Chapter 11

Two hours later, Ruto had arrived with the promised Zora, who numbered about 200 (due to a recent egglaying surge), and Darunia had come with the promised Gorons, who numbered only 90, due to the fact that the Gorons had to keep many of their people inside Goron City or on the mountain to protect against Ganon. "Are we all ready?" said Mallard. "Ready as we'll ever be...." sighed Darunia resolutely. "Then shall we get going?" Link said. "I suppose...." mumbled one of the recruits. As the downtrodden recruits began to march out, Aaron leaned over to Mallard. "This'll seriously never work." he muttered. "I find myself agreeing with you." said Mallard sarcastically, seeing how the soldiers carried themselves. They marched onward.......

..........and found themselves in front of Castle Town. "Well, here we are. Be ready for action." Mallard said, getting behind the troops to ensure that no one deserted, along with Ruto, who didn't mind keeping out of the action. Link urged them forward, as they were a bit reluctant. They walked past the old guard house, then into the town square, where they found.....nothing. "So far so good." muttered a Zora, brandishing his quarterstaff and looking braver. Suddenly something snapped and the same Zora backflipped defensively and looked around furiously. "Just a dog." he grumbled. Everyone sighed in relief. Suddenly a flash of lightning made them all jump. Rain began to patter down by them. "Quick, let's get inside...." Link muttered. "Now you're talking!" yelled most of the soldiers. Then they realized Link was heading toward the castle. "Oh.....maybe some other place?" one called. "It's rain, everyone! It's not going to hurt us!" Link exclaimed. "Well-" began a Zora. "You're a Zora!" Ruto shouted from behind the column. That shut the complainers up, and they proceeded. Then they saw the Iron Knuckles guarding the gate and the parched, once-green field. But most of them resolutely stepped forward, however, much to the surprise of the accompanying Sages, Mallard, Aaron and Link. The Iron Knuckles suddenly began clonking away towards the field and other Knuckles trundled over to replace them. "Changing of the guard.....come on!" said Link, and they dashed forward. It was risky, but they were betting on the rather poor eyesight of the Knuckles and their not-too-good hearing either. "Down!" hissed Link as a Knuckle looked their way. 390 soldiers plus tax dropped to the ground. But of course, even a Knuckle could see this. He began lumbering over. Ruto suddenly fired a bolt of magic and blew his front armor off, exposing him. Link fired a few arrows and the mass of metal fell to the ground to rust. Link signaled for total silence and the soldiers slowly rose up, thankful night was beginning to fall. "C'mon," he signaled with his hand and they moved forward, wary of any guards that might see them. As it turned out, five of them did, unsurprisingly. And a few Wolfos. "AAAHOOOOOO!" came the piercing cry as the Wolfos, with glowing eyes began to charge. "We've got our work cut out for us!" yelled Mallard, letting out a war-cry of his own and jumping forward. The Zora brandished their quarterstaffs and spears and the Gorons readied their rockuns, spring-loaded rock launchers that were deadly in close quarters. Darunia heaved his arm into the air, extra-large-rockun in hand. "Fire at will, Gorons! The spirits of Darnagi and Darlaga are with us!" He fired a giant rock into an Iron Knuckle and the rock slammed into his armor, making a giant dent. Suddenly rocks were flying all over the place. But the Wolfos were relentless. One of them caught a Zora in his mouth and ran away, his prey squirming and wriggling. "Aaron!" called Mallard, while clubbing a Wolfos with his blade, "The Hylians need help! Get over there!" he boomed. "Nothing doing!" yelled back Aaron, in the the grip of a Knuckle and about to get cut to ribbons. Mallard suddenly dived and knocked the Knuckle off balance, causing him to throw Aaron away and step on Mallard's foot. "OUCH!" Mallard yelled. Aaron proceeded to thwack the Knuckle, angry at how Mallard's foot had been stepped on. "Is it okay?" he yelled. "Broken, I think!" yelled Mallard back, trying to stand up on it, but crumpled to the ground, his foot useless. Aaron turned around and chopped at a Moblin with his sword madly. "Well then we'll just stay here." he muttered.

Link was feeling as good as ever, his wounds completely healed, his sword flying into any Moblin or Morgul that moved. "Good as ever...." he repeated to himself. Then he noticed Aaron and Mallard, Mallard on the ground with his crushed foot. "I wonder who did that," he muttered to himself. Then a Wolfos landed on his back. Link jumped back and crushed the Wolfos beneath him, the jaws of the dangerous predator an inch from his neck. He got up and resumed fighting.

