Chapter 2

"The cycle never ceasing,

land safe and populace prosperous."

"You ready?"

Link hefted his heavy wooden practice sword, grinning at Sam. "'Course I'm ready." They were both wearing shorts in anticipation of the hot day and had taped up their hands to spar. The two boys faced off in a clearing next to the archery range that they had often practiced at. Just a short distance away Rebecka and Malon were lounging on the grassy hillside, eagerly waiting for the match to begin.

"Well then," Sam replied. "Let's see how much you've forgotten since our last duel." Slowly the two walked toward each other, stopping just before their swords touched. For a while they just stood there, each in their own respective fighting stances. Occasionally one of them would move to the side, trying to get a better attacking angle. However, the other would just move with him, carefully keeping the same distance between the pair. Suddenly Link leapt forward with a yell and the fight began.

The girls cheered enthusiastically as the duo moved up and down the clearing, blocking and attacking with near perfect timing and form. Malon was amazed at how long the fight continued, neither duelist slowing down or showing weakness. They sure were good. Without warning, Link dropped to the ground and spun around, aiming to take Sam's legs out from under him. Sam reacted quickly, jumping over Link's kick and bringing his sword down to Link's neck as he landed. At the same time, Link anticipated Sam's landing and brought his sword up to Sam's throat. Breathing heavily, they slowly moved apart, sheathing their practice swords as they did so.

"A draw," Sam said as soon as his breathing returned to normal. "I'm impressed. Maybe you do remember a bit." They spent the remainder of the morning sparring and working on fighting forms, only taking a few breaks to snag a drink of water and catch their breath. Before long they were both sweating profusely and taken off their shirts to just fight in their shorts. Removing their shirts won some admiring cat calls from the girls, which the boys were not entirely successful at ignoring.

When they weren't antagonizing the boys, Malon and Rebecka would sit next to each other and talk, often falling into bouts of giggling that had Sam and Link looking over to see what the commotion was. Link had a funny feeling that they were the object of the girls' laughter.

Eventually Rebecka called them both in for lunch, laying out a blanket on the grass. Link and Sam walked up slowly, toweling themselves off and replacing their shirts. "What, no burgers?" Link joked, casting an eye over the delicious looking food before he sat down.

"Watch it," Malon said, giving him a dirty look. "I can still take you out." Link just laughed at her and grabbed a sandwich, too hungry to argue. The meal was frequently interrupted by bouts of conversation and laughter, but even so, soon only crumbs remained. Together, they all lay back on the grass and sighed.

"That was good," Link managed to get out. Next to him, Malon burped in agreement. It was a beautiful day outside, little white clouds were drifting across the blue sky and the sun was stretching short shadows in the lush, green grass. Because of school, it had been months since they had last been able to come out to the archery range and spar. During the summer though, they would often go up once or twice a week.

Having picnics at the range was something that Sam and Link had started doing after their parents died. Originally, it had just been a way for the two of them to get some time alone and talk. Now, they would take the girls up as well and make a day out of it. When they were younger, their parents had enrolled them in some self-defense classes. As the years passed, that pursuit had led them to also take sword proficiency and archery lessons, which they quickly caught on to. In the years since the car crash, Sam and Link had came to the range so much that they were quickly becoming master swordsmen, and Link especially seemed to have a talent for archery.

The archery range itself was actually abandoned. It had been built for use by a nearby training facility, but the place had hit financial trouble and had closed down. Now Link and Sam could just show up and use it for free.

Link just about threw up when Sam rolled over and smacked him on the stomach.

"C'mon, let's go shoot some arrows before we head home."

Link groaned loudly before getting up and following Sam over to where they had left their gear. Malon watched him go, her mind buzzing.

"You like him, don't you?" Rebecka said from behind her. Malon started and rolled over to look her in the face, mouth already opening to deny feeling any such thing. For some reason though, she couldn't say it.

What's going on? she asked herself fitfully, mouth still hanging open. I don't like him, do I? She thought back to the night before; she had certainly felt something then. Goddesses, I do like him.

"Don't worry," Rebecka said, smiling as though she could read her thoughts. "I promise I won't tell him."

Malon had to work some moisture back into her mouth before responding. "Th-Thank you," she replied, not knowing what else to say. What does this mean? She was suddenly afraid. Afraid of Link finding out. Afraid of their friendship being ruined. But strangely, more than anything, she was afraid that he didn't feel the same for her.

Thunk!

Another arrow hit the center of the target, vibrating against the wood. Thirty yards away, Link smiled. He was having a good day.

