Chapter 2

The Beginning of the End

While King Ardus and the rest of the royal family were having their meeting King Baris was having a meeting of his own. He said to his chief royal knight Sir Maralus, "Sir Maralus it looks like that goodie-two-shoes brother of mine is going to try and take back the throne."

"Well, if he does we'll be ready."

"Good. Now call all the citizens to the castle. I would like to make a proclamation."

"Yes, Sire." Maralus set off to tell all the citizens to meet at the castle.

Maralus eventually made his way into Kakariko Village. When Link saw him he said, "What do you want Maralus?"

"The King wants to make his first proclamation, and he wants everyone to come. Even King Ardus."

"All right, but if we don't like what he has to say then trouble may start." Link said as he was heading out of the village followed closely by everyone else.

Once all of Hyrule's citizens were at the castle King Baris began his proclamation. He said, "Citizens of Hyrule I would like to issue forth this proclamation outlining my vision for Hyrule. First off the Gerudos will be given a more prevalent presence in the overall aspects of Hyrulean politics." (As he said this the crowd murmured while the Gerudos among the rest of the citizens cheered.) King Baris went on, "I would also like to state that King Zora will be given absolute control over the Zoras. They will not have to follow the laws that the rest of Hyrule has to follow. I've also granted Darunia the same privileges as King Zora. As for the rest of the original founding races of Hyrule they will have no say in political matters. Thank you."

After the proclamation King Ardus and the others returned to Kakariko Village. When they entered the village they saw that all of the Hylians, Kokiris, and Sheikahs were there so that they could conduct a meeting to discuss the proclamation, and what the next course of action should be.

Mido looked at King Ardus and said, "We will not stand for this your Majesty! I say we fight!"

Impa (the leader of the Sheikahs) added, "Yes, I agree with Mido. Ardus since you're the leader of the Hylians it's up to you to decide what we do. So, what do you think?"

"Well, everyone in the Royal Family thinks we should fight. Sir Randof and the other guards think we should fight. My daughter thinks we should fight. So I guess it's up to the protector of the Triforce to tell us what he thinks we should do. So, Link my boy what are your thoughts? Should we fight?"

"Yes."

"It's unanimous then. We will fight. Zelda did you have the presence-of-mind to bring the Triforce with you when we fled from the castle?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good. Give it to Link he can protect it." Zelda did as she was told and gave Link the Triforce. He took it and put it inside the well so he could hide it.

"There. The Triforce should be safe in the village well." They all then went home to see if things would get worse.

It has now been a week since Link attended the meeting in Kakariko Village, and he was beginning to think that things were calming down when he got the message to once again return to the castle because King Baris had another royal decree to make.

When he arrived at the castle Link saw that everyone had once again turned out to see what King Baris had to say. Several minutes later King Baris emerged from the castle. He made his way to the platform that he stands on and once he was ready he said, "My fellow citizens I have come to a great realization. The Hylians, Sheikahs, and Kokiris now must pay more in the way of taxes since they've chosen to oppose me."

Mido yelled, "How much more?"

"Fifty percent more."

"That's outrageous!"

"Well, Mido if you don't like it you can be executed! This goes for all of you. Whoever doesn't pay their taxes will be immediately brought to the castle and executed."

"What about the other citizens? The ones of other races?" Mido asked angrily.

"I haven't decided yet. Well, have a good day." With that the decree was over. Everyone returned home, and Link instantly knew that this was the beginning of the end. He knew that Hyrule would soon split.