A/N: Hello!! It's been a while. How's everyone been? A few friends and I thought of a cool challenge concept (Okay, they thought of it and I was just along for the ride) of two or more people being given a prompt and exactly ONE HOUR to write something with it. Well, I didn't want to leave mine as a simple 2.1k word splurg, so I turned it into this. After I finish writing Chapter 2, I'll post the original hour-long work (unpolished and unedited) as Chapter 3, for those who are interested.

(Update: This did not become a twoshot, like I originally hoped. It is now a multichaptered story with over 30k words atm. So please look forward to that.)

PROMPT: "You sure you don't want me to punch that guy? Because I will totally punch that guy for you."

~~~

It was raining on the day they met.

Link panted as the sheets of rain fell like icy thorns. The distant rumble of thunder foretold an impending storm that had already started to break. He'd just taken out a horde of bokoblins that'd moved in near the little cave he called home.

"Damn monsters." He cursed as he gathered the loot. It wasn't much, but if he was disguised he might be able to fetch a fair price for it. He'd just put the last of his spoils into his bag when he heard it. At first, he wasn't sure what he was hearing. It was a small tinkling sound that was like a child playing with a bell.

The sound held an air of familiarity that he just couldn't put his finger on, and his curiosity eventually won out. He followed the bell's chimes to a rough rocky area filled with slopes that were quickly becoming slick with rain. He'd defeated some monsters in this area just prior to defeating the bokoblins that'd tried to infringe on his territory. He thought, perhaps, that some weapon had fallen and was being blown by the storm—the metal clinking against the rocks being the source of the strange noise. But there was nothing he could spot that would make a sound like that. Had he been imagining things?

No, there it was again! The wind died down for the briefest of moments, allowing him to follow the admittedly enchanting chime to a small alcove—too tiny for a child, but large enough for a kitten. Something was trapped in there, and the heavy rainfall was pooling into the crevice at a mildly alarming pace. Whatever was stuck would drown if he didn't do something.

That's when he noticed it—a dim, flickering light in the shadows of the cavern. A fairy's light. Fairies were a dying breed in this era of darkness. He recalled with fondness the fairies he'd play with back home. His mother had always told him that they had fae in their blood, and to keep his secondary form a secret lest he be used for evil.

He, unlike his family, had the ability to transform into a fairy. The magics of the world called to him like a parent, and he felt a strong kinship with the fairy trapped beneath the stone.

"Don't worry." He whispered above the growing storm. "I'll just..." Link bent down, cautiously reaching a hand in to help the poor thing before it drowned, but he was quick to pull it back when the crisp sting of very sharp fairy teeth bit into his skin.

"Ow! Calm down, would'ya? I'm trying to help you." He glared at the light with irritation and waited a moment before reaching in again. He held his hand out, letting the fairy choose if Link was safe or not. He was about to give up when he felt a tiny pair of freezing cold hands wrap around his index finger. He carefully scooped the fairy up and slowly pulled his hand out, using his other hand to shelter the little light from the fierce winds that had started to kick up. She was a fully grown fairy and had a stunning blue light. She was also badly hurt. "Don't worry, little light. I'll get you back on your wings."

She looked up at him from where she lay weakly, cradled in the palm of his hand. Her light was flickering dangerously, and he wasted no time in running full tilt back to his cavern. He didn't even bother getting out of his sopping wet clothes before making a warm nest of blankets for his new companion.

Now that he had a good light and wasn't blinking rain out of his eyes, he was able to take a good look at her injuries. He winced. While her wings looked fine—albeit a tad wet—she appeared to have a dislocated shoulder and a broken leg. There was a nasty gash on her side where something had gotten her, and he realized abruptly that he couldn't do much in such a large Hylian size.

That thought in mind, he gathered the supplies he'd need—meager though they were—and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath as he let his magic roll freely throughout his body. The tingling sensation of his wings sprouting from his back and his body shrinking rapidly was uncomfortable, but not painful.

A moment later, he was the same size as her—though a little smaller. He was pretty young, after all. He was only sixteen Hylian years old, after all. That was a child at most in fae years. He shook his head, wings fluttering with nerves as he patched her up with the fairy-sized supplies he'd set down earlier.

She cracked open an eye when his magic brushed against hers, and there was a flash of confusion as she recognized his fairy form.

"You are...?"

"Shh." He soothed as he carefully stitched the gash on her side, using his magic to numb the pain. "I'm a friend. You're hurt, try to rest." He glanced up to see she was already passed out. He winced, but was relieved at the same time. At least she wouldn't feel him relocate her shoulder.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, leaving a trail of blood on his face. This would be a long night.

