Disclaimer: Don't own LoZ: Wind Waker. I'd like to thank the Prima guidebook, though, for without it I would know nothing of the minor characters of Wind Waker.

Artemis: I just now, four months after buying it, figured out how to set up Final Fantasy XI for the PS2. Yes, it took me four months. But with a Mac computer that won't work with either the PC or PS2 version, it took a lot of researching to finally enable myself to get my PS2 online. So...now I'm happy.

And yes, I realize my first chapter was uber short. Sorry bout that. Think of it as a prologue of some sorts. Oo The following chapter's after this one will be twice as long. I promise. Sorry.

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Chapter TwoStrangely Dressed Visitor

When Link woke up the next morning, he immediately sensed something was different. Appearance wise, his cozy home seemed the same as always. Grandma was over by the fireplace, cooking up the morning porridge, while his clothes lay next to his bed in a neat pile. But the usual laughter of the children outside was not present, in fact, that morning seemed unusually quite after last nights racket. Link sat up and pulled on his orange pants and blue sea shirt, then shoved his feet into his boots and waved farewell to his Grandmother. Outside, Link looked around for his sister and Rose's two boys, but couldn't see them at all. Sue-bell came walking by from the well, balancing a jug full of water on her head.

Link jogged over and stopped her with a worried frown, Miss. Sue-bell...have you seen my sister this morning?

Sue-bell looked at him thoughtfully and switched the hand balancing the jug to the other hand, I did, actually. Zill and Joel were leading her over towards Mesa's place. Something about a dead man washing ashore this morning...

Just then a seagull came flying by and smashed her pot, causing the water inside to fall out through the shattered pieces and completely soak Sue-bell. She yelped and started whimpering, complaining about her dress and remarking over the cruelties of the seagulls. Link stifled a laugh and started towards Mesa's place with a curt thank you thrown back towards the distressed maiden.

As Link ran along the bridge to where Mesa's house was, he spotted Aryll, Zill, and Joel all huddling around something on the sandy shore near the lookout tower. Not waiting to get to the other end of the bridge, Link jumped off into the water and splashed over to where the kids were.

Aryll spotted him and waved him over excitedly, Link! Look, a dead guy!

Link ran over to join them and stared down at the body. It was a guy all right, dressed up in clothes that Link had never seen before. He was bandaged all over on his arms, head, and chest. Platinum blonde hair poked out from the bandaged head and framed his tanned skin, but the rest of his face was masked by a white clothe with a strange sun-looking sort of design. He would have appeared dead at first sight, however, Link did notice the man was still breathing.

Maybe he was a pirate? Zill offered and sniffed up the snot that was starting to fall out.

Link cringed at the sight and silently wished Zill would get a tissue and use it, but pushed that thought aside and shook his head, He's not dead...and he's not a pirate, either.

Joel nodded excitedly and pulled out a wooden sword Link had given him a year ago, Yeah! I bet he's an evil guy whose gonna take over the world like that Ganon dude from your stories, Link. Let's kill him now before he wakes up!!

Put that away, Link ordered and pushed Joel's sword away, then he kneeled and poked the man lightly, I don't sense an evil aurora coming from him...

Aryll looked at her brother and tugged on his shirt to get his attention, showing him a broken harp, I found this lying near him. I think it was his, but it's broken now.

Link took the broken instrument and stared at it for a moment, feeling a sudden rush of deja vu come over him. He had seen this harp before...but from where?

I bet he's a minstrel. You know, from one of those floating caravans that sometimes come by islands, Joel offered and put away his sword obediently.

Zill crossed his arms and pouted, I still think he's a pirate.

Link tucked the broken harp into his pocket and scooped the stranger up, steadying himself. He turned and gave Joel and Zill a serious look, Drop it, you two. Now go and play, and don't go telling the whole island about this strange man until we know who he is.

Yes sir! Joel stood at attention and saluted Link.

Zill looked like he was about to throw a tantrum but nodded obediently and left to sulk. Link watched Joel run after his little brother, and the two of them left to chase some crabs. With them gone, he turned to Aryll and shifted the man in his arms.

Aryll, could you go ahead of me and tell Grandma to make a bed for this stranger?

Aryll nodded, Ok, and I'll ask Grandma for some of her soup. That would help him recover, won't it Link?

Link smiled back at her, Yeah, that would. Good idea, sis.

Smiling proudly, Aryll skipped ahead while Link followed behind with an armful. He took his time to study the half drowned man. The feeling of deja vu had been strange, but there was definitely something familiar about this stranger. He just couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe he had seen him once during his travels? Link reached up and hesitantly took hold of the white cloth, pulling it down to reveal a slender bone structure with a small cross-like scar on the left jaw line, marring the otherwise beautiful and youthful face of the stranger.

Link, watch out for that rock! Aryll shouted, interrupting his thoughts.

Link yelped as he tripped on a huge rock and fell over, slamming down on the rock and rolling off. Gripping the stranger, Link screamed as he rolled down the hill quickly and crashed into one of the boats resting on the sandy shore. Aryll peeked out from between her fingers and winced, bursting into laughter after Link sat up and announced he was ok.