"A Glimpse of Innocence"

As Link's eyes glazed over, Zelda noticed a subtle change in his expression, and she knew that he was being transported back to a different time. His voice took on a nostalgic tone, and he began to speak in a whisper. "It was my fifth birthday," he said, a faint smile on his face. "I was so happy, surrounded by my friends and family. We were in a beautiful meadow, filled with colorful flowers and towering trees. I was opening presents, and my eyes widened with excitement as I unwrapped each one. The smell of freshly baked cake wafted through the air, and I couldn't wait to dig in." Zelda's eyes were fixed on Link's face, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. "What happened next?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Link's eyes sparkled with memories. "I was stuffing my face full of cake, and someone commented that now I was just as many years old as I had letters in my name. I thought it was the most clever thing I'd ever heard. I laughed and played with my friends, feeling carefree and happy." His voice cracked as he continued. "Little did I know, that was my last happy birthday for a long time." As Link's story unfolded, Zelda's imagination took her to the scene. She pictured a young Link, full of joy and innocence, surrounded by loved ones. But then, the scene shifted, and Link's expression turned somber. "The Kokiri came for me," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "They took me away from my family, away from the only life I had ever known. They brought me to the Sacred Grove, and that's where...that's where everything changed." Zelda's grip on his hair tightened, her expression a mixture of sadness and anger. "What did they do to you?" she asked, her voice trembling. Link's eyes glazed over again, and he began to recount the details of his imprisonment. "They secured me to the Master Sword in seven different ways," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "First, they bound my wrists and ankles to the hilt of the sword with strong, sturdy ropes. The fibers of the ropes dug into my skin, leaving marks that would take weeks to heal. Then, they wrapped chains around my torso, anchoring me to the sword's crossguard. The metal was cold and unforgiving, and I could feel its weight bearing down on me. Third, they used a special harness to secure my chest and shoulders, keeping me upright and still. The leather creaked as they tightened the straps, and I felt a sense of suffocation wash over me. Fourth, they inserted a special gag into my mouth, one that would prevent me from speaking or screaming. The taste of metal and leather filled my mouth, and I was forced to endure the silence. Fifth, they bound my forehead to the sword's pommel, ensuring that I couldn't move my head. The pressure on my forehead was constant, and I felt a sense of disorientation. Sixth, they used a series of intricate locks to secure my fingers to the sword's handle. The sound of the locks clicking into place was like a death knell, and I knew I was trapped. And seventh, they placed a magical seal around me, one that would prevent me from using my powers or escaping. The seal pulsed with a strange energy, and I could feel its power coursing through me." Zelda's eyes widened in horror as she listened to Link's story. She couldn't believe that the Kokiri would do such things to a child. "Link, when is your birthday?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. Link's eyes focused on Zelda's face, and he smiled faintly. "It's on the 21st of March," he said. Zelda's expression turned determined. "I want to make sure that you'll have a happy birthday this year," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "We'll make sure that you're free, that you're not trapped by the past or the Kokiri's experiments. You deserve to be happy, Link, and I'll do everything in my power to make that happen."