Author's Notes: Here's another update, as promised. Thanks to all who've reviewed thus far! I do read every review I get so please read, enjoy, and review!
Chapter II
"Feels like the weight of the world, like all my screaming has gone unheard, and oh, I know you don't believe in me...safe in the dark, how can you see?"
--"Weight of the World" by Evanescence
Link took a breath. Though he was used to being in the presence of royalty, Princess Zelda to be specific, he had not been to the castle for some time. Its halls, however, were no less majestic and breathtaking as they always had been...reflecting the glory of the Hylian kingdom. With high vaulted ceilings, and long corridors all lined with elaborate paintings and statues, Link could not help but admire the fine decorations and feel almost inferior to the lavish castle. Of course it was he who had protected it all those years ago...though he preferred to be left out of the spotlight as far as credit went; he was a hero to most, but he preferred just being regular Link, a man clothed in an ordinary green colour.
He shifted uncomfortably, tugging nervously at his tunic. The Hero of Time had always felt uncomfortable walking such sacred halls in such tattered clothes, but had nothing better to wear. His Goron tunic had scorch marks all over it, reminiscent of his last trip to Death Mountain, while his Zora tunic remained wet from the last time he had gone swimming in Lake Hylia. Malon had told him he should've left it out in the sun to dry, but he had shrugged the advice off, too tired--or lazy, as was the case most days--to worry about it. As he stood in front of the massive doors that led into the throne room, he regretted not having listened to Malon.
A smile slid onto his face, thinking of his best friend. Malon's personality certainly reflected her red hair, as it was fiery and she was passionately dedicated to everything she did. The Ranch, he mused, would never have survived all these years without all the hard work she poured continuously into it. Yet, she never complained...faithfully committed to her ranch and her animals. Of course Talon had owned it when he had been living, but Malon had been the one to have a deep, intimate connection to it. Having been raised since birth on the ranch, it was all she'd ever known. The way she was so devoted to Lon Lon Ranch was remarkable to the Hero of Time, having never seen such dedication before.
That wasn't to say that Link didn't care for the Ranch just as much as Malon did, because he certainly did, but he just wasn't a part of it to the extent that Malon was. It was, all the same, a very important place to him. Having defeated Ganondorf, Link had been looking forward to the rest of life, uninterrupted by creatures of darkness. However, shortly after beating the King of Evil, Zelda had told him that he was to go back to before he pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal, that he was to go and actually live out his childhood. Shocked, Link had found no words to object or thank her. Even once he returned to the Temple of Time, located now in a Sacred Grove deep within the Kokiri Forest--newly named Faron to shield the Kokiri from outsiders searching for the Hero of Time's old friends--he could still hear Zelda's Lullaby playing in his ears. Having no where else to go, and not wishing to endanger his Kokiri friends who now hid deep within Faron Forest along with the new Great Deku Tree, he headed to the only place that was truly familiar to him.
Lon Lon Ranch seemed unchanged by time, which made sense since he had returned to before the war on Hyrule had broken out. Its occupants seemed ever so pleased to see him again as well, even Ingo who seemed like a different man ever since that incident with winning Epona from him. How that worked out since it had happened in the future boggled Link's mind, but he decided to pay little heed to it. After all, he had not come here to think about the past--or was it the future?--but to live in the present.
Malon had been so happy to see him, which, in turn, made Link happy. He enjoyed being wanted, and needed. He didn't care if some claimed he had a large ego because of that, but it simply was the truth. It came natural to him to help someone if they needed it, and being inactive for too long made him uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the blood of the Hero of Time that flowed in him that gave him this attitude, but it was how he was...and he could not help being whom he was. In fact, most--including Malon--enjoyed him just the way he was.
He remembered how she had insisted that he stay with them, eager for a new playmate and someone to help make the chores around the Ranch a lot more fun. It took him a while to get used to being a child again, after being an adult for so long, but the adjustment was easier due to Malon and her father who treated him as the child he was. He was quite serious at first, always keeping himself busy with work around Lon Lon Ranch, but Malon finally managed to pry the light-hearted child out of him. Soon after resigning to stay at Lon Lon, he was laughing and playing with Malon as if he'd always done so. It was largely thanks to her that he was able to enjoy his childhood, as he should have.
