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Chapter 3
A coarse wind swept over the lake, ruffling it's surface and creating small waves. Link stood at the edge of the beach, the toes of his shoes inches from the water. Bending down he sustained a crouched position and withdrew his stick, tapping one end against the water and distorting the image of himself reflecting back at him.
He began a series of taps, doling on the water as a percussionist would a tune on their drums.
Tap tap
Tap tap tap
Tap tap
Tap
Tap tap tap tap
He repeated the same sequence of successions and pauses three times then waited, leaning his weight back on his heels.
He gazed out over the cool clear water, glistening in the light of the sun. Over to his left a heron stalked the shallows, searching for unwary fish that drew near. From the opposite bank he spotted a keaton nosing along the shoreline. It peered up at him questioningly, as if curious to his behavior, then continued on into the brambles.
He glanced around anxiously. He'd completed his work at the forge early just so he could have the extra few hours of free time, but he was wary about being caught. Not that he was doing anything nefarious, just that unwanted questions would be raised, questions which he was unwilling to answer.
After a decent interval, in which he deduced nothing was going to happen, he started again with the tapping sequence and then set to wait, ever patient.
It happened in an instant.
The water began rippling near the center of the lake as something rose up. A dark shadow appeared and shot toward him like an arrow.
Standing, he tossed the stick away and from the lake a fish-like being broke out causing an eruption of water as it vaulted into the air and somersaulted, neatly landing on the patch of sand before him, water lapping at flippered feet.
The Zora eyed him inquisitively then spoke in a soothing voice like the rippling of a pond. "Who are you that you have knowledge of our hidden codes and messages?"
Link met the Zora, gaze for gaze, and answered. "An osprey in the sky, and a heron in the waters, but nothing fazes a minnow-"
"Like a pike in the reeds," the Zora finished automatically. He considered Link then, a small measure of respect was granted as it came to him as to just who Link was. His conclusion only solidified as Link briefly flashed the golden triangle on the back of his left hand. "It's been over a hundred years since you've last arisen, hero."
It had been a simple task to summon a Zora to him. Wherever there was a large body of water the aquatic race was bound to congregate, gathered in their own small communities in the deep depths. And as Heron Lake formed the connection to both Lake Hylia and Zora's Domain, Zoras were guaranteed to be abound.
"A hundred years of well earned peace, then," said Link, and his voice became somber. "And now evil approaches once more. Tell me, who is the current ruler of the Zoras?"
The Zora moved from the shore and waded into deeper water where he was more comfortable. "Our queen, the descendent of the great King Malgius, Queen Helerra," he responded. "I admit, I am uncertain whether to be overjoyed at your presence or dismayed, for you being here heralds dark times for us all, and it is never ascertained that you will prevail."
"I've not failed before," said Link, in full confidence. He had eight lifetimes to back him up.
The Zora looked at him searchingly then conceded. "That you haven't. At any rate, as always, we will give aid as the hero needs it."
Link nodded, expecting no less. "Will you then take me to Zora's Domain?"
"Certainly."
Link approached the Zora. Up to his thighs in lake water he nested his hands around the Zora's proffered head tail. He clutched tightly to the scaly fin as the Zora suddenly dove.
A murky swirl of blue and green met him as they submerged beneath the lake, rays filtering in as shafts of light casting the sun's glow through the clouded waters. As they drew further away from the shore the water beneath him became dark until it was one mass of ominous blackness and he was unable to see the lakebed. Who knew what all lurked in their depths. He was no stranger to sea monsters himself, but it had always been a point of fear in his life, a fear that he'd been forced to set aside in light of duty and necessity.
Link strived not to look downwards and noted how the surface became convoluted as they approached the falls.
The Zora surfaced and Link drew a gasping breath, sucking in the sweet air.
"Apologies," the Zora murmured. "We Zoras often forget about the short spans that Hylians are able to hold their breaths."
"Well," said Link, clinging tightly to the head tail as if wanting to strangle it. "It would be much appreciated if you didn't forget anymore. Need to breath occasionally. A necessity of life, you know."
"I shall take that into consideration," the Zora replied.
"Yes. Thank you."
Link indicated when he was suitably ready and the Zora dove again then started up the waterfall. Link clenched his eyes and closed his mouth as the falls pummelled him in its incessant gravitational drive. He felt remotely relieved when they reached the top and the Zora granted him a few minutes to catch his breath before continuing on upstream.
Link could only thank the Goddesses that he was born as a summer child. He mentally shivered at the thought of how unbearable the journey to Zoras Domain would have been if he'd had to contend with the frigid temperatures of winter. Death would have met him as he was consumed with shock and frostbite. If not his life, he would be sure to lose a few fingers and toes. The winter was harsh, and he would not have been able to delay reaching Zoras Domain. As it was, summer was far more pleasant.
His arrival at the Domain led to quite a bit of shock. Zoras basking on the rocks or swimming lazily in the pool looked up sharply and stared as his escort carried him to the throne room. He wasn't sure where Hylians stood in their relationship to the Zoras in this lifetime, but it had never before deteriorated to hostile intentions against the other as various relationships had with the Gerudos or Gorons. He was confident he was not being led into a sort of trap. Although, the way those Zoras were eyeing him was quite unnerving.
He'd be on his toes, just in case. It wouldn't do to naively place his trust in a tribe that he'd once allied with, as alliances tended to change over the centuries.
Zoras Domain had changed very little over the interval between his previous and latest rebirth. If anything it had expanded to offer more solid ledges so that those who were not Zoras could get around easier, without having to rely on the Zoras' swimming expertise. The great waterfall that featured as the main entry to the throne room loomed high before them and Link watched as a pair of armored Zoras came diving down.
His escort bobbed in the water for a bit, before speaking to him. "Would you rather take the stairs, hero? The journey upwards can be a tad overbearing to mere Hylians. It would require you to hold your breath for three minutes at the least."
