Author's Note: I don't own any of the Zelda characters or games, Nintendo does. The characters and story I add are my own. Please read and review.

TC 3: Legend of the Beast

Chapter 2: Visiting a Hero

The next day, I packed a couple sets of clothes into my backpack, put my bow in its case, and headed for the bus station. Even though I enjoy school and learning, right now it held no appeal for me. Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait long for a bus to get on, but I then had to settle in for three hours to get back to the valley, followed by a transfer and another thirty minutes to get back home. I found myself missing being able to just warp around with Midna.

Arriving home brought up mixed emotions to say the least. I was surprised to see that Dad was there. "What are you doing here?"

I expected them both to try to talk me out of going, but instead Dad said, "Took a sick day. I want to help you to get packed."

It was then that I noticed that Dad was leaning on his old scouting back, which had my sleeping bag and the two-man tent bag attached to it already. He must have dug them out of the mess of our garage.

Mom looked like she was ready to cry, but still tried to be focused on the matter at hand. "I bought jerky, trail mix, granola bars, and a few other things that you can eat without cooking. It's already in there."

I was taken aback by the switch to such generosity. "Really? Wow..."

"Well there's no stopping you, so we decided to help," Dad explained. "Even packed a couple camping things like a cup and utensils."

Mom looked to the side. "I don't like the idea of you going, but if you really want to go, then go. Be the hero again."

I stepped forward and embraced my mother. "Thanks Mom. I know this isn't easy for you." Mom hugged back tightly. I let her have the hug for a while before gently pulling away. I don't she would have let go otherwise. "I'll come back mom. I'll always come back."

She smiled a little. "Thanks."

I then turned to my dad. "Thanks for packing the bag, but I need to add a couple things."

He pointed at my backpack. "Those?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Some spare clothes. And I need to add a couple more things from my room too."

"You get those and I'll work these in."

I went upstairs and into my closet. In it were the things that I had left over from the last adventure. A small quiver of arrows, a bottle of Great Fairy Tears, the Goron Mask, the Zora Mask, and the Master Sword. It felt odd to take them up again, but who knew which of them would come in handy? They probably all would. I gathered them up and headed back downstairs.

"How are you going to fit all that in?" my mom asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. But we'll figure something out."

It took some packing and unpacking and repacking to fit everything in, especially trying while keeping it accessible for me to get at. The Master Sword of course would go across my back between me and the pack. The biggest challenge was my bow. I found myself wishing for a bag like Link's that just held everything. We finally settled on putting the bow over one shoulder. I tried the pack on and found it quite heavy, but it was bearable.

"Sheesh. They never go over this stuff in the books I read," I said out loud as I took the pack off my shoulders for a minute.

"That's why people got horses to carry their stuff," Dad said with a bit of a chuckle.

That made me wonder how much Epona carried, though upon further thought I had never seen her wearing saddlebags. In any case, I'd just have to deal with what I had.

"Are you going to stay the night and get a fresh start tomorrow?" my mom asked.

I could tell that it was just a way for her to get me to stay longer. I shook my head. "No. I'd better get going as soon as possible. I can rest tonight in Hyrule."

"How are you going to get there?" Dad asked.

I thought for a moment. "Well... the Spirit Springs are the only way there I think, so I'm going to try that first."

"I thought that didn't work when you tried to go back last time," Dad pointed out.

I had the same thought. Then I looked at my left hand again. "Oh!" I exclaimed in realization. "The Triforce mark wasn't on my hand after I came back. Since it's here now, I should be able to go back."

"How long do you think you'll be gone?" my mom asked.

I strapped on the Master Sword; there was no sense waiting around here any longer. "I don't know. The last adventure was only a few days. The first time took weeks, but that was because I was balancing this life with the game. It depends on what kind of trouble it is and where it is and how bad it is."

"So when should we start worrying?" my dad asked, getting to the point.

I took a minute to think before saying, "Three weeks. If it's going to take longer than that, then I'll try to get word back to you."

I grunted as I tried to get the pack on, but Dad stopped me. "How about we drive you there?"

I was glad for the ride, which I hadn't thought of before. On the ride over, I found myself reflecting. I had never had time to prepare for an adventure before. Had time to prepare and go to embrace it. I had also never not known what I was going to face. This was the first time that I was going into a situation blind. I'll admit that the thought unsettled me a little, but I pushed it aside. I tried to embrace the excitement. The idea that I was going back to Hyrule again. I would probably even see old friends again.

