Centuries
-artseke
(Thank you, and I hope you enjoy!)
Link had nearly reached the summit when the patch of vines he'd been clinging to had shifted. It had been ambitious; in his travels, he'd never attempted to scale such a monstrosity. He was out of practice, sure, but he knew he had the skill and endurance to make it to the top.
The same could not be said for the vines.
He froze as he felt them move, praying that they'd hold. All it took was that next reach- and he moved painfully slow- for them to give. He shouted as he tumbled down, nothing to hold on to or break his fall. He quickly turned himself face-down to assess his options, but in those few seconds, he realized there were none.
After all the traveling he'd done, this was it? A missed foothold? He couldn't help but laugh at the improbability of it all.
Just as he'd resigned himself to his dishonorable fate, a shrill call caught his attention. The bird from before, a winged shadow against the bright midday sky, dove after him. Link thought maybe it was going to eat him, the way it opened it's mouth, but the reality couldn't be farther from the truth.
It swooped beneath him, not only breaking his fall but carrying him up.
Link, consequently, had the wind knocked right out of him. His ascent was blurry, imprecise, but the bird's rough landing helped him clear his head. He rolled off it's back as it lowered itself, turning it's head back as if to check if he was alright.
He was breathing hard, but said the first thing that came to mind. "... Thank you."
The bird nudged him with it's impossibly wide bill, the call softer than it'd been. Link stumbled back with the force, but assumed it was a playful gesture.
"Whoa!"
Link turned towards the voice, realizing for the first time that he was in some kind of square. There was a stone tower to his right- a windmill, maybe?- but in front of him, that's where the voice had come from. A young girl, no older than ten, looked up at him with her dark brown eyes and her dark brown hair, and her wide, white smile.
"I remember you!" She grinned, "You're the one that helped Uncle Bats!"
Link shook his head, still breathless and dumbfounded, "No, sorry, kid." He looked over her- the building beyond looked rag-tag, but central, and pathways lead either way around. He assumed there'd be stairs on either side, and started walking as he observed.
"It was a long, long time ago, but I remember," She kept up at his heels, "It's me, Kukiel! I'm grown up now. And so are you! But you're still short."
Short? "Listen, um," He turned back her way, kneeling down to her level, "Kukiel, I'm lost. I bet you know this town better than anyone, right?"
She nodded, proud. "I do! I know all the best hiding places." She rolled from her heels to her toes over and over, hands behind her back.
"I thought so," he smiled, "I need to find the Headmaster."
Kukiel laughed, "He's at the school, dummy! He's making all us kids stay inside until we're sure it's safe."
Link smirked, "Then why aren't you inside, young lady?" He couldn't sense anything dangerous about, and he did have acute instincts when it came to looming threats.
Kukiel donned the face of a child caught red-handed. "W-well, I'm an adventurer! I tell all the other kids what goes on, so I had to. Please don't tell my mom and dad!"
"Don't worry, I won't." He wouldn't know who to tell. "But you have to go home."
Kukiel sighed, "Do I have to?"
There was a shout in the distance- unmistakably her name. She gasped, and was on her way.
Link straightened himself out, chuckling as she left. It stopped abruptly as he realized he still had no idea which way he was supposed to be going, but he'd been in that situation before. All he had to explore was an island; he couldn't take too many wrong turns.
Link climbed a short flight of stairs, and then another. They were old, overgrown, but not unused. The constant traffic had kept the grass from taking over, for the most part.
He vaguely registered the red bird pass overhead- it'd gone back to the sky. He'd been worried it intended to trail him around the settlement.
He turned heads as he passed by. Part of him assumed it was because he was an interloper, but the rest knew it was because he was familiar. People waved, the said hello, welcome back. He did his best go with it; he didn't want to draw attention to himself.
The town looked peaceful. He saw more than one person in uniform, but even then, they only wore light chainmail and tunics.
... Though, it was the same style of armor he'd worn when he'd embarked on his quest years ago. Identical, in fact, if a different color.
They were armed with only swords, if that, but he didn't mark them off as harmless. He'd been the same way once. Squabbling broke out to his right, a strange disharmony amongst the quiet.
"It's too late, he'd have hit the ground by now!" Said a decidedly female voice, "You're a moron for letting him climb!"
"He wouldn't have ridden a Loftwing," Said another- Link placed it as Pipit.
"I don't care, I'm goin' after him," Groose finalized. Link turned the corner as he spoke, and there was silence again. All three- no, four- Karane, Groose, Pipit, and an older man Link didn't recognize stood staring at him, like they'd been caught gossiping.
None were quite as awestruck as the older man, but it was Groose who spoke first. He took off his helmet as he did so, and Link recoiled at the sight of it. His hair was- it was red, and it was ridiculous. How had he-
"We came out here cause we thought you'd fallen," Groose talked like he was accusing him of something, "Ya idiot."
