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occasionallyprosie · 3 months

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A Thousand Ways

Chapter 10: "Granting Mercy To Those Who Never Offered Any"

The Chain ends up in Legend's Hyrule again, and Legend does his best to not have a total breakdown while dragging the Chain to retrieve the Ether, Bombos, and Quake Medallions as well as his Pegasus Boots from the knights who arrested him.

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Not Febuwhump

Read On AO3 Warnings: Torture aftermath

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The next era was a pleasant surprise. Time's Lon Lon Ranch was there the moment they stepped through the portal.

He decided not to think about the connotations of that and just pulled his hand from Hyrule's. He stayed quiet as he stuck with them. He was looking around the ranch, noting that it was, in fact, the same layout as his grandparents' farm, if one put a few gardens and crop fields around, it was the same. But Lon Lon was a ranch, while his grandparents' place was a farm.

Legend wanted to go home. He wanted his attic bed, the starlight window; he wanted to wake up just before the warm colors of dawn and do the morning chores before his grandparents even woke up. He hadn't been home properly in... since just after Lorule and that whole chaos.

He wanted some time to breathe, relax, and come to terms with what had happened--which was apparently months ago--enough that the mere thought of confronting those shoved-back memories didn't fill him with fear and panic.

They stayed at the ranch, but Legend found himself never quite alone, much to his increasing annoyance. He'd understood it before, but Lon Lon was a confirmed safe place and it's not like they hadn't made it through multiple portals unseparated.

He understood, really, he did. But honestly it was getting infuriating with how closely they clung to him.

It was only through sheer willpower he didn't snap by the time the next portal came.

They arrived on the other side and he knew exactly where they were the moment he inhaled. The familiar magic filled his lungs and the forests around them murmured its welcome.

"Ugh, where--"

"Mine."

Heads turned toward him. Legend turned his gaze to the eastern, darkening sky, eyes narrowing.

"My era. Keep up."

"Whoa, it's almost dark," Warriors protested. "This place doesn't seem too bad to camp--"

"It's been roughly three months since we were last here, assuming time has progressed at the same rate, that is three months' worth of black market activity at best and actual usage at worst."

"What do you mean?" Wild asked, keeping pace with him.

"I have these medallions and I had them on me when I got arrested," he explained. "With enough magic, you could completely remap Hyrule via earthquakes, bomb Hyrule castle, or freeze the entire region with any one of those medallions. Very simply, I cannot waste any time with those missing. Make camp if you want, I've survived this long on my own."

Twilight picked Four up, he was struggling to try and keep up. Warriors did the same with Wind, while the rest just seemed to steel themselves and followed.

Legend appreciated that.

He tied his Pegasus bracelet around his wrist, praying to Farore to give him courage and not let him break down if he had to search anyplace remotely prison-looking.

The town was only a couple kilometers to the east. Legend all but stormed his way in, several townsfolk startled and when they saw Legend he heard some rather sharp inhales.

"Oh Lady Farore," one of them hissed. "Link's pissed. Git!" They ushered the others away fast.

In any other situation, if Legend wasn't quickly trying to weave a net of perceived safety around his fraying emotions, he would've found their reactions amusing and a bit concerning. However, he was too preoccupied this time around.

Din's Fire laced up his hand, causing a couple of his companions to yelp as he threw it at the guard station door.

It exploded open.

His power bracelets activating, Legend entered first and grabbed a guard scrambling to draw their blade by the throat and threw them at the next nearest. He pointed his sword at them.

"Very simply," he began, the smoke beginning to clear and the other heroes filing in, "give me my stuff back and I'll spare your lives."

The fear in their eyes was gratifying, but they clearly had too much of it as their words were scrambled and incoherent and eventually just became begging.

"We'll look around," Wild told him. "I think the commander's office might be your best bet for now."

Legend nodded his agreement. "Alright--Don’t bother with the cell block. It won't be worth it."

Sky followed him as he made his way to the office.

He found more knights who saw him and did one of two things: attacked him and were promptly beaten by him or Sky, or they spluttered and ran. The latter ones would get caught by Sky's whip and dragged back, but they never had information.

Legend tested the door to find that it was locked. Before he burned it, Sky stopped him and kicked it open.

Legend was a bit surprised. Sky never struck him as particularly strong, but in comparison to Twilight and Four he figured none of them were "particularly strong."

"So," Legend said as the commander whom Legend remembered vividly scrambled for his blade only to freeze when Legend's own was held to his neck, "last time I was here you took something of mine. A couple necklaces." He pressed his blade against Commander Mason's throat. "I want them back. And I'm not scared of showing you exactly how I have been able to kill Ganon four times over to do so."

The commander looked terrified. "A-Anything we took is in the prisoner's belongings down at the back of their holding cell block! B-Block C! I swear we haven't sold any of it yet!"

Legend wanted to kill him. The fear and pain that bubbled beneath his skin, the slightest tremble of his stance and arm that showed his fear, even if it was near imperceptible. This commander had been there every time, had laughed at him, had taunted him, had hurt him...

Legend forced out a shaky breath and he lowered his sword, glaring at the commander. "Do not take my mercy for weakness, Commander. I have killed far more dangerous beings than you."

He turned his back.

"Let's go, Chosen."

Sky followed him. Legend felt increasingly unsteady. Things were crawling under his skin, ice and fire fought for territory between the bugs that squirmed through his veins. Every new scar, every phantom pain, every last memory of those days were resurfacing fast and he was struggling to keep his breathing steady or even deep enough that he wouldn't pass out.

The cell block wasn't empty, Block C's door was open and Legend felt the pit in his stomach grow. He could smell something wretched even from here.

"Oh, what is that smell," Sky groaned.

He had an awful feeling. Down the hall, he could see Warriors standing in front of one of the last cells.

Oh goddesses, please no.

"Captain!" Sky called. "What're you staring at there?"

Warriors looked over, his face pale and expression stricken.

"Veteran..."

Legend swallowed back everything bubbling up as he marched past. "I told you to leave the cell blocks alone," he managed, voice strained. He reached the back cabinet.

"There's so much blood," another voice croaked. Twilight's voice.

Legend closed his eyes, squeezing them shut. He heard Sky make a strangled noise.

"Oh sweet Lady Hylia," Sky breathed. "Oh, golden three--Vet please tell me it's not--"

"Found them." He interrupted, taking the medallions from a box and his Pegasus Boots from a lower shelf. He put the latter on and shoved the former into his pouch, fully intending to walk past them and just move on.

Warriors caught his arm. "Link," he began, and Legend honest to goddesses flinched.

It was his voice, it was this place, it was the fact that Warriors was a knight and Legend knew that. It was the wretched stench of burnt and rotted flesh, vomit, and various other human excesses. It was the table with a thousand different torture devices sitting on top of it that Legend remembered intimately.

Warriors' voice faded briefly, his grip loosening and Legend jerked his arm from him.

"I said leave it, Captain," he said, ripping the emotions from his voice just to hide them, keeping his head down and his chopped hair blocking their view of his face. "It doesn't matter."

He moved fast enough that they couldn't stop him, calling out for him to wait and to just tell them what had happened.

Legend kept going.

Out in the hallway, the three other heroes following after, he saw another soldier--he knew that face, not their name but that face--who drew their weapon upon seeing him.

Legend acted on instinct, the final straw holding him together snapping.

Farore's Wind took him outside and he was running. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't see, all he knew was that he wasn't going back.

He was in the forest. It was dark and he was in a forest. Guards wouldn't find him, it was too late, they didn't keep moving this late at night. They made camp and as long as he avoided the light he was safe.

He stumbled, leaning against a tree and trying not to vomit, trying not to scream. He slumped down, curling into a ball in the cradling roots of the trees, and choked out a shaky sob.

Images burned through his mind like wildfire. The cat o' nine tails, the welding metal, the waterboarding, the poison, that jagged, three-sided knife, all of it.

He had been helpless, completely and utterly helpless.

A branch snapped and Legend froze up, going completely silent.

Farore's child?

A fawn stepped toward him, its mother just behind it.

You’re hurt, the mother nuzzled his head gently. Fearful. Are you being hunted, Hero?

Legend swallowed the lump in his throat and shook his head. "No, no--Sorry, I-I'm just--Some people hurt me and I'm not okay in my head because of it."

The fawn nudged his arm and then settled against his side. That's okay. We can help.

The mother seemed to agree. We have missed you, Hero. More will come, your presence is safe.

He nodded shakily. He was fine with that. Honestly, he was tempted to call one of his animal friends, but he didn't want to bother them this late at night.

In time, his sobs grew quiet and calm and by then, a bear had joined them, as well as several squirrels and chipmunks and a fox adolescent.

He heard the padding of more paws and when he looked up he saw a wolf.

No. No no no--

The mother bear growled, drawing to her feet. The fox yipped and snarled too, jumping up between the wolf and Legend.

Stay away! The fox snarled. The Lady's Child doesn't like hounds!

Keep your distance, canine, rumbled the bear.

The wolf made a growling noise, no actual response, and Legend bolted. The deer kept pace with him, and at the mother deer's urging he jumped onto her back.

The forest rushed beside him until the doe came to a stop and he was stumbling to lean against another tree, gasping.

Gnashing white teeth, loud snarling, howls, sniffing--

He hated dogs.

Legend shuddered, letting out shaky gasps and digging the heels of his palms into his eyes.

Link? He raised his head and he recognized the squirrel that prodded him. Connie, a sweet squirrel that had ridden on his shoulder during a whole trek from one village to another. What do you need from us?

He shook his head. "Nothing, I'm sorry to bother you all, I just--I need some time away from other people. I need to breathe for a bit."

Okay. We'll keep the people away! Connie promised him.

Legend smiled softly and he dropped his head to his knees. The deer crowded against him again, now joined by a bobcat in his lap and a bird in his hair.

He let himself relax, finally breathing steadily.

He was fine. He was fine. He had escaped a while ago, and he was fine. Yes, he had been tortured, yes he should have been killed, it wasn't the first time. He was fine.

He was fine.

Dawn came and with it, Legend saw something approaching.

The wolf was back, but it transformed and he realized it wasn't a wolf.

It was Wolfie.

Twilight, now Hylian, knelt on the edge of the small area Legend and his forest friends had occupied. He met Legend's eyes but said nothing, didn't make a move.

The animals murmured, but none moved either.

Legend nudged the bobcat that looked ready to pounce Twilight.

"It's alright," he said, his voice worn and hoarse. "He's okay... Thank you."

The animals were reluctant, but they cleared away and Twilight took that as approval to approach. He didn't come much closer though.

"Vet?" He prompted. "Can I get closer t'you?"

Legend stared at him, the words felt wrong and just unnatural, but he felt far too fragile to not appreciate them. He gave a small nod and Twilight finally moved into his space.

"Can I touch you?" The rancher asked next.

Legend immediately shook his head, probably a bit too quickly and frantically.

"That's okay," Twilight assured softly. "Are you okay?"

He was about to say yes, except his voice caught in his throat and he ended up slumping into himself, letting out a strained whine, and hiding his face against his knees.

Twilight made a shushing sound, soft and soothing. "Hey, hey that's alright. Yer safe now, alright? The forest is protectin' you."

The Lady protects what's hers, the bobcat rumbled, staying stubbornly pressed against Legend's side.

"Everyone's worried," he added. "The Cap'n nearly killed one of them guards there, but Chosen stopped him, said somethin' 'bout you choosin' to spare someone and that we wouldn't'a the right ta kill 'em if you chose ta spare their lives."

He did choose to spare them. He had sworn a long time ago that he wouldn't kill those who were misguided or forced to act the way they did, Octavo had been the origin of that decision and Hilda had been the final straw for it. He would kill those who were those who misguided others, like Agahnim and Yuga.

"They're cursed," he managed to force out. "It's a spell--They don’t--We can't reverse mind-altering spells, we can limit the effects, but... They're only not themselves when I'm around. It's fine."

"S'not fine," Twilight insisted. "Veteran, I saw that cell, I saw those tools. They tortured you, didn't they?"

His throat closed up and Legend couldn't answer. He made another strangled noise and curled in on himself.

"I knew it," Twilight muttered to himself. Then spoke a bit clearer, "Hey, vet--"

Legend threw himself forward. Twilight startled and slipped back a bit, but he caught Legend as he trembled and hid against his chest.

Twilight didn't move or react, he just froze and Legend almost jerked back as if he'd touched flame as a result except Twilight finally moved. His arms wrapped around him and he shifted his body to block and hide as much of Legend's as he could.

Safe, the wolf rumbled, his arms wrapping around Legend's form and he tried desperately not to cry. It was a vain effort frankly, his body trembling and shaking and tears just flowed freely, but Twilight was right there and against all odds he felt safe. Somehow, in the light of day and slightly more clearheaded, the wolf didn't set off the prey instincts that were an integral part of him, instead a deep-rooted familiarity was there and it had him breaking.

"I gotcha," Twilight whispered. It was only a couple of words, a platitude, an assurance, a promise, and goddesses above, Legend believed him. "Yer safe now, nothings gonna touch ya, not so long as I'm here."

He believed him. He believed the rumbling warmth that encompassed him, the tight arms that held him close, the quiet whispers that brushed his hair. He believed him.

"It's going to be alright. Link--Hey, hey kid." His hands moved to cup his face and Legend choked, a strangled, wounded noise escaping him. "You have t'breathe. It's alright, just take a big breath f'r me, okay?"

He tried. He tried to inhale but it was ripped back out of him as more tears fell. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't--

"Hey, hey it's alright, jus' keep breathin' you’re doin' jus' fine."

He couldn't though. He couldn't--Twilight pulled him back against his chest and he could feel the other's breathing. He tried to match it, but each shuddering inhale was punched out by a sob.

When he finally stopped crying, he felt exhausted. His eyes fluttered shut and he was close to falling asleep, even if the sun only just broke over the horizon.

"Hey, you gotta stay awake," Twilight said softly. "Unless you'll let me carry you."

He hummed softly. "Don't... I don't want to go. Safe here."

Twilight made some odd noise, his arms wrapping tighter around Legend. "I know," he rasped, "but we have a quest, remember? An' everyone's prob'bly worried outta their minds for you."

"You’re too clingy," Legend grumbled, tucking himself closer to the goat herd. "All'a ya. I get it an' all, but you don't have to be so clingy."

Twilight sighed and he felt it. "It's probably insufferable, but we thought you'da died, vet. Now you’re back an' I don’t think ya realize how close to death you look."

Legend snorted. He pulled away and Twilight let him go a little. The older hero still held onto him but now he was holding his face and wiping away tear streaks.

"Then we saw that..." Twilight trailed off, eyes searching Legend's face. "You’re not okay, Apple. Don’t lie to me."

Legend gave a wobbly, weak smile. "I haven't been okay since the first time we met, Forest. But it's fine," he pulled Twilight's hands down from his face, "I can handle it. I just need time to do so."

"You shouldn't have to. You’re just a kid."

"I'm as old as you were last time."

"I hadn't been doin' this my whole life. Jus'... let us help you, vet. Please."

He sighed, closing his eyes and letting Twilight just hold him up and keep him from collapsing. A shaky breath escaped him before he nodded.

"Okay, alright."

"Thank you," Twilight murmured, brushing his thumb against one of Legend's new scars. "Thank you for trusting me and for letting me."

He snorted, grinning lazily at him. "Don't thank me, you have to deal with me now."

"I'm pretty sure that's what I was aiming for," Twilight drawled, catching onto the change in tone. "Come on."

Legend yelped as Twilight scooped him up.

"Hey! Put me down!"

"Nope. We're meeting back up with the others an' you’re gonna like it," Twilight decided and it was almost threatening.

"Noooo," he groaned mostly out of dramatics, but he didn't have the energy to try and escape the rancher's hold. He could, easily, in various ways, but he didn't have the motivation to muster the energy required to do so. So instead he just nestled in his arms and turned his face into his chest.

"Callin' us clingy," Twilight teased. "You’re as bad as m'... my nephew."

Legend grumbled, not verbalizing his immediate thought of: yeah, well, same person different timelines.

Next>>

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divineprank · 9 months

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I've been meaning to tackle this absolute beast all fucking DAY LONG. Ganondorf's solid black Gerudo stallion.

For what it's worth, I've touched on this monster in the past, at least with regard to BotW (and I suppose TotK's) changes. Specifically, naming the probable breed of horse and matching it to Ganondorf's usual sensibilities. The Percheron is quite literally a pedigree of power. It is a strong, working breed that is described as being incredibly loyal as both a companion and noble steed... And, of course, the largest known modern horse.

Anyways, rewinding back to Ocarina of Time, I wholly believed that this horse died sometime within the seven years that Link slept. I build this argument around two observable facts in the game: we never see Ganondorf riding it after Link falls asleep, and the fact that Ingo, the new owner and manager of Lon Lon Ranch is preparing Epona to present to the Great King Ganondorf. Why would he need a new horse?

Sure, it could be said that this last argument is just a matter of Ingo showing his appreciation for Ganondorf giving the ranch to him, but... Let's think about something. After Link wakes back up, when is the next time we see Ganondorf's horse? Not at Ganondorf's side, but instead serving Ganondorf's phantom doppelgänger deep within the Forest Temple -- a stronghold of the forest that seems to attract the dead. You see, in a 1999 interview with 64Dream magazine, it's confirmed that not only those lost within the Lost Woods turn to Stalfos and look to the Forest Temple for solace, but also that the Forest Temple is indeed haunted, inhabited by the lost souls of those who wish to protect the temple from intruders. Despite the place being overgrown and flourished with plantlife, that stronghold is a place of death. This is a place where the dead go to be reclaimed by nature.

And thus, perhaps inevitably, where the spirit of Ganondorf's horse ended up as well.

(Another argument that helps me is the fact that Percherons have a lifespan of between 25 and 30 years, which does line up with the age range I can personally see Ocarina of Time Ganondorf settled in, his mid 30s and 40s. Didn't know where else to place this argument so cough coff--)

Anyways, lemme tilt the conversation a little bit away from our definitely-dead-now-totally-pure-glue horsey friend and look at Phantom Ganon from Ocarina of Time. I'm not gonna do the cliché thing and start telling you the dictionary's definition of phantom, because we all know what they are: fuckin' ghosts, right? Spooky, the worst. Luigi's fuckin' nightmare. But let's consider for a moment what happens when people die, I mean--yeah they fuckin' die. But literarily (definitely a word, google said) speaking, we often apply concepts of longing, rage, or regret, the things we never got to do or say in the wake of a loved one's death, onto the idea of a ghost: in loss, we're haunted by our own actions, or our inactions, what we said in the heat of the moment... you get the idea. Emotions are powerful, sometimes to the point that they themselves become something separate, they take on a life of their own. Listen, I don't know if you've let a beloved pet down before? Feeling fuckin' sucks. Especially when they die in your arms.

Once Link defeats this boss, we see Phantom Ganon squirm and die in a horrible, burning display as Ganondorf berates its failure, calling it a worthless creation and threatening to banish it to an unspeakable, unknowable place that only vaguely describes a miserable existence. This is literally the only time Ganondorf addresses Link after a major story development until the climax of the game. That brat's hit a nerve, and that nerve is the ghost rider that was supposed to accompany his precious horse in the afterlife.

This wasn't a situation where Ganondorf was genuinely mad at Link for his display of strength, no, we see Ganondorf break his antagonistic character for just a moment and display something a little more personal: this creature failed him -- we don't see the spirit of the horse burn with Phantom Ganon, no all of his attention goes to to the skull-faced rider.

This "creation" was something meant to honor his dead friend, to keep the stallion happy and comfortable in death. A manifestation of Ganondorf's attachment to an old friend, perhaps, a gift given to a young Gerudo prince back during the madman's youth. His deep attachment to that horse didn't die, it simply transformed to soothe the restless, endlessly loyal creature in its new stage of life.

And ohhhh, how that thing, that worthless creature, that phantom failed him. His horse just wants to be with his rider, and yet...

#out of time. :: [out of character]#Land of Myth :: [OCARINA OF TIME]#The winds that blew across Hyrule brought something other... :: [HEADCANONS]#tw death #tw pet death

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science-lings · 1 year

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I don’t know if it’s in my head but I noticed something about the recent totk trailer. At the end, where we see the rest of the mural, there’s a little bit of music that very reminiscent of the gerudo town theme. It could have been an accident but considering ganondorf is returning, I think it’s a pretty neat easter egg

botw (and likely totk) are kind of known for injecting references from other games everywhere in the world, especially in the music. Having Lon Lon Ranch be playing around Malanya's fountain, and just the Hyrule castle music in its entirety. I really wouldn't be surprised if that was on purpose.

I've also heard that Ghirahim's theme can be heard a bit in the most recent trailer which could be more far-fetched, but could just be a reference rather than a confirmation of the character's reappearance. It could even just be more of a hint at demise's return, but who knows. I can already tell that the details in this game are going to give me something to do for a long long time lmao.