Of course, things weren't always perfect at the Ranch. He had gotten into quite a few arguments with Malon, the cuccos seemed to have a personal vendetta against him, and Talon continued to make subtle innuendos about him "tying the knot" with Malon, whatever that meant. As a child, he had never understood Talon's strange sense of humour, but it always made Malon blush profusely. Now, as an adult, he understood clearly...but it was clear that they were simply friends, and would never become more than that. Both the farmgirl and hero seemed content with that.
Breaking himself out of his reminiscing, he noticed a guard approaching, light reflecting off of his polished armor. Link tugged at his tunic a little more; why didn't he have a nice shiny suit of armor?
"Princess Zelda is ready to see you now, Sir," the guard told him. "You may enter."
Link simply nodded and pushed the gigantic doors open, feeling the slender wood beneath his calloused hands. The throne room, he had to admit, was, by far, one of the most awe-inspiring places in all of Hyrule. It's beauty was nearly unparalleled by anywhere and anything else. A large red carpet was laid out starting from the door that Link had entered and made its way all the way to the steps of the throne where Princess Zelda sat, looking graceful as ever. Above the Princess' head was a large, ornate sculpture of the Triforce with Goddesses dancing along each triangle that made up said Triforce. The alabaster walls shimmered in the morning light, mimicking the shadows that danced along them cast by the flames at the top of each torch that lined the long walkway that led up to the throne, giving the entire room an almost heavenly look. Such was the way Hyrule Castle had been built, though, to reflect the glory of the Goddesses.
"Link," Zelda smiled warmly, though she held a distant look in her eyes. "I'm glad you came."
Link walked forward, towards the throne where she sat. "Of course I came; you said you needed my help."
Zelda nodded. "I wish I could have called you here for more pleasant matters, but as it is..." her voice trailed off. She stood now, looking every bit of the Princess she was, her light pink gown swirling around her as she approached Link.
"Is something wrong, Zelda?" Link queried, noticing the Princess' pallid countenance. Zelda was usually the image of stability and strength, never showing any doubt nor fear even in the midst of despair.
"Thank you for coming," she whispered, embracing him. When they broke apart, Link noticed just how weary Zelda looked.
He held her gently by her forearms. "Zelda, please tell me what is bothering you so."
Her brilliant blue eyes locked with Link's. "Forgive me for calling you here, Link, I don't mean to disturb you, but I didn't know whom else to turn to..." she paused, continuing more lightly with, "I know you are enjoying life on Lon Lon Ranch. I never would have imagined you a farmer, Link," she commented, her eyes glinting with humour.
Link smiled faintly, but said nothing, allowing her to continue.
Zelda expression grew serious. "I have a request of you, a favor, if you will."
"Anything," Link replied, almost too eager. Zelda seemed very tired, and anything he could do to lessen her burden, he would be more than happy to do. "Name it."
"Always the Hero," Zelda chuckled. "I do have a great deal of respect for you, you must know. So selfless, so courageous...if only I had more knights in my army who were like you, Link."
"You flatter me, Princess," Link said, his cheeks heating up mildly.
"No, I do not; I simply speak the truth," she smiled kindly. "The favor I have to ask, however, may end up being...quite dangerous."
"Oh?"
"I have been recieving reports from Ordon that no supplies are being able to get through due to some sort of obstacle. I would go myself, but my Father assures me that it wouldn't be appropriate nor safe for the Princess of Hyrule to go investigate such a disturbance, and I tend to agree. My Father is growing older, and if he, Goddesses forbid it, should die, then I will be left to run Hyrule. I cannot risk getting killed myself, as he pointed out," Zelda explained with a soft sigh, trying to keep her tone gentle and not allow any of her feelings seep into it. "This is why I've called you here."
"To investigate whatever is blocking the route to Ordon?" Link asked.
"Yes, but--" she cut off her sentence, striding gracefully over to one of the large windows that overlooked Hyrule field. She shut her eyes, bowing her head ceremoniously for a moment, as if thinking.
"Zelda."
She opened her eyes slowly, bringing them to rest on Link's handsome face. Her eyes looked sad, and her lips were closed tightly together; the expression she wore did not suit the normally jubilant Princess. "I have a bad feeling about this entire thing," she whispered to her long-time friend.
Link placed a comforting hand on the Princess' shoulder. "I will go."
"I knew you would," she placed her hand on his. "That is what worries me."
"It is probably no more than thieves who've set up a blockade of sorts," Link assured her. "Nothing a little steel can't handle."
Zelda didn't look convinced. "Sometimes, Link, things aren't as simple as they appear...and sometimes, problems cannot be solved with weapons." Zelda walked over and sat back on her throne. "I just...I'm not sure, Link, but something tells me that you are going to find something that will not be pleasing to either of us."
