Epilogue
A Ghanim : a, servant of Mandrag Ganon, The King of Evil. Though many people did not know what connection the ghanims had with the Dragmire, the word became synonymous with 'siding with evil'.
After the crash, a few men and women that had either chosen or were seduced into joining the ranks were tried and punished appropriately, usually with a small prison term or community service. Many neo-ghanims escaped and left the fold completely, trying to forget their time. And still others, only a small few, still believed and practiced in the ghanim philosophy.
Over the years, the word ghanim, or 'to be a ghanim ' attached itself to the Hylian vocabulary. Centuries later the word would end up being mispronounce and mistakenly defined to mean 'aside from evil'. Thinking this, many parents looking for a suitable name for their baby boys, chose 'Gahnim', or 'Aghan', or even the more formal, 'Agahnim'.
Would the naming of a child with that cursed title bring darkness into the life of the boy, and to Hyrule? That is a future tale, for another time…
*****************
A soft wind gently rustled the delicate and pristine flowers of the Royal Garden, and provided Link with a cool breeze to smile to. He lay there now, in the middle of the serene enclosure, breathing deeply, slowly, and smiling softly.
Even now his body ached, 2 days after the crash of the Base. Link closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. How he had survived the catastrophe, he didn't know, nor did he care. He didn't wonder about it now, just as he had not when they found him. All he could remember was that his body was racked with pain from the wounds and bruises he had suffered. He also remembered being overcome with so much relief that he could not stop laughing.
Link's smile widened at the memory. When they picked him up and carried him back to the castle, giggling like a schoolgirl all the while, he was sure that they thought he lost his mind. He assured them though, that he wasn't mad…just really, really giddy.
The 2 days that followed went a bit too quickly for his taste. The first day was of rest, Link didn't have enough strength to stand, let alone cast Nayru's Love to heal himself. Of course, the ladies he had befriended had each kept him company for at least a while. They brought news of the joy and relief of the citizens of the City.
Link found out that most of the people didn't know who to praise. Some thought that Sorceresses from the top of the Castle smote down the evil Base; others thought that it was the mighty Impa herself. And of course, others rumored that the Hero of Legend had floated down from the heavens with a mighty Dragon, and with the all-powerful Master Sword, had destroyed it and the Ghanim's with one fell swoop. Link didn't care about that either. They could thank whoever or whomever they wanted. He himself had a lot of people to thank, after all.
After that initial day of rest, the King ordered a private little celebration amongst the Princess's, and the Hero of Legend's, friends; those who had stopped the evil from consuming Hyrule, and prevented another Great Cataclysm. Link didn't think he'd forget that feast any time soon. There had been just so much food, he thought it was almost obscene!
After Impa's blessing, Link found that he didn't know where to begin, so he started with everything. A rack of lamb here, some salad there, a huge drumstick by here, a bit of fish over there, some cheese, oh and he couldn't forget the soup, and those buttered buns, it all looked so divine. He had rubbed his hands eagerly and had then proceeded with stuffing his face with all of the above nearly at once, when he noticed the others gaping at him. Zelda had then asked him if he were raised on a farm, directing the insult without Malon in mind. Link had sighed tiredly and reminded her that in fact he had been raised on a farm. With that, he then laughed gregariously and started back to his feast.
The next thing he remembered, he was outside the room, flat on his back. Link cursed himself again at his stupidity; after all, it wasn't the first time he had pissed Zelda off and then later experienced 'lost time'. Oh well, at least they had let him back into the room.
Link sighed and breathed in deeply. It had been a great day.
Birds chirped musically, unseen from a nearby tree. Link lay in absolute stillness amongst the blossoms as he opened his eyes slowly, and leveled a gaze towards the eastern wall of the Garden.
Princess Zelda of Hyrule stood there silently. A glittering chain of precious jewels lay gently across her brow, and her golden curls framed her picturesque face. She was looking down at Link now, her brilliant blue eyes locked on his.
"You didn't tell me Evit threatened to stop you up there in the Base."
Link blinked, and got up on his elbows. "I…don't know-"
Zelda smiled and shook her head lightly. "Oh no, don't lie to me Link, even if it is to protect him.". She demurely crossed her arms across her chest and shrugged. "Besides, Evit confessed.".
