Ganondorf sat in his quarters by the window. The sun was setting and it cast a red light into the room causing his red hair to ignite into unearthly shades. He sighed. He was beyond bored. There was nothing to do these days. His kingdom was quiet for the moment. No one was trying to kill each other pr steal things from one another.

A bird landed on the widow sill about three feet from him. he looked at it for a moment before it flew off. The bird didn't seem bored. It flew with the sun's red rays flowing over its wings. Soaring into the sky without a single care. It was free to do what it pleased and always had something fun to do.

Ganondorf sighed again. He called a servant in and told her to bring him something to eat. He was not in the mood to eat at the dinner table. He was in no mood to be surrounded by Gerudo women who did nothing but bow to him and agree in fear that he might kill them if they didn't. Their obedience made them uninteresting. They all looked the same. They all sounded the same. They all dressed the same. They were boring.

When was something interesting going to happen?

Fi, was alone. Completely and utterly alone. Staring at the same scenery every single day. She hadn't been needed since the last Link put her back, like always. Sometimes she had been underwater, sometimes in temples, wherever she was moved to with the changing of time, she knew she would be there for a long time. Right now any company would be nice. Because while she was just a servant of the Goddesses, she still had a personality, wants, desires, just like any other person. Not even the Goddesses talked to her anymore. They were busy doing other things. Watching over other, more useful servants.

Though she was tied to the place where her sword form slept, the Goddesses had at least allowed her to conjure up her true form whenever she wants. The same scenery day in and day out was boring, but at least she could move. She did this now, freeing herself from her prison for at least a little while. Lazily floating around the room for a little while, praying silently that the Goddesses would remember she was here. It had been a long time since the last Link had needed her.

As much as she would have loved to see Link again, she would have glad to see anybody. Last time she saw somebody must have been ten years ago. Nobody cared about visiting the Sacred Ground anymore. It was too dangerous to get to for normal people. After a little more dancing around, Fi returned to the sword. Deciding that the only thing she really could do for now was sleep. Maybe wake up in a few more years, or whenever somebody entered the temple again.

Link smirked as three soldiers advanced on him each of them branding hastily craved wooden swords, with the recent surge of monsters in Hyrule many young men had been pressed in to service by the King. Link was one such conscript, he loosened his grip on his wooden sword as the three soldiers advanced he lunged bashing the first one on the right back with his wooden shield. Then striking the left most soldier with a sword blow to his unprotected leg coming to the last soldier who was bringing down his blade. Link deflected his strike with his shield and struck him in the ribs, hard. Two had been hit and now he face only one remaining, the one he had shield bashed earlier, the last Soldier steeled himself dropping the sword he grabbed a practice spear and rushed forward. Link saw, this he knew this exact attack and he knew how to beat as if he had done it before, he blocked the spear thrust then jumped as soldier spun the spear trying to knock him off his feet coming down Link slammed the practice blade in to the poor mans helmet.

The crowd of trainees cheered as Link turned looking at the weapons rack he grabbed a real shield and sword down and did what no one expected him to do. He ran, he ran right out the gate of the of the castle and kept running until he reached Castle Town market. You see Link had not wanted to join the Hyrulian army, he was a farm hand from Ordin village a tiny place nestled in the forest. He had grown up the oldest among the children and the village had given him a tree-house, raising him communally. Having been given a horse on his 16th birthday Link began to make trips between Hyrule and Ordin delivering goods and trading for items in the market. However shortly after his 17th birthday he has conscripted by the King and forced to train to become a soldier.

As he entered Castle Town he realized two things, one that today was the holiday of the Hero of Time and two that most of the guards here were busy dealing with thieves and drunks, so he slipped into a market stall. He was happy to find that they sold Hero of Time tunics and hat's, purchasing them he slipped into the next stall, a tanner, buying a pair of leather boots and a pair of gloves to match he lastly checked in with the blacksmith who worked his forge even today. Link and him had known each other since he had begun visiting market town, the blacksmith nodded solemnly and handed Link a bedroll and enough food and water for a week along with another item. A gift from one of the women back home, a long blue scarf at the end of it lay the royal family's crest, he might not like the king but he was a proud Hylian. Throwing it around his neck, Link left Castle town and abandoned the life of a soldier.

