"I wish to thank you young Link, for the services you have done for Hyrule"
Link knelt before the king of Hyrule, who was honoring him for his services to the kingdom.
By the time Link had returned to Castle Town both the Goron and the Zora had sent messengers to the king warning him of Ganondorf's treachery. Link had told both Darunia and King Zora that the Gerodo who caused trouble in their lands was at present attempting to worm his way into the royal court.
It had been good to see Darunia again, He was a man of extremes but he had a good heart. Rito was…the same as ever. At first she hated him but through no effort on his part she fell in love with him again. Thankfully this time he didn't accidently propose to her. Rito was also a good person but she was a fish. Link considered himself open-minded but there were limits.
By the time Link got back to Castle Town Ganondorf was a wanted man. His face was plastered on posters and a reward had been put up for him. Link snuck back into the castle where Zelda was ecstatic and thanked Link for his efforts.
Link and Impa however both suspected that Ganondorf hadn't given up. Sure enough, a few days later Ganondorf and a cadre of Gerudo and Bokublin attempted a raid on Hyrule castle via a cave system than ran under the city. However unlike the raid in his timeline, the castle was on high alert. During the pitch battle that ensued Link snuck back into the castle grounds and tried to fight his way to Ganondorf. The little boy tore through Bokublins and Gerudo however Ganondorf had already been cornered by Impa . Wounded in the neck by one of her throwing darts he had teleported himself from the castle and ran for it. Sheikah spies reported that he had been seen headed towards his base in the Gerudo Desert.
Unfortunately—from Link's perspective—many soldiers had seen his heroics, including some of the elite knights of Hyrule and the Kings's personal guard. As such he had been quickly brought to the King's attention after the battle. Worse, the king noticed he fit the description of the young warrior the Zora and Gorons had talked about. He would have had to answer a lot of questions but Impa covered for him saying he was a talent she had cultivated. The King ate this up and praised them both for their efforts.
King Daphones Hyrule looked far too old to be Zelda's father. His hair had greyed and his belly had gotten quite big, at least compared to the youthful picture of the king as a young warrior in the throne room. For over a decade war had divided Hyrule as the different tribes fought and monsters freely roamed the land. King Daphones had been the one to end the chaos and unite the land under his rule. The old nobility—the source of much of the previous instability- had been swept aside for a near absolute monarchy, save for the Goron , Zora and Gerudo who maintained their own social structures.
While the king had a fearsome reputation in his younger days he was smiling at Link.
"Thanks to your efforts the lives of many were spared during Ganondorf's raid."
Link lowered his head further. "It was my honor your majesty."
The king nodded. "Well-mannered for a child your age, it seems Impa has taught you well."
Link didn't say anything less he give his story away.
The king continued, "Still, your skills are that of a man and you should be rewarded as such." The king sighed. "Unfortunately the monarchy isn't what it used to be. As the price of securing peace we had to sell most of our extra lands and our budget is eaten up by the military. That said…"
The king gestured to his left and out of a large door came a servant baring a ring on a pillow.
"I can at least raise your social status to be commensurate with your efforts. I name you knight of the realm and present you this ring which will affirm your connection to the royal family.
Link realized this was a great honor. Since the war the old nobility had be virtually abolished and those that remained only had symbolic powers. The only real nobility besides the royal family were the courtiers and knights who served them. As a knight Link would be ranked only slightly below the royal family itself. At the very least it would make traveling easier.
Link rose and accepted the ring. "I am honored your majesty."
"Impa tells me you intend to keep traveling and honing your skills. Know that wherever you go you will always have a home here."
"Thank you your majesty." Link bowed. The truth was Link was planning a journey and wasn't sure if he would ever come back to Hyrule again.
Link had begone to miss his long time companion Navi. While he had found her annoying as a child he realized now that she was the only one in this timeline who could actually understand him. He wasn't sure where she had flown off to, but he did know several legends about he fairies and decided the best place to look was deep in the lost woods beyond the forest temple.
