Just beyond the southern border of the Hyrule kingdom lies a lush valley, filled with silky soft meadows and sunlit springs. This hidden haven, unclaimed by any government or empire, was christened as Ordon by its residents: the villagers who prospered from the fertile farmland.

Melodic birdsong rings around the meadow as sparrows soar in circles, weaving in and out of the clouds overhead. Fresh spring water trickles over moss-covered rocks, cascading into a pool below.

Ningan breathes the sweet scent of the spring air and soaks his skin in the warmth of the sun. He stands on the banks of the spring, where yellow daffodils flourish either side of a rock which takes the shape of a horseshoe. Ningan opens his satchel and retrieves his Lens of Truth. He lifts the Lens to his eye and looks out over the spring.

Four hooves wade through the water towards him: a magnificent white colt, with a glorious mane and a golden tail which swishes in the wind. Atop the divine creature is a golden armoured knight; tall, muscular, with a shield and sheathe on his back. His features are sharp and defined, but his face is soft. His steely blue eyes gaze down upon his visitor; the corners of his mouth lift into a smile.

"Good to see you again, Ningan." Laurel beams.

"You too, handsome." Ningan smiles.

"How are things?"

Ningan sighs. "Where to begin…"

"It sounds like you might want to take a seat." Laurel chuckles.

Ningan seats himself on the sandy shore of the spring. "I just had a meeting with Zelda and the others. She's still having nightmares; mostly involving snakes. There's still been no sighting of Caedis or any other assailant for that matter. Ezra writes her worry off as nothing more than post-traumatic stress…but I trust there is something more to them."

"That certainly is troubling…" Laurel remarks. "And what of Ordon?"

"I won't lie to you; your mother is still in a bad way." the ninja admits. "I visit her every day to check she's still feeding herself. I'm probably the last person she wants to see, understandably. Malon spends more time with her than I do. She brings her groceries and other supplies she needs."

"How is she holding up?"

"Again, not well." Ningan confesses. "I never knew her to begin with, yet she still seems unusually quiet for the bubbly outgoing ranch girl I heard so much about. We talk, though. We get along well. She always wants to hear about the adventures we had. I tell her, leaving out the gruesome bits of course. I think we could be friends."

"That would make me very happy." Laurel closes his eyes wishfully.

"I'm sorry that you never followed through with your engagement." Ningan adds. "I'm sure she would have made a wonderful wife."

"I'm sure she would…" the Commander hangs his head sadly.

The two men listen to the birds in the trees as they harmonise with the bubbling spring water.

"And what about you?" Laurel inquires. "How are you coping?"

Ningan laughs feebly and casts his eyes to the ground. "I'll get there eventually."

The Commander's ghost dismounts into the spring. He advances towards his beloved companion so they stand face to face. Ningan gazes up into his phantasmal blue eyes.

"I could stand here and tell you all the things I wish had happened. I wish I had retired from the Royal Hylian Forces. I wish you had moved here to Ordon where we could live out the rest of our days in peace. I wish we'd grown old together and we didn't have to worry about the fate of Hyrule every waking moment. I wish that blasted serpent had never struck me. But that dream is gone now. So here what I'm going to tell you instead: go on. Go on all those adventures you crave so much, to Hyrule and beyond. Spend time with those you care about, whether it be Zelda, Ezra, Dakota, or your tribe. I appreciate that you care about my family's welfare, but you have a family of your own…they need you more than I do. Go on and find someone else to spend your life with. I promise I'll be watching over you from beyond, wishing you the best."

A tear slides slowly down Ningan's cheek. "I'm not going to do that, Laurel…because what you're asking is impossible. I'm never going to find someone who is willing to put their life on the line to protect me. I'm never going to find someone who saved my life not once but twice. I'm never going to find someone who sacrificed everything they had just to accompany on a dangerous mission which should have been my duty and mine alone. I'm never going to find anyone with the same ambition, valour and courage as you. I'm never going to find anyone who adores animals the way you do. I'm never going to find anyone who loves people like you do. I'm never going to find anyone like you…in Hyrule or beyond. So instead, I'll make a promise to you. I promise to keep your memory alive on the lips of legend: the Gold Knight who laid down his life for Hyrule. I promise to visit you at this very spot whenever I can until my death. And then I promise to lie right beside you."

His palm reaches out to touch Laurel's shoulder, but it passes through the apparition like water. Laurel's hand reaches out and wipes the tear from his cheek. "You know where to find me."

He turns and mounts his steed. Aurarius neighs merrily as the spirited pair gallop off into the mist of the waterfall.

Ningan lowers the Lens from his eye and drops it back into his satchel. He climbs to his feet and brushes the damp sand from his clothes. His crimson eyes reflect the warm afternoon sun; a sun which wishes peace upon him and the whole of Hyrule. Unfortunately, Ningan's life does not know peace. The ache in his heart will still beat no matter how many times he visits this place. Nevertheless, he will keep his promise.