Disclaimer: I do not own anything from The Legend of Zelda games, cartoons, series or anything of the sort. All rights go to Nintendo and their respective creators.

Prologue

The Past of Ordon Village

"Be still, Link. We're almost there."

Rusl's words were breathless, yet reassuring, as we rode his horse through the burning houses of what used to be the Ordon Village. He had thrown a blanket over my head, as if to shield me from the sight of the chaos that was unraveling, but I could still smell it. I could still hear it, the crackling fire and the horrible scent of smoke, of burnt flesh. I gripped my blanket tighter when I heard a terrifying scream in the distance...it was a woman's shriek.

But then everything went still and quiet.

There were no more screams, no more crying...I did not dare to peek out of my blanket, but as I shut my eyes tightly, I could feel something inside me change, I didn't feel the same. I felt...dead.

I didn't know what had happened, all I was aware of was that I was playing out in the forest, trying to single-handedly catch a fish when a roaring sound came from the village. It didn't sound like the booming sound of trumpets when the Royal Family came to the village; it certainly did not sound like the explosion of the fireworks from the Kakariko Carnival. It sounded like a massive bomb had blown up just a feet away. I suddenly had a gut wrenching feeling that something was very wrong and I became aware that I was alone in the outside of the forests, with only a makeshift wooden spear in my hand, which I was using to try to capture fish in the nearby river.

A second explosion hit the village and I snapped out of my fright and ran as quick as I could to a rotten trunk of a tree, where I hid feeling terrified. I did not know how long I had to wait in there, but it felt safer to me. I closed my eyes and silently whispered prayers to the Great Goddess of Hyrule, Hylia. Something told me I needed to help my village, but I couldn't move. My legs felt heavy and my heart was increasing it's rate. My instinct yelled at me angrily for being a coward, but I was just a boy then. I knew I needed to do something, but I was too scared to face what that something was. I asked the goddess to help me decipher what I should do...Tell me, just tell me what I should do and I will do it...whatever it is you ask of me...

Almost immediately a soft voice whispered in my ear: "...See.".

It was all the motivation I needed to run out of my shelter and head towards the village, never minding the fear that surged through my bones. Ever since I was little I was taught the most important value I held to my heart: never break a promise. I had always obeyed the law of the prayers.

As soon as I stepped into the village, I became aware of the reality that was occurring. During those minutes I made sure I closed my heart, ears and sight to it, but as I looked around the village, I found the terror I had always tried to keep away from my nightmares. I did not have the time to take in the full sight, for Rusl appeared as if from nowhere and tried to snap me out from my reverie. It was enough time for me to observe what the contrast between what was black and red. There was fire everywhere, there were shadows of people sloped on the ground...lifeless. I could see burned bodies from cattle and goats. I saw living humans trying desperately to put out the fire that was burning their skin. I could hear infants crying and mothers trying to protect them. I saw blood, fire and a dark cloud of smoke spread throughout what I called home. I could hear screams and groaning, but soon all sounds were gone. I could only see the fire burning, but there was nothing left to burn.

Rusl grabbed me by my arms and turned me to him. He looked deeply into my eyes, as if trying to determine if I registered what was happening. Whatever he saw in my eyes made him call out to his horse, who came galloping heavily, rising ashes from the ground.

I did not know where Rusl was taking me, but I knew with him I was safe. He would take care of me like he always had. He had rescued me before, so it was no doubt that he would stop at nothing to keep me safe.

We rode for Din knows how long until I heard the voice of men telling Rusl to halt. I could feel the horse drop down it's speed and to a stop, but I did not dare to open my eyes. They had been closed since Rusl saddled me to his horse. I wrapped the blanket that I still had over my head even more tightly around myself and hugged Rusl even tighter. I did not understand the words of the men talking outside until one of them shouted:

"What is that you carry with you?"

Rusl threw over me a protective arm over my shoulders.

"It's a boy! I'm not aware if he's injured though, but he's under my supervision, he's my responsibility. Please, good sirs, I need to get him to safety!" Rusl shouted back to the men. His voice cracked and sounded short-winded. I became suddenly worried that maybe he was the one injured and I hadn't noticed.

I heard the men talk to each other and debate.

"It's a child? Men! At ease! We need to take these two to safety. Check them for injuries at once! Milo, take the man's horse and treat him too, in case it's also injured. Put him in the Town's stable. He'll be safe there." said one of the men. By the way he sounded, so authoritative, I inferred he was in charge of the men gathered there.

"Where should we take them, sir?" asked one of the men.

After a quick moment of deliberation, the man said: "Take them to the castle. The King will know what to do."

