Zelda's thoughts wandered like clouds taken by the wind as she sat through yet another war council. Her fingers tapped the arm of her chair idly as she listened to yet another adviser talk through their strategy on the war table. It wasn't that their council was unwise, in fact it was quite sound by conventional standards, but she knew they had no understanding of what their enemy was capable of or how he fought. They were trying to fight an uncommon enemy using common tactics. It would never work.
She shifted her position in the chair and leaned her head in her arm. Her thoughts wandered to Colin, Midna, and the others attempting to find Link and Kari. What if they didn't succeed? She hadn't thought about it until now, but she had let them walk right into the enemy's lair without any help. If they didn't come back, their small chance of victory would evaporate like a vapor of smoke, and she would be to blame.
Hyrule had faced impossible odds before. She and her kingdom had overcome incredible obstacles and always emerged at the other end of adversity. But it had always been because of Link. She depended on his courage to succeed just like she hoped he depended on her wisdom. Without him fighting beside her, she wasn't sure if she had the heart to lead her people to what would surely be a slaughter. Without him, their battle was hopeless.
A soldier came into the tent and stood patiently by the entrance. She studied him carefully, attempting to discern what sort of news he had. His expression was neutral. She stood up from her chair and halted the meeting with a wave of her hand.
"What is it, soldier? What news do you bring?" she asked with confidence and authority.
The soldier, slightly surprised to be addressed so directly, stiffened. He looked to be one of the younger recruits. He wasn't yet comfortable in the armor he was wearing. In fact, it looked too big for him.
"Your Majesty," he began, his voice surprisingly confident considering his inexperience. "Diplomats have arrived from the nation of Termina. They bring with them soldiers and supplies that they wish to contribute to our cause."
Zelda arched a brow. She had been expecting bad news. It was nice to receive good news for a change.
It was also the perfect opportunity to escape from this pointless meeting.
"Did they give a reason for their sudden change of heart?"
"No, Your Majesty. They just insisted on speaking with you directly."
She tried to hide the half-smile forming on the corner of her lips. Something told her she would enjoy whatever they had to say.
She excused herself and followed the soldier out of the tent with Ramiro, her closest advisor since childhood, not far behind.
She was not out of the tent for more than a few seconds when she nearly ran into Midna. The two women nearly stumbled over one another, quickly muttering an apology by reflex. Once they finally recognized each other, they shared a laugh and a quick embrace
"Midna…you're back?" She looked carefully at her face. She took a deep breath and tensed her muscles. "And you're safe! Did everything go well?"
The Twili's triumphant smile sent a wave of relief through her. "I'd say we were successful. We managed to drag both of their sorry hides down the mountain."
Zelda quickly glanced at the soldier waiting expectantly for her. She decided he could wait a little longer. Things finally seemed to be turning around for them. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope for them after all.
"Nayru be praised! Where are they? Are they already at camp?" Zelda asked, eagerly searching for a glimpse of them through the flocks of villagers going to and fro.
Midna rolled her eyes. "Well, Link refuses to enter the camp just yet, but Kari's around somewhere."
"Why won't Link come into the village?"
"He says he wants to talk to Tifa first." She paused. "Were you able to convince her and Tatl to stay?"
Zelda shook her head. "Ilia and I both tried, but we couldn't change their minds. I hope Link has more success. We need both of them."
The Twili shook her head. "It's okay. At least you tried. Link should be able to talk some sense into them." She looked around. "I'm actually looking for the two of them now. Have you seen them?"
Zelda pointed atop one of the ledges where a small column of steam rose into the air. "If you're looking for Tifa, she's probably up by the hot springs with Ilia." She looked back at Midna. "But why does he have to talk to her outside the camp? Can't he just go to her?"
Midna sighed. "Part of it is the whole wolf thing. He still doesn't trust himself." She looked around carefully, and then lowered her voice so only Zelda could hear. "But I also think he's avoiding Ilia and the other Ordonians. He's not quite ready to tell them yet, even though it's only a matter of time until they find out."
Zelda nodded. "I know it's caused him quite a lot of stress, even if he hasn't said it. He was always cautious about it, though I suppose he has you to thank for that."
Midna smirked. "Well, the idiot was stupid enough to wander into Castle Town a few times as a wolf. He scared the whole city and drew half the guards after him. If that wasn't dumb enough, he was going to become human in front of all of them as if nothing had happened. I stopped him and gave him a good verbal lashing once we finally left the city. Glad to see it finally sunk in."
Zelda cast another glance at the soldier. He had stopped to wait for her. He stood tense as a board without saying anything, but by the way he was fidgeting, he could tell he was getting inpatient. Either that or nerves. An inpatient grunt from Ramiro was enough to confirm that she had to cut this conversation short.
"I need to get going," the monarch said. "We recently received some reinforcements from Termina, so I need to go talk to them.
Midna's face brightened. "That's great news!" She looked up the cliff. "I should be able to find Tifa on my own. Good luck out there."
Zelda nodded an acknowledgment before being dragged away in a hurry. Midna quickly set about to her own task.
Like Zelda had predicted, Tifa was up by the hot springs. She had a thick coat bundled over her while she sat as close to the hot springs as she could. It was just her and Tatl; Ilia was off preparing medical supplies for the coming battles.
As soon as the Twili mentioned Link's name, the Kokiri jumped up from her spot by the hot spring. A big smile spread across her face, and she instantly forgot she was cold. With energy Midna could never hope to muster, she dashed ahead, forcing Midna and Tatl to pick up the pace just to keep up.
When they finally reached the outskirts of the village, they found Link alone with Epona. The hero seemed beside himself, finally seeing his horse for the first time in months. It was the longest they'd ever been apart. Epona snorted in delight and gently nuzzled him as his hands brushed through her white mane. He stopped momentarily when he heard Tifa shout his name.
"LINK!" she yelled in delight, running towards him at full speed. He laughed at how her cloak sagged at her feet as she ran. It was clearly too big for her. He just hoped she wouldn't trip.
He grunted as she plowed into him with more force than he expected. The impact pushed him into Epona's side, causing the horse to flinch.
"Link! I missed you! Where have you been?" she sobbed as she hugged his leg. "Things have been awful without you! There were these monsters and we were put in this nasty dungeon and…."
"Slow down, Tifa," Link comforted, gently wiping the tears away from her cheeks and running a hand through her brown hair. Somehow she seemed taller than he remembered. "One thing at a time. It sounds like we have a lot to catch up on."
"I have so much I want to tell you!" she exclaimed. She paused, grabbing a handful of Link's trousers. She looked in Midna's direction. "Does she have to be here? I wanted to talk to you alone."
He looked up at the Twili and smiled innocently. "Would you mind giving us a few minutes? This might take a while."
Midna nodded. "Only if you let me talk to Epona."
Link looked to the horse, but she had no intention of moving. "Well, I would, but it looks like Epona wants to stay with me. It's nothing personal. I just think it's best if Tifa and I talk alone."
"What about me?" Tatl challenged.
"You can stay, of course," Link replied.
The Twili rolled her eyes and smirked. "Fine…I can see when I'm not wanted. I'm just not sure if I can leave you two alone together. You better not do anything shady."
Link's cheeks reddened. "Umm…I'll try not to? Whatever that means?"
She waved off his comment. "I'll be back in a little bit."
Tifa's laugher filled the air as Midna walked away. She had to admit…that girl opened up to Link more than anyone. There were things Link could convince Tifa to do that not even Ilia or Tatl could manage. He somehow had that special aura about him. Perhaps that's what drew her to him as well. He was so likeable.
If anyone could convince Tatl and Tifa to stay, it was him.
She came back a little later to find Link loading some equipment onto Epona's back while the Kokiri delighted in feeding apples to Epona. The horse eagerly nipped them from her hand. They both seemed to be in high spirits.
"Well, how did it go, Link?" Midna asked, folding her arms in anticipation of an answer.
Link quickly finished adjusting the strap for his sleeping pack and looked behind him. "Oh, Midna, you're back." His eyes wandered as he formed his response. "I think it went fairly well."
"And…"
He looked at her blankly. "And what?"
"And…were you able to convince her to stay?"
Link shrugged his shoulders. "She's still intent on going, so I'm going to take her back to the forest myself. I have an errand to run there anyways, so it actually works out."
