Alright! Due to some recent fedback, I have decided to add more detail to my earlier chapters. I'm not really changing anything, just adding a few things to make the story even better!. In case you can't tell from the summary or title, this is a crossover between Zelda and Fire Emblem. This will be updated based on the feedback I get, so if you like it, tell me! Also, don't be afraid to point out any errors; after three hours of typing, you can skip over some things. Anyway, enjoy!
Chapter 1: The Dark Knight
As the sun began its slow decent to the horizon, a lone couple sat overlooking Lake Hylia. The crystalline water was died a brilliant orange in the waning light of the sun. A small flock of Keese flew from a cave on the eastern bank of the river and several Poes lit their lanterns and floated menacingly. The great castle loomed being the lovers, its great towers threatening to pierce the clouds if they descended too low. Surrounding the grounds was a sparse forest, the trees casting threatening shadows across the stone ground of the courtyard. To the couple's left, the rocky earth dropped away to the speeding Zora's river below, its waters creating frothy foam that dared anyone to venture into the freezing waters.
The couple sat, the great beast of the castle at their backs, unaware of the approaching danger; their minds focused only on each other. The woman, with her long, dark blonde hair leaned up against her companion, caressing his shoulder gently as they watched the sun sink lower to the ground. When the sun disappeared completely from view and the moon had begun to rise to take its place, the man looked down at her lovingly and kissed her gently on her forehead before slowly standing.
"It cannot truly be time for you to go?" the woman said, standing as well. The small sheath tied at her waist patted lightly against her leg and her long white dress fluttered slightly in the breeze.
"It would be best if I set out before nightfall." the man said, turning back to the woman. The dusty green color of his tunic standing out against the bright orange light enveloping the two.
"Please, Link, don't go yet!" the woman begged, pulling at the dark blue shield strapped to Link's back.
"I will be back soon. I promise Zelda." Link said, turning to pet Zelda's face gently.
"But I have a horrible feeling. Something is going to happen. I know it!" Zelda pleaded, "Please, just wait until tomorrow!"
"You know I can't do that, love." Link sighed, casting another glace at the peaceful waters of the lake, "Renado has already been patient enough. I must get to him as soon as possible."
Zelda sighed and buried herself in Link's arms.
"Please, wait just one more day. For me?" she begged.
"I promise, I will be back before the first snows fall." Link whispered, stroking Zelda's hair gently.
They stood there for what seemed hours, blind to the nearing peril. Zelda began to weep.
"Promise?" she sobbed.
Link pulled away from her and gently wiped a tear away from his wife's face.
"I promise." he said with a smile.
Out of the corner of his eye, Link noticed a dark figure emerging from the thin wood surrounding the castle. He carefully released Zelda and turned to face the stranger, eyeing the man carefully.
"I hate to interrupt," the shadow called in a smooth voice, "but I believe that it is necessary to accomplish the task at hand."
"And just what would that task be?" Link asked, gently pushing Zelda behind him and reaching back to take hold of the hilt of his sword.
"If you value your life, you will step aside." the shadow said, stepping closer, "I come for the queen and for the queen only."
Zelda placed her hand on Link's shoulder gently and swiftly drew her small rapier. Link looked back at the sound of scratching metal and shook his head sternly, but Zelda only nodded in response.
"It would be a shame to have to kill both of you." the shadow said; now close enough for Link to better make out his appearance.
The shadow was a tall figure encased in black armor. The long, pure white blade at his side seemed to glow in the moonlight. The red cape fluttering behind the shadow completed the man's air of invincibility. Link knew better, no man was invincible, not even himself.
"I will give you one final warning. Step aside or accept your fate." the dark knight said, raising his blade to the sky.
"Run." Link whispered to Zelda as he easily drew his sword from the scabbard on his back.
"No. I will fight with you." Zelda whispered back, eyeing the shadow carefully.
"Please." Link begged softly, "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you."
"No Link, this is what I sensed, I can tell. I will fight with you."
Link went to continue the argument, but the dark knight interrupted him.
"I see you have made your choice. How unfortunate." the knight said, suddenly swinging his sword down.
The wave of energy that shot from the blade, knocked the two Hylains away from each other before either could react. Link slid to a halt dangerously close to the cliff overlooking the Zora's river and Zelda was thrown closer to the dark knight. As Link pulled himself off the ground, Zelda did the same, readying her rapier. The dark night took another step forward and Zelda charged, raising her sword to attack. Knowing that she wouldn't stand a chance, Link adjusted his grip on his sword and sprinted towards his wife.
Zelda reached the shadow and stuck with a downward slice that should have sliced through the man's armor, decapitating him. Instead, the blade hit the black metal with a sickening pang and shattered, the force of her blade breaking left her paralyzed and helpless to her attacker. The shadow lowered his free hand, wrapped it around Zelda's throat and lifted her off the ground. Link was near the knight now, and readied himself. The shadow noticed Link's proximity and sent out another wave of energy from his sword, and—despite Link's attempts to dodge—hit its target head-on, throwing Link backwards. He slammed into the stone earth, struggling to maintain consciousness knowing that if he passed out, both he and Zelda were dead. Link tried to push himself up, but his arms gave out from beneath him, and he fell to the hard stone ground. Link felt his left hand grow warm. Looking down, Link saw the Triforce mark on his hand beginning to glow. Knowing that the three Goddesses were coming to his aid, easily stood and charged again at the knight filled with new strength.
