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Truth Lies Behind What We Cannot See-By Sage of Spirit
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Chapter one
Out in Hyrule Field, as sunset neared, Four Hylians sat on horses, waiting for old friends to arrive. They were the King and Queen of Hyrule, Link and Zelda, and their daughters, Mabel and Lienna.
Mabel sat on her black and white horse Mica. Mica was fat and slow but he was a trustworthy horse and if there was danger could run like the wind. Mabel�s shoulder length gold hair wavered in the slight breeze.
Mabel�s twin, Lienna sat calmly on the back of a beautiful, fidgeting war-horse. Thunder, the golden son of Epona, Link�s mare, was wild and spirited and was fighting his young rider. Lienna�s short cinnamon hair, cut just below her chin, bounced slightly as she fought to control the fighting stallion.
Mabel and Lienna were twins, born ten minutes apart, Mabel first. They looked nothing alike, except for they both had eyes bluer then the water in Lake Hylia.
Mabel was the warrior, though and strong, but still somehow elegant and in Lienna�s opinion, girlish. Lienna loved nature and was very tomboyish like her mother. She was a great fighter, swift as the wind and clever as a fox.
�Where are they?� Mabel asked impaitently.
�I don�t know!� Lienna hissed back at her.
At that moment the first group of people they were waiting for appeared from the general direction of Lon Lon Ranch. It was Malon and Orion, with their son Anlon. Lienna used to be very jealous of Anlon because he had a fantastic riding horse.
Anlon�s hair was black, like his fathers, but his eyes were soft and gentle like his mothers. Lienna didn�t like boys very much, but she approved of Anlon, mainly because he was a fellow lover of animals.
�Hey Anlon.� Mabel said. She thought Anlon was cute. Lienna sighed and rolled her eyes.
�Hello Mabel, Lienna.� Anlon smiled at them. He was a year older then them.
�Hiya Anlon. How�s Majestic?� Lienna asked.
�Fit as always. And ready to ride you into the ground.� Anlon grinned.
�Not this year!� Lienna said triumphantly.
�Don�t you two start again.� Mabel told them warningly. �Evin and Kendra are here.�
Evin and Kendra, Evin a Gerudo male, the son of the evil Ganondorf and Kendra, A Hylian, raised by Zoras, with their red headed twins, Aidan and Sahara.
Aidan was a boy. He took after his father in most respects; he had his father�s crooked charming smile and caring personality. But his eyes were like purple fire, like that of his Aunt Cynda. He had her spirit and was the better warrior in the family.
His twin, Sahara, had red hair as well, which was curly and frizzy, so untamed that she rarely bothered with it except to brush it and wash it. She was better with magic. She was always calm and at ease, very laid back. Their horses, Aidan�s horse, Blaze the same color as the young boy�s hair and a though opponent to beat. Sahara�s horse a mare the color of sand, as calm and as laid back as her young rider.
�Hey! Long time no see!� Mabel shouted.
�Hi guys.� Aidan said.
�Hey there. How things going?� Sahara asked.
�Okay. You guys remember Anlon.� Lienna said.
�How could we forget?� Aidan mumbled. Anlon grinned.
�Where�s the cousins?� Mabel asked. Mabel was mainly curious about Cynda�s dark, mysterious son, Gabriel.
�Oh who knows?� Sahara said.
�Speak of the devil.� Lienna said softly.
In the distance was a group of horses. A tall black stallion, a big white stallion, a sand colored mare, another black stallion and a brown and white pony with one blue eye and one brown.
Mounted on the black stallion was Cynda, Evin�s proud and beautiful twin sister. Her bright red hair was still short, as it had been cut many years ago and her eyes still held that dangerous purple fire. Her husband, Romeo had dark good looks and a mysterious way about him. The beautiful white stallion pranced a little bit.
On the oddly colored pony was Dysis. She had red hair like her mother and oddly enough, sky blue eyes probably inherited from her Grandmother, Misarde. A good warrior and rider, her faithful pony Badger was actually very fast.
On the other black stallion, Talat, was Gabriel. As always his black eyes were mysterious and intriguing to Lienna who had more curiosity then a cat. His black hair hung down in front of his face and he glanced up at Lienna.
On the sand colored mare, was Keita, once know to her friends as Blue. Her eyes were very blue and she looked much like Lienna. They were both the same, when Keita died Lienna would take her place as keeper of the secret forest.
�Calm yourself, Thourah.� Cynda said to the black stallion.
Thourah wasn�t an ordinary horse. He was half demon, son of the stallion Neraka, or in truth, Tiamat. Keita had nursed him and his mother Epona through the birth.
�I can�t wait to get racing!� Lienna exclaimed. They all laughed. Even Gabriel cracked a grin.
�We know Lienna we know!� Everyone said in unison.
�Hey Gabriel.� Lienna said, moving Thunder up alongside Talat very carefully.
�Hey.� Was all Gabriel said.
�Talat looks great this year.� Lienna began. �Of course, he�s no match for Thunder.� Gabriel turned and smiled at her, knowing she had attacked the competitive side he had gotten from his mother.
�We shall see, Little Fox.� Gabriel said.
Lienna smiled. Gabriel had been calling her Little Fox since they had met. He admired her skill and bravery, something he had enough trouble admitting to himself. She turned her eyes forward and Gabriel watched her calmly.
There was excited chattering, the adults catching up with one another, and the children boasting about their horses. Whenever the children got together they ran races and relays. It was always a lot of fun.
�Hey Mabel. Aren�t you looking for a good horse to ride?� Anlon asked suddenly.
�Yeah. Mica�s getting old. He needs to be retired.� Mabel sighed.
�Thunder! Whoa boy!� Lienna shouted from up front. Thunder was trying his best to escape from his rider. Lienna swore loudly as Thunder reared up and she nearly fell.
�Is that the reason you still have Mica?� Anlon wondered, pointing to Lienna and Thunder.
�That�s part of the reason. But there aren�t a lot of good horses around here.� Mabel said.
�Hey Dad! Can we show Mabel that horse?� Anlon called to his father.
�Be careful!� His father called back.
�Come on guys!� Anlon turned Majesty.
Lienna kicked Thunder. He reared up and whinnied loudly. Lienna let out a war cry and the two of them charged towards Lon Lon Ranch. Mabel rolled her eyes and sighed. She and Mica were the last ones to make it to the ranch.
�That�s him right there.� Anlon said, pointing to a big, copper colored horse.
�What a beautiful horse!� Lienna exclaimed.
The horse�s coat was like copper, shiny and bright. His long mane and tail were silky and flowing. He held his head high and proud. Gabriel waved a hand in front of Lienna�s face.
�I think The Fox is entranced.� Gabriel said. Everyone laughed.
�This horse is for Mabel. I made sure Dad didn�t sell him with the other yearlings.� Anlon said.
�Oooooo! Isn�t that sweet!� Sahara teased. Anlon blushed, surprisingly.
Dysis was off in her own little dream world as usual. She stared at the copper horse absently, thinking about stuff only she knew. Her eyes were calm and peaceful and thoughtful.
�Wow! He�s beautiful.� Mabel said, admiring the horse.
�I trained him myself.� Anlon said. Lienna grinned.
�Mabel and Anlon sitting in a-� She was cut off by Gabriel�s hand over her mouth.
�Quiet Little Fox. I-We don�t want you to become an extinct species.� Gabriel said.
�So are ya gonna ride him or what?� Anlon asked, still blushing.
�You mean that?� Mabel looked disbelieving. Anlon nodded.
�Lienna you still awake?� Mabel asked.
�I am now.� Lienna said.
�Dysis, Sahara, wake up!� Mabel said.
�Why?� Dysis mumbled from under the covers.
�Because. We always stay up and talk!� Mabel kicked the lump of blankets on the floor that was Sahara.
�Ouch!� Sahara yelped. �Okay I�m up!�
Dysis sat up and stretched out. Sahara stayed lying down until Mabel kicked her again, then she sat up. Lienna was sitting in bed, her hair a mess.
�What are we gonna talk about?� Dysis asked, blinking sleepily.
�How about Anlon?� Lienna drawled. Mabel shot her a warning look.
�How about Gabriel?� Mabel teased.
�What about him?� Lienna asked, shrugging her blankets off her shoulders lazily.
�Notice the way he looks at you? And how he almost said �I wouldn�t want you to become an extinct species� instead of �We�?� Sahara said.
�So what.� Lienna said running a brush through her hair.
�Well it�s obvious he likes you!� Mabel nearly shrieked.
�Of course. I told you he�s Tivona. All Tivona like each other. It�s like a rule or something.� Lienna said.
�Not like that! I mean he likes you likes you!� Mabel told her. Lienna looked at Dysis.
�Do you know what they�re talking about?� Lienna asked.
�Not a clue.� Dysis replied.
