Chapter Seventeen

The Quest Begins

Zelda stood in the shadows, and waited for what would happen next. Her heart skipping a beat as the bluish light filling the center of the room dissipated. A young man around her age stood where the kokiri boy, Link, should have been standing. He wore clothing similar to Link, and even looked like an older version of him. From where she stood she could see his eyes. Although seven years had passed she couldn't forget those eyes and knew immediately it was really him.

"Link! We're back! " exclaimed Navi as she came into view.

Link let out a sigh and looked around. "I know but now what are we supposed to do? "

Zelda knew it was her cue and stepped out of the shadows. As expected Link drew out the Master Sword and was ready to defend himself. A trained warrior would have known she had been there all along and wouldn't have reacted so surprised, but she silently forgave him. He still had a lot to learn and it would be up to her to teach him.

"You may sheath your sword for I am no foe. I am called Sheik. I have been waiting for you Hero Of Time. Although I am in appearance an ally of Ganondorf, I am really in truth a friend who wish to see his downfall. "

Link observed the lad and decided to sheath his sword, for the moment at least.

"How do I know you speak the truth? " asked warily Link.

"I supposed Rauru told you you needed to find six temples and their guardian sages. "

All traces of suspicion were now replaced with surprised.

"How did you know that? " asked Link as he drew closer.

"I told you, I'm a friend. I want Ganondorf stopped as much as you do. That is why I will help you. You need to go to Kakariko and claim a certain tool before you can reach the Forest Temple. I'll seek you out once you have what you need and have found the entrance to the temple. "

"How will I know what I need?…"

Link blinked. Sheik had disappeared.

"What an odd rude man, " simply commented Navi.

"I agree but at least we know what to do now."

Link walked towards the exit followed by his guardian fairy.

****

Millions of different possibilities had ran through her mind as she had come face to face at last with the long awaited legendary hero. In the end she had judged that it would be wise to continue the guise of Sheik, ally to Ganondorf but secretly working against him. It could come in handy for the Hero Of Time to have a friend on the other side, but telling him who she was could complicate things.

From up upon a branch hidden from view, Zelda watched Link leave the temple. Now she had to work on a real dilemma, how would she convince the Dark King that she had killed Malon and find a good enough excuse to why she hadn't brought back Epona.

She jumped down and headed towards Lon Lon Ranch.

****

Malon leaned against the horse paddock and closed her eyes to rest a moment. Working constantly from dawn till dusk was beginning to take its toll on her. Ingo had decided that the owner of a successful ranch shouldn't have to dirty his hands with farm work, and with her father and Zelda gone the whole workings of the ranch fell to her. It was exhausting but worth it for she knew that one day the ranch would be hers again when the Hero Of Time came to rescue her. It was too bad that he hadn't shown himself yet though, if he had then maybe her adoptive sister would still be alive. For dead she was, Malon hadn't seen her or heard from her since she had announced she was going to confront Ganondorf. She must have been killed on the spot without even having a chance to speak.

At least she still had Epona for now, thought Malon as she resumed pitching hay into the horses' stalls. She was about to take another bundle of hay when she noticed from the corner of her eye a flash of movement. She hadn't heard the barn door open and it was still closed.

Puzzled, Malon put the pitchfork aside and rubbed her eyes. "Great. Now I'm seeing things."

She turned around and was about to pick up the pitchfork again when she nearly yelled in surprise. There stood a young man in a strange blue and white costume before her. Wisps of blonde hair showed from under a turban like hat, and only a single red eye was visible. Never in her life had she seen someone like this man. If he was the legendary Hero Of Time she certainly had imagined him to be quite…different from this.

"Serves you right for working so hard," said a muffled playful voice that was somehow familiar.

"Who, who are you? How did you get in without making a sound?" And how come the horses hadn't reacted either, thought Malon.

"That's one of the things it takes to meet Ganondorf and live to tell about," said Zelda lowering her scarf and pushing her bangs away.

"Zelda! I mean Mina! No wonder the horses didn't react, they knew who you were...I thought you were dead, and tell me what are you wearing? And how did you turn your eyes red?"

"Don't speak so loud," warned Zelda. "I don't want Ingo to know I'm here."

"I don't think you should worry about him, he just stays indoors now a days unless its to greet a rich customer. He thinks you rebelled against the change of ownership and ran away…So did you really go see Ganondorf?"

Zelda nodded and took a deep breath. "Terrifying experience, I wouldn't recommend it…"

"No kidding," interrupted Malon.

"I got to Castle Town and seeing its state made me second guess my decision, not to mention I lost my courage seeing all those demons guarding the entrance to the castle. I ended up modifying my plan, found some cloth and made a disguise. I now go under the guise of a young sheikah male called Sheik…"

Malon slowly smiled. "Not another persona. You do know you'll end up with a personality disorder one of these days."

"I'm more concerned about screwing up. I ended up meeting Ganondorf like this. It was a terrifying experience but I think I managed to fool him into thinking that I supported him. He didn't look like he doubted about who I really am. I think he was more surprised or has doubts about me being a sheikah."

"I guess that means you're safe for now."

"Ya for now…I do have a major problem though. Ganondorf gave me the task of killing you and bringing Epona to him to prove my loyalty."

Malon paled. "That is a problem. What will you do?"

"I guess the only thing to do would be to bring a fake proof and say that Epona got away," said sheepishly Zelda. "I haven't thought about it yet. Maybe we should plan something together, since you're going to be the victim you'll have to hide from everyone after that."

"True," sadly replied Malon thinking it also meant abandoning the animals and the ranch. "Its almost evening why don't you come back early tomorrow and we'll think of something."

"Alright then. I'll meet you here a bit after the time you usually finish bringing the horses to the coral."

****

Author's note: Last update Feb 2008, I know sorry about the very long delay. Blame real life, a lot has happened since then. I'll be updating every now and then when I can.