~So, here it is! My first ever fanfic! I'm so excited, but a little scared… Well, please let me know if you like it!~

Gongs… From somewhere off in the distance comes the steady ring of a gong. What its purpose is, I don't have a clue, but it has awoken me.

My eyelids are heavy from all the sleep. From blackness, I open my eyes to a burst of green like thousands of emeralds, and orange and pink peaks in through gaps in the trees. Digging my fingers into the soil, feeling the cool earth seep under my fingernails, I feel at peace and forget the events of the past two weeks, the journeys I have had.

I inhale the forest air, so familiar, yet so different than that of the salty sea. Inhaling even more deeply, I savor the musty scent. All I hope is that our new Hyrule will have forests like this.

The song of the gongs has faded to a soft whisper, barely flowing on the wind. My chance to find out what they were for is gone.

But suddenly, something hits me. I DO know what their purpose is. It's the reason I'm here, in this forest, savoring it. Was today really the day? I begin to panic. Outstretching my hand, I feel around for my green tunic and hat, but they aren't where I left them. I sweep my hand across the forest floor, becoming more concerned every second. Something pokes into my skin, and sinks into my flesh. An arrow that must've fallen out of my quiver is now lodged in my hand, and I decide to use my eyesight to avoid further injury.

Minutes pass by, and my clothes are nowhere to be found. For some reason, I find this unnerving, more so than the fact that blood is flowing freely from my hand where I just removed the arrow from. I guess I should do something about it, so I take off my blue lobster shirt and unceremoniously wrap up my hand.

I inhale deeply one last time and run out of the forest, hoping I'm not too late.

As I descend the cliff down to the village, I notice the extreme calm that has settled in the dawn. If I really have missed it, the villagers will be back in bed, tired. What a stupid idea, leaving so early… It's a mystery why any of those pirates voted on leaving before dawn. Most don't get out of bed until noon. Niko's usually up by 2 o'clock in the afternoon; if it's a good day. It's just not part of their thieving lifestyle.

As I turn a corner, I catch the tiniest glimpse of the dock. What appears to be a pirate ship is still docked there. Good. The fact that I haven't missed it excites me, and I go from a jog to the fastest sprint I have. The wind tosses my messy blonde hair all over.

I run past Mesa's house. His grass is about waist high. Again. Without me here to cut it for him, well, I doubt it'll be possible to go in and come out. Orca's house. I wonder if Tetra will care if I'm not wearing my Hero's clothes. My house. I'm seriously tempted to sneak some of Grandma's soup. It's the best thing this side of Hyrule and I'll probably be going without it for a long time.

I've been so caught up in my thoughts that I almost run into the water. I turn to walk onto Tetra's ship, but I simply drop off the deck. Catching the ledge, I hang for a second as shock washes over me. The ship isn't there. Did I simply imagine the boat I could've swore I saw a minute ago? Scanning the horizon for any signs of them, my heart sinks. Not only are they gone, but so is The King of Red Lions, so any chances of catching up to them are gone like Ganondorf.

So. I guess I'm not needed with the finding and founding of our new Hyrule. You know, because Tetra has so much experience with it and all. Fine.

As I sit down, a strange mixture of emotions settles in my chest. Hurt. Loneliness. Freedom. And with that, I rest my head on the deck and let my mind drift away.

~So, what'd you think? Sorry if the intro to this story is kinda long… I got caught up in it. I promise it'll get funnier later. Anyway, keep reading please!~