Hello everyone! Ok, Chapter 12... I think this is my best work yet. Or maybe ever. I'm so proud of this chapter, so if any of you who's reading this little blerb would review, I'd much appreciate it! Anyways, onto the story!
-Joost

The Fierce God Given Life
Chapter 12: You Mean It?

This was Link's first time entering the Gorman Track. Riding atop Epona, he observed his surroundings before hesitantly making his way to the two fellows standing by the main shack and the large fence. The two men reminded him of Ingo back in Hyrule. He figured they were just as cruel and shady as he was. Regardless, he approached them on Epona.

"Is that pathetic thing your horse?" The brother by the fence said as soon as he got a look at Epona. "I would've guessed that little thing was a mule fer sure, ain't that right, little brother?"

Link was immediately protective of Epona. She was young, of course, but she was the greatest steed he could ever ask for. But the brother hardly agreed with the idea.

"Do ya think a horse that pathetic would gallop if you urged it forward? Or would it run faster if you gave it a slap?" The brother by the shack laughed at Link.

"This guy's funny!" The other commented. An idea popped into his head, and idea on how to con who he thought was just a simple little kid. "Why don't you give us ten rupees for the chance to race against us?"

The other chimed in just a second after. "If you win, we'll give ya somethin' nice, kid."

The two snickered before the one at the fence asked Link. "What'll you do?"

Link, the desire to defend his amazing horse, accepted the brothers' challenge without a second to really think. The brothers smirked at each other and the three prepared themselves. Soon they got to the track, and the Gorman Brothers deployed their own horses. They were a lot bigger than Epona, but it hardly fazed the Hero of Time.

The timer counted down, and when it reached 'one', both brothers hollered in unison and slapped their horses. The race had begun. Observing the track, Link guided Epona towards the inside of the first loop to gain a better advantage.

The brother to the right noticed Link overtake him and he started slapping his horse endlessly. Poor thing.

Rounding the first corner, some trees came into view. Without needing to be ordered, Epona moved out of the way of the incoming trunks, and one of the Gorman Brothers got held up behind one. Soon after, Link spotted some fences on the inside area of the track. Those scoundrels must have anticipated a racer taking the lead by the inside and put them up to force them out!

The Gorman Brothers thought they had Link on the ropes but were taken by complete surprise to the see opponent horse leap over the barriers on her way and keep on maintaining her lead. The brothers were forced to weave through the fences, their steeds far too bulky to make the jump over any of the obstacles before them.

Link was nearly home free, until some dirt pits scattered across the final span of the track made Epona jump over. They were barely a problem for the quick and nimble mare. After that, just a few more fences stood in Link's way, which he and his steed overcame with ease.

Reaching the finish line, Link could barely hold back his giggle when he heard the brothers yell out in anguish at his victory. Returning to the shack area, both brothers held their heads and writhed around, making it clear that they were sore losers.

"I can't believe we lost!" The oldest brother exclaimed. His younger brother chimed in when they calmed down.

"Big bro, I wonder if we can give that to this guy?"

The older brother thought for a second before coming to a conclusion. He may have been a greedy and shady businessman, but he was also a man of his word. "We gotta give him something. Well, he's a kid, so what could he do with it. It should be fine…"

The brother reached into his satchel and pulled out Link's prize. The 'Garo' Mask. The wandering ninja spirits who appear at Ikana once wore this. Link had no idea what he was holding. He had no idea what a 'Garo' was or where Ikana was located. He hadn't even been to Great Bay yet, he just got his horse back, after all. Before Link could leave, the eldest brother warned him about something.

"In exchange, you can't tell anyone where you got this!"

Link climbed back onto Epona and left the track. While she trotted through the Milk Road, Link pulled out his Bomber's Notebook and put an entry for the suspicious Gorman Brothers. Once he was done, he looked back at the mask he had received.

