Disclaimer: All Zelda related characters belong to Nintendo. All and any other character outside of the Zelda universe belong to me. Do not use without permission

Author's Note: First of all, Yaoi warning, which means boyxboy lemons. You don't like, you don't read. Secondly, in this story, Link is an adult, who had a lot to learn and is still learning.

Reviews welcomed!

Chapter 1: New Life and a Letter

Two years. Two years since Ganondorf was defeated and sealed away. Two years since the people of Hyrule started to rebuild their once destroyed homes. Two years since the land has recovered its beautiful scenery. Two years since the birth of a legend.

Everyone was busy with the rebuilding. Although even Gorons and Zoras were helping, only few was already fixed. Most of the work was put into rebuilding the castle. They wanted it to be a symbol of union between all six people that live in Hyrule, reason why everyone is giving their best on it.

Not far from the proudly rising city lies the small village of Kakariko, home to many who lost everything during the Seven Years of Darkness, but also home to a very special someone.

Dashing out of the house, Link was already late for work. "Malon's gonna kill me! I really gotta stop making promises without thinking them over!" Link, now at the age of twenty, was a lot stronger than he was two years ago, polishing his skills and learning a lot from travellers and mostly from Raven, a man not older than him, but with a lot of experience, who has taken Link in as a younger brother and a very good friend. Link's features, however, have changed a bit. "Well, it's your own fault if you're so nice to everyone" a tiny voice commented. "You really gotta work on that one, Link, or you'll be in big trouble one of these days. Not that you already were" Navi giggled. "Whatever, not that YOU'RE of great help." He said with a frown. "Onii-chan, wait up!" a young voice yelled behind him. A young boy, around fifteen, maybe sixteen came running towards Link, holding a small package in his hands, guarding it with his life. "Hey, Aref. Good morning!" Aref, the young boy, rose his head, smiling and returning the warm welcoming. "You're off to the ranch, right? And you'll only be back later this evening, like yesterday, right?" Link nodded. "Maybe, but I hope not". "Well, in any case," Aref offered the package to Link "this is for you! I made it, so I hope you like it, Nii-chan." Surprised, the young hylian took the present and opened it, finding a small, yet beautiful and carefully handcrafted pendant inside. It's aqua blue colour was breathtaking and it sparkled like millions of crystals in the sun. Link took it from its safety spot and looked at it, carefully, examining the small gaps and lines, seeing that they were carefully made by a small knife. "thank you, but… what's the occasion?" Aref smiled. "Well, you once told me that all you knew was that you were born somewhere at the end of summer and so… Happy Birthday, Link! I hope you'll use it, Nii-chan!" Surprised by this kind gesture, Link placed the pendant around his neck with care. "Thank you, Aref. This was the best present ever!" The tiny fairy flew over to check on the beautiful pendant. "It's the only one, anyway". She said, poking the crystal before flying off. "We gotta go or Malon'll be mad again!" With a wave, Link left the young man and the village, calling on Epona with his ocarina and riding to the farm, where he attended to is duties until late.

The sun was already setting when Link and Malon contemplated the horses on the field after they finished all their duties Talon and Basil were placing on them. "I can't believe it's already two years" the young woman started. "So many things happened and now, we're here, watching the sunset and thinking of tomorrow, something, hardly anyone did back then. And it's all thanks to you" she said, looking at the hero. "well, it's getting late, I have to go." Link stretched himself, calling on Epona afterwards. "You'll be back tomorrow, right?" Malon asked him, almost begging. "'course! You can count on me. Afterall, friends are there to help, right?" And with a grin, he left the farm, heading to the village where the princess was already waiting eagerly for him.

"Say, Link?" A small "mmh" was all he said. "What I wanted to ask you for a quite a while now… when are you going to get rid of that?" Link looked at Zelda, confused. "Get rid of what?" "This!" she said, pulling forth a bit of black dyed hair. "You have it since you came back from Lake Hylia that morning, but you never said a word." Link just smiled, placing the black strain back to where it belonged. "That's my little secret, Zelda. Everyone has secrets, you should know that." The princess only looked away, feeling a jolt of guilt passing through her body.

