Legend of Zelda fanfiction.
First-person action/adventure in close-to-modern Hyrule.
Reader discretion is advised: will eventually contain descriptions of violence and harsh language.
Might eventually have mature themes, though non-explicit.
Then again, might stay kid-friendly.
I can be unpredictable.




Kicked out

Listening to the radio I can't help but frown.
There they go again with the story of a monstrous man running the streets, unable to feel the pain bullets usually give you when they hit you head on.
The soldiers have to find a better way to fight that guy.
Or those guys.
It seems the description varies from time to time. Once, it was said to be a tall, frail looking shadow. Now, they say he's a huge, muscular figure. Everytime it's the same story though:
Someone is running the streets, kidnapping random people, killing those unlucky enough to stand in his way and never harmed by bullets of anykind.
Ever.
I thought the magic used to defy bullets was long dead. I thought no fabrics who can withstand firearms existed yet. That's why shooting someone is more severely punished than stabbing someone, according to the law. Enough to make anyone able to pay for bullets shudder at the thought of what could happen if they fired.
Not enough to keep those weapons out of the last war, though.
My bitter uncle always says that bravery died the day gunsmoke was born.
Wouldn't it be funny if those bulletproof criminals were actually vulnerable to the simplest blade?
Still, I can't figure it out. They never try to hide their acts. It would be much easier to kidnap quietly than to kick the door down, take a person away and show everyone you can't be killed by gunfire.
After all, those fire sticks are only owned by the elite, and some organised criminals who prefer remaining under cover actually.
That elite is working day and night to solve the mystery of the kidnappings and killings. Mystery as in who and why. Everything else is as clear as mountain water:
There's a thirst for blood going on.
If Sheikahs weren't that rare I would've sent them instead, having this feeling those small daggers of theirs could do more damage than any colt around.
The newswoman keeps going on. I shake my head:
The kidnappings have stopped, a sacrifice is now making the headlines.
Same people they believe, for reasons unknown. Inside the victim's house, the floors are painted with blood. The pictures drawn are actually centuries old runes we can find inside any weird library book. The fortune tellers are rubbing their hands with greed as they start telling their public about ''ancient prophecies'' carved in year old stones.
Normally someone like me should shake it off. After all, Hyrule is big, the drama is actually pretty scarce once you think about it and those criminals are so noisy they shouldn't be that hard to catch once they make a mistake. One single mistake. Which one? I do not know. But it will come.
And for some reason,  I feel concerned.
I always do.
Hyrule is a great land. My aunt and uncle live off the land, with me as their only help. Even when the seasons are harsh, we manage to feed and clothe ourselves. I can also read and write well enough to maybe, some day, travel to the city and make a life out there. Our royal family knows how to make its people prosper and healthy.
Why the need to cause chaos?
I do cause my share of trouble for the sake of it. It makes me feel guilty now thinking about our poor cuccos. And goats. And neighbors.
But by Din, why the bloodshed? Why bother when there's nothing to fight for? Some Ganonists perhaps, as the fortune tellers like to shout?
I still stand for my theory that Ganon was only a greedy Gerudo king that caused enough damage to the Hylians that they crowned him King of the Evil Realm.
With all the mean jokes I kept saying about the Goddesses as an early teen, I think the Evil Realm is waiting for me. I'll take that chance to interview Ganon about this and send a letter to the living.
Hello, my name is Link. Ganon told me to tell you all that he thanks you for the crown, but that he has no throne down here. Silly Hylians.

-Link! Get down here, you lazy slob!

Silly uncle! Say it all you want, that won't make it true. I work hard, every night, to sleep before morning comes. And the only pay I get is getting thrown out of bed... I mean getting out of bed two hours later.

-I need my radio back, Link! Before Din's next coming wishfully.

Small talking box in my hands, I slide down the roof and jump what's left of our small house to land next to my father's living baby brother.

-I would prefer not seeing you again up there, my boy. You could catch a cold, or break something, and we'll be left with no one to gather up our lifestock!

