Hello lovelies! Again, so so sorry for the long wait. I tried to make this chapter longer than the others for your enjoyment to try to keep the story going. Once again, school got in the way of life. And with it, depression... But please enjoy this chapter! I had terrible writer's block during this period so I apologize in advance if it isn't good... Let me know!

The backstories for a few of the Links that you will read about in this fanfic again came from the aid of my lovely best friend, Avy Mac, who roleplays several of the Links with me in an ongoing roleplay of three years. Her Links include Twi, Twilight Princess Link, Sky, Skyward Sword Link, Raven (He's named that for a reason, if you want to know why, go read her fanfic called "Raven" and you'll see), Hiro (Hylia's Chosen Hero), Rin (The man who went mad trying to find the triforce to save his little brother from death, becoming Demise) and so forth! I, however, have Kishin (Angel to one of the first Nayru's, his soul was later trapped by Majora within the Fierce Deity Mask), Wild, his counterpart, Ile, the four swords Links, Minish, and so forth. SO PLEASE, FOR ALL THAT IS HOLY, SEND HER A BUNCH OF THANK YOU'S FOR THE STORY AID AND BACKSTORY! DO THE SAME FOR MoonSamurai !

Without further ado, enjoy!

-WingedIceWolf

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN LEGEND OF ZELDA OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

"I-I'm okay now…" Link sniffled while his shoulders shook, hoping the young man would release him. Half of him wanted to remain like this, to be warm and comforted, but the other half of him yelled at him to suck it up and move on. As if sensing the hesitation in Link's voice, and the indecisiveness plaguing his mind, his guest only hugged him a bit tighter and continued to hum.

Link closed his eyes and let the hum waft through the air, snuggling into the warmth Wild provided, bringing him back to days where a small boy would lay asleep in the tall, soft grass under the light of the warm, summer sun. If he focused, he could still smell apples on the breeze and hear the bleating of goats in his ears. It took him back to the days where he would sit patiently at the cool, clear stream as the sun barely began to rise, watching the fish swim between his legs, nibbling on his toes and making him giggle.

The Hero would do almost anything to relive those moments… Where he was innocent and free… But, as the saying went, fate is a cruel mistress.

Wild refused to release until he felt the Ordonian's muscles relax and his body loosen. Fearing he would fall asleep like this, the young man slowly released the Hero. Link's ears twitched, eyes opening, sitting up on his knees. Wild did the same, but eased Link into a comfortable position.

"Y-you heard all that, didn't you…?" Link whispered.

Wild nodded gently and sighed, gazing down at the floor. He scooted a bit away from his his host, rubbing his arm nervously as he prepared to be yelled at. He wasn't the best at comforting people, at least in his opinion, but he would try nonetheless…

He had been yelled at in the past for trying to comfort those around him, including a small Kakariko girl who cried in the rain beside a tombstone, curled up against it. Her cries had attracted the Forgotten Hero, who slowly approached the soaking wet girl who shivered in the cold, removing his cloak and draping it around her shoulders. The small, ashen-haired girl looked up at him in surprise, wrapping the cloak tighter around herself. She sniffled, rising slowly and hugged his legs tight, burying her head into him and sobbing.

He held her close to him, trying to scoop her up and move her to a place out of the rain, but the little girl refused, demanding to be beside her mother. So, the Hero, moved her back to the gravestone, doing his best to shield her from the rain with his own body. Every time a roar of thunder ripped through the air, the little girl jumped, Wild hugging her tighter.

Koko was the girl's name, the Hero later learned. With the passing of time, she had fallen asleep beside him, snuggled into his lap, his arms wrapped around her and his head resting on her chin. He shivered violently, but cared not if he was drenched in rain. He stayed by her side until a man came running, calling her name.

The man saw the girl in Wild's arms, yelling at him furiously, demanding Wild let her go. Wild rose and lifted the girl into the man's arms, presumably her father. He shouted for what felt like eternity at the Forgotten Hero, but Wild did not fight back, despite wanting to get out of the cold drizzle and curl up by a fire. He simply nodded and whispered apology after apology as the man returned his cloak and left Wild out in the rain.

