The Oracle of Hyrule
By Mandie Sue 20More Info / Reviews
Chapter 1: Chapter One
“Link,” Zelda declared in a proud voice as she stood from her throne, “You have made me proud and in doing so I allow you leave for seven days hence. I am proud to call you my captain!”
With that a roar of cheering echoed through the castle as Link got up from bended knee and held his head high. Him and his army had just conquered the west vicinity of Hyrule after it had been overrun by the Gerudo militia. Nabooru had broken the alliance with Princess Zelda and attacked near Zora River trying to shut off the entire water supply to Hyrule.
“Thank you your highness,” Link answered modestly.
The room silenced and everyone was ushered out. Link turned to walk down the platform rise but was held back when Zelda grabbed lightly at his arm.
“So what do you plan to do with your time off?”
“Probably spend my time in Kakariko Village. Tomorrow night is the Moon Ceremony where the honor the moon goddess Arandria. I’ve never had the chance to see it before. It should be a nice experience. Relaxing.”
“Yes, well, just make sure your back here in seven days,” she answered before letting go and returning to her throne.
“Yes, your highness,” Link responded, bowing as he back himself out of the throne room.
“Link!,” the Master Carpenter bellowed as he slapped Link on the back, “ It’s good to see you boy! Its been a good two years hasn’t it? How old are you now? How have you been?”
Link grunted as his hand slammed into the back of his shoulder, “ It’s good to see you too. I’m twenty years now and I’ve been great.”
Link looked around and noticed that nothing had changed besides the fact that there were decorations everywhere for the upcoming festivities. The Master Carpenter had grown a few wrinkles around his eyes and his wife had grown a few more hairs on her chin but they all seemed just as cheerful as always.
“Oh Link!,” the Carpenter’s wife squealed, “ You must come in and let me cook you something! You look like skin and bones!” She grabbed his arm to test it and lost her breath, “ But you do have a lot of muscle at least.”
“Darn it woman, can’t you see the man isn’t into you pokin’ and proddin’ him,” he grabbed Link around the shoulders and started walking towards the house, whispering in Link’s ear, “ As ugly and fat as that woman is she can sure cook up a darn good meal.”
“Oh, darn,” his wife wailed as she stuck her head out of the doorway, “ I need some milk! Link could you be a dear and run over to Anju’s and get me a jug of milk?”
“Of course,” Link answered. Anything to get away from their constant arguments. He walked up the stairs and was getting ready to knock on Anju’s door when a sweet, innocent voice reached his ear.
“Oh, are you here to get something from Aunt Anju?”
Link turned to the source of the voice and found his breath taken away. In front of him stood a young woman. She had bright green eyes and a button nose with chestnut colored hair that fell to her waist. She was thin and medium complected. He couldn’t help but stare at her and it wasn’t until he heard her laughing that he snapped out of whatever trance she had him in.
“Are you okay,” she giggled.
“Uh yeah,” Link laughed as he shook his head, “ I was just sent here by the carpenters wife. She asked me to come get a jug of milk from Anju.”
“Well, let me run inside and I’ll get one for you.”
The woman floated inside like a beautiful vision, a vision that Link shook out of his mind before he ended up drooling on himself. Never in all his twenty years that he could remember did a woman have that kind of hold on his senses. Not even Princess Zelda who was considered a beauty beyond compare. But maybe its also because he grew up with Zelda and he always thought of her as a very close friend.
“Here you go,” she said handing him the milk, “ That will be thirty rupees. “
Link pulled out his money pouch and handed her the rupees and she thanked him and walked away. He practically sprinted back to the carpenters house and threw the door open.
“What’s the matter with you boy?,” the carpenter asked, “ You look as if you seen a ghost or something.”
“That girl, um, Anju’s niece I believe. What’s her name?”
“Oh,” the carpenter winked, “ Your talking about that gorgeous piece of work Aylin aren’t ya? Yea she is a beauty if you ever saw one.”