The young elf's shoulders drooped slightly. "So….what's going to happen to him?"
Putting a slim finger to her bottom lip, Zelda pouted slightly in thought. "I think he'll be jailed for life, on a charge of Treason. That sounds about right, don't you think?"
Link gaped.
Upon seeing his reaction, the normally reserved princess let out a harsh laugh of triumph. "HA! How do you like it now, Mr. Everything's-a-joke? Not too nice was it?"
The other set his jaw straight and shot Zelda a sarcastic look. "At least my jokes are funny. I'm sorry Zelda, but you've got a twisted sense of humor."
She shrugged and strolled towards him. "I wasn't really exposed to a lot of comedy growing up, so cut me a little slack.". She stopped and watched as Link got to his feet, brushing off blades of grass and a few unfortunate petals. "I don't want to put it off any longer. We should all go see Andala now."
Link nodded. He agreed completely. Play time was over. It was time to pay the Gerudos a visit, and give them the bad news.
***************
They met outside of the City, near the deep river that led to the Zora's Domain. The whole group walked through the damp grass and cool rocks, before stopping at the edge of the flowing river. Ruto turned around to face them and clasped her hands behind her back.
"You guys know how much I'd rather be with you when you go to the Gerudo right?"
They all nodded unanimously.
"I mean, I really wanna go, you know, pay my respects to Nabooru, but I wouldn't last two minutes there!"
Link nodded again. "Yeah, we know Ruto- "
"I'd shrivel up like a guppy on a hot plate! You ever see a guppy on a hot plate? It's not very -"
"For the love of everything holy, Ruto!". Link huffed. "You don't have to explain yourself. I mean, really -"
Without warning, the Zoran princess leapt into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around his body, and hugged him fiercely. Evit stifled a laugh with his hand. Malon was smiling widely, and Zelda shook her head.
"I suppose the Zoran teachings of royalty don't include lessons in etiquette.", she said with vexation.
Ruto stuck a tongue out. "Oh of course we do, I just don't pay attention to them.". She turned to Link, still in his arms, and attempted to take off his tuke. Link fought vehemently. "Besides, he's just so gorges isn't he?"
"Ruto!", Link gasped.
"Well, aren't you going to give me back to water?", she asked innocently. Link smiled and marched towards the stream. He didn't have much trouble, Zora's were light by nature, and Ruto especially.
When he was a few steps from the waters, he closed his eyes, breathed seriously, and heaved the girl unceremoniously into the river.
Ruto fell in with a huge unseemly splash. The girls looked at him in astonishment. Just what was he thinking? Evit couldn't take it any longer, and fell to the ground chuckling. "Lucky guy.", he said tongue-in-cheek.
The Zoran girl broke the surface of the water and gave Link an evil look. Link waved in an apology.
"Ruto!", he started seriously. "Don't let anyone push you around. You look good, trust me."
She smiled at that. "Ah, they don't bug me anymore. Ever since you rescued me from Kardo Korda, I changed my attitude. I've been strutting around like I own the place, which incidentally I do. And you know what, they like it!". She looked to him slyly. "I even met a nice guy down there. His name is Mikau, he's a musician. He's starting a band, and says my voice is 'divine'. Mikau wants me to lead, isn't that wild?"
Link scowled. "I see…………. And does this Mikau have a real job? Maybe I should have a talk with him….".
"Yeah right! Bye everyone, it was fun!". Everyone waved and the Zoran princess silently ducked beneath the waters.
Link sighed, a bit sighed. He'd miss that girl. The elf got to his feet and began to walk over to the others, when something hit him in the back of the head. Something damp….
He grabbed it and stretched it out. It looked like the top of a bathing suit…made out of seaweed.
Evit was laughing raucously when Link was hit in the head again. He quickly whipped the article off and held it stiffly, his face reddening. If he had the top, he was pretty sure of what he was holding now.
Ruto's head bobbed up to the surface, just above her eyes. "Something to remember me by.", she said with a wink, and then she was gone.
