Chapter 3

The banquet was as boring as usual. Link wanted to stand up and scream at the top of his lungs. That would have made things more interesting. Maybe. The banquet was just a precursor to the celebration that would take place in two days. The celebration will mark the tenth anniversary of the defeat of Ganon. It always was a grand celebration, attracting people from all over the country, including the Sages.

The man didn't even stir on Saria's watch, or Darunia's watch. It was Link's shift next. As he entered the room, Darunia gave him a big Goron pound.

"Ah! You really got to stop doing that, Darunia! One of these days, my shoulders are going to break in half!"

"Ha ha! You are so much fun, brother!" replied the leader of the Gorons.

"Anyway… did our guest stir?"

"Not a single movement from him. I'm beginning to worry that he may be getting worse."

"Don't worry, Darunia. I'm sure he'll be fine," Link said as the Goron made his way out of the room.

Link pulled up the chair closer to the man and leaned back. He had so many questions for him. Where did he come from? Why was he in the middle of the field? What were the book and case for? While thinking to himself, Link fell fast asleep.

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He found himself in a field. No, it was Hyrule Field, he was sure. But there was something different about it. It didn't feel right. As he looked in the direction of Lon Lon Ranch, he jumped back in surprise. The ranch was no longer there. In its place was a menacing tower that stretched into the sky. He'd never seen a tower so huge and evil. Just then, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He looked down and saw that he had been run through with a sword. "No! It can't end like this!" he shouted. But it was of no use. Then he saw another sword moving to take off his head. "No…" he whimpered. Then all was black.

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Link shot up in the chair in a cold sweat. He didn't even notice that their mysterious guest was sitting up in bed, staring at Link. He slowly noticed that the man was looking at him.

"Hi, I'm Link. I, we, found you in the field in the middle of a storm. We brought you back here to Hyrule Castle. We have a few questions to ask you, but first, I've got to go get my friends." The man simply nodded and watched Link walk out of the room.

It worked, I'm actually back in Hyrule during its age of prosperity. And I'm in the castle! I would've never dreamed it, he thought. But just then, he felt the presence of the red haired man.

Very good, Ian. You are in the best spot you could be. All the Sages are in this castle right now and will be for the next several days. You must trap them in the gems! Ganondorf screamed.

Ok, ok! Don't worry, I've got it covered. Just then, the door to the guest room was pushed open and several more people walked into the room. In stepped races that he knew only of in legend: the Kokiri, the Gerudo, the Zora, and the Goron. He couldn't believe it.

All the Sages introduced themselves and explained his current situation. Now it was time for him to answer their questions. He told them his name was Ian.

"So, Ian," Link started, "where did you come from?"

"You wouldn't believe me."

"Try us. We're more open-minded than we may seem," Rauru said.

"Ok. I come from the future. I was brought here in a time portal. Unfortunately, it left me quite drained, so I couldn't move. That must be when you found me." He pointed to Link.

"Yeah, you looked pretty bad. I wasn't sure if you were going to make it."

"So, why have you come here?" asked Zelda impatiently.

"I came to warn you." Link looked confused.

"From what?"

The man didn't know how he knew, but then again he seemed to know a great deal more than he used to. "A man you know as Ganondorf, or the monster known as Ganon."

"What? Ganon?" Link burst out.

"Yes, in my time, this land of Hyrule is nothing more than a wasteland. Ravaged over the years from Ganon's attacks have forced all the inhabitants to flee to other countries. Magic dies out and Ganon ends up with the Triforce. No one is safe from him in my world."

"Oh Din, Farore, and Nayru!" said Rauru. "That can't be!"

"Ah, but it is. I have come here to help you out. I have reason to believe that Ganon may be able to escape from the Evil Realm soon." Impa spoke up.

"Is that what the book and case are for?"

"Well, the book yes, but the case… well, I'm a rare gem collector. These were my most prized possessions." He couldn't believe how easy it was to lie.

"Well, that's enough for now. You need your rest," Nabooru said. "Come on, let's give him more time to rest." Everyone agreed.

"There's a celebration tomorrow to mark the defeat of Ganon," Zelda said. "You're welcome to attend if you feel better. You can borrow some of Link's clothes."

"Thank you."

"Oh, great," Link whispered to Darunia. "Now she's lending out my clothes. She's lucky she's so beautiful, otherwise…" Darunia laughed at the Hero of Time and walked out of the room with all the rest.