Prompt # 314 - “Subterfuge” - Title - NoUseForASammie - The Legend of Zelda

[nouseforasammie]

Title: Hero of Courage

Fandom: The Legend of Zelda

Prompt: Taming The Muse Community - #314 - Subterfuge

Warnings: Graphic Violence

Rating: Teen

Summary: Link reaches Hyrule Castle at last, but it all becomes more complicated than he thought.





Link leaned forward in the saddle, over Epona's brown neck. “Hiya!” his voice rang out in air as he urged his horse on. Link knew Epona's gallop was the fastest she could muster, sweat starting to cover her chestnut coat, but his heart told him he must go faster, faster, faster. Her mane whipped in to Link's large blue eyes and stung his long, slender tipped ears. They raced along the trail through Faron Woods, dodging low hanging branches and bushes that over grew their path. Every now and then, they had to veer off of the path entirely to avoid downed trees, braving the dense woods.

They were sprinting down a long straight stretch of a dirt packed path when Link was suddenly blinded by an intense pain in the back of his head. He toppled sideways off of the saddle, landing on his back and the air whooshed out of his lungs. Epona skid in the dirt and reared to slow herself, trying desperately to return to her master quickly. Link lay in the grass at the side of the trail, stunned. His vision was in double and he couldn't make sense of the blurs of trees he could see. He reached behind his head and gingerly rubbed the bump that was forming. When he pulled his hand away, there was blood covering his soft leather glove. He slowly sat up, searching blindly around him for what had unseated him.

A small dancing light was bouncing in the air over his shoulder. Link sighed. This fairy, Navi, was always excitable. She constantly bounced around him, shouting things she considered to be encouragement. “Navi, look around us. See if you can find what enemy it out there,” Link mumbled to her. She flew off through the trees, leaving trails of sparkling dust behind her.

Epona slowly walked back to Link and lowered her great head before him. She nudged him in the shoulder with her nose. Link twisted a gloved hand in to her mane and she lifted her head to pull him up. Link started brushing his green tunic and brown pants off when he heard Navi shout, “Watch out!”

Link instantly pulled his sword from the sheath strapped to his back and faced in the direction Navi's glow was coming from. Just below her where she flew around in frantic circles were three goblins plundering through the underbrush towards them. One was swinging a large rock that was attached to a sling and rope. He let the rock loose and the hard round ball was on a collision course for Epona's face. Link leaped in front of his friend and knocked the rock aside with a clang of his sword. Blood started to trickle down his neck from the wound in his head. This rock wielding goblin must have been what had stopped their flight.

The other two goblins rushed at Link together, both with wicked looking serrated black swords drawn. Link first slashed to the right, knocking both of the goblins off balance and spun in a fast circle, slicing both the monsters across the chest. But goblins never went down that easily. They stumbled back and then righted themselves, advancing on Link once more. Link shifted his footing and started to jab at the nearest goblin. The goblin sneered, making his green face all the more uglier. It laughed in a high pitched tittering sound. Link growled and slid his left hand behind his back, pulling free his shield from it's buckle and slipping his arm through the securements. With his shield in front of him, Link pushed towards both goblins even harder, hacking and slashing. The clanging of metal on metal echoed through the trees. Finally, he landed a blow across the neck of one and on the back swing of the same stroke, gutted the second. They both fell at his feet and disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

The third goblin pushed through the trees and raised it's sword over it's head, meaning to take advantage of Link's momentary distractedness. Epona whinnied shrilly and reared on to her hind legs. She came down on the goblin with both forelegs and it instantly erupted in to black smoke.

Link wiped his bloodied sword on the grass and sheathed it on his back. He quickly replaced his shield and started towards Epona. Navi was impatiently dancing around the nervous horse, motioning for Link to climb on and hurry, hurry, hurry. He wiped his hand through his hair, his head wound still freely bleeding in to the collar of his tunic. No matter what kind of a hurry they were in, Link knew he would have to pause to heal. He reached in to his leather pouch strapped around his waist and pulled out a clear bottle filled with red tonic. The woman at Kakariko village had assured him it would help heal him. He didn't really have room for disbelieving at this point. He pulled the cork from the top and tipped the red liquid in to his mouth.

