Once again, Link was up the next day without any trouble. Linebeck and the others insisted Link should stay in bed, but Link had other thoughts. He wanted desperately to go back into the forest and fight more monsters. He had to perfect fighting with his right arm. How else would he be able to defeat Bellum? However, this time it was more difficult to leave the house, because all of them were there that day. Link should've guessed that they wouldn't leave him alone a second time.
Link walked out into the main room of the house and gave a wave to all of his friends. Oshus nodded back at Link and Linebeck gave him a wave. Ciela flew over to Link and danced around his head. Link brought his right hand up to Ciela and smiled at her.
"How're you feeling today kid? Any better?" Linebeck asked.
Link looked at the sailor and nodded. Ciela moved to Link's bandaged stub and studied it herself. Link glanced down at her curiously.
"Does it hurt at all …?" Ciela asked quietly.
Link shook his head, assuring all of them that he was alright. Oshus walked over to Link and also studied the boy's dismembered arm.
"Tomorrow it should be healed for the most part. I can take out the stitches then." he explained. Link's eyes widened with excitement. Finally! They'd get taken off!
"But," Oshus started, "For now, you need to rest. You can't be going off into the forest quite yet. You got badly bruised up yesterday, my lad. Tomorrow once the stitches are out, you can train as much as you'd like."
It was frustrating to Link that he still couldn't train. He just wanted to save Tetra. Linebeck stepped forward and looked down at Link with a smile.
"Don't worry kid, as soon as you're ready, we'll set off to see Zauz. We've got the metals, all we need is the Phantom Sword, right Old Man?" Linebeck asked Oshus. Oshus nodded. "Yeah, so we're golden! You take the time to rest up. You'll need your strength."
Ciela flew over to Linebeck and bobbed around his head playfully. "Aw, Linebeck, what's gotten into you~?" she asked happily, "You seem so nice towards Link now~"
Linebeck turned away, a smug look returning to him. "Now? What are you talking about Sparkles? I've always been nice towards the kid! Isn't that right, Link?"
Link shrugged and gave Linebeck an unsure look. Ciela and Oshus howled with laughter as Linebeck stared in awe at Link's response. Everyone was happy to see that Link was indeed in good spirits despite everything that had happened as of late.
Oshus walked up to Link, "While you can't go out into the forest, you're more than welcome to take a stroll outside and around the village. Restricting you to the house just isn't fair if you're able to walk just fine."
Link nodded, giving Oshus a contented smile. Ciela flew up to Link and bobbed happily. "I could go with you if you'd like, Link~" Link nodded, happily accepting her company.
"I need to go check on a few things at the ship. You two are welcome to come along, just don't be annoying while we're there!"
Ciela and Link both sighed. There's the Linebeck we all know, Link thought. The duo headed outside before Linebeck. Just as the sailor was about to follow them, Oshus stopped him.
"Link should be resting for weeks, Linebeck …" he explained, "It isn't safe for him to be out fighting monsters so soon after the stitches are taken out."
Linebeck nodded, "I know that. But, who are we to stop him? If he stays cooped up in the house, he's never going to save his little friend."
"If we don't stop him, he could get seriously injured." Oshus added, "I know the lad doesn't like it, but he needs to be looked after. He can't go around saving the world when he could injure himself at the flick of his wrist."
Linebeck nodded, but then looked back at Oshus with a smile. "You haven't seen what this kid is capable of. He's plenty strong, Old Man! If all he needs is three days, then all he needs is three days!"
"Linebeck, please, be practical." Oshus said sternly, "If Link gets killed his-"
Linebeck walked off, "I know, I know, his blood will be on my hands," he replied, "his blood already was on my hands …"
He sighed, having said that and walked down the steps to Link and Ciela. The duo looked at him sadly, Linebeck bit back his guilt and ruffled Link's hair and bopped Ciela with his hand.
"Come on, dogs, let's go." Linebeck said. They both nodded and followed after him. Oshus watched from the doorway and shook his head.
"What am I going to do with them …?"
The trio made it to town, and saw people bustling around. Link, usually one to see what the villagers were doing, cowered behind Linebeck. He looked back at Link and noticed how close he was to him.
"Kid, what's wrong, you're like a slug- what's going on?" he asked.
Link shook his head, assuring him it was nothing. Linebeck rolled his eyes and continued on towards the ship. Ciela flew down to Link and looked at him.
"Trying to hide your arm …?" she asked. Link nodded helplessly. "Don't worry, Link, we'll be at the ship soon!"
Linebeck felt awful. Link was hiding himself, when he usually was one to run around and see how people were doing. It didn't help that villagers kept looking their way and giving Link a and company a wave. Of course, Link would wave back, but he tried his best to keep his left arm concealed.
However, a villager came right up to Link and his friends with a big smile on his face.
"Well, if it isn't the Great Captain Linebeck~" the villager said happily, "Going off on an excursion?"
Linebeck shook his head, "Ha, as much as I'd love to, I'm docking here for a few more days." Linebeck said, putting on his brave facade. "However, the sea calls to me, and a real man of the sea can't stay away for long!"
Link and Ciela snickered behind him. Seeing Linebeck act like this after getting to know him for months was a pretty ridiculous, albeit funny sight. Linebeck glared back at the two of them, and the villager noticed the two behind him. Link quickly swung his stub behind his back, flinching at the sudden pain that shot through his body.
"Oh, right, this is the kid who's been searching for the Ghost Ship with you." the villager said, "Any luck finding it?"
