Hmm. I'm inconsistent, so what? I write stories and don't finish them…I need to get my ideas out…besides, I can always put stories on hiatus. :)

Summary: Zelda has been married away to a King of a neighboring country. She has lived with him for eleven years, raising the child the King thinks is his—but is really Link's. The family decides to go back to Hyrule to visit as Zelda desperately tries to contact Link to tell him what has happened in her absence. (Because Link doesn't know she had his child.) Meanwhile, her son gets sick of court life and runs away, happening to be rescued by his real father, Link…and well, it's all just a crazy adventure after that…

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, except Zachary. (I can't think of a better name, but I'll change it if I do.) You can borrow him, I guess. Just watch out. He bites.

Can't imagine Zachary? Think Young Link.

Living a Legend

Chapter One: Leaving for Hyrule

"Who are you sending a letter to this time?"

Zelda wrote a few more words with her quill before addressing the speaker.

"I want plenty of people to know of our arrival," she answered simply.

"They'll know it, all right. We're of Royalty! We'll be making such an entrance, everyone will know we're in Hyrule!"

"Good husband," Zelda started irately as the man took the parchment and tossed it in the fading embers of the fireplace. It began to turn black and curl immediately.

"You need not do that, dear," her husband replied her, somewhat pleased with himself.

"It is to an old friend," Zelda spoke. "We were raised together—in a way—and we overcame many obstacles together. It is only right for me to personally notify them of my return to Hyrule."

"Ah, a childhood friend," the man leaned on the table. "You can always summon them to court when we get settled after our arrival."

"Please," said an annoyed Zelda as her husband put the quill and parchment away.

"Worry not, dear wife. Your friend will be notified—once the soldier announces our arrival when we ride in."

"What if they aren't there?" Zelda queried.

"Then they wouldn't be a good friend, then," the man returned before leaving the room.

"Father, come train with me!" a boy called to the man.

The King stopped and looked at his son. The boy looked nothing like himself nor Zelda, but the man assumed he was a mix of his two parents. His son had silky golden brown hair with bright blue eyes that held the skies. The boy was brilliant and brave, able to solve problems quickly. But the King was not entirely pleased with his son. The boy constantly craved adventure. He favored the colors green and brown, peasant colors compared to the royal blue, white, and purple. He took a particular interest in weapons, and though the King knew how to use the weapons well, he didn't like them. To add to it all, Zachary was left-handed. The King looked down upon this fact. He believed one could not wield a sword properly unless they were right-handed.

"No, young Zachary. You may injure someone, yourself included," the King answered.

"Father, it's training!" the boy whined. "How am I to learn to defend myself properly if I cannot practice?"

"Get a servant," King Byral said in almost disgust.

"But I want to train with you, Father!" Zachary cried.

"I am busy now, son! Now please, go!" the man ordered.

Hanging his head, Zachary left his father. Wandering around the courtyard, he spotted some Cuccos pecking around as a maid was preparing to get them ready for that night's dinner. Zachary sighed, but then an idea formed in his mind. Picking up some kernels that were left behind by some of the maids that fed the Cuccos, the young prince took out his slingshot. He had made it himself, but kept it a secret for fear it would be taken away from him. Placing the kernel carefully in the sling, he aimed and shot. The Cucco squawked in alarm as the kernel bounced off its wing. Zachary knew shooting the Cuccos was harmless; it immediately turned and devoured the seed. Zachary did it a few more times until he got bored.

"I wish I could go on an adventure, with nothing but a sword and shield!" Zachary spoke aloud. "I'd fight and be a hero, like the Hero of Time!"

Zachary knew the legend too well. His mother had told it to him as a bedtime story countless times. He knew not the name of the hero, just that he was the Hero of Time; it didn't stop him from wishing to be just like the brave warrior.

"Once, a long time ago in Hyrule, where I was born and raised, there lived a princess," Zelda began.

"Like you?" the Prince asked.

Zelda nodded. "Like me." She got a vacant look in her eyes. "And near the edge of Hyrule there was a magical forest. There was a special race that lived there—fairy children. One day, one particular fairy boy discovered that he was destined to save Hyrule from a great evil."