Midna folded her arms. "Right…and then you're going to pick me up something to eat on the way back, right?"
The hero's lips tightened. "Well, I can try and find something on the way back if you want. But I'm not sure when that'll be."
The smirk slowly disappeared from her face. "How long do you intend to be gone?"
Link looked away. "However long it takes."
She looked at him in shock. "Then you're serious about leaving again?"
He lifted Tifa into the saddle and adjusted her position until she felt comfortable. He looked back at her. "I'm afraid so, Midna. I can't face everyone yet. I can't risk losing myself again and hurting someone. I can't come back…not until this wolf is under my control."
Midna scowled. "So you're using this as an excuse to run away?" She put her hands on her hips. "I don't seem to recall cowardice being the trait of a hero," she said with an icy tone.
Link looked into her eyes intently. "That's because I'm not a hero anymore. I'm just a monster. But that'll hopefully change soon."
The Twili walked up to him and placed his hand in hers. "Link, how many times do I have to tell you? You're a hero, to me and to everyone else here. What will it take for you to start believing that yourself?"
Link gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I wish I knew." He kissed it and released it. He hoisted himself on Epona's saddle. The Kokiri wrapped her arms around him and placed her head against his back. Link looked at Midna with pain in his eyes. "I know you're probably mad at me, but this is something I have to do. This is for everyone's good."
Midna glared at him. "Mad? I'm seething!" Her voice rose in accordance with her fury. "I risked my life…all of us risked our lives to bring you back here! And now you're leaving again already? We haven't even been together a few hours!"
Tatl and Tifa looked nervously to one another. This was one conversation they wanted to stay out of.
The hero winced. "I know that. But I could never live with myself if I hurt you too. That's why I need to do this." He reached into his satchel and pulled out the Conch Horn. He offered it to her. "I promise I'll be back. I want you to have this in the meantime."
The anger in her features mellowed slightly as she accepted his gift and held it tightly. "You said something similar last time and you almost didn't come back." She paused. "Do you really have to do this?"
He nodded. "I'm afraid so."
Midna's face curled back into a scowl. She looked at him sternly. Her words were sharp as daggers. "Is this how our relationship is going to be? One minute we're together and the next you're off on another self-imposed exile?" She shook her head. "This is the last time. I'll let you go for now, but you better pray I'm in a good mood when you come back." She curled her fists tightly. "If you only knew what I want to do to you now."
"I love you, Midna," he said softly.
"I'll believe that when you stop trying to fight things on your own and actually let me help you for a change." She turned her back to him. "Now get out of here before I do something I regret. I can't even look at you right now."
"We should probably leave," Tatl suggested.
Link heeded the fairy's advice. With a kick to the spurs, Epona neighed and cantered ahead slowly. The hero took one last look over his shoulder before setting his gaze on the path ahead.
Midna didn't turn to look in his direction until the sound of Epona's hooves against the snow faded in the distance. She let out an angry growl before storming off towards the village. She needed to let out her hurt and anger somehow.
As she came back into the village, she collided into an older woman, knocking the Spirit Pipes out of her hands. The two nearly lost their balance. Midna quickly grabbed the instrument and kept going without apologizing. However, the woman chased her down, eventually forcing her to stop.
"Excuse me...don't I know you?" the older woman said. "You're one of Link's friends, aren't you?"
"You could say that," Midna replied bitterly, stopping only for a moment. "What of it?"
The woman looked around. "I'm afraid I never properly introduced myself. You can call me…"
"I don't care what your name is," Midna said. Her eyes searched for any avenue of escape. "Just tell me what you need so I can be on my way."
"I was looking for Link. Have you seen him?"
"Yeah, he's on his way to the woods now. If you leave now, I'm sure the stench of cowardice is still fresh. Maybe you can use it to track him," she said with a roll of her eyes. She began to walk away. "If you find him, punch him hard for me."
The older woman watched in a stunned stupor as Midna walked away. She then turned towards the direction Link had supposedly gone. "Track him into the woods if I want to find him? I think that's exactly what I'll do."
"This isn't the way to the village," Tatl muttered as they walked beneath an ancient stone archway. "What are we doing at this old temple?"
Link kept walking. "There's something I need to do here. Once I finish that, then we can head to the village."
The Kokiri laughed. "That's fine. We're not in a hurry anymore." She stuck out her tongue to try and catch a piece of snow falling from a branch overhead. She missed it only by an inch. "Besides, the temple is really pretty in the winter. The snow causes it to sparkle."
True to her words, the fallen snow atop the temple ruins lent a quiet and serene magnificence to them. The branches of the trees overhead sparkled and glistened with a crystalline beauty. Small rays of light peaked through the trees like liquid gold. The normally lush green forest was now a white, winter wonderland. Link had seen the beauty of the temple in its prime, but this had a quiet beauty all its own as well. The snow on the ground was white, smooth, and undisturbed. The air was silent save the crunching of their boots in the fluffy white powder. The sacred, solitary atmosphere of these ruins remained untouched.
It seemed impossible to believe it was over half a year ago that he had met Tifa and Tatl in this very location.
They continued on their way, Tifa twirling around the ruined columns and fallen debris as if they were her dancing partners. It was impossible not to notice how at home she felt and how excited she was to be back. Even as they walked, Link wondered how he would convince her to come back with him. He needed to come here anyways; it was the perfect opportunity to stall for time until he could convince her to stay with him.
But as he saw her frolicking in the snow, he feared he had made a mistake. What if she wouldn't come back with him?
Link was about to climb the ledge that lead to the Door of Time when he spotted a strange glow from the corner of his eye. He walked towards it carefully, slowing his pace slightly while Tifa and Tatl watched from behind him. He had seen that strange glow before. If it was what he thought, he had caught a stroke of good luck.
He pulled a bottle from his satchel and snuck towards the strange glowing luminosity. He slowly lifted the pot where the glow was coming from and threw it against the wall. As the container shattered to pieces, a fairy emerged from its exposed hiding place. Deft hands caught the fairy in the bottle and pushed down the cap in one smooth motion. The small sprite never knew what was coming.
He walked back with a triumphant smile but stopped short when he saw Tifa scowling at him.
"What are you doing?" she asked with hands on her hips.
Link looked to the bottle and then back to the Kokiri. "Uhh…I captured a fairy."
"Why would you do such a thing? What did it ever do to you?" she asked with hurt in her voice. She attempted to take the bottle from him, but Link held it out of her reach. She looked helplessly to Tatl. "Tell him to set it free."
Tatl looked between the two. "I'm staying out of this."
Tifa looked as if she had been betrayed. "How can you say that? You're a fairy too. How would you feel if I stuck you in a bottle?"
Tatl just grunted. "It's not all that bad. Besides, he's not going to keep it there forever. He'll set it free when he needs it to heal his wounds. Right, Link?"
Link chuckled. "I don't plan on keeping it as a pet." He tucked the bottle into his satchel. "With the upcoming battle, I have a feeling I'll be using it real soon."
Tifa gave Tatl a big grin. "If Link can do it, does that mean I can keep you in a bottle?"
The fairy glared at her. "Don't even think about it."
Link laughed. "I have a spare bottle if you'd like it, Tifa." He purposely moved his hand to his satchel to instigate the fairy.
Tatl flew to his hand and pushed it away. "Don't encourage her."
"I'll just give it to her when you're not looking. I'd sleep with one eye open if I were you," he teased. He looked to the ledge they needed to climb to get to the upper level of the temple. "We're almost there. We just need to climb up here."
The hero scrambled up the block that acted as a shortcut to their destination, grabbing Tifa's hand and pulling her up as well. The effort took a little longer with both of them, but soon they were finally at the place Link needed to be.
There, before them, stood the door to the past. Somewhere through those doors, where the Temple of Time would be restored to its former glory, lay the answers Link was hoping for.
He stopped before the doors and turned to Tifa and Tatl. "This is what I came for. I need you both to stay here until I come back."
"Can't we come with you?" Tifa asked.
Link shook his head. "Not right now. This is something I need to do alone. I won't be gone long."
Tatl quieted the Kokiri's protests while Link turned and entered the ancient doors.
