A/N: If I hang onto this chapter any longer, I'll defeat my whole purpose for this story: just get it out, captain. Well, welcome back to Slice of the Wild, a (for the most part) cozy story with charming characters and interactions. The goal here is to write and post about my favorite characters doing sweet, cozy things in a chaotic world. The chaos is emphasized in this chapter, and although it takes away from the slice of life feel, I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. Thank you to those who favorited the story! And welcome Cstan and Crixstal - happy to have you on board!
LINDINI200 and Luca Grae, sorry to make you wait a week for the completion of the cliffhanger - when I write one, I ideally like to post a couple days after, so thank you for holding on!
Soledge1, your comments make me smile; rescue the princess, drink a potion, teleport the hell out of there - I think Link would prefer your plan :)
Moe, thank you so much for your review! I read it a couple times over. "Happily ever after" stories are fun, but you are right; they lack realism. Hey, throughout the week I've been thinking of some other post-botw fanfictions I could refer to you that have the same fun/realism theme. All vary on a spectrum (and are very different), but here they are: (1) Love in a Time of Calamity by Spicy Chestnut, (2) Throne of Nothing by Lyxie, (3) One Last Year by CrazyGurlMaddness, (4) Dubious Food by Charaboogity, who is a personal friend of mine, and (5) the Firly Manor Chronicles - but I must warn you, I'm biased for that last one because it's also mine! Although it's dear to me, I don't think its that great - I was too interested in Link in Hateno and other details that didn't make much of a story. But, it's been a plethora of inspiration for all my other stories surrounding BOTW.
And that's all for now - thanks for reading!
Chapter Six
Link checked for the Princess three times while shelling out Lawdon's money - though he kept losing count; his hands trembled. Once or twice he almost dropped a red rupee into a crack in the floorboard. Yet, his thoughts drummed on and on - she should have stayed inside; he should have gotten the horse; was she still by the tent flap? Yes, she was still by the tent flap - by the haystack to be exact, though slightly obscured.
Mid-task, he scooted over to see her better and found that she was alone - no Lawdon, no ponies nor riders, even the lutist had quit his tunes. The lute abandoned on the haystack, the guests were like specks on the hillside gazing upon the view of the liberated castle. Up until four days ago, it had been like a city underwater. And though Link couldn't name the feeling, killing the beast meant receding the Calamity's tides. And watching Her Highness fall from its belly felt like uncovering the civilization of his ancestors. That forgotten civilization had sworn Link in as The Hero and now crowned drunken stable-mongers as descendants of princes; it knighted down-on-their luck horsemen that roamed the ghostly ruins and promised this monster-ridden land a future as long as its Princess lived and breathed. For, she was Hryule Incarnate and the Hero of Courage inherited the weight of destiny to protect her. But if that was Link's name, then why did he feel so scared?
Thankfully - sighed he, grabbing his pack and his bow and securing his quiver - Her Highness eased his burden by being tough. After all, she had gotten them to this barn safely even after a century of fighting off Calamity Ganon. She even bandaged his side, fed him, played cards, and cleaned as he recovered. Honestly, thought he, why wait for the Hero when a Heroine such as her was already beside them? Forget about his corpse lying in the Blatchery Plains - give the Princess of Hyrule the Master Sword and she would have figured it out. For, she was smart and brave and profusely kind and - pretty.
Knitting inside him was a delicate feeling - one that focused on the way her emerald eyes glimmered; the way she said his name like they were family and how her brows curved when she was worried. Frightened, he pushed those thoughts away.
Just then, he heard someone shriek! "Link!"
That was the Princess. His whole body turned her way, but she was not by the haystack anymore. Where was she? Suddenly, there was a bash - a clanging of strings.
"Princess?!"
"Link, come quick!"
He darted with his pack!
"No!" She screamed into the unknown, "Don't!"
Thump, thump, thump! A line of arrows shelled the entrance floor! - red and bulbous and - shit! Bomb arrows! Link rolled at the sight!
Boom! The explosion whacked him against the front desk cabinets. Splinters flurried! He ducked! - flying floorboards shot over his head; his fingers locked over his skull. Only when the air cleared of debris did he look up. Heat scorched his cheek - the canvas around him had caught fire and shriveled up into limp, black clumps until -
Crash! The tent entrance closed in on itself.
