A lullaby wafted gently to my ears as I pulled the blankets up closer and snuggled into the plush pillow. I sighed comfortably, not wanting to wake up before hearing soft snoring from my bedside.
I grumbled slightly. 'My little brother must have snuck into my room again,' I thought, fighting to open my eyes to see… green?
Confused, I looked at the green clad person leaning back in a chair next to the bed I was in, before realization came crashing down on my head.
"Link!" I said, out loud, before quickly throwing my hands over my mouth. He only gave a soft snore in reply.
A few unavoidable chuckles escaped from relief as I remembered all that had happened. Even after everything, we were okay. Everyone was okay.
'Milo?' I thought, trying to contact my constant companion, but this time he didn't answer. That concerned me.
Taking a quick glance around, I realized I was back in the castle, in the room that Zelda had lent me during my stay. It seemed to be nighttime, but there was a bright glow coming from outside my window nonetheless. As quietly as I could, I slid out of bed and made my way up to the pane.
Outside, the Great Fairy, the real one, was singing as fairies danced around her in the moonlight. It was a beautiful sight and I knew that's where Milo must be.
I slipped on my boots, belt, and hat before sneaking out of the room as quietly as I could, using one of the many secret passages that Link had found as a child when he stayed here, and soon found myself in the courtyard.
Zelda's Lullaby filled the air as the Great Fairy sang. I got caught up in it myself, humming along and spinning a bit in the light of the full moon. When she was finished, she looked down at me and smiled.
"It is done," the Great Fairy said, bringing down her cupped hands for me to see. In her hands lay six very familiar stones. They twinkled like stars in the moonlight, somehow looking much less ominous than before. "The power has been returned to the poes and the balance restored."
An owl's cry made us both look up as the giant bird blazed past the bright full moon. I smiled. Kaepora Gaebora gave another proud screech as he disappeared into the night.
"Vie!" Milo cried as he flew out of the mass of fairies to land on my head in a hug. "You're awake!"
"Milo!" I said, "It's great to see you too!"
"It's also good to hear from you Fief, or Violet as I am now led to believe," Tatl said, flying up behind Milo, Rye close behind.
"It's great to be heard," I said, with a bit of a laugh.
"It is good to see you awake, young one," a familiar voice said.
"Sheik?" I asked, looking around but to no avail. I couldn't see him anywhere.
I did hear a chuckle through the dark as some invisible force suddenly lifted me up, just off the ground. A familiar tingling feeling filled me as I was hugged, and I hugged him back.
"Are the man and wife here too?" I asked, looking up to where I could almost see his red eyes in the dark.
"Now that the magic has returned," Sheik responded, "the three of us will return to our dormant state. The man and wife have already begun their rest."
My spirits fell, but the red eyes seemed to smile as he pulled me into another hug and flew me higher. "It will be fine," Sheik said, "Everything is as it should be. Though, I admit, it was quite selfish of me to delay my own rest in order to say goodbye to one who is leaving so soon."
I smiled up at him. "You know how to send us home?" I asked.
"I do," the Great Fairy answered as she floated over to where we were hovering. "But as I was telling Milo, I shall let the two of you say your goodbyes first." She smiled before looking up at the setting moon. "You have until the end of the day."
"Most everyone has returned to their homes," Milo said, "It might take the whole day to see them all."
"We should probably wake Link up and start then," I said. Giving Sheik a tight squeeze, I looked back up to his eyes. "Do you think you can do me one last favor?" I pointed to the window of my room.
"Of course," he responded as the tingling flooded my body to the point where I became near invisible.
"Me too this time?" Milo asked from atop my head before becoming transparent as well. "Whoa! That feels weird."
"Tell me about it," I said with a smile as we were whisked through the window.
I was set down gently and turned around in order to see a semitransparent Sheik bow before looking up to wink just as the cuckoo crowed. He shimmered and disappeared in the sunlight.
"Show off," Milo whispered. I snickered.
Turning back around, I saw Link, still fast asleep in the chair next to the bed.
"He has been by your side almost the whole time you've been out Vie," Milo said, "He only left when Zelda asked him to track down a potion to heal your arm. It was quite an ordeal I hear."
"Man, how long have I been asleep?" I whispered, rotating my left arm. Good as new.
"About… 38 hours," Milo answered.
