Chapter 25 - Legacy

Two Weeks Later

For two weeks, reports continually arrived from revolt members all over the kingdom, and each piece of news that arrived was more grim than the last.

Hyrule Field had become a proverbial graveyard.

Monsters were seen roaming the open areas on a frequent basis, making it dangerous for travelers, and as a result, the number of people seeking refuge from their own king had doubled. What's more, Zelda's name was spreading through the kingdom like wildfire, the tale of the true daughter being told as if she were their last hope.

And the more the people turned to her, the more ironic it seemed.

Not that she hadn't embraced the role of Princess to the best of her ability, and spending so much time handling matters with the revolt had certainly provided valuable experience. Yet, while so many looked to her to keep things going and eventually bring stability back to the land, she couldn't help thinking their true hope was Link.

Without him, she'd have no chance of restoring anything, and despite the fact that he'd been all but bedridden for the past two weeks, just knowing he was there recovering lent her strength.

She only wished it was possible to spend more time with him, but her duties kept her busy for most of the day—and Link insisted she tend to them. He was showing signs of improvement, after all, and didn't want something important falling through the cracks because she was too busy trying to help nurse him back to health.

Not to say it wasn't frustrating, specifically when he couldn't stop wondering how she was handling her role within the revolt. But every time he had the chance to ask, she was being called away for some official matter or another.

Still, it gave him time to focus on his recovery, and presently, he was sitting on the edge of the bed in his room after taking a brief walk down the hall and coming back to see how badly the injuries on his legs would begin to ache—at first, he could barely make it to the door of his room without being walked back to the bed. But the pain was gradually beginning to fade away, his wounds closing fairly well despite his lingering aches, leaving him feeling much more like himself.

And he'd just taken his walk without any help at all.

The notion of it left him feeling accomplished, and also made it seem as if a stroll was in order. Of course, he didn't want to push himself too far too fast, but if he didn't get out of his room for more than fifteen minutes, he was going to go stir crazy.

The only question left was where to?

Perhaps he'd ask someone where Bessa's quarters were located—the seamstress had mended what was salvageable of his clothing, and as he tugged his tunic on, he thought it would be a good idea to thank her in person. Either way, he wanted to do something more than merely strolling down the halls, and was carefully dressing himself for the excursion.

Reaching down, he worked his boots onto his feet only to find himself feeling slightly winded from the task. But it was better than getting dizzy simply trying to sit up, so he didn't stop, placing a hand on his knee to push himself up and move over to the chair where the rest of his things were waiting.

The Master Sword had been sitting in the same corner since he'd arrived, and he certainly wasn't going to attempt donning the heavy item now. He merely regarded it while running his fingers across the hilt with a silent promise to pace himself so that, by next week, he'd have the strength to use it again.

For now, he settled on donning his jerkin and hat, then gently secured his belt around his waist, hoping it might return a sense of normalcy after all that had happened. The only items left were his gloves and the silver gauntlets.

Gazing at them contemplatively, he then looked down at his right hand which had been impaled completely through the palm, and decided the gauntlets could wait. Instead, he stood and walked over to a dingy mirror on the wall nearby, favoring his left leg the entire way due to the state of his right thigh.

Upon it, almost directly front and center, was the biggest wound of all. Spanning several inches across, it wasn't the only injury on his legs, but seemed to be the sole source of his trouble walking. So he was careful not to jar it as he stood before the mirror to fix his hat and get his hair to lay properly.

Just as he finished, a knock came to the door.

"Come in," Link responded, turning around to see who was there, and was genuinely pleased to find Lyonel stepping inside.

Smiling, he greeted, "Good afternoon, Lyonel."

As if expecting to see him sitting upon the bed, the soldier first looked in that direction, then turned his gaze toward the mirror as if surprised to find Link not only up but also dressed. Yet his surprise quickly turned into a warm smile as if pleased by the sight as he shut the door and nodded.

