Chapter 5- The Search Begins

After telling Laima that she had a brother, and having to carry her back to her room after going in to a faint, Tristan had gone straight to the practice grounds on the east side of Hyrule Castle Town.

He was walking around, trying to find someone he could practice with, when he saw a familiar face. It was Captain Ferdinand, and he appeared to be off duty. Tristan quickly ran over to him. Captain Ferdinand recognized the small boy running towards him and waved, surprised at the armor and weapons Tristan was wearing.

"Hello Captain," Tristan said, stopping in front of him.

"Hello there Tristan," Ferdinand replied. "Don't you look swell in that armor? How did it go with the queen?"

"It went very well. I've been given an assignment. That's why I'm here, so I can practice before I head out. Don't ask for details, I'm not allowed to give them."

"None will be asked. I learned my lesson after trying to get your father to tell me one of his assignments. Woke up in the hospital a week later. So, you need someone to practice with huh? I have some spare time, so I guess I can help you out."

"Thanks a lot!"

They two moved toward the dueling area. Ferdinand, who Tristan simply called Captain, instructed him to use only one sword and his shield for now, and that they would advance to using two swords before it was time to call it quits. Tristan did as instructed and spent the next hour learning to use them properly. He learned so fast that soon he was knocking Captain's attacks away like they were nothing. It was at that time that they advanced to two sword practice.

Quite a crowd had gathered when they started, and when Tristan had again quickly gotten the hang of his weapons and practice turned into a full-fledged duel, the crowd started to become excited. The captain was being matched by a ten-year-old kid!

Tristan soon learned that though he had gotten skilled, Captain was still much better than he was. After one rather embarrassing deflection which left him sprawled on his back, Tristan lost his temper. Pounding his fists on the ground in frustration, Tristan tried to get back up.

Suddenly, something inside him seemed to awaken, and he felt energy course through his body. His swords began to glow and he rushed Captain. Instead of attacking though, Tristan realized that his strangely charged up swords could possibly kill the captain.

Zelda's head snapped up so quickly, she gave herself a crick in the neck. She ran to the window and reached out with the power of her Triforce of Wisdom. Immediately, she knew she had been right. She had felt the Triforce of Courage that Link once had was emanating from Tristan, who was out at the training grounds rushing Captain Ferdinand. She quickly summoned a servant to fetch him.

Just before he struck, Tristan leaped over his opponent. Landing, Tristan swung his foot behind him and caused the surprised captain to fall to the ground. Smirking, Tristan stood up and pointed his sword at Captain's head. The man on the ground recovered and realized he had been beaten. Looking up at Tristan he said, "Not bad, not bad at all."

Tristan sheathed his swords and helped the captain to his feet. "Thanks Cap. I think I'm ready for my assignment now. Thanks for everything."

"No problem young man. Thanks for showing me that I need to practice more myself. If a ten-year-old kid can beat me, I must be getting out of shape."

Tristan grinned in a sheepish way, and then he heard his name, "Sir Tristan!"

Never having been called "Sir" before, it took a moment for him to realize that the servant running toward them was actually speaking to him.

"You must come with me quickly," the servant said. "The queen needs to speak with you. She says nothing's wrong, but it's still important!"

"You go on ahead," Tristan said. "I'll get there my way."

Pulling out the Long Shot, Tristan pulled himself up to a roof and began making a straight line for the castle, jumping over the rooftops, using the Long Shot to cross the wider spaces. Going this way, Tristan was able to avoid the market and actually land himself right outside the window to Zelda's study once more. Finding the window unlocked this time, he dashed in and almost ran into his mother.

"I saw you coming," she explained. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she led him to the fireplace. "I've just discovered something that'll make this whole thing at least a tad bit easier for us."

"What's that mom?"

Just then, they heard footsteps running down the hall. There was a knock and Zelda answered it.

"My apologies your majesty," said the servant. "I tried to get Sir Tristan to come with me but he… oh!"

He had just noticed Tristan sitting in a chair near the fireplace. He glanced at the open window and figured it out.

"My apologies, but it seems I'm a little late for this," the servant said. Zelda forgave him and told him it was okay. He left without another word.

"Now," Zelda said, taking a seat next to Tristan. "How did practice go?"

