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windskull · 5 years

Text

The Heart of A Hero: Chapter 4

For links to the entire fic, check the links on my tumblr.

Chapter 4: Cracks

Using a warp gate was a new experience for Link. It was a different feeling from a skull kid's teleportation magic. His attempts at trying to use the skill always felt cold and empty, like trying to push through nothingness. Skull Kid said that was normal, so he supposed he believed it.

The warp gate, however, felt warm and inviting, like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket. And it did not even require any energy or concentration! It sounded ideal to him; too bad it only worked at a fixed point.

As the feeling faded and he opened his eyes, he found himself standing back in front of the Great Deku Tree, Skull Kid and Navi beside him.

"Well done Link… And you two as well, Navi, and young skull kid…" The Great Deku tree's words reverberated all around the trio, and they turned their heads to stare. "Thou hast verily demonstrated thy courage…"

Link grinned sheepishly at the praise, rubbing the back of his neck. He couldn't have done it without the help of Navi and Skull Kid, he was sure of that. How fortunate he was to have at least one friend in this world! Speaking of Skull Kid, the other child sprang forward with lighthearted laughter and quickly wrapped his arms around Link from behind in a big hug.

The jubilant atmosphere could not last for long, however, as the tree continued to speak with a low rumble.

"Link, now that thy task is complete, I have yet more to tell ye, wouldst thou listen…"

Link turned his attention back to the tree, tilting his head up and blinking a couple times before taking a seat in the grass. Skull Kid, curious, sat down as well.

Once they settled, the speech resumed. "Now...listen carefully...A wicked man of the desert cast this dreadful curse upon me…"

*****************

When the Great Deku Tree's story had concluded, it left an uneasy feeling in the air. He spoke of great power, great goddesses, and great evil. Of danger approaching. Of a man seeking power to destroy everything. Although Skull Kid did not seem too concerned with the implications of the story, Link couldn't help but feel like a burden had sank into his heart.

The tree still had yet more to say, however. "Thou must never allow the desert man in black armor to lay his hands on the sacred Triforce… Thou must never suffer that man, with his evil heart, to enter the Sacred Realm of legend… That evil man who cast the death curse upon me and sapped my power… Because of that curse, my end is nigh…"

There was a quiet jingling noise as Navi hopped to alertness and flew up into the air. "Wait, you can't mean…No!"

"It is so… Though your valiant efforts to break the curse were successful, I was doomed before you started… Yes, I will pass away soon… But do not grieve for me… I have been able to tell you of these important matters… This is Hyrule's final hope…"

Now Link had climbed to his feet, and even Skull Kid seemed to be paying close attention. He felt something fall on him. Looking up, he could see a few leaves turning color – to greys and dried up browns – and falling from the tree's branches. Link clenched his fists. He… He had a feeling he understood what the tree was trying to tell him.

"Link...Go now to Hyrule Castle...There, thou will surely meet the Princess of Destiny… Take this stone with you. The stone that man wanted so much, that he cast the curse on me…"

A soft glowing light appeared in front of them, similar to the magic of the warp they had used before. When it faded, an ornamental stone remained in its place before it slowly began to float down. Link reached out his hands, catching it when it came close enough.

He ran a thumb along the gem's surface It was quite large. Large enough, in fact, for him to have to use both hands to hold it. The gemstone was cut to look circular and was a brilliant green in color, sparkling in the late-afternoon sun. It was nestled within a golden piece that curved around the side, and then around to the front.

Too large for his pockets, and not having many other options, Link chose to stow it inside his hat. He would have to find some other bag to store it in at a later point. But for now, it would have to do.

"The future depends upon thee, Link… Thou art courageous…" The Deku Tree finally stated before turning his speech to address the fairy beside Link. "Navi the fairy… Help Link to carry out my will…"

"B-but-"

"I entreat ye... Navi… Good...bye…"

There was a deep, creaking noise as the tree let out his final words. His brown bark slowly turned to a dry, ashy grey. When the noise stopped, there was a moment of silence. And then a leaf fell onto Link's shoulder. He looked up, and could see more leaves turning grey and brown, and beginning to fall off the tree.

The three stood in silence for a long moment. Whether it be that they were stunned, or just unable to find words, it could not be sure. Finally, it was Navi that broke the silence, in a voice that cracked as she drooped in the air.

"Goodbye… Great Deku Tree…"

She continued to be silent for a moment, then, forcing herself to perk up, she gave Link a little nudge against his cheek. "Let's go to Hyrule Castle, Link."

Link hesitated for a moment, giving the husk of the tree one last look, then finally nodded before picking up his sword and turning to leave.

Skull Kid finally snapped out of his stupor as soon as he realized Link had begun to walk away. He ran the few paces to catch up. "Wait, you can't be serious, can you? You're not really leaving, are you?"

Link paused and slowly turned back to look at his friend. Skull Kid placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't you know how dangerous it is outside the forest? You've never been out there – well, as far as you can remember. I know everything sounded bad, but wouldn't it be better to just… stay here and wait things out? It might not even happen! That guy the tree was talking about needs all three of these rock things, right? And if he doesn't know where you are, how is he going to find it?"

Link considered his words for a moment staring before letting his gaze fall to the ground. Skull Kid was not totally wrong, in all honesty. He did not really want to go. The idea of leaving the forest that had shaped every memory that he could remember was, quite honestly, terrifying. But…

"I have to try," he finally responded quietly.

He felt Skull Kid's hand lift from his shoulder. When he looked back, the boy had shifted back several steps, his hands tapping together nervously. "But… but what if something happens, I… you… what if something happens to you?"

Link's gaze fell again. Navi floated down beside him. "I understand what you're saying but… shouldn't I at least tell the princess? The Deku Tree asked me to. And… it only feels right."

"But why would she believe you? I mean. You and I. People think we're monsters! She'd probably just have you killed!"

"Nonsense," Navi chimed in, but when the skull kid gave her a sharp look, she closed her mouth. Still, she refused to back down from his gaze.

"I… if the Deku Tree trusts her, then so do I," Link finally said. "I have to take the chance that the stone will be proof enough."

"YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT!" Skull Kid cried out, his tone causing Link to flinch. Silence seemed to stretch out forever, before he brought his hands up to his chest and spoke in a quiet, faltering voice.

"You, you… why do you want to leave so bad all of a sudden? D-did did I do something wrong?" skull kids could not cry, but with the sniffle and the shaky, cracked voice, Link could tell he would be if he could. The emotions were the same. His hands dropped to his side, and his head hung low. His body was shaking, giving off the slightest rattle.

Link started to reach a hand up to give his friend a comforting pat. But before he could, Skull Kid clenched one hand into a fist and smacked Link's hand away with the other.

"Fine! Just leave! Go away and don't come back!" His voice dropped and became mournful, tinged with years of bitterness. "Everybody always leaves…"

Before Link had a chance to protest, Skull Kid pushed past, rushing off at a dash. A few feet away, he jumped in the air, attempting to teleport into the darkness of the forest. But his magic was expelled, and he only made it a few feet before falling flat on his face. He did not let it stop him, however, and scrambled back up to his feet, continuing his retreat.

Link's arms dropped to his sides, and he almost let his sword slip out of his hands. If his heart had already felt burdened, now it was bursting with heartache. His friend… His best friend… He had never seen him so, upset. Downtrodden. He had never seen him more upset than acting mildly inconvenienced or annoyed, in fact.

"Link… You should go find him." Navi's voice cut into his thoughts. "He seemed really upset. And he seems like the type of kid to act really rashly when he's upset. But… I bet if you two just talked about it, he'll feel better. Maybe you can leave on a better note."

Link was not completely sure she was right. He might just need some space but… He nodded. He certainly did not want to leave the forest on a sour note like that.

He gave one last look back to the corpse of the deceased spirit, then, gripping his sword tightly, he headed back towards the Kokiri Forest.

*****************

"What did you do?"

Link failed to make it very far without an interruption.

As he'd reentered the forest, the fairy boy from before, Mido, stood in his path, blocking his way back to the lost woods.

"The Great Deku Tree… did he… die?"

"Mido," Navi answered. "It's not what it looks like. There was-"

"No, don't defend him." Mido interrupted. "I think it's exactly what it looks like. How could you let something like that happen? Or worse, how could you do something like that! It's all your fault." The boy stomped to the side, fists clenched, then stabbed a finger towards the entrance of the Lost Woods. "Get out of here, like your friend did. And don't come back!"

Link took off without looking back, eyes trained on the entrance back to the Lost Woods in the distance.

"And if you see Saria," the boy yelled after him, "don't you dare lay a finger on her! You hear me?!"

*****************

Skull Kid was not in their favorite clearing, the first place Link searched. Checking his tree stump home, as well as Skull Kid's, proved to be fruitless as well. When it came to decoration, Link's home was much sparser than the latter's, with only a few handmade trinkets and gifts here and there, sitting around or placed into caved indentations in the tree. His pride was the small table that Saria had given him, in exchange for rupees that he had found scattered and abandoned in the forest (and from raiding jars in the Kokiri houses at night, but she didn't need to know about that little secret).

Skull Kid's home, on the other hand, was much more cluttered. Several carefully polished rupees, as well as other little trinkets that he'd found or… acquired from travelers passing through the forest that Skull Kid had pranked, were scattered about. Mostly shiny things, but a few musical instruments and even a wooden mask were mixed in, too. Link was starting to suspect his friend might have a problem.

Besides the mess, his friend's most precious belongings were hidden under his bed, made of piled and pressed leaves. But the bed looked undisturbed. Skull Kid likely had not been back since he left that morning.

With a sigh, Link returned outside. Night had fallen some time ago now, and Link was starting to worry that he would not be able to find his friend before he had to leave. Crestfallen, he took a seat on a rock outside. Navi flew put behind him and perched on his shoulder.

For a moment, the duo sat in silence. Navi, of course, was the one to break it. "Has he ever reacted to something like this before?"

Link simply shook his head and pulled his knees up to his chest. He gazed out into the shadowy forest and barely moved when Navi gave him a comforting nudge.

"Don't worry, I'm sure we can find him. Is there anywhere else you two hang out?"

Cheered up slightly, Link thought back to their most common places to play. There was the valley that most of the other skull kids lived in, but he doubted his friend would go there when he was so upset; though they had much in common, the two of them were not nearly as close to the rest of their kind as they were each other, or Saria even. Then there was the pond where they liked to fish… but he doubted his friend would want to be anywhere around water after their little adventure. That left-

His thoughts were interrupted when the distant mournful sound a flute caught his ears, carried on the wind.

The sacred grove.

Immediately, he hopped up, and dashed off, leaving Navi to speed behind him in attempt to catch up.

He raced through the forest, expertly dodging this way and that at the last second. The woods may twist and turn to throw off people. But the Lost Woods were just as much his playground as his home. And he could not be thrown off by it anymore.

The flute had grown louder when he reached an overgrown clearing. The rock formations here always seemed odd to him, twisting and turning sharply like some unnatural maze. He had no time to waste on them though. Gathering up all his strength, he dashed forward and sprang, grabbed hold of a ledge, and pulled himself to the top. Once up, it was only a matter of leaping over the gaps as he approached his destination.

He slowed as he passed between the two rock walls leading to the meadow and sniffed at the air. Skull Kid was here. And so was someone else. They too, smelled of the forest. Of fallen leaves and forest dew. But there was also a hint of wildflowers and dirt beneath it all. Even though it had been weeks since he'd last seen her, he could recognize that scent anywhere.

The flute music came to an end, growing quieter until it stopped completely. Link stayed back and hid as a quiet clapping responded.

"That was lovely, Skull Kid," Saria's voice wafted from the side. "Did you make it up yourself?"

"No." Skull Kid's voice came from further in. From a higher up point from what he could tell. He still sounded as dejected as he had when he ran off. "I learned from some f- from some people a long time ago…"

Link heard Saria hum the tune for a moment. "Well, it really is beautiful, if sad. Does it have a name?"

"I… I don't know, actually."

"Maybe you can teach it to me sometime?"

"Maybe…"

Crickets chirped. In the distance, a wolfos howled. For a while, it was quiet. Then Link could make out a quiet sniffling. Then sniffles turned to sobs. When Saria spoke again, her voice was quiet, concerned.

"Are you okay? I've never seen you like this…"

"I'm fine…"

Saria did not sound convinced. "I heard Mido say early this afternoon that you and Link went to see the Great Deku Tree. Did something happen?"

Link crept a little closer.

"It's not important…"

"Skull Kid, I've never seen you apart from Link since you two met. I have a feeling it's very important."

"Why does it matter to you?"

"Because I consider you my friend, Skull Kid. And I worry about my friends when they're upset."

Skull Kid was quiet for a long, long moment. Link began to creep up to see what he was doing but shot back down when he heard the other child blurt out "He's leaving me!"

Navi began to float up for a better look, but Link grabbed her and pulled her back down, bringing a finger up to his face in a shushing gesture.

Skull Kid's voice cracked as he continued. "H-e-he he s-aid he was gonna-na leave, be-be-because-" he cut off and took a long deep breath in an attempt to steady his breathing and his speech. "Because the tree told him to."

Link finally peeked from his hiding place. Skull Kid had moved, he was sitting on the ground now. Saria had moved too and was in the middle of sitting down next to the boy.

"I-I don't understand. He… I thought he cared about me, a-and he's just gonna leave me behind because a tree told him to! A-am I not important? I-I thought we were… were best friends…" The boy dropped his head into his hands. "I thought Link thought I was special? He barely even knows the Deku Tree. He doesn't know this person the Deku Tree is sending him after. Were we ever even friends to begin with after all?"

The child sniffled. Saria slowly lifted a hand, then gave him a gentle pat on the back, and he sobbed.

His head shot up into the air, as if crying out to the goddesses themselves. "What's wrong with me? WHY DOES EVERYBODY ALWAYS LEAVE!?"

