Chapter 1: Reunion and Separation
Elsewhere in far south Ordon Village, it was an ordinary day for Ilia as she took a stroll around the slowly growing town. It had been about a year since Link had defeated Ganondorf and saved Hyrule. Though he stayed for awhile to ensure that everyone was safe, he eventually departed for lands unknown, and he still hadn't returned from his new journey. She had been the only one to see him off, and she missed him dearly. She worried about him quite often since she did not receive regular correspondence from him. During times like these, she liked to talk to Fado, who was one of the first to notice that Link had left Ordon after making sure all the children were safely back home. They had developed a closer friendship, both eagerly awaiting the day when Link would come back home.
Fado greeted Ilia as soon as she entered the ranch. "Ilia! To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Hello, Fado. I just wanted someone to talk to."
Fado smiled. "I could always use the company. I don't get many visitors, you know." He noticed the goats shaking. "You know, it seems as if something strange is going on right now. The goats all seem to be acting strange as if there was something in the air…"
For a while, Ilia stayed with Fado, helping him complete his work and talking about the times before the rise of the monsters. Soon, Ilia noticed that the sun was beginning to set. She had stayed a bit too long. "It's been wonderful talking to you," she told him. "I think I should get going."
Fado noticed the sun and agreed. "I think I should be getting the goats in, too. I'll see you around."
Ilia nodded and started to leave when she heard a loud voice. "Ms. Ilia! WAAAAAAIT!" The postman appeared, running as fast as he could towards her. Once he got to her, the postman stopped for a moment to rest before continuing. "Greetings, Ms. Ilia! I have come to deliver a letter." He took out one of the many letters in his bag. "It is a let—HEY!" Before the postman could react, Ilia snatched the letter. She didn't need to wait for the postman to finish his little spiel because she knew that the letter had to be from Link. "Feeling very feisty today, aren't you…Well, my business is concluded! Onward to mail!" With that, the postman took off.
Ilia ripped the letter wide open. Eager for the first words from Link in months, she wondered how he had spent the past months.
Dear Ilia,
I'm sorry I haven't been able to write to you at all these past few months. I have traveled to many different places beyond the kingdom, meeting new people and new challenges everywhere I've been. Still, my thoughts always seem to return to you and everyone else back in Ordon Village. Thus, I have decided to come back home to see you and everyone else again. I plan to head for the ranch this evening. Hope to see you then.
Link
Ilia looked up as she finished reading the letter. Immediately, both of them heard a horse's galloping. It grew louder and louder until Link and Epona became visible. Epona slowed to a trot, and Link jumped off to meet Ilia's embrace.
"Link!" she exclaimed as she met him. They embraced for a few seconds before Fado decided to ruin the moment.
"Link! If you don't mind, I've got to close up. You mind rounding up the goats?" Link looked at him for a moment and sighed. Mounting Epona, he quickly got the goats back in the barn as Fado closed the gates. "Thanks, Link. I think you're meaning to stay awhile. How about helping around tomorrow just like old times?"
"Fado! Link just got back, and you're expecting him to get right back to work?"
Link spoke up. "It's alright, Ilia. We'll have some time to ourselves. And don't worry about it, Fado. Tomorrow, I'm getting right back to work. But tonight, I want to spend some time with Ilia. It's been far too long." Ilia smiled as Link helped her up onto the saddle. Epona galloped over the fence towards Link's old house. He hoped Mayor Bo wouldn't mind letting his daughter spend one night with her old friend as they caught up on the previous months.
Link woke up ready to get to work. It had been awhile since he had returned home. He knew he was growing closer with his childhood friend, but he chose to take things slowly. There was ample time now that there was no evil threat trying to kill him. Link left much of his adventuring gear in his basement, keeping with him only the necklace Ilia had made him and a sword and shield in case anything came by. He had even put away his tunic. Nothing ever did nowadays, so each day was the same old routine.
It was another ordinary day at the ranch. Still, Link was fine with it. After so much time spent without Ilia, he knew that he needed no more adventure. Sometimes routine got to him and he took trips to Kakariko Village, but he was overall happy with peaceful times.
The day's work done, Link hurried to the lake, not wanting to miss one moment with Ilia. When he arrived, however, he found a familiarly dark figure holding Ilia at sword point. "Surrender your protection over the lake or the girl dies."
"Zant!" Link exclaimed. He was stunned when he recognized the figure's voice. His flesh had completely disappeared, marking him an unnatural skeleton with robes. He did not bother masking his face, a twisted skull reeking of pure evil. "How are you still alive? Midna destroyed you with the Fused Shadows, and I defeated your 'god' already!"
Zant didn't move. "So you think...your efforts were in vain, and we won't be worrying about her anymore..."
"What?" Link drew his sword, but, at that moment, Zant struck Ilia. Her screams of pain were intolerable to Link.
"Let me ask you again. Surrender your protection over the lake or the girl dies."
"Link!" Ilia screamed. As blood started trickling down her body, Link saw no choice to save her but complying with the evil being. He lied down, hands behind his back and sword on the ground.
"A wise move, hero." Zant raised his hands into the air, and the light started flowing into them. "My victory shall be won, and my lord and god shall rise again." Those were the last words Link heard before he fell unconscious.