There are Reasons Some People Don't Like to Read
Link walked into a musty little store cluttered with books either piled high or pressed snugly together on low shelves. It was dimly lit with a fading light enchantment on the ceiling, and the shop, the Leaves of Knowledge, appeared small and insignificant despite its reputation as a repository for numerous books. Link pressed on anyway. His only plan was to purchase a book, not dawdle at the store's size.
The ageing store clerk behind the counter appeared to be restoring a book binding, but his constant upward glance didn't go unnoticed by Link. By now Link was not unaccustomed to glares and accusatory 'evil eyes'. As he neared closer and closer to Hyrule's capitol during his quest, he noticed the glares from certain individuals becoming ever more viscous and resenting. If looks could kill, than the people in Castle Town had it down to an art. The people would stare down any sentry who happened to stroll by their line of sight, hating the undisciplined guard who stole all of the advantages and perks the occupation offered, but when push came to shove, they ran away before even encountering the opponent. So whenever Link passed through Castle Town, his noticeable sword and shield tagged him as a prime target for side glances and behind the counter muttering.
But Link let it slide, as it was only an act brought on by anger and misunderstanding. Although, he hoped for the well being of everyone that the Hylian city guards would shape up and fix their reputation as bulwarks of the city, because in thier current state, they could hardly settle a domestic dispute. And despite how much he respected justice, it was not flattering in the least to be mistaken as part of the task force.
Moving his thoughts aside, he navigated through mountains of books and shelves home to works written by authors he'd never heard of before, sliding his hand lightly over the bindings as he mumbled the named of books he saw. Bending over slightly at the end of one of the dust covered shelves, Link looked intensely through a section loosely categorized for animals.
Horses 101, The Mysterious Nature of the House Cat, Farm Animals, he stopped, pulling out a narrow book entitled Seven Ways to Get a Monkey to Leave You Alone. Curious as to what Hyrule might have to say about the mischievous primates, he cracked open the book with an audible creek and briefly read a snip-it out loud.
Way One
Intimidation
Capture
Set up a metal cage near where they normally steal your belongings.
Be sure the cage is covered thoroughly with foliage. If you can tell it's a cage, chances are they can as well.
Inside the cage place some of their favorite items.
Waiting
However often the little thieves come around wait around near the cage with a rope in your hand and be ready to pull the gate shut.
The Body
Link slammed the book shut before he could read anymore of the disturbing depiction, fully disgusted that there existed some people out there who would kill the playful primates just to get rid of them. And in such ruthless way as well, showing off the corpse to its companions. The sick minded person who wrote this obviously had had no encounters with the animals.
He hastily returned the books to its slot upon the shelf before continuing his search; however, he was rudely interrupted by the store owner, "Yer not buyin' then ge' out lad. I don' need window shoppers in me shop." He heard the old man utter.
Slightly irritated, Link half-heartedly muttered an apology, returning to his activity of searching the animal section for his desired book. When he had no luck in the animal department he inquired the owner about his desired book, "Do you have any books on wolves or wolfos sir?"
He gave Link a hard look, as if deciding whether to answer, but gave in and responded to his question, "Yer lookin' in the wrong place, ye won' find monsters in the animal section," he motioned to a wall on the opposite side decorated with a sparse supply of thick novels, "ye gunna actually do yer job like we pay taxes for ye to?"
Ignoring the insult, Link made his way over to the poor selection of books on monsters. With the meager amount of books about monsters, it was not difficult in the least to spot a book with a cover hosting an unmistakable wolf picture. Swiping the book off its own shelf, he trekked over the counter and placed the book lightly down on it, waiting for the clerk to declare his price and pulling out his rupee pouch in the process.
The man held the leather bound stack of papers and looked up at Link, "Well yer a bi' late on the monster slayin' bandwagon. Ye lazy bums havn' been doin' yer jobs sos the people's hadda start fendin' fer themselves." The owner of The Leaves of Knowledge took one quick look at the cover before he huffed in the way that said 'figures', "Jus' like yer folk too. When ye decide te finally do job ye go afta' the monster tha's no' the problem."
Sighing, and also rather irritated by the man's rather inconsiderate remarks, Link just quietly responded, "Look, can I please just buy the book? Come on, just give me a price and I'll be out of your shop in two minutes."
The owner eyed Link carefully, for what he didn't know, but he was getting tired of this man's consistent bad behavior.
"150."
Link's eyes went wide, "One hundred and fifty rupees?" He exclaimed, pulling his hand away from his wallet. He wasn't about to get scammed over some book, "It's a book. I'll pay 30 for it."
"No deal." He stated.
Not desiring to hassle the man for a lower price, Link took a deep breath and released it in the form of a sigh, "You know what, just, keep the book. I'll find something somewhere else." With that he pocketed his wallet in one of his numerous pouches and headed for the wooden door that led outside, planning on calling his book search to a quit and just relaxing somewhere else.