The potion was sweet as sugar and spread a warmth through his whole body. He replaced the cork, leaving half of the tonic for later. After carefully sliding it back in to his pouch next to his sling shot and the golden object of immeasurable value, Link gingerly touched the back of his head. It was tender, but not too painful. When he pulled his glove away this time, it was dry.

Navi had begun to fly between Link and Epona, becoming increasingly more aggravating until Link finally reached up to the horn of the saddle and pulled himself up. He pulled on his bow to make sure it was still tightly attached to the back of the saddle and grabbed the rains.

“C'mon, girl. We don't have anymore time to lose,” Link said as he pulled the rains to face Epona back down the path and nudged her to start their run again. Navi followed with a stream of light and sparkling dust trailing behind her like a comet.

They galloped along the path once more, Link leaning forward in the stirrups, bending over Epona's neck and watching from side to side, keeping an eye out for any more unexpected monsters lurking in the trees. Link spotted one huge giant with deep red skin and stocky build. The giant was still many yards back in the trees, but it's great head was watching their motion. Link leaned back in the saddle, allowing his hips to move with Epona's gate. He unstrapped the bow and pulled an arrow from the quiver. Like so many times before, Link pulled the string back and aimed with a well trained eye. He let the arrow fly in to the giant's head, who fell with a mighty crash, taking many trees down with him. A cloud of black smoke erupted among the debris that was thrown in to the air. Epona didn't even slow.

They raced out of the tree line and in to a vast grassland. Link pulled Epona back in to a walk and surveyed the horizon around them. The sun was slowly sinking in the west. There were no immediate dangers, in fact, there didn't seem to be any other living beings visible. Link stared around him in silent disbelief. The grasslands were always teaming with wildlife. There were great birds that soared high above. Wild boar that shoved their snouts deep under the vegetation in search of food. The deer would graze for hours as the smaller mammals would bound around their legs. How very different Ganon had made this world.

Link grew anxious as he thought of what was ahead of him. He had been through many trials and had beaten many monsters of Ganon's creation. Now he had all the pieces of the Triforce he needed in order to defeat Ganon. Defeat Ganon? How could anyone defeat such a strong foe? Ganon had taken over the land of Hyrule with out any opposition. There was nothing to stop him. If Princess Zelda had not sent Navi with the letter that ushered Link on his quest, he would never have had known the dangers his home was in until it was too late. If not for her warning, he may not have been able to obtain the one power that could possibly defeat the Black Knight.

When Link had first read the letter that was brought by a frantic blue fairy, he was not truly convinced. He read the letter again. Wasn't the Triforce just a legend? Why would Princess Zelda want him to find it? What on earth was he supposed to do IF it existed AND he could find it? But the Princess's crest at the bottom of the parchment, along with her curly signature made his heart stop in his chest. Could the Princess really know more about this so called legend than he did? Her letter stated that the Three Goddesses, Din, Farore and Nayru, had created the land of Hyrule. Each of them left a piece of themselves behind to govern the world before they departed for the heavens. The pieces represented what each Goddess a gift they wished to bestow on those who would rule. They were Wisdom, Power and Courage. When the pieces of power were brought together they created the Triforce. He was the only one who could enter the holy places where the fragments of the Triforce lay, for he was the Hero of the legend. The Hero would, it was told, bring power and peace to the world after great darkness fell.

After struggling through a volcanic mountain, blistering desert and then the depths of Lake Hyrule, Link was able to gather the pieces together. Each piece of the Triforce was a golden triangle that vibrated in Link's hands as he held them individually. He felt their power travel through his fingertips, up his arms and press through his whole body. Each piece alone was incredibly powerful. Link returned to his forest home, deep in Faron Woods and studied these mythical creations.

When Link finally found the courage, he sat in a clearing by his quiet home placed the three side of the Triforce together. All Three Goddesses came to him and bid him to travel back to the castle where Ganon held Zelda, the only person in Hyrule who knew how to wield the Triforce against Ganon. “Be swift!” they urged in one voice.

