The Origin of a Champion

Chapter 3- Horsing Around

As Link sliced the straw dummy placed in front of him, Alvar couldn't help but admire his son's exceptional skill. Even though Link was only six, he was extremely talented. He could make a fair match with almost any Hylian soldier when it came to swordplay. He could shoot arrows with younger Rito archers, swim with the Zora children and even beat many of Alvar's soldiers in sword sparring matches. Even though he loved eating and could come off as lazy at times, especially around spring cleaning time, he was very agile and fast.

When Link finished unleashing his combination of attacks with his wooden sword to the chest of the straw dummy, he smiled and turned around to his father hoping for his approval. Alvar proudly nodded. Everyday Alvar trained with Link, and it was a part of the day they both always looked forward to.

"How was that dad? Did I do better?" Link asked excitedly.

"Much better Link! You're improving with each passing day!" Alvar praised. He then got into a fighting stance and continued, "Now this time here is the combination you will execute. Lunge for the chest, Right Side Slash, Left Side Slash, Parry, then finish with a backflip. "

Link nodded then stepped toward the dummy, his blue eyes sparkled with determination. Link completed the combination with his small sword almost perfectly. Within a few seconds and with a few 'hyas' he stepped back and turned around to look at his father, once again hoping for affirmation of his success, "Ok, how did I do that time?"

"Almost perfect. If you keep this up, you'll steal my job in a matter of weeks."

Link giggled at the thought of having his father's job. An amusing thought, to say in the least. Alvar smiled back.

"Your mother sure is taking forever to finish making that soup. We've been practicing for 40 minutes. I knew she wasn't capable," Alvar teased.

"You know I can hear you right?"

Link and Alvar's chuckling came to a halt as they spun around to face the window. There they saw Zarya's grinning face peeking through the window.

"The window is open, genius. And speaking of, the soup is ready, so come inside when you find a good stopping place and wash up," she removed her head from the window and continued to finish setting the table.

Alvar was just about to tell Link to get ready for dinner, but as soon as he turned around, Link was already excitedly running to the door of the house. Alvar sighed and proceeded to pick up the training dummy and put it back next to the stable where it belonged. After he leaned the dummy against the stable wall, he decided he might as well take care of the horses for the night while he was there. 

Walking back to the house after finishing with the horses, he heard Zarya exclaim exaggeratedly in that tone one uses when 'they clearly want to be heard by someone specific but doesn't want to say it to their face' voice, "Din's fire Link, your father is sure taking forever to finish putting away that training dummy. We've been waiting for 15 minutes. I Just knew he wasn't capable."

As Alvar listened to the giggling from the kitchen he rolled his eyes playfully, and as he walked into the kitchen he tried to defend himself, " Well excuse me, I was taking care of Shadow and Milkshake for the night. That's why I took longer."

Zarya tried to suppress her giggle as she said mindlessly, "Well quit horsing around, it's time for dinner." 

No sooner had the words left her mouth she quickly covered it and her face held the expression of a child caught accidentally swearing.