A/N: So here's the long chapter everyone has been waiting for. It starts to pick up after this, so pay attention! As always, reveiws are welcome.

Chapter 3: Unknown Destination

As Link exited his house, the bright golden rays of the midday sun greeted him in warm fashion. Even in his depressed mood, he was glad to be outside. He would often stay in shape by working on his swordsmanship at night, but he was rarely seen outside when he wasn't herding goats. Today was one of those rare occurrences. As Link climbed down the ladder to his house, he grabbed Epona's feed bag he left on a small nook just to the left of the ladder. He poured some of the grain from the feed bag into his hand, a put his hand in front of Epona. She snorted at first, but she took the food she was given. Link often thanked the goddesses for Epona. No matter how little he would be outside or how shy he would be, Epona would always stay loyal to Link. Hopping on Epona, Link took of into Faron Woods to head to the festival.

As Link sped through the forest, he was reminded of the visceral jolt that riding horseback often gave him. The wind flying through his hair, going at speeds at which he felt had no boundaries were a reminder of his life of adventure and exploring the unknown. As he entered Hyrule field at full speed on Epona, he could see a bokoblin, a rare sight in the now peaceful Hyrule field, towards the west.

"Perfect," Link thought to himself. As Epona galloped straight in the direction of the Bokoblin, Link drew the Master Sword from it's scabbard. He went against putting it back after his search for Midna. Link saw it as a blade of ancient power, an ancient power that could always come in handy if the need ever arose. Link was gaining ground on the bokoblin's position, and it still had yet to see him. As Link drew the sword up in a position to rid the foul creature from the earth, the bokoblin turned around to see the blade come down on his head. It was the last thing it ever saw. Link then looked back with grim satisfaction as he saw he had hit his mark. He had never had much love for attacking a defenseless creature, but if the shoe was on the other foot, he knew he wouldn't be given anything less than what he gave the bokoblin. Such was the way of the warrior.

As Link continued onto Hyrule Castle Town, he noticed all the caravans and wondering travelers now on the dusty road. Since his adventure, many people started to expand and look outwards past the normal everyday hustle and chaos of town square, into more secluded areas in hopes that they could create a small settlement.

"The fruition of all my efforts," Link thought, "I just wish that maybe for once I actually felt it too."

Link was very happy about bringing peace to Hyrule and taking out most hostile forces, save the Bulbins in the desert and mountain territory. But he could never be truly happy. He thought of Midna, and how she would have loved to seen how much their efforts have paid off for both worlds. He thought of him and her enjoying the quiet nights in Hyrule field under the starry sky, and how perfect things would have been. Just thinking of these could have been moments made Link's eyes well with tears.

"It would be best if I tried not to think of her today," Link thought to himself, "Too much sad emotions on what should be a happy occasion…"

Link could then see the small outline of Hyrule Castle coming up in full view. As he neared it, he could have sworn he saw something moving on the horizon, slightly past Hyrule Castle town's west entrance near the alcove that showed a view of Lake Hylia. As he strained his eyes to take a better look, he saw nothing. Shrugging it off, he slowed down Epona and dismounted. He could already hear the castle town's citizens excitedly talking about today's festival. Trying to put on a brave face, Link walked up to the wooden doors leading into Castle town.

Back at the alcove, a small man garbed in black and red striped robes looked onwards. He was lucky. The hero almost had spotted him and he would have single handedly ruined the ambush. He went down the stairs to the stunning view of Lake Hylia where the rest of his comrades were waiting for their leader to give orders.

"No sign of detection from the Hyrule guard," he said emotionless.

"Good. We will wait a couple more minutes before we move in," said the leader. "Gather round men!"

A couple more of robed men started to form a semi-circle around their leader, who was the only one in a pure black robe, his face hidden in darkness.

"In a few minutes, we and the rest of the party around the other areas outside the gates will make our way into castle town. Once the celebration has started, we will be able to get in easily. Make sure you block up the exits and only attack when I give the signal."

One of the men in the back raised his hand up, as if he needed something clarified.

