Courage Comes in Small Packages
The dawn saw Rusl, Chag, Fado, Link, Epona, and unexpectedly Ilia out in the goat pasture attempting to dye the roan little filly's mane and tail black. They had managed to gather enough berries the night before and Uli had been kind enough to make the dye this morning since Rusl didn't know how and Chag couldn't because one of the Knights was staying at his home. The kids weren't allowed to help with the dying mainly because Chag and Rusl didn't want to explain why the children would have black spots all over them. Since it was almost a requirement that they would end up dying each other more than Epona. Instead Chag had them keeping an eye on the goats and doing small chores.
The task proved rather easy with Epona being more than agreeable as long as Link was nearby. They were just finishing up and cleaning the area when Chag asked if Fado, Ilia, and Link could get a few tools from the shed for him since he had some fence to repair. The kids ran off with Fado and Ilia leading Link to their destination. The two men were rinsing out the bucket and gloves they used when Ilia came running up to Rusl and began tugging hard on his arm jabbering so fast they couldn't understand her.
"Whoa der Ilia honey, slow it down a mite an' tell us what's got ya all ruffled," said Chag. Ilia took a deep breath held it for a second before explaining as quickly as she could.
"It's Link, me and Fado don't know what's wrong with him. We jus' walked into the shed he looked around then acted all scared and now he won't come out of the corner. Please Mister Rusl you have to come help him!" She again grabbed the man's arm dragging him towards the shed as fast as her short legs could carry her. Rusl allowed her to lead him as the fear gripped his heart over what had happened with Link.
When Rusl stepped into the shed it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light. He instantly saw Fado kneeling down and could hear him talking to Link. As he moved closer Rusl could easily see Link curled up arms around his knees in the corner looking much like he had inside his prison cell. His eyes had a faraway distant look; wherever he was it wasn't in this shed in the Ordona Province.
Rusl carefully knelt next to Fado facing Link while speaking softly to him. "Link can you show me what's wrong, what scared you?" There was no response from the thin child so Rusl turned to Fado and Ilia to try and find his answer. "Where were you three when he got like this?"
"We was over front o' papa's tools," said Fado while pointing to a wall hung with various farm implements. To an average person the tools would seem innoxious but Rusl had seen the Inquisitor's Room in the castle during the tour on his first day. In that room much like here there was a wall of implements that looked eerily similar to the tools in the castle. Link would have seen this same wall every time he was taken to that room and likely would have been forced to watch as an implement was taken down from there knowing it would be used on him.
In an instant Rusl knew that he needed to get Link out of here; one day he would have to deal with this fear but not now, it was far too soon far too fresh of a memory. Quickly he picked up the feather light child and took him out into the green open pasture. The others followed him with the children asking a thousand questions that Rusl could not answer; he was far too concerned about Link. After setting the young child on the grass near the fence he knelt before him again as Epona with her now black mane and tail trotted over nuzzling at the small frightened child. Link made a movement at her touch reaching out a hand to touch her coat but otherwise remained still.
"Link, I need you to listen to me," began Rusl. Those tools in that shed they're different than the ones you're used to. Those are used on the farm to work they're not used on people or to cause pain. None of those things that happened to you before will happen here, okay?" The three Ordonians looked at him as he spoke but said nothing as Rusl's entire focus was on Link.
Link didn't move or even acknowledge Rusl's words just continued to touch Epona and stare off into nothing. "What's wrong with the lad," asked Chag.
"The tools in the shed scared him," said Rusl simply not wanting to elaborate too much.
"Why'd 'e be scared o' some tools? Tain't nothing scary 'bout dem," said Fado his voice holding a tad bit of scorn.
Chag immediately reprimanded his son, "Now der Fado, don't ya go 'oldin' dat against da lad. Tain't no man or woman alive who ain't scared o' something. Member after dat der goat charged ya couple years back. Ya was scared to even go near da pen. Yer ma and I 'elped ya thru dat and eventually ya weren't so scared anymore. Link 'ere just needs us to 'elp 'im thru 'is fear but it'll take some time. Ya understand me, son?"
