A/N: Alright folks my last update of the day. I've worked hard to try and get as many in today as I could because as many of us may know tomorrow is Memorial Day. It is a day to remember those who have passed away. Because of the holiday I want to say thank you to any of the men and women who have served and to their families for the support you've given them. As with many I do have plans for tomorrow and may not get much put up, hence my diligent efforts today.

Thank you to all those reading my story it is appreciated. That being said I give you the next two chapters. Enjoy and Later

Sometimes all you can do is try

The room was deathly silent with scarcely a breath being drawn. Finally Estelle broke the silence as she started sobbing into a handkerchief. Impa turned to Reginald and the Princess seeing tears leaking down both of their eyes as well. Impa felt a prickling at the corners of her eyes and knew she was close to tears as well, but she held them back.

Estelle then started rambling a little incoherently thanks to the tears pouring from her face. "Oh, ya poor dear sweet child just thinking of what ya had to go through. Oh and that poor, poor, boy what must have been happening ta him and ta think he lived with that despicable man for four years. And that other awful man taking him. Oh, and all those other children and they might still be…. It's just so" 'sniff' "so…" But Estelle couldn't finish she was so overcome with grief that all she could do was sob harder into the handkerchief.

Impa turned to the girl about to apologize when she shook her head. "Please you have nothing to apologize to me for. I have moved on from my past and though it still haunts me at times it no longer controls me. I told you my story so you can help another and I hope that's what you will do. Now do you have any questions for me?"

Impa smiled in spite of herself. The girl was strong and though she admitted it still bothered her Impa had no doubt that the girl meant what she said when she alleged it didn't control her. "Yes," said Impa, "the main one. How do we break him out of the shell he's in?" Shyla bit her lip before replying.

"It won't be easy. He was there longer than us and I think he had other things done to him that the rest of us didn't. Master said he was special and how he acted after coming back from those nights leads me to believe his torture was so much more severe. He never spoke not even when Master was gone like the rest of us, so that will be a big barrier you will have to get past. You're also going to have to show him he's worthy of certain things like sleeping in a bed, getting food from the castle, and taking hot baths."

The Princess interrupted at this point. "Would he not know this; I mean we provided him his own room with a bath and the kitchens always have some food at the ready."

Shyla just shook her head no. "Please Your Highness try and understand. It was beaten into us just how worthless we were and things like beds, baths, and food were our Master's luxuries not ours. Boy always followed every rule to perfection unlike the rest of us. If I had to guess he hasn't used the bed or the bath once in his room. He won't take food from his Masters unless you give it to him and tell him to eat it. I'd also guess that he probably believes the only reason you put him in a room with a bed was so you could use his body in there and not in your own chambers."

At this Reginald and the Princess sputtered out trying to find words, but Shyla stopped them with another shake of her head.

"We were only allowed on beds for one reason and we were never to use any furniture. We took baths only when we needed them or were told to and they were in a stream outside even during the winter. To him everything you named is a luxury that is, in his eyes, above his station. You have two choices in dealing with him. You can demand he speak, sleep in a bed, take hot showers, and eat regular meals but it will not gain his trust. He will merely be doing what he is told and always expect the worst. If you wish to gain his trust you will have to show him kindness where he has only known cruelty, give mercy when he was sparred none, and try to show him joy when he has only experienced tragedy. It will take time especially since he has still been in enslaved this entire time. However, if you truly wish to help him you will have to stick by it for if you back down after starting it will likely ruin him forever. I think just by his kind actions he showed originally that he could be the most loyal friend you will ever have if you can get through his barricades."

Impa turned to the Princess and gave her a very meaningful look before speaking. "Your Highness it is you decision on what to do. I think a friendship between you two might be mutually beneficial, but as Shyla said it will not be an easy undertaking. If you do not feel adequately able to help him I would suggest finding him a place to live and work in peace with those who can help him, but we cannot let him go on as he has. His health is poor and I fear he will be dead in a few years' time if he continues as he has been. This will not be like some dress or piece of jewelry you give favoritism to until you find another that takes your fancy. You cannot be flippant in this. However, before you make your decision I want you to have a full understanding of what you will be facing."