Then, the Hero had collapsed in the dirt, feeling the rain shower him as the world around him fell into darkness. Apparently, whilst in his unconscious state, a Sheikah had found him in the mud, cold and barely responsive. When he awoke, he was within Impa's house, the same girl from before begging Impa to let her help him.

"Please, Elder Impa… He helped me. Daddy doesn't want him near me, even if we know he's the Hero," Koko had whispered between small sobs. "But mommy told me to trust him… Daddy told me not to trust anyone..."

"His illness will improve with time, little one. Trust me," Impa had replied, petting the girl's head. "Do not hate your father for being so cautious. He has already lost so much, Koko. He cannot lose you or your sister as well. If you wish to tend to Link, I will not stop you, but I cannot guarantee your father will not be angered with your actions."

So, Koko stayed by his side, trying to keep his fever at bay. She would wring out a cloth and lay it on his head, then hum a small tune as she sat, drumming her fingers on her knees. When he finally cracked his eyes open, the little girl's brown eyes widened, shrieking, "You're awake! You're going to be okay!"

He simply wasn't one to lurk in the shadows while someone suffered, whether physically or mentally. Even if he had learned to call the darkness and the endless feeling of loneliness his only "friends"… Consequences be danged.

For what wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last, silence crept between the Hero of Twilight and The Hero Of The Wild. Link bit his lip in embarrassment, fists clenching in his lap as he tried to blink away tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. His nails dug deep into his palms as his throat began to ache with unshed tears, knuckles turning white.

I'm such a fool… M-midna... She's never coming back… There's no point in crying over the past…

Wild's ears twitched, reaching to Link and uncurling his hands as gently as possible. He then released them, the Hero of The Wild bringing his hands to his chest, mimicking breath by pulling his hands away from his chest slightly, then bringing them back in. He then slid his right hand up his left arm, starting at the back of his left hand, a few inches.

Breathe… Slowly…

Link took a few deep breaths as Wild leaned over and took his hands, giving them a light squeeze. He could feel the cold in Link's hands compared to the warmth in his own. The Ordonian continued his pattern of slow inhales and deep exhales, subconsciously returning the small action that said "I'm here for you."

Whether you believe it or not… I know just what you are going through… At least to some degree… Wild thought to himself sadly, closing his eyes and recalling the small glimpse of memory that had returned to him. If you really are my ancestor… If what you say is true and your name really is "Link"... Then that makes me your descendant. Family doesn't give up on each other… So just like you refuse to give up on me, I won't give up on you.

"Thank you..." Link breathed, opening his eyes and wiping his tears on the back of his sleeve. Wild turned to the basket and set it down before the both of them, rummaging through it, pulling out a warm bottle of soup, holding it out for his host to take, using his other hand to touch all his fingers to his thumb, then touch his hand to his mouth.

Eat.

Link shook his head gently. Despite the soup being warm and looking rather enticing, cheesy with chunks of fish and pumpkin, he shook his head. He simply didn't have the appetite. He pulled his legs up to his chest and gently pushed the food away. "I'm not hungry right now… You eat…"

Wild gave Link a glare that very easily could freeze his blood. He looked away to avoid his cold, wild-blue eyes and shook his head yet again, repeating slowly and hesitantly, "I'm… not hungry…" But the young man wouldn't take it. He shoved the bottle of soup into Link's hands, the warm liquid wobbling within its container, holding Link's hands firmly in place around the warm, glass bottle.

Please just eat already… Wild pleaded in his head, ears perked back in frustration as his shoulders slumped. I don't have the strength to fight with you. I need to find the Sheikah Slate as soon as possible, but at the moment, you take precedence… I understand you are hurting, but please, just eat…

As if the Hero could read his thoughts, Link very slowly sighed and gave in, uncorking the bottle and looking up at his guest. "If you drink half, I will drink half. Deal?"

Wild nodded, cracking a small smile. By Hylia were those of Chosen blood stubborn… Wild reached behind Link, grabbing the blanket and wrapping it around his shoulders before rising, stumbling to the kitchen and snatching a bowl off the shelf, bringing it back to Link and sitting beside him.

"Thank you," Link quietly thanked him, snuggling up under the blanket that had been draped around his shoulders, finding the sudden compassion from his guest bizarre, but he brushed it off.

