The Legend of Zelda: The Return

A Very Brief Interlude: The Letter

Hunter (and Malon, Neesha and Navi);

Don't freak out. (Hunter was pretty sure that as a general rule if a letter started with 'don't freak out' he was going to freak out.) This isn't technically a goodbye, or anything. It's more of a just-in-case. On the off chance things don't work out like I hope they will (as things have a habit of doing) then I'd rather not die without having sorted things out between us. (Yep. He was freaking out.)

I've already explained to you about a thousand times my reasons for doing what I'm doing. You know them probably as well as I do. I'm sorry it came down to writing a letter and bolting, (Hunter's head snapped up and he looked at Link's blankets. Link's empty blankets. His hat and weapons were gone too. A kind of icy dread settled into Hunter's stomach.) but you guys left me no choice.

Sorry if that sounds like an accusation. It isn't (well it is, but not a bad one, if that makes any sense). But I'm not sorry for what I've done and what I'm about to try and do. You know that as well as I do I think. But nevermind, this isn't about that.

Why didn't you tell me about you and Malon? (Here it comes, Hunter thought to himself with a guilty start. Malon stirred beside him, then turned and blinked blearily up at him. "Hunter?" She asked. "What is it? What's wrong?" He didn't answer her, but continued reading.) Navi thinks it's because you (and maybe her, but Malon should know me better than that) were afraid that I'd take offence to it out of some misplaced jealousy over Malon being my ex-girlfriend.

If that's the case then you're a stupid moron. (Hunter blinked in surprise. Malon frowned and started reading the letter over his shoulder.) Farore, Hunter! What kind of a muscle-headed idiot do you take me for? I'm not angry that you two are together, Hell I'm ecstatic about it, the more of my friends that hook up the less travelling I need to do to visit them. But it is kind of frustrating that you didn't trust me enough to let me know. Dammit, Hunter, I'm not blind. How, exactly, were you planning on hiding that? Once things settled down I would have noticed, and then what? How long were you planning on waiting exactly before telling me?

I once told Malon that she'd find herself a guy ten times better than me that I'd love and hate at the same time. It all came true except the hate apparently. I hope you two get your happy ending.

Take care of her, Hunter, or I'll beat you senseless, best friend or not.

And mark my words, we are best friends, whether you still want to be or not. (Hunter rubbed his face with his hand, unable, for a moment, to continue.)

If you're looking for an apology that's the best you're going to get. I figure that if we both just kind of forget everything that's happened, neither one of us needs to apologize and injure our all-important pride. I'm not sticking around to find out your answer, but I think I know you well enough to guess . . .

Anyway, enough with the sappy. I suck at it, you suck at it, and it's kind of weird. I'm used to rough-housing and fooling around with you, not this soft stuff. But I figured now was as good a time as any to say it.

And most of this applies to the girls as well. Tell Malon for me that she was the best damn girlfriend I ever had (yeah, yeah, the only, I know, but it's true just the same. Wow . . . eighteen and only one girlfriend. I do suck!), and Castletown would have killed me with boredom if it weren't for her. I know she'll do it anyway, but ask her to take care of Epona for me, just in case. Give Neesha a shove and a hug for me. She'll understand that better than anything I could ever say to her. Tell her she can keep my Fairy Ocarina. Navi already knows everything I could tell her anyway. It would be redundant. Just . . . tell her that I was the luckiest Kokiri-who-never-was, who ever was. And do me a favor, Hunter? She's going to need a new partner if I don't make it out of this, and there aren't many other people I'd trust her to . . . tell her I'm sorry I didn't take her with me too, but if someone has to die to finish this, then it's going to be me and just me. You guys have come far enough with me, and done enough for me. I won't ask that of you, and I don't want it of you. This is my fight now.

Anyway, I said no more sappy and I meant it. I guess what I really want to say is thanks. For everything. To all of you. And, just in case I haven't freaked you out enough already, goodbye. Just in case.

Just in case.

(Below this the words "Yours truly," "Sincerely," and "Best wishes," were all violently scribbled out, and written just below them were the words:)

Love,

Link