Link sat on the ground, his brain working in several different directions, in an attempt to make since of what just happened.

"I thought…" Link said aloud, "that Sheik was only a disguise that Zelda used to hide from Ganondorf." He grew silent for a moment, thinking. "But that boy is named Sheik…" He thought some more.

Shaking his head, he stood up and began running as fast as he could to the exit of town.

I think it's time to visit Zelda…He thought as he ran.

Emerging from the town, Link found Epona grazing near the river. He ran to her and, without an explanation, mounted her and kicked her sides. She reared back in shock but quickly rode in the direction Link indicated. She knew after so long that Link knew what was best and it was better to just do as he asks. Link rode hard across the bridge on his way to the front draw bridge of Hyrule Castle Town. His mind was racing, if possible, even faster than his horse was.

Why didn't she tell me? What is it that she hasn't told me? Maybe it was just a coincidence…

Without stopping, Link drove Epona straight across the bridge into the town. Carefully avoiding the busy townsfolk, Link rushed through the streets heading for the castle. He halted Epona just before turning the corner leading to the castle gates. He dismounted and quickly began climbing the vines that led to the small landing just opposite of the castle. He paused just before emerging over the cliff.

This is stupid…He thought.

"This is stupid." He said aloud. He let go of the vines and jumped to the ground. "They can see me…" He slumped down against the wall and sighed.

I'll have to wait until night…He thought.

He looked up at Epona who was looking at him strangely. He chuckled to himself and slapped his forehead.

"Oh that's right, I never explained did I?" He smiled, "I'm sorry, Girl." She settled in next to him and he rubbed her neck. "I need to talk to Zelda. Something weird happened in town…" He said and explained the strange occurrence.

Epona listened carefully, and when Link finished she whinnied and laid her head in his lap.

"My thoughts exactly." Link muttered and leaned against the hard rock.

Link's eyes fluttered open to pitch blackness and he started. Epona was asleep next to him when Link stood up. He looked around and squinted in the dark.

Where's the moon? He thought.

He looked up and sighed.

Must be a new moon…this might work to my advantage…He pat Epona's head once before climbing up the vine once again. This time he didn't stop, and crept slowly across the cliff edge over to the guard house. He could hear several guards talking inside as he crept to the small sun roof. On his stomach, he crawled as far away from the light as he could so he wouldn't be seen and he listened carefully to make sure none of the guards were about to leave.

"Have you heard the news?" One guard was saying.

"No, what news?"

"Apparently Princess Zelda has found herself a suitor."

Link, who was carefully climbing down the side of the hill, stumbled and nearly let go before he steadied himself. He froze and listened carefully.

"A suitor, eh? Well, who's the lucky lad?"

"No one knows. Folks say they seen him sneaking out of the palace not two nights ago."

Link's eyes widened. They were talking about him!

"Well, what makes ya think he's her suitor? What if he's just a common thief?"

"Because, I got sources that say they saw him and the Princess conversing in the courtyard."

Link felt faint. If someone had seen him in the palace, then that meant security would be tightened now. Maybe this wouldn't be as easy has he had hoped.

"Well, what if you're wrong about that? What if he was just trying to kidnap her?" The guards continued.

Link temporarily ignored the fact that the guards were talking to nonchalantly about their princess being kidnapped and listened carefully instead.

"Because, haven't you seen the way the Princess has been walking around lately? She's all…happy! I mean more so than usual!"

Link felt his heart skip a beat. He made Zelda…happy? Deciding he had risked enough of his time, he finished climbing down the hill and, after checking that the door was securely shut, he ran across the road over to the base of another, larger hill. He peaked around the corner and saw two guards conversing with each other on the path. Their backs were turned to him so he carefully snuck up the hill and looked over. Several more guards we placed around the grounds than there was during his last visit. He carefully mapped out their rounds and then ran straight for the closest tree. He made it without much incident but then things began to get complicated.

The guards, having heard his footsteps, were currently on their way over to him. Link panicked. There was no where for him to run; they were closing in on him from all sides. He did the only thing he could do: He scrambled up the tree as fast as he could and sat uncomfortably in the thickest part of the branches. He could hear his heart pounding in his head as he watched the guards approaching. He forced himself to keep his eyes open and watch despite his child-like instinct to cower.