"Over a day!" I shouted, before clapping my hands over my mouth. But Link slept on.
"Man, does nothing wake him up," Milo commented.
"Shush you, he's been through a lot," I said. "Link," I called, "Liiiink."
Milo flew over and tugged on his hat, but to no avail. "Maybe there is a trick to it," Milo said.
An idea popped into my head. "I've got it!" I took a deep breath and shouted in the most annoying voice I could muster, "Hey! Listen!"
"What!?" Link shouted, sitting bolt upright and sending Milo flying through the air, grabbing onto my hat to stop his trajectory. "I'm up! I'm up! What's going on!?"
I couldn't help it. I fell backwards onto my bed, laughing.
"Don't scare me like that," Link scolded through a chuckle, batting my boot.
"I'm sorry!" I said before sitting up, "I couldn't help it! It was just too perfect!"
"The first time I hear your voice and you have to go and pull a stunt like that," he said, crossing his arms before suddenly reaching around to poke me in the side, right where he knew I was ticklish.
"No!" I shouted through my laughs, "Uncle! I give! I'll never do it again!"
"You better not," Link said with a wink, "I know your weakness."
'You don't know about chocolate-covered sundaes,' I thought. Milo started laughing. With a snort, I started laughing again as well.
"What is all the commotion in here?" Impa said as she walked into the door. Then her eyes lit up. "Fief! You're awake!" She rushed forward, putting both hands on my shoulders and pressing her forehead to mine before giving my forehead a motherly kiss. "It is good to see you awake child! I will tell the castle immediately!" And off she flew.
Moments later, Zelda burst into the room and I found myself wrapped in her embrace. "It is so good to see you awake!" Zelda said as she nuzzled her head beside mine.
"I get that a lot," I said as she pulled out of the embrace to look at me.
"And you're a girl too?" she said, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Well," I said, "I couldn't really speak at the time. And you probably wouldn't let me do even half of the things I got to if I told you I was a girl."
Zelda smiled as Link rubbed the back of his head. "It does explain a few things though," Link said, "And speaking of explaining, I believe the two of you owe me a story?" Link raised an eyebrow.
Now it was my turn to rub the back of my head. "Where to start…?"
"Along the way," Milo said, "We only have one day to say goodbye to everyone."
"What's this?" Zelda asked.
"You know how to return?" Link said.
"The Great Fairy does," I answered. "She was the one to inform us that we only have today before we leave."
The two siblings glanced at one another, exchanging a quick look. "Well," Zelda started, "we do have a few tasks to complete. I believe you were going to take the fairies back to Kokiri Forest as soon as Fief woke up." She smiled up at her brother before nodding toward me.
"It's Violet actually," I said, "But you can still call me Fief. I've grown quite attached to it!"
The Hyrulians smiled. "Then Fief it is!" Link said, echoing what he had said so long ago. "One last adventure?"
I smiled before glancing at Milo, who did a crazy loop before landing back on my head. "You bet!" we both answered.
Not soon after, we were all fed and sent on our way by Impa, Zelda insisted on coming along, throwing on a travel cloak to be a little less conspicuous. She wanted to hear our story first hand as well. Milo went with Tatl and Rye to round up all the fairies and soon we were quite a sight walking through town. People waved and cheered as we passed, halting their reconstruction momentarily. The damage caused by Majora's rampage would be but a memory soon enough!
Along the way, we met with a very familiar girl driving a covered wagon, towing supplies and jugs that proudly displayed the logo LONLON.
"Malon!" Link said, running up to the girl as she pulled the horses to a halt. One of the two horses nickered and playfully sniffed me.
"Hello Rosie," I said, rubbing the horse's neck. Then I was lifted from behind, my toes just touching the ground.
"Oh Fief! It's so good to see you!" Malon said as she snuggled me close before letting go, slightly embarrassed.
I spun around to face her, smiling. "No it's okay," I said, "I've been getting that a lot today."
"She speaks!" Malon said, "She's a she! So the rumors are true!" She winked at me. "Well I'm glad I decided to make the milk delivery when I did or I would have missed you! But then again, with an escort like this," she nodded towards Link, Zelda, and the colorful swarm of fairies constantly moving and funneling above, "You might have been hard to miss!"
