A/N: With this chapter, I'm afraid I'm going to have to bump the rating up to 'M' for language. I had at first hoped not to do this. I certainly agree that there are more constructive ways to express yourself than with profanity. But I have to be realistic with this, and if you throw a bunch of teenagers into a tense situation, things are going to get a bit... uncivil.
Chapter 11
For the entire drive to the campsite, Link had just wished that everyone would shut up. On the way back, a pensive silence hung over the van, made all the more heavy by the empty seat. As soon as Link and Zelda had returned to the camp in the morning, Nabooru had whisked the princess away in a small armored vehicle that was already waiting
"She is going to a safe location. That is all you need to know," she had said, before staring hard at Link. "If she has made any plots known to you, boy, you'd best act on them." And then they were gone.
A man who had come with the armored car remained behind. His square face was set in a constant-scowl, and every move of his was brisk, precise. Desi approached him, bleary-eyed.
"Mr. Smith? What's going on?"
He looked down slowly, glanced at each of the children in turn. His gaze lingered particularly long on Aghreal.
"Your parents can fill you in," he said. "Come on, they'll be worried."
They stared at Link all the way home. Most seemed like they were trying to be subtle, angling their heads only slightly his way, making a point of looking past him when he looked their way, and all the tricks high-schoolers use. But Link could tell. He could tell because he would have been doing the exact same thing. An odd coincidence indeed, to have stolen away with the princess the night before… well, before something happened. No one yet had the courage to say anything to him, but he knew that would not last long.
Everyone's parents were already waiting at the rendezvous point, and the girls scattered to learn what had happened. All except Aghreal. She tugged on Link's arm as he left to go to Kafei, who stood somberly beside his car with a hand on the hood. He met Link's eyes and nodded. Go ahead, the nod said. Link turned back to Aghreal.
She yanked him close and spoke into his ear in a low voice.
"I am not blind. I am no fool. I will not ask you stupid questions that you will not know whether to answer. I will say only that I am here to help, if I can."
Link nodded vacantly as he struggled to figure out just what she thought she was talking about. He hoped that she thought that he and Zelda had been dating, that she was offering her condolences. But then it wouldn't make sense for her to say "I am here to help." Gerudo didn't do relationships, and even if they did, what help could she offer?
No, she must have figured out that he was the Hero reborn, as Zelda had. And that meant… what? That felt like something he ought to keep a secret, but he couldn't figure out why.
Think, he told himself. What's the worst thing that could happen if I told everyone I was the Hero, right now?
Everyone would laugh, for one. But that wasn't the worst thing. Or if it was, that was hardly a good reason to keep things secret.
Zelda had been trying to keep it out of public knowledge. But that was before the attack. Now Ganondorf already knew the Hero was working against him.
No, all Ganondorf knew was that someone killed his skulltullas. But it had to be more significant than that, because why else-
"It looks like you are trying to think and failing," Aghreal said, cutting into his thoughts. "Advice: sleep first, then think." She smirked at him and patted him on the chest. "I'm guessing you didn't get much last night."
Link blushed and stammered out a protest, but she had already walked away. As he approached Kafei, he tried to regain control of his face, to little success.
"Learning about women, I see," the man said with an amused grin.
"Kafei!"
He chuckled and entered the car. While Link climbed into the passenger seat, Kafei brought the engine to life, but did not shift out of park.
"I assume… Zelda has told you a few things," Kafei began.
Link nodded.
"Would you be surprised to learn she left instructions for something like this?"
"Something like what, exactly?"
Kafei turned to look at Link, then back out the windshield. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel.
"Three hours ago, Gerudo raiders invaded Hyrule," he said. His voice was thin, like an old rag that had been laundered too many times. "They captured Kasuto. Our satellites… they've blocked our satellites somehow. No one knows what's happening inside."
"How's Anju?"
"Working. Working too hard."
Link closed his eyes. He hated to admit it, but this attack felt underwhelming. Inconsequential, almost. He had expected Ganondorf himself on his doorstep. Instead, the battle had fallen on over a hundred-thousand people, hundreds of miles away.
Kafei handed him a plain, sealed envelope. Link took it reflexively.
"Don't worry about it too much, alright?" Kafei said. "From what I could tell, even Zelda wasn't certain. This is the military's problem, and they're more than capable of dealing with some rogue Gerudo."
Link said nothing. Kafei had a point. On the other hand, if he waited for Ganondorf to barge into Castle Town, it would be too late to start preparing.
