Hey guys, this is revised chapter one. It is like one thousand times better so if you read the old chapter one you should definitely read this. I am hoping to redo all the chapters and then hopefully write some more. I am done with chapter two as well and should be uploading that at any time... Now, I'm sure you know this but I don't own Legend of Zelda or any of the characters. I mean, this wouldn't be a fanfiction if I did.
Chapter One
A sudden gust of wind blew through the boys golden hair as he gazed over the side of the ship. It had been so long since they had last been there, but the island still seemed the same as he had remembered. The shore was lined with small huts, the inhabitants' moseying along at their own pace, the lazy feeling in the air giving the island a sense of ease. He looked up the worn path just beyond the small village, memories suddenly flooding his mind of the countless times he had traveled it. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath, the air wafting from the island different from the ocean air, but still so familiar to him.
"Link", a voice called from behind him, snapping him out of his trance. Slowly he turned around glancing once more up the ancient path. He scanned the deck of the massive pirate ship for the source of the voice. The ship had served as him home for over a year now and he knew every inch. From the creaky deck above with the steering wheel, it's vast white sails, and towering crow's nest, to the dank but strangely comforting and homey feeling of the dimly lit rooms below deck, the ship seemed to him more familiar then any island ever could.
Finally his eyes rested on a young girl. Upon first glance she didn't seem the type to be on a menacing pirate ship, her blonde hair, olive skin, and petite form surely that of an innocent island native, but the crew knew better than to question her authority as the ship's captain. The boy couldn't help but smile when he saw her, a nervous feeling rising from his gut and up into his chest. He shook it off as he approached her, used to the fluttering feeling that seemed to spur within him every time he saw her.
"Tetra," he said softly approaching the young pirate as she wiped her forehead the red bandana she wore around her neck, sweat gleaming on the young girls face. He smiled as she turned to look at him, her ocean blue eyes holding the knowledge of a talented captain, but still retaining the spark of her youth.
"Thanks for all your help Link," she said a sarcastic tone lacing her voice as she put hands on her hips and began tapping her foot. "It's not like all this water was heavy or anything." She motioned towards the barrels her and the crew had loaded onto the ship from the island.
"Sorry," Link replied pushing some of his blonde hair back into his green cap, looking down to avoid her stare. "I guess I just sort of got…caught up." He glanced back up at her discreetly fearing her stern gaze, but found her looking out at the island. She turned back to him, her eyes softer, with an understanding grin forming on her impish face.
"Mercay," she said gazing back out at the lazy island, "I hadn't even noticed," her eyes swept through the village finally stopping on same worn path that had flooded Links mind with so many memories. "It's not still cursed, is it?" she asked, turning back to him, "The temple of the Ocean King, not since you and Linebeck defeated Bellum?" Link shook his head in reply, suddenly emerged in nostalgia at the mention of his old friend's name. "I can't believe it's been a year since that whole incident." Tetra continued her eyes searching the tree tops for a glimpse of the ancient temple deep in the island.
"I know," Link agreed, "when I think about it, it seems like it happened just last week." He pushed himself away from the ships railing and turned to Tetra with a smile, "but that's enough reminiscing, we'd better set sail before dark Captain" He chuckled mock saluting her and motioning towards the setting sun. Tetra nodded with a slight grin, suddenly swerving to face the crew who were just loading the last barrel.
"Alright crew report to your duties, we're shoving off," the whole crew snapped to attention at the sound of her voice. "Say goodbye to dry land boys, you won't be seeing it for a while." She began to make her way up the creaky wooden steps to the wheel, but stopped when a large burly man in a green shirt, a red bandana covering his head cried out.
"But miss," he whined, his husky voice whimpering as he walked towards her, cowering as if at any moment she would pounce, "look at the sky." He pointed towards the left of the ship at the horizon. A menacing black cloud loomed in the sky, lightning striking the far off water. "That storm can't be more than half an hour away, if we leave now we'll surely get caught in it." She sighed and turned towards the rest of her pirate crew, all six of them leaning forward in anticipation of her command.