"Oh my." Malon said coyly at the blushing boy. "Are you gonna frame them, perhaps?"
Link looked to her, then Saria and Zelda. "Uh….", he mumbled feebly.
Zelda rolled her eyes. "Farore Din and Nayru.", she swore. "Just pocket it and let's go please?"
They all started off again, Link walking slowly, the garments still in hand. "Hmm…", he thought. "Frame them eh?".
****************
A day later they were in the Desert Fortress. There they were greeted by Epona, Link had left behind near the Giants Valley. Apparently she made her way back to the Fortress and had waited for either Link or Malon to show up. Malon hugged the horse strongly, and Link was happy too, but he didn't get too close. He wasn't sure if Epona could hold a grudge or not, and that horse had strong teeth.
His happiness faded while he watched Zelda speak to the Gerudo den Mother, Andala. The large woman was smiling and beaming once she saw Zelda and the others, but as the Princess talked with her, Link could see her smile fall away.
Link felt Nabooru's lost acutely, now more than ever. He tried to remember the short time he spent in the Final Realm, where he had seen her. The memories were vague, but he recalled how much he thought she was alive. With both of them in the Final Realm, it seemed they were both flesh and blood, and there was no feeling of loss or sadness…even though he knew that Nabooru was dead.
However, ever since he returned to the living, her loss tore at him painfully. It didn't matter whether or not she were experiencing a new form of being in the Final Realm, her loss was felt here, amongst her friends and family, and it was as real as anything. She would never again laugh or cry, experience love or sadness.
Link tried to console himself and others with the thought of her being in the Final Realm, safe from harm forever. It helped, but only a little. At least in coming here, back to her home, he had the proper opportunity to say goodbye.
Andala walked up to him silently, and Link noticed every Gerudo woman, baby, child and elder watching her sadly. Link explained the circumstances of her death one more sickening time, omitting any references to the Gerudo Keepsake. He didn't want Zelda and the other non-Gerudo learning of it, it was his responsibility to keep that secret his own.
At the end, Link did something totally unexpected by the others. Glancing to Evit, he said quietly, "Knata was also a victim in this, and he was partly Gerudo. I was hoping that we could wake for him too. The Dragmire was the cause of all this pain, and we shouldn't forget those he destroyed, should we?"
Andala scowled fiercely. "Mandrag Ganon,", she spat. "I wished that one day, I'd break our Once King's neck with my own bare hands. But it rights me to know that again, a Nabooru of Gerudo was instrumental in his defeat.". She put a hand on his shoulder. "We've not honored many men before, but if you believe it's right, we will do so for Knata as well."
Link nodded and glanced at Zelda. Anguish was still heavy in her eyes. Link knew that she didn't like the idea of respecting Nabooru's killer alongside Nabooru herself…even though Link had told her of Knata's reason. He asked for it though because as Andala said, he thought it was right.
Glancing at Evit briefly, he smiled to himself. At least he knew of one person who was truly happy with his request.
***************
Early the next day, Link found Evit outside of the fortress, standing quietly. Dragon was next to him. It sat calmly, metal wings folded to it's side, and rose it's head as Link approached.
"Unbelievable.", Evit said quietly. "I'm still tryin' to figure out if it's a machine or a living beast." .
Link shrugged. "Could be both, I guess. I wonder what it's doing…". He took a step forward, and Dragon stretched it's plated neck towards him. It's red eyes blinked rapidly, and it seemed like it was trying to tell him something.
Evit pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose slightly. "Maybe it wants something from you. Were ye supposed to reward it for it's services or somethin'?".
Link snapped his fingers, and reached into his tunic to fetch out Saria's Ocarina. He held it with purpose and looked into the beast's eyes. "Thank you for your help Dragon. You're free now, go anywhere you like.". Link thought for another moment, and then added, " Just don't eat any people, OK?"
Dragon reared like Link had insulted it's intelligence, and with one mighty beat of it's wings, took to the air. In moments, he was only a spec in the horizon.
The two of them watched it go for a few moments. Then Evit half turned to the other elf. "I appreciate what you did last night. I'm sure that most weren't pleased…"
Link shook his head. "If they saw what I did, they'd all have wanted the same thing.".
