The door closed itself creaking. Sadly he looked at the virtually insurmountable wood that was between him and Kafei now, but he knew that it just seemed to be insurmountable. One day he would return. He wouldn’t let Zelda tell him what he had to do. But as even Kafei stood behind her, there had to be a deeper reason and he decided to accept it. Maybe he’d actually win his only chance on a life this way. He would be forgotten by most people. When this moment had come, he would pass this door again and return to his only true family, that he knew for sure. He heard Ijaron galloping away. However, he felt that he wasn’t alone. Someone familiar was very close. He turned around and saw the small, lightblue shimmer of light floating towards him.
“Hey!”, she giggled. “Nice to see you again.”
“I was gone for four days.”, snorted Link a bit annoyed.
“Huh? You – you answer?”
“Of course I answer. Mind?”
“Erm – no – I – no.”
“Fine. So if you excuse me, I have to start a new life.”, he turned Epona around and rode past her ignoring.
“Hey! Wait! Where are you going?”
“I said it, didn’t I?”
“No.”
“To Ordon. This road leads there, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Come. I show you the way.”
“I think I can find it myself.”
“Do you have something against me?”, how did she come to this hair-raising assumption?
“No. Why?”, murmured Link.
“Oh just so – somehow you seem hostile.”
“Wouldn’t you be if you just have been forced by the Princess of Hyrule to leave your only true love?”
“Oh – really? You fell in love?”
“There’s a huge difference between `falling in love´ and `really love´ someone.”
“Matter of opinion.”
“If you say so – ”, sighed Link but didn’t let himself be stopped by her.
“I somehow like you.”, she giggled and Link twisted his head round hard without bringing Epona to halt.
“What?”
“I like you a lot more than this taciturn Link.
“That can change all of a sudden.”, he said coldly and directed his look ahead again
“Zelda wants me to stay with you.”
“What? Why?”
“What’s this question for?”
“Do you speak the language of the Humans?”
“No. What has this – Link?”, he didn’t say a thing on it. “No. But I’m sure we’ll find someone who helps you.”
“His name’s Rusl.”
“Rusl? That’s a start. But from where – ”
“Kafei told me.”
“Kafei? The one you helped marrying?”
“Yes, exactly that one.”
“Zelda mentioned him.”
“And what did she mention?”
“Not much. Only that he’s got two children by now and that he’s Mayor.”
“That’s all?”, hissed Link.
“Yes.”
“Tz. I can’t believe it.”, mumbled Link.
“What can’t you believe?”
“Oh nothing.”
“Link?”
“Nothing.”
“Link!”
“That’s the proof. Fine. And I thought she’s serious.”
“What is it?”
“She’s damn jealous, that’s what she is and she acts as if she’d forgive me.”
“Who? Zelda?”
“Yes.”
“Why is she jealous?”
“Forget it.”, he shook his head.
“I won’t.”, she put her small hands on her hips but kept flying on next to him.
“Forget it, alright?”, he couldn’t tell her that the only reason why Zelda had sent her was that she could go on his nerves so Zelda would have her revenge for him dismissing her, could he?
“No – slow down a bit, would you?”
“No.”, he didn’t care that she couldn’t keep up.
“Link!”, she just raged.
Link turned around another bend and the ravine was over. In quite a distance he could spot a big house. It seemed to be a farm. No light was in the windows. He could have sworn having heard a door being opened when he rode past though, but didn’t turn around to it. He rode through another ravine after which the actual village was. Roofs shimmered in the moonlight. Also here burnt no light. Only the soft roaring of the wind in the few trees and the babbling of water could be heard. He reduced his speed and a light went on inside the first house. The door was being unlocked. Out came a fat man with small head and short strange moustache.
He seemed very sleepy and wore a light linen clothing. Link brought his horse to halt in front of him and dismounted. A bit timid he stepped to him. He had no idea how to explain himself but there was no need for it. He had actually been followed. Interested he turned his head in direction of the man who came running towards them, covering himself tightly with a brown cloak. The fat man said something to Link’s pursuer which neither Link nor Navi understood. But he seemed relieved that the other man had come in so fast. That one eyed Link, with special attention to his eyes and ears and nodded, though a bit out of breath.
“Good – evening.”, he gasped, to Link’s relief in Hylian.
“Are you Rusl?”, Link only asked.
“Er – yes! How do you – ?”, his eyes went big.
“Long story. Can you help me?”, he eyed him a bit more thorough.
“Sure, boy. Where’s the fire?”
“Erm – nowhere. It – I’m sorry that I turn up here in the middle of the night. It just happened that way.”
The fat one asked something and Rusl nodded simply, whereupon he went back into his house. Before he closed the door Link could see a still half-asleep, tall girl with short frizzy hair who peered outside.
“I – how shall I say – ”, Link took a breath and gathered himself. “Is this here Ordon?”
“Yes, this is it. Ordon as it sleeps and snores.”, both felt the need of a short quiet laugh. “What can I do for you?”
“I – well – I’d like to live here, if nobody minds.”
“Oh!”, he got increasingly interested. “And how do you get to this?”
“I’m from Clock Town and want to make a complete newstart, away from the town’s buzzle.”
“Hm. How old are you?”
“Two days ago I turned sixteen.”
“Well, congratulations!”, he laughed heartly and shook Link’s hand.
“Thanks.”
“A newstart you say? At your age? Did the town go to your head already?”
“As you take it. It’s a bit complicated.”
“Okay. I wouldn’t pass on my secrets to a complete stranger either.”
“Thanks.”
“You seem quite nice. I think no one will mind. You don’t speak our language, do you?”
