It has been 3 months since the death of Ganon and Midna's departure. Link has disappeared and I still wonder where he went. I've been searching for him, everywhere in Hyrule. I just can't seem to find the Hero. Maybe, the Goddesses and Light Spirits will give a sign soon. I just hope he is okay, but I have a kingdom to run. The hero will reveal himself in time. Maybe when he does, Hyrule will be fully rebuilt and ready for him to protect.
-Zelda

Chapter 1 - Wolf by Ordon

"Princess!" I looked up from my diary and look back at the door where a knight stood. He bowed and entered my chambers, "Princess! There have been reports of a wolf near the Ordona Province. It has reportedly been terrorizing the villagers and they are currently trapped in their village, afraid the wolf will attack. It has even blocked off Kakariko Village's trade route. What shall we do?"

I looked back down at my diary and sighed. Trouble seems to be popping up everywhere... "I will deal with the situation. Get my horse and some knights ready for the trip to the Ordona Province." I ordered, standing up and waving the knight away.

A wolf huh? There is a possibility, but didn't Midna take that power back with her? Shaking my head, I walked over to my closet. Grabbing my riding outfit, I prepared for a few extra days, just in case the ride takes longer than a day. When I got finished dressing I met up with the small group of knights travelling with me.

"Listen here! Nobody attacks unless necessary, or if I give the order. We are trying to be peaceful, so be kind to the villagers as well. We are meeting with one of the villagers first, before the search for the wolf. Got it?" I looked at all of them, giving them a hard glare.

"Yes, Princess!" They shouted in unison. Nodding, I mounted my white horse, Artemis, and we rode out.

By the time we reached Kakariko Village, it was sun-high. "We will take a break here." I ordered and dismounted Artemis. My adviser(who decided to tag along) walked over to me, "Princess, it is best we talk to the shaman of the village. They would most likely know what the wolf looks like." He said and I nodded.

"Princess? What has brought you here?" The shaman, Renado, asked when I approached him. "We are here investigating the wolf business. Do you know what it looks like?" I asked and he nodded.

"The wolf, well, I can confirm that I've seen it many, many times. It has a thick dark grey pelt with light tan markings and underbelly. If I remember correctly it also has a shackle from what seems to be from a prison on one of it's paws. The poor thing must be very misunderstood... There are many monsters in Faron Woods and he's probably just protecting Ordon Village." He closed his eyes sadly. "I remember that wolf. He used to try to enter the village but kept getting labeled as a monster. I finally let him in one day 3 months ago and he was covered in blood. The poor thing was badly injured. Ever since then, every now and then, he'd visit and my daughter Luda will give him some meat that we don't use."

"I see... We will keep that in mind when we get to Faron Woods. Thank you very much, Renado." I curtsied and he bowed, "No, thank you, Princess."

"WE'RE COMING UP TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE WOODS!" My adviser, Jarvan, yelled to the knights. I sighed and looked around, the forest gave a calming, but eerie feeling.

"Keep an eye out for the wolf." I ordered, still looking around.

After what seemed to be 15 minutes, we came across a spring. "It seems to be one of the Spirit's Springs. I heard there was 2 in this province. Faron and Ordona." Jarvan smirked and I rolled my eyes. "I already knew that. Go on ahead to the village, I will follow behind." I dismounted Artemis and they nodded, leaving me in peace.

I sat down in front of the spring and prayed. When I finished, I felt like there was someone watching me. Turning around I saw bushes rustle and a shadow jump out and run away. "What was that..?"

"Princess!" I heard someone call. Looking over in the way the knights went, I saw a villager and 2 knights. I stood up and the knights bowed.

"Yes?" I asked and the villager bowed, "I am Rusl, the villager you were to meet. When I saw the knights, they told me you were waiting by Faron's Spring."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Rusl. As you know, I am Princess Zelda. I heard about the wolf and decided to see what was going on, and help. You have my support and use of these knights." I curtsied.

"The wolf, yes. He has been entering the village and scaring the villagers. Mayor Bo said that he would not take it any longer and sent the letter to you requesting help. I am one of the only villagers who know the true ways of the sword and I will gladly help in any way I can. I was even apart of the resistance during the war." He informed me and I looked at him.

"Who is the other villager who knows the way of the sword?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Link, your Highness. Sadly, we do not know his current whereabouts, but if he were here, he would've helped." Rusl responded and it felt like the ground beneath me fell.

"Link? Like the Hero who saved us from the Twilight?" A knight asked excitedly. "Well, if you want to call him that. But yes, that Link." Rusl chuckled at the knight's excitement.

Before I could ask anything else, a monster charged towards us. "Princess!" The two knights went straight to my side and Rusl drew his sword. "I thought we got rid of all of you! There was one left it seems.."

He was about to attack before we heard a growl. Looking behind me, I saw the wolf. He was growling, and his piercing blue eyes were attached to me. Is he... trying to tell me to leave..? I questioned.

