Enjoy it While it Lasts

A satisfied moo swept through the barn as Link concluded Epona's song- a song that both beckoned Epona to his side and simplified the task of milking cows. After the last drop of milk trickled into the awaiting jug, Link firmly twisted a rubber cap over the jug's mouth, a task which simultaneously marked the completion of Link's chores and the revival of his previously distracted thoughts. The familiar wave of dread and grief swept over him, and though Link desperately scanned the barn for a forgotten chore, his thoughts all too quickly assumed the focal point of his attention.

He did not know how long it had been since his visit to Hyrule Castle. It may have been two weeks or it very well could have been two years. Time, to Link, seemed to flow absently around him, and some days his daydreams were so engrossing that he struggled to convince himself that time was still passing. Sleep came just as difficulty or often not at all. He would pass nights staring fixedly at the shadows dancing across the ceiling while reminiscing on happier memories. Desperately, he tried to recall a fond memory that would leave a lasting effect. Some nights he would come close, but morning would quickly come and summon him to chores which his body protested with aches and pangs.

Suddenly a soothing voice interrupted Link's thoughts. He glanced over his shoulder to see Malon smiling cordially at him, a cordiality that briefly shifted to abject pity as she met his eyes. Link had grown used to this, but refrained from addressing it because the truth was evident in Malon. He did not need to gaze upon a mirror to know that his usually vibrant eyes were now dark with fatigue and despair. Nor was it a secret to him that his once golden hair was now caked with dirt and bound by tangles that he feebly attempted to hide beneath his cap. Malon's expression may have lasted a moment, but that moment relayed the truth to Link- he was a pitiful site. Malon, as usual, pretended not to notice.

"Hi Link! It's a beautiful evening...would you like to walk around the ranch with me?"

Link, in his usual manner, prepared to decline, but found his voice did not match his intentions. "Yes, a walk would be nice."

This time Malon did not attempt to hide her surprise, but fortunately Link was just as surprised as her. Malon paused for a moment as if to verify that she heard him correctly before allowing a dazzling smile to alight her face.

"All right, then. Let me grab my cloak in my room and we can go as soon as I return."

Link followed her outside and opted to pace the distance from the barn to the house as he waited. It was when he began perspiring that he wondered why Malon was getting a cloak when the weather was so warm. Puzzled, Link continued pacing, and when the answer finally hit him, it stopped him dead in his tracks. Malon was not really leaving him to get her cloak; she was giving him time to change his mind. Why would she do this?

Link resumed pacing while he considered. It was not long before a second realization struck him: how many times had he declined Malon's invitations? Link could not recall and the thought shamed him. Malon had never given up on him throughout his ordeal with Zelda, but it was natural for Malon to want to protect herself from further disappointment. Link knew that his grief did not make him pleasant company for Malon, but never had he considered how his behavior affected her. How his curt responses must have hurt when the two of them used to have prolonged walks around the ranch. How his repeated desire for isolation must have relayed that she meant nothing to him when in reality he couldn't fathom why she would want to be in his presence. Link knew he had to make amends with Malon, but he could not determine how. He found it frustrating that in all of the villains he encountered during his travels and all of the logic he applied to the challenges in the dungeons he encountered, he could not think of a way to apologize to Malon. It was becoming clear to Link that sometimes the simplest problems are made more complicated by intelligence. Fortunately for Link, Malon's sudden appearance in the doorway released him from his reverie, and when she asked if he was ready to leave he was all too happy to oblige.

The two spent their evening stroll engaging in awkward small talk that had been absent in their lives for many weeks now. At the conclusion of the walk, Link and Malon's uneasiness was as strong as ever, but any discomfort digressed to a distant memory by morning. The morning brought with it Link and Malon's rekindled friendship, but also taught Link a powerful lesson: never again would Link subscribe to such depression. He would always remember the grief he felt from Zelda's request that he never visit her again, but now it was time to put it behind him. Satisfied, he drifted to sleep, and only in the seconds right before slumber did he silently hope that Zelda would find the same happiness.

Truce admired his image in the mirror as he fastened the final button on his jacket. The servants labored for hours preparing Truce's attire, and now that the wedding day was upon him, Truce couldn't help but bask in his servants' endless hours of labor. Yet behind his smug grin and narcissistic mannerisms, Truce was puzzled. The elderly man had seemingly vanished from the face of Hyrule as his absence from their daily meetings suggested. No matter how eagerly Truce sought him, he was nowhere to be found. What could account for this sudden disappearance?

Not that it matters anyway, Truce thought, I no longer need him. However, despite Truce's conceit, he could not prevent a most fearful question from entering his mind: why had he ever needed the elderly man?

Truce spent many moments pondering this, but never found an answer. Just as he was about to summon his servants to escort him to the ceremony, he was startled by a raspy voice behind him. "Now you know why you would have never gotten her before."

Truce sharply shot around. "Where have you been?" he demanded.

"Where I have been is not important. Why I have come back is. Did you get what I asked you?"

