A/N: Thanks to ZeldaRubix, RoseWing-chan and (NEW REVIEWER!) mizsxy91 for their reviews!

Thanks ZR! I actually think it's quite appropriate to listen to Sheik's Theme when you read these (after all, it is focused largely on Sheik and how she came to be). In fact, I think it's awesome! I should really listen to music when I read fanfics. Oh yeah, and I definitely agree with you on Sheik getting her own game. After all, she's like a ninja, right? Imagine the possibilities!

Sorry for the reeeeally late upload guys - I've been both busy AND distracted (not a good combination lol). I got Kid Icarus: Uprising on Tuesday and have just been playing the hell out of it. It's amazing, though; I really recommend it! :D

Forgive me if there are any typos or grammar mistakes. I kinda had to rush this one :P

Again, big thanks to TheZeldaDungeon on YouTube for their video walkthroughs, and also thanks to Angelfire for the Shiek quotes! I have to refer back to these a lot :D

So, Zelda has finally taught the last song to Link, thus ending her quest. What does Rauru have in store for her?

Read on!

Chapter 32 - Quest

As was the case, Zelda awoke on a pedestal in the middle of a raised platform, with waterfalls splaying off from all directions. She stood up and rubbed her eyes until a vague view of three silhouettes began to form. Slowly, the light started to form around Rauru, who had a serious look on his face. No-one spoke for a while.

'The time has finally come, Zelda,' Rauru's voice cut the tough silence.

'Your quest has finally come to an end. You have taught Link the final song and all that is left for us to do is wait until he awakens the last Sage.'

Zelda was dumbfounded.

This is it? It's really over? She thought to herself. It felt like months and months had passed since she had got that first assignment - to teach Link the Minuet of Forest - but in reality it had only been roughly two months. It felt like it had been much longer, but that was probably because Zelda hadn't had a proper rest for the time that she had been on her quest. Of course, the fights that she had had - the stalchildren, wolfoses, Drazzil, the spirit of the Well - didn't help the time factor.

'It's really over, Rauru?' she had to ask. She was still shocked it had been so quick.

'Yes. This is it, Zelda. All that remains is for us to wait for Link to awaken the Sage of Spirit. After this, we will go to Ganondorf's castle and defeat him, bringing an end to his evil reign.'

Zelda was so glad to hear those words. The end of Ganondorf would bring with it a peaceful Hyrule, one not plagued with monsters, one where the people will live without fear. It would also allow her to finally see her family, whom she had not seen for seven long years.

'Thank the three Goddesses. And you, Rauru,' she said, bowing. 'What is there left for me to do?'

'Once Link has awakened the final Sage, he will be instructed to travel to the Temple of Time. It is there that you yourself will reveal your true identity and...'

The pause confused Zelda. What else was there to reveal?

'...And?' she said expectantly.

'I expected that you were unaware...' Rauru muttered to himself. He then turned to Zelda.

'There aren't just six Sages, Zelda. There are seven. The sixth Sage is being awakened right now, but... the leader the one to preside over them all, is...'

There was a long pause. Zelda ached to hear the answer. Who was the leader of the Sages?

'The leader of the Sages... is you, Zelda.'

Zelda drew back abruptly in slight shock.

I am the leader of the Sages? She thought to herself incredulously. That is too much of a burden to bear! How am I to do that myself?

Rauru ignored Zelda's dumbstruck face and continued.

'It has been your destiny all along, Zelda. As the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom, you were the one chosen by the Gods to take on this task. You are also the perfect leader, being the princess and soon-to-be queen of Hyrule. I regret to inform you that you should have been told a long time ago.'

Zelda was a little less shocked, and intently listened to what Rauru had left to say.

'This is your task, then. Travel to the Temple of Time and wait for Link. When he is there, tell him his next task - to fight and kill the King of Evil. Afterwards, tell him everything you can about the Triforce. He has to know this information himself if he is to be the bearer of it.'

'After all is said and done, reveal yourself as the last of the six Sages, the leader of them. Show your true form to him. When the time comes I shall assist you.'

