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Chapter Text

The first time the Chain lands in Warrior’s era, the portal literally drops them in the middle of a battle. Legend rolls to his feet, draws his sword and stabs a startled moblin in the throat, then ducks under the swing of a darknut and stabs upwards, catching it under the armor and gutting it like a fish.

He fucking hated darknuts.

The rest of the Chain does likewise, fanning out and taking on the crowd. Out of the corner of his eye, Legend sees Four drop a pair of his own moblins, then spin and slash the ankle of a giant- something- hassling Time.

Within fifteen minutes the group is down and Hyrule is checking everyone for injuries. Time grins as he studies the trees around them. “I think I know where we are.”

“Oh?” Legend asks. “And where would that be?”

“I fought a battle about a half mile that way,” the old man says, pointing to the west. “We marched through these woods to get there, so Castle Town is about six hours’ walk to the east. It’s late, but there’s a good place to camp a little ways from here. If I’m right, our next Hero will be there. He’s a knight. A Captain, actually.”

“Wait, you’ve been here before?” Four asks. “How? I was on this trip before you were.”

“Ah. That was the before time,” Time answers. “I was… ten? It was a very weird couple of years there, but there was a war that spanned multiple eras. I think Ravio told you about it, Legend.”

The veteran nods. “He’s mentioned it a few times. If you were ten, that means-”

Time gently slaps a gauntleted hand across Legend’s mouth. “That’s for later,” he says quietly, his tone firm. “Ravio doesn’t know all of it, and I’d rather the rest didn’t either. Not yet.”

That was fair. Legend has his own secrets. He can’t really fault Time for keeping a few. He nods and Time removes the gauntlet.

“Good. Now, let’s get going. This isn’t the safest place to be after nightfall.”

True to Time’s word, they reach Castle Town around midafternoon the next day. It’s larger than Legend expected, especially after a war. People crowd the streets and music fills the air. “Is it always like this?” he asks.

“No.” Time looks around and makes an odd face. “Oh. It’s that time of year. I wonder how long it’s been?”

Four studies a banner over the gate. “War of Eras Remembrance Festival?”

The older hero sighs. “Yeah. The first one was just after the war ended. It was a few weeks before I went home. This will make it easier to find the Captain but harder to get to him. If it’s anything like the first one, he’s going to be tied up in events all week.”

Hyrule grins, his eyes lighting up. “I’ve never been to a festival. Since it’s going to take a few days, can we explore?”

“Sure. There’s an inn near the castle called the Diving Keese. I’ll get us rooms there. Barring that, there should be a suite or two in the castle. Meet up by the gates at sunset,” Time says with a nod. “I’m going to go see if I can find the Captain.”

“Awesome. Come on, Four. I want to check out the games,” Hyrule says, grabbing the smithy’s hand and pulling him toward a trio of stands.

Four laughs. “Alright, Hyrule. Calm down. You coming, Legend?”

“Yeah, sure, why not?” Honestly, Legend was curious about this Hyrule. Ravio had told him bits and pieces about his time here, but there was a war going on and he’d spent most of it on the battlefield.

Legend wanders the streets, taking in the sights. He’d left the others behind a few hours ago; they were having fun, and he’d had precious little time to himself the past few weeks.

There’s a stage set up near the jewelry stall he's currently perusing. From the sound of it, they’re having some sort of talent competition, and his ears flatten as someone tries, unsuccessfully, to play a somewhat familiar song on a flute. The vet winces at a particularly flat note; he's half tempted to join the show and show them how it's supposed to be played.

All thought of doing so vanishes as the next act is announced.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome Marin of Koholint Island, singing ‘The Ballad of the Wind Fish!’”

No.

Legend drops the necklace he was examining and whips around. His eyes land on red hair, and before he can think twice he's moving, pushing through the crowd, because he can't be seeing this.

It can't be her.

She's dead.

And yet.

It takes all of three notes. Three notes of a song he can't forget sung in a voice that will forever be ingrained into the depths of his soul. Legend finds himself unable to look away, barely able to breathe, until the song ends and the audience is applauding.

He can’t help what happens next.

“Sleepers wake

Dreams will fade

Although we cling fast

Was it real?

What we saw?”

His voice rises above the crowd, the normally clear notes rough with emotion. Marin turns, and before anyone realizes what’s happening she’s off the stage and pushing through the crowd. Most of them get out of her way; she reaches him before the second verse ends, and then the music stops entirely as Marin throws herself into Legend’s arms.

“Link?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Marin. I thought… I thought you were…” Legend can’t get the words out, but that’s fine. Marin pulls back enough to smile at him through a veil of tears.

“I know. Come on. There’s a place nearby where we can talk.”

“Hey, has anyone seen Legend?” Hyrule asks that evening. “We lost him a couple of hours ago.”

Time shakes his head. “We’ve been in the castle all day.”

“Huh.” The traveler frowns. “It’s not like him to be late.” “No, it- oh, hello,” Four says, startled, as a young boy walks up to them. “Can we help you?”

“Yer Four?” he asks. Four nods. “Weird name. Friend o’ yers asked me to give ye this. Said not t’ worry about ‘im.”

The smithy takes the folded piece of paper from the boy and digs in his pouch for a couple of rupees. The new Link- Warriors- beats him to it, and the boy scampers off. Four opens the note, Hyrule peering over his shoulder to read.

Guys,

Ran into an old friend. I’m going to stay with them for a bit; we have a lot of catching up to do. I’ll see you at the next portal.

Legend

Hyrule and Four share a look. “Who could he have possibly run into here?” Four asks.

“Sprite, you said that one’s Ravio’s ‘Mr. Hero’, right?” Warriors asks. Time nods, his eye widening as he makes the connection. The two exchange grins. “We know exactly who he found, and I’m really not at all surprised he’s ditched us. I would too in his shoes.”

“And no, we’re not giving details,” Time adds. “Most of what we know is second- or third-hand anyway.”

“So, what do we do now?” Hyrule asks.

Warriors waves an arm toward the castle. “My Zelda has invited you all for dinner. After that, you can stay in the castle until either a portal shows up or we get word of something to fight. If Hylia is at all merciful, we’ll be here for a few days.”

“At least,” Time adds with a laugh. “I can’t wait until we run into Tune again.”

“Oh Hylia, yes.”

Four blinks. “Who’s Tune?”

Two voices, eerily in tune, chorus “You’ll see.”

As promised, when a portal shows up nearly two weeks later, they find Legend waiting on the other side. He looks slightly dazed and disheveled; Time guffaws and claps him on the back, then introduces Warriors to the now furiously blushing veteran.

Neither of them mention the shiny new silver ring nestled among the others on Legend’s left hand.

Chapter Text

It’s nine months before they land back in Warrior’s Castletown. In that time they’ve gathered four more Links, spent nearly three weeks back in Legend’s Hyrule (during which he and Ravio had a very interesting discussion that started with a harsh question and ended with several mugs of celebratory cider,) and discovered that time travel well and truly sucks.

Not that Legend didn’t already know that, but watching Time and Warriors realize that Tune- now Wind- didn’t know them yet made even his scarred heart break a little.

Idly, he wonders how things would’ve gone if Ravio hadn’t already been through the war. The thought makes his head ache, and he banishes it with a frown. Instead, he focuses on the gate ahead of him.

Link, I have a surprise for you. Come to the castle next time you’re in this era.

The letter had reached him several months ago. He’d responded, of course, but the Postman was never exactly what one could call punctual.

Although, he has to wonder if Warriors had more information. The man occasionally looked at him with a glint in his royal blue eyes, as if the man had information that was bound to make Legend’s life… interesting.

Well. They’re here now. With any luck, word had gotten to the princess and Marin would be waiting just on the other side of the gate.

She isn’t.

Marin isn’t there, but a nervous-looking page is, one who wilts in relief as the heroes come into view. He runs up to them. “Begging your pardon, sirs. Which one of you is known as Legend?”

“That would be me,” Legend answers quickly as he pushes past Warriors and Time. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know for certain, m’lord.” Legend sighs at the address as the others startle. Eight pairs of eyes turn to him, questions in all of them, but he ignores them. “All I know is the Queen wants you at the castle. She said she’ll explain when you get there, but there’s no time to waste, sir.”

“Alright.” Legend turns to the others. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

Warriors shakes his head. “I’ll come with. I need to report to Impa anyway.”

“Right, sirs. This way.” The page hands a note to the gate guard. He blinks and waves the group through, which makes Legend even more nervous, but before he knows it they’re moving, the crowd parting as if they sense his urgency.

By the time they reach the castle Legend is practically running to keep up with Warrior’s long strides. It’s fine, they are in a hurry even if he doesn’t know quite why yet, but it does mean he’s slightly out of breath when they reach the entrance. The page hands over the note again.

“Oh thank Hylia,” the guard says. “The Queen is waiting for you in the west wing. I would hurry, m’lord. Captain, it’s good to see you again.”

“You as well. Come on Legend. There’s a shortcut.”

“Okay, what the hell is going on?” Legend grumbles as they hurry through the halls. “I get why you’d be summoned, but me?”

“My question is why the title,” Warriors answers.

Legend sends him a brief glare, then sighs. “You’ve never met Fable.”

“That’s your Zelda?”

“Yes.” Legend’s ears twitch as a cry of pain echoes down the hall, and he speeds up. That voice is familiar. “She’s my twin sister.”

Wars nearly stumbles. “You’re a prince?”

“In name only. I have nothing to do with running the kingdom. Too busy saving it. We can discuss that later.” Another cry comes from just ahead, this one closer to a scream, followed by voices. The pair rounds a corner, and Artemis comes into view. She looks up at the sound of their footsteps.

“Legend! Oh thank Hylia, you made it. She’s waiting for you inside. Link, you stay with me. Impa can wait. I don’t think this will take more than another hour or so, if that.”

She. Legend’s face pales, but he steels himself and opens the door, unsure of what he’ll find.

Whatever he was expecting, it wasn’t this.

Marin lay on a bed, her distended stomach covered in a thin sheet as a woman- midwife?- stands at the foot, her hand checking something-

“Link?” Marin’s voice is strained, but happy. “You made it.”

