Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Legend of Zelda or its characters. Only the original characters (Zafir included) and the storyline belong to me.

Please note that this is going to be a story that features a male couple. Anyone who finds that offensive, shouldn't read it.

PART I

Link jolted upright, breathing harshly. His mind raced with images as he struggled to return to the present. A blue fairy, an evil king, a beautiful princess and red eyes. Endless, burgundy eyes filled with mysteries that tugged at the Hylian's very soul.

Sunlight filtered through his windows, dappled by the leaves outside. He didn't have to look at his calendar to know that the day he had subconsciously been waiting for had finally arrived. He was seventeen.

"Link! Open the door!"

He started at the voices, recognising them instantly. A confused frown playing on his lips, he made his way to the door, grabbing his white t-shirt off the floor and slipping it over his head before unlocking his front door. In less than ten seconds he had his arms full of two girls.

"Happy birthday!" Saria and Malon chorused, grinning up at him.

He chuckled, giving them both a squeeze before letting them go to shut the front door, "I didn't know you were coming! If you'd told me you wanted to visit I would have escorted you both here."

Saria sighed in exasperation, her fondness for the blond boy coming through in her green eyes, "It would have been a bit hard to surprise you if that were the case."

A bright smile lit up the Hero of Time's face, "It is a wonderful surprise." He conceded, wrapping an arm around Saria's shoulder and giving her a brief half-hug, "I've missed you."

"If that were true, you would visit more." Malon reprimanded lightly, "How is Epona doing? I didn't see her outside."

"She likes wandering off during the night. She never goes too far though." He made his way to the window and scanned his surroundings with a keen eye, smiling when he spotted what he was looking for. "See? She's right there." He pointed out the palomino mare wading contently on the far side of Lake Hylia.

Malon grinned at the sight of her favourite horse, "She looks happy." The redhead turned to look Link up and down critically, "Are you?"

Link smiled quizzically, "Am I what?"

"Are you happy here, Link?" Saria clarified, her green eyes watching her best friend carefully as he searched for an answer.

After defeating Ganondorf in the time that had never come to pass, Link had allowed himself to be carried back in time so that he could live out the seven years that had been robbed from him. After all, nothing had remained for him in that broken world with marks of the evil king's power all over it. The one friend he had thought he'd had during his journey had never really existed. Yes, Zelda was Sheik, but Sheik was not who she really was. Sheik was a character she had played, a personality she had donned to hide herself from Ganondorf. The real Zelda was poised, elegant, a princess in every sense of the word. She bore no resemblance to the battle-hardened, agile enigma Link had come to unconsciously rely on throughout his journey.

Upon returning to his time though, Link had become restless. While his body was young once more, his mind no longer belonged to that of a ten-year-old. He had seen and done things he could never forget. Things that had changed him forever. And while all the sages returned to their regular lives now that Ganon was sealed, none of them remembered ever being a sage. None of them remembered the time that had never come to pass. No one remembered the sacrifices and struggles Link had gone through to save Hyrule. No one remembered that Link had saved Hyrule.

So he had travelled, deciding to go in search of Navi who had vanished while he was being sent back in time for the final time. He had come upon Termina and gotten pulled into an adventure there. It was during the course of his adventures with Majora's Mask that Link realised how much he loved being a hero. He didn't need the accolades or the gratitude his actions seemed to gain him. It was just the knowledge that he had done something good, that knowledge made his life worth living.

He had gone to see Zelda after defeating Majora. She was the only one who remembered, who understood in some small way what he was going through. Zelda had considered his problem and come up with a solution almost immediately.

"You can be Hyrule's Hero!"

Link frowned, uncertain, "No one is going to accept me as a Hero, Princess."

"No one needs to know you're a Hero." Zelda said sagely, confounding him.

"I don't understand."

"Every time I hear of any unrest in Hyrule, I will send for you. In the meantime, you can act as an ambassador between the races of Hyrule. Ruto and Darunia may not remember being sages but they remember you, and they like you. It's been a long time since a Hylian got along with a Goron or a Zora. You can help me bridge the gap between our races. We'll create an alliance - the Hyrulian Alliance."

Link gave her a slightly frightened look, "Ruto still thinks she's engaged to me."