Fado nodded at his father looking at his feet while digging one sandaled foot into the soft dirt. Ilia got a fierce look on her face and promptly went over to sit by Link. "You know it's okay to be scared. I'm still scared of the ice after I fell thru when I was little. Daddy always says it isn't a bad thing to be scared of something so long as you don't let it in-ina-inabibit you," Ilia's face scrunched up at the word she'd had trouble with but kept on anyway. "How about we work on our fears together, huh? When winter comes you can help me be brave around the ice and I'll show you those tools aren't nothing to be scared of."
For a bit Link didn't move and Rusl was afraid he wouldn't acknowledge Ilia's kindness, he may not even understand completely, but then slowly Link looked up at them still quivering yet there was a fierce determination in his eyes.
A few days had passed with everyone settling into village life nicely. Even the three Knights had become welcome in the small town. The Knight, named Sir Raol, who Rusl had met on the night he freed Link hadn't recognized Epona, which was lucky since the little filly had a habit of escaping any and all confines then following Link all about. Right now she was with the children playing near the shallow stream that ran through the village since school had finished for the afternoon.
The children all enjoyed school and were doing well. Ilia was doing the best of the three children, having picked up on much of what Uli taught them quickly. The girl seemed to have an affinity for both numbers and reading, though she only read stories involving horses. That Ilia was fond of horses and that she was slightly jealous of Link and Epona's relationship was no secret but Epona liked her well enough that it didn't affect the friendship the children were developing.
Link was surprisingly the next best student able to read and write to some degree even after only the few days they had set up the makeshift classes. Though he still wouldn't talk, he seemed to soak up every bit of information Uli gave them like a dried out sponge. Link's biggest detriment to learning though was that he preferred the outdoors. They had found out quickly they needed to set boundary rules for him because he was apt to wander off following some new discovery. He had already managed to find his way clear to the Spirit's Spring on his own and had thus far climbed two of the largest trees in the village; managing to give most of the adults near heart attacks with his antics. Rusl was somewhat glad for the child's preference to the outdoors as he took Link every morning to work on different chores and physical activities that would help the boy build the stamina and strength he hadn't had the chance to before.
Fado was doing okay with the school work but it just took him a bit longer to figure out the concepts that came easily to Ilia and that Link could learn after just a few moments. Uli had found the best way for Fado to learn was with actual objects so she incorporated that learning style as much as possible. Now though they were just getting the chance to play about as children for which many were happy to see.
Rusl was busy setting up a kiln with Jaggle and Bo so he could start up his blacksmithing again and contribute to the village. As Rusl looked up from hauling some heavy stones giving his back a break he watched as the three children ran about in what he guessed was a game of tag. They weren't paying any mind to where it was they were running, though immersed in the game as they were. Link while running from Ilia ran smack into the Knight in charge of the three, a man named Sir Alfonzo.
Rusl had found he was a good man but took his job very seriously. "Whoa there son, best mind where you're going or you'll get hurt." The Knight had managed to stop Link from falling by catching his arm but as he was steadying the boy he looked curiously at the child. "What's this here on your arm son?"
To Rusl's horror the man was holding Link's left arm, the very arm that had the mark and his prisoner tattoo. For the most part the marks were covered by the slightly baggy clothes as were the bandages but when Link had nearly fallen over the sleeve had pulled up and that was where the Knight was holding him.
Before Rusl could even begin to think of a plan to distract the man Ilia and Fado who had not noticed the exchange crashed into the pair knocking the three children into the mud at the bank of the stream. Link who had ended up at the bottom of the pile was absolutely covered in the brown muck. If the situation weren't so serious Rusl would have laughed his head off at the boy's bewildered expression as he poked at the mess all over him. The Goddesses were apparently smiling on them as the youngest of the three Knights came running up causing Alfonzo's attention to be withdrawn from the children. The two held a short conversation both wearing grave expressions before the lead Knight looked around then came over to Bo briskly.
"Mayor, my men may have found a trace of Majora very near the village here. Please ensure that the villagers remain within the boundaries here and keep on alert. My men and I will investigate this; if anything should happen I will send Sir Viscen here to alert you. If any of you are trained in combat best be ready just in case."