It only took a few minutes to get to the lake that the Spirit had appeared at before. I got out, strapped on the sword, pack, and slung my bow over my right shoulder. My parents got out and I turned to give them both one last hug. "Whatever it is, I'll take care of it. Then I'll come back."

"Love you Tyler," Mom said, leaning against my dad for emotional support.

"Love you Mom. Dad." Dad nodded, and I turned and headed for the lake. I stopped at the edge and took a breath before speaking out. "Ordona! I'm needed in Hyrule, aren't I? I've come to return!"

For a long moment nothing happened. It lasted long enough for me to question if this had been the right idea before a ball of light emerged from the water. I couldn't help but smile as the light expanded into the goat form of Ordona, one of the guardian spirits of Hyrule. "Greetings chosen one of the Goddesses. Your appearance is most unexpected. How may I aid you?"

My brow furrowed. "Unexpected? You mean nothing is happening in Hyrule?"

"No," the guardian replied. "All is at peace."

I held up my hand, showing her the mark of the Triforce. "This mark on my hand has only appeared when I'm needed. It has done so twice in the past. Why would it appear if I wasn't needed?"

There was a moment of silence before Ordona replied. "Perhaps it is not Hyrule that needs you. Perhaps it is another."

"The Twilight Realm?" I asked.

"Perhaps. And perhaps it is another."

That just left me confused, and it must have shown on my face.

"Worry not Chosen One," Ordona said kindly. "It is safe to say that whatever trial awaits you, it is in the Twilight Realm. Though you may need the aid of another to open the way."

"Oh right... It takes a strong magic user to push through the weak spot..." I said to myself.

"Yes. But perhaps Princess Zelda can help."

"Oh yeah! She pushed through with Link." Which reminded me that I wasn't sure how exactly they had followed us when we fought Zant the second time. Maybe I could ask this time.

"Indeed. Now, step forward hero, and I shall take you to Hyrule."

I turned to see my parents watching, a bit awed by the spirit of light floating above the water's surface. They noticed me looking and waved. I waved back and then turned to face my destiny. I stepped forward, my feet landing in the water as I closed my eyes.

The sound of traffic died away, replaced by a breeze blowing through trees. I opened my eyes to see Ordon's spring, just outside of Link's home village. It looked different though, with many trees missing their leaves. It seemed to be winter here too.

"Welcome back," Ordona said behind me. I turned to face her as she continued speaking. "Before you go to the princess, seek a nearby kindred spirit for help. May the Goddesses bless you on your journey." She then vanished.

It was strange to be back in Hyrule again, especially when everything looked so different. I stepped out of the shallow water and started for Link's house. It was probably likely that he was there, as the winter weather must make travelling hard. I hadn't gotten to talk with him much before and I had to admit that I didn't know what to say. As I came to the clearing in front of his house, a thin layer of snow crunched lightly under my feet. It was a good thing I was still dressed for winter weather. Climbing up the short ladder to his house was hard, the pack on my back pulling me backwards. I reached for the top, my grip slipped, and I found myself teetering backwards. Then a hand grabbed mine.

"I got you," Link said. We both grunted as he pulled me up. "Now here's a face I thought I'd never see again. Hello Tyler."

I smiled and nodded. "Hello Link."

"Come in out of the cold." He led me into his house, which hadn't changed from my last visit those months ago, except for the fire he had going. He took off the thick cloak he was wearing. "I was just about to go see if I could help with milking the goats, but it seems that something more important is happening."

"Well that's hard to say," I replied. It was still so odd to hear Link speak. I was having a hard time getting used to it.

"Well you look like you're ready for a fight," he said with a nod in my direction as he went to pull out a chair from the table.

"Ah, these," I said as I pulled off the bow. "You never know. It's good to be prepared."

"True. But I've never seen a bow like that before."

I grunted as I heaved off my pack. "It's a compound bow. When it's fully drawn, the stress is put on the wheels, so I don't have to spend my strength keeping it drawn."

"Interesting. I bet the gorons would love to have a look at it."

"Are they the ones that made your crossbow?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh that? Yes actually. They worked together with a weapon smith and made it almost a year ago. They asked me to test it out. I was still using it when a zora showed up at Castle Town saying that the knight in green had returned and was headed for the Twilight Realm."

I had unbuckled the Master Sword and set it to lean against the table before I sat down. "That must of caused some confusion since they think that you're the knight in green."

Link nodded. "Few people know the truth. Or used to, I should say. Rumors started going around after you came through last time. Some believe that we're one and the same. Others believe that we're separate. Some just accept it as a mystery of a hero."

I chuckled. "Well it's better than what I was getting at home. People giving me weird looks, whispering about am I a criminal or not-"

"Criminal?" Like asked, slightly alarmed.