"You look strong enough to pull the horns off of a dodongo. Still, looks can be deceiving, so how are you feeling?"

"Stir crazy, bored to tears," Link admitted, summarizing, "You know, just generally fed up with this room. So I was going to go out for a real stroll."

Lyonel chuckled, and Link knew he understood. Over the course of the past two weeks, the soldier had related a few stories concerning his own recoveries, which were certainly helpful. All Link wanted to do was get up and return to his normal routine, lift his sword again and carry on with the fight before things got any worse. So knowing he wasn't the only fighter to ever endure a period of recuperation eased his restlessness, and Lyonel had shown a great deal of support.

Even now, he inquired, "Are you sure you're up for walking around on your own?"

Taking a seat in the chair near his bed to rest his leg before departing, Link replied, "I'm feeling pretty good, so yes, I think so. Either way, I'm not letting anyone push me around in a wheelchair."

The comment drew a smile to Lyonel's lips, though it was short lived. In fact, now that Link considered it, his demeanor seemed rather solemn in a manner reminiscent of the first night they'd met in Roshala.

Since coming to River Town, Link had learned Lyonel wasn't always the stoic soldier he and Zelda first assumed. He took his duties seriously and behaved with a degree of propriety anyone could find respectful. Yet he also laughed and told jokes from time to time, proving he wasn't always so reserved.

So it was hard to imagine why his mood seemed so much more somber now, though Link got the feeling he was soon to find out when Lyonel asked, "Would it be too much for me to ask if you delayed your walk for just a little while longer so that we could talk?"

"Not at all," Link responded, watching as Lyonel nodded and adjourned to the bed across from him. Yet he didn't sit upon it and leaned against the railing at the foot instead, growing thoughtfully silent.

Several moments passed that way, and when the silence drew out, Link supposed something dire had happened and Lyonel was trying to think of the best way to deliver the news.

So he gave the older Hylian a few more moments to think before he finally asked, "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Drawn from his thoughts, Lyonel regarded Link for another moment of silence, unable to help his hesitation considering the gravity of what he needed to say. For almost eighteen years, he'd yearned to tell his son the truth, but though he'd envisioned the conversation over a thousand times, he'd never figured out precisely how to put it.

Words simply weren't enough, and they never would be, particularly not with the depth of emotion churning in his heart now.

Yet he finally remarked, "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your parents because I haven't been entirely honest about them, and though there's a reason for it, you've been misled."

Finally, the weight of Lyonel's mood made sense. He was feeling guilty about a lie he'd told, and considering what it concerned, Link could feel his own mood growing more serious. Lyonel was the only person he'd ever met who knew anything about his true parents, and after giving him the letter from his mother in Roshala, Link had certainly considered asking him several questions.

Yet there hadn't been time until the past two weeks, and even then, he hadn't felt up to such a serious discussion. Still, he was feeling better now, good enough to commence with the talk, and tried to prepare himself for whatever Lyonel might say while giving his response.

"Well, considering I thought they were dead, is it about that? Or was there something else you needed to say?"

"Actually, you hit the nail on the head, Link," Lyonel replied, taking a deep breath before he continued. "I know it was made to sound as if they were dead, but there was a reason. You see, there's a hidden truth to your birth, and your true parents could never claim you officially."

Confused, Link inquired, "Why? Didn't they want to?"

Holding Link's gaze, Lyonel's brows drew together over his sky blue eyes as he related on a voice raspy with emotion, "Very much so. But … ."

Trailing, he turned away and took a few steps toward the door before coming to a stop. In the process, anxiety knotted in the pit of Link's stomach. Something in the way Lyonel regarded him before turning away told him all he needed to know, and he found himself standing from his seat with only one thought in mind.

It can't be … .

Emotions he couldn't begin to name churned within him as Lyonel concluded, "But with Dragmire's need to use Myriad's power for his own whims, there were precious few people we could inform that we were expecting a child. He would've used you against Myriad just as easily as he stole Zelda from her own parents."