With that the men hurried to their mounts and quickly rode off. As soon as they were out of ear shot Bo pulled Rusl aside to speak with him. "Rusl I want you to be ready just in case, but you also need to find a way to hide that tattoo of Link's. That was far too close just now; with any luck that man will forget the incident but we can't take a chance of a repeat."
"Yes sir," said Rusl, "I noticed and we'll come up with something and make sure Link is aware that he can't let anyone see that mark."
"There's no need to call me 'sir' Rusl we're both on equal footing here. I just don't want to see that boy dragged back to the castle, he's a good kid." Rusl smiled tightly before moving over to the muddy children having them wash off in the stream before sending them home to get changed. Once back at his own home Rusl sent Link to change while he found his sword and spoke with Uli about finding something to hide Link's tattoo.
Uli gave him a quick kiss smiling sweetly, "Don't worry dear I'll find something and make sure to keep him out of sight until I do. Now go protect everyone but you had best be careful and come back to me in one piece." Smiling like a fool Rusl promised he would be fine that this was strictly a precaution while leaving feeling happier than he had felt all day.
The day passed in a tense atmosphere. Uli kept the kids at her and Rusl's house since it was more out of the way should an attack happen and it allowed Chag and Bo not to have to worry about them. There were no sightings of the deranged woman though and the Knights returned around dusk empty-handed as well. According to their report it was indeed Majora who was near as she had left her mark in the forest but they had lost her trail early on. The Knights had diligently searched for more traces but to no avail.
Uli had managed to find a decent solution to hide Link's tattoo by wrapping both of his wrists with bandages, the excuse being that he needed the added support. Dinner was a somber affair in most all the homes in the community as they realized a killer was close by. According to Bo, Alfonzo had sent Viscen with word to the castle explaining the sighting. With any luck he would return with reinforcements in a few days' time. The village was on lock down; no one was allowed beyond the gates without someone who knew how to use a sword or some type of weapon. The children were all carefully watched and their parents made sure to instill just how dangerous it was to wander off right now.
Rusl and Uli worried that Link didn't understand completely since danger was a foreign concept to him. The child had spent his life being hurt so the possibility that he could get hurt and that it was bad wasn't something he understood easily. Still though he tended to stay around with Ilia and Fado most of the time it was only when he couldn't be with the others that he tended to wander off so they felt mostly secure since she would listen to her father.
Late that same night Rusl was to be found carefully trying to get out of bed without waking Uli. He had had trouble sleeping; the thought that a madwoman could be wandering through the village at this very moment flippantly deciding which lives to take and which to leave left him cold with fear gripping at his heart. Even when he was stationed at the lake Rusl had heard tales of Majora. She had a reputation for being insane and her murders were supposed to be so brutal and grizzly it had sent many seasoned Knights running from the scene. She miraculously had been captured just before he left the castle and was to be transported back to the capital for trial and execution last he'd heard, though she had apparently escaped. The story was that she had actually been imprisoned once before but managed to slaughter all her guards before calmly walking out of the prison. How true the tale was Rusl didn't know but it mattered little for she was on the loose now and very capable of killing any of them. Before her capture she had been previously rumored to be terrorizing Termina so Rusl hadn't worried much about her before but now she had been brought back into Hyrule. Now she was right near his new home and family, hunting. The need to protect not only his family but the whole of Ordon was never so strongly felt in him until this day and that need made it impossible for him to relax.
He had decided he might try some warm goat's milk in hopes of coercing his body into the rest it would need if he were to remain on alert for the insane woman. He fumbled around for a candle in the dark before finally finding it and getting the wick lit. Trying to shield the light from Uli Rusl quietly opened their bedroom door and left the room. As he walked through the living room he looked towards the couch where Link was still sleeping until they could finish getting his room set up. He looked then glanced away but quickly did a double take. The slight fear he had felt earlier was now full out panic, the couch was empty of its normal occupant or any sign that anyone had slept on it. It was normal for Link to be awake before either Uli or Rusl, even if they woke up at dawn but he should still be sleeping in the middle of the night!
Moving with as much haste as he could in the dim light of the candle Rusl began a frantic search for the small child. Rusl was just about to rush outside when he noticed a small bundle curled up under the window where the moon light touched the floor. Walking over he noticed Link was sitting there with the blanket wrapped around his shoulders very much awake and watching him with his wide blue eyes. If Rusl had to guess it looked as if the child was scared so he spoke softly so as not to further spook the boy.