Meanwhile, Darunia was fighting with his brave Gorons, many of whom had fallen already to save their beloved mountains but had taken a very high toll of Ganon's evil forces. His rockun was out of rocks, and now he was using it as a dangerous bludgeon, mowing down the enemy. He got so bad that finally he was surrounded by twenty enemy soldiers. They prepared to take him down with bows and arrows and swords-but they had forgotten, or had never known that he was a Sage. Darunia had taken great care to conceal this fact to the stupid minions, and as fireballs consumed them, they discovered this fact. After he had taken care of his would-be captors, he saw Link and Aaron cleaning up the last of the resistance. He flashed Link a large grin and a thumbs-up, which was returned. They had about 40 Gorons left, three-fourths of the Hylians, who had remained largely behind the scenes, and 108 Zora-this was due to their exceptional fighting ability that they did not lose more, unlike their fair-skinned counterparts. But just then Darunia saw a Zora lying on the ground-with a maimed midsection, the result of the Wolfos that had tried to take him away, back to its lair. "What in thunders happened to you, lad?" he asked. The Zora tried to sit up with his mangled body, but couldn't. "Sir......caught by the Wolfos, sir...." he groaned. "What pain you've got to be in! Let me help you, son!" he said. But the Zora waved him off. "No......it's not right for a Goron to help a Zora....." he replied. "Who on earth told you that? Let me help." Darunia insisted. But the Zora was adamant. "No, sir.....thank you sir, but I can't.....I can't let you...." He coughed twice. By now Ruto was kneeling down by him too. "What happened?" he asked. The Zora's eyes widened. "Princess......what......why...." he said, stunned as he lay dying that he was of such important to the Princess of his people. Ruto smiled encouragingly. "You were the one the Wolfos got, weren't you? Well, don't you worry, I can help you so we can get proper medical aid-" "Princess.....kind Princess....thank you.....but......no, I can't accept your offer.....I must be healed......be healed by......the Healer...." he moaned, shuddering. Ruto's eyes widened. "But why can't I-" The Zora shuddered some more, in great pain. "Princess, listen to me," and he seemed to be slightly buoyed by the news he was about to give, "You know of the Healer....the legend.....how she must be-be-" He broke off in a spasm of coughing. Ruto and Darunia exchanged mystified looks. "Only she can heal me, Princess Ruto. It's.....it's a lineage thing.....my name is Mekaa.....tell.....tell.....my parents......and Princess..." He was definitely weakening. "Yes, what is it, Mekaa?" Ruto asked, bursting with answerless questions. "Water......to remind me of the Domain....." Mekaa gasped. "Of course, Mekaa...." Ruto magically produced some water in cupped hands and gently tipped it into Mekaa's mouth. Mekaa smiled. "So.....refreshing....." He gave a final breath. "The.....Healer......and.....six....." His eyes closed. "No......no!" Ruto began to cry. Darunia felt a tear escape from his eye. "Ruto, don't-" "Darunia, shut up!" Ruto barked, suddenly angry even as she was crying. "I don't know what he was talking about......and....I'm so mad......at Ganon......and there's nothing I can do......" she yelled. Darunia was taken severely aback. "Ruto, I-" "I told you to shut up, Darunia!" came the choking reply. Darunia took her by the shoulder. "We can't stand here crying, Ruto, get hold of yourself! There is something you can do-avenge his death! We'll destroy Ganon once and for all, and then we can find out about this Healer! Do you get that?" he asked. Ruto wiped the tears out of her four eyes. "Yes, Darunia, I do!" she shouted, still quite mad. Link came up behind her. "Ruto, there's nothing you can do about him now except that pray he goes to a better place and destroy Ganon........" Link looked terribly agonized suddenly, but it was only for a moment. "What's Mallard's status?" he asked. "Broken foot, sir." said Aaron dutifully, quickly and without a trace of humor. "I can heal it, but it'll be mighty terrible looking after the magic wears off." Darunia said. "Who cares?" glared Aaron. Darunia walked over to Mallard sheepishly. "I hope you don't mind." Darunia said. "Not at all-I just want to fight." came the reply. Darunia knelt down and Mallard's foot began to glow red like fire. He winced a few times. "This hurts." he said. "I'm not surprised. I'm knitting your bones temporarily together. They'll come apart in a few hours, and it'll hurt a bit worse, but I think it'll be worth it." Darunia replied, and the job was done. Mallard got up and tested his foot. It wobbled a bit, but otherwise was fine.

"Come on!" he yelled to everyone, and the troops nodded and gave a chorus of cheers, albeit not very hearty ones. And so, the front guard dispatched, they moved onto the gate-where they found the gate already opened for them and a couple half-dead-and-buried Morguls, who were dispatched quickly. They were mystified by the gate, but didn't "look a gift horse in the mouth" and walked on in. It closed as soon as they got in. "Perhaps we should have looked it in the mouth." commented Aaron dryly, calculating the odds of how they could recapture the castle and getting out of this mess alive. "We are brave." one of the remaining Gorons said, thumping his chest. "That's the spirit. Forward, I say." Darunia boomed. His voice echoed throughout the halls, disturbing several extra-large spiders, who skittered away into safer corners. Link drew his sword, as did Aaron and Mallard and they walked forward resolutely-Link especially. Don't let your emotions get the best of you, Ruto said telepathically. Link wished he could reply, but he couldn't channel what little telepathic ability he had very effectively right now. I won't, he thought to himself. He vowed he would not, for Zelda's sake. Then he heard the giggle.

"What on earth-" began Aaron, and two giggles flew into the ears of all who could hear in the castle. "Isn't that just so funny...." they heard someone say. "You're right-" The voice was cut off before the person could say the name of who she was talking to. But Link knew the voices. So did Aaron. So did Mallard, and the Hylians and some of the Gorons and Zora. "How'd he get ahold of them?" came the terrified whisper from Aaron, who was feeling much less sure of himself. No one knew. The only answer was to go forward. Then the laughing came back, rebounding into Link's ears, chilling him to the bone. "Hear that, son?" yelled Ganon suddenly from nowhere. "That's your precious wife calling! I'm afraid that you'll have to fight for her when you get up here.....and incidentally, I've got your friend's wife too. You might want to come up quickly, for they won't last forever, I fear. Catch us if you can....." he said, voice trailing off into a horrible, grating noise that was his laugh. Link's hand tightened around his replacement sword. "He won't get her..." he breathed. Aaron said nothing, but began to run forward like nothing could stop him. "Come on." repeated Darunia, and they ran forward, meeting no resistance, even when they got to the doorway of the Great Throneroom Hall. Link kicked open the doors with Aaron-there he saw Ganon, with Malon and Zelda sitting at a table, laughing their heads off.