#botw was a love letter to past games through it's names and music and places #I wouldn't be surprised if totk followed that trend #ask andromeda #totk #totk speculation

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talesofsonicasura · 2 years

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Play With Me

A little something for the spookiest month of the year. Warning that this does contain some light gore and blood. This is a Legend of Zelda based fic but I'll put a Linked Universe tag so it's easier for others to find it.

'It should've been an easy job! Just raid Lon Lon Ranch and take every bit of Lon Lon Milk. The only person there at the moment is the ranch's little redhead daughter. She would've made a good extra coin on the black market but…' A shared thought amongst a medium sized group of bandits.

They were an infamous group who has been terrorizing Hyrule as late. Offering their services to the highest bidder no matter how despicable the job in question was. Every single one had always gone off without a hitch as the Dark Moblins weren't just any common criminals.

They made a plan for each job, checking the acquired info about every place, the people who live nearby and how long it would take for unwanted help to arrive. A very wealthy noble had asked the Dark Moblins to steal all of Lon Lon Ranch's famous milk. Night would be the time they struck as the ranch owner had left for some important business which in reality had been a setup.

The girl put up a fight so it was only fair that the bitch deserved a blade to the arm. And everything went to hell afterwards. Some monster came out of nowhere, one unlike anything seen before. It rushed at them like a Keese from hell.

The now alone bandit, Gary, remembered the vivid scene that led to his group fleeing. Razor sharp claws plunging through Ridrick's stomach like paper, large spines turn Eddy into a pincushion, and giant fangs crushing Dustan's head as if it was a grape. How their blades broke against its tough hide whilst metal axes were snapped like twigs.

Gary barely made it into the small woods in Hyrule Fields alongside at least six of his comrades. He didn't know what happened to everyone else but the bandit could tell the hell that came. An omen brought in the form of a SONG by a distorted, deep, growlish almost childlike male voice.

Do you want to play with me?

A simple game of hide and seek

Close your eyes, and count to three

Keep this interesting for me

Everyone had picked up their speed when slitted crimson eyes pierce within the darkness of the trees. Gary's stomach curdled from the pure madness within those bloody lights. A glare promising nothing but agonizing death.

The skies are darkening, the world you know, the hills no longer green

Like the animals your blood will flow

Dreaming of this cursed machine

A blackened blur darting from tree to tree faster than an arrow. The moonlight provides small peeks of large stick sized spines. How the crimson painting those large clawed hands. Caleb was the first to go.

Smiling wide with empty eyes I'll find you, you're a lot of fun just like your friend you're

Hiding but I'm deep inside your mind, you'll

Die a thousand times

Do you want to try again?

You're tired of running, nowhere to hide and

I'm getting closer every second

Behind you

Gary barely got a glance when he saw the massive paw grab the poor man from behind. His comrade had enough time to scream before he was dragged into the bushes. The man saw Caleb's dismembered lower torso crash into a tree as if it was a mere ball.

There's so many souls to play with

So little time, not long till I find you, run for your life

You're in my world now, you're joining your friend

I'm coming to take your soul in the end, you can't run

Marie quickly followed next. Gary made out the horrible whistling that came when the beast flung its quills. How the young lady let out a short scream before it became a gargled whine and went dead silent. It must have hit her lungs or windpipe.

There's a silence in the air you know you're facing your demise

Try to counteract but you're too slow, disappeared before your eyes

Try to run, try to fight, try to keep the end in sight

I'm always just beyond your reach

Count from three down to one, find out how far you can run

Found you, game over and over again

Matthew tried to fight back with his trusty bow. No doubt to buy everyone some time to escape from this monstrosity. Gary remembered the flames that temporarily lit up the woods from the man's Fire Arrows.

You're tired of running, nowhere to hide and

I'm getting closer every second going supersonic

I'm in the corner of your eye I'm in your deep subconscious

I'm getting closer every second

Behind you

A swift powerful gale instantly blew out the fire as if it were mere candlelight. Gary had turn his hand back for a second just to catch Matthew's blood curdling scream before his bow was shoved through the throat. Furious blood red eyes stare back alongside a malicious smile of crimson coated fangs.

There's so many souls to play with

So little time, not long till I find you, run for your life

You're in my world now, you're joining your friend

I'm coming to take your soul in the end, you can't run

Fang immediately followed as the bandit heard the telltale sound of a curse. Poor fool must have tripped cause he had enough to plead for help. Shouts of 'I don't want to die' fell silent with a harsh wet sound similar to a pumpkin getting smashed.

I'll be your nightmare tonight

The torture is fun and the fun will be endless

So just try to put up a fight

I'll be counting the seconds, you're drowning, you're bound to go down in this fight

My arms and mouth are open wide, reveal the emptiness inside

No more hiding, drop the façade, you know the truth, I aM yOuR GOD!

Charlie was the last one to fall as both of them decided to split off. Between them, the surviving bandit had more stamina despite being slower. His cold blooded shriek became overshadowed by the powerful earthshaking roar of that thing.

Do you want to play with me?

A simple game of hide and seek

Close your eyes, and count to three

Keep this interesting for me.

Gary had managed to take shelter behind one of the larger trees. Trying to calm his heart and breathing before he would search for better cover. If he got out of this insanity, a price would be put on that beast's head. No way that damn monster finds peace as every hunter, warrior and knight hunts it down.

You're tired of running, nowhere to hide and

I'm getting closer every second going supersonic

I'm in the corner of your eye I'm in your deep subconscious

I'm getting closer every second

Behind you

The bandit barely had any time to sprint much less dodge as a large clawed hand went for his head from behind. He didn't get much farther when a mustard yellow spine dug itself deep into his right heel. Gary couldn't hold back the scream from his ragged worn throat as two more found themselves in his right arm and left thigh.

There's so many souls to play with

So little time, not long till I find you, run for your life

You're in my world now, you're joining your friend

I'm coming to take your soul in the end

The wounded bandit felt his heart sink as the beast lumber out of the foliage. Every bit of the moonlight shone down to reveal its hideous visage in full much to Gary's growing horror. A giant hulkish beast crossed between man and porcupine that dwarfs even the biggest horse.

Dark golden fur stained with so much blood that it was now blood orange, long gold mane that lead down a back covered in hundreds of sharp mustard yellow spine bigger than a grand oak sapling, long tail engulfed by those large deadly needles trail behind, large paw like hands that can encompass a man's skull and claws the size of knives.

Its eerily wolf-like muzzle smiled maliciously back with razor sharp bloodstained fangs, long ears narrow in fury as blue slitted humanlike eyes turn blood red at the sight of the bandit. Slightly thick fur outlining the powerful muscles that would put even the burliest of giants to shame. Gary let out another scream as the beast grabbed his bleeding ankle and ruthlessly pulled the spine out.

There's so many souls to play with

So little time, not long till I find you, run for your life

You're in my world now, you're joining your friend

I'm coming to take your soul in the end, you can't run

The bandit let out one final scream as he was pulled into the forest brush by his foot. His nails dug into the dirt leaning a trail of blood from how hard he held on. Last evidence that Gary even existed was the crimson that wouldn't be found once nature began to feed.

Later that night, a certain prickly beast would be washed clean of his deeds by a certain red haired girl. Both held in each other's loving embrace until morning where the beast would become a normal Hylian boy. And none shall ever learn the truth behind the Dark Moblins' gruesome demise.

And that's it. This is my WerePorcupine!Link specifically the OoT/MM iteration. Story takes place post Majora's Mask where he's living with Malon and Talon on Lon Lon Ranch. Ingo doesn't start working until a bit later than in canon.

In the Linked Universe, this Link is called Mask while the older iteration has the name of Time. These names make it easier to separate the Links especially if you have write the different iterations together.

That's all I have for now. Until next time folks, I'll see you back at Hyrule. Here's the song that not only Link was singing but also the fic's title, Play With Me by Longestsoloever.

youtube

#Youtube #fanfic #loz #loz oot #loz mm #sonicasura #tales of sonicasura #loz link #legend of zelda #wereporcupine!link #wereporcupine!mask #tw violence #legend of zelda link #loz malon #lu time #lu mask #wereporcupine!time #linked universe #linked universe related

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lu-twilights-pup · 2 years

Note

or wait reader being from a small southern town and when they meet Twilight they both go !! bc it’s like they found a long lost friend and the rest of the chain just stands there like ‘… what is happening’ sorry if this is annoying but you said Country Twilight and my brain went Country Twilight™️

oh yes!! also why do i keep hurting Twi in the beginning???

DISCLAIMERS

fluff, minor injuries, slurred speech (also translations with be at the bottom<3)

----------

Twilight may have been a farmer, and have no issue rising with the sun, but when he doesn't sleep, hes a moving rock.

Currently sporting a sprang wrist, a back wound and minor head injury, sleeping was not a very fun nor easy activity for the rancher. Thus he was nearly impossible to understand. His accent was strong and hearty on a good day, but absolute gibberish at the moment.

It was a miracle that he didn't seem to have an issue understanding them, and an even bigger miracle, Wild was able to barely understand him, given the amount of similar slang in his Hyrule, but even that was difficult.

Now the rancher was slung over the shoulders of Warriors and Time as they trudged through the latters Hyrule. They were on the opposite side of Castle Town to be able to reach Lon Lon Ranch so they had to settle on an Inn in town until Twilight was capable of traveling further. And after the last few days, they'll take what why can get.

“You doing alright, Pup?” Time asked as Sky checked them in, they had settled him in a chair in the main room. He lolled a bit as he sat, but seemed decently coherent.

“Wa’ go’ ba’ta seep.“ Was all he mumbled out. Warriors and Time looked at eachother, Wild, looked equally confused as he approached.

“What?” He asked crouching a bit to get closer and hear him hopefully better; he did not.

“Wa’ go’ bata seep! Eryn ‘fee’ ly’ shi!” He said, clearly a bit more agitated, and sleep deprived.

This seemed to go on for a few minutes, the others joining in an attempt to understand him, the poor lady at the counter was left to watch as the men tried to decipher their friends babbling.

“Pardon me?” A voice pipped up behind them. The boys turned to find someone staring at them with a rather concerned gaze.

“E’rythin’ alright over hear?” A backwoods accent met them all. You stood there, a gloved hand on your hips and a box discarded at you feet. Your rolled up sleeve darkened by the same dirt that covered you pants and boots. A stetson hat was hanging behind you from your neck, you glanced around at them suspiciously. They understood your worry about the situation, 8 men, crowding a distress ninth man who was all but yelling at them.

“Yes, our apologies.” Time started out, this was his Hyrule after all. “Our friend, he is a bit ill, and its making his accent a little difficult to decipher.” He said carefully, they didn't want to seem crazy after all. At least not any crazier than they were.

“Oh! That all?” You face melted into a smile once there was no longer a threat. You had heard him across the room, and wanted to make sure that he was alright.

“I can help if ya’d like.” You offered stepping a bit closer, but not enough to intrude if they denied the assistance. The boys looked around at each other and then back to you. They didnt know you no you're intent, but it was 8 to 1 goddesses forbid you were foe and not friend.

“You’re welcome to try.” Wild released Twilight's hand, who prompt snatched it back, the aforementioned had been attempting to get him to sign. Twilight looked you up and down as you walked a bit closer and crouched down in front of him as if he was a child. The situation felt fitting. He was practically babbling a this point, and very clearly more stubborn than a bull, stuck to the seat and beyond frustrated at his companions.

“Ya doin’ alright there?” You asked softly, as if you were approaching a small cat. Twilight glanced at Time questioningly. Their leader nodded to him to at the very least try to talk with you.

“Be edder’ if ey’d lemme seep.” He said, gripping his side in discomfort.

“Well ya gotta let em’ get ya up the stairs to a room t’ do that.” you chuckled a bit. He blinked at you, once, then twice, before he straightened faster than they had seen him move since his injuries.

“You can understand him?!” Several of the boys yelled.

“Ya ca’ un’stan’ ma!” He all but hollered, gripping his head in pain immediately after. You jumped back a both parties out bursts.

“Course I can! Y’all made it seem like he was talkin’ backwards!” You laughed as you stood up.

“How’d you do that?!” Wind pushed through the group to ask you up front.

“I ain’t do nothing really.” you chuckled brushing off your lap.

“He wan’s go sleep.” You gesture to Twilight, who nodded slowly to account for his head. Hyrule and Warriors instantly went to help him get up to go to one of the rooms they checked into.

“Fin’lly, they may’n me feel li’ m’ crazy!” Twilight grunted out,leaning on the other two, not trying to hid his smile of finally being able to communicate for days.

“Said y’all are makin’ em’ feel like he’s crazy.” You giggled a bit.

“That sounds about right!” Four chided and he went to help.

“Thank you,....” Time turned to you, hand extended, waiting for your name.

“(Name), an’ was no trouble.” you said shaking his hand, before you turned back to Twilight who was now on his feet to the best of his abilities.

“Well, ‘ank ya for’ hellin’ em.” Twilight side-eyed The group following him through the lobby. Grabbing your box you walked past them.

“Am sure they mean well. You outta rest up now love, as fun as translating sounds, I’s got work to get to.” You directed at Twilight.

“D’no, c’n sal ‘em wi’out ‘em noin.” Twilight all but smirked at you in his gibberish. You let out a snort at whatever it is he had said.

“True, but I’m sure that’ll get a bit ol’ quick. Ain’t no fun if there ain’t no fight!”

“Tel’ at ta’ an a’gry goa’!” He barked. You laughed once more, before departing with a wave and a ‘good luck’.

---

When next they saw you, It had been a few days later, and Twilight was much more coherent, and well enough to travel, thus they set out for Lon Lon Ranch and Missus Malon.

You had been delivering supplies to Lon Lon Ranch ironically enough. The chain had been helping out around outside when they saw you walk up, horse and small wagon in tow.

“Ah, (Name)!” Malon was quick to put down her gardening shovel and dust off her hands.

“Mornin’ Missus Malon! Ive got ya order here n’ ready.” You stalked over to her.

“Oh of course, lemme go get the payment!” She bustle off into the main house.

“Take ya time, I ain’t in no rush. If Celina her don’ getta break she’ll be madder than a wet hen!” You shouted back as you walked your horse, Celina, over to the pasture area along the entrance.

“Hey (Name)! I remember you!” Wind smiled as he ran up to greet you. You looked him over before recognition struck you.

“Oh! Yer one of them boys from the inn!” You snapped youre fingers as you remembered. “How’s that friend a yers doin’?”

“You can ask him yourself, huh Twilight?” Sky pipped in, bumping shoulders as he and Twilight walked over, both carrying water buckets for the horses. Twilight looked form Sky to where he had nodded and locked gazes with you.

“Oh!” He quicken his pace, but only slightly, leaving Sky behind.

“Twilight, is it?” You asked boisterously, extending your hand out to him. He placed the buckets down at your feet and grabbed your hand in a heafty shake.

“That’s me, (Name) was it?” He laughed a bit at your tone. Clearly intrigued by his odd name.

“Glad to see ya doin better! Ya seemed as well off as a bull ina boat las’ time i’d seen ya!” You smiled at him.

“Mor’ like a rooster in a grave yard!” He smirked as you chortled.

“No kiddin’? Seem’ bout fine to ‘cause trouble all the same! Color’d t’ have a dyin’ duck fit!” You snickered as he scratched the back of his neck. It was true, he was in true fits with little to no sleep, and practically no one understanding him.

You two talked for a good while, even after Malon had come back with the payment for her order.

“Any clue what they are saying?” Hyrule whispered to his mentor form the fence line a good few yards away from the duo. Legend trying just as hard to eavesdrop, though would never admit it, shrugged.

“Hey old man!” He called over his shoulder, Time barely glanced up at the vet from the horse he was tending a few feet away.

“Any clue what your great great grand something is on about over there?” He pointed off to the latter.

You and him where talking animatedly, buckets and wagon long forgotten about.

Even he paused for a moment to focus on the conversation, but to no avail.

“Not a clue.” He returned to the horse.

“I’d give up if I were y’all.” Legend and Hyrule jumped 3 feet as Wild approached silently. “Even I couldn't begin to decipher whatever they’re saying.”

You laughed loudly enough for it to reach their ears, at least whatever it was wasn't bad.

--------

Translations:

“Wa’ go’ ba’ta seep.“ - “Wanna go back to sleep.”

“Wa’ go’ bata seep! Eryn ‘fee’ ly’ shi!” - “Wanna go back to sleep! Everything feels like shit!”

“Be edder’ if ey’d lemme seep.” - “Better if they’d let me sleep”

“Ya ca’ un’stan’ ma!” - “You can understand me!”

“Fin’lly, they may’n me feel li’ m’ crazy!” - “Finally, they’re making me feel like I’m crazy!”

“Well, ‘ank ya for’ hellin’ em.” - “Well thank you for helping them”

“D’no, c’n sal ‘em wi’out ‘em noin.” - “Dunno, i can insult them without them knowing”

“Tel’ at ta’ an a’gry goa’! - “Tell that to an angry goat!”

#twilight linked universe #twilight x reader #linked universe x reader #linked universe #linkeduniverse #time linked universe #sky linked universe #warriors linked universe #hyrule linked universe #legend linked universe #four linked universe #wind linked universe #wild linked universe #country twilight #twilight is a country himbo

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ordonianhero · 2 years

Text

Apple of our Eye

genre: family/fluff/comfort

Rated: T- language and some suggestive subjects, injuries. (SFW still, just a bit of morning snogging.) alcohol use.

words: 4,189

Notes: "Apple of our eye' is a term of which someone who is very much are proud of. I got inspiration on this through a discussion I was having about Malon, Time and Twilight are very much alike and is know that they are blood related. From the Malon Arc from @linkeduniverse . Here you go: @wissi-my-little-cow and @that-one-loz-nerd

So the chain return to Lon Lon Ranch after Twilight is injured. The chain are thrilled to be back there and being able to take it easy while Twilight is healing up. It however not all that easy and lot like Time, Twilight struggles with being unable to do anything. However with some help, Malon is able to share that is is not the only one like that. Blood is blood.

Anyways, I hope all enjoy this little fic. Again I am sorry for typos and grammar. I attempted to correct along the way.

Cold, winter air snuck through the cracks of the farm house windows and door. Time buried himself more into his wife. Burring his face into her luscious fire red hair. Letting out a soft hum. Smiling softly. Malon let out a soft chuckle and a squeak as he pulled her closer to him, as he snuggled her closely. The resident rooster let out a morning call. The sun may have not been up yet and it was still dark out, but them cucoo's didn't care. Morning was morning. Time groaned and then swore in Hylian for the damn bird alarm.

He felt his wife shift. They had farm work to look after. She turned over and kissed his forehead gently. He peek his one good eye open. He looked at the radiant goddess before him. Her softly smiling at him. The red hair covering part of her face. He reached up and tucked it gently behind her ear. She leaned into his touch a bit. He shifted closer, gently kissing her. She smiled into the kiss and returned his kiss. He drew her in closer as they kissed. She let a soft giggle.

"are you hungry dear." She giggled.

Moving his lips to her jaw, nipping slightly. Gaining a quiet yet soft sound from her. She could feel him smiling to himself. Making his way down her neck.

"Hm. Wouldn't you be with my long absent." he hummed.

"Hm. Yes. But we got some chores to get done Mr. or we may be getting some live stock plotting our demise if we don't get to them." She whispered.

He moved to face her again, softly smiling. He leaned back in to kiss her.

"Hm. Five more minutes." he whined.

"Two." she bargained.

"Three."

"Three, then we need to get up fair boy." She chuckled kissing him.

He smiled into her kiss and puller her as close as they could before deepening their kiss. She ran her hand up his chest. He fingers gently touching old scares he has gotten over the years of his adventures. His hand made its way through her hair. She felt her body getting fluttery, she pulled away. Gaining a whimper from him. The cold could be felt as she pulled away.

"You're too much handsome, but it's time we get about our day." she spoke soft, giving him on final kiss before moving out of bed to go get dressed for the day. Time flopped on his back staring at the ceiling and let out a long sigh. He laid there bit before making his way out of bed.

-----

When Malon enter the kitchen, she nearly jumped out her skin. There sat one of the eight boys whom were traveling with her husband. Leaned over a book and a mug of tea to the side of him. He looked up.

"Sorry. I couldn't sleep. Felt best to no disturbed everyone. so I came to the kitchen." He apologized.

She smiled at him. "No worries dear. startled me is all."

Time entered dressed to go about taking care of the farm animals. "Morning first born."

Twilight blushed and pulled the book to his face. Malon worked to make some more tea. Time chuckled, then turned his head to read the title of the book which his pup was reading. It was a book about running a ranch and about looking after the farm animals. He wasn't sure why They needed to read it. It was in this young man's blood. Like sword fighting, this lad was a natural with animals of all kinds. He clearly got that from Malon. Like the cute button nose his wife has. He saw as their eyes raised to look back at him.

"Just some light reading." he explain.

