2nd Draft

Link awoke, and for a moment thought that he'd been strapped down to his bed, as he was unable to move. After a moment of panic he realized that his muscles were actually just stiff as boards and heavy as stones. With a grunt and a moan he sat up in bed and winced.

"Oh my body," he complained slowly shrugging his shoulders.

"Impa's training is quite strenuous," Navi said stating the obvious. She had a gift for that.

"How much longer until we are supposed to meet her?" Link asked.

"Twenty minutes. You overslept," she chided.

Growling through the stiffness in his limbs Link got up, dressed himself, and headed to his training. The journey there alone was humiliating, Link was fighting back tears just climbing down his ladder. The trip that should have only taken ten minutes at a light jog ended up taking Link just over thirty minutes at a hobble. An irritated Impa was waiting for him.

"Will all of Hyrule have to wait on you Link?" Impa asked.

Link did not meet her gaze. "I wasn't expecting to wake up so sore," he offered as an excuse.

Impa drew her sword and assumed a fighting stance. "Likewise you should never expect the opportunity to fight while in your prime." And with that, their training began.

The toll from yesterday's lessons was immediately apparent. Even though he knew what he should do, Link's body could not move fast enough. As usual Impa was merciless. Her sword came in again and again, bruising Link's arms, ribs, stomach, even head. Due to one failed parry and misstep by Link, a strike to his leg lashed his skin apart, leaving a long bleeding wound across his shin. His teacher did not relent.

When Impa finally allowed for a break Link collapsed to the ground, Din's Wrath falling in the grass beside him. The boy was in so much pain he wanted to cry, vomit, and writhe all at the same time. But he did none of those things. He only lied face down in the grass and gasped for air.

"It gets easier right?" Link asked as his heart was finally beginning to calm down. Impa was sitting with her soles touching, eyes closed, breathing in and out slowly.

"Not if you are training properly," she said without opening her eyes.

Link sighed. "Do you really think we have enough time to train me well enough to fight Ganondorf?" Then the thought occurred to Link and he pushed himself off the grass. "Wait, why are you training me when YOU can't even beat Ganondorf?" As Impa's eyes shot open Link immediately regretted what he had said.

"I have beaten Ganondorf before," she said plainly, turning to pierce Link with her gaze. "We sparred twice, once while I was an ambassador, and then again shortly after I was appointed Zelda's bodyguard. The man I faced the third time was not the same as earlier." Impa stood up. "But it is a poor warrior who makes excuses for their failures. There will be many battles between now and Ganondorf. You need to be prepared for those." She gestured for Link to get up with her sword. "And when the time to slay Ganondorf does finally arrive, you will have to have surpassed me in skill."

Link could have sworn he saw the beginnings of a grin but was soon distracted by Impa's dancing sword.

They trained well into the afternoon when Impa finally allowed it to end. Instead of walking back with Link this time she told him to be there on time tomorrow and then took off into the woods. Wholly exhausted and in no small amount of pain Link sheathed Din's Wrath and limped home.

"Link!" he heard as he was nearing his home. He looked up, and in dismay saw Saria trotting towards him.

A measly, "Hi," was all he could muster before looking down sheepishly. He wished he hadn't let his emotions get the better of him earlier. It seemed everyone else was taking on their new roles much better than he was.

"How was training?" she asked now only a couple feet away. Link looked up from her pointed green boots to her blissfully kind face. He could not help but smile back.

"It is rough," he said opting to forgo the macho approach. "I have not had a human opponent since I found the Kokiri dagger, and Impa is the most extraordinary swordsman I have ever seen let alone fought."

Saria nodded her understanding then gasped when she saw Link's leg. Blood was now freely rolling down his shin and into his small leather boots.

"Oh its fine," Link said as Saria went to her knees to investigate it, but Saria insisted on having a look.

"Hold still," she said while placing both hands directly on top of the wound.

Link winced in surprise as her soft hands pressed against the cut. The boy became curious as Saria started whispering to herself.

"Hey! What are you doing?" He shouted as his leg began to heat up.

A huge smile on her face, Saria stood back up, careful to keep her bloodied hands in front of her. "All better!"

In disbelief Link looked down and sure enough, beneath the wet blood, the wound had healed perfectly.

"Your sage powers healed him!" Navi cried swooping down for an inspection of her own. Saria just beamed happily and rocked back and forth on her heels.

"We cannot have Kokiri's greatest warrior bleeding into his nice Hylian boots!" Saria said. "Will you come with me and we can get this blood cleaned up?"

Link smiled ever thankful that he was with his friend again. "Of course."

While the two walked down to the public spring Link could not help but notice how Saria was keeping her dirty hands unnecessarily far from her body. Then it dawned on him, the Kokiri were not accustomed to blood. With little chance of injury in their peaceful lives the worst thing that ever happened to a child of the forest was a scrape or bruise. Link vaguely remembered someone breaking a bone while hopping from rock to rock in the pond but a fairy had been brought from the forest to heal him.

Link remembered his own first serious injury. One of Ghoma's children had caught him in the side with its stinger. The wound had torn half of his abdomen open gushing dark, smelly blood. Link touched the scar over his shirt remembering the agony he had felt. After slaying the parasite Link had just stared at the wound blankly, not believing the moment was real. It was Navi who saved his life, leading him to weeds with healing abilities. She instructed him to chew them up then stuff them into the wound. There they became a sort of glue like substance keeping his internals on the inside. Sap from The Great Deku Tree had also helped seal the wound and numb the pain. Now Link always kept a magical healing potion either in his traveling pack, or in a small vial concealed in his belt.