A bright flash enveloped him, wiping out the snow-covered forest from his vision. He walked through the empty void, the bright light gradually fading to reveal the Temple of Time in its restored glory. Beams of majestic light shone through the windows and onto the stone floor. Large stone walls and decorative colonnades towered above him. His hand slid on the smooth marble railing as he walked down the steps, stopping at the bottom to admire the middle of the chamber where the emblem of the Triforce was carved into the floor. It was hard to imagine this place would one day be claimed by the forest.
He looked at the two large, stone statues that guarded the chamber to the Master Sword. Even though he was the rightful owner of the blade, he still felt small and insignificant beneath their heavy gaze. He didn't feel worthy of wielding it.
As Link looked around at the temple, he noticed how empty it was, even in its former glory. The sense of awe that had come with him quickly vanished, replaced with utter hopelessness.
Why was he even here? Did he really expect to find answers? This place looked exactly the same as his first visit seven years ago. Yes, it was a temple rich with history. He realized how magnificent it looked basking in its former glory. But this place had no future. It was doomed to fall to the forest in due time. What hope could be possibly find here?
He looked up at the high, vaulted ceiling. Could the same be said of him? Were his best days behind him as well?
The hero walked further into the temple, his own heavy thoughts bogging him down. He paused when he reached the pedestal where the Master Sword had once lain. He drew the blade and held it in front of him. It lacked the shine he had grown accustomed to. He knew it was because it had lost its power to repel evil, an unfortunate side effect of not having all six sages awakened. It too looked like it had seen better days.
He had come here to learn about himself. He had come here to learn how to deal with the wolf inside him. He had hoped to rediscover the hero within. Once again, he found only disappointment.
He sheathed the sword and turned around with a sigh. There was nothing here for him. He had wasted his time and gotten his hopes up for nothing.
He watched his shadow lead the way to the exit; the memory of his encounter with Dark sent a shiver through him.
What would happen if his inner wolf got the best of him once again? What if it cost the life of someone he loved? Could he take that chance?
"You look lost, young man. Can I help you find something?" a hoarse voice called out to him.
The speaker was an elderly man, most likely in his sixties, with balding hair, wrinkled cheeks, and a scraggly white beard. He wore a style of Hylian clothing Link didn't recognize, but it fit well on his surprisingly fit figure. His eyes, hard as stone from years of life experience, looked at the hero intensely. A scar marked up his left cheek. His left ear was pierced.
Link stopped in his tracks. How had this man found him? Only he and the Oocca knew about this place. Had he been followed into the forest?
"I was looking for something, but I doubt you can help me find it," Link replied. He began walking towards the old man with the intention to go past him.
The old man chuckled. "Well, it seems we're both looking for something that we can't find. Why don't you sit down for a chat and join me?"
Link shrugged his shoulders. "I appreciate the offer, but I need to get going. I have some friends waiting for me."
The old man looked around. "Friends? There's no one here but you and me. And I didn't see anyone on my way in here."
Link paused. Either this man had snuck by Tatl and Tifa or he wasn't from the future. Could he be from this age then?
"I guess they're a little further out than I thought. All the more reason for me to be on my way."
The man grunted. "And do you plan on taking that sword with you? Last I knew that blade belongs here."
Link froze. "What about the sword?"
The old man looked away. "I said those are some nice clothes you have there. I've seen them before once or twice, worn by a fella' not unlike you. He was a bit better looking though. Is that the style kids your age wear nowadays?"
The hero turned around sharply. "Who…who did you see wearing this?"
The old man shrugged his shoulders. "What do you care? You gotta' be on your way." He waved him away. "Enjoy whatever you have to do."
Link walked over to the old man. Could this be the person he needed to meet? "Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my decision. It sounds like you have something you want to tell me."
The old man folded his arms. "Why would I have anything to say? You can't be bothered to take the time to listen."
"Well, you've caught my attention now."
"Why would I want to talk to someone I don't even know?"
Link's cheeks curled into a scowl. "Are you serious? You were the one asking me to talk! What do you want from me?"
The old man looked at him with a mischievous grin. "You could tell me your name for starters."
Link hesitated. If this man was from the past, he couldn't risk interfering. He sat down beside the old man and took a deep breath. "The name's Ordona."
His conversation partner arched an eyebrow. "Ordona? After the bloody general of the Hylian-Sheikah war? Your mother has an interesting choice in names."
Link nodded. So he was somewhere before his own time but after the fall of Kasuto. Even knowing that was no help.
"Well, it hasn't been a problem yet."
The old man laughed. "We'll see if you still say that once you get to be my age."
Link wasn't amused. This man was quickly driving his patience. "Well…aren't you going to tell me your name?"
The old man stretched out his hands and yawned. "I'll tell you my name when I'm good and ready. I see no reason to rush."
Link couldn't take it anymore. He jumped to his feet. There was no way this senile old man could have anything worthwhile to say. "Do you enjoy wasting my time?
The old man chuckled. "How am I wasting your time? We're having a pleasant conversation."
"Call it what you want, but I call this a waste of time. I have more important things to deal with." He felt his anger hindering his ability to filter his words. "Have fun babbling to yourself, you old fool!" Link stormed off towards the exit.
There was a twinkle in the old man's eye. "But don't you want to hear where I've seen those clothes before?"
Link turned around. "At this point, I don't care. You may find your little word games amusing, but I don't have time for them. There's too much at stake for me to dawdle here."
"Don't care, eh? Not even if I told you I saw those same clothes on the Hero himself?"
Link didn't want to turn around. He knew he'd be playing right into this old man's twisted game. But his interest had been piqued. This might be too good of an opportunity to pass up. He could spare a few minutes.
Despite the warnings in his mind, he turned around. "You've seen the Ancient Hero? When?"
The old man tapped his finger to his chin. "Well, my memory isn't what it used to be, but I remember seeing him around the Market a few times. I think I even stopped to talk to him once."
Link slowly walked closer. "And what was he like?"
The old man laughed. "Well, he was handsome, of course. And fit. And quite dashing. A really nice guy too, at least based on the little I talked to him. Had a whole bunch of equipment on him, but I guess that's expected since he is the hero and all." The old man looked at Link. "Come to think of it, you look an awful lot like him. Are you…nah…you don't look like the type."
"The type of what?" Link asked.
"You don't want to know," the old man said. "It's kind of embarrassing that I even jumped to that conclusion."
"Am I what?" Link persisted.
"Well…I was going to ask…since you're wearing similar clothes to the hero, are you one of those crazy fans who dress up like him? I saw a man like that once named Tingle. As bad as my memory is, I can't seem to forget his disgusting image in my mind."
Link grasped some of the fabric in his hands. "This? No, this is my traveling outfit. It's really comfortable and durable. It's saved my life more than once."
The old man looked intently at him. "So you're the real deal, eh, Ordona? You travel and fight and all that stuff? Where'd you get that sword of yours then?"
Link shrugged his shoulders. "It was given to me."
The old man looked at him suspiciously. "Is that so? Then why do I get the feeling you're lying?"
"I don't know. Maybe you're just going senile."
The old man nodded. "That may be true. But humor an old man and let me see your blade." He reached over and tried to grab the hilt, but Link intercepted the man's hand. His fingers wrapped around the old man's wrist."
"You've got quite the reflexes," the old man said through gritted teeth. Link's grip tightened just a smidgeon, causing him to grimace. "And some strength too. I'm quite impressed. But if I was your age, this contest would've ended differently."
Link looked absentmindedly at the back of the old man's hand. There was a small tattoo there that caught his attention.
"Is that so?" Link challenged. "I'm sure you were quite the warrior in your prime."
The old man nodded and grunted smugly. "If I were in my prime, I bet I'd be better with your sword too."
Link pulled the old man's hand closer so he could view the tattoo. It had the same shape as the Triforce. In fact, it was an exact match to the symbols on the hero's own hand, down to the coloration on the Triforce of Courage!
"This tattoo," Link began, "how long have you had it? And where did you get it?"
The old man tried to pull his hand away but Link refused to let go.
"What's it to you?" the old man asked defensively.
At last, Link let the man's hand go and looked at him sharply. "I don't think you are who you say you are. In fact, I think you're hiding something pretty important."
A mischievous grin came to the old man's face as he shook his wrist to resume circulation. "And what could an old man like me possibly have to hide?"