�Oh you�re hopeless Lienna, hopeless!� Sahara sighed, exasperated.
�So what trick are we gonna play on the boys this time?� Lienna asked.
�Let�s do something with magic.� Sahara suggested.
�No good. Gabriel warned me that the boys are planning to use magic. If we do there could be a conflict and something bad could happen.� Lienna stated. Mabel and Sahara exchanged grins.
�I got an idea.� Dysis said. This was unusual.
�Okay lets hear it.� Mabel said.
�I have this powder. When mixed with the right ingredients it put the person who drank it in a trance. Once in the trance you can give them a post hypnotic suggestion. Then when they wake up, they�ll see or hear whatever the suggestion was. Like say we could tell Anlon that everytime he hears hoofbeats, he thinks he�s in his underwear.� Dysis said calmly.
The other girl stared at her a moment. Then they all burst out laughing at the thought of Anlon imagining he was in his underwear.
�That�s a great idea Dysis!� Lienna exclaimed.
�Yeah! We could tell Gabriel that everytime he sees Lienna he faints!� Mabel said.
�Why?� Lienna asked. Mabel just grinned mischievously.
�I already know what we�re gonna tell Gabriel.� Dysis said. She was smiling.
�What?� Sahara asked. �Let�s hear it.�
�We�re gonna tell him that he�s being chased by Peahats! He hates Peahats! They scare him.� Dysis said. Lienna frowned.
�Guys that could be a bad idea.� Lienna said.
�Why?� Mabel asked. Sahara made kissing noises.
Lienna threw her brush at Sahara, suddenly getting what her friends had been trying to tell her the whole time. Mabel whacked Lienna in the face with her pillow. Lienna hit her back. Sahara hit Lienna with her pillow.
�Every man for himself!� Lienna shouted.
Feathers flew everywhere as the four girls fought each other. Lienna usually got hit in the face, for she constantly made smart comments. Dysis tried to stay out of the fight as best she could. It was basically two against one the whole time.
�Can you believe this?� Aidan asked, laughing.
�I can.� Anlon said. He was grinning.
�Lienna�s winning. Ouch! She just got hit in the face again.� Gabriel stated.
�That�s because she has such a smart mouth.� Anlon pointed out.
�She wouldn�t be Lienna if she didn�t.� Aidan said.
�You�re little sister is a wimp Gabriel.� Anlon said.
�No she isn�t. She�s the smart one.� Gabriel replied, chuckling.
Aidan and Sahara were the oldest, being as they were both 14. Gabriel and Dysis were both 13, Anlon was 12 and Mabel and Lienna were 11. Of all of them, it was often said the Dysis had the most sense.
�It�s not that she�s smart. She�s just not a trouble magnet.� Aidan joked.
�You mean like Sahara?� Gabriel asked smartly.
�No. I mean like Mabel.� Aidan said, wincing as Mabel got a good smack in the face and landed on her butt in a heap of blankets. Sahara went down next.
�Looks like Lienna won after all.� Anlon said.
�That�s what you think.� Gabriel was grinning.
The next moment Dysis jumped up and attack Lienna with her pillow. Lienna shrieked and nearly fell over.
�Wow! Dysis can fight!� Aidan exclaimed.
�Who do you think taught her? She�s obviously a better fighter then your wimp of a sister.� Gabriel said to Aidan.
Aidan picked up his pillow and hit Gabriel with it. Gabriel hit Aidan back. Anlon jumped in the middle of the fight. In the end, Gabriel took them both down. When they looked back out the window, the girls were asleep, sprawled out on the floor in a pile of blankets, pillows, and feathers.
Chapter two
Lienna was all set to win a lot this year. As long as Thunder behaved. She had talked to him night after night, pleading with him to behave. Now he was standing perfectly still and calm and Lienna was very proud of him.
::Of course I will behave. That Majestic!:: Thunder snorted. :::What a snob! I�m gonna run him into the ground!:: Lienna grinned.
�Good boy! Extra treats tonight.� Lienna said. Thunder nickered.
�You ready to get beaten?� Mabel asked. She was sitting on her new horse, Nariko. Lienna coughed.
�Um�..yeah. Whatever.� Lienna turned Thunder and they smoothly executed an amazing flying leap, followed by a flying half-change and then a rear up.
�Show off!� Mabel muttered.
�Yee-haa!� Lienna kicked Thunder�s sides. He reared up again and whinnied loudly.
�I can�t stand her!� Mabel exclaimed. Gabriel and Talat rode up beside her.
�Don�t mind Lienna. She�s crazy.� Gabriel smiled and Mabel smiled back.
�Trust me that�s nothing I don�t know. After all, she is my sister.� Mabel said,
�Yeah. Just let The Fox get out all that excess energy and then she�ll stop.� Gabriel said.
Mabel sighed. Many of the other girls in Hyrule had met Gabriel and certainly would not have minded if her called them Little Fox. Mabel was one of those girls.
�We gonna get started or what?� Dysis asked.
�I don�t know. We will if Miss �Know-it-all� will stop showing off.� Mabel said.
Lienna looked up at her sister. That comment had hurt her feelings. She turned Thunder, rode him to the starting line and pulled him to a stop. He stood patiently and perfectly still.
�Well.� Aidan said.
�So lets get going.� Anlon rode Majestic up to the start.
When all the horses, Talat, Thunder, Majestic, Nariko, Badger, Blaze, and Kaytog, were all lined up at the starting line, the adults took seat on the grass to watch. Cynda was mounted on Thourah. He tugged at the bit and Cynda tugged back.
Lienna smiled. She had invented a new way of riding. There was no bridle, you controlled the horse with your legs and seat. The saddle was contoured to fit Lienna and Thunder exactly, so it was much more comfortable. She had told the others to try it but no one took her up on it.
�Ready?� Cynda asked. The riders all nodded. �Go!� Cynda exclaimed.
The horses took off in a cloud of dust. When the dust cleared from Lienna�s vision, she saw with dismay that she was nearly in last.
Mabel smiled. She was in second, right behind Majestic. Thunder and Lienna were no where in sight. Nariko easily jumped the first fence and headed down the path towards Lake Hylia.
Lienna angled Thunder to the outside. They cleared the first jump and passed Badger and Dysis. Dysis obviously wasn�t worried. She moved Badger away from Thunder and as they approached Lake Hylia was in front of them again.
Lienna sighed. Mabel had always won this event. Sure Mica was slower them molasses usually. But he had the most endurance of any of the horses. What if this new horse had just as much? Lienna would never beat her sister at this rate.
Thunder snorted to wake her from her daydream. She leapt Thunder over a fence. Many of the other horses refused this fence the first time and Lienna moved into third. She cleared the two small fences by Lake Hylia and moved on to the Gerudo Valley part of the race, just a little behind Mabel.
Thunder leaped over fence after fence with such ease it amazed Lienna. She was crying from his courage and the tears dried in the wind.
Suddenly there was a loud bang from the direction of Gerudo Valley. Mabel pulled up Nariko so fast that Lienna had to moved Thunder quickly to the side. Shouts of anger came from the rest of the group.
�What was that?� Mabel wondered.
�Who cares! Let�s get on with the race!� Anlon said.
�But what if someone�s in danger?� Lienna bit her lip nervously.
�Not more danger! You think we�d had enough of that, after being sent back in time!� Mabel exclaimed.
�Come on then. Let�s check it out.� Lienna said.
The twins walked their horses to Gerudo valley side by side. Dysis, Gabriel, Sahara, Aidan and Anlon followed them.
The horses walked over the small log over the water. Then they passed over the bridge. Lienna could hear Sahara mumbling about not looking down. Mabel let out a shriek and stopped abruptly. Lienna looked up and nearly screamed herself.
Standing before them, leaning on old boulders, was Logan and Zahn Dragmire. Lienna groaned instead of screaming but Mabel almost fainted.
�Well well well. What have we here?� Zahn asked smartly.
�I don�t know. Sure smells bad though.� Logan replied smiling.
�Still brain washed?� Lienna asked.
Zahn and Logan had been brain washed by Kafore, the crazy guy who had been trying to sacrifice Lienna to the Gods.
�Nah. Just thought we�d have some fun with ya.� Zahn walked over to Thunder.
�You!� Mabel kicked at Logan�s head. He just laughed and grabbed her foot.
�So there�s nothing wrong? What was that noise?� Lienna asked.
�Oh there�s something wrong all right.� Zahn sighed.
�Father�s back.� Logan said.
Mabel did faint this time. She wasn�t usually the kind of person to faint but she�d been under so much stress lately. Lienna didn�t blame her. In fact, she wouldn�t mind fainting about now herself. Logan caught Mabel before she could hit the ground.
�I thought girls fell at your feet, Brother, not into your arms.� Zahn said and smiled weakly.
�He�s back? Ganondorf is back�again?� Lienna asked. Zahn nodded.