Link smirked. "You're forgetting, I've gone up this waterfall many times before, and on the backs of Zoras who took less than half that time."
Bristling, the Zora took his silent challenge to heart and without any preamble, shot up the waterfall. Link had barely a moment to take a breath before his face was full of water and he twisted his head away to direct most of the pressure aside.
At the top the Zora swam into an offside shallow pool where the waters were still and Link could get his bearings. They waded onto the banks and without a word, but with a self-satisfied air about him, the Zora stomped away. Link smirked and followed at a leisurely pace.
They hadn't quite reached the chamber when the Zora motioned for him to halt.
"Wait here a moment. I shall announce to her majesty of your arrival and have the throne room cleared out." Then he rushed on ahead.
After a few minutes in which quite a number of Zoras were being ushered out, all the while casting him mixed looks of interest or annoyance, the Zora escort summoned him and he was led before the Queen Zora.
Queen Helerra was young, perhaps a few years his senior, but what struck him most was not that she didn't resemble even remotely like her ancestor King Malgius, but that she was undeniably tall, a good two feet taller than himself actually. Then again he was cursed indefinitely to remain short. It was the bane of his existence – of all of his existences - that he did not meet a high enough standard to be declared even average height. For a male his ego had taken a dire blow, although conditioning had hardened him to the effects over time.
Queen Helerra stood pacing before her throne. Another Zora, who he could only assume was her personal advisor, was watching her keenly as if waiting for any remote signal that prefigured as to what she was thinking. Upon his entrance he caught her gaze and she all but beamed at him, a fervent enthusiasm that left him with a sense of eeriness.
"Great hero! We have eagerly awaited your arrival these past eleven decades and are overjoyed to have you among us once again," she gushed, stepping forward to grasp his hands and look them over for the Triforce mark, grinning in satisfaction as the symbol twinkled back at her reassuringly.
Link was speechless, caught in a mild form of shock. The only other Zora he'd known to be this zealous had been Queen Ruto. It contrasted highly with the normally soft and docile demeanor that he was more accustomed to among the Zora race.
The Queen looked him up and down, and ever so slowly her expression fell and her eyes crinkled with uncertainty. Leaning away she whispered to her advisor from the corner of her mouth. "You sure this is the hero? He's rather scrawny, I always pictured him to be…you know…a touch more on the brawn side, if you get what I'm saying."
The advisor shrugged helplessly. "You fantasize to your own tastes, my Queen. When reality hits, it is never as one expects."
Queen Helerra nodded, shaking Link's hand furiously. This time she didn't even bother to hush her words. "Too true, too true. Well met, hero…er…what was your name again. It eludes me how, but the hero's name always seems to detach itself from any and all historical records."
Affronted, Link snatched his hand away right as the Queen dropped it, debating whether to remain and endure or to leave and come back when the next heir assumed the throne. The problem with the later was that it might require decades before any change in power came about, and that was time he didn't have. He should have known to expect the random whacko from Ruto's line.
Sighing in resignation, he replied solidly. "It's Link. And please, your majesty, I need-"
She flicked her hand, holding up a finger and abruptly cutting him off. "You're quite right. We're wasting time. The small talk can be reserved for later when evil is not upon us. A great quest awaits you, and by the grace of the Zoras, and with the guidance of their queen," to which, she indicated herself and the Zora escort and advisor bowed reverently, "the hero shall prevail."
She then turned and waltzed away. "Come," she ordered without looking to see if he followed. "I know why you are here. I shall take you to the hero's chamber. Joran, you come along as well."
The advisor, so named Joran, indicated for Link to follow, but before Link did he nodded thankfully at his escort. "Thanks for the ride."
His escort quirked the arch over his eye where what would have been an eyebrow resided and nodded in returned. "Don't mention it. And especially not with that phrasing."
Link took a moment to splutter and gasp, face reddening with indignation, rankled at the implication. He took a threatening step forward, and the escort took a mirrored step back, smiling teasingly. "Why you – that was – How dare -"
"Hero!"
His attention was drawn to Queen Zora and Joran, who were a ways ahead of him, embarking down a set of stairs. When he turned back, his infuriating escort had disappeared. Swam away as fast as his fishy limbs could take him, no doubt.
Grumbling and cursing, he pivoted harshly to follow the queen. The flush on his cheeks only finally abated as they reached what Queen Helerra had designated as the hero's chamber. The pair of guards standing sentinel on either side of the great stone door hastily stepped aside at the approach of their queen.
She nodded her permission and the guards jabbed the butt end of their spears into a pair of openings on the lock mechanism. They tugged in opposite directions, causing the enormous lock to spin, tumblers grating, and then cracking along the center as a small indent revealed itself. The queen then held up a coral pendant from around her neck, and, casting Link a wink, inserted it into the indent and made a cruel twist. Link and the other Zoras flinched. Although he wasn't sure why, he somehow perceived that act as rather destructive. At once the doors broke open, and the guards grasped the edges to widen them further, unearthing a round chamber.
Familiarity overwhelmed him as he stepped within. Torches along the wall lit up with blue fire upon his entrance. His eyes darted to and fro, taking note of what was new and what was old. The queen leaned against the stone archway, her arms crossed and smiling at his awe.
She waved her hand. "There you have it. Take your pick."
Link looked around and thought he would do just that.
It had occurred to him around four lifetimes ago that he should find a means of preserving the sacred artifacts he'd gathered on his journeys so that they would not be lost to time or decay. Also this way it wouldn't be such a hassle to have to relocate said items all over again, and he wouldn't constantly need to backtrack because there'd be some places he just couldn't reach on his own. Some of them had to be returned to their original locations, but many others, like his bomb bag, his magic pouches, and – oh yes! – his beloved hookshot, had been stored for safekeeping. Gingerly he held the weathered piece of metal, complete with its coil and spring…although, it wasn't really weathered. Actually it was rather shiny for a centuries old gadget. He turned it over in his hand, utterly perplexed as he began to notice the various differences between this hookshot and the one that he recalled from long ago.
