A/N: The picture I have in use is from dA by an artist lychi and the picture's name is just simply Zelda.
Also, another note: I do NOT own the characters or places unless said otherwise. Nintendo has the rights. =P Honestly speaking, all I have is the idea for the story, few monsters, creatures and bit of changing the places. Oh, and couple of OCs here and there. ^^; I'm certain everyone can figure out which belongs to me and which doesn't. =)
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Summary: Link is one who does not want others to see him breaking down.
Notion: I am still on hiatus / pause but I'm trying to get things back into working. Until then, enjoy of this story. Thanks.
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Enjoy the chapter! ^.^
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SITUATIONS FROM THEIR LIVES
CHAPTER 16: Secrets of the Hero
Link left early at that day. He didn't leave a note for his younger brother since he really didn't know what to say and he couldn't make promises. All he did know was that he needed to get out. It wasn't the first time and he was sure it wouldn't be the last one either. Before it had been easy since the younger brother of his hadn't shared the room with him. Now he had to try to sneak out and most of the time that failed. But, this time he was lucky.
Link moved swiftly, skillfully and silently through the castle and the country yard. He used all the chances for hiding like the shadowy areas, trees, bushes and such. He couldn't let anyone see him. He didn't want to talk with even one single person. Not this time. He just felt like things were crashing and he couldn't let anyone see that.
Once Link was in the forest that surrounded the castle's area from three sides, Link let himself calm down a bit. He quickly climbed into a tree and moved through there. It was one of the few ways he could move fast and silently while knowing exactly where he was.
Usually Link had went towards left, somewhere between the castle and the Gerudo but this time he chose opposite road. It was bit thicker forest and harder to get through. He hadn't checked it much so it was bit for exploration too. Not that he was there to explore and learn. He left there to be alone. To let his mind fly.
Link knew very clearly that he could've gone to his older brother's place. It was one of the very few places where no-one waited for him to be The Hero. Yet, he also knew he wouldn't be able to just be. He'd end up doing one thing or another. To put the fire on, to do the dishes, to cut firewood or something else. He just felt so damn useless if he just sat there and did nothing.
Link knew he shouldn't have felt like that but he couldn't help it. The part of being a Hero just stuck on him hard and shaking it off was the hardest thing in his life. He just felt obligated to do something nearly constantly. And that sometimes just weighted him down very hard. He never let it show but sometimes it just started to be too much to bear. And that was when he needed to leave. To be out of everyone's sight. To be just a nobody.
But Link knew that would never work for him. Whole Hyrule knew who he was. The close by kingdoms knew who he was. The kingdoms after that knew who he was. His reputation just moved forward and further. The whole world knew who he was and there was no place for him to hide. No place for him to be just one among others. Because of this he partly understood his younger brother's wish to be just one among others.
Link didn't know his younger brother's full story. He only knew the small things that had been given so far, the small bits and pieces he had picked up from his words and actions and what he had heard from the others. It wasn't much but he hoped it was enough for now. There was no chances he'd push his brother to talk if he wasn't ready and willing. He fully believed that the younger dark Hylian would talk once he'd feel like it.
Link jumped down from the tree and started to get his things off. He needed to get away from everything. He needed to leave his burdens behind. At least for a moment. But each thing he carried, the Master Sword, the Hylian Shield, the artifacts he had gathered from the Temples, the green tunic and hat, the white shirt and pants, the shoes... Everything. It all just reminded him of what and who he was. A Hero. No, The Hero. The one who travelled through time back and forth. The one who went into the deepest Temples filled with monsters, dangers, horrors and hell. The one who fought for what was right. The one who had not been older than seven when he faced his first monsters. The child whom had lost everything in that one faithful day.
Link wanted to leave it all behind. At least for a short moment. He knew none of it would stay away for forever. It would be stuck with him as long as he lived. Maybe even after that. He just wanted short moment of peace and calm. He deserved that, right? After all he had gone through, it wouldn't be too much asked... Right? Just for a moment.
Link had done some preparations throughout the years. He had found few places where he believed to be safe from the other people. To be fully alone and without anyone coming to bother him. No requests of telling his story, helping with something, asking for signature or his thoughts about one thing or another. Just a place where no-one would find him... Okay, maybe that was bit overestimated. There were always people who could find him no matter where he'd go. The first two would be his brothers. The younger one had a connection with him which neither of them understood. With the older one he had made a blood-pact. Or at least the older brother did and very much delighted the Hero once he understood the situation. The third one was the Princess. Maybe it was because she was a Sage or chosen by the Goddesses too. He didn't know but he didn't care either. The next six places went for the rest of the Sages... Aaand that was pretty much all of them. Oh, not to forget the three Goddesses. They would know everything and everyone's places without even slightest bit of doubt.
