I don't own anything to do with Zelda.

-----

The Sage of Time looked out across the Chamber of Sages. Frowning, he raised his hand to his head, feeling the area around his left eye. A lancing pain ran through his head, and he leaned forward, now clutching his head with both hands. It was soon gone, and he raised himself up, sighing at what had just happened. He ran his hand over his left eye, realising that something was gone; he just could not place it. Sighing, he stood.

"Link?" someone asked. He turned, and his hair obscured his line of sight from the right eye. The speaker was Zelda, and she looked at him quizzically.

"I'm fine," he said, standing, "The past concerning me was altered a bit, that's all." Zelda nodded, still worried.

"I'm fine," he repeated, taking her hand. "It's nothing." Sighing, Zelda smiled.

"Do you remember what changed?" Link chuckled and shrugged.

"I think it had to with a scar I had, or once had. I don't really remember." Zelda grinned, slipping her hand around his waist.

"Well that's good; you'll look better now." Link laughed, pulling his wife closer to him.

--

Link looked out across the fields of Hyrule. He stood at the top of one of the higher towers in the castle; it faced to the south west, the direction Termina lay in. What was he to tell his friends there?

As he pondered on these new thoughts, the day moved on. In what seemed to be a reaction against the restrictive shadows brought by the Skull King, the sun shone brighter than it had ever before. Only a few wispy, pure white clouds graced the sky, and birds could be heard singing from the charred trees. Workers dredged the moat, clearing it of bones, decaying flesh, and rocks. The water, seeming to be in accord with the sun, sparkled and ran clearly, despite what laid on its bed. Others planted trees and grasses, trying to improve the landscape. The land reminded Link of what it had looked like three hundred years earlier, bringing to mind a sense of homesickness. It was an odd feeling, Link thought, especially since it was brought on by the sight of war torn land.

Footsteps caught his attention, and he turned to see Zelda enter the balcony on which he stood. She walked slowly, trying not to jar the wound on her back, and joined him in looking across the fields.

"Someone asked me what I saw in the plains, now that they are so destroyed," she said softly. Link looked at the sadly familiar sight.

"What did you say?" he asked, remembering his own answer to Kelvin's question on the matter.

"Hope, for they will forget us and our terrible deeds. They will forget what destroyed them so, and be all the more beautiful for it." Link smiled weakly at her answer, so similar and so different from his.

"Link…" she said softly, "Link, are you ok?" Link winced, knowing to what she referred to.

"No," he replied simply. "No, no I'm not. I want nothing more than to hear her whinny, to play her song and to see her come barreling over. I want to her the stable hands complain of how she bite them, to laugh when she tries to knock Impa over. But I can't. I can't." He leaned onto the balcony rail, shaking slightly with suppressed sobs. Wordlessly, Zelda wrapped her arms around him, supporting him. Bringing one of his arms up, Link covered her hands with his, taking comfort from her gesture.

"She was one of the reasons I came back," he breathed, trying to stop the tears trying to come out. Zelda bit her lip, wanting to ask what the other reasons were, but daring not to, for her and for him.

"What do you want to do?" she asked, knowing he would not breach the subject himself. Link looked up, surprised and yet relieved that she had asked the question. He scrutinized Zelda's face, but could see nothing but concern and worry. Straightening up, he turned as she let go of him.

"I… I don't know," he confessed. "But I think, I think that I need to leave Hyrule for a little while. I have friends in Termina, and I need to tell them that I'm now a Sage." He said the last word reluctantly before continuing. "And, I need to think without all these memories hitting me." Not that Termina is going to be any better, but at least I can take a different route when I'm traveling, he thought sadly. Zelda nodded, obviously saddened by what he said, though she understood most of his reasoning.

"You'll be back, right?"

Link smiled, taking her hands in his and squeezing them. "Of course, don't worry." Zelda smiled back, returning the squeeze. Dropping one of her hands, Link started to walk towards the stairwell.

"Let's go see how much of a mess Dir'ath has gotten himself into now," he said with a grin. Zelda giggled, and the two departed from the balcony with its view of the perfect sky and the scarred land.

--

Three days later, Link set on his way. He left mid-morning, after saying good bye and promising to return to the Sages and everyone else he passed on his way out. He had to reassure many of the townsfolk, but when they heard that he went to inform friends, they nodded in understanding, patted him on the knee and went on their way.

He rode Taliesin, the coal black stallion that Epona had pastured with. When he had entered the stables to pick a mount earlier in the morning, Taliesin was already waiting for him, being groomed by the stable hands.

"He just came up, sir," one of them had said, shrugging. "And we figured that since you were the only one leaving today, that's who he was for. The mare always did this to us too, though he's being a lot nicer about it." Link had nodded, a little shocked, and rubbed the stallion's nose.