"Is it hard for you to be back?" Saria asked pulling Link from his memories. She had kicked her boots off and was knee deep in the water washing her hands. When Link didn't answer, "You were gazing off, clenching your jaw like you were uncomfortable." Link wasn't sure but she seemed a little sad when she said it.

"Uncomfortable memories," Link said kicking off his own boots then stepping into the cool water. The soft mud felt heavenly under his aching calloused feet. "I am happy to be back though. Happy to see you." He said before becoming incredibly focused on cleaning his leg. He heard Saria giggle.

"I missed you too Link."

Link could feel his ears turning red. He was saved from an awkward silence by Navi.

"What do you and Sheik do while Link and Impa train?" Navi asked bouncing off the surface of the water. Link wondered if she ever needed to bathe or not.

"She teaches me how to use my new powers," Saria said. Link looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "That healing spell was one she taught me."

"Navi and I haven't seen Sheik use any magic before," Link said. Strange that she forgot to mention that, he thought to himself.

Saria shrugged. "She is very skillful and very powerful." Then with a giggle "Also it's fun to have a roommate."

"Powerful?" Link asked.

Saria nodded. "To be honest, she is still learning. But she can already do incredible things like levitate and throw objects without touching them."

"Can she teach me how to do that?" Link asked. He could think of a dozen ways levitating and telekinesis could be useful.

Saria laughed. "I don't know, I think "Aunt" will keep you plenty busy in the meantime."

Link laughed and finished cleaning himself. The two walked back saying very little but wholly enjoying each others' presence. Link wished they had walked slower when they came to the place between their houses.

"Sheik is waiting on me," Saria said when they came to a stop. "I will see you tomorrow Link." She tilted her head and offered her sweetest, cutest smile.

"Tell her I said 'hello'" Link said.

Saria giggled then winked at Link. "Oh I will! Goodnight Link."

"Goodnight Saria." Link stayed planted where he was until Saria disappeared over the hill towards her house.

"You don't want to turn your back on her again," Navi stated.

Link turned around head down, hoping Navi couldn't see his embarrassment.

"Let's go home Navi." Was all he said.

Climbing up his ladder Link became fully aware of how tired he was. Eyes already drooping shut.

"Good grief, you stink!"

Link's eyes shot wide opened. Reflexively he reached for Din's Wrath. Mido, of all people, was standing in the center of Link's home, arms crossed over his chest, tapping his foot impatiently. Link took his hand off the hilt of the giant sword but eyed Mido suspiciously.

"What are you doing here Mido?" He asked trying to sound as impatient as possible.

"I'm here to take the Kokiri sword. As Kokiri's Guardian it belongs to me now," Mido said matter-of-factly.

"Ha, only if you ask nicely!" Link said unclipping Din's Wrath's half-sheath and setting the blade and all on the table.

Mido frowned and dropped his arms to his side. Link could see one of his fists was balled up.

He wouldn't attack me would he? Link thought. Navi saw it first.

"Look out!" She cried before Mido's fairy barreled into her.

Mido kicked off of Link's bed frame behind him with one leg and threw a punch at Link's face with the same-side arm. Link's honed reflexes saved him from the strike but not from Mido's barreling body. The two fell to the ground with Mido on top. With uncharacteristic ferocity Mido began raining punches down on Link. Forearms protecting his face, Link dug his heels into the ground and pushed up with his hips as hard as he could. The sudden motion knocked Mido off balance and over Link's head.

Faster and stronger than his opponent Link scrambled to his feet. While Mido was still getting upright Link got behind him and wrapped his short and (comparatively) strong arms around Mido's waist. With a grunt of exertion Link picked the boy up off the ground, let their momentum carry them both backwards, then slammed Mido backwards onto the floor. The impact dazed the combat novice filling his vision with stars and splotches. Link was standing over him in an instant, foot firmly placed in the boy's sternum.

Hatred filled Mido's eyes as he struggled in vain to move the heavier boy's foot. Link put more of his weight down, stopping all attempts of resistance. The two stared at each other for a moment as their fairies disengaged and fluttered above, anxious to see what would happen next. After nearly a minute, Link removed his foot and walked over to his chest.

"I would have given it to you if you had only asked," Link said holding out both the Kokiri dagger and his own wooden shield. Mido picked himself up but did not reach for the weapon. "Kokiri needs you Mido. And you need a real weapon to protect everyone."

Mido searched Link's face for a moment then rolled his eyes. "Good grief," he said, though not with his usual tone. He grabbed the sword and shield from Link unceremoniously and shouldered past him to the door.

"Learn how to use that!" Link called behind him. "Slashing around like a hooligan will only get you so far." Then he chuckled to himself.

"That was very mature of you." Navi said in her most adult voice.

Link shrugged. "I still don't like him, but he might be the only Kokiri that can stand toe to toe with those monsters." He said referring to wolfos and the sort.

"Did he hurt you?" Navi asked. Link was sure he had a bruise on his face but he laughed all the same.

"Compared to hugging Big Brother Darunia, that was nothing." Link could hear Navi "tsk" disapprovingly.

After shedding his sweaty clothes, then straightening up his room Link finally crawled into bed, utterly exhausted.

"Goodnight Navi," Link managed as he slipped into unconsciousness.

"Goodnight Link."

Author's Note: As you can see I am moving the story very slowly. One of the things that frustrates me in literature, games, and movies, is how unrealistically fast characters become experts at things. Anyone who has trained in any martial art or any sport/hobby really, can tell you that proficiency does not happen over night. I feel it is necessary to share at least a small portion of Link's development into becoming the sword master we all imagine him to be. If you have made it this far, bear with me just a little longer and we will get into the real good stuff. The real combat, war, diplomacy, romance, murder, tragedy, and all that good stuff. Also if you want me to reference one of your works be sure to PM me and I will absolutely check it out. Thank you!