Link's heart sped up as he thought of Zelda, alone, in the castle with Ganon. She would be so frightened, but Link knew she was strong. Link had met her only twice before she had sent the letter to him, but he remembered both meetings fervently and he knew the kind ruler she was.

Link had felt the connection to Zelda instantly upon their first meeting. He had come to the castle to trade goods from his homeland in the forest, and she was there, in the market square, by the fountain. She sang as children ran around her, laughing and giggling. Her blonde hair hung down in golden cascades down her back below her crown and her white gown was paled only by the glow of her skin. Her smile lit up her whole face and was infectious to those around her. Link found himself very attracted to her beauty, but he felt his heart pull at her in a very different way. This woman could change your whole life, his heart whispered to him.

The second time Link saw her, he had purposely sought her out. He came to the castle to report odd things happening in the forest around his village. He explained the dying livestock and the frightened dogs. He told her of the birds disappearing from the trees. He told her about the strange darkness that the sunlight couldn't seem to chase away. All this he spoke while he knelt before her in the vast throne room, staring intently at the red carpet beneath him. The whole time he spoke, she silently regarded him from her royal seat with her eyes wide with interest. She hadn't said a word to him, but nodded when he was finished. Link knew he was being dismissed, but when he rose to his feet to leave, they stared in to each others eyes, locked together in whatever fate was destined for them. They shared the same piercing blue gaze. Before he pulled his gaze from hers, Link felt his heart leap in his chest again, telling him to submit to this woman. He silently left the throne room, confused by the powers of the Princess who ruled Hyrule. Here, Zelda had explained through Navi, she discovered the Hero she had been searching for.

Two weeks later, Link received an excitable fairy and a letter that changed his life.

Now with the golden Triforce stored in his pack, Link was destined for Hyrule castle, which caught sight of on the western most horizon. The tallest towers rose above the sea of grass like beacons. Link turned Epona to the west and urged her to run with all her might. They made faster time through Hyrule field, no longer confined to the narrow paths or needing to dodge trees. Epona stretched her full length with each stride and launched herself forward with powerful back legs. Link rose from the saddle, riding her rhythm in the stirrups. They crested a hill and below them wound a river that ran all the way to Lake Hyrule in the far north. On the other side of the river rose the white castle. Link motioned for Epona to slow down as they approached the castle bridge at a walk. He studied the parapets along the wall that housed the castle market. There was no movement of guards along the walls and no lights coming on as the sun began to set behind the castle.

As Epona walked across the bridge and in to the market, Link gasped at the vast emptiness. The shop windows were all dark and the doors were firmly closed. The grounds in the center of the market were normally teaming with people making their way around the fountain where Link first saw Zelda. Tonight, there was not a soul. The fountain was dry. Each alley off the main market square was dark and foreboding. Epona's hoof falls were the only sound in the empty village as the sun set behind the guard wall.

They had just rounded the fountain to follow the main road to the castle when Navi's small voice rang in the still air, “Watch out!”

Again, Link made to pull out his sword, but he was warned too late. Navi was dancing in the air above a creature that was so close to him already, it was making to grab for his right leg. Link grabbed a hold of the front of the saddle and kicked out at the head of thing reaching clumsily at him with grimy fingers. His boot connected with it's face and the monster fell back moaning. Link jumped from his perch on Epona and surveyed the attacker. It seemed human, but it moved slowly with hesitated gestures, jerking itself upright. It had blood shot eyes and the flesh of it's face seemed to be decaying. It's hair was spotty, like most of it had fallen out already. Link took a step back as it reached an arm forward again and tried to shuffle towards him. He drew his sword and held the weapon in front of him, but the creature did not slow. Link puzzled over the monster's indifference when he noticed the apron the thing wore over a dirty blue shirt and holey pants. The apron had a symbol that was hard to make out, but Link recognized it. It was a picture of two swords crossed over a shield. It was the symbol of the weapon's shop.

Link looked at his opponent with more clarity. The sword maker had his fingers inches from Link's shoulder. Link stepped back against Epona. “Sir, please, I won't harm you!” Link exclaimed. The sword maker gripped Link's green tunic and opened his mouth wide. The putrid smell of death came off him and filled Link's senses as he pulled his shield between him and the sword maker. The creature made to bite Link, but slammed it's mouth in to the shield that appeared in front of it. It shrieked in rage and clawed at the shield.