Malon handed her husband a cup of tea, taking a quick look over twilight's shoulder. "mhm, light reading my butt." she teased, turning to get her own cup and pouring some into the rancher's nearly empty mug.

"Sleep?" Time ask, taking a seat to have his tea.

"Just a little." They responded.

Time knew all too well how poorly the pup slept. Well most of the lads equally suffer from demons in their sleep. Twilight shared Time's own poor sleeping habit. He would even extend his watch at night. Often Time and Twilight shared a shift. Malon took a seat near Twilight. She looked over at her husband, with a questioned look. Time looked back at her before clearing his throat.

"what interrupted your sleep?" he carefully asked.

Twilight set the book down, softly smiling. then picked up his tea and took a sip. "Not anything really new. I just couldn't sleep."

Time hummed. Malon, placed a hand on the youth's back. Rubbing it gently. "I am sorry. How long you been awake?" Malon asked.

The first bit of morning light was dotting the sky. "Hm, 'bout 4am." was his response.

Time finished his Tea and stood up. "How's the side?" He suspected that his injury from the dark knuckle from a few days ago was bothering him. Sure the pup was healed some, but there was still a soreness and linger effects from it. Hyrule's life spell came in hand, but could only do so much. The rest would have to be Twilights body healing it self and purging the infection that lay within him. Twilight hadn't given an answer. Which was an answer in itself. The elder sighed. That was probably the root of the pup's new bout of sleep loss.

"Well you're to take it easy today. The other lads can pitch in on the heavy duty stuff. If you get an itching to do anything, maybe help Malon out a bit." Time said softly as he walked over to him. He give the youth a soft squeeze on his neck. He then leaned over and gave his wife a quick peck before exiting to do the morning chores. Twilight had hid his face behind his book at their pda. Which gained a chuckle from Malon.

"Well with that young man, how about to help me with making up some apple pies. You do know how to do an apple pie right?" she was quick to ask. Knowing not all the lads were great with cooking. The last thing she wanted was exploded science project. The rancher nodded, closing his book.

"Ilia and I would bake together festivals and holidays." He replied.

Malon got up after finishing her tea. Moving towards the sink to wash her cup out. "Is Ilia your boo?" she asked, eyeing him.

She saw the blush move from the tip of his ears and move down to his cheek. She sense they must be something, but also sense they might not be.

"Well, it's complicated. Yes and no. I am working through some things. I don't want to drag her through that." He answered Malon honestly. He made his way to wash up his own cup.

"That is very thoughtful of you. However I sure she wants to be there for you either way." Malon stated, moving about the kitchen gathering up what was needed to make up the pie.

He nodded. "It's complicated still. It partly involves another person who left. whom I grew fond of. I doubt a woman wants to be listening to someone they love talk about another woman." He explained, taking the apples from Malon.

That Malon paused to look at him. She watched him fluctuate through a wave of emotion, before resigning to a face that she often saw on her husband when it came to the topic of his companion. Yup, he was very much like her husband in that department. However he seem to be a bit more emotional. He could try and stuff his feeling down, but like a book, they showed. Without even asking, the rancher had taken up to helping wash, peel and cut up the apples they were to use.

Malon grabbed a bowl for which Twilight can toss the cut apples into. Later will be used to toss in the lemon, lemon zest, cinnamon, nut meg, flour, and two kinds of sugars. Malon went to getting the oven to warm up. Than went about making the pie crust. She put the first fold of crust in a pie pan, then set the other aside. After the apples were cut up, She tossed in the ingredients and Twilight set to folding them in, coating the apples.

"Curious, is there a specific apple one uses for pies?" Rancher asked as he folded the apples in the ingredients.

"Well, yes and no. There are some better suited for the best tasting pie." She explained as she whipped up an egg for egg wash.

"The best is usually Granny smiths, but you can also use Honeycrisp, Jazz, Golden Delicious, Jonagold and Pink Lady." she continued setting the whisk egg down.

"Wow, there are so many types of apples." The rancher replied in a shocked state. Malon gave a chuckle.

"Like there is so many different berries." Explained Malon. "Okay, let's get these tasty apples into the pie. Handing him a spoon with holes to let the juices to drain. To avoid the pie going soggy.

She stood by, helping him along the way. Teaching the perfect ratio of apples to be laid up in the pie. Diving it up along the two pie pans. Once they completed that, teaching him how to fold the top pie crust onto the other. She than coated the crust with egg wash and slicing four slips to let steam out. Followed by covering the crust end with foil. Once the pie was placed in the Oven at 400 degrees. she set a cucoo timer for 25mins.

"Once that chimes, we remove the foil and let it cook for another 30-35mins at 375."

"Oh, I would of never knew that. Sure the cook would." Twilight chuckled awkwardly, doing a gesture she often caught her husband doing. Rubbing the back of his neck.

"That I do believe is true." she chuckled with him.

Together Malon and Twilight set to cleaning up the kitchen. Though she started picking up that Twilight's wound was bothering him. "Go take a seat dear. I can finish up the rest." She suggest, placing her hand gently on his arm. She knew how her husband was when it came to injuries. she expected to go full on Mama Lon on him. However he gave no fight, He slid into the nearest chair and placed his arm around his mid section. Holding his side. She could hear his pained breathing. Taking in deep breaths.

"Was this too much for you?" she asked walking over to him and crouching down. He shook his head. She gently rubs his back. He was hunched over and gritting his teeth. His face scrunched up in a pained look. She then Shift, getting up.

"Okay, Lets go move you to the couch and I can make you up a hot water bottle to help with your pain. I am not going to let you play tough on me." She stated helping him up.

They slowly made their way over to the couch and He slowly lowered onto. She took his feet and moved him to a laying down position. He rested his head on the couch pillow and closed his eyes. Malon returned to the kitchen to make up a hot water bottle. Only returning shortly. She shifted his hand and laid where the injury was. He relaxed as the warmth seem to ease of the pain and like as if he was a small child, Malon set to placing a blanket over him. Tucking him in. No sooner did she do that, he seem to drift off to sleep.

-----

Time carrying wood into the house, kicked his boots off before making his way into the living room. Where he spotted Twilight sleeping. That's good, he's getting a bit more sleep. He stacked the wood up in the wood basket before making a fire to warm up the area. Malon came into the room and leaned on the side of the wall.

Time walked over the Pup and bushed his bangs back, letting his hand rest there, checking for a temperature from the infection. So far nothing. Then made his way over to his wife.

"Well the animals are not going to end us. Sort of spoiled them a bit." He said with a smirk on his face.

"I am assuming you are making them plumb with extra carrots." Snorted Malon.

"well death won't come this day." Time stated turning to his wife.

"MMMMHMMM, keep telling yourself that dear." Malon replied with a smile, resting her hand on his chest and quickly giving him a peck, before leaving him to start working on breakfast for the lads whom would be waking soon.

-----

The apple pie scent waft through the house. stirring up the other's who had been sleeping. Time sat in a lounge chair reading the book, of which Twilight had been reading. The boys started trickling in. Greeting "Good morning" sleepily as they entered. First being the Warriors and Wild. With Wind trailing behind them. Next came Four and Legend and the last were Sky and Hyrule. Malon gave out tea and coffee. As they each took a seat at the table. Warriors however went over towards the old man and spotted the rancher laid up on the couch.

"When did he wake?" he asked quietly, looking over at twilight.

"He said he had woken about 4am." Time replied, not looking up from the book.

The Captain hummed. "Doubt that. I can't imagine he slept well."

"Well he's resting now. I am leaving you lads to helping out around the farm today. Letting him rest." Time stated, closing the book and setting it aside.

He pushed up from the chair and lead Warriors back to the eating area. where Malon served them all up a good hearty breakfast. The morning chatter was quiet.

----

Malon took the pie out once it was done, setting it on the rack to cool down. She heard a soft moan come from the couch, then a quiet whine. She made her way over. She removed the hot water bottle, that had lost its heat. Taking it back to the kitchen to warm it back up. Then returning with it, placing it back on his side. The pain on his face was evident. She felt so bad there was nothing they really could do for him. Maybe rub some pain relief ointment. Otherwise, nothing. He choked up a sob. She pulled up a chair beside him. Running her hand gently through his hair. Trying to sooth.

"I-I'm sorry." he sob.

"Shhh, its okay." she softly whispered.

"I failed them." his blue eye leaking of tears.

"You failed no one my dear. These things happen." she wiped his tears away.

"Now I am useless and a burden." He closed his eyes, more tears spilling over.

"You helped me with a pie. You are no burden at all. nor are you useless. You may be down for the count right now. However in time, you will be back up and probably giving my husband a few more grey hairs." She chuckled.

He stayed quiet, the tears flowing. "Sorry." he whispered, so softly it could barely be heard.

She continued to stroke his hair. "I don't think anyone is holding this against you at all." she explain.

His eyes opened and looked pained, "But I have disappointed him."

Ah. He hates disappointing her husband. "Honey, you are the apple of our eyes. He maybe grumpy or stern, but he is that way because he know how capable you all are. Even more so that you are our child." she bushed her hand across his damp cheek.

"But he is no saint. He has made some of the same mistake you lads have made. Come home injured and bloodied. Being a stubborn man and say he is fine. So don't be so hard on yourself. You did your best. That all anyone can ask of you." she continued.

The rancher sniffled. Than rubbed the tears from his eyes. "I will try to do better." he said once he dried the tears away.

"well best for you right now it resting, so you can get better." she said with a warm smile.

He gave a little nod. "Okay."

She brushed his hair gently and hummed a tune, which lulled him back to sleep. She knowing him to be an emotion lad, she knew most of his emotions were probably a reaction from being infected. Time had told her how he was before they arrived. Like he was fighting a really bad flu. Weak and faint. Unable to even keep food down. The most he had manage was clear liquids at most. Then started working on eating bread. Now he had started to be able to have soup. She then returned to the kitchen to start on food for the evening.

----

Wind squawked as he was dragged by Warriors to go wash up. He had managed to roll around in the mud and then proceed to toss it at the others. How he found mud hole, nobody knows. Malon had to chuckle a bit at the sight of her husband who looked a little less amused being covered in mud, that had sparked a mud fight. She shooed them all to get cleaned up.

"AAAARRRGH, I AM THE MUD MONSTER!" screamed the sailor as he was hauled off to the bathing area.

"NO, you're just a Monster." growled Legend.

Time spotted the Cub and Traveler trying to make a beeline to avoid bathing. He snagged them both and proceeded to drag them off with the rest of the lads.

Malon chuckled again. Shaking her head. The boys sure are a handful. However she enjoyed them all.

She went about setting the table up, Placing nice fresh bread on the table. A nice pot warm vegetable stew. Along with some drinks for the lads. She could hear squealing from the Washroom.

"THIS IS ABUSE! HANDS OFF ME YOU DOUGHNUT!"

"OI!"

"So, still want children in the future?"

"Well you lot sure are giving me a good practice run- OI back in the water you gremlin."

"NO- AAAAACK. HELP! THE OLD MAN GOING TO DROWN ME."

Malon then was startled by a soft laughter coming from behind her. She looked over and joined Twilight in laughing.

"Think we have a few grumpy soggy heroes in a few." Twilight chuckled.

"That we will." She responded.

---

Once they were all cleaned up, they came in for eating. All staring hungrily at the food before them. They all said a silent grace, then begin to dig into their food. Twilight carefully ripped his roll up and dunked it into the soup. sopping it up enough before plopping it into his mouth. Time chuckled as both him and the cub made a face and swayed happily.

"How is it that you managed to find the one mud hole in the entire ranch sailor." Chuckled Four.

"I dunno, being around pigs does that to you." Wind spoke, with his mouth full.

"Could not talk with your mouth full kid." sighed Warriors.

Wind swallowed, "Sorry. My bad."

Twilight smirked, "are you mama captain now?"

"Just trying to teach proper table manners, so none end up like you." Smirked the Captain.

"Well, I got better educate then a an owl. Apparently its polite to throw up at the dinner table when eating with owls." jabbed the rancher.

"EWWWWWW!" Wind squealed, scrunching up his face.

"Who." Responded Warriors.

"Who indeed." laughed Twilight.

"Oh get a room you two." groaned Legend.

"NO thank you, I don't want wet dog smell."

"That's wet wolf to you....."

"that sheds....probably has fleas. Old man, we got to do something about that."

Twilight snorted and glared a bit," That flea bag happened to give you comfort at one point. Careful what you say or you may be asking for new boots."

"You leave my boots alone." gasped Warriors.

"fine, your cape then."

"YOU WOULDN'T?!"

Twilight didn't respond, just smirked slyly and popped another soup soaked bread chuck into his mouth.

"DAD! He's being mean."

Time just shook his head and looked at his wife apologetic. Malon giggled and waved that is was fine.

"Guy, there's a lady at the table. Please keep your filth out of your mouth." Sky piped up, covering he ears.

"If you want filth...."

"NO WARRIORS!" everyone barked.

He just laughed before carefully sipping a spoon full of his soup.

---

Once dinner had been finished, table cleared with and dishes done. Pie was served with choice of whip cream, ice cream, both or none at all. Long with a warm evening tea or hot cocoa. The adults taking part in some alcoholic drink as a form of night cap.

Wind and Hyrule opted to put everything on their pie. whereas some just went one or the other toppings. As they all took their first bite there was a unison of "MMMM" at the table.

"This is delicious, Mrs. Mal." Legend stated with a big grin on his face.

"Oh, well I wasn't the only one to make it. I had help from Rancher here." She responded, with her hand out reached toward Twilight.

"Thank you Mal and Rancher." The lads all said together.

Twilight blushed and bought his cup of warn Chateau Romani to his lips. Time just beamed at him.

---

The Night started to finally calm down, as now everyone was fed. Sleep threatening to have them all drop like flies. Well one was down for the count all ready. Wind, who was all curled up and tuck up next to Warriors. Legend was going through his inventory. Four taking care of his sword. Twilight went to work on replacing the damaged part of his chainmail. Time sat next to Malon reading once more, while Malon was knitting. Wild was organizing his slate. As Hyrule and Sky set to patching up tunics.

Slowly the boys moved to go to bed. Soon leaving Twilight, Malon and Time alone in the main room, the fire still going. Twilight was so focused, his tongue stuck out to one side. Something Malon knew Time did himself. She smiled at that little quirk. she Lightly tapped her husband and pointed it out. He smiled back at her and nodded.

"I wish father was here to meet them all." she quietly spoke to Time.

"Oh I sure he would have a ball with the bunch of them." He chuckled.

The room went quiet again, the only sound being that of the crackling fire and occasionally Twilight sucking in air. Which at first Time just took as his pup's fingers hurting when dealing with the chain mail. However he picked up on the reason was the injury. Time set the book down and Moved away from his wife, walking over to the rancher. As he couched his knees made a crack sound.

"How you feeling pup?" He gently asked, placing a hand on their back.

"Nothing I can't handle."

There it was Malon chuckled.Father like Son.

"Uh hu, where'd that get you last time?" Time replied a bit more stern.

Twilight didn't reply. Time placed a hand over Twilight's, who was working away at the chainmail. Then slowly taking it away and setting it aside.

"We are not going to play this game son, you and I are one in the same. Stubborn to heck. However it's okay to let others care for you okay. Let me get some pain relief ointment on you and off to bed you go." He spoke softly to them.

Time helped him up. Twilight wincing once standing. Then begin to sway. Time placed an arm around them carefully and walked their way off towards where everyone was sleeping. Malon got up as well to make up a fresh hot water bottle, for it seemed to help.

Once the ointment was place and new bandages put on, Time helped Twilight to his bedroll. Malon quietly handed Time the hot water bottle, which Twilight gladly took. Then signed "Thank you." As Time was about to leave. Twilight looked at him, with pleading eyes for him not to go. He signed to him, "Can you stay with me a bit, just till I fall asleep?" Time looked at his wife and then back at him and nodded. He took a seat next to where Twilight was. Malon watched as he snuggled up against Time. Time pulled the blanket around the Pup's Shoulders. Malon left them be, smiling. Time quietly hummed a soothing tune. Lulling Twilight into a peaceful sleep. Then himself. Malon returned bringing a blanket to partly cover her husband. The sight before her was beautiful.

Good night my dears. With that, she blew out the candle in the room. Leaving with the only sound of sleeping lads.

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #linked universe au #Mama lon #papa Time #lu time #lu malon #lu twilight #basically everyone is in this #tw: vomit #tw: injury #tw: alcohol #wind is the mud monster #wolfie needs a flea bath #Brotherly banter #Warriors you don't need to one up all the time #malink #malonxlink

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raviotherabbit · 2 years

Text

Reunion Tour - Chapter 4

[first] - [previous] - [next]

read it on ao3!

Chapter 4: Return To

It’s beginning to feel a bit more familiar around here.

- - -

The sun rises on Hyrule Field gently, its soft light spreading as it has for millenia. For a moment, as the firsts rays hit the newly reestablished Lon Lon Ranch, everything is quiet. Children stay curled up in their beds, and not even the wiliest of the horses stir. As the last seconds of the night fade away, all is peaceful.

Then that fucking cucco screaches its head off, and the day officially starts. Except, this is going to be the hardest day of Twilight’s life in quite a long time.

As the morning begins on Lon Lon Ranch, a portal appears right in front of the ranch house. And so, it’s time for four heroes to set off into the unknown once more.

“Be good for your papa, alright?” Twilight kneels in front of his kids, very clearly holding back his tears. “I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay,” Amaranth responds blankly. Faolan is more interested in the bumblebee floating just a few feet away than even looking at his father.

“This is embarrassing for you, Twi,” Wild jeers from the peanut gallery.

“Althai was at least sad I was leaving,” Wars gestures to himself smugly.

Twilight looks back over his shoulder to glare at the two of them. “The children love me. They are completely torn up about this.”

“Dad,” Amaranth turns away to tug at Shad’s shirt. “I’m hungry.”

“I’ll make you breakfast soon,” Shad promises, barely able to keep his eyes open. If only the portal had waited a few more hours for his beauty rest.

“Look, not to rush you or anything…” Wind crosses his arms. “But last time, Hylia opened a portal under our feet and dumped us in the woods. I don’t want to find out what happens when we test her patience again.”

“Holy springs,” Wild gawks. “Wind is trying to keep us on schedule.”

After squeezing the kids into yet another too-tight hug, Twilight stands up and joins his brothers. Wild sympathetically pats his shoulder.

“Okay, enough patronizing,” Twilight shrugs their hand off. “I’m ready, let’s go.”

“Ah, I missed you, snarky Twilight,” Wild smiles their most infuriating smile. “Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be back before you know it.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” Twilight can’t help but ruffle their hair. Has Wild even grown in the past ten years, he wonders? Or maybe they just look smaller compared to Wind.

“We’re all well-trained, seasoned heroes at this point,” Warriors reminds him. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

- - -

“You just had to open your big dumb mouth, didn’t you?” Wind glares at his completely embarrassed cellmate. “Your stupid gift of prophecy.”

“Sky and Time have the gift of prophecy,” Twilight mutters, pressing his forehead against the bars of their cell in defeat. “Wars is only stupid.”

“You’re stupid,” Wind ammends, smirking.

Suddenly, Wild jumps up from the corner that they have been angrily stewing in. “I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”

“Great, and now Wild’s having a breakdown,” Twilight gestures to their Champion. “Look what you’ve done, Hero of Warriors.”

“I didn’t do anything!” Warriors defends himself, stilling laying down on their bench. “It was just bad placement!”

“I’M GETTING OUT OF HERE!” Wild shouts, ignoring the relentless bullying of Wars for once in their life. Peering out their small, barred window, they try to gauge how far the ground is. “I played nice in Wars’ time because it was fun to tease the guards, but I am not staying here one more second!”

“Okay genius,” Twilight turns around, leaning against the bars now as he crosses his arms. “How are you going to do that?”

“Like this!” Wild backs up and, without the slightest bit of hesitation, runs straight at the outer wall. Miraculously, instead of collapsing to the floor and screaming in pain like all the other times they ran straight into a solid object, the wall almost seems to ripple like water when they make contact. Just like that, Wild has phased through the wall.

“WHAT?!” Twilight yells, staring at the space where Wild disappeared. Wind curiously pokes at it, finding that, whatever happened, it has now returned to the consistency of a brick. “HAVE THEY ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT?!”

“You know,” Warriors remarks without a care in the world. “Now that you’re here, Twilight, I feel significantly less stressed about their shenanigans. How strange.”

Twilight’s brewing tirade of expletives is cut off by Wind looking out the window and announcing, “I don’t think Wild’s coming back.”

“What makes you say that, sailor?” Wars sits up.

“They’re already gone,” Wind shrugs. “Guess it’s just us three.”

“I thought you said there were four prisoners?”

All three heroes turn towards the new voice outside of their cell. Of course, who else would it be but the darling princess they met so long ago, flanked by her royal guards. When she sees the look on their faces, she giggles. Even a decade later, it still sounds like a bell.