"How dare you!" He heard. That was her again - Princess Zelda! Someone was attacking - Yiga? Thugs? Monsters?
Sore, he clambered away from the cascading blaze, pulled himself up and over the front desk and all of its ink bottles and trinkets, and reached for the window hatch - fumbling and fumbling while the smoke billowed. Finally did it release! He fell out, hit the ground, and rolled.
Plumes in his lungs, he coughed out tar and spit as he took sight of the scene. At the perimeter of the tent was a man lying unconscious - a tall fellow in black with a green strap on his arm and a lute bashed over his head. Shrieks of horses and angry men took Link's attention to the eastern road where a dark wagon barreled through the tall, muddy grass. Its patched, ripped bonnet wafted in the rushing wind, flying a symbol - a Lizofalo with two arrows through its throat. A hole in the top allowed space for a hooded archer to stand; his arm bound in Wetland Gang green - not Yiga, but just as much trouble in the eastern sierras. But, never were they in Hyrule fields! Still, a deadly aim jeopardized the blazing tent behind Link while their wagon swerved for the stable's well thirty yards out.
There! - by the well! Link spotted the Princess! Blond hair flying, she threw herself against the stone and doused a water bucket into its mouth.
The wagon charged - its chestnut horse in a full-gallop!
Link whipped out his bow, "Get close to her, and I'll shoot!" - and fired a warning shot through the head of the bonnet. Its driver ducked, yanking his reins left into a wheel-spitting circle, allowing her a brisk second to turn and run.
"Link!" She cried, the bucket sloshing in her arms, "Oh Link, the tent! The horses!"
"We'll get them!" He opened his arms to catch her, "We will!"
But, a line of bomb arrows laced the space between them, knocking Link back towards the tent; the Princess thrown onto the footsteps of the well, the water bucket dislodged from her hand and spilling against the turned-up mud.
The wagon swerved in!
"Hey, you! Rich guy!" Spat the driver, closing in again, "It's five thousand rupees at Gopanga Island by sunset if ya want to see her alive!"
"Quick, Boss! They've got more people coming down the hillside!"
"I'll get her! I'll get her!"
Just then, in the choir of the crackling fire, hissing fumes, and shrieks from Mister and Missus Lawdon, the gods of anger possessed Link. Indignation drew him up to his feet. The breeze caught - taking Link back to the moment he stood at the foot of the Sanctum of the Calamity. There and now, the Heroes of Hyrule's past converged into his single soul - making his body feel crowded and powerful. Something like magic burned through this blood, drawing his hand to his quiver in one quick, cool movement. Passion anchored the arrow; rage collected his thoughts as his aim followed the kidnapper's wagon seconds before their catch. Out hung the green-banded driver, mid-gallop! He leaned over in Link's line of fire to grab the Princess - big mistake!
Thump! An arrow shot through his hand.
The driver screamed - his hand pinned to the wagon's tongue! The horse ran past the well without the Princess, spooking, rearing, knocking the archer from its stand. His bum slammed against the driver.
"Boss, your hand!"
"Assholes!" Shrieked the driver, "Get this arrow outta my hand!"
A third accomplice jumped in from the back to help, cussing and crying with the rest of his gang while the fire raged behind Link. But all was silent to the hero. Cool rage compelled him - he pulled out another arrow as they scrambled to free the driver.
Aiming, aiming, Link's bow followed the wagon until - thump! thump! thump! A line of three shot across the jockey seat, startling the trio. They tumbled backwards and lost the reins on their bucking horse as he took them further from the well in hysteric circles.
Victory, people and rushing horses flooded the Wetland Green Gang - Box and Lick on their twin dappled steeds darted after the wagon, spinning their belts like weapons. Quince and the other spirited women threw rocks when the wagon passed. Gen, the old man, cut off their circle and broke a tree branch over the wheel - splinters flurried! Startled, the horse veered left where Lawdon waited with a rusty sword - outstretched in protection of his Missus, who rushed the tent with her children and a band of mothers to free the horses from the blaze.
