Chapter 2: Homeward Bound?

"Link? Link… Link!"

"Mmmm… Wha-? Whazgoinon…?" Link managed to crack one eye open, and saw brilliant blue eyes looking back at him. Brunette hair tied into an elegant ponytail, and a kind smile on her face, Zelda slowly became clearer.

"Prin- Zelda!" Link stammered. He only just realized he was sleeping in the only part of the castle that was undamaged. Mentally slapping himself for looking like this in front of the princess, and for almost calling her by her title after she had just told him not to, he quickly regained his composure. "My sincerest apologies Zelda. I only remembered… Oh never mind. How long was I out?" He felt himself turn red. Way to go, Link. Making a fool out of yourself, what would Midna say? … Midna…

Zelda, meanwhile, giggled at his morning talk, but he was relieved nonetheless that she was smiling. "You don't have to be so formal with me. I was only doing that last night because there were guards with us." Indeed there were guards, many of them, including Captain Medeus, who insisted the Princess and the Hero be accompanied to their chambers, as if an attack was going to happen in the dead of night. "As to your question, Link, it is now noon and-" she was suddenly interrupted when Link practically flew out of his bed, covers going astray, and ran to put his Hero's tunic on.

"N-n-noon? NOON? Why didn't you wake me up earlier? I could have helped you with your duties! Oh no, no no no. Oof!" In his haste to put on his boots, he lost his balance and fell on his backside. At his antics, Zelda laughed. She could not believe that Link could lose his composure so easily. Then again, he did just wake up. She wondered how it was when Midna woke him up, and at what time too. Midna…

"Relax, Hero. I only woke up an hour ago myself. It is quite alright, I figured since you must have been exhausted after your battle with Ganondorf, I would let you sleep more," Zelda assured.

Link did as she told and took a deep breath, calming himself down. "Yeah I was rather tired. Who knew the guy had so much strength that one strike from his sword would throw me off balance so easily?" He shuddered, remembering a certain red-headed individual wearing dark armor, a dark cloak, and wielding a white blade, the Blade of Execution.

"Well the Triforce of Power gave him that strength," Zelda pointed out.

Link face-palmed. "Oh, right. I'm so glad I had the Triforce of Courage though," he said, gratefully looking at his left hand, where there were three triangles surrounded by a larger one. The right bottom triangle was filled and shown a golden color. He found that this particular piece gave him the energy and courage to continue fighting, enough to finally defeat the Evil King. At his thoughts, the Triforce glowed slightly before fading again. Zelda's right hand, where he knew the Triforce of Wisdom existed (the left bottom triangle was golden), did the same.

"Speaking of the Triforce of Power," Link continued, "Where is it now?"

"I would not know," Zelda said truthfully. "Perhaps it went to a different owner, or back to its resting place until someone worthy can claim it."

"I hope it chooses someone worthy," Link responded. "I really don't want to face another Ganondorf. One is enough," he finished with a laugh.

"I agree," Zelda smiled. She remembered all of the meetings with the council that she had to attend, plus the speech she had to address her people with, to explain the current situation and what had happened over the last few months. She sobered up immediately, and took a business-like tone. "Well Link, as much as I would love to spend the day making small talk, and believe me I'd much rather do that than sit around discussing issues with the council, I'm afraid that I must cut this short. I must also address the people with the events that transpired over the last few months. Why don't you go back home to Ordon and visit your friends and fellow villagers? I'm sure they are aching to see you."

Link groaned sympathetically. The poor princess already has meetings and needs to make speeches? Wow, I'd hate to be in her position, he thought. Wait… Speech…

"Zelda, what are you going to tell the people regarding the Twilight and its inhabitants?" He questioned.

"I shall only give them general facts. That they were turned into monsters by a rogue usurper and attacked Hyrule, and that the Hero and the Twilight Princess came and drove them back." Zelda answered.

"Wow, you don't miss a single step, do you?" When Zelda shook her head, Link asked her another question. "Would it be alright if you leave my name anonymous? I never liked attention from the crowd…" He trailed off, remembering the annoying fangirls laying eyes on him after completing the ridiculous STAR game, winning the big quiver in the process.

"I shall do as you wish. You saved us all, it is the least I could do," she smiled.

"Thank you Zelda. And thanks for the help last night."

"Link… About Midna," she hesitated. But before she could go on, Link responded.