"Impressed? I had it commissioned from the Goron blacksmiths all the way on Death Mountain. Would have taken an arm and a leg to pay for it, had I not told them it was for the chosen hero, I got a marvelous discount for that. The fools didn't even question why I'd requested three! You see, I just knew that the hero would arise within the next generation or two; the sudden increase of monsters around Hyrule is a rather good indicator of rising evil, and our priestess has been having distorted illusions about it for a time," the Zora Queen carried on exuberantly. "It has added length to it, it's faster, it can latch deeply into the wood without worry of loosening, and it can even penetrate stone. Why, there's even a small switch that when activated can release deadly shocks of electricity if you were to use it on an enemy. Ingenious, isn't it?"
Link gazed at it, stunned. He mumbled something inaudible under his breath.
Queen Helerra cocked her head, rather pleased with herself. "Pardon? A little louder, if you please." She leaned forward, a smile on her face as she waited for some form of praise.
Link inhaled waveringly and reiterated. "Where is the original? What did you do with it?"
The queen laughed lightly, hand waving in a flitting motion. "That old scrap of metal?" She shrugged. "Threw it away, it was way outdated. Its make has not been used since the Hero of Time's era, but you would know that, wouldn't you hero?" She winked salaciously, but Link was not amused.
He rounded on her, boiling in anger. "You got rid of it?! How could you do that? How can you tell me this like it was nothing?!"
The queen suddenly became somber, eyes narrowed in displeasure. "Of course I did, you ungrateful little twat! It was old! Ancient, rather, and in major disrepair! As were your others items, actually, I've had most of them replaced too!"
Link hastily swivelled around and examined his gear in mute horror. He touched each one, picking them up and looking them over, at once recognizing the new designs and altercations of this era's influence. He set the large hunk of metal that was meant to be the Hylian shield down and slowly turned towards the glowering queen. "How could you…how could you do that? You replaced everything?"
She tilted her head and pressed a long slender finger to her chin in thought. "Well…not absolutely everything. There was no way to mimic the magic in those gauntlets of yours, so those are still there. And then around twenty years ago the lens of truth all of the sudden disappeared. Don't know how to explain that-"
"It's not like I go through your things! Why'd you have to meddle with mine?" shot Link.
"Meddling?" Queen Helerra snarled as she took a menacing step forward, hands fisting. The Zora guards stiffened with fright, trying in vain to shrink into obscurity as their queen was about to have a conniption. Joran shuffled forward but Queen Helerra cut him off before he could say anything.
"It is my duty to keep the hero's things in order so he can be prepared for whatever trials he is to face. It is not my fault if you couldn't take proper care of them. It was my Zoras who polished and oiled your little devices, not you and not the Hylians."
Just outside the door, the guards backed up in fright, their spears quivering in their hands while Joran hovered nearby, hesitant to intercede. It was evident that they quite feared their queen's wrath, and that they were used to her flipping every once and awhile. Somehow though, Joran mustered up his courage and inched forward.
"Please hero, her majesty's intentions were well-founded and pure. She simply wished to aid the future hero in whatever way she could," he said delicately, voice wavering, attempting to smooth over the situation.
Link took a moment to calm down. He took a good look at his arsenal, the devices shiny and new, and, he mused, looking as if they belonged in a display case. Nevertheless, he reluctantly admitted that perhaps the Zora Queen had a point. Hyrule wasn't getting any younger, and besides, the only major differences he could see were the fashion and designs. Other than that they were relatively similar to his old things.
He set about gearing up, fastening the band with his magic pouches around his waist, his baldric over his shoulder and stuffing into them as many items as he thought he needed. Throwing knives were lined in hidden pockets along the baldric and he tugged on his upgraded Zora armor to hide it. He shoved anything that looked as if it were of value in his pouches, decided to only wear the accessories when he actually left the village. Goddesses know how suspicious he'd look showing up donning gold and silver. They'd jump to accusations, believing him a thief and his reputation would quickly plummet.
Once finished, he nodded graciously to the queen, indebted to her. It was by choice that the Zoras had agreed to be the keepers of the hero's artifacts. King Malgius had told him it was no problem since he continuously managed to save the world from impending peril. However, he never felt as if he could ever fully relay his appreciation to the Zoras and so was ever thankful to them.
The queen had simmered down as she'd watched him gather his items and was now smiling at him smugly. "All ready to go? You're not going to throw another fit because I personally autographed the collar of your Zora armor are you?"
"You what!"
But she'd started out of the chamber, directing him to follow. "Consider it a token from the Zora Queen. Aren't you the lucky one to be in her supremeness's favor?"
He fumed silently as she and her advisor led him back up to the throne room where Joran quickly departed to call on Link's escort to return him to the village.
Falling heavily on her throne, the queen sighed dolefully. "I suppose then my part is done. Go now, hero. The world awaits for you to save it," she muttered silently, then frowned. "Although it does seem a premature act, doesn't it? Ordinarily we'd be beneath ice by now, but lo, that hasn't happened. Curious, I say…"
Link halted before her, even seated, his head had to crane upwards to meet her black orbs, hardened in a steely gaze of concern. He spoke to her, a voice of warning. "Perhaps evil has yet to make its move. In any case, I implore you to be cautious, and for a time, do not trust any strangers, especially those who mean to trick you with the intent of goodwill."
Queen Helerra peered down at him, hard and unwavering. "I've already doubled the guard and watch. We aren't allowing any emissaries entrance and are sending Zoran ambassadors to deal with any foreign affairs and interspecies alliances. If anything suspicious does arise, my people shall find a means to contact you."