“What!!!??,” his wife shrieked as she tossed a pot full of stew across the room at his head, just barely missing by a few hairs, “Don’t you be talking about other women you pig.”
“Oh come on, she is a beauty. It isn’t like I’m going to do anything with her. Calm down woman,” he assured as he turned his direction back to Link, “ Anyways, she came here from Merthinia to the north. Her parents both died and she had no other family besides her Aunt Anju. And back home she was ….. Shunned I guess you would say, for her gift. Or curse, however you look at it. So she came here about two weeks ago. She is a sweet thing though. Always willing a helping hand.”
“Yes, I’m sure she does offer a helping hand you pig!” she screeched.
“What gift?,” Link asked curiously.
“I rather not say. I’m not one to spout people’s business.”
Well, hopefully tomorrow at the Moon Festival he’ll have a chance to actually talk to her.
The sun had gone down and the moon was in the middle of the sky. Everyone was sitting around the bonfire waiting for the dancing and story telling. And every year one of the village women dressed up like the moon princess and told a story. Fireworks were lit and everyone around him was conversing amongst themselves.
Link stood and decided to go for a walk, to clear the mind and the senses. He sidled down to the river just outside Kakariko Village where a few drunks were pushing each other in and cavorting around.
“So, its Link,” one shouted while slurring his words, “ The Hero of Time! The slaughterer of all that’s evil. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be off maiming and killing?”
The man, who was short, fat and had a terrible body odor, was pushing his limits and Link knew if he didn’t leave that he would hurt the man. But the man followed Link to the other side and got in his face, making Link’s stomach churn with the smell of his bad breath which reeked of ale and stale bread.
“Your no better than the rest of us. Just because you killed a few bad guys doesn’t mean anything. Your just as insignificant as the rest of us.”
Link could no longer control his anger and he slugged the man, who keeled over in a ball, clutching his stomach.
“You never were one to control yourself,” a familiar voice broke through the haze of his anger.
“Zelda? What are you doing here?”
“I always come to watch the Moon Festival. It’s a way of getting away from my responsibilities. Plus its very beautiful to watch.” She walked past him and started up the stairs to the village, holding out her arm to him.
Relentlessly Link took her arm and escorted her to the village and sat next to her by the fire. The music began and the dancers dressed in stunning costumes began their parade of magic. Every movement reflected from the flames caught the attention of every person, bird, insect, and animal. Their was complete silence minus the flowing music, then suddenly everything was silenced. Out of the tranquil night a flute began its tragic trill as a woman dressed in a majestic white and bright blue dress adorned in diamonds walked slowly out of the darkness. She walked into the light of the fire and Link recognized her right away. Aylin.
“Now,” one of the dancers began, “ The story of the Moon Princess will be told.”
“Once people lived on the moon and was ruled by a beautiful princess. She was in love with a man from earth and knew that no matter what they should be together. She defied her father’s wishes and would meet him every night in the castle gardens. Then when her father found out about their secret meetings, he had the man killed. The Moon Princess found out what had happened and threw herself from the moon where she burst into a million pieces. From her came the stars. Stars that we today can see from earth. Showing her love to us with every twinkle of the stars.”
Aylin twirled around causing her dress and jewelry to glitter as she sang a short song. Everyone applauded and the music began again as she serenely walked out of the village and towards the river. Link jumped to his feet to follow but stopped when Zelda tugged on his tunic.
“Where are you going, Link? The ceremony isn’t over.”
“I need to get some fresh air. I’ll be back.”
He quickly ran down the stairs and found Aylin crouching by the river, swishing her hand through the water.
“I’ve noticed you watching me,” Aylin murmured as Link walked up slowly behind her.
“Uhh, yeah,” Link answered uncomfortably rubbing his neck, “ It’s just that your very mysterious. I find that fascinating.”
“Well,” she sighed as she stood to look at him, “ There isn’t too much mysterious about me. Everyone knows about me.”
“All I know is your name. So there is one person who knows nothing.”
“Why do you want to know me? No one wants to know me.”
