Welcome

There are two things you'll notice right off the bat...

The first thing is…I deleted the story...why? well – I wanted to merge and re-arrange some things...It's bugged for a long time - so since I've re-written almost half of this - I may as well fix it up completely.

The second thing: I've actually finished this monster and it really is better...

Know that this is not 'High Fantasy' by any stretch of my over active imagination and you should keep in mind, there is an odd little time loop that affects the characters in this story. If you become lost between the time streams, don't feel bad. I am time loop is actually explained over several chapters and I don't expect you to see that without reading them all.

If this causes confusion, the author chick apologizes in advance, as she knows this is unavoidable.

You will also find this is an unusually long piece of fan fiction, but who knew time travel could be so complicated. But now that I've started it, I'll just have to finish it. I hope you will too...

Please Note: this takes place about seven years after the end of The Wind Waker.

Serious Disclaimer - As I intend to only say this once: I own none of the fine characters of the Legend of Zelda series of Games, Manga, toys ect, ect, ect. All are property of the fine folks at Nintendo or possibly some other mysterious entity of which I am not aware. I am not even sure I own the rest of this or how it gets into my head to begin with. (It just leaks out when I am not looking.)

Nagori, Saimon and Senkyoku
by Achitka

Ere winter's solstice
relations lost
remembered pain
Gone
the promise
of one day to return
journey into time's murky fold
condemned to hell by one command
darkness pierced with light
sent by true love's hand
shining above all
needs reflected
a life
completed
as times sage
will free the memory
bound by departed hope
to protect the future
rescue expectation
pass the test
of loss,
grief,
and sacrifice
returning to life
a thought
lost
by magic
bindings are broken
bringing back to light
one wish forgotten
to surrender
joy,
the gull and
speed the ravens flight
whispered once to kindle hope
from childlike hands
it is granted
as spoken
anon.

Prologue: Link Who?

Zelda wound down the path as she followed the sounds of the gentle melody that drew her even farther into the garden. The music was soft and tentative, as if the player was unsure of the next note. It lilted through the trees and made her ever more curious as to its source and as quietly as it began, it stopped and so did she.

The cool night breeze blew gently past her and she wished she'd grabbed her robe, a shawl, or something. The white linen shift and thin slippers she wore gave little protection to it. She absently rubbed her arms to warm them and she looked around at where she ended up. Though she was sure she'd never been here in her life, she knew this place. Confused, she frowned and meandered further down the forest path.

"Hello?" a man's voice called out in disbelief behind her.

Startled she turned around to see who had spoken, but there was no one there, just the trees. Her nervousness heightened when from the other side she heard, "Is it really you?" the voice continued, "Are you there?"

"Well, guess I'll chalk that up to wishful thinking. And now I'm talking to myself and in my sleep." There was a very audible sigh and then more silence.

Her anger rose up but she squashed it. Puzzled now, Zelda realized she knew that voice and there was something else about it...him, but her memory of it was clouded. It fueled her irritation that she could not figure out why just the sound of it, made her feel intense anger. A familiar face popped into her head that she almost recognized. The answer was so tantalizingly close, she could see it, but she could not quite figure it out. Her frustration built and the garden that seemed so familiar to her before, began to close in around her.

A part of her wanted to run, but the path that led her here was gone. Zelda squelched her panic and forced herself to stay put even as she fought the urge to dash into the woods. The melody began again this time it jarred her senses and sounded as disjointed as her fragmented memories continued to struggled to tell her something important. Even stranger, she now was able to put a name to that voice, Link, again the music stopped.

More than a little unnerved the Princess stood there at the base of the hill staring at the trees. They looked like normal trees, oaks mostly and even a few heart berry bushes. Still some part of her shouted at her that those trees were not supposed to be there but this made no sense, of course there were trees in the forest...right? Something was still missing, but it was late and Zelda was tired . Her thoughts scattered and she decided she should think about it tomorrow. She'd even turned to head back when the music started up again but this time it sounded note perfect. It calmed her worry and just when she started to relax, a brilliant golden light surrounded her forcing her to close her eyes. The warmth that accompanied it was friendly and welcoming. There was a familiarity to it that again, tickled her memory. It faded just as fast and when Zelda opened her eyes she was amazed. The scenery all around her had altered dramatically.

