'There she is, the scared little girl.'

She was looking through a window, just like I remembered.

'Could I really do this again? Say goodbye? Do I really have to?'

I took a deep breath and started walking towards the princess. Hearing my boots against the grass, Zelda turned around in response and gasped.

"Who?!"

Her blue eyes were concentrated on me.

"Who are you?"

'I knew she wouldn't remember, but-'

"How did you get past the guards?"

'-it's still painful…'

"Oh? What's that?"

I watched as she walked closer and grabbed my arm, closely studying the back of my left hand.

'Well, this is new'

"Is that…"

Zelda looked up at me in disbelief and dropped the hold she had on my arm, maintaining eye contact as she took a step back.

"I'm sorry for grabbing you, but that mark on your hand…that could only mean…"

"Courage…" Zelda whispered.

She paused, looking as if she was deep in thought, before continuing.

"You're from the forest…Aren't you?"

I nodded. It didn't feel like the right time to explain where I had really just been.

"I had a dream…In the dream, dark storm clouds were billowing over the land of Hyrule…But suddenly, a ray of light shot out of the forest, parted the clouds and lit up the ground…The light turned into a figure holding a green and shining stone, followed by a fairy…I know this is a prophecy that someone would come from the forest…Yes, I thought you might be the one…"

I accidentally gave a small smile. She was just as I remembered her.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I got carried away with my story and didn't even properly introduce myself! I am Zelda, Princess of Hyrule. What is your name?"

"My name is Link."

Zelda smiled.

"…Link…Strange…it sounds somehow…familiar."

'She will never know how much that hurt.'

"Okay then, Link…I'm going to tell you the secret of the Sacred Realm that has been passed down by the Royal Family of Hyrule. Please keep this a secret from everyone…"

"No."

I knew I had to tell her the truth eventually. Putting it off would have just been more painful.

"Come on, don't be a blabbermouth!"

"I…I mean yes, I will keep everything a secret, but Princess…I've come to tell you something…"

"Oh?"

"Princess, the man you've been spying on, Ganondorf, you're right to suspect him of disloyalty. He plans to take control of the sacred realm and rule Hyrule with evil in his heart. Princess, you must not let him access the Door of Time. It must not be opened again. I know you plan to acquire the Triforce before he does, but…it won't work. He's waiting for us to open the door using the spiritual stones and the Ocarina of Time. Please, Princess, we must not allow this to happen."

Zelda was silent as she focused on the symbol on my left hand.

"You speak with a wisdom beyond your years. Somehow, I feel inclined to trust you. Even though we just met, I feel like I've always trusted you."

'That one hurt too'

"Link…I believe you…Ganondorf should not be trusted and it is quite believable that he would attempt something like that…but…I need to ask…where did you really come from before meeting me here?"

"The Temple of Time…the chamber that holds the Master Sword…"

Zelda looked up from my hand and locked her eyes with mine.

"I think I understand…the Master Sword allowed you to travel from a future where I made such a foolish mistake. To think of what my kingdom suffered at my hand…I'm sorry I ever thought of trying to control the sacred realm. I'm sorry that I ever thought of dragging you into it all. I can't even imagine what you've been through. I can only blame myself."

'Not this again…But what do I say now?'

'Zelda, no, I did it for you and for Hyrule'

'What have I even done?'

'I didn't go on a large quest, I didn't defeat Ganondorf, and I didn't save her.'

'But I did'

"You're right, Link…don't collect the spiritual stones…I will protect the Ocarina of Time with all my power! He shall not have it! We must not risk the door reopening."

I nodded.

"This knowledge has saved Hyrule and ensured its' peace, for a time. Thank you for your wisdom, Link."

"You're welcome, Princess."

Zelda smiled at me.

"You really are a hero of Hyrule…a…a hero of time…Yes…Link, the hero of time…How fitting."

'I never really saved Hyrule. I never really was the hero. I don't deserve that title anymore. That honor has been taken away. It's selfish, I know, but maybe I deserve to be selfish. Maybe I regret not being remembered as the hero who defeated Ganondorf or the hero who through adversity, courage, and strength, saved the kingdom of Hyrule from evil's grasp. The hero who prophesied the evil nature of a male Gerudo and then mysteriously disappeared?'

'No…Look at her, she's smiling, she's happy, she's hopeful. I did this. It doesn't matter if I become the forgotten hero. I made her sad, blue eyes happy again. This one moment is worth everything I did or didn't do.'

I smiled back at Zelda.

'Maybe I could be a kid again. We could grow up together. I could become a soldier, a knight of Hyrule. I could protect her when evil comes again.'

My smile faded as Zelda's words reentered my mind.

'When peace returns to Hyrule…It will be time for us to say goodbye…'

'But…why?'

"Link…what's wrong?"

'I couldn't say goodbye, not now. I need more time'

"Impa?"

Zelda looked over my shoulder at her attendant.

"Impa!", Zelda said with excitement.

She took my hand as she ran over to the Sheikah attendant, dragging me to run along with her.

Once we stopped in front of the tall woman with crossed arms, Zelda spoke with a childish enthusiasm I had never heard before.

"Impa! This is Link! He came from the forest! Well, he came from the Temple of Time actually. He knows everything! He came to warn us about reopening the Door of Time."

"I see," Impa said as she looked down at my left hand, "it seems you are fated to carry quite an interesting destiny, or, perhaps you already have."

Impa looked me up and down before meeting my glance.

"I am Impa of the Sheikahs. I am responsible for protecting Princess Zelda. You are a courageous boy…and I imagine your big adventure isn't quite over yet. My role in the Princess' dream was to teach a melody to the one from the forest. This is an ancient melody passed down by the Royal Family. I have played this song for Princess Zelda as a lullaby ever since she was a baby…There is mysterious power in these notes. Now listen carefully…Memorize this song…"

The Sheikah began to whistle 'Zelda's Lullaby'. It was familiar. It was too familiar. I pulled out the fairy ocarina and followed after her.

'I hope I never have to hear it again after this. This is too painful. It only brings me back to my regrets. My sad memories of that beautiful princess…'

"If the castle soldiers find you, there will be trouble. Let me lead you out of the castle."

"Wait, Link…before you go…"

Zelda's words prompted me to turn towards her.

"One more thing…Take this letter…I'm sure it will be helpful to you…"

Zelda paused before continuing.

"Link, will you promise me that you'll come back and visit me again?"

"I promise," I replied.