Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and it is based off OoT

The time of evil was over.

The Hero of Time had rightfully reclaimed the glory to Hyrule, defeating the King of Evil from his throne, to return it rightfully to the Princess. Villages and nations were soon rebuilt in much rejoice for good times to come. Farmers crops were replenished in green fields, and much of nature as well as happiness and hope in the souls of the civilians were restored.

Link had won, and with victory came much praise and glory for his great feats. Woman would often crowd his walk, and men would give him warming pats on the back like old friends. Kids began fake sword-play with the children, reenacting the tales of Link defeating the dragon, fighting his way through hoards of Redeads, all the greatness they saw and wanted to be in one great hero.

With light spreading throughout the lands, it wasn't just the happiness that the evil was done, it was that people now knew their was someone who could save them were darkness to rise again. They had strength, and slowly over the years to come, cultures would rebuild their numbers, and that strength would grow.

However, one question hung thick in the air of all the rejoice. That being the constant wonder of when the Princess would come out of hiding and reclaim her throne. This subject was one that needed to be approached with ease, as their was many opinions in the matter of the royal family that once ruled. Whether the people wanted someone to return to the throne, many in fear that another would rise above them in authority and take what rights they had as human beings.

They began to fear power, and were not at peace with once again having someone force them into their own wills of law. The numbers grew in great amounts, and soon their was arguments breaking out in public, whether Princess Zelda should retake the throne, or let them be.

It had been a total of three weeks now since the Lord Ganondorf was slain. Throughout the growing dismay and joy, Link had at first been at peace for the first time in many long weeks. He was flattered by the praise and honor he had gained from those who had heard of his many dangerous adventures, but an uneasy feeling began to grip his happy soul with iron cold fingers.

Where was Zelda?

She had yet to show herself to Link as she had promised so many times throughout his trek to save Hyrule, and hearing the doubts about the princess wisp by in rumors from ear to ear left a knot in his gut.

Not only had the princess that he adored failed to make an appearance, but so had his trusty shadow, Sheik. After helping him through many paralysis journeys, Link felt it was injustice hearing of the tales and victories many claimed he achieved alone, when the truth was that he had been shadowed, and she had helped him through every turn and twist. How come no kids felt obligated to praise her victories? Why did no parents felt it necessary to give credit where credit was due?

Much of it made him feel uneasy, and as the parties and celebrations died down so people could resume repairing their broken lives, Link tried as much as he could to fade into the background, beginning to travel once again, roaming through villages to see if he could bring the news and help with repairs.

Now that the battle was over and done, a deep depression settled inside him.

He was all alone.

Through all the glory he had received, and continued to get, he was still alone. Only Navi had been there the entire time, and he longed to find his discreet ninja friend. He found himself looking up in tree branches hopefully, listening for the smooth plucking strings of a lyre. The longer he was deprived of seeing the Princess and his friend who had helped him through it all, the more he craved each of their company.

Link breathed a heavy sigh as he walked through the forest somewhere just outside of Castle Town. He often found that though he was truly Hyrulian, he still found peace in the presence beneath trees.

"Don't worry Link, I'm sure Zelda will come to you in time. For all we know she was thousands of miles away and needs a few weeks to return home." Navi spoke as she fluttered near his ear, though there was an edge of doubt in her voice that could not be missed.

The blonde hero furrowed his eyebrows, "yea, I know. But I just don't understand. I've pushed through every obstacle she tasked me too, I brought happiness back to Hyrule, why can't I just get the one thing in return and see her?" he asked, his voice thick with sorrow.

Navi took a moment to reply, "That's not the only thing bothering you is it?"

Link looked down at his feet as he continued to walk on the forest ground at an even pace.

The fairy fluttered in front of his face to get his attention, "Is it Sheik?"

Raising his sky blue eyes to meet the fairies, he gave a slight nod. "I just don't get it! We became friends I thought, no matter how reserved she was, but now that the task is done she just ups and leaves? I...don't have anyone anymore. And now that Impa is gone for her... I don't know where she could've gone."

Navi listened intently, but before she could answer, another voice came.

"In times of joy, one always remains in silent turmoil. Time may mend bonds that were cut thin. Ones duties and responsibilities often interfere with the fantasies and wishes of life. A hope so strong it flickers between reality and imagination. A troubled choice must be made by the one you seek, and from her decision you may find your heart restless. Another love you may lose, but her love for you will bid you to take life and purpose upon yourself farther than the prophecies proclaim."

Link had frozen where he was, listening to the familiar voice that bordered between mature feminine and gruff masculine. He tilted his head to listen to the words carefully, taking them into account, but as they finished their melodic phrase, he let out a heart filled chuckle. "Still as poetic as ever I see Sheik." he stated with a light banter.

From the shadows of a high tree, a figure nimbly leaped, their hands catching on a branch, using the momentum of their downfall to swing into a full circle before landing on their feet in a low crouch, gracefully in front of the blonde hero.