Total silence. Even the bugs had ceased their noise. Saria said nothing. But she slowly reached an arm over to wrap around his side in hopes of comforting him with a hug. Skull Kid, surprisingly, accepted, leaning into her side.

"Every friend I ever had- thought I had. Everyone always leaves…"

"Oh, Skull Kid," Saria said quietly. "That's not true, you know I would never leave you, right?"

"That's what everyone says…"

Navi could not stay quiet any longer.

"H-Hey, Link doesn't want to leave though!"

Skull Kid sprang to his feet, spinning around. Saria whipped her head around but stood slowly. Link, cover blown, slowly emerged from his hiding spot. Skull Kid squeezed his hands into fists before lowering his head and averting his gaze.

"H-how long have you been there?" The boy grumbled.

"Since you quit playing your music," Navi responded, fluttering around Link for a moment before flying over to the other two. "We've been looking for you all evening Skull Kid, Link's been worried sick!"

Skull Kid tilted his head up to look at the other skull kid. Link's eyes seemed to waver in the dark. "You… have?"

"Of course we have! Why wouldn't he be worried when his friend runs off all upset?"

"Then… did you decide to stay?"

Link averted his gaze. "Well…"

"Oh."

An awkward silence stretched out. But, surprisingly, it was Link that broke the silence.

"I… didn't mean to hurt you when I said I was leaving. It's just… You know better than anyone I've always felt… connected to the Kokiri Forest. Like there's something I'm forgetting that I had to do there before… you know… And… maybe this was it."

"But," Skull Kid countered, "you don't even know the Great Deku Tree. You've known me for a long time, and you're going to choose some tree over me?"

"... I did meet him, once. That's how he knew my name."

Skull Kid's eyes tilted up to meet Links.

"It was… a little bit after we first met, I believe. I was sneaking around the Kokiri Forest at night and got my directions mixed up. I ended up in front of the tree and it started to rain, and he offered me shelter."

"I remember that," Saria piped up. "It was when we first met, too. You fell asleep among the Great Deku Tree's roots. I woke you and sent you on your way before anyone else could find you there."

Link nodded. "So when his last request-"

"Last?" Saria interjected.

"He…" Navi started. "I… I'm sorry, The Great Deku Tree is dead," When Saria opened her mouth to let out a gasp and took a step back, she added, "Sorry you had to find out this way. We were trying to save him but… it was too late."

Saria turned her head, trying to hide the tears threating to spill over as she did her best to keep her voice steady. "I see…"

"He asked Link to take something to the princess of Hyrule. And that's what lead to now."

Saria took a seat on the ground, legs suddenly feeling weak.

"Someone really evil hurt the Great Deku Tree. That's why Link is leaving to warn the princess. Because if the bad guy wins, we could all be in danger."

Saria knit her brows together and took a deep breath. "It's… a lot to take in all at once. I, guess I'm not all that surprised. About you leaving, I mean. You've always been a little different, certainly different from myself and the Kokiri, but different from the other skull kids too. But, even when we're apart, we can still be friends, right?"

Link considered her words, then gave a nod, his mouth parting to show the smallest of smiles.

Then he turned his attention to Skull Kid, who had turned away.

"Skull Kid… I'm sorry. I didn't know how much me leaving would hurt you. But, I won't be gone forever. Hopefully, once I deliver the stone, I can come back home. And then we can go back to playing again. No matter what, I swear I'm going to come back."

Skull Kid finally looked back up. "Do you… do you promise? You have to promise that you'll come back." He held out his hand, extending a pinky.

Without hesitation, Link reached out and linked his pinky with Skull Kid's, then pulled his friend in for a big hug. They embraced for several minutes before Saria cut in.

"Sorry to bother you two, but I have something for you Link." She reached into her pockets and fished something out. It was an instrument, made of wood and similar to a potato in shape.

Link pulled away and accepted the instrument in his hands. It was suspended on a string, allowing him to place it around his neck.

"This is a Fairy Ocarina. It's carved from the wood of the Great Deku Tree. It has magical properties because of that. If you play my song, you can talk to me at any time. And if Skull Kid is with me, you can talk to him too."

Link's face lit up, and he leaned forward to give Saria a hug too. "Thank you so, so much Saria. I'll take good care of it."

Saria smiled sadly. "Why don't we get you set for your trip then, so you can leave first thing in the morning. You need a scabbard for that sword of yours. And you could really use a shield too. I can get you one from the Kokiri Shop. But then I need to start… preparing funeral arrangements I guess… It's weird. Death isn't something us Kokiri usually have to deal with."

Skull Kid sniffed, then wiped the bottom of his beak with his glove. "I think Mido has a scabbard that he isn't using. I could get it for you."

"I thought you didn't know who Mido was," Link pointed out.

"Did I say that?" Skull Kid responded, looking away in faux innocence. If he was still upset, he sure was doing a good job of hiding it.

Link laughed. He was really, really going to miss these guys.

*****************

Dawn came far earlier than Link had expected. When the three had parted ways, he had headed straight home to rest up. But he'd first spent time getting his belongings stashed away. Skull Kid could watch his house some, but he would not want some other skull kid or a wild animal stealing all his stuff or worse: moving in.

His friends were already waiting for him when he reached the bridge outside Kokiri forest. Saria held a small, wooden shield at her side, while Skull Kid was - very badly - hiding a scabbard behind his back and grinning sheepishly. He could not catch Saria's words from where he was, but she certainly looked like she was giving one heck of a lecture. He only managed to catch the last few words.

"So, as I was saying, please stay out of Mido's hair. He's a good guy once you get to know him, really."

"I'm a pretty good guy too, but you don't see me bragging."

Saria shook her head, then, noticing Link, put on a smile. "There you are! We've been waiting for you!"

Link smiled, and Navi popped out from under his cap. He approached Saria first, giving her a hug before accepting the shield and strapping it onto his back.

"Stay safe, okay?"

He nodded, then turned his attention to Skull Kid. He took the scabbard first, adjusting it so that he could sling it over his shoulder before sheathing the sword, then quickly wrapped his friend in a big snug hug.

"Ack! Link! Too tight!"

Link released his friend with a sheepish grin. "Sorry."

Skull Kid gave a satisfied nod, then leaned in to give Link a looser hug. "Remember, you promised."

Link wrapped his arms back around his friend. "You know you could come with me, if you wanted to."

For a moment, Skull Kid's eyes lit up. But he quickly shook his head. "Thanks, I'd love to go on a big adventure with you, but… I don't think they could handle the two of us. Besides, who would watch all your stuff then?" He giggled, then grew more serious. "But you better call Saria every day. I'll be waiting to hear from you!"

Link nodded slightly. "Don't worry, I will. I'll be back before you know it."

Skull Kid nodded and finally let go, taking a step back, and tapped his hands together nervously.

For a second, Link closed his eyes. He could just stay here. He wanted to stay here with his friends. But it seemed like fate did not agree. So, with one final wave to his friends, he took off, dashing through the tunnel leading out of the forest.

*****************

It felt Like Link walked through the woods for a long time after leaving his friends behind. So long, in fact, that he wondered it would ever actually end. Was the world really just one big forest? Navi had stopped flying behind after a while, and instead chosen to nestle underneath his cap.

But finally, the trees began to thin, and more and more sunlight began to filter through the gaps. Link blinked as his eyes adjusted to the brighter light. To either side, the ground began to incline steeply, leaving a narrow path to continue down, until finally, the trees came to an end.

Encouraged, Link raced forward to the end of the path, stopping short of the end to take a look around where the walls dropped out.

In front of him stretched out a field, like one of the many meadows that dotted the lost woods. But larger. Much larger. A few trees dotted the landscape here and there, but otherwise, it was grass as far as the eye could see. He could not even see the other end of it!

As he slowly made his way out to the open, he heard a heavy flutter of wings behind him. He ignored it at first. Birds were extremely common in the forest, after all.

"Hoot hoot! Link, up here!"

Link whipped around, beginning to reach for his sword. He had seen a lot of birds in his lifetime, but never any that could talk.

The bird resting in the tree in front of him was huge, more than twice his size, and far larger than any bird he had ever seen. It was some type of owl, mostly covered in dark brown feathers, excluding its creamy chest and face. Its beak, too, was the same brown color, and just above it sprouted two huge feathers, similar to eyebrows. When the bird flipped his head upside down for a moment, the darker markings below his face created a second, fake face.

"Hoo hoo, there's no need for weapons my boy, I mean you no harm."

Link looked unconvinced, but slowly let his grip on the sword loosen when the bird made no movement to swoop down on him.

Satisfied, the bird bobbed it's head up and down before beginning his speech.

"Well, well, it looks like the time has finally come for you to start your adventure!" Before Link had a chance to question how the bird would know anything about his quest, let alone why he would know something like his name, the bird continued with more cryptic statements.

"You will encounter many hardships ahead... That is your fate. Don't feel discouraged, even during the toughest times!"

Link couldn't help but gulp and honestly considered reaching for his sword again. But instead he continued to listen to the bird's advice.

Go straight this way and you will see Hyrule Castle. You will meet a princess there… As long as you head forward, you can't miss it."

"But what if we do?" Navi asked, emerging from Link's cap to speak for him.

"I hope you would have a map, but if not, there are not many places you could go as you currently are, you will find your way there in time. Did you get all that?"

Link nodded his head slowly, before opening his mouth to question the bird. But he did not get a chance as it began to flap its great wings and take to the air.

"Wait!" Navi called out. "At least give us your name!"

"You may call me Kaepora Gaebora, small one!" The owl called out behind him as he began to climb higher into the sky. "We will meet again later, do take care!" And without another word, the owl was out of range, leaving Navi and Link with more questions than answers.

For a moment, Link stood in stunned silence, trying to process exactly what happened. But Navi did not give him much time.

"Come on Link, we should hurry if we want to make it to the castle by nightfall!"

The thought of being left exposed in the dark was enough to get the skull kid moving. With a quick nod, he took off in the direction the owl had suggested. He sure hoped he had not been lying.

Next stop, Hyrule Castle.

#the legend of zelda #ocarina of time #tloz #link #saria #skull kid #thoah

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courageousguise · 5 years

Text

A Song in the Mists [Subversion part 2]

Words: 1697

Link hadn’t been truly certain of what to make of the voice coming from his phone. A clone? A… copy of himself, who’d lived in this city? And that copy was running around, and going to get the both of them killed… naturally, it was unpleasant to think about. Link did not want to die, which meant of course, he would have to find this fake.

There was only one him. There couldn’t be any others.

His phone was telling him that the copy was somewhere in a location called the Mistwood, with Link heading straight there. Upon seeing the area, he could understand why- it was a vast forest, one that called to him in the same familiar manner that the Kokiri Forest and Lost Woods always had. Even in this strange place nothing like home it still could feel like home, running through the trees with a confidence familiar to any child of the forest.

He couldn’t see his copy though, and his phone wasn’t giving him more details than a vague ‘in the area’ description. He’d simply have to keep looking, keep moving… and besides, it wouldn’t hurt to explore. Learning more about this forest would be a positive among the strange, strange circumstances he found himself in.

“Tee hee! You’d better hurry!”

“!?”

“You want to find him, right? You’re going in the wrong direction.”

“He’s getting himself into some trouble…”

“Don’t be late! Don’t be slow!”

“You should visit the circles… just be careful!”

Beings of mist stood before him, childlike voices and statures making him think of the kokiri and skull kids. There were only two, talking back and forth- but he was going in the wrong direction? Visit the…. circles? Confusing as it was, he would take their advice. Whether they were genuinely helping or playing a prank he couldn’t know… but still, he’d go. It wasn’t like he had much else to go off.

Continuing to move through the forest, he eventually found himself coming across the crumbled ruins of a city. He could hear things moving, there were things different from any forest creatures inside this place- but were they monsters, or were they his copy? Or perhaps it was both, if the mist kids had been anything to go off.

He slowed his pace significantly now, following the sounds the best he could. After a few moments, he realized that there was a path of footprints to follow- that had to be him! The copy had been here, for certain.

And then he heard a shout of fear, and he ran.

In front of him there was a strange monster the likes of which he’d never seen before, and a perfect copy of him on the ground, inching backwards with fear plain on his face. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation in Link, though- he’d already pulled out his slingshot and fired at the monster, drawing it’s attention. There wasn’t even a second of downtime before he’d next pulled out his boomerang throwing it to stun the monster before running forward, grabbing his copy’s hand tightly and dragging him to his feet.

“Run!”

A single word given as a command seemed enough to get his copy to follow, the two of them sprinting from the area. Link would’ve normally stood his ground, have fought the creature- but it seemed too… dark. Like something he would need the master sword to defeat, or at least be able to shoot light arrows at. And considering he had neither, the smarter way to get the two of them out of this alive would be to simply run. He might’ve been brave, yes, but he was no fool. Not anymore, he’d learned the consequences of taking foolish risks during battle a long, long time ago.

Once they’d ran far enough away that Link couldn’t hear anything following them, nothing outside of the sounds of the forest and his copy’s wheezing breath, he finally stopped. Realizing he’d gripped his copy’s left wrist he held it up to look at- but there was nothing marking the back of his hand. No triforce mark, so faint that only someone who was looking for it would probably notice. In a moment of frustration Link near threw his copy’s hand back at him, scowl on his face ignoring the fear on the other’s.

No, more than anger or frustration- it felt like… jealousy, in a way. Jealousy that this kid, this person with his face- what sort of life had he had? Probably grown up happy with his family, a family that Link had never even gotten to know about- or maybe he’d gotten to live with the Great Deku Tree still, and he’d never died.

For this kid, maybe, his family was still there. He didn’t have to find a new one. And perhaps it wasn’t heroic of him to feel so jealous, to be envious of a copy for something that he knew he wouldn’t ever have whenever he made it back to Hyrule… but still, in a way, he was.

‘What do you want? Who are you? What are you doing here? What was that thing?’