Turning to face Reginald Impa continued. "Reginald, I have the boy in his rooms but I believe he has been treating his wounds with herbs. He seems quite proficient with them but I would still prefer you take a look and make sure he hasn't popped any stiches as well."

Shyla's head snapped up at this before she made a quiet inquiry. "You gave him stitches?"

Impa's brow scrunched in confusion as she replied. "Yes, the first day he came here he was in terrible shape so I had Reginald fix him up."

Shyla bit her lip and asked another question. "Was this also the same day he stood outside a door for several hours?" Impa nodded and Shyla put her head in her hands groaning.

"He'll think it was a test," Shyla mumbled into her hands.

"What," asked Impa? "A test, we were taught to endure long periods of different punishments and tortures to prove our worth to our new masters. Every master wants a test of loyalty, strength, and endurance. Another favorite ploy is to see how much pain you can undergo. When he stood outside of the door he probably believed it was a test of endurance, and though your efforts were amiable in healing him it was probably seen as a test of how much pain he could withstand."

Impa looked stunned never having thought of it in that light the looks on the other's faces were much the same. "So he believed we were testing him and that we were only doing those things to him out of cruelty."

Impa thought back to that night and remembered his odd reactions to the bath and as they also asked him to remove his clothes. She groaned as it dawned on her what he must have been thinking.

"We're just goin' to have to work that much harder to help 'im so he knows we're not doing it for anything else other than for his aid." Estelle said firmly having finally composed herself.

"Reginald, you go an' get your supplies ready and I'm gonna get some food ready for that boy. We're goin' to start off by not only gettin' his body healed; we're gonna get some meat on his bones too."

Shyla smiled at the matronly figure and gave her a hug before saying, "Just remember, ma'am to take it slow since it will be very confusing to him at first."

Estelle nodded then got up headed toward the kitchen still dabbing at her eyes. Impa smiled at the woman's back and spoke to Shyla as Reginald left to get his preparations made.

"Would you like to come as well, Shyla it might do him some good to see someone he knows." Shyla shook her head in the negative before replying verbally.

"No ma'am, I doubt I would be a comfort I'd only remind him of the past. I'll meet up with him at some point I'm sure and then I can thank him for saving my life. I've always regretted never thanking him or getting the chance to repay him."

Impa patted her hand while saying, "You just did. Your information will help us to help him. You have saved his life from more pain and the slow death that has been creeping towards him. Trust me when I say if you'd seen the extent of his injuries and just how thin he is you'd know you have saved his life."

Shyla smiled her thanks and then left to get back to work. Impa then turned to the Princess addressing her sternly. "Zelda, now I know you don't have much experience in this but if you decide to help this boy I want you to try and open up and understand him a bit more. Today's happenings have left him balancing on the edge of a knife. In your fit of anger you freed him from his slavery by throwing him out of the castle. Your choices and actions now will decide the rest of his life. You may take up the challenging road that will be his recovery or you may leave it for someone else and continue your life as it has been. You've led a sheltered life and while that is not your fault, you will be ruler of this kingdom someday, and it is high time you started becoming responsible for your actions and behaviors. You need to understand pain and suffering so you can better understand your people and be a benevolent ruler to them. I believe by helping him he can help you understand those things you have never known."

Zelda nodded recognizing that her caretaker used her actual name and not a title. She only did this when she was serious and wanted Zelda to take what she said to heart. "I have already decided Impa. I want to help him but I do not know how and I am not sure how my mother and father will take it. Hopefully you can help me and maybe suggest a few things along the way?"

"I will help you and advise you all I can when you have need. My first bit of advice will be to try and talk him into sleeping in a bed and bathing regularly. Also since you have tomorrow off maybe you could take him into town and show him around maybe get him a few outfits that actually fit so he doesn't look like a stalfos with a bag draped over him. As for your parents we'll think of something but I doubt it will be difficult." Zelda smiled at this and they both made their way to the boy's room.

