Disclaimer: Usual, all Zelda-related characters are not mine. Pity.
Itzal
by Shylla
Prologue
What was only a few weeks seemed like months if not years. Link had defeated Ganondorf and with the help of the sages sealed him away into the Evil Realm, never to bother anyone ever again. At least, for the time being. Using her power, Zelda had sent them back in time, to those lost seven years, before all this chaos broke out, erasing every little trace of Ganon's presence and influences.
All of it?
Not all, for although Link was a ten year old boy again, his memories and experiences had branded him forever. And that was something not even the sages, not even Zelda could erase. But it didn't bother him much. He was already different from the other Kokiri and now he knew why. And it didn't sting either as it always did when the red-haired Kokiri leader pointed his finger at the young blond and called him an outsider. While in the old days, Link would have bursted and plunged into a terrible fist fight with Mido, nowadays he just grins stupidly and walks away.
Yes, he was an outsider. He didn't belong in the forest. But where else to go? He had no family and he surely couldn't go and live with one of his friends. The mountains are cold at night and hot during the day and the gorons snore far too loud for any other non-goron to sleep in peace. Link realized it when he one day decided to try it out. He still regrets that choice.
The desert was no option either. Living amongst so many women, even if they were fierce warriors and could teach him a lot of things, isn't exactly what a ten year old is looking for. Maybe if he was seventeen again... And they'd probably would try to make him king or something, so Nabooru suggested. Besides, after spending so long in the fresh and cool forest, going to live in a sandy desert isn't exactly a nice change.
Zora Domain wasn't even on his list. Although beautiful, it's wet and chilly and Ruto wouldn't give him a moment's peace. The only places that remain are the Ranch and the Castle Town.
Living on the ranch was a nice idea, he loved horses and Malon was there too. She was always cheerful and singing and it made things nice. But Talon would probably try to hook them up just like he tried before when they were older. That was probably the only time he thanked the Gods for Ganondorf's existance.
And the Castle Town? Too young. Link was still a child, even if he had lots of wits to him, but no one would truly take him serious. Not even in the castle. Only Zelda, of course. But she couldn't be much of a help either. Having to maintain their connection through the Triforce a secret also meant keeping most of their relation a secret. How would Zelda, princess of Hyrule, explain her acquaintance to a young forest child who wasn't even a forest child when she herself hardly left the castle and this child itself was truly never seen wandering around the castle before?
Things weren't easy for Link. Working at the castle as a stable boy or later become one of the knight's squire was a nice thought, but it was out of reach to him as long as he remained a child. And there was no way to proof his value either.
Sometimes, he wished that Zelda wouldn't have send him back. Sometimes, he wished he'd still be a seventeen year old youth who could show his value in all sorts of manners. Sometimes, he hated his life as it was now.
"Heeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!"
But other times, he loved it all just the way it was. And maybe should have been.
So, what do you think? I'm thrilled to write the next chapter! Please review!
On a side note: To the title: Itzal is Basque and means Shadow =3
