Chapter 4 (Age 12)

Link had taken to the Knight Academy better than he expected. Though he was still too young to join the Sparring Hall lessons, he realized he didn't hate the normal classes either.

While he was used to attending class at the Academy, it had always been for more basic things: math and counting, writing, history. Now, what was once the history of Skyloft is studying map chartings of the Sky. Math is no longer how to count pumpkins and consider their supply and demand against growth time, but it's Loftwing velocity, speed, angles. History turned into a more current study of Skyloft, more current problems, rather than learning about how the Goddess saved her people.

One thing that he could barely tolerate, however, was Groose, the new kid. Though he wasn't quite new anymore, he still acted as if it was his first day there. He broke rules, he interrupted classes with witless humor. What's more, Cawlin had taken Zelda's words to heart and backed off Link and his friends, but in doing so, he became Groose's second in command, along with Strich. Groose didn't have the history that Cawlin did, and he certainly wasn't afraid of Zelda. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

He had taken a liking to her.

For Zelda, the feeling was not mutual.

Groose's most recent escapade had been locking everyone's doors and windows. While it sounded harmless, the tools he used to locked everything had trapped students inside all day with no way to get food or to get to class. The doors needed replacing, and the windows had been broken to let the students out. But, there were a few unaffected students: Groose, Cawlin, Strich… and Zelda.

Zelda was quick to tell her father, to let him know many of the things Groose had done.

"There are things you're too young to understand, Zelda. There are reasons why we can't kick Groose out. His antics are childish. He will grow out of them one day and it will be significantly easier to tolerate him."

Zelda couldn't figure that one out, but it seemed that Groose knew whatever reason that was. He knew that he was immune to any harsh punishment. And it kept him a thorn in everyone's side.

But that had been a week and a half ago. Things had settled, and Groose had calmed for a time. It possibly had to do with a letter from his parents, but Link and Zelda didn't know. They took the reprieve where they could find it.

Link took hasty notes in class as Instructor Owlan spoke. Sometimes, Link couldn't keep up, and relied on Zelda's own notebook to keep from falling behind. The only other student he could rely on to be so diligent with their notes had been Fledge.

He'd found a unique friendship with Fledge. While he enjoyed hanging around with Karane and Pipit, Fledge didn't ask for much out of Link. For them, silent companionship was enough. Fledge was often found at Link's desk, Link taking the floor instead, to work on their homework before the next day.

But at lunchtime, they were allowed to take their meals outside.

Zelda, Link, and Fledge went outside to meet Karane and Pipit. They were both one year older than Link and Zelda, so they were allowed to take the training offered in the Sparring Hall.

"…so then Master Kos let us hold one of the sharp swords. He didn't let us use them yet, but I got to hold one!" Karane said as she continued to tell the others about her and Pipit's day. Pipit nodded along and added his own exciting perspective, but Karane was the storyteller between the two of them.

Link sighed. As much as he wanted to listen, he wanted to join the class more. He'd gotten some secret lessons from Eagus and Tirra, but both had been sent off the mainland of Skyloft a few months ago and only made short trips back. They didn't have time to stay and train Link. So, he was left like everyone else: desperate to train but too young to do so.

By the time Link started to listen to their conversation again, Pipit was the one talking. "You should have seen Jardon! He's going to be the best in his class, I can tell already. He was just *BAM* and *BAM* right into the training post! It was something to watch!"

"No," Karane said, shaking her head. "I think Gillee is going to be the best. Did you see her swing?"

"Gillee is two years older than Jardon. She's graduating."

Karane shrugged. "That makes her the best in the room and the best in the class. Sorry. She's the best."

"I don't think I'm going to do it," Zelda said abruptly. Everyone turned to her, questioningly. "I don't think I'm going to take the class. I don't want to be a Knight. I want to be at the Academy, of course, but I want to become an Instructor, not a Knight. I wouldn't need to take the class, and I would be allowed to take an upper level class instead, then I can use my final year to assist."

"What?" Karane asked in disbelief. "But what about flying around Skyloft together?"

"You don't need to be a Knight to have a Loftwing. I'll still get one. Besides, Orielle is graduating this year and she never went through the Knight courses. Her old brother didn't. So many people don't go through them. And some who do the classes choose a different path anyway. I'll just be making better use of my time. I don't want to fight things, patrol the Thunderhead, or chase away Skytails. I want to teach others about our history, I want to talk to them about the differences between folktales about our Goddess and what the true story was."

