A/N: Greetings, Earthlings :3 I'm Ozera. This is the second thing I'll be posting here on fanfiction, so I'm still pretty new to this. The idea for this just randomly popped up, and I just couldn't focus on anything else until I sat down and started writing. This is going to have around three chapters, and it has a pairing of LinkxIlia, though it doesn't come in until the next chapter. So if you're a LinkxIlia hater...well you might as well just leave xD I really don't wanna hear any bitching about my choice of pairing. I myself don't have a favorite pairing, and I don't mind if people do, as long as they keep their opinions about a pairing they don't like to themselves. Got it? :) And this is basically just about those closest to Link learning about his wolf form. And yeah, I know, lame title. I couldn't think of anything else xD

Well, I've said everything I needed to for now. Enjoy this first installment of "The Wolf" :)

Disclaimer: Do I honestly have to say it? I, Ozera, do not own The Legend of Zelda. I only own my storyline, a bag of Lays chips, and a piano on which I play music from the games. No matter how much I wish I owned Link...

The Wolf
by OzzieTheTwilightPrincess

It was a warm day in Ordon. The forest was peaceful, with gentle sunlight streaming down through the canopy of leaves. It hadn't been so peaceful in a long time, but ever since Link had rid Hyrule of the evil that threatened it, the monsters that had inhabited the forest were mostly gone.

And so, deeming it safe enough, Rusl decided that he could take Colin out without fear of him being harmed.

The two were headed to a secret spot where Rusl had always liked to fish. This would be Colin's first time going, and the young boy was excited. Rusl had noticed a huge change in his son since he'd returned home, and it was a very welcome change. His boy had more courage now, after he'd saved Beth. He wasn't afraid to venture out into the woods now when his father wanted him to come. He'd also expressed an interest in learning how to wield a sword, stating that he wanted to do everything that he could to protect those he loved. Rusl also suspected that he wanted to be more like Link, which never failed to make him smile. Link was as good a role-model as any.

"Are we almost there, Dad?" Colin asked, staring up at his father. There was an undeniable glint of excitement in his eyes, and Rusl smiled.

"Almost, son. Five more minutes and we should be there."

"Okay." The boy was silent for a moment before bursting out, "I'm gonna catch the biggest fish there!"

Rusl laughed and ruffled his son's hair. "I'm sure you will, Colin."

Colin grinned. "And I'll get Mom to cook it for Link when he gets here. Do you think he'd like that, Dad?"

"I'm sure he would, son," Rusl replied, still smiling. He led his son through a break in the trees, where a small pond lay.

"Whoa," the boy breathed, gazing around him in wonder.

"I used to come here with my father when I was your age," Rusl explained. "And I figured that it was about time I started bringing you here."

Colin hugged his father briefly before bounding over to the pond, carrying his fishing rod. He sat down and swung the rod, casting the line into the calm water and creating ripples. Rusl sat beside him and did the same, smiling at the look of determination on his boy's face. He could see a lot of himself in that face.

True to his word, Colin had caught the biggest fish there. Rusl smiled with pride as his son skipped ahead of him, holding the fish like a trophy above his head and cheering. He kept going on about how happy Link would be when he got home later and saw the fish that waited for him

They were halfway home when Rusl saw it.

A lone wolf limped out from behind a particularly large tree. Its fur was black and grey with a greenish tint on the back of the neck and tail, and its eyes were a pure cobalt blue. There was blood matted in its fur, and on one of its front paws, there was a broken chain. The wolf put no weight on this paw, and it looked as if it was either broken or dislocated. Even though it appeared to be quite injured, Rusl was extremely wary of it. It wasn't the first time he'd seen this wolf; he'd seen it first the night the children were taken.

Pulling Colin behind him, Rusl drew his sword. Even if the beast didn't try to attack, it appeared very close to death and Rusl intended on putting it out of its misery.

As he was about to swing his sword, Colin's small hand on his stopped him. He looked down to find the boy shaking his head.

"He's hurt, Dad. You can't kill him," his son said softly, gazing at the big wolf. "He hasn't even tried to attack."

"Yes, but if I let him go, he may come back once he's better. I can't have him hurting you or the others," Rusl explained.

The boy moved closer to the wolf, ignoring his father's warnings. The wolf made no move to attack, just standing there as Colin tentatively reached out to touch the fur on his neck.