~~~

She awoke with a bone-deep ache that permeated throughout her body. Everything hurt, but it wasn't agony like the last couple of times she'd awoken. And that boy was still there. He was there each time she woke. She thought she'd seen another fairy at some point, but it must've been a dream. While the boy had a gentle potent magic that felt fairy-like, he was far too large to be a fairy. He was definitely a hylian.

But why had he helped her? She glanced over towards the now sleeping child—because all hylians were children to someone of her age and experience. He looked like he was completely exhausted, and she could sense that his magic levels were worryingly low. Didn't they have potions for that, now? And...

She finally glanced around. Was this... a cave? Why was this child living in a cave? Had his parents abandoned him? Had he run away? She shook her head. Such thoughts would get her nowhere. But he was a highly adept healer. She felt much better than she had even before she'd been attacked.

She cautiously sat up in her little nest of blankets, noting that the boy had kept only the thinnest one for himself—the idiot. But she owed him. She tried to stand, but let out a sharp yelp when her side screamed in protest. Had he put those stitches there? How had he possibly managed to do that at his size?!

But her yelp must've woken the boy, because he was by her side a moment later. "Hey, be careful. You were in really bad shape when I found you—your light was flickering."

Her eyes widened. She knew she'd been pretty bad off, but... her light was flickering? She'd been... dying? No. She couldn't die! Not until...

"Thank you. For saving me." She realized belatedly that he might not understand her—not many hylians could understand a fairy's voice these days.

"No problem." He smiled back. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"So you can understand me?"

"I've got some fae in my blood, I think." His voice was rough, like he wasn't used to speaking.

"Why're you here alone? Where're your parents?" She questioned. She'd never been one for withholding questions, after all. When she wanted to say something, she said it. Just... nicer than a lot of other people she'd met.

"I live alone." He answered.

"In a cave?" She raised an eyebrow, despite knowing that he would see nothing more than a ball of light.

"In a cave." He confirmed, as if such a thing was to be expected. She waited, but he didn't elaborate.

"You aren't going to tell me why, are you?"

"Nope." He laughed. "Are you hungry?"

Her stomach growled and her glow brightened with embarrassment. "Maybe a little."

"Here." The boy set down a small dish of creamy fresh milk. It smelled familiar. "It's called Lon Lon Milk." He explained, and she felt her heart stutter at the name.

No, it'd been far too long. The ranch had obviously just kept the same name, was all. Still, she smiled as she drank. The milk was filling and nutritious, and she felt strength return to her limbs.

"That's better. Your glow is getting brighter. You should get some rest, though." He smiled as he stored the milk away.

"I still don't like that you're living in a cave." She muttered as she snuggled back into the nest. "And you should use a thicker blanket or you'll catch cold."

"I'll be fine." He waved her concerns away. "I'm used to this. You need it more than I do."

"I'm three inches tall." She reminded him, eying the light shivers that wracked his body. "I don't need an entire blanket."

He glared at her, but she'd had plenty of experience with grouchy people. She let a smirk cross her lips when he scowled and looked away, carefully taking one of the blankets he'd given her. She was pleased to note that his shivering was starting to subside now that he had that extra layer.

"Now will you get some rest?" He asked around a yawn. Goodness, he really was a child, wasn't he? She wasn't great with guessing hylian ages, but she'd place him under 17 for sure. Her heart clenched as she recalled a ten year old child who was made to go on a trying journey.