"Link, you listening?"
He nodded. "Right. Don't do anything stupid. Got it." Seemed to be a common theme lately.
"Glad to hear it. Now let's get you home for some proper rest."
Dear Link,
If you are reading this, the time for being sentimental has passed. Therefore, I will be to
the point, or make an attempt, anyway. Once the words come, it's hard to shut them off sometimes.
I've attached directions to Old Forest Campground. Go there with someone you trust. Or better, go alone. That might be a bit difficult, though, wouldn't it? Well, Kafei's already on our side, and knows a thing or two. Whenever he gets a holiday. It's not terribly urgent. Or maybe it will be. Despite the stories, I'm blind to the future, I'm afraid.
There's a legend passed down by the Royal Fa… I suppose there's no point in being grandiose about this anymore. I'm pretty sure an ancient sage lives at that campsite, somewhere, and only you or I can find him. You may have to do a bit of walking around before you run into him. Make sure you have good shoes. Nabooru says when you get new boots, it helps to take a shower in them, then walk around 'til they're dry. Or tennis shoes would probably still work. I mean, it couldn't be more than a few miles.
Sorry. Rambling. The sage there will have to guide you when I'm gone. Hopefully he's still there. And mostly sane.
I wish I could say that you could just let the military handle everything if you don't feel up to it. I wish I could tell you there was no reason for you accept this quest. But the histories are clear. The Hero always faces Ganondorf alone, in the end. I don't know why it is. The priests or sages may have some answer for you, if you wish to ask.
It is not fair that you're being thrown into this… No, it's not fair that I'm throwing it at you. You have a hard road ahead, harder than most Hylians will ever face. And I hope that one day, you will forgive me.
Good luck, my friend.
Zelda
Sunday afternoon, Link returned from the library to find a visitor waiting for him. Miss Rebecca sat in the lounge with Anju, sipping tea. Seeing her and Anju side-by-side, he couldn't help but realize the orphan-mother was less refined than he had believed. She slouched, ever so slightly, as she rested in the chair. She fidgeted. But she'd always be one of the most beautiful people in the world to him. Without hesitating, he walked up and gave her a tight hug.
"Link! Wow. I'd say you've really grown up, but that would probably just annoy you, huh?"
He chuckled politely. "It's good to see you again too, Miss Rebecca," he said.
"I'll leave you two alone for a bit," Anju said, patting Link on the shoulder. "There'll be cookies in fifteen minutes, if you're still here."
Link watched her leave, wondering if there was a polite way to warn Miss Rebecca about Anju's unique culinary abilities.
"I think you've figured out I'm not just here to see you," she said when Anju was gone.
Link nodded. This was about the attack, somehow. The timing would be too weird otherwise. He sat down, and tried not to leap to conclusions.
"Fado got adopted last week. A retired soldier named Rusl and his wife. Already had a son, and Fado just fit in there so perfectly. I've never seen her so happy before."
Link raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. Fado being any happier than normal was rather hard to imagine.
"Rusl's wife took her and the boy on vacation this weekend. To Kasuto."
Link bit his lip. He should be distraught. He should break down. That was what Miss Rebecca would expect, at least. It was simply the right way to feel. But, after the news of over a hundred thousand Hylians falling to the Gerudo attack, after having Zelda whisked away from them, he simply didn't have much despair left.
"You two were so close… I thought you should know. I am so sorry." As she had done so many times before, she pulled him into a comforting hug, and the faint smell of lilac tickled his nose. He thought he'd never get to smell that again.
For a moment, the memories overwhelmed him, but then he pushed away and stood up.
"We don't know anything about what happened at Kasuto, right?" he said.
"Link…"
"I know what you're thinking, Miss Rebecca, but I can't just let her go like that. There's still hope. She could just be a prisoner. She could be alright, in the end."
"Please, you're just hurting yourself more like this."
"Do you want her to be dead?" he snapped.
She froze, hand over her heart, gaze dropping despairingly downward.
"I'm sorry, you didn't deserve that," Link said. "Please, Miss Rebecca, let me deal with this is my own way.
"You do know I care about you, about all you you, right, Link?" Her face was a melange of smiles and tears.
"I know. You wouldn't have come, otherwise."
"It was good to see you again. I'm glad you're doing well."
They clasped hands, and she left. Link remained standing in the lounge. Now that she was gone, the full force of her news ambushed him. Everything seemed so fast and so distant all at once.
He willed his legs to stop shaking. These distractions would only shatter his ability to think. He had to focus on what lay before him, on the next.