“Marin.” Legend moves to her side and takes the hand she offers, wincing as she squeezes when another contraction hits. “You’re- a baby? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Didn’t want- ah- didn’t want you to worry. And Lana said there was no way to get you here without possibly causing a paradox.” The redhead smiles up at him, radiant, even as her lips tighten in pain. “Can’t have that.”

Legend laughs, worry, relief, elation, and half a dozen other emotions warring in his chest. “No, we can’t. Goddesses. I'm… we're… Fuck, I never expected…” Words fail him. So, he bends instead, kissing his wife gently. “Love you. So much.”

“Love you too.”

“Lady Marin,” the midwife says, glancing up at the pair, “I believe it’s time. I can feel the baby’s head. On the next contraction, push.”

Warriors’ head turns as a near scream comes from inside the chamber. “So we made it just in time?”

“Yes. Just like Lana predicted,” Artemis answers, watching the door intently. “He didn’t know?”

“No.” The Captain grins. “You two asked me to keep it a surprise, so I did. He’s probably going to punch me for that, and he hits like a hammer. You’ll owe me.”

“Nothing new about that.” The Queen’s eyes widen as a baby’s wail echoes into the corridor. “Oh my goddesses.”

The captain grins. “Healthy pair of lungs on that one. They’re going to be spoiled silly, aren’t they?”

“I imagine so. Eight uncles, nine if you count Ravio, and Legend’s Zelda. That baby will lack for nothing,” Artemis agrees with a grin of her own. “Marin’s staying here for the nonce, but I’ve talked to Lana. She’s agreed to send Marin and the baby to Legend’s era once your quest is over.”

“He’ll be glad to hear that.” Wars’ ears twitch, and he turns as a guard appears at the end of the hall. He approaches and bows to Artemis, then rises and salutes Warriors.

“Sir. There is a large party at the gate. They say they’re with you?”

Wars sighs. “Seven men, mostly blond, all armed?”

“Yes sir.”

“Let them in. Bring the tall one- no, bring them all here. They’ll want to see this.”

The guards looks dubious, but salutes. “Yes sir. Excuse me, your Majesty.”

Artemis waves him off, and the man jogs back down the hall. “Are you sure you want them all here, Link?” she asks. “Or, rather, do you think Legend will want them all here?”

“There are going to be questions, Arty. That’s a given, the way you summoned us here.” Wars shrugs. “And there’s not a lot of joy in Legend’s life. That young man has been through more than all of us combined, except for maybe Time. Not even Hyrule knows all of it, and he’s the closest one to the vet. This is something good he can share, something he can celebrate.”

The captain laughs. “Besides, he’s not going to be able to hide the fact that he’s probably going to push to visit the city every time we end up in this era, no matter how far away we end up.”

The door creaks open to reveal Legend, an awed smile on his face. “Oh, you waited,” he says. “Good. Zelda, I need you to confirm something, if you’re willing.”

The queen nods. “Link, stay out here for a moment, please.” “Of course.”

Artemis smiles at him and follows Legend into the room. The midwife bows and Marin smiles, exhausted. “Hey Arty.” “Hello Marin. How are you doing?”

Marin gestures to the tiny bundle next to her. “I’m fine. Arlien says the delivery went perfectly, no complications. And she’s beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as her mother,” Legend counters, grinning. “But you’re right. May I?”

“Whenever you want, love. She’s fed a bit; I think I’m going to nap a little.” Marin yawns and squirms as Arlien, the midwife, finishes cleaning up.

Legend bends to kiss her, then gently takes the bundle, cradling it in his arms. A cooing sound comes from it and he kisses the baby’s forehead. “Do you sense it?” he asks quietly.

Artemis nods. “I do. I thought it was a hero’s blessing, but you’re of the bloodline, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. I am. And my sister can’t have children. I wondered how we were going to get around that.” A slightly bitter note tinges Legends' voice, and he shakes his head. “She’ll be ecstatic to know she has a successor. I know it weighs on her sometimes.”

“Now I know why Lana was so intent on getting you all here. Speaking of which, your companions will be here in a few moments. Are you going to let them meet her?”

Legend smiles down at the bundle in his arms. “Yeah. They’re my brothers, which means they’re her uncles, if even she’ll probably never really know them.”

“I wouldn't be so sure about that,” Artemis says quietly. Legend's head whips up in shock, and she gives him a half-smile. “We have two guardians of time who owe this country, and Warriors especially, a very large debt. Letting Link see his niece would pay off a small portion of that debt, and I am fairly certain he'll insist they find a way for the rest of your brothers to visit as well.” The smile grew, joined by a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Besides, we're all quite fond of Marin, and I know I'd feel much better if we were able to check up on her now and again.”

“I…” For the second time in as many hours, Legend was rendered speechless. He ducked his head, nuzzling his daughter's cheek until she made a small happy sound. “Thank you, your Majesty. For that, and for taking care of my wife and daughter when I couldn't.”

“Of course, your Highness. Us royals have to stick together.”

“Gah.” Legend scrunches up his nose. “Fable's going to make me attend royal shit now, isn’t she.”

“Probably.” Artemis laughs at the look of disgust on his face “Come on. The others should be here in a moment.”

Legend nods. He bends to kiss Marin again, who looks up at him sleepily before smiling and closing her eyes for a nap.

A breath or two later, Artemis opens the door. Legend follows quickly after, and she shuts the door behind him. Seven of the eight men waiting in the hall glance down at the bundle in his arms in shock, while Warriors just gives him a soft smile. “Welcome to the club, Ledge,” he says quietly.

Legend side eyes him. “You knew.”

“I did.”

“Remind me to punch you later.” Legend takes a deep breath and peels back the blanket to reveal his daughter's face. “Everyone, I'd like you to meet Princess Zelda Arin Ravena Lon Hyrule, my daughter. Henceforth known to you lot as Myth.”

The stunned silence lasts a full thirty seconds before Hyrule steps forward. “Hello, little Myth,” he says, one gentle finger stroking her cheek. “I was hoping I'd get to meet you.”

“Rulie?” Several voices ask the question at once, but Time silences them and finishes it. “You knew?”

“Sort of? The history is kinda muddled, but I know Legend is the first acknowledged prince of Hyrule since the Imprisoning War, and the first time the line doesn't descend directly from the Princess. That we know of, anyway.”

“So wait.” Wind cocks his head. “You're a prince?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Well, shit,” the pirate says, ignoring Warriors’ ‘Language.’ “Sky, go meet your great-whatever granddaughter.”

That startles both Sky and Legend, who stare at each other for a moment. “Well, fuck,” Legend breathes eventually, even as Sky's eyes gleam with unshed happy tears. “How did I never make that connection?”

“Probably too busy ignoring your status,” Warriors says quietly. “I guess I'm definitely going to have to go visit Lana now, aren't I?”

“Yes,” Sky answers, finally moving to peek at the baby. She squirms, making the blanket move, and the assembled heroes catch a glimpse of rose-colored curls. “Legend, she's beautiful.”

“...Thank you, Sky.” Myth coos and yawns, and Legend smiles down at her, a softer look on his face than the rest of the Chain knew was possible . “I should probably let her sleep. It's been a big day.”

“It has.” The Captain's voice is soft, but there’s a hint of old sorrow in it that makes Legend’s ears twitch. He gazes at the Captain curiously, but Warriors just shakes his head.

Not now.

Alright. Not now means later; Wars isn't the type to break promises, even unspoken ones. Whatever it is probably has something to do with Wind, and Legend had noticed both Wars and Time stopping themselves before they said too much.

One by one, his brothers come to lay a kiss on Myth's forehead or stroke her cheek with a finger. Every one of them sheds a tear or two, even Four, his eyes shifting rapidly between red and blue as a little hand wraps around a finger and he says something in a chittering sort of language that makes Myth wriggle and coo. Both Wind and Wild snap multiple photos, promising copies to everyone.

In the midst of it all, Legend’s heart sings in a way he’d never thought possible. The song bubbles up his throat, past his lips, formed into a wordless lullaby by a voice almost akin to a siren’s. Myth blinks at him sleepily, then squirms a little before turning her face toward Legend’s chest and falling asleep. The song tapers off; Legend tears his eyes away from her face to glance at those of his brothers. “Why are you all crying?” he asks. “I mean, I get Sky, but…”

“You’re a natural,” Warriors responds. That sorrow is still in his eyes, but there’s a content sort of joy and a deep sincerity as well. “I don’t think any of us realized you could be so gentle.”

The vet blushes faintly as the rest nod. “I already know you’re going to be a great dad,” Hyrule adds, and the words seem to be a breaking point for Legend. He mutters something about giving Myth back to her mother, then flees into the room.

A few chuckles follow him through the door; he closes it softly, then sinks into a chair beside Marin’s bed, Myth still in his arms. Legend cuddles her close, watching her and Marin sleep, as tears of joy and wonder slide down his cheeks to drip onto his clothes.

“Hylia,” he whispers, his voice cracking, “Lolia. Din. Nayru. Farore. Whichever of you sent us on this little trip. I know I’ve cursed you out any number of times. I’ve hated this from the moment that damned portal opened, but… thank you. For giving her back to me, and for my daughter.” The words still sound foreign, and Legend’s sure they probably will for some time to come. “Please. The only thing I ask of you is to let me come home. Let me come home and see her grow up. Let my brothers see their niece. Let her be healthy and strong. Please.”

Legend bows his head and closes his eyes, and therefore misses the light as the triforce on the back of his hand starts to glow.

Chapter Text

They’re given three weeks in Warriors’ era. Three weeks, during which Legend spends every possible moment with Marin and Myth, minus the three days it takes for the Chain to find the most recent group of black-blooded monsters and take them out. Every one of his brothers spoils them in their own way; Wild makes every one of Marin’s favorite foods, Time plays his ocarina to soothe Myth to sleep. Hyrule and Four bring fairies and minish to play with her. Sky carves an entire mobile of wooden figures, one to represent each of her uncles. Twilight curls up with Myth as Wolfie, guarding her while Marin and Legend take a much-needed break. Wind sings lullabies and uses the Wind Waker to make the mobile spin and dance. Even Artemis and Impa visit daily, if only briefly; the queen gifts them a gorgeous cradle, while Impa hands over a bundle of enchanted cloth. Legend shakes it out, only to bow deeply to the general in thanks, then wrap Myth securely in the Sheikah swaddling clothes. The protection magic sings under his fingertips as traces one of the symbols, and a small smile graces his lips as he explains them to Marin.

