Legend of Zelda: Links Descendant

[Swix]

This is my OoT Fanfic story, which unlike Creatures Search is finished. It's not completely typed up yet, so there will be chapters put up weekly or so. Enjoy))

'CURSE YOU…Link!!!'

'Someday… when this seal is broken…'

'That is when I will exterminate your descendants!'

'As long as the Triforce of Power is in my hand…'

Ganondorf, End of Ocarina of Time.

Chapter 1: Escape

Lorin was bored. Even though she was a Hylian princess, as well as a direct descendant of the Seventh Sage and the Hero of Time, she never got to even go outside the castle except on some sort of parade. To make this day even worse, Tila, her Sheikah attendant, was trying to teach her some sort of ancient language that was extremely complicated. She had started daydreaming, and was absent-mindedly staring at the Kokiris Sword to the right of the special trophy room.
"Lorin if you don't start paying attention I will take our lessons out of this room."
"Huh? What…no, don't do that, I like it in here!"
Lorin said, completely out of her daydream. Tila sighed.
"Sometimes I think that's the problem…Am I boring you?"
She said when she noticed Lorin trying, and failing, to stifle a yawn.
"Well, yes. But that's not why I'm yawning. I went to bed really late last night."
"Why?"
"Mother was trying to teach me how to be a 'proper' Princess; she wouldn't let me go to bed until I got the curtsey right. Not like I'm ever going to use it."
Tila smiled. It seemed rare that a Sheikah ever did that. Lorin thought they should try it more often, it suited Tila anyway.
"I don't see how you would use it, you never wear dresses. Alright, you can have a break and we’ll start horse-riding early”
“Yes!”
Lorin ran out of the room, in the direction of the stables, golden hair flying out behind her. Tila sighed as she packed up. Lorin looked so much like Zelda, yet her attitude and energy were so different. Perhaps it’s time to teach combat skills.

“Come on, Ella, it’s me!” Lorin tried to coax the chestnut and white horse out. The best racer and jumper in Hyrule, Ella was also the most timid. Like and yet unlike her ancestor Epona. “I’ll give you a sugar lump if you come out”
Finally, Ella did, and stayed out after realising exactly whom it was. Only Princess Lorin carried sugar lumps.
“Bribing the horses again, Lorin?”
Tila made her jump. Although Sheikah were much taller than Hylians, they had the ability to walk silently and almost invisibly.
“Yes. Can we start now?”

That lesson lasted the entire day. Lorin was a true master at it. The next day, Tila sprang a surprise.
“Do I really get to combat train?”
“Yes. Although it did take some time to convince your parents. You have the right attitude and mind for it. I bet you’ll be master of swords and shields for your seventeenth birthday”
“Less than a year? Cool!”
They practiced this for weeks, only stopping ever so often for something important, or that they both enjoyed. Like horseback riding or Ancient to Recent History. Which Lorin had a question that had been nagging at her to ask.
“Tila, do you know what happened to the Triforce of Courage? It can’t just disappear, can it?”
“Truth is, I don’t know what happened to it. None of the Sheikah legends say what happens if only one of the three Triforce Keepers dies. Some believe if all three Triforce Keepers die, the Triforce parts will rejoin and resume their resting place in the Sacred Realm. This is probably true, but as you don’t physically age in the Evil Realm, and Sages can prolong their lifespan indefinitely, I don’t know. Perhaps it went back to the Sacred Realm to wait for the other two.”
“Mmm …” Lorins eyes glazed over. “So why did Ganondorf try to kill Link?”
“Unfortunately, that does have a legend basis to it. If the Keeper does not wish their particular Triforce to recombine, usually because they know it would be used for evil purposes, it won’t. The only way to get it to do what it would normally, if the three pieces were in the same room, would be to kill the Keeper. Unfortunately, again, this has been proven true. “
“Oh, I see…” Again, that glazed, far off look. This time it took Tila several tries to get her to respond.
“Huh? What was I thinking about? Just… wondering, really”
“Wondering what?”
“Well, what would happen if Ganondorf managed to break the seal and come back? He threatened to, and I’m sure that seal can be broken”
“I’m sure it can and will too. You just better hope it’s not during your lifetime, remember?”
“Remember what? ...Ummm…”
“You can’t have forgotten that! It’s probably the most important part! Alright, what did Ganondorf threaten to do after breaking the seal?”
“Err… Oh yes. ‘That is when I will exterminate your descendants’ is what he said”
“Mm-hmm. And what are you?”
“A direct descendant of Links”
“So what would Ganondorf do to you?”
“Exterminate me” She whispered.
“Good. If he does break the seal, we should know. You and your father should hide, both being descendants. Your mother shouldn’t be in too much trouble, as she is not descended from Link or Zelda in any way.”
“But… What if he found out where we were hiding, or could see through disguises?”
“Running would be good. I doubt anyone could run or ride swifter than you and Ella can”
“What if no-one knew? Or someone did, but couldn’t tell?”
“If I were that someone, “Tila said, looking grim “then I would consider you both as good as dead. I think you and I both need a break to take our minds off such grim thoughts”

The next day, Tila sprung another surprise upon the Hylian Princess.
“You are to go to see the Professor in the Lakeside Laboratory next to Lake Hylia. He can help improve your diving skills. Its southwest from here. If you think you’re lost then ask for directions. Take Ella, she can get you there faster”
“Aren’t you coming, Tila?”
“I wish I could, but I have some stuff to do. Everyone else is busy too. Looks like your own for your first trip outside the Castle Town”
“Alright!”
Lorin ran to the stables, got into the changing rooms and changed into her favourite blue tunic. Then she went and put reins, saddle and stirrup on Ella, who for once wasn’t acting timid. Then they both raced out of the castle grounds, through Hyrule Market and into Hyrule Field. She was enjoying herself so much she didn’t realise what direction she was going, and soon found she could no longer see any landmarks she recognised.
“Ella, I think we’re lost” she said, stopping the horse “What did Tila say? Oh yeah, ‘ask for directions’ well, I’d better go find someone then”
She rode around, looking for anyone that could direct her to Lake Hylia. Eventually she spotted what seemed to be an old man wearing a long cape and hood, which completely covered his face and just about every other feature. His back seemed bent and his cloak was a sandy brown colour.
“Excuse me” she said as she rode up to him “but can you tell me the way to Lake Hylia?”
“Why, certainly” he said in a voice that seemed far too strong for an old man “I was just going there myself. If I’m right, you’re Princess Lorin?”
“Yes, that’s me”
“You are one of Links descendants, aren’t you?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Yes, I would have thought that that was common knowledge”
“Oh it is, I just wanted to make sure. Lake Hylia’s that way”
He pointed straight ahead.
“Thank you, come on Ella” She tried to urge her horse forwards, but Ella wouldn’t budge. She was giving the old man a very strange look. “Oh dear, don’t tell me you’re scared of him? Fine” she said as she dismounted. “You stay here. I’ll walk to Lake Hylia and pick you up on the way back. “
Then she turned to the old man “Please, lead the way”

The old man didn’t say a thing until they reached Lake Hylia. Then he turned towards her.
“I have something to tell you that is very important. Please, follow me to the middle of the lake”
Not know what else to do; she followed him over the two rope bridges onto the middle ‘island’, with its single tree and the ‘teleport’ platform with the Triforce symbol.
“So, what’s so important you have to tell me here?” She asked, puzzled.
“You know what happened after Link defeated the Evil King? What he threatened to do?”
“Yes, he threatened to break the seal and destroy Links descendants, 200 years ago”
“200 years…so long. He has been gathering power steadily since then and has broken through. He knows you and your father are descendants. He has been tracing Links bloodline during his imprisonment in the Evil Realm. He’s come back to do what he threatened”
“How do you know all this?” Lorin asked, taking a step back, unsure whether or not to trust the old man.
“You see, I know all this…because, “he threw off his cloak and drew himself up to his full height, almost twice as tall as Lorin was “I am Ganondorf” he said as he grabbed both of her arms. She struggled to get out of his grip, but in vain, he was too strong. He smiled that really nasty smile at her.
“And you, my dear Princess, have fallen right into my trap”
She stopped struggling, as there was no point. She looked him straight in the eye.
“So, are you going to kill me now or not?”
“Oh, I am going to kill you, but not yet. Now, I only have one of Links descendants. But there are two of you, aren’t there?”
“Oh, no… Dad! ”

At the end of the day, Ella came galloping back to the castle in a panic. It took Tila quite a long time to calm her down. When she finally did, she found a piece of parchment wedged under the saddle. It was addressed to the king.

