Chapter 9: I must tell you

Impa was feeling upset but no one would ever be able to tell that she was. She had entered the service of the royal family only because of the passed away queen. If it wasn't for that she, as a Sheikah, was loyal to her promises she would have killed the king a long time ago.

She couldn't stand him. She understood that he as a father didn't want her to take Zelda away. If she decided to do this, Zelda would hardly spend any time in the castle at all. No time near him.

What angered her the most was that she knew he didn't do this out of love. Ever since the queen died the king could almost not stand Zelda's presence. She was like a small copy of her mother, both in appearance and personality. He had isolated himself from everyone since his wife's death and lost his love for Hyrule.

Even though he still did take care of his land he had lost his ambition and understanding. To rule without a heart could only make a world grey.

When it came to Zelda the he only thing he wanted was control over her. Their relation was built more on respect than love.

He still cared about her deep down but did everything he could to ignore those feelings.

Zelda was like a daughter to Impa. She would not let that pathetic man come in her way. She walked straight into the princess's room, her earlier hesitation sickening her.

"Take what you need, we're leaving now!"

Zelda did as she was told and got ready really quickly. She didn't really have any belongings that meant something to her other than a few.

"Where are we going?"

"Kakariko"

Impa lifted Zelda up and held the princess close as she snuck out of the castle. Zelda stayed silent but wondered why they had to hide. She pressed her lips together to be sure that she wouldn't speak. She trusted Impa with all her heart and would never question her.

They passed the training grounds on the way to the stables and Zelda saw Link train with the other soldiers. A smile spread over her lips as she peered over Impa's arm at him.

Inside the stables Impa dressed them in cloaks and put Zelda in front of herself on a white horse.

Impa was a good rider and it didn't seem like much trouble for her to get them out of the castle unseen and out of Castle Town. Zelda noticed how many more guards there were than usual and how easy it was to get by them with a just small lie.

Kakariko wasn't that far away. It was a small village at the foot of Death Mountain.

Zelda looked around in awe as they entered the town. The market in Castle Town was always full of life and noise but this village was peaceful. She had only been her once or twice. Big and muscular workers were carrying material to an unfinished house. This town would probably grow a lot bigger in only a few years.

"I grew up here…"

"I thought you grew up in a Sheikah village, Impa!"

"Well…" Impa lowered her voice. "It's hidden here!"

It was actually Impa who was in charge of this town. Even though she served the king he was, although he'd never confirm it, afraid of her so she had managed to make him offer her the responsibility for this town. It was a satisfying deal. Impa got it the way she wanted it and the king would have her out of his way.

Zelda felt warm inside. She loved this town. Ahead was a big windmill and all around were happy people, all calm and friendly. She took in the mighty sight of the windmill when suddenly a cold feeling hit her and it sent chills down her spine. That rotating movement felt awfully familiar.

Link was in a good mood. He had begun to play the violin this morning, flute wasn't his thing. After five minutes his father had come and dragged him to early practice with the soldiers. Link could swear that Sharp's objections had only been half-heartedly.

Link wasn't old or skilled enough to have real practice with the soldiers but he could do some of the things they did. If he was going to be honest he would rather try to write his song for Zelda but he was in such a good mood that he didn't feel like complaining.

However, after training a whole day his good mood was more than just blown away. At least his father seemed to be happy.

"You actually did kind of well today Link! You really are my son!" He stated proudly and grinned. "How about we celebrate with cookies?"

"You're an awful cook!" Link muttered and kicked a rock that had the bad luck to cross his road.

"Let's celebrate by telling your mother to give us cookies!" His father corrected himself cheerfully but suddenly stopped. He picked Link up, put him down, checked his son's pockets and looked him over carefully.

"Where's your knife?" He asked threateningly.

"I-I must h-have forgotten it…" Link smiled sheepishly.

"Then go get it!" his father roared and Link knew better than to stay a second.

When he got to the training grounds he saw a person sitting in the middle of it with its back turned against him. He approached the person and smiled when he saw who it was.

"Zelda!" He ran up to her. She kept staring in the other direction and neither turned nor answered. He touched her shoulder and she quickly turned around.

"Stay away from me!"

"W-what?" He backed away a few steps and stared at her.

"Y-you…liar…" Her voice broke.

"Zelda?" He tried to approach her again but she got to her feet and pushed him.

"Go away!"

He could feel anger bubbling up inside of him.

"What have I done?" He shouted at her.

"I never want to see you again Link! Leave me alone!"

"Fine then!" He pushed her and she fell on her back. He turned and ran as fast as he could away from her.