Early in the second week, Warriors disappears for a few days, taking Time with him. When they get back he looks drawn and tired, but strangely triumphant. He hands Legend a box that thrums with shielding magic. It makes his fingers itch. “Don’t open this yet,” he says. Legend raises an eyebrow and he shrugs. “I don’t know why. Lana said something about anchors and paradoxes. I didn’t understand half of it, but Time did, and he agreed with her.”

“Basically it’s a way for us to come visit,” the elder Link says. The eyebrow raises further. “There are limitations, and it won’t work until this is over. Also, it took her nearly six months and a great deal of energy to make that, enough that she had to call Cia in to help. It’ll be nearly impossible to replicate, so don’t lose it.”

“Right.” Legend hadn’t missed the way Wars flinched at Cia’s name. Unlike most of the Chain, he’d had a fairly comprehensive rundown of the war, both the timeline and the reason for it, from Ravio. Warriors doesn’t know that; or, at least, Legend doesn’t think he does, so he simply nods and tucks the box deep in his magic bag. Next time they’re in his era he’ll put it in the ‘do not sell this’ box under his bed. Ravio usually respects that, especially since they’re mostly cursed items.

That thought makes him pause; there are a ton of magical and cursed items in his house, not to mention weapons and items that really aren't safe for little hands.

Well, Ravio's been saying he wanted to build his own shop for a while now. Legend supposes it's time he got on that. And Fable would probably be willing to store some of it at the castle…

“Lege?” The word brings Legend out of his thoughts, and he realizes Wars has been trying to get his attention for a moment. “You okay?”

“Hmm? Yeah. Just thinking.”

“About what?” Time asks. “You were frowning pretty hard there.”

“Just… changes. I’m going to have to babyproof the house, for one,” Legend says, scowling at the thought.

Time and Warriors wince. “Yeah, that’s a thing,” Wars says. “I’d say child locks, but I've seen your house. If she’s anything like my experience with kids, she’s going to get into everything, even if you think it’s out of her reach. She will get into it.”

“We weren’t that bad,” Time says lightly, and the captain just levels a flat look at him.

“You and Tune were something else….” His expression falls as he trails off, his arms coming to cross his chest almost… guardedly. “I never did have a chance to tell you about Fionn. I suppose it’s about time.”

“Fionn?” Time asks, and then, “Are you okay with this?”

“No, but it’s going to come out eventually. If anyone understands it’ll be you two,” Warriors sighs. “After the war… I went home. Saw my mother and sisters, spent about a year just trying to relearn how to be something other than a soldier. It didn’t really work all that well.”

A bitter laugh leaves the captain’s lips. “I fell in love. Or in something, whatever, but there was a girl. Gorgeous, sweet, absolutely amazing. I should have known it was entirely too good to last.”

“Captain,” Time says softly, and Wars shakes his head.

“It’s fine. Anyway. We were married pretty quickly. She fell pregnant almost immediately, and we had a beautiful little boy. She named him Fionn, after her grandfather. And he was such a good kid. Adventurous as hell; I swear as soon as he learned to walk he was climbing the shelves trying to get at the swords I had hanging on the walls. I gave him a toy one on his third birthday.”

“How did they die?” Legend asks, his voice gentle. Time startles as Warriors gives Legend a look and snarls a single word.

“Traitors.”

“Oh.” The word comes from Time. Legend just looks confused. The elder Link explains. “There were a lot of people who blamed the Captain for the war. Some of them went so far as to hire assassins to kill him.”

“They still do,” Wars confirms as Legend looks at him with both shock and, oddly, sympathy. “But this one… I wasn’t even home when they attacked.”

Warriors manages to keep his composure somehow, until Legend steps forward. “Can I hug you?” the vet asks, and Wars nods.

Legend pulls him into a tight hug. “I’m sorry for your loss,” Legend murmurs, and that composure shatters. Wars bends forward, awkwardly trying to bury his face in the shorter Link’s rapidly dampening shoulder. “I know what it’s like, being betrayed by people you should be able to trust,” Legend continues quietly, holding Warriors tighter as the soldier cries into his tunic. “An evil man twisted the knights in my Hyrule into thinking I kidnapped the princess. They hunted me for a long time. Some of them still do, even though I freed them.”

The air in the room shifts as Time moves, and suddenly there’s a pair of strong arms around them, holding tightly. “She’ll be safe,” Time says, his voice husky. “I don’t care if we have to visit in shifts and stay for months at a time. Nothing is going to happen to that little girl.”

“I know.” Legend rests his head on Time’s solid chest, relishing the warmth as they wait for Warriors’ tears to slow. Eventually, Wars gives a hiccuping, shaky laugh as he raises his head.

“I got eyeliner on your tunic, Lege. Sorry about that.”

“Not the worst thing it’s seen. Go wash your face,” Legend replies as Time lets go. “I hope you know I’m coming to you for parenting advice. Hylia knows none of these other idiots knows anything about raising kids.”

“Wind might surprise you,” Time says as Warriors heads for the washroom. “He has a little sister he helped raise. And Twilight’s good with kids.” He huffs a laugh. “I suppose Sky and I should help out, get some practice in. We’ll both have kids eventually, after all.”

“Hylia help us all,” Warriors groans from the other room.

Legend laughs, then stops, his ears twitching as he catches a sound from the bedroom, and slaps Time on the shoulder. “Come on, old man,” he says. “Time for your first lesson in diaper changing.”

A complicated series of expressions run across Time’s face, finally settling on a mixture of regret and determination. Legend laughs again and leads the way.

The next time they visit Warrior’s era, a few months later, the Chain lands only a hundred yards or so from the Castle Town gate. Legend is off like a shot the instant the disorientation fades, not that the others blame him.

The guards don’t even try to stop him, which makes Warriors just shake his head and follow at a slightly more sedate speed, the rest of the Chain following in a slightly bedraggled line. The last few weeks had been hell; six fights in twelve days had exhausted more than just their supplies.

“Hylia,” Wind grumbles, ankle twisting as he steps into a particularly large hole in the road, “where is Lege getting the energy to run?”

Warriors gives him a tired smile. “You’ll understand one day, sailor. It makes a difference, having someone important to come home to.”

By now, the Hero of Legend is a familiar sight in the castle. Servants and soldiers alike nod, some knowingly, as he strides through the halls, intent on the wing where his little family is housed, when a call breaks that stride.

“Link? You’re back?”

“Marin?” Legend turns on his heel, grimacing as the motion aggravates a wound in his leg that Hyrule hadn’t quite had the energy to completely heal, and instantly ignores it as his wife and daughter appear from a side room. “Goddesses, you get more beautiful every time I see you.”

“Flirt.” Marin blushes faintly, then pales as she notices the blood and stains on his gear. “You’re hurt? Come in, sit down, let me get a doctor-”

“Marin.” Legend smiles as one gnarled hand rises to caress her cheek. “Most of it’s not mine, and Hyrule took care of the worst of it. I mostly just need rest and a bath.”

Marin closes her eyes and leans into the touch, smiling as Myth coos at her father. “Come on, then. We’ll get you a bath, and then you can nap with your daughter. It’s nearly time anyway.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

An hour or so later, freshly scrubbed and stitched up (at Marin’s insistence, and he’s entirely too tired to argue with her even if he disagreed), Legend stretches out on his and Marin’s bed, Myth curled in one arm. Marin kisses them both and leaves with his clothes to get them washed.

There's a knock at the door, quiet, almost tentative, and Legend considers ignoring it and pretending he's asleep. He thinks better of it- chances are, they'll peek in and be hurt that he ignored them- and calls out a soft. “Come in.”

The door opens and Hyrule peeks in. “Just wanted to check on your injuries,” he says.

“I'm fine. One of the docs patched me up,” Legend replies with a tired smile. “Come in and shut the door.”

The traveler nods and closes the door quietly, then makes his way to the bed and climbs in. He's washed and changed clothes as well. “She's getting so big.”

“She is.” Legend smiles down at his daughter. “I feel like I'm missing so much.”

“Yeah.” Hyrule studies Myth, his eyes widening. “Legend, her eyes.”

“What about them?”

“They changed.”

Legend deflates as the worry bleeds out of him. “Don't scare me like that. Hylia.”

“Sorry. They're… violet, now. Like yours.”

Her eyes are violet. Myth makes a small noise as Legend moves just enough to see her face. His own face scrunches, and Hyrule can tell he's trying not to cry. “Goddesses. They are.” Legend gathers her close and loses the battle, silent tears dampening his daughter’s blanket as she wriggles and coos. “As if I needed any more proof that she’s mine.” He chuckles tiredly. “Did you know, my eyes were blue when I was little? Pale blue, like a winter sky.”

“Really?” Hyrule asks quietly. He sits up a little, interested. Legend almost never talks about anything before his adventures, after all.

“Yep. So were Fable’s, apparently. They changed after the Dark World- my first adventure. Something about the magic there. I guess it stuck.”

That made sense, of a sort. Hyrule knew dark magic could have some odd effects, sometimes lasting generations. He’d seen it enough in his own era. “Was your hair always pink?”

The vet snorts. “Nah. Same reason. It actually fades back to blond when I’m not using magic, it just takes a couple of months, and we haven’t had that big a gap. Seems she got a little of that too, though. Makes me wonder what skills she’s going to have when she’s older.”

Hyrule grins. “I can actually answer part of that, but I think I’ll let you find out on your own. I might tell Sky what his great-great-granddaughter gets up to, though.”

Legend’s eyes narrow. “Don’t you fucking dare,” he says. “He already hovers every minute he can. I get it, trust me, but if he gets any more protective I think I’d have to physically restrain him.”

“Noted.” The traveler chuckles. “Lay down and get some sleep. I’ll stay and keep anyone from bothering you for a couple of hours.”

“Yeah, okay. Thanks Rulie.”

Chapter Text

“You know, vet,” Wind comments, watching the portal close behind him, “I think you really are Hylia’s favorite.”

