Author's Note: Here it is, the last chapter of the story. I hope to have the extra sneak preview up later today. Thank you all for your reviews! I hope to hear from you all again on my next story! Enjoy!

EPILOGUE: REVELATIONS

The next day, in the afternoon at Hyrule Castle, Link was present, along with Zelda, and the King's most trusted Knights, as the King gave another speech to the people, about how proud he was of each and ever citizen of Hyrule, how well they'd banded together and endured the darkness. He'd praised Link, too, for driving the shadow of Vaati away.

That was one thing that Link admired about the King: he led by example.

Zelda had her arm around Link's elbow while her father delivered his speech, clad in her regular gown, in her normal Hylian form. Noticing Link's somber expression, she asked sweetly, "Link, what's wrong?"

Smiling for her, Link replied softly, "Don't worry about it, Zel. It's just that...I feel guilty about what happened to Ruthlage." The King had kept what had actually taken place a secret, to avoid further grumbling from the nobles, and to keep Caspian from pursuing vengeance. "In my quests, I've slain monsters, demons, sorcerers, but never mortal men; I've slain Ganondorf's Captain, who was empowered by dark magic, and when I slew Ganondorf, he was already more demonic beast than mortal man. But Ruthlage...he was mortal. I just...have to wonder...was there another way?"

Zelda tenderly squeezed his arm. "Don't blame yourself for it, Link." she soothed. "Lord Ruthlage betrayed all of Hyrule. His death was bound to catch up with him. Plus, you saved the King...my father. Please...don't blame yourself."

That was one of the many reasons Link loved Zelda: she was wise beyond her years; after all, she held the Triforce of Wisdom. Smiling, Link whispered, "I love you, Zel." into her ear.

Blushing happily, Zelda softly replied, "I love you, too."

By then, the King had finished his speech, and the crowd dispersed, as the King, Link, Zelda, and the Knights went back into the Castle. Then, all of a sudden, many of the nobles surrounded Link, separating him from Zelda. At first, Link was on guard...until the nobles began congratulating him, expressing their appreciation for his efforts. Link simply waved Zelda and her father to go on ahead, and he'd catch up later. He'd already sensed their intention.

The nobles feared him, now, and were trying to placate him.

Once the nobles' chatter of appeasement was done, they all left, save one: Caspian – Lord Caspian, now – and he looked cross. "I assume you have something...else to say." Link said calmly.

"I know, peasant."

Link was confused. "You...know?"

"I know what you did to my father." Caspian snarled. "Your little...switching trick? I know all about it."

Link's eyes narrowed. "Then you also know how your father tried to betray the King, and then tried to murder him." he said coldly.

"I don't care what he did...only what you did. You have insulted my household, my entire family, peasant, and there is but one response: vendetta. As of now, I am your blood enemy." Caspian growled. "I will destroy you."

"I believe Vaati and Ganondorf made similar boasts, 'my Lord,'" Link answered, "and I'm still here."

"Just watch yourself." Caspian sneered. "Your favor with the King prevents me from having you put to death now...but sooner or later, you'll slip up. And when you do...I'll hunt you down like the dog you are, and then Zelda will be all mine, as will the throne."

Link's eyes narrowed. "Try to harm Zelda, 'my Lord,' and I'll make your father's death seem a kindness." he snarled. "I suggest you watch your own back, for if I ever find out that you had a hand in the treachery...you'd best pray that the King finds you before I do." That scared the arrogant young noble, and Link simply left, to catch up with Zelda.

When he caught up to Zelda and her father in the throne room, Link saw that the King was barely keeping himself from smiling. "I have a surprise for each of you." he said. To Link, he added, "Link, a few days ago, I met with the personal representative of a very important and powerful person: Kondar Wingnar, the Emperor of Aldare, ruler of the entire Aldarian Empire."

At that, Zelda gasped. "The...Aldarian Empire?! The Sky Empire?!" she exclaimed. "The Emperor's messenger came here?!"

"What's the Aldarian Empire?" Link inquired.

