We didn't speak much for the rest of the ride to Link's home. It wasn't just Epona's blistering pace or the dull ache that was settling in over most of my body that was making my head whirl; I was having difficulty processing everything that had just happened. So, I get attacked by a mob of strange creatures, and I just happened to get saved by Hyrule's (and probably the world's, now that I thought about it) own hero. And he's gorgeous to boot. Next thing I know Link's inviting me to stay at his house, and now I'm clinging onto him as he whisks me to safety and shelter on his magnificent steed. It was just too much. I'm just a wandering scholar for Din's sake, a homeless traveler with nothing but the clothes on my back and a bag full of books, bones, and rocks. What the heck was happening?
Epona rode with her ears attentively turned towards Link, and upon his command veered south towards a crevice in the rocks. She slowed to a flatwalk as we entered a thickly wooded area with a narrow trail. We arrived into a small clearing where we passed a small hut. A skinny, afroed man sat in the yard next to a cauldron. Link gave him a friendly wave, to which the man responded with his own cheery "Evening, Link!" We continued past the hut and took a left, travelling further south by a sparkling spring, crossing a bridge over a massive river-cut gorge, and passed yet another spring. We finally arrived into a larger clearing with clear signs of long-term occupation.
It was shaped vaguely like a three-leaf clover and likewise seemed to glow green with moss and vegetation. Following the unusual geomorphology of the rest of Hyrule, the area was enclosed by a naturally terraced rock wall overgrown with vines and grass. In one of the clover leaves, small patches of lily of the valley were in bloom around a semicircle of fir trees hung with archery targets. A lonely scarecrow scarred with rips and tears stood in the untilled alcove. In the leaf to its left stood the remains of what must have once been a true giant of a mossy tree. The fifty-foot-tall stump was wide enough that at least four elephants could stand around it trunk to tail. I noticed that the tree must have been forked near the base; the smaller fork had been cut to about ten feet from the ground, creating a broad, flat surface, atop of which stood a small, one story hut with a wooden roof and rough, bark-covered sides draped with ivy. In front of the house was a short wooden post, from which hung a decorative sign outlined with wood carved in the shape of a horseshoe: "Link's House," it simply read. A sturdy wooden ladder was fixed to the stump. So, Hyrule's hero lives in a treehouse.
Epona slowed to a halt at Link's command. Link swiftly and effortlessly dismounted, and turned back toward Epona. I gingerly placed my good ankle in the right stirrup, and rather stiffly swung my other leg over. If I may say so, having a hard saddle repeatedly slam into one's ischial tuberosities for an hour makes for a sore vagina. As I was figuring out how to hop down onto my good leg while it was still hung in the stirrup, Link offered me his arm. "Let me help you," he offered with a smile, piercing me again with those azurite eyes. "Yeah, thanks," I grunted, and took hold of his arm to use it as a support while I let myself out of Epona's stirrup. It was strong and muscular, and didn't budge an inch as I put my 110 pounds of body mass on it and hopped down.
I let go of Link and tried to steady myself on my feet, putting all my weight onto my right leg. I examined Link's profile as he undid Epona's girth and removed her saddle and saddle pad, revealing a dark patch of sweat-soaked horse's back. Epona snorted softly as Link rubbed her neck and murmured, "Thanks girl, thanks a lot," with a touchingly tender look in his eyes. I felt my own expression soften; he really did love that horse.
He gave Epona one last pat, turned back towards me with a satisfied grin on his face, and said "Well, shall we go inside?" "Hold on," I responded, eying Epona as she began to leisurely walk towards the path we had just come from, "aren't you gonna tie her up anywhere?" Link looked a little bewildered. "Err, no, I just let her wander as she likes. I know she'll always come when I call her." He paused. "If you're worried about her feet, she refuses to let me groom her or pick her hooves until she gets a drink from that spring we just passed," he said with a smile. Now that was weird; I guess Epona is half-wild? I'd never heard of a horse allowed to roam free with no stable or pasture. I asked, "But aren't you worried someone'll try to steal her?" At this Link actually snorted and shook his head, saying "Yeah, right. I can just imagine how Epona would react to that." Weird. Well, I was in Ordona now, and who am I to judge how people do things here?
