The Ocarina of Time
The army of the desert gathered in the glimmering dusk on the plains of Hyrule. Their truncheons and spears lent the horizon a menacing profile, while the restless movement of the calvary in the uncertain light, made it seem like one undulating monstrous creature.
The army of Hyrule, gathered behind the raised drawbridge, hunkered down now in the town for 2 weeks, moved restlessly in anticipation and dread. Their supplies were running low. Any diplomatic measures were repelled, paid back in blood. Rumors and speculation wore down morale. It seemed that every action initiated by their fearless leader was perfectly counteracted by the evil Lord Ganondorf. Some wondered if Ganondorf might have some traitorous Kakarikan guiding him. Others speculated that maybe someone within the town or castle might actually be a spy for the desert king. Even the King's advisors could think of nothing else to explain one loss after another.
It was true that Hyrule had had no communication with Kakariko Village since the beginning of the seige. In the King's mind, no one from Kakariko could possibly betray them. He was the only one privy to their true nature. Like mists that surround the marsh, so the Kakarikans had this miasma of power around them, and the King knew that even as individuals, the smallest of them was difficult to overcome. They had protected the Royal family for generations and at times, acted as assassins. Even now, as he thought of Impa or her twin brother Impo, he knew that he could entrust them with one of the most important jobs in the kingdom. They would guard the children with their lives.
The desert king had sent assassins after the most vunerable of the Royal family: the heirs. and of all the people who were stationed at the castle, the two Kakarikans were the only ones who had the capability of defending against that powerful dark lord. Already the evil king had threatened the good king's son, and had attempted to kill the child a mere week before the seige of Hyrule had begun. He was glad that he had sent Impo with his wife and son and had escaped the seige before it had begun. But he worried that he was unable to communicate with them for so long. She knew what to do, though, if worse came to worse. He remembered the frantic night of their departure, while she stood in the royal bed chamber without any trace of royalty upon her: no elaborate gowns, no jewelry, no crown, not one glimmer of richness. A peasant's dress and rude cloak were the only things she wanted to take with them. There was time for nothing else. Yet the rough clothing could not hide her elven beauty.
Their blonde three year old son was sleeping, and already slung upon her strong back. He was a slight boy, destined for great things, and she carried him lightly.
The King embraced them for a while, until he could trust himself to speak without waver.
"If you should..." he began.
She nodded brusquely, wiping her eye. "I know what to do" she said in a low voice.
"No one's been in that forest for 3 generations." he said, unable to keep worry from his voice. "The Great Deku tree is getting old. They may trap you instead of help you."
"Shh" she said. "We've considered all the options. I leave this with you."
She handed him the Ocarina of Time.
He felt a shiver of frozen dread clench at his throat as he gazed at her family heirloom. He could feel a protest begin within his heart.
"For her." she said.
Zelda lay peacefully sleeping in her nursery down the hallway, oblivious of the great change about to take place in her family.
"It is you who must come back to give it to her." he said.
She looked at him, her eyes like dark pools of night, but said nothing.
She leaned toward him, into the safety of his strong arms one last time. She lifted her lips to his, softly touching them with hers, lingeringly, sweetly.
Overcome by the possibility that this would be their last embrace, he pulled her roughly closer, and squeezed until she gasped.
The prince's eyes opened, and he gazed around the room for a moment as if startled, then drowzily fell back asleep, lulled by the closeness and warmth of his mother.
At last the embrace ended. The King of Hyrule stood still, unable to bear to watch them leave. The Queen stooped to hoist up a small rucksack, then brushed passed him and opened the door.
Impa's brother Impo had been assigned to be stationed by the Queen's side, guarding and guiding them toward the safety of the Forest Temple. He left his post by the door and followed the Queen as she left the bedchamber. He barely glanced at the door behind which his sister stayed with the tiny princess. They had no need for good-bye. Each were duty-driven, and well skilled body guards. He put his hand on the hilt of his sword, and his silver eyes swept the hallways before them, checking every shadow for its significance, and the three left the castle without challenge.
.
