Disclaimer-Unfortunately, I don't own Zelda, although it would be freakin' rad if I did!
Anyway, the first few chapters deal with Link as a child and then POOF! He'll be grown up and the story will continue…happy reading!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter 1-Birthday Surprise
Link hated being the center of attention. The boy snuck away quietly, hiding beneath an oversized wooden table covered with delicate white lace, a gift from some nobleman. He gazed around apprehensively from under the lace at the sea of faces, friends and relatives of his parents. His parents had always been known for their connections with the Royal Family of Hyrule and therefore threw lavish parties in their cottage by the river. They were good people and were very important in the government of the country. Link continued his visual search until he came upon his parents, who were speaking quietly to a heavy-set man in the corner. He had never liked the look of him, with his crooked nose that must have been broken several times to achieve the look, his eyes that glinted like black beetles beneath a mound of matted black hair, and the menacing snarl that always seemed to be set upon his lips. Link could barely make out the words they were speaking, but found that it was nothing of importance to him, something about a meeting with the King tomorrow. Their voices were quieter than usual…apparently their conversation wasn't one that everyone in the room should hear. His attention was suddenly torn away from his parents and the vistor as he heard a familiar voice.
"Greetings everyone!" exclaimed the welcoming voice from the entry hallas Link sprinted to meet the source. The men of the room rolled their eyes and continued their conversations as the women quickly fixed their hair as they noticed who it was.
"Uncle Martig! You finally arrived!" shouted Link, jumping up into his Uncle's welcoming arms. The man smiled. Martig was tall, with a handsome face that made women squeal with delight. His dazzling green eyes resembled the deep color of the near-by forest and his bright blonde hair fell to his broad shoulders. He removed his black velvet cloak and pulled a parcel out of it.
"My nephew! You know I would not miss your birthday!" he said, his voice deep like the pealing of church bells. He ruffled Link's blonde hair and handed him the parcel. The boy squealed with delight and frantically began pulling off the brown paper. At that moment, Link's parents entered the hall, along with the man they were speaking to in the other room.
"Martig! We are so glad you could arrive," declared his mother, brushing a rouge strand of blonde hair out of her face. She was Martig's twin. "Link would have been devastated without your presence!" Martig gave his sister a tight hug.
"I had to do some creative lying, Midala, but I managed to get here!" he released her and greeted Link's father, Arn.
"Arn, my man! You've put on a bit around the middle since I last saw you!" Arn chuckled and patted his stomach, his deep azure eyes glittering with humor.
"Well, my Midala's cooking is something else!" Midala blushed slightly and smiled as Arn put a hand around her slender waist.
"Martig? I don't know if you've met our friend," said Midala, gesturing to the man beside her. "His name is Haywin and is visiting from Calatia." Martig and Haywin exchanged a quick glance and forced handshake.
"Pleasure to meet you," mumbled Haywin, his black eyes glinting and his mouth turned up into his normal snarl.
"The pleasure is all mine," Martig's voice was no longer deep and welcoming. The two stared at each other, their bodies stiff and unmoving. Their attention to one another was broken by shouts of joy from Link.
"Wow, Uncle Martig! A sword! A real sword!" Arn's lip twitched and Midala gave an uncomfortable smile. Martig merely chuckled and patted Link on the head. He pulled another parcel from inside his cloak and handed it to Link, who squealed again.
"A sword is never complete without it's own scabbard. Now, why don't you go outside and practice those moves I taught you?" Arn cleared his throat.
" I think that perhaps Link is too young to have his own sword, especially one so large and elaborate. You spoil him, Martig."
"Arn, he's eight! He's practically a man!" At this statement, Link stood up taller and grinned at his parents.
"I didn't think that we were going to continue sword lessons with you…you're never around so I've been teaching him…" but Martig cut him off.
" Of course we're going to continue because I'll be living in Hyrule!" Arn and Midala gave each other nervous glances, Haywin glowered, and Link grinned. He looked around at the look on everyone's faces.
"Oh, come now!" he said, chuckling. "I know it's a bit of a surprise, but I wanted to be closer to my family and friends." Haywin grunted and stroked his beard.
"Something happened, didn't it?" Martig's brows furrowed as he stared nervously at Haywin, whose black eyes gazed calmly back.
"I had a slight disagreement with some people, but nothing to worry about. It'll blow over in a week!"
"Then why did you have to leave?" Haywin said, his voice filled with malice. Martig ignored this and turned back to Arn, Midala, and Link.
"I've come all this way and I would love to meet everyone! Come introduce me to your guests! Afterwards, I'll try out that new sword with you, Link." They left the entrance hall, Haywin following behind, shaking his head.