No. She wasn't going to go down that road right now. She felt her eyelids drifting closed. Tonight, she would rest. And tomorrow, she'd get to the bottom of this boy's living arrangements.

~~~

Link smiled as the fairy zoomed around the cavern. "You look like you feel better." He grinned. He'd removed her stitches last night while she slept under a mild stasis spell. Those three drops of red potion in the milk he'd given her the other day had done wonders. She looked good as new, now.

"I feel amazing! You sure know how to heal a fairy, kid!" She beamed, lighting a bright steady glow. His heart warmed at the sight. "But you didn't answer my question yesterday." She puffed out her cheeks.

"What question?"

"Why are you living alone? And in a cave? I thought hylians lived in towns?"

"Why do you care so much?" He tilted his head.

"You saved my life. I can't just not care if you're going to freeze to death in this hunk of rock."

"Hey! Don't insult my home!" He huffed, crossing his arms. "You know, you can leave whenever you want. I'm not keeping you here."

"Out of the question." She crossed her arms as she sat on his shoulder. "If this is what you call a home, then it's obvious you need some company. You saved my life. I'm not just going to ditch you."

Link let out a laugh. "All right, I suppose that's fair. But if you're going to be sticking around, I'll need a name."

"You never even gave me yours." She countered.

"You never asked." He shrugged and she eeped at the sudden movement, clinging to a loose lock of curly brown hair. "I'm Link. I'm a traveler."

"Link...?" The fairy looked at him for a long moment. Her light pulsed with nostalgia. "I knew a boy by that name... a long time ago. He was... very precious to me." She shook her head. "My name is Navi."

"Well then Navi, it's nice to officially meet you." He grinned, patting her head with his finger.

"Hey! Lay off, would'ya?!"

"Says the one who bit me when we first met." Link laughed. "Consider this your payback." He grinned, messing up her hair again.

"Honestly!!" She flew off his shoulder with an annoyed sound. "How old are you?! Six?!"

"I'll have you know, I'm sixteen." He huffed.

"Baby~" She cooed.

"Oh, shush." He flushed a light pink before turning to gather some supplies.

"Hey! Where're you going?" She flew right into his curly hair, bouncing lightly as she grabbed hold.

"My hair!" He glared up at her for a moment. "I'm running low on food, I was going to check the traps I've set up in the nearby woods. Plus, I've gotta patrol for monsters."

"That's dangerous. You shouldn't go alone! I'll come with you."

"Now you sound like that Old Man." Hyrule shook his head with a fond smile. "Come along if you'd like, but be careful. I don't want to patch you up twice in a month."

"A month?! Wait, how long was I out for?!"

"You had a fever for weeks. Why do you think I was so relieved to see you awake and alert yesterday?" He smiled as she nestled down into his hair. At least she wouldn't fall.

The walk was calming after the last few days he'd spent cooped up in his home. Link had always been anxious about staying in one place for too long without going out and about. And he hadn't dared stray too far from the cavern with Navi in the condition she'd been in.

He looked up with a raised eyebrow when he felt an incessant sharp tugging on his scalp. "What are you doing up there?" He finally asked.

"Braiding your hair. It's so soft, and actually a decent length because of the curl."

"You're... braiding my hair?" He blinked, unsure of what he thought about that.

"Yes." She gave no further indication of continuing as he continued to feel the sharp little tugs of the little chunks of hair being braided.

"Could you at least do larger pieces, then? That hurts."

"Oh, fine, you big baby." She changed positions and the painful tugging became just an incessant pressure.

"Thank you." He smiled. It'd only been a little bit, but he was so much happier to have someone around. He'd been alone for so long, he'd nearly lost his voice. With everyone in the kingdom either shunning him or hunting him down, he made it a habit to stay far away from hylian settlements unless he was fully disguised. He'd probably have to explain that to Navi, too, come to think of it.

He grinned when he heard the baying of a deer. "Looks like we've got dinner." Navi hummed.

"Looks like." He grinned. "Hopefully this time, I can cook it."

"You don't know how to cook?"

"Let's just say there's a reason my home is made of stone."

