A Different World
Chapter 4
NOTE: I do not own the characters to Legend of Zelda or A Song of Ice and Fire
JON
The hooves of Jon's horse pounded the red earth as he took off in pursuit of the strange, green king. Colin reminded him of his own siblings and resembled Bran in a lot of ways. Followed by his new found friend, Link, who was armed with a bow and arrow, Jon charged into what seemed like a group of similar green creatures riding boars. Some of them held various weapons; bows and arrows, swords, maces, and even morningstars. Jon gave Link verbal instructions to keep the archers at bay while he pursued the green king with Colin strapped on the back of the boar he was riding. He finally caught up with King Bulbin and attempted to slash at his left arm only to be blocked by the king's shield. Bulbin then pushed himself against Jon to knock him off his horse, which he nearly succeeded in doing. Jon then slowed down to ride to King Bulbin's weak right side and switched sword hands and the two fought. The clanging of metal was the only thing Jon seemed to hear amid the screams and hollering of King Bulbin's thugs. He never once looked back to see how Link was faring. The fight instantly became a deadlock as the two swordsmen parried each other.
"Free him!" Jon finally managed to utter words.
"Try me, Lord Snow," the king retorted.
Jon scrunched up his face. How does he know my name?
"You heard me! Lord Stark's bastard!" he snapped through gritted teeth.
Jon shook his head. Perhaps this is all a hallucination. Hearing all of this, it made him frightfully angry. He broke free of King Bulbin and while managing to do so, he sliced the green king's arm. King Bulbin grabbed his cut limb in pain and cursed loudly while Jon untied and secured Colin and whisked him to safety.
LINK
As Jon set out for King Bulbin, Link made quick work of his men. Barely dodging arrows, Link dispatched them, one by one, drinking his red potion to ward off scars and the occasional arrow hitting him in the leg. After the archers were gone, Link took his Master Sword and took out the remaining foes. With his shield and sword splattered with blood, he turned to look for Jon to find King Bulbin riding off, holding his right arm in distress, his sword laying on the battlefield. Jon was riding toward Link, with a semi-conscious Colin over his shoulder. The two smiled at each other and patted each other on the shoulder.
"Good work Jon," said Link. "You're a great swordsman."
Jon grinned. "My father and my brothers at the Night's Watch taught me well."
Link collected King Bulbin's sword and the two of them rode back to Kakariko, just a few miles away. He then noticed that Jon's expression changed from happiness to confusion, which puzzled Link. I wonder if he hurt himself again. They entered the gates of the small village community and managed to secure what was left of the gate after King Bulbin had broken it. The two of them appeared to a small crowd of people with Renado at the front, who promptly took Colin into his home to help him rest but not without thanking Link and Jon for their heroic actions. The Ordon children screamed in delight and called the both of them heroes.
"Perhaps I was wrong about this guy," whispered Midna to Link. "He flat out went into battle and saved Colin!"
Link was incredibly impressed with Jon's battle prowess but even more so with his bravery. Taking Epona as well as Jon's horse in the healing springs of Eldin, he noticed that his new friend seemed to appear more perplexed as he washed his face in the healing springs. Something must be bothering him. After tying down the horses, Link lead Jon back into his room at the Elde Inn. As soon as Link closed the door, Jon sat on the bed, hanging his head as if he were ashamed of something.
"I noticed that you were out of sorts after that battle," Link said. "Is there anything wrong?"
Jon, still hanging his head, sighed. "When I went against King Bulbin," he explained. "He called me 'Lord Snow' and 'Stark's Bastard.'" I don't know if I'm hallucinating or if people here have knowledge of my existence."
"Perhaps you were just hearing things."
"I pray that you're right, Link." He looked up and removed his boots and lay on the bed. "I'll just rest for while."
"Go ahead. Barnes from the Bomb Shop is making a beef stew tonight for dinner," Link said with a smile. "You'll want to be rested for that."
Jon returned his smile and lay face up with his eyes closed. Link left the room and closed the door behind him. For all that he's been through, it's probably all in his head. At least he's safe here. As Link descended the staircase, Midna popped up.
"I don't get this Jon guy," she said. "He came out of nowhere nearing death, proves himself on the battlefield, but then claims he heard someone call him by his unsavory nickname."
"He's probably been hit in the head a few times, Midna," said Link. "It's nothing to worry about, I'm sure."
Midna scrunched her face and disappeared into Link's shadow. Link felt sorry for Jon; he indeed had been through a great deal of grief and frustration. Still, he hoped that Jon would be fine in the next few days. As Link was walking toward Renado's home, a shadowy figure appeared, standing on a distant mountaintop, staring at Link and then shifted its gaze to the Elde Inn.
