"You can't stop me," Illia said to her father. She hoisted her bag over her shoulder, then walked towards the door. "I'm leaving."
"Sweetie, but why?" he asked.
"I can't stay," she said.
He walked in front of her. "But why can't you stay?"
"Ordon has too many memories," she said, which was ironic considering only a few years ago she'd lost her memory.
"I know Link left," her father said, which was true. One day he'd been there and the next he'd been gone, and from the word the villagers had received from all over Hyrule, no one had seen him either. "That doesn't mean you just have to leave."
"I know that," Illia said. "It's my choice to leave." She looked into his eyes. "I want to stay, I really do, but I know that there's nothing here in Ordon for me."
"Can't you at least tell me where you're going?" her father asked, then sadly stepped away from her.
"I'm going to stay with Telma," she said.
"That's the woman who saved you, right?"
Illia nodded. "She was the one I left to visit a few months ago. Sh-she's really nice. Believe me, she'd be glad to have me stay."
"How will you earn money?"
"There are lots of jobs in Hyrule Castle Town, and I'll be sure to find one that I like. Don't worry about that."
"Will you at least come visit us?" She could tell her father was running out of things to say, running out of things to keep her in Ordon longer.
"What made you think I wouldn't come visit you?" Illia asked. "Just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I might not come back. I love you, and Ordon is a great place, but I have to leave."
Illia left her home, and once outside got on Epona. It seemed now that Link was gone that the horse was hers.
She waved goodbye to her father, who only stared at her in a stunned, shocked silence.
"Come on girl, let's go!" Illia said. The horse began to run. "Please go faster! I want to reach Hyrule Castle Town by nightfall!"
Illia watched Ordon Village pass by her. She saw the houses of the people she'd known for years, the river, the animals, even Link's house, which stood empty and abandoned.
"Where did you go?" she whispered.
She knew it was good for her to get out, to move on. It wasn't worth waiting for Link to come back, especially since he'd vanished without a trace. If Link were to show up again, he would, but she had other things to worry about.
"I'll find a place for you to stay," Illia said to Epona. "Don't you worry."
Once she entered Hyrule Field, which took her a good half hour or so, her decision finally dawned on her. She'd left her home, one of the only places she ever knew, to start fresh. The idea both excited and scared her.
I can do it, she told herself. I know I need to do this, and I will do it.
She slowed Epona down slightly, seeing Hyrule Castle Town in the distance. It was best to let Epona relax after all the running she'd done, and Illia knew that in no time at all she'd be in Hyrule Castle Town.
She began to pull a few things out of her light sack: A wallet full of ruppes, some clothes, and a few various items of importance to her.
"I know I can do this," she whispered to herself. "I know I can."
When she arrived at Hyrule Castle Town's entrance gate, she tied Epona up and walked inside. Surrounding her were large crowds of people, all from different parts of the world. Different accents ran through her ears and people with different skin colors, hair, and backgrounds all walked around her. This likely had to do with Princess Zelda's increase in international trade, allowing Hyrule's economy to flourish. It had even helped the small village of Ordon, giving more of its people a larger wallet.
Once she reached Telma's bar, she walked inside. The place was full of customers, and the place had been redesigned. Illia could tell that her friend had gotten a lot of money, and she was glad.
"Illia?" Telma's familiar voice asked.
"Are you busy?" Illia asked sheepishly. "I see that you have a lot of customers."
"It's nothing, darling. Have a seat, would you? Care for a drink?"
Illia shook her head. "I just wanted to ask if I could stay with you for a few days."
"Of course! What would make you think I wouldn't be able to offer a room?"
"I was just making sure, and thank you."
Telma smiled. "You go get ready. I'm closing up shop soon, so I'll see you once I'm done."
Illia nodded, then left the store, off to get to Telma's home.