This story takes place after the events of Ocarina of time. I basically had a dream and thought I'd write it down, I'm pretty excited as to where this story will go but I figured this would be a good start. Reviews are appreciated as I have not written a story...since 2002 when I was 14. So be gentle =)

Chapter 1

The hero knelt with his head bowed. Strands of gold peaked from beneath his green hat and into his azure eyes. His hands clutched the Master Sword at his side, his knuckles white and rigid. His body heaved in hopes that the incoming breaths would aid in replenishing his strength. The clouds above swirled in a fervent whirl, but the blackness of the night sky above could not compare to the darkness of the vile beast that was sprawled out before him. It was incredulous that this monster, the incarnation of evil, was once contained in the form of a man.

The beast broke the silence with a deafening bellow that came deep from within its gut. Amber eyes lifted towards the hero as it gnashed its splintery teeth together. Link was sure now that any shadow of a human soul was gone after peering into the vacant eyes of the beast; all that was left was bitterness, rage, and a gluttonous desire for power.

With a smirk the beast dug a massive blade into the earth in an effort to stabilize its towering form. The other arm trembled as it began to press its weight up. The hero furrowed his brows in determination and stood up, in what he knew would be a final attempt to rid Hyrule of this sinister presence. He readied his feet, which fought to grip the shaking earth beneath him.

Suddenly, a powerful stream of radiant light flooded the beast's body and forced its rearing head back to the ground. The hero gasped as he turned to see the source of the immense power. His eyes widened as he saw the princess standing tall with her hands pushed forward, harnessing the power of the triforce, her eyes closed in concentration.

The force of the power pushed on her frail body, but she stood firm against it, "I'm using my power to hold the Evil King! Use your sword and deliver the final blow, hurry!"

Link took a deep breath, new-found energy spreading through his body. He sprinted forward, raising the Master Sword above his head and lunged at the beast, burying the sword deep into its misshapen skull. Link clenched his jaw as he twisted the sword into the flesh and bone that crunched beneath him. The massive form went limp and the blood between the foes mixed in a putrid puddle at his feet. Link stood over the form taking in the silence around him.

Zelda and the sages quickly worked to wield their power and banish the beast. But to Link, time seemed to move slowly, and all he could do was wipe the blood, sweat, and dirt from his face and concentrate on his breathing. He stared at his hands trying to fight against the blackness that threatened to overcome his vision, but soon everything became hazy and the world disappeared around him.

When he came to, it startled Link to see that the ground had disappeared from beneath his feet. His body seemed to float effortlessly in the deep blue sky where clouds of white billowed around him. After this instinctual fear dissipated he began to try to make sense of his surroundings. He turned to see the princess standing behind him. She was delicately holding one of her arms at her side and smiling at him.

It was funny to him that a girl who had just wielded such power could seem to look so timid and beautiful. His eyes widened at the thought as a blush came to his cheeks. Through all of the trials they had endured together he had never been afforded the luxury of taking the time to notice such things- She is definitely beautiful, he thought to himself. He had gotten to know her- at least in the sense that he knew what kind of choices she would make...what type of person she was. He had seen the kindness in her eyes, and she had demonstrated time and time again that she would sacrifice anything for her people. She was a true ruler.

But they had always carried the weight of the world on their shoulders. There was no time to laugh and enjoy each other's presence, for each knew that they would be ripped from each other by the next daunting task...or foe. The burden was theirs to bear and through these trials he had come to think of the princess as an equal and as a comrade to lighten the load.

He didn't feel alone standing next to her. He laughed to himself, thinking maybe they could finally get to know one another as friends. Now seemed like a good time to get to see her as she truly was, with no mask to hide behind.

Zelda looked down at the ground, still smiling, and played with the fabric of her dress.

"Thank you, Link. Thanks to you, Ganondorf has been sealed inside the Evil Realm."

She looked up at him, her azure eyes meeting his, "Thus, peace will once again reign in this world...for a time."

With that she sighed, and lowered her head as she brought a hand to her chest and her eyes closed.

"All the tragedy that has befallen Hyrule was my doing. I was so young.."

"I could not comprehend the consequences of trying to control the Sacred realm."

Again, her eyes met his; but this time Link noticed something else behind them-regret, guilt.

She continued, "I dragged you into it, too. Now it is time for me to make up for my mistakes."

She looked at him, this kind-hearted boy who had become so strong. He had faced hell itself for the people..for her. She took in his blood stained tunic, tattered in places revealing scars and wounds from battles past and recent. Her fists clenched at her sides and she looked at him sternly, hoping to disguise her hurt. Using her authority as a princess, she commanded, "You must lay the Master Sword to rest and close the Door of Time."

His confused stare looked back at her, she could see he was trying to make sense of what she was asking of him.

"However, by doing this, the road between times will be closed…"

And with this, Link's eyes widened in sudden realization. He would forget everything, forget all the pain and hardship, the nights of loneliness. He would forget the bloodshed and silent tears he had shed in the darkness of the night when no one was looking.. He would forget Zelda.

Zelda nodded in resolution, and held her hand out to him."As a sage I can return you to your original time with it."

Link stared at her open palm in disbelief, these emotions welling up inside of him; he couldn't comprehend it all. He felt the hardness of the instrument, the coolness of it against his calloused hand. His grip tightened for a moment and he looked down at it. He gently placed it in her open palm, but his hand lingered. Zelda placed her hand on top of his as she clasped it in a gentle and last embrace. She looked down at their hands.

She spoke gently,"When peace returns to Hyrule...It will be time for us to say Goodbye."

Link closed his eyes, nodded, and regretfully their hands parted.

She brought the ocarina over her heart and clutched it close with both hands.

Her lips parted, her voice almost a whisper,"Now go home Link, regain your lost time."

"Home," as she smiled to herself. "Where you are supposed to be."

She looked up into his eyes, "The way you are supposed to be!"

She brought the ocarina up to her lips and began to play the sacred lullaby. A warm glow started to form around them. Link found himself lifting off the ground, as the blue light began to surround his body. His back arched as the light began to overtake him.

A single tear rolled down Zelda's cheek as their eyes met for the last time in this reality.

"Thank you...Link.." Her voice seemed to echo as it faded from existence.

"Goodbye."

Suddenly, Link wanted to resist and he tried to fight it. He realized that he didn't want those seven years back if it meant never having met Zelda. He cried out in anguish, as he realized life without Zelda is not the life he wanted. .