M.S.K: (Peeks from behind a wall.) Is. . . Is he gone?
Link: Well, I think Shadow is already distracted with something else, right now. So, you're good.
M.S.K: Okay, okay. Now, sorry for the long hold. I was out of town for a few days to spend the arrival of springtime. Plus, I've been working on this along the way. It took me a while to finish this chapter. Yes, I do get to have a lot of fun from time to time. Well, enough about that. Now, Vio shall do the disclaimer before we can get rolling!
Vio: Thank you. Kaoru doesn't own Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, for it rightfully belongs to Nintendo. She doesn't even own Shining Link either for she has given permission to borrow him from a different author.
M.S.K: Thanks. I also hope you guys won't mind if Sheik from OoT is here too. Another thing is I have a song in this story which is one of the things I don't own for it. The song belongs to a Japanese artist named Anri, so I did the english fandub for it.
Shadow: Well! I think Kaoru-chan has done some excellant work today. But, I think that it's time for her and me to have some snuggling time.
M.S.K: Eeep!
Vio: Shadow, must you bother doing that to her all the time?
Shadow: (Wraps his arms around the authoress.) How can I resist a cutie such as her?
M.S.K: (Rolls her eyes.) Oh, we have so much work to be done. . .
Chapter 4: The Prince of Hyrule
Hoshimi looked up at the lovely Hylian boy in white from afar on the rock she sat. Yes, she really adored his figure. To her, there's no boy as beautiful as him in all of the Great Sea.
After he had finished playing his tune on his ocarina, Navi asked her. "You really liked him, don't you Hoshimi?"
She turned to the fairy, stared at her with wide eyes for a second, then blushed before saying. "Yes. . . You can say that."
Zelda, Link, Red, Blue, and Vio just sat on their spots on the rock they're sitting on, and stared at their sister. They can see that she is turning pink. Does she really thinks it's okay to fall in love with a Hylian even though she's different from him?
Blue asked her. "Hey, are you sick or something, Hoshimi?"
She shook her head for her answer.
Then, Hoshimi took out her ocarina and started to play a particular song that seemed unfamiliar to her siblings and the fairy.
After watching her playing a few measures of the tune, Link asked her. "Um, Hoshimi?"
"Hmm? Yes?" She asked him back.
"Is that song new? It's awfully nice."
"Really? I've been working on this one lately." She answered. "It is a new song."
"What's it called?" Asked Navi.
"Dolphin Ring."
"Sound's very pretty." Zelda complemented.
"Thank you." Then, Hoshimi began to continue playing her song. She's actually playing it in order to serenade the boy who's on the ship that's sailing slowly.
From the ship, the boy happens to be hearing the song from where he stood. "What a nostalgic melody." He spoke. "But, where is it coming from?"
In a while, a young man came up to the boy from behind. He looked almost similar to Shrakah, but slightly different, though. The things that were different are his hair, his eyes, and his clothes. His body suit is in the color of cornflower blue, his hair was blonde and it's a little longer than Shrakah's and it's tied into a partially single braid. Ruby red is the color of his eyes, unlike Shrakah's which are silver.
When he came upon the boy, he said to him. "Prince Shining Link. . ."
The boy, Shining Link, turned around to meet him and chuckled. "Sheik, how many times must I say it. Call me by my nickname: Ryuusei."
"But, your highness. You are a prince of Hyrule. Therefore, I can't do such a thing." Sheik said, bowing his head humbly. He happens to be the Prince's confidante as well.
"Come on, now. It doesn't really matter, does it?" The Prince said, smiling.
After a small pause, Sheik lowered his head and said. "All right, Ryuusei."
"Now, is there something you wish to tell me?"
"Yes. I only wanted to ask you, your highness, if you want to join the rest of the celebration of your birthday." He asked him.
Then, the Prince, Ryuusei sighed. "Oh, it can go on without me. I'm quite comfortable being on my own."
Sheik then said to him. "But, my lord. We will be wasting the honor of a special gift that's going to be given to you from the leader of the Gorons, this night."
