A/N: So this used to be the second half of chapter 3, I broke it off and expanded it a bit. I think this stands better as it's own chapter anyways. Let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
'Kill... the Boy..."
"Soon... Death to all..."
"Give him... To us..."
The drawbridge slipped to a close behind the small group whom quickly took off their helmets. Link had expected them to all look scary but was surprised to see them all smiling down at him. It seemed like they were all proud to have helped, making Link feel much safer.
The one whom Link assumed was the captain stepped forward and knelt down to the ground again, he had dark brown hair and brown eyes. "Tell me again, where are you from? You said that you were from the forest but that's impossible. Nobody's been in or out of there for decades. Could you perhaps be from a camp by the forest?"
Link shook his head, frowning a little and looking back into the man's eyes. "My name is Link; I am a Kokiri from Kokiri Forest." The young hero stood confidently, he had finally made it to the castle and wanted to be clear about what had happened. The guards looked trustworthy, and honestly Link needed their help. He had never been out of the forest before, mush less into a city and had no idea what to do next.
The guard made no movement for a few seconds, obviously processing the information he'd heard. Finally the man stood back up to his feet, looking much more serious. "Well young Link, I cannot say what forces are at work here, but we will figure it out. For tonight we'll get you a room at the inn alright? And tomorrow I will consult the Princess and King on what actions to take."
Link nodded his head in consent, so the guards turned and began walking into the main square of Castle Town. Even though it was already late and therefore Link expected the town to also be covered in shadow there were many torches and lanterns giving the square a soft glow. The darkness from outside seemed to not be able to penetrate the town's domain. there were a few Hylians in the open area, some dancing and some shouting out the names of products they were attempting to sell.
A few pairs of eyes wandered over to the soldiers and Link due to the sound of 5 pairs of metal boots, but their interest only lasted seconds. Link assumed that the sight of soldiers within the town was not an uncommon one. The square looked very friendly, with a massive fountain in its centre and potted flowers all around. Link was astonished at how lively it was after just entering from might as well have been hell itself.
The guard captain seemed to notice Link's interest in the square and proudly proclaimed "The walls of Castle town have held since any of us can remember. There hasn't been an attack within the town for as long as even the wise King has lived. Do not worry young one, relax and try to enjoy yourself." Link tried to appear relaxed, dropping his tensed shoulders and loosening the fists at his side but even with the captain's words of encouragement he could not fully relax. Not until he was inside for the night and truly safe.
The group of six -not counting the hidden fairy- made their way over to a large cozy looking building with the words 'Castle Town Inn' written on a flag above the door. Once inside the guard captain moved to speak with the lady at the front and after only a few minutes turned to Link holding out a small key. "Room 12, it's the last room down this hall on the left. Will you be okay for the night young one?"
"Yes, thank you. For everything" Link didn't really appreciate being called 'young' so many times but the soldiers had potentially saved his life so he wasn't about to complain about what names they used for him.
The soldiers began to turn away and leave, however the captain stayed behind with a worried look on his face. The others made their way outside and stood around chatting quietly, waiting for their leader to finish his business with the child. The captain lowered himself onto one knee so that he was only slightly taller than Link and spoke in a whisper, supposedly what he had to say was for the hero's ears only. "Link, I will not ask how your tunic got so ripped-up and blood stained, nor why your hat seems to move rather unnaturally." At this comment Navi froze, scared that she had been caught.
The captain continued however, waving the thought. "This has been an odd encounter to say the least, but I do not feel that you have any ill intent to the people of my town. Please, keep it that way. Do not give me reason to doubt you." With this the large man stood up again, bringing his voice back to it's usual powerful volume for anyone to hear. His stern expression replaced with a warm smile, he added I will bring a new tunic to your room, I hope you find it fits well. Is that colour to your liking?"
Link nodded quickly but before he had a chance to add anything else the guard had turned and left, leaving the boy alone with the innkeeper. Well, not completely alone. Navi begun to pull on the boy's hair, whispering so that the inn keeper would not hear her say "Let's go Link; I can barely breathe in here!" Link had almost forgotten about his little blue companion but now spun and went straight to his room; quickly unlocking the door and closing it again behind him.
The boy quickly observed his new dwelling, a small room with a bed that would put the bed at the ranch to shame, and a small table with a lantern perched atop it. Two chairs were tucked into the table and an empty equipment rack was probed against the far wall. The young hero moved to quickly unload all of his gear before going to sit on the small bed and removing his to free his tiny companion. "Sorry Navi! Are you okay?" As the fairy moved to float in front of the boy's face he could tell she was upset.
"Do I look okay? Being stuffed into your tiny hat and not aloud to make any sounds really sucks y'know... And- And that man almost spotted me! I think he may have known I was in there the whole time!" Navi had crossed her arms in front of her chest and was pouting, but just as before she was unsuccessful in looking angry.
Link just smiled at her small figure and laughed a little, commenting "Navi no matter how angry you are to me you always just look cute." This didn't help as it just made Navi angrier. Or at least that's what Link thought would happen; what actually happened was quite different.