I nod absent-mindedly. First thing tomorrow I'll be watching our land from up there, and he'll be telling me the same thing he always does. I forgot how worried my aunt and uncle get when I do something even slightly out of their reach. They freaked out when I almost fell off Epona the time Oz and I were starting training her under saddle, they'll freak out even more if I ever leave them for a journey to the city.
Especially with a weird kidnapping killer, or many weird kidnapping killers, trenching their blood thirst as if the authorities were non-existant, thinking their laughs rejoices the greedy pig-headed-demon-that's-really-just-another-dead-man Ganon.
My caretakers won't even let me touch that sword they have in the guest room. They are so proud of it, yet it is safely stuck to the wall and they twitch everytime I approach it. ''It's a fragile item'', they say. But with those eyes, I know they're afraid for me. I can't blame them, I'm their only family now. They are my only family.
I'm used to it but they aren't. They were both raised alongside many brothers, sisters, cousins and parents. But the war wiped them all out.
Stupid courage. Most males went to fight west of Hyrule. Most females went to heal west of Hyrule. The few males and females who didn't just switched their duties: some males healing, some females fighting.
And what a war! Few guns, few bullets. Those things are hard to come by, anyways. As the leaders tried to shoot each other out, the soldiers tried to stab each other out. Everything that could be bombed was bombed.
The ones that came back died from sickness or depression months later. Desert bugs are ruthless to us Hylians and whatever happened back there, the physically healthy ones shared their mental suffering with the elders.
My parents though never made it back, their ghosts trapped on Gerudo soil.
The reason of the war was territory. The outcome was shaking hands and signing a treaty for commercial exchange.
A really nice treaty that showed its beautiful face five months too late.
I never met my family, and I admit I like not having to share my belongings with any cousins. My aunt and uncle are there for me whenever I need to be grounded. But they, on the other hand, suffer a great deal everytime I somehow remind them of my father, or my mother. Why were they sent at war when they obviously had a baby boy on their hands, I'll never know. Maybe my father, but why my mother too? The way my aunt and my uncle talk about it, my mother didn't want to leave me. The law wouldn't let her leave me either.
I sometimes can't help but to feel it's all my fault, somehow. It doesn't make sense, but it stays like a wine stain on Pelita's dress.
And with that, the few Gerudos we see are often looked down at. Nothing horrible, but the tension is sickening.
With the commercial treaty we have, some Gerudos moved over here, and some Hylians moved to the desert. But it can't be helped. A lot of Hylians, including my two beloved caretakers, watch me suspiciously whenever I help out a passing Gerudo.
I can't help it. They are so pretty and playful in their own ways, it's impossible to hate those women. In return, the dark-skinned ladies like to toy with my ears. I'm one of the few Hylians, if not the only Hylian that lets them do that. ''How cute! Long and pointy is getting rare, isn't it? Do they really give you superior hearing?''
They aren't exactly delicate, but they sure are joyful to have around. Learning how worried my caretakers are for my safety, of couple of them even took the time to teach me some fencing moves, with real swords. I took advantage of the provocative nature of the warrior women and enjoyed swinging a dangerous toy for the sake of it being forbidden.

***

-Are you going to finish that soup?

I finally snap out of it.
Whatever was crossing my mind left an empty road. I take a quick spoonful of cold soup and my tongue gets revolted.

-Why do I even keep feeding you?

She gets up and takes my bowl to heat up the Ordonian goodness. And I smile. I could tell her right now I feel like eating a nice Baba Cake and she'll start cooking one, saying something along the lines of ''you won't eat it if you wander off into those woods again, you know! I don't want a sweet-tooth Skullkid as a nephew! Oh sorry, I keep forgetting you're grown up now because that attitude of yours, but a Stalfos is much worse!''
And I'll still go. And I'll be eating cake the same day. Someday, I'll find a healing fairy there and show it to Pelita, Ordon's beautiful lass.

-Link...

My aunt seems so sad all of a sudden. That's highly unusual: she's either always complaining or criticizing, her only sad moments when she stares intently at my facial features, and this is not one of them.