‘If you ever want to see your precious Princess again, dear King,
You’ll come to the sandbanks just in front of Gerudo Valley.
You’ll find a door in the side.
Come alone’

“It’s genuine. Lorin wouldn’t have Ella come home without her. She’d know we’d be worried. It’s not a prank as it’s not in her handwriting”
Tila told the King, as she had spent the most time with the Princess.
“So what should I do?”
“Hmmm… I’m afraid I can’t offer any advice. Whoever wrote this obviously isn’t afraid of killing the Princess. It’s up to you”
“Right then, I’m going”

It was almost midnight by the time he arrived at the door described in the letter. He dismounted and knocked.
“Come in” He heard a strong voice say. He entered through the door slowly and was almost knocked over backwards by Lorin, as she detached herself from the shadows of the opposite wall and ran at him.
“Dad,” she said as she threw her arms around him “you shouldn’t have come. Now he has both of us”
“What are you talking about? Who has both of us?”
“Dad, it’s…”
“It’s me,” Ganondorf said, emerging from the left, “I’ve come back”
He was twirling what seemed to be a short sword in his right hand. They both took a step back from him. The King staring at him first with shock, then with determination. Lorin had only determination in her eyes.
“You two are definitely related to Link, that look was so typical of him. What, no last words?” He gripped the short sword tightly; Lorin could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up “Fine then, I will let you two decide who goes first”
He raised the sword and charged. Lorin found herself being spun around as her father used his own body as a shield against the blow.
“Lorin” he breathed as the blade struck, his hands now braced against the wall “run”
She ran to the door but before she got there it shimmered. It was still a door but with no handle, lock or even hinges. It was as if the wood had melted and merged with the rock. She turned around and saw her father being stabbed by Ganondorf a second time, this time he collapsed.
Then Ganondorf turned his attention to her, saw her by the door and smiled.
“You cannot escape”
He said as he advanced towards her.
“Help me” she whispered, seemingly to no one as she backed away. “Farore, please help me” she found she’d backed right into the door “Please” she said again, not really expecting anything to happen.
There was a glint of gold and white from the back of her left hand, and a blinding flash behind her. She looked over her shoulder, not really knowing what to expect, and found the door was no longer there. There was just a hole leading outside. She ran through it to her fathers grey horse and mounted it, not daring to look back. She urged the stallion to a full gallop soon hearing of horse and rider pursuing her.
Then something flew past her ear. An arrow! He was shooting arrows at her! The horse bolted, somehow finding a speed it had never had before, as ever more arrows came flying past. She was no longer sure if she was controlling the horse, but it seemed to know where it was going. They had just gone past Lon Lon Ranch (though Lorin didn’t yet know what it was called) and she could see the Castle Town up ahead, when an arrow hit her on her left shoulder.
“Aaaaargh!” she screamed, then realised there was a slowly spreading pain coming from the wound “Poisoned arrows? Oh, no!” The horse ran over the drawbridge, with Lorin yelling at the top of her lings:
“Raise the drawbridge, raise the drawbridge!” just as another arrow hit her, right next to the first.
Imagine the kind of shock the guards got when they saw her, riding in at top speed on the Kings horse, yelling for them to raise the drawbridge, with two arrows sticking out of her left shoulder. They did as they were told though. They saw the black silhouette of the horse and rider that was shooting arrows at their Princess just before the drawbridge covered it.

Tila had stayed up, waiting for the Kings and Princess’s return. It had been two and a half hours since he had left to find Lorin, but Tila now feared the worst. She was just about to give up when she heard Lorins voice yelling to the guards. Tila rushed out into the castle grounds to see Princess Lorin enter on a panic-stricken horse. She somehow managed to calm the horse, then saw Tila coming towards her, dismounted then ran toward her, somewhat slowly because of the poison. Tila held Lorins shoulders and looked her in the eye.
“Lorin, what happened? Isn’t that your fathers’ horse?”
Tila asked, concerned.
“Dad… he killed Dad! He tried to kill me too!”
“Who did? Was it the same person that’s been shooting arrows at you?”
“Yes, it’s Ganondorf, he’s come back! Arrows… yes, arrows… in my shoulder... I think they’re poisoned.”
The pain from the poison had spread to all of Lorins body, and was slowly increasing its intensity. She was also finding it more and more difficult to think.
Tila was shocked at what she’d just heard, but she had to protect Lorin. Even though she knew taking the arrows out could cause more damage to Lorins shoulder, she had to shut off the source of the poison. So she yanked both of the arrows out in one swift motion so it caused minimum pain for the Princess. She found that the tips of both were blackened. She knew she’d seen this before.
“Thank you” said Lorin as her vision blurred and she started to sway “I feel much better now”
She lost consciousness.

[Goron40]

Has someone been playing the Twilight Princess on their new Wii?

[Swix]

Certainly not me

[Swix]

((As I promised, the weekly update. Enjoy Chapter 2 ))

Chapter 2: The Council

Lorin awoke in her bedroom, hoping it had all been a bad dream. She knew it had been real as the aches that the arrows had left behind came back. She turned as she heard the door open and saw Tila enter.
“You’re awake. I didn’t expect you’d wake up this early.”
“How long has it been?”
Lorin asked as she sat up, despite the pain doing so caused.
“About five days. It was almost too late to save you”
“What do you mean? Have you seen this before?”
“Once, long ago. It was declared illegal to possess it, for any reason. Fortunately there was still a supply of the antidote here. If you had arrived ten minutes later, the antidote wouldn’t have worked”
“I see. How do you think… he… got hold of it?”
“I don’t know. Probably made it. A recovery like yours from it is virtually miraculous”
Miraculous… Lorin remembered escaping. A glint of gold and white, then a blinding flash behind her… She looked at the back of her left hand, expecting to see something there. But there was nothing, it was just an ordinary hand.
“What are you looking for, Lorin?”
“I thought… perhaps… Tila, the only way you’ll understand is if you know exactly what happened after I left”
Tila pulled a chair over to the Princess’s bed “Go ahead” she said.
Lorin told her everything that had happened from the moment she left the castle. From getting lost and meeting the old man, to fleeing back to the castle as fast as possible.
“I should’ve known that man was bad news, the way Ella reacted. If I hadn’t gone with him then Dad… wouldn’t…”
Lorin was on the brink of tears.
“Lorin” Tila said, trying to calm her down “if you hadn’t he would’ve found some other way to get to you and your father, he probably had a backup plan if you didn’t fall for this one. Don’t blame yourself; it’s not going to help anyone”
“But… Dad…”
“Your father did what he did to save you, because he loved you. No more questions, you need to rest now. I’ll come and check in on you later”
Lorin reluctantly lay back down, closed her eyes and let all her doubts and questions go. ‘At least’ she thought ‘until I’m well enough to get out of this room’

Castle security had almost tripled since Ganondorfs attack. The Queen issued identity cards to all Hylians and messengers to the other races, warning them. Tila herself went into the Kokiri’s Forbidden Forest, to make sure the Deku Tree Sapling knew and could take some sort of counter-measure. She went alone as none of the Hylians that had ever entered, except for Link and Zelda, had come out again. She had to go see the Gerudos alone too, as no one would go near the valley anymore. Though Tila found that there was no longer a door in the sand bank.
Lorin was gaining strength quite rapidly day after day. She had many nightmares though. But always in them, it seemed to her, there was someone, something, that she couldn’t quite make out. Always watching over her, protecting her.