Still, Link didn't think about that. Unless there'd be something seriously important to happen, none of the ones knowing his place would call him. And this was what he was counting on. Though, knowing his own feelings, he bit feared to worry his brothers. Yet, he hoped they could give him the day before they'd come to search him out.
Once Link had gotten everything off that reminded him of his actual life, he picked some clothes from a well hidden chest. It was nothing grand, just some used clothes that he had bought at one day. He had had a robe on to hide his identity at that day. Luckily that had worked and no-one knew of his doings. Soon after that he had went to hide the clothes into the forest. He had few of similar hideouts around the woods.
Link checked the area to make sure all of his things were well hidden before he left deeper into the forest. He knew perfectly well where he was heading and soon enough he found a stream of cold water. He knelt down to the edge of the water and started to splash some water to his face. Yet, soon enough he was leaning over the water while having both of his hands in the water and at the bottom of the area. He sighed heavily, slumped a bit and closed his eyes.
Link didn't want to think about his past. He didn't want to think about anything. He just simply wanted to be. But he knew his mind wouldn't shut up. He knew it was times like these that everything just came crashing down around him. The memories of his quest, the future he was to have and realization of what he'd never have.
Link sighed heavily and shakily before raising one hand to his face. Soon the other one followed and he started to cry. This was what he didn't want others to see. Him breaking down. Him not being as strong and undefeatable as everyone thought him to be.
Link knew his older brother had seen him break down few times. Partly he was grateful of it since it was also the first times someone actually understood and accepted. Yet, part of him hated it. He hated to show being vulnerable. It wasn't what he was supposed to be. It wasn't what was waited of him. He just desperately tried to live up to the expectations and letting someone see him crash... It was hard but at the same time he truly had needed a shoulder to cry on. Someone he could count on no matter what.
Link knew that having his older brother was his younger brother's doing. The younger dark Hylian... Well, he knew the young Shadow to have gone through a lot even when he didn't know all. And that had brought the pure hate towards Ganondorf. Thanks to that feeling, he had been able to get through the dark Hylian and showed him the better side of the life. Inside seven years it had given him a younger brother, the first person in years he could count on and trust fully. Yet, he couldn't let go of his own situation. He still needed to be the Hero. Simply because he was the older brother and on that way not fully equal.
Bit over two years later the other dark Hylian had come over. The two dark Hylians had taken a while but quite soon they found a connection. Link had tried to stay back and not get messed into things. Yet, after few situations, the older dark Hylian had called him as brother. Link almost choked when he heard the word come out of the other one's mouth. He had never thought to gain an older sibling, a brother even less. For some time he thought that it was partly on the younger dark Hylian's sake but... Eventually he understood it was for real. He had an older brother.
That, of course, brought new problem for Link. He had never thought much about what others thought about him. He was a Hero and that was the main thing there was. No-one would think any of more or less of him because of that. But now... Now the thoughts of another person meant almost everything to him. He wanted to make his older brother proud of him. He wanted to have his appreciation. He wanted to be the best younger brother there was. For first time in his life, he craved for acceptance and caring. Wishing to have the other one's notion while making that person happy.
Link knew it was fully different compared to what he had for Princess Zelda, towards the younger dark Hylian, the Sages or whole Hyrule. He already knew his place with them but not with his older brother. Sure, the thoughts of everyone, close and far to him, meant a lot to him but... There's was something more with the words the older dark Hylian spoke. Something stronger, something more influencing. He didn't know what, why or how but he took the other one's words to heart, both good and bad. Slowly the realization dawned to him... Ever since the Great Deku Tree's death, he had had no-one to look up to. Not until now.
Link slowly calmed down and let his hands fall back into the stream as he just stared at the water. There were still few tears within his eyes but he didn't brush them away. He sighed sorrowfully but smiled slightly. Thinking about his brothers always somehow helped him. He chuckled shortly as the next truth came up. If either or both of his brothers hadn't been on his side, he would've been dead long ago.
Link thought back to few times when they had faced some monsters together, either with one or both of his brothers by his side. This reminded him of their strength. The younger dark Hylian didn't really show it but he was much stronger both physically and by magic than what he was. If the young Shadow would've wanted him dead, the dark Hylian wouldn't have had any of trouble killing him in a fair fight. Same went with his older brother. Well, maybe even more with him since somehow he always thought him to be actually stronger than the younger one. And if the younger one could defeat him, the older one wouldn't have any of trouble in such. Not to mention that little trick the older Shadow got. Water. The taller dark Hylian could easily tie him up by water before drowning him.