Zelda pulled frantically at the hand clasped around her windpipe, but to no avail. She couldn't breathe, and the want for air was making her go into convulsions. Noticing Link approaching again and annoyed at his constant interference, the shadow twisted his wrist suddenly to the side. A small crack brought a sudden end to Zelda's struggles and Link's charge. The dark night finally released his grip and let Zelda crumple to the cold ground.
Link stood paralyzed, desperate for any movement from his wife. Staring at Zelda's motionless body, Link searched inside himself for any kind of emotion. He found nothing. Link was empty, void of all emotion or pain. He looked up at his wife's murderer. The dark hole of his mind exploded into flames of fury; this man had killed Zelda. He will pay, Link thought angrily, He will pay dearly. His eyes full of hatred, Link lifted his sword and ran once more at the shadow.
The knight laughed lightly as he stepped over his victim to meet his new challenge. They met several feet from Zelda's body with an echoing crash, sending sparks flying in the nighttime air. The two warriors stood there in a sort of tug-of-war, each one pushing on their groaning blades, waiting for the other to falter. The dark knight was surprised by the young man's strength, but with the sharp sound of metal scraping metal, threw Link's sword back with a burst of power. Link staggered back, struggling to keep his balance as blood seeped through a deep gash the shadow had sliced in along his side. Link had only enough time to wince in pain before the shadow attacked again; surprisingly fast for his heavy armor.
Link, clutching his side, blocked the quick attacks, trying to keep his ground. Link hesitated as he realized that despite his efforts, the duel was pushing him closer to the sudden end of the castle grounds. The dark night took full advantage of this momentary lapse of concentration and landed another punishing blow on Link, leaving a deep gash across his chest and sending him sliding across the stone floor. As his sword slipped from his hand, Link realized that he was about to plummet to the foaming waters below and managed to get a hold of the edge of the stone floor. His desperate attempts to get a foothold and pull himself up failed—the earth curved away underneath the solid rock above, keeping it just out of reach.
Link heard a soft chuckle from above and knew the shadow was standing at the edge of the cliff, looking down at his condemned victim.
"I must say," the dark knight mocked, "you are one of the best I have fought. Nearly as good as-" his voice trailed off.
Link adjusted his grip on the rock carefully.
"You should have listened to me." the shadow said raising his foot and placing it over Link's left hand. "You could have joined me." the dark knight pressed all his weight on down.
Link gasped in pain as his exposed fingers broke beneath the great weight of the knight. When the shadow lifted his foot, Link's tried to keep his shattered hand's grip on the rock, but the pain was too much, and Link's arm slid uselessly to is side.
"Though I suppose it is too late for that." the knight said lifting his foot again and placing it over Link's remaining hand.
Link looked down at the cold, deep, rushing waters of the Zora's river. The ravenous waters led into the desert; meaning that even if Link did survive the fall, he would be stranded in the Desert of Death. Even with the constant supply of fresh water, death was inevitable. Breathing heavily, Link barely had the strength to keep his hold on the rock.
"It is best not to dwell in the past" the shadow brought his foot down.
Again the crushing pain of breaking bone shot through Link's arm. The only thing holding Link up now was the weight of the shadow on his hand.
"Goodbye." the knight lifted his foot.
As Link fell to the rabid waters below, Link accepted his fate. Death meant that he wouldn't have to live without his love. Death meant that they could be together forever. Link let the swift current pull him under the surface, deciding to let the water take him. The cold liquid rushed into his cuts and washed over his broken hands, numbing them. He would be free of the pain forever. The darkness of death hovered patiently over Link as he was rushed down the river. Link invited the spirit inside him, allowing himself to be taken away. The darkness stirred up Link's old memories of his life; Ordon Village, the dark curse placed on him by Zant, and Midna. The spirit of death brought one more memory to focus; the murder that had taken place only moments ago. Link snapped back into focus, remembering the dark knight. While death meant he would be free to live in peace forever, death also meant that he could not avenge Zelda and that he left the kingdom to that murderer.
Link forced the darkness from his mind and fought to get to the surface of the water. The river was more dangerous than Link had feared; the seasonal rains had flooded the river, making it especially frantic in its journey to the desert. But, after much effort, Link managed to break the surface. His breath was cut short by a sudden wave pushing him under; the darkened was not about to let his victim go. The numbness the chilling water had given to Link was taken away and his open wounds burned as the water rushed inside and his broken fingers screamed against the push of the water. Again, he managed to break the surface, gasping hungrily for air. Managing to stay afloat, Link tried to grasp at the passing rocks, but the water was moving too fast. The murderous current turned Link around, making him blind to the upcoming rock large rock jutting from the riverbed. Link slammed into it, head first. Link sank slowly beneath the red waves of water as he lost consciousness. As Link slid along the bottom of the river, the darkness hovered over him hungrily. It went do claim its prize, but it was suddenly blinded by a flash of golden light. When the spirit recovered, its victim had disappeared.
So that's the end of the first chapter! Don't worry Link doesn't die! And I had to kill Zelda for the plot! So don't get mad at me!