Dreams of the Kingdom [Link x Male!Reader]

Chapter 2 - Shades of the Past

(Overworld (The Legend of Zelda) - Zelda Series for Guitar)

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The world blurred into focus. Water lapped against the shore as you stalked ahead, dagger drawn.

The dream was different this time. There was no ballroom, no moonlight, no party. Things felt a bit different too. You were a passenger in this dream, watching through eyes that weren't yours.

The forest at the water's edge was filled with trees, their leaves all turning brown and orange, fluttering in the breeze. You didn't have time to admire it, instead flinging your dagger at an Octorok between the eyes. As you went to retrieve it, you could hear your dream host grunt, "You sure you're ready for this?" The words came on their own.

"Of course I am, I've been traveling alone for a while." The voice was a bit higher than you expected.

Your dream self turned and internally, you gasped. It was a young boy, one who looked very familiar. "What are you, like six?"

He crossed his arms. "I'm ten."

You looked him over. It was Link, though not exactly your Link. He really did look too young to be traveling alone, especially in this Hyrule that looked even more desolate than yours. He held only a wooden sword, a tiny shield, and a few supplies. You tossed the rupee from the Octorok to him – which he scrambled to catch before missing and dropping it in the sand. You groaned.

"I swear, I'm ready for this!"

"Kid, you barely have any gear, no armor beyond your little tunic, and a wooden sword. Sure, going here isn't as bad as walking into the Lynel-infested highlands, but... come on. I bet you haven't done so much as slay a Tektite, let alone a Moblin. Do you even know how to use that shield? What're you gonna do if the Zoras show up?"

"Why do you care?!" He snapped. "You're just a thief. It's not like you'd help Old Lady Impa with her orders from Princess Zelda!" He suddenly froze and turned bright red. "I shouldn't have said that."

"Calm down 'hero', I'm not about to tattle on you to Ganon. He's not exactly great for business." You sheathed your dagger. "I might be a thief, but I'm not about to send a kid to his death either. If you really are headed for the Temple of the Eagle, you should at least pick up some stuff to help you."

"I'm not an idiot," he grumbled. He opened his pack to reveal it was stuffed full of bombs. "Now are you gonna help me or not?"

You whistled. "Gotta say kid, that does change things, but still isn't gonna do a ton to Aquamentus."

"A-Aquamentus?" The little Link stuttered, the briefest flicker of fear in his eyes.

"Yeah, big dragon with a nasty horn. If it doesn't want to cut you open with that, it'll burn you alive." Link looked pale; you felt a little guilty for scaring him. "Well... at least it ain't Manhandla or something like that."

"I'm not scared of a dragon," he said, more to convince himself than you.

"Yeah okay, sure. Y'know there's a difference between being brave and being stupid." You reached into your pack. "Tell you what, I'll let you borrow one of my rings here. I charge interest though, so expect to pay up next time – otherwise I'm gonna steal whatever is so important in that dungeon from you." You tossed a gold ring with a blue gemstone to him.