Hey all I know it's been like over a year since my last update but I've been so busy to even think about writing this story or well anything apart from school work and well... bills. I've moved out on my own so things are a lot harder than they were before financially but I'm a lot happier not to be living at home. I'm going to try to keep this up on a regular basis but it's not going to be a top priority life getting in the way and all that: P eh either way here is the next chappie.

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Those that once were

"So what do you think they've found?" Link asked Navi as he stretched in his slight boredom while waiting for the Stalfos.

"You'll just have to wait and see." Navi said bobbing aimlessly around his head.

"I must admit I'm nervous." Asiza spoke softly hovering a few metres away looking off into the distance. "They're coming..." His voice faltered slightly.

"You'll do fine, you wouldn't have been chosen for this task if the great fairy didn't think you were capable." Navi spoke comfortingly to the other fairy.

Slowly the shadows of the Stalfos moved closer until they were in plain view. Link walked closer giving a greeting to acknowledge their presence. The three Stalfos in front of him responded with a greeting of their own.

"Welcome oh chosen hero!" the Stalfos spoke excitedly "we have good news for your quest!"

"That's good to hear I'm really amazed you were able to find something so fast." Link replied in earnest.

"Our kind had always been affiliated with dark magic; even though our loyalties have changed our power has not. We know now how to wield it for the benefit of those that we were once all to eager to destroy." The leader spoke firmly saluting Link with a slight dip of his head.

"Thank you gain. I'm very grateful to you." Link said with a smile to which the Stalfos nodded.

"it is us who are forever in your debt," The leader spoke diplomatically. "But enough. There are greater matters on hand" Link nodded as the Stalfos turned to the lake. "There have been deep rumblings within the dark murk of this lake. Down so deep no light can shine and the goddesses hand cannot brush its face. The dark powers bubble forth and threaten to make these waters turn red. There is anguish beneath here, and a lock that denies the relief of its pain." He said seriously staring off almost mystified by the lake.

Turning to Link the leader straightened, like a trained soldier awaiting orders from their captain. "If you wish it we will be your aide." The Stalfos leader swung his arm widely placing his hand over where his heart should be before bowing to Link. The other two followed suit and chimed "It would be an honor to share blades with you"

Link smiled "I accept your assistance, although I have to ask... How are you able to survive under water for prolonged periods?"

"We require no air to live." The leader stated blankly.

"Right... Sorry..." Link hid his embarrassment into a cough and quickly decided a change in subject was necessary. "The great fairies have also granted you a guide." Link said quickly.

Asiza flew forward nervously, "Pleased to meet you, my name is Asiza. I am to serve as your communication between the great fairies Link and yourselves. I look forward to working with you."

"As us, you." The Stalfos nodded "Before we part... Please know the entrance is heavily guarded and locked. We know not of the keys whereabouts but we shall have our men look tirelessly. We assume the key will emit the same dark energy that this place does." The leader nodded once quickly. "We shall send word if we discover its location"

"As will I" Link smiled warmly at the skeleton happy to have help in this foreign land.

Giving what looks like a smile back the Leader nodded one last time before turning to levee. "Until we meet again Hero..."

"You can call me Link if you want; I mean it is my name after all." Link said calling after the shadows of the Stalfos, smile evident in his voice.

"We shall report soon... Hero Link." And with that they disappeared into the night as Asiza's glow faced into the distance.

The return to the castle was an arduous one as many thoughts danced around Links mind. He knew he needed to get some rest to prepare for when the Stalfos found the key to the dungeon under the water, now knowing that the skeletal beings were incredibly well adapt for reconnaissance. As he neared the court yard he let out a long sigh knowing he'd need to sneak back up into the Gryphondor rooms.

It was late and there would be teachers patrolling. It wouldn't be the first time he'd snuck around granted but it just seemed like too much hassle tonight. His long shot wouldn't be able to get him up on the outside of the building either knowing the range of the handheld device was only about twenty feet.

