The Missing Link
V1.2
By: The Kirby Kid ( thekirbykid@hotmail.com )
Disclaimer:
Hmm…. Let's see….disclaimer…disclaimer. Gotta be funny huh? Okay…I'll try this: The Legend of Zelda is copyrighted by the good people at Nintendo; DIG THAT, SUCKA!?
Note from the author:
Hey, glad to be back adding fictions to Fanfiction.net. This is V1.2 of my current fic "A New Divinity" (or The New Divinity…whatever the heck I've been putting up. ). I'm hoping this will be a more light-hearted romp than my last fic. By the way, it's a direct sequel to "The Gerudo Keepsake". (Shameless plug)
I'm using old software, so if the formatting isn't great, let me know and please forgive me. Also, I know it's a lot of trouble, but please send in a review if you happen to read the fic. Above all, enjoy!
On a completely unrelated note… I'm a big X-Files fan and I just wanna say… Langley, Byers and Frohike of the Lone Gunmen, rest in peace.
Last Chapter:
They call him 'Invincible', because he has never before been bested in combat. Who is he? Where did he come from? How is he so strong? It is these questions and others that drive the young and normally reserved Link to do what he has never even dreamed of, and take up the art of the sword. The training will be long and hard, but Link is convinced that he can also become Invincible.
But how long can this interest last? On with the tale.
************
Standing solidly on the cobblestone of the Castle, Sir Adrel of the First Rank observed as the boy in front of him strapped on a pair of fingerless leather gloves. A few knights and workers of the Court glanced in their general direction before moving on to their respective jobs.
When Link was finished he flexed his hands a few times, adjusted his tuke and placed his arms to his waist. Adrel nodded and removed a short sword from his belt. The blade was about a foot in length, and the hilt was wide and round.
"This is a short sword, boy.", Adrel said as he turned the blade in the sunlight. "Not a dagger, but not as long as a sword. I've seen some adults able to master a blade like this, and I think you'd be good for it." He sharply flicked the sword twice in the air as if to test it out. "It's double-edged, so it's sharp on both sides."
"I see…", Link started. "I guess that's what makes you bleed when you're stabbed with it. Fascinat….". The boy brought his sarcastic run to a halt when he saw the look on his Uncle's face.
With a grunt, Adrel placed the blade back into his sheath. "I'm done here.", he said and turned away. Link yelped and pulled on his Uncle's arm.
"Hey! Don't go! I'm sorry!". Adrel turned to the boy sharply, causing Link to lower his eyes and rub his head nervously. "Geez…you know me, Uncle. I'm an….hey I never offended you before."
Adrel drew the sword out again. "This time is different, Link.", he told the boy. "If I'm gonna be your teacher in the art of defending and maybe even killing with a blade, you must learn to be serious. You're a funny boy, but funny isn't needed here."
Link rubbed his the back of his head again and sighed. The old knight couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Heh, don't worry, your father was the same way."
This caused the boy to sharpen suddenly. "Wh-Really?" Adrel nodded.
"Yep. He was always joking, especially when he was on the job. Let's get to work then, I've got rounds around noon.". After saying that, he held the handle of the sword out for Link to take. Link reached for it with his left hand, which caused his Uncle to shake his head. The boy then tried to take it with his right, before Adrel stopped him.
Link sighed. "Is this part of the training? Or…"
"Sorry boy. I forget that you write with your left."
"Wait a minute.", Link said rapidly. "Invincible uses his right doesn't he?"
"What of it?"
"Well, maybe I should…"
Adrel stopped him there. "Link, you cannot become Invincible. The only way that'll work is if you go back quite a few years and take his place in his mother's womb….and even then it's a bit tricky." He sighed and handed the blade to Link, who took it with his left. "I honestly don't know how much longer this interest in the blade arts will last, but while it does, practice it on your own terms. Do you understand?"
Link nodded and received a small buckler, which he strapped on to his right. "Hey, you're right about the handedness thing, Uncle…but I notice Invincible doesn't carry a shield."
