Silent Echoes

Chapter 1

"Link! Link!"

Link lifted his head from the book he had been reading to see Zelda, his childhood friend and current study partner, running across the green towards him. He lifted a hand in greeting and smiled as Zelda dropped down to sit on the grass beside him. Her blue eyes twinkled with a bright energy he had always admired. She was dressed for the sunny spring weather in blue jeans and a v-necked shirt in white trimmed with pink. Her hair was pulled back into a practical ponytail and she had a messenger back slung over one shoulder. She dropped it to the ground and lay back in the grass with a sigh.

Link himself wore khaki cargo pants and his favorite green polo shirt, and the backpack beside him was half filled with textbooks, though the book in his hand wasn't exactly scholarly.

"Whatcha' reading?" she asked.

He lifted the book to show her a somewhat dog-eared science fiction novel. She chuckled. "That stuff again. Aren't you supposed to be reading actual science books these days?"

He set the book down and made a series of gestures, speaking silently with his hands. He had never been able to speak. He was not fully mute, he could make some sounds, but for reasons that had baffled all the experts he was utterly unable to shape words. Thankfully Zelda had learned Hylian Sign Language many years ago so she understood his response perfectly. I read plenty of science books, but if I hadn't read any science fiction, I wouldn't have been interested in science in the first place.

"Fair enough. But I'm afraid you'll have to get the heavy stuff out now. My chemistry test is next week and I am still pretty lost. You promised to help me with it."

Link nodded. Of course, his fingers said. Zelda fished a thick textbook out of her bag and she and Link bent over it. The sun streamed down around them, two figures at one edge of a landscaped field that stood at the heart of Castle University, Hyrule's oldest center of higher learning. Golden light highlighted two fair heads, their hair alike enough that they could have been siblings, though Zelda was the daughter of a politician, while Link was the orphan son of a forestry worker.

They were both in their second year at the university, and Zelda hadn't yet declared a major, she was still trying to decide between psychology and thaumaturgy. Link, on the other hand, had declared his major as soon as he'd begun his studies. He knew what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to go to space. A degree in astrophysics was the first step in a course that led eventually to the HSA's astronaut program and the stars.

He brushed a strand of hair back behind one pointed ear as Zelda explained her current difficulties. When she finished his fingers flashed in confident explanation. He'd taken advanced placement chemistry while still in high school, so Zelda's beginning course was no challenge for him, and he enjoyed teaching. A beep from the watch on his wrist, however, eventually called his attention to the time and he halted his explanation. I have to go, he signed. Class starts in five minutes.

"Well, I think I have the different bonds down pretty well now, and I don't want to make you late to your favorite class, but maybe I could come over to your place later and go over ionic compounds with me? That'll be on the test too."

Sure, Link signed as he got to his feet. He waved at Zelda, who smiled and waved back, then took off at a dead run. His next class was on the far side of campus, and it would take some effort to get there on time. He grinned and ran a little faster, racing down the paved paths, dodging other students walking to and from classes. He vaulted over a railing, went up a staircase three steps at a time, then took a short cut by using a ledge on the art building to get a foot up and leap over a head-high fence. On the far side he landed in a roll from which he sprang again to his feet without losing any momentum.

Four and a half minutes later he arrived at the gymnasium, breathing fast but not truly winded, having jumped, climbed, tumbled and sprinted his way across almost the entire campus. His face bore a broad grin, for he loved the chance to hone his physical skills. There was not much practical use for parkour, but it was one of his guilty pleasures. As was this class. He had a heavy course load of hard sciences, working his way rapidly towards a bachelor's degree that would lead immediately to a master's and possibly to a doctorate. But though his next class didn't do anything to advance his degree, he took it every semester all the same.

Inside the gym he headed straight to the locker room, where he changed into his uniform and picked up his mask and epee. Around him a handful of other students were doing the same. Garbed and armed, they flowed out into the gym itself, where their teacher waited.

"Good afternoon class," said Impa, the fencing teacher. "Everyone start your warmup routines, and I'll be going around giving the advanced students their partners. When that's done I'll be drilling the beginners."

Link set his sword at his feet and started warming up. As he stretched the instructor came over to him. "Link. I'd like you and Ganondorf to pair up and do some sparring. I'll be starting the beginners on their drills and doing a little work with Malon and Shad. But I should have time towards the end to give you some pointers." Link frowned, but nodded assent. "And," added Impa as she turned away, "please don't let it turn into a brawl this time."

Link scowled at that, but Impa had already moved on. He shrugged and finished his stretching. Then, picking up his blade, he crossed the room to where several strips were laid out. His opponent was already there, epee in hand. Link tried to keep his face expressionless as he took up his position opposite Ganondorf and lowered his mask.

