Chapter Text
“H-hey, Four, are you awake?”
Four’s eyes snapped open, instantly awake at the sound of Wild’s whisper. Blinking in the darkness, he could barely make out Wild’s hunched form.
“I’m awake. Is everything alright?” Four said, keeping his voice low.
“Uh, we’re not in any danger, if that’s what you mean…?” Wild said, guilt and shame lacing his voice.
Four sat up, realizing he wouldn’t be getting back to sleep. “It’s alright Wild, why did you wake me?”
“I’m sorry, I—”
Four waved a hand. “No apologies, I’m not mad. What’s the problem, Wild?” Four said as gently as he could manage. It was odd that Wild wanted help from him instead of Twilight or Time.
Wild sighed, and pulled out a shield. A very familiar shield. A very familiar shield with a long dent running from top to bottom.
Well, that explains it.
“... Ah. You want me to repair that?”
“Can you?” Wild sounded desperate. “I really didn’t mean to break it, but I needed a shield to get down the hill fast, and I just grabbed Time’s. I didn’t think it would break!”
“You wanted to get down the hill fast… so you needed a shield…? Nevermind. Hand it over, I’ll take a look at it.”
Sure enough, running his hand across the shield, Four could tell that Wild really had done a number to it. A little more force and the entire thing would have crumbled.
Four was grateful the darkness hid his grimace. Wild’s accidental-destructive tendencies were a horror story for a blacksmith like himself. How he managed to nearly destroy Time’s Mirror Shield was not something Four wanted to know.
“I can fix it, but it won’t be easy. However, you’re in luck.”
“I am?” Wild said, not sounding like he believed it.
“Yes, because we are in my Hyrule right now. We’re near the edge of the Minish Woods, where my house and forge is. Without that, I’d be hard pressed to fix this shield in any reasonable amount of time. And I assume you want to fix it before Time notices?”
Wild nodded vigorously.
“Thought so.” Four looked upwards, checking the moon. “It’s still a few hours before morning, so I’ll slip off and repair it. Should be done and back just a little after breakfast, so save some for me as my payment.”
“I should go with you…” Wild said, glancing at the dark edge of the forest.
Four shook his head. “I’ll move faster alone. Don’t worry, these woods are my home. I know where I’m going.”
With that, Four grabbed his gear with the usual smooth efficiency that all Links possessed. He gave a reassuring smile to the still guilty looking Wild.
After alerting Wind that he would be leaving (Wind usually woke early, and thus often had the morning watch), Four headed off into the woods that he had called home since his adventuring days ended.
He stopped after a short time, just outside of hearing range of camp. Pulling out his old ocarina, he smiled. The path through the woods would usually take at least half a day’s walk to reach his home. However, he knew a little birdie that would happily take him straight to his home.
~~**~~
Breakfast began the same it did every day. Delicious food made by Wild with everyone gathered around the fire and digging in.
Thankfully, Time had yet to notice his missing shield
“Pup, what did you do,” Twilight said as soon as he had his food in hand.
Wild’s head shot up from where he had been studiously keeping his face to down looking at the food all morning. He had been hoping if he didn’t make eye contact with anyone, no one would notice…
Twilight was still staring at him, single eyebrow cocked.
“N-nothiiing, what makes you think I, uh, did something?”
Legend burst out laughing, nearly spilling his breakfast. “Oh hells Wild, you’re such an awful liar! Haha!”
Wild felt a blush forming.
“I’m not angry Wild, but what did you do.” Twilight repeated, sounding like what Wild imagined a father must sound like.
Wild took a deep breath and resolutely looked at Twilight’s shoulder. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said as monotone as possible.
This caused Legend to laugh even harder, and his blush to redden.
Twilight continued to stare at him. “Could it have something to do with why Four isn’t here this morning?”
“Oh, I know why that is!” Wind jumped up, causing Wild to sag in relief. “Since we’re in his Hyrule, he said he needed to go check on his house, to make sure no one broke into his business. He said he’d be back a little after breakfast!”
“And he couldn’t have done that during daylight? He thought it best to go off alone in the middle of the night?” Time spoke up, disappointment clear in his voice.
Wind shrugged. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Well it’s his Hyrule, he probably knows where is and isn't safe,” Hyrule said, “Probably didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“Yeah, because none of us have ever been ambushed for getting too cocking on our home turf.” Legend said, sarcastic as usual.
“I said I was sorry for that…” Wind mumbled.
“Wind, did you say that Four has a business?” Sky asked, thoughtful look on his face.
Wind nodded. “That’s what he said.”
Warrior whistled. “Damn, the kid already has a business? At his age? Impressive.”
“He hates being called a kid, you know.” Twilight said. “Pretty sure he’s at least old enough to drink.”
Warrior chuckled. “No way, I know he’s older than Wind here—”
“Hey! What’re you trying to say!”
“—but there’s no way he’s older than 15.”
“Well I think we should place bets,” Legend said, smirk solidly in place.
“My bet’s on 17!” Hyrule said, barely after Legend finished speaking.
“Gah, that was my guess!” Sky grumbled.
