Rekindling Their Bonds by ViperInferno

Chapter 3: Visiting Zelda

Rekindling Their Bonds
By Viper Inferno
Chapter 3: Visiting Zelda
 
“Hey Link, come on, wake up, sleepyhead,” Saria’s voice sounded.
 
Link stirred and slowly rubbed his eyes as Saria’s voice resonated in his ears, and then slowly sat up. Then, when he cracked his eyes open, he found the morning light to be much brighter than usual. It was so bright that he had to shield his eyes with his hand. But when he finally opened his eyes, he discovered why it was so bright as he found himself to be still outside and on the grassy knoll. “Whoa, did I really sleep out here all night?” he shrieked.
 
Saria’s voice giggled as she replied, “Yes you did, silly.”
 
Link turned toward her voice to find Saria kneeling down next to him, wearing her most beautiful smile on her face. “Morning, Saria,” Link greeted, “Don’t tell me you slept here too.”
 
Saria giggled again, “Of course not. I slept in my own bed, silly. But you looked so adorable when you were sleeping that I just couldn’t wake you up for you to sleep in your bed.”
 
“It’s okay, Saria. I’m used to sleeping outside,” said Link as he finally stood up.
 
“Guess what I have,” said Saria as she stood up, hiding both her hands behind her back and rocking back and forth on her heels.
 
“Let me guess, a new book?” Link guessed.
 
“No, not that,” Saria replied.
 
“A new ocarina?” Link guessed again.
 
“Heavens no,” Saria abruptly responded, “I’ll never replace my fairy ocarina. I like it too much.”
 
“Okay now,” said Link, thinking hard about what it is Saria might be hiding, “A letter for me?”
 
Saria smiled and shook her head, “Uh-uh, guess again.”
 
“A neat craft you made?”
 
“Nope.”
 
“Alright, Saria. I want to know. Show me what you’ve got behind your back,” Link playfully complained.
 
Saria then removed her right hand from behind her back and revealed a well-crafted slingshot.
 
“Whoa, you got a slingshot? Cool,” Link commented, staring in awe a Saria’s fine-crafted slingshot, “Where did you get it?”
 
“Oh, I made it while you were away looking for Navi,” Saria replied.
 
“Brilliant,” said Link.
 
“Yeah, I wanted to shoot a slingshot just like you, so I made myself one and practiced with it,” Saria explained.
 
“That’s great. You want to go to the Deku’s shooting target and practice some shooting,” Link offered.
 
“Sure,” Saria replied, “I wanted to show you my shooting skills anyway.”
 
“Okay, I’ll meet you there. I need to go to my house and grab my slingshot,” said Link.
 
And with that, Saria headed for the Lost Woods while Link went back to his house. Just as Link climbed up his ladder, Navi emerged from behind his door curtain. “Oh... good morning, Link,” she greeted, startled by his sudden appearance, “It’s good to see you up and around already.”
 
“Yeah, you can thank Saria for that,” said Link as he walked inside, with Navi following.
 
“Oh, she came over and woke you up, huh?” said Navi.
 
“Actually, she didn’t come over,” Link corrected as he walked over to his bag next to his bed.
 
Navi, however, cocked an eyebrow, skeptical of Link’s answers, “It’s funny how Saria calling up to you didn’t wake me up, but still woke your lazy butt up.”
 
“That’s because I didn’t sleep here last night,” Link explained as he fumbled through his bag and fished out his slingshot, “I fell asleep outside under the stars last night.”
 
Navi suddenly flew upward and nearly hit the ceiling, shocked by what Link had just said, “You did what?! I told you not to stay out too late.”
 
“Oh relax, Navi. I’ve slept under the stars many times, even when we were together on our first adventure,” Link reassured, “Besides, it was only Kokiri Forest. It’s not like I was in the middle of Hyrule Field where monsters and skeletons like to roam at night.”
 
“Well, just don’t make a habit of it. You do have a house and a bed for a reason, you know,” said Navi. She then noticed the slingshot in his hand, “So where are you going with that?”
 
“To the Lost Woods with Saria,” Link replied as he grabbed his sword and shield, “We’re going to do some target practice at the Deku’s shooting target. Do you want to come along?”
 
“Of course,” Navi eagerly replied, “I want to see how well your shooting skills have improved after so many quests.”
 
“Well, let’s go,” said Link as he bolted out his door and slid down his ladder.
 
“Wow, you’re awfully energetic and eager this morning,” Navi commented as she followed close behind Link, “I wish you could be like this every morning.”
 
‘It’s only because I get to play with Saria,’ Link thought to himself as he continued running toward the Lost Woods, ‘Otherwise, I’d probably still be sleeping in that soft grassy knoll and probably fall victim to one of Mido’s pranks.’
 
