Chapter 4: Princess of Destiny

Link's eyes widened, inside the castle walls was grand. It was like a mini main square. It was quiet as it was still early in the morning. A giant statue of the three goddess stood in the center of the fountain. From the fountain were the stairs that had red carpet that led up to two huge wooden doors. The two walked towards the pathway that led into a hallway. Once inside many of the servant workers walked around getting ready to start their morning duties.

"This hallway leads to the kitchen and other storage rooms. Most of the servants live in this quarter of the castle." Talon spoke up, breaking the silence between them. Navi flew down close to Link's ear.

"This area isn't where the princess would be I think, if what Talon is saying is true." She whispered. They followed him into one of the storage units that held ice that seemed as if it wasn't melting.

"So how would we find the princess?" Navi flew up to Talon. Talon tapped one of the crates in thought.

"Ya know I have never been anywhere else but in these halls. But if I had an idea maybe through those main doors we saw earlier. But man I don't know how ya'll will get through those doors." Talon frowned.

"We'll figure it out. Thanks for all the help, getting this far would have been impossible without your help." Navi smiled, making Talon beam more.

"Aye, before ya go. Why do you need to see the princess so badly?" Talon tilted his head letting the curiosity get the better of him. Navi took a moment weighing whether they should or shouldn't say anything. Sighing she thought it would be best to give him a very small, less detailed summarization of what their business was. Talon tapped the crate in thought again. Before snapping his finger.

"Aye! I know who can help. She's one of Zelda's personal maids. Her name is Aneth. She sometimes helps me and Malon put away deliveries. If you can find her, tell her this is the favor Talon requested. You can't miss her; she also has bright red hair like Malon." He smirked, Link nodded at the two of them thanking Talon again. Navi took the route of heading into the kitchen to look for a red headed woman.

"Heya I'll wait for ya here just don't get caught ok?" Talon spoke up before Link had left, Link turned to look over his shoulder and nodded at the man. Link figured the best places were to look into the rooms down the halls. Most rooms held boxes of other stuff like cleaning supplies or bedding supplies. Some were small rooms holding bunk beds. Link reunited with Navi and shook his head in defeat. Nothing. Navi sighed, maybe they missed their chance.

"Are you lost child?" A voice echoed behind Link. Link slightly jumped and turned to see a woman in a black outfit like the other servants. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled up into a messy bun. In her hands she had a broom. Navi quickly flew around and faced the woman. Her eyes widened at the fairy in wonder.

"We are looking for Aneth, have you seen her?" Navi whispered to the servant. The woman pointed towards the kitchen behind them and before she could ask any further questions the two darted towards the kitchen. Pushing past the doors they found her. She was washing some dishes behind one of the cooks that was preparing meats.

Link hastily walked carefully not to bump into anyone. Once he reached the woman he coughed and tugged on her dress. The woman turned and looked down at Link with an inquisitive look.

"Who are you?" She spoke, lowering a dish and wiping her hands on a rag next to her. Navi sat on Link's head and looked up at the woman.

"I'm Navi and this is Link. We need a favor, we need to speak with the princess, it's urgent." Navi began which made the maid sigh, shaking her head.

"No, I'm afraid I can't take you to her. I don't know your business with her." She had cut off Navi.

"Wait! We can tell you… Talon sent us to you!" Navi exclaimed, which made the woman raise a brow at them. She looked around and beckoned the two to follow her back out into the hallways.

"Talon sent you?" She questioned placing her hands on her hips.

"Yes! We have to bring the Kokiri's Emerald to her, The Great Deku Tree asked us to give it to her. He said she'd know what to do." Navi finished, Aneth's eyes had widened and her face grew pale. Which made Link shift uncomfortably.

"Zelda mentioned it to me once before… She said it was a nightmare." She muttered, turning to look around to see if anyone could overhear. She quickly motioned for them to follow her. She took them to one of the empty storage rooms.