Link looked at her curiously, as if searching for the answer to a question written on her lovely face. "You know something." It was a statement, not a question.
Standing then, Zelda nodded slowly, a bit reluctantly. "I have my suspicions...walk with me, please."
The Princess of Destiny then led the Hero of Time down a long, seemingly forgotten, hallway. No windows were present and the ominous corridor was lit by only a few torches that hung off the walls. Link did not question Zelda's motives or intentions, but he didn't doubt that she was blowing the situation out of proportion. After all, when one has lived in peace for so long, the slightest hint of trouble could certainly frighten them.
"I believe Ganondorf has a hand in all of this," she said suddenly as they walked, side by side, quietly.
"Ganondorf?" Link asked, stunned. "But--"
"The Sages sealed him away, with your help, yes," Zelda interrupted. "But I fear he used the power of the Triforce to his will, allowing him to someone break free of his imprisonment...but it is only a feeling."
Link stopped them by walking out into Zelda's path. "Wait, what kind of a feeling?"
"The same kind of feeling I had when Ganondorf was trying to enter my Father's service all those years ago," Zelda supplied.
"Oh."
"Yes," Zelda sighed.
"How long has this...occurence...been going on?" Link asked, trying to take in all the details of his soon-to-be quest.
"Not for very long," said Zelda quietly. She turned her gaze to Link, after having kept it off of him for a while. "If you do go, please be careful, Link."
"I will," Link promised. "But you needn't worry, Princess Zelda," he said, smiling, "If Ganondorf is there, I will be happy to jog his memory of the last time we met on the field of battle..."
"Oh, Link, you mustn't!" Zelda cried in alarm. "If there is anything out of the ordinary--and I mean anything--you must come straight back here at once. Are you listening to me, Link? At once. Do not be trying to play Hero."
"But, Zelda--" Link began to object.
"Promise me, Link," Zelda ordered with great vehemence. "Promise me you will not try and play Hero and tackle whatever is out there; promise me you will come straight back and report to me first, so then we may decide--together--what is to be done."
"Fine," Link murmured, not at all thrilled at the idea of riding all the way out there and then all the way back, especially if there was something dangerous out there; the people of Ordon could also be in trouble! Perhaps he may stick around to play Hero...if only for a bit, and if only to help out the innocent citizens of Hyrule. He was, after all, the Hero of Time...and it was, after all, in his blood.
Zelda looked skeptically at her Hero, raising a thin golden eyebrow. "I mean it, Link."
"Of course," Link said, bowing. "I take leave of you now, your highness."
"Link," Zelda began, her voice soft and vulnerable.
He shot her a charming smile, one only the Hero of Time could pull off. "Try not to worry, Zelda. I promise to come back in one piece...or several..."
"Link!"
"Just kidding," he said, raising his arms, chuckling slightly. "Just kidding."
Zelda placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head condescendingly at him. "Sometimes, I wonder if you ever grew up, Link."
To which he replied with another smile before nearly running out of the throne room, headed back to Lon Lon Ranch to deliver the news of his new quest to Malon.
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A blood-curdling howl broke through the deafening silence, awaking the Hero of Time. As his eyes opened, he racked his memory trying to remember where he was and how he got there. Gazing upwards, he noticed no light emanating from the moon, therefore casting the entire forest--including himself--in pitch black shadow. There was no wind, and no familiar sounds of the wilderness as he struggled to stand.
Something was dreadfully wrong, that much he knew. He continued to sift through his memories, searching for the answer to his ever elusive question: where in Nayru's name was he? He thought long and hard, recalling past events leading up to this point...but it seemed like there was a block in his mind and said block was not allowing his much-needed answer to come to him.
He slammed his fist against the nearest tree, only before noticing something extremely odd. He had no hand. In replace of his calloused warrior hands were a pair of soft, furry paws. His eyes widened then as he tried to look the rest of himself over, only to be disappointed by lack of light. What kind of trick was this? Or perhaps it was simply a bad dream, a terrible nightmare.
He frantically looked around his new environment, his senses seemingly heightened as every flicker of movement and tiny sound caught his attention, momentarily distracting him. What was wrong with him? He used to be a very focused fighter, sure his reflexes were quick...but they'd never been this quick. In fact, it was almost as if he wasn't even human anymore.
Wait a second... thought Link as he slowly approached the small spring which he just noticed.