"Hey Link, why are you over here instead of sleeping on the couch. I'm sure this can't be too comfortable." Link looked at him a bit confused so Rusl tried to rephrase his sentence. "This doesn't seem like a very nice of a place to sleep. Is something wrong?" Link looked down before nodding slightly. "Why don't I fix us some warm milk and maybe we can figure this out together, huh?" Link still looked a bit confused but Rusl decided to show him rather than explain again so he began pouring and warming the milk for them.
Link had wandered over to watch him as he worked though Rusl warned him to stay back from the fire. Link's new found curious nature often left Rusl and Uli feeling compelled to warn him of the danger of simple things most children his age would know about, such as the other day when he made an attempt to touch Jaggle and Pergie's water wheel. They had stopped him before hand and managed to satiate his curiosity some by showing him how the wheel moved the mill to grind up grains for flour for the village. Though Rusl has still seen him often looking at the wheel still.
As they now sat at the table Rusl noted how Link clutched at the blanket that had once been Uli's own security blanket knitted by her mother, Rusl wondered what it was that was scaring him. It was hard for Rusl to imagine Link being scared of anything as he often had shown no fear in other things, but then again Link wasn't a normal child. Setting the warm steaming cups before each of their chairs Rusl helped Link into his seat before sitting in his own. After quietly sipping the drink for a moment and enjoying Link's expression at the new drink Rusl addressed the issue at hand.
"Link, do you know why I'm up now?" The little boy shook his head in response. "Well you see," said Rusl, "after we learned that mean person was near here today I began to worry. I was worried for the safety of you and Uli as well as the whole village. Just knowing someone who could hurt anyone I love or care for was a disturbing fact." Rusl knew he might be using a few words that were beyond the boy but Link was smart enough he should be able to get the gist of what Rusl was saying.
"What it comes down to is I was scared, so much so that it wouldn't let me rest earlier. Have you ever felt like that? Do you have something that has bothered you so much so that you couldn't rest?" It took a minute but Link slowly nodded making Rusl smile they were getting somewhere then.
Link pointed towards the living area of their home then wrapped his arms around himself. Rusl was confused by this action; he had never noticed Link being averse to anything in there before. Perhaps he was missing something so he tried to elicit a bit more of an explanation. "I don't understand son, the living area scares you?" Link shook his head pointing to another area of the home but Rusl still didn't understand what the boy was scared of. Any other day he showed no hesi… Wait day perchance was Link scared of the dark?
It would make sense in an ironic sort of way. He had grown up in perpetual darkness never seeing the light before and now that he had experienced the light it was natural that he would shy away from the darkness. "Is it the dark that scares you," Rusl asked? Link nodded looking down slightly holding the blanket even tighter. It was odd Rusl had seen the boy walk steadily back to the Inquisitorial Chambers without the slightest hesitation knowing he would be dealt horrible pain, yet now he acted as any child would clutching a security blanket as a means of protection.
In the dungeons Link had never been given the luxury of giving into his fears he had always been made to face them. The prison may have had little to recommend itself but this was on characteristic Rusl hoped he would keep from his time there. Still though he needed to address this in a way Link would understand.
"Well that is understandable," said Rusl in a comforting voice, "but do you know what to do when you're scared of something?" Link shook his head no. "It is similar to what you did when they took you out of your cell. What you do is even if you're afraid you hold your head up and keep going never let it keep you from something. It's okay to be afraid as long as it doesn't stop you from doing the right thing. For example, I'm scared that Majora might hurt someone, but I can't protect everyone all the time either. So in order to help me overcome that fear I make sure I'm prepared to defend anyone I can in a moment's notice, I may still be scared of what may happen but knowing that I'm doing everything I can to prevent my fear from happening helps me not be so scared. In your case you may be scared of the dark but you should find a way to make it less scary for you, but you should never run from it. Maybe for a while we can keep a lantern near your bed then as you become for comfortable we can dim it down until you no longer need it. In that way you'll be working towards facing your fear."
