Chapter 29: The Good in Our Goodbyes

-Zelda-

Three months have passed since my return to Blair Cavington. The seasons are changing and summer is around the corner in Wellington. Link and I had returned when the weather was on the brink of Spring. Which was perfect timing, considering Agitha has been going out to walk with me every day since then. How she's found time in her busy schedule to go on daily walks with me, I'm not sure.

I can tell it's helped, though. I can finally walk around normally again and my weight is almost back up to what it was before I left for Morehouse. Link has made sure that I keep strictly to my diet. Often whenever we eat together, he lays out everything I need in order to take in each food group. He's definitely learned my likes and dislikes by now, so it's become much easier to eat. Agitha also helps out with my meal plans. At the start of each week, we plan out exactly what I will need to eat throughout the week. We have it down to a tee.

Link and I have both managed to transition our way back into classes. Our days consist of homework, studying, walking, and then reading and painting. Link has even tried to teach me how to paint (rather, how he paints) little by little. I enjoy watching him. Some days I go by the studio and watch him paint there. Whenever he gets tired of painting, he watches me practice the cello. I've even managed to teach him some of it. He's a quick learner. Despite my terrible attempts to paint, Link hasn't fully given up on his theory that I have some artistic bone in my body, so when we go on walks, he takes his camera and I try to point things out that I think are photogenic. He says I have a good eye, but for all I know he is just throwing me a bone.

Things are, in some ways, the same as before tragedy ever struck. But it's different than our pre-Morehouse days. There's a certain peace in the air that wasn't there before.

After the summer break that is actually only three weeks of no classes, Link will begin his last semi-term at Blair Cavington Academy, which gives him about three months left here, which really just consists of him doing external work for places. I'm only slightly apprehensive about what will happen after he graduates from the Academy. I am one year younger than him, so I still technically have a year left. What I will do, I'm not sure. But I suppose the only thing to do is cross that bridge when I come to it.

I make my way to Quantum Physics, thinking about what the future will hold while simultaneously trying to distract myself from thinking about what the future will hold.

There's a running noise behind me and I spin around to see a mess of blond hair bellowing toward me.

"Hi there," I grin at him.

"Hello, my dear," he greets.

"This is an unexpected surprise." I never see Link on my way to this class.

"I was late to Ceramics and I saw you walking so…I ran over here." He quickly takes my books from my arms so that I don't have to carry them. He has stopped asking for them because I always insist that I can carry them, so now he just takes them.

"You were late?"

"Okay, am late. But it doesn't matter, I'm almost a fourth year," he winks.

"'Almost' is the key word here," I laugh.

"You know Rosa won't care," he blows his hair out of his face.

"True. So, what are your plans for the day?" I ask as we make our way down the sidewalk. I look up at the sky. It looks as if it might rain later.

"Rosa wants to talk to me about something, I'm sure just about the art show this weekend," he informs me.

"Oh yes, am I still invited to that?"

"Well of course, you're my guest of honor," he smiles at me.

"I can hardly wait for it. I've watched you work so hard on all of your paintings, I feel like I'd be robbed if I didn't get to see them on display," I reply, thinking of the hours I have spent watching him stroke and mix and nearly curse his own birth when he made a mistake.

"I'm excited to. This art show is a big deal. All of the best artists in the school are participating. It's the biggest show of the year. A lot of really important people show up to this thing," he trails off.

"Are you nervous?" I ask as we approach the building.

Link leans forward and grabs the door to the science building.

"Umm—," he says as I walk through. I stop and wait for him and then we continue walking. "Kind of," he finishes.

"I don't blame you. But you have no reason to be nervous, in my opinion. You art always fascinates everyone."

"You might be a little biased," he says with his head down. I put my arm through his momentarily as we walk.

"On the contrary, I'm your biggest critic. Remember that error I made you fix last week?"

"You mean your reminding me to sign my name at the bottom?" He scoffs.

"Yeah!"

"I'd consider that a suggestion," he shrugs as we turn a corner.

The science building is a massive heap of glass on Blair Cavington's campus. It is one of the largest buildings at the school, which is saying something. Its architecture is beautiful, though, like the rest of the school. My favorite portion of the building is the attached greenhouse that was two and a half stories tall. My parents had an obsession with plants, so it reminds me of them.

"I forgot how gorgeously intimidating this building was," Link mumbles as he looks around.

"It's one of my favorites," I reply.

"That does not surprise me in the least."

We make it to my classroom and Link hands me my books back.

"I'll see you in Linguistics?"

"Yes," I nod.

"After my last class I'll be in Rosa's for a while. Feel free to come by, if you want. I'm going to finish up my last painting in the studio before the week gets too busy," he tells me.

