Legend Of Zelda Fan Fiction ❯ A Man's Duty ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Warning: This story contains scenes of cross-dressing, death, violence, angst, men liking other men, and a lot of other crazy things. If any of this does not appeal to you, please do not read. Some liberties have been taken with the original storyline and in my story Sheik is his own person and not Zelda. Oh and there will be Sheik/Link later in the story. You were warned so no complaining about it.

Beta'd By: Sparda's Kitten (fanfiction.net)

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"Nice t'see you this mornin', Sheia." The old potions lady said, "How's yer mum?"

"She's doing well. I need to stock up on potions." Sheik smiled faintly at the old woman, his crimson eyes bright. For a year and a half he had been acting the part of his sister, it pained him somewhat but the bright smile his mother held for 'Sheia' every morning made it easier.

He had taken to wearing armor at most times, the villagers taking this as merely a young girl buckling down into her role in honor of her lost brother. In fact, Sheik wore the armor because with it he didn't have to fake having breasts. On the rare occasion that he wore normal attire, he felt odd and out of place wearing water sacks under his clothing as fake breasts.

"Ah. Good good. Well let’s get you stocked up then, eh?" The old crone said with a twinkle in her eye. She hummed softly as Sheik placed a load of empty bottles on the counter. "Well well. You really are stocking up lass."

Sheik laughed and gave a slight nod. He pushed his sandy hair out of his face; it had grown to reach half way down his back in the time since his sister's death. He hadn't the heart to cut it. "I'll be leaving the village soon, can't be too careful."

"Aye, can't be too careful. You be sure t'come back and visit, get yer potions refilled. Y'hear me?" She said filling up the last of the bottles, placing the cork back at its top.

"I will. No need to worry about that." Sheik handed the woman a pile of rupees and stuffed the bottles into a small bag that appeared only able to carry one. He smiled at the bag, running his fingers over it. The bag was his sisters, enchanted to hold anything that would fit through the mouth, and massive amounts of it. "Be safe. I will come for more potions soon I'm sure.""Aye, you be safe to missy. Tell yer mum I said hello."

"I will. Thanks." Sheik said with a bit of a wave as he walked from the shop. He heaved a soft sigh and stretched, waving as merrily as he could muster as villagers greeted him, well to be more correct, as the greeted Sheia. He tied his sister’s bag to a belt at his thigh and made his way to Impa's home. Not long after he had woken, he was informed that he was being summoned and to pack his things.

He stopped at the door and knocked, lowering his head dutifully as Impa appeared at the door, arms crossed over her chest firmly. "Please enter... Sheia." She said just as firmly.

Sheik gave a slight bow, "Yes, Lady Impa," he said quietly raising himself up as he entered her home. He was silent as Impa took him to the middle of her large meeting room, she bent down over a small fire pit and pulled a rock away, exposing a small trapdoor.

"Enter Sheia. I will stay here. Knock when you are allowed to leave." Impa said with a smile.

Sheik nodded and climbed down into the trap door, squinting his eyes slightly as the light from above went died away. His feet touched the solid rock surface of the ground and he walked through a small path cut into the living rock. When he reached the end of the path he bowed deeply. Before him, was a small cave like chamber, lavishly decorated and in the corner sat Zelda, Princess of Hyrule.

There was a soft giggle followed by a shuffling sound and footsteps. As Sheik's eyes stared at the ground below him, small feet covered in golden cloth slippers appeared before him. "She... oh wait a moment." He heard before there was a bright blue light and the room around him was sealed. "There we go. Now. Sheik, please stand up."

"Yes, Princess." Sheik said softly, standing up straight. He smiled warmly at the young woman before him, she was a couple inches shorter than he was and very willowy. Her corn silk hair draped around her frame to her waist. She was certainly regal looking and the warm smile that graces the soft features of her face was proof to her kindness.

"Sheik, you have been one of my only friends for the past seven years. Please stop with the Princess act?" The princess said, her warm smile morphing into a friendly teasing grin.

"Of course." Sheik said with a bit of a chuckle.

"Good." Zelda smiled and walked to sit down in a cushioned chair. She leaned over slightly and placed her hand on the seat of a chair next to her, patting it lightly, "Please. Come sit with me."

"Alright." Sheik said almost uncomfortably, he sometimes found it very hard to speak to the Princess of Hyrule with less than formal speech. Usually when they met in here. He laughed silently to himself, he thought maybe he should be used to it by now, seven years of Zelda telling him to treat her like any other person and yet at times he wasn't.

Sheik sat down in the chair and turned towards Zelda, "I suppose, I'm going to be leaving today. Right?"

Zelda gave a bit of a sigh and nodded slightly, "Yes. Although you will be able to come back if you have the time." She smiled, "I hope you will. It gets rather lonely with only Impa to speak to. Not that I do not enjoy her company, mind. But one does like to have other company as well."