As night fell on Hyrule field Link shivered, spotting a half standing structure that looked much like a temple he decide to take shelter there for the night. He trudged along reaching it just as the moon rose, he was glad the walls were intacted as he shut the heavy stone door that had carelessly been left open. As he was about to make camp when he noticed a faint light in the temple anti-chamber, slowly he moved forward drawing his sword and shield he turned the corner and was greeted with a sight so amazing he could only stare. There in the center of the room, driven deep in a pedestal was a sword, The Master Sword, a legendary weapon of immense power. Link slowly advanced towards it laying down his sword and shield he decided to pray to the Goddesses as this was one of there holiest symbols. Bowing his head and shutting his eyes he keeled in front of the pedestal praying for a safe journey home.

Fi wasn't sure how long she had been asleep when a familiar presence reached her senses. Somebody was entering the temple. She woke herself from her slumber, taking a moment to see how much time had passed. Only a couple of hours it seemed. Maybe the Goddesses were still listening. As the figure approached the anti-chamber, Fi let out a soft gasp. The Goddesses most definitely still cared. It was a Link. She watched, almost not believing what she was seeing, as this new Link approached the pedestal where she was sealed. He knelt down as if he was praying. That was a new one. Most Links unsheathed her first, then talked to the Goddesses. Perhaps he wasn't here with some sort of goal?

Regardless, Fi conjured up her true form, floating weightlessly next to her sword form. If she had a heart, it would have been pounding with excitement. Finally, after so long, human contact. And it was the person she wanted to see most. "Don't be alarmed, master Link. I am Fi, spirit of the sword of evil's bane. You may know it as the Master Sword." She said, beginning her speech. She paused for a moment to let this Link register what was going on. From her experience's each Link took her reveal in a different way.

That was her favorite thing about all the Links she had met. Each one looked a little bit different, acted a little bit different, from the one before. Though each was the hero chosen by the Goddesses, they were each their own person. And Fi enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them. And yet, even after the bond the hero created with the spirit of the sword, they still always put her back at the end. She was just a guide, a helpful companion to use and then get rid of when she was no longer useful.

Link froze as he opened his eyes and looked up, at first he thought this might be a dream, then she spoke. He stood up slowly unsure of how to respond. "Master Link? I'm no one's master, I've only stopped here to rest in the temple for the night. I saw the sword and offered my prayers to the goddesses to protect me on my journey home... Yet strangely I do feel I know you and that sword as well." Link sighed then looked at the sword and back to Fi. "So tell why you have blessed me with your presence then. I am just a farm hand returning home, I have no need for a blade of great power." He said as he lay his bed roll down deciding to sleep here near Fi and the Master sword.

Ganondorf watched as the moon poked through its twinkling blanket of black sky and stars. It really was quite a sight to behold. He stared at it intently, imagining that it had a face. That it was a person. That it would listen if her spoke to it. That it wouldn't fear him. Ha smiled at it, hoping that it was alive and that it would see that he appreciated it.

He stood up to get himself ready for bed. almost as soon as he did, a sense of dread sent a shiver down his spine. He knew what that meant. He may be at war with the Goddesses, but that didn't mean he was totally detached from them. Something had just happened that promised him a huge problem. Something that benefited the Goddesses.

This Link didn't seem to have a task yet. Fi had never dealt with that before. Usually by the time the Links came to the sword, they had a task. Either set by themselves or by the Goddesses that would require them to need the sword. Would this be the first Link to not need her? Was this the Goddesses' way of saying they didn't need a sword of evil's bane any longer. There had been many different Links across the years. There had been a farmhand before, from what that Link had told her. But never one that didn't have need for her. This was so strange and new, usually she had the answers to every question.

Fi lowered herself, so she was sitting on the edge of the pedestal. "You are a hero in a line of heroes. You may not have need of me now. But you will. The Goddesses will give you a task when the time is ready." She always referred to the Master Sword as herself, since it was true. But it seemed to confuse the Links at first, until they got used to her odd ways of speaking. "Many Links have come before, and many Links will come in the future. And everyone one of them will be given a task by the Goddesses. Gone will be your peaceful days until your task is complete."

