Chapter 11: Lessons Learned Well

Link awoke, or seemed to awake, in the ever present whiteness that he was accustomed to. Now that he recognized it as his own subconscious, he was more comfortable within it. His subconscious was easier to deal with than a strange foreign dimension. As he awoke the feelings of good and well-being swept over him, filling him with a familiar euphoria. But now, something was off about them. They seemed, disjointed, like someone had recently hit them with a baseball bat. Frowning, he sat up and instantly regretted it.

His whole body ached. He felt like a giant bruise like someone had given him a hell of a beating. Looking around he noticed something else off. The usual misty whiteness was diluted by a blackness. A slight tinge of dark like the first bits of mold creeping up bread. He was unnerved. This felt wrong, this shouldn't be happening.

He desperately tossed his memory backward, trying to recall what he had done before passing out. He had accompanied Cana to Makarov's home. He had found the sick woman and healed her, or at least attempted to. He had no idea if he was successful. And now, he was back in… his Mind Garden as he decided to call it. But now things were wrong. He had gone and screwed up again, just like he had on the island.

"You foolish, foolish boy," said a familiar voice in a hard tone behind him. Link whirled around to see the Shade standing there in his wolf form, his single red eye glaring at him with surprising anger. "What, in the name of all the Gods, were you THINKING?!" he thundered, cowing Link. The Shade stalked forward, his wolf-face demanding an answer.

Link swallowed and stared at the Shade, for the first time truly afraid of the being. Always before had the Shade been a source of comfort, a friend and companion. Now, now he was an imperial ruler. A dark and powerful messenger of the Gods, with heaven's fury in his lone eye. "I- I found a dying woman." He started lamely. "I thought… I thought I could help her. Like the Hero of Time healed people." He said nervously, feeling very much like a student caught cheating on a final exam.

The Shade barked an actual dog-like bark at him. "Raziel, the Hero of Time, healed people using his knowledge of potions and the human body. He only used the One Power when it was in conjunction with his potions or traditional healing methods." Snarled the Shade, now within kissing distance of Link's face.

Link backed down. "I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't know." He said. "I just… I just wanted to help." He implored.

The Shade sighed, the anger draining away. The golden wolf sat back on his haunches. "I know, I am sorry. I forget myself and that this is all so new to you. You have only been the Hero for a total of two days." Said the Shade. Link felt a little better, he could look the wolf in the eye now. "But for future reference, healing using the One Power is dangerous. For one thing you are attuned to the Courage aspect, which is a sword if anything else. It is not the proper tool for healing. Already you are ill suited for such things." The Shade paused and looked Link in the eye imploringly, a deadly seriousness in his eye. "But even for those attuned to Wisdom, the aspect used for healing, such things are still dangerous. To heal you must take the damage of the one person onto yourself in the form of Dark Energy, and use the One Power to cleanse it from yourself. You took a brain tumor the size of a lemon into you. You are very lucky to be alive."

Link received the information in silence, absorbing the words with dread. It made sense, in a twisted sort of way. To make someone better you took it away from them, but the hurt doesn't just vanish. You have to feel the hurt, and hope that your own power can overcome it. "And, I did it?" she's okay and I'm okay?" he asked, nervously hopeful.

The Shade sighed. "Yes, the woman will live, as will you. Your strong connection to the One Power saved your life, but do not attempt something like this again." He said crisply. "In fact, you should not have done this healing at all. It has put an incredible strain on your body. You acted rashly." The Shade chastised.

Link glared at the Shade, feeling a spot of anger coming into him through his guilt and fear. "So what, I should have just let her die? When I had the power to help her I should have just let her die?" he snapped, his eyebrows knitting together.

The Shade glared back at Link. "Link, I know you do not wish to hear this, but your life is more important that hers. You are the Hero, and the only one with the power to hold at bay the amassing forces of darkness. If you die we are left without hope. You must learn to discriminate in your valor. Be pragmatic. Do not throw your life away for the sake of one person." Said the Shade.

Link balled his hands into fists, glaring at the Shade. Now he was thoroughly furious at the Shade. "Well I hate to break it to you, but I can't do that. I'd rather die helping someone than live like a coward." He said sharply. He was surprised by the words, even more so by how true they were. He didn't have it in him to live selfishly.