Their massive invasion allowed Link the moment he had been craving since Her Highness screamed out for him. While people flew by, he trotted in and gently kneeled before her. Sludge squelched beneath his knees. The heat spell burned against him - though his insides seemed to freeze at the sight of Her Highness, gazing aimlessly at her dirty hands in the ground. Gunk browned her fingernails; mud coiled around her wrist like archery bands; her arms were like pillars plunged into the earth; she leaned weakly against the stone face of the well, though arched her back as if she had thrown it out when she fell. Exhaustion weighed on her shoulders; the bags beneath her eyes were vivid purple; yet ever so slowly, she drew up her head and stared passed Link for the burning tent.
Link felt responsible - though, the gangs never came towards the fields. Green Wetlands dominated the immediate east, but they usually never passed the river. This land was a slaughterhouse for everyone - a faint commitment to adventures; a fool's game for pickpockets and thieves unless a price made it worth it. And yes, Link realized, a pocket of rupees was too enticing, the girl was a candidate for a damsel in distress, and the boy to guard her had been dying from a gash in his wound - the word must have traveled fast.
And with a violent crack, the mighty horse head collapsed into itself, dashing the burnt remains of the card's table to bits. The whole crowd took a step back as burning planks shot towards ashy beds. Blazing sheets of canvas flapped like red flags in the wind.
The cozy stable inn - destroyed.
The Princess began to cry.
"I-I'm so sorry," Link finally choked out - purposely distant, "I-I'm responsible. T-The gangs - they don't come this way unless - unless they know about money. A-And I - "
She gripped his shoulder, and pressed a dirty finger to her lips.
"Y-You were amazing." She whispered.
That word made his stomach drop -
Her exhausted gaze burned him up - death by emerald lava. Another tear spilled. Could he look away? Immediately, the King of Hyrule came to mind. If he were alive, he would draw his daughter up in his arms - maybe rock her until she cried no more. Ghosts of knights and princes would all kneel in reverence for the emotions she felt after a century of violence. Was the Goddess looking down on them now? Something about the clouds moving over them made him feel watched and loved by the divine. But, he couldn't join in the consolation of the divine - after years of loneliness, he didn't know how. But, what did escape that anxious prison was a shaky hand. He reached out and helped the Princess to her feet.
That's when mothers flooded out towards them - a band of five, plus the horses they towed in. All of them were cooing, knowing exactly what to say to a heartbroken soul; how to nurse internal wounds. A grandmother ran her fingers through her muddy, tangled tresses; her older daughter cupped her tear-stricken cheeks and kissed them twice. Another with cropped hair tore her clean, white apron from her waist and dabbed away the blood on her brow. The two remaining girls - much younger than the other women, but maybe a few years older than the Princess - squeezed hands.
Although bumped and pushed back, Link never took his eye off the aggressive cloud of care; sweetly, Princess sank into its warmth, though profusely apologized.
"I-I'm so sorry. The stable - it's burning!"
"Honey, look at us. It happens at least every other year out here in the fields."
"Why do you think it costs so much to stay?"
"Oh yeah, Leekah charges us extra to save up!"
And they chuckled with sober laughs.
Feeling like a broken chord, Link took a moment to fall back and searched for a friend - there, his bay mare stood by to be noticed. At Links whistle, the filly trotted in. She nuzzled him - a relieved hello after a long absence.
And when all seemed calm, there came a massive outcry from the far side of the bonfire!
Link turned - the dark wagon broke from the tent's side, its horse running miles a minute with two bulky arms hanging out the back. Though battered and losing planks at their speed, the wagon barreled after a boy and his painted pony. Bam! - two hands caught his tunic and swung him against the back wheel before dragging him in.
"Ma!" He lunged out! Too late - the wagon swallowed him.
"That's Linus!" Pointed the Princess; she pushed aside her grogginess and stumbled after Link; he caught her, though she kept turning back, "Link, they took Linus!"
"You can't take him!" Cried Missus Lawdon from afar. She chased the wagon - one hand on her swollen stomach, "Please! That's my son!"
Lick and Box shot past her on their steeds, but the wagon gained ground, shooting towards the eastern road.
