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The Chain was walking through Castle Town in Time’s Hyrule. It was always a boisterous place, with children running around and couples dancing. They were going to restock on supplies before heading out to find the group of black blooded monsters that some travelers had seen.
Four was roughly content with himself. He had visited the blacksmith in town and furbished up the Four Sword, and some of Wild’s weapons. He’ll probably come back later to do the other boys weapons as well. They were all set to meet back at the central fountain by noon though.
“I hope we can actually eat at a restaurant before leaving, no offense to Wild but I want something a little fancier than on the road pot cooking.” Legend said.
“Like a grilled steak, or something cold like ice cream!” Warriors said, agreeing with Legend for once.
Four was going to join in on their talk of food. Something that always got the Links to agree with each other. His eyes caught on a flower shop nearby. The brilliant colors and familiar flowers in one of the bouquets. It made him stop for a second, before he remembered something he couldn’t believe he had even forgotten in the first place.
Suddenly, his whole mood shifted. Four’s shoulders slumped and his entire mind seemed to go distant, distracted, and guilty. The pink flowers were the same ones from so long ago. He sniffled, tears wanting to spill from his eyes.
“Hey, Four, what’s got you so upset, the smith shop closed or somethin’?” Twilight said, smiling slightly. He seemed to notice Four’s shift in demeanor faster than anybody else, and is trying to lighten his mood.
“My Dad died ten years ago today,” Four spoke in a soft tone, like he was still at the funeral. Some tears finally fell through his eyelashes and rolled down his cheeks. “I can’t believe I forgot.” Twilight shifted to a softer look.
“You didn’t forget,” Twilight says, matching Four’s tone.
“Yes I did! I should have remembered days ago, if not at least when I woke up this morning.” Four says, and turns away from the flowers, he walks off, close to storming off but he can’t bring himself to put that much energy into it. He hears some of the others whispering behind him.
Four finds himself gliding down one of the alley ways, few people here and there. There are footsteps behind him in sync with his, but he still won’t turn around, not till he ends up at a corner. Instead of turning he slides down on the ground leaning against the dirty stone wall.
Twilight sits down next to him. Four has his legs spread out before him. Feeling defeated, him and Twilight sit in silence for a while. A couple of Four’s frustrated tears stream down his face. He wishes it was at least raining or something, but instead it was such a nice day out that even the dingy back alleyway was semi bright from sunshine.
Four pulls his knees up to rest his forehead against them.
“I didn’t know him for very long,” Four starts, “he died when I was five. He loved to travel. Apparently him and my mom were going to travel the world together.” Four smiled into his legs slightly, his grandfather had told him all kinds of stories about the two of them growing up. His smile faded as he kept talking.
“She died when I was born though. So my father decided to become a delivery boy for my grandfather's forge. But he was murdered by bandits on the road. The bouquet in the flower shop looked like the ones at his funeral.” Four let silence envelope them again.
“At least he died doing something he loved,” Twilight spoke softly, not trying to ruin the atmosphere they created. Four smiled again, picking his head up from his knees.
“Oh yeah, he always said the spirit of my mom was with him when he traveled, that the two of them would always be together, he really loved her.” Four paused for a minute. “He was devastated when she died, that’s why I’m closer to my grandpa, he raised me. My father was too caught up in grief for a long time. But whenever my dad was home from traveling, it was the best. From what I remember, he always made me smile and laugh.” Twilight couldn’t help but smile. Four didn’t talk about himself very often, so it was always nice to know more about their mysterious smithy.
“If he was still alive, he’d probably be the one on this adventure with all of you.” Four said looking down at his feet, although his soft smile still remained.
“What do you mean?” Twilight questioned.
“Ever since my father was born he was supposed to present the sword at the 100th annual Picori Festival. The festival and the sword were what started my adventure. If he had delivered the sword he probably would have gone off to save Zelda too. And then to the rest of you I would just be his annoying kid he left at home.” Four’s smile widened as he thought of the scenario, his father being the hero. How would he interact with the other heroes, what would he think of them? He’d probably get along well with Wild and Hyrule. And of course the old man as well.
“Well as fun as that sounds, I wouldn’t trade you for anyone else.” Four turned to Twilight, the older smiling brightly at him. “You clearly love him very much Four, even if you only knew him for a short while. I think he’d be proud of you, so don’t get too upset about not remembering right away, I’m sure he’d be happy knowing you were happy.”
Four already knows that naturally, but it’s still nice to hear. His father would have liked Twilight, he thinks. His dad would have fit in well with the chain, but maybe not as a hero. But as a hero’s dad.
Twilight stands up. Brushing dirt and, whatever else is on the floor of a dirty alley corner, off his legs and butt. He turns to face Four smiling lightly down at the little smith.
“Whenever you're ready you can come back to join us at the inn. Just know that you don’t have to stew in your grief alone.” He turns and walks down the alley the way they came from.
Four already knows he’s not alone, he never was truly alone on any of his adventures, but he must say he likes the company he has now then when his company was himself.