The sound of the monster's wales rose in to the night and bounced off the buildings. Link shoved it off his shield. He watched it move towards him again. Fear squeezed Link's throat shut and he reacted instinctively. He swung his sword in front of him and took off the sword maker's head. Link choked out a cry and watched the man who made his most prized weapon fall to the ground.

Epona whinnied in alarm and Navi began making circles around the horse in earnest. Link bent below Epona's belly to see what the commotion was about. He saw dozens of monster’s approaching from the east side of the square. They all looked decayed and filthy, like the sword maker. Link knew he could not beat so many of them at once. He remounted Epona,keeping his sword out and urged her on to the main road towards the castle.

As they galloped along the cobble stones, more creatures emerged from the alleys and doorways. They were beginning to flood the street. Some made to grab for Epona, and Link slashed at their outstretched hands, being careful not to look to closely or he might discover their former identity. As they approached the high castle gate, Epona began running straight in to the creatures with her powerful legs. They were trampled around them, but when Link looked behind, they were picking their own broken bodies back up from the ground and continuing their slow pursuit.

Epona stopped just short of running in to the gate and presses her body against the iron bars, trying desperately to get away from the encroaching hoard. Link jumped to the ground and lifted the cross bar off of the gate and threw it at two of the flesh eating fiends that were trying to clutch on Epona. He pushed the gate open, using all his strength to move the heavy iron door. He squeezed through the little opening and made to pull the gate open wider to allow Epona in when he heard her squealing.

A monster had latched on her flank and was biting her leg muscles, tearing flesh off with each bite. Blood was pouring down to her hooves. Another creature jerked towards her side and bite in to her belly. Epona reared and screamed again in pain. Link reached through the bars of the gate and ripped his bow and quiver from where they were tied to the saddle. A dead hand clamped down on his wrist as he made to pull his arm back through. Link brought his blade down on the monster's arm.

Epona dropped back down to all fours and reared again, backing in to the gate and closing it again. Link sheathed his sword, pulled an arrow from the quiver, and placed it on his bow. His hands shook uncontrollably as he pulled the string taught and aimed. Link's breath came in great gasps as trained the tip of his arrow on to Epona. Tears blurred his vision as he let the arrow go. He knew his aim was true when her shrill crying stopped and the only sound he could hear was the moaning and shuffling of hungry, dead creatures on the other side of the gate.

Link sunk to his knees, dropping his bow beside him. He hid his face in his hands, afraid to see his loyal friend being eaten by Ganon's wicked creations. Ganon. Link dropped his hands and glared up at the castle. He would pay for what he did to the people of the town, and Link would make sure he suffered for what he did to Epona. Anger surged through him and forced himself back to his feet. Link was no longer afraid of what he might have to fight in once he reached the castle. He only knew he had to make all the evils stop.

Link slung the quiver over his shoulder and pulled the bow over his head, letting the string settle across his chest, from his other shoulder to his waist. With all his weapons secured Link ran towards the castle steps, passing what was formerly the castle gardens but was then just bare brush. He rushed up the stairs two at a time and when he reached the top landing, he kicked open the entrance doors. He rushed in to absolute nothingness.

The entrance hall was pitch black. The hairs on Link's neck stood on end. Danger was close by, but there was nothing to see. Link strained his ears to listen for the shuffling of movement. Nothing. He drew his sword and slowly started to inch in to the hall. Link remembered this place from when he had come to the castle to speak to Zelda. It was a vast, brightly lit hall with windows reaching from the floor all the way to the 30 foot ceiling. It had many doors on either side leading to other parts of the castle. Most common people from the villages never entered these doors. A red carpet ran the length of the hall all the way to the other side, to a grand door that lead to the throne room, where the royal family could receive their subjects and hear their needs.

