The musky smell of moss and the sound of water flowing down a channel greeted her conscious mind. Sable stared at the ceiling of a very familiar thatched roof. She carefully sat up on the mess of blankets and mattress to find herself in the room she once lived in. She was back in the Southern Swamp, in the attic room of Koume's tourist hut where she lived for most of her apprenticeship as a mage. Bandages were wrapped around her chest, arms and legs. Her sight was a little blurred from the wrapping around her head. Still she persevered in clothing herself in at least a tunic, trousers and boots so she could vacate the hut.
The closed sign on the door told her to go to the glade near the Woods of Mystery. When they weren't working, Koume and Kotake were always there to an extent. A short walk in ankle deep water downstream came to a split in the river. The right fork ventured into deeper waters and through the unknown darkness of the swamps to the Deku Palace. The left fork appeared to be shallower, yet the plants were denser. The narrow corridor of trees and rock walls ended in a wide glade with a waterfall cascading down an eastern cliff side. Even in the south, the Stone Towers loomed over the horizon like the Eastern Giant was watching over them.
The shallow river widened to a small lake around a gigantic tree. The trunk was riddled with various ladders and wooden platforms leading to a home among the high branches. A red and white kettle shaped building perched on its nest like a fat bird. Its chimney expelling colourful clouds of smoke that faded into the sky. On the lower platforms were unfathomably large vats and pots that could even fit a Goron in them.
Behind the strange tree house was an ominous opening into the forest. Although the darkness that cloaked the entrance screamed that those were no ordinary woods. The rest of the glade was solid ground with a path leading back to the north. A large fire pit was dug just to Sable's left on the far side of the glade. A familiar armoured caravan had set up camp near the welcoming flames. The weary horses rested on the soft earth near the clear water.
By the pit was Onox who was watching the embers flare to life beneath his guidance. The darkening sky foretold the encroaching night so a roaring fire was needed promptly. Sable quietly made her way over with determined strides by the time Onox noticed her, she was already in the process of tackling him in a hug. He reciprocated the gestured, holding her close but gently enough so her injuries weren't aggravated "Please don't do anything like that again."
Sable teased "Now you know how I felt when you were imprisoned by the corrupt Fire Sage."
They then kissed slowly, enjoying each other's presence and were thankful they both lived to tell the tale.
Eventually the witches, Tatl, Tael and Iris returned from the Woods of Mystery. Their baskets were heavy with various mushrooms; some for food, some for potions and some for poisons.
Tael cheered aloud "Hey Sable! Hey Onox! We're back!"
Tatl nodded "I can't believe you're awake Sable. After what everyone told us, it sounded pretty bad."
"I think I'm glad we ended up turning back to stay with Kotake and Koume while they went to Hyrule." The fairies laughed as they playfully danced through the night.
"What's this?" Kotake piped up upon returning to the camp site at the sight of Sable and Onox acting like a couple "When did this happen?"
Koume laughed while they both flew on their brooms "Are we to expect another apprentice in a few years?"
Kotake nudged Koume with her elbow, reluctantly the fire witch handed over a sum of rupees to her smug sister who chimed back "Told you."
"Wow, this is unlike you two." Iris placed her basket of edible mushrooms by the fire pit "I thought you preferred privacy." She mocked light heartedly "Have you two just been lazy together while we were gone?"
Sable remained in his lap by the fire, not a stitch of clothing had been removed but it was certainly dishevelled "This isn't all that we've been doing."
Onox reminded and pointed to the hanging carcasses nearby "Yeah, we already caught the fish for dinner."
"And to be honest, when you almost die you really want to see your boyfriend after waking up." Sable nervously shrugged to Iris who was still flummoxed by romance in non-Deku races "We're not doing anything like that, we're just really happy to see each other again."
Kotake scratched her head "How long has this been going on?"
Onox answered "With the alternate timeline in place… a few years. We got serious during the start of the rebellion. It was never anyone's business so we kept it to ourselves."
Tatl reluctantly sighed "Maybe Link should've gone to you guys for advice on how to talk to Zelda."
Tael noted "I don't think Link even realised they were even a thing. He's not really that observant."
The caravan door slammed open as Veran emerged back in Termina. Her usual cool, calm demeanour was overridden as exhaustion settled in. The welcome sight of everyone returning to their usual selves invigorated her slightly. Even though Hyrule was lost to the idiocy of the Triforce; Termina reminded her of why she chose to be reincarnated through the ages. There was beauty in the comradery between mortals and the way they could turn the most inhospitable circumstances into a welcoming sanctuary. Before she could take a seat by the fire, Koume and Kotake caught her attention. Koume said "Skull Kid is in the forest sanctum, perhaps you should talk to him."