"We do seem like quite the circus parade, don't we," Zelda commented.
Malon laughed. "I may be able to help with that. I'm heading to Kokiri Forest with supplies for their reconstruction after this milk delivery. We can ride in the cart."
"We can help with the delivery," Link said, hefting up the milk containers, handing one to both Zelda and I. It was heavier than it looked.
"Come now Fief!" Zelda said with a smile, carrying hers without problem as I struggled.
"You're getting soft on me now," Link said from over his shoulder, as he clearly was having no issue with the two he was carrying.
"Hey give me a break!" I shouted as they got further away, "I've been through a lot!"
Malon chuckled, walking up behind me. "He's picking on you Fief," she whispered, "He gave you the heavy one. The two he has are empty." She smiled, looking up at Link, who was showing off his feats of "strength" by carrying one on each extended open palm.
My face must have looked pretty dumbfounded as Malon burst out laughing. "Here's a regular one, like the one Zelda has." She traded me a considerably lighter one, while picking up the heavy one in one fell swoop and walking off with it. I must have looked surprised when she looked back at me as her smile grew. "Don't dawdle now!" she said, and I took off after her.
Malon, Link, and I sat on the cart's bench as Zelda stretched out on the bench that faced into the cart, but shared the backrest of our bench. She faced towards us as both Link and I sat sideways in order to face both Malon and Zelda. This was going to be a conversation that I'm sure everyone wanted to be a part of.
Navi had the fairies all nestled into the back of the cart before we had gotten back. They seemed to appreciate the chance to rest. When we had our own seating arranged, Milo snuggled into my hair and Tatl tucked herself in under Link's hat. Rye seemed content to curl up on Malon's head, as Navi did a circle once before landing on Zelda's shoulder.
"You don't mind do you?" Navi asked the princess, a tiredness seeping through her voice, "My normal spot seems to have been taken."
Zelda glanced up at her brother, who shrugged. She smiled and looked back down at the fairy on her shoulder. "Of course I don't mind Navi," she said, "Any time."
"Thank you," Navi said, bowing slightly before nuzzling into the princess's neck and falling asleep.
"There they go, sleeping away the midmorning hours," Malon commented as we road across Hyrule Field, "If only, if only." She smiled.
"They've been through a lot too," I said, "It's been quite the few weeks for everyone."
"My goodness Fief!" Zelda exclaimed softly, in order to not wake the sleeping fairy, "Has it really been that long?"
"It has seemed much longer," Link said, furrowing his brow, trying to think.
"Two weeks and one day," Milo said sleepily, peeking out from under my hat, "This will be day two."
"I thought you were asleep?" I said.
"Were you going to make it through this explanation without me?" he said, "We owe them quite a story."
"Indeed you do," Link said behind me. I glanced back with a cheesy smile and he crossed his arms, but I could see the tugging's of a smile on his lips.
"Wow, how to explain video games Milo?" I thought aloud.
"Video games?" Malon repeated, "What kind of games are those?"
"Video? That sounds exotic!" Zelda said, "Is that where the games are held?"
"Are the games named after a person?" Link asked, "This Video person who shares secrets of others lives?"
"Did I just ask that question out loud?" I said.
"Yes," Milo whispered. "And I think you succeeded in making them even more confused."
"You're not helping," I growled back at him.
"What Fief?" Link asked.
"No not… Sorry, I think my inner monolog is broken again. Anyway," I continued quickly, "Video is more the device that you use to play the games with. A system."
"Like rules?" Zelda asked.
"Um, no," Milo said, "More like… a machine!"
"Oooooh," the three Hyrulians said in agreement.
"So this machine lets you see into others lives?" Link asked.
"Not exactly, no," I said, "You see, in our world, your lives are fiction, a story written by a group of people and put into a machine where others can interact with that world, through the solving of puzzles and completing of quests."
"Like you are now?" Malon asked.
"No! Not at all actually," I continued, racking my brain to try to have this all make sense to them, "It more like we see all that we're doing through a television."
"A what?" Zelda asked.
"Way to make it less confusing," Milo said sarcastically, "She means a kind of… window that attaches to the machine that lets us see what is in the game. We use handheld devices to interact with the characters and stories in the games."
"So our lives are but a story in your world," Link said, slightly dejected.
