Link's eyes flew open, his concentration utterly shattered by Minerva's words. His body nearly fell over, his hands leaving his lap to quickly steady himself. Minerva was standing directly in front of him, looking down upon him with that calm, serene look of hers as if she had anticipated just this sort of reaction.
"What?!" Link shouted incredulously. "You can't be serious!"
"Oh, I assure you that I am quite serious," Minerva replied stoically despite Link's struggle to stand up from his shock being quite amusing. "Love is the most powerful of all emotions, both good and bad. It grants its wielder with limitless power and potential as well as making the impossible possible, but it is also the one that blinds us the most and the easiest. Because of this it has cost the lives of many, many innocent lives over the years, and it is only a matter of time before it results in the destruction of Hyrule itself."
"I don't care what you say," Link interrupted defiantly now that he was on his feet and staring hard into Minerva's eyes. "I love Zelda with all my heart, and I will never give her up. Zelda is everything to me."
"So you would allow Hyrule to fall and everyone to die just to be with her?" Minerva stated boldly and with a bit of reproachfulness.
"What?" Link asked confused.
"Your love for Zelda blinds you. You would risk life and limb to keep her safe, to make sure no harm ever comes to her, but in your zeal you would forsake all else. All thoughts would revolve around her, all actions. How far would you go, how much would you abandon just in her name alone?"
"What are you trying to say? Stop talking in riddles."
Minerva's stare grew a little harder, but if Link's words had angered her in any way she showed no other sign. "You are the Hero of Time, chosen by the Goddess Farore to carry the Triforce of Courage, wielder of the Legendary Master Sword. You are Hyrule's hero and savior, and as such you have a greater responsibility than any other person. The safety and survival of Hyrule must take precedence over anything else, including Princess Zelda."
"And why can't I protect Hyrule and still love Zelda at the same time? Why can't I protect them both?"
"Because what happens when you are forced to make a choice between the two? What happens if both Zelda and Hyrule are in danger at the same time, and you have time to only choose one? Which one would you forsake for the other?"
"I . . ." Link stuttered before falling into silence and lowering his head in thought. He had never considered that possibility before, and he honestly didn't know which he would choose.
"You hesitate and they are both lost," Minerva quickly said as soon as Link fell silent and looked down. "In such a situation you won't have time to stand there and think, and more often than not there won't be time to save them both. Your love for Zelda will make you choose her, or at the very least give you pause enough that both end up being lost. But it is Hyrule you must choose. You need to understand, saving Zelda would do neither of you good should Hyrule fall. With Hyrule gone and everyone dead, what purpose would you two surviving serve. On the other hand, by saving Hyrule you would condemn Zelda to death. There is no worse pain in this world than that of losing a loved one. That is why if you forsake your love for her now, you can save yourself that pain, save yourself from having to make that decision."
"But . . . but what if I can't do it?" Link said discouragingly as he looked back up at Minerva with grave eyes. "What if I'm not strong enough?"
"True strength is something that cannot be measured. We never know what we are truly capable of till we are in that situation ourselves. A time may come when such a scenario presents itself before you, but just as likely you may never find yourself in such a position. One never knows what the future may or may not hold, but a prepared mind will weather you through any storm."
"Then how will I know if I'm ready?"
"You won't, not unless the situation presents itself before you. If such a time comes, you must be ready to do what is right. Draw upon what you have learned here; draw upon all your other emotions. The decision rests solely within your own heart, and it it there where your decision must be made. No one else can decide for you; no one else can help you. If you truly must have love in your life, then you must also be ready to sacrifice that love should the need arise. If you feel, however, that you cannot, then you must forsake that love now, before a greater catastrophe arises. That is the best advice I can give."
Link closed his eyes and stood there silently deep in thought. Minerva could both see and sense the inner turmoil bubbling within him. She stared at him with sympathetic eyes, knowing the pain that Link was going through. This was the hardest of all emotions, but also the most important; the one that separated success and failure, survival and death.
"I cannot give up Zelda," Link said solemnly as he opened his eyes and stared at Minerva sorrowfully. "She is everything to me. I cannot promise that in such a situation I can do what must be done, but if such a situation arises, I will do my best to use what you have taught me and to make the right decision. But I will not forsake my love for Zelda on a scenario that may never happen in my lifetime."
"That is the best that one can hope for. What we say we'll do and what we actually do are many times, two completely separate things. But as long as you are willing to consider, to do your best to make the right decision, then is no more that can be asked. You have chosen not to give up on love. That is neither the correct nor the incorrect answer, for there is no correct answer. You must follow your heart, and be true to it, and as long as you are the answers you seek will come."
