A/N Second Chapter is up thanks for any reviews I got if I did get any. Story rating may be upped to 'M' for violence and other good stuff. I try to type out the next chapter and have it uploaded every weekend. But the even the best laid plans can go awry. So depending on chapter length, importance or my schedule I may not meet that deadline.

Chapter Two:

A Hero Returns.

"Foul Beasts" Said Link as he sheathed his Kokiri short-sword as the three remaining wolfos howled and ran, tails between their legs. Link turned to the boy who was recovering from the paralysis that comes from the chilling howl from the monsters. "What's your name kid?" asked Link as he turned towards him. "And for that matter how old are you?" Link was trying to be curt and straightforward but not rude or mean. Small talk wasn't something he was good at, and when it came to dangerous situations like these he always liked to get straight to the point.

The youth looked up at the Link with a mixed combination of fear and relief showing in his eyes at the situation. "My Name is John." The boy uttered through a thick gloss of tears over his eyes. He finished the answer "I….I-I'm only seven sir." He hiccupped trying to suck in air to quickly. John's eyes shot down with his head. "Thank you for saving me."

Link took another longer look at the boy. He looked like a very typical seven year old, brown hair, brown eyes short. What caught Link's attention were his ears. They weren't pointed like a Hylian's which could only mean one thing: He was tears he was shedding weren't totally due to fear. "Why where you out here….and what is wrong. I can tell you where crying before this little ordeal." Link yet again showed how he was never good with new people, especially kids, and his curtness was the last thing needed. What he asked was clearly the wrong thing and the boy broke out in tears as he lunged himself and Link wrapping his arms tight around the kneeling hero.

"It's my Mother." John sobbed as his tears dampened Link's tunic. Link sighed.

"Listen….John your name was? Please you have to calm down and tell me nice and slowly what is wrong with your mother. Take a deep breath and tell me what happened."

"She is going to be executed in the town I live in. The guards tried to capture me but I escaped them when I ran outside of the city." Link couldn't imagine a young boy escaping trained town guards, more than likely after he left he town walls the guards imagined he would just die in the Hylian wilderness and let him go.

"I can't imagine your mother was completely innocent….she must have done something wrong." Link said calming hoping the boy wouldn't get worked up again. "So please without getting worked up tell me the whol-" He wasn't able to finish the sentence by a howling from the far distance. The Wolfos would return and in greater numbers. Link whispered to the boy. "Shhhh keep your voice down and follow me. We can talk about this later but right now we need to get the hell out of here."

Link gave a sharp whistle and turned towards the darkened forest. After a short wait a large chestnut mare named Epona came riding into the clearing. "Up you go boy." said Link as he hoisted John onto the horse's back. The horse had a nervous and frenetic look in her eyes, and could smell the danger that was swiftly surrounding them. Link got onto his stubborn mares back. A quick kick into her flank got her galloping through the forest at a fast pace.

"Why did those monsters run from you?" Asked the boy

"Like most monsters they are afraid of fire. More then that their hair is like plate armor, an oily substance that protects it…which is also highly flammable." As the howling got closer and closer Epona went faster and faster until it seemed she was outrunning the wind itself.

Link could hear the panting of the wolf-like monsters as they strained to keep up with his steed. A few of the faster ones started to gain on them and tried to lash out with claws or teeth, only to be knocked away by the torch in Link's hands. A few of them had been hit well by it and the flame jumped onto their fur and burned it like gasoline.

Link began to worry as he heard Epona's breaths labor. "Keep it up girl." He whispered into her ear. He had no idea how many wolfos were on his tail, what he did know was in the long run no wolfos could outrun a horse especially his horse. He looked around him and sure enough they where falling behind to the point where they had just given up on the chase. When the last of their pursuers finally gave up Link slowed Epona to a stop and dismounted helping the boy down. After the boy was down and calming himself Link sat up against a large tree and addressed the boy. "So John, tell me what's wrong with your mother, tell me why you where out here."

"It's my mother the guards took her for treason!" Cried the boy working himself up again

"Did she actually do anything wrong?"

"Well….uh....no" Link looked at the boy and could tell he was lying.

"I'd be much more inclined to help you with what ever is wrong if you tell me the truth."

"Well she…."

"She what?" asked Link trying to urge him on.

"She would steal food to help get by! After father died and my sister got ill she had no choice. I know it's wrong! But it's not like its treason!" cried the boy sobbing.

"No it's not." said Link thinking aloud, "How did your father die, and what happened to your sister?"

"Dead, both of them" the boy whispered looking down "The plague took my sister and my father was a guard who died fighting Moblin raiders."

"What town did you live in?"

"The Province seat of Shardon sir"

"Call me Link" The boy nodded. Link stood up and gave a small stretch and walked towards his horse.

"Where are you going Link?"

"To find and save your Mother."