Author's Notes:

Update four, containing chapters five and six! I've decided to go with a slightly different approach, bringing the story up North, as well, with a new POV character.

Link

"You're late," Rusl grumbled as I approached him. The day was young, the sun shining to my left, as I looked onward to the Forest Gate. For the past few days, I had repeatedly missed work; today was the first day of the year that I came back, and Rusl was not impressed that I was late, especially now.

"Had family issues," I muttered. I shielded my eyes against the sun as Rusl sighed. "The heat is bloody awful. Looks like a storm's coming in, though," I pointed towards the group of clouds slowly moving towards us.

My boss laughed. "Imagine how they have it in Garuda." Garuda was the capital of the Desertlands, a fortress built by the Gerudo. Many of the rich live there, even though relatively few live there. By day, the city was unbearably hot, and by night, cold as ice. Such is life in the Desertlands.

"I shudder, sir," I answered to him. "I'm not built for the heat, and neither are you." I watched the gate as we talked. Ever since the First Containment Law was placed on the city, everybody leaving and entering the city had to pay fifty rupees as a fine. That's when I saw it: a small man, the size of a boy, had avoided the guards, and subsequently, had not paid. "Stop!" I commanded him. He obeyed, obviously frightened. "I did not see you pay."

"Forgive me," he cowered, "I've not the money to pay..."

"Can't enter the city otherwise," Rusl sternly commanded, walking to the foot of the Forest Gate. "Off with you, then," he said. He pushed the man away, as he left the gates of Hyrule Castle Town. I smiled, but Rusl appeared upset. "Such men give the Forestlands a bad name..."

Father's from the Forestlands, I thought sullenly. Although I myself am born in Hyrule Castle Town. Four kingdoms made Hyrule. When they all merged, the capital of the new combined kingdom was placed in the centre. "It seems that more and more people are travelling now than last year at this time," I grumbled. "That can't be a good thing, I suppose."

"Yes, I agree, and these gates do not house enough men to control the traffic each day." I nodded, as Rusl was completely right. I had been working here for many years of my short life, and Rusl had been like a father to me, since my actual father was unyielding towards me. Many times, I wanted to approach Rusl, tell him what I do to earn extra money, in hopes that he could change me... but I could never do such a thing. As much as I hated Farrell and disliked Father, telling Rusl would put them in jeopardy, and I could go to prison. "We simply do not have enough men for this gate, and the other gates do not have enough either. Chaos, I tell you. And I'm afraid that I'll be down an assistant," Rusl gave a sad smile.

I stood there, wide-eyed. I spoke, "excuse me?"

"The Master of the Peace seeks for you himself. He came to me in the night, inquiring about the possibility of promoting you as the Master of the Guard's assistant instead." He sighed, and placed his hands on my shoulders. Father to son, I thought, but you're not my father. "I told him that you would accept it. I don't want you to go, mind you. Link, you work hard. You're respectful. Even my son, Colin, looks up to you just as much as me, and I'm glad that he had a role model such as yourself during his upbringing. He calls you a hero, Link." Rusl nodded, reminiscent of the past. "I don't want to let you go, but this is too great of an opportunity compared to what I can provide. That is why," he gave me a sad smile, "you're effectively fired as the assistant to the Commander of the Forest Gate. Goodbye, Link."

I'm no hero, a voice rang in my head. I'm no hero, no hero, no hero... but I ignored the voice. "Are you not giving me a choice?" Rusl shook his head. "And if I don't want to go? I'm happy here, and I don't need change as of now."

"Either way, you are fired, and that job is tailored just for you. Please, Link," he said, "this is for your own benefit. I'll miss you, no doubt, but I can manage."

The blazing sunlight framed the wrinkles of Rusl's face as he looked me in the eyes; he started to look more like his age. He spoke no more, not another word. And did not speak. And did not speak, until I spoke once again. "Fine; I'll be on my way."

"It's for the best," Rusl said as I turned around to leave, "I wish you the best of luck! Ask for Markis when you get to Hyrule Castle, and tell him that I sent you!"

