Authors note: I do not own the Legend of Zelda, but chances are neither do you.

My heart just sort of sank as I approached her and saw her face. She was smiling, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. I knew what she was going to say for it would not be the first time she had said it.

"Zelda" I started, tilting my head downward ever so slightly. She had always insisted that I never bow to her, but she is my princess and I will always show some kind of respect for that.

"Link," she responded. We were long past the familiarities of me calling her "Princess" and her calling me "Hero". "I had a dream last night. A dream of a land far across time…" Her voice caught in a small sob and she seemed unable to continue.

"…A land being covered by darkness and in need of a hero." I finished for her.

"Yes." She said simply and without another word, a conversation past between us.

I don't want you to leave. her eyes said.

I don't either. said mine

Yet you will because you must.

Yes. I must. I will return to you when I am finished.

I know you will, but how long will that be? Her eyes held a note of fear that said Will you return tomorrow or ten years from now? Will you have aged a day to find me aged a year? What will Time do to you on this journey?

I suddenly wrapped my arms around her. "I have always trusted the Goddesses to return me to you, and they have not let me down yet. They led me to you when you waited those seven long years, when I tried to search for Navi and spent weeks trapped within only three days, and all the other times you dreamed and I have left." I loosened my embrace and she looked at me with tears in her eyes. I brushed them away and kissed her.

I decided to take only my basic weapons for if there was anything else I needed, it would be provided to me when I got to wherever I was going. The green tunic I was wearing was not the one I wore as the Hero of Time. I have multiple sets for it's all I ever wore, having being in a green tunic since I was a child in Kokiri Forest. However, whenever I'm on a journey, I wear only that one tunic. I pulled the outfit out from its resting place. It was stained, ripped in some places, frayed in others, but my clumsy stitching had kept it intact so far. The white undershirt wasn't as bright as it used to be, the belt and gloves were worn from use. The boots had needed to be re-soled after treading such a long time over water, earth, and mountain. In short, my hero outfit was not as spectacular as it used to be.

As I fastened my belt and shoulder strap, I vaugely wondered where I was going. Somewhere far away, it was always far away. Doubtless some land with ancient curse or evil magic weilder that could only be killed by a certain magic swrod. I'd meet some kind of companion guide and a pretty girl who would be helpful but would only make me miss Zelda more. There would be dark dungions and lonely, cold nights. I put on the old, green cap. At first these quests had been adventures, but time passed and there was always another one. I no loger wanted to battle mosters; I just wanted to stay with Zelda, but I couldn't. I was a hero, this was my life.

There was no sense putting it off so within the hour my things were loaded, Epona was ready, and the only thing left was the goodbye that I knew I couldn't say. Zelda and I could only look at each other with no words that could make this time any easier than the last.

Authors note: This was just a little something that popped in my head one day. It's certainly not the greatest thing ever written but I don't thinks it's all that bad.