Joran reappeared with the Zora from Heron Lake. Upon spotting Link, the escort formed a wry grin. Link narrowed his eyes, his earlier annoyance at the fish-being returning full force. Stiffly he bowed one last time to the queen – she may not have the most amiable of natures but his respect was still due – and left with his escort. He hesitated as they reached the waterfall.
"Ready to ride me, oh great hero?"
Link scowled and instead of replying, pulled up his mouth covering then turned and jumped off the ledge. Air whooshed past his face and his eyes teared up against the rushing air. His arms spread and then came together in a neat dive and he pierced the bottom like an arrow, bubbles swirling around him. He'd worn the Zora armor for this very reason and wasn't fazed as he swam for a while just beneath the surface, his mask filtering out the oxygen directly from the surrounding liquid and pulling it into his lungs.
He felt the rippling of water as his guide followed closely beneath him. He swam on his own for a while. Later on he'd have no choice but to use his guide for assistance, but for right now he'd manage fine by himself.
As soon as Link was lost to sight, Queen Helerra sank further into her throne, a quaint smile flitting at her lips. She released a single short laugh full of glee and closed her eyes, leaning her head on her shoulder, taking full advantage of the reprieve before her court realized that the hero had left and returned in swarms to the throne room.
A slight cough reminded her that she was not entirely alone. Lazily, she swung her head around and fixed Joran with a look of annoyance.
"Yes? Is there something you wish you say?"
Joran hesitated then sighed as he forged on. "It is just…why are you so happy, your majesty? A great evil arises, Hyrule is once again endangered, and yet you smile as if deeply contented."
Her smile broadened. "That is because I am deeply content. At long last, the hero has come. Do you know what that means?"
Joran slowly shook his head in admittance. "What does it mean?"
"It means," the queen relayed, "that a great evil is coming."
At her advisor's continued perplexed and slightly dumbfounded expression. She sighed as if woeful and continued to explain. "Can you name all the great King and Queen Zoras that have come before me?"
Uncertain as to where this was going, Joran replied. "Well, there's Queen Ruto, Queen Rutela and then King Ralis. King Malgius was also noted for being great in his day…but what has that got to do with…"
She leaned back on her throne, fingers fiddling with her coral pendant. "The greatest of our people, and the first of those we teach the youngsters about when reciting history. And do you know what happens to all the other kings and queens…" she paused for effect then answered her own question. "They're forgotten, overshadowed and made indistinct from one another. The only ones who've ever made a mark on history are those who've lived during the dark ages where a hero was required. The reason that I am so happy is not because the hero has turned out to be rather more attractive than I've initially judged him at first impression, but that I'm now in league with those past great rulers. I shall not be cast aside and remembered only fondly of, like one would remember a dear pet, as my father is remembered."
Joran tilted his head, bemused. "So…as long as you'll be remembered as one of our more prominent rulers in history…"
"That is exactly it!"
"But your majesty, you would not be forgotten in time. You do not have to be a great ruler to be remembered, we still have records of all our other monarchs."
Queen Helerra waved her hand dismissively. "Oh certainly I'll not be forgotten. I'm aiding Hyrule's hero, am I not? I will be known for my greatness in ages to come, that is what a great ruler strives for."
Joran shook his head, uncertain how to react to that. But it didn't matter now. The queen would have what she wanted, and as long as she continued her rule as she was, their people would do well. It wasn't likely to interfere with her work, so let her indulge in her belief.
Murmuring to herself, silently, the queen gazed at her coral pendant between her fingers as she twisted it this way and that. "Unlike you father, I will not be forgotten…"
They toppled down Heron Falls just as the moon peeked its crescent glow over the horizon. The Heron Lake Zora veered towards the village and, spinning, made a quick jerking motion that loosened Link's grip and sent him skimming the last few feet to the shore. He crashed into the beach, hands splaying out in front of him and face planting in the sand. He spat a wad of gritty sand out of his mouth and turned a narrowed gaze at his Zora escort - who had still yet to name himself.
The escort laughed and submerged beneath the water without so much as a word of parting. Groaning, Link sat up and splashed water on his face and rinsed his mouth. He grimaced as a foul taste remained, but bore it. As he ambled onto shore he checked his things and became distressed as he discovered that water had seeped into one of his magic pouches and had soaked the two other tunics that the queen had supplied.
"Perfect," he scowled, divesting himself of the Zora armor and patting down his village clothes. It would take ages to wash the reek of lake water out of them.
He discarded the pouches and emptied the one of water as best he could before folding it and bundling it with the Zora armor. A search among the rock clefts revealed a small cavity where he could stash the items until it came time to depart. Keeping two knives concealed in the waistband underneath his clothes, he added his baldric to the pile and then covered it with driftwood and moved the rocks around a bit. It wasn't too noticeable, but he figured it was good enough not to arouse suspicion. The last thing he needed was for someone to discover his stash and to steal it under his notice.
He arrived home late into the night, dismayed at the sight of smoke rising from the chimney and a light in the window, indicating that Roark had waited up for him. He hadn't meant to be gone for so long and felt a slight bit of guilt at the worrying his foster father must have gone through.
Additionally, no doubt he'd been aware of the sudden changes Link had implemented in his lifestyle and was worrying over that as well.
Every morning Link rose before the sun – when before he'd laze about as long as he could just to catch a few extra seconds of sleep - and wandered deep into the woods to practice his sword fighting skills. Working in the forge took up most of his day, and whenever Roark wasn't around or whenever he had a spare moment he'd continue crafting his sword. The sword, now complete, lay hidden sheathless beneath the mattress of his bed.