“Oh, lookie who it is!” Aurora says. “Goodness, don’t you boys know better than to break into the castle, of all places?”

- - -

Link pushes open the study window and breathes in the fresh air. It is a beautiful spring morning at the castle, and a quiet one at that. Idly, they run their fingers over the books on their shelves, eventually pausing at a blank one they had only returned just the previous night. Smiling to themself, Link decides that this would be the perfect use of their day. Aurora has no need of them, and Dawn is still away. They might as well continue.

Let’s see, where did they leave off again?

Sitting at their desk, Link flips through the carefully written pages. When they come upon the end of their writings, they frown.

We landed once again on the Great Sea, this time at a beautiful island resort that Wind claimed was his own. It was lovely, with a quaint cabana and bright white sands. After the day we had, we decided to take some time off at the haven.

Oh, how foolish they were to think anything could go smoothly for them. If there’s one thing Link regrets about their journey back then, it was how long they went without speaking to Legend after the beach.

Maybe… maybe on such a nice, wonderful day, they don’t want to write about this.

“I found you!”

Of course, nice days don’t usually involve your idiot brother climbing into your open window, which is of course located several stories off the ground because you live in a tower. Especially when, last Link checked, they weren’t supposed to see each other after the portals stopped opening ten years ago.

“Wild?!” Hyrule gasps. “What are you doing here?!”

“Well, I had to find you, obviously,” Wild swings their feet in from outside.

“That’s not- You’re supposed to be thousands of years in the future!” Hyrule counters.

Wild shrugs. “I’m just as confused as you are.”

After a second of trying to process everything, Hyrule abandons their book and darts across the room to hug their brother. “You’re back.”

Wild, of course, wraps their arm around them in turn. “I missed you too, Rulie.”

“Oh, Goddesses, you’ve got to tell me everything,” Hyrule takes their hand and drags them in. “Come on, let’s-”

And then, unfortunately, there’s a loud knock at their door.

“Yes, what is it?” Hyrule calls out to their visitor, clearly grinding their teeth together.

“Master Link!” a guard pushes the door open. “Queen Zelda has requested an audience with you in her sitting room. It is of utmost importance!”

Hyrule’s eyes go wide. “Oh, crap. Wild, we-” they grab onto their brother’s arm. “We should go! Something could be wrong!”

“Wait, what are you-” but before Wild can finish their question, the two of them warp away.

- - -

“I am so sorry that you all ended up arrested,” Aurora apologizes, placing a few sugar cubes into her tea. “You know how it is, though. The guards have all changed out in the last ten years.”

“Your majesty, I’ve faced the same issues myself,” Warriors says, completely lost to the charm mode. “Wild got arrested when they landed in my own era.”

“Yes, well…” Aurora scowls. “Don’t worry, I’m certain they will turn up eventually.”

“They always do, unfortunately,” Twilight snarks. Wind almost chokes on his tea.

In a cloud of smoke, Hyrule suddenly teleports into the sitting room, gripping onto a very confused and queasy-looking Wild.

“Where’s the danger?!” Hyrule drops Wild, who doubles over onto the ground. They rush to Aurora’s side, tilting her head as if to check her for injuries. “Do you need to be healed? Were you poisoned?!”

“What’s wrong with you?” Wind stretches to nudge Wild’s head with his foot. “You teleport all the time.”

“I teleported all the time nine years ago,” Wild hisses up at him. “Leave me alone.”

“Link, I’m fine,” Aurora waves her fretting magician away. “I just wanted you to meet our guests.”

Hyrule looks up, finally noticing the fact that Aurora is not the only individual in the room.

“Hey, Rule,” Warriors waves, suave and smooth as ever. Meanwhile, Wind gives his classic sweet little angel smile. Twilight is too busy propping Wild up in the chair between himself and Aurora.

“You guys!” Hyrule darts around the table and pulls their three brothers into a hug from behind. “I should have known Wild wasn’t the only one. What are you all doing here?!”

“Beats me!” Wind leans his head back into Hyrule, currently squeezed between his two much larger brothers.

“Oh Hylia, Wind, you’ve gotten so big!” Hyrule abandons his hug to squish their youngest’s face. “What happened?! You were so small before…”

Wind huffs. “Would you believe that you shrunk, actually?”

“Yeah, and I can split into four different people,” Warriors remarks from the sidelines. “Come on, sailor, you’re losing track of who does what.”

“It was a joke-!”

“Link,” Aurora speaks up, pulling out the chair beside her. “How about you take a seat? I’m sure you five have a lot to catch up on.”

“Why of course, your majesty,” Hyrule obliges, taking a seat as Aurora offers them their own cup of tea. “Tell me everything. How have you all been?”

#linked universe #lu hyrule #lu wild #lu warriors #lu wind #lu twilight #rav's writing #fanfic #reunion tour au

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lyrabythelake · 3 years

Text

Dear Malon

I wrote this short fic a while ago for an LU zine but realised I haven’t posted it anywhere else, so here you go!

Dear Malon,

I can only hope these letters are finding you. Admittedly, I haven’t had much experience with time-travelling postmen before, nor do I know anyone who has, so my faith in his reliability is limited. However, I do like to imagine my words have reached you, that you know I am safe and well and that I am on a wondrous journey with friends by my side. I know how you worry.

It seems like months since I last wrote, though I know it’s been only days. Our ultimate purpose on this quest is still unclear but the boys never lose hope. They fight with a determination unparalleled by anyone I’ve met and every day I become prouder of them still.

Occasionally I am filled with dread at the way they look up to me as their leader. It’s a great honour that they see me that way, but I am terrified I won’t fulfil their expectations of me. I wake in a cold sweat each night, the afterimages of each of them in harm’s way because of my negligence burned into my mind…

“He’s writing again.”

Eight heroes sit under the cherry blossoms in the still afternoon. The trees are in full bloom and the pink petals fall gently into the deeply grassed meadow and the trickling stream, washed away in a rush of fresh silver water.

They look to the ninth at Four’s words, hunched over the paper with his hair falling over his face, shielding him in his concentration towards the words he writes. Petals rest in his hair, on his clothes but their gentle presence doesn’t catch his notice, nor do the other heroes’ muttering only meters away. His sword is within reaching distance, always prepared for an attack, but otherwise he is a picture of peace, one the others dare not disturb for its rareness.

“Where do you think he sends them?” Hyrule asks in innocent curiosity. It is a question -among others- they’ve all asked themselves at one time or another. They have their theories, even discussed them at times when Time himself isn’t around.

“I bet they’re love letters,” Sky muses, his wistful gaze undeterred from the Hero of Time and the scratching of his quill.

“What? No way,” scoffs Wind. He is not quite as versed in love as some of the others, but he is practiced in the art of longing and desire.

Warriors is the first to raise his eyebrows.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.”

“He’s never talked about anyone before,” Wild argues.

“So?” interjects Legend, “not everyone likes to flaunt their love affairs like the Captain.”

“I don’t flaunt anything!”

“The old man keeps his emotions close to his heart,” murmurs Twilight, drawing the attention of them all despite the softness of his words, “Love is beautiful yet fleeting, like the cherry blossoms in spring. He’s right to treasure it and keep it close.”

“Uh oh, the ranch hand’s off again,” snorts Wild and there is a ripple of laughter in response.

“I think it’s nice he has someone to write to,” states Hyrule and the others agree. They’ve all known the wasteland of loneliness at some point in their lives and it has left its scars on them all.

It is a while before Time, lost in a world of his own, puts his quill down and gets to his feet. He folds the paper neatly into four and slips it into the deepest of his pockets, away from prying eyes and ready to hand over to the postman whenever they might see him next.

His thoughts drift and swirl like the blossom petals that fall around him, content and serene with just an ounce of sorrow like that which comes with the ephemerality of spring. The others’ lighthearted chatter dips and bays as he treads along the bank of the rushing stream.

He thinks of his wife, worlds away, and wonders what she is doing. Wonders if he’ll ever get to see her again.

Dear Malon,

This time of year reminds me of you.

It was around this time, many years ago, that I married you with a promise that the worst of my adventures were over. That from then on, my life would be simple, wrapped in safety with the woman I love. I think you knew back then that it was a promise I could never keep. I could run from it forever, but adventure always seems to find me.

This adventure is different to the others I’ve been on. With the boys here each battle comes with a new terror I never felt when fighting on my own, though I am certain I wouldn’t be alive today without them.

The responsibility I feel for them goes beyond just our age difference and the mutual respect we afford one another. I never called myself a hero. That title has been forced upon me despite my assurances that I couldn’t be further from it. I look at Hyrule and Legend sometimes and the others that have suffered, even if not directly, from my hand and feel all their suffering and sorrow tenfold in the form of heavy guilt…

“I think we should go south.”

Legend’s statement is met with confusion from most and narrowed eyes from Time, an expression missed by all but Legend himself.

“Why south?” asks Warriors curiously. Legend is grateful his words are not dismissed immediately. He supposes it’s not often he makes bold suggestions such as this one without proper reason to do so, so it’s bound to draw their attention. He may have the experience, but he has no qualms in leaving the day-to-day leadership and tactics to Time, Twilight and Warriors.

“I have a good feeling about it,” he replies confidently, like the argument he’s giving isn’t totally redundant.

“You have… a good feeling…”

“Yes. It’s not like we have anywhere we particularly need to be.”

“Don’t you think we should go to the castle?” suggests Twilight, prompting a collective look to Time for the final decision. He knows this land best after all.

Time’s frown has become increasingly more pronounced throughout the brief debate, his eyes fixed on Legend suspiciously.

“Let’s go south,” he decides eventually, his gaze not leaving Legend, missing the way Twilight raises his eyebrows but otherwise holds his tongue. As they set off, Time falls into step beside Legend, his gait revealing nothing of the emotions Legend expects he is feeling.

“You had no right to read it,” he says after a while, and his voice is not angry but rather fiercely neutral.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Perhaps I would have believed you if the letter hadn’t mysteriously disappeared from my jacket this morning.”

Legend says nothing. He was sure he had got away with it. His curiosity had momentarily surpassed his guilt long enough to sneak a glance at the heartfelt (and very private) scribbled note before returning it to the old man’s jacket when he was distracted.

It took a simple question to a merchant in the castle town after that to determine the whereabouts of one ‘Lon Lon Ranch’.

Dear Malon, the letter had said, and in his haste to read it, Legend had almost mistaken the scrawled name for someone else’s entirely.

We moved between worlds again last night and the nine of us have found ourselves somewhere very familiar to me. My first thought was to drop any heroic duties and run to you there and then before it struck me how selfish that would be.

You see, homesickness is a perpetual ailment among the boys (and myself) and they have given up so much to embark on this journey with no discernible end. I cannot in good conscience refute that to return to our Lon Lon Ranch. It kills me to do so, particularly as all I can think of is seeing you again…

The boys are inevitably curious about the purposeful path Time leads them along, but he can’t quite bring himself to answer their inquisitiveness with a succinct answer. He has a one-track mind, all thoughts geared towards the relief of his destination and all other sounds fade into the background to make way for it.

They reach the ranch before nightfall, his companions’ confusion only increasing at the sight of the woman standing outside it. The way he falls into her arms is answer enough; the warmth of her embrace has never felt so inviting.

The others’ voices are a mere echo of disbelief, hilarity and the ending of bets behind him as he focuses on the relief and utter contentment that comes with being home after far too long. The stress of the past weeks, the constant worry for the boys and their respective worlds, melt from him immediately, leaving him as light as a feather.

The Hero of Time has never been one for excessive emotions, but as he clings to the familiarity of his wife, he almost thinks he could cry.

“Did you get them?” he asks, hesitantly, “the letters?”

Her smile is like the sun as she whispers back.

“I treasure every one.”

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #time/malon #loveletters #fanfic #lyra writes

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abizarreyodelingincident · 4 years

Text

Linked Universe: Regrets

“Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those who came after... At last, I have eased my regrets.”

Twilight had never forgotten those words. He had carried them with pride. Used them when his hands faltered. Remembered the strength that had been taught to him. Swords without courage meant nothing. With the lessons of the Hero's Shade, Twilight struck down Hyrule's greatest enemy for good.

(He thought. But there would be another after him, long after, but one nonetheless, and he would suffer greatly from the shadow of Hyrule's first enemy.)

Nowadays, it's a white lie that haunts his nights.

“Link... I... See you later.”

He's learned when things aren't meant to be. And he loves his fellow heroes. Wouldn't trade them for peaceful days wandering his Hyrule. He loves them. Like brothers. Like another father. But he knows it can't last. Whenever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. And theirs... through time and space... there will be no reunion after they've completed this quest.

He should shield his heart better, but they slip past too easily for that. One day, they'll go their separate way. He can't change that. Still, any time he looks at the old man, his heart squeeze and he just wants to help. To save him. He can't.

Is it like that for anyone else? Does Hyrule hide something like this from Legend behind all his sweet smiles and his eagerness to learn? Does he also think of a nameless grave by a tree? Maybe a grand mausoleum, because it's Legend, and he's earned at least this much, to hear him speak of his many trials?

He smirks to himself at the idea, but it slips soon enough.

Four? No one's quite sure where he fits in the timeline, but the best guess is 'early'. Wind? No, he's said the legends exist, but the hero never showed. Warriors thinks it's the timelines diverging when Time returned to his youth to prevent Ganon's rise. He's another odd one out. Knowing a bit of everything and everyone's legacy. Does Warriors know how it'll end for me?Wild certainly doesn't.

The truth is Twilight knows that Time will never be fully content despite Malon, despite a future as a father, and he hates the fact that he cannot save his mentor. Cannot prevent that regret from taking root in him. He's only ever known that he hated leaving his Hyrule defenseless, with no one to learn from the hardships he was shoved into as a child.

Twilight hates it so much. Sometimes, Zant's pendant pulsed with the dark emotions that want to choke him up. He almost wonders if there isn't something right in the ranting of the old usurpers. The Goddesses were so many things, but kind?

It's hard to remember their blessings when the people you love most see their fate as cursed. When Hyrule is doomed without that pain.

“Green rupee for your thoughts?” Warriors ask, watching the sun set over the horizon.

“I know I'm country folk, but we ain't that cheap, Captain,” Twilight drawls.

Warriors shrugs, then pulls his sword out to run a whetstone over its edge. “Well, I'm broke. My queen and I hadn't thought it'd stretch out over this long.”

The thought sobers Twilight, who is decidedly not looking dusk painting the sky like a bonfire. “Miss her?” he says, quieter than usual.

Warriors' glance is a bit sharper than warranted, but he makes no comment about it. “Certainly,” he replies easily. “She was one of the few... mhmm, wait, did I never tell you about my situation back in my era?”

He sees the non-sequitur and accepts it with a sigh of relief. Sitting down by the same tree, he settles just close enough for them to touch shoulders. “No, but I sense this is a long story.”

“It's the perfect length, thank you,” Warriors haughtily counters. “So, it all begins roughly ten years ago-”

Twilight snorts, and pushes his brother roughly. Warriors is agile enough he slips back into place without dropping the sword or the stone, radiating smug triumph.

In the end, he joins Warriors on first watch just to distract himself from his thoughts.

***

Lon Lon Ranch is one of his favorite place to visit. Stepping inside feels like being served a slice of Ordon on a platter. It's a piece of home, without the awkwardness that comes from the odd looks here and there. Unspoken questions about every little way he's changed.

Twilight shakes his head. What's he doing? Somewhat forcefully, he pulls back the sleeves of his tunic and spits in his hands. He's got some work to do, and it's not Legend (who is egging Warriors more than he's shoveling) or Wind (who is having the time of his life learning how to ride with Time's Epona) that'll finish the chores for him.

“Here, sweetheart.” Malon holds out a waterskin to him and a towel. “Don't forget to rest and drink every once in a while. With this sun, it's not healthy to neglect it.”

He accepts gratefully, swallowing a mouthful of cool water first. “I will, Ma'am.”

“Oh, hush with that. It's Malon for family,” she corrects him easily, and he ducks his head, pleased. “And I'll be watching you, sweetheart. The Goddesses know my Link's not one to recognize his limits.”

Time straightens and leans against the handle of his spade. “Now, now, honey, you know I'm a reasonable man.”

“Did I tell you about the time my clever husband decided to renovate the ba-!”

Malon lets out a fake shriek when Time grabs her with his dirt-covered hands. Pretends to fight back. She's not fooling him or her husband. They've both witnessed her handling the cattle. It's not from Time's side of the family that Twilight inherited the strength.

(They're the type of couple that teases each other constantly. He wonders what it would have been like if Midna...)

There's something a little different about Malon today. Something under her skin. Like she was holding on to a secret with both hands and it's threatening to explode the whole time. He wouldn't call her nervous. Excited, though? Yes.

He finds out at dinner.

They've just finished another two course meal courtesy of Malon and Wild when she pulls her husband aside during dessert. It gets a glance or two, but the conversation keeps going on the topic of stupidest things they've ever done. Since it's Wild's turn though, Twilight can still focus on the married couple by the sink.

(It's a sad day when he can name more for Wild than Wild remembers. They've got diverging definitions of what constitutes a 'stupid' thing. He will forever argue against the monster masks, especially the lynel one.)

“I was waiting for a chance to tell you in person. I saw a wisewoman last week.”

“What for...?” Time asks, and he sounds a little anxious for once, hands hovering closer to his wife.

Coy, Malon bites her lips and glances at Twilight. Time has to turn to see where, exactly, she's looking, and his breath hitches when he realizes. His mouth twitch as he grabs both her hands, focused on her with such intensity she giggles.

“You mean...?”

She breaks into a grin, nods and whispers-yells: “Yes! We're going to be parents, Link.”

The kiss he lands on her lips is indecent enough to attract whistles from some of the others, who seem to be clueing in to the excitement in the room. When those two come apart, a pleasant blush colors their cheeks, and he tells her, over and over that he loves her. When he's had his fill, he whirls around to face them and their cheering.

“Boys!” Time calls out, exuberant, absolutely unguarded. “Boys! I'm going to be a father!”

The roof, improbably, resists the eruption of screams. Time's pure joy is contagious and it's the best news they've got since starting this quest. Congratulations rain on the happy couple.

“Someone's going to have competition, huh?” Legend nudges Twilight's ribs, wagging eyebrows.

Normally, Twilight would be flattered that his bond with Time is that obvious. Normally, he'd grab Legend and give him a noogie for his insolence. Make him cry 'uncle'. The classic big brother behavior he's used to. But he barely hears the words as it is, his mind bogged down by a sudden realization.

He stalls.

He's a second delayed in joining in the congratulations, behind Sky and Hyrule who are a little less physical in their affections. They've formed a circle around their leader and his wife, offering their best wishes, joking, patting Time on the back, kissing Malon's cheeks.

And then it's his turn.

Twilight remembers to breath. Offers his hand first.

“Oh, come here, you!” she swats away his hand and forces him into a hug that's warm, soft.

“You'll make a wonderful mother, Malon.”

Her expression shifts slightly, more of a knowing smirk, and he can see her laughter in her eyes. 'Oh, now you tell me.'

It's impossible for him not to smile back.

And below that elation, the flare of hope in his guts, is a heart stopping dread.

***

The next few battles are some of the worst Twilight had to struggle through. The enemies' number swell. Their ambushes turn elaborate with unheard of combinations of monsters that never coexisted naturally. The puppeteer behind them has tightened the strings, and Twilight has trouble keeping his head above water when every second he looks away, he fears his mentor (father) will die.

It's sheer experience and a heaping dose of help from his companions that ensure he's not dead. And even then...

“There, good as new,” Hyrule proclaims, slapping Twilight's bicep for good measure. “Now how about you don't pull a Wild and drop your weapon next time? We're counting on you to teach him caution, not the opposite.”

“Heard you, 'Rule!” Wild protests from where he's helping Four hobble back to them.

“Great, because we all saw that thing with the peahat.”

“It was the only way!”

And here goes the bickering, Twilight huffs. Wild and Hyrule get along like a house on fire, which means that it's warm and toasty for a while until everything collapse into ashes for a bit. Then they rebuild it better and stronger than before with perfect coordination. It's impressive, honestly, how they both push in the same direction without a second thought.

At least this doesn't look like he'll need to turn into a wolf to fetch them in a forest on the other side of a mountain like last time (he's still bitter about it, a mountain?).

“Pup,” Time's voice jolts him back into awareness. His mentor's standing right behind him. “Come with me for a minute?”

For a second, he hesitates. He likes to imagine a thousand explanations for it, but he already knows the one. Sky shot him the odd look during the fight. Saw him sloppier than usual. And Time keeps an even closer look on all of them.

The clearing is just far enough to be away from prying eyes, though not far enough they can't hear the others if they pay attention. Both sides could hear and rush at the first sign of trouble. It's a good place for a talk.

“Twilight,” Time begins, voice brimming with concern, “what's wrong?”

“It's...”

Silence lingers between them, with all the things Twilight can't say.

