I've always like big Link better than little Link. His personality might not seem too much like the Link most people imagine, but this is the way I want him to be. A little immature.
And so, keep reading my friends! XD
Chapter 4 - The New Link
The sun was beating down on the miles of pasture across Hyrule. Many townsfolk were out doing their everyday things, even though it was a hotter day than usual. They were intent on keeping their markets going, making sure money continued circling through the family. Most of them took short breaks to get a drink of water or to water the few plants they had nearby.
Five years. Five years since Link had came to Hyrule, training and working as hard as he could to improve his skills and make Rais proud of him. The training was hard and tiresome, but extremely effective. Link grew into a strong sixteen year old, excellent swordsman and an incredible horseback rider. Epona was much bigger and stronger herself, which was almost hard to believe considering how small she used to be. Link's willpower seemed to rub off on her, molding into the perfect animal.
Her hair grew out in long strands that whipped against Link's face as they galloped across the long plains. He had won himself a fair share of horse races and sword fights; although, Rais had forbidden him to do them. But Link preferred his own way to making cash. Rais wasn't happy knowing that Link was using the skills and strategies he learned for gambling.
Epona hit the edge of the hill that led down to the markets. Link edged her on. "Hah!" He smacked her on her back hind. "Keep going!" He cheered her on.
The shipment from Orma arrived today. Link was unaware of this, since he was really only going into town so he could get himself some food and supplies. He headed through the markets on his steed proudly, ignoring most of the passersby. He looked ahead and saw the Orma ship unloading boxes, recognizing the man who had taken him from Orma to his current home.
He yanked on Epona's reins. She skid in an instant, but she had been going so fast that she didn't stop sliding till they hit the edge of the deck. Spooked by the deep ocean, she reared back and trotted back just as fast as she had come upon it. Link calmed her down and she slowed.
One of the men on the ship lifted his old swollen lip. "The hell you doin?" He growled down at Link. Link squinted up at him while the sun shone in his eyes. He held his hands over his eyes, recognizing the ship's captain. He grinned.
"Hey," He replied lifting his eyebrow. "If it isn't my good buddy, Jaw." He removed his hand from the rein and gave a slow wave. Jaw stared, studying the boy. He knew he couldn't have been too old.
Jaw rolled a raw piece of thin wood around in his mouth. He leaned against the rail of the old ship and managed to cock a smile. "If it t'ain't little old kid we met not to long go." He managed spitting through his gigantic swollen, pink lips. "Wot was your name 'gain? Pink or something?" He laughed as some of his friends behind him chuckled along with him. Link half way cocked his head and gave him a strange look.
"Uh, sorry, I didn't catch that." He said calmly as ever. Jaw narrowed his eyes, giving him a dirty look. Link couldn't help but smile at it. This was his chance for a little revenge.
"Listen, boy, I don't want no trouble 'round here. Take that overgrown mule o' yours and beat it." Link shrugged his shoulders, petting Epona. He pulled her reins a little, causing her to take a few steps back and turn.
"I have no idea what your talking about." He placed a hand on his hip and the other held Epona's rein. "Oh well, I mean you'd have to be an idiot to understand one, right?" He laughed at that, as if it were part of a pleasant conversation.
Jaw grabbed the closest and heaviest item he could find, happening to be one of the hammer's from a box, and tossed it straight down towards Link and his frightened pony. Link yanked her reins up and she pulled out of the way, while the hammer smacked the concrete and flung into the water. Link kicked her sides and she toppled forward. With great force and speed, Epona rode forward and jumped onto the ship. The sailors all backed out of the way as the steel hard hooves clambered easily down onto the ship.
Link hopped off the second Epona had landed. He smacked hard on the behind and she lunged forward without him. Two sailors nearby saw their chance, and attacked him on both sides. Link began with the one who was in front of him, he charged at him and head butted him. He was too fat and old to get up and do anything after that. Just as soon as he fell down, the one from behind snatched Link with his two massive arms. Link struggled a bit from being held in the air, but came to his senses and started to repeatedly kick into the fat thug's shin. He let go of Link to nurse his wound, while Link enjoying the fun of hitting the guys around, thrust his knee into the fat man's thick, vomit colored skin. It caused him to roll to the other side of the deck, unconscious.
The other seven proved to be easy battle. The remaining three approached him, this time with weapons in their hands. Link pulled out his shield, blocking their weak blows. They hit his shield without damaging it, and Link used his arms and legs to finish the battle. All of them ended up on the ground crying.
There was one left, though. Of course it was Jaw. He hadn't moved since he threw the hammer, and was furious. He roared and charged at Link. Link placed both fingers in his lips and whistled. Out from the behind, the dark maroon horse charged her way around the ship. She tackled and galloped over Jaw as if he didn't exist.
