Title: Rage of the Si'Frant

Author: Alex Foster

Feedback: Send any comments to

Category: Drama

Rating: PG

Summary: When an ancient cult looks to Link as a savior, he must find a way to deliver them to freedom without sacrificing their high ideals. Meanwhile, Zelda must decide between conscience and the laws that give Link discretion over who wishes on the Triforce.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Nintendo. No money is being made and no infringement is intended.

Author's Notes: This story makes several references to an earlier story of mine called Darkness Rising. Fortunately, you do not have to read that story to understand this one. Exposition is indeed an author's friend. Even without having read Darkness Rising, I am sure the readers will understand and hopefully enjoy this fic. Also, the format of this story is chapter-by-chapter rather than individual parts, and that is very different for me. Because of this, the chapters will be smaller than what I normally post, but hopefully the story will be of the same quality. If these notes haven't turned you away, there is an afterword at the end of chapter nine. Thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing your comments.

Dylan Thomas

"How many men did they kill?" Zelda asked as she stormed down the corridors of Hyrule Castle.

Around her, palace guards and members of the palace staff scrambled to keep up with her brisk stride. She was clad in a dark green dress made of the finest silk; the skirt billowed about her legs and narrowed at her waist, and silk in the design of leaves and vines crossed over each other along her bodice. On anyone else the dress would have been frilly, soft, a conceited statement on the weakness of womanhood, but Zelda wore it the way a soldier wore armor.

"None, ma'am," one of the guards around her said. "They didn't kill any."

"Please, Princess," another guard said, "let us secure the throne room before you enter."

"Has Link been notified?" Zelda asked, ignoring the young man's plea.

The guard that had spoke first pulled the hood of his chainmail shirt up and said, "Yes, ma'am."

Zelda rounded the last turn before arriving at the throne room, her accompaniment of guards trailing behind. The antechamber opened before her; the throne room was a long hall with high-set windows and skylights providing most of the light. In front of the raised dais was a roped off section for petitioners seeking an audience with the Princess of Hyrule. Normally messengers and members of the palace staff filled the room, but today palace guards took their places.

A legion of soldiers, easily a hundred strong, filled the room. The footsoldiers had their swords and pikes drawn and the archers stood in the wings with bows strung and arrows nocked. In the eye of the controlled storm of soldiers was a group of three men and two women.

"Make room for the Princess!" one of Zelda's guards called.

A ripple of worry passed through the assemblage, but they did not hesitate to open a path for Zelda. She marched through the throng with her head high, careful not to look directly at the group surrounded by her guards, and took up position in front of the throne.

It had only been little over a year since turmoil nearly destroyed all that Zelda had built. In the middle of a drought, a vile creature of magic called a Si'Ra had seized control of the throne and forced Zelda into hiding with Link. After learning the Si'Ra intended to invoke a prophecy to bring about the end of the world, she and the Knight of the Triforce had returned from Calatia and reclaimed the castle from the Si'Ra.

It had been over a year, but the members of the staff still worried about crossing their ruler again. A year ago, the palace guards would not have been so quick to allow her in the throne room with such dangerous guests.

Zelda cleared her throat. "I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule," she said to the group of people in the center of the guard assemblage. "State your business in my country. Now."

A man stepped forward from the group. Like the others around him, he was clad in a long gray tunic and held himself with an easy, adroit attitude. Compared to the others in his party, he seemed to be the oldest by a number of years. Deep wrinkles lined his face and his hair was thinning and completely gray. He spoke with a slow and measured tone. "My name is Pav, holder of the Criv, wearer of the Mik of Canor, and representative of the Si'Frant. I am honored to be allowed an audience, Princess Zelda."

"The kindness is not returned," Zelda said coolly. "State your business in my land, and then I shall decide whether or not to let my guards indulge themselves."

The Si'Ra had not come alone: he had come with a slave named Vox. Link later learned that Vox was a member of a community known as the Si'Frant. Fervently loyal, the Si'Frant were personal guards and servants to the Si'Ra. They followed the dark creatures with a religious like intensity.

Pav bowed slightly at the waist and did not look intimidated. "We are here to see one of your Knights of the Triforce," he said in an irritatingly placid tone.

Zelda nearly stumbled in surprise. One of her Knights? Didn't they know there was only one left in the world? What did they want with Link?

Before she could answer, a soft but authoritative voice from the back of the chamber said, "You have found one."

All eyes turned to the sound of the voice. Link stood confidently in the entranceway. Tall, lean, and clad in a simple red tunic and dark trousers, he wore an air of authority about him like a cloak. He wore the Master Sword at his waist; its finely tooled baldric over his right shoulder. Light shone proudly off the sword's winged hilt and joined Triforce symbol.

Zelda drew a deep breath when she saw him. She was at once relieved and afraid. Something about his presence never failed to calm something inside of her, but she now feared for his safety. Vox had nearly killed him a year ago in a desperate battle that had extended all the way to the roof of the castle.

His blue-eyed gaze met hers briefly, and then he looked to the Si'Frant. His unspoken message was clear: "I don't like you here with them."

"You have found me," he said again, and started marching down the promenade. Palace guards scrambled to make a path for him. "What do you want with the Knights?"

"You are a Knight?" Pav asked, surprised.

Link climbed to the first step leading to the dais and turned to face the Si'Frant. He was directly between Zelda and the Si'Frant. "That's right," he said. "I may not wear armor or any other sort of regalia, but my blood is from the old lines. I am the only Knight of the Triforce in Hyrule, the last anywhere."

Pav looked to his group then back to Link. "Forgive us for not being better prepared," he said. "Our condolences are with you and your country."

Zelda highly doubted their sincerity, but held her tongue.

"Thank you," Link said. "Now, what is your business with me?"

Pav tipped his head slightly in a show of respect. "Link, last Knight of the Triforce, I Pav, holder of the Criv, and wearer of the Mik of Canor, offer the loyalty and service of the Si'Frant to you. We are yours." As one, the collection of Si'Frant dropped to their knees and bowed their heads until they were touching the floor.

Slowly, Link turned to look at Zelda. His expression was one of astonishment. "Well," he said softly, "this is new."