First of all, I'm going to start out with an apology - I'm so sorry I haven't posted a new chapter in so long. Despite that, this story seems popular - so thank you all for that :) The reason I hadn't posted was because this story was catching up to what I'd already written and I was at a loss as to what to do about that.

The story has a mind of its own and it's getting longer than I'd expected. So I've decided to split it up into two parts. Part 1 I'll now regularly post every week (there are only a few chapters left), but once that's done it will be a while before I begin posting Part 2 - so you will have to bear with me.

Having read several sequels on Fanfiction before, I feel the need to tell you guys that these two aren't going to break-up, die or cheat on each other in Part 2. I love them WAAAY too much for that - plus I'm a sucker for happy endings - I can't write angst - so don't worry about it.

That's it from my end - enjoy the rest of Part 1! And do leave reviews! :)

~Living to Laugh and Love

Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Legend of Zelda or its characters. Only the original characters (Zafir included) and the storyline belong to me.

"Go home?" Link asked, eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he stared at Zelda, "Are you sure?"

Zelda pursed her lips unhappily, "We haven't found any trace of Thalin and our messengers have returned with news of peace in all parts of the kingdom. There's no reason to keep you here any longer." She gave the hero a small smile, "Take Zafir to Lake Hylia and show him what your life will be like together, without all this craziness hanging over your heads."

Link blushed but his eyes studied the princess solemnly, "Zafir mentioned that you thought I didn't trust you. And that you felt as if you could not really talk to anyone around you."

It was Zelda's turn to blush now as she looked away, flustered, "He should not have done that."

"We don't keep secrets from one another." Link said simply, waiting until pale blue eyes met his gaze once more before saying, "I've spent all these years focussing on how lonely I've felt, that I didn't once think of how you must have been feeling. You are as isolated as I am, and I should have realised that before now." He took a deep breath and said in a soft voice, "I know we can never truly be friends, there is too much that has happened between us to change how we now see one another. But I hope you know," Blue eyes burned with loyalty and determination as the hero spoke, "if you ever need to talk about anything at all, you have my ear. If you ever need a sword to wield against an enemy, you can use me. And if something were to befall you, I would scour the world to ensure the person who did you harm was put to death. I pledged my loyalty to you a long time ago, I hope you know my pledge still stands."

Zelda stared at Link with shocked blue eyes that were bright with tears. She reached out a trembling hand and took hold of one of Link's, squeezing tightly. "Thank you, Link."

Link smiled, that careless, happy smile she remembered from when she'd first met him, the smile that had ceased to exist after the time that had never come to pass. Seeing it now made her heart lighter and her troubles seem insignificant. The hero bowed slightly and left the room, leaving a emotionally-wrought princess behind.

Zafir was waiting for him outside Darunia's room, talking to Darunia's son and the Goron guard.

"Link!" Darunia's son called out happily as he reached them.

Zafir turned at the exclamation and his whole face lit on seeing his hero, "Good morning." He greeted, "You were gone when I woke up."

"Zelda wanted to see me." Link explained, giving his Sheikah an apologetic smile.

"Zelda?" Zafir frowned slightly, "Is something wrong?"

Link shook his head, "She said we could go home."

"Home?" The Sheikah looked surprised, "But what about Thalin? And Firebrand's brothers?"

Link pursed his lips, "Either Thalin was bluffing, or Firebrand's brothers are more discreet than he is. Zelda's messengers didn't have any trouble delivering her messages, so she believes there's nothing to worry about."

"But you don't." A low female voice surmised.

Zafir and the Gorons started, but Link turned to meet Impa's red gaze, not surprised to find her standing behind him. He shook his head slowly, "I can't explain it, really. I just have a feeling something is wrong."

"A feeling?" Link the Goron repeated, frowning, "Maybe you're just being paranoid?"

Link chuckled, shaking his head, "I've learnt to trust my instincts over the years, Link."