It didn’t take very long to reach the part of the Lost Woods where the Deku’s shooting target was. It wasn’t very deep into the Lost Woods, and Link had visited it and passed by it many times. Saria was already there, patiently waiting for him. “I see you’re ready to start shooting already,” Saria commented, noticing the slingshot in Link’s right hand when he showed up.
 
“Maybe,” Link replied.
 
“I think he just wants to be with you,” said Navi, “Why else would he be so eager to join you?”
 
Saria and Spryte both giggled while Link glared at Navi. “That’s because she’s my best friend,” Link scolded. Then, he turned back to Saria, “So, shall we begin?”
 
“Sure. You go first,” Saria offered, waving her hand to the target, “I want to see the Hero of Time in action.”
 
Link gladly obliged and stepped up to the rail separating them from the target. He held his slingshot out, removed a Deku seed from his bullet bag on his left hip, and placed it in the sling. He then pulled the sling back and aimed at the target downfield. Then, he released the sling, sending the Deku seed flying and slamming into the center of the target.
 
 “Wow, perfect shot, Link,” Saria praised, “Can you do it again?”
 
“Of course” Link replied. He took another Deku seed, placed it in the sling, and drew it back again. Then, he released, sending the rock-hard Deku seed flying into the bullseye again.
 
Saria and Navi both applauded his perfect shot. “That was great, Link,” said Saria.
 
“You’ve really improved since your first adventure,” Navi praised.
 
“Thank you, Saria, Navi,” said Link, “You want to give it a try, Saria?”
 
“Okay,” Saria replied as she stepped up to the rail next to Link.
 
“Let’s see what you got,” said Link, encouraging her as he handed her a few Deku seeds.
 
Saria held her slingshot in her right hand and placed a Deku seed in the sling. She then drew it back and aimed at the target. And when she let it go, the seed flew straight and struck the bullseye with deadly accuracy. She then loaded the slingshot again, aimed, and fired, striking the target again dead center. And again, she loaded her slingshot, then turned to Link and winked at him. She turned back to the target, aimed, and fired, scoring another bullseye.
 
“Three bullseyes in a row, way to go,” the Deku scrub sitting next to the target praised, “Here’s your prize.”
 
The Deku scrub then spit a purple rupee out to Saria, which she caught in her left hand like a pro baseball player. “Wow, that’s the first time he’s given me a purple rupee for scoring three bullseyes,” she commented as she gazed at the glistening gem in her hand, “I usually get red ones.”
 
“Wow, you’re pretty good with that slingshot, Saria,” Link praised.
 
“Why thank you, Link,” said Saria as she sat down next to Link, “The truth is, I wasn’t always this good with a slingshot.”
 
“But you look like you’ve been shooting one as long as I have,” Link commented.
 
“Believe me, when I first started, I would hit everywhere but the target,” Saria explained, “Even the Deku scrub started spitting nuts at me at me and chased me away because I accidentally shot him.”
 
Link chuckled under his breath, “Yeah, they sure don’t like being shot, whether they’re the nicer Deku scrubs, Mad scrubs, or Business scrubs.”
 
“Well, he certainly wasn’t happy,” said Saria, “He wouldn’t let me shoot here again for over a week. I had to practice at the Sacred Forest Meadow until he let me shoot here again.”
 
“Yeah, after you and I both sweet-talked him,” Spryte added.
 
Link scooted closer to Saria and held his slingshot next to hers to compare them. “You did a really good job making your slingshot,” he commented “Yours actually looks better than mine.”
 
“Well, that wasn’t the first slingshot I made,” Saria explained, “Actually, it’s my fifth one. The first two I made broke when I tried to shoot them because the sticks I used to make them weren’t strong enough. My third one worked, but it wouldn’t shoot very well because it was too small and uneven. The fourth one kept breaking slings before it too finally broke. And then I finally made this one, and it turned out perfect. After shooting it for a while, I decided to decorate it.”
 
Link noticed the difference. Compared to his rather simple wooden slingshot, Saria’s was painted blue and green and decorated with studded gems and down feathers of owls. “You sure didn’t give up, huh,” said Link.
 
“Of course not. I wanted to be good at shooting a slingshot just like you. So I couldn’t give up,” Saria replied.
 
“Well, I don’t use just a slingshot,” said Link, “I also shoot a bow and arrow.”
 
“Really? That’s amazing,” said Saria, “You should show me sometime.”
 
“And of course, I have my Kokiri Sword,” Link continued as he took his sheathed sword off his back and showed it to Saria, “I still have it since the Great Deku Tree let me keep it for my first adventure.”
 
Saria took the sword and held it in the palms of her hands. Having seen this sword before Link left to search for Navi over two years ago, she immediately noticed something different. The sheath itself was not only more ornate than before, but also longer by nearly the length of her forearm. She then grasped the hilt and slowly drew it from its sheath. It was then that she noticed why the sheath looked so different. “Wow, you sure made some changes to the Kokiri Sword,” she commented, “The blade is completely different, as is the sheath.”
 