Rusl watched Link the entire time and he wasn't sure if Link understood everything but again Rusl felt showing him might be more beneficial as it helped him understand far more than words did. They had finished their milk now so Rusl carefully set up a lantern for Link where it wouldn't fall over in the night and set fire to anything. Link looked at it in awe and soon after Rusl tucked him into the couch the child was asleep. Smiling softly Rusl placed a hand on the boy's head before he too returned to bed.
The next morning Ilia and Link were feeding the cuccos while Rusl continued his work on readying an area for his forge. They had managed to move many rocks into a good position to make the kiln yesterday. Uli was sitting near the bank putting together a new mattress so Link could start sleeping in what was once her own room. The bed frame had been well built and stood the test of time but the simple mattress had not. Rusl had to smile at the way his wife dotted on the little boy, making sure he had everything he needed. She had already taken up the mantle of mother to Link bearing it with extraordinary grace, and Rusl could not be prouder to have such a wondrous woman in his life.
Not many would have taken on the challenge of a child like Link let alone put up with a husband who had now put her and her entire village in danger, but then again Uli was a steadfast woman. Unable to resist her charms any longer he walked over to her kneeling down to kiss her, "Do you have any idea what a wonderful beautiful woman you are my dear? I became the luckiest man in the world the day you agreed to marry me."
Uli chuckled slightly before replying, "What brought on this sudden declaration I wonder?"
"Can't a man just compliment his gorgeous wife," asked Rusl cheekily.
"He can when it is spontaneous and he hasn't been standing around a good ten minutes just staring at her."
Chuckling with Uli now Rusl said, "Ah you caught me. I was just thinking about how good you are with Link and how fortunate I am that you agreed to take on such a heady task as raising him."
Uli smiled her lovely quiet smile while looking over at the boy in question, "It is no difficult task Rusl. He truly is a special child and I could not imagine life without him now though he has not even been with us a month yet. Despite all of the neglect and hurt he has suffered he is still a happy child and I think even a scant five years from now we will hardly be able to recognize the boy you brought here versus the young man he will become."
Rusl nodded happily watching as the two children went about their chores Ilia talking almost nonstop. The warm moment was broken in an instant though, by a sudden shout from the ranch.
The voice was that of Fado, "WHOOOOOOOAAA! A GOAT GOT LOOSE! IT'S HEADIN' FOR TOWN! SOMEBODY STOP IT!"
The hearts of both adoptive parents stopped in an instant. There was no way they could get to the children who were in front of the mayor's house in time. Despite the impossibility both Uli and Rusl ran forward as did several of the other villagers who had heard the cry of alarm. They could see both Link and Ilia standing in the middle of the road down from the ranch as the large blue beast came charging full speed towards them. The adults shouted out for the children to move but they seemed rooted to the spot by their fear. Link and Zelda stood a slight ways apart and as the angry blue goat charged onward down the path it turned slightly so it was now heading more towards Ilia than to Link.
No one could believe what happened next though; Link pulled himself out of his daze and turned to Ilia hurriedly. Pushing the little girl out of the way the young child somehow got caught up in the enraged animal's horns. Gripping the circular protrusions in a death grip Link was now somehow atop the goat as it rampaged throughout the town. The adults of the village ran after the animal and boy trying to stop the enraged beast and help the child. At first it seemed that the goat was running about according to its own whims while trying to dislodge its unexpected passenger but they soon noted how the goat would continually turn away from this direction or that. It soon became apparent that Link had figured out that if he pulled on the horns he could steer the animal in his chosen direction. Rusl thought he'd try and yell at Link to steer the animal in his direction so that he could stop it but before he could the commotion came to an abrupt halt.
The goat had been running beside the pond that lay near the village and with a sudden jerking motion the goat mad a ninety degree turn running right into the clear waters with a mighty splash. Bo, Rusl, Jaggle, and Chag immediately ran forward to pull the two from the depths of the liquid.
While the other three burlier men got the goat out Rusl swam to a struggling Link, "Calm down Link, I've got you now. You'll be okay." It took a minute but the struggling ceased from the youth and Rusl tugged him back to the bank. Uli was already there wrapping the pair into a hug that would have made a Goron envious; not minding their sopping clothes in the least bit.