Evit nodded, and the two of them stood there in the sand for a few more moments, before heading back to the Fortress.
******************
"So you're going to Hirocco with him?", Malon asked the ex-Kokiri. She nodded sheepishly and glanced at Evit.
"I think I'm going to stick around with Mrs. Stal for a while. I want her to teach me to tutor children, like those at the place I stayed when I left the Forest." She smiled and crossed her arms. "I think I'll become a teacher even."
"You won't mind having to live with this cretin? I mean, his mother I can understand….", Zelda remarked coolly.
Evit scoffed. "You'll be sure I'll be as annoyin' as I can possibly be, so's to drive her off." He looked over to Link, who had been strangely silent. "You've got me word.", Evit winked.
Saria came forward and embraced Malon and Zelda, and then Link. "Come visit as soon as you can.", she whispered into his ear.
Link hugged her back and broke the embrace softly. "I uh….I will.", he mumbled. Before he could think of anything else, he was smacked in the nose by a small ball of light.
"You'd better learn to be more eloquent when you speak, you bum!", Esea huffed. "Don't mumble while Saria's talking to you!"
"You know what Esea, I'll miss you most of all.", Link half-groaned, rubbing his nose. Remembering suddenly, he reached into his tunic and pulled out her Ocarina. He held it out for her. "Thanks for lending it to me.", Link said quietly.
She took it and held it close. "Not a problem.". She looked to the others. "Take care you guys.".
"Bye-Bye!", Esea called.
"Malon, Zelda, Link, don't be strangers.", Evit called. With that they headed West, home to Hirocco.
Link sighed. It was weird to see these people that had become so close to him leave like this. But Saria was happy, which was what mattered. Link hoped the other Kokiri would follow their example, sooner or later.
**************
Malon climbed on top of and watched as Zelda approached Link coolly. Malon didn't interact much with Link after the Base had been taken down. After that day, she felt strangely shy and resigned to watching Zelda and him interact, with much hopelessness. They just seemed to fit in so well together.
She didn't remember much about what happened in the Base. She remembered feeling that Link was in horrible danger, and her reaching out….and then the next thing she remembered she was being helped on to her feet by Impa and the others. 'The strain of keeping the Ring must have finally overcome her', they said. Malon thought that it had to be true. Still she felt something deeper, more profound had happened, but she couldn't remember.
Now she watched as Link and Zelda, free of the responsibility and troubles that had weighed on them for so long, began to bond. Malon brushed long curly red locks from her face, and put a hand to her cheek. She felt tired, but she knew, it was time to let go.
"All right, we still have one more thing to do." Zelda piped up. "We have to put the Master Sword to rest. We don't want it to grow cranky, do we?"
Link smiled and nodded in agreement. He looked to Malon and said, "Well, let's go then, back to the Castle."
The farm girl shook her head. "I…I think I'm going to go back to the Ranch. Epona's probably homesick, and uh…", she gulped silently. "Well I want to go back…since, you know."
Link blinked. "Well….sure, if you feel that way. We'll meet up with you afterwards.".
Malon masked a smile. "Yes, of course.", she lied, and urged Epona forward.
Link and Zelda went off alone towards the Castle, and Malon didn't look back.
*************
Underneath the Imprisoning War Memorial, inside a dark green canopy of trees and light, the resting place of the Sword of Evil's Bane waited impatiently.
A ringing song filled the air as Link pulled the Master Sword from it's sheath. He held it in front of him and looked at it's blade. It drew in the light around it, and it was as clean as the day it was forged. He felt nothing but calmness and purity coming from the blade. It was complete serenity.
Link looked around the canopy, searching for strange shapes and wraiths, and listening for ominous music or singing. All he heard was the sounds of birds and small animals as they foraged in the glade behind him, and the most he saw was a small squirrel as it darted out of the canopy in search for food.
"I guess…they're gone.", Link thought of the Link's of the Past, the shadows that had been a part of him for as long as he could remember. With a twinge of relief and melancholy, he strode towards the large slab of rock, turned the Master Sword tip down, and drove it home.
