AN: This is quite an important author's note so I hope you please read it!

You probably all thought that I had abandoned this fic as it has been ages since I last posted a new chapter. That is definitely not the case. When I was perusing my earlier chapters, I couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated at the language I used and at the way a few scenes were described. This feeling had been within me for quite some time and I decided to do something about it. That was about six months ago. Since then, I have been placing all of my efforts into updating this story and the chapters. I have, so far, left chapter 10 the way it was but (and this is worth noticing) I changed a part of chapter 9 and the journey to the castle. Colin and Link now pass through Kakariko on the way to the Castle and wind their way back east over Hyrule Field to the western entrance of the castle. I decided to have them pass through the village because I wanted to do a scene with Malo and explore the relationship between the Shaman and Telma a bit more (because it is just so darn cute!).

I also managed to get my hands on Twilight Princess again and am playing it for the second time and honestly loving every minute of it! Strangely enough, I had the most trouble in the water and ice temple, despite them being my favourite. My favourite part of the game would most definitely be Link's meeting with Zelda (no really? Lol) or Queen Rutela's appearance in Kakariko Village. That was just so beautiful. And seriously, those monkeys are the most hilariously awesome thing ever.

Anyways, enough of my rambling, onto the story!

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He had forgotten how busy the castle was.

People bustled everywhere. Markets were set up along the various levels of the city with every imaginable item, spice or animal being sold. The bleats of goats filled his ears, mingling strangely with the clear chime of small bells. Women, old and young called from their stalls, glancing occasionally at the stocky forms of their husbands and brothers who stood guard. Children weaved in between the adults, their ragged clothes hanging off their bodies. Women shouldered strangers out of the way, large pots and vases clasped securely in their hands.

Walking slowly through the ever-moving crowd, he glanced at his arm as an elbow collided with it. The laugh of a man filled his ears and he tried to peer over the heads of the crowd to see to the end of the lane. A small hand gripped onto his sleeve and he looked behind him at Colin who was peering around nervously. Beth was standing close to him, her face red with the afternoon sun and a large smile spread across her face. Colin pulled her closer to him as a man glanced at her appreciatively. He could see her avoiding eye contact with the man, a disgusted lining her face. He tried to suppress a grin at the new world she was being exposed to. It was no wonder that Telma had become the woman she was.

An old woman smiled as she displayed flowers to him and he avoided looked down at the small plants. They were slightly wilted in the afternoon sun but still held a rich, glorious colour to their petals.

As he had been looking over the stall, Colin and Beth pressed close to them, their excitement and anxiety mingling into a strange expression of anticipation. They were staring at him now and he heard Colin shout over the deafening noises, "Are you going to buy anything?"

Link looked at the stalls behind him as he answered, "Maybe. I don't have a lot of rupees. I didn't exactly plan ahead for this trip." The majority of his rupees had been used for Epona's rooming. He wouldn't be able to sleep tonight knowing that she was uncomfortable. He had yet to visit Malo's store and he had been serious about getting a new sword, his other one was blunt and dull. He wished he still had the Master Sword, he missed its weight in his hand or sheathed on his back.

Beth bit her lip as she spoke, "Mum gave me a few yellow rupees. How about I buy everyone something to eat?"

Shrugging, he tried not smile at the thought of something warm in his stomach. It had been so long since he had eaten a proper, well-prepared meal. As if his body recognized this, his legs began to throb uncomfortably, urging him to sit down. He nodded to the others and they walked towards the main centre. Passing Malo's new store, he made a note of the opening times and resolved to have a look inside the next day. The fountain of Hyrule Castle bubbled merrily in the setting sun. It was surrounded by a group of young girls who were speaking quickly to each other. An old beggar leaned against the side, a hat thrown on the ground for coins. It would only be a matter of time before the castle guards moved him or threw him in the dungeons. Passing him, he dropped a few green rupees into the hat of the man, smiling grimly at the exclamation of, "Thanks be to you, sir," that the beggar responded with.

Reaching the restaurant at the side of the clearing, he walked to the counter. A young girl was standing patiently, smiling welcomingly at their group. Beth cheerily placed their order and Link and Colin moved to table on the wooden platform outside. He couldn't help but overhear the conversation of the rich looking woman beside him as she talked to an even wealthier looking man, presumably her husband.

