Chapter Text
Warriors grit his teeth while holding back his growl. He averted his glare down from Hyrule. He could see that the Traveler was as freaked out as everyone else was while crying and staring wide-eyed at Time. The youngster hadn’t meant for anything like this to happen. It was so crystal clear to him that it hurt as he wanted to blame someone for the situation.
The Captain’s sorrowful, broken gaze returned into Time. The one eyed male was unconscious but alive. He had heard and seen his brother play songs on that blue Ocarina of his and make some strange things happen. And yet, he had never seen sang song effect someone like this.
The war Hero grit his teeth again as the answer struck him so clearly that he felt stupid for having not even thought about it. It wasn’t a fairy song. It was a spell. And he had no idea what the fuck had been sang as Hyrule had used Fairy Language for it.
The Chain had stopped trying to get Time to wake up. They looked around in desperate search of someone coming up with something wise enough to fix this. Yet, everyone was equally out of ideas.
Warriors sighed heavily and gently started to run his fingers through the one eyed male’s hair. It just was unconscious action from him in attempt of giving comfort for his little brother. Yet, this time it was also done in slight search of comfort for himself too. There wasn’t much of comforting words or actions he could give to the others as the Chain had slumped and averted their gazes away from their oldest brother in sorrow while feeling like things had just gone worse. Hyrule was only one whom was openly crying but it was clear everyone else was close of joining him in that action.
Suddenly everyone’s gazes were snapped right back into Time as he hummed quietly with a small smile on his lips. Warriors’ action of running his fingers through the one eyed male’s hair fell absolutely still. The Chain’s leader gave out slight displeased whine. “Don’t stop…” He muttered quietly while slowly starting to sit up without yet opening his eye.
“S-Sprite?” The Captain called with uncertain and shocked voice. The Chain around them was watching the situation equally shocked while having been rendered utterly silent. The Old Man frowned slightly in confusion before blinking his eye open.
“Rulie…” Time half whispered in both worry and confusion while frowning as he saw the half-fairy crying and looking utterly distraught. “Sssh, it’s okay, Rulie.” He whispered while gently placing his hand to Hyrule’s cheek. Yet, he nearly instantly froze and started to frown even more before very tentatively if not bit fearfully taking one of the Traveler’s tears onto his finger.
The one eyed male pulled his hand away while frowning at the tear. He slowly crushed it between two fingers while slowly understanding the situation. At then he snapped his gaze right back into Hyrule while starting to smile and actually feeling his own tears in his eyes. “Pixie…” He half whispered before abruptly pulling the half-fairy into a tight hug while breaking down. “Thank you. Thank you, Rules, thank you so much!” He half whispered, half cried out. “I don’t know what you did but I can feel again. You’ve no idea how much this means to me!”
Hyrule was entirely shocked about the sudden action and went rigid for a moment. Yet, when the Chain’s leader’s words sank in, he returned the hold equally tightly while breaking down too. It took a moment before the Chain comprehended the situation but that was when they all hugged their leader tightly while feeling absolutely relieved of having gotten him fully back.
Time chuckled a bit and put his notion into all of his boys. He had never felt this kind of gratitude and love as he gave a gentle touch and a kiss to each of the eight around him. Twilight even changed forms just to be certain and ended up yelping as the one eyed male pulled the canine into a tight hug while hiding his face into the soft fur. “You know, Cub, even though your fur’s seriously soft, there something that, unfortunately, beats it.” He told with a grin while pulling off and giving a kiss to the top of the wolf’s head.
Right after that, though, the Old Man snatched the Captain’s scarf and hid his face into the blue fabric. “The softest thing in my whole life.” He mused happily while grinning as he took a look around his boys after those words.
“If that’s the case then I’m getting you a scarf of your own.” Warriors stated out while feeling entirely happy of seeing his brother back to normal.
Time laughed and hugged the scarf tighter. “If you do that then you can keep the new one. I’m going to steal yours at then.” He replied with a cheesy and mischievous grin.
The Captain blinked once in surprise before already deadpanning. “Gremlin.” He muttered but he couldn’t help but smile when the one eyed male laughed. The Chain leaned against him again with a content sigh and Time smiled fondly at each of them while feeling entirely content about the situation.
