Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda or the characters.
Chapter one: Home
The sun was high as it loomed over the open area above the Arbiter's Grounds. The large lifeless stone that had been placed in the chamber offered no form of shade to the two visitors from the blistering heat. However, with the heat and the sandy wind, the only thing that seemed to draw the two's attention was a shattered mirror.
"Link?" The soft voice of Hyrule's Princess was carried with the wind, but only to fall upon deaf ears.
The hero, Link, who had only moments ago, relieved the world from Ganondorf's terror, stood motionlessly as he stared at the glistening pieces of shattered mirror.
"Link.." The hero heard his name once again, but this time responded to it. After all, he couldn't leave her standing there all day.
"Oh.. Sorry."
Taking in a deep breath, he turned to face the princess doing his utmost best to mask any sort of feelings welding up inside.
"We can stay if you like."
Zelda was too patient, but they had to move on. The heat was starting to become too strong and what kind of hero would he be if he did not return the princess in perfect condition?
"No, its fine. The ride back to the castle may take some time, but with luck, we'll get back before nightfall."
The scent of ripe pumpkins and forest air greeted the hero as he awoke in his home. For a moment, he thought it was a dream - some foolish little dream of his untouched home waiting for his return. But it was different now. It was still the same place he had experienced his childhood, but things were different.. unsettling.
Upon the day of the hero's return, there had been a wide celebration, but now, things were falling back into their steady pace. He trained with Colin and Talo, showing off a few new moves he had learned over his vast journey, told stories about his ventures - with certain content cut out - and under his watch, allowed the children to try out a few of the items he picked up inside the dungeons.
Although most of the time, they were still enjoying the slingshot.
"Linnnnnk!~"
That voice was familiar..
"Feel like herding 'em goats?"
No he did not 'feel' like herding those goats into their pens, but it was his job. And it was better than lounging around his house all day.
"Alright Fado! Be down in a second."
The hero made his way down the set of latters before reaching the front door.
"Hurry up! Grab Epona and let's go bud!"
The ranch owners rushing of the young hero soon caused a loud crash to echo quickly though the forest.
"What took you so long?" Fado looked curiously at his ranch hand that was now finally down from his house.
"I really have too much crap." Link growled rubbing the new formed lump upon his head.
This earned a laugh out of Fado.
"What?"
Sure all the different trinkets were quite useful when it came to hunting through dungeons, but now it was just laying there most of the time, getting in his way.
"Good to have you back, Link." The hero rolled his eyes after the strange comment.
Shaking off Fado's laughing, Link reached for his loyal mount's reins before the two made their ways into the Village.
It was quiet day once again in Ordon, with the families making about their days. Most of the children were busy with their own chores, so the only real noises came from the lake or the chickens running about. Really..Now that his mind was roaming, how could he stand this calmness in the past? He found that his fingers were yearning to fight something - anything. But there was no trouble in sight. The only relief he received was from hitting that stupid training stand. Dammit, was he always wanting to fight like this?
"Once your finish with the goats, I'll put up the fences if you want." Fado's voice broke through the silence, breaking the hero from his thoughts.
"Its alright, I was planning to take the kids fishing."
Link brightened up looking back at this. Of course he could always ask any time for a little practice on the fences or take Epona out even, but it was nice to think that Fado would always do this after a little herding. Even if he declined.
They both shared another laugh and talked with one another as they made their way up to the ranch. It had been a smooth morning up until they reached Mayor Bo's house.
"Oh! Link! Fado left the gate open again, one of 'em goats gettin' out!"
Link shot a quick glare to his side only to find that the ranch owner was already running up to close the gate. He rolled his eyes, "I should really start closing the gate.."
But this would have to wait. He took a couple of steps forward to ready himself against the stampeding goat, letting Epona trot off the path.
"Linnnnnnnnk!~"
In mere seconds the goat was slammed against Link's hands as he twisted its head a bit to knock it over. He never did like having to do such actions to the farm animals, but he would always give the escapee goat a quick pat before it made its way back to the ranch.
"Really.. Fado is going to have to keep that gate closed.." Bo let out a sigh rubbing his chin a bit before turning to face the young hero with a job well done look.
"Yeah, I will watch him on that." He commented.
"Good job Link." He gave a wide smile.
The hero blinked, looking at him. "What for?"
"With the goats of course!"
Link chuckled to himself, "I guess, where is Ilia?"
Bo paused for a moment, thinking to himself. "I think she was helping the children with their chores. So they would get done faster." He shook his head.
"You are normally running toward the spring to fetch Epona back from her." The mayor shrugged before looking back at the pathway to the ranch.
"Shouldn't you finish up yours as well?"
"Already there." The hero took hold of his horse, quickly mounting and heading off to the ranch leaving a blinking mayor back to his work.
The goats were quick with herding today, offering little complaining about going into the pens. He actually managed to break his best time on field. Now the next thing on his list was to clean up his house a little before the children came and took over the rest of the day. And with his luck, Link managed to reach his home without any interruptions from the working children. In a way, he wanted them to come running up toward the his steed, passing the hero numerous questions about either what they would do today or about his travels outside of Ordon. He did not want to clean up his house at all... Even though it would be nice to get up out of bed without hitting or tripping over something.
