Greetings,
This story begins a little romantic and, if you're not really into that sort of thing, I apologize, and ask that you continue reading for the less romantic, more main part of the story. This is not a story centered around romance. It's a story about a young man, whom we all know and love as Link, and his friends. Please enjoy! (: Comments & critique welcome.
Legend of Zelda belongs to Nintendo.
"Heeeey… yah!"
A chestnut mare with a white tail and mane jumped over the fence with ease. Her master had just finished his work at the farm. It seemed odd to her, even in her small mind, that they were still working this farm after all the crazy adventures of the past couple months. But what could she say? She was only a dumb animal after all.
Link had hoped that the work at the farm would keep his mind occupied as it had done for the past several years. He even added on tasks other people asked him to do so that he would not have time to think – for thinking is a dangerous pastime.
Nothing, however, was working. People even in the small village where he grew up treated him differently. Sure, he had saved Hyrule, but was that enough to be treated differently? Was not he the same?
No. Link sighed as he reigned in Epona and dismounted. He was not the same. He realized more than ever that these people he knew all his life were not actually his people. He was a Hylian, one who had traveled extensively and had brought about much bloodshed… bloodshed of monsters, yes, but bloodshed all the same. Before he left he knew how to swing a wooden sword around. He brought home a legendary mark on his hand, which helped to slay the greatest evil two kingdoms had known. No, he definitely was not the same.
As he brushed and fed Epona, Link mulled over the day he had returned to Ordon Village. He had received a warm welcome and a party in his honor. Everyone had clasped his hand, patted him on the back, or given him a hug. The most warm and happy welcome came from his childhood best friend, Ilia.
Link groaned at the thought of her. He cared for her as much as he ever did, but today his mind had been mostly full of thoughts about her, among the other five thousand eighty-three thoughts that constantly bombarded his brain. He had certainly considered her more often since their meeting in Kakariko Village, when everyone left them alone in the room and she had given him Epona's whistle. That, however, was nothing to his worries today.
The young hero climbed up to his tree house but did not go inside. He sat on the edge of his porch and dangled his legs. It was all her fault, really, thought Link as he gazed over the village. If she had not come by to check on Epona yesterday and had not stayed to talk to him, he would have been more at ease today.
A few hours ago he had opened up to her about his sorrows and innermost feelings: how dearly he missed the Twilight Princess, who knew him almost as well as Ilia. He told her about his anxiety in only know how to kill – sure, he had never hurt "good" people, but the killing of so many creatures had made him think twice about life. He told her that life did not seem so simple anymore after everything that had happened. He told her that he knew everyone looked at him differently. He even told her about his brief meetings with the wise and beautiful Princess Zelda, her part in the final defeat of Ganondorf, and the strange feeling that he had met her before.
Ilia had listened to him, her heart filled with sympathy. There was little advice she could give him, but she undertook the task to comfort him and assure him of her loyalty.
"Link," she had said after a long silence, "you've a strong and full heart. You're the only person I know who could deal with what you deal with and keep on going." She stopped, unsure if she should go on, but his eyes met hers with such a pleading, sorrowful look that she attempted to say some soothing words.
"The pain won't go away. The breaking of the mirror… well, the pain will lessen with time. You have friends who care for you and who will help you in any way we can."
A smile lit up his downcast face. He hugged her tightly and thanked her. Just opening up to someone made his burdens a little lighter.
Those burdens were only to become heavier as Ilia, seeing his relieved smile, took his hands in hers, never looking away from him. He continued to smile, feeling lighter in her cheerful presence. He was thinking of something else to say when her face came inches away from his, and, after hesitating a little, she closed the gap between them and kissed him.
Link was taken aback. He had not expected this – or had he? He thought of their meeting in Kakariko Village and saw that he must have given her some type of wordless promise. So he let Ilia kiss him, not pulling away from her.
A little shy and rosy-cheeked, Ilia had pulled away, said a few words of encouragement that Link did not quite catch, and wished him goodnight. She left smiling, not seeing Link's dumbfounded expression.
Link, having moved from his porch and back to Epona's stable, placed a bridle on the mare and leapt on her back without a saddle. He could not sleep not tonight.
They galloped to Spirit's Spring, where he had first transformed into a wolf and where Ilia had last told him not to do more than he was capable of, not to change, and that she would be waiting for him when he returned.
