Chapter 1: An Appointment

"U-uh… wh-what time is it?" Link moaned as he lay on the bed, seeing the light seeping through his window. He rolled over to one side of his bed and pulled the blanket along with him.

"LIIIIIINK! TIME TO GET UP!"

"Yes, Grandpa. Right away."

He then sat up on his bed, looking to his left, then to his right. Everything was still a bit blurry, having opened his eyes after his deep slumber. He stretches up his arms and yawns. He takes a look at his clock by the bed.

"10:00? I was sleeping for THAT long? ..."

"…" Link closed his eyes for a moment. It seemed as though he was forgetting something, like there was something missing… 'Come on… it's at the back of my head…'

He hit his head to try and bring back what he forgot… "AAAAHH! NOW I REMEMBER! I'M DEAD!"

Link went down the stairs, not caring if he almost stumbled down. It seemed as though a train was after him. He ran through the living room which was tad messy and then to his Grandpa Smith.

Smith looked at the haggard boy. It was obvious that he panicked since his shirt was put in such a hurry, not to mention his hair and one of his ears were tucked in his hat carelessly. His boots were not worn properly in such a way that the other boot is a bit folded. His belt was not fastened either.

'Sigh, the poor boy. Lately, he's been oversleeping…' thought the sturdy old man.

Link and his grandfather settled down to eat. They had hot porridge for breakfast. It seemed like forever that he was just minding his business.

"Goodness, Link. I didn't know you had such a talent in eating! You could be a fire eater at this rate!" said Smith, laughing at Link's 30-second breakfast.

"Grampa, I gotta go! Zelda's gonna kill me!"

***

It was in a fair afternoon, after school was dismissed. Link and Zelda walked back to Hyrule Castle together. It was such a sweet moment, for Link was always the type to hang out with his other friends and Zelda was always fetched by her father though the school was near. But this time, Zelda must learn to walk home on her own. Link agreed to accompany her since they were childhood friends and all. Not only that, he doesn't want her to get hurt like all the other times she got kidnapped and got turned to stone.

"Say, Link?" Zelda stuttered as they were nearing the castle. It was majestic as it stood against the humbling sun. The fields all around were verdant, and the flowers were slowly taking their day's rest.

"Yes?" Link looked at her with such concern in his eyes. Zelda was slightly blushing when she turned to look at Link. There was a moment of silence between them, and the cherry petals of the surrounding trees were blown by the gentle wind.

"Link… thanks for taking me back home… I…" Zelda didn't know the words to say. 'Oh, no… I mustn't let him think that I have a crush on him…!'

"It's OK. Nothing to it!" said Link. As Zelda went inside her palace, Link followed her with a gaze. Her blonde hair drifted along with the wind as she waved him farewell. Link nodded. 'Haha, she's already learning how it is to be in the "real" world.'

He passed by the store in town to buy some dinner for he and his grandfather since it was getting dark and they didn't shop for groceries the day before.

As he was on his way home, he noticed a figure just sitting on one of the three seats of the swingset in the town's playground. He was far from the playground; he was already near the town's front gate, and the playground was situated near the school which was near the far east entrance. He couldn't make out the face, but it seemed to be a young boy his age. It was getting late; why wasn't he worrying about going home? His parents may be worried sick for it was dangerous for young people to be hanging out alone. He wanted to talk with the boy, but it was getting late. He didn't want his grandfather to worry about him.

Upon arriving home, his grandfather told him that Zelda relayed a message to him. Zelda told him to meet up with her tomorrow morning at the castle because she needed to say something important.

It was when he fully recalled last day's events that he dashed outside for his appointment. Finally, a moment to meet up with Zelda and he screws it up. That was a bummer. He went through the town like a bolt of lightning. He even beat the mailman's daily run around town.

Without further ado, he arrived at the castle with Zelda just waiting by the fountain. She seemed to be engrossed looking at the rippling water.

"Princess…" Zelda looked at the figure before her. He was panting so hard and almost fell to the ground. Link smiled in spite of this. "Hello there! Sorry I'm late…"

"It's OK."

"So what did you want to tell me?"

Zelda looked at the water again. It was so calm and at the same time, disturbed by the active wave. She looked up at Link again.

"Link, we're going on a vacation starting tomorrow."

She looks a bit sad…

'She doesn't seem to be taking this well…' thought Link as he looked at her sad eyes. He tried to think of some way to cheer her up. "Don't worry; I'm sure it'll be great! Imagine, seeing much more things than this everyday… um… town. Yeah, I'm sure it'll be great!"

Zelda didn't seem to light up in any way. He tried to cheer her up more, but…

"Link, you do know that only the royal guards will be left here, right?" That made sense, after all; it was only the king, the guards, and her residing in the castle. The only people she mingled with outside her home were her friends. Maybe that's what made her sad. Maybe it's because she'll miss all her friends…

The two decided to take a little stroll around town since all their things were packed up.

"I want to take a ride on that swing again, like we always did." said Zelda to Link. They both went to the playground. To their surprise, there were no kids in the playground.

"Oh, that's right! It's almost lunch time! Oh God, how late I woke up!" Link slapped his forehead in disbelief.

Upon going to the swingset, they noticed that there was a kid there. Just one kid hanging out in the playground. Just one kid, all alone.

'The kid from yesterday…. no…. IT COULDN'T BE!' Link was frozen stiff from where he was standing and just stared at the lonely boy.

Upon closer look, he was really around their age. He was Hylian, but he would stand out from a crowd because he was unlike all the other kids. He had long, soft lavender hair that stopped mid-way his waist, pale purplish skin, crimson eyes and a matching scar. He wore purple garments and a cloak. He was just there… lonely. Silent. Harmless. But other thoughts occurred in Link's mind.

'That guy… he's supposed to be under Ezlo's care now! He wasn't allowed to go out of his village!'

"Let's get out of here." said Link as he tugged Zelda's arm.

"What? Why?" Zelda was obviously confused.

"I can't believe you! Don't you see that guy?" said Link in a whispery voice, referring to the stranger.

"Just because he looks different doesn't mean he's a bad guy!"

'Oh, goodness! How forgetful can you be? He turned you to stone, for God's sake!'

"Oh, whatever. If it will make you happy, let's just go to other places, then." said Zelda in disappointment.

'I'm just trying to protect you here.' Link didn't say another word. He glared at the person sitting silently on one of the seats. The person looked nervous and shied away. 'Hmph, I just couldn't trust just anyone nowadays, especially that guy. Vaati… his name leaves a bad taste in my mouth…'