The crowd was still cheering when the Indigo-Go's retreated behind stage after their third encore. Evan slumped down into a large couch while Link and Tijo dragged Japas away from the fans.
"You're beautiful! All of you!" Japas yelled.
Lulu followed after and quickly shut the door. She laughed and shook her head while Japas jumped around the room. She sat down and sighed, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"That was great!" She exclaimed.
She looked over at Link, who still had sweat dripping off his features.
"You were great too, Link." She smiled. He really is quite handsome…
"Yeah, where'd ya learn to play like that?" Evan asked.
Link blushed slightly and rubbed the back of his head. "Well, thanks. I guess I just picked it up somewhere."
"Well, it was fabulous!" Japas cheered.
They all laughed as Japas paraded around the room with his arms held up over his head. A knock on the door interrupted their joking and Evan stood to answer it. Madam Aroma stood with a beaming smile and politely, but forcefully, pushed her way past Evan and into the room.
"Oh, you were all wonderful. Just wonderful!" She smiled.
"Thank you, Madam." Evan smiled and the rest of the band beamed.
"I'll get out of your hair in a moment. I only wanted to bring you your pay." She said and flashed a large bag of rupees.
Evan accepted the bag and bowed his thanks. "Thank you Madam. We had fun."
The others nodded their agreement.
"Wonderful!" She smiled. "Well, I must be going. My son has only just gotten married and I must go and find him. Tootloo!"
Evan closed the door after her and smiled at the others. He turned to Link and cleared his throat. "Link, you've done so much for us, and for Mikau, that we…"
"We want to share our money with you." Lulu finished.
Link's eyes widened. "Oh no," He waved his hands back and forth in front of him and backed away. "I don't need it. You all keep it."
Lulu walked forward and covered his mouth with her hand. "We insist." She smiled.
Link opened his mouth to argue but instead he sighed. "Well, alright." He smiled. "Thank you."
"How much did we get any way?" Tijo asked as he absentmindedly drummed on his legs with his palms.
"500 rupees. Can you believe it?" Evan beamed.
They all cheered and split the money while singing their praises. After the rupees were secure in their bags, they began packing up to go home. After all the equipment was in bags, they all stood outside of the Milk Bar with a maskless Link.
"You're leaving? So soon?" Lulu asked.
"I have to get home. My friends don't even know I've left. They may be worried." Link explained.
"Well, at least stay for the rest of the Carnival." Evan offered.
Link remained silent for a moment, considering. Then he smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll stay."
Cheers echoed through the band as several flippers and clammy hands pat Link on the back. Japas sauntered off with several love sick girls, talking about the trials of being famous, while Tijo wandered off to the various food stands. Evan and Toto walked off together speaking of their next gig and left Lulu and Link alone.
She glanced down at him and suddenly felt shy. He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat.
"I really am sorry about Mikau." He said.
Lulu forced a smile and shook her head. "Don't be. It wasn't your fault." She turned to watch the celebration. "I wanted to thank you…for what you did for him." She turned back to the boy.
"I wish I could have done more."
She nodded. "Yes, well, what's done is done." She paused and then turned back to the party. "Can you take me too him?"
Link looked up, a little surprised. She turned back to him and smiled.
"I just want to say goodbye…you know, without the others."
Link smiled. "Yes, I'll take you." The two turned and walked through the carnival, politely waving at the passersby, through to West Clock Town.
The guard in front of the exit had been drinking heavily and barely even noticed when Link asked to pass. He waved them through and promptly passed out. Link and Lulu exchanged amused looks before carefully walking over him and exiting out to the field. Once outside, Link pulled out his ocarina and played a familiar tune.
"What's that?" Lulu asked.
Before she could answer, a young fowl galloped up to Link and began nuzzling his neck.
"This is Epona." Link smiled. "She really likes the song I just played and whenever she hears it she runs straight to me."
"Oh," Lulu smiled and watched Link climb up onto her back. "Will I fit?"
"Sure." He smiled and helped her up. "Just hold on." He said and dug his heels into Epona's sides. The horse reared up causing Lulu to gasp and grab hold of Link around the middle. The boy blushed slightly but didn't say anything. Link encouraged Epona down the long ramp leading to the soft sand that led to the ocean. Picking up speed, Epona avoided the leevers and jumped the high fence blocking the way and made easy work of the few smaller ones after. Avoiding even more leevers, Link lead Epona into the grassy area of the coast and dismounted with Lulu. He walked over to the large fish skeleton and the small mound next to it. Lulu followed and knelt just in front of it. She felt her eyes watering as she read the lyrics written there. Link stood in silents for a moment and then knelt next to her.
"He asked me to write those lyrics on there."
Lulu nodded and smiled sadly with tears in her eyes. "I'm glad you did." She remained silent for a while and Link slowly began to walk away to give her more privacy when she spoke.
"Do you have a girlfriend, Link?"
Link froze mid-step and looked back at her.
"I…well…I…" He stuttered.
Lulu smiled. "What's she like?"
Link blushed and slumped down against the short wall. "I…I don't really have one…" He said softly, trailing off.
"Then why are you blushing?" She asked.
Link's cheeks burned and he looked down. "Well…she's not really my girlfriend…"
Lulu nodded. "I see." She sighed and stared at the grave. "It really is wonderful, you know. Falling in love."
Link smiled and nodded. "I think I can understand."
Lulu turned to look at him. "But I thought she wasn't really your girlfriend."
Link's whole face turned red and Lulu giggled. She turned back to the grave and sighed. "On day Link, when you're older, you will understand what love is. Really understand. And if the goddesses bless you, you may even have children." She stood and looked out towards the sea. "Just remember to never take that for granted. Because…because you never know when it will be taken away." She said and a small tear trailed down her cheek.