AN: Woo! Another chapter, one that is sending this story into full blown "epic things are gonna happen from now on" chapter! I won't make this AN long (I actually can't think of anything to say really) so you guys can just read and stuff. I think this chapter is pretty good; I hope you guys like it. Let me know of any weird errors; thanks!

Reviews and comments welcome! rants and things no thanks.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Zelda :/

Rated T for Teen *Titans


Elation. Relief. Thankfulness. And a small, small tinge of guilt that flowed through Link's veins as he and Zelda sat at the foot of the bed. He had been dreaming of this moment, and dreading it. Coming back to her. No doubt she would start asking him questions, questions that would force him to give answers filled with guilt about why he left. Selfish, foolish, desperate reasons, Link thought.

The Princess of Hyrule slowly pushed the Hero of Time's cloak from his shoulders, revealing the dried blood on Link's right shoulder. Zelda frowned, and Link looked away, gluing his eyes to his feet. Link could feel his face becoming warm.

Zelda was more beautiful than Link imagined her to be; long, wavy golden hair, violet eyes, the kind smile, her now mature and composed voice. Her body wasn't bad either - a slight hourglass figure through her dress was all he could gather, but really, Link thought, he didn't care that much. They were adults now - not the young kids and teenagers they were those years ago, so something must have changed, physically anyway.

"What happened?" she asked, resting a hand on his shoulder lightly.

"I… got in a fight." He answered, and she giggled before sighing. Goddesses, he sounded lame. Talking to the princess always made him feel like an idiot - her incredible wisdom and flair made his raised-in-a-forest-by-children complex seem immature and ridiculous. When they were young, in those brief times that they interacted, Link remembered that he would make an effort to speak less to her, and simply listen instead. Obviously, this wasn't the case anymore, yet he still got that slight twinge that he had no idea what he was talking about when he spoke with her. His slight childhood crush on the princess was rising up again, making him a bumpkin in front of her. Fantastic.

"Of course. No wonder you ended up in the castle." There was another tense silence, one that Link didn't make an effort to break. Then, Zelda spoke, asking the question Link really wished she wouldn't ask.

"Why did you leave?"

Link exhaled. In the back of his mind, he had been expecting that question, ever since those fourteen years ago. When he returned to Hyrule, the same question kept nagging him again. "... It's complicated." He finalized, and Zelda smiled, though he could tell she wasn't satisfied. Not satisfied, Link thought. Really something he could expect from the princess.

"Try me."

Link licked his lips nervously before speaking. "…I tried to find Navi again. I couldn't find her after Termina."

"Termina?" Zelda leaned closer to him, eyes bright.

Link smiled slightly at her fascination before continuing. "Yes. That's – completely different – but anyway, after Termina, I wandered farther and farther from Hyrule with just Epona."

"Epona? That horse of yours, correct? From Lon Lon?" Zelda spoke up as Link nodded slightly as an answer. He could see her face glow red slightly as she shifted in her spot before speaking again. "I'm sorry - it's so much like me to interrupt like that."

"It's fine." he murmured. He really thought it was fine - he liked her voice, he thought before starting his story up again. "... I almost didn't want to return; too much had happened here. So I left. Zelda, outside of the country – it's incredible. Mountainous, beautiful mountain lakes and rivers, flourishing villages and trading posts – it's simply wild; there is no true kingdom out there. So, for fourteen years, I was in that area, visiting villages, exploring places that no one had gone – I had forgotten about Hyrule, about Navi, about everyone… Then I just figured out that I was running from Hyrule, but it wasn't like I could." He inwardly grimaced at how sappy that had sounded, but pressed on. "…So, I came back." He finished lamely, as Zelda stayed silent.

Zelda shifted in her spot, exhaling. "Did you like it? The mountains?"

"…Yes." Link murmured, and heard Zelda heavily sigh again. Was she cross with him? That's understandable, Link bitterly thought. I would be.

Another stiff silence enveloped the two, and Link couldn't hold in the question anymore.

"Are you mad at me?" he said. He could feel a barb in his tone, which made him hope Zelda didn't pick it up. Zelda glanced at him quickly, yet looked straight ahead again, seeming to look at the tapestry on the far wall.

"…Not particularly. Just," she paused for a moment before continuing, chewing her lip. "I wish you didn't leave. When Ganondorf was exiled in the Sacred Realm, I… I was 16, I believe. And he just fixed me with this furious look before he disappeared, as if he was going to come back. As if he knew what had happened during his... rule that didn't exist then. It worried me, so much. That's when I started begging the goddesses to bring you home." Zelda pursed her lips and clasped her hands. "Maybe it was just dumb luck you came home."

