*Note to Reader- 5 years have passed since the last chapter. Link is now 11 years old*

Link turned around to take one final look at his house in Central Hyrule. He sniffed and wiped the tear that snuck down his cheek. He always loved living in Hyrule Castle town, the noise, smells, people, the atmosphere in general. But now it was all gone, along with those he loved most. He put down the pack containing his essentials and watched his former house from a distance. He could feel the memories flooding his head, most good, but some hauntingly sad. One of the construction workers passing by gave him a sympathetic look.

"Hey kid, do you have a place to go? I know it's tough times but if I can do anything to help you let me know ya hear!"

Link wiped his cheek and cleared his throat to make it seem like he wasn't crying before he turned around to answer the man back, "Yes sir, I have somewhere to go. I really should start off there now. But thanks anyway for the offer."

The kind construction worker nodded his head, "Don't mention it kid. Stay safe."

Link gave him a nod and slowly made his way out of the castle town. He tried his best to soak all of it in, the people and familiar faces, the noises, the smells, for he knew he wouldn't be back here for a while. As much as Link liked a quiet, serene and peaceful background, he always appreciated the regular hustle and bustle of the busy town. The vendors calling out their wares, children always running in the street, and even an occasional troop of soldiers would march by. Link always felt a special sense of pride every time he saw a banner or flag bearing the Hylian Crest wave boldly in the wind. They always reminded him of his parents, and what they stood up for, and died for.

When Link walked out of the Hylian castle town and into the great Hyrule field, he gave a quivering sigh as he gave his hometown one last look before continuing his journey.

"Farewell Hyrule, I'll come back one day."

Link started his long and dreary walk to Kakariko. His soon to be new home. He was grateful to be accepted into a new household, but the feeling was bitter-sweet. He missed his own home, his own family. After all of the recent events Link was feeling extremely paranoid, and he gripped his travelers swords' hilt tightly with his tense right hand. Link had traveled many times with his parents, but never completely alone. Now he had explored by himself countless times, but a straight out journey with no company was new, and in his case quite depressing. Link did his best to keep his spirits up by talking to himself to keep him distracted, but that could only do so much. He whistled for a bit, and even tried soft humming and singing, but his voice was too cracked and sore due to all the crying he had done lately, so he gave up that too.

As Link walked through Hyrule field he felt like he was in a haze. As if sleepwalking while in a bad dream. He passed by the outskirts of the Lanayru Wetlands and stared into his reflection in the water. As he bent over he noticed the golden Hylian Crest necklace dangling off his neck and he mechanically clutched it tightly with his right hand. He felt a hot tear roll down his cheek as he recollected the fact that it was his mother's. Alvar had given it to Zarya years ago, even before Link was born. Zarya always wore it and never took it off unless she was sleeping, and after her death it was passed to Link by his father's wishes. He vividly remembered his mother's death three years ago, when he was eight. She had been assassinated while he and his father were away on a father-son trip at Hyrule Ridge for a weekend. He remembered him and his father coming back on that fateful day...

***

"I can't wait to show mom the new sword moves you taught me Dad! She'll be so proud, right Dad?" Link asked excitedly as he skipped about, twirling his intricately carved sword in the air.

Alvar smiled, "I know she will be. I know I am! Heck, your swordsmanship for an eight year old kid is so crazy! You can beat some of my own soldiers!"

Link's grin grew wider at his father's encouraging words, "Thanks Dad!"

As Link was so happy he didn't notice his father's sudden halt and silence as he gazed curiously at his house in the near distance. It was strangely surrounded by a small group of assorted Hylians and soldiers. When Link realized his father's unexpected pause and silence he too went quiet as he gazed upon the peculiar scene at his house.

"Hey Dad, what's going on at home?"

Alvar's voice seemed meek, "I don't know L-link. We should find out."

Alvar broke out in a run and sprinted over to his house, leaving Link to trail after him. He approached the first soldier he came to when he arrived at the yard in front of the house, "Hey, what's going on? Why is everyone here?"

The soldier went quiet, "Captain, I don't know if I should be the one to tell you."

"Tell me what?! What in Hylia's name is going on?!"