And he will return her to the pedestal and got return. Some of the Links promised to return and talk to her. None of them ever did. They were too caught up in their lives to care about a sword they no longer needed. This Link seemed to be preparing for bed. It must have been late outside the temple. She never knew when it was day and when it was night anymore. She couldn't see the outside from here. She was glad he would be sleeping here. She had no need for sleep, she only did it to pass the time. It would be nice to be near somebody again, even if just for a little while.

Ganondorf paced his chambers. What happened? He had made sure that he had plenty of spies in every nation to make sure that a new hero would not go unnoticed, but obviously he had slipped past Ganondorf's grips. He would certainly have the heads of the people responsible.

He looked out at the moon again. The face held a smile. A mocking smile as if it was Hylia herself. Ganondorf growled and threw a candelabra to the floor. it clattered dumping the lit candles all over the floor and putting them out. He stomped over to the window and yanked the curtains closed.

A frantic knock sounded at the door. A squeaky voice was barely audible through the thick wood. "My Lord, is everything alright?"

"No! But there's nothing YOU can do about it!" He shouted and kicked the downed candelabra. It slid across the floor and slammed into the wall, bending some of its arms at awkward angles.

He threw himself onto his bed, pillows and blankets making way for his large mass. What was going to do? He knew he should send out his best women to hunt down this new Hero, but what would happen if the Hero found him first? Ganondorf knew it wouldn't take long for the Hero to find him. He wasn't exactly keeping a low profile. He also knew that it wouldn't be difficult for the boy blessed by the Goddesses to wipe out all of his soldiers. He had been known to do it in past generations.

Link looked at Fi, then gave the strange sword spirit a smile "I might not have a task but what you say is true then I supposed it would be best if I took you with me. We can find out what ever where meant to do tomorrow alright?" Link sat down on the bedroll thinking about the fact that he must was descended from hero's of old. "Hey Fi, when this is over, I mean whenever this quest or task or something is over do you want to be placed back in the temple? I mean you've been left alone so long, maybe you should just stay with the hero's line?" Link asked he reclined back on his bedroll, taking off his hat he lay down yawning loudly. "Beside's it's a long way home, we can start there and your coming with me. You should see how Hyrule has changed." He said dreamily shutting his eye's the young man fell asleep with a soft snore.

Mikau sat on a large rock overlooking the seaside coast of hyrule. The young Zora kept his eyes on the moon's reflection as he tinkered with the strings of his fish-bone guitar. The instrument was and has always been perfectly tuned, but his heart was too troubled to even strum a proper note. He couldn't make even the simplest of chords come out of his instrument without it sounding.... wrong.

Mikau was thinking of Princess Ruto again. The young princess had his heart like the net of a fisherman, and she didn't even know it. She didn't know he existed. She was a noblewoman from lake Hylia, and he was but a common sea whelp. It just wasn't fair! In a fit of rage he lifted his guitar over his head and threw it into the water with an unceremonious splash. He stood there, looking at the ripples in the water he had created.

"That wasn't a good idea..." He muttered to himself after a few more moments of staring at the water. He was preparing to dive in after it when a head suddenly poked through the water's surface. It was his good friend Japas, with his eyes concealed by his head fins. He had Mikau's guitar held over his head.

"You dropped this you know." He said with a teasing grin. "Your fins feeling slippery today?"
"Thanks Japs." Mikau said as he strapped his instrument to his back. He really didn't feel like playing at the moment. And it was clear his friend could see it as well.
"Let me guess. The princess?" The grin on Jap's face said the rest.

"You know me too well. It's got me torn up, y'know? Before I seen her at the annual Zora festival the music came easy. I could sing a ballad in a heart beat and become one with my instrument. But my heart is empty, and my heart is my music. My sound is as hollow as the oceanic caverns of my soul."
"Deeeeeep." Japs said with a sympathetic expression. "I'm telling you man, you need to make this happen. I can't stand to see you out here by yourself anymore. March on over to Lake Hylia, swim up to her door step, and make your music the bridge to your soul. The ladies love to walk soul bridges. Woman around here follow you like a school of fish, I've seen it."

