I cannot tell you how happy I was to receive your letter. To read your words brought light to an otherwise dark moment in my life. As you said, it's a shame we only ever seem to meet in passing.

I pressed every rupee I had onto the Sheikah soldier who braved the treacherous journey to hand me your letter. She even promised to deliver my response next time they make a supply run to the ranch, though when that will be I don't think even Zelda knows. In truth, it was a miracle the Sheikah found us. Impa would skin me alive if I told you where we are, but I will say we are almost totally cut off from all help. We've had such difficulty sending word to our allies. Yet, more Sheikah arrive every day, seemingly out of thin air. They truly are a remarkable people. I don't think there's anyone I'd trust more with mail. Though I wish they didn't move quite so stealthily around the base. You never hear them coming!

You must be wondering how we have fared since escaping the castle. There's only so much I can say, in fear that my words might be intercepted. As you will know yourself, Ganondorf's spies are everywhere. I hope you are safe. As for us, we are all alive and healthy, thank Hylia, though I don't think I've been warm in weeks. The place we have made our temporary home and headquarters has seen far better days. The wind tears through my room at night and I can hardly sleep for the noise and the chill. Still, we are well clothed and fed from the supplies we discovered in the stores, and training with the soldiers helps keep the cold at bay. Zelda came to me a few days ago to ask that I intensify my training. I wonder if that means I will see battle soon.

Speaking of Zelda, she's been strangely distant with me of late. It's hard to put my finger on. I mean, technically we don't know each other that well, but I thought we were at least friends. I only ever see her now at the war council meetings. The rest of the time she stays shut away in her chambers. Occasionally I'll see her about, locked in conversation with Impa or some other advisor, but they'll always stop if I come close. I guess all I can do is continue to train hard and hopefully earn her trust.

But now I'm rambling. Can you tell I've never written a letter before? Truthfully, I might find it somewhat easier than speaking. Something about having the time to properly compose my thoughts. All this to say, I hope we can continue our correspondence. It would mean a lot to me to know that you are still well.

Take care, stay safe, and hopefully we can see each other again soon.

A baleful melody echoed off the rocky walls of the cell. Water pooled in the impressions on the stonework floor, hewn by years of rainwater dripping from the leaky ceiling. The air was musty with mildew. The summer storms of the morning had broken, and a thin shaft of sunlight pierced the gloomy room through the single cell window.

Link reclined on the narrow, wooden cot, ocarina pressed to his lips. He had long since lost all feeling in his legs and back from the hard sleeping surface, but he kept his mind occupied to distract from the discomfort. He was composing a new song, and despite his present circumstances, was rather enjoying himself. It wasn't often he played the Ocarina of Time for fun! Of course, writing music was not what he had in mind when he convinced his Ordonian jailers to allow him to keep the instrument, after they had stripped him of his gear.

The heirloom of the Royal family was a magical artifact, and possessed many strange powers. Most pertinently, it could transport a person great distances in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately - though he had played every song once taught to him by Princess Zelda, in the guise of Sheik - the notes echoed far, but nothing happened. So he remained a prisoner of Ordon, and passed the time making music.

Several days had elapsed since his duel with Phantom Ganon. Though his accommodation left something to be desired, his jailers hadn't treated him unfairly. His wounds from the battle had been cleaned and dressed, and he was brought hot meals twice a day. The night guard had even slipped him a slice of pie topped with thick cream under the door one evening.

He didn't have many visitors other than the guards, and none except the night guard would speak more than a few words to him. Sometimes he heard children's voices outside the window and occasionally a small face peeking through the bars, but if he ever returned the look, the children would run away giggling. It was clear he was regarded with suspicion amongst the Ordonians, and for a few - thinly veiled hatred. One guard would spit on the ground any time Link spoke. Link wasn't fazed by the solitude, he was entirely used to his own company.

He did enjoy his conversations with Odo, the night guard however. He was older than the other guards, though no less swarthy, with a salt and pepper beard and a drooping moustache. His lumpy head was completely bald, and he had a pot belly that jiggled every time he laughed, which he did often. He liked to talk a lot, in his booming voice, which suited the taciturn Link just Fine.

"Ya know, you remind me of my eldest. Course, he ain't been a kid for a for a while now, but he'll always be ma little boy. Don't be tellin' him I told ya that though, he don't like it… AH HA HA HAH."

A lot of their conversations went like this, with Odo doing most of the talking - mainly about his children, of which he had eight, or his many grandchildren (Link had counted twenty so far). But anytime Link would broach the topic of the Chief, or what he planned to do with Link, Odo would shift uncomfortably and quickly change the subject.

"Cross that stream when we get to it, eh lad? Speakin' of streams, lil Bartin caught the biggest catfish I ever seen yesterday. Took three of 'em just to land the bugger, I kid you not… AH HA HAH."

