The Legend of Zelda:

“Suck it up, okay? You’ll thank me in the end for this.”

“Why the heck would I thank you for this?!” Rin scowled, her eyes overflowing with tears. “That was so horrible…” Her words were muffled from her sobs. Marlin had bandaged her up but that only made it hurt more.

“…Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Kat said as they headed outside. The sun nearly blinded them from having been in that dark room for so long. “Anyway, it’s back to practice for now. You can take it a little easier I guess, but just for today.” Kat scanned the grounds. She noticed some of the guards weren’t in their usual spots. “The hell…”

“Just for today?! This is going to hurt for a little longer then that, Kat!” Rin clutched her back in agony. Then she noticed it was strangely quiet, and not many Gerudos were out. She blinked. “Uhm…”

Both Kat and Rin shot a look towards the path to the valley. A shout. That wasn’t new at the fortress, but they’d might as well check it out. True, the Gerudos were lazy, but the least they could do was stay at their posts.

“Come on,” Kat said taking off towards the valley.

Rin watched her. She could run incredibly fast. “Wait, I can’t run like this!!… Uhg…” Rin frowned and began hobbling down the trail.

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Kat slowed to a stop as she emerged in the Gerudo Valley. A large crowd of Gerudos were coming across the bridge. In the middle of the crowd was a dark figure Kat couldn’t quite make out. She jogged towards them; at least it looked like they had the situation under control.

“What’s going on, girls?” Kat shouted as they stepped off the bridge. “Who is that?”

They weren’t listening, too busy chatting and concentrating on whatever they had in the middle of their group. Kat quickly scanned their uniforms, and noticed none of them were elite. It was time to take control. “HALT!”

Immediately, the group stopped and they looked at Kat innocently. “We’re just-”

“What’s going on here? Why aren’t you at your stations?” Kat crossed her arms. “Who is that?”

The Gerudos spread apart and away from the figure. Kat’s eyes widened as she recognized it immediately. “What is he doing here?!”

The Gerudos smiled innocently and one stepped forward, trying to explain the situation. “He was attacked at the Water Temple and he made his way up here. He’s in really bad condition and we thought we should carry him to the fortress.

Kat frowned grimly. “All twenty of you?”

They all laughed cheerfully. Obviously having a male around appealed to them greatly. “What’s the problem anyways? He is Ganondorf’s right-hand man. I’m sure Nabooru would love to have him at our fortress, at least while he heals.”

Kat shook her head. Having a male at the fortress would not help them at all. “You know Nabooru’s rules about men. She will not approve.”

“But if Ganondorf says it’s okay, she will surely let him stay!” one of them shouted gleefully.

Suddenly a dark voice came from the crowd. “Yes… perhaps your Queen could make an exception for myself…” Dark Link stood weakly from the group of women. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, and his black tunic was ripped and torn. His skin was incredibly pale, and his eyes were fiery red, but looked strangely innocent as he looked up at Kat. “Please…” He coughed dryly as the Gerudos ran to his aid. He fell to his knees.

“Oh, Dark Link, please don’t speak,” they said with a little more concern then necessary.

Kat rolled her eyes. “Fine. You’ll still need to speak with Nabooru about it, but she’ll probably let him stay. Just until he’s returned to normal. There will be no reason for him to stay here when he’s better.”

He coughed again harshly, this time not bothering to stand up. “You don’t understand… The Hero of Time… he has… rescued the Sage… from the Water Temple… I couldn’t stop the bastard…” Suddenly he passed out.

The Gerudos shrieked and crowded around him. “Dark Link!!”

“Move.” Kat pushed past them and leaned in over him. She placed a hand on the side of his neck under his long, Hylian ear. She concentrated on feeling a pulse, when she saw the faintest of smiles stretch slightly across his face for an instant. Then it was gone. She looked down at him, brow raised. “The hell…”

The other Gerudos crowded around her, eyes wide with fear. “What is it?! Is he-”

“He’s fine. Hurry up and get him to the fortress.” Kat pushed past them again and headed for the fortress. She saw Rin ahead of her coming down the hill. “What happened?” she said as Kat walked past her. She ignored her.

Rin watched Kat disappear up the hill and looked down at the group. “Wait, Kat!!” She went to step forward but was stabbed in the back from the pain of the forming wound. “I can’t… run… oh never mind,” she said, and began hiking back up the hill.