The boy looked idly around the room he'd been assigned when he first arrived. When he'd first been shown the room he'd wondered why he wasn't sleeping with the other servants like usual. The rooms were never much but at least with the extra bodies you could stay warm when it was necessary. There was a fireplace in here but he never lit a fire in it since he hadn't been given permission to use it or any other comfort within these rooms.

He knew the only time he'd be given permission to use them would be if there were visitors to his room, glancing at the bed he was happy there hadn't been any up to this point. That was always his most dreaded chore especially after he had been taken from his original Master. That man's death was one of the happiest times in his life. It always felt like they were tearing into not only his body but also his soul and both were subjected to enough torment anyway.

However, tonight would probably his last night of peace here in the castle. There was a definite change in the air like a magic had been released. As he sat waiting in a corner of the room he thought of the three scenarios that were likely to happen. He would be executed, he wasn't sure on what grounds but they probably didn't need any since he held no status. He might be exiled from the country. Not a bad option per say. He could survive on his own but still it was heading toward the cold season and it would be hard to get out of the country and find shelter before the storms got bad. Last they may take him back as a slave to continue serving until they got bored of him or he died.

Of all the options the third was the one he could least stomach. He was so very tired of serving, truthfully he was just plain tired. He wanted to rest without having to worry about being up in time or making sure someone got everything they needed. He wanted to be able to eat food he prepared and worked for instead of giving that to someone else and picking scraps from the garbage as he often had to when he couldn't find adequate food when foraging.

He knew he had no right to want these things since they were above his station but he was just so tired. He was hardly allowed rest and even in sleep he was tormented. He knew it was only right that he dedicate his life to serving but what was the point of doing so when he could never be good enough.

Like with the Princess he worked to find the herbs and blend special teas to help her since he checked in on her several times a day but that infuriated her rather than made her happy or at the very least tranquil. He wondered idly why, when he jumped out the window, he bothered using the wall to get down.

He should have just ended it all then and there so everyone would have been happy. Well, all he could do now was wait and see what their plans for him were. If he was to be made a slave again he might just choose the option of death. As these depressing thoughts tumbled around in his head he heard the door opening. Before it was fully opened he'd composed himself already bowed down so that he was nothing more than the humble slave once again.

So help me I am going to put a piece of steel down that boy's back if he doesn't stop that bowing, thought Impa with a bit more venom than it truly warranted. Before she could reproach the boy again Zelda spoke softly.

"Please stand up." The boy stood head bowed down in his usual submissive posture. Zelda took a deep breath before speaking again this would be the hard part. "I want to apologize for my earlier tirade. It was uncalled for and very unbecoming of me. You had done nothing to warrant my anger and yet I took it out on you. I feel quite ashamed of my actions and hope you can forgive me. However, there was something I did during my tantrum that Impa informed me of. I wish to address the fact that I removed the binds of your servitude during my moment of blind rage. I do not wish to reinstate your servitude so at this point you are free to make your own choices. I do though have a counter offer for you. I have led a rather sheltered life and have not many friends. I would like to help you and be your friend if you would like and you could in turn be my friend. You could live here at the castle and we could get to know each other. Impa mentioned your proficiency with herbs and while we were coming here she mentioned that you may want to start a small garden. If that is something you would like to do I can help you and I would enjoy learning more about them especially how you make such sweet teas with them. If you do not wish to stay here we can also find you employment somewhere else if you wish. However it is your choice now, you are no longer bound to anyone or any place. From now on you are your own Master."

Zelda stood there after her long winded speech waiting for a response. Impa kept her stern gaze on the boy waiting in anticipation just as much as the Princess. They both noticed the fingers of his unbroken hand moving in that strange rhythmic pattern by his side. That movement seemed the only break in his carefully crafted façade. Impa noticed Zelda intently staring at that hand as if trying to remember when a light of understanding flashed in her eyes, but she didn't mention what insight had struck her for at that moment the boy's answer came.

