Hero's Duty
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. It has nothing to do with the official production of the series. I do not own any of The Legend of Zelda game titles, or anything else that pertains to the name because it all belongs to Nintendo. I do own the content of my story.
~*~Chapter 1~*~
Link was awakened the next morning from the sound of voices outside his room door. He yawned and rubbed the sand from his eyes before rising from his bed and going to see what was happening.
----
Peeking out the slightly ajar door, Link could see Shauna and two more girls. One of the girls was a child who was aged no more than ten or eleven years. She wore spectacles and a drab dress; her hair wasn't as brilliantly colored as Shauna's or the other girl's. Instead it was a pale strawberry blonde color. The other girl had long auburn hair and was dressed similarly to Shauna in pants and a blouse. She looked no older than fourteen or sixteen. He strained his ears to listen to what they were talking about.
"So he has arrived has he?" The youngest asked.
"Yes and he's resting so lower your voice," Shauna answered.
"A little late for that," Link silently thought to himself.
"I can't believe you're actually going to train him Shauna. I mean, this is the first time you've ever had to rejuvenate a hero. He's all washed up."
"Leah, please. I know very well what the situation is."
"Sorry…"
"So how is he? Is he just as everyone used say about him?" Shauna didn't say anything for a time and the one called Leah decided to answer in her steed.
"What do you think Kai? Of course he isn't! Why else would he be here?"
"Well… I only thought that…"
"You thought wrong." The atmosphere grew heavy and no one spoke. Link felt his old demons once again blacken his soul and he felt ashamed for intruding. There was no hope for him. He was a 'washed up' hero.
"…I… I believe that he can be brought back to his old self. Maybe not completely, but enough so that he can save us," Shauna said at last. Her sisters looked at her and she smiled.
"I have hope." Link's darkness dissipated once more from the light that Shauna shed with those three words.
"Anyway, I suppose it's about time that I wake him," she said. Before she could proceed, Link opened his door and stepped out of his room. The three girls incredulously looked at him.
"I'm awake," he announced. Shauna smiled at him and he realized that her smile also had the ability to restore his good will. If it was for the hope that kept her smiling like that, then he would try.
"Good to know that you're capable of waking up on your own. It'll make your life here a little easier," she proclaimed, "These are my sisters Leah and Kai. They assist me in my training and like me, they aren't pushovers. Now then, shall we begin?"
----
Shauna had taken Link far from the little log house that sat on a summit. They past the forest at the base of the mountain and traveled further still. Link looked back at the mountain and saw how majestic it was. It was the first time he realized that the world wasn't all just scorched land; ugly and defiled. There were still beautiful places.
They kept going until they came to a frost-bitten tundra. It was nothing but dried grass and scattered shrubs as far as the eye could see. When Ashei brought Link to Shauna's mountain, had they passed through the tundra? He couldn't remember. He didn't have a reason to notice things back thing.
"Sit," Shauna commanded. Link obeyed. The ground was hard against him and slightly cold. The permafrost was nipping at his clothing. Shauna took a seat across from him. They looked at one another.
"Now then… We will begin this training by finding out what went wrong. For example, what happened to you? Why aren't you the hero you once were?" The woman explained. Link wasn't quick to answer and he looked away from her. He knew what happened to him. He lost everything that mattered. There was nothing left for him and no one seemed to care. "Save us!" They cried, "Save us!" But during his hour of need, who was there to save him?
Bitter. He became a very bitter person. Selfish. He became a very selfish person. After a time, he put a price on his heroics; quid pro quo. If you didn't do for him then he didn't do for you. The only problem was that everyone wanted something, but more people were less willing to give something in order to get what they wanted.
"I want to help you," Shauna said gently, breaking up his muddled thoughts, "but I can't do it unless you open up to me." Link's eyes locked onto hers once more. He saw in her green eyes the warmness in her soul. She was a rarity, a diamond in a coal mine.
"…It's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?"
"I'll listen to whatever it is that you want to tell me."
"…Well… this story begins like any other. It begins with my love for a girl…"
----
We grew up together. We'd been best friends forever. I treated her like a sister. She treated me like a brother. Then something happened. She became a woman, beautiful, smart, and desirable. I began to think she'd make a great significant other. But… how was I to let her know it? Should I even tell her? I knew it was unlikely that she felt the same way, so really, why would I even bother? This feeling… could not stay…
"Link! I've got good news!" Rusl shouted. He made his way up the path to the barn where the boy was currently busy with the animals, particularly the horses. At hearing his friend, Link stopped brushing his horse to look at his friend with a smile. Link was young, seventeen years old.
His steed, Epona, whinnied when Rusl tried to pat her in greeting and the man backed away hastily.
"I swear she's a spoil't girl that one," the man muttered. Epona huffed and shook out her mane.
"Yea? What is it?" Link asked.
"Oh! I've been granted with the honor o' receiving an audience with Princess Zelda!"
"Really?? That's great!"
"Yea I know," Rusl jokingly bragged, "Say. Have you heard o' the knightin' tournament bein' held at Castle Town? I bet that'd be a great opportunity for a young man like you. It's a great way to start your life."
