Time's Moving Faster Than I Can Count

A Sinking Feeling

Rusl felt sorrowful and numb at the same time. He didn't know whether or not he could believe what was being said. Except, he could. He'd never known Link to lie, and the boy was distraught. It wasn't like Rusl had never met the man in question, he'd say that Time was a good friend even if they didn't meet all that often. And, Rusl could see similarities between Time and Link. The few times he saw them fight, it was like they were one, sometimes they pulled faces that looked identical (but no one could master the look of disapproval, even Rusl shied away from that), and Link seemed to have inherited the same hands-on-hips sassy attitude Time could be known to have. And yet, despite all the youthful actions and words, the eldest always looked worn down. No one was sure of his exact age, he kept it quiet after all, preferring to let people guess and lead them on, but Rusl was sure Time was younger than him. It didn't stop people thinking he was older, oh no, not with how Link and the other boys joked about their "Old Man". In hindsight, Rusl realised that looking at Time had felt like looking at someone far older than possible, and yet someone far younger at the same time. He always kept up with the rest of them, and he had a wit quicker than anyone he'd ever known, but he was still somehow slower. It was subtle, of course. Time was always one for subtlety, never letting anyone too close. But that didn't stop people noticing the little things.

Maybe it was how Time's smile never reached his eyes, maybe it was how, when he thought no one was looking, he looked empty inside, or maybe it was how his eyes seemed to hold secrets no one would ever see. Rusl wasn't sure, and looking at his adoptive son, he didn't think Link knew either. But in that moment, the pain on his son's face resembled that locked beneath the eldest hero's façade. A façade so easily picked apart only once he was no longer there, only once more was revealed.

And now, Rusl sat there with his son, mourning the death of a man who had helped them in an era long gone and they hadn't even known. They didn't even know if he had gotten home after this journey. How his heart twisted at that. He couldn't imagine going off to do his duty, only to never return and leave his family stuck and alone. Then, a paralysing fear and realisation settled over him. Link, his son, was bound to the same curse as Time. Would he, too, leave home and never come back? Would they be left wondering what happened and where he went? He held Link tighter, tears rolling down his face. His eyes widened in panic, and he realised just how little power they held over this situation. He heard a small, amused huff from Link, and he turned his questioning gaze to him.

"What's so funny?"
"He was a jokester, you know." Link laughed a little. "Took us ages to catch on. He kept pinnin' the blame on others, and he did it so well too."
"Really?" Rusl laughed in disbelief, but he had to know more. "What's the best one he did?"

---

"Alright, shitheads. Which one of you dungbeetles stole my fire rod and put Chuchu jelly in my hat?" Legend crossed his arms, glaring at the group of five before him.

Silence met him, and Wild, Wind, Warrior, Sky, and Hyrule all looked partly guilty.

"Well?" He looked at each of them expectantly, watching for any sign of admission.
"What's wrong?" Time asked, walking up. His face laced with concern.
"Someone stole my fire rod and put Chuchu jelly in my hat, no one will admit to it."
"Chuchu jelly? And your fire rod?" Time hummed, his eyebrows furrowed. He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I'm sure I saw Sailor and Champion mess with Chuchu jelly earlier." He stopped for a moment, not noticing how Legend glared at the duo. "And your fire rod, I think I saw the Captain and Traveler looking at it. Unless I'm mistaken on that one. Hmm." Time walked away, going back the rounds of his walk.

Legend immediately rounded on the group, ignoring their protests and ranting at them for ten minutes. Twilight walked up as the lecture kept going on, and Sky moved away to stand with him. He filled the Rancher in on what happened.

---

Rusl laughed hard at the story, wondering how he missed that playful side of Time. Link wiped his eyes and sat up straight, focusing forward.

"He once tried to help Malon in the kitchen. She nudged him and he broke a jar of jam, she said she won that battle, and he went; 'You're right, let me congratulate you on your victory.' And then held onto her, covering her with the jam!"

The two laughed even harder for a moment. It was a welcome break from the sadness, but Link knew he had to recall the sadness soon. The joy of the memories was quickly replaced when he remembered the fate of his mentor. He bit his bottom lip to try keep himself from crying.

"I miss him." He choked out. "I miss them all, but damn it all, I miss him so much." He sobbed. "I knew his fate, and it still hurts."
"Have tou been holding onto this knowledge on your own this whole time?" Rusl pulled Link to him.
"I didn't know who else to tell." He sniffled. "No one else understood, and I couldn't risk Time hearing it. I didn't wanna upset him, I didn't wanna make him guilty, though I bet he knew somethin' anyway. He always did seem to know something was up without 'em bein' said."
"He was an odd man. A good man, but odd."
"I wanna get his story out there. He was a Hero, just like me, but no one knows what he did. No one even knows his title, no one remembers what he did." Link wiped his eyes.
"What was his title?"
"The Hero of Time." He breathed out. "But the great irony was that time is what he could never grasp. It always escaped and went against him."

The two of them were silent for a short while before Link spoke again.

"I need to tell his story. I need to write it down and get it out there, have it recorded somewhere. After all he's done, being remembered is the least he deserves." He looked to the sky again, watching the trail of the star fade away. "I feel that even now he's still looking out for me, even though he should be at peace. He always did hide the toughest things, always sacrificed for others."

Link wiped his face and lowered his head, taking in a shuddering breath. Rusl wiped his own eyes and offered silent comfort.

"He once said; 'The worst scars can't be seen.' How right he was." A few more tears fell. "But, just how many of those scars were breaking him beyond repair, where no one could see?"
"Link," Rusl gently patted the boy's shoulder. "Get some rest. I've got an idea, so we'll need to go to Telma's. I think talking about this with them might help, and I'll send a letter by hawk tonight."