Adrel nodded as he strapped his own round shield to his arm. "One step at a time. For all we know, he used to practice using a shield, and has decided not to. Who knows. In any case, it wont hurt."
Taking a step back from the boy, Adrel demonstrated the vertical, and horizontal blade swipes. Link followed the lesson along, his swipes amateurish and clumsy. Throughout the lesson, Adrel had to wonder whether Link had what it took for this. Link had always taken after Adrel's sister who was more of an intellectual than Adrel, or Link's father Arn, had been.
The lesson switched over to learning how to parry. Link brought the blade up parallel to his face, and Adrel moved it down a notch into it's proper position. Then, taking his own sword up, he swung it lightly against Link's. A sharp metallic CLANG filled the air, and Link's short-sword was flung into the air while the boy himself fell hard to the ground.
Adrel started towards the youngster, but Link just shook his head. "I'm okay, Uncle.", he told him.
"You want to take a break?", the knight asked. Small beads of sweat appeared on his forehead and he was breathing a little heavier than he was earlier.
Link shook his head and shook his hand in the air a couple of times. "No, I'm good."
"Great", Adrel said with a strained smile. "Great. Well, at least he inherited Arn's endurance. This kid's running me to the ground."
***********
Noon came and his Uncle went to his rounds, but Link wasn't tired. He decided to train by himself, and so he went through all of his Uncles lessons again in methodical, academic detail. Suddenly, he remembered the move his Uncle had used the other day against Rocky. Without really thinking it through, Link struck out with the sword and twirled in a circle.
Link was on the ground again. He just wasn't getting the balance right, he thought to himself. The youngster bent to pick up his sword, when he heard a familiar and undesired voice chuckling nearby.
Rocco was sitting atop a small cement fence at the border of the training center of the Courtyard. His dirty blonde hair was held together with a thick green headband now, instead of the tuke he wore yesterday. Link thought the guy had a womanly sense of ever-changing fashion…but decided to keep that opinion to himself.
Rocco wasn't hanging around by himself this time. Another boy was sitting next to him. He was little shorter and stockier than Rocco, and had short-cut black hair and sharp dark eyes. Link recognized him as the son of yet another Knight in the Kings Service. He was giggling like a school-girl.
"What the heck is this?", Rocco said loudly. "You practicing for a rematch?"
Link smile was evil in nature. "Nah…if I wanted to practice for a rematch, I'd be practicing my kicks.". He shuffled his feet slightly for emphasis.
Rocco's smile dropped off his face and he skipped off the fence. His friend followed. "This kid's a real joker." , the shorter boy said.
Link stepped back as Rocco stormed towards him. "Hey, take it easy big guy. There are witnesses."
"Oh yeah, Tilly." Rocco said with a growl. "He's real funny. Let's see how much he'll be laughin' after round two.". With that, he pushed Link in the chest roughly.
Link swung his arms to keep balance, and then reared angrily at the other boy and started forward. The boy stopped when something caught his eye, and he turned his head to the side.
There, surrounded by five maidens in waiting was a girl of 12, dressed in a white and purple robe, garnered with a high belt that shone with a golden brilliance. Her blouse was white and purple in color, and decorated with the symbol of the Goddesses, the Triforce. Her blonde hair was kept in a shawl that ran down to the nape of her neck, and not a lock of hair escaped it's confines. She was staring at the boys with large green eyes that were slightly sunken in, producing very tiny bulges beneath them. It was a trait Link had only seen further East. The girl also had a few tiny dots speckled across her nose.
When the girl realized the boys were staring at her, she gave her head a quick shake and looked at them sidelong. "Are you boys practicing or fighting?"
Link and Rocco looked at themselves, and then at the girl again, still speechless. It was Tilly who spoke up.
"Indeed your Highness, we were just beginning a friendly practice. It is just a boyhood custom to tease each other with jocularity before we begin the physical section. We hope to become Knights in your Service, so it's good to begin practicing now…if it pleases you.", the boy eloquently finished with a perfect bow.