"You mean this?" Truce reached into his pocket and offered a golden medallion. "What do you need this for?" The elderly man prepared to snatch the medallion from Truce's hand but Truce recoiled his arm. It was obvious he would not relent the medallion for less than an answer.

"It is not your concern, but since you must know, it is so you will not lose your power," the elderly man stated matter of factly.

Truce's eyes widened. "But you said I could never lose my power!"

The elderly man shook his head. "No, I said he could reclaim it at any time, but he won't so long as we have these," he paused to eye Truce's closed palm. "Now relinquish it, or else you shall see for yourself the Triforce of Power responding to its true owner."

Truce hurriedly thrust the medallion into the elderly man's hand, and gazed as the medallion journeyed from the elderly man's hand to a pocket concealed within his ragged gray cloak. A clink was emitted as the medallion collided with what sounded like several other coins. Truce felt a wave of heightened awareness, the kind typically brought on by fear, but it passed as the elderly man gazed up.

"Now go claim your treasure Lord Truce..."

Truce nodded and rang a bell overhanging the door. Immediately he was accompanied by two servants who escorted him to the ceremony. Truce, being more self-absorbed than most, did not cast a second glance at the elderly man. Had he done so, he might have been puzzled by the ire burning in the elderly man's gray eyes. He at least might have heard the elderly man mutter, "and enjoy it while it lasts."

The sun beat down on Link's face playing over the vague lines of fatigue still encompassing his eyes. Link had finally enjoyed a full night's sleep and finished his chores half an hour early. He welcomed this time to relax while he waited for Malon to join him for another walk. However, an unexpected wave of loneliness overcame Link, and before he could fathom the reasoning behind it, he felt the sudden urge to speak with his childhood friend, Saria. Removing his ocarina from his pack, he placed it to his lips and moved his fingers along a familiar pattern. Playing the notes filled him with a joy he had not felt since his childhood in Kokiri Forest, and Saria's telepathic response almost caused his knees to buckle in anticipation.

"Link...it has been so long! Can you hear me?" As she felt Link's acknowledgment, Saria continued. "I would love nothing more than to hear of your travels these past years and of your life now, but now is not the time. Princess Zelda is getting married-"

Yes I know... Link acknowledged.

"You know and yet you permit it to occur?" Link could feel the shock and slight accusation behind her question.

There is nothing I can do. I cannot be the man to wed her, he replied dejectedly.

"Link! You do not even know what will result from this wedding!" She had obviously searched his mind for this knowledge, and Link could not help but feel slightly violated.

What do you mean? He's just a suitor that has sought her affection for years.

Saria's horror was channeled directly into his mind. "Link, it is too late to stop the wedding, but perhaps I can help you understand. Please Link...clear your mind and I will show you all I know."

Link closed his eyes and did as Saria commanded. He suddenly found himself viewing a wedding that was so beautifully decorated it was fit for a princess...and it was. Zelda was walking down the aisle in a silken cream dress that dragged behind her in yards. She wore a sapphire necklace that sat above neckline. The neckline itself was considerably lower than normal, but still was flattering. There was a veil with beaded pearls sewn in covering her face, but Link could see through the veil, and in it he saw Zelda's eyes. A ghostly expression rested inside the endless blue, and gentle teardrops were streaming down her pale cheeks. Clearly she did not want to be at the church that day.

Suddenly, instead of peering upon Zelda's face, in a flash of color he soared and landed in the heart of Lord Truce. Link saw Zelda's endless march down the aisle through Truce's eyes...but one thing was wrong. His heart was not pure...his selfish desires and ambitions had corrupted his goodness and dreams. His soul purpose was to rule Hyrule with the "classic beauty" at his side without a voice, without an opinion and without identity. His considerations for the future of Hyrule were complete and total oppression. Not a child's laugh, or a babe's cry would go unpunished.

Once again with a flash of color, he soared into Zelda's mind. Although she took Truce's hand with care and grace, she only wanted to spit in his palm. The vows spoken from her voice were forced, even though to the observer they sounded genuine and true. She was forced to sell her dreams and aspirations to a cruel, hateful man who only wanted Hyrule's complete and utter demise. She was in agony. Her heart was in ruins and her hopes abashed because the one person she believed could save her did not. At the sound of an excited applause, she and Truce turned and walked down the steps. Her feet felt like boulders being rolled up a mountain and her smile came just as difficult. She had the weight of Hyrule on her shoulders and there was nothing she could do to change the future of her beloved nation.

Link emerged from Saria's vision trembling. He had not only seen Zelda, but been inside her mind. Link had always known that Zelda despised Truce, but never did he fathom Zelda regarding Truce so submissively. Her marriage to him meant the surrender of her independence, stubbornness and ambition, all qualities Link loved about her. How could she agree to such a marriage, even for her father's sake?

"So you understand now the danger this presents to Hyrule?"Saria gravely inquired.

Yes... Link hesitated, but what can I do?