"Dad, he isn't going to hurt anyone. He's a nice wolf. I saw him around Kakariko a lot when I was there, and he's never tried to hurt anyone." He continued to gently pet the wolf, which sank to the ground with a whine. "Please, Dad, we have to help him. He looks really hurt."

Rusl was unsure whether it was his son's pleading or the look in the poor creature's eyes that made him do it. With a sigh, he dropped his fishing rod and moved to gently lift the wolf, heedless of the blood that covered its fur. Colin grabbed his father's fishing rod and followed behind until they reached their home in the village. People gasped when they saw the giant beast in Rusl's arms, but he never once stopped. A low, grating whine was emanating from the wolf, and its breaths were becoming labored. Rusl feared it would die before they got to chance to even try and save it.

Colin opened the door to their house and let his father go in before him. Rusl made his way over to the rug in the corner, where he gently laid the wolf. The poor thing was starting to wheeze, and it stared at Rusl with pleading blue eyes that seemed to reach into his very soul.

"Go get your mother, Colin," Rusl instructed the boy. Colin nodded and ran from the house to find Uli, while Rusl began to inspect the animal to find cuts and things like that. There were a few minor ones, but one on his right flank was particularly nasty. There were patches of fur torn out, and one ear was missing a chunk near the base. The paw was indeed broken, and he got to work gently removing the cuff there. The wolf yelped when his paw was jolted.

"Sorry, boy," Rusl said softly. "I'm trying to be gentle."

The beast's intelligent blue eyes showed that it understood. Rusl couldn't help but think how familiar those eyes looked, though he couldn't place what was so familiar about them.

He proceeded to start wiping the blood from its sleek coat, being extra careful around the cuts. "What happened to you, boy?" he asked, gently stroking the thick fur of the wolf's neck.

The wolf whined in response and made a slashing motion with its claws. At first Rusl thought that it was trying to attack, but then he realized that he was showing him what happened. Rusl nearly laughed—the wolf had understood him.

"You're awfully smart," the man murmured. His fingers, which still stroked the wolf's neck, encountered the smooth feel of leather. Puzzled, he pulled it around and found that it was a crystal of some sort that dangled from a leather cord. He moved to pull it off, but a low warning growl from the wolf stopped him. The wolf just shook its head at him, and he let the strange crystal fall back towards the floor.

Colin returned with Uli then, who looked shocked to find a wolf bleeding on her carpet with Rusl tending to its wounds. But her compassionate nature soon took over, and she laid their daughter in her cradle and began gathering the herbs she needed to care for the wolf.

Colin stood back and watched as his parents worked on the wolf. He was unsure of what to do, so he finally went over to keep his sister quiet so she didn't disturb their parents.

Uli gave the wolf something to make it sleep so that it would feel no pain. She then made sure the wounds were clean before starting to stitch them up. Rusl set the bone in the wolf's paw and made a splint before wrapping it up tight so that it wouldn't move.

The wolf woke up a day after he'd been fixed up. He already looked better than he had when they brought him in, which was a good sign. Rusl had made a leash while it slept and attached it to the strange collar he'd found around the wolf's neck, not wanting to take the chance of the wolf waking up and harming his family. He doubted it would, though. Colin was right about it—it hadn't once tried to harm anyone.

Colin stayed with the wolf, petting it and comforting it through whatever pain it felt. He even asked his mother to give him the fish he'd caught so that he could feed it, stating that Link wouldn't mind. The wolf ate it gratefully, nuzzling its big head on Colin's chest when it finished.

Rusl had never seen a wolf that acted the way this one did. It seemed completely tame, making him wonder if it was someone's pet. It did have that strange collar, after all.

There was something worrying Rusl. Link hadn't shown up the night before like he was supposed to, and though he knew that Link could certainly handle himself, he still worried. Link was like a son to him, and he always worried about him.

And when Epona showed up at his door, the worry intensified. There was no sign of Link anywhere. He tried not to alert Colin to this, not wanting the boy to worry. So as soon as he convinced his son that the wolf would be okay, that he could go out and play, he confided in Uli.

"I'm worried about Link," he murmured, sitting on the couch. The wolf came as close as the leash would let him, settling at his feet. He reached down and idly rubbed its head, sighing. "Why would Epona be here and not him? It's giving me a bad feeling."

