The king blinked. "I'm sorry?"

Links heart fell. "A… a knight." He stammered. "I want to serve Hyrule."

The king pinched his nose. "My boy, I'm afraid I cannot allow that."

Zelda looked to the king. "But father-" The king cut her off with a motion of her hand.

He looked Link dead in the eye, and they seemed placid. "Link," He said firmly. "Please understand, this is not an act against you. But I cannot allow a child to serve me." Link opened his mouth to argue, but the king stopped him with a look. "Do not interrupt." His voice was firm. When Link nodded an apology, the kings face softened. "Think of your question from my position. If a child would be allowed to serve me, the people would be enraged. Training someone so young to fight and possibly die for my kingdom." He shook his head. "The very idea… abhorrent." He returned his gaze to Link. "I do not wish for children to sacrifice their youth for me, or my people."

Link looked to his boots. He felt tears sting his eyes. He felt that this was what he had to do. He wanted to be free to a life free of deadly situations. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape it. He felt compelled to help others. He couldn't stop himself. This was the only chance he saw to control everything. But now?

Impa patted him softly on the back. He looked up to see a soft, even remorseful, smile. He pushed back the tears and smiled back. He looked to Zelda, who was looking to her father and Link, hoping that something would change.

The young Sheikah stepped forward. "If I may be so bold," She murmured, her voice muffled by her cowl, "I believe that some sort of… agreement could be found."

The king turned to her and scowled. "Did you hear nothing I said?"

The woman blinked and shook her head. "No-I mean, yes, king Robin, but-"

"Then I have nothing more to say!" The king huffed, and looked to the old man for reassurance, but was shocked to fine the wizened Sheikah gazing to the young woman intently. "Does no one find the idea repulsive?!" He cried.

The old man chuckled. "Nelo may be young, but she is Sheikah. Her ideas may have merit."

The king threw his hands in the air. "Fine. Let us hear your agreement."

Nelo bowed. "Thank you, king Robin." She looked to the old man for confidence before choosing her words carefully.

"What you said, about children fighting for us, I agree with in full."

The king raised an eyebrow. "I assume there is more to your argument." The old Sheikah scowled at the king, who waved his hand in apology. An amused Impa shot a sly look at Zelda, who seemed concerned.

Nelo, seeming less sure of herself with every passing moment, continued. "However, the boy offers… something to consider." She took a breath. "With the Sheikah, we are trained from a young age to serve the royal family of Hyrule. We do not put our training to action until we are of age." She Nodded to the king. "I am only just acceptable to serve as your attendant." She turned her gaze to the others. "We could allow for the training of younger men that, when the time is right, are ready to serve." She blinked, as if realising that she had finished.

The king stroked his beard. "Hm. Your idea… it's not flawless, but…"

Link perked up. He looked to Zelda, who grinned at him silently.

The kings frowned in concentration. "I will not be able to decide this myself." He stood up. "I will meet with my advisors within the week. We will discuss this matter there." He looked to the young Sheikah. "Nelo, my advisors should be informed on what we are deciding." She bowed her head before melting into the shadows. The king smiled softly at Zelda. "Zelda, would you find somewhere for young Link to rest? No doubt he would like to be among the first to know about the final decision." The young Princess beamed and grabbed Link by his hand. "Come on, you could be near my chamber!" Before he could agree, he was being dragged out of the library with Impa following behind.

Once they were alone, the old Sheikah lowered his head. "You shouldn't trick the boy like that."

The king collapsed into the chair. "I meant what I said. We will discuss it what to do."

"But you will oppose."

He spun to face the Sheikah. "Of course I will! He may be skilled, but he is still a boy! He wont be able to face what one must do to protect others."

The old man shook his head. "Robin, are you truely so blind?"

The king raised an eyebrow. "After all these years?" He sighed. "Very well, tell me what I failed to observe."

"Its in the eyes." The Sheikah pointed to to his own. "You can see a person for what they truely are in the eyes."

A moment passed before the king asked "And what did you see in his?"

"I see hardship." He declared. "In his eyes, I see some who was forced to grow older then their body."

"Its not too extravagant, but I think it'll be fine."

Link smiled at Zelda and looked over the room. It was large, but sparsely decorated, with stone walls and a single window that faced the castle town. He nodded. "Looks perfect to me."

Zelda beamed and hugged Links arm. "My room is a corridor away. We can meet in the morning and I'll take you down for breakfast!"

Link bowed. "As you wish, princess." He trained his head to look out the window. "We've still got half a day left. What do you do for entertainment?"

Zelda placed a finger on her chin. "Well, usually Impa trains me to be more of an 'authority figure' or-" She cut herself off and winced. "Sorry, I forgot, but I cant tell you."

Impa shook her head. "Don't try to figure it out. If you did, I would have to execute you."

Link blinked. "Yes, ma'am."

Impa's eye twitched. "Ma'am?"

A mischievous grin broke across Zelda's face. "I know! We can play hide and seek. Impa is too good at it, but with you it'll be fun."