He'd transitioned from a sociable young man to a practical recluse, keeping alone and generally away from others, the only exceptions were his close friends. For a while Vrel would scowl whenever he caught sight of him, and Leaf would shrug and encourage him to wait it out. Grudges in the village never lasted long, and Vrel did eventually come around, but still maintained that Link was the most heartless bastard alive and prodded whenever he could about the reason why he didn't show any interest in Adra. On the other hand, Adra avoided him like the plague, a huge relief as it unloaded a lot of tension. He would have avoided her anyways. That she was doing it for him was less hassle. For the past few weeks though he hadn't had much time to spend with either of his friends. Too busy preparing for the impending journey to Castle Town.
He considered sneaking in through his window, but then settled on the front door. He'd been distant lately. Roark deserved his courtesy at least.
Sure enough, Roark was sitting in his favorite chair, smoking his pipe and staring into the glowing fire, deep in thought. The kettle whistled and Link mindlessly folded a rag and pulled it away, fixing a cup of tea for Roark first then himself.
Roark snapped out of his daze and gasped suddenly at Link's appearance, to which Link winced, foresight having failed to remind him to fix that little problem. As it was, he was soaking wet and dripping all over the floor.
"Great Farore, Link! What happened to you?" he exclaimed, and Link had the good grace to appear contrite.
"I…went for a swim…" he muttered with no other explanation coming to mind.
"In the middle of the night? What for?"
He shrugged absently. "It was hot, I needed to cool off a bit."
Roark got up, pipe nipped tight between his teeth. "Don't move lest you spread the water. I'll be back."
Link stayed in place and Roark returned with a towel, which Link used to dry his hair and dab as best he could at his clothes. He made to get the mop but Roark shooed him away. "Get changed, then clean this up. We have to talk."
Link did as he told. Tossing his wet things in a basket, he donned his only other pair of clothes – aside from the new garments Queen Zora had donated - and returned in record time. Roark was standing there with the mop and Link took it from him and worked on clearing the floor. Roark was silent as he finished up, having taken his seat and inhaling heavily through his pipe. He exhaled, and a long wisp of smoke floated upward.
Link put the mop away and sat down nursing his cup of tea. Distantly an owl hooted in the night. At length, Roark set his pipe down. "You're planning on leaving soon, aren't you?"
Link had braced himself, knowing this conversation wasn't long in coming, and was partially glad that Roark had brought it up himself. Either way, it was not an easy topic.
The silence extended from a few seconds to a full minute, and with that Roark took it as affirmation. "I can't hold you back if you're intent on leaving. I wouldn't do that to you. But…I do have one request."
Link looked up, surprised at Roark's easy acceptance, however that could be attributed to the fact that Link was not truly his son. Letting go of a blood relative had to be infinitely harder than a mere apprentice. "What is it?" If it were feasible he would do it.
Roark grinned at him, tapping his pipe to his bottom lip. "Don't go alone. If you have to go wandering, take someone with you. There are beasts out there that wouldn't hesitate to tear your throat out if given the chance. I'd feel more at ease knowing that you at least had someone at your back." He puffed on his pipe. "Vrel, maybe. He's been getting wild and restless. Would do that boy good to have a little traveling to drain his energy and harden him."
Link cringed, but forced a smile. He didn't want anyone else coming along but from the look of Roark's sturdy gaze it was evident that he'd not be allowed to go alone. Reluctantly, he nodded, thinking acerbically that he could always part with his company later on. He still didn't fancy being weighed down by another's presence.
Roark was not at all fatherly, but he cared in his own gruff way.
"When do you plan on going?"
Link pondered, hesitantly. "By the end of the week."
"So soon," muttered Roark, and it didn't seem as if he was at all surprised. Link must have been really throwing the hints around. "And how long are you to be gone?"
Link looked away, not knowing how to answer that because he wasn't sure. Roark got the message and smiled indulgently.
"Best be getting to bed then. You have projects to finish up before you go. And don't think I'll hold off on your apprenticeship while your gone. No, I plan to take on a new student."
Link got to his feet. "Thank you, Roark." Then ambled to his room.
"And don't forget to ask Vrel. Goodness knows the village could do without him."
He smiled and called over his shoulder. "I'll ask him in the morning."
He heard Roark grunt and imagined him nodding. "You do that."
"No. Out of the question. Where do you come up with these absurd little notions?"
Vrel snorted and crossed his arms. "Now, Link, let's not be cross…"
Link nearly erupted. "Cross? I said no!"
They were standing at the gates of the village, packs slung over their shoulders, Link's sword wrapped in a cloth and fastened to the baldric on his back, all ready to go. A small crowd had gathered to see them off, but there was a tiny little detail that Vrel had neglected to inform him of. He'd invited Adra…
"It was my idea," said Adra, angrily as she marched up to him and Link frowned as his shortness enabled her to face him nose to nose. "Didn't I say I wanted to get out? To leave and see Kakariko village and Castle Town and everywhere else! You stole my idea, so there, I'm going."
That was something he wouldn't stand for. They had been doing a great job of avoiding each other after Link had come forward about his lack of intimate feelings for his female friend, and although he missed her at times it was all for the best. Now here she was, things packed in a leather sack slung over her shoulder, dressed in traveling clothes – unconventional ones at that – and prepared to raze the village in order to tag along. He didn't need this. His relationship with her was already precarious as it was. And if he should appear with her at the castle in front of Zelda… He didn't want a repeat of the Mell incident.
Goddesses, why did women always have to complicate things?
"Look, I admit, I'd rather leave on my own," said Link, to which Vrel let out an indignant 'hey!'. "If it was my choice I'd go by myself, but Roark insisted that I take Vrel."
More like demanded. There was no way Link would have been allowed to take one step out of the village if Vrel wasn't there. Which was ridiculous, he was an adult now! He knew he should have snuck out in the dark, guilt and the feeling of utter shame for disappointing Roark be damned... Maybe he was a little too attached to the grisly old man after all...
"Strength in numbers right?" inserted Adra. "One more person is an added benefit, don't you think?"
