DISCLAIMER!!! The following includes a cut scene from Ocarina of Time.

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-Three years later-

The fire cackled as sparks popped from the dancing orange flames and floated through the darkness of the night sky. I followed them as they rose up and eventually burned out. Tears welled up in my eyes.

She's gone.

My mother's health had failed rapidly, and none of the doctors knew how to care for her. She had passed away the night before, and I was left alone. Her parents were knights, as was her brother, so she had a pretty wealthy funeral for someone living in Kakariko.

A man handed me a vase filled with her ashes. I took it from him and lifted the lid gingerly. "Good-bye," I whispered. I began to weep, replacing the lid and hugging the last remnants of her body close to me, my tears meeting the vase and causing it to shine from the light of the fire.

I must have dosed off, because I awoke covered in a blanket near the dying embers of the fire. My uncle sat next to me, staring at them wistfully. He glanced at me, and I could briefly catch the tears that stained his eyes before he turned back to gaze at the fire. Seeing that I was awake, he whispered, "Madeline, I'm going to tell you a story."

"What kind of story?" I asked, rubbing my eyes sleepily.

"Well..." He sighed. "I guess it's a story about a war."

I sat up and wrapped the blanket around my shoulders. "Once upon a time," he began, "when the land of Hyrule did not yet exist, there were three golden goddesses that descended upon this chaotic land. Din, the goddess of power, Farore, the goddess of courage, and Nayru, the goddess of wisdom. Din, with her strong, flaming arms, cultivated the land of chaos and created the red earth. Nayru poured out her wisdom and created law. Farore, with her rich soul, created all the life forms of whom would live and uphold the law. When their purpose had been fulfilled, they departed for the heavens, leaving behind a sacred relic known as the Triforce in the place in which they had departed. The three golden triangles, one representing each of the three goddesses, became the basis of Hyrule's providence. It now rests in what is known as the Sacred Realm."

"But, why are you telling me this?" I interrupted. Surely something so sacred to the kingdom of Hyrule would be kept a secret from the people.

Ignoring my question, he continued, "It is said that one with a pure heart who lays hands on the Triforce would receive its power. But if their heart is not pure, the Triforce would split, and they would obtain the piece that they most believe in."

"What happens to the other three?" I I asked, now a little intrigued.

"They are passed on to whomever's destiny it is to inherit one of the other pieces," he answered.

He sighed before continuing. "By the time when you were no more than a baby, there was an ancient tribe who sought to lay their hands on the sacred relic. Wars were fought over it, and the town of Hyrule Castle was set on fire." He stopped, glanced at me briefly, and then stared at his shoes as if he felt guilty. "Your parents...they didn't make it out."

"But my mother did. You said I was just a baby, and she lived to raise me."

"No, Madeline. She didn't." He shuffled awkwardly. "I'm...not your uncle. Margaret was not your mother. Your parents - your real parents..." He trailed off. "They died, Madeline. They died a long, long time ago."

I ran this information through my head. I thought of her face, her actions. Her hair was blond. Mine was brown. She was patient. I was spontaneous. She was down-to-earth. I was in the clouds. Could it be true?

I stood up, dropping the blanket onto the ground. "But...no. She would never lie to me..." I backed away from the man whom I did not know anymore. "She wouldn't..."

"She did, Madeline," he persisted. "I found you as I fled the town. She took you in as her own."

I backed up further and further away from the knight. My mind was racing with thoughts of betrayal. She never told me! I've always been alone!

I broke into a run. "Stop!" the knight yelled. I didn't listen. I untied Omaha's restraints and took off out of the village, wiping tears from my eyes.

My life is a lie.

I didn't know where I wanted to go. I rode off into the unknown, sobbing into Ohama's mane. He got tired after a while, so I slowed down, steering him into an opening of two ancient oak trees at the south portion of the kingdom. I could barely see Hyrule Castle, and a Peahat circled a patch of grass to my right, making loud, whipping noises and it flew. Their was a large log in front of me like an opening to someone's home, but I could see nothing but darkness inside.

I dismounted Omaha and sat down in the shadow of one of the trees, holding my head in my hands, sobbing. Maybe I overreacted a bit, my conscience whispered. Maybe I should go back.

No! My mind screamed. They lied to me!

Whatever, the voice answered. Maybe you'll listen to reason after living alone for a while.

Frustrated, I threw down my pouch and screamed at the top of my lungs. Leaning on the edge of one of the trees, I held my head in my hands, sliding slowly down the trunk.

I sat on a root of one of the trees and pulled out my ocarina. I can't even remember the title of the song, but I began to play.

A_ B A F A D_ B_, A_ B A F A D_ B_, A_ B A F_, A B A G E_

I heard rustling in the branches of the large tree. I jumped. Above me on one of the limbs was a huge brown owl. It looked down at me with its piercing yellow gaze before flying off.

Aaaahhhhwoooooo!

I bolted up. Night time! I hadn't noticed!

It was too late. As my fingers fumbled with my pouch, a Stalchild appeared in front of me and swiped at my face. I fell backward, hissing from the stinging cut. My ocarina rolled out of my hand. I glanced at the instrument and then at the skeleton. Its eyes glowed brightly as it approached me. I scooted back, reaching for the wooden instrument as two other Stalchildren approached me. I blinked, the blood splashing into my eyes as I looked for an escape route. The monsters closed in on me, closer...closer...closer...

"Hyah!"

The Stalchildren fell to pieces. I stared in shock as they dissolved into the ground.

A boy, no older than me, dressed in a green tunic and a long green cap stood with his small sword out in the skeletons' place. He glanced at me before sheathing his sword and turning away. He mounted a brown horse with a white mane. He tossed me a bottle filled with red liquid before he left. "Here!" he spoke.

I caught the bottle and popped open the cork. Health potion, I identified. "Thank y-" I began to say. I looked around. He was already gone. I slowly brought the red liquid to my lips. The sweet substance slid down my throat, feeling more and more thin as it entered my system. I instantly felt stronger. This must have cost a fortune, I thought, and I didn't even get a chance to thank him. I held the bottle close to my heart. 

Another debt I will never be able to repay.

.

-Omniscient POV-

The tall man sat with his arms folded neatly in his lap. Two witches hovered on their brooms in front of him. "We've found her, Lord Ganondorf," they announced simultaneously.

Lord Ganondorf smirked. "Good. And the boy?"

"He found her near the Kokiri Forest. She was playing an ocarina when she was attacked by the Stalchildren," one sister reported.

He chuckled. "Heh heh heh. Stupid girl. Did you see where he went?"

"He entered the forest on his horse. He must have wanted to say good-bye to his little friends," said the other. They both snickered.

"Very well. Follow the girl. Do to her as you wish. But I want her alive. And do not let her see you. This plan can not fail," he warned.

"We won't fail you, Lord Ganondorf," they answered. Together, they spun, teleporting back to Hyrule Field.

Ganondorf sat upright in his chair, a smile spreading slowly across his lips. "Come on, Hero of Time," he muttered. "Bring to me the Eye of Silver."