Chapter 1;

Before the Beginning

Everyone knows the story of the Hero of Time...the boy who trekked back and forth through time itself to save Hyrule from Ganondorf's grasp. However, not many know of his past...

The purpose of this story is to tell of his past...for no one is born a hero. When one is born, they are born as a person...no matter how great a quest fate has in store for them.

In this regard, we shall start just before the Hero of Time was born. Prepare to embark on a journey of smiles, frowns, and more...

He was a knight, and one of the best, for that matter. His name was Raven, and he was highly favored by the King.

Raven, his wife Robin, and her mother Josephine, all lived in a manor that was given to them by said king. But that is just a minor detail.

The major thing right now in life for Raven and Robin was they were soon going to be parents. And quite ready for it, they were...it took many attempts for Robin to get pregnant, so they were especially thankful for the child they would soon be receiving.

When Raven was not at the castle, performing his daily duties, he was right by his wife's side. Closer to Robin's due date, they decided they would come up with names for the child.

"If it is to be a girl, her name must be beautiful..." Robin pondered.

Raven nodded, "And if a boy, a strong name...hmm..."

"Why not Serenity, for a girl...and..." Josephine paused, "...for a boy, Sethe?"

"Ah, I like those names~" Robin smiled, "What do you think, dearest?" she turned to Raven.

Raven nodded once again, "They sound good to me. Thank you very much."

"Oh, do not mention it, child." Josephine laughed, "You know, those were the names your father and I had at first picked for you, Robin."

"Are they really? Why did you change it, then?" Robin asked.

"Well...when you were born, a sweet little robin flew into the room and perched itself on your cradle. We took it as a sign."

"I see." Robin continued to smile, "Though Serenity is quite the beautiful name, I do like Robin better for myself..."
Raven wrapped his arm over Robin's shoulder, "As do I, love."

"Oh, you." Robin giggled, leaning into his chest, "Always so charming. I hope if it is a boy, he is like you."

"And if a girl, I hope she is just like you."

"Ah, young love..." Josephine chuckled softly, "Silly children."

"Oh, you were like us once, and you know it, Mother." Robin beamed.

"Perhaps, perhaps."

Days came and went, and soon it was time...time for Raven and Robin to become parents at long last.

Raven was at the castle, performing his duties when Robin's water broke. Having always loved children dearly, she let village children play in their yard. She had Josephine ask one of the children outside to go find Raven and tell him of the news. The young girl agreed, and ran off to find him.

When she reached the castle, he was on his way home anyways.

"Sir, sir! Miss Josephine said to tell you that the baby is on the way!" the girl grinned up at him, "She said to tell you to bring the doctor with you as you came home!"

"What?" Raven exclaimed. He stopped dead in his tracks for a few seconds, then his face broke out into a grin, "Thank you little one! Tell her I'm on the way!" he dashed off to find the doctor.

The girl nodded and did as told.

Raven and the doctor, on Raven's horse, came quickly to the manor. They rushed inside and the doctor played his part in the play of life.

After hours of intense labor, the deed was done. The doctor stepped out of the bedroom, gently shutting the door behind him, "Sir Raven?"

Raven perked his head up at the sound of the doctor's voice. He had been asleep sitting up...it was half past 3 in the morning now.

"Your wife is well, and so is your new son." he smiled.

"A...a son...?" Raven took a few seconds to truly grasp what the doctor had just told him, "...a son...Thank you very much!" Raven smiled, a look of relief and joy on his face.

The doctor nodded, "I'm going to head home now. Have a good day."

"Oh, I most certainly will." Raven nodded his head to the doctor and went into the room, where Robin, Josephine, and the giggled boy were.

The boy was wrapped in an orange blanket...his hair was a beautiful, pure shade of blonde. He had not yet opened his eyes to view his world yet.

Robin, who had previously been smiling down at her little bundle shifted her gaze to her husband, "Come closer so you can see him. He won't bite." she said in a hushed voice. It was easy to tell just how tired she was from it, yet how happy at the same time.

