The Secret Sage
                                      by Elena L. Sanchez

        Note: This story takes place somewhere between
        when Link rescues Nabooru and on the way to
        Gannondorf's Castle.
        This is in no way a hint of any sort so please
        don't e-mail me asking. This is just a story I
        created and nothing more.

        chapter one

        The bright aqua light arose around him once
        again...He watched as the ancient realm and the
        Gerudo woman faded slowly like a dim mirage in
        the summer's heat. The feeling of floating gently
        like a cloud washed over him once again. The
        light became brighter yet and momentarily it
        seemed to blind him. As quick as it had began it
        was over. The realm was gone and his feet touched
        the soft ground again.
        Hyrule field.
        Link knew it all too well. The land now had
        almost regain the crystal blue sky that it had
        lost due to the evil unleashed by Gannondorf.
        Gannondorf.
        Link's finally opponent.
        Link slowly looked around Hyrule field. He
        remembered being a child and first venturing out
        of the warm comfort and coziness of the only home
        known to him called Kokiri Forest, and seeing the
        vast land of Hyrule. He remembered everything.
        Everything stayed fresh in his mind as if seven
        years had only been seven minutes ago. Then there
        was Zelda..
        "Hey!" Navi shouted to him rather noisily. "Link!
        Hello!" she yelled, eager to get his attention.
        Link looked up at the fairy slowly. "Link,
        shouldn't we be headed to the Temple of
        Light? We were told to go there! Come on!"
        Link noticed the little fairy's excitement.
        Her enthusiasm.
        Her anxiousness.
        Link didn't share any of it.
        "Navi...Call me crazy but I'm not in any hurry to
        face Gannondorf..." Link muttered sourly.
        Navi flew about him in a frenzy. "Link! Time is
        running out. Fast...Don't you remember Zelda? It
        was her final wish Link...You ar-"
        "Navi...I know I know...Hyrule's final hope..."
        Link said with a tired sigh. As Link argued with
        Navi the sun slowly set and the land began to
        darken except for over Hyrule Castle where it
        always remained dark with evil clouds surrounding
        the castle like lost souls.
        "Okay...We can go...just calm down!" Link said,
        giving Navi a reassuring smile. "We'll get
        there..."
        "I don't entirely trust you..." Navi hinted. She
        didn't trust that childish smile he still kept.
        "Right after...we- "
        The night had fallen and for the first time Link
        actually seemed to notice. The night breeze was
        soft and cool.
        Both Link and Navi were silent for a brief
        moment. The wolf howled it's long piercing howl.
        "Well, great...Now it's night and we're still not
        at the Temple..." Navi whined. Link sighed once
        again quickly tiring of Navi's eagerness.
        "Navi I really -"
        Link paused. The night was softened with a slow
        sad song.
        "Link...what was that? Malon?"
        "I-I don't know...I don't think so..." Link
        answered Navi. He strained his ears listening
        closely.
        The tune rode on the wind. It was a soft sad
        melody as if someone was pleading for help. The
        voice was much softer than Malon's and it sounded
        like glass. It sounded so delicate that even the
        tiniest thing may have shattered it. He and Navi
        both listened intently.
        "Hey! Link it's coming from..."
        But Link had already caught her drift.
        "I know ...Zora's Fountain..."

        chapter two

        Link ran with all his might across the vast field
        that was Hyrule. He feared that if the morning
        came he would lose track of the voice. Link kept
        his eyes glued somewhere on the road ahead of him
        and on the dark sky, which seemed to turn to dawn
        way too quickly. The voice became louder and more
        and more clear as Link entered Zora's River.
        "Link! Watch out!!" Navi yelped as an odd
        creature emerged from the rushing river. It shot
        a boulder at him but Link was too quick. He
        whipped out his shield and blocked just in the
        nick of time. The boulder shattered into tiny
        bits as it hit the Hylian Shield. Link didn't
        bother with the bow. He ran straight, jumping the
        gap over to the other bank. Eventually he reached
        the waterfall. Dawn now was coming on quickly.
        Link put the Ocarina of Time to his lips and
        blew, playing the familiar tune of Zelda's
        Lullaby.
        "Hurry Link! Dawn is almost here" Navi said,
        hurry in her voice. The morning rays of the sun
        filtered over the waterfall, turning the mist of
        the waterfall into a golden orange. Link jumped
        through the waterfall, which by now had come to a
        slow. The gust of icy air hit Link in the face.
        He shivered, but kept going. Why Zora's domain
        had to unfreeze was a mystery to him. He didn't
        get it. He had awakened Ruto as the Sage of
        Water. He had defeated Morpha, though he had
        nearly killed himself in the process, and he had
        restored Lake Hylia to it's original form.
        Ahhh well.
        No time to ponder that now... Link thought to
        himself. Dawn by now had surely come. The voice
        stopped. Perhaps it was Malon. She seemed to stop
        singing once the sun came up. No no...It couldn't
        be...why would Malon be way out here.
        NOW the suspense was getting to Link. He was just
        plain curious now. He ran faster and faster. He
        felt his legs burn as if they were on fire, but
        he kept going all the same.
        "Link we're almost there!"
        "I know I know!!" Link said with much enthusiasm.

        Link ran past King Zora who merely gave him a
        look as though the boy who was to be Ruto's
        husband was purely insane.
        Link reached the spot finally.
        He glanced around.
        "How will we ever find the entrance now?" Navi
        asked, disappointment speckled in her voice.
        "Simple" Link replied, pulling the Ocarina out of
        his pocket. Link blew once again and played The
        Sun's Song. The night came ever quicker and Link
        heard the howl of the wolf.
        "Hello?!" Link yelled, searching.
        "Hello!!"
        Link became puzzled.
        The singing began again. This time it was a
        different tune. Slightly happier. Link followed
        his ears till he hit a wall.
        "Ouch...Navi I..."
        "The lens! Use the lens!" Navi shouted. Link got
        up, rubbing his face which was sore from the rock
        hard wall. He used the lens and peered around.
        Low and behold just inches above him was an
        entrance. Link used the hookshot to get up. The
        voice was crystal clear, but inside the passage
        it was dark as coal. Link came forward slowly. He
        held his breath and finally he saw it.
        All his hard work had led to...
        A hole which could only be squeezed through as a
        child.