Some notes before reading:

General Disclaimer:

This goes for every chapter posted hereafter. I do not own The Legend of Zelda or its characters, locations, etc. I am just a huge fan and playing the games just simply isn't enough to satisfy my cravings.

Any artistic liberties taken are only to enhance what my vision is for this story. This also involves whatever pertains to Link/Male Sheik. If you don't like it, simply stop reading. I can't please everyone and if this isn't for you, that's fine. I don't mean to offend anyone. For the rest of you, please enjoy what I'm tentatively calling:

Returning to Destiny

Seven years had passed since the Princess Zelda, Hero of Time, and the Six Sages sealed the King of Thieves in his abysmal prison. The land and its people had suffered greatly. However, flowers and trees had begun to flourish across the plains with help from the fairies, cultivating the fields with seeds from the Goddess Din. Hyrule Castle stood glorious once more, being rebuilt in half the time it took originally, and the citizens could once again call the Land of Hyrule home. What better time than now to celebrate the astounding deeds of many, and particularly the few who saved them all?

A soft melody from an ocarina whispered through the leaves and branches of the forest. Sunlight, normally somewhat indistinguishable, broke through the canopy of trees, cascading into faint beams of light that finished their journey glistening atop a small pond. This is where Link had made his sanctuary. Here he could be alone. On a tree stump situated in the center of the glade, Link sat and played, his fingers moving expertly across the instrument, playing a song that communicated with the forest. Or at least he felt like it did. He would listen to the sounds of the wind through the trees, his keen sense of hearing picking up what others could not, and it spoke to him. This was how he answered. He had removed his boots some time ago, and his toes dipped slightly into the pond next to which he sat. He felt at one with the forest here. Welcomed. Even though the discovery was made that we was not Kokiri, he thought to himself that maybe he respected this place more than most true-blood would even think to. Navi the fairy sat comfortably on a lily pad, her head rested in her hands, eyes closed. She meditated. Link's ocarina relaxed her. Epona was not far off, resting as well, lying nuzzled in a bed of fallen leaves. Here they were, the three who had endured so much together, and whose bond had not faded even after they were no longer needed to remain companions. They all shared the burden, the weight, of what had transpired. Even after seven long years, the scars and the memories lingered.

Link played the final note of the melody, and stared ahead, contemplating, ocarina still poised as if to resume playing. His eyes focused for a moment, on nothing in particular, and as if snapping back into reality, he finally rested his hands and ocarina in his lap. This happened often. Coming in and out of the here and now. Sometimes he would go nowhere, other times, the past. He closed his eyes, basking in the darkness beneath them. How could he have even been demanded to return to his childhood? Zelda wanted him to. She felt guilty for her mistakes. He refused. She hadn't the faintest idea of what he had went through. How much, and how quickly, he had changed. How he had needed to change. The darkness that had encompassed his life then; few knew how to relate. Link understood that. He never expected anyone to sympathize with him. He was only fulfilling his destiny. A second thought or hesitation of any action or request of him on behalf of the kingdom of Hyrule thereafter never came forth into his mind. The only one who came close to understanding, was the Sheikah. Sheik. Through only their eyes, the window to their souls, they were able to ascertain their similar situations. Even during their first meeting in the Temple of Time, Link sensed it. An obligation. They both were obligated, and they both sympathized with each other, not outwardly at first, but in time. They were men.. warriors. Yet beneath the exterior, both men knew.

His eyes opened. The sanctuary returned. Link sighed and returned the ocarina to its pouch. He gazed around, checking on his companions. Both were napping peacefully. He stood and began walking barefoot across the grass to his boots, which he had situated next to a nearby tree along with his Hylian Shield, Master Sword, quiver, arrows, and his other many belongings. The quiver came next, which he slipped over his head, carefully as to not disrupt his hat, and the strap rested neatly across his chest. The more he put on, the more like himself he felt.

He heard something then, not too far off in the distance. An animal? He paused for a moment and turned slightly, eyes narrowing. It came then, swooping beneath the trees and landed on a branch quite close in proximity. It didn't surprise Link. Nothing did anymore, really. The bird sat still, observing. Link observed it as well. He raised an eyebrow. The animal had something around its neck, a ribbon of sorts, purple in color. Strung on it was a sealed envelope and next to it, a gold charm. The Crest of Hyrule. It reflected the light as if holy in nature. A sudden rush of emotions was felt then by the hero, both good and bad. Had he not disappeared into obscurity? Did Hyrule need him once again? Was the Princess not finished, even after their awkward parting two years ago? Zelda. Too much had happened after the war. He was liked too much by the Princess herself and the Royal Family, and then they started expecting things. He was the Hero of Time, different from everyone, his experiences had made him that way. He was a free-spirit of the forest, untamed. Even in these peaceful times, he had a purpose. Not the same, but still, a purpose. For some reason at that very moment he longed for an adventure. Craved it. It hit him in the chest like a dagger.

The bird only looked at him as Link snapped back into reality and moved cautiously toward its neck. Link hesitated for a moment, catching the bird's eyes and waiting for any sort of reaction. There was none. He pulled on the ribbon gently, which came loose easily enough. The bird then began flapping its wings, mission fulfilled, and took off above the trees.