"So glad you could join our little party, my good men. Ah, Aaron.....look at your wife. Reduced to a laughing, pitiful mass of flesh and bone. Truly saddening." He walked up and put a clawed hand around him mock-sadly. "It happened to one of my daughters, you know. In fact, it's happened to all of my children......except one." He made a gesture towards Link, whose stomach tightened. "I shall see to it that he receives my....treatment..." Aaron let loose with a chop onto Ganon's hand. Ganon laughed. "I'm only toying with you. Only the Master Sword can defeat me...and guess who has it?" He held up the gleaming, holy sword that looked like a pencil compared to the pig. Link let go of himself-his emotions took over. He leapt forward and slashed wildly at his father-turned-pig. Ganon blocked the slashing and jabbed at Link's left arm. Link realized that he'd lost his left arm and stumbled back, too shocked to notice the pain. Ganon looked pleased. And the sight of a one-armed Link somehow jolted Zelda and Malon to their senses. Zelda realized what was happening almost instantly. "Link!" she screamed. "Oh my goodness!" Malon exclaimed. Both of them rushed forward to help Link, but Ganon swept them back with his tail. "Ah ah ah, my little pretties. You can't help him now." he laughed. But suddenly Link was standing up, triumphantly and with both arms, his left one there like it had never been gone. Ganon was shocked. "How the-" "The Master Sword can only be used for good, Ganon. And it most certainly can't be used against the Hero of Time, Protector of the Triforce and Keeper of the Same! Therefore my arm....ahem.....regrew. Sorry." he said, most insolently. Ganon could've popped a few veins there. "Foiled again, Pigskin. Sorry." Aaron grinned as Malon, after the initial shock of seeing Link's limb grow back wore off, walked over to him while simultaneously watching Ganon. He put his arm around her protectively. "We've got everything under control." he said soothingly. "Uh-huh." said Malon, hoping he was right.

Ganon forced himself to regain control-he hated it when such a devious plan went wrong, as they usually did these days. "Well, you may have gotten your wives back-" He forced a smile. "-but you won't be getting away from my fellows." he said. "'Orter 'ormation, 'ads!" someone shouted. Five Moblins and five Stalfos broke out into the throne room from nowhere in particular in front of them, and fifty Morguls appeared behind them. "Excellente, as one of my dear colleagues is so fond of saying. You will put down your arms now, or you shall be impaled upon my sharp spears." Ganon watched as everyone slowly dropped their weapons. Zelda and Malon hugged their husbands tightly, and the evil sorceror laughed at this. "A little afraid, are we, girls?" he asked. "I'm not a girl." growled Malon. "You're eighteen, you idiot." Ganon retorted laconically. "Shut up!" Aaron shouted. "Oh, and I suppose that makes it all better? You married too young, Aaron. You've got to realize that." Ganon said. "How'd we get talking about marriage?" belted Link. "Stay outta this!" snarled a Morgul. "They spake-" Aaron began, but Malon cut him off. "Aaron, please. This is serious." she said, squeezing his arm. "Darn right it is." the same Morgul said cockily, shooting an arrow straight through Zelda's hair. It got hung up somewhere at the end, and hung harmlessly. Link drew his sword, but Ganon snatched it from him and broke it in half. "No violence." he admonished, father-like. Link only glared. Ganon resumed mind games with Aaron. "So what do you think?" he said. "It's the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a while." Aaron said. "Ahum. That makes things a bit different, my boy. I'm really just doing this for your own good, you know." Ganon said, changing tack. "You know, he really is." added a Hylian soldier. "Traitor!" yelled several Hylians, Zora and Gorons, advancing on the hapless soldier. "Stop, stop, hold it. Let's let the fellow talk." Ganon said. "Uh, thank you, I guess." said the soldier meekly, stepping forward. Aaron glared at him. "W-well, uh, Sergeant, you see, the reason it's bad is because, number one, you are a bit young and it is the custom to marry when you're a bit older-No, no, let me talk, sergeant! Number two is because you're not mature enough yet, Sergeant. No, no.....you're not experienced enough! And......and.......seriously-" "Will someone dis-addle this fellow's head, sir?" Aaron yelled, shoving the guy back and folding his arms. Malon gave him another squeeze on his arm to show him her support, and he stared defiantly up at Ganon. Ganon sighed. "Well well, you certainly seem determined in your views, Aaron." he lamented. "We are." Aaron said. Ganon chuckled. "I remember when I had such foolish views.......when I was married......" Suddenly a look of pure, black rage came into his eyes. "You infuriate me, all four of you! Take them away!" he roared. But before any of them had the time to react, Darunia, Ruto and Zelda cast a sleep spell on all the enemies in the room. Ganon stumbled back, stunned for a minute or two. And the other minions crumpled to the ground. "We got them!" yelled Malon. Everyone exhaled, relieved. "Start disposing." called Link. "Righto, sir." sighed Mallard. "I'd forgotten about you." said Aaron, grinning as he prepared to dispose of the minions. Suddenly a yell came from the other end of the room. A Morgul was there, as was a soldier, who slowly fell to the ground as his assailant withdrew the knife. The other Morguls had their bows raised. "Put your weapons down on the count of three or we will destroy all of you." the lead Morgul said. "How'd they wake up-" said Ruto in horror. "They didn't. We didn't get them hard enough." Zelda said stonily. The other two Sages shook their heads and prepared to defend the soldiers. "Get behind me." said Link. Zelda began moving behind him. "No! The princess stays right where she is!" came the frantic reply. "No." Zelda replied. "We will pour arrows into you!" shrieked the lead, obviously heading into delirium. "Zelda, get in front." Link said. Zelda turned to him, mystified. "Link, why?" she asked. "Just do it." ordered Link. Zelda obediently went to his side, though growing increasingly scared. "Good.....good....now put down your weapons." came the order. "Um.......um........shields up and everyone down!" Link suddenly shouted. Everyone who had shields raised them. Everyone who didn't dropped down as the flurry of arrows began. "No!" shouted the Morgul leader, realizing his fatal mistake. Link sounded the charge. The soldiers began running forward in fury. The Morguls ran forward too. They clashed. 20 more Gorons fell, and 15 Zora fell. 40 Hylians died. But every last Morgul was wiped out.