"Hmmmmm… I think I'll call it 'Bob'. Tatl remarked with a smirk. The mask was unlike the two had ever seen. Clad in a green-ish brown headpiece and with green, glowing eyes, it looked somewhat haunting. Link reacted by looking back at his fairy with a confused look. "What?! I just think he'd go by 'Bob'. Don't you go judging me, boy!"

Link just chuckled as he put the item away and urged Epona into a gallop, heading off into the Great Bay region.

The next two and a half weeks for Link were largely normal for once. He spent time with Anju and Kafei a lot, even trying to take up the mantle of innkeeper by manning the desk a few times. Jim had grown a large interest in Link's sword fighting abilities, and Link was eventually convinced to start teaching the leader of the Bomber's Gang some techniques. Of course, he made sure Jim wielded a wooden sword, just he he'd stay safe. What surprised Link was how Jim could do a spin attack almost as well as him, albeit without the magic to aid him.

Skull Kid even started taking a liking to fighting. He and Tael went back to the Southern Swamp again, and the imp returned with a large, long wooden staff. Now he was constantly armed with it. He aimed to train himself on how to fight with the thing, but he often got hurt while trying. However, it hardly halted his determination.

But every night, Link would lie in bed for nearly an hour and think about the mysterious Garo. They were getting bolder now that it had been some time since Majora's defeat. The fact they left Ikana Canyon and could even exist outside of the land of death was alarming. Attacking Romani and Cremia during the night the week prior, and some more stories of attacks by "robed assailants" from travelers that came to and from Clock Town only fed his worried soul.

Just two days after the Bomber's Secret Society of Justice helped repair Cremia's cart, Link and Skull Kid joined the sisters on their milk delivery to ensure the ride wouldn't have any setbacks. Romani and Link were armed with their bows, Skull Kid with his staff.

Luckily, they had no problems escorting the sisters to town safely, and they even joined them on the ride back just in case. The trek back to town was tiring for Link and Skull Kid, but they managed.

Today, Link resided in the Stock Pot Inn for most of the morning. He still found his mind wondering about the Garo at times and could swear he was being watched on a few occasions. The boy was unusually aware of his surroundings. After some time just sitting in silence, he finally took it upon himself to read the entry in that encyclopedia he and Romani neglected to finish when she last visited.

In the book, there was hardly anything on the Garo. It was a few years out of date, after all, but it still alarmed Link how there hadn't been much there.

It hadn't even reached noon when Anju knocked on Link's door. She had a little present for him since he'd been so helpful around the Inn. "Honey? May I come in?"

"Sure!" Link replied, and then Anju entered his room.

The innkeeper sat on Link's bed and looked at him. "Now, since you've been so good lately, I have something special for you." Anju beamed as she held Link's chin up with her finger so her eyes could meet his.

Link only tilted his head in wonder before Anju told him her idea.

"I wanted you to take some time off and spend the night at the ranch!" Anju's face was glowing as Link's expression turned to one of wonder to shock.

"R-Really?" Link was astounded. He had wanted to visit the ranch again, but he figured he would've sounded selfish if he asked to go so often. His eyes lit up and he grew excited at what his adoptive mother told him.

"Yes! Don't worry… me and Kafei will be fine, I promise. I want to focus on you for a little while." Her words were unimaginably kind, the soothing tone she held helped Link forget all about his stress of the Garo. The boy could only give his thanks to her by embracing her. Her heart warmed at how comfortable he was growing to be.

"You better get going, sweetheart." She gestured toward the door. Link hopped off his bed, but then hesitated.

"Could I… bring my gear? J-Just in case…" Link mumbled. Anju understood his concern about the sisters. She nodded and he collected a few of his things. He didn't take many of his transformation masks with him, just his sword, shield, and only a few of the 'essentials'. He waved goodbye to Anju from the front door and left to fetch Epona.

"Just be sure to be back by at least noon!" Anju called to Link just before he left her line of sight. He responded with a nod.

The feeling of galloping out of Clock Town felt all too familiar to Link by now. The wind flowing through his hair, and clop of Epona's hooves, and the like. It was almost second nature for the mare to know the way to Romani Ranch. Link simply smiled as the sisters entered his thoughts while on the way to Milk Road.

