Chapter Twelve

He stepped into the familiar, small house, and took in the humble decor. He could have sworn it hadn't changed since he'd come to stay with Rusl and Uli. Even after he'd moved into his old family home on the edge of the village, Uli hadn't changed a thing. It was comforting, in a way, knowing that at least some things stayed the same. He needed a sense of stability, a familiar thing to go back to.

"Ah, Link," Uli smiled and stood. The new baby, a girl, Shera, was at her hip. Zelda smiled politely and turned to face him as well. Link couldn't help but feel that the princess looked out of place. She was dressed in a fine gown, her hair done back in gold. Rusl, Uli, Colin, and Shera were all dressed plainly, in linen clothing Link had no doubt Uli had made. "Good of you to join us. I was just telling the princess about how you came to stay with us." She shot an apologetic look before sitting back with the baby. Link smiled a bit and sat next to Zelda, who took his hand in hers.

Rusl smiled and put an arm around his wife. Link smiled sadly as he watched them, knowing his life would never be as simple, or as happy, as theirs was. He hoped Uli hadn't told Zelda too much about his childhood, how he had grown up with just his mother, who had always told him his unknown father was a solder in the great Hyrulian army, how he had grown up doing absolutely everything with Ilia, or how his mother, whom he had loved dearly, died of illness when he was only five.

"It was so kind of you to take him in," Zelda said politely. Link knew she must have been uncomfortable, but she hid it well.

"Well we couldn't have just left him on his own," Uli said. "His mother was a good friend of ours, and he was always such a sweet boy, though he did get into quite a bit of trouble..."

"He was a boy," Rusl rolled his eyes. "It's what they do." Uli rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek.

"It really was wonderful to meet the two of you," Zelda said. "We should probably be headed back, though. We wouldn't want to overstay our welcome..."

"Nonsense," Uli shook her head. "It's late. You won't make it past the woods before nightfall. You'll stay with us tonight." Link sighed and stared down at his and Zelda's hands, glancing at the Triforce marking on the back of both. Rusl and Uli had always taken good care of him, treated him as if he were their own son. He loved the idea of spending more time with them, however short one night would be, but doubted Zelda would wish to stay there.

"I don't want to intrude," Zelda insisted.

"You're family now," Rusl said firmly. "It's not intruding."

"Very well then," Zelda sighed.

"You take our room," Uli said. "It's the most comfortable in the house. I'm sure Link won't mind sharing with the children, and Rusl and I can make do on the floor."

"I don't mind the floor," Link said. "You two should sleep in the children's room. I'll be fine." It took some convincing, but Rusl and Uli finally agreed. Link escorted Zelda to her room, though they only had to cross one room to get there.

"This is... quaint," Zelda decided upon and sat on the edge of the bed. Link sighed and leaned against the wall. He was relieved she hadn't done or said anything to offend Rusl and Uli, though he doubted they would be offended by anything she said. Or if they were, they wouldn't show it. She sighed and turned to face him. "We need to return to the castle as soon as possible, though. So much needs to be done.." she trailed off. Link sighed and kept watching her. She was always concerned about one thing or another and could never just be.

"What more is there?" Link asked, though he instantly regretted it. He doubted she would tell him anything going on in Hyrule or elsewhere. He doubted she would even once they were wed. "Ganondorf is gone. Zant is gone. The twilight's gone."

"The Gorons are trying to separate," Zelda sighed. "Insisting they can do a better job protecting themselves than we can as a joint kingdom. If they separate, the Zora surely won't be far behind, and then there's the matter of the Gerudo..."

"Gerudo?" Link frowned deeply. "I thought they were extinct. Ganondorf was the last of them..."

"Not extinct," Zelda shook her head. "They separated from Hyrule centuries ago. They're deep in the desert, deeper than the Arbiter's Grounds, even. And they aren't happy with us to say the least. Ganondorf was horrible and wicked and nearly killed all of us, but he was till their king. And Goddessess know the Gerudo have a temper and hold tradition higher than anything else."

Link sighed and ran a hand through his hair, wishing he had never asked. Not for the first time, he wished she would have chosen someone else to marry, someone who knew about the world outside of Hyrule, or even someone who knew more than he did about the world of Hyrule. He wasn't cut out for politics. "Sleep well," he said, not sure of how else to react to her words, and not wanting to continue the conversation further. She nodded and sighed deeply, and he left the room.

In the combined living and kitchen area, he lay on the floor. Uli had gathered what few blankets and pillows she could find for him. He pulled one over himself, and for once since saving Hyrule, slept peacefully.