A moment later Wild pulled bit off to look his leader into that one eye. “You probably would want to actually eat something you can taste.” He started calmly and Time just nodded. “Whatever you want, I’ll do it. Absolutely anything goes.” The Champion promised while fully and thoroughly wanting to do something good for his oldest brother.
Time blinked a bit in surprise. “Anything?” He half asked and the master archer nodded firmly. “I…” He started before opening and shutting his mouth few times. He felt tad uncertain while biting down to his lower lip. Even though it wasn’t the best of feeling, he was still thoroughly grateful of having it.
“Just name it, Sprite. Whatever went through your head first, say it.” Warriors coaxed fondly. The Old Man gave him bit of a puppy-dog-eyes without fully realizing it. “Go ahead, Sprite. You’re entirely allowed for it.” The Captain told and bit nudged his brother.
Time blushed slightly and gave a slight chuckle. After that he thought for a moment longer before gently pulling Wild close. He whispered something into his ear before pulling off and looking both uncertain and hopeful. “Plausible?” He half queried and the Champion nodded eagerly. The one eyed male sighed in relief and smiled a bit before nodding once.
“I’m taking Twi and Rulie with me.” Wild stated out before already pulling the duo up from the bed with him. “Twi for guarding and Rulie for aiding me.” He explained while dragging the two brothers of his along. The chosen aid had bit gasped before feeling tad uncertain of leaving Time but with the explanations, they followed almost eagerly.
The Chain’s leader chuckled a bit and flopped down onto the bed once the trio had left the room. The remaining Chain swiftly curled up on him while entirely wanting him to feel them there. Time sighed contently while smiling happily at the notion he was getting from his boys.
It hadn’t taken longer than ten minutes of calming down when the Sailor shifted. The one eyed male kept his eye closed but he raised an eyebrow while actually being able to feel the youngest Hero watching him. Soon his nose was gently poked and Time blinked in his eye open in start. Wind was grinning half victoriously, half mischievously at his action.”Boop.” The pirate-Hero half whispered without the expression vanishing from his face as he repeated his action.
The Chain around them tried to stifle their chuckles. “Oh, you are so going to be sorry about that!” The Chain’s leader laughed and suddenly launched at Wind. The Sailor yelped before already laughing as Time tickled him. Yet, only a moment later the others assaulted him and, with Warriors giving out the right place to tickle from, the Old Man was soon squirming and laughing. Somehow he managed to get few off of him by tickling them from right places. The tickling war was on from there on out.
It took a while before they calmed down again and just laid on the bed to catch their breaths and enjoying of the fact that Time honestly could feel again. Only about five minutes from there the trio returned into the room with couple of trays with domes over the food. Time smiled and licked at lips. “Well, that certainly is a scent I remember from past.” He mused while feeling that childish excitement while eagerly waiting for the food to be presented.
The Chain smiled fondly at the happiness of their leader. “Hot chocolates with strawberry and honey.” Wild started while showing the drinks before nodding to Hyrule.
“Fairy Summer Rolls.” The half-fairy told while bringing the food out into sight. Time’s expression brightened even more and it was entirely clear this was something he was going to very much love. “My version of them.” Hyrule told bit shyly. “Usually these would be cooked over open fire but this time had to use the stove. Strawberries, lettuce, pork and creamy cheese with bit of bacon. All wrapped into crepes and flavored with fairy magic.”
The Chain was bit uncertain while knowing whom was behind the creation even though they were sure Wild actually worked it through. Yet, they watched how Time picked up one of them without hesitation and pretty much fell into bliss by one bite. He leaned against Warriors while making sure his brother was fully capable of eating without hindrance. “One new version into the list.” The one eyed male mused happily.
“What’s your version?” Hyrule queried while picking one up and very much enjoying of it. The others glanced at each other before going for a try. It was quite a surprise for them as the taste of it was both sweet and salty at the same time while being in perfect balance as well as bringing out each flavor equally out.
Time chuckled a bit and grinned. “When we get back to Lon-Lon Ranch, I’ll do my version. Until then you guys just gotta wait.” He replied mischievously.
“Well, this isn’t the version you did back in the war but this certainly is amazing.” Warriors told while enjoying of the food.
“That, sadly, wasn’t my version either.” The Chain’s leader replied with slight nervous chuckle. “I wanted to learn the version of the local fairies back then.”