The guards gathered around the tree trunk talking quietly to each other. Link held his breath. He thought for sure he was sunk this time. Then, over near the palace gates, Link heard a loud crack and saw a bright light. The guards gasped and jumped. Quickly they all ran over to the sound, completely forgetting about the tree and the small green clothed boy inside it. Link praised the goddesses for the distraction and, without questioning it, he dove from the tree and sprinted across the lawn and over to the stone ladder he had used the first time he snuck in. He climbed to the top and hid behind the small gossip stone that was there.

He watched the guards search the small area for the light and then gasped when he realized they were heading straight for him. Before he could even breath, another crack sounded, this time over near the tree he had just vacated. The guards again rushed to the tree and Link, temporarily forgotten, jumped from the cliff and silently slid into the water of the moat. He submerged himself and swam as quickly and quietly as he could over to the other side of the gates. Poking his head up from the water and over the ledge, he sighed with relief when he saw that the guards were still investigating the tree. Taking another quick look around, Link jumped from the water and ran down to the milk crates he, himself, had moved to provide passage to the small drain pipe on the side of the castle. Thanking his lucky stars that they were still in the correct position, Link jumped from the crates landing neatly in the drain pool. He knelt down and crawled carefully through the hole into the castle courtyard.

Emerging a sight came to his eyes that made him want to faint. Two guards were standing right at the entrance to the hedge maze. Link silently cursed himself for being seen the first time and quietly ran to the barrels that were sitting next to the wall. He watched the guards for several minutes, hoping – praying – that they would leave, but no; they remained still. As though the goddesses themselves were listening, another loud crack sounded right by the entrance of the pipe he had just come out of. The guards ran to it and Link, not wasting any time, ran past them and into the maze. The maze hadn't changed and so Link found it easy to sneak past the men that patrolled there. Running past the last few guards, Link found himself, once again, in the small garden where he met Zelda for the first time; only this time, it was empty.

Link sighed and slumped down in the grass. He hadn't really expected her to be standing there staring into the window like before, but he didn't know any other way into the castle. At a complete lost for what to do, Link stood and turned to make his way out of the castle. Behind him came another crack, only softer this time. He jumped and turned around, drawing his sword. Impa stood behind him with a smug look on her face. Link sighed and sheathed his sword.

"You look lost, little boy." She winked.

Link smirked. "I guess I should thank you. You probably did the distracting I needed didn't you?" Link asked.

Impa nodded. "Yes, I saw you asleep just outside the gates and I assumed you were going to attempt a visit."

Link blushed slightly at having been caught napping.

"You must realize that I can not always be there to protect you when you want to sneak in."

Link nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time."

Impa nodded. "Yes. I would hope so."

Link remained silent for a moment, slightly intimidated by the tall Sheikah woman. Finally she spoke.

"Do you want me to fetch Zelda?"

Link looked up at her and nodded sheepishly. Impa smirked and chuckled softly.

"You mustn't be shy, Link. It does not become the Hero of Time." She teased as she walked away to find Zelda.

Link glared after her. He wasn't really mad at her, he was madder at himself. After everything he'd been through, he was still frightened of her. He shook his head harshly and again slumped to the grass. His thoughts traveled back to the reason he was here.

That boy in the village…He couldn't have been Sheik…Link reasoned with himself. But…he was so familiar…

He frowned and threw himself back. He stared up at the stars and tried to make since of things. Sheik was not real. Sheik was the disguise used by Zelda to hide from Ganondorf. He knew this for a fact. Or did he? Was if only Zelda the last time they met? In the Temple of Time? Or perhaps it was never her. Maybe this boy just used his magic to change places with Zelda when she was ready. Link furrowed his brow in frustration.

Zelda will know…His brain reasoned.

"Zelda will know…" He said aloud.

"I will know what?"

Link sat up and found himself staring into the same blue eyes he had fallen in love with so long ago and suddenly all words left him. He felt himself blushing as she stared at her. She seemed to since it and she smiled. She sat down next to him and blushed.

"I'm really glad you came back, Link." She said.

Link smiled and nodded. "Yeah, me too." Suddenly the he felt a hard thump on the back of his head. Navi flew out and glared at him.

"Link…you came here for a purpose."

