Over the next few days we prepared for the trip, and as we prepared we fell back into the old pattern I suppose all men share. On the day before we were to take our leave, Link discovered we only had enough supplies for two, so I casually unemployed my trainer, secretly telling him to leave for the castle. After that we had more than enough, and the trip was to be made on horses, Epona and my own horse, Taro. Little did Link know that these were the exact some horses we used to play around on as children, when I was a pirate and he was my first mate. I had now known my own identity then, and Link had helped me discover who I was. Looking back, I remembered the shock of every encounter we ever shared. The times Link talked, one time even having a full argument. It was with my father, when I had returned to Hyrule after being kidnapped by the Ghost Ship. I knew my mother had left and became a pirate, and that he only knew me as a baby. But he had accepted me at once, when I had shown him my hand as proof. The second he was done examining me, he made plans for me to wed a stranger, and Link, unnoticed in the corner, had said, "Tetra- I mean Zelda is not an object to be given to the highest bidder. She is a human being, with emotions and her own life to live. She didn't have to come back here, but since she did, your kingdom is saved. I will take her wherever she wants to go, so I think a wedding is out of the picture." Father's face had turned red with rage, and he had shouted, "And you think you can give her what she wants? Boy, she wouldn't have you! You're not even a knight! You're just a ten year old boy who doesn't know how to court a tree! Do you plan on taking her hand?" Link had shrugged coolly, simply saying, "If she'll have me." After that I had snuck out of my room several times a day to see him. Despite their feud, my father grew fond of Link, and soon he was known as Link, head of the army of Hyrule. But Ganon had destroyed everything. They had taken me to Crimea for safety when he attacked, and Link had been called into battle. My father had been murdered, and Ganon remained on the throne. I had made myself Sheik, to hide my identity. Finding Link, I had approached him and told him I knew Zelda and would take him to her…
He had agreed at once, and I was so thrilled he was alive I would have followed him even if he said no. Thinking back on the past, I realized Link would not be mad that I did not reveal myself, just confused. As it was, he was working on packing up out gear into Epona's saddle bag. I watched him, wondering if he still was the boy who had pledged himself to me eight years ago. As if sensing my despair, he looked up and flashed me a crooked smile, and I smiled in return. "Hey, Link, how 'bout a rematch, man?" He looked up a second time, slightly startled, back quickly grabbing his sword and moving a length away from the horses. Flicking my wrists, I felt the blades extract and trust them against Link's long blade, trying to find an opening in his defenses. He once again moved his sword to my knee, but I blocked and I realized, too late, that that was what he wanted. He moved his short knife from his inside pocket and carefully moved it up my throat, tearing my mask and leaving my face exposed. I crumpled immediately, trying to fit the cloth back in place. But he kneeled next to me, and gently taking my hands, looked at me face. "I know a woman when I see one. I just had to make sure…" He said gently. I tried to lower my head, but he forced it upward. 'Wonder if he'll recognize me…" The only thing that truly changed when I transformed into Sheik was my eyes. My hair, my features were all still the same. But Link just smiled, and removed his hands quickly. "So, a woman you are, trying to be a man. As you wish, Sheik, but please, tell me your real name." My cheeks burning, I decided to give him a clue. "It's... It's Saria." Link blinked in shock, but then collected himself and smiled. "I knew a girl named Saria once. She was lovely, as you are." I groaned. "Please, don't treat me differently! Just pretend… this never happened." EHe studied me for a while, considering. "As you wish, Sheik."