The cry of a baby could be heard in a little village. Esmon, a tiny village in the northern mountains.
Saira had just given birth to a baby boy. She smiled weakly as she held the small bundle in her arms. Labor had been harder than most. The child's father, Rowan, stood nearby, watching over mother and child.
"Link…" Saira whispered quietly. She smiled weakly once more and closed her eyes. Link began to wail once again. Rowan picked him up and kissed his dear wife. She was dead.
Earlier that day, there was a much happier occasion in a village about as large as Esmon. A wedding. Bo was married. To Arietta, the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He'd never been happier, and he didn't think he could possibly be. He was wrong, of course. A year later, Arietta gave birth to a baby girl, whom they named Ilia. Ilia, who loved to laugh and play. Ilia, whose laughter sounded as bells and brought joy to their hearts. Ilia, their sweet and precious daughter! She had a natural talent with animals, especially with horses. She also had a temper, obviously from her mother. She was the perfect daughter for them.
Ilia.
"Brother, please!"
Rowan sighed. "Please. You know I can't care for him anymore."
"You know well enough that I can't, either."
The conversation continued. Link strained to hear what his father and uncle were saying. It had something to do with him, he was sure. Why won't Daddy tell me? He thought. Aren't I old enough? I am six, now.
"Malden, please!"
He sighed. "Fine. I will care for Link. But he will live with me."
"Thank you, brother."
Link gasped. He was moving in with Uncle!? Tears filled his eyes as he thought about leaving his father. No. It's not fair. It's not fair at all!
Maybe Daddy thought that he was annoying. Maybe he wanted more to eat instead of dividing it with Link. Maybe-
Maybe his father didn't love him.
The thought hurt more than anything.
More than when he broke his arm.
More than when he hurt his ankle so badly it swelled up like a balloon.
More than when he got bit by a fox and the bite got infected.
More than anything. Anything at all.
But maybe-
Maybe it was true.
It wasn't. But Link didn't know that.
To him it was.
"Link, do you want to go to Uncle Malden's house today?"
Link shook his head. "No. I don't want to." Rowan looked at him, confused."I thought you liked going."
"I don't want to."
"But Uncle Malden is coming to pick you up today."
"No!" As soon as Link said this, there was a knock on the door. Rowan sighed. "Link, he's already here."
"No!" Link screamed and ran to his room. "Link!" Rowan called. He sighed and let his brother in.
"He's upset?"
"I've never seen him like this before."
"No kidding. Neither have I."
After many kicks and screams, the two brothers finally managed to get Link outside. He obviously wasn't happy, though. As Malden dragged him to the wagon, Link fought and kicked as he had earlier. He almost got away, too.
"Daddy!"
Rowan had to fight to hold back his tears.
"Daddy, I don't wanna go!"
"Please, Link! You must!"
"But-"
"You'll be better off with your Uncle. I can't care for you anymore." His voice was was hoarse.
As they drove he wagon away, he could still hear his precious son in the distance.
"Daddy!"
"Link, wake up. We're here. Ordon."
He groaned slightly as he woke. His throat was sore from shouting, and his cheeks stung slightly from crying so much.
"Come on, Link. Aren't you a big boy now?" Link groaned again and rolled over.
"Huh, I guess you're still just a baby, then?" At this comment, he jumped up.
"I am not a baby!" he said, annoyed.
"Ilia, look. It's a boy, and he looks like he's your age," a voice behind him said. Link turned around. There was a woman standing there, smiling. Who was Ilia? After further inspection, he saw a little girl standing behind the woman, almost completely covered by her mother's skirt.
"Come on, Ilia. He looks nice." The woman pushed to girl out from behind her. Ilia took one look at Link. Her eyes went wide and she scrambled back behind her mother. She sighed. "Ilia..." she turned to face Link. "I'm sorry about my daughter. She can be a little shy around boys, but once you get to know her, she can be very playful. My name is Arietta, but you can call me Ari." She held out her hand. Link took it and shook it lightly.
Maybe Ordon wasn't so bad...