A/N: Sorry it has taken so long to update - things have been hectic, and the story has been put on the back-burner. I still intend to make updates, but it will be a while in-between. I would really appreciate some feedback on this chapter - I fear that my writing quality is quickly degrading, since the story is not coming as easily to me as it once did. Also, I've received a couple of feedbacks regarding confusion on the appearance of Link's child (which I apologize for - my writing, initially, was not clear at all as to how she was supposed to look - it has since been fixed). Sandhya is a wolf-humanoid hybrid, very much like a werewolf. If you want a clearer idea of what I'm picturing in my deranged head, I suggest you 'google' Goldenwolfen - it will lead you to a site which features the art of Christy Grandjean, and it is absolutely fantastic! She's a fantastic artist and her site has a lot of anthro wolf art - when I picture Sandhya I often picture something along the lines of what she's drawn - no single artwork in particular, however.

That being said, on with the story - and please feel free to pass on some constructive criticism my way - many people here have, and I often make changes based on what I'm told - at the very least, I'll e-mail you back with explanations as to why I did what I did.

ooooooooo

Zelda had been in her study when one of her servants came to her. "M'lady" The young woman said quietly as she bowed. "The guards have asked me to let you know that the Chosen Hero is here to see you."

Zelda looked up, confusion apparent on her face. "He just arrived? Why, it's almost midnight!" She exclaimed with worry.

"I know, m'lady. I'm afraid I don't have anymore details for you, however. All I've been told is that he's here." She explained, still bowing.

Zelda quickly got up from her chair and put a cloak on over her nightgown. "Thank-you Lena. That will be all." She said to the servant, who proceeded to leave. Grabbing a lantern, Zelda set foot out into the dark hallway, and quickly headed to the main floor of the castle.

ooooooooo

Link sat in the grand entryway quietly, half asleep. The sound of crackling fire from the fireplace, along with the darkness of the room comforted him, allowing him to relax for the first time in days. The guard had been surprised at his arrival, but had none the less promised to alert Zelda to his presence. And so Link waited. It seemed like a lifetime had passed, but about 20 minutes after he had arrived he could hear voices echoing outside of the entryway. He smiled slightly as he heard the voices near the far door, and finally he heard Zelda thank the guard as she opened the door and entered. She looked toward him with a worried expression.

"Chosen Hero - is all not well? What brings you here at this hour?" She asked, hurrying over to meet him.

Link smiled, bowing slightly. "Greetings, Princess. And I am fine." He said, straightening up to look at her. "But I'm afraid I may need your assistance once more." He said quietly, looking away shyly.

"Anything for you, Link." Zelda smiled. "Please - how can I help you?"

Link smiled and then looked at the bundle in his arms, wondering how to proceed. "Well..." He started.

Zelda had noticed his hesitation, and then following his eyes, looked at the bundle he held as well. "Link..." she said slowly. "What is that?"

Link once again looked away, an embarrassed expression on his face. Instead of answering, he gently lifted the blankets to give Zelda a clear look at the child he had been concealing.

"Link! What in the name of the Goddesses is that!?" Zelda exclaimed, surprised at the creature he held. Looking at Link, she realized that she had offended him.

"That," He said coldly. "Is my daughter."

Zelda brought a shaky hand to cover her mouth. "Oh my..." She slowly shook her head. "How - who?" She asked quietly, gently brushing the cheek of the child in his arms with the back of her hand.

Link sighed. "I'd rather not discuss the 'how', but her mother is Midna." He said, a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Zelda looked up at him quickly, shocked. "Midna?!" She blurted out. Looking back at the baby and then back at Link, she again slowly shook her head in disbelief. "But... that's not possible..." She trailed off.

"Well, I'm afraid I have to disagree." Link said, slightly annoyed with the princess. "Obviously, it is possible."

Zelda stood silently for a few moments. Finally, after a few moments, she let out a quiet sigh. "I apologize for my reaction - but your revelation was quiet startling there." She said with a small smile. Link simply raised an eyebrow, un-amused. Biting her lip in thought, she continued on after a moment. "Look - it's obvious that we've gotten off on the wrong foot tonight - how about I have one of the servants prepare a room for you and..." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Link, waiting for him to answer her unsaid question.

