Courage

Link stared, aghast, as Nabooru vanished from sight. Captured... and him helpless to save her...

Nothing he did worked anymore, not since he pulled the sword. Too many mistakes, too many blunders costing lives. And what about the helpless minions of Gannondorf, sent to their doom at his sword, just because Gannondorf was evil? As the blinding desert winds beat at him, he turned and ran from the temple, ran from his destiny. And as he ran, he cried. Cried for Nabooru, cried for the Zoras, cried for the poor townspeople in Hyrule Market, replaced by redeads, cried for Lon Lon Ranch, under the oppressive rule of Ingo, cried for Eponia- it was luck she even trusted him, the way she had been beaten under Ingo. He could still see some of the marks from the whippings she had recived for being so contrary. He cried for everything that had happened these past seven years, which he had caused, and he had run from, falling into slumber.

Sure, he had not intended to abandon his country. But... perhaps it would be better if he had. If only he had a second chance to do it over... That's it! He would go back in time and destroy the Master Sword once and for all. No more time travel. No more Mr. Hero. He wouldn't hide out in Kokiri forest, either. He would live in Castle Town with the rest, subject to the same fate he had imposed on them. And he would probably die. If he managed to survive...

He reached Gerudo Valley and found Epona, waiting meekly. He greeted the horse with a pat and a nose rub before hopping on. She was always eager to please him, not knowing that this time... he wouldn't come back to her, to ride her to the temple again. This was more than a simple supply run. This was cowardice, trechary. This was the final stand of a war-torn hero. No, Link reminded himself, he was no hero. He was as bad as, if not worse than, Gannondorf himself.

He dismounted when they reached the town gates. He pulled Epona's saddle and bridle off, and set them down on the ground. On impulse, he hugged the neck of his four-legged friend, and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry...". Then he pulled back, and slapped her rump, with a "Ha!". She started and ran a little ways, before circling back to him. He waved his arms and yelled. "Go on, go, stupid nag! You're free now!" In desperation to make her understand, he pulled out a Deku Nut and threw it down. She reared up, turned, and ran into the plains, vanishing from sight over a hill, headed for the ranch she grew up in. "Stupid nag." Link whispered, tears running down his cheeks. He turned and truged into town, storing his gear in a hole for some new hero to find.

He just ignored the redeads as they milled about, keeping the sword sheathed. When he reached the temple, he sighed before heading in. Then, face set, he steeled his nerves and went straight to the sword. He shoved it in the sheath violently, and the rush began again.

Swirling colors, times, faces just out of reach... he felt like he was falling, falling forever, surrounded by angry faces, accusing words, seeing all the evil done fly by in a flash, and Raru glaring at him, angry at him for delaying, for not saving everyone....

It was done. He was back. A kid again. Weak-kneed, he hopped off the little platform. He left the chamber without a second glance, removing the Kokiri Emerald from it's spot. The door to the chamber closed, with a heavy grating thud. Link headed out to the market, cheered by the sight of people living, working, unaware of the terrible fate he had doomed them to. Some of them smiled at him, thinking to themselves that he was a happy, carefree little boy. His sullen face did little to change their minds- they figured he was just pouting. No little boy could feel responsible for the fate of the whole world, after all...

He headed swiftly to Kakariko Village. One house, a ways outside the village, looked dark and forboding. He had never noticed it before, but now that he knew what to look for...

There was a high fence, and the gate was shut and locked. He took the Ocarina of Time from his pocket, and wrote a quick note on the back of the letter Zelda had given him to allow him passage to Goron City.

"Dear "Sheik",

Please look after this for me. It makes a nice duet with your harp. I no longer need it.



...I'm sorry,

-Link."

Crying softly, he placed the note and the Ocarina down at the gate. It was done. He was a hero no longer. The world was safe from his blunders and folly.

... So why did he feel so miserable?