Lyonel shut his eyes against his emotions, fearing the chance that he'd turn around to spy anger in his son's eyes because of the lies, even if they'd been a necessity.

So he was quick to apologize. "I'm truly sorry, Link. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you, but I wanted to, very badly. I just feared doing so would only—"

He stopped short at the sound of a crash, immediately turning around to see that Link had stood and knocked a few bottles from the table next to his chair because he'd stumbled. At the sight of him now leaning against the surface, he momentarily forgot their conversation, too concerned with his son's welfare not to go to him and offer assistance.

"Link? Are you in pain again?"

As he leaned to help his son stand, he didn't get a response—or at least, not a verbal one. Instead, the moment Link was standing straight again, he turned and threw his arms around Lyonel in a tight hug, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Link was helpless to stop himself. As Lyonel spoke, the words it's him repeated over and over in his mind, and he found himself standing in an attempt to hug the one man he'd never thought he'd have the chance to know. Yet that very man was right before him—not dead, not discarding him, but telling him the truth because he wanted his son to know it.

Because he wanted his son.

And as he hugged the man for the first time in his life, the only word he could utter was, "Father … ."

Hearing it, Lyonel's own emotions finally churned to the surface, tears flooding his eyes as he returned his son's heartfelt embrace. Sadly, he couldn't quite put the amount of pressure into it he would've liked due to Link's injuries, but he didn't let go, cupping the back of his head with the words, "My son, I'm so sorry."

Link wanted to respond, but the way his father hugged him combined with the sincerity in his voice redoubled his own roiling emotions, making it impossible to speak for several long moments. Yet he didn't push himself, eyes closing and fingers curling into the cloak at his father's back.

I finally know him.

Choking on the emotion the thought evoked, Link finally managed to rasp, "Don't apologize … I don't care about the circumstances. All I cared about was learning where I came from, and knowing whether or not I was actually wanted."

With another deep breath, he concluded, "All I care about is knowing the truth—knowing you."

Lyonel's grip on him increased slightly, though not to the point of making him ache, and Link was too consumed listening as he spoke to pay it much attention regardless.

"You were wanted very badly, Link, and it's been the most difficult thing for me to keep this from you. But now that you know, you also need to know how very proud I am. You've grown up so well, and I couldn't have asked for a better man to call my son. I'm just sorry I couldn't be there with you, sorry that so much had to come between us that I was powerless to stop."

A silence filled with sorrowful joy ensued his words as they continued to embrace. During it, Link realized his own father had longed for the same things he had—a chance to know his son, and to know if his son would accept him.

At the thought, he opened his eyes and turned his head to look up at Lyonel, rasping, "It wasn't your fault. We both wanted … ."

Trailing, a new thought emerged, one he'd realized before, but only just found enough clarity of thought to process—and it hit him with the force of a battering ram.

Myriad.

Stumbling back, Lyonel steadied him as he looked down and rasped her name. "Myriad is … she's my mother and … she's … ."

"Link," Lyonel stopped him, tilting his face up until their gazes locked before relating gently, "Don't worry for her. Your mother's in the safest place she could ever be right now, and you're doing all you can to help her already."

Exhaling a low sigh, his father added, "This was one of the biggest reasons we were reluctant to tell you. Neither of us wanted to add to your burden with worry when there are so many issues at stake."

With that said, Lyonel watched his son's expression turn from surprised confusion to confounded anger, but it wasn't clear who his ire was directed at as he replied, "I know we're doing everything we can, but … ."

Link took a deep breath to calm his ire, but couldn't help feeling cheated. Not only had his family been stolen from him, they'd been forced to hide from him in plain sight. Yet his mother had been there all along, supporting him through his arduous tasks while his father had done everything he could to honor her sacrifices and provide for his only child in secret.

Yet he couldn't know either of them because of Dragmire and Ganondorf.

Making things even worse was the notion of what his mother was enduring, and as the thought of it filled him with both anger and sorrow, he asserted with the utmost sincerity, "I want to speak with her."