�What should we do?� Sahara asked.
�Dysis, Sahara, Anlon, Aidan and Gabriel go tell Mother and Father about this.� Lienna said.
�No! We�re gonna stay and help you!� Aidan exclaimed.
�No you are not! Go!� Lienna yelled.
�Listen to The Fox guys. She�s never been wrong before.� Gabriel piped up.
The others turned their horses reluctantly and rode off. Lienna sighed and turned. She had her eyes closed, scared to open them, because of what had happened the last time that she had been around Zahn Dragmire.
Chapter 3
�Long time no see Lienna.� Zahn said. Lienna opened her eyes slowly.
�Not long enough for me.� Lienna said.
Logan was sitting in the dirt holding Mabel. She was just coming to. Lienna sighed and walked over to them and kneeled down beside them.
�I fainted.� Mabel stated.
�Yeah. Are you okay?� Lienna asked.
�My head hurts.� Mabel complained. Lienna just nodded.
�So are you gonna help us with this problem?� Zahn asked.
�That depends. How�d he get out this time?� Lienna turned to Zahn and looked up at him, glaring at him straight in the eyes.
�You�re crazy. It�s not Ganondorf.� Zahn said.
�Then why did you say that?� Lienna shouted.
�Ouch! Lienna please don�t yell.� Mabel whined.
�Please Lienna calm down.� Logan said.
�Listen Lienna. We need your help. I don�t want your little friends getting involved.� Zahn said.
�Why didn�t you just say so!?� Lienna yelled. Mabel whimpered. Zahn just looked down.
�The Gerudo�s are rebelling. They are angry with the new law about not to steal too much. They are looking for another way to set Ganondorf free.� Logan said.
�What? Then why can�t we tell my friends? Their father is ruler of the Gerudos. He can fix this.� Lienna said.
�Lienna it�s not so simple. The Tivona�they are learning how to use the power.� Zahn sighed.
�They what? But how?� Lienna was incredulous.
�I don�t know.� Zahn leaned against the boulder. Although he was only 16 he looked like he was a lot older.
�This is great!� Lienna kicked the dirt angrily.
�Lien�you know that old Legend about Kin, The Golden One?� Zahn asked.
�Yeah. But it�s not true.� Lienna replied.
�Yes it is. It has to be.� Zahn said.
�No it�s not. Just because Ganondorf is Tivona, doesn�t mean that Kin exists too.� Lienna said.
�Lienna, what if she does exist?� Mabel asked.
Lienna frowned. What if she did exist? Where could she be found? Lienna remembered how the old legend went. It said you could find Kin, The Golden One, where there is laughter of children everyday of every year and that she watched over this place.
�Kokiri Forest.� Lienna whispered.
�What?� Zahn asked.
�I remember seeing a Golden eyed girl at Kokiri Forest. When I wandered off that time. She was sitting playing an Ocarina.� Lienna replied.
�I remember!� Mabel exclaimed. �You came back and told me you saw a girl with golden eyes!�
�So to Kokiri Forest?� Logan asked.
�Looks like it.� Zahn walked over to Thunder.
�I wouldn�t do that if I were you.� Lienna said.
Zahn ignored her. Lienna sighed, not in the least bit surprised. Zahn jumped smoothly into the saddle. What surprised Lienna was when Thunder just sat there, calmly awaiting instructions.
�I hate you.� Lienna mumbled to Zahn.
Zahn just laughed. He rode Thunder forward, picked Lienna up, and placed her in the saddle in front of him. She sighed, half-turned in the saddle, considered punching him in the stomach, then turned back around and faced forward.
�My Lady.� Logan said, offering to help Mabel on to Nariko. Mabel giggled.
�Oh geez�� Zahn and Lienna said at the same time.
Lienna turned around. They glared at each other for a moment, then Lienna rolled her eyes and so did Zahn. Lienna sighed and turned facing forward again.
�Kokiri Forest! Yah!� Zahn yelled and kick Thunder�s sides. Thunder moved into and easy gallop with Nariko at his side.
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Chapter 4
Lienna slipped off of Thunder�s back and sighed, for her legs hurt very badly. She turned to Thunder and looked him in the eye.
�You stay here, understood?� Lienna said.
::I understand. But I will not try and keep him here.:: Thunder snorted and turned his nose towards Nariko. Lienna sighed.
�Let�s get moving.� Lienna said.
The small group walked into Kokiri Forest. Her Mom and Dad had taken her and Mabel there many times. Lienna always loved it very much.
When they got there, Mido stood outside talking with Saria. Lienna was surprised to see Saria, because she rarely came to the Forest. Certainly now, when she was supposed to be overlooking the repair of the Forest Temple, would be a bad time to come here.
�Lienna! Mabel!� Saria shouted.
�Hey Saria.� Lienna said.
�Hi Saria.� Mabel said.
�What are you guys doing here?� Saria asked.
�We could ask you the same question. Actually we�re looking for someone.� Lienna replied.
�Who?� Saria questioned.
�It�s not important. Come on.� Lienna started for the Lost Woods. She motioned for everyone to follow her.
�Lienna wait up!� Mabel whined.
�We have to move fast.� Lienna said.
�But my legs are tired.� Mabel complained.
Lienna ignored her. She climbed up the vines easily and took off at a run for the Lost Woods. Zahn, Logan and Mabel tried to keep up. Zahn managed to catch up with Lienna and caught her before she could go in the Lost Woods.
�You shouldn�t go in there alone.� Zahn said.
�You are being slow.� Lienna turned away and walked into the Lost Woods.
Lienna knew this was where she had seen the girl but she couldn�t remember the exact spot. She was careful to look where she was going.
�Hey Lienna slow down!� Mabel exclaimed. Lienna stopped and turned, waiting impatiently with her hands on her hips.
�Lienna what makes you think she�s in the Lost Woods?� Logan asked.
�Because I am.� A voice rang out. The group jumped.
Suddenly a figure seemed to step out of thin air. It was a girl, she looked to be about Mabel and Lienna�s age. Her eyes were true gold, not yellow like most people with gold eyes, but gold. Her hair was gold too and was cut the same way as Lienna�s. In fact, she could have been Lienna�s identical twin, if her hair and eye color were different.
�I heard about the Tivona being close but this is ridiculous!� Lienna exclaimed.
�She looks just like you!� Mabel looked pale. Lienna hoped she wouldn�t faint again.
�What�s everyone staring at?� The girl asked.
The girl was also dressed like Lienna. A half-sleeved tunic, loose, almost baggy pants and boots up to her knees. The only difference was that Lienna wore blue, and this girl was dressed in black.
�Who are you?� Lienna asked.
�I�m Kin. You must be Lienna. The Elders say a lot about you.� Kin turned to Zahn, Logan and Mabel.
�The Elders?� Lienna asked. She knew who the Elders were but she was having trouble letting it sink in.
�Yeah ya know. So this is Mabel, huh? Not much to her.� Kin said.
�Hey! At least I don�t look like Lienna!� Mabel exclaimed. Lienna glared at her.
�At least I�m not afraid to ride anything faster then a fat pony!� Lienna yelled.
�It�s not my fault you had to steal the best horse in the Castle!� Mabel yelled back.
�Steal!? I�ll have you know-
Lienna was cut off by Zahn�s hand over her mouth. She let out a sound that resembled a growl. But Zahn just shook his head.
�No more outta you.� Zahn said.
�Will someone please explain what�s going on?� Logan asked.
�You haven�t figured out already? Sheesh!� Kin walked over to Logan and slapped him in the back of the head.
�Hey! Leave him alone!� Mabel shouted.
�For the love of Nayru! You three pipe down right this instant!� Zahn yelled.
�Who died and left you king?� Kin asked.
Zahn turned and glared at her. Her let go of Lienna and put himself between the three girls. Then he turned to Logan.
�How do we get them out of here?� Zahn asked. Logan shrugged.
�I�m not going anywhere!� Kin exclaimed.
�And I won�t go �til she does!� Lienna said stubbornly.
�Well then.� Zahn walked over to Lienna and picked her up. She shrieked and swore at him loudly.
�Let me go!� Lienna yelled, squirming to get free. Zahn shook his head.
�What about her?� Logan asked, pointing to Mabel. She was sitting down and she had her arms crossed.
�I�m not going until I stop hurting.� Mabel said. Logan sighed and picked her up.
�Now, Kin, are you gonna come quietly or do I have to carry you, too?� Zahn asked.
�I�ll come. But I won�t be quiet.� Kin replied.
�Have a big mouth huh? Then you�ll get along real well with Lien.� Zahn quipped.
�Zahn Dragmire I�ll kill you!� Lienna yelled.
�Dragmire? Man, how many kids does that guy have?� Kin sighed and stomped along sulkily.
�If you ask me, too many.� Lienna said.