-How do I say this... You're almost old enough to start real studies... And leave us. Do you even have an idea about that you want to become yet, dear?

She's not looking at me, so I speak.

-No.

Honestly, I would love to reach the end of those woods someday, but then what? I turn back and tell them I saw a prairie? I could stay here all my life, take care of them, take over the farm when they're gone...

-I think you should see the outside world someday.

Oh really? So says the woman who panics whenever she sees me near the path to Hyrule plains. She's lucky uncle isn't here right now.

-We've been protecting you too much. The more I think about it... the more I want you to experience the world by yourself. Experience bravery. Meet new people and become someone. Stand up for yourself, making enemies... but also friends.

Hmph. She's feeling her age and making me feel mine. I was never afraid of anything much, but mainly because there was nothing to be afraid of around here. I might get the scare of my life the day I get to see the end of these woods. The real end of these woods.
Strangely, this makes me feel excited.
I can't wait to leave this place.
But... I can't just leave uncle Adelio and aunt Fausta here all by themselves. I'll be ''brave'' some other day.

-I'll stay here as long as I'm needed.

-Oh, we'll always need you...

She says so in a fashion that makes me want to stay. Our house is small with only two floors, the first having a kitchen and a living room, the second two sleeping rooms. Our furniture looks ridiculous next to the fancy sofas and tables mister Savary has. ''This village needs to be upgraded'', he loves saying. I'm curious to see how far I can go, how much more I can get by moving away. But I have responsibilities here. Handling our lifestock, helping with the crops. Even taking care of Epona. She's our nice, intelligent mare, but with so much energy she gives their old bones a hard time. Besides, I can feel she doesn't want me to go.
She continues; I somehow can't keep my eyes on her.

-But we'll find someone else to help around the house. Plus, Oz is there for Epona. You need to make your own life.

-No need to worry over that for now, I've yet to reach adulthood.

Something's not right. She seems in a hurry to see me leave. She looks at me as if I would be gone within the next year. Then, aunt Fausta sighs deeply and goes back to her soup.
Even with her chubby looks, I can't help but to see how frail she really is now.

-I'll stay until you need me no more.

-I believe you, dear.

She's hiding something from me. Maybe she feels I'll get lost for good some time soon and she prefers seing me getting lost inside a more civilised ''jungle''. Aunt Fausta is known for her sixth sense.

-By the way, you wouldn't happen to know how mister Savary's fishing rod broke, no? He's quite curious himself, dear.

Here it goes. I'm busted!
Again!
***
I can't say I like that man. His house is larger than any other around in the village, which makes him arrogant, to say the least. He has rare products that can only be found in Castletown. That also adds to his arrogance. But, I can't say I hate him. He gives me a couple of rupees when he needs to get rid of keese or suicidal mice. I'm just happy he doesn't sell bombs, for our sake. I do have a fear of bombchus. Furthermore, when he starts talking a lot, I usually learn something.
Nonetheless, it's annoying to go and appologise for the broken fishing rod. After all, those extra rupees he promised me for cleaning his attic never came, and I was in need of some fresh air.
Who knew my village's top salesman, auto-proclaimed the best salesman of the entire region, couldn't afford a proper fishing rod for himself?
''Hello, I'm sorry I broke your precious.'' No, maybe... ''Good morning, mister Savary. I must say, I am highly saddened by the loss of...''
Wo!
I'll just say sorry. I've just seen something a lot more interesting in front of his house at this very moment.
A girl. A beautiful girl, mind you. Her behavior seems so friendly I just want to offer her my services. Of fetching, of course. It seems like she's looking for something, but mister rich guy here doesn't have it. According to the grace of her gestures, and her clean detailed clothes, I'm guessing she'll have no trouble paying someone else for whatever she's searching for. I could go get it for her if it seems too far for her long, fragile-looking legs. Or just listen to her. Talk to her.
Alright, I know I can't do anything for her. A conversation will be enough.
I approach them, smiling and waving. He barely looks at me and lets out a small growl. Nice to see you too. I would've started with ''I'm sorry about your rod, I'll be careful next time'', but the way she stares back is hurtful.
Her smile faded away, her eyes widened, almost... afraid? It's uncomfortable seeing how beautiful girls can look down on you when your boots are more dirty than anything they've handled in their entire life.

