Link was sitting on his bed, just as he always did and looked out the window to castle town. The palace was comfortable enough. He thought. But it just wasn't the same. Nothing was the same anymore though. he closed his eyes and thought back to the last time he saw Midna.
Link watched helplessly as Midna walked through the portal. And he let her. He let her walk away. She's gone. I could've stopped her. But I didn't. Princess Zelda said comforting words to him and placed her hand on his back, but he didn't notice. Everything was hazy and in a blur. Walking through Arbiter's ground with the princess in tow was hard enough, but with the weight of her gone seemed to sink in and make him weaker. He lifted Zelda onto Epona and then straddled himself. After the several hour ride to Castle Town, Zelda insisted that Link stayed at the palace that night. Link didn't argue. The next morning he set out early. Saying goodbye to Zelda he found Epona and his way back to Ordon Link had time to think, did he need the Master Sword again? No, he concluded. The blade of evil's bane wouldn't need to be used unless in a dire situation the Ordon Sword would be fine. So, he returned the sword and headed back to Ordon. he hitched up Epona and walked up the ladder to his home. He looked around and saw the mess. Dust covered everything. So, with nothing else to do he rolled up his sleeves and began to clean. Several hours later his house looked just as it had when he left. It was almost Twilight. "Ah, yes Link thought. The time when our worlds touch. Midna's world." He sighed heavily. Noticing that he was still in his hero's attire (covered in dust too might I add) he climbed up to one of the platforms and opened a small chest with clothes in it. After he was dressed and standing in front of the mirror in his washroom, he noticed that his newly acquired muscles were too big for the shirt, and that everything else was too small. Grumbling, he headed out the door letting it slam behind him. Off in the distance he heard the sounds of laughter and playfulness drift through the air. "The people celebrating in the main part of the village no doubt." He mumbled to himself. Trying to be sneaky he went along the wall trying to avoid the people. When he reached Sera's Sundries, he was surprised to see it open. But was disappointed to see there was no Sera. He picked up some milk and an apple and left 20 rupees. Leaving the small store link made his way back to his house undisturbed. Link silently shut the door. He sat at his table and ate all the food in a matter of seconds. "I can't stay here. He thought. I need a distraction." And with that his exhausted body nodded off to sleep before he could even think. The next morning Link woke up and knew exactly what to do. He jumped up from the table he was sleeping on and ran to get the hero's clothes. He ran out his door, not bothering to shut it. To the stream. He thought in his head. When he got there he placed the dirty garment in the water and swished it around a little. While he was washing he thought to himself "I'll go to the castle, I'll work for Zelda. I just need to get away from here." And with that (and about two hours later) he set off on Epona. Little did he know that Ilia was standing there. Watching him leave.
Now, back here in the present. Link was sitting on his bed staring out into castle town. He had changed in these last few months since he'd been here. He missed her even more. it might've been because he locked himself up when he wasn't out questing for Zelda. It might have been because he tried to forget her. But he just couldn't. That wasn't the only thing that changed. He was still tall, lean and muscular. His hair was still shaggy and blonde but now, it was pulled back by a short ponytail. his Blue eyes seemed more intense, his face had evened out, He didn't look like the 19 year old boy he was. He looked like a man. People treated him with respect. While Link was lost deep in these thoughts, the dark haired princess, was standing in his doorway. Her hair was always worn the same more or less. Her dress always was mostly white. Today she was wearing her hair The same and a white and dark blue dress with silver accenting. "Link, she began. You need to go to Ordon." Link looked up at the princess. "What do you need me there for?" He asked. "No, Zelda said. Im telling you to go home. Get some fresh country air." The blonde looked upset. "Zelda…." "No. The dark haired woman scolded. Thats an order. You leave tomorrow. I suggest you say goodbye to Telma and get gather your things." Link just frowned and silently nodded his head. And with that The princess turned on her heel and left Links corridors.
Link did as he was told. Bought some things in castle town and said goodbye to Telma. "You stay safe now honey" She told link Ashei was also there and he said goodbye to her as well. "Don't go kill yourself. M'kay? Link smiled and said "I'll try my best." Then back to the castle he went. Zelda was waiting for him at Epona's stall. "take care of yourself Link. He nodded in reply. Come visit soon." Zelda gave him a hug. He hugged her back. They thought of each other as brother and sister. "This could never be something more. Zelda thought. He loves Midna." "I'll keep looking for a way to get into the Twilight Realm" Zelda said. "Thank you." Link said. He let go of her and climbed up on Epona. Zelda smiled and waved after him. Link returned the smile and lead Epona down the street.
