A.N.- Hope you all like this chapter as well as you liked all the others. Keep on reviewing. Also, I've noticed that many stories have disclaimers saying that they do not own the Zelda characters and such. Is this required, or optional? Someone please inform me so I that I may make the necessary corrections. ________________________________________________________________________

A fairly tall man walked through the hallways of Hyrule castle. He wore a green tunic and cap, his blonde hair flowing out from under the cap in a few, medium-sized, ponytails.

He stopped and stared through one of the stone window openings. The rain that had started a few days ago continued to drench the land of Hyrule. The figure stood, looking out into the haze, thinking thoughts deeper than any person could ever think.

When do we move, it has been ten years; surely we have gained the confidence of these people. No. We must wait. There is something we are missing, I can feel it. I will follow your judgment, master. But why must we wait. I already told you, there's more to this than we can see. Hyrule has always had a protector, like a fairy to the Kokiri. When you killed their hero, Link, on that day ten years ago, his spirit left this world. But I have a feeling that Hyrule's Hero will return and destroy all the work we have accomplished. No, we will wait a while longer.

"Hey, Link," a kind voice said from around the corner. Link turned to see a slender woman, with jade-green eyes; and about the same height as himself. "Princess Zelda," Link said, bowing as she approached him. "Oh, Link. You know you don't have to do all that bowing and stuff around me, we're beyond that as friends." "Sorry, Zel. I guess I never will get used to knowing the princess of Hyrule so well."

"Link, I thought you left for the ranch this morning." "So did I," Link answered, "But I just needed to think a little bit longer, something's tugging at my mind." "It's okay," Zelda comforted, "But why don't you go back to your house and rest. Then you'll really be able to think straight. You're lucky. You don't have to be cooped inside these gloomy stone walls for almost all of your life, you get to roam all of Hyrule freely." "It's not all that it's cut out to be, trust me. But, I think I'll take your advice and go home for a while. I think I might enjoy riding in the rain." Link made a slight bow towards the princess, and then walked off into the castle, leaving the princess to think by herself. What's wrong with him?

Link walked through the market square, not saying a word. No one was in the market at the time, the steady downpour too heavy to see two-feet in front of one's self. But Link walked, unhindered by the lack of visibility.

He reached the gatehouse and opened the door. Stepping inside the guards rose to their feet. Link waved his hand at them, and they resumed their bored postures in their chairs. "Would you guys mind opening the gate for me?" Link asked. "Sure, Link. Give me a sec'". The guard stood and disappeared into an opening in the wall. Link leaned against the wall and drew his sword. The blade shimmered in the torchlight, the ruby at the base of the hilt shined brightly. The low steady grind of gears turning and chains lengthening could be heard, and the guard emerged from the door. "Thanks, Trab". Link opened the door and faded into the thick haze.

He walked over the drawbridge and entered the land of Hyrule. Reaching into his tunic, he removed his ocarina, the instrument he had used so often in his adventures. He placed it to his lips and played the all-to-familiar song. The notes flew and faded away into the rain. Link stood there, waiting. Within a few minutes, a horse's hooves could be heard beating on the ground. Out of the haze emerged a horse. It stopped by Link and nuzzled her nose into his cheek. Link patted her on the neck and scratched her ears. "Ah, Epona. What would I do without you? Link mounted the fine horse and galloped off towards Lon Lon Ranch.

The rain hit Link's face, but he didn't care, his mind was somewhere else; in its own small debate with itself.

Master, if I may ask, why must we continue this charade? Why do we need to return "home"? You know why.. You knew what you did when you absorbed me into your own being, you must accept what you did. We must continue with caution, there is no reason not to. No more stupid questions for now. Yes, master.

Epona trotted up the slope leading to the ranch. Malon, Link's good friend and the only person he had close to family, stood under a canopy that lead to the stable. Malon walked up to Link as Epona stopped and looked up into Link's eyes through the rain; their color seemed cloudy, almost like he wasn't in reality.

"Hey Link, how are you." "FINE! Why!" Link snapped. Malon took a step back, surprised by Link's response. "Sorry," Link said apologetically, "I didn't mean to lash out at you like that, I was just thinking that's all." "It's okay, Link, you just surprised me. Come on, I'll help you get Epona into the stall.