"I'm sure he's alright, Rusl," Uli said gently, resting a hand on his knee. "Link's a tough boy; he's had to be, with the life he's lived. He'll be here soon enough."

"I wish I had your optimism," he told her, his voice rueful.

Uli smiled and pecked him on the cheek. "Don't worry about Link. You know he can handle himself."

The wolf whined and stared up at them, a strange look in his eyes. It was as if he was trying to tell them something, but they didn't know what that something was. He got up, holding his injured paw up, and strained against the leash, trying to get to the door.

Uli stared at him, smiling. "I think he wants out."

Rusl stood and unfastened the leash from the wall, gripping it firmly. He led the wolf to the door and let it outside, making sure to hold the leash tightly in case it decided to try and attack someone.

He let the wolf take the lead, and it led him all the way to Link's house, where it sat right in front of the ladder. It stared at Rusl expectantly, but he didn't understand. With a sigh, the dog threw back its head and howled.

It took a minute, but Rusl recognized the tune as the one Link always played for Epona. Sure enough, the horse came running from the direction of the ranch, stopping before the wolf with a low whinny. Her large head dipped down to rub against the wolf, who rubbed his head against hers in return. He'd never seen a horse act like that around a wolf.

Rusl was dumbfounded. "What . . . what are you trying to tell me, boy?"

The wolf whined insistently, trying to convey with his strange blue eyes what he wanted to say. But Rusl couldn't understand.

"I'm sorry, boy, but I don't know what you're trying to say," he whispered, sitting in front of the wolf and rubbing at the side of his face. The wolf just sighed again and got up, tugging him towards the entrance to the forest. Rusl followed without complaint, and the wolf led him to Ordon Spring. He let it off the leash here, and the wolf stepped into the spring, letting it soothe his wounds. Rusl sat on a nearby rock, just watching the wolf. He really was magnificent, now that he wasn't covered in blood and near death. His coat shone in the afternoon sun and his blue eyes sparkled, showing Rusl all of the different tones of blue they held. The color was mainly a deep sapphire, but there were strips of cobalt and sky blue mixed in.

Those eyes still bothered him. They were an unnatural color for a wolf, and they were so familiar. It irked him that he still didn't know why they were so familiar—it seemed as if some part of him knew, but he couldn't make the connection.

With a sigh, he whistled. The wolf's ears pricked and he limped over, letting Rusl fasten the leash back onto his neck, and the two made their way back into the village.

Link was getting frustrated. He wanted so badly to let Rusl know that he was the wolf, but he was afraid of what the older man might think. He thought it might be easier if he dropped hints and let Rusl figure it out on his own, but nothing had worked yet.

It had been almost a week since they'd brought him in. His wounds had healed nicely in that time, and Uli had taken the stitches out. His fur was beginning to grow back, and he could now walk on his injured paw, thanks to Uli's medicine and the healing waters of the spring, which he and Rusl visited every day.

Rusl now deemed him safe enough to play with the children, under his supervision, of course. He tired of the charade, though. He ached to be on two legs again. He knew that it would be better to stay in the same form while he had his stitches in, but now that they were out, all he wanted to do was become himself again. He wasn't meant to stay in this form so long.

And so he snuck away while Rusl wasn't looking so that he could change back. He headed to the spring where it was secluded enough.

He let his wolf form fall away, standing up. He nearly fell, his balance off after spending a week on four legs.

And that's when he heard the gasp.

Link froze upon hearing the sound. He hadn't realized that he wasn't alone.

"Link?" came Colin's surprised voice.

Link slowly turned to face the boy, who stared at him in shock and awe. He started walking closer to Link until he stood directly in front of him, still staring.

"Colin," Link choked out. He could feel the panic setting in. "Colin, how much did you just see?"

"I . . . I saw the wolf running away, so I followed him . . . Link, why didn't you tell us?"

He fell to his knees. "I didn't want you to be afraid of me," he whispered, avoiding the young boy's eyes.

"Link . . ." Colin said slowly. "We could never be afraid of you. You're family."

Colin's words touched him. They made him feel loved. "Thank you, Colin," he said softly, pulling the boy in for a hug. "But you can't tell anyone about this, okay?"

"Not even Dad?" he asked.

