A/N: [: Thank you to Thearux for reviewing. I would have sent you a PM, but I did not know for sure if the name you used to review with was your actual FF pen name. I really liked reading your review, and I am sorry you do not like Groose o; He won't be a HUGE character; I hope that makes you feel better c: Once again, I am extremely thrilled that you and others have reviewed and alerted. No one can stop these feelings of joy. 8D [/Heart]

All the younger children, save for Colin, lied in the back of the shaded wagon, curled up next to Groose; they'd all fallen asleep the moment Epona began to ease them on the soothing hills of Hyrule. Link didn't blame them, he wanted to lay his head down, too. Fortunately, both Colin and Ilia were awake and gave him good company; however, as the younger blond boy rested his head on Ilia's shoulder he gave the impression that he was about to doze off.

"Are we almost there?" The young blond asked, his voice sleepy.

Ilia smiled, smoothing the hair away from his droopy eyes. "You can't be ready to head home yet. It's so pretty here."

Colin covered his mouth as he yawned, and then slouched against the wooden seat. "I guess, but there aren't any happy memories on this field."

That was understandable and Link sympathized, considering the few times Colin was on this field was when he'd been captured by King Bublin.

Link reached over and ruffled the hair of the younger boy. Ilia scowled at the hero's gesture and thumped his hand away. "You're safe now, sweetie." Ilia resumed to tame the child's hair. "No need to feel unease."

"I know." Colin squeezed the wooden sword in his lap. "I know." He repeated, if only to assure himself.

The sun had pushed itself further into the sky when the Ordonian group finally arrived at Castle Town, settlng themselves just before its bridge. Colin had taken full rest against Ilia's side, who sat with her cheek planted on the knees she had pulled to her chest. Link felt a layer of loneliness dawn on him as he stared at the sleeping pair; yet, this provided him with an opportunity to think.

"We're here?"

To say the hero was a little more than bothered by the fact that Groose had ruined his quiet was an understatement. The bigger of the men, Groose, grabbed a fist full of Link's blond hair and pulled him back so that his ear was adjacent to the redhead's mouth. Struggle as he might have to break away, Link could not release himself, not unless he wanted a bald spot at the back of his skull.

"We're here." The hero confirmed through gritted teeth and eyes squeezed shut as Groose tightened his hold. "What of it?"

"Where is Princess Zelda?"

"They aren't here—"

"Useless," Groose freed Link, not so gently, and stomped to the back of the wagon where he jumped to the ground. "I'll go and get her myself. I knew I couldn't expect you to be a man and properly lead the lady to the village."

Link rubbed the tender area of his scalp. He did not make a retort in reply to Groose because he did not wish to receive anymore of the other man's brute force. Of course, Link was the more powerful of the two, but he did not like to use strength on anyone he was bonded to; it'd make him feel guilty.

As Groose stalked away from the wagon and toward the entrance of Town, Link looked to Ilia and found her eyes open. She gently took Colin, who leaned on her side, and eased his sleeping form to the wooden seat. Link made room for her as she came to sit on the other side of him. Her gentle fingers took the place of his at the back of his head.

"I'm sorry." Ilia heard herself say and watched Link shrugged in response. "He doesn't treat you right, I know, but you don't have to put up with it."

"I do—"

The way her facial features hardened like a rock made the hero cut his sentence; Ilia soon filled the silence with her voice. "No, you don't. The past you two share does not oblige you to him in any way."

Link shook his head, indicating that the topic wasn't going to be continued. They'd had this conversation before and it was a tough one for the hero to discuss, so he usually didn't. From behind his head, Ilia brought her hand from out Link's golden locks and caressed his cheek.

"Alright, we don't have to talk about it, but I have something else I want to talk to you about." That was what she usually said after the hero closed that topic; although, the last bit surprised him.

Link shut his eyes and laced his fingers with the ones Ilia had on his face. "What is it?"