“You snooze you loose!”
Wind rolled his eyes. “You guys really want to do another bet about age? Remember the bet we had about Time’s age?”
Hyrule chuckled. “Hah, I like that bet though.”
Legend scoffed. “That’s cause you and Four are the only two left in the running.
“I still think I’ll win.” Twilight said.
“You’re bet was ‘way over 60’ so I’m not counting you.” Hyrule smirked.
Time rolled his eyes. “Well my bet’s on 25.”
Everyone paused, looking at Time.
Time coughed. “My bet on Four’s age.”
“Oh.”
Legend clapped his hands. “Alright, so we got Warrior for 15, Hyrule for 17, Time for 25… who else wants to bet? We better do this before he gets back.”
“I’ll bet on 18,” Sky said.
“19,” Twilight said.
Wild shrugged. “I dunno… 23? He’s pretty mature.”
“But he’s tiny.” countered Warrior.
“And I’m going with 22.” Legends said. “Wind what about you? Everyone else has placed their bets.”
Winds had his hand on his chin, looking downwards deep in thought. “Hmmm… Well, I think…”
Wind mumbled something into his hand.
“What?”
“I said, he goes by Four, right?
Everyone looked at each other, not sure where Wind was going with this.
“SO, I think he’s 40.” Wind said with the confidence of someone unaware they were holding a live bomb about to blow.
The camp bust into howls of laughter. Even Time chuckled.
“Y-you wanna place your bet on Four being 40 years old ?” Legend could keep the laughter out of his voice.
Wind shrugged. “Yup.”
“Welp, it’s your rupees.”
A few minutes passes. Everyone finished breakfast (except for Wild, who was keeping some warm for Four,) and began gather gear together.
“Has anyone seen my shield?” Time asked.
A chorus of ‘no’s responded.
Only Twilight noticed Wild’s silence.
“Pup.”
His face was very, very guilty.
Time sighed. “Wild, do you know where my shield is?”
“...No.”
“Ooo, Wild’s in trouble!” Warrior shouted.
“Oh? What did Wild do?” Four asked, appearing from the woods. A small blue and white bird was sleeping on his head.
“Four! Welcome back!” Wind waved his arm back and forth with wild enthusiasm.
“Thank you all for waiting for me. Time, did you misplace your shield? I found it in the brush at the edge of camp.” Four held out the shield, clean and without a single blemish.
“Ah. Thank you, Four.” Time looked over to Wild, who looked was radiating relief. “Wild, did you you my shield last night?”
“Um, I might have borrowed it, and then I couldn’t find it… I’m sorry, I won’t do it again!”
Time chuckled and patted Wild on the head. “No harm done. Just be more careful in the future.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t end up breaking it,” Legend snarked, causing Wild to flush red.
“I don’t break everything…” Wild mumbled.
Four sat besides Wild as he accepted breakfast.
“Hey, Four.” Wild whispered, “Thank you.”
Four just smiled. “Any time.”
A few minutes later and they were on the road. “We should be able to make it to Hyrule Town by about noon,” Four was explaining.
“Oh, we aren’t going to your house?” Wind asked, disappointed.
“If we end up having time, I’d love to swing by again. However, my home is small and wouldn’t have room for everyone. We can stay at the inn in town.”
Slowly but surely the dirt path became more substantial as they got closer to civilization. Birds chirped, the sun shined, and a soft and cool breeze brought the sweet scent of spring.
“Your Hyrule is very peaceful, Four.” Sky commented.
“Mm, yes, my Zelda has grown into a fine queen, if I do say so myself. She has done a great job maintaining peace.”
Some of the Links exchanged glances. Usually, Zelda was the princess, not the queen.
“What happened to the King?”
“Well, we do have a king, but Zelda does most of the work. But if you mean Zelda’s father, king Daltus, he died a few years ago. He had Zelda rather late in life, so he was quite old.” Four shrugged. “We can visit Zelda, if you all want.”
A chorus of ‘yes’ and ‘yes!!!’ replied.
Now fully out of the woods, the group past a small cow ranch. Four waved to an older man out in the field and received a hearty greeting in response. In the distance, vague outlines of a wall could be seen.
Not much further, then.
“So, who’s the little guy you got there?” Legend piped up, pointing a finger at the slumber bird still perched on Four’s head.
Four smiled. “This is Zeffa. Whenever I play the Ocarina of Wind, he appears and gives me a ride.”
“‘Gives you a ride’? He’s tiny.” Twilight frowned, skeptical.
Legend waved a hand in Twilight’s direction. “Appearances can be deceiving. I have a flute that summons a bird, ‘bout the same size, takes me wherever I need to go.”
“That’s amazing!” Sky piped, bending over a bit to coo at the bird (he didn’t have to bend very far).
“Zeffa is how I got to my house and back so fast. Which is also why I didn’t bring anyone with me.”
Time shrugged. “It’s still unwise to go off on your own.”
At this Four chuckled, confusing the others. “Worry not, Time. I’m never alone.” He grinned, like he was telling an inside joke. “Ah, here we are.”
we are.”