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A Man's Duty	By : galassia Category: Zelda > General Views: 5314 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Nintendo in any way. All non original characters belong to Nintendo and not to me. All parts of the story that are in the game Ocarina of Time belong to Nintendo. I make no money nor do I get any monetary like gain from the story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Special Note: Some liberties have been taken with the original storyline. In this story Sheik is his own person and not Zelda. I do realize that Sheik in game canon is actually Zelda and I have no problem with that canon. However, for this story Sheik is a man and his own person. It includes or will include sexual themes between two men, cross-dressing, death, violence, angst and possibly more. If either the themes of this story or the fact that Sheik is not Zelda and a man bothers you, don't read it. You've been warned and I really don't care if you get pissed off for reading something you don't like and were warned about in the first place.

Link shook his head,‭ ‬slowly removing his hand from the hilt of the Master Sword,‭ ‬leaving the blade in its place on the Pedestal of Time.‭ ‬He felt...‭ ‬strange.‭ ‬Looking down at himself he knew that it was his body,‭ ‬at least his body from seven years prior,‭ ‬but it felt odd.‭ ‬He reached a hand back,‭ ‬feeling for the bow Sheik had fixed to a belt upon it and frowned when all he felt was the hilt of the Kokiri Sword.‭ ‬Looking himself over once again,‭ ‬he furrowed his brow upon noticing that the bag Sheik had given him‭ ‬was not there.

Navi fluttered about Link,‭ ‬diving around him,‭ “‬Are you alright‭? ‬You seem upset.‭”

Link nodded slowly,‭ “‬Yeah I...‭ ‬it just feels weird.‭”‬ He sighed and shook his head,‭ ‬dropping his hands at his sides as he made his way out of the Temple.‭ “‬Hey,‭ ‬Navi‭?”

Navi landed on Link‭’‬s shoulder and promptly sat herself down,‭ “‬Hm‭?”

“Before we left Impa‭’‬s house...‭ ‬did you hear Sheik talking to someone‭?”

Navi blinked,‭ ‬pulling her wings in flush against her back,‭ “‬Uh,‭ ‬no.‭ ‬I...‭ ‬I don‭’‬t think so.‭ ‬When‭?”

Frowning,‭ ‬Link glanced at his shoulder to look at Navi,‭ “‬Are you sure‭? ‬When he was in the kitchen.‭”

Navi shrugged her small shoulders when Link looked at her,‭ ‬letting her wings spread again,‭ “‬No,‭ ‬I didn‭’‬t.‭ ‬But,‭ ‬I wasn‭’‬t paying attention.‭ ‬Perhaps he was speaking with Impa‭?”

Squinting his eyes from the light,‭ ‬Link stepped out into the courtyard of the temple.‭ ‬He frowned at the bright and clean appearance,‭ ‬swearing silently to bring it back to this in the future.‭ ‬Shaking his head to bring himself back to the conversation,‭ ‬he shrugged,‭ “‬He wasn‭’‬t talking to Impa,‭ ‬it wasn‭’‬t her voice.‭ ‬It...‭ ‬it sorta sounded like him.‭ ‬Just,‭ ‬a little different,‭ ‬more...‭ ‬I dunno.‭ ‬More like a girl maybe‭?”

Navi gave a dramatic shrug as she cleared her throat,‭ “‬I don‭’‬t know,‭ ‬Link.‭ ‬I didn‭’‬t hear it.‭ ‬Buuut...‭”‬ She said,‭ ‬her tiny mouth stretching into a massive grin,‭ “‬I‭ did‭ hear him say he likes boys.‭ ‬And considering how he acts toward you,‭ ‬I think he likes you.‭”

“No,‭ ‬he doesn‭’‬t Navi.‭ ‬He‭’‬s just...‭”‬ Link sighed,‭ ‬looking down at himself once again as he strolled in and through Castle Town,‭ ‬carefully sidestepping the crowd.‭ ‬The idea of Sheik‭ ‬‘liking‭’‬ him was absurd in and of itself,‭ ‬but thinking about it while his body looked like‭ ‬this‭‬...‭ ‬well,‭ ‬it made it seem even more so.‭ “‬He‭’‬s just being nice,‭ ‬y‭’‬know‭? ‬Being a good‭ ‬‘Guide‭’‬ or whatever.‭”

“You are‭ ‬so wrong.‭”‬ Navi said,‭ ‬rolling her eyes and scoffing at the very idea,‭ “‬Yes,‭ ‬he is being nice and yes he‭’‬s‭ ‬‘being a good guide or whatever‭’‬,‭ ‬but there‭’‬s more to it.‭ ‬Just doing that doesn‭’‬t account for him saying you have a‭ ‬‘pretty little head‭’‬ or holding you to provide comfort.‭ ‬And,‭ ‬it certainly doesn‭’‬t account for him waking up to see you sleeping on top of him and reacting by relaxing,‭ ‬smiling and comfortably,‭ ‬nay,‭ ‬happily watching you sleep.‭”

Standing up on Link‭’‬s shoulder Navi paced around,‭ “‬He likes you Link.‭ ‬I don‭’‬t know what,‭ ‬if anything,‭ ‬will come of it,‭ ‬but he does like you.‭ ‬It‭’‬s obvious.‭”