The 3 small pebbles that represented the Keys of Fire, Water and Forest split from it's handle, and flared in the air. With a flash, they disappeared, leaving the Master Sword to tremble and glow slightly in the slab of rock.
The sword changed shape, morphing from a singled edged thin bladed sword, to a double-edged broadsword it was originally created as. The transformation finished, and lines of moss creeped up the rock and up the surface of the blade, as if the Sword were covering itself for the long rest ahead.
It was finished. Returning the Master Sword symbolized the end of this Troubled Era. Link sighed heavily with complete ease. Finally they can go on living.
His final Task completed, Link left the glade and ventured back to the Castle.
************
Zelda stood quietly in the Garden and waited for him to return. She was despairing silently. Link, Link, Link. She still didn't understand completely why she was drawn to him so. It could be some kind of twisted fate, or maybe it was just because they both held pieces of the Triforce. Zelda tried to think that it might have been nothing more than a foolish crush. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew that she could easily envision spending the rest of her life with him. Except she couldn't.
"Goddesses….", she prayed, "…this is so unfair.".
She felt him stride into the Garden. Zelda turned quickly and faced him. She hoped she wouldn't break down. "Link…", she started.
The teen stopped and smiled at her. "What's up?"
She held her eyes on his. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for what you endured for the sake of Hyrule.", she said formally. "Thank you."
Link rubbed the back of his head, and watched Zelda as she walked towards him. "You know, I really do love Hyrule, and I love my people, and I love working for them." She turned to the wall of the Garden, into the window that led to the Great Hall. "I feel it gives me a meaning, to serve them as the Princess…".
She turned, golden locks swinging, and faced him. Her face fell in sudden sorrow, and her glistening eyes turned to the ground.
"…but sometimes….", she sniffed, squeezing her arms together. "….sometimes it's…..".
"Hey..", Link said, and brought her arms up to her. She stepped away quickly and brushed a white gloved hand across her face.
"Link, thank you. I….I wish you well.".
Link looked at her sadly. He realized what this was. His time in the Castle, and with Zelda was over. "I…I will always be ready to serve you …and the Kingdom …again, Princess."
Zelda nodded tersely and turned away. After a moment, Link left the Garden silently.
***
When he was finally gone, Zelda sat in the garden and tucked her knees up to her chest. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and didn't bother looking up. She knew who it was.
"We all have our burdens to bare.", Impa told her.
Zelda sniffed. "It doesn't make it any better.", she said quietly. Impa nodded.
"There will be another, you wait and see.". She smiled and gave the Princess a short embrace. "Impa knows best."
Zelda couldn't help but smile at that. Impa was right, she did know best, and they did have their burdens to bare. Some just seemed a bit crueler than others.
"Link…", she thought sighing, "take care.".
*************
"Malon, are you sure you don't want to rest for a while?", Talon called to the girl in the field. "I mean, really, Ingo and I can take care of it. Why don't you relax?"
Malon turned to him smiling. She was taking care of the horses that were freely exercising in the vast yard of the farm. It was a bit tiring, but she didn't feel like a rest yet. "I'm all right Dad.", she called back.
"But Malon, don't over-exert yourself!"
"Why not?", Ingo grumbled. "She's not pregnant is she? If not, then she can work! Simple as that."
Talon grumbled and dropped the subject. Malon laughed. She can always trust on Ingo to be crude, but effective.
She was about to go back into her work, when Talon called again. "Malon! You've got a visitor!".
Malon turned to the gate and looked with astonishment. Link stood there silently in the red haze of the sunset. He looked…a bit tired.
Malon walked towards him, and Link strode over to her. "Link…", she started quietly, "..what are you doing here?"
Link looked at her strangely. "What do you mean, 'what am I doing here?'. This is my home isn't it? Or has that changed?".
She looked at him breathlessly. "What? Uh…I thought…I mean, you and….". Link just watched her carefully, and she began to blush. "I mean…of course, it hasn't changed.". She smiled happily and held out her hand. "Welcome home."
Link returned her smile and took her hand in his.
As the sun sank brilliantly into the Western Horizon of the Kingdom of Hyrule, they returned to the heart of the Ranch, and the Gate creeped slowly to a close behind them.
The End