Now that brought surprise to Ryuusei. "Huh? Really?"
"Of course. Come with me." The Sheikah said before taking him to a large object that's neatly wrapped by a cloth of leather.
All of the sailors gathered around it with the Ryuusei and Sheik.
"Oh! What is it?" The prince asked.
Sheik only smiled then clicked his fingers. He signaled one of the sailors to pull the leathery cloth away.
The cloth revealed the hidden identity of the present! It's a large white marble statue of Prince Shining Link, himself!
All of the ship's crew gasped with astonishment on how well built the statue is.
Ryuusei however, took a few steps towards the statue of himself for a closer look. "Wow. . . It's. . . . It's quite a wonder of a sculpture, Sheik. Did the Gorons really did this for me?"
"Of course." He replied "And I hope your highness doesn't mind me saying this. I would also consider it to be a 'wedding' gift."
Most of the sailors chuckled about what he means by saying that.
Ryuusei snorted and chuckled too. "Oh! Please, Sheik! Not at this moment. Believe me, we've been through this many times and right now it's not temporarily possible that I'll be falling in love with a princess or two around Hyrule."
As the prince walked over to the edge of the deck to gaze out into the ocean again, Sheik then sighed. "Forgive me for saying this, your highness. But, it's not just me who's been giving you this reminder for many days, you know. It's also the King and the Queen, your mother and father too. Including the kingdom of Hyrule as well. We are all counting on you to be happily settled down with the one who you'll be choosing to marry. As a future King, which you're going to be one day."
While listening to their conversation, even from far away, Hoshimi's blush deepened a bit. Her heartbeat is even going up to speed a little. "He's going to be future King and in order to be so, he's going to need a queen?" She thought to herself.
Ryuusei replied to his confidante slowly. "Well, I have been trying to search for the 'perfect one'. But it's just that. . . . Oh. . . I just haven't find the right one who I'm interested in yet."
"Well, I suppose it will just take some time. You ought to give yourself patience before you find the one you'll love. I'm sure there's one who will be very interested in a warrior such as yourself."
"There's no need to be worried about that, Sheik. I will find one surely. Someone who will have. . . . like how will you say. . . Someone who has the same spirit, courage, and grace as the Three Goddesses of Hyrule." The Prince answered.
Then, this made Hoshimi have another thought in her mind as she began to smile for she's beginning to take a strong liking to Shining Link; or Ryuusei. "Ah, if only I were a part of his world, I will be very interested in him. Hopefully at that, he'll be interested in someone like me."
As Ryuusei continued to scan throughout the blue waters that are shimmering under the light of the full moon, he then gasped a bit. "Oh!" He happened to catch a slight glimpse of Hoshimi's tail as she dove into the water with Navi and her siblings, which they have done already.
"Hmm? What's making you feel surprised, your highness?" Asked Sheik.
"I. . . I could have sworn I just saw a young mer-hylian mermaid jumping into the sea from that rock over there. Long, long ago, when I was still small, my mother will always tell me stories about those fascinating creatures who hid their existence in the Great Sea. Mer-Hylians. From then onwards, as I continued to grow up, I always keep my wish to meet one of them in person. Although I'm away from my childhood days, I still believe in them." He said.
"A mer-hylian female, eh?" Sheik looked over but, he can see no sign. "Huh. Well, I believe you must be seeing things, your highness. Perhaps the excitement of returning to Hyrule has already settled in." He said, shrugging. "I highly doubt that they do exist but, I don't think it's possible for one to be seen."
"What? But, I just saw a fish tail that is quite bigger than one of a normal fish. I'm sure I saw one." The Prince said again.
But, before anything else can happen, a defining rumble was heard in the sky. It was thunder. The starry night sky was already shrouded with dark and sinister looking storm clouds. The bright moon was no where to be seen. Thunder began to roar loudly and lightning shone a bit through the clouds. Seagulls were making exclaiming cries, warning each other of something dark, creeping in fast. Most of them are flying away. The wind began to blow stronger through the sails of the ship. Rain is starting to fall and the waves are becoming choppy in the sea! All of this meant one thing!
