After a few hours rest, Zelda felt much better. She sat up and stretched. It wasn't as comfortable laying on the hard floor as it was her bed but she had no other choice. Impa was already awake. She was preparing breakfast. By the looks of it, bread and water. Zelda signed, it wasn't as nice as the food she normally had but it would do.

Hearing the princess sign, Impa turned to face her with a smile.

"Sleep well, Princess?"

"Yes, Impa. How about you?"

"I slept well also."

Good, thought Zelda. She was still quite sleepy but the hard floor was too uncomfortable to sleep on any longer than need be. Since they had slept for a few hours, Zelda assumed it would be day time by now. However, without windows, it was hard to tell.

"About your dream, Zelda.." Impa began.

Zelda turned to face her. It was just a dream. Of course the Hero of Time was a well known prophecy but surely her dream didn't mean anything, right?

"What about it?" She questioned.

"I think it was a warning from the goddesses themselves, Princess. A warning that evil is upon us."

"Evil? Impa, don't be sill-"

"Zelda! Don't pretend you don't feel it too. Don't you see? It wasn't coincidence that you dreamt of the Hero the same night we were attacked at the castle. There has to be some meaning behind it!"

Zelda was in shock. Impa never raised her voice, especially not to her. She really must believe in the prophecy.

"Zelda.. Sorry. I shouldn't have raised my voice. It's just, you need to understand the importance you have in protecting Hyrule." Signed the Shiekah.

"Don't apologise. I know you only do what you think best for me. I'm sorry for not listening. You're right, it wasn't a coincidence that my dream occurred in the same night as the attack. We must figure out the meaning of this."

"Yes, also it is vital we learn who attacked the castle. I have a feeling it's the bearer of the Triforce of Power. If so, we desperately need to find the reincarnation of the Hero himself."

After gathering his soldiers. Link and his friends had set off on their horses to ride out to Kakariko Village in search of the Bokoblins disrupting the peace. Travelling through the green fields of Hyrule.

The fine steed in which Link was given to ride was named Epona. The name itself was one of beauty. Epona was even the name of a goddess known for her love of horses and donkeys. Surely it did suit the mare as she was blessed with a gorgeous white mane to contrast with her chocolate brown skin. Her hooves tinted with black. She was a beautiful horse and Link was ecstatic to be able to ride her.

The boy had always loved horses, he had been able to ride them since he was young. Before Link moved to Hyrule Castle Town, he lived with his parents on a farm in Faron Woods.

In the village of Ordon, he had grown up. Once he was of age, his parents sent him to Castle Town, the centre of Hyrule, to become a soldier. It had been his dream since he first learnt to fight. Practicing with a stick with his friends everyday. Seeing his love for combat, his parents had arranged with some local soldiers to have him learn how to fight properly. His skill at horse back ensured him a place in the Hylian army as it was one of the many requirements.

Link hadn't visited his parents in a while. He was about 10 when he left home, he was now 19. He signed as he rolled over in his bedspread. It was a leather sleeping bag with fur lining on the inside for warm. He currently lay in a tent he shared with Darren. The boy was already sleep, but Link felt wide awake. On horse back they had gotten quite far already. By tomorrow noon they should be at Kakariko Village.

Link was excited. It was going to be his first proper battle and he couldn't sleep properly. He just wanted to be out right now, fighting some Bokoblins and other spawns. The other soldiers he had chosen to take with him were some of his other friends he had made in his classes. Twins, Earl and Barry, Luke and Tom. Of course Darren was the fifth member of their group. The twins shared a tent and Tom and Luke resided in the third. Outside the horses were tided to a fence nearby. It wasn't raining on this pleasant night so they hadn't needed to make a shelter for them.

With another sign, Link turned and dug his finger in the mud, tracing patterns randomly in the slightly damp soil. The mark on his left hand glower dimly. Link had always wondered what it meant. He had it since birth, he kept it hidden under fingerless gloves, unsure as to how others would react upon seeing it. He assumed it was a simple birthmark, but the odd glowing made him concerned. It must mean something, right? Maybe one day he would ask an expert and find out. It would finally put his mind to rest.

The dark king say on the small throne. Compared to his towering form, it was too tight. But it would do for now, he could always order his servants to produce another, more fitting to his nature.

"Scum! Come to me at once." Ordered Ganon.

A small Bulblin came scurrying up the steps to the throne, cowering slightly as he bowed before his master.

"Any news on the Princess's location?"

"No, my Lord. Troops are still looking, though we might be close to finding her-" he was interrupted by another servant rushing towards the dark king.

"Master! Master we found her." He was out of breath. "The tunnel.. Kitchen.. We found her."

Ganon stood up, finally, the Princess could hide no more.

"Take me to this tunnel, whelp."

The slave nodded before scurrying towards the kitchens with Ganon close on his heels.

Zelda lay on the blankets. She had eaten her 'breakfast' and was now thinking over what Impa had said.

The Hero of Time. He was destined to defend Hyrule when evil descended upon the lands. The last time the hero had appeared was thousands of years ago. The hero had banished a dark force with the help of Seven Sages into something called the Twilight Realm. There the dark force resided, hopefully to never rise again. However, at some point, it had. Zelda shivered. Just the thought of the evil which was now unleashed upon the world sent a shiver through her spine.

She lay there for a few more minutes before hearing a bang. Light shone down from the entrance above. Seconds later, Impa was visible climbing down the ladder. The princess sat up.

"Any news?" She questioned.

Impa wiped sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand before replying.

"Yes. I know exactly who it is who has terrorised the Kingdom. And it is not good news." She stated glumly.

"Who-"

Crash.

Bits of sediment went flying across the small room. Before the two knew what was happening, something scaled gripped their arms. Zelda tried to scream but her mouth was covered with a ragged cloth. Impa struggled against her holder, but without luck. Once the dust had settled, Zelda saw what had grabbed her and Impa. Aeralfos.

Ganondorf waited at the entrance of the tunnel. After hours of tearing apart the kitchen, his minions had discovered the tunnel that seemed to go on forever behind the stove. He waited there now, he had sent two of his minions down to scout the tunnels. Being slightly too big to fit through it comfortably, they had to dig, therefore making a mess. After what felt like hours, Ganon was beginning to get impatient.

Just as he was about to send more minions into the hole, he heard shuffling of dirt and soon after, two of his servants emerged, in their arms were two females. The princess and her bodyguard. Both were gagged and tied up. Upon seeing him, Zelda's eyes widened in shock. This made the dark king cackle. What a shock it must be to discover one of your trusted advisers having betrayed you.

"Take the girl to her room. Lock the door and guard it, don't let anyone in. As for the Shiekah, take her to the dungeons." Ordered the new king.