Hello everyone! Thank you all so much for your support and prayers! I am so sorry for not being able to upload, since we moved I didn't have Wifi for a while and couldn't really upload anything on here... But you're probably wondering about James, aren't you? The surgery went smoothly and to the surprise of the Doctors, the tumor was much closer to the surface than they anticipated, but also to their dismay, there were multiple tumors. Thankfully, the removal of these tumors were easy. When James awoke from surgery, the first person he asked for was me. He told me not to worry, that everything would be okay and that I was to stay strong for him. He recovered quickly from the surgery, waking up in two hours rather than 48, as the doctors had predicted he would. He kept his memory of us and is quickly healing! The idiot still drove home after still being under anesthesia... Thank you all so so so much for your prayers!
Here is the chapter for you all! Think of it as a thank you to all my lovely readers! I cannot thank you all enough! *hugs*
On a side note, anyone excited for BOTW 2? I sure as heck am!
-WingedIceWolf
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE LEGEND OF ZELDA OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS! ALL RIGHTS GO TO MIYAMOTO!
~Thank you so much to HylianHarmony for being one of my muses!~
Link woke in the morning to birds chirping melodically outside and a teal blue painting the sky. The young man snuggled into him continued to sleep peacefully, his face buried into the Hero's fur, arms wrapped securely around him as his chest rose and fell in the steady rhythm of breath. Link placed yet another, gentle lick to the young man's head, causing a smile to pull at his lips, squeezing the wolf a little tighter.
How am I supposed to get out of this without waking him up...? Link thought to himself a little glumly, his ears perking back against his head. He was warm and comfortable in his current position and so was the young man sleeping undisturbed, pressed up against him, but he feared what would happen should Wild see him in his canine form. So far, he hadn't reacted negatively to being snuggled by a wolf, but would all that change once he was conscious?
He had saved Wild from death and so far, the young man hadn't made an attempt to harm him. He actually seemed to feel safe in the Hero's arms, snuggling into him and relaxing at his touch. He wanted to believe no harm would come to him from the man he had come to name Wild, but Rusl's warning still played in Link's head. "You really just brought him into your house, not knowing what he's capable of, who he is, or if he has the intent to murder you?"
Link tried to push those thoughts away, but regardless, anxiety ate away at his heart and those thoughts once again ran free in his mind. His heart began to race in his chest, whimpering slightly.
Would he flee from me in horror?
Would he take up a weapon and strike me?
Would he shut his eyes, accepting the fear that I would devour him?
These were all questions turning over and over in the Hero's head, his breaths coming short, tail nervously swishing. Wild stirred, his hand coming up to scratch Link behind the ears, his wild-blue eyes cracked open ever so slightly as he gently ran his fingers through Link's silky fur.
For a few seconds, Link froze up entirely in terror, but as time passed with the realization that Wild hadn't fully regained consciousness, he relaxed into the affection, his tail thumping against the couch with his head cocked at a certain angle and his back leg slightly kicking upward, into the air. Wild's eyes had slid back closed, snuggling closer to Link with his head resting upon his cream-colored stomach.
I forgot how it felt to be pet… The Hero thought a little sadly to himself as the petting session ended, curling back around Wild. Midna used to pet him, but only while he lied before her and begged. She would reach down and pet his head while they slept under the stars just enough that when she pulled away, his sapphire blue eyes would crack open, raising his head to look at her expectantly.
"Aww, is the puppy disappointed? Does he want more pets?" She would giggle. Link would then growl a little in reply, of which she'd snicker and demand, "Well, if he wants more, the puppy has to beg." And Link did. Despite how foolish he felt at times, especially earlier in his adventure, Midna was all he had during his journey and her affection was more than welcome.
As time went on, his annoyance in her manipulating him for her own entertainment faded. She would sleep snuggled into his fur, occasionally mumbling his name while Link's tail gently swished. He would nuzzle her gently, growl loudly at anything that came too close to the duo and if push came to shove, he would leap into battle at a moment's notice.
Link was always delighted when caressed, closing his eyes to lean into the touch, but his primitive canine instincts made him embarrassed to admit it to Midna. Wolves naturally are uncomfortable to admit they enjoy the affection from their pack members, refusing to look them in the eyes when groomed by their companions. Even as a human, he would occasionally lean into someone's hand whenever they patted his head. He just couldn't help the instinct.