“You can be certain I’m looking forward for your version then, Sprite.” The Captain stated out and looked around once. Everyone was very much savoring the taste while going for second if not third one already.
Time took his time with each of the rolls he ate. He was very much enjoying of them while savoring each one. “I had my first Fairy Roll when I was one year old. It was for Summer Solstice. The Rolls are usually either comfort foods or for bigger celebrations. They can be anything between fully dessert and fully main food. Either way, they’re very fulfilling. Max usually is four since these are quite small packages. The thing is that the fairy magic is what makes it all work so perfectly together. The fairies can’t make them alone so that’s why there’s usually more than enough as they need someone to cook them for them. One fairy is more than enough to make it perfect but usually, at least in most of my cases, there’s at least ten fairies around.” He explained calmly before licking his fingers clean.
The Chain listened calmly and silently while Hyrule just nodded in agreement and confirmation. They watched the one eyed male’s actions with a slight grin. “What?” Time queried while raising an eyebrow. Yet, that only got the others to chuckle. The Chain’s leader chuckled and shook his head while grinning. “Little fools.” He fondly half whispered.
Once they had eaten and enjoyed of the hot chocolates, Time wrote a short note before already folding it few times. “Could one of you take this to the Inn’s keeper, please?” He requested while keeping the paper between two fingers. “And no reading it, thanks.” He partly commanded as Warriors took the note and nodded in understanding before heading off to handle the given task.
“So, I have failed to ask this but the six…?” The Chain’s leader half queried while looking around the Chain.
“They’re dead for real.” Twilight stated out firmly.
“They had used cursed rings of duplicates. That’s the reason they were still alive.” Legend explained while feeling mix of anger and sorrow.
“I and Legend checked the caves while searching for anything to counter the curse you were under of. I followed each of the scents that were strong enough and not like months old. We didn’t find anything so, yeah, they’re dead.” The Rancher told.
Time narrowed his gaze a bit for a moment before already sighing and relaxing. “Shit. I’d rather you guys hadn’t checked around like that but I’m glad of the information.”
“We had Wind’s Rock of Connection with us. Had we found those assholes still alive, we would’ve backed off, kept eye on things and called you all over before fully finishing things together.” The Veteran laid out the plan they had had back then.
The Old Man relaxed even more and nodded. “And the bodies?” He queried with a raised eyebrow.
“Still where they died.” Twilight answered. “What do you want to do with them?” He inquired while feeling like Time had a plan already.
“You’ll see tomorrow when we leave.” The Chain’s leader stated out and nodded to Warriors when the Captain came back. “I’m so done with this place already. Not wanting to stay here any of longer than needed.” He told firmly and the others nodded in agreement.
At the next day the nine Heroes left the Inn. Time smiled and took in the cold air while being grateful of his higher body temperature. Still, he could feel the chilly wind which only made him even more aware of having gained it all back that the collar had stolen from him.
“This won’t take long.” The Chain’s leader stated out as he moved towards the mountain. He stopped at the base and looked up to the peak of the place. “Wild.” He called and showed him to come next to him. “Rest of you stay at back.” He requested before already pointing to a spot at the mountain. “See that? You think you can strike an arrow into there?” The one eyed male queried.
The Champion took in the situation, the distance and the weather before nodded slowly. “Yeah, I think I can manage that with right bow.” He replied while already taking out the Ancient Bow.
Time grinned and nodded before taking out three different Bomb Arrows. Those were from the eras of the others as his era didn’t have any version of Bomb Arrows. “Hit it with these.” He told while offering the projectiles to the master archer before already raising his hand up to stop the others. “The town’s aware of an avalanche being up and about today. I’ve already promised to keep the town safe from it too.”
“Uh… Time…. That’s not going to just create an avalanche…” Wild told worriedly.
“I know.” The Chain’s leader replied firmly. “In the cold of the mountain, or what’s left of it, is perfect grave for them. I think that’ll be more than fitting ending for all this.” He told almost coldly. The Chain stared at him bit startled in silence. “They were going to turn me into as cold as the mountain is in here. Three days without any emotion is far crueler torture than anything I’ve ever gone through or could ever imagine of being capable of being done. I’m going to bring this hellhole into ground.”
“How are you going to keep everyone safe?” Sky asked worriedly while knowing there wasn’t much he could do to help.
