Time's Moving Faster Than I Can Count

It's Time to Talk

Castle Town was just in the distance. The two had set off bright and early, saying there was something important that needed doing and stories could wait. Rusl had indeed sent a hawk with a letter to Telma before they'd set off.

"Are you ready to do this, kid?"
"No," Link's answer was immediate, sure, and tired. "But it needs to be done before I'm gone. I ain't ready for most of what I've done, but I had to do it."
"We'll tackle it together." Rusl assured him, slightly concerned about Link's comment about being gone.
"That ain't what I'm worried about unfortunately." Link whispered, just barely audible.

Rusl wanted to ask what he was worried about, but they reached the stables before he could. They dismounted, leaving their horses in the care of the stable hands. He noted how sombre both Link and Epona seemed to be, as if they both knew something devastating. The two of them shared a glance, and Link patted her muzzle, sighing. Father and son walked into Castle Town and straight through to Telma's bar. Much to Rusl's relief, the Resistance was there, gathered around the table.

"Oh, thank goodness, you got my letter." He breathed in relief.
"I sure did. Now, what's goin' on, hun?" Telma gestured for them to sit down with them.
"You remember that odd group of heroes Link was travelling with for a while?"
"Mhm." She nodded. "How could I forget?" Then she looked at Link. "Where are they anyway?"
"Home." The word seemed to force itself out of him as his voice wavered slightly. He cleared his throat as he and Rusl sat down. "The journey's over, so we're all..." He stopped momentarily, looking close to tears. "We're mostly back home."
"Mostly?" Ashei raised an eyebrow, looking concerned.
"He thinks that Time... Well, he, um... thinks that Time has... passed away." Rusl struggled to say.

Silence descended over them like a noose around their necks. Link certainly felt that way. Telma slowly returned to her seat, Ashei's eyes were wide, Shad dropped and shattered the glass in his hand, and Auru closed his eyes, cursing under his breath. Rusl looked at the ground by the door while Link pressed his palms to his eyes, leaning hard on the table. Minutes that felt like hours passed, the group processed what they had been told, and barely a sound or movement was made.  Eventually, one of them made the move to break the silence.

"You're... sure he's gone?" Despite being no stranger to death, Ashei just couldn't believe it.

Link could only nod, tears dripping past his hands and down his bracers, pooling on the table. His shoulders shook with heavy, silent sobs, and Telma rushed to his side. Immediately, she wrapped him up in a hug and began rubbing his arm. None of them, save Rusl, had ever seen Link cry before, let alone sob.

"He wants to tell Time's story, and I thought bringing him here would help." Rusl explained quietly.
"We've got you, hun." Telma placed a gentle kiss to his head and rubbed his back. "Shad, go get some paper. You've got some... history to get written."

That got Shad out of his shocked stupor, and he nodded quickly, scurrying away to get what he needed. Telma returned to her seat once Link sat up straight, wiping his eyes, and once Shad returned to the table, Link began.

"I... don't know everythin', but I wanna share what I do know, so he ain't forgotten. Again." He spat the last word out like it was poison on his lips. "Like I told Pa, there's some things the Old Man wouldn't ever speak on, so I've only got limited knowledge. But it's enough. It's enough to show people what he did."

---

"So, when did your journey start, Old Man?" Warrior asked.
"Hmm..." Time thought. "I was only young, then I was almost an adult, then young again. Time travel, I don't recommend it." He grinned, knowing time travel was exactly what they were doing, and proud of himself for making Legend snort. He continued to grin despite everyone else's unamused looks.
"That's horrible." Sky whispered.
"Yep, but nothing can be done. I got the Hero of Time title because of that."