Veran offered a curt smile and politely excused herself momentarily. The others promised that a celebratory feast would be ready upon her return.
When he returned to Termina, Skull Kid remained in the inner sanctum of the Woods of Mystery. From the passing of the sun and moon overhead, he assumed it had been a few weeks since they defeated Bellum's unpowered form. Miraculous was the word that came to mind. He couldn't believe that between the five of them they had the power to suppress Bellum. Then again, it was two primordial deities, a mortal reincarnation of a wild deity and two lost souls against him so the odds were definitely in their favour.
He was perched on a large branch watching the eerie monolith glow azure and crimson. He could now actually recall placing it here countless eras ago; when Termina was slowly evolving into a functioning world.
Veran appeared in the clearing below him calling "Skull Kid?"
He flipped down to the forest floor "You're not calling me, Wanderer?"
"You seem to prefer Skull Kid, no?"
He paused, thinking the offer over then nodding. He was happy to be Skull Kid. The title meant something to him and reminded him of his humanity.
Veran gently smiled to him "So… Twinrova told me that I should talk to you. Is there anything bothering you?"
"I… I still can't believe they would attack Sable… they nearly killed her and she was one of the people who fought for them." Skull Kid sighed "I still think that Link and I are friends… but now, now I feel horrible because he's done some bad things."
"Link is a good person, it's just circumstances always push him to do bad things to people who are different." Veran reassured "Regardless of how we feel, if you and Link are still friends. There is nothing wrong with that."
"But I do realise that they probably never want anything to do with a Hylian again."
"Yes, but can you blame them?"
"No, they have every right to be angry." Skull Kid smiled at her "Thanks Veran. I'm still worried, but I feel better than before."
"It's a process, Skull Kid. Now come on, we're having a feast tonight. They'll probably sneak into the Milk Bar later as well."
"Sounds like fun."
Skull Kid and Veran headed off into the Woods of Mystery. They were satisfied with resuming their lives in Termina.
Years had passed in a blur as Skull Kid found himself growing true to his title of Wanderer. He found himself meandering between Termina and Hyrule in response to the changing seasons. He watched the slow rebuilding of Castle Town and the development of Kakariko Village into a proper city. He also explored the vast wonders of Termina alongside Veran and her fellow mages, enjoying every Carnival of Time and mystery they uncovered.
Today in the Lost Woods was amiss. A long spirit wreathed in golden light rushed past, forcing him to stop playing his pipes. It twisted among the trees and landed before him to take the shape a golden wolf with a ruby eye. The other eye was scarred beyond use. The wolf spirit growled and tugged at Skull Kid's sleeve.
"Alright big doggy, I'll follow you!"
He kept pace with the celestial beast, the Lost Woods blurred to his senses as their speed increased. Finally the wolf came to a clearing, Skull Kid first noticed the rotting leather of a horse's saddle that had snapped and fallen. The wolf stood over a deep ditch, lying at the bottom was the corpse of a swordsman. An all too familiar eyepatch rotted against the skull. A unique green hat and tunic were mottled by scavengers and insects.
Skull Kid made the connection instantly "Link?"
The wolf transformed into a tall Stalfos with a single glowing red eye socket. His armour spoke to a bygone age of Hyrule's history; golden plate with a scary horned helm. Already the metal was corroding and moss ridden, reflective of his death in the Lost Woods. The Stalfos, formerly known as Link whispered in a husky voice "Skull Kid…"
"What happened? I thought you'd be happy in Hyrule with Zelda."
"I thought so too… after I realised that I had no place in the Queen's life. I left Hyrule and lived in peace in Ordona… life was good there, but I was still filled with regret. A year ago… I set out, determined to see Termina again… I wanted to beg forgiveness from you. Veran, Sable, Iris, Onox, you, you were all the heroes who saved Hyrule… yet it is Zelda that has gone down in history as the hero who thwarted Bellum." The Stalfos nervously looked around himself "Yet no matter where I looked… I couldn't find Termina's entrance… I took a wrong turn, Epona was spooked and… here I am."
Skull Kid sympathised with his plight "You can't move on, a Stalfos means there's something you need to do… something combat related."
"I am a hero with no story. Everything I ever worked for was undone, everyone I ever saved forgot me." The Stalfos moaned in despair "I need to pass on my sword, but know of no one who can take up the challenge."
"The Master Sword?"
"And the techniques of Ikana that I learned…"
Skull Kid knelt before the Stalfos "I'm still your friend Link. I will keep the Master Sword safe, until someone is strong enough to wield it."
The Stalfos nodded "Then I will search the land for one who is capable of doing so."
He transformed into the wolf spirit once more. Skull Kid watched in silence as the fallen hero began his long quest to find an heir to his legacy as the Hero of Time.