Link shuddered at the thought while fully thanking the Goddesses for the duo to be on his side. And more so on being his brothers. He couldn't be more grateful of that even if he tried. The two of them were his closest friends and the ones he could confide to without worry. Yet, there were times like these he just couldn't stand being around anyone, not even his closest family and friends.
Link closed his eyes and took few deep breaths to calm down. The sounds of the nature soon filled his mind and he smiled slightly. This was the peace and tranquility he needed now and then. It reminded him of the Kokiri Forest and the time he had when he had been just a kid. Yet, soon he sighed sorrowfully and wrapped his arms around him while slightly bowing his head. He didn't want to cry all over again but he couldn't help it. The tears just started to roll down his face and he slowly moved one hand to hide his face.
Link remembered all of those he had lost. The Great Deku Tree, the ones whom had become as Sages and whom were his friends, Volvagia, his parents whom he had never had the chance to know, all of the people who lost their lives when Ganondorf took the rule over Hyrule and everyone else he more or less had learned to know. None of them deserved the fate that had befallen on them. He wanted to blame Ganondorf for everything but could he honestly do that...?
Link hated the facts he had learned years after defeating Ganondorf and Ganon. He wasn't fully certain of the truth within them but most of the things were same what the Gerudos told. Ganondorf had wanted better life for his people, the Gerudo, but having only the Triforce of Power had driven him mad for power. His plans had changed and that was when things started to go downhill for whole Hyrule.
Link wanted to at least blame the monsters but as he thought things through, that wouldn't have been right either. The creatures had been creations of Ganondorf but in the end... Those hideous beast had had rights to live too. In the new world they only tried to find their place to live. Just like everyone else. Fear and misunderstandings were what drove the sides against each other. Sure, most of the monsters were nothing but cruel killers but there had to be few within them that would've wanted things to go different. Yet, those were either killed on the spot or never had the chance to change their lives for better.
There was no-one Link could honestly blame. When he thought to have found the one in fault, there always came something that made things different. He didn't know who to blame. He didn't even know if what he had done had been right. And yet, as he thought about his life, he couldn't really blame himself either. He had been only seven when his quest had started. He had tried to save the one whom had raised and guarded him as long as he could remember but only to see the only father figure of his life to die. To honor his wish, he had gone for the quest... Which ended up being so much more.
Link moved his hand off of his face and just stared at it. For so long and for so many times he had raised the sword to fight, to kill, to protect, to do what he thought to be right. He remembered all of the monsters, the horrors, the traps and the puzzles he had to go through. He remembered way too clearly the screams, the sound of the monsters as they moved or attacked, the dying sound of those beasts, the screeches of the traps, the ticking of the clock in some areas... He remembered it all and couldn't get it out of his head. He remembered the outlook of the monsters with every gruesome detail. He remembered all of the strikes he had received.
Link closed his eyes, pulled his legs against his chest and wrapped his arms around them while resting his forehead against his knees. He tried not to cry while breathing shakily. He remembered the monsters in the Kokiri Forest while fearing to have come too late. That those beasts had eaten or mauled the children. He remembered the empty Goron City and screams of the Gorons in the Fire Temple. He remembered the frozen Zoras in their Domain and the absence of Lord Jabu-Jabu. He remembered the burning of Kakariko Village and screams of the people trapped in the burning houses. He remembered the Gerudos whom followed blindly their leader Nabooru whom had been brainwashed to do Ganondorf's bidding. He remembered all that and how he had desperately tried to help and save as many as he could. Still, he felt like he should've been able to do even more for everyone's sake.
Link moved his hands to his shoulders as he cried. He felt like he could've done more. That he could've saved more. That he had failed too many. War has its casualties. It was something he had heard once but it opened up to him very slowly. Once it did, he knew he couldn't save everyone no matter how he'd try. Yet, that didn't stop him from trying his best to save as many as possible. Even when that felt like too little.
Link knew he was only bringing himself down on the way he was thinking but he didn't care. From time to time he just needed to put everything into right order. To find where he was standing and what were his reasons to keep going. To remind himself that what he did had been right. Yet, sometimes it was just hard to find the reasons. To realize the truth behind the words, actions and situations. Sometimes he wished he was blind to everything but he knew that wasn't the case and never would be. He had his eyes and ears open whole time while searching a way to help on the best way he could. And that felt like a curse.