"Now!" said Link, running up to Ganon, to grab the Master Sword and strike the killing blow. But Ganon leapt up, ready to face his old adversary and son. Their swords clashed. "Now I have the power." Ganon said; he would grow fond of saying that in the years to come. "Not quite, I'm still the Hero of Time and I've still got the Triforce of Courage. Poor dear." Link said mockingly and he flipped over an ill-timed swing by Ganon, who chopped at his left arm again, then at his right. But he didn't connect, except with Link's sword that he had grabbed from a fallen soldier. Then Aaron rushed forward to fight, knowing that Link would need help. "Thanks!" Link said. "Nothing to it! C'mon boys!" roared Aaron, and the remaining troops stormed forward to slash at Ganon from all sides. Ganon realized he was in a box now, one that even he couldn't get through. "I shall return to destroy all of you! Especially.....you four." He suddenly lifted Malon and Aaron up in one hand, and Link and Zelda in the other, then dropped everyone except Malon. "I have something special planned for you, my temperamental redhead." he said. Malon tried to squirm away, unafraid like the plucky ranch girl she was. "I'm not temperamental!" she yelled. "You've just contradicted yourself, Malon. Well, I'll be dropping by soon......" he said. And with that, Malon was dropped and Ganon disappeared, still with the Master Sword. Everything was quiet for a minute, maybe less. "Did we get him...." breathed Ruto, hardly daring to hope. "Hardly, Ruto. Remember a year ago, when we "defeated" him? He reappeared a year later." Link said. Ruto's shoulders slumped. "Oh yeah.....that stinks!" she yelled. "So does this. Zelda, you'd better get over here...Link, you too." Aaron said, and there was a decidedly quavering note in his voice. Zelda turned and saw Aaron and Malon kneeling by her father-her severely wounded father. She let out a cry and rushed over. "Daddy, what happened-" "Zelda....Zelda...." The king, hands fumbling madly, reached toward her. "Ganon.....he......" The look in his eyes told all. Zelda grabbed his hands and held them close. "No, he didn't....." she said, not wanting to believe it. "Yes......Zelda......I'm not going to live much longer now....so.....you'll......be.....queen....." he said, giving a small groan and smiling ruefully. Zelda looked horrified. "Daddy! You can't die now.....oh Daddy, no.....no no no...." she cried. Link was as shocked as she was. "King Harkinian.....isn't there anything the Sages can do to help? Doctors? Anyone?" he asked, almost pleading. Harkinian shook his head. "No, Link.....no, there's nothing anyone can do now.....my time is up." He turned to Zelda once more. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?" he asked. Tears were pouring out of her eyes as she thought of life without her father. "Not like this, Daddy." she finally said. Harkinian smiled again. "Well......" He suddenly moaned, as if he were struck by a terrible pain. It receded, however, and he resumed smiling. "I do, Zelda.....more than anything else.......you know.....that....." he said. "Yes, Daddy, yes!" Zelda wailed. "You were up there.....once......Zelda......what was it like?" her father asked. "Oh, Daddy, don't-" "Zelda.....please.....tell me....." the king asked. "It was beautiful, and white, and everything anyone could ever want was there, and......Daddy I don't want you to die!" Zelda wept. Her father patted her as best he could. "I understand.....but we all must, at some point.......think of it this way.....your mother and I......will be together....once again.....forever.....now I must bid you good-bye, my daughter....Link, protect her from Ganon....make sure that.....my grandchildren......are trained in the ways of the Hylian Knights......and the ways.....of their father......tell them about their grandmother and grandfather, please......both sets.....both sets......Zelda, be faithful to Link....support him.....that he may have strength when others have none...rule well...you both have my blessing...." He reached up to touch Zelda's stomach. Zelda moved closer, so it would be easier for him. "And you two....." Aaron and Malon gasped as the king pointed to them. "You.....are good......you......will......grow.....strong....in the light......" He turned to Zelda again. "Good-bye....my.....daughter....." And King Harkinian, King Of Hyrule, Protector And Leader Of The Same, Sworn To Ordain Only The Good, died.