His copy was scared, and immediately the jealousy shifted into guilt. It wasn’t like it was his fault, right? He hadn’t chosen his life anymore than Link had chosen his own.

‘I’m… you, but from a different world. Like you, but from a mirror. And I want to help you get back to your own world. You’re stuck in the wrong one right now… like a parallel world.’ It was just like Termina, wasn’t it? People with the same faces, but different lives… he couldn’t hate this other Link for that. ‘I can help you go back to yours. And that thing was… a monster.’

‘A… monster? Why were you so calm? How could you- how did you do that?’

‘In my world, where I’m from… I’m a hero. I’ve fought countless battles, in a land called Hyrule.’

‘A… a hero?’

Link held up the back of his hand, tracing the mark of the triforce. It would be meaningless to the other, he knew, but still… he’d show it anyways.

‘Yes, a hero. And I want to send you back to where you’re from.’

‘…what if this’s a trick? How do I know you’re not going to hurt me?’

‘That’s-‘

‘Why should I trust you? You’re scary! Go away!’

‘But I—’

Link stood frozen as his copy started to cry, unsure of what to say or do. He didn’t know- this wasn’t something he was good at. If he could just find a way to help, find a way to heal him—oh.

Without much more thought, Link pulled out the ocarina. The motion was missed by the other Link, but Link didn’t mind- slowly he started to play, the haunting melody of the Song of Healing carrying through the forest.

There was a magic in those notes, Link knew. To heal pain, ease worries… the magic to heal a person’s soul. He never would’ve expected to have to play it for a version of himself, though… but no matter. He continued to play, and the sounds of his double’s crying began to slowly quiet down.

‘What is that song?’

‘It’s something I learned while traveling. It’s supposed to help people.’

‘……’

The two of them stood in silence for a little while, before his double continued to sign.

‘What’s gonna happen? To me?’

‘You go back to the life you know.’

‘And… what about you?’

‘Me?’

‘Do you get to go back?’

‘…Yes, I do.’

‘Then… I’ll go back too.’ The other him paused a moment, before smiling. ‘It was nice to meet you! I hope we can see each other again someday!’

‘…That would be nice.’

Link smiled back, holding his phone up to the other and watching as he faded away, gone back to the world that he knew. And once the other him was gone his smile faded away as well, falling to his knees as his energy left him.

He’d lied. Had it been kinder to lie? He didn’t know- but he wasn’t going back. He didn’t know how to get back to Hyrule from here, and nobody else knew either. It wasn’t that he hated this place- he had friends! There were people he cared for! But he missed his homeland, a sort of homesickness that was only compounded in this forest both so very similar and so very different from the forest he’d called home.

Tears started to stream down his cheeks as he thought about home, about his forest, about everything and everyone he hadn’t seen in so long. He cried and cried until he had no more tears to cry, sitting on the forest floor with swollen red eyes and a runny nose and the start of a headache.

Tired and sad and still unsure if what he’d done had at all been the thing that he was supposed to do he got up, turning back in the general direction of the forest entrance. He wasn’t going back through whatever that ‘circle’ place that the mist kids had told him about, he didn’t want to face that monster as he was now.. but he didn’t want to just sit in place.

“You found him, you found him!”

“But he’s all gone now, isn’t he?”

“Tee hee… you sent him away?”

‘Yeah… I did. He’ll be happier where he’s supposed to be.’

“You’re a strange kid.”

“We should play sometime!”

“Do you like games?”

“Games are fun. We’ll show you something good if you win!”

‘Not…. Right now. But I’ll come back to play.’

“Aw… fiiiiiine.”

“We’ll meet you again!”

Link blinked as he realized that he’d come to the edge of the forest- that’d been.. faster than he’d thought, hadn’t it? Perhaps this place was more like his forest than he realized, with twists and wrong turns leading you back to where you began… or perhaps he’d simply gone in a circle. He didn’t know, and wasn’t going to think long about it.

For now, he just wanted to stop thinking about things, and start going home.

#; ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇ ᴅᴀᴜɴᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇs ( IC )#drabbles #ir event: subversion #subversion p2 #hi have some emotions #i have many and i want to share #(it hurts just a little)

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songbird-and-her-fos · 5 years

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So, after a lot of thinking about it, I’ve decided to post the remake of my first fanfiction. It’s based on my daydreams. I hope you enjoy!

Beyond Daydreams

Chapter 1

A whole new World

The day began like any other. I woke up long before my alarm clock would do its daily duty, and spent a few minutes in the velvety darkness pondering all of the things I had to do today. First I'd go to work, then I had to help my younger sister with her homework, and then... what?

I would have loved to spend some time with my friends, but most of them had significant others now, and thus were to busy to hang out. Especially during this time of the year, when the summer sun mercilessly scorched the country with her rays, they had all taken some days off to enjoy the heat.

It sucked to be the only single in my friend group.

I stood up, absentmindedly rubbing the sleepy dust from the corners of my eyes, and walking towards the kitchen, where, judging by the scent hanging in the air, my mother was preparing breakfast.

„Good morning, Cassie“, my mother greeted me. „Did you sleep well?“

She was packing my sister's lunch, still in her nightgown and obviously still very tired.

I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl next to the fridge and shrugged. „Eh, so-so. I always have trouble sleeping when it's so hot.“

Mom looked over to me. „You know, it wouldn't hurt you to have breakfast with Genny and me every once in a while, instead of just eating an apple and leaving.“

„Mom, you know that I just can't get myself to eat in the morning.“ I looked around. „Speaking of Genny, where is she?“

„I think she just went outside. Tinka climbed the old tree again and won't come down.“

I sighed. Tinka was our cat, a beautiful, pure white European Short-Hair. But her lovely looks seemed to hide the fact that she appearantly had trouble remembering that she was scared of heights. „I'll go get her.“

My younger sister Genevieve, Genny for short was standing in front of the old tree in our backyard. Nobody quite knew what kind of tree it was, only that my grandmother had planted it in her youth. It kind of resembled an oak, except that the nuts it bore every fall certainly weren't acorns.

Genny turned around when she heard my footsteps. She looked at lot like me when I was her age, before I got my glasses. We both had brown hair, though I had been keeping mine in a short, messy bob for the past few years while hers reached her mid-back, and we both had green eyes.

„Tinka is too scared to come down“, she told me softly. A habit she had picked up when she found out that I was very sensitive to people talking loudly.

I smiled at her. „That's okay. Go inside; breakfast is ready. I'll go get Tinka.“

She nodded and poked me in the arm as she walked past me and I poked her back, something we started doing as a way of showing affection a while ago, as Genny did not like being hugged.

Once the door closed behind her, I turned to the tree again and sighed. „Here goes nothing...“

Climbing the tree was no trouble for me, as I had been climbing that tree a lot as a child. I carefully reached for higher branches, carefully scanning for the ones thick enough to hold my weight, until I was high enough to grab Tinka. That's when I noticed it. It was as if someone had carved a small hole into the tree, and hidden something sparkling in it.

„Concentrate“, I told myself, but the object in that hole seemed to attract my thoughts like a magnet. So I carefully reached inside, and felt the cool, smooth surface of something resembling glass. As I pulled it out, I heard Tinka hiss. Suddenly, the object began to glow so bright that I had to shield my eyes, lost my balance, and fell.

The fall seemed to last an eternity. The tree wasn't very high, so what took so long? Or maybe I had already hit the floor and was just knocked out? But then how could I feel the edges of the shard I had pulled out of the tree so clearly against the palm of my hand?

After some time, I finally hit ground. The impact knocked the air out of my lungs and the glasses off my face. It took some time for me to be able to breathe again. However, I did not see much upon opening my eyes, as I was as good as blind without my glasses. Then I heard footsteps. Tiny footsteps, as if a group of children was approaching me.

„Who is it? What is it?“, one of them asked. It was the voice of a little boy.

Another, the voice of a girl, said:„A Hylian!“

„Nonsense“, a third voice hissed. „Have you ever seen Hylians with ears or clothes like that?“

„What does it want?“, asked another. „How did it get here?“

Now, they were all talking at once, quite loudly, too, which prompted me to press my hands on my ears, like I always did when there was too much noise. The sudden movement seemed to startle the children, as they went quiet.

„Oh no, I think we scared it.“ As I looked up, one of the children had left the group and approached me.

„Saria, don't! It might be dangerous!“

„It doesn't look dangerous.“ The girl named 'Saria' now stood right in front of me, close enough that even I could make out some features. Most notably her green hair, but also the green clothes.

„You know“, I said dryly. „It's very rude to call someone 'it'. I'm a she, if you want to know.“

„It talks!“, I heard one of the other children whisper.

Saria leaned closer. „I'm... sorry, but we've never seen someone like you. And we didn't mean to scare you.“

„You didn't“, I replied. „I just don't like it when many people talk at once. It hurts my ears.“

„Oh. Well, we didn't mean to hurt you, either. Do you have a name?“

„Cassandra“, I said. Then I turned to scan the ground for my glasses again. „C-could you please help me find my glasses?“

„What's a glasses?“, Saria asked.

I sighed a deep sigh. „It's something that helps me see. My eyes are really bad, you know?“

„Oh.“ She walked past me, looking at the ground and finally picking something up and handing it to me. „Is this what you're looking for?“

„My glasses!“, I cheered. „Thank you.“ Maybe now I could get a better idea of where I was and what had happened.

Once they were in their place again, I turned to the group of children. All of them seemed to be around 10 years old, with either red, brown or blonde hair (or green, in Saria's case). They all wore green clothes, made of a fabric I couldn't quite name.

I had never seen any of them before, so I was about to ask what they were doing in my garden. But when I looked around, my jaw dropped. I was not in my garden anymore.

I was in a forest, at the foot of an absolutely massive tree. I had never seen a tree this big before. Then I noticed the signs of decay on its trunk and how the last leaves were falling.

This tree was very, very dead.

„Where am I?“, I asked, even though it felt terribly clichéd.

„This is Kokiri Forest“, Saria answered kindly. The name struck a cord in me. It seemed so familiar, but I couldn't remember where I had heard it before.

„Yes, and you shouldn't be here“, a boy from the group snapped. Then he turned to Saria. „Saria, this thing is bad news. First the Great Deku Tree's death, Link leaving, and now a weird... thing showing up here? This just spells trouble!“

„Mido! You're being very rude. Can't you see that Cassandra has no idea where she is?“, Saria scolded him. Then she turned to me again. „Can you stand?“

„I... think.“ I carefully got up, still a little wonky, but at least standing. „So. Kokiri Firest, huh? Do you kids live here? Where are your parents?“

The group of kids began to whisper among themselves again. „Parents? What's she talking about?“, one boy asked.

„I.. I think she means adults“, another said.

„Adults? We don't have those here.“

I let out a small laugh of disbelief. „You're pulling my leg. You're telling me you kids live here... all on your own? No adults?“

„No adults“, Saria confirmed. Then she looked around. „Mido may have been a bit rude before, but he had a point. You cannot stay here. Otherwise, the magic of the forest will turn you into a monster.“

For a moment, I thought that she was joking, but then I saw how utterly serious her face was.

„You're kidding“, I said.

„Unfortunately not“, she replied, taking my hand. „Come on. I'll lead you out of the forest.“

She led me away from the giant dead tree to another clearing in the forest, through a small village of child-sized houses, all carved into the stumps of trees.

Only then I saw the many floating lights.

„What are those?“, I asked, staring at them.

„Have you never seen a fairy before?“, Saria asked, and like on cue, a small ball of light with a green aura popped out of a pocket on her clothes. It had wings, but due to its glow, I could not make out any other features.

„Fairies“, I repeated slowly. „No. Not outside of books, at least.“

But as fascinating as this was, I also had the nagging feeling that all of this seemed eerily familiar.

As we approached what seemed to be the exit of the woods, Saria let go of my hand. „This is as far as I can take you“, she explained. „I do not know anything about the world outside of the forest. I do not know what will wait for you on the other side.“

„That's okay“, I replied. „Thank you for your help.“ Then I stepped out of the woods and into the bright light of the outside.

#Beyond Daydreams #The Legend of Zelda #fanfic #self insert

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ask-number-seven · 7 years

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Chapter 12

((Chapter 11 is here))

((Chapter 1 is here))

((tw: death of a tree and a bunch of kids crying))

"My children." The Great Deku Tree interrupts us, Navi still clinging to the skin on my cheek as I smile softly and press my face into her small hands. "I am afraid that the challenges you are the face are not yet over."

"What do you mean?" Navi asks, taking one hand off my face. I miss it. "What else would you have us do?"

"I… I have yet more to tell the two of you. But please, please know this," His eyes look even more sad than usual, "You will never be able to take back this knowledge. Please consider this when you answer."

"Will you listen to the rest of my tale?"

And I say yes.

The Great Deku Tree looks at me with his somber eyes, shadowed by what I think is grief, and he continues. "Then… Listen carefully, young ones."

"A wicked man of the desert cast this dreadful curse upon me. This evil man ceaselessly uses his vile, sorcerous powers in his search for the Sacred Realm that is connected to Hyrule," he explains, "For it is in that Sacred Realm that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, which contains the essence of the gods."

I take a seat at that point, drawing my legs close to me and hugging them even closer. "Yeah?"

The Great Deku Tree chuckles. "I will tell you a story of the world's creation."

"Before time began, before spirits and life existed…" he rumbles in his deep voice, dramatic and nostalgic, "Three golden goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule." He's told this story before. All the Kokiri know it word for word. Normally, we would recite alongside him, but I want to listen to him.

I want to listen to the Great Deku Tree's soft, gentle tremors in the ground as he tells his stories. I want to be able to ask him for advice on how to deal with Mido, and I want him to-

"Din, the goddess of power, Nayru, the goddess of wisdom… and Farore, the goddess of courage."

"Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land and created the red earth. Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. And Farore, with her rich soul, produced all life-forms who would uphold the law."

