Girl: So... I hold it like this?
A young girl is seen holding onto a sword. There is also a young man next to her. He seems to be showing her how to hold the sword properly.
Boy: Yes, that's correct, but you have to hold your shoulders out like this as well.
He puts his hands on her shoulders and shows her how they should be. As he was, she let out a giggle.
Boy: What's so funny?
Girl: It's nothing... So like this you say?
She held the sword out, then took a swing with it.
Boy: Yeah, you see Taela, you're starting to get the hang of it.
She stuck the sword in the ground, then turned around and smile at the boy.
Taela: It's because of you Link. You're a good teacher.
Link looked down at the ground, blushing.
Link: Don't say that. Master doesn't think so. If he were to even hear rumors of my training you. He would surely throw a fit.
The girl skipped up to Link, her hands behind her back. She leaned down to look him in the face with a smile.
Taela: I don't see what the harm is. It's always good to know how to defend yourself in our world. Right?
Link's gaze followed her as she slowly leaned back upwards. After a moment, he smiled.
Link: Yeah... I guess you're right.
They stared at each other for a moment, then the girl took Link's hand.
Taela: Come on, Let's go down to our spot at the lake.
Link: Hey wait.....
Before he could continue, he was being dragged away. But right before he was out of range, he grabbed the sword by its hilt.
Soon, the two of them were standing by a lake. It was very calm and beautiful there. The sun glistening off the water. Taela sat down
and was looking over the water. Link just remained standing after sheathing the sword across his back.
Taela: You know... it's been about 6 years now since you came to our village. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like if you never showed up?
Link looked down to Taela with a confused look.
Link: What brought about this question? You know I don't remember anything before I woke up in this town.
Taela continued to stare across the water. He didn't seem to remember that night at all. But she did. It was the same night that her father was murdered.....
6 Years Earlier....
Little Taela: Daddy, look at me. I'm a princess like Zelda now.
She danced around the front of her house as her mom and dad were watching. She was wearing a cute pink dress and simled up to her parents.
Dad: I see that. Maybe we should take you to hyrule to see the castle one day? Would you like that?
Little Taela smilee grew wider.
Taela: Can we daddy? Can we?
Dad: Haha... yeah sure. The next time I have to travel there, maybe I will take you along.
She jumped for joy and danced around some more. Her mother on the other hand looked at her dad a bit upset.
Mom: Colin... you for one know how dangerous Hyrule is. Are you sure it will be safe enough to take her there?
Colin: Oh don't worry Julia. The roads are safer then ever nowadays. Everything will be fine.
He smiled at Julia then looked over to where Taela should be, but she wasn't.
Colin: Taela... where'd you go?
Suddenly, the sky seemed to dim. It's was almost like night had come early. There was a huge lightning bolt ark across the sky, then a loud clap of thunder.
Colin: What in the world?
Then he heard Taela calling out.
Taela: Daddy! Come quick! I found something!
He and her mother jolt off in the direction of her voice. As they rounded the corner of their house, there was Taela, looking down as something that seemed to be glowing.
Taela: Daddy, I think it's a fairy.
Colin stopped next to his daughter and looked at it. She was right, it was a fairy. But it looked in terrible shape. He bent down and gently picked her up.
Colin: I... I think its hurt.
It slowly opened its eyes and looked at Colin.
Fairy: Please... help... him.... save Link.... He cant beat him alone...... He isn't strong enough yet... He must pull the Master.........Sw.....oooo....
Her eyes slowly closed again and her light faded. Soon, she completely faded herself and was gone. Colin looked to his daughter, then his wife. Right before he was about to speak, there was an explosion heard nearby. They all turned around to see smoke coming over the top of there house. Colin took off and was around the house in no time. To his relief, it wasn't their house that the smoke was coming from. Instead, it was in the middle of the village. One of the buildings was on fire. But that isn't what gained his attention thought, it was the two figures standing in the middle of the village now. Everyone else was either laying on the ground, or running inside their homes. But the two figures stood their ground, facing one another. As the rest of his family caught up to him, he turned.
Colin: Julia, take Taela inside and wait for me there.
Julia: But, where are you going?
Colin: Don't worry about me, just do as I said!
Julia frowned, then picked up Taela and ran inside. Colin looked back to the figures and ran toward them. As he approached, one was a huge dark man. Just from the looks of him, you could tell he was evil. The second, was a young boy, no older then ten years. Both were holding blades and in a stand off. Soon the evil man let out a laugh.
