A/N: Just an FYI, I've gone back and edited the first chapter. Nothing of significant plot importance has changed. It's just some clean up of rough writing.

Time's Saga

Book One: Prince of Power

"The crafty Lynel wasn't about to just let our hero go. 'Answer me a question, and if it is the correct answer, I will let you pass.'"

Chapter 10: His Answer

"So the boy protected his sister?" Ganondorf asked, rather pleased. He was, of course, sitting in his study.

"From what I saw, he was doing his best in the situation. Standing over Pearle and stupidly trying to attack the leevers with the rusted dagger I think is foolhardy… but brave. So yes, he was protecting her." Kota quickly confirmed. Looking down in shame she added, "Of course, they should have never been in that situation in the first place."

Ganondorf sighed. The dedicated hunter rarely came to the Fortress in the first place, so to have her be here in such a poor mood was unfortunate. "Kota. You did well. I can see no failure in your actions. Teaching the children what a real hunt is like is appropriate. And everything was handled correctly. The accident would've been difficult to prevent but no one wasted any time getting the children out. You acted well," he emphasized the last words, as if trying to push the tribal pride back into her weary soul.

He mused in final thought, "It may have been a terrifying experience for everyone involved but some good has come out of it."

Kota looked at her King doubtfully and pointedly asked, "Good? Link is injured. How is that good?"

Frowning at her skepticism, King Ganondorf explained. "Obviously his injuries are a concern. But the reason as to why he got them is what I'm most interested in. He may be a child, but he willingly faced a threat standing up to protect his sister. Just as we've been teaching him to do."

Kota pursed her lips. She understood what he was saying, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Having a Hylian male be so accepted by the tribe was… unusual to her. She spent most of her time in the desert, so she wasn't involved in the day to day activities of the Fortress. Kota and the other hunters had missed Link growing up, so his subtle influence on the rest of the tribe had passed them by.

Of course they heard a lot about Link from Nabooru, who now only came to hunt a few times a year. If anything, they blamed Link for her lack of presence in the desert. So to hear her King acting almost giddy about this development, and he was rather excited despite his stony mask, threw her for a loop.

She had to ask, "If I may, what are you planning on doing with the boy? I don't get to hear much in the desert and all Nabooru does is sing him praises."

At this, Ganondorf sat a little straighter. Kota got the feeling she asked something she shouldn't have. The King used carefully measured words to make his intent clear, "I do have plans for the boy. And they do concern the tribe. But until it is time to explain I will stay silent on the matter."

Crossing her arms in a gesture of respect, Kota slightly bowed. "Of course. If I'm no longer needed, I'll return to the desert."

Ganondorf extended his upturned hand in peace. "At least stay for the night," he insisted, "You haven't been in the Fortress in a while."

Kota nodded and smiled. It was true. Being a Hunter meant sacrificing the companionship of the tribe for the thrill of providing for them. It would be nice to sit down and have a meal surrounded by everyone.

Nabooru sat in the dining room with Link in her lap. Her closest sisters were circled around them and chatting away. The other children weren't with them, so Link was quieter than usual.

Riju was so distraught by what happened that she made herself sick. She probably wouldn't come out of her room until morning. And Lorn had taken Dalia and Pearle to a quiet corner for dinner. Both had somewhat recovered from the terrifying experience, but they still needed someone close to lean against.

The wise gardener had taken one look at the distraught Nabooru and insisted she would take the children for the night. Nabooru agreed but she continued to keep Link within her arm's reach. So when her age-mates forcibly dragged her to another spot, Link came with.

Nabooru tried not to sigh but Link still felt her chest heave. He shifted a little and tried picking at his food. It was a bit difficult because of all the bandages wrapped around his arms.

When the group made it to the Hunter's Grounds they did some temporary bandaging and healing to stop the bleeding. Link was a bona-fide champ for most of it, but he screamed bloody murder when the drops of red potion touched his open wounds. Nabooru could relate.

Red potion was very useful for clearing out disease and infections on wounds. And when ingested it helped the body recoup quicker. But when poured directly on a wound it burnt like nothing else. And it tasted awful. But it was an important healing component, so they used it despite Link's high-pitched protests.

After the emergency patchwork session was done, they returned to the Fortress and immediately took Link to Mother Heruta. She was skilled in curing all types of ailments even with the fussiest of patients. Incredibly she managed to only have Link sniffle when she needed to apply more red potion. The deep cuts would leave scars, but Link wasn't in any immediate danger. And he didn't appear to have infection, which Nabooru reminded herself to thank the Golden Goddesses for.