The mayor's daughter bit her lip and looked to her lap. A quiet moment passed before she was able to gather some courage and meet Link's clear, blue gaze. She was scared to know the answer to the question she was about to ask. "How much is going to change between us once the princess is in Ordon?"

"A lot." There was not any hesitation when Link next spoke. To him, the answer should have been obvious; however, Ilia was not expecting those quick words. She'd been hoping he'd say something like they'd manage to continue their progressing relationship, but no.

"You seem pretty sure about it." Ilia slightly narrowed her eyes. "Why?" Did he have intentions to fall for the princess instead? The thought broke the girl's heart; she couldn't even fathom what would she'd do.

Link sighed, taking Ilia's hand from his face and placing their joined hands in her lap. "It won't necessarily change, but I think it'll be different."

"You don't know that. We could try—"

"I don't want to try." It pained him to say because he did want to try at a romantic relationship with Ilia, but not with the princess around.

In the past, Link and Zelda always had speculated whether something beyond friendship was destined for them. However, due to their responsibilities after their legendary journeys, the two never had the opportunity to find out. Now they had a chance to uncover their true relationship since the princess would be staying in Ordon awhile. Even though Link felt strongly that he and Zelda would remain as friends, the hero still desired to go through the process of defining their relationship. That way he'd have no doubts as to whether he could or couldn't move on with Ilia.

He felt selfish for thinking this way, but he didn't want to hurt anyone. Although by the look of Ilia's face he knew he was already failing. Tears began to slip from her eyes, and as he lowered his gaze he watched the salty droplets land on their entwined fingers. Link gave her hand a squeeze, but she yanked her palm away and glared at him.

"How can you say that after..." her voice faded when her eyes drifted to Colin, stirring in his sleep. "After last night?" She continued more quietly.

Link eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?" Ilia's eyes widened for a moment, shock forming on her delicate features. Did he know what she was referring to? The hero felt somewhat bad for playing dumb, so he went on. "Don't make that face at me. You hurt me, too." A lump had formed in the hero's throat as well as Ilia's. "You said that we should forget about what happened. That is what I'm trying to do because that's what you said you wanted."

"I know." Ilia covered one hand with the other and she placed them both over her throbbing heart. "I know. I know what I said." With that, she slipped off the wagon and climbed into the back with the sleeping children.

From afar, Castle Town's gates opened. Link turned his head to see two shadowed figures expose themselves to the sun's early light. Among the pair, Link could see Groose marching strongly alongside Zelda, who was dressed in peasant clothes instead of her royal attire. The princess appeared rather bored, even though she attempted to look interested, as she listened to the redhead prattle. Upon locking gazes with Link, though, the princess's stature changed drastically.

Princess Zelda was running like a young girl in a wide field of flowers. She rounded the wagon before climbing up and wrapping her arms around the hero. She confessed that she'd missed Link tremendously and she had experienced many dreams of their future adventures. She couldn't wait to share, in private of course.

Groose gently pried the princess off Link and stared disapprovingly. "Princess—"

Zelda shook her head with a frown and placed a finger to Groose's lips. At those actions, the redhead nearly fell over, overwhelmed with passionate emotions. "I have been exiled from my kingdom and because of that my title has also been stripped from me." She smiled warmly at him. "So for now, I am just Zelda. Can you do that for me, Groose?" Zelda seemed to be aware of the charm she cast on Groose, for she batted her eyes and smiled ever so sweetly.

Groose nodded like an idiot and roughly roused Colin up from sleep. "Make room, shrimp." He grumbled.

With sleepy eyes, the young blond boy scooted himself closer to Link as to provide extra space for both Princess Zelda and a drooling Groose.

Once everyone was settled, Link got the wagon going back to Ordon. By time they were halfway there, the children in the back had woken and were instantly throwing questions at the princess. However, one person remained in the back; noticing the lone figure, Link frowned as he heard them sniffling and attempt to mask their sobs as coughs.

For the rest of the ride home, Link prayed to the Goddesses for forgiveness. He hoped that his plans were for the best for both him and Ilia.