Dark Man: Give it up boy! You don't have the strength to beat me. I will crush you and the second piece will be mine!
The boy just got into a ready stance. The evil man just laughed.
Dark Man: What are you going to do? I've already finished off your fairy friend. What do you possibly think you can do against me?
Colin looked to the little boy.
Colin: Wait... could that boy be who the fairy talked about?
The evil man head out his hand and began to charge up a huge ball of black energy. Right as he was about to let it fly, Colin suddenly jumped in front of the boy and the energy exploded on impact. As the smoke cleared, Colin slowly stood up but the boy was unconscious. The evil man let out a laugh.
Dark Man: What do we have here? Someone sacrificing them self to try and save the boy from his fate?
He took a few steps toward Colin.
Dark Man: And what do you think you can do against me?
Colin reached down and picked up the boys sword.
Colin: I've had a bit of sword training. I think I'll give you more of a fight then this boy will.
The evil man let out another laugh as Colin took a defensive stance. Back at the house, Taela is being held by her mom.
Taela: Mommy, where's daddy? I wanna go to daddy?
Julia: Just wait here, daddy will be back soon.
Taela suddenly slid out of her grasp and ran to the door. Before her mom could say anything, she was out the door. Julia soon followed. As Taela reached the center of the village, she had arrived just in time to watch her dad get impaled by the evil mans sword. Julia was soon next to her and fell to her knees at the sight. The evil man just laughed as he swung his sword, sending Colin's body to the side. He then turned to the young boy and took a couple steps forward. But before he could do anything, he heard Taela let out a cry and run over to her dad.
Taela: Daddy? Are you okay? Daddy?
He was still alive, but just barely.
Colin: Taela... get the boy... get Link... out of here....
He slowly rose to his feet and turned toward the evil man.
Colin: I... I'm not down yet....
The man turned and looked at Colin.
Evil Man: So, you still have some fight in you I see. Every well. I will end you're life now.
Taela ran away from her dad and past the man, but he was too distracted by Colin to notice she ran up to the boy. He dashed forward and just as he was about to get to Colin, the girl passing him kicked in. He quickly turned around and saw her reach the boy.
Dark Man: No! You will not take him away! The power will be mine!
The man charged toward the children. As he approached, he raised his blade in the air and brought it down with great force. But something happened, a golden dome suddenly appeared around them. As soon as the mans blade hit it, he was sent flying back by a small explosion. After a could moments, he returned to his feet and tried again. Only resulting in the same thing.
Dark Man: What? How could this be?
This time, he tried with all of his might, and as a result, was sent completely out of the village. Shortly after, the dome faded, leaving Taela and the boy both unconscious. Colin just stood there, as a small smile formed.
Colin: So.... she has... begun to..... awake............
His eyes close and he falls face first to the ground, lifeless.
Present time.....
Link slowly put a hand on her shoulder.
Link: Hey, you okay?
Taela snapped out of it and looked up to Link with a smile.
Taela: Yeah, I'm fine.
She slowly stood up and looked Link in the eyes.
Taela: I know that I am happy with the way things turned out. Even if it was a tragedy that started it.
Link looked at her confused.
Link: What? Are you sure you're okay?
She continued to stare at him.
Taela: If all that didn't happen, I wouldn't be standing here with you, enjoying a beautiful sunset....
Link blinked a few times, then looked over across the lake, then back to her.
Link: Yeah, it is getting a bit late. Maybe we should....
Before he could finish his sentence, she leaned forward and kissed him. It lasted for a few seconds, then she moved back and smiled.
Taela: Thank you Link. See you tomorrow at my training.
And before he could responds, she walked off to the village. Link just remained there, a bit shocked at what happened. After a few moments, he looked over at the sunset, then also headed back to the village. Soon, it was night, and everyone in the village had gone to sleep. Link had just put his head down and shut his eyes when he could hear a rumbling in the distance. It sounded like…the heavy pounding of horse hooves. His eyes opened as he stared at the ceiling through the darkness. After a few minutes, the sounded faded. Link let out a small sigh of relief and then shut his eyes once again, only to have them fly open by the sound of the villagers screaming. He sprang up from his bed and just as he looked out the window, a flaming arrow went past the side of his face, only a few inches away from catching him. Link ducked before the bowmen had another opportunity to take aim. He crawled on the floor over to where the flaming arrow was stuck and after putting on his boots, crushed it, the flame dying beneath his foot. A sword and shield hung on his wall above his bed and they were quickly taken down. Link was ready to do battle with whatever forces were in the town. Just then, the door to his house busts open. Thinking it was an enemy to slay, he readied a fighting stance, but withdrew from it when he saw in the dark that it was Taela.