The soldier only solemnly pointed to the seemingly leader of the small group. Alvar ran over to him, leaving Link to watch the scene from feet away in great confusion.

Alvar quickly walked up in front of the leader, "Look here, what's going on? Please, where is Zarya, my wife?"

The Captain's face fell in great sorrow when he saw Alvar. He took off his royal guard cap respectfully, "Alvar, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid the news isn't good at all. I regret to inform you that Zarya... well-"

"No. No, no, no. N-no Lanayru no. Captain, what h-happened t-to her?"

"She's gone, Alvar. She was assassinated. I'm so sorry..." the captain said softly. "She is no doubt in a better place now. She was an amazing woman..."

Alvar felt his legs lose all their strength and his head started to spin. He felt sick, the news so sudden, so horrifying.

"Who?"

"Who what?"

"Who killed my wife, you idiot! Who else!?" Alvar shouted in a shaky voice.

The captain reached into his pocket and pulled a red talisman out of it, showing off the upside down eye of the sheikah.

"Damn them! Damn the yiga bastards! Damn them, Hylia no!"

Alvar dropped to the floor on his knees, forgetting the world around him. Link wobbled over to him, "Dad what's wrong? Where is mom?"

Link looked at his father's face, and saw his father do something he never had seen him do. His father was crying, sobbing. His whole body quivering with shock, sorrow, regret, and hatred. Link felt himself shaking, knowing something was terribly wrong.

Alvar raised his head to look at Link's worried, blue eyes, "S-he's go-one. L-Link, she's gone." It suddenly clicked in Link's young head.

His mother was gone.

He felt the world spin as he unconsciously cried in his father's arms. He couldn't even move. The captain softly placed a golden necklace, crafted to the shape of the Hylian crest, on the soft ground by the grieving father and son, and walked away and left them to be by themselves.

The captain walked off muttering sadly, "First the Queen, now her maid, the wife of the King's guard. The yiga got their revenge on the Captain, but he'll only fight them harder, I know Alvar well. He won't stop like they intended, no not him. He'll only fight harder."

***

Link snapped out of his trance, reliving the painful memory of the past. He wiped away the new tears off his cheeks as he unsteadily stood straight and continued his sad walk to Kakariko Village. He kept walking slowly. He wasn't slow because he didn't really want to go to Kakariko, he was slow due to his aching headache. All of the lack of sleep, recalling, and crying was getting to his head. When the sun set over the Lanayru Mountain and the moon rose over the Hebra Mountains, Link greeted the night gratefully. The cool air and lack of sunlight helped him cool his sore head. He found a large tree to sleep under for the night. He didn't bother to start a fire, he didn't want to call any attention to himself. He appreciated the nice night breeze and didn't want the fire to ruin it. The moon shone brightly so he could see fairly well and his eyes were decently accustomed to the dark anyway.

Link spread his small travel blanket and pillow out over the grass and layed down on it. He looked up at the dark sky, decorated with thousands of sparkling stars. He listened to the crickets chirp and the branches with leaves sway in the night wind. But after failing to fall asleep he sat up and pulled his pack containing his belongings closer to him. He started to go through it to keep him busy and help calm his torn nerves. He made sure he had all he needed, assorted clothing, a knife, traveler's sword, and other random objects.

He took out a royal guard's cap out of the pack and ran his hand over it softly. The soft blue material with a gold stripe finished with red lining. It was finished with a shiny medallion sporting the Hylian Eagle. The only item he had of his father's. It was still in great condition, despite being years old. He ran his fingers lovingly over the one place where it was stitched in a tight line. He smiled as he recalled the one time his father tore it during a fight and his mother sewed it together for him. But then he recalled how it was given to him, the sad condition he had received it under, only three weeks ago. His smile disappeared, the recent memory still fresh in his mind.

*Three weeks prior...*

"He should have come home by now," Link said aloud to himself.

He continued to pace the kitchen floor impatiently, excited for his father's return. Alvar had gone to escort the King to and from various villages located around Hyrule for a general inspection, then guide him back to the castle safely. He had been gone since early morning, way before Link actually woke up and had promised his son the night before that he would be back in time for dinner the next day. It was past time for dinner without Alvar's return, and Link was too nervous and worried to eat.

