Hello again, everyone! Time for another one-shot involving the Four Links! :D This one is a bit less humorous than the first, and dives deeper into the characters in their emotions and personalities. It's much more serious than the horseback riding or the snowball fiascos, but I hope you all still enjoy it. :) It was a lot of fun to write, especially with the chance to flesh out even deeper the characters we all know and love. The idea came to me after listening to a song called "Letter To Me". I'm sure ya'll will understand once you read it. :D

Read on!

Letters To Myself

The sun shone warmly across the backs of the four heroes as they continued their quiet walk through the edge of the forest. After having met one final time with the Keaton, who once more inspired them to push onwards, the four were now walking with quiet, content smiles written across their determined faces as they walked through the lightly-sparse edge of the forest, growing closer and closer to the castle.

"We should be arriving any minute now," Vio said with a simple nod, his arms crossed, and his eyes briefly taking in their changing surroundings. Already the ground was beginning to transit from heavily-covered, long fields of grass to embedded stones and dirt paths, showing the transition from forest to civilization.

"Get ready, guys," Green said, shaking his head and hovering his hand carefully over his sword, which lay comfortably in its sheath at his belt. He glanced cautiously over his shoulder at the other two who were walking calmly behind them; "We don't know what'll be ahead..."

Grinning, Blue scoffed and shook his head, raising an eyebrow at Green. "I don't care if Ganon-dork has a giant, fire-breathing dragon guarding the castle," he said with a slightly arrogant, though courageous laugh, "Nothing's gonna stand in our way!" Looking to the side, he elbowed his friend playfully, giving a wink. "Isn't that right, Red?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah," Red said with a weak smile, looking back at the others.

"What's the matter, Red?" Green asked with brief surprise, looking over at the other, the one who seemed more out of it than the others. Had he even been paying attention...?

Red frowned as he looked off to the side, and then behind him, to the shadows of the trees they passed. "I dunno... I just get the feeling that... that we're being followed, or somethin'." He once more returned the weak smile, shrugging and saying with a light grin, "But, y'know, I could be wrong!"

"Hm." Vio quietly mused the possibility, stopping his walk and turning around. Briefly, he looked over at Red- and then, nodding at Green, he crossed his arms, stating calmly, "We should trust Red's instincts. Even if it's just a feeling- I suggest we take necessary precautions."

"No idiot better be following us!" Blue shouted with a wild grin, brandishing his sword in front of him and whirling around to face the forest behind him. "C'mon, show yourselves!" he yelled without fear to the shadows, standing next to the others confidently with his sword raised.

Green gave a small nod over towards Vio- even if it was just a hunch, he was right- they should be careful and double-check. Also grasping the edge of his sword, wrapping his fingers carefully around the hilt, the hero pulled out his sword, the blade making a metallic sound as it was unsheathed and raised up towards the light. Standing over next to Blue and Red, with Vio joining him shortly after, Green looked back into the shadows, his eyes narrowed in determination. "Well?" he called out to the darkness, "If anyone's out there... your cover's already blown, so come on out before we go in after you!"

"Oh dear... I suppose it has, hasn't it?"

The Links blinked in surprise, starting slightly at the sound which called out quietly and calmly from the depths of the shadows. So.. so there was someone hiding, there!

Narrowing his eyes in anger, Blue took a sweeping step forward and swung his Four Sword sharply outwards, stabbing the air threateningly. "Who are you?-!" he called out to the voice, "Show yourself! Now!"

"Oh... very well, then. If I must..."

The figure which calmly followed out of the shadows and stepped in to the light was the exact opposite of what each of the Links were expecting. Each of the four heroes were surprised- and it showed in their faces with expressions of bewilderment- at the man who quietly walked out of the forest, coming to stand peacefully in front of them with his hands folded in front of him and a calm, gentle smile on his kind, albeit mysterious face.

"I do apologize if I startled you children," the Hylian said with his quiet voice, nodding once at the boys. He was tall and slender; well-built, though in his garb, he looked to be some sort of athlete. And with the satchel slung across his shoulders and hanging at his side, along with the signiature hat atop his head, it was easy to tell just who this strange man was.

Lowering his sword, and placing it back in its sheath, Vio was first to speak as he crossed his arms and looked calmly upon the man. "You're a postman, aren't you?" the hero commented quietly with a raised, curious eyebrow. However, his curiosty briefly changed to suspicion as he looked at the man strangely- "What were you doing, then, hiding in the shadows and following us?"