Ganondorf was a good decade Link's elder, and Link didn't know why he was at the university. He obviously hadn't started college courses directly from high school as Link had. Though in Link's less charitable moments he liked to think that Ganondorf had, and had failed so many classes that he was still stuck in school. It probably wasn't true though, for Ganondorf wasn't stupid. He also was no slouch with his sword. He was big, positively towering over Link, which gave him a reach advantage. His hair was bright red, and his skin had an olive cast that marked him as having at least some Gerudo blood. He and Link were frequently paired up, for they were quite closely matched, while the other two advanced students, Malon and Shad, were well behind either of them, since both Link and Ganondorf had arrived at the university with skills already well-honed.

"Oh look, I get to fight the mute. Or the mutant, maybe." The older student sneered at Link, who found himself glad that the blade in his hand kept him from replying. Not that Ganondorf would understand if he did, though they'd been frequent sparring partners for two years now, Ganondorf had not learned a word of sign language. "If somebody decent doesn't join the advanced class next semester I might just have to get private lessons instead. I'm tired of wiping the floor with your sorry ass, Link."

Link clenched his teeth. He won their bouts as often as not, despite Ganondorf's extra years of experience. But he resolved to not let his opponent taunt him into making a rash move, so he simply waited, blade ready. Ganondorf frowned, apparently disappointed that his insults hadn't goaded Link into attacking. He suddenly lunged forward, trying to take Link by surprise, but Link parried easily. They were soon moving back and forth, insults forgotten in the intensity of the match. And to Link's relief Ganondorf didn't attempt any of the dirty tricks that had turned some of their previous matches into real fights. Link knew he shouldn't take the bait when Ganondorf tried something the rules didn't allow, but it was hard not to respond to the other's outrageous cheating.

"Hold!" Impa's interruption was a welcome one. After a good twenty minutes of sparring Link was starting to get out of breath. He lowered his sword, only to have Ganondorf lunge forward and deliver a solid, almost stunning blow directly to Link's head. Link let out a yelp of surprise and pain. Even through the protective gear that had hurt!

"Ganondorf!" Impa's voice could have peeled paint. "What in the three's name do you think you're doing?"

"Sorry, I didn't hear you," said Ganondorf with casual disdain.

"That's complete nonsense. And it's obvious that Link had stopped the bout. Nobody lowers their sword like that while fighting."

"I can't help it if he's so bad he makes his opponents expect that kind of sloppiness."

"I'll show you what a bad opponent looks like. But you're going to need a mirror! Lift your sword."

Ganondorf grinned. "Gladly." He raised his blade. Link stepped aside, letting Impa take his place on the strip. He took off his mask and watched with mixed emotions as Impa chased Ganondorf off the end of the strip half a dozen times in a row. Impa was only a little faster than Ganondorf, and her reach was nowhere near a match, but her strategy was far superior. Ganondorf was too easily goaded into responding predictably. Link would have won more often if he himself hadn't often lost his head and acted rashly rather than thoughtfully. He really did enjoy fencing, but he hated being constantly paired with the abrasive Ganondorf. If there had been any other fencing class available he'd have taken it, but the university only offered the one. Fencing had fallen out of fashion in recent years, while other martial arts had become more popular. Link considered, not for the first time, trying something else. Karate perhaps, or maybe even Tai Chi. It would be nice to do something less stressful than fight the towering Gerudo.

"Link," called out Impa while her blade still moved with confident speed, "Why don't you go watch Malon and Shad, give them a few pointers. I think I'll be busy here until the end of class." Link smiled and waved his agreement to this much more pleasant task. Even if it did little to hone his own skills, teaching was much more enjoyable than facing off against Ganondorf!

Fencing was Link's final class of the day, so after a quick shower and a change of clothes he set out towards home, with the late afternoon sun slanting down around him. He stopped by the library on the way to pick up a book he'd been assigned in his Hylian Literature class, a necessary evil of the general education requirements that he was currently putting up with. With the book stowed in his bag he considered doing another free run across campus towards home, but as he jogged out the library doors, distracted by indecision, he nearly tripped over another student.

Sorry, he signed reflexively as he stepped back rapidly.

"It's fine," said the person he'd nearly run over. Link blinked at his apology having been understood, then recognized the speaker. He was slender, pale, and anything but athletic, but he was quite familiar to Link. They certainly didn't share fencing as a hobby, but Vaati and Link did share several other classes, for their majors overlapped considerably. Vaati was actually double majoring in nuclear engineering and thaumaturgy, a course of study that made even Link's attempt to cram four years into just three look light. He was also one of the few people Link regularly spoke to, for in addition to their shared classes, they also shared a knowledge of sign language. Only because Vaati seemed to have taken the fact that Link knew something he didn't as a challenge when they'd first met, but the brilliant young man had learned sign language with a speed that amply demonstrated how he was able to handle the demands of his difficult double major.

Link wouldn't quite have called him a friend, Vaati was too intense, and sometimes too strange, for that. But they were at least friendly rivals, and they sometimes studied together when sharing classes, as they currently did.

Is the calculus study group still on for tomorrow?

Yes, replied Vaati the same way, choosing to sign rather than speak. Bagu had to cancel but the rest of us will be there.