“Not a word.”, smirked Link.
“No problem. We’ll fix that. You’re lucky. We have a big abandoned house on the other side of the village, right on the way to the forest. The owner moved to Hyrule. Same reason as yours, just the other way round – or so. He said we can do what we want with the things he left behind. He’s gone only a month ago. I hope that doesn’t bother you.”
“No.”, considered Link.
“It has a small well outside on the back and an earth latrine. Emptying it was always my job as I know where to get rid of something like this flawlessly. You need to climb up over a ladder though, but – ”
“I’m not choosy.”
“Fine. We’ll find a place for your horse as well. I just came from the Ranch outside as you probably noticed. You can – it’s a mere, is it?”, he slightly bent down.
“Yes.”, laughed Link. “Her name’s Epona.”
“Nice. But you can leave her in front of the house too. Nothing’s happening here. Less than nothing. We’re the sleepiest but most sociable village you can imagine.”
“Good to know.”
“Yes. So it’s the perfect place for someone like you. But you want to find this out by yourself, don’t you?”
“Yes. But not tonight anymore.”
“My words. Well then. Come with me. I show you your new home.”, he set his legs in motion and Link took Epona’s reins in his hand for following him. “The keys are still inside in the keyhole anyway. As said, here you don’t need to be afraid of anything being stolen from you. We’re all a big family and there for each other. What’s your name by the way?”
“Link.”
“Short and painless?”
“More or less, yes.”, he smiled.
“Good. The others will remember this name as well. You’ll notice that all our names are very short. What’s longer, will be shortened with nicknames in everyday life. But that’s not happening here.”
“I only know just a few people with long names.”
“So you’re used to it. Yes. And what’s your shining companion called?”
“Navi.”, the latter said cutting.
“My pleasures. You’ll stay here too I assume?”
“Yes. Link and I are as thick as thieves.”
“You’re thick and stealing my time. So what – ”, Link mumbled unnoticed.
“Fine. So it’s not such a drastic newstart, is it?”
“I guess not.”, Link sighed quietly.
“At the beginning it’s maybe better this way. I’ll teach you our language. So don’t be surprised if I follow you everywhere at first.”
“Oh – I’d appreciate it.”, considered Link thinking about the first inhabitant of the village.
“Yes? Well then.”
“Who by the way was – ”
“Bo? Our Mayor.”
“How ironic.”, chuckled Link to himself.
“What?”
“Oh nothing.”
“So. Here we are.”, the house was really big and reminded him much of his old house in Kokiri, only that it was a lot more stately.
“Do you just have what you wear?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”, he pondered. “Shall I get you some nightclothes of mine? Komu has taken all his old clothing – ”
“Not necessary.”
“As you say. Everything else is inside, except tor food. Shall I take Epona with me or do you let her stay here?”
“I think I’ll leave her here.”
“Okay. Normally I get up at sunrise, like most others in the village. Then I have breakfast with my family. If you don’t mind I’ll wake you up so you can have breakfast with us. Afterwards we’ll deal with everything else. I show you the village and we arrange your stuff. You really need something else to wear.”
“That would be great, thanks. I don’t even know what I could do for you in return.”
“Not for me though, but you could do all the work on the Ranch.”
“Really? Fine.”
“What?”, laughed Rusl. “That was a joke, boy. But okay – if you want to, it’s your choice.”
“I wouldn’t mind a bit of work.”
“Fine.”, grinned Rusl. “Well, until sunrise then. Sleep well.”
“Yes. Thanks. You too.”
He waved once before he disappeared and Link freed Epona from her tack which he leant against the trunk of the big tree that was his house now. He took the birthday presents and his wallet out of the bags and tried to get up the ladder with them somehow. It was a simple wooden door on a small terrace, actually open and the key stuck inside. The air wasn’t even stuffy. Apparently it was ventilated often enough. A bit of indirect moonlight fell through the windows, but Navi was shining enough anyway for him to see sufficiently, so he wouldn’t run into anything.
Instantly the fairy buzzed around and examined the house which seemed to have only one room. There was just a cellar which was to be reached with a ladder, like the other floors that were created by wooden boards supported with posts. Right after the opening in the ceiling, which he would learn to hate, Link had spotted his bed. It was protected from dust with a colourful counterpane and stood directly next to one of the small open windows, on top, by the opening.
He carried his presents up, closed the window and placed them on the sill as the window was to be opened outwards. Sadly he looked at the things. He bound off the string of the Tingle-doll a bit and attached it to the ring in which hung a broad tie-back. He opened Anju’s box and took out the folded golden piece of paper. Navi began to read with interest. He however said nothing on it and just put it back into the box with a sad smile. Then he uncovered the bed. The linen was completely white. It seemed very comfortable. Next to the soft feather filled pillow laid smaller, plumpy stuffed, colourful pads. At the foot of the bed stood an old wooden chair. Link undressed and hung his clothes over the back rest, watched by Navi with interest.
“What? Never seen a naked man before?”, she just giggled childish and sat down on the sill.
Link bound off the curtain and pulled it closed, then he crawled into the bed. It was really comfortable. Only the pillow was a bit too soft. He put the flattest and biggest pad beneath it. Now it fitted. He adjusted the others too and pulled back up the counterpane as the air was a bit cool. Navi laid down and reduced the intensity of her light as good as she could.
“Goodnight, Link.”, she smiled and closed her little eyes.
“Goodnight.”, he replied a bit nicer though.