Zelda sat on the ground and felt tears stream down her face.

"You said it was just a dream… liar…"

How could everything go so wrong? The windmill in Kakariko earlier that day had gotten on fire. It had fallen down and set several houses on fire too. People had screamed and run in panic and the feeling when that big wheel of fire fell down… One little boy had been crushed and his body turned to ashes and she had witnessed it all without being able to do anything.

It had been just like in that nightmare she had! Where she walked lost in darkness and all she could see was that awful spinning wheel of fire, and as it fell, screams.

Impa had left Zelda by a tree while gone to check something but returned to the princess as soon as she saw the fire. She found Zelda on the ground stuttering and shaking her head in disbelief as people fled in panic. The princess had been in shock.

"This can't be happening…It was just a dream…He said that…", and so she kept on saying to herself. Impa tried to make her get to her senses without hitting her but it was hopeless.

"Zelda... Zelda!" She had said and made the girl look at her. Impa looked with disbelief into the eyes of the princess. It couldn't just be the light from the fire reflecting in the eyes of the young princess. Her eyes were shifting from aquatic blue to fiery red.

Impa picked her up.

"It was just a dream!" Zelda moaned.

"What do you mean Zelda?" Impa asked soothingly and easily managed to keep the worry out of her voice. Zelda just moaned again.

"Tell me!"

"I dreamt this… fire… falling… screams…"

An idea started to take form in Impa's head. If it was as she suspected, even though the chances at this point were pretty slim, she wouldn't have to kidnap the princess after all. She put Zelda on the horse and quickly headed back to Castle Town. She had to get to the Temple of Time.

She rushed into the Temple and ran all the way past the rows of benches. Her steps echoed as she made her way to an elderly and round man that prayed at the altar.

"Rauru", she said and he made a small jump at the sound of her voice.

"Huh?" He turned around.

"Does this child have any special powers, oh great sage? She had a prophetic dream!" Impa held her breath. It was a minimal chance and if it actually was this way Zelda would have even less time for training Sheikah technique with her, but sometimes you had to make sacrifices.

After an hour of questioning and different examinations Rauru finally spoke:

"This is amazing! I have never seen such power! She might even surpass Kaepora Gaebora!"

"Kaepora Gaebora? From the story?" Zelda asked and Rauru chuckled.

"He was… I mean is very real! I have a lot to thank him for!"

"Why did you say was?"

"Well, my sweet, you see that there have always been seven sages with magical powers in Hyrule. Each one represents the different tribes that live in Hyrule, except the seventh one who always has been the leader. He or she can be anyone! One of the biggest troubles is that it's hard to find the sages…"

"What do you mean?"

"Every time a sage dies a new one is selected by the three holy goddesses. This person has to awaken… I mean, realize its power and since all of the sages don't die on the same day a new sage can be hard to find when you need one or a sage might show up at the most unexpected time…"

"Then why did you say that Kaepora Gaebora is alive?" Zelda asked and Rauru beamed at her, probably because he got a reason to talk for longer.

"He also stayed in this temple and served the goddesses. He was the greatest magician in Hyrulean history! Can you imagine such a person living for only a few years ago? Anyway, in the great war against the Zoras when Castle Town was attacked the Temple of Time of course got attacked as well. Kaepora Gaebora knew that it was too much of a risk to keep his powers when there was such a big chance that he might die. It would have meant trouble in that time if one sage, and thus that sage's power, was lost and they would have to wait for a new one to awaken. So Kaepora Gaebora used his powers to transfer his soul… and err… it's complicated… let's just say that he didn't really die but he left his Hylian life and was reborn as an owl. Since he didn't really die he left his powers and the position as the Light Sage to me, his friend and colleague." He fell silent and looked at Zelda hopeful to see if she was going to comment on his story or ask more but instead Impa was the one to speak.

"Kaepora Gaebora supported your parents Zelda and held their relationship secret. He has guarded you since you were born."

"Kaepora Gaebora", Zelda silently whispered. "You really mean I got magical powers, Sage of Light?" Zelda continued and curtsied, careful to keep her manners. Rauru held out his hand for her to shake.

"Please, your majesty, feel free to call me Rauru. It would be an honor if the princess herself spoke to me as if I was her close friend." He smiled widely and she returned it.

"Then we'll be friends Rauru! You can call me Zelda!"

"I better don't do that in public!" He chuckled.

"Why?" Zelda asked and he looked back at her surprised, then he turned to Impa.

"I hope and pray for that the reason you brought her to me is that the king wants her to be my apprentice and serve the goddesses in this temple!"