"And still a show off." Nazi muttered, receiving a pointed glare from the Sheikah.

There was a moment of silence, ruby met cobalt as their eyes locked, then with a sudden urgency, Link stepped forward and embraced her.

"Sheik! Where have you been! I'm so glad you're back!" he exclaimed, holding her small rigid frame in his arms.

The Sheikah was hesitant, more than usual, but eventually gave in to the heroes warmth and slowly returned the embrace, small yet firm arms encircling his chest.

"I'm sorry...for my delay." she said monotonously as she pulled back from his arms. "I had some business to attend with the Princess." she said, almost hesitantly. For a brief moment, Link was sure he had seen anxiousness flash across her scarlet eyes.

Almost immediately as the words left her unseen mouth, Link's eyes widened, as he set out an array of questions of her whereabouts, when he'll see her, when she will reclaim the throne, and didn't stop until Nazi told him to inhale a breath before he blew a blood vessel.

Sheik gave the tiniest of smiles, though it remained hidden under her cowl, but the smile dropped when she remembered what she was there for. "Link, I'm afraid not all will end well though evil's bane is gone." she said gravely.

Link frowned, not liking the negative turn this conversation was going. "What do you mean not all will end well? Hyrule is saved, the throne ready, and all Zelda has to do is walk up there and take what's rightfully hers. Everyone is happy, and the turmoil is over! Why are you being so pessimistic?"

A somber look glinted in her ruby eyes, and he watched as she crossed her arms, though seemingly more as to steady herself rather than defensive. She took a deep breath, readying the news she had to relay. "Link, it is not all so easy. Have you not heard the rumors and tales that is spreading throughout the kingdom? Many believe that to live on without any ruler to over power them would be safer for the time being, and that the royal blood line shall resume its position a number of years later when the people are finally recuperated."

"Yea but..." she silenced him by holding up her wrapped hand, his mouth snapping shut to listen.

"Others are saying that Zelda had done nothing to aid the Hero of Time and does not deserve the throne, for she was too cowardly to try and take it until someone else had done the job of ridding the threat."

Link's eyes grew angry, his fists clenched at his side, one subconsciously gripping his sword handle. "But...but that's unfair! She didn't have a choice!"

Sheik remained silent as he open and closed his mouth, trying to grasp words to display how he felt about the situation, and when he finally closed his mouth finding none, she continued. "Zelda has a choice to make Link, one that will not be easy for you, her, or the Kingdom of Hyrule. But she will do what she feels is best with what wisdom she has."

A somber silence hung in the air of the forest, as the look of disbelief flashed across Link's face, then quickly turned to sadness, before morphing into a rage she had seen only when he was in the heat of battle against a hateful foe.

"It's not fair!" he suddenly shouted, taking out his sword and slamming into the ground half-way up the shaft. Sheik took a surprised and steady step back at the sudden anger that he revealed, and watched as he continued to spout poisonous words before finally turning to her with a look of despair, one she felt stab at her cold heart.

"It's not fair Sheik! I've done everything I possibly could! I traveled to each temple and awakened the Sages! I defeated the evil tyrant Ganondorf by my own hand! I lost seven years of my life to protect this kingdom, and yet, at the end of it all, things are still not turning out the way I wanted! There are so many questions still unanswered! Where is Zelda?! Why won't she see me now that the threat is gone?! Why did everyone I care about have to die or become a Sage before this thing ended?!" he ranted, and Sheik visibly flinched at every question.

Her chilled heart ached with sympathy and guilt, all of it hung heavy on her shoulders. Some things just had to be. That was one of the first lessons that Impa had pressed her on while training. Life is not a fairy tale, and not all pieces of a story end happily. Not only for Link and herself, but for all the others as well. There were so many that lost a loved one throughout those seven years of hard-ship. Link was right, it wasn't fair. And it was all her fault.

Swallowing crystal tears, Sheik turned to see the Hero of Time, the one she marveled for his courage from a distance for a long while crumple under the heavy burdens that had been lifted, yet the worn muscles still ached. His sky blue eyes were cloudy, threatening to spill, and his hands were shaky.

"I-I'm sorry Link. I truly am. But...just..." she couldn't find the right words, her own tongue stumbling with doubt in her own endurance of such sadness.

"Go to Castle Town tomorrow at noon. She will explain it to you better than I." she said discreetly, before jumping back and disappearing in a shadow.

Link bit his lip to stop the trembling, and looked around in hope of seeing the Sheikah. A heavy sigh escaped his mouth as he quickly wiped away escaped tears. He carried on with a heavy heart, just a small spark of hope that whoever 'she' was that was waiting for him at Castle Town at noon tomorrow would give him some of the answers.

Before completely leaving the clearing, he looked up into the branch from whence she had come, whispering to no one in particular, "and who are you really Sheik? Your still a mystery."

And with that he turned and left, Navi fluttering beside him quietly, oblivious to the fact that in another tree not far away, a pair of ears had heard him and answered in a whisper, "I am who you seek, hero, for I always have been."