Author's note: Much to my disappointment, the KH fic I had been working on did not recieve the reviews I had thought it would. To redeem myself in case the fic was utterly terrible, I have decided to start on another story, and see if my KH obtains more reviews in the future. Legend of Zelda: The Hylian Wars takes place following Majora's Mask. Link has returned to Hyrule with the hope of reuniting with old friends and the woman he had loved for so long, Zelda. But all is as not well as the hero had thought, for a dark force rises and destiny demands that he stand against it. Will the Hero of Time succeed in saving the land he loves? Or will the end decision lead to an outcome he is unwilling to face? This fic I hope will satisfy readers and hopefully compel them to leave a friendly review on both this fic and any other I come up with. So for now, all I can say is for you to enjoy this story and have a very nice week as summer rolls on. Ciao.

The Legend of Zelda:

Hylian Wars

Staring out across the land that stretched to the gates of the Hylian kingdom and beyond, Link leaned for support against a tree nearby the entrance leading to the Kokiri Forest . A gentle, cool wind descended from the north, spreading upon the field like an invisible wave which had risen from the endless ocean. His blonde locks swayed in the breeze, a faint smile visible barely beneath the rays of moonlight that had fell upon him. The land of Hyrule was at peace at last. No longer did the forces of darkness threaten this beautiful piece of the world, no longer terrorizing those who strived for tranquility or they who sought to escape the grasp of tyrannical rule. Ganondorf had been erased from the pages of history, trapped forever in a realm where his evil could cause no harm. Imprisoned for all eternity. With him, the threat to peace withered away. Seven long years had come to pass since his departure following the destruction of the evil king, and the sprout that has now become the Great Deku Tree has seen no force threatening Hyrule to this point. Now, to his delight, the time to return has come at last. He was home.

His brown boots thudded against the ground as he moved along the side of the trail with Epona's reigns in his grasp, leading the magnificent horse close behind him as his wandering eyes fell upon everything he could see. Nothing had changed. The Lon Lon Ranch remained intact, Death Mountain still as ominous as seven years ago, and the stream leading to Zora's Domain was as well as it should be. It was there. Nothing was gone, nothing. His smile widened, excitment filling a part of him emptied with the time he had been away. Would everyone still remember him? Would Malon still know him as the teenager she had known before the defeat of Ganon? Or was her memory of everything they had been through together erased when time was set back seven years? And Zelda, the woman he had loved for so long, what had became of her? Surely she was unaffected, as he, when she reversed time. Right?

So many questions pestered him relentlessly, and most likely would until he finally recieved an answer to them all. He would have answers shortly, that he was certain of.

Epona neighed softly, nuzzling her long snout softly against Link's cheeks as if too relax him, perhaps sensing his worry. Link patted her nose gently, feeling slightly eased with his companion present beside him. What was the purpose of worrying when what he sought was only a step away? Everyone he had befriended would without a doubt remember, they had too. Time alone could not destroy the connection they all shared. No, time did not hold such power. Nothing did, and nothing ever would.

"I've been away for so long Epona," Link whispered while closing his eyes and burying his face in her mane. "I fear to have been forgotten. And even it is so, I have not forgotten them. Perhaps that alone is enough to the fill the empitness inside of my heart."

So long, I've been away for so long...

Opening his eyes, Link pulled away from the horse beside him, leading her along as they continued to move towards the gates of Hyrule Castle.

I should never have stayed away from everyone...

His blue orbs sparkled like diamonds beneath the moon as he stared up into the face of the silver orb, into the beautiful night sky.

I should never have stayed away from her...

Epona stayed close behind him, silent despite the sound of her hooves clapping against the ground, trudging alone while her master remained lost in thought and apart from the world.

Zelda...My love...

He knew the gates would not open til dawn. But none the less, he wanted to wait until they did, until he could see Zelda again, until he could hold her. Yes, until he could tell her.

Forgive me...

Stopping at last as he and Epona arrived at the stream where the bridge would lower upo, he gazed up at the great structure, looking at the walls of stone that towered above all the came before them. He was uncertain if he could wait for the bridge to drop, for he did not know for sure how long the night had left. But Zelda was worth waiting for. He would wait for an eternity through the greatest storm or the worst of battles, and would never stop waiting until they had been reunited.

Exhausted, Link collapsed to the ground as a sudden dizzy spell washed over him. For many days now, he had traveled without food. There had been numerous confrontations during the journey, mostly battles with Deku Baba's and Deku Sprouts. Yet despite facing such low-level foes, their fights had been so frequent that more than once the creatures managed to land a damaging blow. Without potions, Link's injuries had gone untreated, and only worsened daily. Although there was no fresh blood upon him, the cuts and bruises were plainly visible on his face and neck, his green tunic terribly torn.

"Her beauty will entrance me as always, I predict," He spoke in a slightly dreamy tone while he fantasized. "The same glorious, golden hair, her beautiful orbs the color of the purest sea, and a face so perfect it was as if it was carved by the goddesses themselves."