There’s a murmur of agreement from the rest of the Chain. It’s the third time they've ended up in Warrior’s Hyrule in five months, and the second time they’ve been dropped in sight of the castle gates. Legend flushes. “If that’s the case,” he grumbles, “we’d have found the shadow by now so I can just go home.”

The sailor mulls that over. “That’s fair.”

Warriors chuckles. “It makes sense. He is Hylia’s great-whatever-grandson. Of course she’s going to be biased.”

“Sky’s her husband, though,” Four counters, ignoring Sky’s blush and muttered “we’re not married yet”. “Shouldn’t we be on Skyloft a lot more often?”

“You’d think that, but Hylia knows Sun will have Sky all to herself after this is over. Legend only gets one chance to see his daughter grow up, and she’s Sky’s blood, so it’s a boon for both of them.”

“Three of us, really,” Hyrule adds, chiming in from his spot next to Legend. “Aurora and Dawn are her descendants, don’t forget. They both get a little mushy when I show them pictures. Especially Aurora.”

“That's such a weird thought,” Legend says, frowning slightly. “I’ve met my great-something-granddaughters and didn’t even know it.”

Sky claps him on the shoulder. “Join the club.”

Someone snorts in the background. Warriors waves the group forward; most of them break off, headed for the market to restock and, in Four’s case, take advantage of a friendly blacksmith that lets him rent the forge to repair their weapons in exchange for help with custom orders. It’s a pretty good arrangement, all things considered. Legend, predictably, heads directly for the gate.

The guard there grins. “Hello, my Lord,” she says. “Hello, Captain, good to see you back. If you’re looking for the Lady and the Queen, they’re not in the castle. Something about a girls day out? The little’un’s with them, and your sister, Captain.”

Warriors raises an eyebrow. “Which one?”

“What do you mean, which one?” Legend asks. “Just how many sisters do you have, Wars?”

“Six.”

“Linkle,” the guard answers, the grin widening. “From what the sergeant overheard, they’re planning on getting the little miss a custom outfit for her birthday. Something about being an honorary clan member?”

A momentary look of something approaching fear crosses Warrior’s eyes. He shakes it off and nods at the guard. “Thank you for the information, corporal.” “Anytime, sir.”

“Wars,” Legend hisses, following as Warriors does a prompt about-face and strides off, “what is going on?”

“I told you Marin was in the war with us, right?” the captain asks. Legend nods. “She saved Linkle’s life in one of the battles. Just appeared out of nowhere and held off the enemy with that bell of hers until I could get to them. Mum adopted her after that. She’s technically part of the family, but none of us really acknowledged it beyond the occasional joke before now. I honestly completely forgot about it.”

“Hold up.” Legend grabs Warriors’ arm and yanks him to a stop. “Are you telling me my wife is your sister??”

“In a legal manner of speaking, yes.”

“And that means…”

“You’re my brother-in-law.”

“And Myth?”

“Niece.”

“Well, shit.” Legend removes his hat long enough to run a hand through his hair. “Okay. This isn’t a bad thing, we all see ourselves as brothers anyway, right?”

“We do,” Wars acknowledges, something warm in his chest as Legend finally admits it.

“So why, brother dear, were you afraid just then?”

The warmth goes out, snuffed quicker than a candle under Legend’s ice rod. “Um. I sort of forgot to mention it to my mother?”

“What, that she has a granddau…” Oh. The pink-haired vet grins. “Just how much trouble are you in?”

“Oh, it gets better.” The captain rubs the back of his neck, a sign that he's truly nervous. “Legally, the two heroes that fought alongside me are my wards. Only, it hasn't happened for one of them yet.”

“Wind,” Legend guesses, and Warriors nods. “Time’s the other?”

“Yeah.”

“Which makes the old man, what, my nephew?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

Legend stares at his brother for a solid thirty seconds before breaking into peals of laughter.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh. Listen, Wind can't know. It would–”

“I know.” Legend sobers a little, enough that the giggles die down. “Believe me, I know time shenanigans.”

Warriors grins. “Ah, but you don't know Time’s shenanigans. And, as his legal uncle, you have the right to know exactly what he put me through in the war.”

“I knew he was more of a gremlin than everyone thinks,” Legend says with a matching grin. “It seems we have some time, and I apparently have a mother-in-law to meet. Shall we? You can regale me on the way.”

“If we must,” Wars groans, but there’s a wry smile on his face. “This way.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Legend says about fifteen minutes later, just as Warriors finishes the story of Mask using one of his masks to prank a particularly offensive general, “you’re Time’s dad, in a manner of speaking.”

“Sort of?”

“You realize that means Twilight’s your grandson, right?”

Warriors stops, eyes wide at the realization. “Oh, Hylia.” The captain processes that, an almost feral grin spreading across his face, and to Legend’s surprise he starts cackling. The vet just stands there, eyebrow raised, as Warriors wheezes for five solid minutes before getting ahold of himself. “Sorry, sorry.”

“Care to explain the joke, brother?”

“It’s just… I’ve met his girlfriend,” Warriors says, the grin still there. “I know he doesn’t mention her- his story’s a lot like Four’s- but Lana told me once that she promised Midna she’d find a way back to Twilight’s era. Without the war, this time. She’s going to make his life incredibly interesting, I think.”

The eyebrow rises another fraction of an inch. “So, we know Time is Twilight’s ancestor. Wild is quite possibly his descendant. Sky’s my ultimate grandfather, Wind and Time are your kids, and Hyrule’s probably going to marry one of my granddaughters, if they ever get over themselves. That leaves what, Four?”

“Pretty much.” Wars glances around, then heads down a side alley. “Shortcut. Although… Tune- that’s the name Wind will use in the war, don’t ask- had a theory. It’s entirely possible that Four’s his ancestor somehow. There’s really no way to know one way or the other, it’s all based on that shield of his and his Gran saying it was passed down from a hero, but at this point just about anything’s possible.”

Legend snorts. “The stories I know never mention him getting married, but it has been a millenia or two. After the war we’re lucky to have any records.”

“Is that why you’ve been spending so much time in libraries?” Warriors asks curiously.

“Part of it, yeah.” The vet’s tone sobers a bit as he glances around, taking in the slightly shabbier street they emerge onto. “The rest is… sort of a project. I’ve been doing some mapping. Of the timeline. There are things that don’t make sense; I mean, I know Sky started this whole thing, and Four’s after him, but it gets a little dodgy after that.”

Warriors blinks, then turns left and nods at a shopkeep who sends a greeting his way. “How so?”

“Not now. There’s something I need to verify first…”

The sentence drifts off as Legend studies a trio of young women walking by. “Wars, is your twin identical?”

“Mostly, yeah. Why- oh, hell.” The captain sighs as the twin in question notices them, straightens both scarf and shoulders, and pastes a smile on his face. “Hello, Linkle.”

“Link!” Linkle trots over, grinning. “The girls and I were just coming to fetch ya! Mum's invited you and her new son-in-law to dinner. Hullo, Legend.”

“Hi Linkle.” Legend waves at the girls, both of whom appear to be at least a few years younger than Warriors. “Where’s Marin?”

“Yer wife and kiddo are with our mum,” Linkle answers, a twinkle in her eyes. “Mum’s making them both proper dresses, it being the little’s first birthday tomorrow and all.”

“Shit, is it?” Legend asks, slightly distressed. “I lost track of a week, somewhere.”

“Probably those three back-to-back portals.” Warriors lays a hand on Legend’s shoulder. “You, Four, and Hyrule were all kind of out of it for a few days after that. And you haven’t been sleeping well. I know that messes with your sense of time.”

The vet nods. “Yeah, I know. It just means I need to finish her present tonight. It’s mostly done, thanks to Four. Hyrule and I just need to layer the protection spells.”

“Whatcha making her?” Linkle asks. “A ring?”

“Nah. She’s a baby. Rings that small can’t hold much, and she’ll outgrow it too quick. It’s a pair of earrings. Fable gave me a set she wore when she was little; they were a little bent out of shape and tarnished, so Four and I redid the settings a few weeks ago. There's a matching locket for when she's a bit older.”

One of the younger girls tilts her head in confusion. “You’ll be piercin’ her ears, then? Even though she’s a little?”

“I will,” Legend replies, nodding and holding up a ringed hand. “Our lives are dangerous, and I face many of the same problems at home that Warriors does here. Not to mention, she's a princess by birth. There's no way I'm skimping on her protection.”

Linkle startles at that and stares wide-eyed at her twin. “Ye told him?”

“Aye, I did,” Warriors says, his voice slipping into that accent for just a moment. “Him and Mask. They deserved to know.”

“Alright,” Linkle breathes, and shakes her head, then pastes a smile back on her face. "Anyhow, mum an’ the rest are at the shop, if ye are plannin’ on visitin’. We're for the market. Any requests?”

Ward and Legend looked at each other. “No rabbit,” Legend says with a shrug and a small, wry grin. “Adventure thing. But if you want to grab a bushel of apples and some spices I'll make you one of my apple pies.”

“Oh, so I finally get to try this infamous apple pie you've been teasing us with for the last six months?” Warriors grins back and elbows Legend. “We've been to your era twice. Still no pie.”

“The apples weren't ripe,” Legend shoots back.

“Uh huh. Excuses, vet.”

Linkle’s snort of laughter draws their eyes. She's smiling, a soft yet gleeful thing. “I think yer gonna fit right in,” she says. “The market should have apples. What kind do ye need?”

“Well…”

Chapter Text

Legend loves Warriors’ family’s house. (Not that he’d ever tell the man.)

(Not that Wars probably hadn’t figured it out, anyway.)

Oh, it isn’t much to look at. Just a tiny building on the corner of two narrow streets, a shop on the first floor with mannequins wearing sturdy garments in the window. The upper floors are cramped and crowded, everything from sewing gear to children's toys stuffed in every available corner. To someone who should have been raised in a palace, it should be an affront.

To someone who had, instead, been raised in an equally tiny cottage, one that is now filled to the brim with magic items and knicknacks and maps and a thousand things gathered from a hundred places, it's perfect.

