Chapter 2

Link could never go back. Ten years had passed, and he was a grown man now. His brothers and sisters wouldn't even recognize him, even if he could return. For it was said that any Kokiri who left the forest and later returned would be transformed into a Stalfos… A living dead who preyed upon lost travelers.

"Hey Link! Come on already! We need to put some distance between us and these woods!"

Links attention snapped back to the present. In all his travels these ten years he had not once looked back… Until now. The Great tree had been right. He had known all the things his father had spoken of.. Save for love.

"Did you hear me Link!? I said we need to get going! "Navi's shrill voice filled Link's ears, yet he smiled at the angry, yellow fairy.

Navi had always been there for him. Because Link was, and always would be, a Kokiri; it was Navi's job to protect and guide him all of his days… Even though they might end up being shorter than originally planned.

"Link, if we don't get to town by the time the sun goes down they'll close the drawbridge and we'll be forced to spend a night outside again. Now would you like to sleep in an inn this evening? I would!"

Link turned to his glowing companion and nodded. Link folded up his hammock and blanket and put them in his pack. Meanwhile, Navi scattered the ashes from their fire and healed the holes in the trees where the hammock had been nailed. After strapping on his sword, and slinging his pack to his shoulder, Link and Navi set out for the day's adventure.

Despite Navi's concern about missing the final bell and being trapped outside he town for the night, the two made good time and arrived well before the sun's setting. The two spent the night at an inn and awoke the next day, ready to find some work in the market.

Their fist stop of course was Bazaar's armory. If anyone in Hyrule Town knew of work for a mercenary it would be the armor merchant.

On his way to the armory Link found that the city of Hyrule had changed very little since the last he had come through. People still clamored at the shops, lovers still danced in the square and dogs still ran in the streets. Nope, nothing had changed in ten years.

In the armory/smithy, Link and Navi were greeted by the loud, hearty voice of the Bazaar Smith, "Well now, it's been some time since I've had a mercenary from Llwellyn in… Now I suppose that I can take your presence here as a good sign for my cousin's family there?"

Link nodded. Things had been peaceful in Llwellyn, which meant times were bad for the famed Mercenary's Guild of Llywellyn, of which Link was a member, as shown by the crest on his sword.

"I'm sorry to say this to ye lad, but aside from the occasional Gerudo raid and the merchants who hire guards, business is poor for your profession."

Navi flew out from Link's pocket, and hovered before the smith's face, "It is good that the land is at peace, but what of the neighboring peoples?"

Bazaar was not surprised by the fairy's presence; he had seen it all by now, and a little glowing ball with wings was not the thing to shock him. To answer her question, he turned around and stood before the map that covered the wall behind his counter,

"Well I hear talk that the city of Bediver, on the north coast of Logres, is having some trouble with the Zorla. Or you might try the capitol of Gil'Aed to the East… I hear their king just died, and with his boys being twins… Well there are sure to be some ascension problems there."

Link nodded and laid his sword out on the table. The smith could plainly see that it had been some time since the sword had been sharpened and oiled properly, a service he gladly performed.

The smith's expert eyes appraised the sword, and without consulting his book of charges, he knew the price, "Forty rupees for a sharpening, and ten for a cleaning-oiling."

Link nodded and placed a purple rupee on the counter. He was not a mercenary without funds.

"Good smith. It is a quite a journey to Bediver or to Gil'Aed. Where is it that my friend may purchase a horse?"

Bazaar Smith nodded happily, this he could definitely help them with, "My brother in-law keeps a ranch several leagues from the city. His name is Kalon, and he's sure to give you a deal if you tell him I sent you."

"We had best be going then Link, if we are to make it back to town before the sun sets… Thank you Smith. My friend and I will pick up the sword this evening or on the morrow."

"Very well, fairy… Be sure to tell Kalon that I sent you!"

With that, Link and Navi set out for Kalon's ranch.