Link: Taela! What are you doing here?
Taela: They’re all over the village Link. These…awful looking creatures. They’re setting fire to all the homes and taking children as prisoners, killing off the parents. We have to get out of here.
Link sheathed his sword and guided Taela over to his closet.
Link: Listen to me very carefully…
A few tears began to cascade down Taela’s cheeks. She turned away from Link and walked into the closet.
Taela: You want me to stay here, don’t you? You’re going to go fight them, aren’t you?
Link was taken back a bit and hung his head, but only for a second. He lifted it back up and looked at her with a fiery determination in his eyes.
Link: I can defeat them and stop this attack on our village. Trust me. Just wait here and I’ll return. Whatever you do, do not come out from this closet.
Taela didn’t respond to Link. She didn’t even look at him as he shut the doors. It was for her own good…he knew this. All she had to do was understand this as well. Link ran outside and right as an archer was about to shoot another flaming arrow into his house, Link quickly knocked him back with his shield. It was with such force that the enemy fell backwards and Link jumped high into the air, plunging the sword into the archer’s chest. Another archer had positioned itself a few roof tops away from where Link was. Link however was quick to spot him. He dodged the first arrow, hearing it stick in the ground behind him. Link left his sword in the chest of the first fallen archer and rolled out of the way of the second arrow. He grabbed the fallen archers bow and retrieved the two arrows that were behind him. Link’s two shots were almost rapid fire. As the archer aimed to bury an arrow between Link’s eyes and released it, Link shot an arrow that split the roof top archer’s arrow in two. Then Link quickly loaded the next shot and with only a second’s aim, he drew back on the bow and let the arrow sail into the creature’s eye. As it fell, it caught the attention of another who charged Link. Link grabbed his sword out of the first fallen archer’s chest and then dodged the enemy’s attack, rolling behind him and with upward thrust defeated it. A few creatures notice this and surround Link. They are outfitted with a various array of weaponry. Some have maces, some of them have axes, and others have swords. They circle Link, thinking they have the upper-hand. Link on the other hand smiles and outstretches his sword away from his body. He can feel the energy surge through his body as a glimmer of light slides to the tip. As soon as it reaches the edge of the blade, he delivers a devastating spin attack with his sword, taking out the enemies in one seamless motion. Inside his house, Taela disobeyed Link’s wishes to stay put and instead was know admiring his fighting skills. A smile was on her face. This boy…this was her hero. Her love. Both her and Link looked up across the village square as they heard an evil laughter let out. The dark figure was standing there, a family imprisoned. He walked towards Link, his one hand on the handle of his sword. Ready to do battle at a moments notice.
Dark Figure: So…we meet again do we? All this time, I could feel the energy calling me and now I’ve discovered it. Now it will finally be mine.
The dark figure unsheathed his sword and charged Link, who was ready. When their blades clashed, Link’s feet dug deep into the dirt as he was pushed back. The blades were slid to the handles as the dark figure laughed, delivering a powerful blow, knocking Link back. Link however did not fall.
Dark Figure: Impressive. I can see you won’t be such a push over as you were last time. That still won’t save you however. That power will be mine.
Link was the one who set the pace this time, charging the dark figure. He was able to block all of Link’s moves, though Link didn’t give him an inch. He kept right on fighting until he was began to run out of breath.
Dark Figure: Foolish child. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that a sword battle is one of wits? You won’t win if you tire yourself out so early on in the fight.
Inside of Link’s house a scream was heard. He snapped his head back, looking over his shoulder.
Link: Taela!
One of the creatures that the dark figure had rode into town with was holding her hostage. The blade of the creature’s sword next to her neck. One of its hands over mouth, muffling her screams. Taela is brought over to the dark figure who laughs again.
Dark Figure: Now you get to choose. The power or her life…choose wisely.
Link doesn’t respond.
Dark Figure: So be it.
