Notes at the end of the most recent chapter.
Upon the king's order to have Link taken from his parents, one of the nobles present for the trial left with the child and headed for the small orphanage just outside Hyrule Castle. Fortunately, it wasn't much of a walk for the noble. Link admired the golden jewelry that ordained the noble's clothing, playing with it silently as he stared at each individual piece with great interest.
"It's too bad, really, boy. You could've been the secret pride of your parents and had a very different life. I hope you fare well in Castle Town." The noble brushed Link's cheeks with a look of sympathy.
"Looks like we're here, little guy."
The orphanage was a large, rustic building of wrought iron fencing and damp wooden walls. Opening the old gate, which squeaked in protest, the noble carefully carried Link to the stained wooden door of the structure.
Before they even reached the door, a frail old woman opened the door with a pitiful smile.
Hyrule's social statuses are built primarily on honor and not wealth, meaning being an orphan tended to land you somewhere at the bottom of the invisible hierarchy of importance.
"Another addition?" the woman asked simply.
The noble nodded slowly.
Sighing exhaustedly, the old woman glanced behind her and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, but we simply don't have any more space. This place is full of orphaned children…I'm afraid we're simply at our capacity."
"Astella, this child has nowhere else to go—"
"Much like the rest of these children." Astella countered.
"When will you realize that I can't mother half the kingdom, Haseem? Is there really nowhere else that child in your arms could go?" Haseem looked at the ground, deciding how to answer.
"As the ambassador of Hateno, you have no leverage with the king? The child seems Hylian, after all."
Haseem held back tears. "This is the lovechild of Rolomius and Hima. Until his highness found out, this child was going to have status in Hyrule. Now, if he can't even live as an orphan, what will he be? An urchin?"
Astella considered the baron's words. All the other children at this orphanage were the product of nobles sleeping with maids and widowed wives who couldn't afford a child. Link was different. He had parents who wanted him in their life dearly, but it simply wasn't meant to be. She thought of a possible solution.
"Have you considered raising him as a soldier?" she asked quietly, stepping out of the aged building and closing the door.
"Nothing like that has happened for decades. I know the guards would be against it, and it would be up to the king to decide." Haseem was lost in thought for a moment. "It's very unlikely, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to see what our options are."
"You know, the orphanage is full and all the children are still young. There's simply no more room."
"I know that, Astella. It's just that this isn't fair to Link."
"The children in there are no different, you know."
"See, that's where we see differently. There's just something about Link. I can tell he's going to be something more. I'll go request an audience with his highness. Thank you Astella. I hope you fare well." Haseem offered a gentle smile, which Astella returned.
"Good luck, then." The old woman retreated to care for the orphans of Castle Town.
Haseem stood on the porch for a moment and sighed heavily. "I'll see what I can do for you, little guy."
"You're seriously asking if my guardsmen can babysit that bastard? Are you mad?!" King Rhoam did not take a liking to Haseem's proposition.
"Just when he is of age. In a few years. He can begin training and perhaps one day fill the gap left by—"
"DO NOT SPEAK THEIR NAMES!" Rhoam boomed.
Haseem gulped nervously.
"My apologies, your highness. I- It's just… I see something in this child. One day he may do great things. I will personally take care of him until he is old enough to lift a sword. Then, with your permission, I will test his abilities in each of the major areas. He could be of use to you, your majesty."
King Rhoam looked down again at the sleeping boy in Haseem's arms. He just couldn't see what it was that Haseem saw in the child. Nevertheless, it couldn't hurt to try. The nobleman was right: the Kingsguard just lost its lieutenant, and the ancient scholars of Sheikah technology certainly weren't getting any younger. Maybe, just this once, he should trust somebody else's judgement. Haseem was right about the location of Vah Naboris and how to assemble a deconstructed Guardian Sentry. He was by no means a fool, but Rhoam had to protect his legacy. He couldn't allow this exception only to have this, this 'Link', end up as a mere peasant. A child seldom was given blind opportunities like this, so Haseem certainly must know something that Rhoam didn't.
"Haseem, tell me the truth. What is it you see in this boy?"
"Your majesty—"
"Enough of that, Has. Just tell me."
Haseem sighed. "Rhoam, he… I don't know, I just feel something. Remember that feeling I had out in the desert, when we were trying to locate Naboris?"
"I still don't understand what this 'feeling' you speak of was nor how only you felt it. But yes, I recall you saying something about it."
"It's this sort of divine connection. I just… know. I'm sorry. I don't know how to describe it. I just feel something and it's telling me that Link is special. Please, I beg of you. Give him a chance," Haseem pleaded.
King Rhoam stood up from his throne and paced about. To Haseem's surprise, Rhoam was considering the offer. Haseem knew that he'd be burdening himself heavily: Link was only three and he knew nothing of the boy's abilities. Plus, to live in the guard barracks as a child was unheard of. In any case, Haseem knew he was making the right choice.
"Fine." Rhoam finally said.
"W-what?!" Haseem was dumbfounded.
"Until he is six years old, the boy is under your care. Then, on his day of turning, bring him immediately to the barracks. I will be waiting on that day. You will not speak to anyone of this and you will keep the child hidden. Do you understand?"
Rhoam narrowed his eyes. "Haseem?"
"Yes, your majesty. Th-thank you!" A single tear rolled down Haseem's cheek.