“Don’t worry about that. I got my ways.” Time replied and flashed a grin to his boys. “Besides, you think I’d endanger any of you in any possible way?” He queried before turning his notion back into the mountain. “Just be ready with a green potion. I’m going to need that once I’m done.” He told before nodding to Wild. “Whenever you’re ready, Master Archer. And, please, do back off to the others once you’ve shot the arrows.”
Wild blushed at the title before nodding. He took once a deep breath and raised the bow while putting the arrows onto the string. The one eyed male counted down from three calmly and when he hit zero, the Champion let the arrows fly. Right after that he moved behind his leader and right back to the rest of the Chain.
Time waited until the arrows struck into the needed part and exploded. Right after that he started to perform the moves of Nayru’s Love. He created first wall of the protective magic and spread it high and wide before doing the moves again to create another wall of the spell. He kept doing the moves over and over again to strengthen each of the walls and making sure they’d take the impact of the avalanche.
Yet, that wasn’t all he did. He strengthened the tunnel that already went through the mountain. It really was an ice cavern but it was straight road nonetheless. He created the Nayru’s Love into there too as well as Ice Magic to strengthen the ceiling and walls as they were up for getting different kind of weight over them along with the rough rumbling of the crashing of the mountain.
Time flinched when the rubble of snow and rock crashed into the first strong wall of Nayru’s Love. He shut his eye tightly while concentrating hard into his magic and desperately held it strong. He gasped a bit when the weight of the ice, snow and rocks cracked the first wall and crashed into the second.
“Work it down!” Hyrule shouted and dashed past Time. “I’ll keep your shield magic strong!” He stated out before already calling out his own magic and slamming his hands against the closest wall of Nayru’s Love.
“Rulie!” Time gasped out in shock. “Get back from there, Hyrule!” He commanded but the Traveler shook his head.
“Work the weight off, Time. I can keep your shield strong while you spread that white wall away.” The half-fairy told calmly while keeping the third last wall strong against the weight of the avalanche’s result.
Time gritted his teeth before sighing and nodding. He took once a deep breath and started to form different set of moves for Din’s Fire. Suddenly a wall of fire rose up from the ground behind his shields of Nayru’s love. He kept performing the moves and strengthening the flames enough to start to melt the ice and snow. After that he brought out his own ice to keep the rocks from going wrong ways. Next he performed Farore’s Wind while extracting the Wind Magic and began to move things around. He kept performing the moves of all three magics of Nayru’s Love, Din’s Fire and Farore’s Wind to keep things working and strong.
Little by little what had been just rubble of ice, snow and rocks caused by the destruction of the mountain was slowly forming into a hill of rocks and ice. The one eyed male made sure he put right rocks into right places to keep it from being dangerous. He wasn’t going to allow it to crash or leave unexpected holes where one could fall or break bones. He filled all small holes with smaller rocks. He couldn’t bring out snow but he was capable of working with ice. It gave the whole creation a wall of see-through protection to let people see what was below it all.
Once the result of the avalanche was cleared off, Time slowly undid his fire, ice, wind and shield magics. He crashed to his knees with a gasp after having let go of the last of his magics in usage. The Chain screamed out his name and dashed to him in full worry. “T-the potion… P-please?” He half whispered while trying to catch his breath.
The Green Potion was uncorked and in his hands before the one eyed male had even gotten the words fully out. He smiled a bit as Legend carefully aided him to take the drink. He closed his eyes and eased out his breathing while letting the strength of his magics return. It wasn’t able to bring it all back but at least most of it.
“That… That was… Just wow…” Wind half whispered with wide-eyes and Time grinned a bit.
“I’m still able to astonish you eight.” The Old Man chuckled before bit groaning while standing up.
“Uh… Sprite… You might want to take a moment and catch your strength fully.” Warriors called worriedly.
“Yeeeaah, no thanks.” Time replied and chuckled bit nervously. “I did give out warning about avalanche but not of the fact that I’m going to bring down the whole fucking mountain. I highly doubt they’ll be happy to find the mountain gone. And it certainly was enough to deal with six of the townspeople. We really don’t need the rest of the town on our necks.” He stated out. “The quicker we’re out of here, the better.”
“That… That actually makes sense.” Four muttered and looked around. Yet, it was early and everyone was indoors because of the avalanche having crashed in.