"Alrighty. I'll head there after my class gets out."

"Sounds good," he smiles, "See you."

"See you," I smile back as he leans in and kisses my cheek extremely fast before I walk in my classroom.

At the end of the day, I stop by my room and drop my bag and books off. I grab a carrot out of my fridge to munch on on my way to Rosa's room.

I met Rosa soon after I got back to Blair Cavington at her request. She said she wanted to meet the girl who changed Link's art. I wasn't quite sure what that meant, but I saw her anyway. I was a little nervous to meet her. She was Link's mentor and if anyone had an influence on him it was her, not me. Add on the fact that she and I were technically totally different people, I was even more nervous. But we hit it off very well. She was so nice upon meeting me and she has quite the sense of humor. Ever since, I've felt comfortable going to see her with Link. We get along very easily.

The halls are empty as I walk through them. As I get closer to Rosa's room, I can hear her speaking to Link.

"—be a good opportunity for you. You're one of the best painters we have here, any number of the professors can attest to that."

"I don't know about that…," I barely hear Link reply.

"I know you're nervous about leaving Zelda, and I understand that, I'm just saying this is something you need to think about in the near future."

My stomach drops and I slow my walk. I stand against the wall outside the room and listen for Link's response.

"How long would I be gone?" he asks.

"About a year. Around ten to eleven months."

"All that just to become a better painter?" Link inquires.

"Not just to become a better painter, Link. To be a world renown painter. Not many students from this school get this opportunity, much less any painter around the world."

I hear Link sigh and I know he's running his hand through his hair.

"Look, I'm not telling you that you have to do it. I'm just saying it's something you need to consider."

"Alright," he replies.

"Think about it for yourself and then talk it over with Zelda later, if you want. You never know, she might give you some insight," Rosa suggests. Link is silent for a long time before answering.

"Yeah. I will. Thanks, Rosa."

I panic thinking Link might walk out any moment and see me standing here, and then know I eavesdropped on the whole conversation.

"No problem, honey. Are you headed down to the studio to finish up your painting? I need them all in by day after tomorrow," Rosa starts. I thank the Goddess for her extra sentence and take it as my cue to walk in.

"Your paintings for the show?" I ask as I enter so they think that was the only bit of conversation I heard.

"Yep," Link replies.

"Hey, Mrs. Rosa," I greet her.

"Zelda, my sweet gorgeous girl, how are you?" Rosa replies.

"Fantastic," I smile at her. "I'm really excited for the art show this weekend."

"Oh, we all are. Although, I gotta tell ya, I'll be kind of glad when it's over."

"Why?" Link asks.

"Well, because some people wait until the last minute to finish up," she eyes Link, who grins sarcastically, because we all know she means him. "On top of that, getting all the students' work together is just a hassle."

"I can imagine," I say, thinking about the enormous amount of work that goes into this kind of thing. "Well, if there's anything I can do for you, let me know," I tell her.

"Really," Link chimes in. "If you need a spread sheet made or an algorithm of the best way to organize and distribute all the art, let her know."

I almost contradict his statement, but then I realize that's actually a good idea so I just shrug and not my head.

"I don't doubt her work at all, believe me. But I think I can manage. Link, I might have you come down Friday and help me load up some of the larger pieces."

"I can do that," Link replies.

"Well, alright kiddos, I'll let you all run. Zelda, can't wait to see you at the show this weekend. Especially at Link's station," she smiles a mischievous smile and I look at Link.

"I can't wait either," I reply, wondering what she meant.

"Let's go, Zel," Link puts his hand on my back and leads me out of the room.

We walk to the studio just below Rosa's, talking of the random events of the day. I never ask Link about the conversation I overheard, although I'm dying to know. The words "one year," "world renown painter," and "opportunity" bounce through my brain over and over as we walk.

I take a seat at a table in the studio while Link fetches his paints. His painting is already set up on an easel in middle of the room. I watch him paint, although I find myself watching his facial expressions more than his hands or the brush this time. I wonder if he will tell me. And I wonder if he will go.

But it would be his decision if and when to ask me. He may not want to go anywhere and therefore just never bring it up with me.

Surely if he wanted to go though, he wouldn't just stay here for me. Not that I want him to go anywhere for that long.

I sit quietly as he makes the last few adjustments on his master piece, lost in thought.

"You're very contemplative," he mumbles, his face only a few inches from the canvas as he made the tiniest stroke.

"I'm just letting you concentrate," I reply.

"I'm almost done."

When he finishes, he stretches and sets his painting in the drying room. He washes his pallet and then grabs my hand as we walk out.