He just looked at her for a while. Soon she was asleep. He would survive it. He had survived her before. Maybe she would become less exuberant, now that she knew that he could indeed respond. If Kafei slept already? In his thoughts he wished him a good night too, though he knew that he was too far away for being caught by Kafei’s telepathical abilities. He missed him already. But he knew that he would never forget him. They would always be together in their thoughts. Then Link closed his eyes, gave Kafei a thought kiss and fell asleep, not knowing that the other did similar in exactly the same moment and that they fell into their sleep in same second.
~o~0~O~0~o~
It wasn’t Kafei. No. Too much fabric. Disappointed he puffed into the cushions. Nevertheless the bed was comfortably cuddly. Still with closed eyes he stretched his limbs like a cat. The cracking of his shoulders and neck made him giggle. Slowly he opened his eyes. It was slightly light. A bit of light shone through beneath the curtain. Navi was still fast asleep. He pushed the curtain aside a bit and stared on the tree tops outside but let go of the curtain right after. Then he yawned quietly, sat up and got a fright when he saw the smiling man sitting at the foot of the bed. He even sat on the bed and still Link hadn’t noticed him?
“Good morning.”, Rusl said softly. “I can see, you had a good sleep?”, Link nodded. “Didn’t you freeze like this?”, Link knew what he referred to.
“No. The blankets were quite warming.”
“I brought you some clothes. Just old stuff of mine, temporarily. I hope they fit.”, he raised and pointed on the chair on which laid a pile of folded simple linen pants and shirts. “I don’t want to expect of you to wear my old shoes.”
“Thanks.”, Link smirked, flipped down the blankets evenly, put his legs to the left out of the bed and buried his face in his hands.
“What’s the matter?”
“Oh nothing. I’m just a bit tired.”, he raised his look again and stared at Rusl because he remembered something. “How did you get in?”
“Yes.”, laughed the latter. “You’ve obviously taken me by word. You haven’t locked.”
“Haven’t – haven’t I?”
“No.”, he stepped aside and placed himself standing at the face of the bed with crossed arms.
“Oh.”
Link pushed himself up, went to the chair and spread the clothes on the bed one after another. They were all quite similar, showed hardly any more varied colours than natural ones but were of different sizes. Rusl watched closely what he chose. He smirked lightly when Link’s choice fell on the pieces that differed most from the others, as they also fitted to his shoes. Said one noticed.
“What?”
“I see, we don’t have the same taste. I always hated these.”
“Oh. So you mind if I put them on?”
“Would I’ve brought them then?”
“How shall I know?”
“No. I’m glad that at least someone else likes them. My mother sewed them when I was at about your age. I never really liked them but always wore them to do her a favour. Now I can pass them on with clear conscience. She died five years ago.”
“I’m sorry for that.”
“You don’t need to be. Yes, she was the best woman and friend I knew but she was seriously ill. Death was a true deliverance for her. She passed away in sleep, silent and peaceful as she had always wanted.”, Link nodded lightly and dressed. “Hungry already?”
“And how.”
“Fine. Let’s get going. Er – don’t you wake her up?”, he pointed on Navi and Link eyed her slightly.
“No. Shall she sleep.”, he opened the window a bit so he wouldn’t seem too mean. “She will find me.“
Outside they were welcomed by a little boy who was not less blond as Rusl. As the latter took him on his arms, Link inferred that he was his son. What they talked however, he of course didn’t understand, but had a good idea of what it was about.
“Good morning. I thought you’ll never get up.”
“Ha, ha. Who’s that, Daddy?”
“This is Link. He’ll be living in Ordon from now on.”
“How – ”
“He moved into Komu’s house.”
“Oh therefore you’re here. When did he came?”
“Last night.”
“He looks so different. Does he understand us?”
“No.”
“But you understand him?”
“Yes. He’s Hylian. He comes from Clock Town.”
“Oh.”, the boy’s eyes widened.
“May I introduce,”, Rusl spoke Hylian again, “My son Colin.”
“Hello.”, grinned Link.
“What’s `andemei´?”, Colin asked his father.
“It means `hello´.”
“Andemei.”, the boy grinned back and Link had a short laugh. “Why does he laugh?”
“Yes. Why do you laugh?”
“That was sweet somehow.”
“He finds your pronunciation sweet.”
“Hey! I don’t have a sweet pronunciation! I’m no girl!”, now Rusl needed to laugh too.
“Sorry.”, Link understood the boy’s expression and tone.
“It’s okay. He apologised.”
“Fine. Thanks.”
“He says thanks. You seem to be quite toughened up?”
“Why?”
“Well – you sleep naked – chose the lightest clothes though it’s earliest spring – are you sure you’re from town?”
“Yes.”, lied Link. “But I came around a lot.”
“Oh. Well then – let’s go for breakfast.”, they set off in direction of the village, where a lot more people were up than there would have been in Clock Town at such early daytime. “What is it? Never seen so many people at this time?”
“No.”, aspirated Link. “The town is full of late risers. Even now though there is Carnival.”
“If I remember it right, it lasts two weeks this year?”
“Yes.”
“You really fled, so to say.”
“Something like it.”
“Yes. I have heard that seven years ago, a terrible disaster in Tremina had been prevented. Sometimes I come to town for exchanging goods, you know? But I’m more often in Hyrule. Especially since these Sheikah moved to Ikana again. They dislike letting me pass through. Constantly ask me for written permissions. Once I even had to fight against one of them. Mysterious people. Very stubborn and arrogant.”
“Mysterious and stubborn, yes. But it’s their land and they’ve been expelled often enough. They just want to have their peace. They’re more powerful than we Hylians though, but not as conceited. They attach a lot of importance to tradition and togetherness, as well as faith and love. In spite of their reserve and secretiveness they’re the most honest and trustworthy folk I know.”
