Thank you to whitworth5274, God, Machina per Dei, Black Silverclaw, and That Guest Again for their reviews

Part I
A Hero's Second Chance
Years 504-505 FH

Chapter XI
End of the Beginning

Link felt like he was waking up from a nightmare, something so horrible that it couldn't've been real. It was the same feeling he got when he woke up in the Temple of Time, back in his tiny child body. Then he remembered it was very much like that. He had been kidnapped and tortured by a violent creep with a large lizard. The only differences Link could tell were that he hadn't time traveled, was most definitely in his bed at home, and this time he could have sworn he had died.

It had felt like he actually had died at first, since his bed was so comfortable and fluffy and he sometimes still wasn't sure if it was really his. But the moment he shifted his weight, he was flooded with pain. He clenched his teeth and opened his eyes. He was, indeed, in his room because the first thing he saw was his bed's embroidered canopy hanging above him.

He turned his head to the side, a small bit of him terrified that further investigation of his surroundings would wake him from a pleasant dream and he would be back in the dark, cold mine with a knife in his shoulder. It wouldn't be the first time he thought he was home only to wake up, still trapped and beaten. But all worry escaped him when he saw Zelda, a thick book in her hands, sitting in one of the chairs at his bedside. She looked tired and was staring groggily at the book without actually reading it.

Link tried to call out to her, but his throat was so dry, he only managed a weak cough, which hurt his ribs. Luckily, nothing felt broken this time. That was the upside of being tortured by knives. They didn't break bones.

His cough had altered Zelda's attention and her head snapped up from the book, wide awake. "Link! You're awake! I'm so glad I'm here when you woke up. Dad's not letting me stay here overnight and I was so worried you'd wake up alone in here."

"What happened? I thought I'd…"

"Impa, my… um… my…" Zelda paused, trying to find the right word. "She's like my nanny and bodyguard at the same time I guess. Well, she captured that horrible man who kidnapped you and then we brought you home. I thought you were dead but Dr. Shikashi said you just passed out from blood loss. You almost didn't make it. I was so afraid you weren't ever going to wake up again."

"Sorry," Link mumbled. "I didn't want to scare you."

"It's not your fault, stupid," Zelda snapped. "I'm more happy right now than I've ever been. The only reason why I'm not hugging you right now is because it'd probably kill you."

"I don't feel that frail," Link mumbled. It might just be because he wasn't letting himself admit how badly he'd been hurt. As a the Hero of Time, he couldn't let anything make him frail. He had to hold the world on his shoulders, even if no one knew. Even if every part of him was screaming at him to let go, it hurt too much.

"Look, Link, I've got to tell you something, right now, okay?"

"What is it?" Link was confused. His mind wasn't yet fully awake, or maybe he could have guessed.

"My name's not actually Ella and I don't technically live in Castle Town. I'm actually Princess Zelda."

Link didn't respond. He just looked at her blankly, not realizing at first that, according to Zelda, he shouldn't already know that.

"Well, at least say something!" Zelda huffed. "It's not that shocking, you know." Thankfully, Zelda seemed to take Link's blank expression as speechlessness and not an actual blank expression. "Look, when my Dad comes in, you've got to act like you've never seen me before because I don't want him to know I've been sneaking out of the Castle. He hates me leaving the Castle because he's worried I might get killed. He's way too overprotective and if he knows he'd never let me out of my rooms let alone the Castle. Please, Link. Me going after you was bad enough, but if he knew it was serial…"

"You shouldn't lie to him," Link whispered. "It'll just hurt you and him."

"I can't tell him the truth. He's mad enough as it is!" Zelda argued.

"He won't hit you," Link answered. "He loves you. Leaving the Castle makes him worried, not furious. You're scaring him."

"I'm sorry, Link. I know you're right. I'm just being selfish. And look what it got you. This wouldn't have happened if you knew who I was. Quan wouldn't have gotten angry with you if I just came over here."

"He hated me. He was trying to break me, get me to listen to him and only him. I thought about it a lot in the mine when things were quiet. I think he was trying to make it so that he could use me as a puppet Duke, pull my strings from behind the curtain. But I'm unbreakable. He would have resorted to assassinating me sooner or later. This has just spared me the beatings it would have taken for him to realize I wouldn't let him control me like that."

"I'm sorry this happened to you. You deserve an uncle who loves you like he's your father. You deserve your real father."

"Some people aren't allowed to be happy," Link answered, trying not to sound bitter but failing miserably. "The gods don't like it."

"That's blasphemy, you know. You could get shunned for that."

"It's true. It's even speculated by some philosophers."

"Where? Who? I've never heard that."