Link felt content when he wasn't met with the broken-down carriage on the side of the road this time around. Epona made her way to the ranch and Link set her in the stable, no need to tie her down.

Knocking on the front door to the house, Link eagerly awaited to be greeted by one of the sisters inside. However, he didn't know that Romani and Cremia weren't even in the house, they were in the barn. Link didn't hear the barn door opening, Romani walking out.

Romani saw him knock on the door again, and she got a sneaky idea. Creeping up behind Link, he still wasn't aware she was even nearby. Before he could knock a third time, she grabbed his shoulders and hollered, "Boo!"

Link jumped nearly three feet into the air and yelped, his voice cracking. Romani just giggled at her friend's silliness while he recovered from her scare.

"Hello Grasshopper! It's good to see you!" Romani told him cheerfully. She wore a great big smile and Link blushed once his nerves calmed. "So, what brings you to the ranch today?"

"A-Anju wanted me to stay the night…" Link explained. When Romani heard his words, she jumped for joy. Ever since everyone helped out with repairing the carriage, Romani wanted to see Link again. She hadn't been able to for so long now, but now her time had come.

"Hooray! Romani will go tell sister!" The ranch girl left to go back to the barn as Link stood and waited. Eventually, Romani emerged from the barn again, Cremia now by her side. The sisters waved eagerly at the boy in green and he returned the gesture.

"It's good to see my little hero's back together again!" Cremia teased while she approached Link. Opening the door to the ranch house, Link set his things down and blushed at Cremia's comment. He didn't know why it made him so embarrassed, but his instincts demanded he reacted accordingly. Romani just nudged her sister when she saw her friend's reaction.

"I'm just messing with you, Link." Cremia ruffled Link's hair after he removed his cap. Neither Romani nor her sister had seen Link without it since he was hurt all those weeks ago. "It's a pleasure to see you again!"

Link's response this time was to smile, his cheeks still a little rosy from the moments before. When the sisters got settled, they gathered by the table.

"So! What are we doing today?" Romani asked, her voice teeming with excitement as she thought about anything and everything she and her best friend could do.

"I was thinking we could play outside!" Link said, hoping Romani would agree. Cremia didn't see a problem with it, but she did want to make them all lunch before she went back outside.

About thirty minutes later, Cremia prepared some lunch for her, her sister, and their guest. It was some fried eggs, milk, and some heated bread. While it seemed more like breakfast, the three still ate and enjoyed. Romani was a little too excited to go out and play, and she contracted some hiccups when she finished her food first.

Romani told Link about her time being a Bomber since she last saw him. She had managed to help quite a lot of people around the ranch. Grog, the dog race lady, even the Gorman Brothers on a few occasions. She was confident to mend their broken relationship with the brothers, even if it took her forever.

Eventually, everyone finished their lunch and headed outside. For over two hours, Link, Romani, and Cremia played together in the field, doing whatever they wanted. They played horseshoes like before, practiced with their bows, and even Cremia tried out using a bow. She had the desire to learn how to protect herself as well. Link and Romani were proud to teach her together.

Cremia played with the family pup, throwing a de-headed arrow for the dog to fetch. Romani watched the grass she picked fly up into the wind before she noticed there was a lack of a certain green clad boy.

Romani looked around for Link, but it took some time to find him, wherever he was. Finally, she spotted him once again on the top of the roof, sitting and staring at the horizon, just like he had all those weeks ago.

"What is with you and this place?" Romani asked as she finished ascending the ladder to the roof of the house, joining her friend right beside him.

Link didn't respond at first, only sighing at the beauty of the sky, especially since there wasn't a moon looming over them to ruin the scenery. The sky was quite beautiful today, clouds perfectly dotting the blue horizon without feeling like clutter. Link was starting to think the view was better than anything from Hyrule.