"In my world, it's illegal to take the law into your own hands, especially when it's something big like an invasion," I explained. "I had to do some community service for being vigilante."

Link's face scrunched up in thought before he sighed. "If your world punishes heroes, then it is truly backwards."

"Oh you can be a hero. You just have to do it in the right manner with the right authority."

Link shook his head. "I don't think I'd understand your world."

I shrugged. "There are times that I don't understand it either."

"So what are you doing here this time?" Link asked, gesturing to my weapons.

I held up my hand. "I'm needed. But I don't think it's here in Hyrule. I think I'm needed in the Twilight Realm."

"There?" His face turned thoughtful. "Well, there has been no communication between our worlds, so it's possible that they need you."

I nodded. "I don't plan to take the Master Sword with me, though."

Link looked confused. "Why not? It's your weapon."

I shook my head. "No it isn't. I'm just borrowing it. I know there will be other heroes that will have need of it in the future. It's best that I put it back in the forest where it belongs."

Link thought for a moment before nodding. "I suppose. You can leave it here and I'll return it so that you can go on without wasting time."

I frowned a little. "I don't know. The Master Sword can only be drawn by the chosen one of the goddesses if I remember right."

"Well, let me try."

Link stood, and I held the sword out to him. He gripped the hilt in his right hand, to my surprise, and pulled. For a moment, it didn't budge. Then with a soft click of metal on metal, it slid free.

"Huh," I said with a note of interest. "What do you know."

"We may have more in common than you think," Link said with a smile before sheathing it. "But I'm not sure how I feel about you going into a battle with just a bow. And one that's exposed to the elements at that."

"I've got nowhere else to put it. It won't fit in my pack," I defended.

"I can help with that." He put the Master Sword down on the table. "Come with me."

I stood and followed Link as he went down into his basement. He lit a lantern and I saw that he still had the things from my first adventure, minus the ones I had 'borrowed' on my last visit. The only difference was that the Zora Armor was on its stand.

As if reading my thoughts, Link said, "You were very considerate in helping yourself when you came last."

I smiled sheepishly. "Well, I didn't have a whole lot to use then either, but I didn't want to take too much."

"Well, most of it is yours anyway. I can certainly let you have some of it. Let's start with a bigger quiver." He got the medium quiver down off a shelf. "You'll forgive me for not giving you the biggest quiver, but I find myself using the crossbow often and I go through arrows fast."

"It's okay. I don't know if I'll use a lot of arrows anyway."

"I see." He looked over the shelves again. "And bombs are always useful. Are you planning on going swimming again?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Then you can have the underwater bombs. I can always get more if I need to." He pulled a bag down that had a handwritten tag on one of the strings. "Let's see..." He then went to a corner and got a satchel, then slipped the bomb bag in and tied the quiver on the outside. "Oh, a clawshot. I don't use both at the same time much anymore." He added that to the bag as well. "Some money, and I think you'll be fine."

"But Link-"

"No arguments," he said with a smile. "I have more money than I know what to do with. You have none. Well, at least none of Hyrule. And even if you're going to the Twilight Realm, it should be worth something." He went to the chest I hadn't touched last time and opened it, dazzling me with an array of colorful gems.

I was taken aback by Link's generosity. "Wow. Thanks."

"Like I said, I feel like these things are yours as much as they are mine." He chuckled, then put a the large wallet in the satchel, which shouldn't have held everything he had added.

"Wait. How did...?"

Link held it up. "Magic bag. It holds as much as you need. I had one passed down to me through my family. Basically all I had to remember my parents by, besides this house. I got another one recently from the princess, so you can have it. It will make traveling much easier."

I nodded, then felt sad for a moment. "Sorry about your parents. What happened to them?"

Link's cheer faded a little. "They died from illness when I was young. Rusl and the rest of the village raised me. When I was twelve, I moved in here and took over what remained of my parents' things." He then smiled again. "But I was never lonely. I had the whole village as my friend." I smiled and nodded as he went to the ladder out of the basement. "Don't think about taking any of the bottles. You already have two and they're too useful to let go."

I really only had one, but it wasn't worth correcting him over. I chuckled and turned to go, only taking two steps before a voice stopped me.

"Wait."

I stopped where I was, looking around. Had I imagined hearing it? I moved to leave again.

"Please, don't go."

There was no imagining it this time. It had been a feminine voice, a bit high and airy. I turned around, looking around the basement. "Who's there?"

"It is I. The fairy of winds."

A rattling drew my attention to the shelf where the Gale Boomerang lay. I walked over and looked at it. "You're still in there?"