"I…" Link paused. It was speculated that Legendary Heroes were put through awful childhoods so they would be strong when they needed to stop a Great Cataclysm, but Zelda couldn't know that he was the Legendary Hero of their time. And it was a stupid theory anyway, whoever thought of it in the first place was obviously never even yelled at, let alone lived a life of hardship. "I dunno, but I read it somewhere, I'm sure."

There was a tangible silence after that, both of them thinking about who was and wasn't allowed to be happy. It was broken when the door creaked open slowly, the person behind it not wanting to wake Link as they were unaware he was already up. "Zelda? Are you alright?"

"Yes, Daddy," Zelda smiled at the man behind the door. "Link woke up!"

"That's wonderful!" He practically leapt from behind the door to see Link awake for the first time.

Link was startled, to say the least. He nearly jumped. He was used to Princess Zelda, but he had only ever seen the King once, technically twice, but it was at the same time, just a time he had lived twice. It was the first time he saw Ganondorf was when he was swearing fealty to the King, so Link had also caught a glimpse of the King. He seemed intimidating, a true warrior. Sometimes he wondered how Ganondorf had managed to kill someone with such a presence.

"Are you alright, son?" The King went to Link's bedside and placed a hand on his forehead to check for fever. His stature scared Link, but his demeanor reminded him a bit of Mr. Tapton. He must have many faces, to be such a great ruler.

"I'm fine, your majesty," Link mumbled, shifting uncomfortably. He didn't feel fine, but it wasn't anything the King could help with, so he didn't want to bother him.

"Now, I won't allow Christofen's son to call me anything other than Uncle."

"No offense, sir, but I don't have the best of luck when it comes to uncles, or any kind of family, really."

"No, you really don't, do you?" The King agreed sadly. He ran his hand through graying hair and then over his face. He looked so old and tired, but Link knew he was only in his mid forties and had only been King for four years. Being King must be a heavy responsibility, even heavier than being the Legendary Hero of the century. Link had it much easier in times of peace, but not the King. His job was active twenty-four/seven.

Right now, though, Link didn't think King Daphnes was wearing his King face. Right now he was just Daphnes Hyrule, Zelda's father and Christofen's childhood friend. He wasn't thinking about Hyrule right now, just Link.

"Quan, does he hurt you?" Daphnes asked, the strain evident in his voice.

"No, sir," Link mumbled. He could see Zelda seething at him from behind the king where she sat, but Link couldn't admit it. He was too ashamed. "He… he wouldn't… he's my uncle. He loves…" Link hesitated, tears building up in his eyes. "I'm his nephew." Link's voice broke and he nearly started to sob. All he could see for a moment was Quan's raised hand. He could almost feel it colliding with his face and all those hateful words seemed to echo in his ears all at once, deafening him.

"No, no, of course he wouldn't do something like that," the Daphne's shoulders slumped a little, as if a weight had been lifted from it. Link felt bad about lying, especially since he had told Zelda the truth, but it had stopped the King from worrying and as long it made someone happy, Link could at least pretend he was too. "Quan may be a bit antisocial at times, but that does not make a person cruel."

"No, it doesn't," Link agreed. "Does… has anyone told him that I'm awake? He must have been worried if I'd wake up."

"I've already sent one of the servants to fetch him. He should be here soon. He went out on business, though how he could leave the house with you on the brink of death I cannot understand. He did say it was urgent."

"He's very busy," Link admitted.

"Unfortunately, so am I," the King laughed lightheartedly. "I'm afraid I'll have to go. It was a pleasure to see you awake, son. I feared we'd lost you for a while there."

"Could you… maybe sometime, could you come back and tell me about Father? Uncle Quan doesn't talk about him much."

"Of course, Link. There's no one I'd rather tell my old stories too than you, the son of the man who I spent seven years of my life fighting back to back with. I just wish he could have told you himself."

"Me too," Link sighed. "Thank you."

The King nodded to him and then looked to his daughter, who was still sitting in her chair. "Zelda, please be home by dinner. I'm sure Link will enjoy your company."

"Yes, Daddy!" Zelda smiled at him as he closed the door behind him. The moment the King was gone, Zelda turned on Link. "Why did you lie to my father?"

"You lie to him all the time to stop him from worrying but when I do it you get mad," Link pouted.

"He could have stopped Quan from hitting you! He didn't believe me when I told him, though he doesn't know that you told me because he doesn't know that I know you, but still. How come you can tell me but not him? Don't you trust him?"

"I dunno. I guess," Link mumbled. "It's okay you know, but please, don't tell anyone. People'll look at me funny and they'd spread rumors about Quan. He hates me and I know it and sometimes…" Link paused, his words growing heavy. "Sometimes I hate him. But he's still my family. I have to be stronger than him, better than him. I can't stoop to his level."