Zahn put his hand over her mouth. He carried her all the way back to the horses. Logan put Mabel down because she was complaining about all the blood rushing to her head(even though she wasn�t upside down), But Zahn refused to put Lienna down. He knew all too well that if he did she�d start fighting again.
Chapter 5
�So Lienna, if I let go, will you promise to keep your mouth shut?� Zahn asked. Lienna nodded.
Zahn put Lienna down. As she promised, she kept quiet. But her promise didn�t stop her from turning around and punching Zahn in the stomach as hard as she could.
�Hey! Three points fer Lienna!� Kin exclaimed.
�Ouch! Geez Lienna where�d you learn to hit so hard?� Zahn asked.
�From you.� Lienna said.
Lienna grinned. She turned to Thunder and was surprised to see Kin already sitting up there. She glared up at her.
�Off! Thunder is my horse.� Lienna said.
�Make me.� Kin smiled down at her.
Logan and Mabel were on Nariko already. Lienna sighed and glanced at Zahn. He had pulled out his harp and was playing a haunting melody that Lienna recognized immediately. The next moment, a big, all black horse galloped up. Lienna remembered him to be Darkmoon, the horse Zahn had had last time. Zahn put away his harp, picked Lienna up and put her on Darkmoon�s back. Then her hopped up behind her.
�Where to?� Logan asked.
�Home. We need to tell our parents no matter what we think.� Lienna replied.
�Home it is then.� Zahn said.
�What�re we waitin� fer?� Kin asked.
�Darkmoon! Yah!� Zahn exclaimed. Lienna bit her lip and tried not to scream as Darkmoon galloped over the field faster then any horse she had ever ridden.
Zahn glanced down at Lienna. It was dark out and she had fallen asleep. He smiled. She looked so innocent when she was asleep. You would never know that this was the same girl that�
�Zahn!� Logan shouted. �Earth to Zahn!�
�What?� Zahn asked.
�We�re almost there.� Logan said. Mabel was asleep and surprisingly, so was Kin.
::Lien. Wake up. Wouldn�t want your sister and Kin to see you fell asleep too.:: Zahn said. Lienna opened her eyes. She had discovered that Zahn could talk to her telepathically. That was what had told her that he was Tivona like her.
�I�m up.� Lienna said, yawning.
�Welcome back from dreamland Lienna.� Logan joked.
�Ye�ll never win, Ganondorf!� Kin mumbled in her sleep. Logan, Zahn and Lienna turned to stare at her.
�Bad dream I guess.� Lienna said and shrugged.
�The suns rising. That means the draw-bridge will be coming down soon.� Zahn stated.
�Zahn do you remember what happened that night?� Lienna asked suddenly.
�Yeah.� Zahn said softly.
�What happened?� Logan asked.
�Nothing.� Lienna and Zahn said in unison.
Logan sighed. Lienna snuggled up against Zahn and shivered. Zahn glanced down at her and smiled a bit. Then his eyes went cold and he looked straight ahead as he walked Darkmoon over the drawbridge.
�Lienna!� Mabel screamed suddenly and woke up.
�What? What? Mabel what�s wrong? Lienna asked, trying not to panic.
�I had a dream. It-it was s-scary.� Mabel said through chattering teeth.
�Are you all right?� Lienna�s eyes were filled with concern. Mabel had been acting strangely lately. Even Logan had too.
�I-I�m fine.� Mabel said,
::She�s not ye know. Somethin� wrong with �er.:: Zahn said telepathically.
::I can tell.:: Lienna sighed.
::Would you two lovebirds stop talking up there? I�m getting a headache!:: Darkmoon said.
::Love birds?!:: Zahn yelled.
::Headache?:: Lienna asked at the same time. ::Ouch! Zahn don�t yell!::
::Sorry:: Zahn said grumpily.
::Yes. Horses get headaches too ya know.:: Darkmoon complained.
::Sorry Darky:: Lienna said. She reached down and stroked Darkmoon. He sighed and stretched out his head in pleasure.
::Darky? Darkmoon is a war-horse, not a pet:: Zahn said.
::He�s so sweet! I love him so much!:: Lienna cooed, just to tick Zahn off.
�Lienna! Mabel!� Sahara yelled.
Lienna looked up. Sahara, Dysis, Gabriel, Anlon, Aidan, Cynda, Evin, Kendra, Link, and Zelda were running towards them. Link picked both his daughters up at once and hugged them tightly. When he finally put them down, Lienna could barely breathe.
�Are you all right?� Zelda asked worriedly.
�We�re fine.� Lienna said. Mabel just nodded.
�When we heard about Ganondorf�.who is this?� Link was looking at Zahn and Logan.
�Zahn! Logan! You little rascals!� Cynda exclaimed.
�Hey Cyn. Hey Evin. How�s thing going?� Logan asked.
�Okay. Where have you two been?� Evin smiled his crooked, charming smile.
�Bounty hunting.� Zahn grunted. Cynda looked at him disapprovingly.
�Who are they?� Link asked again.
�Daddy, you remember Zahn and Logan Dragmire.� Lienna said. Link frowned.
�I�m tired.� Mabel complained. Lienna glanced at her worriedly.
�Come on Mabel.� Logan said, scooping her up in her arms. Link glared at him.
�Where do you think you�re going?� Link demanded.
�Shhh! She�s already asleep.� Logan said, carrying Mabel past Link and towards the castle.
�You should be getting to bed too. All of you.� Zelda said. �Including you two, Logan and Zahn. We�ll get some rooms for you.�
�Thank you ma�am.� Logan said. Zahn just mumbled something.
�Sleep? I don�t need sleep. I could go on forev-�
Lienna�s voice was cut off. She had fainted. Zahn caught her and picked her up. He sighed and shook his head.
�She�s exhausted. I should�ve drugged �er like I used to.� Zahn mumbled.
�You�ve drugged my daughter!?� Link exclaimed.
�Trus� me, sir. When she doesn�t want to go to sleep, it�s the only way to get �er to.� Zahn said. �I just wish I�d thought of it sooner. She would�ve gotten more rest.
Link watched Zahn. His eyes were black but when he looked down at Lienna, they grew soft and gentle like a puppy�s.
�Take could care of her then.� Link said.
�I will sir.� Everyone else had left. � I admire your daughter. She�s very brave for �er age. And trus� me. I don�t give complements lightly.� Zahn stated.
�I�m sure. Zelda will set you up a room. See you tomorrow Zahn.� Link turned and walked towards the castle.
Zahn carried Lienna very carefully to her rooms. Mabel was already and bed and Logan was nowhere in site. Zahn carefully stepped over the two girls sleeping on the floor, and set Lienna down gently in her bed. Her covered her, kissed her softly on the cheek, then turned and walked out.
�He is so cute!� Lienna exclaimed when he had left. She, Mabel, Sahara and Dysis all burst out laughing.
Chapter 6
�Lien! Lien wake up!� Zahn exclaimed. Lienna groaned.
�Zahn go away.� Lienna said.
�No! Lienna it�s Mabel�and Logan!� Zahn yelled. Lienna sat up.
�What? What�s wrong with my sister?� Lienna asked, already getting out of bed and getting dressed.
�She�s gone! She and Logan. The guards said they were like�in a trance!� Zahn was pacing impatiently by the doorway.
�Gone? Come on!� Lienna took off running down the hall. Zahn ran behind her. They ran all the way to the small weapons room where Zelda and Link were.
Link was pulling a set of bow and arrows and a sword, wrapped in fine silk, out of a chest. Lienna recognized Goldshan immediately and smiled.
�Lienna, good. You�re up.� Link said.
�Where�s Mabel?� Lienna demanded.
�That�s what you�re going to find out.� Link handed her the bow and a quiver full of arrows. Then he slid the silk cloth off of Goldshan and handed it to her carefully.
�My Love. So long it feels we have not seen each other.� Kin said softly and lifted the sword gently from Lienna�s hand.
�So you�re the person who gave her to me!� Lienna exclaimed.
�Not gave. Let you borrow. I could never part with �er fer long.� Kin said and sighed.
�You have to go! Now!� Link shouted.
�Right.� Lienna reached out and took Goldshan back from Kin. She turned and ran down the corridors and out of the castle, everyone else except for her mom close at her heels. Zelda was pregnant and most of the people in the castle (Including Lienna) were hoping it would be a boy.
When Lienna reached the castle gate, Thunder, Darkmoon, and Epona were already saddled. Lienna didn�t hesitate; she hopped onto Thunder�s back smoothly.
�Lienna be careful!� Zelda shouted. She had finally managed to stagger down to the gate.
�I will be Mom.� Lienna turned Thunder. Zahn was on Darkmoon. Kin was sitting on Epona.
�Offward! Yah!� Lienna yelled.
Thunder, Darkmoon, and Epona galloped side by side. Rain poured down, blurring Lienna�s vision. She had an instinct; it kept on telling her to go to Kokiri Forest. And that�s where she was headed.