"Yeah," Blue said with an angry retort- he, too, had been surprised that the one who was following them wasn't a beast, but an average person- and maybe slightly disappointed- but still, what excuse had he for following them? He hadn't sheathed his sword quite yet- after all, though he was just an average postman, there was some strange... quality to him, something that didn't seem quite right. "What do you want with us? Are you one of Ganondorf's minions?" the hero demanded, once more raising his sword threateningly.

"Blue, calm down," Green said sharply with a shake of his head, stepping forward and lightly placing a hand over Blue's sword, lowering it down to his side. He looked back seriously at the man- though he was also suspicious, there was little reason for them to bring up arms against a simple delivery-man. "Well?" he asked with a curious raise of his eyebrows. "What are you here for?"

The post-man smiled once more, though his smile was more of a kind, elderly gentleman, almost fatherly. Though he did have the strange sort of aura about him... it was not one of malicious intent, but instead almost held an other-worldly quality to it. His eyes travelled down to the post-bag at his side, and he said with a simple nod, "Ah.. I am simply traveling about, delivering letters. I don't suppose you boys would like to write a letter to someone?" he asked with another, kind and comforting smile, opening the bag and taking out a few sheets of paper, and some sticks of graphite.

Red, instantly trusting the man, grinned and walked forward, nodding enthusiastically. "Oh, wow! Guys, that sounds like fun!" he said with a cheer, looking back at the others. "Let's do it!"

Green blinked for a moment- slightly confused. Crossing his arms and tilting his head with a frown, the hero asked the blatantly obvious- "Um, thanks, but... who would we even write to?"

"I don't think you know who we are, old man," Blue said with a bold grin, bringing his sword back up and out once more- though this time, he swung it around for show, grinning and sheathing it heroically once he'd finished. "We don't have time to write silly letters, we've got a kingdom to save!"

"Oh, have you, now?" the Postman asked with a calm, knowing smile. He shrugged lightly and held out the papers, "Such an adventure... perhaps you can write... to yourselves? I'm sure you'd wish to document such a grand journey on paper in a letter... and I can guard it and keep it safe, and deliver them back to you later on in the future."

Vio raised an eyebrow- skeptic, but also curious. A small smile tugged at the ends of his lips, and he shrugged, walking up alongside Red and returning his friend's welcoming smile. "Sure. Why not? Sounds interesting enough." He was intrigued by the idea of writing a letter he would one day himself receive, later on in time. Not to mention, how interesting it would be for his future self to read it- and then, that would be the question, would HIS future self read it, or would the future, single hero, Link, read it? Curious, indeed- and, without waiting for the others, graciously accepted a paper and pencil from the man, walking a ways off and sitting down cross-legged in the grass, starting his letter.

"Yay!" Red cheered, jumping up in excitement as his friend jumped on board. That was all he needed, and he, too, eagerly stepped forward and took both paper and graphite from the man, happily setting down amongst the flowers, lying on his stomach and eagerly starting to scribble across the paper.

Hm... it was a bit strange, sure, but Green gave a shrug as both Vio and Red jumped at the opportunity. Well, like he'd said- why not? True, Zelda was waiting for them, and Ganondorf was currently taking over Hyrule Castle... but they could spare a few minutes, couldn't they? He gave a small smile and also accepted the tools from the postman, giving a small nod his way before turning and finding a comfortable spot on a stump, resting the paper across his knees and starting to write.

Blue was, of course, last to grudgingly accept the offer. His arms were crossed and his brow slightly furrowed- he still found this entirely ridiculous and a waste of time, but he was clearly outnumbered. Looking resentfully at the Postman, and then to his last paper and pencil... lashing out, the reluctant hero snatched away them both and turned away in a huff, sitting straight down on the dirt and starting to hastily write on the papers.

The kind, old Postman smiled warmly as the four each wrote their letters; and in the peaceful quiet of the forest, in which the only disturbances were the quiet chattering of the birds and the peaceful, wind-blown swaying of the grass and flowers, the setting was perfect for that of writing letters. While time itself seemed to stand still, it also moved rather quickly- and, in seemingly no time, yet also having felt like forever and an eternity had passed, the sounds of the graphite moving across the papers slowed down and eventually stopped.