Link turned to Rocco quickly. "Jocularity?", he whispered. Rocco simply shrugged at Link, and nodded towards the girl.
She peered at them and then smiled. "Um... good luck then, I guess.". She offered, and then continued the walk through the courtyard, with her pretty maidens surrounding them. Link noticed a tiny little baby Keaton perched on her shoulder, it's huge satellite ears twitching as it scanned what the princess viewed around the Court.,
Link realized he was holding his breath, and then let it out forcefully. "That was the Princess wasn't it?", he asked the taller boy.
"She's real pretty.", Tilly said with a goofy smile.
Rocco watched the Princess move off in the distance, and then pushed Link again. "Hey, stop staring at her!"
"Wha-?"
"I'm gonna marry the Princess. I'm gonna be her knight. You'd best remember that!"
Link stared at the taller boy and blinked. "What…ever!"
Rocco smiled. "Glad we're clear on that.". He then took Tilly in tow and walked off in the opposite direction.
Link just scratched his head in confusion. "What the heck's wrong with that guy?" He then shook his head at his fortune. "Invincible one day, and then the Princess of Hyrule the next. What's next. Maybe I'll play poker with the Sage tomorrow.".
He sighed inwardly, staring at nothing in particular. Suddenly he wasn't really in the mood to practice anymore.
************
A few hours later Rocco came up to Link again. At the time he was in the Town, sitting on a patch of grass near a water-fountain, where many young people ate and drank and generally hung-out. Up to this point, Link was having a good time relaxing.
He got up quickly and stared the other boy down. "You know Rocco…I'm not that proud that I won't square you in the jewels again, so I suggest that you back off and give me time to learn the Sword before taking me on again ok?"
The other boy raised his hands, palms facing and looked at Link pleadingly. "Listen, I need your help."
Link blinked. Rocco hurried on. "Yeah…listen, Tilly and me, we were supposed to go pick up an order of Milk from the Ranch for the Castle…but Tilly's gone hurt himself while we were training."
"Couldn't land the dismount, eh?" Now it was Rocco's turn to blink. "Never mind.", Link sighed. "What's this got to do with me?"
"I need you to go get the order."
"Why can't you do it?"
Rocco stammered. "Well…I can't. I have a date see, cute girl, daughter of Sir Natus. I would have gone…earlier…but Tilly got hurt… can't you do this for me? Come on man, they need the Magic-Milk*…all the soldiers drink it after Rounds."
*Lon-Lon' Ranch's alcoholic beverage. Good for you and gets you hammered all at once.
"Right. Well it looks like you've got a problem. You'll be in my prayers, Rocco.". With that, Link sat back onto the grass and looked away.
The older boy looked at him a second, and then sighed. "Fine.", he muttered under his breath. "I wonder how impressed Invincible would be with a knight who wouldn't help out another in need…I just wonder…."
Link silently cursed the boy a mean streak. He knew this had to be bull…but still…the thought of this somehow coming back to Invincible…
Rocco smiled and handed Link a slip of paper. "Here's the order. It's real simple, just take the cart over to the Ranch. Give them the order, they'll get it ready. Then you load it up and bring it back here."
Link rolled his eyes. "Really? Now is all this before, or after I put on my boots? Wait, I'd better write this down…"
Actually laughing, Rocco slapped a hand on Link's slim shoulder. "You're a funny guy! Good luck, and thanks a lot!". He then skipped away from the fountain area and back into the Courtyard. Link watched after him with disdain and just a pinch of contempt, but then smiled to himself. This would be a good chance to prove his mettle to the others.
His sudden enthusiasm was quashed however, once he saw the large cart filled with a couple dozen empty Magic Milk bottles. "Why couldn't they have given me a donkey?", he lamented silently. As he took the carts handles, and started his trek towards the Ranch, he smiled grimly to himself. "Then again, why buy a donkey when you can rent an ass for free."
************
The sun was just at the point of setting when Link reached the Lon Lon Ranch. It had taken him nearly an hour to get there from the Castle gates, and he was exhausted. Wearily, he entered the open gates of the large homestead.
