Chapter 12

The many years

Father and Son

Raven walked into the house, but found Link was nowhere to be found. The toys were just lying in the middle of the floor.

"Link?!"

"Hyaa!" Two arms wrapped around his neck. "Got you, Raven!"

"Oh, Gees Link. Nice surprise attack." Link smiled and laughed. "Though, you should know…" Link's smile dropped. "I am the master of surprise. Be wary. Never know when I'll get you back."

"Haha, I'll take my chances." Link said smiling again. Raven smiled. Link jumped down. "While you were gone, I've been practicing. Want to hear?"

"I'd love to." Link ran over and found his Ocarina. He played Saria's song beautifully. After he was done, Raven clapped for him. "Nicely done." Link smiled.

~Few days later~

Link and Raven went to the Market for more food and stuff for the house.

"Yo, Raven." He heard a doubled voice and looked up. It was Akio and Ira.

"Hey you two."

"We found our cousin."

"That's great. Is she ok?"

"Yea, the boss didn't hurt her. Who's the kid?"

"This is Link, I've adopted him I guess you can say." Link looked strangely at them.

"Aw, he's so cute!" They both sat down and looked at him. "Hey there little guy. We're your uncles Akio and Ira." He shied away and hid behind Raven. Raven laughed a little.

"He's a little shy toward new people. He was shy to me the first day."

"He's adorable."

"He is. We better get back to shopping."

"Alright." Akio and Ira walked away. Raven and Link went back to shopping. A little girl and her mother were right next to them. Raven was looking at apples and Link was standing close by him.

"Hi." The little girl said to Link. She looked around the same age.

"Um, hello." Link said, shyly.

"What's your name?"

"Link. What's yours?"

"Natylee. You're new to Hyrule market, aren't you?"

"Um, a little yea."

"Why you keep saying um? You don't have to be shy. I've lived in Hyrule market my whole life with my mama."

"I've been here a few days with this man named Raven. I don't remember much before then. Just that my mommy is no longer around."

"Neither is my daddy. Want to play? I'll show you around the market."

"Um, let me ask." Link tugged on Raven's sleeve. He looked to him. "Raven, can I play with Natylee?"

"Sure. Do you remember how to get back to the house?"

"I'll find it."

"Ok. Have fun."

"Thank you." Link and Natylee ran off. They were walking around the market.

"There's a place I want to show you. It's run by a lady who is so nice. She gives free pieces of cheese. They went into a back alley and down some steps. Link was a little scared. There was a little alcove with a door down at the bottom of the steps. They went inside and saw a tall woman behind the counter.

"Natylee, welcome back, cutie. I see you brought a friend."

"Yep! His name's Link. I met him at the market. Link, this is Telma. She runs the bar. But she gets cheese from a village called Ordon. It's the best cheese in Hyrule!"

"I'll go get some cheese for you and your friend in a moment, go ahead and sit." Natylee took Link's head and led him over to the stools. They were hard to get onto, but they managed. Telma walked back out with some cubes of cheese on a plate and set it down for the two.

"Link is new around here. He's only been here for a few days." Natylee said, taking a cube of cheese from the tray and eating it.

"Is that so? What brings you here, kid?"

"I came here with a man named Raven who is caring for me because my mommy and daddy are nowhere to be found."

"Oh, that sounds interesting. What's this Raven like?"

"He is nice. He cares for me a lot and makes great food. He won't tell me exactly what happened or why he's come to care for me. Saying that he'll tell me when I'm older."

"Sounds mysterious." Link took a cube of the cheese and ate it. It tasted so good, yet very familiar. He couldn't place where he's had this cheese before.

"This cheese is really good."

"Told you. I told you." Link smiled. He was starting to feel a little bit comfortable around Natylee.

"There's something strange about that boy. His eyes are almost beast like. Like the Link I know. What is going on here? He can't be the same one, can he? What happened?"

"Why are you looking at me like that? Raven does the same thing. It's weird."

"Oh, sorry dear." They finished the cheese cubes.

"Thanks for the cheese Telma!"

"It's no problem, child. Come back any time. You too, Link."

"Thank you." Link called. They left the bar and walked back up the steps. Two boys came up to them as they were leaving.

"Hey Natylee."

"Go away, Jon."

"Huh, is that any way to treat someone who is so nice to you?" He grabbed her arm.

"Ow, let go!"

"Where were you for the past few weeks? We missed you."

"Let Natylee go!" Link punched the boy's arm. He let go of her and turned to Link.

"Why you…" He went to tackle him, but Link stepped to the side. The other boy tried to grab him, but he moved away.

"My daddy is a Knight in Hyrule's Army, he can beat you up." Jon told him.

"A knight of Hyrule's army wouldn't beat up a child if he was truly loyal to his title. My daddy is a High Knight." Link said.

"My daddy can beat up your daddy."

"I'd like to see him try to put one scratch on him."

"Oh, he will."

"Yea right. Come on Natylee." Link grabbed Natylee's hand and they started to walk away. Jon grabbed Natylee's other hand and pulled her away.

"Oy, that's enough." Two men came toward them. "Get lost you two." The two boys ran off. Link recognized the two men. "Did they hurt you, Nat?"

"No, Akio and Ira. I'm ok. Link was here to protect me." The two ruffled Natylee's hair.

"Good." They turned to Link. "Thanks for protecting our cousin."

"It's no problem. I'm happy to help." Natylee hugged Link tightly.

"Thank you Link!"

~Three years later~

Link was now 8 years old. He had gotten used to living with Raven, even has fallen into the habit of calling him Dad or Father. Raven was currently busy shopping while Link was sitting in the house, playing the Ocarina. His and Natylee's friendship became strong and they were best friends.