Lienna could hear Darkmoon�s hooves pounding. She could hear Zahn breathing. She could see Kin clearly; she seemed to glow in a golden light.
A vision flashed across her eyes. It was blackness and redness and browness. Bad stuff, Lienna knew. Lightning crashed before her eyes and she tumbled from Thunder�s saddle, landing in the mud.
�Hellfire!� Lienna hissed, echoing one of Zahn�s favorite swears.
�You okay?� Zahn asked.
�Yeah I�m fine.� Lienna said, getting up and dusting herself off. She hopped back into Thunder�s saddle. �Kokiri Forest! Yah!�
Lienna was slightly surprised, but oddly prepared for the scene at Kokiri Forest. The Kokiri ran from monsters. Serpents with men�s heads and torsos, little, vicious, dragons, the size of dogs, bat-like lizard birds flying overhead and such.
Saria was backed into a corner by a man-serpent, one with sandy hair and green eyes. He was grinning maliciously and it made Lienna shudder.
�For Hyrule!� Lienna shrieked a war cry and charged at the man-serpent.
The man-serpent turned towards her. It was holding a curved blade. Lienna pulled out Goldshan and the two swords clashed gold on black. The other monsters stood, entranced by Goldshan�s amazing glowing.
�I am Ormand.� The man-serpent hissed. �When I defeat you, I will take your pretty sword.�
Lienna didn�t reply. Insults during battle were a waste of breath. Instead she kept fighting. The harder she fought, the more Goldshan glowed. The entranced monsters were quickly hacked in two by Kin and Zahn.
�Die, snake scum!� Lienna yelled and sliced Ormand�s throat with Goldshan. He shrieked once more, and fell, dead.
�Oh thank you! Thank you do much!� Saria exclaimed. Lienna waved a hand at her.
�Don�t thank us. We only did what we had to.� Lienna said.
�Right!� Kin agreed.
�Kin, since you left the forest, these monsters have appeared. Nothing is supposed to be able to get past the Deku Tree.� Saria said.
�These are�um were the servants of Nyoka, the serpent woman. She feeds off innocent children to sustain her strength and increase her power.� Kin explained.
�That must be where Mabel and Logan went.� Zahn said.
�Oh no! No no no no no!� Lienna clutched Goldshan�s hilt, looking furious. �If that beast did anything to my sister, I�ll slice her into a thousand little bits!�
�So where do we find her?� Zahn asked.
�Simple. She wanted children so she came here. A good place for her to hang out would be the Forest Temple.� Kin replied.
�So to the forest temple!� Lienna exclaimed. She turned in the direction of the lost woods.
�Not sssso fasssst, girly.� A voice hissed.
Lienna turned around. Before her was a serpent-woman. Her snake like body was red and her human half was undressed. There was blood smeared across her chest and on her teeth. Lienna blanched and tried not be sick.
�Who are you?� Lienna asked trying to sound brave.
�I am Giza. You killed my mate, girl-child.� The serpent-woman said.
�Who him?� Lienna asked, pointing her sword to the body of Ormand. �Hah! You should thank me.�
�Girl-child, sssshow ssssome ressspect for your elderssss.� Giza hissed.
�Yeah you do look old. What�re you, 50, 60 million years old?� Lienna quipped.
Lightning quick, Giza flicked her tail out and wrapped it around Lienna. She wrapped her tail tightly around Lienna�s wrist, so that she dropped Goldshan. The she pulled Lienna toward her. She flicked out her tongue against Lienna�s cheek and she almost did throw up this time.
�Girl-child, what a tassstey meal you will make.� Giza said.
�Oh I don�t think so. I might give you a stomach ache.� Lienna looked up innocently.
�Nonssssensse. I think I�ll eat you now.� Giza said and opened her mouth. She leaned down and Lienna screamed, realizing she was serious.
�No!� Zahn ran forward and sliced Giza�s head off. Lienna yelped and untangled herself from Giza�s tail.
�Are you okay?� Zahn asked.
�I�m fine.� She turned and spat on the bodies of Giza and Ormand. �See you in the Abyss.�
�Come on. We need to get to the Forest Temple
Lienna picked up Goldshan and brushed her off. Then she followed Kin and Zahn to the Lost Woods.
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Chapter 7
The Lost Woods were tricky and if it weren�t for Kin, Lienna was sure they would be very lost. Lienna sighed. Nyoka wanted innocent children. Well, she certainly was not innocent. Not after that night�
�Lienna.� Zahn said softly.
�What?� Lienna asked.
�We need some way to defeat Moblins.� Zahn replied.
�Hellfire! Oh this is wonderful! Just wonderful!� Lienna exclaimed.
�Need a hookshot?� Kin asked, holding out a hookshot.
�Yeah that would help.� Lienna answered dryly.
Lienna took the hookshot from Kin. She snuck up on the first Moblin. It didn�t stand a chance; Lienna had fabulous aim. Lienna, Kin and Zahn crept around the next corner.
�My turn.� Zahn said, taking the hookshot from Lienna.
Zahn made a good shot. It hit the Moblin square in the back. Kin was next. In the end, they made a contest of it, sneaking through the Sacred Forest Meadow and shooting moblins. Finally they reached the Forest Temple, to see a blonde haired, purple-eyed boy.
�Who are you?� Lienna asked.
�My name�s Shiri.� The boy replied.
�Like Kendra�s Shiri? But you�re dead.� Lienna said.
�Yeah I know. I have been for awhile too.� Shiri smiled.
�Well what are you doing here?� Zahn asked.
�I�m here to help you.� Shiri replied.
�Wait �til I tell Kendra!� Lienna exclaimed.
�Yeah. Well come along kid.� Shiri said, motioning to them.
They followed Shiri, climbing up the new steps into the Forest Temple. Lienna sighed, remembering the tragically romantic story Kendra had told her about Shiri. A tear slid down Lienna�s cheek at the thought.
The Forest Temple was vast and Lienna was becoming tired. They had been through so much in the last few hours. Lienna didn�t know how much more she could take.
�This way.� Shiri said. �I can�t guide you any farther. Nyoka has power over me. I wish you luck though.� Shiri disappeared.
Lienna sighed. She turned around a few times, studying the stone tower of the Forest Temple. It was fairly large. It was being redone, so that it was not so crumbled as it used to be.
�Lienna! Watch out!� Zahn yelled.
Lienna spun around. Behind her was a skulltula. It was huge, bigger even then Zahn. Lienna took a step back from it. She pulled out her hookshot and took aim. Before she could fire, the skulltula�s eyes glowed red, and it began to speak,
�You�ll never defeat me girl!� The skulltula said.
�That�s what you think.� Lienna fired the hookshot. The skulltula evaporated into thin air.
�Is that the best Nyoka can do?� Zahn wondered.
�Somehow I don�t think so.� Kin said.
Lienna, Kin and Zahn all moved for the elevator to the basement. Lienna frowned. When she had been near the courtyard, she had felt an overwhelming sense of her sister. Now all she felt was blankness. Lienna turned and walked back to the courtyard door.
Suddenly, Lienna couldn�t see the courtyard door any longer. She felt the colors, the red and brown and black and gold. The colors she had felt the night�the night that she, the Princess of Hyrule had�
�Lienna!� Zahn yelled. Lienna jumped.
�What? What�s the matter?� Lienna asked.
�Nothing. You just�ya know�like that night�� Zahn replied.
Lienna felt that cold feeling. That bad feeling washed over her. She pushed open the courtyard door. What she saw nearly made her faint. A tall, aging man with silver hair, yellow robes, and a glowing crystal staff.
�Kafore.� Lienna said softly.
�Lienna�.my dear�how good of you to come.� Kafore said.
�You!� Zahn exclaimed.
�Me? You are the traitor my boy. Not me.� Kafore said.
�Traitor? What you were going to do was wrong!� Zahn protested.
�And what do you care? All you cared about was your money. Then you suddenly changed. Do you know why my boy?� Kafore smiled. Zahn hesitated.
�Why?� Zahn asked.
�Because she wanted you to. She has a spell over you.� Kafore replied.
�What!? That�s a lie!� Lienna exclaimed. �I can�t hold spells over people and you know it!�
�Oh not that kind of spell, my dear. Not that kind.� Kafore said, chuckling.
�Riddles. Joy.� Kin said.
�Kin the Golden. How nice of you to come.� Kafore smiled. It made Kin shudder.
Lienna was having a hard time believing she was awake. Kafore was dead. Lienna knew this for sure. Kafore was dead. He had to be! She knew he had to be.
�How do you know Lienna?� Kafore asked.
�I just�know.� Lienna replied.
�Not good enough, my dear.� Kafore said. �You know. And your guilt eats away at you. You can�t take the guilt. You can disobey your own parents, but you can�t live up to this. Maybe you don�t care about your parents.�
�No! I do care about my parents!� Lienna yelled.
