Author's Note: I have returned again. There isn't much to explain about the story, but I know you'll all love it. And I give a special thanks to Majora's Mask. It took me a third time playing through it, but now my creative juices feel rejuvenated.


~------------------------------~


Link walked into the house in which the two farm girls lived. He noticed that things hadn't changed drastically. They still lived their lives simply and happily. And the inside of the house was a refreshing change. The girls had a roaring fire set in their fireplace. It was so warm and much better than the freezing cold of the fields.

Link didn't want to be too quick to ask his questions. He really wanted to learn about the recent invasions of the Moblins. Link, though, had something else on his mind. He never meant to come back to Termina. All he wanted was to uncover the wedding masks he was given as a gift. But someone took them and Link didn't know what happened to them. He was dragged through that tunnel after he heard a voice calling for him. He still didn't know who it was.

"Cremia?" someone called out. "Romani? Is that you?"

"It's us, Anju," Cremia called out. "…And a few guests. You and Kafei might want to come down."

The upstairs door opened and Anju and Kafei both came out. They were just like Link remembered them. Anju was still the shy, skinny redhead. It was hard to remember Kafei in his adult body. Link had been so used to seeing him as a child. But Kafei was grown-up now, and he was just like the last time Link saw him; that was the day he married Anju.

When they came down, both of them gasped. Unlike Cremia and Romani, Anju and Kafei immediately recognized who was standing before them.

Anju pointed it out. "Link? Is that you?"

Link only nodded and grinned sheepishly. "I guess you DO remember me."

Anju and Kafei ran up to Link and hugged him; a growing trend. They let go as soon as they both heard a knock on the door.

Anju turned her head. "I think that's for you, Romani."

There was only one problem with that.

"Anju! I'M Romani!"

Anju turned her head to see the real Romani. "But…if you're Romani…then who's this?"

Link shyly raised his hand. "Maybe an introduction is in order. But first…answer the door, Romani."

Romani ran a hand through her hair and walked over to the door. Her cheeks were rosy red in anticipation. She opened the door and revealed the guy she was going out with. And when Link saw who it was, his jaw nearly dropped open. Of all people who could have been behind that door, he never would have expected to see…

"JIM?!"


~--------------------~


Saria brushed her hair as she waited for her assistants to come in. Her two friends, Somi and Mira, were already there. There was only one person missing.

"Ok, I'm here."

That was the voice of Sodo. Saria beamed as he walked in. She really loved that boy more than anything and the feeling was more than mutual. They both made their feelings known a little more than a year ago when the evil shape-shifter Meyson had threatened Hyrule. Since then, they were practically inseparable. So this wouldn't be any exception.

"All right, we're all here," said Saria. "Um…I haven't really done this before. I've never opened a gateway to another world. Just…stand by in case I need something."

Saria walked by a nearby wall. She closed her eyes and prepared herself. This would take all her concentration, because she didn't even know where in the universes Termina was. It would take everything, since the Forest Sage had never opened a portal before. So of course…

…Someone knocked at the door.

Saria frowned and glanced at her friends. The three looked at each other and finally, Somi walked to the door. She opened it and Saria was less than pleased to see Mido. Obviously, the Kokiri 'boss' didn't see what was posted on the door.

And Saria made sure to point that out. "You know, Mido, this scroll's here for a reason." She pointed up at the scroll hanging on the door that read: DO NOT DISTURB.

"Oh, I didn't see that," Mido said ignorantly. "Well, anyway, I just needed to come in for a few seconds. I need to know if Somi has an extra broom."

Hearing this, Somi grabbed a broom sitting right next to her and tossed it to Saria. In turn, Saria handed the broom to Mido.

"There you go," Saria said dryly. "There's your broom. Now leave me alone. I have work to do."

Saria shut the door before Mido could get another word out. She hoped that would be the last interruption. She calmly walked back to the wall and prepared to try again. She closed her eyes again and began to concentrate, but unfortunately…

…Someone knocked on the door again.