"Did you eat something after class?"

"I got a carrot on my way to Rosa's," I answer.

"You eat that thing on your way over here?"

"Yeah," I reply, looking at him. "Why?"

"You're funny," he shakes his head.

"Why?"

"Those things are huge, how did you manage to scarf it down on your way here?"

"Strong teeth," I shrug. He laughs.

The day goes on and Link never mentions the conversation with Rosa. The next day passes and he still says nothing. Friday rolls around and he still has yet to mention anything. I never mention the issue to Agitha or Komali, though. I just pretend like I never heard anything. If Link wants to tell me, he will tell me.

Friday afternoon, I go to my room and pack a small bag of snacks and lemonade drinks. Link and some others are loading up the art stuff and I figure they will be hungry or thirsty.

I throw the bag over my shoulder and head out the door. When I get to the outside of the art building, I see Link rub his forehead against his sleeve.

"Thirsty?" I ask.

"Dying. What are you up to?"

"I thought I'd come by and see if I could quench your thirst," I say holding up a glass bottle of ice cold lemonade.

"Goddess bless you," Link says as he kisses my forehead.

"There are snacks in here as well. I brought some for your friends too," I hand him the bag.

"I don't know if I'd call them my friends so much as I would fellow artists," he says in a low voice as we both observe some kid summersault down the ramp of the trailer.

"They're gifted," I remark through a smile, referring to the phrase that people say when someone does something weird at Blair Cavington.

"Den of Freaks, remember?" Link mumbles again.

"Oh stop," I lightly slap him. "A year ago people probably said the same thing about me when I roamed around here."

"The guys only would've said that because they wanted you, and the girls would have said that because they wanted to be you," he says, gazing down at me with one eyebrow raised.

"Oh please," I reply, trying to hide my smile.

"Where are you headed?" Link pops open the bottle.

"Home, to study. I have final exams coming up."

"Oh yeah, I need to study for a few of mine."

"We can study together after the art show is over if you want," I offer.

"As if I wasn't planning on studying with you anyway," he winks.

"True. But if you need any help, you know where to find me," I toss him a smile, as I turn to leave.

"As if I'd ask my girlfriend to help me homework," he retorts as I walk away. I spin around and grin at him.

"Like what else can I help you do? You do everything for me, at least let me feel somewhat needed!" I shout back.

"Just keep doing what you're doing," he grins back at me. I roll my eyes, smiling, and turn back around, but I feel his eyes still on me.

"Dinner at Agitha's?" I hear him say.

"Yep!"

"See you then!"

Agitha and I talk about certain tests coming up while we wait for Link and Komali. Link describes his paintings for the art show to them while we all eat our food. Komali tells Link about his preparations for the last up-coming term. Hearing them both talk about what they will do after their days at Blair Cavington are over makes Agitha and I both apprehensive. We do the only thing we can do though, which is swallow, nod, and keep on going with our day.

It is fairly late by the time we are done, the sun has long since set. Komali decides to stay with Agitha while she closes to make sure she gets out okay. He's become considerably more protective of her, Link and I noticed when we got back from Morehouse. Not that Link was not protective of her either, but since he was gone for so long, Komali and Agitha became somewhat dependent on each other.

It works out though, because now neither Link or I feel like we are abandoning either one of them if we leave together since we are dating after all.

Link and I bid them both a good night and he walks me to my room.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you about something," Link says as we walk. I hold my breath, praying it's about what I overheard with Rosa the other day.

"Something on your mind?" I ask him as we walk in the pale moonlight. There is a slight breeze that whips both of our hair out of our eyes, and the smell of the sea is prevalent.

"Yes. I've been thinking about it for a few days now, but I wanted to consult you on it before I made any decisions because I wanted your opinion," he replies.

"I'm honored you would want to ask me."

"Well, you're my best friend. And quite frankly, I could use your advice about it," he replies, not really making eye contact with me.

"You're mine too. So, what's going on?" I ask, gently.

"You know I told you Rosa wanted to talk to me the other day," he starts. I nod in response. "Well," he continues, "it wasn't just about the art show. It was about an art apprenticeship."

"Really?" I breathe.

"Yeah. It's only offered to two students in the entire academy, and I was one of them. How that's possible, I'm not really sure. Anyway, it's obviously a huge honor to be even considered for such an opportunity," he still avoids my eyes.

I listen intently, and I immediately know where this is going, but I want him to finish anyway.

"Yes, it is," I reply.