Link inched forward again. The door behind him swooshed shut and slammed so hard, his bones seemed to vibrate. Link instantly pulled out his sword and swung his shield in front of him. His heart hammered in his ears while he tried to listen for what had closed the door. There was still nothing. Slowly, Link took a few tentative steps forward until his feet tapped on marble. He must have stepped off the red carpet. Link turned slightly to the left and stepped back on to the carpet. He followed the softness of the carpet, sometimes stepping on to marble again and then correcting until he saw a hazy strip of light ahead of him. He moved closer and realized he was looking at a faint light coming from under the door to the throne room. Link moved forward faster, now having something for his eyes to lead him to.

Link rested his gloved hand on the door and pressed his ear to the crease. Again, nothing gave itself away. Slowly, he turned the door knob and pressed the large door open inward. He slipped his body silently through the opening and took in his surroundings.

The throne room was dim. Only a few torches were lit along the walls in between the windows that did not show the world outside. They were merely pitch black, as though there were no world outside. The red carpet continued all the way to a short set of marble stairs that led up to the throne. Seated there in the huge white marble throne was a dauntingly large black suit of armor, the flames from the torches gleaming in the shining metal. Link hesitated, watching it. He stepped one booted foot forward, but it did not move. He slowly lowered his sword, wondering why an empty suit sat at the throne.

The suit moved so quickly, Link had no time to pull his sword back up to the ready. It flew towards him with a black blade in hand and slammed him in to the door, latching it shut behind him. A metal arm brought the black blade to Link's throat and held his weapon arm in a severely tight grip. Link looked in to the helmet of the black armor and saw red eyes peering back at him. A laughter began to echo through the whole suit, a laughter filled with hate.

“So this is who the whole kingdom of Hyrule is depending on?!” More laughter filled the hall.

The grip was so tight on Link's right arm that it began to tingle from lack of blood. Link held his breath as he struggled to keep his hold on his sword, but his fingers rapidly became numb and his weapon fell to the floor at his feet. The laughing became louder and more maniacal.

“Come with me hero! I have something to show you.” Ganon gripped the back of Link's neck and forced him to walk in front of him, Link's arm was now being pinned between his hsoulder blades and the same extreme grip was holding his neck. Link moved involuntarily towards the throne until Ganon slid his metal fingers in to his blonde and pulled him to a sudden halt. Link sucked air through his teeth as the wound on the back of his head erupted in pain again. Ganon wrenched on Link's right arm, forcing him to his knees and pulled his head back so his eyes looked up to the ceiling. Link grimaced through the pain and looked in to the dim above him.

Floating 20 feet in the air with her arms stretched out to the sides was Zelda. She looked the same as when Link had last saw her except her piercing blue eyes were closed, as though she were asleep. Link gasped, but could not move under Ganon's hold. His mind began frantically forming any plan he could in order to get her free. He had to save her! Zelda slowly began to sink towards them as Ganon continued to hold Link in the painful grip. Link watched, helpless and confused. What did he do to her?

When Zelda was level with the floor, whatever was forcing her to float suddenly let go and she crumbled to the carpet like a marionette whose strings were cut. Link ripped himself out of Ganon's hands and reached for the princess. Before he could touch her, Ganon kicked him with a metal boot in the center of the back and sent him sprawled on top of Zelda. Link pushed himself up on his elbows and looked down in to her beautiful face. Her breath tickled his cheek. She was not conscious, but she was still alive.

Link looked up to watch Ganon walk around them. Link felt a surge of revulsion in the bottom of his stomach. How could he harm the Princess!? The fiend slowly reached his metal hands up to his head and slowly removed his helmet. The skin of the Ganon's face was almost as black as his armor and was stretched over large bones. His hair was fire red, just like his eyes. Link looked in to the face of his enemy and slowly got to his feet, standing protectively over Zelda.

A light glowed above them and both men looked up as a blue fairy descended between them. Link gave an inaudible sigh of relief. Navi floated in the air between them.

“Link, I trust that you have met Navi?”

Link was visibly startled. He took a half step back and studied the little ball of light with wings. What was Ganon playing at?

“Navi obviously brought you the letter I sent. And it seems she did a fabulous job aiding you in your journey.” The little fairy giggled and floated over Ganon's shoulder.

