Chapter Two: The Search's End, The Confrontation, and Link's Decision

Link looked up at the reddening skies of the sunset that silently fell on Hyrule as he let his leg dangle off the small bridge leading toward Kakariko village. “I don’t know what to do.” Link said to the brown and white mare that stood beside him. He bit his lip as he thought of every other reason why Little Link had just suddenly vanished, except the truth. He swung himself around and grabbed the reigns to walk himself and the horse back to Hyrule castle.

As he shut the doors to the stables and began to walks back into the castle, a dark figure approached him. “You are the Hero of Time, Link I presume?” A man’s voice questioned. Link nodded, “I am.” He answered. “Good…I had hoped so. My name is Athrin, I am sent here to offer you a proposal. Are you willing to listen?” Link stayed quietly, only answered him with his eyes. “As the sun sets and the moon begins to rise I will meet you on the peak of Death Mountain…there you and I will fight. If you win, I will take you directly to your beloved son.” A sly grin spread across Athrin’s face as he fell silent. “And if I loose?” Asked Link. The darkly dressed man laughed, “if you loose? Well, I guess you’ll just have to find him yourself…if you’re still alive, that is. I will see you then…if you really want to find your son.” With this being said Link was left alone standing out in the now darkened air with the other man’s voice echoing in his ears.

Link seemed to run around the castle the rest of the night, he almost thought he was doing it to keep Athrin’s battle request out of his mind. The next time he saw Zelda, they were both preparing for bed. Link stared at the ceiling as Zelda sat at her vanity and removed her earrings,” You haven’t found any trace of him yet?” She asked, though he heard great hope in her voice. A stronger guilt set in on him when he knew he couldn’t lie to her, but he did ask. “Do you want a lie…or the truth?” His voice was quiet and he never dared to move his gaze from the ceiling. “The truth.” Came her choked answered. “No…not of him.” Link sighed as he glanced over at his wife’s face in the mirror just to see a tear slide down her face…quickly he looked away. “A man that goes by the name of Athrin met me outside the stables after I had put Epona away for the night….I’m suppose to go and fight him tomorrow at nightfall. If I win….I get our little boy.” He saw her wipe the tears that came quickly to her eyes.” And what if…what if you loose?” She asked softly. Finally Link sat up and put his feet on the floor. He never knew it would be so hard to look at her, the guilt he felt only continued to swell inside his chest. “If I loose.” He wished he could die…he couldn’t stand to tell her such things, but he continued.” If I loose…they keep him longer.” He heard a sharp sob come from her direction and he knew she would bust out crying any moment, but he was wrong. She stood and set down beside him on the bed, again he didn’t look at her. Zelda set a hand on his shoulder, “I believe….I believe…in you. And I believe you can defeat  him…no matter how  powerful he claims he is.” A comforting smile lightened the heavy air around them, “you’ve fought men stronger than this one…and we always pulled through didn’t we?” Even though he still felt guilty, her words really did give him courage…just like they always did.” Come on…let’s get some rest…you’ll need it.” With that said she kissed his lips lightly before climbing into bed, Link did the same as he turned out the light. “You’re simply amazing.” He softly whispered to her through the darkness.

Once he was awake, time seemed to fly by and when he looked up at the sun it was nearing it’s time to fall. He stood out on the balcony in their room and stared out at Death Mountain, the very destination the man before had spoke of. He didn’t even notice as Zelda sat both long slender hands on his shoulders,” everything will be alright.” She whispered. Link rose his own hand and set it over hers, ”I hope you’re right.” He said responded as he turned to face her,” I gotta go sharpen the Master sword….it hasn’t been used in a while.” His lips brushed across her as he disappeared into their room and out inot the hall.

Link spent the few hours he had left sharpening and polishing the blade that he had inherited from the land and the sages that protected it. Before he left he set the Triforce of Courage on the beside table to ensure it didn’t get taken during the battle and so Zelda knew where it was as well. He saw Zelda for only a moment before he left her standing against the gate, watching as he left.

It didn’t take long for Link to reach the top of Death Mountain, and just as he had said, Athrin was there waiting for him. “I see you did decide to risk your life by coming…very very admirable.” He stood from the rock he had been sitting on. “But are you sure you made the right decision?” Link drew his sword and slowly pointed the tip of it’s blade at his opponent, “For my son…I would gladly give my life…”

Reviews

[LizLadyNinja]

Loved this chapter the first time I read this, I love it even more now! ^_^ I'ma go read the next chapter!

[Brie]

Again, wow. This is great!
Nice cliffhanger!
I want to know what happens next!
-Brie