"Same deal! Gopanga by sunset!" Yelled the archer, passing Link and the women. He launched a base few arrows their way - causing the girls the duck.
Link's arm moved without command - out came the sword, slicing an arrow in half, sparing the Princess and two other girls behind him.
They cooed in giddy pleasure! A string of mothers rushed in to check his chest for an arrow's wound, but he was clean.
All eyes on him, he mounted his horse bare-back and looked on toward the wagon as Box and Lick galloped past them. Going became imperative - still, he checked the crowd. A quick passing gaze to the Princess and the mothers spoke a code of trust. He'd leave the Princess with them for just forty seconds, no more. And the Princess nodded, limping forward with a tired, outstretched finger, making him pause.
She took her shawl from her shoulders - the same one that she used to cover her hair - and lassoed it around his waist and pulled it tight. His cheeks scorched; shy, he dared himself to peer down on the Princess. Only then did Link realize that he was bleeding again.
She looked so focused and angry - blinking back her exhaustion with hissing vengeance, eye darting between her knots and the fleeting wagon. And there, witnessing the ferocity in that glare, something became very clear to Link. A flashbulb thought possessed him, And no, it was not a distant memory from the past. Yet, it shocked him just as much - he suddenly remembered the man lying unconscious by the tent's perimeter, the one that he had almost tripped over. And looking between the lute bashed over his head and the tired, angry Princess tying a double-knot, Link gulped down a stalling breath.
She had knocked him out, didn't she?
Finished, she anchored his heel to the horse before backing away.
His heart fluttered - she actually knocked him out.
Just then, a mother hooked Princess's waist in, "We'll take care of her, honey!"
He pulled his eyes away from her, nodding.
"Take them down, boy!"
Go get 'em!"
"Bring back their heads!"
And without further thoughts, Link took off! His horse bolted after the wagon. He kicked his horse faster and faster until his eyes began to water from the speed.
Falling back on his left came Box, mid-canter, "I think the archer's out of arrows!" The man shouted in the wind. "He's not shooting at us."
Lick hung back, "They've got a weakness upfront with Linus in the back."
"Stupid captors!"
"Always keep hostages with you, am I right, Box?" Sneered Lick.
"Don't know whatcha talkin' 'bout!"
"But, you're the last of the Fuchsia fools!"
"I've never ganged before in my life!"
"That's not true."
"You've got arrows, kid?"
Link nodded.
"You go ahead! We'll corral them where you need 'em!"
Ready, Link swerved left and kicked on with his horse - leveling with the wagon's back where he could see tear-stricken Linus between the rips of the furling bonnet. The sight compelled the hero- he hugged the barrel of the horse with his thighs, released her mane, and slowly reached back for his bow, all while maintaining his balance as the steed took him to the wagon's side.
There, he met the archer, estimated the weight of the wind, and - thump! He punctured his shoulder! - non-lethal, but the man recoiled, cussing and cussing as Link pulled ahead.
Wind breaking against his face, Link then pulled to the front and caught the eyes of the driver.
"Well, shit!" The thug pulled left to cut him off - wrong move!
The space between him and the cart bridged, the Link launched himself from his horse and barreled right into the driver's chest, knocking him off the side. The hero then caught himself on the jockey's seat and swung himself around for the handyman - but the man bailed! Smack! He hit the ground and tumbled after his boss.
The archer scampered back into the wagon - the last remaining of the trio. With one arrow in his shoulder, he whipped the small, speckled-cheek boy up for protection. Poor Linus - Link felt for him; he shook beneath the eye of his arrow. He was scared, much like the Hero on the inside. How scared he had been since uncovering the Princess of Hyrule? How many months had he wallowed through ruins of his own failures? How many horses had he lost? - too many that he couldn't bear to name the one he had now. How much did it scare him to talk to Her Highness? And that same fear surged throughout his body when the bomb arrows struck! Wild hysteria raptured him when the thug reached over to grab the Princess.
So, it pained Link to point his bow in the boy's direction, but his captor was still and his wagon was slowing; help was coming.
Three…
Two…
One...