Link collapsed on the sofa and looked down on the book he had just gotten from the library, still clasped in his hands.
Hylian Expeditionary Force's Guide to Tactical Desert Survival
Tuesday morning, school administration herded everyone into the auditorium for a presentation. Link squirmed in the surge of people, then scolded himself for the show of weakness. He was better than this. He had proven it.
Aghreal was easy to spot. In the throng of people, she was one of the few next to an empty seat. Her cascade of red hair made things even simpler. He took the open seat.
"You know, if you were smart, you'd be avoiding me right now," she muttered.
"Yeah, because I have so much popularity to worry about losing." He rolled his
eyes.
"There's a difference between not being liked and having people pissed at you."
Link shrugged. She was his friend. That wasn't something he was going to apologize for.
At 8:00 precisely, the lights went on, and an old pepper-haired man limped onstage. He grimaced at every step, but stood resolute when he reached the microphone. Most strikingly, he wore the ceremonial green dress-tunic of the Hylian Army.
He stood there a long moment, looking thoughtfully at those assembled, and then spoke.
"My name is Captain Rusl. I served our country for most of my adult life, leaving only when age and injury caught up with me. Now, it has been seen proper to call me back to act as recruiter. I would hope I do not have to explain why." The corner of his mouth twitched up in a smile. No one laughed.
"Though I am a recruiter, I am still a man of integrity. I will not promise you glory, or rank, or even justice. I am here to tell you the truth, and to let you act as you believe best.
"The truth, then, is that we have been fighting for two days now, and our victory is not assured. The invaders have not yet advanced beyond Kasuto, but they have not yielded anything either.
"The Hylian military has not known true war for centuries, and we are hardly prepared. We are doing our best to learn and to adapt, and mistakes are being made in the process. If you choose to aid your country, it is possible you will become one of these mistakes. It is very likely that you will get wounded, or die. I can absolutely promise greater discomfort than you have ever known before.
"But if you ignore this plight, then death will come to all of Hyrule, not just you. The enemy is fearsome, and treacherous, and they are a legitimate threat.
"Because of this, the entrance age has been lowered to sixteen, with your guardians' permission.
"Now, are there any here would join in their country's defense, and take back the city of Kasuto?"
At first, no one moved, and Link had time to notice a few things. First, that he had never referred to the enemy as 'Gerudo.' Second, that he made no appeals to the recent loss of his wife and children.
Then Rusl's eyes widened. Link couldn't tell what he was looking at, at first. He heard rustling behind him. Following the attention of the crowd, he turned to see a Gerudo rising from her seat in the back. Her sisters grabbed at her, but she shook them off and made her way to the aisle.
"I was born in this country," she said, "as was my mother, and her mother. We have lived, we have grown, we have prospered." Her voice carried easily, even with no amplification. She was almost shouting, as she descended toward the stage.
"My mother has her own clothing brand, and is not seduced by its evils. My sisters and I will do better. And one day it will be forgotten that you Hylians ever looked down on us. Mistrusted us.
"And now these desert bitches think to scamper in and attack, because they can't think to civilize themselves and raise themselves up the proper way? Fuck 'em. I love my sisters, and I love Hyrule too."
Aghreal burried her face in both hands. "Dammit, going home tonight is going to be so annoying." Link concealed his laugh with a snort.
Rusl half-bowed as the defiant Gerudo came onto the stage. "Thank you for volunteering. Would anyone else join their classmate?"
"As idiotic as she is, I'm not going to let my sister run off on her own," proclaimed another at the back. "Gerudo stick together."
"Like hell you do," Aghreal muttered.
Then a Hylian stood, though as large as he was, he hardly needed to stand to be seen over all the others. His shoulders were almost as broad as two normal students next to each other, and his red mohawk gave him even more height.
"I ain't that smart," he said. "Goddess knows I can't hide that anymore. Don't 'spect I'm getting into any colleges or anything. Figure I can knock some heads together, though." He joined the two Gerudo onstage.
"Well fuck, I'm not letting a pair of damn Gerudo show me up," another boy called. Then too many people rose too quickly for them all to say anything, so in silent agreement, they all filed their way up to meet Rusl.
"Look well on your brave classmates," Rusl told the school, once the flow had stopped. There were perhaps forty students onstage, some seeming more confident than others. "Look, and pray that you seem them again. For those not quite old enough, I will be open to holding training sessions. Get you a bit more prepared for what is to come. You can find me in the cafeteria during lunch, or at the recruiter's office on Castle Drive after school."