"Wait here, and do not leave this room. I will talk to Zelda." She hissed ushering the two in. She gave a small smile before closing the door.

"Do you trust her?" Link asked after a few moments sitting in the dark. Navi shrugged, her glow was the only light illuminating the small room.

"We have to." She sighed, they waited for what seemed like hours until a knock was heard. The two tensed ready for anything. The light peaked in making Link squint his eyes. Aneth looked both ways before motioning the two to follow once more.

"I'm terribly sorry for the wait. Zelda had meetings to attend this morning but she is waiting for you at the garden." Aneth smiled softly, leading the way.

"Don't worry the guards were dismissed on the way to the garden, so it will only be you three." She finished. The silence loomed over the group once more.

"Thank you." Navi spoke up, breaking the silence, they walked turning to the left that led into a quieter hallway. Nobels walked past the group looking at Link in slight confusion. Link frowned, why was everyone giving him weird looks. Was something off about him? Aneth stopped and turned towards the two.

"Past these doors is the garden, please show Princess Zelda respect. Once you are done you can return to where Talon was at. He's waiting for you there." Aneth bowed slightly before leaving. Link looked up at Navi who was staring at the wooden door. "Is she just as nervous as I am?" Link pondered before taking a deep breath in. He reached for the door, but Navi flew in front of his hands.

"Wait! Before we go in we should think of what to say first. Aneth is right, this is the Royal Family. We can't just barge in there and treat the princess as someone like us." Navi exclaimed once more. She flew up and looked Link up and down. There wasn't any time to get Link into a more formal outfit, but she'd be damned if she'd let Link give a terrible impression towards Zelda.

"Link, you should kneel once you are before her, and only get up once she tells you that you can. Only speak when spoken to, and say your majesty." Navi sighed, that was all she knew about proper manners, she only hoped it was ok. Link gulped but nodded and hesitantly opened the door. The light shone in and Link took a second to take in the scenery. It was beyond beautiful, the two of them never seen any of the flowers or plants before. They lay in different patterns that decorated the area. Vines carefully grew along the wall giving an enchanted aura to the room. Link was careful to stay on the path and walked up towards the hill. At the very top stood the princess. She was peeking into the window unknown that they had entered the room. Link walked up and paused a few feet towards her. Hearing them she turned her head. Link immediately followed Navi's instructions and kneeled, making the princess turn around. Link bowed his head staring at the stone underneath his boot. He felt his heart race, this was it. Everything that he has done so far was to make it to this point in time. Yet he felt uneasy, unsure of everything.

"You can rise." The voice giggled, Link slowly lifted his head and stared at the princess. She was breathtaking, sure the other girls he met were certainly pretty. But the princess was different. Her face was soft and held a sort of authority in her. Her cerulean eyes glistened with wonder. A few golden strands fell out from her hat that held her hair. Golden ornaments decorated her hat but in the center was a three triangle symbol. Her dress was also decorated with golden jewelry that matched her hat. Her dress was designed with luscious pink fabrics and white undertones. Link blinked realizing the princess was waiting for him. Link quickly rose up and dusted himself off. His heart was racing even more. What was he supposed to say? Thankfully Navi came to his rescue by flying towards the princes gracefully as she could.

"Your majesty, we are forever grateful to be in your presence. The Great Deku Tree had asked us to seek you out and deliver the Kokiri's Emerald to you." Navi curtseyed in the air. The princess smiled softly at the two.

"Thank you. My name is Zelda, you don't have to worry about formalities here." She gave a slight nod and smiled at the two. Link took a sigh of relief, and took a few steps forwards to where Navi was at. Zelda's smile faltered for a moment.

"I did not want to believe in my dreams. But now that I see you here before me… I'm afraid of what will happen. Please tell me your names." Zelda sighed, motioning for Link to come beside her. Link followed looking at Zelda.

"My apologies princess, my name is Navi and this is Link." Navi flew down to land on Link's shoulder. Zelda merely nodded before turning her attention to the window.