"I did," He admitted, "One of your... what are they called? Loftwings? One of them caught me. I'm grateful." He looked towards the older man, looking him over before bowing. He was the oldest person he'd seen so far, and he looked wise. Coupled with the fact the man stood with the three Knights that had gone to find the Headmaster, the conclusion was obvious.
It took the man a moment to realize what he was doing, "No, no, boy... No need for that, none at all. If anything, I should be paying my respects to you."
Link stood straight again, uncertain. "My apologies, sir. I was under the impression that you were the Headmaster these three spoke of."
Gaepora, still struck, had trouble coming up with a response. "I am indeed the Headmaster of our humble academy. The very academy you attended as a boy, Link. Don't you recall?"
Link resisted the urge to sigh. "There has been a misunderstanding. I've never been here, nor have I ever met any of your people. My name is Link, Chief Guard of Hyrule. I grew up in Castle Town. I'm here as an ambassador on Princess Zelda Daphnes Hyrule's behalf, though I'm... not officially an ambassador. We didn't expect to find people here."
Gaepora hummed, considering his story, and closed his eyes as he considered the situation. "Princess Zelda Daphnes Hyrule. That's quite a title for a young lady." He kept his pride in; after all, for all he knew, it wasn't his daughter. He put a hand on Link's shoulder, friendly and inviting, "Well, Link, I apologize for the confusion. I believe you."
Only because Link so thoroughly believed in himself. Personally, Gaepora was still skeptical; a boy with the same name, nearly the same face, but grown- who else could it be?
Groose missed his strategy entirely, "You believe him? Who else could he be? He's got to have... what'sit called? Amnesty?"
"Amnesia." Karane corrected, looking to Gaepora to offer it as a theory, "It's possible."
Gaepora nodded once, "It is possible, but unlikely. For now, we will accept his word as truth." He opened his eyes, looking into Link's, "I hope you understand we didn't do this of our own accord. Fall here, down to this strange earth."
"What happened?" Link asked, glad he had finally found someone willing to talk about the matter at hand.
Gaepora turned to walk back into the Academy, "Come with me. I'll talk to you in my office."
Link checked to see that his sword was still strapped firmly to his back before trailing behind, marveling at the colorful interior of the Academy as they crossed the threshold. A kitchen to their right, full of kids- one of the men in uniform nearly fell over when he saw the two walk by, and quickly made his way over through the mess-hall and into the main hallway. "Link! I- I thought you'd never come back!" He wanted him to see that he'd become a Knight- he'd done it!
Visibly uncomfortable, Link barely glanced his way before walking on. Fledge was more confused than hurt, and concern colored his features.
Gaepora lead him upstairs to a spacious office, walls lined with books and papers. He glanced to see if Link remembered anything, thinking perhaps revisiting his childhood home would stir a semblance of his past, but there was no such reaction. Link scanned the shelves, admiring his collection. He wasn't an avid reader himself- it wasn't a skill he'd ever needed, growing up the way he had- but he was impressed.
Gaepora took a seat at his desk, motioning for Link to sit down in the chair across from him. "I apologize for the... informal set up. I usually scold my students here."
Link remained standing. "I don't mind." He wasn't going to be treated like a child; he was representing Hyrule.
"...I see. Well, as you know nothing of our people, I suppose I should start from the beginning."
"The three Goddesses-"
Link cut him off, "Oh! The origin myth. I'm familiar with it. The three Goddesses created the land of Hyrule, with Din creating the earth, Farore giving it life, and Nayru giving all living things wisdom."
Gaepora nodded solemnly, satisfied, "I'm glad that it has reached the land below. But, you know that is not all there is to the story."
Link assumed it was a prompt, and continued. "They left the Triforce behind, but the war that broke out over it's use was devastating. They broke it apart so that..." He knew the name, and the hatred that flashed across his face did not go unnoticed. "So that it would not fall into evil hands. One piece resides with the Royal Family, one piece with the Hero, and one with the Great Evil."
Gaepora nodded as he spoke, "Within that story lies ours. During the war for the Triforce so long ago, the great and merciful Goddess Hylia razed the earth and sent our kind to the heavens- those with ears for her messages. Her job was to protect the Triforce at all costs, and it cost all she had. She shed her immortal form to receive a piece of the Triforce, effectively shattering it and keeping it out of the Demon King's hands. And so, she died only to be reborn... as my daughter. And that daughter, brave Zelda, went on a quest to keep the evil at bay. And her friend- he was so lazy then. A boy by the name of Link, he found his way to the Goddess's chamber and took up the sword to protect her- the Goddess, my daughter. For, before she had died, a single brave soul had battled by her side, and as thanks, she gifted that soul with eternal life. To be reborn with her own in tandem, to fight the evil back again. Some say they were in love."
