A/N: This is my first time even writing a story. Hope y'all like it! I'm planning on following BOTW story line pre-calamity to an extent. Link and Zelda's future relationship in the coming chapters will be different than that of the memories in game. Rating M for graphic fight scenes, language, and romance. Italics denote Link's thoughts, quoted italics are when someone is telepathically speaking to him. Also I don't own Zelda or anything about it.
Ch 1: Dreams
Please….find….me….forest…..embers
I woke up sweating, again. The last few nights had been, rough to say the least. These fragmented dreams, they all seemed connected. A foggy forest filled with scary looking trees that seemed to watch me as I walked aimlessly through the wood. Whatever, I thought to myself. I heard stirring nearby, my roommate was probably waking up too. It was about time for another long run, just like every Wednesday. I rolled myself out of bed and threw on my running shorts tying the laces. Next my socks and running boots followed by my brown cotton shirt. I looked over myself in the mirror in the dimly lit candlelight.
These dreams are fucking up my sleep, and I need all the rest I can get with the tournament next week.
It wasn't so much I was worried, I mean, everyone kept saying I easily had it in the bag. Telling me I was the best swordsman Hyrule's ever seen, my strength and skill unparalleled by even those in the Royal Guard. The same Royal Guard I'd be joining upon graduation after the tournament. My roommate, Johnny, finally sat up rubbing his eyes. He was taller than me, darker brown hair with the same lively grin he always had. Johnny had a bulkier frame than myself, even though we'd discovered after some friendly competition that I was stronger. I still haven't let him live that one down.
He turned to me, "Shit Link, already up?"
I chuckled and replied, "Yeah, weird dreams again."
He sat up and followed the same process of getting dressed, when we heard the shrill sound of a whistle blowing in the hallway outside our room."Guess that's first call, let's get out there real quick," Johnny scooted me out of the way of the mirror. He began shaving the stubble off his face while I finished tightening the laces on my boots. In the hallway more screaming, "Hurry up lazy-asses we got 7 miles this morning!" Collective groans were heard throughout the barracks after the captain told us the plan. Johnny and I got into the hallway and began with stretches to loosen up for the long run.
"Here we go," Johnny smirked when we stepped out of the barracks. The crisp, damp morning air hit me. Rubbing the goosebumps on my arm, I hopped a bit to get my blood flowing. Feeling a little warmer the captain addressed us again, "Link, on me!" He was a broad-shouldered older gentleman with streaks of gray in his short hair. The criss-crossed scars on his face each told a story of his time as a Royal Guard. An imposing man, to say the least, standing a full head taller than Johnny. I sprinted to the captain, rendering a salute which he returned before speaking, "You lead the run, take the route through the front gate, up the hill around the large tree to the southwest. You'll have 50 minutes to get everyone back here." He spun on his heels and walked off. I was the platoon commander for the trainees so it was my job to relay orders from our lead trainer, Captain Typhon.I turned and shouted, "Two ranks on me!" The Royal Guards to be fell in quickly behind me, a class of 21 that started with 60 candidates. With that we began the long run, a brisk seven-minute pace. It wasn't too much for us at this point in training, we'd been training hard for almost six months up to this point. We'd pushed our bodies well beyond our limits to ensure we were in the best possible shape to serve the royal family.
We passed through the dark, quiet streets of Castle Town, with very few citizens stirring at this ungodly hour. The café owner, as always, gave us a pleasant smile and wave as we passed, "Y'all have fun boys!" We smiled back at the old woman, she was always so cheery, a pleasant sight in our current state. After passing the front gates, the sun finally began to rise. The light began to glow and reflect off of the dew-covered grass. Man, this view never ceases to amaze me, I thought to myself looking over the expanse of green hills rolling with trees spotting the surface. At about three miles, the large hill the captain referred to came into view, the large tree on the top. It was a rather large hill, and we always made a game of racing to the top. Right at the bottom, the curve slowly beginning and everyone already began to break formation and get in a straight, horizontal line along the base of the hill. "Take the hill!" As soon as I screamed the order, all of my brothers sprinted full speed. First one there always got to choose their fire watch shift the next week. Fire watch was basically just pulling an all-nighter to walk down the hallway of the barracks so nobody snuck in or out after hours. Putting everything into my sprint, me and Johnny were neck and neck. He pulled ahead and, as always, forgot about the notorious pot hole in the hill. After a good faceplant, I took the win.