The night had melted into day and the woody grove had given way to a small garden, complete with reflecting pond and near its edge sat a young man wearing a style of clothing she'd only seen on the statue in the great hall of the castle. Not quite the standard uniform, the tunic's green woolen cloth was well woven and covered tightly woven mail, that in turn covered an unlaced white linen shirt. The hat he wore was also made of the same wool and hung to a point almost to his shoulders. That too was strangely out of place. She noticed his stout leather boots looked quite dusty and he had the look of someone who'd traveled a great distance. He, she realized with a start, was the source of the music she'd been hearing. It resonated the sounds of quiet morning at sea. She could even smell the ocean and a part of her wanted to join him, he looked so carefree as he played...so peaceful. A sword and shield was propped nearby within easy reach and it was in this moment Zelda realized, this must be Link. That intense anger flared again and the Princess wondered again at the strength of it. Why would she be this angry with this person she was quite sure she'd never met. But even as she thought it she knew that wasn't right. She fought it down with an effort and watched him as he played. He was oblivious to everything around him, he continued to play the poignant, sweet song that had drawn her out of her bed. She realized she was no longer inclined to go anywhere, Zelda listened for a while and enjoyed the beauty and warmth of the morning sun when there came from somewhere nearby, an answering refrain. Zelda scanned the trees around them for the source, but could not find one. It sounded as if it were coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. As the new music wove itself into the other, the harmonies intertwined with strange descant, which almost perfectly echoed the anger she first felt when she heard his voice.

Even now, her irritation for this person made no sense to her. Zelda was beginning to feel very annoyed, so much so, that she hadn't even noticed that the young man had stopped playing. The only music that could be heard now, came from the angry sounds of the harmony. When Zelda turned to look toward him again, she was a little startled when she realized he was staring directly at her. His dark green eyes held all intensity of a warrior of long experience. This one knew how to use the weapon behind him. He still made no movement at all; as if he expected her to turn into something unnatural. It left her more than a little unnerved.

"What are you staring at?" Zelda asked irritated.

As soon as she spoke, the discordant harmony stopped so abruptly she again tensed up as she looked around nervously, half-expecting something to jump out at her. The young man looked around warily as well, as if he anticipated the same, but when he looked back; she was greeted by a look of complete surprise. He shook his head a little, looked at her and smiled. His face was very handsome and his pale blonde locks poked out of that cap in a most pleasing way. He was somehow so familiar that when he smiled there was something in that expression made her heart skip a beat. An almost remembered thing too. She noted he looked at her with a fondness that chased away what remained of the menace from his dark green eyes.

"It's good to see you too, Tetra," he said and lay back against the mossy bank of the pond.

Well, she thought, wherever you came from you certainly appear to be very relieved. He continued to smile, eyes closed, drinking up the warm glow of the sun and without warning began to fade away.

"Sir?" Zelda felt an unusual moment of dread. "Excuse me?" she just could not shake the feeling she should not be here. He wasn't just going to leave her here was he? "HEY!" she shouted, then in a calmer tone, "Umm... Link?" He solidified but did not move or even open his eyes as he replied, "Yeah?"

"Where am I?" she asked.

Link's eyes popped open as he turned his head toward her and gave her an odd look for a moment. He took a deep breath and a good look around and asked, "Where are we?" he mused. "Well that I don't actually know, but this place does seem familiar somehow. Like I've been here before...kinda weird really." He gave her that odd look again and propped himself up on an elbow, "and to be perfectly honest, I don't really care it's probably all just a dream." Lowering his eyes he mumbled to himself "maybe." After a moment he looked her up and down, cocked an eyebrow and added with a half quirked smile said, "Nice dress by the way."

