Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Zelda. Only the plot changes and
Tristan Nieves.
~ ~ ~
A True Friend
Chapter 7
"Introductions"
~ ~ ~
Link looked up at the teen extending his hand. Who was this guy? How did he know my name? How did he get here? Why didn't I see him? Is he trying to trick me? Why does he need my help? As Link tried to sort through these questions, Navi flew up to attack Tristan.
"What's the big idea? You and Rhi hiding in the. wherever you were hiding! It's rude to go scaring people like that! We could have had a heart attack! You should think before you act!"
Rhiannon held up her hand. "Fairy, we get the point. We're sorry and all, but we couldn't help it. He," Rhiannon pointed at Tristan, "made it so you couldn't see us. I didn't mean to scare you."
Navi whirled on Tristan. "So, you thought it would be funny to scare the heck out of me and my partner, huh? You're messing with the wrong fairy! I'm having a really bad day, and I'm not in the mood to play hide and go seek with a stupid." Navi looked at Tristan's ears and noticed quite a few things about them. First off, they weren't pointy, like most Kokiri. Secondly, they seemed to have a depth to them, unlike those of her companion. She turned to point this out to Link, but stopped when she saw not the flat face she had seen moments before, but a rounded face, much like that of the perpetrator standing before them.
Link had also noticed these changes, having had the entire tirade of the angered fairy to examine himself. He seemed to feel a lot heavier than he had before. His clothes were no longer just a solid green, but darkened in some areas by perspiration. He looked around the forest with new eyes, seeing a contrast in the appearances. To one side, the part towards the edge of the forest, there was a surprising amount of life. Link had never noticed the fullness of the trees, the vastness of the forest. Then again, Link had never been quite full himself. Off to the other side, towards the Great Deku Tree and the Forest Unknown, the woods seemed the same as they had always been. Flat, monochromic in parts, and overall, quite dull. Still taken aback by this new change in appearance, and in substance, Link could only stare around at the trees he called home.
Tristan was growing steadily more uncomfortably by the stunned silence his companions were caught up in. 'Okay,' he thought to himself, 'Link is shocked at this reality... that's understandable. I'll just wait for him to snap out of it... Any second now...' Tristan stood for a few more seconds before deciding that Link wasn't going to say anything coherent for quite some time. Not being a big fan of waiting, Tristan shook Link out of his reverie... at least, that's what he wished he could do. But then, Tristan wasn't big fan of drawing attention to himself either, so he suffered himself to wait for the young hero before him to snap out of it.
Rhiannon, however had other ideas. She was no fan of waiting, and felt that Link had taken all the time he needed to adjust. After all, it had only taken her a few minutes. "Link! Get over it! Yes, it's a big change, but we have other problems on our hands!" She motioned at Tristan.
Link jumped and looked back at Rhiannon, then at Tristan. He still didn't know how to deal with this new look, but he knew that he would have time to worry about it later. Right now, there was an intruder in the forest, and something had to be done about it. Trying to puff himself up to look more menacing, Link looked Tristan over. Immediately, the ears were noticed, along with the clothing. Upon further inspection, Link noticed the older boy's eyes were shaped differently, that he seemed older than the other boys in Kokiri Forest, and that the newcomer seemed to be asking for something with his eyes. What that something was, Link wasn't sure.
Tristan wasn't very comfortable under the gaze of the Hero of Time to be. Tristan was never comfortable under anyone's gaze, but that was besides the point. He knew exactly how to help Link, quite like Navi, but human advice was probably easier to understand than fairy advice. "Ummm, Link? I know this is a lot to take in and all, but we need to get moving. The Deku Tree won't wait forever, you know."
Link looked up at Tristan. "I still don't know who in the name of Farore you are, but you talk as though you know me... Who are you, and where do you come from?" Upon seeing the exasperated look on Tristan's face, he added, "And don't bother insisting about how crucial it is that we move rapidly. We aren't going anywhere until I know what's going on."