"I'm done!" Red shouted gleefully as he jumped up, clutching the paper and pencil in his hand. He looked down at his letter with a smile- which almost grew into a sad smile as he read over what he'd written- and gave a satisfied nod, ready to send it off with the Postman. With another grin of thanks, the boy instantly turned around and handed both letter and graphite stick to the Postman, who accepted both with another kind smile, tucking them safely away in his satchel.

Quiet as he'd been when he accepted the letter, so was Vio silent when he rose to his feet, nonchalantly brushing the stray blades of grass and pebbles off his tunic and walking over back to the Postman, handing him his folded letter. A small smile crept across his serious face, and he handed him back his pencil as well, looking off into the distance as he thought about what he'd written.

"Me too," Green said with a smile, looking up from his paper and folding it lightly on his lap. Stepping off of the stump, he, too, was deep in thought as he walked over to the elderly delivery-man, handing him back the tools of his trade and giving a calm nod of appreciation his way.

Last to accept the paper, and last to finish- as he was never very good with words- Blue snorted quietly as he shrugged, hastily scribbling out the rest of his note and crumpling it up into a tight ball. Shrugging, he instantly stood back up and turned around, giving the postman back the wadded-up paper and the used pencil with a stoic, almost lax expression. He then crossed his arms and looked to the others, "We ready to go now, then? Or maybe you guys would rather spend the day at the amusement park first?"

"Chill, Blue," Green said with a humorous shake of his head and a small laugh. "We're going." Looking back up at the Postman, the leader of the Links returned the smile and nod. "Thanks again, sir. I, uh... look forward to getting the letter... later?" He grinned weakly, still a bit unsure of how things were really going to work.

Giving the Links a small, yet respectful bow, the man tipped his hat at the boys and returned their smile. "Of course. Enjoy your day..."

"Alrighty, guys! I'm so ready now, let's do this!" Red shouted eagerly, balling his hands into fists and running ahead, past the others, with an excited laugh.

"H-Hey, wait up, there Red, that's MY line!" Blue shouted with a surprised blink of his eyes, which soon turned to a reluctant grimace as he followed after the enthusiastic Red, running on the heels of the first.

Smirking quietly at the antics of the two, Vio nodded once more to Green, who returned the nod, and the two also turned towards the running Blue and Red, walking briefly in their direction.

And yet... The two hadn't walked very far, only a few steps, when Vio's narrowed eyes studied the ground in front of him thoughtfully... and, suddenly curious, the hero turned around to look over his shoulder... and blinked in surprise.

Where the kind, yet strange Postman had been standing... once more, the shadows were cast behind the massive trees of the forest, and the rays of the sun fell on the empty, grass meadows beneath.

Green, noticing Vio's change of attention, also turned around- and also blinked in surprise as he stopped, looking where the Postman had been. The two were quiet for a moment... but, giving a small smile, Green looked over to the side at Vio. "So... do you think... think he was real?" the leader asked with some skepticism, though also bearing a wry smile- as if the answer, whether it may be, was not truly important to the matter.

"... I'm not entirely sure," Vio answered with the same, quiet smirk, also nodding. Was the man truly real, or simply an illusion? And the letters they had written...?

"OI! Green, Vio, get a move on! Let's go!"

Shaken out of their small trance, the two Links looked behind them, where Blue and Red were standing a couple feet away, waving their arms at the others, obviously trying to encourage them to keep walking towards the castle.

Once more, the pair exchanged a knowing nod and smile, bending to the call of their friend and turning around to follow the others out of the forest and to the castle. After all, like Blue had said... they had a kingdom to save. And it was time to defeat the evil and restore light to Hyrule, once and for all.

Hi me!

