Prologue: Linkle

Long ago, the goddess, Hylia, determined that she would take on human form so that she could seal the demonic Demise away once and for all. Battling him with the aid of her chosen Knight, the demon was defeated and sealed within a blade that bore a power strong enough to reflect her own power. Not even the power of her sacred power given physical form, the mighty Triforce, was a match for the power of this Sword of Evil's Bane. Only one of a pure heart could wield such a weapon, one chosen of the goddess. But, alas, the hero was not always victorious.

Defeated in battle, the hero fell to the dark powers of the Evil King, Ganondorf, or Ganon as he became known. The monstrous Gerudo gained the full power of the Triforce, razing the land until he was sealed by the seven Sages. Sealed away, he grew stronger in the Sacred Realm, evil power seeping through the cracks that could not contain him.

For centuries, his evil power seeped and grew until another stood in his way. This hero wielded the Sword of Evil's Bane once again, striking down the monster and bringing peace to Hyrule once again. For a while, peace reigned in Hyrule, despite the twin witches, Koume and Kotake, resurrecting Ganon once again.

But, the hero eventually passed, another having taken his place. But, he too grew old and died, as all mortal beings do. The kingdom of Hyrule was once again at peace until…

A monstrous being rose and began wreaking havoc in Hyrule Castle Town. The hero was no longer around; there was no hero to defend the people. One lone person watched this being, seeing a flash of light from his hand—

Linkle jolted up with a start as the apple collided in her head, knocking her head on the tree she was under. She rubbed her head, hissing in pain as she looked around. Her eye catching the apple, she picked it up, taking a bite.

"You sure slept long," Her uncle, Pan, chuckled, standing beside her, watching her antics. She turned to him with a look that was supposed to make him afraid, but ended up making him laugh harder.

"You know that look never works on me," He said. "You'll have to do better."

Linkle stood up, crossing her arms and looking out towards Hyrule Castle.

"I had that weird dream again," She said. "I don't know why I keep having it. It used to scare me as a kid, but now it's just another dream."

"It could mean something," Pan said, shrugging. "I mean, you never know with these dreams. They say the heroes of the old stories had dreams similar to the ones you're describing. Maybe you're supposed to warn people about something coming."

"But, there's nothing that's ever come during my life or yours." Linkle said. "But, I do often wonder… am I… the reincarnation of the Hero of Time? I've only heard of the hero getting the dreams."

"Okay, that's a little farfetched," Pan chuckled harder.

"Gramma said so." Linkle said. "She even gave me her compass."

The small girl held up a compass that was quite large for her hands. Inscribed on it, raised and emboldened, was the symbol of the Triforce, the most powerful force of the goddess, the only thing said to be able to deflect it being the Sword of Evil's Bane.

"I… I see," Pan said, kneeling down. "Well, that doesn't mean that you're automatically some great hero. That compass may be ancient, but she was ancient as well. I mean, that woman was a dinosaur."

"Gramma Lien said I was special." Linkle stomped her foot. "She said I was the Hero reincarnated."

"Well, I suppose we'll see just how it goes, now won't we?" Pan chuckled. "Now, how about you go and make sure that the Cucco are sufficiently fed?"

"I fed the Cucco earlier," Linkle said, crossing her arms. "Can't I play with the crossbows?"

"Those are dangerous tools, not toys for a child to play with," Pan said. "You could get hurt, especially since they draw upon magic to work properly."

"But, I want to learn how to use them," Linkle said.

"When you are older," Pan said. "I will teach you how to use them and how to properly be able to use them to stop creatures like Lizalfos from getting to them. But, you have to be very careful when that time comes."

"Got it," Linkle nodded. Pan chuckled, leaving her to her own devices.

The child stood up, tucking her blonde hair behind her shoulder and walking into the house. She made her way to the armory on top of the hearth, which housed the weapons she was fascinated by. They were two crossbows, their look denoting some age, but seemingly undamaged. They seemed to be utilizing some sort of strange mechanisms to work, seemingly able to shoot at a rapid pace.