The light bulb in Link's head suddenly turned on. He turned to Zelda and suddenly looked serious.

"Zelda…" He started. He wasn't quite sure how to word this, "something happened to me in Karariko Village." He said.

She blinked and became concerned. "What happened? You're not hurt are you?"

Link shook his head. "No. I'm not hurt. But I had to ask you a question."

She nodded and bore into his eyes with her own. Link found himself temporarily hypnotized. Shaking off her stare, he continued.

"I ran into a boy…literally…and his name…" He trailed off.

"His name was what, Link?" Zelda asked.

"His name…his name was Sheik." He stated matter-of-factly.

Zelda's eyes suddenly widened and she turned very quickly to Impa, who was still standing behind her. Impa sighed and looked down at the two children.

"Impa…I thought he was dead?" Zelda said.

Link blinked. "Wait a minute…you mean Sheik is real?"

Zelda turned to Link with sad eyes. "Well…sorta."

Link raised a brow.

Zelda sighed and leaned in closer. "Well, you see…" she stuttered, not sure how to explain.

Impa sat next to them and raised a hand. "I will explain."

Zelda closed her mouth and nodded, sitting back to let Impa take over. Link turned to him and watched as she settled herself. She sighed deeply and turned to look at Link.

"Sheik was the son of my sister." She said. "His mother was killed when he was just a baby and I was left with the responsibility of raising the boy."

Link nodded, eager to know more.

"When Sheik was the age of two, Zelda was born and it was my duty to become her caretaker as part of my oath to serve the royal family of Hyrule. However, I could not raise Sheik and Zelda at the same time."

Link blinked. "Why not?"

"Sheik was not my child. He was the child of my sister therefore castle law forbids it. I would not question the rule of the king."

Link knew it was true. Impa was very faithful to her order.

"Because I could not continue raising Sheik, I was forced to find him a foster mother. And I did." She paused and sighed. "Link, do you know the House of the Skulltula?"

Link nodded, remembering the eerie feeling of the cursed family.

"I entrusted Sheik to their care. They were a loving family and I knew they would raise him well."

Link blinked. "Yes, that's the house I saw the boy run into in the village!"

Impa nodded. "Indeed. He lived there quite happily for many years. He and Zelda often played together when they were young."

Zelda nodded and Link blinked.

"However," Impa said and Link turned back to her. "The family grew slowly more selfish."

Link nodded, remembering the story.

"Sheik came to me, informing me of their ways. He was not corrupt as they were. When they had finally become so greedy that even Sheik was suffering, the goddesses cursed them."

"Yes," Link said. "I remember them telling me the story."

Impa nodded. "Yes, well, Sheik…Sheik was a very brave and a very caring person. He knew that they got what they deserved, but he also knew that he wanted to help them."

Zelda wiped a small tear from her eye as Impa continued.

"Sheik vowed to find and destroy all of the gold skulltula's to save his foster family."

"What…happened?" Link asked, assuming the worst.

"He was killed by the monsters in the Shadow temple."

Link's eyes widened and he gasped. "He went to the shadow temple! But I barely got out of there and I was grown up!" He gasped.

Impa nodded. "Yes. He was very ambitious and he knew there were gold skulltula's inside. I tried to get to him…but it was too late."

Zelda held back a sob while Impa ignored the tears threatening to pour from her eyes. Link looked down into his lap for a moment. "So…he was killed." He looked back up. "When did this happen?"

"It happened before you came to us…by about two days."

Link looked down again. "So…two days before I came to you…" He jerked his head up again. "But he's alive!"

Impa nodded. "Yes. You healed the family from the curse when you were an adult. Because of that, they were healed in the past when Zelda erased everything with the Ocarina of Time."

Link again looking to his lap. He saved them. He saved Sheik.

"So…" He said trying to talk out his confusion. "When you two fled the palace…"

"Zelda used what magic she had at the time to make herself look like Sheik. Since she and I were the only ones who knew that Sheik had been killed, we passed her off as the real thing."

Link was starting to understand. He looked up and smiled. "That's brilliant!" He exclaimed.

Zelda smiled and giggled and even Impa seemed pleased. The Zelda turned to Impa, slightly shocked. "So that means Sheik is alive again?"

Impa smiled and nodded. "Yes, Princess. You're playmate is alive."