“That’s because I had some improvements made to it on my last adventure,” Link explained, “I had these blacksmiths named Zubora and Gabora sharpen it and then temper it while I was in Termina. And right before I left Holodrum, I had another blacksmith lengthen the blade and give it a silvery gold luster.”
 
“I guess you needed to change your sword to suit you as you grew... both in skill and in size,” said Saria as she sheathed the sword and gave it back to Link, “But I like it. It really looks great.”
 
“Thanks, Saria,” Link said as he placed the sheathed sword on his back behind his shield.
 
Saria sat silently with a smile on her face as she and Link sat together. The usual sounds of the morning filled the Lost Woods, and the Deku scrub by the target had gone back to sleep. “You know, Link,” said Saria, breaking the silence, “It really is a nice morning.”
 
“Yes it is,” Link agreed.
 
“I love coming here in the morning to listen to the serene sounds of the forest and listen to the spirits whisper as they wake up,” she continued.
 
“I really like it too,” said Link, “And I like being in this forest too. That’s why I decided to stay here after my first adventure, and again after my last adventure. I feel so at peace here.”
 
“Yep. No matter what amazing things you’ve seen in that big world out there, nothing beats home here in the forest, right?” said Saria, giving him a wink.
 
“Right,” Link proudly replied.
 
“Ask him about tomorrow,” Spryte whispered in Saria’s ear after floating down on her shoulder.
 
“Oh! Hey Link, what are your plans for tomorrow?” Saria asked after being reminded of her surprise party plans.
 
“You know, I really don’t know,” Link replied, “There’s so much to do just in Kokiri Forest and the Lost Woods alone. I can barely imagine what all there is to do in the rest of Hyrule. It makes deciding what to do really hard.”
 
“I see,” said Saria, and then thought to herself, ‘Perfect! That means there’s so much out there that can keep him occupied tomorrow.’
 
“Hey, you can always go to Lon Lon Ranch and pay Malon, Talon, and even your Epona a visit,” suggested Navi.
 
Those words struck Link like a hammer to an anvil. “That’s right, I sent Epona back when I came home,” said Link as an idea came to him, “They must be wondering about me.” And with that thought, he stood up and turned to walk out of the Lost Woods.
 
“Wait, Link, where are you going?” Saria wondered.
 
“To go say hello to Malon and Talon and ride Epona. I think I’ll order some Lon Lon Milk too and have it shipped here tomorrow,” Link replied as he took off running, “See ya, Saria.”
 
“Wait, Link, don’t go! Link!” Saria protested, jumping up and running after him. But it was no use as he disappeared from view after a mere few steps.
 
Navi just hovered there next to Saria, equally bewildered by Link’s sudden decision.
 
“Great! Now what do we do about tomorrow?” said Saria, her disappointment showing on her face and being heard in her voice.
 
“Don’t worry, Saria,” said Navi, “He did say that there was so much to do in Hyrule, so I’ll find a way.”
 
“Yeah, I hope so,” Saria somberly replied.
 
“You are depending on me, right?” Navi reminded, “So I won’t let you and everyone else down. I’ll find the perfect excuse to keep Link away for tomorrow.”
 
Then, Saria was overcome by a wave of optimism as she looked on the bright side of Link leaving so abruptly, “Hey, this gives me a chance to discuss the cake with Fado.”
 
“That’s the spirit,” said Navi. And with their newfound optimism, Navi flew off to rejoin Link while Saria ran back toward Kokiri Forest.
 
Fado’s House...
 
Saria lightly knocked on the doorframe of Fado’s house, “Good morning, Fado. Are you home?”
 
“I’m right here, Saria,” Fado said from right behind Saria, startling her and making her jump almost into the top of her doorframe.
 
“Goddesses, Fado, don’t scare me like that,” Saria scolded, huffing and puffing and clutching her pounding chest.
 
The pigtailed blonde, however, only giggled at Saria’s jumpiness, “Silly, I can’t believe you didn’t see me.”
 
“Well... Good Morning, Fado,” Saria greeted after having caught her breath.
 
“Good Morning, Saria,” Fado replied, “What’s up?”
 
“Oh, Link decided to go out today instead of tomorrow,” Saria explained.
 
Fado gasped, placing her hands on her cheeks, “Oh no, that’s gonna totally blow our surprise party.”
 
“Yeah, I know. But Navi told me not to worry and that she’ll find a way to keep him away tomorrow,” said Saria.
 
“I sure hope so,” said Fado.
 
“But, since Link’s away, why don’t we discuss the really great cake I want us to make for him,” said Saria.
 