When Link tumbled just out of her reach, Nabooru was possibly more afraid then she had ever been. The only thing she could think of as she chased him down the slope was her vow to the Great Deku Tree, and therefore the Goddesses. She was supposed to protect him!

Nabooru suspected that Link would face much more terrifying things than leevers in his future, but she didn't want him to have to face those kinds of things now. So currently she was debating in her head. It was tearing her apart, having to decide whether have him face all his fears now, while she was around to comfort him, or lock him up in his room so he wouldn't have anything to fear. A low sound of frustration emitted from the back of her throat.

"Boo-bu! Stop that!" Sheelia scolded. Nabooru frowned at the term. She never did like it. "You've been moody ever since you got back from the desert. Cheer up a little!"

"Yeah, I mean, everyone got back OK. Even Link's acting more normal than you are and he's the one that got hurt- OW! What was that for?" Hirena spoke. Nabooru's other age-mate, sitting to Hirena's right, smacked the foolish woman over the head.

"That's exactly why Nabooru feels bad! Link got hurt," Uula explained. Then she passed Hirena a small piece of bread as a peace offering.

Hirena snatched it and stuffed it in her mouth before countering, "But my point still stands. Link doesn't seem to be worse for wear. Isn't that right, Link?" She leaned over and poked him in the belly.

Link wiggled and tried brushing her hand away. He didn't say anything, but his pointed look said it all. What do you think you're doing?

The gathering of girls burst into laughter. Even Nabooru started to smile. Link looked up and noticed. Then he broke out a grin, his blue eyes mischievous and shining. He started poking Nabooru in the side hoping to get a reaction. And react she did.

"Ah, stop that Link!" She tried grabbing his arms, but then thought better of it. Realizing he had an advantage with the bandages, Link mercilessly moved in for the kill.

"Ahhhh! Stop, stop stop! Sheelia, help!" Nabooru cried piteously. She was now laying on the floor with Link on top rapidly jabbing her sides.

And it tickled like crazy.

"Help, ya say?" Sheelia wolfishly grinned.

Realizing her mistake, Nabooru tried sitting up. But it was too late. The others rose around her like vultures and started finding her vulnerable spots. Nabooru started shrieking.

The entire affair was making quite a racket but no one in the dining hall paid any mind. They were used to these antics by now.

Finally having enough, Nabooru pushed off the ground with relative ease, knocking her sisters to the ground. She caught Link before he crashed to the floor and held him up under the armpits to look at him. Staring him in the eyes, she scowled.

Link only offered his brightest, most innocent smile. Biting the inside of her cheek, Nabooru tried forcing the laughter back down. She utterly failed. Link began giggling as well, and pretty soon the whole group was nothing but childish laughter.

"OK, mister mischievous. You may have won this battle, but I get to carry you like this!" Nabooru twirled him around and Link laughed for another two seconds until he realized his predicament. She held him by his waste, pinning him against her left hip. Link closely resembled a sack of potatoes.

Not liking his position, the sack of potatoes began kicking his legs. "Oh no ya don't! This is fair punishment for that crime you just committed!"

Link huffed resignedly and lay still. The other girls just glanced at each other while hiding their wide smiles behind their hands. Sheelia, in fact, looked like she had tears in her eyes. They were all glad; Nabooru was finally acting normal.

Uula offered Nabooru a rolled flat bread with leever meat inside. "If you're leaving, take this. You really hadn't eaten much of anything."

Nabooru smiled, took the offering, and said, "Thanks. I'll see y'all later." They waved, and she turned to leave the dinning room. Link, now facing the girls, gave an enthusiastic wave back, much to their delight. Once they were out of sight he then slumped over and allowed Nabooru to carry him to where ever she desired.

A few minutes later though Link was putting up a struggle. He was getting light-headed and Nabooru's strong hand across his tummy didn't feel good, especially after eating. Sighing, Nabooru put Link down. He quickly straightened up and rubbed his belly. After a quick glance around, he noted that Nabooru must have taken the long route to his room. He looked up to see Nabooru facing away from him.

She quietly said, "Come on. Let's go back to your room."

Link reached a bandaged hand out and Nabooru took it. It felt so… normal. But there was an underlying tremble in the squeeze. She started walking but was gently pulled back.

