Author's Notes (A/N): A Legend of Zelda fic? Yep! This story is something that's been running around in my head repeatedly lately, the first chapter finally fell into place, and I was able to actually start writing it.
I should note, if it's not obvious by reading the story, that it takes place about 350 years after the events of Ocarina of Time. The Kokiri supposedly live rather long lives, thus I have them still around here, even though the Link and Zelda from that time have long since passed. I DO plan on having Zelda show up, along with Shiek, and of course Ganondorf. I mean, the story IS "Ganondorf's Return" after all...
Also, as far as Link having brown hair, I am aware that he's considered to be blonde, but it always looked more of a light brown to me, rather than blonde. And since this is a Link that doesn't appear in any games, it should be allowed that his appearance can be slightly different, shouldn't it?
One last note: I've given this an M rating because of the violence and gore that will be involved. After all, Stalfos and Redeads don't exactly scream G rating, do they? I'm not sure how far I'm going to take any relationships in this story yet, though I do intend to at least reference them, if not outright show them. That said, when the story begins, Link has never met Zelda or Shiek, so it'd be hard for them to have anything already going.
Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Zelda... by the way, why IS it Legend of ZELDA? Shouldn't be Legend of Link or Legend of Hyrule?
Chapter 1 - The Mayor's Request
As the birds sang and the wind caused leaves to rustle in the forest, he stood, patiently waiting for his target to appear. He'd seen a glimpse of it over an hour ago, across the clearing in which he now stood. When he spotted it, he'd taken the old bow off his back and notched an arrow into it, ready to do what he'd come to do. By the time he'd done so, however, his target had disappeared. He knew it was still nearby, now all he had to do was wait for it to show up again.
He was dressed in a green tunic with a green cap that covered part of his long brown hair. He appeared to be around twenty years of age, with long, pointed ears. His legs were bare, save for the knee-high wraps to protect him from thorns and thistles that made up the underbrush of the forest. The bow in his hand was very old, and appeared to be almost ready to fall apart. The string was already starting to rip and pull. He only had a couple arrows in the quiver on his back, and strapped to his waist were three large bags and a small knife.
As the young man continued watching, he suddenly spotted it. Across the clearing, a slight movement caught his eye. He raised his bow and pulled back on the arrow, ready to let it fly. Soon enough, the head of a deer poked out from behind a tree. The young buck took off running, and the man let his arrow fly. It struck true, hitting the buck in the neck. It immediately fell to the ground, but the man held his position, making sure that it stayed down. Finally satisfied, he put the bow back around his shoulder, and pulled out his knife as he walked toward the deer's carcass.
Unknown to him, he wasn't the only one in the forest today. In fact, as he'd been watching the deer, two others were watching him. The shorter one, a male child who looked to be no more than eight, with pointed ears, was dressed completely in green. His companion, a taller female who looked to be twelve, sported green hair, but otherwise was dressed similarly.
It was the male who spoke first. "You're sure it's him?"
His comment garnered a small giggle from his companion. "Mido, you've known me since we were born, and you still question my judgment?"
Mido blushed slightly at her words. "No, Saria. I just don't feel comfortable with the idea that some spoiled Hylian is going to save us all."
"His ancestor did once before."
"So you claim."
Approximately three hundred fifty years ago, a boy who lived among the Kokiri disappeared. A year later, he returned, telling tales of fighting a great evil and saving Hyrule by traveling to the future to destroy the monster. The Kokiri didn't believe him, except for Saria, who claimed that his actions had created a divergence in the time line. The boy eventually left, and though he occasionally returned to the Kokiri Village, his visits were never very long.
Saria smiled to Mido. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll have a part to play as well."
Mido scoffed slightly at his friend's banter. "He's older than the last one."
Saria nodded, sighing slightly. "Not all of them are kids when they are chose, Mido. Though, you're right, he's older than most are when they are called."
In the years since the time line was altered, Saria and others had researched the history of Hyrule and discovered that the bloodline of the hero and the princess are intricately linked, and that every few centuries the two would have to deal with a great evil that plagued Hyrule. Usually, the Princess and hero were teenagers, though the last time, they were only ten, and this time, apparently, they were in their twenties.
Mido sighed, and the two Kokiri resumed their silent watching who Saria claimed was the hero's descendent.
The young man had knelt next to the deer's body and cut into it, dissecting it. The three bags he'd had on his waist were now on the ground near him. In one bag was the flesh and other edible parts of the body. In the second were organs and items that couldn't be eaten. Most of those would be used for other things, including potion making. The third bag was getting bones, and eventually would also contain the skin of the animal once it was fully removed.
As the young man worked, another, older man approached him. The young man glanced back as he approached, but continued his work. "Sir."
"Hello, Link. I see you've managed to get a fine animal today."