The wolf slowly walked forward, his growl growing louder. I stepped out of his way and as he walked by, he glanced up at me as if he were telling me to run. He looked back at the monster and sprinted forward, passing the knights and Rusl. He launched himself at the monster and bit it's neck, holding on as the monster tried throwing him off. The monster hit the wolf over and over with it's club until slowly, it began to die. The wolf let go and the monster went limp.

I walked over to the wolf, making sure not to frighten him, and knelled down beside him. "You're hurt!" I exclaimed as I looked at his back. He sat down and stared at me as I checked him for any other injuries. "Princess... be careful. That.. thing is a beast! It could tear your neck out!" One of my knights yelled. I heard the wolf begin to growl softly and I looked back at the knight. "You and the other knight are dismissed. I have Rusl here to protect me and you two need a break." I told them and they hesitantly left. Rusl bent down next to me and the wolf looked away from his eyes.

"Look at his paw! It seems he was locked up at some point." Rusl said pointing to the shackle. I nodded and looked into the wolf's eyes. Following his gaze I looked at one of the paws and silently gasped. It was the mark of the Triforce! This is indeed Link!

I hugged the him tightly, "I finally found you! My Hero!" Link looked at me surprised, but then licked the tip of my ear. "Finally... found him?" Rusl sat down and I looked at him.

"If I told you something crazy, would you believe me?" I asked and Link narrowed his eyes, he knows where I'm going with this and I don't think he likes it.

"I would." Rusl said and I looked into Link's eyes. Link huffed and licked the tip of my ear again, standing back up, he circled my side then laid down, putting his head on my lap.

"Well, here goes nothing." I whispered to Link. "Rusl, this wolf is Link." I looked at Rusl who looked at me then the wolf. "What..?"

"This wolf is Link. See? Look at the Triforce mark on his paw. And who could mistake his eyes?" I said lifting his paw. Link yelped and Rusl looked at Link's paw.

"Well, by the Goddesses, it is Link!" Rusl exclaimed and Link laid his head back onto my lap, pulling his paw back. Rusl then looked extremely guilty, "I-I'm sorry Link... I really am... If only we knew before..." Link looked up at Rusl and licked his chin.

"He forgives you." I smiled and patted Link's head. "But Link, why are you a wolf?" I asked, worried. He looked at me and touched his nose to my forehead, then he stood up and walked over into the water. He transformed back into a human and Rusl and I gasped in unison.

His hero tunic was torn in many places and dried blood stains were everywhere. He looked like he just stepped out of a battle with 100 moblins. He had bandages wrapped around some injuries, which I guessed were from when he stopped by at Kakariko. "I... I didn't want to return yet... It didn't feel right..." His voice was a little hoarse(probably from not talking in so long) and he walked back over. Under closer inspection, there were black circles under his eyes and his eyes didn't have as much life as they did when he was a wolf. He limped whenever he took a step forward and it seemed each breath he took was a battle.

Rusl was the first to react and help Link. He put Link's arm around his neck and helped Link walk. "We need to get him to the village! I don't see how he managed to survive 3 months with injuries like this!" Rusl said and I nodded. "Put him on my horse, it's be faster."

I helped Rusl put Link onto Artemis and Rusl grabbed Artemis's reigns. I walked beside Artemis, making sure Link wouldn't fall. "You were perfectly fine when we saw Midna off, what happened!?" I exclaimed. He chuckled softly and looked over at me, "It seems my red potion wore off. Epona accidentally dropped me and as a way to get to Kakariko faster I turned into my wolf form. M-Midna had taught me how just in case if we ever got separated. Renado tried his best to heal me while I was a wolf and when he let me go, I went straight to Ordon Village, but I was kicked out because I was still a wolf. I thought about transforming back into a human, but it didn't feel right. Epona was already home and being taken care of, so I thought I would wait and take some time to heal and... and.. get over the battle with Ganon.." He began trailing off as he began to lose consciousness.

"Link!? Stay with me!" I said as he closed his eyes. "Faster Rusl! He's slowly losing grip!" I called urgently and he nodded. We sped up and crossed the bridge and passed another spring. We entered a clearing where a tree-house was and I followed Rusl as we entered the village.

"Uli! Get the medical supplies ready! It's an emergancy!" Rusl yelled as we got around the middle of the small village. The villagers ran out and when they saw Link, they all rushed over. "Princess, I'm sorry, but you have to wait out here." Rusl said as he and a bigger man got Link off of Artemis and brought him into the house. I wanted to protest, but I knew it was best if I waited out here. A girl walked over to me and placed her hand onto my shoulder.

"He's going to be okay. Trust me, he's strong." She said and looked at me. I looked at her and nodded, "Thank you."

"Princess! You're safe!" I heard Jarvan as he came running over. "I thought you were the one hurt. Who was injured?" He asked.

"L-Link..." I managed to get out as my head raced with many thoughts. The girl led me over to her house and sat me down on the porch, "Wait here for a moment."

She later returned with a bottle of milk and handed it to me, "This will help calm you down." She smiled.

I thanked her and she sat down beside me as we waited to hear Link's condition.

Chapter end. I hope you enjoyed this rerun and see you guys next chapter!
-Stormi