IN preparation for this he needed supplies. Money was no object as he now received a stipend from the royal family, and even if he didn't he knew the location of half a douzen treasures scattered across Hyrule.
Link bought a number of bottles shirts, and some chain mail for under his tunic. The only weapon he bought was a bow to replace his last one. After purchasing all that there was just one more necessary item to get and it was the hardest to acquire.
…..
"Are you sure I can't talk you into another horse boy? Epona is still very young." Talon asked.
"I'm sure."
Link had come to Lon Lon Ranch to purchase Epona. The horse didn't know him in this timeline, but he quickly won her over again. That had made Malon astatic, until she learned he wanted to buy the horse.
"But daddy I don't want to sell Epona!" The girl insisted, closing her fists angrily.
"Well it's not the simple sweetheart…" Lon Lon ranch had ties to the royal family. Almost all the war horses used ty the knights of Hyrule were breed there. The relationship had kept the ranch finatially solvent even after the devastating unification wars drove many of the renters who used to work the land away and left much of the estate unused. Now that Link held a title Talon couldn't just deny him.
Talon turned to Link with a sigh. "I couldn't let her go for less than ten thousand."
"That's the same price as a full grown war stallion." Link scoffed.
"That's true." Talon admitted, "But I know my horses and that one's special. I won't accept a Rupee less."
Link grimaced. This was his first time actually buying a horse. He knew they were expensive but he thought he could get a deal on a young mare. He didn't have that much up front, though he knew where he could get it.
"I can get you the money; I'll put a thousand down and be back in a few weeks with the rest."
"That's a lot of money," Talon warned, "and according to law I can keep a deposit if it's not paid in full. Are you sure about this?"
Link nodded "I am. Don't worry about me, I've managed on my own long before I got this ring."
Talon sighed. "Well I guess I'll go draw up a contract." Talon rose up as Malon started screaming.
"NO! You can't sell Epona! I hate both of you!" she stomped her foot and then stormed out.
"Malon!" Talon called after her but gave up, turning back to Link. "Please forgive her. Ever since her mother died a few years ago she's been very attached to the horses. Epona is her favorite."
Link was hurt that Malon said she hated him. They were quite close in the other timeline, or at least as close as Link had gotten to anyone.
Since arriving in this timeline he had noticed that he still had an unspoken bond with Zelda and the Sages, but Malon was not a sage and felt nothing special upon meeting him the first time.
"I understand." Link said.
Talon nodded. "Your very mature for your age, though I supposed they wouldn't have knighted you if you weren't. "
The large man fumbled through a cabinet for some paper and ink. Finally finding them he walked back to the table Link sat at and began writing in surprisingly good Hyrulian.
"Rumor is you cut down dozens of Bokublins yourself." Talon said, fishing for confirmation.
In response Link only nodded.
"Well, its hell of a lot more than I could have done." He said with a hint of regret.
"You've fought?" Link asked, somewhat surprised.
Talon nodded. "During the Unification war, my father was too old to fight so it was up to me to defend the ranch and the tenet farmers on our land." He explained. "I was no good at it of course. Nearly died a few times and lost some good friends. In the end most of our tenants were driven off the land. Now all we have is empty fields and a few cattle and horses." Talon shook his head.
"Well, all I need is your signature and the deposit." Talon said pushing the document to Link.
Link signed his name with crude cursive and fished through his bad for the money before putting it on the table. "Here's a thousand. Like I said it will take me a few weeks but I'll be back."
"Epona we'll be waiting for you. And again I'm sorry about Malon. I saw how well you got along with her before you said you wanted by buy the horse. I'm sure if you take good care of it she'll forgive you.
Link nodded again. He hoped she would forgive him as well.
"Who knows, maybe you could marry her some day! Hah ha." Talon laughed.
Link raised an eyebrow. "Trying to pawn your daughter off to a knight?"
At that Talon got flustered. "Naw, I was just joshing ya, you're both a bit too young to think about things like that!"
