Early morning sunshine came through the small window next to the bed. Link blinked his eyes before placing his left arm across his face. He wasn't even tired, but he could not pull himself off of the feather mattress. Without even moving he knew how the cold floor would feel against his feet. It must have been ten minutes before he managed to get into a sitting position and remind himself again to get curtains that would block out the sun.

Not much had changed in the hut since Link moved in two years ago. He kept the same basic furniture; a table, two chairs and a bed. The counter top was always empty and the only thing that consistently filled his shelves were dust. At the foot of his bed was a trunk. It was the only thing he brought with him when he came and it still was one of the few things that he actually owned.

Link plopped a chair that was already pulled out from the table, he couldn't remember a time he ever sat in the other one. He ran his fingers through his tangled mass of blond hair. Scissors and haircuts were also on his list of things to buy. Looking down at himself all he could see was the scrawny kid he had been when he came to this town.

Breakfast wasn't much of a meal for Link, one apple. The only piece of food still in the hut. Link kicked himself for eating all of the soup last night. It was in the morning that he needed energy. While munching on his apple he went about getting ready for the day. Same brown pants and blue shirt that he wore yesterday, with the same worn out black boots as always. New ones were also on the list.

When he finally stepped out the door it was already nine and he was running late. Link casually strolled down the narrow path that lead to the village. He loved being isolated in his own little plot of land as much as he hated it. Quickly he shook away his thoughts and tossed what was left of the apple core into the forest.

Ordon village only had five families living in it, all of which had been there since the founding. Each family had found their place in the town and things never changed. First thing on Link's to-do list was to stop by the Axort house and give Sibela a hand. Her husband had died years before and when Link moved to town she barely waited an hour before offering him a job.

"Good morning dearie!" Sibela was already in the barn when Link pulled open the door. "I have some extra chores for you to do later so I wanted to give you a hand with milking so I don't take the whole day from you." Link just gave her a sideways smile and grabbed a three legged stool and a bucket from the corner of the room. The Axort's only owned two cows and it normally took Link an hour to milk them both. He knew Sibela was lying, she just wanted to spend time with someone who appreciated her work. He kept his mouth shut and didn't spoil her fun.

Link's extra chores for the day were to bring both buckets of milk next door to the Seuhan General Store. Normally Sibela kept one bucket for herself and her daughter, only when money was tight would she sell both. Link thought back to the night before when she had sent him home with a jar full of soup. He had eaten it all right before flopping down in his bed. Now guilt gnawed at his stomach, had he know the Axort's were in trouble he would have left the soup with them.

"Good morning Mr. Seuhan!"

"Ahh, and a good morning to you too Mr. Link." The old man's eyes twinkled as Link lifted the two buckets and set them on the counter. "I remember when you could barely even lift up one of those." Blood rushed to Link's face and he quickly changed the subject.

"So that is fifty rupees for the milk?"

"And a little something extra for the delivery boy," he winked as he dropped an extra blue rupee into Link's palm.

"Thank you, sir." He clumsily muttered, the tip making his blush return. Turning quickly to leave the store he ran right into Calev Almed's chest.

Calev had been holding a large basket filled with cocoo eggs, which Link had sent flying. Shells and egg whites littered the floor, some even cracked over knickknacks in the store. Looking up Link saw Calev's face was bright red from anger. The man stood a whole head taller than Link and he was twice as wide.

"I am so sorry," he stepped back and put his arms in front of in in a sloppy defense.

"YOU JUST LOST ME TWENTY RUPEE'S BOY!" Calev's yell rattle the bottles on the shelves around them.

"I am so, so sorry."

"Sorry?! Is sorry going to feed my family dinner tonight?"

"No sir."

"That's what I thought. Now give me the money you owe me and I will gladly leave."

"B-b-but I…I don't have that kind of money."

"Oh? Did the kind Mr. Seuhan not just give you fifty rupees? That is more than enough." Before Link could protest Calev has holding him in the air by the back of his shirt while his free hand started to search Link for his wallet.