"So, should I accept, I'll be sent around the world to learn about art. I'd be studying some of the most famous paintings, and I'd get to consult with a lot of the current famous painters on my work and stuff. It'll be educational, obviously, but it will also prepare me for becoming a free-standing artist on my own, after I'm no longer under Blair Cavington. It'll teach me how to market my art and stuff like that, while also improving my work because I'll be studying under some of the most well known artists and art critics. It's a pretty big deal, as far as the art world goes," he informs me. I love listening to him explain things. Especially art. I can tell he's passionate about it.

"Link, that's a big deal in anyone's world," I reply, amazed that I was standing next to someone so talented. He finally looks at me, his eyes holding that sweet sadness in them that he had on occasion when he was touched by something I said.

"But it's for a year, Zelda. I'd be gone for an entire year while I traveled. I don't know if I want to do that. I'd feel bad to leave you. I mean, I can't just up and leave for a year—,"

"Out of the question," I interrupt.

"See, I thought so too, it's just too much to try to—,"

"No, I mean whether or not you should go is out of the question. Of course you should go," I state.

Link stops walking and finally makes eye contact with me.

"Wait, what?"

"Why would you even consider not going? Of course you should go, Link. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I mean, what an honor that you were chosen! You can't let that pass you by. You should go. This could be so huge for you as an artist. This is what you've worked for, what you've been trained for, what you were made for. This is what you do, Link."

The wind whips my hair in front of my forehead, but I just continue staring at him.

"You think so?" He finally speaks, his voice almost a whisper.

"Yes," I reply. "Let me ask you this: despite me, despite you feeling melancholic about your last year, despite the nerves and the angst and the unknown future—disregarding all of that—do you want to go?"

"With everything in me," he replies, a small smile appearing on his face. Despite the darkness, I can see his eyes light up with excitement and desire.

"Then you go, Link."

"It's a whole year, Zelda," he says, sadness flickering through his expression.

I grab his hands and hold them in mine.

"You know where I'll be when you're gone. And I'll be here the minute you get back."

"Does that mean you'll wait for me?" his hands grasp mine, tightly.

"Of course I will," I whisper.

"Zelda Nohansen," he exclaims as he bends down and picks me up in a hug.

"As if that's even a question!" I say as I lean back and look at him.

"So you support me in doing this?" He asks as he sets me down.

"Link, I'll support you in whatever you do. But especially this. What kind of a friend would I be if I didn't support you?"

I rest my hand on his cheek.

"Don't you remember, my dear? It was I who accused you of never painting for you. I was the one who told you to do something for yourself in order to fulfill your desire to paint, not paint in order to fulfill the desire of other people. What an amazing experience you're going to have? I'm excited for you!"

"Zelda, you have no idea how much at ease that puts me," he hugs me again.

"You should have talked to me about this sooner then," I put my hand on the back of his head as he rests his chin on my shoulder. "Were you afraid I'd encourage you to stay here?"

"No…I was afraid you'd encourage me to go, but single. I thought you'd try to be so noble you'd tell me to go off alone and not think about you and you'd try to set me free or something. I mean, for a year, Zelda, you've been afraid of someone leaving you again. I didn't want you to think I was leaving you," he admits.

I feel tears in my eyes as he speaks. I push his head up in order to look him in the face.

"You're not leaving for good," I smile.

"I thought you might try to make me leave for good. You'd say it was for my own benefit that I not be tied down to you in case I stumble upon some other opportunity or something while I'm gone," he holds my shoulders.

"I'm not that selfless," I smirk.

"Yes, you are," he rebuts.

He holds my hand and we continue walking to my room.

"We've both come a long way since that conversation, haven't we?" he says as we (ironically) pass the Strings store.

"We have," I reply, remembering the screaming match Link and I got into that day. "That was the day you kissed me," I finish.

"It was, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. You lit into me about being royally pathetic and I retaliated by telling you that you were a worthless fraud. Then you kissed me," I remind him.

"I don't think either of us used those exact words…,"

"I paraphrased," I explain.

"Well then," he stops and grabs my waist, spinning me toward him, "shouldn't we end this conversation the same way as the last time we had it?"

"Was it really the same conversation though?" I say as his nose lands on mine. He leans back and thinks for a moment.

"It pertains to the same thing, you could technically file it under the same category," he nods.

"What category would you file both conversations under?"

"Me being a fraud and you being an unpredictable, giant pain in the rear," he answers.

"If that's a file then I think we should take the file out and just file that file in the trash," I try to convince him.

"Never mind," he barely gets the words out before his lips land on mine. I guess he just decided to end the conversation himself, but I don't mind.

Link walks me to my door and tells me good night.

"When do you leave?" I say before I scan my finger across the pad.

"I don't know yet. Probably next month. I'll take my final exams and then go."