"Great," Tristan replied, wondering what this had to do with being summoned here so fast. "I managed to get the hang of my weapons, and I beat the Captain of the Guard."

"That's wonderful. While you were doing so, did you feel any sudden energy pulsations in you?"

Stunned that she knew this, Tristan nodded. Zelda smiled in a satisfied way.

"I knew it," she said. "The Triforce of Courage that Link had is now resting inside you."

"Are you serious?"

"I am. I hold the Triforce of Wisdom. That pulsation of energy was the Triforce of Courage awakening inside you. My Triforce of Wisdom alerted me to your Triforce's presence."

"Wow," Tristan said. "Could this mean that I also inherited being the Hero of Time?"

"Anything's possible. Now, I do believe it's bedtime. I want you to start your journey after breakfast tomorrow."

"Ah, mom!"

"Ah ah, bed!"

Tristan climbed the stairs to his room and walked over to the bed. Removing his equipment and clothes, he changed into some nightclothes that had been brought for him. He crawled in bed and was asleep in seconds.

He woke in the middle of the night and stared at the ceiling. To think that all this time, he had never known he was the prince of Hyrule! Just then, he remembered Saria; what would she think?

Remembering a song Saria had taught his father so they could communicate, Tristan pulled out his ocarina and started to play. After a few minutes, he heard Saria's voice.

Oh my, Saria said, It's so late. Who is this?

"It's Tristan," he replied

Tristan?! Wow, I forgot you knew this song, how are you? Do you realize what time it is?

"Sorry, couldn't sleep. I'm doing quite well actually. I'm spending the night in the castle."

That's so cool! But, you're just spending the night?

"Well, technically I'll probably spend the rest of my life here. It's just that I'm going on an adventure tomorrow. Guess what?"

I hate guessing… all right what?

"I found out who my mom is, and you'll never believe who it is!"

Who? Who is she?!

"The queen! My dad and the queen had been married and had twins! Princess Laima is my sister!"

WOW! That's so cool! And to think I was living with the prince all these years!

"Just don't tell anyone about it! It's supposed to be a secret! No one in Hyrule knows about it yet, not even the other Sages."

Oh ok. Don't worry, my lips are sealed.

"Thanks… I miss you Saria."

So do I. When will you come visit?

"As soon as I get back. It shouldn't take too long."

Oh alright. I guess I can wait.

"That's good. Usually you can't wait for anything."

Oh ha ha.

"Heh-heh. Well, I guess I'll let you go back to sleep."

Tsch, yeah thanks. I'd rather talk to you, but I know you have that mission tomorrow.

"Yeah, it sucks but it's important."

Alright… um… Tristan?

"Yeah?"

I just want you to know, that no matter what happens… I'll always love you.

"And I'll always love you."

I want you to promise me something.

"What's that?"

Promise me you'll find someone else to love and be happy with. I can't bear to think of you being alone for the rest of your life. Promise me?

"Um… okay… I promise. I'll find someone."

Thanks, now I can rest easy. Hee-hee. Goodnight Tristan.

"Goodnight… Saria."

With that the communication link was severed and Tristan put the ocarina away smiling. It had been a pleasant conversation. He lay back down and thought about the promise he had made to Saria, who the heck could he find to love as much as he did Saria?

Then an image popped into his mind, it was a girl with brown hair and green eyes. She had a look of admiration on her face and was holding a familiar necklace in her hands.

"Could it be her?" Tristan asked himself.

"Who?" Tala asked in a tired way, thinking the question had been directed at her.

"Nothing," Tristan whispered quickly and rolled over. Malon's daughter, Celina… could she be the one? Possibly.

With that thought, he fell asleep.

The next morning, Zelda walked into the small dining room and was surprised to see that Laima was eating alone. She still looked a little shocked about the news of her brother, but at least she was conscious now.

"Laima?" Zelda asked, still standing in the door, Laima looked up. "Have you seen your brother?"

When Laima shook her head and returned to her food, Zelda began to get a little worried. If Tristan was indeed like his father, he would have gotten up at the same time as Laima. She walked out and climbed the stairs to the third floor.

The first thing she noticed was that her son's door was ajar. That meant he wasn't sleeping in. Then where is he? She entered the room and immediately knew it was empty. All of Tristan's equipment and armor was missing as well. She was about to leave when she saw the piece of parchment on the desk. She read the message and smiled.

