The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link

Chapter 2: A Hylian walks into a bar...

Link's footsteps echoed in the marble hallways of the castle, just convering the sound of his breathing. He was still in awe of the sheer beauty of the castle; though he had spent many hours in here before, it had been to save Zelda from the hands of Ganondorf, and he was too busy then to notice the castle itself. His steps slowed as he took in his surroundings, white and almost glowing in the sunlight coming in from the frosted glass windows. He nodded a 'hello' to the guards and they nodded back.

The air outside was fairly warm and the gardens had a thin layer of fog covering them. Hyrule was a temperate climate, although there was also an expansive desert and a large, icy mountain to the west. Link took his time inspecting the fountains and plants that filled the gardens, then pushed open the doors into Hyrule Castle Town square.

The square was hustle and bustle as always, residents of the town all hurrying as if they were late to something much more important than wherever the person next to them was going. A band of three played traditional Hyrulean music over the sound of the large fountain in the center and chattering of the people, although it could only be heard from at most 15 feet away. Link looked over at Malo Mart, a general store founded and run by a young child from Link's small village, Ordon, and Link had therefor known him well. Malo was a bit strange, being extremely smart for his young age of four. Link kept walking, onto South Castle Town road. There were stands selling things such as fruit and spring water. He took a left into a small alleyway that led to a bar owned by Telma, a woman that had helped Link many times in the past couple of months.

"Oh, honey, good to see you! How have you been?" Telma turned to Link as he entered, speaking to him from behind the counter. She was large and kind but not afraid to scold, like a caring mother.

Link told her of his journey to come. "Oh honey, do you hafta leave? We're all gonna miss ya so much." Telma said a bit dramatically as she poured Link a glass of some sweet Ordon goat milk. She set the glass in front of him. "Though that's not to say I don't think you can handle it. You did save the whole world from evil!" She laughed, her round belly shaking. "I just worry about you, y'know? I care."

Link nodded in response, sipping his milk. It wasn't quite as good as when he would get it fresh from the farm after a long day of working there, but it was still thick and rich, and it reminded him of home, of the days before he knew what a wonderful rush it was to adventure, the grand feeling of accomplishment after reaching the end of the journey, just to start on another.

Telma reached down to a lower shelf behind the counter and pulled out a glass bottle. "Would you like some to go, dear?" Link nodded 'yes.'

"I know you've done this before, but just remember, don't get in too much trouble, okay?"

Link smiled and nodded. It warmed his heart to hear her speak this, to hear her care about him this much. He grew up without his parents, instead being raised by the people of Ordon. Nobody could tell him where he came from, or what had happened to his parents--or they kept it from him, for whatever reason. It didn't bother him too much, though. Link wasn't one to focus on the past for too long. He was always looking towards the future, planning his next step and solving everything he could as he went. He was a thinker, a problem-solver, and his small amount of speech only seemed to contribute to this.

"Hey, Link!" A gruff, male voiced sounded from the far end of the room. The teenage boy turned to see a few members of the Resistance, a group of five Hylians that aided Link in his journey to return Hyrule to peace; Auru, the one who's voice called out, waved. He was an elderly man, most likely no younger than 60, but he was still in shape and quite young in personality. Along with him sat Ashei, a girl in her 20's with thick armor and a slight drawl to her speech, and Shad, a petite bookworm about the same age as Ashei--Auru sat in a chair while Ashei and Shad both stood. The only remaining member of the Resistance was Rusl, a swordsmith Link had grown up with and that had recently returned to Ordon to help with his growing family.

Link waved and then stood from his seat, casually walking over to the table the Hylians were sat around.

"So, what brings you back here? I would've assumed you would return to your village with Rusl to be with your fellow Ordonians--or did you fall in love with the adventuring and decided you needed to continue?" Shad pushed his glasses up as he spoke.

Link explained his endeavor to the group. "Ah, so your adventuring spirit has taken over, yeah?" Ashei leaned on the chair in front of her.

"This reminds me of when you told me of your plans to enter Gerudo desert a few weeks ago. I thought you were insane, but I was not one to stop you, as I also felt you were prepared. Now is no different. Your friend is one of another world, possibly one not meant to be connected to us anymore, but yet you seek her presence once again. You have truly a voyaging soul, one meant to embark on such enterprises." Auru crossed his arms.

Link soaked in his words, looking down at the table and scrutinizing the map that lay there. This map had been in the same place for the past few months that Link had been coming here, and it had slowly gained more and more writing and drawings on it--many different handwritings, ranging from neat and practiced to messy and rushed decorated the large piece of parchment, and small sketches, arrows, and circles were scattered across it. It was definately well-used but still cared for greatly.

"Now, everybody, I know Link would like to go off on his escapade, but I think first, some fried cucco on the house!" Telma called out from the bar; everybody cheered.