Box tore through the bonnet, grabbed the archer's neck, and threw him out the back. And finally, Link caught the boy.
An odd calm followed the horrific few minutes - an evident victory, though the foreground was laced with billowing smoke and sadness. The tent burning beyond them, Link held Linus in the jockey seat - one hand on the reins, the other around the boy who wiped his eyes against his savior's tunic. He was quiet, though Link did not mind - yet, the moment saved space for Link to whisper encouragement or comfort, though all the hero could do was rub his back as the boy cried.
Behind the wagon rode Box and Lick, their hands pulling a string of three thugs tied with ropes from their own wagon.
"I know you," sneered the archer, "You're damn pink trash! Boss, this is a Fuchsia Fool!"
"Fuchsia fool, my ass! They all died off!"
"Nah, I recognize him - this is the guy that started that whole fiasco by Zauz? Broke into Nana's liar for a smoochin' before taking the diamonds! Blew up the damn place!"
"Don't know whatcha talkin' about," Box retorted. "I don't hunt treasure. Or kiss Nannas."
"Oh, is that right?" Lick flicked his finger his way, "I swear it was you who stole my pouch this morning. Show me your pocket,"
"You see my pocket - nothing!"
"Cloak pocket? Slack pocket? C'mon, Box, I'm no fool!"
"You look like one."
Amidst the banter, Link checked behind him for his horse - yes, there she was, happily trotting after them.
"Hey, Archer!" Link met the boss's eye- guess that meant him, "You need a job? A full year with me, and I'll forgive this little number you did to my hand!"
"But, boss! We're a family gang, and he's not family!"
"You boys have been lackin'! Yer Ma's telling me all year to cut you loose! Even she sees your worthlessness!"
"C'mon! Ma didn't say that!"
Link pulled the wagon into a slow stop beside the small, ash-peppered crowd; it engulfed them - mother after mother shaking Link's hand, proud wifes pulling Lick and Box down from their horses, Gen and his trio of elderly kicking the Green Wetland Gang. People touched the wagon as if it was gold - a mother traced the notch in the wood where Link's arrow had pinned the driver's hand. More girls ran in to see - one even dabbed her finger in the bloody residue.
In jumped Missus Lawdon, shoving away the crowd to get to her son. She threw herself onto the jockey seat and pulled Link's cheek in for a wet kiss. Before he could react, the mother was crying into her son, wrapping him up in her arms. She held him like a baby - though he was just about ten years old and tall with lanky legs. They dangled awkwardly, yet the boy let himself be held. He wrapped his arms around her neck as she spun.
"Thank you," mouthed Missus Lawdon before whisking him away.
Weakly, Link smiled. Once again, he was at a loss for words. The community that invaded him now was unlike anything he had ever experienced - so joyous and gangily despite the bonfire spewing ash into the hot summer's day beside them. People jumped up onto the wagon to pat his shoulder; Lick tousled his hair; the mother with the blood-dabbed apron kissed his hand while people came and went around them, all asking questions he could not afford to answer.
"Where'd you learn to shoot like that?"
"Who are you?"
"Won't you tell us your name?"
He tried to look distracted. Already a plan was unfolding in his mind - especially as a grandmother escorted the Princess to the wagon. First, get the Princess from the grandmother over by the well and carry her up onto the wagon. Then, lay down a modge-podge of his remaining clothes on its wood floor to make a bed and lay her down so she could sleep. Third,
give Lawdon and his Missus the thousand rupees he had. And finally, hook up his mare to the yoke and ride off for Kakariko.
"See, I told you he was safe. Linus too." He heard - the grandmother approached with the Princess's hand in hers. Tired, Her Highness leaned into her shoulder, "He's just right here - there's no need to worry, child. Let me help you up, dearie."
Her Highness caught him off-guard, beaming up at him with those emerald eyes, wearing a proud, smug smile - Link stuffed away the fluttering feeling, bit his lip, and popped off the wagon to continue with his plan. He drew up his arms to receive her, but the Princess instead fell into him, cheek pressed to cheek, and lazily wrapped her arms around his waist.
And he -
Couldn't he? -
He couldn't breathe -
And then, without warning, his stomach let out a thundering grumble.