She turned to each of her friends. Karane still looked at her in disbelief. It was clear she thought they'd go through all of the training together, as they had for their entire lives. Pipit seemed to contemplate what a life was like without Knighthood. It was something he'd never considered. From the moment he knew what a "job" was, he knew his would be with the Knights of Skyloft. Anything else had never crossed his mind. Fledge seemed to approve, and he even looked like he might consider it as well. And Link just smiled at her approvingly. In truth, he'd never been able to picture her as a Knight. It wasn't in her nature. She was the smartest person he'd ever met.

"You don't have to decide now," Karane said with a smug grin. "You still have a whole year until you have to be final about it. You might change your mind."

Zelda grinned sadly, hoping to at least encourage Karane enough that she didn't think she was totally ignoring her.

"We should be getting back to class," she said, though they still had enough time left of their lunch break. Fledge and Link didn't seem to mind, and both stood up with her. They went back inside as Karane and Pipit stayed to finish eating before returning to the Sparring Hall.

"I think it's great that y-you want to teach," Fledge said softly. Zelda smiled kindly at him, a silent thank you.

Link was tired, more tired than usual. He'd left everyone after class for some privacy as he continued some of his training. He'd been working on his arm strength, especially after hearing how difficult Pipit found holding up a heavy sword for too long. He knew that he was an oddball; none of the other kids trained at all. They usually waited until they were given drills by Master Kos. But Link didn't want to take a chance at falling behind.

So, his arms were killing him as he laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He nearly drifted off to sleep once or twice, but that was before he heard the commotion in the hallway.

He slipped out of bed and leaned up against the door, straining to hear. It wasn't coming from the hall, not directly.

"No! What did you do?"

Link cracked the door open upon hearing Pipit.

The other voice wasn't nearly as angry, and was too hard to hear, but Pipit's anger was loud enough to hear his side.

"Stop it! That's my dad's! Put it down!"

Link slid into the hall and looked around. No one else seemed to hear them, but all of the adults were on the second floor and it was late.

There was a sudden crash, and a loud scream.

Without any more hesitation, Link pushed the door to Pipit and Groose's room and saw Pipit and Groose toe-to-toe. That was the only part of them that lined up. Pipit was dwarved by Groose's larger frame and significantly taller height. Or maybe it was the hair that gave that illusion. But regardless, Link could see in an instant that Pipit had reached his breaking point and was prepared to hit Groose. And with the influence that Groose had on the Academy, immune as he was to his already aggressive bullying, Pipit throwing a punch would get him expelled from the Knight's Academy. Link lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Pipit, the force of his sprint knocked them both off-balance.

"Let go!" Pipit yelled, trying to break free. But Link held him firmly, physically stronger than Pipit. He could already hear doors and footsteps from upstairs. "Let GO, Link!" he yelled again, squirming. "He broke my dad's favorite mug!"

Link knew that was more important than it sounded. If there was anyone who could put on a good show in the face of his emotions, it was Pipit. The very fact that he was reacting so poorly was proof that this mug meant something more to him.

"Let. Me. Go." Pipit's eyes were trained mercilessly on Groose, who stood with his arms crossed and a pleased look on his face.

"No," Link grunted, taking an elbow to his gut as Pipit continued to flail with abandon.

But that one word was enough to stop Pipit in his tracks. He turned, shocked to hear Link speak to him. He wasn't sure he'd ever heard Link. No. He was sure. He hadn't.

"What happened?" Gaepora asked with a gasp as he took in the situation. "A mug? What's going on?" He looked at Link and Pipit particularly, especially when he saw Link restraining his friend. "Is everyone alright?"

Link nodded and let go of Pipit entirely. Pipit stared at the shattered glass on the ground and felt tears burn his eyes.

"Tell me," Gaepora said. Owlan walked in and led Groose away from them to check on his well-being and get his side of the story.

When he was gone, Pipit let the tears fall and he picked up a large piece of the mug. "This is my dad's. I took it from my house. It's his favorite. It's all I have of him while he's away. Groose threw it for fun."

Gaepora's expression softened. He knew Pipit's father had been gone for some time. He was Skyloft's best flier, and he was always sent on the most dangerous missions. Now, he was on an exploration of the outer reaches of the Sky, several weeks removed from any civilization, relying only on drop points and outposts for supplies. If anything were to happen to him, it would be a long time until anyone realized it. But he was the best there was. They needed him.

"Pipit, Link, did either of you hit Groose?"

Link shook his head quickly and Pipit followed suit. Gaepora looked visibly relieved.

"Good; at least I know drastic measures won't be necessary. But what are we going to do?" He turned to the doorway and saw everyone from the Academy crowding the hall, but the face he was looking for was in the front. "Horwell, should we wake the Headmaster?"