"But her dad's the king of all Zoras! Would he allow her to date a common blood? ...Would I want to become a prince? Besides, Lake Hylia is all the way on the opposite side of Hyrule!" Mikau nervously rubbed his hands together.
"You can stay here twiddling your fins and wondering what could have been, or you can go over there and make your dreams a reality! You need to get your music back, man."
"I know you're right. I just like to hear your motivational speeches." Mikau smiled. He really did appreciate his bro's support. "You know what? I'm heading off to Lake Hylia tomorrow morning!"
"Righteous! It's a beautiful thing to see a wandering artist being born. Now get some sleep you lunatic. It's late!" And with that, Japas fall back into the ocean and swam off. Mikau had a nice long look at the water's horizon before diving in the water and swimming back to his den.

Fi couldn't believe what she was hearing. This Link was actually considering not returning her to the pedestal after their task was complete? She would love that more than anything, but it wasn't her choice. That was up to the Links, each of which before had been so focused on the tasks they had been given, that they didn't stop to consider that the spirit of the sword was a living being too. Well, maybe not living, but she had a mind and a consciousness. She was living enough. This Link fell asleep before she could give her answer. Whatever had brought him to this temple must have been tiring. "Good night, Link." She said softly, before returning to her sword form.

Morning wouldn't be able to come fast enough. Finally, she was going to be out of this room again. She'd be able to see the world. The Goddesses really must have still cared if they had brought this Link to her. This Link that may free her from her cycle of imprisonment. Even if she was stuck in some house somewhere with the hero after the task was done, at least she would have somebody to talk to again. She was glad she had mastered the art of patience in her many years, because otherwise she would be restless.

Well, more restless than she already was. But she forced her mind to calm down and tried to sleep. Making sure she would wake up again when Link did. Something she had gotten very good at was syncing her sleep cycle with her master's. Or keeping watch through the night if they were somewhere dangerous. It was impossible to calm down enough to sleep though. All she could think about was leaving tomorrow, and what task the Goddesses would give Link this time.

Ganondorf awoke with a jolt. He wasn't even aware that he'd fallen asleep. He looked out the window to gauge the time but it was hard to tell. It was pouring rain. He sat up and rubbed his face. Today, he needed to start planning. He needed to do something about the new Hero. He called a servant in.

"Get me the best spies. I have something I must discuss with them." He told her once she'd come in.

"Yes, My Lord." She said and bowed. She disappeared beyond the door to his chambers.

Within minutes, there were four Gerudo women kneeling before him, each dressed in deep purple and gold. Their red hair was tied in tight ponytails. He gave them permission to stand and sat in a plush chair himself.

"Ladies. It appears that the Hero of Legend has returned. I need you to seek him out and and bring him to me." He knew that alone would not be enough. "Also, bring my the Princess of Hyrule. She has something I need. Be sure that they are both alive when you get them here. I wouldn't want to be any of you if even one of them is dead."

"Yes, My Lord." The women said in unison, their heads bobbing in respect as though they were tied together.

"Good. Take what you need. I expect word every ten days. Now go." He waved his hand to dismiss them. Again, they bowed and then they were gone. Not even the movement of the air betraying their presence.

Link yawned as he awoke, packing his bed roll and straightening his clothes he climbed up to the pedestal were the Master sword lay and with one swift pull he held it above his head admiring it's beauty and perfection. "Wow, it's more beautiful than the legends said it would be." Link then looked around finding an old leather scabbard in the corner of the temple he placed it along side the Hylian sword he had taken while leaving the castle, deciding that he should only use the Master sword in emergency's, hoping to remain anonymous while traveling. "Alright Fi lets get going, I'll eat on the road, first thing we should do is head back to Ordin Village I want to check on the villagers there and collect my horse, Epona." He spoke as fished out a glass bottle of water and a crust of bread, leaving the temple behind him as he ate.

Link began the long walk across Hyrule field following the road near the Zora's river humming a tune softly as he walked along, the sun rose in to the sky. He was going to start a adventure whether or not he wanted to, he was the new hero of this age and he would find his goal and then go home. He would promise himself right now that he would retire and he would only do this for the good of the people. "Hey Fi, am I really just like the other Links? Just a copy of a man made to save the world over and over again?" He pondered that question as he walked down the road.