"You've never been outside the village before, you won't know how to take care of yourself," Link hissed. "Or what if something happens? What if we're attacked by monsters?"
At this she looked highly affronted and levelled a stern glare at him. She stepped up front and jabbed him hard in the stomach with her finger. "That's a moot point, seeing as you've never been outside the village either, and seeing how I am more responsible and would probably be able to take care of myself better than you."
There were some nodding heads and mutters of agreement with Adra's statement. Link caught himself before he could reveal the falsities of both those points, thereby giving himself away. If he suddenly regaled them with tales of past lifetimes and experiences, he imagined they'd lock him away somewhere secure and isolated. Hylians were by nature a suspicious lot, and as much as they held onto the old legends, there was little conviction to their beliefs, opting to pick and choose which parts they'd put their faith in and practically disregarding anything they conceived as too deviant from the norm. Reincarnation was about the most deviant things could get.
"I at least can wield a sword. I have the means to protect myself," Link rebutted. He really didn't want Adra to come along.
However, Adra smirked as if already prepared with a counterargument. "I just knew you'd say that. But you forget…I'm the best shot in the village." She winked at him and then patted the bow that had been slung across her back and that Link had missed in favor of focusing on his current disdain for her.
She had the vote of the villagers as they cheered for her like mindless tektites. Faced with her sturdy resolve and at a loss as to how to defend his case after that, he spluttered and grappled for whatever came to mind, but all those issues amounted as too weak for the exchange.
Her grin of triumph proved too unbearable to witness. Grouchily, he turned on his heel and hunched his shoulders, starting away from the village. "Fine!"
Vrel patted his arm as he stomped past. "Come on, it won't be so bad, Link." But Link brushed him off, irritated.
He was aware that he was reacting childishly. One would think that after hundreds of years of life that he'd be the epitome of adult matureness, but as it were each time he relieved his youth he became his regular impulsive self – he blamed rampant hormones for that.
The crowd cheered and probably viewed this as Adra's first win against him as a couple. He scowled at the thought and leaned against the gatepost, glaring at the ground broodily as he waited for Adra's parents to finish up planting her with sloppy kisses and weepy goodbyes. If they were so upset at the parting they should have taken his side. But again, the only reason why they might have encouraged her leaving was so that she'd remain close to him. Did everyone view this as a romantic endeavor?
Not everyone it seemed as Leaf slowly approached him and offered a weak smile. Although Link had invited him, Leaf chose not to come along, deciding he'd prefer to remain in the village.
"Take care, Link. I have no clue what brought this on, but ever since your birthday you've seemed a bit...restless."
Link sighed and nodded absently. "There's just things I…need to do."
Leaf shook his head. "I don't understand it. But I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for. And…and take care of Adra, will you."
Did he…did he fancy Adra?
Leaf. Fancy. Adra?
And then he noticed. It burned in Leaf's eyes, which observed the hearty goodbyes as both Adra's and Vrel's families made a scene with crushing them in bear-tight hugs, and for Vrel, firm back slapping. And yet, Leaf's eyes lingered fixated on Adra as if they couldn't look away. Yearning and desire shone within, and Link imagined that right now Leaf possessed the same look that he would later mimic when he came into view of Zelda.
Zelda…
After an entire month and a half of preparing, he was finally going to go see her.
"Get off of me," Vrel swatted at his multitude of younger siblings, who'd made a point to climb all over him, sobbing and smearing copious amounts of tears and snot all over his tunic. "I'm not going off to war," he insisted. "It's just a short tour around Hyrule. Bird's got to leave the nest someday, but it will be back once it has had its fill of the world. No longer than a month or two I'd wager."
Link's brows furrowed. For Vrel maybe, but for him…returning had never been his intention.
His plan came to this: they'd arrive at Castle Town, he'd search out Zelda on his own – couldn't be too hard to find, seeing as how her house was the largest on the block, stuck out like a wolf in a cuccoo pen – meet with her, kiss her senseless, beg her forgiveness and then kiss her some more, and after a few more long hours of passionate snogging, marry her and set about continuing her legacy. Of course there were a number of possible unaccounted variables to look forward to, Ganondorf's return being the major flaw in his plan, but he'd deal with that hopefully before he turned into a major problem and could take over the castle and sear the land with his evil darkness, blotting out the light, causing drought and blight, and all those other predictable antagonistic requirements.
At long last – they must have been at it for an hour at least – Adra and Vrel managed to wrestle themselves out of the throng and join him at the gates.
Adra looked at him inquisitively and then swept her gaze over the mass of waving people. "Where's Roark? Isn't he here to see you off?"
Link shrugged nonchalantly. "You know Roark. Time away from work is wasted daylight. Won't see me crying and blabbering over you boy for leaving. No point, you'll still be going anyways." Link mimicked Roark's hoary voice from last night. But at the time he'd been sure he'd seen the man's eyes tear up a bit. "We said our goodbyes last night."
"Anyways, he's right about one thing," said Vrel, shading his eyes and glancing at the sun. "Wasted daylight won't do us any good if we want to make some headway. Let's head out."
As they walked out of the village, to the boisterous hollers of the crowd of villagers – really, it was as if they were heroes setting off on some grand adventure – Vrel and Adra both participated in some sort of mid-step about turn, walking backwards to savor one last glimpse of their home and waving feverishly. And then the path swerved around a cluster of trees and the village was lost to sight, the cries dying down.
Link felt his heart rate quicken as they drew further and further away from the little village. Not once did he look back, not once did he feel any lingering attachment to the place that would entice him to return. He suffered only a minute fondness for Heron Falls and its people, but that was it. It was sort of nostalgic, heading out and abandoning his old hometown as he did in nearly every life. But the only attachment he felt was for the castle, and for the princess who lived within.