His wife sits at a largish table, next to a woman who, to Legend’s eye, looks very much like her son. Myth sits on the floor, intently stacking a set of worn wooden blocks, while two girls- ten or so, from the look of it, although they were a bit on the small side, in a way that spoke less of genetics and more of hardship- read nearby.

Marin and the woman look up as the door closes behind Warriors. Both smile widely, and Marin rises to run into Legend’s arms. “Link! You made it!”

“I did. We just got in a couple of hours ago,” Legend confirms, smiling back. “How’ve you been, love?”

“Good. Artemis is taking good care of us. As is Mama Taylor,” Marin says. “Hello, Warriors.”

“Hi Marin. Hello Mama,” Wars says with a grin of his own. “We ran into Linkle in town. Where’s Zelda?”

“Here!” Artemis’ voice comes from the kitchen. A few seconds later, she ducks far enough into the doorway to see the newcomers. “Coffee, Link?”

“Yes please. Lege?”

“Tea, if there’s any. Milk and sugar please,” Legend says with a nod. He kisses Marin’s cheek, then lets go to kneel next to Myth. “Hello, kit.”

Myth looks up with a wide, toothy grin, then clambers up and throws herself into her father’s arms. “Papa! Papa home!”

“I am.” Legend holds her tight as she clings like a koala. It takes a second and a bit of fidgeting, but he manages to stand and turn back to Mama Taylor, a lopsided smile doing nothing to hide the tears in the corners of his eyes. “So,” he says, lightly, “I hear we’re related.”

She laughs. “Ah, so ye finally remembered,” the older lady says to her son. “Been waitin’ a dog’s age for ye to bring the little to visit.”

“Sorry, Mama,” Wars says, flushing as he rubs the back of his neck with one hand. “It’s been a weird year.”

“Aye, so I’ve heard. Zelda’s been nice enough t’ visit now and again. She says ye found yer boys again?”

Warriors shakes his head, the smile slipping from his face. “Yes and no. Mask is grown now, and Tune doesn’t remember us yet. We haven’t told him anything about his part in the war, and he’s going by Wind at the moment.”

“I see. Well, sit, lads, and tell us all about yer adventures.” She waves them into chairs; Legend sits next to Marin, Myth still clinging to him. Artemis sets a cup of steeping tea in front of him, then coffee by Warriors, and fetches her own before joining them. “Zelda told me you’re travelling in time?”

Warriors nods and launches into the tale. Legend sits back, nose buried in Myth’s hair while Marin scootches close enough to lean into his shoulder. It’s a good feeling, one that has his heart soaring in a contentment he’s slowly learning to recognize.

Somehow, it lasts the afternoon.

Eventually, Myth gets squirmy, as toddlers do, and worms her way out of Legend’s arms to return to her blocks and her playmates. Linkle and the girls return a little while later, arms full of groceries and giggling over a story of meeting Time and Hyrule in the markets. “I told’em you were stayin’ with us,” she said with a wink, “so they didn’t worry. The brown-haired one looked confused, but Mask just grinned at us and said to have fun and he’d explain it.”

Warriors groans at that. “Sure he will. Mask doesn’t explain anything.”

“Rulie does, though. He may not understand, but he’ll let the others know,” Legend says, patting his arm. He kisses Marin’s cheek and rises to help with the groceries. “Did you get the apples?”

“Mhm. And all the spices ya wanted,” one of the younger girls confirms. Her name is either Lila or Lucy, and he can’t quite tell which is which yet. “The spice shop owner even gave us a deal on some of them, cause no one buys cardamom or allspice, so it was all just sitting there looking sad.”

“That’s a pity,” Legend replies. He takes a few of the bags and starts digging into them, pulling out small, labeled packets. “This is perfect. Mrs. Taylor, may I use your oven? I promised the girls pie, and it’s best fresh.”

“Of course, lad. And just call me Mama.”

Legend blushes. “Okay, Mama.”

“Can we help?” the other girl asks. Legend glances at Mama for confirmation; she nods, and he smiles at her.

“Alright. I need two mixing bowls, a cast iron skillet, a cutting board, and a rolling pin. Also a clean spot on the counter to roll out the dough. Linkle, can you heat the oven? I need coals, not flame, at 375°.”

Linkle nods and heads into the kitchen. Lucy and Lila scurry around, finding the items and clearing a space. Warriors raises an eyebrow. “Anything I can do, Lege?”

“Yeah, don’t touch the pie,” Legend snarks, grinning. “I still remember that monstrosity you and Hyrule made before Wild joined us.”

A snort comes from the kitchen at that, and Linkle pokes her head back out. “Ye still never learned to cook, eh? Guess I’ll have to thank this Wild o’ yours for making sure you lot don't starve.”

“Do it, it’ll make his day,” Legend says, chuckling at the hurt look on Warriors’ face, and thrusts the bag of apples at him. “Oh, don’t pout. Here. Wash these. And find me a sharp kitchen knife, long enough to get through the apples but not huge.”

Warriors salutes and takes the bag.

A moment later, Artemis appears, one arm cradling a container of flour. “You’re good at that,” she says softly. “Giving orders.”

“Yeah.” Some of the energy bleeds from his bearing, replaced by a quiet sadness. “My uncle was a Knight Captain. I grew up watching him on the training grounds when I wasn’t sick. He taught me some things about command, said I’d need them one day when I took his place.”

“That didn’t happen,” Artemis says, and Legend shakes his head.

“Never got the chance. He- died, when I was nine. It was the start of my first adventure,” Legend replies, his voice quiet enough to not carry past the table. “The knights in my homeland were corrupted by a magician. He kidnapped Zelda and blamed me. I… I fixed it, sort of, but the knighthood never really recovered. Zelda’s working on it, but she’s only been queen for a year and most of her advisors still think of her as a kid. It’s slow going.”

Something flashes through the Queen’s eyes, a mix of horror, sadness, and sympathy. It’s a mix he knows well, and the thought crosses his mind that Artemis knows more than her fair share about traitor knights. He gives her a half smile. “You should visit.”

“What?”

“When this is over, and I get that portal thing Lana gave me set up. Warriors is going to be there as often as he can, especially since Myth is his niece. You should come with. I know Fable would love to meet you.”

Artemis sets the flour down as she considers it. “Possibly,” she says eventually, then grins. “You know, I just had a thought.”

“Oh?”

“Well, you Links all got to meet,” she says, her eyes flashing in that ‘I just had a wonderfully horrible idea’ way that Fable’s did from time to time. It's just as chilling in blue eyes as violet. “Why should we be any different? After all, we’re all related, and families have reunions, or so I’ve heard.”

Legend stares at her long enough for Warriors to come back with the knife and freshly washed apples. “What’s going on?”

The vet turns to him, violet eyes dancing. “Zelda conference.”

It’s Warriors’ turn to stare. “That, Lege, is a terrifying thought.”

“I know.”

“You’re going to make it happen, aren’t you?”

“Yep.”

The captain groans and sets the knife on the table before running his hand over his face and plopping down onto the couch. “I never should’ve had Lana make you that portal.”

Legend laughs and pulls a small paring knife from his bag. Lucy hands him a battered-looking cutting board; Legend sets it on the table, then picks up an apple and starts peeling it. “Oh, don’t be such a drama queen. Besides, there’s something you might not have considered.”

“What’s that?” Warriors asks.

“Wind. Or Tune. Whichever you want to call him.” Legend finishes the first apple and sets it aside. Lucy steals the peel and crunches it between her teeth. Legend grins at her.

“What about him?”

“How old was he when you knew him?”

“Seventeen. Why- oh.”

“Yeah. That’s, what, two years from now?” Lila brings the bowls. Artemis grabs the peeled apple, then takes the knife from the table and glances at Legend. He nods and makes two small cuts with the paring knife, showing her how thin to slice it. “It’s been hell on you and Time, being so careful with him. He’s going to go through the same thing in reverse.”

“At least he’ll know we survive,” Wars says softly. “I… we don’t have that. And I’m sort of terrified to find out.”

Two knives pause simultaneously as a soft “Oh” escapes Artemis’ lips. Legend carefully sets down the apple and knife, then moves to crouch in front of Wars. “What happens to him?” he asks, the words careful.

“It was… Mask said it was a time loop,” Warriors answers. He has to force the words out. Legend takes his hand and Wars grips it like a lifeline. “There was an attack on the medic’s tent where they were getting checked out after a battle. Tune… there was a spear… it should have been me.”

Artemis kneels next to them. She places a hand on Warriors’ cheek; he leans into it and closes his eyes. It doesn’t stop the tears. “Lana came,” she says, finishing the story. “Normally she’d just heal us and move on, but… she sent him home instead. None of us know if he survived or not. She won’t say.”

“Shit.” Fucking time shenanigans. No wonder Time hated Lana so much. “Wars, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t’ve pried.”

“No, it’s okay. You couldn’t have known.”

“It’s still shitty. Goddesses, no wonder you two freak out every time he gets hurt.” Legend feels like he wants to punch something. Instead, he gets up and picks up another apple. “Maybe if we end up in Labrynnia, I could find out. Nayru still owes me a favor, after all.”

Whatever Wars was going to say is interrupted as a small hand takes his. He opens his eyes to see Myth, her violet eyes dark with concern. “Uncle sad?” she asks.

Uncle. “Yeah, a little,” he says.

“No sad.” She climbs up onto his lap- or tries to, anyway, and Warriors smiles a little as he reaches down to help her up. Myth snuggles into his chest, then looks up at him. “Hugs help?”

Warriors chuckles, even if the sound is a little forced, a little broken. He can’t help it. “Hugs almost always help, little one. Thank you.”

“Okay.” She snuggles closer. “I stay til Uncle no sad.”

You’re going to be here a long time, little one. Warriors says nothing out loud, just wraps his arms around Myth and buries his face in her hair.

Because of this, he misses two things.

One is the looks that Artemis, Legend, Marin, and Linkle share. Of all of them, they know the horrors of war, the pain of loss and betrayal, and the existential terror that comes from watching someone you love die- or even nearly die- in front of you. There’s an unspoken agreement to keep a better eye on Warriors.

The second, which no one expected, is the glow.

It starts with Legend’s triforce mark, the three triangles on his hand glowing dimly in the fading daylight. Artemis’ is next, slightly brighter, although only a single piece lights up. Warriors’ follows a second later. A soft gasp from Marin draws Legend’s attention. He glances at her, only to see her staring at something, and–

Oh, Hylia.