I felt someone besides Rusl grab me and stead me on the ground, but my legs were shaky and weak, and instantly I collapsed on the floor. Rusl shouted my name and proceeded to run to my side and put his arm under my shoulders; he pushed me against his side. "I'll walk him." he said to the men.

"Is he alright?" asked one of them. He had a squeaky voice and a small lisp.

"Link, are you alright?" Rusl asked me in a hushed voice, but I didn't want to talk. I was afraid I might explode screaming and shouting everything until I felt no more. I responded by holding onto his arm.

"...He's fine. You'll be alright eh, Link? You're okay...you're a brave boy, Link. You're so brave." he said quietly to me. I felt a sting in my eyes, as if tears were threatening to fall, but I held them back as hard as I could. This was not the time for breaking apart.

I still had my eyes closed, but from the movement across the road, I could feel they had situated us on the back of a carriage. I could hear horses galloping up front, but what I had noticed the most was that I could no longer smell smoke. I smelled...tulips. Flowers? Were we on the castle's grounds?

Rusl and the men, who I figured were guards of the castle, kept a steady conversation during the ride.

"What's your name?" asked one of the guards.

"I'm Rusl, this is Link. He's only seven..." he said while caressing the top of my head through the blanket. I kept my eyes shut.

"Is he your boy?"

"No. I found him lost in the forest a few years back when I was hunting. I think he was four by the time."

I heard the guard get closer to me, and I recoiled into Rusl.

"Hello, there Link. Don't be scared, we'll take good care of you here."

I remained quiet, but I mentally thanked him for his words.

"...he doesn't speak much, does he, Rusl?" said the guard.

"No, he never has."

"Is he...mute?"

"No, he isn't. He speaks when he needs to." answered Rusl with a hint of annoyance.

There was an uncomfortable silence for the next couple of seconds. The guard never spoke again.

"Rusl, sir. Do you have any idea what caused the attack to your village?" asked the guard with the squeaky voice. He sounded like a nice person, like someone who took his job seriously.

"I really hold no clue as to why this has happened. There was no threat during these past days. Everything seemed normal, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Me and some of the older men in the village kept watch every night for intruders, but there hasn't been a disturbance in years. At least, none that topped what happened tonight." said Rusl. The way he spoke seemed deep in thought, almost absentmindedly.

"Were there...did you happen to see any other survivors?" asked the guard warily.

"N-...I didn't notice."answered Rusl, tightening his grip on my shoulders.

There was an unspoken conversation between the guard and Rusl, but I had no intention of finding out what it consisted of. I wanted to shut off everything, my ears, my mouth, my smell, my mind... every sense. Where were the other villagers? There were more than 40 people living there. Elders, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, children, pets...what happened to all those people? There had to be other survivors. These people were family to me; they fed me when I hungrily wondered away from home, they allowed me to sleep in their beds if I was weary, they would ask for my assistance in any chore and offer a reward...These were really nice people...they deserved to live. Yet, I knew the probabilities were low. I just held on to the hope.

There were no other questions asked from the guards, but we arrived in less than a few minutes to the castle. I felt the carriage cease to a halt, and Rusl lead me out until I hit the ground with my feet. The soil felt soft, like grass. There were crickets chirping and I could hear a river close by. Was this the castle? It sounded so nice. I had always thought the castle was a mansion full of bricks and nothing else.

Rusl kept his right arm around my shoulders and led us through some metal gates that I heard open. The sound scared me, I tensed and shut my eyes forcefully. Rusl felt my reaction.

"Don't worry, Link. We're safe here. We're in the castle."

As if on cue, the gates closed dramatically behind us. I heard every sound of locks secure the gates, as if to really assure us of our safety.

I heard heavy footsteps in front of us and Rusl and I stopped walking.

"Sir Rusl, is it?" asked a deep masculine voice. I don't know why, but the sound of that voice immediately made me let out a breath I had not known I was holding in.

I felt Rusl kneel, so as a reaction to his movements, I knelt too.

"There's no need to do that, sir Rusl. There are more important things to care about." said the man's voice. "That goes for you too, child."

Rusl had told me once that we never kneeled for anyone, just for the royal family. So with a gulp, I acknowledged that this man was the King of Hyrule. He spoke to me directly, and as if I couldn't control it; I shot upright, standing up straight facing the voice. I wanted to open my eyes to see how the King looked, but I did not dare. The last images I had seen were so troubling that I never wanted to open them again.

"What an obedient boy." said the King with a light tone. "How old is he?"

"He is seven, your majesty." answered Rusl. He sounded nervous to me. That's odd, I thought.

"Ah, he's so young. The things he must have seen...this is terrible..." mused the King, but his tone changed. He sounded more aware, like a flame suddenly had lit in his mind.