Wow, this is kinda weird, huh? Writing a letter to myself! I wonder, am I gonna get this as Red... or as Link? I guess it could be either way, but it'll probably be as Link. If so, I just want to say one thing... please don't forget about us! We had a really fun time together, and... well... I can't imagine if I were ever to forget all the great times we had together! So, whatever you do, remember all the things we learned together as a team, okay? Also, remember to have tons of fun every chance you get- and smile! Because smiling makes everyone around you feel better. :)

I guess that's all I want to say, really. I'm sure there are a lot more wise and important things to say in a letter that you'll give to yourself in the future, but... I've never really been that kind of wise hero- that's more like Vio! Still, though, I guess I could stick with that piece of advice I gave you- because I remember as Link, I wasn't always very happy. And when I wasn't happy, Zelda wasn't happy, either. Sometimes... well, sometimes, even if you're not happy, it's better to act like you are, for the sake of everyone else. It's one of the hardest things I've learned, really- no matter how scared I am, or how sad things get, you should always put on a happy face and give it your best shot. If not for yourself, then for everyone else! And never forget that you're a HERO- listen to your heart and do what feels right!

Well, I hope you liked reading this letter! Don't forget to tell Zelda I said hi! And remember- smile whenever you get the chance, and have loads of fun! Okay? Also- I'll never forgive you if your forget us! Okay? Um... if... if that makes any sense, really. Oh well!

'Bye!

Red

Salutations,

I suppose this is where I should talk about whatever I would like to say to myself in the future, yes? Still, I find it a bit strange- however, I have learned so far that, while some things may seem strange, they're still very likely to be possible. And for some reason... I trust that Postman. Besides, if Red thinks he's alright, then I believe him- Red has a far greater intuition for peoples' true intentions than I do. One of the things I've learned, I suppose, to trust the others with their own abilities and skills. Hm... where to start, really?

Well, in a letter to one's self, it's probably best to give advice, or relate one's feelings, or something along those lines. However, I'm not quite sure if I'm any position to give advice to a more experienced version of myself- but I'll give it my best shot, either way. If there's one thing I've learned from my travels with the other Links... it's that there is a fine line between 'intelligence' and 'wisdom'. I may be the smartest of the Links- or rather, the essence of the hero's intelligence- but this does not alone entitle me to command or lead them. No... that's Green's job, really.

I seem to be running out of space on the paper, so I'll make things brief. If the future, fused Link is to read this letter... all I ask is for you to take away the valuable lessons we've learned from our adventures, and strive to become a better person. Looking back, I admit, as one Link, I was a far cry from being a perfect hero or role-model. There were still some things I had yet to learn- as I know there are still things I have yet to learn. Please be mindful of these lessons and changes... and be willing to learn new things, even if you think you already know them.

Respectfully,

- Vio

Hello Link,

Or, I suppose, Green- whoever will be accepting this letter who knows how long from now. A little confusing, I guess, but, if the others trust the Postman, then I will, too. Anyways- I hope you've been well since- well, I guess, since, defeating Ganondorf? We haven't yet, and I'm still a bit nervous if we'll be able to beat him or not, but... I mean, if you're reading this letter, then I guess that means we won, right? Wow, this really is mind-boggling... I guess I'll try and keep things simple, then.

I know I've got a lot of questions, still... and I'm sure by the time you're reading this, they've probably all been answered. But even though I've got some doubts going into this fight, I admit it... I should tell you, that I'm still confident we'll win. Why? Well... I have faith in the others. Sure, I'm supposed to be their bold and fearless leader, the one to lead the charge in the battle and be 100% confident we'll win, but... even I can't help but worry what might happen if we lose. But still... from what I've learned, I just know, we'll win.

Whenever you read this letter, wherever you are and whatever's happened since then, just remember this... we'd be nowhere without each other. Sure, now you may be one person, fused back into the one hero Link... but don't forget that, even as one person, there are many sides to your personalities, strengths, and powers... and that you need to listen to each part of you when they tell you what to do. It's been hard for me, I guess, to listen to what the others' have to say for ideas and plans, when I'm also pressured into being the one to lead them. But still... don't forget the others- and listen to all the parts of your heart and soul.

I guess that's all I have to say, really. Take care of Zelda for me.

Until next time,

- Green

Yeah... hi.

This is really stupid, isn't it? Oh, well. Sometimes, guess I just gotta go along with the others' crazy ideas. What, writing a letter to myself? Jeez. How many time-paradoxes is this creating, then? Well, whatever... guess I should go on with the letter, then, right?

So, I've got a pretty big letter to fill, so might as well get started. What the heck should I even say, in a letter to my future, fused self? Obviously, when you're reading this, all what's going on now is just a memory to you. We probably won't even be four anymore, huh? Back to one, single Link. Even though I'm really looking forward to being one hero again... I'll admit, in this letter, it's still kind of sad to think I won't see the others again. I mean, true, I'm the most awesome and epic hero there is, but the others... we've had some good times together, and I'll miss 'em.