-Don't worry about Link, you'll encounter other conniving brats such as him on your way there. Be careful, they're never good news.

A small growl rumbles through my throat. I think I'll be ''borrowing'' his precious empty bottles next chance I get.
Then, she shakes her head as if to clear her mind and she speaks.
To me.

-I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone else.

-Someone scary?

I wink. Maybe for a small revenge; I know clean, wealthy girls are always afraid to be liked by random bums. But instead, she laughs. My mind finally lightens and my smile widens. Her weird ''fear'' changes to a sudden interest in me. I can say I am proud to have her attention, she's really something special. I don't know if it's her long, reddish blond hair, her ocean eyes or her delicate looks beautified by her sky-colored attire, but if Castletown has more gorgeous girls like her, Pelita will never let me leave the village.
She's a weird female, that petite Pelita. She believes I belong to her, yet she wants me to prove her that I belong to her. I like a good challenge, but since she never even kissed me, I don't know what to expect. She might be toying with me, but I want to see where this is all going.
Right now though, my interests lie deep within the new girl's eyes. I'll show her even goat keepers can be gentlemen. She doesn't let me speak, suddenly a little embarrassed.

-I'm sorry, do you need something with Savary? I can wait.

She steps aside almost playfully. Probably just happy to know where she can find whatever she came looking for, but my insides are telling me I should show her around before she goes anywhere. She can wait? She shouldn't. Savary can wait.

-Link, get over here. So, it was really you who broke my fishing rod!?

Right, the rod. If I want any hope to get some extra rupees before I reach the age of fifty, I should apologise and convince him I am an honest, well-educated lad.

-Surely you can't expect me to feel good about breaking your belongings!

-I know you're laughing inside, you little scum. And don't call me Shirley!

That man is either very smart or very dull.
The lass laughs again. I should start a conversation with her right away. My mouth opens...

-Go clean the cave and I'll forgive the whole incident.

My eyes travel from Savary to the pretty lady in a speed that surprises my own brain.

-How about right now, Link?

Quick! To the cave then. I'll see plenty of interesting characters once my aunt somehow kicks me out of town. I just wish I could've spoken to this girl a little more.

-Wait!

I stop dead in my tracks and turn to her, really wondering what she wants now. She doesn't look like the type of lady who likes to run after gentlemen. I'm really curious about her weird interest in me.

-You know, how you reminded me of someone... I'd like to talk to you about it. If I'm right, it's a long story... I'll be back in three days, will you be expecting me?

I nod frenetically. This is perhaps a coincidence that should be shrugged off, I bet a lot of Hylians out there also look like me and none care. But why not, she looks so lovely any excuse to see her again is a good excuse.

-Ok! Then we'll meet here. If it doesn't bother you. I don't know much about the surrounding area.

A small laugh  of mine confirms my happiness. I'm about to tell her something when Savary's sudden shout sends me to his cave without looking back.
So, she'll be passing by again in a few days. Maybe then she'll have some time to visit!

***

-At the big city, you'll encounter different people who can offer you different jobs. That'll help you find what you like, what you'll want to do for a living.

-But I want to stay here!

I can't believe they are trying to kick me out, right now. They want me gone by the end of next week. What has gotten into them?
I'm supposed to go to Savary's today. The young lady could be back anytime time now, and I know she won't be giving me an uncomfortable talk.

-If we wait too much, it'll be harder for you to reach Castletown. Winter makes the wood roads perilous. We've decided you'll be going, and we have enough rupees spared for you to go.

-Why not next year, what's the rush? Did something happen? You're not acting like yourselves!

