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Prologue
Hyrule’s Hall of Records lay dormant. Black, covered in shadow, like most of the historical records it held. The door at the other end opened and a stranger clad in a brown, worn-out, old travellers cloak entered, a strange gleams in his old eyes.
The stranger lit the hall’s torches with his own, bringing an eerie, red glow to the long, shelved hall. He moved slowly and silently, as if hovering slightly above ground, over to the middle bookshelf, the one that held the Hylian legends and fables of old. He reached out with his scarred and battle-worn left hand and took an old, deteriorating book with a green cover and a depiction of an ancient Hylian rune, a mystic blade stuck in a small, neatly carved slab of stone.
He took the book and made his way to the large, red scribe’s chair at the end of the hall. Slowly, he put aside his old walking staff, almost as tall as him and just as battle-worn, that had been supporting his near-dead right leg, pulled up his cloak slightly and sat down, laying the book on his lap.
Pulling back the hood of his cloak, the stranger opened the book, his long, dirty-blonde hair gleaming in the torch-light as his long, dirty fingers caressed the pages while he rolled them over and began to read.

Chapter 1 - The Quest Beckons
Link was cold. He looked outside and saw the rain had not yet let up. It was pouring so hard that Link was sure the stables at Lon-Lon Ranch would get flooded soon if it didn’t let up. Then he thought of something.
Link got up from his hollowed-out log bed and walked over to his dresser and turned it around so the back was facing him. After a quick, glance out the door of his tree-house in the Kokiri Forest to make sure no-one was coming or watching, he opened the secret back drawer with the key he always kept in his Rupee wallet and looked at the drawers’ contents.
Brushing aside some Bombchus and arrows, he picked out his old, dark-red Goron Tunic. Picking off the dust and lint that practically covered the tunic, he thought, ‘Just as good as when little Link the Goron gave it to me.’
After Link got the tunic out, he shut and locked the secret drawer and turned the dresser back around so no-one could tell the secret drawer was there.
Link pulled the Goron Tunic over his own green Kokiri Tunic and it made him instantly warmer though it went down to his ankles and the sleeves reached just past his elbows.
“Why can’t they ever make a kid’s size of these things?” Link wondered aloud as he walked back to his bed, stopping abruptly when he realized that Navi wasn’t there.
Link held his breath and ceased moving and listened hard. He had heard something he didn’t want to. Slowly, he moved his left arm over to the Kokiri Sword that lay by his bed and, even slower, he unsheathed it. The footsteps were coming closer. Whoever it was, they were now climbing his tree-house ladder. Link stayed still and hid his sword in front of him, his back facing the tree-house door. The footsteps were on the small balcony in front of the door. Link whipped around and yelled a little battle-cry, the sword pointed at the intruder.
Sora screamed. Link’s sword was almost on her neck. Link backed away and threw his sword behind him quickly, rushing over to her.
“I’m sorry Sora! I didn’t know it was you! Are you alright?” Link cried hurriedly, taking her shoulders lightly.
“Uh…” Sora mumbled, still looking as she had when she had seen the blade almost pierce her neck.
“Don’t do this to me, Sora. You’ll be fine. C’mon.”
Link led her to his bed and sat her down and got a bottle of Red Potion off his dresser.
“Here, drink this. You’ll feel better.”
Sora held the bottle in her hands and slowly put it up to her lips and drank while Link brushed her short, green hair behind her pointed ears. He thought she may be cold so he took off his long, green hat and put it on Sora’s head, revealing his own dirty-blonde hair.
“Wow! This stuff is amazing!”
“Better?”
“Yeah! I feel great! Wow!”
Link sighed a sigh of relief, “Oh good. You had me worried there.”
Sora blushed, her big green eyes twinkling.
“Sorry about that. Why were you coming though? And in the middle of this storm?” Link pointed outside to the rain that still hadn’t shown any mercy on the hapless Kokiri.
“Well…I…um”
“What? You what?”
Sora looked at the ground and slowly twirled her left foot, as if unsure how she could say what she had seen, “I…um…I-I saw Navi and I-“
“Navi!” interrupted Link, remembering that Navi was gone, “Where? Where’d you see her?”
“Well…um…she…uh…she ran into me when I was…um…headed back to…uh…my tree-house and I…uh…I heard her say something about someone named…um…what was it? Oh yeah! Someone named Venr,” Sora explained nervously.
“Did she say something about me?” Where’d she go?”
“Well…I-I think she was heading for the…uh…west exit to Hyrule Field.”
Link just sat there taking it in, deep in thought. His blue eyes looked darker than usual to Sora but she had only known him for a fortnight. She was the first Kokiri the new Deku Tree had given life to and she was a lot like Link’s old friend, Saria, who was now the Forest Sage.
Sora took off Link’s hat and set it beside her on the bed as she looked down at Link somewhat curiously. It felt like he was miles away but she knew he couldn’t be. Sora hadn’t known the Hero of Time that long but she had always known he would play a big role in her life. It was some sort of gut instinct one might say and she wasn’t sure of this feeling but she had no idea how true it was.
“Link?”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah. Well I guess I’m off then,” replied Link, as if he’d just woken up, while he walked back over to his dresser.
“What do you mean, you’re off?”
“I’ve got to go find Navi, don’t I? Now promise me you won’t tell anyone about what I’m about to show you.”
Sora was getting very curious at this point and it was evident on her face. “OK Link. I promise.”
Link turned the dresser around and unlocked the secret drawer. He went over to his bed and picked up his old, brown haversack and went back over to the dresser. After he tied his sword’s sheath to his long, brown shoulder belt he placed his sword into it, slung the belt over his shoulder and fastened the buckle.
Link shuffled around with the haversack until he undid the knot and was able to open it and he proceeded to put his equipment in it.
Sora watched intently as he put in some Deku Sticks, Bombs, Bombchus, and took off his Goron Tunic and put that in as well as his deep-blue Zora Tunic. He then settled his Fairy Slingshot and a little pouch of Deku Seeds into the right side of his waist belt by his wallet and put his Fairy Boomerang on the left. Next, Link put in his two bottled Fairies, his bottle of Green Potion and the remainder of his bottle of Red Potion. Along with his Mask of Truth and Bunny Hood, the haversack was pretty much full, but Link managed to cram in his Lens of Truth, Fairy Ocarina and two Magic Beans.
“Where’d you get all that stuff?”
Link locked the drawer and turned the dresser back around, “It’s a long, long story. I’ll tell you some other time but right now I can’t afford to wait much longer. Navi’s pretty fast when she wants to be.”
“Why the rush? Do you know something about this ‘Venr’ guy?”
“No, but I don’t think Navi’s coming back in a hurry and I have to find out so I can help.”
“Maybe she doesn’t need your help, though.”
“I don’t think so, Sora. There’s something totally wrong here and I intend to find out what it is,” Link picked up his hat, put it on and headed for the door, grabbing his Deku Shield on the way, ”Can you do me a favour?”
“What is it, Link?”
“Tell the Deku Tree. Tell him I’ll be fine and that I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“But you can’t leave! Any Kokiri that leaves the forest will die! You can’t die!”
Link looked on towards the west exit somewhat hatefully, remembering past struggles, “I sometimes forget we haven’t known each other that long. It seems like we’ve been friends forever. I’m not a Kokiri, I’m a Hylian. That’s why my hair’s blonde instead of red or green and why my eyes are blue instead of green. I’ve been out there many times before.”
‘He seems so serious. So much…darker,’ thought Sora.
Link looked up and glared at the sky. It was still raining.
“What are you doing?”
But Link was concentrating too hard to hear her. It was still raining.
“Link?”
Link continued his look of disgust upon the skies. The rain slowed.
“Link! Snap out of it!”
The rain stopped.
“What is it Sora?” Link’s voice didn’t even sound like his own to Sora anymore. It seemed deeper, older, jaded.
Sora only looked at him, in a slight state of shock.
Link grinned impishly and blushed slightly, slinging his Deku Shield over his sword and hooking it onto the back of his shoulder belt.
Sora walked over and stood beside him at the tree-house’s entrance balcony. Her hair was still wet from the storm that appeared to have been stopped by the same person she was standing beside. A fourteen year old Hylian named Link.

Chapter 2 -The Journey Begins

“I’m going to go say goodbye to everyone before I leave. Want to come?”
Sora’s eyes were glazed over, as if she was mentally in another world but when Link spoke, she came back. “No, no thanks. I think I’ll just head back to my tree-house and get some rest.”
“Alright. Say hi to Pon for me will you?”
“What about me?” Pon, Sora’s fairy companion, appeared by Link’s head as he finished, seemingly out of nowhere.
“I was asking Sora to say hi to you when she got back to her tree-house. I didn’t think you’d come up here, that’s all,” Link replied smoothly to the light-blue fairy.
“Oh. So aren’t you going to say hi?”
Link and Sora both laughed. “Hi, Pon.”
“Hi, Link! How are you?” Pon said as if she’d just noticed him. This made Sora laugh even harder.
“Oh, ha, ha, ha. Aren’t you funny.” Link replied, somewhat sarcastically.
“Why don’t you lighten up a little, party pooper? We’re just having a little fun.”
“ I know, Sora but I really should be heading out sometime today you know.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot.”
“Where’re you going Link?”
“To find Navi, she flew off earlier today.”
“Well good luck, come back soon!”
“Thanks, Pon. How about you, Sora?”
Sora was just standing there, staring at the west exit looking like she was in a trance. “I’m coming with you.”
Link stepped back to catch his balance. “What?! But you’ll die! No Kokiri can leave the forest without dying, you even said so earlier!”
But Sora just kept staring at the west exit. “I know. I’ll find a way.”
Before Link or Pon could say anything more, Sora ran off in the direction of the Deku Tree.
“Sora! Sora, wait up!” exclaimed Pon as she flew off after Sora.
Link watched as they went off, wondering what Sora had in mind.
Mido had seen everything that had gone on since Sora ran off to Link’s tree-house through his window. Mido had seen Link point his sword at Sora. Mido had seen the dark glow of Link’s eyes when he had glared at the sky. Mido had seen Sora run away from Link. And Mido had drawn up his own conclusions about what had happened.
Link jumped off the tree-house balcony and headed for the Kokiri Shop by the path to the Deku Tree.
That sealed it for Mido. He was sure Link was trying to kidnap Sora.
“Hey there, Dirry. I could use three Deku Nuts and you’re toughest Deku Stick.”
“Sure thing, Link!” What’s with the haversack, though? Going somewhere?” replied Dirry, the short, red-haired Kokiri who ran the shop.
“Navi flew off a while ago this morning without me so I’m going after her to see what’s up.”
Dirry handed Link the Deku Nuts. “I wonder why she’d go and do summat like that. I wonder indeed.”
“Yeah, same here,” Link said, cramming the Deku Nuts in his haversack and untying his wallet from his waist belt.
“How tough did you want that Deku Stick?”
“Tough enough to take me through Hyrule, Dirry.”
“’Scuse me a second.”
Link waited patiently as Dirry went into the back to get his Deku Stick and noticed Mido sneak over and down the path to the Deku Tree. ‘Now why would he be doing that? The only one down there is -‘ then it hit him.
“Here’s your Deku Stick!” Dirry exclaimed proudly, holding the stick, which looked more like a staff, as he came out of the back before giving it to Link, “that’ll be fifteen Rupees.”
Link handed him a Red Rupee. “Keep the change.”
“Good luck finding Navi. Don’t stay away too long, though; you’re my best customer!” Dirry said with a smile, taking the Rupee.
Link couldn’t help but smile at Dirry’s remark as he tied his wallet back to his waist belt, “Don’t worry, Dirry, I’ll be back soon.”
“See ya!” Dirry yelled as Link dashed off down the path to the Deku Tree, after Mido.
Once Link caught up with Mido, he had to shield his eyes. A strange green light seemed to be coming from the Deku Tree. He couldn’t look too long before Mido tackled him though.
“I knew you’d come this way! You’re out to kidnap Sora! I knew it!”
“I am not trying to kidnap Sora, Mido! Get off me!”
Link tried to get up but Mido had him pinned and the green light was almost blinding him.
“I don’t think I’m what you should be worrying about right now, Mido.” Link said, indicating towards light.
“Nice try, but I’m not letting you get away!”
Link summoned Din’s Fire only slightly, so that his eyes began to glow a deep red. Mido got scared and ran back down the path, yelling “Kidnapper!” all the while.
Link got up and brushed himself off and noticed that the green light was fading and seemingly being sucked into a single green crystal rimmed with gold that looked like someone was holding it above their head.
“The Kokiri Emerald…” Link trailed off, staring in awe at the one who clasped it in their hands. “Sora?”
Sora turned around quickly, concealing the Kokiri Emerald behind her back nervously.
“How’d you get that?” Link asked, walking towards her.
Sora was sweating bullets. How could she tell Link she had wished to become a Hylian so she could go with him?
“You wished for something, didn’t you? What’d you wish for?”
“I…uh…” How could she tell him that, even though she hadn’t known him that long, she had developed feelings for him?”
‘She wished to become a Hylian and she thinks I won’t let her come with me.’ Thought Link, noticing Sora’s eyes had gone from green to blue. “Of course you can come with me. I’d never try to stop you from doing so.”
Sora was dumbstruck. ‘How’d he know?’
“That’s not why she wished to become a Hylian! She wished to become a Hylian because sh-“
Sora pounced on Pon before she could finish and pinned the fairy to the ground. “Not. A. Word. More.” Sora muttered through gritted teeth.
“What are you doing to Pon, Sora?” Link asked, confused.
Sora quickly got back up and let Pon go. ”Uh…nothing! Just a little…um…game…we play. Yeah! A game we play!” she stuttered nervously.
“Well it’s about time we headed out then isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess. Just let me get a few things from my tree-house.”
“All right. Meet me at the Lost Woods entrance, I just remembered something I have to do there.”
‘I wonder what he has to do in the Lost Woods?’
“C’mon, Sora, let’s go!”
“Okay, okay, I’m coming, Pon! Wait up!” Sora replied as she ran after the fairy.