The group of Gerudos made their way past her at a slightly quicker pace. Her eyes settled on the person they were carrying, then she saw his ears. A Hylian? Being treated like a god from all those Gerudo women?

Rin shook her head and slowly continued her hike after them.

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Kat was happy to see the clingy Gerudos back at their posts about an hour later. She’d decided to give Rin the day off, who was happily occupying herself by planning a new design for her room. For some reason Kat was interested by Dark Link’s story. If the Hero of Time has now rescued the Water Medallion, then it wouldn’t take him long to rescue the Shadow Medallion and be on his way to the desert. Kat shrugged the thought off. As long as Nabooru had the Spirit Medallion, then he couldn’t obtain all of them and Ganondorf would continue to rule over Hyrule.

Kat roamed lazily down the halls of the fortress. She had an hour to spare before she had to do her rounds around Hyrule field with Rin, who probably wasn’t in a good enough condition to go anyways. Kat remembered the time she had gotten her tattoo. She was twelve at the time, and even she was kind enough to give Rin a break. That was a lot of pain to endure.

Then she noticed that the door was open to a room that was usually vacant. It had almost been given to Rin, but Nabooru decided that she should be placed close to Kat so no one else would have to deal with her. Kat sneaked up to the doorway and peered in.

It came as no surprise to her to see that Dark Link was in the room, laying in a cot. It also didn’t surprise her to see about a dozen women surrounding him, giving him bandages he didn’t need and feeding him grapes. She watched them baby him for a couple minutes, then decided that enough was enough.

She came into view in the doorway, arms crossed. “All right ladies, I think he’s comfortable enough. Back to work.”

They all looked over their shoulders at her, teeth bared like hungry demons. Kat’s gaze remained the same, until finally they all moaned and whined and bid farewell to their newfound toy. He waved goodbye to them with a weak smile on his face until they had all left. Kat leaned in and grabbed the doorknob.

“Sorry to ruin your fun and all, but there’s work that needs to be done.”

Dark Link smiled. “Oh, that’s quite all right. I‘m not used to that kind of attention.”

Kat faked a smile back and pulled the door to close it.

“Wait.”

She paused and peeked back in.

“It looked as though you wanted to ask me something?” he said.

Kat looked back into the hall to make sure no crazy fan girls were there. “Well, it’s kind of a personal question. Just forget it.”

Dark Link leaned up on his elbows. “No, please, it’s fine.”

Kat paused in thought. “Well…” she stepped back in the room and pulled the door closed. “Okay.” She stood with her back on the door. She didn’t trust him and being close to an escape made her feel a little more comfortable. “Well, I couldn’t help but notice you have Hylian ears.”

He nodded. “Yes, but I am not Hylian. That is why Ganondorf accepted me as his right-hand man.”

Kat cocked an eyebrow. He answered her question without her even asking it. “Well then… Sorry if this sounds a little strange but, what are you?”

“Ha ha ha,” he laughed dryly. It sounded like he had a handful of sand in his throat. “Well you see, I am from the Dark Realm; a world exactly like Hyrule in another dimension. The only difference is it is where Ganondorf’s monsters go if they are killed or they die. When they die, it is my duty to take back their powers so it is not wasted. Then, I use that power to make more monsters. That way, Ganondorf’s reign will be ever the more merry.”

Kat’s jaw dropped and she stepped further into the room, intrigued. “But… still, what does that make you?”

Dark Link sat up. “Well, when Ganondorf broke into the Sacred Realm once the Hero of Time had opened it, he wanted someone he could trust to help him rule Hyrule. He wouldn’t take just anyone, however. He wanted someone that he knew would never turn his back on him. So, he used the one person that he hated the most, who hated him the most, to create myself, the exact opposite.”

“The Hero of Time…?”

He nodded. “Precisely. I am a demon created by Ganondorf, after Link, the Hero of Time.”

Kat took a step back. It may sound completely bizarre, but it did make sense. “I see…”

“There’s no need to be afraid of me. I am Ganondorf’s creation, and I obey his command only, not even my own. I am a dedicated slave of the King’s and I mean you and the Gerudos no harm.” His lips curled into a devilish grin, red eyes flaring. Kat wasn’t sure if he was trying to scare her or if that was just the way he normally was.

“I trust you. Ganondorf would’ve made sure to make that decision a wise one.” Kat gestured to the door. “I shall leave you to rest.” She headed out the door without another word.