"Shut up!" Yelled the fairy, instantly dive-bombing into the bed and burying her face into the blankets. After a minute of awkward silence with the fairy hiding her expression Link had no idea what to do or say, apparently he'd really upset her this time. Fianally her small yet high-pitch voice rang through the silent room. "Do you... Do you really think that I'm... Cute?..."
Again the two sat in awkward silence, Link's face had begun to feel warm once he'd realized what he had said. It's true, the young hero found the fairy to be very cute but he found most of the fairies in Kokiri cute, along with most of the Kokiri. Granted he had never really seen any of the other fairies up close, nor had they ever sat still long enough for him to get a good look at them. Maybe they wouldn't be as adorable as his companion? Link found it hard to believe they could be cuter.
Link shook his head at that thought, finding it odd to analyze his fairy in such a way. None the less Navi seemed upset and Link assumed that what she wanted to hear, for some reason, was that he did indeed find her cute. "Navi... I really do thi-"
Link's voice was cut off to the sound of a loud knocking at the door, causing both he and Navi to flinch. "Navi Hide" Whispered the boy as he stood to his feet, noticing that as Navi turned away from the blanket her cheeks were glowing red. Again, there was a knocking at the door and Link pulled his attention away from the fairy as he responded "I'm coming! Just a second sorry!"
Just as Navi slipped under the blanked Link reached for and opened the door, revealing a man in full Guard's armor excluding a helmet; whom Link quickly identified as the captain from earlier. This time the man was not holding a weapon, but instead a small pile of green clothes with a couple potions and a loaf of bread on top. Before Link had a chance to speak the captain introduced took the opportunity to properly introduce himself.
"My apologies for my rushed exit earlier, I had to lead my men back to the wall. As confident as I am in Castle Town's wall and moat I Feel better with actual soldiers watching the perimeter as well." The captain stepped into the room without Link's consent, his eyes darting around as if looking for something. After a moment of this he turned back to the hero, adding "Link of Kokiri Forest, I am called Viscen, Captain of Hyrule Castle's Guard. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier, I was not thinking clearly."
The captain held out the bundle he was holding, which Link took happily without responding. It would be nice to wear clean clothes again. The captain seemed pleased that the young hero had taken the clothing and smiled softly. "Please, rest well tonight and I will come for you in the morning."
Link nodded slowly to the man, even though the captain was being very friendly the young hero could tell that if needed he could also be very fierce and frightening. His hushed warning earlier had confirmed that. Link swallowed hard and responded, "Thank you for everything, I'll stay here until tomorrow." At this the captain seemed pleased, and he quickly turned to walk away down the hall.
Link shut the door and locked it before returning to the bed and saying quietly "It's alright, you can come out now Navi." The boy placed down everything he'd received, focusing only on the tunic and pulling it out in front of himself. It looked almost identical to the one he'd already been wearing, and Link wondered momentarily how the guard had acquired it but shook the thought away; simply happy that he had something else to wear.
Without thinking Link quickly slipped off his old clothes, really resembling more of a bloody rag now then a tunic. As he did so though, he heard a little squeak from behind and turned to see Navi with her head poking out of the blanket. Link's face went red and the boy quickly went to hide himself, but Navi slipped out of the bed and over to him, moving to look at the boy's chest and back.
"Navi, shoo!" Link shouted and lightly tried to push away the fairy. "What are you doing, don't look when I'm not wearing my tunic!" But Link quickly realized that the fairy wasn't looking at him only to see the half-naked boy, taking off his tunic had revealed more cuts and bruises that Navi hadn't seen when he'd just lifted the tunic above his thigh at the ranch.
"Link!" She squeaked, obviously freaking out. She had begun her fast-paced bobbing through the air that the fairy often did when agitated. "When did these get here?! You were healed when you left the Deku Tree!" Navi moved closer, placing her tiny hands on each side of a particularly large cut on the back of the boy's shoulder. Link winced, but tried to keep his cool.
"Yeah, I was... But I've fell a few times since then and I guess the Stalchildren got me more than I thought... I didn't want you to notice Navi." The wounds honestly were not too bad, but now that Navi had brought light to them they began to throb and sting. Link's words didn't seem to help, Navi's hands balled up into fists on the boy's back and for a second he feared that she would hit him. That thought ended when the boy felt something wet hit the cut; his fairy companion had begun to cry.
"Why..." She cried softly, a few more tears hitting the larger cut. "Why do you... Of everyone I've met Link you are the most warm-hearted. You got these injuries... Trying to protect me didn't you...When you fell earlier…" Link sat in silence, not knowing what to do. "Why did it have to be you to do this quest, it's hurting you more than I can accept..."
The fairy's tears felt strangely soothing on the boy's shoulder, causing his cut which had felt like it was on fire to feel cool. Soon the boy didn't feel the pain at all, only the moisture of Navi's tears. "Navi, the cut... it's gone." Link moved a hand to the back of his shoulder to check, one of his fingers slipping between the fairy's fists to feel the now smooth skin.
