Link rode under the flowering arch that leads into Ordon, a warm breeze touched the hero's face. Link nudged Epona in the direction of his old house. After tying off her off Link nimbly climbed up the ladder that led to his door. Link paused in the doorway and looked around his home, allowing old memories to flood back to his mind. As he walked around the lower level he noticed a note on the table. Link leaned over to look at it. It read
Link,
This is a welcome home note from everyone in Ordon! We miss seeing you and we hope that this note will make you guilty enough to come visit us before running off again, Ha ha. We have a surprise for you so you had better come and say hi.
Mayor Bo
Link couldn't help smiling after he read the note. He carefully tucked it in his pouch and wandered over to his window. As he glanced out he saw Talo, Beth and Collin running towards his house. He walked over to open the door just as the group reached the bottom of the ladder.
"Hey! Link! You're back! Where have you been?!" Talo yelled up to him
"You're back! You're back! We all missed you!" Beth yelled as Link started climbing down the ladder
Link reached the bottom of the ladder and was quickly bombarded with questions from the two of them like' Where did you go? How long can you stay? Did you bring us anything?'
Link tried to answer as many questions as he could but it was almost impossible it keep up with the two. Just then Colin pushed past Talo and Beth to see Link. Link smiled down at him.
"Link I've been training now I'm starting to get strong like you! Soon I will be able to take care of everyone when you're away."
Link knelt down at his level and smiled encouragingly. Colin then got all bashful and looked down at the ground.
"I told myself that I would ask for some tips from you the next time you came to visit ... but I'm sure that you have better things to do so just forget I said anything." Colin said quietly.
"I would be happy to." Link said to him
Then Talo spoke up, "Why don't you do it now then me and Beth can watch!"
"Yes, yes please!" Beth chimed in.
Link and Colin looked at each other before nodding.
20 minutes later
"Ok so here's how we're going to do it," Talo said after he and Beth finished setting up dummies and targets around Links house. "Link, you do some cool move that you want to teach Colin then Colin will try to copy you, and me and Beth will watch and tell Colin what he could do to do the technique better."
Link nodded and looked at Colin. Colin looked a bit tense but nodded too.
"Great! Ok Link, GO!"
Link walked up to one of the dummies, got in position and did a jump attack cutting the pumpkin clean in half. After Link stood back again he worried that he had made the technique too hard for Colin. But Colin just walked up to the other dummy with confidence and copied the technique with ease, slicing the entire left side off of his pumpkin.
"Whoa! That was great! Colin was almost the same as Link." Talo shouted
"Yeah!" Beth said next. "Just make sure that you keep your sword straight in front of your chest as you bring it down Ok Colin?"
"Right then you will be able to cut the pumpkin right down the center." Talo added.
Link looked with respect at Colin and said 'good job' with a slight nod. Colin looked up at him and beamed with pride.
"Hey Link! Do something harder this time, that way Colin can learn something new!"
Link looked at Colin for confirmation to which he nodded with a determined look on his face. Link walked back up to the dummy that Beth and Talo had reassembled and took a low stance. He stared at it for a second more before quickly jumping to side of the dummy, rolled and jumped up spinning knocking the armor straight off. Talo and Beth stared in disbelief before cheering and saying "Do it again, do again!"
Colin stood looking at Link for a while before taking his place in front of the dummy. He gulped and got down in a low position, rolled and tried to jump back up but his sword got stuck underneath him and fell back to the ground with an oomph. Link ran over to see if he was right but he quickly got up and said "I'm fine, I'm going to try it again."
Link nodded and stepped back. Colin took his position again and crouched low. He rolled jumped up and turned his sword to cut the straps of the armor but just was a fraction of an inch to low and fell back to the ground.
"Aww man that was so close Colin! Keep trying I'm sure you can get it." Talo yelled over to Colin.
Then Beth spoke up. "But Talo, the mayor said that we have to be back at home before dark and it's almost dark now."