“Sure, let’s go inside,” said Fado. And then, she and Saria went into Fado’s house. Fado sat on her bed with her legs dangling from the side while Saria took a seat at the table. “So what kind of cake are we going to make for Link?” Fado asked.
 
“Well, since Link likes to travel about Hyrule and the world now, I want us to make a special cake using one of Hyrule’s recipes,” Saria explained, “I think it’d be great to include something from the outside in this surprise party. Plus, I think everyone else will like it too.”
 
“That would be great,” Fado commented, letting her legs swing back and forth, “But how are you going to find this recipe?”
 
“One of my books has a recipe that we can use,” Saria replied, “While Link is out today, I’ll send letters to some of the towns and villages in Hyrule and have the ingredients brought here tomorrow. Then, we can make the cake while the others set up for the party. Can you help me with the cake?”
 
“Gee, Saria, I’m really no good at cooking,” Fado sheepishly replied, letting her eyes drift down to her swinging feet.
 
“That’s okay. You can help me out with other stuff too,” said Saria, “Even if you aren’t doing the actual cooking, I could really use your help.”
 
Fado looked back up at Saria and smiled, “Okay, Saria, I’ll help you and everyone with the cake. I promise I’ll do a good job.”
 
“Thank you, Fado,” said Saria.
 
And from there, Saria and Fado continued discussing tomorrow’s party. It was a rather long discussion as both shared ideas for the party. Later, Saria and Fado discussed it with the other Kokiri, getting their ideas and formulating their plan for tomorrow’s party. And all this happened as Link visited Lon Lon Ranch and rode Epona about Hyrule Field, oblivious to the Kokiri’s plans.
 
The next morning...
 
“Good Morning, Link,” Navi greeted as Link slowly pushed himself up from his bed. He let his legs hang from the side of his bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
 
“Good Morning, Navi,” Link greeted in return. He brushed his blond bangs from in front of his face and finally opened his blue eyes for all the world, well... only Navi, to see.
 
“Did you sleep well?” Navi asked.
 
“Yes I did,” Link replied, “It was the best sleep I’ve had since I came home.”
 
“And it’s great that you actually woke up earlier for once,” Navi praised, “Anyway, we need to go to the castle and see Princess Zelda.”
 
That suggestion made Link’s pointed ears perk up, “Zelda? What for?”
 
“What for?! She’s your friend,” Navi barked in response, “You’ve been home for three days now and you still haven’t visited her to let her know that you’re home.”
 
‘That’s right,’ Link thought to himself as Navi jogged his memory, ‘I’ve seen Saria so many times since I came home, I just saw Malon and Talon yesterday, but I haven’t visited Zelda yet. I really ought to go see her.’
 
“Plus, you still have the Ocarina of Time,” Navi added, “I’m sure she’s going to want it back.”
 
“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get going,” said Link as he leaped off of his bed and dashed over to his wardrobe.
 
“Wow, such energy for being awake so early. Keep this up, and I won’t have to wake you up so much anymore,” Navi commented as she floated toward the door, “I’ll meet you by the village exit, okay, dearie?”
 
“Sure, I’ll be a few minutes,” Link replied.
 
Then, Navi slipped between Link’s doorframe and door curtain and left his tree house. ‘This is perfect,’ Navi thought to herself, giggling to herself for what she had just accomplished, ‘This will certainly keep Link away from here for a while as everyone gets the party all set up. I’m sure I can keep him busy until the sun makes it about two-thirds the way across the sky.’
 
Moments later, Link met Navi at the pathway out of Kokiri Forest. He was dressed in his usual green tunic and matching pointed hat, and had a white long-sleeve undershirt, white tights, and his favorite brown Kokiri Boots. He carried his Kokiri Sword and blue Hylian Shield on his back, his item bag on his right hip, and his ocarina case with the Ocarina of Time on his left hip. “Hi Navi. I’m ready,” said Link.
 
“Okay, Link. Let’s go,” said Navi. And both left Kokiri Forest and crossed the rope bridge that would lead them out of the forest. Once they emerged from the forest into the vast Hyrule Field, Link had an idea.
 
“Hey, why don’t I call for Epona so we can make it to the castle in no time,” he said as he reached for the Ocarina of Time.
 
“Wait, Link!” Navi protested, stopping Link just as the tips of his fingers touched the ocarina, “Let’s take our time getting there. I just want to enjoy the beauty of Hyrule Field on a fine morning like this.”
 
Link thought about it for a moment as his fingertips brushed the ocarina. Then, he made his decision, “Okay, why not.”
 
“Yes! Let’s go,” said Navi as they continued on their way to the castle. ‘Whew, that was close,’ she thought to herself, ‘I want to stall him as much as possible.’
 
Link and Navi traveled northwest across the vast Hyrule Field by following the dirt road that would eventually lead them to Hyrule Castle. Along the way, they passed by a few stray trees and listened as the birds sang their morning birdsongs.
 
