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Chapter One: Break with the Past

Link gasped for breath. His body jerked forward with his hand grasping his chest. It was another nightmare over his return. A dark wooden ceiling loomed over him; he focused on his racing heart until recognizing that ceiling was his very own.

"Oh, right…" Link felt foolish. His eyes glance towards the furniture in his bedroom next. Everything was untouched. It was exactly as he had left it, and Navi was nowhere to be seen. This adrenaline tapered off for a couple more minutes.

No.

She isn't coming back. He wipes his sweat away. The Deku Tree had no means to send him a fairy and the thought brought Link back onto his mattress.

…How many days has it been since Princess Zelda turned back time?

He rubbed a single eye. It was a little more than his fingers could count. Link's immediate visit to Her Royal Highness ended in swift action. Ganondorf had zero chance to access the Sacred Realm; he had no Spiritual Stones or the Song of Time in his possession. It was a bittersweet victory for the other two pieces of the Triforce. Recounting the events as a daily routine unfortunately annoyed the former Hero more than a desire to silently celebrate.

His blankets crinkle over his shoulders. This torture must end eventually. Regaining lost time is harder than its made out to be. The former Hero would feel exhausted after his many adventures and lying in bed now felt unbearably out of place. Link could not share his experiences in Kokori Forest with Princess Zelda as he did not want her to pity him for it. Currently known as the "Boy without a Fairy" all over again, Mido makes it obvious he spites him. Everything was what it used to be, but Link cannot help to smile over it sometimes. He will always remember the apology Mido wanted his adult self to pass along.

If only Mido knew how silly he looked...

…And the same question remains, what now?

Princess Zelda made this choice out of the kindness of her heart. Link being cocooned in his tree house will not fulfill the favor she wanted to serve him. His brow furrowed. He was the one not making enough effort. Instead, he was focusing too much on his horrid past timeline.

I have to get up.

It would be easier without so many eyes on him anyway.

Link rises slowly in the shadows and gathers what he needs for his quick journey to Hyrule Fields. None of these thoughts were new to him and likely they would plague him until whatever "bigger purpose" is discovered. He has forgotten what it is like to search for his own happiness and his reflection from the Kokori Sword only emphasized this fact. Link changed so much. His blonde hair was matted, and his cerulean eyes were dull. Ageing was notable in a simple stare.

It was as if those repeated seven years disappeared into dust.

No more. He will let his mind wander and choose a destination from there. Princess Zelda nor the Three Goddesses of Hyrule would want to see him wither away. He was blessed to be given a second chance and he should not waste it. Setting off on foot, his sword and shield were secured against his back. An old map from his past adventures lays tucked in his tunic pocket. Just outside the tree house was a dirt trail that stretched into a main path; its direction led to Kokori Forest's exit.

Link may have been the only person outside tonight, but not the only living being. Kokori Forest was never silent under the watchful eye of the moon. Filled with various sounds of wildlife, his elven ears paid close attention to crickets quavering in harmony with the low croaks of frogs. It would be hard to believe Farore's purest creations suffered such disarray. The war-zone Saria would have screamed upon witnessing-

This again.

Link tapped at his forehead roughly with a palm. He successfully ended that thought. …There was no good in remembering Kokori Forest as a monster-infested pit. Perhaps talking to Princess Zelda again on how to adjust or maybe request training alongside the Hylian Knights? Anything to wrap his head around this newly found "free time" for a moment of tranquility. As Link peered through his fingers, an unexpected face startled him out of his boots. The former Hero reached hurriedly for his sheath.

"Hold it, hold it!" Mido pleaded. He stumbles back to the sword's tip threatening his heart.

Link's narrowed eyes grew wide, "Mido? What are you doing out here?" His free hand switched to replace his weapon; he hadn't meant for Mido to fall onto his rump either.

The Kokori gasps out of embarrassment, "I-I should be asking the same to you!" Link's assistance was immediately denied. An aggressive slap to his wrist left a small sting over his skin. "Trying to kill me, the Great Mido!? You'll be in huge trouble when I tell the Deku Tree! Where do you think you're going this time?!"

"Do you plan to follow me?" Link asks.

Both boys were stuck sharing a blank stare. Mido's mouth was agape. …Link fired so quickly at him. He was not armed with Link's sharp tongue, nor physically. Link was equipped with weaponry, and even worse, to admit to his rival he was afraid of his interactions with Hylians-

The former Hero did not have patience for this, it seems. Link passes Mido while rubbing his wrist, "You should head back inside before the wolves find you."

Mido grits his teeth, "Don't joke about that! Hey!" He springs onto his feet and turns in the direction of Hyrule Fields, "You're going to ignore me now?! I'm not finished with you yet!"

"It can wait."

"It can't, Link!"

He catches up to him on the main path. Both boys reach an immense tree trunk together; it was carved as a grand arch signaling Kokori Forest's exit way. Hyrule Fields was just up ahead, and Link turned to glance over. How bad in shape he was. Mido was a sweaty mess, panting and wheezing like a hog trapped in water. He was hoping to not have to carry Mido to a healer all for a scratch and a faint heart.

"You…" the Kokori hunches over, grasping his knees, "Sheesh…you really want to worry Saria to bits…"

"She is spending most of her time in the Forest Temple. If she had a problem with my visits to Hyrule Castle Town, she'd have shared that with me by now."

Mido shot Link another glare, "What's with you lately?"

"Huh?" The former Hero was met with a finger to his face; his eyes crossed to stare at it, surprised. It pressed hard against the tip of his nose.

