The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time- a novelisation by DragonRand100 [Audiobook]

"L-Link? Is that really you?" Navi asked.

Those words stung, cutting deep into his heart. His own fairy was not even sure who he was.

"It's me, Navi," Link replied, keeping his voice even to hide the hurt at her doubt. "Who else do you know that wears a floppy green hat like this?"

His jest was meant to break the awkward confusion that hung between them. It didn't make him feel any better.

Link turned to deflect another blow, pushing away a sword that went scraping off his shield, barely missing his midriff. He turned to run and yelped when he realized the legless stalfos had him by the ankle. Its white bony hands clawed into his flesh, leaving bloody rivulets. With a yell of pain and a frantic kick, Link shook it off.

He turned and distinctly heard the angry stalfos yell, "Come back here and I'll bite your legs off!"

Then, the Zora cursed as the demon's fingers twitched, mere inches away from its blade. The demon leaped up with frightening speed, flicking one spear aside. Link had seen it twitch before it jumped. He lunged for his sword and slammed it straight into the demon's chest.

Dark Link looked down in surprise at the blade protruding through its heart.

"You were wrong," Link said, struggling to maintain a hold on his sword. "I am the Hero of Time and I can kill you."

"How could you not know who I am?" the girl sounded scandalized.

Scowling, Link held back a litany of impolite retorts.

"Oh..." it was the girl's turn to frown and then she looked abashed. "Of course... you wouldn't know. I am Princess Zelda of House Nohansen."

Slowly his senses stirred, and he could feel someone firmly holding his shoulders. Another pair of hands gripped his ankles, and he had a vague realization that he was being carried. Why were they carrying him and why did everything hurt so much?

"Saria?" the word was a tiny moan that went unnoticed.

No... the girl didn't sound like Saria at all. It was someone else. Link recognized a boy's voice too. He wanted to open his eyes, but even the briefest squint made his head blaze with pain.

Too bright, he thought. Everything's too bright.

"What were you two doing?" the girl demanded. "How did he even get on the wall?"

"He climbed up a tree," Navi replied.

"Should we be carrying him like this?" the boy asked. "What if he has broken something?"

Irritation crept into the girl's voice. "Just help me get him on the grass before somebody finds us!"

The guards quickly surrounded the pair. Navi squeaked as some of the guards raised their bows and aimed. They only drew part way. One man had an arrow leveled at Link's chest from less than a few feet away. Link tensed as though convinced that could stop the arrow in its path. He knew enough about hunting to know that wasn't the case.

"Princess Zelda, my Lady, come away from him!" one man bade her urgently.

Zelda didn't obey. Instead, as the guards took aim, she quickly jumped in front of Link. She drew herself up, hands outstretched, staring at the guard's leader with a look of outrage. At another time, Link might have been impressed as the girl stared down at the fully geared swordsman who'd spoken. He was a broadly shouldered man with a golden knot across his breastplate and a red plume atop his helmet.

"Captain Dragayne," Zelda hollered bravely. "What do you think you are doing? This boy is a guest of House Nohansen and therefore under my protection." She stared at the soldiers who returned her gaze with a mixture of amazement and annoyance. "I demand you stay your weapons at once! If my father hears about this, he will have you thrown in the dungeons or mucking out the stables for a week."

I know that some of you feel that by fleeing Hyrule, I have broken the oaths my father made," she began, raising her voice and maintaining her strong composure. "I know there are many among you who believe I abandoned Hyrule to its fate. That I abandoned you, her people. As I stand here before you now, I ask you to stay your judgment," she paused, surveying the attentive crowd. "Rest assured that since the day I was exiled when Castletown fell, the people of Hyrule have not left my thoughts. Long has it been my desire to return and seek the same justice that we all desire. We have all suffered in this conflict. There isn't a family in Hyrule who hasn't lost someone in this war. Many of you still grieve for what has been done. We have all suffered, we have all known loss, and I share this sorrow with you." It was an effort to keep her voice from cracking on those words, and more of an effort not to yield to the burning sensation behind her eyes. Link watched her with a look of concern, and she pressed on. "I know that you're angry, and you have every right to be. Though we stand amidst the ruins of a broken kingdom, we stand as a people united. We stand as an alliance of unified kingdoms, of unified races, a unity the likes of which has not been witnessed in living memory. Together, we will end Ganondorf's tyranny, and bring to rest the bitter sorrows of our fallen, Together we will reforge Hyrule, just as we have always done, no matter the calamity we have faced. The banner of Hyrule's kings and Queens, the phoenix stands as a testament to this, despite the trials we face, Hyrule will rise again from the ashes. Tomorrow, we will end this war, and the phoenix will fly again!

He pushed past Zelda's attendant, nearly knocking her over. The woman stared at him for a moment, flabbergasted. Toru, who was known to most within the Hylian camp, was not normally so rude.

"Lord General, is something wrong?" Zelda asked, taken aback by his lack of courtesy.

Toru looked at her, water dripping from his cloak and helm. There was no warmth in his eyes.