A girl saw him enter and rushed over. She was wearing a yellow blouse underneath a pair of blue overalls. Her red hair was long, and there were two intricate braids that swung on either side of her face. Freckles dotted her nose, and her green eyes shone with geniality.
"You didn't come for the order all by yourself!?", she said hurriedly as she rushed to Link's side.
Link regarded her for a moment. "I almost wish I hadn't. But I kept telling myself…'Link, you've never visited a Ranch before…'". He trailed off as he saw the look on the girls face.
"Your name's Link!? Wow that's--" . She pinched her face and quieted quickly. Link stared at her intently.
"That's what?"
"That's an interesting name, 'Link'."
"That's it?"
"Just let it go, okay?", the girl told him, and walked him over to the house.
"Okay.", Link agreed. "Hey, what's your name?"
"Talon."
"That's a weird name." The girl stopped in her tracks and looked at Link fiercely. Link could only grimace and shrug apologetically. "Did I say 'weird'? I meant…uh…'cute'!"
Talon crossed her arms across her chest and continued to stare at the boy.
"…Really cute?"
"Just stop before you injure yourself.", the girl said tiredly. She opened the door to her home for Link to enter. "You'd better take a load off. All that traveling must have made you tired…or maybe I'm being to kind and you're like this all the time."
"Ouch", Link thought. This girl had quite a wit among her. That was cool though, he liked girls with wit. Then he stopped himself. What the heck was he thinking about?
The house had a real homey feel to it. It was warm, with the fireplace lit and with all the carpets and simple draperies about, Link couldn't help but feel as if he were bunched up in a cozy sleeping bag. A little terrier came up to Talon, jumped into her arms and began licking her face.
"Almost too good to be true.", Link muttered under his breath. "All we need now is the pregnant mother…"
At that moment a woman slowly walked down the stairs. She was most obviously Talon's mother. They shared their very distinct flame-colored hair. She was dressed in a large dress that was embroidered with flowers along the hem and the short sleeves. She was very pretty, but her most distinguishing feature had to have been that her stomach was very swollen with child.
Link gulped. He had to learn to keep his mouth shut. Now Link was no fool. He knew what everyone else knew about babies, that they came from Fairies that came in the middle of the night, had a little party in the woman's stomach, and left leaving behind a baby. It was only logical. And of course the father was involved somehow.
Still, he had never actually seen a pregnant woman…well, at least not this close up, and not this bloody huge. Her stomach was like a little barrel. Link couldn't understand how the woman could even walk! Unfortunately, he found himself staring.
Fortunately, the woman took it in stride. She merrily walked up to the boy, reached down and pinched his cheek. "You must be from the castle.", she said lightly.
"Yes ma'am.". Link croaked. She smelled nice too.
"He came by himself, mama." Talon chirped. "They must have run outta donkeys."
"Be nice.", the lady murmured. "You look just like him."
"Like who ma'am?"
She blinked and looked aside. "No one."
"His name's Link, mama." Talon said. "Aient that interestin'?"
Link blinked. "What?"
"I'm Malon.", the woman said quickly. "You've met my daughter already, right?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Do you have the order?", Malon asked gently.
Link ruffled through his tuke and pulled out the slip of paper. He handed it to the woman, and she looked over it quickly. "12 regular…12…yes, that's right.", she muttered.
The boy suddenly gave a start. "You're not gonna fill that order yourself in…that condition….are you?". Malon looked at him and laughed.
"Oh you silly boy.", she said smiling. "Of course not. You and the girl are, naturally. After you take a little break." She leaned close to him, placing her arms on her back. "Hey…do you want to feel it?"
Link blushed. "Wh…what?"
"My stomach, silly. I've seen you staring. Maybe it'll take the curiosity out of it."
"I don't think so ma'am."
"Hmm….okay then, Link.", she winked before walking into the kitchen. Link let out a relieved sigh, and then Talon brushed up beside him.
"You'll touch it before you leave here today, Link.", she said with a smirk. "Just about everybody does."