Hearing how serious his son was, Lyonel exhaled a deep breath and nodded, admitting, "There's a stone here in the conference chamber, but Link … you should know this first. It could cause Myriad grief to realize you're aware of her being your mother when she cannot even see you. Also, and perhaps more importantly, she's always feared your anger over feeling as if she abandoned you for her duty to the Kingdom of Hyrule."

Realizing he was right, Link rubbed his eyes and took a slow breath. But for as much sense as Lyonel made, he shook his head and stated, "I can't remain silent about this, Father." Pausing, he looked back up and promised, "But I know what to say to waylay her fears. So don't worry."

Lyonel regarded the seriousness and vigilance in Link's expression, and slowly nodded, relenting to his son's request.

"Then follow me, and I'll lead you there."

Just as Lyonel said, a Myriad Stone was sitting at the front of the conference chamber, its pedestal situated behind a large table where members of the revolt had convened to discuss issues concerning Hyrule with Princess Zelda in recent weeks.

At present, the chamber was unoccupied, and as Link entered the room behind his father, he stared at the softly glowing stone, finding it strange that though he'd seen so many of them over the course of his life, they'd suddenly taken on a completely different meaning. The stones were no longer a source of curiosity or a method of learning what he needed to do next.

They were now his only means of communicating with a mother he'd longed to know.

Moving toward it with the thought in mind, he reached out, letting his fingers encompass the white stone, and almost instantly, the room darkened around him and Lyonel.

"Link," came Myriad's voice, her tone pleasantly surprised if not relieved as she added, "you've no idea how pleased I am to finally hear from you again. How is your recovery fairing? Well I'd surmise if you've made it to the stone."

"I'm doing much better than before, yes," Link replied, pausing before adding, "thank you for asking, Mother."

Silence ensued his words, and when it drew out, Lyonel moved behind Link and placed a hand on his shoulder, relating to his wife, "He deserved to know the truth, Myriad, and after everything that's happened, I simply couldn't keep it secret any longer."

Exhaling a deep breath to keep his emotions contained as his father spoke, Link carefully knelt on his left knee, grunting with the effort of adjusting his right leg to keep the weight off of it. Thankfully, it worked, the position putting him at eye level with the stone he now touched.

As Lyonel watched, he couldn't help but shed another tear to see his son using the only means he had of communicating with a mother he'd never met who loved him endlessly. He also had to wonder what his son was about to say, particularly after he'd claimed to know how to ease his mother's concerns—and it seemed he hadn't lied.

"Before you say anything, Mother, you should know that this is the one time you don't have to say anything," he started, his voice full of conviction despite his soft tone. "I already know how you're feeling, being so far away and only able to hear me. I wish we could be closer too, but I'm also grateful we can still talk because all I've ever wanted was to know you, and I finally have that chance."

Swallowing his emotions, he swiped a hand across his cheek to catch a tear and went on, "When Zelda and I were children, we made up stories about who you might be, but none of them were as good as the parents I've found. I told Father earlier that I don't care for what you had to do. You both loved me enough that you gave me up for my safety, and that means more to me than leaving this Kingdom behind to the problems festering within it so you could keep me.

"It's just as Father told me a few weeks ago, trouble isn't one to sit and wait. Once it's stirred up, it likes to spread. So you made the right choice by sending me away, and I don't want either of you to ever feel guilty for it."

With those words, Link gripped the stone more tightly, gritting his teeth as he clenched his right fist so hard the bandage turned bright crimson. Seeing the blood now seeping into the fabric, he finally released his breath and concluded his statements with a vow.

"I couldn't have found two better parents to have. So I will not stop until all of this is set right, and Iswear by my own blood that I will free you when the time is right."

At his son's meaningful words, Lyonel shut his eyes and clenched his own fists, adding a silent promise to help his son accomplish his goals.

As for Myriad, she too was silent for several long moments. Yet they didn't ask for a response, and merely waited.

