A Hero's Return
It had been almost a year since Link's adventure inside the dream of the great Wind Fish. The same place where he met young Marin and her father, Tarin, on the quiet island of Koholint. He had washed ashore, was rescued by the beautiful Marin, and worked to try to find a way back home to Hyrule only to discover that to escape the island; he had to make it disappear along with all of its inhabitants, including Marin. The island was only a dream of the slumbering Wind Fish and to return home, Link would have to wake him using the eight magical instruments he found in various places on the island. He tried so hard to escape with Marin until his body gave out. In the end, Link vowed to wake the Wind Fish and to keep Marin, Tarin, Felicia, and the rest of the inhabitants inside his heart. He vowed they would live on. He woke the Wind Fish and traveled back home only to find, home felt quite empty. Many nights, he spent the hours either lying awake thinking about Marin and Koholint, and the other nights he spent dreaming about them. On this particular night, though, his dream was the most vivid one he had had ever since he returned.
"Link!" Marin shouted overjoyed as she ran to the shore where link was standing next to his boat. She ran into his arms and hugged him for what would only begin to make up for lost time.
"Hey, there, Marin. How've you been?" He asked still holding her tightly. She looked up and then punched him playfully in the chest.
"I missed you, you idiot!" She giggled, not even pretending to be annoyed at him. She was simply happy that he had returned.
"I am so happy to be back here with you, Marin." Link whispered, a silent tear rolling down his face. "I thought I had lost you." He barely uttered the words.
"I know. I thought I had lost you too…" Marin whispered in reply. "But you're here now and that's all that matters. Come on, hero. Everyone wants to welcome you home." She took his hand and led him into the village. Along the way, the people of Mabe Village welcomed Link back with open arms and applauded his return, thanking him for everything he had done for them. In front of Marin's house, stood Tarin with Link's fairy companion, Felicia, sitting on his shoulder.
"Welcome back, Link! Welcome back indeed." Tarin greeted, clapping Link's shoulder.
"Took you long enough, messenger boy." Felicia teased and they all laughed.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." He said.
"Link? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Marin asked him, noticing the sadness deep within his eyes.
"What? Nothing is wrong, Marin. Everything's…everything's fine. Everything's great." He answered desperately trying to maintain his composure.
"Link…please tell me what's wrong. I can see the sadness in your eyes." Marin pleaded. Everyone looked at Link in concern.
"It's just…I know this is a dream. This isn't the Wind Fish's dream, it's mine. I've had this same dream over and over and over for a year now. I dreamed that I would find my way back here in the real world, Marin would find me on the beach, and you all would still be here waiting for me to return. And I know what comes after this. Marin starts to sing the Ballade of the Wind Fish and I have to wake up and feel like I lose you all over again. I don't want to wake up, Marin." Link pleaded, eyes brimming with tears as he held onto Marin's shoulders.
"Link, you know that I'm real. This might be a dream, but you still know that I'm real." She replied, touching his cheek with her hand. She took off her red island rock necklace and placed it in Link's hand. He looked at the necklace and then at her. "So you'll know that when you wake, this wasn't simply a dream." She said.
"But I don't want to-" Link began.
"Shhh. It's okay, Link. I know you'll come find us. Until then, I'll be waiting. Waiting for you to wash up on the shores of Koholint Island. Take this as a parting gift." She said. She then kissed him and he woke up with the light of the morning sun shining warmth onto his tear streaked face. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his closed hand and found a string on his face connected to a smoothed down red circular rock with a white spiral pattern in his hand. He bolted upright looking at the strange, familiar object in his hand with a singular thought racing through his mind.
"It was real." He whispered as his gaze was fixed upon the small stone in his hand. The Wind Fish was real, Koholint was real, and Marin was real! His heart raced at the implications this small and insignificant looking accessory brought. He jumped out of bed and donned his green tunic, white leggings, and undershirt and bolted out of his beach side bungalow. He grabbed his hat and equipment from beside the door and headed for the local town in search of transportation to Hyrule.
