A Link Without Zelda [COMPLETE]

4. Link's Fortune

Link decided to take a break from Hidden Point. He mantled Epona, a horse that took to him when he first arrived. Little was accessible outside Hidden Point as it was under tight security in order to keep Adel safe. Now that that has been resolved, Hidden Point is much more accessible to other towns in Elrule. Since then, the lands have been much more lively and has expanded considerably.

Link gallops through Elule Trail, the rush he gets every time Epona speeds up makes him feel alive. He slows down when he sees people gathered around a small grove that has a market set up. He has never seen one here before so assume it is some pop up market which has become popular since peace was restored. He dismounts horse and secures her to a fence, though he knows she would never anyways.  He walks around, looking this way and that. A few games are set up, some shops selling knit knacks and food as well as some fortune tellers.

"Come here, child," he hears a voice. He doesn't think it has to do with him so he just ignores it as he eats skewered fish before he heads back home.

"Excuse me," the voice says again. Link looks at the person. It is a cloaked figure. Link can't really see their face but they look short and sound like they are elderly. Link points to himself and the hooded person nods their head.

"Yes?" says Link unamused.

"Would you care to get your fortune told?" they say.

Link glances at the table. There are two stacks of cards, three burning candles and some glass orb.

"I only charge a small fee, if you're interested." Link notices that no one else here seems to be interested in getting their fortune told by this teller.

"No thanks," he says laughing. He isn't interested in getting scammed and being made to look like a fool. He throws the stick that held his food aside and walks away.

"You are trying to get home, aren't you?"

Link stops a moment then walks back to her abruptly. "How the hell did you know that? Have you been stalking me?"

She lets out a soft cackle. "I know that because I am a fortune teller trying to make a living. I thought you would be impressed."

He laughs. "Everyone knows I'm trying to get home, so no I'm not overly impressed." He walks away again.

"It's been difficult for you. You continue traversing to the shrine. Same expectation, same outcome. Time and time again. What if I told you that these cards can show you how to break that cycle and ultimately, get the outcome you desire."

Link knows he shouldn't. He knows it's a scam. But still, he has been desperate to find any information at all.

Link walks back to her. "I'm not saying I believe you, but I will humor you."

She motions to the seat across from her and Link sits down. She reaches her hand across the table and waves her fingers, indicating she wants Link's hand. She takes both his hands and looks at his palms. Then she stares into his eyes. He stares back. While her face is concealed and shadowed by the hood, he notices her eyes have a certain softness and youthfulness to them. It doesn't seem to match what the rest of her.

"Yes," she says looking into his eyes and perhaps even a little deeper than that. "It is you," she says. "The boy who traversed dimensions to save the lands. The hero. This is not your home and you so desperately want to leave here not just to be home, but to be with her, hrm?"

"I didn't sit down for you to tell you what I already know. I want you to tell me how I can get home."

"Very well," she says. She lets go of his hands and lays down three cards. She flips the first over. "Do ye recognize this?"

Link's hairs stand on edge. "Yes. That's the Triforce."

"Tell me more about this relic." she says.

"The three triangles were created by the goddesses of Hyrule. They hold a lot of power. It was disastrous when they fell into the wrong hands."

"And what about this?" says the woman as she turns over the next card.

"A triangle? I don't know what a single triangle represents."

"I will tell you. It is the relic of our land here in Elrule. Well, I can't really call it a relic as no physical object has ever been found. It's only a symbol really."

Link studies the objects and shakes his head. "I don't know what all this is supposed to mean."

She sizes up the triangle. "Maybe I can help you," she says. She takes the card with a single triangle and rips the edges around the triangle. And passes it to Link. "Elrule was created from Hyrule, through the power of the goddesses. Whether or not they two worlds are accessible, they are connected. She takes Links wrist and gently maneuvers it along with the triangle. Link sizes up the upside down triangle and places it in the center of the Triforce. She claps her hands.

"Our symbol is the inverted force. Not too many people know this. Anyways, It came from the Triforce but was separated, therefore separating the lands. They don't teach that in the history classes," she says laughing.

"That's all fine but do you have an inkling as how I'm supposed to obtain this?"

The lady taps her fingers on the remaining card. Link forgot about it. He turns it over and his breathing becomes shallow and rapid when he sees what's on the other side. His hair stands on end when it reveals that the contents of the card is a picture of him.