�Then say it!� Kafore demanded. �How do you know?�
�I know because�because I killed you myself!� Lienna hissed. �And I�d do it again if I had the chance!�
Kin and Zahn turned to stare at her. Zahn had been out cold when she killed Kafore. She had lied and said he fell on his own sword. She just couldn�t bare the guilt. Later Lienna had thrown up. She said it was because all of the blood and stress.
�You lied to me?� Zahn asked.
�Zahn I-
�No Lienna! You lied to me! I thought you trusted me.� Zahn said.
�Zahn I do trust you.� Lienna reached out to take his hand. Zahn jumped away from her, like she carried a deadly virus.
�No. You don�t.� Zahn said.
�Zahn! Don�t let him get to you.� Lienna pleaded.
�You are not worthy of being a Tivona.� Kin said.
Lienna knew what was going on. This is what Kafore did. He messed with minds. He was turning Zahn and Kin against her.
�Please Zahn! I�m your friend! I�d trust you with my life.� Lienna said. Zahn looked uncertain.
�Don�t listen to her boy! She�ll only�break your heart.� Kafore sneered.
This snapped Zahn out immediately. He felt it the moment Kafore began to read his mind. Zahn lifted his hand.
�That�s not playing fair!� Zahn exclaimed. A bolt of energy shot at Kafore. It didn�t harm him.
�You can�t defeat me.� Kafore said, grinning.
�Lienna you disgust me! I don�t want anything to do with you!� Kin said.
�Kin! Don�t listen to him! Come back to me please.� Lienna looked at her pleadingly.
�Don�t listen to her Kin. Think of what your brother would say.� Kafore said.
It was a bad move. Kin loved her brother dearly. The thought of him snapped her out of Kafore�s hold.
�You leave Arin out of this!� Kin shouted.
�That�s it Kafore! You lose!� Lienna said triumphantly.
Kafore screamed. His body began to fall apart. First the flesh began to melt off. Then blood dripped and internal organs fell to the ground in a bloody, gory mess. Lienna gulped and tried not to be sick.
Finally, all that was left was a mess of blood, gore, and rotted flesh. Lienna collapsed and began to cry. Zahn sat down and took her into his arms, rocking her back and forth like a baby and trying to calm her.
�Shhh Lien. It�s over.� Zahn said softly.
Kin watched this amazed. She had been watching Zahn for quite some time. She didn�t believe that the boy could be anything more then heartless and uncaring. But something in Lienna had obviously changed that.
�We should be going.� Lienna said, struggling to her feet. Zahn stood up as well.
�Are you sure you�re okay?� Zahn asked.
�Yes I�m fine.� Lienna said.
Then a scream rose from the well in the courtyard. Lienna turned. She ran towards the well and peered down. Another scream came and Lienna gulped down her fear and began to climb down the well.
Chapter 8
The climb down the well was a long one. Lienna was first, then Zahn and finally Kin. When Lienna�s feet hit the ground she sighed with relief. It was very brief though for when she turned around, there was giant serpent-woman. Mabel and Logan were tied up near her.
�Lienna!� Mabel shouted. The serpent-woman turned to Lienna.
�Sssso. You decided to sssshow up.� She hissed.
�And you would be Nyoka.� Lienna said.
�Precisssssely.� Nyoka said.
�I want my sister back.� Lienna said.
�That�ssss too bad.� Nyoka smiled at her.
Nyoka was at least 11 feet tall. Her serpent half was emerald green and studded with what Lienna guessed were emeralds. Her human half was bare, like Giza, and her ratty black hair hung down almost to the ground. There was blood on her teeth.
�I wonder what she ate.� Zahn said, practically echoing Lienna�s exact thoughts.
�The horsssse. The brown one. He wassss quite tassssty.� Nyoka smiled.
Mabel started to cry. Lienna felt badly for her sister of course, but if she was able to get them out of this, Lienna vowed she would fix what Nyoka had done.
�Hey Nyoka.� Zahn called suddenly.
�What issss it boy?� Nyoka asked.
�How �bout a two for one deal. If you let my brother go, I�ll give both of them.� Zahn replied, waving a hand Lienna and Kin.
Lienna stared at him. What was going on? Was he brainwashed again? Zahn was acting like his old self and Lienna shuddered.
�Isss that all you offer me? Thesssse two were a nice catch.� Nyoka hissed.
�This one and that blonde one are Princesses. And the gold one is a pure blood Tivona. You know how innocent they are.� Zahn said. �And My brother and I are bounty hunters. We can get you food, only the best.�
�Sssssoundssss tempting.� Nyoka said, considering. �All right. I accept your offer.�
Zahn smiled. He grabbed Lienna and tied her up quickly. With some difficulty, he managed to get Kin tied up too. He put them with Mabel and untied Logan. Logan stared at his brother, dazed. Zahn handed Logan a dagger.
�Mabel are you okay?� Lienna asked.
�No! I�m tired and hungry and I wanna get out of here!� Mabel exclaimed.
�I know. Doesn�t look like that�ll happen any time soon.� Lienna glared at Zahn.
�Lienna- Zahn began. Lienna cut him off.
�Don�t even speak to me, Zahn Dragmire!� Lienna said.
Zahn sighed and shrugged carelessly. Lienna continued glaring at him. How could he do this? She had thought that Zahn was better then that. I guess I was wrong, Lienna thought. I did try though. That�s what counts�or is it?
�Sssso. When�ssss dinner?� Nyoka asked.
�That�s up to you. You�re eating.� Zahn replied.
�Oh no, my boy. You two, assssss my honored guessstssss musssst join me.� Nyoka said.
Zahn gulped. Logan went pale and then got up and ran to a corner. Lienna could hear him throwing up and she didn�t blame him. As a matter of fact, she felt like throwing up herself right now.
�I refuse to eat Lienna. I don�t need the stomachache.� Zahn quipped.
�Very well. Your losssse is my gain.� Nyoka hissed.
�Lienna what do we do now?� Mabel asked.
�I�m not sure.� Lienna replied.
Lienna was still so mad at Zahn; she could barely think. He had betrayed her! But then why had he helped her before? It was then that Lienna felt a tug at her ropes. Then her hands were free. She half turned her head to see Logan. He was holding the dagger Zahn had given him and grinning.
Logan went to Kin and Mabel and in turn and freed both of them. Mabel sighed with relief and sank to the ground. Her legs must�ve have been tired from standing so much and everything else that had happened. Logan sat down next to her. Mabel didn�t cry, at least not at the moment, but the shock was even getting to Lienna.
�What are you doing?� Nyoka asked.
�Setting them free!� Logan exclaimed jumping to his feet.
�Stupid boy! You betray me! I will eat you too.� Nyoka said.
Lienna looked around urgently for some way out of this. Then she noticed Zahn sneaking around behind Nyoka. He was holding his sword in one hand. Lienna�s eyes widened as she realized what he was up to.
�Zahn you crazy, brain dead fool!� Lienna said softly.
�You�ll have to go through me if you want to eat him!� Mabel said bravely. She couldn�t get up though and her threat had no effect.
�Excellent.� Nyoka hissed.
�You�ll have to go through me too!� Lienna stated.
�And me.� Kin added.
�Wonderful! And thisss along with a sssservant to bring me my mealssss.� Nyoka looked joyous.
�Hey Nyoka! Look over here!� Zahn shouted.
Nyoka turned. She hissed in rage when she saw the sword. Zahn dashed forward. He struck Nyoka with the sword. She screamed and lashed her tail at Zahn. Zahn flew back and hit the wall, head first, but it was all the distraction Lienna needed.
Lienna pulled out Goldshan and charged forward. Nyoka opened her mouth and, much to Lienna�s surprise, spit fire at her. Lienna jumped to one side, tumbling a bit and knocking into the wall. She groaned as she heard a few of her ribs snap. Painfully, Lienna staggered to her feet. Logan and Kin were working hard to distract Nyoka. Nyoka was distracted, but not by Logan and Kin. Mabel wandering off in a daze distracted her.
Nyoka opened her mouth again, and this time she aimed her fire at Mabel. Lienna screamed and dropped Goldshan. She ran forward and knocked Mabel out of the way of the blazing flames.
Kin picked up Goldshan. It felt good to have her back in hand again. Kin charged for Nyoka. Nyoka turned at the last moment and breathed fire at Kin. Kin managed to jump out of the way, but not without getting slightly scorched. Kin lay on the ground, moaning. Goldshan lay a few feet away from her, totally unharmed by the fire.
Logan started across the room in the shadows. Nyoka didn�t notice him. She was busy spitting fire at Lienna. Mabel was in the corner, asleep amazingly and Lienna guessed she was very tired. Either that or unconscious. Then Lienna noticed Logan about to pick up Goldshan.
