Link woke the next morning with great anticipation. Even though he wasn't into the whole birthday thing as much as everybody else, he was still excited. He leapt out of bed and pulled on his tunic. He strapped his Hylian shield to his back, like he always did when he went into town. The King himself had told him to do that, as people felt safer when he looked prepared. Link saw the reason in that so followed his Kings instructions.
He stepped outside and breathed in the sweet air. As he climbed down the ladder, he noticed Saria running towards him. He finished climbing and turned around to greet her as he was pulled into a big hug.
"Happy Birthday, Link!" she said, kissing him on the cheek. Link blushed a little.
"Since when are you so excited about my birthday?" he asked her.
"It's your big one! You can marry, you get the sword, and you're an adult!"
"Oh yeah, there is all that..."
"I'm really sorry, but I couldn't find you a present."
"Good. Remember, I asked you not to get me one."
"Yeah, but still..."
"Don't worry about it. Come on, let's go to the castle."
"Ok. Piggy back ride?" she asked hopefully, putting on the most pathetic look she could muster.
Link rolled his eyes.
"Fine," he said, crouching down. "Hop on."
Saria climbed on and they headed towards the exit.
Zelda woke to find more flowers on her bed.
She smiled.
Either this Daniel is very pathetic, or very romantic she thought.
The letter beside her told her it was the latter.
Then she remembered what day it was. She practically flew to her dresser and began throwing clothes everywhere looking for the right thing to wear.
"Need any help?" asked a voice from the doorway. Zelda spun around. It was Impa, Zelda's guardian.
"I would love some." replied Zelda.
When Zelda's mother had died in birthing her, Impa had taken on the role of a female figure in her life.
They eventually found a golden dress with the Triforce emblem on the front.
"This will go so well with you're shoes." said Impa.
"Yes...they would..." said Zelda, surprised. Impa was a Sheikah, a mysterious shadow tribe that served as the guardians of the Royal family. The Sheikah were warriors second to only the Hero Of Time. They were fiercely loyal and most of the time stood in the shadows observing.
But Impa had taken on the role of mother as well, so she didn't act like an ordinary Sheikah. Not that anyone could remember what a Sheikah acted like, since they disappeared years ago leaving Impa the sole survivor. Unfortunately, she discovered that she was completely infertile, so it seemed as though her race would end with her. But Zelda was like the child she never had, so she treated her as if she were her own.
The two were very good friends, and when Zelda and Link were ten and they were together, whenever they had an argument, Impa always sorted it out.
She wasn't her mother, but she was close enough.
Link and Saria were finally at the drawbridge.
"Can I pleeeeaaase put you down now?" puffed Link.
"Oh! Yes of course! Sorry!" replied Saria and she jumped off.
"Uh, what you did with my back I might not be able to pull the Master Sword." He joked.
They walked in, past all the cheering guards and into the market center.
Link heard an ear splitting scream. He thought of Ganon being released, the return of monsters, the death of thousands - but it was applause. All around him, people were cheering and laughing for their hero. Link blushed at the attention awarded him. People crowded around him, trying to hug him and thank him, all the while cheering. A hundred hands grasped at him as he stood at the center of Market Center. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to grab him or hug him, all wanting to grasp a part of the Hero Of Time.
Zelda was ready and was walking into the Temple of Time when she heard the cheering. She smiled. Link had arrived. With her was Malon, they walked up the steps and stood on the steps behind the stone pedestal with the sword in it. They watched as The King walked in and stood between them on the steps, just below the hexagonal platform on which the pedestal rested. Slowly, a crowd filtered in the door. Fifty, then a hundred, and soon the entire temple was full.
A path, lined by guards, was made through the center, leading to the pedestal. Link entered and walked the path. The path behind him closed as even more people entered the temple. He received many pats on he back and slaps on the shoulder. A large woman, cheering loudly, burst through the guards and tried to run to him before being restrained. Link couldn't help but laugh at the woman's behavior. He continued up the path and reached the steps. He climbed them to see the smiling faces of Zelda, Malon and the King. He walked up to the stone pedestal and stood in front of the sword that had been with him through so much. Just then, a woman broke through the crowd. With a glint of steel, she drew a sword and ran at Link. She raised the sword and brought it down on the stone pedestal beside the Master Sword. Link had dodged aside when he heard the sword cut through the air. She swung again and again, but he dodged each swing effortlessly. She grew frustrated and accidentally swung too high once and he took the chance. He crouched while spinning and stuck out his leg. He swept the woman's legs out from beneath her, completed his spin and slammed his fist into her stomach as she fell. She flew backwards, a look of shock on her face, which he now recognized as the Gerudo woman who attacked him some days ago. She fell into the guards waiting arms and they took her away.
A small cheer rose from the crowd, but hushed as he turned to the sword again.
He approached it with respect; he knew what this sword could do. He felt his right arm stretch out and grasp the handle.
With one swift movement, he pulled the sword free effortlessly and raised it in to the air. A bluish white circle of light descended upon him, and he felt like he would be warped at any moment. But he wasn't, instead, three god-like figures descended upon him.
"Link..." the green one said. "We are the three goddess' of this realm..."
"We deem you worthy to carry the blade of evils bane, use it wisely..."
"You have courage." said the green goddess.
"You have Love and Wisdom." said the blue goddess.
"And you have Power to fight for all three." said the red goddess.
"We deem you The Legendary Hero, The Hero of Time, You are above any and all Authority, and You are a law unto your self! Use the blade of evils bane, and protect this land from the evil that dwells beyond your borders! For this is the will of the great houses of Don and Llyr!" the goddess's roared in union.
"So be it!" was the cry from every soul in Hyrule.
* * *