Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda and all of its characters are property of Nintendo.

Post Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask. Link has been away from Hyrule for eight years. Zelda worries about him so strongly that she's appearing in his dreams, begging him to return home. But the Link she once knew isn't the same as the Link who is coming home. Sometimes, the "innocent" turn out to be the source of evil, and what one thinks is an enemy turns out to be a powerful ally.

Fade to Black
Prologue:

Princess Zelda stood in the Temple of Time, silent and alone. Eight years ago, she dreamed of a battle that she fought with a boy from the forest. He and she sent a very evil man away and saved Hyrule from his threat. She knew it was more than a dream, but she didn't know much else beyond that, except for three names: Ganondorf, Zelda, Link.

Impa didn't have an explanation for her when she spoke of the dream later, saying only that "Perhaps it will become clearer with time."

Zelda couldn't forget the dream, no matter how much she'd tried. Then one day a boy had snuck into the castle, into her garden. He looked just like the boy from her dream.

They'd both gasped as they'd seen the other's face. She didn't know him, and yet she did. Judging by the look on his face, he felt similarly. Then they had lunged at each other, crying and hugging and trying to say a thousand words at once.

He remembered. She remembered. Between the two of them, they were able to piece some of it together. She was Zelda and he was Link, and they'd defeated Ganondorf... somehow. Then they'd both gone back in time to when it all began. That was all they remembered. There was something else, something more that neither could remember, but...

It didn't matter. If he remembered it too, it couldn't be a dream! For several weeks, they played and talked, Link sneaking into the castle every morning and out in the evening, never once getting caught.

But one day she awoke to the feeling that something was very different. Today was a day of destiny, although she couldn't explain where she got the feeling from.

He wore his sword and shield like he always did, but he also had something bulky over his shoulder.

"Link...?"

"I... I have to go, Princess."

"Go? Go where?"

He looked sad, hurt, betrayed. "I don't know... but I can't stay here. Something." He stared at the object over his shoulder for a moment. "Something about the other time. I can't stay."

Her face fell. So this was what she'd felt. "Where will you go?"

"I'll figure something out."

"Will you ever come back?"

He smiled. "Of course I will. I have to go today, but tomorrow, maybe I can come back. I won't leave you by yourself forever."

She giggled at that. "Then... wait." She ran out of the garden and then returned, holding what she'd grabbed out to him. "Here, take this with you."

"The Ocarina of Time? I... I can't!"

"You had it with you in the fight with Ganon, right? Take it with you. Please? As a way to remember me?"

He nodded and took the instrument, wrapping it with cloth and tucking it into the pack slung over his shoulder. Yes, that was what that was. "I won't forget you."

"And I won't forget you. Travel safe... Remember, the Goddesses are watching you."

"And you as well, Zelda," he said, waving sadly before turning and running out of the garden.

Seven years later, the dream returned, bringing with it all the details of every battle and struggle. She awoke remembering everything, and she had to wonder: did Link remember, too, wherever he was? Was he safe?

Another long year went by with no sign of her hero. Zelda worried, but she kept reminding herself of what Link did in the other time, and that he said he would be back someday. He would be back.

However, he wasn't back in time. She shivered, wrapping her arms around her and looking up at the statues of the Goddesses that stood before the Door of Time. She'd just heard the news a week ago, at most. Lake Hylia was frozen solid. No one had an explanation. Her first thought had been that it was Ganondorf returning, but no, it didn't feel like him.

Whatever the reason, it scared her. She wanted her hero back. She wanted Link home.

Every day since then, she'd come to the Temple to pray. Every night since then, she'd tried to send a vision to him through dreams, to tell him to come home, that Hyrule was in danger.

She still hadn't received any kind of answer. Zelda finished her prayers and went solemnly back to the castle, then to bed.

That night she dreamed again.

She stood out in a field. She could see Link walking her way, a long tattered cloak flowing behind him in the breeze. He didn't seem to notice her.

He walked up and stopped beside her. "What do you want?" His words were harsh but his voice was soft, just like she remembered it.

"Link, come home. Hyrule needs you."

"Does it? I don't know."

"Link, please! I miss you! Come home!"

He met her gaze briefly. "I don't think you understand. I don't think Hyrule needs me."

"What?"

He shook his head. "Never mind. I can't expect you to understand." And with that, he turned and walked away. "The Hero of Time isn't that anymore."

"What?" She wanted to run to him, to make him explain that, but he was gone.

She woke up hopeful but very, very confused.

Meanwhile, to the west of Hyrule, a wanderer was making his way eastward.