Adra and Vrel made small talk as they traveled, and Link was relieved that she had chosen to walk on the other side of Vrel and leave him be, even though she did shift her gaze to him on occasion. Link made certain he gave no inclination to wanting to join in the conversation. He was used to silence on his travels, but the murmur of their voices did not bother him as much as he expected. As long as they didn't disturb his silent musings he was fine.
The forest trail winded as they came to a small hillock, easing their path downward and curving around large rocks that jutted out from the side of the slippery slopes. Of course, Vrel ignored all that and cleaved right through, going straight down the hill.
Instinctively, Link fingered the hookshot from within one of his magic pouches. "Vrel, what are you doing?"
Vrel grunted. "Saving daylight. This way's quicker."
"Vrel, be careful!" called Adra, but her words went over Vrel's head as he waved her off dismissively.
"I'll be fine," Vrel replied just before his foot met a clump of loose stones and flew from beneath him. Vrel yelped and waved his arms around as he slipped down the incline, scrambling for some purchase. Adra squealed and rushed down the path, calling his name.
"Vrel, you great lummox!" Link called and darted from the path after his friend.
Even though it was not a dangerous drop, it could still leave Vrel damaged enough to delay their journey. But then again, this could be a good excuse to send both him and Adra back to the village. However, Roark might also find that a good excuse to keep him from leaving as well.
'A pity', he'd say, 'less than half a day spent before crawling back in defeat'. 'Hopeless youngsters,' he'd say.
Link skidded down a path of soil and was almost near enough to reach for Vrel. But before he could, there was a thunk and Vrel stopped short. An arrow dotted through his sleeve, piercing it to the upraised root of a tree. Link looked over his shoulder and saw Adra posed with her bow out, string still vibrating.
He sighed and held out a hand to help Vrel. "Your recklessness astounds me."
Vrel grasped the proffered hand and at the same time removed the arrow. "What are you on about? You're just as reckless as I am."
Link blinked, realizing that it had been the hero in him talking. Although the hero did indeed take risks, skill and necessity negated the recklessness of the action. Bracing against each other, Link and Vrel slowly returned to the path where Adra was waiting, looking as if ready to whack them over the head with her bow.
"Lucky I was here, huh?"
Link tensed and urged them to press on, adding another win to Adra.
As they passed the hillock, the ground levelled out and eventually the trees became more sparse. All at once they were looking over a vast green vista with no end in sight and only a few clusters of trees dotting the landscape.
Link felt a wave of yearning flow through him as he drank in the scenery. Hyrule field…
"Oh, it's beautiful," said Adra, stepping up next to him.
"It is," Link absently replied, before noticing their closeness and that Vrel was covertly inching back, giving them space.
Did they never learn? Furious, Link stomped down the road, not even bothering to make sure that Vrel and Adra had followed.
For all their beauty, Hyrule's fields were dangerous as they left them open and defenceless. If a mob of bokoblins came upon them they could become easily surrounded and picked off. Just as likely, they could be shot from afar by bulblins. To Roark it made sense that one not be caught alone while out in the fields like this, but Link had also desired solitude for another reason.
And as evening fell and they set up camp, he suppressed the itching need to get out his sword and practice, but as long as Vrel and Adra were here, he couldn't do that. Or maybe he could… Adra had witnessed his training, hadn't she? In the woods… What would it matter if Vrel saw as well? Ah, yes. Male ego, that's why. It was good and all, that Link could hold his own and barely manage to defeat Vrel in a spar, but to dish out moves that were clearly beyond either of their expertise would dig deeply at him. He'd seen it before, jealousy or just as awful, dependency. Vrel could either feel so inadequate compared to Link that he'd broil with envy or he could become dependent on Link to get them out of all their scuffles.
Not to inflate his ego, but Link considered his progress quite good. His fighting skills much more advanced compared to how it had been on his birthday. It also helped that he was already learned in the techniques and maneuvers, he'd just had to reacquaint his body with them.
Women, men, other people in general, they were all so complicated…and annoying. One of the benefits about being king was that the only one who could ever order him around had been the queen, as her royal blood made her the supreme ruler. Everyone else had jumped at his demands, and if and when he wanted to be alone, they'd all scram to give him his blessed silence. Cruel, Zelda often called him. Unlike him, she wasn't in the habit of abusing power, and only ever under the rarest of circumstances had it come to that.
Like that one time Link had crept up on her in her study and a courier had knocked tepidly on the door while Link had been in the midst of nibbling down her neck. He smiled at the memory. She'd been so flustered, bent over the desk, that she'd snapped at the poor man, who had scurried away as if a pack of wolfos were gnawing at his heels. She'd been so angry afterwards, making Link swear to never do that again and to keep all acts of intimacy within the bedroom. He hadn't been happy with that, but had consigned to her demand. That had been the first and only time they'd been so adventurous sexually. And of course, being the bleeding heart that she was, Zelda had later located the courier and apologized, explaining that she'd been suffering from a minor headache at the time. As one can imagine, Link had later set to rectify that. A minor headache? No, in that sense of the word he was a major headache.
He gazed listlessly at the crackling fire, overcome with memories and want and many indecent thoughts… He sighed.
Fireflies dappled the air, like dancing fairies. Impulsively, he searched his pouches for his violin, claimed by the immense urge to play a depressing requiem, before snapping to realization and retracting his hand. He'd told Vrel that he'd made the pouches, and baldric himself, and seeing as how he bore witness to him going so far as to temper his own sword, Vrel had easily accepted this, not registering the superior fabric and sowing skill that had gone into their creation. And there was no way he could take credit for their magic.
Mayhaps he'd purchase an ocarina. He didn't know why, but music had always been seared in his veins, perhaps because a good number of melodies held magic to them.
Vrel was digging through his bag, and let out an 'aha' as he unearthed a package of salted meat. Adra rifled through her pack as well.
