I think that last chapter was my absolute favorite chapter that I wrote or will write. Even with Link hanging in the folds of life. Well, all the votes are in and I've made up my mind about Link's fate. Everyone THINKS that he'll survive to be with Reena again. As Link would OBVIOUSLY choose Reena over death, but what if the choice was more difficult? Say... between Reena and two of the most important people in his life that've been missing since before this story started. Like, his parents maybe? What would he choose between then?

Chapter Twenty Five: Choices

The waves crashed softly against the beach before Link. A gentle breeze swirled around him as he sat in the soft sand. A smile was on his face as a man and a woman beside him laughed. A smile was on his face as his parents beside him laughed.

They remained as he had remembered them. Ryin had brilliant blue eyes with dark brown hair. She was short in stature but very witty and beautiful. Teris was almost a head taller with Link's inherited blonde hair and had light brown eyes. He had a strong build with a mischievous spark in his eyes.

"And you still made it out alive?" Teris asked as Ryin shook her head.

"Amazingly enough," Link answered. "However, not without a few… side effects."

"Too say the least," Teris said. "Nabooru… yes her name does sound familiar."

"She is the leader of the Gerudo," Link explained. "Mom knows who she is."

"What woman doesn't?" Ryin asked, gazing at the two. "You're father had plenty of close calls like yourself. But not nearly as many."

"Yes, and they call occurred after we were married," Teris pointed out.

Link laughed as his mother threw an icy glare at his father. However, he had a shrewd suspicion that his father was telling the truth.

"We've seen your 'admires'. It seems you've become more afraid of them," Teris said, eyeing Link. "Do you know every man wishes for that kind of attention?"

"What are you saying, Teris?" Ryin asked, eyeing her husband.

"Uh oh, dad," Link said with a snicker.

"Well, you were already taken when I met you," Teris said, putting his arm around her. "I had to play hard to get."

Ryin just rolled her eyes at Link. "He was always surrounded by women and causing problems."

Teris only shrugged. "All for you, dear."

"You only made yourself look like an idiot," she revealed.

"You were impressed," Teris said teasingly.

Link smiled at his parent's bickering. It ended when his father kissed his mother. Ryin let out a sigh at his easy victory.

"Did you have someone on Hyrule?" Ryin asked, her eyes glinting. "Or did you not have the time? We've been watching you ever since we left, Link…"

Link grew silent, becoming interested in the sand that filtered through his fingers. He nodded slowly.

"Reena," he breathed. "She was the most amazing woman…"

"We've seen her," Teris said, nodding in approval. "She seemed to keep you on your feet."

Link smiled, closing his eyes. "There was never a dull moment with her. Every situation could be turned into a laughing manner. She had the amazing skill of doing that. In Salderin… during our imprisonment she was whistling, cracking jokes… it was surreal."

Ryin touched the scar on her son's cheek. "We could hardly watch… but it's over now. You'll never know harm again, we promise."

Teris and Ryin stood, waiting for Link to join them. He did, standing beside them as the ocean began to disappear and turn into an endless sea of light.

"It's time to come home," Ryin said, taking his hand.

Link stood his ground. His eyes lingered to the scene that lay behind him. He lay in a bed with Reena by his side.

"Link?" Teris said, stepping towards him.

A small smile spread across Link's face. "My home is back in Hyrule with Reena."

"But Link… all you've ever known is pain," Ryin said. "That is not the life you deserve."

Link only shook his head. "I can't leave her so easily. What life would I be giving her?"

Smiles suddenly appeared on his parents' faces. They each hugged him and his mother kissed his cheek.

"We're proud of you, Link," Teris said, his eyes reflecting the words.

"Tell Reena thank you," Ryin said, brushing Link's bangs away from his eyes so she could see her son's eyes one more time.

"Never let her go," Teris said. "She's one in a million, just like your mother. We do have some luck on our side when it comes to women."

"We couldn't ask for a more beautiful, wonderful daughter-in-law," Ryin told him. "And you tell her to make sure she keeps you right in the head. She's done a good job so far."

"No need to worry about that," Link said. "When… when will I see you again?"

"Oh, Link," Ryin said, holding him close to her. She ran her fingers through his hair. "We've always been with you and will be till the end of it all. You're time hasn't come yet. It's not time for either of you and it won't be for a very, very long time."