“Does it have anything to do about Malon's pregnancy?” Time asks, and Twilight cringes. “Ah. I figured as much. Are you bothered?”

Twilight fights the flashback to one of those evenings Rusl took him aside for a fatherly talk. He feels about as small as he did back then too. “No, of course not! It's... before, when I met Malon and saw you two didn't have kids, I realized you were safe. Every one of us is risking his life on this quest, but I could hold onto the idea that you'd live through, that it was impossible that you didn't because I'm here.”

“Were you not worried for my safety before this, Pup?” Time teases, a full on smirk on his face.

Twilight's face burns. “I, no, that's not it at all! It's just... Goddesses, I'm being silly.”

The hand that rests on his shoulder feels solid. Grounding. Like Time means to give him back some of that certainty through sheer force of will.

Twilight's relieved that it works on him.

“Pup, I promise I have no intention of dying and leaving Malon to raise our little hellion all on her own. I wouldn't do that to her.”

“Oh, right, the poor gal,” Twilight hears himself reply.

Time blinks. Then hooks his arm around Twilight's neck, an unholy glint in his good eye. “A youngster like you's too ignorant to mock your elders like this. But I suppose I should teach you.”

***

Time's few additions to the prank war ongoing inside their camps gives Twilight chills.

But he joins in the laughs with the rest of them.

And he almost forgets.

***

They have a lead on the object of their quest.

A location they must investigate. No guarantee, but reports seem promising.

It's hard not to get swept right in by his brothers' enthusiasms. He's found more family through this quest than he had ever hoped to get, but it's also been a mess of ambushes, lost directions and insufferable assholes (some of which, he loves because they're his pack, his siblings, his dad).

“I'll cut the fucker's balls right off!” Wind cheers, which gets nods from Legend and Wild, and winces from Sky and Warriors.

Twilight is more in the 'rip their throat out' camp, but he's also got a unique perspective on how to get personal with killing off your enemies.

(If their quest is to end, he will stand between any number of enemies so that his family returns home safe.)

***

The Temple of Souls.

A place of power, of memories. Deeds commemorated here. Statues of the various chosen heroes during their adventures. Honored and immortalized in stone.

Twilight hesitates before the one statue of a beast, and the imp riding its back. It's a testament to how much the other heroes helped him heal that he mostly feels nostalgia looking at his past. The pain, muted by Wild's enthusiasm or Four's more solemn amusement.

They search through the history of the Hero's Spirit together, with Warriors leading them. Their captain's light-hearted jester attitude's been replaced by his battlefield look. A strategist and a soldier, at the head of a battalion of legends. And yet, there's a tightness to his expression. Twilight gets why and he makes sure to stay close. The sorceress had been reformed, so this world's Zelda said. But the fear's longer lasting.

Time lingers near the statue of the Hero of Time. So do the others, with Warriors deciding to keep watch, since they clearly couldn't deal with the idea of Time having once been a child.

A little kid. Probably not even as tall as Colin or Talo. Twilight tries to imagine letting these two go on a quest to save Hyrule and his mind buckles in protest at the knowledge of what kind of monstrosities can crawl up from the darkest corners of Hyrule. Imagines them in the Arbiter's Ground, and he feels acute pain in his left hand, where he is gripping his sword's hilt so hard his knuckles turn white.

Hylia stole Time's childhood, but Twilight won't let her take his future.

***

They found the enemy.

It found them in return. Hyrule is the first to realize, and it's their wanderer's words that ring in their heads during the worst battle of their lives.

'Impaled by a shadow in my likeness. Everything I gave, he returned right back.'

Dark Link. The other side of the coin. The shadow of the Hero's Spirit, grown with each incarnation.

It is not an opponent for any one hero to take on anymore. Dark Link is the sum of every dark turns their minds have ever taken, every moment of fear, despair, anger. Every dirty trick. Every method of handling a sword. It reflects all nine of them, in turn and at once.

And it means that each one of them know a piece of Dark Link as intimately as the back of their hands.

The battle does not end quickly.

While most encounters with monsters last minutes at most and encounters with bosses sometimes stretch twice or thrice that, this battle goes on for what feels like lifetimes. There's not a thing Twilight knows that he doesn't see at some point in Dark Link's arsenal. He's forced to see his journey thrown back at him, and he only went on a single one.

(He loses both his shield and his sword midway through. Has to join in the sniping until that's destroyed. Breaks two more of Wild's weapons. Fought with fangs and claws till he desperately needed healing.)

They came prepared. Armed with every weapon they have. Overstocked with potions and blessings and fairies.

They're still all exhausted, wounded and little more than dead on their feet when Wild lands the apparent fatal blow with a shock arrow. Electricity dances on the shade, its face a mask of silent agony, and it stumbles, shape unsteady, and sinks back into nothing.

“Is it... is it over?” Wind asks, his shirt shredded and an ugly burn on his collarbone.

“Steady!” Warriors calls out. “It might be trying to trick us.”

They watch every corner of the room with the hard earned hatred of a difficult opponent. They're all on their last leg and they can't keep going much longer. The air's so thick with tension Twilight tastes it. His instinct's screaming at him. He knows, in his heart, that this is it.

(It might be why he looked.)

(None of the others have spent as much time as him watching shadows, longing for the way they might waver and twist and become a beloved companion.)

Time's shadow shouldn't be this inky black.

Time's grip on his sword is also looser than his shadow's.

Twilight breaks into a sprint.

For a long time, Twilight had no choice. No matter what, his old mentor couldn't die before he had children.

Somehow, he'd been naïve enough to find comfort in that. Since then, he's dreamed of Time holding his baby, happier than he had ever dared express before. The memories of years that aged his heart faster than his body no longer a burden in his quiet little corner of the world.

There still isn't a choice. Time must go back to his wife and child. Twilight won't accept any other outcome. He'll turn silly images conjured from his resting mind into rock solid visions of the future.

Time's shadow stands up.

Hyrule shouts a warning.

And the blade swings.

“TWILIGHT!”

The taste of copper washes over his tongue. Drips from the corner of his mouth.

He looks down. A blade's shadow is impaling him straight through the chest. And Dark Link's face splits into a savage grin. Triumphant.

Heat bleeds out of his wound too fast. Somehow, he's certain this isn't poison, or at least, the traditional kind. It's climbing up his limbs, through his torso, and squeezes as if it were the coils of a snake. There's something wild, uncontrolled to it. Malicious. Its embrace tightens. Tries to leave him helpless, paralyzed.

It's fine. More so than any other hero, he's used to darkness. Made it a tool for himself in the ways the others haven't dared. And he's suddenly so thankful for it. That it's him. His country doesn't need him anymore, not like Sky who needs to build it from the ground, not like Legend who can never step outside his doors without getting roped into saving another country, not like Hyrule who guards the secret of his royal family, not like Warriors who is working so damn hard to earn back trust and honor amongst his own, not like Wild who wants to serve his Zelda and pay back his past mistake.

He doesn't even have grand projects for the future, like discovering a new land with pirates, find a lost brother, or simply build a home with his wife.

He's just... a farmer who picked up a sword and had help at the right time. Even if he dies, he knows his friends in the resistance could still protect Hyrule in his stead. The kids can look after themselves and each other now. Queen Zelda has always been stronger than him. And Illia... he'll finally let Epona go back to her. He can only hope that will be enough.

Because here and now, he is needed one last time.

Dark Link snarls and grins and begins to pull back his sword.

Twilight's hand catches his wrist. Grips.

Dark Link flinches. Red eyes flickers between his wrist and Twilight's serene smile. The other hand lashes like a whip, dagger's shade aimed right at his face, but that one instead pierces through Twilight's palm. Closing fingers lock Dark Link's arm into place. Neither can escape the other now. For the first time, hesitation flashes on the doppelganger's face. Tilts into fear as it starts to struggle. Each movement is rough, violent and murder on Twilight's battered body. The thing's strength should scare him.

Except Twilight learned to wrestle gorons for fun. He wins every time.

The others rally. He catches them rushing forward in the corner of his eyes.

It tries to slip inside his shadows, but Twilight remembers that trick too. He pulls back, welcomes the darkness and Dark Link's feet blur, fuse to the ground, to Twilight's own shadow. It's oddly fitting.

With a deadly chime, the biggoron sword sails over his shoulder and catches Dark Link's arm. It rams itself against Twilight, tries to stagger him, but his mentor's at his back now, and the battleworn heroes, his wronged family, repay their suffering with interest.

One skewering echoed eight times over. Every aspect of the Hero's Spirit stabbing at their inner darkness, fighting the demon that claimed their faults. It cannot escape this time. Its face shifts with every blow. From young to old to young again, a twin lost at birth. Bitter. Resentful. It's weak and faltering when at last, it becomes Twilight's.

With one last battle cry, Sky executes a point perfect great spin that slices straight through Dark Link's neck. Its head goes flying and dissolves before it hits the ground. The body remains longer. Some of it clings to Twilight, sinks into him. He might have worried about this eventually, but the black sword fades and his tunic become slick with blood.

Yeah... there's no coming back from that one.

Dark Mirrors had always been his greatest weakness. What set him on his journey, what broke him in the end, twice. He thinks... he thinks he managed to pick up the pieces well enough.

“Sorry, guys...” His attempt at a smile turn into a grimace of pain. “I don't think I can walk this off...”

“Hyrule! Heal him!”

Hyrule's corpse-like pallor is all the answer they need. The fight exhausted the last of his magic. He's still stumbling forward like he will put his own life into the spell if he needs it. Sky's the one to pull him back, looking sick.

Legend's bag is upturned over the floor, and three of them kneel amongst the items. Twilight notes with faint amusement that this time, their prickly veteran does not yell at them to be careful with his stuff. Rare items gathered through harrowing adventures just go flying on the sides, discarded as useless. He hopes none of them break. He'd hate that to be one of the last things Legend remember about him.

“Don't,” Twilight says, but it's too weak to get through his family's panic. “It's okay...”

Four, the one trying to help him stand, snaps at him. “Don't say that!”

“I-” His knees give out from under him. Four goes down with him.

“Twilight!”

The others snap their heads in their direction.

It takes one look at Time's face to realize what a fool he'd been. It's almost enough to make him regret it. But no, given another chance, he'd make the same decision over and over again.

“Please...” he tries to say, but it's lost in a gargle of copper and red.

The screaming worsens.

Will Time go to his grave with this on his mind? He can't. Twilight wants to beg him not to. Wants to explain. Free himself of the fear he's clung to for the months they traveled together. But his lungs refuse to cooperate, filling with blood. Every attempt to speak just pains him more and produces mere wheezes.

Not on my behalf, he thinks, a last jolt of strength going through him from frustration and fear and sorrow. He hates the knowledge he'll put his mentor to rest with false hope. That he'll move on, thinking that his training might save him from this fate.

(From Ganondorf, yes, always. Hyrule saved because of the old man. Always cursed not to be known for his heroism, wasn't he?)

High whistling notes edge the confines of his consciousness. Fast notes, frantic, played with the fervor of a dying man, and he almost chuckles thinking he has a much better understanding of this as darkness creeps on the corner of his eyes and heat leeches out of his wound.

He can't see Time anymore. Just vague outlines of all his brothers, the color of their cloaks and hair the best way he can distinguish them by now. Hands push down on his shoulders, lift him gently. Scarred hands. Strands of blonde hair tickle his face.

Wild.

“'M sorry...” he breathes out. Tears prick at his eyes, knowing how much this'll hurt his cub. His little brother who already bears the weight of so many deaths. “Not... f-f-au-lt. Swear,” he tries to sound stern, he really does.

He can't go to his grave otherwise. He'll stay alive just so Wild and Time and the others don't pick up the guilt.

Eh...

She did always call him an optimist.

He's probably in some dying dream, he sees hands the shades of her skin join Wild's, brush his hair away from his eyes. Liquid flames frame a face like hers. The mocking lilt of her voice is broken by a sob though. He's never heard that before.

He wishes he could stop the pain for all of them, but he's tired.

Maybe... maybe Hylia granted him that one last favor. Maybe it's just him and his stupid heart that won't heal right, that makes him see what's not there...

He doesn't have the strength to do more than believe anyway.

“Midna...”

Tender warmth brush over his lips, one last little balm before he goes. It's gentle. So unlike her, so like her too. Eh. He always imagined they'd be cold.

***

Wild sees Twilight's eyes close, and his world snaps in half.

His brother slips from his arms, but thankfully, the woman's grip on him is steady. Familiar. It makes Twilight look at peace, as if he was sleeping in his lover's lap. It's something he always wished for his big brother, from the moment he heard that joke about a princess and a mirror. To have someone who loved him worth the pain he'd gone through.

And he only gets it in death.

It can't end this way. It can't! Mipha! he grapples with the thought and it wins. “MIPHA! PLEASE!”

She'd healed him from the brink so many times. Twilight's even more of a hero than him, so it would only be fair, right? Just this once. Just this once. He can't lose someone else because of his incompetence!

But Mipha has long gone to rest, and no one disturbs their group of heroes from their loss.

Wild feels himself scrap at his old hood, pushes it down over his head. As if that would stop reality from sinking in. He can't look at Twilight's body. He can't. He just wants to wake up in the shrine, like nothing ever happened. Like he hasn't watched-

“It was you!” Warriors snarls at the woman, his tone as biting as a sword's kiss. “All this time! It was you that broke his heart! He said he lost you, but you just left, didn't you?! You could have gone back to him!”

The strange woman – Midna – finally turns away from Twil- from... she turns to Warriors. Tears trail down her cheeks despite the faintest hint of a smile. “I always hoped he would forget me, the sweet fool.”

It's spoken with the sort of affection in one of Twilight's hair ruffling, but the insult feels searing. Wind's on her the next second.

“Don't you dare call him that!” he howls in her face, the shout less intimidated by the snot and tears he can't hold in. “Don't you- Twilight's not- not...”

Somehow, Sky can move. He lifts Wind away from Midna. It breaks the teen's rage, and he curls into Sky's shoulders as if their chosen isn't crying himself.

“He was,” she says, and it strikes Wild that she is just like Twilight had said. Fierce. Powerful. And a bit cruel. Like a jewel barbed in thorns – even if she'd laugh at the description. “It could have been different, if he hadn't been who he was. But he would always make this choice. You know this.”

Memories come to Wild, unbidden, of days in his Hyrule, where the only one he could count on was himself and a wolf. Hordes chasing a beast whilst he picked them off one by one. Enormous monsters fell side by side with his friend. Cold nights buried in fur. Panicked barks getting closer to him as he struggled to stand in the middle of a battlefield.

Goddesses...

The music – when, who, had started, – breaks into a horrible screech that should never come out of an instrument. It's half scream. Half something shattering.

“Why isn't it working?!” Time croaks, hands trembling around his broken ocarina.

“That power was only ever borrowed,” Midna says as if every syllable costs her. “The price would be too high.”

Legend is the next one to move from sorrow to rage. “No! We'll do it again!” He kneels by his bags and he's tossing aside items by the dozens. “We didn't come all this way for this!”

“You did,” Midna's voice falters. “And so did I. It was always meant to end like this.”

An horrible sinking feeling seizes Wild's heart. “You... knew?”

They freeze.

Midna looks down at Twilight's face and brushes a strand of hair away from his markings. “At the very end of our adventures, I was spared by the Goddess. Salvaged, maybe, from the ruins of forbidden power and the home of my dearest friend. Hylia spoke to me then. Told me.”

Wild sees her chest shudder before her voice breaks.

“Told me that Link and I would only be reunited on the day of his death. That I'd be the one to take his last breath. It was the only way Hyrule could be safe.”

“Fuck Hyrule!” Legend shouts, hoarse. “What is the point-? Every time! F-fuck this kingdom and fuck Hylia! What about us?! Why does she hate us so much?!”

Legend's arms fall to the sides, his grief spent. He stares at his feet and doesn't react when his successor hugs him tight. Warriors gets his other side.

Wild feels numb. He had done his best the first time around, to believe that Hylia wanted the best even when she let his Zelda suffer through her silence. He thought, maybe, her late answer had a purpose. But he can't figure it out. A kingdom she claimed to protect, destroyed before she helped.

His chest hurts. He can't breath right.

Ahead, the air tears with a jarring noise and a burst of black particles. He can't help the flare of hope they bring, the very same magic that Twilight used to become a wolf. But his brother's not moving. Midna's arm is raised toward the black portal.

“No, no!” Time finally breaks out of his paralysis, reaching out for Twilight's body. “You can't take him!”

“I'm sorry,” she whispers. “I don't have much time left. I must bring him back to his village. I owe him that much.”

None of them stop her from walking back into the shadows, their lost brother in her arms.

***

The greatest threat to their world has finally been defeated. Months of hardship, over. The purpose for which Hylia assembled them, fulfilled. It should have been heralded by a feast, a last evening together before the final goodbyes. The weight of their mission should have been lifted, but now it won't leave them.

They try.

They find the seediest tavern, in the darkest corner of town. They are not looking for a celebration. They want to drown the sorrow in something less painful than grief, be it a bar fight, a hangover or a round of the bard's singing.

All eight of them around a table, nine drinks before them. A toast.

Unshed tears.

Stories. All those times Twilight played big brother to them. Tried to be the reasonable one even when he was smirking under his wolf pelt. Those games of cards he won the pants off Warriors, literally. Those times he teased Legend with his incomprehensible slangs (they'd never know what that one about goat horns mean, would they?). Those nights they woke bundled up under a wolf. Those days he would spend at their bedside, caring for injuries he sniffed out better than most.

They call up more drinks, left the ninth alone, and pour their soul into making themselves almost believe he was still alive. That Midna had taken his sleeping body back where he'd finally get to be in love with her.

For the time of a few laughs, it works. Then they look at the empty seat.

“He died.” Time drops his head into his hands, smaller than they'd ever seen him before. “Twilight died, and I wasn't even holding him! I was playing that goddess-curse ocarina! He told me! He told me he would die for me and I didn't listen!”

“He would have died for any of us,” Warriors says, weakly. “Just like we would have died for him.”

At the end of the night, when they stumble out, unsteady, Wild picks up the ninth drink and empties it outside.

***

The arrow's tip strikes one eye and detonates.

Cracks in the stone spread a little further. But the statue is still standing. It waited for him when he came back. Here. The only thing still standing in the ruins of the temple. Where his first journey began.

He can't hear her voice as he did before. He has no crest to offer, no proof of his valor to receive a blessing. Even now, the thought makes him want to hurl. To carve out the gifts he'd received from the monster that parades as a goddess right out of his chest.

“Why?!” Wild screams at the unfeeling block of stone.

The damage reaches the statue's middle, and a chunk tears off. A piece of her cloak. Dust follows. He shoots another bomb arrow. Almost grins to see a piece of her hair fly off.

“Why? Why WHYWHYWHY?!”

Fingers close on air. He's emptied his quiver.

Glowing bomb runes materialize in his hands, and he can barely wait out the cooldown time between each new explosion.

He switches to a club.

“Why him?!” He wails at the stone. “Why was it him?! Why not me?!”

The shout drains the last of his strength. With a sob, he falls to his knees.

“You did this to him! You killed my brother!” he spits every inch of venom that's making his chest heave, that burns his eyes and that opened this gaping hole inside him. “Why did you do that?! You're supposed to be good! Everyone told me you protect Hyrule! But you don't! You just send the same mortal do your job over and over again! And now he's... he's DEAD! What's the point of you?!”

“Link!”

Zelda's voice.

It rubs his skin raw that she sounds so happy. She should be disgusted to see such a worthless hero! She should have left him to die in that field!

She stops by the broken entrance to the Temple of Time, her gaze flickering to the statue, to his sorry state. The ecstatic looks vanishes and a far more fitting sadness replaces it.

“Link...?”

For a frightening moment, he thinks he's going to hate her. Hate Zelda for what she represents. He thinks he won't be able to look at her without knowing what she is. That there'll always be a voice in the back of his mind telling him she shares her soul with the unfeeling thing that lead his brother to his death.

“What happened?” she asks, gentle.

“T-Twilight... he's... ”

The club hits the ground.

Zelda closes her arms around him, and he clings to her like she's going to disappear.

***

“It's a boy!”

The wisewoman presents the small squirming body to Time.

Wisps of strawberry blonde hair crown his son's mostly naked head. Not dark enough to be...

He banishes the thought from his head. It's unfair. It's cruel. He can't compare them. His son. His son, he repeats to himself when the little bundle shifts against the inside of his elbow. Malon was right. That button nose is far cuter than his.

He's perfect.

His heart is threatening to jump right out of his chest. He doesn't think he can express all the love he has for this little hylian boy properly. He doesn't think it's possible to love anyone that much. For years, he'd feared a pauper's grave, a hole on the side of the road. A monster getting lucky at last and no one to mourn him. And now he was holding his firstborn child.

Malon had pushed past that fear and the walls he'd built around his heart. Twilight had shown him without a doubt he could have a family.

Twilight had...

