Author's Note - PLEASE please pleaseeee review if you enjoy the story so far! :) Constructive criticism is appreciated! Lmk if I make any grammar mistakes, as I haven't really taken an English class in quite a while or even written in a while. Thanks! :)

-o0o0o-

Chapter 2: The Letter

As the youth arrived back to Ordon, the sun already set. Link had figured the parents had known about their children heading off with him, but when he arrived, several pairs of angry Hylians marched up to Link snatching their children, all yelling simultaneously. Link stood dazed, his cheeks burning from embarrassment. Bo quickly arrived, addressing the issue. "Whoa whoa whoa! What's going on here?"

Pergie, Talo and Malo's mother, stepped forward. "Our children have been gone for almost the whole day, and just returned now, with Link!" She stabbed a finger in the air at him. "He is an adult now, and should've been responsible enough to tell us he had our children!"

"I figured they told you," Link winced, rubbing the back of his neck.

"But they didn't, and neither did you," Pergie scolded, narrowing her eyes.

Link threw his hands up in the air. "They were with me! They were perfectly safe!"

"Yes, but Link, the last time they were with you, they got kidnapped while you got knocked out, remember?" Bo sighed.

Link lowered his eyes, ashamed of the past events. "Yes…of course I remember. But that was almost two years ago! I was just a farm boy then, and you know how much has changed. And you Bo, of all people, know what I'm capable with with my bare hands."

Bo sighed again. "Oh yes. I taught you to wrestle myself," he muttered so only Link could hear. "But that's besides the point, Link! The children's parents had no idea where they had disappeared to, and for all we could've known, they could've been taken again."

Link put his hands on his hips. "Who would steal them? Ganon is gone, remember?"

"There are still gangs and monsters out there."

Link looked to the ground, knowing he had lost this argument. There was no point in arguing with a horde of worried parents. He looked back up to the adults. "I'm truly sorry for scaring you all. But you needn't worry so much. They're not babies anymore. They won't know anything about the world if they're cramped up in a tiny village all day."

Sera stepped forward and spoke. "Link, Talo and Beth and Colin are nearly 9 years old! And little Malo! Only 7! They're too young. They need to be back home by sunset, with US knowing where they have gone. Do you understand?" she lectured sternly.

"I understand," Link said solemnly.

The adults walked off, grumbling and grasping their children tight. Colin turned around briefly, waving goodbye to Link. Link gave a small smile and waved back.

After the adults had disappeared into their homes for the night, Link stood in the center of town, disappointed. He felt the adults were losing trust in him, and ever since his journey to defeat Ganondorf had happened, they had been as strict as ever. He kicked a rock as he trudged back to his house. As he shut the entrance and walked lazily into his kitchen, he heard a knock on the door: four knocks. It was Ilia. When they were small children, they would talk for hours after midnight. Their secret code was four knocks in a row, and he could always tell it was her. Unfortunately, he was not in the best of moods at the moment, so he walked over briskly, and swung open the door. "What?"

Ilia raised an eyebrow. "Someone got pecked in the head by a cucco," she teased. "I wanna talk to you about something." She made her way into his house as she always did. She sat comfortably on his sofa and crossed her legs.

"I don't recall inviting you in," Link grunted, closing the door behind her. He sat on the tree stump coffee table in front of her. "What do you need to talk about?"

Ilia blushed and scratched at her arm, which was a nervous habit of hers. "Well, I think I want to break up with Izekiel. I just don't know how to do it without hurting him."

"Well, there's no way it won't hurt him, but you can do it in the nicest way possible."

"Yes, but Link, I'm not very good…well…"

"At being nice?"

Ilia narrowed her eyes. "Sure."

"Well, why are you breaking up with him in the first place?" he laughed.

Ilia groaned and rolled her eyes. "In Ordona's name, Link! He is sooo clingy! It's ridiculous! He writes to me everyday, saying the same thing: I love you." Her face fell into her hands. "I just don't feel the same way."

"Hm. That's sounds like you! Super clingy!"

"Shut up. And whenever we meet each other, all he does is stare at me like I'm an orange rupee or something. Its like 'Hello?! What do you want?'" she sighed. "Any tips?"

Link shrugged. "Honestly, I'm no good at the whole romantic-I-love-you-but-I-hate-you sort of thing. Sorry."

"What're you talking about? Of course you've been in relationships before!"

"Ilia…I was six. You were four. That doesn't count."

"But we were each other's first kiss! And I know you've kissed other girls before! So, you must have some knowledge in that area. Besides, you're a boy. All boys are the same in that area."

"In what area?"

"The romantic-I-love-you-but-I-hate-you-thing," she smiled. "Oh, you're no help at all." She stood up to leave and walked slowly to the door.

Being so comfortable around Ilia, Link tended to be more social with her, often taunting her or pranking her. "Ilia, you just came here to talk to me didn't you?" He grinned impishly to himself as he teased her.

She whipped around defensively at his accusation. "What?! N-no I didn't! That's horse manure!"

"Then why are you blushing?"