Impa nodded, "I agree. If you think this is not over, then it likely isn't. What will you do?"

Link looked at Zafir uncertainly, and the Sheikah immediately gave him a reassuring smile, reaching out to take his hand and squeezing it much like Zelda had. "I go wherever you go, Link. Home can wait."

Link sighed, looking torn between happiness at the sentiment and frustration that he was about to drag Zafir into more danger. "If that's the case, then we'll first head for the Zora Domain. If all is truly well there we'll head for the Lost Woods and then back to Gerudo Valley." He met Impa's steady gaze, "You will need to watch over Kakariko Village."

"The temple locations." She mused softly, "Yes, your plan is a sound one."

"I'll help Father guard our temple!" Link the Goron promised fiercely.

The hero smiled warmly at the Goron, "I'll leave that to you then." He turned to Zafir, meeting wine red eyes, "We need to leave as soon as possible."

Zafir nodded, "Epona and Spirit are at Kakariko Village. If we start now we can be at that inn by nightfall."

"Kaepora is here, Link." Impa interjected, "He can help you get down the mountain quicker."

Link considered that for a moment before nodding, "Yes, I'll ask him for help. Thank you, Impa." He glanced at Zafir, "Let's gather our things and get going."

The Sheikah nodded, following his hero as he made his way up to their rooms.

"You want me to do what?!" Zafir asked, alarmed, as he looked from Link to the large bird perched on a rock above them and back.

"Kaepora is one of Zelda's most trusted subjects. You'll be safe with him." Link said soothingly with an arm wrapped around the Sheikah's shoulders. He tried to lead Zafir forward, but the Sheikah dug his heels in and refused to budge.

"No." He said firmly, sounding shaken, "No way. You ride the bird, Link. I'll walk down."

"I don't know how I feel about being referred to as 'bird'." Kaepora admitted, his head snapping upside down for a moment before righting itself.

"Zafir, be reasonable. We'll be saving so much time this way. You know I wouldn't let you walk down alone." Link's blue eyes pleaded with the Sheikah.

Zafir couldn't bring himself to refuse Link again. Especially not when those bright blue eyes gazed at him so beseechingly. He took a deep breath and exhaled shakily, "Okay. Okay, I'll get on it."

"You'll get on 'him', Master Sheikah." Kaepora corrected, more amused than annoyed, "I do have a gender."

"Right." Zafir flushed, embarrassed, "Sorry."

"It's quite all right. For all his confidence right now, the Hero of Time wasn't very keen on flying with me his first time either." Kaepora said, his head turning one eighty degrees before snapping back in place.

Zafir lowered his voice so only Link would hear, "His head stops turning this way and that when he flies, right?"

Link chuckled, "It does." He assured him.

Each of Kaepora's legs curled around one of them and the giant owl took flight. Zafir whimpered as the ground disappeared from beneath them. He shut his eyes tightly, whispering prayers to the Goddesses that he live through this endeavour. Link, on the other hand, seemed perfectly all right with the altitude they were in. He chatted casually with Kaepora, allowing Zafir to focus on his voice to calm his nerves and keep himself from throwing up.

It seemed like an age before Kaepora finally began to descend. It was only when the bird gently laid him on the ground, that Zafir opened his eyes. He let out a shuddering breath, relieved to feel the ground underneath him.

"Are you all right?" Link asked from somewhere close by.

He nodded wordlessly, unwilling to try and sit up until his churning stomach settled.

"I'll take my leave then. Good luck, young friends." There was a rush of wind and the slowly fading sound of flapping wings.

"Zafir? You're worrying me." Link said, sounding truly concerned. Zafir felt a hand reach out and caress his face. He leaned into the touch and let his red eyes meet those beautiful blue ones, "I'm all right now." He managed, slowly pulling himself up so he was sitting cross-legged on the ground just outside Kakariko Village.

Link's worry didn't dissipate though, "Are you sure? You look pale. Maybe we should have walked down after all."