The Shade growled, but Link was not cowed this time. "And that caring is exactly what Demise will use against you boy. He knows you. He has since the First War. He has fought with you countless times across history in one form or another. Do you not think that he has not bothered to learn his enemy? Demise is arrogant, not stupid. He will use your good nature and intentions against you at every turn, as will his minions."

Link swallowed, steeling his resolve. "A Hero protects people. That's my job now, and I'm not going to let you or Demise stop me." He said resolutely. How could he do anything else? How could he ignore the suffering of people when he had seen it so intimately? How could he allow for pain in the world when he had felt its stinging embrace? He didn't have that in him. He didn't have the capacity to be apathetic.

As though reading his mind the Shade continued. "I am not asking you to be apathetic Link, I am asking you to be pragmatic. I want you to acknowledge that you cannot save everyone in the world. Some are quite beyond salvation. You must think of the bigger picture. Without you the shield against evil with shatter, and we will be lost."

Link wanted to yell and scream at the Shade, to curse him for his coldness. But despite all of this, the Shade had a point. He hated to admit it, but he was right. He couldn't save everyone, he was needed to protect people.

He just couldn't bring himself to accept it.

The Shade sighed. "This matter is part of a larger discussion we must have, but think on what I have said Link. Remember that you are not immortal. Remember that you are needed to protect the world as a whole. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Said the Shade, almost sadly. Regret was rife in his voice, regret that pulled at Link's heart and cracked his anger. "But, at the moment, your friends are worried about you. Perhaps they can persuade you where I could not."

Link jolted awake, and was once more hit with the feeling of being nothing more than a giant bruise. He vaguely noticed that his clothes had been changed to a yellow t-shirt and beige shorts, and was slightly disturbed at the thought of someone else dressing him. He looked about, and found that he seemed to be in a… tree? Well, it certainly was like the room was inside a tree. Shelves were carved out of the wood, each one housing countless potions and books. The bed he was in was next to a large glass window overlooking a forest. The whole place had a comfortable and well lived-in quality.

Link glanced around and saw that he wasn't around. At a desk on the other side of the room was an old woman with pink hair done up into a bun. She was wearing a white blouse and red slacks accompanied by a red cloak with a large dragon-wing collar. She was hunched over a piece of paper, an unpleasant look on her face. Link tried to form words, but found his mouth far too dry to make words. It was actually painful.

Finally he managed to get out, "Hel… lo." He said in a croaking voice.

The old woman turned sharply, her beak-like nose making her look very much like a bird of prey zeroing in on its prey. "You're awake." She said sharply like Link had done something wrong. "About time too, I was getting sick of those rotten friends of yours coming at all hours of the day. I hate humans." She grumbled out.

Link was taken aback. He had been out long enough for him to be moved here from Makarov's house and his friends to check on him. "How… long?" he asked as the old woman took his pulse, he sharp nails digging into his skin.

"Three days." She said sharply. "And my name is Porlyrusica." She snapped at him. "Stupid boy." She grumbled to herself, letting Link's hand fall down.

Link couldn't even find the will to speak. He had been out for three days? He had put his friends through that type of Hell? He felt awful, and not just from the thirst or the aching feeling. Christ, they must be tearing their hair out. How could he do this to them, so soon after the island? But, he'd saved the woman hadn't he? Had it all been worth something?

"Drink this." Said Porlyrusica, forcing a pink liquid with a sulfur smell into his mouth. Link nearly gagged but he drank it down greedily, happy for some kind of liquid in his mouth. Once it was down the pink-haired woman placed a glass of water in his hands which he was equally grateful for. The clear and cool liquid was like the nectar of the gods.

With the water making it easier to talk, Link found his voice again. "The woman. Is she okay?" he asked.

"You mean Mariane?" she asked in her sharp voice. "Yes, she's alive and healthy. Congratulations, you nearly killing yourself was worth it. Whatever it was that you did." She said stiffly, again, like Link had committed some crime. The woman turned sharply away from him and left the room, leaving Link alone with his thoughts.

