A big thank you to Lupanari for looking over and editing this chapter!
Wooo! Well here's the next chapter! And I have a grand total of 30 reviews thus far! Heh heh sorry it took a little longer to get this chapter out but I had lots of stuff to do this week! Ah well but better late then never right? Any way to make up for that I tried to make this chapter extra long....you can decide if it is or not... onward!
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Link awoke to the sound of twittering birds around dawn the next morning. He stretched before getting himself up off the bed to take a look out the window. A clear, pale blue and pink sky met his eyes as he scanned the horizon letting the first rays of the sun hit him. Turning towards the night stand where he had leaned his sword and shield the night before, he noticed something odd. There was a plate on the table with some toast and a glass of what he hoped to be milk. Bringing his hand to the plate, he noticed it was still warm and this caused him to look around confused. Someone had gotten into the room just before he awoke and gave him some breakfast all without his knowledge.
Link looked around his room cautiously before shrugging it off as another oddity of this world. Eating quickly and downing the milk, he placed the dishes back down not knowing what else to do with them. Whoever or whatever... or however they got here, he hoped they would be taken away in the same manner.
Link was about to slip his sword over his shoulder, but stopped himself remembering Dumbledore's words on him bearing them around the school. Opening up his pouch he easily fit both inside. 'At least I'm able to keep them on me even if they are hidden. I'd feel really strange without anything but this 'wand' to protect myself' he thought dryly. Giving himself a quick once over he quickly left and locked his room, before jogging off a large smile on his face. He only passed a few people in the halls as he exited the castle, much to his relief remembering how almost every student he passed would usually question him.
By the time he reached the edge of the forest the sun had risen enough it could be clearly seen above the horizon line. As Link looked in between the trees it seemed to call him once again, this time he was fully prepared to answer the call. With every step forward the calling intensified urging him closer and deeper into the darkened heart of the forest.
It sounded like soft voices coursing together but speaking no louder then soft whispers. It reminded Link of the Lost Woods, except without the enchanted melody echoing about the forest leading him down specific paths, though it seemed the voices were urging him on in a similar fashion. If he turned one way the whispering seemed to get louder, if he turned another they would soften to the point he could barely hear them.
Every so often he would see a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye but when he turned to look there wouldn't be anything there. After about the third time this happened he took out his bow, and hovered his right hand over his pouch ready to draw an arrow out of the quiver in a flash if needed.
The trees around him seemed to block out the sun more and more as he went deeper into the woods, making it look as though it was night with a full moon over head. It was getting colder too making Link glad he decided to go early in the morning rather then at night. The cool air eventually gave way to a misty feeling allowing Link to feel the icy touch of a near by river or stream.
Shivering slightly in the cold air he continued to follow the voices. They were louder now, allowing him to understand some words that were being echoed through the forest. "This way...." "Over here...." they chorused in a multitude of breathy whispers in Hylian tongue. Link was starting to feel a small amount of magic radiating from somewhere and knew that was where the voices were leading him.
He took off in a full run, the voices sounding excited now, their murmurs sounding clear. Eventually Link saw mist spilling over the top of a hill and knew there was a water fall at the top. Easily climbing over the hill he stood and faced the falls. "Come." Link looked at the waterfall and blinked as he saw a pale glow coming from it.
Walking over to investigate he noticed a small cave behind the waterfall. The entrance was up from ground level a bit, about knee height, and he could fit in the opening if he crawled through it. "This way, Hero." Hoisting himself up and pulling himself through the small tunnel on his stomach, he noticed how clean the tunnel was. There was no moss or algae growing inside past the first foot of the opening, despite it being extremely damp.
As soon as Link saw an opening in front of him he couldn't help but let his jaw drop in awe. Though there was no obvious light source in the enclosed cave, the rocks seemed to glow with power. A medium sized pond was at the far end of the cave with about ankle deep water, and a constant source bubbling up from the center. A few boulders were on the sides of the water lining it getting progressively larger towards the back, the smallest were closest to him beckoning him to stone stairs leading to the water. All in all most would think this was an alter.
Link smiled wider than he ever thought possible, and practically ran up the small stairs to stand on the edge of the water. A fairy fountain. The back of his left hand tingled telling him the Triforce was glowing. As though another power had took over and told him what to do he lowered his hand into the water. The golden glow shot across the pond from his hand, further illuminating the cavern. In the center of the pool sparkles of multi-coloured light began rising giving way to a shape Link knew all too well.