"Well, he's coming along now," was all he said in response, getting a chuckle from some of the hands. They were glad to see that his horse had pulled one on him, since they had been on the receiving end for so many weeks while Epona had been stabled there.

The stallion whinnied when they picked up the pace to an easy canter, and he struck out with a smooth, easy pace. His coat glistened in the sun, and his thick mane billowed behind him. Link leaned back in the saddle, his hands resting on the pommel. Like Epona, Taliesin refused to take a bit. This similarity did not trouble Link though; it relieved him. When he had been required to ride a horse with reins, he was always at a lost. He preferred to use his legs to direct and control a horse, and when he could not, he was as clumsy as a novice. He had never learned how to ride with reins.

Link and Taliesin made their way to the Kokiri Forest, where they stayed for a few days before they headed out for Termina. Link set out on this part of the journey sadly, for he did not want to say good-bye to his friends, nor did he want to confront Romani.

--

Three years later

The castle was in an uproar as everyone tried to get everything ready at the last minute. There was to be a ball in celebration tonight, and everybody, or at least it seemed like everybody, was coming. They were celebrating the final completion of all the work that had been done to repair Castle Town and to heal the lands around it. Everyone was invited, and the king had hired dozens of caterers and florists to supply the tables and decorate the halls. The vast majority of Castle Town's inhabitants would be present, and Darunia, Ruto, and Nabooru had brought many of their subjects as well. Impa still was not sure how many Sheikah would be attending; going to a ball was not high on a Sheikah's to-do list. No one noticed when a coal black stallion was stabled in the royal stables, and no one noticed when a youth clad in forest green snuck out of the stables.

Almost no one, that is. Impa had her scouts on the look out for Link ever since the Deku Tree had contacted her and told her that he was on his way back. Now, with her prey in the castle, she nabbed him and whisked him away to the tailor's.

"If I have to go to the ball," she hissed in reply to his protests, "So do you!" With that, she presented him to the tailors and left the room, sitting right outside the door in case he should try and escape, which he did not long after she had sat down.

"Back in," she commanded after grabbing his shirt. "Think of how happy Zelda will be to see you." That clinched it for Link and, blushing madly, he reentered the room. Chuckling, Impa sat down again. She was soon joined by Ruto, who looked at her questionably.

"What do you look like the gar that's caught the rainbow fish?" she asked. Impa blinked; the fishy analogies never failed to throw her off guard for a moment.

"Link's in there," she replied with a grin, "Undergoing the same torture you and Zelda put me through." Ruto let out a giggle, and Link's voice came through the door.

"You are DEAD meat, you two!" This, however, only caused more hysterics on Ruto's part.

"Not a word to Zelda," Impa said as the Zora princess turned to leave. Ruto nodded, still giggling, and went to get herself ready for the ball.

Link came out an hour later, holding an array of green coloured clothing.

"We're lucky you warned us in advance, Lady Sheikah," the senior tailor told Impa as Link glared at her. "We would have had nothing in green otherwise."

"It was nothing; I'm just glad you could get all of this ready at such short notice. You truly are the best in Castle Town." The tailors blushed and waved off the compliment. Nodding good bye, Impa lead the still glowering Link to his room.

"Be ready by sunset," she told him briskly. "I'll be here then to take you to the ball. You're to be attired properly, for you're a Sage now." Link sighed and nodded before he walked into the room, where he promptly dumped his clothes on the bed. Chuckling, Impa shut the door as she left. Muttering under his breath, Link sorted through his new attire, trying to remember what order it was all supposed to go on.

When Impa returned with Dir'ath to pick up Link, both were impressed when he came out. The tailor's magic had worked well as a distinguished young man stood before them in green clothes made of a very fine material. Link's pants were a dark brown, tucked into his nicer pair of boots, which had been shined until one could no longer see the scuffs on them. His over shirt was a dark jade green and embroidered on the bottom in a forest motif. The swirling leaf and vine border could also be seen on the edge of his sleeves. The collar from his undershirt could be seen, which was a silky material and a paler jade green. Impa smiled, impressed at the tailor's intuition, for this style of over and under shirts was similar to what Link was used to wearing, giving him some comfort in the strange ball. A short cape was draped over one shoulder, signifying his status as Sage. It was of a dark green, and it too had the leaf and vine motif at the bottom. The cloak pin that held it in place was in the shape of the Triforce, with the cloak ends going through the empty triangle in the center. An embroidered Triforce was also on the left side of his shirt, though it and the cloak pin were in silver instead of the typical gold. His belt, dark brown leather, held the scabbard where the Master Sword rested around his waist. This, too, marked his status as Sage and as Hero, for no one else was allowed to bring weapons.

"Well," Link asked weakly, "Do I at least look ok?" Dir'ath choked, trying to hold back a guffaw. Impa elbowed him in the stomach, but that just caused the laugh to come out.

