Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda Series or its characters. I also do not own "Beauty and the Beast", "Les Miserables", or any other musical or piece of music mentioned in this story. This story is purely for entertainment purposes only.

Hello, everyone! Thank you again for your continued support! As always, please leave a review! I'd love to hear what you think! Enjoy chapter 34! ~Opal

Chapter 34: Bonding over Fish

After riding for an hour and a half on our horses, Curtis and I arrived at Hena's fishing hole. The sun had risen just enough to shine on the pond, creating a magnificent display of orange-pink hues on the glassy water. We stood for a moment at the water's edge taking in its splendor. We turned to each other and smiled, and then slowly made our way into the fishing shack.

Curtis and I hadn't brought any fishing equipment with us, so we decided to rent some fishing poles and bait from Hena. She was eating some scrambled eggs when we walked in. She set her fork down and wiped her face with a cloth napkin, setting it down next to the plate afterwards. She smirked as her light blue eyes focused on the two of us. "Good morning gentlemen!"

"Good morning." I said to her with a yawn and a smile.

"Mornin' Hena!" Curtis grinned.

"I haven't seen you two here together for a while." She pointed to the fishing rods behind her. "Here to fish?"

We both nodded and handed her 20 rupees a piece. Curtis closed his wallet. He looked at me. "If I remember right, the last time we were here together was on our last mission?"

"Yeah, I think so." I replied.

He put his hands on his hips. "That was quite some time ago. You hadn't even met Sally yet." He chuckled. "I never imagined then that you two would end up together."

"Me neither." I beamed. "I think it was fate."

He nodded. Hena handed Curtis his fishing pole and spoke to me as she handed me mine. "How are you two doing by the way?"

"We're doing great!" I said happily, taking the pole in my hand.

"Glad to hear it!" She clapped her hands. Her expression was more serious. "It's amazing. No matter what you two go through, you always come out stronger for it! That's very telling, you know? I can't help but believe that this is what the Goddesses want for the two of you."

"Thanks Hena." I beamed. "I think so too."

"I agree wholeheartedly!" Curtis bellowed proudly.

"You two have fun fishing!" She gave us thumbs up as we waved and headed out the door with our poles and bait.

Curtis and I walked to the dock and boarded the rowboat. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "Beautiful morning!"

"Indeed!" I said, placing my pole under my seat.

Curtis rowed out to the center of the pond. You could tell Autumn was setting in; the leaves falling from the trees and the air crisp and cold. That didn't discourage us though! We both put on light jackets that we had brought with us and prepared our hooks with worms. I cast my line first and then he did so a few moments later. We sat for a while talking quietly about everything. Religion, politics, the meaning of life...we were both comfortable discussing anything with each other, even if our opinions differed. Our respect for each other never faltered. Curtis took out a couple of granny smith apples from his knapsack. "Hungry?"

"Yes. Thank you." I responded.

"You're welcome!" He tossed the apple to me. As we ate, our two fishing poles rested against the Y hooks normally meant for the oars; the two lines still in the water, not moving even a bit. Curtis sighed. "Think we'll ever get a bite?"

"I don't know. They don't seem to be hungry this morning." I shrugged. I stared at my reflection in the water, and then focused my attention to my line. "C'mon fish...time for grub!" I laid back in slight frustration and rested my head on the bow of the boat, looking up at the sky as it began to turn more blue.

Curtis laughed. "Pretty sure they don't understand English!"

I snickered. "At least let me pretend they do!"

"'Whatever floats your boat!'" He replied.

"You'd better hope that floats my boat! You're on it with me!" We both chortled. I sat up a little, long enough to lace my hands behind my head and use them as a pillow for my head as I laid back against the bow again. "Hey Curtis?"

"Hmmm?" He hummed.

"Ever wonder if our loved ones who have passed on are really able to look down from heaven and watch over us?"

He took a short breath in through his nose. "Yeah, no one really knows for sure, I suppose. I would like to think so though."

"I'd like to know if my father is watching me now." I said while staring up at the sky. "And if he's happy with the person I've become?"

"I'm sure he's more than happy."

I sat up and looked at him. "You think so?"

He nodded earnestly. "If you were my son, I'd be a proud father. You have a good heart."

I flashed my teeth. "Thanks."

"I wish I had met your father." He spoke somberly. "I'm sure he was a great man..." He smiled again, punching me in the arm. "...I mean, look at the man he raised!"

