I just really find it hard to believe that Link can come back from his adventures and not suffer from it. He is too pure and nice, and the things he has to do in order to save people are anything but that.

Link looked back as soon as he crossed the bridge that connected Ordona to Hyrule Field. He saw Illia in the distance, a mere shadow taking refuge between the trees. He waved at her, tried to peer farther back, see a last glimpe of the village. The trees guarded everything, though, and Link had to make do with his memory. Uli with Lilly preparing for the day, the kids starting to gather in front of Illia's house, Bo and Rusl discussing with their hand in their hips. The village breathing life to itself.

Link breathed in, he felt a knot dissolve, and also the guilt it released. He patted Epona, made himself confortable and prepared for his journey.

He took Zelda's letters out of his pack, and reread them. To whom was he supposed to talk, when and where was he supposed to arrive. He repeated the information to himself, mumbled the words as he felt the air through his clothes.

The journey back to the castle was steady and slow. Link took his time, tried to clear his mind. Whenever he was near Ordon his thoughts jumbled together, worry, pain and relief, all at once. Whenever he was near Zelda his thoughts jumbled together, faith, want, hope, all at once.

Midna would have had a blast with this.

Link was scouting the field to go to sleep when a rustle caught his attention. Epona remained silent, used to battle and its melody.

A pair of bokoblins meandered around, away from Link's position, they raised rocks and moved bushes in hopes of finding dinner.

Link didn't want to be attacked at night, he kissed Epona's muzzle, grabbed his sword and shield and crouched. Night was falling already, but if Link wasn't careful he wouldn't have the surprise factor. The bokoblins talked in their babbling language, their swords were hanging from their hands, marking the way on the ground. Link exhaled, the first bokoblin didn't see him coming, and the second one died while trying to raise his weapon.

Epona stomped the ground slightly when Link came back. Link cleaned his sword, his shield, a practiced ritual that helped him calm himself after a fight, helped him separate what he had done from what he was. He didn't enjoy killing, but he did enjoy a good fight.

The night filled and he couldn't help the rush of thoughts that filled his mind. Out here in the open there were no children to play with, no pumpkins to harvest, no fences to fix, no babies to coo, no Illia nor Uli to worry over him.

He was alone now. And it was calm, and peaceful, and terrifying.

If he had been running away, he would have stayed in Ordon.

Unless they thought he was running away from his family, which, fair, because he was also doing that.

Link made himself comfortable but knew that sleep was going to be hard to find. His nightmares always involved open spaces, fires, and darkness.

He shook his hand, trying to get rid of the feeling of dripping guts. Link closed his eyes, tried to get some sleep. But he could only think of how close he was to seeing Zelda.

Zelda and her light.

Zelda and her power.

Zelda and her sense of justice.

He hoped he could see her. Let her give him some sense of order.

He was no longer a farmhand.

He was no longer a Hero.

He was afraid he wouldn't find his place again.

He was good with the sword. Maybe he could become a soldier in the army.

The sunrise found him still mulling over his worth.

Epona ate the apple Link offered her, and they set off again.

No point in thinking too much about it, he had already promised he was going to the castle, do his best. It was the best plan he had for now. Illia's worried face popped up, but he shrugged it off. He had defeated an army of monsters, defeated Zant, and then Ganondorf. He could handle a couple of know-it-alls.

He really wanted to see Zelda.

He fought a group of bokoblins, cleaned his sword, kept on travelling. It was easier when Midna was here to talk his ear out. He hadn't had time to think; between saving people, Midna ordering him around, and trying not to die, the days had gone by unnoticed. He laughed as he realized he thought it was easier to fight for his life.

Okay, maybe not easier, but simpler.

If he wasn't dead by the end of the day, he had won.

He tried to practice calling Zelda as princess Zelda, or your Highness, or anything but her name alone. She was royalty, and it was difficult for him to remember that.

Night fell and Link tried to sleep. He dreamt about a golden wolf and a forgotten soldier, a Hero, a man, a father. Only a shadow, never remembered. He woke up crying. A wolf's howl in the back of his throat. He tried to howl back, but his throat only whimpered, and he clutched his chest hoping the pain would go away.

As Link neared the road, he started to see more people around, he felt himself sit straighter. He had helped do that. He had helped life to keep on happening. He nodded in greeting to the travellers. The Sun shone bright and warmed his body, and though he had to squint his eyes, the Castle was beginning to show.

He arrived at the castle just as the Sun began to hide. Entry to Castletown was only checked if you brought a caravan or a sizeable amount of goods, so Link went ahead and directly to the castle. He made as if he didn't realize all the looks he received, all the whispers that followed him. His permit was stamped, given back, and he was oficially allowed inside the Castle.

A blonde man was waiting for him, he was tall and broad-shouldered, and he had a warm smile as he shook hands with Link, "Welcome, Hero, my name's William and I'm here to guide you."

The whispers were harder from there. William made Link's baggage to be sent to a guest room, and though he spoke amicably and never missed a beat when presenting Link to curious eyes, he walked with purpose and Link had to catch up a couple of times.

"Princess Zelda wanted to see you first thing, she asked for a simple ceremony to honor you tomorrow, you'll be able to rest."

Link remained silent, and William thought it a show of contempt. William was about to say something, but the door to Zelda's workroom opened and out came Ashei. She made a surprised noise, but smiled at the sight of Link.

"Link! We were wondering where you were!" Link received Ashei's hug with awkwardness, while William raised one eyebrow at Ashei's impromptu and unexpected show of affection.

"Go on, she's been waiting for you," Ashei shoved Link towards the door, and Link started to panic. He had prepared nothing, he had thought nothing, he had begun to realize what he had done.

He had come to the Castle of Hyrule to receive rewards for rescuing Princess Zelda. He. A farmhand. With Princess Zelda.

Why hadn't he thought about it before? There was no way Princess Zelda would become a friend to him. They were completely-

Link entered the room and found Zelda walking around the table, in a clear attempt to receive him standing.

-and utterly-

She was wearing the most ornate dress Link had ever seen, an amount of jewels befitting her royal position, and though she was flustered, she was emanating respect.

-different.

And then she smiled at him, clasped her hands in front of her and breathed his name, "Link."

And Link forgot everything he had going on in his mind.

They are togetheeeer.