Link halted Epona when they reached the crowd in front of Lon Lon's gate, which shook as beasts snarled and rammed against it. Goron soldiers and a squad of Hylian knights with weapons drawn stood ready to defend the ranch.

"Why are they attacking?" Link asked. "Don't they know we already beat Ganondorf?"

The Goron chieftain held the barrier in place with his massive body. He barely flinched with each hit, but his face turned red from strain and he growled, which Link knew from their fight with Volvagia meant that he was getting tired.

"They must be trying to avenge him," Darunia snarled. "To attack us even without their leader, they must be set on taking as many lives as they can, even if it kills them. Can you fight?"

Though short, Link appeared tall while riding Epona, and he fought the urge to gulp as the eyes of everyone around turned to him: knights with impassive expressions, civilians begging for salvation, Gorons silently asking him and Darunia to save them again, and Nabooru's small squad of women, curious to see what he would do.

His arm still hadn't healed. Could he even fight? Though he'd been confident when he left Zelda's side, he now wondered whether he should follow Darunia's advice that not everything was about him and protect Hyrule again, or give in to Malon's plea for him to take care of himself.

"Yes, but how can we get outside without letting them in?"

Holding a pitchfork but visibly terrified at the thought of using it, Ingo wasted no time answering. "Epona can jump the wall. Get out there and protect us!"

"When they see you and leave the gate, I'll rush out to help you," Darunia promised and then sucked in air, the veins on his arms looking like they would burst at any moment.

"So will we. We'll protect our king. Let's end Ganondorf's influence for good," declared Nabooru, refusing to let her people—Link included—suffer any more casualties. Aveil nodded beside her, and Abia scowled at the word "king" but stood bravely at attention.

Link wasn't used to others depending on him—he was just a boy from the forest who the Kokiri children didn't even like—and he nervously wondered if he could save the people around him, if they should be looking to him for help rather than someone stronger.

"Heeelp! Link!"

The voice came from outside the ranch. People in the crowd looked to one another in confusion, but Link looked to the gate. As it budged slightly and provided a slit of vision into Hyrule Field, an unmistakable shade of green caught his attention.

His eyes widened and his heart pounded. "Saria!"

Even as her name passed his lips, he told himself it was impossible. His friend couldn't leave the forest, and she couldn't be in danger again after he'd almost lost her in the Forest Temple.

Saria had always been happy and kind, even when the other villagers pressured her to ignore him as they did. He thought of how sad he made her during his last visit and how badly he wanted to make her happy again. He could barely comprehend the idea that she might die, but he'd learned during his quest not to dismiss anything as impossible.

"Move!" he roared, and everyone standing between him and the wall did so as he kicked Epona's sides to send her galloping toward it.

"How long were you watching us?" Zelda asked in shock. Usually she could sense her nanny due to her Sheikah training. Was she that relaxed around Link?

Impa ignored the question, straight to the point as always. "Why are you trying to seduce him?"

"I am doing no such thing," the princess replied indignantly.

"Then what was that kiss for? And why did your gaze linger on the thinner garments this morning when you looked at the clothes I salvaged from the castle?"

Zelda fought the urge to blush; now was not the time for embarrassment. Link was fighting for his life, for everyone's lives. "I merely wanted comfortable sleepwear."

"Please help me see your logic, your highness. Your popularity is low enough that nobles will try to take the throne from you as Hyrule rebuilds, but those who know of Link's heroics seem to love him. Do you mean to seduce him so he will support your rule?"

Still feeling violated from the revelation that someone had been spying on her private moment with Link, Zelda forgot her manners and glared at her, standing tall with the dignity of a queen. "I am not a whore, Impa."

Impa was unaffected. "Then what is it? Surely you don't have feelings for the boy." When Zelda hesitated, the Sheikah continued. "One month ago you didn't care whether he lived or died. Are you seducing him out of gratitude?"

"That is enough. No, I am not seducing him out of gratitude. I am...complete." Impa seemed to want to ask more, but Zelda cut her off. "Our conversation must wait," she said as she spotted the lady of the ranch running toward them.