~*~


After a small hike through the Lost Woods, Link found himself in the Sacred Forest Meadow and made his way through the hedge maze. At the end of the maze, Link climbed the staircase to the clearing in front of the Forest Temple. There, he sat down on the lone stump and looked at the sky, as he quietly began to sing a small song.
“Hello my friend, we meet again.
It’s been a while,
Where should we begin?
Feels like forever.
Within my heart of memories-
A perfect love, that you gave to me.
Oh, I remember.

When you are with me-
I’m free.
I can’t help, but believe.
Above all the others,
You’ll fly.
This brings tears to my eyes.
My sacrifice.

We’ve seen our share of ups and downs,
Oh, how quickly life can turn around.
In an instant.
It feels so good to reunite-
Within yourself and within your mind.
Oh, it’s in peace there.

When you are with me-
I’m free.
I can’t help, but believe.
Above all the others,
You’ll fly.
This brings tears to my eyes.
My sacrifice.”

A single silver tear streamed down Link’s face as he remembered old times and old friends. He brushed it away and got up, dropping something gently on the stump. As he left, the single green flower was picked up off the stump and high into the sky, just like in the song.
~*~

“Ready to go?” Sora had been waiting by the Lost Woods entrance, just like he’d asked her to, with a small haversack slung over her shoulder.
Link nodded. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
“Well then let’s go! C’mon, we don’t have all day!” Pon exclaimed impatiently.
“All right, we’re coming!” replied link as him and Sora followed Pon to the west exit where all the Kokiri (except Mido) had gathered to see them off.
“Looks like we’ve already established a little fan club of sorts.”
“Not a very good one; they don’t even have any badges!”
“Because we all know how important fan club badges are in life.” Link said sarcastically.
“Oh shut up!” Sora replied, pushing him jokingly.
Link and Sora walked through the crowd of Kokiri with Pon flying just overhead and said their goodbyes as they turned around and waved one last goodbye before turning back to the exit and beginning their journey.

Chapter 3 - Visit with Malon

As Link and Sora crossed the bridge between the west exit of Kokiri Forest and Hyrule Field, something occurred to Sora.
“Hey, Link-”
“Yeah?”
“Where are we going to look for Navi?”
Link stopped abruptly, “I…don’t…know…”
“Oh, that’s just great. We step out to find Navi and we don’t even know where we’re going!” Pon shouted, frustrated.
“Wait, no. No, I know where we can go.”
“Where?” Sora asked.
“We can go see Princess Zelda. If this is serious, that’s where Navi probably went.”
“But how will we get in? They don’t let just anybody into the castle.”
“I know, I know. We’ll have to sneak in. Don’t worry though - I’ve done it successfully before.”
“All right! Onto Hyrule Castle!” Pon declared as she flew on ahead.
“Hey, wait up!” Link exclaimed, as he and Sora dashed after the fairy.

vvvvvv

Kaepora Gaebora was flying high over Hyrule Field. The owl was headed towards the path leading from Kokiri Forest’s west exit that led to Hyrule Field. A curious Hylian who was running laps in the field looked up and saw Kaepora Gaebora, wondering what he was up to, before dashing back off down the lap.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to run into Kaepora Gaebora here,” Link said, as the three of them walked down the path from the bridge.
“Who’s that?”
“You’ll soon find out, Pon,” Link pointed at the sky ahead of them. Kaepora Gaebora was on his way.

vvvvvv

Just as Link and Sora approached the last tree before Hyrule Field, Kaepora Gaebora landed and perched on the tree’s highest branch, “Hoot! Hello Link! It has been a while since you last ventured out here! Who is your companion?”
Sora blushed slightly, mostly because of how small she felt compared to the great owl, as Link answered for her, “This is Sora, a friend of mine. The fairy hiding behind her is Pon.”
Kaepora stretched his neck and saw Pon duck lower behind Sora, obviously scared of him. What looked like a smile came across his face, “I see. Where are you and your friends heading too?”
“Well, earlier this morning, Navi flew off and we’re trying to find her. We were going to try the castle first.”
“A good three days journey on foot. Would you wish for some aid in speeding up the process?”
Sora looked curiously at Link, “What’s he mean?”
“Hoot! I mean I could get you halfway by mid-sun today, if you wish. These wings aren’t just here for decoration!” Kaepora replied, somewhat angry that Sora hadn’t had the manners to ask him directly.
Link turned to Sora, “Well?”
“Um…okay…I guess,” She answered while Pon was still hiding behind her.
Kaepora hopped off the branch, spread his wings out half-way and glided softly to the ground, “Each of you takes a talon.”
Link calmly walked over and grabbed the right talon tightly and Sora did the same with the left, though very nervously. Pon leaped onto Sora’s arm took a tight hold, shivering with fear but determined to come, “You’re not going without me!”
Sora nearly laughed at this. Like all fairies, Pon could fly, and yet Pon was really shaking in fear, now that they were going to.
“Don’t worry; no-one’s leaving you behind, Pon.”
“Is everybody ready?”
Link and Sora replied together, with Pon’s answer being almost whispered.
“Then here we go! Hoot!”

vvvvvv

The view was indescribably beautiful. It was all so serene and at peace that it took Sora’s breath away. She could see everything; big, blue fish jumping in the sparkling water of the Zora’s Stream, Lake Hylia’s crystal-clear water glistening, and birds flying around happily. The rocky, cliff-like entrance to the Gerudo Desert in the northwest, just above the Lake, and the old, stony gates to Hyrule’s Castle Town on the northern horizon. She could even see the slab-like staircase to Kakariko Village just north of the Stream, and Lon Lon Ranch, with it’s grassy pastures, in the centre of the Field.
Sora looked at Link and saw a warm smile, reading in his eyes what he then said, “After all this land’s been through, I thank the Goddesses it’s still here.”
“Are we there yet?” Pon asked anxiously, for about the sixteenth time.
“Almost,” Kaepora replied patiently. He glanced upwards and saw mid-sun was quickly approaching. He would have to land soon.
Lon Lon Ranch was looming closer and closer. Link kept running his eyes over the Ranch, looking for someone. Spotting what looked like a white speck with red hair to Sora, he waved. It waved in return, and ran off north.
“Who’re you waving to?”
“Malon, the Ranch-owner’s daughter. From the looks of it, she’s going to meet us at the Ranch gates.”
She knew it was jealous of her, but Sora secretly hoped Link and Malon only considered each other friends.
“Hey, Link! Long time no see!” Malon yelled up, as Kaepora came down to land.
“Hi there, Malon!” Link yelled back, leaping off of Kaepora’s talon and walking over to her.
Sora waited until Kaepora landed before walking off his talon and thanking him for the ride. Pon jumped off his talon and started to kiss the ground. Finding out that dirt wasn’t that nice to kiss, she soon stopped, and went back to Sora.
“You’re very welcome, miss!” the owl replied, before turning to Link, who was already in an excited conversation with Malon.
Link turned around quickly, catching his cue to thank Kaepora.
“You’re welcome too, young warrior. Farewell! Hoot!” Kaepora replied, as he lifted himself into the air and began to fly west.
Malon was wearing her usual, dress-long, white blouse with blue trimming, brown shoes and yellow bandanna tied around her neck. The sun caught her light blue eyes so she almost beamed, stunning Sora.
“And just who have you brought with you this time?” Malon nodded towards Sora and Pon as she asked Link.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Sora thought, not really appreciating how Malon had worded her question, but trying not to show it.
“This is Sora, a friend of mine from Kokiri Forest and her fairy, Pon.”
“Kokiri Forest? But I thought the Kokiri couldn’t-”
“Why don’t we go in and sit down; it’s a long story,” Link interrupted, but then his stomach rumbled loudly, showing what he was really thinking.
Malon, Sora and Pon all giggled at this as they went in, with Link following.