Peering down into the dark water, he only saw a blurry reflection of himself but it was too dark to distinguish anything more than the edges of his face. However, suddenly, the clouds broke overhead, letting some soft moonlight filter down illuminating the dark pool of water and Link's reflection. His eyes widened as he stared into the water, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Starting low but slowly building up into a loud growl, the menacing and blood-curdling howl sounded in the empty forest once again. Link moved his hands--which were no longer hands at all--over his mouth...feeling sharp fangs and a long snout in place of where his thin lips once were.
"What's happening to me?" he cried out, but it only ended up sounding like barking.
The truth, however, did not elude Link for very long after that, for the answer to his wretched question was simple: the Hero of Time had been turned into a wolf, a creature of night.
In his despair, he let out another gruesome howl. How could this have happened? He had been so careful! Was this nothing more than a cruel trick of fate caused by the Goddesses? Were Din, Nayru, and Farore angry with him? Had he done something to displease the Goddesses? So many questions with few answers; it was mind-boggling to Link, and it was safe to say that he was panicking.
As the moonlight had cleared away the darkness, it had also cleared his mind; he now could remember how he'd gotten here as well as what had happened. He remembered riding Epona up towards a large black wall that seemingly moved, almost as if it were alive. He remembered being attacked by vicious shadow creatures, beings that were morphed and seemingly invincible. He remembered fighting them as best as he could but every time he slew two, the third would let loose an atrocious cry, bringing the other two back to life. Ultimately, they wore the Hero down and the last thing Link remembered was a massive claw lumbering towards his face...
He shuddered violently. Link plopped himself down on the ground, covering his face with his gentle paws. What was he to do now? He couldn't be much help if he couldn't even wield his sword or shield...speaking of which, where was all his equipment? Even more importantly, where was his faithful steed, Epona? If she was hurt, even a teensy bit, Malon was going to murder him in cold blood. It wasn't an exaggeration either, especially given the memories of the time when Link had accidentally rode into a thicket of thorn bushes, prickling Epona's glorious reddish coat. She had been more or less unscathed, but Malon had nearly gone ballistic on him, accusing him of being inconsiderate.
He frowned, if that were possible for a wolf to do, as he thought back. Was he ever going to see Malon again? Or what about the Ranch...or Zelda? Zelda had entrusted a very important task to him and he had failed her on two accounts: the first being he was supposed to report back to her about what was going on, and the second being that he had "played Hero", as Zelda was fond of calling Link's foolishness. Thinking about it only served to make him more grievous; even if he were to escape this dark forest--Faron Forest, as he now remembered what it was called--how would he communicate to Zelda? Chances were that he'd only be killed on sight if he even attempted to approach the Castle. It was quite the predicament.
"Come to me..."
Link leapt up, his body tense at the sound of the voice as he glared towards the pool of water nearby.
"O brave youth..." the voice continued, and Link warily headed towards the pool of water. "Beware...shadow creatures approach!"
The moment he entered the spring and stepped towards the water, black glowing monoliths came crashing into the soft earth around him, creating a sort of perimeter around the spring, not allowing Link to flee. Soon afterwards, a hazy pink portal opened up above the center of the perimeter, throwing out a strange creature. It was then that Link noticed that it was the same type of creature he had fought before.
He lowered himself towards the ground, instinctively letting out a threatening growl. Perhaps this was a sign from the Goddesses, trying to point him in the right direction...or perhaps, more likely, it was simply more bad luck on his part. The creature was sinewy with pulsating veins of pink in an otherwise flawless black hide, with tendrils protruding from its head, always moving about.
Letting a garbled cry out, the ghoulish creature charged Link, but fortunately he snapped out of his stupor in time to move out of the way. Snarling, he bit at the creature, managing, by some peculiar bit of luck, to use his new, more powerful jaws, to latch onto the creature. Digging his claws in to give himself a steady hold, he bit down even harder, causing the creature a great deal of pain. Furious now, the creature threw Link off of him, tackling the dazed wolf quickly. Link found himself losing consciousness quickly as the creature beat on him...
"O brave youth, do not give up..." the gentle, encouraging voice said out of the darkness, casting a bit of momentary light on the battlefield, stunning the creature who was used to the darkness of the twilight realm.
Link took advantage of this opportunity to finish the beast. Narrowing his eyes, the Hero of Time attacked the confused creature, clamping down hard on its head. It collapsed then, much to Link's relief, and burst into tiny black particles that flew up into the air, forming another portal. Link took a deep breath, trying to steady his rapid heartbeat. That had been too close for his taste.