“Two of them,” Artemis murmurs. “Wisdom and Courage?”

Legend swallows, his mouth suddenly drier than the Gerudo Desert. “Yeah. Fuck. It’s too soon, she’s barely a year old, how-”

Peace, my champion.

The voice comes from nowhere and everywhere at the same time, yet no one else reacts. It’s familiar, even though Legend is sure he’s never heard it before.

Fucking goddesses.

What do you want with my daughter?

There’s a hint of a chuckle. She is a descendant of Hylia and the daughter of a child of the Wind Fish and the greatest hero Hyrule will ever know.

No I’m not. If I was, Hyrule wouldn’t have to exist.

Sadness, now. You will grant them a Golden Age and a thousand years of peace.

A thousand years, huh. Is it that long between them? Details, Farore. Answer the question.

Amusement. She is Zelda. The Light of Hyrule. And the first, in a very long time, to be raised with love and family instead of formality and coldness. She will be a strong Queen and loved by her subjects for her compassion and wisdom. And, in Hyrule’s moment of need, a Heroine in her own right. There is a reason her reign is still remembered in your successor’s time.

Something cold wraps itself around Legend’s heart. No. I never… I don’t want that for her. She shouldn’t have to be! You said there would be peace!

Not all heroes are formed in blood, Prince of Hyrule. Courage can arise outside of combat.

Legend contemplates that for a moment. You’re talking about a choice, he theorizes. Something that will change the course of history.

Indeed. Guide her well, Link.

I’ll do my best.

That is all we ask.

Time snaps into place almost before Legend realizes it had stopped. Something must show on his face, because Artemis is staring at him in concern. “Legend?”

“I… need a minute,” he says, trying not to break into either tears or hysterics. Maybe both.

Mama must’ve noticed too, because her eyes soften. “Go downstairs. Should be quiet this time o’ night,” she says. “We’ll take care of Link and the little til ya get back.”

Legend nods, then darts through the door before anyone else can respond. It takes less than a moment to reach the closed shop below.

Another sees him outside, and before the bell stops ringing he’s lost himself in the darkening streets.

Chapter Text

Warriors had forgotten he’d taken Mask home with him a time or two. It’s barely twenty minutes after Legend’s hasty (and as yet unexplained) exit that Time shows up, Twilight in tow, a bouquet of wildflowers clasped in one hand that he presents to Mama with a bow and a flourish that would have made his younger self… well, sulk probably, but most things did back then. It’s enough to break the tension, enough to have Artemis recount exactly what had happened in the moments Warriors had been lost in his own grief. He frowns as his queen recounts the moment Myth’s triforce appeared, and how the feeling of something divine- not Hylia, but adjacent- had permeated the air for a moment.

Time’s eyes narrow. “He freaked out just then?”

“Yes.”

The eldest Link sighs. “Someone messed with time. Not long, just a few seconds, but long enough, apparently. At a guess, one of the Golden Three. Legend’s friendly with at least two of them.”

Marin smiles at that, a soft, wry thing. “He told me about that,” she said. “I met him on the way home from those adventures. Apparently Din’s an excellent dancer.”

Time raises an eyebrow, filing it away with every other question he had for the vet. Whether he’d ever get to ask them, well.

Anyway.

“Do you want me to track him down?” Twilight asks. “Wolfie can probably find him easy, even this late.”

Warriors and Marin share a thoughtful look. She nods. “It’s not safe,” she says. “I know Link is capable, but he has a nasty habit of getting in his head.”

Twilight snorts. “That’s a Link trait, ma’am.”

Something tugs at the hem of his tunic. He looks down to see that Myth had crawled out of Warriors’ lap and toddled over to him, and he crouches down to her level. “What is it, kiddo?”

“Uncle Twi find Daddy?”

“Yeah, little one, I’ll find your dad. And give him a proper talkin’ to for upsetting you, okay?”

Myth giggles and shakes her head. “Daddy scared. Fa- Far-” She screws up her face and lets out a sound that sounds so much like Legend it makes Twilight grin despite the worry.

“Goddess,” Time says thoughtfully. “Farore?”

“Yeah! Daddy talk Far-Faro- Goddess. Got scared.”

“Shit,” Time breathes, ignoring Twilight’s look of shock and Warriors’ muttered “language, Mask”. “How-”

“Legend’s telepathic,” Marin admits. Every eye turns to her in shock. “It only works with family, as far as he can tell. Or those he considers family. And it takes a lot of work to let someone not blood-related in, which is probably why he hasn’t tried with you all yet. But Myth is blood. It makes sense she’d be able to pick him up, even when he wasn’t trying.”

“That… makes a lot of sense,” Warriors says slowly, mentally reframing any number of battles when Sky and Legend had simply known the other was in trouble, despite being on opposite sides of the field. He doubts Sky had ever realized what was going on. “I wonder what Farore said?”

“Only one way to find out.” Time glances at his descendant. “Twi?”

“On it.”

Honestly, finding Legend isn’t all that difficult.

The instant he hits the street, Twilight shifts, the crystal around his neck glowing darkly as shadows warp and twist until a wolf sits where a man once stood. Wolfie shakes out his fur and lowers his nose to the ground. Legend’s scent is still relatively fresh, and the darkened streets and cool night mean no one who has a choice is still outside. It’s easy to pick out his brother’s trail, even as it twists and turns through alleys and shortcuts- although, he does have to shift back briefly to get over a fence that’s just a little too high for Wolfie to jump over safely.

Besides, he’s spent the better part of two years following Legend around. Therefore, he is absolutely unsurprised when he finds the vet in a small park, sitting under a tree while surrounded by, of all things, a family of rabbits.

It’s almost nauseatingly adorable, and he wishes he had Wind’s pictobox to document it for posterity.

The rabbits notice him before Legend does, going stiff and silent the way prey does, until Wolfie sends out friend/safe/calm/nohurt.

teeth/nohurt? One of them responds, ears twitching in confusion.

Nohurt/friend. Wolfie sits a fair distance away, waiting for Legend to get out of his head long enough to notice him. It takes long enough that he’s half-convinced the vet’s asleep, when Legend finally looks around and spots him. “Wolfie?”

He nods and creeps a little closer.

“Shit, how long have I been out here?”

Well, that’s not at all concerning. Twilight huffs and shifts back; the rabbits scatter- well, most of them. There’s a single kit happily sleeping on Legend’s lap that seems entirely unbothered, probably because Legend’s been absently stroking it for Goddesses know how long. “Bout an hour and a half.”

“Fuck.” The back of Legend’s head hits the tree with a soft thunk. “Wait, how did you know?”

“Time decided to pay a visit. Apparently he knew Mrs. Taylor before.”

“Ah. And he sent you to come find me.”

“Yep.” Twilight moves to sit next to his brother. The kit shuffles a bit, then settles. He can see one of the adults nearby, clearly debating whether or not to come claim their kid from the big bad wolf. “I think your friends want their little’un back.”

“Huh?” Legend looks down into his lap, like he hadn’t even realized the kit was there. “Oh. Right.” He gently lifts the kit and places it on the ground an arm’s length away. It wakes, shakes itself, and hops over to its parent. “Been a while since that happened.”

Twilight chuckles. “Bit of an animal charmer, huh?”

The vet shrugs. “You’ve seen my spirit form. I’m prey. Not a threat. And I can talk to them, sort of. It’s not as good as it used to be, the magic fades when I haven’t been in that form for a while.”

Huh. “Is that because of the telepathy?”

Legend freezes. “Who told you? No one kno- Marin. Why?”

Oops. “Because,” he replies gently, “Myth heard you. I don’t think she understood any of it, just that Farore spoke to you and you were scared.”

“Din’s tits.” Legend brings his knees up, curling his arms around his legs and burying his face in his tunic. “Did they tell you what happened?”

Twilight nods. “Yeah. Not surprised. You’re powerful, Lege. Makes sense your daughter would get at least some of that.”

The vet snorts. “I’m not, though.” Twilight raises an eyebrow in disbelief, and Legend shakes his head. “Oh, I could have been. The potential was there. I just… lost it somewhere.”

They sit in silence for half a moment as Twilight digests that. If what Legend was capable of now was only a fraction of his potential…

“I died, did you know that?” The words are soft, quiet enough that even Twilight’s enhanced hearing has trouble picking them up. “Maybe not permanently, but enough that the Wind Fish could pull me into his dream. Enough that it took me weeks to come back. And when I did wake up, I tried to end it.”

Oh, Lege. “Why?”

“Because.” Legend looks up, and the look in his eyes breaks Twilight’s heart. He reaches for the vet; the younger Link stares at his arm for a handful of heartbeats, then lets himself be pulled in. “Because,” he continues once he’s settled, “I thought I killed her. I thought I killed all of them. Because I woke the Wind Fish and they were just a dream. The girl I loved, the people, hell, even the animals. Just a dream, but to me they were real. They were real, and now they were dead, and it was all my fault, because I couldn’t not be the hero.”

There aren’t words for this. Or, if there are, Twilight doesn’t have them, and so he doesn’t say anything, just holds his brother a little tighter and rocks them back and forth, humming one of Ilia’s lullabies as Legend shakes with quiet sobs. Idly, he wonders if the other had ever really taken the time to process what had happened.

Knowing what he does of his brother's adventures, the answer was “almost definitely not”.

The lullaby stops when Legend snorts. “Lege?”

“I was gonna make a pie.”

Twilight cocks his head. “Is that what all the apples were for?”

“Yeah. I promised them apple pie.” Legend sits up and digs around in a pocket for a moment before pulling out a handkerchief and wiping his face. “Wars is apparently very upset that I haven’t made one for you guys yet.”

“Ordona forbid,” Twi says with a chuckle, “that you deprive Wars of pie. Guess we oughtta get you back so you can finish it.”

“Hylia forbid they try to finish it,” Legend says darkly, and doesn’t that send a shiver up both their spines. Twilight wasn’t there for The Abomination, but he’s heard the stories, and that was enough.

Twilight chuckles. “I think Wars’ mom and sisters will keep them from doing too much damage.”