"I miss you so much," Link whispered, closing his eyes.

"We miss you too, Link," Teris said gently, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

"But you'd miss Reena much more," Ryin said, tears coming to her eyes as she drew away. She touched his heart. "We're right here."

Slowly Link stepped away. A small smile crossed his face as he looked back at the scene. Yes, he'd die all over again waiting for her.

"Tell Reena good job," Teris said, putting an arm around Ryin.

"I will," Link assured.

Link stopped in front of the scene in front of him, gazing at it for a moment. Behind him his parents were in each others' arms, smiling. He returned the smile, gave a small wave, and stepped into the picture now vacant of Reena. Light swirled all around him and pain pierced through his skin as he entered his beaten body.

Link held his breath, unsure if he wanted to open his eyes. Would he be where he wanted to be? There was only one way to find out.

The sunlight hit him directly in the eyes the moment he opened them. Link blinked away the colored blotches in front of his eyes, but his vision was blurred still. He tried rubbing his eyes, but his arms ached along with everything else.

A woman with golden hair was in the room, standing beside the bed doing… who knew what. Link couldn't tell with his poor eyesight.

"Lera?" he called out. "Lera, where's Reena? Is she alright?"

Lera sat down on the bedside, gently placing a hand on the side of his face. Just as Link was about to comment on her actions, she was kissing him. He was about to throw her off when he realized… this wasn't Lera. Not in the slightest.

Reena slowly pulled away, linger above him for a moment before sitting back. She couldn't help but smile at his dazed look. He tried to sit up, but Reena stopped him.

"No, you can't sit up," she said quietly. "You're not strong enough yet."

"How long have I been out?" Link asked. "I can barely see a thing."

"Don't worry, your sight will come back," Reena assured. "It's… it's been over five days now, Link."

"Reena… Reena I'm so sorry," Link said, looking away. He sighed, shivers running down his spine as she took his hand. She was wearing the ring. "I swear… I never meant for that to happen. But I had to, Reena. It was the only way!"

"There had to be another way, Link," Reena whispered. "There had to be away that didn't cost your life."

"It didn't cost my life," Link said softly.

"It nearly did," Reena said, shaking her head. "I don't know how it's possible that we're talking…"

"I couldn't allow myself to die," Link said slowly, remembering the moment. "It didn't seem fit after… after I learned your answer. I could hear you, Reena. I heard every word. It was like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from."

Reena leaned against the wall as she pulled her legs onto the bed. She gently laid his head on her lap as his arms circled around her. "I don't know how you came back."

"I wasn't back just yet," Link said quietly. He closed his eyes, remembering the hours he had spent at the ocean shore. Every memory, every story, every thought had been shared with his parents. "I saw my parents."

Reena fell silent. She felt his arms around her tighten as he began to shiver slightly. Slowly she pulled the comforter over his body more even though she knew it would do nothing.

"What happened?" Reena asked gently, laying a hand on his cheek.

"During those five days, Reena, I was with them," Link whispered. "I was with them at the beach in Termina. It was their favorite place I think. In our home in Kakariko Village there was a picture of the ocean in their room."

The only time Link had ever talked about his parents was when he had revealed their death to her. Since then, the topic had never come up again. Reena knew better than to present the subject.

"I told them about all these past years," Link continued. "They weren't just illusions, Reena. It was really them. I think… I think was near death, Reena. I could touch them, talk with them, and laugh with them. The goddesses were giving me a choice, Reena."

"What choice?" Reena asked, fearing the answer.

"Go with my parents, or return," Link answered.

"Why did you choose here, Link?" Reena breathed. She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands, keeping her tears at bay.

"I miss them, Reena, I won't lie," Link said, closing his eyes as a tear fell from his eyes. "But I can't imagine a life without you. I would have been regretting the decision if I went with them. And my parents wanted me to return."

Reena felt her heart break as Link clenched her tunic. She slid her slender legs under the covers. She gently lifted Link's head from her lap and slid next to him, lying on her side. She wrapped her arms around him, letting him fight his tears into her chest.

"I still miss them, Reena," Link breathed. "I don't know why. I was five when everything happened!"

"They were still your parents," Reena said softly. "And now, you've seen them again, talked with them too. They've been watching you this whole time and know what you've been through, I'm sure of it. And you only got a small time to be with them. Nothing has ever been fair for you… ever in this life."