I nodded, and walked away. The sun beat against me forehead, and I wanted to go home first, largely to change into something outside of my guard uniform, which was of a dark blue colour. As I made my way through the crowded streets of Hyrule Castle Town, I could not help but count myself as blessed: I would be working inside of Hyrule Castle, which would make it much easier to figure out who is attempting to reduce crime in Hyrule. And before I knew it, I stood at the foot of my apartment building, 29 Schizel Street.

"Wait!" A little girl's voice called out just before I entered. I turned around, not sure if the girl was trying to talk to me. And there she was, a little girl with blond hair, running towards me. "Wait!" She called again. I feel like I recognize her... and I did; she was the girl that I smuggled out of Hyrule Castle Town about a week ago. That trip gave me a decent sword, even if I nearly died.

"What do you want?" I asked, prepared to just enter inside. She looked like a mess, her hair frizzy, and her clothes dirty. That alone made me curious as to what the girl's been through, but at the same time, I wanted to just step inside and relax until my new job started.

She finally caught up, just before I entered the apartment lobby. "Please, help me," she said, "my uncle, Brynden, passed away yesterday. I need help."

I sighed, "what made you feel obligated to come to me for help? And what can I do?"

"Please," she begged, "I don't have anybody to take care of me. Take me in as your apprentice, or something, I don't know!"

"What? Listen, my job isn't something you can shadow, and I really am in a busy time, believe me," I said. "It's best if you just go to an orphanage, that place will take care of you." Of course it would not; they would be actively searching for her in their anyways. She's still wanted for her father's crimes. But I hoped that she would be dumb enough to actually go there, and allow me to prepare for my new job.

"What you're doing is illegal!" That made me stop in my path, and look at the girl again. She remained still. "If you leave me alone... I'll - I'll tell the authorities what you're doing!"

Is she crazy? If I get caught, so will she, and it's a death sentence for the both of us. "I'm not buying it," I told her, with a smirk on my face. "Back at the forest, you could have picked up a sword and driven it into a man's back when I was cornered. Not a single one of the bandits even glanced at you. You don't have the courage to die for any cause." I sighed, "you're a craven."

"Please!" She was on her knees. "I know how to cook, clean - I don't have anywhere to turn! I'm just a little girl!"

I sneered. "Get up, I hate seeing beggars." She did as she was told, and had tears in her eyes - although I could not tell whether they were real or not. "Just because you're a little girl doesn't mean you can't fend for yourself. I hate it when people think that they're entitled to things just because they are of a minority. Do random jobs for money, I'd suggest. Just, please, leave me be."

I had never thought that I would ask a little girl a favour of any kind, but stranger things have happened in my lifetime. But Elia was resilient, "please, please help me..."

I looked up at the sky, a storm was brewing towards Hyrule Castle, and it appeared to be a strong one. Hyrule Castle Town was built on Lake Hylia and its surrounding forests, and naturally, the area received an annoying amount of rainfall. "You don't have anywhere else to go?" She shook her head. I sighed, "fine, you can stay here until the storm subsides. Then, will you leave me alone?"

"Thank you!" She smiled and clapped her hands.Oh, how much I want to just leave her out in the rain...

Many of the men and women gave her looks, based on her clothes and general appearance, as she entered the apartment lobby, even though they themselves did not look much better. I led her up to the third floor, where my own room was. "I like it," she immediately said as we walked in. "It's spacious."

"No it isn't," I grumbled. "Your uncle's house is - was bigger than this by perhaps twice the size. Get comfortable, or something, I don't know." I picked up a random shirt that laid on my table, and threw it in my room. "You can go to sleep, I guess. I have a job." Elia nodded. Good. At least she understands me by now. "There's food in the cabinets, take whatever you like - but don't take much, I'm not going to buy anything until the week ends, alright?"

She nodded. "I'm ate while I was at Uncle's house." Elia shrugged, and sat down on a couch, and watched the streets of Hyrule Castle Town through my window. "That was about twelve hours ago, but it doesn't matter."

