Link returned to Hyrule through a pass near the Lost Woods. It had been about four years since he had left the land of his birth to look for Navi. During his time in Termina he had learned from the great fairy that he would never find her. Still, he continued his travels to foreign lands such as Holodrum and Labrynna, honing his skills and avoiding Hyrule. The land held too many memories and he was quite happy to stay away.

During Link's time away he had grown. He was at least fourteen now—he was never clear on his exact age. He was still short and lanky compared to his full adult size, but fighting large opponents had become much easier. He used a proper shield now instead of a wooden deku shield, and his gilded sword—a memento from Termina—was beginning to feel a bit too short. He didn't know where he would find of sword good enough to replace it, but he would have to start looking soon.

Link had been quite content with his life of training and travel and would have stayed away from Hyrule forever, but a month ago he started dreaming again. The dreams were vague compared to his nightmares as a child, but they involved Ganondorf. The first dream he brushed off, but after the second he started traveling towards Hyrule.

On his way back to Hyrule Link passed through a small village called Ordon on the very edge of the Lost Woods. He had heard of it before but had never needed to go there. He found that Ordon was like a dozen other villages he had travelled through, but even more backwater. But when he stopped at a spring to bath Epona Link felt something. He wasn't sure what but he felt it might be important in the future.

More relevant to his journey, he learned at the tavern that passed for an inn that Only a week ago a war had begun.

…..

"Ganon got castle town under siege and the roads are crawling with Bokublins." A fat, old traveler said; half drunk. "No use leaving town, you'll be dead by nightfall

"Under siege!?" Links asked in alarm.

"The Royal family is finished." The man said, taking another drink.

"Bullshit!" Another man wearing a sword said. "Castle Town has outlasted dozens of sieges. An army of Bokublin aren't gonna take it!"

Link turned to him. "Do you know something old man?"

"It's Sir Rul of Ordon to you kid!" he spat. Link concluded this man too had too much to drink. "Castle town might be surrounded by the river ways are free!"

Link looked back to the fat drunk at the bar. "That true?"

The man paused to drink more before speaking. "Well I did hear the Zora have been patrolin the rivers. But what good are the rivers if the roads are closed?!" He slammed the bar table for emphasis.

"As long as the rivers are open supplies will keep flowing and Castle Town will keep fighting!"
The knight argued.

The fat man waved his arm dismissively. "Then why aren't you down there fight'n Sir knight?"

The swordsman's face turned red. "I'm sixty years old and trying to run a damn farm!

Sensing an impending brawl, Link paid his tab and headed up to his room before things started and he felt the need to stop them.

Turning in for the night, Link planned his next actions. He would travel up to Castletown; monsters or no, and attack Ganondorf's camp himself.

Link looked at his arm; it was still too skinny. He was not yet up to his full potential, either physically or mentally. But as long as Ganondorf lacked the power of the Gods, He couldn't beat Link even in a fight on his own turf.

…..

The journey to Castle Town was one of the roughest in his memory. Small groups of Bokulins had made camp around the main roads and were killing anyone who got close. The fights were frequent and a few times they almost got the jump on him. As it was the journey took two days longer than it should have, leaving him quite worried about Castle Town. But when he arrived he found the siege still ongoing.

Gannondorf's army consisted of Bokublin's with Gerudo officers. The army had built several camps encircling the city. The camps where set up outside the range of the Trebuchets on the walls.

Link observed the camps all day until nightfall. There didn't seem to be any fighting except for occasional skirmishes around the waterways leading into the city. Ganondorf's army seemed like they were trying to control these waterways but couldn't best the Zora in an aquatic environment. The Hylians too would sortie out to support the Zora.

As night fell Link put his plan into action. He had prepared several flaming arrows. From a concealed positon he fired them into Ganondorf's main camp. He had picked his targets before nightfall. They were highly flammable and the accurately shot arrows soon had the entire camp in flames. Bokublin were ok fighters but they were better at starting fires than putting them out. The camp soon fell into chaos and Link was already on the move.

….

"Lady Impa! The enemy's main camp has caught fire!" the messenger was out of breath has he burst through the door to the room where Impa commanded the walls defense.

"I am aware." Impa watched the camp burn from the narrow window of the room.

"Captain Gonzo wishes to know what your orders are."

Impa looked down at the camp, which appeared tiny from the tower atop the walls. "Ganon has proven a cunning enemy, and Bokublin are skilled night fighters. I'm weary of a trap.

"No." a voice spoke from the rear of the room. "Link has returned. I know he's down there. We must aid him."

Despite Impa's objections, Princess Zelda had insisted on coming to the front in place of her ailing father. The girl had grown, and at fifteen she stood almost as tall as a full grown woman.

Impa turned to her charge. "Are you certain your highness?" Zelda's sixth sense was always strong.

Zelda nodded. "I am sure."

Impa returned the gesture and turned to the messenger. "Have Captain Gonzo prepare the new weapon and tell the knights of Hyrule to gather in the atrium, the time to strike is now. In the meantime double the guard around the tower with our best men; I want no one getting into the tower well I am gone."

