"You volunteering your head for the chop?" Yasei swiped the letter from my hand. "May as well wash yer neck, smoother it in butter and tie it with a red bow, jeez."

"Sweetheart, I had to ask." I struggled to follow her storming wake, carrying the enormous sack of biscuits. "I don't know why you're making such a fuss. King Hyrule didn't arrest me."

She huffed. "And you have a go at me about respecting my life? Of all the-"

"The flowers are splendid, aren't they?" I threw down my heavy load. "Makes the fields come alive, almost like their dancing, really."

This path led from Hyrule Castle to the guard house and back into the main town. Dotted along it, soldiers stood ever watchful. Their armoured feet, nuzzled by tuffs of green and delicate pastels. You had to admire how such flowers bloomed to greet the day. They might enjoy the sun only briefly, to end up being plucked from the earth as a token of affection, but never complained.

We came upon some of the taller more impressive flower beds with towering heads of gold. Coming closer, the middle seeds were a darker shade of brown than the rest. Some petals curled shyly around their precious cargo; others flaunted their golden rays, greedy to bathe in the warmth.

"Hmm, this smaller one hasn't opened yet," I said.

"So what?" Yasei crossed her arms. "Just a little late to the party, it'll get there. Nature knows what it's doing."

"Why don't you come and look?"

She kicked a stone and watched as it skittered. "You've been droning on about grabbing the wagon and high tailing outta here. Now you want to stop and look at sunflowers?"

"Stop and look at the sunflowers with you, yes."

"Oh." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, fine."

As Yasei stepped towards the closed flower, the stalk began to grow. She gasped as it grew just short of her height. "You're making it do that."

I put my hands up in innocence. "I'm not touching anything."

The petals quivered and slowly unfurled. 'You are,' she mouthed before leaning in. Her eyes did a double take and then widened. Drawing both hands back, she glanced in my direction.

"Ronri…" She reached inside and plucked a small, glittering object. One shaking hand tightly closed over the top of the other, afraid it might escape. "Is this what I think it is?"

My cheeks hurt from grinning so hard. "Mother told me that the world can be a very dangerous place and you should never go alone. I never understood what she meant, but since leaving the village…" I chuckled. "Well, you know a lot of things have happened. It's been a complete disaster."

"That isn't true-"

"You've always stuck by me and only the Goddesses know why. But rather than be alone, I thought we could be together. If you'll have this crooked, shambolic man as your husband?"

"Someone needs to have your back, might as well be me." She nodded and revealed the ring. "Yes, moron, I'll have you."

I took the gold band and held it to the light. "For Gorons, rubies are said to have a fire trapped inside that glows when it sees the sun. I thought it would suit you well, my love."

There it was. Her dazzling smile that blinded me every time. The smothering of hugs and kisses seemed to go on forever. Such a scene turned the heads of a few soldiers, but they smiled for once. A proposal blessed by the sun, a world away from the dark, terrifying nightmare of Bongo Bongo. Hand in hand, Yasei and I wandered back to the Happy Mask Shop. The sack of biscuits left a snail trail as I dragged it behind me, but somehow it didn't seem so heavy anymore.

That evening, we talked for a while about the wedding. That is, my fiancée told me exactly how it was going to be. I sipped at my glass of red wine, giving the occasional nod and obligatory 'mmm' until she paused.

"Does that sound alright though?"

"I'd love to exchange masks with you. It's a wonderful idea." I planted a kiss on her nose. "Very us."

Kilton snored by the fire, fine crumbs scattered around his muzzle. He'd chomped through a quarter of his reward before Yasei confiscated the rest and locked it in a cupboard. Now her head started to bob as she fought off sleep. The temptation to stay here wrapped in each other's arms was almost worth a sore neck in the morning.

"I think someone is ready for bed," I said.

Yasei raised an eyebrow. "Is that right?"

"Such saucy thoughts from the merchant's daughter. I'm shocked." I laughed and lifted my love, who flopped like a rag doll, towards the bed. Her feather touches on my cheeks left the skin there burning. "Behave. Your father would swing for me."

"He isn't here to know," she replied, her voice slurring as I pulled off her boots.

I coughed. "Lucky for you, I'm a traditional man. The floor will suffice for me."

"Stuck in the mud."

"Love you too."

Turning away, I could hear her grumble as she shuffled out of her day clothes. Yasei hissed struggling to pull a night shirt over her head.

"Is it the mark?"

"Just itches." She yawned. "Been irritated since we got here."

"We'll get it looked at by a healer first thing."

"Don't start. Probably fabric fibres or dye chemicals from the workshop or something."

She had barely made it under the covers when her eyes drooped closed. I stroked those beautiful round cheeks and tried to count the freckles. Another kiss captured. My heart swelled so much it felt like it no longer fit inside my chest.