Link opened his eyes and stared at his lap. At the dark brown pants and light blue shirt that he was wearing at that day. They weren't his. Sure, by the fact that he had bought them, they were but... It didn't feel nor look right on him. He smiled slightly lopsidedly. It was exactly how he wanted it. To try and pretend to be something he wasn't. To be a person that had been buried so long ago.
Link sighed heavily and raised his head so his chin was resting on his knees. That seven year old child had raised his head after almost fifteen years of hiding. The very first time he had let himself crash and be the scared kid he felt, was during the first time he had been at his older brother's place. On that night he had tried to sleep on his own while desperately denying the feeling of being one too much in there. He hadn't realized that his older brother had noticed but the words he spoke at that night never left him. Hey tough guy...Did you forget that you're my little brother too? He could've swore his heart missed a beat and that he hadn't breathed for a moment. Those words were something he had wished to hear for so long that it hurt to hear them now. Yet, what mattered the most was that the one who spoke those words also meant them from whole heart. On that night, he had broken down for the first time in front of another person but there was also something else... For the first time in his life for a long while, he felt at peace and safely at home while being surrounded by people who truly cared about him and not of the Hero everyone saw in him. It didn't take long before he had given more information about his life to his older brother than what he had to his younger brother so far.
Link slowly calmed down again and checked the Triforce-mark on his left hand. It's right corner was lit to mark the Triforce of Courage, the one that Farore had given as she and her two comrades had created the lands of Hyrule. He let his hand fall and the mark vanish as he turned his gaze back into the stream. He was grateful of the nightmares having lessened through the years but some of them still popped their nasty heads up now and then. He didn't really want to think about those hellish dreams but he closed his eyes and let his mind fall into the depths of the horrors his own mind created from the experiences he had had throughout his whole life.
Link shivered and wrapped his hands back to his shoulders as the first bad dream came forth. It was none other than the one that gave him the worst nightmares. Dead Hand. That hideous monster of thin arms and blob of a body with overly wide mouth. Second was ReDeads. Those skin and bone living dead people that were wanting to eat him alive and to do that giving that blood stopping shriek. The Floor- and Wallmasters were next with their gigantic hands that were ready to squeeze him to death. Bongo Bongo with its enormous hands and torso but nothing else to be seen. Stalfos with their surprisingly good swordsmanship and full bone body. The Bubbles and Stalkids. The Beamos. The Gibdos and Poes... The list kept going on and on.
Link kept his eyes shut tightly while his breathing fastened. The more monsters he thought out, the worse the nightmares were. He had started from the hardest creatures from his past. Sure, there were several others too like ReDead Knights and Darknuts that he had fought only about five years ago. Yet, even though those were as hellish as Dead Hands and ReDeads, he had had the chance to actually get ready for them. He had had his fair share of hideous beasts and nightmares so facing few new horrendous monsters wouldn't make a difference anymore.
When Link finally opened his eyes, he was breathing heavily and trembling. He remembered how the nightmares had plagued his dreams for several long years after the defeat of Ganondorf and Ganon. He barely managed to sleep and even when he did, the nightmares were there to greet him. Slowly, as the kingdom was reconstructing and fixing the damages, he started to calm down. Though, the greatest help he had gained on the day he had met with the one whom became to be his younger brother. Start had been bit rocky and hard but slowly they had gained the situation they were in now. Talking to him and teaching him were things that slowly but surely pushed the nightmares away. Through the young dark Hylian he gained a close friend and most importantly, peace of mind. One whom had been used against him now stood beside him. And to him, that was the greatest victory in his life.
Link started to calm down again as he thought about his younger brother. That young Hylian was such a bundle of joy and curiosity. Always full of excitement and eagerness to learn new things. Even though they were equal in physical age, it was clear that the dark Hylian was younger by actions and mind. He himself had caught up with the gaps in his mind and knowledge but it had been long, hard and lonely trek. Luckily the Shadow had no need to do that journey alone.
Link leaned backwards and laid down to his back. He let his legs fall into the stream while crossing his arms behind his head. He stared at the sky and the white clouds. He enjoyed the blue ocean that followed no other order than that of a nature. The colors of red, orange and yellow in morning. Blue during day. And back into red, orange and yellow at evening before turning dark. It was always either black or very dark blue. He wasn't fully sure of the coloration but he liked to watch the millions and millions of small stars lighting the sky slowly but surely. With the moon coming up and going past the sky before the sun brought the colors of the sunrise from the other side again.
Link enjoyed the show because it followed same order without caring what was going on down below. Morning, day, evening and night. Morning, day, evening and night. The same cycle over and over again never ending. The clouds deciding by themselves of the coloration and shape along with whether or not rain would come. The wind being only a guide but not the master. It was simple show of power without anything disturbing or corrupting it. It just kept going on the same without exceptions.
