Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Princess's Plan
They flew through the night with only two brief rests and finally arrived at Hyrule Castle just before noon. Kaepora Gaebora fluttered up to the Princess's window near the top of the highest tower of the castle and deposited Link upon its sill. Navi fluttered off of the giant owl's back and onto Link's shoulder. "I have a few errands to run but I will be back in an hour to pick you up after the Princess has divulged her plan. Good day Link." The owl bowed humbly and glided down from the window until he eventually disappeared over the horizon.
"Link, you're here," said a soft voice accompanied by the clicking of a door.
He abruptly turned around and saw the young princess standing only a few feet in front of him. "Yes."
"You weren't successful in stopping Ganondorf then?"
"No."
He was about to continue speaking when Zelda interrupted him. "Then my dream must be true."
"Your dream?"
"Yes. I had a dream. I believe that it was presented by the gods, much like the one I had before we first met was. Do you want to know what happened in my dream?"
Link nodded quietly and waited for his friend to tell her story.
"In my dream, a black cloud came from the North and spread out over all of Hyrule. Suddenly I saw that Hyrule Field was flooded with blood. Then I found myself in the middle of Hyrule Castle Town. The marketplace was filled with flames and men, women, and children were being slaughtered by Moblins. It was a horrible sight. And then I saw you Link. You were fighting Ganondorf on the steps leading up to the Temple of Time. Minutes went by, but you could not hurt him. The King of Evil was laughing. Finally, you were able to strike him with your shield and he fell backwards into the Temple. A blinding light radiated from the entrance to the Temple and you followed Ganondorf in.
"What seemed like an eternity elapsed. Seasons, even decades, came and went. Hyrule was rebuilt but still neither you nor Ganondorf had come back out of the Temple of Time, until thirty years had passed. After three decades went by, Ganondorf stepped out of the Temple the same as he had entered it. Immediately my dream took me to a far-off forest that I had never seen before, where Ganondorf was speaking with a pale-faced woman. He must have convinced her to help him because he returned to Hyrule with her behind him. Another wave of darkness then passed over our land. All seemed lost. You were gone and Ganondorf had rebuilt his forces. Hyrule was imprisoned in a world of darkness. In my dream, I felt that all hope was lost. But then from a distant village, a ray of light appeared.
"Slowly this light transformed into a teenaged boy. The boy traveled Hyrule, dispelling the horrid darkness and eventually defeating the King of Evil. Hyrule was released from Ganondorf's wicked clutch at last. Hyrule was free. That was the end of my dream."
"That was a vivid dream," stated Link, not knowing what else to say.
"Yes, it was. I believe with all my heart that it was sent by the gods to help us."
"Help us how? All I can see that it told us is thirty years will pass before Ganondorf is finally defeated."
"I believe the Temple of Time has some significance. I've had many hours to think about this dream and try to figure out what it all means. I think I know now what we're supposed to do."
"And what's that?"
"I am the Sage of Time. You and I both know this. Now I've finally realized why the gods chose me. I will use the powers they have given me to transport the King of Evil thirty years into the future. Then the next hero, the next bearer of the Triforce of Courage and wielder of the Master Sword, will have been born and he will defeat Ganondorf."
"Kaepora Gaebora said you needed my help, but it doesn't sound like you do to me."
"But I do Link. You need to weaken Ganondorf for me to be able to do this. I won't be able to transport him through time if he is at full strength. He would merely deflect my magic. You will have to fight him Link, just long enough for him to grow tired and reckless."
"That's all I needed to know. I'll do whatever it takes to defeat him. I only hope that there really is someone thirty years in the future that can stop Ganondorf once and for all."
"There is Link. There is," assured the princess.
"We'll see. And for Hyrule's sake, there had better be."
"So does he now know what must be done Princess?" asked Kaepora Gaebora, who had just flown onto the window sill. The awe-inspiring owl fluttered his wings gently and cocked his head towards the princess and the Hero of Time.
"Yes. He knows now."
"Good. Then I think it is time for us to leave Link. The knights of Hyrule have already gathered in Hyrule Field. They are waiting for Ganondorf's army."
"Wait a moment Kaepora. I need to speak to the king."
"All right. But hurry."
"When you leave my bedroom Link, turn left. You'll find my father in his study, seven doors down," directed Zelda.
"Thank you. I'll be right back." Link turned and rushed out of the room, leaving Navi with the anxious princess and the disciplined owl. He found Zelda's father right where she had said he would be. He was alone and was surprised to see the young Hero of Time standing before him.
"The owl was just here. He told me of your failure to defeat Ganondorf. It's a good thing I was readying my men while you were gone. War seems inevitable now."
"Yes, it is. But we do have a plan to stop Ganondorf."
"I know. The owl told me that too. Personally, I find it foolish to put so much stock in my daughter's dream. If she ends up being wrong, it could very well mean the end of Hyrule."
"I know how you feel. But all we can do is hope that she is right. It's the best plan that we have right now."
"So why are you here Link?"
"I just wanted to make sure that you knew what had happened. So if you don't mind, I need to leave."
"Where are you going?"
"To battle. I will be with your men when Ganondorf arrives. While his army is busy dealing with your knights, I will find him and begin our final battle. Soon after, your daughter will send him thirty years into the future and then I will aid your men in finishing off the evil fiends that are left over."
"Thank you Link."
"For what?"
"For doing so much for this kingdom. You truly are a hero."
"Thank you your majesty, but you don't have to thank me. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Such a humble young man. Well, good day Link. And good luck."
"Thank you your majesty. And may we meet again." The Hero of Time turned around to leave, but the king stopped him.
"Wait. May I ask one question before you go?"
"Of course."
"What is that mask that you're carrying? It has an evil look to it."
"Just something that I thought I would be able to use to help me defeat Ganondorf. Now that I've learned that I can't defeat him, it is useless to me. Besides, it's only useful in the Twilight and I have no intention of letting that ever be formed again."
"Twilight? What is that?"
"I'm sorry your majesty. But the explanation is too long and I really must go."
"Yes. Of course. You can leave the mask here if you want. If it truly is useless, then you might as well not carry it around. There's no point in carrying the extra weight."
"You're right. It will only slow me down during my battle with Ganondorf. I will leave it here." Link set it down on top of a nearby table, nodded at the king, and then hurried out of the room and back to Kaepora Gaebora's side. Moments later they were airborne and descending from Hyrule Castle to Hyrule Field, where the fate of the entire world would be decided in a few short days.
