"Are we in Termina yet?!" Complained Link as they finally descended the mountains the following morning. Because the young hero slept all morning, they travelled for a few miles, much for Link's frustration. He officially hated mountains.
"I think so," Navi replied. "We're done with the mountains."
"I hate mountains," muttered Link. "No more mountains."
Soon, a scream was heard. Link and Navi looked at each other. Link took out the Hylian Sword and became alert.
"Help!" A female voice screamed. "Help!" A growling noise followed after the woman's screams.
Link ran out of the bushes and followed the girl's screams. Suddenly, he saw a young woman running desperately trying to get away from some kind of monster.
"Hey!" Shouted Link. "Leave her alone!"
The monster stopped running and turned around to look at Link. His sneer was intimidating but for the Hero of Time, this was nothing. He gave a battle cry and ran towards the creature.
The monster growled and fled to the woods. Link finally let out the breath that he was holding and put his sword away. When the girl spoke, Link jumped.
"You saved me," she said in awe. "Thank you."
Link nodded. "You're welcome. Are you hurt?"
"No," the girl shook her head. "But I was very scared. That shield... it's from Hyrule, the war that just ended."
"Yes, how do you know about the war in Hyrule?"
"My uncle and cousin live over there and she wrote me three days ago saying that her friend defeated the Evil King."
"Her friend?" Asked Link. "What's your cousin's name?"
The girl giggled. "Malon. My uncle is Talon."
Link gasped. "Really? From Lon Lon Ranch! Oh yes!" He laughed as he extended his hand. "I'm Link."
The girl shook his hand. "I'm Romani. Me and my older sister are the owners of Romani Ranch. Please, come to our house and let me cook you supper as a thank you for saving me."
Link smiled. "It would be nice to have a meal after so long."
Romani laughed and clapped her hands. "It's settled! Let's go then!"
Ten minutes and a friendly chat later, they reached Romani Ranch. It was spacious, filled with horses, cuccos and dogs. Lots of room to run.
"Cremia," called out Romani.
A woman ran out of the main house. "There you are," Cremia said. "You scared me silly! And who is this?" She asked looking at Link.
Romani hesitated. "This is Link, I was nearly attacked by a monster, and-"
"You were attacked!? I told you not to leave the ranch," accused the older sister. "Not while there are still demons roaming around the land!"
"Cremia, the was in Hyrule is over. This is their savior, Malon's friend."
"Fairy boy?" Asked Cremia.
Romani bursted out laughing. Link groaned. "I kept telling her my name was not fairy boy."
Cremia stopped laughing. "Well, welcome to Romani Ranch, Chateau Romani's Village. I am the ranch owner, Cremia." She lifted the sides of her skirt and did a small bow. "So, if you don't mind me asking, where is your fairy?"
Navi flew out of Link's cap and made all sorts of bell sounds. "I'm Navi the Fairy and Link's best friend! Pleased to meet you!"
"Well I'll be damned," said Cremia dumbfounded. "Sweet Malon wasn't telling stories after all."
"I always believed her," muttered Romani. "Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to prepare supper, Link is staying for supper."
Both Link and Cremia looked at Romani disappear into the house. Cremia turned to Link. "So... Link, if you mind me asking, what are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be on vacation after such accomplishment?"
Link chuckled. "I'm looking for someone, actually." He blushed and scratched the back of his neck.
Cremia raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Aha, looking for a loved one. And do you know where your love might be?"
Link nodded. "He's supposed to be in Termina."
Cremia gasped. "You said he? My, my, now I'm intrigued! Things just got more interesting! Oh, do tell your story! Me and Romani love good romantic stories!"
One hour later, the meal was gone, three full bellies and two disappointed girls were sitting on the dining room table trying to grasp the tale that Link told them.
"So," said Romani. "He doesn't know that you love him."
Link shook his head. "No, that's why I need to find him so that I can tell him and also because the Princess wants to apologize and fix things."
"Ugh," groaned Cremia. "Such a tragedy."
