Chapter 5



When Aloysius and Link reached the Town Market, Aloysius was surprised to find that no one was anywhere around, and yet it was still day.

"What in Hyrule?" Aloysius wondered aloud. "Link, where is everyone?"

"I don't know, Aloysius. Let's go inside the castle," Link replied.

They got off their horses and walked to the castle. The drawbridge to the castle was down, so they went inside. The castle was dark, but Aloysius could just barely make out shapes in the shadows, and he could sense living things around him. "Hello?" he called.

"SURPRISE!" A hundred voices shouted. A chandelier was instantly lit overhead by magic. Aloysius looked back at Link, who gave one of his rare smiles. "Happy birthday, Aloysius."

"That's why you took me to the lake, he said, and laughed. "Wow. You went to all of this trouble for me?" he asked.

"Of course we did," Darunia's loud voice boomed in the huge hallway. "I had to see how my favorite 'nephew' was doing."

Link crossed the entryway into the crowd. "How many times must I tell you Darunia? Aloy is not my son."

"But you look so much alike," Saria said as Aloysius picked her up to ride on his shoulders.

"I'm sure it is just a coincidence," Zelda said, the assembled crowd parting to make way for her. "Come Aloysius, we have a feast in your honor."

"Geez, I'm blushing," said Aloysius, and the whole crowd laughed.

The celebration went on for many happy hours, with Hyrule's finest minstrels and court jesters for entertainment. Long tables were set in the dining hall, with a half-moon shaped table at the front. In the front, Zelda was seated in the middle seat, with Aloysius, the guest of honor, at her right. On her left was Link. Six of the Seven Sages were seated around Aloysius and Link (Rauru had to protect the Temple of Light). In the middle of the feast, Aloysius noticed that Link was gone.

"Where's Link?" he asked Ruto. He knew about the supposed engagement, so he tried to keep things light.

"I don't know, ask Zelda. He was here a moment ago, though."

Just as Aloysius was leaning over to ask Zelda, Link walked back into the room, something large in his hand. It was a box, about three feet long, and wrapped in colorful paper. In perfect Hylain script (which had to be Zelda's) was his name on the top. Everyone stopped eating and took a break to watch what was going on. Zelda stood up and addressed the crowd.

"People of Hyrule, as you know, we are here to celebrate Aloysius's fifth birthday. Of course, because he does come from a different dimension, he has aged quickly and become a man in these short years. We now give him a present that we know he is truly worth of." Zelda smiled and motioned for Aloysius to take the present from Link. Aloysius took the box and was surprised at how heavy it felt. He unwrapped it carefully and opened the box. Inside was the most beautiful sword Aloysius had ever seen. The sheath was the dark red color Aloysius had always liked. He carefully pulled it out. It was double edged and had a dark red hilt and handle.

"Wow," was all Aloysius could manage. The crowd cheered and clapped. Even Link smiled when he saw the look on Aloysius's face.

Navi was finishing an oversized grape that was her meal. She flew over to Aloysius and beamed. "You like it?" she asked. Aloysius nodded. "I picked out the handle and the sheath."

Zelda spoke again. "Thank you all for coming, I hope you all had fun. Now, sadly, we must end. Goddesses bless."

There was a loud scraping noise as everyone got up from the benches to leave. Aloysius went to the door and shook hands with everyone before they left. Well, he received a Goron hug from his "uncle" Darunia that almost made him pass out from lack of oxygen, but he had fun all the same. Though sad to see everyone go, he was glad to go to bed with many happy thoughts to dream about.