"There's a difference between hitting and hiring an assassin, Link. You're in danger here! He could try to have you killed again!"

"I'll sleep with a knife or a sword under my pillow and one eye open."

"That sounds exhausting."

"I'm used to it," Link muttered. "But the bed part's knew." Link flashed Zelda a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. Just then, the door opened for a second time since Link had all but woken from the dead.

"Uncle!" Link's heart leapt into his throat when he saw his uncle in the doorway, his face just as expressionless as ever. Link noticed Zelda stiffen as well and he assumed it must be from whatever malice Quan was feeling yet hiding from the rest of the world with his expressionless façade.

"I thought you wouldn't wake, boy," Quan stepped into the room, attempting to seem at least somewhat worried since they weren't alone. "I was worried."

"Worried he would wake up and your attempt to kill him had failed?" Zelda all but snarled at him.

"P-princess!" Link stuttered.

Quan's eyes narrowed at her and his scowl was akin to the one he gave Link when he was angry or disappointed. "I had nothing to do with his kidnapping. I was worried out of my mind that I would lose my closest living family. If you would refrain from flinging false accusations at anyone who rubs you the wrong way, perhaps your father would believe you more often."

"I wasn't wrong then and I'm not wrong now," Zelda answered back. They were both getting ready to have at it with sharp words in place of swords.

"Princess, please," Link pleaded. He could feel them getting ready to lunge at each other.

"Princess," Quan huffed at her. "Would you be so kind as to leave so that I may have a private word with my nephew."

"How do I know you won't kill him when I'm gone?"

"It is foolish to commit a murder when there are people who know you are alone in the room with the victim. And I would not lay a hand on Link. As I have said, he is my closest living family, my dear nephew."

"Fine, but I'm coming back in a few minutes," Zelda stood up and pushed past him out of the room, nearly slamming the door behind her.

Link was now alone, bed ridden and barely able to move, with his uncle.

"So good to see you alive," Quan did not lose his composure.

"Cut the crap, I know it was you who hired the assassin. He told me himself."

"You should watch your tongue, boy," Quan snarled, approaching Link's bed at alarming speed.

"You don't scare me," Link glared back at him. "Hit and yell all you want, you've already done your worst. You shouldn't have played your strongest hand so soon. That was rash of you."

"You are an uneducated twelve-year-old brat, what can you do against me‽" Quan was so close to hitting Link that Link almost flinched.

"All I have to do is outlive you," Link answered firmly, fighting to keep his own composure. He knew he could stay calm, he wasn't the Hero of Time for nothing. Or perhaps being the Hero of Time had it's perks. Link wasn't sure who he really was, but that didn't matter right now. Right now, he still had Quan to deal with. "I'm not who you think I am and I am not weak and I'm no longer desperate for a loving family. I know now I won't get one, not from you."

"You have no proof but the confession of a dead mad man who tortured you."

Link faltered. He hadn't known the assassin was dead. But he caught himself before he collapsed and gave in to the fears he was fighting against. "Like I said, Uncle," he spoke the word with contempt. "All I have to do is survive and you can't do anything to me. Not really."

"Oh, there are countless things I could do to you, boy, that would destroy you. Rumors, framings. What was the name of that girl? Ella, was it? She may have lied to you about her name and birth status, but I bet countless people in town saw her and could identify her if they saw her again. How safe is she, I wonder?"

Link laughed. He actually started to laugh, and hard, even though it hurt. Just the knowledge that Quan just unknowingly threatened the Crown Princess of Hyrule was too funny for Link to help himself. "You'd be dead before you could send someone to lay a finger on her!" Link managed to squeeze in between his laughter.

"You dare threaten me?" Quan shouted.

"Ha! You have no idea who she really is, do you? And if you do find out, you'll know just how right I am. I have friends, you know. Friends in very high places. The King himself is on my side. What do you have? A dead assassin?"

"I have so much more than you can imagine. I have years of experience and you only know how to live on the streets. I will have you mewling at my feet, boy, friends or no, and there's nothing you or that fool of a King can do about it."

"I will defeat you," Link stopped laughing, but he didn't let himself stop smiling. He had seen how much it had thrown Quan off and he embraced it. Confidence was a weapon greater than the even the Master Sword and Link was going to need it if he was going to live in the same space as Quan and partake in the same power struggle. "See you on the front lines, Uncle."

"You will regret this in time," Quan spun on his heals and stormed out of the room. "I will have you on your knees begging for my mercy."