Saria sighed in frustration and shot her friends a glance. Knowing they were supposed to be the assistants, Saria's three friends looked at each other as the knocking persisted. Finally, Mira opened the door.

It was Dore, the eldest of the Know-It-All brothers. "Jeez, it's about time. I almost wore my arm out knocking so much. Anyway, I need a couple of buckets and I know you girls have some and…" Dore stopped as soon as he saw Saria glaring at him. "…Um…I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

Saria didn't say anything. She just walked over towards the door and pointed at the scroll. The emerald girl was starting to lose her patience.

"Oh, I didn't see that," Dore mumbled. "I don't know what good this does you, Saria. You know that half of us here can't read."

"Then maybe I should be a little more persuasive," Saria growled. She grabbed the two buckets Dore wanted and handed them to him. Then she started pushing him outside. "Get out! Get out! Get out! I'm busy!" She shoved Dore outside and shut the door again. Then she calmly fluffed her green hair and walked back towards the wall. "Where was I?"

Saria prepared herself once more. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate, but that's when someone else knocked on the door. Saria frustratingly stomped her boot. This was getting irritating. She walked over to open the door. The door flew open and there were Mido and Dore.

"Um…just what are you busy with, Saria?" asked the nosy Dore.

"Yeah, we haven't seen you all day," Mido added. "Frankly, you're making us a bit nervous. What are you doing, anyway?"

Saria slapped her forehead. These interruptions were getting under her skin. "If you must know, I'm doing sage work. Do you two mind?"

"You mean you're working in here?" Mido asked. "Why work in here? Isn't it kind of cramped in here?"

"I'm here so I won't get interrupted," Saria said dryly.

"Must not be working too well," Dore smirked. "You've already got three interruptions standing over there." He referred to Somi, Mira, and Sodo.

"THEY are helping me," Saria growled. "Which is more than I can say for you two! Is there something I can help you with?"

"Ok, ok," Mido stuttered, "I guess we have been a little…nosy. But as long as we're here, do you need help with anything?"

Saria didn't want their help. She had all the help she needed. All she really wanted was for everyone to leave her alone. She had to complete this test of her power. She didn't want to be all-out rude, though. It was against her nature. Luckily, there was Sodo. He whispered a suggestion into Saria's ear. She liked what she was hearing. She hadn't thought of this possibility, and it could work very well. But more than that, it could keep these two busy.

"Ok, you can help me," Saria told them. "I need you guys to do me a big favor. I need you to go out into the Lost Woods and see if you can find a big tunnel."

"A tunnel?" Mido and Dore both repeated.

"I really don't know what else to call it," Saria continued. "I've never actually seen it myself, but I know it exists. It leads to another world. Somehow, Link stumbled in there. I need you guys to see if that gateway's still open."

"How did Link get in there?" Mido asked.

"I don't know," Saria replied. "But I heard that the gateway might be closing and I need you guys to check and see if it's still open."

"You want us to go alone?" Dore asked.

Saria thought about that. "If it makes you feel any better, take your brothers. A trio of Know-It-Alls and our fearless leader should be able to find it. Am I right?"

They seemed hesitant. Finally, Mido spoke up. "I guess so. When should we leave?"

"Right away!" Saria answered, before shutting the door.

It looked like her two major interruptions had been taken care of. Now it was back to work.

Saria grinned at her friends. "Where was I?"


~--------------------~


Link could hardly believe who stood at the door. He never expected to see that Romani was going out with Jim. Link hadn't seen Jim since…he was first initiated into the Bombers. Link never forgot the Bombers. It was the first time he felt accepted. Not that he didn't love the Kokiri; but with them, Link wasn't exactly treated with too much love and affection, with the exception of Saria.

"Jim, is that you?" Link asked again.

"You know him?" Romani asked Link. Then she turned to Jim and asked the same question. "You know him?"

Jim didn't say anything. He only stood there confused and uttered, "Romani…why are there two of you?"