“You’ve apparently been involved with them a lot?”
“Often enough to know that their reputation is worse than them. They still know about the true values of life. Without them we Hylians would have mutually smashed our heads in even more often.”
“Wow. I didn’t know that. I only heard that their fingers are involved everywhere.”
“One could say so. But they distance themselves from obviousness. They’re secret helpers.”
“Hm. I think I’m going to learn a lot from you?”
“Maybe. I can’t tell. But the next time you go to Termina, you should probably stop by at the Mayor’s and sign a trade agreement.”, did he have an ulterior motive?
“He’s said to be one of them too.”
“That’s what I say. He will help you.”
“What makes you so sure?”, yes, what?
“A lot.”
“Hm. But I don’t think I will travel to Termina again in near future. The last visit was enough for me. They downright chased me to Clock Town. Not openly though, but there was this girl in the town. One of them too. Blue hair. Uah. And the way she looked at me. Then she hissed something after me. Something like, that I would hardly make a good deal with goods like I had with me. Either she cursed me this day or – I don’t know. I never really had serious chances in Termina. I’m better off in Hyrule.”
“Oh dear. I think she was just honest. She’s got a keen sense. Well, so you tried to sell second-rate goods?”, smirked Link.
“No!”, Rusl protested.
“Apparently you did. Otherwise she wouldn’t have said that.”
“Did they recruit you as verbal defender?”
“No. But I know the girl. She’s the Mayor’s daughter.”
“Oh no. But concerning the Anniversary-Carnival – I was told that one of the moons was close to crush Termina back then and that an evil demon in a mask was behind it?”, Link nodded. “They also told me that the Mayor at this time, Dotour, had said something about a little boy who had stopped it. Is that right?”
“Can be.”, said Link monotonous and preferred watching the inhabitants of the village doing their early morning works, who also stared after him.
“Oh why am I talking about this. You’ve been a child back then too. Probably you didn’t notice much.”
“Yes and no.”, said Link. “One does notice everybody leaving the town because a huge piece of rock floats above it. It was horrible. Everything trembled and the sky turned more and more red the closer the moon came. But then the Giants of Heaven came and stopped it. I was hiding. When I came out, the moon was gone.”
“My goodness. I’m so sorry. You wanted to get away from all that and I pester you about it.”
“Never mind.”, smiled Link a bit tormented though, but nevertheless dared to give him a short glance. “Who is she?”, the girl he had seen in Bo’s house stood by the stream, getting water with a wooden bucket.
“This is Ilia. Bo’s only child.”, she stared after Link who had crossed the small wooden bridge with Rusl and Colin and the bucket glided out of her hands.
“Oops.”, giggled Link and Ilia turned slightly red but could pull the bucket out of the water in time before it drifted off and filled it anew, not without another look after Link.
“I think, you just turned her head a bit.”
“Seems so.”, Link giggled on, but pulled his look off the Mayor’s daughter, smiling even more about the irony of life. “I’ve seen her briefly at night. She stared at me then already.”
“Well – you’re a stranger who comes in the middle of the night and on the next morning wanders through the village in my old stuff – and in addition you’re no Human. Can you blame her? Besides, if I was a girl, I’d stare too if such a pretty young man came into my village.”
“Tz.”, spat Link. “What by all means does everybody see in me? Constantly I have to listen to people telling I’m oh so beautiful.”
“Oh come on! You can’t deny you’re a real eye-catcher.”, Link looked at him a bit confused. “Don’t get me wrong now, but I’m much older than you and had enough experience with the calf love of girls.”
“Don’t you tell me anything about drooling girls. I’ve got five of them on my heels. One is the Deku Queen, yes?”
“Oh dear.”
“You say it.”, sighed Link.
“And you don’t want anything from the others either?”
“No.”
“Too moody? Too pushy?”
“That as well.”
“But Ilia is pretty though, isn’t she?”
“Maybe. They’re all kinda pretty. But not my type.”
“You don’t even know Ilia yet.”
“Are you actually trying to pair me off?”
“Sorry. It seems I’m a bit too overeager. Yes. You should get to know her by yourself. But first you’d rather learn our language a bit.”
“I prefer the language.”
“No womaniser?”
“Not at all.”
“At least you’re honest and not ashamed of it.”, Link said nothing on it. “It is bad enough if a girl goes on your nerves but you wouldn’t admit it because the other guys would laugh at you otherwise.”
“I’ve had such wannabe-friends already. But it was never about girls.”
“But?”
“About me always being responsible for bad weather. One shouts, the others join in. But let’s not talk about this.”
“Okay.”, they had finished their little tour through the village and stopped at one of the houses after another, a bit bigger bridge and another blond woman opened the door for them smiling. “Well, Link. This is my wife Uli. I’ve told her about you already. She speaks a bit Hylian but I couldn’t fully convince her.”, Link shook her hand with a polite nod and they went inside.
~o~0~O~0~o~
He had expected some teething problems. But thanks to Rusl’s talent in translating, everything turned out to be just as half as bad. He could convince his wife Uli just in time to not move the whole store onto the breakfast table. Link was really thankful, as he nevertheless had been forced to eat four breads. He must have almost a bucket of tea in his stomach.
Their house wasn’t big, but next to the fireplace was a door which obviously lead to rooms inside the rock. The room they were in, was living room, dining room and kitchen in one, and that stuck into smallest space. Though one didn’t feel totally cramped. Above the mysterious door hung a sword which had caught Link’s attention all breakfast long. He had been able to hide it until now.