~~~

Days became weeks, and Link was the happiest he could ever remember being. For the first time since he started this goddessforsaken journey, he wasn't alone. It was... nice. Navi was always up for a conversation, and she chattered away constantly. He felt like perhaps she'd been just as lonely as he'd been before they found each other.

Link sighed as he gathered his cloak, wrapping it around himself and hoisting his bag of monster spoils over his shoulder.

"Where are we going?" Navi asked, circling around his head.

"We need to resupply. I'm running low on potions and I can only do so much with the game in the area—we need grains, too." He explained as he started walking.

"Well, at least you eat better than..." She trailed off, and he knew what she was thinking of. That mysterious boy she'd mention from time to time, usually on complete accident, always seemed to put Navi in a melancholy mood.

"You said you knew a boy with my name once... do you want to call me something else?" He'd meant to bring it up beforehand, but whenever his namesake came up it always made Navi sad, and he hated seeing her sad.

"Hm? But isn't Link your name?" Navi asked, taking her customary position in his hair. She idly started to rebraid one of the bangs that hung by his face.

"I don't really have an attachment to that name." He smiled. "It's honestly brought me nothing but trouble. Perhaps it's best if you don't use it in public, either."

"Another name, huh? Like a nickname?" Navi went quiet for a long moment. "What about... Faron?"

"Like the old Faron Woods in Ancient Hyrule?" Link raised an eyebrow.

"It's a name that means wanderer, and since you love to wander off to find trouble, I thought it was fitting."

"Faron..." He hummed, testing the name on his tongue. "I actually kind of like that." He startled a bit at the warm feeling bubbling up in his chest. He hadn't felt it since he last hugged his mother and father.

"What's with the sad look?" Navi hovered by his nose for a moment in concern.

"I was just remembering my family." He shook his head.

"You have a family?" Her voice was soft and hesitant, and he knew if he asked her to, she'd drop it.

"Yeah." He smiled, glancing at the sky as they walked. "Ever heard of Calatia?"

"Isn't that a kingdom to the East?" Navi tilted her head.

"Yeah. It's a long ways away, across the deserts of Hyrule. I'm from there. I've got a mother and father, three older brothers and a baby sister." He smiled. "I even have a younger brother, now."

"Why'd you leave?" Her voice was quiet and reserved.

"We were happy, but we were very poor. Dad was talking about marrying off Hazel—my sister—when she turned twelve so we could have more money. Two of my older brothers were already working themselves to the bone in the fields with our dad, and my youngest older brother—Ren—wanted nothing to do with the family farm. He'd do as little work as he could get away with, and escape off to town first chance he'd get. He wanted to be a scholar—and damn if he wasn't smart enough to do it. Between him trying to land an apprenticeship and Dad trying to keep us all fed..." Faron sighed. "It was just easier for me to leave. One less mouth to feed, you know?"

"Hyrule is known as a dangerous place, though, right? Why come here?"

"I've always been good with fighting. Monster loot may be a common thing over here in Hyrule, but stuff like Lynel hooves and Wizzrobe rods can fetch a hefty price in Calatia. The most dangerous monsters you'll encounter regularly back home are chuchus and keese—annoyances and crop-eaters. The dangerous ones are all in areas that see very little traveling and have no settlements. Even the Calatian knights aren't trained to handle moblins or Lynels. Since monsters are so common here, I figured it'd be the perfect place to make some money to help out the family. I kill the monsters, gather the loot, and send it straight home. And since I send the Monster Loot to my family directly, they can sell it for a really good price."

"That's so sweet." Navi sat on his shoulder for a moment while he rummaged in his bag.

"Here it is." He pulled out a small leather-bound notebook. There were letters and plants carefully pressed inside the journal, and he cautiously opened it to one of the pages. "My sister sent me this letter." He held it up proudly, showing off the childish writing and little pictures scribbled in the corner.

A couple of tear stains from when he'd first read it blurred a few of the words. "She's about ten, now. Same age I was when I left home." He smiled. "Dad wrote on the back. The loot's helping a ton. Hazel doesn't have to be married off anymore, and Nalon was finally able to afford the nicer clothing he needed to land that apprenticeship he wanted."

