Prologue

Links POV

I stood there, panting. It was over, it was finally over.

"Hey Link! I'm surprised Ganon was that easy to take down!" Navi flew down to perch on my ear.

I tried to look up at her, bewildered, "easy for you to say little miss fairy, but considering I was doing all the work, I'll be the judge of the level to which Ganon fought and was defeated."

"And the princess, she helped as well."

Zelda...

I looked back to Ganon, seeing him lay there, his brains oozing out of his ears and nose. I grimaced at the awful smell. I felt Zelda's presence behind me, but I did not turn to her. I wiped my face on my sleeve, and any clean patch was now long gone. My once green tunic was now a dark red from the blood of Ganondorf and his minions.

"Link," Zelda said softly, in fear of disturbing me.

I gave Ganon a once over, satisfied he was well and truly dead and gone, I turned to the princess. I gave her my biggest smile, and opened my arms hoping for an embrace.

Zelda took one look at me and attempted not to laugh, "with you looking like that?" she laughed "I am a princess, and you, sir, reek of things of the most unpleasant kind."

I looked down at myself, embarrassed the princess had seen me in such a messy state. Not my best look, I will admit.

I looked up at Zelda through my blood stained hair.

I rubbed my arm, wincing at the large black bruise that was quick to show itself off.

"I suppose," I said, mocking annoyance, " I have to wash this off."

Zelda just nodded at me, before looking down at Ganon.

"Is he... well and truly...?" she glanced up at me.

I bit my lip, and nodded my head.

"All thanks to you, my hero," she winked at me.

I opened my mouth to make a reply, but Navi interrupted me.

"You helped as well, dear Princess," Navi cheerfully added.

"Yes, I am sorry, I was so foolish getting caught in that... Thing," her voice trailed off as she sought the word.

"Nah, it's not your fault..." I said, and courageously added "it gave me a reason to not give up the fight," I blushed, not able to look at Zelda.

I only hoped she was complimented, for I could not look at her.

Triforce of Courage, I thought, my ass.

"Yes well, it was all my fault to begin with..."

"Now now princess, don't start this again," I commanded.

I wiped my hands on my pants, and held my elbow out to Zelda.

"Does the fair lady require an escort?" I laughed, for the first time in goddesses know how long, and felt my eyes twinkling in the dusk.

Zelda grimaced, "escort yourself to a bath, hero"

I smiled at her, and beckoned for her to follow me over the bridge.

Navi flew down back to her usual spot on my shoulder, and complained at her tiredness.

"Oh do stop complaining my dear Navi," I rolled my eyes "just think of how easy we'll rest tonight" I smiled at the very thought of sleep. Proper sleep. Not on the grassy plains of a destroyed Hyrule, but after having a refreshing bath, filled with flowers and peace. I almost moaned at the thought.

I walked to the end of the bridge, and turned left, towards the fairy fountain.

"Where are you going, Link?" Zelda asked, confused.

"Follow me, princess," I winked at her, and left her to decide which way to go.

I stepped off the Triforce, my wounds were no longer bleeding or threatening to burst open, and my joints ached a lot less. Unable to walk very far, I decided that a short stop wouldn't do any one any harm. I looked over to Zelda, who was still in awe at the precious beauty all around her. I sat down on the side, where the water gently flowed over my body.

"Princess," I said, with a hoarse voice.

She turned to me, and I tugged on my tunic collar, raising an eyebrow at her.

She bit her lip, and nodded. I threw my tunic onto the ground, and waited for the water to turn it green again. She came over and sat next to me. No words were said, none were needed. I closed my eyes and let the water wash away all my problems. It wasn't long until I fell into a deep sleep, free of any dreams, due to pure and utter exhaustion.