Later, after the short ride back to Ordon, Link was in his house. With him he brought new clothes, food and supplies. If there were the clothes that didn't fit him six months ago, they definitely didn't fit him now. It was a little past noon when he arrived. "I suppose, he thought. That I should go see everyone down there." Climbing slowly down the ladder, and shuffling his feet along the ground not so quietly, thought about what he would say to Ilia. "Sorry" was the first thing that came to his mind. "I guess it all depends on what she says to me first." The hero thought. And before he knew it he was at the entrance of the town. There were several people outside. No one noticed him. As soon as he stepped farther into the town. All the children noticed the movement out of the corner of their was the first to turn completely around. His eyes grew wide and his mouth was shaped in surprise. "LINK!" he screamed. The young brown haired boy ran over to him. All the rest of the kids turned their heads at Talo's scream. When they say Link they all screamed and ran to him as well. Poor Link was covered in adoring children, hugging his legs jumping up and down and holding onto his neck. "Link! Colin said, (he was the one holding his leg) we thought we'd never see you again!" "Ya, where'd you go?" asked Malo. "How come your hairs so long?" asked Beth. Link laughed."As much as I'd love to talk to all of you I need to see to Ilia." "She'd be in her house Colin said. And after that I want you to meet my baby sister!" Link gave Colin a firm smile and broke away from the group. Link sprinted the short distance to Mayor Bo's house and jumped up all the steps with ease. At the front door Link sighed and brushed his clothes off. He knocked on the door. Mayor Bo answered. "Link! he said in are you?" "I'm fine Link said in his polite way. Can I talk to Ilia?" "Of course! the Mayor answered. She's in her room." Bo slapped Link on his way up the stairs. "Hello?" Link said to the room. He saw Ilia sitting on the bed facing him. Ilia Smiled at Link. "Hey! she said excitedly. I saw you through the window." "Oh, you did?" Link asked. "That's not important. Ilia said with a sudden change in her tone. Link raised his eyebrows, Taken back in surprise. I saw you here In Ordon the day we came home from didn't you come talk to us? Why didn't you come visit after?" Link sighed. "I needed time to think things out. I was dealing with a lot of emotions back then. I still am, but it's a lot better now. Can we not go into details please?" Ilia nodded. She silently looked at him. She noticed how handsome he was. His beautiful eyes were bluer. His face more toned, Hair pulled back, muscular. The list went on and on in her head. Link was staring at her confused. "Ilia?" "Oh, sorry she said. I have something for you". She got up and went to the dresser by her window. She opened the door and pulled out a simple package tied up in string. She placed it on Links lap. Open it", she opened the package and pulled out a black cloak with gold and blue trimming on the bottom. "Try it on!" Ilia asked. Link nodded and pulled the cloak over his shoulders and pulled the hood over his head. Ilia buttoned the claps going down the middle. "These sleeves are too big, The Hood covers everything but my nose and mouth" he thought. Ilia looked at him. "Well?"she said. "It's fine" Link pulled the hood off and fumbled with the buttons. It was a little hard since the sleeves were too big. Ilia smiled. She walked behind him and reached around Link's waist as she unbuttoned the cloak. The blonde hylian awkwardly stood there with his hands in the air as she undid the buttons. When she was done she pulled the cloak off of him and folded it back up in the packaging. Smiling the whole time.
Ilia insisted that she walked Link back to his house. They were talking the whole way. (At least Ilia was Link was mostly listening.) When they arrived at the clearing in front of Link's house Ilia walked up to Epona and hugged her." Hello old girl". "Well, Link said I guess I better go in, it's getting dark." Ilia Smiled and placed a hand on his chest. Link started freaking out. Suddenly Ilia leaned in and kissed him square on the lips. Link quickly pulled back. "I- I uh, Ilia….." "Yes?" she smiled coyly. Link blushed deeply all the way to the tip of his ears. "I was having a hard time because the girl I fell in love with left." Ilia started to tear up. "I'm sorry Link! I- I didn't know!" "It's fine! Link said quickly. You didn't know!" Ilia nodded. And before she knew it he was up the ladder and In his house.
Link sighed, he placed the package on the table and thought about what Midna was doing. What she was actually doing was planning to leave to Hyrule In a few days with her trusted friend and servant Raoimlii. Little did she know that some of her subjects knew about this too and did not want that to happen. And they would do anything to stop her.
