In which Link is a puppy.

Enjoy!

Link had appeared on Illia's door the next morning, children in tow. They were talking and laughing and Link looked at her in the eye; while she chuckled at the sight he invited her to practice the bow. She didn't have time to think before Beth had grabbed her hand and asked her with fluttery eyes to please, please come with them.

She was sitting on grass a while later, Colin was devouring every word and movement that Link made, Beth was cheering and mocking Talo, and Malo was sitting, far and aloof.

"That is not fair," screamed Talo, as Link effortlesly pierced a pumpkin that served as target.

"You'll be able to do it, too, you just gotta practice."

Talo tried the bow but failed to shoot the arrow very far. Frustrated, he let out a cry and looked at Link. He smiled.

"Practice," he repeated, and as he got down to Talo's level he adjusted his posture, "and fixing your posture will make you better at this, I promise."

Colin waited paitently for his turn, with Beth talking to Talo. Malo was muttering beside Illia, something about having better things to do, when she noticed Link tense and rise to his height.

She sit straight, nervous at his change in attitude when she heard sound coming from the road that linked Ordon to Hyrule Field. Nobody else noticed, as Beth and Talo started to bicker about his skills. Link turned, his front facing the newcomer. From the rustling of grass appeared a man, jogging and controlling his breath audibly, dressed in white with a sleveless shirt and pants that showed his legs to the world. The postman.

The postman stopped away from them, still jogging in place. Recognizing them as villagers, he greeted.

"Hey!"

He was rewarded with low 'heys' in return.

"May I ask where can I find Sir Malo, Sir Bo, Misses Sera and..." he squinted his eyes as he read a piece of parchment, "Sir Link."

Link was by his side in an instant, Malo walked towards the postman while calling on Talo.

"I'm Link."

The postman smiled and handed him a bundle of letters. Illia cleaned her pants as she got up.

"Malo," the boy looked uninterested and as the postman gave him a box he motioned towards his brother to take it.

Talo had his face painted with puzzlement but took the box. He lost his footing, looked alarmed, and stared at Malo for answers.

"We have better things to do now," Malo said to the air, and started walking towards the village.

Talo followed, not before offering the postman to help him find the people he had asked for. Beth had looked interested in Link's letters, but the boy had secured them inside his clothes and was smiling to her.

Illia decided to go with the others back to the village, remembering her conversation with Link, and took Beth's hand before the girl could argue.

Colin followed behind; as soon as Link had promised to practice with him afterwards.

Link's heart was beating wildly. He had been writing letters, too many perhaps, but he had wanted to make sure that Zelda didn't feel even an inkling of doubt about his friendship.

And now he had letters from her on his clothes.

From Zelda.

She had taken the effort to write back.

As soon as Colin's back dissapeared from his sights, he grabbed the ladder to his house and got up in two swift motions. He was opening the first letter as he went through the theshold.

She had written it the same day he had left, wanting to make sure that he understood she had asked him to leave because she thought it was the right thing for him, and that she wanted him to know that that didn't change the fact that she wanted him back.

Link was smiling as he realized his first letter to her would alleviate her worries; he had thanked her for making him go to Ordon, and that he was still planning on going back to receive the rewards she had promised.

He sit, opened the second letter and couldn't help the hand that tried to supress a grin.

She asked him to feel free to tell her to stop sending letters if it made him uncomfortable in any way - he decidedly shook his head no - and started telling him about the frustration that followed her within the castle. She had had to face a decaying morale. There were nobles that questioned the very invasion she had just fended. She felt horrible for feeling gratitude at the reports from affected citizens, but they had been proof enough to most.

Link was frowning when he opened the third one.

She was thanking him for his work, talked some more about lack of discipline, lack of trustworthy people, lack of strenght, lack of endurance, lack of wisdom. She had asked him to forgive such sour mood, and hoped he was faring well.