"Link, the Empire is the most advanced, most powerful nation in our world, both in magic and in technology!" Zelda exclaimed. "For its Emperor to send his personal representative, it must involve something of grave importance!"

"Indeed it did." the King agreed. "Eighteen years ago, it seems that the personal Skyship of the Imperial Family was involved in an...incident, though I do not yet know the specifics. No-one was killed...but it caused one of the ship's life-pods to be ejected...the one carrying their newborn son. The Emperor and Empress have been searching for their long-lost Crown Prince ever since."

Now Link became aware of the people standing in the background. "The message the Emperor sent me detailed his belief that the life-pod may have landed in Hyrule; he explained that his son had great magical power, and that there would be a marker on his right hand." the King continued. "He asked me to keep this quiet until a positive identification could be made." He then looked to the people in the back ground; one of them nodded. "Link," the King asked, "may I see your right hand?" Taking off his gauntlet, Link showed him the falcon-mark on his hand. Smiling in confirmation, the King called to those in the back, "You were right! It is him!"

Slowly, two people walked into view: they were a man and a woman, both somewhere in their early forties. The man was tall, a bit taller than Link, with the same build. His face was very similar to Link's, with some lines from both joy and sorrow – the look of a man who easily bore the responsibilities of an Empire – on his face, with short, dark-blond hair, cobalt-blue eyes, and a short moustache and a small goatee beard. He was clad in a long-sleeved black shirt, black pants, and black boots, with a long, quartz-purple trench-coat over it, with black gauntlets, holding a silver scepter with a dragon-shaped silver carving at its tip, and a simple gold head-ring around his forehead.

The woman was a bit shorter than Link, elegantly built, with long, ebony hair and emerald eyes, clad in a long, quartz-purple gown, a silver tiara around her head.

"Link," the King said, "these are Kondar and Varila Wingnar, the Emperor and Empress of Aldare, rulers of the Magi people...and your parents."

Link froze, utterly speechless. These were his real parents? To the Emperor, he murmured, "Father..?" To the Empress, he whispered, "Mother..?"

Emperor Kondar smiled, and nodded. "Hello, son." he whispered.

Empress Varila rushed to Link and embraced him, joyful tears in her eyes. "My baby!" she cried. "Thank the Three we've finally found you!"

"Mama..." Link murmured, slowly returning his mother's embrace.

"Son...we've been looking for you for so long." Kondar said. He chuckled. "Your mother's been inconsolable." he teased. "She was turning the Empire upside-down to find you!"

"I'm...sorry I worried you." Link murmured. "The...life-pod landed in the Kokiri Forest. I lived there until I was ten, and..."

"You don't have to tell us all at once, Son." Kondar assured him. "We're just glad to have you back, and we'd love to hear all of your story. I'm sure it's been quite an adventure..."

"BIG BROTHER!!!"

Link was taken completely by surprise, as a little blue-and-yellow blur tackled right into him, knocking him down. Link was startled at first...until he saw that the blur was, in fact, a little girl, only about six years old; she was a tiny little thing, delicately built, with sapphire-blue eyes, and mid-length golden blond hair, tied in two pigtails. She was clad in a simple, bright blue child's dress, with flowers embroidered into it.

And she was hugging the stuffing out of him.

Kondar chuckled. "Oh, I nearly forgot, Son! This is Aryll, your little sister."

Link was amazed...and overjoyed. "I...I have a little sister?" he asked, barely able to suppress his smile.

"Big Brother, I'm so happy to meet you!" Aryll all but squealed, her hug doubling in joyful strength. "Mommy and Daddy told me all about how really smart you were, and they were looking for you, and that they wanted to use more ships, but they couldn't, because of the war, and Mommy was really, really sad, and..."

"Aryll, breathe!" Link laughed, giving his little sister a hug. "And I'm happy to meet you, too!" Then, Link stood up, and picked up his little sister, letting her sit on his shoulders, to Aryll's delight. He couldn't help but notice Zelda's smile; she was happy for him. Then, he turned to his father, Aryll's words making him curious. "Father...Aryll just mentioned a war. What war?"