"Um… If you're feeling well enough..." Link began, pouring some of the soup into the bowl. "We can go pick apples in the evening before the sun goes down… Maybe even make a pie." He held the bottle out for Wild to take, having the larger portion of soup within, but Wild took the bowl, raising it to his lips, and scarfing down the soup in an instant before Link had a moment to retaliate. He set the bowl down, letting out a sigh of satisfaction, licking his lips.

He didn't have to give me the larger portion… Link thought with a sigh, looking down at the remaining soup intended for his guest. Just as he had said, he truly wasn't hungry, but a promise was a promise. The Ordonian took up the bottle and slowly drank the soup, unlike his seemingly famished guest.

The warm, cheesy taste of the soup reminded him of the cold mountains in which the ruins of Snowpeak resided. He could recall the large Yeti that stirred the soup within a large brick cauldron, allowing Link to fill his bottles with soup as he trudged around the mansion, trying to find the key to the locked bedroom.

He could recall the icy drafts that drifted through the cracked walls of the mansion, how the snowflakes had collected on his shoulders and his head, pausing to shake them off before he pressed on. He recalled the sound of his boots clicking against the cobblestone, walking along the slick ledges acting as a walkway from floor to floor. He could still feel the numbness in his fingers, tingling as he drew the Master Sword from its sheath upon his back.

But most of all, he recalled the eerie howls of the White Wolfos, echoing that of the bitter wind on an unforgiving Winter's night, their fur glistening like ice in what moonlight shone through thick clouds. He could recall how their eyes glowed crimson against the pale snow, how their frigid, razor sharp fangs had dug into his nape whilst he was a beast, his sharp cry piercing the air.

The pain that followed the bite was an agonizing, sharp, icy pain that immediately spread throughout his throat, as if his entire head was submerged in freezing waters. He would dare say it burnt like fire, even though it was ice. Regardless of the bite, his blood continued to flow from the wound, staining the snow and his thick fur. The Wolfos looming over him, jaws dripping with Link's blood, flashed its fangs in an almost mocking manner.

The world around him had begun to fade to black, pressed deeper into the snow by the dominating beast. No matter how hard he had fought, twisting his body this way and that, he simply couldn't move his head, nor his front shoulders. His nerves were ice-bound and he was losing blood quickly.

He didn't even hear the other Wolfos gather around him, closing in more and more as he struggled against the growing pain that clouded his head, though he could barely make out their rigid figures. It was as the saying goes; "Like a pack of hungry wolves".

Had it not been for Midna, he was positive he would have died right there and then at the mercy of the Wolfos… By Din did he have many near death experiences along his adventure… At least he had taken down a few Wolfos before being caught off guard by what seemingly was the Alpha of the pack.

Link subconsciously rubbed his throat, swallowing, suddenly remembering something.

"It's getting colder… Reminds me of when I was up in Snowpeak, far to the Northwest of Hyrule. As I was walking around in the hills, I slipped on ice and cracked my wrist… broke it. I climbed all the way up the mountain and sled down more mountains to get to a mansion. Sounds pretty crazy… But it happened. My companion insisted I stop and take a rest, but I wouldn't listen..." Link laughed a little, rolling his left wrist. "It's my dominant hand too that I broke. My left hand... Once we got to the mansion, I splinted it and we continued on. But I would be hearing it from my companion the entire time… Insisting I put my arm in a sling…"

Wild listened to him intently, glancing at his left hand where the Triforce rested. He took up his left hand, spreading out his fingers and looking it over. Link perked his ears back, confused as to what his guest was doing.

"Are you curious about the Triforce…?"

Wild knew what the Triforce was. It was near impossible not to know. He shook his head gently and let go of Link's hand. Silence yet again passed between them for a few minutes before Link finally rose, taking up a book from his bookshelf, holding it out for Wild to take.

"I think you'll like this. It has the history of the past Chosen Heroes in it. The Hero of the Sky, the Hero of Time, and Hylia's Chosen Hero," He said, sitting down on the couch and motioning for Wild to join him. "How are you feeling?"

