I would like the world to know that Link, Zelda, Saria, Epona, Hyrule... just about everything mentioned in here belongs to Nintendo. Not me (sadly). If I DID own it, then the timeline would be much different, believe me. And so, with that, here's the story.

Link slowed down as he approached the gate to Castle Town. He knew that he couldn't bring Epona inside. Jumping off the horse, then helping Saria off, he patted his steed's side, "You did good today, girl. Take a rest. Go to the ranch... I'll come get you later," he watched her gallop off, then turned back to the gates, "Ladies first."

Castle Town was just as he remembered it. Everything was there... the blind guy, the Happy Mask Shop, even the Bombchu Bowling Alley. He looked over at Saria, and saw a look of absolute amazement on her face. He recognized that look. That was the same look he'd first had on his face seven years ago. He'd forgotten that Saria had never been to the city. He gave a small smile and watched her circle around, trying to make sense of it all. After a minute or so of her walking around in awe, he decided to step in, "Want me to show you around?"

She turned to him and smiled, "Yes please!"

And so the two began to explore. Link recognized some places, and others were new. The blind guy was still there on his mat, and the bowling ally was still open (though the girl who used to work there got married and quit). The mask shop was run by a new guy too, who took over about the time Link left, and the last time he saw the other guy for the last time. Shrugging it off, they walked around some more. He introduced Saria to her first (non-Wolfo) dog, and just had fun for a while. This lasted until Link remembered why they were there in the first place. Reminding Saria, the two turned back towards the castle and walked to the gates.

They reached the first gate, but were stopped by the guards, "What business do you have here?"

"I need to speak to the princess," Link told them.

The guards laughed, "The princess. Right... she hasn't been that for two years." One, the man who was obviously in charge, leaned in to him, "What makes you so special, waltzing right into the castle like that?"

Once again they laughed. Link, infuriated, took off his glove and dramatically threw it on the ground. With their attention gained, he showed his identity... the tattoo of three golden triangles on the back of his left hand. They stopped and stared, then looked back at him.

"You... you're..." one gasped.

"Yes, that's who I am. Can I go through now?"

"No problem, sir!" the one in charge called, "I apologize for our actions earlier... manning the gate is a boring business."

Link shrugged, "Just open it up and I won't tell Zelda that you're making fun of the passersby. Trust me, she'd believe me over you any day."

The guards stiffened, knowing the truth of his statement. "Yes sir!" with a wave of his hand, the gate opened, "You may go."

Link nodded and stepped forward, stopping only to retrieve his glove.

"But you will have to stay back here, Missy."

Link turned around, "She's with me."

The guards looked at each other and sighed, "Fine. Go ahead then."

Motioning to Saria, Link continued forward. He passed each guard, showing them his tattoo as he did to show them that he was allowed in the castle. The reactions were always different. Some were so surprised that they tried to speak, but couldn't. Others simply nodded. The only female knight, standing by the drawbridge, smiled when he showed it to her.

"I haven't seen you in years. Are you back finally?"

Link nodded, "Yes I am, Aveil. And thanks for remembering," the pair shook hands, then she motioned for the bridge to drop. With that, they were inside. It was a quiet day in the castle, and Link was pleasantly surprised. Showing his tattoo to the guards again, he entered the throne room without them. They knew he meant no harm. Making sure Saria was still behind him, they entered the room.

The room was magnificent, and this was the first time he had really been inside of it. One wall was full of tall windows. He remembered them... he'd looked through them a couple of times, from the other side. The other wall was full of magnificent banners, each cascading down the wall in ripples of red and blue and green. The floor was marble, with a long red carpet rolled from the door to the base of the throne.

The throne itself was a stately golden chair, decorated with red velvet on the seat and back. instead of legs, the entire base descended to the beautiful marble pedestal it stood on. There were stairs along the front, pleasing to the eye, and, on the top one, rested the dainty feet of Queen Zelda.

She looked up from her scripts as they came in, but stood up when she recognized the pair, spilling them all over the ground. She quickly walked down the steps. When they were near enough, Link knelt, and Saria gave a small curtsy.

"Your majesty," the former said.

Zelda walked up and hugged him, "There's no need to talk to me like that, Link. You know that. Welcome back," she turned to Saria and smiled, "And Saria, I haven't seen you in... why, it's been a long time."

Saria smiled, "I know it has, Zelda. We really DO need to catch up sometime."

Link cleared his throat, "I would love to sit here and chat, Zelda, but we have some... ah, pressing matters to attend to."

She turned to him, a look of concern on her face, "And what would that be?"

And so he told her. He told her everything.

Aveil: The current second-in-command of the Gerudo, she left as an emissary to the Hylian royal family at the time of Zelda's coronation. Trusting the Queen as well as the kingdom, she became the self-appointed leader of the Hylian Knights.

Queen Zelda: The Queen of Hyrule since her father's death two years ago, she is a pure and benevolent leader who will do anything for her people. She was the first person Link told of the future, and the only one besides Saria who knows everything. The people trust her and love her, and she has fight in her. However, physically, she isn't the strongest, and can easily be overtaken.