"I see. So you're going to tell Rosa you're going to do it?" I ask.

"Yeah. I'm going to tell her tomorrow."

"Good. She will be happy. We both know it's the wise thing to do for your future. And I want what's best for your future as much as you do," I tell him.

"Thank you, Zelda."

"Just don't let any artistic, eccentric girls catch your eye while you're frolicking across the land," I grin. I can never fake seriousness anymore.

"I dare any artist girl to try to challenge you. They've got nothing on you, my love," he kisses my lips quickly and then leaves a kiss on my forehead as well.

"You just think that," I laugh.

"No, I know that."

He stares at me for a while and I know he's thinking the same thing I am. How many days left do we have of doing this?

"I'm going to miss you, my little genius," he says, close to my face. "My little genius" is a name he's given me recently. I know most girls might wish for "darling" or "my angel," but Link has never been one for mediocracy.

"I'll miss you more," I reply.

"I'll still keep in contact with you, though."

"Send me postcards!" I tell him, cheerfully.

"Post cards?"

"Yes! I love mail," I smile.

"Oh yes, I knew that. Well, as you wish, princess. I'll send you all the mail!" he hugs me again.

"That's all I ask," I laugh.

"I love you," Link nearly whispers, his eyes dancing back and forth in mine.

"And I love you," I reply.

"I'll come pick you up before the art show tomorrow, alright?"

"Yes yes yes. I'll be ready."

"I can't wait," he replies.

"Me niether."

The next morning I wake up already excited. I fell asleep last night surprisingly easy under the circumstances of Link and my's last conversation. I try to hold on to the fact that he will be back, and that this is what he wants. Therefore, I want it for him.

I stretch and feel the plush rug underneath my feet. I have gotten in the habit of sleeping with my windows open these last few days since the weather has been so nice, so I can smell the ocean and feel the breeze when I stand up and look outside. It is a gorgeous day. A perfect day to spend outside at an art show.

Hurriedly, I shove my face full of corn flakes. Then I run into my bathroom and brush my teeth and wash my face. I look up at myself in the mirror, water dripping off of my skin, and wonder what to look like for this thing.

All of Link's "fellow artists" will be there. His professors and art critics will be too. I want to look nice.

I dry my face off and brush my hair. I fiddle with it for a while, trying to deicide how to do it for the day. I decide to wear it up, twisting it up into a loose bun and pulling my tendrils down. It's new for me, but I kind of like it. After applying a small amount of makeup, which I have no idea how to actually do, I throw my closet doors open and pick out the light coral pink dress I had in mind to wear. It's short, coming just above my knees. It hugs my waist and then flows out from there. It is the perfect thing to wear on a late spring day.

I slip into my dress and sit down to tie my shoes. As if on cue, I hear a knock on my door.

"Who is it?" I answer from my bar stool.

"Me," I hear Link answer.

"It's open," I call.

He opens the door and sticks his head in.

"Ready?"

"Yep. Just tying my shoes," I answer with my head down as I fix my laces.

Link walks over to me and picks my foot up placing it on his knee as he ties the other shoelace.

"You're literally perfect," he says, peering over me. I glance up at him and I'm sure my face is red.

"As are you," I reply. I finally notice what he is wearing. One thing is for sure, he looks like an artist. He is not in his regular school uniform with a loose tie (that he never wore half the time) and sleeves rolled up to his forearms. He actually wore his shirt properly, his tie around his neck, and his real dress shoes. I don't believe my eyes, but I think he actually brushed his hair.

"Well then, we make the perfect team," he says as he holds his arm out for me to take. I jump out of my barstool and land solidly next to him as I take his arm.

"We do," I agree.

I grab my messenger bag on the way out the door and we head off for the train station.

"So, remind me again why the art show isn't on campus if so many students are participating?" I ask as we ride the train.

"Because this show has no affiliation with the school, you have to qualify to get to place your work here. My work has been qualified through the school thus far, but now I'm kind of on my own out here with some of the other students. We are setting up with other professional artists from all over Hyrule today. Lots of scouting people will be there, so it's kind of nerve wracking for all the artists," he explains.

"I see."

I can't imagine pouring my heart and soul into something so subjective like art and having people stand and judge, analyze, or critique it in front of me.

"What did Rosa mean when she said she couldn't wait for me to be at your station?" I ask as I look out the window.

"Oh, nothing. She was just being her usual odd self," he replies, vaguely.

"Oh," I answer.

When the train pulls to a stop outside the downtown area, Link grabs my hand and we make our way out of the train and begin walking toward the artist district.

People literally turn their heads as we walk and I can't help but wonder if they recognize him as one of the artists or something.

