence as the Hero, Princess and Erris exchanged glances.
"If you try anything..." Link said, holding the Master Sword at the ready.
"I know, you'll kill me...and I'd probably let you." Erris answered.
"But I wouldn't." Cia said as she appeared out from a cloud of smoke.
Link and Zelda readied themselves, Trystane running to their side.
"Please, let's not." Cia said.
"He needs to pay for what he's done! He tried to kill Zelda!" Link roared.
"I claim responsibility for my actions." Erris said as he stepped forward. "But for now we have more pressing matters to attend to." he continued, gesturing towards the red ice encased Light Sage.
"I'm going to rip Ganon straight out of him, care to help me, Princess?" she asked nonchalantly.
Zelda began to answer when the ice shattered, Elgon flying out. "Prince, it's nice to see you've recovered! What's it like? Having a clear head after more than a decade sharing it with a demon?"
"You'll pay for what you've done!" Erris yelled as he raced forward, blade at the ready.
Elgon met the Prince halfway, catching the blade and delivering an open palm strike to his chest, sending him skidding back on his heels.
Cia shot a bolt of energy out him, Elgon stretching out his arms as it struck him in the chest, and to the shock of all those around him, simply absorbed it into his body, leaving himself unharmed.
Link charged and performed a spin attack, the possessed Light Sage leaping over it and knocking Link to the ground with a telekinetic blast.
Zelda flew upwards, the clouds above her swirling as bolts of lightning continuously struck Elgon at her command. Zelda floated closer to Elgon, quickly trying to move out of the way as he sent a bolt of lightning back at her, only to have it strike her before she could evade it.
Link sprinted below her and caught her as she fell. "Zelda!" he yelled as she landed in his arms.
The Princess levitated to her feet, clutching at her chest, I'm fine." she said, looking up at Elgon.
"You are all lucky I decided against coming in person, or else you'd all be dead by now!" Ganon exclaimed through Elgon. He made to swoop down onto Zelda and Link, but was quickly entangled by tree roots and pulled to the ground.
"Your overconfidence is your weakness, Ganondorf." the Great Deku Tree boomed.
"Damn you! I have killed you once and I shall do it again!" Ganon roared.
"I have grown in power, and you have only grown in foolishness." the forest deity said as his roots tore away from Elgon, the Light Sage's body falling limp as the nearly invisible specter of Ganondorf fought for freedom from the Great Deku Tree's grasp. "BE GONE FROM MY HOME, DEMON!" he boomed as he tightened his roots, a green aura flaring around them as the Ganon's phantom form shattered, dissolving into nothing, a final "NO!" resounding through the meadow as the Great Deku Tree dispatched him.
Link looked on as the Kokiri and Zora cheered, his team being helped back to their feet after their thrashing at the possessed Elgon's hands.
Zelda rushed to Elgon's side, placing a hand on his neck. "He still has a pulse." she said.
"And Ganon?" Link asked.
"Gone for now." Zelda reassured him.
"Where were you when he first attacked?" Link shot at Cia.
"Waiting for the most opportune time to strike, you should know that, back when you knew me as "Lana" we fought side by side for months." she answered.
"It was a long time ago." Link replied.
Saria ran passed, quickly sending a glare at Erris before tending to Elgon. "I think he's going to be alright." she said, passing her hands over him, the green aura emanating from them once more. "You need to stop getting yourself into so much trouble, Rauru." she said with a smile.
"You're all in trouble." Erris said as he stepped forward.
"How so?" Link shot.
"Mahlik can sense fear, he feeds on it, look at the Kokiri, they're terrified, even with powerful warding spells in place, now that Ganondorf has absorbed Mahlik he will be able to hone in on them with ease. They're not safe here." he said.
"And you wish us to believe that you care?!" Link asked in disbelief.
"I cannot deny my own will being involved in my actions, but do not forget, there was a demon pushing me to do things I'd rather not have done. I am a man just like you and a ruler who only wants the best for his people, like my father. I could say that the things I've done were all Mahlik's doing, but that is not true, there are terrible things I have done of my own free will, but with Mahlik gone I can finally see that those thing are just that, terrible! If you would allow me to, I wish to repent for what I've done." Erris said as he dropped to one knee. "I don't expect forgiveness or respect, I just wish to fight by your side and aid you against the evil I have unleashed onto this world." he said whilst bowing his head.
Link grit his teeth, clenching his hands around the Master Sword, readying himself to tell Erris to go to hell when Zelda spoke up.