Even though it had been months since he had felt Midna stroke his fur, it felt like years. With Wild stroking his fur, that old, longing and aching in his heart again began to grow. The sensation of fingers weaving their way in his fur had yet again faded into mystery.
Until now.
Link slowly and gently wormed his way out of Wild's hold, first placing his hind legs upon the wooden floor, nails clicking against it, then slid his front legs off the couch, his chain clinking, making a slight clatter as all four paws met the floor. He stretched his forelegs forward, his hind legs arching up slightly as he yawned, accidentally letting out a slight whimper.
Me and my squeaking… Link thought with a slight growl as he shook his head, but thankfully his whimper only caused Wild to stir slightly. After pulling the blanket up more around Wild with his teeth, he padded over to the Shadow Crystal and placed his nose to the cold surface. Immediately, with a flash of black, his form was human again, awkwardly standing on all fours with his dirty blonde bangs in his eyes.
He rose slowly and tested his legs as he focused upon the smooth surface beneath his feet, the pain from transforming this time still strong, but not as severe as when he had touched the crystal while in the cellar. After a bit of standing, waiting to make sure he would not fall, he took a step forward. Though sharp pain shot through his legs, he refrained from making noise and limped toward the fireplace.
"I don't really drink tea, but it might be nice to drink some today..." Link said out loud, rubbing the sleepiness from his face and brushing the locks of hair from his eyes. "I can't believe I was out for that long… No... We were out for that long… But to be fair, you have an excuse to be out. Me? Not so much… And Epona… Poor Epona. I left her out in the rain..."
Link's ears perked back yet again as he took a small log beside the fireplace, setting it within along with kindling, striking the match and lighting the fireplace. Soon, the aroma of burning pine filled the air. "We also missed out on lunch and dinner… That probably wasn't very healthy… I'll get the hot water going quickly, then I'll go looking for Epona… Maybe I can wake you up for some tea… some nice, warm, mint tea… should help clear both of us up..."
The Hero took up a small sized, steel pot with a lid sitting beside the fireplace, quickly going to the bathroom and pulling the tap, gathering the spring water within. The water, glowing ever so slightly, sloshed within the steel pot that had been tinted black upon the bottom from years of dangling over flames. He snapped the water shut and returned to the fireplace, setting the pot upon the spit with the lid, then turning to Wild.
"I'll be back… Please don't wake up and do something stupid. Not assuming you would! It's just that I… Um... have enough to worry about… I don't need more upon my plate," Link muttered gently. As he passed by him, he brushed locks from Wild's face, taking the Shadow Crystal with much caution and setting it within a pot upon a shelf.
I can't risk him touching this thing... Link thought with a slight protectiveness coming over him. Slipping his Ordon sandals on, he stepped up to his door. His left hand fell upon the doorknob, twisting and pushing the door open.
Warm, orange sunlight hit his face as an ember orb shone down upon him. The grass, trees, and the brush were still wet with rain, casting rainbows across the ground as the droplets caught the rays within them. The world sparkled like a million, finely placed diamonds had blanketed Hyrule and the birds sang their praises to them.
A familiar, bushy-tailed squirrel, damp with the rain, scuttled across the earth before him and climbed up an oak tree, its needles a golden yellow, in which it had made its home. It clutched to a branch as it stared down at Link who closed the door behind him as he waved a greeting toward the squirrel.
"Good to see you made it, buddy," Link said gently. The squirrel brushed the fur on its head with its hands and cocked its head slightly at him, nose twitching in sync with its tail. "Seen Epona lately?" Link descended down his ladder and to the earth, landing with a soft thump, looking back up at the squirrel who he had saved months ago from Bokoblins.
The squirrel shook its head in reply before scampering off to a small hole, high within the tree, small leaves and dead grass poking out of the nest. Link's heart sunk a little, his ears yet again lying against his head, but he swallowed and nodded his thanks before continuing on to the village.
Every step he took left a print as his sandals sank into the mud, but he didn't care. Right now, his only concern was finding Epona and getting back to Wild before the house could start on fire. He entered Ordon to find it was nearly empty. Even the Cuccos were missing.
Link squinted, barely able to make out two figures near the path to the Ranch. As he approached, the figures became more clear, one being a large, bald man with a gray mustache that nearly resembled horns upon a boar, his hands upon his hips. Fabric wrapped around his stomach, a red ribbon tying the fabric in place as a necklace with a golden charm dangled around his neck.