“I...‭ ‬I dunno Navi.‭ ‬Maybe he does,‭ ‬but so what‭? ‬What‭’‬re y‭’‬sayin‭’‬? Do y‭’‬think m‭’‬gonna ask him‭?”‬ Link shook his head and sighed,‭ “‬M‭’‬not.‭”‬

Navi smiled and leaned against Link‭’‬s neck,‭ ‬reaching up to pat his jaw lightly,‭ “‬No,‭ ‬I don‭’‬t.‭ ‬All I‭’‬m saying is:‭ ‬he likes you.‭ ‬Just,‭ ‬keep it in mind.‭”

Stopping on the bridge leading into Hyrule Field,‭ ‬Link nodded,‭ “‬Okay,‭ ‬okay...‭ ‬I will.‭ ‬But,‭ ‬enough about that.‭ ‬For now,‭ ‬there‭’‬s work t‭’‬do.‭”‬ He sighed and began again heading towards Kakariko,‭ ‬mind reeling on how to empty the well.

Sheik sighed,‭ ‬drumming his fingers against his thigh.‭ ‬He arched his back,‭ ‬turning left and then right to pop it,‭ ‬before settling back down and pulling out his lyre.‭ ‬He stared at the instrument,‭ ‬turning it this way and that and sighed again sitting it on his thighs.

‭“‬Are you just going to sit there for another three hours‭?”‬ The ethereal form of Sheia said as she appeared,‭ ‬standing in front of Sheik.

‭“‬It hasn‭’‬t been quite three hours yet,‭" ‬Sheik said not bothering to look up as a frown crossed his face.‭ “‬You know...‭ ‬you‭’‬ve come around more in the past week than ever you did in the past two years.‭”‬ He sighed softly and shook his head,‭ “‬But yes,‭ ‬I will.‭ ‬I will just sit here for‭ ‬‘another three hours‭’‬,‭ ‬for a day,‭ ‬a week...‭ ‬however long it takes.‭”

Sheia smiled sadly when Sheik brought up her frequent appearances of late,‭ ‬chuckling when he continued by saying he‭’‬d sit for as long as it took.‭ “‬He‭’‬d have to be‭ really‭ off track if you had to wait for a day,‭ ‬let alone a‭ ‬week‭‬.‭”

Sheik looked up now,‭ ‬smirking at the spirit,‭ “‬This is true,‭ ‬I suppose.‭”

“Well,‭”‬ Sheia said,‭ ‬moving around to kneel behind Sheik,‭ ‬wrapping her arms about his shoulders,‭ “‬if you‭’‬re just going to sit here,‭ ‬play me a song,‭ ‬please‭? ‬You haven‭’‬t played for me in,‭”‬ She closed her eyes,‭ ‬shaking her head,‭ “‬well,‭ ‬you know.‭”

Sheik‭’‬s eyes glazed for a moment as he thought about how long it had been since he‭’‬d played a song for his sister.‭ ‬He hadn‭’‬t played for her since the day she died.‭ ‬Sure,‭ ‬recently he‭’‬d been playing to teach Link the songs he‭’‬d need,‭ ‬but not for Sheia.‭ ‬Her spirit had shown herself to him on six occasions in the time before Link‭’‬s‭ ‬‘awakening‭’‬ and he‭’‬d never much felt like playing.‭ ‬He cleared his throat,‭ ‬turning his neck to see her face over his shoulder,‭ “‬Sure,‭ ‬what do you want me to play‭?”

When Sheik turned his head back to face forward again,‭ ‬Sheia craned forward to press her cheek‭ ‬against the bare flesh of his own.‭ ‬She frowned when the contact against his bare flesh made him shudder and pulled back,‭ “‬Anything,‭ ‬brother.‭ ‬Just play for me.‭”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ ‬closing his eyes.‭ ‬He felt horrible for shuddering at the touch against his flesh,‭ ‬but it was just so...‭ ‬cold.‭ ‬It made him ache the way he had when he‭’‬d first been confronted with the news of her death.‭ ‬He sighed as he pulled the lyre from his lap and began to play,‭ ‬not opening his eyes for a second as his fingers instinctively‭ ‬plucked the strings.‭ ‬He played a soft lilting melody at first,‭ ‬but soon enough,‭ ‬it transformed into a much more melancholic piece.‭ ‬As he played,‭ ‬breathing with the music,‭ ‬he seemed to relax.‭ ‬He became lighter,‭ ‬pouring two years worth of emotion into his playing,‭ ‬into every note.‭

Link swallowed hard as he heard the sound of Sheik‭’‬s lyre upon his‭ ‬‘return‭’‬.‭ ‬He turned to see Sheik sitting,‭ ‬his back to him as he played.‭ ‬Carefully sheathing the Master Sword,‭ ‬he frowned as he listened to Sheik‭’‬s song.‭ ‬It was beautiful,‭ ‬to be sure,‭ ‬but it sounded so sad.‭ ‬For what seemed like ages he stood there,‭ ‬listening in silence,‭ ‬until finally,‭ ‬the music stopped.

