Prologue

"It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be."

–The Goblet of Fire

If you were ever to meet Rey Ryans you would think she was the most normal person as normal could be, but for all intents and purposes she wasn't, that is if you looked close enough. She wasn't extraordinary in the way of any super abilities. What made her so peculiar was an overwhelmingly positive outlook on life. You might think this quality naïve and so it might have been. But that isn't the point. The point is that Rey was different and different isn't always bad. Sometimes the most different people are the greatest. Obviously, for the fact that this story even exists is the overwhelming proof that what made Rey different made her great.

Rey lived a simple life in the bustling castle city. On the weekdays she would teach history to a sea of angsty teenagers at Farina high school and on the weekends she would spend her days huddled on the faded leather couch in her living room with a mug of piping peppermint hot chocolate while she graded homework and read of the numerous adventures of legendary heroes. She was content with her simple life. Once, a long time ago, she used to dream of going on one of those magical adventures that she read about in books, but now after growing up and facing the trials of life, she was satisfied to read about them instead of actually living them.

For some apparent reason, though the three goddesses that had once walked the kingdom of Hyrule had thought that the most mundane of people should be given one of the most abnormal things. When they looked down on her, instead of seeing a simple teacher they saw her for what she truly was: a kind woman who would do anything to protect those that she loved. And so they gave her one of their most precious treasures.

It was a cold winter day when Rey found that her life would change forever. She had just come back from the company of loud, screaming, smelly freshman who made her want to crawl into the fetal position in a corner and never see the light of day again. Still, to this day she never understood what freshman had against deodorant. She didn't think teaching students were bad though. Actually, she quite enjoyed it. She loved their creativity that hadn't yet been snuffed out by the world. She loved that they would say whatever came to mind without any filter, but most of all she loved their passion for the world. They were ready to take the world by storm with their crazy ideas. She wished that their passion would never be squashed but when you turned eighteen losing what made you creatively seemed to be part of the territory. It was because of this that made Rey love her job. She did everything she could to make sure they didn't lose that spark.

Her students loved her for it. She treated them like adults and ensured them that no idea was a stupid idea. They flourished under her wing and were put on the road to success. At least once a week the teacher would come to school to find a ripe apple on her desk. Rey would simply smile and bit into the crispness of the apple as if it were the best thing she had ever tasted.

It was these qualities that had gained the three goddesses attention. For years they had been searching for someone who would be up to the task of raising the next hero of Hyrule but to no avail. Rey was just the right person for this extraordinary job.

When Rey arrived at her meager house you can imagine the twenty-three-year-olds shock by what she found there. She blinked a few times not believing what she saw. But sure enough, it was still there. Wrapped in a tight bundle on her doorstep a baby slept oblivious to any trouble in life.

Her eyes went wide with terror. She feared for the small child that had been left in the January night. She ran to it picking it up in one swoop and clutched it close to herself.

She whipped her head all around scanning for the people that might have left him there. There was absolutely no one. She sighed, her body feeling numb and opened the door to go inside, but not before she saw a folded envelope on the concrete step. She grabbed it gingerly and walked into her Home.

Once she was inside she sat down on her couch, the baby still in her arms. She found herself shaking with anxiety as she opened the letter. She feared the baby in her arms and wondered why anyone would abandon their child. Sighing loudly she opened the letter.

Dear Rey,

If you're reading this then I must assume that I am dead or I wouldn't have left my child here willingly. I must apologize for burdening you with my son, but I didn't have any other choice. His life is in grave danger. Please do not think me cruel for leaving him. I wish I could never leave his side, but the circumstances around him mean that I must. There is a man hunting him who wants nothing more but to kill him before he becomes a man. That is why I had to send my beloved son to you. I cannot protect him any longer though, as his mother, I wish I could. I must ask you the hardest thing. Please take my Link and raise him as your own. Tell him nothing about how you found him. He must believe that he is nothing special. There will come a day when he will have to leave you to uncover who he is but until then watch him. He is the only hope our world will have to survive. Love him as I do and care for him since I cannot. Thank You beyond all words and may the goddesses bless you both.

Rey couldn't believe the words on the page. Although she told herself that it was crazy and she should take the baby to the police. She had the strange sensation in her heart that she should keep the baby and raise him as her own. Maybe it was because she always wanted a child, but then maybe it was because a woman that she had never even met entrusted her with something that was so important to her.

She looked down at the sleeping baby her eyes wide and smiled. Suddenly, the baby awoke revealing two sparkling blue eyes. He let out and high squeaked giggle and threw her hands up at her.

She smiled, falling instantly in love with the baby in her arms. The next day she went to the police explaining that she had found the baby. They said that they would take him into foster care but she refused, saying that he came to her for a reason. Six hours later, after a background check, Link had been adopted by Rey Ryans and started his life.

She walked over to the tall window in her house that overlooked the boisterous city below and reflected on this mysterious day. She had always felt like something was missing in her life and now, for the first time, she felt complete.