"Sir, what are we going to do about the hero? He's nearly unstoppable and he won't let us pull this off."

The leader gave him an evil grin as he said, "Don't worry about him; he's mine to deal with. I just want you lot to make sure that no one can leave the castle to alert any outside help. There are more travelers on the road now, so they could give assistance if need be."

The other men in robes shifted uneasily. They didn't share their leader's confidence about an assault on Hyrule Castle while the hero was inside to protect it.

"Fools," he piously thought. "They don't even understand why we are attacking Hyrule castle. It matters not though. Soon enough these tools will be gone, and I will be rewarded graciously by my master." As he thought this, his smile grew more and more dark and twisted. Around him, the rest of his soldiers got more and more nervous.

Link walked through the gates of Castle Town's west entry to find a crowd of people awaiting his entry. They cheered as their hero walked past them into the center of town, where he would kick off the celebration as he did every year. As he walked into the center of castle town, Link couldn't help but feel out of place. Amongst the crowd and cheers of happiness, who would have thought that anyone could be sad, let alone their hero.

Link then saw the podium in front of the water fountain in the center of town. Standing there, prompt as always was Princess Zelda and some of her elite guard. Even with the times being as peaceful as they were, the risk of assassination was too great to leave the Princess unguarded. Whenever Link looked at Zelda, he was able to find a little comfort at least. Here was someone that partially shared his pain, and more importantly, someone he could talk too. Link walked up the small set of stairs to the podium where Zelda waited. The crowd then went silent. Link had always hated this part of the ceremony. He never did like being the center of attention.

"Great hero," Zelda shouted out loud enough so all the audience could hear, "It is with great honor that I present to you, the honor of Champion of Hyrule!"

Outside the gates, the black robed people gathered around. The leader had the bulk of his force approach from the west gate, as the others would come through the east gate. Once inside, they would hide until the moment is right. As the leader slid inside the gates, he could overhear Princess Zelda's speech.

"Yes, keep talking," he maliciously thought. "Enjoy your time with the hero while it lasts, for by the end of this celebration, you will never see Link again!"

After twenty minutes, Link was glad that the speech was over. Zelda was gifted with words and always found a way to make him feel more important than he actually was. Now was his favorite part of the festival. All of castle town would meet in the center and just talk about anything that was on their mind. With all the shops closed, everyone there was all talk, no business. As Link was walking around though, he heard a rather disturbing rumor between two strangers.

"Did you hear about what happened to the new settlement out near the western edge of Hyrule field? They were attacked by a rouge band of travelers."

Link quietly listened intently to the aged balding man go on.

"It's been said that the attacks have been on small settlements all over the place. They leave no survivors…"

The second man laughed at his friend. He was smaller, and had a small bit of brown hair left covering his head.

"Tell me then, if they are no survivors, how do the stories get passed along?"

The second man responded with a hint of panic in his voice.

"I'm not lying to you! These stories come from reliable sources."

The second man laughed again.

"My friend, you have to take these things with a healthy grain of salt. Everyone is edgy. Hyrule has never been this peaceful. Someone will always make up stories just to try and stir up trouble, it's bound to happen."

The bald man still wasn't convinced.

"It's said that this rouge band is not even lead by a man, but a vicious beast, with glowing red eyes."

Link stared wide eyed at the last comment. In the pit of his stomach, he knew what the man said was true, no matter how ludicrous it sounded. As they walked away to continue they're conversation, Link tried to follow them, only to be stopped by a familiar face.

"Well now, if it isn't Link. How've you been honey?"

It was Telma. Link always liked the woman, no matter how over the top she tried to be. She had her heart in the right place that was for certain.

"As good as I'll ever be Telma. How have things been on your end?" Link said trying to sound polite and happy as possible.

"All has been well, thanks to you. It seems to me the Princess flattered you with her little speech."

"I've never really thought of myself in that sort of light," Link admitted.

"Hmm… then what light do you view yourself in? She seemed do be accurate to me. If I didn't know any better, I'd think there was something going on between you and her," Telma said, winking.