Link wrapped his right arm around her neck and pulled himself on top of her. She raised her head high while she jumped off the ship and back onto the dock. She trotted away from the ship with ease, but wouldn't have if she saw the water. A lot of the townsfolk stared, some in amazement and others a little disturbed by the beating, but happy about it. The sailors had caused a lot trouble with them too, it seemed. Link continued to edge Epona on, while a girl from the shadows peered from under an expensive looking purple gown.
"What's with all the stares?" Her voice was softer than a morning breeze to him. He took a breath and looked behind him at the townsfolk. The men stared with satisfaction while the women giggled.
He smiled at that. "Just admiring the beauty, I would think." He said showing off his fit body once again. He turned back to see her laughing. He had found her quite attractive, but he wasn't sure if she thought he was. He stopped Epona from trotting as he got closer to her.
"Well, you must not be down here often enough. I'm sick of getting all the attention." She looked up at him, as he peered down at her with curiosity.
"Haha." He laughed, thinking it was a joke like the one he made. Getting all the stares and laughs because of his looks.
"Ah? Don't you know who I am?" She was shocked that he thought she was joking, but found it humorous at the same time. "Where do you live?"
Link grinned at her, but looked away when he answered. "I live in the castle. So, who are you then?" The girl blinked in amazement, appalled that he didn't know who she was.
"I'm Princess Zelda… I'm the King's daughter." Link blinked in amazement.
"Wow… I didn't know he had a daughter." She stared at him, but ended up laughing. He laughed along with her, in amazement that he never heard about her or seen her. Why hadn't Rais ever said anything?
He was about to ask her a question, but then a loud alarm rang through the streets. Zelda jumped and stared back at the castle. Something was up; it was a warning.
"I'm sorry, um…" She stopped, realizing that she didn't know his name. "Um… I'll see you later! I'm always at the castle." She wanted to continue, but the alarm was further starting to scare her. She wanted to get back to where she would be safe. "I have to go!"
Link watched her leave, emotionless. He wanted to stop her but knew he shouldn't. He wondered if he was even allowed to talk to her, she being the princess.
He sighed, before realizing that he should probably head back and find Rais. He stroked Epona's head and neck, thinking. He wasn't worried about anyone attacking him, for he felt very confident in himself that whoever tried to pick a fight with him would lose. Then he started thinking of Zelda… he had been interested in girls, but she was much prettier than the ones he was used to talking to. He had a girlfriend once, but it was someone that Link had never really wanted to think about ever again.
He sat still on Epona while the townspeople started running into their shops and homes, locking everything up and shutting curtains and blowing out candles. The alarms grew louder.
He continued daydreaming until his head began to throb. He held it while Epona started to pace, getting a little spooked. She could sense his discomfort and the alarms weren't helping her any. Link began to hear the familiar voice he had been used to for years, and hearing it echo around him was starting to hurt.
"Link, I need you at the castle now. Quickly now, we're receiving some... unexpected guests?"
Link yanked his hair. The voices were so loud, it was painful. What was going on. "Agh! What is this! Rais!!" His eyeballs were even beginning to sting now. It felt like someone was hammering through his skull, on every side of it.
"It's only telepathy. It will prove to greatly help you in the future. Come on! The town's not safe!"
With one eye still closed from the pain, he urged Epona on and towards the Hylian palace. As he trotted on and Rais's voice faded away with the wind, the pain left his head. Rais could talk to him through telepath, but he hoped he'd never do it again. He couldn't stand the pain.
-
It had about ten black, long and gooey legs protruding from a bloody purple body. One red circle with a thin black line down the middle was in it's center. It was the eye. There were hundreds of the growling beasts burning down the yard with blood red acid they spit from their fangs.
Link rode upon Epona and watched the disgusting bugs slobber over everything. After experimental fighting with one, he found the stomach and eyes were the most sensitive areas. He began attacking them one by one, killing each one with a blow to it's most sensitive spot.
"You can't kill them all by yourself, Link. You need some help."
He winced at the pain, but didn't let his guard down. At least he was going to get some help.
-
Well, it wasn't really an important chapter but it was satisfying. He meets Zelda and is introduced to his new enemies, so I find that important enough for it's own chapter.
Anyways, hope it wasn't too bad. I had to change a few things but found myself having trouble adding things to it. I'm thinking it's because it's an introduction to things. As much as I hate it, introductions are probably my weakest points in writing. I know that isn't a good thing either, because introductions are extremely important in stories… but I try. If anyone has some tips for me on writing intros, I would extremely appreciate the help.
If you notice anything that I could use some work on… please tell me. I really love it when I get a review and someone gives me a tip, because in the past those tips have greatly helped me out.
But anyways, hope your enjoying the story. I guess if you've made it this far your at least curious, huh? XD