Link showed his own hand, where the Triforce of Courage blazed brightly. "I think you are the Hero. How else could you have that mark on your left hand?"
There was a tense moment of silence between them. Neither blinked or turned their gaze. It was an unspoken contest of wills.
Suddenly, the old man burst out laughing.
"Now that…that is funny!" the old man roared with a cackle.
Link was taken off guard. That wasn't the reaction he was expecting. He sat awkwardly, tapping his fingers against his legs while he waited for the old man to finally stop laughing.
"You think because I have a tattoo that that makes me a hero?" the old man finally managed. His lips look like they were about to burst, and he fell into another fit of laughter. Link sat and waited again while the man's cries of amusement echoed off the temple's hollow stone walls. He felt his impatience rising.
At last, the old man was finally coherent. "I hate to break the news to you, kid, but this tattoo is pretty popular nowadays. I appreciate the compliment though." His face saddened. "I wish I could be called a hero, but no one would believe me even if I was."
Link wasn't entirely convinced of the man's words.
"Do the names Tifa or Tatl sound familiar at all?"
The old man shrugged his shoulders. "Hmm, maybe I've heard the names before. But then again, maybe I haven't. My memory isn't what it used to be."
Link's eyes scrutinized the old man. "And what about Navi? Have you heard of her?"
The question drew a slight shiver. "That's a nice name. What's she look like? Is she pretty?"
"Small little blue ball of light. Wings. Would you call that pretty for a fairy?"
The old man's eyes avoided Link. His fist clenched into a loose fist. "Hmm, well fairies are pretty rare. And they don't stick around."
Link let out an exasperated sigh. This man still wasn't biting. He only had one other name he could rely on. He remembered it from his visions.
"And what about Saria? How is she doing nowadays?"
The old man trembled at the sound of that name. His eyes went wide. "Who…who are you? How do you know so much about me?" He gave Link a dark glare. "You…you must be with Scorpio!" His hand reached for Link's throat. "Have you come to take someone else from me? I'll kill you for what you did!"
Link intercepted the man's hand but was surprised by how much more strength he used this time. If Link's instincts weren't as quick as they were, he was sure he would've been overpowered instantly.
"You are the Hero," Link said sternly, using all his strength to restrain the man from choking him. "Why did you try and hide it from me?" He paused. "I've been hoping to meet you this entire time."
The old man grunted as he tried to overpower Link. "I was the Hero. The Hero of Time if you really want to know, but I forsook that title years ago." He glared at Link. "Why are you so interested in me? Are you here to cause me even more grief at this age?"
Link grunted and used the rest of his strength to push the old man onto his back. He jumped on top of him and pinned him after a brief struggle. "Well, I was going to tell you, but you keep attacking me!" They continued to struggle until the old hero ran out of breath and finally gave up.
"Fine. Do to me what you want. Just make my death quick," the Hero of Time said.
Link scowled. "I'm not going to hurt you. My name is really Link." He slowly rose to his feet, breathing somewhat heavily from their recent struggle. "I've come here from the future looking for answers."
"From the future? You're not pulling my leg?"
"This time I'm being honest."
The old man struggled to laugh, his face covered in sweat and his breath barely coming to him. It wasn't one of mockery but one of relief. "Well, now it all makes sense. I knew someone from Scorpio could never wield the Master Sword. And to think I thought they had finally found me after all these years."
"So you actually believe me? About being from the future?" Link asked.
The other hero slowly rose to his feet. "Well, seeing as I've traveled through time once or twice myself, let's say I'm pretty open-minded about such things." He struggled to straighten his back, eliciting a sickening crack. "Not to mention we are in the Temple of Time."
Link nodded. It made sense. But he never would've figured he'd meet another hero like himself.
"The name is also Link," the Hero of Time offered his hand. "But that might get confusing, so you can call me Old Link," he said with a smirk. "I apologize about my earlier antics. I guess it's been so long since I've interacted with people that I forgot my social graces. Then again, I was raised by a tree and a pack of children."
The Hero of Light chuckled and shook the other hero's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Old Link." He paused. "I have to admit…this is kind of weird for me to be talking to you like this. I've heard stories and legends about your exploits my whole life. But to be talking to you…it's…well…"
"Not what you expected?" the older hero suggested.
"Well…not quite. You seem a lot more normal than I expected. A lot more human."
The older Link looked at his hands and his feet. He gave his counterpart a sly smile. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I'm quite human. Despite what you heard, I'm not nine-feet tall, I don't have laser-vision, and I can't shoot fire out of my butt." He winked. "At least not anymore."
Link smiled. "Well, that's good. I imagine that last bit would be quite painful."
The Hero of Time chuckled a bit, coughing as his breath went ahead of him. When at last he settled down, he looked at Link somewhat seriously. "Well, how do you think I feel? I feel like I'm staring in a mirror…except my true reflection is a lot better looking. But with my age, all this excitement might be too much for my heart to handle."
Link arched a brow. "Well, don't die on me. There's still so much I want to ask you."
There was a twinkle in the old hero's eye. It was as if he had been waiting for that question his whole life. "Then ask away. It's about time someone took interest in what I have to teach." He looked at Link intently. "What did you want to know?"
The Hero of Light took a deep breath while he gathered his thoughts. It was now or never. If he didn't find the courage to talk about the wolf now, he might never be able to do it. Meanwhile, the older Link waited patiently until his younger counterpart was ready to speak.
"It's…it's not easy for me to talk about this, but I feel you might be the only person who really understands." At last, he finally understood why the goddesses had led him here. Now he could only hope his ancestor would be able to help him. "I've spent my whole life trying to do the right thing. I've done my share of fighting evil and saving others. Some would call me a hero, but I've just been doing what comes naturally to me."
"That sounds vaguely familiar," the old man said with a wink.
Link nodded. "Yeah, I guess it would for you. But there is another side to me…a side that I'm not so proud of. And this side of me has made some terrible mistakes recently, some of which I'll never be able to fix."
The old man nodded empathetically. "The title of hero carries a heavy burden, regardless of what time period you come from." He rested his head on his chin. "Why don't you tell me a bit more about this other side of yours?"
Link nodded. "Well, it's not exactly easy to describe. I'm a half-shifter."
"Shifter?" the older Link asked.
The Hero of Light nodded. "Basically, I can transform into a wolf at will. Sometimes, it can be really useful. The enhanced senses I receive have been invaluable. But it comes with a price. Whenever I transform, I become consumed by this insatiable appetite to hunt, fight, and kill. I can't even think straight. Sometimes, I can't even tell who my friends are. It's led to some bad situations."
Link told him everything. The old hero listened like a trusted friend as his young successor unloaded his troubles. He told of how he had met his mother only recently and learned of his mixed heritage. He described the first-time he had ever become a wolf. He confessed to the hidden adventures he often took to satisfy his hunger for fresh blood. He talked about the savage thoughts he struggled with, how sometimes they even came to him as a human, and how he had tried to fight it for so long to no avail. Finally, with great difficulty, he recounted the damage it had caused: of the hundreds he had slain as Ordona, of how he had betrayed Colin, and how he had murdered Zili.
While Link told his story, the older hero listened with empathy and intent. He nodded along at those parts he most identified, asked questions when he needed clarification, and encouraged Link when he didn't think he could finish. When at last the hero finished his story, the old man ran a hand through his beard and nodded.
"It sounds like you've struggled with this for a long time."
Link nodded. "For too long if you ask me." He looked up. "I can't seem to find the answer. I was hoping you could give me one."
"What if I told you you've already been told the answer? Part of your story caught my attention. Something your mother said was very interesting. Could you repeat it for me?"
Link had to think for a moment. "Are you talking about when she told me I can't look at the wolf as a beast?
"Yeah, that's the part. But she said something else too."
"She said I had to look at it as a part of me, as a part of my humanity."
The old man nodded. "There's quite a lot of wisdom in those words."
Link hung his head. "But how am I supposed to do that? The hero inside of me wants to save people. The wolf inside me wants to kill people. How am I supposed to reconcile those two?"
The hero of time nodded. "That's a valid point. Perhaps it would be helpful to share a little of my story. You see…I too struggled with my identity for a long time."
Link looked up. "You? I don't believe it."
