Shad opened his eyes and he did not recognize the room. Where am I? Link! He brought me here... he saved me and brought me here. Where is he? The door opened and Renado came in, Shad gasped as he sat up.

Renado held up his hand and smiled. "Don't be afraid, Shad. You are safe. Let me explain everything to you." He grabbed a chair and sat next to the scholar's bed. "My name is Renado, I am the shaman and healer of Kakariko Village. Link brought you here unconscious and you were close to dying but I was able to heal you."

Shad placed his hand on his chest and chuckled. "Thank you, I don't know how to repay you."

"You don't have to," Renado said as he placed his hand on the scholar's shoulder. "You are a friend of Link and he has done so much for us... you could say this is a small way to repay him for that he has done. He is a wonderful person."

Shad smiled warmly when he heard this. He sure is wonderful... oh Link. "Where is Link?"

Renado gave Shad a sad expression. "He had to leave to get something that will help his friend, Ilia get his memory back."

"Oh yes, I've heard of Ilia."

"He spent the night looking after you. I don't know if he rested," Renado chuckled at this last part. "When I came to talk to him earlier today, he had put his bed right next to yours, it looks like he wanted to be closer to you. It crushed him to find out that he had to leave so soon."

Shad nodded. Thanks a lot, Ilia. "When is he coming back"

"Hard to tell. But we do have to focus on your wounds, let me have a look."

Shad forced a smile to Renado, his thoughts consumed by Link

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Shad slowly walked down the stairs of Renado's house and he saw Ilia standing there looking at nowhere in particular.

"Hello," he said.

"Hello," she said startled. "You scared me."

"I do apologize, that was never my intention." He smiled and vowed to her. "I'm Shad."

"Ilia," she said shyly. "You are Link's friend! I'm so happy to see you're fine!"

Really? "Thank you. Renado says you have lost your memory?"

She nodded sadly. "Yes and from what I understand, I'm Link's childhood friend, but I don't remember him at all! He took me, Telma and that Zora boy here so that Renado could heal the boy. I was not able to see Link escort us, but Telma was impressed."

"Is that so?" I remember dearest Telma telling me about Link before I met him to see if I would be interested in him, she most definitely got that right.

"He saved our lives. Just because of that..." she chuckled sweetly, "he's caught my attention."

"I beg your pardon!" Shad realized that he raised his voice a little too much which made Ilia jump back. "I do apologize for that. I just... did not expect you to be... interested in him."

Ilia laughed softly. "What is not to be interested in him? He's gorgeous, just look at him! Blonde hair, striking blue eyes, beautiful smile. I don't know his personality but it doesn't matter to me!" She giggled.

Shad just stared at Ilia with a frown. I know what he looks like. And I most definitely know his personality... he is the most incredible man I've ever met and I have been more intimate with him than you ever had in your whole entire life, you silly looking girl...

"You'll have to excuse me, I am in the mood for fresh air," Shad announced.

"Ooh, I'll come with you!" Ilia said happily.

Shad sighed in annoyance. Well isn't that fantastic?!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The scholar spent two hours with the girl, much to his dismay. He was not interested in getting to know Ilia since she mentioned her interest in Link. He doesn't want her... he doesn't like her... he said so himself! Why am I acting this way?

One of the Gorons approached them and said, "Would any of you be interested in a warm bath?"

No... I am not in the mood for a bad.

"No thank you," said Ilia.

"I would, sounds energizing," said Shad. Just get me away from her.

"Right this way, brother."

Shad nodded politely at Ilia and followed the Goron.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Shad laid back relaxed on the warm pool of the hot spring. He looked up at the sky, it was starting to get dark, but he was reassured by a couple of the Gorons that he could stay as much as he wanted to and that no danger would come to him since he was Brother Link's close friend. The scholar smiled at listening to his hero's name. He closed his eyes again and relaxed. I wish he would be here with me... right this moment. Both of us relaxing in this hot spring, enjoying each other's company and me telling him how much I love him... I hope he's fine.

Shad's thoughts were interrupted when one of the Gorons came by the spring. "Brother Link is back!" Shad heart leaped as he stood up to get dressed.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Shad was escorted by one of the Gorons to ground. He walked to Renado's house. He stopped halfway when he saw Renado and Cor Goron walk out of the house with a knowing smile. He then saw the children being escorted away from the window. They were all giggling.

What in the world is going on?

His anxiety level started to rise as he hurried to the window to see what was happening. Where is Link? I do not see him anywhere and... as he got to the window and saw Ilia embarrassing Link tightly and then he saw her kiss the hero. Shad's entire body temperature went freezing cold and closed his eyes. He immediately turned around and walked away.

As he was walking fast through out town, Renado spotted him.

"Shad!"

The scholar turned abruptly at him and just stared at him. Renado immediately felt uncomfortable.

"Is everything alright?"

"Of course everything is alright, Renado!" Shad threw his arms up in the air. "Everything is just perfect!"

"Ilia regained her memory back and it seems that her and Link are courting," he chuckled as he walked next to Shad, trying to keep up with the scholar's pace.

Shad laughed bitterly. "Well isn't that special? Now they can get married and have millions of children!" He started to run.

"Shad? Are you alright?"

"I just need to be alone, please let me be!" He yelled as he ran out of Kakariko Village leaving a confused Renado.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Link gently pushed Ilia away by placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Ilia," he chuckled nervously. "What are you doing?"

"I love you, Link! I've always loved you. I want us to live in Ordon and raise a family and you could be the mayor! Settle down for good! Oh, Link... wouldn't it be wonderful?"

Link just stood there with a shocked face. Married to you? Live in Ordon? Have... a family? I... "Ilia... I don't want that," he said gently.

Ilia shook her head. "I don't understand," she said placing her hands on her hips.

"I don't want a family or live in Ordon. I for sure don't want to be mayor and..." he winced. "I don't love you."

Ilia gasped. "You... don't love me?"

Link winced again. "I'm so sorry. My life has changed ever since I started on this journey and... I kinda met someone."

"You love someone else?" Ilia asked sadly.

Link looked at Ilia. "I think I do," he chuckled. "I do." I'm in love with Shad. He was shocked and overwhelmed by his sudden realization.

"I just made a fool out of myself," she laughed nervously as she sat down by the fire. "I cannot believe I have ruined everything."

Link was pulled out of his thoughts and sat next to Ilia. "You haven't ruined everything, my friend," he reassured her warmly.

Ilia wiped a tear from her eye. "I have. I ruined our friendship!" She started to cry.

"Ilia, you haven't ruined our friendship. I'm so sorry I can't return your affection."

"Can I... ask who is it that you love?"

"If I tell you, will you not hold him against you?"

Ilia's eyes went wide. "Him? You're in love with a man?"

Link smiled and shrugged. "I never liked girls."

Ilia gasped. "No wonder you never made a move or anything. I turned down a lot of guys just to be with you. I was waiting for you."

Link smiled sadly. "Again, very sorry."

Ilia returned Link's sad smile. "I promise, who is it?"

"It's Shad."

"I like him, he's so charming!"

"You... met him?"

"Yes, he woke up. Renado did a fine job. We spent some time together. He's quiet but he's nice. "He's at the hot springs above the roof... go to him."

Link stared at Ilia surprised. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You need to go talk to him! I think he likes you too!"

"And you are... fine?"

She giggled. "Yes, don't worry about me. I will find someone else. Now go."

They both hugged each other and Link smiled at Ilia one last time before he turned to the door to go find Shad.