Link was still blushing as they walked inside to the Ranch-house, where Malon had already begun to make lunch.
“What’s that noise?” Sora asked, noticing a loud snoring coming from upstairs.
“My father, Talon. Hard at work as always.”
Sora giggled and Link adopted a mock-serious tone, “Of course! When isn’t he?”
They all laughed at Link’s joke, as Malon joined them at the table, just before Ingo, the Ranch-hand walked in, “Humph. Children. A little hard work would do you good, you know!” He mumbled, in his usual, grumpy tone. He washed his hands and face, grabbed a bottle of milk and left, after which Sora spoke her mind without hesitation, “Is he always like that?”
“Unfortunately. Mr. Ingo just doesn’t know how lucky he is that my dad keeps him on as Ranch-hand,” Malon replied, as she went to get the food off the fire stove, “Can you two grab the plates and milk, please? They’re right on the counter, by the stove.”
Link and Sora both got up and got the plates and milk, as well as some forks.
“Oh, thanks. I forgot about forks,” Malon said, while going back to grab the gravy and long, serrated serving knife.
Once the table was set, and everyone was ready to eat (except Pon, who had a small bowl of milk), Malon took the lid off the dish the food was on, “Presenting, my own, world-famous Dipping Pie!” she declared, revealing the steaming, soft, yellow pie.
Before she let anyone have the pie though, she made everyone ladle up some gravy, jokingly imitating a motherly figure, scolding them for silly, little things, like sitting improperly. They all had a good laugh and Malon then served up the pie. All of them started talking about what was happening and such, when Malon asked why they had left the Forest and where there with her. Link put down his fork and explained it all to Malon, with Sora and Pon piping up here and there to add things Link missed.
“And that’s it. That’s why we’re out here,” Link finished, as Sora and Malon finished their pie and Pon loudly slurped up the last of her milk.
Malon got up and took the dishes and took the dishes to the sink, “It’s all very interesting, but I’m still confused about one thing. How did you the Kokiri Emerald anyways, Sora?”
Sora set down her milk nervously, quickly trying to think of a way to tell them without exposing how she felt about Link, “Well…I-I don’t exactly know, to be honest. I knew I wanted to go with Link, so I went to the Deku Tree and tried to think of a way I could. Then, this green light came and this girl who looked kind of like me appeared in it. She smiled and told me I could, if I wanted to. Go with Link, I mean. Then she disappeared and the Kokiri Emerald replaced her, and her voice came in my head. She told me that, if I had the Emerald with me, my wish would be true, that I could be a Hylian so I could go with Link. Without the Emerald, tough, I’ll become a Kokiri again.”
Malon had just finished cleaning up, and was back at the table, as Sora reached the end of her small tale.
Link had been listening too, more intently than Malon, if that was possible. Especially when Sora mentioned the girl who looked like her.
Saria.
“And you’ve still got the Emerald with you?”
Sora untied her wallet and brought out the Emerald. The light danced and shimmered in the forest-green Emerald, smooth as glass and untouched by time. Malon couldn’t take her eyes off of it, mesmerized by its pure beauty.
“I have to have it with me,” Sora continued, putting it back in her wallet, “or I’ll become a Kokiri again. And then I would…”
Malon caught what Sora meant as she trailed off.
Link sat quietly, taking everything in and weighing what few options he had and pondering the day’s events. Pon saw him staring attentively at the spot on the table where his plate had been. Her curiosity got the better of her and she perked up, “What is it Link?”
He sat up with a start and blinked several times, as if he just woke up. He shook his head before replying, “Well, this is the second time the Emerald has been out of the Forest, and the first time, it cost Hyrule many lives, including that of the original Deku Tree, Goddesses rest his soul. That first time, naught good came of the Emerald’s absence, and there is nothing to make me think that history won’t repeat itself in some way.”
Link turned to Sora, and spoke in the same deep voice he had had after he stopped the rain earlier that day, “You must not let anyone else know that you’re carrying the Emerald. And you can’t tell anyone that we have it, either,” he finished, turning to Malon as he spoke the last sentence.
Everyone knew the stakes had just been raised. If this “Venr” was out there, and was significant enough to make Navi leave, then he may be trying to find them. And if he found them and got the Emerald…
Sora gulped loudly.

vvvvvv

Talon yawned and stretched his arms. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and yawned again. He got out of his bed and walked over to his closet, retrieving red shirt, blue, denim overalls and brow shoes. His shirt gave him a little trouble as it put up a fight when he tried to get it over his gut and he donned the rest of his clothes. His thin, brown hair was next to none on the forehead and on the top of his head, but he still had enough on the sides and back to tie into a small ponytail. He walked over to the mirror and brushed his thick, brown hair into a ponytail, brushed his thick, brown beard and rubbed his eyebrows, trying to make them look thinner.
“Good morning!” he said excitedly, as he came down the stairs, “Malon, why didn’t you tell me we had guests?” he added, noticing Link, Sora and Pon.
Malon giggled a little before replying, “You looked so peaceful, I couldn’t dare wake you. This is Sora and her fairy, Pon. You remember Link.”
“Ah, yes! Hello Link, it sure has been a while since you were last here. And welcome, Sora, Pon. What has brought you here, today?”
Not wanting to explain the events of the morning again, Link quickly answered, “We’re just on our way to visit the Castle Town’s Market.”
“Hmm. Not a bad idea. Haven’t been there in a while, no I haven’t,” Talon stroked his beard as he talked, remembering old times, “Hey, Malon, have you shown them how Ep-”
“No I haven’t! I forgot about that! C’mon, you three, I’ve got something to show you!” Malon interrupted, running out the door and leading Link, Sora and Pon out to the field at the back of the Ranch.
The horses were out running in the fenced-in centre of the field, and there, Link saw her. Link ran over and started petting Epona’s head affectionately, while making click noises with his tongue to let her know he was there. His old pony licked his hand, glad to see him. Last time they had seen each other, Epona had been a foot under him, and now she was half a foot over him. She was becoming a horse.
“That’s Epona, Link’s old pony. She would only listen to him from the time they met,” Malon explained to Sora and Pon, taking them to see the brown, slightly smaller pony beside Epona, “This is Belit. She and Epona seem to be good friends. We found her just last week, injured in the middle of the Field’s main path. Her right hind-leg was nearly broken, but I managed to fix it.”
Sora walked up to Belit and petted her head. Belit thanked her by licking her hands when Sora scratched behind her ears.
“Aaawww! Aren’t you the cutest little pony? Yes you are! Yes you are!” Sora fawned, still petting Belit as Pon flew around her, curiously, “It’s too bad we have to leave you behind little pony. But don’t worry; Malon will take good care of you.”
“Well, actually…I was thinking…um…it’d be faster…if…uh…if you and Link…took them with you,” Malon hesitated as she said this. She didn’t want to see the ponies go, but she thought they’d be happier this way.
Link overheard this, and came over to Malon, “Are you sure? You really would like us to take them?”
Malon blinked away the tears that were forming at the thought of the ponies leaving, but she smiled, too, “Yes, I’m sure. They’d probably be happier this way. And I know you’ve probably missed Epona just as much as she has you. Besides, it’d help you get to the Castle faster.”
Epona came up from behind Link and nudged his shoulder lightly. Link sighed, “Alright. We’ll take them with us.”
A huge smile came over his face and he hugged Malon, catching her by surprise, “Thank you. They’ll be back here soon. I promise,” he whispered in her ear.
The hug also caught Sora by surprise, but it ended quickly, so she tried to hide her emotions when Link turned back to her, “All right, let’s go!”
Sora needed a little help getting on Belit, but, once she was on, she felt quite at ease. She held onto the pony’s thick, black mane to keep her balance because there were no saddles or reigns small enough to fit on either pony. Link had already hopped on Epona, holding her thinner, white mane, and led the way for Sora as they rode on through the Ranch-gates. Malon ran alongside them until they got to the gates, where she stopped, waved, and yelled goodbye, “And good luck,” she added at almost a whisper. She stood there and saw them turn, say goodbye, turn back once more and ride on north. Malon stayed watched until they had rode further than the eye could see before walking back to tend to the animals.

vvvvvv

Link and Sora rode on, until the sun was on the western horizon, setting in brilliant beams of orange and gold. They saw a small cluster of trees nearby and decided to camp there for the night. Link got some tall, thick branches and poled them in triangular fashion, like a tepee.
“What are you doing?” Sora asked.
Link continued the work, tying the branches to each other at the top and pegging them into the ground at the bottom, “Tricking the Stalchildren. Once I get my Bunny Hood on top of this thing, we can sleep under it. They’ll think it’s a big animal and leave us alone.”
“What’s a Stalchild?” Pon asked, nervously.
“They’re these skeletal, ghostly, zombie-ish things,” Link answered, as he tossed the Bunny Hood on the top ends that were tied together, “It’s hard to explain, you have to see one to really know what it is.”
He stopped talking and put one finger over his mouth, signalling for Sora and Pon to be quiet. He took out his sword and looked hard in front of him, the trees hiding their secrets in the black of night. A raspy laugh greeted him. He quickly to Sora and Pon to get under the structure he’d made and stay there before forward into the darkness.
After ten paces, Link looked back. He could no longer see where they’d set camp. Link gritted his teeth and continued forward, sword in both hands and shield on his back. He could hear them breathe, drawing in slow, rough breaths. He could smell their rotting, crusty-yellow bones all around him, a stench that soon began to cling to him. Then he saw their beady, red eyes, glaring at him from the shadows. They had surrounded him.
Link took his shield off his back, whipped it in front of him, turned his sword to his back, and began to charge it with magic. The Stalchildren were advancing on him, moaning in some hoarse, uncouth dialect, and swiping their crusty, boney arms at him, viciously. Just as Link finished charging his sword, a Stalchild taller than all the rest jumped from behind a tree and went to attack Link’s back. He was the first to be felled by Link’s blade as Link unleashed a circle of magical, golden flames from his sword, giving a deep battle-cry as he did so. The Stalchildren tried to run, but few succeeded, crumbling to dust, as the flames ground them down fiercely, like a hammer on timber. They screamed as they ran and Link began to breathe heavily after the magic blast; it took a lot out of him. But, still he smiled. He had won.

vvvvvv

The sun rose slowly in the east, gleams of white and yellow light breaking through the trees as a distant Cucco crowed in the morning.
Link blinked some dew out of his eyes and stood up to yawn and stretch. Sora woke up with a yawn as he was dismantling the structure he’d made the night before, “Good morning!” he greeted.
“Oh, wow. This is beautiful,” Sora said, stunned by the light that filled the small forest.
“A lot more than it was. This place used to be filled with Poes,” Link stopped, a slightly confused look on his face, “Wait, no. That hasn’t even happened yet. Never mind.”
“What do you mean, hasn’t happened yet?”
“Never mind, for now. It’s too long and complicated to delve into now. We should continue onto the Castle for now; it’ll all be explained there.”
Sora wanted to continue asking, but she knew in the way Link said it that all would be explained in time. She was also too tired to continue with any other questions.
Link had just finished taking apart the fake animal and he tossed the branches away and put the Bunny Hood back in his haversack, “Well, are we all ready to go?”
“All except one,” Sora replied, nodding towards Pon, who was still fast asleep.
Link saddled up on Epona and trotted over to Pon, grinning impishly. He covered his ears and gave Epona a nudge right behind her hind legs. This startled the pony and she reared up, whinnying loudly.
“AAAAHHHH!!!!” Pon screamed.
Sora giggled as Pon began yelling at Link, hassling him mercilessly for waking her like that, “You scared the living daylights out of me! You scared me out of ten years’ growth!”
“You aren’t even ten years old!” Link shot back quickly, before his voice was once again drowned out by the fairy’s. He was smiling, though, obviously enjoying his little prank.
“That’s not the point! I meant that you…that you…that’s not the point!”
“Oh, come off it. We have to go, Pon, come on!” Sora said, as she got up on Belit.
“You’re supposed to be on my side!” Pon exclaimed, but Link and Sora had already begun to ride towards the castle, “Hey! Wait for me!” she yelled, as she flew off after them.

