The Hero of the Wind

Link…Hero of the Wind! Rise forth and dive to the forgotten world!

"OI! LINK! WAKE UP!"

I groan and slowly open my eyes. I see a wood floor and sigh, dropping my head back down. Great, I've fallen asleep again. A seagull pecks my head forcing me to wake up. I yawn and stretch.

"Gosh, Aryll, can't a guy sleep?" I mutter.

I turn to see my little sister looking at me through her telescope.

"Y'know, you don't have to look through that. You DO have eyes…"

Aryll rolls her eyes and climbs up the last few steps of the ladder. "Brother, have you forgotten?"

I blink. "Wha? Forgotten?"

Aryll makes an exasperated noise. "Brother, today is your birthday!"

I widen my eyes. "It-it is? Oh, gosh…" I grin sheepishly and scratch my head.

Aryll gives me the Oh-I-Would-Of-Never-Known-You-Would-Forget-Your-Birthday-I'm-Being- Sarcastic-If-You-Can't-Tell look.

"Uh, anyways, Grandma needs you at the house. She has a present to give you!"

I groan. "Oh GREAT. I'm probably gonna get something lame again…"

Aryll smirks. "But you'll get to have some of her mean soup."

I widen my eyes. My grandma makes THE BEST soup around. It totally energizes you and makes you feel awesome. Plus it tastes amazing.

"Okay, I'll go." I run to the ladder and jump off. I hit the ground hard. Ow. Gosh, I really have to stop doing that. I once fell off when I was 6 and broke a leg. It sucked, let me tell you. At least I got an excuse to lie in bed all day.

Not wasting anytime, I beeline straight to my house.

xxx

"Grandma! I'm back!" I call. Our home is small but cozy. We have a big kitchen and a loft upstairs, where Grandma keeps a shield. She tells me it's an ancestor heirloom, but to me it's just a waste of space.

"I'm up on the loft Link."

I sigh and climb up the ladder.

Grandma is standing in the center of the room holding a bundle of green clothes. Oh great. I got CLOTHES. I groan inside my head and reluctantly walk over to her.

"I've been waiting for you. Link… try these on. Time flies… I can't believe you're old enough to wear these clothes." She hands me the bundle of green. I look at them.

"Uh, Grandma? Aren't these a bit…warm for this weather?" I hold the tunic up. I'm going to have to wear this? I'll be the laughing stock.

Grandma smiles. "Don't look so disappointed. Just try them on. Today is the day to celebrate! It is the day you become the same age as the young hero spoken in legends."

I look at her warily. "Do ALL 12 year olds have to wear this?"

Grandma chuckles. "You only have to wear them for one day. Don't look so down. Be proud, child!"

She takes a deep breath and I know what's coming. Another history lesson with Grandma.

"In the olden day, this is the day boys are finally considered to be men. They were taught the ways of the sword to prepare them for battle with their enemies."

I interrupt her for a second. "Then why don't we still do that? I want to slice some monster head."

Grandma looks irritated for a second. "Let me finish! Anyways, to answer your question, we don't live in such an age anymore. Our ways are the ways of peace."

"Damn. Why can't we be that cool?"

Grandma shoots me an angry look. "Language, young man!"

I bow my head. "Sorry…"

"Apology accepted. As I was saying… Nowadays, I suppose Orca is the only one on this island who still knows anything about swordplay. Does this all make sense to you?"

I give a forced nod.

"Now, try those clothes on."

I sigh. "Fine…" I jump down the loft and go in the corner to put on this….outfit. Goddess. This is going to be bad. I'll admit… I'm a TINY bit of a…fastonista? No, that's to girly of a word. Let's just dsay I pride myself in my cool outfits. I reluctantly remove my warm pajamas and put on the green tunic on. Oh Goddess. White. Tights. I cringe. There's even a hat…

I slowly climb the ladder, embarrassed. I feel like I'm wearing a Halloween costume.

Grandma claps her hands together with a small happy gasp. "Isn't that nice! They suit you perfectly! A perfect fit! It matches your green eyes!"

I glare. "Please don't rub it in."

Grandma laughs. "Well, tonight I'm going to invite the whole island over for your birthday party, so I'd better start getting ready, shouldn't I?" she says as the walks over t the ladder.

I smile. "Yeah, I can't wait! It'll be a ton of fun!"

Grandma smiles and starts down the ladder. "I'm going to make your favorite soup for you tonight! Mmmm!"

My mouth waters just at the thought. "I can't wait!" I help her down the ladder. The older she gets, the more Aryll and I get worried of her falling or getting hurt.

"Thank you Link. Now, go get Aryll, okay? She has something for you!"

I nod. "You're welcome, and I'll get her right away!" I run out the door.

xxx

"Hi Link! Happy Birthday!"

I turn to see Sue-Belle walking by, balancing a pot of water on her head. She's a master with those. Never dropped a single pot in her life.

"Hi Sue-Belle! Thank you! Are you coming to the party later?"

She grins. "I'd never miss it."

I start walking away when she grabs my shoulder.

"One last thing- when you see Aryll, tell her to meet me so I can teach her how to pick up pots. Oh and also, nice outfit." She giggles.

I roll my eyes, nod to her and start to make my way to Aryll's Lookout. I'm making my way across the bridge when-

"Hoy Link!"

Oh god it's Joel.

Joel is Abe and Roses' eldest son. He always carries a weird stick in his hand. He's cute, but like any other 6 year old boy, he's really annoying.

Joel looks up at me. "Uh, could you jump across those rocks and get those rupees? Please? If you can do it, you can keep the money! A birthday present!"