"Actually, I wanted you to go and ask the king if Zelda can become an apprentice in the Temple of Time, fulltime…"

"But she is the princess! If she really go through all studies and becomes a holy keeper of the goddesses' ways she won't be able to marry anyone and what about her future then in the castle? No matter how much I wish I could I can't demand the king to do such a thing! I can't do this to Hyrule!"

"So proud, so truthful", Impa spoke. "Just see how much time you can get from the king. She will have other matters to attend to with me as well so you don't have worry about her throwing away her own and Hyrule's future inside of these walls."

"B-but then I'll have to lie! I can never do such a thing… and to lie for the king of all people! I can't ask to take his daughter away and then only keep her half of the time I asked for!"

"It might not even be half of the time! Probably less!" Impa commented while removing some dirt from under her nails.

"B-b-b-b-but I d-don't know i-if…"

"Do you wish for her to spend all her time here?" Impa asked.

"Yes."

"Then say so. You won't lie." At this Rauru's eyes narrowed.

"You Sheikah! Always twisting and turning the truth! You…" But he was interrupted by Impa before he could continue.

"The Sheikah honor truth and loyalty but we realize that it's sometimes necessary for everyone's good to twist the truth a little…" Her eyes narrowed. Rauru gulped.

In the meanwhile Zelda wondered why servants of the goddesses couldn't marry! Were they supposed to disappear and live alone their whole life? Such a sad way to live! She looked at Rauru and listened to what he and Impa were saying. She felt impressed by his strong-minded looks and the determination in his eyes as he spoke about truth. She could at least be honest and tell him.

"Rauru, I don't feel very magical. Nothing strange has happened except for that dream!"

"Oh, but I'm not mistaken Zelda! You got a very special and strong magical power. Now when you know about the power I'm sure you'll notice how it shows itself more and more. It's exactly like with the sages. You have to awaken." He looked at the little princess and his expression softened, then turned to Impa again.

"I'll do it! This is a gift from the goddesses that I should not let pass me by!" He thought for a moment and then added. "That sounded good! I think I'll use that as an explanation to how I found out about her powers! I assume I should not tell more than what's needed." Impa nodded at this.

"Come Zelda."

Zelda followed her guardian toward the exit of the Temple. Before they left Impa stopped.

"An accident occurred in Kakariko. I think they need you, server of the goddesses."

Rauru nodded where he stood over at the altar and Zelda felt a terrible pain in her chest. She brought her hand to the place were it hurt. She remembered those awful minutes, nay, that awful eternity she spent in that turmoil. Even worse was that she hadn't thought about it in the least inside this serene Temple. Everything had been all right and peaceful. She was ashamed for forgetting. She wrapped her arms around herself. How could thoughts hurt?

Impa noticed Zelda falling back into her shocked condition. She lifted the princess up and left without even trying to make her snap out of it.

"Cry Zelda… because you won't cry in a long time… Cry…" she whispered.

Once Zelda was safe in the castle Impa went to fetch Rauru. Something that meant she was anxious about this even though she didn't show anything that spoke of it being that way. She left Zelda in her room and wasn't too worried. The princess looked like a statue staring straight ahead into the distance. Zelda would have to deal with more feelings like this sooner or later if she was to become a true Sheikah.

Zelda sat on her bed and felt the pain sting her. Saw every image that showed up in her mind and then it all stopped. She sat there, feeling completely empty and with no tears to cry. Nothing.

She got up and climbed out the window. She climbed all the way down to the ground and then she ran. She ran as fast as she could until she could feel the taste of blood in her mouth and her strength giving up on her. She collapsed on the abandoned training grounds.

All awful feelings started over again as she sat there alone. Someone had been practicing on Bonooru and forgotten him again. He stood as a sad silhouette in contrast to the red sunset. Once he had been her only friend.

She had seen the windmill fall in her dream and she had woken up and nothing had happened in real life. She had woken up and Link had told her it was just a dream. She felt tears burning. She held them back to feel more pain that they caused.

"Link… you lied…" She formed her hand into a fist and hit the ground as hard as she could. Then she just sat there till the tears dried again. Then, when she felt so awfully empty Link had touched her shoulder and the emptiness had been filled with anger and hurt for his betrayal. His lies.

A boy shouldn't hit a girl. She sat on the ground and felt pathetic as he ran off. One part of her wanted to call out to him or go after him but she didn't. She didn't even understand how she could want two different things at the same time. She just felt angry. So angry! She didn't even know if it really was Link she was angry at. She could only feel the anger, this force, rush through her.