“Do you like the sword?”, Rusl asked him
“Yes. It looks like a good blade.”
“It is. It belonged to my father. He had passed it on to me but I never used it as it is too heavy for me anyway. But it can stand a lot though. I preferred improving his techniques. He was so jealous that I managed to create lighter swords that were as robust as his. This topic always made him freak out until his death.”
“You’re a blacksmith?”
“Yes. But I only make unique pieces. No mass production for the Royal Guard.”, Link nodded. “It’s a miracle that the piece even stays on the wall, as heavy as it is. I have another one of his at the back. As comparison for customers. Want to see it?”
Link wasn’t sure enough whether he really wanted this. After all he was supposed to leave behind his old life. And holding a sword in his hand again already on the first day of his new life didn’t seem to be a good idea for a newstart in his opinion. He really had to control himself – acting as if he knew nothing about swords. Was this even possible? Kafei was the actor. Not he. But he apparently did have a certain talent for it – or were all the others just simply too stupid to understand his mimic? Well, Navi had ignored several of his tries to make her shut up. And making a fairy let him alone when wanting to do one’s business at a random tree wasn’t easy, not to mention other things, while which a man normally didn’t really want to be watched. Even Epona had always been discreet enough to look away when he peed into a corner. Yes, Epona was a true friend. And she was a horse!
“Link?”, he startled from his thoughts.
“Er – yes! Why not?”, though he slammed his head in mind for it.
“Fine. Come with me.”, he smiled.
Rusl just discussed something with his small family and then lead Link through the simple wooden door into a small corridor, in which was another door at the end. To the left were two more doors and a fourth on the right side. Link assumed bedrooms behind them, what he should get confirmed during the following months. Rusl opened the door straight in front of them and stepped into the back yard which was embedded between the rocks. It contained not much more than a piece of meadow, an earth latrine, a well and a smithy with a roof. This wasn’t more than the hearth with diverse beams and tables which were full of different kinds of tools and material and a barn next to it.
At least Link thought it was a barn. When Rusl unlocked the door though, it turned out to be a well insulated training room. On the walls hung different kinds of thrustings, many simple, some with utmost playful decoration. These seemed rather representative than made for fighting. All around stood several dummies. On the wooden floor laid a thick, worn out carpet that almost filled the room.
For somebody like Link this should have be a wonderland but at the moment he was too much afraid of giving himself away. He already knew that he would learn to perfect another ability in Ordon: to lie. Though he didn’t like the consideration at all.
“This is it.”
He had taken a beautiful sword with wave-shaped blade and golden hilt out of a locked display case. The hilt seemed unbelievably kitschy and delicate but Link knew that it was robust for sure. Rusl held it towards him in a way his intention couldn’t have been clearer. Only hasitantly Link took the sword in his hand and was glad that he hadn’t been too hesitant. It was way heavier than Biggoron’s sword and he had serious problems holding it with one hand.
“Oh!“, Rusl was amazed. “So you are! I wasn’t immediately sure why you held the knife in your left hand. You’re actually left-handed?”
“Yes.”
“But it would be better if you held it in your right hand. This would make it easier for me to teach you something. You’ll get the strength with time.”
“How did you get the idea I’d want to learn how to wield a sword?”, he tried to put on a quite neutral face.
“Oh come on. I can see how you’re looking at it. And at the others as well. But you can try on such a sword earliest in two years anyway. It would be too heavy for you.”
“It is heavy indeed.”, Link smirked. “But – ”, he let it swing backwards and to the front again.
“Careful!”
“It lies good in the hand. Sure – in a fight it would be a two-handed one, but the hilt is – ”
“Do that again.”, aspirated Rusl.
“What? This?”, he let it swing another time.
“Damn! Not even I can do that with this sword!”
“I’m not surprised. It’s a horror for the wrist. Take back this monstrosity.”, Rusl took the sword to him again quite dumbfounded.
“You scallywag! You know something about swords, don’t you?”
“Maybe?”, he had decided to confess it but still play a bit with Rusl.
“Can you really fight or are you just showing off?”
“No idea. Why don’t you tell me whether I can fight?”, he didn’t need to know everything on the first day already, did he?
“Are you challenging me?”, did he?
“Isn’t it what you intended?”, and most of all he wanted to leave behind his old life, right?
“I thought of teaching you some essential techniques first, but fine – nevertheless we should get started slowlier.”
Honestly – slowly? This man wanted to teach him something on the first day that he, Link, actually had done almost his entire life long and expected him to start at the beginning? Probably even with wooden swords? He never even slightly had something like a romantic relationship and already on the second day of his first relationship he had lost his virginity. And now he should start something he was experienced in – slowly?
“We’ll better try with these first.”, yes, exactly. “What? Why do you look at me like this? I do thoroughly know how to defend myself. But I don’t want you to hurt yourself already.”
“Still. Don’t you think that wooden swords are a bit too over the top? I will accept wooden shields perhaps – as long as they can stand a lot. This might sound a bit arrogant, but it’s not like today is the first time I held a sword in my hand.”
“Fought already?” he gave him an unbelieving stare.
“Yes.”
“Really fought?”, some of his heaviest fights rolled down in his mind.
“Yes, I think it can be called like this.”
“Or just for entertainment?”
“It wasn’t always funny.”
“Won as well?”, he already wanted to tell him about dying for some seconds and fairies but decided on the short version.
“So far, always.”, he also kept himself from adding that he wouldn’t be standing there otherwise.
“Well. On your responsibility. You even get a metal shield.”