Link smiled. Talon was a good guy. A horrible business man, but good nonetheless. He had heard rumors however—in the other timeline—that Maron was considered too wild and tomboyish and Talon was concerned about her future.
"Well I better get going." Link said. "I'll have to do a bit of traveling to get the rest of your money."
Talon scratched the back of his head. "I suppose that attitude is how you've gotten so far so quick. I'll make sure Epona's ready when you come back."
"Thanks." Link nodded.
….
There was a large deposit of treasure near Death Mountain that Link new of. After claiming it he pawned off the expensive artifacts in Kakariko before journeying back to Lon Lon Ranch. The trip back took longer as he knew of no quick route to the ranch located just north of the middle of Hyrule.
When he got there- true to his word- Talon had already prepared a saddle for Epona and been preparing her to leave the ranch. Once the rupees were exchanged Talon geared her up and he was ready to go.
"Please! Will you come back with Epona and visit us?" Malon said with tears in her eyes. It seemed she was still not over him taking Epona.
This put Link in a difficult spot. He wasn't even sure he wanted to come back to Hyrule. At the very least he wanted to get away from Hyrule for a long, long time. Still, he didn't want to hurt Malon's feelings.
"Next time I am close by I'll stop in." he promised.
This seemed enough for Malon who beamed at him. "Ok, I'll see you then Link!"
He no longer had a fairy when they met in this timeline so she didn't call him "fairy boy." He always hated that nickname but now he kind of missed it.
"Take good care of her boy, she's one in a million." Talon said, patting Epona on the head.
"I will and thank you." Link responded.
After a few more good byes Link left the ranch, but before he could head to the lost woods there was one other person he wanted to say goodbye too. In fact he felt he had to see her.
….
"You're leaving the land of Hyrule, aren't you? Zelda spoke with her back turned.
The two stood in the garden where they had met. The months since he first met her had changed Zelda. She seemed to have grown more melancholy. But she was also more thoughtful and deliberate in her words and actions. Perhaps the weight of her powers and intelligence meant she could never live a carefree life, even as a child.
"I am." Link nodded.
Zelda turned to him. I don't want you to go. Even though it's been a short time, I feel like I've known you forever."
"I have to, there's someone who once helped me and I have to find them."
"Do you?"
Her question pierced him. It seemed she had already seen through him. He wanted to find Navi, but he wanted to leave Hyrule even more. The land had stripped him of everything he had and then thrown him back to before he even knew he had anything to lose.
Zelda closed her eyes. "Forgive me, I know many hardships have been forced on you. I also know that you will come back to me, someday."
Link didn't respond. He didn't know if he was coming back, he didn't even particularly want to. But if Zelda felt he would than it was probably already written in that stars.
Zelda reached into a satchel under her robes. "Until that time, please take this with you." She held out a blue Ocarina.
"That's?!" Link couldn't finish. The source of so much heartache an frustration was once again before him, but it was also the symbol of another feeling: a feeling he had buried when he was sent back.
"I can't take that Zelda that belongs to the royal family. It could-"
"It is safer with you than with me," Zelda interrupted. "And I feel you might have need of it."
Nothing could be easy could it? Based on what Zelda said, it seemed his journey would be an eventful one.
"Remember the Song of Time Link! I know that the Goddess of Time: Hylia will watch over you as she watches over the Royal family. The song does more than opening the door of Time, it calls on the aid of the goddess. She will protect you, and if you play the song of time, she will aid you."
Zelda extended the Ocarina to him. Hesitantly he reached out and with a shaking hand he took it. The Ocarina seemed to pulse in his hand. He had once again accepted the title of Hero, and the Goddess had acknowledged him.
"I will be praying for your safe return Link."
Snapped out of his trance, Link looked back up. "Thank…you…"
The princess smiled. "You will always have a home here Link. Be safe, and when you're ready, return to me.
Once again, Link nodded. And without words he left as she gazed at his back.
That's the second chapter. I am humbled by the positive response so far and hope I can keep it up.