With a defeated sigh, he looked up toward the tree house before sliding off Epona.
"The worst battle of my life!" He groaned as he made his way up the latter entering into home.
Why did I keep this stuff? Link thought to himself while he moved about, placing the different weapons and items in a more organized way.
It truth, it wasn't that hard. It was just allot of damn stuff!
About half way through his complaining and moving there was a soft knock on the wooden door. At first, Link did not catch so he continued to rummage through the different drawers and shelves placing his values about. That is, until the soft knocking turned into a loud beat.
"Bastard!"
The unexpected noise had caused the hero to jump up slightly, hitting his head into the top of the drawer. Really.. Someone was asking for a death wish. But before he could hold unto his anger, there was a giggle that followed his abrupt cursing, leaving only one person responsible.
"Come in." He grumbled as he rubbed the top of his head slightly.
And his guessing was correct!
His childhood friend poked her head in from the door, searching for the now injured hero.
"Sorry! You were just being so noisy you didn't hear me the first time!" She laughed once again.
"You could have let yourself in, you know.."
"Mm?"
Before Link could look up, Ilia had taken up of his one of his claw shots and - of course - managed to figure out how to let the loaded chain loose.
Night was starting to come upon the small village of Ordon as each made their way back into their homes. Beth, Malo, Talo, and Colin had followed Link and Ilia around after their chores had been finished and the extra cleaning up of Link's home was completed..
It had been a rather fun day for all of them.
Link managed to get them all into fishing - surprisingly Malo caught the biggest fish - taught new sword techniques, told more stories, and even allowed them to ride Epona, alone.
It tired the children out, which pleased the hero, as he led each of them back to their parents. Although He and Ilia stood up a while longer, just finding themselves talking. Toward the return to his own home, he sat outside the small deck, allowing his eyes to roam toward the night sky. This would be a perfect night to be a wolf once again..
But this was foolish thinking...
Link lifted his head up a bit, letting his lids fall as he thought about the feeling and another certain thing that seemed to preoccupy his mind.
Minda.
This brought a sigh to his lips. Why did she break the only connection they had? He shook his head, trying his best not to linger on such thoughts. But at times like this - he just couldn't help it!
"That wasn't fair you know.."
For a moment he imagined the Twilight Princess poking him and telling him to get over it or shut up and deal with it. Link soon found himself laughing at this.
He knew at first that she meant every cruel word that was spoken in his direction, but after the run in with Lanayru she treated him differently.
It had been a long road. Even though now it seemed like only yesterday..
A breeze ran up the hero's back. It was starting to get a bit chilly. During these cold nights the small imp formed of the princess would offend huddle up against his side, seeking warmth and protection, despite her protest. He knew better than anyone that she was not at all helpless. But this brought up different thoughts in Link's mind.
She had been returned to her real form..
Midna hadn't often talked about her form outside of the imp, but when he managed to pry it from her, she spoke rather highly of herself.
"You'd be impressed."
or
"Just you wait and see."
But now, he did see, and at first it was nearly breathtaking. She was beautiful! He felt as if he could not put words on how to describe the Twilight princess, the only two being either exotic or breathtaking.
"Fleabag."
Link chuckled to himself. At times when he sat alone like this, he could at times hear her voice playback once again in his head. He really did miss her..
But before he could think anymore on this, Epona let loose a loud neigh.
There was a light, possibly from a lamp, coming from the forest that branched off from his house. He quickly stood on the deck, ready for whatever it may be. Even though he was unarmed for whatever it was that was heading down the path, that would not stop the hero from taking a stand.
"Sir?"
A voice? He shook his head, attempting to look past the think trees.
"I have a letter from the Princess."
A letter?
Link paused a moment to think. Why would a carrier come out just before nightfall? This would either have to deal with the problems of the growing Hyrule or some other 'hero' related thing.
He heard a sigh of relief from the carrier.
Before Link could even speak his name, the carrier was handing the letter to him. "Guess that is the bright side to being a world wide hero.." He muttered under his breath, jumping down from the small platform. This caused a slightl yelp from the other man. Was Hyrule's guards this.. cowardly? Well the city bound ones at least.
"Good!" Closing back the small pack against his side, the man took in a deep breath, running back into the forest.
Great service..
But now was not the time for petty complaints. He held a decorated letter in one of his hands, bearing the royal crest.
It was indeed from the princess..
"Farewell now!" His head shot up hearing the distant call of the mailman. Guess he forgot to say it..
Link shook his head. What could this letter be? For a moment, he twisted the document in his hands judging on what it could be. But avoiding the letter could not last for long.
His fingers untied the small knot that sat upon the letter; broke the seal, and began examining its contents.
It was an invitation to attend a celebratory party.
The people called for it. And Now that Hyrule's had been somewhat back on it's feet, it was the perfect time..