She took a quick look at her clothes and started. Her nightgown was gone, replaced by a light blue skirt that bore none of the expected embroidery and white linen blouse. Well that's odd, she thought; still they were nothing unusual or even fancy. She was beginning to see why this Link person bothered her. As a Princess of the Royal family of Hyrule, Zelda was not accustomed to being chided about fashion by unkempt young men and said in sarcastic tone, "You're a fine one to talk about clothes. What's with that get up? Aren't you a little old to be playing Hero of Time? I hope you don't go around Castletown in those clothes, you'll frighten the children."

Link, it appeared, was also completely unaware of his own clothes. He gave the hat on his head a little tug, as came it off a tightly wrapped ponytail of sun bleached blonde hair fell out. His eyebrow shot up as he looked at the long green cap. A quirky half smile crept on to his face and he chuckled, "Well, what do you know about that?" he asked no one in particular and replaced the hat on his head. He abruptly sat up then and pulled out an old leather pack. Where he'd kept it until now was a mystery, for she was sure it wasn't there before. Without another word began to rummage through it.

"Do you always ignore people when they speak to you?"

He paused in his rummaging and after a moment he said, "Depends on who it is."

Zelda felt her scowl and even though she knew it was unprincess like she snapped, "So, it's just me you're ignoring. Some hero you'll turn out to be."

"Well Princess, here's a little secret; I've never played at being a hero. I just do what I have to, to stay alive. In fact," he said as he reached deeper inside. "I've rather been avoiding that lately." He scowled and continued his search and said, "Let's face it, Tetra, if any of this were real, which by the way it's not. I wouldn't have that sword," he said with a gesture behind him. She looked at the sword and her eyes widened as she suddenly recognized the legendary blade of evil's bane. That was the Master Sword, only the Legendary Hero could pull that from the Pedestal of Time.

Zelda looked back at him and realized he really did bear a remarkable resemblance to that statue of the Hero she recalled earlier. The young man did not seem to notice her intense gaze and continued his search. All she knew was he shouldn't have that.

As he continued to sift, the memory of another time crept in. It showed her this man, when he was still a boy as he fought another man twice his size. She snapped back out of her thoughts when he said:

"The last time either of us saw that, it was happily stuck-"

"...in Ganondorf's head at the bottom of the ocean..." she finished for him. "Ocean?" Zelda blinked when she realized what she'd said.

The young man nodded and said, "Uh, yeah..." he paused and gave her another odd look. He shrugged and pulled at the green material of the tunic and said, "As for this? Well, I haven't a clue, but I know I haven't had clothes like these since I was twelve. Good fit though." He upended his pack on the grass and started to sift through an odd assortment of items.

"Seriously, what are you looking for?" she hated being ignored.

"A box," he replied without looking up.

"Well, could you hurry it up?" He was really getting on her nerves. "I'm in a hurry and while you're at it, tell me why do you keep calling me Tetra. My name is Zelda."

"In a hurry now, to get where? Did you hit your head or something? You know your name isn't Zelda," he paused and added , "Well, not in the real world anyway..." He shook his head and continued to sift through his pile. After a moment he frowned. "Crap," he said and absently poked at an errant item that rolled away from him. "Anyway, why am I arguing with you? You're the dread pirate remember? Exactly who you've chosen to be, and your name is Tetra."

That did it, now she really was mad. "Look, you arrogant...stupid...flaming little fairy boy! I know my own-" She covered her mouth, stunned at her language.

"Flaming?" he barked out a laugh. "There's a new one…nice Princess, but-" he stopped when he looked at her and noticed her look of utter confusion.

"My name is...It's...not Zelda?"

He raised an eyebrow and gave his head a slow shake.

"You're sure?"

Slow nod.

"I could have sworn..."

He ceased his search . "You really aren't sure, are you."

The Princess blinked and stared back at him.

"Well that's not good. You know, maybe you should sit down for a minute and get your bearings."