"So you've done good." Navi nodded. "Why not go back home? Sounds like things are going well... Surely you can stop, now? It's been six years."

"That's the thing, Navi." He sighed. "I can't. I've got too many enemies, now. I can't possibly risk my family like that."

"Enemies?" She questioned, tilting her head. "I doubt the monsters will track you across an entire country."

"You'd be surprised." Hyrule smiled sardonically. "Hood up, we're here." The hood of his cloak hid his appearance so long as it stayed up. Nobody would recognize him, and this was the key to his survival. He'd layered a few extra spells onto it to prevent people from recognizing the hood, as well. So if the worst should happen and it fell off, he wouldn't be out of a disguise.

"I don't understand why you're so nervous." Navi flew around his head. "Don't hylians like living in communities?"

"Not always." Hyrule shook his head. "And sometimes there's some people that just... don't fit in." It was putting it mildly, and he knew it.

He did his business as usual, selling some of his monster loot for less than a third of the price he'd get back home, and gathering some potions and grains in return.

He didn't hit trouble until some kid ran right into him. "Sorry, mister!" He grinned as he ran off.

Faron shook his head before realizing that people were now staring or actively going inside their homes and shutting their windows. He paled when he realized his hood had fallen down.

"W-wait! Why are they all acting like this?" Navi flitted to and fro in confusion.

"Like I said... sometimes people just don't fit in." He muttered. Putting the hood back up now was useless. He'd just have to try to finish his last errand and leave. "Come on."

"That's Moblinshit!" She huffed. "People don't act like that just because someone doesn't fit in." She glared at a few of the people around them.

Faron approached a medicinal stand cautiously—the only thing he'd had yet to purchase. He made sure to stay more than a respectable distance from the vendor.

"What do you want?" He demanded, sending a fierce glare towards the traveler.

"Just some bandages, is all. I've got the rupees—"

"Leave. Nobody has anything to sell to you here. Go, before you bring the monsters upon us."

"But—"

"GO!" He shouted, grabbing a nearby sword. Faron backed away, hands in the air.

"I'm sorry. I-I'll be going, then."

"Sorry?! Don't apologize!" Navi glowed angrily. "He should be sorry!! Lemme at him!!"

"No, Navi. That's enough." He carefully scooped her into his hands to keep his only friend safe. "Please... let's just go home."

She growled, muttering curses under her breath as he led them away from the town. When he finally felt they were far enough away that Navi wouldn't just fly off and attack everyone, he uncupped his hands.

"You good, now?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Navi huffed, crossing her arms. "You sure you don't want me to punch that guy? Because I will totally punch that guy for you."

Faron couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from his throat. "The thought is appreciated, but I'm used to it."

"Why did they treat you like that?" She settled herself down into his hair again. "I know there's monsters all over, but..."

Faron sighed as they came to a stop by the river. He settled down at the base of a boulder, leaning against it as he took in the shocking greenery that grew at the water's edge. It was so different from the dull greys and dead browns that covered most of these scarred lands. He marveled at the thought that all of Hyrule used to be this beautiful. He felt an abrupt pang of homesickness.

"They say that a long time ago, a great Hero battled with the Evil King, Ganondorf." He spoke up, catching Navi's full attention. "The battle was long and fierce, but in the end the Hero lost. But they say his bloodline lives on to this day. Legends say that only those of his blood can carry the Triforce of Courage." He paused to take off his left fingerless glove, revealing the glowing mark. "Those same legends say that the blood of that Hero—my blood, supposedly—has the power to resurrect the Evil King and restore him to full power."

"You mean... Link was...?"

"You knew him, didn't you? The hero, I mean." He turned his gaze skyward.

"He was... I was supposed to... You're saying he's really been— all this time...?" Navi let out a horrible sob. Faron's heart crumbled like dust. There were many sounds in the world that were the stuff of nightmares—haunting echoes of pain, fear, and sorrow that one will carry with them for the rest of their days. Alongside the cries of a mother who'd lost their child, it was said that a Fairy's Sorrow was the most horrific. Somehow, this felt like a hellish mixture of the two.

