The Legend of Zelda - Song of the Sages (A Spirit Tracks Fan Sequel)

Chapter 2 - An Adventure's Beginning

"Uuugh..." Link groaned.
What...happened to him?
He opened his eyes and blinked. He was...unsure of where he was. This definitely wasn't his house. And he definitely doesn't remember much from yesterday.
Still, something about this room felt...familiar to him. He's been here before. But...when?

Groggily, he looked around. Niko and Alfonzo both sat on the other side of the room - Alfonzo looked anxious, while Niko was looking through a stamp book. He didn't think they knew he was awake, yet.

This place, for some reason, reminded him of his train after it had tipped...a strange man with a metal arm...Princess Zelda-
-
Everything hit him like a sack of bricks.

Yesterday's events, they all flooded back. He went to the Festival, ate tons of cake, got his butt saved by Alfonzo, met Zelda again...and then, Syda.
And now, now, he was in the Castle's infirmary.
He failed. He failed her.
Again.

Slowly, he sat up. He didn't have much energy - physical and mental. He assumed he didn't get much sleep either, given how tired he was.
"Link! You're awake!"
"GAH!" Link shouted in surprise as Alfonzo ran to his bedside. He knew he would be worried, but...not that worried.
Still, the man was clearly relieved. Alfonzo had a bit of a habit working himself up like that if anything bad happened to Link.
"I was so worried! Are you alright? Are you still hurt!?"
Link looked down.
He was ashamed. He was embarrassed.
He may not be The Hero of Winds, but...
He was a Hero to New Hyrule. They held an entire Festival to show it, and...
And, on that very day, he failed Zelda, and he failed the entire kingdom.

"He looks upset." Niko remarked. With the help of his cane, he slowly made his way over to where Alfonzo stood. "It's okay, Link. We know you tried your best."
"Yeah..." Alfonzo agreed. "Everyone chokes sometimes, kid. I failed to protect you both twice now. So much for being the castle's greatest swordsman..."

Niko shook his head. "Now now, you and Link both tried your best. Fighting demons is different from fighting off criminals and thieves, after all."
"Yeah...I guess you're right. But enough about that - are you feeling better, Link? You were out for an entire day!"

An entire day...
Link shot up from his previous slumped state.
An entire DAY!?
Zelda has been on her own, with Syda...for a whole DAY!?
He immediately leapt out of bed, stumbling a bit, and bumped against Alfonzo as he ran out the door.
"Hey- HEY, KID!" He chased after him, but by the time he looked outside the door, Link was already making his way downstairs.
"LINK!!"

He sighed.
Niko shook his head. "He's a stubborn one, that Link. One thing's for sure - we can't stop him."
The old man turned to his friend with a knowing smile. He may have been a bit goofy, but...he could also be quite wise.
"The best thing we can do for Link is support him."
Alfonzo glanced back towards the door.
"Yeah...I hope so."

Link burst through the Castle Town gates and ran into the center of the village - it was still decorated for the festival, ironically. Though, the atmosphere was full of tension. Everyone seemed...awkward. Upset. It was to be expected, really.
He knew that, unfortunately, he had no idea where Syda took Zelda, but he passed out before the entire ordeal was over. Maybe one of the townspeople knew something he didn't about her whereabouts...
But he didn't want to waste time asking just anyone. That could take hours, Link didn't have hours, he needed to get to Zelda and he needed to get to her now, before it's too late.
He figured that if anyone saw anything, they'd be more anxious than the rest.
He scanned the crowd, looking for anyone who fit that description, when his eyes fell on a middle-aged woman behind a stand she had set up for the festival. All of her goods were gone...must've sold out.
So if she did...why was she so nervous? She knew something.
Link headed straight for her.