The Princess closed her eyes and rubbed her temples in a effort to figure out what was going on. Thoughts began to spin wildly around in her head, how could she have forgotten her name? She glanced at him again and noticed a look of genuine worry as it crossed his face and even though she felt she was on the verge of throwing a rock, she was even further irritated that she felt comforted by his presence.

Her irritation won out and she yelled at him."AUUGGHHH! Will you stop looking at me like that?" This time she did throw a rock, which he dodged easily. She fumed as she glared at him and struggled with a sudden urge to shoot him out of a cannon. As if reading her thoughts he shifted uneasily.

"Tetra, are you gonna be alright?"

His voiced question was so tentative, so furtive, so obviously worried that she stopped herself and stood there still glaring at him. She savagely squelched the voices in her head that yelled at her to be done with this fool. When he looked like he might get up she glared at him again. He sighed and sat back while she sat down on the spot and shot him a look that dared him to come any closer. After a moment, she shut her eyes in an effort to calm herself as her anger rose up again and made her heart beat faster.

What the hell was happening to her? Something inside her, deep inside, told her she was bound to this person, but the almost unnatural anger she felt was working to undo that and she felt fear settle into her stomach. Why would she need him of all people? She needed to figure this out, she was sure of that. So after a few deep breaths, she looked to see if he still watched but he seemed to have lost all interest in her. He quietly put his assortment of oddities back into his pack, all but the ocarina, which he set aside.

With the rest of his things neatly stowed away, he picked up the instrument. The song he played this time had an eerie, calm quality to it. She let the tranquil sounds wash over her and calm her anger feeling great relief as it ebbed away like the tide. She smiled when she realized the other music had returned as well. This time though, the harmony, so discordant before took on a more melodic quality.

Just when she was sure she was able to think again, images of him ran through her head. She could tell from the variations in age that they were all disjointed and out of order. Her anger returned and Tetra rubbed her head in frustration. "I can't... I just can't seem to remember anything. It's all fractured. I see your face in my mind, but it's all mixed up and angry. I don't understand...You seem to know me so well. Who are you?" she demanded. Tetra's voice echoed her anger though she hadn't meant to say it that way. It just came out all angry further heightening her irritation and her lingering fear.

Her tone made the expression on Link's face change to one of disappointment and Tetra wondered again. It was obvious this was not a topic he wished to discuss. When he did speak again, his voice sounded tired, as if this were a conversation they'd already had many times in the past. "Just who I've always been Tetra, your friend." He almost said something else, but instead he rubbed his face with his hands.

Why couldn't she remember him properly? "Just my friend?" she coaxed, but this time he only gave her the barest of smiles in reply. Tetra realized she was now even more confused than her fractured memories. Behind her anger, that something else, the something she needed was there, but when she tried to reach out to it, it slipped even further from her.

Her head hurt and noticed as she looked down, that she was in her own clothing again. No more dress, just a linen shirt, blue vest lightly brocaded with vines, blue trousers and sensible shoes. This whole mess was getting weirder by the minute. Tetra pulled her knees up under her chin. Resting her head there she said, "You said this was a dream, but if this is just a dream, why would just the sound of your voice make me so angry?"

"Well," he said, "it may be because we had an argument the last time I saw you." He tapped the ocarina before putting it away and added, "A very loud and very angry one. It seems like that's all we're good at anymore."

That she supposed would explain some things. "We really don't get along well do we."

He shook his head and for some reason that made her fear grow and added the feeling of sadness and left her an impression of loneliness. They said nothing for a time and Tetra watched him as he looked out over the water. Tetra felt her anger evaporate as she sensed the something she needed, was there again. It taunted her and left her with the impression that once he had been more than 'just a friend'. The why of it was missing and when he did finally look back at her he asked, "Where have you been? I've been looking for almost three weeks. I was actually on my way back when I got sidetracked."

Tetra felt suddenly very light headed and closed her eyes again with the hope it would help clear her head.

It didn't.