"Isn't it obvious, Link? You must assume the role you are destined for."

The Hero of Time?

"No! You must become marry Princess Zelda and become Hyrule's next king."

Link's hands fumbled with the ocarina at this unexpected reply. He was inclined to think he heard Saria wrong, but remembered just in time that it was impossible to mishear a thought.

"I c-can't..." Link murmured, forgetting to relay his message telepathically. "I just can't..."

"Can't what? Marry Princess Zelda or become the king of Hyrule?" Saria asked apprehensively.

Link hesitated again. "Both."

"Oh Link...please tell me you haven't given up. Princess Zelda needs you right now even if she claims otherwise. If you just go to her you will understand..."

"Saria, I can't. I am not fit to rule Hyrule and besides, Zelda is already married to Truce. He is the only one with the power to annul the marriage and I doubt he could be convinced..." Link trailed as Malon approached. "Listen, we need to stop-"

"Link, please..." Saria pleaded as Link moved to replace the ocarina in his bag. Saria knew the minute the ocarina was out of his eyesight that their conversation would conclude.

"Saria, I can't..." Link repeated tirelessly.

"Don't let Malon fool you!" Saria quickly interjected before Link dropped the ocarina in his bag.

Don't let Malon fool me in what way? Link relayed to Saria as Malon came to stop in front of him. A prolonged silence was his reply.

The elderly man centered himself in the Sacred Realm, anxiously awaiting the events to come. He labored tediously for months just to develop these plans, and now that they were being flawlessly carried to action, he could barely contain himself. After the nervous fluttering in his stomach ceased, he systematically reached inside his cloak and emerged with the six medallions clasped in his hand.

"The time has come, my lord..." the elderly man spoke solemnly. "I, your alter-ego, have returned to release you from the seal of the sages."

"Now darling, surely you don't mean to sleep in here," Lord Truce spoke disgustedly as he gazed at Zelda's pitiful quarters. The room, which once housed several servants, now only contained a bunk bed with a worn mattress, a battered chair, and a termite-eaten desk.

"Yes, this will do just fine for you," Zelda snidely replied.

"For me?" Truce feigned offense. "Surely you jest for I have no complaints where we consummate our marriage."

Zelda exerted considerable control to resist the bait Truce dangled in front of her. "Is it true that you only desired me for my country?"

Truce's robe swept the musty floor as he paced across the room. "Well, now there is an interesting question...there are many ways to approach this, but as I believe honesty is the backbone of a successful marriage, I will say perhaps that is one of the reasons."

"And the others?" Zelda inquired, searching for any attempt to divert Truce from the topic.

Truce grinned broadly. "Your looks, of course. But if you don't mind me being candid, I must admit that your father's death was also convenient. I became king without ado..."

Zelda heard no more of Truce's words. Her fists were clenched tightly to her sides, and she feared for a moment she would transform into Sheik. She soon regained her composure and glared at Truce. "Well, have fun consummating our marriage. I, however, won't be joining you."

Zelda turned to leave but was stopped as Truce suddenly clutched her forearm. "Do remember your place, my dear. I will have my heirs, it is only-"

"A matter of time," a raspy voice concluded. Both Truce and Zelda shot around to gaze upon the elderly man. "Time that you unfortunately do not have, Lord Truce."

Truce opened his mouth to speak, but could not get a word out before collapsing on the stone floor. Zelda curiously glanced down at Truce's limp body before turning toward the elderly man.

"What have you done to him?" she demanded more forcefully than she felt.

The elderly man beamed, revealing a set of jagged teeth. "He is dead, but I assure you his sacrifice was necessary for a higher purpose."

Before Zelda could ask what purpose that was, Truce began to rise, but Zelda soon realized it was not Truce she was gazing upon. It was Ganondorf! He stood tall in exactly the same form Zelda remembered him from eight years ago, but there was one difference. His eyes, normally a malicious red, seemed even more narrow and vengeful than before. It terrified Zelda to imagine the hate Ganondorf must have fostered for Link, her and the sages while confined inside the Sacred Realm. She desperately struggled to flee, but her shock immobilized her. Instead, she spoke without thinking.

"No," she gasped, "it can't be!"

Ganondorf chuckled. "It is, but what can't be is you have something that belongs to me."

In an instant, Ganondorf was upon her. He raised his hand containing the Triforce of Power, and Zelda felt her Triforce of Wisdom being pried off of her hand. However, fortunately for Zelda, her shock abated giving her the opportunity she needed. With a snap of her finger she transformed into Sheik and vanished from the room. Ganondorf shrieked with rage, but the elderly man moved to mollify him.

"Be at ease, my lord. She will not escape for all of the soldiers are under my command."

Ganondorf turned his gaze from the doorway Zelda escaped from to the elderly man. "Well done, Agahnim. And what of him?"

"He is being taken care of. He will not present any problems to you."

"Excellent," Ganondorf stated before turning his attention to his hand. "Soon the Triforce in its entirety will be mine!"