Still getting used to this new thing-haven't really done this before so I thought I would give it a try now! This is my first fanfiction Wistful Thinking. I've been through the LoZ fanfiction world and have always wondered about the childhoods of both characters throughout. This will mainly be a story following Link and Zelda throughout their childhoods. Constructive criticism is welcomed! Enjoy!
Note: I do not own any of the Legend of Zelda universe or their characters. However, the ideas in this story are solely my own.
Chapter 1 - All Great Things Must Come to an End
Laughing as he danced through the local forest, Link quickly looked behind him to see Colin and Mido following relentlessly. Although Link had known both of them for what seemed like years, this was his first time playing with them in years. His father, Oren, was a member of the Royal Family's Guard. Due to the late queen's death, his presence was necessary to uphold order in the castle.
Panting as he broke through the tree line, he had almost made it to the their designated safe spot. Coincidently, said safe spot was one of Hylia's Goddess Statues which were present in almost all major villages and towns. Hateno Village, being a small and friendly town, welcomed the children. Children were a rarity, and the entire village was prepared to take up the job of raising them
Grinning triumphantly as he hugged the statue, Link looked back to see the adults smiling back humorously. Strangely, there was no sign of Colin or Mido. Scanning the village with precision, he slowly began walking towards the local inn. Searching thoroughly in several of their frequented hiding spaces, he shrugged and decided to head back to the statue. Surely they couldn't have gotten that lost… right?
The sun had already set by the time he made it back to the statue. He even couldn't remember the last time he had seen Ilia wandering through town. Usually, she would tag along with Link and the others. Today, she hadn't seemed to be anywhere. Deciding that they had already given up on Link and went home, he yawned and began walking towards his family's cozy cottage. As soon as he had started walking, the scream of children pierced the air like a siren. Link tore off running towards the forest, hoping his father or one of the other villages would be able to find him.
Colin lay trembling behind a felled log, the axe stubbornly sticking out. He and Mido had been wandering the woods searching for Link before stumbling upon several red and blue-things-wielding the village farming equipment. Colin had immediately started sprinting away, but not before he heard, and saw Mido get picked by the scruff of the supposed leader of the pack.
Link's legs ached with every step, but he knew that every second he took risked the lives of one of his friends. He crouched down and picked up a stray tree branch left off the forest floor and continued to pursue the crescendoing screams. Immediately, he saw Mido kicking and struggling against a large, bipedal, blue pig. He yelled out as he jumped and struck the thing in the back, but stumbled backwards as his makeshift weapon shattered in his hand. The pig unhandled Mido, but began making slow and methodical steps toward Link. Stumbling backwards, Link tripped on a small stone hidden under the leaves. As a last resort, he threw the rock and hit home. He immediately rushed forward and grabbed Mido and Colin while narrowly avoiding wild swings from the other brutes. And without a single glance backwards, they ran.
All three of them ran as fast as they could towards town. They could hear the thundering footsteps of three angry monsters pounding behind them and didn't waste time acknowledging them. As soon as they left the forest, several farmers, guards, and his own father rushed the humanoid pigs and quickly disposed of them before they caused any more harm. Being ushered into the hands of worried parents, Colin and Mido immediately began hastily and excitedly recalling their end of the stories. Link stood silent and stiff studying his shoes as his father returned from the skirmish. He motioned for Link to follow, and the pair silently traversed the worn path home.
As the door slammed shut, Link finally looked up. His father had his armor braced arm flat against the door with his head resting upon it. His father physically was eerily similar to Link, but was completely different in personality. While Link was carefree and restless, his father was the complete opposite. The picture of perfection, his father displayed the three virtues expected from a Knight of Hyrule, especially from the head of the Royal Guard. Courage, displayed with unflinching dedication towards their orders. Bravery, sacrificing their lives for the greater good of the country. Patience, with an everlasting temper to ensure calm, and collected decisions.
But now, his father's nerves were shot. Being the main source the King usually referred to, he was stuck between being the strong, unyielding commander leading his people and ensuring the safety of the Royal Family, and being the kind, patient friend the King required. As of now, the only outlet was here in his Hateno home.
"Link." He started, pacing around the small, 4 person table.
"Y-yes, father?" Link stuttered.
"For one week, I am allowed this gracious opportunity by the King to rest and recuperate. For one week, I am allowed to be the father of the child who's mother is dead." Taking a shaky breath, he finally stopped and looked Link in the eyes. Sharp piercing blue eyes stared at each other for what seemed like ages before their gazes broke. "Understand me Link, I would give everything—even my life—to ensure you had a happy and prosperous future. Everything to ensure that you would never have to see the terrible wars and battles that I myself have witnessed. Everything to ensure that your optimism and charismatic nature would not be shattered by the stench of death."
"Bu-" Link started.
"But that is no more." His father stopped.
"Today, at the ripe age of 5, you will learn the art of war." He said, looking similar to an elderly man who had just admitted defeat. "You will learn the sword, the lance, the spear, the bow" his voice steadily grew louder as he spoke each word, "you will learn pain, you will know hate, and you will know suffering." He stared fiercely back at Link. "Nothing that I say here today can prepare you for this cruel, cursed life of yours but fate knows not of age." He closed his eyes, "the only advice that I can give you to never show emotion. Not here, not now, and not later. Cruel as it might be, we are on the verge of another age old war against our concocted legends. If the guardians are not proof enough, our own princess will be in time." He stopped, "and you must learn to tread carefully, and to be cautious of where you place the trust of your heart." He snapped back to attention, and looked at Link impassively. "Go. Now. 10 days in the wilderness. You are allowed to pack a bow, 5 arrows, and a small dagger for protection. You must forage for your survival, my son."
Link immediately sprang up from his prone position and immediately threw his items into a pack. He turned around at the open door hesitating, but quickly realized the gravity of the situation and took off running outside. Little did he know, his father, letting loose tear after tear of agony, cried for the first time in almost 30 years.
Author's Note: Thanks for finishing the first chapter! It may not be the best, but I'm sure as heck proud of it. I was planning to update it whenever I could, possibly daily but weekly is a guarantee. Expect the chapters to be short and slow paced, still trying to work out how to write this. I've got a plot, but the beginning is still a blur for me. Until next time, see ya! For reference: Link is considered 5 years old in this first chapter, with Link's Father Oren being 35. This Oren has no affiliation with the Oren in A Link Between Worlds.