Chapter 4 - Meeting with Zelda

The sun shone high above the land, caressing it with golden rays of light and bringing forth a new day. The tall grass waved in the small, warm breeze and the animals roamed freely through it. All across the land, people began to wake, to enjoy the newborn day’s splendour. Slowly and noisily, the castle gates came down and out dashed a skinny man with short, red hair and white tunic, rimmed with beige. He began to do leg stretches and then got out a Bunny Hood of his own. Putting it on so that it concealed his eyes, he laced up his tall, brown sandals and began to run. It was a day just the same as the last to Hyrule and its citizens, though these days were running short.
Link and Sora rode out of the small forest quickly, with Pon just a tad behind. They rode for two hours before reaching the castle gates, where a guard stopped them. He bid them turn back, but when Link took off his cap, he quickly apologized. He told Link that the princess had been expecting him and allowed him passage. The guard would not let Sora and Pon through, however.
“Why can’t we go through?”
“My orders are to let only friends of the Royal Family and citizens of the Castle Town through. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.”
Link looked harshly at the guard, “Let them pass -- they’re with me.”
“I’ve already said I am not permitted to do so. I would if I could, but I cannot change my orders.”
“Then maybe I can.”
Link turned around, as did the guard, while Sora and Pon leaned over to see who had spoken. There, in front of their very eyes, was Princess Zelda and behind her, her Sheikah servant, Impa.
Immediately, the guard stood to attention.
“You shall let the two behind you pass as well, if you wish to avoid a second demoting, soldier.”
He darted aside as fast as he could and saluted before apologizing to Sora and Pon.
Then, Sora saw Zelda; she suddenly felt very self-conscious about her looks. It was like seeing all the beauty of the three Goddesses in one person. Her blonde hair shimmered, gold, like the sun, her earrings, shaped like the Triforce, reflected the sun’s white light in all directions. Along with the other glistening gold jewellery that decorated her pure white dress, it made it seem as if she was glowing. Sora clearly saw the phoenix and Triforce crest of Hyrule on a strip of light purple in the centre of her dress and noticed something, hidden in Zelda’s hands, before Zelda formally placed her hands behind her back. Sora shrugged it off, figuring it was the tiara she had heard Zelda wore; it was absent from her head, letting her straight hair free.
“Come. You look as if you have important business. And someone who is here has been waiting for you, quite impatiently, as a matter of fact,” Zelda said, with a sly smile. Her voice was just as lovely as herself, if such a thing was possible.
Link and Sora got off the ponies and Impa had the guard take them to the stables. Mumbling, he went off, leaving the others to continue to the castle. Link walked alongside Zelda, conversing excitedly, as he had with Malon. This caused much whispering among the townsfolk that saw the two side-by-side. Those who didn’t see it didn’t believe it, and those who did thought one of two things: Link was here for some sort of celebration, or peril was on its way.
Sora walked with Impa, Pon hovering along with them. She found she couldn’t ask enough questions, but the Sheikah laughed a hard (but joyous) laugh, “Do not worry, miss. All will be explained in time,” Sora knew the words and Impa spoke them very promisingly, as had Link. She didn’t worry.

vvvvvv

‘I’ve got to get it right this time!’ thought Elcy, rushing to finishing cleaning Zelda’s chamber. Elcy was the second-youngest hand in the castle, though she was nearing her thirty-second year. She had been taken in by the King when her family was taken by war many, many years ago. Left mostly in the care of the maids and servants alike since just after infancy, Elcy had been taught to do the work of a hand, though she wasn’t all that good at it. She had improved vastly over the last few years, however, and they were sure she’d get it, but, until then, some of the ruder hands laughed at her inability. Elcy wanted dearly to prove them wrong.
Elcy then heard Zelda’s voice, as well as a few others. She could identify Impa, but she wondered about the others as she smoothed out the final wrinkles of Zelda’s quilt. The princess then entered, followed by the rest of their little group, and Elcy curtsied as properly as she could, “Greetings, your majesty. I have just finished, and I have kitchen duty tonight, so if you will please excuse me-”
“Yes, thank you, Elcy. Do as you may, your work here is clearly done.”
“Thank you, your highness,” Elcy curtsied again and left, but not without wondering who the three others were. She shrugged it off and headed for the kitchen.
Zelda walked over to sit on the bed, but found it to hard as stone. Impa came over and relieved the quilt and sheets of their taut strain, making the bed feel much softer.
“That girl; she tucks the bed too tight and ties my dresses too tight,” Zelda commented.
“She will get it in time, princess.”
“Yes, I’m sure she will, Impa. But that has little relevance now. Come, Link, and bring your companions…”
“Sora.”
“And Pon!”
“…Sora and Pon. Someone is waiting for you,” Zelda finished. She then nodded to Impa, and the Sheikah took her leave.
The four of them headed towards the courtyard, and Link filled Zelda in on why they had come, with Sora and Pon adding parts here and there, as they went.
“Well, you picked the right place to come,” Zelda said, as Link finished, and they entered the courtyard.
Navi was there waiting for them, and she flew to Link as soon as she saw him.
“Link!”
“Navi!”
Link embraced the fairy in a friendly hug, glad to see she was alive and well and happy that they were reunited once more.
“She got here at sun-down yesterday, frantically flying hither and thither. After she calmed down, she told us. Let us sit before she says it again.”
Taking Zelda’s suggestion, they all sat down, except for Pon and Navi, who hovered beside their companions. They all knew that this was going to be big.
“What is your news, Navi?”

vvvvvv

Naedora was nervous as she climbed the stone stairs of the Gerudo Fortress. Venr never called anyone to his chamber without an extremely serious or urgent reason. Her feet padded silently on the hard stone floor, quieted by the thick, cloth-like shoes every Gerudo wore. Before entering Venr’s chamber, the Gerudo General smoothed out the wrinkles on her purplish/red, sleeveless shirt and puffed-out, full-length pants of the same colour. She straightened the thin that held her military decorations and tightened her brown, elbow-length armlets. Taking one last, deep breath, she entered.
“You wished to see me, Lord?”
Venr was looking out the window, his back to the chamber door. The sun caught his long, white hair, making it shine in parts, while parts were caught in shadow. His long, black cape, decorated with traditional Gerudo script and runes, waved slightly in the light breeze that came from the open window in front of him, showing his black and brown, full-length tunic and pants, also rimmed with Gerudo script. He clenched his fists, making his black, leather gauntlets moan, and turned to face Naedora, his thick, black boots moving surprisingly quietly on the floor.
“Do you know what I hate?”
Naedora gulped; this couldn’t be good, “N-no, Lord.”
“I hate that the sun can still reach me with its light. I hate that my own shadow strays from me, even now. I hate that those who keep the shadows away are still out there. And I hate that I have bid you find but one of those and that that small task is still unaccomplished!!” he finished furiously, his face practically touching Naedora’s. His dark red eyes were filled with rage and he had half a mind to unsheathe the dagger on his knee and have his way with her throat.
“The sentries I sent to find him returned this morning, Lord.”
Venr backed away, though still angry, “What is their word?”
“He was seen exiting the forest and we allowed your pet to go in and attempt to gain information.”
“Then, where is he?”
“He is…” Naedora didn’t know where he was. She thought for a moment, but then she saw him, in the distance, through the window, “…behind you, Lord.”
Venr turned his attention to the window and saw the owl, “Good. Now, leave me. Round up the rest of the generals and have them assemble in the parade grounds immediately. And get our prisoner fed.”
Of course, Lord, right away,” Naedora nodded and left, relieved that he had not been in one of his moods. She went to the kitchen and got two of the chefs to gather the rotted food and feed their prisoner before going off to round up the generals.
The two chefs climbed up the stairs to the prison roof and tossed the bag of food down the big, square hole in the roof. It hit Kaepora Gaebora’s head before landing beside him. The chefs laughed at this and left Kaepora to peck open the bag, his wings and talons bound tightly. He cursed himself for being caught and hoped that Navi would tell Link. It was his only hope for freedom.

vvvvvv

“Venr is one of Dragmire’s disciples. He has been told and now fully believes that his whole purpose for being is to release his master back into the world and to serve him. While Dragmire has proclaimed himself King Of Evil, Venr has dubbed himself The Shadow Lord. He had kidnapped Kaepora Gaebora when I left.”
“Wait, yesterday we got a ride to Lon Lon Ranch from Kaepora. Are you telling me that that wasn’t him?” Link interrupted.
“Oh, no. No, that would’ve been Venr’s pet, Gelbora. Why, did you tell him anything?”
“We told him everything,” Link said, cursing himself under his breath, obviously very frustrated, “I guess we should leave, then. Better to get out of here so no one else may accidentally get caught in the middle, like last time. We’d better go by sun-up tomorrow.”
“But, where will you go?” Zelda asked, worriedly.
“We can try and make for Shoton, in the east. There’s a fast route to it in the Lost Woods; we would have to move with haste, though.”
“Should I stay here?”
“No, Sora. You’d have to come. You, too, Pon. Gelbora knows you two, therefore, Venr probably does, too. It’d be dangerous for you to stay. Looks like you signed on for more than you originally bargained for.”
“Looks like it,” Sora replied, trying in vain to sound somewhat happy at the thought of leaving Hyrule. She had finally been able to see its vast beauty for the first time. She didn’t want to leave. So, in her heart, she stayed.

vvvvvv

That night, Link and Sora both were bathed and given different clothes. Link was given a more formal guard’s outfit, minus the tall, spiked helmet and Sora got a knee-length, straight blue dress and dark red top. She quite liked Link’s outfit, but obvious from Link’s pouting face that he wanted to be back in his tunic. They also got their hair cut: Link’s bangs were trimmed and were noticeably shorter, as were his bang-like sideburns. Sora’s hair was trimmed slightly and made up so it all flowed back, with little bangs in the front.
“There! Now no one, or at least very few, will know who you truly are!” Zelda exclaimed proudly.
“But, at quite a price,” Link mumbled. He was grateful, but he loathed the tighter feeling of his new outfit.
“Oh, quit whining. At least now you’re wearing pants!”
Link shot an annoyed, “don’t-even-go-there” look at Pon for her sharp remark.
“Well, I love my new clothes. I look great! And your new clothes aren’t all that bad, you know.”
Link smiled, “Thanks, Sora.”
“It’s getting late; you kids must be off to bed so you can rest up! A long journey is ahead of you if you are to reach Shoton before Venr finds you! Come along, now!” Impa shooed them off, Zelda to her chamber and Link and Sora to the guest chambers, with Navi and Pon following.
Link went into his chamber and changed into his Zora Tunic to sleep. He tucked himself in and stared at the ceiling, leaving the small oil lamp by the bed lit and putting his hands under his head. So much had happened in so little time…It was almost too much for him to get his head around. And it was no coincidence; Link had learned before that such a thing didn’t exist. Everything happens for a reason. ‘But, what was the reason behind this?’ he thought. He looked to the side and saw Navi was already asleep on the window sill. He smiled before looking back at the ceiling and falling asleep at his own thoughts. He would resolve them on the morrow.