The guard saluted. "Yes M'lady!"

…

As Link cut down the guards and entered the camp he found it in chaos. There were perhaps two hundred Bokublins, most of which were fighting the fire; poorly. He started moving toward the center of the camp; sure that was where Ganondorf would be waiting. Ganondorf was not the type to care if is subordinates were slaughtered.

Without thinking Link raised his shield just in time to block a blast of magic.

"Pretty good kid!"

Link looked up at the source of the sneering voice. No matter how many times he encountered Ganondorf he was always shocked. The man had a disturbing presence by himself, but he was also the source of Link's nightmares.

Ganondorf—upon getting a closer look—was also shocked.

"You! I've seen you before… in my dreams…" Ganondorf reminisced.

Link checked his blind spots and seeing no immediate threat took a ready stance with his sword and shield.

Ganondorf extended his right arm and materialized a trident. "I know not what this means, but I'm sure you're someone I have to destroy to take this country. There will be no holding back!"

Ganondorf took a low stance and charged Link with a high speed thrust enhanced by his magic. Link jumped to the side and blocked Ganondorf's follow up swipe with his shield. Link tried to cut at his extended arm but Ganondorf retreated before thrusting again.

"You're something else kid! Pity I have to kill you!" Ganondorf gave Lin a feral grin as he thrusted again only to with draw into his guard before Link could counter attack.

"Fuck off!" Link cursed.

Link was getting frustrated. His small size and shorter sword made it hard to get passed Ganondorf's guard. But then inspiration stuck. The next time Ganondorf thrusted Link Parried with his shield and then jumped. As he sailed over a shocked Ganondorf's head he stuck with his sword as hard as he could. Ganondorf ducked but not before the tip nicked him in the crown of his head.

Gannonorf dashed forward, avoiding Link's second blow to his back. Turning to face the young warrior his face was a mask of rage. Blood flowed from his head into his left eye, blinding it.

"You…" he snared. "You have the power of the Gods! How! How! Do you have the Triforce?!"

"You'll never know." Link said deadpan.

"AAARGG!" Ganon screamed. Charging the head of his trident with magic he began another charge, only to stop short and return to his guard.

Link's vision was obscured by the fires and smoke so he could just make out the fighting in the background. From beyond the smoke he heard the female Gerudo voice cry out.

"My Lord! The knights of Hyrule are attacking!"

"Where are the reinforcements from the other camps?!" Ganondorf called back.

"The enemy has deployed some sort of long range weapon. The camps are being bombarded!

Ganondorf spit. "Spread the order to retreat!

"But My Lord..." She protested.

"Now!"

Ganondorf looked back at Link with his one good eye. "This isn't the end kid… I'll be back with an even larger army!"

Link quirked an eyebrow. "You think I am going to let you escape?"

Ganondorf smirked. "I'm afraid you have little say in it kid. You have the power of the Gods…but it's incomplete somehow. Enjoy it while you can. I'll be coming for it soon.

As he finished speaking he began to dematerialize.

"No!" Link charged, intending to cut him down but as he cut down his sword hit only the after image of Ganondorf's smirking face.

"Damn!" Link grunted; stomping his foot. But there was no time to regret Ganondorf's escape. Fleeing Bokublin were coming in his direction and he would have to cut his way through them to escape alive.

"Link!" A voice he hadn't heard in a while called out.

"Impa! Through the smoke he saw Zelda's guard fighting with a giant gorgon sword.

Link made his way toward Impa, cutting down several Bokublin in the process.

"It's good to see you boy." Impa said cutting down a Gerudo officer. "Wish you could have been here when the war started."

"You know me; I like to make an entrance." Link joined up with the older warrior, taking a positon on her six O'clock.

"At least you dealt with our Bokublin problem, but I am afraid you'll have to apologize to the princess for keeping her waiting for so long."

"Yes ma'am" Link grumbled. Talking to the people he left was what he had looked forward to the least.

All around Link and Impa the forces of Ganon's army were fleeing. A few of the brave and foolish tried taking them on but they were quickly cut down. In the distance the new Hylian cannons bombarded the retreating army. The main camp was the only camp spared the bombardment, in light of Link's attack there.

As the sun dawned the battle was over. The few Hylian casualties were collected, Castletown celebrated, and Link was once again drawn into Hyrule's high society. This time, there would be no escape.

…..

Author's Notes:

First, I would like to apologize for the late release. I started a new project so releases on this will probably be biweekly from now on.

This chapter is a bit short. I wanted it to be longer but it ended at the natural point and I didn't want to puff it up with extra content. I believe the next chapter will be somewhat longer as there is a lot of stuff to get through.

I read through it the best I could before I posted. I hope I got all the mistakes this time. Last time my editing was kind of rushed so a few mistakes go through.

I hope you're enjoying Tale of An Unfortunate Swordsman. Please keep reviewing; It really energizes me to write.

Thanks,

Gedaemon