I turned and started to walk towards the treehouse. I put my good foot down and started to toe off with my left foot when another bolt of pain shot up my leg and I started to trip. Almost instantly I felt one of Link's strong hands close around my left arm and another catch my waist, breaking my fall. I jerked my head over my left shoulder and almost bumped noses with Link, causing me to recoil my head a little bit. Still holding onto me, Link stared intensely into my eyes, but nonetheless spoke gently, "Maybe you should let me help you." I felt slightly embarrassed and looked away; why did I feel unable to hold his stare? "Yeah, I reckon so," I grumbled. Now I felt a little ashamed; why was I getting annoyed at him for being so nice to me?
But when I glanced back over at him I saw a small smile flit across his face before he placed his right arm securely across my back and under my right shoulder, carefully avoiding the wound I had sustained there. He was too tall for me to put my arm over his broad shoulders, so I held onto his waist near what I guessed were his 7th-9th ribs. Like lackadaisical contestants in a 3-legged race, he led me toward the ladder. When we were about a meter away my heart sped up; I wasn't going to let this become an issue too. I pushed away from Link and grabbed onto the firm wooden sidings with both hands. I then pulled the rest of my body up until my good foot rested on the lowest rung, allowing my left leg to dangle freely. Reaching up higher with one hand then another, I pulled myself up to the next rung, repeating the process for a few more steps. I must have been showing off to some extent, because I couldn't help but glance over and down at Link, who I saw standing with his hands resting on his hips and one eyebrow raised over another, his expression otherwise unreadable. Our eyes briefly met and I quickly turned back around, focusing intently on ignoring the pulsing in my right shoulder and continuing the climb up the ladder. I heard Link let out a sound that sounded remarkably like a stifled snort. That pissed me off, and I felt my face flush with anger and embarrassment. Did I really look that ridiculous? My shoulder and ankle were killing me, just so you know!
When I felt my cheeks burn like that I knew I was redder than a beet, so I refused to look at Link even when I reached the last rung, clambered onto the stump, and held onto the doorframe of the house as I pulled myself into a lopsided standing position. I pretended to be studying the architecture intently as I heard what was clearly an easy climb, and as I felt my cheeks cool I turned around to see Link standing behind me and wearing an amused grin. Over his shoulder I could see the sun already sinking into a glowing citrus sunset. "Welcome to my house," he said cheerfully, "Like I said, it's a bit small, but it should be comfortable enough for the night." He deposited Epona's saddle, girth, and saddle pad on the stump before he walked past me and opened the door, which he apparently had secured no better than his horse.
My first impression of the single-room interior was that it was a bachelor's pad. It wasn't dirty per se, but the thin coat of dust on the furniture and old wooden floor, and the random possessions placed haphazardly about were clearly indicative of a resident who didn't have to answer to anyone if they skipped a few chores. To the left of the door of the rectangular room was a sturdy wooden counter atop of which stood a large wooden tub of water and jars containing various kitchen implements. Over the counter hung a collection of cast iron pots and pans that were a little worn but clearly seasoned properly. Beside the counter was a cute old-fashioned iron stove with an oven. Beside the oven but more toward the middle of the room was a small wooden table with four chairs and a few lily-of-the-valley placed in a small glass vase as a simple centerpiece. Behind this there was a small alcove containing only a stairwell leading down into what I assumed was a basement. On the wall opposite the door was a well-worn beige couch with a large, thick woven blanket depicting a wolf rearing its head in howl thrown over the back. The wall next to the couch was made of stone, as it was occupied by an old fireplace in which a large cast iron pot stood over the ashy remains of partially burned logs. To the right of the fireplace was a wooden desk littered with stationary and piled high with clay vessels, over which hung an old sienna tapestry and two small pictures depicting landscapes. Next to the desk and to the immediate right of the door was a ladder (oh dear, not another one) that led up to a lofted bed, about the size of a four-poster, with a faded red and blue quilt halfway hanging off and two off-color pillows with bits of down poking out piled in the corner, a pointy-eared head impression clearly visible in one of them. Underneath the bed was a lonely bookshelf housing only a few sad volumes. All along the walls were mounted various tools ranging from a pitchfork to a dilapidated wooden shield. Seemingly tucked in every corner were crates and barrels containing who-knows-what. Overall, I'd call Link's house messy, cozy, and charming.
