Chapter One: An Inspired Beginning

A journey begins with a single step. In one hero's instance, it had ended after thousands. The kingdom of Hyrule was safe again, the cycle of the hero versus great evil ended as it had many times before. This time, was different, however. There was no foreign kingdom for the hero to vanish to, no peaceful end for this hero after a wretchedly tiresome journey.

Link stared into the spring, almost as if he were staring through the water at Ordona herself. The waves drifted peacefully back and forth, and the slight gurgling of the water gave a soothing offset to the lightly blowing wind. His journey had ended a little over a month ago, and every day for him felt like a century.

Every memory came to him crystal clear: the first time be became a wolf, meeting that small, evil imp, stumbling through the rain across Hyrule Castle as he was guided to the princess. Had it really only been a month? That small amount of time to traverse monster infested fields and deserts and fight great evils that mere mortal men would soil themselves if they knew of their ferocity?

Our hero idly spun a blade of grass between his fingers, imagining the feeling of a sword hilt twirling in his hand as he scrambled to strike down his foes, or the feeling of his fingers in her hair.

Realistically, he knew all of his grief was caused by her. That one person.

What a shame that a hero's greatest weakness would be how he grew to care. That evil imp that found him in the cell that day was someone he had come to trust and respect. Someone he had come to love, though he never had the chance to say. Most people would call him crazy, and maybe he was, for the person he pined over was none other than the princess for an entirely foreign realm; the realm that attacked, no less.

He could never bring himself to hate Midna for that though. Sure, he'd hated how she treated him at first. He wasn't so much as a being to her as a means to an end, and she'd kept that attitude until the first time they'd encountered Zant. Seeing her struck down, and battling the evil of the curse placed upon him as he desperately searched for help. Link supposed that was when his feelings truly turned around about the princess.

Then in the desert, how she had so willingly explained her past to him, explained the past of her people and why they had been banished to begin with. That was the first of many moments where she had truly opened up to him, and Link had been there to comfort her. For who was he to blame one princess for the faults of her people that had happened what seemed like forever ago?

Midna had started as a companion, seeing him as nothing but an accomplice to set the wrongs of her people right. She hadn't cared about the people of Hyrule, viewing the light dwellers as nothing more than an obstacle she planned to veer through. She had learned, however, and as the journey reached its end, she had a newfound respect for these dwellers of the light, who held on to hope as a blanket, and remained brave in the face of adversity. Besides those guards in the tavern.

Link smiled at the thought, remembering the angry scowl that Telma had threw their way as they bolted through the door. As far as he knew, those guards weren't allowed entry any more after that either, not that he blamed her.

These memories had been plaguing him lately, visiting him in his dreams, tormenting him in his nightmares. As much as he hated to admit it, he was stubborn and he had a goal. Midna had shattered the Twilight Mirror, and had before claimed that it was the only way to the realm in which she resided. But this power they harnessed. . .

Link glanced down to the mark on his hand, which seemed to glow dimly in the morning light. Maybe there was someway to get back there after all. A way to tell her how he felt. A way to right the wrongs between them and let her know that light and shadow could mix. That they could coexist together after so long.

He jumped to his feet, and brushed the dirt from his pants, gazing up as the sun gently floated across the sky. Today was as good a day as any, and Ordon. . . Well, he was sure they'd understand. He wasn't going to leave without a goodbye this time, after all.

This spurred on more memories as he walked the familiar trail back to his home, which would inevitably lead to the village. Memories of how they'd taken the situation. Rusl had apologized many times after realizing that Link had been the wolf all along, and most of the village had looked at the young farmhand in a new light. One that involved food, and lots of it. Let it be known that Ordon wasn't shy when it came to making feasts.

"Hey Link!" The sound of Colin's voice shattered his reverie, causing him to turn toward the location of the interruption. Colin was playing with the other children in front of the old scarecrow target, and they had all stopped to chat as Link walked up. He smiled, kneeling and embracing first Colin, and then Talo before standing to hug Beth.

"Hi guys, I'm glad to see you're all having fun!" Link exclaimed, his gaze wandering to the swords that Colin and Talo held. Rusl had made swords specially for the two boys after the events, citing that "maybe learning the art of the sword young would be a good experience." Link couldn't quite argue with that, seeing as how his experience from Rusl had been one of the only things that had saved his life in the invasion.