The casket moved slowly forward through the Throneroom Hall, escorted by six highly bedecked Hylian Soldiers. There were many weeping softly in the crowd, understandably, but, hard for many to understand, Zelda was not-and Link was not either as they sat on their thrones, the thrones forced upon them by fate and the terrible workings of Ganon. The casket reached the front of the cavernous throne room, which no one had been able to clean up effectively in the past week since the death of the king, in which there had been duels, fights, and deaths before Zelda had managed to calm everyone down. The front row held Mallard, Aaron, Malon, Mallard, a bewildered Paul, the Sages (Impa was crying, as was Saria) and all of the new hierarchy's friends, as well as a few other "honored guests". As the casket stopped, everyone rose and bowed heads as a sign of respect to the honored dead-but in this case, they also put their right hand over left breast-to signify light conquering darkness; this was also the standard Hylian salute. Then Zelda stood up, to give the prayer that was at every respectable funeral. And after that, Link stood up to give the eulogy.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have come here today to honor a great man, a man who took action on his own initiative when needed, who listened to others when the situation called for it.....a man who was a friend to all who were worthy of his friendship.

"But he's not just a man. He's King Alator Harkinian, one of the greatest kings that Hyrule's ever known. I know some of you won't agree with that. And it's an opinion, yes, but I believe that it's one most of us share. I don't think I need to remind anyone how he fended off Tanolian pirates in the Battle of Julikir Island and saved Jueland from a Tanolian seaborne invasion, or made the hard decision to support Sosaria and Moldera when the rest of the world thought we were nuts. And lots of other things too. He....." Link began to drone on-well, he held everyone rapt except Zelda.

Why did he have to die? Why couldn't it have been me? Or someone else......like a maid. But he has to die, and now I'm stuck being queen.....and Link! Poor Link, he'll hate being King! He's so.....so.....so young, and carefree....why burden him with this now? And speaking of young......we're only eighteen.....I haven't got the brains to do this.....

She watched Link speaking eloquently, charismatically, and even powerfully. I wish I could give speeches like that. She watched the crowd, every eye on her husband. I guess it's a good thing we're married now, else every man would be looking at me and not Link. She thought about everyone that could and would be seeking her hand had she not married Link when she did. She thought about the chaos it would cause for the country, and probably for the world.....and suddenly she realized things could be a lot worse. Relief flooded her body. She slumped down in her seat happily and listened to every word that Link said. When it came time for Aaron-she had picked him herself-to give the closing prayer, she smiled to herself and folded arms very carefully. And he gave a great one.

Perhaps.....things won't be so bad.