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“Rin, are you feeling better yet? It’s time for our rounds around the field and I thought it’d be a good idea if I showed you around.” Kat opened Rin’s door and peered inside. “If your story is true, that is.”

Rin was sprawled across her bed. She looked up from a notebook she was writing in and scowled. “I didn’t lie! I don’t know who I am…” she said beginning to pout.

Kat rolled her eyes and stepped into the room. “Well, the Gerudos are not honest people, so I guess I can’t get mad at you for not telling me the truth. I just won’t trust you until I find out who you really are, that’s all,” Kat said with a smirk. “Anyways, how you feeling?”

Rin turned back to her notebook and began writing furiously with her quill. “Actually, I’m kind of busy right now Kat. Maybe another day?”

Kat crossed her arms and leaned over the bed, trying to see what she was doing. “Are those…”

Rin pulled it close to her, away from Kat’s vision. “The designs for this room? Yes. You will see them when they are done.”

Kat laughed. “Fine, but you’d better get your ass down there right now. You’ve had enough time to work on your ‘plans’ for now. We won’t be long.” She motioned towards the door. “Hurry up. I want you down there in five.”

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Five minutes later Rin appeared outside. Kat waved her over to the stables where she was already ready with two horses. One was a light brown colour with a white mane and tail. The other was a pure white horse that was slightly smaller then the other.

“This is my horse, Damien.” Kat stroked the brown horse’s chin.

Before she could continue Rin interrupted. She gasped. “Is that one mine?!” Her eyes shined with delight. “Oh… she’s so pretty…”

Kat nodded. “Her name’s Pearl… But don’t think we gave you her because of her look,” she quickly added. “She was the only one left that we thought would be suitable for you. She’s a gentle horse that rides smoothly and slowly. You won’t have her forever, she will only get you started before you’re ready to graduate to an adult horse.”

Rin nodded, barely hearing what she was saying. She stroked her horse’s stomach gently. “Hi Pearl… I’m Rin. Please be careful with me today.” She smiled sweetly as the horse whinnied softly, as if in agreement.

Kat looked at her oddly. “Horses can’t understand you… then again no one can, really.”

Rin glared at Kat. “I think that’s an insult…!”

“No… really…?” Kat smirked. “Anyways, let’s get going. Do you know how to mount a horse?”

“How to what…?”

Kat sighed deeply. “This is going to be a long day.”

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Finally, after Rin had learned to mount her horse, her and Kat headed slowly down the valley trail towards the field. Kat led in the front while Rin tried her best to keep herself balanced on top of Pearl. She wobbled pathetically, moaning from the pain in her back.

“Oh stop making a big deal out of it, Rin. It’s just a little tattoo, it’s no biggie,” Kat said steadying Damien’s reins.

“Maybe to you but it hurts!!” Rin squealed. “And this horse isn’t very comfortable either… no offence Pearl,” she said stroking the horse’s mane.

“Just be happy you have a saddle, most of the time we end up having to bareback, and that hurts. Keep in mind we are an all-women tribe as well.”

Rin sighed. “Well, I guess there’s one thing to be thankful for. At least I’m not a guy having to worry about my-”

“RIN!!”

She laughed slightly. “I’m just saying…”

The other Gerudos on patrol watched them exit to the field oddly. They were happy they didn’t get stuck with having to look after her.

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Kat and Rin rode gently out into Hyrule Field. The horses’ hooves thudded uneasily against the dry, flattened grass. Clouds swirled violently overhead and the land was cast into shadow. A single rod of lightning shot horizontally through the clouds; it was unnatural. There was silence, and then the crack of its thunder bellowed deeply through the wind.

They both looked to the sky. Rin was astonished, her eyes were wide as the lightning flashed before them. She looked to Kat. “This is Hyrule Field?”

Kat looked to Rin; the Hylian girl’s eyes were a brilliant blue, much like the sky of Hyrule once was. She sighed deeply. “Yeah…” She looked back to the sky. The clouds were roaring, yet not a single drop of rain had fallen for as long as Kat could remember. The storm overhead was ravage, yet the wind was calm. Not a single plant was left and all of the trees, few that were still rooted, were shrivelled and pathetic.

On the outskirts of the land to the north, the once live and jittery Castle Town was now a grotesque, dark graveyard of battered houses where Re Deads wandered in search of lively souls to feast upon. To the north of the town loomed Ganondorf’s castle, a black fortress looming over a boiling lava pool. Kat felt a sickening feeling in her stomach, just picturing the macabre smell of rotting flesh and decomposed body parts.