Finally, she spoke, and neither could ignore the tremor of sorrowful joy in her voice.

"Oh … my son, you've no idea how badly I've longed to tell you just how dearly loved you are. From the moment I learned I was carrying you, I've wanted nothing more than your safety and happiness, and yet I feel as if I've put you in danger as you so fervently feel the need to open the Sacred Realm and retrieve me.

"But I know your destiny, and as you are the chosen Hero sent to wipe away the evil stain left upon the kingdom, I'm helpless to stop you if that is your desire. So I shall continue my duties in aiding you along your way, and will now, more than ever, look forward to returning to Hyrule to meet my son as the man he's become once all is said and done."

Closing his eyes, Link listened to every word she spoke, recalling the way he'd always found her voice to be so calming—and now was no different. It made him wonder … Could that have been an indication of their relationship? A hint he hadn't fully understood?

In Zora's Domain, she'd told him his own voice was soothing, and at the time, he was glad for it but didn't consider it in depth. Now, it made sense, and knowing he'd provided such comfort made him feel good in a way he hadn't expected.

Yet it didn't explain why he also felt as if she'd always been with him despite how far away she was. It wasn't something he'd ever considered before, but thinking over it now, he could almost swear to the Goddesses themselves that she'd been there every single day of his life, watching over him.

For once, he had the ability to ask, and didn't waste it.

"Mother, why is it that I feel as if you've been there all along?"

A small, knowing smile curved Lyonel's lips as his wife explained, "When you were a baby, just before I had to let your father hand you into Impa's care, I gave you a gift, being a piece of the light power granted to me by the Sacred Realm. That way, if the worse came to worst, you could use it to protect yourself where I was unable to.

"I would've found a way to explain this before, but I knew that harnessing this power would be like second nature to you, and you would become more capable utilizing it over time once you began studying under the magic arts."

Nodding his head slowly despite Myriad's inability to see him, he thought back to his confrontation with Ganondorf and the blast that had knocked them both unconscious. He hadn't recognized the energy within him brimming to the surface in the face of failure at the time, but she was right.

Drawing it forth was like second nature, and he'd embraced it as any other magic.

At the thought, he mentioned, "Zelda has been giving me magic lessons, but now that I know the truth, somehow I can see it there, feel it, as if it's just another part of me. Does that make sense?"

"Yes," she replied without hesitation. "It does, especially to me. So continue to wield it, Link. You'll be intrigued by the results."

After a brief pause, she added meaningfully, "This power is my legacy passed on to you."

Offering his promise to learn more, Link closed his eyes, wishing he could open the Sacred Realm and return her that very moment. But Lyonel was right—she was safe there, and he had no doubts that just as Dragmire wished to use his mother's power for his own gain, Ganondorf would want to do the same.

So rushing into this would cause more trouble than waiting for the right moment, meaning he needed to take a lesson from his parents. Despite their desire to keep him, they let him go for his own safety, and he would have to do the same now.

He was Myriad's legacy, and just as his father had done, he would remain vigilant and honor his mother's sacrifices until the time came to set her free.

With the thought in mind, he finally asked with a hint of amusement in his voice, "So, is there any advice you'd like to give me now?"

"Yes, actually," she started with confidence, adding, "I'd like to give you the advice any mother would give her ailing son—recover. There is time now before more should occur, and you will need your strength to complete the next step in removing our enemy from his place upon the throne on which he unjustly sits. So once your recovery is complete, I'll give you further instruction on achieving all of our goals."

"Yes ma'am," Link returned with a smile while working his way back onto his feet. Once standing, he cringed, realizing his crouch had caused the wound on his right leg to ache a great deal more than he'd hoped.

Sadly, it was a sign that he needed to sit and rest if only to obey his mother's wishes. So, with a deep breath, he promised, "I won't disappoint you, and we'll speak again soon while I'm here."

"I'll await it anxiously," she replied in earnest, adding a heartfelt, "and I love you so very much, Link."