"Gonzo's right," she sighed turning away from them, "we just had the ship repaired. It would be pointless and stupid to sail out now." The crew let out a celebratory shout, but it was cut short as Tetra snapped back towards them. "But that doesn't mean you can slack off," she barked, "There is still plenty of work to do around this ship. You've been getting lazy and I'm not hard enough on you. Niko, go below deck and scrub those floors until they shine; Zuko, check on our inventory, I want a list of everything we have, Senza…" but she was cut short as Link rested his hand on her shoulder. She jumped at his touch, her first instinct to shake his hand off, but she fought off the urge as another more powerful one immerged. It seemed to be a soft warm feeling deep within her chest, but at the same time she felt cold.
"Tetra, come on." He a soft smile forming on his face as he motioned to the crestfallen pirates, their eyes fixed on the ground. "We've been sailing nonstop for a month, they deserve a break." She tapped her foot attempting to cure herself of the strange feeling still welling inside her, "and so do you," he added looking into her eyes as she turned to face him. She looked into his green eyes momentarily memorized, but quickly turned away, embarrassed by her feelings and turned towards the pirates, still anticipating a response. The crew had been loyal to her ever since the day her mother died and she had to take over the ship herself, and even though they frustrated her to no end, she loved them, they were her family. They'd been there for as long as she could remember and she would do anything for them.
Finally she turned away from them, her hands finding their comfortable spot on her hips, "alright fine," she surrendered, "you can have your fun, but we are leaving first thing tomorrow, no excuses!" The crew shouted victoriously and ran off the ship towards the small islands milk bar. "You're slowly turning me soft Link," she sighed leaning her back against the rail beside him after the noise of the rowdy pirates had been contained within the islands small bar. "I'm just waiting for the day they stop listening to me altogether."
Link laughed, "There's nothing I can do to make you less scary Tetra." She shot him a cold look, one achieved through years of practice on her unruly crew. "See," he added his point proven, "they'll never stop listening to you. That face could shatter bones." He chuckled as she turned to face the island once more and sighed, lost again in memories of the place.
"I still can't believe this is where we landed," she sighed looking at the small village, "I let Senza choose where we docked, and out of all the islands in the sea he chose this one." She pushed back her golden bangs, the wind carrying the longer strands of hair not kept her bun into her eyes. Link glanced towards her, the strange feeling returning to his chest. He had been with her every day for the past year, yet every time he saw her, her dark skin, pale golden hair, and deep blue eyes, he was always taken aback by her exotic beauty.
He became so lost in his thoughts as he looked; now full on, at the pirate, he didn't notice that she was now staring at him. He swiveled towards the island, his emerald eyes focusing on the water below. His face felt hot from embarrassment and he was sure it was bright red.
"I uh…" he mumbled attempting to cover his actions, he quickly glanced over and saw that she too was looking into the water a scarlet patch barely visible on her tan face.
"W-why don't we go to the milk bar," Tetra said, looking over at him breaking through the tension between them and shaking the embarrassment from her own face. "I think we both need a rest as much as the crew." Link nodded, afraid that if he spoke it would be nothing but stammers. "Good, because that's an order" she smirked taking his hand and pulling him towards the island, "and you didn't have a choice."
"Miss Tetra!" There was a chorus of cheers as the pair walked into the bar. The two took a seat at the long bar and Link ordered two glasses of milk.
"You're going to join us?" said a small squirrelly pirate with glasses almost as large as his face as he downed another glass of milk, a large book resting in his lap.
"If anyone deserves a break it's Link and me, Mako." She replied leaning back and stretching her arms in the air. "You have no idea how hard it is to keep track of the lot of you. You're like a bunch of babies, I constantly have to watch…" a loud crash interrupted her, as the dartboard that had been hanging by the door fell to the ground. "Niko!" the girl shouted jumping up and rushing across the room to apprehend the small bucktooth pirate.
Link watched her yell at the cowering pirate smiling to himself and taking small sips from his milk. The rowdy atmosphere of the bar, though loud and confusing, seemed to sooth him. He'd been around the crew now for a year and found the haze of their voices and the clinking of glass as comforting as a warm bed. He sighed closing his eyes and soaking in the atmosphere. He felt his head falling as he nodded off, and jerked his body upright once more. Fighting the urge to sleep he whipped his head back up each time it drooped, but finally gave in, resting his head on the wooden bar.
"I swear you can't leave them alone for a second," Tetra huffed taking her seat next to Link after shouting at Niko for half an hour and paying the bartender for the broken dartboard. She turned her mouth half open to begin another sentence, but stopped short when Link let out a sudden snore. His head was resting on the counter, his golden hair spilling sloppily out of his hat, covering his closed eyes, his hand still wrapped around a half empty milk glass. She let out a soft chuckle and took a swig from her own glass. "Oh Link," she chuckled, "always sleeping."