Link finally cracked a small smile. "Sandhya." He said, a hint of fatherly pride in his voice.

Zelda smiled. "What a lovely name... Sandhya." She whispered, letting it roll over her tongue. "Anyway, I'll have the servants prepare a room for you and Sandhya, and we'll continue the conversation tomorrow over breakfast, yes?"

Link nodded. "That would be excellent." He said with a smile, which promptly faded as he proceeded to look at the ground. "And thank-you - I'm sorry for my behavior earlier."

"Posh!" Zelda grinned, gently placing a hand on Link's shoulder. "You've had a long journey, and had to care for a newborn the entire time as well. I'm willing to chalk it up to over-tiredness."

Link slowly looked up, smiling back at the Princess. "Your kindness knows no bounds." He said, nodding to her respectfully.

"Think nothing of it." She smiled, brushing the comment off. "As I said - we people of Hyrule owe you more that you can possibly imagine. This is the very least I can do, and I look forward to providing any assistance you'll need in the future."

"Thank-you." Link said quietly, a gentle smile on his face as the Princess rushed off to fetch a servant.

oooooooooo

After a most wonderful breakfast and listening to how Sandhya had recently entered Links life, Zelda got to work on things that Link would need in order to raise a child. Although she had offered to pay for a full time nanny, Link declined the offer, feeling that someone taking care of Sandhya full time would confuse the girl in the future, not to mention the potential for him to become a poor father. Instead, they settled on a nanny coming in once a week to answer any questions he had and to give him a short break from watching her.

Epona snorted as Link patted her neck one last time, after checking that all the supplies Zelda had provided were secured onto her back. Link sighed - there was only one thing that bothered him now, and he had no idea how to deal with it. Turning to Zelda, he smiled.

"Thank-you - for everything." He said quietly, truly thankful for all her help.

Zelda smiled and nodded. "It was nothing, Link." Her smile fading, she stated the obvious. "But something still troubles you. What is it?" She asked softly, laying a hand on his shoulder.

Link looked towards the ground, taking a breath before beginning. "I worry, Princess." He looked at her now, his eyes sad. "I worry for my daughter. She is, rather obviously, not like other children." He said, looking towards his daughter, who lie asleep in a cradle that was secured to Epona's saddle. "How do I deal with people who fear those who are different?" He asked, turning back to Zelda, his eyes pleading.

Zelda was taken aback for a moment. She had not even thought of that detail - and how foolish it was of her! She remembered her own reaction to seeing Sandhya for the first time. She was afraid of this 'creature' that Link held in his arms. It wasn't until she heard his explination that she had been calmed... but that was because she knew this man. With a sigh, she met his gaze, her face stern. "I'm not going to lie to you, Link. Her life will not be easy. You're right - people will fear her, and the other children will most likely ostracize her. Honestly, I don't know what to say." She said softly, looking at the Hero with sadness in her eyes.

Link nodded, turning away. "I know - it's just..." Looking up to the heavens, he continued. "She never asked for this. To look like she does. Why must she pay for my mistakes?"

Zelda stood silently for a moment, before frowning at Link. "Link - listen to me. No matter what, never blame yourself for this. Falling in love with Midna and then siring her child was not a mistake. This was something the goddesses intended - that's the only way Sandhya would ever be able to come into being. Think about it - even the Sages took interest in your daughter! None of this was a mistake in any way, shape, or form. You must believe this." Zelda said sternly.

Link looked back at Zelda, unconvinced. "But - "

Zelda smiled, cupping Link's cheek. "No 'buts', hero." She said softly. "The goddesses have something special planned for that little girl - and you're going to help her. This is what I believe, and so should you. Have faith, Link."

Link stood silently for a moment, going over Zeldas words. Finally, he smiled back. "Your wisdom is comforting, Princess. Thank-you." He said, as Zelda embraced him in a gentle hug.

"No - thank-you, Link. For all that you've done - and all you're about to do. Now go home, get some rest." She said, pulling away from the young man. "I'll be sending the nanny over later this week - and don't worry - I'll tell her what to expect." She said with a smile.

