Chapter Ten

A Boy Named Milos

A fluttering warm light was what stirred young Milos from his once unwaning sleep; a flickering candle he thought at first, but one peek with a drowsy eye revealed that it was in fact his aging grandmother shuffling about near the bedroom window they shared that was causing the disturbance in the light. The old hoot never did seem very keen on keeping a normal person's sleep schedule. She would be up and bustling about well before the first cry of the cuccos, when the sun was just coming out, and in good spirits too, humming and fiddling about without a care in the world.

He admired his grandmother, though he could have done with an hour two more of rest himself.

Milos tried and failed at falling back to sleep then as the fluttering light persisted. And so, opening both eyes, and widening his jaw to yawn, the young Bard propped his head up on a numb hand, blinking away the bleariness clouding his eyes. Old Grandma Maya had a silly smile on her lips, that smile you'd see old folk make when they'd see something that tickled their fancy.

"What are you doing, grandma?" he asked curtly and groggily. "It's barely sunrise."

"Barely?" she huffed, keeping her eyes trained just outside the window from where she perched herself. "The sun's been out for an hour, dear grandson, you best be out of bed, otherwise you'll grow up with gooey bones and wobbly muscles. Come along. Up, up, up."

"Why are you staring out the window?" Shaking his head, Milos sat up and stretched with a sigh.

"Wouldn't you like to know," the old woman chuckled impishly, as if baiting his interest. A shame it was, seeing how it worked all too well on the curious bard. With a groan and a puff, Milos dragged himself from his soft and warm bed, and slumped over beside his grandmother to catch sight of whatever had piqued the old hoot's interest… He blinked… And blinked again.

And by the goddesses, his jaw dropped!

All signs of drowsiness left the young boy's boy in an instant, and in its place came the vigor of youth, and he sprang into action. Bounding to his bedside chest, Milos flung open the hatch and pulled out the finest robes he had brought with him, and hastily fastened it around him, making sure every button was fastened neatly. Next came his boots, which could have done with a good shining―they had been caked with mud from traveling on foot the week before―but there wasn't time for that now!

"What on earth has gotten into you?" the old hoot laughed with twinkle-eyed delight. "You're like a wild hare bouncing about like that!"

"No time grandma!" Milos blew, and bolted off out the door of the small bedroom they shared. The young bard faltered in the common room, though, having caught a glimpse of his hair in the vanity tucked against the back wall. Sleeping so late hadn't done his silver locks any favors.

So, rolling up his sleeves, Milos drove his hands into the basin resting just below the mirror and wildly wetted his hair before combing his fingers through it to part it properly. With only a spare moment of fussing, he tied his hair back loosely, matching the style more common among well-to-do Hylian men, instead of Sheikah.

It was how he usually wore it in the Castle courts.

Satisfied with his work, Milos bounded out the door, leaving his little old grandma puzzled but ever so amused. "Be back for breakfast," she called out with a wheezy chuckle, and shuffled along her way back inside, musing over her strange little nephew.

Setting out at a brisk pace, Milos worked his way to the center of Kakariko Village, fixing and smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothes all the while, trying his best to ignore the fluttering sensation in his stomach and the beating in his chest. He had no idea the Princess was going to visit the village, Milos thought she would still be slaving away in that lab of hers like she always did, and yet here she was!

To think that his luck would have been so great that he would be visiting home at the same time the Princess of Hyrule―his Princess―decided to grace Kakariko with her presence. Perhaps Hylia was on his side today… perhaps She was planning something! Oh, it made the knot in his chest tighten, and his feet move quicker.

It was not long till he caught sight of Zelda kneeling before the prayer statue set in the middle of town for her morning devotional. She was impossible to miss. The way the shimmering shafts of light from rising sun caught her golden hair made her seem to positively glow and radiate, her beautiful form unmatched and unrivaled by any woman Milos had ever seen. Zelda was nothing short of divine in his eyes.

He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame…

Milos was so close then; he was just about to open his mouth to call out to her, when terrible misfortune caught him by the collar, practically yanking him back off his heels. Goddesses above, the young bard had forgotten all about him.

Sulking with a face that could curdle milk, Sir Link silenced Milos with a sinewy finger pressed against his own lips, his bold eyebrows furrowing with a curt impatience he had become well associated for. With a growl the young Bard swatted at the Knights hand, but Link's iron grip remained tight around his collar, holding him in place until at last Milos ceased his futile struggling against the deceptively strong boy.

"What are you doing?" Milos hissed quietly, massaging around his neck where his collar had bitten into his skin.

"Not while the Princess is praying," Link answered.