"I have already made a vow to myself. I will find her, no matter what it takes. I realized that I love her too much to truly let her go or to forget her. I will find her, and when I do, I'm not letting her go, even if it means living in the Twilight with her," Link spoke determinedly. Zelda knew, somehow, that if he was this set on finding her, that there was a chance he could actually reunite with her.

"Link, I believe in you. Somehow I feel that if anyone can find her, it is you. Go forth, Hero, and may the Goddesses be with you."

After exchanging goodbyes and a hug, Link went out to the stables where Epona was waiting for him. "Hey girl, how are you?" He asked, petting her snout. The horse whinnied happily and nudged him gently. "Well good," Link continued, saddling her up and climbing on. "Ready to go home?"

And they were off, speeding south toward Ordon, enjoying the beautiful day outside, no moblins or deku babas in sight. The path Link took reminded him of the times he would travel with his imp companion turned Twilight Princess. Midna… Suddenly, the scene where she left and broke the mirror came replaying into his mind. Link… I… See you later. Those last words, etched in his mind, stung his heart. Why Midna? Why did you have to do that, even if that saved the world? … No… I refuse to be brought down like this. I WILL find you my love. I won't let you go. I promise you I'll find you.

So he kept his head high and smiled for the rest of the way back, and slowed Epona down to a trot as they reached Faron Woods. He stopped by Coro and refilled his lamp, feeling a bit nostalgic, and returned to Ordon just before sundown. He wanted to spend some time alone, planning his next adventure and hopefully finding Midna. Thus he crept up to his treehouse, but only made it to the ladder when…

"LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINK!" What I would give to use the wolf crystal right now…

As Malo, Talo, Beth, and Colin ran up to him and gave him huge hugs that nearly knocked him flat, Link smiled and remembered the good times he had with them before the Twilight Crisis started. After reasoning with the kids (it took all of his strength to prevent himself from being pulled in four different directions), it was decided that he would wash up and join them and the other villagers, who would no doubt come and question him about his adventures.

Here Link was, two hours later, recounting his story with all of Ordon to hear. He took care to leave out the facts about Midna and the Twilight Realm, along with his wolf powers, as he was certain those tidbits would scare the villagers. This whole time, Ilia, whose eyes Link carefully avoided, blushed but said nothing. The village people gasped and made sound effects whenever appropriate, and by the time Link was done telling the tale, everyone whole-heartedly clapped and cheered.

"Wow Link! You did that all by yourself?"

"How powerful were all the bad guys?"

"Did you really tour all of Hyrule?"

"Seems like he did! He kicked those bad guys' butts!"

"Now now children," Mayor Bo grinned. "Let the Hero have his space now. I think it is time you all went to bed. No buts now." There was a collective groan from the kids, as they wanted to hear all the details of their Hero's story. Their respective parents took them home, leaving Link and Rusl all alone.

"So Link," Rusl said. "What are you going to do now that the Evil King is gone? I hardly believe you will just sit here in Ordon and start life here again like before."

"I…" Link began. He wondered if he should tell Rusl the small details, particularly concerning Midna. He always thought of him as a fatherly figure, and he had been part of the Resistance. Keeping these details from him would only hurt their good relationship. "Rusl, I left out some details…"

"Ah, I see," Rusl answered, patiently waiting for Link to continue.

"I did not do everything alone, I had help. From all of you guys in the Resistance, from Zelda, and from…" This is it, Link. Just tell him, he will understand! "And from Midna." And so, he told Rusl the remaining details, of how she helped him escape his prison when the Twilight first appeared, and how annoying he thought she was at first, but how he grew to love her, all the way up to the point where she shattered the Mirror, thus preventing any more Twilian interference, and shattering his heart. By the time he finished, he had tears in his eyes. "Rusl I truly love her and I would do anything to be with her."

"I see…" Rusl sat in thought for a few moments, but then looked at Link with a smile. "If that is how you truly feel about her, then you know what to do. Go after her Link. Find her, and be with her. Don't stop until you have succeeded." He gave him a warm hug, and Link smiled. He was right in telling Rusl everything, and this proved he could trust him without a doubt.

"Thanks Rusl. For everything. Is it okay if you do not tell anyone else? I would rather this stayed between us. I think I will head off tomorrow morning to start my new adventure…"

"I promise not to tell anyone else. Good luck, I hope you find the woman of your dreams. May the Goddesses be with you." Rusl said, before giving him one more warm smile and heading back home for the night.

Link turned around and started home to his tree for what he felt was the last night in Ordon. Hard to believe this may be my last night here, when just a few months ago I planned on staying here my whole life. But now, I can't imagine a life without Midna. My Midna. My little imp. A sudden rustling noise brought him out of his thoughts. He turned around and saw Ilia there, with tears in her eyes.