"A storm is coming and it's going to be a big one!" Shouted the ship's captain. "Everyone! All hands on deck! Secure the riggin'!"
As all of the sailors are scrambling to do whatever means to protect the ship, Ryuusei and Sheik are beginning to take notice too! The ship is in for a big, violent maelstrom!
With no time to lose, Ryuusei ran over to see if there's anything he can do to help the sailors!
From there, the ocean's waters became more wilder and darkness shrouded the sea and the sky! Thunder boomed and lightning struck through the clouds. Rain is pouring down, making the ship's situation even worst and even more impossible to hold together! It may not make it! The sailors are even struggling! Including the prince! The wind has already gotten so strong, tying up the sails is becoming a difficult task! The whole thing might go under within minutes!
While bracing themselves through the uncharted waters, Hoshimi, Navi, Link, Zelda, Vio, Blue, and Red were trying to keep themselves safely afloat amongst the storm. Every once in a while, they're swimming among the water's surface. Keir and Shrakah were there with them.
However, Hoshimi is feeling more worried about the shining prince more than anything else. "Guys! Guys! The Prince's ship is in deep trouble! We mustn't leave it yet!"
Link then said to her, trying to hold her safely with Vio's help. "But, Hoshimi! It's for your own good! We can't stay out here in the storm! It's way too perilous!"
"Our father wouldn't like that, and neither would the Six Maidens!" Added Vio.
"We must return to the palace!" Said Shrakah.
"No! Not yet!" Cried the youngest princess again.
Another lightning bolt flashed and thunder roared louder than before! The ship rocked vigorously and the sailors there are having more difficulty securing it! The storm is becoming so violent, only a few them are forcing themselves to give up. Although for now, Ryuusei is helping out with the captain in any which way, their ship is now like a cork, bobbing up and down helplessly on the Great Sea!
In a short while, an even bigger bolt of lightning flashed upon the main mast, setting it on fire! Now, it's not only the storm the ship has to deal with, it's the mast! But, surely there will be enough rain to put it out.
Hoshimi and her siblings look on helplessly as the main mast continued to burn.
Then, she happens to see a giant rock looming over before the ship. "Uh oh!" She can tell that they're going to run into it in seconds! "Turn the boat! You're going to crash!" She shouted out, hoping that they'll hear her. "Turn the ship!"
Link held her with his brothers, telling her. "They won't be able to hear you!"
"They might run into it anyway!" Blue said. "In a moment, they'll be sleeping with the fishes. The dead ones, I mean."
"Blue!" Hoshimi hollered.
Well, Ryuusei caught sight of the rock, himself. Then he turned around, ran to the deck and cried out. "Everyone! Brace yourselves!"
At that moment, the ship ran into the rocks! Afterwards, the ship began to turn over to the right side! Everyone was thrown overboard!
"Guys! The Prince will surely die if we don't do something fast!" Hoshimi exclaimed again. She tried to struggle in order to swim over to the ship.
"No! You mustn't!" Said Vio, holding her, still.
A life boat was tossed unto the sea to rescue everyone. Sheik, Ryuusei, and most of the crew were safe on the boat. Then, a small scream was heard.
"Kyaah!"
He looked up and saw a little girl in sailor's clothes trapped among the wreckage of the main mast! Fire was flickering everywhere! It must have fallen on to the the deck when the ship crashed and the flames are surrounding her in every corner, blocking her chances of escaping!
"Help my daughter!" Cried a sailor who happens to be the girl's father.
"Oh no!" Ryuusei wasted no time by jumping into the water, swam over to the ship and climbed aboard to save the child. Once he found her, he leapt over the circle of fire and quickly grabbed her. "Come on!" He took over to an area where there's no fire, fortunately, and went over to the railing so that he and the girl can get out of there safely.
