Link awoke with a jolt- his breathing was heavy and his eyes wide. He stared up at his ceiling for a moment, noting the wooden rafters and the sun beaming through an opening at the peak. He felt his chest rise and fall as his breathing slowed. It feels like I've been asleep for ages. He blinked back the sleep from his eyes as he tried to recall a dream. It was just out of his reach. He shook his head and slowly rolled out of bed. Something just didn't feel right.
He looked down at his small hands as he stepped into his pants and pulled them up, hopping around on one foot while trying to maintain his balance. After stumbling around and throwing on his green tunic, he walked to the window and placed his hands on the ledge. Looking down from his tree house, it appeared to be an ordinary day-the Kokiri children were already up and about, tending to fields and some were even playing off in the distance. A sigh escaped him. I'm still just the boy without a fairy, nothing new to see here.
He turned and started down the wooden ladder. His body moved swiftly but his mind was still preoccupied. He just couldn't shake the feelings which lingered within him.
"Link!" a small voice shook him from his daydreams. He saw a petite form in green skipping toward him. Saria greeted him enthusiastically with a smile and wave, "It's about time you woke up sleepy-head! I was about to-" Her words were cut short when Link's arms wrapped around her body in a tight hug. Arms pinned at her side, she gasped as she tried to catch her breath.
"What in Hyrule, Link! Let go!" She squealed as she squirmed in his grasp. He released her and stepped back, a slight blush appearing across his cheeks. He looked down as his hand came up to play with the hair at the nape of his neck.
"Sorry," he mumbled. "I don't know what's gotten in to me."
He laughed, "I'm just happy you're here!"
Link looked up to see her standing with her arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
She started to chuckle too, "That Deku scrub must've really hit you hard in the head yesterday!"
Link dismissed her banter and continued to hold her gaze.
She threw her arms up in exasperation, "Aw, come on, you know I'm just messing with you! Seriously," she said as she stood to face him,"I'm glad you're here too."
"Now, we have some work to do!" she said as she took his arm and began to lead him down the road.
"Today, Link," Saria started, "you get to go to the castle!"
Link's eyes widened in surprise as she pulled away from him.
They had come upon a large wooden cart filled to the top with various goods. A burly man squatted to lift a large steel barrel. With a grunt, he heaved it onto the back of the cart. He clapped his hands together and brushed the dirt from his palms before starting the task of preparing the horses for departure.
"This is Fin," Saria said as they came up to the man. The man stood up and turned towards the small children. His broad chest puffed out as a large arm reached out to meet Link; his hand swallowed the young boy's in his own. A smile appeared behind his thick beard, and his eyebrows raised in enthusiasm. The white of his teeth stood out against his olive skin.
"Great to meet you, lad. I didn't know you Kokiri were such an industrious bunch!"
Saria turned to Link, "We found him in the Lost Woods. It seems some Moblins attacked his cart and made off with some valuable items." She looked concerned, but then with a smile she continued, "But we fixed up his cart and helped him replenish his stock. I'd like you, Link, to escort him to the castle. It's the least we can do. We know these woods better than anyone."
Fin patted Link on the shoulder, "Once we are out of these woods, I'd like to send you home with some special goods from castle town-as a thanks for helping out a stranger."
Link nodded and began to prepare for the journey ahead of him. He grabbed a leather satchel and began to fill it with food and a change of clothes. As his hands became busy with the tasks in front of him, the words spoken by the Great Deku Tree resonated in his mind
"The children of the forest, the Kokiri, live here with me. Each Kokiri has his or her own guardian fairy. However, there is one boy who does not have a fairy..."
Kokiri never left the forest, for fear they would die as soon as they entered the outside world. I'm different, and that's why Saria believes I can go with him. Maybe this will be a new start for me.
Link briskly walked into the stable and began gathering additional supplies for the trip. He picked up a leather saddle and started to bring it to Fin. As he stared at his fists a glimmer caught his attention. He had spotted a small Hylian sword in the corner of the stable.
Fin accepted the saddle and began the process of readying his horse. After adjusting the bit, he stroked the horse's mane and placed the saddle on the mare's back, being sure to tighten the straps at its side. Noticing the object of the young boy's gaze, he then approached Link, the boards of the floor creaking beneath his heavy footsteps.
"I almost forgot," he smiled. He walked to the sword and bent down to grab it. He stood up and held it out to Link. "It was my son's when he was a small lad like yourself. Must've misplaced it trying to get things back in order after my cart was raided...glad you saw it!" Fin looked down at the sword and inspected it, rotating it and taking in the sight of it in his calloused hands.
"When the World is at Peace, a gentleman keeps his Sword by his side."
Fin sighed, "My son spoke this phrase often-he was a soldier in the Hylian army."
"Go on, take it," Fin said as he offered the sword to Link. "It serves me no purpose anymore, and it's the least I can do for your help. My son would be happy to have it put to good use."
Link reached toward the sword and took it by his side. Although it was heavy, the sword felt natural to him. He knew in time he would grow strong enough to wield it.
Fin turned and began to exit the stable, but stopped when Link spoke.
"Fin," Link said as he looked up at the towering man, "Where is your son now?"
Fin stood for a moment, his broad figure lingering in the doorway, "My son's soul is no longer with the living. He died in the last Hyrulean Civil War...ten years ago now."
"I'm sorry for your loss, " Link spoke, his words barely above a whisper.
Fin turned and firmly placed his hands on the boy's shoulders and looked into his eyes,"You have the makings of a warrior. I can see it in your eyes-in the way you carry yourself. For such a young boy it seems as if you hold the soul of a veteran within you."
Link looked down at the floor uncomfortably. "Some warrior..I'm just a kid," he mumbled.
He kicked at some pebbles at his feet. "I don't even have a fairy."
Fin lowered his hands,"Some Warriors look fierce, but are mild. Some seem timid, but are vicious. Look beyond appearances; position yourself for the advantage." He then walked toward the door.
Link's brows furrowed in contemplation, his boots still kicking at the ground.
Fin turned his head to look back at him, a smile spreading across his face,"And remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword."
And with that they said their goodbyes and started off to Castle Town. Link was excited to leave, hoping the outside world could hold information on who he was, or lead him in a direction towards his destiny. My destiny, he thought to himself, Do I really believe I have a destiny?
Link smiled to himself, Well, this is a beginning. We will see what the outside world holds for me.
Quotes:"When the World is at Peace, a gentleman keeps his Sword by his side." - Wu Tsu
"Some Warriors look fierce, but are mild. Some seem timid, but are vicious. Look beyond appearances; position yourself for the advantage. - Deng Ming-Dao
"But remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword."
― Rick Riordan, The Battle of the Labyrinth