Sheik sighed softly upon stopping,‭ ‬resting the lyre once more against his lap.‭ “‬How was that‭?”

“It was beautiful,‭ ‬but it sounded sad...‭ ‬and lonely.‭”‬ Link said softly,‭ ‬taking a step towards Sheik.

Sheik quickly turned around,‭ ‬wrenching a dagger from his hip as he aimed it up.‭ ‬He let out a harsh breath upon seeing Link and dropped his hand,‭ ‬letting the dagger skitter to the floor.‭ “‬For Farore‭’‬s sake,‭”‬ Sheik said breathlessly,‭ ‬shaking his head,‭ “‬Don‭’‬t sneak up on me like that.‭”‬ He frowned,‭ ‬furrowing his brow as he looked at Link,‭ “‬I really figured there‭’‬d be all the light again.‭”

“M‭’‬sorry...‭”‬ Link said sheepishly,‭ ‬kicking his feet against the floor.‭ “‬There was a lot of light,‭ ‬I guess y‭’‬were caught up...‭”‬ He chewed idly on the inside of his cheek and tilted his head,‭ “‬If y‭’‬weren‭’‬t talkin‭’‬ t‭’‬me...‭ ‬who were y‭’‬talkin‭’‬ to‭?”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ ‬slipping the lyre back into its place and picked the dagger up as he stood up.‭ ‬Sheik scratched his eyebrow with the tip of the dagger before putting it back,‭ “‬I suppose I was caught up.‭”‬ He shook his head and smiled,‭ “‬There‭’‬s no reason to be sorry,‭ ‬you just caught me off guard.‭ ‬As for‭ ‬who I was talking to...‭ ‬I was talking to myself.‭”‬ He shrugged,‭ ‬chuckling softly,‭ “‬It‭’‬s odd,‭ ‬but I do that a lot.‭ ‬Especially when I play.‭”

Link narrowed his eyes suspiciously before nodding,‭ ‬letting the matter drop.‭ “‬M‭’‬sorry it took me s‭’‬long...‭”

Sheik shook his head,‭ ‬stepping towards Link.‭ ‬He placed a hand on Link‭’‬s shoulder and gave it a squeeze before returning his hand to his side.‭ “‬Again,‭ ‬there‭’‬s no reason to be sorry Link.‭ ‬It was longer for you than for me.‭”

Link frowned,‭ ‬tilting his head,‭ “‬What d‭’‬ya mean‭?”

“Well,‭ ‬you were gone,‭ ‬from your point of view,‭ ‬for...‭ ‬somewhere between three days and just under four,‭ ‬correct‭?”

“Yeah...‭ ‬just a little more than three days.‭ ‬I got sidetracked when I couldn‭’‬t figure out how t‭’‬drain the well and I slept a little‭ ‬before goin‭’‬ to the Temple.‭”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ “‬As I said,‭ ‬at least three days but less than four,‭ ‬from your point of view.‭ ‬It was only three hours for me.‭”

Link looked at Sheik,‭ ‬a confused expression on his face,‭ “‬How‭?”

“When you go back to the past,‭ ‬you are going exactly‭ ‬seven years prior to the exact moment you put the Master Sword into the pedestal.‭ ‬So,‭ ‬if you put the sword back in right now,‭ ‬you would go back to the day you first appeared and not the day that you pulled it.‭ ‬Just...‭ ‬a few hours later in the day.‭”

Link furrowed his brow,‭ ‬nodding slowly,‭ “‬Okay...‭”

“Okay,‭ ‬so,‭ ‬when you are in the past time still passes here obviously.‭ ‬And you will never come back directly after placing the Master Sword.‭ ‬Anytime between one second and exactly one day spent in the past equals an hour of time that will pass here.‭ ‬So,‭ ‬since you were in the past for three days--but less than four--when you pulled the Master Sword again,‭ ‬you came back three hours after having put it in.‭”

Link nodded,‭ ‬comprehension slowly spreading across his face.‭ ‬“Okay...‭ ‬I think I get it.‭ ‬S‭’‬weird though...‭”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ “‬It is at that.‭ ‬Do you have any questions about any of it‭?”

“Yes,‭ ‬I felt...‭ ‬weird.‭ ‬It was my body,‭ ‬but I felt weird in it.‭ ‬Why‭?”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ “‬When you first pulled the Master‭ ‬Sword you were pulled into the Sacred Realm and slept there for seven years.‭ ‬Even though you slept,‭ ‬you were still aware.‭ ‬Your body had seven years to get used to your ever growing and changing body.‭ ‬But when you go back,‭ ‬you don‭’‬t get seven years to get used to it.‭ ‬Your body from now is put in stasis and your body from exactly seven years ago is pulled from the Sacred Realm for you to use.‭”

Link frowned again,‭ “‬But...‭ ‬how‭? ‬I mean,‭ ‬I don‭’‬t remember it.‭ ‬I mean I do,‭ ‬from now,‭ ‬but not then...‭ ‬y‭’‬know‭?”

