Chapter 8

As Link and Din slowly found their way out of the Lost Woods, they found the Sun was beginning to set in the West.

"Link, we're going to want to find someplace to stay for the night." Din told him. "I'd rather not be out in the open after sunset."

"I know just the place." Link replied. "The town of Saria is just a few miles to the north of here." He looked back at her with a smile. "We should be able to get a good night's sleep in the inn there."

Soon, they made their way through the far western foothills of the death mountain range, following a hidden path leading north.

"The Lumberjacks A. and B. Bumpkin showed me this path." The Hero Commented. "It's a good way to slip past the monsters on Death mountain."

After passing through the mist-covered peaks, they arrived in the open terrain of Northern Hyrule. It wasn't long before they spotted the rooftops of the buildings and houses of Saria up ahead.

Saria town stood on the banks of the Illia river, with one half of the town on one side, and the other half on the opposite shore. The town was a lively place, with Hylians coming and going about their business. Link and Din tried to talk to the townsfolk, but most of them were far too busy to say much more than 'hello', before continuing on their way.

Finally, Din was able to stop a young woman, and ask directions to the local Inn. They found it on the edge of town, and were able to get a room for the night.

"What a Rip off!" Link growled in anger. "Forty Rupees a night for this dump! And they only gave us one room!"

"With only one bed." Din replied, looking away from Link to keep him from seeing the growing blush in her cheeks. "I'm not surprised, this place seems pretty full up."

Link Sighed. "Well, at least we're safe in town for the night." He sat down in a chair in the corner. "Tomorrow, we're going to have to cross Illia river… but the only way to do that is across Saria town's bridge." Link shook his head. "It's going to take a large bribe to get the Gatekeeper to extend the bridge, so we can get to the other side of town."

"Is there no other way across?" Din asked hopefully.

Link shook his head. "The waters near here are too infested with Bago-Bago."

" Skullfish." Din Replied.

Link nodded. "A Swarm of them could reduce a Goron to a skeleton in less than a minute." He looked out the window. "The Bridge is the only safe way across."

"Well, we can worry about it in the morning. "Din replied. "For now, We should get some sleep."

"You're right." Link took his boots and hat off, and settled back into the chair and closed his eyes.

"Wait…" Din said in surprise. "You're sleeping… on the Chair?" She was lucky that Link didn't hear the tone of … disappointment in her voice.

"Yes, a Knight always gives up the best sleeping spot to the lady." Link replied.

Din closed her eyes. "Link… I'm sorry I pushed you away earlier." She told him softly. "You're not like the man who betrayed me…I know I can trust you." She turned away from him. "And I know that you care about me."

"Good Night, Din" He replied, pulling his hat over his face to cover his blush. "Pleasant dreams."

"Good night, Link." Din replied softly, pulling the covers over her body. After she was sure he was asleep, she whispered to herself.

"You are still the same man who saved me from Onox so long ago. How I wish you hadn't left for Kolnohoit. Because I had strong feelings for you then, Link…

…and I still have strong feelings for you now."

How could this be happening?

Shadow Link growled in anger. Today was just not his day. As he arrived back on Death Mountain, one of his Moblin messengers told him something he really didn't want to hear:

Six of the seven great generals of Ganon's armies had arrived at the Tower of Hera to hold Council... and they wanted a word with him. As he ascended the tower steps to the higest floor he could already hear them arguing amongst themselves. Oh, how he hated these arrogant fools, and thier ability to stand up to him. In the old days, he could simply scare ganon's monsters into following his orders. But these generals were far to powerful to intimidate, and were always arguing with him.

As he entered the Council Chamber, they ceased thier bickering, and took notice of him.

"Well, look what the horse dragged in." Horsehead whinnied. A large man with a Horse's head, he was the commander of all the Moblins, Goriya, and LIzalfos in Ganon's forces. He blew steam out of his nose. "Late as usual, I see."

"It is a shameful Thing... for an honorable warrior to be late." Helmethead said in agreement. A towering figure in armor, Helmethead was lord all of the Darknuts, Iron Knuckles, Doomknockers, and all other armored monsters. He raised his visor, and downed a goblet of Lon Lon ale. "I expected better out of you, shady one."

"What else can you expect from a pathetic copy of the Hero?" Carrock hissed. A large hooded sorcerer, he was master of all the Wizzrobes, as wel as the Stalfos, Gibido, and the other undeads. "He was a failure ever since the master first made him!"

Shadow Link kneeled before them, and spoke through clenched teeth. "Why have you summoned my, my lords?"

"Shadow Link not run things well." Gooma snarled. A Giant humanoid who nearly filled the room, Gooma was the lord of all the Octoroks, Skulltulas, Ghomas, Like-Likes, and other mindless creatures that crawled across the ground. "We angry at Shadow Link."

"What our dim-witted friend here is trying to say... is that we've run out of Patience with you." Phantom Ganon Sneered. "And we're wondering if it isin't time to replace you."

Shadow Link wanted to leap forward, and strangle phantom Ganon. They were supposed to be equals, running the Master's army together! The little backstabber had probably sided with these cretins in order to get rid of him, and have all the power to himself!

"If I am to be condemned, why is the seventh General not here?" Shadow Link growled in anger. "Where is Barba?"

"The king of all dragons still has his Gleeocks and Arquamentises searching the forests for survivors of Kasuto town." Carrock Replied. "But it is not him you should be concerned about... it is yourself."

"I've done nothing wrong!" Shadow Link protested. "I'm just as loyal to Ganon as any of you!"

"You're loyalty to the master is not in Question." Horsehead neighed. "Your track record of failure is what dooms you."

"I'm working on a plan... right now!" Shadow Link Replied desperately. "That's why I put Ruto town to sleep! That's why I stole the Trophy from the Gerudo! When I'm done, Hyrule will surrender to us without a fight!"

"The Hero is already on the move." Helmethead replied smugly, his arms folded across his chest. "And the king of Hyrule will never give up hope as long as he lives."

"You big loser shadow Link!" Gooms smashed his gigantic fist against the table, shattering it to bits. "Gooma crush you now!"

"WAIT! I have a new plan!" Shadow Link pleaded, stumbling backward. " I've found the Ocrina of Time! The Shekaih have it! I only need troops skilled enough to retrieve it!"

"ENOUGH!" The voice of the Thunderbird bellowed, silencing everyone else in the room. The most powerful of all Ganon's generals, the large Thunderbird commanded all of the flying monsters (except the dragons) All keese, moby, guay, and Helmarocs obeyed her every command. She had remained silent during all the fighting until now, and her loud bellow sent chills down shadow Link's spine. "You've all spoken your opinions, now I shall speak mine!"

The Thunderbird bent down, he body crackling with electricity, and looked shadow link directly in the eye. "Very well, shadow Link, I shall give you a squad of by best Soldiers to retrieve the Ocarina... but be warned!" Her eye crackled with thunder. "Fail us again, and your punishment will he horrifying beyond words!"

Shadow Link gulped, nodded, and quickly ran out of the room.

Autho's note: All of Ganon's generals are from the games, none were of my creation (I really don't like putting OC's in my writing, but I will do it once in awhile)