Neighing loudly, Epona pushed the back of Link's head forcefully, causing him to bend forward. The horse itself seemed rather annoyed with Link's romantic and slightly poetic moment, uncertain as well if these were hormones talking or just created by a lovesick mind. Either way, he needed to snap out of it.

"Unnecessary," The Hylian snapped while casting a glare back to the creature. "Contain your jealousy! I'm aware you long for me but I fear things just wouldn't work out between us." Link chuckled at himself, an amused smile forming at the edge of his lips.

Epona made no sound. Without warning, the great horse struck with a mighty hoove, plowing it directly into Link's right shoulder and doubling him forward. A snickering neigh followed as she watched her master crie out and fall into the water with a splash, submerging many seconds before rising once again.

Surfacing, the Hero of Time coughed loudly, taking in a gasp for air while sputtering water from his lips.

"Cruel Epona," Link responded with narrowed eyes though finding it rather funny as well, heaving himself up on dry land while brushing a thick strand of wet hair that clung to his forehead away. "Your far too cruel."

Laying back with tattered clothing clinking to his soaked form, the Hyrulian's mind drifted back to day he set out for the land he once saved. From the time he saved Termina from imminent destruction, Link had isolated himself to the Lost Woods, returning to the secret place where Saria and himself shared so many memories. Sometimes, the girl he had known for so long would visit him in his dreams. Together they would play their Ocarina's, playing the song Sara had taught him so long ago. When he awoke, all concerns were washed away in a warmth Link himself could only feel in Zelda's presence.

When finally the seven, long years came to pass, the boy now a man decided it time to return to Hyrule and seek out the princess who had captured his heart with her smile. Never intending to return, Link bid farewell to the Great Deku Tree who protected this tranquil forest and provided wisdom whenever Link sought it. Under the almighty beings eye, no darkness shrouded the beautiful land of Hyrule on this day, no force threatened it. Finally, the man who had once been the boy with no fairy, could go back.

He still recalled the meeting perfectly...

"You seek to leave us, do you not?" The great tree inquired in a calm, deep voice the moment Link had set foot into the field, not surprising the hero even slightly. "I knew this day would come again, ever since you returned here to this peaceful place."

Link's eyes fell to the ground, gathering up the will to continue on before finally answering the forest guardian's question. "My love will always be with the forest where my childhood lies. But sadly, I fear I do not belong."

"Your deeds have been recongized by all hero. All who live within this forest have love for you and treat you as family," The Deku Tree responded, lifting Link's spirits as it continued. "You will always have a place here and in our hearts."

"As the children, and you yourself, will always have a place in mine." Bowing, Link was unable to prevent a tear from slipping down his cheek.

The wooden lips of the being slowly curved into a smile, a thunderous crackle booming across the vicinity. "Hyrule's peace has lasted long since you vanguished the darkness that tainted it's lands so long ago. It lasts without threat to this day. I pray for the continuation of this peace, and that it may never end for many years to come. So go with peace, Hero of Time. May the goddesses watch over you."

"And may they watch over you all..."

Link lingered for many moments, unmoving as it gathered up the courage to speak once more, concerning something of great importance.

"You wish to say something more?" Again, the Hylian was not surprised to find the Deku Tree knew something else bothered him.

"I return to Hyrule for truly one reason," Link cast his eyes upward nervously. "I seek the heart of a woman, of someone I fear has forgotten me or will not feel the same."

"The heart of another is something many great adventurers seek to have," it responded with sudden interest. "Fools stricken by love risk their lives, and ulitmately die in fact, just to hear the three words spoken. I am not amazed to find you too, are one of those fools."

Link's head sunk slightly, his face flushing slightly with sudden embarassment.

The Great Deku Tree laughed with good humor. "Do not feel ashamed. Fool or not, the Hero of Time you shall forever be. For all you've done, love is something you more than any deserve."

"Thank you..."

"Now go!" The massive tree roared between it's thunderous laughter, many leaves falling from it's great banches. "Go and win her heart! And never forget, no matter what the future may bring, always you will be welcome here."

"Farwell," Link responded with faint smile.

"Yes, farwell Hero of Time. But never goodbye, never goodbye."

And meeting ended with Link's departure. But something in his heart told him that it would not be the last.

While to him the current time was lost, the Hyrulian had not noticed the sky lightening faintly to the east with the approach of dawn or even realized now that the bridge had finally began to lower if not for the ear-splitting creak that followed as it dropped. Leaping to his feet with excitment, both he and Epona who stood not far behind him watched as the bridge lowered further down, until finally coming to a stop as it slammed against solid ground.

Shifting his gaze ahead as he prepared to run, the Hero of Time stood motionless as his eyes connected with hers.

After what seemed to be a century of waiting, Link finally came face to face with what he had been seeking. He had come face to face...with Zelda herself.

"Link?"