It could have been different. But he would always make this choice.

Always choose to save Time at the last possible moment. For Malon. For their son.

Time dabs the corner of his eyes, and loses himself in the feeling of his son's skin against his own. He's so lucky to be able to hold him. To kiss the top of his head. To look at the beauty of his wife and child together. He doesn't know if he deserves it. Doesn't feel like he does anymore. But he can't throw it away. The price was so high. He wants every moment spent well. A full life to shower his child with love, for all the children he might have on the ranch.

I promised you.

Twilight is his successor, his son. A strong, kind young man that died too soon for Time's mistake. If he'd been stronger, if any of them had been a little stronger, perhaps...

He's never resented the lack of recognition over his deeds so ardently before. Never felt the bitterness take root this deep. Everything he was, everything he did, forgotten, lost. Accounts of his deeds, his prowesses, gone. Sword techniques. Tricks. Items. Twilight had been a farmer before Hylia had pushed his fate onto him. How could his own descendant have nothing of Time's knowledge and treasures passed down to him? If he had...

On the Triforce, he swears. He will pass on everything he knows to his children and his grandchildren after them, make them promise to perpetuate that tradition, so that Twilight might live longer. He couldn't fail him again.

He swears.

He will do anything to help Twilight survive their last quest.

In this world or the next.

#Linked Universe #Linkeduniverse #LU Twilight #LU Time

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queenof-literature · 4 years

Text

A Sick Wild Child - Chapter 5

Warning: Mentions of vomiting and panic attack.

Wild remained tucked inside Twilight’s pelt all day. Twilight had moved out from under him when Wild was in a deep enough sleep to do so. Twilight hated to move him but that kid was a furnace at the moment and an overdose of body heat seemed to be the last thing he needed. Now all that could be seen of the spry boy were tufts of blond hair sticking out near the top of his bedroll.

It was around lunchtime when some of the boys began to get restless. They usually wouldn’t stay at camp this long in the middle of the woods, but as Time had stated, Wild wasn’t fit to travel anywhere even if he was being carried by someone. He would hopefully be well enough to ride on someone’s back in the morning, but until then they were stuck.

It was Warriors’ turn to watch Wild. After his panic attack a couple of hours earlier he had completely passed out, so the job had become a lot more smooth. Warriors was content to just read a book Four and lent him and check Wild’s temperature and breathing once in a while. He wasn’t really getting that much better, but he wasn’t getting worse either. Legend’s medicine had helped his breathing steady out for the most part so he didn’t sound like a fish out of water anymore. He was still quivering and his muscles still appeared to be spasming, which would undoubtedly make him sore in the long run, but he at least appeared in a deep sleep for now.

“Hyrule is Wild really okay to be so curled up in those blankets?” Four asked, concerned that Wild’s fever would worsen.

“I think it’s okay. Whoever is on watch just has to keep checking his temperature. If it gets noticeably worse then we need to cool him down a bit.” Hyrule responded with ease. He was really growing into his role in the group, Time thought with pride. Hyrule was one hell of a fighter, but he also had the talent and spirit of a healer.

“Warriors, you’ve been checking his temperature, right?” Legend questioned with a single eyebrow raised. There was a slight teasing lilt to his voice. He knew Warriors had to take care of his men in battle before.

“‘Course I have. Who do you take me for?” Warriors rolled his eyes.

“It was a fair question Warriors.” Wind giggled, only to be met with a book flying straight at him.

“Hey! Don’t throw my books!” Four shouted as a thud and a squawk was heard in the background. Time rolled his eye. These boys were getting quite restless, which was perfectly fair. Time didn’t know what they would do if Wild wasn’t at least a little better tomorrow. It wasn’t just unpleasant to camp in one place for this long, it was dangerous. Moving along helped the black blooded monsters keep further from them. That was another reason he had someone watch over Wild. If a monster came by the camp and saw a sick member on the outskirts of camp, alone, well… it was nature. Pick off the weakest of the pack. No way in hell was Time going to let that happen.

It seemed all the chaos had roused Wild slightly from his sleep. Immediately the camp halted when Warriors heard a groan a couple of feet away from him.

“Hey buddy, how ya feeling?” Warriors asked with a smile.

“Wha’s goin’ on?” Wild slurred out, eyes barely peeking out from Twilight’s pelt.

“Well you got yourself sick and took a pretty nasty fall, kiddo.” Warriors teased. Wild squinted his face in concentration for a second, like he heard Warriors but understood nothing of what was said to him, before muttering a small “m’kay”, and falling back asleep. The camp chuckled slightly at Wild’s acceptance.

“What are we gonna do if he’s not any better tomorrow?” Wind asked, apparently having the same thoughts Time did.

“We have to keep moving. It’s too dangerous to stay here for longer than tonight. If someone wouldn't mind carrying him for a while, we can at least move a little bit tomorrow.” Time had been planning it out in his head. He didn’t want to risk Wild’s health by moving him around too much, threatening his breathing once again. However he also didn’t want to put them all in danger by having them stay in this clearing for too long. Neither situation was ideal, but hopefully with Wild being carried he would be alright for a while.

Really the ideal situation at the moment would be being transported to Lon Lon Ranch. There Wild could be doted on by Malon for as long as he needed. Time smiled at the idea of Malon being a complete mother hen when one of their boys were sick. Wild would undoubtedly be as red as a tomato when he wasn’t delusional anymore. Malon would just coo that he didn’t need to be embarrassed and continue nursing him back to health. Hylia, he loved that woman. No matter how fierce she could be with that fire he fell in love with, she could also be the kindest being in any Hyrule, in any timeline. If one of the boys ever got sick on the ranch, Time was sure that no matter if it was the oldest or the youngest, Malon would certainly baby every one of their boys until they got better. Time wondered when he and Malon and stopped thinking of the boys as just boys and when they thought of them as their boys. Their family to protect. Maybe they never were just boys, maybe it was the first time they ended up at Lon Lon Ranch when he watched her fall in love with every single one of them, like a bear seeing her cub for the first time. Either way, Time could feel when they were going to switch. He didn’t know when, or where they would end up, but he could feel the time running out (ha). They were not switching Hyrules anytime soon, so they had to make the best out of what they had in the moment.

Multiple voices blended together, offering to carry Wild, including Wind, who was multiple inches shorter than the hero he was offering to carry. Time held back a smirk.

“We can take turns carrying him.” Twilight planned from beside Time. “But we can’t jostle him too much. He doesn’t have broken ribs anymore but we don’t want his breathing to go back to how it was when he first fell down a tree. We also don’t want him puking all the way through the forest.” Some light laughs ripped through the group. Time threw a hefty clap to Twilight’s shoulder, proud of him for taking charge.

“Twilight is right. Tomorrow we’ll switch off by the hour, oldest to youngest of those capable of carrying him without moving him too much.” Time finalized. He knew Wind wouldn’t be happy if the topic of him not carrying Wild came up, so he hoped they found a better place to sleep before they got to that point.

“How is he, Warriors?” Twilight asked the captain.

“Kid’s okay so far. His temperature hasn’t increased from what I can tell.” Warriors reported, resting a hand on Wild’s forehead to affirm his point. “Looks miserable though, he’s shivering like he’s buried in snow.” Warriors frowned in thought.

“I feel bad, but we can’t let him get too warm.” Hyrule warned.

“I know buddy. I just feel bad for the kid. He has to be freezing.” Warriors confirmed.

“Yeah, but once his fever passes a bit he can be buried under as many blankets as he wants.” Hyrule smiled optimistically.

“I think if you gave him the choice that would be every blanket we own.” Legend joked. He wasn’t wrong. Wild packed light, but when given the option, he felt the weight of heavy blankets to be comforting. It was odd considering how much he hated being restrained, but whatever brought him comfort they would try to achieve it.

The light atmosphere of the camp was interrupted when, without any warning, as if the universe had read every worry and bad thought Time had, a group of moblins crashed through the trees.

“Warriors, watch Wild!” Time yelled instantly, although he didn’t really need to. Warriors instantly leapt to his feet and unsheathed his sword above Wild. The moblins in Wild’s Hyrule were strong and towering, but also lanky. They would almost be cute if they weren’t currently attacking them with one member already down. Thankfully there were only three. Wind, Legend, and Hyrule attacked the one leading the attack. Sky and Four had rushed over to assist Warriors in protecting Wild against the second. Finally, Time and Twilight were working on the third.

The battle was going fine. No one seemed to be injured so far, everyone was expertly ducking under clubs and slashing at weak points. A yell from Warriors changed that. Time didn’t know how it happened, he doubted Warriors did either. One moment the second Moblin was being overpowered by the combination of Sky, Hyrule, and Warriors, the next, it was looming over the boy wrapped in his bedroll who was completely unaware of what was happening. It happened so fast and yet so painfully slow. The moblin wildly kicked its foot at the heap on the ground, sending Wild flying a good ten feet away, causing his right side to smash into a tree.

With a short and airy scream from Wild, Warriors only saw red. Slamming his shield into the back of the smug Moblin, he quickly hacked away until only a puff of black smoke remained, then nothing.

Without a second thought, everyone bolted over to Wild. Warriors got there first, sliding to Wild’s side and lifting the hem of his shirt. When Time got there, all he saw was horrifying shades of blacks, greens, and blues on the right side of Wild’s already bruised chest. There was also red seeping out of deep scrapes the bark cut into his skin.

If Wild’s breathing was bad when he first fell, it didn’t even compare to what it was now. He was coughing, hacking, gasping, and wheezing. Anything just to get air into his lungs. His hands were twitching and grabbing onto the grass below, and Time imagined if he could move properly he would be grasping at his throat.

“Wild I am so sorry he was just gone before I knew it. Wild, kiddo, can you hear me?” Warriors was keeping his voice as calm as possible but on the inside he was being crushed by guilt and concern.

Hyrule kneeled next to Wild’s shuddering form along with Twilight, while Warriors moved to be just above Wild's head.

“Twilight, can you see if you can calm him down at all? The shock he’s probably feeling isn’t helping him breathe.” Hyrule was already feeling Wild’s ribs as he spoke, which only increased Wild’s pain and his struggle to breathe.

“Please.” Wild gasped out in between coughing and hacking, “Stop”. Twilight leaned down and took one of Wild’s hands.

“Don’t worry Cub, it’ll stop soon. I’m sorry, but it’ll be okay. You’re okay, Just keep breathing. In and out.” As Twilight repeated similar phrases and placed Wild’s hand on his chest, Warriors had taken to playing with Wild’s hair to hopefully give him some form of comfort.

“Four, we’re gonna need a potion. Please run and get one. Legend, if you have any more of that salve to spare, Wild will probably need it.” Time voiced. Legend and Four simply nodded and took off to their bags.

“What can I do, Time?” Wind asked in a flurry. Time felt a rush of affection for the boy’s eagerness to help his friend in any way possible.

“I don’t know yet. Ask Hyrule when he’s done checking out Wild's ribs.” Time put on a reassuring smile for Wind, which the boy returned.

Wild’s breathing had calmed down enough that Time wasn’t worried he would pass out anymore from hyperventilating. It seemed physical contact had helped his mind know the threat was gone for now. For now, were the words that troubled Time. He thought that they could go another night here, but if these monsters had tracked them, more were sure to come. His thoughts were interrupted by Legend and Four returning just in time for Hyrule to tell his findings.

“We’re lucky he doesn’t have a punctured lung.” Hyrule stated solemnly over Wild's wheezing and whimpers of pain. “He has broken ribs again, and they were already weak the first time. A potion should heal them enough that he won’t be in immediate danger, but they’ll be more fragile. The infection is already making his healing hard, breaking his ribs a second time in the same day is defiantly not good.” Hyrule finished, looking over at Warriors, who was guiltily spinning a strand of Wild’s hair on his finger. “It’s not your fault, Warriors. They had whatever the rest of the monsters do now. There’s no telling how much their speed and strength increased. It was just a bad situation. Without you he would have been hurt more, or worse.” Warriors simply nodded, but he felt a bit better at Hyrule’s words.

Twilight helped Wild drink the potion Four had brought, and Legend applied the salve to Wild’s chest. Fortunately, they didn’t have to worry about staining Wild’s tunic anymore with Sky’s old shirt on him, so Legend could put the salve on without having to lift Wild’s arms. After a few minutes, the cub’s breathing evened out well enough. It still wasn’t great, but he was at least getting air into his lungs.

“Alright gentleman.” Time got the attention of the rest of the group. “Even if it’s just a mile or two, we need to get out of here. More monsters are sure to come and they may be more powerful and more in numbers. Wild can rest a little while the rest of us pack up. Wind, watch Wild please, I’ll pack your things. Twilight, pack Wild’s bag and bedroll. We’re leaving. Now.”

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #wild #breath of the wild #wind #twilight #Warriors #sky #hyrule #time #legend #four #sickfic #sick #fluff #hurt/comfort #A Sick Wild Child #queenof-literature story #QoL Story

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newobsessioneveryweek · 4 years

Text

Sleep

I had LOADS of fun writing this 10k masterpiece with @jinmukangwrites. She’s an amazing writer and if you haven’t heard of her I suggest you check out her blog.

Inspired by a post made on @linkeduniversetweets (asked by @toschiworlds)

Brief spoiler-free summary: The Links spend a few days at Lon Lon Ranch during which Time manages to get himself concussed.

Enjoy

The Links had endured countless battles, vicious monsters, cascades of blood, and cold, unforgiving nights in the wilderness for several months but what laid before them offered the heroes a vital reprieve.

Blue skies and a gentle breeze greeted the Hero of Time when he climbed the small hill leading to his home in the early afternoon. The sun shone brightly upon him, almost unbearably warm, but a comforting feeling nonetheless. The smell of hay perfumed the air and left a lingering sweetness. But the sight of the woman that greeted him made the experience one hundred times sweeter. Time swung Malon once before leaning in and leaving a gentle kiss on her lips, relishing the bliss the reunion brought. The pair embraced and the remaining heroes either coed over the joyous moment or turned away to give the couple their privacy.

“I’ve missed you,” Time whispered into Malon’s shoulder. Malon could only barely stop herself from tearing up at her elation at hearing her husband’s voice.

“I missed you too,” she responded, her voice cracking slightly.

Lon Lon Ranch had become a haven for the travelling band of heroes and, though their job was far from finished, the Links felt that their abundant efforts could be rewarded with the few days they were able to spend in safety behind the walls of the ranch. But that luxury didn’t come without its small price.

***

“Chores!” Malon slammed a metal pail on the kitchen table, causing the Links who were having breakfast to jump in surprise. A beaming smile adorned her bright face as she looked around the room at each individual face.

Wild nearly dropped his sausage and Wind gasped the water he was drinking down the wrong pipe at the sudden raucous noise, causing him to cough excessively. “Who’s milking the cows and who’s feeding the cuccos,” Malon asked.

The Links around the table glanced at each other before quickly responding. “I’ll milk the cows,” They volunteered in unison. Malon laughed and took the bucket back. “If you can’t decide I’ll dish out the work myself. Wild, you can stay with me and wash dishes-”

“Lucky bastard,” Legend said.

“Language young man,” Malon chided. Legend immediately shut his mouth and listened. Malon tapped her chin before she turned to Legend. “Legend, you’re on cucco duty.”

“What? Why?”

“Because of that potty mouth of yours.” Beside Legend Warrior snickered. Malon huffed. “Alright Warrior, you can help him.”

“Oh, come on,” Warrior complained, which prompted a laugh from Legend in return.

“WInd, you can feed the pigs.”

“Yes,” Wind cheered. He liked the pigs.

“Twilight, you and Sky are on shovel duty,”

“What’s shovel- oh,” Sky then realised the odd job he’d been given and cringed.

“Yeah,” Twilight said.

“Hyrule and Four, hmm, you two are on milking duty with me.”

“Aw, yeah! I love milking duty,” Hyrule exclaimed.

“I don’t. The milk always gets on me,” Four grumbled.

“Well, maybe you should get a higher stool,” Legend joked.

Four stuck his tongue out at the remark and took the offered bucket from Malon once he cleared his plate.

“What about Time?”

“What about Time- I mean Link?”

“What’s his job?”

“Oh! I sent him to fix up one of the stables in the old barn. We’re planning on breeding the horses so we need more space.”

“Cool! Epona needs more friends,” Wind said excitedly. “Can I name the babies, please?” Wind practically begged her, and Malon easily granted his wish.

“Of course,” Malon said simply, smiling widely. “There’ll be plenty of names to give next time you happen to roll around our neck of the woods.”

***

“Let’s see,” Time muttered to himself as he took inventory of the tools on the shelf in front of him. “Wrench, saw. What’s that called again?” Time snapped his fingers, trying to remember the name of the strangle apparatus. “Gimlet,” he exclaimed. Time had long since finished his repair job, but he decided to make a list of their belongings while he was busy. He liked order and he knew Malon would appreciate the extra effort. Just knowing what you had made missing items easier to identify.

After he was done counting the hand tools he moved on to the gardening section of the barn where the heavier instruments were kept. Hoes and shovels, rakes and spades, pickaxes and regular axes hung neatly on hooks right above the Hero of Time, making it easy for him to see each individual item. “Okay, what do we have here?” Time took note of all the different items hung on the wall, jotting them down on his bulleted list as he went along the row.

“Alright, that seems to be- huh?” Time whirled around just in Time to see Epona barreling towards him at top speed. Her eyes held a spark of panic, she moved frantically as if trying to escape something. It all happened in a split second.

Epona charged, ramming straight into the startled hero and carrying him into the wall, causing the tools hung on the short, narrow hooks to fall on top of him. Epona whinnied in surprise and ran away from the scene, leaving the Hero of Time crumpled on the floor.

Time was faintly aware of the serious head wound he had sustained as a result of multiple sharp, heavy objects landing on his head. It took him approximately two seconds to realise how weak he felt and that if he moved his head even slightly overwhelming nausea would wash over him. His ears were ringing, his head ached and he felt absolutely helpless.

Sleepiness slowly began to creep upon him but Time fought the feeling with his entire being. He would spend his energy trying to avoid the inevitability of sleep. He had to fight it! If he didn’t… he would not be the same when he woke up.

In his stupor, he hadn’t realised the day’s coming to an end and so the feeble hero laid helpless on the floor of the old barn, desperately trying to stay awake.

-o-o-o-o-

"This brings me back," Twilight said, shoving the shovel down in his hands for the dozenth time that evening. He dug the blade of the shovel under a particularly large pile of manure and lifted it so he can dump in an ever pulling wheelbarrow graciously provided by Malon.

Beside him, Sky grunted as he too worked a shovel into the ground. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand and then continued. "This brings you back?"

"Oh yeah. Growing up, I didn't have parents. I had to get money to fend for myself by doing odd jobs for the people of the village I lived in" Twilight explained, "one of those jobs was mucking up the fields. Didn't enjoy it at the time, but it was good and honest work for a child. Now that I'm older, I help out with herding and taking care of the animals. We have the younger kids cleaning the fields now."

"Odd jobs where I came from normally included carrying books," Sky said somewhat bitterly as he unloaded his shovel into the wheelbarrow, "or cleaning blackboards."

Twilight let out a chuckle and stuck his shovel into the ground, looking around the field to admire their work. Malon did a fantastic job with caring for the ranch herself, but she was probably overworked with her husband gone off on another adventure, and seeing her field all clean-looking filled Twilight's chest with pride.

"So, what now?" Sky asked, looking at the pile of manure with a wrinkled nose. Twilight shrugged and grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow.

"I'm sure Malon has a place for us to put this so we can let it decompose."

"Oh," Sky hummed. "How long does that take?"

Twilight shrugged. "Depends. We can see if Malon wants us to throw any unused crops in there to help the process, but, either way, it should be fine to use as fertilizer by the time fields are ready-"

"Wait, did you say fertilizer?" Sky squawked and Twilight grinned.

"Oh yeah, city boy. Every farmer does it."

"U-uses poo to-"

"There you boys are," a new voice chimed in and Twilight turned to find Malon walking towards them, a smile on her face. "All done?"

"Yes ma'am," Twilight nodded while Sky stood there gaping. "Was just wanderin' where you wanted us to put this?"

"Oh, we have a spot for it by the mill, that way it doesn't stink up the house while it bakes," Malon said with a wink.

"I think I'm going to barf," Sky said, clutching his stomach and both Twilight and Malon burst into fits of laughter. "This isn't funny! I'm never going to be able to eat a vegetable ever again!"

"Oh honey, wait until you hear what we feed the pigs," Malon joked, and Twilight would have laughed along as Sky cried out in horror, covering his ears, but a different sound met Twilight's ears that took every drop of his attention away.

As a goat herder, there are sounds that he was trained to recognize. One of those was the sound of frantic, escaping hooves.

He turned his eyes away from Malon who was punching Sky's shoulder jokingly and looked towards the sound, only to see a horse raging right towards them.

Epona.

