Through word of mouth, he managed to find out about how his home had moved on without him. Sometimes the news was good, and sometimes not. Regardless, he wanted to hear as little as possible about it. He didn't want to be reminded of what he left behind but what was he to do? Tell his men (and women) not to chat on the lazy days? He was a grown man, he could take it.

It wasn't all loneliness, Tetra had become an incredible right hand and was always fun to be around, and he was even surprised to see some Gerudos join him. He welcomed the fact and let them board. His life had been changed for exactly what he wanted, but not the way he wanted it.

Alas, he had his own trading ship which he had filled with former pirates and Gerudos alike to be able to battle against any pirate that thought his job was too honest.

His life had indeed turned quite satisfactory, except for today. It had been quite the years since he got banned from his home, but a messenger had given him the papers that pardoned his previous crimes and welcomed him whenever he wanted to return.

Returning was not something he wanted to do, however, as he had accommodated himself quite easily in Lorule and had made friendships that he didn't want to abandon.

There was also that other issue…

He had never truly said goodbye to Zelda. He had a feeling that the goodbye was never going to end well and so he left. He knew it had been years since but he didn't want to face her after all. She had sent no messages, nor left any clue to say she either forgave him or not. In fact, she had seemed to become quite the partner to the man she married. She had even bore him a child.

He could still feel his heart strain at the thought. A happy life with Zelda was never going to happen, he knew this and never deluded himself into thinking it was an option. But to hear that she had bore him a child was… Heartbreaking. He knew she had no choice but…

"Captain, we're almost there" Link awoke from his thoughts and looked ahead. Indeed, Hyrule port was within view. Even though he had been commissioned to deliver goods to Hyrule, it certainly didn't mean he couldn't just stay in his ship the remainder of the days. He certainly didn't have to face her again.

That is, until he saw her at the port.

With a small child by her side.

Link's heart stopped. Was he happy? Scared? What was he supposed to do now?

The ship arrived and his crew moved quickly and without order, with Tetra to verify that everything was done as it should. Link, however, kept his eye trained on the woman at the top of the stairs, who made her way accompanied by her soldiers and her child to the ship. Gathering his strength, he walked to greet her, as he should.

"Thank you for coming. I wanted to check that everything was as we had requested it. It is an important date, after all" she smiled as she touched her child's head.

"Of course" Link stated, and bowed.

"Please help these people take these carts to their place. I will be fine" she waved a hand at her soldiers and they did as told, leaving Link, Zelda and the child alone.

"…You look beautiful" Link commented quietly, trying to keep his eye trained on her.

"I'm glad you got a patch. It looks better than the bandages" she said lightheartedly.

"Zelda-"

"It's her birthday today" Zelda said, looking down at the child standing a bit behind her, who looked intently at Link.

"Ah…Happy birthday…" Link began and trailed off. It was the first time he was finally bothering to detail the kid. She was still rather young, so perhaps she spoke, but not that well. Her hair was golden, just like her mother's and strangely, her eyes were blue. He hadn't expected the child to look so much like one parent and not at all like the other; and as the kid looked intensely at him, he couldn't help but get trapped in her blue eyes…

"Go on, say hello" Zelda cooed, but the child only looked back at Link and quickly curtsied before moving back to the same position she was in.

"Your majesty" Link bowed, placing a hand to his chest. The child did not react, just stared deeply at him.

"She doesn't speak much, but she seems to like you" Zelda smiled.

"She's... Beautiful… Like her mother…" Link said, turning his gaze to Zelda.

"You could come to her party, I'm sure there are people there who would be more than happy to see you" Zelda offered, her smile never leaving.

"I really shouldn't… It might have been years, but I'm sure your husband would never agree" Link countered. It was a good excuse, or so he hoped.

"I see… He would be graceful enough to let you go, but I understand your reservations" she stated "Perhaps we can meet another time"

"Of course" Link answered, which made Zelda nod in agreement.

The little girl moved away along with her mother, looking back at Link as she did so. Link locked eyes with her, perhaps sharing the same feeling that she had.

LLL

LLL

Link sat in his quarters checking papers and making plans for the next days. He had let his crew let loose for the night before having to stuff them in a ship soon again. He would have let them stay a few more days but he felt it unnecessary. Whatever he would have ever wanted to do back in Hyrule was impossible, and proof of it was staring at him the entire time that day.