"But it's actually quite the Legend!" I said, "The Legend of Zelda series are some of the most popular games in our world!"
The three looked at each other. "Legend of Zelda?" Zelda said, with a hint of embarrassment, "Why not Link?"
"Well…" I started, but was quickly interrupted by a familiar shout of joy.
"FIEF!" I could hear Ora scream as she ran up to the cart, "Or I mean VIOLET!"
I realized with a jolt that we had already arrived in Kokiri Forest as excited children crowded the cart. Fairies began to rouse from their slumber at the familiar voices and soon a large and joyous reunion began!
Ora practically pulled me out of my seat, bursting with news. "They said I could stay!" Ora shouted, the happiest I've ever seen her. "The Great Duku Sprout said I could stay!"
"That's great!" I shouted back, catching her excitement and joining in her celebratory dancing. We must have been a sight!
"She may have meant to be with us all along," Saria said as she walked up to join the festivities, nuzzling a fairy between her shoulder and cheek as it fluctuated between a green and a pink around the edges. "But may have gotten lost somewhere along the way." She had a motherly smile that shined beyond her years. We all couldn't help but smile back.
"All fairies have been accounted for!" Mido happily announced as he joined our little party. The rest of the children had started to unload the supplies from the wagon while happily chatting with their fairy guardians. "Apparently a fake Great Fairy was the cause of their disappearance," Mido continued, holding his own teal-fringed fairy cradled in his arms, "By the time they realized it was a trap it was too late!"
"But they're all home safe and sound now," Saria concluded, glancing at the four fairies still within our party.
"I'm with her," Milo said, continuing to sit on my head, perhaps a bit stubbornly.
Tatl and Navi looked at each other. I couldn't tell if they were sizing each other up or simply silently questioning what the other was going to do next. Navi was the first to break the silence.
"She will do," she said.
"What?" Tatl asked.
"I approve of you traveling with Link," Navi said, "Keep him out of trouble okay!" And with that she flew off.
"What are you, his mother or something?" Tatl pouted.
"Wait!" Rye shouted, and started to go after her until Saria stopped him.
"No Rye," Saria said, "Believe it or not, she's actually still on an important mission, only halted because of the disappearances."
"But!" Rye started, "But really, I should go with her!"
"I know your heart's in the right place Rye," Saria said, "and I realize what she means to you, but there is someone else who needs you right now."
"What?" Rye said, confused, "Who?"
"Perhaps a new Kokiri Child, one without a fairy…" Saria indicated toward Ora, who had long since wandered off to talk to the other children and fairies, joining the unloading assembly line from the back of the cart.
A deep understanding passed between Saria and Rye at that moment before he nodded and flew off to Ora. I couldn't hear what was said, but Ora's face lit up and she burst into joyous laughter. The two ran/flew around in joy before Rye landed on her head and she rushed over to join us.
"Rye's gonna be my fairy!" Ora announced happily, practically bounding out of her skin. She turned to me. "Now we both have fairies and we can both live here!"
My smile broke. I tried to put up a fake one instead, but that wasn't fooling anyone. I looked around for help. Everyone glanced away, save Malon with a sad smile and a coaxing motion.
I turned back to Ora, who had caught the sudden change in mood and was glancing around nervously like she had done something wrong. I put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a sad smile. "I'm actually not staying," I said quietly.
"What?" she asked
"Milo and I have to return home today," I said, "back to our own land."
"You mean you're not… from here?" Ora sniffled.
I quickly glanced over at Milo. "We did show up before she did," he mused, "We were also the first one's she met when she arrived. I guess no one explained to her that we were as much out of place as she was."
I dropped my head. "No Ora, we're from a far away place and we have to go back."
"No!" Ora shouted suddenly, "You can't!" With tears in her eyes, she turned on her heals and ran.
"Ora, wait!" I started after her, but someone caught my wrist.
I turned back to see Saria holding my arm and shaking her head. "Let me talk to her," she said.
"I…" I started, but Saria had such a look on her face, that I knew it would be for the best.
She took off after the young girl as Link walked up behind me. "She's good at that sort of thing," he said, "She's been through it herself, having a friend leave, not knowing if she would ever see him again." That last part sounded like he was speaking to himself. As I looked back at him he was looking down, a pained look on his face. Old memories don't like to be forgotten.