He took a step forward towards the pool, but his leg gave out, and he fell to the cold, hard ground. However, before darkness overtook him, he felt a mystifying warm glow cover him and lift him towards the water. Wounded, but conscious, Link fell into the water with a splash, the water seemingly to heal his wounds in a miraculous fashion. Once the water had soaked deep into his fur, he shook himself--still trying to get used to his new, abnormal body--and gazed up into a most magnificent sight.
Appearing above the small pool of water was a lustrous, gleaming being that embodied a goat but glowed with an inner light, nearly blinding Link. Never had he seen anything as beautiful as this being of light. It looked over to him, an almost kind look on its heavenly face. Link dropped his gaze instinctively, feeling somewhat shamed in the presence of such an amazing being.
"O brave youth," began the being gently, almost as if it were in awe of Link...if that were possible. "I am Ordona, the spirit of light and guardian of the land of Ordona...and you are the Blue-Eyed Beast, the one who has lost his way temporarily."
Link looked up at the light spirit now, curious as to what it knew. "What do you know?" He didn't expect a response for he was speaking in the tongue of animals now.
"I know many things; things of the past, things of the present...and things that have not yet come to pass," Ordona replied, surprising Link. "What is it you wish to know, Brave Youth?"
"How did this happen to me?" Link asked.
"If you are referring to turning into the Blue-Eyed Beast you are, then my answer to you is this: you are the Chosen One of the Gods, it is due to this that you did not simply become a shadow as the rest of Hyrule has--"
"Wait--what?! What has happened to Hyrule?" Link's tone was panicked as he thought about those he cared for being subject to an unknown and terrible fate.
The spirit of light paused, remaining silent. "Perhaps I should begin from the beginning."
"It would certainly help," Link murmured quietly, which sounded like muffled barks.
"As you know, I am a spirit of light...however, what you do not know is that I am simply one of four. My brethren, unfortunately, have already succumbed to the darkness caused by the twilight. One by one, their power over light was taken...and the kingdom was cast into a netherworld of darkness, of endless twilight as you have observed briefly. Creatures such as the one you fought roam the land, and Hyrule is not as it once was," Ordona explained slowly.
"And...what of Princess Zelda...and the King of Hyrule?" he dared to ask, fearful of the answer.
"The Triforce the Princess of Destiny bears has protected her; as yours turned you into a wolf. If you had not had the Triforce of Courage, you would have turned into a spirit, condemned to walk Hyrule ignorant of your lifelessness," the light spirit told him. "Additionally, those who are already the shadows of Hyrule have been mildly affected by this curse of twilight. They will continue to protect the Hylian Royal Family, as they always have, nearly unaffected by this dreadful darkness."
Link was having a difficult time following all this, so he simply nodded in false comprehension. "What of the rest of Hyrule? Is it trapped in this dark twilight as well?"
"I am afraid so," Ordona replied.
Link inhaled sharply. Malon. His best friend could be in a great deal of danger...and was he there to protect her as he promised he would? No, he was trapped in a Goddess-forsaken forest.
"O brave youth, do not become discouraged by all that transpires around you; there is still hope," Ordona made a point of enunciating the word hope, for the being saw how forlorn Link was looking. "You will be able to save your friends, but you must first restore light to all of the spirits of light...as you do so, more power will return to the Triforce and the Princess of Destiny will be able to return you to your original form, if that is your desire."
Letting out a sigh, which sounded more of a sad growl, Link queried, "Where must I go first?"
If it was possible, the spirit smiled then, looking towards Faron Forest. "Free my brethren, Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru. Begin with reviving Faron and you will be able to pass into Hyrule Field, and from there you must seek out the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom; everything will be explained from there. Good luck, Blue-Eyed Beast."
Link began to ask about something but the light spirit disappeared back into the pool of water. Link shook his head, having a great many doubts about being able to accomplish this quest to save Hyrule. He was still not used to his new canine body, and he had no weapons except for his fangs and claws...and those didn't compare to a bow or hookshot for long-range. It was safe to say that the Hero of Time believed himself to be thoroughly doomed.
Glancing once more towards the peaceful pool, Link began to head off into the thicket known to most simply as Faron Forest, beginning his new quest to, once again, save his beloved home of Hyrule.
A/N: Review or Link will give you sad puppy-dog eyes.