Minerva looked at Link and saw that his face had brightened a little by her words, but she could still sense the inner turmoil. Her words had struck a cord, as she had hoped. It got him thinking, which she had wanted to do. After all, it was true that such a scenario, such a decision, may never be presented to Link, but if it was he needed to be prepared, and he needed to understand that such a decision would have dire consequences either way. Minerva then turned toward her fountain, and as she did so Link followed her gaze.
"I have taught you all that you need," Minerva stated while still staring at the fountain. "You have the physical prowess, you have the skills, and now you have the information you need to keep your own heart in balance, to keep the darkness at bay, and to control your emotions rather then letting them control you. Go now, Link, and place your hand upon the Master Sword. If the Goddesses find you worthy once again to wield the Sword of Evil's Bane, the blade shall return to it's former glory."
Breathing out a sigh, Link began walking, hesitantly at first, toward the fountain. His steps grew more and more confident as he got closer, his resolve and determination growing as well. He could do this, would do this. The Master Sword would be repaired, and he would return with it to Hyrule. There was no longer any doubt in his mind as he ascended the steps and made his way over to the basin.
Peering down into the crystal clear water, Link could clearly see the broken hilt and shards of the Master Sword lying exactly where he had placed them. Not a thing had changed. Letting out a few deep breaths, Link reached down and stuck his hand into the water. It wasn't cold, but neither was it exactly warm either. He couldn't describe exactly how the water felt, but at that point he was concentrating more on the sword. Taking the final plunge, Link finally grabbed a hold of the hilt.
A bright, blinding light immediately engulfed the fountain. Link was forced to close his eyes and turn his head away, but he neither moved his body nor released the hilt. As he held on, he could feel the sense of familiarity of the sword, could once again feel the true power of the sword, the same kind of power he felt all those years ago when he had first taken a hold of the Master Sword as a little kid.
The blinding light soon dimmed, and then faded completely. When Link opened his eyes and looked down, there was the Master Sword, complete, within his hand. The silvery blade with its finely sharpened edge glistened beautifully, its royal blue hilt and guard completely unmarred and perfect. The sword looked just as it did the first time Link had laid eyes upon it.
Link swung the sword several times to get the feel of the blade back in his hands, and satisfied that the Master Sword was just as he remembered, he reached down to pick up the Master Sword's scabbard and sheathed it. He then hung it on his back and proceeded to equip all his gear on himself. When he was finished he turned toward Minerva, who he noticed had approached him while he was busy and was standing only a few feet away.
"Thank you," he said.
Minerva smiled. "You did all the work; I just led the way. But you must not dawdle. One step of your journey is complete, but another begins. I shall aid you one last time and teleport you to the ravine where you were forced to abandon Epona."
Link looked at her confused. "But if you have the power to teleport me from this place, why not just send me all the way back to the castle?"
"That is because you will find a company of men awaiting you at the ravine. Many things have transpired while you were away. Before you go I must warn you. While your time here may have seemed short, in your world three days have actually passed. Time does not exist within this cave."
"Heh, if I wasn't so pressed for time I'd actually be a little interested in that little fact. Well, I'm all set, so whenever you're ready. I promise to use what you have taught me, and I promise that Lord Arcana will not succeed. It's been . . . interesting. Goodbye, Minerva"
"Goodbye, Hero of Time. May the Goddesses watch over you and keep you safe."
Minerva leaned in and gave Link a kiss on the cheek. Link was shocked by this sudden move, but had neither the time to speak nor fully react for as soon as Minerva's lips left his flesh, Link instantly vanished. Minerva then turned toward her fountain and stared at her own reflection in the water, at the solemn features staring back up at her. Her bright smile was no longer present, a frown gracing her face for the first time.
"May the Goddesses watch over us all," Minerva spoke at her own reflection, the ends of her hair lightly brushing the water causing small ripples as she spoke. "I am truly sorry Link. The news you are about to learn will not be easy, but it was not my place to tell you. Neither was it my place to tell you the truth about your friend. These things you must find out on your own. I only pray that you hurry. Lord Arcana's plan is almost complete, and if he succeeds all shall be lost. My prayers are with you, Link."
Minerva's soft, warm lips against his cheek sent a shiver of electrifying pleasure through Link's body that surprised him, but before he could respond his vision grew blurry and the familiar feeling of being stretched and pulled that accompanied a teleportation spell took over. It lasted all but a few seconds, and when Link's vision cleared he saw that he was once again within the confines of the Northern Mountains, their drab stone walls surrounding him. The large, bottomless ravine stood right before him, and judging by how dark the already sunless sky was thanks to Lord Arcana's eclipsing spell still being in place, the sun was probably beginning to set.
