I do not own the Legend of Zelda that all belongs to Nintendo
Chapter 2
The morning they left for Castle Town, Tobias roused Link in the early hours just before dawn. The two gathered their things and made for their stable where their horses were waiting for them. Once inside, Link walked straight up to a young mare with a red coat. Reaching out his hand, Link give the horse a gentle rub on her snout. The horse let out a satisfied whinny.
"Good morning Epona." Link spoke softly, "Ready to go to Castle Town?"
The horse snorted and came forward as much as it could despite still being in her stall. Link let out a small chuckle, "I'll take that as a yes."
Letting her out of the stall, the young man began to saddle her. Once he finished, he then loaded his saddle bags and bed roll. Finally, he took the ornate box that housed the King's specially order sword and placed it between his saddle and the bed roll. He strapped it down well enough, so it would not move even in spite of Epona's movement. Taking her by the reigns, he lead his horse from the barn and tied her to the hitching post just outside. As his uncle brought his own horse out, Link went back to the barn, put out the lanterns inside, and rejoined his uncle. They both closed the barn doors after which Link's uncle proceeded to lock up.
Soon, Link and his Uncle untied their horses and mounted up. Link pulled out his cloak and tighten it around himself for warmth, seeing the sun hadn't risen yet. The two urged their horses forward gently into a trot, so they didn't disturb any of the sleeping villagers. Once outside Kakariko, the two picked up the pace to a canter heading for Hyrule Fields.
"Uncle Tobias?" Link asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes?" Tobias replied while keeping his eyes on the path.
"Why are we leaving so early the festival? Doesn't it start tomorrow?" A yawn then let out of the young man's mouth.
He chuckled a little in response, "We have to present the sword to the king. He would probably prefer to have it before the festivities "
"Oh right, sorry." Link apologized.
"Nothing to be sorry about my boy." His Uncle waved his hand, reassuring no harm done.
"So I guess that means we'll have to go to the castle, right?" Link asked with some anticipation.
"That's right my boy," His uncle replied, "Who knows maybe you'll get to meet Princess Zelda herself."
"Maybe," The boy replied thoughtfully.
"Speaking of," Tobias started, "Are you going to enter the tournament?"
"Honestly Uncle," Link replied, "I haven't thought about it."
"Yet you have your sword and shield with you." The blacksmith pointed out.
"You always say be ready for trouble even if you aren't looking for it."
"True," Tobias replied, "However, I think competing in the tournament could be good for you."
"How so?" Link questioned.
"It could open up a lot of opportunities for you Link," the blacksmith answered, "Maybe the King will let you join the royal guard."
"But Uncle Tobias," Link argued, "You and the shop."
"Link, my boy," Tobias interrupted, "Can you honestly tell me that working at the shop truly fulfills you."
Link opened his mouth for a hasty yes, but he stopped. He knew being a blacksmith really didn't satisfy him. He knew in his heart that he wanted to do more with his life. Link let out a sigh of defeat.
"You are just like your father," Tobias laughed heartily. "He couldn't sit still either."
"Really?" Link asked eagerly, wanting to know more.
"Oh yes," Tobias responded, "In fact, he was going to set out and explored all the land."
"What happened then?" Link continued to question.
"Our father, your grandfather, passed away," Tobias responded sadly. "He being the older brother, your father took over the shop for him and told me to go and live for the both of us. But it worked out well enough. If he had left, he'd never have met your mother."
"Mom," Link began trailing off, "Tell me about her again."
"Your mother was one of the most beautiful women in the entire kingdom to your father," his Uncle explained, smiling, "at least according to your father. She had a kind and gentle nature to her, but don't get on her bad side. That little lady was a regular spitfire!" His voice grew dramatic. "She could make you feel so warm and safe one minute, then have you cowering the next." He laughed at a distant memory, "Your father loved her so much."