Meanwhile I entered my bedroom, away from her sight, and closed the door. I had only one suit in my closet, and it had a drop of blood on it, from a few weeks back. I couldn't help but smile as I remembered that assassination; at least I was merciful to him, and gave a quick and painless death. I usually do treat victims to that, while my half-brother, Farrell, tends to enjoy the pain and suffering people go through, and often resorts to poisoning others. A coward's method, I'd call it. A coward's method, for a coward of a man.

I spit on my finger, and began to rub off the blood stain from the suit. Once it was hardly noticeable, I put the suit on, and left my bedroom. "You're looking nice," Elia observed. I stayed silent. "I won't touch anything." That made me stop in my tracks, only a footstep away from the door. I turned, and nodded. My way of thanking her. "Maybe, once your back, you can teach me how to use a sword. How you fought the bandits was amazing."

"It could have been better." I left, closing and locking the door. As I left the apartment building, I could not help but wonder what I would do with the girl once I was done with my shift in Hyrule Castle. What if the storm doesn't end? Should I still kick her out? Should I teach her how to use a sword? Truthfully, I did not care; those answers could be discovered at a later time.

Times have changed considerably, and although the walls of Hyrule Castle have stood for a millennium, the Crown's home still served for change. During Father's first days in Hyrule Castle Town, not a single soul was authorized to enter inside of the castle, but now, people could make it as far as the front lobby without any sort of authorization. The real trouble, however, came when somebody wanted to go further. And there I stood, at the foot of the castle.

"Hello," I gave a quick smile to one of the soldiers who guarded the castle's interiors. "I'm designated to meet with the Master of the Guard, as I'm her new assistant, so if you would please let me go-"

The guards stood me in my path by places their swords in front of them. "You shall not pass until we see some form of authentication."

"If any of you could find the Master of the Peace and tell him Rusl's assistant has arrived, that would be helpful."

The guards looked at each other, and at once, moved to the side. "Go ahead, we've received special orders for you." I nodded, and entered the depths of Hyrule Castle. Dignitaries and nobles walked the white, marble hallways, and I stood in the middle of it, unsure of where I was to go. But, at least, the place was aesthetically pleasing. Although I was never one for beauty over functionality, the fountain in the middle of the castle, with red carpets sown across the flooring, and wines dangling from the upper floors made the place appear grand.

"Ah, Link, so pleased to see you. I trust you are doing well?" I turned to face the voice. A large, bald man held a smile as he approached me. By his appearance, I would assume him to be the monk of a native tribe in the Yori-Amas ranges. "I am the Master of the Peace, but please, call me Markis. Please, if you'd follow me, I can escort you to Impa, the Master of the Guard." I nodded.

"Why hire me?" I asked. "And how do you know me in the first place?"

Markis smiled. "Such questions are irrelevant, and do not matter. What matters is that you are here, no?"

"I suppose," I grumbled. No answer? Markis led me up a flight of stairs, and we came into a room - a library, judging by the books upon books that lined up the walls. A girl with red eyes, in her late thirties, and a man, just slightly older than me sat in two of the seven seats, reading a book in Old Hylian.

"Apparently Aeros was spotted again," the women said to the man. Aeros? As in the King's uncle? "He's been sailing near the Caprician Isles." The man, however, seemed uninterested.

"I am Impa," she said as she got up to introduce herself to me. She seemed old, but that might be because of stress. But the first thing I did notice was that she was a Sheikah. I shook Impa's hand, and turned my head to look at the other man.

He was only a few years older than me, with long, black hair, and skin that was incredibly tanned. He read a book, but caught on my glaze and smiled at me. "Welcome to Hyrule Castle," he said. "My name is Jaylos."

"Link," I replied. He gave a smile.

"Bad weather," Markis observed, looking out of the window. The drizzle while I was walking to this castle had now turned into a constant downpour, with lightning as well. And for some reason, I grew anxious to make sure that Elia was not taking my possessions. Beggars are known to do these things, and if I did have a choice by now, I would have kicked her out instead. But, of course, I did not have anything valuable in my apartment. I was already wearing my suit, and my sword was still at the clock tower, hidden away.

