Author's Note: I do not own Zelda or the song One Tin Soldier. No profit is being made from this story, 'k? I've been wanting to write this for a long time. This is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives on September 11th--and to the men and women in uniform who are overseas fighting the war against terrorism. God bless.
Light from a gibbous moon reflected off of a freshly fallen layer of snow, bathing the stone walls of the Temple of Time in an eerie glow. Fierce, biting winds cut through the air like a knife; neither man nor beast dared roam the outside for fear of frostbite. Hardly anything, even the walls of the temple itself, could keep out the frozen breath of winter. But to those who waited within those walls, not even winter's chill could keep them from what needed to be done.
Defying all common sense, three intrepid figures trekked through the inhospitable weather toward the temple doors. One of them, a lanky, older man in less-than-adequate winter clothing had his arms tied behind him. The intense cold combined with the lack of warm apparel had all but halted any escape he may have attempted. Even if the cold weren't a factor, the fact that his captors were two of the Hylian Sages did not put the odds in his favor. As they reached the top of the temple steps, one of the two Sages reached out and struck the door twice with one fist. A low voice overflowing with the wisdom of age answered the knocking with but a single word.
"Enter."
The temple doors creaked open, allowing the harsh weather to invade the less-frigid inside. As the doors closed behind them, the two Sages practically threw the man onto the stone floor. Mere feet in front of him stood the Sage of Light, accompanied by the remaining Sages and the Hero of Time, all barely visible in the darkness.
"Where did you find him?" Rauru asked in a monotone voice.
"He was trying to hide just outside of my temple." One of the captors replied. "Any man in the desert sticks out like a sore thumb, so he wasn't too difficult to spot. Without his so-called loyal followers to protect him and do his bidding, he's little more than a puny coward. How pathetic!"
"It is you who are the pathetic ones." The man hissed, giving the Sage of Light a look of distaste. "To insult me by sending two women after me."
"You insult us by your mere existence, you insolent-" The other captor made to strike him.
"He isn't worth the effort, Impa." Came a low, surprisingly calm voice from nearby. Heavy footsteps reverberated through the cold chamber; distaste became anxiety as the prisoner suddenly found the forbidding form of the Sage of Fire towering over him. He reached down and grabbed the man's shoulders, jerking him to his feet and facing him toward the other Sages. "Rauru, you may take it from here." Darunia stated with a slight nod toward the Sage of Light.
"Very well." Rauru focused his attention on the lanky prisoner standing before him. "First of all, I suggest that you don't try anything. A Goron's fists are not to be contended with, nor is the power of the Sages. Any sudden movement, and you will find yourself dealing with powers you cannot possibly comprehend or defend against." The Sage of Light cleared his throat and exhaled. "That being said, let the trial begin. You understand the nature of the charges being brought against you?"
"I have done nothing wrong." Contempt practically dripped from the prisoner's words as a defiant sneer curled across his lips. "Every attack against the infidels is justified."
"You bastard!" Princess Ruto backhanded him; a small stream of blood began to trickle from one corner of his mouth. "The senseless murder of more than three thousand innocent men and women is hardly justifiable!"
"Ruto..." There was a dangerous edge to Rauru's voice; the Zora immediately backed off. Now even more infuriated than before, Rauru turned his attention back to the prisoner. The icy glare in his eyes pierced through every fiber of the man's being, causing him to unconsciously shudder. "You have confessed to this heinous crime--and you delight in it. I hereby declare you guilty as charged." He paused for a moment. "As for your punishment, it has been decided that you be given as much of a chance as you gave your victims on that fateful day."
All color drained from the man's face as the Hero of Time pulled a single light arrow from his quiver.
"Goodbye, bin Laden."
Link fired the arrow.
And a thunderous cheer arose from a beleaguered nation.
"Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
On the Judgment Day.
In the bloody morning after...
One Tin Soldier rides away."
- Coven, One Tin Soldier
