He Took The Time
Chapter 3 Legend
The pink in his hair was fading, but not quickly enough for the Link dressed in red. The mighty Captain had opened his big mouth again. He was tired of the others and their teasing. There was a reason the Spirit of the Hero only came once a generation. Having more than one hero at a time seemed to him an impossible challenge. One he wondered if he could live with. All he'd wanted was dinner but the others just had to be annoying. Touching his hair, laughing, and saying stupid stuff that just made him so mad. So he'd stalked off into the woods and now he was mad and hungry.
He sat down with a huff on the first convent stump that was far enough from camp. He let out a strangled yell as he angrily ran both hands through his hair. Dropping his head into his hands, his body deflated. He felt drained. Physically, mentally and emotionally.
He wanted his own time. He wanted his own adventures. He wanted his own Sword. He wanted his own name back. He wanted to be the only Hero.
He just wanted to go home.
A hand dropped to his shoulder. He jumped up pulling out his ice rod. Ready to face his attacker head-on. He was done being pushed around.
The Old Man said with a small, sad smile, "I was just like you." The younger hero angrily shrugged off the unwanted hand. The other just held his hands up in surrender, his smile never fading. The Old Man waited until the ice rod was put away before he sat down next to the still upset young man. He left some space.
The younger man was determined to stew in silence. He decided to ignore the Old Man until he finally just left. He learned if you acted unpleasant enough most people didn't stick around. Most people. The stupid hero couldn't take a hint.
"We're nothing alike," He snarled at the older man, who'd given up adventures, settled down, got married, and became a farmer. He would never do that. He'd never betray the quest for love. He was a Hero.
He bristled at the soft chuckle. He hated it when people laughed at him.
"Hot-headed, full of piss and vinegar. Just itching to fight the whole world."
"What would you know about that?" The young man hissed at his elder.
"More than I wish."
He wasn't ready to stop being mad. If he stopped being mad then he'd start feeling the other stuff. The anger filled up the empty places. But he didn't really want to be alone.
The Old Man started back towards camp.
"Wait," He called out before he even knew he wanted to.
Even if he was angry, he didn't have to be alone.