She hadn't received a single one of his letters, he realized. He reclined on his chair, grabbed the hair that fell on his forehead. She had surely paid for the best postman, probably bribed someone. He hadn't done that, and everyone knew that the postmen from the provinces were slow and not as prestigious. Should he bribe the next one?

He had decided to go back to Castle Town after Uli gave birth, that meant a couple of days, two weeks at most. He took paper and pen, but knew that it wouldn't arrive on time so he sighed in frustration and got up.

He kicked a rock on the road to the village and frowned; if only they had a more convenient means of speaking.

He perked his head up before he could realise something was coming his way. A hawk dived towards him and he prepared to jump out of the way when he saw parchment tied to its leg.

... A messenger... hawk?

The animal cried before setting on a nearby branch, Link raised his hands, trying to protect his eyes from the wind.

The animal screeched once more, but remained on its spot and looked at Link. Link got closer and could've sworn that the bird was looking bored.

"Is that for me?" the bird cocked its head, let out a weak cry. Link gave one step forward, slowly raised his hand, decided that the hawk was not going to hurt him, and nimbly took the message from the bird.

It was Zelda's.

'Dearest Link:

Have you received all my letters? There were eight in total. I have to know, since I bribed considerable for them to get on time.

I have received two from you, thank you for sending them; It is thanks to that that I have let Auru lend me his hawk. I have prepared already a sizeable plot of land and a lord title for you. Did you know that Auru worked for my father and was my tutor till I was four? I would have loved for you to be here and see the faces in the council when he greeted them.

Ashei has already - and rather straightforwardly - told me that she could make disappear anybody I wanted with nothing to be tracked back to me.

Shad has been using his title to make me look good.

Have I already told you that I have the whole castle to your name?

I can't thank you enough, Link. I hope you are enjoying your time with your family.

I'll be waiting,

Zelda.'

Illia opened the door and was greeted by Link's shining smile.

"Would you like to have some tea?"

She frowned, "Are you asking me to feed you?"

He shook his head, never losing his smile.

"No, I meant at my house. We can buy a cake at Sera's."

Illia looked at him with half-closed eyes, Link smiled.

"Come on, I'll let you choose."

He had started to talk about his letters as he moved about preparing everything for their meal. Midna had started as a partner on his adventure and had ended up becoming a close friend who sacrificed herself to help him and the princess. He had spoken with pain, but with the numb understanding of anyone that knew there was nothing to be done.

He had put the water to boil when princess Zelda's name had come out.

He had been writing to princess Zelda.

The Princess Zelda.

Illia had thought it a lie - with reason. The princess was known as regal, and just; beautiful, and hardworking; lovely, and a force to be feared, but cold to the point of being nicknamed after it, and manipulative to the point of being feared by all - but Link had assured her that, yes, they were friends, and that though he couldn't refute every rumor Illia had ever heard about the princess, he was willing to see for himself rather than trust faceless and nameless people's judgements.

Illia could feel the pangs of jealousy coursing through her, but controlled her feelings. Link looked hopeful, and for once Illia did not see the swirling behind his eyes when talking about his adventures. What he had with the princess - or thought he had - was still untainted.

She had teased him about it, - because of course she was going to - but he remained calm and happy. Illia decided to bite down all of her fears, and encouraged his friendship with the heir. He was happy.

The kettle let out a high pitched shrill when the hawk decided to join in the singing.

Illia's eyes grew wide, "She sent you a hawk?"

Link snickered at her tone but nodded.

"She did. I'm sending it back soon, It's already recovered."

As if to confirm what he said the hawk cried again. Link turned off the kettle, took a parchment from a nearby table and attached it to the hawk's leg. He had been swift before, strong, but now everything seemed to carry something else, a choice, as if every movement was thought upon.

And the way he maneuvered his message made her feel a chill down her spine.

"You're leaving."

And as it wasn't a question he just gave her a glance and smiled.

"I am," he breathed.

Say bye bye to Link for a while, we're going somewhere else!