Malon's eyes were wide with panic. Since Makalov showed up and she started receiving stares from the men who arrived, she'd avoided bending over and other actions that would give them a way to objectify her. Presently, however, she ran without caring how her large breasts bounced, her hair a mess in the wind. She held her breath long enough to spit out a question and then sucked in air.

"Please tell me you know where Link is! He's not in the house, and he's in no shape to fight!"

"He has gone to the battlefield," Zelda answered calmly, and Malon raised a hand to her heart before narrowing her eyes.

"Did you send him out there?"

"No. I tried to stop him. Link is precious to me."

Malon looked like she wanted to challenge that claim, but Impa spoke first, ready to cover for her master. "I sense the Forest Sage approaching the ranch. It is likely he is trying to rescue her from monsters."

"Forest Sage? Is that...Saria?" the redhead asked in confusion. "I thought Kokiri couldn't leave the woods."

The unease Zelda had felt when Malon took Link from her last night returned. "Miss Malon, how do you know so much about Link's quest? Has he told you everything?"

"Yes. He needed a friend who cared about his well-being."

Despite her royal training to keep her emotions under control, the guilt Zelda felt for mistreating Link for so long and her anger that this woman would dare question her love for him transformed her expression into an icy glare.

"It seems he has two friends now. Impa, go protect Link and aid the soldiers."

With a nod and the toss of a Deku nut, Impa disappeared to fulfill her duties, and Zelda and Malon stared each other down. Malon struck the princess as a playful woman, but presently there was no mirth in her eyes.

The battle outside the walls was bigger than their feud, however, and fearing for their mutual friend, they separated. The redhead ran back to the ranch entrance, and realizing how incensed she'd become, Zelda sent a quick prayer to the goddesses for wisdom; Hyrule's safety—and Link's—came before her feelings.

Link wasn't scared of making his injuries worse as his stomach rose into his throat and he and Epona landed in the field surrounding the ranch. He felt only anger, determination, and fear for his friend.

Saria had been happy when she found the ranch Link told her about, until the moblins crowding around it noticed her. They were several times her height with hands big enough to crush her head, and she screamed when they ran toward her. Hyrule Field was already frightening enough since this was her first trip outside the forest. Was she going to die before she could tell Link the good news about her?

A moblin yelling in pain tore her from her hopelessness, and she looked in the sound's direction to see the giant pig disappear in a cloud of purple smoke. Out of the haze came a horse rider, and just like with Phantom Ganon, Link appeared when she needed him most.

"Saria!" he shouted. As Epona galloped, he leaned down and held his hand out for the forest girl. She grabbed it, and he surprised her with his strength by pulling her onto the horse so she sat behind him. "What are you doing here?!" he asked furiously, but his anger left when she wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"I'm sorry! I wanted to see you!"

"I'm getting off of Epona. Stay on her and go to the gate!"

Before she could stop him, he slipped off and rolled upon impact with the ground, unsheathing the Master Sword. Saria was too scared to do anything but obey, and as Epona returned to her home, distracting their foes, Darunia saw his chance to join the fight. Enraged by the sight of his brother and sister in trouble, he shoved the gate open with enough force to knock back an inattentive moblin. He and his Goron brothers, Impa with the Hylian knights, and Nabooru with her two Gerudo soldiers spilled onto the battlefield.

The townsfolk behind the gate motioned frantically for Saria to hurry, and they closed it behind her when she made it to the ranch. Dozens of people questioned her and reached out to her, wanting to know if she was okay, and though their sizes scared her, she was fortunately used to receiving attention from the Kokiri. Before the gate closed, she saw Link cut into a moblin and run toward another one that Darunia was fighting, and her heart raced from terror and admiration. As she'd noticed when he rescued her in the Forest Temple, he was still the same Link he'd always been—sweet and cute—but he'd grown so much during his time in Hyrule. The boy who left the forest months ago wasn't this brave and wasn't strong enough to sweep her off her feet like he just had.