He had saved the woman, Mariane her name seemed to be, as the Shade had said he had. He felt a wave of relief sweep over him. It hadn't been for nothing. He had saved her truly. But thinking about the Shade made his anger rise in his throat. How could the Shade, who was supposed to be a part of him, say something like that? It went against everything Link believed! It was his duty to protect people, not save his own hide to fight some far off threat.

Groaning to himself, he sat up with an effort, his muscles sore from disuse. He still wasn't quite ready to think about the fact that he had been out cold for three days. He couldn't imagine what hell he had put his friends through, or what he had put his cousin through. Right now he needed to pull himself together and get his head on straight. But by the Gods above he was thirsty. He hoped Porlyrusica at least had some sort of faucet in this tree.

However, it seemed he wouldn't get the chance, as it was at that moment that his cleaned up and now properly dressed friends as well as his cousin chose that moment to barge in. They took one look at him, and tackled him in a mix of tears and shouts of joy.

"Link!" cried Erza, at the forefront of the throng of his fri- no, his family. "Link you're awake!" she cried out. Poor Link, she was now wearing a child sized metal breastplate and his head was clanged right against it. That, and she was hugging him so tightly he couldn't get a proper breath in. "You- you made us worry you wonderful jerk!" she cried.

"Erza- choking- not breathing." He gasped out, his face quickly turning blue. Erza, realizing that she might well send her friend back into a coma, pulled back, blushing fiercely in embarrassment. Link wheezed in and out a few times, getting his bearings back.

"Link, what happened man?" asked Simon after giving the blonde-boy a quick hug. Link idly noticed that Simon was bearing a new hammer, this one slightly fancier and more war-hammer like than the sledgehammer he had used on the Island.

"Yeah man, we were all worried." Said Sho, holding Milliana's hand worriedly. "Cana was in tears when she said you just collapsed out cold, we were worried it was something to do with that make-upped freak on the island." He said.

"It wasn't something I did was it? If it was I'm so sorry!" cried Cana, clutching her hands together nervously.

"No, no, it wasn't your fault Cana." He assured as best he could. "It was… complicated." He said. "But I am sorry for worrying you all." He said.

"I'll say." Said a happy and very familiar voice from the doorway. "Going into a coma the same time that I get out of one, what are ya trying to do Link, steal my thunder?" Smirked the newcomer. Link turned, and felt his heart swell with joy upon seeing the familiar face of Erik, newly clothed in a white shirt with purple shorts and a wide grin on his face. Behind him walked a girl, small and timid with lavender hair. Link recognized her as the girl who Makarov had turned from the snake Cubelios, though that was almost certainly not her true name unless Erik was incredibly lucky or part psychic. Neither of those options was likely.

"Erik! You're awake!" cried Link, rushing to embrace his friend. Erik laughed and returned the hug. "Great to see you up and around man, but the coma deal was my thing." He said with a grin, separating from the blonde.

"Sorry, I'll remember that next time." He said, instantly regretting the words the instant they came out of his mouth.

"There will not be a next time." Stated Erza firmly, planting her hand firmly on Link's shoulder. "I'm not sure what you did to do this to yourself, but it will not happen again." Said the red-haired girl with surprising firmness.

Link, silently wondering where this new assertiveness had come from, nodded. "Right… I'm sorry." He said. "I… I didn't mean it like that Erza." He said, shame in his stomach once more for worrying his friends like this.

"We know Link." Said Milliana. "Erza is just worried about you. We all were. Erik was too, even if he doesn't want to admit it." She said with a smile.

"LIES!" declared Erik, breaking the serious mood in the room. "The only emotion I felt was deep frustration that Link stole all my sympathy by going off into a coma right after I did. Totally selfish." He said with a barely concealed grin on his face.

"Sorry about that." Said Link, glad for the change in mood. "But maybe we should just avoid going into coma's altogether, no matter what we get for waking up." Said the blonde.

"Fair enough." Said Erik, giving a nod. "But given our new career choice, such a path seems to come with coma hazards. So, maybe we should take out an insurance policy." Said the red-haired boy half-joking, half-serious.

Link furrowed his brow. "Career choice? You… you're leaving?" asked Link, dread at the idea filling his heart. He wouldn't stop them if they wanted to, but he didn't like the idea. He didn't want to lose anyone else, his family was so very small now. He couldn't imagine what would happen if it were to split even further.