"Oh yes, did you hear about that young man?"

The old man adjusted his glasses on his swelling, red face, "What man? You can't expect me to know of every man in the castle."

"There's no need for you to be like that, dear. Anyways, he's quite handsome; he used to set up that hideous tent down at the south end of town. He ran that ridiculous challenge you always tried to bet on."

"Oh, that man. Yes, I heard about him. Got thrown in the dungeons didn't he?"

"Indeed. He was caught raising one of the platforms. It's no wonder that no one could reach the top for those rupees. Such disgraceful behaviour. It's such a wonder that such people are even allowed in civilised society."

"I'd have given him a lashing if it were me who caught him. Raising the platforms, what a scoundrel. Just think of how much money we lost!"

"Speaking of money, I heard another bit of news. Do you remember that wealthy man who disappeared? The one with the cat?"

"What about him?"

"Apparently he just reappeared, straight out of the blue! And stark, raving mad. He's been raving on about, can you believe it, my dear: Poe's!"

"What did you say? A Poe? What in the goddesses names is that?"

"Some sort of ghost thing. I'm not quite sure myself. Regardless, he's mad as that girl who collects the bugs. Such an odd sort we have lately."

Tuning out of their conversation, Link smiled at the news. He had always despised the apparently charming man that ran the challenge. He had always been so arrogant. And the girls who had stood outside gossiping had been just as infuriating. It had been a good day when he had managed to scare all of them out of their wits in his wolf form. It had been a highlight of his trip.

With the couples conversation a hum in the background, he focused on the castle. It was all so familiar to him: the yells, the laughter, and the constant patter of feet against cold, hard pavement. Even the smell of the air reminded him of darker times, the war which nearly consumed his life. Though when he considered it, the war hadn't nearly consumed his life, it had. He wouldn't still be reminiscing about it if it hadn't.

"Are you alright?" Said Colin as he gazed at Link.

Link shook his head to clear his thoughts, "I was just thinking."

"You spent a lot time here didn't you?"

"I spent most of my time in the wilds but…. This castle, I feel like I've never really left it. It's strange."

"Ilia said that she remembered you here, you know, after the whole amnesia thing. She said that you helped out Prince Ralis, by leading them from the castle to Kakariko."

"Hm, yes. I did. That was a dangerous trip."

"Why?"

Beth sat down as he spoke, "It was at the height of the war. The fields weren't as peaceful as when we crossed them, there were goblins everywhere, as well as creatures of the Twilight."

"What's the Twilight?"

Frowning, Link realised his slip up. Although they had known of a war, it must be odd for the citizens of the land not to know what the war was about. All that they knew of was that wild creatures were more aggressive then they ever had been, goblins roamed the plains like ants and sometimes, a darkness descended upon the land that choked all life. He answered slowly, "Did you ever feel like a blanket had descended, like the light couldn't penetrate it but you knew that the sun was in the distance, somewhere through the fog and the haze?"

Beth nodded, her eyes focused and her features serious. Colin nodded as well, his hair falling over his face as he did so.

Link continued, "That is the Twilight. That is what I was fighting."

They paused for a moment as the woman from the counter came over to the table. She smiled as she placed their glasses on the table and a few bowls of stew and rice. A jug of milk was placed in the centre.

As she left, Beth looked to Colin as she spoke quietly, "I know what you are talking of. In Kakariko, just before you came, there was something. I don't know how to explain it. We all felt it, some dark ominous presence that was patrolling outside our door. The air was thick and we could hardly see anything. I knew it was daytime but it felt as though… it felt as though the sun would never shine again, like it was choked by some force large enough to drain everything good and joyful from its rays."

Link nodded, "The twilight itself isn't evil or bad. It is the creatures inside it. They don't know what the sun is so they have no hope, no spirit that can rise above what is their life. I was told that those who inhabit the Twilight are exiles, sometimes, entire tribes that were flung from this world into the next as punishment. They grow resentful and bitter there."

"And this Princess Midna, did she help you fight it?" Asked Colin, his eyes glued to Link's face.