Link couldn’t think of any reason why people wouldn’t want to know her. She must not realize her own beauty. But the Master Carpenter did say that she had a gift or a curse as some people would see it.
“Because your beautiful.”
Aylin blushed a deep crimson before saying anything, “ Well thank you.”
“What is this curse you have?” Link spat out without thinking.
“That’s exactly what it is. A curse. I am what you would call an oracle. I can forsee the future. But not unless my powers want me to see it. I have no control over it. People have gotten hurt or even died from my powers so no one welcomes me with open arms.”
Now everything was becoming clear to him. He really couldn’t see why it would be considered a curse but he could only imagine being in her position.
“Well, I’m willing to get to know you. Obviously you’ve heard of me.”
“Oh yes, the Hero of Time. I know,” she smiled brightly as she held her hand out to shake his, “ Nice to meet you.”
As his hand met hers she felt that familiar burning sensation shoot throughout her body. A vision of a dark cloud fell over her and swallowed her whole. Never before has she had a vision of herself. She quickly pulled from his grip.
“Are you okay?,” Link asked concerned, as she gasped for air and pulled her hand away quickly.
“I’m fine,” she gasped as she hiked up her dress and started running.
As soon as she sprinted a dark man in black clothing appeared out of thin air and swooped down over her. Link immediately jumped into action as he pulled out his sword and ran towards her. But no matter how fast he ran the man was quicker and he plunged down upon Aylin and all that could be heard was her high pitched screaming which brought people running from the village.
“Aylin!,” Anju shrieked as she ran towards Link.
As quick as the man appeared he was gone with Aylin kicking and screaming in his hold.
“Who was that?,” Zelda questioned Link as she ran up to him.
“I have no idea but they headed in the direction of Lake Hylia. I’m going to take Epona and a few supplies and find them.”
Link wasted no time as he ran back to the village to grab his shield and what few garments he had. Grabbed the small food pouch that the carpenter’s wife prepared for him in that little bit of time and quickly leapt onto Epona. Who would want to kidnap a girl with no royal ties or lineage? Whatever the reasons were he was about to find out.
With that a roar of cheering echoed through the castle as Link got up from bended knee and held his head high. Him and his army had just conquered the west vicinity of Hyrule after it had been overrun by the Gerudo militia. Nabooru had broken the alliance with Princess Zelda and attacked near Zora River trying to shut off the entire water supply to Hyrule.
“Thank you your highness,” Link answered modestly.
The room silenced and everyone was ushered out. Link turned to walk down the platform rise but was held back when Zelda grabbed lightly at his arm.
“So what do you plan to do with your time off?”
“Probably spend my time in Kakariko Village. Tomorrow night is the Moon Ceremony where the honor the moon goddess Arandria. I’ve never had the chance to see it before. It should be a nice experience. Relaxing.”
“Yes, well, just make sure your back here in seven days,” she answered before letting go and returning to her throne.
“Yes, your highness,” Link responded, bowing as he back himself out of the throne room.
“Link!,” the Master Carpenter bellowed as he slapped Link on the back, “ It’s good to see you boy! Its been a good two years hasn’t it? How old are you now? How have you been?”
Link grunted as his hand slammed into the back of his shoulder, “ It’s good to see you too. I’m twenty years now and I’ve been great.”
Link looked around and noticed that nothing had changed besides the fact that there were decorations everywhere for the upcoming festivities. The Master Carpenter had grown a few wrinkles around his eyes and his wife had grown a few more hairs on her chin but they all seemed just as cheerful as always.
“Oh Link!,” the Carpenter’s wife squealed, “ You must come in and let me cook you something! You look like skin and bones!” She grabbed his arm to test it and lost her breath, “ But you do have a lot of muscle at least.”
“Darn it woman, can’t you see the man isn’t into you pokin’ and proddin’ him,” he grabbed Link around the shoulders and started walking towards the house, whispering in Link’s ear, “ As ugly and fat as that woman is she can sure cook up a darn good meal.”