“Only your body exits the Sacred Realm,‭ ‬your consciousness from that time is still sleeping in the Sacred Realm while your body from then is pulled out.‭ ‬Your body from now,‭ ‬when you go to the past,‭ ‬has no consciousness because it travels back to the past.‭ ‬Then‭ ‬when you come back,‭ ‬your past body is put right back into the Sacred Realm and your consciousness comes back into your present body.‭”‬ Sheik sighed and chuckled softly,‭ ‬shaking his head,‭ “‬Honestly,‭ ‬all you really need to know is:‭ ‬you had seven years to get‭ ‬used to your body growing,‭ ‬but no time to get used to it being small again.‭”

“Well,‭”‬ Navi chirped as she wriggled her way out from under Link‭’‬s hat,‭ “‬If we‭’‬re done with question and long-winded answer time,‭ ‬shouldn‭’‬t we get going‭?”

“Yes,‭ ‬we probably should.‭”‬ Sheik said,‭ ‬nodding his head.

‭“‬Where‭’‬re we goin‭’‬ again‭?”‬ Link asked,‭ ‬turning towards the entrance.

‭“‬Lon Lon Ranch.‭”‬ Sheik said softly.‭ ‬He glanced about,‭ ‬making sure he hadn‭’‬t left anything before turning back to Link,‭ “‬I‭’‬ll take us,‭ ‬so we can get there quickly...‭ ‬are we all ready‭?”‬ When Link glanced back,‭ ‬nodding and Navi sighed,‭ ‬shooting her way back under Link‭’‬s hat Sheik approached Link,‭ ‬wrapping his arms around the teen from behind.‭ ‬“Then‭ ‬let's‭ ‬go‭”

Sheik squeezed Link‭ ‬closer to him and closed his eyes as they were enveloped in a raging torrent of darkness,‭ ‬blotting out the Temple from their sight.‭ ‬When the darkness faded once again,‭ ‬they stood at the entrance of Lon Lon Ranch and Sheik released Link,‭ ‬moving to stand beside him.

‭“‬Are we done with‭ ‬the teleporting and everything‭?”‬ Navi asked,‭ ‬poking her head out from under Link‭’‬s hat.

Sheik chuckled,‭ ‬nodding his head,‭ “‬Yeah,‭ ‬we‭’‬re done Bug.‭”

Once again,‭ ‬Navi wormed her way out of the hat,‭ ‬only to flutter over and land on Sheik‭’‬s shoulder upon gaining her freedom.

‭“‬Why are we here anyway‭?”‬ Link asked,‭ ‬glancing at Sheik.

‭“‬I thought we were done with question and long-winded answer time for today.‭”‬ Navi said with a bright ringing laugh.

‭“‬We are,‭”‬ Sheik said with a shake of his head.‭ ‬“Short answer time now.‭”‬ He looked to Link and nodded toward the Ranch,‭ “‬We‭’‬re here to get a horse.‭”

Link nodded slowly,‭ “‬Okay...‭ ‬why‭?”

“So you‭’‬ll have the ability to travel more quickly when I‭’‬m not around.‭”‬ Sheik said softly,‭ “‬And so I won‭’‬t need to‭ ‬‘teleport‭’‬ us to get us somewhere when we want to go quickly.‭ ‬It‭’‬s not as quick,‭ ‬but,‭ ‬there it is.‭”

Link nodded slowly and began walking up into the ranch.

‭“‬Hang back for a moment Sheik.‭”‬ Navi whispered,‭ ‬sliding up to hold onto the dangling earrings on Sheik‭’‬s ears.

Sheik walked,‭ ‬slowly,‭ ‬behind Link,‭ ‬allowing the Hylian teen to get a good distance ahead of him,‭ “‬What‭?”

“You need to stop talking to Sheia when Link‭’‬s around,‭ ‬or at least when he‭’‬s awake.‭”

“...Why‭?”

“Well,‭”‬ Navi said,‭ ‬sighing softly as she grasped nervously at the jewelry hanging from Sheik‭’‬s ear,‭ “‬He can hear her.‭”

Sheik‭’‬s eyes went wide and he stopped.‭ ‬lifting a hand to his shoulder to gingerly pluck Navi off.‭ ‬Bringing his hand.‭ ‬palm side up,‭ ‬in front of his face he shook his head,‭ ‬whispering hoarsely,‭ “‬He can what‭?!”

“Hear her.‭ ‬He cannot see her,‭ ‬but he can damned well hear her.‭”‬ Navi sighed and fluttered off‭ ‬Sheik‭’‬s hand to hover closer to his face,‭ “‬He was asking me about hearing you‭ ‬talk to her at‭ ‬Impa‭’‬s.‭ ‬I lied and said I didn‭’‬t,‭ ‬to keep my word‭ ‬to you,‭ ‬but don‭’‬t put me in that position again...‭ ‬please.‭”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ ‬letting out an exasperated sigh.‭ ‬He brought his hands up,‭ ‬rubbing against his temples,‭ “‬Okay...‭ ‬sorry,‭ ‬Bug.‭”

“Don‭’‬t be sorry Sheik,‭ ‬be careful.‭”‬ Navi said sweetly,‭ ‬fluttering forward to place a kiss against the tip of Sheik‭’‬s nose,‭ ‬before settling herself down on his shoulder again,‭ “‬Tally ho‭!”

