Ilia opened the case that Rowan had given her the several months before. She pulled out the violin and began tuning it. Ava watched, fascinated.
"I like that. Can you play it? The one that Link likes?"
Ilia smiled and nodded to the little girl as she began to play the simple melody.
Link came over to her and pecked her cheek as she played. Ava giggled.
He was walking around quite a bit, despite her threats. She was only worried.
He had told her a few days before that he, Midna and Zelda were going to be gone for a few days. She knew why.
She was still worried.
"Liiiiink." Ava said, grabbing his hand as Ilia finished playing.
"Yeeeeeees?"
She giggled, then continued.
"Do you like her?"
"Who?"
She tugged on his hand and beckoned him close, smiling. She stood up on her toes as he bent down.
"Ilia." she whispered loudly into his ear, then pulled away and giggled again. Ilia smiled and shook her head. Link looked at her, horrified.
"Ilia?!"
Ava nodded, smiling.
He looked at her, then bent down to look Ava in the eye.
"But she's always shouting at me and punching me. She even makes me go to bed early!"
"Yeah, but you kissed her!"
Ilia laughed. "Ava, Link kisses you all the time, right?"
Ava screamed and laughed as her brother grabbed her and pecked her cheek.
"Yeah, but I'm his sister!"
"I'm his friend."
She crossed her arms and scowled. "But he doesn't kiss Zelda or Midna!"
Link laughed. "Ava, if I even tried on either, they would hurt me."
"But Ilia hits you!"
Ilia laughed again and pecked his cheek. He smiled and she slapped him playfully.
Ilia sighed.
It was dark out.
She was at the Eldin spring. Link had left a few days ago.
She was lonely.
She looked up at the sky. A full moon.
He should be back soon...
She sighed again.
A wolf howled faintly.
Something touched her arm
She looked down, startled, then inhaled slightly.
A tiny little animal had bumped her.
Its fur was a creamy white, and it had a bushy tail about as long as its six-inch body. The ears were long, and it had big green eyes. Around each paw and the tip of the tail was a brown ring.
It was hurt.
And wet.
It rubbed against her leg.
She picked it up and carried it inside.
Ilia leaned her head against the canvas as she petted the small beast. A lairyn.
Rowan had dubbed her Claws (can you guess why?), but she called her Sable.
They were going back to Ordon. Link would meet them there.
Rowan had agreed to drive them back in Renado's stead. Ilia was happy to go home, but part of her wanted to stay in Kakariko.
Maybe because she had been there for the last year.
Maybe because of the feeling she had when Link had brought her memories back.
Was it love?
She'd never felt love outside of her family before.
Had she?
She'd never acknowledged it.
Maybe...
Did he love her?
No, Ilia. Why would he? He has two princesses.
Two.
Two women far prettier than she could ever hope to be.
Why would he love her?
He had his own life. He didn't need her anymore.
Didn't need her anymore...
She sighed again, not noticing her tears as she fell asleep.
Link replaced his bow on his back as he watched the bird beast fall from the sky. Zelda watched, not surprised.
They were heading back from Arbiter's Grounds, the former resting place of the Mirror of Twilight.
Former, due to the fact that Midna had destroyed the Mirror at her departure.
Link tapped his heels on Epona's side, spurring her forwards to catch up to Zelda, on her horse Blitzen.
"If you keep on stopping, it'll take days to get back." Zelda said coolly.
"I know."
"Then why do you keep stopping?"
"Because this could possibly be the last time I'll ever come to this desert."
"Oh? And why would that be?"
Link paused as his cheeks flushed. Zelda noticed this and became curious.
"Are you thirsty?"
"No, I-I'm fine."
She cocked her head and smiled.
"Are you thinking about her?"
"Who?" Link asked, slightly disturbed by her sudden interest.
"You know who."
Link once again fell silent.
"Oh, come on, Link. I know you like her."
"Like who?"
"Ilia."
Link jumped.
"I-Ilia?!"
Zelda stifled her laughter as she watched his ears and cheeks turn bright red.
"W-Why would I like her?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Uh..."
She sighed. "Link, you spend practically all your time with her. You love to talk to her. You turned bright red just now! Not just that, but you prefer her company over everyone else's."
"So? She's my friend."
"Did you not hear the third thing on that list? You turned bright red just now? That was when I was asking you if you were in looove with her."
Link sighed and topped talking. Zelda smiled, knowing that she was victorious.
Because Hyrule Castle spontaneously combusted when Link was fighting Ganon, Zelda decided to stay at Kakariko.
She and Shad were becoming very close.
Link was once again riding on Epona, only they weren't in Gerudo Desert and their pace was faster than before.
Home.
He was going home.
Back to Ordon and its inhabitants.
To Ilia.
Ilia...I'm comin' back...