A sudden collision brought me back from my thoughts as I looked down to find Ora firmly attached to my midsection. "If one day is what I have," she said, looking up at me, "then one day it shall be!"
"It seems you're stuck with us," Rye said, hovering over the lot of us.
I smiled and returned Ora's fierce hug. "Alright!" I said, addressing the rest of our company, "What now?"
"This goodbye tour doubles as a relief effort actually," Malon said.
"Next stop," Zelda announced, "is Zora's Domain, then Kakariko, Goron City, and finally Gerudo's Fortress."
"Then we'll get to see everyone!" Ora giggled, scrambling quickly into the wagon, "Let's go!"
I shrugged as Link chuckled and the rest of us climbed back in. Before hopping on myself, I gave Saria a quick hug. "Thank you for everything," I said.
"I should be thanking you little one," she answered with a smile, "Be on your way now, and send Ruto my regards."
I jumped back in the front of the cart, Ora snuggling up right under my arm, so Link sat in the back with Zelda. And as we started off again, the conversation was struck up.
"So what happened to Navi?" Link asked, leaning back to spot Rye as he circled above us.
Rye paused for a brief moment and we lost track of him as the wagon continued, but then he quickly caught back up. "She… she left again," he said sadly.
Sadness settled on the group, but Rye tried to change the tone of things. "Hey," he started, "She was already on a mission and she just took a short break. But she'll be back, now that she knows I'm here. She promised…" He slowed down again, the wagon leaving him behind.
Tatl and Milo flew back, snagging him out of the air and setting him down gently on Ora's head. "You really love her, don't you," Tatl asked.
"And have missed her for a very long time now," Rye answered, "But it was wonderful to see her again, and to know that we'll be together again someday." He seemed to glow a bit brighter at that. I smiled.
But a new sound had crept into my awareness. A sound that had been growing for some time, but I didn't notice until now. The rushing of water.
I looked up to see a huge waterfall. "But how?" I said, "We would have had to go through water and fences and jumped platforms and…"
The older crowd looked at me strangely. "I don't know what you're talking about," Malon said, "There have been trading routs set up with the Zora's for years now."
I looked back to notice all the bridges we'd gone over to get to this point. Looking to the side showed the walkways and jumps I was used to. We had just taken an alternate rout.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to this changing on me," I said.
"You and me both," Milo agreed.
The older crowd just stared at us, confused.
"Now what?" Ora asked, breaking the awkward silence.
"Well," Link said, "Now Zelda needs to play her favorite song." Turning towards his sister with a smile. "Try not to fall asleep this time."
"Ha, you think you're funny," she poked at him, before turning towards me, "But I think we'll give Fief the honor. You know how to open the door, correct?"
I nodded and pulled the Kokiri Ocarina out of my bag. Starting slowly, Zelda's Lullaby rang true and the doors opened.
Link ruffled my hair. "I don't know if I'll get used to that. The fact that you know Zelda's Lullaby still creeps me out a bit."
I blushed as we went through the doors. The Zoras were in full swing, the Domain looking better than it ever had. There were new rafters built on the edge of the water, new boxes for storage and the rest of the space filled with large containers full of fresh water, even though the lake itself looked fresh as dew.
"Well, stop dawdling," Ruto said as she appeared into view, "You brought supplies?"
Zelda and Malon were already carrying in items so Link and I quickly grabbed supplies and started to pass them off to the grateful Zora.
"Purple!" I heard shout from across the now clear water, but it was not the voice I expected. Not soon after, Gyo's mother ran up to me, bright smile across her face. Before I could respond, she pulled me into a tight hug.
"Hello miss," I hissed out as the air was squeezed from my lungs.
"You do speak then!" she shouted, pulling me away at arms length, studying me, "Are you doing okay? I heard you had quite the adventure! Gyo has never been so vocal before! He can't even sit still! Already he's off to visit a new mutual friend of yours, what was her name? Karih? Yes, I do believe that was the one! Will you be going to visit her soon? If so please do tell Gyo to be home by supper! Oh goodness it is just so good to see you again!"
She talked very adamantly with her arms, and with me still being held, I was tossed around a bit before being pulled again into another crushing hug. When I was finally released, I took some deep breaths and a cough or two escaped.
"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked, bending down until her face was right in mine.