Link dismounted the horse and walked behind Malon as she lead Epona to the large door that opened into the stable. It was dry in the barn, which was a comfort to Link; the water was starting to bother him. He opened one of the stall doors and Malon lead Epona into it. Link took the bow and arrows off of her saddle and hung them on a nail near the door. He then removed Epona's saddle and hung it on a nail next to the stall. "Why don't you have something to eat, it's about dinner-time," Malon suggested. Link stood and thought a moment, thinking. "Thanks Malon, but I'll think I'll just go to sleep." "Oh," Malon responded, a slight bit disappointed. "That's okay. But remember, your always welcome to come by for something to eat anytime."

Link held the stable door open for Malon and then started off toward his own house. He trudged through the mud and down the narrow path. He walked in silence past the windmill. He continued to walk in silence all the way until he reached the door, not even thinking.

Link opened the door, went to his bedroom, removed his sword and shield, and took off his soaked clothes. He opened his dresser, took out a dry tunic and put it on. Taking off his sword and shield, he placed them next to his bed. He lay down and thought, each conscience thinking in its own direction.

Master, do you believe it is safe that we rest? Yes, and I will tell you why. Two reasons: if we sleep, whoever is watching us may come out of hiding, and then we will stop them before they can do any harm. And two, this body needs rest. If we do not let it sleep, it will not able to do what we ask of it. I understand, my lord.

Link closed his eyes and went into a deep sleep. The body rejoiced in its rest, having not done so in a long time. But, although the body rested, only one mind rested while the other remained alert.

Master, I hear something. Let us go and see. Yes, my lord. May I take care of this? Yes, you may; just don't mess up, Shad. I will not.

Link took his sword, opened the door of his house, and looked into the haze of the continuing rain. The noises came from farther off in the distance, but he couldn't see who, or what, was making them. Link broke into a run towards the general direction of where the noise emanated.

He reached the pasture and saw what was causing the noise and why. Two men, on black horses, were herding the cows and guiding them toward a narrow opening in the fence, out of the ranch. The cows were frightened, they did not recognize the men; therefore, the two figures were having difficulty getting the cattle to cooperate.

Link walked as close as he could to the herd, and then crouched down, as not to be seen. One of the men started coming toward Link. Link didn't think had spotted him, because he did not see the glimmer in his eyes. His assumption was correct; the man, still on horseback, simply passed by and headed toward the cows. But, Link rose out of his position, drew his sword, and hit the man with a very powerful blow, with the flat of his sword. The man fell to the ground but his horse continued to run towards the cows. The man stood up and looked around to see what had caused him to be knocked off his horse. His eyes met Link's, and they stood determining what to do. The man drew a sword from his back, and Link did the same. The man struck at Link's arm, which he deflected easily. He attacked again, this time at Link's legs; and again, it was blocked with ease. The man continued attacking Link, and Link continued to block. He knew the man's skill could not measure up to his, but he wanted to simply toy with him.

The battle went on until Link heard a whistling noise. He raised his blade, and struck down; making a clink. He looked down at the water-soaked ground. There stood, embedded in the ground, an arrow. Another whistle could be heard, and again, Link struck it down to the ground, then looked up. There, sitting on a horse, was a second man, with a bow in his hand. The man on the ground, seeing that Link was distracted, attacked Link again. Link swung at his sword and knocked it out of his hands. Another arrow sailed through the air. Link swiped at the arrow, deflecting it; and almost hitting the man's head.

"Dax, run!" the man upon the horse yelled. Dax whistled in a shrill tone, and his horse came galloping toward him. As the horse passed, he jumped on and galloped away. "Dak, this guy's trouble, we better stay away from here." The two men galloped off into the haze. Link bent down and picked up Dax's sword; which, in his haste, he had forgotten to retrieve. He stood a few minutes and looked into the rain, waiting to see if the two men would return. Seeing that they weren't, Link ran to the herd of distressed cows, and herded them back into their pasture. Seeing that all was safe, he walked back to his house.

Opening the door, he removed his tunic and put on yet another one. He placed both swords next to his bed and lay down. He smiled to himself, happy that he had been able to save the cattle.

Master, all is safe. I do not believe the two I saw were the ones you felt were here to stop us; they were not even able to touch me. Very well. But, why did you even care that they take the cattle, Shad? All I wanted to know was whether-or-not they were a threat to us not the ranch.

I... I do not know master, it just came over me. It is fine, what is done is done, and we have received no harm.

Link closed his eyes and fell asleep. Again, one mind was alert while the other mind rested.

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A.N.- I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I would like to thank the following people for reviewing so far: Staci, v mm, sparkybw, FireFairy, and heath 999. I really appreciate your taking time review my story; it's very helpful. Also, please do not be surprised if I do not update within the next few days, school is getting difficult and it's getting hard for me to get my hands on a computer. Just thought you might want to know so you're not surprised, that's all.