**Authors Note** I'm really glad you guys are liking the story so far! I'm trying to keep a little to the canon. But otherwise let me know what you think! Please leave reviews it feeds the fire of inspiration!
Chapter Three
"It will hurt." Impa says to the Princess. "You are certain that you wish to procede?" The Princess nods, holding out her palm for the Sheikah.
"It will protect me.. and when the time comes I can protect my people and aid the Hero too.. I will do whatever I must." The young girl holds her head up high, her voice is strong, and Impa knows her words are true.
"Very well." Impa leads the Princess to the center of the stone platform where the Sheikah crest is engraved. With a steady hand Impa grabs hold of the bottle on the pedestal before the Princess. The Sheikah dips a thin brush into the bottle, and the Princess straightens her palm. Impa eyes the Princess once more, and the girl nods. The blood feels warm against the girl's hand as Impa paints the crying red eye, and she speaks the words:
"With this blood of a fallen warrior, I pray the Goddesses wake his restless spirit. Bring his spirit forth, and let his blood course through the veins of this child. Bring him life, and bring him justice. His purpose was never achieved, let him live and give what he is meant to give. For Sheikah tears are replaced with the blood of our fallen enemies."
The symbol seems to burn through the Princess's skin. She winces in pain, biting her lip and tries to handle the pain. She falls to her knees and screams. Her blood boils in her veins, and her skin crawls.
"Princess!" Impa shouts, suddenly aware of how painful this may be for the girl.. Impa had never seen the ritual performed, only been taught of it.. She was so blinded by having her son back that she became so careless with the Princess.
"I can handle this!" Zelda shouts. Mentally, the girl is more than prepared, but physically she gives in. The Princess of Hyrule colapses on the stone platform and falls into a six year slumber as the Sheikah boys soul latches onto hers.
The Princess wakes with a gasp in a dark room. She fights the blankets wrapped around her to free her arms. Impa places a hand on the girls shoulder as she sits up quickly, and offers her a glass bottle filled with fresh water. The Princess takes the bottle and gulps desperately, water running over her chapped lips and spilling down her chin. A few drops cascade down onto a thin, cotton sleep gown she wore now.
"I knew you would be thirsty." Impa says in a calming voice. "You have slept for six years. Today marks the day you would wake, and you're right on schedule. Hyrule has fallen into Ganondorfs clutches. I cannot hide from you that many suffer.. but there have been few casualties.." Impa smiles. It is nice to talk to someone after so many years of silence at the Princess's side. The Sheikah still holds true to her image, for her race does not age quickly.
The girl hands the bottle back to Impa, and collects her thoughts. "Link.. he-"
"He still sleeps in the Temple of Time. For another year he will reside there.." Impa explains.
Zelda pushes the covers aside, and looks over her form as she stands. She's a bit weak on her feet, and Impa offers to support her but she waves her guardian away. "Just give me a moment.." She says, looking down over her form. As of now she would be well into her sixteenth year, and her body has changed quite dramatically. the height difference throws her off a bit as she walks over to a mirror, and stares at the strange woman staring back at her. "The ritual.. did it-"
Impa steps up beside her and touches Zelda's hand. "There's only one way to find out.."
The Princess understands and glances at her palm. The place where the red symbol was painted in Sheik's blood is replaced by what looks like a scar in the same shape. She brushes her fingers softly over the mark, then takes a deep breath and closes her eyes willing the boy to take control.
There's a flash in the room, and where the tired Princess once stood, now stands a tall handsome Sheikah. His scars make him look older, but his boyish eyes show that he is only a lad. He looks down at his scared arms, and glances up to his mother, his Ruby eyes just as she remembered. "It worked."