Disclaimer: This is the epilogue from Elleinad's POV, written by horsie890. Neither horsie890 or I own Legend of Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, or the song "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill.

Elleinad's POV: I had always known this was going to happen. I just didn't want to believe it.

I stood silently, holding the reins of my faithful Velvet. I knew he would be happy to return home. I hadn't had the heart to even tack him up, so Link did it. Velvet chewed the unfamiliar bit in his mouth, disliking its bitter, metallic taste. He didn't even need a bridle, or a saddle for that matter, but it would seem more normal to everyone if he did.

Like it even mattered anymore. The world would vanish. It wasn't even real in the first place. Blackheart had created it, lying dormant until he could fight the Crystal Angel Knights. Now that he had been defeated, and Link and I had completed our mission, we had to return before the world disappeared and we went with it.

"Ichen, Elleinad, we must go," Link called in Hylian, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded silently and lightly vaulted onto Velvet's back, following Link, who already sat on Epona. We had already gathered up all of our rupees and equipment earlier. At a silent signal both horses took off at a gallop. Thin tears dripped away from my eyes as they ran, the wind catching and scattering them. Velvet instinctively followed Epona, his mother, allowing my mind to wander.

'I really don't want this to happen. Why…why did all of this occur in the first place? If I had never met Crystal, Autumn, and Alex, I would probably be better off. They mean so much to me…losing them will be like losing a piece of my heart. But at the same time, our friendship has made me stronger.'

When I think back on these times
and the dreams we left behind,
I'll be glad 'cause
I was blessed to get
to have you in my life.

When I look back on these days,
I'll look and see your face.
You were right there for me.

Memories of our times together flitted through my mind. The day I first met all of them, when I figured out their personalities. The day I discovered what ice cream was (and consequently got sick that night). When I had first invited them over to my house. And now they were all going to die. I glanced up to the sky sadly, imagining their faces in the puffy clouds above, floating forever in peace.

In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky.
In my heart there will always be a place for you for all my life.
I'll keep a part of you with me.
And everywhere I am, there you'll be.

I had always been so timid when I first arrived on earth, fearing that someone would discover my secret and everyone would fear and hate me. But my friends had accepted me, and my confidence grew. I felt that I was capable of anything, even defeating the evil Blackheart. Though I had not been the one to do so, I knew I had helped.

Well you showed me how it feels

to feel the sky within my reach.
And I always will remember

all the strength you gave to me.
Your love made me make it through.
Oh, I owe so much to you.
You were right there for me.

In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky.
In my heart there will always be a place for you for all my life.
I'll keep a part of you with me.
And everywhere I am, there you'll be.

I felt Velvet's stride shorten as he smoothly glided to a walk. I noticed that we were at a park, not in the spot where the portal should have been.

"Link, what's going on? I thought you said we had to go!"

"I think you'll see why I brought you here very soon."

"Elleinad!" I turned to the voice, seeing Crystal and Alex close by. I vaulted off of Velvet and ran towards them, attempting to look happy.

"Well, it's great to be back! Uh, where's Autumn?" I tried to keep my voice from wavering, for I was on the brink of tears.

"We…don't know." Alex glanced around, and then her gaze caught on a nearby tree.

"Hey!" It was on the other side of a fence. I used the Hookshot to get over it quicker and jogged over to Autumn, who lay unconscious next to the tree. She looked normal again, and slowly stood up while mumbling to herself.

"Alex! Elleinad! You guys are alive and…Crystal. Why did you have to do that?"

Crystal explained the story of Blackheart to Alex and Autumn. Then she turned to face me.

"Elleinad." I glanced away, knowing what was coming next.

"Do you mind if I speak to Crystal alone?"

"No problem. Autumn and I have plenty of things to talk about," said Alex with a smile. I began to walk away, my fake smile giving way to sadness. My ears picked up Crystal's steps behind me, and I stopped when we were out of range of the other two girls.

"So. You know," I said, still not looking at her.

"Yes. Naminé came to me after I defeated Blackheart and told me… but why? I've done everything right and this is what happens! The inevitable death of my friends, my family, my whole world! Why does this have to happen? Why is all I am a dream? I have to be more! WHY! Why Elleinad? It's not fair that you are real and my only friend that survives. Why? Why…? I hate you!" She shoved me weakly, trying to knock me off my feet, but gave up and broke down crying. It took all of my strength not to do the same.

