"Hiya!" shouted Link as he rode Epona, chasing goats into the barn. His work for today was almost done. All he had left to do was get two more goats into the barn. Herding goats took his mind off of the whirlwind of trouble he had narrowly defeated on the grassy plains of Hyrule field. The look in Ganondorf's eyes as Link drove the Master Sword through his chest haunted Link's nightmares. Ganondorf swore vengeance, and despite him supposedly being dead, Link believed him.

Between Zant and Ganondorf, Link's peaceful life in Ordon Village had been turned upside down. Thankfully, it was just now beginning to return to normal. The children of the village had been reunited with their parents, and they were spreading tales to the villagers about the beasts from the Twilight Realm that they had encountered, not to mention the horrible monsters of Ganondorf's army. Those hideous beings disturbed people more than the Twilight Realm beasts. Worse yet, if monsters could suddenly invade Hyrule out of nowhere once, it could happen again. That more than anything kept Link awake at night. Another invasion could come when it was least expected, and Link would still be herding goats. He reached for his scabbard to feel the reassuring hilt of the Master Sword in his hand, but it wasn't there. He had to remind himself that he had sealed that sword away in the Temple of Time.

The last two goats bumped into each other as they ran into the barn entrance. Satisfied that his work was done, Link guided Epona over the fence to Ordon Ranch and headed home. He politely waved to Colin, who was practicing with a wooden sword near Link's house. The boy had changed from quiet and shy to annoying and boisterous since Link had saved him the being abducted a second time in Kakriko Village. Link quickly climbed the ladder to his house before Colin could start running his mouth.

Link shut the door behind him and kicked off his boots. He had the strange sensation that he wasn't alone. He spun to his right and saw a black hooded figure standing there watching him. Instinctively, he reached for the Master Sword, only to realize yet again that he no longer had possession of it. Seeking the next best thing, he looked around the room for his bow.

"Link!" cried the familiar voice from under the hood. "Calm down. It's me!"

The hood fell back to reveal the instantly recognizable features of the one he had fought with side by side to defeat Ganondorf. It was Princess Zelda.

Link was momentarily stunned speechless. He suddenly crossed the room in two brisk steps and embraced Zelda. He pulled her body tightly against his. His hand touched the back of her head as he sobbed against her.

He quickly realized what he was doing and stepped back. "I'm sorry, Princess. I forgot my place. I forgot that you are a Princess. Please forgive me."

Zelda smiled at him. He didn't remember Zelda ever smiling before, but he supposed Zant's invasion left her with little to smile about.

"I was a Princess" she said. "Now I'm Queen Zelda, but my friends can just call me 'Zelda' in private".

"So does that mean..."

"Yes, you can just call me 'Zelda'. I consider you to be the closest remaining friend I have left in this world. After all we have been through, I don't know how I could not."

Link's boyish grin resurfaced. Underneath all the stress and the aching depression that had plagued him over the course of the last few weeks, he was feeling genuine happiness once again.

"I am very happy to see you again, Zelda" said Link. "But what are you doing here?"

"I came to discuss tax policy with the Mayor of Ordon Village. There is also the matter of his request for subsidies for goat wool exports. The crown will subsidize finished textile products but not the wool itself. Then there are some ceremonial matters to attend to."

Link stared blankly at her until she burst out laughing.

"I'm joking!" she exclaimed. "I have people who handle such matters. I actually came to visit you. I hope you don't mind having a houseguest."

"No, I don't mind at all!" said Link. "You are always welcome here, but I live in a small house built into a tree. This is no place for a Queen."

"Every inch of Hyrule is a place for a Queen should I choose, but I know what you mean to say. I am used to being pampered but my time confined to a small room in Hyrule Castle has helped me to enjoy simpler tastes. You have done more for Hyrule than anyone has a right to ask, and you have asked for nothing in return. If you wish to be content with you life in Ordon Village, herding goats, then I can't begrudge you the size of your house."

"You are welcome here for as long as you please, but may I ask how long you wish to stay?"

"I will stay here until you decide I should go. I can rule Hyrule from your little house in a tree if need be." The expression on Zelda's face was dead serious.

"Why would you want to do that?" asked Link.

"Because..." Zelda started. "I will eventually ask you to leave your home behind once again, and when I do, I want to make sure you are ready. We will not speak of what I just said again until later, when the timing is better."

Link longed to ask what exactly she meant by that but knew better than to ask. Zelda's expression suddenly brightened. "So Link, what's there to eat around here?"