"Yes, Link?" Princess Zelda asked her royal knight as soon as he arrived.
"I ask for leave to search for Koholint Island and to bring back a girl I met there, my Princess. It is a time of peace these days, Zelda. You're already married and running the kingdom that I protect. There is a girl I met in the Wind Fish's dream a year ago and I now know beyond any doubt that she exists because I woke up with this necklace in my hand." He took off Marin's necklace and showed it to his friend. "This is her necklace, Zelda. She's waiting for me. The Hylian Army can handle things without me for a while can't they?" He asked. Princess Zelda looked at her childhood friend who had saved the kingdom and risked his life countless times before for her and people he didn't even know without a second thought.
"I grant you leave, Link. I don't know what forces are at play but this girl must be precious to you. Go find her, Link. Take my fastest ship and go. They say this Koholint Island you have told me about time and again does not exist. But if anyone can find it, it's you, Link." She answered with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Zelda. I should be back within a few months. Stay out of trouble." Link teased.
"Likewise, Link. Oh and Link? Do be careful. I wish to meet this girl." Zelda said with a sly grin.
"Will do, Your Majesty." Link bowed and left to gather supplies from the castle town and made his way to the harbor once he was done. He retrieved Marin's necklace once again and rubbed his thumb over the surface of it, thinking of how he was going to get back to Koholint and what would await him there. He boarded the small boat and loaded everything he would need for a six month journey and flew the flag of the Hylian knights. He set the sails and began his journey West into the great blue ocean, knowing that he needed to either find Koholint himself or the Wind Fish to guide him there. Days would go by where he would see no ship in sight and the winds would be too calm to sail. These days he would spend thinking of nothing but Marin and her beauty. Other days, the waves would threaten to reach the skies and capsize the small boat like they did a year ago which tempted link to simply jump into the water and be transported to Koholint somehow. But he knew better than to throw his life away on something so risky. He had to make sure he found Koholint Island and be reunited with Marin. One particular day though, a band of pirates with an impressive looking ship sailed near Link flying a Jolly Roger flag and threatened to board his small vessel.
"Surrender, ye dog, or we'll gut you like a fish! I am the Dread Captain Roberts! None escape me!" He shouted from across the water. Link rolled his eyes and crossed his arms impatiently.
"Ugh! I do not have time for this! Go play captain somewhere else! I'm looking for an island that isn't supposed to exist so just go away. "Link replied.
"Oh so ye be thinking we be playing is that it?" Captain Roberts sneered. "Well ye be sadly mistaken! Tell you what, boyo. If ye can best me and me crew, then I will give you any information you want! I've sailed these seas far and wide for my entire life and have mapped every island there is out here! But if we beat you, ye have to give us all your supplies and join me crew. Do we have an accord?" He wagered.
"Fine. When I win, I want to know about the Wind Fish and where he's been seen and about anything you know about Koholint Island, where it's located, and anything about islands that don't exist or shouldn't." Link said, equipping his hookshot. He shot the cable into the mast of the pirate ship directly behind one dim looking pirate and was instantly pulled across. He drove his feet into the chest the pirate mid-flight and sent him flying into the railing of the side of the ship before unsheathing his sword and cutting away the belt that held another pirate's sword and bashed him with his shield, knocking him out cold instantly. He was soon surrounded by pirates wielding weapons ranging from swords, maces, and even torches. Link held his sword outstretched behind him and focused his mind. The pirates jumped in unison at Link.
"Sword Revolution!" Link yelled as he spun around and dispatched them all with one strike. "You have been routed, Dread Captain Roberts. Surrender and tell me what you know of Koholint Island!"
"Ye would be mistaken, young lad, for only me crew has been routed. I, however have not. Now, face me like a man!" He drew two swords and charged at Link. Link blocked the double strike with his shield and swung high at Captain Roberts's head who blocked with his sword. He slashed at Link's feet who jumped on top of his sword and knocked him back with his shield and then pinned him to the ground with his sword at his neck.