"Yes and no. She loved the Twilight, it was her home. She fought it from taking over our world but she didn't want to destroy it. In the end, that is where she went. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't reach her. She's in another world now."

Beth grasped his hand that was lying on the table, "I'm sorry Link, for all that you had to do."

He sighed, "Thank you," realizing that he upset his two travelling companions; he smiled wistfully, "It wasn't all bad though. It was beautiful at times and it really made you appreciate the light. Midna was always fun to travel with; she never backed down from a fight. I remember that if I was taking to long to get to where we needed to be, she would kick me in the side. She had some control issues." He laughed genuinely at the memory of her jumping up and down on his back and kicking his haunches like a horse when he would stop.

Colin grinned strangely, "She sounds… interesting."

"She was definitely interesting."

Beth cleared her throat, "So… what part did Princess Zelda play in all of this?"

Link sighed and looked down at his glass of milk, "You guys probably wouldn't have heard, Ordon is quite a closed off place and Rusl doesn't speak much of the outside world. He knows of what happened but so far, he hasn't really revealed much," he paused, "Princess Zelda rules this land, as you know, and when the castle was sieged, she was taken prisoner in the castle. Midna knew this so we travelled to meet her," he smiled softly to himself, "She was still strong, even after all that had been done to her and her people. She has the same… birthmark… as I do."

He rubbed the spot on his hand where it would be. His gloves were on but the mark felt exposed and visible to him, even if material separated it from his sight. Since he never had the chance to ask his parents of it, he never found out what their part was in his destiny. Did they know that they gave life to a hero? Suddenly, he wondered if they'd be proud of him.

Beth asked quietly, "So she helped you defeat this… Twilight?"

"It hasn't been defeated. It has been separated from this world."

"Oh, so she helped you separate it?"

"Yes. She wouldn't have been able to stand on the sidelines, it isn't in her nature," he nearly fainted as he heard Colin's sly remark, "You sound perfect for each other."

Coughing in his embarrassment, he looked around to avoid their eyes. As he had been talking, the sun had fallen and torches were sparkling brightly in the night sky. The bustle had not lessened, although it was different from the daytime activity. Most of the people walked serenely through the arches and lanes of the town, their arms intertwined.

He left his milk untouched, deciding his next course of action, "I was thinking that I should visit Telma."

His two companions looked up, "But isn't that a bar?"

He nodded, "Yes. Is that a problem?"

Beth smiled quizzically, "Are we allowed into a bar?"

"Why wouldn't you be?"

Colin shook his head, his cheeks red, "Never mind." Taking a last bite of the stew, Colin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, grinning happily at the scowl, which passed over Beth's face. Link pretended not to see Colin plant a kiss on her cheek, which turned her as red as he was.

Walking ahead of the two who were blushing quite drastically, he hitched his belt up a bit higher and strode to the south end of the town. Passing the first alleyway, he made his way down the next opening, stopping and waiting for his two companions to catch up to him. In the flicker of the torches, he could see a look of nervousness pass over their faces. He had never realized it before but he supposed that the path he was treading was a bit haunted in the dark of night.

A few familiar cats emerged from the shadow and he grinned at the sight. Their mews filled the air as they milled around his feet, rubbing their backs against his legs with low purrs. Beth squealed in delight and crouched down to pat one of the black and white cats. As she darted her hand out, the cat sped off into the night, the others following in its wake. He laughed at the sight and continued down the path, waiting at the top of a familiar set of steps for Colin and Beth.

Walking with them down the stairs, he took in a deep breath as he pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside Telma's Bar.

Nearly every seat or stool was filled and the scent of smoke burned his nostrils as he stepped in further. Beth and Colin were standing close together and looking around nervously, both of them experiencing a bar for the first time. Looking around, he spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd.

From the corner of his eye, he could see a person approach him, "Mr Link!" He turned to the person, the sight of the Postman entering his view, "Mr. Link, it has been a while since I last saw you!" Link grinned despite his shy nature, "I have a letter for you! Da da da da!" He pulled out a beige envelope and handed it to Link.

Looking at it curiously, he peeled open the wax as Colin and Beth peered over his shoulder.