"Tetra," the sleeping boy half mumbled interrupting her thoughts. The young pirate snapped her head towards him, unsure whether he had actually spoken. She studied his face, young, but with some deeper understanding filling the faint wrinkles forming around his eyes. She looked fondly at the boy who had been her companion for the past year. She knew him so well, and was willing to go into any danger to protect him, but it seemed like she was always the one who needed saving. She looked away, embarrassed to look at the hero who had come to her aid when she had been carless. She closed her eyes recalling all the times he had gone through perilous journeys in the name of her salvation.
"Tetra," he said, clearly this time pulling the young pirate out of her painful recollections and bringing her attention, once more, to him.
"What is it Link?" She joked as she took another sip from her milk, not expecting the sleeping boy to reply.
"…have to… tell you something," he mumbled his hand grasping the milk glass a little tighter as he spoke. The room had grown quite, the only noise the low rumble of thunder outside and occasional laughter as one of the whispering pirates cracked a joke around the table at the far side of the room. She leaned toward the boy in anticipation, wondering what secret was so well guarded only his subconscious would let it slip. "I-I…" he started, her eyes widening, but he woke with a start as a sharp knock from the door filled the bar with its abrupt sound. Tetra sighed, her feeling of suspense quickly draining. She watched as the plump bartender scurried over towards the door, just behind the wall and hidden from their view.
"What did I miss?" Link asked, wiping a bit of drool from his chin with his light green sleeve.
"Not much," Tetra replied closing her eyes and downing the rest of her milk, "just some drunken sailor, knocking at the door no doubt."
"Guess, I fell asleep," he smiled scratching the back of his head and letting out a yawn. "I had an interesting dream."
"Really," Tetra asked, glancing over at him, attempting not to look too interested, "What about?" He instantly looked down at his hands in his lap, recalling the details of his dream.
"Uh," he stammered playing with a piece of string fraying from the end of his tunic, his face growing a deep shade of red. "You know….sailing."
"Oh right, sailing" Tetra nodded turning away from the blushing boy with a grin, "it's just weird because you kept calling my name." She glanced slyly at him as he opened his mouth to utter an excuse, but was interrupted as the bartender scurried over to the pair.
"Sorry to intrude miss but, there's a man out there, says he's looking for someone named Link?" he looked expectantly at her then over at Link who had perked up at the sound of his name. "You 'im?" he asked, to which Link nodded his reply. "He asked me to tell you to meet him at his ship, it's out at the dock."
"Well," Tetra remarked folding her arms, "why can't he just come inside and talk to us, it seems a bit rude to make us walk out into the rain." She shook her head and looked over at Link who shrugged.
"He says he can't leave his ship outta his sight, says theirs treasure hunters lookin' to steal his things." The bartender looked at Tetra, who still seemed unconvinced. "He says you two know him," he continued in his attempt to persuade them, "says his name's Linebeck." The two jumped up in unison at the sound of their old friends' name.
"Linebeck!" Link exclaimed memories flooding his mind of the countless hours he's spent on the old captain's small ship. He could visualize it perfectly, the white boards of the deck floating through the ocean pushed along by the two wheels on either side of the vessel, all the nights he had spent in its white, blue topped cabin, the waves of the ocean slowly rocking him to sleep.
He turned to look at Tetra, who seemed just as surprised to hear the name. She hadn't known the old sailor as well as Link had, but when he looked at her she nodded with an understanding grin. This was all the permission he needed, Link quickly made his way through the now sleeping pirates and burst through the door into the pouring rain. Tetra followed close behind, both anxious to see the ship that had served as their home for many weeks, and the captain who had saved both their lives.
They both ran through the rain their excitement rising with each step. Finally the ship came into view, the same as Link had always remembered its greenish grey curved chimney and red bow as welcoming as any vessels could be. He smiled, not noticing as his clothes clung to his body and became heavy with rain. The two ran through the downpour and up onto the familiar ship looking around for the friend they hadn't seen in over a year. Suddenly the cabin door opened and a ray of light from within shone into the dark night. The two could make out the silhouette of the tall man, his scruffy hair jutting off the top and base of his head, the tails of his long coat flowing off his body.
"Hey kid," the form called out folding his arms, "long time no see."