She looked at them with fascination and awe, pulling over a chair so she could look at them closer. She climbed up on top of the chair, standing on her tiptoes and looking at them at an even closer angle. She reached up, touching one with her hand, brushing it and noting its design. She tried to pick it up, but she was unable to.

The crossbows seemed to be quite heavy and she seemed to be unable to really pick one up. She managed to lift it a little, losing her balance and falling backwards. She almost hit the ground, but was caught by two strong arms.

"I see you didn't heed my warning," Pan said.

"I just wanted to look at them," Linkle said, standing on the ground. "I didn't mean to fall and almost drop it."

"How about I tell you the story of the crossbows?" Pan asked, sitting on the ground, pulling Linkle onto his lap.

"Okay," Linkle nodded, getting comfy in his lap. "Let's hear it."

"Alright," Pan said. "But, you better not say it's boring or I'll stop telling it."

"I promise," Linkle said, nodding excitedly. She had wanted to hear this story for a long time.

"Alright," Pan said, nodding. "This story begins a long time ago, back when your grandmother was a child…"

Flash

Lien walked through the forest, traveling carefully through. She was looking for her lost Cucco, which had gotten loose form the others. She would normally be doing something else while she was having to tend to the Cucco. Carrying her trusty crossbows with her, she walked through the forest.

Making her way through the forest full of thick trees, she came across something she hadn't expected to see: a Faerie on the ground, potentially injured.

Lien quickly moved over to the fallen Faerie, kneeling over her. There was a large bruise on the magical creature's forehead and she seemed dazed.

"Eek!" The Faerie shrieked, curling up at the sudden appearance of the much larger Hylian. Lien tilted her head in confusion, it finally dawning on her that she might be scaring the Faerie.

"Are you hurt?" She asked, picking the Faerie up. The Faerie tensed, feeling her wings be pulled long enough for her to be sat on the hand of the Hylian. Lien looked down at her checking her over for any sort of injury.

"I slammed into a tree," The Faerie said. "If it's any of your business, Hylian."

"Well, you told me, so it is," Lien said.

"Whatever," The Faerie said. "So, are you gonna get on with the life draining or what?"

"What?" Lien asked.

"You know, the draining of life force thing that you do to restore your stamina," The Faerie said.

"Oh, I don't do that," Lien said. "I just use Potions for that stuff.

"You're a little nuts then," The Faerie said. "Faeries are much better than some stupid witch's potion."

"Aren't you relieved I'm not planning to eat you?" Lien asked.

"That's what they do?!" The Faerie shrieked.

"It's what I heard," Lien said. "So, what made you hit a tree?"

"A Bokoblin attacked me," The Faerie said after a minute."

"Bokoblin?" Lien asked." I gotta find that Cucco!"

"It's long gone," The Faerie said. "But, why do you have those crossbows with you?"

"Gotta have a weapon somehow," Lien shrugged. "I'm pretty good with them."

"What if you run out of arrows?" The Faerie asked, looking at them.

"Hopefully, I don't," Lien shrugged again. "But, let's tend to you a little."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small red Potion. She dabbed it on her finger and poked the Faerie's forehead.

"That stings!" The Faerie shouted.

"Well, it always does," Lien said. "But, you'll feel better."

The Faerie clenched her tiny fists around her tiny dress, hissing in pain for a second. However, her injury shrunk away and disappeared, becoming nonexistent.

"I… I feel better," The Faerie said. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Lien said.

"Well, since you're not gonna eat me…" The Faerie said. "And, since there's probably something that could eat you, I'll bless them so that you can be protected a little better."

"How so?" Lien asked. The Faerie waved her hands over the crossbows and causing them to sparkle for a second.

"There," The Faerie said proudly. "Now, if someone of your bloodline uses this, it will never run out of arrows so long as that person has the magical connection to maintain them. But, don't try to use too many or special kinds of arrows too much because those take way more magic."