I sigh and give him a forced smile.

"Ok-aaay."

I jump across each rock, snagging a green, blue and a yellow rupee. Sweet! 16 rupees!

"WOAH! LINK! HOW DO YOU DO THAT?"

I jump back on the bridge and stand in front of him. "Do what?"

"Jump like that." He stares at me with wide eyes.

I grin and scratch my head. "Oh, Y'know… you're legs are so short. Wait 'til you're older, you'll be jumping all over the place." I give him a playful little punch. "Catch 'cha later kid."

I run down the bridge, eager to meet my sister and see what she has for me. God, this outfit is WAY too warm for this weather.

I climb up the ladder as fast as I can. Aryll is standing at the railing, looking out on the island. The flock of seagulls that always surround her fly off when I climb up the last rung.

"Hey Aryll, I'm here."

She turns and smiles.

"Ah! 'Hoy Big Brother! Did grandma make that outfit for you?"

I nod and cross my arms, sulking.

"But wow… You look like you'd be way to hot in those clothes…"

I glare at her. "Gee, thanks."

She giggles. "I guess they're pretty neat."

I give a sarcastic laugh. "Yeah right. I look like a character from a kid's story book."

I lean against the railing and stare into the sea. I close my eyes.

"Y'know what I've always wanted?"

I feel Aryll walk next to me and lean her arms against the railing as well.

"What?"

I smile and open my eyes. I point out into the horizon. "I want to see what's out there. I want to explore the seas, and find a new land. Then, I'll make a kingdom! With a castle and everything! And I'll be king!"

Aryll laughs and looks at me. "Aren't you a bit old to be dreaming about that kind of stuff?"

She turns her head and looks at the ocean.

"Seems far-fetched in my opinion."

She pauses.

"I have the same dream. I want to live with you and your new family. I'll always be with you. Maybe even grandma will come along!"

I laugh. "Yeah, I'd like that."

xxx

She looks at me again. "So, anyways Link… " She steps away from the railing.

"Can you... close your eyes and hold out your hand? Just for a second!"

"Okay," I shut my eyes and put out my hand, grinning. I feel something wooden and cylindrical get placed in my hand.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

I open my eyes to see my sister's beloved telescope in my hand. I look up confused. "Aw, thanks sis, but this is yours."

Aryll giggles. "I'm only lending it to you today, silly. Don't break it, 'kay?"

I smile. "Of course. Mind if I try it out?"

Aryll smiles brightly. "Okay, just don't drop it!

I put the telescope up to my eye and look around. There's my small old town, all cozy under the shade of the palm trees. I'm almost going to stop and go back to the house before I see something unusual. The Rito postman is freaking out in front of our mailbox.

"BROTHER! BROTHER, LOOK AT THE SKY! THE SKY!"

I look up fast and cry out in fear.

A huge bird is flying across the sky. I give another shout when I realize-

"ARYLL! IT HAS A GIRL! IT HAS A GIRL IN ITS CLAWS!"

I hear Aryll frantically shriek. I see cannonballs whizzing by and turn the telescope to see a PIRATE SHIP. A. Fucking. PIRATE. Ship. It fires cannon balls at the brute. One hits home on its beak, dropping the girl.

"ARYLL! SHE LANDED IN THE FAIRY WOODS!"

I remove the telescope from my eye. Aryll wails.

"Aah, this is BAD….!"

I grab her tiny fragile shoulders. "You stay here. I'll go get help. Do you hear me? STAY HERE!" I yell.

Aryll sobs. I think I frightened her. God dammit. Aryll looks at me with fear in her dark blue eyes.

"Big Brother, I think YOU have to save her."

I blink repeatedly and release her.

"What?! What do you mean ME? I'm just a lazy 12 year old islander! I'll get killed!"

A tear falls out of Aryll's eyes and I wipe it away with my sleeve.

"No one else is capable of doing so. Orca can give you a sword. Brother…" she grips my arm.

"If you don't save her… she'll die!"

I look into her glassy dark eyes.

"Orca will never let me do such a thing."

Aryll shoves me towards the ladder. "Just TRY!"

I look at her. She's a wreck.

"Fine." I say darkly. "Fine." I lower myself to the ground and stand for a second. I can't go in there. I'm a sarcastic, cocky, lazy, foul mouthed kid. I can't go into Fairy Woods. I'll die. I slam my fist on the ladder.

"Dammit!"

xxx

I run all the way to Orca's house. I slam open the door.

"ORCA! THIS IS AN EMERCENCY!"

I run over to him. Orca looks at me, worried.

"What is it, child?"

"A bird. A huge, bird. It had a girl in its claws. She fell in Fairy Woods! I…I've gotta saver her! She'll die! I need a sword!" I'm shaking.

Orca looks at me concerned. "Alright boy. I sense you are telling the truth. Very well. You must be very VERY careful with this. Understand?"

I nod. "I understand."

He takes a small blade down from a shelf. I grab it and feel Orca fasten it's sheath onto my back. Once he's done I slide it into place.

"Good luck Link."

I nod at him and run out the door. I run up the path to the bridge. I often spend my time here, on this huge rock, looking at the ocean. I sit on the edge of the cliff to calm myself down.

I feel horrible.I'm terrified. Nothing like this has ever happened here. And now I have to go in the woods, the very woods Grandma says monsters that would eat a kid like me live. What a birthday this has been. I put my face in my hands.

I feel the wind blow and I remove my hands, feeling the wind blow across my face. I take a deep breath and dry off my face. I have to do this. I HAVE to.

With a shuttering exhale, I raise myself up and run across the bridge and enter the woods.