The sounds of horses and of clattering armor drew Link's attention and he turned around to see a company of five Hylian knights gathered around a small fire, their horses tied to a makeshift fence they had erected. Minerva had apparently not been kidding when she said there were people waiting for him, but whether this boded ill or good Link had to wonder. His sudden appearance out of thin air had startled the knights, causing them all to clamber to their feet, but luckily Link noticed a familiar golden helm among the company of knights.
"Link," Captain Huntley asked cautiously, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, "is that you?"
"Oh course it's me," Link responded slightly confused, his eyes noticing the position of Captain Huntley's, as well as the other four knights, hands. "Why wouldn't it be me? Minerva teleported me here to save time."
"Who's Minerva?"
"She's the Queen Fairy. It's a rather long story and now really isn't the time. What are you guys doing here anyway?"
"When Epona returned without you everyone started growing worried. When there was still no sign of you after three days, Malon sent us out after you."
"Wait, Malon? Why would she send you instead of Zelda?"
"Come on, we need to get you back to the castle right away?" Captain Huntley responded, completely ignoring Link's question and turning his head away as he spoke. "Many things have happened while you were away, and still Lord Arcana has not attacked. We're at a loss for what to do."
"Why didn't Zelda send you?" Link asked again, this time more forcefully and louder. The other knights now turned their heads away as well as Link's gaze fell upon each of them as well.
"The land itself is actually beginning to wither and die, as if there's a plague upon our land," Captain Huntley continued as if Link had not just interrupted. "Morale among the soldiers is almost nonexistent, what little hope they had left is quickly fading, and . . ."
"Captain!" Link shouted as he walked up to Captain Huntley, grabbed his face and forced him to look into his eyes. "Why . . . didn't . . . Zelda . . . send you? Answer me!"
Captain Huntley tried to turn his head away again, but Link held it firmly in place. Finally, closing his eyes he said, "Because she's been captured. Gerik disguised himself as you and lured her out into Hyrule Field. The two fought, but Gerik won, and before we could stop him he took her, most likely to Lord Arcana."
Captain Huntley watched almost in horror as Link's eyes grew extremely distant, his mouth hanging only slightly open. Link's hand fell limply away from Huntley's head as all strength and feeling seemed stolen away. He shuffled backwards a few steps, in an almost drunken stupor, and appeared several times as if he would fall over. Link didn't say a word as his head lowered slightly and turned to the side. Captain Huntley and the other knights just watched, a little fearfully, as Link then walked over to the side of the mountain in a kind of daze. He stopped only a foot away facing the mountain wall, his head still lowered so that his forehead was almost in contact with the wall.
"DAMN YOU!" Link shouted in a sudden rage as he slammed his fist hard into the side of the mountain, his voice echoing for miles around.
Link just stood there, his face full of fury, and his fist still pressed firmly up against the wall. Captain Huntley wouldn't have been surprised in the least if he had shattered every bone in his hand. He and the other knights didn't know what to do. There was no way to comfort somebody in this type of situation, and with the look of murder in his eyes they were afraid of him lashing out at them. But Captain Huntley noticed something different about Link. He wasn't lashing out. He had just that one outburst and now seemed to be controlling himself. Captain Huntley then noticed a little twinkle in Link's eye, as if he had just realized something, and then Link started to chuckle.
"That little she-devil knew," Link chuckled softly to himself, but the knights could hear him clearly and were starting to wonder about his sanity. "She knew Zelda had been taken and didn't even have the courtesy to tell me."
"Link?" Captain Huntley braved saying as he approached cautiously.
Link turned to face him as if just remembering that Captain Huntley and the others were standing there, and to Huntley's astonishment his features weren't filled with either rage or sorrow, but with a serious, almost grim, look. "Break camp and mount up," Link called to the knights. "It's time for us to return, and Lord Arcana's downfall to begin. Captain, I want you to tell me everything that's happened while I've been away."
With the sun fully set, and Lord Arcana's spell still firmly in place, Hyrule Castle's throne room was but a shadow of it's former brilliance. Even at such a late hour the room normally had an almost mystical aura about it, a bright friendly glow, but now the pitch black darkness crept its way down through the skylight and infiltrated every part of the room. Even the brightly glowing candelabras and other various sources of illumination could barely pierce the darkness to give more than a simple dim light. Where once the room provided a sense of sereness and happiness, it now held a sense of dread and foreboding.
A large round table had been moved into the center of the room. On it were various maps of Hyrule, detailing its regions and secrets. The table was also littered with dozens of candles to provide those gathered around it enough light to see the maps, and each other.
"I don't know what to do anymore," Malon said. "Link is still missing, and there's been no activity whatsoever from the Black Tower."
"Unfortunately, without knowing Lord Arcana's plans, it's impossible to formulate a cohesive strategy," replied Nabooru. "We don't even have an inkling as to what he's up to. You're doing a fine job of leading so far Malon. Don't berate yourself."