Kondar's expression turned grave. "Son...when we lost you...it was no accident." he said. "You see, son...our civilization...did not originate on this planet."

Link felt Zelda give his hand a squeeze; he hadn't noticed when she'd started holding his hand, but was glad that she had.

"Our society originated on the distant planet of Aldare Prime, in a galaxy very, very far from here." Kondar said. "Our society had endured a long war, between the magic-users and the wielders of technology; after so long, both sides put aside their differences, and joined together in the Aldarian Republic. We quickly developed technology to travel in space, the fusion of science and magic making progress infinitely faster, and we colonized many of the surrounding planets in our system. Eventually, the Republic became an Empire, and our family was elected by the people to rule."

Link smiled; he was glad that his family had been chosen by the people to rule.

"This was a golden time for our people...but it did not last." Kondar said. "Two centuries after the end of the Unifying War, a representative of the Geological Guild indicated that the core of the planet was undergoing radical changes; the planet was going to explode."

Link was shocked. Zelda gasped.

"A massive galactic evacuation was organized, for the explosion was calculated to be large enough to wipe out all life in our system." Kondar continued. "The Engineering Guild had recently developed a new technology: Quantum Slipstream. This technology made it possible for our ships to safely travel faster than light. We had about a year before the planet exploded, and we spent it by installing Slipstream systems in all of our existing ships, and developing massive Ark-Class Carrier ships, to hold our people. Finally, the preparations were complete, and we fled our dying system...and not a moment too soon; seconds after we entered Slipstream, Aldare Prime exploded."

"We wandered the universe for a time after that, meeting many alien civilizations, exchanging knowledge with those we found to be peaceful, searching for a new home." Kondar finished. "At last, we found it: a planet with atmospheric and environmental conditions practically identical to Aldare Prime, inhabited by people whose appearance and belief-system highly resembled ours. Slowly, we arrived at this planet, and built our Skycities, and then our land and sea colonies on the surface."

"That's...amazing, Father," Link said, "but, how does it relate to this war?"

"During our travels, we encountered a race known as the Shadows." Kondar said. "They were a violent, warlike people. We once passed through their space on the way to this planet. They attacked us at every turn, but we easily repelled them: our technology was infinitely superior to theirs. Eighteen years ago, our ship, the Unity, while on a survey of our colonies on the nearby red planet, was attacked by a Shadow vessel; we were taken by surprise, and your life-pod was ejected, programmed to head for our planet. The Shadows had been expanding their own empire, and was now reaching into this system. For the past eighteen years, we've been pushing the Shadows back; we've almost pushed them all the way back to their home-world; we easily won the battles, but the space they controlled was incredibly vast, and their numbers were daunting. Now, the war is nearly over." He smiled. "And now we have found you; the Empire will be thrilled to know its Crown Prince has been found."

Link was amazed. "But...what did Aryll mean, 'how smart I was'?"

Kondar and Varila exchanged proud smiles. "You see, Link," Varila said, "in our society, when an individual shows signs of great potential, they are evaluated by the Excalibur Test; this Test is designed to analyze the intelligence and capabilities of the individual. The Test then recommends a possible career for the individual; the individual is not forced to take this career, but the Test usually predicts what the person would be best at."

Kondar smiled proudly. "Son...most gifted individuals do not begin to show signs until early-to-mid adolescence; the earliest we'd seen before was at the age of ten." he said. "Link...you started showing signs only a few days after birth. You were already crawling, which can take several months, even longer. You were copying sounds. When we let you out of your crib, you were trying to read holographic novels. Naturally, we had the Excalibur Test evaluate you."

"The Test gave amazing results." Varila finished. "Link...the Test indicated that you had the highest intelligence score ever recorded; that you had a perfect, eidetic memory; that your potential for magic was incredibly – almost abnormally – high."

Link gulped. "You mean...I'm some sort of...freak..?"

"Don't you dare think that, young man!!" Varila scolded. "You are the most gifted child we've ever seen! We were – are – so lucky to have you for our son!"

Link smiled. "Thank you." he said.

"I'm lucky, too!" Aryll chirped. "My big brother's a genius!"