Link didn't know how to respond to that hidden sting. He decided to say nothing, and another silence hung in the air. He thought they would have been more talkative, but apparently not. Zelda eventually, hesitantly brought a hand to Link's face, tracing the scar near his right eye with her index finger.

"Where is this from?" Link smiled, grasping her hand and pulling it from his face.

"Wolf attack."

"Wolf? Not wolfos?"

"No; these wolves aren't mutants. No battle strategy, just a charge tactic. They're more unpredictable than wolfos."

Zelda nodded. "More dangerous, due to the wild nature?"

Link smiled. "Exactly."

Zelda looked sharply up at him again, and spoke in a slightly urgent tone. "Link; where is the Ocarina of Time?"

Without missing a beat, Link smoothly answered, a small smile gracing his face. "With Epona, in the side pouch. Don't worry," he added as Zelda opened her mouth to retort, brows slightly furrowed. "It'll be fine. Epona will run if she senses anything off, and with her, the ocarina."

Zelda nodded slowly, looking more relaxed, with another pause following her. This time, Link couldn't help but notice Zelda's right hand. Where her Triforce normally was, there was now just a blackened smudge, like ash was plastered onto the back of her hand. Zelda must have noticed him staring, and simply said, "He took it.", before hiding it in the folds of her cloak. Link frowned.

"I'm sorry."

Zelda smiled sadly. "It's fine." She nodded in the direction of his hand. "Yours…"

Link brought his hand up. The Triforce was grey, yet not blackened, like Zelda's. He shrugged. "It may be dead. Or weak."

"I've never seen anything like it."

"I think the only reason Ganondorf didn't kill me was because he still needs my Triforce. If mine was fine, I'm sure he would have taken it and slaughtered me where I stood."

"Don't say that." Zelda said harshly, grabbing Link's hand and squeezing it. Link winced – she had grabbed the hand that Impa cut. Zelda seemed to notice, and quickly let go, scooting farther from Link. "I'm sorry. Your hand." Link rubbed at it, grazing the long cut with a finger.

"It doesn't hurt that bad. It wouldn't have happened if that man didn't take my gloves, for whatever reason."

There was a pause before Zelda chirped, "Maybe he really likes gloves."

A shout of brief laughter escaped Link's lips, and Zelda began to giggle. For whatever reason, the small comment had sent both of them into innocent laughter, every few seconds one shushing the other or shaking with stifled giggles. Link fell back on the bed with Zelda, both lost in an odd fit of laughter. As they both calmed down, Link felt his heart beat slow as he looked at Zelda. Her eyes were such a vivid violet, and almost glassy, to the point where he could almost see his reflection in them. Link's heart instantly picked up again, and he murmured,

"Your eyes." Zelda's eyebrows furrowed, and her lips turned pursed.

"What about my eyes?" she whispered, as if someone was standing outside the door right at that moment.

"They're so… indescribable." Link impressed himself with his vocabulary, and Zelda looked amused, as she whispered again,

"Why are they indescribable?"

"They simply are." Zelda's amused expressions didn't change, and barely differed at all when Link pulled her close, their faces inches apart.

Link moved his head slightly, and their lips slowly, yet surely, touched.

It seemed fitting, that their first kiss was on the day where Ganondorf returned, vowing to destroy the world. The kiss was such an innocent thing; there wasn't a princess and an ex-hero, just two people. Two people who momentarily forgot about the outside world, and the threat that was just outside the front door, ready to tear Hyrule apart.

After what felt like years, they parted slowly, before bringing each-other even closer, both letting out small sighs. Zelda quietly whispered,

"Thank you. For coming back."

Link smiled slightly at that. He was glad, glad that Zelda wanted him back.

He felt a little better.

Link sat up on the bed, and gently stroked Zelda's hair. "I'm glad to have come back, Zelda."

He saw her gentle, happy smile as she closed her eyes, her hand grasping his.


Link stayed awake after Zelda fell asleep. It was very late, early morning now. The candle that had been lit from - what it felt like - hours ago, had gone out, and the chamber was plunged into a murky darkness with a slight chill, the moon lighting the room with a somber glow. Link was tired, and his shoulder had started to hurt again. He had expected the stab wound to hurt much more than it was, yet there was only a slight twinging, now rising to a throb. He was tempted to close his eyes and sleep – but he couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. His insomnia from over the years was creeping back up again.

