Quick Note: Ruff is an original character I wanted to add to this FanFiction. He is Link's pet dog that Illia gave him for his seventeenth birthday :)
Talo was showing off his new slingshot to the other children of Ordon when they saw Link's small beagle dog, Ruff, running through the village.
Beth shouted excitedly as she and the other children ran to catch up with the dog,"Ruff! Wait for us!"
As they ran, Illia said, feeling rather suspicious,"I have a feeling Ruff did something terrible."
Beth said casually,"I'm sure it's nothing Illia."
Once Ruff and the children of Ordon Village reached Link's house, they stopped to catch their breath.
Epona tilted her head in confusion.
Illia noticed this and asked softly,"Epona? Where's Link?"
Epona nudged her head upward, indicating that Link was inside his house.
Talo shouted excitedly,"Hey! Link!"
Link put the book he was reading down to gaze out the window. He smiled to see all of his friends waiting for him.
Link hollered,"I'll be right down!"
As soon as Link was outside, Talo got out his slingshot and said with pride,"Look at what my dad gave me Link!"
Link smiled at the younger boy.
Malo said bluntly,"You got it for absolutely no reason."
Beth shushed him before saying to Link,"Ruff was running through the village as if he saw some sort of monster or something."
A confused Link bent down to get a close look at his dog. He had a ball of white cat fur in his mouth!
Talo bent down next to Link. He said out loud,"Hold on... doesn't that fur belong to Sera's cat?"
Link's jaw dropped down in complete shock.
Suddenly, Sera could be heard saying in an obnoxiously sweet voice,"Oh, Link!"
Illia and the other Ordon children swiftly turned around to see Sera walking towards them with... a twitchy eye.
Link noticed this immediately so he picked up Ruff and held him close to his chest.
Sera asked in the most calm voice she could manage,"Link... how is it that you can handle the responsibility of saving the world but have trouble raising a dog to behave?"
Link said apologetically,"Sera, I'm so sorry."
Sera sighed. "Maybe it's best if you continued your adventures... elsewhere."
With that, Sera started walking towards the village with a huff.
Link just stood there, feeling absolutely distraught.
Beth said with a frown,"Don't worry Link, I'll be sure to scold my mom..."
Beth stopped mid-sentence when she saw Colin pointing in the opposite direction from where she was facing.
Link was walking away with Ruff who was still in his arms.
Illia was about to call out to Link when Rusl appeared from behind the children and said,"It's getting late. You need to return to the village before your parents get worried sick."
As the children obediently followed Rusl, Illia looked out towards the path that lead to the spring in concern.
"Illia..."
Ilia turned around to face Rusl who looked at her with gentle but stern eyes. She sighed and ran to catch up with her friends.
Once Link reached the spring, he put Ruff down. The beagle ran around to explore the wilderness.
Link sat on the sand and sighed sadly. He soon looked up towards the sky that was slowly turning a dark blue.
Link asked, his face stained with tears,"Hero of Time... What should I do?"
No response.
After sighing once more, Link gazed out into the spring to see Ruff happily splashing around in the water.
Link couldn't help but smile.
Suddenly, he heard a sharp clap of thunder. Link looked up, only for heavy rain to pour down on him.
Link grunted in discomfort before shouting,"Ruff! We have to go!"
Ruff ran to Link who picked him up once again.
Ruff whimpered as he buried his face on Link's chest. Link said to his dog softly as he began running towards their house,"Everything is going to be OK, boy..."
Ruff suddenly barked in fright at the sight of a lightning bolt cutting down a very large tree branch which struck Link hard on the head. Link screamed in pain. He fell on his back and could feel himself blacking out.
However, just before he closed his eyes, he swore he saw Midna with the Shadow Crystal.
Link opened his eyes. This was not the Link from Ordon Village. This was a Link who had been in a deep sleep for a hundred years. He blinked several times in confusion. He slowly got up and looked down at himself. He was wearing a very simple beige shirt, brown pants, but had no shoes on. Link then looked at his surroundings.
The fact was that Link was inside the Shrine of Resurrection.
Suddenly a lovely and angelic voice called out to him. "Link... over there is the Sheikah Slate. You'll need it for your journey."
Despite all of the confusion he was feeling, Link approached the Sheikah Slate. With one touch from Link's hand, the device suddenly glowed blue.
What kind of magic is this? Link thought with intense curiousity.
He tilted it sideways to reveal a huge map.
Suddenly, Link could see light. The mysterious voice said boldly,"Link, you must go into the light. Hyrule needs you. I need you..."
Link couldn't have been more confused as to what was happening. He had so many questions. But nevertheless, he slowly walked towards the light.
Once he reached the entrance to the shrine, Link covered his eyes from the extreme brightness.
Once Link felt like his eyes could handle the light, he opened them and once he did, he froze in place.
Right before his very eyes, was a whole land just waiting to be explored.
Link soon looked down at his feet. He cautiously put one foot on the soft grass.
Feeling more confident, he put his other foot forward.
Link then wiggled his toes. The amazing feeling of the earth beneath his bare feet made Link giggle in delight.
With a huge smile on his face, Link ran to the edge of the cliff and gazed fondly at the incredible view.
Link closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The nature surrounding him smelled so good.
Suddenly, he could hear footsteps in the distance.