"You think you can beat a Goron at wrestling?" Darunia bellowed, matching one of the muscular evil creatures in a shoving contest. The Goron had thicker arms, but the moblin pushed with stronger legs than anyone in the round rock-like race had, and Darunia switched tactics. "Brother, think fast!"

Pivoting, he turned the moblin so its back was to Link. Its look of confusion transformed into one of agony as his sword stabbed through its back. It disappeared in smoke, but another soon took its place. Feeling stronger than ever as the pain in his arm vanished in the heat of battle, Link leapt to the side to avoid the point of a spear and followed up with a strike of his own.

When that foe disappeared, Link stood still for a moment, the blade of evil's bane glowing in his grip. For once his small size didn't matter, and his allies stared at him as though beholding something great. Abia's eyes were wide, and the knights seemed unable to process the fact that a kid was leading the offensive.

Then time started again. Impa's red eyes glowed with righteous fury as she lifted a sword that looked heavy even for Daurnia and cut an incoming spear in two. Her soldiers then surrounded the now unarmed beast and cut it until its bloodied body moved no more. Darunia held a moblin in place by its wrists, and it screamed and pleaded to be released while the other Gorons gutted it.

Despite their strength, though, Link's kills were the quickest, for his blade destroyed whatever evil it touched. He could tell Nabooru was trying to keep her girls surrounding him to protect him, but he broke from their formation; though he saw that everyone could win this fight without him, his weapon was the key to minimizing casualties, and since he was the only one who could use the Master Sword, he thrust it into every enemy he could.

"Help me with this one!" he ordered Abia, who was too stunned by the way he was taking charge to deliver her usual criticism. Deflecting a knife with her scimitar, she gave him the opening he needed to swing his blade into a moblin's side.

The battle continued, the number of inhuman screams from enemies gradually decreasing until Link could hear his own heavy breathing. At length, wielding a weapon meant for an adult had him panting as he looked around to see who was left. To his astonishment, he saw no creatures of Ganon, only people. Had they won?

It seemed so as Nabooru, Aveil, and Abia grabbed his arms and ran with him back to the ranch. The others went quickly as well, afraid more threats would appear if they lingered in the field, and on the other side of the gate a pair of arms circled him.

"Link! Thank goddesses you're all right!" Saria cried.

He returned her hug, not knowing what to say. His urge to kill faded, and he held her tightly, telling himself that everything was okay.

"You too." His attempt to ask why and how she came here was interrupted as everyone crowding around the warriors cheered.

"It's the Master Sword!" someone cried in astonishment, and realizing his blade still glowed white, Link sheathed it, embarrassed from the attention.

Saria smiled and held his arm, glad that after a lifetime of solitude, he was finally getting some recognition. "Thank you for saving me again," she said before tilting her head up to softly press her lips to his cheek.

Her kiss made the cheering even louder, and Link was confused despite his goofy grin, not knowing whether he was a bad person for liking his best friend's affection when he had a girlfriend. Not used to having so many people look at him as something other than worthless, he wanted to hide until he could figure his emotions out, but the the crowd soon parted for Zelda as she ran straight to him and Impa, forgetting proper royal etiquette. Malon followed behind her, easily navigating the wide berth Hyrule's people gave the princess.

"Is everyone all right?" Zelda asked, but Impa noticed she spent the most time examining Link for injuries.

"Uh huh," Link said with a big smile. "Big Brother and Impa and Nabooru are really strong."

"There are some injuries, but no casualties," reported Impa. "Their attack was uncoordinated."

The princess exhaled, letting her worry evaporate with her breath. So many lives had already been lost. The outcome of this battle was a miracle. As people of all races raised their voices, the same lightness she felt after they defeated Ganondorf filled her.

Sir Makalov smirked when he saw the princess. Remembering his conversation with her, he called loudly, "The enemy is no more! Huzzah!"