Link frowned. "This doesn't seem fair. You live here, and its massive"

Impa crossed her arms. "A warrior must be ready-"

Link cut her off. "I hope that won't be an excuse for everything!"

Zelda huffed. "Fine. You hide first then."

Link hesitated, before walking to the door. Before he exited, he had a thought.

"Impa," He called, pointing at her. "No helping."

He ran off before Zelda could protest.

"Impa helped you, I know it."

Zelda scoffed. "You won't accept me winning, will you?"

Hours had passed since they begun play. Candles had begun to be lit by servants, and amber light poured through the windows.

"You can't be that good." Link insisted. "It's impossible."

Zelda winked. "Says the boy who traveled through time."

Link pursed his lips. "The Ocarina of Time is a powerful relic. I'm not even sure what happened my self." He frowned. "I guess, only you knew how, well, will know how the Ocarina truely works."

Zelda stopped to laugh. "Does that ever get confusing?"

Link closed his eyes and shuddered. "Like you wouldn't believe."

"Zelda." Link jumped at the voice of Impa, who had appeared behind them. "Your father requests you in the dining room. Link, you are welcome to dine with them."

Link, having recovered from the shock, shook his head. "No thank you. I can just go into town and buy something there."

Zelda pulled on his arm. "Please Link. It'll be fine!" She begged.

Link pushed her off. "Sorry Zelda, but I, um, am not, comfortable at big tables." He stumbled over his words.

Zelda pouted. "You're making that up. Why don't you want to?" She persisted. "Are you scared? What are you scared of?" She gasped. "You don't want to because of me?"

Links face screwed up in confusion. "What? Don't be silly! It just… uncomfortable… to me."

Link wasn't lying. When he lived as a Kokiri, he had eaten by himself with nothing but small stumps as tables and chairs. When he was in the future, he was lucky to have something to sit on. Everything now was far too large for him.

Zelda was going to pout, so Link hugged her to avoid that. "Please don't make me feel worse." He smiled at her. "I promise. Just this time. Promise. Next time I won't have anywhere to run to."

Zelda's mouth twitched. "And nowhere to hide."

Link chuckled. "Well, I suppose that's true."

He turned to walk towards his room when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Link," Impa spoke softly. "There is no need to leave the castle. If you wish, I can bring something from the kitchens."

Link brushed off her hands. "Thank you Impa. That would be... amazing"

He turned down the corridor and disappeared from sight.

The sky was on fire.

Embers fell to the ground, turning the castle town black. Monsters moved amongst the buildings, untouched by the flames.

People walked their usual route, ignorant of the threats that faced them. Some where crushed by collapsing buildings, others set ablaze, most cut down.

Link ran to those nearby, trying to warn them, screaming for them to flee, but he was invisible to them. They continued, blissfully unaware of their impending demise.

However, some of them were aware. Link saw a bearded Goron with a blue necklace try to fight the monsters, only to be cut down, his limb body rolling towards Link.

A scream. A Deku child writhed as its body was turned to ash.

A tattooed Zora stumbled towards Link. With every step, its flesh grew tighter, their body shrivelling up. It collapsed in front of Link, nothing more then scales over bones.

Link fled, failing to ignore everyone he passed. A red headed girl, clutching her head and banging it onto a wall, over and over. A Gerudo wearing red, looting a dead body before being crushed by a falling building. A boy with purple hair dragging the limp body of a woman in a blue dress. A stalfos sitting in a throne shaped by rubble. They were all doomed.

Link escaped from the town as it collapsed behind him. The only thing left standing was an immense clock, ticking down. Link watched as the clock struck the hour, and the sky went dark, the only light was from the burning town. He looked skywards. The was no longer a moon in the sky. It was falling, like the embers before it. A snarling face had been carved into its surface, and the eyes glowed a sickening orange.

Link fell to the ground, unable to look away from the end of all. There was nothing he could do, and no one left to help him.

A figure emerged from the ashes of the town. A being in pure black armour with a metal faceplate. Link tried to back away from him, but found his body wouldn't respond. He looked down to see a blade sticking out of his chest. The armoured man leaned down from behind Link and whispered to him. As the moon struck the Earth, a wall of fire charged towards them. Link screamed as and his flesh was striped from his bone and-

Link awoke screaming, slashing his sword in a blind panic.

He blinked. His was still in Hyrule Castle, still in the room Zelda chose for him. He looked down and clutched his chest. His clothes were drenched in sweat, but there was no blood. His hands were shaking so much he had to put down his blade.

He curled up and held back his tears. He thought that it would get better, that the dreams would eventually stop. But they never did. He looked at his sword arm. Even in the dim light, he could see the pale scar that coiled around his arm. A reminder.

Link clenched his fist, his mind made up. "Fine." He muttered to himself. "I'll do it."

He got out of bed unsteadily, resheathed his sword, and changed into his Kokiri tunic. He had dreaded this moment, but he needed to do this. He knew that much.

Adults lying to children, "its in the eyes", not believing someones abilities, a dream sequence and waking up being killed.

Anyone else got crappy cliche bingo?