"I-I'm not b-blushing!"

"And you're stuttering. Are you breaking up with Izekiel because you like me? Yup, that's definitely it," he joked.

Ilia rolled her eyes. "You're such a jerk, Link. If only the adults saw this side of you."

"I'm just messing with you! Don't take it personally," he sniggered.

Ilia relaxed herself back onto the couch. "Yeah, well I do take things personally." She looked into the firepit, the flames reflecting in her green eyes. "But, yes, that's part of the reason I'm breaking up with Izekiel." She looked into Link's own eyes, crystal blue like the sea. "I really admire you, Link."

"Wow! You're a good actress Ilia!" he laughed.

"I'm serious, Link."

He stopped laughing and looked in her eyes. The green shade had darkened. She was serious. "You…have a crush on me?"

Ilia giggled. "I think every girl that's ever encountered you has had a crush on you."

Link shook his head. "I seriously doubt that."

"No it's true! All my girlfriends' told me they've had a crush on you at least once in their life." She smiled. "Pinky promise."

Link smiled. "So, I'm like a ladies man, huh?"

"Pretty much."

"What is it? My handsome looks? My sexy sword? My strong body?" He tapped his chin for a moment. "Wait, it's definitely the hat."

Ilia laughed. "Oh yes, definitely the hat." She looked at him sincerely. "No, I think it's all those things. You're…kinda perfect."

Link blinked twice, then burst into laughter. "Me? Perfect! That's a joke." He looked at her face, expecting her to be laughing with him, but she looked serious. And the way she looked at him. Awkward. "I hope you weren't serious."

She looked embarrassed. "I was."

Link's smiled died and he rubbed his neck. "Oh. Um, I'm sorry for laughing at you. I didn't mean it. I was only-"

What happened next was not what Link had expected at all. She cut him off only to press her lips to his. Eyes still open, he winced. He loved Ilia, but like a sister. She tried to engage the kiss, but he pushed her away softly. She looked up at him worriedly. "Oh! I'm…sorry."

Link bit his lip. "Ilia…it won't work."

"What won't?" She asked, afraid of the answer.

"Us."

She stared at him for a moment, then stood up, and made her way to the door. Before she left, she spat, "thanks for the advice," slamming the door shut.

Link sat there in disbelief. Ilia…kissed me? That was weird. Does she really think I'm perfect? I really hurt her. But she knows I'm not into her like that! Gods, she is so manipulative! He got up to put out the firepit, then climbed up the ladder that led to his bed. He changed out of his clothes, into his sleeping pants, and wandered into a deep, long sleep, trying to forget the day's events.

-o0o0o-

The next morning was rough. The whole village was still upset with him, especially Ilia. He walked into town awkwardly and collected Epona from the ranch. He had decided to keep her there at night so she would be more comfortable in a stall then tied up to a tree. He began to help Fado with the rams, letting them out into the field.

As he made his way back into town, Talo and Colin ran up to Link, screaming their heads off. "Link! Link! You have a message!" Talo shouted, waving a letter in the air.

Link smiled when they reached him. "A message, huh? From where?"

Talo looked at the message in his hand. "Um...Zor-Zorie? Zzzzzz…Zora!"

Link took the letter from his hands. "Zora's Domain." He unfolded the message, reading the neat handwriting.

Hello, Master Link.

We are sorry to disrupt you, but

our prince, Ralis, has been lost from our kingdom.

We call upon you to help us look for him, as this is the second time

he has disappeared. Once again, we are sorry to bother you, but we would

greatly appreciate the help.

Sincerely, Head Guard of the Zoran Watch, Rupa Hutiyle Zora.

Link folded the letter back up and stuffed it in his shirt pocket.

"What did it say, Link?" Colin asked politely.

Link scratched his head. "Apparently, Prince Ralis has disappeared from Zora's Domain again. They've asked me to search for him." Link tapped his chin. "But why would they need me to help?"

Talo gasped. "Because you're a hero, Link! The greatest hero in all of Hyrule!" Talo puffed out his chest. "I'll be just like you one day!" He elbowed Colin. "Right?"

Colin shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

"See? Hey! Can we come with you?" Talo asked, putting in a wide grin.

Link shook his head. "Unless you want to sleep on the ground, walk until your feet are sore, and eat two slices of bread a day." He winked at them. "One day though."

Talo punched the air. "Really? Cool!"

"That would be cool," Colin added.

Link put his hand on Colin's shoulder. "Listen you two, I've got to go get ready. Do you think you could tack Epona for me?"

"Ughh. I hate that stuff," Talo groaned.

Colin smiled. "I would love to! Maybe Ilia would like to help too?"

Link's smile died a bit. "Um, I don't know if she's exactly in the mood today. But, you can ask if you want."

"Sure!"

"Thanks, guys." Link headed off to Uli and Rusl's house, and told them he would be gone for a week or so. He did the same with Mayor Bo, who he luckily found talking to Pergie outside her home. Upon informing them of his departure, Link turned back to his house enthusiastically, excited to have another adventure ahead.