One day Lorin awoke around twelve o’clock, and saw Tila had just opened her bedroom door.
“Lorin, don’t be alarmed. There’s someone here to see you”
She stepped aside. A young Gerudo male entered. He didn’t look much older than she was and had short hair. He was wearing the Gerudo males’ traditional black armour, though it was much lighter than usual and he had decided on having a purple cape. He did not look at all menacing and had bright green eyes. If Lorin had been in a better frame of mind, she would have thought him handsome. This, however, was not the case.
“What’s he doing here?”
She asked.
“Lorin, please calm yourself. This is Naiyan. He is the current Gerudo King.”
“I know what his race is,” Lorin growled “and I know of their laws. But still, what’s he doing here?”
“Please, Princess” He said, going down on one knee and putting his right arm across his chest so his hand touched his left shoulder, a sign of respect “Do not judge my race by what Ganondorf has done. We are nothing like him. I came to offer my services as bodyguard… for you.”
He added. Lorin just glared at him. He felt he had to say something else to get her to even talk to him. Even a simple ‘no’ would have been better than this awkward silence.
“If you know of our race, then you know that we never steal from people unable to defend themselves, nor do we kill. And we always keep our word”
“Ganondorf stole from the weak and killed, and not once has he kept his word. I’d never met a Gerudo before in my life ‘til him, and now you”
“Ganondorf” Naiyan said, clenching his teeth “was not even raised by proper Gerudo. He was brought up by the two witches in the Desert Colossus, so never learned our code of honour. He is a disgrace to our entire race, and gives it a bad name. He tricked us as well, back then. So, if anything, we have more reason to hate him than any other race does.” He calmed himself down a bit, then continued, “I ask of you again, do not judge us by what he did”
He stood up, awaiting Lorins answer. She turned toward Tila, who had been standing silently the whole time.
“Tila?”
“These are not the words of an insincere person, and he has spoken the truth. Allegiance he will have to discuss with your mother, but him being your bodyguard is entirely up to you. He will be staying here overnight though, as we are having a council of the races tomorrow. Your mother does not feel up to it… so soon. So she has asked me to step in for her as well as representing the Sheikah. You should be well enough to attend tomorrow; myself and your mother have decided it is vital you do”
“Okay” Lorin said to Tila, and then turned back to Naiyan, who was still patiently awaiting her answer “I’ll think about it. I should be able to decide by tomorrow. If not, I’ll send word somehow”
“Whether you decide to accept or not, you are always welcome at our Fortress”
He said, bowing, then left the room. Tila exited behind him.

Lorin was woken up by Tila the next day. She felt better than before, but still weak.
“The council starts in two hours. I’ll come and get you in one and a half hours time. You should get ready. Oh, and if you start to feel faint, lie down for a bit”
“’Kay”
Said Lorin drowsily, and got out of bed just as Tila left the room. She was ready after an hour, so decided to read her ‘Legends of Hyrule’ book, which was extremely large and heavy. She had only just got to the middle of it, though she had been reading it for years. In what seemed like no time at all, Tila arrived to take her to the council room.
The room had a large, circular table in the centre, with five chairs placed around it, one for each of the people that were to attend. There were also two guards on either side of the doors. As they went in, Lorin saw two people already seated at the table. One of the elegant, aquatic people, the Princess of the Zoras, and one of the stone eating, gorilla like people, the King of the Gorons. The Zora stood up as Lorin and Tila entered.
“I apologise that my father could not come,” she said as Tila helped Lorin into her seat “he dislikes being on land for a long period of time. He said it makes him dizzy and that he wouldn’t be able to think properly because of it”
“Pathetic fish”
Said the Goron, two seats away from the Zora. She narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, but didn’t say anything.
“We did not come here to insult each others races” Tila said to the Goron, as she sat between him and Lorin. Then she turned back to the Zora “Please, sit back down. There is no need for apologies, I am aware of your fathers’ condition. I believe it is my turn to apologise for the Queen, she does not feel up to this, so has asked me to step in for her”
The Zora nodded and sat back down, next to Lorin.
“Now all we need is for that Gerudo to show up on time, then we can get this over and done with”
The Goron said impatiently. This time it was Tila who narrowed her eyes, which shut him up. Lorin thought him rather rude.
Then they heard what sounded like an argument outside. Tila sighed as she got up and opened the door.
“What’s the problem?”
She asked the guard that was obstructing Naiyans way, but he got in first.
“This gentleman seems to think I intend on hurting someone”
“Weren’t you told he was coming to this council, and what makes you think he intends on hurting someone?”
Tila asked, raising an eyebrow.
“All I did” said the guard, starting to look sheepish “was ask him to leave his weapon with me until after the council, but he completely refused.”
Tila raised both her eyebrows.
“It’s not a weapon. I’ve never used it. It’s a family heirloom, been passed down for generations. I never go anywhere without it”
“Since when have daggers become part of standard dress codes?”
Asked the guard, regaining some composure.
“Daggers? Oh, I see.”
Lorin turned round to try and see what they were talking about, then realised why she hadn’t noticed it before. The strap for the sheath was black leather, so blended in with Naiyans armour. The sheath for the dagger was black with diagonal silver stripes, and hung inconspicuously at his right hip. The handle of the dagger seemed to be made pure silver and shone where the light hit it.
“Naiyan it is our policy not to bring weapons, even heirlooms, inside the council room.”
Tila told him. He still looked reluctant, but said:
“Very well, if it is your policy then I will not bring it in. But I refuse to leave it in such an exposed place as outside the door. It is too valuable to me.”
“I see” said Tila, as the guard glared at Naiyan, insulted “we haven’t got enough time for someone to show you the vault, the safest place it could be. So perhaps I could look after it for you, as I am known to be trustworthy. I am sure that no-one has any objections”
She gave the guard a stern look, to show him she was not asking a question. Naiyan nodded, took the strap and sheath off and handed it to Tila, who folded it carefully and put it in her pocket. They then both entered and sat down, Naiyan in between the Goron and Zora.
“Nice of you to show up. After what happened.”
Naiyan was shocked.
“Surely you don’t think it had anything to do with me?”
“Hmmm, well…”
“Don’t mind him,” the Zora said, leaning over to Naiyan “he’s in a bad mood.” She glared at the Goron.
“Now I know why mother decided she couldn’t cope. Way too much stress.”
Lorin said, under her breath. Tila raised her voice.
“People please. When you are done insulting each other, we are supposed to be having a council here. And will you close that door!”
She said to the guard that was attempting to listen in, he closed it rather hurriedly.
“Now, you all know what happened to the Princess and the King? At least the major details? Good. Now what we have to decide is what to do to protect the Princess and our races”
“Humph” said the Goron “this does not concern us Gorons, it is not our problem. I don’t know why I came to this council”
He stood up and started to leave”
“What you consider not to concern you now may well concern the Goron race in the future. We have no idea what Ganondorf will do in order to get to the Princess”
Tila warned him.
“The Princess is your concern, not ours”
“You fool” said Lorin quietly, though everyone heard her “Ganondorf may be after my blood right now, but he is the enemy of all Hyrule. What will you tell your people if something terrible happens that you could have prevented? That you did not consider it a ‘Goron problem’ at the time so took no steps to try and protect them?!”
The Goron stopped, turned back around and resumed his seat, finally seeing sense. Tila nodded.
“Lorin is right. That is why we have called this council”

They talked for ages, discussing counter-measures, defence, escape plans and even possible weapons, though that drew a blank. They eventually decided on several things: No-one should be allowed outside at night, or on their own. Each member of each race had to be recorded, and copies of that list given to the other races governments. Every individual also had to carry identity cards, which had to be shown when asked, on pain of being thrown in prison until the threat passed. Guards had to be stationed at every entrance to every city, and outside of the different Royal Families dwellings. And no member of any race’s Royalty was to go anywhere outside their dwelling without an escort of at least two people. In Princess Lorins case, one of which she had to know and trust very well. Tila had insisted Lorin retell the group what had happened the night she had been captured, promising this be the last time, as the others needed to have some idea what and who they were dealing with. She almost began to cry, but stopped herself when she did.
“We are all agreed then? Good, then this council is over. Some of our guards can escort you back if you ask. Thank you for coming”
Tila said as she stood up. So did everyone else. Well almost everyone. Lorin tried, found herself go very dizzy and sat back down again. The Goron and Zora both bowed, with the right hand on the left shoulder, and left the room. Naiyan, however, stayed.
“Princess Lorin, have you considered my offer? Do you have an answer yet?”
Ah, the bodyguard thing.
“I’d say… yes. Yes I’d like that very much. You don’t seem the type to go back on your word, or want to harm anyone. And if Tila trusts you, then I do too. I’ve never known Sheikah to be wrong”
Naiyan smiled at her.
“I won’t let you down” he said, then turned to Tila. “Now, what about my dagger?”

Naiyan had decided to stay at Hyrule Castle, as he felt if he was to protect the Princess he should start now. He had asked for messengers to be sent to the Fortress, taking with them a copy of his orders and telling his second in command what he was doing. The Queen had accepted his proposal for allegiance, but even though the guards knew this, and that he had promised not to steal during his stay, they still watched him warily. It was as if they expected him to start attacking people, or breathe fire! It made him feel very uncomfortable sometimes. But, then, he reminded himself, I’ve been accepted by the Queen, a Sheikah and the Princess, don’t these guys realise I mean no harm? What more do they want from me?