"Thank you, Hero" Link took in the fairy woman's appearance. She looked very similar to the great fairies he was used to, but this fairy showed off her wings while the ones he knew in Hyrule preferred to hover. Her shimmering blue hair draped about her body only a few shades lighter then the dress she was wearing. She also stood in front of him, and was only a few inches taller then him. Her electric blue eyes kind, and her blue stained lips pursed together in a smile.
"You have helped recreate the connection from this fountain to the realm where we fairies took refuge" she spoke kindly.
"I really didn't do that much" Link said honestly
The Great Fairy shook her head. "The dark magic that had encased this place may have been weak here but it was enough to keep us from coming to this realm. The power of the Triforce alone was enough to break this seal, though I fear for the others." she said
Link tilted his head to the side not completely comprehending. The Great Fairy nodded in understanding and motioned for Link to take a seat, which he kindly refused preferring to stand. "When your spirit was sealed away many years ago, and darkness began to rule these lands, our fountains were destroyed by Ganon and his evil minions. We needed to take refuge or else all of our kind would have been destroyed. Gorons, Kokiri and Zoras were mutated by the darkness the man had brought and not even the goddesses know what has become of them. Zelda was forced to flee, regardless of her own wishes, and we haven't been able to sense the Triforce of Wisdom since then." the Great Fairy paused allowing this new knowledge to sink in.
"The great fairies, knowing we needed to keep our touch in this realm, created new fountains and hid them away. We gathered all our brothers and sisters and brought them into the refuge of the sacred realm. The stronger used these new fountains as channels to keep our influence in this world. Unfortunately they were found and sealed by Ganon's dark magic, disallowing us back to this realm. Without ant light to stop the over flowing darkness, Ganon took control easily. The only place our magic could touch was the immediate vicinity in which out fountains were hidden."
Link looked down to the ground not knowing how to respond. Everything he once knew had been changed or destroyed by one man! "What about the civilians?" he said not really knowing how to phrase the question. "I mean everyone I've met so far..." the Great Fairy nodded in understanding.
"When we were sealed, people stopped listening to our voices out of fear of what might happen to them. Eventually they lost the power to hear us all together. We became forgotten as well as the goddesses. When Ganon saw this, the seals over us weakened allowing us to spread our touch outward slightly, and enabling us to call out, but our voices went unnoticed." She spoke slowly her eyes softening as she gazed at the hero. "After years of tyranny the people revolted and drove him out. Wounded he also went into hiding, to take control from the shadows, wiping all memory of what once was from this land. War broke out soon after over who would be a better ruler, and many new colonies formed."
"Ganon, accessing the Triforce of Power has practically gained immortality, or so he thinks. True the Triforce can grant prolonged longevity, and heal wounds that would normally be fatal, but it is not infallible. You must learn to control the Triforce of Courage so you may put a stop to Ganon's dark rule." the Great Fairy took a step toward Link, who had long since locked eyes with the winged woman. "Now then I have some things I wish to give you."
At this Link smiled he was somewhat excited to be receiving something from the great fairies, just as he always had. "But first..." the winged woman smirked as Link felt the rise in energy and braced himself for a blast of the fairy's magic. She waved her hand creating glowing sparks, and when she snapped her fingers they exploded. A strong warm wind rushed by himas a bright light blinded him causing him to bring his arm up to his face. When the wind ceased and the light faded Link brought his arm down and grinned as he saw small pink and red fairies floating about the fountain.
The woman came closer to Link and held out a small orb, about the size of a large marble. Gingerly Link took it and held it up to the light. Different shades of blue swirled about in its core all mixing together. "This is the embodiment of my power, use it to release the seals on any other fairies you may find. They shall add their power to it as well, and when the time comes, we will all stand together in the final battle that was thousands of years in the making." Link nodded in understanding and bowed in gratitude.
"There is something else, Hero," the winged woman said amused. "You are unfamiliar with this new world, and therefore need a guide." The woman smiled mischievously as she motioned for Link to look behind him.
Fluttering up and down and shining brightly was a small blue fairy. Link tried to speak but found his words caught in his throat. "Sheesh! You haven't seen me in how long and that's how you greet me?" the small fairies high pitched voice made Link simply laugh, he couldn't help himself at least there was someone he recognized from Hyrule.