He slowly shifted, bringing his arm out from Zelda's firm grasp on it, who turned over and mumbled incoherently, brow furrowing. His shoulder was a pain to move; he didn't even try stretching it out as he got up from the bed, grabbing his cloak that had been laying forgotten at the foot of the bed. He slowly put it on, hissing as he was forced to move his shoulder, then bringing the hood up over his head, quickly ruffling his hair. He needed to leave – he couldn't stay in the castle forever. Not while Ganondorf was inside, still thinking he was wasting away in the dungeons. If Link was still here when Ganondorf discovered the empty cell, no doubt he would check Zelda's chambers first, then find Link there, and kill everyone inside.

No. He obviously could not let that happen.

Link cursed as he looked around the room for a possible spare weapon. He shouldn't have left that dagger with Impa - no doubt would she have had more under that cloak of hers.

He was having half a mind to look in Zelda's chest of drawers for some hidden weapon when a voice came from the dark corner of the room, making Link nearly leap out of his skin.

"Looking for something?"

Impa was sitting in a rocking chair in the corner. Link could tell she was wearing an amused look, even in the dark.

"You need that dagger, don't you? No need for that." she threw an object at Link, who swiftly caught it. A sword. His sword. Link quickly pulled it from the sheath, checking the blade, before sliding it back in.

"How did you get this?" he strode toward Impa, who stood.

"Weapons room. That lackey of Ganondorf's must have thrown it in there. I picked the lock and grabbed it. It was the only one with a ornante sheath like that, so I thought..." Link felt like he could have kissed Impa.

"Thank you Impa... goddesses..." Impa crossed her arms, a stern look appearing on her face.

"Now, Link," she reached over, grabbing the burnt-out candle from the table and lighting it with a match sitting next to it. Her face was illuminated in a warm, small light, yet her expression was cold. "I'm assuming you did the chivalrous thing and didn't take advantage of Zelda." Link felt his face grow hot, yet shook his head vigorously.

"N-no, Impa - we did nothing of the sort. She simply fell asleep and... I couldn't." A smile formed on Impa's sharp features.

"Just making sure. So..." Impa sighed, looking out the large window from across the room. Link followed her gaze, seeing the bright moon over the fields of Hyrule. The snow had stopped falling; there was only a wind - it's howling could be heard from inside. "When Ganondorf escaped two nights ago, Rauru - he contacted the six sages - including Zelda. It awakened their memories of you and your journey those years ago, the causes behind it as well. All took immediate action - it's amazing how much they have achieved in these few hours, especially how fast Ganondorf had gained control of Hyrule Castle. Many hid away and are prepared - the Gerudo and Goron tribes have gone on full offense and defense. The Zoras are hidden deep in their domain, and the Kokiri - Link, I have no idea what is happening there..."

Link's heart stopped briefly. Kokiri Village. There was no reply to Impa from Saria... Saria... his friend from all those years ago. And what of Mido, the annoying, yet silly brat who had bullied him for years? He swallowed, fighting down concern.

"No word from the Kokiri Village? At all?" Impa shook her head, looking at Link.

"None."

"And the Gerudo?" Link changed the subject, not wanting to press the news of Kokiri Village. "They're not with Ganondorf?" Impa smirked, chuckling.

"Nabooru suggested to them otherwise with that colorful language of hers. They're prepared." Link nodded, feeling relieved. The Gerudos were a formidable force; one he would not like to have supporting Ganondorf.

"That... wow. We sound... safe." Impa sighed, a loud sigh.

"Link, it hurts me to call upon you again. To ask for your help again as the Hero of Time. To defeat to King of Evil, and reclaim the Master Sword. To save Hyrule again." Her voice was solemn, yet felt like something out of a decorated speech that could be heard throughout the kingdom, not in the princess's room while Hyrule was beginning to crumble under a tyrannical hand.

Link was waiting for Impa to proclaim that. To retire from 'ex-hero' to hero again. Part of him wanted to say no, they should deal with it. Most of him screamed to say yes, save the world Link!

He let out a breath, before quietly saying, "I'll do it. How do I retrieve the Master Sword?" Impa shook her head as a reply. Great, he thought. No square one at all.

"I do suggest you check on the different tribes across Hyrule. Make sure everyone is alright - safety is key this time around." Link smiled grimly as he hooked his sheath to his belt at his side.