"I defeated what had been left behind of the Dark King—a being of power, but little intelligence." Hyrule spoke up, trying to distract her. "After that, the Triforce appeared on my hand. So Impa sent me on a quest to awaken the Princess of old who'd been cursed into a never ending sleep. But that's when the rumors started circling about my blood being able to resurrect the true Ganondorf. The same monster who..." He glanced at Navi and decided to change the topic. "At any rate, that's why the villagers did what they did. Monsters will stop at nothing to kill me and use me for their stupid rituals and stuff, so I'm pretty much a walking monster magnet. That's also why I can't return home. Nobody in Hyrule wants anything to do with me, and home is too dangerous for me to ever return to."

Navi turned to look at Faron for a long moment. "That's not true."

"Huh?"

"I said that's not true!" She shouted, crossing her arms with a little stomp of her tiny foot. "I want something to do with you. I enjoy the time we spend together. And you're such a stubborn idiot that you wouldn't survive a day without me."

He smiled. "I'm glad to have a friend like you, Navi." He carefully cradled her in his hands and held her to his chest—the closest they could get to a hug without him transforming.

She laughed lightly and flew up to hug his nose. "Hey! Listen, Faron. I'll stay with you. I won't make the same mistake twice. This time, you'll never lose me."

"Thank you, Navi. I'm... I'm so happy that I have you."

"Let's get home. I'm starving, and if I leave dinner to you we really won't survive!"