"It's over, Captain Roberts. You have been beaten. Now tell me what you know." Link ordered.
"Fine. Ye got me." He replied as he stood up and brushed himself off. "I'll tell ye what I know about this mysterious island that you seek." He retrieved a map from his satchel and rolled it open. "A Wind Fish ye say? Aye, I've heard of such creature. Bigger than a Blue Whale and has a wingspan the length of ten galleys."
"So you've seen one?" Link asked excitedly.
"Well, no. I haven't per se. But it is rumored to be on the far side of this island here. In your boat, it should take you about two to three months to get there. Say, what business do you have looking for something that shouldn't exist anyways?" He asked.
"It's a long story and you wouldn't believe me anyways. Let's just say that a girl is waiting for me on an island that shouldn't exist." He responded.
"Aye. There be few things nobler than searching the seven seas for the girl you love." Captain Roberts said. "Go then, lad. If ye hook around this island here and catch a favorable wind, ye can sail right on through to the island chain near the one ye be looking for. Here's a few supplies for your journey. Now go get her, lad."
"Thanks, Captain. And if you make any trouble in Hyrule, you'll have to answer to me." Link said as he jumped into his ship and set sail Westward towards where Captain Roberts said the Wind Fish should be. Days turned into weeks as he sailed across the blue vastness and battled loneliness from isolation. Still, no matter what he did or how hard things became, his thoughts ever lingered on Marin and the people of Koholint Island, giving him strength to go on. At night, he would continue to dream the same dream over and over except now, he wouldn't seem sad to the others. He would tell Marin that he was coming for her and that he would be there soon and to watch the Eastern horizon.
"I'm coming Marin." He said as he woke up the next morning. He checked his compass and map and calculated it would take another three days before he would get to the area the Wind Fish was in. It wouldn't be long now before he could find her. The next three days were filled with routine maintenance of his equipment and preparing the fish he caught for eating and storage. He woke up on the fourth morning, checked his compass and map, and saw oddly shaped clouds above him. He climbed to the crow's nest and looked up to see if he could spot the Wind Fish. The Wind Fish then swooped down and landed in the water beside Link's small boat nearly making him fall out of the crow's nest.
"Greetings, Link. It has been some time." The Wind Fish's voice was as deep as rolling thunder but as gentle as the ocean breeze.
"Hey, Wind Fish. It certainly has." Link replied.
"What brings you out to these parts? It's a very long way from Hyrule." He asked.
"I was hoping you could answer a couple of questions." He answered.
"You are wondering about Koholint and whether or not it exists." The Wind Fish said.
"That's right. I had a dream about Marin. And when I woke up, her necklace was in my hand. Please tell me how to get back there." Link said.
"Hm..It would appear that you have kept your vow to keep them alive in your heart, Link. You kept them alive and now they really are alive in the physical realm. There is a small island a week to the south east of here. There you will find Marin and all of Koholint and her people. Go, young Messenger of Awakening. Go reunite with your loved one. I will give you a favorable wind to get there swiftly. Safe travels, Link." The Wind Fish turned Link's boat and flew south east, giving link great tail wind to get to Koholint swiftly.
The following days were filled with excitement and daydreaming of Koholint while the nights were filled with dreams of eating freshly cooked fish on the beach. Then at long last, he could see the island on the on the horizon. As he drew nearer to the eastern shore, he saw a red haired girl sitting on a stone on the beach swinging her feet back and forth.
"Hoy! Marin!" He shouted as loud as he could. As he got into shallow water, he put the sails down and dropped the anchor before jumping out of the boat and into the water. He swam to shore and crawled onto the beach.
"Link!" Marin cried as she ran into his arms.
"Hey there, Marin. How've you been?" He asked with a smile.