"The three great goddesses, their labors completed, departed for the heavens. And golden sacred triangles remained at the point where the goddesses left the world." The wind blows and Navi flutters up to settle on top of my head, gripping the hem of my hat.

"Since then, the sacred triangles have become the basis of our world's providence, and the resting place of the triangles has become the Sacred Realm."

"You must never allow the desert man in black armor to lay his hands on the sacred Triforce. You must never suffer that man, with his evil heart, to enter the Sacred Realm of legend."

Flaming hair-

Lightning strikes-

Water beneath your feet, thrown back-

The end of the world-

"That evil man who cast the death curse upon me and sapped my power."

My heart is crushed inside my chest, and I feel like I'm being squeezed by the Gohma again, sharp and painful and constricting. The Great Deku Tree laughs gently. "My end is nigh, young Seven. Though your valiant efforts to break the curse were successful, I was doomed before you started. I hoped…" He curls his lips in a trembling, warm smile. "I had hoped that I could at least keep all of my children safe."

My breathing jerks to a stop for a moment and I stand up slowly and take off my hat, hands fisted into the fabric. Tears pool in my eyes and I can't believe that the Great Deku Tree, Great Deku Tree-

The wind blows and the Great Deku Tree creaks softly. I look up at him and all I can see is the Great Deku Tree, my hero, old and ashy and turning grayer by the second. I can't accept it. He isn't dying, he isn't dying, he's not going to die-

I open my mouth and manage to choke out a sound through my tears.

"Do not grieve for me, children. I have been able to tell you of these important matters."

"You are Hyrule's final hope, Link."

I swallow my tears and shout, "Great Deku Tree, I-,"

"Go now to Hyrule Castle, my child," The Great Deku Tree interrupts, the grand, commanding voice I never thought I'd hear again echoing throughout the clearing. "There, you will surely meet the Princess of Destiny."

The Princess of-

"Take this stone, my child, the stone that man wanted so much that he cast the curse upon me. There's a green flash of light and the Kokiri Emerald itself shines in front of me, glistening and sparkling and I'm holding the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, the Great Deku Tree trusts me enough to-

"The future depends on you, my courageous little one. And you, Navi, my brave, wise fairy…" Navi flutters off my head and to my side. "Help Link to carry out my will."

"I am so sorry, my children, for the fate that will be forced upon you. I hope that one day… you will forgive me…"

And the Great Deku Tree stops speaking.

The wind blows through his branches and dead leaves float down, crumbling and the color of ash. It sounds like the earth is sighing. I look up as small petals and flower buds fall. It's almost spring. There's a pink flower in my hands, small and young.

It turns to gray and crumbles in my palms.

"Great Deku Tree, no, I can't- you can't-," I'm choking and Navi buries her face into my hair, I can feel small tears on my scalp and it only makes me want to cry more-, "YOU CAN'T LEAVE US!"

I'm screaming, running to the Great Deku Tree and rake my hands against the Deku Tree's bark, trying to feel for some sign of life that I know he doesn't have. It hurts but I keep wailing and sink down to my knees.

"NO!" My throat is raw and painful from screaming, "He can't be dead, he, he can't be dead, Navi, please-,"

I lift Navi up and cradle her in my hands. "Please, please tell me I'm dreaming. Navi, please." I need some way to know that this isn't real, I need this to all be a dream that I'll wake up from, I'll go play with Saria and maybe Mido'll be nice to me today, none of today ever happened and the Great Deku Tree isn't dead and-

"I'm sorry."

It hits me in the gut like the boulder in the forest, hard and heavy and painful.

I throw the Kokiri Emerald to the ground and scream, "I DON'T WANT THIS!" I'm angry, angry at the rock and at myself, angry that I couldn't do anything. "W-Why-," I sniffle, wiping my eyes, "Why is this happening?"

The cycle will continue.

"…Lets go to Hyrule Castle, Link." Navi says after a while, alighting on my knuckles.

I wipe my tears and pick up the Kokiri Emerald, brushing off the dirt and putting it into Storage. I feel disconnected from my own body but it stands up and starts to run, full speed, away from the Great Deku Tree, back towards the village.

I stop and notice Navi is far behind me, still by the Great Deku Tree. I watch through eyes that don't feel like my own as she whispers something I can't hear to the Great Deku Tree before she zips after me.

I hope that one day, you will forgive me.

((next chapter here))

#seven #chapter 12 #chapters

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windskull · 5 years

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The Heart of a Hero: Chapter 5

For links to the entir efic, check the links on my tumblr

Chapter 5: Skeletons, Masks, and other Goodies"Wait!"

But the drawbridge did not wait. As Link raced in forward in vain hopes of jumping and making it in time, he had to skid to a stop, teetering dangerously at the edge, threatening to topple over into the moat below.

Navi looped around to the front of him and gave him just the slightest of pushes to bring him back to stable ground. He fell back with a thump, and the drawbridge rumbled to a stop in front of him.

He let out a sigh, then glanced back to the sun as it slowly dipped below the horizon, the sky a blazing orange. Somewhere in the distance, he heard the sound of a wolf. Or a wolfos. It did not matter either way; it was not safe here in the open.

He climbed back to his feet and, keeping low to the ground, began to make his way around the edge of the town walls, hoping in vain that there might be some sort of way he could get in. Not even teleportation magic could help him here, even if he was skilled enough to use it - he would have had to have a clear vision of the area he was trying to warp to.

His search for an entrance was quickly proving fruitless, and as the sky turned to night, a spike of uneasiness edged in his stomach. Or maybe it was hunger, or both.

Up ahead he spotted a small tree. It wasn't the sturdiest one he'd ever seen, a dwarf in comparison to the great trunks of the trees in the Lost Woods. But never the less, it was large enough that he could climb up and rest in it for a while. He took off towards it at a trot, continuing to stay low to the ground.

As soon as he was close enough, he sprang up, grabbing hold of the lowest sturdy branch, and swung himself higher to a thicker branch that he could sit on. It was not an ideal resting spot, but it would work.

He sat with his back to the trunk and reached down into the sack he had brought along in search of food. He had not been able to pack much: a few berries for today and some nuts were all he could carry. Most of his foods would have spoiled quickly during travel. He would have to see if he could get ahold of something more filling in the town tomorrow.

Picking a particularly juicy looking berry, he tossed it into the air, popping it into his mouth with a snap. As he continued to chew on the succulent fruits, he glanced up to the rising moon. It had taken him only a day to get here, but still it already felt like he'd been gone from the forest forever. Already he was missing playing music with Skull Kid in the moonlight or playing tag with other skull kids in the dark. He even missed sneaking into the Kokiri Forest in search of abandoned rupees and knickknacks (and sometimes not-so abandoned treasures, if he was honest with himself. But hey, he can say with pride that he never attacked someone to take their valuables, so that's something!)

He glanced down and rolled around one of the berries in between his fingers, wondering if he could find the forests delicacies out here in the big open world. He did not like this "Hyrule Field." It was not like the forest, with hiding places everywhere. Instead, he felt open and exposed, visible to everyone who wanted or did not want to see him.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by the sounds of dirt shuffling below him, rattling coming from within. A rattling not unlike his kind's own. Cautious, he glanced down. A skeletal hand had broken the surface, a second one widening the hole close behind. A head poked out of the ground; a skull, more specifically. The rest of the body came rolling after, reassembling itself once each part reached the surface. For the most part it was humanoid, but the creature's face jutted out far more than a human skull would, looking a bit more canine in appearance. Several other bodies seemed to be coming to the surface further out, shambling about the field. He wondered if perhaps this was part of why the town's gates were closed.

"Navi, what is that?" Link whispered to the fairy peeking out from under his cap.

"They're stallchildren," Navi explained in a hushed voice. "They're a species related to stalfos."

"Where do they come from?"

"Stalfos usually come from two places- adults lost in the woods, or people who died in battle. Stallchildren are… well… I don't know for sure. They could be anything from children to adult civilians that were killed in battle, possibly?"

Link was about to ask for more clarification, but his voice caught in his throat when he looked back down to the stallchild below them… who was staring right back up at him.

He blinked, his glowing blue orbs flickering out for just a split second, and the creature's red-orange orbs blinked back. Slowly, it raised a hand in greeting. He slowly waved back.

"I think it's friendly," Link whispered to his fairy.

"They're not known to be friendly or kind to humans, or most living species in general." she countered. And then something clicked in her mind. "But you're not really totally alive yourself, are you?"

Link tilted his head inquisitively, shrugging.

"Never mind, we'll talk about it some other time."

With his curiosity getting the better of him, Link slowly started to slide down from the tree, gripping hold of the branch until he was hanging from it so that he minimized his fall. He landed with a soft thump.

A couple more of the stallchildren had taken notice of him and had begun to hobble over curiously. As he tilted his head at the stallchild in front of him, it mirrored his movements. Once the other two had arrived, the three began to talk in hushed whispers.

"What is it? What is it?"

"Is… it is not human?"

"Is not like us? What is it?"

One of them - the largest one - hesitantly reached a bony hand out. Link took a couple steps back, but that only made it move faster. It took hold of his arm, ignoring his cry of surprise, and looked it over."

"Is wood, like tree!"

"Is tree?"

"Is a tree!"

"I'm not a tree!" Link countered, and when he spoke, the one gripping his arm recoiled suddenly.

"It spoke!"

"It speaks!"

"What is it, then?"

Navi, building up her courage, popped out from beneath Link's hat and fluttered in front of him defensively. "He is not a tree. He is a skull kid, from the Lost Woods!"

"Not tree!"

"A fairy!"

"Skull kid!"

His eyes drifted between the three of them, and he was starting to wonder if they had interacted with anyone outside of themselves.

Finally, the first one that had spotted him spoke up, finally addressing him directly. "You are skull kid from the forest… and… have fairy. Is a skull kid friendly?"

He considered the question for a moment, then nodded. "If you are friendly, I am. My name is Link."

"Link!"

"You look similar to a tree, but also similar to stallchild. Why?"

"Because he is similar to a stallchild," Navi explained. "He was lost in the forest when he was young, he became a skull kid, like you became a stallchild when you died."

"Me? I don't remember being not a stallchild!" The leader argued. The other two nodded in agreement, rattling.

"I don't remember not being a skull kid either," Link admitted. "All I remember is my name. And pain, and then being a skull kid. Everyone says I was not a skull kid before, but they don't know who I was."

The stallchildren seemed to think it over, then the leader nodded in acceptance. "Well, tonight, you are Friend!" It threw its hands up in the air, rattling its bones.

The other two threw their hands up in the air and said in unison, "Friend!" And before Link could say anything the three surrounded him, and began to walk in a circle around him, doing a funny little rattling dance.

But finally, the first one broke away from their dance.

"If friend is from the forest, why is friend so far from forest?" It asked.

Link pointed to the walls beyond the moat. "I'm trying to get inside to go see the princess."

The leader let out a tiny surprised noise, while the other two looked to each other and with whispers of "princess?"

Then the leader laughed. "Friend is funny! Humans not let monsters into town, unless monsters bring wares and good tidings for sale!"

The idea of being referred to as a monster made Link uncomfortable. He wasn't a monster, he was himself! But to a human… he would appear monstrous or as a spirit, with his wooden body and glowing eyes and pointy teeth, and the dark spirit energy that allowed his body to move.

On the topic of merchant monsters, Link could only guess that they meant the Deku Scrubs he occasionally saw peddling goods from their flowers. Sometimes, they would tell stories of great human towns if they were bored, for a few rupees of course.

"They won't let anyone in till morning," the leader continued, with agreeing echoes of "morning coming from the other two."

Link let out a sigh. He expected as much, but still, he would have liked to get in sooner. The night had just fallen, and with the stallchildren roaming the field, he felt like he'd have a hard time getting to sleep for some time.

"Would Friend like to play while he waits?"

"Friend play?"

"Can play with friend?"

Link considered the invitation for a moment. On one hand, he didn't want to tire himself out and have to sleep through part of the day. Then again, he would likely not have another chance to play with someone until he returned to the forest after this trip. Maybe it wouldn't hurt?

So finally, the skull kid nodded, earning cheers from the trio in front of him.

"Yay!"

"Come this way, this way!"

Link followed as the group of stallchildren hobbled off. Their skeletal joints, though magically animated, did not seem to give them the same speed that he had.

Hours began to whittle away as the group began to play. Hide and seek was not a possibility in the wide-open spaces. But tag seemed to be a favorite. Playing catch with rocks also seemed to amuse the stallchilderen. Even if they got hit and fell apart, their body would just reassemble itself a moment later, and it was back into the game.

What interested them more, however, was Link's flute, the odd shape in his pocket catching the attention of the lead stallchild.

"What is?" He asked, pointing to the shape.

"Oh, it's my flute," Link responded, reaching in to pull the object out.

"You can play music?"

When Link nodded, one of the other stallchildren called out, "Show us!"

So, link began to play, thoughtfully avoiding Saria's song among the tunes he picked out and made up, as something about it felt sacred and special to him, like it was a song he should only share in special cases. Before long, the group had broken into dance, three pale figures and one ashen one twisting and turning in the moonlight

Despite what he had thought would happen, the night seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Sure, he was a little drowsy at the end, but it had been worth it.

The larger stallchild was the first to notice the thin sliver of sunlight on the horrizon.

"Uh oh," he said.

Link turned his attention to the leader, then to the other two. They were all gazing to the sunrise now.

"Sun is coming."

"Time to go."

The trio began hobbling back to where they had first popped out of the ground, Link trailing after curiously.

"They are creatures of darkness, nocturnal," Navi explained as the first one reached its hole and began to disassemble. "They need to return to the soil by daybreak, both to conserve energy, and to protect themselves from travelers."

The bones began rolling back into the ground, first the legs and torso, then the head. The hands came last, pulling the dirt it had unearthed back over itself. The other two were doing similar. Before the sun could finally begin to rise above the horizon, the leader turned its head back to Link and gave a goodbye wave.