“Oh, darn,” his wife wailed as she stuck her head out of the doorway, “ I need some milk! Link could you be a dear and run over to Anju’s and get me a jug of milk?”
“Of course,” Link answered. Anything to get away from their constant arguments. He walked up the stairs and was getting ready to knock on Anju’s door when a sweet, innocent voice reached his ear.
“Oh, are you here to get something from Aunt Anju?”
Link turned to the source of the voice and found his breath taken away. In front of him stood a young woman. She had bright green eyes and a button nose with chestnut colored hair that fell to her waist. She was thin and medium complected. He couldn’t help but stare at her and it wasn’t until he heard her laughing that he snapped out of whatever trance she had him in.
“Are you okay,” she giggled.
“Uh yeah,” Link laughed as he shook his head, “ I was just sent here by the carpenters wife. She asked me to come get a jug of milk from Anju.”
“Well, let me run inside and I’ll get one for you.”
The woman floated inside like a beautiful vision, a vision that Link shook out of his mind before he ended up drooling on himself. Never in all his twenty years that he could remember did a woman have that kind of hold on his senses. Not even Princess Zelda who was considered a beauty beyond compare. But maybe its also because he grew up with Zelda and he always thought of her as a very close friend.
“Here you go,” she said handing him the milk, “ That will be thirty rupees. “
Link pulled out his money pouch and handed her the rupees and she thanked him and walked away. He practically sprinted back to the carpenters house and threw the door open.
“What’s the matter with you boy?,” the carpenter asked, “ You look as if you seen a ghost or something.”
“That girl, um, Anju’s niece I believe. What’s her name?”
“Oh,” the carpenter winked, “ Your talking about that gorgeous piece of work Aylin aren’t ya? Yea she is a beauty if you ever saw one.”
“What!!!??,” his wife shrieked as she tossed a pot full of stew across the room at his head, just barely missing by a few hairs, “Don’t you be talking about other women you pig.”
“Oh come on, she is a beauty. It isn’t like I’m going to do anything with her. Calm down woman,” he assured as he turned his direction back to Link, “ Anyways, she came here from Merthinia to the north. Her parents both died and she had no other family besides her Aunt Anju. And back home she was ….. Shunned I guess you would say, for her gift. Or curse, however you look at it. So she came here about two weeks ago. She is a sweet thing though. Always willing a helping hand.”
“Yes, I’m sure she does offer a helping hand you pig!” she screeched.
“What gift?,” Link asked curiously.
“I rather not say. I’m not one to spout people’s business.”
Well, hopefully tomorrow at the Moon Festival he’ll have a chance to actually talk to her.
The sun had gone down and the moon was in the middle of the sky. Everyone was sitting around the bonfire waiting for the dancing and story telling. And every year one of the village women dressed up like the moon princess and told a story. Fireworks were lit and everyone around him was conversing amongst themselves.
Link stood and decided to go for a walk, to clear the mind and the senses. He sidled down to the river just outside Kakariko Village where a few drunks were pushing each other in and cavorting around.
“So, its Link,” one shouted while slurring his words, “ The Hero of Time! The slaughterer of all that’s evil. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be off maiming and killing?”
The man, who was short, fat and had a terrible body odor, was pushing his limits and Link knew if he didn’t leave that he would hurt the man. But the man followed Link to the other side and got in his face, making Link’s stomach churn with the smell of his bad breath which reeked of ale and stale bread.
“Your no better than the rest of us. Just because you killed a few bad guys doesn’t mean anything. Your just as insignificant as the rest of us.”
Link could no longer control his anger and he slugged the man, who keeled over in a ball, clutching his stomach.
“You never were one to control yourself,” a familiar voice broke through the haze of his anger.
“Zelda? What are you doing here?”
“I always come to watch the Moon Festival. It’s a way of getting away from my responsibilities. Plus its very beautiful to watch.” She walked past him and started up the stairs to the village, holding out her arm to him.