When we arrive downtown, the street is completely covered in people and art. White tents were set up all around with various paintings or sculptures under them. Some artists were already present, sitting next to their paintings, and some were not around. Link (somehow) knew exactly where he was supposed to go, and leads me to the spot where his tent is set up. People were already standing around his station, observing his work that Rosa had already set up for him. I guess she takes it upon herself to set up the students' work.

"Now," Link started as we approached, "there's one painting I haven't shown you yet."

"Really?" I inquire. I thought I had seen all of them already.

"Yeah. But you'll get to see it today."

"Wh—,"

Before I can finish my question, Link takes my shoulders and stands me in front of a massive canvas that takes up the majority of his tent. I stand, completely motionless, as I observe the beautiful piece.

The painting is completely different from any of Link's work I had previously seen. It was drenched in color and imagination. It depicts a beautiful pink and blue sky, but beyond the sky is evidence of space and stars. Different planets can be seen, such as Saturn and Neptune, and I can even make out the Andromeda galaxy. The most prevalent thing in the painting, though, is a girl. Only her silhouette is able to be seen, but you can see her standing still, observing all of the beauty in the sky. Her hair is being blown by an unseen wind, and her hands hang loosely at her sides. My eyes scan every inch of the beautiful painting, nearly filling up with tears. When I look at the bottom to see what it's called, I gasp. In tiny letters etched in a gold plate, I read the word, "Zelda."

I look up at Link, in utter disbelief.

"You named it after me?" I ask.

"I didn't just name it after you," he points to the girl in the painting, "I painted it after you."

I put my hand over my mouth as I try not to cry, still staring at the painting.

"Do you like it?" I barely hear him ask over the noise of the crowd.

With my knuckle against my lips, I nod my head, tears forming in my eyes anyway despite my resistance.

"Yes," I finally choke out. "I love it."

I look over at him. The breeze has whipped his hair across his forehead.

"You really painted me," I say through tears, but with a smile I can't contain.

"You told me to paint for me, based on what I saw and what I wanted. And this is what I came up with. This is how I see you. This is how other people see you, because this is what you see. You see so much more than any of us can. You see the beauty and the reality in things that people like us can only imagine. There's so much more complexity in that, but there's more depth too. You have the ability to see things from so much higher up than the rest of us do, and I don't know how. And that's what you bring to the table. That's how I see you."

I stare at him, momentarily, but before I can stop myself I ran straight into his arms. He picks me up, as usual when I hug him out of excitement, and then sets me down.

The applause distracts me for a moment though. Upon revealing his masterpiece, he drew a crowd. People had gathered around during that whole soliloquy of his that made me cry, and I didn't even notice it.

"Wow, that's the girl," I hear someone in the semi-circle of people say,

"That's her, she's the one he painted," someone else confirms.

"That's Zelda."

I smile sheepishly at them and then turn to Link, who is grinning from ear to ear.

"Thank you," I mouth to him. He winks at me in return.

The day goes down as one of my favorite days in Wellington. I got to sit next to Link and then listen to him explain his pieces to people who came up to inquire. As I watch him, I realize more and more how imperative it is that he go on this painting journey to seek his fortune around the world. I know he loves me, and I know he knows I love him. But this is his other love. This is his passion. And I would be selfish if I robbed him of getting to spend time with her, too.

Link takes me around some of the other tents to observe art. It's so funny to watch him analyze and mentally critique others' work as well. I can tell when he doesn't like a line of work at all, or when he thinks something is unoriginal. Other times he just glows when he sees something he absolutely loves. I love just listening to him explain why he loves it. He is so kind, because he takes the time to shake the other artists' hands and praise their work. I guess from one artist to another, he lets them know how much he respects them. Some of the artists are much older than him, but he talks to them like they've known each other forever. The bond between him and people who share his eye is very strong.

The show goes on into the night, although most of the night activities just consist of food and walking around and socializing. Link and I decide to go window shopping for a while and we pass the store that we went into ages ago, where I tired on a pretty dress.

"Do you remember going in there?" he asks as we pass it.

"I was just thinking about it," I answer.

"That was when I first realized I liked you."

"Really?" I ask.

"Yep."

We continue walking around, even talking to some other people. I have become known as, "the girl from he painting" now, which I adore.

We ran into Rosa, who gushed over Link's work. Apparently he was extremely well received this show.

As the night was coming to an end, Link began to pack up his work.

"I'm sorry you have to wait on me," he says as he takes down some paintings from easels.

"Don't apologize," I reply. "I can help if you want."

"Nah, don't worry. I've done this a million times. It'll only take a few seconds."