"Come back and play again sometime!" It called out. Then it too, was gone.

Link gave one last wave, then dropped his arms to his sides and found himself staring for a moment, until he heard a creaking behind him. The bridge was coming down; he remembered his quest.

Not wanting to waste another moment, he turned, and sprinted back towards the town gates.

***************

The first thing he noticed about the town was that even in the early morning hours, it was already becoming busy.

Nervous about how the humans - especially the adults, after his time speaking with the stallchildren - would react to him, Link made his way around the edge of the town square through the shadows, taking care not to let anyone lock gazes with him. Images of being surrounded by big, scary humans with fire crossed his mind, and he shivered involuntarily. That was just about the worst thing that could happen. At least, he hoped it was.

He was almost all the way across the center square when he slipped up.

He glanced towards where he could see the castle in the distance, then back towards the square to make sure he was not being followed. His eyes locked with someone.

She was a young girl, short, only about as tall as he himself was. Her skin was tanned, likely the result of being out in the sun a lot. Her clothes were rather plain, wearing work boots and a white dress that was only decorated by the blue trim at the bottom and along the sleeves. The only other article of clothing she wore was a yellow handkerchief tied around her neck in a knot. Otherwise she wore no gems or accessories, like many of the girls and women in the square were. Her hair was a bright, flaming orange, contrasting her otherwise fairly light appearance.

She let out a tiny gasp when she noticed him from across the square, and he froze. For a moment, he closed his eyes, hoping that doing so would make him appear invisible or innocent. But it made him feel exposed, unable to see if anyone was advancing. When he opened his eyes again, she was still staring, but had made no movement otherwise. He carefully began to creep forward again. Still no movement. Finally, not wanting to risk it any longer, he took off down the side of the road, making a dash to get out of the town before anyone else noticed him.

It was not long before he'd left the bulk of the town behind him. Two dirt and stone walls lead him forward as the distant castle grew closer and closer. Every few minutes, he glanced back to see if someone had spotted him and sounded some sort of alarm. Fortunately, he managed to get through without trouble for some time.

Eventually, the dirt path opened up into a clearing. At the top of the far side, he suspected there was a field, and beyond the field, the castle stood starkly against the morning sky. As he began to stalk into the open area, he heard a great flapping from a singular tree in front of him. The owl from before was back. Though this time, it did not stick around, instead electing to take off with just a single warning.

"Be careful not to be spotted by the guards!" The bird hooted, before taking off back in the direction of the town.

Link adjusted the strap of his scabbard nervously. He knew little about human culture, but he supposed that it would make sense they would guard something as grand as a castle. Mido did the same with the Deku Tree, after all. Sort of.

The boy rounded the corner, and already came to his first obstacle. Instead of a freely accessible path, the road was blocked by a huge stone gate, two bored guards staring ahead.

He slipped back around the corner, then peeked around the side again. They hadn't seemed to notice him from here. But walking forward would certainly end in being turned away at best.

As he sat down with his back to the stone and dirt wall to consider his options, Navi poked out from under his hat and began to flutter about. She flew around the corner herself first, then back down the other way.

"Link, over here!"

Link glanced up and over in the direction of the fairy's voice. She had stopped in front of a spot on the wall, hovering in place. As Link approached to get a better look, he noticed there was thick vine growth, leading all the way to the top of the wall. He could climb from here.

He took a moment to adjust his equipment, then, taking a hand hold of the vines, began to scale the plants. Just like in the Deku Tree. Just like at home. It was almost second nature, finding handholds and sturdy footing.

As he pulled himself over the top, he could finally get a better look out in front of him. As he suspected, past the gate the path continued, and across from him, a field separated him from the castle, which was also surrounded by a gate.. A path started from the top of the gate that blocked the road as well - which acted as a bridge between the side he was currently standing on, and the field.

He began to slowly creep towards the gate, but as he drew close, he realized that a guard blocked the path there too. He would continue further, but the cliff he was on came to an end where the bridge met. Perhaps he would have a better chance if he waited until night. But… that was so far away. No, he would continue his attempt, even if he did stick out in daylight like a sore thumb.

He came to a stop at the edge of the bridge. If the guard had noticed him yet, he did not react. Link glanced down the side of the path and saw, disheartened, that several other guards lined the cliff, looking down into the path below. Maybe the bird was wrong. Maybe if he just walked over to the guard, they'd let him through? He supposed it was worth a shot.

Slowly, tentatively, he approached the adult man, keeping himself low to the ground and hoping he appeared non-threatening. The man finally seemed to take notice of him as he crept closer, and moved to an offensive stance, holding his weapon, a long spear, out in front of him.

"You, monster child, what do you think you're doing here?"

Link immediately froze in place. Monster child? He had certainly been called some mean things before by frightened or angry Kokiri, or even some of the other intelligent forest dwellers like the Deku. Creepy, or an imp, mostly. But even if he had been warned, monster was just plain insulting.

"I- I was just-" He stammered, taking a step back in time as the guard stepped forward. "From… from the forest, to see the princess?"

His explanation did not cut it. The guard jabbed his spear towards the child threateningly.

"You're not welcome here. Begone, before I am forced to remove you."

"But I-"

"Link, go." Navi hissed from behind him. He took one more step back, and then not wanting to be pushed off the bridge or worse, just turned and jumped himself, falling off the side and landing with a roll. Springing back to his feet, he scampered around the corner and out of sight.

Once out of view, he leaned back against the stone and dirt wall and sank to the ground, hands over his knees. "That went well," he mumbled.

"Do you think they might move when it gets dark? Or at least later in the day?" Navi asked. "I hate to wait for so long, but maybe when they change shifts, it would give us a chance to sneak by?"

Link gave the fairy a nod and sighed, closing his eyes. Waiting could be so boring though, and it was only just barely morning! Then again, he had not slept the night before. Maybe it would not be a bad idea to get some rest.

He dug into one of his pouches, pulling out the remainder of the berries he had brought with him. That's right, he was going to look for more food, wasn't he? He glanced back to the town. He had a little money, if the rupee things that he had collected over the years were as valuable as Saria had claimed. Surely some poor shop keep would take pity on him and sell him something to eat, even if he wasn't human like them?

With something to do for the time being, he stood and began the walk back to the town square.

Link was quiet as they made the trek back to town, head turned down slightly. Navi fluttered along behind silently, for a time. But eventually, she broke the silence, concern tinting her voice.

"Link… are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he murmured, shaking his head.

"Is this about the guard?" She asked.

No answer.

"Ah… I understand," She responded.

He slowed to a stop. Navi slowly landed on his shoulder. "I know it's awful, and awfully mean, but you do have to remember that the forest dwelling races don't leave very often, the only exception being the Deku Scrubs. They can't really be blamed for not knowing what you are."

"I guess…"

"Besides," she continued. "He's a guard. It's his job to turn people away." She paused for a moment, then nuzzled up against Link's cheek. "Now come on, let's find you some food. In fact, going into town may not be a bad idea. I'm sure there will be some people there at least that are more open-minded. Hylians aren't the only race in Hyrule, after all."

Link lifted his head, slightly cheered. With just a bit more pep in his step, he continued on back towards the town.

***************

The town square was even busier by the time they returned. Merchant stalls had set up along the edges, most gathering large crowds of people out doing their morning shopping. Others milled about, some chatting, others just hurrying around. One man in particular seemed to circle about the area carrying a large bag upon his back, but never really interacted with anyone.

Link felt just a bit overwhelmed. Even in its busiest times, the Kokiri Forest wasn't nearly this crowded. He moved about in a sort of daze, trying to look over each stall in hopes of finding one he could get food from that he would not have to push past droves of adults to reach. But each one just seemed busier than the last.

Someone bumped into the small boy. He stumbled. Whoever it was did not even seem to notice. Before he caught his footing, another almost trampled him; he only just barely managed to scamper out of the way.

With an anxious cry, he retreated to the edges of the square, choosing to just watch the madness. It was too much for the small boy to handle right now. Hoping that he could return later, and it would be emptier, he turned his attention to the buildings along the edges of the square.

One particularly gaudy place caught his eye, with walls painted greed, and red and gold fabric draped along the sides. A huge, equally gaudy sign adorned the building above the entrance. With curiosity gripping him, Link approached.

"Happy… mask… shop…" Navi read slowly, as if in disbelief. "Link, please don't waste any money here, please? We don't know how expensive food and other necessities will be."

Link shrugged, then moved to open the door, stepping into the fanciful building.

The inside was even more fancy and extravagant than it had been outside. An ornate carpet greeted Link's dirt-covered boots. Above him hung stained glass orbs, torchlight shining from inside. Like outside, the inner walls were also draped with fabric.

But the real stars were the masks.

Shelves, filled with dozens of masks, line the wall on either side of Link. One was of a green monster, a blue band painted along the eyes. Another was of a horrifying human face.

"May I help you?"

Link startled, turning his attention to the counter at the end of the way. There stood a man, still as a statue, adorned in robes of royal purple and gold.

The boy slowly approached the counter, tilting his head curiously at the man. "Hiyee!" He started in far too cheerful of a tone. "Welcome to the Happy Mask Shop! We deal in masks that bring happiness to everyone!"

"Everyone?" Link asked, awed.

"Everyone?" Navi echoed skeptically.

"That's right!" The man responded. "Everyone! How would you like to be a happiness salesman?"

"Uh…"

"Allow me to explain. I'll lend you a mask. You sell the mask and bring the money back here. If you want to read the fine print, take a look at the sign right over there." He gestured to his right to a huge sign. "After you've sold all the masks, you will become happy yourself! Simple really, you see?"

"I mean-"

"Your masks will be filled with happiness, you just need to have faith… believe… believe…"

Link began to take a step back, feeling more than a bit creeped out. However, something caught the corner of his eye, and with a deep breath, he stepped forward again, hands on the counter.

"What if… What if I just wanted to purchase that one?" He pointed to the side of the man's head to a white mask, with carved holes and features similar to a skull. Not a human skull though, as it had horns that jutted out.

"Link, what did I just say outside," Navi protested.

"It's not for me," he countered. "It's for Skully. He loves masks! I know he'd just love that one."

"Ahem-" the salesman cut in. "I'm afraid I cannot sell you the mask. You see, these are for the business arrangement I mentioned. No, I cannot sell, it but I can lend it."

Link considered it for a moment. "Fine, fine, lend it to me."

"I can't do that either. First you have to sell this mask."

The man reached up to grab a different mask. This one was a bright yellow, with a brown nose, it's appearance similar to an animal. He placed the mask into Link's hands with a bit of force.

Link looked down to the mask in his hands, then to the salesman. Then to the skull mask. Back to the salesman. His grip on the mask tightened, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Link…"

Suddenly, he chucked the mask at the man's head with all the force he could muster. The man stumbled back from the surprising force of the blow and fell back, dazed.

Immediately, Link vaulted over the counter, jumping up to grab the skull mask.

"Link NO!" Navi called out.

He paused, looking at her, then paused only long enough to fish a couple of rupees - a blue and a green - and dropped them in the man's lap before vaulting back over and dashing out.

"See, I paid for it, technically not stealing!"

Navi let out a frustrated huff but followed behind anyways as he dashed out the door.

Once he had emerged out into the fresh air, Link took a moment to turn the mask over in his hands, admiring the handiwork.

Navi flew into his line of sight, buzzing close to his face. "Link," she started slowly, stressing her words out. "That was a horrible idea. Do not. Do. That. Again. Understand?"

The boy stared for a moment, then smiled and laughed, nodding. Despite his answer, Navi suspected he had not learned his lesson at all.

With a sigh, she turned her attention to the market stalls around them. They had begun to clear a little in the time Link had been gone. "Let's just hurry up and get you something to eat. And maybe a larger bag would be a good idea too… Huh?"

When she turned back to address him, Link was already gone. She whipped around, looking for any hint of ashy brown and green, finally spotting him all the way across the square.

He had stopped in front of a food stall, staring intently a bit of a ways away. Navi dashed over, bumping into him slightly to announce her presence.

"Hey!" she cried out in exasperation. "Don't just run off like that! Please!"

Link turned his head back to look at her, staring for a moment before raising an arm to point at the stand he was standing in front of. "I want some of that."

"That" happened to be a pastry stand, much of it already gone from the morning rush. But several items remained here and there.

Navi let out a sigh. She would have to give her lesson another time. "...Okay. Pick one."

"I want them all," he responded.

"Two. No more. You need money for other things too, you know."

He finally conceded, sighing with a nod. "Fiiiiine."

Navi approached the stand first, Link following close behind. The woman behind the counter had her back turned, busy wrapping more of the pastries for sale, humming a little tune.

"Excuse me," Navi said, loud enough to catch the woman's attention.

"Yes," the woman started, turning. "How may I help yooouUUUUOH MY GODDESSES!"

Link blinked at the woman, tilting his head curiously. Was… was she okay?

"My… goodness," she started, calming herself and trying to relieve some of the shock to save the encounter. "Aren't you a… unique little one. I've never seen someone like you around here."

Navi flew forward to make her presence known, before landing on Link's head. "He's with me, he saw your display and just had to get something."

"Oh…" She started, eyes on the fairy. "Of… of course! What would you like, little one?"

Link considered, beginning to look over his choices.

"Remember," Navi pointed out. "Two."

After some moments of deliberation, Link pointed first to a rectangular treat, then second to one with fruit folded into it. "These two… Please?"

"Of course!" The woman responded, reaching for a paper to wrap them in. "That will be… seven rupees, please."

Link reached into his money pouch, looking at the rupees inside quizzically. "... Navi, how much is seven?"

"You can give her a blue and two green ones, Link."

"Isn't that three?"

"The blue one is worth five."