The old man gave a solemn smile. "That's only because you see before you the pot after it was molded from the clay. I had to harden in the kiln for a long time. It was not a pleasant experience." He shook his head. "The legends may have told you of my exploits, but I'm sure they don't mention the losses and pain I endured as a result. As I mentioned before, the title of 'hero' bears a heavy burden."
"What do you mean?"
"You will understand soon enough." He paused. "In all your legends, did they ever talk about how I traveled through time?"
Link nodded. "Yeah, I think some of them do. There are a few conflicting accounts."
The old hero grunted bitterly. "Of course there would be." He looked up at the temple ceiling. "What they won't tell you is my spirit was trapped by that blade you now hold for seven long years. All that time, my mind remained as a child while my body grew into a man. When I awoke, I no longer recognized myself. And yet, I had no time to acclimate to my new body. As soon as I stepped out of the temple and into Hyrule, I saw a land that looked nothing like what I had grown up with."
"The land I had grown up with was lush and green and full of joy and laughter. My time was spent playing games with the other Kokiri or exploring the Lost Woods. I didn't know the meaning of the word trouble. Sure, I got picked on a lot by some of the others since I didn't have a fairy, but Saria was always there to defend me. And I had Tifa too, so I couldn't complain. As sheltered as I was, I was also happy."
The Hero of Time took a deep breath. "Everything changed once the Great Deku Tree died. I'll never forget that day. I was so excited that Navi had finally become my fairy that I didn't realize the Great Deku Tree was dying. I thought I could save him, but in the end, it was too late. His departing wish was that I save Hyrule."
"I was inconsolable for the rest of the day; I thought my world was falling apart. I went to sleep with my eyes still wet with tears. That night was miserable and full of nightmares. But then, when I woke up, something changed. I don't know what it was, but something changed inside me. I knew what I had to do, and crying on my bed wasn't going to accomplish it. That's what prompted me to leave the forest, and things were never the same after that."
Link nodded. "It was similar for me the first time I left home, although no one died. Some monsters came and kidnapped my friends. I went after them, thinking I could rescue them. Next thing I know I'm transformed into a wolf and trapped in another world. Things happened pretty quickly after that."
"For each of us, leaving home forces us to grow up," the hero of time replied. "After I left home, I learned a lot of things and met a lot of people." He paused. "But nothing could've prepared me for what awaited me the first time I walked out of this temple as an adult."
"The entire city of Hyrule was destroyed. A market that was once full of bustling people held nothing but fire and smoke. Monstrous ReDeads roamed the streets like wild animals. A malevolent cloud hung around Death Mountain like a ring of fire. And in the center of it all, where Hyrule Castle once stood, loomed Ganon's Tower. For the first time, I saw the true price of my failure."
Link was on the edge of his seat. "What did you do?"
The Hero of Time looked at his younger counterpart in disbelief. "I journeyed through Hyrule, underwent many trials, and finally sealed Ganon away. What else would you expect?" He paused. "And yet, no one here will ever know what I did. They don't know of the sacrifices I made or the pain I endured. I won't be remembered as a hero."
The hero looked in disbelief. "But why? You've done so much for Hyrule."
"Because none of it ever happened. At least not in this timeline. After I saved Hyrule, she sent me back here to relive my childhood." Even though he could only slam his fist weakly, the old hero's voice managed to carry his frustration. "Did she really think I could just go back? Was she really willing to forget everything we had gone through together?"
Link placed a hand on the old man's shoulder. "Are you okay? Who are you talking about?"
The old man brushed off Link's gesture. "Sorry about that. Guess you could say I stirred up some bitter memories. You see…even after I saved Hyrule, Zelda sent me back to my own time. I wasn't even out of the Temple of Time when Navi let me know that our partnership was over." He looked off into the distance. "I was stunned. There wasn't much to say. I knew she was right, but it didn't make it any easier. I watched her fly into the sun-soaked window and out of sight. I never saw her again."
Link cringed. He had seen that very vision take place himself. He looked down at the ground. "I know how you feel. When my journey was over, my traveling companion and the woman I cared about most walked out of my life and shattered the only bridge between us. For seven long years, I wandered around restlessly, searching for her or something else to fill that hole."
The old hero nodded in empathy. "Then you'll understand why I left Hyrule and went to Termina to look for her. Instead, I only found more confusion. During that time, I became a Deku Scrub, a Zora, and a Goron. I wore so many masks and became so many different things that I began to lose track of who I really was."
Link looked down at the ground. "Just like me and the wolf." He looked up. "Did you ever find Navi?"
The old hero shook his head. "I never did. But my journey taught me many other things, even if I didn't fully understand them until years later."
"Like what?"
"I learned that regardless of what age my body was or what mask I wore, no matter what I endured or what I lost, I was still the same person. I was still Link. All those different forms, all those trials I had endured were actually blessings. They had helped shape me. They allowed me to do things and to relate to people in ways I had never imagined."
"I wish I could find that sort of resolution."
He looked intently at Link. "I didn't tell that story for my own benefit; I told it for yours. That wolf is a part of you in the same way those masks, or even time-traveling, became a part of me. First and foremost, you are a hero, gifted with courage from Farore herself. The wolf is just a different way to express it, no better or worse than as a Hylian. It is a gift bestowed upon you by the goddesses for a reason. It will allow you to achieve things and relate to people that would be impossible otherwise." He smiled. "I think that is what your mother meant by her words."
Link looked down at the ground. "How could this curse possibly help me relate to people?"
The old man frowned. "As a Deku Scrub, I was able to empathize with a kingdom slowly dying from the poison waters flowing out of their former home. As a Goron, I was able to understand the suffering of a tribe that would not survive the cold winter unless something was done. As a Zora, I was able to mourn with a mother who had lost her children and heal the loved one who died trying to rescue them. These are just a sample of dozens of stories that would not have happened without those masks. Surely, your wolf is also capable of helping people in similar ways."
The hero shook his head. "I'm not sure you understand. The wolf inside me is a monster. I killed a man in cold-blood in front of my friends and enjoyed doing it. That's not to mention the dozens of other problems it's caused. It's too dangerous."
Old Link held out his hand as if there was something inside it. "But there are two sides to every coin. What might be perceived as a monster could also be someone's salvation." He turned his hand over. "Any type of power can be used for both good and evil. Even the Triforce."
Link's voice rose. "We're not talking about a mask which you can take on or off! This is a living beast inside me! It's killed people!"
The Hero of Time frowned thoughtfully. "So hasn't your sword, and yet you still call it the Blade of Evil's Bane."
Link scowled. "That's different. The Master Sword is a tool. The wolf is a monster."
The old man shrugged his shoulders. "Very well, I won't try and persuade you further." He looked to the blue cross-guard sticking out of Link's scabbard. "Since we're on the subject, can I see your sword for a minute? I would love to hold it once again for old time's sake."
Link slowly pulled the Master Sword from its scabbard. "Yeah, I don't see why not." He couldn't help but feel disappointed. It turned out even the Hero of Time didn't understand him. Still, he at least deserved to hold his old weapon. Link rested the flat of the blade in one hand and the hilt in the other, carefully handing it to the older hero.
The Hero of Time took it in his hand and admired it. "It's been too long," he gasped, giving it a few practice swings. Link flinched as the blade came awfully close to his shoulder.
"Stand up," the old man directed him.
"Excuse me?" Link asked.
"I said stand up," the Hero of time repeated. He rose to his own feet and pointed the blade right at Link's neck. "You shouldn't be so trusting with your weapon."
A knot formed in the back of Link's throat. Was this man out of his mind?
SWISH!
Link rolled out of the way just in time to avoid the blade slicing his neck. He reached for his shield, but the older hero was too close. Link back-flipped just in time to avoid a deadly jump slash. The old man's arm was surprisingly strong and his skill was sharp; there wasn't a single wasted movement in his attacks. But Link was quicker and had better stamina. Wit against wit, courage against courage, skill against skill; the two heroes raced around the temple in their dance of death.
Link felt his forehead beginning to sweat. He back flipped, sidestepped, rolled, jumped, and did whatever he had to do to avoid the older hero's attacks. His ancestor was relentless and efficient, never stopping in his continual barrage of slashes.