The week after the council Lorin was fully healed, though she’d always have scars. She’d started horseback riding again, and though Naiyan had turned out to be great company, she wanted a private conversation with Tila, so she rode out one day with Tila and one of the guards. She had warned the guard not to listen in, so he rode slightly behind.
“Tila there’s still something I don’t understand about… that night”
Said Lorin, slowing Ella down a bit. Tila and the guard did the same with their horses.
“What is it, Princess?”
“The door, why… how, did it disappear? And… my left hand it seemed to glint gold, and white”
“Hmmm, you said you asked Farore to help?”
“Yes”
“Maybe she did. Or perhaps, it may be possible… Perhaps it was the Triforce of Courage, and that is why your left hand glinted. Farore is the Goddess of Courage”
“Perhaps, it seemed so… incredible”
They turned around and headed back to the castle, both in deep thought.

[Swix]

Chapter 3: Attack and Destiny

Lorin was now never to be seen without Tila or Naiyan by her side, who both took their duties very seriously. Naiyans presence was causing quite a lot of speculation, as well as some confusion, among the inhabitants of Hyrule Castle Town and Kakariko Village. Some said Tila was keeping her eye on him, as you never saw one of the three without the others. Some thought there was something going on between him and the Princess, and that Tila was making sure they didn’t get into trouble. Some guessed, but very few, the truth, and not many people believed them.
Lorin enjoyed it. Naiyan turned out to be a great character, and they had a lot in common. She now considered him to be more of a friend than a bodyguard, and she’d never had one like him. ‘Actually,’ she thought one day, as they were riding to Lake Hylia ‘I’ve never had a true friend before, except Tila’.
They were going to Lake Hylia to see the Professor. He’d said there seemed to be no reason to suspect anything was going on up there when Lorin and Tila had asked him if it was safe or not, when he came to Hyrule Castle Town. Lorin needed a break from all the stress Ganondorfs appearance had made, and Tila agreed. Too much stress could make a person ill. They were going so the Professor could help both Lorin and Naiyan work on their diving skills, and also to have some fun.
“Hey, Naiyan, race you. First one to get to the Professors house wins”
“Princess that would not be fair” Tila said, “As Ella is the fastest in Hyrule”
“Perhaps in Hyrule she is, but Firestorm here is the fastest in the desert,” He patted his chestnut horse with the red mane and tail “and we never back down from a race”
Tila sighed.
“I can see there’s no stopping you. But please be careful. I’ll join you as soon as I can”
“Alright then, ready, Naiyan?”
“Ready”
“Then…go!”
They both raced off at full speed. Tila was amazed at how fast they managed to go; obviously Lorin and Ella now had skills enough to do that. She was even more that Naiyan and Firestorm managed to keep up!
‘They’ll have completed their lesson before I even get there.’ Tila thought.

They had, and Lorin had won the race, though it had been very close, whilst Naiyan had complained that Firestorm was used to sand, not grass. Both had changed, Lorin into a green swimming costume and Naiyan into black swim-shorts, though he still wore the strap and sheath for the dagger. Both had done very well for their diving lesson, and the Professor said they only needed a few more lessons to get diving perfect. They were both in the Lake, having fun, when Tila showed up. She dismounted her horse and led it to where the others were standing.
“Hey, Tila!”
Lorin yelled when she spotted her, waving. Tila started to feel uneasy and this didn’t happen very often. ‘Something’s wrong’ she thought, ‘something here, feels wrong.’ Then she spotted what was making her uneasy. ‘The guards! There should be guards here, in front of each door! But there aren’t any!”
“Something’s not right”
She called over to them. Lorin turned to say something to Naiyan, but found him staring down at something in the water, at something directly underneath them.
“Get out of the water.”
He warned quietly.
“What? Is something down there?”
“Yes, now please get out of the water. I don’t know what it is, “ he said as he drew his dagger, as it was the only weapon they had at that moment, “but if I… don’t make it, at least you two will have some idea what it is, and perhaps how to beat it”
Lorin nodded, unhappy but unable to find an alternative. She swam over to where Tila was standing and got out.
“What’s he doing?”
Tila asked her, watching Naiyan swim around, staring into the depths, and making the occasional dive.
“He’s trying to find out what’s in the water that shouldn’t be. He says he saw something.”
“He shouldn’t be doing that. Something’s wrong. The guards have gone, they should be here. Naiyan, we have to leave”
She called over to him. Lorin saw what the other two did not. A large, fast moving ripple with a shadow, like something was just underneath the surface, was moving toward Naiyan at an incredible speed. It was to his left and Lorins right.
“Look out!”
She yelled, too late. A huge silver head rose out of the water, looked at Naiyan and lunged. He barely even had time to turn his head.
“What-“
Was all he got out before the creature grabbed him in its mouth as it dived under-water. All this took was a few seconds, leaving only a churning pool of bubbles and blood.
“No… Naiyan…”
Lorin murmured quietly, tears welling up in her eyes. Tila gently turned her around.
“Lorin, I am truly sorry, but we have to go”
Lorin nodded, but then spotted something behind Tila and started to back away.
“No… not you again. Not again"
“Me, again”
Said Ganondorf, from behind Tila, who spun around and struck a fighting pose.
“Oh, please” he said in a bored tone of voice, then moved his right arm as if to backhand a bug, which somehow sent Tila flying into the wall of the Professors house, knocking her unconscious “is that the best you can do? It’s too bad that that only works on Sheikah”
He muttered, and then looked at Lorin, who now stood at the edge of the lake.
“Heh heh heh heh” he laughed his slow, evil laugh, which sent a chill down Lorins spine.
“I’ll give you two choices. You can stay on land and take your chances with me, of which you really don’t have any, or you can take your chance with the monster in the lake. Either way, I’ll enjoy watching you die.”
“Alright, fine, then I choose… the lake”
She stepped backwards backwards, off the land and into the water. If she was going to die today, she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of dealing the deathblow.
Then she remembered something, Zoras Domain! There was a secret passage to it from under Lake Hylia. She swam underwater; looking for it, found it! And something else that she was not expecting. It was Naiyan, though he was either unconscious or dead, as his eyes were closed and he wasn’t moving. The left side of his body, from his shoulder down to the top half of his leg, was torn and bleeding. Lorin didn’t feel right just leaving him there, and there was no sign of the monster, so she swam over and pulled him over and into the passage. She felt the currents of the lake move as something large and fast swam by. But it was too small for the creature so they were safe. The passage wasn’t as long as Lorin had thought it would be, but it still seemed too long for Naiyan to have survived. Several surprised but anxious Zora helped them out of the water, and laid Naiyan down on his back. Lorin was exhausted from ‘carrying’ him, and also gasping for air.
She hadn’t noticed yet, but Naiyan was still clutching the dagger in his right hand, and its blade had been made out of diamond.
“What’s going on down here?” the Zora Princess demanded as she came down from the royal chambers, flanked by her two escorts.
“Princess Lorin? And the Gerudo King! Where did you two come from?”
“Lake… Hylia”
Lorin panted, whilst checking Naiyans neck for a pulse, but found none.
“No… Naiyan”
“One of you lot, go to Lake Hylia and find out-“
The Zora Princess started, but then looked down in surprise at Lorin, who had suddenly grabbed her arm.
“Don’t… go there… There’s a … monster in the… lake… It attacked… Naiyan… and … Ganondorf… was there… too”
She turned back to Naiyan, unwilling to give up hope. She started doing CPR.
‘Poor Lorin’ thought the Zora ‘first her father, now this. But… if there is a monster, we need to know what it is. And… hold on, someone’s missing’ “What happened to Tila?”
“Knocked out, next to the Professors house”
“Okay. Would one of you please find out just what’s in the lake, and tell Tila what happened to the Princess. Tell the Professor as well”
“I’ll go”
One of them said, though she looked paler than usual.
“Thank you, it is very much appreciated, and please be careful”
The Zora dived and went through the passage. The Princess then turned to Lorin, who had laid her head on the uninjured part of Naiyans chest, as well as both of her hands.
“Lorin I-“
“Don’t say anything. Naiyan, don’t go, don’t leave me. I’ve never known anyone like you. You can’t… COME BACK!”
She had her eyes closed as she was crying, but she still saw the bright light from her left. The Zora, however, saw exactly what happened.
At Lorins devastated cry the Triforce of Courage symbol appeared on the back of her left hand and started glowing. The right triangles white light then shot straight up in the air, split into several beams when it hit the ceiling and dived into Naiyans body. When light had completely disappeared into Naiyan, he started to breathe again. Lorin felt his chest rise up as he took the first breath, and then heard his voice.
“Lorin, do you mind? Someone might get the wrong idea.”
“You’re alive!”
She said as she looked up at him, overjoyed.
“Yes, but this hurts so much. By the way, where are we?”
“Zoras Domain” he looked puzzled “I’ll explain later. You need some rest. There’s just one more thing, your dagger… I thought you said it wasn’t a weapon? That you’d never used it?”
He smiled despite the pain.
“First time for everything”

