The door to Telma's bar opened and shut quickly. "Dear Din, he's going to kill me!" Shad had left his horse at the castle gates and fled the scene before Link and others could catch up. Even as he spoke, a grin broke across his face as he held the slightly crumpled letter in his hand. He stumbled blindly to a table as he pulled his father's dagger from his bag and ripped the letter open.

"What do you have, there, peach?" Telma called from the bar with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, please!" came the automatic, breathless reply. Shad had been here many times before and was expecting to be asked if he wanted his usual meal.

Telma rolled her eyes with a sly grin. "Alright then."

Shad unfolded the letter, unable to stop his heart from pounding.

Dearest Shad,

Well, that worked. His heart stopped working momentarily, and he clutched the letter to himself briefly. He heard footsteps, and suddenly set the letter down, setting his elbow on the table and hiding his face behind a hand as he pretended to read the letter with a serious expression. Telma set down a jug of Lon Lon Milk and a ham and bacon sandwich. Shad refused to look at her, but grumbled his thanks. Telma walked off, shaking her head in amusement and chuckling in her melodic way.

Dearest Shad,

How are you? Oh, what a silly way to begin a letter! But I do hope you're doing well. Father has me learning all the ropes of being the Mayor, it's exhausting! He wants me to make a visit to the castle in his stead at the beginning of the month.

What will Epona do while I'm gone, though? The poor dear is getting old, after all. She's not able to jump the Ordon Bridge fence anymore, so I have to let her in each night before I go to bed. Do you think she'd mind being stuck on the fields for as long as I am in Castle Town? Perhaps I can convince her to let me ride her, and she can come with me . . . but she only ever will let Link ride her!

I'm concerned about my father's aging as well. I really don't like to leave home. I thought, maybe I can send Talo instead? Oh, but Beth's baby is due anytime, I couldn't ask that of him . . .

All these mayoral decisions are such a bother, Shad! It's worse that I have to do them alone . . .

Shad's breath caught, and a lump filled his throat.

I guess I will just have to bite the bit and go myself . . . I haven't been to the city in a long time. I'm afraid I'll get lost! Castle Town does not have very many good memories for me. Oh Shad, before I forget! I finished reading your book. It was lovely! My father keeps asking about it, though, and I fear for your books safety in his hands. He means well, I promise, he really does admire you. You should come to get it soon! Although, if you're nearby, maybe I can drop it off to you on my way to Castle Town. I would like to see you.

He stopped breathing, in addition to his heart stopping. Perhaps his father was right, and love turned you into a corpse. He forced air into his lungs so he could puff out his chest resolutely, and he and thought in defiance, what a wonderful way to die! Did she want him to escort her through Castle Town? Certainly he could. He knew the city like the back of his hand—knew Hyrule like the back of his hand, let's be honest! He coughed self-consciously and finished the letter.

I hope this letter finds you well, Shad.

Sincerely,

Ilia

Shad let out a satisfied breath.

A voice over his shoulder startled him. "You nearby Ordon these days, darling?"

"T-Telma!" Shad crushed the letter to his chest. "I object to your invasion of my personal space!"

Telma laughed. "You, boy, are going to need help if you're going to impress that one." The large, impressive woman sat at the edge of the table and folded her arms. "So, are you going to go?"

"What? To Ordon? Certainly not! It's all the way on the other side of the map, it would be silly to go all the way out there when I'm already here. I'll see her soon enough. She's coming, isn't she?"

"Mm-hm?"

"S-she's probably almost here already anyways. What if I miss her on the road? Then I wouldn't see her at all."

Telma lowered her eyelids half way, a dangerous look.

Right, Shad thought, gulping uncomfortably, I know better than anyone that Ilia would stay on the main road. She's not a distractable, risk-taking, round-about adventurer like Link. And I DO want to see her. He stuffed the letter into his vest's inside pocket and stood up. "I should leave right away!"

"Good boy . . ." Telma quipped. The bar's door closing behind Shad was all the response she got. She glanced at the table. "Oh boy," she said thoughtfully as she looked at the untouched sandwich. "He's got it bad for that girl."

"Who, Shad? Shad has a girlfriend?"

Telma looked behind her and found herself eye-level with Rusl's son. "Colin! When did you come in? Why, haven't you gotten big!"

Colin grinned and spoke quickly. "Dad let me come along this time. Said it was time I take on some responsibilities for Hyrule. Have you seen Link?"

"No, I haven't."

"Well, if Shad's here, then Link is, too. Bye Telma. I'm going to find him!"