Sheik gives a genuine laugh and pats Zelda's hand lightly, "I will come back as often as I can then." In truth, Zelda was his only true friend. She was the only one who spoke to him as Sheik rather than Sheia. On the rare occasions she allowed herself to leave her place of hiding, in disguise of course, they talked for hours about everything and nothing while bathing in the sun.

Sheik frowned a bit, "I have a question that's been bothering me."
Zelda tilted her head a bit, "What is it, Sheik. What troubles you?"

"What am I going to do if I have to be in the village with the Hero? I will be myself to him but the villagers will speak to me as Sheia."

Zelda smiled faintly and nodded. "Do not worry your pretty little head about that." She said with a grin, getting a mock glare from Sheik in return, she laughed. "Impa will speak to the villagers. If you return to the village with anyone in tow, they are to act as if they know nothing of you."

Sheik gave a sigh of relief, "That's good to hear. I didn't know what I was going to do in that situation."

Zelda laughed softly and leaned back comfortably into her chair. "I've made you something." She said with a smile.
"You made me something?" Sheik asked curiously, a sandy eyebrow rising to show his interest.

Zelda laughed a bit more and nodded, "Yes. Do not act so surprised. But this is for your mission, new armor and a few accessories." She leaned over and pulled up a small brown package, handing it to Sheik.

Sheik took the package lightly and opened it carefully. He smiled softly as he looked over the items inside. The armor was a thick, springy material that appeared as though it would meld to his form, giving free range of movement.

He ran his fingers over the almost silky armor, smirking at its color, shades of blue, his favorite. There was also a white cowl in the package, what appeared to be the front of it emblazoned with the Sheikah mark, the Eye of Truth. Various wrappings, a couple of utility belts, a turban cloth, a pair of boots, and a midnight blue cloak finished the contents of the package.

He very carefully placed the package on the floor and moved to stand. He leaned in to Zelda, giving her a tight hug. "Thank you, my friend. The armor is wonderful."

Zelda gave Sheik a hug in return and patted his back lightly, "You're welcome. Impa has a present for you as well."

Sheik leaned back and sat down once again, "Lady Impa. Giving presents?"Zelda laughed, "Yes. You have reason to act surprised this time." She grinned and picked up a few more packages handing them over to Sheik.

"I think she went a bit over board with the gifts." Sheik said with a laugh as he opened them each. They were filled with a variety of weapons: daggers, throwing knives, large needles, and the like. He smiled and ran his fingers over the weapons. "They're lovely... but where does she expect me to keep them all?"
"In your armor and your wrappings, trust me. You will be able to hold them all on your person." Zelda smiles and stretches. "You need to dress and ready yourself to leave. The sage will not allow the Hero to awaken if his Guide is not there."

Sheik nods and stands up, taking the packages in his arms. He walks to the back of the cavern like room and ducks into a small chamber used as a bathing area. He sheds himself of his clothing and slips himself into the new armor.

Peering distastefully at all the wrappings he grins and flicks his hand. Using his magic the wrappings snake themselves around his chest, forearms, and fingertips. He grins again and slides his cowl into place hiding the majority of his long sandy hair under it.

He grabs the turban cloth, quickly wrapping it about his head before donning his boots and sliding his cloak about his shoulders. He clicks each utility belt into place at his hips and gingerly attaches his sister’s pouch to one. He laughs a bit in surprise as he begins to don the weapons, grinning as he indeed does find a place to hold each weapon.

Finally he steps back out into the larger chamber and moves to stand before Zelda who smiles up at him sadly. "You are ready to go it would seem." She says softly.

Sheik nods slowly and leans down to place a friendly kiss on the top of Zelda's head, "Yes, I'm ready. I'll visit you as often as I can, my friend."

Zelda nods slowly and smiles, leaning up to pat Sheik's cheek. "I know. Now take care of the Hero and take care of yourself." She says with a slight sniffle, her hand flicking to dispel the blue barrier around the chambers.

"I will." Sheik says as he bows slightly before turning and making his way once again through the small path and back to the ladder leading up to the trap door. When he reached the top, he knocked against the wooden door and lifted himself out as the door slid open.

Impa gave him a smile and an appraising look as she stood with crossed arms. "You will do well." She stated with a curt nod.

Sheik smiled faintly under his cowl. He thought he might like this, having his face hidden by hair and cloth. He gave a slight bow to Impa, "Thank you, Lady Impa. Thank you also for the gifts."

Impa gave a nod, "You're welcome, Sheia. Now be off with you."

Sheik nodded and stood up from his bow. He turned away from Impa and made his way to the door of her home. He opened the door and looked back over his shoulder, smiling at the silver haired woman and the trap door at her feet before stepping out and closing the door behind him.