Link didn't seem to feel the need to freshen up, other than the fact that his hands and face were dirty, so he stubbornly stayed in his hero's clothes, after dressing and undressing, finally choosing to remain in them. He did, however, remove his hat, and tugged a comb through his unruly hair, finally looking at least somewhat presentable. He checked himself over once again, and deciding he was fit for the banquet, made his way towards his door, and down the ladder.
The children were awaiting him at the foot of the ladder, and jovially greeted him again, throwing their arms around him. He ruffled the hair of the eccentric boy Talo, and the quiet one Colin, as he and the rest of the children made their way down towards the village, all chatting animatedly. The children looked up to Link; they idolized him, for not only saving all of Hyrule, but also for saving their lives on separate occasions.
He looked up into the sky, for shadows were beginning to creep up on the earth, stealthily avoiding the receding light. It was now twilight, inexplicably his favorite time of day. The colors bled across the sky in brilliant oranges and reds, the purple clouds drifting peacefully. His mind began to subconsciously think of her… her ivory skin, her red hair, her intense, fiery eyes… He did not stop himself from thinking of her this time, and welcomed the sadness the memories brought. He was so deeply immersed in his thoughts, that the children pulled him all the way to the long dining table, where Bo greeted him again jovially. Only then did he pull himself out of his thoughts, and register his surroundings.
It was quite peaceful, the village had lit torches which cast a warm glow around the table, and the tantalizing waft of the food reached his nostrils, as if tempting him seductively. His mouth began to water, it was then he realized he was starving, for he hadn't had a good meal for a long time. The table sat in the very middle of the village, the sounds of the creek and the croaks of the frogs putting his mind at ease. The villagers were all seated around the table, all talking amongst themselves. The children took their seats next to their parents, and waited for the feast to begin. Bo led Link to a chair right next to his. Bo had a clear view of the table, and was only granted this spot because he was the mayor of their tiny village.
Link sat down, and began eyeing the food. His stomach grumbled painfully. How much he would love to sink his teeth into it all!
Bo smiled, as if reading his mind, and stood, raising his arms. The chatter died immediately. "Let the feast begin!" Bo announced. The crowd began to pile food onto their plates, and the sound of laughter echoed up and down from the table. Link filled his, and began to eat, forgetting all about his table manners. It was when he looked up, and saw Ilia staring at him with a smile playing around her lips, that he vaguely registered how silly he must have looked. He gulped down an immense bite, and began to eat civilly, feeling thoroughly embarrassed. Ilia giggled.
After a few minutes, everyone was finishing up, and were now eyeing Bo expectedly, awaiting for his announcement. Link had just finished up, and even he could feel the tension in the air. Bo, however, took his time, for his plate was by far, the largest.
Finally, the finished every last morsel, and stood. He smiled, as he surveyed the expectant faces of all the villagers.
"Well now, I can't keep everyone waiting forever, now can I?" Bo said, laughing. The villagers laughed softly. Link noticed many of them were stealing glances at him.
Bo looked down at Link. Link looked right back. What was it they wanted to tell him, he wondered. Bo began to speak, "Link, the return of you is a cause for celebration, for not only are you the world-renowned hero, but you have a special place in all our hearts." He paused here, and continued, "the villagers and I have talked this through over the past months, and decided we all want you to be the next mayor," Link looked around the table. Many were smiling at him. He turned his attention back to Bo. Bo smiled even wider and continued on, "we all feel it's a great idea, and we know you will lead us in the right direction,"
Link smiled. His heart felt as if it had expanded to twice its size. He had always wanted to be mayor.
But then he began to ponder it through. Being mayor held many responsibilities, and did he have the patience for it anymore?
A small voice inside him said no.
"Sir, that's very kind of you, but… I'm not here to stay, and things change. I can't assume the position, maybe someone else would." Link said. Bo's smile fell.
He sighed heavily, "Well, we always knew there was a big chance you wouldn't… However, that's not the only proposition we had in mind."
Another proposition? Link began to feel nervous, and he tensed. Bo took a big breath, and said, "Link, I want you to take my little girl with you on your adventure through Hyrule. The gods only know what this great land of ours is hiding! I want you to take my daughter… Be her significant other, her protector… I want grandkids someday, Link."
Link's eyes widened and his heart stopped for a second. No way could he do this! There was no way he could commit himself to Ilia! They were just friends, and that was it! He began to sweat slightly, and his hands shook. This was no small favor they wanted of him! How could they? Why would they put him in the spot like this? And what was all this rubbish about being her "protector"? Link was fuming, Midna never needed protection, and she always relied on herself to do things! Not like Ilia, or Zelda for that matter, getting themselves kidnapped every once and awhile, always relying on someone to rescue them!