At the close, the students began filing out. The dull atmosphere of thirty minutes ago had been replaced completely by a buzzing excitement. People whispered rumors and speculations to each other, comments about who had chosen to enlist, and who had not.
"You're welcome to have dinner with us, if going home would really be that annoying," he offered.
Aghreal pressed her lips together. "No, I should deal with this. Or be there when it is dealt with, rather."
At lunch, the fighting began.
Link sat by himself, as usual, eating a dish of shrimp scampi that tasted better than it looked. On another day, he might have enjoyed it. The butter was noticeable, yet not overbearing, and a strange spice he couldn't identify brought out the taste. He usually found it a treat to get a hot meal he didn't prepare, doubly so when it actually tasted decent.
Mike sat down next to him, and it was all Link could do not to sigh, or stand and walk away.
"Sucks about Zelda, man," he said. "I know you two were close. You been keeping in touch online?"
Link should his head. "Haven't heard a word from her. Guess they're really paranoid about security."
"Well, don't worry about it dude. You were practically dating the princess. Now she's gone, chicks are gonna start swarming. It's a status thing." He threw an arm around Link's shoulder in what he probably thought was a companionable manner. "You're going to be a killer, dude."
Link took a bite of his food to buy time. What did you even say to something like that?
"Hey," Mike continued. "You know what would boost you up even more? You should go talk to that Rusl dude. Say you're all concerned about Hyrule's future and want to train and stuff. They'll think you're so goddamn brave, but most likely this whole thing'll blow over by the time you're old enough. Goddamn hero without even lifting a finger."
The worst part was, he had already planned to talk to the old soldier. With Nabooru and Zelda out of the picture, it was his best chance to become strong enough to fight Ganondorf. Now Mike would think that it was because he suggested that Link do so. And knowing him, he would probably go tell everyone about it.
Link mentally slapped himself. He was working to save Hyrule. Basing his actions on what other high schoolers thought was stupid.
"And worst-case, even if we somehow still haven't won by the time you're sixteen, you get to go kill Gerudo," Mike was saying, just as one of the dark-skinned females passed by with her tray. She stopped mid-stride and turned dangerously to Mike.
"I am very tired of being lumped with those desert savages," she spat. "Or did you think I made a weekend trip to Kasuto over break?"
Mike lounged in his chair, brazenly ignoring the threat that blazed in her eyes. "Oh yeah? Then why do you keep acting like them, huh? I know all about your silly rituals, your stupid traditional initiations. Hell, you still pray to the Goddess of the Desert! Maybe if you'd actually act like Hylians, then-"
"Shut up," Link said. He had no idea where it had come from. Normally he wouldn't even think to be so confrontational. Maybe the stress was getting to him. Maybe he just didn't give a damn about things like reputation anymore. "Things are bad enough already. Stop making it worse."
"Oh come on!" Mike yelled, slamming his hand down on the table, at the same time as the Gerudo said "I don't need a puny Hylian like you trying to defend me."
"Puny Hylian, huh? You really think you could take us?"
"You are weak. You lay around on padded seats, eating food you know will kill you. Your culture is soft and pathetic. There-"
Mike slammed his fist into the Gerudo's face. Link wondered how anyone who'd made it through middle school could possibly be so stupid. Gerudo came swarming to the table to defend their sister. Link scampered away before the inevitable happened and the more courageous Hylians hopped in to fight off the Gerudo.
It seemed like the perfect opportunity to go talk to Rusl. He was seated at a folding plastic table in the corner of the cafeteria. Two Hylians sweated on the floor, doing push ups. Rusl frowned down at them, holding a watch in his right hand.
"And... time," Rusl said. The boys on the floor let themselves falls in semi-dignified heaps. "That was one minute. Sucks, doesn't it?"
He turned to Link. "Another trainee?"
"Yes sir."
"Call me Rusl," he said. "I'm only technically in the Army. And by your looks, you aren't even close to being in. Rusl'll do just fine."
"I'm Link."
Rusl took his hand thoughtfully. "Link, I know that name. A friend of Fado's right?"
Link grinned. "You must have a fine attention to detail."
"Or perhaps she just liked to talk. A lot. Especially about you." Link felt a stab of guilt. He had never called or visited like he'd promised to. He'd completely forgotten about her. She hadn't.
"Well Link, why are you here?"
"To train."
"Then let us get started," the old man said with a smile.
