This is a drabble thing I wrote eons ago and decided to post here. Takes place in the Wind Waker-verse. Enjoy. (I don't own Legend of Zelda)

Growing Up

Link should be back pretty soon with Farore's Pearl.

The King thinks this as he patiently waits for Link's return outside of Forest Haven. Link has been gone for over two hours to fetch the pearl from the Great Deku Tree, but it seems that a detour had to have been made, as Link traveled off into the Dark Forest to rescue a little Kokiri named Macar. It seemed that only then would he get the pearl from the Tree.

He feels a little worried for the boy. After all, he is only a child and is off fighting dangerous battles, some of which could get him killed. But this was necissary in order to bring down Ganon once and for all.

Am I really doing the right thing in having a child prepare to fight against something like Ganon?

He has probably asked himself that question too many times. But Link was the only one that could do this, he has to be the one to acquire the Master Sword and defeat Ganon.

But...

I wonder if the only reason he's doing all of this is so that he can rescue his sister. After that...then what? What if he manages to rescue his sister ways off before fighting Ganon? Would he call it quits then, seeing that he had gotten what he wanted?

The King shakes his head of his thoughts. No, he wouldn't. Link's a good kid. He would want to get rid of Ganon if it meant bringing peace to the lands.

But the old King still can't help but feel like he's using the boy.

Link shouldn't be fighting monsters and trying to rescue his sister. He should be at home, playing games with his sister.

Link's just a kid, doing things that most adults have trouble doing.

Which includes saving the world, of all things.

Hurried footsteps start running toward him, jolting the King out of his thoughts. It's Link, and he looks really pleased.

"So you acquired the pearl?" the King asks.

Link smiles, nodding as he reaches into his pockets and pulls out a rather large, bright green pearl. It's almost a clear color, and the ocean around them seems to make the pearl sparkle in the light. The King watches as Link stares at it for a little bit longer, the pearl's glow almost reflecting in the boy's rather large eyes. The boy is utterly fascinated with the shiny object, same as when he had gotten Din's Pearl. He supposes it's a kid thing to be interested in things like that.

"Good work Link. Now we only have one pearl left." the King says, and he pauses for a second as he examines Link. There are a few holes in his green clothes and he notices a few scratches on the boy's arms and hands as well as one on his face. As the boy puts the pearl away, the King watches as he winces ever so slightly, as if he has a few bruises here and there. He wonders if the boy ran out of potions.

Link is looking at him with a curious expression, as if asking if there's something wrong. Link is indeed "a man of few words", so to speak.

"It's nothing. Now come on, our next destination is Greatfish Island." The King says. Link nods eagerly, climbing into the boat. As they set off, the King thinks that Link is becoming a man now, and that what the King is doing, putting Link in danger all the time, is right because it will benefit the greater good.

Growing up is painful.

He just wishes that he wasn't making Link grow up so soon.