His fellow knights raised their voices with him, and he was satisfied with how it looked like he had led the fight...until he noticed that the princess wasn't looking at him, but at the boy with the glowing sword. Before he could think of another way to convince her that he was a good man and get her not to look into his lies about Malon, his ex-girlfriend drew his attention by standing in front of Link.

"Are you okay?" the ranch girl asked.

"Sorry to worry you," Link said bashfully. "Everything's okay now. Saria's safe, and the nap I took with Zelda sped up the healing process from the potion I took last night!"

"A nap?" Malon asked and looked to the princess suspiciously. Zelda felt her cheeks turn pink at the thought that she and her hero had slept together, albeit not in the way she wanted to.

"Way to show those monsters, Link!" Mutoh cheered, raising his fist in the air. His carpenters did the same, more enthusiastic than they were about their jobs since Link had saved them all from the Gerudo, and Anju clasped her hands over her thin frame, happy that her little friend was okay.

Similarly relieved, Malon hugged her boyfriend the way she knew he liked, holding his head gently against her bosom. "You have to stop worrying me like that," she chided. Link blushed and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Saria's smile faltered; she still hurt from the knowledge that she wasn't his girlfriend, but she maintained her optimism by remembering why she came here. Zelda, however, glared at Malon, who had placed her body directly between the princess and Link.

The crowd cheered and whistled. "Go get her, boy!" someone called, and realizing what she was doing in front of everyone, Malon pulled back hastily, regretting it when she saw his reaction. Link regarded her with wide eyes filled with sadness as if she'd slapped him, and she found herself wanting to kiss him but unable to in the public eye. Her mind raced for ways to make it up to him later, and she hoped the damage wasn't irreparable.

Makalov seethed as he watched the boy touch the woman only he was supposed to touch. He remembered the weight and softness of Malon's curves, the feel of her tightening around him, and the satisfaction of hearing her beg for more. What she said about moving on with someone new had to be a lie since he'd yet to see a man with her. She thought she could deflect his advances, but neither she nor anyone else would stop him from having her again.

Everyone's focus shifted away from Link and Malon when a Goron no taller than Link waddled toward Darunia and exclaimed in a surprisingly loud voice, "Daddy!"

Darunia laughed heartily and lifted the round-faced Goron so he sat on his bicep, and as though a dam burst, many people found their voices.

"Long live Hyrule!"

"You're so beautiful! Marry me!" a man shouted at Nabooru, who smirked and turned away from him to gaze proudly at her sisters and the boy in green.

Zelda addressed the Spirit and Fire Sages. "Are you still able to speak tonight?"

Impa narrowed her eyes at Darunia—she could sense resentment from someone powerful here, she just didn't know who—but the behemoth smiled, baring thick teeth built for chewing rocks.

"We're still ready for the ceremony. Ruto should arrive before nightfall."

"That is wonderful. Thank you."

The attack couldn't have ended more happily, the princess thought. Everyone would be in better spirits tonight due to the victory, which meant the citizens would more easily accept the transition back to a Harkinian rule.

She felt horrible as soon as she had the thought; she was thinking of the world and its people as pieces on a chessboard again. She'd fought to be both a loving woman and a good ruler all her life and still wasn't completely sure how, but as she looked at the love of her life and her brothers and sisters in arms, she had faith that they could find a way together.

Raising a silk-gloved hand into the air to silence everyone, she bowed before addressing the masses—a good ruler must be a servant to her people, after all. "Thanks to the bravery of those who fought, another crisis has been averted. Our side did not suffer a single casualty in the skirmish. The peoples of Hyrule have come together to declare that there will be no more deaths!" Cheers erupted, and she waited for them to subside before speaking again. "Tonight we will hold a ceremony to discuss our bright future. Until then, rest, get to know your brothers and sisters, and care for the wounded."

Soldiers returned to their families, and the civilians dispersed until only Saria, Link, Malon, Zelda, and the Gerudo remained. "Thank you, Zelda!" Saria cried happily, and everyone turned to the princess, whose stomach sank.

"What did she do?" asked Link.