Suddenly, a broken plank of wood flew and hit Ryuusei on the back of his head, knocking him unconscious! "Gah!" This made him bend over with the child around his arm, making him let her go and fall into the ocean.
When the little girl fell into the water, she quickly swam over the life boat where her father is waiting for her.
Once she's safe and sound, Sheik looked up to see if Ryuusei is all right. But, he's still unconscious.
Then, the whole ship began to turn over and start sinking into the sea!
All of those who are on the life boat couldn't even tell if the Prince is alive or dead!
From there, Hoshimi can't just stand by and let him perish into his watery grave! So, she dove into the water and swam over to where the ship is sinking.
"Princess! What are you doing?" Shouted Shrakah, but it's too late for him to stop her.
When Hoshimi found the ship, she looked around to see if she can find Ryuusei. Suddenly, she found a speck of white, floating downwards through the water. "Oh!" That's the Prince!
She swam over to him and caught him safely. "Got you!" Then she quickly swam up to the surface to give him air. She even tried patting his face to make sure he's still alive. "Come on! Wake up!" Then she had another thing in mind. She must find a beach and put him there to rest once the storm dies out.
Hours have passed and the storm was finally gone. The ocean has calmed down and it's already a few minutes until sunrise.
Hoshimi is about a few inches toward a soft patch of sand on the beach. After laying the still unconscious prince on to the sand, she rested her head on his chest for she was tired after braving through the cold, rough currents of the stormy sea. "Phew! Oh, my. . ."
After resting a bit, she looked upon him while sitting next to his body.
His clothes are all soaked and so was his face and hair. His eyes were still closed. The only thing that's missing from him is his gold encrusted white hat.
She's practically worried right now. She didn't want him to be dead either. "Fair Prince, are you all right, now?" She asked but, received no answer.
She moved a few strands of his ivory blonde bangs to one side and caressed his smooth cheeks. They're still a bit warm under her touch, but she still can't tell if he's still alive, though. "Oh dear, great Goddesses of Hyrule. Please let him be alive."
In a while, Navi flew in from the sea to join Hoshimi.
The princess asked the fairy. "Is. . . Is he dead, Navi?"
The fairy flew around his head to see if her light will be able to relieve him. But, it seemed that it didn't work. "It's hard to tell." She answered her before flying on to his chest. "Now, let's have a look right here." She placed her small ear on to it to listen for something.
"What are you listening for?"
"A pulse."
After a few seconds, the fairy sighed as she picked herself up. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't think I can make out a beat or two."
But, Hoshimi had already saw a sign. "No, Navi! Look here! He's breathing, now! He's alive! I know it!" She then gently caressed her hand upon his hair. It now feels like home spun wool from a lamb. "In the name of Great Din, he's so delicate. He's even more beautiful up close." She thought with delight.
While waiting for the morning sun to show its light, she began to sing her new song. "~Ever since that night ago, I always dream about you. Seeing your face is what's truly new. Under each night's moonlight, I see a bright star. I've hung every wish I made from afar. The gentle roars of waves are the sounds I only hear. Sometimes, it's so strange you're somehow here. But, do hear my voice. It's ringing for your heart. Do promise me we're one and we shall never part.~"
In a short moment, Shrakah, Keir, Link, Zelda, and the other three Princes were washed up on to one smooth rock. After they woke up and saw Hoshimi singing, they couldn't believe what they're seeing!
She continued to sing. "~ Ah. . . Don't you know that it's so slightly rare, I turn my head to one side, then I know you are right here next to me. Oh, this awkward heartbeat I somehow felt, this jumpy skip, it's almost like a door that leads me to say this plead.~"
"Ah!" Exclaimed Zelda with wonder.
"Why, Hoshimi. . ." Was all that Link could say while Red is blushing beside him, as they gazed at the situation.
"Oh, great Farore. Did she. . . Actually. . . . Rescued him. . .?" Asked Blue with widened eyes to his disbelief.
"It looks like so." Answered Vio for he is equally surprised
Shrakah and Keir are also witnessing the scene too. Keir had his lower jaw dropped open while staring is all that his foster brother can do.