"I wouldn't dream of it Telma," Link said with a hunt of depression. "Only one princess has my heart, and it isn't Zelda," he thought to himself.

"And why not?" Telma said curiously.

"It's something I'm not willing to talk to anyone about, sorry," Link said, hoping Telma would be more understanding then Ilia.

"Oh, our hero wants to keep secrets, does he? Well if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me. See you later," she said.

In a way known only to Link, her last sentence hurt a lot.

As Link continued throughout castle town, he continually was the life of the party. Everyone he had met on his travels wanted to have conversation with him, and people he never met always badgered him with questions. Only one thing could drag the hero away from the people.

"Link, could I speak to you for a minute."

It was Zelda. "Of course your highness," said Link, knowing he really didn't have any other option. Zelda lead him inside the castle gates where they could talk in private. Once they were inside the castle courtyard, she started talking to him.

"How have you been Link? You seemed down today."

"I hope it wasn't too noticeable," Link said, "Even though it's been three years, it still hurts."

Zelda forced a sad smile.

"It was only obvious to someone who knows enough about you Link. I still assume I'm the only one?"

Link nodded his head.

"Link," she said, "have you tried telling others how you feel? It could help you out, just to open up to someone instead of keeping all your emotions bottled up inside."

Link felt like he had gone through the exact same conversation with Ilia, minus the yelling. "Princess, it's just that… I feel no one will understand. You come the closest, since you too know about Midna," Link said, emotions starting to get the better of him, "But I know for a fact that no one will know my plight, or why I feel the way I do… I love her"

Zelda looked sad. "Link…" she said with deep concern. Just then one of the guards outside the walls of the castle came in.

"Princess," the solider shouted with panic in his voice, "We're under attack!"

Link's sadness turned to fear. He felt in his heart that something bad was going to happen. He looked down at his hand, removing one of his gloves. His triforce piece was fading in and out, just like in his dreams. He looked at Zelda, who seemed to also know something was going on. Suddenly, it came.

The giant walls protecting the Hyrule courtyard came crashing down and standing its place, was the giant red eyed shadow beast from Link's dreams. The guard who came to warn Link and Zelda turned at the sudden noise, only to die. The shadow beast used its long claws to impale him. Link grimaced at the sight, but there was not time to think. He drew the Master Sword and prepared for battle. The Shadow beasts red eyes bored into Link's and sized him up.

"Zelda, get back!" Link shouted, ignoring proper etiquette. The shadow beast raised its arm and took a swing at Link, narrowly missing Link's shoulder as he rolled out of the way. Link took a chance and tried to strike at the now opened sides of the beast, but the monster suddenly warped on the other side of the battle field…

Right next to Zelda.

Zelda gasped in horror, but muttered something under her breath rather quickly. Link saw what the monster was about to do, and he had to stop it. Its long claws were ready to do the same to Zelda as it did to her guard, and Link had no intention of letting her be harmed. Just as the monster was about to get her in its grasp, Link pushed Zelda out of the way and took the blow for her.

Link expected death, but it did not come. The beast held Link up like a trophy as he struggled in its grasp. His head felt squeezed, pressured almost. Then suddenly, his body started to compress itself and with that, everything in Link's world went black.

The beast howled in victory, but not for long. A blinding light flashed and hit the beast square in its open jaws. The light came from Zelda, with light arrows in hand. She had summoned them just before the beast was upon her, but without Link's distraction, she would not have been able to get off a shot. The beast was still howling in pain, but as it did, it started to shrink as well. Eventually, it shrunk to the size of a normal man in a black robe.

It was the leader of the ambush team. Zelda rushed over to his slowly dying form. She gasped at seeing his face. He looked inhuman, his skin black and cloudy. With steel in her eyes as she demanded,

"What did you do with Link?!?"

The leader laughed as he struggled against death. His last words were almost a whisper.

"He is alive Princess… but… you… you will …never see him… or the Master Sword… again!"

And with that, the leader fell into death's cold slumber.