Chapter 1: Going Home
Link felt bold and fearless. Unstoppable, even. The wind was at his back. Nothing could stop him. Nothing in all the land of Hyrule, nor the lands surrounding could beat him. Nothing would try. He had just reinstated princess Zelda in her rightful place as the ruler of Hyrule, (hopefully for the last time) and now he wanted nothing more than to do what he was about to.
Navi flew beside him, but for once, she didn't demand for him to stop and listen. She seemed to understand the importance of his mission. His blue eyes were set, not glancing to either side. This was what he was meant to do. He was done with being at the beck and call of everyone else. He was the sole inventor of his own destiny, from now on.
Link absentmindedly rubbed the triforce on the back of his left hand. It had been there ever since he could remember. No, he was not in control of his own destiny. At least, up to this point, the triforce had made sure of that. But perhaps, now that he had completed everything that was expected of him, he could be in control. He hoped so. He knew that this trip, in and of itself, was not fated. He wanted it. That's what made it so special.
Epona crested the hill, and Link found himself looking down upon his destination. A tiny village, sprawling in the valley below him. The rooftops glowed in the light of the fading sun, just as they had on summer nights so long ago. Link smiled. Everything was exactly as he remembered it. He spurred Epona on, letting out a whoop as she charged toward the village. "I'm hooooooommmmmme!"
Link slowly walked along the center of Ordon. Yes, everything was exactly how he remembered. There was Mr. Tooley's shop. And there were Mr. and Mrs. O'Harvey, still bickering, as they always had. Yes, it was all as it had been. And yet, it wasn't. Somehow, everything was less. Not smaller, but it felt like less than it had when he called it home. It wasn't the entire world anymore. He knew there was more.
People stood in doorways and stared, whispering to one another. If Link attempted to approach, they quickly turned away and shut their doors. Puzzled, Link's blue eyes fell, ashamed. Why do they all hate me so? he wondered. Sure, he looked different, but he was still the same boy who had grown up here. He was older, and wiser, battle-hardened, but still very much the same Link. Surely they remembered.
Quietly, Link walked into Burl's Pub. He recalled Burl always being amiable, always friendly and encouraging. Link recalled something else about Burl as well, but he threw that thought from his mind. No, it would be too much to hope for.
Link took a seat at the bar, and instantly all eyes turned upon him. He dropped his eyes to his hands, and even Navi made an attempt at dimming her light. He was thankful, but he knew it wouldn't help much. A strange elf boy, carrying weapons, with a fairy hovering above his head and long blonde hair would attract attention here, whether his fairy glowed brightly in a dimly lit room or not. The men slowly went back to their drinks, and Link was finally able to lift his eyes and look about the room. There were a few faces he recognized, but many, many more he did not. Gruff men, dirty looking men with permanent frowns and harsh voices. When he looked at them, they would drop their gaze, lower their voices and sneer at him.
"How can I help you, young master?" Burl had made his way to Link.
"Ale, thank you," Link spoke quietly. Burl was much the way he remembered him. His mutton chops held a bit more grey, perhaps, his face held a few more wrinkles, and his belly was a bit more round, but he was the same Burl that Link had known. Do you remember me? Link wondered.
Burl passed him a mug of ale, speaking at the same time. "You ain't from around here, are you?"
Link took a sip of the strong ale. "No," he answered hesitantly. "I'm not from anywhere anymore."
"Ahh," Burl began to buff his spotless bar with a bit of cheese cloth. "One of them wanderers, then? We see your type from time to time. Always strangers they are. Never stay long," Burl stopped, seeming to actually see Link for the first time. "You look awful familiar lad. What did you say your name was?"
Link was tempted to reply I didn't, but he stopped. Burl had always been his friend. "Link."
"Oh, my dear boy! You've returned! I always knew you would!" Burl took his hand and shook it heartily. "Ever since the day you left, your name has been on Evony's lips. She always said you'd returned. Many folks here said you'd died, but her and I, we believed."
Link's heart skipped a beat. Evony was Burl's daughter. They had been childhood friends, and he had always regretted leaving her. "Evony? She's still here?"
"Yes, of course. Did you think she would have anywhere to go?"
Link shook his head. "I just thought- she always spoke of seeing the kingdoms. . ."
"Yes, but we decided the outside world was much too dangerous for her. She's stayed here. In fact, she's betrothed to the blacksmith's son. What's his name? Tyra. Tyra. That's it. Yes, I think Evony is much happier here than she would be out in the dangerous world."
Link's heart fell. Betrothed? He had been out fighting monsters, while Evony was falling in love. He swore beneath his breath. Curse that triforce! He was sick and tired of it controlling his destiny.
"You all right, boy?" Burl asked.
"Yeah," Link shook his head. "I'm fine." He tossed a rupee on the bar. "Thanks." Link strode out, ignoring the eyes trained on him.
He paced for a long time, walking the length of the street. He didn't understand why he felt this way about Evony's engagement. Evony was only a friend. But even as he told himself that, he knew it wasn't true. There was something about the memory of Evony that had always kept him going, even when it seemed that his mission was hopeless. He had always dreamed of returning to her, but he hadn't expected this. Tyra! She could do better.
He shook his head and continued to pace. Navi fluttered agitatedly beside him, sensing his distress. "Why'd you betray me like this?" He growled at the sky. The agony in his chest was worse than any of the wounds he had received rescuing Zelda. He didn't understand the feelings swirling in his heart. He had never experienced such a mix of emotions in his chest. And, to be honest, it terrified him.