As he led me further inside he took my enormous bag and said "I'll go ahead and put this up in the loft. You can take the bed tonight, and I'll take the couch," and he started toward the loft. I raised an eyebrow and touched his arm. "Umm," I started. He turned back toward me with a questioning look in his eyes. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I should be climbin' up there on this ankle…" I said shyly. His eyes widened in comprehension. "Oh duh, sorry. I should have thought about that." He grinned and put his arm across my back as if to walk me again. "Well, to the couch then!" he said cheerfully, and guided me over to the couch where he put my bag down. I let go and sat down, immediately sinking into the old cushioning.
Rather than sit next to me, Link walked over to the shelf below the loft where he placed his boots. He took his shield and then his sword off his back and likewise set them down, finally removing his long green cap to expose a messy tangle of dirty blond hair. I couldn't help but study his charming figure as he walked toward the kitchenette. He looked over at me with the same cheery expression and said "I don't know about you, but I'm about to starve!" Just then my stomach let out an enormous rumble. When was the last time I ate? I think I might have had something for breakfast yesterday morning? I grinned back and said, "Yeah, I reckon it's 'bout that time." Link began rummaging through the cabinets below the counter, and said "I don't have a whole lot because I wasn't really expecting guests. Just simple fare tonight, if that's okay." "Whatever you got's fine with me," I replied as I reclined across the couch, propping my now extremely swollen ankle up. Normally I wouldn't want to act so comfortable in a stranger's house, but I knew I really ought to keep that fracture elevated.
Link happily hummed as he began pulling out a smorgasbord of salted pork, two apples, a loaf of bread, creamy butter, and a block of cheese and setting the items on the table. He looked over at me with his azurite eyes seeming to dance in delight as he called out "Bon appetit!" Oh boy, a buffet. I was reluctant to get up from the squishy couch I had just got comfortable on, but my aching stomach spurred me on as I pushed myself up and limp-hopped over to the table. Link had taken his gauntlets off, for some reason hung them up with his cast iron pots and pans, and washed his hands in the bucket of water on the counter. Following his lead, I used the table as a support as I made my way over to the bucket, where I ran my hands once over a large block of soap before dipping them in the water and scrubbing. Link had already sat down at the table and was happily tearing into a large piece of salted pork. I flicked some of the water off my hands and wiped the remaining moisture on my pants before turning around and taking the nearest seat, which happened to be right next to the feasting Link. As I sat down he looked up at me and grinned behind a slice of buttered bread.
He put the bread down and finished swallowing before saying sheepishly, "Sorry I don't have any plates or silverware. I kind of forgot to wash them after breakfast this morning." I looked over at the counter and saw a small pile of dirty dishes. Looking back at him I smiled and said "No worries. Just glad to have dinner, and at least you washed your hands." I helped myself to an apple, and before I remembered my table manners was tearing into it like an emaciated wolf. I was ravenous, and we continued eating in silence for at least 10 minutes, easily working our way through three quarters of the spread. As his eating slowed to a more respectable pace while I continued to devour my food as if expecting it to run away, Link inquired, "Do you not usually eat dinner?" Well, isn't he direct. I replied shortly, "Nope. Comes with travelin'," and continued stuffing my face. Damn right I was hungry, and at that moment I didn't particularly care about making a good impression. Link was quiet for a moment as he cut a slice of cheese with what was evidently the only clean silverware in the house, but then asked "So where are you traveling?" Again, I replied shortly, "Nowhere really. Just wanderin' about." "Not much to tell really," I added. Sure, there was more to it than that, but there's no need to tell my life story to some random guy who's just putting me up for the night, now is there? He glanced up at me, apparently not satisfied with that explanation, but didn't push for more information. Instead he said, "Oh shoot, I forgot the drinks," and walked over to the cabinets again, this time pulling out a large bottle of frothy white milk that he distributed into two small jars. He brought these back to the table, setting one down in front of me and another at his own seat. The salted pork had dried out my mouth, so I reached for the jar and took a sip. I was immediately put off by the strong flavor, and almost spat it out before noticing that it nonetheless had a rich, creamy quality to it. Link giggled and said, "Sorry, I should have warned you. That's goat's milk. It can be a bit strong if you're not used to it." I stared him down and proceeded to drain half the jar before firmly setting it down. "Delicious," I said simply, eying him with a playful half-smile. Link chuckled again and said, "Sorry, I won't be impressed until you take it straight from the teat." At this I snorted into the sip of frothy milk I was midway through, spraying it onto the table and inside the jar, and splattering it all over my face and somehow under my glasses. Link broke into a roaring laugh as I blinked the milk out my eyelashes and otherwise sat frozen. Suddenly I realized exactly how comical I must look, and I broke into a giggle that turned into the first good laugh I had had for longer than I cared to remember.