Link got up. "Put that away."
Vrel looked at him perplexed and a mite bothered. "Why? We haven't eaten since lunch. It's late and I'm hungry."
Link shrugged. "I feel like having something fresh. While we're out here we might as well see if we can catch us some game."
The thought of fresh meat quelled Vrel's protest, and he placed his meal back in his bag. "Fine, go ahead, mister hunter. And when you return a failure, then we'll eat. Don't take too long now."
Reluctantly, Adra as well replaced her food and shimmied closer to the fire.
Link left them and set out to find their dinner. This also gave him a chance to scour the perimeter. As he drew away from the fire he melded into the faint twilight, and although he could see the fire of their camp clearly from where he was, they'd be hard pressed to distinguish his figure from the oncoming darkness.
Wandering around, he searched the ground for any tracks of prey. At one point in his existence, he'd been able to turn into a wolf, and although he didn't possess any of the heightened senses he'd had as a beast, he could still just as easily spot the minor disruptions in the ground and attribute them to either rabbit, keaton, wolfos, bear or some other beast. Hunting had become easy for him.
Soon he caught signs that a young buck had been around, but the tracks were old, and he didn't see any appeal in lugging around a dead carcass that they wouldn't be able to finish off.
Something small would do. He searched the ground for rabbit holes, or traces of a ferret or stoat. However as he looked, he noticed something peculiar. He frowned as he spotted a familiar set of imprints, and bent down to better scrutinize them. Warily he stood and followed them with a growing sense of unease until he came upon a ridge, confirming what his fears. It was a bokoblin camp. Three – no – four of them at least. And it was empty.
Swiftly he turned back towards his camp, and sure enough he spotted the four dark figures racing along, attracted by the light of the fire. He swore and readied his sword, pulling out a few throwing knives in his other hand, and then hurried to catch up.
"Vrel! Adra! Behind you!" he called out, his cry simultaneously attracting the attention of his friends as well as the bokoblins.
The bokoblins looked back but they couldn't see as well as Hylians could in the darkness. To them Link was awash in shadow. Instead they focused on their intended prey and attacked.
Vrel jumped up at Link's outcry and looked around in surprise. His eyes widened as they encountered the sharp beady ones of a bokoblin, leering up at him as it raised its club. Hastily, Vrel drew his sword and brought it up, catching the club on its downward swing. Adra, having even less time than Vrel to prepare herself, had taken up her pack and swung it, keeping another bokoblin at bay.
Link growled. He'd have to educate them about the prudency of keeping their weapons within hands reach at all times. He smiled. Farore! He was starting to think like the general he had once been, teaching new warriors how to fight and survive.
All their previous lessons with the swordsmaster Vallen, all Vrel's fighting talents seemed to have went to pot in the face of real peril. He attacked wildly with his sword, utilizing none of the techniques and strategies that had been taught to him. Opposite him, Adra struggled to fight off two snarling bokoblins.
As the blade of Vrel's sword impacted against one of the bokoblin's clubs Vrel lost his footing and tripped backwards. As if sensing his victory the bokoblin snarled and pulled back his weapon to bash Vrel's head in.
Link arrived right on time. Quickly he diverted the club's path with his sword, then grabbed and twisted the bokoblin's wrist. The bokoblin shrieked and dropped its club. In another swift movement, Link thrust his sword clean through the beast's chest, effectively rendering the bokoblin lifeless. Pivoting, he quickly confronted the next bokoblin, taking it out before moving on to the one's attacking Adra, who was, to his astonishment, holding her own quite well.
Dispatching them easily, he then surveyed the camp, making sure no more had stayed behind to creep up on them but it seemed they were safe for now.
Wrapping his sword back up, he turned to his companions. "Are you alright?"
Vrel heaved to his feet and staggered, looking worse for wear. "Us alright? Are you alright? Where in Hyrule did you learn to fight like that?" he asked, astonished. "You haven't been sneaking out in secret and attacking innocent monsters, have you? You weren't even panicking." Vrel went over to cautiously nudge one of the dead bodies, wrinkling his nose. "I suggest a relocation is in order."
Link blinked. And it seemed that Vrel was going to go with dependency. He just hoped it didn't go to the larger boy's head. "Agreed. Let's gather up our stuff and go." He quickly latched on to that course of action, wanting to stay clear of the subject of his sword skills.
Adra was gathering up her bedroll when he looked over to her and they traded a surreptitious glance. They both knew how close to the mark Vrel was with his assumption.
As they were breaking camp, Adra sidled up to him, glancing at him with wide green eyes. "Thank you…you know…for saving us. I guess all that late night training paid off, huh."
Link sighed and looked at her. "Yeah, I guess so. And you, you didn't even use your bow. Best shot, eh? Well, we didn't see any of that tonight did we?" he rebutted, playfully, happy to immerse himself back into their easygoing friendship.
She drew up sharply. "I can do just as well with or without my bow!"
Link laughed as she stormed away then moved to stand beside Vrel, giving the fallen monster corpses a wide berth.
They walked for another half hour before they were forced to stop as full darkness descended and they couldn't see more than a foot in front of them. The moon was thinning and so offered very little light. They settled down close to one another and deemed the atmosphere warm enough that they didn't need a fire. This time they arranged for a watch, Link would stay up then wake Adra for her turn and lastly Vrel.
Link stared up into the night sky, eyes automatically drawn to each constellation and silently naming them. If there was one thing that stayed constant throughout his lifetimes it was the stars. Everything else changed, even he and Zelda. Idly, he wondered how old she was in this era. The Goddesses had been gracious to them in that they were never more than at most four years apart in age, yet he always thought it best when they were born within the same year as one another.
He sighed and stared out at the field in the direction he knew Hyrule Castle to be in.
Almost there. Soon he'd get to see her again, and this time he was not letting her go.