They all looked around and Link judged that it was close to 6:00. Colin said "That's ok I can practice on my own later then next time you come you can show me a new technique ok?"
Link smiled and promised that he would. Just then Link's vision went black and he could feel two petite hands over his eyes.
"Guess who" Ilia said in a sing-song voice. Link grimaced slightly but not enough for anyone to notice. He quietly answered "Hello Ilia."
She giggled "Aww how did you know it was me?" she pouted playfully Link just smiled good naturedly but didn't bother to answer.
"Iiii-llliiiaaaa! you said you were going to stay in the village! You can talk to Link later!" Beth whined
"I couldn't wait," Ilia answered back "besides I was done all my work in the village." she added as she still hovered uncomfortably close to Link. Link cleared his throat and moved slightly away from her.
"Maybe we should go down to the village so everyone can see Link." Colin said coming to Link's rescue Link smiled gratefully to Colin before starting to walk toward the village.
Link was greeted by a large entourage of people. Many of the villagers reacted the same as Talo and Beth did, asking questions about where he had been, how long he could stay. Link tried to keep on top of all the questions but after a while just gave up and let Talo and Beth answer for him since they seemed to be doing a better job anyway. Eventually Link, Ilia and the children ended up over by the mayor's house. Mayor Bo ran out and caught Link in a spine crushing hug.
"Oh Link it's so good to see you, our little village has felt so strange without you." The mayor said after releasing Link.
Link readjusted himself and said that he was happy to be back.
"Speaking of which, the whole village has been putting together some ideas for a celebration for when you returned, do you think you would be able to stay?"
Link chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck before responding. He explained about the current situation with the Resistance and about the dragon attacks. The mayor listened to the whole thing very intently; even Talo and Beth were silent as he related the past few days to them.
"So you mean that your leaving again tomorrow?!" Ilia asked Link nodded
There was slight awkward silence before the mayor broke in with "Well then we had better enjoy you while you're here. I'm going to go make arrangements for the festivities. Just wait here for a few minutes."
30 minutes later he returned and said "Alright everyone thank you for your patience. Link please go and enjoy yourself."
Link looked around stunned, in a seemingly impossible amount of time the main village area had completely been transformed into a full-blown festival. The trees had been decorated with hanging lights, there was a long table full of food, and Talo's parents were playing musical instruments for people to dance to. Link looked around in wonder for a few moments more before walking over to visit with some of the friend he had not yet spoken to. Link had decided to make it his goal to talk to everyone in the village; he felt that he owed everyone that much. As Link quietly circulated through the crowds, Talo and Beth ran around laughing and eating while Colin stood protectively over his baby sister. Link finished by talking to Mayor Bo again and thanking him for the beautiful party.
"Why think nothing of it my friend, we are so glad that you were able to visit with us." he answered with a beaming smile.
Link and the mayor looked out over the party and watched as Rusl and Uli danced in tune to Jaggie and Pergie's music Link then felt the all too familiar feeling of getting tackled from behind.
"Hey! Why are you guys just standing around, Link you should be down there having fun!" Ilia said as she pushed at him flirtatiously.
Link looked at her for a moment before quietly sighing and explaining to her that he was just speaking with her father. Ilia looked slightly disappointed and was going to say something back but the mayor spoke up first.
"Ilia, honey, did you change clothes? " he asked curiously After he mentioned it Link noticed that she and changed from her normal clothing into a knee length, flowing, green dress and had a matching green clip in her hair.
"Oh, yeah; I decided I should change for the party after all. Does it look nice?" she asked before twirling around to show it off
"Yes, you look very nice my dear" The mayor answered
Ilia then looked at Link while looking for all the world like she was begging him to say something nice about how she looked.
"Very nice." Link said in agreement to the mayor's earlier comment. This seemed to satisfy Ilia and the stood silent for a few more moments. They listened as the upbeat music flowed through the air and into the night sky. Everyone clapped for Jaggie and Pergie after they finished the song; they nodded thanking everyone for listening and announced that they would now be playing the final song. They began playing a slow waltz filled with grace and poise. Link would have contentedly listened to the skill of the two musicians, but Ilia had other ideas.