Time stretched and grimaced a bit in slight pain. “Even though stiff muscles aren’t fun, I sure as hell am grateful of feeling those too.” He mused with a small lopsided smile. “I’d rather take anything but that lack of feelings.” He half whispered before starting to lead the Chain out of the town. Sure, their footprints were seen in the snow but they didn’t have a way to hide them. Luckily, they didn’t need to do such as they found portal just outside the town’s borders. The nine of them didn’t really think as they already went through it and left the town and era behind.
The moment the Chain’s leader got through the portal and came into a Hyrule Field, he smiled happily. He glanced behind him to see everyone getting to right side of the portal and finding them all still together. “Home sweet home.” He simply told while grinning widely. That was all the Chain needed to know where they had come into.
Yet, before Time had a chance to start to lead his boys to the ranch that wasn’t even as far as ten meters from them, Warriors already took hold of the back of his armor and yanked him backwards. The one eyed male gasped in shock and shot his brother that shocked look. The Captain just grinned. “How about you get rid of that armor and weapons before dashing off to meet with your wife?” The Chain’s leader blinked few times before blushing brightly. “Come on, Rancher, let’s speed this up.” The war Hero stated out before already starting to get his little brother’s armor and weapons off.
Time aided as much as he could before glancing once around the whole Chain. They all grinned knowingly and nodded firmly. The Old Man looked bit pleadingly at Warriors whom just nodded while grinning. Soon the Chain’s leader’s expression matched that and he nodded firmly. “Okay. See you boys soon. Don’t stall.” He half commanded before turning towards the pathway to the Lon-Lon Ranch and dashed straight into there.
Warriors chuckled and shook his head. “Okay, few things, guys.” He started and looked at his brothers. “We’ll leave our stuff into the first room and head off to handle the ranch work after that. No-one goes to the second floor until Time’s back down. And not even one question or comment when comes back with his hair disheveled and shirt inside-out.” He stated out firmly and the seven others nodded firmly even though Wind was the only one confused of what was actually being the reason for such commands.
Time ran all the way through the pathway and right into the house. Malon bit shrieked when the door opened up so abruptly. “Fairy Boy?” She called out worriedly before already frowning at the lack of gear. Yet, before she got a chance to ask or say anything of more, the one eyed male had already dashed right to her.
Time pulled his wife into tight embrace and kissed her firmly but so fully lovingly. “I love you, Malon. I love you so much it hurts. I love you so thoroughly that you probably never can fully comprehend how deep my feelings towards you are.” He whispered almost desperately while just holding her close after having hidden his face into the crook of her neck and shoulder.
“Link?” Malon called worriedly in shock and confusion. “Link? Is everything okay? Where’s your armor and weapons? Where’s the boys?” She queried while feeling her worry rise with each inquiry she put up.
“Everyone’s safe, Mal. Everything’s okay. I’m just…” Time started before sighing a bit. “Come on. I need you right now. And I’ll explain everything. I just… I need you.” He almost begged desperately before starting to pull her along and into the second floor. “My gear’s with the boys. They’ll be here in no time. I just… I just need a moment with you.”
The Chain’s leader took Malon right into their shared room and sat down onto the bed. He pulled her right onto his lap and wrapped his arms tightly around her. After that he laid them both onto the bed and he quite well curled up around her while having her arms around him. Slowly, with bit wavering voice, he started to explain what had happened at the last era before they had come to here.
Once Time had gotten it all out the two of them just laid there in silence for a while. After a moment Malon pushed herself upwards before gently getting her husband to lie on his back. With a fond smile she laid over his chest to let him feel her weight over him. “Captain clearly failed to realize what you really need.” She mused with a slight grin.
The one eyed male chuckled. “I kinda feel like a gremlin and just faking it off.” He mused while holding Malon close. She giggled at the thought and Time grinned before bit sighing. “Yet, we do have a young one with us and I’d rather keep his mind as innocent as possible at the moment. He’ll learn when the time’s right but not today.”
“That’s a good point.” The red haired woman nodded with a slight frown. “I doubt the others are up for teaching him. Not of yet, at least.” She thought aloud and her husband nodded in agreement. “So, what we do need is a distraction. Got any ideas for such?”