Link chuckled. "Aryll..." he groaned.

"She's right." Zelda said. "From what I've heard, it makes perfect sense. You've solved puzzles and mastered powers that could make lesser minds go mad, Link. You are a genius."

"Ever since we discovered your abilities, Son, we had began to teach you at a young age." Kondar said. He smiled. "We couldn't keep the lessons coming fast enough for you! Tactics, Advanced Spell-casting, Geography, Geology, Physics, History, Skyship Operations...your amazing little mind devoured every subject we came up with! I'm quite anxious to see how much you remember, once we return home to Aldarus."

"'Aldarus'?" Link repeated.

"Aldarus, Skycity One, the capital of the Empire." Kondar said. "Your birthplace, Son." He smiled. "All of Aldare has missed its Crown Prince, Son; the Empire will rejoice when it learns you've been found."

Link glanced to Zelda; she was happy for him, but in her eyes, he saw a strange...sadness.

Then, King Andreus spoke up: "And for you, Zelda, I have a surprise, as well. It seems that, before your mother died, she made arrangements for you to attend the Eletale School for the Magic Arts, a place of study for all magical beings, once you discovered your powers."

At that, the last person stepped into view; she was an older lady, around the King's age, tall and elegantly built. She had a kindly face, with long, silvery-white hair tied in two buns atop her head, and emerald eyes, rimmed by spectacles, her complexion creamy, and she wore a long, light violet headmistress' gown. "This," the King added, "is Miss Delia Orianis, the School's Headmistress."

Delia smiled at Zelda. "Your father tells me that you've already transformed." she said. "Is that true?"

"Y-Yes." Zelda stammered.

"Why, that's wonderful! Child, most young Fairies like yourself can't do that until at least four months of training and study!" Delia exclaimed. "We'd love to have you attend! The School is just inside Hyrule's borders, so it's very close-by. Students spend six months at the school, followed by a four-month vacation, where students are encouraged to practice and continue studying."

"I'd...have to leave for six months?" Zelda asked.

"Yes." Delia answered, sensing Zelda's uncertainty. "Perhaps we should discuss this another time."

Kondar turned to King Andreus. "Well, King Andreus, I would like to extend my invitation for you, your daughter, and Headmistress Orianis to join us for a visit to one of our nearby colonies."

The King smiled. "Why, I'd be honored, Emperor Wingnar." he replied.

"As would I!" Delia added. "Where is this colony?"

"It's a sea-based colony, a distance to the southeast." Kondar said. "It's called Atlantis."

"Well, I would like very much to see this...Atlantis!" the King said. At that, Kondar gestured for everyone to follow him, and they all followed Link's father.

Kondar led them to the Outer Courtyard...where a strange, rectangular-parallelogram-shaped ship was resting. Link couldn't shake the feeling that he'd seen it before, somehow, in his memory. "Ah, this is the type of ship that your messenger used to come here." the King said.

"Yes." Kondar agreed. "It's called..."

"...a Herald-Class Speeder." Link finished. "It's the fastest type of ship in the Fleet." Then, he blinked. "How did I know that?"

Varila smiled. "Son...you're remembering." she said. "You're remembering your lessons..."

Kondar smiled. "So, Son...care to try flying it?"

Link was surprised...and then grinned. "Sure!" he replied. Kondar's smile grew, and he took out a small metal device, pressing a button on it. At once, the rear hatch of the Speeder lowered, allowing them all to enter the vessel.

The inside of the Speeder was familiar to Link; it had a large cargo hold in the back, where they immediately entered, and further in was an area with eight seats, aligned in two rows, the first two seats at the front had two consoles in front of them, before the glass window – the wind-shield, Link recalled, and this entire section was the cockpit, where the Speeder's flight was controlled. Link took the left-hand front seat, and Kondar took the seat next to him. The King, Zelda, Aryll, Varila, and Delia all took their seats; the instant they all sat down, metallic straps – safety harnesses – extended across their chests.