"You could've have been gentler, you know," Milos ranted grumpily. "There's no reason to strangle a man just trying to greet his friend." At best, that earned a stern eye from Sir Link. Apparently, the humble Milos was too far belowthe mighty Hero's great reputation to deserve any sort response. Goddesses above, Milos swore he could have punched the man square in the nose. Maybe then he'd learn a little common civility!

"How long has she been praying?"

"An hour." Link said, crossing his arms.

"How long does she usually pray?"

"Depends."

"Depends on what?" Milos prodded, crossing his arms as he waited with irritation. Sir Link sure took his sweet time on answering.

"Depends on how she feels."

"And I'm sure you know all about that, Hero?" Milos teased, but given Link's stoic expression he couldn't be sure he even understood it to be a jab. The man was either willfully ignorant, or woefully dense when it came to the nuances of social interaction. Milos couldn't tell which was the case now.

At any rate, it was plain Sir Link would never understand how Zelda truly felt. Very few people did.

Naturally, Milos counted himself among that small group. After all, he was her Bard. He'd play her any music she wanted to hear to brighten her spirits, or to make her laugh! That was his duty and great delight. And as of late, he hadn't had the chance to do that very thing, and it was all because of the fool glowering like a statue right next to him.

What did the Princess see in him anyways?

Young Milos simmered and pondered on that question for the better part of another hour as he waited till the Princess's guard dog finally permitted him to approach Zelda―albeit with slow reluctance. But Milos forgot about all that soon enough. Zelda's lovely eyes lit up with surprise as she rose to her feet after her long morning devotion, and her rosy lips cracked into an inviting smile. His heart beat like the wings of a humming bird.

"Milos, what are you doing here?" Her voice rang like crystal in his ears.

"Visiting family, like I always do in the first weeks of Spring, Princess," Milos said coolly with a neat bow. "I'm surprised you forgot of my absence."

"Ah," Zelda began with a polite air. "Of course. I am sorry, my mind has been rather occupied as of late, the smaller things seem to slip my memory easily. All the same, I am glad to see you here. What luck we have that I would be visiting Kakariko at the same time."

"Is it luck or is Hylia smiling down on us?" Milos gave his most charming grin and was bolstered with a sense of pride when the Princess gave a small laugh that crinkled her nose. "How long will you be in town? Perhaps my family could prepare a dinner in your honor? We are a humble family here, but Grandma Maya is next to none in the kitchen. We would be delighted to host our Princess."

Sadly, however, Zelda's change in face gave away an answer that broke his naïve heart.

"I'm afraid we leave soon," the Princess answered, sparing a glance to the brooding Knight that hovered over their conversation so irritatingly; a silent reminder that they weren't alone. Such news saddened the young Bard, but it paled in comparison with the way he felt when he saw the manner in which Zelda looked at that Sir Link. Where there was once a cold or distant disposition between them―a disposition he felt was only natural given his personality―the Princess now looked upon her Knight in a light that made Milo's stomach twist.

It was a look of solidarity… companionship.

"Elder Impa has advised me to begin a pilgrimage, in hopes of furthering my training…" Zelda paused, her gaze becoming downcast. "I am cautiously optimistic about it, however. After all these years of striving and testing, it is hard to invest much more than that in any one action. But I will try nonetheless."

"Surely there is no harm in giving yourself a chance to relax and recuperate, Princess?" Milos argued, taking Zelda's hand in his, patting it gently. With any luck, he would convince her to stay, if even for one more night! "Day after day spent in riding in a saddle is not good for your health, and I've experienced firsthand how hard a driver our valiant Hero is." Milos of course tuned his voice to a lighter tone at that playful slight, but it was not indicative of how he truly felt.

Sir Link was as hard a driver as a rancher herding his stock: Up at dawn, ride till dusk, no frivolous breaks, and absolutely no fun!

"He's not bad as all that, Milos," Zelda teased, far friendlier than the young Bard would have liked. Not that her words seemed to have an affect on the dull man, his face was still as unreadable as stone. "He's spent far more time traveling than you or me, he knows what's best. I trust him to get us where we're going safely and on time."

Milos ground his teeth.

"Is there nothing I can say to convince you to stay, Princess?" His heart sank lower when the Princess unfortunately frowned and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Milos, I really am, but I've already sent word to my father by Rito courier letting him know exactly when I should be returning. We have a schedule to keep to now. But I look forward to seeing you again back at the Castle. It's been too long since I heard your music…"

And so, hopes dashed and heart broken, Milos had to accept defeat. What little time was left, the young Bard spent beside Zelda, expertly occupying the space between her and Sir Link, though sparing not an eye or a word to the man. All the while, he could feel the Hero's eye boring holes in the back of his head. A strange sensation to be sure, but one he was not a stranger too. Oddly, however, it felt stronger than it had in the past… Milos began to wonder if perhaps the man had become jealous.