“Oh, Link. Zelda didn't send you that letter! It was me who sent Navi to you. I needed the Hero of the legends to retrieve all three pieces of the Triforce. My impure soul can't touch the places where they were hidden. But you? Oh....” Ganon chuckled to himself. “You are exactly what Zelda predicted you to be.” Ganon waved a hand and Zelda was lifted in to the air once more, her arms stretched out to her sides and her gown billowing. She floated close to Ganon who tenderly touched her face. Link felt his cheeks grow hot with anger.

“You see, only Zelda still had the blood of the Goddesses. Only she would know who the true Hero was who would be able to get the Triforce pieces and reunite them. She was very careful not to give it away, but I have been waiting here for a very long time. I saw her eyes when she looked on you when you came whining about your stupid, pitiful village.”

Link kept his eyes trained on Ganon as he thought back. The Princess had not said a word to him when he knelt in front of her. If she had, she would have betrayed who he was. She was protecting him. Link glanced at her body, helpless in Ganon's power.

Ganon smiled at Link's obvious discomfort. “Yes, it was very touching how she attempted to save her kingdom with out putting you in danger, but it was troubling to my plans. So I sent Navi with a letter signed by the Princess's hand urging you to find and take the golden pieces to me. And so you have.”

Ganon suddenly raised his gleaming black sword and sliced at Link. Link jumped back, narrowly missing the sharp edge. He rolled to his left, hoping to make a dash for his sword, but Ganon was in front of him before he got back to his feet. A metal fist roared in to his stomach and Link was knocked off his feet, dropping to his hands and knees.

“Give me the Triforce!” Ganon swung at Link again.

Link got painfully to his feet again and lunged as though running for his sword again, forcing Ganon to step in the wrong direction. Link then grabbed a hold of Zelda, who fell in to his arms at his touch and reached in to his pack.

“The Goddesses told me we would all meet, Ganon,” Link called out in a clear, loud voice. “They told me of the power we each embody. “She,” Link looked down in to Zelda's face, “is Wisdom. You are power. But I have what you will never have! I am Courage!” Link pulled the golden Triforce out of his pack and held it against Zelda's chest. Ganon had no time to react.

Zelda's eyes snapped open and they glowed white, light shining out of them, making her face glow brilliantly in the dim hall. Zelda shifted and looked at Link with those frightening eyes and smiled. Link smiled tremulously in return, unsure of what he had awoken in the Princess. Slowly, Zelda set her legs under her and bore her own weight. Link slowly released his hold on her and allowed her to step on her own. A gentle wind was now blowing through the hall and made her gown ripple around her legs. She turned towards Ganon.

“Ganon,” three echoing, powerful voices were speaking through Zelda. “You have used Power for evil.”

Ganon raised his sword once more and brought it down over Zelda's head. But it was stopped short. Navi streamed through the air and stopped the blade before it could strike the Princess. The little fairy made a tiny defiant roar and her blue glow erupted in to a dazzling light. The sword black sword was shoved back towards Ganon. Navi paused for a moment in front of Zelda and then fell from the air. Her light faded and went out.

Zelda looked on Navi's tiny body and turned her fierce gaze on Ganon. “You dare to try to strike the Goddesses!” Her voice shook the walls of the hall. “You dare to try to use our servants against us!? Navi was always doing our bidding. How foolish of you to think she would have turned to evil to aid you! She only came to you to bring Link. Princess Zelda's compassion for him and her unwillingness to place him in the danger would have destroyed this land. She did not want to send Link in to the terrible Holy sanctuaries of our powers. But, we needed Link to bring the Triforce together. We needed him to bring the Triforce to our last descendent so we could destroy you!”

Link backed over to his sword and picked it up from near the door. He felt confused and used. Ganon had thought Navi came to him in order to undermine her Goddesses and bring the Triforce to him. But that was what the Goddesses sent Navi to do all along. They only needed Link to use the Triforce. Zelda had never sent for him at all. Such subterfuge was very unknown to him and the quiet life he led before this quest seemed very far away.