Relentlessly Link took her arm and escorted her to the village and sat next to her by the fire. The music began and the dancers dressed in stunning costumes began their parade of magic. Every movement reflected from the flames caught the attention of every person, bird, insect, and animal. Their was complete silence minus the flowing music, then suddenly everything was silenced. Out of the tranquil night a flute began its tragic trill as a woman dressed in a majestic white and bright blue dress adorned in diamonds walked slowly out of the darkness. She walked into the light of the fire and Link recognized her right away. Aylin.
“Now,” one of the dancers began, “ The story of the Moon Princess will be told.”
“Once people lived on the moon and was ruled by a beautiful princess. She was in love with a man from earth and knew that no matter what they should be together. She defied her father’s wishes and would meet him every night in the castle gardens. Then when her father found out about their secret meetings, he had the man killed. The Moon Princess found out what had happened and threw herself from the moon where she burst into a million pieces. From her came the stars. Stars that we today can see from earth. Showing her love to us with every twinkle of the stars.”
Aylin twirled around causing her dress and jewelry to glitter as she sang a short song. Everyone applauded and the music began again as she serenely walked out of the village and towards the river. Link jumped to his feet to follow but stopped when Zelda tugged on his tunic.
“Where are you going, Link? The ceremony isn’t over.”
“I need to get some fresh air. I’ll be back.”
He quickly ran down the stairs and found Aylin crouching by the river, swishing her hand through the water.
“I’ve noticed you watching me,” Aylin murmured as Link walked up slowly behind her.
“Uhh, yeah,” Link answered uncomfortably rubbing his neck, “ It’s just that your very mysterious. I find that fascinating.”
“Well,” she sighed as she stood to look at him, “ There isn’t too much mysterious about me. Everyone knows about me.”
“All I know is your name. So there is one person who knows nothing.”
“Why do you want to know me? No one wants to know me.”
Link couldn’t think of any reason why people wouldn’t want to know her. She must not realize her own beauty. But the Master Carpenter did say that she had a gift or a curse as some people would see it.
“Because your beautiful.”
Aylin blushed a deep crimson before saying anything, “ Well thank you.”
“What is this curse you have?” Link spat out without thinking.
“That’s exactly what it is. A curse. I am what you would call an oracle. I can forsee the future. But not unless my powers want me to see it. I have no control over it. People have gotten hurt or even died from my powers so no one welcomes me with open arms.”
Now everything was becoming clear to him. He really couldn’t see why it would be considered a curse but he could only imagine being in her position.
“Well, I’m willing to get to know you. Obviously you’ve heard of me.”
“Oh yes, the Hero of Time. I know,” she smiled brightly as she held her hand out to shake his, “ Nice to meet you.”
As his hand met hers she felt that familiar burning sensation shoot throughout her body. A vision of a dark cloud fell over her and swallowed her whole. Never before has she had a vision of herself. She quickly pulled from his grip.
“Are you okay?,” Link asked concerned, as she gasped for air and pulled her hand away quickly.
“I’m fine,” she gasped as she hiked up her dress and started running.
As soon as she sprinted a dark man in black clothing appeared out of thin air and swooped down over her. Link immediately jumped into action as he pulled out his sword and ran towards her. But no matter how fast he ran the man was quicker and he plunged down upon Aylin and all that could be heard was her high pitched screaming which brought people running from the village.
“Aylin!,” Anju shrieked as she ran towards Link.
As quick as the man appeared he was gone with Aylin kicking and screaming in his hold.
“Who was that?,” Zelda questioned Link as she ran up to him.
“I have no idea but they headed in the direction of Lake Hylia. I’m going to take Epona and a few supplies and find them.”
Link wasted no time as he ran back to the village to grab his shield and what few garments he had. Grabbed the small food pouch that the carpenter’s wife prepared for him in that little bit of time and quickly leapt onto Epona. Who would want to kidnap a girl with no royal ties or lineage? Whatever the reasons were he was about to find out.
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- Chapter 1: Chapter One
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