Link could see the confusion on Jim's face when he saw Malon. So of course he wouldn't notice Link. Link, though, was still waiting for the moment he recognized him.

"That's not me," Romani clarified. "That's…Malon. She came here with…Link."

Jim finally noticed Link. "Link? Is that really you?"

Link smirked. "You've grown up, Jim. I never would have believed you'd be going out with Romani."

"Um…yeah. It sort of just happened. We met out in Clock Town one day in the middle of one of the Bombers' meetings. By the way, you haven't been showing up. In fact, you've missed every meeting for the last twelve years. Where have you been?"

Link nervously cleared his throat. "Um…it's a…really…long story. If I told you, we'd be here all night. Shouldn't you be taking Romani out?"

"Yes, Jim," Romani agreed. "Shouldn't you be taking Romani out?"

"Yes, I should," Jim realized. "Should we go?"

Jim and Romani went arm in arm and walked outside. Romani left Cremia with one message. "Don't wait up, sister."

Everyone watched as Romani walked out with Jim. Link still couldn't believe it. He never pictured that happening. He didn't much time to think about it, though. The others had something else on their minds.

"The boy makes a good point," Cremia said. "Just where have you been, Link? What happened to that little guy who had such a big impact on our lives twelve years ago?"

Link scratched his head. He didn't know where to begin. He looked back and with one warm smile from Malon, suddenly felt relieved of his anxieties. It was time to tell these people the truth…no matter how odd it might seem.

"Well, there's a lot you guys need to know about me…"


~--------------------~


"Are we there yet?"

"Will you stop asking that?!" Mido shouted. "You'll know it when you see it!"

Mido grumbled something as he kept on walking through the Lost Woods. A few hours had passed and the four Kokiri boys were long past the Sacred Forest Meadow. Saria wanted a favor from Mido and he was set to deliver. Of course, it also meant having to put up with the Know-It-All brothers: Dore, Dila, and Sofa. They were starting to get on Mido's nerves.

"How long have we been out here?" Sofa asked.

"Too long," Dila replied dryly. "I'm getting tired."

"Hey, no one asked you guys to come with us," Dore muttered.

"Of course not!" Dila shot back. "You made us go!"

"So I did," Dore said cynically. "You can't go back now. You might as well stick around. Besides, if I have to put up with Mido, then I'm not suffering by myself."

Mido stopped in his tracks. "And just what is THAT supposed to mean?"

"It means I have to stand here and watch you play leader. When it's obvious you don't know what you're doing."

"I haven't seen you lead us anywhere," Mido retorted. "You don't know where to go, either."

"I don't even want to lead us anywhere," Dore said angrily. "I didn't even want to be out here. I was hoping to relax in the temple.

Sofa suddenly called out from afar. "Dore?"

"But you had to open your big mouth. Now we're stuck out here!"

"Dore?"

"And we can't go back, 'cause we'll never hear the end of it. And…"

"DORE!!"

Dore heard his brother call. "What is it, Sofa? Can't you see I'm arguing over here?"

"I found something!"

Mido, Dila, and Dore ran over to where Sofa was crouched down. He had dug a deep hole in the ground and uncovered what looked like a big box.

"How did you find that?" Dila asked curiously.

"I just starting digging around like I always do when Dore and Mido argue. Only this time, I actually got lucky. What do you guys think is in here?"

"Only one way to find out," said Dore. He grabbed the box and tried to open it. "It's pretty tight. But I'll get it." Dore kept trying, and finally he tore the top of the box open.

Mido looked inside the box to see what looked like three masks. One was of a Deku Scrub; another was of a Goron; and another was of a Zora. They were very unusual, but Mido couldn't understand why these masks were buried.

"What do you think this means?" Dila asked. "Do you think…?"

"I have an idea," Dore interrupted. "Dila, Sofa, take these masks back to the temple. Give them to Saria."

"Huh?" the confused Sofa asked. "What about you and Mido?"

"We'll stay here for now," Dore answered. "We'll catch up with you guys later. Don't worry about us. Just take these back."