Horwell shook his head. "He is still quite unwell. He said all decisions you make in his absence are final."

Gaepora turned back to the boys. "Pipit, we'll send you home to your mother for a while so this doesn't escalate."

"No!" Pipit cried. "I have to be here! I'm a Knight-in-Training! Our place is at the Academy."

Link looked behind Gaepora to see who was crowding the hall. He could see the back of Stritch's head; he must have been looking at wherever Groose was. But besides all the other students, Zelda and Karane were in the front, watching.

Link could see Pipit turn to Zelda, looking for intercession. He needed her to talk to her father. That was the only way things could get done at this point. It was the only way to keep him at the Academy.

"I'm sorry, Pipit. Pack your most important things and you can come get the rest tomorrow."

"Wait."

But the voice didn't come from Pipit. It didn't come from anyone in the halls.

Link's eyes darted over to Zelda's surprised expression. He'd been the one to speak.

Clearing his throat, Link closed his eyes and breathed. He would become the talk of the Academy: the boy who never speaks finally does. All eyes on him. But it was either that, or his friend is sent home for something he didn't even do.

"Pipit…" Link breathed again, "can share my room."

It looked like Gaepora would die of shock then and there. In fact, for everyone listening except for Zelda, it was the most surprising thing they'd ever heard.

Gaepora knew he couldn't make matters worse by waiting to respond, so he gathered himself as quickly as he could to respond to Link's offer.

"That's very kind of you, Link. We don't know how long it would be for, though. Is that still all right?"

Link turned to Pipit. It wasn't just his decision, after all. Pipit would be the one living there. And Fledge, technically, since their rooms were attached.

Pipit nodded vigorously. "Yes. I'd love that. Thank you, Link!"

Link nodded once and looked at Gaepora.

"Very well. Pipit, bring anything of great importance that you don't want Groose near to Link's room. We'll give you a temporary set up for the night and bring in your bed tomorrow. Now, Instructor Horwell, we need to clean up this mug. Try to find all of the pieces. We'll give reconstruction a shot tomorrow, with Pipit's assistance."

Tears dripped down Pipit's face. "Thank you."

"Go on, grab your things. It's late."

As Pipit began to gather some of his belongings, Gaepora placed his hand on Link's shoulder, a silent gesture of appreciation. If there was anything Gaepora didn't want to do, knowing who link was as a person, it would be to make a big deal about this. Better to get it to pass on form people's daily gossip as quickly as possible.

Horwell went to work on the shattered glass as Gaepora cleared the hallways, sending the students back to their rooms. Zelda, Karane, and Fledge were quick to step in and help Pipit and Link gather many of his belongings.

Between the five of them, they got it done rather quickly, and emptied the room of most of Pipit's things.

Gaepora had set up pillows and several blankets on the floor of Link's room, promising a spare bed by the next day. Groose was let back into Pipit's old room as soon as they'd finished, and he looked smugly across the hall before closing his door.

Link had gotten back into bed while Pipit settled in. Pipit noticed the partition to Fledge's room had been moved over slightly just next to their chairs. Easier to communicate that way. But both Pipit and Link knew that the room would have a whole new look by tomorrow.

"Link?" he asked quickly. "Why did you help me? You're giving up your room. You gave up not talking. Why?"

Link was quiet for a while, so long that Pipit though that Link had fallen asleep. But finally, Link sighed. "Because you're my friend."

Pipit was shocked to hear Link answer again. He'd almost been expecting nothing, or even a dismissive shrug. The actual response made Pipit's throat tight, refusing to get choked up upon hearing that. Sure, he was friends with Karane and Zelda. He'd known them since they were all born. But Link had been a friendship that had grown from nothing. Some boy he'd never even hung around the village with. And now? Now this boy was his friend. His first friend, in some ways. The first friend he actually had to make.

"Thank you," Pipit said quietly before turning to face the partitions and close his eyes.

Link remained awake for just a little longer, considering the implications of what he'd done. He didn't regret any of it, but he wasn't sure he was ready to be stared at. He'd grown so used to being virtually alone, to blending into the wall, that he wasn't sure how this would change him.

For the better, he hoped.

A/N: Well, my job just turned into a from-home job for the foreseeable future, so hopefully I can get some extra writing in now. Hope everyone is safe out there!

Green Swordsman: Thank you! I can't wait to see where I take it either hahaha! GreenEggAndHam: Thank you! I'll probably take some licence, but I definitely like sticking to the game too, so we'll both see how that one ends up!