And then, that afternoon, it was time for the coronation, which they hadn't had yet, due to the momentary panic that had rippled through Hyrule. It was sure to be a much happier event, and as the crowd reentered the Hall, pulses of excitement were shooting through the air-it was very palpable, Link thought as he nervously adjusted his tunic in the dressing room. Zelda's was on the other side of the castle. She was going to look beautiful. And there he was, in all the King's finery-he hated this glittery cape thing he had to wear, why not some plain old leather cape, like Mallard had? Or simply no cape at all? But there it was, and it would be insulting to his people not to wear it. Yes, he was ready. So he walked out and was surrounded by Core Soldiers ("Your Highness".....), who would follow Link to the ends of the earth protecting him-he'd see these faces a lot, he knew. His sword was safe under his cape, and fortunately so; he'd be using it in a little while. He walked silently through the halls, followed by his Soldiers. And then......he walked out into the Throne Room. "Rise." ordered a voice, and the crowd rose, hand over left breast. Link closed his eyes for a moment. This is going to be worse than I thought. But he opened them, and at the other side of the chamber was Zelda. Queen Zelda. Glorious with her hair in a giant, elegant pile on her head, and in a white, full, silky dress with lace, and ribbons, and.....Link had never seen her so beautiful. That was exactly the same thing Zelda thought as she saw Link in his white tunic, complete with white pants and a flowing, glittering white cape. Completely pure, she thought, suppressing a smile and walking towards him. A bit plain.....but that's what we're going to stand for. The rights of the common man. They met with each other and took each other's hand. "Good luck." Link mouthed. "Yeah." Zelda said, suddenly aware of everyone in the Hall. She gulped and began walking forward gravely. As they moved past each row, eyes slid onto them. Most happy.....some angry. Most clear.....some sinister. And as they got closer, they noticed their friends sitting around the two thrones, looking very stoic and silent. There was Saria.....in a dress. Link had never seen her in a dress before, so that was a tad unnerving. And then he saw Darunia, bundled up in exquisite Goron robes. This was even more unsettling. And there was Ruto, in loose Zora clothing. Impa had a hard purple dress on-never one for being soft, thought Link with a smile. Nabooru, thankfully, was fully covered in a Gerudo jumpsuit-they'd never taken to dresses and Nabooru was no exception. There was Rauru, waiting to coronate them, standing quietly with a book in his hand, quite large in fact. And there was Aaron, Malon, Paul and Mallard.....why were they up there? They didn't have important jobs in the castle or the country. But who cared? They were supporting their country and that was all that mattered. Zelda and Link walked up the steps to the thrones and found themselves in front of Rauru, who looked very solemn. He lost no time getting into the ceremony. "Zelda Elyssanum Dragmire, you have been called to reign as the Queen of the Land Hyrule, The Chosen Land of the Goddesses. Should you accept this call, there will be trials, tribulations, danger and frustration as you rule. You will need every ounce of strength you have as you do this. You must wield the three points, Wisdom, Courage and Power in order to rule well and good, to keep our country alive. This you must balance while bearing the responsibilities of the Seventh Sage, if you accept." Rauru went off into the full of the coronation ritual while Zelda stood there uncomfortably, hoping that she wasn't sweating. "Yet you have been called upon, Zelda Elyssanum, because you have the strength to face all of this, as I have seen firsthand. You have led this country with your father from the depths of defeat and the darkness of death to rise high once again, and you have fought the bane of this world on a number of occasions and survived without major injury-well, most of the time." Laughter filled the Hall at Rauru's ad-lib. "But you have come back even from injuries of your own, be they physical or emotional, mental or spiritual, and here you stand with your husband. Now, Zelda, the question which will determine your future....do you accept this calling and responsibility till your death?" Rauru asked. Suddenly time seemed to stand still. Zelda looked at Link. Will you help me?, she asked telepathically in a suddenly-scared frame of mind. Always, said Link back, through his mind. Zelda turned back to Rauru. "I do." she said. "Place your hand on this book and swear it." Rauru said, lifting the book up. (The Book of Mudora, it read on the cover. Link's eyes widened, but this was no time to show surprise.) Zelda placed her right hand on it and nodded. "I swear that through the power of the Goddesses, be they willing that I shall rule with a firm hand, a heavy heart and a smile for everyone." she said. "It is done," said Rauru, "And I should hope that you have a smile for me, too." he said softly to Zelda, who smiled-a bit ironically. Then he turned to Link. "Link Dragmire....you have been called to reign as the King of the Land Hyrule, The Chosen Land of the Goddesses. Should you accept this call, you will have a very hard life indeed. You shall meet with leaders from all over the world. You shall make hard decisions that may affect the