And before Telma could blink, Colin left the same way Shad had.

-Then came back. He pointed to Shad's abandoned sandwich. "Can I have that?"

Telma laughed and nodded. "I'll put it on your dad's tab."

Colin stuffed it in his mouth and left.

-And came back again. "Can I have that?" He pointed at the mug of milk.

Telma frowned at him sternly. "No."

Colin giggled. "Just checking!"

A deep, rich voice floated across the castle corral. The castle horses had ceased eating, pawing, and neighing to listen, ears perked toward the fence. As for Epona the Second, the singing was barely calming her enough to keep her from kicking the gates down. She did not like being confined within fences. The other horses from Lon Lon Ranch eyed her anxiously. The young horse was used to getting her way. Usually the other horses stepped in line behind her, figuring she was the strongest of the herd. But now everyone was going away from her, and making her stay in this stupid corral. Malon directed her voice at Epona, singing Epona's favorite song. Like her mother before her, Epona's wild heart could not be tamed, but it could be befriended. If Malon sang long enough, Epona would get the idea that she'd be released eventually and was in no danger.

Finally Epona approached Malon and lowered her head and decided to taste the grass of Hyrule Castle. "Phew!" Malon breathed. "You're tougher than my youngins', girl." She patted the horse's neck, and Epona nickered.

"Malon!"

She turned and found a very pregnant Zelda coming toward her. "Well hey there, sister! You look ready to pop!" The last bit was stated sympathetically.

"I am," Zelda replied, stopping next to Malon and putting her hands on her aching lower back. "I'm about ready to evict her, I think."

"Overstayed her welcome, I see. And is that right, it's going to be a girl?"

"I can feel it," Zelda said with a smile, stroking her belly.

Malon shook her head. "Wish I could do that. Be nice to know if I was expectin' a rowdy boy or a rowdy girl."

"In your case it doesn't really matter, does it?" Zelda asked with a grin.

"Nope. They either wild like their daddy or wild like their momma, no in-between. Papa just don't know what to do with 'em sometimes." She giggled. "Jus' yesterday, Papa found Russ with a fishin' pole on the barn roof, wavin' a carrot in front of the foals and makin' 'em jump for it!"

Zelda laughed, cautiously. Anything could stir up trouble, and she didn't feel like dashing to the outhouse. "How are the others?"

"Melody's doing fine, although she's at that age when she's gotten hot-headed like me with my own Papa. Link is a little hurt, being as she was daddy's little girl, but he's managed."

"Poor Link," Zelda chuckled, imagining the Hero with a sad, disappointed look on his face—what a rare expression for him. "I wonder if Zelly will be like that with her father when she's older."

Malon shrugged. "Dunno, but you know she still loves her daddy, just shows it differently, that's all. I doubt my Saria will ever get like that, though. She just doesn't get confrontational unless there's something she wants, and she'd as soon be nice to get you to give it to her as fight for it. As for Tatl and Tael . . . they're inseparable, as always."

"And how has Link been?"

"Oh, he's been great. Always comes home grumpy when he spends too much time in the city, haha! No offense. He's as bad as Epona."

"I never could seem to keep him indoors, no matter the business."

"What do you expect? He grew up in a forest in a treehouse like all Ordonians." Malon stretched her arms. "Ah! I'm excited for the kids. They've never been to a festival in the city before."

"I'll probably be on bed rest," Zelda said gloomily, leaning against the fence and putting her chin on a hand.

Malon laughed. "Aw, don't worry, hon, I'll keep you company!"

Zelda brightened visibly. "You sure you won't mind?"

"Of course not! Besides, Link'll want to have alone time with the kids. No doubt he'll have them traipsing along like little heroes, and I'd just as soon sit down instead!"

They linked arms and watched the horses while they chatted.

Shad walked along the castle corridor and was surprised to see Dark Link standing ahead, looking curiously at a patch of deep shadow in a corner, hands on his hips and head tilted. He wore a spacious midnight blue tunic today, with a black, mid-length cape.

Shad watched him for a moment. Dark Link scratched his head, and Shad adjusted his glasses and stepped forward. "Ahem . . . what's on your mind, sir?"

"I can't . . . I don't know how I used to travel through shadows."

"You mean shadow melding?"

Dark gave Shad a quizzical look. "What?"

"Uh . . . you know, when you melt into a shadow and then randomly pop up in another shadow a mile away?"

"Oh. Did you make up that name? Shadow melding?"

"Yes," Shad answered hesitantly.

Dark smirked. "You are such a nerd."

Shad didn't know whether to be offended or proud.