The birds twittered merrily as the sun rose. Its golden rays shone through the window and on her eyes.
Ilia's eyes flickered open as she woke and she sat up and yawned. Sable licked her face, happy to see her human awake.
'Feed me...' Sable said. Lairyns had a well-known telepathic ability. She had started speaking to her not long ago.
Ilia smiled
She got up and put Sable's food in a bowl, then put it on the floor for her to eat. She then washed and dressed in her normal clothes.
Sh was in Ordon.
They had arrived the day before. Her father had been overjoyed to see his daughter safe.
Link wasn't home yet.
He sent a letter in advance, saying that he should be home by noon that day.
Ilia smiled. He'd been gone for a week, a bit longer than expected, but he was almost home.
Link.
Her heartbeat sped up and red tinged her cheeks at the thought of him.
She had to admit, she thought he was handsome.
And funny.
And nice.
Admit it, You're in love with him.
She shook her head, trying to get Sable's voice out of her head..
Link was a friend.
Link was her friend.
And only her friend. Nothing more.
Sable rubbed her body against Ilia's leg and plopped herself down on her foot.
'You're so stubborn, ya know?'
I know.
Link rode into the woods, greeting the oil salesman Coro as he rode past.
It's been too long...
He smiled at the thought of seeing the villagers again.
A whole year...
Ilia was most likely at the spring, so that was where he would go first. He was surprised when she wasn't there.
Slightly confused, he rode off to the Main Village to see the rest of the people.
Colin was the first to greet him.
Then Talo.
Beth.
Uli and her daughter.
Rusl.
Mayor Bo.
Fado.
Hanch.
Sera.
Pergie.
Jaggle.
Not Ilia.
Where is she?
Still slightly confused, yet glad to be back, he greeted the happy villagers one by one.
Talo jabbed him in the stomach.
"Ow! Talo..."
He laughed manically and ran away. Link smiled and shook his head.
Ilia dipped her feet into the cool water of the stream. She sighed.
He was back.
She wanted him to find her himself.
She looked up, watching the leaves of the willow tree dance in the wind.
Sable nudged her hand.
'He's back, you know.'
I know.
'He misses you.'
Huh.
'Are you going to say hi, or what?'
Not yet.
Sable huffed and climbed up on top of Ilia's head. She settled down and fell asleep.
She smiled and gently lifted her off.
You'll fall.
'No I won't.'
She nipped gently at her hand. Ilia gently flicked her ear. Sable growled quietly and fell asleep.
Ilia sighed and leaned her head against the trunk. Sable pricked her ears up.
Something wrong, girl?
'He's coming.'
Ilia turned around just as Link entered the small grove of trees.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself. Why are you here?"
"Why do you think?"
He chuckled and shook his head.
"I should've guessed earlier. Normally you're at the spring ya know."
"I know."
Sable climbed up the tree and jumped onto his shoulder. Ilia laughed at the tiny lairyn.
"Hey, little guy."
"Sable's a girl." Ilia said, smiling.
"Hey, gal."
She licked his cheek. He smiled and sat down next to Ilia and pecked her cheek. She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I missed you."
He smiled.
"Well, that's good."
She poked his arm.
"It was really quiet when you were gone."
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
He smiled and sighed.
"Hey..."
"Yeah?"
"Remember the dream I told you about a few years back?"
"Yeah..."
"I've been getting it again recently."
"Oh."
She sighed and kissed his cheek lightly. He smiled, and they fell asleep.