"HEY!"

~~~

"Hey, Faron! Wake up!" Navi circled around his head, pulling his eyelids up so he had no choice but to awaken. He shot her a glare.

"I was trying to sleep." He glanced at the lack of sunlight. "It's still dark outside."

"Listen! Someone's in trouble!"

Faron cursed as he leapt from his pile of blankets. No matter where he was, he could never ignore a cry for help. He grabbed his sword on his way out of the cavern he called home, Navi flitting right behind him.

He ran for a good half mile before he crested the hill on the edge of the forest that overlooked the barren wastelands below. There was a group of monsters circled around... something. Dear Hylia, was that a child?!

Faron took in the scene in a fraction of a second. A girl—maybe twelve at most—was being attacked by a group of moblins. She wore a pretty white dress trimmed in blue, and had shining golden hair. Tears were building up in her sky blue eyes as the monsters growled and cheered in excitement. Where were her parents? She was dressed well enough to be a noble's daughter, so they surely wouldn't let her stray far.

Either way, that wasn't important right now. He drew his blade and leapt from his perch, running with an added speed boost spell he'd picked up years ago. Navi grabbed hold of his hair so as not to be lost in the sudden burst of speed.

"Looks like there's only three of them!" She informed. "But be careful! There might be more hiding somewhere nearby."

"Hiding where?" Faron smirked. "There's nothing out here. The Badlands are open territory."

"W-well it's still possible!" Navi flittered, flustered. Faron laughed as he narrowly dodged to the right, slashing his blade into the moblin's side with the crude practice of hard-earned experience. He never had formal training in fighting. Everything he knew was learned on the road, and though it wasn't pretty, it was highly effective.

He proved that when he deflected the second moblin's blade with the small metal plate he'd sewn into the back of his fingerless gloves. Stunned, the beast overcorrected and stumbled, allowing Faron to hack away ungracefully at its neck. The beast roared in agonized fury, but ultimately fell to the barren dirt, dead. The third moblin looked intimidated, now. It glanced between its fallen comrades and Faron with a lick of fear in its eyes, overshadowing its anger.

It tried to back away, but Faron had learned the hard way how dangerous it was to let a fleeing monster go. It was fast—but he had a trick up his sleeve. He pushed some of his magic into his blade and grinned when he felt it hum. With a quick half turn of his upper body and a powerful slash, a beam of light cut the monster cleanly in two.

Faron panted. That spell had taken a lot out of him. There was a reason why he tried not to use it.

He turned to check and see if the girl was okay, but she was gone. All that was left was an odd blue butterfly. It was breathtakingly beautiful with odd swirl-like designs on the wings.

"Hey!! I've seen one of those... I think." Navi circled around the insect cautiously. "I think that's a Sacred Butterfly. They used to be really common a long, long time ago. Like when the Goddess Hylia walked the land, long time ago."

"What the hell is it doing here then?" Faron tilted his head as the butterfly fluttered around. It hovered for a moment in front of Faron before landing on his left hand. He felt Triforce glow briefly beneath his glove before the butterfly fluttered away, lost to the wind. "That was... weird."

He didn't like how his Triforce had reacted to the butterfly. What if it was working for the monsters? They'd have to triple back on their way home to leave false trails, now. He groaned at the thought. He just wanted to sleep, damnit. The sun wasn't even fully up yet.

"Eh, I've seen weirder." Navi shrugged. "Though it is strange to find one. I thought they'd died out forever ago."

"How old are you anyways?" He smirked as he finished gathering the loot.

"Don't you know it's rude to ask a lady her age?!" Navi huffed, little clouds of magic pouring from her ears like steam. He couldn't help but snort in amusement.

"All right, all right. Did you see where that little girl went?"

"No. She just vanished."

"Then at least she's alive." Faron sighed. "That's all we can really ask for, I suppose." He put his sword away before stretching. "Can I go back to sleep, now?"

"Faron!" She groaned as he laughed. "Honestly."

"Actually..." He tilted his head as he thought. "There's a spring nearby. We should replenish our magic." He smirked up at the fairy nestled back in his hair.

"A Fairy Fountain?" She brightened in excitement.

"Yep." He grinned as he circled around the cliff that led up to the forest. "It'll be nice to take a soak in the warm waters, too."

"Hylians aren't supposed to swim in that!" She huffed.

"I'll just switch to my other form, then." He shrugged.

"Other... form?"

Faron blinked. "Didn't you see... when I was healing you?" He chuckled as he realized she never put the pieces together. He grinned as he found the thin crevice on the cliff. It was a tight fit, and he had to take off his shield and sword to squeeze sideways through, but it was worth it. The waters glistened in the low light, illuminated by bioluminescent algae that hung from the rocky cavern walls. Navi was quick to flutter into the spring-like waters of the fountain. The other fairies that were gathered there flittered in surprise before coming over to greet the newcomer.

Faron set his bag down before letting his magic flow. It caressed him like a mother's hug, welcoming and warm. A moment later, he was as small as Navi. He smirked when he realized she hadn't seen him, yet, and zoomed over behind her. "Heya."

"Gah!" She whipped around, wings faltering for a moment in shock. "F-Faron?!"

"I told you I had fae blood in me."

"You didn't tell me you were a fairy!!" She pulled him into a hug. "You're just a baby!! Only sixteen Hylian years old?! That's one thing as a hylian, but totally different as a fairy!"

He smiled and hugged her back. It felt good to hug Navi like this. It reminded him of his mother's hugs. "I'm sorry. I thought you saw me as I was healing you."

"I thought I'd been dreaming. Hylians don't usually have the ability to transform into a fairy like this."

"I'm just special, I guess." He dipped down into the water, feeling the magic-soaked spring replenishing his reserves.

"Honestly, Faron... you're just full of surprises." Navi shook her head as she settled down beside him.

~~~

"Hey! Listen!!" Navi huffed as she tugged a lock of Faron's hair harshly. "You need to be more careful! You're still recovering from getting your ass handed to you last week!"

"Hey! I won that fight!" Faron pouted as she went back to braiding the lock of hair that hung by his face.

"I didn't realize won had taken on a new definition over the centuries." She bit back sarcastically.

"Hey, you listen! I survived, which means I won." He crossed his arms. "So there." He stuck out his tongue.

"Careful, or your face might get stuck that way."

"You sound like my mother." Faron chuckled fondly.

"Sometimes I feel like your mother." Navi grinned. "I mean, I cook, I tend to your injuries, I keep you out of trouble—"

"Okay, that's enough, mom." He grinned.