"Oh, that's right! You don't know yet." Said Simon with a grin. "No Link, we aren't going anywhere." He said proudly, pulling up his shirt. There, over his solar plexus, in chocolate brown, was the mark of the Fairy Tail Guild. As was it in silver on Sho's left palm, in green Milliana's right shoulder, in lavender on Erik's neck, and even the new girl (whose name turned out to be Kinana) had it in scarlet on her right bicep. Link looked at the marks, and then thought of his own emblazoned in gold on his forehead, and felt joyful tears in his eyes. The show of solidarity struck him to the core. His family was connected to each other now, united in a beautiful and unique way. They would not be divided again.

"Thank you." He said quietly. "All of you."

"Wait a minute." Said Simon, allowing his shirt to fall back into place. "Link, it's great to have you back and all, but what the hell happened?" he asked. That question brought everyone out of the emotional moment and to the matter at hand.

"Yeah cousin, I was wondering that too." Said Cana, nervously walking up to him. "I mean, one moment you were fine, then you went into Miss Mariane's room and passed out with her looking like she was healthy again." She said worriedly.

"I was wondering how that happened too." Said a new voice from the door. All turned to see the newcomer, and Link started to see that said newcomer bore a shocking resemblance to him. Like him, the new boy was blonde, but his hair was spiky and unruly while Link's was smooth and soft. The other boy was also slightly stockier than Link, and perhaps a year older, but his eyes were an exact match to Link's. The resemblance was almost terrifying, making Link wonder if perhaps his uncle had fathered another illegitimate child outside of Cana. Link certainly wouldn't put it past the man based on what he had seen.

The new boy rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Umm, high. I'm Laxus Dreyar. My mother, Mariane, she says you saved her somehow, and that's what made you sick. I was wondering… how you did it." He asked.

Link felt like he had been punched in the gut. He hadn't really given the thought of the woman, Mariane, having a family. He had briefly considered it given that she was in Makarov's house, but the thought had only briefly crossed his mind. Now it turned out she was a mother. This was a whole new ballgame.

"Well, uh, it's kind of a long story." He said truthfully. But he had resolved to tell it. He had already lied about Jellal to his friends, they deserved the truth about this. Laxus did too. They deserved the full disclosure about his destiny, the prophecy, his powers, everything. "But here it is, all of it."

Tenrou Island, the sacred ground of the Fairy Tail Guild. The resting place of Mavis Vermillion, the place where her ghost still roamed. An ancient place, a place of magic. Filled with great power it was, echoing with ancient strength of the Earth itself and the power of the Gods. It was here that Aaranthar, the legendary King of the Eagles had come out victorious over the Demon Lord Zant of the Twili. Beneath its surface lay ruin after ruin, many dating back to the Golden Age of Man when the Goddess Hylia still walked in mortal skin.

And it was in the canopy of the mighty tree in its center, the place where Heaven met Earth, where the White Council would meet.

After the victory of the Hero of Time over Ganondorf, the chiefest of Demise's servants, he and the Princess had founded the White Council. Eight seats at the table there were, each one occupied by one of the Light's champion's. Sentinels and defenders of the world, their eyes were always sharp for foes and dangers. Always were they ready and willing to defend their respective corners of the world from harm, and combat the forces of Demise.

The meeting chamber was in the canopy of the great tree in the center of Tenrou Island. At the very top of the tree four of its great branches twisted together, forming a flat and circular platform. The branches rose from the edge of the circle, one in each cardinal point of the compass, and acted as great columns. The ceiling was an illusion, a constant image of the night sky filled with thousands of stars, each one a burning miniature version of its true self in the night's sky. The perpetual twilight of the great chamber was only broken by the floating werelights about the room of which there were about twenty.

In the center of the room was the table, a smooth marble slab resting upon four marble supports with a symbol of the Triforce carved into the center. Eight simple marble chairs were the places of the eight Councilors of the White Council.