Link walked outside to get some fresh air. He was pacing too much in the house so he reasoned that going outside would do him so good and calm his nerves. He walked some circles around his house, constantly looking around him for his father to appear walking towards the house. He found his hands starting to shake so he looked around him for a job to keep him busy. He heard Shadow neigh in the small stable by the house so he walked over to the tall, muscular, black stallion.

"Hey Shadow, how are you doing buddy? Good gracious I've been pacing up and down and talking to myself for the last two hours. Hehe, Mother used to do the same when she was nervous for dad. I really am my mother's son," Link paused his conversation and added sadly, "How I miss her."

Shadow neighted softly and tilted his head upward, as if comforting Link and urging him to continue talking. Link smiled, stroked Shadow's head and traced with his fingers the white star shape on the horse's forehead.

"Why am I nervous you ask? Well Dad said that he'd be home right around dinner, and it's way past dinner! I'm sure he's fine though, he's the bravest, strongest, and coolest soldier in the whole Hylian army! I just- still... he's not here yet, but my nerves will disappear as soon as I see him, which should be any time now," Link reassured.

Link noticed that Shadow's hay feeder was running low so he put himself to work to refill it. He continued to talk aloud to his father's horse. It is strangely reassuring to talk aloud to an animal you love.

"You know Shadow, I'm surprised that Dad didn't take you with him this time. He usually takes you. Perhaps he wanted to give your sore legs a rest, or maybe it's because they are only traveling from Hylian village to Hylian village. He is escorting the King and probably wanted to be on his feet and prepared for anything. He's so brave, I want to be a soldier just like him someday when I'm old enough!"

Shadow, who was looking down as Link was watching him, nodding his head every once in a while. Suddenly, he jerked his head up and stared off in a certain direction. Link noticed and felt his ears perk up and he scanned his eyes carefully in the direction Shadow was looking off too. His smile brightened when he saw a man wearing the Hylian royal guard outfit slowly walking to his house.

Link excitedly jumped out of Shadow's stall and ran toward his father, but as he got mere feet away, he noticed the man was not Alvar, but a different captain. He recognized the Captain as one of his father's friends, a man by the name of Nakoa. Link knew Captain Nakoa well, being a very close friend of Alvar's. He would often invite Link and his father to dinner, as he was a very friendly, generous, and well-to-do man. He was married with three children, and Link came to be friends with them because they were very close to his age.

As familiar as Link was with Nakoa, his heart still dropped when he noticed it was not Alvar, who he had been waiting so impatiently for. His smile disappeared and his shoulders drooped when he saw he had his hopes up for nothing. He came to a slow walk and felt a sudden pang in his heart. The last time he was greeted by a soldier instead of his parent, the soldier carried tragic news.

"What if- no. He probably is coming here to tell me Dad is at his house or something. Maybe to explain that Dad is still busy and why he is late. That's it," Link thought silently to himself, trying to reassure and not jump to severe conclusions. As much as Link tried to comfort and soothe his anxiety, he couldn't ignore his racing heartbeat.

"C-captain Nakoa! It's nice to see you. Why have you come here though? Where's Dad?" Link asked, forcing his voice to sound cheerful.

Nakoa looked up, showing his youthful, handsome face to be tear stained, showing clearly where the tears went through the dirt covering his cheeks. His eyes appeared to be red and bloodshot, and his royal guard uniform was dirty, ripped and torn in a few places. Since it was dark and the sun had already set, it took Link a minute to comprehend Nakoa's condition. As soon as he saw the condition of the Hylian captain, he gasped in surprise and shock.

Nakoa shook his head and cleared his throat before speaking, "There was an ambush on our way back to the castle Link. Your father and I, along with a handful of other soldiers, had escorted King Rhoam throughout every Hylian town his majesty wished to inspect and visit. B-but on the way, on the way back, th-there was an ambush. Hyrule has been getting increasingly more dangerous as time has passed Link, you know this. The fight was very intense Link, a-and I'm so sorry but," Nakoa choked on the sob that had been rising in his sore throat, "your father didn't make it. He died fighting for Hyrule. He was the bravest fighter... but, a group of Lynels got the best of him. I tried to save him, I tried to, I tried so hard but it wasn't enough. Because of your father the King is still alive. Your father is one of Hyrule's greatest heroes."