“Great,‭ ‬now I‭’‬m the Bug‭’‬s steed...‭”‬ Sheik said with a weak chuckle as he quickly jogged forward to catch up with Link,‭ ‬who was standing beside the gate leading to the animal enclosure.‭ ‬Looking in,‭ ‬he frowned,‭ ‬seeing Ingo at the corral,‭ “‬This place has seen better days...‭ ‬I don‭’‬t see Malon.‭ ‬Perhaps she‭’‬s in the stable.‭”

Link jumped a bit and turned to look at Sheik,‭ “‬Gettin‭’‬ me back for earlier‭?”‬ He smiled and laughed,‭ ‬shaking his head,‭ “‬You...‭ ‬y‭’‬know Malon‭?”

Sheik nodded,‭ ‬tugging at Link‭’‬s arm to pull the younger man with him as he headed toward the stable,‭ “‬Yes,‭ ‬but I haven‭’‬t seen her for a few years.‭”‬ He slowly opened the door to the stables,‭ ‬letting Link step in ahead of him.

‭“‬Oh...‭ ‬a visitor‭! ‬It's been a long time since we've had a visitor here...‭ ‬Where did you come from‭?”‬ Malon asked as she looked up from the bucket in her hands and noticed Link.

‭“‬Er,‭ ‬well...‭”‬ Link said,‭ ‬scratching the back of his head.‭ ‬He cleared his throat and chuckled awkwardly,‭ “‬What happened here‭?”

“Since Ganondorf came,‭ ‬people in Castle Town have gone,‭ ‬places have been ruined,‭ ‬and monsters are wandering everywhere.‭" ‬Malon sighed and shook her head sadly,‭ “‬Mr.‭ ‬Ingo is just using the ranch to gain Ganondorf's favor...‭ ‬Everyone seems to be turning evil...‭ ‬But Dad...‭"

Sheik stepped into the stable and pulled down his cowl,‭ “‬Your father‭? ‬What happened to Talon‭?”

Hearing Sheik,‭ ‬Malon looked‭ ‬at him and frowned.‭ ‬She ran to him,‭ ‬pulling him into a hug,‭ “‬Oh Sheik,‭ ‬you haven‭’‬t been here in so long...‭ ‬Dad,‭ ‬he...‭”‬ She buried her head into Sheik‭’‬s shoulder,‭ ‬biting her lip and closed her eyes tightly,‭ “‬He was kicked out of the ranch by Mr.‭ ‬Ingo...‭”

Sheik shook his head,‭ ‬rubbing Malon's back lightly.‭ ‬“I‭’‬m sorry Malon,‭”‬ He said softly,‭ ‬gently pulling back from her,‭ “‬I‭’‬m sure he‭’‬s fine,‭ ‬Talon‭’‬s a tough old goat.‭”

Malon chuckled wetly,‭ ‬sniffling and nodding her head,‭ “‬I...‭ ‬I‭’‬m sure you‭’‬re right.‭”‬ She let out a harsh breath and shook her head,‭ “‬What are you doing here‭? ‬And who is this with you.‭”

“Well,‭ ‬we came to get a horse,‭”‬ Sheik said with a sigh before motioning for Link to join them,‭ “‬And this,‭ ‬this is Link.‭ ‬Don‭’‬t tell me you‭’‬ve forgotten him‭?”

Malon‭’‬s eyes went wide as she looked Link over,‭ “‬Oh my,‭ ‬Link‭? ‬Really‭? ‬Link‭!" ‬She shook her head and smiled,‭ “‬That's what I thought‭! ‬You're the fairy boy from the forest‭! ‬That was years ago‭!”

Link flushed from being called the‭ ‬‘fairy boy‭’‬ and nodded,‭ “‬Yeah,‭ ‬that‭’‬s me...‭”

“But where‭’‬s your fairy‭?”‬ Malon asked,‭ ‬raising an eyebrow.

‭“‬Right here,‭”‬ Navi said,‭ ‬ringing out cheerfully,‭ “‬You almost crushed me you know‭?”

Malon turned to Sheik,‭ ‬spying Navi on his shoulder,‭ “‬Oh,‭ ‬I‭’‬m sorry.‭”‬ She sighed and shook her head,‭ “‬I know you said you came here for a horse,‭ ‬but,‭ ‬well...‭ ‬Mr.‭ ‬Ingo isn‭’‬t letting any horses go to anyone except Ganondorf.‭ ‬Ever since Ganondorf came to rule,‭ ‬Mr.‭ ‬Ingo‭’‬s changed.‭ ‬I would have left,‭ ‬but he treats the horses so cruelly,‭ ‬someone has to help them.‭”

Sheik sighed,‭ ‬“Ingo was always a bit...‭ ‬prickly,‭ ‬but it‭’‬s hard to imagine him being a cruel and willing servant to Ganondorf.‭”

Malon frowned,‭ ‬scrunching her face in thought,‭ “‬Oh‭!”‬ She exclaimed,‭ “‬I have an idea.‭ ‬Do you remember Epona‭?”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ ‬glancing at Link who also nodded,‭ “‬Yes,‭ ‬why‭?”