Zelda burst out laughing, "Oh Goddesses! I forgot about that! Do you know, when I saved her as Sheik, she made it very clear that she was taken and that her fiancé would have a big problem with me touching her?"

Link felt the distant pang of pain as he always did when Sheik was mentioned, but he covered it up with a grimace, "I suppose I ought to sort that out."

Zelda giggled, "I suppose you ought to. But enough of that. Tell me, what do you think of my idea? Would you like to enter into my service?"

Link mulled over their conversation for a few moments before finally nodding slowly. "Yes, alright. I will be your ambassador."

Zelda clapped her hands together in joy, "Oh, that's wonderful!" Her smile faded as her expression grew more serious, "I hope this brings you happiness, Link."

In that moment Link was reminded of all the conversations he had had with his Sheikah friend while he recovered from his injuries after each temple.

"You really are the same person." He murmured before he could stop himself. Realising what he had said, he blushed furiously, mortified. "I-I mean, I never—" He forced his nerves to calm, looking away from the princess, "I never meant to imply I thought you might have lied. It's just…you and he are nothing alike."

Zelda smiled sadly, "That was the point, Link."

"I know. I know." He let out a frustrated breath, "I'm sorry." His shoulders sagged and for a moment it felt like he had lost his friend all over again.

"No." Zelda's arms went around his shoulders, pulling him into a tight hug, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Link?"

The blond Hylian blinked, returning from his thoughts. He looked from Saria to Malon, taking in the concern on both their faces before smiling softly, "I'm alright. Just thinking."

Malon sighed, "Dad asked after you. He told me to tell you he expects to see you in Lon Lon Ranch for dinner sometime soon."

Link's lips twitched up as he fought a smile, "Does Ingo still work there?"

Malon snorted, "I think he'll be working there until he finally keels over from old age."

"Mido and the others said to say 'hi'." Saria offered, "And the Deku Sprout wishes you a very happy birthday."

Link chuckled, "I'll drop by sometime soon and thank all of them personally. Since I didn't come and get you, how did you come?"

"Saria and I keep in touch." Malon said, grinning, "We decided we would come by for your birthday so I swung by Kokiri Forest on my way here. The entire trip has taken me three days." She gave him a disparaging look, "It's incredibly inconvenient that you're such a recluse."

Link rolled his eyes, "I am not a recluse. I just like my space."

"I do believe living in a tree house on a small island in the middle of Lake Hylia is considered reclusive behaviour." Saria said in a mockingly thoughtful tone of voice.

"When I'm in Death Mountain, the Zora Domain or Castletown I'm always surrounded by people." Link said in a way that implied this wasn't the first time he was saying this, "I like that out here it's just me and Epona. Well, us and the crazy scientist, but he leaves us alone."

Saria giggled, "So, what shall we do today? It's not every year you come of age."

"Hero of Time!"

Link started, sitting up straight at the sound of his title. Malon's brows furrowed as she and Saria exchanged confused looks. Before either of them could open their mouth and question their friend though, he was up and out the door, scrambling down the rope ladder he had tied to make his home accessible.

"Kaepora!" He greeted, grinning widely at the sight of the overgrown owl that awaited him on the next island. The owl sat atop the gravestone marking he had waited on all those years ago when Link had found his way into the lake from the Zora Domain.

"Link." The owl greeted, turning his head upside down for a moment before righting it, "I bring you birthday wishes from the Princess of Hyrule. Her Highness wishes she could have come to wish you personally."

Link smiled, "No, I understand. She has responsibilities."

"That she does." The owl agreed, "And so do you, my boy! You have been summoned to Hyrule Castle." He stood on one foot, holding the other out to Link. Spotting the rolled up parchment, the blond Hylian quickly undid the twine tying the message to the bird's leg. Once the parchment was off, the owl ruffled up its feathers, turning its head upside down and back again, "The one of your heart waits, Link. You have but to find them. Do not give up hope."

With that, the owl took flight once more leaving a stunned Link behind. Saria and Malon were waiting for him by the tree when he finally got himself to start moving once more. They both noticed the dazed expression on their friend's face and exchanged worried looks.

Malon stepped forward, "Did the owl bring you bad news?"

Link shook his head, glancing back in the direction the bird had disappeared in, "No. No, he didn't. It was good news." A small smile tugged on his lips, "The best, actually." He looked from one girl to another apologetically, "Zelda has some work for me."