Tristan sighed. Somehow, he thought that this would be a lot easier. Just explaining that he could help should be enough. That's how it worked in video games... But then, this was a video game no longer, ever since he arrived.
~ ~ ~
Trying his best to keep it reasonably short and believable, Tristan retold his tale of how he arrived in Hyrule. As he continued on his story, however, Tristan realized that his audience was listening to him with growing disbelief. As he listened to himself, even Tristan felt like an idiot, explaining about magical portals from other worlds. "And so, I'm here to, er, help you out..." After he finished, Tristan noticed Link was looking him over. 'This kid is really cynical for a ten year-old.' He thought to himself.
Link didn't know what to say. Here he was, trying to reach the Great Deku Tree on a perfectly normal day. Then Mido comes out and puts a challenge in his path to their father. This was no big deal, since Link already had the shield, and now he only needed a sword. Though where he was going to find a sword, Link had no idea. Percy offers to teach him how to effectively use the shield, and the training goes excellently. Next thing he knows, a freak of nature appears in Kokiri Forest, changing Link's world around. Finally, the young child spoke. "I'm not sure whether I should believe you or not. On one hand, you offer to help me with Mido's challenge and any future obstacles I may have. But on the other, you don't come from around here, and aren't a Kokiri, yet you are in this forest. And you have parted a Skull Kid with his wand. If you aren't careful, or return that wand, the Skull Kids will eventually catch up with you. I don't want to be there when that happens, either." Link shuddered at the prospect of being within ten feet of an angry Skull Kid.
"Look, I'll return the wand, I have no problem with that. All I want is to assist you in any way I can. I think if we get this over with quickly, I can go home faster." Tristan hoped that would be convincing enough for the skeptical youth.
Link thought it over for a few more minutes. He looked up into Tristan's crystal blue eyes. "Well, I guess if it gets you out of my hair faster, you can come. You wouldn't happen to know of any places where I could find a sword, would you?"
~ ~ ~
Tristan was thrilled when he learned that Link hadn't retrieved a sword yet. He knew this game, no, reality, like the back of his hand. Tristan led Link and his fairy partner to the hill that the Know-It-All Brother's house was on. "Um, Link? Up there, back behind the fencing, there's a hole in the wall... you need to crawl through it."
Link looked up at the teenager. "Why? Is there a sword in there?"
"Maybe. Maybe not." Upon receiving a glare from the youngster, Tristan quickly corrected himself. "Okay, you got me. Yes, there is a sword in there."
With an excited yelp and a jump, Link tore up the hill towards the back wall. As Tristan and Navi followed behind, Tristan noticed that in the time it took explaining his story to Link, Navi, and Rhiannon, almost the entire forest had been completely changed into the third dimension. Shrugging to himself about the curiosities of this world, Tristan reached the back wall where Link stood, examining the hole.
"Tristan? This hole is... kinda small." Were the only words that escaped the boys lips as he looked from the hole to Tristan, and back to the hole.
Tristan chuckled to himself about the simplicity of the young hero's mind, but the chuckle got caught in his throat. Link was right. The hole was very small, even for the little Kokiri. Too small for Tristan, without a doubt. Well, maybe if he thought skinny thoughts, and tried really hard... and lost quite a few pounds. Then, it might be doable. "Link, why don't you go on ahead. I'll just tell you what's in there, since I don't think I'm gonna fit. When you get out of the hole, just turn left, and there should be a big rock rolling right towards you. It'll turn suddenly, down another corridor. I want you to follow it. Keep following it until you come to a gap in the wall. You should see a treasure chest. Open that, take the sword, and come back out here."
Link blinked a few times, going over the directions in his head. Then with a nod, he wriggled through the small opening in the face of the wall. Tristan watched him go, then found the softest spot on the ground he could, sat down, and waited for the return of the hero.
~ ~ ~
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. And special thanks to OracleVortex for helping out. We are co-writing a Majora's Mask fanfiction, "Yankees and Canucks" Some of it is up already, so go check it out.