Link laughed at how his uncle described his mother. Somehow listening to him speaking of her in admiration one second and in such reverence the next always brought a smile to his face. However, the young man's laughter stopped.
"How'd they die?" Link grew serious.
Tobias' face took on a serious expression at the question. For years, he had been grateful that Link only asked for stories about his mom and dad. The boy turned young man would have tried to piece together what it would have been like if they had been alive. This was the one question he had hoped to the goddesses that the young man would never ask him.
"Uncle Tobias," He cried, "I'm seventeen now! It's time I know!"
"Yes Link, I suppose it is time," He sighed slowly, "Unfortunately, I don't know have much of an answer."
"What do you mean?" Link became confused.
"It was couple of years after you were born," the older man began. "The village was raided. According to what the other villagers have told me, your mother and father were trying to help some people who were trapped in a burning hut. In the end, the hut collapsed before they or the people inside could escape."
"Who attacked?" Link continued.
"No one knows," Tobias stated honestly, "These marauders attacked several villages and towns across all of Hyrule. Then they just seemed to vanish."
The elder man's expression turn into a look of pure rage on his face. He remembered when he heard about his brother and his wife's demise. He wanted to find and murder all the men who attacked the village. Then he remembered baby Link, now an orphan. A single tear escaped the man's eye, but he quickly wiped it away before his nephew saw.
The journey to the castle became quiet for a while, but conversation soon started up again. The two brought up happier memories to keep the journey from being boring and to keep anymore bad memories popping up. Later into the next day, the two travelers could see the towers of Hyrule Castle just over the horizon.
"We're almost there." Tobias stated, "We should arrive within the hour."
"Great," Link said, "So are we going to be camping on this trip Uncle Tobias? I heard there is a great place by Zora River filled with fish for us to catch."
"Not this time Link," He said as they came upon Castle town riding their horses across the drawbridge and into the city.
"Then where?"
"You'll see."
The two made their way to the central hub of the city where a great fountain sat in the middle. Link watched as his Uncle rode over to one of the buildings that had a balcony on top and what appeared to be tables and chairs up there. When Tobias dismounted his horse, Link followed suit. They walked their horses to the hitching posts, secured them up, and went inside.
Once inside, Link found himself staring at the inside of the building they where in. While not as extravagant as expected, this inn was leagues above the one in Kakoriko. While Link was busy looking around, he nearly missed his uncle walking up to a desk where a young woman with shoulder length purple hair was standing.
"Greeting and welcome to the Castle Town Inn." She began with a bright smile and a friendly tone.
"Hello Anju." Tobias replied.
The woman looked at him confused, "Do I know you sir?"
"I'm not surprised. It has been a long time since I've seen you," He explained, "But on to business, I'd like a room please I have a reservation."
"Name?"
"Tobias."
The woman went to look at the book but suddenly stopped and looked back. Then she suddenly looked back at Link's Uncle. Recognition filled her eyes and a smile formed on her face. She came out from around the desk and ran up giving him a big hug.
"It has been a long time." She replied.
"Yes I know." He added, "When I last saw you, you were just a little girl. Now look at you, you've grown into a fine young woman."
"Thank you," She accepted with a blush on her face, "I will never be able to thank you enough for what you did."
"You'll never have to," He responded motioning toward Link, "Anju, I like you to meet my nephew, Link."
"It's a pleasure ma'am."
"No, the pleasure is all mine," She responded before stopping and composing herself, "Now you said you needed a room?" She replied going back to the book, "You reserved a pair of singles' correct?"
"Yes I did."
"Second floor," She responded handing Link and Tobias each a key, "I hope you enjoy your stay with us."
"I'm sure we will," Tobias responded as he and Link went outside and began to collect their gear.
Link turned to his Uncle and was about to ask, but his uncle spoke up, "We need to hurry. There is still a someof daylight left and we have a delivery to make."