"You alright buddy?" I hollered while chuckling down to my roommate, he gave me a thumbs up that turned into a middle finger, "Fuck yourself," he peered up off the grass with a grin. After everyone hit the tree, they got in two columns behind me and we began the run back. Johnny was limping a bit, but he trudged on through the pain. He'd never let a little ankle sprain slow him down if it meant keeping up with me. Again, passing the café, the old lady smiled and waved at the mass of sweaty royal guard trainees. Arriving back at the barracks, we broke formation and began stretching on our own. The captain called out, "Link, report!" I, again, sprinted and saluted. He reciprocated, "47 minutes, not bad son." He patted my shoulder, grinning a grin we don't see very often. "Take your brothers in for chow and get cleaned up, then we will meet in the classroom in 30 minutes to discuss the tournament." He spoke plainly. "Yes, captain," I replied then turned to my brothers, "Let's get some food boys, 30 minutes for a brief in the classroom!" Everyone silently acknowledged and got on the move.
In the dining hall, guards, guard trainees, royal guard trainees, and servants to the guard sat amongst each other for meals. Royal guards ate in the castle with the castle's servants, they got way better food than us. We got the same as every morning: scrambled eggs, a few slices of ham, and a ripped-off chunk of bread. Johnny sat beside me and began to speak through bites, "You…excited…for…tournament?" I laughed at his food spraying all over the wooden picnic table, swallowing my bite, "Yeah man, it'll be a great chance to really test my skills. With a real sword not a blunt training sword." We both laughed at that and finished up our meals in silence. A young, brunette servant walked by. She stared and smiled at Johnny; I think she worked polishing the guard's equipment. "Dude, after the brief about the tournament we're done for the day. You should go talk to her." I said, winking at Johnny. He got red in the face and quickly spoke, "Come on man, let's go get cleaned up we can't be late to the Captain's brief." What a puss, they both got it for each other but he's being apprehensive. I was lost in thought, internally laughing at my roommate when he grabbed me, "Come on, let's get cleaned up we're gonna be late."
After a shower, we got in our training uniform. I got to the classroom shortly after and got a headcount then addressed Captain Typhon, "All present, Captain." He looked over the seated trainees, "Very well, take your seat Link." I saluted and took my seat up front. We spent the next hour asking questions about the tournament next week. It was to take place in front of the castle, in a large courtyard. The day prior would be try-outs and the best 16 would be allowed to participate in the official tournament. One ring, single elimination. Points would be earned with successful strikes on your opponent, the amount was determined by the judge and five points was a win. Best of three rounds with each opponent, with the final bout being the best of five rounds. Finally, the Captain concluded the brief, "You are not all required to try out for the tournament but," he grinned, "there is an incredibly worthwhile prize for the victor." Looking around, everyone began whispering. They were speculating what could possibly be the prize for such a victory. "Silence!" The Captain commanded and everyone followed his order. "Link, dismiss your brothers. You have the rest of the week off until the tournament next Wednesday." I saluted and relayed the message to my fellow trainees, "We are dismissed, we have no training or guard duty for the next week until after the tournament. Be safe, check in with me if you can every evening." Everyone sat up quick with bright smiles and excited hoots before leaving the classroom.
Johnny walked up as the crowd thinned, "Got any plans today Link?" I rubbed my eyes, "Yeah, napping." We shared a hearty laugh, "These weird dreams keep messing with me so I'm gonna try and catch up on some sleep. See ya later Johnny, don't forget to stop by your girlfriend before you leave the barracks for the day." I cooed at him jokingly, his face reddening like a radish again. He punched my shoulder on the way out, "See you later loser." I just waved in response and made my way back to our room.
A serious nap is in order for me. As soon as I opened the door, my uniform hit the floor in no time flat. Only a few moments after, my heavy eyes closed and I drifted off again. The forest again, why is it so foggy? I looked around and saw the strange trees that seemed to be watching me. I held only a torch. A voice whispered through the fog, "Embers….follow….embers…" and the whisper slowly started to drift off into silence through the shifting wind. The shifting wind? I glanced at the torch and watch the flame change direction as I walked, the embers drifting in the constantly changing winds. I followed the embers and soon the fog lifted. The last thing I saw before waking up was a huge tree with a face and a sword in a stone. "Master, come find me…"