Link was similarly reticent to answer any questions about himself and the Royal family, not that he knew much about the monarchs of Hyrule save Princess Zelda, but Odo didn't press him on such matters. Some of the other guards had tried to interrogate him more forcefully, shouting and making threats, but Link would just stare blankly at them until they left, muttering about how strange he was. It didn't bother him, he had faced too much death and danger to be fazed by a few empty threats. He had long since given up on trying to explain that he wasn't a spy and that he was a simple traveller, seeking to make a wish at the Fairy Queen's pool. Similar attempts to warn the Ordonians of the danger they were in, should Phantom Ganon return were also dismissed.

"More falsehoods from Valderich, King of lies", they spat.

Valderich. That must be the King of Hyrule, Link thought. That would make him Zelda's father. He had never met the King, or even knew what he looked like. In Link's own timeline, the King had likely been killed when Ganondorf claimed the triforce and demolished Hyrule castle. I wonder what he did to upset Ordon. As far as he knew, all the Royal family were revered and honoured throughout Hyrule. Of course, this wasn't Hyrule.

The light was beginning to fade from the window, and the wind was picking up again, whistling through the cracks in the crumbling exterior. Link heard a door open outside his cell and the rumble of voices. Odo's here early, he thought. But when his cell door creaked open, it wasn't Odo's genial face he saw, but two severe looking men that Link did not recognise. Even compared to the imposing looking men Link had encountered so far in Ordon, these two were impressive. Scarred and muscle-bound, they carried themselves with the wary composure of seasoned warriors.

"That's enough of that racket", one said.

"Who are you?", Link asked.

"We're the ones gonna be askin' the questions", the other replied.

"Yeah, yer gonna be playin' a different tune when we're done with ya, Hylian".

Link noted the venom with which he said that last word.

"That'll do Ruslan, Portcher. Whatever else this Hylian might be, he's a guest in our village."

Another man had entered and Link recognised him as the tall figure who wielded the greatsword, and had given orders to the others when Link was taken prisoner. His voice was not booming like Odo's, but full of authority, and immediately the others, the men called Ruslan and Portcher, bowed their heads and stepped back to flank him on either side.

"I'm sorry about keepin' you in a place like this, our prison's been fallin' to bits since the war ended."

"You must be the chief", Link said, sitting up in his bed. "I've been waiting to talk to you for days. Your people are in great danger".

"Ya brat, how dare you…", Portcher started to say, but the chief silenced him with a wave of his hand.

"You're a bold kid. I apologise for not visiting sooner, there were arrangements to be made. Tell me, little Hylian, what's your name?"

"Link."

"A strong name for a strong lad. I am Boru. My son told me of the wrestlin' match you two had. Rodan's no slouch in a fight, and he's got a good few years on you I'd say and yet it sounds like you gave him a hard time, even if he wouldn't say so himself."

"What else did he tell you?"

"Some troublin' things…things that are hard for me to believe."

Link drew himself up to stand before the chief, though he barely reached his waist.

"Chief Boru, you might not believe me, but your son saw it too. A great evil was here, just outside your village. If it returns, all your people will be at risk."

The chief stroked his beard and frowned.

"Rodan was right, you're no regular kid. You look like a boy but talk like a man. But tell me then, what is this evil that invaded my lands and attacked my son, and how is it you come to know of such things?"

"Ya think it's a coincidence that some evil creature attacks the same night a spy sneaks past our defences? This stinks of a Hylian plot", Ruslan growled.

"If it's another war King Valderich wants then he'll get it. Ordon will never bow to slime like him", Portcher chimed in.

Boru rounded on him. Though his voice was steady, his nostrils flared.

"Perhaps if you had children of your own, you would not speak so readily of war."

Portcher was cowed into silence,but the sinews in his beefy neck and shoulders bulged as he glowered at Link. Boru turned back to Link with a small sigh.

"Forgive my friend, but I must say his suspicions are not without merit. An armed Hylian, even one as young as yourself, in our territory is an aggressive act. Please, answer truthfully."

Link regarded the chief carefully. How much should I tell him? How much would he even believe?

"I don't have much experience with chiefs or kings. I do not know King Valderich and my quest in your land is my own."

Link looked out of the small window at the dying light of the sun. He felt a chill prick his skin, that had nothing to do with the cool evening air.

"However, I know the thing that attacked your son at the fairy pool. It was an evil spirit, a creature of black magic, created by Ganondorf."

There was a stunned silence in the cell, broken only by the incessant dripping of water.

"Ganondorf, the Gerudo King?"

"He's a slimy git, but a sorcerer? That's crazy."

"Yeah, if anyone's usin' dark magic, it's Hyrule's royal family, they're the one's with the weird powers."

Ruslan and Portcher went on like that but fell away into silence when Boru opened his mouth.

"My sources had informed me that Ganondorf was imprisoned in Hyrule Castle. Some sort of power struggle, but the Gerudo thief got found out and the King left him rotting in the dungeons."

"That's what I believed also", said Link. "Great chief, if you would allow me to return to Hyrule, I must…"

Angry bickering broke out once more.

"Impossible…"

"...more Hylian lies…"

"He'll be back with an army…"

"Insolent brat…"

But Boru raised his arms and his voice to quell the squabbling.