Link nodded, taking Epona's reigns in his hands. "Take care, Princess Zelda." He smiled, as he turned and led Epona away.

Zelda smiled as she watched Link's retreating form. "Have faith, dear Hero." She whispered, silently praying to the Goddesses on his behalf.

ooooooooooo

Five years later...

Link smiled to himself as he tilled the soil in his garden - spring had arrived at Lake Hylia, and it was beautiful. Spring ephemerals were blooming everywhere, and the scent of wet grass and mud was rich in the air. He continued to till, until he heard something off in the distance. He looked up, grinning at what he saw.

Epona was snorting and prancing about as his daughter ran after her. Every time his daughter got close to the mare Epona would turn and gently nudge his daughter off course before prancing off again, his daughter squealing with delight as she continued pursuit. Sandhya was five now, and was just as precocious as he had been at her age. Nothing seemed impossible to her, and she could always find something to keep herself busy with - even if it was harassing poor Epona. With a shake of his head, link leaned on the hoe he was using to flip the soil and called out to the little girl.

"Sandhya! I think Epona needs some rest! Want to help me with the garden?" He asked, hoping to entice the little girl with the prospect of doing something he was doing. That was the beauty of young children - no matter what their parents were up to, if they could do that too, they would be as amused as if they were playing hide-and-seek.

Sandhya looked towards her father, a toothy grin forming on her wolfish face. With all the speed she could muster, she raced towards her father, her golden-red fur billowing in the wind. Blue eyes sparkling with delight, she slowed as she approached Link, her arms stretched out, hands making little grasping motions towards the hoe. "Gimmie! I wanna try!" She declared, wagging her tail behind her.

"Slow down, kiddo - you get the smaller tools." Link grinned, handing her a small trowel and a little cloth bag full of seeds. "Think you can handle planting the squash? It's a very important task... if you think it's too hard, that's okay - I'll help you. This is kind of a 'big person' job." He said, his face turning serious.

Sandhya looked back at her father, puffing out her chest in an attempt to make herself look bigger. "I can do it! I'm a big kid!" She declared as her father laughed.

"Yes you are." He said, ruffling the hair on her head. "Why don't you start down at the other end and work your way towards me. I already turned the soil over there so all you have to do is make a little hole and put the seed in. Want me to show you how?" He asked.

Sandhya shook her head. "Naw - I remember you doing it last year, daddy - I can do this all by myself!" She grinned.

Link nodded as his face took on a serious tone once again. "Then hop to it, master squash planter!"

With a grin and a nod, Sandhya waltzed over to the other end of the garden and carefully started planting. Link smiled with fatherly pride as he watched her concentrate on making the holes perfect for the seeds, and then carefully placing them inside before covering them up with soil. He sighed quietly, wondering where the past five years had gone. So much had changed in that time - he became a father, Princess Zelda was now Queen Zelda after taking a neighboring prince as her husband, and she had had a child - a prince by the name of Koit. The questions about his own child's heritage had wained, especially with Zelda's assistance. He was once again welcomed in Ordon, since for a time he was shunned for having a child out of wedlock - and a strange one at that. He smiled as he thought of how life for him was slowly gaining a hint of normalcy. Granted, he was a single father with a very unique child, but considering all the hardships, things were going quite well, and he thanked the Goddesses for that.

Before he realized it, Sandhya had finished her task and was standing before him once again, her tail wagging as she tugged on his shirt. "Did I do good, daddy? Did I?" She asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

With a smiled, Link nodded. "You did wonderfully, Sandhya. How about we call it a day and get something to eat, huh?" He asked, his smile growing wider as Sandhya beamed back at him.

"Yeah!" She shouted, bounding off towards the small house.

Link looked at her as she ran towards home, and grinned. Yes - things were going quite well considering. "I'll be right in Sandhya - I have to feed Epona! How about you start setting the table?" He shouted towards her, smiling as she eagerly nodded back and dashed inside the house, out of his sight. With a grin, he took out the horse whistle he had recieved so long ago, and played a sweet, soft melody on it. He smiled as Epona came dashing towards him, bobbing her head in greeting. "There's my girl - ready for some chow?" He asked as he patted her neck. With a smile, he walked off towards the barn, Epona following closely behind.