Link and Ilia cared for Epona, and, as promised, Rusl gave them lessons. Two months later, Uli went into labor in the middle of a lesson. The lesson was cut short, and a few hours later, Uli had a baby boy. The third child in the village, not including Link and Ilia. The other two children were Talo and Beth, son and daughter of Pergie and Sera, respectively. Link was absolutely fascinated by the tiny pink bundle Rusl and Uli called Colin. At that moment, something in him started to grow. He wouldn't know until he was older.
Maybe he wanted to be happy, like Rusl and Uli.
Maybe he wanted a sibling, like his daddy and Uncle Malden.
Maybe he wanted to make other people happy like Colin seemingly did.
He didn't know.
Epona was getting better. She was now energetic like most foals her age. Ilia soon found out that the little horse preferred Link over her. Maybe because he was quieter. Colin was a very quiet baby, unlike Talo, who was a few months older.
Everything was fine until Link was eight. That was when the war came to Ordon.
The War started when Link was four, near Lake Hylia, a day's ride from Ordon. The Bulblins that lived in the great Gerudo desert became increasingly aggressive and started to raid (more like attack) nearby villages, thus disrupting the trade that Hyrule had with them (sheep, goats, cattle, etc.) After a while, Hyrule became fed up with the raids and sent a small force to get rid of them. The Bulblins saw this as a declaration of war and laid siege on a nearby fort. They won, and have been getting stronger ever since. Now Hyrule was losing. They needed more soldiers.
Malden was numbered among the recruits. He wasn't reluctant to leave, which surprised Link.
"Uncle..."
"Yes?"
"Aren't you scared? I mean, you could die."
Malden sighed. "Link..."
"Do you remember when your father sent you here?" Link was confused. What did that have to do with this?
"Y-Yes."
"Well…your father sent you because he loves you. He knew that you couldn't live a happy life in Esmon. I'm doing this because I love you, too. I care for you as if you are my son, and I want to protect you, along with Ilia, Talo, Beth, Malo, and Colin."
Link nodded "You still didn't answer my question yet. Are you scared?"
"...Everyone is. What would you do if I died?" he answered.
"I dunno."
"That's what I'm scared of. But I'll fight anyways, to protect you and everyone else."
Link nodded again. "You know what, Uncle?"
"What, Cucco Butt?"
Link laughed. "No, that's not it."
"So what is it you what to tell me?"
"I like you."
Link watched as the men in the village mounted their horses the next day. They needed to arrive at Castle Town by nightfall. Rusl, Jaggle, Nero (Ilia's uncle; he was gone most of the time, caring for a close friend of his) and Hanch. And Malden. Arietta was going, too. She was a nurse, and there weren't many of them in Hyrule. Ilia ran up to her, crying.
"Mommy!"
"Hush, my girl. I'll be alright."
"Don't go!"
She bent down and kissed her daughter's cheek. "Ilia."
"Yes, Mommy?"
"I love you."
"Ilia, could you be a big girl for me?" She stopped crying and hugged her mother. After a while she spoke. "I'll take care of daddy for you, Mommy. I'll make him eat lots of veggibles."
Ari laughed softly. "OK, Ilia. Take care of Daddy like you said, big girl. And" she added "Take care of Link. He'll be all alone." she whispered into her ear. Ilia giggled. "OK, Mommy." Ari hugged her daughter once more and rode off with the others. Ilia stood watching them leave, and, unbeknownst to her, a tear slipped down her cheek.
A year later, they returned. Link jumped up and shook his friend awake. "Ilia, they're back! They're back!" he cried happily. She woke immediately.
"Look." Link said, pointing in the direction of the spring.
There was Rusl. Behind him was Jaggle and Hanch, following closely. They were alone. Link and Ilia watched in disbelief. Where was Malden? And Ari and Nero? Rusl dismounted Luna. "Link…Ilia..." He paused.
"I-I'm sorry."
Ilia's eyes widened.
"Link, your uncle is dead. The same for your mother, Ilia. And Nero."
Tears streamed down her face. She clenched her teeth to keep from shouting at him, at anyone, anything. She ran down the path to the main body of the village, sobbing. Link just stood there, not knowing what to do. He'd never felt pain like this before.
It was worse than when he broke his arm.
More than when he hurt his ankle so badly it swelled up like a balloon.
More than when he got bit by a fox and the bite got infected.
More than when his father sent him off to Ordon to live with his uncle for no apparent reason
More than anything, really.
He was still standing there when the men left.
Why uncle?
Why Mom?
Why death at all?
Why does it hurt?
Is this how Dad felt when Mom died?
So many questions. They made his head hurt.
"Link..."
He turned around. Ilia was standing there. It was evening, now. How long had he been standing there?
"Wanna go to the spring?"
Something in her had snapped. The joy that constantly seeped into her voice was gone. She seemed monotonous, almost. Her eyes weren't forest green like they used to be, either. They were...different. Sad. Yes, Sad.