As he neared the door for one last time the man spoke up, "Coward," he muttered.
Even though Link was thoroughly irked, he ignored the comment, instead pushing through the door. On his way out he heard the blunted and muffled sounds of toppling books hitting the ground behind him and...the twinkle of magic? A yelp was heard from the man inside the small shop before Link shut the door fully.
He walked out into the brightly lit, afternoon street of Castle Town. People nonchalantly passed him by. Street vendors peddled their wares, but he only had eyes for one particular shadow forever locked to his stride.
"Midna," he scolded knowingly.
At the turn of the second corner, she laughed in her obnoxious way, but a way that was ever so Midna.
{°~•••~°}
"Hey honey, how's it going with Ashei?"
Link hummed a little disgruntled sound before answering Telma's question," Alright I guess. We're trying to figure out what's gotten into Zora Domain. We've managed track it up to the mouth of the mountain but we're not sure where to go from there." He picked up his milk and stole a sip before continuing his explanation, "The further up the mountain we go the colder it gets. Too cold to wander around aimlessly."
Telma gave Link an understanding frown, "Can't say I know a lot about Snow Peak hun," she replied sadly, but instantly afterwards her face lit up, and she shared some valuable information, "I do know there used to be a family of nobles who lived there during the summer. It was a long, long time ago now but I'm sure there's still some maps left. If you can get yourself one of those maps than you can push on."
Link raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise. He'd been around quite a bit of Hyrule by now, but he hadn't heard of any abandoned mansions up north, "Really?" He asked curious if there might be such a key left around to aid him on his quest, "I haven't heard anything about one before. You really think there'd be any maps left?"
Telma shook her head, her red braids and hair accessories jingling lightly, "Don't know honey, but if anyone knew about any paper trails left behind, then your best guess is Shad over there."
"Shad?"
Telma nodded her head towards the alcove in the back, "MmHmm. The young man in the back with his nose in one of those books of his." He turned his head to stare at Shad who was absorbed in his book and wasn't even noticing his party's conversation, "If there were any maps left over of that time then he'll for sure've read 'em."
"Hey Shad hun," she called to the back room, "would you come over for a sec? Link has something to ask you."
The three companions sitting at a small wooden table, mulling over a displayed map, looked up as one, perhaps responding to the noise or perhaps truly interested in their friend's business, but after one or two seconds only Shad's gaze remained true. The young man with a formidable amount of pouches draped across his waist readjusted his circular glasses before heading over to meet Telma and Link.
"Good afternoon. Telma. Link. What was it that you needed me for?" He inquired politely, pushing up his glasses before returning his arm loosely to his side.
Link placed his empty glass of milk on the counter and readied himself to talk, but before he had a chance to, Telma took the initiative and did so for him, "Link here was wondering if you had any maps on mountain trails leading to that old ruined mansion up on Snow Peak." Link nodded along with the question.
Shad thought silently to himself before responding, "No, I do not believe I've read about any trails leading up to Snow Peak." Link deflated, he was hoping Shad would have some hint about how to proceed, "Why did you need to go there anyway?"
"Ashei's got a lead that makes us think there's something up there." He responded dully. Telma had tuned out of their conversation by now and it left Link and Shad staring at each other awkwardly. Now that he thought about it, this was one of the few times they had talked 1-on-1. In the previous times Shad had been shadowed in the resistance's conversations, so Link possessed no real need to start small talk. Now he kind of wished he had.
Shad leaned lightly against the bar counter, quickly glance at his book, looking like he wanted to end the conversation and continue reading but knew that would be rude. His attempts at speech didn't go unrewarded though, "It's a shame we weren't all born with fur coats like wolves." Link responded instantly to the word wolves; although, he tried dearly not to look obvious," The rascals are notorious around those parts. They seem to get around just fine despite the frigid weather."
Confused, Link asked for clarification, "Wolves live in tundras? I thought they only lived in forested areas."
Happy to not be standing idly, "Oh yes. They are quite abundant in the snowier regions as well as the forested area associated with southern Hyrule. Their thick coats allow them to stay warm in temperatures well below freezing."
Wow...he felt rather stupid. Sure he never particularly noticed the frosty winds that came during Hyrule's nights, but Link did not know the mane would extend its purpose to fit the freezing weather up north as well. Had he know the thick fur would allow him to survive the cold weather he would have already been out there.
He couldn't say it out loud, but in his mind he gratefully thanked Shad for providing him with much needed insight. Now the only problem that stood in his way was convincing Ashei to allow him to continue the investigation alone.
"That's...amazing," Link stated, genuinely interesting the topic but not knowing what to say next. He didn't have to wade in the quiet time of social ineptness for long because he was suddenly reminded of what he was planning on doing that morning, "Shad, do you happen to own any books on wolves I could borrow?"
Shad smiled with a little twinkle in his eye, "Our conversation made you curious?"