Malon rolled her eyes, "I swear, if you hadn't already denied it a hundred times, I would think you were in love with the princess; what with the way you run every time she calls."

Link chuckled, "I'll make it up to both of you."

"You'd better." Saria said, hands on her hips, "Now get going."

Laughing, Link nodded. He darted up the ladder to dress quickly and grab his shield and the sword the Gorons had gifted him during one of his visits. He checked his pouch to make sure all his other equipment was there before finally putting on his cap. He gave Malon and Saria quick hugs before making for the lake shore. Epona stood there, waiting for him to saddle her and load his bedroll and packs of supplies. With the ease of several years of practice, he got the job done quickly and efficiently and in a matter of minutes, he was off.

Zafir twirled his double-ended pole-sword, his red eyes watching the movements of his opponent carefully. He waited patiently and when she lunged he took his chance to catch her off guard, taking advantage of the opening she had left at her side. He slipped under her pole-sword, elbowing her side so she bent over in pain, hitting her over her head with the flat of his back blade when she did. He slid out of reach and turned, crouched in a battle-stance even though it looked unlikely that his opponent would rise again.

"Thank you, Zafir." A woman's voice called out, her authority ringing in every word. "Nayanal, get up."

Zafir walked over to the girl he considered his younger sister, pulling down his cowl as he did. He offered her his hand and pulled her up. Her amber eyes were filled with annoyance and self-criticism as she turned to her elder sister, head bowed in shame.

"Tell me, what did you do wrong?"

Nayanal sighed unhappily, "I was impatient."

"And?"

"And I gave him an opening."

Nabooru nodded, "Well done. We'll stop here for today."

Nayanal's head snapped up, "What? But Nabooru, I didn't win."

Nabooru exchanged an amused smile with Zafir, "No, but you did identify your mistakes properly. That means you're learning."

"Besides," Zafir said, nudging Nayanal with his shoulder, a teasing smile playing on his lips, "I'm the best. The chances of you winning against me are next-to-none anyway."

"Show off." Nayanal muttered, but her lips curved in a smile.

Zafir laughed, jumping lithely from the top of the staircase to the platform over the centre of the room to the top of another staircase as Nabooru and Nayanal walked down the stairs and around the room to climb up to where he had landed.

A hand reached to grab his butt and he darted out of the way in the last minute, turning to glare at the giggling guard who had decided to try her luck.

"Sahaya." Nabooru reprimanded half-heartedly as they walked past.

"I can't help myself, Nabooru. Watching him do those jumps gets me hot." The guard said, letting out a sultry laugh when she saw the way Zafir grimaced at her words.

Nabooru chuckled, shaking her head, "You know, sometimes I wonder if by bringing you here I've made it so you'll always abhor the idea of ever being with a woman."

Zafir's lips twitched as he fought a smile, "It might be a little early to say that."

Nayanal snorted, earning a questioning glance from her sister and a warning glare from Zafir. Still sour over her loss, she smirked, "Really? Weren't you telling me you were dreaming about some boy?"

Nabooru stopped walking, looking from her sister to the boy she considered her brother, "What did I miss?"

Nayanal looked to Zafir, unwilling to say more without his permission, but the damage was already done. Nabooru would not let them leave until they had answered her questions to her satisfaction. Zafir sighed, fighting the heat that threatened to sweep across his cheeks, thanking the Goddesses he was too tanned for the blush to show.

"Well…I've been having these dreams." He said quietly, eyes scanning their surroundings to make sure they couldn't be overheard.

"Dreams?" Nabooru repeated, "Wet dreams? Those are normal!"

If it were possible for the earth to swallow him, Zafir would have prayed for it to do so at that moment. He tugged at his lowered cowl, feeling oddly exposed, "Not those kinds of dreams, Nabooru. These dreams seem…almost real."

Nabooru frowned, "What are they about?"

"A boy dressed in green. I never see his face, and I know nothing about him, but he's always there when I close my eyes. I think I see bits and pieces of his life in my dreams. H-He must be some kind of hero, because the number of evil things he goes up against and defeats…it's almost unimaginable." Zafir's voice was tinged with awe towards the end.

Nabooru considers that thoughtfully, "There is no real evil to defeat now though. Maybe you're seeing someone from the past? Someone who is a part of Hyrule's history?"