"Link…" she said. She looked away from him for a short time, but decided to continue. "Is this true? What you said about loving someone else. Is it true?"

Link was deeply saddened. At one point, he had thought of Ilia as more than a best friend. Maybe as a love interest. Now, he could not see himself with her and only thought of her as his little sister. He took a breath. "Yes… It is true. I have fallen for someone else. I am truly sorry Ilia. Things changed during my travels…"

Ilia surprised him by hugging him and kissing him on the cheek. "It's okay. I understand. I just… I have always loved you, but deep in my heart I thought there might be a chance you would change. So I respect you, and will always be here, as your best friend. I am not throwing that away just because of your feelings for her," she finished with a smile, albeit in tears.

"Thanks Ilia. And I really am sorry…" She cut him off.

"Link just promise me you won't do anything out of your league, okay? And… I hope you find her and live a happy life."

"I… Okay Ilia. I promise," Link answered, relieved she was taking this better than he had expected. With another hug, he climbed up to his treehouse to prepare for the new day, although that did not take much time since he had not really unpacked anything. He fell asleep within minutes, dreaming of a certain Twilight Princess throwing jokes and snide remarks his way.

The next morning he woke up early, and gathered his things together and searched for Epona. Not seeing her at the foot of his treehouse, he surmised she must be at the Ordon Springs. Walking there he noticed he had been right. Ilia apparently also woke up early and was tending to the horse, while Rusl stood nearby. Link smiled once he realized that these two could care so much for him even after he told them he was leaving almost as soon as he came home. Ilia approached him first.

"Hi Link. I groomed your horse, just like before," she said. "Remember the promise you gave me last night?"

"That I wouldn't do anything out of my league? Yes and I plan to keep it," Link finished with a chuckle.

"Good. Well… I… Good luck Link. Please be safe, and come home whenever you need to. I would like to meet the girl you love too you know." Ilia smiled.

"I'll be sure to bring her here, don't worry." With a final hug, Ilia walked off, leaving the two men alone.

Link started first. "Rusl, you didn't have to wake up this early just to see me off…" He stopped when Rusl held up a hand.

"Say no more Link. I had to be here to say goodbye to my son, or else I wouldn't be a very good father!" At this both the Hylian and Ordonian laughed. "And Link, please do bring Midna here, I would love to meet her."

"I promise Rusl. It might be a nice change of things for once."

"Well Link, take good care of yourself, okay?" With Link's nod and smile, they hugged and Rusl too walked back to Ordon. Link turned back to Epona and suddenly had an idea. Pulling out the shadow crystal out of his pocket, he allowed its magic to take a hold of him and at once he was in the unfamiliar yet familiar body of a great wolf.

"Master, why did you change into that form?" Epona questioned.

"I thought it would be easier to communicate this way. So, are you ready for another adventure?"

"This is to find your missing companion?"

"Yes, exactly. I won't stop until I find her. I made a vow to myself that I would."

"Master I will help you the whole way. I am always here for you."

With that, Link changed back into his human form and pocketed the crystal. Before he could climb on Epona though, a voice spoke through the spring.

Oh great Hero of Light and Twilight, it spoke.

With a brilliant flash of white light, the spirit Ordona appeared before him. Link was surprised he had been contacted, and he had wondered why.

"Oh! Great Spirit Ordona! Why have you sought me out?"

If you would like to find the Princess of Twilight, there is a way. Venture to the place where you vanquished the Evil King. There is an object there that will help you travel to the place you seek.

With a sudden lurch, Link realized what Ordona was talking about. "Might you be referring to the broken Fused Shadow?"

The very same. Take the pieces and go to Hyrule Castle. There, Princess Zelda will know what to do.

"Thank you, Ordona, for your help," Link spoke sincerely.

Now go forth, Hero. Recover what you have lost. Reunite with the Twilight Princess, but be warned. Danger lurks about and a new foe will appear that is more powerful than the Evil King himself.

"Danger? What danger? Please answer me!" Link pleaded.

I do not know what will happen, but be ready for it when it comes. Be careful Hero.

With that, the spirit shrank back and disappeared. I wonder what dangers Ordona could be talking about, he wondered.

He climbed on Epona and started her out of Ordon Springs. "Ready to go, old girl?" he asked playfully.

With a snort, Epona took off, answering his question.

I'm coming Midna.

R&R please? Let me know how I'm doing so far!