Link looked at the control console, forcing himself to remember. He placed his two hands on the front of the console, seemingly made of crystal, but with lines – circuitry – woven into it. He focused, concentrating on linking his will to the ship's systems. "Computer," he said, "activate primary engine." At once, a whirring began to emanate from the Speeder, as the wind-shield lit up in front of him, showing holographic diagrams – the diagrams showed radar, ship-status, flight path, and many other things, and Link's mind instantly recognized and understood each one. This was the Heads-Up Display, or HUD, Link recalled. "Target Atlantis beacon." Link instructed. Instantly, the radar screen zoomed out, showing two blips on the screen; a green one, representing the ship, and a red one for Atlantis. "Ascend." Link instructed, and the Speeder rose up, its whirring becoming louder, and two hand-held control sticks extended out, and Link grasped them; these were what steered the Speeder. Slowly, Link pushed forward; at once, the Speeder's engine-pods extended, and the ship began to move, first at an impressive clip, then faster, and faster, and faster, until they were zooming over the vast ocean, at speeds no Hyrulian had ever conceived possible.

"Good heavens," Link heard the King say, "I...I never thought anything could move this fast!"

Kondar chuckled. "You're doing well, Son." he said. "Why, not many Speeder pilots show this kind of control on their first flight!"

Link smiled. "It just...seems so...easy." he said. "I can't imagine how anyone could find this difficult." As he flew the Speeder, he felt...elated. Flight was amazing. He felt at peace; he belonged here, in the sky.

Just as he belonged with Zelda.

Then, Link saw it: Atlantis.

Far ahead, but nearing rapidly, Link saw a massive city, floating on the sea, made of countless, gleaming towers, highly advanced buildings, made of metal and crystal, some smooth and rounded, some more jagged, with the tallest tower in the center, with three points at its tip, almost like a trident. Around its edges were numerous ship-pads, where ships landed and took off, and around the entire city was an enormous, glowing dome – an energy shield, like the kind any Skycity or Skyship used, which could easily repel any attack. As they flew near, the shield automatically lowered, letting them in.

"By the Three..." the King said softly, "..is that..?"

"Yes." Kondar said. "Welcome, my dear friends, to the Atlantis Oceanic Base."

"It's...a research and planetary defense station, isn't it?" Link asked.

Kondar nodded in approval. "Yes, Son; at Atlantis, we research new energy resources. Our technology is primarily powered by rechargeable Crystalloid Energy Modules, or CEMs. However, when we came to this galaxy and began exploring, we encountered an asteroid field that was rich in a new element, with incredible energy potential; we called this new element Nadion. Atlantis was constructed to do research on the Nadion, and the research has been yielding promising results, thus far. Atlantis is now powered primarily by a Nadion reactor, giving it much more energy than our conventional CEMs, though we still have them as a back-up power source. Atlantis also has our most advanced weapon systems; it can shoot down an enemy force from orbit with ease, as well as defend against a ground-based enemy."

By then, the Speeder was getting close to Atlantis, and Link activated the Speeder's Auto-Landing System, instructing the ship's computer to land on its own. The Speeder gracefully touched down on a landing pad, as the city's shield automatically raised itself, again, surrounding all of Atlantis with its impenetrable barrier. Link then opened the hatch, and powered down the Speeder, and they all got out of the ship, getting onto a transport called a Turbo-Lift, a carrier which moved along a magnetic track, taking them into the city at incredible speeds, a small barrier around the lift, preventing them from feeling so much as a breeze.

The Lift took them to the central tower, taking them up to the highest level, where they could all look out over all of Atlantis. Link was amazed; Atlantis was breathtaking, a true wonder of the world. "I would like to speak with my son for a few moments." Kondar said to everyone else. "Please, feel free to enjoy the view." Everyone else nodded, and Kondar headed into another room, the door automatically sliding open, and Link followed.

The room was an office, with a desk in front of a large window overlooking Atlantis. "This is my office; I use it whenever I come here." Kondar said. Then, he smiled. "You and Zelda are in love, aren't you?"

Link nodded, smiling. "Yes, Father, we are."