Raven nodded and sat in a chair right next to the bed. He gently stroked his son's fine hair, "I can't believe it...we have a son..." he said, able to do nothing with his face other than just smile as big as he could.

Robin nodded, "Though...I don't think Sethe seems to suit him well...No offense, Mother."

"Non-taken." Josephine said, "I was thinking the same thing myself, to tell the truth."

"...Link." Raven said.

"Link?" Robin asked.

The little child's eyes opened a little at hearing the name spoken as he giggled again.

"He seems to like it." Robin smiled, "So...Link it is...would you like to hold him?"

Raven nodded, and Robin gave up the babe to her husband.

"Hello little one..." Raven said in a gentle murmur.

Being too young for proper greetings, Link reached at his father's ear, but alas, was too small to reach it.

Everyone laughed at this.

"He's such a little darling..." Robin sighed happily.

Though she said nothing, Josephine got a shiver down her spine...the feeling that this child would somehow become something great one day...that he would be remembered for centuries to come...

A while later, the sun rose, bringing light to this new day...a beautiful day, of the new life that would be Link's.

All the day, Raven stayed with his family...the knights of Hyrule took turns coming over to tell their leader and friend congratulations, and wish him the best with his new son. However, Raven's right hand man, Spearrow, did not come bringing such pleasantries.

"Raven...I come with bad news..." Spearrow said, once he managed to get him away from the women and child.

"What...?" Raven asked, "Why now of all times?"

"It is quite urgent...I overheard a large group of the people speaking to the king of getting out of the war between the Gorons and the Zoras...however, the King told them that he would continue to try to settle the dispute. They didn't seem happy...I heard them say that they were planning to kill the king to stop the war."

"What?" Raven rose to his feet.

Spearrow nodded, "They are planning to storm the castle one week from now...they are going to get as many as possible to aide them..."

"Did you see who it was who was planning this?" Raven asked.

Spearrow frowned and shook his head, "no...I could not see them...only hear. I'm sorry..."

Raven growled a little, "Did you tell the king...?"

"Yes...he told me to tell you, which is why I am here with such dreadful business."

"I...see..." Raven took his seat again, propping his arm on the table, and his head in his hand, "Thank you..."

"Oh, it is no trouble, really." Spearrow said, "well...I must leave now. I will see you later, alright?"

Raven nodded, "Yes...see you."

"Congratulations on your son." Spearrow smiled a little, "I hope he grows up healthily and happily."

"Thank you..." Raven said.

Spearrow nodded and left the manor, a smirk coming across his face as he walked away.

Spearrow was quite the deceitful man, and good at being as such. HE was the one in charge of arranging the attack on the king. He had his own selfish motives for doing so. He knew that if he got rid of the royal family, which consisted only of the king and the queen, and Raven, that HE would be selected to fill the throne. And that was definitely nothing to complain about.

Raven sighed, still sitting at the table.

"Is everything alright...?" Josephine asked, putting a hand delicately on his back.

"Hm?" Raven sat up a little, "Ah...yes..."

"What was that about, dear?" Robin asked, walking into the room, holding Link.

"Just politics." Raven smiled a little, "You are feeling well enough to walk...?"

Robin nodded, "Yes. No sense in lying in bed on such a beautiful day, and no excuse for it, either."

"Are you sure?" Raven laughed a little. Robin always was the type to bounce back quickly from things.

Robin nodded once again, "Besides, I thought Link might like to see a bit of the outside..."

"Indeed." Raven's smiled widened, Spearrow's words of caution leaving his mind as he stood, "Let's go for a walk."

Robin smiled, "Sounds good to me. Would you like that, Link?"

Link cooed in response, and they took it for a yes.

"I'll stay behind...you kids have fun." Josephine smiled and waved.

"We will~ See you in a while, mother!" Robin chirped, and off they went.

When the door was shut behind them, Josephine got another chill...this time, she felt as if something awful was going to happen...