A dark, serpent like eel watched everything that had gone on, since the moment that Princess Lorin had entered carrying Naiyan, King of the Gerudos, from behind a rock. The Zora took no notice of it, as it wasn’t uncommon for a stray water animal to come through the passage.
It had seen all it needed, so it swam back towards the passage that connected Zoras Domain to Lake Hylia.
‘So, she is the one…’

Lorin stayed at Zoras Domain, refusing to leave Naiyans side until he was well. They had decided that having him travel to Hyrule Castle or his Fortress in his condition was too risky, so he was looked after there. Tila had woken up in the Professors house, who had brought her in. She got the message from the Zora sent to find her. Then the Zora Princess herself showed up, bringing with her news of Naiyans ‘resurrection’ and Lorins Triforce of Courage.
Tila felt that Lorin should find out on her own that she was a Keeper, so asked everyone that knew not to say anything. She also went back to the Castle, after finding the horses, to tell the Queen. Both Tila and the Queen checked in on Lorin and Naiyan every so often.
They never found out what happened to the guards.

One night, as Lorin was sleeping on the makeshift bed the Zoras had made for her, she had a very strange dream.
“Lorin… Lorin, concentrate… Find me, Lorin… That’s it”
Lorin found she was standing in a deep forest, listening. That voice… She knew she had never heard it before, but it seemed familiar…
“Lorin… Find me…”
A bright sphere of blue light appeared in front of her, she felt compelled to follow it, so she did. All through the twists and turns this sphere was taking, Lorin thought she saw, or heard, or felt, someone following her, watching her.
“Lorin… You’re here”
She and the ball of light had reached a clearing in the middle of the forest. It was night, yet the moons rays lit this part as bright as day. The ball began to dim and then resolved into the figure of… Princess Zelda! (From the looks of her age), Seventh Sage, and one of the Triforce Keepers.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Lorin”
“Why? I mean, why were you waiting for me?”
“You are now the last descendant, both of the Hero of Time and the true Hylian Royalty. Ganondorf broke free; you must be prepared when the final battle comes”
“But, how?”
“You must combine the power that lies within you with the weapons you choose to wield. You will not be able to succeed unless you first do this”
“What is this ‘power’?”
“You will find out, though you have already used it”
“What’s the second thing I have to do?”
“Use a certain weapon, to finish Ganondorf off. It will always be at your side, yet does not belong to you. The person it does belong to, though, does not care for its value in money, more for its value in sentiment”
“What? How can a weapon be at my side, yet not belong to me? I never take things from other people!”
“You will find it, when the time comes. Now I must go”
She started to fade from Lorins sight.
“Zelda, please wait… I have a question”
“Go ahead”
“Link… don’t you miss him? I mean, after all these years?”
Zelda smiled at her.
“The years may be long, and many, but he never really left. We are connected. As you will find he never really left his descendants. You are connected with him too”
Zelda completely disappeared this time, and then Lorin woke up. She was left the rest of the night with her very confused thoughts.
Why do Sages always have to speak in riddles?

“Hey, Naiyan”
Lorin woke him up the morning after she had the dream. Though his wounds had now fully healed, they were still sore.
“Huh? What… ow, don’t touch my shoulder like that! It’s sore!”
“Sorry”
Lorin muttered sheepishly as she let go.
“Naiyan, I have to tell you something. I had this really odd dream last night…”
She launched into an explanation, telling him exactly what she had heard and seen in the dream. Including the feeling of being followed, and how the moonlight lit up the clearing.
“You had a visit from the Seventh Sage? Did she give even one direct answer?”
No, not really. But, I understood some of it. The rest didn’t seem to make sense”
“OK, so what did you understand?”
“I have to find and control some sort of power within me, then combine it with the weapons I use. I also have to find some sort of special weapon. And I’m going to have to fight Ganondorf at some point”
“So you know what you have to do, but do you know how?”
“No, that’s the part I don’t understand. And how can I have used something I didn’t know about?”
Naiyan shrugged, but then winced because of his shoulder.
“I don’t know. But why did you ask her about Link?”
“Just curious. Besides, she didn’t give me a straight answer for that either. I’m going to see if I can find Tila, maybe she can help make some sense of this dream”
Lorin turned and started to leave.
“Wait a minute, Lorin” Naiyan said as he started rummaging around one of the boxes at the side of his bed “take this with you. Look after it for me”
He took the black and silver sheath containing his dagger off its leather strap and handed it to her.
“I can’t take this. It’s been passed down in your family. It belongs with you”
She tried to give it back, but he refused to take it.
“You take it. You’re one of very few people that I trust, and I know you’ll take care of it. The only reason I haven’t asked Tila to take care of it on her visits was because you were here”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. Now, go try and make some sense of your destiny”
Lorin smiled at him, then turned and left.

[Swix]

Chapter 4: War begins

“Excuse me; have you seen Tila around here?”
“Sorry, Princess. I think she went to Kakariko”
“Thank you”
Lorin turned Ella around to head to Kakariko Village. Tila had brought Ella to Zoras Domain the first time she visited, so Lorin had had no trouble finding her horse when she came out of the waterfall. She was deep in thought as she rode over to Kakariko village, flanked by two Hylian guards.
‘So, how do I do what I know I must? Will I be prepared when the time comes? What if I fail, if he… No, no I mustn’t think like that. Not at a time like this. And what did she mean when she said that that stuff about Link?’
Ella stopped at the steps to Kakariko and reared up once to make sure her rider knew. Ella doesn’t like going up stone steps.
“Whoa, what-? Oh, okay girl, I’ll get off. Remember, stay here”
She got off and climbed the steps up to the village.

She came out of Tila’s house half an hour after she entered, looking puzzled and still no nearer to understanding Zeldas words. If anything, going to Tilas had just deepened the mystery. Lorin was sure Tila knew something she wasn’t telling, but she knew better than to try and get Sheikah to reveal secrets they didn’t want to. It was about as pointless as having a staring contest with a stone statue.
“Lookeee mum, it’s the Princess that got attacked”
A Hylian boy, about nine years old said as he ran up to her and pointed.
“Jerry, don’t run off like that! I’m sorry about this, your Highness” the boys mother apologised “he can get hyperactive sometimes”
“There is no need for apologies, I’m just glad someone around here is-“
“What happened to that guy with the purple cape?”
Jerry cut in. He was old enough, so Lorin decided to tell the truth.
“He was attacked by a lake monster whilst protecting me. He’s resting in Zora’s Domain now. That’s where I’ve been”
“Jerry, I think we should leave the Princess alone”
The boy’s mother tried to drag him away, but he wriggled out of her grip.
“Wait a minute; I want to show the Princess something”
Lorin kneeled down so that her head was about level with his, as she spoke.
“Then, show me”
He brought out what seemed to be a sheet of curved, polished silver metal. It seemed to have been broken off at one end as it was jagged there, but smooth everywhere else.
“Why” exclaimed one of the guards behind Lorin “that looks as if it was broken off one of the arms from our armour”
“May I hold it?”
She asked Jerry, who seemed pleased at the request, and gave it up straight away. Sure enough, it was exactly the same texture and weight of the metal used to make the armour.
“Where did you get this?”
“Some strange man came through here and asked me to give it to you”
Jerry ran off in the direction his mother had come from
“Jerry, don’t tease the Cuccos!”
His mother called as she ran off after him. Lorin stood up and turned it over in her hand.
‘A strange man? Why would anyone want to... wait… could it’ve been…?’

