Five years had passed since the Hero of Hyrule had disappeared into the Twilight Realm, and for five years, Ordon Province had been at peace. Talo and Colin, following Link's example, began working for Fado, and broke their own horses. Malo bought out the Ordon General Store, creating a third Malo Mart franchise, he hired Beth to run it. Ilia had taken Epona, who first arrived carrying Princess Zelda herself, and started her own horse ranch, supplying Hyrule with thoroughbred Ordon Horses, many of which were born from the Hero's Horse and fetched a high price.
Hyrule's newfound peace brought great prosperity to Ordon Province, expanding the tiny village into a fully fledged town, with the fame brought by providing the world with Hyrule's saviour, and it's greatest entrepreneur. Ordon's crops flourished, with record yields every year, and people from all over coming to sample their famous pumpkin bread. It was as if some mysterious protector watched over them.
Twilight had been over Ordon for forty minutes, and Colin and Talo had only just made it to their meeting with the other Ordon Children at the Ordon Spring. Pulling their horses out of their gallop, the two boys leapt from their horses in front of the others. The two goatherds had put on a decent amount of muscle since they started working for Fado, and Colin had caught up with Talo's height. They stood the tallest of the five, their hair still haphazard from a day of goat wrangling. "Sorry we're late!" Talo exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yeah, we're sorry. Bess is being stubborn again, couldn't get her in the stable" Colin explained, no longer as shy as he was half a decade before.
"You had better be!" Beth said admonishingly, "Malo's leaving for Castle Town tomorrow, and you almost missed out!" Beth, the second oldest of the five, was slightly shorter than the two, but she still intimidated them. She had become less boy-crazy over the years, but still remained a shrewd manipulator, making her an excellent saleswoman.
"Calm down Beth," This from Ilia, who remained the most unchanged, her piercing emerald eyes knocking the three silent. "Malo'll be here long enough for us all to say our goodbyes."
"Indeed I will." replied Malo, the diminutive figure dressed in luxurious silk clothing. "Now, what's all the commotion?"
Ilia nodded, "Do you remember what day it is?"
four heads shook a negative.
"Five years ago today is the day the Bulblins took us, and the start of Link's quest to rescue us."
"Five years, damn." said Talo, looking at the dirt, remembering the power he felt with Link's wooden sword. "and that makes it almost five years since he died, right?"
all five Ordon Children stared at the standing stones at the back of the spring, letting the memory of their saviour's death sink in. "You- You think he'd like Ordon as it is now? You know, barring the fact that they turned his home into a museum?" murmured Beth, feeling a little guilty for suggesting the museum in the first place.
"I'm sure he'd love it," Malo reassured, "Even the humble need recognition, him more than most."
From the spring, something floated out that surprised all of the gathered children, a simple slingshot, with a small bag of Deku nuts. "Whoah!" yelled Talo, a shocked look on his face as he plucked it from the water. "This looks like Link's slingshot! The one he bought the day before we were captured!"
"Let me see that," said Beth, grabbing it from him earnestly. "Look, here on the side, 'made by Hanch, Ordon Province'! I knew this was my Father's handiwork, and he only made one. This must be Link's!"
"But where could it have come from?" Ilia asked, looking into the waters of the spring. Not one of the children noticed two sets of eyes watching them from the shadows; one red, one blue.
As twilight faded into night, so did Link and Midna's window into the realm of light. They stood side by side as their viewport shrank into nothingness. Link placed his arm around Midna's shoulder and she leaned her head into the crook of his neck. Link had grown little as he shifted into adulthood proper, and at twenty-three years of age, he and Midna were about the same height. Midna remained the same as the day the curse broke, and Link had been pleasantly surprised to find out she was only two years older than him, not some ageless superbeing.
"You miss them, don't you?" Midna asked, looking after the dissolved portal while Hyrule faded into night.
"Every day, but I wouldn't trade anything for what we have right now." he replied, kissing her forehead. "I couldn't bear being apart from you, my Princess."
"You know, ever since you got past that mute focus of yours, you've been quite the charmer." she said coyly, "but I must ask, why the slingshot? I'm surprised you even kept it this long."
"Well, originally, I bought it for them. Then our little adventure happened. Figured five years is as long a time as any to hold on to it for them." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"As caring as ever," Midna cooed, sarcastically. "They look up to you, you know. The two goat herders remind me a lot of when I first met you."
"Colin always did. The kid was always shy, I'm just glad I could break him out of that shell." Link sighed at the memory. "Now, we should probably get back to the palace. I think if we spend any longer out here, your people will start spreading rumours about us again." he said with a knowing wink.
The Twilight Realm had changed much in the years since Link and Midna had first stormed the palace to dethrone Zant. The massive oppressive structures had been rebuilt, and the platforms that floated in the void had been reconnected by massive bridges, to further unify the people that Ganon had fractured. The land still stood in an eternal twilight, but the ugliness was gone. The average Hyrulian would still be offput by it, but to Link, it was the most beautiful place in creation.
The palace had been refurbished to be more inviting, more open, to encourage people to bring their worries to Midna. It remained heavily fortified, but did not make visitors feel unwelcome. Long tapestries made of pure solidified shadowthread adorned the wall, runes and artistic pieces telling the story of the realm, from the banishment by the goddesses to Link's arrival.
Link too, had changed. His skin had lightened in colour, and his hair had taken on a darker hue than it's original blonde. Some of the green had leached from his outfit, but it was still identifiable. The shadows that most Twili favoured for clothing clung to his clothes too, adding an extra layer of protection to the aged chainmail and leather, a gift from Midna and her subjects. The Hylian Shield and Master Sword remained on his back, even in his new role as Midna's bodyguard, the only other things that didn't change was his eyes; the piercing blue orbs were still the same that beheld the salvation of Hyrule.
Midna sat on her throne, with Link standing behind. She took in the gathered audience and spoke, her usual carefree demeanour replaced by one of authority. "This weeks Open Forum is called to order, any grievances or troubles are to be given voice now, so we may see to their solution. You are to approach when the Blue-Eyed Beast calls your name."
Link unrolled a scroll and cleared his throat. "Zra Ilin, on the subject of a thief in Shadule Village, approach"
A Twili woman approached and told her tale, listing off missing items and strange goings on in Shadule Village. Link continued on autopilot throughout her and every other grievance. Not much went wrong among the Twili, and any disputes could normally be solved by the normal law enforcement forces. In truth, Link hadn't had to do anything major after his first year in the Twilight Realm, he was just there as a symbol by that point in time. It wasn't until the final grievance came forward that his interest was piqued.
A Twili with a farmer's build came forward and immediately went into his tale. "Your majesty. As a gift for your upcoming Jubilee, we managed to warp in some Ordon pumpkins and seeds almost a month ago." Link shot the man a withering glare, "We, uh, of course left some Rupees in payment, your lordship." He stopped a moment before continuing, "we managed to get them growing by Sol-light, and we had them harvested and ready for the celebration."
"And? Out with it! What happened?" Midna's seriousness dropped away, replaced with genuine curiosity.
"A day ago, someone burned the fields!" came his rushed reply, he still seemed unsure how to proceed. "And, not just burned, but there was a pattern to it!" He produced a piece of Pictograph Paper and handed it to Link. "I climbed to the top of my farmstead and took this, it's a message."
Eyes widening, Link felt his jaw drop as he scanned the picture.
"Well? What does it say?" Midna asked, curiosity burning in her eyes.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Link turned the picture towards her, saying the words even as she read them from the page.
"Death to the Usurper Princess."