"…That's not true," Link said, his voice muffled by her. He rested a hand on her side, making her flinch slightly from being highly ticklish there.

Reena only sighed, holding him closer to her. She rested her chin on his head. Beneath her hold she felt Link slowly stop trembling.

"They say thank you," Link said, closing his eyes from exhaustion.

Tears nearly overran Reena. She ran a hand through his short hair. She had an idea why his parents were saying thank you. However, she'd never get to thank them for their son.

Gentle breathing came from the defeated soul in her arms. She kissed his cheek, not daring to move. She'd stay there until he woke up.

*astrix astrix astrix*

A fire burned in the fireplace, keeping the room warm. Sunlight streamed in, calling for Link to wake up. He opened his eyes, feeling more like himself than the previous day. He could see for one thing. It had to be the next day and hopefully not more than that.

Slowly Link sat up, glad to find that today he could. He rubbed the back of his neck, wondering if he should test his luck. Yesterday he hadn't even been able to sit up. Walking didn't seem like too good of an idea. And Reena might kill him.

Reena. Link was glad to see his room empty. Hopefully that meant she had left to get rest. Guilt washed over him, thinking of yesterday. It hadn't even crossed his mind that she might be injured.

He grabbed the white, long sleeved shirt at the foot of his bed, pulling it over his head. Link gingerly rose, smirking in triumph as his legs held him. Slowly he made his way to Reena's room quietly opening the door. He was answered with soft breathing.

Silently Link approached Reena. She was curled up under the covers, almost hidden entirely from view. Gently Link pulled them down slightly, stopping when her shoulders came into a view.

A small smile crossed his face. A green tunic was pulled on over her night clothes. He touched her cheek, shocked by how cold she felt. Link pulled the blankets down, touching her arm. Her entire body was ice. The cold wasn't the only thing that covered her body either.

New bruises looked back up at him. Guilt settled in Link. How long had she been at the battle? He knew where the one on her cheek was from…

He pulled the blankets around her again, leaving her to rest. Link went to close the door when something caught his eye. Something blue and white with some red was folded on her dresser. It couldn't be. It could not be…

It was. Sheik's clothes were folded on her dresser. She was Sheik. That whole time it had been her. He hadn't been imaging things during his possessed state. He put a hand on his forehead knowing exactly where the bruises had come from. Going through three houses would do that to a person. Going through one house had given him a beating and she had gone through three. Not to mention gone against…him…

Link left, shaking his head. No matter how badly he wished hold her, he wasn't about to wake her. Her freezing skin concerned him. What had she done now?

The stone floor was cold against Link's bare feet as he made his way to the Throne Room. He needed to know what had happened. He needed to know what they had witnessed. His own story was too bizarre.

"Link?"

He stopped, backtracking to the study. There sat the people he wanted to talk to. Lera got to her feet, holding her arm which was wrapped and in a sling.

"Are you okay?" she asked nervously.

Link walked towards them, looking himself over.

"I…guess so," he said, running a hand through his hair. "How… I don't know."

Lera went over to him, hugging him with her good arm. "I swear, you looked dead! You weren't breathing, nothing!"

"He was at death's door," Impa said, her arms crossed as usual. "But he brought himself back to life."

Everyone looked at her. A smile crossed the Sheikah's face. They always knew the answer somehow.

"What do you know that we don't?" Lera asked, facing her.

"His Triforce," Impa explained. "You weren't ready to die. Something gave you a spark of life that awakened your Triforce. Something, so powerful that even your Triforce was affected, made you deny death."

Twice that power brought me back to life, Link thought. He had kept himself from death in Kakariko Village when he heard her answer. The same power had made him decide to return to Hyrule and join his parents when the time was right.

"I think I know what woke him up," Lera said, glancing at him. "I was there. I swear…I never knew…"

"There's much more to the story than what you told us," Lenaya said, eyeing him. "Have you seen Reena?"

Link nodded. "But she wasn't awake. Is she alright? She's so cold."

"It's from using her powers to their greatest length," Impa explained. "After you, she went to the wounded, healing those she could."

"All of them?" Link demanded in disbelief. She had been there when he had woken up. How long had she been waiting for him? "And she didn't kill herself? Is she going to be okay?"

"She'll be fine," Impa assured.