Prologue
Hyrule’s Hall of Records lay dormant. Black, covered in shadow, like most of the historical records it held. The door at the other end opened and a stranger clad in a brown, worn-out, old travellers cloak entered, a strange gleams in his old eyes.
The stranger lit the hall’s torches with his own, bringing an eerie, red glow to the long, shelved hall. He moved slowly and silently, as if hovering slightly above ground, over to the middle bookshelf, the one that held the Hylian legends and fables of old. He reached out with his scarred and battle-worn left hand and took an old, deteriorating book with a green cover and a depiction of an ancient Hylian rune, a mystic blade stuck in a small, neatly carved slab of stone.
He took the book and made his way to the large, red scribe’s chair at the end of the hall. Slowly, he put aside his old walking staff, almost as tall as him and just as battle-worn, that had been supporting his near-dead right leg, pulled up his cloak slightly and sat down, laying the book on his lap.
Pulling back the hood of his cloak, the stranger opened the book, his long, dirty-blonde hair gleaming in the torch-light as his long, dirty fingers caressed the pages while he rolled them over and began to read.

Chapter 1 - The Quest Beckons
Link was cold. He looked outside and saw the rain had not yet let up. It was pouring so hard that Link was sure the stables at Lon-Lon Ranch would get flooded soon if it didn’t let up. Then he thought of something.
Link got up from his hollowed-out log bed and walked over to his dresser and turned it around so the back was facing him. After a quick, glance out the door of his tree-house in the Kokiri Forest to make sure no-one was coming or watching, he opened the secret back drawer with the key he always kept in his Rupee wallet and looked at the drawers’ contents.
Brushing aside some Bombchus and arrows, he picked out his old, dark-red Goron Tunic. Picking off the dust and lint that practically covered the tunic, he thought, ‘Just as good as when little Link the Goron gave it to me.’
After Link got the tunic out, he shut and locked the secret drawer and turned the dresser back around so no-one could tell the secret drawer was there.
Link pulled the Goron Tunic over his own green Kokiri Tunic and it made him instantly warmer though it went down to his ankles and the sleeves reached just past his elbows.
“Why can’t they ever make a kid’s size of these things?” Link wondered aloud as he walked back to his bed, stopping abruptly when he realized that Navi wasn’t there.
Link held his breath and ceased moving and listened hard. He had heard something he didn’t want to. Slowly, he moved his left arm over to the Kokiri Sword that lay by his bed and, even slower, he unsheathed it. The footsteps were coming closer. Whoever it was, they were now climbing his tree-house ladder. Link stayed still and hid his sword in front of him, his back facing the tree-house door. The footsteps were on the small balcony in front of the door. Link whipped around and yelled a little battle-cry, the sword pointed at the intruder.
Sora screamed. Link’s sword was almost on her neck. Link backed away and threw his sword behind him quickly, rushing over to her.
“I’m sorry Sora! I didn’t know it was you! Are you alright?” Link cried hurriedly, taking her shoulders lightly.
“Uh…” Sora mumbled, still looking as she had when she had seen the blade almost pierce her neck.
“Don’t do this to me, Sora. You’ll be fine. C’mon.”
Link led her to his bed and sat her down and got a bottle of Red Potion off his dresser.
“Here, drink this. You’ll feel better.”
Sora held the bottle in her hands and slowly put it up to her lips and drank while Link brushed her short, green hair behind her pointed ears. He thought she may be cold so he took off his long, green hat and put it on Sora’s head, revealing his own dirty-blonde hair.
“Wow! This stuff is amazing!”
“Better?”
“Yeah! I feel great! Wow!”
Link sighed a sigh of relief, “Oh good. You had me worried there.”
Sora blushed, her big green eyes twinkling.
“Sorry about that. Why were you coming though? And in the middle of this storm?” Link pointed outside to the rain that still hadn’t shown any mercy on the hapless Kokiri.
“Well…I…um”
“What? You what?”
Sora looked at the ground and slowly twirled her left foot, as if unsure how she could say what she had seen, “I…um…I-I saw Navi and I-“
“Navi!” interrupted Link, remembering that Navi was gone, “Where? Where’d you see her?”
“Well…um…she…uh…she ran into me when I was…um…headed back to…uh…my tree-house and I…uh…I heard her say something about someone named…um…what was it? Oh yeah! Someone named Venr,” Sora explained nervously.
“Did she say something about me?” Where’d she go?”
“Well…I-I think she was heading for the…uh…west exit to Hyrule Field.”
Link just sat there taking it in, deep in thought. His blue eyes looked darker than usual to Sora but she had only known him for a fortnight. She was the first Kokiri the new Deku Tree had given life to and she was a lot like Link’s old friend, Saria, who was now the Forest Sage.
Sora took off Link’s hat and set it beside her on the bed as she looked down at Link somewhat curiously. It felt like he was miles away but she knew he couldn’t be. Sora hadn’t known the Hero of Time that long but she had always known he would play a big role in her life. It was some sort of gut instinct one might say and she wasn’t sure of this feeling but she had no idea how true it was.
“Link?”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah. Well I guess I’m off then,” replied Link, as if he’d just woken up, while he walked back over to his dresser.
“What do you mean, you’re off?”
“I’ve got to go find Navi, don’t I? Now promise me you won’t tell anyone about what I’m about to show you.”
Sora was getting very curious at this point and it was evident on her face. “OK Link. I promise.”
Link turned the dresser around and unlocked the secret drawer. He went over to his bed and picked up his old, brown haversack and went back over to the dresser. After he tied his sword’s sheath to his long, brown shoulder belt he placed his sword into it, slung the belt over his shoulder and fastened the buckle.
Link shuffled around with the haversack until he undid the knot and was able to open it and he proceeded to put his equipment in it.
Sora watched intently as he put in some Deku Sticks, Bombs, Bombchus, and took off his Goron Tunic and put that in as well as his deep-blue Zora Tunic. He then settled his Fairy Slingshot and a little pouch of Deku Seeds into the right side of his waist belt by his wallet and put his Fairy Boomerang on the left. Next, Link put in his two bottled Fairies, his bottle of Green Potion and the remainder of his bottle of Red Potion. Along with his Mask of Truth and Bunny Hood, the haversack was pretty much full, but Link managed to cram in his Lens of Truth, Fairy Ocarina and two Magic Beans.
“Where’d you get all that stuff?”
Link locked the drawer and turned the dresser back around, “It’s a long, long story. I’ll tell you some other time but right now I can’t afford to wait much longer. Navi’s pretty fast when she wants to be.”
“Why the rush? Do you know something about this ‘Venr’ guy?”
“No, but I don’t think Navi’s coming back in a hurry and I have to find out so I can help.”
“Maybe she doesn’t need your help, though.”
“I don’t think so, Sora. There’s something totally wrong here and I intend to find out what it is,” Link picked up his hat, put it on and headed for the door, grabbing his Deku Shield on the way, ”Can you do me a favour?”
“What is it, Link?”
“Tell the Deku Tree. Tell him I’ll be fine and that I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“But you can’t leave! Any Kokiri that leaves the forest will die! You can’t die!”
Link looked on towards the west exit somewhat hatefully, remembering past struggles, “I sometimes forget we haven’t known each other that long. It seems like we’ve been friends forever. I’m not a Kokiri, I’m a Hylian. That’s why my hair’s blonde instead of red or green and why my eyes are blue instead of green. I’ve been out there many times before.”
‘He seems so serious. So much…darker,’ thought Sora.
Link looked up and glared at the sky. It was still raining.
“What are you doing?”
But Link was concentrating too hard to hear her. It was still raining.
“Link?”
Link continued his look of disgust upon the skies. The rain slowed.
“Link! Snap out of it!”
The rain stopped.
“What is it Sora?” Link’s voice didn’t even sound like his own to Sora anymore. It seemed deeper, older, jaded.
Sora only looked at him, in a slight state of shock.
Link grinned impishly and blushed slightly, slinging his Deku Shield over his sword and hooking it onto the back of his shoulder belt.
Sora walked over and stood beside him at the tree-house’s entrance balcony. Her hair was still wet from the storm that appeared to have been stopped by the same person she was standing beside. A fourteen year old Hylian named Link.

Chapter 2 -The Journey Begins

“I’m going to go say goodbye to everyone before I leave. Want to come?”
Sora’s eyes were glazed over, as if she was mentally in another world but when Link spoke, she came back. “No, no thanks. I think I’ll just head back to my tree-house and get some rest.”
“Alright. Say hi to Pon for me will you?”
“What about me?” Pon, Sora’s fairy companion, appeared by Link’s head as he finished, seemingly out of nowhere.
“I was asking Sora to say hi to you when she got back to her tree-house. I didn’t think you’d come up here, that’s all,” Link replied smoothly to the light-blue fairy.
“Oh. So aren’t you going to say hi?”
Link and Sora both laughed. “Hi, Pon.”
“Hi, Link! How are you?” Pon said as if she’d just noticed him. This made Sora laugh even harder.
“Oh, ha, ha, ha. Aren’t you funny.” Link replied, somewhat sarcastically.
“Why don’t you lighten up a little, party pooper? We’re just having a little fun.”
“ I know, Sora but I really should be heading out sometime today you know.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot.”
“Where’re you going Link?”
“To find Navi, she flew off earlier today.”
“Well good luck, come back soon!”
“Thanks, Pon. How about you, Sora?”
Sora was just standing there, staring at the west exit looking like she was in a trance. “I’m coming with you.”
Link stepped back to catch his balance. “What?! But you’ll die! No Kokiri can leave the forest without dying, you even said so earlier!”
But Sora just kept staring at the west exit. “I know. I’ll find a way.”
Before Link or Pon could say anything more, Sora ran off in the direction of the Deku Tree.
“Sora! Sora, wait up!” exclaimed Pon as she flew off after Sora.
Link watched as they went off, wondering what Sora had in mind.
Mido had seen everything that had gone on since Sora ran off to Link’s tree-house through his window. Mido had seen Link point his sword at Sora. Mido had seen the dark glow of Link’s eyes when he had glared at the sky. Mido had seen Sora run away from Link. And Mido had drawn up his own conclusions about what had happened.
Link jumped off the tree-house balcony and headed for the Kokiri Shop by the path to the Deku Tree.
That sealed it for Mido. He was sure Link was trying to kidnap Sora.
“Hey there, Dirry. I could use three Deku Nuts and you’re toughest Deku Stick.”
“Sure thing, Link!” What’s with the haversack, though? Going somewhere?” replied Dirry, the short, red-haired Kokiri who ran the shop.
“Navi flew off a while ago this morning without me so I’m going after her to see what’s up.”
Dirry handed Link the Deku Nuts. “I wonder why she’d go and do summat like that. I wonder indeed.”
“Yeah, same here,” Link said, cramming the Deku Nuts in his haversack and untying his wallet from his waist belt.
“How tough did you want that Deku Stick?”
“Tough enough to take me through Hyrule, Dirry.”
“’Scuse me a second.”
Link waited patiently as Dirry went into the back to get his Deku Stick and noticed Mido sneak over and down the path to the Deku Tree. ‘Now why would he be doing that? The only one down there is -‘ then it hit him.
“Here’s your Deku Stick!” Dirry exclaimed proudly, holding the stick, which looked more like a staff, as he came out of the back before giving it to Link, “that’ll be fifteen Rupees.”
Link handed him a Red Rupee. “Keep the change.”
“Good luck finding Navi. Don’t stay away too long, though; you’re my best customer!” Dirry said with a smile, taking the Rupee.
Link couldn’t help but smile at Dirry’s remark as he tied his wallet back to his waist belt, “Don’t worry, Dirry, I’ll be back soon.”
“See ya!” Dirry yelled as Link dashed off down the path to the Deku Tree, after Mido.
Once Link caught up with Mido, he had to shield his eyes. A strange green light seemed to be coming from the Deku Tree. He couldn’t look too long before Mido tackled him though.
“I knew you’d come this way! You’re out to kidnap Sora! I knew it!”
“I am not trying to kidnap Sora, Mido! Get off me!”
Link tried to get up but Mido had him pinned and the green light was almost blinding him.
“I don’t think I’m what you should be worrying about right now, Mido.” Link said, indicating towards light.
“Nice try, but I’m not letting you get away!”
Link summoned Din’s Fire only slightly, so that his eyes began to glow a deep red. Mido got scared and ran back down the path, yelling “Kidnapper!” all the while.
Link got up and brushed himself off and noticed that the green light was fading and seemingly being sucked into a single green crystal rimmed with gold that looked like someone was holding it above their head.
“The Kokiri Emerald…” Link trailed off, staring in awe at the one who clasped it in their hands. “Sora?”
Sora turned around quickly, concealing the Kokiri Emerald behind her back nervously.
“How’d you get that?” Link asked, walking towards her.
Sora was sweating bullets. How could she tell Link she had wished to become a Hylian so she could go with him?
“You wished for something, didn’t you? What’d you wish for?”
“I…uh…” How could she tell him that, even though she hadn’t known him that long, she had developed feelings for him?”
‘She wished to become a Hylian and she thinks I won’t let her come with me.’ Thought Link, noticing Sora’s eyes had gone from green to blue. “Of course you can come with me. I’d never try to stop you from doing so.”
Sora was dumbstruck. ‘How’d he know?’
“That’s not why she wished to become a Hylian! She wished to become a Hylian because sh-“
Sora pounced on Pon before she could finish and pinned the fairy to the ground. “Not. A. Word. More.” Sora muttered through gritted teeth.
“What are you doing to Pon, Sora?” Link asked, confused.
Sora quickly got back up and let Pon go. ”Uh…nothing! Just a little…um…game…we play. Yeah! A game we play!” she stuttered nervously.
“Well it’s about time we headed out then isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I guess. Just let me get a few things from my tree-house.”
“All right. Meet me at the Lost Woods entrance, I just remembered something I have to do there.”
‘I wonder what he has to do in the Lost Woods?’
“C’mon, Sora, let’s go!”
“Okay, okay, I’m coming, Pon! Wait up!” Sora replied as she ran after the fairy.

