Chapter Text
Despite what one might think, Link was a regular child.
Sure, by the age of four he was able to defeat a grown adult with relative ease. They may have only been travelers rather than trained military, but he knew his way around his wooden training sword and some sloppy attempts of restraint; having a father who was Captain of the Royal Guard had is perks. But fundamentally, he was just a normal child who had dreams, a cheeky smile, and a father he called a hero. He still stole a spoon full of sugar when no one was looking, loved running in the mud, and snuck into the local stables to pat the horses and feed them apples. He hoped he could learn to ride a horse by himself one day.
When he was five, Link learnt about the Legendary Heroes. The people who were chosen by the Sword that Seals the Darkness to defeat evil and save Hyrule from destruction, he wondered if they were knights, just like his dad. The storybook said that the Sword could speak to those it chose, and he was curious if his father could hear it; maybe he would be able to hear it! If Link had the Sword, he feels like he would use it to scare away the monsters from under his bed. When his parents discovered his thoughts, they had laughed fondly. His father denied that he was that hero, while his mother had said that maybe it'll be him. Link had then rolled his hands into fists with determination, and demanded that he was taught to use a real sword; and his father had replied with 'one day, son'.
As a child to an active family, travel was a common occurrence. Whenever his father was free from his duties for longer than a few days, they would travel to nearby towns and stay in tents; it was during one of these many trips did Link learn to light a fire with nothing but a piece of flint and the buckle on his shoe. As a six year old boy who could easily defend himself, his sense of adventure was far too large for his level of expertise, and as a result, he'd gotten himself lost when he wandered a little too far.
He found himself lost in a mist-shrouded forest, where the wind was a little too quiet and the trees were a little too still. He was lost within the trees and afraid of the eerie giggle that came right before he ended up back to where he started. Eventually, he found his way out with tears in his eyes and a sob on his lips, and he ran straight back to where his parents stood, asking for help to find their missing child. His mother had been near hysterics, rattled with trembles as her voice shook, and while his father had been more composed, there was a sense of desperation in his eyes that showed he couldn't quite think straight. Link has learnt that wandering off without a plan wasn't a good idea- no matter how well he could light a fire.
As Links seventh birthday present, he was gifted his first horse; an older, laid back steed with a shiny brown coat and a black mane and tail. His mother was the one to teach him everything he needed to know; how to fit the bridal and put on a saddle, what they need to stay healthy, and how to ride.
It turns out that he was a natural, with the only reminders of keeping his heels down in the stirrups and to loosen his grasp on the reins. It didn't take long for his mother to proudly show him off to his father, who in return laughed heartily as his son was given permission to go off on his own and to return by nightfall. That first ride alone had made him feel so free, and while that horse of his was older, it was all Link could've asked for at that moment. He may have returned home with a few bruises and covered in dust from falling off, but his mother didn't seem to mind this time.
After Link turned eight, his father finally gave into the pressure and let his son pick up an iron sword. It was blunt, and could barely slice butter, but it was a step up from that wooden training sword he was so proficient with. It came as a surprise when he managed to pick it up almost easily, though his grip was clumsy and the old withered cross guard rattled with his shakey hands. His first swing had almost toppled him off his feet, but his unease with the new sense of weight didn't last long, and soon, he was crossing blades with his father swiftly. Sometimes he would forget it was no longer a wooden weapon in his hands, and went to grasp the blade in his defense. The sting of cold metal and the pressure of that blunt blade always shook him back to the reality; it was a real sword in his hands, and should he make that same mistake with a sharpened edge, his hand would be no more.
He quickly shook that habit out of himself.
A few short months after, his father had graced him with a new sword; one as sharp as a dragons claws and riddled with scratches from battles well passed. He was now confident that he wouldn't hurt himself, and took it with joy and without fear. His mother clearly wanted to lecture his father, though it came out short when she watched her son wield it with a sense of grace she didn't know he had. Links newfound equipment opened up a new world of adventure, and merely heightened his urge to explore, and as such, his parents allowed him to leave the walls of the castle town on his own. They had said not to go far, for there were dangerous monsters that he'd never fought before, and he agreed.
Though his parents forget that he's only eight, and with such an age, came no fear and a sense of mischief. He took his horse and traveled far further than he was allowed, and regretted not heeding his father's words as he ran into a Moblin- much taller than even the tallest of knights. Link had left that battle with a nasty scar across is upper arm and the knowledge to listen to those warnings he was given, unless he wanted to be caught between a rock and a hard place.
