A/N: Time for another chappie!!

SSG: YAY!!!

Link: (unenthusiastically) Yay.

SSG: T.T; Here, Link, try this. (gives him a drink... of something)

Link: (drinks it) O.O YAY!!!!! CHAPPIE TIIIIIIIIMEE!!!! 8D

XD Good job, SSG! Here's the chappie!

Rise of the Heroine of Time: Chapter 9: Return of the Hero

Nighttime at the castle. It was quiet. Deadly quiet. There was only one sound repeatedly echoing across the castle courtyard.

Ka-shink... Ka-shink... Ka-shink...

Link sat by the fountain of the courtyard, sharpening his knife with a stone to try and keep his mind off things. It didn't help.

He was waiting for news- any news- of his captive daughter. He didn't care who it came from, just anything would help soothe his pain. His mind was so full of thoughts, he didn't even notice that his knife had passed beyond razor sharpness a while ago. He sat waiting while the blade grew sharper than an ice crystal in his hands.

Zelda entered the courtyard and found him, looking at him in concern. He hadn't eaten or rested since after the battle, and that began to worry her. She was afraid depression would consume his soul, and she know she couldn't let that happen. She couldn't lose him, too.

Soon, the sound of stone sliding against steel halted, as Link's hands began to tremble. As the weapons fell from his hands, Zelda quickly approached, and in seconds, Link was in her arms and sobbing silently into her shoulder.

"Why!?" he choked. "Why her!? Why won't she come back to us!?"

"I-I don't know, Link..."

"Nayru's Love! You and I have both lost parents to the war! Are we to lose our daughter, too?"

"Your daughter's safe for now." Another voice answered.

The two broke away and looked up to find...

"Kili!" Link cried, smiling through his tears. He outstretched his hand and allowed her to land in his palm. "You're a sight for sore eyes!"

"I can tell," She looked into his damp, distraught eyes.

"Florence- do you know of her whereabouts?" Zelda asked desperately. "Is she okay?"

Kili smiled in assurance. "She's safe. It's a long story, but I come bearing a message from her."

Link and Zelda gave her their full attention.

"She and her rescuer decided that Ganondorf must be killed instead of sealed to finally rid Hyrule of his threat. We need you to come, and I can help you get there."

The two looked at each other.

"That would make sense," Link reasoned softly. "Then there'd be no more fear of him escaping again."

"Yes..." Zelda mused. "Then peace will reign forever in Hyrule..."

"So?" Kili continued. "Are you coming to help?"

The Royal ones looked at each other with determined gleams in their eyes. As Kili flew off Link's palm, the two faced each other, knowing the right decision.

-Gwen...- Link whispered in a soft send. -The final battle with Evil is upon us. You know what that means...-

-Yes...- Zelda responded. -Great danger will be upon us. I'll do as you wish...-

She drew away from his arms, and magical sparks radiated from her fingertips. They spread around her as she spun around gracefully. A great flash filled the room, and when it died down, both Link and Kili looked at Zelda's transformation in wonder and shock.

They recognized it to be Zelda's magically-created alter ego, Sheik, for the smooth, deep blue outfit he wore and the Sheikah symbol on his chest: a bright red eye with a single teardrop. However, he had no bandages covering his face, and his features were a little more clear. Long, golden bangs concealed most of his face, with a small rat tail in the back. Deep red eyes looked back in determination, and his pale, thin lips were curved in a small, yet serious smile.

Link stared at Sheik in slight surprise. -Gwen... You haven't had this transformation since...-

"Yes... I know I look different, for as I grow older, so does my transformation."

Link nodded in understanding. Kili looked confused, but didn't venture to ask anything. Sheik approached Link silently, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Now it is your turn," he quietly muttered. "The final battle with Ganondorf has come. It's time for your return."

Link looked up at Sheik with determined eyes, and nodded. Kili was left confused.

----------

It took Kili a few minutes to get used to Sheik as they sat in the master bedroom, but after realizing it was really Zelda in disguise, she relaxed and allowed Sheik to explain the manner of the magically-created alter ego.

"I see now," said Kili. "Navi told us about you, but now I REALLY understand."

"Yes," Sheik responded in his natural, low voice they quickly had grown used to. "It's complicated unless explained thoro--"

The two looked up in astonishment as a certain figure stepped out of the large closet doors. This figure wore a tunic as green as the deep forest, worn of age and sown in many places that had been ripped and cut. Under this was another tunic, deep brown and equally as worn. His limbs were blue-white, covered in thin, stretched fabric. Old, soft leather were on both his large gauntlets and his baggy boots. His hair was concealed by a long, pointed hat, all but his beautiful bangs and thick locks of hair. The Master Sword and Hylian Shield were stopped behind his back.

"...I'm surprised it still fits." he commented.

"Oh, Link..." Sheik stood and approached him, wrapping his arms around Link's waist. "You've always looked best in your tunic..."

"Indeed," Link smiled. "Velvet and satin can't compare with this..."

Sheik smiled and sent, -Welcome back, Hero of Time.-

Link smiled in response.

Kili flew up to them. "Are we ready to save Florence and defeat Ganondorf?"

Link looked at the fairy and said, "Yes!"

A/N: You gave him WHAT!?

SSG: Um... Hehe... Triple espresso...

Link: (bouncing around) WEEWEEWEEWEEWEEWEEWEEWEEWEE!!!

Well, yeah... Anyway, regarding Sheik, I believe the form of Sheik is a male, but is still Zelda in the heart and mind, so he will still act lovey-dovey towards Link. And if ANY of you comment me on this, I'm gonna sic Wolfie on you!!!

Wolfie: (grins)

SSG: So don't do it, k? K!

Link: HEY-GUYS-LOOK-WHAT-I-CAN-DO!!! (skips backwards)

T.T; R&R, peoples.