It'd been just over a year and a half since he'd met her, and Faron had never been happier. His sister, Hazel, was always excited to hear about his adventures, (toned down, of course) and had taken a shine to his fairy companion. She now included pictures of Navi with her letters.

His head whipped towards the North for a moment when he felt a light tug on his magic. His eyes narrowed. That had been happening a lot lately. Ever since that incident with the butterfly a year ago, he'd felt a strange swirling of magic in the air. It started off as an insignificant shift, but had grown to strong gales of magic that even Navi was starting to sense.

"You sense that?" Navi asked, wings twitching with nervous energy.

"How can I not? It's practically dragging me in that direction." Faron shook his head.

"HEY!" Navi protested. "Wait till I tie this braid before you go running around! Honestly." She huffed as she tied the intricate braid she'd just completed.

"Sorry." He apologized as he followed the source. They'd tried to find it before, but it always fizzled out before they got there, dissipating like smoke in the wind. It was frustrating and perplexing and both of them were ready to just figure out what the hell was up with this strange fluctuation of magic. Was it Ganon? A goddess? A sorcerer?

It was an unknown threat, and Faron needed to make sure it wasn't going to harm them. Because now, he had someone worth protecting.

He muttered a speed-boosting spell under his breath as Navi snuggled into her spot on his scalp. He idly wondered if he would start balding there from how often she sat in his curls.

He ran for the better part of twenty minutes. Faron may not have been the best swordsman, but he had a lot of stamina. He had to with how often the monsters tried to follow him. He couldn't always fight them, after all.

He slowed as he neared the source of the magic. This time, it didn't waver or falter or vanish. This time, he and Navi got a good look at the source of many sleepless nights spent in worry or paranoia.

It wasn't a person, or a monster, or even a god. It was a portal. A swirling vortex of entrancing blues and purples hued with soft golds and tinged with dark shadows. The tug intensified and he was sure he was meant to go through it.

"What is that?!" Navi flitted down to rest on his shoulder. "I've never seen a portal like that before."

"Neither have I." Faron frowned. "It's... like it wants me to go through."

"Well? Why not? What's the worst thing that could happen?"

Faron shot her a glare. "Never tempt the powers that be."

"What? People say it all the time!"

"Have you ever heard me say it? Even once?"

"Uh...."

"Exactly." He shook his head. "You really think we should go through? What if it's a trap?"

"Hey, listen! I may not look it, but I have enough power to open another portal and zip us home if need be." She crossed her arms with a huff as she took flight, flitting near the portal. "Come on. I feel like this is important."

"All right." Faron gave in, shaking his head with a fond smile. "Stay close, okay?"

"Don't worry." She grinned, landing back on his head. "I'll be right here."

His gut churned sickeningly as he stood before the vortex. Fierce winds saturated with an unearthly magic blew his hair around like a storm. He took a shuddering breath as he secured his pack to his shoulder.

And he stepped through.

He regretted the action instantly. He was thrown around like a fairy in a storm. Direction had no meaning anymore. There was no longer an up or down, no sense of vertigo or motion aside from the sensation of something pulling him in different directions all at once. The colors swirled around him so violently that he'd shut his eyes in an effort to keep last night's meager dinner down.

"FARON!" A voice cried out, and his eyes snapped open to see Navi hanging onto his braid with all her might. Her grip was slipping and she had a look of panic in her eyes.

"NAVI!" He struggled to move his arms against the force of the magic that propelled them through space. He was nearly there—just an inch more—!

Navi's cries would echo in his mind for the rest of his life. The frightened horror painted on her delicate features was the last crisp image he had before they were flung apart by the force of the magical storm.

Faron hit the ground with enough force to knock the wind from his lungs. It took him a moment to reorient himself, and he felt his blood turn to ice when he saw a sword enter his field of vision. Had the portal been a trap, after all?

He followed it up to find a man dressed in tights and a red tunic holding him at swordpoint. His hair had a strip of pink, and his face held a fierce scowl. "Who the fuck are you?"