Such a suggestion had dangerous propositions. Were it true, Milos would be fighting an even harder battle than he previously thought, and it didn't help that he was already losing…


Zelda had become increasingly aware of when her Knight was brooding. Well, of course, he was nearly always brooding, but the Hero was not always brooding with such purpose and discontent as he was now! As silly a juxtaposition as it was, there were discernable differences. She supposed she could have assigned different terms to define Sir Link's behavior, but Zelda wasn't sure where to draw the line between the two…

One thing was for certain though, today, Sir Link was brooding up a storm.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked, donning a sweet smile to tease him. Coming down from wherever his head was, Link gave her a puzzled expression, and nodded slowly. "Don't give me that look, I'm only making polite conversation. You've been in your own little word for the last hour."

He seemed to have come to the same conclusion after she pointed it out, and the young boy sat straighter in his saddle, his watchful attention renewed and focused on the winding path ahead of their horses where all manner of danger could be lurking.

"Fort Hateno is not far from here," Link stated, avoiding the Princess's questioning eyes. "From there we can take the road north through the Dueling Peaks, and head west to Lake Hylia. Faron will be short thereafter. Of course, we'll have to make camp either on the road or in Deya Village for the night. The village might suit you best, Princess, but it's up to you."

"Wouldn't it be faster to go through Hateno Village and take the pass up and over into Faron directly?" That was the most logical route, after all. Sure, it was a little bit off the beaten path, but it would allow them more than ample time to find the prayer pool buried somewhere deep in that jungle. From there it would be simple enough to reach Fural Village, and loop back around north for a straight shot back to Hyrule Castle.

Zelda waited for Link's answer, but he seemed reluctant to give it. He was beginning to brood again.

"Sir Link?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes… I suppose it would be…" What had gotten into him today, the Princess wondered?

"You can tell me what's on your mind, you know?" Zelda offered. "Its not like there's anyone nearby to spy in on us."

Till they reached Fort Hateno it was unlikely they'd stumble on anything more than a few birds or wild squirrels that darted across their path. Travelers rarely used this road. And not even had Milos followed them any further than the gates of Kakariko Village. Hylia bless him, but Zelda was suspecting that silly boy was thinking foolish thoughts, prompting foolish actions.

An issue for another day, though. There were more important things to worry about.

"Do you think Hateno Village is the poorer option?" Zelda repeated. Link steeled his expression, tempering out any and all indecisiveness from his voice. Not that the Princess bought into that guise very much, there was clearly more he wasn't planning on sharing.

"No, you are correct, Hateno is the better option… If we set a good pace, we'll reach the village before dusk, and we can rest easy before setting out again early morning."

"Then why the hesitation?" the Princess pried, to which Link gave a rather rehearsed but resolute answer. "It's nothing of consequence," he said, heeling his horse to walk a little faster. "Forget I mentioned it."

Of course, this only piqued Zelda's interest more, but she didn't press Link too hard for an answer yet. Yet… She'd find out in due time what had her Knight acting hesitant and stubborn. Perhaps Link had some sort of feud with a local there, as unlikely as it sounded, or maybe he was just anxious to be taking the Princess of Hyrule along with him on a trip down memory lane.

Was he embarrassed possibly? Nervous of what she'd think? Zelda hid a mischievous grin…

Oh, the possibilities were endless! After all, Hateno Village was once the humble Hero's home. Zelda couldn't help but wonder what sort of marvelous mysteries she could uncover there. Secrets and stories, he wouldn't tell her? Firsthand accounts of who the Man who Freed the Sword was before he had ever done the deed?

Already she was preparing mental notes in her head to write down for later, for science no less.


HAYO!

I promise I didn't die in the last month and a half, although with all the crazy things happening around the world you never can be too careful! (So stay safe, my friends.) Anywho, I think you all know where this is going next in the story! We only have a few more memories to get through, i.e. a few misc. memories, memories at the goddess statues, Hyrule castle, and then of course the untimely calamity, all puns intended. I've had a few people ask me how much longer this story will go on, and the answer is probably too long for the good of the story because my pacing is whack on this work, so my apologies for that!

But, I can say for certain that we are in fact getting close to the end of the pre-game events, and as I have said in previous AN's, I have a couple ideas of what will go down for post-game story. It won't be a full drawn out story, but there will be a few chapters for closure and good old healing of the spirit, because we all know poor Zelda will have just come down from a one-on-one fist fight to death with one ugly-ass pig for 100 years, she's going to need some serious R&R.

Till next time!

-Bold