When he was nine, he had gained an interest in plants. He could tell the difference between the good mushrooms and the bad, and poison oak from fragrant sumac, so when he found a flower he'd never seen before, he was curious. Upon closer inspection, it looked like a white daffodil, and as he went to pluck it for his mother- it disappeared in a poof of smoke, and popped up a few metres away. Link had put up a chase, now not only curious but also mildly excited, and eventually it turned from a flower to a critter he'd never seen before. It looked like it was made of wood, though it was far too flexible to be so, and a bright green leaf adorned it's face like a mask. It then laughed in a small, high-pitched voice, and it seemed to be in the middle of a game of hide and seek, before realizing who had found it, and proceeded to squeal in surprise.
That was the day Link learnt about the Koroks, otherwise known as the Children of the Forest. Apparently, he was the only one who could see them, and after the Korok had given him an amber-colored seed, it had vanished in yet another puff of smoke with the promise to tell all its friends that they had a new seeker. All of a sudden, the creatures were popping up everywhere- under rocks, in his horses hay, as little paper windmills, and through strange little puzzles. By the time a single month had passed, Link had a whole drawer full of Korok seeds, and his bedroom now had a distinct smell lingering, along with his hands. He'd tried to figure out what to do with them; he showed his parents and they asked what it was and how he got it, but with a confused shake of their heads they said they didn't know what he was talking about. He figured he should probably not tell anyone about the Koroks anymore, lest he gain more strange looks.
As a child protege and the son to the Captain of the Royal Guard, it was no surprise that Link joined the forces early. At ten years old, he understood the implication of weilding such a dangerous weapon, but he joined them willingly. He always wanted to be like his father, and this was his chance! To serve and protect not only those in the seats of royalty, but also those who lived their everyday lives in the castle town. Training with real knights everyday was a whole new thing, and while he easily defeated his fellow warriors, he got to learn how to use a bow- another thing that came easy to him.
Over the course of the next year, he gained mastery over multiple types of weapons; spears were now easy to judge and his accuracy with his bow was astounding, and while he could use a claymore with ease it was far from his favourite choice; far too bulky for his size and stature and always required two hands. Swords remained as his best and favourite option, especially accompanied with a shield to parry his opponents attacks. His fellow knights had been nothing but supportive, especially since he could do their work for them, and while he didn't get to see his parents much anymore, they were proud of his achievements. Eventually, the King himself had taken notice of Links battle prowess and quick thinking, and that's when his life began to shift even more. At that moment, Link didn't know what was to happen would be good or bad, but he was as happy and accomplished as he could be.
It had been a single mission that had changed everything he knew.
Concerned travelers were coming forward with information about a rise in monster numbers around the forbidden forest- not something uncommon but something that had to be delt with. Link had been sent with a team of four; the other men much older than he was. They rode their horses down from the barracks and off the castle grounds, trotting almost leisurely through castle town before spurring into a gallop once outside the city walls, weapons on their backs and amour strapped to their bodies. Dust flew as they jumped over fallen logs and other debris- this trip was meant to be no longer than two short days according to the reports, as this case was not far and wasn't nearly as extreme as others Link had been sent on. He was not concerned- none of the men were either, and if Link so wished he could do this job on his own.
They quickly arrived at the set location and set up camp, four tents built with nothing but nearby branches and some packed material, sleeping bags rolled out and a campfire in the middle of it all; it was currently past noon, and the plan was to rid the area of as many monsters possible before resting for the night- a second scout in the early morning before packing up and leaving once again. The location was that same place from all those years ago; the misty forbidden forest that he'd gotten lost in when he was only six and knew nothing about tracking. He figured he would have another look once this problem was sorted out- he wasn't six anymore after all, so it wouldn't hurt.
The group had found the offending monsters and they were killed within the hour with minimal injury. Yet another easy job done, and the knights chattered as they went back to camp to clean their wounds. Link had laughed along with them, and received a hearty pat on the back for his effort, before they all sat down and helped each other out. Quickly, the sun disappeared over the horizon and Link found his curiosity ready to be sated, wandering off with nothing but him scouting the area, and jogged off to that forest.
On the day Link turned twelve, he walked out of that forest with the Sword that Seals the Darkness.