He slowed his horse to a galloping walk as he entered Castle Town's walls. The town hadn't changed much since he had last been here. The only thing that had changed was the fact that he was greeted warmly by the people of Castle Town, all of them praising him, for he had saved them all from the nightmare they were living.
Link jumped off his horse, grinning in an embarrassed way as he acknowledged the town's people with a small wave. He never did get used to the publicity; he found it rather all embarrassing beyond belief that he was known all over Hyrule. He made his way through the crowd, as they began to disperse, most of them still eyeing Link in admiration. He passed a group of young women, who all began to giggle at the sight of him. One of them detached herself from the group and sauntered up to Link, taking care to move fluidly. Link blushed and looked away; he could fight monsters, he could travel all over and still stay alive, but dealing with women was not a skill he possessed. He looked back at her, and she was smiling slyly at him.
"Hero, we all know of your heroic deeds… Surely you're looking to settle down by now?" She said. She tossed her hair blonde hair back.
"Sorry…" Link mumbled, as he tried to make a hasty escape.
She blocked his path, grabbing one of his hands. Her friends began to giggle even harder. He wished they would stop; they were making him very uncomfortable.
"At least come with me to the fortune teller! I want to know my future, and I'm sure you're in it!" She said, winking at him. He blushed harder.
"N-no… I-I have to go," He tried again to step around her, but she blocked his exit again. He didn't want to shove her aside, it was rude, he wasn't the type to show disrespect to a woman.
"Well, I'll make you come, you'll see that I'm the one you've been looking for," She said, completely ignoring his feelings. With surprising strength, she grabbed his arm and hauled him away, down the cobbled street, and into the alleyway. Wasting no time, she flung the door open, dragging poor Link alongside her.
"Welcome my dears welcome!" said a fat woman behind the crystal ball. The woman pulling Link plopped him down in front of the ball, and sat next to him.
"Look, I don't even know you, I'm not trying to be rude, but… please let me go!" Link pleaded again.
She held on tighter to his arm, and directed her attention to the fortune teller, "Fanadi, tell us what our future for love holds!"
Link blushed again. This was too much.
Fanadi eyed Link, as if he were a succulent piece of meat in front of her, "Mmm, the Hero of Hyrule… Hmm, let me begin!"
She began to chant, Link feeling more and more nervous as time went by. He came to this place before, but only when he wanted to find his "Career" advice, never for love!
He began to sweat nervously. He wanted to get out of here.
"Oho!" the fortune lady suddenly shouted. Link jumped. She's crazy! He thought.
Fanadi went into a strange trance, her eyes blurry and unfocused. She opened her mouth, and her voice came out sharp, and coarse, nothing like her regular voice.
He braced himself for the reading. He wouldn't believe her! It was all lies! Nothing she said was ever true!
"Ivory skin, dark eyes, and flaming red hair, she awaits for her hero to come back to her, so they can become as one again… Danger follows her however, as she looks for a way back into our world…"
Link's heart stopped.
She just explained Midna! His blush came back, harder than before, as he tried to hide his face. The woman beside him had become as still as stone as she surveyed Fanadi in front of her.
Finally, she exploded, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, YOU STUPID WOMAN? I AM BLONDE, NOT RED HAIRED!"
Fanadi did not respond to her, but instead responding to Link, who still had his face hidden to hide his discomfort. "My dear," She said mystically, "Your love waits for you. She has spent many nights without sleep, for she continues to hope that one day, you will be reunited. However, danger follows her, lurking around every corner for the right moment to strike. She is in trouble, and she requires your help,"
Link's head snapped up. He stood up so suddenly, that the foolish woman clutching his arm was pushed away.
"Where is she?" He asked Fanadi. He couldn't let harm come to Midna, he couldn't!
She shook her head. "The spirits of this world only tell me so much. She is neither here nor there. I cannot locate her."
He felt as if he had no insides, as if they all disappeared.
"Thank you," he said, and he quickly exited, leaving the woman who was infatuated behind him, staring after him with her mouth open.
"By the way, dear," He heard Fanadi say to the woman as he left, "you owe me rupees; I don't do this for free you know".
Smirking to himself, he broke into a run, straight towards Princess Zelda's castle. As he reached the doors, the guards stopped him.
"Let me through, I need to see Princess Zelda, it is of importance!" Link said, panting from his run.
"Since you're the Hero, we will not stop you. However, should anything befall our princess, you will have us to answer to," They allowed him access, and he broke into a run again. As he made his was up to the castle doors, he burst through the doors of the Great Hall, and skidded to a stop.
Princess Zelda stood, as if she was expecting him all along, at the foot of the stairs.
He bowed slightly, showing her his respect. She moved towards him and laced a hand lightly on his shoulder.
"Rise, Link, I am in debt to you, there is no need for you to bow," she said graciously.
He stood, and immediately broke into speech.
"Princess, I was just at the fortune teller's place, and she told me of Midna, how she's in danger!" He said.
Princess Zelda nodded, and turned her back to him, beginning to pace back and forth.
"Yes, I am aware of it, Link. While Fanadi has the ability to speak with the spirits, I have the ability to converse with the gods some days." She said. She turned around and faced him again, "I am aware of the dangers Midna is facing in her realm, but I can assure you, no harm will come to her. I am most certain of it."
He began to feel irritated with her. How could she be so calm at a time like this?