He held the letter in his hands for a moment, analyzing it. The front read nothing, and on the back, a wax seal with the crest yet again. The paper was torn on the edges and marks from the bird's beak were visible in the center. Link mused that it may have proven difficult, locating his whereabouts. The letter showed some visible wear and tear. He placed his thumbs then on the center of the seal and snapped them back, causing the wax to crack down the middle. Link unfolded the parchment and settled his eyes on the delicate script inked before him.

To Link the Hero of Time, Saviour of Hyrule, Chosen Benefactor of the Triforce of Courage

It has been some time since we have last spoken, much less looked upon each other, face to face.

However, I still possess an item of yours, which has proven useful as its scent is the only lead my faithful bird has in which to locate you. I hope it finds you well.

I do not know where you are, the people of Hyrule do not know where you are, yet we remember your courage everyday. Without you.. all would have been lost. Children in town masquerade as you, they want to be you. Hear of you. See you. Their parents tell them bedside stories about your heroic quests and deeds. Not to mention my father. He asks of you almost everyday it seems. I will not write much of myself as I put my feelings and needs last, but I wonder what it would be like to see you in the flesh once more?

I have digressed. This letter is an invitation. An invitation to celebrate Hyrule's victorious. Not only you are invited. I have sent this letter to the many who helped end the war. Expect to see many familiar faces. The Gerudo have changed somewhat over time, and have opened up their valley to our celebration.
Please come as you are. Stay for a while and regain the friendships you have lost over time.

The celebration begins with feasting and drinking, on the first night of the next Labors Cycle† at nightfall.
It would be a delight and surprise to all those attending if you would be so inclined to join us.

I look forward to seeing you again, Link.

Princess Zelda of Hyrule

He read the letter three times. He wasn't sure what to make of it at first. He decided then to sit, and did so quite quickly on the forest floor beneath him. The sun was beginning to set. He held the letter in his hands, and most would think he was reading it yet again, however his eyes were only blank, staring off into the calligraphy. Navi came and rested on his left shoulder. The fairy perched her hands on his skin and leaned forward, assessing the invitation.

"So we've been found, haven't we?", the fairy thought out loud, with a hint of sadness.

Link lowered the parchment slightly and turned to focus on the small creature, his eyes darker in hue than their normally captivating shade of blue. "Hyrule is only so vast, Navi. The Princess and her flock of messenger birds have prevailed." Link managed to smile slightly, his eyes lifting to the sky above as he contemplated Zelda's actions. He sighed. Navi flew to his other shoulder, and rested a tiny hand on his cheek. He looked down at her as she spoke to him.

"It was unavoidable, our discovery. Just like the Royal Family, to bother those who would rather be left alone. They're good at that!" She landed in a huff on his shoulder again, arms folded, a look of discontent.

Link handed her a small berry from a nearby plant, and she took it happily, biting a chunk the size of a speck out of its center. He focused on his surroundings, taking in the sights and smells of the place where he felt the happiest. He felt that tug though, again in his chest. His mind flashed to a consecutive memory of seven years past, playing out in high speed in his brain. The clash of the Master Sword against an enemy's blade, the burning sensation rippling throughout his muscles from the strenuous contact. The perilous adventure; leaping, dashing.. surviving. The surge of emotion in his heart; fear, excitement, passion all convoluted together into a high that he lived on then, everyday of his life.

Navi fluttered in front of him, causing him to focus again on the events on hand. She had a look of concern on her face. "Link, were you thinking again? About the past..?" She prodded gently.

Link lifted his left hand and the fairy landed on top, standing with an inquisitive expression.

He smiled at her. "I am always thinking, you know that, Navi." His expression fell a bit when he added, "It is happening more and more frequently.. the memories invading my mind. Some of them aren't even my own. I do not know where they come from." His hand gestured outwards, towards a space in front of him, and he continued. "It is like they stretch further back beyond what I even should be capable of remembering." He stopped then, hand dropping weightlessly into his lap, waiting in silence for the fairy to tell him everything he needed to do. Like she used to. Years ago.

Navi sat down then, on Link's hand, and paused for a moment before responding.

"You need to get out of the forest for a while, Link. We all do." She motioned to herself and Epona.

"Are you suggesting I accept the invitation...?" His voice trailed off, following her gaze to the sleeping horse. Epona would love to race across the fields once again, he thought to himself, almost sadly.

The fairy then pointed directly at him, and in a haughty stance replied, "You must accept the invitation."

"Do you know something I do not?" Link narrowed one eye suspiciously at Navi.

She giggled. "Yes, I do. It's about time you followed my orders once again."

Link chuckled softly, setting the fairy down as he removed his hat, laying it gently on the forest floor beside her. She fluttered to it, and landed gracefully, her blue aura flickered a bit, then faded out slightly as she relaxed into the fabric. He folded his arms behind his head, and in one quick motion, fell backwards onto the grass and settled comfortably, eyes focused intently on the darkening sky high above the tree tops. He felt like sleeping outside tonight.

Author's Note: Please let me know what you think so far!

†The Labors Cycle, from what I have read, is how people in the Middle Ages differentiated months. Please correct me if there is a better term.