Time nodded slowly while smiling. “I know exactly what’ll get their notion off of this.” He mused before carefully sitting up and nuzzling close for her. “Let’s get downstairs. I promised the boys something once we’d get here. Wasn’t aware I’d end up keeping that promise this soon.” He told while letting her get up first. Yet, the Chain’s leader kept Malon close while fully leaning against her side as they got out of the house.
Time chuckled when they were quite well surrounded by all the fairies that were in the ranch’s vicinity. Yet, it did miss Hyrule but it was clear the half-fairy had given his kin the heads up of the situation. The Old Man closed his eye and just enjoyed the closeness of the small beings and the constant touches they were landing on him while flying all around him. Malon watched the situation fondly while fully understanding what the given moment meant to him.
“You all up for aiding me with Fairy Rolls?” The one eyed male queried and the delighted chimes went through the whole flock of the fairies. He chuckled a bit and nodded happily. “My recipe but your aid.” He half requested and the fliers nodded eagerly.
Time walked closer to the horse pen before stopping and whistling his signal sound. It didn’t take long before the Chain already half dashed over to him. “Alright, everyone, gather around. I did promise to handle bit of cooking once we’d come here.” He started and showed to follow as he moved over to a rarely used fireplace.
Yet, before the Chain’s leader had a chance to start to set the place up, Wild, Legend and Hyrule already half ran past him. Time chuckled a bit as he watched the trio quickly set the place up with seats and blazing fire. “Thank you, boys. Speeds things up certainly.” He mused happily before going over to the fire and crouching down.
The fairies started to zoom around with each little request the one eyed male put up. The Chain and Malon had sat down around him and simply watched. Hyrule and Wild kept the closest notion on his working in hopes of learning his recipe.
“I got two different recipes, to be honest.” Time started calmly while working on both. “One for dessert and one for main food.” He explained while putting some meat into skewers and setting them over the fire. He steamed nuts, strawberries and honey together in several leaves to get enough of them for everyone. He also was roasting some apples and boiling rice. “Fairy magic is also good for keeping the food warm when handling two different things.” He mused while working with the crepes he was going to use as wrappers around the main ingredients.
“These are best served straight off when done.” The Old Man told while starting to put the main course together and setting the Fairy Rolls onto tray. “Skewered meat, boiled rice and roasted apples. All flavored with fairy dust.” He told while making sure to do very small versions of those for the fairies and normal ones for his family and himself. He made two for everyone just to make sure there’d be room for dessert too.
“And, as finishing touch, honey glazed steamed nuts and strawberries with roasted apples and bit of rice. Also seasoned with fairy dust. After all, that’s the most essential part of these.” Time presented while setting the next set of food into taking.
After the enjoyable dinner and handling of the dishes, the ten inhabitants of the ranch returned inside. Warriors quite well just dragged Time upstairs to give him a massage. The one eyed male fully melted underneath his brother’s work and purred contently. The Captain smiled fondly of being able to bring that sound out of him since it was one more simple confirmation of things being back to normal. “By the way, Sprite—“ He started but never got to finish his question.
“Wind, Wars. He’s still innocent to this kind of things.” Time replied straight off and bit shrugged. “Besides, that wasn’t what I was in need of and you know it if you think about it.” He continued calmly.
Warriors fell silent for a while without stopping his action. Yet, very soon he sighed and tad slumped. “Shit. Sorry, little brother. I thought things too far and too deep. You’re definitely not that kind of guy.” He half whispered.
“It’s fine, big brother.” The Chain’s leader reassured and stretched almost pleasurably while enjoying the lack of stiffness. “Thanks, Wars. I was in need of this.”
“You’re welcome, Sprite.” The war Hero replied happily and hugged his brother tightly. He smiled as Time leaned into the hold and hummed happily.
The duo returned downstairs for Wild’s hot chocolates before everyone would be up for getting ready for the bed. The one eyed male kept close check on the Sailor but he was grateful when he noticed that the youngest Hero had clearly forgotten anything Warriors had told earlier at that day. Yet, he had a feeling the topic might come up at some other day but it wasn’t that day’s problem at then. Right now he could just concentrate into everything being perfect. As well as into the very simple fact of certainly ending up into middle of the Hero Pile of Support and Comfort by the Chain with Malon. In fact, he was fully and thoroughly looking forward to it.