Redemption (Link x Reader)

Chapter 16: The Meaning of Swordsmanship

It seemed like most things in Hyrule Castle had been reconstructed to their former glory, but you were unsure if the training grounds had any glory to begin with.

You set up candles throughout the space to bring in more light and started the fire in the hearth to hopefully dispel some of the old scent. Next time you saw the princess, she would have to request some brighter oil lamps for the space. And perhaps a few scented candles, too.

Your things had arrived from Hateno Village earlier that morning and the boxes had been placed in your workspace. As you rifled through them, your determined that there was very little organizational thought put into the packing. 

Your clothes and books were tucked in among your herb bottles. You tried not to think too much about some stranger handling your undergarments.

By midday, most of the materials for your work were put away, and the space was starting to resemble the shop back home. Any other items that wouldn't be of use to you here were put back into the boxes, which you would take up to your room. One at a time, it looked like, since there were many.

You kept your door open,  until Ray still knocked as he entered. You were in the middle of dumping old potions down the drain in the corner when he greeted you. "It looks so much better now!"

You cast your eyes across the haphazardly shelved books and array of spices and herbs. You had never had a particular method of organization, but perhaps that was your method. Once something was placed, that was its Place.

"Thank you," You emptied the last of your mixtures. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"All business already, huh?"

You smiled at him. Ray had become sort of your comfort in the castle. He was the only person you somewhat knew, but you enjoyed his company and jokes. Plus, he seemed a bit naive at times. You felt like he needed someone around to let him know that the other knights and soldiers weren't being nearly as friendly as he thought they were.

However you seem to sense a very familiar energy from Ray and you can't quite figure it out, but it was there in the tip of your tongue.

 "Do you think you could give someone a hearty whack during training today so I can have my first patient?" 

Ray snorted. "As if I could land a blow like that on any of those guys. I'll have you know I'm the second-worst at sword-fighting in my class."

"Not very reassuring words coming from someone whose entire purpose is to protect the castle." You began making a list of all the items you would need from the market in the village. "Sword-fighting isn't so hard once you learn the basics training of immortal- combat."

Ray raised an eyebrow. "You know how to use a sword?"

"Yes..." you nodded.

"How? I wouldn't think there would be much use for either in Hateno Village."

"I am one of the strongest swordswoman who can see any ability that throws at me." You sometimes want to tell Ray a story, then you realized who it involved and you avoid it altogether. 

You were not the type of person to be coy, but the one person you had shared all of your adventures with was the last person you wanted to think of is Ryner.

"I feel like there's a story in there somewhere." Ray leaned against the edge of your worktable.

"Hardly," You shrug, eager to dismiss the topic. "There used to be monsters wherever you went. At the very least, I needed to learn how to protect myself from them after I met a friend name Peter Hood."