The voice came again, this time without the rattling. "Yes. I am the source of the wind powers of the boomerang. I have slept since I was found in the temple, but I can still feel that my powers have not been used in some time. Please, take me with you."

I bit my lip as I thought for a moment. "Well, I don't see why not."

"Good." The boomerang flipped off the shelf and I reached out to catch it. "It will be good to be moving again."

I came up the ladder from the basement to see Link looking through my pack. "You have some interesting food here; the only thing I recognize is jerky. I assume it travels well?"

"Yes." Apparently he hadn't heard the conversation downstairs, and the fairy was now quiet.

"Oh, you want to take the boomerang with you?" Link said when he noticed it in my hand. "Go ahead. I don't use it much anymore."

The boomerang vibrated in my hand, but didn't say anything. "Thanks," I said somewhat lamely.

"Here, put it in the bag. If you keep your weapons in here, then you'll be able to get them out faster than if you keep them in your travel pack. I put your masks and that bottle of tears in here already."

I went over and put the boomerang in, feeling a little reluctant to do so. "So, how do you get things out?"

"Just think of what you want, and it will be the first thing to touch your hand," Link replied as he closed it. "If you don't know what you're looking for, you'll end up feeling your way through everything."

I pulled the small quiver out of my pack and set it aside since I didn't need it anymore, then Link and I figured out how to fit my bow into the medium quiver so that it stayed safe and dry. "There you go. Now you'll be carrying a bit less."

"Thanks a lot Link," I said as I put the satchel on to try it out. It felt like it had things in it, but it didn't weigh anything. "Wow, that's cool."

"Cool?" Link asked in confusion.

"Never mind." I then looked a little more serious. "You've helped a lot already, but I need to ask one more favor."

"What is it?" Link asked.

"I need to speak with Princess Zelda."

The Hylian's brow furrowed. "Are things in the Twilight Realm that bad?"

"I don't know," I replied. "But Zelda is probably the only one that can get me there." It was then that I had another question. "How did you two get there?"

"Zelda used her magic to create a shield of air around herself and followed me into the lake temple as I swam in the Zora armor," Link explained. "Then she used her magic to let us through. You want her to do that again?"

I nodded. "Yes, but she doesn't have to come with me." I paused, feeling anxious again. "Can we leave soon? If something's wrong, I don't want to waste time."

Link sighed and looked out the window. "It's a bad time to be traveling. Though it snowed a couple days ago, so it probably won't snow again for a while."

"Well that's good."

"Yes, but it's well into the afternoon, and it takes more than half a winter's day to get to Castle Town. And we don't want to be out in the cold at night."

"So you're saying we should wait for tomorrow."

Link nodded. "Yes. I understand that you want to make sure everything is okay, but we shouldn't be reckless."

I sighed and nodded too. "Yeah."

Link put his hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry Tyler. It will be okay. While we wait for tomorrow, you can tell me what's happened since we last met."

So we passed the afternoon by talking about what had happened over the last nine months or so. I told him about continuing my education, which Link found interesting, mostly in the way that our society valued education so highly. He told me what he had been doing as well. After testing the crossbow, he was allowed to keep it, and was using it more than a sword these days. He ran errands for the Princess, went exploring every now and again, and helped Ordon Village when he came home.

"Not as exciting as your adventures of course, but I'm happy," Link said. "You must be glad to be on an adventure again."

I nodded. "Yes. It's good to be traveling again."

"Are you going to return home to your education when you're done?"

I opened my mouth to answer 'yes', but something stopped me. "Maybe..."

"You're not sure?" Link asked, raising an eyebrow.

I rested my chin on my hands. "No. Now that I stop and think about it, I'm not sure what I want."

"I see." After a moment, Link said, "I don't have much advice for you except to say that all adventures must end eventually and to follow your heart."

I nodded, but the advice didn't feel very helpful. I hadn't believed in following my heart since I was a kid.

Link stood and stretched. "Well, it's time for supper, then bed since we want to leave soon after the sun rises."

We ended up having a meal of bread and stew. The stew was thick with meat and vegetables and warmed me from the inside out. It may have been fairly simple, but it was certainly effective at warding off winter's chill.

Link offered to let me use his bed for the night and that he would sleep in his old hammock that he had stored away. I took the offer since I never could get very comfortable in hammocks. As I lay in bed, everything felt strange. I was in Hyrule again, planning on going to the Twilight Realm. This time I was doing everything alone. Even with people helping me along my way, I felt alone. I rolled over and tried to dismiss the feeling as I fell asleep.