I give a desperate look to my aunt, for some support, but all she does is keep her stare down. If she starts crying, her bowl will overflow.

-I don't even know anyone out there whom I can trust!

-We'll give you telephone numbers of people you can trust. Just make sure that if you see anything suspicious...

Like right now, maybe? Uncle Adelio looks awfully worried. Why send me away when they're worried like this? He continues.

-...If you see anything suspicious, don't intervene. Keep a low profile.

-Are you sending me on exile?

This is ridiculous, but my voice is painfully stating the obvious:
I am heartbroken.
And then they look at me as though my name was Tragedy.

-Just think of it this way, Link.

That's my aunt. She takes a deep breath and explains:

-We were keeping you as a therapy companion. Everytime we were pained about something, you were there for us. But we can't go on living like this. If we don't let you go right now, we never will. We must learn how to deal with our sorrow by ourselves and accept the fact that you don't belong to us. It would help us a lot if you leave.

I have no choice then. It's all for the better. They'll find hapiness within themselves, I'll find who I want to become, sometimes giving them a call... I don't understand why they want me to keep a low profile, and I should ask how that's supposed to help me with my life, but my throat hurts.
It's now that I realise that I was never really close to anyone here except my aunt and uncle. I have friends here, I've had my laughs and tears here, but when I'm gone, I'll only be ''that guy, Link, who used to be a  somewhat clumsy prankster, helper and brat. That guy, Link, who always wanted to impress Pelita and helped out even the Gerudos who passed by. That guy, Link, whom I always wanted for myself, but I'll get my hands on Franz instead since he was never really mine.''
But to my small family...
I'm their Link to their past.
I just nod, the feeling of being unwanted crushing my ego. Unable to come up with anything to say, my broken self gets up and exits the house, leaving behind my troubled relatives and a full plate of food.
Outside, I lay my back on the door, the  good old sun's heat helping my mind concentrate by patting my face.
I should be happy, it's what I always wanted...
Why so sad? My dream come true...
I expire all the tension I've accumulated so far, trembling, and start walking. I don't want to share my anxiety with someone who doesn't deserve it.
Maybe they will change their minds in a few hours.

***

I hope she didn't have to wait too long. She's sitting in front of the old man's house, handling some wildflowers with the delicacy of a fine lady. I trot to her, but my heart is still heavy and I don't know if it's visible. We better stick to whatever she wanted to talk to me about.

-Hey!

She looks so innocent and carefree. I wave to her.

-I'm glad you showed up! How are you today?

My head nods, my face smiles, and I ask:

-You?

-Oh, I'm feeling wonderful! I can't wait to get home.

-Found what you were looking for then?

It's weird how she looks at me. It's not flirtatious in any way though. Maybe she'll tell me what that's all about in a minute.

-Yes, yes I have. And more, I'm glad.

She sure looks proud of herself.

-I'm sorry, here I am wanting to ask you something, yet you don't even know my name! It's Zelda.

I raise an eyebrow. She was expecting such a reaction, for she giggles.

-In Castletown, many girls are named after the princess. You can say it's a fad.

-You don't only have the name of a princess, you also have the looks of one.

What a cheesy reply. Talk, Link, talk! Nope, wrong decision. Shut up, Link, shut up! I'll just shut up. She doesn't seem to fully enjoy it either. I guess the men she meets have more taste in the words they use when trying to sound friendly. Zelda still lets out a small chuckle.

-I'm sorry for wasting your time. Without further ado, mister Link, I'll get to the point.

-Who do I remind you of, miz?

-I'm sorry to say I lied about that.

This week is getting freakier by the minute.

-You know how some Hylians are still sensitive to... messages from beyond.

-I kind of hope they aren't the same saying that Mister Bloodthirsty Criminal is trying to revive the Pig Who Shall Not Be Named.

My tone of voice surprises me. Not her, though. No matter, I can't talk to her like that.

-I'm sorry, it's...

-It's alright. A lot of fortune tellers are charlatans. But I've really seen you somewhere before. May I ask if you are left-handed?

