After seven long years Link, the goddesses chosen hero, finally reemerged from within the Temple of Time. He appeared in Kakariko several days after Aeris' twenty fifth birthday, seeking a tool called the hookshot at Sheik's request.

Aeris had watched the boy and his fairy move through the town, it was hard to believe that this was the young boy who she'd briefly met in the castle gardens seven years ago. He was lithe with narrow hips, but hidden in his stance was a warrior. She watched as he spoke to the townspeople in a soft kind tone, he smiled and seemed to find interest in the most mundane things.

After the boy departed for the Forest to awaken the first of the Seven Sages Impa paid Aeris and Urora a visit to discuss the future. She knew of her role as the Sage of Shadow, it was only natural that the leader of the remaining Sheikah take up the mantle.

It was decided that when the time came Aeris would a company Link to the Desert, giving her a chance to confront Koume and Kotake while still allowing Link to awaken the Sage of Spirit. The thought of going back to the desert made her heart ache there were so many memories in the vast sands, she could only hope that the good ones remained.

Kakariko was in flames.

Impa had hoped that the ancient evil under the town would remain sealed until Link was ready to face it, but it apparently had different plans.

Aeris was struggling to keep herself together, it had been so long since she thought of her parents, but the smell of smoke and the sight of flames against the night sky had sent her into a panic.

The thud of running feet filled her ears, she could hear someone sprinting down the stairs then a large crash. Someone else was weeping softly, moaning in pain. A shrill sound rang out in the darkness, that sounded eerily like a goat screaming.

Urora found her sitting on the steps near their home in the aftermath shaking like a leaf. Link had shown up and with him came rain, rain that was still pouring down soaking Aeris. The last of the flames were dying as Urora finally calmed Aeris enough to get her back inside. The Gerudo was thankful that their home was mostly undamaged.

The people of Kakariko were resilient, by the time the sun began rising the town was bustling with people helping others to repair any damages sustained by the fire. Aeris was moving about the kitchen when there was a soft knock at the door she rose from her spot at the table and opened the door.

"Are you Aeris?" Link stood in her doorway, his green tunic was covered in strange black stains.

"I am." She stepped back and let the boy in.

"Impa told me to find you before I went to the desert," He stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

"Did she say why?" Aeris motioned for Link to sit and moved to start making tea.

"Just that you know the desert,"

Aeris smiled. "That I do,"

Link was an inquisitive young man, he asked Aeris a barrage of questions as they rode across Hyrule Field. All of which she was more than happy to answer, until he asked the one that she was dreading the most. "So how do you know so much about the desert?"

"When I was little my family's farm traded with the Gerudo," She pulled Starlight to a stop, the sun was setting and they would need to make camp soon.

Link hopped off of his mare, Epona, and started untying his tent from the horses back. "Did you ever meet Ganondorf? Before all of this?"

Aeris smiled softly remembering that day in the market she first saw him. "I did,"

"Was he evil back then?" Aeris' heart panged at his question.

"Is it possible for a child to be evil?" She tried to not let her emotions rule her answer. Link was a young boy trapped in a man's body and he still thought like a child.

"A child?" Link tilted his head. "How old is he?" His blue fairy companions popped out of his hat and floated around his head.

"He would be twenty seven now," She thought of all the birthdays they had missed and of one spent in a dungeon sharing a slice of cake.

"Twenty seven?" Link finished setting up his tent. "That means he was only twenty when he,"

"Yes," She cut him off sharply. "And he was eighteen when he got married, and he was young and stupid and," She turned away from Link tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"I didn't know he was married." Link's voice was soft and kind. "I wonder where his wife is,"

Aeris wiped her eyes quickly thankful that Link's gaze was on his horse. "Me to,"

Aeris poked the dying embers of the fire. She looked at the young hero who was laying across the fire from her sleeping soundly. It was rare that she slept through the night these days, the dreams were to much.

The nightmares she could handle, it was the happy dreams, the dreams of what her life could have been that were too much for her.

She ran her fingers across the area of her lower abdomen where the bands of stretch marks sat. Their daughter would be seven now, Aeris liked to think that she would have her eyes and his hair.

Link made a small sound, a whimper that drew Aeris' attention toward the young hero. He made a sudden thrashing movement in his bedroll, a soft cry falling from his lips. Sweat beaded on his pale skin, his hand groped for the hilt of the Master Sword.

Aeris sat down the stick she was using to stir the embers and moved to sit beside Link. She pushed his blonde bangs away from his face and he flinched away from her touch. She sighed and pulled his head into her lap and wrapped her arms around his, trapping his arms against his chest.

"Close your eyes quietly," The Gerudo lullaby came to her easily.

"Reach out your cold hands," She wrapped her fingers around his, he gripped them tightly and shuddered in his sleep.

"Hide your innocent heart," Her heart ached for him. He was so young, so innocent, he shouldn't have to be here.

"Sleep silently like time, this world is an abyss," When she looked down at him he was staring up at her with huge blue eyes. She smiled at him, "Hey,"

"Hey," His voice was hoarse.

She squeezed his hands. "I'm sorry,"

He sat up slowly and she let him slip out of her arms. "For what?"

"Everything," She rubbed her thumb over his knuckles. "You don't deserve this, no one deserves to be put through everything you have,"

"It's not your fault," He stretched and popped his neck. He picked up his hat disturbing Navi's slumber and put it on his head.

If he only knew, if he knew who she was, would he still feel the same? She swallowed thickly. "Link, I," She faltered when he turned to face her. "There's something I need to tell you,"

He looked at her with those big blue eyes. "What?"

"Do you remember the day you had to sneak through the castle gardens?" He cocked his head to the side. "To meet Zelda,"

He nodded. "Yes,"

"Do you remember running into a woman?" She could still see the look on his face when he ran into her, he had been so small but so determined.

"She was wearing a red and white dress," He chuckled

"Link," She took his hand into hers. "That was me,"

He drew his head back and searched her face. "I thought you looked familiar,"

"A lot has happened since then," An involuntary chuckle left her. "So fucking much,"

Link's eyes widened in surprise. Aeris covered her mouth as she realized that this was likely the first time anyone had cursed in front of him. Laughter bubbled up in her throat and she found herself doubled over laughing. It had been so long since she truly laughed, it was an odd feeling.

Link watched Aeris laugh, he watched as the sun rose behind her and for a moment she caught a glimpse of the young woman she used to be, beautiful and vibrant.

As he watched her, he realized that there was much more to this woman than she was telling him.

A/N: Our hero has made his appearance. I actually found it rather difficult to portray him they way I wanted to.

The song that Aeris sings to Link is Turkish it's called Ninni by Toygar Isikli.

Next on our ride is... THE SPIRIT TEMPLE!