It had been three days since he left the central woods. And despite being so far from the centre where the raids happened, there was a noticeable lack of monsters. Every now and then Link would dowse to ensure that he was going in the right direction, and so far it seemed like he was right on track.

He had been walking for what seemed like hours, but it was an enjoyable walk. The woods were really such a sight, and the trees were particularly tall but evenly spaced apart so that, even though they covered a majority of the canopy, they weren't very dense and let the sun in, filtering it green. It was high noon and the sun was at its zenith.

Link was grateful he wasn't in the middle of Lanayru Desert, especially at this time of day. A refreshing cool breeze made its way through the forest, causing the leaves above to gently sway.

Link walked on and on and on, and at some point came across a spring. He was thirsty and his legs were hurting, so he threw off his things and took in the water, swallowing deeply. He filled his skins and was about to be on his way, when he saw, relatively close by, a camp of monsters in among the trees, few little tents nearby. He positioned himself and his belongings behind a large tree.

He poked his head around the trunk and observed. There were a lot of them, about fifteen Bokoblins, five Moblins and two Lizalfos. What struck Link as odd was that usually Lizalfos were never seen in camps with other, lower-ranking species. They always seemed to be the elite, aloof type. Maybe this was a rebel group of some sort. They didn't seem to have the same garb as others of their kind; it seemed natural that with a new king in place, especially one as cruel as Ghirahim, that there'd be resistance. Regardless of their allegiance, they still posed a threat.

When he looked at them, he could see them chattering and laughing, preparing food like any human group. Memories of those times he had led the patrols, the raids. When he had killed the lot of them during the storm, their bodies surrounding him, their blood on his blade. Creatures that had been considered beasts, simply communicating like any group of people.

Link grew uncomfortable knowing he'd gone out of his way to kill so many, even though it was for the safety of his people.

As quietly as he could, Link put on his pack and went as far off to the side as he could before moving forward in his journey. He wouldn't have stood much of a chance anyway, seeing as he was relatively out of practise fighting these creatures and that bruise on his side still gave him trouble.

On and on he went, until what little he could see of the sky above had started to darken, and the sun far ahead in between the trees turned from white to golden-yellow as it began to dip below the horizon. The birds were singing their sunset song, and the breeze got even cooler; Link needed to find shelter.

He looked around desperately for any place he could hide. Off in the distance he could hear the monster camp screaming loudly. He snapped his head in their direction.

He had been spotted.

Stumbling through the undergrowth, tearing through the trees, Link scrambled to get away as fast as he could. He heard an arrow whizz by him, and another. He darted from side-to-side to avoid the continuous barrage of arrows shot at him. Luckily for him Bokoblins were not fast runners; he just needed to make sure he didn't run out of stamina. Although he had gone quite far, it seemed the party was persistent. Now that he thought about it, why did he manage to encounter them all the way out here? It seemed apparent that they had made camp–was this even the same party? Seeing as it was so far away from the centre it was plausible that there were others; he had just gotten too used to the idea of a silent wood. He ran and ran and–

Tumbled right into the middle of another camp.

The monsters stared dumbfounded at him, and he at them. One Lizalfos was in the middle of biting a chunk of meat. It was an awkward moment: the sounds of the other party screaming in the distance, the monsters really not knowing what to think of the petrified little man in the middle of their camp, and that Lizalfos slowly tearing that chunk of meat. It nervously looked around as it, excruciatingly slow, chewed its food. Link gingerly raised himself off the ground, many monster eyes following him, and slowly retreated into the woods.

He could hear beastly laughter shortly after.

Link closed his eye and dowsed to make sure he was going in the right direction. He wasn't. Link was tired, his legs hurt and he was in the middle of the woods. At least he wasn't in Lanayru! Despite his fatigue, the hero continued on, praying to the goddesses that shelter would soon be within his grasp.

By their will, he came upon a cave. He briefly checked it for any kind of creatures before throwing off his pack, tossing his sword and shield on the cold stone ground before practically throwing himself down to rest.

His long journey had given him many things, and being able to fall asleep on hard stone was one.

He lay there, on the brink of drifting off but not quite. The cries had died down now, and all he was left with was the silence.

He didn't know how off-track he was from Eldin, but he hoped not too far. Tomorrow was to be yet another day of walking through the forest, and he had the mind to be more cautious. He wondered how Zelda was doing; she was alive that's for sure, but what was the demon king doing to her? Was she locked away in a dungeon, tortured day and night, or even being prepared for...

He said he'd kill her.

Which meant Link had to avoid any setbacks. A few hours eventually could translate to a few days, and days were enough to slow him down considerably. But then why hadn't he done it yet? Was he waiting for Link? If he was, Link would have to be careful about being spotted; he needed the element of surprise.