Navi made a small laughing sound between her cries, whispering "Fairies have healing qualities... I guess that counts for our tears too..." Link smiled a little to her comment, moving his hand to take hold of the small fairy and bring her out in front of him. She seemed to have gone limp and didn't fight back at all; the small blue figure was drained of all her energy.
"Navi, I know that this quest is proving difficult... But remember why we're here. Something or someone hurt The Great Deku Tree and I can't stop until we put it to an end." Navi nodded slowly, knowing that Link was right. They'd already started and there was no going back. "Out of everyone in the world Navi I'm glad that my partner in this is you. You're more than a guide to me, you are a friend. You're the only one who is here to make sure I'm okay to keep going."
The blue girl's eyes began to water again, obviously being told all this meant a lot to her. Link continued though, a sly grin growing across his face. "And you're the only one who can reach my back." He said before laughing a little and making Navi look up in surprise. In the other hand Link was holding one of the potions that the captain had given him and Navi knew instantly what he meant. Although it felt like the boy was taking advantage of her the small fairy smiled, she didn't mind.
Still choking back the last of her tears Navi slipped out of Links hand to float in front of him speaking softly "I'll take care of your injuries Link, but… in exchange…" The fairy's cheeks began to glow with a faint red hue once again, confusing Link and instead of finishing her sentence Navi moved down towards the potion, getting some of it in a small cup she made with her hands. "Never mind, nothing."
The fairy floated back behind Link and began to rub the potion over all his cuts and bruises, leaving the boy to sit with multiple questions racing through his head. "Navi, what did you want in exchange? Anything is fine, I really owe you for this."
There was no response for a minute as the tiny blue girl continued to rub in the potion but soon she stopped, floating motionlessly with her hands against Link's back in thought. Finally her voice broke through the silence with a whisper. "Can I sleep closer to you tonight?.." At first Link had no idea how to respond. Why did she want to sleep closer to him? Was his hat not comfy enough? Was she scared? But soon her voice cut off his thought process again as she added "It's colder here… than in the forest.. At night my wings feel cold, and since I'm so small there isn't much I can do..."
Link hadn't noticed a temperature drop at all, if anything it had gotten warmer since he'd left the forest. They were no longer under the shade of the forest's trees so he didn't understand why Navi would be feeling colder but nodded slowly anyways. "Okay Navi, you can closer tonight. I don't really mind, although I would hate to squish you." He said this jokingly, knowing full well that he slept like a rock and would wake up in the exact position he fell asleep in. Navi finished applying the potion, still leaving the bottle half full plus the other bottle he'd received from the captain.
The blue fairy floated over to Link's old tunic to wipe her hands on it before moving back and plopping onto the bed, looking up and meeting Link's blue eyes with her own. "Thanks." She whispered softly before turning away. "I can go put out the lantern, are you ready for bed?"
"Ah, just a moment!" Link quickly rummaged through the new pile of clothing and pulled out a small white shirt, perfect for sleeping in. There was also a soft pair of white pants to match the shirt. He quickly stood up and changed for bed, loving the feeling of the soft fabric on his skin. It certainly beat the blood-crusted clothing he's worn previously.
After lying down and getting under the blankets Link barely had a chance to say "Alright, I'm good" before the Navi had reached the candle to blow it out; leaving the room to bathe in the moon's glow through a single un-curtained window. Link pulled the blanket up over himself and turned onto his side how he usually slept while waiting for Navi. His had as usual had been placed on the bed beside him, but a little closer than normal. The boy had no idea how the fairy planned on sleeping but soon felt the small figure slip under one of his arms and against his chest, her winds pressed against him. It took him a little of guard, she had never been so cuddly before.
"Is this okay?.." She whispered, and Link found that the small fairy actually did feel a little cold. He wrapped one arm around her to keep her from sliding around and smiled. It was nice having someone so close as he went to sleep, he'd never felt this kind of comfort before. Link began to wonder if all the Kokiri were this close with their fairies? He'd never asked as it would have just caused them to bug him about not having a fairy more than they already did but he couldn't help feel a little jealous. The young boy had been sleeping alone on his small bed for as long as he could remember.
"Yeah, this is fine." Link whispered back. His eyes slowly began to adjust to the darkness of the room and he looked down to the small girl in his arms, without her blue glow Navi looked pretty docile, and cute just as he'd noticed the other night. Her short blue tom-boyish hair seemed to fit her personality perfectly and even though the girl's entire body was blue Link didn't find it too strange. He'd heard of a species called Zoras that were also completely blue, but they supposedly are also covered in fins. Compared to that Navi seemed almost like a small Kokiri.
"Good night Link." Whispered the fairy one last time as she got comfortable against his arm. And then she said something else, or at least Link thought she did. He wasn't sure as her voice was so soft that it got lost in the silence. He didn't have the time to ask her to repeat the words though, before the heavy weight of sleep took the boy.
A/N So there ya go! getting a little more Link x Navi, but I slowed it down compared to the old version. I think this story will be fairly so I don't want to rush things at all.
Please review to let me know what you think.
Also, does anyone recognize the name of the captain? Let me know!