"Wow," Lien said, shocked at the Faerie's gratitude. "Thanks for this wonderful gift."

"Don't mention it," The Faerie said quickly.

"So, what's your name?" Lien asked. "My name's Lien."

"My name is Gutspil the First, heir to the queen of Faeries herself, Venus." The tiny Faerie said, touching her chest proudly.

"Woah, that's cool," Lien leaned closer to the Faerie. "But, isn't she a giant or something? How are you gonna get respect of you're so tiny?"

"I grow with the power, you dense foreigner!" The Faerie shouted angrily. "Haven't you read any sort of books on how Faerie culture actually works?"

"Nope," Lien said as she tilted her head. "Is it super boring to read?"

"You're not that bright," Gutspil said, her eye twitching as she looked at Lien with slight irritation.

"That's what they say," Lien said. "But, I like to think I'm special."

"Well, be careful with those crossbows." Gutspil said. "Don't do anything stupid with them or else I'll take away the magic in them."

"I thought Faeries couldn't do that." Lien said. "Once something's blessed, it's blessed forever."

"You said you didn't read Faerie lore!" Gutspil turned around, shouting at her.

"I read about that hero who fought the King of Evil with the Sword of Evil's Bane," Lien said. "He had it blessed by Faeries and even by the Faerie Queen herself."

"The Hero of Legend, eh?" The Faerie said. "He was some fighter, able to defeat a monster with the full power of the Triforce at his disposal. But, I suppose that's to be expected from one like him. But, you're right. We can't take our magic back once it's given. But, that doesn't mean your magic can't be removed. The magic in your crossbow can be increased by a more powerful Faerie, but you shouldn't need it. There's no evil in this land. But… something's special about you. Eh, I'm sure it's nothing. Keep your head up."

"Thanks, Guts," Lien said. "So, are you gonna head back or are you gonna help me find my Cucco?"

"I'll take my leave," Gutspil said, taking off with speed. Lien returned to finding her Cucco, managing to find it in a bush, trapped and clucking its head off. She returned home, but she didn't ever forget that Faerie and her words.

Present

"Wow, that was such a cool story!" Linkle exclaimed. "It was super short, but it's so cool that those crossbows were blessed by a Faerie. We should train me with them."

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea," Pan said. "We have to be careful. Besides, you're still too young to use them."

"I am not!" Linkle shouted in surprise. "I'm seven! That's a perfect age to learn to use a crossbow!"

"I don't think so, Linkle," Pan said, shaking his head. "You could get badly hurt and your grandmother would never forgive me."

"She'd be happy for me." Linkle said.

"When you're older," Pan said. Linkle sighed, accepting this answer.

Years later

The magically generated arrow shot through the tree, embedding itself in its trunk. Its shooter looked at it with a confident smirk on her face as she aimed another one.

She shot the arrow and landed it right above the first one. She ran forward and leapt into the air, kicking the tree to splinter it in two. It may have been only three inches wide, but she still had to have an impressive kick to manage it.

"Linkle!" Pan's shout could be heard. "Are you being reckless again?!"

"Uh, no!" Linkle called back, gulping as she noticed the tree.

"Well, head out and find that Cucco that went missing," Pan said. "It's the one with the blue feathers."

"Oh, alright," Linkle said, nodding as she ran off to find it.

She entered the woods, which is where the Cucco loved to go, looking around and discovering a Faerie just sitting there.

"A Faerie?!" Linkle exclaimed, getting closer as the Faerie turned around. "What are you doing out here so far from the Great Faerie's fountain?"

"Lien!?" The Faerie shouted in shock at seeing her. "How are you still so young?! We met over a century ago!"

"You knew my gramma?" Linkle asked, surprised. "Wait, you're that Faerie from the story my uncle told me! Spil, right?"