The second figure was a broad shouldered man with blonde hair, a white headband, and a sword strapped to his back. He held a leather helmet in one hand, his packs at his hips and his attire sporting different hues and fabrics of greens, blues, browns, reds, and yellows.
Mayor Bo and Rusl.
His ears caught the conversation going on between the two, stopping and pausing.
"That storm we had was long lasting and fierce. Thankfully, no trees fell upon us this time, but a few of the crops were damaged," Rusl stated with a sigh. "The dead season is nearing, as you know, and food will start to become scarce. The Harvest Festival is approaching at the end of this month."
"Preparations for the festival have already begun, Rus, I assure you," the Mayor began gently. "But the storm isn't all what you came t' speak t' me about, is it?"
"Unfortunately, no," Rusl replied, clutching his leather helmet a little tighter. "I was hoping to speak to The Resistance, gather their opinions about the storm while inviting Telma, Ashei, Auru, Shad to the Festival as well as Renado and Luda. After all, the festival would not have been possible without them and Link."
"I understand, Rus," the Mayor began, smiling gently, then added jokingly with a slight punch to Rusl's arm, "Just don't go invitin' too many people. Ordon is only so big."
Rusl nodded, lightly rubbing his arm as he faked a wince, turning and seeing Link there whose face held that of worry. Rusl's smile dropped a little, stepping toward him.
"Link, are you alright…? You look like you've been roughed up," came Rusl's concerned voice, placing a hand to Link's shoulder as the other hand tilted his chin left and right, up and down to look for injuries. Link shook his head and took Rusl's hands, gently pushing them away.
"I'm alright. Just didn't sleep well due to the storm, you know?" Link replied, hoping Rusl would buy it. He was never a good liar and Rusl had raised him well enough to know when he was lying. To his surprise, Rusl nodded and left him be. "Have you seen Epona…? I… left her out in the storm and-"
"So that's why you're up so early, for your loyal steed!" Mayor Bo interrupted. "Don't worry, Link. Fado has 'er in with the goats. You really need to consider makin' a stable for her."
"I know," Link grimaced. "I just… I don't really have an excuse, do I?"
"Nope," Rusl answered simply. "Now go get your horse. Fado is up and about up there."
Link nodded, but as he raced up the path, Rusl caught him by the arm and pulled him back, whispering into his ear, "As much as you lying to me concerns me, I won't delve into your business. I trust you, Link, and I want you to trust me." He released him and sent him back on track with a slight nudge. The Hero tensed even more, scratching the back of his neck with his left hand as he walked to the Ranch.
The gate of the Ranch was closed to prevent the goats from getting out, so Link easily climbed atop it, leaping off the fence gently. As usual, Fado was tending to the goats with a bucket in his hand, having just finished up cleaning the mud from their hooves and brushing them down. The Hero's eyes scanned the large field in worry until they rested upon a steed, lying in the grass with her white tail whipping her stifle and flank as she grazed upon the grass.
"Epona!" Link shouted, running toward her. She perked up and stood, shaking her mane and giving him a whinny of greeting, trotting up to him, her beautiful long mane flowing. The Hero slipped upon the grass, reeling forward, but Epona dipped her head in at just the right time, saving him from the fall.
You are weak and injured… Her eyes said as she nuzzled him gently.
"I'm so sorry for leaving you out in the rain, girl," Link whimpered, wrapping his arms tight around her crest. "Are you mad at me…?"
Of course not. I sensed something was wrong, but felt that familiar, canine energy radiating from within, so I decided against sending for help, instead going here so I may seek shelter from the rain… Did you transform?
Link nodded gently, his grip around her tightened, burying his head into her. "I shouldn't have just left you out in the rain like that… I'm so sorry… I'll make it up to you..."
No need to apologize, my tender-hearted Hero. Are you alright? She asked with a gentle butt to his shoulder, her ears swiveling as she lightly tugged on his hair. Link nodded yet again, tears starting to squeeze from his eyes, shoulders shaking.
"Hey!" a voice called out. Fado, a young man about Link's age with green eyes, brown short hair, muscled arms, sporting a dirt covered garb, ran up to the two of them, a bucket in his hand. "Epona came up here without 'er rider! Did the storm knock ya out, bud?"
Link sniffled and rubbed his tears away with the back of his sleeve. "I fell sick yesterday… couldn't get back up to take her here..."