world. You may even start a war if you feel it is needed and right. You will deal with the great, the lowly, the scrupulous, the forgetful, the loving, the hating people of this country and of this world. You, too, must balance the points of Courage, Wisdom and Power, should you choose to accept this calling, and you will remain the Hero of Time." But Rauru did not go into the main part of the coronation, as he had done with Zelda-why didn't he? "Thus," he continued, "the country will worry about their King when he must go off to fight evil-worry that he will never return, that he will die, be wounded, be captured. It will be the kind of pressure that would destroy an ordinary man. Yet you are no ordinary man-you are not our Hero for nothing. And it is no mistake that you have been called upon to become King. Link Dragmire, will you accept this call to rule and protect your country till your death?" Rauru asked. Link looked at Zelda. Always, said Zelda, smiling at him. Link turned and took the biggest breath of his life. "I do." he said. "Place your right hand on the book and swear it." Rauru said. Link placed his right hand on the book. "I swear that, Goddesses be willing I'll rule this land with a handshake, a joke and the brains to get this country through." he said. Everyone laughed again-even if it wasn't quite good etiquette. Rauru smiled. "It is done." He turned to the eager Hyrulians sitting upon the benches in the Great Throneroom Hall. "So it is written.....so it is done. King Link and Queen Zelda, the successors to King Harkinian and Queen Alia!" The crowd began cheering as the band, secreted somewhere in a safe place, started striking up a lively tune-horns, vocalists and drums alike, playing together in perfect harmony. Link and Zelda looked at each other, grins spreading across their faces. "Our people." Zelda said. "Till death do we part, I suppose." Link replied dryly. Suddenly, as the band began playing, almost frenzied, he drew his sword. "Long live Hyrule!" he boomed across the Hall as his sword began to fire red, green and blue beams towards the heavens and roars swept everyone who could hear. The crowd went nutsy. Hearty claps on the back were suddenly coming from all sides to everyone in the audience and to the new monarchs themselves-Darunia, giving his Sworn Brother a punch on the arm and grinning; Ruto hugging him and giving Link heartfelt congratulations; Impa as she shook Link's hand respectfully and then turning to Zelda and beginning to cry, as did Zelda; Nabooru, giving Link his due respect and a wide smile, and Saria coming up to him, laughing and crying at the same time and giving him a huge hug. He swept her up and around in the air. "I'm sorry to say I am now King!" he grinned. "Oh, Link, this is terrible, just so terrible, but it's really good at the same time because Hyrule will be so well taken care of and-" Saria broke off, so filled with emotion was she. Link laughed. "Saria, I'm holding a little party for everyone tonight, we can talk some more there, I think you're a bit in tears right now-" And Saria wiggled out of his arms, tears streaming out of her eyes. "Thanks for everything Link!" she said, giving him a peck on the cheek and running away, sobbing. "Crazy kid." said Mallard suddenly, coming up with Malon and Aaron behind Link. "Why were you guys up here?" were the first words out of Link's mouth. "We-" began Aaron, but Malon cut him off. "Aaron, keep it a secret....we'll tell him tonight!" she said, giggling wildly-everyone seemed to be in a horrid state of emotions. "Oh honestly!" Zelda cut in, rolling her eyes and coming over to talk with Malon. Both of them walked away from the three men. "Well, this is it, ain't it?" Mallard said suddenly. "Say what?" Aaron said. "This is where it starts getting rough. In fact, I've gotten word of an assassination plot already, Link, so there'll be soldiers galore around you." Mallard said. Link raised an eyebrow. It was coming down on him already. "Well, that's great Mallard. How would you know about any assassination attempts?" he asked suddenly. Mallard looked embarrassed. "I'll tell you tonight." he said, giving a slight grin. "Ri-i-ight. Well, okay then. See you later." he said to Mallard, who walked off after saying good-bye. Aaron sighed, a foreign gesture for him, one that made Link look up. "I'm worried for ya, Link. And for Zelda and your kid too. And for Malon and Michael....." His eyes got a faraway look. "Assassination plots......attempts.....on you....and my family too...." He came back to reality. "Well, I'm just daydreaming. I'll see you at the party, Link." he said, walking off. Zelda came back towards her husband. "Is Aaron mad about something?" she asked. "I would presume so." Link grinned. Suddenly he grabbed her and tilted her back, giving her a lovely kiss, right in front of everyone. The crowd cheered once more-this was going to be the ride of a lifetime with Link and Zelda at the helm! That was what most everyone thought.....except for a few in the back, who stalked out of the Hall as soon as they saw this. "Sickening." said their leader. "Getsssss in the way of thingsssss." hissed a slithering voice. "'Course it does." said a burly fellow. "Oh yes." agreed another. These four made their way past some suddenly-sleeping guards, not thinking kindly of the new rulers. They had been watching everything from the back of the Hall-and now, in turn, were being watched by a pair of eyes, which said...