As our laughter subsided, Link got up once again to retrieve a towel from over the counter and tossed it over to me. I continued to giggle as I dabbed the remaining milk off my face and then the table. I looked up and made eye contact with Link again, this time causing us both to burst into a fresh fit of giggles. I put my hand over my face and wheezed through my laughter, "Wow, that's just embarrassing." Link playfully replied, "Yeah, seriously. What are you anyway, a 10-year-old?" I continued grinning as I said, "Actually I just turned 22." He leaned forward in interest and responded "Really? I also just turned 22. When's your birthday?" "April 15th," I said as I helped myself to a slice of bread. He looked surprised and exclaimed "No kidding! That's also my birthday." I looked up at him with vague disbelief, and he excitedly said "No really. Look." He gestured towards a calendar I now saw hanging over his desk. Sure enough, the date April 15th was stamped with a star and a scrawl reading "My birthday!" This guy really was as giddy as a child.
"Well ain't that somethin'," I said as I finally stopped eating and leaned back in my chair. A sense of satisfied drowsiness was already setting in. Link stood up and put away what little was left of the food: a depleted lump of butter and two bits of pork. He then walked over to his desk and pulled a small metal hoof-pick, a soft bristle brush, and a stiffer wire brush out of one of the many jars. He looked over at me with a bright smile and said "Epona should be ready to let me groom her by now. I'll be back in a bit." I watched him with one eyebrow raised as he turned on his heel and ambled out the door, humming again.
Now that he was gone, I let out a satisfied belch and slumped down in my chair. Was Link always this carefree? I guess I had expected the hero of Hyrule to be more stoic. Maybe he was just in a really good mood today. Either way, what a guy. In just the past few hours he saved my life, invited me to his cozy home, and treated me to the biggest meal I had eaten probably since I left Clock Town. A sense of guilt settled over me as I realized that there was nothing I could do to repay him for the kindness he had shown me. The best thing I could do was get out of his hair as soon as possible. I gloomily stared up at the counter, and then I felt an old itch settle in. It was the dishes. I hated seeing dirty dishes left out.
I stood up on my good leg and steadied myself against the table before limping over to the counter. Although according to Link the dishes had only been left out since this morning, food particles were already dried onto the many plates, forks, and jars. A cast iron skillet was sitting with a layer of grease congealed on the bottom. I peered into a pot behind the water bucket and saw what I was looking for: a bundle of rags, a towel, and a small bar of soap. I didn't see any other water source, so I dunked the dishes one by one into the bucket, rubbed some soap on them, scrubbed vigorously until all the food particles were gone, dunked them again to rinse the soap off, then set them down on the towel to dry. When I arrived at the cast iron skillet, a quick sniff told me it was bacon grease pooled at the bottom. I glanced around for a very essential vessel that Link didn't seem to have. Well, that problem could be solved easily. I opened the cabinet and found a large empty jar, which I set on the counter. I then picked up the heavy iron skillet and carefully poured the viscous grease through my fingers and into the jar, until nothing but bacon crumbs remained. Sure, my hand may not be the best strainer, but it was better than nothing. I dipped my hand into the water bucket, rinsing off the debris. I grabbed a clean rag and used it to gently wipe the remaining grease out of the skillet until only a silhouette remained. I hung the skillet on a hook over the counter and washed my hands in the now dirty dishwater. Grimacing as I wiped my hands on my pants, I glanced around in search of clean water. Apparently this one bucket was it. I glanced down at it again, and felt mildly disgusted as I saw the flecks of food particles floating about in it. It really needed to be thrown out, but I didn't think I'd be able to carry that heavy bucket on my broken ankle.