Rather than a cheery dawn, alight in the golden-orange splendor of the breaking day, the morning brought a torrential downpour to Castle Town. The rain fell in buckets across the rooftops, slipping off them in rivulets and become streams in the maze of streets. Such an event filled the hearts of the citizens with gloom that matched the heavens, but for a certain, small group, an overcast day seemed to be an omen. Now was the time to put the next step of their plan into motion.

At the heart of Castle Town's trade district lay a tavern called the Magtail Fort. No ordinary sausage-and-beer inn, this structure was easily the largest building in the area, with two floors, no less than sixteen rooms, and a warm, social atmosphere that made it the premier lodging establishment this side of Hyrule Field. At the moment, its inner activity was at an almost fever pitch since so many had retreated indoors from the deluge outside. The place was a scene of bustling activity, Hylians and Ordonians and even a pair of Gorons, all laughing and eating and sharing the latest news. The quietest spot in the Magtail Fort, aside from the private rooms, was behind the curtain currently-empty stage. Even there, however, there was life.

Those three people behind the curtain were not partaking in the general joviality, though. Though they shared the same vision, they could not have been more different in appearance. One was a gorgeous, mature woman, whose milk-white skin was garbed in shadow. Her companion could have easily been mistaken for a statue; in his baggy, elaborate clothes, he seemed too ceremonious for so everyday a setting. Only his face, as pale as the female's, betrayed that he was alive. The last one, however, completely contrasted the robed man. From spiky, red pompadour to cream-white trousers, this burly fellow seemed impatient to begin. Finally, he could contain himself no longer. “Come on, already!”

He looked to the robed one for guidance, but it was the woman who answered him. “Fine. Go.”



With no further ado, the eager boy burst from the curtain, his footfalls causing the stage to resound noisily. A number of people looked his way, some with recognition, and as a grin appeared on his face, he started to speak. “Hey there, folks!' He shouted, spreading his arms wide. “My name is Groose! That's right...THE Groose! One and only ace pilot extraordinaire! Now, I don't know about you all, but it's not really flying weather. Seems to me like it's that time of the month again for Nayru, if you know what I mean!” A general laugh bubbled up from the people, but other than that there wasn't much noise. Groose smiled all the wider, reveling in their complete attention. “So instead this morning I have for you fine people a couple of special guests. You know I don't let amateurs take my spotlight, but these guys? Phew! Have they got it figured out! Let's give a Groose-tacular round of applause for...”

“Zant! Aaaaaand Midna!”

At that, the darkly-dressed pair walked on stage. The crowd gawked; never had they seen the like of them. Midna, in particular, turned a lot of heads. She laughed and rested a hand on her hip before waving, encouraging the applause to continue. On the other hand, Zant stood very still, barely looking from side to side.

Fi knew when Link woke up in the morning, she could sense that he was beginning to move around. She watched from her sword form as he put away his bedroll and fixed his clothing. She was practically holding her breath as he approached the pedestal, the excitement she had been feeling since the night before increasing largely. As he pulled her from the pedestal, unintentionally striking the same pose the first Link used a lot, she could instantly feel the connection she did with all Links. She was his weapon, literally an extension of his own arm. She could feel the power of the Goddesses that rested inside of him. The moment she was first grasped by each Link was a special one and it never got any less amazing.

Once they left the temple, Fi left her sword form. Floating beside Link as he ate his breakfast. Fi was staring at everything, taking it in as she recorded the changes to Hyrule since she had last been out of the temple. It was such a joy to be out again that she wanted to dance around what she assumed was Hyrule Field. But she stayed close to her master. Link spoke up, asking her an incredibly difficult question to answer. "Yes and no." She began, not entirely sure how to answer. "Each Link before you has shared some traits. They're always a different shade of blonde. They either had black or blue eyes. Most were left handed. They all wore green. But they varied in age, height, background, personality, skills. The very first Link was a knight in training that flew through the sky on a large red bird. While another the son of a blacksmith, the only one capable of seeking out the people that could save the Princess. While another was boy who lived in a forest with the power of time at his side. And yet another was boy from a small island who could control the wind. You are not just a copy, the Goddesses create you each differently to fit the task you will need to complete." It was the best she could do to answer the question, yet she was not entirely satisfied with it.