"I'd never heard of Hylia," Link responded, speaking slowly. "There's a Lake Hylia not far from here, but... but a Goddess-"
He remembered being wounded- badly wounded in a battle he never fought, with a sword he knew all too well. He had been dying. She had been, too. He remembered her face- she'd been beautiful, even blood-spattered and exhausted, and she'd sent the outcrop high above the clouds. And she had said she was sorry, so sorry for letting him die here like this.
"...Link? Link, boy, can you hear me?"
Gaepora stood in front of his desk now, one hand on either of Link's shoulders, "Are you alright?"
Link sat straighter, back to attention. "Yes, yes, I was... I was thinking."
Gaepora hesitated before letting him go, "I thought I'd lost you for a moment," He chuckled, "You did always daydream. But!" A pause, "That said, there is more to our story. From the time of the Great War until now, the Goddess's magic has kept us aloft. Days ago, our rivers stopped flowing. Then, late last night, the entirety of our home shook violently. We could only tremble as our civilization fell through the clouds, landing within your dominion below."
Link, still shaken by his-not-his memory, took a moment to reply. "I understand. I'll tell the Princess you bare no ill will, but I'm sure she'd prefer to address you in person."
"Princess Zelda, you said?" Gaepora asked, unable to bar the hope from his voice. "What about her father? Where is he?"
"He's dead," Link replied, offended that he didn't know. It took him a minute to realize there was no reason he would know. "Deceased, unfortunately," He rephrased, adding a bit more tact. "Nine years ago, a few months after the Princess's Coronation."
"And how old is she now, my boy?"
"Twenty seven." He said it without thinking, "Though it's impolite to ask a woman's age, and even more impolite to mention that anyone told you said age to begin with."
Gaepora laughed. That was the Link he knew, but... twenty seven? That accounted for a ten year absence. "Then how old are you?"
"Also twenty seven, sir. Tomorrow. Why do you ask?"
Yet another ten year absence. "You don't look a day over twenty."
"Hylians are said to be gifted with Eternal Youth," He laughed, "Ironically, there aren't many of us left."
Gaepora took it all into consideration, and glanced outside. "It looks like night is about to fall. I won't send you off in the dark, nor will I travel without the light of the sun. You're welcome to stay here."
"I appreciate it," He bowed again, "Thank you for your hospitality."
Gaepora nodded. "There's a free room on the first floor. It shouldn't be hard to find. In fact, I believe it has your name on it- it was for the other Link, in case he ever returned."
Link simply nodded, but posed a question before he turned to leave. "I noticed you have an organized guard. They called themselves Knights. Do they have a commanding officer, or do-"
"Yes, yes," Gaepora nodded, "In a sense. Eagus teaches all Knights swordplay, and if they find themselves up against something they can't handle, he's who they call."
"But he doesn't organize the patrols or lead missions?"
"No, the Knights organize it amongst themselves. Senior Knights get their pick of the schedule, and it trickles down to the juniors. We don't... we've never needed to organize 'missions'." He found the conversation redundant. The face he spoke to knew the system, and how ranks were organized, but he could tell that Link processed it as new information.
Link nodded, "Thank you for your time, sir. May I be dismissed?"
"Why... yes. Yes, you're dismissed."
Link nodded in appreciation, and then took his leave. As soon as he stepped outside, he exhaled. He was no diplomat, and could only hope he'd done everything properly. I could really use a drink, he thought, running a hand back through his hair, missing the hat he was so familiar with. He'd taken up the armor of the Royal Guard years ago, but it had always felt too heavy- even with his personal adjustments- and there was no hat included.
He walked down the hall to the flight of stairs that lead below, taking in every labeled door on his way. He got to the lower floor; most everyone in the dining area had cleared out, leaving only an elderly woman to handle the mess. A few students lazily collected dishes, but they didn't look very happy about it. Probably a punishment, he concluded, deciding he may as well do something to repay the night he meant to spend. And he hadn't had any dinner. If luck was on his side, maybe there'd be some food left over.
"Do you need any help?" He asked, not addressing anyone in particular. The students, startled, all looked at him in unison.
The old woman standing at the sink didn't bother to turn and look, engrossed in her work. Her disgruntled 'yeh' sufficed, as far Link was concerned, and he went about helping the group collect the used dishes.
The kids ranged from thirteen to eighteen, and there were five in all. One boy- the second youngest, by Link's estimate- kept staring at him. Link wondered if he had something in his teeth, or if he'd managed to get dirt on his face earlier in the day. Had he spoken to the Headmaster with dirt on his face? Goddess, he hoped not. He did his best not to make eye contact, massing all the dishes at one end of the table.
"I'm Sawnson."