"I trust you are familiar with how your job works, yes?" Impa asked. I nodded - the role of the assistant was the same no matter what. Bring drinks, carry documents, and provide counsel where I can. "Good," she said. "Then you can begin by bringing me a coffee. The Terminian ambassador will be arriving soon, and this castle is not truly prepared for his arrival."

I began to leave, but Markis talked once again. I stopped, thinking he was talking to me, but it was not. Instead, the Master of the Peace was talking to Jaylos. "You should do something other than reading that book," he said. "It's been hours since you've picked it up, and it's now time to put it down." I left, uninterested in this conversation.

"Wait, Link!" Impa called out, also exiting the room. I turned around. Now what? "Before you get the coffee, I just wanted to tell you that your working hours will be the same as when you were at the Forest Gate, and your new pay is double what it was at that point." I nodded, and left.

I traveled down the flights of stairs to get to the kitchen, and to be honest, did take my time to think of my situation. The Regent is somewhere in this castle. She must be the one making the laws. I can't help but think of the good fortune - I needed to spy on Hyrule Castle, and having my new job situated here will make that easier. Kill only the one who is threatening to remove crime, and only that one person. I need to find out who that is, and soon. Before Farrell does that.

But for now, I just need a coffee.

Timett

I was born in the frozen wasteland, lived in the frozen wasteland, it's summer in the frozen wasteland, and yet I absolutely hate the cold.

The Yori-Amas was the name given to the mountain ranges that separate Termina's west and Hyrule's east, but the chain extends to the north of Termina, blocking off the third landmass of the entire continent: Altic. Neither of the two southern kingdoms saw need to inhabit this place, with almost no resources, so only barbaric tribes live here, sealed off from the rest of the continent. Of course, any news we've received is outdated, as an entire ranging squad has been created on the northern chain of the Yori-Amas to fend off any barbarians attempting to escape south, undoubtedly pillaging any villages they come across.

News of what was happening south seldom arrived; any Altican who traveled south of the Yori-Amas mountains rarely came back, but the few that did return brought amazing stories for my people. One discussed this place named Clock Town, that dwarfed any form of settlement here, or the castles, or the quality of the steel down south. And Terminians often referred to us as barbarians, and so do Hylians. Most refuse to believe that we are barbarians, but I know what we are, and I've accepted it for what it is.

But the most amazing story for me was not by a returning Altican, but by a foreigner, with dark, olive skin, and red hair, who was banished to this land years ago. That foreigner was befriended by my father, and as such, I met him in person. He tells me of a great war between Termina and Hyrule slightly more than a decade ago. Termina invaded through the Yori-Amas, and through this area known as the Mudlands. Hyrule's king was only just beginning his reign, but managed to unite the four provinces of Hyrule against this threat.

However, the province in the east, the Desertlands, decided to declare for independence, and also attacked Hyrule Castle while it fought of Termina. Hyrule's king won both fronts, pushing the Terminian invaders past the Yori-Amas, and the Desertlands became a part of Hyrule once again. The lord of Garuda was banished from the kingdom, and in his place, a woman named Nabooru rules instead. And that is how this foreigner came to Alic.

I want to meet the king of Hyrule one day, but this foreigner tells me that he is probably dead by now, and his son now takes the crown. "Either him, or his brother, Aeros rules," he once guessed. But in the story, Aeros had battled Termina's navy during the war, and became shipwrecked in the process, never to be seen again. I don't know what to believe, but I'm tired of guessing. I want to go south, where I can see these stories firsthand. Here, nothing ever happens. Until now.

One of the reasons Altic is so insignificant to Termina is because Altic's population comprises of multiple tribes who hate each other. Only a few times in our history has a single man stepped up, uniting all of the tribes, with the purpose of taking Termina for ourselves, and that plan has never worked. Now this foreigner looks to do the same, but claims himself to be different than any other king of Altic. He's not of this land, and understands how the world works outside of these frozen shores, and he has a different plan than to attack through the Yori-Amas.