"After you left the forest last time, she called me telepathically. She told me I could help you save Hyrule by channeling energy from the Forest Temple into a seal on Ganondorf."

"Yes," Zelda confirmed guiltily. "I...I am sorry, Saria. I needed you for the seal to work. I took advantage of your bond with Link. To gain your cooperation, I told you he would die without your help."

"But how are you outside the forest?"

Zelda swallowed, hoping her hesitation would make the question go away, but her failures and past choices still haunted her. "I didn't tell her this until after she went through with it, but to use the Forest Temple's energy, she had to sever her tie with it. She is no longer a Kokiri."

"I don't understand. Zelda, why would you...?" Link stared at the princess with hurt and confusion that made her chest tighten. She couldn't bear being the source of such sadness in him. Would he hate her now? After everything she'd done to him, after he'd always tried to see the best in her even when she didn't care about him, was this the final straw?

Taking pity on the princess, Saria took Link's hand. "I'll explain everything, Link. For now, though, I want to meet your friends. You know how to play tag, right?" she asked Abia, the only other child nearby.

"Like when you mark something for death?" the short Gerudo asked.

"No. You chase each other."

"And then you fight?"

"No, then the other person chases you," Link added.

Abia's expression indicated that she didn't get it, but Saria pulled her and her best friend toward the center of the ranch cheerfully. "Let's go! Maybe the little Goron can play with us."

They left Malon and Zelda, and the head of the Fabulously Rich Family intercepted them before they reached the corral, a red-haired girl a year younger than the other children standing beside him obediently. Mr. Skulltula greeted them enthusiastically.

"Ah, Link! I'm glad to see you're well after another successful battle. This is my daughter, whom I wanted you to meet earlier. Fira, say hello."

The girl lifted her gaze from the ground and looked at Link uneasily. "Hello..."

She reminded him of a frightened animal, so he looked at her uneasily as well. Thinking she was just shy, Saria introduced herself. "Hi! I'm Link's friend, Saria, and this is Abia. Abia's never played tag before. Do you want to help us show her?"

She still looked unhappy but nodded anyway, and at the corral they added another member to their group.

"Brother!" Darunia's son said with some difficulty, still learning how to talk. His open-mouthed grin showed off three new teeth as he ran clumsily toward Link.

By now a group of Hylian children had gathered, looking curiously at the motley group. Link crouched down to the toddler's height and grinned. "Want to help me catch the others?"

After the children left, Malon and Zelda stood alone. The former scrutinized the latter, who still looked ashamed. "Link was devastated when he learned he wasn't a Kokiri. I went to the forest with him, and he was ostracized because of it. You tricked Saria into that same fate? Do you realize she might not be accepted back into the forest?"

"Yes. I was treating her and Link as...things, instead of people."

She doubted her regret would go away any time soon, but when she looked to the center of the ranch, her heart felt lighter. Saria and Link led Abia, Aveil, Darunia's son, and some other kids in a game of chase. Zelda never thought she would see Hylians, Gorons, Gerudo, and Kokiri come together happily without racial tension. In the presence of such hope for the future of Hyrule, how could she not be cheerful and honest?

"I think it took meeting him to help me realize what's important," she said warmly.

Malon suspected the blonde was deflecting, but couldn't find any traces of dishonesty. Zelda was the taller of the two, and she looked like her head was in the clouds. But Malon knew the issue between them wouldn't go away on its own, so she brought her back down to earth.

"Your highness, what are your intentions after all this?"

"You mean regarding Link? Pardon me, but you never answered my question this morning. Have you become his guardian?"

"No, but I care about him. I want your word that you'll leave him alone after today. He's suffered enough, and frankly I don't believe you'll stop using him unless you're forced."

Zelda dropped her formal speech; despite how angry Malon made her, the ranch woman and all other friends of Link deserved better than fake politeness. "I'm sorry, Malon. I'm happy Link has someone who cares about him so much, but leaving him is something I won't do. I'm his friend too."

Bowing respectfully, she left to look for Impa and prepare for tonight, and Malon returned to her home to finish cooking, deciding to make something special for her boyfriend after she'd essentially disavowed him in public.

