Disclaimer: Legend of Zelda is the property of Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto-Sensei.

The Legend of Zelda

Mask of Twilight

Chapter Three

There was a soft warmness, Link felt himself enveloped in a bed, and for a moment he entertained the thought that maybe he had dreamt everything and he was now in his bed. But this bed was soft, the softest thing he had ever laid on in fact. The illusion dissipated further as he couldn't smell the wheat and pumpkins of his hometown. Then it was utterly destroyed with, "Softest thing in the world, the beds in Hyrule Castle."

He groaned at the all too familiar voice. "Hey, I helped you out there, remember." Link parted his eyes to a dim light that passed through a shuttered window. He surveyed the room from the four poster he was laying in. He was following the trail of a detailed relief depicting the creation of Hyrule, when his eyes fell upon a man sitting in the corner.

"So you've come to," he said, "I am Faram, I have taken care of you the past three days." Three days Link thought, bewildered. "You see, you had lost a lot of blood. I used fairy magic to heal your wounds, but your body needed rest. I assume you have never fought a battle like that before." Link shook his head no. "I see your garments have magic on them. Faded magic, but still enough to fend off immediately fatal wounds." Link gave a curt nod to confirm. "Now I must ask you why you engaged those beasts," Faram said.

Link stared at him for a moment, wasn't it obvious to him? Then Link said, "I was traveling from the town of Ordon when of a sudden, the sky was rent by a scream and upon turning I found a carriage pursued by fell things. I knew it would be overtaken, so I turned Epona... My horse, where is she?" Link asked, concern dripping in his otherwise stern voice.

"She is in the stables with the palace mares. Please, go on," the man said to assuage Link's fear. Link swallowed and composed himself.

"I turned Epona, and tried to forestall the fell ones. After I slew the Bulblins, I proceeded to the wolf creature, and I knew that for whatever reason it desired to destroy the one in the carriage, so I dispatched the feral creature," he finished.

"That is all?" Faram asked. Link nodded once more, tired of words. "Did you know who was in the carriage?" Faram asked and Link shook his head in response. "Well, it's very noble to act on another's behalf and nobler still to act on the behalf of a stranger. And usually the rewards are greater." Faram said. The door to the right opened and a young lady peered inside. Faram turned to her and said, "She may come in. I do not believe he will mean her harm." She nodded and disappeared into the hallway. After a brief moment, she returned with another young lady whose ornately beaded dress and intricate lace belied her not so meager origins.

"M'lady," Faram bowed his head, she moved into the room, "It's alright. I've discerned that he is not an assassin. He is but a brave fool." She laughed.

"Bravery in itself can be a form of wisdom."

"Well said Mistress Zelda," Faram replied.

"Zelda, that name..." Dark Link said. Zelda turned to Link.

"What of my name?" she asked. Link passed a glance to Dark Link whose face was contorted in surprise.

Link then said, "I am but humbled your highness. I knew not your face for I am but a farm boy, but by your name you must be none other than Her Majesty, Princess Zelda." Dark Link gasped.

"Princess? What did you do to deserve a royal visit?" Zelda looked directly to where Dark Link was standing.

"Faram, leave us," she said. Faram made to protest but Zelda held up her hand, "You have said so yourself he means me no harm. And what evil would be done by a man who risks his life for a stranger? I doubt that, had someone besides myself had been in that carriage, he wouldn't have done the same. Leave us, before I order it so."
Faram, though sour, left the room with a, "Your will be done M'lady."

Link sat up, finally getting a good look at the young woman who now sat beside his bed. Though her youthful face spoke of naïveté, her eyes flashed with the sound logic of wisdom. There was a brief silence, then she said, "I believe you are the one that the spirits spoke to me of in my dreams," she glanced at Dark Link's position, "and yes, I can hear him. 'Your shadow', they called him." Link nodded. Dark Link shuffled a bit, uncomfortable with the sudden attention. Zelda continued, "I was given a prophecy from the spirits of a young man and his shadow that would come to the castle, sent on an errand by his town, and that he would be the chosen one to rid the world of evil."

Link nodded once more, " The spirits themselves bid me to them. I am to seek them hence."

"But first there is the council to attend," Zelda said.

"When is it? I haven't missed it?" Link asked.

"It had been postponed; the emissaries have only just arrived. It shall be one night hence. Why not enjoy what Castletown has to offer, a humble young man of the farms of Ordon should surely see fun in that," Zelda replied. Link nodded and decided that he would do just that. He stood and dismissed himself from her majesty's presence, before he remembered he had no knowledge of the castle. He tried backtracking to find the room he had left. Only managing to further lose himself in the corridors. He found a door slightly ajar and felt it necessary to ask for directions. He walked slowly to the door, and made to knock but stopped his hand as it came close. He heard a deep voice,'' That meddlesome Ordonian brat. It couldn't have been a better time to kill that idiotic girl. Why now oh goddess? Why now did you send that so called Hero?"

There was a pause, then with a slight impudence, " But goddess why when I could have dealt with her?" another pause. "You mean to tell me that she shall bare the triangle... I see... Yes... I shall."

"Oi! You there. Yes you, in the green!" yelled a voice from the end of the corridor. Link jolted from the door, but not before a pair of searing yellow eyes burned a fierce sneer out from the room and came to rest on where Link was. The castle guard apprehended Link and shoved him onward, "To the king with you, snoop." Link couldn't shake the guards grip and had no other choice but let himself be led. They came to a grand door and the guard knocked twice, a small slit was opened, "What business do you have?" asked the guard to the throne room.

"Caught a spy or somefink," said Link's captor.

"Right then, Open the door," said the guard. There was the sound of a bolt sliding and they door slowly creaked open, Link was pushed through and the door shut. The guard ushered him towards the throne and bowed as they neared the king, Link stood firm. "Oi! Bow you git, that's the king" came the guard. Link bowed though it felt unusual to him. He looked at the king and saw Faram behind him. Faram laughed, "Already in more trouble, brave fool?" Link used his free arm to sheepishly rub the back of his head, with a slight grin, " I am not familiar with buildings this large," he said.

"Indeed. Guard he is no spy but or Princess's rescuer and as such her guest," Faram said.

"Bugger, sorry about that sir," the guard said to Link.

"This is the Boy?" the king asked. Faram nodded. "Then he has my thanks and my pardon, but boy be careful where you trespass, You may find others are not as forgiving as I," said the king, "Escort him out." The guard nodded, and motioned to leave the room. Link noted the path taken as he was to the front gate of the castle. The guard made to leave and said, " My replacement gets here within the hour, call for him if you need anything after that," he turned, but not without a sideways glance to the tavern filled to the seams with mirthful ladies, " Right then." Link turned peeking into his wallet, and with a small grin he made his way into the town.