Great. I'll see you tomorrow.

Indeed. Vaati hoisted his backpack higher on his shoulder and nodded, then stepped around Link to enter the library. Link set off towards home at a more moderate pace, deciding to forgo another round of parkour.

Even at a walk it didn't take him very long to reach his destination. He lived on campus, in the dorms, his housing funded by the same scholarship money that covered his classes and books. He'd won several contests in high school, and the resulting scholarships allowed him to study full time despite his very modest finances. He had no family to assist him, as far as he knew he had no relatives whatsoever. His parents had died when he was just a child. They had both worked for Hyrule's forestry service, and had perished when a horrible forest fire, the worst that Hyrule had seen in living memory, had encircled and destroyed the forestry center where they worked. They had been the last out after helping rescue several other people, and though Link missed them terribly he took a certain amount of pride in knowing his parents had both died heroes. A desire to continue that legacy was one of the reasons why he wanted to be an astronaut. He wasn't sure if he was cut out to be a hero, but he knew he wanted to do something that would matter with his life.

But in order to do something that matters, one sometimes has to do a lot of things that don't matter first, he thought to himself with a sigh as he set about making a simple dinner. He wasn't really fond of the mundane need to cook, clean, and do other such everyday chores. There was an infinite number of more interesting ways he could spend that time.

When dinner was done and the dishes has been deposited in the sink to be dealt with later, Link went to the balcony and stepped out into the cool spring air. The sun was almost touching the horizon, throwing long shadows everywhere. As he stood on the balcony and watched the sun set, he heard the door open, and a sudden whirlwind of voices entered the tiny apartment. His roommates had returned. Link couldn't see them from the balcony, which was off the kitchen, but in a moment they'd be able to see him, and he didn't feel like dealing with any of them today, let alone all three of them together. So he scrambled up onto the railing, and with a jump caught hold of the balcony above. In only moments he had climbed that too and was standing on the roof.

Link sprawled on his back and stared up at the sky which was painted in blazing sunset colors. He let his mind drift as he watched the slowly changing sky above. Nayru's Light, the evening star, glittered against a backdrop that slowly darkened to purple. It seemed like a gem set in a vast dome above, but it was something even more precious, another world where no Hylian had ever set foot. Someday one might. Someday it might even be me, thought Link to himself.

He heard the sound of feet scuffing against concrete as somebody else followed the route he'd taken. "Hey there," said Zelda as she climbed up onto the roof.

Link sat up and waved hello.

"When the Three Stooges answered the door, I figured you would be up here hiding from them."

Link just shrugged, and Zelda smiled. "I brought along my chemistry book. But we'll have to go back down to have enough light to study by." The sky above was indigo, shading towards black, and Link nodded. Even with the ambient light that washed out the appearing stars it wasn't really bright enough to read. In a moment, he signed.

"Watching the stars?"

Link nodded. The future is up there.

"Maybe. Though that makes me think... you know I've been doing some genealogy lately. Looking into my past, seeing where I come from. I always knew it was a line of shady types, really. My dad... well, you know what he's like."

Link nodded again.

"Politics and power. He's never quite stepped over the law, though grandpa sure did often enough. But it turns out that before that, well... I'm named after Princess Zelda, I'm sure you know. Turns out I'm related to her as well. A cousin, that fled Hyrule during the revolution and lived with the Gorons. His grandchildren emigrated back to Hyrule, and one of them was my several-times great grandfather. If Daltus IV hadn't been overthrown, I'd be a princess myself. Weird, isn't it? And it turns out Dad knows. He just never mentions it because he figures being associated with Daltus the Tyrant wouldn't do his political image any good. But I kind of suspect now that in the back of his mind he's the Rightful King, and that's part of why he's so ambitious. Maybe. My teachers would probably smack me for jumping to such a trite diagnosis." She smiled.

Link smiled back. Knowing your dad, I think you're right. He acts like he's entitled to rule everyone.

"Yeah. It's still interesting though. I thought maybe I could look up your family too, see where your parents came from and if there's anything interesting in your family tree."

Link shrugged again. If you like, I guess.

"You're not curious?"

I know what my parents were like. And I love them. But I don't want to spend a lot of time thinking about them. All that does is make me miss them. Anyway, does it really matter who my ancestors were?

"Well... maybe not. But the past is what forms the present. We wouldn't be who we are without it. The past shaped Hyrule, and the Hylians, and this whole planet. We're like echoes of something that's already been said. And I guess if we accomplish something worthwhile, we speak our own words that can echo onward. But without the past we wouldn't exist at all."

Link looked back up at the stars. Maybe, he signed. But my words don't echo. And I'd rather look to the future.

"I'm sorry."

Don't be. Link climbed to his feet, then reached down and offered Zelda a hand. She took it with a smile. He pulled her to her feet. Let's go have a look at your chemistry notes, he signed. And hope that the Three Stooges have taken themselves elsewhere.