A/N Hi everyone, sorry again for the late update. Life's been a bit chaotic, but nothing I can't handle. I've switched back to using my tablet currently. I'm gonna be emailing the story back and forth between my devices, might be a bit difficult, but we'll see how it turns out. (Edit: that did not turn out well, so it'll either be one or the other. Probably not my tablet anymore cause I lost 3 paragraphs due to me forgetting that Polaris does not automatically save. Sorry for taking so long btw, it's easier on the other device as I've discovered.)

Sorry again to those of you who message me. I forget super easily, multiple times in a row. Especially when I feel half dead from some sickness floating around (somehow I catch a lot of colds and stuff).

Good news is: I got a new dog! He has a cool name. I hope he gets along with the others. (Edit: I have found that sharing a bed is difficult. No more big burly dogs on my bed, thank you very much.)

GOOD NEWS INCLUDING YOU GUYS: Captivity chapter 1 is coming out this weekend! I hope you guys like it! I'm also gonna be finishing the epilogues for Restless Spirits around then, a lot of the people that read it requested one (or 2, I'm doing 2 by request). Don't worry, I'm announcing Captivity there too so all of the usual readers will know. (Edit: Captivity is coming out when it's coming out, I'm not sure when anymore. It's already Saturday and I still have the epilogues I need to finish so who knows when it'll come out).

More Good News: I've got a few requests, so I'll be announcing the order I'll be doing them in sometime soon. (All LoZ so far, I gotta mix things up a bit).

Final Edit: ARGH WHY MUST MY ELECTRONICS MESS THINGS UP

Everything was going so well and now I gotta fix it, sorry for the shorter chapter guys. Blame my tablet and computer. Hnnnng

Forever is a long time

To ponder, to cry.

A long time to forget

To live, to regret.

You lose faces,

And traces

Of names and crimes

To the passage of time.

Some things remain,

Such as the pain

Of the strikes and blows,

That few know.

Yet you remember,

For eternity, forever

What it means to be

Stripped, of humanity.

Chapter 4

One of the first things Rusl had taken into account was Link's flinching habit. He knew that whatever had happened to the boy was likely the cause of it. However, just knowing the cause of something doesn't mean anyone can fix it easily. The swordsman wished he could, it clenched his heart whenever a fast movement caused fear to spark in those blue eyes. His heart clenched even more when he realized the more vulnerable the Hylian felt, the more intense his reaction was. Rusl learned that the hard way, tears had finally run out and the small arms had released him. Deeming it time to end the embrace, he had removed his own arms and gotten up whilst stretching. Tired and worn, Link had immediately become alert, flinching away and hiding his tear-streaked face. It was heartbreaking.

Not knowing what to do at first, he stood there, eyes wide in surprise and concern molded his face. That's when he realized he had to be very careful with his movements around the Hylian. A hand raised higher than his own head meant little, often just someone stretching like he was, but a hand raised above Link's head...that meant pain. Chiseled, bit by bit, his soul ached in thought of what the boy must've gone through. Tenderness again took over his once hardened, soldier-like emotions. Sitting on the bed a second time, he attempted to find the right words.

"I promise that I will never hit you. I know you're scared and...um...you're safe here." he sighed, knowing how unconvincing his words sounded. "No one in this village will harm you."

Leaving what he said to sink in, he got up. Giving Link space seemed wise. Finally being able to remove the splinters from his hand, he did so, giving a sigh of relief when all of them were out. He kept his attention mostly away from the Hylian, only keeping an ear listening for noise. Briefly, Rusl's mind felt clouded. He forced himself to take a moment to breathe. It still seemed so bizarre that he was in such a situation. Overwhelming for sure.

Thoughts were scattered once Uli opened the door. Rusl took that oppurtunity as a chance to head back to Bo's house. Simply requesting that she help Link clean up while he was gone, the boy was still quite dirty. As the day progressed, the spring sun was bringing in more warmth. Across the village, he spotted a few of his fellow villagers. Right, they would find out eventually. Just...not then.