"Don't act like you have no idea what I'm talking about, No-Fairy!" Mido grew incredibly stern. He closed their distance, making sure to create a clear message for Link not to play around, "All this 'grown-up' talk and tasks on the daily! Speaking to the Hylians is risking us! I swear, if you embarrass anyone to the Royal Family…!"

"You're losing sleep over it, Mido."

"You're not one of us!" he snaps and draws his finger away, "I can never understand what Saria sees in you!" anger fueled no response from the stupid fairy-less boy, "Really! You're trying to make me look crazy, but I know you're up to something! I'll get an answer from you soon enough!"

And to his shock, Link had already taken many steps back through the forest line. It was a boundary he knew Mido would never dare to cross; that Kokori had a huge fear of turning into a Stalfos kid someday. This would be a conversation to continue for another time.

"LINK!" Mido shrills.

...

Moonlight spread evenly amongst the grasslands. There were no trees in the way of blocking the passing breeze; it made the air feel crisp and refreshing. Kokori Forest always smelt of moss and earth, but Hyrule Fields carried a unique scent of flowering herbs and hay. Link could always travel in peace here. It was much quieter.

His tired eyes skim his map so heavily marked in ink. The former Hero was reviewing old routes he has taken for tasks in his previous timeline. Much had to be scribbled out for the fact Ganondorf was not involved anymore. Link would need to purchase new scroll paper and begin from scratch reforming his map layout. It could be useful for adventurers new to Hyrule. He rubs his chin and shakes his head. What adult would take a boy his age seriously? He would look ridiculous proposing the idea to just any regular merchant on the street.

What to do… He met with the night sky. Link would normally be asking Navi for some answers right now. The gates to Hyrule Castle Town will be closed until sunrise; it was a protocol to protect Hylians from invasion of Gerudo and cursed Stalfos. Kakariko Village is an option, but many of the townsfolk there run shops closed for the nighttime. There was no rapport built with the villagers there; the same can be said for Zora's Domain, yet.

Similarly, the thought of Princess Ruto made Link tremble with some distaste. Link could excuse the maltreatment for the dire circumstances they were dragged into, but he would not like to be forced into an engagement so early either. Princess Zelda made it crystal clear the Zora Sapphire was not to be shared with anyone but the Royal Family. It's a tool for proposal in Zora culture after all. It's just too soon to get mixed into all that now.

His focus began to drift west. If only-

Lon Lon Ranch. Link's posture immediately straightened.

...Malon has to be up at this hour.

He hesitates.

In fact, Link had not met with Epona. The first few days were hell-spent collecting evidence against Ganondorf and the last handful ending his week were focused on readjustment to this new life. There was no opportunity to unite with his companion. The former Hero gave one last look at his map before slowly stuffing it away again. …It would not hurt to try. This would make for easier and faster travel around the landscape.

Link scales another hillside, it was a long walk. He reaches Lon Lon Ranch's front by circling its escalated perimeter. A familiar wooden sign swung from the increasing wind speeds. He thought it was a draft from the hill's top at first, but some water drops gently tapped his cheek. Rain. There was going to be a light shower tonight. Bothering Malon was something the former Hero was against, but on the other hand, he'd rather refuse facing another confrontation with Mido. He surely would be waiting for Link if he dared to return home and soaked better yet. Link enters the opening cautiously.

On both sides of the alley leaked lantern light from inside two buildings. A stable to Link's right bustled with horses and cows and to his left sat the ranchers' main quarters. An open two acres lay bare ahead. Everyone was to be in their locations at sundown except for one, and there she was, always in the center of Lon Lon Ranch's Riding Arena. He knew that bright red-orange hair from anywhere, yet the ranch girl was not singing her usual song. Link noticed Malon's gaze was to the grass beneath her.

She was wiping…tears?

The former Hero was staring in awe at her. This would be the first time he had ever seen Malon cry. Over what exactly? Epona would be directly beside her; and even then, she was nowhere to be found.

Malon looked up and met Link's gaze.

The former Hero flinched. How stupid he was to be standing at the main gate.

"Um….?!"

Her head tilts slowly. Malon began to rub her shining blue eyes before turning fully towards him, "Am I seeing things? We haven't had a visitor in a while…"

Embarrassment reached the tips of Link's ears; they were flushed warm. He shook his head quickly. There was no way he was going to get Epona now that he gave his "first" impression as a stalker. Malon did not approach him and her unease became noticeable the longer Link stayed silent. He picked up on this and was confused as to why he was dazed. Perhaps noticing a few details out of place stunned him into speechlessness.

"I-I was interested in riding, but I see no horses here."

Really? That's what I could come up with?

Malon smiled weakly to his save, "The horses don't come out until sunrise. My father says its dangerous for them to be here while we're all asleep…" She looks up when hearing a distant rumble of thunder. Link heard it too, his brow furrowed to seeing Malon wipe at her eyes again. He opens his mouth to ask.

"Malon!" another voice called out from behind Link.

Both youngsters flinch. Malon's focus was off the former Hero and to the haughty man seen squinting from the alley.

"Malon?!" It was Ingo. His tone seeped with frustration. He turned his head in all directions, "Where are you?! Malon?!"

She appeared frightened, the expression crossing her once peaceful face brought Link to grasp at the handle of his sword out of instinct, "I-Ingo…! He can't see you here, Grasshopper!"

"G-Grasshopper-?" Link looked down at himself. He used to be called a Fairy Boy-

Before he could process what was happening, the ranch girl takes his hand and yanks him after her. They were heading towards the stone tower at the back of the arena.

"Malon!? Malon!" Ingo's voice grew fainter and fainter with each step.

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