"We accept your offer." she said, looking down at Erris.
Erris tightened his grip on his blade, using it to push himself onto his feet. "Thank you...I will do my best to redeem myself, even if I am beyond redemption." he answered.
Link looked at Zelda cautiously before turning to Erris. "One wrong move and I'll have your head." he warned before beginning towards the Great Deku Tree.
"Link, listen, I know you don't like it, but Erris is seeking redemption, and with him on our side we can defeat Ganondorf again, even if Majora and Mahlik are now one with him." Zelda said.
"How can you forgive him after what he did to you?" Link pressed.
"He could've killed me instantly if he wanted to, I was so distracted at that moment I didn't even see him move...but he struck me non-fatally, that shows me that there is good somewhere inside of him." Zelda explained. She gave Link a concerned glance, quickly becoming perplexed as he broke into laughter.
"You always were the more forgiving one, the one that always saw good in people while I was always brash and impulsive. I don't trust Erris, and I don't expect I ever will, but as long as he is loyal and useful, I will tolerate him and I will do so as long as you say I should." Link said, quickly grabbing Zelda and pulling her into him.
"Link, what are you-" she said before the Hero silenced her with a kiss.
"Sorry, I've been waiting to do that for a while." he said as he broke from it.
"You're forgiven, 'twas a pleasant surprise." Zelda said with a smile.
The two walked onwards, finally finding their way to the base of the Great Deku Tree.
"You have come to warn me, have you not?" the Great Deku Tree asked.
"You're not safe here anymore." Zelda said.
"Ganondorf will be back in person, and when that happens he'll wipe out the entire forest immediately." Link explained.
"What would you have us do? Run away and leave the Great Deku Tree to die at Erris's hands?" Saria said as she strode up to them.
"Saria my child, please lead your brothers and sisters to safety, if my fate comes, then so be it, I will die knowing you live." the Great Deku Tree said.
"Please, you'll be safer with us in Castle Town." Link stated.
"But the other Kokiri, they've never left Kokiri forest, they'll be terrified, not to mention the fact we'll start to age." Saria said, her fear evident.
"What if we moved the entire forest?" Zelda suggested. "You teleported hundreds of individuals here from across the country, surely you can make the journey to Castle Town." the Princess said hopefully.
"I used what power I had performing the Trans-location spell and banishing Ganondorf from the Light Sage's body, I fear I am no longer capable of such a powerful spell." the forest deity admitted.
"You don't have to draw from your own power, you can use ours." Zelda suggested. The Princess held up her hand, her Triforce mark glowing brightly.
"But where do you plan to move the forest to?" Saria asked.
"Zelda, have they begun rebuilding East Castle Town yet?" Link asked, for the first time being thankful for the Golem's rampage.
"I don't believe so! That's enough space for the entire village and more!" the Princess said excitedly.
"So, shall it be done?" Link asked.
"If it keeps us safe, I'll gladly lend what power I have at my disposal too." Saria said with a smile.
Zelda turned to the masses behind them, magically amplifying her voice so all could hear. "Everyone, the Great Deku Tree and the Kokiri people are no longer safe here, we've made the decision to move the entirety of Kokiri Forest into East Castle Town, as they will be safe there! I know you have your doubts, but I ask that you lend me your trust as well as your best efforts to aid us in keeping the forest deity, his people, and their home safe."
There was a short murmuring from the crowd before they fell silent.
"I'll help!" Mikau called out. Soon more voices followed until all those below could be heard promising their aid.
"Shall we?" Link asked.
"We shall." Zelda answered.
The Hero and Princess held out their hands, energy from their respective pieces of the Triforce pouring forth, Saria followed, green energy streaming through her hands. Below them Trystane, Mikau, Erris, Cia, Impa, and all those who even had a small amount of magic in them lended their power as a white aura emanated from the Great Deku Tree as the deity cast the spell.
Zelda and Link looked to each other, grinning as the aura spread across the ground, and then, in a flash of light, Kokiri Forest and it's inhabitants, the Great Deku Tree included, were gone.
oOo
Since then, it had come to Link's attention that King Laorik had been killed by a Gerudo woman he now knew by the name of Shilara, thanks to Erris. Apparently at some point she had lost an arm to Trystane, who was dismayed to find that Ganon had restored it during their confrontation inside Labrynna Castle.
Link was soon roused from his thoughts as Zelda rode up next to him.
"Almost there, aren't we?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh yes, we're coming close indeed." Link answered.