Zelda tried her best to pay attention to her Royal adviser drones on and on. She was sat in court overseeing a dispute between a farmer and a thief. She toyed with the gavel in her hand from underneath her desk while the adviser read the charges. What was distracting her was the look of the thief. She was a young woman, thinner then what seemed healthy and in rags with a shameful look on her face. The poor woman didn't seem to have a place to call home. She seemed like she would almost be thankful to have the roof of a jail cell over her head and a regular meal. There had to be a better way to settle this dispute. Zelda was familiar with the farmer and he was usually a kind man, but the rage on his face was clear. Gavin's farm had been a feature of Hyrule for decades. Thievery should not be celebrated.. but a little kindness could go a long way in this situation.

"...Then she made off to my bread store and stole 5 loaves!!" Zelda zoned into attention just long enough to realize Gavin was in the middle of his speech. She already felt like she heard enough. "That's a days wage and a family fed, your highness! Surely the Royal Family would-" Zelda lifted her hand up in an open palm, hushing the farmer immediately. Zelda shifted her attention to the accused with a soft expression on her face.

"Excuse me madame, what is your name?" Zelda tried her best to let the kindness leak out of her voice.
It took awhile for the accused to gain her voice. "Sam.. Samantha Burtrom."
"Where do you live, Sam?" Zelda allowed a sympathetic smile.
"..I often move from place to place. I-"

"What is the purpose of this!?" The farmer blurted, "She stole my property! That isn't-"
Zelda interrupted him with a slam of her gavel. The Princess let the room sit in stunned silence for a few moments.
"That's enough from you. It is Samantha's turn to speak. Please finish dear."
"I don't really live anywhere." Sam finished, bowing her head in shame.
"What we have here is a classic case of a desperate homeless woman doing what she feels is necessary in order to survive. Samantha Burtrom deserves our sympathy. The only justice that needs to be served is to take steps to make her an upstanding citizen once again." She paused, taking note of the red faced farmer's seething face.

"But Sam, you did steal from this man. It is only right that you do something to make it back to him. Your sentence will be employment to this man's farm. It is nearing harvesting season and he will inevitably need extra hands. 25% of your wages will be put to use compensating for the price he would have gotten for his stolen bread. Meanwhile, we will supply you with a one bedroom home as long as you remain busy working. Once you've payed off Farmer Gavin, he might even decide to hire you. You're always looking for hard workers, aren't you Gavin?" She gave him a look that wasn't unkind... but he knew that it wouldn't do to continue fussing.

"Erm.. yeah. I guess. Hiring season's just around the corner.." All of the anger seemed to drain from his face at once.
"Good. Court dismissed!" Zelda banged her gavel and that was the end of that. It wasn't until the room was mostly empty that she let out a deep and exasperated sigh.

==============================

Zelda flopped on her bed, completely exhausted. Ever since her father had been bedridden with illness she had needed to take more and more responsibilities around the castle. Her father wouldn't be around forever and eventually she'll need to become queen. But she didn't feel ready for it yet. She was loyal to Hyrule and would do anything to server her country.. but she was still young. She needed a bit more time before she was stuck in the slog of working for the people day in and day out. She remembered the young recruit she had saw training yesterday. He had fought well and appeared to have a lot of potential as a solider.... but he fled. He knocked down his opponent with a great show of skill, but suddenly he had decided the life of duty to Hyrule wasn't for him and he wanted to carve his own path. The display had kept her thinking at night, and made her question what it is that she even wants out of her youth.

Zelda was laying on her bed, staring into the blue sky and contemplating her situation. She didn't have the energy to do anything any more productive.

Link simply accepted Fi's speech on what he was humming he saw Ordin in the distance the goats in the pasture, horses cantering around there pen as they occasionally jumped fences, Cucco's wandering around town. Link shuddered when he was younger he had once tried to kill a Cucco for dinner... It had ended with the Mayor dragging him out from under eight of the things half dead, as he neared the village he shuddered and gave them a wide berth, making his way to the ranch he knew exactly who he wanted to see, Epona.