Father seems to trust this foreigner with his life, and regularly encourages me to do the same. He seems quite daunting, somebody who others would rally behind, yes, but still... I would not trust him with anything. But where the herd goes, I go. I'm a damn sheep. But I'm more important than that.

Bored, I decided to step into the tent where the new king of Altic stayed - Father was with him as well, I'd bet. And true to form, they were there, along with a dozen other men. Some I recognized, such as Raenys, the tribe leader of the Apen, and Shagga, the tribe leader of the Orpem. Both tribes hate each other, but I was not surprised that this foreigner was able to unite the both of them - he's done everything I thought impossible. Perhaps he really can lead us.

A fire was kept at the other end away from the entrance of the tent, and I decided to bask myself in its warmth. Outside, it had been cold today - not unbearably cold, but cold, with heavy winds and a constant snowfall. Father gave me a smile as I made my way to the other side of the table. The foreigner, who Father bid me to call King Dragmire, was whispering to Raenys and Shagga, and both men were smiling, something I had not seen in a long time from the both of them.

But I would never call him King Dragmire - for one, he refuses to tell us his real name. Anybody could march up to the Altic, and say a couple of fancy words, call himself a king, but that doesn't make him one. He's yet to prove himself in any case, but acts like he's done it all.

"But there's one problem," Raenys said. "We don't have no ships."

The foreigner shrugged. "Then we can build them, no matter how long they take. They do not need to be strong, nor armed. These ships will just need to carry us across the sea, where we would land in the desert. From there, we take Garuda by surprise." The foreigner had drawn a map of what he claims is the continent, complete with cities, towns, and major sites, such as the Tower of the Dead, where most of the dead noblemen are buried. "And please do not say 'don't' and 'no' in the same sentence, it reverses the meaning of what you say. I'm sorry, but I feel that language is a very important part of my life, and thus, would like to keep it intact, for centuries to come."

Father had been excited about these ships for quite some time. He always told me about how large they were, how many men they carried, and other things. We have no use for such things, but this new king wants to make enough ships to carry every one of us across the sea and into the desert.

"Why do we need to move again? We have our own steel, our own livestock, and our own homes. So what if the weather's bad-"

The foreigner interrupted him quickly. "The steel here is poor and rare, and surely one of your kind has come back with a sword the southerners made." Shagga nodded, and so did Father. "Was it not stronger, sharper, and lighter, yet firm? And the livestock here is also poorer and rarer, like everything else - a few wolves every here and there cannot feed a population. Here, you build tents. South of here, we build entire castles, as high as mountains, in some cases. That is why we need to move. This is summer, both here and Hyrule, but summer here is drawing to a close, and we should not think to stay for another winter."

"King Dragmire!" Father bellowed. "Free us! Free us!"

He nodded. "How many men of the Altic would fight for our cause?"

Raenys was the one to answer that. "Perhaps thirty thousand are able, between every single tribe."

The foreigner smiled, and I hated that smile - it was sadistic, and he never did look truly happy. "Good, that will be enough to take Garuda." Will it? He tells us of these massive fortresses, as large as mountains, made of steel and stone and bricks and clay - we build tents out of animal skins and wooden sticks.

"Why won't you tell us your real name?" I asked. It was painfully obvious that Dragmire was not even his real name. Father looked at me disappointingly, but I did not care, I could care less about some outsider leading us into a war we cannot win.

"I would like not to share my real name," the Din-Sai smiled. his olive skin basking in the light of the open fire, and his demeanor tall and forbidding. "Tales of the North come South of the Yori-Amas come as well, you see... and many know who I am." He gave me a stern glare. "You are correct in thinking we cannot reasonably win a war against Hyrule." What? I never said that, only thought it... Yet he continued. "Surprise will be our victory element. There have been many men who style themselves kings of the Altic, but none are capable to launch an assault. Yet the Crown recognizes me as different, as I will succeed. And that, my friend, is why I do not share my real name."