"You've changed..." she suddenly said. "I hardly recognize you, Link." The young hylian only seemed confused by her words. "I mean, you used to be so... I don't know... open about everything, but now, you only seem to withdraw and keep quiet. Not even Navi seems to know you anymore...". Link sighed and placed a hand on hers, looking into the young girl's eyes. "Everyone changes with the years. I guess I'm just getting older and fitting into my age. That's all. But don't worry, I'll try not to change too much, ok?" he said, with a grin. "It's getting late. We should rest" Link said, looking at the beautiful full moon that was shining that night. "See you tomorrow?" The princess nodded in response and both went seperated ways.

Morning came early that day, but Link was already up. He couldn't sleep that night and he didn't know why. Laying on the roof, he often brushed the black strain forth to look at it, but couldn't understand why he did it. The loud clashes of hooves interrupted his gazing, getting him to try and discover where that sound was coming from. It was Chester, delievering the mail again. Nothing for me so why bother? Link thought and went back into his hair gazing, when Aref's voice got him to snap out of it. "Link, you've a letter! Come down there!" Suprised, the hylian jumped down and took the letter from Aref's hands. "From who is it? A secret admirer?" Aref joked as Link opened the letter and started reading it. Good thing I learned it from Zelda he thought, as he went down the lines.

"Help?" was all he said, looking rather suprised. "You ok, Nii? Did something happen?" Not reacting at first, Link only reread the letter to make sure he didn't misread it. Aref kept nagging until he got his response. "It's... from a friend... who left a couple of years ago. He said he needs my help, but not for what. nI wonder what it could be". A piece of paper fell on the ground, which got picked up by Aref. "This is a map! Nii-chan, look! It's a map! But I don't know from where..." Link took the piece of paper and examined it carefully, notecing the small black circle around what seemed to be a wittered tree. "I think it's from outside of Hyrule... to the South..."
"Are you going?" the young boy asked, a bit saddened, hoping for Link not to leave. "I don't know... but... I can't leave a friend hanging. That wouldn't be right." He answered. "I... have to think... ok?" Aref only smiled in comprehension and left the older hylian alone.
Link spend a lot of time, thinking on what to do. Should he trust the letter? Only when the sun was almost setting, he made his decision. I can't leave a friend, even if it IS him. I'm going! And with a nod, he set off to his home, getting himself ready for the journey ahead of him.

Calling on Epona before the sun could wake everyone, Link started to place his few things on the mare's back, making sure everything is tightly fixed. "I knew you were leaving" a young voice interrupted him. Link didn't turn for he knew who it was. "You know me... I can't stay still... and I still want to fullfil my dream". Link said, placing another bag on Epona's back. "To see the world, right? I understand... I just wish... I could go with you..." Aref said, sadly, lowering his head. Turning to the youngster and placing his hand on Aref's head, he only said with a comforting smile: "Don't worry, I'll be back. Promise!" Those words lifted the young boy's spirit again. "It's a promise then! Don't you forget it!" Link nodded in agreement to the young boy. "You're leaving?" a familiar voice said from behind the older boy. Turning around, Link looked into Zelda's worried face. "And who needs your help?" Link didn't answer. "I see. Well, I hope you'll return safely. Take this with you" she said, handing over a sword, recently forged by the finest, remaining blacksmiths. "I was hoping to never give it to you, but I guess certain things just aren't in our hands. Take care of yourself." Zelda said with a rather worried expression on her face. "Don't worry, I'll look after him! You have my word!" Navi said as she landed on Link's head. "I guess you'll be my life-time shadow, huh?" Link said, laughing. "You betcha! See you all around!" the tiny fairy said as they both left the village and followed the road to meet the one in need.