"Hell with it," I muttered under my breath as I turned away from the counter. The toll of an exhausting day ending with a huge meal was beginning to set in, and I could tell I wasn't going to be awake much longer. I looked down and noticed that the table was still covered in crumbs from dinner. I sure wasn't going to use that nasty dishwater on it, so I used a dry rag to sweep the majority of the mess into my cupped hand. Not seeing a waste receptacle, I tossed the debris into the water bucket. At that point, I really was beginning to drop off while standing. I tottered towards the couch feeling my eyes itch and head nod. I collapsed onto the soft cushioning and pulled the wolf blanket off the back of the couch and over my stretched-out form. "It's been one hell of a day," I muttered, and was out like a light.
"It's been one hell of day, hasn't it girl?" Link sighed to Epona as he began picking the clumped dirt out of her front left hoof. Epona only snorted in reply as he carefully dug around the frog. Now that he was no longer having fun entertaining his new guest, a troubling thought had occurred to him. "I mean I know she said she'd only stay for the night, but it's not like her ankle is going to feel any better by tomorrow. If she gets back to travelling right away, I may as well have just left her in the field in the first place." Epona seemed to be listening intently with both pinna directed towards her master as he spoke. Link finished her hoof and stood up. He pat her neck and continued, "I wonder why she's wandering around by herself like that. She at least had weapons on her, and she doesn't exactly strike me as a wimp, but she looks pretty underfed. You should have seen the way she dug into dinner tonight! I don't think I've ever seen anyone so hungry." Link bent down on one knee and picked up Epona's other front hoof. "And did you feel her bag? It has to weigh at least 40 pounds. And when I went to get her bandages for her, it was just full of books and for some reason rocks. The only supplies I saw were a medicine pouch and a little quiver and bow." He paused, and when he spoke again his voice softened. "And that look in her eyes too. It's like they were on fire, but behind that, she looked so tired. Tired like someone truly driven into the ground. Like someone who would gladly drop dead just to end it at all, but for some reason feels compelled to keep moving forward. But towards what, I wonder?" He finished the hoof and stood up again, glad he had already cleaned her back hooves. "Whatever it is, she's not going very far on that ankle." He shook his head in concern. Epona was already wading back into the spring. It was peaceful and beautiful, and Link couldn't help but appreciate the way the moonlight danced off the ripples. He followed his beloved horse into the water, glad he had come barefoot as he enjoyed the sensation of the cool water and fine sand moving about his feet and ankles. He took the soft-bristled brush out of his pocket and began brushing the dirt out of Epona's coat. "I need to convince her to at least stay until her ankle heals. But she strikes me as someone who doesn't exactly appreciate being told what to do or having others make decisions for her. How am I supposed to persuade her then? I can't very well let her leave and get herself killed."
"Indeed you cannot," a deep, ethereal voice resounded, startling both Link and Epona, who laid her ears back. Link looked towards the waterfalls in the back of the spring where he thought the voice originated from. There, gold flecks of light began to materialize and gather over the water, taking the shape of a massive animal resembling a goat. Its shining white body was patterned with intricate curls of gold, and its horns formed a circlet in which hung a glowing sphere of light. It was the light spirit of the Ordona Province.
"Ordona!" Link breathed with evident surprise and respect. "Greetings, O Hero Chosen by the Gods. It seems you have met with a most unusual traveler," Ordona replied, its low voice reverberating through the spring. "Yes, and she's injured," Link responded, unsure how Sibela could be unusual in a way that would concern a light spirit. "It troubles you deeply," Ordona observed. Link paused; he hadn't consciously registered that he was indeed concerned for Sibela, perhaps more so than he would have been for any other injured person. "It does," he finally replied, and feeling a sudden boldness looked up into Ordona's noble face and said, "But does it trouble you as well?"