~*~


After a small hike through the Lost Woods, Link found himself in the Sacred Forest Meadow and made his way through the hedge maze. At the end of the maze, Link climbed the staircase to the clearing in front of the Forest Temple. There, he sat down on the lone stump and looked at the sky, as he quietly began to sing a small song.
“Hello my friend, we meet again.
It’s been a while,
Where should we begin?
Feels like forever.
Within my heart of memories-
A perfect love, that you gave to me.
Oh, I remember.

When you are with me-
I’m free.
I can’t help, but believe.
Above all the others,
You’ll fly.
This brings tears to my eyes.
My sacrifice.

We’ve seen our share of ups and downs,
Oh, how quickly life can turn around.
In an instant.
It feels so good to reunite-
Within yourself and within your mind.
Oh, it’s in peace there.

When you are with me-
I’m free.
I can’t help, but believe.
Above all the others,
You’ll fly.
This brings tears to my eyes.
My sacrifice.”

A single silver tear streamed down Link’s face as he remembered old times and old friends. He brushed it away and got up, dropping something gently on the stump. As he left, the single green flower was picked up off the stump and high into the sky, just like in the song.
~*~

“Ready to go?” Sora had been waiting by the Lost Woods entrance, just like he’d asked her to, with a small haversack slung over her shoulder.
Link nodded. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
“Well then let’s go! C’mon, we don’t have all day!” Pon exclaimed impatiently.
“All right, we’re coming!” replied link as him and Sora followed Pon to the west exit where all the Kokiri (except Mido) had gathered to see them off.
“Looks like we’ve already established a little fan club of sorts.”
“Not a very good one; they don’t even have any badges!”
“Because we all know how important fan club badges are in life.” Link said sarcastically.
“Oh shut up!” Sora replied, pushing him jokingly.
Link and Sora walked through the crowd of Kokiri with Pon flying just overhead and said their goodbyes as they turned around and waved one last goodbye before turning back to the exit and beginning their journey.

Chapter 3 - Visit with Malon

As Link and Sora crossed the bridge between the west exit of Kokiri Forest and Hyrule Field, something occurred to Sora.
“Hey, Link-”
“Yeah?”
“Where are we going to look for Navi?”
Link stopped abruptly, “I…don’t…know…”
“Oh, that’s just great. We step out to find Navi and we don’t even know where we’re going!” Pon shouted, frustrated.
“Wait, no. No, I know where we can go.”
“Where?” Sora asked.
“We can go see Princess Zelda. If this is serious, that’s where Navi probably went.”
“But how will we get in? They don’t let just anybody into the castle.”
“I know, I know. We’ll have to sneak in. Don’t worry though - I’ve done it successfully before.”
“All right! Onto Hyrule Castle!” Pon declared as she flew on ahead.
“Hey, wait up!” Link exclaimed, as he and Sora dashed after the fairy.

vvvvvv

Kaepora Gaebora was flying high over Hyrule Field. The owl was headed towards the path leading from Kokiri Forest’s west exit that led to Hyrule Field. A curious Hylian who was running laps in the field looked up and saw Kaepora Gaebora, wondering what he was up to, before dashing back off down the lap.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to run into Kaepora Gaebora here,” Link said, as the three of them walked down the path from the bridge.
“Who’s that?”
“You’ll soon find out, Pon,” Link pointed at the sky ahead of them. Kaepora Gaebora was on his way.

vvvvvv

Just as Link and Sora approached the last tree before Hyrule Field, Kaepora Gaebora landed and perched on the tree’s highest branch, “Hoot! Hello Link! It has been a while since you last ventured out here! Who is your companion?”
Sora blushed slightly, mostly because of how small she felt compared to the great owl, as Link answered for her, “This is Sora, a friend of mine. The fairy hiding behind her is Pon.”
Kaepora stretched his neck and saw Pon duck lower behind Sora, obviously scared of him. What looked like a smile came across his face, “I see. Where are you and your friends heading too?”
“Well, earlier this morning, Navi flew off and we’re trying to find her. We were going to try the castle first.”
“A good three days journey on foot. Would you wish for some aid in speeding up the process?”
Sora looked curiously at Link, “What’s he mean?”
“Hoot! I mean I could get you halfway by mid-sun today, if you wish. These wings aren’t just here for decoration!” Kaepora replied, somewhat angry that Sora hadn’t had the manners to ask him directly.
Link turned to Sora, “Well?”
“Um…okay…I guess,” She answered while Pon was still hiding behind her.
Kaepora hopped off the branch, spread his wings out half-way and glided softly to the ground, “Each of you takes a talon.”
Link calmly walked over and grabbed the right talon tightly and Sora did the same with the left, though very nervously. Pon leaped onto Sora’s arm took a tight hold, shivering with fear but determined to come, “You’re not going without me!”
Sora nearly laughed at this. Like all fairies, Pon could fly, and yet Pon was really shaking in fear, now that they were going to.
“Don’t worry; no-one’s leaving you behind, Pon.”
“Is everybody ready?”
Link and Sora replied together, with Pon’s answer being almost whispered.
“Then here we go! Hoot!”

vvvvvv

The view was indescribably beautiful. It was all so serene and at peace that it took Sora’s breath away. She could see everything; big, blue fish jumping in the sparkling water of the Zora’s Stream, Lake Hylia’s crystal-clear water glistening, and birds flying around happily. The rocky, cliff-like entrance to the Gerudo Desert in the northwest, just above the Lake, and the old, stony gates to Hyrule’s Castle Town on the northern horizon. She could even see the slab-like staircase to Kakariko Village just north of the Stream, and Lon Lon Ranch, with it’s grassy pastures, in the centre of the Field.
Sora looked at Link and saw a warm smile, reading in his eyes what he then said, “After all this land’s been through, I thank the Goddesses it’s still here.”
“Are we there yet?” Pon asked anxiously, for about the sixteenth time.
“Almost,” Kaepora replied patiently. He glanced upwards and saw mid-sun was quickly approaching. He would have to land soon.
Lon Lon Ranch was looming closer and closer. Link kept running his eyes over the Ranch, looking for someone. Spotting what looked like a white speck with red hair to Sora, he waved. It waved in return, and ran off north.
“Who’re you waving to?”
“Malon, the Ranch-owner’s daughter. From the looks of it, she’s going to meet us at the Ranch gates.”
She knew it was jealous of her, but Sora secretly hoped Link and Malon only considered each other friends.
“Hey, Link! Long time no see!” Malon yelled up, as Kaepora came down to land.
“Hi there, Malon!” Link yelled back, leaping off of Kaepora’s talon and walking over to her.
Sora waited until Kaepora landed before walking off his talon and thanking him for the ride. Pon jumped off his talon and started to kiss the ground. Finding out that dirt wasn’t that nice to kiss, she soon stopped, and went back to Sora.
“You’re very welcome, miss!” the owl replied, before turning to Link, who was already in an excited conversation with Malon.
Link turned around quickly, catching his cue to thank Kaepora.
“You’re welcome too, young warrior. Farewell! Hoot!” Kaepora replied, as he lifted himself into the air and began to fly west.
Malon was wearing her usual, dress-long, white blouse with blue trimming, brown shoes and yellow bandanna tied around her neck. The sun caught her light blue eyes so she almost beamed, stunning Sora.
“And just who have you brought with you this time?” Malon nodded towards Sora and Pon as she asked Link.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Sora thought, not really appreciating how Malon had worded her question, but trying not to show it.
“This is Sora, a friend of mine from Kokiri Forest and her fairy, Pon.”
“Kokiri Forest? But I thought the Kokiri couldn’t-”
“Why don’t we go in and sit down; it’s a long story,” Link interrupted, but then his stomach rumbled loudly, showing what he was really thinking.
Malon, Sora and Pon all giggled at this as they went in, with Link following.