"I'm surprised she allowed herself to fall asleep," Lenaya said. "She hardly ever left your side these last days. Even when we made her return to her room, she wouldn't sleep and would return to you. But, how long have you two been together?"

Link smiled. "A long time."

"Just how long would that be?" Jerold asked, eyeing him.

"Stop, Jerold," Lenaya said, laying a hand on her husband's arm.

Link let out a laugh. "I don't know how long for her, but for me… before she came here for the first time."

"What was with the wait?" Lera demanded. "Or were you engaged that whole time? Somehow I don't think that's true. I would've noticed before now!"

Link cast a glance over at Impa. The all knowing half smile was on her face. She knew why.

"No, I asked and just found out the answer…when…well you know when I'm sure," Link explained.

"The letter!" Lera cried, jumping up. She winced, holding her arm and sitting down.

"You knew about that?" Link demanded.

"I didn't read it," Lera assured, rolling her eyes. "But you had been writing during Reena's absence after you two went to Salderin for the first time. I…just never knew what it was for. I'd see you bring it out sometimes and I thought Reena's name was on it, but I wasn't sure."

"Yes, it was that," Link said, eyeing her. He still didn't trust her.

"What, were you to nervous to ask in person?" Lera snickered.

"No," Link said, glaring. "There were… other reasons behind it."

Lenaya smiled. "What reasons?"

"In case I died," Link said simply. "Or if we were separated and would have a small chance of surviving to see each other again."

"Don't tell me you're wondering why she came back," Lera muttered. "I can only imagine what was in that envelope."

"I told her to stay there," Link murmured.

"Women don't listen," Jerold assured. He saw his wife's look. "There are plenty examples in this family."

"I know," Link sighed. "How's your arm, Lera?"

"Oh, it's better," Lera said, touching it gingerly.

"What about Kasten?" Link asked. "Is he doing any better?"

Lera went quiet, her face paling.

"He'll live," Jerold said. "Though for some time it seemed hopeless. Reena, however, was able to save him."

"What happened?" Link asked.

"It wasn't anything like you're performance," Lenaya said, eyeing him. "But one of his bandages had been soiled and his wound got infected. But Reena was able to save his life."

"I'm…going to go check on him," Lera said, standing up. She flashed Link a smile. "Glad your back."

Link returned it, watching her leave. He faced the King and Queen who were looking after their daughter with hope.

"I think she's finally chosen," Lenaya said, taking Jerold's arm.

"About bloody time that girl made up her mind," he muttered.

"Jerold!" Lenaya gasped. However she flushed. "But that is true."

"It was only a matter of time," Link said. He shifted nervously in his seat. "I honestly meant to ask permission to marry her. But the castle got attacked and…well everything just happened all at once!"

"Link, we would never deny her from you," Lenaya said, her eyes dancing.

"I don't think we'd be able to," Jerold said, looking at Lenaya.

Link felt a weight life off his shoulders as he took a deep breath. He knew the King and Queen were looking at him as he gazed out the doors of the study looking for Reena.

"What… what happened in Kakariko Village?" Lenaya asked.

"I… I don't know," Link admitted in a whisper. "Sarid… got inside my head. I… I became his… minion…"

Link put his face in his hands, a shiver running down his spine. He could still hear Sarid's voice in his head. The pain from every disobeyed move still throbbed in the back of his head.

"He possessed your body," Impa said quietly. "He connected his life force with your own. A fatal move on his part."

"He knew Reena wouldn't kill me," Link said, shaking his head.

"So you decided to take your own life?" Jerold asked.

"What else could I do?" Link asked, looking at them. "I would have killed her."

Link's hand strayed to the wound on his chest. He remembered the moment he came to the realization that he would have to stop himself. It was the only way to save her life.

"Sarid thought he could destroy both your lives," Impa said, a smile crossing her face. "He doesn't know you two in the least."

"We're just too stubborn to die."

OH LINK! I COULD NEVER KILL YOU OFF! After the last time I got rid of Link for entire chapter everyone got sad. I don't want you guys to be sad, besides, I'd be sad if I killed off Link. So, now that you know that Link's alive, you don't really have to keep reading. I'd be happy if you did keep reading but after this it's all just closure. Cheesy romance stuff.

btw there's 30 chapters plus an epilogue. So 6 more updates. So sad!