Chapter Text
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Prologue
A Mother’s Embrace
The belly of the forest grew hungry with the sound of rustling footsteps, the hush whispers of a Mother's soothing tongue echoing throughout the vast green space. She was desperate in easing her child's discomfort, the small babe nuzzling into the crook of the Hylian's neck. Not all who wander within this forest alone suffer the consequence of danger, but in this unfortunate time she shall discover the true meaning of fear.
A swarm of mischievous outcasts from the Yiga Clan have been following her every trail, their maniacal laughter a constant reminder of her vulnerability. Tears began to blur her vision as she desperately maneuvered herself through branches and bushes, an occasional twig scraping across her pale cheek. Her child stirred underneath her arms, brows furrowing with soft whimpers of distress and confusion of his surroundings.
His caretaker kissed upon his forehead to murmur encouraging thoughts, even if it seemed completely futile. Hope still flickered with an ongoing glow, so it seemed.
The Yiga's acrobatic movements could be heard behind not too far along, the infrequent sound of dissipating smoke and confetti filling her ears. She had to find somewhere to hide, or at least for her son to. A spastic mind caused her to halt behind a willow tree, it's form hunched over as if to protect such innocence within the thicket. The Hylian struggled to contain her heavy breathing, tears rolling freely down her cheeks as she gazed upon the precious gift bestowed upon her. Her back leaned against the wood behind her, scratching her skin with mild annoyance.
Though something caught her footing as she stumbled backwards for a moment, a hidden gap within the tree's frame that was small enough for a child. A hiding spot...for him.
Realization kicked in as her voice trembled with growing pain, another laugh within the distance halting her pondering as she gazed upon her babe with tender eyes.
"My child, I love you with all of my aching heart."
Each word that escaped her lips caused her chest to swell with the oncoming assault of regret, her lips pressing against his velvet head in adoration.
"I will come back for you, I will come back.."
It was more of a promise to herself to ease her fear as she gently laid the child within the tree's frame. She will come back, she HAD to. A tiny hand outstretched towards her direction with slight bewilderment, his fingers curling along her own digits lovingly. With a quivering smile, the Mother retracts with a stumble of her feet against the earth below. One final glance was all she took, her lips moving in unison but with no sound.
I love you.
In this moment of time, a Mother bravely abandons her child for his safety, her feet purposefully landing against stick and foliage to cause a distraction upon her hunters. The Yiga take in this beautiful sound with smiles against their masks, daggers sharpening together whilst they traveled with incredible speed towards her direction.
Then....there was nothing but silence.
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"My Lord! We have found something!"
The sun's morning glow cascaded upon various metal of Hyrule guards, a gauntlet noisily leaning downward into the stump's inside. King Rhoam, settled upon his steed gazes with curiosity and slight caution, knuckles groaning in leather while tightening his hold on a hilt.
"It's - ... dear Goddess, it's a child!"
King Rhoam pauses in his tracks with a furrow of his bush brows, his legs swinging off the beast with a twist of his frame. The sound of murmurs from the party begin to follow as he approaches with heavy strides, his crown glistening to radiate upon the child's features. The infant squints his eyes with discomfort whilst moving his tiny arms to veil his sight, a small cry escaping his lips. The guard holds him awkwardly with his bulky posture, words slightly muffled against his helm.
"What should we do with him my Lord? He couldn't have been here for more than a few days time."
A question that would surely change lives forever, the crowd around him gazing with uncertainty and slight hope in their eyes. Though only a cruel being would leave a child to fend for himself, his lips curling into a small smile before speaking in a husk tone.
"He is a citizen of Hyrule now. Take him with careful strides, and prepare a bath when we reach the kingdom. I know of someone who might enjoy his company."