He recalled the near-despair he felt when he had found her in Castle Town, only to discover that she had forgotten who he was. It was a blow to the stomach and even made him forget the impish Midna lurking in his shadow. He had been truly hurt. He remembered the joy he had when her memory returned. She had told him that he had always been by her side and always with her. Then everyone left them alone in that room…
Link shook his head. As little informed he was in the matters of love, even he could see the intent in these memories and conversations. He was not sure how to deal with that, for surely Ilia remembered these things as well as he did.
Oh, how he wished he could talk to Midna! Sure, she would poke fun at him and laugh at his confusion, but still, she would have at least made him think more lightly of the situation. Ilia was not a comfort anymore. She was a worry.
As he waded around in the water, he heard a rustle in the woods beyond the Spring. He instinctively drew the plain broadsword that he always carried with him, along with his other weapons and odd objects he picked up during his adventures.
Looking in the same direction as Epona, whose sharp ears had also heard the noise, Link quietly advanced toward the gate of the Spring.
"Link! Do you always have to carry around that sword? You treat it like it is the love and treasure of your life," scolded a familiar female voice.
Epona snorted.
Ilia stepped into the moonlight and walked up to Epona. She petted the mare and spoke some soft words to calm the horse down. After a few moments the mare settled down and began to graze the grass near the water.
Link gave a sigh of relief and sheathed his sword. As soon as the relief passed, however, he tensed, wondering what Ilia was doing here. What was he going to say to her now?
"I figured you wouldn't be able to sleep, like me," said the girl. "I need to tell you something… well, if you haven't already guessed."
Link could discern a faint blush, and did guess, but pretended to be clueless. Actually, since cluelessness came natural to him, he did not really have to pretend, but just to be on the safe side he tilted his head to the side and waited for the burdens on his shoulders to grow heavier.
"Link," Ilia said with a sigh as she drew close to him, "Link… I… well, I love you."
She waited for a response, and upon receiving none, continued with her story. "I have for a while now but it wasn't very clear to me until… well, recent events."
He flinched, but said nothing.
"I waited for some encouragement from you. I received it, I think…" she glanced at him to be sure, "and our mutual friends have seen it too, so…"
Link froze, unable to listen anymore. Their friends too? Was it that obvious? He recalled everyone leaving the room in that village, but still… it was all too confusing. The desire to run grew in him, but he remained rooted in his spot on the shores of the Spring.
"Link? Did you hear me?" Ilia asked in a high voice, breaking into his thoughts.
The green-clad man nodded, and seeing that she was waiting for his response to her confession, did nothing less than kiss her. It was a gentle kiss, nothing strong or passionate, but just enough to answer all of Ilia's questions and doubts, however small they may have been.
When they pulled away, she took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. "We'll be able to sleep more easily now, I think," she said with a smile.
Speak for yourself, Link thought numbly.
Both shifted their feet from side to side as silence descended upon them. Link thought about Ilia's confession, and then finally decided that he must love her too, as only people who loved each other kissed each other. Right? Link's logic told him that it would not make much sense to kiss someone whom one did not love.
Ilia cleared her throat and took the reins of Epona, looking decidedly at Link.
He didn't get it.
She rolled her eyes; Link was so clueless. "It's dark and I'd like to go home… on a horse," she said bluntly.
"Oh," was all he said, turning away so she could not see his dismayed expression. The last time – the only time – anybody had ridden on Epona with him was Princess Zelda.
He caught his breath as his mind now brought those images of chasing Ganondorf on Hyrule Fields, the beautiful princess of Hyrule riding expertly behind him as if she were a born horsewoman. She had shot her arrows with such accuracy and had stayed astride even when he fell off due to one of those … monster things the evil king sent out. She had better balance than he. Although worried about Midna and focused on his task of defeating Ganondorf, the presence of royalty and fellow Triforce Bearer made him ever more conscious of his surroundings and his actions. He remembered her courage, wisdom, willpower, beauty, her confidence in both of them, the feel of her body so close to his…
"Link? Hello?" Ilia tugged on Link's green sleeve. He shook his head to clear his mind, grateful for this interruption. He cupped his hands together and gave Ilia a lift on the horse, and then mounted himself.
Epona, not particularly liking the feel of two humanoids on her back, nickered and pawed, but at the strict voice of her master did as he bided. They trotted back to Ordon and to Mayor Bo's home. Like a good gentleman, Link walked Ilia to the door and wished her goodnight. He left without a kiss, surprising the young woman.
"Hm. He's probably so tired, poor boy. He's been through so much," she concluded as she watched him ride off in the direction of his tree house. She smiled and soon went to bed, confident of her future with her beloved Link.