“Yowch!”
She yelled as she dropped it. The jagged edge had cut her left palm, though she could have sworn she hadn’t held it over there.
The she noticed something had been engraved in one of the corners. It was a ‘G’.
“Oh, no, what have I gotten myself into this time”
She said aloud.
“Uh, Princess, what do you mean? You only cut your hand. On a piece of… guards… armour…”
He trailed off as he realised what he’d just said, and made the connection.
“The attack at the Lake! The guards had gone, so that was probably…”
“From one of them, yes” Lorin cut him off “So that strange man, that came through here, was probably Ganon”
“Do you want us to take it to the castle so it can be checked?”
“Yes. But I doubt you’ll find anything useful. I have a feeling Ganon’s already got what he wanted”

Ganondorf watched what happened through the ‘portal’ he had opened, it was invisible to the people he was watching. He’d had to use some of his magic to get the result he wanted, but no one had noticed, so that was even better.
“You are smart Princess” he said, admiring his work “but soon, very soon… you and your Triforce shall be mine!”

One week later, and they hadn’t found out anything useful from the piece of armour that had cut Lorin. The wound itself had stopped bleeding, but it refused to close and mend. No one could seem to find the reason why, so she always wore a white bandage around it. Naiyan had completely recovered and was again acting as bodyguard, with his Dagger again by his side. Tila was riding with them or walking with them every day, looking increasingly worried. ‘I sense something, something evil. It’s coming here. But when?’ She thought, worried as she had a ‘sword and shield’ sparring match with the Princess, who had improved even faster than Tila, had thought possible. She would be at least as good as the best Hyrulean warriors within a few days. Tila was not concentrating so had her sword knocked out of her hand quite easily by Lorin.
“What’s wrong Tila? You usually block an attack like that with ease.”
“I’m just a bit concerned, that’s all. You need a few more days’ practice at this, and one more for archery. You seem to have a natural talent for that”
“Now you’re changing the subject”
“Well, it worked, didn’t it? You can have half a day of archery practice today and half a day tomorrow. You can have the rest of the five days after to practice with sword and shield tactics”
“OK”
Lorin decided to let Tila alone, for now.

After two weeks she had become proficient in swords and shields, archery, horseback archery, and had even had a go with the longshot. She found it rather easy.
“I’d say you were ready for almost anything now”
Tila said, impressed by Lorins progress. Naiyan had come to watch Lorins final horseback archery practice, and was impressed as well. This doesn’t often happen with the Gerudo race, as they are highly skilled at horseback archery.
“Not bad at all, Lorin” Naiyan congratulated her “now, how about we have a contest to-“
He stopped as he saw Tilas face, which had gone pale.
“I sense something… evil. And big, like an army… Coming here, to the castle… Coming… now”
She said, seeming to struggle to find out when. Lorin also went visibly pale after hearing this.
“Coming here? Now?!”
“They are just coming over the ridges. From everywhere. No, wait! There is one place that they’re not coming from. The desert, they aren’t anywhere near there. Princess, you must flee before they get much nearer”
“But…”
“Go!”
“But…”
“Now! Or they’ll catch you. Ganon is controlling them. I can feel it!”
Lorin turned Ella, as she had been practicing horseback archery with her, and fled out of the castle grounds.
“Tila, is my horse reined and saddled?”
“Yes, he is. I did it this morning. There are supplies attached to the saddle too… Oh no!”
“What is it, Tila?”
“I forgot to give these to Lorin!”
She said as she pulled a Hylian Sword and the Mirror Shield from one of the sacks in the yard.
“The Longshot’s in the bag attached to Firestorm. If you go now you can avoid the army I sense. Lorin just crossed the drawbridge”
“You really are an amazing person, Tila”
“No, I’m just a Sheikah. You must go now. I need to warn the Queen”
“Then… good luck”
Naiyan used two fingers to whistle. Firestorm galloped into the yard and lined himself up in the perfect place for Naiyan to mount. As he swung into saddle heard Tila say:
“Good luck to you too”
Tila watched as he and Firestorm galloped off, which took a few seconds.
“You’ll both need it”
She turned and ran the opposite way, to the Castle to warn the Queen.

Lorin had Ella hide under the overhang near Kakariko Village. Tila was right, there was an army. But she couldn’t see any place she could sneak past. There were thousands of monster warriors. Moblins, all on foot, Stalfos and Dinolfos, some on foot, some riding on Dodongos or White Wolfos, and Lizalfos, again, some on foot and some riding Wolfos. Some carried swords, swords and shields, spears or bows and arrows. Above them the normally bright daytime sky was darkened with the wings of Guays, Keese, Fire Keese and Ice Keese.
‘Lorin… look behind you, at the drawbridge’
Said a voice in her head, she did as the voice asked her, but just saw the drawbridge being raised.
“Zelda? Is that you, Seventh Sage?”
Lorin said out loud, but quiet enough so the monsters wouldn’t hear her as they advanced towards Hyrule Castle Town.
‘It is me, Zelda. In a few seconds you’ll see your friend cross over it. Pray he comes the right way’
Sure enough, Naiyan and Firestorm came galloping up the half-closed drawbridge. Lorin watched in amazement as Naiyan jumped off Firestorm at the same time Firestorm leaped off the drawbridge. They both plunged into the moat. The splash that they caused sent a few arrows flying from the monster army, but the didn’t seem to hit anything. Lorin couldn’t see in which direction they were going, as the rivers water was below ground level, so she took Zeldas advice.
“Farore, guide him. Nayru, protect him”
Naiyan and Firestorm came swimming down the river, and climbed up onto the bank where Lorin and Ella were.
“I thought you’d be gone by now”
Said Naiyan as he walked up to her.
“No offence, Naiyan, but… have you seen the army out there? And I can’t seem to find anything resembling a gap out there to sneak through”
‘Don’t see…’ Lorin heard a completely unfamiliar voice in her head, a male’s voice this time, ‘don’t rely only on your eyes…’
“Who’s there? Did you just say that, Naiyan?”
He gave her a very puzzled look.
“I didn’t say anything. Who do you think’s there?”
“I… don’t know”
Naiyans puzzled look increased greatly, but Lorin didn’t notice, as she was concentrating on the voice again.
‘Don’t rely on only your eyes, they can deceive… Trust your instincts… Listen to your heart… I’ve had to do it countless times… you can do it too”
“My heart says run now, but my mind says there’s no way you can get past that army without a visible gap”
Naiyan was extremely puzzled, but decided not to say anything. ‘Who in Hyrule is she talking to?’ He thought.
‘That’s right. Now, think about what you just said’
“I get it now. ‘Visible gap’ is the key. There’s only one place I can’t see the army and that’s straight ahead because of the overhang. So it’s that the gap’s not visible to my eyes, its invisible!”
“Would you please tell me what’s going on?”
Naiyan asked, now extremely confused and starting to get frustrated.
“I know how to get past that army now!”
“How?”
“By not using your eyes alone!”
She said as she and Ella turned around, towards the part of the river that was blocking their progress from under the overhang and, gathering speed, sailed across it.
“I must be crazy”
He said to himself, but he and Firestorm followed Lorin and Ella’s example. When they landed, Naiyan was surprised to see that Lorin was right; there was a gap that they could easily sneak through if they kept close to the river. To his greater surprise, Lorin and Ella took off at top speed right next to the river. Again, Naiyan decided to do the same and followed her. They got clear of the army in a few minutes, then Naiyan stopped and turned round, and saw why it had been a good idea to run. The monsters had started to fill the gap he and Lorin had just come from. They would’ve been seen if they’d delayed even a few seconds longer.
Lorin felt uneasy about Naiyan for some reason, so she stopped Ella and turned round. Naiyan had stopped and turned to look at the army, thinking he was safe, but Lorin knew he was too close. She was about to yell, “Don’t stop” when he turned and started galloping towards her. But too late! A Lizalfos riding a Wolfos saw him, and loosed a flurry of arrows just as he turned round. None of the other monsters noticed their comrade do this, as it was a lot further behind than they were. The arrows would’ve hit Naiyan and gone through both his lungs and his heart, killing him quickly and without a sound, if it weren’t for what happened next.
“No! I won’t let you do this!”
Cried Lorin, stretching her left arm straight out, palm towards Naiyan, and fingers spread, as if she could pluck him from the saddle and away from harm. The Triforce of Courage again appeared, but did not glint or glow this time. And this time Lorin saw it, but she was still concerned about Naiyan. She looked up to see the arrows rebound off, well; a green shield of light best describes it, just before they would’ve hit Naiyan.
The Lizalfos seemed to have forgotten why it had shot any arrows in the first place, scratched its head as it wondered why it was facing the wrong way and turned back around.
Lorin was staring at the back of her left hand as Naiyan rode up to her, she could see the Triforce of Courage symbol through the bandage and this time it didn’t disappear.
“Lorin, what are you-“he stopped as he saw what she was staring at “The Triforce of Courage! Then you are a Keeper!”
“Yes, so it seems. Now some more of Zeldas words make sense”
“Come on, Gerudos Fortress is right next to the desert. I’ll take you there. One more thing, Tila asked me to give these to you”
He pulled out the Hylian Sword, Mirror Shield and Longshot from the bag attached to Firestorm and handed them over to Lorin. She strapped the sword and shield to her back and the Longshot to her left side.
“Oh and there’s a lot of Hylian food in this bag, and another bag labelled ‘Princess Lorins stuff. Don’t even think about taking a look. This means you Naiyan.’ I guess that was Tilas idea of a joke.”
He frowned as he said this, but Lorin couldn’t contain her giggles.
“Surely you don’t think that’s funny?”
“Well,” Lorin said, in between giggles “you are from a race of thieves”
“But I’d never steal something like that on purpose!”
He protested.
“Err… on purpose?”
Lorin was curious.
“Well,” Naiyan said as he started to go red “I did steal some clothes once, but I swear I didn’t mean to! How was I supposed to know that guy had a part-time job as a travelling magician!”
Lorin gasped in-between laughing.
“What? He kept his magicians robes in a locked safe! I guess he liked his privacy”
He said as they rounded the corner in Gerudo Valley. Lorin had just enough time to calm herself down as they went across the plank then across the bridge. There was a gate at the opposite end, and a Gerudo guard in front of it, holding a spear.
“Halt! Who goes there?”
She said when they got close enough, pointing a spear in their general direction.
“Come on Dalore, it’s me! Do I have to go through this every time I want to come in?”
“That has got to be Naiyan. I’m sorry about that but we’ve heard rumours that Ganondorf can disguise himself. But I don’t think he’d be able to imitate people’s personalities. Who’s your friend?”
She said as she put the spear down.
“This is Princess Lorin, and I know she is. There is one other way you can tell”
Lorin leant over in the saddle and whispered in his ear.
“Naiyan, what do you think you’re doing?”
“If she doesn’t believe me she won’t let you in. If I told her-”
“If you tell her about the fact I am Keeper of the Triforce of Courage, and she tells people, I’m gonna get no peace at all!”
“If I ask her to give her word not to tell anyone else, will you let me tell her?”
“Okay”
Lorin said reluctantly.
“Dalore, the Princess here is a Keeper. She holds the Triforce of Courage”
Dalore burst out laughing, but then saw both Naiyan and Lorins expressions.
“You’re serious, aren’t you? You really are a Keeper?”
“Yes”
“But that Triforce hasn’t been seen since, well, since Link”
“That’s right, of whom I am a descendant of, didn’t you know?”
“Well, yes, but… Do you have any proof?”
“Yes, would you like to see?”
Lorin asked as she dismounted. Dalore saw something else she wasn’t expecting.
“You carry the Mirror Shield!”
“Tila seemed to think I might need it. Here, this is your proof”
She said, holding her hand with the palm downward, so Dalore could clearly see the Triforce symbol through the bandage, Dalore inhaled sharply.
“It is true then. No-one could fake that!”
“Yes, it is. I must ask you not to mention this to anyone else. The Princess does not wish for that kind of attention”
“I give you my word, King Naiyan. You may both enter now”
She said as she tapped the end of the spear into the ground. The gate behind her opened and she moved aside to let them pass. Lorin remounted Ella and they both entered.