‘Saria would so love it out here,’ Link thought to himself, ‘If only she could leave the forest like I can. I could show her all the beautiful sights of Hyrule, from Hyrule Field, to Death Mountain, to Lake Hylia, and especially Hyrule Castle. If only I could show her this wonderful world, if only...’
 
“Hey Link, what’cha thinking about?” Navi asked, floating right next to his face.
 
“Oh, nothing really,” Link evasively replied after losing his train of thought.
 
“Come on now, I know you were thinking about something. You don’t space out unless something’s on your mind,” Navi beckoned.
 
“Well,” Link reluctantly surrendered, “I was sort of wishing that Saria could leave the forest too, just like we can. I would be able to show her all of these wonderful things that the Great Deku Tree used to tell us about, and things that she reads about.”
 
“Well, she seems to be okay with staying in the forest, just like the other Kokiri are,” said Navi, “Besides, she can venture all around the Lost Woods, something that only you and she can do. The other Kokiri are too afraid to go very far into the Lost Woods.”
 
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” said Link, “It is something that she and I can share together.”
 
As Link and Navi passed by another lone tree, a loud and sudden hoot from an owl startled them. They both glanced up into the tree to find a familiar brown and tan giant male eagle-owl perched on a large branch. ‘Hoot! Hello Link. It’s so wonderful to see you back home after your long adventure. And I see you’ve found Navi too,” the owl said.
 
“Good Morning, Kaepora Gaebora. Long time, no see,” Link greeted his old mentor.
 
“It’s been over two years, has it?” said Kaepora Gaebora, “My, how you’ve grown so much.”
 
“Yeah. Navi, Saria, the Great Deku Sprout, Malon, and Talon all said so too,” said Link.
 
“Well, you’ll find that all your friends will think and say the same thing as you visit them,” said Kaepora Gaebora, “Growing up is a part of life, after all. And with you being away for so long, your friends will take notice. I take it you’re on your way to see one of them right now.”
 
“Yes, I’m on my way to visit Princess Zelda at the castle,” Link replied.
 
“Well then, I don’t want to keep you. Take care of yourself, young Link, and cherish your friendships. Hoot, hoot!” said Kaepora Gaebora. And with that last sentence, he spread his giant wings and gave one powerful flap, pushing himself off his perch. And then, the wise old owl took off into the morning sky and out of sight.
 
“It seems Kaepora Gaebora is doing well,” said Navi.
 
“It sure seems like it,” Link agreed, “Come on, let’s go see Zelda.”
 
And the boy and his guardian fairy continued on their way toward Hyrule Castle.
 
Hours later, Hyrule Castle Town...
 
Link and Navi crossed the drawbridge into the well-protected Hyrule Castle Town. And just as they had crossed, the jovial sounds of the crowded market square filled the air around them.
 
So Link ran toward the market square, with Navi following close behind. Once there, they found an unusually large crowd of people walking and dancing about the market square.
 
“Wow, I see the town is as bustling as ever,” Navi commented.
 
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Link agreed as he glanced about the square. After being away for so long, and still having vivid memories of his last visit there, Link noticed a few minor details. “It looks like they’ve set up more outdoor shops out here in the last couple years.”
 
“I can see why it would be so crowded,” said Navi, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling marketplace. Then, she snapped out of her trance. “Hey Link, let’s go.”
 
“Right,” Link replied as they navigated through the crowd of people and made their way toward the castle meadow.
 
Once they arrived at the Hyrule Castle meadow, they found numerous guards walking about the road on their usual patrols. Link was about to round the blind corner and make his way toward the middle gate when Navi flew in front of his face and stopped him.
 
“What are you doing, Navi?” Link protested.
 
“Link, we don’t have an invitation. I don’t think the guards are going to let us in,” Navi explained, “And I don’t think the guards are going to believe the Hero of Time story either. And worse, if they catch you with the Ocarina of Time, they’ll throw us in the dungeon for sure.”
 
“Yeah, you’re right,” said Link as he hid behind the corner from the two guards standing at the gate, “Zelda really doesn’t like to tell her father very much about what she does.”
 
“Right. So why don’t we sneak inside the castle like we used to do,” suggested Navi.
 
“Alright,” Link eagerly replied, “Sounds like fun.” He turned around and found the wall covered with vines, “Perfect!”
 
Navi only shook her head, “As much as you’ve grown, you sure haven’t changed much.”
 
Link grasped the vines and climbed up the cliff, with Navi following him close. When he reached the top, he ran over to where the middle gate to the castle was. Once there, he stooped down low and walked atop the ramparts over the gate and to the hill of the meadow. Then, he lied down in the grass and out of sight as he and Navi surveyed the meadow and the road to the castle’s main gate.
 