"Certainly look like ya did, bud. You're all flushed an everythin'! Probably didn't sleep well with that storm goin' on, did ya? I know how nervous storms make ya," Fado added, stepping up and attempting to place a hand to Link's head, but Link pulled away at the last second. "What the matter, Link?"
"You've just got mud on your hands… I'd rather not get some on my face," Link lied. Unlike Rusl, he could lie to Fado rather easily. Fado looked at the palm of his hand and nodded.
"That I do. Sorry, bud," Fado apologized. "I was gonna ask ya if ya could help milk the goats, but since ya aren't feelin' well, you could go ahead and head home. Hope ya get better in time for the Festival!"
"Oh come on, I wouldn't miss the Festival!" Link stated loudly, a playful grin on his face.
"Just don't push yaself, Link. We don't want ya to be bedridden," Fado replied genuinely. "If ya need anythin', get one of the young'uns to call me over. I got ya covered!"
"Thanks," Link thanked him gently, a slight smile on his face. "And thanks for taking care of Epona."
"Anytime, bud! She ain't that hard to handle. Rather sweet horse, if I do say so m'self! Ya got lucky!"
"Indeed I did," Link stated. "I can't thank you enough for keeping her safe..."
"Ay, you got Cucco feathers in ya ears, Link? I told ya 'Anytime'!" Fado teased. Link laughed gently, Fado looking up at Epona. "Take good care of 'im for me, Epona. Make sure you take your saddle-"
"Can you actually return it to me later?" Link asked a little hopefully. "Just leave it outside on the post?"
"Yeah, I could do that, bud."
Epona neighed loudly in reply as a way of thanking him. Fado wished Link goodbye before going back to tend to the goats. Link sighed and just for a minute, ran his fingers through Epona's coat, thinking about what would happen if Epona was injured during the storm. Sensing his discomfort, Epona nudged him yet again and lowered so he could climb upon her back.
Link's mare never needed a saddle, but it was preferred. When he was a young boy, Link would ride her bareback with little issue. Occasionally, Epona would try to buck him off, but he would hold on tight to her neck with his feet tight around her stomach as he giggled and laughed. The two always had a bond only they could understand.
Let's get you home, Link…
Once Link mounted Epona and wrapped his arms around her neck, she broke into a trot, leaping over the gate gracefully and flawlessly. Her trot became a gallop, whizzing by Rusl and the Mayor and returning to Link's house in a matter of seconds. He looked up, but hesitated to leave Epona's side, his gaze falling to the grass beneath them.
Go on. He needs you… Epona gestured toward the house with her head, rumbling gently. She lowered herself and Link dismounted slowly, hugging Epona one last time.
"I promise I'll make it up to you somehow, girl..." Link whispered before climbing back up the latter. He stepped inside the house, but left his shoes to the side, hoping the mud would dry so he could clean the shoes off later.
Wild remained asleep upon the couch, curled up, his ears twitching as Link closed the door behind him, his knees pulled up to his chest and one arm wrapped around them while the other was stretched above his head.
I was kind of hoping he'd be up… Oh well. On the bright side, it's a good thing the house didn't set ablaze in my absence. Link sighed, getting two glasses and setting them on the nightstand beside the couch. He then left to gather the mint leaves, going to the table near the fireplace where a pot of growing mint sat along with a jar of honey, a few other jars with spices and herbs, and unused plates. A few paintings hung above the table, one with him and Fado laughing, another of Epona and himself, then a painting of the kids.
He smiled at the paintings, then snagged a few leaves from the mint plant to add to the tea for more flavor and freshness, taking the jar of honey, and some dry leaves from a glass bottle.
Link would hang herbs to dry on the rack above the table, just in case he needed them for something. Sage, Mint, Oregano, and even Basil hung from the rack, tied there with string, having bought a ball of it from Sera.
He took up two strainers, taking the dry leaves and placing them within the strainers, setting them on top of the glass and bringing the pot of boiling water over to the glasses, using a soup ladle to pour some into the glasses through the strainers, taking the pot once finished and setting it back over the fire to keep it warm in case he decided he wanted more tea. He sat down beside Wild after gathering two spoons, watching the dry leaves soak within the water, creating the tea.
He eyeballed the honey, in the jar, his stomach growling. By Hylia, was he starving… Just a little honey wouldn't hurt.
And there is the end of this chapter! I tried to make it longer than most as a way of saying, "Thank you" to all of you! Thank you all for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting!
-WingedIceWolf