A hot wind blew over the Ranch. Malon looked up, pulling the hair from her eyes. Dark clouds were forming to the south. They didn't look too heavy, so it probably didn't mean rain. Probably.

Ingo strolled over, scowling. "No, no, take your time. Not like thats our livelihood you're not carrying."

"Sorry Ingo." She muttered, picking up the crate of milk, fumbling.

Sighing, Ingo took the crate from her. "Go get another one. Lighter this time."

Malon smiled and headed back to the barn.

Satisfied, Ingo started moving towards the house when he noticed the sky. Odd, that the weather would turn so suddenly. He shrugged. How was he supposed to know how the clouds worked, and why should he care? They're clouds, what are they going to do, rain on him? Make it more annoying to work?

On second thought, maybe he would care. He picked up the pace.

"What was wrong with Link?"

Diddy puffed out his cheeks. "I have no idea."

He and Eshie were standing beside their horses, waiting for their sheikah to arrive and take them most of the distance. They were growing restless, with Diddy pacing around, though they stuck close enough to talk.

"He seemed so… upset." He shrugged. "I dunno. I mean, theres his farm friend that he probably is worried about, but why would me be so sad about it?" He glanced at Eshie. "What he say to you?"

"He told me to give him the gorons letter. I told him, 'No, Graves told you to stay.' He got a bit angry and told me he needed it. Eventually I gave up and gave him the Kakariko one," She said gesturing to her letter "but he told me he needed the other one. I tried to find out why, but he seemed too… distracted to answer." She tilted her head. "Come to think of it, he seemed torn up when he was going back to you."

Diddy shook his head. "Link's had a nasty day." He grimaced. "We probably should have listened to the Captain."

Eshie shrugged. "Too late now. Honestly, if Link can get his girlfriend from the Ranch all fine, then Graves doesn't need to know we let Link boss us around."

"Hopefully." He nodded ahead of them. "I think our rides are here. You know where to go?"

"No. Could you-"

"Sorry, but I want to get back as soon as I can."

Eshie scowled. "So do I!"

Diddy got on Jackass and rode over to his sheikah. "Sorry- I'm sorry but I am very selfish at times like this!" And with that he was gone, leaving Eshie behind as the other sheikah approached. She stood straight as the sheikah approached and prepared for teleportation, flinching and the darkness consumed her and spat her back out in Kakariko Village. She nodded her thanks to the sheikah, who gave a small wave, and moved out.

Eshie strolled up to the centre of the town and took the letter in hand and began looking for someone to help her.

"Excuse me," She said to a tired young man under a tree. "could you help me find the person in charge of this town?"

He shrugged. "The person that's head of this place, as you put it, is up in the castle looking after royalty."

Eshie's face remained blank. "Then someone in the town that has some authority?"

The man frowned for a moment before jerking his head behind him, where a group of men were building a house. She nodded her thanks before moving over.

"Bah! Hurry up! You all had your holiday yesterday! Tournaments over, you can hear who won when you're at the table with your wives!" Barked a bald man with a fierce white moustache. The other men were working at an astounding rate, he couldn't deny that. As the man that had trained them, he couldn't be prouder. But why did they have to be so damn irritating? Prancing around when they went to get another sack of bricks, singing louder then the cuccos. They were almost as bad as his son in that regard.

"Excuse me?" He heard a voice behind him. He turned to find a young girl looking up at him.

"Well? What is it?" He snapped. "I don't have time to be interrupted!"

Eshie looked down and rubbed the back of her neck. "Are you someone with a fair amount of authority in the town?"

He puffed out his chest. "Well, I'm in charge of turning this town into a city! The only person above me in this town is Lady Impa herself!"

She held out the letter. "Then you need to read this."

He snatched the piece of paper from her hand and quickly read over it. Slowly, his harsh features became a bit softer. "Are you sure? This isn't some prank?"

She shook her head. "If that's not the kings stamp, then you can throw my butt out of town."

Indeed, sealed in wax, the Wing Crest of Hyrule sat proud next to the Kings name. This was offical.

Then Hyrule really was at risk.

He looked behind him to his workers. "Oi! Get over here, you layabouts!"

They look confused as they walked up to him. He wasn't one to change his directions so suddenly. Were they in trouble?

The boss crossed his arms. "Right. We've got news from the King himself here, so listen up! A murderous sorcerer tried something at the Tournament, and it took a dozen Sheikah to make him turn tail and run." He swept his gaze over them. "Take note; he got away. Now there's the threat of him coming around and try his luck again." He pointed to each of them. "You have a job to do. Everyone but Shiro, warn the town. Jiro, once thats done, help setting up defences. Ichiro, the wall. Sabooro, get everyone that can fight." He nodded. "Get to it." They all moved, leaving the boss, Eshie and the one called Shiro.

Shiro held up his hand. "What do you want me to do boss?"

The boss nodded to Eshie. "I want you to escort the lass home. Back to Castle town if you have to. If you do go there, stay. It'll be too risky riding back here, and you'll be safe there."