"I love you too, Mother," he returned, feeling it so deeply it was difficult to pry his hand from the stone. Even the ache in his leg didn't matter—he just wanted to stay with her and talk about anything that came to mind.

Yet he finally removed his hand and turned to the conference chamber table, limping over to the closest chair he could find.

Watching his son take a seat, Lyonel asked, "Are you hurting again?"

"A little," Link admitted, exhaling low before his gaze met the stone again. Regarding it for a moment, he added, "But it's not just my leg. It's … everything else and … I guess I'm still trying to let it all sink in."

Pulling out a chair next to him, Lyonel sat down and nodded, relating, "I know the feeling. It's a lot to consider, though in truth, little has changed."

Link thought about it for a moment, and he had to admit his father was right. The only things to change was the fact that he now had a chance to know his parents—just as Zelda did.

Yet he couldn't consider the secret Ganondorf had revealed in that moment, still too consumed by this newest discovery to really think things through. Instead, he related, "You're right. We still need to fight, and I still have a third reason to defend Hyrule. The only thing that's changed is the expected outcome."

"That it has," Lyonel replied, placing a gentle hand on Link's shoulder in adding, "but no matter where this road leads, Myriad and I are already proud of you, and all that remains is to continue on the same way as before, but wiser."

Somehow, the words made Link smile. Despite the situation, it felt better than he'd expected having two parents supporting him, and he reached up to cover his father's hand with his own and provide a response, but Alia's voice cut him off.

"There you are!"

In turn, both Hylians looked at the door to see Alia entering the room with Kiama just behind her. As they stopped near the table, the shy redhead smiled at them cordially and explained, "We were looking for you, or … well, Zelda was looking for Link actually. She went to your room and was surprised to see you weren't there, and asked us to go find you."

Nodding slowly, Link told them, "Sorry, I had to get out of there for a little while. But do you know what she wanted?"

"I'm not sure, actually," Alia admitted. "I think she just wanted to visit. Either way, she said to tell you she'd be in her quarters with Bessa for a dress fitting."

"Oh, okay, then I'll just … ," he trailed, suddenly realizing he had no idea where Zelda's room was, then continued, "go right up as soon as I find out where her quarters are."

Smiling, the cousins snickered before Kiama explained, "On the top level, left wing. Maybe you should follow us."

Link was grateful for their assistance, but the thought of following two energetic young women about was daunting. His right leg was still aching from standing up for so long, and Lyonel thankfully seemed to realize it because he told the girls, "You go on and tell her he'll be along shortly. I'm not allowing him to go too far too fast."

"Oh, right," Alia remarked as if she'd forgotten he was still in recovery. Smiling, she waved a hand at him and related, "That's fine, and sorry! You just look so much like yourself that I kind of forgot."

"It's okay," Link returned. "Thanks for letting me know Zelda's looking for me."

"You're welcome!" she returned with a grin, tapping Kiama's arm before motioning for her to come along.

"See you later!" Kiama called with a smile as she followed her cousin out.

Once they were alone again, Link leaned forward on the table and exhaled a breath on a low groan due to his pain, having held it in to prevent the ladies from worrying about him.

In response, Lyonel canted his head and asked, "Do you need to lie down?"

"No," he quickly remarked with a shake of his head. "I just need to sit for a bit, and if I have to lie back down anytime soon, I'm just going to go through this whole place and destroy every bed I see because I'm sick of them."

Smiling, Lyonel rubbed his back and qualified, "Then we'll sit and talk until you feel up to walking again. After all, we have much to discuss."

That was a good idea—Link had a million questions for Lyonel, and if he was going to be stuck taking it easy for a while, he intended to ask as many as he could, starting with the most important one.

"Alright, but before we talk about anything else, there's something I have to know." Turning a serious look at his father, he inquired, "Where did the name Link come from?"

Quirking a brow, Lyonel sat back and smiled, starting, "Well … ."