Thanks to all my loyal reviewers! You have no idea how happy all your reviews make me! I am SOOOOOOOO sorry that this chapter took so long to get out, but I was suffering from a severe case of writer's block.

NicThePirate: I certainly will! I read your story, too-it's off to an awesome start!

Janus Kamaren: I'm glad you think it's interesting. It's true; my chapters are a bit on the short side, aren't they? I'll try to make them longer. Oh, and don't worry. Link will have matured plenty by the time this is over!
SmittenLittleKitten: Glad you like it . And don't worry! The oc and the gut slicing (for lack of a better term) will be coming up very soon! Be patient!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ZELDA! (chases off lawyers with a bazooka)

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Link's Story

Chapter 3: Painful Memories

Link's Room, 1 hour later

Link was pacing angrily back and forth across his room. Link's room was spacious, but this was mostly due to the fact that there was so little in it. However, it was less spacious then usual at the moment due to the fact that his side table and a large potted fern had been knocked over (due to a fit of rage that Link had upon entering his room) He was still too mad to set either of them upright, even though this meant he had to pace around them.

His train of thought was brought to an abrupt halt by something crunching slightly underfoot. Link looked down slowly, almost afraid to see what he had stepped on.

It was a pictograph of his parents.

"Oh no!"

Link gave a wail of distress and dropped to his knees, attempting to salvage the pictograph from the now shattered frame. Luckily, the picture appeared to be unscathed. Link gave a sigh of relief and looked at the picture fondly.

It was a picture of his parent's wedding-and the only picture he had left of them. His parents looked so carefree and happy in the picture. His father, Cyrus, with his shaggy brown hair and blue eyes (which closely resembled link's own brown hair and blue eyes) had that mischievous smile that Link knew so well. And his mother, Rosalyn, with her long golden hair and soft grey eyes, had the serene look Link would never forget.

He loved them so much, and yet they had been taken from him so suddenly.

Link would never forget that night.

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Link's House, 6 months earlier

"Wow! What a workout!"

Link sank into one of the kitchen chairs and let the warmth from the fireplace wash over him. The kitchen was the largest room in the house, the other rooms being a bit on the small side, but in Link's eyes, their cottage was perfect. It always seemed so cozy and welcoming, and if his mother happened to be cooking dinner at the time, there was no place link would rather come home to after a long day of swordsmanship training.

"Of course, father's training sessions usually are."

Rosalyn looked up from her cooking and gave Link a warm smile. "Yes, you certainly work hard, don't you?" Her face grew serious. "Sometimes I think you work too hard…"

Link jumped to his feet. "But I have to work hard! Don't you see, mother? I want to be able to protect you and the house! What if a horde of moblins or…"

Rosalyn's laugh, which was reminiscent of bells ringing, brought Link back to reality. "I know, dear, I know. I was only joking. Actually, it makes me proud to see you working so hard." Rosalyn thought for a moment. "That reminds me. Do you know where your father went?"

Link sank back down into his chair. "He went out to gather wood, I think." He yawned. "I'm so sleepy I could fall asleep right here…"

"Did he say when he thought he would be back?"

No answer.

"Link, did you hear…" Rosalyn stopped in mid-sentence. Link had slumped over the table and was now fast asleep.

Rosalyn chuckled and went back to her cooking.

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Later that night

Link was abruptly jerked out of his sleep by someone shaking him. He groggily turned his head to see who had woken him up-and saw his mother standing over him, her face a mask of fear.

Link rubbed his eyes sleepily. "What is it, mother?"

Link's father burst into the house before Rosalyn could respond, his normally handsome face also wracked with fear.

Rosalyn jerked her head towards the door.

"Are you sure they are coming here, Cyrus?"

"There's no doubt about it. They're headed this way. You've got to take Link and get out of here. I'll try to hold them off."

Link was beginning to feel a little left out. "What's going on? Who's headed here, father?"

"Moblins," Cyrus responded grimly.

"Moblins?" Link craned his neck to look out the window. Sure enough, he could see many torches in the distance and hear thundering footsteps growing steadily louder.

He jerked his head around to stare at his father. "I can fight them!"

"NO! You need to get out of here, period. This is way out of your league." Cyrus was out the door before Link could argue further. He could hear him shouting something indistinct at the moblins.

Link got no further chance to let anything sink in, due to Rosalyn, apparently tired of the delay, hoisting him over her shoulder, carrying him halfway across the house, and throwing him bodily out the window.

Link got the hint and started to run, but before he even got 20 feet from the house he heard his father cry out and he started back to help him.

"NO! KEEP GOING!" Rosalyn sounded half crazed now.

Link wanted desperately to help his father, but he kept running. He got about 100 yards away before, not watching where he was going, ran into a tree branch--oof!--and passing out.

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(PW27 is consoling a sobbing Link)

Link: Why do you (sob) make me (sob) relive that night?

PW27: It's for the plot. There, there…it's all right…

(suddenly a random female character appears)

Link: WHO THE HECK ARE YOU?

RFC: I am one of PW27's ocs! When am I going to make an appearance?

PW27: Soon, I promise!

RFC: You'd better be right. (glares)

PW27: (sweatdrop)

Please R&R! No review, no update.