"Navi!" he laughed again grabbing hold of his partner in an embrace momentarily forgetting his much, much larger size. Once he did remember he quickly released her causing her to fall from the air gasping for breath. "Sorry," he said rubbing the back of his head.
"My power has entered the forest it is not completely healed but it is a huge leap forward," the Great Fairy spoke bringing Link back to the topic at hand. "Be careful on your journey Hero, now that my magic flows once more Ganon will surely be alerted to your presence as well," she cautioned. "Navi lend him your aid wherever you can and come visit me again if you need advice." She nodded to Link. "The fairies in this fountain will ease your weariness, please allow them to lend you their aid." With a bright flash she was gone leaving behind about a dozen red and pink fairies floating about the fountain happily.
Link opened his pouch and brought out an empty bottle and took out the cork. Walking up to the nearest fairy he held out the bottle. "Would you mind?" Link asked.
"It would be my honor," the red fairy said as he happily entered the bottle. Link thanked him quickly before placing the still uncorked bottle in his pouch. If anything happened to him the fairy could easily get out and heal him. Navi fluttered under his hat and Link was instantly filled with nostalgia as she whispered into his ear.
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Walking back out of the forest was very uneventful, though he made sure to make a mental note of the way back to the fountain. Link told Navi to hide and to remain silent fearing how the people at the school would react to her. The whispers were quiet now, no longer needing to call out to him. He noticed various mushrooms that were now growing in various places in a large variety of colours. The legend of the 'fairy mushrooms' holding true. When he made it out of the woods Link was confronted with a rather angry Hagrid.
"Beautiful day," Link greeted not sure what else to do, drawing on the Triforce to allow himself to speak in the language the half giant knew.
"Ya shouldn't go through the forest, its dangerous!" The tall man said in a gruff voice. "And on your own no less," he shook his head and sighed. "You could have been killed by the critters that live in there."
Link tilted his head to the side. "I really didn't see much of anything in there besides plant life," he said
Hagrid sighed again letting the last of his anger fade. Dumbledore had told him the boy could look after himself after all. "Well come on, how about I make you some lunch?"
Link agreed and followed the tall man back to his hut. As they entered Link asked if the tall man wanted help preparing the stew, to which Hagrid refused saying he wanted what he was making to be a surprise. Once the meal was made Link had to admit it was a surprise. Although it didn't look appealing, or even really all that edible Link had to admit it was rather good. When Link was told what it was made with and all Hagrid got was an interested hm, as he took another bite, he laughed.
"No one's ever continued ta eat after I tell em what the ingredients are" he laughed again. Link smiled but in truth he didn't really know what the ingredients were. When Hagrid's bellowing laughter subsided Hagrid handed the green clad teen a small folded piece of paper. "Dumbledore told me to give ya that." he said simply. "It's so you can wear that hat o' yours in class."
Link nodded understanding. He had refused the spell the elder man offered that could disguise his ears and this was the alternative he figured. "Thank you," Link said accepting the paper and storing it away.
"Well I best be preparing for tomorrow's class." Hagrid said standing up and clapping his hands together. "You should probably be studying, don't think I'll go easy on ya," the tall man smiled as Link nodded and hurried on his way.
Making his way to the castle and walking calmly down the halls Link took the time to notice the artwork that hung around the walls. Although the painting's eyes seemed to follow him as he walked by he felt no ill will coming from them. "These paintings are magic, they won't do anything to harm you though. Some of them can even talk to you," Navi's bell like voice entered his ear, making Link smile.
As he neared his room he saw Dumbledore heading towards the door as well, but upon seeing Link he turned towards him. "Ah there you are," the elder man said happily. "I needed to tell you that today at dinner we shall have you sorted into a house so you may start your classes tomorrow."
"Sorted?" Link asked not sure if he liked the term.
"Ah yes. You will be sorted into one of four houses. Gryffindor for the brave and courageous, Ravenclaw for the ones with exceptional intelligence, Hufflepuff the hard working and loyal, and Slytherin for the ambitious. It's a simple process as the sorting hat will decide for you. Just simply wear it."
Though Link didn't like the sound of a hat deciding something for him, or anything for that matter, he pushed those thoughts aside and agreed.