Dear Link

I hope you get this, I really do. A few nights ago, my daughter Beth went missing. I am not a thick woman and I know of that infatuation she has for Rusl's boy and I am betting that she has run after him. I am worried sick about her, I haven't been this worried since my cat disappeared (again). If you do encounter her, please ask her to write back to me, telling me if she is safe and if she is well.

Thank you Link,

Sera

P.S. Hanch says hello.

Link looked up at Beth who was looking at him in panic. He was about to open his mouth and speak when she cut in with a shrill, quick voice, "Please don't send me back yet! I want to find out what happens!"

He raised an eyebrow and pointed to the Postman's table where an absent spot was, "Sit at that table right now and write a letter to your mother."

She glanced down and twirled her foot, "Yes, Link."

He watched her go with a frown, a pleased feeling within him at the way he had controlled the situation. Colin was avoiding eye contact with him and he raised an eyebrow at the boy's behaviour. Sighing, he passed a hand over his forehead and walked to the bar, the sight of Telma a welcome one.

The woman was cleaning a dirty glass with a rag, her face gazing down at her hands as she did so. She was still just as curvaceous and strong looking as she always had been. No signs of weariness seemed to cloud her face and the same strange markings were present on her skin. He suddenly remembered her usual manner to him and was about to stutter out a hello when she looked up.

"Link! Is that really you?" He grinned at the surprise in her voice, "Well this is a surprise."

She lifted up the separator for the bar and walked out to greet him, a shocked smile on her face, "And look how handsome you've got. Why if you were just a bit taller, I'd be all over you like a drunkard on ale! Tell me, honey, what brings you to the castle? I was just thinking about you, this is such a surprise."

She scooped him into a bone crushing hug and he grinned happily as he hugged her back. Separating himself from her, she placed a hand on his shoulder companionably as he answered, "I have some unfinished business I need to take care of."

She cocked an eyebrow suggestively, "Well, you certainly sound like a man on a mission. May I ask this… business?"

"You'll find out sooner of later."

"No fair, hun. How about a drink, you look like you could take one?" She moved to the other side of the bar as she said so and picked up the now clean glass, filling it with ale. He was surprised at that as she usually only gave him milk. Something must have changed, either in his appearance or his demeanour, for him to be thought of a man worthy of a drink. He sipped it gratefully, not used to the taste of the alcohol but enjoying it regardless. He looked around for Colin but noticed him sitting next to Beth, leaning over her letter as he snooped on the contents.

"I'm here for some news," he said between drinks.

She leaned on the counter, her generous cleavage spilling over the shirt, "What have you heard so far?"

Her cat, Louise, jumped on the counter and curled up near his arm, a contented purr reaching his ears as he reached out and petted her pure white coat, "Bits and pieces. Purlo is out of business for rigging the Star Minigame," she snorted at that.

"Thank the goddesses for that, all anyone ever talked about was how handsome he was. A bit scrawny for my tastes," she wrinkled her nose at the thought of him.

"Malo's taken over Charlo's shop."

"You mean, Malver," she said with a grin, "the little whelp changed his name after Malo took over. Decided to start a new leaf, now he's all friendly," she paused for a moment, "you remember that boy, Soal, the one who shined shoes outside of his shop?"

"Yeah."

"I found him wandering the streets so I took him in as a runner boy," she nodded in the direction of a small, thin looking boy who was stacking cups onto a tray with a look of devoted concentration, "He's been good. It's nice to have a kid running around, stops the adults from acting too sleazy. What else have you heard?"

"Jovani's wandering around."

"He's a strange one. I've seen him a few times, seems harmless enough but there's something a bit off about him. He's a bit too… expressive. It's as if he doesn't remember how to smile or move. It's strange."

Link smiled into his ale at that, "Just between you and me, he probably doesn't."

"I knew you had something to do with that. Fess up, hun, what'd you do?"

"He was stuck in his house so I just collected a few… items… for him."

"My, my. You certainly are a busy one. Between saving the world and saving a greedy old hermit like Jovani, how do you even find time to sleep?"

"I can sleep when I'm dead."

"Well, if you keep neglecting yourself like you are, that may be sooner then you think," her grin faded a bit as she looked at him properly. He felt insecure under her gaze; as if she could see the torment he had been in.

He turned to the side as a new voice called his name, "Link?"