“He‭’‬s been trying to train her to give to Ganondorf,‭ ‬but she won‭’‬t cooperate with him.‭ ‬I‭’‬m the only person she listens to,‭ ‬she really likes my mothers song...‭”‬ She smiled softly and sighed,‭ “‬Epona is our fastest and strongest horse,‭ ‬I can‭’‬t let her go to the Evil King.‭ ‬She trusted both of you and if you play my mother‭’‬s song for her again,‭ ‬I‭’‬m sure she‭’‬ll remember you...‭”

Sheik pressed his palm against his forehead and sighed,‭ “‬You want us to take a gamble for her...‭ ‬don‭’‬t you‭?”

Link tilted his head questioningly,‭ ‬looking from Sheik to Malon as the red head grinned.

‭“‬Sure do.‭ ‬If you pay him ten rupees,‭ ‬Mr.‭ ‬Ingo will let you into the corral to ride the horses,‭ ‬twenty if you both go in.‭ ‬Then you can go in and play my mother's song for Epona.‭ ‬Then approach Mr.‭ ‬Ingo and challenge him to a race.‭ ‬Say that if you win you get the horse you race on and if he wins...‭ ‬well,‭ ‬you‭’‬ll just have to come up with something.‭”

Sheik nodded slowly and sighed,‭ ‬pulling his cowl up once again,‭ ‬“Alright,‭ ‬it‭’‬ll have to do.‭ ‬Thanks,‭ ‬Malon.‭”

Malon nodded and leaned forward,‭ ‬hugging Sheik before turning and hugging Link,‭ “‬Good luck.‭”

Link smiled and nodded his head,‭ “‬Thanks.‭”‬ He went to the door,‭ ‬turning back to see Sheik following after him and left the stable.‭ ‬“So,‭ ‬you‭’‬re going to race‭?”

Sheik laughed and shook his head,‭ “‬Uh,‭ ‬no.‭ You‭ ‬are going to race.‭ ‬I‭’‬ll just give you some advice and issue the‭ ‬‘challenge‭’‬ to Ingo.‭”

“Oh...‭ ‬okay.‭ ‬Well,‭ ‬I could use the advice.‭”

“If he accepts the race,‭ ‬he‭’‬ll be‭ ‬trying hard to win.‭ ‬He‭’‬ll likely play dirty and try to knock you off.‭ ‬So,‭ ‬keep Epona at a steady speed and if he goes for it really push her until you‭’‬re ahead and let her go steady again.‭ ‬Keep to the inside of the‭ ‬‘track‭’‬ but if he tries to go around you,‭ ‬move to block him.‭”

Link nodded slowly and took a deep breath,‭ “‬I...‭ ‬I‭’‬ll try.‭”

“No trying to it,‭ ‬Link.‭ ‬You‭’‬ll do fine.‭”‬ Sheik said with a smile as he clapped Link on the back lightly and walked with the teen to toward the corral.‭

When the pair reached him,‭ ‬Ingo rubbed his chin,‭ ‬looking at them appraisingly,‭ “‬Say,‭ ‬young men,‭ ‬do want want to ride one of my fine horses‭? ‬Pay me twenty rupees and you can ride.‭ ‬Ten if it‭’‬s just one of you.‭”

Sheik pulled twenty rupees from his pouch and handed them to the older man,‭ “‬He‭’‬ll be riding,‭ ‬but I‭’‬ll go in and watch.‭”

Ingo took the rupees and shrugged,‭ “‬If that‭’‬s your thing sure.‭”‬ He opened the gate and let the pair in before closing it behind them.

Link turned to Sheik when they were out of earshot and pulled out the Ocarina of Time and put it to his lips,‭ ‬softly playing the song Malon had taught him years earlier.‭ ‬Drawn by the song Epona approached the pair,‭ ‬nudging Link‭’‬s shoulder with her muzzle.‭ ‬Link smiled at the horse and patted her crest lightly,‭ ‬gently sliding his fingers through her mane,‭ “‬There‭’‬s a good horse.‭”

Sheik smiled at Link,‭ ‬pulling an apple from his bag.‭ ‬He slipped a small knife from a pocket of his belt and cut a sliver off,‭ ‬holding it out in his palm for Epona who ate it happily.‭ ‬“Hello girl,‭”‬ he said softly,‭ ‬cutting another sliver from the apple to feed to her,‭ “‬Do you want to help us and get out of here‭?”‬ When Epona whinnied softly,‭ ‬he smiled and gently slid his hand against her neck.‭ ‬“Good girl.‭”

“Wait here with her,‭ ‬Link.‭ ‬I‭’‬m going to talk to Ingo.‭”‬ Sheik left the apple with Link and slipped the knife back into his belt as he turned away from the horse and Hylian to approach the gate,‭ “‬Sir,‭ ‬are you interested in selling any of your horses,‭ ‬I could pay a great deal.‭”

Ingo turned to Sheik and narrowed his eyes,‭ ‬shaking his head forcefully,‭ “‬They‭’‬re not for sale.‭”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ “‬I see that‭’‬s too bad...‭”‬ he sighed and shook his head,‭ ‬turning from Ingo before turning right back,‭ “‬Well,‭ ‬how about a wager‭?”