Ordona sighed, "Indeed. Sibela's appearance here is... unsettling." "What do you mean?" Link asked quickly, "She isn't… bad, is she?" "Nay, o Hero. I sense no evil in her," Ordona rumbled, "As I said, it is her appearance here that is unsettling." Link blankly stared at the glowing being. Ordona seemed to sigh again as they said, "Hero Chosen by the Gods, allow me to impart to ye yet another ancient legend of the legendary hero whom thou incarnate." Link leaned forward with interest and a hint of confusion: what did the legendary hero have to do with Sibela?
Ordona began, "As thou hast learnt, the legendary hero once travelled the flowing river of time, carrying the destiny of not only our world, but the land of the gods, which had become tainted by Ganon's evil heart. The hero defeated the monstrous Ganon, whom was then sealed in the Sacred Realm by the power of the seven sages of old. Having fulfilled this destiny, the hero was returned to his original time. Knowing that even with the future secured, the Ganon of this time would undoubtedly pursue the sacred power of the Triforce, the legendary hero travelled to faraway lands where the mark of the Triforce of Courage would be unrecognized…"
"The hero eventually wandered to a mysterious forest known by precious few… It is within this forest that even time and space unravel, forging a connection with a world parallel to our own-" "The Twilight?!" Link blurted out. "Nay. This world is a land of light and prosperity. It is known as Termina." "Ah," Link blushed in embarrassment. Ordona continued, "At the time that the legendary hero arrived, Termina was in grave peril, threatened by its own wicked forces. Needless to say, the hero employed his skills to save this land in its time of need. The ancient evil was defeated but not destroyed, sealed by a fierce deity inhabiting the body the of hero… Meanwhile, the protective spirits of both lands had become aware of the connection between Termina and Hyrule. Each side agreeing that they could not risk the evils of their worlds escaping between dimensions, they closed the connection such that the two lands would never interact again…" Ordona paused, and Link leaned in once more, intent on hearing what this tale had to do with his guest.
Finally, Ordona spoke. "The woods which once were the portal to Termina still exist at the edge of Faron. Several weeks ago, a disoriented, distressed young woman appeared in those woods, and began travelling north." "Do you mean…?" Link exclaimed in shock. "Yes," Ordon said somberly, "It appears that the portal to Termina has been reopened, and it is from that long-forgotten land that Sibela hails." Link was amazed. He was hosting a guest from another world. But noticing that Ordona seemed less than pleased, Link asked, "So why is this unsettling?" Ordona replied, "It has come to our attention that Termina is once again in turmoil, threatened by an evil power. The fact that Sibela was able to wander into Hyrule suggests the possibility that this evil could do the same." Link's face dropped as he realized the gravity of Hyrule's connection to Termina. Moreover, he felt a wave of concern as he registered that Sibela must have been fleeing from the force threatening her land. He was reminded vividly of the disembodied spirits of Hyrule's people floating in the Twilight… An old determination rose in his heart as he turned to Ordona. "So, I must find a way to destroy the evil in Termina and seal the connection?" "Indeed," Ordona replied, "That would be in keeping with the hero's call. But at present there remains a question of how…" Link raised his eyebrows. "For now, it is imperative that thou keep Sibela safe. Thou must not suffer her to leave your protection. She is a connection between two worlds meant to be forever separated, and much of the nature of this connection is yet unknown. Return home, Link. Tomorrow, you mustn't allow her to leave. Do you understand your task?"
Link nodded resolutely, "Yes, Ordona." He immediately turned to leave, and had almost left the spring when Ordona called out, "One more word, Hero Chosen by the Gods." Link looked back at the luminescent spirit. "It is unlikely that Sibela is aware that she has crossed worlds. I would consider it unwise to distress her by imparting this knowledge before she is prepared, or discovers it on her own. Thou must use great discretion." Link nodded and replied, "I understand." He turned back again sat off towards his house at a jog, head reeling with what he had just learned.