Link was still blushing as they walked inside to the Ranch-house, where Malon had already begun to make lunch.
“What’s that noise?” Sora asked, noticing a loud snoring coming from upstairs.
“My father, Talon. Hard at work as always.”
Sora giggled and Link adopted a mock-serious tone, “Of course! When isn’t he?”
They all laughed at Link’s joke, as Malon joined them at the table, just before Ingo, the Ranch-hand walked in, “Humph. Children. A little hard work would do you good, you know!” He mumbled, in his usual, grumpy tone. He washed his hands and face, grabbed a bottle of milk and left, after which Sora spoke her mind without hesitation, “Is he always like that?”
“Unfortunately. Mr. Ingo just doesn’t know how lucky he is that my dad keeps him on as Ranch-hand,” Malon replied, as she went to get the food off the fire stove, “Can you two grab the plates and milk, please? They’re right on the counter, by the stove.”
Link and Sora both got up and got the plates and milk, as well as some forks.
“Oh, thanks. I forgot about forks,” Malon said, while going back to grab the gravy and long, serrated serving knife.
Once the table was set, and everyone was ready to eat (except Pon, who had a small bowl of milk), Malon took the lid off the dish the food was on, “Presenting, my own, world-famous Dipping Pie!” she declared, revealing the steaming, soft, yellow pie.
Before she let anyone have the pie though, she made everyone ladle up some gravy, jokingly imitating a motherly figure, scolding them for silly, little things, like sitting improperly. They all had a good laugh and Malon then served up the pie. All of them started talking about what was happening and such, when Malon asked why they had left the Forest and where there with her. Link put down his fork and explained it all to Malon, with Sora and Pon piping up here and there to add things Link missed.
“And that’s it. That’s why we’re out here,” Link finished, as Sora and Malon finished their pie and Pon loudly slurped up the last of her milk.
Malon got up and took the dishes and took the dishes to the sink, “It’s all very interesting, but I’m still confused about one thing. How did you the Kokiri Emerald anyways, Sora?”
Sora set down her milk nervously, quickly trying to think of a way to tell them without exposing how she felt about Link, “Well…I-I don’t exactly know, to be honest. I knew I wanted to go with Link, so I went to the Deku Tree and tried to think of a way I could. Then, this green light came and this girl who looked kind of like me appeared in it. She smiled and told me I could, if I wanted to. Go with Link, I mean. Then she disappeared and the Kokiri Emerald replaced her, and her voice came in my head. She told me that, if I had the Emerald with me, my wish would be true, that I could be a Hylian so I could go with Link. Without the Emerald, tough, I’ll become a Kokiri again.”
Malon had just finished cleaning up, and was back at the table, as Sora reached the end of her small tale.
Link had been listening too, more intently than Malon, if that was possible. Especially when Sora mentioned the girl who looked like her.
Saria.
“And you’ve still got the Emerald with you?”
Sora untied her wallet and brought out the Emerald. The light danced and shimmered in the forest-green Emerald, smooth as glass and untouched by time. Malon couldn’t take her eyes off of it, mesmerized by its pure beauty.
“I have to have it with me,” Sora continued, putting it back in her wallet, “or I’ll become a Kokiri again. And then I would…”
Malon caught what Sora meant as she trailed off.
Link sat quietly, taking everything in and weighing what few options he had and pondering the day’s events. Pon saw him staring attentively at the spot on the table where his plate had been. Her curiosity got the better of her and she perked up, “What is it Link?”
He sat up with a start and blinked several times, as if he just woke up. He shook his head before replying, “Well, this is the second time the Emerald has been out of the Forest, and the first time, it cost Hyrule many lives, including that of the original Deku Tree, Goddesses rest his soul. That first time, naught good came of the Emerald’s absence, and there is nothing to make me think that history won’t repeat itself in some way.”
Link turned to Sora, and spoke in the same deep voice he had had after he stopped the rain earlier that day, “You must not let anyone else know that you’re carrying the Emerald. And you can’t tell anyone that we have it, either,” he finished, turning to Malon as he spoke the last sentence.
Everyone knew the stakes had just been raised. If this “Venr” was out there, and was significant enough to make Navi leave, then he may be trying to find them. And if he found them and got the Emerald…
Sora gulped loudly.

vvvvvv

Talon yawned and stretched his arms. Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and yawned again. He got out of his bed and walked over to his closet, retrieving red shirt, blue, denim overalls and brow shoes. His shirt gave him a little trouble as it put up a fight when he tried to get it over his gut and he donned the rest of his clothes. His thin, brown hair was next to none on the forehead and on the top of his head, but he still had enough on the sides and back to tie into a small ponytail. He walked over to the mirror and brushed his thick, brown hair into a ponytail, brushed his thick, brown beard and rubbed his eyebrows, trying to make them look thinner.
“Good morning!” he said excitedly, as he came down the stairs, “Malon, why didn’t you tell me we had guests?” he added, noticing Link, Sora and Pon.
Malon giggled a little before replying, “You looked so peaceful, I couldn’t dare wake you. This is Sora and her fairy, Pon. You remember Link.”
“Ah, yes! Hello Link, it sure has been a while since you were last here. And welcome, Sora, Pon. What has brought you here, today?”
Not wanting to explain the events of the morning again, Link quickly answered, “We’re just on our way to visit the Castle Town’s Market.”
“Hmm. Not a bad idea. Haven’t been there in a while, no I haven’t,” Talon stroked his beard as he talked, remembering old times, “Hey, Malon, have you shown them how Ep-”
“No I haven’t! I forgot about that! C’mon, you three, I’ve got something to show you!” Malon interrupted, running out the door and leading Link, Sora and Pon out to the field at the back of the Ranch.
The horses were out running in the fenced-in centre of the field, and there, Link saw her. Link ran over and started petting Epona’s head affectionately, while making click noises with his tongue to let her know he was there. His old pony licked his hand, glad to see him. Last time they had seen each other, Epona had been a foot under him, and now she was half a foot over him. She was becoming a horse.
“That’s Epona, Link’s old pony. She would only listen to him from the time they met,” Malon explained to Sora and Pon, taking them to see the brown, slightly smaller pony beside Epona, “This is Belit. She and Epona seem to be good friends. We found her just last week, injured in the middle of the Field’s main path. Her right hind-leg was nearly broken, but I managed to fix it.”
Sora walked up to Belit and petted her head. Belit thanked her by licking her hands when Sora scratched behind her ears.
“Aaawww! Aren’t you the cutest little pony? Yes you are! Yes you are!” Sora fawned, still petting Belit as Pon flew around her, curiously, “It’s too bad we have to leave you behind little pony. But don’t worry; Malon will take good care of you.”
“Well, actually…I was thinking…um…it’d be faster…if…uh…if you and Link…took them with you,” Malon hesitated as she said this. She didn’t want to see the ponies go, but she thought they’d be happier this way.
Link overheard this, and came over to Malon, “Are you sure? You really would like us to take them?”
Malon blinked away the tears that were forming at the thought of the ponies leaving, but she smiled, too, “Yes, I’m sure. They’d probably be happier this way. And I know you’ve probably missed Epona just as much as she has you. Besides, it’d help you get to the Castle faster.”
Epona came up from behind Link and nudged his shoulder lightly. Link sighed, “Alright. We’ll take them with us.”
A huge smile came over his face and he hugged Malon, catching her by surprise, “Thank you. They’ll be back here soon. I promise,” he whispered in her ear.
The hug also caught Sora by surprise, but it ended quickly, so she tried to hide her emotions when Link turned back to her, “All right, let’s go!”
Sora needed a little help getting on Belit, but, once she was on, she felt quite at ease. She held onto the pony’s thick, black mane to keep her balance because there were no saddles or reigns small enough to fit on either pony. Link had already hopped on Epona, holding her thinner, white mane, and led the way for Sora as they rode on through the Ranch-gates. Malon ran alongside them until they got to the gates, where she stopped, waved, and yelled goodbye, “And good luck,” she added at almost a whisper. She stood there and saw them turn, say goodbye, turn back once more and ride on north. Malon stayed watched until they had rode further than the eye could see before walking back to tend to the animals.

vvvvvv

Link and Sora rode on, until the sun was on the western horizon, setting in brilliant beams of orange and gold. They saw a small cluster of trees nearby and decided to camp there for the night. Link got some tall, thick branches and poled them in triangular fashion, like a tepee.
“What are you doing?” Sora asked.
Link continued the work, tying the branches to each other at the top and pegging them into the ground at the bottom, “Tricking the Stalchildren. Once I get my Bunny Hood on top of this thing, we can sleep under it. They’ll think it’s a big animal and leave us alone.”
“What’s a Stalchild?” Pon asked, nervously.
“They’re these skeletal, ghostly, zombie-ish things,” Link answered, as he tossed the Bunny Hood on the top ends that were tied together, “It’s hard to explain, you have to see one to really know what it is.”
He stopped talking and put one finger over his mouth, signalling for Sora and Pon to be quiet. He took out his sword and looked hard in front of him, the trees hiding their secrets in the black of night. A raspy laugh greeted him. He quickly to Sora and Pon to get under the structure he’d made and stay there before forward into the darkness.
After ten paces, Link looked back. He could no longer see where they’d set camp. Link gritted his teeth and continued forward, sword in both hands and shield on his back. He could hear them breathe, drawing in slow, rough breaths. He could smell their rotting, crusty-yellow bones all around him, a stench that soon began to cling to him. Then he saw their beady, red eyes, glaring at him from the shadows. They had surrounded him.
Link took his shield off his back, whipped it in front of him, turned his sword to his back, and began to charge it with magic. The Stalchildren were advancing on him, moaning in some hoarse, uncouth dialect, and swiping their crusty, boney arms at him, viciously. Just as Link finished charging his sword, a Stalchild taller than all the rest jumped from behind a tree and went to attack Link’s back. He was the first to be felled by Link’s blade as Link unleashed a circle of magical, golden flames from his sword, giving a deep battle-cry as he did so. The Stalchildren tried to run, but few succeeded, crumbling to dust, as the flames ground them down fiercely, like a hammer on timber. They screamed as they ran and Link began to breathe heavily after the magic blast; it took a lot out of him. But, still he smiled. He had won.

vvvvvv

The sun rose slowly in the east, gleams of white and yellow light breaking through the trees as a distant Cucco crowed in the morning.
Link blinked some dew out of his eyes and stood up to yawn and stretch. Sora woke up with a yawn as he was dismantling the structure he’d made the night before, “Good morning!” he greeted.
“Oh, wow. This is beautiful,” Sora said, stunned by the light that filled the small forest.
“A lot more than it was. This place used to be filled with Poes,” Link stopped, a slightly confused look on his face, “Wait, no. That hasn’t even happened yet. Never mind.”
“What do you mean, hasn’t happened yet?”
“Never mind, for now. It’s too long and complicated to delve into now. We should continue onto the Castle for now; it’ll all be explained there.”
Sora wanted to continue asking, but she knew in the way Link said it that all would be explained in time. She was also too tired to continue with any other questions.
Link had just finished taking apart the fake animal and he tossed the branches away and put the Bunny Hood back in his haversack, “Well, are we all ready to go?”
“All except one,” Sora replied, nodding towards Pon, who was still fast asleep.
Link saddled up on Epona and trotted over to Pon, grinning impishly. He covered his ears and gave Epona a nudge right behind her hind legs. This startled the pony and she reared up, whinnying loudly.
“AAAAHHHH!!!!” Pon screamed.
Sora giggled as Pon began yelling at Link, hassling him mercilessly for waking her like that, “You scared the living daylights out of me! You scared me out of ten years’ growth!”
“You aren’t even ten years old!” Link shot back quickly, before his voice was once again drowned out by the fairy’s. He was smiling, though, obviously enjoying his little prank.
“That’s not the point! I meant that you…that you…that’s not the point!”
“Oh, come off it. We have to go, Pon, come on!” Sora said, as she got up on Belit.
“You’re supposed to be on my side!” Pon exclaimed, but Link and Sora had already begun to ride towards the castle, “Hey! Wait for me!” she yelled, as she flew off after them.