“They sure do have plenty of guards,” said Navi.
 
“No kidding,” Link agreed, “If we can just reach the moat, we’ll sneak in through the side.”
 
“But last time you came here, you were both younger and smaller. Are you sure you can still fit through that little drainage?” Navi wondered.
 
“I hope so,” Link replied as he found an opening in the path toward the moat, “We’ll just have to see when we get there. Let’s go.”
 
Link may have found an opening, but it required him to stray far from the path to the castle’s gate and climb onto another hill at the southwest end of the castle, with the drain being at the east side. So Link ran toward the hill, hiding behind each and every tree and shrub along the way like a true ninja. He checked to make sure the guards and patrols weren’t looking, and then sprinted for the hill.
 
In no time at all, Link arrived without being seen by any of the guards. Then, he took one last glance for any patrols and turned to Navi, “Are you ready?”
 
“Aren’t I always,” Navi replied with a mischievous smirk.
 
Then, Link leaped into the moat with a perfect swan dive. Once he surfaced, he hugged the outer wall of the moat, making sure the guards wouldn’t see him, and he silently swam the moat. With the moat’s current flowing in his favor, Link found staying stealthy quite easy. Moments later, he and Navi arrived at the platform at the east side of the castle. Link emerged from the moat and, finding no guards, removed his soaked hat and tunic and wrung out most of the water. He then shook the water from his blond hair like a wet dog before putting his hat and tunic back on. “Wow, that was fun,” he commented.
 
“I’m sure it was. But the question is: Can you fit through that hole over there?” said Navi, pointing in the direction of the drainage hole near the castle’s side entrance.
 
Link gazed at the hole for a few minutes to size it up, and then took a look at himself. “I think I can. Let’s try,” he replied.
 
So he took his Longshot grappling hook from his bag and aimed at the lion’s head sculpture above the drainage hole. He then fired and connected with it, and the spring-loaded chain yanked him off the ground and across the moat. He then released the hook and dropped harmlessly to the floor in front of the hole. He then dropped to his hands and knees and poked his head inside, and then back out. “Oh yeah, I can still fit,” he said, and then waved Navi over.
 
So Link crawled inside the drainage tunnel that would take him through the inner walls of the castle. He had no more than a few inches between his head and shoulders and the walls of the tunnel.
 
Soon, he emerged from the drainage tunnel and found himself inside of Hyrule Castle. Navi quickly followed and peered over the short wall separating the drainage tunnel from the rest of the castle. “Good, no guards,” she commented as she floated over the wall, “Let’s go. I’ll fly ahead of you and keep a watch out for any guards.”
 
“Okay,” Link replied as he leaped over the short wall and crept his way up to an open archway. He promptly hid as Navi scanned the large open passage.
 
“No guards here, come on,” said Navi. She quickly flew ahead as Link casually walked the passageway. Navi rounded a corner to another large atrium and began scanning the area. With no guards in sight, she signaled to Link again and launched herself ahead toward the castle’s courtyard.
 
Within moments, Link met Navi at the archway that led to the courtyard. “It’s strange how there’s no guards in this part of the castle. There’s supposed to be more patrols than this,” Link commented, “I guess most of them decided to patrol outside the castle.”
 
“Maybe,” said Navi, with a smile forming on her face, “But guess what? Zelda’s in the courtyard. Let’s go see her, shall we?”
 
And so Link and Navi crossed under the archway and walked into the large grass and flower-filled courtyard. There, in the middle of the courtyard, sat Princess Zelda on her knees in the flowerbed, with her back turned to the boy and his fairy. Link immediately noticed that Zelda no longer wore her coif, with her golden blond hair hanging down to her upper back. She wore the same white and magenta dress with pink and purple highlights and long sky blue sleeves that was customary for the young princess.
 
“Well, Link? Aren’t you going to announce your arrival?” Navi urged.
 
And just as Navi had spoken, Zelda stood up and glanced over her left shoulder, finding the boy dressed in green accompanied by a fairy. When she saw him, she spun around on her heels as waves of joy flooded her. She gasped and held her hands tightly together at her chest, and then shrieked, “Link! You’re back!”
 
And immediately, the young princess took off toward Link as fast as her long white skirt would allow her. But as she neared him, she slowed down and gently wrapped her arms around Link in a gentle embrace. “Link, I’m so glad you’re home,” she said, barely above a whisper, squeezing Link affectionately.
 
Link gladly returned the young princess’s embrace. “Are you sure it’s proper for a princess to be hugging a guy like me?” Link playfully teased.
 
“Of course, silly. I’m your friend,” Zelda replied.
 
They let each other go, stood at arm’s distance from each other, and looked at each other. Zelda noticed quite a difference in Link’s attire. She noticed that he wore a white undershirt and a pair of white tights, and brown bracers on his wrists. They were articles and accessories that he didn’t wear with his tunic when she last saw him. To Zelda, it only made him look more elegant in his role as “Hero of Time”.
 