The boy nodded enthusiastically and fished for the change, pulling them out and placing them on the counter. The woman slowly and carefully handed him his pastries in return, eyes on his rough wooden hands.

The boy flashed a toothy grin, then turned to hurry off, Navi fluttering behind. "Thank you!" She called out to the woman before turning her attention to Link.

"Okay, how many rupees do you have in there? Next, a bag."

***************

Even after all the time he spent in the village square, it was only barely after noon when the skull kid found himself wandering back towards the castle.

His new bag was filled with odd delicacies that the forest had never offered. Breads and pastries and all sorts of sweets, dried meats and loose grains all were wrapped up inside. He'd even managed to trade the small pouch he had been using to store slingshot ammo for a larger one. At least someone in this Castle Town place appreciated his slingshot skills!

But now, he still had several hours to pass. He took a seat down beside the vines he had climbed before. He and Navi agreed that jumping over the bridge and following the path during the changing of the guards would be the quickest and safest way to cross.

As he munched on a few of the fresh berries he'd exchanged the last of his rupees for, Navi came to settle on his knee. "I'm going to go scout ahead," she announced. "So I can find the best route into the castle and watch for when the guards change. Is that okay? Will you be alright for a little while?"

Link finished off the last of his fruit, and then nodded, pulling out a loaf of bread and tearing a small piece off. Satisfied, Navi took to the air again.

"Stay here, okay?" When he nodded again, she fluttered off, the quiet jingle of flight dying away as she left.

Once Link had ate his fill, he started to doze off for a while. But his sleep was fitful in the open area, nervous of someone sneaking up on him while he slept. So, after some time he sat back up and reached into his pocket for his flute, then, deciding against it, reached for the ocarina Saria had given him instead. It was the first time he was actually getting a good look at it, and as he slowly turned it over, he realized the fact that though he knew quite a bit about music in general, he had no idea how to play this particular instrument.

Slowly he brought the instrument up to his mouth, allowing his slender, wooden fingers to cover the holes, hoping he was correctly mimicking the way he had seen Saria hold hers. Not wanting to alert the guards, he blew a soft note into the instrument, playing a single, out of tune note.

Well, it was a start.

Blowing into the Ocarina was different from his flute. He had to position his mouth differently, and make sure he was properly covering each of the holes. Adjusting, he blew again, much more satisfied with the note that came out this time. He raised a single finger, comparing the sound. It was higher. Less fingers mostly meant higher.

He could not say for sure how long he spent picking notes at the ocarina, but finally, he had figured out enough to replay Saria's song. He slowly played the song, picking out the notes slowly, then faster as he memorized each note and finger placement, until finally, he could play the whole thing up to speed.

As he finally brought the instrument away from his mouth, he heard soft clapping to his side.

He immediately sprang to his feet and whipped around, raising one arm defensively while quickly stashing the ocarina away protectively, eliciting a gasp from his audience.

As he looked the person over, he realized that he recognized her. It was the girl that had spotted him that morning, that had locked eyes with him for some time, until he'd gathered the courage to leave.

The girl had taken a nervous couple steps back when he had hopped up so suddenly. But when she made no move to harm him, he relaxed, and she, in response, relaxed too. After a moment, she was smiling, hands clasped together.

"Wow, you're really good at music. Did you write that song?"

Link blinked once, his blue orbs flickering out and then back. "Oh, no, one of my friends made it up." He took a moment to fumble with and hastily stash the ocarina away, not wanting to risk the precious object becoming damaged.

The girl giggled, whether it be at his reaction or something else, he was unsure. But he couldn't help but smile sheepishly back. "Hee, hee, I've never seen anything like you before. What are you?"

His smile faltered just slightly. Not who, what. Being referred to as a thing had not bothered him as much when the stallchildren had done so; surely, they had little interaction with others living in the earth like they seemed to. But the Kokiri always referred to him as a person. And he always assumed that humans would too. In fact, most of the adults had referred to him as a person, had they not?

But she was a child like him, he had to remind himself. Perhaps she did not know. Perhaps it had just been the slip of her tongue. Still, his mind drifted back to the way the guard from before had referred to him, as a monster child.

Forcing the thought out of his mind, he finally responded honestly. "I'm a skull kid, from the forest."

She giggled again, repeating the words a couple times to get a feel for them. "Skullkid… Skull kid... Hee hee, that's a silly word. Do you have a name, skull kid?"

"Link," he responded with a nod.

The girl tilted her head from side to side, considering his name, then clasped her hands together. "Link is a funny name, it fits you! My name is Malon! Do you know any other songs, forest boy?"

Link was not sure if he should be flattered or insulted, but he chose to take it as a compliment. It was better to have friends than enemies, right? His hand reached back to grab the fairy ocarina, but instead he shifted his hand to another pocket and pulled out his more familiar flute.

He took a second to adjust his fingers, and then began to play, fingers expertly flying up and down, a merry tune coming out. He swayed from side to side, keeping his music in time. Malon clapped along to the beat, occasionally letting out a laugh or a little cheer. For moment, he forgot where he was, closing his eyes to imagine himself back on the tree stumps in the Lost Woods, playing along with his best friend in the world. It had only been two and a half days now since they had played together that morning, but already, with so many things happening in such a short time, it felt so, so far away.

When his tune came to an end and he opened his eyes again though, he was not in the noisy green forest clearing, but the quiet road on the way to the castle.

Malon clapped. "That was so cool Link! Do you know anymore songs?"

Link nodded, but before he could raise the flute up to his mouth again, Navi flew down from above, urgency in her voice.

"The guards are about to change Link, we need to go now, or it may be a while before we get another chance!"

Link looked to the side to Malon. He was having fun… but this was more important. He nodded to Navi, stuffing his flute back into his pockets, and turned to climb the vines like he had before.

"Wait!" Malon cried out, reaching an arm out to grab his shoulder.

Link paused, looking back to the red-headed girl. She pulled her arm away then hesitated.

"Are you… going to the castle?" When Link nodded in confirmation, she continued. "In that case… could you… do me a favor and look for my dad? He went to the castle this morning for a delivery, but he hasn't come back yet, and I'm getting worried… His name is Talon. He's wearing a red shirt and blue overalls - do you know what those are? Anyways, he's reaaaallllly big." She stretched her arms out wide.

Link considered it for a moment. Well… he was going to the castle anyways, he supposed. He nodded to the girl again. She started to say something, but Navi's voice cut in. "Come on Link, hurry, we won't have much time!"

With no time to spare, Link waved a final goodbye before he turned his focus back to the climb, scrambling up just as he had earlier.

#the legend of zelda #ocarina of time #oot #link #malon #navi #thoah

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windskull · 5 years

Text

The Heart of a Hero: Chapter 7

for links to the rest of this fic, check the fic masterlist on my tumblr

Chapter 7: Heart Pounding Grave Tour

The walk across Hyrule Field towards Kakariko Village was not nearly as long as one would think; the sky had only begun to tinge orange by the time that Link reached the path up. The narrow path upwards, however slowed his progress, walking along winding dirt paths and climbing up stone ramps and stairways.

Despite Navi’s suggestions to keep their sound low, lest they attract the attention of unwelcome company or some dangerous beast, Link had taken to playing music along the way, cheerful little tunes on his flute that attempted to his spirits in spite of the task ahead of him. But as the path seemed to continue for far too long, his mind wandered back to his conversation with the princess as one of his songs drew to a close. His fingers faltered, and his stride slowed to a stop.

Navi, who had been following a short distance behind, fluttered in front of Link and hovered in place.

“Is everything okay?” The fairy asked. “Do you need sleep? We can find some place quiet to rest once we get to the village.”

Link shook his head. “No, I’m fine. It’s just…” He turned his head away.

“You’re worried about what you’ve agreed to, aren’t you?”

A moment of hesitation, then he nodded. “I don’t know anything about what might be ahead! Death Mountan sounds… deadly. I don’t know what a goron is. What if they’re not friendly? What if I get hurt? What if… What if I can’t keep my promise to Skully? What did I get myself into?”

Navi paused for a moment. “You’re right,” she responded curtly. “It’s not fair. Neither you nor Zelda should be having to do something like this; it’s an adult’s responsibility. But… What do you do when adults are refusing to do anything?”

The boy sighed and nodded again. “But I made a promise to Zelda too, I can’t just quit and go home… I don’t know what to do!” He threw his hands up in the air, letting out a cry of frustration before plopping down on the side of the road, arms crossed, and shoulders hunched.

Navi was quiet for a moment, turning to look back towards the way they had come for just a moment. Slowly, she fluttered down to land on one of Link’s hands. He looked up.

“Hey,” she suggested quietly. “What if… Why don’t we contact Saria and talk to her? Maybe she could have some advice for you. Even if she doesn’t, maybe it will make you feel better at least?”

Link considered the suggestion. On one hand, Saria always seemed to have good advice. On the other… talking to her might just make him feel more homesick than he already was. He reached into his pocket to swap his flute for the Fairy Ocarina. Wooden fingers rubbed over the surface, admiring the smooth handiwork.

Slowly, curiosity and worry for his friends got the better of him. Link brought the ocarina up to his mouth, began to blow the notes to Saria’s song, getting the notes right after a couple attempts. He closed his eyes, and let his mind focus on the Kokiri girl, imagining that he was sitting beside her back in the Sacred Grove. He played the song once, twice, three times for good measure. Then he finally brought the instrument down from his mouth, and without opening his mouth, let out one hesitant word.

“Hello?”

For a moment, there was nothing. Then suddenly, a voice echoed in the back of his head loud and clear.

“Link?”

“Saria?” He asked out loud. “Can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear,” the familiar voice responded. There was a pause. “Yes, I’m talking to Link.” Another pause. “Here, put your hand on the ocarina and keep it there, that’s how we can communicate.”

Link opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted when a third voice cut in.

“Like this?” Skull Kid’s voice rang in his head. “I don’t hear nothin. Are you sure this works?”

“Skull Kid!”

Link heard a yelp that was cut short, followed shortly by Saria’s laughter. “It’s okay Skull Kid, the magic works by speaking directly into your head.”

More silence. Navi fluttered down curiously to rest on the ocarina too. Skull Kid was the next to speak. “It’s about time you checked in. How’s it going. Did you find the princess yet?”

“Well, yeah-”

“Awesome! How did it go? Will you be back soon?”

“About that…“

“Is everything okay? Did something go wrong?” Saria cut in.

“It’s kind of a long story,” Navi responded. “But the long story short is that the princess asked Link to go get the other spiritual stones. So… it might be awhile before we can come back.”

“...I see…” Skull Kid’s voice came out in monotone.

“I had to agree. Someone has to do it. I mean, yeah it shouldn’t really be my job-”

“That’s right, so you should just come home so we can hang out again,” Skull Kid cut in again. “You shouldn’t be held responsible for something that adults won’t take care of!”

Link was silent for several minutes, only finally responding when Saria gave a worried “...Link? Are you still there?”

“I want to come back…” He started in an almost silent whisper. “But… I don’t think I can. Not until I’m done. Because if I don’t do this, we’ll all be in danger, won’t we?”

“I wish I had a better Answer for you…” Saria responded. “But I don’t really know much outside of the forest, other than things that I’ve been told by others. But… I think you need to follow your heart. If you think it is something you need to do, do it. What do you think, Skull Kid?”

Skull Kid was silent for a long time, long enough that Link was worried he might have stormed off again like before. But finally, he heard the boy sigh. “I guess you’re right. Just… hurry back okay? You have no idea how boring it is hanging out with Saria all day waiting to hear from you. She wouldn’t let me put spiders in Mido’s soup, even though they are absolutely delicious!”

“Not everyone enjoys a spider sandwich, Skull Kid,” Saria’s voice responded. Link laughed in response.

“So where are you right now?” Skull Kid asked.

“We’re on our way to this place Death Mountain to meet with the gorons,” Navi responded.

“Oh, they’re very friendly most of the time,” Skull Kid interjected before mumbling afterwards, “Maybe a little too friendly…”

“Skully, you know something about gorons?” Link asked.

“Oh!” Skull Kid responded a little too quickly. “Oh, you know. More people then Hylians pass through the woods. I’ve seen a goron or two before.”

Link nodded, accepting the explanation. “Okay.”

“Link, it’s getting late. We should keep walking, even if you talk while we go. We don’t want to get locked outside again.”

“Oh, that wasn’t so bad,” Link responded, though he still nodded and pushed himself back to his feet, keeping one hand on the ocarina. He began to walk once again.

“So, what was the castle like? And the town. You gotta tell us everything!”

Link laughed, surprised by his friend’s interest. “Well, where do I begin…”

The sun had only just dipped below the horizon by the time Link reached the quaint little town. A bright, nearly full moon filtered behind storm clouds beginning to roll in, illuminating the rooftops of several houses of varying sizes. Light from inside the buildings poured out onto the grassy common areas. The village seemed mostly devoid of life outside, save for one emaciated man resting under a tree past the village gates

Link had ended his conversation with Saria and Skull Kid some time ago, choosing to make the last of his trip in silence, only the sound of wildlife, his footsteps, and the jingling of Navi following behind.

The skull kid carefully approached the gates, taking refuge in their shadows as he cautiously eyed the villager. Navi fluttered to a rest on his shoulder.

“Hey,” she urged quietly. “We should ask for directions, don’t you think?”

Link’s gaze shifted to the fairy for a moment, then returned to the man. He shook his head.

“Let’s just… sneak by and find it ourselves. What if he doesn’t like-“ He cut himself off uncertain about the using the word that popped up in his head. “…me.”

“Nonsense!” The fairy replied with a jingle, lifting up from his shoulder. “It will be fine. Here, come on, I’ll even ask for you!”

Without a second thought, the fairy took off, making a beeline for the man. Link shot a hand out to try and stop her, but it stretched into empty air. As he heard her begin to speak though, he finally slowly, ever so hesitantly, began to creep out of the shadows, his eyes trained on the stranger.