Link smiled slightly as his thoughts turned into the future. He was to marry Zelda eventually and he waited for that, bit fearfully though. Yet, before he could go for such an important step, he had to make sure his younger brother would be alright. And hopefully getting married too. His older brother was already engaged with the girl of his dreams, Princess of the Swamp Kingdom. He chuckled a bit while wondering if his younger brother was going to marry a royal too in the end.
Link sighed a bit and his small smile started to vanish. He bit feared the life he was going to have after the marriage. To be a king to a kingdom. That was something he bit dreaded. He wasn't sure he'd be good one or if he'd have what it took for such a position. Sure, he was The Hero but how far would that lead him... He wasn't sure at all and that worried him greatly. It also brought another thing... He could say goodbye to his freedom and chances for exploration and adventures. Duties would take his whole life and he bit feared how much he'd have for his family after that.
Link knew the future was uncertain and unexpected unlike the nature. Sometimes he wished he could've just gone back to Kokiri and live by the nature's rules instead of the life he had. It would've been so much easier but he was no coward. He had to face what the future was to throw at him. But most of all he knew one simple thing... He had a family right by his side and he could always turn to them would he need help and guidance at anything at all. He knew he could call to them anytime no matter where or how far they'd be. They would come to him as soon as possible by leaving towards him on that moment. He knew that for absolute truth and that eased his worried quite a much. Even if he felt like he was alone with the trouble, that wasn't the truth at all. And would never be.
Link took once a deep breath and carefully raised one hand towards the sky. He knew he couldn't touch any of the deep blue colors or the white clouds but he didn't mind. He just wanted to pretend for a while. To fool his own mind for a short moment. It wasn't much but it was something he could do when he was alone in the forest.
Link smiled a bit as he "petted" one of the cloud formations. From there he moved his hand to another one and followed its edge. With a sigh he let his hand fall to his chest after that. He remembered how he used to search for different kind of shapes in the clouds with Saria when they were kids. Now she was the Forest Sage and he was the Hero. They couldn't really spend time together anymore. It was very rare chances when they could catch up and talk about the past. He knew he could've picked the play with his brothers but he wasn't sure they'd be up for that. His younger brother maybe but he knew his older brother was bit too impatient for something like this. Sure the older Shadow was childish sometimes but...
Link sighed again and sat up. He pulled his feet out of the water and stood up. After that he started to follow the river downwards while walking in the water. For now, as a Knight, he had all the rights to be one of those whom guarded the kingdom. He could go and do as he pleased but he knew that was to change on the day he'd get married. He tried to enjoy as much as possible of the time he still had as a free Hero but with each passing day, the end of his current ways were coming closer.
Link walked forward while keeping his hands in his pants' pockets and being bit slouched forward. He didn't know where the river would end but he didn't care either. He knew he wouldn't follow it to end. The time just wasn't on his side. He had thought about taking few days off like so many times before but there were people who waited for him to come back. He couldn't betray them like that. Before he shared the room, he had left a slight note to Zelda. Just telling he'd handle some things at Hyrule's border and he didn't know when he'd exactly come back. It had been easy and he hadn't fully lied either. Now there was two he had to explain his goings and comings. That was the reason his time spend alone was shorter and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing.
In all reality Link just wanted to run away and never look back. Deep inside he was scared. Even though he wasn't that seven year old kid anymore, it would still be there because he had never fully grown up the right way. Sometimes he wanted to slash at something, to kill someone but there was no monsters to fight. He had been at his older brother's kingdom's area more often than not and that certainly was starting to show in the amount of the monsters. Those beasts were actually much wiser and stronger than what he had learned to deal with but it didn't take long before he outdid all of them. And with his older brother and the other Hyrule's Hero by him, the number of the creatures was steadily dropping. It was hard to find a decent fight even from there. A fight where he had the rights to kill.
Link knew he wasn't meant to think like that. It wasn't the way of a Hero. But he couldn't care less. He had been fighting for his own life for longer than he wanted to admit. He knew that everyone knew of this but no-one dared to think about the real danger he had been in. One wrong move and he would've been dead for good. He had been lucky since he had slowly gotten from easy enemies into hard ones. Still, it didn't take the danger nor the hardness of the fights off. It wasn't just the physique nor the skill. It was also the mind that was at stake. Out of all of the fights in his life, the hardest ones were against Volvagia and his not-yet-my-younger-brother-shadow Dark Link. After that was the two witches, Kotake and Koume, along with Ganondorf himself. The first one of these was his friend. Rest were real people and that was bit too much for him. Yet, he knew he couldn't back off. It was either him or them.