Link, however, noticed very few differences in Zelda’s attire, aside from the fact that she now wore an elegant golden jeweled tiara instead of her young maiden’s coif. The front piece of her dress was a magenta banner that bore a golden crest of the Royal Family, the Triforce atop a block-figure eagle, all held in place with a decorative golden chain belt.
 
Zelda spoke up first, “Link, you’ve certainly...”
 
“Grown... yes, I know,” Link finished, “And so have you.”
 
“Well, what can you expect? I was 10 years old when we first met. Now, I’m 13,” said Zelda.
 
‘She’s certainly becoming quite a beautiful young lady,’ Link thought to himself as he glanced into the smiling princess’s beautiful blue eyes, ‘But, she’s the princess, after all. She has to be beautiful.’
 
“Come, Link. Sit with me,” said Zelda as she turned around and walked back to the flowerbed where she was. Link followed close behind, and then sat down in the flowers, Indian-style, while Zelda sat next to him on her knees in a more modest manner.
 
“I see you finally found Navi,” said Zelda as she finally commented on the glowing blue aura of a fairy hovering around them.
 
“Hello, Princess. It’s certainly been a long time,” Navi greeted.
 
“Please, Navi. You’re Link’s dear friend. You can call me Zelda,” said Zelda.
 
“Yeah, it took me over two years of traveling distant lands and fighting off evil to find her,” Link explained.
 
“Really? You actually traveled outside of Hyrule?” said Zelda with a dreamy look in her eyes.
 
“I sure did,” Link replied.
 
Then, Zelda turned and stared down at the flowers in front of her with a frown quickly forming on her face. “It’s no fair. You get to travel the world and I’m still stuck here at the castle, only going out with my father every now and then,” Zelda complained.
 
“Well, it wasn’t all fun and games, you know,” said Link, “After my long and treacherous journey, it sure feels great to be back home.”
 
“So, how did you get in the castle past all the guards out there?” Zelda asked. But just as Link opened his mouth to reply, the answer to her question hit her like bat to a ball, “Wait, I know how. You don’t have to answer. You could’ve sent me a letter saying that you were home. I would’ve sent you an invitation so you wouldn’t have to sneak past the guards.”
 
“That’s really kind of you, but I sorta wanted it to be a surprise,” said Link.
 
“Humph, liar,” Navi scoffed with her arms crossed, thinking. ‘I had to remind you to visit her.’
 
“What, it’s true,” Link rebutted, “I wanted it to be a surprise from the get-go.”
 
“Whatever, Link. Tell her about the Ocarina of Time,” suggested Navi.
 
“Oh, right,” said Link as he reached for his left hip and took the Ocarina of Time from its bag.
 
“Here, Zelda,” he said, presenting the shiny blue ocarina to her, “Thank you so much for letting me borrow this. You have no idea how much this little ocarina helped me on my adventures, and how much I needed it.”
 
Zelda took the ocarina in both her hands and held it tightly against her upper chest, “Oh, I had some idea that you were going to need it. My dreams had told me so. That’s why I let you borrow it.”
 
“That’s right, the reason I came and saw you before I left,” said Link after being reminded of the letter he had received from Zelda the day he had left Hyrule to search for Navi.
 
“In fact, I had a dream a couple nights ago. In my dream, I was standing high atop the castle town’s outer ramparts, gazing out toward the field,” Zelda explained, “I looked away for a moment to talk to some of the guards who were wondering what I was doing up there. And when I turned back to Hyrule Field, there you were. You were mounted on a beautiful chestnut with a white mane, and had Navi floating next to you. And since then, I’ve felt your aura all over Hyrule. So a part of me knew that you had come home.”
 
“I came back to Hyrule three nights ago,” said Link, “I went back to Kokiri Forest and surprised my best friend.”
 
“You missed Saria, didn’t you?” said Zelda, looking into Link’s blue eyes.
 
“Of course, I messed all my friends here,” Link replied, and then averted his eyes, “But yes, I missed her a lot. I was sad when I left, having to leave her behind. So I owed it to her to spend some time with her and the other Kokiri.”
 
“I see. You really are a great friend. She’s really lucky to have someone like you,” said Zelda.
 
Link turned away, trying his best not to blush at Zelda’s comment. ‘No, Zelda, I’m the one who’s lucky to have a friend who’s been as friendly and caring for all my life like Saria,’ Link thought to himself, ‘You really have no idea how much she means to me. In fact, I think I...’
 
“Link?” Zelda called, breaking him from his thoughts. Link turned back to Zelda to see her presenting him the Ocarina of Time in her outstretched hands.
 
“Here, Link. Take it,” said Zelda, “There was another reason that I let you borrow the Ocarina of Time.”
 