"Thank yo-" I began, but he continued to speak. I withered; I may be a girl of twelve, but I thought of myself as a adult, just like Father, but this... this foreigner makes me want to hide.

"But if you must know, my real name is Ganondorf. Ganondorf Dragmire, in full. But please, I implore you to call me Dragmire, or 'the foreigner', if you wish."

What?

How does he know? I felt like I was to find out, but instead, I promptly ran out of the tent, afraid of the truth. He's a monster, why can't Father see that?

"Timett..." I'd imagine Father's low voice would be grumbling right now, as Raenys and Shagga and Ganondorf all shared in their jests of me, the girl who sees more than roses, the girl who knows...

One day this will be all over. I'll be able to live without monsters. Monsters are for the South. We're Northmen. I sat on a rock, just off of the sea, where the pristine sparkling waves crashed overhead, and roared. I placed my frozen pale hands to my cheeks, and quietly sobbed. What have you done to Father?I looked back, only to see Father step beside me. I, however, pretended not to notice, no matter how many times he said my name. He embraced me in his arms.

"We'll be out of this land eventually," he whispered in my ear. Indeed, I hated the cold, the North's unforgivable chills, but I did not want to do it under Ganondorf's name. I wanted to be free, not a slave to a foreigner. Yet Father could not see that. How could he? "Look, in a year, we'll be gone. I know how much you hate this place. Look at me," he said as I turned my head away. "Please, Timett... look at me." I looked at him, his shaggy brown hair covered with his hood. "You look just like your mother, you know that?"

I nodded. "You've told me that already."

He gave a sad smile, nodding. "Yes, yes, I have told you, haven't I? Did I ever tell you how she died? In the cold, Timett, she died in the cold, barren North we still call home. I feel threatened that you're here, vulnerable to freezing, just like her." He held my hand in his own. "Even now, your hand is paling. You need to sit by a fire. Come, please..." Yet I did not follow. He nodded sadly. "Please, don't sit here for too long; you need to come inside soon."

Yet I sat there, staring at the oceans, wondering of the land beyond this one, where few have to grow food, and most have the time to entertain themselves. The home of monsters, the breeding place of people like the foreigners.

And the waves kept on crashing. They never stop crashing.

Author's Notes:

Yet another chapter! Plenty happened, yet this was a fairly short chapter, at about 5,000 words of writing, or 3,000 in Link's chapter, and 2,000 in Timett's chapter.

With Link's chapter, you get to see the two major POV characters, Link and Jaylos, meet for the first time. The irony (I suppose) is that Link is supposed to snoop around Hyrule Castle to commit a crime, yet Jaylos, who wants to eradicate all crime, is the one who hired him. Link needs to kill Jaylos in order for the new laws to stop, yet Link does not know that yet. And at the same time, one of Hyrule's greatest criminals is at his fingertips; he just doesn't know it yet.

Elia is the little girl during chapter one, where Link had to smuggle her outside of the city. You'll see somewhat of a big brother - little sister relationship between the two, although with this story, there are so many characters that it's difficult to write about all of them; I still haven't included King Armon yet!

There are a few mentions of Zelda's uncle, Aeros, who will appear way later in the story. Essentially, Termina and Hyrule were in a war, where Aeros commanded Hyrule's navy against the king's enemies, but Aeros disappeared in the process, and only now has he been seen again. Zelda's father is the oldest sibling, and Aeros the youngest, yet there is also one in the middle: Yaldis. He's the current leader of Kakariko, and will also appear. Both will be pretty cool characters, I think.

During the Hylian-Terminian war, Ganondorf was exiled to the North, which I called the Altic. Essentially, the entire continent is in the shape of an L, with Hyrule on the right. I want Ganondorf to appear, but I don't want him as a POV character for certain reasons (rather interesting to have both Zelda and Ganondorf not be POV characters; it makes them more mysterious).

Please review! As usual, I love to hear your thoughts!