Still, Link couldn't help but think if things could've gone differently. If there had been a way to knock some sense into Volvagia's head. Or to talk his Shadow around and get him to follow him. Or to get the witch sisters to leave their evil ways off. Or to reason with Ganondorf without needing to fight. Yet, he was quite certain that no matter how many chances he'd get, he wouldn't be able to handle the situation at any other way than what it had gone.
Link stopped walking as the small river ended into about meter long fall. He looked around from his higher place but there was nothing that implied for a danger. He sighed bit defeated since he had bit wished to have something different. Sure, he had come there just to be but at the same time the thoughts were bringing up his wish for a good battle. He chuckled a bit and shook his head before turning around. Not today. Today he was going to stay away from everyone and everything.
Link left back to where he had started. He moved as slowly as before with the water splashing around his feet. He felt bit confused and unnerved since he hadn't heard or seen any of animals. Not even of birds. That brought slight fear of monsters but then again, they weren't that of far from a dead forest he knew to be around there further forward. Maybe the area just was bit too close to that place for the animals.
Link decided to leave it off of his notion. He'd check it some other day. Maybe even with his brothers along. But now was not the time. Now he was there to let his mind free and not think of anything at all. Yet, he soon chuckled a bit. There was no chances one could be without any kind of thoughts for long. There always was something to think about even if people didn't realize it. Still, he himself had learned to act first and think later since the monsters didn't really give him time to do other than adjust and fight. It was mainly the reason he sometimes over-thought about some things when he had actual chance to think. His older brother had pointed that out to him now and then. He remembered very clearly his brother's line about the topic: I think you're reading far too much into everything, trying to second guess everyone's next move, their thoughts and then you're trying to defend yourself against stuff they haven't even said or done! He knew that even though his brother's words were sometimes bit harsh, he always meant good by them. Just trying to help the best way he could.
Link chuckled as he thought about that line. It was so true on him and he was trying to get off of doing it. Yet, he had to admit he still fell victim of the situation. Thinking way too far into one thing or another and ending up into wrong conclusion. Luckily so far he hadn't given any of hint out of this bad habit of his to anyone other than to his older brother. The said older brother was good at listening and he picked up the right things from there.
Link didn't know if it was just a Shadow thing or what, but he was grateful of it. Both of his brothers were good at noticing things that were left unsaid or undone. That helped him a lot. They both tried to pick the topics up now and then. Sometimes he just wasn't ready to confront things, other times he needed someone to listen and understand. And for that his brothers were of great help. And this brought him to his next topic.
Link was going to request both of his brothers as his advisors once he'd become the king. He wasn't sure whether or not his brothers would accept but he truly wished they'd take the honor. Sure, it wasn't normal for the king to have two advisors but it wasn't unheard of either. And he sure as hell wouldn't put his brothers one over the other. They would be equal in their position and that was final. He wouldn't take any of other word for it and he sure wouldn't allow someone put them one under the other's rule. Not a chance.
Yet, Link knew the information and guidance he'd need from his brothers would be different. His older brother was more on the line of fighting so he'd inquire for possible fight strategies and such. His younger brother was more on the line of peace and talking things through which was the reason he'd go for him if he needed help on the line of writing a letter or keeping the meeting calm. And, of course, in some situation he'd inquire help from both of his brothers.
When Link finally returned to the area where he had left to follow the stream, he sat to the grass and laid down to his back. He allowed his mind to fall silent as he just watched the sky and the clouds. He listened to the wind and the stream since no other sound was heard in there. He just relaxed and calmed down.
Link hadn't taken any of food along since he had thought to gather what he needed from the nature but he didn't feel like it. He wasn't hungry nor was he interested to lose his time and strength into something as trivial as that. He had thought to spend few days there but since he had changed that plan in the very morning, he hadn't taken anything along for eating. It wasn't the first time he made a choice to skip all meals from a day. He had done that a lot when he had been on his quest. In these days he didn't have to be hungry but sometimes he just wanted to remind himself of how it felt.
The quest Link had gone through hadn't been easy one. The people hadn't thought of him as a Hero back then. The only reason they asked for help from him was the fact that he carried a sword and shield. It was only because he helped and did all he could to save the lands that the people actually shared their food and home with him. It wasn't much and it wasn't that of often but it had kept him alive. Most of the time he had had to go with what he had and could get from the dying lands. This often left him going hungry with lack of sleep and rare shelter from the weather. Still, what drove him forward was what he believed to be right. To fight for the kingdom of Hyrule. To save those whom were his childhood friends and eventually Sages. To save the Princess whom he had fallen in love from the first sight. To save the different races he had gotten to know. But even with all this, there was also the part of revenge.