"But… I'm happy here," Link stated without a pause to really think about what Rusl said. The man stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Link! Link when you're done you're gonna have to settle the herd again… Oh! Hi Rusl!" Both men turned to see the bright eyed girl marching towards them. Link's cheeks turned pink and he looked away. When Illia was standing beside them, he acted like he was busy brushing Epona.
"'Ello little lady. Bo's got you workin' hard today eh?"
"Yea. That old lazy bones! He could help too ya know… Anyway, I'll just do this Link. You go settle the herd before we loose 'em." Without warning, she snatched the brush from Link's unsuspecting hand and proceeded to work where he left off. Without much to do but oblige her wishes, Link and Rusl went on to the herd that was grazing not too far off.
"They aren't actin' up! Illia just wanted to be with the horses!" Link exclaimed. He looked back at the barn angrily and saw Illia waving.
"Hahaha! And she calls her father lazy… But back to that discussion…"
"No. There's no more to talk about. I'm happy right here." As emphasis to his point, Link crouched down on his haunches. He pulled a long blade of grass from the ground and placed it in his mouth as he became comfortable. Rusl sighed.
"Oh come on Link! You're a young man! And there's a huge world out there for you to discover! I'd hate to see someone of your stature be left to rot away in this small village…"
"Yea but…" Link's voice drifted off and he turned to look at something in the distance. Rusl followed his gaze and smiled.
"And women... crave a knowledgeable man Link. Why, Illia won't be able to keep her hands off you if you become one o' Hyrule's knights. It's an honor!"
"Why bring Illia into this?"
"Because I know she's your main goal at the present. Your feelings are no secret Link…" To this, Link's eyes widened and the blade of grass fell from his opened mouth. He looked away from Illia and turned to look at Rusl quizzically while he asked, "Does everyone know??"
"Everyone would be foolish for not knowing. But anyway, think it over. I'm due to depart a day from now," the man said. He started on his way back to the village before stopping and turning back around.
"Oh! And consider it in your calculations that one has to work hard to achieve their goals Link. It'd be wise to raise the odds in your favor by taking the proper steps in order to obtain said goals…" He motioned to Illia with his head and grinned before continuing on his way. Link looked at the girl and sighed.
But… was it truly that easy? If everyone did know that I felt the way I felt, then why didn't Illia? 'Women crave the knowledgeable man?' I knew she always wanted to see the rest of Hyrule when we were little… Maybe she knew how I felt too, but decided to wait for something better. With only my horseback riding skills to offer, why wouldn't she look elsewhere?
----
"Link! I can't believe you're actually going to Castle Town! Uli thanks you by the way. She's worried about Rusl making such a long trip on his own… And I'm proud of you for going! I wish I could go but I'd only be a nuisance… Besides, father needs me to look after him. Have enough fun for the both of us Link, but don't over exert yourself. Do you understand?" The boy sighed and muttered, "Yes mom." Illia laughed and looked at the sky. The stars were extra shiny that night; they twinkled in glee as well. Link felt himself already growing home sick. Would the stars look the same in Castle Town?
"Well! Someone has to look after you. Goddesses know that you barely can."
"Heh! Well then thanks Illia."
"You're very welcome Link… But… please. Please come back safely. I… If somethin' happened I… I…" Illia choked on the last word of her sentence, unable to speak over the lump that was growing in her throat. Link looked at her and saw tears form in her eyes. He sat up from his horizontal position and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.
"Illia, don't worry. I'll be fine. I promise," he reassured. The girl sniffled and wiped her eyes before looking at her friend.
"Good."
A few days later, Link and Rusl were at the village limits with some of their belongings. The rest of the villagers were also gathered there to see them off.
"You two be careful and hurry back! I don't know how much livestock we'll be losin' without you here to round 'em up Link. Pray that Fado manages it by himself," Bo claimed.
"Hey!" Fado exclaimed defensively. Link smiled.
"Sure thing Bo."
"Be careful Rusl. You too Link," Uli, Rusl's much pregnant wife, told.
"Worry not love. We'll return three days from now in tiptop condition," Rusl reassured.
"I wish you well on your journey. Here's a little something I prepared for you both…," Illia said. She handed the two small bags she'd been carrying over to the two who graciously accepted her gift. Link brushed his hand against hers and he took the gift. Feeling her soft skin aroused a feeling of longing within him and he looked at his friend one more time.
"Thanks Illia…" The girl smiled warmly. The two mounted their horses.
"Good bye all! Come along Link. Let us ride!" And they did. Link left his home, his love, the only place he had ever known. But when he saw the wide open plains, he was overcome with wonder and intrigue. Rusl looked at Link's expression and smiled as he recalled his first time embarking out into the world.
"It's somethin' isn't it? But there's only more for you to see and to discover. It's a big world." Link felt himself become anxious. He wanted to see. He wanted to know. He craved adventure and his feelings of longing went away.
How was I to know my journey began then but wouldn't be over in just three days? It was one that would last me a lifetime.