Link frowned as Quan slammed the door as he left. He was so sure that he'd have the last words in that, but Quan beat him to it. At least he hadn't beat him with his fists. Link was so terrified of a single slap the entire time his uncle was in the room that he felt his muscles relax once Quan was gone. He had to remind himself that the more terrified he was the braver he had to, and could, be.

"Link, are you okay?" Zelda peeked from around the door a few moments after Quan had left. "I heard you laughing?"

"I think I actually scared him off!" Link announced happily. "Did you see his face as he left? He was furious but he didn't raise his voice at all. He didn't even hit me!"

"Don't you want to not make him angry?"

"I've given up on that. I know I said I wasn't going to stoop to his level, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to play the game. He won't know what hit him."

"You could just disown him and be done with it right now."

"That would be cruel, I think. He'd have nowhere to go. Despite our differences and the fighting, we're still family. Besides, an old friend always told me I'm much cleverer than anyone realizes, even myself. I've faced worse than Quan and I made it this far. I'll be okay. And I have Auntie Ashyl and you and your father, right?"

"Of course, Link!" Zelda smiled. "Let's kick his ass! I bet Impa'll be able to get so much dirt on him we could wrap him around your little finger ten times over!"

"Quan said the man who kidnapped me is dead," Link asked for clarification.

"Oh, yeah," Zelda frowned. "I'm not sure what happened but he was found dead in his cell the day after we got back. The Inquiry was going to question him to see if he was working alone or if he really was hired by someone. Impa already told them everything she could find and she's looking for more evidence, but that man was the best lead we had to getting Quan aside from Quan himself."

"How'd he die? Do we know?"

"Yeah, he hung himself from the barred window with his sheets."

"Who saw him last?"

"One of the dungeon guards found him when they were giving the prisoners their daily meals but I think there's something fishy going on."

"We'll figure out what it is, Princess," Link informed her.

"I wish you wouldn't call me that," Zelda pouted. "That's why I liked playing with you so much. You didn't treat me like I'm some delicate flower because I'm my father's only heir. Please don't start."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I don't think you're any different than when you were Ella, I'm just trying to figure out how I'm supposed to act. Politeness is so confusing, especially now that I can't just call everyone older than me sir or ma'am and be done with it. It was simple but now it's not and there's so many rules and I don't want to make anyone upset."

"Well, then I suppose you do have to call me by titles and stuff. But only in public, okay? When it's just us you have to call me Zelda."

"Deal," Link smiled.

There was a moment where they sat in silence. Link tried to push himself up a little more with his good arm but the effort made him nauseous so he stopped. His right arm was throbbing, but he managed to ignore it. He could barely feel his right hand, though. Hopefully it would heal more with time.

"How long was I out?" Link asked.

"Well, we found you last Ruday and today's Donday so that's five days," Zelda answered.

"I'd say that's the longest I've ever slept but I'm not sure I can break my record," Link chuckled.

"Really, and what's that?" Zelda asked.

"Oh, uh…" Link was still a bit dizzy and forgot for a moment that Zelda didn't know about the alternate timeline where he was in a magical coma for seven years. "I don't quite know how long it was but it was long." Link fumbled. He hoped he made it convincing enough for Zelda to believe him. "Did the doctor say when I'd be able to move again?"

"He said a couple weeks I think," Zelda answered.

"Oh," Link frowned. He didn't like being in his room against his will. He started to feel claustrophobic. In the past, being confined to a small area meant he was in great danger and he hadn't shaken the habit yet. He thought he would have learned eventually that he was safe in his own home, his own room. He wasn't sure if the sound of the oak tree brushing against the walls and window would be comforting anymore, or if he would be able to ignore the long shadows cast by the branches in the moonlight.

The thought of being trapped made him feel sick again and Zelda must have noticed because she moved one of the chairs in his room right next to his bed, sat down, and pulled out her book. It was thick and bound in green hide and wood. Link could smell the book's age from where he lay in his bed. The spine was creased from use but it showed signs of being restored. It was in good shape for how old it smelled.

"This is my favorite book," Zelda announced. "It's a compilation story book but it's about the legends and stuff. It's mostly made up fiction and pictures about the past heroes as well as some folk heroes but I always read it when I don't feel very well."

"Hm," Link sighed to let her know he was listening.

"I'd start with my favorite, but I think we'll have enough time to get through the whole thing in order by the time you can get up again."

"You don't have to," Link whispered. "I'll be fine on my own."

"Well I won't be able to sleep well unless I know you can, so shut up and listen, okay?" Zelda huffed at him.

"Alright, gosh," Link huffed. He looked down at his hands. "Thanks for staying with me."

"What are friends for?" Zelda smiled.

End Part I

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