She quickly turned her gaze to the east where the quiet town of Kakariko resided. When Ganondorf first attacked Hyrule, all of the Hylians, including the King, fled to Hyrule’s neighbouring country, Trinidaria. However, the Sheikahs, being a noble and honourable race, decided to stay in Kakariko and refused to flee. There weren’t many of them, less then a hundred. Kat had no idea why Ganondorf had let them stay there. There had been rumours however, that Ganondorf was going to release a horrible monster from beneath the well in Kakariko that would kill them off. The Sheikahs were doomed. This wasn’t anything new anyways, although Kat still was not used to it. But, if Ganondorf was happy, then she would be safe, and really that‘s all she worried about.

Damien suddenly whinnied impatiently, enough standing around. Kat dismissed her thoughts and jerked the reins to the side so her horse was facing Rin’s. “Hold the reins like this.”

Rin studied Kat’s demonstration, then slowly slid one hand from Pearl’s mane, and then the other, gripping the reins tightly. She smiled down at her horse, as though thanking her for not throwing her off.

“Good, now sit up and straighten your back.”

Rin moved upright and pushed her shoulders back. She looked to Kat for acknowledgment.

Kat looked at her closely. It was strange; she almost looked in place atop the horse, as if she knew exactly what she was doing. She frowned.

She noted the gesture. “What? Am I doing it wrong?”

Kat grinned. “No, not at all. That’s perfect.”

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For the next hour or so, Kat went over everything she knew about horseback riding and tried to get Rin to take in as much as possible. She was getting the hang of it, but was still very rough around the edges. But if she could move on the horse quicker then on foot by the end of the day, Kat would be happy, considering how unlikely it would be that she would learn how.

Finally, having watched Rin ride around gingerly in small circles on flat ground, Kat decided it was time to have a little fun.

“That’s good Rin,” she complimented, riding over until she was parallel with Rin.

Rin’s face was wide with both delight and fear. “I can’t believe I’m riding a horse!”

Kat leaned over and stroked Pearl’s neck. “Well get used to it kid, there will be plenty of this to come. But you‘re going to have to pick it up.”

Rin looked at her and cocked her head. “Pick it up?”

Kat grinned mischievously and tugged on the reins quickly. Damien took a few steps backwards, and with one solid smack, Kat hit Pearl sharply in the rear.

The sound of the smack was drowned out by Pearl’s ear-splitting whinny. The horse shot forward at an alarming rate that even made Kat’s jaw drop. Pearl tore away from her and shot down a hill leading towards Lake Hylia.

“AAEEEII!!!!“ Rin finally realised what was happening and gripped the reins until her knuckles were white. Her thin body rumbled around as the horse thundered across the field. Her vision was a blur as the field whizzed by and her head rocked from side to side. “STOP!! STOP!!!!”

Kat was laughing hysterically at her. She was surprised she hadn’t fallen off! She kicked Damien gently in the side and began to ride casually in her direction. She continued to laugh until suddenly Pearl jolted off to the side and disappeared behind Lon Lon Ranch. Her laugh stopped abruptly. Did Rin do that?

The Gerudo kicked Damien again in the side and he went into a canter towards the ranch. She rode along the wall of the ranch until she saw Rin a few yards away, standing on the ground beside Pearl, stroking the horse’s chin.

In awe, Kat rode over to her, stopping a few feet away. Rin looked up at her as if she hadn’t even heard her approach. “Oh, hi Kat. That was a nice trick you tried to pull.” She stuck her tongue out at her childishly.

Kat wasn’t up for games. “How in the hell did you do that.” It was more of a direct statement then a question. She looked down at her crossly from atop Damien, who now wandered over to Pearl and whinnied softly.

Rin watched the two horses interact. “I guess I remember something after all.”

“It would appear that way, wouldn’t it?” She glared at her. “We’re leaving.” Kat pulled the reins against Damien’s neck and he rotated to face the fortress on the horizon. She gave him a swift kick in the side and he took off for the valley.

The dust he kicked up fell gently around Rin until it was gone. She watched Kat go until she was out of sight, then turned back to Pearl and patted her on the stomach, dusting off some insects attracted to the warmth of the horse’s body. “She’ll understand one day.”

After a moment Rin mounted Pearl swiftly and began the ride back to the fortress, soaking in the orange glow of the sunset which seemed to make the field look a little more beautiful then it ever would be again.