The whole crowd seemed to notice.
The Princess parted with him, "U-Uh, are you hungry, Link?"
"I thought the storm had passed!" Someone called out.
Again, his stomach moaned.
"Hear that bass?"
"He's starving!"
People laughed; Link retreated into himself - heat scorched his cheeks.
"The hero is hungry!" Shouted the grandmother, "I say we feed him!"
Feeble Gen held a shaking finger to the air, "We've already got a big bonfire for roasting, don't we? My apologies to you, Lawdie and the Missus."
All looked in on the stablemaster.
Distracting himself, Lawdon bounced his little girl in his arms - as if to give himself a moment to grieve. His brows knit together; he tried to match his daughter's smile - but, he let out a quick sob before setting her on the ground. But, all the eyes on him demanded a response, so he wiped his eyes and delivered, "I-I'm sure we can dig out the cast irons from the fire."
"I'll lead a hunting party!" Box jumped back onto his horse. "And bring back a nice boar for you, Lawdie! To cheer you up!"
"And we will join!" The green-banded thug wrestled with his ropes, "Someone get Clemins - if he keeps lying there by the fire, he's gonna become a steak."
"Shut up!" Mrs. Lawdon stormed over and plucked the arrow from his shoulder, "We're not untying you! Not until you rebuild this stable! Here Box, take this arrow - watch the blood."
He took it happily before kicking his horse into a run - a string of giddy men followed. They grabbed their bows and ran off after Box for the forest. Every few steps, they picked at the ground for leftover arrows scattered in the dirt.
"Leekah, honey," Gestured her husband, "Go get the poor guy by the fire."
"After what they've done to us and these kids here?"
Link felt her love, but eventually, the woman waddled away towards the fire with a loud sigh and dragged Clemins from the flames by his foot.
"C-Coffee crash?" Lawdon gestured to Link's chest - there, the Princess was resting her eyes. And when her body went limp, he fumbled to pull her in. But a task remained - quite a few if you asked Link, but he steadied his focus on the stable master as he stared a thousand miles into his burning tent. Shifting, he used his free hand to reach the front pocket of his bag. Out came his money pouch; he handed it to the somber man - for it was enough to cover their stay, plus extra. Much extra.
The man just stared at the moneybag. He choked, casting his eyes over at the Princess in Link's arms.
Link looked down; surely, she was sleeping.
"S-Sorry," He parted with the man, one-thousand more apologies on his mind. Focusing now, he drew Her Highness into his arms and carried her to the back of the wagon.
She leaned against his chest, eyes closed, "Is there something we can do for them?"
He sat her down on the wagon bed - not knowing how to answer.
"Wait!" Lawdon ran in. "You both can't leave yet! Let's at least get you patched up, kid, and - everyone's going to be so disappointed when they come back and you're not here."
"S-Sorry," Link peeked his way, "We - um - we need to go."
"I know." He turned back to the castle before whipping back to them, "But, i-if you wait an hour, you'll be patched up and fed. You'll have a whole group of people here who can protect you while you wait."
Again his stomach growled.
"Your inn," he broke, "I-It's because of us."
His tent was only embers now - he looked on towards it with remorse. His brown eyes shook, but he collected himself with a deep breath, "You kids need to get to the Sheikah domain, am I right? I was thinking - well, I have no plans and there are a lot of men here who could escort you - "
"Sir," The Princess breathed - as if she was sleep-talking, "You've been too kind to us already. We do not wish for anything more."
"But, if ya'll are who my wife now thinks you are, Lassy," he said all to quickly, then gazed up at the blaring sun as if it would smite him, "F-Forgive me, I'm no religious man; I barley know the myths of our land. But, that castle - that castle's free. And you, kid, saved my son and - well, we can't just sit by and not help you get to where you're going."
And looking between the Link and the Princess, the stablemaster gave a quick bow, "I'll get you a towel, kid - and it looks like Nanna already boiled some rice. Just hang on!"
Then the man darted off to the cookery where a towel hung nearby on the line.
Post Note:
My husband in bed last night: "Did... Did you have to burn down inn?
Me, painfully checking my notes: "I'm so sorry."