"You're right. You're right, Crystal. It's not fair that only I will survive. I'm sorry that you aren't real. I know that barely anything around me is real. All an illusion, all a dream. You of all people should know why I couldn't tell you before." I paused, taking a slow breath. She looked up pleadingly, waiting for me to continue.

"I have to leave soon. The portal will open, and it won't be open for long. I'll go with my dad and everything will disappear. It's easy to forget that you are only a dream. I don't want to believe it. Heck, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't really know. Everyone will wake up and continue their lives, as I will too. Not you, not Alex, and not Autumn. You all aren't real…" I turned away, staring down at the ground that would vanish very soon.

"I really don't want to let go of this. Yes, I am homesick and I miss my mom but… I don't want to let go of all that I've done here. I don't want you to die." I heard her sobs return, and she stood up when I turned around.

"Can't I come with you?" she asked. I couldn't hold the tears back any longer.

"No." Her disappointment was immediate. "Right when you would enter Hyrule, you would fade away. It wouldn't matter. The portal will only be open for a few minutes, and I know you wouldn't want to leave without at least talking to everyone."

"I see. There's no way out of this. I'll just live through my last minutes and just… talk to everyone one last time," she said between thick sobs.

"Elleinad, it's time!" Link called.

"I know," I said in a hoarse whisper. The tears were coming faster now.

"I'll see you off." I heard the determination, and the fear, in her voice. I managed a weak smile.

"I just want you to know that I'm glad I met you, Crystal. I'll always remember you and Alex and Autumn. You've always been there for me, and I promise I'll never forget you." She hugged me suddenly, causing me to back up a few steps. I'm not much of a hug person, but I knew I would never see her again, so I hugged her back.

Because I always saw in you my light, my strength.
And I want to thank you now for all the ways.
You were right there for me
for always.

"Goodbye, Crystal." Link had led the horses over to us, holding them loosely by the reins. He held up his right hand, and the Triforce of Courage glowed through the leather gauntlet. A swirling emerald portal opened, and I followed Link through it, letting go of Crystal in the process.

"I'm going home."

And the portal closed behind me.

I sat in my study, writing in my diary. The candle was beginning to flicker, causing the letters to dance across the page. I leaned back, pausing momentarily, and blinked several times. I tapped my fingers along the edge of the desk, unsure of what to write next. A sudden knock at the door startled me.

"Come in." The door opened, and one of the servants entered.

"Princess Elleinad?" I sighed.

"How many times have I said to call me Elle?"

"Several hundred. Anyway, I brought something for you." She held out a thick package wrapped in brown paper with the Triforce printed on top. I squealed in excitement.

"Yay! It finally came!" I marked my page with a ribbon, closed the book, and set it on the desk. I took the parcel from the servant and eagerly tore open the paper. It was heavier than it looked.

"I think it turned out really nice." I held in my hands a thick, leather bound book. The leather was a chocolate brown that matched Velvet's coat perfectly. A curled heart with a small crown adorned the front, set off by a pure white bird wing and an intricate purple bat wing. I read the title aloud.

" 'The Legend of the Card Crystals.' I can't believe it! My first book, and it was actually published!" I hugged the book, smiling from one long ear to the other. The servant smiled too, then asked if there was anything I needed.

"Do my parents know about this?"

"No, shall I go inform them?"

"Yep." She curtsied, then left and closed the door behind her. I gingerly opened the book to the title page.

'Dedicated to the greatest friends a person could have.

Alex and Autumn

You are not forgotten.

Also dedicated to the Crystal Angel Knights, Laska and Alysia, who helped save a world from evil.

But mostly, it is written for Crystal, a loyal friend and a brave warrior until the end.' I turned to the next page, reading it aloud.

" 'The school bell rang at 3:00. Could it be? Yes!

"Yay! It's summer vacation! FREEDOM! Wait a sec, it is 110 degrees… Oh, right! Elleinad! I said after running out of the English classroom. I took my backpack and lunchbox and raced to the parking lot…'"

In my dreams I'll always see you soar above the sky.
In my heart there will always be a place for you for all my life.
I'll keep a part of you with me.
And everywhere I am, there you'll be.

I flipped to the back of the book. The last few pages had a picture of each of my friends and two drawings of the Crystal Angel Knights, along with some profiles. On the very back cover was a photo of my friends and me. We all stood next to each other, smiling and laughing. Alex, Autumn, Crystal, and then me. I silently read the caption beneath.

'Gone but not forgotten.'

I paused, glancing outside at the already darkening sky. I smiled at the clouds, and I felt certain that Crystal smiled back.

There you'll be.