Link groaned, turning over in his bed, away from the offending morning sunlight that had the audacity to hit him in the face.
"What does a hero have to do to get some sleep in this place?" He muttered grumpily with a yawn, as he grudgingly brushed away his plans of slumber to walk over to the window of his treehouse.
Looking out over the once again peaceful forest, Link smiled in content as the Kokiri children began to file out of their houses, ready for another day of play and laughter.
Peace had finally returend to Hyrule, and this time, it looked like it was going to stay. Ganondorf had been vanquished, erased from time itself, and the era of The Imprisoning War forgotten by all but a selct few, namely himself, Princess Zelda, and the Six Sages that guarded the land.
Instead of travelling the land, fighting monsters, and rescuing sages, the past seven years had been spent exploring the land peacefully, spending lazy days at Lonlon Ranch with Malon or frolicking though the castle gardens with Zelda, or basically just having fun.
Now things had come full circle. This year marked the final year of The Imprisoning War, and consequently, the complete destuction of the alternate timeline in which Ganondorf was still in power. To commerate this joyous occasion, Zelda had herself declared this year to be one of grand celebrations, with feasts and parties held in every locale of Hyrule, from The Gerudo's Fortress in the far west to Zora's Domain in the east. All of Hyrule had been rejoicing all year long, and though few actually knew the purpose of the celebrations, everyone had been happy to participate.
Walking away from the window to get dressed for the day, Link grabbed one of his trademark Kokiri tunics and pulled it over his head, and in doing so caught a glimpse of his body.
No longer the sculpted masterpiece of a Hero's form, Link's body had changed from what it had been in the other timeline, thanks in part to growing up in a peaceful world where fighting with monsters was not a daily activity as well as overindulging himself at the many festivals that had taken place throughout Hyrule in the past year.
In fact, now a generous portion of flab drooped over Link's belt where before there had been finely sculpted abdominals.
Poking the portruding bulge of fat, Link walked over to his mirror, a present Zelda had given him a few years ago, to examine himself.
In truth, not only had he grown a small belly, but he looked a bit soft all over. His face looked a bit chubby and he had the start of a double chin, and what muscles he still had were also covered in fat. And of course, his gut was obvious enough, falling over his pants as if to taunt him: "Tsk, tsk tsk. Someone's let themself go."
Blushing slightly, Link looked away from the mirror and put his tunic on, noting with a bit of happiness that his newfound stomach rolls weren't as obvious when he was clothed.
"Have I really gotten that lazy?" Link asked himself, again diagnosing himself in the mirror and patting his spare tire.
"Considering that you've spent the last seven years eating, sleeping, and playing instead of slaying monsters, I'd say yes."
Link jumped and turned to the source of the voice, surprised to see Saria standing in the doorway to his house, chuckling lightly,
"Saria?! When did you get here?" Link asked, blushing and sucking in his gut.
"Oh, a few minutes ago. You seriously must have let your skills go to let me sneak up on you." Saria said, bouncing over to her taller friend and looking up at him with a smirk.
Link poted for a few seconds before sighing and turning his attention back to the mirror.
"Really though Saria...what do you think? Am I getting...fat?" He asked her with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
Saria rolled her eyes before laughing.
"Link, please. You're not fat. King Zora is fat." Saria said, poking Link in the stomach. "You may have put on a few pounds, but for all I care you could put on 500. You deserve to enjoy yourself after what you went through to save Hyrule and everyone in it."
"So you're saying I'm going to end up like King Zora?" Link asked in false horror.
Saria chuckled again at her friend's joke.
"No, I'm saying its no crime if you're a little tubby." Saria said playfully before giving Link a serious look. "You're not the Hero of Time anymore Link. You're just you. Its okay to be a normal person."
"Still...I don't know. I think I've let myself go." Link muttered, as Saria through her hands up in defeat.
"Okay, Link. Fine, you're fat. And you're going to keep getting fatter and fatter and fatter!" Saria chanted, barely avoiding the pillow that Link threw at her.
"Take that back right now you little wood imp!" Link shouted, chasing Saria out of his treehouse.
"Never." Saria retorted, sticking her tongue out of Link from his porch, before she began to climb down the ladder.
"Argh. Sometimes I think I should just move to the Castle Town. Or maybe Kakariko, its peaceful there." Link mumbled to himself as he watched Saria run off into the forest.
"Oh, by the way Link!" Saria, stopped and turned to shout at Link. "I came to remind you about the festival tomorrow night! Remember to come, the Princess and the other sages will be there!"
"Great, another festival." Link muttered to himself, putting a hand on his stomach, before replying to Saria. "I know Saria! Under the branches of the Great Deku Tree!"
Saria nodded and then waved to Link before running off to play with the other Kokiri.
"Maybe I should watch my diet from now on..." Link thought outloud to himslef as he descended the ladder to his house himself.
Then he though of all of the delicacies that would be present at the festival, drooling at the possibilities. Roasted deku nets, fruits and juices of every vareity, forest potatoes, kokiri bread and if he was lucky, Roast Cucco.
Being very close to the forest and the creatures within, of course, the Kokiri tended to keep to organic foods, but there was always the chance there would be meat.
"Ah, to hell with it." Link muttered. Saria was right. He was just being silly. So he'd put on a few pounds. He was going to enjoy himself for the rest of the year, at each and every festival. He'd get back to training again...eventually. But for now, he was just going to have a good time and eat whatever he wanted.
"Hmm...now what to do today?" Link asked himself as he took out his ocarina. Where to go?
He could call Epona and maybe go see Malon at the Lonlon Ranch, or perhaps warp to the Temple of Time and visit Zelda at the castle.
He could also spend the day around the forest, something he hadn't done for a while. Later in the day, the Kokiri would begin getting ready for the festival they were to host. If he hung around, he might even get to influence the festival's menu, or even make a few taste tests.
Stretching, Link yawned again and contemplated just going back to sleep. It was still a little early and he could do with a few more hours of sleep. It wasn't exactly healthy, but it was pretty tempting.
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