"Gutspil," The Faerie corrected. "Now, who are you and why am I supposed to be with you?"

"I'm Linkle," Linkle said. "I'm a Cucco farmer."

"I see," Gutspil said, crossing her arms. "And, you are wielding the crossbows Lien possessed. I see you are the one who is worthy of them."

"Worthy?" Linkle asked.

"Only one of her bloodline and with a pure heart may wield those," Spil said. "Now, since I have found you, I want you to make me a Lon-Lon Ranch style sandwich."

"What?" Linkle asked.

"I have a taste for Hylian food," Spil said. "So, I want some."

"I wasn't planning on going into town, but I suppose I can swing by later," Linkle said. "Let's go back to my house. It's so cool to see the Faerie that made these awesome crossbows better."

"The Faerie Queen told me to find the owner of the crossbows and accompany her," Spil said. "I have no clue why, but she said it would make sense. She also said to hide my presence from others."

"Alright," Linkle said. "I need my Cucco first."

"It's in the bushes over there," Spil pointed. "Little monster tried to eat me."

"He does that," Linkle laughed retrieving the Cucco.

As they neared the house, they saw several soldiers from Hyrule Castle gathered around the house. Pan was standing out with his sword and shield passed down through his family. Spil hid under Linkle's hood, making herself very small.

"What's going on over here?" Linkle asked, walking up. "Why are there soldiers here?"

"Princess Nonag has requested for recruits for the army," The soldier said. "She believes a great evil is coming to Hyrule and is preparing."

"Like my dream," Linkle whispered so low that only Spil could hear.

"I must fulfil my duty," Pan said. "Linkle, you must stay here."

"But, Uncle—" Linkle said before she was cut off.

"Someone has to watch the Cucco," Pan said. "And, you have no training with a sword. I promise I'll return to you."

"I… Alright," Linkle nodded as they all went off.

"You have dreams?" Spil asked once they were out of earshot.

"Yes," Linkle said. "Dreams of a great evil preparing to destroy Hyrule. But, I don't know if I can make a difference fighting in the princess' army."

"Maybe you should speak to the princess directly," Spil said. "She might be able to help. Especially if she has the same dreams."

"Hey, you're right!" Linkle said, punching her fist into her hand. "Let's go!"

"Shouldn't you get dressed better for heading to the castle?" Spil asked.

"You're right," Linkle said. She ran into the house, returning dressed in a pair of long boots and an outfit that resembled a knights, but was different. She wore a green shawl and hood combination that covered her blonde hair. She walked out, two holsters for her crossbows on her hips, the crossbows hung onto them as she walked out with a confident swagger. Spil looked at her in confusion.

"You look like the Hero of Legend," She noted. "You probably shouldn't wear that randomly."

"Well, you never know when you're gonna want to," Linkle said. "I've always wanted to be like the Hero of Legend and protect Hyrule. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm the very reincarnation of that hero."

"And what makes you say that?" Spil asked in confusion. "The Hero possessed the Triforce."

"Not the Hero of Legend," Linkle said. "He was so strong and capable that he defeated the King of Evil in possession of the full Triforce and he didn't have any of it."

"That is true…" Spil had to admit. "But, you still have no proof."

"I'm sure I'm the reincarnation of the Hero," Linkle grinned. "I'll prove it to you one day."

"How about you keep it quiet?" Spil suggested. "If there truly is evil coming from the shadows, it would be best they don't target you. We never know who's lurking around, waiting to prevent the Hero's return."

"I guess you're right," Linkle said. "But, off to Hyrule Castle with us!"

I've been a fan of Linkle since I first heard of her. She was such an interesting concept and I wanted some more stuff with her in it, preferably a game or manga. But, when I wanted to write a LoZ story, I had no better choice for the protagonist than Linkle. This way, I can develop her as her own thing while not having to deal with Link. For reference, this takes place in the 'Hero is Killed' timeline, after Link to the Past. Let me know what you think.