Link gently took the ocarina from Zelda’s hands and placed it back into its protective pouch. Then, he turned back to Zelda as she explained.
 
“You see, the Triforce remains safe behind its barrier at the Temple of Time,” she began, “And you know that to open the Door of Time, you need the three Spiritual Stones. Once gathered, the Ocarina of Time is the final key to opening the Door of Time, and thus having access to both the sacred Master Sword and entry to the Sacred Realm. And with you on your long journey, you kept that final key safely away from Hyrule should evil rise again. Even now, I feel the Ocarina of Time would be safer in your possession than in mine.”
 
‘Not really. I lost it to the possessed Skull Kid when I was in Termina,’ he thought to himself, ‘But at least I got it back and realized just how precious it really is.’
 
“So keep it safe for me, please?” Zelda pleaded.
 
“Of course,” Link replied, “For the Princess of Hyrule, I’ll keep it safe.”
 
“Link, Look up,” said Navi. They all looked up to the sky and saw that the sun had already completed two-thirds of its trip across the sky.
 
“It’s getting late. We really need to be getting back to Kokiri Forest, and fast,” said Navi.
 
“Okay,” said Link as he stood up, “But why in such a hurry?”
 
“Well...” Navi started to reply, not wanting to spoil the surprise party, “It takes a while to get back. And we don’t to be out in Hyrule Field after dark.”
 
“It’s okay, I’ll have the guards escort you out,” said Zelda as she too stood up, “Thank you for coming to visit me. It meant so much to me to see that you came home safely from your adventure. You’re welcome to visit again anytime. Just let me know, and I’ll send you an invitation.”
 
And so the two walked out of the courtyard and made their way through the castle’s atrium to search for one of the patrolling guards.
 
Moments later...
 
After the guard escorted Link all the way to Hyrule Castle Town and left him with a smile, Link ran through the less crowded market square and toward the castle’s outer gate. With it being later in the afternoon, a number of the market’s patrons had already left and headed back home. And in no time at all, Link and Navi made it to the outer wall and ran across the drawbridge.
 
Once in Hyrule field, they glanced up at the sky and saw the sun as it continued its trip across the western sky. “Great! How are we going to get back quickly before it gets dark?” Navi complained, and then thought to herself, ‘Oh Goddesses, we’re going to be so late. I hope the others don’t give up on us.’
 
“I can call Epona and race back,” Link said as he reached for his fairy ocarina from his item bag on his right hip.
 
“Great idea, Link,” Navi praised, and then thought, ‘No, it’ll be way late by the time we get there. They’ll be so mad at us.’
 
“Hoot, hoot! Link, up here,” Kaepora Gaebora’s voice summoned from above just as Link placed his fairy ocarina to his lips. He glanced up toward the sky to see the wise old giant owl circling high above them. “It’s getting late. Do you need me to take you back to Kokiri Forest?” the old owl offered.
 
“We’re saved.” Navi said ecstatically.
 
“Oh, do I ever,” Link replied, putting his fairy ocarina back into his item bag.
 
“Okay, grab onto my talons and hang on tight,” said Kaepora Gaebora as he swooped down and took a hold of Link’s outstretched arms as Navi grabbed onto Link’s tunic. In turn, Link grabbed a firm hold of Kaepora Gaebora’s ankles as the old own gave a few powerful flaps, sending them high into the air. Kaepora Gaebora immediately turned in the direction of Kokiri Forest and took off.
 
Link and Navi could barely enjoy the marvelous view of Hyrule Field from so high up as the wind blowing in their face from the old owl flying so fast kept their eyes shut for much of the trip. In almost no time at all, they felt Kaepora Gaebora slowing down and descending as they neared Kokiri Forest. They opened their eyes just as Kaepora Gaebora nearly landed in the small canyon leading to Kokiri Forest. With the ground so close, Kaepora Gaebora let go of Link, letting him fall gently to the ground.
 
Link turned back up to his old friend and mentor, “Thank you so much, Kaepora Gaebora.”
 
“It’s the least I can do for you,” Kaepora Gaebora replied, “You take care of yourself, Link. And tell Saria and the Great Deku Sprout that I said hello.”
 
“I will,” Link replied as Kaepora Gaebora flew of toward the Lost Woods.
 
‘You’re really a life saver, Kaepora Gaebora,’ Navi thought to herself as she and Link walked back toward Kokiri Forest, with Link unaware of the surprise that awaited him there.
 
end of chapter 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer: The Legend of Zelda and its characters ain't mine, but belong to Nintendo and the various creators and directors of each of the games. So, please don't sue me. I'm just a lonely man who ain't got anything but his pride. Well, y'all enjoy this fanfic and review.

Have fun Zelda fans,
Viper Inferno
(Y2V)

Back to Summary Page