Chapter One: The Beginning

The halls of Hyrule Castle rang with laughter and music. If you followed the sound, it would lead you to the huge, lavishly decorated dining hall. A long table stretched from one end of the room to the other. Huge trays of food were piled on the polished tabletop, and tall chalices stood at every persons place. The king, in a huge, throne like chair, sat at one end of the table, while on the other end his beautiful daughter, Princess Zelda, sat regally. Her long golden locks were held back by a gold crown. Her brilliant azure eyes seemed to pierce directly to the soul of anyone she looked at. Her pale pink dress was simple, yet stunning. Nobility lined the rest of the table, drinking and laughing. The atmosphere was the perfect amount of warm and comfortable. The feast was going excellently.

Zelda's father stood to make a toast and the room fell silent. So silent, you could have heard a mouse breathing. The King raised his glass, opened his mouth when… BOOM! The double doors that opened into the dining room flew open, revealing a tall, slim woman. Her clothes consisted of a strapless bra, exposing her sun-kissed shoulders and abdomen, and a shimmering emerald green skirt that ended at her knees in the front, but reached down to her ankles in the back. Her long black hair, which was streaked with green, was pulled back in a high ponytail, and a double-bladed sword was held in her hand. Her eyes, a stormy golden color, took in the contents of the dining hall, then lingered on Zelda's rigid form. The beautiful woman walked forward, her hips swaying gently, but not to much, then raised a tan arm and pointed a slender finger at the Princess.

"Take her." The command was cool and crisp, the Desert Queen's full, red lips forming the words delicately. A dozen or so Gerudo warriors swarmed out from behind her, heading for the Princess, who jumped to her feet in protest.

"No!" Zelda gasped as a couple Gerudos bound her wrists behind her back.

"Guards!" The King boomed, and a few dozen guards hurried into the dinging hall through other smaller doors.

"Stop right there," the calm voice ordered, the Desert Queen's face void of any emotion. She snapped her fingers, and one of the Gerudo warriors that was holding the Princess whipped out a short dagger and held it to Zelda's throat. Zelda struggled futilely, earning a warning look from the Desert Queen. The King held out his hand and his guards froze in place.

"What do you want, Gerudo?" He asked, his voice wary. The Desert Queen shrugged and sauntered over to the King, one delicate hand resting on her hip.

"Nothing but to cause you the same pain you did me," she hissed softly, then quickly, before anyone could stop her, she wrapped her long fingers around the King's throat and leaned in so that her face was inches from his.

"You took away the only person I cared about… And now I'm returning the favor." She released his neck, instead patting his cheek. Then she backed away, smiling sweetly.

"Now I suggest you let us leave, or your precious daughter dies," she said silkily.

"Don't think you're going to get away with this," the King warned. The Desert Queen just smiled and said, "You can track us down into the farthest corners of Hyrule, and you may get your daughter back, but I will never bow to you." And with that promise, the gorgeous Desert Queen swept out of the room, taking Hyrule's beloved Princess with her.

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The doors to the throne room were flung open and standing in the doorway were two guards flanking a young man. The young man was dressed in a green tunic with grey leggings and boots. His dirty-blonde hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, but most of it never made it in, instead framing his face, giving him a tousled appearance. His striking cerulean eyes met the King's weary ones. The king was seated, or should I say slumped, in his throne. Streaks of grey were in his beard, and worry lines marred his face. He stood and said, "Master Link. What a pleasure to see you." Link bowed stiffly and walked toward the King. He laid a gentle hand on the King's shoulder to ease him back onto his throne.

"Please, sit," Link said, as of the King needed his permission. The King raised a shaky hand and laid it over Link's, then said, "Link, you are as a son to me. You have to help me, please." Link opened his mouth to say something, but the King kept going.

"The infamous Desert Queen has kidnapped my daughter, who means more to me then life itself. Please, Link, find her." The King finished, then sigh wearily. Link eyes grew dark at the mention of the Pirate Queen. He nodded firmly, then bowed again.

"Of course, Your Majesty," he said, his voice void of any emotion. "I will find this Gerudo… And make her pay for what she's done."

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It was raining. In the desert. Zabrina, the Desert Queen, frowned glumly out of the window of her throne room in the Gerudo Fortress. She was dressed in the same clothing that she wore the previous night when she infiltrated Hyrule Castle and kidnapped the princess. Her black-and-green tresses were loose and billowing in the wind that was blowing through the window. Soft footfalls approached, and Zabrina turned to greet the newcomer. The girl was dressed in the usual way of the Gerudo, and two curved swords were mounted on her back. The girl bowed.

"Aria," Zabrina acknowledged, permitting Aria to straighten. "What brings you here?" Aria opened her mouth, hesitated, then began, "Aveil has challenged you… Again." Zabrina snarled, her beautiful face showing rare emotion.

"For what reasons?" The Desert Queen demanded.

"She… She thinks that kidnapping Princess Zelda was a bad idea. She thinks it will bring doom on our race." Aria stated, not daring to look in her Queen's eyes as she received this traitorous news. Zabrina paced in small circles for a few minutes before giving Aria a questioning look.

"Does Aveil think she would be a better ruler?" Zabrina asked softly, to which Aria nodded. Zabrina stopped pacing and laid her hand on the hilt of a curved blade that hung at her hip.

"Then tell her I accept."

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Back at the castle Link was preparing to search for the Desert Queen. He strapped a satchel containing food and other supplies across his chest, then fastened a dark brown cloak about his broad shoulders. He strapped his sword to his back, over the cloak.

Link exited the castle into a bustling Hyrule Castle Town. Ducking his head and avoiding people, he made it out of the town and out in Hyrule Field. There he paused, calculating the quickest way to get to the Gerudo's Fortress. He fished through the satchel at his hip, then pulled out an old ocarina. He placed it to his lips, playing the melodious tune of Epona's Song. Soon, hoofbeats approached, and Epona came cantering into view. Link smiled as he greeted his friend, then let out a laugh when Epona nudged his chest, almost making him fall over.

Link swung himself onto Epona, settled in the saddle, then gathered the reins. He gently turned Epona in the direction of Gerudo's Fortress, then nudged her into a flat-out gallop. Link was going to find the Desert Queen and make her pay for kidnapping the Princess any way he could.

A/N: Hi all! I hope you like the first chapter of my second Legend of Zelda book. I do not own Zelda, obviously, but I do own Zabrina the Desert Queen. This book is rated T for some sexual content, though not much, and some violence.

Please review! Reviews keep this story going!