************
"So where's your dad? Doesn't he work on the farm?" Link asked Talon, as they were loading the cart with the large bottles with the Ranch staple milk. The boy was feeling much more refreshed with the break that they had, and his stomach was full of so much milk he was afraid cows and baby animals would start migrating towards him.
"No.", the girl said shyly. "He works at the Castle."
"What does he do?"
"Stuff…at the Castle."
"Oh…right, stuff." Link said carefully. He then glanced around the large ranch, with it's cows and fine horses grazing peacefully. "How do you guys manage a farm all by yourself?"
Talon looked to him and smiled. "Well we've got Grandpa Talon and Uncle Ingo to help us out."
"Oh.. I guess that's who you're named after."
Talon rolled her eyes. "No, I'm named after the claws of a bird."
Link growled inwardly. "Might have well been…", he thought as they finished loading the cart. When they were done, he regarded it carefully.
"You sure you don't wanna borrow a horse for tonight?", Talon asked sweetly. Link turned to her, and then the cart. He grabbed the handle, gave it a little pull, then paused. It was heavy, really heavy, but he could still move it. He wouldn't have to worry about thieves on the way, with Knights patrolling the land in the evening. So it was possible.
"No…I can do it.", Link told her.
Talon's smile widened and she quickly patted Link's shoulder. "It was fun having you. I hope the Castle runs out of donkey's again sometime.
Link smiled and nodded and began the trip back to the Castle. Date or no, he was sure that if Rocco and Tilly knew she was going to be there, things might have been different.
Still, as the ache built up in his arms and legs on the journey home, Link found himself not sure if she was still worth it all.
************
Link reached the Courtyard just as they were closing the Gates, and he fell to his knees, panting heavily. He was just a little angry at the Goddesses. No matter how much fun he had at the ranch, it couldn't justify the pain that wracked his small body. If he saw Rocco then, he'd probably get into a fight with him…which in turn would cause his body even more pain. Life just wasn't fair.
A figure walked up behind him a figure that exuded so much power that Link found himself turning around nervously. In front of him stood the silver-clad Invincible. Link was picking his jaw off the floor.
"No one knew where you were." The warrior said quietly. "You had us worried.".
Link gulped. He didn't know what to say…if he could say anything. "Sorry." ,was all he could muster.
Invincible glanced at the crate of milk, and back towards the boy. "You crated this?", he asked simply. "By yourself?"
"Yes sir."
"You must have known it'd be hard."
"Yes sir.", Link gulped again. He was still panting, and so tired it was hard for him to think. "B..but I knew it wasn't impossible…so I just went ahead and did it."
Invincible regarded the boy for a moment, a fingerless glove placed against his chin. "I hear from Adrel you're taking up the Sword."
"Huh?", Link gasped. "Uh..wu.. yes sir."
"I'd like to teach you. Will you let me?"
It took a while for Link to realize he was not breathing. He took in a breath slowly, so as not to appear a complete idiot, and nodded enthusiastically. Invincible smiled.
"Good. First thing in the morning then. Now go home and get some rest."
"Yes sir!", Link said as he rose to his feet. "I just need to take this back to the castle."
Invincible shooed the boy away with one hand as he grabbed the cart handle with his left and pulled. The cart rolled freely on the ground as if it were a baby carriage. Link stared as the Invincible strolled towards the castle with the cart full of large bottles of moo-juice.
"Tomorrow morning then.", he called back to the boy. He laughed once. "And we might work on fixing that staring problem of yours. Goodnight"
Link blinked. He did spend a lot of time staring like a slack-jawed yokel, didn't he? He turned and dragged his feet home. If he was going to survive a training session with the Invincible, he was gonna need all the rest he could get.
NEXT: The real training begins. For those patiently waiting for more action, please hold on….cause there's a story brewing in all this, and you'll get your action! There's still the mystery of the light snatching people out of thin air…and we haven't heard from the Queen herself have we? It's coming up very soon in V1.3. And remember, drink your milk! Please review. Later! (o'.')o