"I missed you, you idiot!" She said playfully punching him in the chest.
"Well I wouldn't have known that Koholint existed in the real world if you hadn't given me your necklace. Here you go." He said giving her back her necklace. He then brought her back into his embrace and held her there for what wouldn't even begin to make up for lost time. He felt warm tears dripping on his neck and he looked at Marin.
"What's wrong, Marin?" He asked.
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just so happy knowing that this isn't a dream. That this is real. That I, along with all of Koholint, actually exist. We are all alive thanks to you, Link." She said smiling with tears still running down her face. Link wiped the tears away with his finger.
"I don't really understand it but at this point, I don't even care. I am just so happy to have finally found you once again. I've been sailing for nearly three months looking for you." He said.
"Me too. Come on, everybody wants to meet you!" Marin took his hand and ran up the beach into Mabe village. As they walked along the road, the villagers were lined up cheering for him and thanking him for everything he had done for them. They got to Marin and Tarin's house and found Link's fairy companion, Felicia sitting on Tarin's shoulder.
"Welcome back, Link! Words cannot express the level of gratitude we Koholintians have for you. Thank you." Tarin said.
"Took you long enough, messenger boy. I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up at all." Felicia teased with a playful smirk.
"No thanks to you, shorty." Link teased back. "I had to fight like, forty pirates and the Dread Pirate Captain Roberts to get here."
"Couldn't have been too hard if you could do it." Felicia teased and flew over to his shoulder. "I'm glad you made it back safely."
"Me too." Link said.
"Not to cut this happy reunion short, Link, but if I remember correctly, you asked me if you could bring Marin back to Hyrule with you. Is that correct?" Tarin asked.
"That is correct, sir. If you would still allow me to do so-" Link started.
"Go on. She's wanted to explore the world ever since I can remember. She can't do that from our small island. I just wish there was a way that we could see her again." Tarin said.
"Actually, there should be. I've been studying this map for months and it looks like there is a trade route about a week towards Hyrule from here that could be extended to here. You have crystals exotic plant life you could trade. Pirates do tend to attack those traders and as a Hylian knight, I am sworn to protect Hyrule and all of her inhabitants. We could stop by every couple of months." Link explained.
"Really? I could come back and visit?" Marin asked excitedly.
"Then it's settled!" Tarin said. "Marin, you will get to see the world as long as you make sure to come back and visit your father every once in a while. And I want some grand-kids." At this, Marin's entire face flushed scarlet to the tips of her ears with a look of utter shock and Link pulled his hat over his face.
"Dad! No!" Marin yelled, not liking how her dad made a happy reunion this awkward. Felicia and Tarin both laughed until they were doubled over rolling on the floor. Link and Marin awkwardly avoided eye contact for a few minutes. After they all composed themselves, Link and Felicia went with Marin to go say goodbye to her friends in Animal Village and then returned to Mabe Village.
"Well I guess this is goodbye for a while, Marin." Tarin said with a sad smile as he hugged her.
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll be back before you know it." She assured him as she hugged him.
"You take good care of her now, Link. I trust you." Tarin said, placing his hand on Link's shoulder.
"Make sure they stay out of trouble, Felicia." Tarin told her.
"I will." She answered.
"Well I guess we should be off then." Link said after the goodbyes.
"I'll see you all in a few months! Take care you three!" He shouted to them as they ran and boarded the boat and set sail. Marin stood in the crow's nest and waved goodbye to everyone gathered on the shore.
"Marin, you wanna navigate? I'll show you how." Link offered.
"Yeah sure." She answered and came down from the crow's nest and put her hands on the wheel with link guiding them from behind her.
"Okay all you have to do is go this way to steer right and the other way to steer left. And just say the word and we'll set sail for Hyrule Port." Link instructed.
"Alright. Let's set sail for Hyrule Port!" She shouted.
They brought up the anchor and charted a course for Hyrule Port and sailed off into the big blue ocean.
To Be Continued