"You look fine," she reassured him. Link nodded, noting her and Dir'ath's outfits now that his embarrassment had passed somewhat.

Both where dressed in blacks and grays, and the outfits were close fitting, in traditional Sheikah style. Impa was actually in a dress, though the high slits on the sides allowed her full range of motion. It was a dark steel gray, decorated with the Sheikah eye. The sides of the dress were embroidered with a geometric design, the black embroidery focusing on the several, smaller Sheikah eyes. Her tight sleeves billowed out after they reached her elbows, hiding the thin blades strapped to her upper forearm. Link was not the only one allowed to have weapons, though hers were mainly for comfort than for status, since no one could see them. Dull black tights covered her legs, and her feet were shod in soft, tight fitting leather boots that were also a dull black and that came up to just below her knee.

Dir'ath was clad in a dark grey tunic, which also had the Sheikah eye on the front. His sleeves were tight fitting all the way to the wrist, and he bore no knives. This did not trouble him as much as the same situation would have troubled Impa though. His pants were also black, though of a different hue than Impa's due to the differences in cloth. The boots that he wore were of a similar make to Link's, where the top flap was folded down, but they were black and of a tighter fit. And, as always, he wore his characteristic grin on his face.

They traveled through softly lit hallways, decorated in varieties of flowers and vines. Candles shone from the multiple chandeliers and candle holders, illuminating the high ceilings with their painted murals and the portraits of prominent Hylians that graced the walls. The carpet, a deep hue of burgundy, was soft under their feet. Link however, was too nervous to notice much. He did not want to be here.

When they entered the ballroom, it was already crowded. People of all the races and of all social statuses were in attendance, gossiping and talking with one another. Scanning the busy hall, Impa quickly spotted Darunia. Nodding in his direction, she and Dir'ath walked over, followed by Link. They had to weave their way through groups of people, nodding in greeting. Soon, though, they arrived where Darunia stood with Ruto, her escort, and Nabooru.

"Brother!" Darunia exclaimed when he saw Link, who smiled broadly in return.

"It's good to see you again Darunia," he said after being patted, gently, on the back by Darunia. The Goron chuckled at Link's attempt not to wince. A gentle Goron pat was still painful.

"You clean up pretty good kid," Nabooru commented, causing Ruto to break into a fit of giggles.

"Thanks," Link said dryly while glaring at Ruto.

"So where is Zelda?" Dir'ath asked innocently, causing Link's glare to be transferred to him.

"Fending off the pampered idiots," Nabooru replied, a sly grin on her face. She took the opportunity to tease Link, who did not have any similar dirt on her to retaliate.

"Stop it," Impa finally said, ending it. She called out to Zelda through the mind link, and the princess took the opportunity to escape from the potential suitors she had been trying to ignore.

"Thank you s- Link! You're back!" she exclaimed in surprise, causing Nabooru to snicker.

"I just got in," Link replied, trying not to blush, "I was absconded by Impa when I got here."

"Still, I'm glad you could make it!" Zelda said, smiling broadly. Link smiled in return, relaxing. He decided not to mention that it had been a fluke that he had arrived in time.

Nabooru raised an eyebrow in mirth as she watched Link and Zelda. She did not say anything, for Impa had sent her a warning glare when Zelda walked over, but she noted it all to tease the two about, separately, later. She had been confused as to why the tailors had held onto the princess's dress until the day before, but she now saw why. They had rummaged through all their stock of green clothing to find some that would complement the princess's dress.

Zelda was in a flowing dress of pale purple with silver highlights. The skirt was full, and it split at the waistline, revealing a deep purple underskirt made of silky material. The waistline dipped down in the middle of the dress, accented by a raised border of the pale purple fabric. The sleeves, like Impa's, flared out after they hit the elbow. Hers flared out more, though, and the under sleeve was a deep purple. The neckline dipped down, showing off the princess's shoulders while still remaining modest. It was bordered with a swirling design found in Nayru's Temples. The border also decorated the edge of her sleeves and the hem of the dress. Her hair was done up in an elaborate bun, with strings of amethyst gems woven in. Earrings with amethyst stones hung from her ears; their length accenting the length of her neck. A tear drop necklace, also amethyst, hung around her neck, resting just about the neckline of the gown. When she stood next to Link, as she did now, the two looked like they had planned to come to the ball together. Chuckling, Nabooru nudged Impa with her mind.

Didn't know you were a matchmaker, she sent, eyes twinkling. Impa turned to face Nabooru, a smirk on her face.

"It was all his idea, making it one of the few times he had a good one," she said, nodding her head in Dir'ath's direction. Dir'ath turned, joining in on the conversation.