Link nodded, offering the man a smile. The man gave Link at hardy pat on the back and sent him flying to the ground. "Well good job! I hope you found a decent amount of treasur-"
The man cut himself off, and saw Link struggling to his feet with only one arm. The sleeve on his left arm dangled so that it was shockingly obvious that Link didn't have an arm there anymore. The man looked at Linebeck and then back at Link, shocked.
"What happened to your arm, kid?" the man asked, "Oh goddesses, Linebeck, what happened to him?"
Linebeck sighed, guess it couldn't be hidden forever. "It was a gyorg. It came out of nowhere and attacked him …"
Link looked down at the ground, bringing his stub behind him again, looking away from both of them. Ciela looked at Link worriedly.
"Link …?" she asked quietly. He didn't look up at her.
"Well, I'm sure the Great Linebeck jumped in to save you, no doubt!" the man said, trying to lighten the mood.
Linebeck rubbed the back of his neck and nodded. "Heh, yeah. I couldn't just let the poor kid go out like that. Even a hero needs to be saved sometimes!"
To everyone's surprise, Link bolted off for the ship, ignoring any calls made to him. Ciela chased after him, and Linebeck bid farewell to the obvious fan of his.
"Link!" Ciela cried.
"Kid! Slow down!" Linebeck yelled.
By the time they made it to the boat, Link was gone. Ciela flew around deck looking for him, and Linebeck looked around as well. They both noticed the latch to the inside of the ship had been flung open, and they both hurried inside.
"Kid? You in here? Link!" Linebeck called out. Once down the stairs, Linebeck and Ciela saw Link standing by the statue of Tetra. His head was drooped, and he looked like he was shaking.
"Kid, are you okay?" Linebeck asked, walking towards him. Ciela flew over to Link and looked at him.
"Link, don't cry it'll be alright!" Ciela exclaimed. "Oh … Linebeck, what do we do …?"
Great, now he's crying, Linebeck thought. If only that villager could've kept his comments to himself. If only he hadn't done the things he did. Linebeck walked over to Link and placed a hand on his shoulder, Link's head slowly perked up, but he didn't look at either Ciela or Linebeck.
"You can't let what that guy said get to you, kid …" Linebeck said calmingly. Link gave him what almost seemed like a small nod. "Or is it about me bragging about how I saved you …? I know, I didn't really save you … I only saved half of you …"
Link turned to face Linebeck with wide eyes, his cheeks stained with tear marks. Linebeck felt about ready to break, himself. Link suddenly embraced Linebeck in a hug, burying his face into his coat. Little sobs escaped him. He didn't want Linebeck thinking it was his fault. It really wasn't. He wish there was something he could do to show him it wasn't.
Linebeck hesitated before hugging Link back, his arms shakily wrapping around the younger one. Ciela's wings drooped as she nuzzled against both of their faces. She hated seeing them both like this.
"Linebeck, no one blames you …" Ciela said quietly. "Both Link and I are happy for what you did, right Link?" Link gave a little nod, still burying his face. "What you did was the bravest thing ever. You risked your life to save Link, and that's very admirable, I think …"
Linebeck sighed, closing his eyes. He felt a lump return to his throat. "It still wasn't enough … and because my carelessness, Link had to pay for it …"
Link finally parted from the hug and looked up at Linebeck, shaking his head fast. Linebeck sighed and put a hand on Link's head. "Look, kid, I know you don't want to think it's true, but it really is my fault. You use to be so sociable with the villagers, and earlier you were hiding from them. I noticed."
"Linebeck …" Ciela said quietly.
"Everything that happened, your arm, your insecurities … it's all because of me …" Linebeck said, bringing a hand to his face. He clenched his other hand into a fist. Tears fell from his face. "I'm so sorry, Link … I really am just a worthless man. I can't even do one thing right …"
Link slowly hugged Linebeck again and felt the older wrap his arms around him again, sobbing into his shoulder. It felt strange, seeing him cry. No one would've ever thought someone like him would be one to cry so willingly in front of others. Ciela flew up to his face and spoke quietly.
"Linebeck, you're not worthless. You've been such a great help to both Link and I so far. You've been such a great friend too! Sure, there's times where I wanna thrash my entire being against you to teach you a lesson, but … you really mean so much more than you give yourself credit for!"
Link nodded in agreement. Linebeck had provided a ship for them to use, they found the Ghost Ship thanks to him, and it's because of him that Link was even alive at this point.
"Link wouldn't have gotten far without you, Linebeck." Ciela explained, "You've helped him with his quest. I'm sure Tetra will be grateful for your help too."
Link glanced over at the statue of Tetra and nodded. He parted from the hug and looked up at Linebeck. Tears still stained his cheeks, but he managed to give Linebeck a reassuring smile. Linebeck looked to both of them and brought his sleeve up to wipe his own face.
"Thank you, Ciela … Thank you Link …" Under normal circumstances, both Link and Ciela would've been shocked that he addressed them without nicknames or snarky remarks. But, right now, they were just glad to be with each other.
Linebeck looked down at Link, giving him a sad smile. "I told you I was going to change, Link, and I intend on keeping my promise."
Ciela bounced back and forth happily, "Oh boy, does this mean our 'rude' Linebeck is gone then?"
Linebeck glared at her, "You're hilarious. I was referring to Link, not you."
Link and Ciela let out a good laugh. All this crying and laughing left everyone with so many mixed emotions. They finished up what they needed to check on at the boat, and they headed back to Oshus' place for the night. On their way out of the ship, Linebeck called out to Link.
"Hey, kid?" he called. Link turned back to see Linebeck look at him with worried eyes. "Let's keep this whole thing between you, Sparkles, and I, alright? Oshus doesn't need to know how much of a baby I really am."
Link gave him a reassuring smile and nodded. With that, they both headed back to Oshus, for some well-deserved rest.