Bo welcomed him back inside the large house. There was something...new...about the Mayor. Ever since winter, the villagers had become accustomed to his gloom. They had tolerated his drinking; the cause of his excessive weight gain ever since his wife's passing. It did not matter to them that the meager supplies of rum disappeared, they had been concerned, but he had never gotten out of control. The duty of Mayor and fatherhood still rested upon him, a weight only he could bear well, still a leader despite his flaws. So they had let him be. Yet, there was a difference in he man with dark circles around his eyes the day before, a half-smile on his face as he watched Ilia and Fado play from the sidelines. A difference in his countenance ever since Rusl had brought that terrified little boy to the doorstep. Something good...a new light.

"Bo, you seem...different." he stated, taking the seat offered by the other.

"I feel different Rusl. After you left, all Ilia could talk about was Link and she only saw him once! We can help him, can't we?" that's what was new. Excitement, liveliness, a will to assist.

Rusl simply smiled, "Yes, we can help him. He'll be alright."

That got Bo beaming as well. The arrival of the Hylian appeared to have brought a good impact. Hopefully it would stay that way until the issue was fixed, allowing the child to return home. Link had said he was stolen, Rusl tried to avoid assuming the worst, but it likely meant the youth had been kidnapped. Dwelling on it only made it even more depressing than the thought was on its own. The sooner they contacted the castle on the matter, the better. Only they would know exactly where the western Hylians lived for sure.

Starting the letter was the easy part, filling the rest of it out was the challenge. Rusl and Bo spent much longer than necessary when writing out the middle. It didn't help that they still knew very little about the child either. Upon completing the letter, they both sat back and read it, charcoal smudges adorning their hands and even a little bit on their faces.

The letter itself explained the situation, every important detail of it. Ranging from finding the boy so far out in the woods, to the language Link spoke, his injuries, supposed age, everything. All the way down to the revelation that the Hylian had been stolen, likely from his home and family. Ending with a plea for assistance on the matter, that they might be able to locate the family, anything. It was read over again and again until both men were satisfied with their work. Bo took the letter and put it into a neat and tidy envelope, sealing it with the slightest bit of wax. Luckily, mail was quick, the mailman was thankfully proficient at his job. Not to mention easy to find, in fact, he was already making his rounds nearby, they didn't have to wait long at all to send the letter on its way.

Feeling the excitement and happiness at being able to assist someone was contagious, Bo was buzzing with the energy of it all. Worries on the matter melted away from Rusl, there was hope for a lost Hylian boy. There was hope that everything would be alright. Childish glee over the good that can be done in the world. Sadly, a single letter can't always do much. Not much at all.

Speaking of childish glee, Ilia had been silently watching over her father. Watching him as he discussed with Rusl and wrote the letter on the flimsy parchment, stepping outside and sending it away with the strange man. Her interest in the pointy-eared boy had been piqued ever since she laid eyes on him. The nearly 5 year old girl had only seen the likes of him visiting the village a couple times, merchants selling all kinds of fancy trinkets and bobbles, food and knick knacks, all as foreign looking as the people themselves. Slanted eyes, pointy ears, oddly shaped faces, they were interesting, especially to a young girl who had yet to know the world. Ilia wanted to meet the quiet boy again, anyone could be her friend. Fado was fun to play with, but he was older and played a bit too rough. When she could, she would find a way to meet him.

Meanwhile, with that buisness taken care of, Rusl walked back to his house with energy in his step. Being able to help someone was always a good experience, especially for him. It was worth it. Soon, the boy could be on his way back to the West and hopefully back to his own family. Rusl had faith in the Royal Court, his loyalty whilst in service proved that much. If anyone could help a wayward Hylian child, it would be them. A smile rested on his face as he opened the door, it widened as said Hylian entered his sight.

Link was too small to properly fit in Fado's clothes, the shirt almost reached the middle of his thighs. The neck hole was too big, causing the shoulder to be exposed as it slipped down the frail little arm. Uli was fussing over him, trying in vain to fix it so that everything fit decently. The child himself looked fed up with it all, he was shifting uncomfortably in the pants that covered his feet and rubbing his eyes tiredly with his free hand, the other grasping his crutch loosely.

In the moment it took for Rusl to process it all, he let out a hearty laugh. "Uli, dear Uli, let the boy be." he exclaimed, chuckling while he hung up his coat, "I think he would appreciate it if we let him take another nap."

