A/N: Chapter 4, yay! If anything doesn't make sense, feel free to comment! I tried to put a teensy bit of moral conflict in here, but I'm not sure if it went through the way I intended...
A bright sunbeam shone through the window, right onto the bed where Link slept. After realizing that no amount of covers would make it disappear, he reluctantly opened his eyes. He was having such a wonderful sleep, his nightmares nowhere to be found. But when he looked for the cause of that relief, it too had vanished. Agahnim was not in the bed, nor was he in the chair by the window.
Link sat up, and thought about his situation. Until a few days ago, Agahnim was his enemy. What had changed? The mage had tended his wounds, but those wounds were caused by one of his allies. There was also the pleasure he received last night, but one night of making love couldn't make up for years of evil deeds.
Still, that was amazing. Link figured that once he was captured, he would be tortured to no end. But instead, he was taken to a height he had never felt before. Maybe this was a false sense of security? But Agahnim was flashing Link some very longing looks that seemed impossible to fake.
Link decided to stop worrying for now, and focus on his physical situation. His muscles ached, but his condition was nowhere near the level Agahnim made him think. His feet were a little unsteady, but he was able to walk around the room if he took it slow.
While he was up, Link went over and looked out the window. He couldn't see the lake, but he could see the swamp, meaning he was in the south end of Hyrule and not far from his own house should the need to flee arise. He took in the rest of the scenery, before settling on a lime green cape fluttering along a tree.
Agahnim was sitting in on the grass, leaning against a tree and staring up into the sky. His head was uncovered again, as he knew no one would be around to see his face. It was strange seeing him like that, completely unguarded and so unlike his reputation among the village people. Link watched his eyes follow the birds before settling on the grass in front of him, and the mage appeared to be meditating.
"You might as well come out here if you're going to stare at me like that."
Link jumped back from the window, surprised that Agahnim not only noticed him watching, but could speak with him from this distance. There had to be fifty feet between them.
He did as told, hobbling out to yard after throwing on the new tunic. Despite the bright sunlight, the air outside was cold and made goosebumps appear on his bare legs. Agahnim kept his eyes shut, but motioned for Link to sit in the grass beside him. Once sitting, the mage laid his head down in Link's lap.
"Hey, what are you-"
"Quiet, boy. I haven't the energy to quarrel with you today."
Link sat still, watching as Agahnim stared up into the sky. It reminded Link of a game he used to play with his uncle, where they would name the clouds.
"You Hyruleans are very fortunate to have such a sky," Agahnim mumbled, turning onto his side. "Your water is clear, and your vegetation vibrant. So unlike the environment in the Dark World."
"Isn't that your fault, though? Her Highness said to me that the Dark World used to be beautiful before Ganon took over," Link said, half-expecting to be reprimanded for badmouthing the older man's Master.
"So uninformed," Agahnim sighed. "It's more than someone like you could hope to understand. But in short, it wasn't the fault of my Master, only his blood. To blame him would be to blame your uncle for flooding Hyrule, or to blame the young Zelda for causing the fragmentation of the Triforce."
"Flood? When did that happen? And what does fragmentation mean?" Link stared at him, confused. Agahnim saw this reaction, and chuckled. "Calm down, bunny boy. These things happened in a different lifetime. The bloodlines of you, your princess, and my Master are all parts in the Goddesses' cruel play. The stage changes through the acts, and new faces play the parts as the story evolves."
Link was hesitant to respond, as he couldn't make sense of it. "...How do you know that?" "I have a part in this play as well, my pet. The Master must always have a servant." Agahnim let out a long breath, and gripped Link's hand. "Though, every once in a while, I want to step away and live for myself..."
The two sat there silent for the rest of the afternoon, watching the wildlife scurry about the swamp as the sun went down. Link was certain that Agahnim had fallen asleep, and so he starting twirling his free fingers in the mage's silver-blue hair.
'Such a strange pet,' Agahnim thought to himself, content to let Link think he was asleep. 'His bloodline has always been courageous, though rarely were they granted power or wisdom, something the Royal Family has exploited.'
Agahnim rose to his feet and pulled Link up. "Back in the house. I don't want my pet to catch something from being outside in such a getup." Link followed him back inside, and watched as he bolted the door. "Are you worried about someone breaking in?"
The mage glared at Link for asking such a question. "It's not to keep them out, it's to keep YOU in. Have you forgotten you are not a guest? I don't want you outside unless I'm there. You might get ideas."
Link was shocked. Yesterday Agahnim spoke tenderly and coddled him, but today he was angry and apprehensive. The boy soon found out why.
"I must return to the Dark World, for my Master needs my assistance," he told Link after they ate. "You will remain here. I am giving you the freedom to move around the house, but if you make a mess of it, I WILL punish you severely."
"Agahnim, are you mad at me again?" Link asked, determined to explain this change in attitude. "Did I do it wrong last night? Did I hurt you? If you teach me how, I'll make sure not to do it badly again." Link was pouting and fussing with the hem of his tunic, like a small child being scolded.
"H-hurt me? For the love of Nayru, child, what gave you that idea?!"
"You were outside staring at nothing, and then you suddenly laid on my lap... I used to do that with my uncle when I was sad," Link confessed, looking down at his lap.
When Agahnim didn't respond, Link turned his way. He was surprised to see the mage's face was flushed, and he had covered his mouth in awe. But he then smiled, and came over to Link. "My mind was not at peace, that much is correct. But it is not because of anything you did." He then cupped the boy's face, and gently kissed him. "Who would have known that raising a pet bunny would be so rewarding? Be good while I'm gone, and I'll teach you everything you want to know."
Yeah... Sorry if that one bit didn't make sense. I want Agahnim to be much more intelligent than the usual minions, so I gave him a bit of timeline awareness. But the reason why will show up in a future chapter. Ch5 is completed, just in the baking stage. Sit tight! :)