Chapter 4 - Meeting with Zelda

The sun shone high above the land, caressing it with golden rays of light and bringing forth a new day. The tall grass waved in the small, warm breeze and the animals roamed freely through it. All across the land, people began to wake, to enjoy the newborn day’s splendour. Slowly and noisily, the castle gates came down and out dashed a skinny man with short, red hair and white tunic, rimmed with beige. He began to do leg stretches and then got out a Bunny Hood of his own. Putting it on so that it concealed his eyes, he laced up his tall, brown sandals and began to run. It was a day just the same as the last to Hyrule and its citizens, though these days were running short.
Link and Sora rode out of the small forest quickly, with Pon just a tad behind. They rode for two hours before reaching the castle gates, where a guard stopped them. He bid them turn back, but when Link took off his cap, he quickly apologized. He told Link that the princess had been expecting him and allowed him passage. The guard would not let Sora and Pon through, however.
“Why can’t we go through?”
“My orders are to let only friends of the Royal Family and citizens of the Castle Town through. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.”
Link looked harshly at the guard, “Let them pass -- they’re with me.”
“I’ve already said I am not permitted to do so. I would if I could, but I cannot change my orders.”
“Then maybe I can.”
Link turned around, as did the guard, while Sora and Pon leaned over to see who had spoken. There, in front of their very eyes, was Princess Zelda and behind her, her Sheikah servant, Impa.
Immediately, the guard stood to attention.
“You shall let the two behind you pass as well, if you wish to avoid a second demoting, soldier.”
He darted aside as fast as he could and saluted before apologizing to Sora and Pon.
Then, Sora saw Zelda; she suddenly felt very self-conscious about her looks. It was like seeing all the beauty of the three Goddesses in one person. Her blonde hair shimmered, gold, like the sun, her earrings, shaped like the Triforce, reflected the sun’s white light in all directions. Along with the other glistening gold jewellery that decorated her pure white dress, it made it seem as if she was glowing. Sora clearly saw the phoenix and Triforce crest of Hyrule on a strip of light purple in the centre of her dress and noticed something, hidden in Zelda’s hands, before Zelda formally placed her hands behind her back. Sora shrugged it off, figuring it was the tiara she had heard Zelda wore; it was absent from her head, letting her straight hair free.
“Come. You look as if you have important business. And someone who is here has been waiting for you, quite impatiently, as a matter of fact,” Zelda said, with a sly smile. Her voice was just as lovely as herself, if such a thing was possible.
Link and Sora got off the ponies and Impa had the guard take them to the stables. Mumbling, he went off, leaving the others to continue to the castle. Link walked alongside Zelda, conversing excitedly, as he had with Malon. This caused much whispering among the townsfolk that saw the two side-by-side. Those who didn’t see it didn’t believe it, and those who did thought one of two things: Link was here for some sort of celebration, or peril was on its way.
Sora walked with Impa, Pon hovering along with them. She found she couldn’t ask enough questions, but the Sheikah laughed a hard (but joyous) laugh, “Do not worry, miss. All will be explained in time,” Sora knew the words and Impa spoke them very promisingly, as had Link. She didn’t worry.

vvvvvv

‘I’ve got to get it right this time!’ thought Elcy, rushing to finishing cleaning Zelda’s chamber. Elcy was the second-youngest hand in the castle, though she was nearing her thirty-second year. She had been taken in by the King when her family was taken by war many, many years ago. Left mostly in the care of the maids and servants alike since just after infancy, Elcy had been taught to do the work of a hand, though she wasn’t all that good at it. She had improved vastly over the last few years, however, and they were sure she’d get it, but, until then, some of the ruder hands laughed at her inability. Elcy wanted dearly to prove them wrong.
Elcy then heard Zelda’s voice, as well as a few others. She could identify Impa, but she wondered about the others as she smoothed out the final wrinkles of Zelda’s quilt. The princess then entered, followed by the rest of their little group, and Elcy curtsied as properly as she could, “Greetings, your majesty. I have just finished, and I have kitchen duty tonight, so if you will please excuse me-”
“Yes, thank you, Elcy. Do as you may, your work here is clearly done.”
“Thank you, your highness,” Elcy curtsied again and left, but not without wondering who the three others were. She shrugged it off and headed for the kitchen.
Zelda walked over to sit on the bed, but found it to hard as stone. Impa came over and relieved the quilt and sheets of their taut strain, making the bed feel much softer.
“That girl; she tucks the bed too tight and ties my dresses too tight,” Zelda commented.
“She will get it in time, princess.”
“Yes, I’m sure she will, Impa. But that has little relevance now. Come, Link, and bring your companions…”
“Sora.”
“And Pon!”
“…Sora and Pon. Someone is waiting for you,” Zelda finished. She then nodded to Impa, and the Sheikah took her leave.
The four of them headed towards the courtyard, and Link filled Zelda in on why they had come, with Sora and Pon adding parts here and there, as they went.
“Well, you picked the right place to come,” Zelda said, as Link finished, and they entered the courtyard.
Navi was there waiting for them, and she flew to Link as soon as she saw him.
“Link!”
“Navi!”
Link embraced the fairy in a friendly hug, glad to see she was alive and well and happy that they were reunited once more.
“She got here at sun-down yesterday, frantically flying hither and thither. After she calmed down, she told us. Let us sit before she says it again.”
Taking Zelda’s suggestion, they all sat down, except for Pon and Navi, who hovered beside their companions. They all knew that this was going to be big.
“What is your news, Navi?”

vvvvvv

Naedora was nervous as she climbed the stone stairs of the Gerudo Fortress. Venr never called anyone to his chamber without an extremely serious or urgent reason. Her feet padded silently on the hard stone floor, quieted by the thick, cloth-like shoes every Gerudo wore. Before entering Venr’s chamber, the Gerudo General smoothed out the wrinkles on her purplish/red, sleeveless shirt and puffed-out, full-length pants of the same colour. She straightened the thin that held her military decorations and tightened her brown, elbow-length armlets. Taking one last, deep breath, she entered.
“You wished to see me, Lord?”
Venr was looking out the window, his back to the chamber door. The sun caught his long, white hair, making it shine in parts, while parts were caught in shadow. His long, black cape, decorated with traditional Gerudo script and runes, waved slightly in the light breeze that came from the open window in front of him, showing his black and brown, full-length tunic and pants, also rimmed with Gerudo script. He clenched his fists, making his black, leather gauntlets moan, and turned to face Naedora, his thick, black boots moving surprisingly quietly on the floor.
“Do you know what I hate?”
Naedora gulped; this couldn’t be good, “N-no, Lord.”
“I hate that the sun can still reach me with its light. I hate that my own shadow strays from me, even now. I hate that those who keep the shadows away are still out there. And I hate that I have bid you find but one of those and that that small task is still unaccomplished!!” he finished furiously, his face practically touching Naedora’s. His dark red eyes were filled with rage and he had half a mind to unsheathe the dagger on his knee and have his way with her throat.
“The sentries I sent to find him returned this morning, Lord.”
Venr backed away, though still angry, “What is their word?”
“He was seen exiting the forest and we allowed your pet to go in and attempt to gain information.”
“Then, where is he?”
“He is…” Naedora didn’t know where he was. She thought for a moment, but then she saw him, in the distance, through the window, “…behind you, Lord.”
Venr turned his attention to the window and saw the owl, “Good. Now, leave me. Round up the rest of the generals and have them assemble in the parade grounds immediately. And get our prisoner fed.”
Of course, Lord, right away,” Naedora nodded and left, relieved that he had not been in one of his moods. She went to the kitchen and got two of the chefs to gather the rotted food and feed their prisoner before going off to round up the generals.
The two chefs climbed up the stairs to the prison roof and tossed the bag of food down the big, square hole in the roof. It hit Kaepora Gaebora’s head before landing beside him. The chefs laughed at this and left Kaepora to peck open the bag, his wings and talons bound tightly. He cursed himself for being caught and hoped that Navi would tell Link. It was his only hope for freedom.

vvvvvv

“Venr is one of Dragmire’s disciples. He has been told and now fully believes that his whole purpose for being is to release his master back into the world and to serve him. While Dragmire has proclaimed himself King Of Evil, Venr has dubbed himself The Shadow Lord. He had kidnapped Kaepora Gaebora when I left.”
“Wait, yesterday we got a ride to Lon Lon Ranch from Kaepora. Are you telling me that that wasn’t him?” Link interrupted.
“Oh, no. No, that would’ve been Venr’s pet, Gelbora. Why, did you tell him anything?”
“We told him everything,” Link said, cursing himself under his breath, obviously very frustrated, “I guess we should leave, then. Better to get out of here so no one else may accidentally get caught in the middle, like last time. We’d better go by sun-up tomorrow.”
“But, where will you go?” Zelda asked, worriedly.
“We can try and make for Shoton, in the east. There’s a fast route to it in the Lost Woods; we would have to move with haste, though.”
“Should I stay here?”
“No, Sora. You’d have to come. You, too, Pon. Gelbora knows you two, therefore, Venr probably does, too. It’d be dangerous for you to stay. Looks like you signed on for more than you originally bargained for.”
“Looks like it,” Sora replied, trying in vain to sound somewhat happy at the thought of leaving Hyrule. She had finally been able to see its vast beauty for the first time. She didn’t want to leave. So, in her heart, she stayed.

vvvvvv

That night, Link and Sora both were bathed and given different clothes. Link was given a more formal guard’s outfit, minus the tall, spiked helmet and Sora got a knee-length, straight blue dress and dark red top. She quite liked Link’s outfit, but obvious from Link’s pouting face that he wanted to be back in his tunic. They also got their hair cut: Link’s bangs were trimmed and were noticeably shorter, as were his bang-like sideburns. Sora’s hair was trimmed slightly and made up so it all flowed back, with little bangs in the front.
“There! Now no one, or at least very few, will know who you truly are!” Zelda exclaimed proudly.
“But, at quite a price,” Link mumbled. He was grateful, but he loathed the tighter feeling of his new outfit.
“Oh, quit whining. At least now you’re wearing pants!”
Link shot an annoyed, “don’t-even-go-there” look at Pon for her sharp remark.
“Well, I love my new clothes. I look great! And your new clothes aren’t all that bad, you know.”
Link smiled, “Thanks, Sora.”
“It’s getting late; you kids must be off to bed so you can rest up! A long journey is ahead of you if you are to reach Shoton before Venr finds you! Come along, now!” Impa shooed them off, Zelda to her chamber and Link and Sora to the guest chambers, with Navi and Pon following.
Link went into his chamber and changed into his Zora Tunic to sleep. He tucked himself in and stared at the ceiling, leaving the small oil lamp by the bed lit and putting his hands under his head. So much had happened in so little time…It was almost too much for him to get his head around. And it was no coincidence; Link had learned before that such a thing didn’t exist. Everything happens for a reason. ‘But, what was the reason behind this?’ he thought. He looked to the side and saw Navi was already asleep on the window sill. He smiled before looking back at the ceiling and falling asleep at his own thoughts. He would resolve them on the morrow.