"Are you mad?" Link yelled as he ducked to avoid a thrust aimed at his head. "What are you doing?"
"Of course I'm mad!" the older hero cackled back, executing a spin slash to make Link keep his distance. "But there is a method to my madness. If you want me to stop, then you'll have to take the weapon from me. Your opponent won't show you any mercy, so why should I?"
Link had no time to use any of his equipment; the old hero was too skilled and experienced to give him the opportunity. His only defense was running and dodging, but how long could he keep it up? If only he could attack and defend at the same time.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. He back flipped as he began muttering the incantations for Nayru's Love.
The hero let out a sly smile as the spell's blue crystal encased him. Taking advantage of the protection it afforded him, he transformed into a wolf and lunged at the older hero. The Hero of Time didn't miss a step. He sidestepped the bite and followed up with a thrust aimed right at the wolf's side. It scratched against the crystal like a nail against rock, but failed to penetrate. Now vulnerable to an attack, Link pounced on the old man, placing his paws on the older hero's chest and growling fiercely at him.
The Hero of Time released the sword from his grasp to the floor and started laughing. He couldn't stop. "Impressive! I never expected that! Absolutely brilliant!"
Link glared at the old man. When he was sure his ancestor meant him no more harm, he got off him and became human again. He grabbed the Master Sword and quickly sheathed it as a precaution.
The old man was still laughing as he slowly rose to his feet. Link thought he heard a sickening crack as the man straightened his back and cringed.
"Absolutely stunning. You knew a wolf had no chance against the sword, so you combined it with Nayru's Love to protect yourself. Quite a clever maneuver," the old man said.
"Why in Farore's name did you attack me like that? You could've killed me!" Link hollered, his face turning red. "Isn't it enough I face death every day as is?"
The old man ignored his comment. "I was trying to teach you a lesson, but I thought a demonstration would work better." He looked at Link more seriously. "Did you see how you used your inner wolf to your advantage? Pretty useful for a monster."
Link looked around. "Well, even a monster can have its uses."
The old hero looked to the sword. "And what about your trusty sword? Is that a monster now because it tried to kill you?"
"Of course not!" came Link's response. "You're the one who tried to kill me! The sword's just a weapon. It can't be good or evil."
"And what makes your inner wolf any different? Aren't you the one in control of it? Or have you been confusing the tool for the one wielding it?"
Link looked intently at the old man, as if he were on the edge of a breakthrough. "But the wolf brings out the worst in me. It's a part of me. The Master Sword isn't. That's the difference."
The old man raised a brow. "So if the wolf is part of you and that's evil, does that make your hand evil? What about your ear? Or your nose? Or your butt? Or your…"
"Okay! I get the point!" Link hollered.
"I don't think you do," the old man smiled. "You're close…but you're not quite there yet." He sat down once again on the stairs. "Whether you want to admit it or not, you're the one in control of that wolf. You just demonstrated that now during our fight. Up until this point, you've been using it as a crutch to justify what you've done. In reality, the wolf isn't making you evil. It is the lust for violence and blood that's always been inside you expressing itself through the wolf."
Link looked down at the ground. Something inside him knew the hero was right. The fact that Dark Link lived inside him only served to confirm the existence of his inner darkness.
"When I first became a wolf, I remember how exhilarating and useful it was. I used to never struggle with it." He sighed. "It wasn't until this war started and everything started spiraling out of control that I began to lose control. At times, I feared using its power, while other times I let it consume me."
"It sounds like you lost your sense of purpose and courage," the old man said. "A sword has no strength if the hand that holds it lacks courage. I suspect it is the same as your ability to shift. Without that guiding light, you have nothing to protect you from your base instincts."
Link's eyes widened. "I've heard those words before, but only as the hero. I never thought it'd apply to the wolf."
"And why wouldn't it? They're both a part of you." the old hero challenged.
Link nodded slowly as the idea started to sink in. "You've got a point. This whole time, I've been seeing the wolf and the hero as separate entities. It's let me make excuses for why I could do things as a wolf that I would never do as a human. Yet, they are both a part of me. They both draw from the same courage deep inside me." He paused. "Maybe it's time I started seeing it that way. I think I finally understand now what my mother was saying."
The old man smiled. "It's about time."
Link nodded. "I can't thank you enough. Maybe the wolf can be used for good as long as I make that choice. It's time I regained my courage and stopped being afraid to use the ability I've been given. It's time I took responsibility for what I do as a wolf as well as a man." He looked up. "I think I know what I need to do now."
"Your courage has always been there with you. You just have to recognize it," the Hero of Time encouraged.
Link looked to the golden triangle on his left hand, proof that what his ancestor said was true. "You're right. And I intend to use it to protect those I care about."
"I'm glad I was able to help you understand." He looked towards the door. "Well, I must say I enjoyed our chat, but you should get going if your friends are waiting for you."
"What about you?" Link asked.
"Don't worry about me. I plan on staying here a little longer while I reminisce about the past. This place holds a lot of memories for me."
"Then may the goddesses bless you." Link got up and began heading towards the exit.
Link was grateful to this man. The ancient hero surpassed any of the legends that attempted to encapsulate his courage. Their lives were separated by centuries, and yet Link felt this man understood him better than anyone. He hadn't been disappointed after all; at last, he could finally say he was at peace with the wolf inside. He knew the struggle would still be there, he knew he would have to take responsibility for what he did as a wolf now, but at least he knew what he had to do. If only he could do something for the old hero in return.
Something the Hero of Time said earlier stopped Link where he stood. He turned on his heel. "Link, what happened to Saria?"
The older hero's face paled. "Why would you ask a question like that?"
"When I first mentioned her name, you jumped at me and thought I belonged to Scorpio. Clearly something happened that you're still holding onto. You've helped me find peace. I'd like to do the same for you."
The hero laughed cynically. "Don't worry about me. I'll be dead soon enough. What are a few more years of pain and regret?"
"A few years can feel like an eternity when you're living in the past," Link said. He walked back to the forgotten hero and sat down next to him. "I want to hear your story."
The old hero sighed. "If you really want to hear it, I'll tell it. But it is not a happy story. Are you sure you still want to hear it?"
Link nodded.
"Very well," the hero of time said while shaking his head. "I suppose I should pick up where I left off, huh? It won't do you any good to hear what happened without hearing about the events leading up to it."
Link nodded. "That would probably be a good place to start."
The old hero hesitated for a moment before beginning. This was one story he wouldn't enjoy reliving.
"Before I left for Termina, I used my knowledge of the future to prevent Ganondorf's attack from ever happening. When his plot was discovered, he declared war against us and tried to fight us. However, we had the element of surprise on our side and so the battle was over rather quickly. His followers were dispersed and he was imprisoned. When I came back from Termina a year or so later, things were relatively peaceful. I returned to the forest often, even though I could no longer live there. When I wasn't there or visiting other friends around Hyrule, I spent much of my time in Hyrule Castle."
"Why's that?"
A sad smile came to his lip. He stared nostalgically into thin air. "Zelda and I had developed a close friendship. Even though she had no memory of what occurred in that alternate time, there was still a deep connection between us that neither of us could quite explain." He laughed. "I guess you could call it a childhood crush."
"As the years passed, it became difficult for me to spend much time among the Kokiri. I was getting older, and yet they stayed the same. Even spending time with Saria and Tifa wasn't the same anymore, although they were both some of my closest friends. As a result, I spent more and more time at the castle and less time at the forest."
"To spend time with Zelda?"
A hint of red painted the old hero's cheeks. "Well, I guess you could say our childhood friendship was blossoming into something more." His face quickly saddened. "Or, at least we hoped it would, but life has a cruel way of dousing you with the cold water of reality. You see, with Ganondorf behind bars and the kingdom seeking to expand, the king turned his mind to other things. He soon sought other lands, and he wasn't afraid to use his daughter as a bargaining tool."
"You mean he…" Link trailed off.
"I'll never forget the day she told me," the old hero continued. "She had on a lovely blue dress. Her gorgeous blonde hair was tucked in a ponytail too. But she wouldn't look me straight in the eye as I approached. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Eventually, after much coaxing, she finally confessed that her father had picked a husband for her, that we weren't meant to be together."
Link felt his anger boil. "Didn't you do anything?"