Hesitantly at first but gaining conviction with each passing second the boy held up his hand as if for a handshake. Zelda stared at it for just a heartbeat before grasping his hand in her own while tearfully saying, "Thank you, for the second chance. I swear I will make better use of this opportunity than I did the first."

Estelle and Reginald entered at that moment laden down with their supplies. As they entered Estelle commented, "Oh dear, this room is freezing why isn't there a decent fire going with the temperatures being what they are?" With that she began building what was sure to a good sized fire. As Estelle was tending the fireplace Reginald stepped in front of the boy.

"Well son, why don't you sit down on the bed, remove your shirt, and we'll see how you're healing up." The boy promptly obeyed the healer and as his shirt was removed an audible gasp was heard from the Princess.

Even though she'd heard Shyla's tale the sheer volume of the boy's wounds both new and old was far beyond her imagination. The worst her shielded mind had been able to conjure was the marks she had once seen on a soldier in the tailor's shop while awaiting a fitting. The man had a few scars on his arms and just three on his back. When she asked what had happened he had laughed and told her they were from a rebellion over a food shortage after a dry summer and a harsh winter a few years ago.

Those were the worst she had ever seen, until now. How could one person stand to be hurt again and again like he obviously had been? How could individuals be so cruel as to continually inflict this level of harm on someone who did not deserve it? How did he manage to get up every day and serve masters that were hostile to him and while in such pain too?

Now she felt even worse for not only yelling at him as she did but also for throwing the tea set at him. She had acted just as his other masters had; taking her anger out on someone who had done nothing to warrant such vitriolic treatment. As Reginald began his examination of the boy the Princess walked over to sit beside him taking his hand in hers. She had never had a friend and did not know what to do so she did the only thing she could think of that might bring some level of comfort.

For the first time his façade seemed to break when he glanced at his hand in the Princess' and then to her face; with the obvious question in the look he gave her.

"I am afraid I do not know how to be much of a friend nor do I know enough about medicine to help Sir Reginald. But I do know that if I were in your position right now I would like nothing more than for someone to be there for me and hold my hand through it."

The boy looked at her for a bit longer before nodding his head in a thank you. As Reginald continued poking and prodding the boy Zelda started talking with the hope she might distract him from any pain he might feel.

"You know earlier we spoke with an old acquaintance of yours. She, like you, was a slave that came to the castle. She has been here awhile and she seems to be doing well and has friends even. She made mention of something that I am curious about though. She said when she knew you, you played the ocarina and quite beautifully at that. Tell me could you play your instrument for me sometime?"

Much to everyone's surprise the boy shook his head in the negative.

"Oh, you do not wish to play, that is fine I wa…," Zelda was cut off by another shake of his head. "Oh, it is not that you do not want to but that you cannot?" A nod this time was the answer given. "Well yes your arm would make it difficult." The boy shook his head in the negative again so now Zelda was perplexed why could he not play his instrument? If it was not due to injury or the fact he did not want to what possible reason could be left?

The boy then brought his hands together then flipped them apart in an almost 'V' shape. She realized what he was trying to say then, "broken," she said. "Your instrument was broken?" Here the boy nodded his head. So that was the reason he could not play, because he no longer had an instrument to play.

"I am sorry it sounded like it was a lovely instrument." The boy only nodded his head. At this point Reginald was examining the boy's head and noticed the fresh wound that had luckily stopped bleeding.

"Now just how did you get this new wound, son," Reginald asked innocently enough. The boy, of course, didn't reply but the Princess did.

"That is my fault Sir Reginald. I lost my temper and threw the tea set he had graciously made for me at him." Reginald eyed the Princess sternly but didn't say anything. Instead he turned to the boy.

"Well now, your wounds are certainly healing faster than I thought they would. I'll have to inspect your other wounds later but I believe they will be well too. Impa was telling me you were treating them somehow; mind sharing your secret?"

