Chapter 18
Parting Ways

Link walked out the door of time and it shut behind him, sealing the master sword and the sacred realm within it. He walked towards the entrance of the temple of time and looked out the windows, the storm had passed and the sun shone through.

“Well Navi, we did it,” He said weakly, hardly daring to believe it, there was no reply, “Navi?”

”Yes we did,” Came Navi’s voice from beside Link, she seemed strangely sad, Link looked at her and saw little drops of water falling from her eyes onto the ground, she was crying.

”What’s wrong Navi?” He asked.

”It was always fated to be this way Link, I am sorry but since you are not a Korkiri I cannot stay with you. I’m sorry Link but now we must part ways.”

”But…” Link was in shock, he could not take it in, it took him a moment to utter the words, “We are friends right?”

”Oh yes, we will always be. You’ve been a great friend to me Link even though we’ve had our moments,” Navi let out a shaky laugh.

Link smiled weakly, he felt as though he were about to cry himself and tried his best to hold in his emotions.

”You should be happy Link, you’ve achieved so much,” Said Navi. “Perhaps someday we shall see each other again. Farewell Link.”

With that, Navi flew off through one of the high windows leaving Link staring sadly after her.

”Goodbye Navi,” Link said weakly, he sighed.

For what seemed like ages he stared at the place where Navi had gone, after a while he looked back at the huge doors leading out of the temple, he sighed again.

“I will find you again… someday.”

Walking out into the market, Link saw it was packed with people once again, all of them celebrating, flowers had been arranged in a neat way around the fountain in memory of the soldiers who had died.

”Did I oversleep or something?” Link asked himself, if he was thinking correctly, he must have slept a few days after returning to his childhood, it was a shame Navi was not there to explain it to him, a pang of sadness hit him, he shook his head letting it pass.

Link noticed a young boy standing by the fountain, he was not celebrating, his face was etched with grief. Link knew who the boy must be; indeed, in his hand he held a fox mask.

”Not everyone was lucky,” He muttered wishing even more Navi had not left him.

Link could not take it in much longer so he decided he better go to the castle the guards let him through.

‘That’s odd,’ he thought, he had half expected he would have to sneak his way through. He walked freely into the castle courtyard and into where Zelda was. She turned from the window and looked straight at Link before racing up to him and embracing him.

“Link you did it!” She cried, she let go when one of the guards looked around, Link was glad, “Thank you Link!”

“You kept your memory?” Link asked slightly confused.

“Yes I did,” She said looking slightly sad at this, “But that's ok, come the king wishes to see you. Ruaru is with him. He explained everything, with Impa’s help. Ruaru’s taken over as the chief advisor for my father.”

Link walked with Zelda into the large throne room. The king was a somewhat large man, yet something about him made Link think he had received part of the triforce of power. No maybe not that one, perhaps the triforce of wisdom, Link shook his head slightly, no one took any notice. He glanced quickly at Ruaru who was standing at the king’s side; Link noticed he was holding a strange rodlike instrument in his hand. Link followed suit as Zelda knelt before the king, which was a little unnecessary coming from her.

“I believe you are our hero,” Said the king smiling at Link. “You have Hyrules thanks Link as well as mine. As much as I hate to say it, you seem to have more skill than anyone in this castle does. Not mention courage. You have endured greater hardships than anyone in this castle.”

“Thank you,” Said Link.

“I wish I could offer you more than I could. Despite the fact that you are young I have decided to appoint you as a knight of Hyrule, you may also have your own room here. That is if you wish to stay of course.”

“Thank you,” Link said again, one of the servants, handed him some armour and a cloak as well as a special shield he had never seen before.

“Designed only by our best smiths, the heroes shield. It is our gift to you.” The king said. “Your father was captain of the guard and one in Hyrule’s Army, Norsan was his name. You remind me of him in many ways. He was one of our best knights. He would have been very proud of you. It seems you have inherited a lot from him.”

”Thank you,” Said Link, for what must have been the third time. The king beckoned Link forward to the throne where he commenced the short ceremony that would announce Link a knight.