His guest, without tearing his eyes from the book, touched his chin, then brought his hand down to meet his other hand, cupping his right hand with his left.

Well…

"Are you sure…? Your cheeks are still pretty flushed…" Link stated in concern, laying a hand to Wild's forehead. "And you're still burning up… Maybe we should just stay indoors today. Recoup..."

The Ordonian rose slowly, careful to not knock anything over with the blanket whilst he did so. "I'll get you some more medicine…"

Wild sighed and nodded, taking up the book and flipping through it, running his fingertips along the illustrations within. Despite being unable to read the book, the illustrations of the Heroes and the enemies they faced fascinated him, all with their vibrant colors and inking. He stopped at one particular page.

Within the page, a girl with long blonde hair smiled, clothed in a white dress that flowed to her ankles, carrying a harp. Her eyes were a bright blue, ribbons tied in her hair decoratively, wrists adorned with lavender tinted bracelets, bearing the royal crest.

His ears perked back, gently rubbing the page with his thumb as tears sprang to his eyes. The girl somehow reminded him of the Zelda he knew, even if he only knew so little of her with his deprived memories. He wished so badly he could remember, but the King had warned him; it would not be wise to rush himself to recover his lost memories.

He could still recall how Zelda's eyes lit up at finding a new species of plant, a new bug that crawled across the wall, or even at the smallest of things such as a Hot-footed Frog. Wild could never forget that smile batted away the doubt in his heart and the impending doom that plucked at his mind, making him feel as if he were riding on the back of a Loftwing itself.

Link took up the bottle of fever medicine, taking out a measuring spoon and pouring the liquid into the spoon. After capping the bottle off, he returned to his guest, crouching so they were eye-level, holding the spoon to his lips.

"I won't feed it to you like you're a child… So go ahead and take it," Link offered, cupping one hand beneath the spoon in case any liquid should drip down the spoon.

What is in it? Wild signed, hesitant to take the mysterious liquid. He leaned away from it slightly, eyeballing it nervously. There could be a chance it was truly poison and he couldn't afford to take chances, even if his host had thus far shown no hostility. As much as he wanted to place trust in the young man who had saved his life, he feared the repercussions.

"Um… If I remember correctly, honey, water from the Spirit's spring, lavender… ginger… and basil. It's to help reduce your fever. But I won't force you to take it if you don't want it…"

Wild took the spoon carefully, sniffing the strange, slightly glowing liquid. It smelled divine… The scent of lavender calmed him, secretly longing for the taste of honey. He tested it with the tip of his tongue, pleasantly surprised at the flavor.

He had fallen ill before and the medicines he had taken were none too flavorful. If anything, they all had the same, bitter taste and left a burning sensation in his throat. Even the pain medicines he had taken for his wounds were none too pleasant, making him want to gag.

The Hero of The Wild ingested the medicine, the cool liquid alleviating the pain in his throat and aiding in removing the taste of blood that still lingered in his mouth. Once done, he returned the spoon and continued to flip through the book. Link departed to take the spoon to the sink, washing it out before returning it to its place beside the bottle of medicine.

The Hero of Twilight sat upon the couch, watching his guest squint at an image of the Hero of The Sky.

"Interested in him?" Link asked. Wild nodded gently. "Oh… That's right, you can't read the book..." He rubbed the back of his head, blushing yet again in embarrassment. "Well… I could teach you how to read the books sometime, if you want…"

Thank you… Wild signed by tapping the tip of his fingers to his lips and bringing his hand down.

"Of course. I remember not being able to read as a kid… It was frustrating…" He shook his head gently. "Anywho, the Hero of The Sky. Also named Link. Like me!" He pointed to the picture of the green clad Skyloftian. "He came from a place called Skyloft-" Link tapped a depiction of Skyloft on the right page. "an island in the sky."

Wild's eyes scanned over the beautiful, green island where the Goddess statue stood over them, her hands folded upon her chest and wings behind her, a gentle smile upon her face. It looked just like the statue he had found within the Forgotten Temple, crawling with Guardians. Could it be the same one?