Kondar smiled wider. "She's a charming, lovely young lady, Son. She's a wonderful match for you." he said. "So, Son, what have you been doing these past...eighteen years?" Then, Link told his father all that had happened to him.

When he'd finished, Kondar was amazed. "Son...you drew the legendary Blade of Evil's-Bane? Son, we'd all heard about the legend of that blade, and that it was drawn, eight years ago." he murmured. "You really drew it?"

"Yes, I did." Link replied.

Kondar smiled. "My son, the legendary Hero of Time...Link I couldn't be more proud of you."

Link smiled back. "Thank you, Father." he said. "But now I want to know about you! What's Aldare like?"

Chuckling, Kondar replied, "Well, our society is quite different from others. There is no nobility or peasantry; the only distinction between citizens is the kind of Guild they're employed in. There are Artists, Engineers, Agriculturists, Skyship-Pilots, and countless others. There is the Imperial Council, consisting of representatives from all the Guilds and all other groups among the citizens; the Council votes on issues concerning Aldarian society, and when the vote is concluded, I, as Emperor, either accept or reject the motion, depending on the vote. Finally, our people – the Magi people – are all magic-users, Son."

"Really??" Link asked, amazed. "Everyone..?"

"Magic is the very life-blood of our society, Son." Kondar said. "We use it to power the engines that keep our cities afloat; in everyday life; and in the weapons of the Imperial Army and the Fleet." Placing a hand on Link's shoulder, he added, "And our family holds a secret power, Son: the power of the Grand Magus."

"Who??" Link asked.

"The Grand Magus was the first Emperor of Aldare, over 5000 years ago, before we left Aldare Prime." Kondar explained. "He was the first of what we now call a 'Master Magi,' a Magi whose powers come near those of the Triforce. He once traveled the stars; it was in the records of the Grand Magus that we learned the location of this planet, Son, a planet he once visited, his great power allowing him to span the galaxies in an instant. He once drove back the forces of darkness on this world, where he was once needed, before returning to us. There has never been another like him since, but the potential to 'ascend' has always been present in our family, Link...so we have always exercised restraint in the use of our magic. We have many texts on the Grand Magus in the Imperial Library on Aldarus, Son. When we all head back there, you are welcome to read them."

Link's expression fell. "Father...I can't go back with you and Mother."

Kondar looked startled. "But...why?"

"It's not that I don't want to go; Aldare sounds amazing." Link explained. "But...I swore to protect Hyrule from evil, and...I can't leave Zelda."

Kondar smiled, understanding completely. "It's all right, Son." he said. "I understand, and I'm sure your mother will, as well." Then, his expression became a bit grim. "There are a few more things that I must tell you and the others, Son. Please come with me so that these concerns may be addressed." Link nodded, and followed his father towards the door. Before he opened it, Kondar turned, and embraced Link in a bone-crushing hug. "My boy's come home..." he said with fierce happiness, "my boy's come HOME!"

Link smiled, and returned the hug. "I'm glad to be back, Dad." he said. Then, the hug ended, and father and son left the office, rejoining the others.

When Link and his father rejoined the others, Kondar took a deep breath. "There are a few things that I must tell all of you." he said. "As I had mentioned before, in the war, we have been pushing the Shadows back, nearly back into their home system." Everyone nodded. "The past few months, the Shadows had been actively retreating from Shadow-occupied space, leaving behind fields of Quantum Mines, explosives that warp space itself, to prevent our forces from pursuing them, forcing us to disarm them. We had thought that this was merely a move of desperation, that the Shadows were about to give up." His expression turned grave. "We were wrong; the Shadows were merely buying time."

"Time for what?" Link asked.

"We managed to get a few cloaked deep-space probes through the mine-fields, to evaluate the situation." Kondar said. "The probes managed to reach a large sector of the Shadows' home system; over half of their entire fleet is there. Upon further analysis, we learned why: there's a Space-Fold coming."

"A... 'Space-Fold'?" Zelda asked. "What's that?"

Kondar gestured, and a holographic image appeared before them, showing a blue planet – their planet – in space, and many systems away, was another planet, a dark red one, with many black, toxic clouds. Near that planet was a large nebula, with many times many red dots – the Shadow fleet.

