A/N: this is not a continuation of path 1, it is the alternate choice. Yes, it's very similar, but the key events are very different. The events will be even more radically different in future alternate chapters.

The Purchase (Path 2)

Take me. The object repeated although the caravan owner seemed oblivious to it.

Link looked at the seeming piece of trash with longing. The caravan owner noted this with a twinkle in his eye.

"Don't wowy little one. I'll be in town all day today, so you can go gathew foive wupees at your leisure."

Take me! The object commanded with greater force than before. Link's hand lashed out to grasp the object, but an electric jolt forced his hand back. It felt as if he had been burned, yet there were no burn marks.

The trader raised an eyebrow at this. "That would be my patented antoi-theft devoice. I'm sorwy, but you'll haff ta wait to inspect the meroichendoice."

Link nodded stiffly before bolting out the door. Cooking up a few rupees couldn't be too hard, could it?

The trader shook his head as the boy left and turned to face the seal. "I certionly hop tat that boy straightens oop far all ar sakes." He shrugged before twirling his mustache a bit. "I suppose what he cooks oop would probably be better tan what's coming though. After all, a good trader can make a profit no matter the economy, wight? At least ol' Murgo's prepared like." The object remained unresponsive. "Oh foin, be tat way."

XXX

It turned out that work was scarce. He wanted to work for one or two measly rupees, but most just scoffed and sent him on his way. He didn't expect such trouble. He searched and searched for the better part of an hour looking for work, but the lack of it frustrated him to no end. Finally, he had a rest near the fence boundary of one of the few Ordonian homes when he heard an irritating noise. Upon a grumpy inspection, he found Fado doing something with Mrs. Ann… eeeewwwww. He was still steaming from Fado not letting him help him chop wood earlier, but this was just nasty. With a women who was already taken no less.

The look of shock on Mrs. Ann's face was priceless as she saw the revolted and morbidly curious face of Link in the window. Fado caught on as well and made a strange gagging noise when he noticed their spectator. The older woman leapt up and threw a robe around herself before racing outside to catch the boy before he ran off. Link got himself cornered by a worried woman and a fuming Fado who looked ready to crack Link's skull open. Fortunately for Link, Mrs. Ann thought of a more peaceful solution.

"Link, you can't tell anyone what you just saw," she began. The boy didn't look to convinced and was still eying Fado warily. "Look, here's something for your trouble." The woman pulled a green rupee out of her pocket and tried to hand it to him.

The rupee peaked Link's interest and he was very tempted to take it. A devilish grin crossed his face, Mrs. Ann sighed in relief. Link then held up his hand with his five fingers extended.

"You want five?" the woman asked worriedly. Fado balled up his fists and began to march over to the brat before he was stopped by Mrs. Ann who was shaking her head fervently. A beaten child might say something damning. Even if the fear of being beaten was enough to silence most, Link had always been a special case. The wild had toughened him, and he knew how to get his way… eventually.

Mrs. Ann threw a blue rupee at Link, and the boy snatched it out of the air. He cradled it for a moment before bolting off to see the trader.

The Trader looked up out of the corner of his eye as young Link cam bounding over the hills gleefully. The boy lightly danced inside lay the blue rupee onto the counter. The portly fellow scooped it and plopped the rusty piece of garbage into the boy's hands.

Can you feel it? Link's eyes glazed over as the euphoria returned and hummed its way through his mind. Your blood… It's marvelous. The boy dazedly returned to reality. Everything looked different around him. The world hummed with life. Upon stepping out of the caravan, he saw the forest in a way he hadn't for nearly two years, brimming with life.

"Have fun little one!" the trader called out. When liked turned to acknowledge him, the caravan was already disappearing into the distance.

It's time you learn the three disciplines of life, Link. Link looked down at the seemingly mundane object in surprise. Your name is your own. That's how I know it. The riddles made no sense the juvenile and did little more than confuse him. It is of little importance. What you need to do is venture into Faron. Awaiting you there near the largest tree is a challenge. Fear not, for you should be more than capable of defeating it as you are now.

Link was still on cloud nine from his purchase, so 'Why not' was about the clearest thing he could think of. He gathered several smaller rocks for a sling. Being wily had gotten him what he wanted sooner than he probably would've otherwise. The only logical step forward is to keep being wily and clever. Slings were often as or even more effective than throwing rocks by hand. The rocks would fly faster and farther with them. Sure, one could probably cause more damage by clubbing someone with a rock, but that requires you to be up close and vulnerable.

Maybe he could extort Fado and Mrs. Ann again. Then again, it might not work seeing as the two of them might refuse and try and get to Mrs. Ann's husband first so that he would sound like a child with wild stories. But, how would they explain how he could've known about that. Not to mention, he rarely spoke. He could use the rare few times he spoke to create an impact on a situation.

This could bloom into a beautiful thing.