Link had questions, but he knew his uncle was right. They had work to do before doing anything else, and right now, they had a sword to deliver. If they were going to see the King, Link knew he would have to make himself presentable. So after putting his stuff in his room, he went to the wash room to clean up after a day and half of traveling. When he returned to his room, there were brand new clothes waiting for him and a note from his Uncle telling him to wear them for their appointment. He dressed in his new clothes, collected the ornate box with the sword in it, and meet up with his uncle. The two of them then made their way to Hyrule Castle.
-Meanwhile-
The King was not happy today, especially considering that the festival began in few hours and the tournament later in the week. His mood wasn't caused by the festival itself but rather the people coming to it. The common people were elated about the festival, but the nobles and visiting royals were another. They disapproved the allowance of "commoners" into a tournament, especially when the prize was being an escort to Princess Zelda herself.
Now the king believed himself to be a patient man, and it did take a lot to get under his skin. So far though, the visiting dignitaries and nobles were wearing his patience thin. Some of them were coming dangerously close to being kicked out of and banned from Castle Town for the rest of the festival.
"Introducing Lord Reginald II!" announced his herald, breaking the King from his thoughts.
The King watched as the nobleman walked up to his throne and knelt in front of him. The King made a motion for him to rise. He was already prepared for what the man was going to say. The only question was did the King have the patience to put up with it?
"Your Majesty," Reginald began, "I heard that you intend to allow mere commoners to enter a tournament for your daughter's hand?"
"No, of course not," The King replied not needing to see the Lord Reginald's smile, "The winner of the tournament gets to escort my daughter to her birthday Gala."
"Your majesty," Reginald began, "This is too grand a prize to allow mere peasants to compete. Let them have their own little tournament. I'm sure we can come up with a prize befitting of their station while those worthy of a such a prize, like my son, should be allowed to compete in the real tournament for the Princess' escort."
It was a miracle that the King didn't snap with his thin patience. "Lord Reginald, the tournament is already nearly upon us. I'm afraid it is far too late to make such a drastic change to the tourament."
"Well," Reginald replied, "Maybe there can be an arrangement made?"
"An arrangement?" The King asked annoyed, "Don't tell me you're afraid of your son being bested by a commoner."
"No I am not afraid of peasants," He replied, "My son is far above their pathetic capabilities."
"So then why not your son win the tournament and stop whining about whose competing!"
Reginald had an indignant expression. He would have said more, but seeing the annoyance on the King's face, the noble bowed and left. The King was ready to call it a day when he saw the doors to his throne room open again. His annoyance faded a bit when he saw who was entering.
"Introducing the Tobias the blacksmith and his nephew Link." The herald announced.
"Your Majesty," Tobias said kneeling with Link following suit.
"Rise," The King motioned, "I take it you brought the sword I requested."
"We did your majesty," Tobias answered, "My nephew has it."
The King turned his eyes on the young man next to Tobias. "Approach young man."
Link swallowed hard and walk toward one of the guardsman. Taking the box, the guard approached the king slowly and presented the King the box. The King opened the ornate box and took the sword out. With the light coming through the windows, the King marveled at the shining sword and smiled. Like his Uncle, the King was thoroughly impressed.
"This truly a blade worthy of the tournament's champion." He then turned to Tobias, "You crafted a most excellent blade."
"I wish I could take credit your majesty," Tobias refuted, "but it was my nephew who forged the sword."
"Well then," The King turned to Link, "You, young man, have done a magnificent job on this sword. For this, you have my thanks."
"It was my pleasure your majesty." Link humbly said bowing.
"Now Link if it is okay with you I'd like a word with your uncle?" The King asked "The Festival gets underway in a couple of hours, so why don't you go and have some fun young man."
"Yeah!" his Uncle agreed. "Go have some fun! I will find you later!"
"Absolutely your highness! See ya at the festival Uncle!" Link bowed one last time and left quickly.
End of Chapter 2
Leave a review on the way out.