It was the Shadows' home system.

"The fabric of space is not static; it is fluid." Kondar explained. "On very, very rare occasions, space folds in on itself, directly connecting two points in the galaxy." The image showed a tunnel-like portal connecting the Shadow system...with their system, coming right out on top of their planet. "The sector the Shadow fleet is in is due for such a folding – a Space-Fold – and it's going to come out right on top of us, bypassing all the defenses we have."

"When will this happen?" Link asked.

"In a year and a half, two years at most." Kondar said. "Most of our Fleet is currently dispersed throughout the galaxy, taking care of the remaining Shadow resistance centers before we call them back, to make sure the Shadows don't try to take advantage of us pulling back to defend the home front. In a year-and-a-half, we're going to need every ship, every capable officer in the Fleet right here, to drive the Shadows back; the Shadows know that we're the only ones capable of opposing them, so they're going to muster every ounce of force they can get, to try and wipe us out." He sighed. "King Andreus, if, after hearing this, you wish nothing to do with Aldare, I will understand; this is a war unlike any you have ever known. You need not get your country involved in it..."

"Emperor, by default, Hyrule is involved!" the King exclaimed. "By the sounds of it, you need every bit of help you can get!" He chuckled, sounding somewhat embarrassed. "I do not know how Hyrule can be of help to mighty Aldare, but what little help we can offer, Aldare may have it! I would be honored to have my country allied with Aldare, in this dark hour!" He extended his hand to Kondar.

Kondar smiled, and shook it. "And Aldare will be proud to have Hyrule as an ally." he said. "In return, Aldare will assist Hyrule in matters of trade; we can make numerous trade routes open to you – our allies will share trade routes with you gladly. Also, we will aid you in any conflict between any other countries, both in terms of negotiations and armed forces; Aldare has some excellent political negotiators, and I'm sure that even the most fearsome ocean fleet will halt when faced with two or three of our Paladin-Class Heavy Cruisers!" His smile became a bit more forced. "However, with regret, we will not share technical knowledge with you, for two reasons. The first is on a practical note: if we did share secrets of our levitation engines, for example, even your brightest minds would be unable to implement them. The second reason is because of one of our highest laws: if we were to interfere in the development of your civilization in such a way, it would be invariably disastrous."

The King nodded. "You're right, of course." he agreed. Chuckling, he added, "Especially on that first point, Emperor. Your Empire is...overwhelming ; none of my countries architects or engineers could even come close to anything so magnificent! If Atlantis is a prime example, then your Empire truly is the most advanced civilization of our time!"

Kondar smiled. "Your compliments honor us." he said. To Link, he added, "Son, as I mentioned before, you yourself are one of Aldare's resources; your mind and capabilities are truly remarkable. Aldare needs officers of your caliber, now more than ever. I wish to offer you an accelerated officer training program; in the coming months, we will send you numerous study materials, as well as assign you several training missions. The program will give you the education that a Fleet-officer will receive in five years or more by the time the Space-Fold occurs. The Empire needs you, Son."

Link knew what to say; only a few hours ago, he didn't know who his parents were, and now he'd learned that his home needed him. "I accept." he said.

His parents smiled proudly. "We're very, very proud of you, Son." Kondar said. "We'll let you and your friends head home, now."

"Take care, sweetheart." Varila said, hugging Link. "Come visit us whenever you wish! You'll always be welcome!"

"I will." Link promised. Then, his parents led them back to the ship bay, to see them off.

Within the hour, Link, Zelda, the King, and Delia were flying back to Hyrule in a Speeder – Link's Speeder, now, as his parents had given him his own, for his training missions, as well as for him to visit. Soon, they were over Hyrule Castle, and Link set the Speeder down in the Castle Courtyard, powering it down, and opening the hatch, letting everyone out. The King and Delia headed back to the throne room, leaving Link and Zelda alone. "Well...I guess I'd better find a place to store that." Link joked, gesturing to the Speeder.