~ ~ ~
A True Friend
Chapter 7
"Introductions"
~ ~ ~
Link looked up at the teen extending his hand. Who was this guy? How did he know my name? How did he get here? Why didn't I see him? Is he trying to trick me? Why does he need my help? As Link tried to sort through these questions, Navi flew up to attack Tristan.
"What's the big idea? You and Rhi hiding in the. wherever you were hiding! It's rude to go scaring people like that! We could have had a heart attack! You should think before you act!"
Rhiannon held up her hand. "Fairy, we get the point. We're sorry and all, but we couldn't help it. He," Rhiannon pointed at Tristan, "made it so you couldn't see us. I didn't mean to scare you."
Navi whirled on Tristan. "So, you thought it would be funny to scare the heck out of me and my partner, huh? You're messing with the wrong fairy! I'm having a really bad day, and I'm not in the mood to play hide and go seek with a stupid." Navi looked at Tristan's ears and noticed quite a few things about them. First off, they weren't pointy, like most Kokiri. Secondly, they seemed to have a depth to them, unlike those of her companion. She turned to point this out to Link, but stopped when she saw not the flat face she had seen moments before, but a rounded face, much like that of the perpetrator standing before them.
Link had also noticed these changes, having had the entire tirade of the angered fairy to examine himself. He seemed to feel a lot heavier than he had before. His clothes were no longer just a solid green, but darkened in some areas by perspiration. He looked around the forest with new eyes, seeing a contrast in the appearances. To one side, the part towards the edge of the forest, there was a surprising amount of life. Link had never noticed the fullness of the trees, the vastness of the forest. Then again, Link had never been quite full himself. Off to the other side, towards the Great Deku Tree and the Forest Unknown, the woods seemed the same as they had always been. Flat, monochromic in parts, and overall, quite dull. Still taken aback by this new change in appearance, and in substance, Link could only stare around at the trees he called home.
Tristan was growing steadily more uncomfortably by the stunned silence his companions were caught up in. 'Okay,' he thought to himself, 'Link is shocked at this reality... that's understandable. I'll just wait for him to snap out of it... Any second now...' Tristan stood for a few more seconds before deciding that Link wasn't going to say anything coherent for quite some time. Not being a big fan of waiting, Tristan shook Link out of his reverie... at least, that's what he wished he could do. But then, Tristan wasn't big fan of drawing attention to himself either, so he suffered himself to wait for the young hero before him to snap out of it.
Rhiannon, however had other ideas. She was no fan of waiting, and felt that Link had taken all the time he needed to adjust. After all, it had only taken her a few minutes. "Link! Get over it! Yes, it's a big change, but we have other problems on our hands!" She motioned at Tristan.
Link jumped and looked back at Rhiannon, then at Tristan. He still didn't know how to deal with this new look, but he knew that he would have time to worry about it later. Right now, there was an intruder in the forest, and something had to be done about it. Trying to puff himself up to look more menacing, Link looked Tristan over. Immediately, the ears were noticed, along with the clothing. Upon further inspection, Link noticed the older boy's eyes were shaped differently, that he seemed older than the other boys in Kokiri Forest, and that the newcomer seemed to be asking for something with his eyes. What that something was, Link wasn't sure.
Tristan wasn't very comfortable under the gaze of the Hero of Time to be. Tristan was never comfortable under anyone's gaze, but that was besides the point. He knew exactly how to help Link, quite like Navi, but human advice was probably easier to understand than fairy advice. "Ummm, Link? I know this is a lot to take in and all, but we need to get moving. The Deku Tree won't wait forever, you know."
Link looked up at Tristan. "I still don't know who in the name of Farore you are, but you talk as though you know me... Who are you, and where do you come from?" Upon seeing the exasperated look on Tristan's face, he added, "And don't bother insisting about how crucial it is that we move rapidly. We aren't going anywhere until I know what's going on."