"Dang!" Sam said, whistling through his teeth. "You've always been good, but this is something else!" Link just shrugged modestly and reached for another arrow.

"So Link, I've been meaning to ask you," Sam said as another arrow peppered the bulls-eye. "What are you planning on doing now that you're out of high school?"

Link paused in the act of grabbing another arrow and set down his bow. "I dunno," he replied. "I always thought that something would just happen."

"Like what?"

"Dunno. Something big." Link hefted his bow again and drew another arrow, hoping that the conversation was over. Sam looked over at his younger brother worriedly.

"Link…" he trailed off. What am I supposed to say?

"C'mon," Link said. "It's your turn to shoot."

Link was still wide awake as Sam pulled up to the house later that night. "Well it was sure nice of you gals to come along," Sam said as they all got out of the car. It was already dark outside, the sun having long since sunk below the trees surrounding their house.

"Yeah, that was fun," Rebecka replied. Malon nodded in agreement, her eyes half shut from exhaustion. "We'd better go," Rebecka added, laughing at Malon. "It's way past our bedtime." Rebecka kissed Sam goodbye and walked over to her car. Link and Malon looked at each other awkwardly while Rebecka started up the engine. Malon suddenly walked over and gave Link a quick hug before joining Rebecka in the car.

"Thanks again for taking Mal home," Sam said, closing the passenger door behind Malon. Rebecka just waved goodbye out the front windshield as she backed out of their driveway and drove off into the night.

"That was a fun day," Sam said, arms folded. He was still staring off at where Rebecka's car had disappeared behind a line of trees.

"Sure was," Link replied. He glanced over at Sam for a second, wondering what he was thinking. "Hey Sam, I never got to ask you…" Link paused, nervous. "I never got to ask you what you're gonna do now that I'm out of high school. You know, now that you don't have to take care of me." Sam looked at him silently for a second, and Link got even more nervous. What if Sam really did want to move out of town? The area had painful memories for the both of them. No, Link told himself. Malon's right, he'd ask me first.

"Goddesses," Sam finally said to himself under his breath. "Well, I guess this is as good a time as any." He turned toward the house. "C'mon, let's go inside."

The walk up to the door was torture for Link. What's he want to tell me? he asked himself. It must be bad if he's acting like this. They walked straight through the TV room and into the kitchen.

"I've been meaning to talk to you about this for a while," Sam said as he grabbed a soda out of the fridge. "But there either hasn't been time or I've been too nervous."

Link just stood there. This is it. He's really gonna leave. "Talk to me about what?"

"Goddesses," Sam breathed again. "Link…" He seemed to steel himself before continuing. "I want to ask Rebecka to marry me."

That's it he's moving away and I'll never see him again and I'll never be able to…wait, what? "You-You're not moving away?"

Sam drew his eyebrows together in confusion. "Why would I move?" Link laughed aloud. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off his chest and he could finally breath again. "Does this mean you're ok with us getting married?" Sam asked.

Link laughed again. "Of course I'm alright with it! I'm thrilled for you! This is awesome news!"

Sam exhaled the breath that he had been holding. "Man, that's relieving. I dunno why, but I was worried that you would hate the idea." He took a long swig of soda, wishing that it was something a little stronger. "I want to ask her next week. On our two year anniversary."

"Sounds romantic to me," Link replied.

"I was hoping that you and Malon would be there," he continued. "You two would make the night really special."

"If that's what you want, we'll be there!" Link replied enthusiastically. He was more happy than he'd been in a long time. Not only was Sam not leaving, he was going to get married! We're going to have a family again.

"Well, I'm off to bed," Sam said after he finished his drink. With a sigh he stood up and pushed in his chair. "What a day, huh?"

"Yeah," Link replied, a thousand thoughts were running rampant through his mind. "I think I'm gonna stay up a bit."

"Alright," Sam said. "G'night."

"'Night." After a few minutes of sitting in the kitchen, Link moved out to the bench swing that decorated the back porch. He would often go outside to think when he was confused or overwhelmed. The fresh air was relaxing.

As he began rocking the swing, all the questions that he had been suppressing suddenly burst into the forefront of his mind. What am I really going to do after summer's over? What'll life be like after Sam and Rebecka get married? What's going on with me and Malon?

Link soon found that he didn't have answers to any of these questions, and pulled out the green book that Malon had given him, thinking that he'd rather look through the pictures than continue to ponder an uncertain future.

It was in this way that the innocent boy fell asleep. His fatigue and confusion driving him to a restless night of slumber, an old legend and a beautiful princess permeating his dreams.