Link would save her. No matter what. He would see her smile, see her laugh. He would see the day they didn't have to hide anymore. He would see him build a family with her, and he wasn't about to let some demon with a thirst for revenge take it away.

He slowly drifted off, and he could hear her voice, Zelda's voice, calling him into the dream.

On the Isle of the Goddess in the centre of the courtyard she stood. She was so much younger, and so much happier. He would give anything to see her like that again. Harp in her hand, she began to pluck at the strings.

"Oh youth, guided by the servant of the Goddess..."

She was a fairer goddess than any he had imagined.

"Unite earth"–he could watch her play for hours–"and sky..."

She played on and on, every single verse she knew by heart, every single verse he had grown to love, until she was brought back to the beginning.

"Oh youth... guided... by the... servant..."

That gorgeous, gorgeous melody that was the very base of his journey told the very reason he was here.

"unite... earth... and..."

His purpose wasn't just to defeat evil, it was to unite the land, to make it whole once more.

"...sky."

That was what made him a hero.

And at last, she swerved to face him.

"It's a pretty instrument, don't you think?" He could feel the serenity radiating from her; it was such a nice change from all the running about and panicking they had gone through.

"Mmhm, but what good is it if there isn't a talented person to play it, someone like..."

A light blush danced upon her lovely little face, as she put a hand to her breast.

"Why, sleepyhead!"

He walked up to her, reaching for her hand. They stood there, holding hands, gazing into each other's eyes. No words could describe what Link felt as he saw her smiling, the person he loved most, holding her hand as he gently gazed into those sky-blue eyes. She cupped his face in her hand and leaned in for a kiss.

It was deep, but gentle. He could feel her warmth, he could feel her soft, soft lips on his. They were in a gentle, intimate embrace, just enjoying the kiss. It wasn't particularly intense like some other sessions they had, but it was intimate. It made Link feel safe. It made Link feel loved. And there wasn't a better love than the one he shared with Zelda.

Slowly their lips detached, and they opened their eyes once more. Pressing their foreheads against each other, they nuzzled their noses together, eyes lidding once more. There was no other place he would rather be. He couldn't love anybody like this but her. This was their unique connection, their destiny.

"Link... I miss you so, so much..." She was on the verge of tears.

"It's okay, I... I'll be there!"

"Please be careful, take all the time you need, just please be careful. I'll wait."

She brushed the hair out of his face, and gently felt his face, currently free of the scars their adversary had given him.

"Huh, we really have changed," she whispered.

"Everything has."

"I'm sorry this–"

"No, don't be sorry. It's not your fault some son of a"–he had to stop himself from ruining the moment with coarse language–"it's not your fault he did this, that he took you away. Everything would have been easier if not for him."

"But I feel so bad about having to use you!"

"Hylia chose somebody who wouldn't quit, somebody who could take a beating and get up, all for the girl he loves. She chose somebody who could love, and I love you. I always have and I always will."

"Can't get out of bed yet you manage to get out all these words, sleepyhead."

"Well, who fell asleep in a crystal for thousands of years?" He smirked, raising a brow.

Zelda mock-slapped him, then kissed him on the cheek.

"It was so Mister Nasty couldn't revive the Avocado monster!" She was grinning widely, tugging at said cheek.

In time, they stepped back a little, but their hands were still connected.

A loud metallic crash ruined it all.

There he was, in his previous form before Demise' fall, tossing Zelda over his shoulder.

"This is all so very touching." He was staring down at Link contemptuously, frown on his face. "But I'm afraid the little goddess has to wake up now, isn't that right, deary?"

"Five... more... minutes..."

He could tell by her voice echoing loudly across the realm that she was about to wake up.

"Tsk tsk, you're already late."

"Late?!" Link cried

"It's seven-fifty, skychild, seven-fifty– Oh, right, you've got to wake up early so you can save her, ah yes!"

He snatched Link up by the hem of his shirt, lifting him two feet into the air. He feigned a piteous look, pouting his lip a little before smashing Link to the ground.

"If you'll excuse me, we'll be off,"

Link made a meager attempt at dragging Zelda off his shoulder, but all he heard was a sharp metallic chime and him hitting the ground.

Even in his dreams he couldn't protect her. At least he got to spend some time with her. He lay there, the lyrics of the Ballad of the Goddess repeating themselves in his head, filling up the realm.

"Unite earth and sky."

And that he did; all he needed to do now was unite him and Zelda in that ceremony.

Link slowly opened his eyes. He slowly eased himself up against the cave wall. He would save her. He would feel her kiss for real.