The Legend of Zelda: Transient (third book in the Timeless series)

Chapter 3

"Happy birthday!" They both called happily. Zelda gently stirred Erick awake,
"Hmm?" He asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes,
"You're seven whole years old today!" Zelda said happily. Erick sat up and smiled widely,
"I'm a grown up, now!" He exclaimed. Link laughed,
"Well, I don't know about that," he said,
"Do you want your cake or presents first?" Zelda asked him, sitting on the edge of his bed,
"Presents, presents, presents!" He said. Link walked over to a small table and grabbed the single gift, before returning to them,
"Here you go, bud," he said, handing him one. Erick tore into it immediately,
"Wow! A bow!" He said, pulling out Link's gift. It was large and made of strong wood and smooth, silver bark. It was one of Link's finest works. The arrows had dull tips for the time being.
He admired it for a moment before setting it down and throwing his arms around Link,
"Thanks dad!" Link hugged him back,
"Happy birthday," he responded,
"You're making it hard to one-up you, Link," Zelda said, chuckling. Link smirked,
"Hey, what can I say? I'm too good," he teased. She rolled her eyes,
"You didn't let me finish. You're making it hard, but I did it anyway," she said, laughing. Link raised an eyebrow,
"Oh yeah? Let's see it," Erick nodded excitedly.
Zelda took Erick's hand and led him out of the room, Link following along.
They walked through the corridors, several people wishing a happy birthday to Erick on the way.
It had been several weeks since Link had sent Kitri to help in the desert, and he hadn't heard much news since then. He was hoping that meant good things, but he had a feeling that wasn't the case. It didn't matter at the moment though.
Finally, they made it out into Castle Town. Erick looked as if he couldn't contain his excitement much longer,
"Ah, come on Mom! Why can't you tell me what it is?" He asked anxiously as they headed towards the exit,
"Where's the fun in that? Plus, you're about to see!" She replied, chuckling.
They exited the town and walked across the bridge into the field. Zelda bent down to whisper in Erick's ear, who smiled,
"I'm not very good," he said shyly, ears lowering slightly,
"That's ok, you will get better. Try anyway," she insisted. He nodded before stepping forward and doing his best to create a whistle. He made the sound, but barely.
It was enough, though.
A black and white paint colt burst out of nowhere, running excitedly for the boy, who's face lit up. He ran forward to meet the young horse, who trotted in circles around him before allowing himself to be pet. Link was in shock,
"Unbelievable," Zelda chuckled, raising an eyebrow. He knew what she was waiting for, "Ok, ok. You win," he said, pretending to bow. She laughed and shoved him lightly.
Erick's laugh rang out, and they both turned to look. The colt had jumped in a small puddle, drenching the boy. Zelda sighed,
"That boy is determined to get sick," she said, taking off the small wrap she wore and walking over to him, wrapping it around his now-shivering body, "Ok, time to go inside. You can come back later to play with him," Erick nodded, slightly bummed he had to go. The air was getting colder though, with the coming of Winter.
Back inside, Erick ran off to go change before breakfast. Link and Zelda walked off to the main dining room to wait for him,
"I heard Sarth speaking with a guard the other day," Zelda said as they sat, "What's going on in the desert?" Link put his hand over hers,
"Don't worry about it. It's under control, love," he merely said. She opened her mouth to protest,
"I'm back!" Erick called. Link looked over at him,
"I see that," he teased before getting up and walking towards the kitchen. Inside, he ignored the questioning looks from the help and grabbed the cake,
"Sir? We would have gotten that for you," a small girl said to him,
"Yeah, I know, but I can do it," he said, smiling slightly at her. She nodded and he walked back out.
Erick smiled as he saw him,
"Ooh!" Link sat it down in front of him,
"Well? Make a wish, bud!" Erick thought for a minute before sucking in a deep breath and blowing out all of the candles.
~~
"What do you have to report?" He asked, glancing over at the shadow from his throne,
"Nothing of importance, Master. The King and Queen are celebrating their son's birthday," the shadow said airily,
"Does he have plans to travel here?"
"Not at the time, Master," He growled. How long would it take?
He had expected the filth would put off coming for as long as possible, bent of being with and protecting his family. It gave them more time to prepare but, at the same time, he wanted Link. He wanted revenge.
The Dark Lord Dayfos wanted a replacement.