Chapter 7

Getting Better

Link woke up, not remembering when he fell asleep. He looked around the room, but didn't spot Raven. He got up from bed. He stumbled a little bit from standing up. He was only in his undershorts. He heard voices nearby. He went by the door and listened.

"-I hope he heals quickly." That sounded like Renado to him.

"Ok, so I'm definitely in Kakariko." Link thought.

"When are you going to tell him how you're related?" Renado asked.

"Not until he's better. He's been through enough. The shock of who I am might make him sicker. I don't want to take chances. What I'll do when I tell him is I'll ask him something only we know between us. I hope he remembers." That was Raven's voice.

"Remembers what?"

"That sounds like it'll work. You're practically a blood related father."

"Father?!"

"I know. It's crazy, huh? I better go wake him up so he can get changed into these clothes. Thank your daughter again for making them, will you?"

"Not a problem. Hope your son gets better soon."

"Thank you."

"'Son…' So, is this Raven really my dad? Oh no, here he comes…" Link quietly walked back to his bed and went under the covers. He put the cloth on his head and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. He heard the footsteps coming up the stairs and down the hall. Raven walked in to what he thought was Link sleeping.

"Heh, still asleep. Guess that's to be expected when you're sick." Raven said in a quiet voice. He put a hand on Link shoulder and shook him a bit. "Link, time to wake up now." Link slowly opened his eyes. Raven smiled. "I have some clothes for you to change into. I'll leave the room while you get changed, ok?" Link nodded and sat up, pretending to act tired. Raven set the clothes down and left the room. Link got up and put them on. It was a loose green long sleeve shirt and long loose pants that were blue. They were soft and comfortable. Link walked over to the door. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm a little dizzy and my throat is sore, but it's fine. I want to do more than sleep." Link said.

"Heh, yea I was like that at your age. Want to go for a small walk?" Raven said.

"Sure." Raven walked closer. It was then Link noticed how much taller he was compared to him. "Is everyone taller than me? Even Ilia is an inch taller…" They walked downstairs and outside. They just started walking toward Death Mountain.

"What do you want to talk about?" Raven asked.

"I don't know. Maybe, how did I end up here?" Link asked.

"I found you and got you back. I brought you here so you could recover."

"You went through that for me?"

"Yes. It's because I care for you a lot."

"Why care so much?" Raven stopped walking, causing Link to stop. "What?"

"Link, do you recognize me at all?"

"No. Though, the way you keep looking at me is familiar. It's just how Rusl looks at me. Like in a fatherly way." Raven looked over to the side.

"Link, let me ask you something. Do you remember the words, 'a sword wields no strength unless the hand that holds it has courage'?" Link's eyes widened.

"Y-You're… H-How is that possible?" Link knew exactly who he was.

"I asked the Gods to help me. I wanted to bring you back home. Sadly, I wasn't quick enough and you got hurt." Raven said.

"It's fine. Don't beat yourself up about it. I'd rather you'd have stayed out of it so you wouldn't get hurt. Thank you though, for saving me." Link bowed his head. Raven smiled and hugged Link tightly. It caught him by surprise.

"I'd always save you. You're like a son to me. I couldn't bear letting you get hurt. I doubt I can stay in a form like this, but I'll always come find you if you need me, no matter what, Link." Link hugged him back. They stayed like this for a few minutes. Saying nothing. They eventually stopped hugging. They walked around for a bit, then walked back to the Inn. "Now, get back to bed. You don't have to sleep, but you need to make sure you don't push yourself."

"Ok." Link lied down in his bed.

"I'll go ask about getting you something to eat." Raven brushed the bangs out of Link's face and he smiled. After Raven left the room, Link looked up at the ceiling.

"So, Raven considers me his son, or grandson. He looks too young for me to call him grandfather, so maybe just father. I bet he wouldn't mind that. I can't believe he did all that, just to find me and save me from a bunch of thieves who were holding me for ransom." Link tended to focus on one point and stare at it while in daydream land. "I wonder how long until I can go back to Ordon. What if, going back to Ordon, Raven has to go back to being a wolf? Would I ever see him again?" He doesn't notice anything around him while daydreaming. "I'm kind of glad he came. If he didn't, I might still be getting beat… I hated it. I felt so weak and helpless. If I had a weapon, that would have been a different story." Link was so busy thinking that he hadn't realized Raven was trying to get his attention. It wasn't until Raven waved a hand in front of his face that he broke from his thoughts.