Some of the villagers gasped and few laughed at the young man, he looked like the hero of Twilight perfectly as he made his way through the village, he turned to Fi. "Encase your wondering this is my home town of Ordin, hope you don't mind if we stop here and I gather a few things and check up on the villagers before we set out to find our quest." He smiled as he walked up towards the ranch, he knew Epona would be happy to see him, as the cows mooed as they always did when the Blonde haired boy approach it hand sort of become a signal to ranchers that Link had arrived.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young queen, wife to the king of Hyrule. A Sheikah man fell in love with this queen. Knowing it would never be possible to have that love returned, he did the next best thing. He gave her a child, though she was unwilling during the entire thing. Only days after he was brutally murdered by Impa, the loyal guard to the king and queen. But the damage was done and the queen was with child. During her nine months, she had a very hard choice to make. To keep the child after it was born, it kill it. She spoke with the king about it, and he hold her that even though it wasn't his child, he would love it like it was. And so she gave birth to her first. A beautiful boy with the pale skin and blonde hair of a Hylian, and the crimson eyes of a Sheikah. They named the boy Sheik.

A little over a year later, another child was born. This one a girl, with pale skin, blonde hair, and sparkling blue eyes. This was a child of the queen and king, they named her Zelda. She was also named heir to the throne. Since Sheik was a bastard child, though they loved him all the same. When they were young the two children played together, explored the castle together, talked together, everything. Then they both began their own training. Sheik was taken under Impa's wing so he could learn the ways of the Sheikah and one day become the Princess' bodyguard. Zelda was becoming fine tuned into the ruler she would one day be. As they grew older people regarded them as brother and sister less and less and more as bodyguard and Princess. Though in each others eyes they were still siblings.

Now the king of Hyrule has taken ill and Zelda has been thrust into leader before she was ready. Currently she was listening to a dispute between a farmer and a woman to who stole from him. Sheik listened quietly, crouching in the rafters above his sister. He was ready to drop down at a moment's notice if anything happened. The Princess was patient and kind during the whole thing. Seeing the woman as not just a thief, but a hungry woman and found a solution that helped both of them. Sheik nodded his approval, she would one day make a great queen. And he would stay by her side as her protector until the day he died. Because he was going to die first, he'd make sure of that.

When she was finished, Sheik followed her as she made her way back to her room. Keeping above her and always staying in the shadows. Most of the time she didn't even know he was there, let alone where he was. That was a good thing. He waited several minutes before entering her room. To give her plenty of time to change if she wanted to. He silently slipped into her room, moving with the catlike grace that came to naturally to him. "I wish I could take some of this burden for you sister." He said softly as he approached her bed. "Though I have news that may ease your mind. I was with his majesty earlier. His condition is improving and he was alert enough to be telling jokes." Sheik didn't mention what those jokes were though. Most of which had been far too vulgar for the ears of the Princess. "If you need anything from me at all just ask. You know I would kill or be killed for you."

---

Fi found it odd that Link didn't say anything about her answer to his question. She had been hoping for some sort of feedback. This Link was very different already from the other ones. She wasn't yet sure if she liked it or not. The place looked like a mix of several different places her and past Links had gone to. It was very interesting. Even the name was familiar, Ordin. "Its your choice. I'm just along of the ride." Fi said when Link explained where they were and what they were going to do. After that, she returned to her sword form. People usually got scared when they saw a floating, humanoid, purple and blue girl. So it was better to stay hidden from them.

It was kind of funny. One of the constants in her adventures was Epona. Almost every Link had a horse named Epona, and she always looked the same. The Goddesses did have funny ways of doing things. They made every Link different but kept key parts of their lives the same. This Link seemed to have a fear of Cuccos, something that every Link. They all learned the hard way that those creatures shouldn't be messed with.

After a few moments, Midna held her hand up an a gesture for silence. Not a second passed before she began to speak, drowning out anyone still clapping or whistling. Her voice reverberated through the room, surprisingly practically everyone present with its strangeness; its tones were all across the board, a seemingly random assortment of octaves that barely outclassed gibberish. Despite this whimsical, lilting accent, however, her words rang loud and clear.