Link's first part of revenge was for the Great Deku Tree. Next went for the different races since Ganondorf had endangered their safety on harsh ways to get what he wanted. From there came Volvagia, the dragon friend from his past. Last but not least was for the young dark Hylian. There were others too but these were the most important to him. Even when everyone said he fought for what was right, vengeance was strong part of his actions. And he would not deny it.
Link sighed heavily and crossed his arms behind his head. With the hells from his past and the fears of his future, he couldn't dismiss the fact that he was actually feeling quite calm and happy. The kingdom was in peace, the people were happy and safe. He had managed that and he knew he could be proud of his doings. Still, the greatest pride he took was of his family. His brothers that had their home kingdoms going against them but changing their reputation around to become accepted and cared of. His girlfriend and eventually to be wife whom ruled over the kingdom strongly and justly. His friends that held their title of a Sage proudly and helping their own people as well as whole Hyrule the best way they could. SDP, his older brother's eventually to be wife, was kind and caring with strong will and sense of justice. He couldn't be more proud to be part of this family even if he tried.
Link took once a deep breath and let it out slowly while closing his eyes. He was feeling surprisingly calm and collected at the moment. It was rare considering how many times he hadn't been able to fully relax during his times alone. Before he couldn't shut his mind or leave his worries behind but now he felt like he didn't even need more than this one simple day. He smiled while opening his eyes and looking at the sky. This had been what he had tried to achieve so many times but never been able. Days had just gone by with him worrying, crying and almost striking at anything on his path. Now... Now he felt like he could take on anything and get through it victoriously.
Link frowned a bit as he wondered what had changed so dramatically to give the peace of mind he had dreamed of for so long. The first thought went to his younger brother but that wasn't the reason. Even then he hadn't been able to calm down since the dark Hylian had needed an older brother to help and look after him. That hadn't given him the chance he had hoped for. Second was with Zelda but he soon shook his head. She was the queen and they still didn't really have that of much time together. And he worried himself sick for her safety nearly constantly. Third went to Epona but the mare had been by his side as long as he could remember. The horse had gone through so much with him that he sometimes wondered if she was as worried and restless as he was.
Link grinned when he found his answer. His older brother. That Half-Shadow had given him what he had needed the most. Acceptance and allowing him to be as vulnerable as anyone else. Ever since the older dark Hylian had called him as brother, he had been there for him. Not even once has he pushed him away. He's been persistent and not backing off even once when he's realized that his younger brother seriously needed to talk to someone.
That what has helped the most, Link realized, has been all the listening his older brother has done. He knew he broke down probably more often than his younger brother but his older brother just held him and let him talk. Just getting it all out and knowing that the other one understood, accepted and wanted to help... That was all he ever needed. The acceptance and love he gained was what eventually pulled him through. He wasn't sure if he ever could thank his brother the right way but he would try.
Link knew that his older brother once told him that he had saved him. It had been something bit confusing until his brother explained: By saving their youngest brother and by their youngest brother helping and saving their oldest brother, he had saved his older brother too. Without the youngest, there wouldn't be the oldest either. It had taken a moment but he had finally understood it. It was just simply by paying the good things forward and helping the best way possible.
Link chuckled while jumping up to his feet. The sky was starting to change colors to indicate the fall of evening. He looked once around him before heading back to his actual things. At there he changed clothes, took his weapons, checked that all was well and left back towards the castle. It had been a very long time since he had felt this calm and collected.
Link snuck back into the castle late at that evening. He made sure that the kitchen was empty before he went into there. Luckily he didn't have to work his first part of the plan from the very beginning since it would've taken him hour or few and someone could've come to check on things by then. So, he worked swiftly while making sure of not leaving any of notion about him having been there... Except for the fact of some pieces of different foods being gone.
Once Link had checked he had everything he needed along, he checked one last time around himself and left the kitchen after that. He snuck through the secret ways to stay hidden and to move bit quicker through the castle. He smiled as he knocked on the door of his room which he shared with his younger brother before going in by his own key. "Darky, you awake?" He called the moment he got inside.
The younger brother had gotten bit startled about the call and frowned but he sighed in relief when Link came in. "Where have you been whole day?" He inquired straight off while sitting on the bed and staring at the Hero. He frowned a bit at the tray but all of the things on it was hidden under few cloths.