“Hey, excuse me?”

The man was slow to look up, not acknowledging Navi at first. When the man made little motion, crept even closer, standing hunched and tense behind Navi

“Excuse me,” she tried again. “We were hoping maybe you could give us directions?”

The man mumbled something.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you, could you please speak louder?” Navi asked.

“I said to get out of my face. People are disgusting. Licking the boots of people in power, caring about no one but themselves. Even my own father and mother are disgusting.”

“I’m…. sorry?”

He tilted his head up to stare at Link through baggy, narrowed eyes.

“I bet you’re disgusting too!”

Link stiffened, wide eyes locking with the man’s. For a moment, he was frozen in place.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare?” The man growled. “Go ahead. Laugh if you want. Laugh at the village freak.”

Whether through anxiety or through courage, Link finally found the courage to dart away, taking off at a dash past the man.

“What’s wrong with you?!” Navi quipped at the man. When he did not respond, she huffed before fluttering past to catch up with Link.

The boy did not stop until he reached a well near the center of the village. Besides the creepy guy at the entrance, the town appeared deserted; everyone seemed to have taken shelter at dusk. He took a seat along the side and took a moment to calm himself.

Navi fluttered to a rest on Link’s shoulder. “Are you okay?” She asked quietly.

Link gave the fairy a tiny nod. “I’ll be fine.”

Navi seemed unconvinced but chose not to press the matter. Instead she gave him a reassuring pat. “Hey, we should find someplace to sleep, don’t you think?”

Link turned his head. “I’m not really tired.”

A drop of water splattered onto the boy’s forehead, then another onto his ear. Navi fluttered down to gently tap against his forehead where the water had splattered. “Nonsense,” She chided. “You may not be tired now, but you will be when you have to climb a mountain tomorrow. Come on, let’s look around a little. Even if you don’t want to try asking anyone for help, I’m sure there’s someplace safe you can shelter around here.”

The skull kid lowered his head, then finally gave in, giving Navi a “mmhm,” of consent, and then stood, taking another look around the village. Most of the houses were well lit. Normally, he did not feel all that bad about sneaking into places. But adults were a much bigger wild card than kokiri, who at worst might chase him around with a stick. Lifting his head back up, he spotted a dark path out of the corner of his eye, leading away from the village under a stone wall. There, that seemed like the perfect place to go for some peace and quiet. Quietly, he rose to his feet and patterned towards the archway.

The area beyond the arch was elevated in levels, odd wedge-shaped stones lining the cobblestone path. A stone gateway and tall wooden fence heralded the entrance to the enclosed area, a small little shack to the right just inside. A smaller, rickety wooden fence separated the shack and entrance from the stones.

Link carefully crept further into the area, uncertain of what to expect. A few more drops of water splattered on his face. Never that he could remember had he seen anything like this. He’d seen circles of stone made by the kokiri in their games. But each stone was irregular and messy. These were all uniform, with a set design and set a specific distance away from each other.

The boy approached the nearest stone, running a hand on the engravings. Some of it was a design; three triangles together making a bigger triangle, a bird, and other markings adorned the stone. But there was also text that Link could not decipher the meaning of.

“What does it mean?” Link asked.

“These are gravestones,” Navi explained. “They mark where people are buried after they die.”

He stared at the fairy for a moment as his hand brushed over the stone again, then lifted it as something else caught his eye.

“Hey look, over there!” He dashed off up the hill to the far end of the graveyard, coming to a stop in front of what had grabbed his attention. Although he could not see all of it well in the dark, he had made out a larger stone at the very end.

“This one seems special, what does it say?”

The fairy was silent for a moment, flying closer to illuminate the words. “... It says it is the tomb of the royal family.”

“So dead royal people are buried here?”

“It seems like it. We probably should not be snooping around here, Link, let’s try to find someplace else to sleep.”

Link started to agree, but a glimmer below his feet caught his eye in the moonlight. He took a step back, revealing a golden triangle mark at his feet, the same design as on the other gravestones. The more he thought about it, the more it reminded him of the stories that Zelda and the Deku Tree had told him.

“Hey,” he started, an idea coming to his mind. “Do you think anything would happen if I were to play that song Impa taught me here?”

Navi turned back to Link, watching him fiddle around in the darkness for the ocarina. “I don’t think it’s a good idea Link…” But before the words were out of her mouth, the boy had already started to play the little song.

At first nothing seemed to happen. Disappointed, Link began to turn away. But a distant rumbling, like thunder, stopped him in his tracks. Suddenly, the earth beneath his feet seemed to tremble. Another roll of thunder. And then it all seemed to stop. Link slowly crept back towards the gravestone, curious.

A flash of light. Before Link could react, there was an ear-splitting crack and explosion. The boy went flying into the air, dust and rock raining around him. He hit the ground with a hard thud, the breath knocked out of him. He tried to get up, but his entire body felt dull and distant. His head swam.

The last thing he heard before slipping away to unconsciousness was Navi calling out his name.

**********

He felt tired, and weak. His legs seemed to just barely function, only allowing him forward with stumbling and staggering steps. He felt a pang in his stomach but did his best to ignore it. The forest around him was dim, only the sound of the wildlife and his own footsteps accompanied him. Everything was filtered through weary eyes. He had to find… something. His brain was so fuzzy, he could not remember what.

He stumbled. He tried to push himself to his feet, arms shaking, but he couldn’t find the strength. Maybe a rest was in order.

…

He had never felt so exhausted. He had never felt so alive.

He was cold and frightened. He felt brave and rejuvenated.

He was… Link? Yes. His name was Link. He was… He did not remember what he was doing. But he was Link! That much, he could be certain of.

He looked down to his hands. They were small, so small, made of shrunken, skeletal wood and bark with little whisps of darkness peeking out around his joints. His arms too, were of the same ashy wood. He brought a hand up to his face. It too seemed to have the same texture, and he had a feeling that, if he were to look in a mirror, it too would have the same wooden look.

He pushed - no, he sprang to his feet with an excited hop.

He did not know what he was, or where he was, but he knew that he was Link, and he knew that he did not have to be scared of the forest. The forest would keep him safe.

He ran.

**********

Link startled awake with a gasp, sitting up suddenly. Immediately his head swam and his vision blurred. Nothing was very painful, per say, but everything ached.

At first, his mind tried to grasp out and hold onto the dream, but the mundane memory quickly slipped away as he finally focused well enough to check his surroundings.

He was in a small wooden shack, resting under old, tattered, ratty looking blankets on an equally old-looking bed. Sunlight filtered through a small, slatted window onto his face. He blinked once, squinting in the light, and then turned his head, letting out a surprised cry when he realized that he was not alone.

To his side was a small wooden desk, Navi sitting on top and staring at him with worry etched into her features. But it was not Navi that caught him off guard.

To the side of the desk sat a man, staring at him intently. The human appeared old and lumpy, the beginnings of wrinkles clinging to his skin. His chin jutted out into an oversized underbite. The man’s beady eyes peered out under a balding head. His clothes were an old, muddy, sleeveless shirt, and and equally dirty trousers and boots. His skin was a clammy white.

Despite his off putting appearance, the man seemed non-threatening, a goofy smile on his face.

Navi was the first to break the silence. “Link?” She asked. “Are you okay? You’ve been asleep for a long time. I was worried maybe some of the debris hit your head…”

Link blinked a couple more times, trying to grasp at what had happened. That was right, he had played the royal song. And then lightning had struck nearby and…

“I’m fine,” he finally responded, shaking his head. “Just… sore.”

Navi broke out into a smile.

“Oh thank the goddesses. When you didn’t get up - even as it started pouring rain - I worried you were in worse shape. You’re fortunate Dampe, the gravekeeper here, happened to help you out.”

Link turned his attention to the bald man beside Navi. The man laughed.

“It’s-all good,” he slurred in a friendly voice. “It’s not often I get a visitor as unusual as yourself! Yer little friend here happened to see me leave my shack and came to me in a tizzy beggin for help. ‘Course I was happy to.”

“Link,” Navi led on when he said nothing and instead stared, “what do you say when people help you?”

“Oh, um, thank you,” The boy responded quickly with a bow of his head.

Dampe let out a hearty laugh. “Ha ha! No need to thank me little fella! Just think of it as a favor.”

Link gave the man a nod and opened his mouth to say something else but was interrupted by the sound of his growling stomach. The last time he had eaten had been his snack before sneaking into the castle the day before - if it was actually only yesterday.

He reached his hand down for his bag, and found it gone.

“Your bag is over there by the door.” The man gestured a meaty finger towards the exit. “I don’t have any food ready for you, sorry. I wouldn’t know what a, uh… a skull… kid…?” He shot an aside glance to Navi, and when she nodded, he continued. “I wouldn’t know what you would’a ate.”

“It’s okay,” Link responded quietly before kicking the covers off and pushing himself to the side of the bed. “I have plenty in my bag.”

For a moment, as he climbed to his feet, he was unsteady, body still aching. But he quickly spread his arms out and caught his balance. He shuffled over to where his bags - and boots apparently - were stored. First, he slipped the boots back onto his feet. Then he pulled the drawstring bag open, opting for one of the sweet pastries he had bought in Castle Town, and took a bite before reattaching the bag to his belt.

“Leaving so soon?” Dampe asked.

Link nodded. Navi stretched before lifting into the air, coming to a rest on Link’s shoulder. “We have a long journey ahead of us,” she responded for Link. “We have to head up the mountain at Princess Zelda’s request to meet with the gorons.”

The man chuckled. “Oh ho now, well, if you go back into the village main, there’s a path across the way with a guard stationed outside. That’s your path up the mountain, can’t miss it.”

Link gave Dampe a nod before taking hold of the handle of the door.

Dampe waved. “Come back and visit sometime! If yeh come at night, I might even give yeh a discounted rate to my grave tour service!”

The boy paused, halfway out the door? “Grave… tour?”

The man laughed, giving his knee a light slap. “Ol’ Dampe’s heart pounding gravedigging tour! Come back some evening and I’ll tell ya all about it.”

Link nodded slowly, still not really understanding what the man was talking about. “O...kay. Maybe I’ll see you again sometime. Thank you, Dampe.”

“Anytime kiddo, don’t be a stranger!”

Link closed the door behind him. The graveyard was much less gloomy in the daylight. The sun shone hight overhead; it must have been close to noon now. Link fidgeted with his belt nervously. The sooner he got up the mountain, the sooner he could get the stones to Zelda and go home.

He began to walk back towards the path leading towards the village, but a thought caught in his mind, and he instead found himself making his way towards the place he had been knocked unconscious the night before.

Navi continued a bit of a ways down the path, but as soon as she realized link had turned the other way, dashed after him to catch back up with the boy.

“Hey,” she called out. “We need to go this way!”

“I know, I know,” Link responded, holding a hand up. “But I want to check something first.” He followed the cobblestone path back up and around the side of the graveyard until he came to a stop at the marker he had stood in front of the night before.

Or at least, where it had been. Now, however, the stone was scattered in chunks around the area, leaving a gaping hole where the entrance once was. Link inched forward to peer into the hole. With the sun directly overhead, he could just barely see the bottom. A ladder allowed access below. He could only assume that several people were buried in the hole, and that the ladder would allow access to bring more into the grave when they were ready to join the bodies below.

He turned and began to scale down the ladder.

“Link, what do you think you’re doing?” Navi hissed, keeping her voice low as she zipped around his head.

“I’m going to check it out. I want to know what’s down here.”

“No you don’t, there are dead bodies down here, and that’s it! It’s impolite to go messing with people’s graves!”

But Link did not listen to the fairy, instead continuing his decent until he felt comfortable enough to hop down the rest of the fall. Navi let out a frustrated sigh and followed behind, not daring to leave the mischievous little child alone.

As Link’s eyes adjusted in the darkness, he could make out a pathway ahead of him. Slowly, he inched his way forward in the darkness, keeping one hand to the wall as guidance. Before long, the path opened to a small, stone room.

He let his hand fall to his side, then carefully crept forward further into the room. The light from the hole had left him behind, leaving only the dim glow from his eyes and the brighter glow from Navi to guide him.

His leg kicked something, sending it clattering across the room. He paused, waiting to see if something would happen, and when nothing did, he crouched to feel for whatever he had hit. His hands clasped around something, and he picked it up to get a better look.

Bone.

He tossed the bone away quickly, taking a better look around. As Navi flew forward in front of him to see what he had dropped, he could now see several bones scattered around the room, skeletons that had fallen to pieces and been scattered over time.

“Probably the remains of grave robbers,” Navi reported, flying closer to Link. “Are you satisfied? Can we go now?”

Link shook his head, edging further into the room until he found himself at the far side of it. In front of him was some sort of ledge that reached just over his head. He reached up and pulled himself to the top. A second ledge followed this one, and a third one after that. He scaled each of these too. When he reached the top, he found himself face to face with a door.

Slowly, he reached a hand forward and pushed. The door swung open with ease. He scurried on past it to see what might be ahead.

A small hall led to the next room. An unnatural glow illuminated the walls. From where he was, Link could see that the glow came to a pool of odd liquid just inside the room.

Feeling brave after the previous room, Link rushed forward. But as he reached the pools edge a high pitched shriek filled the air. For one long, horrifying moment, Link found himself frozen in place, unable to move anything but his eyes. They darted to the side. A horrible, rotting, shrunken creature had begun to shamble towards him. Navi zipped under his hood and spoke in a harsh, hushed whisper.

“That’s a redead, Link. As soon as you can move, walk back towards the exit. Slowly. It will lose interest if you don’t run.”

Link’s eyes instead darted to the pathway at the other end of the room. Several other redeads blocked the way. But none of them had begun to move.

He felt power return to his muscles. But instead of beginning to inch back towards the exit, he began to creep the other way. His eyes darted back to the side. Sure enough, as Navi had said, the redead had slowed to a stop, only staring.

“Link, what are you doing?” Navi hissed.