The boy got up to get the plants bringing them over to show the healer. Reginald looked through the leaves in the piece of hollowed out wood frowning slightly.

"I don't even know all of these, but you're saying this is how you treated your wounds? The boy nodded then pointed to the tea pot Estelle had brought. Reginald was confused until Impa jumped in.

"I believe he is saying not everything is for healing some of them are for making tea. You see he has been bringing the Princess unusual teas that seem to help her but we couldn't figure out how he was doing it."

Reginald nodded his brow furrowed then saying he would be back momentarily. When he returned all of them noticed he had retrieved a large book. He gave it to the boy then pointed to one of the leaves.

"Can you show me what this plant is?" The boy nodded and quickly flipped to the index of the book skimming the words before finding what he was looking for and opening the book for Reginald.

The room was dead quiet with all eyes on the boy. Finally Impa spoke, "You can read that well to find that plant in the index and you know the name of it? Tell me boy can you write as well?"

The boy nodded his head at her. Impa quickly retrieved a quill, ink, and paper from the writing desk; all the rooms in the castle were readied with these for guests. "Okay boy, how about something simple like your name?" The boy shook his head then wrote on the paper.

Please Lady Impa, ask me any question but that and I will answer. My name is the only thing that is my own and cannot be taken from me as long as no one knows it. If you demand to know then I will tell you, but I beg you please do not demand it. That has been my most precious secret; even more so now that my treasure was destroyed. Also I apologize for my sloppy handwriting. I am left handed but since it is braced at the moment I must use my right. Is there something else you would rather know?

They all read the elegant script jaws dropping at what he considered sloppy hand writing since the script was as good as any noble's. Impa frowned though at his request they not force him to give his name, but shrugged it off since it was a trust issue and they would have to earn his trust.

Before Impa could pose her next question; the Princess jumped into the conversation. "You mentioned your treasure being destroyed. What treasure was that and how was it destroyed?" The boy once again took up the quill and ink writing a reply hastily but the script remained just as beautiful.

My treasure was the ocarina you asked me about earlier, Your Highness. The Masters who gifted me to you decided that I was showing off with it and that it was distracting me. They crushed it beneath a horse's hooves in front of me.

As Zelda read his response her eyes flashed with anger. "How could they do that to you? I very much doubt it was hurting anything and it only brought a bit of happiness." The boy shook his head in response before replying with quill and ink again.

They were my Masters and they did what is best for their household. My Masters know much more than I and their decisions are always for the better. It is only a possession and it is my job to make sure my Masters are happy and comfortable.

After Zelda read that she could feel the heat rise in her face as her temper began to boil for the second time that day. She was not only angry at the Tierney's for destroying the only thing this boy had to his name, but she was also angry with the person who had taught him that he was too ignorant to understand and to believe things like that were okay if your Master did them.

Zelda then asked through her teeth, "You are honestly okay with them doing that to you? That they just took something so precious to you and destroyed it?" The boy started writing again but this reply was shorter.

My feelings have no bearing on the situation. I follow my Master's orders no matter what I may feel.

Impa watched the conversation seeing that Zelda was about to lose her temper again she cut in. "Tell me where did you learn to read and write so well and with such elegance? Also why don't you speak since you will answer with writing?" The boy looked at her curiously before he began to write.

My first Master taught me how to read a little so that I could know the difference between different foods by reading the labels and prepare his meals. It was an effort to make us more efficient for our Masters. After that I would find different scraps of paper in the garbage and pick out the words I knew then work on the ones I didn't know. I would also listen to my Masters reading different letters and books. Later I would go back knowing what they'd read and discern each word. When I'd learned all the words on a piece of paper I would use the other side to try and copy the words in the same script. I would usually use a sharpened stick or an old broken quill I'd found. For ink I would sometimes mix charcoal ashes from the fires, use mud, or my blood depending on what I had available. As for why I do not speak. I have not been allowed to since I was three years of age. Whether or not I am still able I do not know for I have not tried. The reason I can answer your questions in writing is because I was practiced in this and you demanded I give you answers. If you request it I can attempt to speak if you want but as I said I am not sure I am able.