Mom,

Sorry to have left without telling you, but I wanted to get this out of the way before I left on my search. I'm at Lon Lon Ranch, visiting someone I promised I would see again. It's a little sooner than she probably expected, but I want to see her before I leave. Don't worry, I'll be sure to keep my mouth shut about being a prince, and I'll be home by 10.

Tristan

Zelda put down the letter and smiled even more. Tristan might not know it, but it looked like he was going to meet the fifth warrior who was already here.

Tristan galloped into the ranch a little after 6:30. Knowing that ranch folk were up with the sun, he expected that Celina would be awake already. Probably helping Malon, Tristan thought.

Bringing Faya to a stop near the corral, Tristan looked around. No one was outside, at the moment anyway. Tristan dismounted and removed the saddle, allowing Faya to rush off and play around in her home again. Placing the saddle on a rack near the corral, Tristan turned around in time to see a door to the farthest stable open.

Out of the door came a small girl with brown hair. She was concentrating on not spilling the two buckets of milk in her hands. Tristan leaned back against the rack and waited for Celina to come closer. She was concentrating so hard on the milk, that she almost walked by before she saw him. She was so surprised that she nearly dropped the buckets, but Tristan dashed forward to prevent that catastrophe. Celina stared at him as Tristan set the buckets down safely.

"W-when did you get here?" Celina stammered.

"A few minutes ago," Tristan said with a smile. "Surprised to see me?"

"Quite honestly yes! I wasn't expecting to see you for some time!"

She stopped and took a step back, looking Tristan up and down. She noticed that Tristan had slicked his hair back, and combined with the fancy armor and weapons, it made him look rather dashing. The admiration she had felt toward him increased greatly, and she also felt something else. She couldn't nail the feeling, but it started to intrigue her. Remembering when he had saved her, she suddenly ran toward him and flung her arms around him.

"I want to thank you for saving me and my brother again," she said excitedly. She let go of him suddenly and saw the embarrassed smile on Tristan's face. Giggling, she grabbed his hand and led him back to the stable she had come out of saying, "Come on! I want you to properly meet my brother, since I understand you already met my mom!"

I'm starting to think she really could be the one, Tristan thought. Suddenly, he felt a warmth inside his pouch. Reaching in, he felt around until his hand closed on something slightly unfamiliar. He pulled it out and received a shock. It was the Ocarina of Time.

How could I have been such a fool? I should have left this with Mom last night!

But the warmth was intriguing him considerably. He managed to stop Celina and remove his hand from her grasp. She looked back, surprised. Tristan placed the Ocarina to his lips and instantly began playing the song of the Royal Family, Zelda's Lullaby.

For a few moments, nothing happened. Then a glow began to appear. Still playing, he looked around. The glow was, shockingly, coming from Celina. On her forehead, Tristan saw a very familiar symbol of a bird. It was the same one that helped compose the Royal Crest. Tristan stopped playing and stared at Celina.

Eventually the glowing stopped and the bird faded away. Celina stood there a moment, a look of shock on her face. Then she looked at Tristan and he knew she wanted answers.

"Come on," he said. "I need to talk to your mom. You learn more there."

Celina's face softened considerably when he saw the mixed look of concern and, strangely, affection on Tristan's face.

"Okay," she said, smiling softly. "She's in the house right now."

She was completely surprised when Tristan took her hand and led her inside. They found Malon in the kitchen, cleaning Cuckoo eggs. Gently and quietly pressing Celina into a chair, Tristan approached Malon saying, "Hi Malon. Remember me?"

Malon turned around and when she saw Tristan she let out a squeal of delight.

"Tristan! Oh it's so good to see you again. My don't you look handsome. I heard you met my daughter Celina. She should be around here… oh! There you are Celina. I thought you were in the stables."

"She was, but I ran into her first before coming here. Something really strange happened too."

Tristan explained what happened and then told her about the five warriors he needed to find.

"The queen said one was already in Hyrule, and I think I found her."

"Wow. My daughter could have a chance to help save the world?"

"Seems so. Would you mind if she came back to the castle with me? I need to tell the queen. Of course," Tristan looked at Celina, "we should also ask if Celina wants to go."