Zelda nodded affirmatively.

'Understood, Rauru. I'll get to the Temple of Time as soon as possible.'

'This is it, Zelda. The fate of Hyrule, nay, the world rests in your hands.'

Zelda grimaced.

'Thanks,' she said sardonically.

Rauru eyed her before raising a hand. Soon, Zelda's vision started to blur. She lay down and eventually lost consciousness.

XxX

Zelda awoke quickly, at the entrance of Gerudo Valley.

'Huh?' she uttered, dazed. She could've sworn...

Ah! Rauru must have teleported her there in order to get past the desert. What a kind man! That, or he wanted to avoid more swearing...

Zelda smiled and shook her head. Ascertaining the direction she was supposed to go, she sped off. Luckily, it was daytime, so no stalchildren would come out and bother her. If she reached the Temple of Time before it got dark she was home free.

Three hours later, Zelda reached the drawbridge leading into Hyrule Market. Even though it was daytime, everything around this spot seemed... darker. As if a purple haze was drifting outward and clouding the sun's rays from hitting the ground. Looking up, she entered the lowered drawbridge. She hadn't been here for seven years, not once even during her time at Kakariko. She wondered what the Market would look like now. After all, there was no-one living there now.

She got to it and instantly her jaw dropped. The usually bustling town, filled with the playful shouts of children and businessmen alike, was coloured a deep shade of brown as the buildings were torn apart and dilapidated. Redeads, enemies that Zelda had heard to be deadly, were everywhere, walking painfully around in search for something to kill, or eat. Zelda made a point not to go near them as she approached the Temple of Time. Someone had once told her their scream can root you to the spot, leaving you helpless and the things slid over to you and began to attack.

Thankfully, none of the Redeads spotted her and she made it to the pathway which led to the Temple. The four Sheikah Stones stood to attention in front of a now mutilated flower display, like guards for the Temple. Too bad they couldn't stop Ganondorf before he got in and swiped the Triforce.

Zelda entered the Temple of Time. It was beautiful, like she had always remembered. Although it was strange that this was the only place that wasn't totally destroyed or swarming with monsters, she didn't ponder over it. Instead, she stood on the exquisite red woven mat and awaited Link's arrival.

A half hour of waiting later, Zelda heard a noise. It was so faint; no normal person would ever have been able to have heard it. But then again, Zelda was far from normal.

She quickly dodged out of the way as a bright yellow light entered the temple. It came to a rest on the pedestal in front of her and gradually began to clump together. A few seconds passed, and the form of Link stood on the pedestal, sword drawn and proud. He didn't seem to know Zelda was there, as he jumped when she began to speak.

'Link, the Hero of Time... You have overcome many hardships and awakened six Sages, and now you have a final challenge. A showdown with Ganondorf, the King of Evil...'

'Before that, I have things I want to tell only to you. Please listen. Another unknown legend of the Triforce passed down by the shadow folk, the Sheikahs...'

Zelda paused as an image began to form in her mind. There were clouds... lots of them. It was also raining. Suddenly, a green light pierced the dark gaseous forms of water.

'If you would seek the sacred triangle, listen well...

'The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart... the heart of one who enters it... If an evil heart... the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise.'

A beautiful treasure started to come into view. It was the Triforce, three triangles forming the shape of a larger triangle. It was so precious, so real. Zelda wished she could reach out and grab it.

'The Triforce... the sacred triangles... it is a paradise that weighs the three forces: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. If the heart of the one who holds the sacred triangles has all three forces in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all. But, if that one's heart is not in balance, the Triforce will separate into three parts: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. Only one part will remain for the one who touched the Triforce... the part representing the force that one most believes in. If that one seeks the True Force, that one must acquire the two lost parts. Those two parts will be held within others chosen by destiny, who will bear the Triforce mark on the backs of their hands.'

The image in Zelda's mind cleared. Link started to walk up to her, but stopped just short.