“I don’t know about that.” The vet grins and climbs off Twilight’s lap, groaning a bit as he stands and something pops. “Apparently Time was quite the little terror back in the day.”

“Wait, really?”

“According to Wars, yeah. He makes Wind look like an amateur. No telling Wind that, though. Timeline fuckery.”

Twilight grimaces. “Ugh.”

“Indeed.”

“Daddy!” Myth’s cry is the only warning Legend gets as he opens the door to Warriors’ family’s home. The little girl stumbles into his leg, holding it tightly. “Daddy back!”

“Yeah, I am.” Legend bends and gently pries her arms open, then picks her up. He moves enough to let Twilight in. “Uncle Twi found me and brought me home, safe and sound.”

He doesn’t miss the look that bounces between his fellow Links, but ignores it in favor of moving toward the table. There’s a bowl of apple slices now, drenched in spices and liquid, sitting next to a pan with what looks like a partly baked crust. “Who did this?”

“I did.” Marin moves to Legend’s free side and wraps an arm around him. “You still keep your journal in the same place. I remembered most of the recipe, but they have different spices here so I wanted to make sure I got it right.”

Legend stares at her. “You remember how to read it?” he asks quietly.

“Of course I do,” she answers, voice fond and just as quiet. “I still have the stories you wrote down for me. They were in my bag when I got sent here. Tales of the outside world, written by one who’d seen more than I’d ever dreamed existed. I read them every time I needed something to hold on to.”

That stops him for a moment, and Legend’s sure that if he hadn’t just spent something like twenty minutes crying he’d be tearing up right now. As it is, he gives his wife a watery smile, then clears his throat. “Alright. We should finish this pie if we want to have any tonight. It’s getting late.”

“Right.”

With several sets of willing hands, the rest goes quickly. Warriors reheats the oven. Marin fills the pie while Linkle rolls dough and cuts it into strips. Legend builds a lattice, brushes the top with an egg wash, and pops it in the oven. “That’ll take an hour, hour and a half,” he says, wiping his hands on a towel. “Do you have a timer?”

Linkle nods and picks up a small hourglass. “That’s half an hour,” she says, flipping it.

“It’ll do.”

The next hour or so is spent comfortably. Mama Taylor pulls out patterns for dresses while her daughters prep dinner. Legend scans the envelopes critically, glancing at Myth every so often, as if trying them on in his head. “She looks just like I did at her age,” he says at one point, “except healthier.”

Mama raises an eyebrow at that. “How so?”

“I…” Legend starts, then shrugs. “I was sick a lot as a kid. Had a tendency to catch every cold or flu or whatever was going around the village that week. Found out later that I was a twin and we were born way too early. Zelda was the stronger twin, and was mostly fine. Me, not so much.”

“You know, that explains so much,” Time muses. He’s sitting in a worn armchair, trading stories with Linkle. “Fable warned us about that the first time we met her. She said you had a tendency to get sick.”

“Is that why Hyrule pitches a fit every time I come into camp wet?” Legend asks, turning to face the older hero. “I mean, he fusses over everyone, and yeah, my joints hurt when it rains, but I’m not nearly as bad as I used to be. Especially since most of your eras are a lot cleaner than mine. And it’s a lot easier to find food now than it used to be.”

Legend staunchly ignores the looks of horror thrown his way. “I never told you the whole story, did I?” he says quietly, then glances around the room and sighs. “Some of the others know part of it. Ravio and Fable know most of it. It’s… long. And complicated.”

“We have time,” Warriors says, stepping forward to lay a hand on his shoulder. “Tell us what you’re comfortable with.”

The vet snorts. “If I stuck to that you’d never hear it,” he scoffs, then shakes his head. “You know I was a kid. For most of my adventures, really. I was what, fourteen? Fifteen? when I met Marin. I lost track for a little while- one of my adventures involved a ton of time travel, and I was never quite sure how to count that, you know?”

Time chuckled. “Trust me, I know.”

“Yeah, you would. Anyway. Chronologically, I’m twenty. Which means I’ve been on one quest or another, more or less constantly, for something like eleven years now.”

Legend pauses to let that little nugget hit. “Yes, I was nine. My introduction to this life was a telepathic call for help from Zelda and watching my uncle bleed out in front of me after being stabbed by his own men.” Warriors makes a wounded noise and Legend gives him a grim nod. “There was a magician on the King’s council- Agahnim. He twisted the minds of the guards, convinced them that I’d kidnapped the princess after I rescued her from the dungeons. I spent most of the next three years on the run. It’s still… we fixed it, with the Triforce, but it wasn’t complete. Some of them are still corrupted. Which is why I avoid soldiers, especially knights, on principle.” The look he gives Warriors and Time this time is apologetic. “It’s not easy for me to trust anyone in armor, especially royal armor. That one,” he adds, pointing at Twilight, “I avoided for a different reason entirely, which we’ll get to in a bit. And Four.”

“I wondered about that,” Twilight muses. “Far as I can tell, Four’s never done anythin’ to ya.”

“Not yet, he hasn’t. And it won’t be his fault when he does,” Legend replies cryptically. “But, story.”

The veteran takes a moment to check the pie, then settles into a chair next to Marin. Myth climbs into his lap. Legend takes a deep breath, wraps his arms around his daughter, and begins.

Chapter Text

“So, there's parts of this I wouldn't be telling you if we didn't already know Four's secret,” Legend begins. “They're not really relevant to anyone else anyway, but it's background. And they know, sort of. I told them the basics a while ago.”

The other Links nod. Marin and Linkle share glances, while Mama sorts through patterns. Legend can tell she’s listening anyway. “A lot happened during that first adventure,” Legend says. “I don't actually remember some of it. Trauma response, according to my mentor.” That brings another trio of nods. “But, Agahnim kidnapped Zelda and six others- descendants of the Seven Sages- and took them to the Dark World. Sahasrahla told me how to find the Master Sword. I drew it, got in a fight with Agahnim, and got cast into the Dark World.”

“What, exactly, is the Dark World?” Time asks curiously.

“What was is better,” Legend answers. “Basically, it's what happens when you leave Ganon alone in the Sacred Realm with the Triforce. That's part of the story.”

The elder nods. “So. In a nutshell, the hero before me, the one we call the Fallen Hero, failed. The sages bound Ganon and trapped him in the Sacred Realm. This was… not the best idea they could have had, although I get why they did it. There weren't exactly a lot of options.”

“I'd been wondering about that,” Time admits. “Your timeline doesn't match up with the others.”

Legend shakes his head, his lips tight. “I have a theory on that and you're not going to like it,” he says quietly. “The last two years, I've been researching the timeline. Wars and Wild are definitely the last two, although you might be before Hyrule, Wars. It's telling that you didn't pull anyone from his era, although that could just be that there really isn't anyone to pull.”

Warriors grimaces at that. It's a harsh, but true estimate of their brother's world. “It does make sense.”

“Yeah. Anyway. There's only three mentioned heroes in all the years before me. Sky, Four, and the Fallen Hero.” Legend looks directly at Time, gaze apologetic but unflinching. “A nine-year old kid with a sword he could barely use and no gear to speak off, tossed in the deep end with no training and no help. I knew that feeling. I know what it's like to be that kid. It took me three years to get to a point where I could face Ganon,” Legend says softly. “You had barely three months. There was no way you could have won, even with the Master Sword.”

The room goes silent. No one moves except for Linkle, who rises and goes into the kitchen. The oven door opens and closes and there's the clatter of a pan before Time lets out a slow breath.

“I suspected it was something like that,” he admits. “I heard some of the stories when we visited your era. Although, I’m still not entirely sure how I got a second chance. Time doesn’t rewind itself like that.”

Legend unwinds one arm from around Myth and reaches up to rub the back of his neck. “That… might have been me.”

“What?” Time, Twilight, and Warriors ask, nearly in sync, and the vet blushes slightly. “How?”

“Second or third adventure- kinda hard to tell, they were back to back, and that’s a story for another night. But the point of it is that I had the Triforce, the entire thing, at the end of it, and wished for all the suffering done by Ganon to be undone. I don’t think it had the power to rewrite all of history, not without creating a paradox, but…”

“You created a new timeline,” Warriors breathes, a mix of horror and awe in his voice. “One where the Hero of Time won.”

“Not intentionally, but as far as I can tell, that’s what happened. It’s not like it told me anything, it just broke up and flew away. And then my fourth adventure happened, and I never really thought about it again until Four showed up on my doorstep.” Legend huffs a wry chuckle. “I thought I was hallucinating, at first, at least until Ravio came down and saw him too.”

In his lap, Myth yawns and rubs her eyes tiredly. Marin stands, then kisses Legend’s cheek before scooping up their daughter and disappearing into a side room. Artemis goes with her, collecting the younger girls along the way and sending them to change before bed. Legend smiles after them for a moment before turning back. One hand starts to fiddle with the rings on the other. “I wish I’d known exactly what happened. All I saw was that almost nothing in my world had changed. I was convinced for years that my wish hadn’t been granted, that the Triforce had rejected me for being unworthy.”

Twilight moves at that, but Time beats him to it. In a blink of an eye he’s kneeling by Legend’s chair, one hand gently cupping the vet’s face. “Legend,” he says, voice half-broken, “you are many, many things, but unworthy will never be one of them. If anything, you’re the best of us.”

Legend stares at him, violet eyes searching blue as if trying to spot the lie. “I’m not- Time, I’m not even close. I’m sarcastic and selfish and-”

“And you have a heart bigger than the inside of your bag,” Warriors says, cutting in. Legend’s gaze snaps to him. “Lege, you’ve been through more bullshit than any one person should ever have to. It’s only natural that you put up defenses. That doesn’t keep you from helping every lost soul that comes your way.” He grins. “Ravio told us some of your exploits, you know. And a little of how you met. A selfish person wouldn’t have opened his house to a stranger like you did.”

“He didn’t give me much of a choice,” Legend grumbles, the tips of his ears turning pinker than his hair. “He just moved in while I was gone and made my living room into his shop.”

“But you let him stay,” Time adds, drawing the vet’s attention back.

“I like the snark,” Twilight says with a grin of his own. “Reminds me of Midna.”