It must have shown on his face, for she smiled, and began to speak again, "Link, I am the princess of Wisdom, I have direct contact with the gods, and I know things that you do not… However, my knowledge is painfully limited in most other ways. True, while the gods do tell me of certain things, they choose to keep secrets that not even I can know of. I do, however, have the knowledge that Midna will not come to any harm, for she is brave and knows how to take care of herself; such is what the gods have told me. She is safe, presently, and nothing will harm her."
"But Fanadi-"
"-Cannot converse with the gods. She is not a bearer of the Triforce like you and I. Forgive me for saying that most times she is wrong. Her words to hold some truth sometimes, but most of the time, it is just guess work."
Link did not voice his opinion to this. If everything she said were lies, then how did she know of Midna? His love for her?
"Link, you have my word that no harm will come to her. I believe, it is time for you to put the past behind yourself, and focus on your future. I am aware that you have been offered a position as mayor?"
He looked up, shocked. She smiled at him. How did she know?
"As princess," she said, as if reading his thoughts, "knows everything that is happening within her kingdom. If I did not know of what my subjects were up to, what kind of ruler would I be?"
He sighed, and depression washed over him again. So that was it then? He had come to Zelda, hoping that she would tell him of a way back into the Twilight Realm. However, she would not, and now he was faced with his bleak future.
"There's no way back, I take it?" He asked.
She shook her head sadly, "the only link I know of is the Mirror of Twilight, and it has been destroyed… I am truly sorry Link."
He studied her for a moment. Her face concealed nothing. Defeated, he said, "Thank you, Princess, I will be on my way now…"
She tilted her head sideways, as if considering him. "Link, I think it is best that we both forget of Midna, for we both know there is no way we will be able to see her again… Our worlds are two separate places, and it is impossible to come back once the Mirror has been destroyed."
He nodded, then bent down, and kissed her hand. "Thank you, for your time Princess," he said.
He could not stop his heart from feeling as if it were being crushed from a heavy weight. Never again, for sure, never again, would he see her.
She placed her hand on his shoulder again, "Link, I am truly sorry. I wish you a bright future with your village, and may you find solace one day in your heart."
He stood, up, and gave her a fleeting look, then quickly left the castle.
He did not let the tears fall until he was safely out of the castle walls, and when he was, they slid out of his silently. Feeling frustrated with himself, he wiped them off, "men don't cry," he scolded himself.
It still felt hopeless, however. He would never see her again, hear her laugh, witness her jokes and sassy nature.
Slamming his fist onto the castle wall, he left with his mind cloudy the entire way.
I guess that's it then, he thought, my future begins now, with Ilia. I will be mayor, and live my life happily, even if I have to force myself to be.
He left the castle, found Epona, and urged her forward, embarking for Ordon once again.
The trip was surprisingly short, for he knew he was sentencing himself to unhappiness.
You don't know that for sure, he thought, who knows, maybe this will all work out. I have known Ilia for a long time, haven't I? Trying to look on the brighter side of things, he pushed on, entering the grove, on his way to Ordon.
When he finally made it, he dismounted Epona, and made his way down towards the village. As he entered, many villagers stopped and stared. He felt as if he were on trial, as he made his way up to Bo's door and knocked twice.
The door opened, and there stood Bo, his entire body filling the frame of the door, Ilia peeking around his massive backside.
He scuffed his toe, and pulled in a huge breath.
"Sir, I've been thinking about it, and… I'll take up your offer, I will marry…Ilia… and take my place as mayor," He said. The words caused him pain, but he shoved his feelings aside and looked up into Bo's eyes, "I… I ask… I ask for her hand in marriage."
The watching villagers cheered, and stamped their feet in celebration. Ilia began crying tears of joy, as she ran up to him and threw his arms around him. Bo clapped a massive hand on his shoulder, and said jovially, "welcome to the family, son,"
Link looked up into Bo's eyes, and saw that his eyes were glazed over, as he observed Link with happiness.
Link smiled; perhaps he would find his happiness here. Pushing Midna out of his thoughts, he hugged Ilia back, and Bo spoke to the villagers at large.
"We will have the wedding tonight," he boomed, "I shall require the women to tend to my little Ilia, make her perfect for the wedding, and the men, including I, will prepare our groom!" At this, he clapped Link on the back again.
Ilia detached herself from Link, and allowed herself to be escorted by the women, all chattering excitedly.
"A wedding!" The men cried, as they each grabbed Link, and directed him towards his home. Link smiling the entire way. He couldn't help it, the euphoria was contagious.
They began to pick out his clothes, the traditional Ordon wear, but these garments were much more polished looking than his old Ordon clothes. They were much fancier, and Link couldn't help feeling excited.
They joked, and laughed amongst themselves, as they prepared him for his wedding. Link caught his reflection in his mirror, and thought he looked dashing. He pushed Midna out of his mind again with a surge of guilt.
No, he told himself firmly, this is it, this is your life from now on, forget about Midna! He told himself sternly.
After a while, he began to feel tense. He pushed them away, registering them as pre-wedding jitters.
But after awhile, the feeling came back, magnified by a hundredth fold.
He examined himself in his mirror again. He began to panic, his pulse quickened, and he became terrified.
What had he done? What had he gotten himself into? He couldn't dare back out of this now, not since he agreed to accept Ilia's hand in marriage!
Oh gods, what have I done? He thought.