Looking up to the sky he knew there would be no chances of rain in the near future and decided that camping out would be his easiest solution. It always felt comforting to be sleeping out under the stars anyhow. Even when he was back in Hyrule there was just something so calming about being under the stars, and hearing the sounds of the various creatures outside. The fresh air always did him good anyway.

He made a turn towards the nearest tree and easily made himself comfortable up against it. Sitting bac looking up at the stars with his back on the tree, listening to the sounds of nature. They calmed him down and reminded him of home. Home... just the thought of even the landscape made his heart ache. Closing his eyes Link took a large intake of air before reopening his eyes.

"Navi?..." Link asked hesitantly

"What is it?" came the confused reply

"What happened after I was sealed... I mean to the people I knew did Gannon..."

A long sad sigh escaped Navi "it's a long story..." she spoke softly fluttering down and resting on his knee. "Well you know he sealed the great fairies because they were, trying to combat his evil. They were trying to keep the land pure while he pushed it to ruin."

Link nodded "but what happened to the Hylians?" Link asked softly

"When Gannon took reign he wanted to make sure there would be none who opposed him, and since magic was what he saw as the biggest threat, he hit hardest with anyone who could use it. The earth was stained red as so many lives were lost. Unfortunately he knew that even the general populous of Hylans could use magic if they trained to do so, but because most citizens didn't seem like a threat to his rule he disfigured them instead. He warped their minds as well as their physical appearance, making them obey, and serve him hand and foot." She swallowed knowing she was about to drop a bomb on her old friend. "The people here know them now as house elves..."

Link paled "So the servants of this castle, are the decedents of those he..." Link found himself unable to continue his sentence sickened by the thought of it.

"Yea... he took particular pleasure in changing anyone who had helped you into servants I might add, anyone from the royal family, the Gerudo... he gave them a choice to serve him or be killed. It was his cruel way...it seemed anyone with Hylian blood had been either killed or transformed" Navi took a breath and quickly moved on.

"He sealed the fairies not only because they opposed him directly... but people could use their magic source to help channel their own spells and magic. He realized this and cut them down. He drained the great fairies of their magic and tired to eliminate them. All of us regular fairies took shelter in the fountains and the remaining great fairies, that still had some power left, sealed the entrances to keep us safe. With that magic source gone he turned to the sprit temples and destroyed them as well. He effectively eliminated every external source of magic the people had."

Link nodded gravely and waited for his friend to continue. "Luckily a few with the Hylians blood esaped escaped. A lot of them were overlooked because they didn't have the distinguishable ears... With their external source and thus their traditional way of doing magic now gone they had to come up with a new way of channeling the magic forces. They had eventually figured out how to use mediums to channel their own magical energies, they had essentially made primitive wands." Navi flicked her wings allowing a few sparkles to fall from her glowing form.

"They were able to overpower him with what they had and send him into hiding... until now. Unfortunately the damage had been done and all those who were under his rule now feared magic and when the few with the Hylians bloodline showed their magic to those who didn't have the blood, feared them as well saying they were working for Gannon even though they were the ones who pushed him out. As time went on the handful that could use magic deemed it easier to hide from those who couldn't, everything about magic... Eventually like the rest of the populations the magical one grew as well. And that's essentially what formed the types of magical society you see today... that's pretty much the jest of it..."

Links mind was reeling he could hardly believe the story he was just told, but he knew it was true. "Thank you for telling me." He said sadly. "I just needed to know..."

"It's alright you couldn't have done anymore then you did, you weren't expecting him to seal you away."

"Thanks although I still feel as though this whole mess is all my fault..." Link mumbled half to himself.

Navi fluttered in front of his face with a small sad smile. "I know it's pointless to blame myself but I can't change how I feel." Link said calmly letting Navi under his hat.

Closing his eyes he leaned back on the tree and after a few minutes fell into a deep slumber, he awoke a few times in the night with the story Navi told him rattling his mind with a nightmare. After his fourth awakening he managed to slip into a dreamless sleep.

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Well there you have it folks like I said previously I'm sorry it took forever to get this up I just hope it was worth the wait. I also wonder if people even read my A/N's ... boobies... :P leave a review

Burning clutch OUT!