"Something like that," he gestured accordingly, "I figured since I'll be going there I should get to know my surroundings right?" It was partly true, but his main reason was his ability to transform into a wolf at will. Before when it was only during the twilight zones he never had a second thought about the transformation, but now as he progressed through his journey he reasoned it wouldn't hurt anyone to learn a little bit more about...himself.
"Not on hand of course but I have quite a number at home," he smiled jubilantly, "They're quite fascinating. Ferocious beasts of course, but still amazing. Did you know that a wolf's body is designed so it can go extended periods of time without a single morsel of food." Really? Link wasn't sure he wanted to confirm that statement. The thought made his stomach produce a tiny rumble, "Oh! And that unlike domesticated dogs wolves have a mating season sometime in spring and-"
"Wait, spring? As in right about now?" Link's face paled slightly. He was going to walk through a wolf infested frozen tundra. In mating season. That couldn't possibly mean good news.
"Well - I suppose that would make it right about now wouldn't it?" Shad answered the obvious question, wondering why the mysterious man was so surprised about this information, "Does it make a difference if it is in spring or some other time?"
"No. No. It's-nothing," Link stuttered; however he was growing increasingly concerned. What did he know about wolves? For all he know they went around with no concerns for morality. Then a thought even worse popped up. Oh Goddesses, what if he- Link didn't want to finish the thought. What if primal instincts took over? What if-
"Link? Are you all right?" Shad questioned concerned. Link looked up to notice him staring at him with a worried expression.
Link attempted to put on a normal expression before responding, "Yeah, I-I'm fine, but, I think I should be heading out now."
"Yes yes. It was a pleasure talking to you Link. I do hope we have the time to do so again." He held out a hand for Link to shake and he grasped it willingly, wishing to leave before he'd be forced to explain his nervousness.
Link had expressed his gratitude and thanks to Shad and dropped a yellow on the counter before he headed towards the exit, but it was Telma who interrupted his departure, "Leaving already hun?" Link nodded and waved goodbye, topping it off with a disappointed 'yeah', "Alright honey, just remember your always welcome here."
Link nodded and speedily headed for the door. The warm light of Telma's bar fading behind him only to be replaced the glow of twilight outside. He noticed that while he was inside conversing the sun had already set.
He closed the door behind him and gulped in a few deep breathes. He didn't want to be rude to Telma and Shad back inside, but he did not want to hear the rest of that conversation. He didn't even want to think of it! Eugh. He took a calming breath and thought. However much he wanted to ignore it, the threat was real. If he was going to climb the mountain than he was for sure going to come across some wolves.
Link looked up at the darkening sky and an idea came to him. If he could just get through the mountain trails before sun up...Certainly he could make it through without any canine trouble. Wolves weren't nocturnal right? He tried to tell himself he was right and voted for getting through that mountain as fast as he could, "Hey Midna, can you warp me to Zora's Domain?"
"Hee hee. Someone's been thinking dirty."
"Midna," he scolded.
"Yes, yes, fine. Party pooper." She snapped before opening an azure portal above their heads and melded Links body into the form of a wild beast with the shadow crystal. He glanced down at his paw for a split second, staring at the dark strands of fur and having a wave of disgust being sent through him.
Mating.
As a wolf.
Link gulped, hoping he could traverse through the snowy trails as fast as possible before anything happened.
'Oh Goddesses, if this is a part of one of your tests I swear -' But Link wasn't able to finish his thought as Midna whisked both of them through the floating worm hole headed towards Zora's Domain.
{°~•••~°}
Hehe...I'm horrible... but don't worry Link as far the internet says its instigated by the males so you've got nothing to worry about. Plus it's not like you'll be allowed in their pack anyway. Or will he? 0.o I'm sensing future plot material.
Internet also says that wolves are more or less nocturnal. Or at least mo active with hunting at dusk.
If you wanna confirm anything about wolves go look it up, if I turn out wrong then it'd be awesome if you could correct me.
I'm using wolfos as a subdivision of wolves.
I realize this isn't really how the story goes but its close enough it could happen. Maybe.
If I got anything wrong, sorry it's been a while. I try and get the facts straight before writing but hey. Life happens.
So I decided to continue. If it ever gets to the point where I'm just not updating I'll probably reclose it.
I'll be focusing on some of the more Wolfy aspects of Link soo...yeh. Doing a bit of research on wolves to boot, it always annoys me when I see things I know aren't true.
All rights of the Legend of Zeldas belong to their respectful creator, Nintendo. I own none of this glorious franchise.
Please feel free to say whatever you want. If you're like me and don't know what to say you can answer some questions.
1) Do you feel Link stayed in character the whole time? I feel like the second part was odd. It was hard to keep kinda the stoic Link when I wanted him to freak out.
2) Settings and explanations. Do you feel they're enough? I know it's a ff and people kinda already known everything but I still like the stories to be stand alone so even new fan can understand without previous knowledge...
3) Was it funny? I hope...
Feel free to give the suggestions.
Up next-we see Link as a wolf! Finally.