A black silhouette started moving toward her from behind. She didn't notice until someone touched her cheek. She looked up to see Bonooru the Scarecrow looking back at her.

"H-how?" was all she could utter. He wasn't alive. He had been on the other side of the courtyard. He couldn't just walk over to her.

"Don't cry partner. Let's dance till dawn when the sun comes to make you smile again!"

"I don't have an instrument…" She felt tired after crying so much and if she had been able to think clearer she would have thought it would be stupid to answer like that. She could just as well have not believed her eyes that Bonooru talked or told him that she'd never smile again. But those were the words that left her lips.

"Then use your voice! Do it for me… I feel so lonely and they hit me everyday! Everyday an arrow pierce my heart and I'm doomed to live it through till I fall apart and then no one will give me another thought. If I just once could hear some music I would be forever grateful!"

Zelda tried to find her voice. She had cried so much it was hard to even speak. She started to hum her old lullaby. Bonooru swayed to the rhythm. Zelda looked at him doing a pirouette and more difficult dance steps. It looked rather funny since he didn't have any legs.

"Do you think the soldiers appreciate these kinds of amusements? No, I tell ya' baby! They don't!"

Zelda felt more confident and sang as beautifully as she could just for him. She wanted him to like it. She wanted it to be magical. She closed her eyes to give all feeling she could to her lullaby as the song reached its highest notes.

The song seemed to fill out some of the emptiness inside of her and Bonooru too. She opened her eyes to see several scarecrows dancing in a circle around her. The one she had named Pierre seemed to dance most ambitiously of all.

Zelda sang and watched the scarecrows dance until she fell down into a deep sleep, right in the middle of the training grounds.

In the middle of the night Impa returned and found the little girl asleep in a circle of scarecrows lying on the ground. She lifted her up and held her tight against her chest. She looked down at the little girl in her arms.

"I'm so glad I could let you spend that day with Link, Zelda. You two won't see each other for a long time."

In her sleep Zelda whispered. "I must tell him I'm sorry…" But Impa didn't hear those words. From now on she would have all responsibility for Zelda. She would be like her parent and she promised herself that she would do anything to make Zelda see her as her family.

Link walked straight to his room as he got home and slammed the door. Navi the fairy who had settled down in his room flew up in surprise as he entered.

"There you are! Kids shouldn't be out this late! If you ever do something like that again I'll ground you!"

The little fairy scowled as she saw that Link didn't take any notice of her.

"Listen! It's obvious that you can't do anything right! I guess I have to stay around for a while then…" She flew up to his face. "Hey! Listen!" Link waved her away with his hand and went to his bed.

"You're nothing like you were in the forest! I thought that…" Navi said but fell silent as Link lay down and hugged his pillow.

"Hey…eh… I can't handle cry-babies… so you better stop…" The fairy thought hard for something nice to say. She flew down to Link and sat down on his back.

"I, eh… really feel connected to you Link… Can I stay? Will it make you feel better?"

"Do as you want", Link mumbled into the pillow. The fairy glowed a little more than usual as she flew around the room, seemingly, to find a special spot for herself, which she actually already had done while Link was out but she wouldn't tell him that. She made herself comfortable as she talked about nothing in particular. She had never wanted to leave the other fairies, the Deku Tree or the forest. She had never wanted to take care of a child, but everything had changed when she met this boy. She sighed happily as he sighed sadly.

"I got a present for you… I mean… Saria put it in your pocket but you haven't noticed." The fairy said half asleep.

Link didn't move but if he had looked inside the pocket of the green tunic he had worn that day he would have found an ocarina and a small note with only two words written on it:

Good Luck

When I read what you wrote I became so overjoyed that I wrote this chapter as soon as I'd read them. I was amazed! Really! Unfortunately, I couldn't upload any documents yesterday so it had to wait till today. I can't believe this has come to mean this much to me!

I noticed an awful mistake I had done in this story! I wrote that the Temple of Time was located in Kakariko! Kakariko! I can't believe it! Well, I had to change that! Later on (after I had changed it) I read one of the chapters and… Shock! Stab! Pain! I noticed so many mistakes! I don't even want to think about the ones I didn't notice! I can only beg of you to bear with me! I just want you to now that it makes me suffer too!

Link was supposed to get the Ocarina in the forest actually but I forgot about that… sorry…

And the title for this chapter is supposed to aim at what Zelda said in her sleep (I almost forgot to put those lines in the story too. She was supposed to be awake and taken from the castle when she said it).

I better start talking less…