"Your majesty...?" asked Rusl concerned.

"Forgive me. It's just...I have a daughter of my own, you see. She is only six years old. She's a handful but...I would not forgive myself if she ever encountered the things this brave boy has. I can only imagine the hurt he is feeling." said the King woefully. "I noticed he hasn't said a word...he has barely dared to uncover his face. Is he alright?" he asked.

"He is fine, my lord. He's never been one to speak much, but he hasn't dared to open his eyes since I found him in the village." said Rusl sadly.

"Did he...see?"

"...I believe so."

I didn't want to be here. I wanted to run off, somewhere dark...maybe a cave I could hide in for the rest of how long I lived. This conversation wasn't serving me well, it only made the images in my head burst alive.

I felt the heavy footsteps of the King walk in my direction and he crouched a feet away from me.

"His name?" he said, referring to Rusl.

"Link, my lord."

"Link..."

He put his heavy arm on my left shoulder. He felt like a big man, judging by the weight of his hand.

"Link. I do not know you. I do not know the things you have seen. I do not know the burden that is in your heart, but Link...I give you my word, I will take care of you. Never should you fear, for I will be here to guard you. The one thing I know is that you seem to not wish to ever behold sight again, but just as I promise to guard you, I also promise there are beautiful sights to lay your eyes upon, sights that are even enough to erase this memory. Now, take your time, but remember my words. I will be here for you." he said to me soothingly.

I felt the tears I was holding back begin to emerge from my eyes. I grabbed the blanket that still laid over my head and stiffened a sound.

The King removed his hand from my shoulder and gently patted my head. He stood up and addressed to Rusl.

"Sir Rusl. I see...there are things we need to look after with you. If Link doesn't mind, of course, I will ask my guards to escort you to the infirmary. You...must take care."

I didn't know what the King meant by this, but he sounded concerned again. I was worried that something was wrong, until Rusl crouched beside me, his right arm still around my shoulders.

"Will that be fine with you, Link? I promise I'll be with you first thing in the morning."

I shuddered involuntarily. I hadn't noticed it wasn't morning yet. How had all of this happened so fast? And why did Rusl have to go to the infirmary? Was he hurt?

As if he had read my thoughts, Rusl spoke to me peacefully: "I'm fine, Link. It's only a few scratches I have to get treated for. Remember what I always say, right Link? A gentleman always keeps his word."

I hesitated for a few seconds then nodded. Again, I wanted to open my eyes to see him, but I couldn't. It didn't matter if he had just a scratch, all I would see in him were the images of black and red.

"Hold on, Rusl. Can I ask a few quick questions before you leave? I won't take long."

"Your majesty, with all due respect, we asked him questions on the way here, but he did not witness anything." said the guard with the squeaky voice.

"With all due respect, dear knight Shad, my questions for Rusl are much different than yours. Their concerned deeper things that Rusl may be able to answer."

Klin, the guard, shuffled his feet and muttered an apology.

The King addressed me once again.

"Link, I will be back shortly. You will be left alone for a couple of minutes, but I'll come back for you. Guards, please close the door behind me."

With that, the King, Rusl and the guards walked away from where I was still left standing. The doors roared closed and I was left there alone, breathing the air of the castle by myself. I had the intense curiosity of knowing where I was standing...was this a hall? I could hear the echo when the King spoke, but I did not know which room this was. But yet, I kept my eyes closed. The King said I could take my time opening them...he said there were better things to behold...things enough to erase what I had already seen.

I was attentively aware of any sound other than what seemed to be a mist coming from outside. When did it start raining? But my thoughts were cut short when I heard some very small footsteps approaching me. I recoiled and shut my eyes as tight as I could. I did not want to see, no matter if what approached me was good or bad.

The footsteps seemed short and tentatively. They fell when they reached a few feet away from me, but I did not know in which direction.

"Hello there..."

W-what? The voice sounded so sweet and pure, like an ocean's breeze. I had never heard anything so peaceful. My already tense body instinctively slouched forward and I squeezed my brows. This sounded like a little girl. What was a girl doing running around in the castle at night?

"You're under there, I can see you." said the girl. What a sweet voice she had. I was breathing heavily, though I did not know if it was from fear or anxiousness.

"I overheard my father say something had happened in the Ordon Village...do you know anything about that?"

There was the name of my residence again. I tensed even more.

"...Are you okay?" the voice turned from curious to strongly concerned. I wanted to answer her, to tell her I was okay, but my throat was closed. It hurt to swallow.

"...you won't talk... I want to know if you're alright. Please...answer me..." I heard her take a step towards me. I wanted to move, but my feet failed me.