"I see no problem with it. What do you think Celina?"

Celina stood up and practically jumped up and down, saying, "Of course I want to go! No offense mom but ranch life is getting a little dull. I want an adventure!"

Malon and Tristan laughed. Quickly recovering, Tristan said, "Then you'd better get a bag packed. We need to be heading back. I promised I'd be back by 10."

Celina practically vanished in her rush to get upstairs. While she was packing, Malon talked with Tristan some more.

"Where are you going first, after the castle of course?" she asked.

"Well, first we need to find the other warriors," Tristan said, he thought it better to leave out the part where they needed to travel to another world. "Then we take them all back to the castle and begin training."

"Promise me you'll take care of Celina."

"Absolutely! I'll take good care of her!"

Celina flew back down the stairs, a sack on her back, and she leapt into her mother's arms.

"See ya Mom! This is going to be fun!"

"Good bye Celina. Be sure to write."

"Of course I will."

With good byes said, Tristan and Celina went back outside. Summoning Faya with her song, Tristan saddled her and they both climbed up. Celina had to hold on tight to Tristan as Faya took off like a shot towards Hyrule Castle. Years later, she had convinced herself that every time they started moving again, Tristan deliberately made Faya take off at top speed.

Zelda was just sitting down to read a letter from the mayor of Kakariko City when a knock was heard. Looking at the clock, she saw it was 10:00 and knew it had to be her son. Opening the door, she found it was indeed Tristan, but she also noticed he had someone with him. Zelda didn't see the girl at first, until she saw the brown hair and green eyes poking out from behind Tristan.

Realizing Celina was hiding he said, "It's alright. She may be the queen, but she's still just like you and me, human."

Celina giggled and stepped into sight. Just as she was about to curtsy, Zelda reached out and stopped her. "None of that little one," Zelda said smiling. "With us, we speak and act like old friends."

"Okay your…"

"And don't bother calling her 'your majesty' or 'my queen' either," Tristan interrupted, chuckling, "she'll scold you for that as well."

Celina looked slightly confused as Zelda led them into the room and sat them down around the fireplace. She recovered though and sat next to Tristan who spoke first.

"You'll never believe it Mom!" Celina caught this and stared at Tristan, who realized his blunder. "Oops. Anyway, Celina here is the warrior you said was already in Hyrule. I had forgotten to give back the Ocarina of Time last night, and when I played Zelda's Lullaby, Celina started glowing and the bird in the family crest appeared in her forehead. By the way, sorry about letting my secret out just now."

"It's alright. I feel the warriors have a right to know they'll be fighting alongside Hyrule's prince."

"Prince?" Celina asked, utterly confused. "I thought Tristan was Link's son."

"I am, but I'm Zelda's as well. I'm Laima's twin brother."

"Wow! That's so cool!"

"Tristan," Zelda continued. "I think you should get Miss Celina here some equipment, since she'll be joining you. But I don't want to find out your still here in two hours, understood?"

"Yes Mom," Tristan said slowly, as if he was being punished. Zelda smiled and smoothed back his hair.

"I like the hair by the way," Zelda said. "Makes you look rather dashing."

Celina blushed instantly. That was exactly how she had described him. Had Zelda read her mind, or had it merely been a coincidence?

Up in the armory, Celina wasted no time in finding herself a bow and short-sword. Then, knowing Zelda would pitch a fit if he didn't, Tristan, with Laima's help, began trying different pieces of armor on Celina until they found a chest-plate with matching shoulder pads that fit her slender figure perfectly.

"You look good," Tristan said.

"Thanks," Celina said blushing. "I still can't believe I'm one of the six warriors you need to find. Now we only have five left."

"Four, actually."

"Four?"

"Yep, I'm another one. Mom says that since it's entirely possible I'll be using the Master Sword later on, I'm destined to be the leader. If I want to be or not."

"Do you want to?" Laima asked.

"A little. Most of me just wants to go back to bed."

They all laughed and stepped out into the corridor. Tristan pulled out the Ocarina of Time to help with the transportation spell, and began quietly chanting the spell. When he shouted "SHOW US THE WAY!" a swirling, purplish-black portal appeared in front of them. Saying good bye to Laima, Tristan took Celina's hand and they jumped in.