Link shook his head. "I'll tell him when I'm ready."

"Okay." His gaze turned to one of concern. "Are you feeling okay? You were really hurt when we found you."

Link smiled. "I'm fine now. Your parents took very good care of me. Thanks for convincing your dad not to kill me, by the way. I owe you one."

Colin grinned. "You're welcome. I just remembered seeing you in Kakariko and I knew that you never hurt anyone, so I couldn't let him hurt you."

He hugged the boy again. "Oh, and thank you for that fish, too. It was very tasty."

Colin smiled so widely that it looked like his cheeks would hurt. "You really liked it?" Link nodded. "I caught it just for you."

"Colin! Where are you?" Rusl called. He sounded close.

"Right here!" Colin called back.

Rusl rounded the corner seconds later. When his eyes rested on Link, they widened in shock.

"Link? Is that you?" he asked.

Link smiled. "Hey, Rusl."

Rusl made his way over to where the boys stood and hugged Link. "You had everyone worried, m'boy. Where have you been?"

"Around," Link answered vaguely. "Sorry I didn't get in touch. I was . . . tied up." Not entirely untrue—he'd spent the week on a leash.

"Well, what matters is that you're here now. Epona showed up here a few days ago; we've been keeping her up at the ranch," Rusl said, leading the two back to the village.

"I'm sorry if I worried anyone," Link murmured.

"It's quite all right, Link. Don't worry about that."

When they reached the village, everyone flocked to Link. He fabricated a lie on the spot about where he'd been, much to Colin's disappointment. Once everyone finally left him alone, he headed home.

All day and night, he pondered telling Rusl. The man deserved to know so that he could be properly thanked for taking care of him, but he just didn't know how to broach the subject. He figured that a direct approach would probably be best.

And so he fell asleep with a resolve to talk to Rusl in the morning.

Rusl was just finishing with Colin's lesson when Link showed up and asked if they could talk alone. Rusl said yes, of course, and let the younger man lead him to the spring. He wondered about the wolf, who had led him to the spring every day. Was he okay? He'd disappeared and not come back, and he worried, because he'd grown quite attached to him.

Link stopped and sat on a rock, motioning for Rusl to sit beside him. The older man did so, waiting patiently for the boy to say what was on his mind.

"I just want to say thank you," Link finally said.

"For what?" Rusl questioned.

Link took a deep breath. "For looking after me this past week."

Rusl's brow furrowed. "Link, what are you talking about? You only got here yesterday."

Link shook his head. "No. I got here last week. I'd been attacked, and you nursed me back to health." He pulled up his tunic and ran a hand down a fresh scar on his right side. "My wrist is still weak, too. I'm lucky it wasn't my sword hand."

"Link, you aren't making any sense. What are you talking about?" Rusl asked.

Link sighed. "Close your eyes, Rusl."

"Why?"

"Just . . . please. Close your eyes."

With a sigh, he did as he was asked. He heard Link stand, and then there was a rush of air and a wet, cold nudge on his knee. He opened his eyes to find none other than the wolf standing before him, rubbing his nose against his leg. He looked into those eyes again—Link's eyes.

The shock that Rusl felt was so great that he fell backwards off the rock and landed with a splash in the spring.

The wolf—Link—ran over and nudged him again with his nose, silently asking if he was okay.

Rusl slowly sat up. "Is it really you?" he asked, his voice a whisper.

Link nodded. He closed his eyes and, in a flurry of black, he was himself again. He reached down and helped Rusl up, who looked completely spooked.

"How did this happen?" he questioned, sitting on the rock again. He feared he'd fall over if he stood.

Link launched into a tale that started with the first time he'd been pulled into the twilight. Instead of becoming a spirit like everyone else, he became a wolf. He said it was because he was the chosen Hero of the Goddesses that this occurred. He went on to explain meeting Midna and freeing the land of twilight, one region at a time. He was subdued when he told of how Midna almost died and how he got the crystal that enabled him to transform at his will. He finished by saying that he'd asked Midna if he could keep the crystal, and she taught him how to use it without her being there.

"I wanted to be able to protect Hyrule without everyone recognizing me," he said softly. "I know that I saved Hyrule and all, but I never did it for the glory. I did it because someone had to. I don't like everyone fawning over me and . . . I don't know, worshipping me."