"Peace brothers, as I said before, the Hylian's fate will not be decided until all the council has had a chance to hear his story. Now, speakin' of, I believe there are more arrangements to make before the meeting tomorrow. You two attend to that. Our conversation here is finished, for tonight at least."

Ruslan and Portcher looked like they had plenty more to say, but instead they bowed to Boru and spun on their heels, shooting black looks at Link as they marched out the cell.

"I must apologise for my companions, Link", said the chief, wearily. "Though you would have been little more than a baby when the great war ended, distrust for Hylians runs deep in Ordon. I'm afraid, you will not have many friends at tomorrow's council meeting."

"Chief Boru, I grew up in a place untouched by war. I know nothing of the conflict between our people. Why was Hyrule at war with Ordon?", Link asked.

"If your home was spared the war, then you are one of the lucky few. I will tell you what I know of the conflict, but first you must answer my earlier questions, that you so tactfully avoided. Why are you here in Ordon, and how do you know of evil creatures? The more honest you are with me now, the better I can help you tomorrow."

Link chewed his lip as he looked at the chief. This man seems honourable enough, and if the rest of Ordon hates me as much as those others, I'm going to need his help. He resolved to tell Boru as much as he could.

Choosing his words carefully, so as not to give away too much of the Royal family's secrets, Link launched into a retelling of his adventures in both Hyrule and Termina. How he and Zelda had inadvertently allowed Ganondorf to gain entry into the sacred realm. How Hyrule had been torn apart by Ganondorf after he had seized the triforce of power. How Link had slept for seven years, to awaken as the hero of time, and wielding the master sword, he had rescued the sages, and with their help, defeated the King of Evil and sealed him away. A look of wonder hung on Boru's face as Link described how after this, he had travelled back seven years to his childhood again, but the chief didn't interrupt.

Link told him of when he returned to the past and realised Ganondorf was still a threat to this time; how he had warned Princess Zelda of the Gerudo King's plot, and how she had her father arrest Ganondorf, foiling his plans. How Link had then left Hyrule, to search for his friend Navi, but found himself in Termina, a strange land that mirrored Hyrule, yet was very different. How he had saved the land from destruction, and vanquished the evil within Majora's mask. He finished by recounting the advice given to him by Tatl and Tael.

"And that is why I came to Ordon, to seek the fairy pool in your village and ask the Queen what became of my friend."

Link saw a shadow pass over Boru's face at the mention of the Fairy Queen, but the chief remained quiet.

"And until I saw Phantom Ganon, I thought the threat of Ganondorf was contained. But if he has somehow escaped, then the whole world is in danger. That evil man will not rest until he holds the complete triforce, and has dominion over all."

Boru's mouth hung open a little, as he looked at Link with a mixture of amazement and pity. This little boy, who seemed to hold all the responsibility and sorrow of the world in his heart. The chief finally found his voice.

"Link…I…". He shook his head and tried again.

"I'm not proud of this, but during the war, I carried out many interrogations on captured soldiers. You learn to see the truth in a man's eyes, and the deceit in their words. Though you tell me the strangest, most unbelievable tale I have ever heard, somehow I do not doubt your words. You're truly a remarkable boy Link, no mistakin' it."

Boru shook his head again.

"Compared to your story, what I can tell you of the war is going to seem very small and ordinary, but I'm a man of my word."

Boru started to pace the cell, arms folded behind his back.

"In my father's time, Hyrule and Ordon shared a happy peace. There was trade and commerce, and our borders were open to each other. When King Valderich was crowned though, things changed. Suddenly, Hyrule wasn't content with us as just neighbours. Valderich wanted Ordon to kneel, to become a vassal of Hyrule. Apparently it wasn't just Ordon either. Hyrule was tryin' to expand in all directions. Even old alliances meant nothing to Valderich. That's why they called it the Hyrulean Civil War, though there was nothin' civil about it."

Boru stopped pacing. His eyes were fixed on a crack on the wall, but Link saw they were glazed over and it was clear he was seeing something else. His bearded face suddenly looked very old and tired in the twilight.

"It was a dreadful time. Ordon is a small nation, mostly farmers and farmland. We weren't equipped for war. Almost nowhere escaped the bloodshed. By the sounds of it, it was the same all over. The Hylian army was overwhelming."

There was a knock at the cell door and Odo's smiling face popped around the corner.

"Evenin' lad. Oh sorry boss, didn't know ya were with our wee guest. Boy, the mood's a bit grim in here eh? Hope I wasn't interrupting nothin' BWAH HA HAH."

Chief Boru smiled, the weary veil lifted from his expression.

"Ah Odo, good timin'. I think it's about time we found Link some better accommodation, what do you say?"

Odo beamed a toothy grin.

"I was thinkin' the same thing chief. He can stay with me if ya like. Got a spare room since lil Brandin got his own place."

"That would be perfect, you have my thanks Odo."

Boru crossed to the door where Odo was standing, who opened it wide to allow him to pass. At the threshold he paused and looked back at Link.

"I think it best if we keep your connections to the Royal Family to ourselves tomorrow. Oh and Link, I must ask that you abandon any notions of returning to the fairy pool. It is not safe there. I am sorry."

And with that, he left.