"Now then don't worry about your things after you're sorted, the house elves will bring everything of yours to your new room later." Dumbledore said before Link could open his mouth. "I shall see you at dinner then," the elder man said eyes twinkling before taking his leave and walking back in the same direction he had come.
"Know anything on the sorting hat?" Link half mumbled in Hylian to Navi.
The blue fairy snorted at the boys native tongue. "I know how to speak English too you know. I've learned a few new tricks in the past 'few' years" she said a hint of arrogance in her voice "and I don't really know much on the hat."
"Sorry."
Link entered the Great hall eye twitching and mumbling under his breath. He was late for dinner due to one Peeves the Poltergeist. Water dripped from his nose and on to the floor as the many students in the room took in his appearance.
Link had decided to walk around the school for the reminder of the time until dinner to examine the various art works that dawned its halls. However his leisurely walk was interrupted as Peeves decided he wanted to steal his hat. The ghost had tried appearing randomly and attempting to grab the floppy green hat, but Link could always sense him coming. So Peeves figured if he couldn't take it off he'd have to knock it off.... with water balloons.
Link was hit directly twice before he brought out his Hylian shield and attempted to block the projectiles. He managed to block the majority of them, but Peeves still found an opening by zipping about and popping under his guard. Link opted to run for it holding his shield up protecting his head as he did so. A few missed shots hit a few random students as he whizzed by. It took a while to loose the ghost, and when he did, he found himself late for the dinner. He put away his shield before entering the hall and thus brings us back to the present.
"Welcome Link. I heard you had a bit of trouble with Peeves?" Dumbledore said obviously taking joy in Links annoyance. Link grumbled something unintelligible in response as he made his way to the front of the hall.
"Now then as I was saying Link is a transfer student so please help him get to know his way around the school and help him get adjusted." Dumbledore motioned for Link to take a seat on the stool beside him. "Now then we shall sort him into his house." To this a woman walked out with an old beaten and patched hat. Link raised a brow having been expecting something extravagant.
Processor McGonagall walked out with the old tattered hat. Heading towards the green clad teen. "So what house do you think he'll be sorted into?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron.
"As long as its not Slytherin..." Ron grumbled glaring at a certain Draco Malfoy.
"Look at the way Umbridge is scowling at him!" Harry said with a small laugh elbowing Ron in the ribs.
"Blimey! He hasn't even done anything yet and he's already on her list," Ron smiled. The sole fact that Umbridge seemed to hate Link's very being, made the odd kid OK in his books. The three turned to watch as McGonagall stopped beside Dumbledore while he made a speech before motioning to place the hat on Link's head, over the one he was currently wearing of course.
The hat was raised about a foot from Links head before it called out "Gryffindor!"
"Well, that was easy," Dumbledore said happily after the thundering applause erupted from the Gryffindor table. "Now please take your seat." the elder man motioned to the correct table. "Now then, without further ado, dig in!"
"Hem hem."
"So much courage." Link was still shocked at those words that the hat had said...or rather how it had said them through his thoughts. He was making his way down the table when he heard an annoyingly shrill voice call out.
Link cringed. He could handle high pitched, but this was an entirely different level. A fairy's voice was high pitched sure but they were also soft and always reminded Link of a crystal bell, while this woman's voice reminded Link of glass scraping together, or that of metal on porcelain.
Taking the nearest seat to him Link looked up at the woman, but was unable to listen to what she was saying. When he heard something about Hagrid being a danger to the school he immediately was alert to what the woman was saying. "He should not be trusted!" she said in a huff. Link glared at the woman. His eyes narrowed and his mouth tipped down into a scowl. He found instant dislike in the woman before, due to her voice, but saying things about the man who had shown nothing but kindness to him since he awoke, made her dirt in his book.
A few seats away Hermione turned to Link in hopes of getting the boy to notice them and come to sit by them for dinner, when she stopped in mid-wave. She looked at his face and shivered. His glare seemed all too familiar... she couldn't quite place it but she knew she had seen it before. Ron shivered noticing where Hermione was looking. "Uh! Just like that creepy statue…" he shuddered once more before turning to his plate.
Hermione's eyes went wide at Ron's statement. She had to find out more about the boy.
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well there's the end...whoo! It felt long anyway. Lots of stuff happened here! Anyway please R&R don't just read and not review! That's like eavesdropping! Click the button! You know you want to! Until next time Burning Clutch out!