Abia panted heavily. "Damn Hylians...get back here! I'm used to running on sand!" she shouted, and the children laughed and ran faster. Aveil smirked, seeing that Nabooru's plan of teaching the girl some humility was working.

Once everyone was worn out, Link turned to Saria. "Are you really okay with this?"

She didn't have to ask what he meant. "Link, after you left, I cried a lot. And I cried even more when Zelda told me I wasn't a Kokiri anymore. But...I've thought a lot about it, and I'm happy now. Even though I'm not your girlfriend, we can still be part of each other's lives now that I'm a Hylian, and I can see the world we helped save, the world you love so much."

"Wow...you're amazing," he said, making her blush. "After the castle is rebuilt, I'm going to live here with Malon, but before that, I want to travel and see what Hyrule's like when there's not a war. Do you want to come with me?"

"That sounds great!" she squealed and then kissed his cheek. When he blushed, she had an urge to kiss his lips, but winked instead. "I promised myself I'd show you more often how important you are to me, even if I'm not your girl, so get used to it!"

Link smiled bashfully. "I don't like how our last meeting in the forest ended. You've been on my mind since, and I wanted to do something to show you that just because we're not a couple doesn't mean you're not my best friend." He pulled a stunning green gem attached to a loop of silver from his pocked, and she gasped.

"Is that the Kokiri Emerald?"

He handed it to her. "Big Brother—um, Darunia—helped me make it into a necklace for you."

"I love it!" she said, putting it around her neck. "I feel prettier with this on."

She certainly looked pretty—she always had to him. He could see why Mido was always jealous of him. The way Saria's hair stuck to her cheek made him want to brush it behind her ear, and she giggled and turned red in a combination of happiness and nervous affection.

Aveil, Fira, and Abia saw the green-haired girl brighten up upon receiving the priceless jewel and stopped playing. Fira seemed happy, almost relieved for some reason, but Abia leveled a critical stare at Saria.

"Are you Link's girlfriend?"

Saria turned a deeper shade of red, wondering if they could see the desire she thought she had hidden from Link. "What? N-No."

Aveil crouched down and wrapped her arms around the blonde from behind, making him stiffen as she teased his stomach with her fingertips. "Many of my sisters would like your company," she breathed into his pointed ear. The flushed boy had no idea how to react, but Abia spoke before he could anyway, turning her nose up.

"He's stronger than I thought, but he's still not worthy of the Gerudo."

Aveil sighed. "You have a lot to learn..."

"Whatever. Right now, I'm only interested on improving my speed so these Hylians will stop laughing at me!"

Abia left with her superior to do just that, and when they were alone again, Saria whispered to Link, "Why didn't you tell them that Malon is your girlfriend?" A part of her she knew was selfish hoped it meant that he was no longer with the redhead, but she also asked out of concern.

"Um, she doesn't want anyone to know yet."

Her brow furrowed. "What? If I was your girl, I'd shout it until everyone in Hyrule knew!"

When he didn't respond right away, she knew she'd touched a sensitive subject. "She...has a good reason."

Saria frowned and looked down. How did he make her feel so shy? "Link...even though I'll be okay if you don't choose me...I still really want to be your girl, and now it's possible since I'm growing like you are. The Deku Sprout said I'll be a beautiful woman someday."

Before he could respond, she hugged his arm. Her breasts weren't big enough to touch his arm as she nuzzled it between them, and she was still short. Regardless, she felt an energy she'd never experienced: her body was warm, burning energy and growing for the first time. She embraced the sensation.

"When that happens, I bet I won't have a flat chest anymore, and I'll be able to make you feel really good."

Her face was close, her dark blue eyes sparkling beautifully in contrast with her bright green hair and reddened little nose, and he looked away, afraid he might hurt both her and Malon if he didn't.

"I-I don't just like Malon because she makes me feel good."