This will be the last time I leave you behind, I promised. After tonight, I'll have my life back.

With a loving glance at my wife to be, I stepped out into the chilly night air. The Temple of Time was waiting.

Castle Town at night became the terriers' domain. Free to let loose, chase and wrestle with each other. I envied such a simple life and wondered about the boy who set off in search of answers all those years ago. Had the knowledge he'd gained been worthwhile? Was he happier and richer for it? I hung my head.

The Temple of Time remained open as always. Those dedicated to their prayers and reflection would grace the altar daily and light candles. On the balcony above the main chapel, a relentless choir sang in deep, reverberating tones. The holiest place in Hyrule, with pale moonlight streaming through the windows, casting shadows of lead came and panelled flowers and birds. Beautiful, if slightly eerie at this late hour.

My slippers squeaked across the chequered tiled floor. At the far end of the temple, a square slab of stone stood. Carved roughly with an emblem of the sun, this 'door' looked much older than the rest of the main building. It had no handle or latch to pull and for good reason. What I suspected lay beyond this obstacle had to be protected. Protected from both evil and from fools - like me.

With a wave of my hand, I passed easily through the stone matter.

Inside, the air was heavy as a grave. Beyond, a dais and a sword jammed within a shining pedestal. I peered around the corner of the small corridor, but the entire room was sealed off. Even so, the fear twisting inside me threatened to hurtle out of my body. I shouldn't be here, my thoughts insisted. But how could I build a life with Azamuku poking around in my mind?

Making threats against those I love? It's intolerable. I just want to be rid of him.

I circled the dais which had mysterious emblems chiselled around the base. Counting six in total, the significance of these wavy lines, circles and triangles escaped me. Important in one man's eyes but worthless in mine.

In the centre, a majestic, purple handled sword with clean unblemished steel. This I did know a little about. I had heard legends of the Master Sword from scholars in town. A weapon known as The Blade of Evil's Bane. To a soldier perhaps a most fascinating discovery, but I would rather have found another mask. My fingers hovered over the hilt then froze. I couldn't explain the odd sensation that swept over me, only that energy came from the sword. Not just an electric aura of powerful magic, but that on a par with the children of destiny I had already encountered. It was almost as if a being resided within, but how could that be?

No hostility erupted from the sword as I approached. I counted all my fingers and thumbs one last time before grasping the handle. With a sharp intact of breath, I heaved and crushed my eyes shut.

Nothing.

"Oh," my voice echoed around the chamber. Clamping both hands over my mouth, I sat on my haunches pondering this turn of events. I shouldn't have been that surprised. After all, I had snook into a place that clearly, I didn't belong. A habit which, despite fighting, I still indulged in on a regular basis. Still, to dawdle here would be risky. Who knew if the priest had already alerted the castle guards that a trespasser had been spotted? I returned to the Master Sword that had no helpful riddled text or hieroglyphs to point the way. But a gateway to the Sacred Realm had to exist somewhere.

"You are definitely the key," I muttered, "but how to bypass such stubborn magic… "

I placed my palms over the hilt and conjured some magi-clay. The Master Sword hummed and glowed in a bluish hew. Hmm, a reaction, I mused. Let's see what happens if I…

Increasing magical input created a crack within the air. The thrum of the Master Sword became faster and rose higher in pitch. Beneath my palms a gust of icy wind tried to drive my hands away, but I persisted forcing open a portal. Above my head, amongst swirling light, the crack widened.

Now, The Master Sword began to howl.

"Oh dear, you don't like that at all, do you?"

Icy winds became a searing heat, blasting my skin. This had to be some form of defence mechanism. Heat transformed into a crawling phenomenon like a million snakes slithering upon my face. Still, I held on.

"Now, be a good, little sword and let me through," I growled.

Such shrill, angry sounds made my ear drums throb. My hands quivered, along with something much deeper inside of me. Had I not feared Azamuku's wrath, I might have let go. Things would have been so different then. As it was, I continued my twisted assault of foreign magic. I heard The Sword of Evil's Bane screech. Nothing must be allowed to get in the way. Nothing.

I flinched. This wasn't like me. This obsessive desire to drive forward had me rattled.

Finally, unable to hold back the onslaught, the crack shattered. A column of golden light erupted from the pedestal shooting towards the heavens. Such alien brightness. Instantly, my arms braced overhead. An updraft enveloped me and I floated skywards.

Slowly, the notes of a harp came into focus. Reverent voices sang. I was lying at the bottom of a pool and staring up at rippling shadows travelling across towering white stone. Listening to the plops and glunks, it sounded as if children were throwing pebbles into the water. My body had a vague tingling, but the weight of bone and muscle were no longer a concern. It should have sent alarm bells ringing, but a veil of curious calm had been draped over me.

"Am I dead?" I asked the empty room.