Romani decided to rest her head on Link's shoulder, admiring the view alongside him. Link's face grew warm at her gesture, but he didn't dare move. He wanted to relish this brief moment they had together. He felt something foreign well up inside him. A feeling of desire towards Romani. It was like nothing he ever felt before, not even with Zelda, Ruto, Malon, or anyone. He wanted to explore this feeling with her, but he didn't know if it was right. His mind played games with him before he looked back at his friend and moved her red hair that had dropped down in front of her face.

Romani giggled at his action, and soon took his hand to get down from the roof. They joined back up with Cremia and took a walk around the perimeter of the ranch, their dog playing around in the grass all around them while they made their lap. Cremia watched the two children hold hands while they strolled along, silently chuckling at how adorable her sister and her friend were.

After more time outside, the trio and their puppy returned to the house. As Cremia prepared dinner, Link and Romani sat by the fireplace and played with the masks he had brought with him. Romani enjoyed how funny the Stone Mask looked, Cremia got a little concerned at the abilities of the All-Night Mask, and Link liked showing the sisters how the Bremen Mask worked with a demonstration involving her cute little dog.

"Oh! Grasshopper! You still have this?" Romani held up the Keaton Mask that she found in his bag. Link just stammered when he tried to explain how he still held into that certain mask, the effort just making his best friend giggle at him.

Luckily, Link didn't have to worry about Romani stumbling onto the Fierce Deity's Mask. That thing rested on the floor of his room, under his bed. He still sighed in relief when she set down the bag and waited for her sister to be done dinner. She was starving, as was Link.

After dinner, it was once again time to tell each other stories by the fireplace. The entire day reminded him of the day after the start of the Carnival of Time. The good memory only warmed his heart more and more.

"Alright, I think it's time we hit the hay…" Cremia looked at the clock on the wall.

"Are you suuuuurrre, sister?" Romani whined. She didn't want to go to bed just yet.

"Yes, Romani. We all need our sleep." Cremia stood up and walked over to the corner. Romani groaned but suddenly put her hands over Link's eyes. Cremia opened the large drawer and pulled out their guest bed. It was a twin sized bed, mattress stuffed with hay and finely carved.

"Tada! This is your bed, Grasshopper!" Romani told him excitedly, removing her hands from his face. Link's expression morphed into astonishment when he looked at the bed.

"You… You guys didn't have to." Link replied once he felt the finely sanded headboard. This must have cost Cremia a lot. His cheeks grew red again and felt so thankful for his friends.

"We did! You've helped us a lot, Link. You deserve some kind of reward." Cremia said. Her earnest smile lit up the room, even though the fireplace was just embers now, and candles were the only thing lighting up their surroundings.

"All heroes deserve a reward, Grasshopper." Romani gave Link a big hug and then bid him goodnight. The sisters went upstairs, and Link laid down. He got comfortable pretty easily and got lost in his thoughts once again.

About an hour later, Link still hadn't gotten any sleep. He couldn't shake the feeling of eyes upon him, even if the house had no windows. He grunted as he tossed and turned in his bed.

The deafening silence was finally broken when Link heard a voice at the top of the stairs. "Grasshopper? Is everything ok?"

"Romani…" Link said, sitting up when he saw the ranch girl come downstairs and stand by his bed.

Link scooted himself over, and Romani carefully joined him. She felt a little nervous about sharing a bed with a boy like this. When Link, without even thinking, wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer, she whimpered slightly. Since when did she become the shy one?

"Grasshopper… Romani knows you're thinking about… them." Romani tried her best to say, even though she was extremely nervous. While she was looking at him when she descended down the staircase, she recognized the face of worry and determination he wore. Now that she was laying right next to him, it was obvious.

"I'm not…" Link lied. He never wanted to pull the ones he loved into his problems. The last thing he'd ever want was for anyone to get hurt.

"Then what is Grasshopper thinking about…?" Romani asked. She was still stubborn for answers, just like Link was. Now, Link wasn't thinking about the Garo. He got lost in Romani's eyes.