Both his wife and the boy's faces turned a bit red in embarrassment, mainly his wife's face, Link held gratitude on his. She stepped back and looked over the small amount of progress she made on the clothes before finally letting the exhausted youth crawl back onto their bed. Smiling sheepishly, she turned to her husband.

"You were gone for some time, did the letter turn out alright?"

Smile still broad on his charcoal smudged face, he nodded. "It sure did. Bo and I were pleased with how it turned out." he finished with a sigh, plopping onto the chair he had slept in the night before.

"That's wonderful! I really hope everything turns out alright." she exclaimed, softening her tone as she noticed how quickly Link had fallen asleep.

"So do I, no child should go through what he did." Rusl softened his tone as well, though a grin still stood its ground on his face.

Wooden groans rumbled through the chair as he stretched on it. The kinks in his body were stubborn, revenge against him for sleeping in an uncomfortable position. Once he was done, a damp rag was placed in his hand. Confused, he looked at his wife, her own fond grin prominent as she tapped the corner of her mouth. A soft giggle followed as he wiped his with the rag, charcoal dust dark against the light surface. It was his turn to be embarrassed.

"At least now I know how dedicated you were to writing that letter dear." she gave him a peck on the cheek before turning to the pot sitting on the fire.

Bless her heart, she had dinner already cooking while he was busy. Once he noticed the cooking stew, the smell of it became noticeable as well. Of course, one thing led to another and his stomach growled, reminding him that he had not eaten lunch. Then he remembered that perhaps Link had not eaten lunch either.

"Uli, did you give Link any lunch?"

"Of course I did, when I ate, he ate with me." her focus remained on the stew, stirring it and adding more dried vegetables and goat cheese.

Seeing how the little bit of meat being added reminded Rusl that he would need to go hunting and bring back something other than a hungry Hylian boy. He was relieved that Link had been fed, but a bit apprehensive about the amount of food they had left. Apprehensions quickly expanded once he realized that he would have to leave soon in order to gather and hunt for enough food to feed all three of them. Mail in Hyrule was fast, but it still took about a week to send something and get a response. Besides, the Court was a busy organization. While he wanted helping Link to remain the priority, food was more important. With luck he would be able to go back out within the next couple of days.

As soon as the stew was finished, 3 bowls had been placed at the table. Rusl was still lost in thought, and Link was still asleep. Not wanting to disturb the sleeping chid, she touched Rusl's arm, signaling that the food was ready. As he moved his chair back to the table, she filled his bowl first, setting it before him. Her's came second, she sat down next to him. Halfway through the meal he started discussing some of the things that she had yet to hear about Link. He kept it light at first, however, he had always confided in her about his worries and deep concerns.

"Bo and I also came to the possible conclusion that his parents are dead. It seems likely, but earlier Link told me that he had been stolen." his hand quavered, forcing him to put the spoon back in the bowl, "That means he must've been kidnapped...I-I don't know what to think about that. It's sad."

Uli had stopped eating as well, eyes focused on her husband's. They were downcast, empathetic and caring toward the boy they still knew very little about. He had always been tender, despite his hardened past. She reached out and grabbed his hand. The news was shocking to her. What kind of people would take a child from its home? For what purpose as well? It was inhumane. Nevertheless, she held her husband's warm hand. They were married for a purpose, to stand together against whatever life throws at them. Uli hadn't quite expected a foreign child to be thrown at them, but that's what they had each other for. She let silence reign, it seemed better that way. Silent affection, silent support.

Gratitude toward his wife remained silent as well. Never had Rusl felt so protective towards anyone than for his wife and that mysterious Hylian. It was new. So many things were new. He glanced toward the sleeping form on his bed. Yes, he felt protective. Odd and new, just like the concern he had felt, the responsibility of taking care of the child. Change was not always something he welcomed, but that change was different. Helping Link was a main priority after all. Leaving someone so young to fend for himself would be cruel, potential for a great life would be wasted. Such a frail child would die all alone. With those thoughts, Rusl's protectiveness felt justified. He wasn't just saving the potential for a great life, he was helping a scared, injured child. Being a soldier, saving lives by killing...that's not what he felt to be right. There was a difference between killing a beast to save a life, and killing a man to save one. Rusl didn't need to kill anyone to save someone, another new thing that was beyond welcome.

If he felt the need to protect Link, so be it, he would.