"It's definitely not my first rodeo, Impa."

Impa gave a snort. "Of course it isn't Link. Now," she pointed at the large window. "I suggest you escape that way. There is are vines underneath the balcony, minimal guards. Zelda and I don't dare escape that way - it's too dangerous for her."

"She was Sheik, Impa."

"She isn't now."

A frosty silence enveloped them, and Link stared at Impa. Impa stared back. After a few seconds, Link broke the eye contact, striding toward the window-door leading to the balcony. He grasped the decorative handle of the door, feeling the cold seep through his skin. He looked back at Impa, who had grabbed the candle and was now standing near the bed, where Zelda was sprawled out. Link opened the door as he turned away, where a blast of cold, unforgiving air hit him, picking up snow around his feet.

He didn't look back at Zelda and Impa as he closed the flimsy glass door behind him.


No guards my ass, Link thought.

He was currently crouching behind a bush, legs slowly growing numb as he looked around the grounds for a vantage point around the clump of guards congregating. They were all in the middle of the snow-packed dirt path leading from the castle. And they had also started a fire.

Link almost screamed in frustration as he shifted in his spot. There was a tree he could hide behind, about thirty feet away. He could sprint to that tree, but he would risk being seen. Not that the guards around Hyrule Castle were good. Even if they were controlled by Ganondorf, Link doubted that their skills would improve in terms of catching intruders.

He decided to take the risk, and sprinted to the tree, almost falling flat on his face in the process, diving behind the tree. When he was young, and much lighter, he could practically skip over snow. Now, he sunk like a dead weight, stumbling every few feet.

Link was incredibly close to the group of guards behind his tree, so close he could hear their muddled conversations.

"... what the hell are we, uh... supposed to do? Uh..."

"Guys, aren't we supposed to be guarding... something?"

"What kind 'of job is this? Standin' here... freezing our asses off..."

Their conversations were so discombobulated, Link wondered if Ganondorf's possession, or mind control had messed with them. It certainly seemed like it, as most of them were stumbling around, tripping over discarded crossbows and swords. Link stood up straight, and prepared to dash for the main gate that would open up to Castletown farther down the trail. He could tell that the gate was wide open, and Link couldn't help but wonder why Ganondorf was so lenient of idiot town citizens wandering into the castle grounds. To control some more people. Link bitterly came up with an answer.

Taking a deep breath, Link paused, then ran for it.

It would have gone well, if he hadn't collided with a guard walking toward the main group once he got to the snowy dirt path.

The man instantly went down as Link tumbled, nearly knocking the wind out of himself with a heavy landing on the packed down snow. There were shouts around him, and footsteps drawing closer. Link struggled up, and saw a mass of guards coming toward him, some drawing swords, others loading crossbows. An instant later, an arrow came down, quivering near Link's foot.

Link ran, opting for flight instead of fight. He could hear the whistling of arrows passing over and to the side of his head as he passed under the main gates. It was as if the guards were trained to kill on sight; they were puppets, their only use was strength in numbers. Link looked back slightly - there was a mass of guards, shouting after him, continuing to fire arrows. Link picked up the pace, lengthening out his strides.

Link soon made it to the main square, stumbling from the snow and slick ice. He almost stopped breathing in shock of what he saw in the square. Bodies. Many bodies.

They had been left in the square, sprawled out everywhere. Blood splatters were still visible in the dim light of the moon, now slightly faded or congealing from the cold. Link thought that there must of been a riot; one that ended in slaughter, the kind that made bile rise up in Link's throat. He saw two Goron bodies, multiple citizens and a small, small figure, curled near the base of the fountain. Motionless. Link's heart broke, followed by an anger that roared in his ears. He had half a mind to turn around and slay every single individual that tried to attack him, to rip their bodies apart -

No. He couldn't go into a flying rage. Link hesitantly turned and kept running, lifting his foot just as an arrow came down in the same spot. He forced himself to not look back at the small body near the fountain. Link skidded into the stables, grabbing Epona from her spot and quickly yanked her out into the open. The main entrance drawbridge was wide open, most likely for the stable guard was fast asleep, unaware of what was happening around him.

Link mounted Epona, and spurred her out into Hyrule Field, leaving the group of guards far behind.


Annnd... cut! Gah, I was seriously considering an ending where Link went Hulk and decided to kill people (as you can tell), but I felt like that would just ruin everyone's thoughts about him (I mean, he is acting like an angsty individual but... I mean..) So, R&R and bubye!