I smiled back. I wished he were still around. I punched Curtis in the arm. "I appreciate the praise, but I'm far from perfect!"

We spent the next couple of minutes doing nothing but cracking up despite ourselves. My dad may not be here anymore, but men like Curtis and Rusl are pretty good father figures to me. Curtis looked at me and spoke calmly. "So Link..." He scratched his head. "Why did you want to go fishing with me?"

I smiled sheepishly and threw up my hand in jest. "Oh, you know, I just wanted to spend some time with you."

"Just wanted to spend some time with me?"

"Yes." I answered matter-of-factly.

He sighed."Well, I appreciate that Link." He patted me on the shoulder. "I really do."

"You're welcome." I patted him on the shoulder. "I've always really respected you sir."

"That's good." He said, locking eyes with me. "I'd rather you respect me than not."

"You and Rusl are like second fathers to me." I stated. "I enjoy the relationship that we have. We can be honest with each other; now more than ever, and yet we can still goof off together like a couple of typical guys."

"I agree." He simpered. "I enjoy our relationship too."

I looked at my line as it budged. "I think I've got a bite!" I lunged myself towards my rod, snatched it in my hand and began reeling as swiftly as I could. The force I could feel from the other end of the line was gone, and I reeled to the end to find nothing. "Damn, guess the little bugger was too smart."

"Too smart for you?" He teased.

"Hey!" I contested jokingly. We both laughed.

Curtis was silent for a minute. "I must say..." I looked at him as he grinned and continued. "...that I am excited to see where your future takes you."

"Thank you sir." I swallowed nervously. "I am excited too."

"Are you alright?" He pondered.

"Yes...there's actually..." I cleared my throat loudly. "Sorry..."

"...A second reason you asked me to go fishing with you?"

"You stole the words from my mouth." I fidgeted with my hook as I shakily tried to pierce the worm. Why was I so nervous?!

"You dork!" He patted my hand. "Put the hook down and talk to me, why don't you? You have enough stab wounds don't you think?"

I chortled timidly. "You're right." I set the hook down and took a deep breath, looking up at the sky. I then exhaled emphatically, releasing my inner frustrations with myself. I then cleared my throat again. "Sir, I really care about your daughter. Like you I want her to be well cared for and loved. I-"

"Absolutely." He broke me off. I looked at him dumbfoundedly as he patted me on the shoulder. "My answer is absolutely yes!"

"I-I haven't even asked you a question sir."

He burst out laughing. "You didn't need to. I already knew that you were not only going to ask me a question, but what that question was."

I sat there with my mouth open in awe. "Okay, so what was my question?"

"Quit beating around the bush, my boy!" He snickered.

I laughed along despite myself. "No really, what was the question?"

He groaned. "You wanted to know if you could do this..." He grabbed my hands in his. I grimaced in discomfort. Still awkwardly holding my hands, he bellowed, "will you marry me?"

I stared at him. "...I have no words..."

He let go of my hands. "No! That's not what I meant!" he waved his hands side to side in front of me. "I was pretending to be you talking to Sally!"

I blushed. "No." I lied. "Why would you think I'd ask for your blessing? Do you really think I'm prepared to marry your-"

"Again, quit beating around the bush!" He convulsed with glee. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice your apprehension?"

"I haven't been jittery at all." I said with a lack of confidence, trying to even convince myself.

"Link!" He laughed again. "I would have had to be blind to not see your nervousness!"

I smiled. "So...you're really saying yes?"

"Yes, of course!" He grinned.

"How did you know?" I looked at him with wonder.

"I knew you'd be ready soon." He looked out at the water with a peaceful demeanor, and then back at me. "The way you treat her is wonderful; I couldn't think of a better man for my little girl."

I closed my eyes and upturned the corners of my mouth. "Thank you Curtis. It means a lot to me to have your blessing."

"Thank you Link." He leaned towards me and gave me a reassuring hug. "When are you going to ask her, if you don't mind telling me?"

"Christmas." I said. "Because she loves Christmastime so much."

"Splendid!" He pumped his fist. "I'm so happy for the both of you!"

"I'm excited!" I pumped my fist. My face paled as uneasiness settled in. "What if she's not ready to get married? What if she says no?"

"You're worrying over nothing, of course she'll say yes! You two are crazy about each other!" He looked me straight in the eyes. "Have confidence."

I nodded in agreement.

The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful. We enjoyed each other's company as we caught a total of four fish. We both went home feeling closer than ever; like father and son.