The Legend Of Zelda: Memories Of Fate

Part 1: Courage

Somewhere in the outskirts of Hyrule, there lived a young man named Link. He lived together with his father at a farm. It was a small farm, but they didn't need more. His father was a former royal knight and he served the kingdom for several decades, but he retired. He was very close with the king. There are rumors that they were best friends, but he never bragged about it.
After serving the kingdom, he wanted a quite rural place to live. On his adventures, he met a softspoken girl in a small farmer village, Aria was her name. Russerl and Aria settled down in the village, where Aria grew up. They started a farm, and they named it Farore ranch. A few years later, Aria became pregnant and nine months later an adorable baby boy was born. He inherited the blonde hairs of his father and the wonderful blue eyes of Aria. And just like the hero in the almost forgotten stories, they named him Link. Little did they know that he would become the most courageous hero.

At dawn Link wakes up and does his daily chores, feeding the goats, tending the horses, milking the cows,.. "Early as ever, Link!", said the dad, who was already awake for several hours. Since the death of his wife Aria, Russerl wakes up earlier to visit her grave and to hone his swordman's skills. Every week he searches for a flower, named "The Silent Princess" to place it on the grave of Aria. It was her favorite flower, but due to the harsh environment, it became a very rare flower. Link was only four, when his mother died, so he learned everything from his father.
Life was simple and calm. Link became addicted to the smell of grass and the feeling of the soft morning breeze of the wind through his hair. He didn't have anyone of his age around him, so he did not speak very much. Russerl one time caught him speaking with his favorite horse Epona. Link, who was already 17 at the time, was very mature for his age. It seemed he also inherited the talent of martial arts from his dad. His sword skills were almost on par with his dad's, but he lacked the experience, so he has never won a sparring match with his father.

Link had one friend, Malon. She was a beautiful young lady, but in contrast with Link, she was still a bit childish for her age. Malon helped at the farm and worked together with Link. Even tough Link doesn't talk much, Malon still knows what he thinks. It is almost like a telepathic power that she has. (It even scares Link sometimes). She's also easy to read. When she's happy, you will always hear her sing. Malon has an angelic voice and when she sings, it calms even the most turbulent feelings inside.

"LIINKK! Where are you?", yells Malon very playful. Link was feeding Epona at that moment and was startled. With his bed head, he strolled to the location of the voice, while yawning. He doesn't understand how Malon can be this energetic every morning. "Look, look, look! Look what I made!" She had her hands behind her back to hide the thing she made. Without hesitation, she showed Link the object. It was a hand crafted wooden totem. It looked like a kind of bird with a big beak. "Don't you like it?", said Malon while fidgeting with the totem. "The bird is called a Loftwing. I saw a picture in an old book!" Link smiled at Malon and looked her in the eyes. Malon blushed, but she knew immediately that Link liked it. "If you like it that much, you can have it you know... I made it for you, for your birthday...", said Malon very soft and it seemed almost like she was shy. Link looked startled. It was his birthday, but he forgot his own birthday. He took the totem and said: "Thank you, Malon". Malon became very excited and began jumping. It's very rare to hear Link talk, but when he does, Malon would always overflow with excitement for a whole week. Link sighed and he looked at his totem. Suddenly he felt this excruciating pain in his head. He dropped the totem and fell on the ground while grabbing his head. "LINK!", yelled Malon very concerned. Link started to scream from the pain. Russerl just returned from hunting. He carried a boar around his shoulder like it was nothing. "RUSSERL RUSSERL, HELP! Link is in pain!", said Malon panicked. Russerl dropped the boar without hesitation and ran to Link. Link was still in pain and everything around him became blurry, and then nothing. Black.
Link was in a pitch black place. He saw nothing, nothing but himself. It was like a tunnel, and he could only walk forward. In the distance there was a small light, and Link walked slowly towards that light. When he arrived at that light, it started shimmering and the light flew towards Link's hand. Link was blinded by that light, but it slowly dimmed and it formed into an object. Link could now clearly see, that it was the totem he received for his birthday from Malon. Suddenly everything around him became clear and he was in the sky, sitting on a red bird, flying around, with a beautiful girl. Link wore a green tunic, dressed as a knight. Everything felt familiar. Suddenly he looked back at the totem and light came out the totem and rushed inside the head of Link.

At that moment he opens his eyes and he was back in his room in his bed. Malon was sleeping on a chair besides him, with a bit of drool on her cheek. Her arms were on the bed, and her head on her arms. Link touched her hand to comfort her and she woke up. "LINK, you are awake! How do you feel? Are you alright? Why did you suddenly collapse? You shocked me did you know? Are you hungry? Well you only slept for two hours so you will be fine." She suddenly realized that Link was touching her hand the whole time and she panicked and started to blush and she jumped up. "Woow woow, uhm, uhm, Your dad still doesn't know you woke up so I'm gonna tell him! Don't do anything reckless!", she yelled and ran out of the door. Not much later Russerl walked in. "Son, are you alright? You suddenly fainted, so I brought you to your room." Link nodded and smiled. "Good, you're fine. Wait a second, I have something for you." Russerl stood up and walked to the door. Just outside, beside the door, he grabbed something. "Close your eyes Link.", he said calmly. Link closed his eyes and heard his father close the door and slowly walking back to the chair where Malon was sleeping a while ago. He sat down and said: "Open your eyes.". In Russerl's hands was a majestic sword. "This was my sword. Before I retired, she accompanied me throughout all my adventures. I reforged it and it's now even stronger than before. The sword carries all my past experiences with it, and the honor of our family also rests inside this blade! It is time for you to inherit this sword, Link." Link looked very surprised, but also very excited. He opened his eyes even wider. "You know..., you have your mother's eyes... There is not a day that I don't miss her. I hope you can do the name of the sword justice. Oh, I never told the name of the sword did I... Her name is... Courage!" Russerl gave Link the sword and suddenly stood up and said: "Happy birthday son, come downstairs when you're ready! I hunted a boar, so it's going to be delicious!", and he walked out the door. Before the door closed entirely, Russerl opened the door and said while smirking: "Oh, by the way, what did you do to Malon? She was blushing and screaming and jumping and singing when she came downstairs...". Link looked dumbfounded and bursted out laughing...