Eight figures, each one garbed in cloaks of black bound with a sash of woven gold waited in the back of the room, preforming the proper ceremony for the meeting of the White Council. They were of varying heights and broadness, but all stood as still as a statue. In the center of the table one of the werelights hovered, waiting. Each of the figures raised their hands and clapped once, in tandem, and the ceremony began.

The werelight shifted taking the form of a small man, about two feet tall, acting as the herald. "Announcing in turn, this called meeting of the White Council: Protectors of the Light, Guardians of Man, and Sentinels against Darkness." The little man kneeled and raised his hands to the starry ceiling above.

"Announcing, Saria: Sage of the Forests and Growing places." The shortest figure stepped forward, their cloak falling away into nothing. The Forest Sage was a small girl with green hair and clothes woven from leaves and bound with spider silk. The young Sage bowed to the Herald, and took her seat.

"Announcing, Darunia: the Sage of Fire and the Places beneath the Stone." Proclaimed the Herald. The largest figure lumbered forward, his cloak falling away. He was an armadillo like creature, with a human face and bulging muscles. His shell seemed to be made of stone itself and his eyes filled with scarlet flame. Darunia bowed to the Herald and took his seat.

"Announcing, Ruto: the Sage of Water and the Places beneath the Waves." Cried the Herald. The third figure stepped forward, her cloak falling away, revealing a strange cross of woman and fish. She was fair, in her own way, and walked like a man; but she was bald and covered in fish scales. She too bowed to the Herald and took her seat.

"Announcing, Impa: Sage of the Shadows and the Dark Places." Said the Herald once more, causing the next of the Council to step forward. This one was a powerfully built woman with short white hair and red eyes. She wore a garb of white, blue, and black with a red eye in painted over her breast. She bowed to the Herald and took her seat.

"Announcing, Nabooru: the Sage of Spirit and the Places of the Sand." At the Heralds words a new figure stepped forward, the cloak dissolving away from her. This Sage was a beautiful woman with caramel skin and alluring purple eyes. She wore a white, brown, and red garment over her breasts with pink leggings. Her red hair was akin to flame and tied in a ponytail. She bowed to the Herald and slid into her seat.

"Announcing, Gaeapora: the Sage of Time and its endless flow." Proclaimed the Herald. The next figure stepped forward, revealing himself to be an old man with a bald head and along white beard and mustache. He appeared old and frail, but his blue eyes burned with an inner power and strength that few could challenge. He bowed to the Herald and sat in his seat.

"Announcing, Kronos: the Keeper of Memory." Were the Herald's simple words. At these words the next to last figure stepped forward, revealing himself to be Kronos truly, the companion of Elendil and the ever ambiguous Keeper of Memory.

"Announcing, Elendil: the Master of the Templar Knights." Cried the Herald. The final figure stepped forward, and revealed himself to be Elendil. He wore his usual garb, having only changed his cloak to a more ornate version and polished his sword which hung naked at his hip.

With the entire Council seated, the Herald rose from his kneel and bowed to each of the Council in turn. "The Council is assembled. May the Gods bless your path." Stated the Herald. With those words, the Herald once more became a werelight and floated away to join its fellows.

Darunia grunted in discomfort. "Gods I hate that ceremony, takes too damn long." Muttered the Fire Sage. He then raised his eyes to look at the long haired Templar. "So then Elendil, you've called us all here. What's so damn important?" asked Darunia.

"And do be quick, I have important business to attend to beneath the waves." Said Ruto primly, lounging in her chair.

"Now, now Ruto." Chided Gaeapora in his most diplomatic voice. "I'm sure the Master wouldn't call us so quickly without just cause." Said the Sage of Time to which Ruto only 'hmmphed' and pouted. Gaeapora sighed and sat back in his seat. "Hundreds of years, and you still haven't changed Ruto my Dear," he said fondly.

"Go on Elendil." Said Saria with a sunny smile. "Tell us what has happened."

Elendil sighed and rose. "My esteemed Council, I fear I come with terrible news. My associate, Kronos, and I felt a disturbance in the fabric of the World in the form of a Seeing by Kronos." Said the Templar to the discomfort of the Council. They also feared the Seeing's of Kronos, they were rarely good things. Almost always heralds of disaster. "Indeed, and in response to this he and I ventured to the Broken Land of Pharasee. There we found ill omens. El'Harim, the Guardian, is gone. And worse, the Ghost King is… risen." He said.