”I announce you Sir Link Aldemear,” The king said, the guards cheered.
Who is Aldemear? Why did he just call me that? Link wondered in confusion.

”All hail Link!” Link blushed at this as he knelt before the king.

Link was relieved to go back to where Zelda was standing after the ceremony had finished

“Perhaps Zelda you could show Link around.”

“Of course,” Said Zelda, after kneeling once more Link left with Zelda.

”Link,” She said her voice strangely hushed as they left the throne room, “There’s something I must show you… come.”

Zelda took Link out passed the courtyard and the castles chapel to what looked like a small graveyard; only it was much less sombre. The graveyard was adorned with colourful flowers, many Link had never seen before. In the middle stood a huge a huge monument. The words at the top of it read ‘in honour of those who died for our country’. Link observed the list in silence and near the top; he saw the name Norsan Aldemear, his father.

“They were all buried here,” Zelda, said softly, “Long ago, there was only one royal family tomb it was located in Kakariko village. After my mother died, the king had another built here.”

”You never knew your mother either?” Link asked, feeling empathy for her.

”No, I did not. She was heartbroken when her best friend and cousin, your mother, died. Then my brother died young. The shock was too much for her I guess, she died soon after that. Impa has done everything she can for me since then.”

They stood for a moment staring at the monument, Link observed the royal family tombstone, next to it was a grave with the name Lora and Norsan Aldemear, and under it Link could make out where another name had been, probably his until somebody took the liberty of removing it. After pondering for sometime while Zelda stood patiently beside him, Link picked a flower and placed it before his parent’s grave, then got another one and placed it by the monument.

”Goodbye,” He whispered, not sure wether he was being stupid or not, he walked away with Zelda back to the castle itself.

That night there was a huge celebration in the castle in honour of Link. During the feast, the king had announced every year on that day there would be a festival in honour of the Hero of Time. Link did not spend that long at the celebrations. He felt exhausted and longed for sleep, Zelda took him to his room, the room that had once been his parents for the first time in ages Link had a good nights sleep.

Even though Hyrule was at peace, Link was not. Despite his fondness towards Zelda and his friendship with the king, Impa and Ruaru Link felt dreadfully out of place. He did not belong in the castle, even though it had been his parents home. Despite counselling from both Impa and Ruaru, it was hard for Link to settle back into a normal life, a Hylian life. At night, nightmares of his quest haunted him to the point it was maddening. He had to get away from the castle, from everything that reminded him of his quest. He felt as though someone had inflicted a grievous wound upon him, one that neither fairies nor time could heal.

Link changed back into his tunic and went to the stables where he saddled Epona who was given to Link by Malon as a present during the festival a few days after his arrival. As he mounted her, he heard Zelda's voice behind him.

“Are you leaving Link?” She asked.

Link looked at her and dismounted.

“I knew you would leave someday, it is understandable that you would want to leave after what you have been through.” She said sadly.

“I will be back someday,” Said Link.

“Yes, I know you will be but it will be a long time before we see each other again. I can be sure of that.”

“It's not that I don't like it here,” Said Link. “I miss the forest and I miss Navi.”

“You have talked about her for a long time now,” Said Zelda. “I'll miss you.”

“Same, I told the king I was leaving, he knows,” Said Link.

“Before you leave,” Said Zelda. “I have something for you.”

She held out the Ocarina of Time to Link.

“Keep it in memory of me,” Said Zelda, she handed it to him, “Farewell.”

She embraced Link and let go as Link went to mount Epona.

“Goodbye Zelda,” He said.

He gave Epona a little nudge and she rode off, he turned back waved at Zelda and rode out of the castle grounds, oblivious to the guards waving at him, he rode through the open gates and on to the market place. Some of the people waved to Link greeting him warmly, he desperately wanted to get away from them. He hated being known by everyone. Link saw the boy who he had seen when he had first returned after his quest. He was standing by the fountain, still looking quite sad, another boy stood by him when he noticed Link staring in his direction he blushed and turned away. Link decided that he would go to the mask shop and buy the kid a present; he hoped no one would pay to much attention; they should not considering Epona was getting most of it.