'Seven years ago, Ganondorf, the King of Evil, used the door you opened in the Temple of Time and entered the Sacred Realm. But when he laid his hands on the Triforce, the legend became true. The Triforce separated into three parts. Only the Triforce of Power remained in Ganondorf's hand. The strength of the Triforce of Power enabled him to become a mighty evil king, but his dark ambitions were not satisfied.'

Zelda's left hand, the one with the Triforce, began to throb slightly, though it was not painful. Zelda knew she had to reveal it soon...

'To gain complete mastery of the world, Ganondorf started looking for those chosen by destiny to hold the other Triforce parts. The one who holds the Triforce of Courage is... you, Link! And the other, who holds the Triforce of Wisdom... is the seventh Sage, who is destined to be the leader of them all...'

A great light enveloped Zelda as she brought up her hand. The Triforce of Wisdom glowed intensely and Link had to shield his eyes. When he looked back, not Sheik, but Zelda was standing before him. She was so different tan when he remembered. After all, she was, like him, seven years older.

'It is I, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda. I apologize for meeting you in disguise, but it was necessary to hide from the King of Evil. Please forgive me... On that day, seven years ago, Ganondorf attacked Hyrule Castle.

'I saw you as I was escaping from the castle with my attendant, Impa... I thought I should entrust the Ocarina to you... I thought that would be our best chance... As long as you had the Ocarina in your possession, I thought Ganondorf could never enter the Sacred Realm, but... something I could never expect happened...

'After you opened the Door of Time, the Master Sword sealed you away in the Sacred Realm... Your spirit remained in the Sacred Realm... and then the Triforce fell into Ganondorf's hands. He went on to invade the Sacred Realm... Ganondorf had become the Evil King, and the Sacred Realm became a world of evil.

'All this is an unfortunate coincidence. I passed myself off as a Sheikah and hoped that you would return. I waited for seven years... And... Now you are back. The dark age ruled by Ganondorf the Evil King will end. The six Sages will open the sealed door and lure Ganondorf back into the Sacred Realm. I will then seal the door to the Sacred Realm from this world. Thus, Ganondorf the Evil King will vanish from Hyrule.'

'Link... In order to do this I need your courage again. Please protect me while I do my part.'

Zelda paused as something started to form in her hand. Layer upon layer, until finally a small yellow crystal was made. Zelda knew what this was - the famed Light Arrow crystal, said to penetrate evil's defences with ease.

'And here is a weapon that can penetrate the Evil King's defences... The power given to the Chosen Ones...'

Zelda paused as if preparing herself for she was about to reveal.

'The sacred Arrow of Light!'

A soft circle of light formed around Zelda's feet as she raised her hands into the air. A ball of yellow light formed between them, floating above her head for a few seconds. Eventually, the ball became an arrow with the crystal from earlier covering the point. Link raised his hands too and the arrow fell toward him. He held upwards in a sign of triumph, waiting for a few seconds before putting it away and turning his focus back to Zelda.

Suddenly, a faint rumbling started to occur. Zelda made a puzzled face and looked at the ground around her. The rumbling intensified slightly and Zelda began to worry.

'That rumbling...' she said to herself, 'It can't be!'

Quick as a flash, a purple crystal fell around Zelda's feet. It started to close together around Zelda and she screamed.

'Link, help!' she screeched.

Link perked up and started forward, but it was too late. None of his sword swings even dented the crystal's surface.

'Let me out!' Zelda screamed as she hit the walls of her prison to no avail.

Ganondorf's booming voice sounded in her ears.

'Princess Zelda... You foolish traitor!

'I commend you for avoiding my pursuit for seven long years, but you let your guard down... I knew you would appear if I let this kid wander around!'

Suddenly, a tingle went through Zelda's hand. She looked down at it and her nerves screamed in pain. She was being electrocuted slowly, subtly, but her body was screeching for forgiveness. She banged on the crystal's surface a few more times before her arms ceased to function. She felt herself rising with the crystal, but only vaguely. Her mind was starting to give out, vision beginning to blur slightly.

'No...' she whispered weakly. The crystal rose further and further from the ground.

The last thing Zelda heard was Ganondorf's booming laughter and the whoosh of the crystal being whisked to his castle.