So... don't you DARE forget about us, alright? Or forget all the stuff we've done. All the monsters we've beaten, and all the hardships we've experienced together. It's made us all a better person. We're not at all the same people who split for the first time... we're not even the same heroes who split for the second time. We've all changed, and for the better- so you'd better not go and forget all of this stuff, got it?-! Also... even though I won't admit it to the others... don't think that strength alone will win all your battles. Wisdom, heart, leadership... they're all invaluable skills you'll need, so don't go forgetting those either. (Oh, and, tell the others I said that, and I'll slowly crush the life out of you. Sound good?)

Well, it seems I finally filled this damn page, so I can stop writing now. Plus the others are done, so... well, screw it. Enjoy this letter, dang it- and don't forget about us, or else!

- Blue

The boy was quiet as he finally put down the last of the letters, a sad smile across his face and tears lightly welling up at the ends of his eyelids. Taking a deep breath and a sigh, setting the letters down on the ground in front of him, the young hero lifted a hand to his eyes, brushing away the stinging tears and smiling once more, with renewed faith and confidence, at the small stack of four sheets of paper.

Looking over his shoulder at the Postman, Link gave him a thankful smile as he turned to stand up and face the man, the letters held carefully in his hands. The messages that had been scribbled, scrawled, neatly written and inscribed upon those papers... they gave him hope.

"I... I still don't know how you were able to do this..." the boy said with a small laugh, shaking his head... "Or, how you even knew who we... who I... was." He looked to the side, albeit a bit awkwardly, his gaze falling against the light of the gardens, which danced across the flowers and the streams which ran peacefully through the lightly-dense forest. It had been another peaceful day in Hyrule, with the Four Sword hero spending the afternoon lazing about calmly in the gardens... when, who else but the Postman had shown up, with a small stack of letters and a smile.

"But..."

Turning his attention back to the Postman, the hero smiled once more, holding the letters close to him, each of them a small treasure, bringing back such wonderful memories and re-instilling the warm feeling of hope and confidence that he had missed so much since that fateful, bittersweet day.

"... Thank you."

Reading each of the letters, Link had found himself smiling wider than he'd smiled in quite some time; nodding thoughtfully and thinking back on the truths of his words; his chest swelling in pride and his heart growing in renewed faith; and laughing and nodding his head eagerly along with the bold, enthusiastic words of drive and readiness. It was a welcome return, to see his old friends back again- if only in the form of the words they'd left for him on those tattered, yet well-preserved scraps of paper.

Returning the kind smile of the boy, the Postman removed his cap and held it at his chest, giving a deep bow to the hero. "It was my pleasure, good sir... I have merely fulfilled my duty as a messenger." Replacing the hat atop his balding head, and restoring his posture to stand upright, the man gave one last nod to the boy before speaking again.

"I must be off, now... a postman's job is never truly done, after all."

Tucking the letters under his arm, the hero gave a calm, understanding nod to the man, and extended out his hand in a warm invitation of friendship to the other. The postman smiled- yet, merely tipping his hat once more at the hero and offering another bow, the elderly postman smiled back at the boy, turning around and calmly and quietly walking out of the gardens.

Letting his hand fall back at his side, the hero instead smiled and laughed quietly in his mind as he watched the Postman disappear into the shadows and light of the trees surrounding the gardens. Again, he felt himself wondering if the man were truly real... if he had ever even been there at all. And yet... tugging the letters out from under his arm, the hero once more unfolded the four pieces of paper, looking longingly- yet happily- upon the graphite letters scribbled upon their surfaces. Whether he had been real or not... these were real, as were the memories he held in his heart of his friends' adventures.

And while they may be gone now…

With a calm smile, the hero lowered the letters and lifted his chin, his cheeks pressing up against his eyes in a wide, tearful smile as they looked out towards the sun with confidence and hope…

In his memories, and in his heart, he knew… they'd always be with him.

Alrighty guys, I hope you liked it! :) It certainly was a bit of a stretch, I admit, but fun to write nonetheless.

I've got a HUGE surprise planned for ya'll, though, so make sure to check in this time next week! ;D

Until next time!

~Tiggz