I jumped. "Yes! I'm sure!" I said, "I will definitely say hi to Karih before I go and I will let Gyo know about your message when I see him too!"
She smiled appreciatively and backed away. "Thank you Purple! Now, I must attend to the repairs!" And with that she was off, disappearing in the wave of working Zoras moving supplies and debris.
I heard a chuckle behind me as Link walked up. "You certainly have made an impression. They're not bound to forget about you any time soon!" He smiled mischievously. "I wouldn't doubt if a song or two was written about you! Maybe you could have your own Legendary video game! The Legend of Milo!"
Milo, who had been resting on my head, burst out laughing. I could feel him literally rolling in my hair in laughter.
Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but chuckle as we loaded back into the cart. The mood was jovial as the cart trundled across the field towards Death Mountain.
Kakariko Village was in full swing, people going about their day, building, playing, and greeting us with waves and smiles as we went by. Malon stopped the cart and hopped down.
"You and Link," she started, before Ora firmly attached herself to my side, "and Ora too, should head to the mountain while Zelda and I take care of things here. We'll meet you back here when you're done with your goodbyes."
The three of us nodded before hopping down ourselves and quickly heading up the mountain. When we entered the Goron City, were greeted by a large crash!
"HEADS UP!" I heard before Ora and I were scooped up and tossed to the side as rocks fell from the ceiling. I landed rather ungracefully on my behind with Ora tumbling off to the side.
"Ow!" I shouted as the shock shot up my spine. Link rushed over to me.
"Sorry!" he said, "Instinct." He smiled as he helped me back to my feet.
I heard a chuckle as a familiar Goron climbed over the fallen stones. "Also sorry," Goron Link said, "We've been doing some renovations since a new area has opened up in the mountain. We didn't know we'd be getting visitors."
Goron Link clapped me on the back as Link checked on Ora to make sure she was okay.
"I'm good," she confirmed, dusting her dress off a bit as she stood.
"So what brings you back to Death Mountain," another voice asked. Darunia stepped forward to greet us, followed by many other Gorons, happy to see the Hero of Time and entourage.
Link looked at me, and gave an encouraging motion. "I'm here to say goodbye," I said with a sad smile, looking up to my friend Goron Link, "Milo and I are leaving." The Gorons seemed taken aback by my voice, but it subsided quickly
"I'm sorry to hear that you're heading out so soon," Darunia regarded me, "But we appreciate that you came all this way to say your goodbyes." He gave a soft smile and a nod, "To more grand adventures in your future child."
I smiled and nodded back. Goron Link smiled and looked towards the rest of the Gorons. "I wish to see Fief off," he stated. He looked at his mother, who nodded permission, before looking back at me.
"Sure!" I said, "Join the crew! We've one more stop on this tour."
We waved goodbye to the rest of the city as we followed the rolling Goron down the mountain.
"Another to join?" Malon asked when we got back to the cart. She smiled. "Good thing that's the last of our deliveries, we should have enough room in the back."
"A cart ride!?" Goron Link exclaimed, before scrambling into the back of the cart. The wood creaked a bit, but held firm. The rest of us clambered on and Malon had us rolling off in no time.
The ride towards Gerudo Valley was smooth as Milo and I explained our otherworldliness to our Goron companion.
"I can't say that I understand it all, but I am glad that you're able to go home." Goron Link responded after a bit. "I'm sure you miss it."
"Yeah, I hope everyone isn't too worried about me," I thought out loud.
"Same," Milo agreed.
"Hail!" I realized we'd come up to the bridge right before the chasm as I looked up to see Karih and Gyo waving at us. "Good to see you all!" Karih greeted.
I hopped down from the cart and Gyo quickly pulled me into a hug. "Purple! Its great to see you up!"
Karih scooped both of us up into a group hug and then pulled away to get a better look at me. "Yes, how are you feeling?"
"Much better," I responded, "but I'll admit a little sad as Milo and I are leaving to go home, so we came to say goodbye."
"So soon?" Gyo said, "But you just got here and there is so much to do and talk about and I wanted to show you this thing I made and show you this new trick I learned, it's really cool, and"
"And she probably misses home," Karih interrupted. "But where is home?"
"It's kind of a long story," Milo said, "Maybe come with us and we can explain on the way?"