"Assassins.....I'm sure of it!"

"Your Majesties." said the Core Soldiers to Link and Zelda as they walked into the private little bar that was to become the scene of many events during the Dark War, surrounded by more Soldiers and Guards. "At ease." beamed Zelda, full of youthful innocence. "Right." added Link, even more innocent as to the affairs of the world-a dreadful situation which had to be remedied at once, twittered the panicky government advisors, all of whom had been at both of the day's events-most of them held this view. "We're going to fall into madness! Chaos! Horror!" they warned the few, more level-headed fellows who agreed on their views that king and queen had to be educated in the ways of the world, but felt it would be better not to be so twit-like about it and to go about this in a cooler manner. These level-headed advisors introduced themselves to their "bosses" in the bar almost immediately. "Your Highnesses!" called General Edwin O'Malley (Chief of the Army, perhaps third-or-fourth-in-command to the King) to Link and Zelda. Link took a few seconds to realize he was the one being talked to. "Ah! Hello there!" said Link, striding over and giving General O'Malley a firm handshake and nodding at the others who were watching him, waiting to introduce themselves with evident nervousness, though this probably wasn't because they were afraid of embarrassing themselves in front of the Hero. "I've heard a lot about you, Your Highness. Welcome aboard." General O'Malley grinned. Link grinned back. "Thanks.....Mr....." "General Edwin O'Malley, sir. Heard great things about you, sir. Er, Your Highness." O'Malley corrected himself. "No, 'sir' is fine." Link said, giving him another grin. "Oh. All right then." O'Malley looked sheepish-Link later said it was the only time he'd ever seen a general turn red in the face from embarrassment. "Sir." said William Levernteo (King's Personal Advisor-a very important post), affectionately called "Willy" by his colleagues. He saluted and Link saluted back. "Good luck, sir." said Jon Harbin, who was the Navy Chief (unofficial names-Jon was actually "Prime Minister of the Navy", but if you were going a little informal, you'd call him the Navy Minister, and to be totally informal you'd just call him the Navy Chief, or "Jon", or "Idiot-face". Or nothing at all......). "Um-" began Irvin Wenbogg, one of the jumpy fellows that Harkinian had chosen to have in his "Group of Advisors" (Wenbogg was Vice-Chief of Foreign Relations). "Hello!" said Link, a bit tired of shaking hands. "Uhr-eh-hi!" said Wenbogg, getting a stupid look on his face, like he'd just seen the woman of his dreams. Zelda giggled from behind Link, and Wenbogg snapped out of it. "Uhm-sorry. Welcome to your new job, I suppose." he said nervously. "Thank you." said Link. And that was all of the chiefs and advisors. "So....uh.....I guess we just wait for the others." Link said. "Who are coming." added Zelda. At that moment Mallard strode in with ten guards, followed by Aaron, Malon and Michael (in Malon's arms, mind) with twenty guards. "What's this?" said Wenbogg anxiously. "Captains Dukeman and Homden at your service." said Mallard, grinning. Link stared at them for a few seconds, then turned to Zelda. "I wasn't notified-" "I was a princess, Link. And the highest surviving monarch takes power when someone higher dies.....so I was still in command then. I promoted Mallard to Captain and made him Castle Security Coordinator, and I promoted Aaron to Captain and made him your Personal Security Coordinator-at his own suggestion. Now Captains Dukeman and Homden will be working to protect the castle and its inhabitants." Zelda grinned. Link raised his eyebrows. "That's....a surprise." he said. "That.....is the understatement of the century!" Aaron retorted. "Which century are you talking about?" Mallard grinned. "Beaten again." sighed Aaron. Malon smiled. "Well? Tell them about me." she said. Zelda smacked her head. "Forgot about you, Malon-sorry. Well, Link, Malon is going to be the official nanny of the castle-babysitting and all. She's also requested to care for the livestock of the castle, impossible as that may sound. Are you going to grant her request?" she said. Link rubbed his chin. "Ranchwoman's discretion." he said. Malon smiled. "I think I can balance both jobs....Michael needs someone to play with. Teething skills and all." she said. "Wha-huh? Don't you mean social skills?" Aaron asked. "Of course. I've got plenty of teething toys for him. Here's one right here." Malon produced some sort of rubbery toy and Michael began to chew contentedly on it, mumbling happily. "Well, this is great.....but isn't this sort've giving out jobs to friends? Didn't your dad want to get rid of that?" Link asked. "But Mallard and Aaron are dependable, I know that from experience. So I think we can get away with it this time." Zelda said. "Why, Princess-I mean, Queen, thank you!" Mallard said, turning red in the face. "Mallard, you can still call me Princess. I don't mind. I have a feeling I'll be needing it." Zelda grinned. Mallard nodded, extremely self-conscious. Then Link stepped up to a hastily-erected podium in the middle of the room. "Um, everyone, if you could sit down....." he said as the rest of the guests he and Zelda had invited sat down at their tables. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming tonight.....um..." Link pulled a scroll out of a well-hidden pocket. "First off....I'd like to say that I'm still going to be the same old Link, no matter what happens. A handshake and a joke, remember. Second, I'd like to thank Mallard and Aaron for agreeing to be Security Coordinators, and especially Mallard for learning about that assassination plot-" Everyone gasped-Wenbogg nearly flipped his wig. Mallard looked highly embarrassed, but he still glared at Wenbogg. "Thank you, Your Most Royal Grace, the pleasure is all mine." Mallard said sarcastically. "Yes, thank you, Your Most Royal Highness, Without Whom We Could Not Live Longer Than Two Days." agreed Aaron. "Ah. Yeah." said Link. Everyone clapped appreciatively. "You're all dismissed to get whatever you want over at the bar, there. Everything's fine. Okay and all. Yeah. No problem." he added. Everyone broke for the bar. "Bartender! Coordinators get first dibs on drinks! I'd like a nice, fresh beer!" Aaron yelled. Everyone stopped and looked at him. "Sir, I am a teetotaler. I only serve water." said the bartender pompously. "What does that have to do with the conversation? Get me ginger ale!" bellowed Aaron. "Quite." sighed the bartender, pouring him and all the others a glass of ginger ale-except for Wenbogg, who had apple juice, and Mallard, who had ten-year old Sosarian ale along with Link. "Whoo, this stuff makes you tipsy!" giggled Zelda, getting a bit dizzy. "This ale? Naw! Makes yer face drunk!" roared Aaron, tripping over a table. Malon sighed and threw the rest of her ginger ale onto the floor, not wanting any more. "Now, now, everyone, let's not get drunk-" began Wenbogg. "LIGHTEN UP!" roared Mallard, who wasn't drunk but was pretending to be. "As King....it is my duty......to declare you Knight of the Hangover!" Link (who had had way too much ginger ale) declared, hitting Aaron on the shoulder with his cup. "Wowch! You idiot!" growled Aaron, stumbling over to Malon. "Malon, darling, would thouest mind walking over to that bartender and asking him whaddee put in this stuff?" he asked. "Sure." giggled Malon, flashing a grin at everyone and walking over to the bartender. "Do you want to dance?" she asked him. "Certainly not, madam!" said the bartender, who was disgusted by the behavior the highest officials in the kingdom were exhibiting. "Aw, c'mon. It'll be fun." said Malon persistently. "That's it! I'm leaving for the night! Drinks are on the house!" said the teetotaler bartender in anger, walking out of the bar and into the nearest hallway. "On the house! Oh dear!" sighed Zelda, walking over to Malon, stumbling a bit. "This was such a stupid idea. Now we're drunk." Malon sighed. "Drunk? Are you nuts? Are you blind? Are you a bat? I'm not drunk! I'm merely....what's the word....having an overhang! As in, I'm on a cliff!" replied Zelda angrily, looking like she was about to fall off a tall precipice. Malon was recovering by now. "Argh. Zelda, why don't you just....uh......sit down here and take a bit of a rest." she said, sitting Zelda down. Link looked back at her. "I'm gonna be really outta shape tomorrow." he sighed, setting his cup down and sitting down by her. Aaron stumbled by, bellowing something about elephants. "Oh, heavens....." groaned Malon, putting her hands over her face. Link laughed. "Zelda, what do you think about all of this?" he asked, hiccuping. Zelda turned to look at him. "Everyone here is nuts!" she said. "Besides, Princesses can let their hair down once in a while!" Malon rolled her eyes at this. "Really, Zelda, maybe we should go up and get some sleep." Link said, knowing that business would start tomorrow. "I think that would be an excellent idea." agreed Impa, appearing beside Zelda and glaring. "Oooh.....Impa, I'm having the most wonderful time! Don't make me go to bed!" Zelda wailed, dropping her head down on the table and letting out a dramatic sigh. "Really! Well, you can have a couple more minutes, I suppose." said Impa wryly. She turned to Link and Malon. "Nabooru is downing the stuff like it's water, and she isn't a bit drunk. I'm sipping mine, so as not to.....er.....get drunk. Ruto's not having anything. Darunia's having a good time with the advisors, though I suspect it's not entirely because of their ginger ale. And Saria passed out after she drank her whole glass in one gulp. Poor girl......we need to take her upstairs. Rauru isn't drinking anything, like Ruto. I think he's un-drunking people, pardon my grammar." chuckled Impa. "Pardoned." said Link, shaking his head and grinning again. He turned to Zelda. "Well, shall we go to bed?"

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