Shiro gave him a thumbs up before looking to Eshie, and she smiled.

Take that Diddy.

Link rode furiously.

He had to constantly remind himself that if he pushed Epona any further, he would hurt her. He had too keep her in the small area between keeping her moving fast and making sure he wasn't putting his selfishness above her wellbeing. She was the constant in his life. Past, future, Hyrule, Termina, she was always there with him. He couldn't live with himself if he cause something to happen to her.

But he needed to get to the ranch. Malon could be in danger.

He rubbed the back of his sword hand. It was throbbing again. He scowled, bringing his free hand back to the reins. If he fell of at this speed, he could crack his ribs or fracture his arms. Scowling, he steadied himself. "Come on Epona," He whispered into the horses ear. "We've got to save Malon." He frowned. Save? That's a bit pessimistic.

Im just warning them, helping them get to safety. Right?

He didn't like that feeling, that something was going to go wrong. In his experience, it usually did.

Link forged on.

"Easy, easy." Diddy muttered.

He was making his way up Death Mountain, had raced past a group of Tektites, and was scattering stones along the slope with each step. Link had been right, Jackass was far better in this terrain then any of the other horses would have slid halfway down the mountain this point, but Jackass kept his footing.

Diddy looked ahead. The mountain was certainly living up to it's name, with loose ground, a halo of smoke at peak, and as far as he could tell, the only plant that could grow on this daunting rock was explosive.

Maybe this was why Link wanted to go to the ranch.

As Jackass surged forward, he wondered how any society could live here. The Gorons must be tough as hell. He'd heard the they eat rocks, nothing else. Then they're like plants? But no plants could survive here. Diddy shook his head. At least the Zora made sense. Fish people that eat what fish eat. Fish.

After a almost half an hour, Diddy found himself at the entrance to Goron City. Or so the sign said. It just looked like a cave to him.

He climbed off Jackass and wiped the sweat from his brow. At this temperature, he was thankful he wasn't wearing his uniform, and for his sheikah transport. Otherwise he'd surely burst into flames. Probably.

He tied Jackass up, grabbed the letter and moved towards the cave. There was a funny looking boulder by the entrance. It seemed to be made up of rougher stuff at the top and a more sandstone like substance everywhere else. He frowned. Odd, it looks a bit like skin.

The boulder sat up, and Diddy screamed.

The Goron winced at the sudden sound. "Ow! Please, I didn't mean to scare you."

Diddy's scream slowly died down. He stared at the Goron, taking in this first experience. It was somewhat underwhelming.

It had a dopy round face, with the big, round eyes that were just a little too far apart. And the smile, from what would go ear to ear, if it had ears, seemed carved into it's face. It body was ape-like, with long, muscled arms, and short and stubby legs. And the stomach… well, it was certainly large enough to hold a few rocks.

The goron waved his hand. "Uh, are you ok? Is this normal for Hylians?"

Diddy blinked. "Ah, no, Sorry, I- I was just- You gave me a fright, that's all."

The goron nodded. "Ok. Sorry, I'll talk before I get up next time."

Diddy stared at it for a moment longer. This was not what he imagined at all when he had thought of a society of rock eating people that farmed bombs and lived on a volcano. He shook his head. "Um, could you please take be to the… Goron in charge? I have a message from the king?"

The goron tilted its head. "A message for Big Brother? Oh, I'll take you to him. Follow me." He led the young boy into the city, which was, yes, a small city carved into the mountain. The goron waddled down the stairs, leading him to the bottom level. It was extravagant compared to every other hole in the wall, because this one had a carpet.

"Big Brother!" The Goron called into the room. "The King has a message for you! A little Hylian want to talk to you!"

A growl echoed from within the chamber. "A message from my sworn brother? Let's hear it then."

The Goron the walked out was more fitting with Diddy's imagination. His face was carved with harsh features, forming a seemingly permanent scowl. Around his head was a brilliant mane-like beard of hair or horns. Around his rippling limbs were bands of iron. This Goron was intimidating.

Darunia narrowed his eyes at Diddy. "This is the Hylian?" He asked other goron, who nodded. "Hmm. Never seen him before." He shrugged. "So, what is the message?"

Diddy held out the letter to Darunia, who took it. Only he didn't open it. He just kept staring at Diddy.

Do Gorons blink? He hoped so.

"What's the message?" Darunia asked again.

Diddy pointed at the letter. "It's… in there."

The Goron scowled. "Just tell me and save me the time."

"But the King-"

"If it's so important, why waste time with reading it?"

Diddy paused, realising that there was no point in arguing. "Ok. This swordsman attacked us at the tournament not too long ago, and he got away. The King thinks that he could do something dangerous and… wanted to warn you, I guess."

Darunia grunted. "I see. You must thank our brother."

Diddy laugh nervously. "Yeah, I don't think I just just thank the King." But Darunia had already turned to the other goron.

"I hope we get some fight up here. It's gotten boring, right brother?"

The goron grinned. "Right, Big Brother!"