"Link come on let's go dance!" she said excitedly as she started to pull him down to the clearing where the other couples had already begun dancing.
Link tried to protest but found that Ilia could be quite strong if she wanted to. She paid no attention as she continued dragging him towards the music. In a last desperate hope Link turned to the mayor pleading with his eyes to help him, but the mayor knew just as well as Link that there wasn't much to do to change Ilia's mind. Link sighed and allowed himself to be taken down to the dancing area. Ilia turned back to Link and put her hand on his shoulder. Link took her hand and started dancing with her. They gracefully danced among the other couples for a while before Ilia spoke up.
"Wow, you dance so well. Where did you learn to do that?" she asked.
Link hesitated as he considered how to reply. He had been taught to dance by Zelda; after defeating Ganondorf Link was require to attend numerous balls and ceremonies to honour and thank him for all that he had done for Hyrule. Link wasn't very fond of being in large groups of people, especially when he hadn't met them before. But at the request of Zelda, he had learned the basic etiquette of the court; including dancing.
"Link?" Ilia said, snapping Link out of his thoughts "Hmm? Oh sorry I learned when there were all those celebrations, ... You know, after the whole Ganondorf thing" he answered quietly.
"Hmmm." Ilia said with a slightly suspicious look on her face.
The two stayed quiet for a little while longer as the music continued to play. Link looked around and saw Rusl and Uli dancing over to the right of them, their faces clearly show their love for each other, Link quietly wondered if he would ever be able to love someone like that. A small blush crept over his face as an image of princess Zelda popped into his head. Link quickly shook his head trying to rid his mind of the image. 'She would never have feelings like that for me.' he reminded himself sternly.
Ilia looked up at Link and considered saying something to him but the look on his face stopped her. They both stopped dancing and looked up as Jaggie hit the last note. Ilia slowly detached herself from Link and looked up at his face again. The odd expression that had been present had now vanished and Link was back to his signature serious yet cheerful look as he applauded for the two musicians. Link turned to her and nodded before walking over to visit with Colin. Link sighed slightly and relaxed as the distance between him and Ilia increased. Link thought about his relationship with Ilia, it wasn't that he didn't LIKE Ilia, he did, but it was more that he didn't want the relationship to be more than just simple LIKING.
Colin welcomed Link's company and proudly showed off his baby sister to him. Link and Colin fawned over the adorable little girl for a while until Rusl and Uli returned.
"You're quite the little dancer, aren't ya Link?" Rusl said with a crooked grin. "And to be dancing with Ilia too..." he said while openly smiling at Link's dejected expression.
Link looked up at the smiling couple with a tired look on his face.
"Aww don't look like that Link" Rusl teased him while slapping him on the back. "Ilia's strong willed but I'm sure that she'll get over ya soon." Rusl smiled and put his arm around Link's shoulder. Link smiled gratefully at him.
"Oh! Dear you didn't tell Link about the surprise!" Uli broke in suddenly. Rusl slapped his forehead.
"You're right, I completely forgot" he said "Link the mayor and me got together and made a little something for you to take on your adventures, I hope that it will be useful to you... Colin do you think you could go grab it from the house?"
"But Dad, you took it over to the mayor's house for safe keeping early yesterday."
"Oh you're right! Thank goodness I have the two of you to help me remember these things for me." Rusl said as he smiled fondly at his wife and son.
"Well how's about me and Link go to the mayor's house now to get it?" Rusl asked Link nodded but Colin broke in and asked "Dad can I come too?" Rusl nodded and said "Why not? The more the merrier."
The three started walking towards the far end of the village as Uli walked the baby down the path into the small home.
"The present for Link? Oh of course I had completely forgotten." the mayor replied as he rummaged around in one of his overflowing trunks. "Now I know I left it somewhere..."