�Logan don�t!� Lienna yelled.
Nyoka turned, hissing and spiting fire. Lienna ran behind her, nearly tripping on Zahn. Logan moved quickly, dodging Nyoka�s fire blasts. Then Lienna had Goldshan in her hands. The weight felt comfortable and Lienna sighed.
Lienna turned. She slammed Goldshan�s blade down on Nyoka�s tail. Nyoka screamed and spun around, hissing and spiting fire. She clawed at Lienna blindly with her long nails. Lienna dodges as best she could, but she got a little singed and very bruised.
Nyoka�s huge tail slammed into Lienna�s side. She went sliding backwards into the wall again. She hit the back of her head and started to black out. Then she noticed Zahn, laying perfectly still, Kin on the ground moaning in agony and Logan holding Mabel in his arms, looking pale even in the dim light. It gave her the strength to climb to her feet and attack again.
Lienna took a few more hits, but Nyoka took more. It took all of Lienna�s energy to keep going. Then Nyoka�s tail wrapped around her and she dropped Goldshan. Nyoka lifted Lienna until she could look her in the face.
�You�ve been a very bad meal. I�ll have to eat you now.� Nyoka hissed.
�Aw come on. A sandwich is not a sandwich with out Mayonnaise.� Lienna joked. Nyoka looked at her, confused and Lienna just shrugged. She really didn�t know what she had meant by that.
Nyoka moved forward slowly. Then she suddenly hissed and dropped Lienna. She lifted part of her tail to see Goldshan stuck there. Lienna grabbed Goldshan and shoved it through Nyoka�s skull. Nyoka screamed in pain then fell to the ground. She wasn�t breathing at all, just lying totally still. Lienna sighed with relief.
�You did it!� Kin gasped. Lienna just nodded.
�Everyone okay?� Logan asked. Mabel was leaning on him.
�I�ve been better.� Lienna replied.
�A little toasted but none the worse for wear.� Kin grinned.
�I don�t feel good.� Mabel said.
�Zahn!� Lienna exclaimed suddenly.
Zahn lay on the ground, not far from where they stood. Lienna ran over to him and kneeled beside him. She took one of his gloved hands in hers and felt for a pulse. There was none.
�Is he�� Mabel began but she couldn�t finish.
Lienna just nodded. She couldn�t speak because she was afraid she would cry. She never cried over people. But�Zahn was different. He was someone who understood her. No one else could understand her.
�Lienna, what about what Asnee taught you?� Kin asked softly, referring to her handsome lightning element cousin.
�I don�t know�� Lienna�s voice trailed off.
Lienna sat, cross-legged and concentrated. Her eyes were closed and she could hear the breathing of her friends and the pounding of her own heart. Then, as if it were the easiest thing in the world, a lightning bolt ran through Lienna and then Zahn. Zahn jumped to his feet and Mabel and Logan stared in open mouth surprise.
�Ow! I feel like I got kicked in the ribs by a horse!� Zahn exclaimed.
�More like a mule�� Mabel murmured.
Lienna grinned. She jumped up and hugged Zahn, nearly knocking him off his feet. Zahn hugged her back, but when he saw Mabel and Logan grinning at them, her pushed her away and tried to regain some dignity. Lienna seem unfazed. Instead she picked up Goldshan and began skipping for the exit. Logan, supporting Mabel, Kin and Zahn trailing them all followed her.
�I feel like I could sing!� Lienna exclaimed. They were in the lost woods.
�Oh no! Spare us the torture!� Logan teased. She stuck her tongue out at him.
�I agree with Logan.� Mabel said.
�Oh! You!� Lienna stomped ahead.
�Lienna�s actually not so bad at singing.� Zahn stated. Mabel stared at him.
�Since when?� Mabel asked. �Lienna couldn�t sing to save her life.�
�Funny you say that.� Zahn said chuckling. �She saved me and her by singing.�
�You mean Dathymar?� Lienna asked.
�Yeah. Never thought you could sing a Dragon to sleep.� Zahn said.
�Who knew?� Lienna sighed. She was so tired.
They finally reached Kokiri Forest. Saria was there, obviously waiting for them. She was pacing. Lienna, Mabel and everyone else walked up to her.
�There you are!� Saria exclaimed. �You must get to Hyrule Field quickly!�
�What�s the matter?� Lienna asked.
�The Hylians and the Gerudos are at war!� Saria replied.
Lienna�s mouth dropped open. War? Oh no! She had totally forgotten about the problem with the Gerudos. Lienna, Zahn, Mabel, Logan and Kin all ran for Hyrule Field.
Chapter 9
Lienna�s heart was pounding. She skidded to a stop and hopped up on Thunder. She could hear war cries and metal on metal. She kicked Thunder forward, without even waiting for her friend. She pulled out Goldshan and charged at a Gerudo attacking an innocent peasant who had somehow got in the line of fire.
The blades clashed, sparks flying. Thunder whinnied happy to be doing what he was trained for. The stability of Lienna�s seat in her saddle and the special design made it easier for her. She hooked her foot around the Gerudo�s and sent her tumbling to the ground.
Zahn and Logan sat far tot he side of the fighting. They were obviously confused about whose side to fight for. Lienna sighed and almost got hit as a Gerudo attacked her. Lienna almost immediately recognized Aidan.
�Aidan!� Lienna exclaimed.
�Lienna? What are you doing here?� Aidan asked.
�I could ask you the same thing.� Lienna said. �What�s going on here?�
�I know you don�t understand Lienna, but I must fight for my people.� Aidan explained. �I�m sorry. I don�t wish to fight. But I must.�
Aidan turned his horse and trotted off. It was then that Lienna noticed faces she recognized. Cynda and Evin were actually fighting for the Hylians. Well they seemed to be, but then this whole thing was a mess. Sahara was fighting against a Hylian boy from Karkariko Village that Lienna and Thunder had beaten many times. Her father was off across the field, protecting her mother. As Lienna stared at the scene around her, she was horrified.
�Lienna!� That was Zahn�s voice.
Lienna turned to see a Gerudo guard she knew well. It was Kayssa. They had been friends for a long time. Kayssa had taught Lienna how to shoot arrows from horseback. How could Lienna fight her? Kayssa went to bring her sword down on Lienna. It was intercepted by Zahn�s sword. Lienna shook with fear and surprise at Zahn�s reaction to her attacker.
�Zahn! Stop it!� Lienna shouted. �Please!�
Zahn turned to look at her. His eyes went soft, but only for a moment. He put his sword away and turn to look at Kayssa. Kayssa just turned her horse and rode away, to attack another Hylian.
�Lienna�are you okay?� Zahn asked.
�No! Nothing�s okay!� Lienna exclaimed. �Can�t you see? These are our friends, not the enemy!�
�Lienna.� Zahn sighed. �They won�t listen to you. You know that.�
�I�ve got to try!� Lienna protested.
�Daddy!� someone shouted.
Lienna whipped Thunder around quickly. Mabel had been the one to yell out. Link was surrounded by Gerudos. They were holding swords to him and Zelda. Lienna was amazed when Mabel threw herself off of the back of Epona and jumped in between her father and the swords.
�Please don�t hurt my father!� Mabel begged.
�Out of the way girly!� One Gerudo sneered.
Lienna recognized her as Justa. Justa was known to be a bit evil in the way she thought. So she was the one who had started this!
�No!� Mabel cried. �How can you do this? We are friends!�
�We are enemies!� Justa snapped.
�Enemies!� Kayssa echoed.
�We are not enemies. We are friends!� Mabel said firmly. �How can you kill people like this? These people have families! People who love them!�
�I don�t care! We have always lived our way! We will not bow down to your way now!� Justa said.
�We are Gerudo! Not Hylian!� A Gerudo named Kissta said.
�That doesn�t matter! It�s not what you are but who you are!� Mabel protested.
Lienna could see that some of the Gerudo were beginning to listen to Mabel. Lienna swallowed her fear and doubts, dismounted Thunder, and stepped beside her sister.
�Mabel is right! Listen to her!� Lienna said. Mabel smiled at her and she smiled back.
�We are all the same!� Mabel began. �We all have ones we love, family and friends! We don�t need to be at war! We can get along! Living in peace is not as hard as you think! A simple compromise is all it takes! You don�t need to stop the way you live, just don�t steal as much!�
�She�s right.� Kayssa said softly.
�Yeah. We shouldn�t fight like this. We are�family.� Aidan added.
�No! You are under my command!� Justa yelled.
About twenty Gerudo were still on her side. Fighting broke out again between the Gerudos and the Hylians. The other Gerudo hung back, unsure of what to do. The whole time, Mabel refused to move out from in front of her father and mother.
�You�ll have to kill me first!� Mabel said firmly.
�So be it!� Justa exclaimed.
�Yeah�that is after you get past me.� Lienna said.
�And me.� Zahn added.