"Such wonderful names. Navi, Link please come and take a look inside the window and tell me what you see." She ordered, Link looked from her and then into the window. Inside was another huge room with paintings hung on the ivory walls. The floors were decorated in a checked fashion and a red carpet laid in the center leading up to the throne. Two rows of guards that stood in silent still order. Link's eyes followed them up to the throne, an older man dressed in a more exquisite robes sat. He wore a crown that was decorated with different jewels much like the princess had. His eyes turned to the man that had just walked into the room. He was much different, tanned skin with black attire that was decorated with gold and red jewels. He kneeled much like Link however more gracefully. Bowing his head he turned his head slightly, their eyes meeting. Link quickly darted out of view. The man's eyes had burned in Link's head for a moment.

"Did he see you? The man with the evil eyes." Zelda questioned, Link only nodded. She giggled once, making Link turn his attention towards the princess.

"It's ok, he won't say anything. But that man isn't a good man… Something about him feels wrong." She spoke again, peering into the window. Link watched her, her eyes narrowed as she watched the man. She sighed before leaving the window and motioning Link to follow her.

"My father likes to see the good in everyone. So he won't heed my warnings." She started again while looking at the flowers. She reached out to lightly stroke one of the lilies.

"Um… What do you mean that he isn't good and who is he?" Link muttered quietly. Zelda lowered her hand and looked away.

"That man is named Ganondorf. He came to us to bring the Gerudo and us together. Of course my father agreed. We've been on bad terms with the Gerudo for ages. But I can tell that it's just a facade for what he truly wants…" She gritted her teeth and relaxed more. Link shifted a bit upon hearing this.

"I've been having dreams recently as well. At first I thought that it was only a nightmare. But the dreams I saw held you two." She frowned more before turning back to Link.

"But how can that be when I've never seen you two in my life up until now…" She waited a few moments as if waiting for an answer but after hearing nothing she sighed.

"What exactly was your nightmare about?" Link cocked his head at the princess. She turned to Link once more, sadness weighing in her eyes.

"The Triforce. In my dreams he came to claim the Triforce for his own bidding. With the Triforce he waged the land in fire and war. We can't let this happen." She turned towards the window off in the distance. Link's eyes had widened at Zelda.

"Wait! This is the same man that killed the Great Deku Tree then!" Link exclaimed, looking back towards the window. These were the same visions the Great Deku Tree had spoken about before his passing. He felt heat rise within him, now he knew what the killer of his mentor looked like. Zelda reached out and placed her hand softly on Link's shoulder making him turn his head to look at her.

"I'm sorry for your loss Link. That man has been plotting things for a while now. I have no doubt in my mind that he has committed other atrocities before arriving here. But I have a plan. You and I can stop him." She spoke, removing her hand and turning to walk towards the center of the garden. Link watched her as she turned to look at him. Her eyes glinted with determination.

"What would you like us to do Zelda?" Navi spoke up, flying up to the princess. She smiled softly at the fairy.

"We must enter the Sacred Realms before he does and protect the Triforce from him." Zelda looked at the two who gave her a confused look.

"You've heard of the Sacred Realms correct?" She asked, Link nodded at her which made her smile more. Both the Great Deku Tree and the mysterious owl had spoken of the Sacred Realms that held the legendary Triforce. The Triforce was the last remaining object that held proof of the three goddesses' existence.

"Good. So you have the Kokiri Emerald correct?" She asked, tilting her head slightly. Link nodded again and reached into his pouch to dig for the stone. He felt the cool stone between his fingers. Pulling it out it glistened in the light, Zelda's eyes widened as she looked at the emerald.

"It's beautiful… A stone filled with the life of the forest." She whispered her eyes returning to meet Links. He felt his heart skip a beat. He quickly put away the stone and looked back at Zelda.

"Thank you." Link muttered in response. Navi raised a brow at Link's behavior, but quickly turned her attention back to the princess.