“First off,” she sang, “No, this is not a freak show. We have come to speak to you about politics. But of course, what is the difference?” While the majority of the people still looked confused, a general easing of tensions and a smattering of smiles proved that Midna's humor had broken the ice. “As sir Groose says, my name is Midna. Midna, you might ask? Midna who? Well, that is difficult to say. My father, King Mizorant, did not have a last name to pass down to me as is your custom, so I am sadly bereft.” At her mention of her lineage, a murmur set in across the hall. For a moment, Midna stood silently, her arms folded beneath her chest, surveying the crowd. Then the stream of language began again. “Aha! I hear the whispers. What is this strange name, I hear, and if he is a king, then surely...yes! I am a princess. Not your everyday blonde damsel, pretty in pink, no!” The low voices increased; surely this strange, alien woman was not referring to Princess Zelda?

“No,” Midna repeated, tossing her head disdainfully. A frown appeared on her lips, and suddenly her charm vanished, to be replaced by a condescending severity. “I am not like our princess. There are no legends that feature the name of Midna, but for this I am glad. I read the chronicles and hear the stories, and in every age I find the same sorry tale. A budding young princess is stolen from her throne by the malevolent Demon King, and she must rely on the green-clad Hero of Time to save her. People talk of Zelda's legacy with glowing words. They say she brings purity, peace and, prosperity to Hyrule. When I look at her legacy, I see no golden glory. I see...weakness.”

A few angry shouts assailed Midna from the sea of faces. She regarded them coolly, making eye contact with every one she could pinpoint. When the commoner's brown met her own ruby-red on yellow, they couldn't help but be silent before the regal stare. One man, however, proved braver than the rest. He stood on his stool, rising above the crowd, revealing the yellow coat of arms of the Hyrulean Forces on his breast. “Zelda has been good to us, her ancestors have been good to our own, and her heirs will be good to our children! We have had nothing but kindness from her, yet this woman -who hasn't even the common decency to properly clothe herself- tries to shame her with treason. I don't know why you all are listening to her lies!”

The roar of the crowd redoubled. More degradations flew Midna's way, even insults. The Twilight Princess didn't move a muscle. Finally, a voice, louder and deeper than the rest, surpassed the others. “Ungrateful!” bellowed the Goron, and the next instant a ripe tomato sailed toward Midna's face.

-=-=-

Silence fell upon the crowd like a wet towel over a candle, extinguishing all its fire. The tomato hovered in empty space, turning in slow revolution, inches away from Midna's nose. She stared at it curiously, then plucked it from the air and took a bite. There was an uncanny eeriness to the way she ate. “Nothing but kindness?” She drawled after she had swallowed. “It may seem that way. But your golden girl is not as pure as you think. Barely more than a teenager, yet she's the one running everything? Her father deathly ill out of nowhere, her elder brother shunned, her mother nowhere to be found? It all falls so...happily into place. I know all of you look at my face and see a stranger, but if you look deeper you will find honesty, integrity, and a right to the throne more powerful than blood and entitlement. You will not find...weakness!”

Midna tossed the tomato into the air, and inclined her head at her companion. Zant raised a sleeve with incredible speed and released a ball of red-pink energy. Magic collided with vegetable in midair, and the latter exploded like a bursting Bombling. Shocked, the crowd turned back to look at Midna, whose arms were raised ceremoniously.

“It's about time for a new leader in Hyrule! One that will not hide behind stone walls, a trained army, and a facade of generosity! One that will not inevitability fall victim to the Demon King, and helplessly watch this fair world plunged into darkness! One who would never poison her father, exile her brother, or betray the light of the Goddesses! Princess Midna!” In the course of the Twili's closing speech, while some of the Magtail Fort's patrons had been fleeing outside into the rain, the Goron that had called Midna out had tucked himself into a ball and started to roll. Just as he was about to smash into Midna, however, her body melted into a cloud of black particles and vanished without a trace.

Just like that, it was over. Zant was nowhere to be found, and even Groose, who had been forgotten for the first time in his life due to the excitement, had disappeared. The remaining people talked in a tumult of excitement, all wondering if their neighbors had seen the same thing they had. The Goron, embarrassed by the failure of his attempt to protect the tavern-goers by subduing what he clearly saw as a threat, checked to make sure that he hadn't accidentally crushed the scroll in his backpack before jumping off the stage. The other Goron rushed to his side. “Gorko! What was that, brother? That wasn't like you at all!” Offhandedly dismissing his friend with a gesture, Gorko hurried outside. “Bad business, brother Golo! Bad business!” he called over his shoulder as he departed. He certainly seemed to be in a rush—moreso than anyone else.