�Me too.� That was Kin.
�Don�t forget me!� Logan said.
�All of you then!� Justa sneered.
Justa raised her hand, palm out. The air swirled and collected. Then she shot an energy bolt at all of them. She managed to hit Zahn, Kin and Logan in one shot. Lienna jumped to one side, trying to distract her from Mabel and her parents.
�You child are most annoying!� Justa hissed at Lienna.
�Thank you. And you are most ugly.� Lienna said smartly.
�And you are so dead!� Justa screeched.
Justa was mad. She charged at Lienna, sword ready. Lienna froze; the overwhelming-ness of everything that had gone on was catching up with her. But Mabel reacted quickly. She jumped up on Epona�s back. She had an arrow in her hand.
Lienna tried to get her feet to move correctly, but they didn�t want to listen. Her whole body just wanted to collapse. Her vision blurred. Everything was going black. She couldn�t see Mabel or that she was approaching Justa at fast pace, with an arrow in her hand. She couldn�t feel much, everything was numb. All she could feel was�the wrongness.
�Die, brat!� Justa yelled.
Mabel rode up on her then. Justa whirled and brought her sword down. Mabel�s arrow was sliced through and the pieces fell to the ground. But Mabel refused to give up. She looked around frantically for a weapon.
�Mabel, catch!� Lienna shouted.
Goldshan�s jeweled scabbard was in Mabel�s hands before she even realized it. She pulled the blade out. It was glowing brightly. Justa moved forward and struck at Mabel. Golden sparks flew as the two blades clashed. Lienna knew Mabel had very little skill with a sword. But then, she had gotten secret lessons from the boys at Karkariko.
Justa made a wild swing and the blow landed. Mabel cried out as the sword�s blade sliced across her ribs. Lienna flared up with anger but it disappeared quickly from her weak state. Mabel turned Epona and slashed back at Justa angrily.
The shots were wild, so it surprised Lienna when one struck. Justa staggered backwards. Mabel frowned. Lienna knew what the problem was. She didn�t want to kill her. Well she didn�t need to, because Cynda and Evin grabbed Justa and tied her up.
�Mabel you did it!� Logan exclaimed. Mabel looked dazed.
�You little rascal! You took my fighting spirit somehow didn�t you?� Lienna teased.
�I don�t�I feel strange.� Mabel said.
�You�re tired. Trust me I know how you feel.� Lienna said.
�Ah Kids. Such boundless energy.� Zahn sighed wistfully. Lienna elbowed him in the ribs.
�Mabel! Lienna!� Their parents hugged them happily.
�You�re safe!� Zelda began to cry.
�Yes but a little scorched�Hey! I don�t get a hug?� Kin pouted.
�Oh�come here you scalawag!� Zelda laughed. She hugged Kin and Kin grinned at everyone.
�My burns hurt now, but at least I feel loved.� Kin joked. Everyone laughed. Kayssa cleared her throat. They all turned.
�We owe you a lot, Mabel.� Kayssa said. �We were killing our friends, and that is wrong.� The other Gerudo nodded solemnly in agreement.
�It-it was nothing.� Mabel said, blushing.
�Nothing?! You stopped a war! That�s something!� Lienna exclaimed. Mabel blushed even more.
�Come on everybody. Let�s lock this crazy up and then have something to eat. I know I�m hungry.� Link said.
�Hungry, tired, in pain, hungry, scorched and um�did I mention hungry?� Kin joked.
�I think I have a couple of broken ribs.� Lienna whined.
�You poor thing!� Link teased, hugging her.
�Ouch! Watch the ribs dad!� Lienna exclaimed.
�I have a headache.� Zahn grumbled.
�You oughtta. After everything you were thrown into!� Logan said.
�How about we all stop whining, get something to eat, a bath and then some sleep.� Mabel suggested.
�I like the sound of that!� Lienna agreed.
Everyone, including all the Gerudos and Hylians walked back to the castle. The horses were cared for, and dinner was made. Lienna ate until she thought she might explode. Mabel slept for three days straight and Lienna slept for four.
Epilogue
Lienna sat, running a brush through her hair. She must have been some where in the three hundreds. Mabel was also brushing her hair. Lienna shifted uncomfortably in her skirts and sighed. It was a few months since the war; the twin�s 12th birthday.
�Here Mabel.� Lienna handed Mabel a blue rose. She picked up one and tucked it behind her ear.
�Flowers?� Mabel questioned. Lienna nodded.
�Thunder has �em too. So we�ll match.� Lienna said. Mabel rolled her eyes.
�You two ready in there?� Zahn called from outside.
�Yeah.� Mabel called back, tucking the rose behind her ear.
Zahn opened the door. His mouth fell opened when he saw Lienna. Lienna was a tomboy big time but she was very beautiful. Her hair shimmered in the morning light.
�Who are you, and what did you do with Lienna?� Logan joked walking through the door. He smiled at Mabel and she smiled back.
�It�s me I�m afraid. I feel stupid.� Lienna said.
�You aren�t stupid. Trust me�a little crazy sometimes but not stupid.� Logan teased.
�Oh you!� Lienna exclaimed.
�Come on. Let�s go outside now.� Zahn said.
Logan offered his arm to Mabel. Mabel accepted, blushing. Lienna rolled her eyes and followed the two down stairs. Zahn trailed behind.
When they finally reached outside, Link, Zelda and all their friends were there. Lienna smiled and was tempted to sit down. Her ribs were finally healing. Kin couldn�t be there. She had taken Goldshan and left. Lienna missed Goldshan.
�Lienna, we should exchange gifts first.� Mabel said. Lienna nodded.
Mabel walked over to her father. She took something from him. It was a long thin package. Lienna eyes it curiously. Mabel handed it to her. Lienna opened it and gasped. It was a sword. The hilt was shaped into a dragon�s head. The mouth was opened and fire breathed down one side of the blade.
�Mabel! It�s beautiful!� Lienna exclaimed.
�I�m glad you like it.� Mabel said.
�I love it!� Lienna hugged her sister. �Your turn now.�
Lienna tied a blindfold over Mabel�s eyes. Mabel laughed when Lienna tickled her a bit. Lienna checked to make sure Mabel couldn�t see.
�Okay, Anlon.� Lienna said.
Mabel heard hooves clopping. Two sets of hooves. Lienna then took off the blindfold. Anlon and Majestic were leading a pure white horse. It was a mare, fairly tall with dark blue eyes and a creamy mane and tail. There were red roses entwined in the mare�s mane and tail.
�Mabel, meet Dreamaway.� Lienna said.
�Lienna�.how?� Mabel asked.
�Unlike you I save up my allowance.� Lienna said.
�She�s perfect.� Mabel said softly.
�Hey. Little Fox.� Gabriel called. He handed something to Lienna.
�All right!� Lienna exclaimed.
It was longbow, made out of fine, soft supple wood. It fit Lienna perfectly. Lienna grinned at Gabriel.
�You like it?� Gabriel asked.
�Yeah. Thanks.� Lienna replied.
�Oh dear! I think�.� Zelda�s voice trailed off.
�The baby?� Link asked worriedly. Zelda nodded. Link picked her up and headed towards the castle.
Lienna and Mabel both paced impatiently. It seemed like forever since their mom had gone into labor. Lienna prayed to the three golden goddesses that everything be all right. The door opened and Link burst out.
�Dad! Is everything okay? Is Mom okay? Is the baby okay?� Mabel asked frantically.
�Yes.� Link said, tiredly. �It�s a boy.�
�Yay!� Lienna yelled. �I�ve got a baby brother!�
Lienna turned and hugged Zahn. He looked down at her uncomfortably. Then he sighed and hugged her back, resting his head on top of hers. Link looked at them.
�What�s the boys name?� Mabel asked.
�Sarrow.� Link replied.
Zahn led Lienna out of the room and down to the stable while everyone was talking. Lienna followed, a little confused. Zahn pulled out a ring, shaped like ivy leaves. Lienna tilted her to one side, even more confused.
�This is a Teleportation ring. You go to where you are thinking of.� Zahn said. �If you ever want to see me, or need me for anything, just come looking.�
�Thanks Zahn.� Lienna said softly. �You know, when you were dead, I got really scared. You�re the only one who understands me.�
�Then you�ll come see me soon?� Zahn asked.
�Everyday if I could.� Lienna replied. She slid the ring on her finger.
�Good. I don�t know how well me and Logan will get along.� Zahn said.
�You�ll get along just fine.� Lienna assured him.
Zahn smiled. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Then her turned and walked out of the stables. Lienna had a feeling it wouldn�t be the last time she saw him. Lienna smiled. She had a very brave sister, a brand new brother, and an awesome new sword. What fun�Lienna grinned. She walked out of the barn as the sun began to set, as another adventure ended in Hyrule and the new one waited to dawn the next day.
The End�for now.
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