She continued to tell him the entire story, ending with the following:

"The princess had no choice but to return the fairy boy to his time. He was little once more, but he grew too old to be in the forest, for he was not really a fairy boy, but a true Hylian, like you and me. His father and mother had been slain by Ganondorf, but before the mother died she had taken the boy to the forest to be protected. So the boy grew up, and then came to live in Hyrule."

"What is his name, Mother?"

Zelda hesitated. "I do not know. We call him the Hero of Time."

"Do you think that anyone else will know about him when we get to Hyrule?"

Zelda bit her lip. "Maybe. It is a legend. Now rest, son."

Zachary pulled the blankets close. "I wish I were living that legend as well."

Zelda smiled at her son and kissed him on the forehead. He was instantly asleep, and she got up, starting to leave.

"My dear," she whispered, "you are a major part of the legend, more than you could ever think you are."

"My good son," King Byral scolded Zachary, "Do calm down before even the Goddesses get exasperated."

"I apologize, Father," Zachary spoke as he bounced in his saddle. Somehow, his horse did not mind. "I've just never been outside our own kingdom before."

"Not even I was ever this excited," King Byral muttered.

"Do take it easy on him," Zelda pushed her mare forward to match the pace of her husband's. "He's always wanted adventure and travel."

"I swear, it will be the downfall of him one day," Byral grumbled.

"How can you say that!" Zelda cried, shocked.

"Fear not, Zelda," laughed Byral. "I was only jesting."

Zelda shook her head, not entirely convinced.

"When I get to Hyrule, will I get my own sword?" Zachary asked Zelda.

Zelda looked shocked once more. She glanced at her husband. "Byral! I thought Zachary received his first sword ages ago! It is tradition that every son gets his first sword at ten years of age!"

"I never got around to it," Byral suddenly took interest in the sky.

"Never got around to it?" Zelda practically shouted. "He is your own son!"

"Don't yell at me in that tone!"

Several servants pulled ahead or lagged behind to let the royal couple have another argument—for the umpteenth time since Zelda first married Byral.

"So what kind of tone do you want me to yell at you in?" Zelda retorted.

"Don't get smart with me now!" Byral snapped.

"Oh, so was I stupid all these years? Do you like dumb women because they do what you say?" Zelda challenged. "Pity you married me!"

"I am your husband and you will respect me!" Byral slapped Zelda across the face.

Tears streamed down her porcelain face as she urged her horse into a canter to the front of the line.

"Mother?" Zachary asked Zelda timidly, riding up to her. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what, dearest?" Zelda attempted to smile through her tears.

"About you and Father arguing over me."

"Oh, Zach," sighed Zelda. "It's not you. It's so much more." She blinked back tears. "Never blame yourself for our arguments. You will understand when you are older."

Zachary looked at the ground. "I suppose."

"Cheer up, dear. Look, you can see the very tip of the castle I was born and raised in to the northwest. See?" Zelda pointed out. Zachary followed her gaze, nodding. "We'll be there by tomorrow. Okay? Then, we'll get your sword since your father neglected to do so."

"Alright," Zachary said, feeling less remorseful.

At camp that night, King Byral approached Zelda.

"Dearest, I apologize for my rash actions," he embraced his wife.

Zelda pulled free of his arms.

"Apologize to your son, whom you have disappointed immensely," she replied coldly.

"My dear, he is young and naïve."

"How dare you say so! He is a genious for his age!"

"Zelda, I do not want to argue with you again," King Byral attempted to kiss his wife, but she pulled away again.

"Then be at amends with Zach. He sits alone over there." She pointed to her son, who was sitting on a log, gazing at the dancing flames of the fire. Byral sighed, nodding. He walked over to Zachary.

"Son," he said, putting a patronizing arm around the boy, "I have neglected you, and I apologize greatly for doing so. I will order your sword to be specially made and I promise to train with you whenever you ask. As a matter of fact, let's train tomorrow morning before we leave."

"Okay!" Zachary agreed enthusiastically.

Byral nodded to his son, and they embraced. But somehow, Zachary still did not feel entirely at peace.

Do ya like? It's just a rough idea, I suppose. Comments?