Chap 1: Pure Normalcy

(A/N) Hello everyone! This is my very first fanfic! I do sincerely hope that it doesn't suck too badly, though I'm sure it's terrible and cliché filled. This takes place in a slight AU. In my version Link was sent back, despite Zelda's demise, through her final sentient (and spiritual) wish. Link and Saria have, ergo, been together since the age of 10, which puts their relationship at four years long. Which I'm sure is stupid. Well, I hope you enjoy. If you read Tolkien you may recognize my writing structure.

Italics means thoughts or someone is speaking sharply. It can also mean a flashback. Bold means an author's note, which I will seldom use. Underlined text implies importance. I am unlikely to remember that. Have fun!

The day started out normally enough. Link had a nightmare, which seemed common after he defeated Ganon. He couldn't think of a reason, though. Not one that made sense, anyway. He defeated everything had to, and some things he didn't, but a single creature seemed to haunt his dreams. He'd never get a good look at it. It'd always be a blurry, amorphous blob in the dead center of a dark room. It did nothing. It seemed content to do nothing, to just sit there and watch, learn, absorb. Just search for any information it could use against him. After this, for the umpteenth time, Link awoke, screaming, and covered in sweat, lying beside his closest friend (and girlfriend) Saria. She began to stir and, in an effort to silence him, punched him in his chest. "Sorry," he said. "It's okay," she replied sleepily.

Sunlight began to pour in through the window as Link strapped on his boots. Ever since the nightmares began all he could think about, besides Saria, was training, progressing past his master status in swordsmanship. He had ideas of why the nightmares began, his least favorite being the return of Ganon, his favorite being pent-up aggression. The others involved evil beings of lesser power than Ganon. Regardless, training was one of the only things he did, and it worried the only adult Kokiri, Saria. Saria was, of course, only an adult because Ganon killed Zelda, therefore acquiring the Triforce of Wisdom. When Link defeated Ganon he acquired Wisdom and Power. Instead of using it for a selfish reason he asked his very best friend, Saria, what she wanted most. Thus, Saria became a Hylian

He went through his whole move list, which, though short, was very effective. It included slashes, slices, stabs, sidesteps, rolls, backflips, kicks, and a counter system he invented (and intended to show people, some day). After about two hours of hard work, exercise, and practice he returned to his humble abode outside of Castle Town. As he opened the door a scent rushed past him. Link looked left into his kitchen to see a cooking Saria. "Smells delicious. What is it?" Link asked. "Deku berries and bacon," Saria replied. That sounded terrible to Link, but he was being polite, which was something he wasn't. "Link!" Navi screamed as she flew out of his hat. "How can you just lie like"- Link cut her off by cupping his hands around her. "A lazy bastard, I suppose, SHUT UP," Link said while shrugging. Navi was beginning to be something of a nuisance to Link. The problem was that she was close to his mind. Too close. She could read his thoughts, being that she was his fairy. However, she did leave, he did follow, and find her and that in and of itself is another story for another time. So, nuisance as she was, she was family. And so she remained.

Saria sighed and got back to cooking and Link sat on their sofa. He was getting rather comfortable when Saria placed his breakfast on his lap. Link chose to eat the berries first, seeing as how he lived by the "Save the best for last" code. Then Saria would have been the very last, Link thought. He was glad she was first though. His happiness would soon wear off, as he began putting each berry into his mouth, cringing as their juice exploded from them. These are WAY to sour to actually like, Link thought. Link glanced over at Saria, who merely popped them, one after one, into her mouth. She's used to them. Link supposed. Link heard Saria swallow, which almost made him do the opposite, and sigh. "Link?" Saria asked. Link turned, rather than simply asking what. Saria took her chance and pressed her lips to Links, which made him smile. They broke apart roughly seven seconds later. Link apologized for arguing with her last night, and Saria accepted. And that was that.

The day continued normally enough, save for a surprise appearance by Kaepora Gaebora. Link had, since his first encounter outside of the Kokiri Forest, learned to tune out reincarnated sages. It was an incredibly useful gift. The boredom did eventually get to him, though. Just be patient, he thought, he'll be gone soon. Eventually the owl asked "Would you like to hear that again?" to which our hero replied "No, for the love of Farore, no". And that was that (Love that phrase.). Saria sat in a chair, playing with her long, green hair, looking amused. Link shot her a glance that said 'What's so funny?' "You just get so pissed when that owl comes along. It's funny." She said, her face breaking from pent up hilarity. Link scoffed and walked back inside. He began ascending the stairs to their room, petting their dog, Fado, along the way. That dog was a story that can be told here.

Link and Saria were visiting Castle Town on "official business", which was a term they used to get alone time. Whilst walking the alleys to a store with groceries and miscellaneous items they came upon a man who was slowly bleeding out from a wound in his stomach. Beside him was his ever-loyal companion, the dog now known as Fado. Link noticed the man was suffering and, to ease his pain, played Zelda's Lullaby. The man fell into a sleep from which he never emerged.

Mind you, though, that Link is not a murderer. He merely noticed suffering and gave a means to end it. If anything he is a hero, which he already was, so the point is, logically, moot. If not for Links kind act the man would have died a slow and painful death. Link, being appointed Head Knight by the rightful heir to the throne King Daphnes Nohansen II, refused to allow his people to suffer. Link told Saria to take the pup home whilst he brought the murderer to justice. This may not exactly be the right term. That would imply that the man spent time in prison for his crimes, which he didn't. A brown and grainy prison, perhaps, but not a metal and stone prison.

Link went to the nearest tavern, which was curiously close by, and called out these words: "To the man known as Ron the Swift, I issue to you a duel!" The man came out, looking as a typical mugger would (tattered clothes, no shoes, etc.) Ron the Swift held a dagger in one hand and a bottle of ale in the other. He didn't know it'd be the last time he'd ever hold anything. Link drew his sword, the same sword he'd used in his Terminian adventures. I am speaking, of course, of the Gilded Sword. He flourished quickly before the man charged. One quick parry and the fight was over. Link had raised his sword up before the dagger reached his chest and kicked out. He then thrust his sword outward, which was coincidentally where the man's head had been. The blade went right through it and the man stiffened briefly before going limp. Link, in a final dishonor to Ron the Swift, spit on his corpse. "Good riddance," Link said sharply.

I have, against my better judgment, decided to cut this chapter up a bit. On paper it was about five pages, front and back. But the problem is I keep on adding information I don't see as pointless filler, such as character descriptions (for OC's, not ones we already know every detail about), location descriptions, little illegitimate author's notes, etc. That being said, my originally 700 word chapter has become something huge (though not nearly as huge as anything Dannondorf has ever written). I shall update in about five days. Please review, it let's me know whether or not I suck. It also lets me know if I rule, which I'd love to hear about. Until then, if there are no questions, I'm out. Peace