He turned as Zelda advanced on Ganon who stood his ground, watching her come nearer. “Do not think that our Hero is useless. He has been through much and he will destroy you.” Zelda looked to Link and held a hand out to him. “Please, Link, your sword.”

Link walked around Ganon, who stood motionless, and handed the Goddesses his sword. Zelda's hands ran the length of the blade and it began to glow bright white. Link gasped and reached forward as Zelda handed the hilt back to him.

“Only the hero of Courage can defeat him, Link. You must kill Ganon.”

Ganon moved, his trance broken. He side stepped and swung his sword up. Link threw his shield in front of himself and his whole arm stung under the shield as the black sword came down. The clash of the metal caused sparks to fly in every direction. Link pushed his shield against the blade and shoved Ganon off balance. Ganon was forced to step back and then he rose in to the air himself. He laughed again. “You can't beat me, little boy.”

“Trust the blade, Link!” Zelda shouted, the Goddesses voices piercing the air.

Ganon rose a hand above his head. Lightning crackled around his fist and concentrated in to a sparking, glowing ball. The strobing bursts of light made it hard for Link to focus on the black knight. Ganon grunted and threw the ball at Link. Link lunged forward and slide to his knees across the marble floor. The floor behind him exploded and Link glanced back at acrumbled and a burning hole where the lightning collided. Link whipped his head back around in time to see Ganon raise his hand again. The lightning crackled in his hand and he threw with all his might.

Link instinctively raised his glowing sword and swung at the lightning ball flying towards him. The ball hit his sword with a deafening clang and flew in to a wall, causing another smoldering hole. Ganon raised both hands this time and two lightning balls were forming. Link set his feet wide apart, ready for the attack. Ganon threw them both at him. Link's sword deflected one, but the other hit his shield, knocking him on to his back. He struggled for breath as he pulled himself up on to his elbows. Link looked around his shield, up at Ganon, in time to watch him throw another lightning ball. This time, Link only had time to close his eyes and swung the sword straight up in to the air. The lightning ball deflected and hit Ganon square in the chest.

Ganon fell to the floor, marble cracking beneath his weight. Link stayed on the floor under his shield, waiting to see if his enemy tried to get up. After waiting as long as he dared, Link pulled the shield off of his arm and got to his feet. Panting, he walked to Ganon with his sword tightly held in both hands. Smoke was rising from the deep indent in the floor. Link inched forward, leery of a surprise attack. He reached the edge of the exploded whole and look down on Ganon, who lay on his side in the rubble, clutching one hand to his burning chest. Ganon's red eyes glared up at. He pulled his black lips in to a sneer, and blood trickled down his chin.

Link raised his white blade. He thought of Navi, the people in the village, Epona, the endless, grueling hours spent on his quest to get the Triforce pieces and he thought of Zelda who was helpless to Ganon's powers. Link brought the Holy sword down in to the chest of the black armor. The blade sliced through easily and shot through Ganon's heart. Ganon stopped breathing, looked up at the Hero of Courage and with out a sound died with his eyes.

Link pulled the blade free and turned to Zelda. He walked to where she stood next to the stairs to the throne.

“Well, done, Hero.” She reached for the sword and Link allowed her to pull it free from his hands. “The blade will be kept safe, in a hidden place in the forest.” The sword started to glow so brightly, Link had to close her eyes for a moment. When he looked back at Zelda, the sword was gone.

“Before we leave, we will restore the kingdom to what it once was. The people will once again be safe.” This time it was Zelda's eyes that glowed intensely. When Link was able to see again, he saw the damage to the hall around them was reversed. All the torches were lit, making the hall the bright, welcoming place it once was. Link could see the sun beginning to rise through the windows in the east.

“One more thing, Link. Zelda has been meaning to give you something.” Link stood up straighter at the mention of the princess's name. He watched her stretch close to him and she pressed her lips to his. Link hesitated to move. Zelda closed her glowing eyes and her face became the one Link had committed to memory. Then he reached his arms around her waist and opened his mouth to her. He squeezed her tight against him, feeling her warmth through his tunic. When Zelda finally leaned back again, her eyes were once again her own dazzling blue. This time, Link's heart didn't feel the pulling, but a settling as he held her in his arms.