Zafir cupped the hero's cheek and brushed a kiss against his lips, "I'm fine, sweetheart. I was just a bit dizzy, that's all."

Relief flashed across Link's features, "Okay. Do you want to rest for a bit before finding the horses and setting out?"

Zafir shook his head, "Our stuff is at Impa's, isn't it? Let's get the horses and go there. Maybe we can find some food supplies while we're at it. I think whatever we had would have gone bad by now. By the time we get all that done, I'll be fine."

Link agreed begrudgingly, and both men set off into the village.

The difference in the mood of the village people now compared to when they had passed through nearly three weeks ago was palpable. People were smiling at one another, gathering in small groups, laughing and talking. Some of them even smiled at Link and Zafir as they made their way to the inn.

The innkeeper greeted them with a smile, assuring them that their horses were fine and had been well taken care of. Thanking her, both of them paid her for her trouble before making their way to the stables.

Both horses were glad to see their owners alive and well. Epona, clearly used to Link running off and leaving her behind, burrowed her face in Link's chest, harrumphing before lifting her head and nipping at his hat affectionately. Spirit, however, reared up on two feet, pawing the air with an excited whinny. Zafir ducked under the hooves to stand at his stallion's side, soothing him with soft words and a warm smile.

It was another hour before they cantered out of Kakariko Village, the sun on their backs and wind in their hair. They slowed to a walk as they finally left Death Mountain behind them and entered the Hyrule Fields. Zafir guided Spirit a bit closer to Epona and asked curiously, "What are the Zora like?"

Link considered that thoughtfully, "Well, they aren't as warm and welcoming as the Gorons." A thought seemed to strike the hero and he grimaced, "At least most of them aren't."

Zafir raised a single brow in question, and Link sighed as he explained. "Ruto, the Zora Princess, was the one who had the third spiritual stone. The Zora's Sapphire. She got herself swallowed by this huge fish and I had to get her out."

"You rescued her." Zafir's lips curved in an amused smile, "You make a habit of rescuing princesses, don't you?"

Link gave him a dark look, "Shut up."

Zafir chuckled, "I'm sorry. Continue with your tale."

Link looked suddenly uncertain as he chewed on his lower lip, "You have to understand I didn't know anything about the spiritual stones when I was collecting them. Zelda had told me it was necessary and so I did it."

Zafir frowned slightly, reaching out to grasp one of his hero's hands and squeeze it tightly, "You can tell me anything, Link."

Link swallowed then said quickly, "Thesapphirewasanengagementring!"

Zafir blinked, "What?"

"The sapphire was an engagement ring." Link said slowly, his cheeks, neck and ears bright red. "I didn't know, I swear! Apparently, the Zora royals give it to their intended. When Ruto gave it to me I was just glad I'd collected all three spiritual stones. Besides, we were kids! I didn't think she was actually serious."

Zafir's eyes were wide and his mouth parted in surprise, "And she was? Serious, I mean." He pulled Spirit to a stop, his hand falling away from Link's, "Does this princess think she's engaged to you? Right now?" He couldn't keep his annoyance from his voice.

Link shook his head quickly, "No! Of course not." He let out a bemused chuckle, "Actually, she took me aside when Zelda first sent me to ask the Zora to join the Hyrulian Alliance. She told me she believed she had been too hasty about the entire affair and asked if I could return the sapphire to her because she thought she could do better than a princess's lackey."

Zafir let out a loud laugh, startling both the horses as well as Link. Whatever irritation he had felt vanished as he doubled over in mirth. Link frowned, not at all amused, "That wasn't meant to be so funny. I am not Zelda's lackey."

Sensing that the hero was truly miffed, Zafir stifled his laughter, but he was unable to keep his wide smile from his face. "I know, sweetheart. I wasn't laughing at you. It's just…this Ruto, she sounds like quite the character."

Link snorted, nudging Epona into walking once more, "Oh, you have no idea."