"But Dore…?"

"Just GO!"

Dila and Sofa didn't say anything else. They only took the box of masks and started heading out. Mido didn't know what to think. Dore looked almost stoic. He couldn't tell what the elder Know-It-All was thinking.

"What's wrong?" Mido asked nervously. "Is there something I should know?"

"Are they gone?"

"They're gone."

"Come over here, Mido," Dore said somberly. Mido walked over and Dore pointed his head to another direction. "Look over there."

Mido gasped when he saw that sight. He could see a flickering light in the distance. But it was a familiar light. Mido suddenly remembered it.

"It can't be…can it?"

Dore started moving forward. "Let's go find out."

Dore was almost running now. So Mido followed him and wondered if that light truly was what he thought it was.


~--------------------~


Everyone's jaw dropped open in shock when Link finished his explanation. They didn't quite know what to think of what they had just been told. Link didn't expect them to. He knew they wouldn't believe what they were hearing.

Anju spoke up first. "So…you're not from Termina? You never WERE from Termina?"

Link hung his head down. "I…might have left out that little detail. Malon and I aren't from Termina. This isn't our world."

Cremia added her two cents. "And you live in a world called…what?"

"Hyrule," Malon answered. "It's a land called Hyrule."

There was a brief silence before Kafei asked the next question. "Why didn't you just tell us the truth from the start? We thought you were dead. We didn't know what to do. We thought we lost someone we cared about."

That hit Link somewhere deep. "You guys…cared about me?"

"After all you did for us?" Anju pointed out. "You didn't have to do any of it, Link. But you did anyway. We're eternally grateful for it. After a while…we started to care for you the way you cared for us."

Link seemed choked up. He didn't know what to say. "I-I'm really sorry I didn't tell you guys. You know, I didn't exactly leave Termina with too many good memories. But every time I think back, it…doesn't seem so bad. I…actually…missed this place.

"And I'm sorry I couldn't stay. Hyrule is my home. It's where I was born, where I was raised. I have too many friends back in Hyrule. Including…" Link paused. He placed a hand gently on Malon's chin and looked her in the eye. "…Malon…the girl I love." Malon beamed.

"But…why did you come back, Link?" Kafei asked.

Link hadn't thought of that. He still didn't know how he ended up back here. All he remembered was waking up in the middle of Termina Field. Then he remembered what got him here.

"I was in the middle of the forest," Link began. "When I heard a voice calling out for me from the inside of the tunnel to Termina. Malon rushed in and I followed her. The next thing we knew, we were waking up in Termina field."

"You heard a voice calling you?" Cremia asked. "Who was it?"

"I…still don't know," Link answered. "The first thing I tried to do was go back to Hyrule. But the gateway from the clock tower in Clock Town has been shut. Then we went to look around and…

"…Hey, that's right. I meant to ask you guys. Do you know what's been happening in Clock Town?"

Silence. Everyone was obviously looking for a way to explain what's been happening. They were hesitant.

Then Kafei finally spoke up. "Clock Town's been in shambles lately. Every night, there's an invasion by a rowdy gang of Moblins. They've been breaking in and leaving destruction around every corner."

"That's why I haven't been able to make my deliveries," Cremia continued. "One night, I was making my usual deliveries, but I was ambushed by those Moblins. They ransacked the whole wagon and stole every bottle of milk I had. Then…they tied me up and left me hanging on a branch. I was so lucky that the soldiers were walking by there. They managed to cut me down before the guays came in. But I was so scared. Those Moblins were ruthless and…mean…and…ugly."

Now was the time for Link to ask the burning question. He wanted to ask the one question that had been plaguing him since he was tossed into Termina Field by the Moblins.

But Malon beat him to it. "How did the Moblins get into Clock Town in the first place? Where did they come from?"

There was another hesitation, until Cremia decided to give the answer.

"It's a long story…"


Any comments? Then mail me at HyruleKokiri13@hotmail/aol.com and don't forget to review below.