AN: You people asked for it, so here it is! The REAL first chapter! The chapter where we meet… my original character. I know, I know, some of you are thinking "OHGAWD, AN OC! It's gonna be a Gary Stuuuuu! Click outta here! " But wait! There's more than meets the eyes. I promise, promise; PROMISE you that he is absolutely not a Gary Stu. Gary Stus require romance anyways, and this fic is not a romance fic. : So there.
DISCLAIMAH: I do not own the rights to Zelda; it is all Nintendo and the Master Of The Universe, Shigeru Miyamoto. I love you, man. I really do.
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Half A Man – Chapter One
THE FACE
My ass hurts. Sitting on a galloping horse all day was not a good idea. I had visited Lon Lon Ranch today, to visit Malon and Talon - and Epona of course. Malon told me Epona had gotten really finicky lately, and was becoming moody. She guessed it was because I hadn't ridden her and let her stretch her legs on Hyrule Field for about a month. Honestly, that horse was like a middle aged wife. So, I did as should have done more often and gave her a good exercise, from the water's edge of Hyrule Lake, to the dusty fortress of the Gerudo.
As usual, the Gerudo women flirted with me as I made my way to the archery range to gets some target practice, and more exercise for my Epona. With Ganondorf gone, the Gerudo had become much nicer to the other citizens of Hyrule, and the Princess welcomed them into her kingdom with open arms (although with some prodding from me). The Gerudo were really nice girls once you got to know them. They never approved of the Evil King's treacherous goals, but he was their leader. The girls flirted with every cute boy they saw, as they once again needed to reproduce more, to guarantee a future leader. I guess that means I'm cute, or they've just grown fond of me.
As I rode from the Gerudo Valley back to Lon Lon Ranch, Navi told me I should visit the princess soon. I agreed, dropped off Epona, and walked to the Castle Town just before sunset. I rented an inn and made a mental note to remind me to go to the castle in the morning. Now here I am, lying on a beaten feather mattress, with my ass as sore as a two-legged tektite. I take off my floppy green hat and tunic, which I refuse to get rid of still, and fold my hat into a sort of makeshift bed for Navi on the second pillow on my cot. "Goodnight." She says in an uncharacteristically soft voice. I smile, crawl under the covers and fall asleep.
In the morning, I awake to find that one of the innkeepers had washed my tunic in my sleep, and folded it nicely at the foot of my bed. It was pretty thoughtful of them, but they probably thought it was a total honor to house the 'Hero of Time' and wash his clothes. Smiling, I put my lavender-smelling tunic on and nudge Navi awake with my index and middle finger. "Wake up, Naggy" I say to her, using my rude- yet affectionate! – pet name for her. Grumbling, she stretches her wings, then takes flight to circle my head as I put on my hat.
Stepping out of the Inn, I walk right into the crowded cobblestone streets of the Castle Town Market. The hustle bustle and many voices meet my ears and I take a deep breath. I love people, even if they can be rude or evil. I walk out towards the fountain, then stand blankly for a minute, trying to remember what it is I'm supposed to be doing. Navi bops me on the head and yells "Imbecile! You're supposed to go see Zelda! She probably misses you!" I pretend to swat her away, nodding. Taking of my hat, I rub my head where she hit me, looking down into the fountain's water to look for a bump or bruise.
Was that…?!
I quickly turn around, looking to see the person who cast that reflection in the water, but he had already disappeared among the crowd. I could have sworn it, though. A flash of red, that hair so unnaturally black… Shaking my head, I decide I imagined it. Too much time spent searching for him has left me seeing things. I really need to see the Princess. I splash some water on my face, shove my hat back on my head, and set out towards the castle.
Almost as soon as I get there, the guards salute me and immediately open the gate for me to go through. Another soldier appears from the tiny room behind the gate to escort me to the Princess. Despite having gone there multiple times, I get lost so easily in the huge building. Zelda knows that, of course, and probably tells the soldiers to help me if I ever arrive. Leading me up the path, over the drawbridge, and to grandmother's hou- I mean, through the masterfully carved marble corridors, the soldier finally reaches the door to the Throne Room. Thanking him, I step inside.
Zelda looks up from a scroll as soon as she hears the doors creak. Smiling warmly to each other, we both quickly stride to the middle of the room and give each other a friendly, childish hug. Then we remember she's a 'graceful princess' and I'm a 'courageous hero' and we separate. I bend down, kissing her hand. She chuckles, saying quietly "You don't need to be so formal around me, Link, you're not a knight. As, of course, you know." I smile sheepishly, replying "Sorry, I just thought it'd be proper."
We walk back to her throne and she sits, rolling up the scroll she had been reading. It was probably a law she was revising. "So, Link, how has your journey been?" She asks curiously. "Well," I start, "Searching the Water Temple again was… unsuccessful." She got a concerned look on her face, so my expression must look pretty disappointed. "The Room of Illusion is still exactly the same as when I defeated him. Illusion less." Sighing, I lean against the side of her throne. In the moment of silence, I think 'Navi's been awfully quiet today. Guess she's finally starting to learn when to shut up.' I look back at the Princess, who's concerned face turned to an expression that clearly read 'I'm so sorry, I wish I could help'. That look of pity made me feel sick…
"Zelda, I really did think I'd at least find a sign there. Even if it was a torn piece of his tunic." "What good would that do?!" Navi suddenly snaps. I glare at her, then reply "The Princess could use it to divine his location. Like a magic bloodhound." The princess giggled at my simile before adding "Although it'd be easier with something like a hair or blood. Too bad you couldn't find anything, though."
At that moment, a man wearing noble looking robes walked in. I guess he's someone important, but I have no idea what. "Princess!" He starts, but then looks at me. "Hero of Time, hello." He says with a polite smile, before turning back to the princess. "The council is ready for this week's meeting." The princess jokingly rolls her eyes and says sarcastically "Oh, not them again." She stands up, brushes off her skirt, straightens her tiara, and walks down the carpeted path in the center of the room towards the old man. Turning back to me, she waves and says. "See you again soon Link. And I really mean soon this time, no more putting off visiting me." I wave back as she leaves, a little disappointed at the shortness of our meeting. The young Soldier jogs up to me, speaking nervously. "Ready to go, Hero of Time, sir?" Laughing, I nod, and he leads me out of the castle.
As I walk away from the gate, Navi bops me on the head again. "She likes you, you know." I sigh and nod. A guilty smile sneaks onto my face. "Yeah, Navi, I know."
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Bahahahahahaha! I know what you're thinking. "That wasn't a REAL introduction of your OC!" And… uh… you're right! It was only a, what, two second glimpse of his watery, distorted reflection? I'm so cheap. But he will definitely appear, have lines, and be important in the next chapter, seriously. Read and Review, PUH-LEEZE.