"Skyloft was created after Hylia's Chosen Hero lifted his people into the skies to save them from Demise. With his dying breath, no less…" Link ran his fingers across the page. "He was a good man who suffered a harsh life… Unfortunately, he fell to Demise, the Lord of Darkness who had tortured Hylia's people for years upon the surface..." Link flipped a page back to Hylia's Chosen Hero, a hero clad in green with a red cape and light blonde hair, standing upright with the Master Sword in his hand. "This Hero here… His name too is Link. He was tortured for seven years for foreseeing Demise's appearance. He was framed for conspiring with the enemy and immediately arrested, leaving his little brother Ayrien behind…"

Wild sighed sadly, but Link continued.

"Ayrien was the only family Link had left. Though not his full blooded sibling, he loved him nonetheless. You see, his father passed when he was eight from sickness. And his mother died giving birth to his half brother. Link's stepfather fled from the duty of raising a child, abandoning his son and step son. Link raised Ayrien himself, the two being very close. You can imagine how badly it tore Ayrien up when his brother was arrested… And how terrified Hylia's Chosen was to know his brother was all alone..."

Wild growled lowly under his breath.

"When Link had fallen, Ayrien practically went mad with grief… He eventually was forced to marry a woman, as was custom back then, soon enough carrying on the bloodline of Heroes. The cape Hylia's Chosen Hero wore was one that was his biological father's. It meant a lot to him… When he was finally released from prison, he was gifted a green garb that he wore with his father's cape. The one who had framed him had died to Demise's forces , thus finding Link innocent after all those years."

Served the snake right!

"Indeed it did... Hylia descended upon a Crimson Loftwing to the people." Link again tapped an image to the right of a large diagram of a crimson colored Loftwing, showing a diagram of its wings and its size in comparison to an average Hylian. "This-" He turned the page, showing a depiction of Hylia, adorned in a long white robe, holding a harp whilst mounted upon her Crimson Loftwing, pointing the Master Sword to the heavens. "Is Hylia. She created the Master Sword to help combat the evil that plagued her land. When she chose Link as her champion, gifting him the broken blade. He declined at first, but agreed to fight only for the protection of his people, seeing the terror in their eyes. He reforged the blade himself…"

They didn't deserve his protection… Wild signed angrily. Not after what they put him through.

"No, they didn't…" Link agreed sadly. "But such is a Hero… Days passed with Link as commander, fighting off Demise's forces while Hylia tried her best to keep them back. Finally, Link faced Demise, but was gravely wounded by Demise's powerful claws… They deeply ripped across his hip and stomach, stunning him, staining his garb in his own blood… His life faded quickly, but with his fading strength, the Crimson Loftwing came to his aid. The three dragons who aided in protecting the land gave Link their blessing and with it, he lifted the people into the heavens with his dying breath…"

Wild closed the book gently, though it took every inch of self control not to slam the book shut and toss it into the fireplace, pushing it away from him, fists clenched tightly.

"He passed on… Knowing he saved his people. Hylia found him, cradling him in her arms. She had loved him undoubtedly, but it is strictly forbidden for Goddesses to mingle with the affairs of mortals. If the decision were her own, I'm sure she would have provided him a child, but she was a Celestial Being and he was but a mortal… Her love for her Hero was a very powerful love that ensured they would meet again… Hylia went off herself to avenge her Hero, heartbroken and weakened in spirit. She had felt her Hero's pain as her own… She had watched him from above suffer for years, since the day he had been brought into the world… She was successful in sealing Demise away, but her wounds too were critical. Thus, she passed on… And those who descended from Hylia's Chosen Hero were forever bound to the spirit of the Goddess and bound to be the protector of her lands. Just like me…" Link raised his hand to show the Triforce. "I am descended from that bloodline… Hylia reincarnated into Zelda and her Hero was reborn as the Hero of The Sky… Demise broke free from his seal, but once he was defeated by the Hero of The Sky, he cursed him and all his descendants, the Goddess's as well, that they should fall victim to him again and again… And he was later reborn as Ganondorf…"

Wild seemed to have frozen, his entire body gone rigid, eyes wide.

"Do you understand now…? I am a Chosen Hero…" Link closed his eyes, clenching his fists in his lap. "And my descendants are forever doomed…"

Bum bum bum! CLIFFIES!