“A wager,‭ ‬you say‭?”

Sheik nodded,‭ “‬My friend races you and if he wins we get the horse he races on...‭ ‬but if he loses I‭’‬ll pay you twenty five hundred rupees.‭”

Ingo rubbed his chin,‭ ‬looking at Sheik suspiciously,‭ “‬Your friend must be pretty good if you‭’‬re willing to risk so much money...‭ ‬and how do I know you‭’‬ve got it‭?”

Sheik shrugged,‭ ‬pulling his pouch from his belt.‭ ‬He opened it and allowed Ingo to look inside,‭ ‬smirking behind his cowl at the greedy gleam in the man‭’‬s eyes.‭ ‬“Now,‭ ‬my friend,‭ ‬he is good...‭ ‬I can‭’‬t lie about that,‭ ‬but I‭’‬m willing to bet you‭’‬re good yourself.‭ ‬So I think it‭’‬s more than fair.‭”

Ingo grinned reaching his hand between the bars of the corral,‭ “‬You‭’‬ve got yourself a deal.‭”

Sheik shook Ingo‭’‬s hand and closed up his pouch,‭ ‬tying it back to his belt as Ingo opened the gates to the corral and mounted a horse.‭ ‬Sheik approached Link,‭ “‬Mount up,‭ ‬get outside the corral and remember what I told you.‭”

“You there,‭ ‬boy,‭ ‬start for us‭!”

Sheik nodded and ran to the gate of the corral,‭ ‬waiting for Link and Ingo to get into position,‭ ‬When they were ready,‭ ‬he raised his arm high above his head.‭ ‬“On your marks‭!”‬ He cried out,‭ “‬Get set‭! ‬GO‭!”‬ As he spoke the final word he brought her arm down quickly,‭ ‬watching as the pair of horses darted off.‭ ‬He smiled as he watched Link race Ingo around the corral.‭ ‬Link was following his advice to the letter.‭ ‬He kept Epona galloping at a steady pace,‭ ‬riding the fence tightly until Ingo tried to force him against it and would speed up.‭ ‬Ingo fought against Link hard and there were a few times when he surpassed the hero.‭ ‬In the end when the race was over not a minute after it began,‭ ‬Link was the clear winner.

Ingo glared at Sheik as he dismounted his horse and then looked to Link,‭ “‬What's up with that horse‭?! ‬Is that Epona‭? ‬How did you tame that wild horse right under my nose‭?!" ‬All the anger drained from his face,‭ ‬replaced by fear,‭ “‬I was going to present that horse to the great Ganondorf...‭ ‬But I bet it on the race and lost‭! ‬Shoot‭! ‬Hah ha hah‭!" ‬He grinned,‭ ‬clearing his throat as he regained‭ ‬his composure.‭ ‬He quickly ran to the gate of the enclosure and slammed it behind him,‭ ‬locking it,‭ “‬As I promised,‭ ‬I'll give the horse to you...‭ ‬However...‭ ‬I'll never let you leave this ranch‭!”‬ He waved and grinned madly before stalking off from the gate.

Sheik groaned and rubbed his head,‭ ‬looking up to Link as he sat on Epona.‭ ‬“Good job,‭ ‬Link,‭”‬ He said softly,‭ ‬patting Epona‭’‬s muzzle,‭ “‬You too,‭ ‬girl.‭”‬ He sighed and shook his head,‭ “‬I really I should have seen that coming.‭”

Link shrugged,‭ “‬Well,‭ ‬he said she‭’‬s ours now...‭ ‬so if we get her outta here,‭ ‬it‭’‬s not stealing.‭”

“Therein lies the problem,‭ ‬Link.‭”‬ Sheik mumbled.

‭“‬Well,‭ ‬can‭’‬t you just teleport us all out of here‭?”

Sheik laughed and shook his head,‭ “‬Do you know how hard it is to do that with just the two of us‭? ‬Hard.‭ ‬Maybe,‭ ‬just maybe‭,‭ ‬if I hadn‭’‬t done so twice already this day,‭ ‬I could,‭ ‬but I just don‭’‬t know.‭”

Link sighed,‭ ‬nodding his head as he looked around.‭ ‬He tilted his head and grinned,‭ “‬Get on,‭ ‬I‭’‬ve got an idea.‭”

Sheik raised an eyebrow and looked up at Link,‭ “‬What‭? ‬‘Get on‭’‬? No,‭ ‬no no.‭ ‬I do‭ not‭ ride horses.‭”

Link blinked,‭ ‬staring at Sheik in disbelief,‭ “‬What‭?! ‬What d‭’‬ya y‭’‬don‭’‬t ride horses‭?! ‬What were y‭’‬gonna do when we got a horse‭? ‬Run along side me‭?!”

Sheik cleared his throat and shrugged,‭ ‬thankful that the blush creeping up on his cheeks couldn‭’‬t be seen.‭ ‬“Well,‭ ‬I suppose I didn‭’‬t think that far ahead.‭”

Link shook his head,‭ “‬Get on the horse Sheik.‭”

“No,‭ ‬no thank you...‭”

“GET ON THE HORSE‭!”