Time and Warriors share a look at that, one Legend doesn’t miss but also doesn’t call attention to. He clears his throat. “We’re getting off topic.”

“Right.” Time stands and moves back to his chair.

Legend looks back down at his hands. “Anyway. I was cast into the Dark World. Dark magic, when you don’t have protection from it… it twists a person. Turns them into whatever form fits their soul. Some, most, become monsters. Some take the form of animals. Me… I hated my spirit form. Still do. Even more so because I spent almost four months stuck in it before I figured out how to get back to the Light Realm. Two or three more before I found something that would keep me from changing every time I had to go back. And I had to go back. A lot. Twilight can tell you it's a shock to the system, having to change mentalities on the fly. Sometimes we forget what form we're using. And it's worse if you have multiples.”

Twilight raises an eyebrow. “You mean you have more than the-”

Legend nods. “Yeah. A few, actually, although most of them are item based, kind of like Time’s masks. I even have a ring that makes me look like Hyrule for some reason. No idea why that even exists, or how. And that was another weird first meeting on my end.”

“So what is this form you hate so much?” Warriors is the one to ask the question this time.

Legend sighs. “Twilight and Sky already know. I triggered it once by touching that crystal of his, and we needed the Master Sword to switch me back.”

“He's a rabbit.” Time and Warriors turn to Twilight in shock, while Legend gives him a look that's half death glare and half gratitude. It's an odd combination. “A pink rabbit with a vest. And he can still talk.”

“Wait, is that why your hair turned pink?” Time asks, grinning.

The vet drops his head into his hands. “Yeah.”

Warriors shares a glance with Mama, who nods. She beckons to Linkle; the two women go downstairs, patterns and a paper with Myth’s measurements in hand. “Did you know, vet,” he says, “that rabbits are sacred here?”

Legend looks up sharply. “What?”

“It's true. It caused quite a stir when Ravio showed up in that hood of his,” Wars states with a grin of his own.

“They're said to be a mark of the goddesses’ favor,” Artemis adds, coming back into the room.

Twilight tilts his head curiously. “Which goddess?”

“All of them.” Artemis gives them an impish smile of her own. “Something about ‘honoring a beloved hero’, if I recall the priests’ lectures correctly.”

“Ravio laughed like a loon when he found that out,” Warriors adds. “I’m sort of surprised he never told you.”

Legend shakes his head at that, his cheeks pink enough to match his hair. “He doesn't know about that particular transformation. I haven't used it in years. If anything, to him it's just a running joke between Zel and I because rabbits like me. Pretty much any time I'm alone and outside for more than half an hour I end up with at least one or two nearby. Sometimes they'll stick around for Ravio. Zel almost always scares them off, though.”

“So the park was normal, then?” Twilight asks, and Legend nods.

“Pretty much, yeah.”

“So wait. You're a rabbit,” Time says thoughtfully. “Is that why you avoided Twilight? Because he's a wolf?”

The vet nods again. “I didn't know he was a wolf, precisely, but yeah. Everything about him screamed predator, and the shadow magic didn't help. Set off one hell of a trauma response. Sorry, Twi.”

“I figured it was somethin’ like that,” Twi said. “You ain't the first, won't be the last.”

“Yeah, but-”

“Nope. You had a legit reason to respond the way you did. Just cause we didn't know exactly why don't mean it wasn't justified. Trauma's trauma, and from the sound of it half of us are a trigger of some sort or another. Honestly it's no wonder you're so closed off.”

Legend snorts. “Intensive psychotherapy for trauma. Get stuck on a multi-year journey with eight versions of yourself that represent pretty much every trigger you've ever had and bond with them. I might actually have to thank the Shadow at the end of all this.”

“Speaking of which,” Time says, shaking his head in a mix of fondness and more than a bit of concern, “you said Four had something to do with that adventure?”

“Oh, that.” Artemis sets a cup of water by Legend’s elbow. He smiles in thanks and drinks a bit before continuing. “I may have killed them. Or freed them. I'm not entirely sure which and there's really no way to find out.”

All three Links, and Artemis, stare at Legend for a moment, stunned. “What?” Warriors chokes out, breaking the silence but not the tension, as Legend fiddles with one of his rings.

“Okay. So, this one's gonna require a little background,” he starts, glancing at the others before looking back down at his hands. “You're familiar with sword spirits, like Fi, right?”

Time and Warriors nod. “She and Ghirahim were both in the war,” Time says.

“Alright. Four's sword has sealing magic. And when he forged it, he put some- a lot, really- of his own magic, his own essence into it. Follow me so far?”

A chorus of nods answers him, and Legend takes a deep breath. “Currently, in Four's era, there's something called the Sanctuary of the Four Sword. It's the sword’s resting place when Four isn't adventuring.” More nods. “When I was in the Dark World, just before I fought Ganon, I stumbled across a palace. The Palace of the Four Sword, to be exact.”

“Legend,” Time asks with slowly dawning horror, “are you saying what I think you're saying?”

It's Legend turn to nod. “The Palace was a dungeon. I fought four bosses, collected four different swords- red, green, blue, violet, and opened the boss room, where I fought four elemental shades in those colors. It was a tough fight- Blue almost killed me twice.”

“Legend,” Artemis asks, “are you saying Four is a sword spirit?”

“No. Not yet, anyway,” Legend replies, shaking his head. “And I’m really not sure if it was all of Four or just the part of their soul that got forged into the blade. Although, looking back, there were a couple of moves that I know Four learned on this trip, so it probably was them.”

“Well that’s not concerning,” Warriors says dryly. “You said you told them this? How’d they react?”

“About as well as you’d think,” Legend admits, fiddling with his jewelry again. A bracelet, this time. “Red apologized for a half hour, Blue stomped off, and Vio and Green just looked concerned. I suppose I would too if I knew I’d be stuck in a sword for however many years after I died.”

“Well, that explains that,” Time mutters, then sits back. “Four cornered Sky a couple of months ago. I don’t know what they talked about, but they both looked shaken when they came back.”

“I remember that night. Always wondered what it was about, but neither of ‘em would say anything,” Twilights says.

The quartet is silent for a moment. Time blinks and looks back at Legend as a thought hits. “Okay, I get being wary of me, Wars, and Sky. And Twi and Four. That leaves what, Wind, Wild, and Hyrule. Anything we should know there?”

The vet frowns. “Wild, no. Hyrule is fine, it’s his era I don’t like. Same with Wind, really. Which sucks, I used to love sailing, until I got caught in a storm and shipwrecked. That’s when I met Marin, actually, and that… that was a bad one. Better now that I know she’s alive, that I didn’t…” kill her, he can’t say, but Twilight gives him a knowing look, “but I still have days where I’m half convinced this is all a dream. So does he, really. We’ve both been sucked into the Windfish’s dreams. It’s one of the reasons we have trouble sleeping most nights. We’re never entirely sure we’ve actually woken up.”

Warriors and Time share a look. “That explains so much of Tune’s behavior,” Warriors says. “He used to say there were days that felt… unreal, for lack of a better word, and he’d hum this tune. It’s how he got the name, actually. He was constantly singing it for the first couple of weeks he was with us.”

Time nods. “It was magical, I knew that much, but he never said what it did, just that he’d learned it from one of his brothers. I guess that was you, Lege.”

Legend startles at that. “Did it… was it this one?” He starts to hum, then sing, and Marin joins him on the second line as she reenters the room.

“Sleepers wake

Dreams will fade

Although we cling fast

Was it real?

What we saw?”

“Yes. That was it,” Time says. “What is it?”

“The Ballad of the Wind Fish,” Marin replies, sitting next to Legend and leaning into his shoulder. “The Song of Awakening. Used to rouse a dreamer from slumber.”

Legend leans back and closes his eyes. “I use it, on those days that don’t seem real. Just to check. Just to make sure I’m not back there. I guess I teach it to him eventually.”

“Suppose so.” Twilight cocks his head, curious. “How did you survive the shipwreck?”

“That’s… another story,” Legend says. “I have another transformation, like I said, but I really, really don’t like using it for more than I absolutely have to. It’s… painful.”

The rancher winces. “Yeah, I get that. Wolfie was too, at first. Involuntary?”

“Yeah. Anytime I’m more than waist-deep in water. Bathtub, pond, ocean, whatever.”

“Wait, is that why you never go to the bathhouse with us?” Warriors asks. “Because you transform? Into what?”

Legend buries his face in his hands and mutters, “Merman.”

“Hold on. Those are real?” Time says incredulously. “Tune tried to convince us for months that they existed, but we never believed him.”

“That’s because they’re mostly extinct,” Legend says, the sound slightly less muffled as he raises his head a bit. “I found a cursed artifact. Made my adventure easier since I had to do a ton of swimming- in two different eras, mind you- but the side effects absolutely suck.”

Marin smiles. “You told me about that. That was the time-travel one, right? Where you rescued Nayru?”

“Yep. I still have the harp somewhere, but it doesn’t really work outside Labrynna.”

Time stares at Legend. “You said two different eras. How far back did you travel?”

The vet sighs. “About four hundred years. Something like a decade after the war- the stories were still fairly new, all things considered. Hyrule had lost its history, but Labrynna hadn’t been as involved and was still more or less intact.” He smiles slightly. “It’s also where I met one of the few knights I truly respect. And one of the easiest Ganon fights I’ve had- Sir Raven managed to get the whole town to turn out and help keep his minions off my back.” The smile widens a bit. “That adventure was also the first time I met Impa, and the second time I rescued Zelda.”

“Golden Three, vet,” Warriors says exasperatedly. “Is there anything on this adventure you haven’t done before?”

Legend’s smile turns soft as he takes Marin’s hand. “Yeah. I never had brothers before. Or got married. Or had a kid.” Marin squeezes his hand, and he squeezes back. “The last two years have been the best of my life, despite all the stupid shit we’ve had to deal with. And if you tell the others I said that, I will personally kick all of your asses.”

Time, Warriors, and Twilight all chuckle at that. “Your secret is safe with us,” Warriors says, amusement tinging his voice, “as long as we can finally cut into that pie. It smells heavenly.”

Legend laughs. “Fresh-baked apple pie is one of the greatest smells ever,” he agrees. “Come on. It should be cool enough.”