Link walked into the mask shop and was surprised to see the shelves empty; the mask salesman was packing his oversized pack.

”You’re closing down?” Link asked, the man looked up waring the same old grin.

”Oh hello dear boy. You must be Link our saviour?” Link blushed; he hated being reminded of it all, he shook his head to try to relieve the pain that he had felt for so long.

”I was hoping to get a mask from you,” Said Link.

”I’m sorry but I just sold most of my masks to a place called Termina, ever heard of it boy?”

The name rang a bell but Link could not recall what it was, “I see, what about your other stuff?”

”Oh these masks,” He pointed to his pack,” No these are special masks and most of them are actually. Not even, I would wear some of them. They contain magic you see, which I have collected over the years in my many journeys. You might have seen the mask of truth on my shelf, yes. A precious magical mask it was, I sold it to a man for five hundred rupees.”

”You must travel a lot.” Link said, he suddenly remembered where he had heard about Termina from, the portals!

”You know of the portals to the other lands do you?” Link asked him.

”Only one I know of, apart from that I have a much more ingenious method of transportation but its still nice to walk.” The man smiled, “I best get going. Farewell my friend.”

The man put his backpack on and opened the door through to the back of the shop, as he went Link spied that mask he had seen what seemed like a generation ago, it was the Majora’s Mask and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, he shivered.

”You shouldn’t be looking at that mask you know,” the man chuckled pausing as he went through the door, “It’s a dangerous one, and it can do nasty things to you if you stare it in the eyes too long. This mask has the power to possess those who are weak minded. Of course your not weak minded are you? Farewell.”

He shut the door and left, leaving Link a little bewildered; he had forgotten the whole reason he had entered until he walked back outside. He looked at the fountain and saw the kid had gone.

”That’s a nice horse you’ve got there,” A young girl remarked as Link mounted Epona.

”Why thank you,” Link replied.

”Your lucky,” She replied, Link smiled and rode off.

He felt glad as he left the castle behind and the village he had not felt at all home. A sense of relief swept him as he came in sight of the forest. Epona followed Link through into the forest.

’I am home,’ thought Link, ‘Finally I'm home.’

As Link rode on with his horse there were, cheers as he rode in even Mido greeted him warmly.

”LINK’S BACK!” A few of the Korkiri cried, Link had trouble moving Epona through the crowd.

”Welcome back!” Someone else yelled.

”I am surprised you are not dead!” Said Mido, his tone of voice was not nasty but humorous, “I’m glad you got back ok. Where’d you get that creature anyway?”

”Around,” Link replied smiling, Mido turned to the group forming around Epona and said in his usual tone.

“Right quit it you lot! Shoo get back to business or whatever it was you were doing before!”

The Korkiri looked at Mido and then walked off, some of them smiling at Link as they walked away.

”The Deku Tree explained some of why you had vanished, said you had gone to save the forest with Saria, I trust you were successful? Saria returned sometime ago. She is waiting for you, in her hut this time.”

”The Great Deku Tree’s alive!” Link exclaimed in disbelief.

”Why would he not be alive?” Mido asked him as if Link had just asked a very stupid question. “I will let you go, have a nice evening. Mr no fairy, or should I say wimp instead?”

Link stared at Mido not knowing wether he should be feeling offended or not.

”Just kidding,” Mido replied still smiling, he walked off leaving Link staring stunned at him.

‘I can’t stay here forever,’ Link thought, ‘I’m not a Korkiri. I’ll talk to Saria and the Great Deku Tree and find Navi,’

Malon had told him he could stay at her place, he would like that. In fact after he found Navi he would do that.

’When I find her’ He told himself, he had so many questions to ask her. Link felt angry with Navi despite knowing he should not be. Why had she left him like that? Why did she not stay to help him through the last few torturous months?

Saria would help him; she had always been a great mentor to Link, not as good as Navi though.

Link continued onto his house and went in, leaving Epona by the tree. As he lay on his bed, he gave a sigh.

‘Well I'm home... at last.’

As Zelda had once said, for Link the journey to save Hyrule was over. For Hyrule and its occupants, the legend had just begun…