“Thanks for trusting.”, he smiled struggling.
~o~0~O~0~o~
“I beg you. Get up.”, no answer. “I know that you don’t want anything to do with celebrating anymore. But you can’t stay in bed the whole day long.”
“It’s my bed. I can lie in it as for long as I want to.”
“It’s not like he’s dead. He’s just not here. You can’t do this to Anju.”
“To your information, Anju understands it.”, he murmured through the blanket.
“Please, Dotour. Say something.”
“And what?”
“Well – that he shall get up!”
“Why?”, he looked up to her from the chair next to the bed.
“What?”, hissed Esra.
“Maybe you don’t understand it, but I do understand it.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“But you have to admit that she’s right in one point. Link isn’t dead. Nevertheless – ”
“What now? Are you for or against me?”
“May I remind you that he has been such a drama queen before? You remember? Back then when Anju was gone?”
“Yes, I remember it clearly.”, snarled Dotour, raised and looked her directly in the eyes. “But this does prove something.”
“And what?”
“That he loves the two equally and more than anything. May I remind you that – I – ”, he broke off and left the room.
“That you?”
“Oh forget it.”, he murmured clearly hearable from the staircase.
“Fine.”, snorted Esra. “But don’t expect me to bring you food up here, Kafei.”
Also she left the room without closing the door, what she eventually regretted, as Kafei stuck his hand out from beneath the blanket and slammed it shut behind his stepmother with a wave.
~o~0~O~0~o~
“Damn shit!”
“What?”, panted Link.
Rusl laid on the floor, sword and shield out of reach and the tip of Link’s sword a finger broad from his larynx.
“Damn shit, I said.”
“Oh. Good to know.”, laughed Link, put the sword away and helped him up.
“Now just don’t tell me that you learned this in that run down school.”
“No. I won’t deny having tried it there. But you’re right. The school’s a joke. Maybe good for beginning, but the advanced course is simply pathetic. I honestly don’t wonder why there are children who manage the Master Course.”
“And where did you learn?”
“I said, I came around a lot, didn’t I?”
“Yes. You did.”
“And Termina isn’t small.”, he nevertheless tried getting some considerations out of questions.
“Yes. There you’re right as well. It’s quite a way from the passage in Ikana to Clock Town. I never got further though, but – well. Hyrule is a lot bigger for sure.”
“I can’t tell.”, he threw in as defence of his newstart.
“Of course. Whatever drove you away from your former life, now I know that it was more than exciting.”, he shortly laid a hand on Link’s cheek. “But only one thing – that stays between us, okay?”
“I don’t mind.”
“It’s not like I’m only ashamed of having been beaten by a sixteen year old but most of all because of my son. He’s too young for swords. I still don’t want him to learn how to handle them. Maybe in a year or two. But not now.”
“Fine.”
“Okay – then – well – I’ll better introduce you at the Ranch already. Fado will be happy about two more hands. Lately the poor fool has more and more problems with bringing the goats under his control. Also he loses patience increasingly and becomes lazier. Maybe you can bring in some fresh air. Would be a real pity if we wouldn’t sell cheese anymore. Our goat cheese is a hit in Hyrule.”
“That’s easy to believe. It’s really good.”
“You should tell this our goats as well. Maybe they behave a bit better then.”, Rusl laughed.
~o~0~O~0~o~
Totally knackered he let himself fall into the bed in his new pyjamas. He didn’t know what had been more taxing. Making up for Fado’s clumsiness or ignoring Navi who had again found him only by afternoon. One thing he knew though. Tomorrow he wouldn’t roundup the goats on foot anymore. Epona wouldn’t like this for sure, but until now she had always stood by him. Maybe she would also join this newstart-thing. At least he hoped for it. All in all it had been a wonderful time. He already started to like Ordon. But now, as Navi had laid down and he was alone with his thoughts, he felt abandoned again. Lost in thoughts he stared at the wooden ceiling, then to the hole through which stars glistened in. They were so far away. It felt to him like Kafei was as far away too. As far as the stars behind this hole. Kafei was a star.
He was overcome with a ridiculous thought. If Kafei was a star, wouldn’t he be closer to him if he laid directly beneath the stars? He got up again, grabbed his two blankets and the pillows and threw them down to the ground floor. And he had thought he was tired. Navi didn’t even twitch when the bedding hit the floor with a poof. Shaking his head, he climbed down the ladder, took his things on his arms once more and hurled them through the door down onto the grass in front of his house. Then he locked and simply ignored the last ladder. With a single leap he landed on his soft blankets and brought his open-air-bed in order, the bedspread below. Covered up to the chin, he stared up to the uncountable, shimmering stars. A soft breeze wandered around his ears.
This night was already a bit balmier than the last ones. Spring had finally arrived. Nevertheless it was still quite cool. But maybe it just felt cool around his ears as some tears trickled sideways from his eyes. Though he tried to blame it on the size of his ears. One last tear ran into his ear and tore him out of his thoughts. Sighing, he wiped it off together with the others, but new ones came after them. He heard Epona trotting closer. Arriving at his side, she turned around once and laid down with her face at his. When the mere cuddled her head against his cheek, he finally couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. He turned to her, stroked her shortly and cuddled against her neck, whereas Epona laid her right front leg around him and pulled his head closer with hers.
~o~0~O~0~o~
“Listen to me – it can’t go on this way.”
Kafei sat on his desk, his legs dangling, elbows on his limbs and face buried in his hands. Behind him, quite a mass of paper was piling up. Nérimlath was marching up and down in front of him, arms crossed.