"Mr. Almed." A new voice cut through the store. Master Jhnonhu calmly stepped up to Calev. "Put the young man down and let us talk this out like sensible people, shall we?" The two men locked eyes before Calev dropped Link with no warning and turned on his heel.

"I don't want to talk to no outsiders," was all he mumbled as he slammed the door behind him.

Link was at a loss for words. He just stared up at the old man who rarely left his house. Even in such a small town Master Jhnonhu was a legend. He was rumored to be the last hylian alive who was around during a time of a hero. Some didn't believe it since the last hero lived over a hundred years before, but those who had seen the way the old man carried himself couldn't help but think he was hiding a secret.

"Thank you, Master." Link pulled himself to his feet and awkwardly bowed for the old man, who chuckled.

"I think you may have that backwards," The old man smiled and walked away, browsing the shelves. Link looked back at Mr. Seuhan, who shrugged his shoulders and made a motion with his hand that told Link it was time to leave.

Once he made it back to the Axort's house the cows were in the pasture and Sibela had gone inside. Her home was very similar to Link's except that it felt like a home. A pot was supported above the fire and an aroma of stew filled the room. Her daughter, Agitha, was sitting at the table with her arms crossed and an uninterested look on her face. Sibela hugged him as he walked him and ushered him into the chair next to Agitha.

"Would you please have lunch with us, dearie?" She placed a bowl in front of him before he could answer.

"Mr. Seuhan gave you five extra rupees because of quality," Link smiled up at the plump woman and gave her the money pouch he had with him.

"I will never understand how you sweet talk him so," Dropping the pouch into her pocket she returned to the fire to grab the pot of stew.

"I'll only have a little, I'm not that hungry today."

"Oh nonsense. You will eat whatever I give you, plus a jar of leftovers." She leaned into his ear and whispered, "I can't pay you until tomorrow, please accept some food." He nodded slightly so Agitha couldn't tell. "Well, I am going to check on the cows again, enjoy your lunches!"

Awkward silence filled the room once Sibela left. Agitha was sixteen and 5 years younger than Link and obsessed with being the first in her family to get out of Ordon Village. It was a point of contention between the two of them because she could never understand why Link was there. With her mother gone her arms uncrossed and she leaned closer to the blond next to her.

"I hear you are getting a lot stronger," She grabbed his bicep as she spoke, but he shook her off.

"I guess."

"Can't even accept a complement from a pretty girl?"

"Not when the only reason a pretty girl will talk to me is to get her out of her own life." His bright blue eyes searched her for a second, making sure his words didn't hurt her too much, before returning to his stew.

"Don't be silly. I see you as so much more than a ticket to freedom," she leaned even closer to him and he pushed his chair away from the table in an attempt to put the distance back. The brunette took her chance and stood up, grabbing his shoulders and straddled his lap. "I see a strong man, who can protect a poor fatherless girl like me. She did her best to look him in the eye, but Link continued to lean back and clenched his jaw.

"Please Aggy. Let me finish my lunch."

"It'll cost ya a kiss," she leaned her chest against his and tried to move his head so that she could get her lips to his. Every muscle in his body was tense. He wasn't a very big man, but feeling the way his muscles contracted had her convinced he could move a mountain if he wanted. Finally his neck gave way and he made eye contact. His stare was cold and she knew he wasn't really looking.

"Stop Aggy. You're too young to be doing this." Just like that he stood up, but as he did he placed his left arm around her back to make sure she didn't fall. "I am going home. Thank your mother for me."

"Yeah," She looked down and her shoulders slumped.

"Hey, Aggy Bean." He lifted her chin up, "I don't want to hurt you-"

"Too late." She cut him off and tried to give him a hateful stare but he could see the tears forming.

"This is for the best." His eyes softened and he swallowed, "At least for now." He grabbed the bottle of soup and walked out trying his best not to notice the hope that spread across her face. He sighed and hoped soon she would realize that it wasn't her. Link didn't have a future. At least not one that he could plan. He refused to drag anyone else down with him.