What Zelda saw, or rather felt, was impossible. Lingering at the corners of her senses, which were numb with fatigue, she detected shadow magic. It was coming right from the Lord General. She stepped back, crashing into the bed behind her and nearly falling onto it.

Assassin. Zelda's shock and anger turned to icy fear. She'd been prepared for this eventuality. Often at night, she'd feared this moment, sometimes to the point she hadn't' been able to sleep. It was the reason she always slept with a knife under her pillow.

It wasn't Toru at all. It was a phantom.

Impossible. Zelda thought. Surely he would have been seen.

"Guards, to me!" she screamed.

"You are the only good thing I have given this kingdom, Zelda," Nohansen said, his voice quiet and almost pained. "Please. I know I was not much of a father, and I was a terrible king, but can you forgive an old man his sins?"

"You weren't a terrible king," Zelda whispered. She felt as though something was slowly crushing her windpipe. She swallowed the lump in her throat. Struggling against her bonds, she raised her head. Zelda met her father's sorrowful gaze, struggling to hold back her own tears. "I'm sorry, papa. I'm sorry I was so unkind."

It is time...

Ganondorf smiled a predatory grin that would have made most people flinch. He stood on his balcony, listening to the music and laughter drifting up from the hall below. Further afield, the city of Castletown slept.

Sleep on, Hylians, he thought. The hour of your doom approaches.

Tomorrow, the sun would rise to behold a smoldering ruin as ashes drifted on the wind like snow. The Hylians were so sure of their stone walls, of the protection it gave them. They ate, and they drank, so certain of the future and so confident that no power would dare rise up against them.

Ganondorf would prove them wrong.

Everything is going just according to plan, Ganondorf seized the mask's power again to make himself visible as Gerudo with torches hopped through the portal. None of them seemed to be too surprised to see Ganondorf appear in their midst. All he had to do now was use his magic to simultaneously touch the minds of all the Gerudo in the castle. They would know what to do.

It is time to strike while they are stuffing themselves like pigs for the slaughter.

Ganondorf spoke to his gathering minions. "Today I will avenge the blood of my family. I will avenge the blood of the ones who cursed us and blighted our home. Let us show them just how much their beloved Goddesses really care about them. The history of Hyrule has always been written in blood and so shall it always be."

What is this favor you want?" Koume asked.

"It would seem that Nabooru may need to be reminded of where her loyalties should lie. I want you to spy on her. When I send her back to the fortress in three days, follow her."

"We can do that," said Kotake. "What do you want us to do if she turns traitor?"

Ganondorf replied to that in an icy tone colder than any ice spell Kotake could conjure. "Deal with her as you see fit."

"Isn't she your wife?" Koume asked. "I know she cannot bear a child anymore but-"

"That no longer concerns me," Ganondorf cut in. All emotion left his voice as he spoke quietly, "Not anymore."

Zelda's eyes strayed to another tent where a steady stream of healers came and went. She admired them- they hadn't slept much the last two days, yet they kept going as best they could to aid the wounded. She'd taken a moment to visit them and wander in their midst, her heart aching as people wondered where the queen was. She knew some of them considered her a coward for hiding. It took all her strength to keep quiet and her face straight as she walked by with an air of feigned confidence.

Your queen has not forgotten you. She is closer than you know.

"By the light of the creators, we pray you find shelter in the embrace of the Goddesses. May the power of Din grant you strength. May the wisdom of Nayru guide your spirit, and may the courage of Farore dwell within you." Sheik placed her fingers on her cowl as she finished the short blessing. "Though the flow of time is cruel and its speed seems different for each person, no one can change it. A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days. Sleep now, sweet child. May you find peace in the embrace of our creators."

"It's Your Majesty," Ruto chided.

Sheik did not take kindly to being interrupted. "I will call you by your royal title when you act like a queen."

"What would you know about being a queen?" Ruto snapped.

"A lot more than you," Sheik replied. Her voice was deadly quiet and thick with contempt.

A cold and uncomfortable silence filled the room as Sheik stared down the Zora Queen. Link couldn't help but think that Ruto's last comment had struck a nerve. Her eyes were like daggers, and she looked close to committing regicide. Ruto blanched, licking her lips nervously. Ruto hadn't just struck a nerve, she'd severed it.

They held each other's gaze. For once, Link wished Fora had kept quiet. Leaving was difficult enough without having to say goodbye. He took in the sight of her green hair beneath a small headband. She was wearing an emerald green cloak to keep off the early morning chill. Her sad eyes bore into his soul, begging him to stay. They both knew he couldn't.

"You'll come back won't you?" she asked.

"I promise," he told her, his voice breaking.

Saria stepped up to him and they embraced.

"You're a good friend, Link," she murmured sadly, speaking softly into his ear.  "You're a good person. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.?"

"I'll come back," Link croaked, barely able to speak through the pressure building in his throat. Even as he spoke, he felt Saria tense, and then she broke away from him.

"I always knew you would leave the forest someday," she murmured. "I didn't want to believe it... but..."