"Yeah! Are you going to practice with us today Link? Please?" Talo grinned, jumping up excitedly. Colin's face mirrored Talo's excitement, though his actions were much more muted. Link's smile faded before he decided to pet both boys on the head.

"Sorry guys, I have something important I need to discuss with the mayor. Keep up the good work though and I'll come out here with you as soon as I'm able." He knelt down between them and grinned again. "Plus, if you keep it up, you may even get better than me someday!"

He laughed at the wide-eyed enthusiasm that over took the boys, turning as they continued attacking the old wooden dummy and making his way through the gate that gave way to the village beyond. The sun was beating eagerly overhead now, and he had to wipe the sweat from his brow before it dripped into his eyes.

"Heya Link! How's it going?" Link raised an eyebrow as he counted another tally under the luck space in his mind. He turned with a smile as Bo waddled his way over to him with his usual smile and bright eyes. "It's been a while my boy!"

"If a while is two days, then I'm afraid I have some bad news for you." Link had never been someone to dance around the point, and he didn't see a point in starting now. Bo's eyebrows drooped and his smile faded as he placed a hand on Link's shoulder.

"Is everything okay?"

"To be honest. No. Can we talk inside?" Link nodded toward the mayor's home, who in turn nodded quickly and led the way.

"Of course, of course! Come right in! I believe Ilia just made some soup and I know for a fact that we just got our milk supply in!" The mayor's smile returned, though not quite as strong as before, and he threw open the door, motioning for Link to enter first. The hero nodded gratefully in return, taking a seat at table while the mayor closed the door. With a sigh, the mayor took a seat across from Link, running a hand across his face to clear away the early day drowsiness.

"So this isn't a casual chat, is it? I can tell by the look in your eyes, boy. You've something on your mind."

Link couldn't say he was surprised that the mayor took notice. Though many thought the residents of their town to be simple and less intelligent than their city counterparts, this just wasn't the case. He shook his head to stop the off topic thoughts, and to answer Bo's question.

"I can't lie and say you're wrong. I guess I have a story to tell."

"Alright, then sit tight while I fetch us a bowl of soup and then you can begin this tale of yours."

A bowl of soup and a long but simple story later, Bo sat across from Link with his arms crossed, eyeing the hero with an intense stare. Link sat back anxiously, waiting for the hefty mayor's thoughts. A few minutes passed, before the mayor let out a throaty chuckle, slamming a hand on the table. Link was wide-eyed and confused until the mayor gained control of himself and began to speak.

"Link, you're way past the point of bein' a man! You never needed my permission for this, though I am quite glad you warned me before you waltzed on out of here on Epona with nary a kind word!" He glanced toward a picture hanging on the wall, an old pictograph shot of him next to a lovely looking woman. "I understand completely where you're coming from. Go and get her boy." Link couldn't help but smile, pushing his chair back in as he rose and placing his bowl in the sink before heading toward the door that would signify the start of his personal quest.

"And Link," Link whipped his head around to look at the mayor as he spoke, "be safe out there." With a nod and a quick thanks for the food, Link was gone.

Thinking it best to leave without the hassle of alerting all of the villagers, Link decided that the night time would be the best time to begin his journey.

Deciding to nap the day away, Link yawned as he awoke, stretching out all of his limbs as he glanced out of the window. It seemed like the perfect time, as night appeared to have fallen some time ago. If he left now, he may be able to reach the castle by evening the next day, and he was sure he had rupees to spend on an inn. Maybe he'd even get a free room from Telma.

No time to waste, though. He thought to himself, sliding down the ladder. He hit the ground with a thud, but that didn't deter him as he pulled an apple from his pack and leaped atop his trusty horse. Epona nickered in surprise, almost rearing up on her back legs before Link reached down and pet her to calm her down.

"I'm sorry for the short notice girl." Link handed her the apple and sat there petting her for a moment more while she ate. "It's just that. I really miss her. You know? So we're gonna go try to get Midna back." That spark of intelligence alighted in her equine eyes, and one core later, they were off toward the fields that separated them from the princess of Hyrule herself, Zelda. If there was anywhere Link could think to begin, it would be there.

This will be my attempt at rebooting this trilogy I've had in mind all of these years. Give me your critiques, and what not. I'll try to upload a couple of times a week or sooner if I feel the inspiration. May be later, but if it's too much later, get on to me. Thanks!