Raven was currently looking at the fruit selection when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw a familiar face.

"I knew it. It was you." Rusl said.

"Uh…" Raven was at a loss for words. Rusl grabbed onto the front of Raven's tunic.

"Where is he?! Where's my son!?"

"What?"

"I mean Link! Where is he? What have you done with him?"

"It's a long story, but I can assure you he's ok." Rusl let him go.

"Explain."

"Ok. Follow me." Raven and Rusl went into a back alley. "When we were in the forest, two of my old enemies appeared and took Link. They planned on using his blood to resurrect the King of Evil, Ganon. They succeeded because I wasn't fast enough. I pleaded to the goddesses to save his life and in turn, they made him a young child. I knew those of Ordon wouldn't have understood, so I kept him with me and I've been taking care of him these past few years."

"For your sake, you better not be lying."

"I'm not, Hyrule Warrior's honor. You can see him if you wish. He won't remember you, but you'll recognize him."

"Ok." Rusl followed Raven to their house. They entered the house and Link looked up from his Ocarina playing.

"Welcome home, father."

"Good to be home. I'd like to introduce you to someone." Link stood up and walked over. "This is Rusl. He is a resident in Ordon village."

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir." Link said, with a bow of his head. Rusl couldn't believe it. The one he thought of as a son was once again a young child. Link stood up straight. "In my perspective, Ordon has the best cheese. I've always wanted to go there."

"I'm glad you like our cheese."

"This man looks familiar for some reason."

"I'd like to stay and chat, but I better run. I have to get supplies for my village."

"Alright. It was a pleasure having you visit." Rusl nodded and left the house.

"He seems like a nice person. I noticed he had a sword on his back like you do. Is he a swordsman?"

"Yes. A very capable one at that."

"Do you think I can learn how to wield a sword?"

"Maybe I'll teach you one day."

"Ok." His voice didn't sound as small and childish. It sounded more mature. "So, what's for supper?"

"Probably pumpkin soup. Maybe you can invite Natylee and her mom over."

"Ok. Should I go ask now?"

"If you want." Link nodded and smiled. Raven smiled too.

"I'll be back. Raven stepped away from the door so Link could go to Natylee's house. He set his bags of food down and started to put them away. Link found Natylee's house and knocked on the door. Her mother, Mayra, opened it.

"Oh, Hi Link. How are you?"

"I'm good. How are you, Mayra?"

"I've been great. What brings you around?"

"Dad wanted to see if you and Natylee wanted to join us for dinner."

"Oh. Let me ask Natylee. I'm sure she'd be delighted. Want to come in?"

"Sure." Link walked in and Mayra turned around.

"Natylee." Natylee looked up.

"Linky!" She got up and ran over. She gave him a tight hug. She let go of him. "What are you doing here?"

"He wanted to know if we'd join him and his father for dinner."

"Yea!"

"Ok. Go get dressed." Natylee walked away. Natylee ran back over after she was dressed and the three went to Link's house. Raven was half way done with dinner by the time they arrived. He turned around when the door opened.

"Welcome. Supper should be ready soon." Raven said. "Go ahead and have a seat." Natylee, Link and Mayra sat down at the table. The three chatted while Raven cooked Dinner. Raven finished and served it. Natylee and Link looked at eachother and smiled. They turned to their parents.

"We're going to see Telma. Bye." They both got up and went toward the house.

"Hold up you two."

"Nope, can't." They both ran out the door.

"Darn those two."

"What are we gonna do? They're kids."

"True. Guess it's just you and I tonight." Raven sat down. They were sitting across with eachother. It was just awkward silence between the two for a few minutes. Neither had anything to say.

"So, uh… How's everything being a High Knight of Hyrule?"

"It's ok. It pays well."

"That's good." It was awkward silence once again. They went on eating their dinner.

"So…"

"So…"

"I like your hair…" Raven was unsure what to say.

"Thank you. I got it done the other day."

"It looks nice."

"My daughter keeps saying I look weird with wavy hair like this."

"My son would think the same if I got rid of the pony tail."

"I think your pony tail's cute."

"Thanks." Silence once again for a few minutes. "Your cooking tastes as great as always."

"I'm glad you like it. I've had to cook since I was young. About Link's age. Had to survive somehow. Though, I'd mainly cook fish and anything I could catch or pick."

"Wow, sounds interesting. What village did you live in?"

"One that is very far from here. All the way on the other side of Holodrum."

"Wow. Have you traveled a lot?"

"Yep. Mainly I was a lone wolf. Then I found out about Link. We were distantly related, so when I found out his parents passed away, I decided to step up and take care of him."

"That's so sweet. What happened to your parents?"

"They died when I was an infant. I was in the care of a small village that raised me to be like them. Then I left when I was 10 to adventure. For 12 years, I traveled on my own. Then I found out about Link and took him in. It's been 3 years since then."

"You've seen so much more of the world than I have. You're so lucky."

"Heh, I wouldn't really call it luck. I just felt I didn't belong."

"Do you feel you belong here?"

"Yes." Mayra smiled. They finished eating and Raven cleaned up. Mayra was about to leave. Raven led her to the door.

"Thank you for supper. It was delicious."

"No problem. I'm glad you liked it." She smiled. She got up closer to his face and put her lips on his. Her eyes closed while his went wide. She pulled away.

"S-Sorry. Good night." She walked away toward the bar where the kids said they'd be. Raven put a hand to his lips.

"Sh-She… kissed me…"

Ooooooh, seems Mayra has a little crush on our Hero of Time! Wait until next chapter to see how things will change for both the families. There will be a few more chapters. I know I keep saying that, but… We'll see what happens.

See ya,

Hero of Twili :D