Link was at a loss for words. The Mirror of Twilight, shattered. He was, for the first time in his two-year journey, really and truly alone. In the middle of the night, Link stepped into his humble, if dusty, abode. Alone. He had left Epona hidden in the forest. Link wasn't sure if he even wanted to return to Ordon Village. He was a changed man…different. After all he'd been through, he wasn't sure if he could live around people again.

After Midna's sudden departure, Princess Zelda had offered him titles, rewards, and a home in Castle Town, but Link was quick to decline. He couldn't stand the hustle and bustle of Castle Town, or really that many people in general. It was much easier being a wolf.

Link's heart hurt as the thought crossed his mind. Would he ever be able to assume his bestial form again? As far as he knew, Midna had departed with the shadow crystal, and he knew of no other way to transform. He really did enjoy being a wolf. Probably more so than being a human. Cloaked in fur, he could slip away from his Hylian problems, live a more simple life. And by the Goddesses, it was fun.

Link quickly lit a fire, and as heat began to fill the chilly home, he started to unpack. Reaching into his never-ending pouches, the Hylian pulled out an odd assortment of items. A colossal-sized wallet. A pair of clawshots. A spinner he'd use for who knows what. A giant ball and chain. Link was finally starting to get to the bottom of his pouches when his fingers brushed across something hard and pointed. Something familiar.

Eyes lighting up with hope, Link pulled out the Shadow Crystal, only to set it down with disappointment. The Crystal had lost when the light and Twilit realms separated. The once pulsing orange lines were now dark and lifeless.

Deciding he had had enough disappointment for the day, Link put all of his things in his chest downstairs, took off his bloodstained Hero's clothes, and called it a night, careful to extinguish his fire so the nearby villages residents wouldn't notice his house was once again occupied. What he didn't notice was the gray and blue letter tucked in the bottom of his pouch.

Link woke up with a start, instinctively reaching for his sword, before realizing he had left it downstairs. While it certainly wasn't the Master Sword, the sages had insisted he leave it in the ruined temple, it was still a fine sword given to him by the princess.

The former Hero was torn from his thoughts when he heard the source of his awareness, an argument outside.

"I could have sworn I saw a light in there!" rang a soft, familiar voice.
"Quiet! You'll wake the whole town!"
"But if he's returned…I have to talk to him, Father!"

Link recognized the two voices as his childhood friend, Ilia, and her father, Mayor Bo. His booming voice, struggling to stay silent, echoed across the small clearing.

"Leave it till morning. You're tired, and not thinking straight."
"But Father…"
"No buts. Now let's go to bed."

Link cursed internally, realizing he had overstayed his welcome, and wishing he hadn't lit the fire. He'd slept in harsher conditions than a cold tree house! Stilling his breath, the Hylian waiting for the receding footsteps into the cool night air that soon followed. He got up hurriedly and started to repack, knowing that if he didn't want to be found, he'd have to leave now. Realizing he had nothing else to wear, having outgrown everything else, put his Hero's clothes back on.

Quickly rummaging through his storage chest, he pulled out the items that would be necessary for an extended stay in the forest, such as his hunting bow, a hunting knife, and a fresh bedroll. As he was about to close his chest, his fingers once again brushed against the nonfunctional crystal. After a moment of hesitation, Link decided to bring it with him, if as a memento more than any else. Satisfied, he left quietly in the early hours of the morning, not looking back.

A/N: Hello, all! This was originally the response to a dare from a fanfiction-writing friend of mine, so it currently doesn't have much direction, just something I'm doing for fun. I don't write creatively much, so it's a totally new experience for me.

~Jonathan