A blinding light enveloped him, forcing him to close his eyes, and the ten-year-old found himself standing at the entrance to the Lost Woods. Link smiled, he had made it back to Hyrule. He could finally regain his lost time. Just one more small task. He called Epona and mounted her, glad to see that she, too, made it back from Termina. He spurred her, and she started to gallop to Hyrule Castle. He left her outside Hyrule Castle Town.
"Sorry, girl, they don't allow horses in the town market." He apologized and fed her a sugar cube. She whinnied in understanding. He walked on through the gate and past the market. He snuck past the guards outside Hyrule Castle.
"Hey, kid!" A guard exclaimed. Link sighed in annoyance. After defeating Ganon, he still had trouble sneaking past these guards. He got lectured, and off with a warning, but he needed to see Zelda, so he tried again. This time he made it to the princess. He didn't waste time in introductions. She was the only one who knew he was the Hero of Time.
"How are we going to prove to your father that Ganondorf is evil?" Link asked. She had the TriForce of Wisdom, surely she knew.
"We have witnesses." She replied. "Darunia, King Zora, and the Great Deku Tree can testify against him." Link smiled. Of course! The king couldn't say no to the leaders of three different races! Link remained in the castle for several months to do whatever needed to be done for Ganondorf's trial. He was found guilty, and was sent to the newly built Arbiter's Grounds deep in Gerodu Desert. He was kept under heavy guard while the Mirror of Twilight was located. Link, now eleven, offered to take up this quest, but the Hyrulean Knights wouldn't be burdened by a kid. Of course. Link got Epona out of the Royal Stables and went for a ride. Epona navigated, leaving Link to his thoughts. He had fulfilled his purpose. What now?
He headed home, but could he really call it that? He wasn't a Korkiri, he was a Hylian, he couldn't go back to the forest and call it 'home.' He really couldn't stay in Hyrule Field, the stalchildren would be out soon.
'Well, I can at least let Epona go home.' he thought and headed to Lon Lon Ranch. He led Epona into a warm stable and lay in the hay with her.
~Seven Years later~ It had taken seven years to locate the Mirror of Twilight. Link, now eighteen, had been invited by Queen Zelda to come to Ganondorf's execution. He was, apparently, required to come. He rode Epona to Arbiter's Grounds, and within a day, he made it there. Link walked on to the platform that would take him up to the Mirror Chamber. He was told that he was to be Zelda's personal guard during the execution. The Mirror was lowered along with the wall. Ganondorf was bound to it. Zelda took the glimmering Sword of Sages, taking a deep breath, she plunged it through the monster's chest. He roared in pain, and closed his eyes. Dead. An uneasy silence passed, and Ganondorf slowly raised his head. Link drew his sword and stepped in front of Zelda protectively. Ganondorf broke the heavy chains binding him and pulled the sword from his chest. He revealed that he had the TriForce of Power. Before anyone could react, he killed the Sage of Water. Ganondorf charged again, this time, aiming for Zelda. Link was there, just in time to parry Ganon's strike. Link battled on, forcing Ganondorf back in front of the mirror. The sages activated it, while Link held Ganondorf in place, blades crossed. Link back flipped just in time to see Ganon sucked away into the netherworld. Chest heaving, Link turned away from the block. "I am sorry I couldn't save one." He said regretfully. "There's nothing you could've done." Zelda replied. "Hyrule could use your bravery, however. Would you like to become a knight?" Link considered this. "No," he finally said, "I prefer to be free, but if Hyrule needs me, I will always be there." Zelda nodded slightly. "Perfectly understandable." She said. Link looked away. "You wish to be remembered a Hero." She observed. "A time will come when you will need the Master Sword again." Link looked up at her, calculating. He finally said, "It is my honor and duty to protect Hyrule whenever needed." He said. "Alas, if only there were more knights like you. But I understand your wish to be free. Sometimes I wish that I was a common citizen. Free." "I take it you don't want me to repeat that to anyone." Link said playfully. "You'd better not!" She answered. But their jokes were tainted and humorless. A sage had died that day. A life had been taken. And if Ganondorf were to somehow escape, there would be no sealing him away without the last sage. With heavy hearts, the two walked back onto the platform and down from the Mirror Chamber. Zelda mounted her white horse and left with her escort of guards. Some of them shot Link superior looks. He did not care, they wouldn't be here if it weren't for him.