Title: This is Home

Rating: K

Author's Note: It's been practically forever since I wrote anything in the Zelda fandom, and I thought it was high time to write something about one of my favorite pairings, Link/Zelda. I hope it's okay.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda.

It had been minutes since Ganondorf was sealed in the Sacred Realm, but it had been seconds since she told him he had to return to his original time.

Zelda's words seemed to echo in Link's head:

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

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

"You must lay the Master Sword to rest and close the Door of Time..."

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

"Zelda..." Link began, but his voice trailed off. There were many things he wanted to say to her. He wanted to say it hadn't been her fault. He wanted to say she couldn't have known Ganondorf would follow him into the Sacred Realm.

He wanted to say he didn't want to leave her.

"That doesn't have to happen," Link finally said.

Zelda opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Link, all those people whose lives were ruined by Ganondorf...they should never have had to suffer because of my foolishness. And it is because of me that you lost seven years of your life."

"Zelda, I don't—"

"I believe you should be allowed to gain those years that you lost."

Link fell silent. He knew what Zelda was saying, knew she blamed herself for everything that had happened and wished to set things right. And if that meant being returned to his childhood, he would do it.

"Just know that I've never blamed you for any of this, and that I..." He hesitated for a second, then quickly decided to just say it; he may never get another chance.

"I love you."

Zelda's lips parted slightly at those last three words, her eyes widening. She then looked down, mumbling so softly that Link couldn't tell what she was saying. Finally, she brought her gaze back up to him, and she held out her hand.

Were those tears that he saw in her eyes?

"Link, give the Ocarina to me." Zelda's voice was trembling slightly. "As a Sage, I can return you to your original time with it."

This may be even harder for her, Link realized as he withdrew the Ocarina of Time and placed it in Zelda's palm. At least he could always see her when he was sent back in time; but for Zelda, in this timeline...she would never see him again.

And Zelda's expression told Link that she knew it all too well.

She set her free hand on top of his, their fingers lingering together on the Ocarina. Neither of them spoke for several seconds.

"When peace returns to Hyrule," Zelda said softly, "it will be time for us to say goodbye."

Link merely nodded.

Zelda gently took the Ocarina from him. "Now, go home, Link. Regain your lost time! Home...where you are supposed to be...the way you are supposed to be."

And with that, Zelda put the mouthpiece of the Ocarina to her lips and played her lullaby. Within seconds, Link was surrounded by the familiar column of blue light, and he felt himself rising.

A short time later, Link could have sworn he heard Zelda's voice:

"Thank you, Link. Goodbye...And I love you, too..."

The blue light disappeared, and Link found himself in the Temple of Time, the Master Sword back in its Pedestal. He took a look at his hands—he was ten years old again.

Slowly, Link turned around and exited the Temple. Zelda had told him to go home, and he knew exactly where he had to go.

About half an hour later, Link walked into the courtyard of Hyrule Castle. Zelda, also ten, was looking through the window into the throne room, just as she had done the first time Link met her.

Hearing his footsteps, the young Princess turned around to face him, startled.

Link said nothing, but offered her a smile.

Zelda had told him to go home; as far as he was concerned, she was his home.