Diddy pointed to the stairs. "I'll just… leave." He turned away. "Thanks Link." He muttered.

Suddenly his head was in the hand of a goron, and then face to face with Darunia.

"Did you say Link?" He grunted.

Diddy managed to squeak out a "Yes."

"Short?" Darunia persisted. "Gold hair? Green?"

Once again, Diddy squeaked "Yes."

Darunias face lit up. "Haha! You know our brother!"

Diddy blinked. "What?"

Darunia set Diddy down and patted his head. "He helped us when Dodongo's Cavern became infested. Helped us reclaim our food! Saved all Gorons on Death Mountain."

Diddy frowned. "Link? But he's so… short and quite and- and- and short!"

Darunia cackled. "He is short, but he is our sworn brother." He leered at Diddy. "How do you know our brother?"

"He's my friend. We're in the same knight training programs."

"So you're his brother?"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far."

Darunia laughed. "The brother of our brother is also our brother."

"What?"

Darunia smacked him in the head in what should have been a sign of affection, but wasn't, because it was done with arms that could crush rocks.

"What is your name, brother?"

Diddy rubbed he head. "I'm Diddy."

"Diddy, tell our brother all his brothers in Goron City wish him well."

Diddy smiled weakly. "Ok… I'll do that."

As he mounted his horse, Diddy couldn't help looking back onto the city. Link has more to him then I give him credit for. Brother to all gorons. He grinned. They weren't too bad. Maybe Link wasn't so annoying.

Head still hurt though.

"Is everything ok now?" Zelda asked. She was sitting on her bed, alone if not for her sheikah guardian.

Impa turn to the princess and smiled. "Of course princess. The swordsman has disappeared."

"But he's doing something, isn't he?" She looked out the window. "I heard the knights talking."

Impa sighed. "Yes. But you're safe here. So is your father."

"What about Link?"

Despite the situation, Impa cracked a smile. "He's safe. I had the captain in charge of protecting them order he stayed."

"Promise?"

"Would I lie to you Zelda?"

The princess pouted. "You're a master of espionage. It's part of your job."

Impa raised an eyebrow. "You're not wrong, but you know that's not what I meant."

Zelda giggled. "I'm just teasing you."

Impa shook her head. "It's good to see your sense of humour triumphs over fear."

The was a knock at the door. Impa look at Zelda, silently telling her to stay sitting. She walked to the door and opened it to see Nelo standing before her, bruised and grim faced.

"Zelda," Impa called back to the room. "This will take just a moment. These knights will protect you."

Zelda smiled. "See you soon Impa." And with that, Impa left her in the capable hands of the knights.

"What is it?" She asked Nelo.

"Our scout from Lake Hylia has returned."

Impa turned to her. "A sighting?"

Nelo shook her head. "Worse. He's amassing an army."

Impa missed a step. "Please repeat that last sentence."

Nelo shot her a glance. "He's summoning an army of monsters. Rapidly."

"How have we missed this?"

Nelo shook her head. "We don't know. Somehow, he's hiding it from us. Maybe he's far stronger than we thought. He's amassed hundreds, maybe thousands, in a few hours. The only reason we know about this is because it was seen."

Impa nodded. "Very well. I want the children brought back immediately. Get their escorts moving. I don't care if they're standing in front of the King, get them and get them back."

"Of course."

Nelo surged forward. "Get back to the princess. I'll take care of this."

Impa smiled. "Thank you, Nelo. Heal quickly."

The two sheikah nodded to each other before Impa turned back. An army? She hoped this wasn't the beginning of another war. Too soon since the last one. She hoped the children got back safely.

When she reentered the room, Zelda beamed at her.

"That was fast. Everything fine?"

Impa faked a smile. "Yes Zelda. Everything is fine."

Hey there! Another long chapter! Do you love me again?

Anyway, I was very happy with the last chapter. Mostly because I got questions! Yay! It makes me feel happy. Anyway, I'm going to answer them now, so if you have more questions, feel free to ask.

Ok, so "Guest" asked about the Great Deku Tree being dead. While that was the case, its not the case in this timeline. Here, he returned before Ganondorf made his way to the Kokiri Forest, but not before he blocked off Dodongo Cavern and infected (or whatever) Jabu Jabu.

Next, "Nintendoborn" asked how old Link is. This was harder. So, in Ocarina of Time he's said to be 10, but someone (Eiji Aonuma?) Said he was 9, but more things say he was 10, So I'll say he was 10 in OoT. Since he came back earlier then that game starts, he's like a month or so younger when he comes back. Then Majora's mask takes place happens a few months latter, and this is months after Majora's Mask, so I'd say in this Fic, he's 11. However, after multiple time travels, both being that with being in the future, which was probably months because he's not as good as we are and time is hard, and after god knows how many resets in Majora's mask (I'm adding in resets when he just sleeps cause he's just a little kid he needs his sleep and it doesn't reset health or magic so why would it reset tiredness?) so he's been aware for 12 years.

To answer the question, he is physically 11 years old and 12 mental years old.

Thanks for reading, stay awesome.