Link felt violently sick and his strength was robbed from him. His legs buckled underneath him and he fell on the soft, cold grass, "No! He can't be! No, please no! Not him! Not Dad! He can't be gone," Link was cut off by his own crying. He couldn't talk. Everything was swirling around him and he could hardly hear anything. The comforting words of Nakoa seemed to be a blur. He buried his head in his hands and cried hard, not caring who saw or heard.

Nakoa knelt down by Link and wrapped his arms around the grieving boy. Link cried in the soldier's arms for what seemed hours. When Link had calmed down, he was still violently breathing and shaking, seemingly choking down every breath he inhaled.

Nakoa took a royal guard's cap carefully out of his pocket and gingerly placed it in Link's hands, wet with his own tears. "Take this, Link. It rightfully belongs to you. Alvar would have wanted you to have it."

Link opened his eyes and looked down at his hands. He ran his fingers over the familiar stitch mark on his father's hat, "T-thank, t-thank you N-nakoa."

***

Link carefully put the hat back in his traveling bag and wiped the new set of tears out of his eyes. He stared out into the night, deep in thought. Suddenly he sat up and moved over to the grass and reverently knelt down, facing the glittering night sky.

"Hylia, I don't know why you had to call my parents to the heavens. I really, really miss them both. They worked so hard for you and served so diligently under your name and the kingdom! But, I'm sure it's all for a reason. Thank you for having Cato and Akilah accepting me into their family though. It will be new and the change is bitter-sweet, but I'm grateful to have somewhere to go. Please help me to make my parents proud, and to serve Hyrule after their footsteps. And please help me to sleep, as I must finish my journey to Kakariko tomorrow. Please comfort me Hylia," Link finished his heartfelt prayer with a final bow of his head.

He lifted his head to the skies, and felt a sudden night breeze blow through the trees around him. He soaked in the cool, wind that seemed to comfort him, as if the night breeze possessed calming abilities. He smiled, and layed back down on his mat and soon fell fast asleep and slept smoothly through the whole night.

*This time skip to the next morning is brought to you by my feels that I shattered myself while writing this chapter*

Link woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, as it was the best sleep he had in nights. But as he slowly recalled why he was there, the conditions he was traveling under, where he was going, and why, seemed to slowly crush his depressed spirit. But the memory of last night, and that strangely comforting breeze after his heartfelt prayer inspired him enough to get up and keep going. He packed his belongings and continued his journey to Kakariko Village.

After walking through Hyrule, Link finally reached the familiar surroundings of Kakariko. As he approached the town he heard cuccos clucking and children as well as adults walking about the village tending to their own business. It was close to night, and Kakariko was quieting down for the day. Link looked up at the sign nailed to the wooden boards decorated with red, sheikah talismans bearing the location's name, "Kakariko Village".

Link's new home.

As Link walked closer to the house of Cato and Akilah, he remembered Impa and Purah. He wondered how they fared, considering Purah was now thirteen and Impa now fifteen. As they were always his best friends, he never thought he would ever live with them. He expected himself to be more excited, but he was still so despairing and mournful. As he neared the house and walked up the long staircase he felt his heart grow heavier with every step. He felt the ever so familiar lump forming in his throat.

He quietly knocked on the door, knowing he was probably going to break down as soon as someone answered it. He wiped his cheek and felt his hands shake when he heard someone unlocking and opening the door.

"Hello? Oh Link, I'm so happy to see you! Oh thank goodness you're here!" Impa softly exclaimed. Link broke out crying and Impa embraced him in a hug.

"I'm so, so sorry," Impa repeated as she comforted Link, never letting him out of her strong, comforting embrace. She didn't mind as Link cried into her chest, and the noise attracted her sister.

"Hey Impa why are you leaving the door open? Do you just want to let in the col- oh Hylia," Purah stopped her sentence short and ran over to help Impa console Link. She was already crying prior, feeling horrible for her dear friend. She came behind Link and hugged him as well.

Link felt himself calm down considerably, in the warm embrace of his dear friends, in a new home.