Finally turning to face him, she found him pouting. He was looking at her with his water-blue eyes and his lips pressed together in displeasure. She was about to ask him what was wrong when he blurted out, "Ya know I'm OK, right, Nabooru?"

Shocked, Nabooru just stared at him. Link usually didn't have outbursts.

Link pressed on. Little tears were threatening to spill over. "It hurt, but I didn't get hurt that bad. Mother Heruta said I was a champ and that I would have, uh, some-uh 'lovely first scars'? And that I should be proud of them because I did what was right in pro-tet-ting Pearle. So please, Nabooru, please! Don't be sad. I'm OK. You came when I needed it. And I love you, so please, don't be sad."

The piteous little voice made Nabooru's throat constrict. She had only cried three other times she could remember, but after today's panic attack and with all her fears and failures crashing over her it was hard to keep her composure.

Link's little arms suddenly curled around her legs and squeezed tightly. He leaned back to stare at her with those beautiful, wretched eyes. Nabooru couldn't keep it in anymore. She knelt down in the hall and embraced her little boy.

Then she cried.

Her shoulder shuddered and great whooshes of air escaped her. Nabooru wasn't sure if there was enough air in the world to fill her lungs again. Her face was wet and the little droplets that fell to the ground echoed in the empty hall. She squeezed her eyes shut and sniffed. Everything and nothing seemed to escape her thoughts. She was still tense and now had a slight headache, but she felt so… reassured.

Her little boy was right here. Right under her hands. He was alive, and that's all she needed right now. To feel his little heart beat under her finger tips. To feel his warm breath tickle her ear. To just hear him say those words. Oh, how could she ever let him go?

Link, on the other hand, was now a little frightened. His eyes were wide in shock as his face was covered in bright red hair. He had never seen, nor heard, nor even comprehended Nabooru crying. Ever.

He didn't know what to do besides wrap his arms around her neck and squeeze. He softly said, "I'm right here Nabooru.

"…

"…

"…And I can't breathe."

After a final shuddering breath, Nabooru relaxed her grip. She leaned back to look Link in the eye. Link looked right back, confusion and worry and love swirling within his deep blue eyes.

She finally dared to ask, "Why did you do it? Why did you stand up to fight the leevers? You could have been hurt a lot worse or maybe even killed! You're too small, Link. You're too small for this big world." She muttered the last part with her shoulders sagging a little.

Link put a small hand on her larger, stronger ones and said earnestly, "I had to protect Pearle. Like the man-tra says. I am a child of the desert. I will protect my sisters. I know my duty. I know the dangers of the world, but I will not fear them. That's what a Gerudo's suppose' to do, right? I was scared. But Pearle was even more scared. So I had to attack the leevers."

It took Nabooru several long moments to finish wiping away her tears. With a loud sniff, she placed a hand over her eyes and tilted her head back. Her lips formed silent words, giving not a clue what she was truly thinking. She stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity, clutching Link's shoulder for support.

When done with whatever it was she was doing, Nabooru gave Link a defeated look, but somehow there was still a small smile. Drawing him in for another hug she fiercely whispered, "Yes. Yes, that's what a Gerudo is supposed to do."

Link hugged her back. It was forever and a day before they broke apart. Finally, it was Nabooru who pulled back, stood up, and offered her hand.

"Well, should we go to your room? You should play your ocarina. It might help Riju feel better."

Link immediately brightened. "I've been working on a new song! You should hear it!"

He then started tugging on Nabooru's arm. She just laughed and quickened her pace to match Link's lively skip.

Unknown to either one, in the hall they just passed Ganondorf stood still. He had been on his way to eat dinner in the dinning hall, which was a rather rare occurrence these days since he had been holed up in the study, when he heard the two in the hall. He quickly weaved a darkness spell to avoid any embarrassment as he knew Nabooru was a proud woman. Prouder than most, so she never cried in front of anyone. At least until today.

He didn't approve of eavesdropping on his sisters, but when she asked Link that important question Ganondorf stuck around to hear his answer. A large smile crossed the King's face when he heard Link's honesty. The boy was quite right; that was what a Gerudo was supposed to do.

Happy with the development, Ganondorf released the spell, folded his arms behind his back and continued on his way. He almost felt like whistling he was so happy. His plans were coming together nicely. Soon he would have to start training the boy personally.