The only one who is adoring the scene is Navi.
Then, as the sun rose and peeked it's light through the clouds, Hoshimi finished her snippet of her song, awaiting for her prince to regain consciousness. "~Please, marry me! A Dolphin Ring is one simple gift you'd give me for your return of affection to me. I've wiped my tears away, so please do take my hand. With no words alone, your hand wrapped in mine is all I truly need.~"
As she sang her words, Ryuusei regained his consciousness thanks to the sunlight, and slowly opened his eyes. He's even seeing her, bit by bit. He even felt his hand being held gently by his.
Hoshimi gasped softly. She's relieved to see that he's awake!
Before she can embrace him again and before he can get a chance to see her with clear vision, a call was heard. "Ryuusei! Ryuusei! Your Highness!"
After releasing his hand, Hoshimi scooted over to the shoreline and quickly dove into the water to swim away.
While the Prince was slowly sitting up, Sheik, the one who called out earlier came and helped him up. "There you are!" He panted. "You almost scared me! I thought you have drowned into the ocean since the storm, but it seemed that the ocean did you a favor and brought you to shore. The sailor wanted me to tell you that he has thanked you for saving his daughter."
Ryuusei didn't answer him for a bit, but just stood on his spot and looked around the shoreline to see if he can find the person who just sang to him. He didn't even know that it was Hoshimi, though. "Sheik. For a moment, I thought I drowned. But, a girl just. . . saved me. . ."
"A girl?" Asked the Sheikah.
"Yes. . ." He answered. "She rescued me from the sea and then, she was singing to me. I've never heard anything so pure and beautiful."
As he was trying to stand on his legs, they began to wobble a bit, causing him to fall backwards upon Sheik.
The Sheikah caught him and said while carrying him. "Right. Now, let's get you to somewhere we can find help. I do believe that seeing a mirage on the beach while gaining your consciousness back."
From the rock where she was hiding with her siblings and confidantes, Hoshimi watched her newly found love taken out to the remote village that lies near the beach. "Prince Shining Link, I believe I'll be seeing you soon. Hopefully, I'll find you again." Her mind thought again.
Zelda then tapped her on the shoulder, getting her attention. "Hoshimi, you've saved his life. Why didn't you just stay there with him until he sees you?"
Hoshimi sighed. "Oh, I don't think I can, Zelda. Because, as soon as he catches one slight sight of my tail, he'll surely get frightened." Then, she blushed after she made her answer.
"I know what you mean." She said back in agreement.
Red then said to his sister. "You know, Hoshimi? You gave me quite a scare since that ship went down. I was frightened half to death. Me, Blue, Green, and Vio have been searching for you all night!"
"I'm sorry Red." The Princess said to him. "But, I have to save the Prince."
"Don't tell me that you're now head over heels for him!" Blue huffed. "You know what Father just said! Hylians and Mer-hylians don't go together!"
Vio thought over this carefully and said. "Now, wait a minute, Blue! Our father isn't going to find out about Hoshimi's doings."
"What is it, Vio?" Asked Link.
"Allow me to explain." He said. "We're going to hide all of this, keep it as a solid secret and pretend that it never happened." He turned to his ivory haired sister and instructed her. "Hoshimi, you must never say a single thing about this Prince. So, whatever you do, don't mention his name around the Palace."
"Okay." That's all she can say for an answer.
Then, the purple tailed prince turned to the two Mer-Sheikah brothers. "Shrakah and Keir, you two are to not tell a single living soul about this event in our household. So, don't give it away to either the Maidens or Father."
"O. . . Okay." Said Keir.
Red began to smile for he is agreeing with his brothers plan too. "Wow! I'm so moved! This will be a solid, top secret plan, yet! Vio is so smart!"
"Do you obviously think that my head is filled with warm sea mist?" He asked him back with his eyebrow shifted upwards.
Shrakah and Keir were giving the plan some thought, though.