[Swix]

Chapter 5: The Desert’s Secret

At the castle, the battle was not going well for the Hylians. The drawbridge was down; the guard that had been controlling it had been killed when Guays and Keese poured in through the open windows. Both Kakariko and the Castle Town itself had been overrun; all the civilians had barricaded themselves inside their houses. But the army’s goal was the Castle. The Hylians had been pushed all the way back to the Castles gates and had made a circle around the grounds. They were doing quite well with fending off ground attackers, but every so often a type of Keese or a few Guays got past their archers and caused merry hell.
“Lieutenant, death count for our side!”
Yelled Tila, who was helping the archers.
“Way too many!”
“Lieutenant, if you don’t start taking this seriously-”
“Fine, fine. It’s about 304 for our side”
“And the enemy?”
She asked as she shot down a group of Fire and Ice Keese attempting to dive-bomb some of their swordsmen on the front line.
“Only about 102. And that’s counting when they first attacked.”
“What-“
“Duck!”
Yelled someone near the front. A group of Dodongos, whose riders had been dispatched, all let out their fire breath at the same time. The Hylians ducked, though some not quick enough. Many had singed shoulders, necks, hair, some had had the sides of their faces burnt, and some had even had their helmets blown off from the sheer force.
“Damn! Lieutenant, what time did your last count of our losses come from?”
“Ten minutes ago”
“WHAT?!! We’re losing way too many people! If this keeps up there won’t be any Hylian soldiers left by midnight!”
She picked off a few Keese that had gotten past the other archers as she said this. Then she heard a cry from her right.
“GYAAAAAAH!”
One of the archers screamed as his clothes caught fire. He’d been attacked by a stray Fire Keese, Tila picked it off but the guy seemed to have forgotten how to put out clothes fires.
“Would someone throw a bucket of water over this fool?” Tila said, frustrated, and then groaned when she saw what was left of the guys bow, smouldering on the ground “Or throw him into a flock of Ice Keese. That should cool him down”
She added, under her breath. Then they all heard Ganondorfs voice, though he didn’t seem to be there ‘in the flesh’.
“Are you ready to surrender yet? Or, would you like my troops to massacre yours a little longer?”
“I would never surrender to you!”
Tila snarled.
“I know you wouldn’t, Sheikah, your race is very stubborn. But perhaps you should think about what’ll happen to the villagers in Kakariko once I start burning houses.”
“What? You-you wouldn’t… They’re innocent people.”
“Do I sound like I care? Just try me if you don’t believe me”
Tila was now so tense she almost snapped her bow in half. She also didn’t notice a messenger running towards her from the Castle. No way did she want to surrender to him! But, if they didn’t the Kakariko villagers lives would be in grave danger.
“Excuse me, Miss Tila; I have orders from the Queen. She heard everything that was said out here.”
The messenger told her, and then they had a whispered conversation. At the end of it Tila straightened and told the messenger “Please inform the Queen that I am not sure this is wise” He ran off, then she yelled, and her voice carried all round the Castle grounds.
“Everybody lower your weapons!”
“Does this mean what I think it means? I will make sure the entire army hears you, no matter how quiet you speak”
“Yes,” Tila spoke reluctantly “we… surrender.”
She bowed her head, her shoulders sagged as if she was exhausted, and allowed herself to be led away by a couple of Moblins.

Lorin was in the room the Gerudos had allocated for her, looking through the contents of the bag Tila had attached to Firestorm. So far she’d found a lot of her favourite Hylian food and drink, and in the bag labelled ‘Lorins stuff’ she’d found all her clothes, toiletries like her toothbrush and hairbrush, spare saddle, reins and stirrups for Ella, her ‘Legends of Hyrule’ book and a package of some sort. The wrapping had multiple pictures of the Triforce on a blue background, and there was a label attached to it. It read:

‘For Lorin,
This is your birthday present, so please don’t open it until then. Tila says you’ll love it, and I wish I could be there to see you open it, but Tila senses this is impossible. Remember, we’re both thinking of you.
Love from Mum, and your obedient servant and friend, Tila’

Lorin shed a tear when she read this, and muttered “I wish you were here too” Her seventeenth birthday was tomorrow.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in”
She said, not really caring who it was. Naiyan entered looking grim.
“Sorry to deepen the depression” his voice showed genuine feeling “but you have to know. Hyrule Castle Town and Kakariko Village surrendered not too long ago. Both your mother and Tila were put into cells.”
Lorin just buried her head in her hands.
“I know it doesn’t seem like the right time to ask you this, but I’m curious. When do you think the Triforce first did something for you?”
“When I’d backed up against the door when Ganondorf was coming towards me. The door disappeared so I could escape”
“Mm-hmm. And the second?”
“When I’d swam into Zoras Domain after you’d been attacked. You were dead, and I think my Triforce was what brought you back.”
“I see. Hey, come on, don’t worry so much. Everything will be fine, you’ll see. You just need some rest to take your mind off things. I’ll make sure no-one disturbs you.”
“Yes I think I will rest. Thank you.”
Naiyan smiled and left.