Link looked across at Ilia. She was blushing slightly, and refused to meet his gaze. He looked back up at Bo. He had an expectant expression on his face, as if he expected Link to follow through with this.
Link's mouth gaped for a few seconds, as he struggled to find his voice. Finally, he spluttered, "I-I can't! This… this is too much, Bo! You can't seriously expect me to do this! I-I'm not ready… at all for this!"
Bo's face fell into a scowl. "And why is this?" He demanded.
Link's mind inexplicably switched back to Midna's face, her laugh, her smile…
He shook his head clear. "I just can't sir!"
He looked at Ilia again, feeling worse than dirt, as he watched her picking at the scraps on her plate, tears dropping on it. He looked down at his hands, ashamed of himself. He loved Ilia, he did, but not in that way! His stomach churned when he even considered having children with her! He just couldn't bring himself to it.
Bo slammed a fist onto to the table. "For god's sake Link, what's happened to you? Ever since your little expedition over Hyrule, you've never been the same!" he exploded. A vein was pulsing angrily in his temple.
It was true, Link's whole perception on life had changed drastically since his journey… His views were shifted, and his ideas were changed. He did not respond to Bo, looking down at his own hands.
The villagers were whispering amongst themselves, and Link began to feel angry. Wanting to avoid a fight, he stood up, his chair scraping against the ground, and stalked off, towards his home, without looking back.
How dare they do this to him? How did they dare just throw Ilia upon him? His thoughts were poison to his mind, as he began to think ill of them all, his pulse quickened at the very thought of it all, and his heart felt black with anger. These people, whom he was normally on excellent terms with… how did they dare just assume this of him? The whole of it was just unfair!
He kicked a rock angrily, but instantly regretted it, as a sharp pain shot up his toe. Hopping on the spot, he swore, and began to rub his toe. His anger still did not subside.
"Link?" A quiet voice said behind him. Shocked, he turned around, and his anger evaporated and was instantly replaced by guilt. Ilia stood before him, rubbing her toe in the dirt, looking down. It was evident on her face that she was still hurt by Link's refusal.
"Yes Ilia?" He said. He did not dare take his anger out on her, hadn't he hurt her enough already?
She did not respond right away, but looked up into his eyes. Her green eyes held sadness, and tears were still glistening in them. He looked down, ashamed of himself. However, his mind was made up, he would not change it, not for anyone.
"What's wrong, Link? I thought we had something special…" Ilia finally whispered, "I thought we were meant to be together since day one,"
Link did not respond.
"Is it something I've done?" She asked.
He shook his head, still looking down.
She waited for him to go on, and when he didn't, she asked, "then what is it?"
He took some time, contemplating his reply to her question, and then finally said, "It's not you, Ilia. It's just that… things changed a lot since my journey, things don't stay the same, things change after a long while…"
Ilia tilted his chin up. She had stopped crying, and was now looking at him, as if she was meeting him for the first time, "I understand… It's just that… I always had this vision, this idea that one day we would be married, one day, we would raise our own children… I'll always wait for you," she whispered.
He reached up and held her hand in his. "I'm sorry Ilia, I really am… Things are just different now."
She closed her eyes. "I understand, Link, really, I do." She gave him a fleeting kiss on his cheek, turned around, and left, his eyes staring after her retreating figure. He sighed, and massaged the bridge of his nose. What a nightmare…
Midna crept into his mind again, and he replayed the sound of her laugh over and over again… How he missed her, how his heart ached for her… When was she going to keep her promise of "see you later"?
Then it hit him, like a blow to the stomach.
He now realized why he refused Ilia's hand in marriage. For deep down, festering inside him was a hope that he would see Midna again one day… be reunited with her… He wanted nobody but her; only she could fill the gaping hole in his heart. Only she could make things all better again… The bond that had grown between them the whole time they were together… It was violently ripped apart when she had disappeared, leaving him forever…
He needed her, like he needed air.
If this was what love was, he hated it. He hated feeling the longing, the pain of never being able to see her again. That day changed his life forever… She changed his life forever. His reality was altered the moment she had entered his life.
He needed her, and he would not rest until he found her again, he vowed to himself.
Filled with a whole new light, like a talisman burning inside him, he rushed into his home, all with the intention of finding a way back to the Twilight Realm, and he would not rest until he did.
The first order of business was to visit Zelda, for she was the most intelligent in these matters.
His mind made up, he readied himself again, and then jumped down from his ladder, rushing towards his horse and mounting Epona.
Epona neighed, as Link drove his heels into her sides, urging her onwards, on his quest to find the Twilight realm, to be reunited with the one person who mattered the most in his life.
"I'm coming, Midna," He said, and he urged Epona to run faster, as he tore through the woods, starting his new quest.