My face makes her think she's wrong. Zelda looks bitterly disapointed. But, thing is, she's right and I have no idea how. To show her, since my voice easily abandons my body everytime nervosity gets a hold of me, I start writting on the soft soil with both my hands, interchanging letter by letter.
Right hand gets the job done.
But left does it better.
Zelda smiles again, then she laughs after noticing I've written an actual sentence.

''That doesn't make me clumsy''

They call me clumsy, but it's really because I just try more daredevil stunts than anyone else in this small town. Nobody falls when nobody runs. Climbing gives you more scratches than staying on the ground. And I have this habit to speed-climb anything that looks possible. It's a wonder I haven't broken any bones yet.

-Anyway, Link, I want you to be careful.

What's with everyone today? Is someone after my life?

-I've had this blurry vision. Someone that looks like you, sword in his left hand although his right was unharmed, on a dark street surrounded by city buildings... was filled with fear, and the shadows surrounding him were unnatural.

My uncle's prized sword looks dangerous now. And I'll definitely follow their advice: keep a low profile, at all costs. Stay indoors at night. You name it.

-That's an awfully vague vision, no?

-Well, just the fact that left-handers don't run the streets in Hyrule, and that I somehow knew there's something a little different about you...

-What kind of trouble was it?

-I don't know. It's the atmosphere that gave it all away. The air was filled with... evil.

Hm, evil's pretty bad. Adelio and Fausta shouldn't be left alone under this situation, but how can I convince them I should stay here and protect them because something will happen out there, when I've been known to lie over spilled milk?
What tells me it isn't Zelda here who's trying to manipulate me into something?
I watch her intently.
Such a pretty thing. I've seen and heard travelling actors before, she doesn't look or sound like any of them. Maybe she's just a crazy actress who got into her role a little too well.
Stupid me. My reason tells me I should only follow logical arguments, facts. But everything else, since reason never had a firm grip on me, tells me I can trust her with my life.
My caretakers are right, I should stop trusting people too easily. But not today.
The curiosity that shapes my being takes the reins of my bucking thoughts.
I should leave my small family, let them deal with their emotions. I should go to Castletown as soon as possible and accept anything that anyone gives me. Except if it's downright immoral, of course. I should start walking around at night, in the city, to discover what could possibly go wrong.
Zelda hasn't stopped waiting for a reply. A strange heat covers my cheeks as I discover my eyes were locked with hers all along. I'll be honest with her. What's there to lose?

-I'm supposed to leave my home and head out for the royal city real soon. This means whatever your vision implied, I also think it could be related to me. Unless I have a clone out there.

She agrees.

-Do you know how you could get in trouble? Any questionable tendencies?

Now she looks skeptically at me shaking my head and shrugging.

-Maybe I pull a prank on the wrong person?

-And then draw a sword? Wouldn't you rather be begging for mercy? Even organised crime doesn't lose time dealing with hyperactive kids.

She's teasing me now? Should I be offended? She doesn't look any older than me! Wait, I think she's on to something. It seems an idea has formed itself, for she explains:

-Maybe on your way you'll cross the paths of the Ganonist criminals. For some reason, you'll be armed. And some for reason you'll try to stop them. That's about the worse I can think about.

Again with my inability to hide my thoughts when I should. Silence reigns but my smirk speaks on its own.

-Oh no, Link! They've brought enough death on our streets. The authorities will deal with them. If you see anything even remotely suspicious, don't intervene at any cost! Don't run into them! Don't be a hero!

''The young lady could be back anytime time now, and I know she won't be giving me an uncomfortable talk.''

Or so I thought.

-We... could go together to Castletown?

If she's the one who had the vision it means she'll be involved one way or another. Maybe not directly, however we never know. If anything of it is true, it's her I have to follow. Uncle Adelio and Aunt Fausta seem to be sending me away for a hidden reason. I won't know what trouble I can get into unless I follow the tracks it's providing me.
There's no way I'll tell my caretakers about Zelda's vision, it might make them change their minds.

***