Link didn’t answer, instead continuing his painstakingly slow journey across the room, keeping an eye on the nearest redead. But finally, after what felt like forever, he reached the hall at the other end, leaving the creatures behind him.

Still, he had not a clue what lay on the other side, so he continued to move slowly. The same unnatural glow as before came from the next room. As he entered it though, he found it only had the water, and not the redeads as before.

The boy let out a sigh of relief and dashed on into the final room.

The walls of this room were covered in writing, ending with a wall adorned with the triforce symbol he had seen outside. Two unlit torches stood at either side.

The boy came to a stop in front of the shrine of sorts, looking over the odd etching he could not understand.

“Navi,” he asked quietly. “What does it say?”

“If I tell you, will you go back afterwards?”

He considered it for a moment. This was the end of the path. There was nowhere else to go but back. He nodded.

The fairy let out a small, relieved sigh. “Okay.”

She flew up to illuminate the words in front of her and spoke the words in a soft voice. “This poem is dedicated to the memory of the dearly departed members of the Royal Family. The rising sun will eventually set. A newborn's life will fade. From sun to moon, moon to sun… Give peaceful rest to the living dead.”

As the final verse came to a close, she was quiet for a moment. “Well, that was an interesting poem… huh?” Her attention was drawn to something etched into the corner of the stone. “There’s something carved here… it’s a song! Can you read sheet music?”

Link tilted his head, then shook it. “I don’t know what sheet music is.”

“It’s music written down… oh nevermind I’ll hum it for you. Who knows, maybe it will come in handy?”

Link brandished the ocarina as Navi began to hum. He carefully fingered the notes he knew from memory, matching them to the notes Navi was playing, then followed the notes she played behind, repeating the simple melody a couple times. Once he was certain he had the notes down, he returned the ocarina to his pouch.

“Are you done?”

“Mhmm.”

“Good, let’s get out of here!”

Link spun around and began the cautious journey back, through the tomb, taking great care to avoid disturbing the redeads as he passed through the middle room. As he passed through the final room, he kicked something again. This time, it did not give way like the bone before had. Instead, it held fast.

Link let out a startled cry and too late reached his arms out to catch himself. He hit the ground hard with an oomph, the item that tripped him clattering behind him.

After a second of recovery, he reached back to see just what could have tripped him up. His fingers came in contact with metal, and as he sat up, he found himself looking down at an old battered shield, its surface a brilliant blue and silver even in the dim light made by his eyes.

“Navi!” He called out to the fairy as she looped back to check and make sure he had not hurt himself. “Navi, I like this. I’m taking it with me.”

Navi let out a slow breath. “Link, taking something out of someone’s grave is what we call grave robbing. It is very, very bad.”

The boy tilted his head, staring without blinking. “Why? They’re not using it!”

“It’s disrespectful!”

“Oh… I’m taking it anyway.”

“Link!”

Link ignored her protests, instead taking the time to latch the shield - which was as big as his torso - around his tiny arm. It was certainly too big to use like this, but he could find a use for it later, after he got out of this murky hole. At the minimum, it would make a neat trophy. With his new treasure in tow, he headed back to the ladder and scrambled back out into the fresh, afternoon air.

This time, he wandered back to the village, stretching in the warm sunlight. It was much busier in the daytime than it had been the night before, the sound of people chatting, cuccos clucking, and hammers pounding away at wood filling the air. A few people stopped to give him curious, wary stares, but otherwise he was unbothered as he made his way back towards the well.

“Over there.”

Navi fluttered off to the side. Link turned his head and, spotting the barred inclined path ahead, dashed off after her.

In front of the gate, it was grassy. But it quickly gave way red dirt and stone beyond. A single, extremely bored looking guard stood beside the gate, leaning against the wall with a spear in hand.

Remembering his experience back at the castle, Link approached with hesitance in his step. Navi, however, was not waiting around and flew forward until she was in the man’s line of sight.

As soon as the man noticed the child approaching him, he stood up straight, holding out a hand to stop Link. “Hold it,” he started. “This area is not safe for children. Er…” He paused, taking note of the oversized shield and the sword on his back. “Even so, the road is closed except to official business only. Can’t you read.”

Link’s eyes flickered out for a second. “No. I can’t.” He paused, turning his head to Navi. “But… the princess sent us. That makes this official right?”

The guard stared them down quietly for a moment, then let out a snort, covering his mouth. “O-oh, did she now?”

Navi narrowed her eyes but did not comment. For a moment she was quiet, then, a memory of the day before sparked in her brain. She bobbed up and down for a moment. “Oh! the note, show him the note, Link!

Link made a tiny noise of realization. Immediately, he slid the shield off of his arm and reached into his bag, fishing around for the parchment Zelda had given him the day before. As soon as it came in contact with his fingers, he pulled it out, all but shoving it into the guard’s face.

The man blinked a couple times, then slowly leaned his spear to the side to take the parchment in both hands, turning it over once before opening it up to read the note contained inside. His straight face quickly gave way to an attempt to hide a grin. By the time he finished, he was snickering.

“This is Link...He is under my orders to save Hyrule.” The guard barely withheld his laughter. “W-well, I can verify this really is the princesses’ signature. What kind of funny game has she come up with now? I guess I have no choice.” He finally contained his snickers. “Are you sure about this kid? I really do mean it is dangerous up there. Tektites are all over the path. Not to mention the dodongos that sometimes come up from the depths of the mountain.”

Link simply nodded in response, eyes set in determination.

The man let out a small sigh and shrugged. “Alright, hold on.” He turned to walk to the far side of the gate where an iron wheel was set into the stone. Taking the wheel in both hands, he pulled down. Slowly, the gate began to open, creaking back to allow passage.

Impatient, as soon as the gap was wide enough to slip through, Link picked up his oversized shield again and slipped right on through, waving goodbye to the man as he took off up the path.

The day was already halfway over; perhaps it would have been better to stay in Kakariko another night. But he could not bring himself to wait any longer. Already, he was one more step closer to the second spiritual stone.

#link #navi #oot #the legend of zelda #ocarina of time #thoah

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windskull · 5 years

Text

The Heart of a Hero: Chapter 2

For more information about this fic, check the links on my tumblr.

Chapter 2: Adventure Calling

"Hey, are you listening to me?"

Link was, in fact, not really listening to the fairy trying to get his attention yet. Nor was his friend, apparently. At the moment, he was only focusing on her appearance. She was a smaller fairy. Her body let off a pale blue-white glow, reminding Link of the Kokiri's guardian fairies. But she was not yet close enough for him to get a whiff of her scent and figure out if she actually was one of the Kokiri Forest fairies. Still, it was rare to find a single fairy by themselves in this area. Maybe she had become separated from her Kokiri?

The fairy did not seem happy about being ignored. She erratically flew up close between his and Skull Kid's faces, until the two were finally forced to acknowledge her. Skull Kid raised a hand up to wave her away from his face.

"Okay, okay fine!" Skull Kid grumbled. "What is it?"

"You two are skull kids," The fairy stated matter-of-factly. "Are either of you a Link. Or do you know a Link?"

Skull Kid paused for a second, then slowly raised up a hand and pointed to his friend. "That's Link."

The fairy turned to look to Skull Kid, then to Link, seeming to calm just slightly. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought it would take me hours to find you." She fluttered over to Link and flew a couple circles around him as he stood up and tilted his head to the side. "The Great Deku Tree sent me to find you," she explained. "I'm Navi, a fairy in his service. I've been asked to bring you to him. Right away. So please, follow me. It's urgent."

Without waiting for a response, Navi zipped off to the edge of the clearing, before turning back to look at Link expectantly.

Link looked over to his friend, then back to Navi. Skull Kid shrugged and stretched before standing up, offering a hand out to Link. "I say check it out. It's so rare that a fairy comes to give any of us skull kids attention, you don't pass up that kind of opportunity. Besides, it could be fun. And I'll come too!"

Link finally nodded and accepted his friend's hand, climbing to his feet. He paused for a moment to stash his flute back in his pocket, and to pick up the sword from before, then scurried after Navi and his friend.

The fairy zipped through the woods, leading them through clearings and twists and turns at a rapid pace, the boys having to run to keep up. Fortunately, they had already been on the edge of the lost woods, only a short jog from the Kokiri Forest.

Upon their arrival, the fairy continued to make a beeline directly for the far end of the area the Kokiri called home. As Link followed her, he heard some startled cries and gasps from behind him. It wasn't the first time he'd entered the Kokiri Forest, but it was the first time he'd come in broad daylight in a long time. And although there was no ill will between Kokiri and skull kids, his kind tended to avoid wide open spaces with few places to hide, like this place.

As they reached the end of the clearing, Link had to skid to a stop to avoid stumbling into a Kokiri standing in his way. Navi just fluttered on past the child. Skull Kid, on the other hand, did not stop in time and slammed right into Link. The two tumbled to a ground in a heap, then looked up to the other child, who stood in front of them with his arms crossed.

As the two climbed to their feet, the Kokiri spoke up with an impatient edge to his voice. "Why are you two here?" The boy asked, tapping his foot.

"Mido, the Great Deku tree asked for them to come," Navi responded for the two, having circled back to see what the holdup was.

"Oh yeah?" Mido narrowed his eyes, unconvinced by the fairy's words, and swept his gaze between the two skull kids. "Why would he ask for either of you instead of me, the great Mido. The leader of the Kokiri? I don't care if you are Saria's friends, I'm not letting you pass!"

Skull Kid gave the Kokiri a blank, silent, unnerving stare for a long moment. Then he leaned over to Link, and with one hand cupped to the side of his mouth whispered just loud enough for Mido to hear. "Hey. Are we supposed to know this guy?"

Mido seemed to falter for a moment. But his resolve was strengthened when he locked eyes with the sword at Link's side. "Hey! Isn't that my sword?"

Link turned his gaze to his friend, who giggled nervously and rubbed the back of his head, eyes darting back and forth. He "found" it, huh? But before he could question his friend, suddenly, Skull Kid jerked an arm out, pointing to a spot behind Mido. "Hey look, here comes Saria!"

"Huh, where?" Mido twisted to look in that direction. Immediately Link felt a push at his back; Skull Kid gave him a quick shove before taking off past Mido himself. Getting the idea, Link quickly took off after him, the sound of Mido calling after them quickly fading as they left him behind. Skull Kid laughed, and even Link found himself fight back a giggle.

Navi zipped along behind the troublemaker, quickly taking the lead as they finally reached the tree spirit. The trio found themselves in a great clearing, grass spreading as far as the eye could see. In the center was the great guardian spirit of the forest, a tree whose branches stretched far into the sky, covering the entire field in a canopy of leaves.

"Great Deku Tree… I'm back!" Navi exclaimed. "And I found the boy you asked for!"

The tree was quiet for a moment, then in a voice that crackled with age, he slowly spoke, his voice reverberating in the trio's heads. "Oh… Navi… Thou hast returned…" There was another pause. "Link… Welcome… And you as well, other child of the forest… Thou must forgive me, for I know not your name…"

The skull kid blinked once, then laughed and placed his hands behind his head. "Aw that's okay, I don't know my name either! Everyone just calls me Skull Kid, or Skully, like Link here usually does." The boy gave Link a quick pat on the back, then turned his attention to the Great Deku Tree as the spirit began to speak again.

"Whatever thy name may be… as a child of the forest, thou art welcome here... All children of the forest are under mine own protection." With the pleasantries out of the way, the tree then focused his words on Link.

"Listen carefully to what I tell thee… Link, thy sleep these past moons must have been restless and full of nightmares."

Link let out a small gasp of surprise and took a step back but nodded in confirmation.

The Great Deku Tree chuckled. "Oh ho, thou must be wondering how I would know that… There will be a time for that later... For now, time is short… As servants of evil gain strength, a vile climate pervades the land, and causes nightmares to those sensitive to it. Verily, thou hast felt it."

Skull Kid tilted his head and reached a hand up to place it on Link's shoulder. "...Link? Have you been having nightmares lately? Why didn't you tell me?"

Link considered it for a moment, and nodded in response, following it up with a shrug. He had not a clue why he had not told his friend about the dreams. Perhaps it was because he considered it unimportant? He could not say for sure. Whatever it may have been, it was unimportant for now. He turned his attention back to the tree.

"Link… the time has come to test thy courage…" When the boy only tilted his head in response, the tree continued. "I have been cursed… I need thee to break the curse with thy wisdom and courage. Dost thou have the courage to undertake this task?"

Link looked away. "That's a lot to take in," he finally mumbled, letting one arm hang and reaching the other up to grip his elbow. On one hand, this was not his fight. This was not really his home. But on the other hand, he'd always felt some sort of connection to the Kokiri Forest. And if something happened here that he could have prevented? Well, he'd feel pretty terrible. Besides, like the tree had said, even the skull kids out in the Lost Woods, like him, were offered some level of protection by the spirit. So he let his hands rest at his side and nodded.

Again, a silence hung in the air, and then there was a creaking. Slowly, a part of the front of the Great Deku Tree slid down, leaving a great entryway more than spacious enough for Link to be able to walk through.

"Then enter, brave Link… And thou too, Navi… Navi, you must aid Link… Link, listen well to Navi's words of wisdom."

Link gave a nod, and Navi bobbed up and down in response as well. As the two stepped forward though, Skull Kid spoke up.

"Hold on!" He exclaimed, prompting Link to turn his head. He reached into his pockets and removed his flute. It wasn't much of a weapon, but he knew how to use it like one. "Wait for me, I'm going with you." He trotted to catch up to the two, and gave Link a light nudge "What, you think you could just leave me behind? I can help too!"

Link flashed his friend a toothy smile and gave him an enthusiastic nod. The three stood together at the base of the tree for a moment, then together, the two skull kids and Navi stepped inside.

#Link #Skull Kid #Navi #oot #ocarina of time #the legend of zelda #thoah #fic

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