We talk and wave at people as they pass by while Link finishes putting up his things. Rosa comes by to tell Link where to put his items when he's done and she takes a few while she's at it. Link does agree to let me carry a few paintings for him as we walk to the spot Rosa told us to return his art to.

"So what will you do with your stuff now?" I ask.

"Some people make offers to buy it. So I'll probably sell a lot of it."

I think about the painting he made for me and pray he doesn't sell it.

"What about…the one you did of me?" I ask hesitantly.

"Oh that? That's not for sale. That's yours," he replies.

I grin and continue walking alongside him.

"I was hoping you'd say that."


The month continued on. Final examinations proved to be easy for some of us and a bit of a hassle for others as they tried to cram (Link), even though they shouldn't have worried because they ended up making near perfect scores anyway (Link) because everything just works out in their favor regardless (Link).

With the end of the month comes the beginning of our break, but also Link's departure. I grow more and more anxious as the day approaches, but I have to remind myself that he will be back, and that this is what he wants.

Komali and Agitha dread him leaving as well. A year is a long time.

We help Link pack up, which really just consists of clothes a few belongings to take with him. He does, however, have to pack up his entire room and ship whatever he still has here either back home, or leave it in storage until he returns and can figure out where he's going to go. The two of us bought a storage room in Wellington to keep my boxed up library in until I found a place for it, so I insist that he leave it here with my things until he returns to Wellington.

The night before he departs, Komali, Agitha, and I meet in his room to for the two of them to tell him goodbye.

Komali actually hugs him. Agitha jumps into his arms and he kisses her cheek one last time. He tugs on her pigtail, much like Komali, and reminds her to keep us all in line while he's gone. Agitha cries. Komali just stands, silent. We all know this will be the last time for the four of us to be considered students at Blair Cavington. We know it is the last time for us to stand in Link's room together. We know that it is the last time we will indulge ourselves in the normal setting that we have all grown so attached to. Komali will soon depart in a few months as well, which only adds to our despair.

They both leave, Agitha in tears and Komali silent with heartache. I stand in Link's room with a knot in my throat.

"Do you regret me making this decision?" he asks, gently.

"No," I reply. "Not a bit."

"You promise?"

I look up at him. His sapphire eyes stare deeply into mine, the way they used to when we were in our first days of becoming friends and he would try to peer into my soul to drag out my feelings.

"I promise," I answer, steadily.

"I'll be back in a year."

"And I'll count down the days until you return." I lean in and wrap my arms around him. His head rests on mine. We stay like that for a long time. I take in every bit of him that I can. His scent, his arms around me, and mine around him. His jaw against my head, his hair laying on top of mine.

"Don't forget me while you're gone," I whisper.

"Zelda, my love," he leans down and looks me square in the eye, "Death itself could not separate you from my memory."

I choke down my tears and kiss him lightly.

"I love you, Link," I whisper.

"I love you too, Zelda."

I untangle myself from his arms. He opens his door for me, and I stand in the doorway.

This will be the last time I leave his room. When he returns to Blair Cavington, he will no longer be a student. His room didn't feel like his room anymore. Pictures no longer lined the walls, his desk was no longer covered with paints and sketches. It was empty and colorless.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I strain to speak my usual departure.

"See you tomorrow," he replies.

I have to get out of here.

I flash him one last smile and then turn and quickly leave his hall.

I return to my room. I'd be lying if I said I didn't lay my head down and cry until I couldn't cry anymore.

Early in the morning I get up, put my clothes on, and immediately go to Link's room. We agreed that I'd accompany him to the airport before he left, despite how depressing of a trip back for me it would be. I refused to tell him bye a moment sooner than I had to.

We board the train, Link with his papers in hand and his backpack on his back. He only wanted one suitcase with him, although I tried to tell him to take another. I observe him as we ride the train. He's quiet, but he doesn't seem nervous.

"After you do this, you'll be a world renowned painter won't you?" I ask.

"That's what they tell me," he replies.

"You're about to make a lot of money when this is over, aren't you?" I look up at him.

He looks down and actually laughs a little.

"Potentially, yes."

We get to the airport and my stomach tightens. Still yet, I know I have to keep it together. I can lose it after he's gone when I'm with Agitha. I don't want to hinder him from doing this.

I walk with him as far as I can until he has to go through security.

"This is the end of the trek for me," I say quietly as we approach the line.

"You're sure you're okay going back alone? Komali can come get you and ride back with you," Link offers.

"I did escape in the middle of the night and manage to fly halfway around the world in a few hours only a few months ago," I snicker.

Link rolls his eyes.

"Right, I forgot who I was talking to for a second," he smiles.