"You left it upstairs father." Ilia said calmly from the other side of the room as she took the clips out of her hair.
"Oh yes that's right I left it upstairs in that chest for safe keeping, thank you Ilia"
Ilia just nodded and went back to brushing out her hair.
"Link do you mind going and grabbing it from upstairs?" the mayor asked him Link nodded and started climbing up the ladder to the second floor.
He spotted the chest in seconds and walked over to it; he lifted the lid and leaned over to reach in. A suspenseful build up of music started to pay in Link's ear as he pulled the object out. As the object came into view a triumphant melody blared. Link had often wondered where the music came from but had never been able to discover the source. Link brought his attention back to the two claw-shaped objects that were placed contentedly in his open palms. He carefully climbed back down the ladder with the strange devices in his hands.
"Ahh Link! Wonderful! So, what do you think of the surprise?" mayor Bo asked as Link came back over toward the group. Link smiled nervously and answered "They're great... But what are they?" Link asked with a slightly embarrassed look on his face.
The mayor started to laugh
"Well I suppose you wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at them now would you? Rusl? I think you'd better explain, I've never been good at explaining things like that" he said while still chuckling
"Gladly," Rusl answered, also grinning ear to ear. "Link those are called 'diggers' "
Link raised his eyebrow slightly at the simplistic name but didn't interrupt.
"They allow you to tunnel into soft dirt and even dig up some small treasures at times."
Link suddenly looked back down at the 'diggers' with new found interest.
'These will let me be able to dig like when I could transform into a wolf' He thought happily.
Link found that after Midna had gone back to the twilight realm he was no longer able to change into his wolf form. Link had been disappointed but had somewhat expected that it would happen.
'After all,' Link had reasoned 'Midna used that glowing stone that Zant had put in me to make me change back and forth.' the glowing stone had been missing ever since the fight with Ganondorf.
Link broke off from his internal thoughts and turned back to the mayor and Rusl, thanking them very much for the wonderful gift.
"Aww don't thank us, after all that you've done for us we should be thanking you." Rusl said while rubbing the back of his neck.
The mayor murmured similar comments.
"Well, me and Colin here better be getting back home, it is getting late." Rusl announced
Colin nodded a goodbye to Link and mayor and they walked out of the house. Link then turned and said that he would be leaving too. But before he could walk more than a step Ilia called to him to wait.
"I'll walk you to your house ok?" she said as she got up from where she was sitting.
The mayor started to protest but a swift sideward glance from Ilia silenced him. He then turned to Link with an eyebrow raised as of to ask if he was ok with it. Link just shrugged in reply.
Link and Ilia walked out into the cool air. He wondered if Ilia was going to be warm enough in her flimsy green dress. But Ilia didn't seem to be bothered by the cold breeze that flowed through the now silent village. They quietly walked down the paths ways leading to Link's home. Neither said anything as they walked. Link glanced at Ilia to see if she was ok, since silence around her was a rare occurrence. But Link only found her looking straight ahead with a look of deep thought etched on her face.
The two walk slowly up the hill leading up to the house. Link stopped at the ladder and looked back at Ilia she looked down at the ground to avoid his gaze before she spoke
"Link... I, ... I've wanted to tell you something for a long time but it never seemed to be the right time for me to do it."
Link groaned inwardly already guessing what Ilia was going to say. Link frantically tried to think of something to say to stop her from continuing.
"Ilia." he said "I wanted to thank you for the dance tonight. But I think that we're both tired and we should really get some sleep."
Link was silently hoped that it would be enough to stop Ilia. He knew that if she admitted that she had feelings for him, would only hurt her in the end.
Ilia looked up from the ground to Link's face.
"Yeah, you're probably right... I'll see you in the morning ok?" Ilia answered quietly. She paused mid turn, spun back around and planted a small kiss on Link's cheek.
"Goodnight." she said as she hurried down the path leading to the village.