"Are you out of dream land?" Raven asked.

"Y-Yea, Sorry. I tend to daze out from time to time."

"It's understandable. Renado said supper will be ready soon."

"Ok."

Dinner was eventually served. Pumpkin soup and fresh baked bread. Raven and Link sat at a table down stairs and ate together.

"You know what I've been wondering."

"What?"

"What will happen to you once I'm back home?" Raven never really thought about that.

"I'm not entirely sure. One of two things I can think of is, one I go back to being a Shade and watch over you. Or Two, I pass on and go away completely until the next hero is born."

"What would you prefer to happen?" Raven had to think hard for that question. They each had their ups and downs.

"Honestly, I have no idea. We'll just have to see what happens. It won't matter what I prefer. The Gods have already chosen my fate. It's in their hands." Link knew what he himself wanted, but this wasn't about what he wanted, it's about what was right. He hoped that Raven would be able to pass on and be with his passed on loved ones as well. "Maybe we should change the subject. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better than earlier. Getting something into my stomach really helps. I believe it's been three days since I've eaten something." Link took another bite of bread.

"Three days? But you were only there for one day, not even 24 hours."

"Um… I tend to forget sometimes…"

"Link, that's not healthy. No wonder you're so skinny. You need to eat more."

"I know. I just got used to not eating for a few days during winter. Food was scarce in Ordon. I wanted to make sure everyone else ate before I did. I got used to it, so I can go up to five days with no food."

"Link, you need to eat better. No wonder you keep getting sick. I know it sounds like I'm nagging you, but I don't want to see anything happen to you." Link was silent for a few seconds then spoke.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to lose anyone. They were taking care of me. I wasn't supposed to be there, but they let me stay anyway, raising me as their own. I at least wanted to find some way to help."

"I understand the feeling. The Kokiri raised me. Winters weren't too bad, but food was a bit limited. Saria practically made me eat though."

"Saria?"

"Saria was my childhood friend. She raised me to be a Kokiri, learn their ways. The Kokiri was a village of children who never age passed childhood. I thought I was one of the Kokiri, until I started my quest to save Hyrule. I helped Princess Zelda but Ganon decided to attack. I went to the temple of time and got the Master Sword. I accidently let him into the Sacred Realm and he got ahold of one of the pieces of the triforce. The triforce of power. I was asleep in the temple of time for seven years. My thought was I'd still be a child, but I was older and taller. That's when I realized I wasn't truly a Kokiri."

"Then after you woke up, you had to awaken the sages. After they were all awakened, Zelda showed herself and Ganon took her. You went to rescue her. Ganon was sealed up and you were sent back in time to regain the years you lost. Your fairy companion, Navi, left you. So you set out on a quest to find her. But, then you died."

"How did you know?"

"When Rusl would go to Hyrule Market, he'd bring back books for me to read. One told the tales of the Hero of Time. I read that book many times. It still is my favorite. Being a Hero was something I dreamed of when I was little. I idolized the Hero of Time and tried to be like him."

"You did? How did… I thought everyone had forgotten about me."

"No. There's a story. I can probably find it on my book shelf. There's also ones telling about the Goddess's chosen hero. The Hero of Hyrule. The Four Heroes of Hyrule. Then the Hero of Time. I read the Hero of Time the most."

"That's amazing. I had no idea my story was told."

"When we get back to Ordon, I'll show you."

"Ok." They went on eating their dinner and just talking about stuff. Renado walked in.

"Luda made some pumpkin pie if you guys want some."

"Ooh, pie."

"Sorry, but none for us."

"Aw…" Link rested his head on one arm.

"Thanks anyway."

"It's no problem." Renado leaves the room again.

"I like pie."

"I know, but you don't need sweets while you're sick. Maybe when you get better."

"Ok." They finished eating, and took care of their dishes. They went back up stairs.

"I think it's time to get some sleep, ok Link?" Link nodded and climbed into bed. He was starting to fall asleep right away.

~A day later~

After a day more of rest, Link was feeling better. Raven decided it was about time to head back to Ordon. They got there quickly thanks to Epona. Once in the woods, they got off Epona. Link grabbed her reins.

"We're finally here."

"Yep." They started walking further into the forest. Ilia was standing at the end of the path leading to Ordon village. She saw them round the corner.

We'll see what happens in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Leave a review if you so wish.

See ya,

Hero of Twili :D