A tall, dark haired woman approached him and he took a moment to remember why he recalled her, "Ashei?"

She grinned, her features beautiful yet stern against her armour and her weapons, "I haven't seen you for a while."

"Not since the Yeti."

"How did that go?"

"Good. A bit cold."

She laughed loudly at that, her hair falling down her back smoothly, "Auru is here as well, so is Shad."

He looked at the back in interest where, sure enough, Shad and Auru where seated comfortably. They were looking over at him in interest so he waved a hand in greeting and grinned at their return of the sign, "I'll be over in a second, I just need to talk with Telma a bit."

The woman slapped him on the back before walking confidently back to the other room. He blinked in surprise at the longing gaze the Postman gave her as she walked by and the way he sighed softly to himself in his drink. Shrugging, he turned back to Telma.

Recalling their last point of conversation, he cleared his throat and spoke again, "I visited Kakariko Village."

The woman, who had been silently watching his exchange with Ahsei, straightened up in interest, her face going an odd shade of red. He knew that her mind was no longer focused on him but on a certain Shaman, "Oh really. Anything interesting there?"

She was trying not to broach the subject openly and he saved her the embarrassment by doing it himself, "I spoke with Renado. I think… he may have moved on from his wife."

The woman stood for a moment without moving, her eyes glazed over as she considered this piece of information. Shaking her head, she leaned back over the bar again, her voice low and her eyes steady as she asked him, "Now honey, I need a proper answer about this. When you say that he has moved on, do you mean what you are suggesting?"

Link paused, took a sip and answered her, "Yes."

Telma leant back, took a deep breath and shouted to the crowd, "Drinks are on the house tonight!"

A resounding roar of approval met his ears and Link couldn't help but laugh at the way the woman was smiling. He hoped that something came of his meddling. She looked so hopeful. Pushing his empty cup a bit away, he folded his arms as he asked Telma, "I need to ask you something else."

The woman's expression faded a bit as she looked at his, "What is it, sugar?"

"It's about Princess Zelda."

The woman sighed, "I have some news regarding her."

"What?"

"She's been paying attention to her suitors."

Link gulped nervously, his palms becoming sweaty at the words from Telma. Leaning forward, he asked quietly, "Why?"

"The war is over, the next step is marriage."

Staring at the wall, his face grew grave as he released what this meant. He knew that he shouldn't have dawdled, the stay in Kakariko had probably cost him more then he realised. If she was entertaining suitors, it would only be a matter of time before she made her pick and struck up a marriage with one of them. Suitors were impatient as a rule.

"I suspect that you didn't like that piece of news."

He covered his shaky smile with a hand as he spoke, "I just wasn't expecting that," he looked towards the group in the back and sighed as he spoke again, "I'm suddenly not feeling well. Could you tell the group in the other room that I had to leave? I'll probably be back tomorrow night if they'd like to see me then."

Telma nodded in understanding, "If you need to talk, you know I'd always listen, don't you?"

He nodded and slid off the barstool. Walking over to Beth and Colin, he spoke as he stood before them, "Did you write the letter?"

"Yes, I gave it to the Postman as well. He should be leaving tomorrow for Ordon at Dawn."

"Good. I need to get back to the inn."

Beth frowned, "Is everything alright?"

After a pause, he answered truthfully, "No actually, it isn't."

The two villagers gathered themselves quickly and Link gave Telma a wave as he left the bar. As soon as he passed into the dark night, his shaky grin faded and his frown creased into a line of worry and anxiety. His plan had been flawed from the beginning. Did he really expect to just waltz up to the Princess and live happily ever after? Within the castle itself, it was nearly impossible to meet or see her. Sure, he was meant to be knighted but even then, he would only see her on the actual day of the ceremony. He bit his lip at the thought. He could always just be knighted; at least he would see her.

Pacing in the alleyway, he was oblivious to Beth and Colin who were watching him nervously. To their eyes, he looked like a wolf with raised hackles. His eyes were bright and focused, his steps purposeful and strong. They held hands as they watched him, neither one looking at each other.

Link stopped as he viewed a poster. Tearing it off the wall, he grinned as he read the title, "Harvest Festival Parade." The date was for tomorrow.

He had a plan.

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Hope you enjoyed my update.