There was silence in the room as the rest of the Council stared at Elendil in horror, save Kronos who contemplated a spot on the table. Gaeapora broke the silence, sputtering. "The- the Ghost King! Preposterous!" he proclaimed his voice rife with fear. "It is impossible. He is gone, banished from the world! Someone must have plundered his bones, that is all."

"His coffin was blasted open from the inside." Said Kronos without looking up from his contemplation. "He is risen Gaeapora, there is no way around it." Elendil silently thanked his friend for the support of his story

"But how!" cried Saria. "What human exists willing to raise such a beat from the abyss? And if it was a demon how could it have escaped our watch?" asked the Forest Sage, her mind running through possibilities. The possibilities of the Ghost King returning were horrifying. This was beyond a simple demonic incursion, it was a declaration of war.

"Could it have been El'Harim himself?" asked Nabooru aloud, voicing her thoughts. "One such as him could have escaped our watch and had the necessary power to raise the Ghost King." She said.

Darunia shook his head. "No, it was not El'Harim. I picked him myself. He would never pledge himself to Demise. I would know of it." Said the Goron Sage firmly.

"Corruption can reach anyone old one." Said Nabooru sharply. "It reached my husband all those years ago, turned him into one of Demise's greatest monsters." She said, wincing at the painful memory of her husband's betrayal. The Triforce of Power had corrupted him, making him into a demon. She mourned for him still.

Elendil slammed his hands on the table. "Everyone listen!" snapped the Templar, frustration rearing its head. "This isn't about finding out who did. That can come later. Right now we must act, prepare for what is coming. The Ghost King is a foul omen if any. Darkness grows, and we sit here in debate. We must prepare." He said fiercely.

Gaeapora nodded. "Aye, the Templar is right. We must prepare." The old Sage arose and addressed the Council. "The forces of Darkness are gathering, so we must do the same. Send for the call, all those who are loyal to the Light must prepare themselves and take up arms. Evil comes cloaked in a veil, but we must fight them all the same." He pointed at Elendil. "Elendil, you must step up your training of the Templars, twofold at least. In addition you must patrol more often. Prepare your men, they will be needed." Gaeapora lowered his hands and addressed the Council once more. "But above all else, we must find the Bearers."

Silence fell in the room once more as the statement took hold in the assembled. "You think they have some? So soon?" asked Impa in a serious tone.

Gaeapora nodded. "Aye, I believe so. They will be young, children now, but the Three Bearers are here. If evil rises so quickly then they have as well." Said the Sage.

"And once we find them, even if they are born into this time, what then?" asked Impa sharply.

"Send them to me." Said Elendil. The others looked at him skeptically, but Elendil did not let them interrupt him. "This is exactly what Raziel founded the Templars for, to train the Bearers once they entered the world. As we did the Hero of Twilight and the Hero of the Winds, my kin." Stated Elendil fiercely.

"We shall establish that when we find them." Said Impa coldly.

"But in the meantime we must find them." Said Darunia. "If there is nothing else then let us depart. There is much to do. If the Ghost King is truly rise then we must prepare our realms for his wrath, and the wrath of his allies." Said the Fire Sage grimly.

"I believe that we may skip the ending ceremony." Said Gaeapora. "Is there anything else?" he asked the group. When silence met his question he nodded. "Then the White Council is adjourned. Prepare my comrades! For War is coming, I feel it in my bones."

Next Time, on "Legend of the Fairies: the Chosen":

"The Path before you is a rugged one, but we can walk it together. No matter what, I'm not leaving you."

"He's gone! HE'S TAKEN MY BABY!"

"I am Fire. I am… Death."

AN: Finally! That took me forever to write! So, tension builds between the Shade and Link, his friends grow closer, and the Forces of Light mobilize! There will be more action next chapter I promise!

Sorry this one took so long, but my computer crapped out and I lost ALL OF MY WORK! I had to start from scratch. Hope this was worth it for you.

A bit of a warning, there will be about a two year time skip next chapter for the sake of advancing the plot, but what happened in those two years will be told and detailed.

Tell me what you think in a review! Love you all! PEACE!