‘Good, my plan is working perfectly.’ Ganondorf thought to himself as he descended down the stone steps to Tilas cell. The two Stalfos guards stood to attention when they saw him coming. He liked the fact this showed they regarded him with respect and fear. He entered through the door into quite a dark room, containing a single cell to his left. The cell contained Tila.
“What do you want?”
She snarled through the bars, eyes narrowed.
“Oh, not much” he answered, hands clasped behind his back “just to talk.”
“Really, just talk, you? Perhaps you came to try and get some information out of me from torture.”
Ganondorf chuckled at this statement.
“My dear Tila, don’t you think that if that was my intention I would’ve started already?”
“You will not find what you’re looking for here”
“What?”
“I know what you’re looking for, and you won’t find either of them here”
“Ah, you’re talking about the Princess and her Triforce. But, you see, I don’t need to look for them. I already know where they are.”
“You do? You will not lay your hands on her!”
Ganondorf found this rather amusing.
“Oh, but I will, and when I do, I will take her Triforce and she will die! Though you’ve got guts”
He said, then remembered who the last person he’d told that to was, and was immediately in a bad mood.
“On second thought,” he remarked, forming a ball of energy in his hand “a spot of torture seems appealing now”
He hurled the ball at Tila.

That night, Lorin had another visit from the Seventh Sage. This time they were standing in the middle of the desert at midday.
“Lorin, tomorrow you will start your true confrontation. Are you prepared?”
“I know what my ‘power’ is, and I know what my chosen weapons are, but how do I combine them?”
“Do not worry about that. They will combine automatically now you know”
“Huh? Zelda, don’t you know what’ll happen during the battle?”
“Unfortunately, no. When there are so many factors involved, as well as the fact it’s a clash between good and evil, it’s impossible to tell”
“So… you could tell me what’s in my birthday present?”
“Yes, but I’m not going to, it would spoil the surprise”
Zelda vanished, and Lorin slipped into pleasant dreams.

She awoke early, got dressed and opened her present. It was the Fairy Bow, as well as a brand new quiver holding fifty arrows in top condition. There was also another note inside. It read:

‘How’s this for a seventeenth birthday present? We thought you deserved it as you’ve got such a talent for archery.
Your father would be proud, and I’m sure your ancestors would be too’

Lorin was thrilled to have the Fairy Bow, but decided she needed to test it whilst carrying her other weapons. So she slung both the quiver and bow over her shoulder, and then put the sword, shield and longshot in the same places as they were the day before. She also tied her hair back in a rather tight ponytail. Today the tunic she was wearing was green. She opened the door just as Naiyan was about to knock.
“Hi, Naiyan”
“Hey, Lorin, are you preparing for a war or something?”
He asked, when he the equipment she was carrying.
“Something like that. I got the Fairy Bow for my birthday; do you have somewhere I could practice with it?”
“Sure, we have a special place for that. You want to practice on horseback or not?”
“I’d rather practice on foot first, then horseback”
“OK, follow me. I’ll take you to our archery courts”
They went out of the fortress, then through a passage in one of the cliffs. They emerged into a vast open space, with targets set up at different distances to the white line that ran the length of the entire field. This was where the archers would stand while practicing. Only a few Gerudos were there, as it was still quite early. Lorin stationed herself at one of the targets that was further away, and started practicing with the Fairy Bow. After about half an hour, Naiyan, who was watching, felt he had to ask her something.
“Lorin?”
“Yes?”
She said as she prepared to fire.
“You’re not planning on doing what I think you are, are you?”
She let the arrow fly. It hit the bull’s-eye. Then she turned towards him.
“And what would that be?”
“To try and fight Ganondorf. You can’t, he’ll try to destroy you”
Lorins eyes flashed with anger.
“Don’t you think I know that? He’s already tried twice! But he killed my father, several guards, probably a lot of people when that army invaded. And… he killed you. He’s invaded my home and the village and taken them over. He’s put my mother and my lifelong friend in prisoner’s cells, and the Goddesses only know what he’s done to them!”
“But Lorin-“
“Don’t try and change my mind, I will not let this evil continue, and it’s partly because of me!” she took deep breaths in order to calm down, and then added “If it’s any consolation, I had another visit from the Seventh Sage last night. She said I’d start my true confrontation today, so you can’t stop it.”
She continued practicing, after a short while, Naiyan spoke again.
“I see. But where will you go?”
“I have a pretty good idea”
She practiced for a further hour, and then did horseback archery for an hour afterwards. Then she went back to her quarters and filled a brown leather pouch with food that would last long, as well as a couple bottles of water and slung the strap over her right shoulder, so the bag hung next to the longshot on her left hip. She then went out and asked the Gerudo in front of the gate to the Haunted Wasteland to open it for her. As the gate rose, Naiyan approached from behind and stood next to her.
“You’re going to go through with this, then?”
“Yes, don’t try to stop me”
“I won’t” he sighed “but what makes you think you’ll find anything out there?”
“Just… instinct, I suppose, and my heart”
She set off into the desert. Naiyan stood and watched her disappear into the sands.

After six hours of walking through sand, sand and more sand, Lorin was just about ready to go back to the Fortress. Then she heard voices ahead of her, behind the sand dune. She cautiously climbed up the dune and peered over the top. Two Stalfos standing in front of a large black door were having an argument.
“… ‘s all right for him, he grew up here”, the one on the left complained, “but this is no place for a Stalfos. All this sand scratches my nice white bones and gets into my joints, and my eye sockets”
“Sellatta, much as I agree with you, could you keep your voice down? You know what he’s like!”
“Tolos, come on. He hasn’t once come out this door to check on anyone” neither of them noticing the door in question starting to swing open. “What’s he do, spy on them?”
“Actually,” Ganondorf interrupted, stepping into the sunlight “that’s exactly what I do. And I heard everything you said”
“You…did?”
The Stalfos named Sellatta said, taking a step back.
“Oh, yes. I’ve brought two others far more willing to guard this entrance. You’re right; the desert is no place for Stalfos”
“You…agree with us?”
They seemed to relax a little.
“Why certainly”
He gestured to the two behind the door. Lorin watched as a Moblin and an IronKnuckle came out and stood either side of the black door.
These two,” he said as he created a large ball of energy in-between both hands, which occasionally emitted sparks “are going to be your replacements”
The two Stalfos, realising what was about to happen, both ran in different directions. The ball of energy split into two and zoomed after them. But no matter how much they twisted and turned, they couldn’t escape. After a short while the energy caught up to the two Stalfos, both were incinerated after a brief flash. The Moblin and IronKnuckle stared at the precious little of what was left of their comrades, then at Ganondorf with new found fear.
“I trust” he said, turning to them “that there will be no more complaints about guard duty up here?”
“N-no, master Ganondorf”
“Not a word, your highness”
“Good, because if I hear one more word of complaint, I’ll have to send you two on a permanent holiday as well”
He turned and walked back through the door, cape billowing. It seemed to close automatically.
Lorin had watched everything from behind the same dune. Thoughts, not one of them pleasant, were chasing each other round her head. A recurring one was: ‘If this is how he treats his minions, how badly does he treat his prisoners?’ She was worried about her mum and Tila. But eventually she came to the problem of how to get in. If she shot arrows at one of them the other would notice, but if she moved much further away from the sand dune both would see her, ‘I know, IronKnuckles are kind of slow, so…’
She got her Fairy Bow and an Arrow out, aimed, and fired. Right on target! The arrow went straight through the Moblins eye and it fell to the ground, dead instantly. The IronKnuckle looked at its fallen companion, who had started to disintegrate in a green light, then started walking in the direction the arrow had come from. Lorin found arrows didn’t hurt it, so she drew her sword and shield and stepped away from her hiding place, just as the IronKnuckle was a few feet away. It stopped when it saw her.
“Who are you?”
“Does it matter?”
“No, not really. But Master Ganondorf usually likes to know the names of those foolish enough to try and get in before they became cadavers”
‘Be careful’ she again heard the strange male voice in her head, ‘these things axe attacks are fast, and it hurts’