"Oh Link, I was so worried you could have been seriously hurt or worse. That was a very brave thing you did but please don't take such risks again." Uli was practically sobbing as she held him even tighter in her arms. "Now Uli dear, he's fine and a hero saving Ilia like he did…" said Rusl smiling at his son.
"That he is," boomed out Mayor Bo's voice as the large man and Ilia came up to the three. "Link m'boy I want to say thank you for saving my daughter. I think…"
"Father," broke in Ilia's furious voice. "How can you praise him?! He was stupid and nearly hurt that poor goat and Epona, when he pushed me he knocked me right into her. You need to watch what you're doing and take better care of Epona," said Ilia while wagging her little finger in the boy's face who just stood agog at the girl.
"Ilia dear I'm sure…" started Bo but he was immediately cut off. "No, he needs to be more careful," said the little girl stamping her foot. She turned around stamping off a couple of steps before abruptly spinning back around. She walked right up to Link pecked him on the cheek before saying stiffly, "Thank you for saving me. It was very brave of you, stupid but brave."
Turning back around the little girl again walked away. Bo winced before mumbling out an apology and saying something about Ilia's mother. He then lumbered towards Chag to find out what happened to start everything off initially. Link looked quite bewildered while Uli was trying to hide a laugh behind her hand and Rusl was grinning.
"Well Link congratulations, you've just earned the best spoil of any battle, a kiss from a pretty girl." The boy looked at him eyes full of confusion. "Sorry son, I wish I could explain it to you but girls are a mystery no man has yet to solve."
Uli playfully slapped him on the shoulder before guiding them both to the house in order to get dressed in dry clothing. "Link honey," said Uli as they walked up the path, "I think you just scared Ilia and as much as she was grateful for your bravery she was afraid you'd be hurt."
"So she yelled at him," Rusl cut in raising an eyebrow quizzically. Uli shrugged, "I never said it made sense I was just trying to help him understand." Rusl laughed as he held open the door for his wife and adopted son.
"Uli my dear even I'm more confused by your explanation never mind poor Link who has no experience in this whatsoever." Uli glared at him for a moment before shooing them both off to change. When they came out in the village they found out what had happened to cause the uproar in the first place.
Apparently Fado, who was a good kind boy but didn't always think things thru completely, had noticed a hinge on the gate wearing down. While his father had been working in the goat shed he had taken it upon himself to repair the gate. He hadn't thought to lock it while he was testing his handiwork resulting in the ensuing chaos.
"I'm sorry y'all," said Fado thickly trying to hold back tears. "It's alright son so long as you learn from your mistakes," said Bo solemnly.
The child nodded looking at Link and Ilia, "I should say sorry ta ya both more 'an anything. Y'all coulda been killed," said Fado sniffing loudly.
"I should hope so," said Ilia vehemently but her father stopped her before she could continue. "Now Ilia, he's said he is sorry and he already feels bad for what happened. There's no sense in further belittling him." Ilia looked about to argue but Bo fixed her with a stern look determined that she needed to learn when and where to run her mouth. She snapped it closed quailing under her father's rarely serious expression.
The silence that followed was slightly awkward but before anyone could break it little Link stepped forward towards Ilia and spoke for the first time in his life. "Ilia…I-I'm sssorrry to…worry you." His words were stuttering and halting showing how very unused to talking he was. However, it was enough to stump everyone there, but only for a few seconds before Ilia tackled him to the ground in a fierce hug.
"You are so stupid and don't you ever scare me like that again. You were doing something way out of your leg." Most of the adults looked baffled by this last statement but Uli knelt down putting a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder, "I think you mean league Ilia sweetie, but why don't you let Link up so he can breathe."
Nodding while sniffling and wiping back the tears that had formed at the corners of her eyes, Ilia stood. Link continued to lay there for a moment just as stunned as everyone else had been when he spoke. "Link," said Uli still on her knees, "are you okay?" Again the boy nodded as silent as he had always been. "You know honey it's okay to talk," said Uli gently hoping to prompt him into speaking again but the boy merely nodded. Deciding they would just have to be patient with him Uli rubbed his head affectionately.