Rusl sighed. "That's completely understandable. But you could've let me know sooner."

"I know, and I'm sorry I didn't. But you and Colin are the only ones who know, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Colin knows?"

Link nodded. "He followed me yesterday, and I didn't notice."

Rusl laughed. "He must have been shocked," he commented, smiling.

"Yeah, but he assured me that he wasn't scared. I don't know what I would've done if he would've been afraid of me." He rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh. "I just don't want people to see me as a monster."

"Link, you are by no stretch of the imagination a monster. You could never be a monster. And anyone who knows you would know that."

A shuddering breath left him. "It's just that I always end up scaring people when they see me like that. I scared you and Uli that first night."

"That's because we didn't know it was you. Even then, I should've seen that you weren't trying to hurt us. I was just so on edge because the children were gone, and I thought you were dangerous. Sorry for attacking you, by the way."

"You had no way of knowing who I was. I don't blame you at all."

Rusl nodded before speaking again. "I just want you to know that you can always tell me anything, and I won't judge. You're like my son, Link. You're our family."

Link smiled at this. "Colin said something like that yesterday."

"He's a good boy. He looks up to you so much. He's still waiting for you to teach him to ride a horse, you know," Rusl told him, grinning.

"I know. And I've been so busy with everything that Zelda needs me to do that I haven't had any time for myself. But I plan on spending my time here with the kids and helping Fado at the ranch and just enjoying myself."

"And you deserve that. You've barely had a break since fighting Ganondorf. There's no use working yourself to death—you're still so young. You have so much ahead of you still," the older man said softly.

Link sighed. "I just feel like it's wrong of me to take a break, when there's still monsters out there. I'm terrified that Ganondorf's going to come back. I miss Midna. It's hard, you know? I feel like I have to be on constant alert," he admitted.

"A boy your age shouldn't have to deal with that," Rusl muttered. "No one should have to deal with that."

Link just smiled sadly. "That doesn't change the fact that I have to. But I'll be alright. I can take it."

Rusl laid a hand on Link's broad shoulder. "You know that you're not alone, right? Anytime you need anything, you know I'll help. We all will."

"I know. But I don't want to put anyone in danger. Why do that when I can do it myself?"

"Everyone needs help sometimes, Link. You should know that."

Link reached up to fiddle with the earring in his right ear, remembering belatedly that it was no longer there. The base of his ear had been torn off.

"I do know that," he replied, sighing. Suddenly, he chuckled. "I can already see that I'm going to lose this argument, so okay. If I ever need help with anything, you'll be the first person I ask."

"Are you sure you're not just saying that to shut me up?" the older man asked, grinning. Link smiled sheepishly in response. "But I'll hold you to that. Don't be afraid to ask me for help, okay?"

Link's smile turned bright and genuine. "Okay, Rusl. And I'm not just saying that," he added, his smile widening to a playful grin.

Rusl nudged him with his elbow. "Good." The older man stood, and Link soon did the same. "Now, come on. I heard that Ilia's been wanting to spend some time with you."

At this, the younger male blushed faintly, making Rusl smile softly. Ah, the beauty of young love, he thought to himself. It was obvious that the two had feelings for each other that extended past friendship, and that really didn't surprise the older man. It was obvious to everyone in Ordon that they'd end up together.

Well, everyone but them. But they'd find out soon enough.

"Is she at her house?" he asked, recovering from his blush.

Rusl shook his head. "No, she headed out for Faron Spring early this morning. I suggest you take Epona and go meet with her."

Link nodded at this and plucked a reed from the edge of the spring and blew the tune that called his horse into it, and within seconds a whinny was heard along with the sound of hooves striking hard ground. She halted right in front of them and, nodding to Rusl, Link mounted the sandy-colored mare and set out for the spring.

So? Thoughts? I'll probably have the next chapter up in a few days :) I'm still trying to figure out how I want this all to end, so who knows when it'll be finished? I hope I don't keep you guys waiting too long, so I'll try my best to get it all figured out :)

If there are any Dark Link fans out there, you should check out my oneshot, "Free". I'm currently writing a sequel of sorts to it, which is going to be a full-length story set after Twilight Princess. If you're interested, be sure to read them! :)

Well, until the next update! Please make sure to leave a quick review, because I'm rapidly becoming a review whore :3

*~Ozzie~*