Tristan sighed. Somehow, he thought that this would be a lot easier. Just explaining that he could help should be enough. That's how it worked in video games... But then, this was a video game no longer, ever since he arrived.
~ ~ ~
Trying his best to keep it reasonably short and believable, Tristan retold his tale of how he arrived in Hyrule. As he continued on his story, however, Tristan realized that his audience was listening to him with growing disbelief. As he listened to himself, even Tristan felt like an idiot, explaining about magical portals from other worlds. "And so, I'm here to, er, help you out..." After he finished, Tristan noticed Link was looking him over. 'This kid is really cynical for a ten year-old.' He thought to himself.
Link didn't know what to say. Here he was, trying to reach the Great Deku Tree on a perfectly normal day. Then Mido comes out and puts a challenge in his path to their father. This was no big deal, since Link already had the shield, and now he only needed a sword. Though where he was going to find a sword, Link had no idea. Percy offers to teach him how to effectively use the shield, and the training goes excellently. Next thing he knows, a freak of nature appears in Kokiri Forest, changing Link's world around. Finally, the young child spoke. "I'm not sure whether I should believe you or not. On one hand, you offer to help me with Mido's challenge and any future obstacles I may have. But on the other, you don't come from around here, and aren't a Kokiri, yet you are in this forest. And you have parted a Skull Kid with his wand. If you aren't careful, or return that wand, the Skull Kids will eventually catch up with you. I don't want to be there when that happens, either." Link shuddered at the prospect of being within ten feet of an angry Skull Kid.
"Look, I'll return the wand, I have no problem with that. All I want is to assist you in any way I can. I think if we get this over with quickly, I can go home faster." Tristan hoped that would be convincing enough for the skeptical youth.
Link thought it over for a few more minutes. He looked up into Tristan's crystal blue eyes. "Well, I guess if it gets you out of my hair faster, you can come. You wouldn't happen to know of any places where I could find a sword, would you?"
~ ~ ~
Tristan was thrilled when he learned that Link hadn't retrieved a sword yet. He knew this game, no, reality, like the back of his hand. Tristan led Link and his fairy partner to the hill that the Know-It-All Brother's house was on. "Um, Link? Up there, back behind the fencing, there's a hole in the wall... you need to crawl through it."
Link looked up at the teenager. "Why? Is there a sword in there?"
"Maybe. Maybe not." Upon receiving a glare from the youngster, Tristan quickly corrected himself. "Okay, you got me. Yes, there is a sword in there."
With an excited yelp and a jump, Link tore up the hill towards the back wall. As Tristan and Navi followed behind, Tristan noticed that in the time it took explaining his story to Link, Navi, and Rhiannon, almost the entire forest had been completely changed into the third dimension. Shrugging to himself about the curiosities of this world, Tristan reached the back wall where Link stood, examining the hole.
"Tristan? This hole is... kinda small." Were the only words that escaped the boys lips as he looked from the hole to Tristan, and back to the hole.
Tristan chuckled to himself about the simplicity of the young hero's mind, but the chuckle got caught in his throat. Link was right. The hole was very small, even for the little Kokiri. Too small for Tristan, without a doubt. Well, maybe if he thought skinny thoughts, and tried really hard... and lost quite a few pounds. Then, it might be doable. "Link, why don't you go on ahead. I'll just tell you what's in there, since I don't think I'm gonna fit. When you get out of the hole, just turn left, and there should be a big rock rolling right towards you. It'll turn suddenly, down another corridor. I want you to follow it. Keep following it until you come to a gap in the wall. You should see a treasure chest. Open that, take the sword, and come back out here."
Link blinked a few times, going over the directions in his head. Then with a nod, he wriggled through the small opening in the face of the wall. Tristan watched him go, then found the softest spot on the ground he could, sat down, and waited for the return of the hero.
~ ~ ~
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. And special thanks to OracleVortex for helping out. We are co-writing a Majora's Mask fanfiction, "Yankees and Canucks" Some of it is up already, so go check it out.