Just as the dark figure is about to drive his sword into Taela’s chest, Link lets out a scream and dives in the way of the sword. The instant all three touch…the dark figure, Link, and Taela, a brilliant explosion of golden light erupts from the center of them, sending out a wave of light, destroying the entire village. Huts almost instantly burn to the ground, smoke bellowing from what remains. Link struggles to get up to his feet. The dark figure isn’t moving and neither is Taela, though she is breathing, but just barely. Without any other time to react Link scoops her up and begins to run. There is a village not too far away that could give Taela care. As Link runs he looks down at her. She’s injured…badly. It’s a life threatening injury. Rain begins to pour down from the sky as Link picks up the pace. When he arrives at the neighboring village, everyone refuses to help him and Taela. One place after another turns him down. They all heard and saw the explosion from his village. The response at each house is the same. None of the villagers there want any kind of trouble that Link had apparently brought to his own. Taela’s breathing slows as does her heart rate. Tears well up in his eyes as he drops to the ground, Taela in his arms. Link begins to cry, bringing Taela up to his face, burying his face in her shoulder. When he picks his head up, he can see a lantern in the distance. It draws in closer and closer to where Link is.
Traveler: I can help her.
Link sniffles a bit, using a free hand to dry his eyes.
Link: Excuse me?
The night traveler outstretches his hand to help Link up to his feet.
Traveler: I can help this girl, but we must hurry. It’s not far to my home, but if she needs urgent care. I have the right medicine that can heal her. Come, quickly.
The traveler takes Taela in his arms and runs with Link back to his house. When they get inside, he instructs Link to hold the lantern as he attempts to help save Taela’s life. It seems like an eternity to Link.
Traveler: Her heart rate has returned to normal. She needs to rest and so do you. Please, take my room. I will watch over the girl. Go on.
Link didn’t know what to say. Who was this man? Why was he so kind? As he took the lantern from Link, he smiled at him. Link smiled back and began to walk up the stairs when he stopped and turned on the staircase.
Link: Thank you.
The traveler looked up from watching over Taela and smiled once more, not replying.
Next morning…
The birds chirping outside and the sunlight that cast itself into the room over the bed where Link slept made it seem like everything was okay. It was almost as if you had wandered into the Traveler’s house and saw the girl and Link, it was like they belonged there. Not they had been cared for the night before. Link struggled to open his eyes, the sun almost blinding him. He shielded the light with his forearm and made his way downstairs. Much to his amazement, Taela was awake. Not just awake, but moving about, sweeping a bit.
Link: Taela…you’re okay!
Taela spun around at the sound of Link’s voice as he ran over and hugged her, but she failed to hug him back. Instead, she pushed him away.
Taela: I’m sorry, do I know you?
Link had a puzzled expression on his face.
Link: It’s me…it’s Link. Our village was attacked last night and you were injured. I ran with you in my arms to find you some care, but no one would take us in. Luckily a traveler happened on by and he took us in. He saved your life. He…hey, where is he?
Taela went back to sweeping.
Taela: I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I woke up here just like I have everyday of my life and began my chores. I’m sorry…Link was it? I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. Maybe you’re the one who needs care.
Link was dumbfounded. He didn’t know what to say. How could Taela not recognize him or remember anything from the night before. Link stormed out of the house, calling out for the traveler, who was sitting right outside the door.
Traveler: I see you noticed that your friend is up and about.
Link: What happened to her? Why can’t she remember anything?
The traveler was smoking a pipe and he took another hit from it and let the smoke out in small O shapes, before setting it to his side.
Traveler: I have no idea. While she dreamed, her mind was at a very dark state of uneasiness. She tossed and turned all night, screaming at times. Screaming your name…Link. When she finally settled down and awoke, she had lost all her previous memories. I’m assuming it all has to do with that explosion that occurred in your village last night. I assure you, it was nothing I did. I told Taela that this was her home. I saw no reason to frighten the poor girl. Obviously she won’t remember who she really is right away, so I gave her this “alternate” life until you can restore her memory.
Link: Until I can restore her memory?
The traveler stood up and stared at Link directly.
Traveler: Yes…there is sage in the Kingdom of Hyrule. One of my colleagues. Sadly, all I can offer is to stay here and care for the girl while you’re gone. He knows more of this matter than I do. He can help you. He can tell you everything you need to know.
Taela walked out of the house with a basket of fresh muffins.
Taela: Breakfast anyone?
The traveler smiled at her and prepared to walk back into the house.
Traveler: Go on Link, take one. It’s going to be a long journey to Hyrule. Might as well have something to eat on the way.
Taela: Isn’t the boy staying for breakfast?
The traveler walked into the house, stopping near the staircase.
Traveler: No, he has some important business to attend to, don’t you Link?
Link looked at the traveler, then at Taela. His heart sank inside his chest. He still couldn’t believe that she didn’t remember him. Link took a muffin and smiled at her before taking off.
Taela: Take care…Link.
And now.... one year later.......