Zafir actually flinched at the suggestion, shaking his head vehemently. "He's real. He's out there somewhere. I can just…feel it." He looked to the woman the Gerudo considered their very own princess, "Is that crazy?"

Nabooru smiled, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and squeezing, "Kid, I found you surviving on your own in the middle of the Haunted Wasteland, and you'd been at it nine years at the time. With you, nothing could ever be too crazy."

Her words somehow managed to comfort Zafir, and he grinned at her, feeling a sudden rush of affection. The moment was ruined when two Gerudo guards came skidding towards them, an envelope held in one of their hands, excitement radiating from their very pores.

"Nabooru! Nabooru! A letter has come! A letter from Princess Zelda of Hyrule!"

Nayanal and Zafir straightened, eyes lighting up as they exchanged delighted glances. It was always nice when you were among the first people to hear big news.

"The Princess of Hyrule? You don't say." Nabooru actually sounded shocked, "Well? What are you waiting for? Open it and read it out!"

Zafir watched as the guards laughed and did as they were told. He knew why hearing from the Princess of Hyrule was such a big deal.

Nearly twenty seven years ago, a male child had been born into the Gerudo. The Gerudo believed that a boy was born to a Gerudo woman only once in every hundred years and this boy would be the King of the Gerudo.

Ganondorf, the boy born and raised to be Gerudo King, turned out to be an incredibly evil man though, and he had begun mobilising the Gerudo to move against the royal family when he was only sixteen. He had earned himself a position in the King's guard and had quickly worked his way up the ladder until he had the ear of the King of Hyrule. He intended to attack Castletown, kill the princess and rule Hyrule. Seven years ago though, he had vanished into thin air. No one knew what had become of him.

Life went on though. With him gone, Nabooru, who had been one of the few who openly opposed him, took charge and wiped his influence from her people. While news reached Gerudo Valley over the years of Princess Zelda extending a hand of friendship to other races and building relationships with the Gorons and the Zora, the Gerudo were largely ignored. Nabooru, Zafir knew, had been afraid for a while now that the princess was gathering an army to mount an attack on the Gerudo, somehow having come to know Ganondorf's plans.

"She says she got our last missive and apologises for not responding sooner. She's sending her ambassador to us so that we can all better understand what kind of relationship would be most beneficial for both the Hylians and the Gerudo. The ambassador's name is Link, apparently. He works for Princess Zelda and maintains Hylian relations with the Gorons and the Zora. She says he's quite familiar with the ways of the Gerudo and she hopes she isn't offending us by sending a male ambassador. She assures us that he is very good at what he does." The guard summarised, raising her head to grin widely at Nabooru. "If you send your consent now, he should arrive next week."

Zafir noticed the dumbstruck look on the Gerudo leader's face and stepped forward to place a hand on her shoulder, wine red eyes concerned when they met her amber gaze, "Are you alright?"

Nabooru nodded dazedly, "Yes, I am. I just…I think I just remembered something. Something that happened, but didn't happen?" She shook her head slightly, frowning, "I'm sorry. That didn't make sense. The point is, I think I know this ambassador the princess is sending. I've met Link, long ago, when he was just a boy of ten." Her eyes caught his as she said in a soft, meaningful voice, "He wore green."

Zafir's breath caught in his throat as the significance of Nabooru's words hit him. He was going to meet the boy he dreamt about. The boy who had done impossible things. The boy who presented an enigma Zafir desperately wanted to figure out. And now he would get the chance.

A smile curved his lips.

And there's a new story now :)

To those of my readers who are fans and have favourited 'Never Saw It Coming', don't worry, I haven't abandoned Al and Scor. I've finished writing their story and all that's left now is to post the remaining chapter and epilogue so I've begun writing something new.

To everyone else, hi :) I'm new to writing LoZ fanfiction and I really loved the Link/Sheik pairing. But to me, it seemed impossible to dispute that the Sheik who guided Link was definitely Zelda. He might have been male, but he was meant to only be a disguise. I had a thought though, that what if somewhere out in Hyrule there was a boy with Sheik's face, but who had no tangible connection whatsoever to Link or Zelda? And so, Zafir was born.

Anyway, that's the first chapter. I honestly don't know how long the story will be but I'd like to hear whether you liked this or not so please leave a review.

~Living to Laugh and Love