Link looked up, and the boy was right across the table. He nearly jumped back. "Oh-" His initial shock subsiding, he looked him over more closely; he had big, blue eyes and the lightest, blondest hair Link thought he'd ever seen on someone with such a dark complexion.
"Who're you?"
"M'Link," He replied, not coughing up his full title. It wasn't important, not here.
"What'd you get caught for?"
Link smiled, going back to bussing the table, "I'm not in trouble, I just wanted to help. And," He whispered, "Between you and me, I missed dinner."
Swanson laughed, feeling like he'd been entrusted with some secret, "Wanna know what I got in trouble for?"
Deciding to humor him, Link nodded. Swanson motioned for him to come closer so he could whisper it- Link obliged.
"By the blade, he will rise again."
Link recoiled, nearly knocking his stack of plates over. "What?"
Swanson looked afraid, but he repeated himself. "I-I snuck into the girls bathroom."
Link stared at him for a minute, incredulous. "That's..." He shook it off, saved it for later, smiling again for the kid's sake. "That's bad." He tried to say it like he didn't believe it, working quickly.
Swanson's fear disappeared, and he looked a little proud. "I know! And I almost got away with it, but one of the girls caught me, and she started yelling..."
Link didn't hold the conversation any longer, picking up the plates and heading over to the woman at the sink. He set them on the counter with a careless clatter (the old woman grumbled at him; Link didn't take the time to decipher her incoherent complaints) and left to find his room.
He'd grown to know the ring of a prophecy when he heard it. That eerie, ghostly, barely whispered double tone that could only be a mistake of the Goddesses. A slipped syllable that had leaked into this world from the next, somehow finding it's way back to him.
At the moment he took the handle of the door, he chose to ignore it. He put the words out of his mind, and it was gone; the ability to forget was one he'd mastered over the years, and never had it been more handy. Remember it when you see Zelda, he told himself, but don't dwell on it.
Down below, across the dimming fields of Hyrule, Zelda sat in her private study, reading by candlelight. Every day felt shorter than the last, and the air was getting more crisp by the hour. She couldn't keep herself from gazing out the window periodically, but not for the beauty of the encroaching night. Link had promised to return by nightfall, but she hadn't heard a word from him or his group. Just as she started to consider sending a secondary patrol, she saw the silhouettes along the horizon; two riders on horseback, galloping to make it to the bridge before last light.
Zelda was unsurprised as she saw them make it across, but her relief was visible. Unaware of how many men Link had decided to take along, she didn't doubt that one returning cavalry was him.
Expecting him to find her momentarily, she settled back down to finish her reading in comfort.
Nearly an hour passed before there was a knock at her door, and she granted the interloper passage. "You certainly took your sweet time," She teased, not looking away from the pages of 'The Goddess's Chosen People'. "I nearly fell asleep waiting."
"My apologies, your Highness," The guard bowed deeply, and Zelda could not place the voice. She turned, only in her nightclothes, to find one of her archers with his nose nearly on the floor.
She kept her confusion locked away, "Rise. Has your commanding officer sent you here?" Perhaps Link was just exhausted from his expedition. Though, if she was being honest with herself, mere exhaustion had never kept him from bidding her goodnight before.
The guard rose, not meeting her eyes, "Yes, Princess. He would like me to inform you he will be back tomorrow, and that all is well."
"If all is well, why has he not kept his promise of returning tonight?"
"We encountered native peoples; the great birds people have seen are simply their mounts. Commander Link spoke to them; they seemed very friendly and responsive, but I regret to inform you I don't know much of the exchange."
"Were you not present?"
"Yes, Princess. They spoke a dead dialect; Old Hylian, I think. I was unaware the Commander is fluent."
"As was I," She furrowed her brow slightly.
"He spoke with them for a while, and then told us we would be of no use where he was going. We went on our way. I can only assume he's gone to spend time among them."
Zelda was silent for a moment, "I understand." Link had always been good at befriending even the most hostile tribes, and it settled the gnawing doubt in her stomach that perhaps the fallen land hid malevolent intent. "Thank you. Anything else to report?"
"No, Princess."
"You are dismissed. Sleep well."
"Thank you, Princess." He bowed again, and shut the door softly as he exited. Zelda, left to herself with her thoughts, watched as the stars blinked to life in the night sky.
"Leave it to you to find adventure on the eve of your own birthday." She mused, thinking about the festivities she'd planned for the next day. Invitations had gone out nearly two months ago to the prominent tribes; the Zora, the Gerudo, the Gorons- and now they could be on the cusp of political turmoil. Didn't it figure?
She closed her book, standing to snuff out the candles one by one. It was only after the last one had gone out that she noticed there was no moonlight; a new moon for a new season, she supposed.
This chapter is relatively slow, I know, but... they'll be more action later on.
Thank you for reading, and if you have a moment, please leave a review!
