It was a scarf.

An elegant, onyx scarf made from windflower silk, with stunning electric blue runes woven within. It was light and cool in his hands; fingering the soft folds felt like dipping his hands in water.

"It's for you, Link." His brother smiled down upon him, and ruffled his golden-brown hair. Link gave a toothy smile and enveloped him in a teddy bear hug. He buried his face in the mudstained tunic. Cookies, soil, and happiness, that was his brother smelled like. Link felt a snug kiss being pressed onto his forehead.

"Thank you. I love it." Link was overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling, like swallowing a sip of hot chocolate and feeling it spread throughout your body. He tightened his embrace. This felt like the last time his brother would hold him, but he supposed every hug felt like the last hug when his brother was so often away.

"Here. Why don't you put it in this box so it wouldn't get dirty? Also," His brother grabbed the wooden case and carefully folded the scarf. "it's really expensive, so don't just leave it outside or something."

"Are the runes magic?" Link asked, eyes wide in curious wonder and sweet innocence. He mushed the box against his chest, as if it was the most precious thing in the world.

His brother laughed softly. "Yes, the runes are sacred, but magic isn't real, Link."

The boy's eyes lowered in disappointment. "But you work at the temple. The priests can heal you with magic phrases." His brother's grip suddenly tightened at the mention of his work. The teenager turned away, so that the young boy would not see the cold scorn on his face.

"All they do is pray, Link. That's not magic. Miracles and magic no longer exist in this world."

Link cocked his head in disbelief. "But you used to say goodness creates magic. The priests are kind and noble, so they must have magic?"

His brother shifted and lowered his face till they were inches apart. "Remember this, brother." His breathing quickened and he seized Link's shoulders with trembling hands. "Reality is harsh and cruel, more than you expect. If you want anything done, you've got to do it yourself."

His grip on Link's shoulder was steely, and the young brother winced in pain. "L-lore, you're scaring me."

"Do you understand me, Link?" Lore whispered-screamed, and a tinge of desperation crept into his tone. It was something Link had never heard before.

"I understand." Link said, prying his brother's cold hands off his body. Lore shot him a look.

"Okay, I promise I will never forget. I will hang it on my bedroom wall. I will chant it every morning with my prayers." Link swore; glad to see his brother looking satisfied.

Lore gave him a soft smile, now back to his old laidback self. A delicate summer's breeze swept through their picnic spot. Link opened their basket of homemade cooking, taking an appreciative inhale of spices, herbs, and the scent of fresh picked flowers.

Aside from his brother's strange never before seen outburst, Link's day couldn't be better.

Lore smiled warmly down at him, handing him a slice of pie. "Look! Blessed Butterflies! Why don't you go catch some, Link? They make wishes come true." He said warmly, pointing at a sunny spot near the waterfall.

Without further ado, the young boy ran off laughing happily with his little bug net, leaving Lore sitting alone.

He gazed at Link fondly, chuckling when the boy managed to slip and fall into the water. Crimson birds chirped cheerfully, and a squirrel scurried across an oak branch.

Such a peaceful life, my brother lives.

Forking a mouthful of cherry pie in his mouth, Lore watched him with a heavy heart. This is what I fight to protect.

But what will happen when I am gone? What if one day, in some accident or another, Lore died and Link was left alone? Every job in their little village was taken, and the shopkeeper will kick him out on the streets if Lore did not pay the fee.

Perhaps the other citizens will take him in, to repay the debts they owed his parents.

The residents despised Lore for his profession, but loved Link dearly.

Lore dug into his cloth bag and pulled out an ornamented note. He smoothened the fine paper and read, for the hundredth time, what was to be his fate.

Lore Wanderlust,

the working boy at the South Wall has mysteriously disappeared.

You have been transferred to substitute his position.

The formal required script was short and informative, but there was a hurriedly written passage on the back.

Lore. I sincerely apologize for being so sudden. I hope you realize what your transfer means; the council was convinced that you were the most capable candidate available, and I could not convince them otherwise. They said that you were strong, young, and responsible, traits that are undeniable with how you fast you've been promoting. Why did you not follow my advice?! Obeying would have saved you. Enjoy your leave this time, for it is final.

Ronei Blazuabus

P.S. I will miss you dearly, my little rabbit.

The ink was stained in messy splotches, the imprint of his anguish when he first read the note.

Lore shuddered in icy disgust and burning fury.

How dare that filthy rich shit of a man assume he knew what it was like to be desperate?! How dare he write a note ridiculing him for being promoted?! It was salt in the wound. No, it was more than fucking salt. It was being dunked in potent acid after being beaten half to death.

Becoming head in a period of one year had drawn attention to himself, but it earned good money and kept his loved ones safe. Sweeping the yard, his first job, only earned a fraction of his current wage.

But now, because of my greed, everything is falling apart.

Being posted at the South Wall was a death sentence. As if he was stuck in a record, Lore started reading his doom letter again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

By the time Link came bounding back, Lore had memorized every line twice over, and his palms were moist with nerves. He could spot ashen clouds approaching on the far distance.

"Link, a storm is coming. We must go home." He had already packed the equipment, and now had the basket dangling from one arm. Link nodded and trailed after him as he followed the track out of the woods.

Unbeknownst to both, slitted gold eyes followed their every movement.


A/N: hello! thank you for clicking on my little fic here in the zelda fandom xD Yes, it's inspired by the new zelda game E3 trailer, where Link has long hair and looks like a BADASS. I try to update once in 10 days, so stick around! :) Read and Review pls