Link grinned as he placed the tray down to Darky's night table and sat down next to his brother. Right after that, without having answered to the question yet, he hugged the dark Hylian tightly. "I love you, little brother. Before, now and forever. You do know this, right?" He told gently but firmly.
The Half-Shadow was quite startled and it took a short moment before he returned the hold and nodded. "Y-yeah... I do." He half mumbled while feeling actually confused about the situation.
Link pulled off but he was still grinning a bit. "I know you've been worrying for me for the whole day which is the reason I know you haven't really eaten either." He told and leaned towards the night table. He pulled the two clothes off and revealed the food below. "It's all for you." He told calmly while smiling happily.
The dark Hylian frowned first but soon bit gasped as he saw the offered food. On the tray was stack of sandwiches, quite a big piece of sandwich cake (not of fish), a hot chocolate with the addition of strawberries and a bowl of berries. Darky blinked few times before turning to look at Link. "Um... T-that's kinda lot..." He half mumbled while turning his gaze back into the treat.
Link just simply grinned and shrugged. "Eat what you want. It's all yours." He told but that was the moment his own stomach reminded of being empty. He blushed and smiled sheepishly at the revelation.
The darker Hylian frowned before bit grinning. "Let me guess... You haven't eaten either, huh?" He inquired but the sound and Link's expression were already giving him the answer. "You'd better eat too then." The younger brother told.
"Nah, I'm good. Honest." Link answered while raising his hands in surrender. Darky simply nodded but didn't say word. He just picked one of the sandwiches up. "So, as to where I was tod—" Link started but couldn't go further as he found a corner of a sandwich from his mouth.
"You're gonna eat and I won't take a no for an answer." Darky stated with a victorious grin while holding the sandwich which he had struck into Link's mouth. Link blinked few times before sighing bit heavily but the slight grin on his face told that he wasn't angry. He took the sandwich and bit the corner off before already starting to chew. "We can talk once we've both eaten. Okay?" The younger brother inquired and Link just simply nodded.
Link ate couple of the sandwiches while Darky took one and turned for the sandwich cake after that. They pretty much shared the bowl of berries. After that the Half-Shadow picked up the mug, took a good position on the bed and turned his gaze into Link. "So, talk. Where were you today and why didn't you give me any of heads-up?" He inquired while feeling tad hurt of Link's actions.
Link took once a deep breath, fetched a pillow from next to his brother and put it against the end board of the bed. He leaned against it back first and smiled a bit. "I took the day off to clear my thoughts. You know I do this now and then and that I take usually few days off." He started and shrugged. "I know I tell about these times to you and to Zelda but..." He sighed and turned his gaze into the ceiling. "I don't know. I just felt that I had to get out. I didn't really feel like I'd have the time to write a note. Didn't want to lose any more of time than needed. I kinda felt that if I didn't get the hell out soon enough, I'd break down right there and then." He explained and dropped his gaze into the bed sorrowfully. "I couldn't stand that thought." He half mumbled.
Darky stayed silent but he frowned a bit in both confusion and concern. He had seen his brother break down several times back at their oldest brother's place. It had freaked him out at first but slowly he had realized the situation. Being a Hero had its toll and it had been just a matter of time when Link would've needed someone to pick him back up. Luckily that someone had been their oldest brother during the first times but eventually the youngest had been there for his older brother too.
Link took once a deep breath before continuing. "I left into the forest. Headed to right this time. I spend the whole day there." He told simply but smiled a bit. "I never thought I'd actually achieve in my goal of getting my mind into actual peace, you know." He confessed bit quietly.
Darky frowned but he still didn't say a word. He just simply nodded and waited for the Hero to continue. Link chuckled a bit and dropped his gaze down but the small smile was still on his lips. "I realized something today." He told calmly and raised his gaze into his younger brother. "I guess it had been at the back of my head all this time but I just never got it out. Not until today." He continued and crawled next to his brother.
"And what did you realize?" Darky inquired while raising an eyebrow and watching Link coming close. He gasped a bit when the Hero suddenly hugged him and quite tightly too.
"I realized what's the most important thing in one's life." Link half whispered while holding his younger brother tightly.
"And what's that?" The Half-Shadow inquired while feeling like he should know the answer. Link stayed silent for a long while but eventually he whispered one word:
"Family."
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A/N: Gotta admit that I had hard time with how to end this. I had couple of other endings too but neither just wasn't what felt right. So, I eventually cut it off into here. There is probably going to be one to two more parts for this. Not fully sure, though.
Oh, and like before, the Dark Link that's the duo's older brother, is SDP's version of Dark Link. So, yeah, he's had huge impact in my Link's life.