We stare at each other for a minute, not saying anything. Suddenly, I can't take it anymore.

"Link—,"

I throw myself in his arms. He drops his suitcase and embraces me, picking me up yet again. Neither of us say anything, we just hold each other. I sob into his shoulder. He grips my hair and my shirt in his hand and hugs me tight.

"I'll be back soon, my love," he whispers in my ear.

"I'll be waiting for you here," I whisper back through tears.

He kisses me one last time, despite us being in front of people, picks up his suitcase, and then continues through the security line. I stand and watch as he goes until I can't see him anymore. Just before he is too far away, he turns around and I know he can see me. He throws his arm high in the air and waves. I smile and return his wave, standing on my tip-toes, already longing for the day I see him again.


One Year Later

I stand in front of my entire class as valedictorian. I see Agitha in the crowd, smiling at me, holding a thumbs up. She helped me get ready this morning since I don't have immediate family here to celebrate. But I have her. Malon and Saria even came by to congratulate me. I met their families. We took pictures, exchanged introductions, all the things that I hear of people doing on graduation day but have never experienced. My heart hurts a bit knowing that my own family couldn't be here. But they would be. And I know that even if they aren't here physically, they are proud of me from where they see me.

We know Komali would be here if he could, but the Hyrulian track team has a meet this weekend in Vespiria, Agitha's homeland. She was torn on who to root for.

Komali has been gone for some time, although he keeps up with both of us. After he graduated, he was immediately picked up by the track team that represents all of Hyrule and works for them now. He is widely known around the world these days.

I thank the Goddess every day that Agitha was approached when she was. One day while I was in the cafe, the head of the culinary department paid her a visit. Agitha was nervous at first because she thought she was losing her job at the cafe, but she was completely wrong.

Apparently a food critic who works for an international five star hotel chain had come in Agitha's one day. Agitha served the woman, thinking she was a professor or something. Later that week, she was offered a full time job (career) as head chef of the entire restaurant at the hotel in Wellington. Blair Cavington is sad to lose her, for sure, but they agreed that this was indeed what they had trained her for the entire time. Agitha would soon be known as the world's youngest leading restaurant chef in the business. It is a tough job, as she knows due to her own experience and her parents', but she is excited. Her parents are excited for her as well. They are planning to move to Wellington in order to be with her while she works. Whether or not they will end up working for the hotel as well or just opening up their own restaurant, those details haven't yet been confirmed.

With her life speeding ahead, I don't feel as sad graduating and eventually like I'm leaving her. We still have the summer to look forward to together, though. I'll soon move out of the Blair Cavington residence and make my way to my own apartment. I will not, however, be done at Blair Cavington. The school asked me to stay and continue doing research with them. After Link left, I busied myself by going through and sorting out all of the books and notes I had from Morehouse. Agitha helped, of course. During that time, I told my psychiatrist about my project and he relayed the information to some of my professors and the administrators. Impa, the lady who delivered the news about my grandparents, paid me a visit and observed my handy work. Within a few hours I received a phone call from Blair Cavington University, asking me to come in for an interview with the chairman of the science department and chairman of the math department. I was nervous, but I did. During the interview they asked me to come aboard their team and continue doing research at the university. Of course, I accepted. I was now no longer a student of Blair Cavington Academy, or even a student of the university, but I was the head of a research team in the science department. They promise me more after I get settled in. They don't want to overwhelm me right after I leave the Academy, obviously, but they said I wouldn't just be doing research forever. I have no ties, no family back home, and no reason to not.

I give the most heart-felt speech I can give, coming from me. I find it ironic that two years ago, I came to this school with my head down and face hiding behind my hood, and now I stand in front of an audience of over two thousand, congratulating them on their accomplishments. I'd have given anything to be tucked away in the crowd of people. But of course, here I stand in front of all of them, speaking. Link was right. No matter how hard I try to fit in and stay in, I cannot.

My heart aches thinking of him. I miss him more and more each day. He would be here too, if he could. So when I say in my speech my heart will break when I leave Blair Cavington because of the faces I will miss seeing, I'm telling the truth.

When I conclude, the students and rest of the audience clap for me.

But someone stands up for me.

Someone in the back.

Someone tall.

Someone clearly blonde.

Someone so familiar to me.

I take a step off of the stage.

And then another.

And another.

My feet carry me not back to my seat, but to the back of the room. I walk faster and faster until I'm in a dead run.

He meets me half way down the isle and embraces me.

The crowd uproars in applause all of the sudden.

I know he can't hear me but I mouth the words anyway.

"Welcome back, Link."


A/N: There is an epilogue ;)