"Yeah!" Gyo exclaimed.
Zelda looked back into the cart. "I'm not sure where you would sit…"
"I've got it," Goron Link said, hopping out. "I've heard this story, so allow me to be your honor guard on the way to home. Where are we going by the way?"
"Back to the castle," Milo commented as I climbed back up into the cart. Our new companions hopped in the back and with Goron Link rolling ahead, we made our way back to Hyrule Castle, laughing and telling stories the whole way.
Back in the castle market, I realized the sun was starting to get low. It really was time to go. Piling out of the cart, I turned to Milo. "Where to?"
"The Great Fairy said to meet by the Temple of Time," Milo responded.
Malon left the cart with a colleague in town as we all started walking towards the Temple. "A little different then the last time we were all here," she said sheepishly.
"Much better this time," Zelda said, throwing an arm over the woman's shoulder.
I smiled as we approach the Temple of Time's doors, Ora holding my hand the whole time, before we all hear a huge splash from… seemingly behind the building?
I glanced at Link, who only shrugged before starting to lead us around the side. We arrived to see the most beautiful glade with a glistening pool of water and lying in it, the Great Fairy. "Well, this is new," Link said softly.
The Great Fairy started laughing, joyous and loud. "It is good to be under the sky again! It's been too long!" She stretched and then looked back at us. "I see you have brought well wishers to see you on your way? Finish your goodbyes then."
I nodded and turned back towards my friends. "Thank you for all you have done for us," I said, "I will miss you all!" Milo nodded in agreement.
Ora pulled me into a big hug, and then Gyo, Karih, and even Goron Link joined in a group hug. "You won't forget us will you?" Ora asked.
"Never!" I promised.
"Couldn't if we tried," Milo commented, before joined Tatl and Rye in a whirlwind of flight, which I could only assume were their own goodbyes.
The group hug ended as the adults walked up, Zelda reaching down first to hug me. "It's been lovely," she said. I smiled.
Malon patted my back. "Be good kid," she said. I nodded.
Link then put his hand on my head. "Here's to less stressful days, for the both of us."
My smile was beaming, right before he took my hat! "Hey!" I shouted indignantly, trying to snatch it back.
"Be sure to work on your reflexes," he said with a laugh before tossing my hat back to me. I popped it back on with a humph.
Zelda and Malon gave Link a look. "What? Of course I'll miss her too!" Link responded. He held out his hand and we grabbed each other's forearms for a full camaraderie handshake. "You'll see us again soon, I'm sure of it!"
I nodded, holding back tears. Milo circled everyone once more before landing on my head. I took one last look at all my friends before turning back towards the pool. "Well, how does this work?" I asked.
"Just look," the Great Fairy said, motioning toward the water, "What do you see?"
'It can't be that easy,' I thought. Looking into the water, I started to see shapes swirl into view. It was me, sitting on the couch, fast asleep, controller in my hand. And right next to me was my little brother, also asleep, leaning on my shoulder.
"Maybe it is that easy," Milo said in response.
And then I was awake. Both my brother and I woke with a start, wide eyed and looking around the remodeled basement that served as a game room. I could feel the controller in my hands and saw the TV was still on, old game system plugged into it, game on pause.
I looked at my little brother. "Wait a second, have you been Milo this whole time!?" I yelled.
"Well yeah," he said, "Wasn't it obvious?"
"No!" I yelled, "Why didn't you tell me?! And why Milo?"
"That's what you call me isn't it," he said with a cocky grin, "My lil bro? Hey what's on your head?"
"You lil jerk more like it, don't change the subject." But I did reach up instinctively to pull a dusty blue flower from off of my head. "Wha?"
"Link slipped it in your hat before we left," he said matter-o-factly, "I wanted to see what would happen. It really was real, not just a hallucination!"
I twirled the flower in my hand in disbelief. It was a Forget-Me-Not. How fitting.
"Kids!" I heard my mother's voice shout down the stairs, "You've been playing that game for hours now, come get dinner!"
"Hours?!" my brother said to me, "I thought we were gone for 2 weeks!"
I glanced at the flower once more. "Feels more like 20 years." I gave my brother a little shove, tucked the flower behind my ear, and started scrambling up the stairs, brother close in tow.
"Mom, I just had the weirdest dream!"