Her words trailed off into a sorrowful silence. "Did the Great Deku Tree tell you?" Link asked.

"He did."

"What about Mido? Does he know I can leave?"

"No, I'm the only one who knows. I'm sorry, Link. I really wanted to tell you."

"It's okay."

He didn't want to get angry at her. Not now. Not while they were standing before the lifeless trunk of the Great Deku Tree.

"Link, the hunter, you're finally back," Saria said.

"The hunter and his invisible catch," Link replied, smiling.

"You must be pretty good to catch something invisible," Saria teased.

His mind still clawing its way back to reality, and away from the terrors that plagued his dreams, Link moaned softly, the incessant screeching pounding through his  skull. He rolled over only to feel something smack the side of his ear.

With a flick of his hand, he slapped it.

There was a squeal and a loud indignant, "Ouch... how rude."

Half asleep, Link groaned as the persistent sprite tried to wake him up again. 

"I am not moving until you wake up! This is urgent!" she exclaimed. "Can Hyrule's destiny really depend on such a lazy boy?"

There was a moment of stunned silence, and then Mido laughed. "Now this is the funniest thing I've heard all morning."

Abruptly, he slapped Navi, belting her aside as if she were a fly. She tumbled in the air and then caught herself before she could fall.

Saria's eyes bulged and Link gasped in shock.

Deliberately harming a fairy was taboo amongst the Kokiri. Even Mido was staring at Navi with a sheepish look of dismay as Fora quickly asked if she was okay.

"You-" Link growled, stepping forward.

Saria grabbed him before he could move another foot. "Let me handle this."

She let go of him and poked a finger at Mido's chest. "Apologize, now!"

"I didn't-"

"NOW!" Even Link took a step back when he heard Saria's fierce tone. 

"Sorry," Mido squeaked, sounding like a mouse being trodden on. Navi regarded him with an icy glare.

Once again, Navi found herself unable to do anything except try to get the attention of the nearest Zora.

"Hey! Can't you see those bulblins back there? You're making a mistake. We're trying to-" A Zora tried to swat her, and she quickly darted out of the way.

I'm not some fly, Navi thought indignantly. She would not tolerate that level of disrespect from anyone!

"Hey!" she yelled.

Navi noticed one of the Zora step towards her, their eyes intent as they reached up to scoop her in the bottle.

Navi quickly flew out of reach. There was no way anybody was putting her in a bottle.

"Hey, what should I do with the sprite?" her would-be-captor shouted over his shoulder.

[a touch annoyed] With all due respect, Ruto, I am hardly a senile old man.

[pleased] It is good to see that you have woken, Hero of Time. Welcome to the Temple of Light.

[Regret] Foolish brother, I warned you it would come to this.

Navi sighed, shaking her head as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I was hoping somebody would fill you in so this would be faster."

Link caught the fairy's impatient tone and felt a rush of annoyance. What was this fairy's problem? He wasn't sure he liked her very much.

Navi must have realized her error; she quickly relaxed her posture and let her hands fall to her side. "The Great Deku Tree has appointed me to be your guardian fairy."

Within seconds, Link's irritation melted away. 

My own fairy?

"You... what?" he stammered.

Link nearly pinched himself, thinking that this was either a dream or an elaborate prank. He half expected Mido to jump out from behind the door and say, "Ha, ha. Tricked you, fairy-less!"

When no Mido appeared, and Navi did not disappear as though only a figment of an overactive imagination, Link's heart swelled with delight.

"Didn't you hear me?" Navi asked, raising her voice. "I'm going to be your partner... can't you hear very well?"

"Really?" Link blurted. He almost laughed, completely oblivious to Navi's irate tone."My partner? I actually get to have my own fairy?"

"She's Link's fairy, Mido. Her name's Navi," Saria said sternly.

Her tone warned Mido to show some respect. Predictably, he didn't notice.

"I don't believe it!" Mido spat., He spotted Link's sword next, and his eyebrows nearly vanished beneath the fringe of his hair.

"Is that... a sword?" he spluttered. "An actual... Wait, have you taken to robbing travelers that stray into the woods? Are you trying to give us all bad luck?"

No, just you, Link thought, before replying tersely,  "Navi gave it to me."

"A fairy giving a Kokiri a sword," Mido scoffed. "That's ridiculous. What are you planning to do with it? Cut grass?"

"Actually, I was wondering if I could stab you with it," Link said sarcastically.

By midday, after hours of jogging along the winding road, Link's wonder at the open vista of Hyrule Field was wearing off.  The path meandered between an endless sea of rocky hills swathed in golden grass. Sweat trickled down Link's blisteringly hot face, and his limbs ached from exhaustion. He'd lost count of the number of times he'd asked Navi how much further they had to go. Eventually, she tired of his persistent questions and distracted him by teaching him Hylian.

Navi tried simple phrases, and then introductions, but she didn't get further than that. In the end, attempting to say, "My name is Link and I am a Kokiri," in Hylian somehow turned into "My name is Link and I am a pumpkin."

"You're lying," Link protested when Navi corrected him. "I didn't say that!"