Instinctively—ditching the wheelbarrow—he rushed away from Malon—who at this point had noticed the startled horse as well—and threw his hands up, calling out. She was barreling right towards them, ears pinned back in panic and mouth loudly panting, until she reared up and cried out right before she could run into him.

Something scared Epona, if the way she remained agitated until Malon pushed her way through and began to sing a song, something scared her badly.

"Is she okay?" Sky asked hesitantly.

"I don't know," Malon said softly, rubbing Epona's mane with gentle movements. "What scared ya, girl?"

"If Epona is anything like my horse, nothing small," Twilight mused, he too joining in to stroke Epona's neck.

"We should find the others," Sky mumbled, pulling out his sword. Twilight agreed with a nod and unsheathed his own, the joking and good mood a mere fading memory now.

"If you don't mind, ma'am," Twilight said and gave his most assuring smile towards Malon, "you should head inside. I'll take care of Epona."

Malon looked like she was about to argue but then her shoulders sagged. "Bring everyone back safe. I'm sure it's just a wild animal."

-o-o-o-o-

"That'a'gal," Twilight hummed, leading Epona closer towards the stable, one hand still with his sword. Epona seemed to have calmed down some, but he's still worried about her. What could scare a horse that has been through so much?

He sighed and took another step towards the stable, and then he was knocked painfully off his feet by something appearing out from the ground. He landed harshly on his back with a grunt, just managing to avoid biting his tongue, but the sound of Epona's loud neigh was enough to get him quickly back onto his feet. He's back on solid ground just in time to jump to the side to avoid a fleshy, slug-like body and it's sharp pincers.

A leaver. An almost true constant between worlds. Annoying, fast, and persistent. However, they are normally found in the desert.

Twilight would wonder why this leaver was here if it wasn't for the disgusting inky tone to its body.

Infected.

Twilight jumped into battle without another second to lose. He didn't even have time to regret sending Sky to the opposite side of the field to search for the others before the leaver burrowed its strong body into the ground. Epona stomped the dirt with her hooves, whinnying loudly and angrily and he understood why she was so startled now. Any horse would be startled by something popping up from below them.

A section of ground popped up a bit and Twilight was on it in a heartbeat, jumping forward and sending his sword down. He could hear an agonized gurgle come from the creature but it wasn't done yet. It shifted and pushed forward, knocking him back. He lost grip of his sword and with a startled yell he was once again on his back. He just barely had enough time to look up for the creature but didn't have any more to spend on defending himself when it raced toward him.

Then, four raging hooves stomped on it and kept stomping on it until it was a gross pile of mush.

Twilight relaxed against the ground, forcing his heart to calm down.

Well, that happened.

He shoved himself once again to his feet and grabbed his sword, glaring at the creature now turned pudding. Epona didn't look like she'd calm down again anytime soon if the way she was huffing and snarling and stomping her feet indicated anything. So, he decided he'd let her be and go inside the stable, remembering that the old man should be in there. He could calm her down better.

He walked towards the door, gave a small knock, and opened it. "Hey, Time?" He called, the smell of horse meeting his nose. There was no answer, so he went all the way in, eyebrows furrowed by the silence.

Then, a groan.

He turned his neck, and his blood froze. "Oh Hylia. Time!'

Time laid miserably on his spot on the floor, tools strewn on and around him. Twilight sprinted towards his mentor, desperate to see what had caused the strong hero to look so vulnerable. Upon closer inspection, Twilight noticed the blood coating Time’s hair and face. “Goddesses, Time what happened to you?”

Time could only reach up and touch his forehead, wincing at the pain the simple action brought on.

Twilight was quick to sling Time’s arm around his shoulder but couldn’t manage to haul him up. If only the hero had removed his armour he would have been easier to lift. “Holy Hylia, Time, you weigh a ton.” Twilight sighed. “Okay, I’m going to get help. I’ll be right back.” Twilight ran as quickly as he could from the stable as Time groaned again and slumped back against the wall. It wasn’t long before he ran into Warrior and Legend who were busy tending the cucoos.

“Always remember,” Legend said beside Warrior who was holding a bag of feed at arm’s length, a cucoo standing innocently in front of him. “They can smell fear.”

“I’ve fought cucoo wars, my friend,” Warrior said eliciting a snicker from Legend, “I am not afraid of feeding these little punks.” As if on cue the cucoo crowed and Warrior visibly startled. Legend began cackling at his side, doubling over at the hilarity. “Shut up. I just got a fright.”

“Guys,” Twilight called, catching the pair’s attention. They turned to Twilight, seeing the weary look in his eyes.

“What’s wrong,” Warrior asked, concern in his voice.

“Time’s hurt. I can’t carry him alone. I need your help to take him to the house.”

“Say no more. I’ll come with you.” Warrior stepped over the fence keeping the cucoos and joined Twilight’s side.

“Me too,” Legend said, making his way over when Twilight stopped him.

“No, Legend. I need you to tell Malon what happened. She should be in the house.”

“O-okay. I’m on it.” Legend dashed off to the house and while Warrior and Twilight made their way hastily to the barn.

“How bad is it,” Warrior huffed as they ran across the field.

“I don’t know. He was pretty out of it when I got there but I hope he’s doing okay. He might have a concussion.”

Warrior hummed in thought. “What exactly happened?“

“I don’t know, but by the looks of it, some tools fell on top of him. He was lying under a bunch of gardening equipment.”

“Shit,” Warrior cursed. “I think you might be right about that concussion. How did that even happen?”

“I don’t know. He can tell us when we get him inside.”

They came to a stop in front of the red and white wooden building and pushed open the large wide doors.

“Old man,” Warrior called, peering inside, “You okay?”

Time was still on the floor, covered in blood and moaning. His eyes were glazed over but they held a note of fear behind them.

“Time, we’re going to help you. We just need to-” Twilight began as he knelt next to the man and slung his arm over his shoulder for the second time when he was interrupted by a sudden outcry.

“Get away from me,” Time yelled as loudly as he could in the state he was in. Twilight startled at his mentor’s harsh words, but he continued to lift him with Warrior’s help. “No, NO! Leave me,” Time continued to shout, fighting to free himself from Twilight and Warrior’s firm grip.

“Time, calm down, we’re just trying to take you home-”

“No, please,” Twilight spared a glance at the old man and his heart sank. Was Time crying? “Not again. I beg of you.”

“Time,” Twilight said gently, “It’s going to be fine.”

Just then Legend burst through the door. He doubled over, breathing heavily. “Fuck,” more breathing, “Okay,” he straightened and looked at the trio, Time’s teary-eyed visage and blood-soaked hair catching his notice above everything else. “Goddesses, Time, what happened?”

“We don’t know, but we need your help getting him to the house.”

Legend needed no more instruction and jogged over to help Twilight and Warrior carry the injured man. He took hold of Time’s legs but got kicked in the face for his efforts. “Ow! What-”

“Let go of me!” Time was frantic. He began kicking and flailing his arms to try and get away, but his efforts were weak despite his dedication.

“Time, we need you to cooperate,” Warrior scolded. “Malon’s probably worried sick.” Legend tried again to take hold of Time’s legs, but Time wouldn’t relent. He kept thrashing. “Time please-”

Time began wailing out of nowhere. He stopped fighting and fell to his knees, escaping from their grips but making no move to run. “I can’t. Don’t take me back there. The sacred realm,” Time sobbed, “I don’t want to go back.” Twilight froze. The sacred realm? Time had been there? Could that mean he was imprisoned with Ganondorf? And if that was the case, could that be why Time had been fighting them so relentlessly only a moment ago? Maybe his head wound was more serious than Twilight originally thought if Time was freaking out about events from that long ago. Twilight moved to pick him up again and this time his mentor didn’t flinch, probably having spent all of his energy trying to keep them away.

Soon the three heroes managed to get Time to the house without too much trouble. But the whole scene was still on Twilight’s mind. Why did Time think that they were going to take him to the sacred realm? What had traumatised the hero so much that he showed such vulnerability; such helplessness, and fear?

Before Twilight could ponder any longer Malon rushed to help her husband. She shouldered the weight Warrior had been carrying and they both managed to nearly drag Time upstairs to bed. All the while Time muttered words of protest, though he was unable to fight back effectively.

He seemed so lifeless. Boneless even. So unlike himself that it had Twilight swallowing something stuck in his throat. Something that felt like a seed of panic. Yet he knew he couldn't panic, not yet, because if he turned around he'd see the others looking at him, looking for some sort of direction, something to do.

Twilight didn't have anything for them to do. He barely knew what to do himself.

So he swallowed that seed and turned, keeping his face as neutral as he could manage, and looked at each hero in the eye. Legend, of course, was there, but until now Twilight hadn't noticed Wild and Four were there as well. Sky must have still been looking for the others.

Well, he supposed there was something to do.

"Head out, find the others, and bring your swords," he said calmly, a stark difference from what he was actually feeling. "I ran into an infected Leaver out there. They travel in packs, there could be more."

"Alright," Wild mumbled, grabbing his sword and walking out the door even though Twilight didn't think Wild knew what a leaver was. Legend shared a look with Twilight before nodding and running out to follow the champion.

"I'll go check on the traveler," Four said, "he's cleaning up the cow pen. The pig parlor is near there too, so I'll see if Wind is still there." And then he was out the door.

Then, Twilight was alone, looking at the empty house and feeling almost… lost on what to do. He supposed he could head out and search for Sky, but his feet didn't seem to want to move from their spot.

Then, the sound of creaking floorboards made themselves known behind Twilight. He turned around to see Warrior standing there.

Warrior gave Twilight a small smile and Twilight found himself smiling a tad bit back. Worry was a knot in his chest, but he was sure with the help of the others, this would just be a bump in the road.

"While they're finding the others," Warrior offered, "you and I can check the perimeter for more monsters."

Twilight was about to respond that it sounded like a plan, but then Malon made her appearance as well. "Actually, I need one of you boys to help me a little more," she said softly. Twilight glanced at Warrior and he shrugged, fixing his scarf around his neck so it wrapped a little around his chin.

"Why don't you help the lady," Warrior said, "I want to see these leavers for myself."

Twilight nodded, making a mental note to thank Warrior later, and then turned towards Malon as the other hero took his leave. Malon gave him a kind look before she stepped forward and brushed her finger across his cheek. "Look at you," she said, "you need a hose down more than the pigs."

Twilight released a breath and stepped away, folding his arms across his chest. "How is he?"

A grimace passed over Malon's features. "Tired. Confused. Scared. Nothing I haven't tackled before."

Twilight knew nightmares were not exclusive. Anyone could have them. Someone with a perfect life. Someone who've seen more war-torn days that simple days. Nightmares crept up on the cowardly. Pounced on the brave. It shouldn't surprise him that things like this had happened to Time before.

"Thankfully, he's keeping himself awake," Malon continued, beginning to head towards the front door. Twilight quickly followed along. "I don't know if he's conscious enough to purposely keep himself awake, or if… if he's subconsciously doing it. But either way, it gives us time to find help."

She walked out of the house with Twilight at her heels, and eventually, she stopped by a small garden of berry bushes. She worked her way past them and revealed a small birdbath.

Well, a fairy bath actually.

"Drat," Malon cussed, "there's only one."

"You collect them?"

"You boys and your collecting," Malon mumbled, walking forward to where a small ball of light hovered over the water in the bowl, dropping every so often to perhaps take a sip. "We're looking for one." She reached forward and gently cupped the fairy in her hands, mumbling a soft plea for help that they both knew the fairy would oblige without a single hesitation.

"Navi," Twilight whispered in reverence. Malon slowly pulled her hands to her chest, the fairie's light glowing through her fingers.

"How… how much do you know about my husband?" She asked.

Twilight swallowed. "Um, more than the others. B-but less than you, I'm sure."

She shook her head and began to head back to the house. "There's not a single thing I don't know about him. Do you know about the true nature of his adventures? Why he had been given the title of Hero of Time?"

"I, uh," Twilight stumbled, placing his hand on the back of his neck and rubbing sheepishly. "Not really. I know he… traveled a few times. Back and forth into the future and the past."

"That doesn't just happen you know," Malon said as they walked back into the house. They stopped right in front of the master bedroom and she sighed, looking older than what he had ever seen her before. "He tells me that when he was a boy, he went to obtain a sacred sword. But his body… was too young and weak to wield a sword like that. Against his will and knowledge, he was locked away in the sacred realm… for seven years, only to wake up in a body that was older than his mind. To a world torn apart by power.

"He… he tells me he does not remember those years locked away, but sometimes he wakes up screaming to let him go. Let him leave. That he's afraid and he doesn't want to be there anymore. I think… I think the memories of that place are somewhere in his head, and when he's asleep or things like this happen, they're unlocked."

Twilight nodded somberly in sympathy for Time’s circumstances. Time had endured much more than any normal Hylian could even fathom, though Malon seemed uninterested in Time’s heroics and more in tune with the man he was inside. She would know what to say to snap him out of his state of anxiety. If anyone could bring him back to reality it was her.

The door creaked loudly as Malon opened it hesitantly. She tiptoed over to the bed on which Time was lying with his back against the headboard. His head faced the window across the bed. He kept muttering unintelligibly under his breath, his eyes would dart across the room, and he would jump at the slightest noise. The hero turned his head at their approaching footsteps.

“Dear,” Malon said, causing her husband to turn towards her completely. He looked exhausted as if he’d pass out any second, but they couldn’t risk him falling into any terrible consequences of a concussion. Time smiled at her, and, for the first time since the incident, he looked as if he felt truly safe. “I brought something that might help you.” Malon released the fairy from her hands, watching it whisk away and flutter over Time’s shaking form. Almost instantly he relaxed, though slightly. His pupils contracted, the dazed look in his eyes faded and he stopped shaking. He stopped muttering to himself and looked up at Twilight who had made his way over to the bed. Time, for the briefest moment, looked as if he recognised Twilight before he shot up and scooted back on the bed, shouting, “No!” and “Get away from me!”

“Not again, NOT AGAIN!”

“Link, sweetheart, it’s just Twilight,” Malon said, reaching out and trying to placate him. “Please, try to remember. He’s not going to take you back. I-I promise,” Malon choked out. Tears pricked at her eyes as she watched her husband agonise over the cruelty that had been done to him as a child. She didn’t think she could bear to see him crumble under the weight of all his years of torture and vulnerability.

Time saw this- her tears- and stopped. He drew closer to her and placed a rough but gentle hand on her cheek.

“Twilight, will you just-” she paused and took a calm, shaky breath, looking deeply into Time’s scared eyes. “Will you please give me a moment?”

Twilight respectfully nodded and left the room. He heard voices coming from the kitchen and made his way there to find that all of the Links had returned. They all wore worried expression, presumably having all heard the news about Time’s accident.

Twilight cleared his throat and addressed the room at their expectant glances. “He’ll be alright,” he said simply.

“Alright? That’s it? No ‘he’s responding to treatment’, or ‘we know how to heal him’?” Four asked bluntly

“What kind of treatment, dumbass? We have no potions, no fairies, and no doctor,” Legend declared, flailing his arms wildly. “And how are we supposed to know how to heal him if we don’t know what’s wrong?”

“We actually had one fairy,” Twilight answered, “and we might know what’s wrong with him.”

All heads turned to Twilight at the new information. “Well? Spill it. How do we fix him,” Legend demanded, tapping his foot impatiently. He tried to look nonchalant but the look in his eyes betrayed his concern.

“He might have sustained a serious concussion, but, with the fairy, we were able to lessen the injury, but we’ll still need to take shifts waking him up. We have to make sure he doesn’t bear any permanent damage.”

The group fell silent after that, worry casting its dark cloud over them. Twilight shifted and played with his fingers, revealing his nerves.

“There’s something you’re not telling us,” WIld pointed out suddenly, catching the group’s attention. Twilight paused. Even though he knew it was necessary to tell them and they would find out even without his help, he didn’t want to spread worry over a handleable situation. Despite these thoughts, he decided he needed to tell them the truth.

“There is… one problem. I don’t think the old man remembers any of us or trusts us. And more than that it seems like he’s trying to keep himself awake because of some past trauma.”

“Well, that’s good, isn’t it,” WInd asked hopefully.

“Not exactly. Concussed patients need sleep. They just can’t be asleep for too long periods at a time.”

“That’s sure to make things difficult, but it’s just a small setback. We can still get him to sleep and help him remember us,” Sky added cheerfully.

The rest of the Links didn’t look so sure, but they didn’t argue with Sky either. His optimism was welcome in their time of panic. They were willing to give anything a shot if it meant helping their friend.

“I think it’s best if we take shifts. Too many people at once will just overwhelm him.

“If that’s the case I’ll take the first shift,” said Warrior, standing. “I mean, we were pretty close. Maybe there’s a chance he’ll remember me.”

Twilight thought about that. Of course, there was a chance, but if the old man didn’t even remember Twilight he didn’t think he’d remember Warrior, even if they were close. “Okay, go for it,” Twilight said wearily.

Warrior nodded and left for Time and Malon’s room, leaving the rest to ponder the endless possibilities that might come of this.

"Oh good, you all have a plan," Molon said, walking into the room with the other Links'. She gave them a tired yet enthusiastic smile. " That means I can trust you all to hold down the fort while I head to Castle Town."

"Alone?" Sky asked, only to hiss out in pain when Wind elbowed him in the side.

"She can handle herself," Wind warned but Malon just chuckled good-naturedly.

"I appreciate the concern, sky child, but it's just to the castle. My husband needs more medicine and the sun is still up for a little while longer. I'll be back by morning, just keep waking him up every so often to make sure he's not getting worse," she said, tugging a shawl around her shoulders.

"If you wish for one of us to accompany you," Wild offered smally, "I'd be happy to tag along."

Really, Twilight would almost like for Wild to join Malon. He looked out of his element, and he probably felt like the last one capable to help someone with memory loss and confusion. But Malon simply shook her head and walked up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder and smiling kindly at him. "Thank you for offering, but I'll be fine. My husband needs you all. You're all very important to him. Besides, I won't be alone, I'll have Epona with me."

"You're important to him too," Hyrule said quietly.

Malon just beamed at him before she walked over to the door. "I'll be back by morning. Earlier if the gates don't lock me in. Take care!"

"Good luck," seven voices all chimed in. Then, Malon was gone, and the boys were all left to their own devices.

And there weren't a whole lot of devices, so Twilight took a page from Time and Malon's book and set the boys to work. Wild returned to the kitchen, finishing up dinner while Legend and Hyrule went to clean up and prepare the guest room. To Sky, he assigned sweeping the floors and Four and Wild worked together to dust various cabinets. All the while, the door to the master bedroom remained silent, a boding forewarning of what the future had to bring.

-o-o-o-o-

His head hurt. That was the simple truth of everything. His head hurt. Enough so that he would be quite content doing nothing. He was pretty sure he was asleep, but he couldn't really recall why. If he tried to remember, then the headache would just grow and he would rather it went away.

Unfortunately for him, he had little choice in many things, one of those things was the over creeping sense of wakefulness forcing himself to become aware of his body, the sounds around him, and the gross taste lingering in his mouth. Something on his shoulder.

He would have preferred to keep his eyes shut, but they opened anyway, bringing a sharp ping of pain through his skull.

Blinking, he looked ahead of him, only to find a wooden ceiling above his head and not much else. He moaned as his headache smarted, but he quickly stilled as he realized that the pressure on his shoulder that he felt earlier was still there.

He turned his head and his eyes widened. There was a man in the room with him, leaning towards him from a wooden chair set next to the bed, arm stretched out and hand resting on him. Face screwed up with concern.

“Hey, old man, you up?”

Instantly, panic washed over him.

He jerked away from the man, slamming his hands next to his side to perhaps find a weapon. “Get away,” he snarled and the man snapped back as if stung. It was now that he realized that he didn’t know where he was. There was a small inkling at the back of his head that promised that he might have been here, but the hysteria from waking up with a stranger next to him was blurring his vision, making it even harder to concentrate when combined with his aching head.

“Time, it’s me,” the man said, his voice stern but a little rushed like he was nervous, and that certainly did nothing to make Link trust him any more than what he initially did. “Captain?”

“Where am I?” Link snarled, his voice sounding wrong in his own throat. He tried to shift up in the bed he was lying in, but his body felt wrong and the hurt in his head was traveling down his spine with the movement. A flash of familiarity ricocheted across his skull and he couldn’t help but whimper at it. He had felt like this before. Like his body was wrong and everything was different and wrong and that only made him want to panic more.

Yet everything hurt, he could hardly even think about moving without some sort of pain. He could just lie there and struggle to make sense of what’s going on, hoping his muddled mind would clear.

“You’re at your home,” the man (captain?) said slowly, making an effort to raise his hands and show he was weaponless. Not that Link believed him for a second. People can be crafty when they want to be. “What do you remember?”

“I-” Link swallowed, trying to grasp onto anything that was more clear than the rapid beating of his heart. He was so confused, and scared, and lost, and what was the last thing he remembered? He can hardly remember a single thing. Then, something calming washed over him with the soothing voice of a woman singing softly in his hair, her soft hands running through his hair.