"I'm th-thinking… about us…" Link stammered. The use of the word 'us' made her blush. He thought about how Romani was so much like him. She was headstrong, willing to defend her home from any threat, and ambitious. But she also had some timid aspects of herself, although they were hardly as intense as Link's own.

"Romani… I've learned a lot on what it means to help people…" Link started. He didn't know how to express what he wanted to without a constant stutter, but Romani didn't mind. "I'm supposed to put others first… but I want- "

Link almost couldn't finish his thought, but Romani's little smile gave him the confidence he needed.

"I want something for myself… I can't make people happy… if I'm not happy." Link felt selfish. He was never so nervous to say what he said next. His voice was nearly a whisper. Nothing in his life could compare to his fear he felt inside when he uttered his next question.

"Will you marry me?"

Romani was taken aback by his question. She stammered for a moment but couldn't muster a word for a few seconds. She moved to be on top of the boy, her big, wide eyes staring back at his.

"Do you mean that…?" Romani yearned to know. She had read a lot of books about love. Fairytales, more realistic fiction, all that she could. She knew that Link's question was serious. One look at his face when she asked, and his little nod was all she needed. Regardless, he still felt he had to explain himself.

"I don't know if I'll ever find someone else like you…" Link couldn't help his mind going to all the ladies he'd met before. Zelda, Ruto, Saria, Navi, and Malon. Malon lingered above all the rest. When he first laid eyes on Romani, all he saw was Malon. Now, all he could see was his closest friend, and maybe a little bit more. Malon never crossed his mind when he saw Romani anymore. And he was alright with that being a fact.

"Are you sure, Link?" Romani didn't call him 'Grasshopper'.

"For- For a long time, I was trying to… well…" Link couldn't quite find the words he needed.

"Find yourself?" Romani asked. That was exactly what Link was trying to tell her. He spent so long not being able to comprehend what was so fundamentally different about himself compared to the people he's met.

"I used to not know who I was… Ou-Outside of being a hero… But I think I've found what I've needed." Link hugged his friend; his emotions being freed from their eternal prison. He felt a tear roll down his cheek. He finally wanted to explore his own desires.

"For me… the world just isn't enough. I just need you…"

Romani wrapped her arms around him as her mind raced. She never thought the person she loved and desired the most would be her best friend. All the fairytales she'd read made her think it'd be some fellow who swept her off her feet. She was glad to be proven wrong.

Link tried something bold. He moved his lips towards hers, intending to kiss. He'd seen a few people do it around Clock Town, and Anju and Kafei did it occasionally. But he was clumsy and missed his target, instead landing a peck on Romani's eye.

Both giggled nervously before silently deciding that they weren't ready for that yet. They were content with being in each other's arms for now. And they fell asleep that way.

The morning was greeted with a scolding from Cremia. She was absolutely furious when she discovered her sister wasn't in her bed but sleeping on top of Link. All three remained embarrassed during breakfast, Link most of all. Everything he could think about was how far he'd come in just over a month after the moon was meant to fall. He couldn't be more ready to start a 'new step' in his relationship with Romani.

He felt like he had evolved into a more normal boy and broke out of the shell he used to hide in when he was saving Termina. He felt new. He could accept himself. It was odd for him, but he welcomed the change with open arms.

"Goodbye, Grasshopper!" Romani shouted. "Romani won't forget to wriiite!"

"Bye Link! We'll see you in a few weeks when we're in town for our next milk delivery!" Cremia added, waving to Link.

Waving goodbye to the sisters, he started his walk all the way back to Clock Town. During his trip, he enjoyed the beauty of the nature around him. Making it all the way to Termina Field, he was just able to view Clock Town. He was about to break out into a run, eager to return home.

When he got to the front door of the Stock Pot Inn, he was really out of breath. Opening the door, Anju and Kafei blindsided him with a huge embrace. How did they know when he'd be home?

"Welcome back, kiddo!" Kafei smiled, ruffling Link's hair. He was really fond of doing that to Link; his father used to do it to him often when he was young. "How was your stay at the ranch?"

"Good… Really good." Link replied with a smile.