"Now leave, before anyone gets suspicious." Rhoam returned to his throne, gripping the golden edges. When Haseem was out of the throne room, Rhoam released a breath he didn't know he was holding in. Closing his eyes, he bowed his head toward the floor. "I hope to the gods you're right, Haseem."
"Hasi, where are we going?" Link asked, riding on Haseem's back. Link recently read all the books he'd been given over the few years of living in Haseem's house, so he was quite intelligent and his voice mirrored that. Of course, he still held that squeakiness of a prepubescent boy, but he was certainly well-versed in the common language for a five-year-old.
But Link was not allowed outside of the house, unless by Haseem's discretion. From what Link had been told, his birthday was in a week.
Haseem smiled warmly at the boy.
"We're going to find your inner talent, Link. I want to see what you're good at. You can be anything you want to, baby. We just need to figure out what you're best at." Link grinned widely.
In the end, Link didn't turn out to be very great at anything. He could cook; he could play the lute; but everything he did could be done so much better by other kids his age. Haseem was worried that he might not find his passion before he went to live in the barracks.
Tomorrow was his birthday…and Rhoam had sent a squire to remind him of their deal. Haseem reluctantly fell asleep, the planned events of the following day pushed away for now.
"Link, I need to tell you something." Haseem sat on the floor next to the young boy, who was currently reading Hyrule Historia Volume 2. He gently closed the book in Link's hands and lifted his chin.
"Is something wrong?" Link asked innocently.
"No, Link. Nothing is ever wrong with you, okay? Remember that. You're just you." Haseem stalled.
"Okay, so what do you want to talk about?"
"Well, Link, I think it's time I told you about your parents." Link's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
Haseem told Link every detail, from his parent's secret love to their punishment and why he lives with the nobleman.
A tear rolled down Link's cheek. "You mean, I am going to the barracks today?"
Haseem pulled the boy into a tight hug. "Yes, Link. I'm so sorry, but it's all for you." Link returned the hug and sobbed into Haseem's shoulder.
"It's going to be okay, Link. Just be you, okay buddy?" Haseem pulled Link away and gazed into his teary eyes. Link nodded.
"It's time to go, buddy."
"C-can I bring anything?"
"Do you still have that mark on your hand?"
"Y-yeah I do." Link sniffles and takes off his glove to reveal three black triangles on the back of his hand.
"That's all you will ever need. If you ever need to think, just look at that, okay? Remember me when you look at it. You won't be allowed to see me once you're in the barracks, so remember me by that mark, okay?"
Link nodded solemnly and continued inspecting the mark. "What did you call it again?"
"I used to tell you it's just a birthmark. But that's not what it really is. I will tell you its true meaning, but you have to promise me you'll keep it private."
"Why? Is it a bad thing?" Link asked.
"No! No, not at all. But nobody should know about it okay?"
"Okay."
"Link, this is serious. I need to know that you won't tell anyone about it."
"You mean, n-not even…"
"No. Not even your parents."
Link gulped.
"Oh. Okay. I promise."
"That mark on your hand is a triforce. It symbolizes the three goddesses who created Hyrule: Din, Nayru, and Farore." Haseem smiled sadly. "You aren't old enough to know what it means yet. I'm sorry that you have such a burden to carry. But, Link, if anyone can do it, I believe it's you. Be strong, okay?"
Link simply stared at the ground.
"Okay, Hasi."
"Then let's go, buddy."
"You know we're not going to babysit him, right?!" Captain Sikumar whisper-shouted to King Rhoam.
The two were meeting in secret atop Hyrule Castle, deep in the night.
"Yes, Sikumar. I understand that. He's going to be a recruit. Teach him to fight. Tell me if he is any good at it while you're at it, okay?" Rhoam joked.
Sikumar sighed. "He won't receive any special attention, then. I'm going to work him when the time is right. Until then, he will polish swords and make arrows for training. He isn't even ten yet. I can't have him fighting."
Rhoam grinned. "So is that a yes?"
"I don't like the idea, and I won't defend him from the others. But I will teach him to fight and feed him. No more."
"Thank you, Sikumar. You know I don't like telling you what to do, brother. I thought it best to meet in private."
"I appreciate your consideration. When is the boy arriving?"
"Around midday or in the afternoon. I will be there, too."
"Very well. We'll be ready."
Sikumar climbed down the castle's ramparts and returned to the barracks. Tomorrow would be a long day.
"This is it, Link. See that big building over there?" Haseem pointed to the massive stone fort that was the royal barracks. "That's where you're going. They'll be ready for you."
Link gave Haseem one more hug, then ran to the structure's portcullis, which was already open.
Link ran as fast as he could to the building. The only things he carried were the simple navy blue shorts and shirt he was wearing, his black boots and gloves, and his personal journal.
When he entered, there were numerous guards waiting in formation—the entire Royal Garrison was there to witness his entrance.
King Rhoam himself stood next to an armored figure wearing beautiful blue and gold insignia; probably the leader.
The armored figure spoke: "Ah, just in time! This is our new sword sharpener. Make sure he feels right at home." Sikumar turned from the guards, smiling deviously at Link.
"Your bed is in that shack, boy. Get out of my sight." Link looked to where the person was pointing: a small, rickety shack with the door slanting downwards. Not wanting to cause any problems, Link did as he was told.
Inside, there were numerous dull and rusty blades, a small bed, and a grindstone in the corner.
Link's work was certainly cut out for him.