"Cremia!" Shouted Romani. "Don't say that! It ain't over! Link has to find Sheik! And Link,"'she said as she took his hand. "You will find him, I just know it!"
"Thank you, Romani," Link smiled. "I will find him."
Romani stood up to clear the table and sighed. "Darn it, it's dark. We took an entire day from you, Link. I'm so sorry."
Link smiled and shook his head. "It's okay, I'll just find somewhere to camp, I'm sure-"
"You will not do such thing," interrupted Cremia. "We have a couple of spare bedrooms, you will stay the night. You need a comfortable bed and a full breakfast before you continue."
Link looked embarrassed. "I couldn't, I don't want to disturb you."
"After saving my life today," Romani added. "This is the least we could do. I'm eternally grateful."
"Alright," said Link. "But just for tonight."
"You got a deal, Mr. Hero!" Romani loved to have guests in their ranch. She believed bringing outsiders would increase the ranch's popularity.
A couple of hours later, Link was laying in a very comfortable bed for the first time in a very long time. He thought of his little house in Kokiri Forest, and his little bed. He hoped one of the children took his house, since he didn't need it anymore. Then, realization hit him: he didn't have a home. During his short time with Zelda after everything ended, she said she would help him get settled. Settled for what? What would he do after Ganondorf's defeat? He also hoped Sheik would know what to do.
Sheik.
His beloved Sheikah... Link didn't know anything about love or what to do when it came to love. He was sure Sheik would know what to do. Sheik was so smart. He knew everything. All the places that Link needed to go, Sheik knew. He was there when had Link lost all of his friends to their destinies. Sheik let Link hug him. Link loved to hug Sheik. Was that part on how to love someone? There's the kissing too but Link was too afraid to kiss Sheik, what if he was disgusted or would make fun of Link? The young hero didn't know what to think.
"Navi," he called his fairy friend gently. "Are you asleep?"
"Hmm," moaned the fairy. "I was until you said my name." She got out of Link's cap that was next to the pillow. "What do you need?" She said as she sat on the mattress and leaned against the cap. She casted a small glow so that they could see each other.
"Navi," Link said troubled. "I don't know anything about love."
She chuckled. "Yes you do, Link! You know how to love!" She watched the confused expression in the young hero's face and continued. "To love someone is to do things for them, as in friends like you and me. Share things, stories, even adventures. Like with Saria and Darunia and Link Goro."
Link nodded. "What about my love for Sheik? How is that different?"
Navi thought for a moment. How am I going to explain this? "Well," she began. "With you and Sheik, that is a different kind of love, it's a stronger kind. The type that you want to belong to that person and them belong to you. You want to be close to them all the time, never be apart. You feel different when you see that person."
Link nodded, trying to process that information.
"How do you feel when you would see Sheik?"
"Excited," he smiled. "Happy, nervous, I always felt a flutter on my stomach, my heart used to beat faster," he sighed deeply. "I want to see him again."
"Well," she said. "That kind of love is when you fall in love with someone. All the things that you said mean you want Sheik as your life partner and do everything with him."
Link nodded happily. "Yes," he said triumphantly. "I understand now! Thanks Navi."
"You're welcome," she said as she curled up in her friend's cap. Phew! That went well!
The next morning, both Link and Navi woke up well rested and refreshed. After a full breakfast, Cremia packed a bag filled with food for Link to take.
"I wish I knew what your friend looks like," lamented Cremia. "My best guess is that he must have gone to Clock Town. That is Termina's main city. If you keep going this way," she said as she pointed on Link's map. "You'll be able to reach Clock Town by this afternoon."
"Thank you, Cremia and Romani. I will never forget this," he said as he went to hug each girl. Navi flew by them in sign of thanks making both women giggle. Link waved good-bye at them and walked away.
"I really hope he finds him," said Romani hopefully. "It's just like a love story but it needs a happy ending."
Cremia nodded. "Yeah and I hope they come here and spend some time with us, I wanna meet Sheik."
"Me too!"
Cremia patted her younger sister's back. "Alright, that means it's work time for us." And both girls went to their expected daily duties.