Zelda briefly smiled, her eyes showing a brief sadness, fading quickly. "Aldare is...amazing, Link." she whispered. "It's so beautiful." Then, she added, "Miss Orianis told me about the School, and it sounds like such an amazing opportunity for me to learn to control my magic." She giggled. "And the Headmistress understood why I hesitated at first; she completely understood why I wouldn't want to leave 'that strapping young gentleman.' Then she told me that visitors are allowed to come once every month-and-a-half."

"So I could come visit you four times during your semester." Link noted.

Zelda nodded. "Besides," she said softly, "since you're going back to Aldare, it's not like I'll see you a lot, anyway..." Link then noticed the beginnings of tears in her eyes.

It was then that Link understood the sadness he'd seen. "Oh, Zel, is that what you thought?" he laughed gently, taking her in his arms. "Zelda, I told my parents I couldn't leave; not now, at least."

Zelda looked up at that. "But...but Aldare is your home..." she murmured.

"No, Zelda." Link corrected. "You're my home. I may have been born in Aldare, but it can never be my home if you aren't there."

"You're...you're staying for me?" Zelda asked, joyful tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"Of course!" Link declared. "I love you."

At that, Zelda nuzzled closer to him. "Oh, Link...I love you, too." she cooed. "I can't leave, now."

"Zelda, you were right: this is a big opportunity for you." Link said. "I can't just let you miss it."

"W-What?!" Zelda cried. "But...but...you said you loved me..! I thought you...you want me to stay!"

"Oh, please, sweetheart, don't misunderstand." Link soothed. "I do want you to stay. But...this is such an amazing chance for you. It would be selfish for me to make you miss it. Besides...I think you really want to go. So, Zelda, I want you to choose what you wish to do, and, regardless of what you want to do, you'll have my support."

That seemed to soothe her. She thought for a moment, and asked, "Will you...wait for me?"

Smiling, Link answered, "Of course I will, darling. I'd wait a thousand years for you; you're more than worth waiting for."

Blushing slightly from the compliment, Zelda said, "I'd like to go."

Smiling, Link replied, "Then you'd best go tell your Headmistress." Zelda smiled back, and then they both went to find the Headmistress.

By the time Zelda had told Miss Orianis and gotten packed, it was sunset; Zelda's luggage had already been sent ahead to her new room in the dormitory for the start of the new semester in a few days. Now the Headmistress had only to teleport herself and Zelda to the school, and Link and the King were with them at the Courtyard to see them off. The King embraced his daughter. "Now, study well!" he said. "And be on your best behavior!"

"I will, Daddy." Zelda promised. "I'll do my very best!"

"I know you will." the King said, kissing his daughter's forehead. "I love you, sweetie."

"I love you, too, Daddy." Zelda replied. Then, the King released her, and Link walked to her, causing her smile to grow. "I miss you already." Zelda cooed.

"I'll see you again in a month-and-a-half." Link promised. "Nothing short of a life-or-death, cataclysmic event is going to keep me from you, and even that won't keep me for long."

Zelda giggled at that. "I love you." she cooed.

"I love you, too." Link replied, as he embraced her, and they shared one passionate, loving kiss.

Had their eyes been open, they would have seen the aurora they'd produced for one enchanting moment.

Releasing Zelda from the kiss, Link stepped back, as the Headmistress placed one hand on Zelda's shoulder. "We'll take good care of her." she promised.

"Okay...I'm ready." Zelda said. Then, Delia slowly chanted a teleportation spell, and, in a flash of light, they were gone.

Link reflected on what had happened in the past few days; he'd gone from being a simple, unknown hero, to Hyrule's Defender, to the Crown Prince of the most powerful nation of all. He'd gathered the Essences and slain the evil Vaati. He'd helped his one true love discover her true nature, as an enchanting Fairy princess, and he'd seen her off to a school where she'd learn more about her magic. In all, he'd finished another adventure.

But his adventure wasn't over; it was only beginning. He'd see Zelda again, soon, and he didn't know what else fate had in store for him.

Smiling, Link left the Castle, walking towards the sunset...to find out.

THE END