“You’ve got responsibility. Take it. Do you even listen to me?”, he stopped walking and stared at Kafei. “No. You don’t.”, he added quietly. “You can’t go on drowning in self-pity forever.”, he went towards him, laid his hands on the other’s upper arms and began stroking him. “What?”, Kafei had murmured something. “I’m sorry, but I won’t understand you if you’re mumbling into your hands.”
“I said you shall stop this.”, he hissed.
“What?”
“Let go of me.”, he looked up, the face washed with tears, the black colour around his eyes trickled off.
“My goodness – take a look at you.”, he wanted to wipe away the colour but Kafei pushed his hands away from himself.
“Kafei – ”
“I don’t care what I look like. I don’t want to receive anyone anyway.”, sighing, Rim laid his hands on his arms again. “And I told you to stop this.”
“Kafei – what’s wrong? You’re my best friend. Am I not even allowed to touch you? After all – ”
“No.”
“What? Oh come on! That – damn, Kafei! How often shall I apologise? You know that I can’t remember anything of it! We were more than friends.”
“Exactly. We were. Why won’t you get that it’s over? And most of all – why won’t you admit that you – ”
“How shall I accept being fully guilty of something I can’t remember? I don’t understand your logic. What have I done that killed your feelings for me so much?”
“You know what you’ve done. I’ve let you watch it. And my feelings for you were never that big. I had a crush on you. But I haven’t loved you at all.”
“But you apparently don’t care that I – ”
“You apparently don’t care that you’re married!”
“You’re married too! And nevertheless you love Link!”
“I love them both and it’s no problem for either of them. Anju and I don’t have any secrets. We don’t wait several years before telling each other such things. The marriage you’re having is ridiculous. Why Cremia of all?”
“Pardon?”
“Yes – maybe she complements you as she’s the absolute opposite of you. But that makes you two everything but than happy! Cremia is Anju’s best friend. Anju just didn’t tell her anything because she knows that this is a matter between the two of you. But I don’t really want to see Anju drowning in feelings of guilt, just because you’re too cowardly to admit to have married the wrong woman. I know you don’t tell Cremia because it would kill her. But you knew that when you married her. Why didn’t you go looking for someone you could tell such things? Someone who understands? I’m sure, you would have found her, if you hadn’t given in to your sympathy for Cremia.”
“For talking about such things, I have you. That’s what you should understand.”
“I’m sorry, Rim. This carriage has left. If you wanted to control it, we’d still be the best friends – if not more. But that’s never going to be. Never again. I couldn’t love you anymore, even if I wanted. The scars you’ve caused are still bleeding, every time you touch me. It’s like I deflagrate from inside. But you don’t understand this. Most of all because you’d let it happen, if you were me. Please leave. I want to be alone now.”
“I’m sorry, alright?”
“Please. Leave.”, Rim just shook his head and curled his lips.
“No.”, again he stepped a bit closer.
“Rim. I beg you one last time. Go now.”
“I won’t. I will not let you here, alone.”, his face was only one hand broad away from Kafei’s.
“I said, out.”
“No.”
“Get out of my office.”, Kafei hissed and tears of anger went into his eyes.
“No.”
He had pressed his hands onto Kafei’s face and forced him into a kiss that was far away from loving. Kafei writhed with all force and after some seconds he managed to push Rim away. This one stumbled backwards and fell to the floor. Kafei stormed to him, flipped the door open with a flick of his hand, pulled the other man up, dragged him to the door and outside, threw him onto the floor again.
“I told you to get out of my office, before I finally have to throw you out of my life! And dare to turn up here once in the next two weeks! Then I’ll show you what real pain is!”
He disappeared in his office and slammed the door shut. A bit dumbfounded though, Rim stared at the point where Kafei’s hair had vanished as a blue whirl. Lori had crawled behind her chair and peered out scared. The door to Anju’s office flew open and she came stomping out, not less raged than Kafei. Effortlessly she pulled Rim up, to the wall and pushed him against it.
“What did you do?”, she hissed.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t you lie to me. Don’t be so brazen and lie to me! What did you do!”
“Nothing he has to treat me this way for.”, said Rim coldly.
“If he throws you out, he doesn’t do it because you’ve done `nothing´. Well?”, her eyes drilled into his but then she shortly directed her look to the door as she heard Kafei sobbing.
“What’s going on here?”, Cremia stood in the entrance door and looked at the two, questioning.
“You foul swine.”, Anju whispered quiet enough just for him to hear it. “Whatever you did in there, I’ll find out. And depending on what it was, you can be sure that the pain Kafei will cause you, will be nothing compared to what you’re going to get from me.”, then she went into Kafei’s office without giving him another look.
“Rim? Kafei threw you out? Why? What does Anju mean?”
“Not important.”, he left the room too, past his wife.
“Rim?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”, he disappeared downstairs and out of town.
Kafei sat on the floor, leant to his desk and cried more than before. Just timidly he raised his head when Anju had closed the door behind, sat down next to him and laid her arms around him.
“Do you want to talk about it?”, he shook his head.
“Maybe – I just – overreacted. I – I think, I – should – apologise.”
“All you should do is spending more time with your children. Maybe they can cheer you up, if I can’t.”, a slight smile went to his lips.
“You can.”, he cuddled to her. “I’m just – stupid – and won’t let it happen.”
“I was serious about our children, you know? You know Tatl. You know how much this doll looked like Tingle.”
“Anju?”, he sat up. “What are you driving at?”
“That I don’t want to know what will happen if Link really sticks one of these needles into the doll one day.”
“What?”, chuckled Kafei.