Safe, she said, you’re safe my love.

And just like that, her face appeared in his mind’s eye, and he was overcome with comfort and safety and finally, his heart calmed just a bit. He didn’t remember these walls, but he recognizes them now.

Home, they say. Safe.

He looked at the man again, trying to see him in a different light, try to puzzle together something he’s missing most the pieces to.

A name flashed across the tip of his tongue, and he spoke it before he could question it. “You’re Link,” he said softly.

The man smiled and relaxed ever so slightly, and Link can feel the energy inside of him whither as well. He can barely keep his eyes open anymore, the adrenaline fading like a wistful song. “I’m Link too,” the man said kindly.

“Oh,” was all Link could say to that. His eyes are heavy now, almost like something unseen was wrapping itself around him, trying to drag him back into unconsciousness, and he almost fell into it if it weren’t for the hand replacing itself back onto his shoulder.

“Hey, not yet, old man,” the other Link said. “We have to keep you awake just a bit longer, just to make sure your memory loss isn’t the only damage the concussion did.”

“Concussion…?”

The man simply nodded with a gentle, reassuring smile plastered on his face. “Yeah, you wouldn’t remember that. We found you out in the barn. You were lying under a bunch of gardening equipment with blood running from a wound on your head. Malon, your wife,” Link confirmed, “patched you up with a fairy-”

“Fairy,” Time interrupted, a flash of hope sparking in his eyes. “Navi?”

The other Link’s face fell as he shook his head. “No, old man. I’m sorry.” The pair were silent for a minute. Link kept his gaze on the floor as if it was more interesting than their conversation. The man ran a hand down his face before he spoke again. “Even though your wound is healed the effects are still there. You’ll be out of commission for a couple of days so don’t even think about getting out of bed.”

Link didn’t argue. He felt positively shitty to put it lightly. His head felt like a blacksmith’s anvil… blacksmith… somehow that word felt important as if it stirred the fog enshrouding his mind, trying to reveal a secret that would rather stay hidden. He grasped at it, but it evaded him.

Then a thought occurred to him out of the blue.

Link stared blankly at the man and blinked.

“What,” the other Link asked.

“Why are you in my house?” The question came out of nowhere, unprompted by anything, and yet, this was his house? Why was this man here?

The man blanched. “I’m sorry, what?”

“This is my house, is it not? I remember… that I know who you are, but why are you here? Does my wife know? Are there others? When did you even find me?”

“We found you earlier today and, yeah, there are others Twilight was here-”

“Twilight,” Link said slowly. “Yes, he was in here.“

“He’s one of us,” the other said. He paused as if realising something. “Do you remember him?”

Link shook his head. “No, I- I thought… I didn’t trust him. I thought he was going to take me back. I sense his magic... He can’t be trusted.” Link spoke frantically, trying to get his nerves across so the other Link would listen. He couldn’t go back to that place, no, he wouldn’t!

“Time, nobody here is going to hurt you. We’re your friends.” The man said then he sighed. “Malon left to get you some medicine,” he said and Link wanted to panic, but he could tell that the other was sure of his words, that Link wouldn’t be hurt. “In the meantime, I’m just going to ask you a few questions to make sure you’re doing okay.”

“All right.” Link did not feel fine, but he guessed that the other man meant something else.

The man cleared his throat before he began. “Are you feeling particularly irritable at the moment?”

Link quirked an eyebrow. “What sort of question is that?”

“Just answer me,” the man said, eliciting a small giggle from Link.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said, coming out of his laughter. He still wasn’t sure of this man’s intentions, but a vague recollection at the back of his mind told him that he was familiar and therefore trustworthy.

“Good. Now, tell me everything you remember starting from when you met me.”

Odd question, Link thought. “Okay, I remember… I remember this-this portal of sorts.” Link tried to bring up the memories from his foggy mind and managed to recount his meeting with the man in front of him.

“We walked through another portal and,” Link gasped. He froze as the next memory came to him. “We were in the sky, on a floating island.” His eyes were wide. It was as if he was experiencing something supernatural, but, somehow, all of this felt like he was eating seconds from the same dish. “How is that possible.”

“Keep going,” the man cajoled.

“I remember we met someone, someone who always wore some sort of cape. It was mostly white- Link! His name was also Link.”

The man nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, keep going.”

Link’s face scrunched up as he thought, but every card he drew after that was blank. “That’s it.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. Also, why are all our names Link?”

“We share the name of the hero’s spirit. You remember that much, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Link replied slowly.

“Okay, moving on,” the other Link said, waving his hand in the air. “What are your symptoms.”

***

Twilight was biting his nails. He couldn’t shake the thought of having Time distrust him so much that he perceived him as a threat.

Twilight paced back and forth across the kitchen as Wild finished up supper. “Your fingernails are down to stubs. If you go any further you’ll bleed,” Wild cautioned, sparing a glance at his mentor from his spot at the counter.

“What if he doesn’t remember any of us Wild? What if he sees us as dangerous? We can’t defeat Dark Link without him.” Twilight felt utterly defeated, but he wouldn’t let the others know that. He needed to be strong, but it was so much more difficult being a leader than Time made it out to be. The whole facade that he put up in front of the others was starting to crumble with every minute Time was struggling to remember.

“Twi, just be patient. He’ll come to his senses soon enough. In the meantime, you just need to put a little faith in him. Help him remember.”

Twilight took a deep breath. “You’re right. This isn’t going to fix itself.”

Twilight heard footsteps descending the stairs and swiftly turned around to see Warrior making his way toward them. “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”

“What’s the bad news,” Wild asked instead of Twilight.

“The bad news: Time doesn’t remember you,” Warrior said, addressing Twilight.

Twilight groaned. Of course, he knew as much, but he was hoping Warrior could get a different result despite his doubts. “What’s the good news then?”

“He remembers me and Sky. Meaning I was able to get him to trust that the rest of you won’t hurt him. He’s willing to speak to you. Also, there doesn't seem to be any long-lasting side effects.”

Twilight released a breath he didn’t realise he was holding. It was a start, Time was willing to see him. If there was any chance of Twilight getting Time to recover, he’d take it. “Alright. I’ll go talk to him.” Twilight rushed forward but he was stopped as Warrior put a hand out in front of him, keeping him in place.

“Ah ah ah, not yet. Time’s resting. You should wake him up in about two hours to check if he’s okay. Do. Not. Force it. If he doesn’t remember you, it’s okay. Be patient.”

Twilight nodded sadly. He didn’t want to wait, but, for Time’s safety, he supposed he had no choice. “Thanks, Warrior.”

Warrior flashed Twilight a warm, reassuring smile before he turned to Wild. “I’m absolutely famished.”

“Well and grand. Supper is just about done. Mind setting up the table?”

“Sure.” Warrior set off to find the crockery and cutlery and Twilight stood, staring out the window, into the distance. “Something on your mind?” Wild inquired.

“What isn’t on my mind?”

“Fair. Go take a seat. I’ll save Time a plate.”

Twilight grudgingly obeyed and took a seat at the dining table. He folded his arms and rested his head on them. It had been a rough day for everyone and the fact that Time remembered Warrior and not him made him feel just a tad jealous.

The others had arrived and conversations were going over their meal, but Twilight was part of them. His focus was drawn to their most pressing issue and, as a result, he felt perpetually stressed.

Twilight didn’t notice Wild come up to him when everyone had left the table. “It’s been two hours-”

Twilight didn’t even let Wild finish his sentence before he sprang out of his chair and dashed to the stairs.

“Wait,” Wild called. “Take this.” In Wild’s hands was a plate of food. Twilight took the offered food with a knife and fork. “He might be hungry when he wakes up.”

“Thanks.” Twilight gave a wan smile and headed up to the master bedroom.

Once Twilight reached the door he knocked before he could think better of it. Twilight facepalmed. “Dammit, Link. Of course, he’s not going to answer the door.” But Twilight gave a surprised yelp when his mentor swung the door open. “Y-you’re supposed to be in bed,” Twilight chided.

Time looked, in every sense of the word, like a crook caught in the lamplight. His eyes were round and surprised and he simply stood there, staring at Twilight like he didn't quite know what to do next.

"But I suppose that's a good sign, isn't it?" Twilight asked nervously, uncomfortable under the elder man's stare. "You waking up yourself? I don't really know the fine details of concussions but-"

He's cut off as the door is suddenly slammed shut and he's left of the other side gaping, the plate of food left uselessly in his hand.

It took him a moment to find his voice. He reached up and knocked again. "Old man? It's me, Twilight, I just came to check up on you and give you some dinner!"

There's no answer and a spark of annoyance ignited in Twilight's chest.

"I'm not going to hurt you," he called, knocking again, "I'm your friend. Warrior said you remembered him and Sky; I'm their friend too!"

"Go away, please!" Time suddenly called on the other side of the door.

Twilight rolled his eyes. "Sorry, buddy, can't do that. We have to make sure you're doing alright. The sun is setting and I don't think Malon will be back until morning, so you have to work with us for a little while longer." He reached forward and placed his hand on the doorknob, feeling a little like he's about to breach his mentor's privacy, but at the same time his mentor is acting very childish and Twilight can't just leave him be.

The doorknob jiggled but did not open. Twilight scowled and huffed. "Very mature," he said, "unlock the door. Look, I know you're very hard-headed, but you have to let us help you. You have to let somebody in."

"Send someone else!" Time called.

And that blow was almost physical.

It definitely had him stumbling back like it.

Deep breaths Twi. Deep breaths. "Look! I don't know why you don't like me all of a sudden, but I mean nothing but goodwill! Plus, Warrior said that you'd be willing to talk with me?"

"... I changed my mind."

"Old man," Twilight said in exasperation. "Time. Open the door." He jiggled the doorknob. "C'mon, I'm not going to bite you or whatever. Time! Please?"

Nothing.

Twilight had to step away to restrain himself from kicking the door down.

"Fine! You win! But you will let someone in!"

He turned with a huff and walked back to the kitchen where the others were helping Wild clean up the kitchen but they all stopped when he entered the area, food going cold on the plate in his hand and face probably red.

"That didn't take long," Hyrule said slowly. "Is he alright?"

Twilight huffed and strides over to the younger hero, shoving the plate in his hands and then storming towards the front door. "He won't talk to me. It's your turn."

And then he was out the door before anyone could say a single thing. He stood in the cool evening air for a few seconds, panting like a wolfos.

If Time wanted to act like a child, then that's fine by him. He took off walking, nowhere in particular, just in a random direction. He was sure though, that if anyone looked at him through the windows of the ranch, they'd see steam coming from his ears.

-o-o-o-o-

Hyrule could only stand there a little dumbfounded by what had happened. It seemed Twilight’s behavior was a shock to the rest of them too because it took a good few beats of silence bore someone cleared their throat and attempted to make some semblance of a plan.

“Hyrule… do you want to give Time his food?”

Hyrule looked at Legend, the one who had spoken, feeling like he was a trapped animal. There’s no way Time would react friendly with Hyrule. Not if he didn’t with Twilight. Hyrule barely even knew the guy. He respected him sure but it wasn’t like they had any kind of relationship or anything.

His internal panic must have shown on his face because Sky gave a kind smile. “How about,” he said, taking the plate from Hyrule’s hands and setting it down on the kitchen table. “You invite him down to eat.”

“I don’t think he can handle a large company, Sky,” Warrior said, “he’s probably very tired still.”

“I think that for whatever reason he can’t handle our rancher’s company,” Sky retorted and everyone silenced. “And while Twilight is out blowing steam we can get him down here to talk to us as a group.”

Warrior bit his lip in thought before he sighed. “I see your logic. But we mustn't crowd him.”

“Maybe we can help him remember Twilight,” Wind offered.

“So by the time Twilight comes back, everything will be fine again,” Wild put in as well.

“Fine,” Warrior muttered, throwing his hands in the air. “Fine. But if we break him more, I won't take the fall with you all when Malon decides our lives are forfeit.”

It was meant to be a joke, but if the way the entire group stilled and became somber was an indication of anything, it certainly fell flat.

“Hyrule?” Four suddenly asked and Hyrule almost jumped a foot in the air, not expecting to be addressed.

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to get the old man?”

Heat flooded his face. “Y-yeah.”

He left the room before he could make a bigger fool of himself and practically scrambled up the stairs. He wondered what made Twilight so irritable. Did Time say something rude? And why was Time so insistent about not wanting to talk to Twilight? He wished he knew, that way he’d be more prepared with Time inevitably shut him down too.

There was no way this would work, and he chanted it in his head like a mantra until he worked up the courage to knock on the door. There was silence for a few solid seconds, and then a voice called out in a more awake tone than what he had been expecting.

“Who is it?”

Hyrule swallowed. “Um, Hyrule. Um- well, not Hyrule Hyrule. I- I’m the hero of Hyrule? So that’s what everyone calls me. It gets confusing sometimes and-”

The door was suddenly opened and he shut his jaw with a click.

Time stood there on the other side of the doorway, his single eye critically narrowed, almost like he was looking into Hyrule’s very soul. Hyrule squirmed under the gaze, but whatever Time was looking for seemed to be found because he stepped slowly out of the way to invite Hyrule in. Hyrule swallowed and stepped back. “Actually, we were wondering if you felt well enough to join us downstairs for some dinner?”

Time stilled and then he sighed. “I’m… not sure that is a good idea.”

“Twilight isn’t there,” Hyrule rushed out and Time’s eyebrows rose in slight surprise. “He went out. For a run or something, I think. The other’s all want to talk to you.”

Time remained silent for a second before he released a breath. “Did I hurt his feelings?”

“Who? Twilight?”

Time nodded and Hyrule swallowed. “Oh. Um. He’ll be fine.”

“I… I don’t recognize anyone, but each of you gives me a… sense of peace and safety. But Twilight… I don’t know why but I can’t bring myself to open up to him. I know I care about him, I can feel it in my bones that I care for each of you, but I… I can’t talk to him right now. I just hope I didn’t hurt his feelings.”

“I… yeah, he’ll get over it,” Hyrule repeated because he didn’t quite know what else to say. “He’s… strong. And whatever is off about him that you don’t like I’m sure will all make sense when you’re better.”

“When I’m better.”

“Yeah… so do you want to come down and eat or should I bring food up-”

“I’ll… come down. I feel trapped in this room, and some kind faces I think will help me feel better.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Hyrule stood there awkwardly as Time practically shuffled out of the doorway, his eyebrows drawn together with a tightness that could only be described as pain. His head must still be bothering him. Hyrule swallowed and took a step forward, ducking under one of his arms and grabbing onto Time’s side. Time made a thankful hum and wrapped his arm around Hyrule’s shoulders.

“What is for dinner?” Time asked as Hyrule helped him down the first step. Hyrule grunted with his weight but was thankfully able to keep his balance for a few more steps.

“Wild made Hearty Salmon Meuniere. It’s really good,” Hyrule grunted.

They finally made it down onto the first floor and Hyrule almost bent over gasping, but he was stopped when Time squeezed his shoulder.

“I don’t remember who you are,” Time mumbled, “but I have the sense that you’ve been through much. You are incredibly brave, little one.”

Hyrule swallowed, not really prepared for a revelation like that. “Everyone here is brave. You’ll see that I’m at the bottom of the ladder. It’s you who everyone looks up to. Everyone is taking this memory loss hard. Especially Twilight. I… I appreciate it though.”

“If the me without memories can tell how courageous you are, I’m sure the me with memories thinks even higher of you.”

Hyrule almost choked on his spit as his ears began to feel like they were on fire.

“L-lets go. I’m sure the others all want to see you.”

-o-o-o-o-

The other’s all consisted of seven young men who for the life of him Link… or Time could not remember. He knew the faces. After they tell him their names he’s almost hitting his head against the wall in anger because how could he have possibly forgotten these young men?

Wind was a charming lad, and he gave Time the sense or recklessness and adventure. Curiosity. He smiled the widest when Time entered the room and talked the most like it wasn’t awkward at all. Time appreciated his energy. His kindness. It reminded him almost of himself before… before everything. Except, this young man somehow managed to keep that innocent part of him alive after his adventure.

Legend was much on the opposite side of the scale. He can see the sadness in his eyes, but he can also see a spark of flame. The need for adventure still calls him, even though Time is quite confident that Legend has been through more than what he says. There had been many obstacles in his way, and he lost many parts of himself, but he still retains a kindness and carefulness that often goes unnoticed by his prickly exterior. He says things as they are, and Time can’t help but feel a large deal of respect towards the younger man.

Sky was… well, Sky was himself. Time’s impressions of him were that he was kind and positive and perhaps the happiest of the group. But he also has a righteous aura about him that Time isn’t particularly fond of. The sword on his back is confirmation of that. Yet, Time also knows that he would trust his life in Sky’s hands.

Four was as blunt as a tree branch being used for swordplay. He didn’t dance around his words, and when Time asked for his story, he flatly said that Time had no business knowing. Time can respect that. Clearly, whatever relationship he had with Four was purely made out of trust. Neither knew that much about each other, but it didn’t matter. The boy had a quick mind and sharp tongue, and while he kept his secrets to himself, he still didn’t mind very much being around the others.

Warrior, Time can’t help but feel a special bond with him. Besides himself, Warrior was clearly the eldest of the group. Time knew that this man has suffered much, and has seen much more, and yet he still went out of his way to be honorable. To be kind.

Wild was a special soul. Time instantly felt the need to pay special attention to how he acted. Searching for little signs that he was uncomfortable or happy or content. Time didn’t think Wild has had that much time to be himself. In fact, it almost felt like Wild was constantly watching himself to live up to someone else. Yet, despite all of that, Time could tell his smiles were genuine, his enthusiasm heartfelt.

And of course, there was Hyrule. Insecure to a fault, yet his heart is bigger than that. He has a lot of heart. He might say he’s not that brave, but Time knew better. He knew that Hyrule has perhaps seen just as much hell as Time himself has.

The boys were all unique. Loud. Different. And even though the headache in his skull pulsed and his eyes felt heavier and heavier the night wore on, he wanted nothing more than to continue being in their company.

They told him stories. Tried their best to help him remember some of them. He couldn’t recall them all, like the one about how Legend apparently single-handedly fought off a hoard of moblins. He suspected that was just an attempt to butter himself up and trick Time’s memory. But the story Warrior told of the great Goron spice incident came almost immediately back to him with just a small bit of fuzz around the details. Wild looked scandalized at the mention of that story, seeing as it involved a piece of women’s clothing being found in his bad, but when Time started laughing, saying that he remembered that, all of the boys became eager to tell more silly stories about the rest of them.

Wild pulled out his strange slate and began a slide show of pictures, and quite some time passed and he hardly even felt his headache anymore.

Then, the slideshow stopped on a picture of a young man with dirty hair and markings on his forehead.

The mood instantly sunk, and Time couldn’t help but feel responsible for it.

“He looks up to you a lot,” Four mumbled, “you’re… almost like a dad to him.”

And Time knew this. He knew this the moment he saw the picture down on the slate of that young man. Twilight… feels almost like a son to him too.

Now that some time has passed with the others, he can almost see how silly he was. Sure, he was out of it, memories shattered in his head like a mirror, and Twilight simply had the misfortune of being the one to find him. The misfortune of having dark magic within him that Time didn’t recognize. How foolish of him to make that mistake. How foolish of him to judge Twilight off of that simple misunderstanding.

Almost like a sign from the goddesses, Twilight chose that time to walk in the front door. His skin around his eyes, cheeks, and ears were red from perhaps the cold, perhaps something else. He stopped in his tracks as everyone turned to look at him but his eyes instantly locked with Time.

There was something desperate in them, so instead of saying anything, Time smiled and scooted a little on the chair he was sitting on, making room for one more to join them at the kitchen table. Twilight smiled like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders and quickly grabbed a chair and made his spot next to Time like it was the most natural thing in the entire world to do.

Laughter filled the rest of the night, and as they told yet another story Time hardly even noticed his head drooping with tiredness until an arm wound itself around his middle and hefted him upward. He did his best to cooperate with his feet, but it clearly wasn’t much help. He was eventually laid down on a soft sofa, a throw placed over his body, and before the calming embrace of sleep could take him he looked at the boy above him. How foolish of himself indeed to think this boy could ever hurt a fly.

-o-o-o-o-

Malon returned in the morning, a stash of red potions in her hands and an irritating story to tell about her next-door neighbors in the castle town inn. Though, her irritation quickly faded when she saw her husband happily resting on the downstairs sofa with a smile on his face. The boys tell her that they helped him remember most everything the night before and gave him much-needed company. When she was able to give him a red potion, the most it did was un-fog some of the trickier bits of his memory and rid him of his headache.

She didn’t complain when he pulled her close, dragging her into a love-filled kiss.

Wind made a gagging sound but Malon didn’t mind a single bit. Clearly, there was no need to worry. Her boy’s always pull through, one way or another.

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