"I don't know if we should do this. But, I personally can't imagine how enraged the King will be if we give out the word." Said the eldest one.
"I say that we should definitely forget that this thing had ever happened right now. I don't think that the King should know. Everything will be held together in one un-cracked oyster shell if we never tell a word about it." Said Keir.
Shrakah stayed silent for a bit after hearing what his brother said and sighed. "Well, I don't know, Keir. I just don't know. . ."
Hoshimi continued to watch Sheik carrying her prince to the village as she sang the finale of her song, as the waves splashed upon the rock she's on. "~Please, marry me! Please, marry me! Hopefully, we'll both be held into one warm embrace! I will do! Yes! I will do! Our strong love is the cure to dry my tears without a trace! Yes! I will do. . . .~"
Yes, she is truly in love with the Prince of Hyrule, despite the fact that she's born from a different world.
One moment later, from behind another rock that's about a distance from Hoshimi's, Shadow Link is again spying on her. He's been doing this for a long while because he's upon orders from Ganondorf. He even smirked at what Hoshimi has been doing since the storm and sunrise. "Well, well, well! What am I seeing here!" He is practically amused about Hoshimi's feelings toward Ryuusei. "This is very enjoyable to see!"
He formed another murky purple orb of shadows again and showed Hoshimi to Ganondorf. "My lord! Please have a look at what I just saw! Does this bring entertainment for you?"
From inside his room in his fortress, Ganondorf looked at what Shadow Link is showing him through the pearl. After seeing Hoshimi's gaze at the Prince, he began to chuckle loudly. "Ha ha ha! I don't believe it! This is extremely entertaining! I never knew that you would show me this while you're doing your job, Shadow Link! Ha ha!"
Shadow Link then sighed irritably at his master's laughter and asked. "Do you think that this will be an accompaniment to our plan, my lord?"
Ganondorf calmed himself from laughing. "Oh, what else can I say, my boy! Of course it does! I just can't get over the fact that our precious princess is in love with a Hylian boy! Well, not just any simple Hylian boy, obviously. Shining Link! The Prince of Hyrule! Ha ha! Thor will definitely be surprised about this."
There is a short pause before Shadow said. "Well, I'm assuming for now, I should still keep watch on her since the moment we want isn't occurring just yet, my lord."
"You're certainly right, my shadow warrior." Agreed the wizard. "You should keep a rather good watch on her until the time is right. But soon, she'll slowly come to us and put our plan into motion. Very soon, that overly proud Thor will fall before my feet, begging for mercy, and from there, Hyrule and Hylia will be mine!"
Those words then made Shadow Link blink and said to him. "Oh! Don't forget me too, master. Do not forget that we have a deal."
Ganondorf smirked. "Of course! The deal! Of course! Once I have the power to rule both kingdoms, I'll have you as my heir for the kingdom we'll soon be constructing. At that time, you can have Princess Hoshimi if you wish."
"You really mean it, my lord?" Shadow Link asked with an excited, yet sinister grin on his face.
"Oh, yes! I truly think that you deserve something that will interest your likings! You will soon win Thor's youngest daughter." Said the wizard, grinning evilly. "She will then be a charming princess for my kingdom of darkness! Ha ha ha ha!"
While his master continued to laugh darkly, Shadow Link's grin began to spread for that he will surely have Hoshimi to himself.
Link: Wow! I wonder how the King of the ocean would feel about this.
M.S.K: Well, we don't know for sure until further onwards.
Vio: All right. Now, my question for you is what took you so long for you to update this?
M.S.K: I shall answer that later. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I do. So, stay tuned for the next one!
Vio: Your answer?
M.S.K: Oh! It's a special place where I've been ever since I was only five years of age. I can never forget that time since I finally get the chance to visit that place again. I was there because it's been so long since my last visit.
Red: Really?
Vio: What's that place called?
M.S.K: (Giggles) Well, it's known to be the place where Dreams Come True! (Starts singing softly) A dream. . . is a wish your heart makes. . .
Everyone: (Just stares at the authoress singing to herself.)