The old man sighed. "Of course I did. I protested, I wanted to yell at her father, but she wouldn't let me. Besides, what could I say? I wasn't a hero anymore. I had no standing in his eyes. In the end, she was convinced the only thing we could do was sacrifice our own desires to serve the greater good."
There was a long period of silence. Link fidgeted uncomfortably while he waited for his ancestor to finish the story.
The old hero took a deep breath and continued. "Attending her wedding was one of the hardest things I ever endured, even to this day. Her husband was a good-enough man, some noble from a distant land. I tried to be happy for her. I really did. But I knew in my heart that I would always resent him, and resent the fact that I had given up so much for her only to have mud thrown back in my face."
Link nodded. "Love certainly hurts."
"It often does." The hero of time paused. "With my world shattered, I went to the only place that didn't remind me of her: the Kokiri Forest. I don't know if I displeased the goddesses or if destiny was conspiring against me, but I only found hurt and pain there as well. Instead of finding a warm welcome from my childhood friends, I found the entire village up in flames."
Link recollected the vision instantly. "It was Scorpio, wasn't it?"
The old man looked surprised. "If that's what you call Ganondorf's followers, then yes. How did you know?"
The hero shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Continue your story."
"I'm afraid the story only gets worse. Are you sure you want me to continue?" the old man warned.
Link steeled himself. "I am no stranger to sacrifice or tragedy."
"Very well, then." He cleared his throat. "It was indeed Ganondorf's followers. To send me a message, they burned the whole village down and escaped before I could catch them. A few of the Kokiri didn't survive. The Great Deku Tree decided that for the safety of those who remained, he had to move them deeper into the forest and cut them off from the rest of the world. He warned me that if I didn't join them, I might never see them again."
"Why didn't you go with them?"
"I couldn't hide while the killers were still out there. I'd forever view myself as a coward. So I was forced to say goodbye." He sighed. I lost both the love of my life and my childhood friends in one day. I've only seen each of them once since."
Link nodded. "And that was the last time you saw Tifa or Saria, huh?"
"Saria left the forest for good and came with me. The Great Deku Tree warned her that she would cease to be a Kokiri if she came with me. That was a price she was willing to pay…all to remain by my side."
Link nodded. "That's quite a friend."
The hero of time looked away. "Looking back, I wish she hadn't. The fact that she was always there for me, even in my darkest time, made me feel even worse about pulling her away from the rest of the Kokiri. I didn't deserve her friendship." He looked up at the temple ceiling. "But in some ways, it helped revitalize our friendship. It was strange to see her start to grow up like me, but it was also a relief. I finally had someone that could relate to what I was going through. Unfortunately, at the time I was too bitter from Zelda's rejection and the pain of being a forgotten hero. Being preoccupied with vengeance didn't help either. I never appreciated her sacrifice for me or thought about why she had done it. Not until it was too late."
"It was nearly five years later. I had taken a job with the border patrol, traveling around Hyrule to help end conflicts wherever I could, trying to recapture the glory days of being a hero while always listening and looking for the bastards who burned down the forest. Saria traveled with me when she could. It wasn't an ideal life, but I found some pleasure in bringing other people happiness. After all, I was convinced, and still am to some degree, that I would never find any of my own."
"I was stationed just outside the village of Kakariko when Ganondorf's followers found us. At long last, after spending years looking for them to no avail, they had found us. They attacked us in overwhelming numbers. I fought as hard as I could, but there were just too many. We knew there was no way we would both make it out alive. Things only got worse when they used her as a hostage to force my surrender. I tried to save her, but they stabbed her before I could even swing my blade. It wasn't enough to kill her, but plenty to give her agonizing pain. I can still her screams at night."
"And yet…you're still alive," Link said.
"I was ready to give myself up, but Saria took the decision out of my hands. She mouthed something to me before turning against her attackers. She knew there were too many for her to escape successfully, but she didn't want her blood on my hands. As several of them jumped on top of her, stabbing her and beating her to death, the rage was too much for me to handle. I lost control that night; I used a forbidden power I swore I'd never use again. Within minutes, their corpses lay on the ground while Saria sat dying in my arms. When I asked her why she did it, she said she did it out of love. Not the love of friendship, but the same kind of love I had once felt for Zelda." He paused. "All this time, right beneath my nose, and I never realized until it was too late."
Link looked down at the ground. He didn't know what to say. "I'm…sorry for your loss. That's a terrible way to lose a friend and companion." He took a deep breath and sighed. "Where is she now?"
The old man's smile disappeared. "She's buried in the Lost Woods where she belongs. Only I and the Great Deku Tree know where. When I die, I intend to be buried next to her, in honor of her sacrifice."
Link knew the place. It was where he had gotten the Ocarina of Time. He had always wondered about the second grave that rested there. Now he knew the sad truth.
The old hero pounded his fist into the ground. "I've traveled through time so many times, and yet, when it means the most to me, I can't seem to turn back the clock. I was so lost in my rage and my despair over Zelda that I missed what was in front of me the entire time."
Link looked away. "You've had to sacrifice so much."
The Hero of Time looked solemnly at the chamber that once housed the Master Sword. "To be a hero is to know the pain of sacrifice. It is to bear that sacrifice so that others don't have to." He forced a smile. "But it doesn't mean you have to give up everything that's good in this life. It took me too long to learn that. Ever since Saria died, I've spent my entire life living as a shadow of my former self, wondering what could've been if I had just viewed things differently."
"Look at me," he directed at Link. "I don't have much time left. When I die, my knowledge and my memories will go with me. I won't be remembered as a hero when I die. I may not even get a funeral. But if I had one last wish, it would be to pass on what I know before that happens so my life won't be a waste. If I was a bit younger and we had more time, I'd show you everything I know. But alas, all I can teach you is to not make the same mistakes I did."
Link nodded. "You've already taught me so much. I just wish there was something I could do to repay you." His eyes lit up. "Wait…maybe there is something! I'll be right back."
Before the old man could say a word, Link rushed out of the temple. The Hero of Time looked around the temple as he reflected on his past, whistling a song Saria had taught him as he waited. It was a song she only taught her closest friends.
Link was back a few minutes later, but he wasn't alone. Tifa and Tatl were with him.
"By the goddesses…" the Hero of Time gasped. "What are you two…I thought I'd never see either one of you again."
"Wow! He's sooooo old," Tifa exclaimed. The Kokiri pointed at him. "Who's that supposed to be, Link?"
Tatl looked at the old man. There was something strangely familiar about him, about the shape of his face and the way he composed himself. And especially the intensity of his blue eyes. But the passing of ages made it difficult to pin down why he looked so familiar.
"Have we met before?" Tatl asked, daring to hover just a little closer.
The old hero laughed aloud. "I believed we spent quite a bit of time in Termina together. Nearly got ourselves killed on more than one occasion. How's Tael these days?"
Tatl jerked back. "Termina? She looked intently at the old hero. Finally, she recognized the face of her former companion, even cloaked in the robe of old age. "Link…is that really you?"
"Glad to see you haven't forgotten me, Tatl," the old man smirked. He looked to the Kokiri, who was still studying him intently. "Figure it out yet, Tifa? If not, you can always ask Tatl."
"Tifa…this is Link," the fairy explained.
The Kokiri shook her head and pointed to the Hero of Light. "No, that's Link."
"Yes, they're both named Link. But this Link is the one who grew up in the forest with you."
Tifa wasn't convinced. "Then why's he so old?"
"Because I'm not like you, Saria, or Mido," the older Link explained. "Time passes for me differently. It's been a long time since I left the forest."
"You knew Saria and Mido?" Tifa looked intently at him. "Are you really him?"
The old man nodded. "The same Link who never had a fairy until Navi came along. The same Link who used to play songs on the ocarina with you and Saria. The same Link who left the forest all those years ago."
A tear began to well up in the Kokiri's eye. "It…it really is you." She dashed towards him and enveloped him in a hug. "I missed you! Why did you have to leave?"
The Hero of Time said nothing, choosing instead to enjoy the embrace. Tatl hovered closer, then backed away, not quite sure what she wanted to do. At last, with an encouraging smile from Tifa and a nod from the younger Link, she nuzzled between them.