"Thank you, sir." Link smiled slightly at the compliment. "Forgive me, but it's unusual for you to be in the forest. Is there something you wanted?"
"Actually, there is. I'm sure you know that Farron was supposed to leave this afternoon to deliver a package to the Royal Family for us."
"Yes, of course." Link continued his work as he spoke to the elder.
The man sighed and shifted uncomfortably. "Unfortunately, Farron has become ill. You are the only other rider capable of making the trip."
Link sighed as well, knowing what the man was asking. "You want me to take the package in her stead." He stood up and turned to the man, looking him over. "It must have taken a lot for you to swallow your pride enough to ask."
The man's face turned bright red as the scowl he'd had since the conversation began deepened. "If there was anyone else, I wouldn't ask you." The man was unable to hide the disgust and anger he felt toward the younger man any longer. "You are a disgrace to our village and our people."
Link scoffed at the older man's statement. "I don't live in your village, only near it. And as for your package..." He looked back at the deer, then to the man, before sighing. "I can be ready later this afternoon. But I want to finish this and speak to Farron first."
"Very well. You need to leave by four if you want to get to Darma by nightfall." The man turned and walked back the way he'd came, as Link turned his attention back to the deer.
A few hours passed by and Link finished with the deer, when sudden rustling behind him caused him to spin around, moving the knife to a defensive position. Spotting the two children, he relaxed, recognizing them, then turning back to his work. "I suppose you are here to admonish me for killing the deer."
"Is that what you think we do?" Mido's comment had a bit of an edge to it, as if daring Link to insult them.
"The Kokiri are the Children of the Forest, and the protectors of all that reside in it, aren't they?"
"This is true, but we acknowledge that Hyilians, along with most other races, do not live off of plants alone, that they use animals for meat... and other things." Saria's words were calmer, kinder, than her friend's.
Link nodded and closed up the bags, then gave the pair his full attention. "Is there something I can help you with, then?"
"Not really, young one. I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Saria." The young child held out her hand.
Link smiled and took it. "My name's Link. You're the Sage of the Kokiri?"
"You've heard of me." Saria actually seemed surprised by this.
"I have." He looked to Mido at this point. "Which would make you her bodyguard and the Kokiri's leader, correct?"
"I'm the Great Mido." The man acknowledged. Unlike Saria, he didn't offer his hand, though.
Link nodded and picked up the bags. "Well, it's good to meet you both. If you'll excuse me, I have things to do." He began to walk off but was stopped by Saria.
"If you're heading to Hyrule Castle, please be careful. On the plains of Hyrule Field, the undead have begun rising from their graves once again."
"How do you know that, if you've never left the forest?" Link glanced back at her.
"It's an ability I have. Be careful, Link." Saria smiled and bowed slightly to him, before they both turned and headed back into the forest, soon after completely disappearing among the trees. Link watched them leave, his mind trying to make sense of her words to him. Shaking his head, he decided to leave it alone and made his way to his home, a tree house that was not too far away.
As he approached his home, his horse whinnied in acknowledgment. "Hey, Epona." He sat the bags down in a basket and turned to pet her. "You ready to go for a ride later?" The mare whinnied and nodded, bringing a smile to the young man's face. "Good, I'll put these away and get what we need from the village, then we'll leave." Epona whinnied again and Link smiled, before climbing the ladder to a landing in front of his house.
Once there, he grabbed a nearby rope and pulled on it. The rope moved through a pulley system and caused the basket full of deer parts to rise up to the landing. Once it was high enough, Link tied the rope off, then pulled the basket onto the landing. Taking the bags from it, Link placed them in an area of the interior of his home. Once they were placed where he wanted them, he removed the bow and quiver, placing them on a shelf. Looking at his clothes, he decided to change. Finding the attire he wanted, he put it on. Now he had on a green shirt with white trimmings, a longer white shirt underneath, and loose-fitting white pants. Satisfied with his new look, he then grabbed his sheathed sword and placed it on his back, the hilt of the sword sticking up over his left shoulder. He also grabbed a small pouch and put it on his waist. Satisfied he had everything he needed, he left the house, climbing down and heading for the nearby village.
A/N: So, yeah, this is going to be an interesting story to write, since I'm taking known characters and putting them in an unknown time. At any rate, Link will speak to Farron next chapter, then leave for Darma. Also, the man who Link speaks to, if you haven't already figured it out, is the mayor of the village. He and Link have a bit of history and they don't like each other at all, which makes things a bit awkward for reasons that'll be shown in the next chapter.
I suppose I should note that the village that Link and the others currently are in is nestled in the forest between the Kokiri Village and Lake Hylia. Darma is near the edge of the forest, and Hyrule Castle Town is a two days' ride north from Darma. I will PROBABLY go to most, if not all, the places visited during Ocarina of Time, and I might reference Majora's Mask, I haven't decided on that yet.
As always, PLEASE leave a comment or review!