"...Can I take this blanket off your head, at least? I want to see how you are..if that's alright..." No, please don't, I wanted to tell her. I wanted to say many things, almost as much as I wanted to open my eyes to see who this little girl was.

She stepped closer, and I felt her hand reach the top of my head, but without actually touching me, she managed to grab a handful of the blanket I had on top. For the first time for what seemed days, I felt the cool air of the night slam against my face. I heard the soft fabric drop to the floor and the girl gasped.

"Y-...you're just a boy...I-..." she paused and gulped.

I frowned worriedly. I almost opened my eyes to see what she was seeing that caused her so much distress.

"-you're hurt!" she whispered softly.

I am? I asked myself. I didn't feel any injury, but I did not dare to question her, since she was the one looking at me.

I heard the ruffling of fabric and then felt something press against my cheekbone. I tried holding back the gasp that threatened to come out, mostly because whatever it was had hurt me. I hadn't noticed I was hurt. It stung me quite a bit.

"Its...just as small cut...you'll be okay..."said the girl in a low voice.

As soon as she started cleaning my wound, an unknowable feeling of peace washed over me. My heart slowed it's rate, my muscles relaxed a little more and I felt warmth over my face, ears and hands. The fabric she rubbed on my cheek smelled sweet, like caramel, and soft, like the scent of tulips. My body went from being recoiled to feeling unlaced in a matter of seconds.

Who was this girl? Why had she such an effect?

I did not care for the answer, but aside from the King's and guard's generosity, this girl had provided me something that I had not known I needed...comfort.

"My name is Zelda, by the way...I'm...I'm the King's only daughter."

Zelda... Princess Zelda...I remembered Rusl mentioning her name, but I had not known...Zelda...I had not opened my eyes still, but I felt incredibly attached to this girl. She was the princess, yet she sounded and felt so gentle and caring...she felt like...spring. And her voice...it entranced me. She made me feel like I was home...I wanted her to keep listening to her voice.

"...you don't have to talk or open your eyes...but you can trust me." said Zelda, sounding somewhat disappointed but understanding at the same time. She was still rubbing the small piece of fabric to my wound, which stung less now.

I exhaled deeply and recollected the King's words: there were things worth a glance. Might as well let it be the girl that had come unknowingly to my rescue.

I slowly opened my eyes, and I felt a slight pain in them as I got used to the light in the castle, but the pain was soon forgotten once I focused on the small frame of the girl standing a few paces in front of me.

Zelda...before I hadn't opened my eyes I had known about her that she was sweet and caring by the sound of her voice, but her face...She was pale in skin, with a slight blush in her cheeks. She seemed so...alive. Her long, dark blond hair was braided by her side and it shined with the castle's indoor lights. When my eyes reached hers, I suddenly forgot my curiosity for how the castle was built, or in what room we were located. We could have been in a cave, and the light Zelda discharged would've been just as strong to light the whole place. Her eyes were a bright grayish blue... a color I had never seen before. They were big and full of emotion. She gasped silently when I opened my eyes to her, but I could not see anything but her.

"...Link...m-my name's L-Link..." I tried to say, but my voice sounded so strange to my ears. It was so forced and coarse, like I was choking, but it seemed worth it when Zelda looked directly at my eyes and let out a small smile.

"Nice to meet you...Link." she whispered.

The King happened to be right. There were things that were meant to be beholden. I would never again close my eyes after gazing at Zelda. She made sight worth having.

A/N:So this is my first story ever written. I've been meaning to write a Zelink fanfic since...ever, but I hadn't the inspiration to actually finish it. I wanted to make the compromise and stick to this one! English is my second language, which I'm majoring in, but feel free to leave a WELL constructed criticism and review of what you think and let me know if I should write more. I'll be improving my writing skills as I go along, but the characters will stay the same.

This story isn't based off of any game or story line I did LOVE the design of Skyward Sword, mainly because they made Zelda seem real and not some secondary character that annoys you with having to rescue her...again. They made her likable like they did in OoT and at the beginning of MM. Zelda and Link actually held a bond in this game, which made it a whole lot more interesting. Hey, Nintendo even added a sweet little unspoken romance between the two, which I'm sure us Zelink shippers didn't mind AT ALL. Yes, I write in captions to emphasize my point, sort of a little inflection.

Well, that's enough for an A/N. Let me know what you think! But I will foreshadow a few things before ending: the story is rated M for a reason, so you know where I'm taking this but I'd like to develop a more profound relationship between them before suggesting anything else. There's plenty of action and adventure coming up, with a little bit of humor and angst. This first chapter was only an intro to the actual story, so you knew what was going on later! Hope you guys enjoyed!