"But I'm just a farm girl. I don't know how to lead."
"You think any of us wanted the job?" replied Ruto. "Sure, we all knew that one day we would lead our respective peoples, but it's still something that we were thrown into."
"You all had training in how to lead though. The only decision I've made was to send Captain Huntley out after Link, and we still have no word from them. For all we know they're lost now as well. I can't even keep hope alive among the troops."
"If Link were here he wouldn't be doing anything differently," said Darunia. "He'll be fine, you'll see, and he'll be proud of how you've handled yourself so far."
"We haven't even made an attempt to rescue Zelda. We just let Gerik capture her and keep her without any retaliation."
"And that is the way it should be," piped in Rauru. "If Zelda is even still alive, she is being kept deep within the Black Tower. Only an all-out assault against the tower would have any chance of attempting a rescue, and without Link at its head with the Master Sword fully repaired it would be doomed to failure, or at the very least deplete our manpower so much that a second attack would end in a massacre. Until Link returns we can do nothing but remain on the defensive."
The throne room doors were thrown open at that moment, echoing throughout the room as the doors slammed into the walls. A figure walked into the room, but his footfalls were soft unlike the armored footsteps of the knights walking in behind him. The figure approached the table where they were all gathered, and they all looked on in shock as they recognized the green clothing he wore.
"Link?" shouted Malon in joy.
"Yes, it's me," he replied before anyone could speak, "and before anyone says anything I already know all about Zelda and everything else that has happened in my absence."
"I'm sorry brother," Darunia said.
"It's alright Darunia, for we're going to get her back and take down Lord Arcana once and for all. At daybreak we launch an attack against the Black Tower."
"Link, we know that you must be upset, but now is not the time for rash decisions," Rauru said. "We must think clearly. We all hope that Zelda is still alive as well, but . . ."
"I don't hope, I know. The fact that Gerik captured her rather than finishing her off right then and there is proof enough. Besides, they lured out Zelda by pretending that I was in danger, so now they hope to lure me out by putting her in danger, and the only way that will work is if I still believe she's alive. So Zelda will not be harmed until they have me."
"But what if it's a trap to lure us all away from the castle to attack the tower?" asked Malon. "Lord Arcana could simply have his army march in unopposed. We still have no idea what he's planning."
"That's why we're going to leave a large detachment of soldiers behind just in case. Come on everyone, don't you think this is all a bit odd. A year ago Lord Arcana launched a massive invasion of the kingdom, but this time he's holding up within that tower of his. He's planning something, and whatever it is he doesn't need to be on the offensive to execute it. The more time we waste here, the closer he gets to success."
"Your theory has merit," said Nabooru, "but what if this is all just a trick to make us believe that and walk straight into a trap."
"To tell you the truth, I don't really know. But Lord Arcana is more cunning and manipulative than any other enemy we've ever faced. He's probably hoping that we'll believe it's a trap to keep us here while he completes whatever it is he's up to. Now do we do this or not?"
Everyone gathered nodded their heads in agreement. It was time to take the fight to Lord Arcana, to make him pay for all his crimes, and everyone was raring to get a piece of him.
"Good," Link said happily before turning to Captain Huntley. "Captain, go inform the soldiers in Hyrule Market to get a good night's rest, for in the morning we strike."
"Right away sir," he responded before walking off.
"Alright, Ruto, is that portal between your domain and the Lost Woods still active?"
"We deactivated it when Lord Arcana showed up, but we can easily reactivate it again if need be."
"Good. Alright, here's the plan. Darunia, Nabooru, and I will lead the main army in a direct assault against the Black Tower. Ruto, you will meanwhile lead your troops through that portal and attack from behind. Hopefully, we'll be able to catch them in a trap. Be careful through Ruto. Lord Arcana most likely knows about the portal and he may suspect a trap, so be wary for traps yourself."
"Got it."
"What's the plan once the actual attack begins?" asked Darunia.
"The army will stay behind and take care of whatever resistance we happen to run into." Link responded. "All of us meanwhile, will infiltrate the tower itself. Once inside we'll separate. You guys will find out where Saria, the surviving Kokiri, and Zelda are being kept and rescue them. I meanwhile, will find Lord Arcana and take him down once and for all."
"What about Gerik though?" asked Malon.
"If he shows his face I'll . . ."
"Gerik is mine," came the voice of Navi from the corner where she had been hiding. "He has much to answer for, and I'll be the one to make him do it."
"Excuse me," said Rauru, "I don't mean to sound negative, but once you meet up with Lord Arcana, how do you expect to beat him?"
"With this of course," Link said with a wide grin as he unsheathed the Master Sword and slammed it into the table.