When Link rushedly entered the house, he was put off by the total darkness of the place. A wave of panic swept over him; had Sibela already left, just as Ordona instructed him to protect her? He fumbled in his bag for his old lantern, eventually pulling it out and lighting it. As a warm glow washed over the room, he saw a figure snuggled in his favorite blanket sound asleep on the couch. Relief filled him quickly, and he smiled and tiptoed further into the room, placing his lantern on the kitchen table. He was surprised not to see the ghosts of dinners past sprinkled over the surface. Likewise, he noticed on the counter his gleaming dishes drying over a towel, and his seasoned skillet hanging up. He felt a warmth in his chest; Sibela must have cleaned up after he left. He saw the bucket of dirty water on the counter, and realized she probably wasn't able to throw it out. He promptly picked up the bucket, stepped outside, and dumped the contents over the edge of the tree stump. Deciding he would refill it in the morning, he returned the bucket to the counter and resisted the urge to hum as the glowing feeling in his chest persisted.
He found himself walking towards the couch. A person from another world, a person whose safety he had been entrusted with… He leaned over her and examined the peacefully sleeping young woman. He subconsciously clutched at his chest as he felt his heart flutter faintly… It confused him for a moment, but he was quickly distracted when he noticed that Sibela had fallen asleep without a pillow and her glasses askew. He hurried over to his loft and climbed up the ladder just far enough to snatch down one of his old down pillows. He picked out a few of the feathers poking through the pillowcase as he returned to the couch and squatted down. "Hylia, please don't wake her up…" he found himself praying as he gently wove his left hand through her long umber hair while reaching for the back of her neck. Her hair was dirty without a doubt, but Link nonetheless felt another flutter in his chest, this time accompanied by a slight stabbing sensation as he felt the soft locks slip over his hands. He felt very conscious of his own breathing as he slowly lifted her head just high enough to slip the pillow underneath. He set her head back down just as gently. He lightly brushed the soft, smooth skin of her right cheek as he slowly removed his hand from behind her head, and with that touch came another stabbing sensation. Finally, he removed her wine red-framed glasses and folded them carefully before placing them on a crate beside the couch.
He stood up and rubbed his eyes in confusion. So, what did he know about this woman? Sibela, age 22, same birthday as him, good at using throwing knives and mounting horses, has a lot of books, and is from another world. His head whirled as he walked over to his desk, where he pulled out a wooden toothbrush from a small, water-filled jar. He dabbed it in a tiny tin of homemade toothpaste and began brushing, perhaps a bit more vigorously than he normally would have, carefully cleansing each tooth and all of his tongue. He stuck his head out the door again and spat the minty foam onto the ground. As he replaced his toothbrush in the water jar he continued to mull over the strange events of that day and the future that may come from them. Glancing over to ensure that Sibela was still asleep, he undid his belt and removed first his green tunic, followed by the chain mail and brown undergarment, and finally his collared off-white base layer. Halfway through taking off his leggings, he paused. He usually slept in his underwear, but maybe he shouldn't with a guest in the house… But he sure didn't want to sleep in such tight clothing. Coming to a solution, he finished taking off his leggings before gathering his bundle of garments and depositing them in a trunk beside the bookshelf. From this same trunk he pulled out a comfortable pair of loose-fitting brown pants and slipped into them.
He glanced back over at Sibela, still sound asleep, and smiled warmly before snuffing the lantern and climbing the ladder onto his loft. He collapsed onto the soft heather bedding and stretched before pulling his pillow beneath his head and wrapping himself up in the old quilt. At first, he found himself lying on his side staring down at Sibela, but as he felt his cheeks turn hot he rolled onto his back. He was confused with himself again. He felt that he had been acting weird and struggled to process the many new sensations he had experienced over the evening. What was happening? Besides his personal sentiments, what kind of unknown, strange adventure was about to unfold between Hyrule and Termina? He expected to lie awake late into the night pondering this, yet within a few minutes Link too was already in a deep sleep.