He let go of the papers and closed his eye, placing his hands in front of him supporting his forehead. He could write a letter to Midna and have it delivered immediately. It had been a while since he last wrote; he had wanted them to get used to no longer having him around and so he made it a point to not write as often. That didn't stop Midna from checking in often, but he at least found comfort to read that everything was in very capable hands.

Small and constant noises took him out of his thoughts and he looked at the door leading out of his quarters. He stood up to check what the noise was before a pair of blue eyes trapped him from the door. He stared back in silence as the little girl slowly walked into his cabin, looking around quickly before focusing her eyes back on him.

Link didn't move, allowing the child to slowly walk closer to him as she continued to check her surroundings and then him again. He didn't know what to say or even if the kid could answer back. Where were her parents? Surely Zelda would never let her kid run around by herself, but if this was the case then why wasn't anyone right by her?

Link walked around his table to look out the door when a small voice stopped him "Hey"

He looked around to see the girl take a second before motioning to herself. He crouched down to be at her eye-level and made the intention to speak before he stopped. Her hands slowly moved towards his face, specifically the one good eye. Her hands gently clasped his face and she made a face as if she was somewhat considering something. She then moved her hand to his eyepatch to which he moved slightly away "It's… It doesn't work" he tried, using the simplest words he could find.

"Why?" she asked him, tugging him close to her again to try and get a better look.

"I hurt myself… And it doesn't work…" she gave him a look. Link was sure she wasn't really buying his story, but there was no way he was going to tell this child what had really happened. He was sure she wouldn't have been able to fully understand anyways.

She continued to look at the eyepatch and then back at his good eye. Link could basically hear the little gears in her head turning as she thought about… Whatever it is she's thinking about.

His heart skipped a beat at the sound of a small kiss planted in his eyepatch. He stared at her in surprise as she moved away from him "Better?"

"Y-yes" he answered quickly and stood up.

Seemingly happy with her accomplishments she went outside "Nati!" she called, and a smiling girl appeared from behind the wall.

"Hey Link" she grinned wider. Link smiled and opened his arms, accepting the obvious gesture she was just itching to perform "Sorry about that, she insisted on coming to see you and Zelda couldn't convince her otherwise"

"I see…" he said as he looked at the little girl checking the rest of his cabin. "How has she been?"

"She's grown. I think being a mother made her feel more responsible" Natya mused "She wanted to visit you again but it's not as easy as it used to be" she said "Too many responsibilities now"

"I understand" said Link. He could notice the kid looking at him again.

"I'm very happy to see you again Link…" Natya smiled sadly "And I hope you don't take too long to come again, for her sake" Natya hugged him again "We should get going, but before I leave" she stopped and rummaged through a small bag she had "Zelda wanted to give you this"

Link grabbed the letter "Thanks"

"I have to bring the princess back to her parents, but you need to promise me you will come back" Natya said and pointed a finger at his chest.

Link smiled "Alright"

Satisfied, Natya grabbed the little princess' hand and walked out, waving goodbye to Link as they did.

Link sat back down at his desk and opened the letter. As he read through the paper in his hands, his heart skipped another beat. He then smiled softly and placed the letter inside the candle holder by his desk, where the letter began to burn.

LLL

LLL

The ship was ready to sail early morning and he had expected Zelda to be too busy to see him off, after all, he had done the same in a way. But he had been wrong. There she was, little princess by her side as she waved the ship away. He wanted to wave back, but he knew better than to call attention to himself. He did notice Zelda staring right at him as he sailed away and he made sure to reply in kind. The princess had also insisted on looking at him alone and he made sure to share his gaze with her as well.

When it was sure to turn around, he looked at the entity standing before him.

"Hello… Friend" He looked at the masked creature and frowned. It was time to pay for his favor "Are you ready?" the mask asked, pulling out a mask that looked eerily like him, only… Frightening.

Link nodded and offered his hand to take the mask. He could feel the creature laughing as he did.

Looking into the horizon, he made a course to Termina.

He was going to bring this home.

LLL

LLL

Author's Notes:

Thank you for sticking out with me all this time. I liked more how this one turned out.

Can't promise I won't change it in the future, but as it is, I'm happy to let it be like this for now.

Until then.