"And I was going to ask you to dance too, but then you had to go and insult me," he joked as Impa rolled her eyes.

"You wouldn't dare," she whispered, and Dir'ath chuckled.

"Shall we?" he asked, gesturing to the dance floor. Shaking her head, but smiling, Impa followed him just as the orchestra began to play a waltz. Nabooru waved and went off to find a partner, while Ruto and her escort followed Dir'ath and Impa. Darunia had been pulled to the side by a general, wanting to introduce the Goron to his son and nephew.

"I'd ask you to dance," Link said softly, watching Impa and Dir'ath glide through the waltz, "But I'm afraid I would end up stepping all over your feet." Zelda smiled and took Link's hand.

"That's ok," she replied, "Shall we go for a walk instead?" Link smiled, relieved, and offered her his arm.

"Sounds wonderful." Giggling, Zelda placed her hand on his arm and followed him out of the crowded ballroom and into the cool garden, lighted by faery lights.

The garden had been completely redesigned after the undead attack. The paths, lined with hedges, had stones with brightly coloured flecks in them along their edges. Niches had been created, filled with various plants from around Hyrule. Faery lights, little globes that gave off light due to the faery magic that had been place in them, hung from elaborate poles, illuminating the wanderers' way. In the center of the gardens, were Link and Zelda eventually ended, was a bent over weeping willow, one of the few plants to have survived the attack. It was a huge, ancient tree, and it had come to Castle Town as a seedling; a gift from the Deku Tree on the birth of the royal heir, almost two hundred years ago. Under its boughs was a bench, surrounded by various wildflowers and ivies, which ran up the trunk of the great tree. It was surrounded by faery lights, giving the area a pale, blue glow. The two stood there for a few minutes, content to stand in the presence of the tree.

"Zelda," Link finally said, after clearing his throat. "Can I ask you something?" The princess turned to look at him, confused. She sensed the nervousness in his voice and was worried to hear what he had to say.

"Yes?"

"If I gave you this, would it be too soon?" He pulled a small box out of his pocket and opened it. Zelda gasped.

"A promise ring?" she whispered, picking it up. Link nodded.

"I know I haven't had my memories back for very long, compared to everyone else, and that we haven't been around each other very much, but still," he paused, at lost as to what he should say next. Zelda looked up at him, tears in her eyes, with the ring in her hand.

"It's just… I feel normal when I'm with you; I feel like I can be me. When I was back in the past, I kept wondering how you were doing. I… It's just that… I sound so stupid right now, don't I?" he finished, turning away in embarrassment.

"No, no you don't!" Zelda exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck when he turned back. "You don't sound stupid at all," she murmured into his shoulder. She knew of this feeling that Link could not explain. She had tried to explain it to Ruto one day, and had been at just a loss of words as he was now. The love they felt for one another was different from the love that her father had felt for her mother. It was something felt with all the heart and all the soul, and it defied explanation. Smiling in relief, Link wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. As they embraced, a new awareness opened in their minds. They could now sense each other, as they could the magic that floated around each of the Sages. They could also sense each other's feelings, which were extremely happy at the moment. When Zelda let go, she slipped the ring onto the middle finger of her left hand. Link smiled broadly, his arms still around her waist.

A promise ring was unique to the Hylian upper class, where marriages were more often arranged than not. By accepting the ring, the woman did not bind herself to the man, as she did with the engagement ring. Instead, she showed others that she had chosen someone and was waiting for the possible engagement to be approved. The ring that Link had given Zelda was of a dark wood with a Triforce design on it. The intricate design that encircled it was of Sheikah origin.

"Father gave it to me just before I left," Link told Zelda, "It was my mother's engagement ring."

"It's beautiful," she replied, looking up at him. Link leaned forward, and Zelda inclined her head up. Just as their lips were about to meet, the ground shook beneath their feet. Grabbing one another for support, they looked up towards the castle.

Flames were shooting out of the windows; screams could be heard, and an overwhelming presence of evil made itself known.

Ganon was out.

----

A/N: Haha, you thought it was done, eh? Sorry about the over descriptiveness on the clothes at the beginning; it was just too much fun. I love fantasy outfits.

And I am sorry that I killed Epona, I really really am. She has another part to play, so don't worry. She'll be back. And reviews are always welcome, so please let me know what you think!

Tizamiki: She meant exactly what she said, she'll be waiting. She has a better idea of what's going on than Link does.

Justin Time: Yeah, that's what they do. Sorry for not explaining it. ;

Parselmaster: Yeah, I really just wanted to get the chapter over with. Not too fond of writing battle scenes, I'm afraid.

The Fiercesomest Dragon Ever: Every time I type out your name I have to giggle. Anywho… thanks for the review, nit pickyness is ok!

Astryel: Sorry. I didn't like killing her, I truly didn't.