"So how do we enter the Sacred Realms?" Navi inquired, Zelda nodded and turned back to look at the fairy and back to Link.

"We need to find the remaining Spiritual Stones. The Goron's Ruby and the Zora's Sapphire. Together we can reach the Sacred Realm with these stones. Of course it's not that simple, the doors of Time need to be opened as well. I can open those doors after those stones are collected." Zelda looked at the two of them with another smile waiting for the two to respond. Link looked at his companion who was lost in thought for a moment.

"Why does it have to be us, shouldn't we alert someone stronger? Link is just a kid after all." Navi asked, hearing that Zelda's smile disappeared. She looked up at the sky, the clouds peaked around hungrily inching towards the sun. She looked back down at Navi.

"That is the more reasonable approach isn't it?" Zelda sighed before continuing.

"I wish that was possible, but I'm afraid no one will listen to me. My father has out right ordered all of my servants to not entertain my "foolish" motives. However, even if I could send someone else. My dreams show you in them. A boy who came from the forest holding the Kokiri's Emerald. I don't want to risk ignoring a crucial detail that would risk Hyrule's safety." She clasped her hands together and took a step forward.

"Please, I know it is a lot to ask of you Link and Navi but I need your help." She pleaded more, Link nodded in response before turning to his fairy companion. Something inside Link compelled him to want to help her.

"Navi I'll do it, I want to avenge the Great Deku Tree." Link spoke up, Navi looked at him and sighed. "Link I wish you would think about it first…" Navi thought to herself before turning to Zelda. Zelda's eyes widened and she thanked them profusely.

"So where should we go first?" Navi asked, she watched as Zelda whistled a small tune. Suddenly a bright flash illuminated the area blinding both Link and Navi. Link raised his arm to shield himself for the light. After a few moments he lowered them and blinked a few times. Once he regained clarity he noticed a tall very muscular older woman standing next to Zelda. Her face was riddled with scars but more importantly was her eyes. Her eyes were a crimson color and even more interesting was the markings under her eyes. Her hair was pure white and was held in a low ponytail. The powerful aura this woman gave off made Link feel tense.

"This is Impa, she is of the Sheikah clan. She serves to protect me, but I'll have her assist you with acquiring knowledge of the Goron's Ruby." Zelda answered.

"From what I know the Goron's Ruby is well within the Goron Tribe however you won't be able to get there right now with the way you are equipped. The mountain they reside in is known to be challenging and demanding in physical strength." The woman spoke up, she crossed her arms and eyed Link down. Which made him shift uncomfortably.

"So what do we have to train Link or something?" Navi asked. Impa only nodded in response. Link looked towards his companion once more.

"Where will we be training?" Navi asked, she looked from both the princess and the Sheikah.

"He can't train here unfortunately, my father can't know about our meeting. If he finds out he'd put a stop to this immediately." Zelda frowned, giving a slight sigh. The two stood in silence before Link's eyes widened.

"Navi, you think Talon would let us train at the ranch?" Link smiled however Navi shook her head.

"Link it's rude to assume Talon would help us again, we are already in debt to him." Navi sighed, before returning her gaze towards Zelda. She seemed lost in thought for a moment staring off in the distance. She grinned playfully at the two.

"How about I ask them? A request from the princess should be enough. I'll also write a request for you to gain access to Death Mountain." She smiled once more. Link blinked at her for a moment.

"Did you say… Death Mountain?" Link had gulped, which made Zelda giggle.

"Yes, it's called Death Mountain for its dormant volcano and harsh conditions. You'll be fine after Impa has trained you." She gave a supportive nod at Link. Link only shifted again. "Man this seems like it won't be so easy…" Link had sighed internally. He nodded.

"Talon is waiting by the storage rooms if you want to ask him personally." Navi spoke up, Zelda nodded before turning to smile at Impa. She began walking towards the entrance of the garden.

"Well then we shouldn't keep him waiting for too long." She spoke softly, turning to look at us.

xXx

Note: yay another chapter! :3