Impa knew what the boy was saying they had a choice they could demand he tell them his name and demand he speak, but she knew full well this would not lead to the trust they needed to gain from the boy. Before Impa could voice this however the Princess beat her to it.

"That is okay. Whenever you are ready to tell us your name will be soon enough. As for speaking you do not have to speak to communicate, so again only when you are ready. We want you to be comfortable and happy here. Not to mention we are no longer Master and servant to each other, one of the few times my temper has brought about a good result." Zelda said chuckling lightly. "So I cannot demand anything from you."

Impa was proud of how hard Zelda was trying even if she may have been over doing it a bit at least she was trying.

Estelle spoke up at this point, "Well Reginald, if you're done patchin' 'im up on the outside we need to start on the inside by getting 'im some food. Goddesses know the boy needs some meat on his bones."

With that Estelle handed out bowls of a very thick and hearty stew with buttered bread. The boy looked at the meal in his hands an obvious internal battle going on. Seeing his struggle the Princess laid a gentle hand on his arm and gave him a small smile of encouragement with that he took a hesitant bite of the meal.

Impa smiled at the small progress the two of them had made in the short time. After everyone finished and things were packed up Estelle turned to the boy once more. "Okay honey, I spect to see ya down to breakfast every morning no later than nine, and I spect that my girls will once again be cleaning the Princess' quarters. Though I may pick yer brain on a few things, since I ain't never seen anyone clean half as well as y'all do."

"Yes," said Reginald "and at some point I would like to discuss with you the remedies you were using and how you learned of them."

The Princess smiled and shook her head. "I am sorry but you will both have to wait since I am kidnapping him for the whole day tomorrow." All heads including the boy's turned to her in astonishment accept Impa's who had been expecting this.

"I have the day off tomorrow and I was planning on going into town for a change of scenery and a bit of shopping. I was hoping you would accompany me," she said to the boy. It took him a minute but slowly he nodded his head as the shock wore off and the reality of the request came in. Zelda beamed at his acceptance of her request as Reginald spoke up.

"In that case you'll want to get a good night's sleep in your bed tonight. Your Highness you will also need to keep an eye on him since despite his care he has not been allowing his wounds the rest they need. Make sure he doesn't do anything strenuous tomorrow. Also you may wish to find him some proper foot wear since he doesn't seem to have any and the weather is a mite cold."

"Do not fret Sir Reginald. I will see to everything and rest assured that our day will be a leisurely one," Zelda commented as she turned to the boy. Instead of finding he was listening to their conversation he was looking at the bed.

"Is something the matter? Did we say something to upset you," asked Zelda worriedly.

The boy took up the quill, ink, and paper again to form his question. Sir Reginald said this is my bed but I don't understand. This room and everything in it belongs to the Royal Family; so how can this bed be mine.

They all pondered his statement for a minute before Impa replied. "Yes, technically all of this does belong to the Royal Family, but since you are a now living in the castle as a permanent resident the room is yours so you may use everything in here anytime you desire. That means you sleep in this bed at night, make sure your fire is stoked to keep you warm when needed, and take baths regularly. I know it may be difficult to conceptualize since you have never had these comforts, but you are now your own master so now you get to be at ease to some degree in your life. Despite what you have been told your entire life you are just as deserving of these comforts as anyone else. Do you understand?"

The boy had his head lowered trying to process this new possibility that he indeed had been rewarded for his years of hard work and loyalty. That now he had his 'own,' to some degree, room where he could sleep on an actual bed by himself and did not have to serve anyone. After a full minute of thinking it through he nodded it would be strange and he wasn't yet willing to fully embrace the fact that they were not lying. However, for the moment he was going to take their generosity even if it came back later to bite him later. After that the others left and for the first time in his life the boy crawled into a bed to sleep.