He couldn't articulate it with his cute best friend so close, but he liked that Malon was both playful and hardworking. She was kind, yet wasn't afraid to be hard on people. He wanted to spend more time with her and make her happy, because when she smiled the world seemed peaceful, even during a war.

Saria had a retort on her lips, but someone cleared their throat, and she and Link turned to see Fira.

"My dad wants us to meet him, Link..."

Saria pouted at the interruption until she realized how sad the girl was. Then she whispered to him, "Cheer her up if you can."

He nodded. "Go to Malon's house. I'll meet you there."

Fira started walking without him, and even after he caught up, she refused to look at him. When they reached Mr. Skulltula, he greeted them with a smile that caused his daughter's to drop even further.

"It's good to see you two getting along. I never thought I'd see so many people come together without fighting amongst themselves."

"Yeah, it's great!" Link chirped. "Is this what peace is like in Hyrule?"

The man laughed. "No, but I think we can give the world something even better than freedom from war. I've made good on my word," he said proudly. "I've decided to use my fortune to help those who don't have a home while Castle Town is rebuilt."

"That's great!"

"Indeed. No curse of greed will work on the great Skulltula family again! Together, Link, we are invincible! Speaking of which, how is Fira? Is she to your liking?"

"She's...nice? What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, how would you like to—?"

"No!"

Link stepped back at the girl's outburst, and her father glared at her. "Fira..." he said in a warning tone, and Link was shocked to see tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?" he asked in alarm.

"I...I don't want to marry him! Please don't make me!"

"It's okay," Link said, still confused. "No one's trying to make you marry me." He looked to Mr. Skulltula for support, but saw emotions other than concern for his daughter on his face. "...You are?"

"I want to give you what you want," was his stoic answer. The man was no longer bombastic, but austere as though conducting a business arrangement. "You and I can do wonderful things, Link. With your fame and my business skills, we could be in charge of the whole village of Kakariko. We would be as kings."

"What does that have to do with Fira?"

"I was hoping you would marry into my family so the people would see us as partners."

Link didn't understand what was happening. He knew next to nothing about marriage and leading villages, but his discussions with Malon about her ex-boyfriend taught him that women in Hyrule were sometimes objectified in subtle ways.

"You're...using her?"

The family head had the decency to look appalled. "Of course not! I apologize to both of you. It was not my intention to upset you. I merely wanted to make you happy and start our future together on the right foot."

His words stunned Link. "You're using me too." The father said nothing, and he continued. "What happened, Mr. Skulltula? You said you gave up your greedy ways."

"I have. I've changed! Like I said, I'm using my money to help others."

"But you still want to rule and use others," Link accused, feeling betrayed that someone he considered a friend would do this and have the nerve not to admit it.

"Link, I believe there's been a misunderstanding—"

"Fira," Link said. The girl looked at him, embarrassed and sniffling. "You will never have to worry about being forced to marry. If someone tries to make you, I want you to send word to this ranch. Do you understand?"

She nodded, surprised, and he turned his back on them before leaving, unable to control his emotions. He struggled to accept the fact that someone he saved had done this, but what troubled him more was that Fira had been distressed the whole time they played together, and he'd been so absorbed in himself that he hadn't noticed.

"Hey, it's the hero! You kick ass!"

"Kakariko thanks you!"

People cheered for him as he passed by, and he thought he would be sick. He recalled Twinrova's screams and the stench of the witches' blood as he killed them, and panicking at how little control he had over his thoughts, he searched for Darunia, who'd cheered him up and given him good advice after they fought Vovalgia. He thought the enormous Goron surely wouldn't be hard to find, but before he succeeded, Princess Zelda approached.

"Hello, Link. May I have the pleasure of your company? We never did finish our picnic," she said with a smile, and despite his growing frustration, he found that he didn't want to say no to her. Ever since he met Zelda, he'd wanted her approval. He supposed part of it was because she reminded him of the blonde woman in his dreams.

"Okay," he said, flashing that boyish grin that made Zelda's pulse quicken, and she prayed for some of his courage as she prepared to ask what could be the most important question of her life.