"You know, when I regained my memories, I sent out scouting parties to the surrounding villages so I could find you, even if you didn't remember me at the time." the Princess admitted.
"And you didn't make it to Oak Hollow, I assume?" he asked.
"Actually, they did, and the resident Guard Captain, Elgon Cornette refused them entry" Zelda replied.
"Why in Hyrule would he do that?" Link asked.
"Possibly to keep you safe until your role became clear to you, it just shows how long he's been trying to do what he thinks is right for us." Zelda said with a smile.
Link found himself slightly frustrated with his former instructor, but easily overcame it as he was with Zelda now. If he had gone back then, he would spent two years having no idea what he was supposed to be or why he was summoned by the Princess. He took his thoughts off of this as he saw it up ahead, a fragile looking wooden archway with a sign hanging from the top that read "Oak Hollow", excitement and nervousness welled up inside of him as they approached it, for the first time in months he was going back to the village he was raised in to see the closest thing to a complete family he had ever had. Zelda seemed to pick up on this, sending him a reassuring smile as they made it through the gate.
oOo
"Does Trystane know what happened?" Mathias asked as the wagon jostled along the shoddily constructed path towards the desert.
"Everyone knows you attacked a foreign Princess, now shut up." the lone guard inside the wagon answered.
Mathias turned towards the window, breathing a heavy sigh as the sands came into view, he had spent a few months in a prison in Castle Town until he was sentenced, his fate being revealed to be what's supposed to be a short sentence in the Arbiter's Grounds until he could be extradited to Gamelon. He deserved it, he thought, he could have ruined relations with Gamelon. He almost snorted in derision at the idea, there was no Gamelon at the moment and he wasn't sure there would ever be.
Without warning the wagon picked up off the ground and fell onto it's side, Mathias and the Guard hanging on for dear life.
Mathias felt hazy when he come to, finding his chains had broken from the wall, and the guard still present inside the wagon.
"Wait here and don't you dare try to escape!" the guard yelled as he pulled himself outside.
"This is a prisoner transport, you will not find any valuables inside!" he heard one guard yell.
"Retreat or we will be force to kill you." another guard said. Mathias could hear the fear in his voice, knowing that was a bad sign,
"Watch out!" a guard yelled.
Mathias heard the sounds of a short fight, followed by the guards screaming, each going silent one by one.
Against his better judgement, Mathias pulled himself through the wagon's open door, slowly lowering himself to the ground. The horses had run off and the guards were lying on the ground motionless. He took a step, quickly pulling his foot back as he spotted a disembodied arm, clad in the sleeve of a Hylian Guard uniform lying next to him.
"Ah!" he gasped, stepping back only to find he wasn't alone. He whirled around to see two Gerudo women, a young long haired man with a goat mask hanging over his shoulders, and an enormous cloaked figure standing before him.
"Who...who are you?" he asked warily.
The cloaked figure dropped his hood, revealing black hair, dark gray skin, two silver horns and crimson eyes. "I'm the man who hired you to take the Scepter of Gamelon." he said, a low menacing tone to his voice.
"Minister Ryos and Prince Erris were behind that..." Mathias said as he backed away.
"They were serving me." Ganondorf said with a smile.
"If so, have you come here to kill me? As you've probably realized, I failed." Mathias stated.
"True, but you showed loyalty, and that should be rewarded. Now come, we have much work to do." Ganon said with a laugh. He raised his hand and in the blink of an eye he, Shhilara, Naora, Oreck, and Mathias had vanished, gone off to parts unknown.
oOo
Hello everyone! Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! I apologize for how long I took to release this chapter, life hasn't been handing me much free time recently.
Gerudospirit: I'm glad you liked the Impa, Zelda and Cia team up in this one, to me they just made a really good, though really unusual team, which is kind of what you need to beat or at least get the better of a guy like Ganon, I think. When it comes to Shilara, violent and crazy are the words that were running through my head when I created her, so I'm glad someone finally said it haha! I did give her arm back, courtesy of Ganondorf (even villains look out for their little siblings), so hopefully that didn't make Laorik's death seem in vain, believe it or not there was a reason for it, which will be revealed in the upcoming chapters! Thank you for reviewing!
Also, special thanks to locshadowy2020, templeofsouls, biggtedd, CamB25, yache, Target22, Pheonix Crimson, zelda reborn, and Ignitious for favoriting and following!
Once again thanks for the read and I hope you enjoyed it!
-Prometheus17