Link watched from a distance and smiled. His heart still hurt from hearing his ancestor's story. He knew he could never completely heal the scars ailing the old man's heart, but he hoped to at least bring him comfort. He hoped this would strengthen Tifa and Tatl's resolve as well. They were just as essential in the fight against Mudora as he or Kari.
"I know this can't erase the pain of your past," Link said, directing his comment to his ancestor. "But sometimes, you need to forget about that pain and live in the moment, enjoying it for what it is. A good friend just taught me that recently. Now I'm honoring her memory by passing that lesson onto you."
The hero of time looked up as Tifa still nuzzled her head in the old man's arm. "Thank you, Link," he said. "I feared I would live the rest of my life without tasting the joy of friendship ever again. Just now, you've given me a little of that back."
"And you've given me hope," Link replied. "I can return to my friends in peace."
The legendary hero paused, looking down at the Kokiri. He placed his arms around her and hugged her tight.
The Kokiri started sobbing. "Where have you been all this time? Tatl and I traveled all over the world and we couldn't find you. Have you been here all this time?"
Link shook his head. She didn't understand that they had traveled through time to get here.
"You left the forest?" the old hero asked in surprise.
"Yeah…it was kind of a cool adventure while Link was there with us. But then he was gone and suddenly it became full of monsters and icky blood and all sorts of scary things. I'm glad we're going home now."
"And why did you leave in the first place?" he asked.
"Because we thought we could do something," Tatl replied. "The world's in danger and we thought we could do something, just like you and I did in Termina. But we've been only a hindrance. It's not worth putting others in danger if we're only getting in the way."
"Ah, I see," the old man nodded. "That makes sense."
"But you're the Forest Sage, Tifa," Link explained. "We need you."
The words caught the Hero of Time by surprise. "Tifa…is this true?"
Tifa nodded slowly with a hint of guilt.
"But you don't want to be a sage because it's scary. Is that right?"
She nodded again.
The old man let her sit on his lap like a father holding his child. "You know, Tifa, a friend of mine was also the forest sage at one time. She was from the Kokiri Forest as well and one of my best friends. Originally, she didn't know she was called to be a sage, but when she was finally awakened, she accepted it without question. It was a very difficult sacrifice for her; we could no longer live in the same world together. But she was willing to be brave. As a result, she helped me imprison an evil monster, and the whole world was safe because of her."
"What was your friend's name?" Tifa asked.
The old hero paused. "That's not what's important. What's important is that because of my friend's sacrifice, we were able to bring peace and happiness to so many others. Don't you want to do the same?"
Tifa giggled. "I wish I could be a hero." That smile quickly faded. "But it's so scary out there. I don't want to be around all that violence and killing. I just want to be home."
The old man gently patted her shoulder. "Tifa, there comes a time when we must all grow up. Sometimes the right thing isn't always the easiest. Sometimes we have to face things we're afraid of or don't like. But doing the right thing is always worth it in the end."
The Kokiri stared at the floor. "But Kokiri don't grow up."
The hero of time chuckled. "Growing up has nothing to do with how old or how tall you are." He pointed to her heart. "It has to do with what's inside here. It's the ability to make the right choice even when it's difficult or scary. Sometimes, the thin line between success and failure can be swayed by one person's willingness to fight."
Tatl looked at him. "Wow…looks like old age really does give you wisdom. You had a pretty far way to come."
The old hero mock-scowled at the fairy. "Are you saying I was stupid?"
"Let's just say you would've gotten nowhere without me," Tatl replied.
Tifa was still lost in her thoughts. She looked to the current Link. "Do you really need me that much? Can I…can we really make that much of a difference?"
Link nodded. "Without you or Tatl, we can't do this. We need you both."
The forest sage looked down at the floor for a moment, then back to the old hero. He gave her a nod and a reassuring smile. That was all she needed.
"If you'll be there with me Link, then I'll go back," she said. "The world outside the forest is scary, but it becomes less scary when you're around. If everyone is really counting on me, then I don't want to let them down."
Tatl was shocked. She hadn't expected Tifa to respond like that. She couldn't help but swell with pride.
"And if Tifa goes, then I guess I have to go as well," Tatl replied. "So much for returning to the village."
Link sighed in relief. "Thank you, both of you." He looked up to his ancestor. "And thank you, Old Link, for everything. You've taught me things I'll never forget." He looked to the door. "Tifa, Tatl, we need to return to our own time. The others are waiting for us back at the camp."
Tifa looked at the old hero. "But…but…I wanted to catch up with Link. Can't we stay a few more minutes?"
Link couldn't resist Tifa's imploring eyes. Since time here seemed to flow differently, he gave the two a little longer to reminisce. As he listened to them swap stories and recall the days of their childhood with the Hero of Time, his heart filled with warmth. They were all genuinely happy to see each other. It was bringing healing to all of them.
At last, though, it was time for them to go. It was difficult for Tifa and Tatl to say goodbye, but they eventually did so after a long and teary hug. The Hero of Time watched with a sad smile as Tifa and Tatl passed through the doors that lead to their own time ahead of Link. He was about to follow them when the old man's voice halted him one final time.
"Link, wait," the older hero said. "I want to thank you…to thank you for bringing Tifa and Tatl here. You reminded me what it was to feel joy again, and helped me live in the moment. You made it worth living to this old age."
Link nodded. "We both helped each other."
"That may be true, but there's still something I want you to have." He pulled out a box from his satchel and presented it to Link. "I'm giving this to you now, my son. I pray it'll be helpful for the battles ahead. Just be sure to use it carefully." He paused. "I may not be remembered as a hero in this time, but at least I was able to pass on a small amount of my knowledge to you. I just wish I had more time to teach you everything I know."
The hero smiled. "I wouldn't worry about that. Something tells me you'll get around to teaching me someday."
The old man laughed. "I certainly hope so." His face became solemn. "But Link, promise me that you will treasure those who are dear to you. It is the hero's fate to suffer and sacrifice. The only way we are able to endure it is to love those close to us and use them as our strength to fight. Somehow, I managed to forget that, and I fear you may fall into the same trap. It's up to you to break that cycle."
Link nodded. "I will. Goodbye, Link."
"Goodbye, my son."
It was surreal walking through the gate back to the Sacred Forest Meadow. The time portal slowly closed behind him as he emerged back into the wintery forest. He looked at the box the Hero of Time had given him. He wondered what was inside it. He decided it was better to open it later; if it was meant only for him, he didn't want to show it to Tifa and Tatl.
Suddenly, a stranger wrapped in a thick cloak jumped in front of him and plunged a fist into his gut. Where had they come from? The strike was so fast that Link had no time to react. It knocked the wind out of him while he staggered back.
"Well Link, I finally caught up with you," a woman's voice greeted him. "You're not very good at hiding your tracks. I suppose I should be grateful for that, but it's something I'll have to teach you later."
The cloaked figure stood and watched him. Tifa and Tatl were ready to attack her, but Link held them off with a stay of his hand. The punch had taken him by surprise, but he had felt no pain from it. In fact, the tone of the woman's voice seemed friendly, almost playful. His instincts told him she meant none of them harm.
"What was that about?" he asked.
He could almost see the smirk beneath her hood. "A tall woman with red hair told me to punch you when I found you. I was delivering her message to you."
He cringed…the message must've come from Midna. But who could this woman be? Link tried to remember where he had heard that voice before. Could it be…did he dare hope?
The cloaked figure pushed back the hood. Link's heart skipped a beat. It really was her! But how did she find him?
"Perhaps I should introduce myself to your friends, Link" she said, turning to Tifa and Tatl. "My name is Eidel. I'm Link's mother. It's a pleasure to meet you both."
A/N – So did you like my special guest? I've always wanted to write a scene where one Link is able to talk with another and write how I see that interaction playing out. I have to say it was really sad writing the Hero of Time's story. I know it can seem pretty depressing, but all the evidence leads me to believe that he didn't have a happy ending. After all, Hyrule Historia even states that he regretted not being remembered as a hero and that's why the Hero's Shade stuck around until Twilight Princess.
We are quickly nearing the end of this story. It has been a long time coming. I am so thankful for all of you who have stuck with me for sixty (lengthy) chapters. Depending on how long I make them, there are only 6-8 chapters left. Next chapter begins the final arc. As always, reviews are always appreciated. See you next chapter!