“I’m really serious on this. You’ve heard her. `Why does she do this? Why does Zelda hurt Daddy so much? Why is she so evil and tells him to send Link away?´ I think, this statement is not to be taken lightly.”
“You think – they’re making a doll of – Zelda?”
“I just say. It can be possible. I’ve recognised the man that has thrown Rim out. And this wasn’t you. These were more than obviously Igos’ genes. Tatl’s now at an age at which you weren’t a child of innocence either. If I may remind you, you’ve broken Chaliém’s arm back then. He was ten years older than you.”
“He’s still and nevertheless we’re really good friends.”, Anju helped him to wipe the blurred colour off his face.
“That’s not what I mean. You’ve broken his arm. Very conscious and with two selected moves of your hands. Tatl told me that she sometimes secretly watches the Suro-Novices’ training. You know which methods the Masters tend to use to strengthen the Novices’ willpower, so they won’t fail because of themselves. And Tatl knows that you’ve secretly taken the education. I can’t read her mind. I can’t know which things she combines and creates an attitude towards life from. And that she once made such a doll purely as a joke, doesn’t mean that she doesn’t continue this idea. And Link joins in. Yes, he completely merges in this Bomber-stuff, but she’s his sister. If she asks him to join in, he does, as you’re his father too. You understand what I mean? We’re talking about Zelda here. Princess Zelda of Hyrule.”, Kafei just stared at her unbelievingly. I know, this might sound farfetched. They’re really adorable, kind children. But they’re children and love their father. Chaliém exposed your father in front of audience right outside the castle. I just count one and one together.”
~o~0~O~0~o~
He had no idea what time it was when the door opened. Nor did he care. After all, she had a lot to do. And it was his fault that she had a lot to do. But it wasn’t Anju who entered. When he slightly turned to the door, he could only see a small hand. The steps moved around the bed. The small silhouette placed itself in front of the one of the two windows which was close to the bed and looked outside on the mountains. Then he turned around. His blue eyes were shining hardly noticeable in the dappled shade. Without words he went to the bed and looked almost sadly at his father. That one lifted the blanket and let him in, where he cuddled to his chest. Kafei adjusted the blanket again and took him softly in his arms.
“What’s the matter – Link?”
“You don’t need to call me like this, if it hurts you. I have a nickname, after all.”
“Why shouldn’t I call you so? It’s my fault that this is your name.”
“Still. I don’t want you to be sad when you talk to me. Then I always feel like I couldn’t make you happy.”
“Of course you can.”, sighed Kafei. “You’re my boy. It’s just – something inside me, currently keeps me from being happy.”
“You already almost sound like Rim, you know?”
“Maybe.”, he aspirated back.
“I don’t want you to become so – depressive – as he is.”
“You know, nor do I.”
“Then laugh.”
“If I only could.”
“I wish you to be ticklish.”
“On that, you can wait long.”, Kafei giggled.
“Ah? And it does work.”
“What?”, faltered Kafei.
“You giggled. That’s a start.”
“If you mean.”, sighed Kafei again.
“Tell me – aren’t you feeling hot?”
“Somehow, yes. Why?”
“You’re worse than an oven in the winter and it’s summer. Why do you cover in a blanket if you’re feeling hot?”
“No idea. Maybe because I need something to cuddle.”
“I’m here now.”
“I know.”
“You’re sweating all over already.”
“Now – don’t exaggerate, yes? But right – may I?”
“And how you may.”, Kafei let go of him, pulled off the top of his pyjamas and took his son in his arms again. “Better?”
“If it’s better for you, yes. But you’re still cooking.”
“Fascinating, how fast time goes by.”, he lifted Link’s left hand a bit and compared it to his own.
“Why?”
“Your hands are so big already.”
“Big?”, he sat up next to him.
“Yes. Not long ago they were as small as your little finger. And now look at them.”
“So small?”, his eyes widened.
“Yes.”, giggled Kafei. “So small were they.”
Also he sat up er cross-legged, reached with his left arm under the legs of his son and laid him on his lap turned towards himself, where the latter rolled in. Thinking, he stroked him over the die violet, with red strands honeycombed hair and gave him a kiss on the forehead, what for he had to roll in too. Like this, he rested his forehead against Link’s and both closed their eyes.
“You scrub.”, murmured the boy.
“What?”, Kafei slightly startled.
“You scrub. You should shave.”
“Oh.”
“What’s going on here?”, Anju had come in.
“Out, Mummy.”, spat the little one but couldn’t really hold back a giggle.
“Pardon?”
“This is a men’s night. Out.”
“You’ve heard him, darling.”, smirked Kafei.
“Oh – Yes. Men’s night. I can see it.”, she smiled. “Well, then I will have to have a ladies’ night with Tatl, won’t I?”
“Seems so.”
“But you won’t get around one thing.”, she went to his husband and kissed him. “Goodnight, you two.”, she gave his son a little kiss too.
“Goodnight.”, they replied simultaneously before she closed the door.
“That’s totally disgusting.”, Link murmured.
“What?”
“I’ve seen your tongues. Why do you have to use them too when doing this? That’s disgusting.”
“Just you wait.”, he took the little one like he laid up to his chest and let himself fall back with the other. “You’ll get that back when you have your first girlfriend.”
“And if I start with a boyfriend?”, the boy countered.
“That doesn’t make a difference for me. You’ll get it back too then, yes?”, he giggled and kissed the toes of his son.
“Why are you kissing my feet?”
“I’ve made them, so I’m allowed to. And if Mummy does this, you aren’t to complain either. She’s hatched them.”
~o~0~O~0~o~
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