“NO‭!”

Link groaned,‭ ‬letting out an exasperated sigh as he reached down and grabbed Sheik.‭ ‬He pulled Sheik,‭ ‬rather easily,‭ ‬onto Epona and settled the older man down in front of him on the saddle.

Sheik groaned,‭ ‬grasping the horn of the saddle tightly,‭ “‬Oh Din save me,‭ ‬I‭’‬m on a horse.‭”‬ He closed his eyes tightly and groaned,‭ “‬I don‭’‬t know what scares me more:‭ ‬the fact that I‭’‬m on a horse or how easy it was for you to‭ pick me up‭ and put me on it‭!”

Link blushed and cleared his throat,‭ “‬Yeah,‭ ‬m‭’‬sorry‭ ‬‘bout that...‭”

Sheik shook his head quickly,‭ “‬Don‭’‬t be sorry.‭ ‬I‭’‬ll worry about the fact that you could snap my spine with little to no effort later.‭ ‬Just get on with your damned plan before I freak out‭?

Link grinned,‭ ‬chuckling softly,‭ “‬Don‭’‬t y‭’‬mean,‭ ‬freak out more‭?”

“Yes,‭ ‬fine,‭ ‬whatever‭! ‬Get on with it‭!”

Link nodded and lifted his hat to hold Navi as he tightened his hands on the reigns,‭ “‬You might want to hold tightly.‭”

Sheik whimpered and held the horn of the saddle tightly with one hand and Link‭’‬s thigh with the other,‭ “‬Do it‭!”

Link nodded and leaned‭ ‬forward,‭ ‬pressing himself tightly against Sheik‭’‬s back as he spurred Epona forward toward a wall of the ranch.‭ ‬As Epona reached the wall she leapt forward,‭ ‬scaling the wall with ease,‭ ‬carrying herself,‭ ‬Link and a screaming Sheik over to the freedom of the other side.

Sheik opened his eyes after Epona touched down and leaned forward,‭ ‬planting a soft kiss to the‭ ‬horse's crest,‭ “‬Dear Din,‭ ‬thank you for not killing me Epona.‭”‬ He sighed and leaned back,‭ ‬laying against Link,‭ “‬I would say you should have warned me,‭ ‬but I think I would have died if you had.‭”

Link laughed,‭ ‬pressing his face against the top of Sheik‭’‬s turban,‭ “‬Y‭’‬screamed...‭ ‬oh my,‭ ‬I can‭’‬t believe y‭’‬screamed.‭”

Sheik rolled his eyes,‭ ‬reaching a hand up to hit Link‭’‬s shoulder softly,‭ “‬Shut up,‭ ‬you.‭”

Link snickered‭ ‬,‭ “‬Okay okay,‭ ‬m‭’‬sorry...‭ ‬but it was cute.‭”

“It was Sheik,‭ ‬you can‭’‬t deny it.‭”‬ Navi said with a laugh,‭ ‬squeezing her way out from under Link‭’‬s hat.

Sheik tilted his head back against Link‭’‬s chest to look up at Navi,‭ ‬glaring at the fairy,‭ ‬“Don‭’‬t make me bottle you,‭ ‬Bug.‭”

Navi rang out brightly and laughed,‭ “‬Go ahead,‭ ‬it will give me a good rest.‭”

“I shoulda warned y‭’‬that threat doesn‭’‬t work.‭ ‬Tried it before.‭”‬ Link said,‭ ‬forcing himself not to laugh.‭ ‬He cleared his throat and shifted under Sheik‭’‬s weight,‭ “‬So,‭ ‬we gonna talk‭ ‬‘bout what t‭’‬do next‭?”

Sheik nodded slowly,‭ ‬letting himself be calmed down by the feeling of Link‭’‬s chest rising and falling against his back.‭ ‬“I suppose so.‭”‬ He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth for a moment before continuing,‭ “‬You could go to Death Mountain,‭ ‬to see the Goron‭’‬s and get a tunic that will allow you to get through the Fire Temple.‭ ‬Then go through said Temple.‭ ‬Or,‭ ‬you could go to a cavern in Zora‭’‬s Domain to get an item needed to reach the Water Temple,‭ ‬as well as some item's from the Zora's,‭ ‬that will keep you from drowning and then go through that Temple.‭”

Link nodded slowly,‭ “‬Or I could go to the Zora‭’‬s Domain,‭ ‬get the things I need,‭ ‬visit the Gorons,‭ ‬get the tunic from them and then go through the Fire and Water Temples.‭”

“Yes,‭ ‬you could.‭”‬ Sheik said softly,‭ ‬turning his head to press his ear against Link‭’‬s chest and listened to his heartbeat,‭ “‬As I said this morning,‭ ‬or a few days ago for you,‭ ‬there are a few ways you can progress right now,‭ ‬how you go is‭ ‬entirely up to you.‭”

“Then let‭’‬s get t‭’‬the Zora‭’‬s Domain.‭”
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A Man's Duty