Chapter 3 Greetings Happy Mask Salesman

Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time or Majora's Mask. This is only a fanfiction story. To anyone who has noticed.

I just uploaded a new cover image for Legend of Shade. The creator/Deviantart account name of this fanart is "Thaumana." The owner said it's okay, so long as I give credit and a link to the source.

If you want to check out the person's artwork. Type down "Deviantart." Then type down "Thaumana" on the website's search bar. From there you'll scroll down the page and find the fanart photo that I used for the cover image.

The cover image/fanart photo I used is on the link below. Thank you for your support and enjoy the story.

Link: thaumana/art/Moo-910365695

Link was sleeping soundly in his rude wooden bed. He moaned and swung his arm over the edge of his bed.

"It's that early?" Link fell back onto his sheets and moved the covers over his blonde hair. That was tousled in a mess.

I better get out of bed, before Saria wakes me up, like yesterday. Link thought as he moaned and swung his legs over the edge of his bed.

Link awakens and crawls out of his bed, grabs his iconic attire, and heads for the door.

He pushed aside the heavy cloth that served as a front door and stepped outside onto his porch.

Then he climbed down his ladder and left his treehouse to go take a bath.

But first, he went to the boys changing room and removed his green shirt with a red Kokiri crest on the front and green plaid pajama pants.

During summer in the Kokiri Village, the days were warm, even from the morning.

When Kokiri children are playing tag, hide-and-seek, chatting, or being ordered by Mido to get rid of the rocks and weeds.

Even the cicada cries could be heard from outside and some found it irritating, while others thought the melody was elegant for the summer season. Especially when taking a nice relaxing cool bath in the Kokiri's spring pool.

After Link took a bath in the male bathing pool, he put on his green short pants, matching colored pointy hat, and his short sleeve Kokiri tunic over a brown leather strap with his gilded sword and mirror shield attached to his back.

His leather belt over his waist and brown Kokiri boots. Along with his magical Kokiri item pouch tied to the back of his waist.

Then Link ran off to the southwest corner of the village, towards Saria's house to join her for breakfast.

"Morning~"

"Oh, you're awake, morning."

I was just about to finish cooking when Link greeted me. Saria thought while preparing the food. Since I had already decided on what to make today.

Link, smiled when eating came to mind when I was making breakfast. Even though Link has been staying in the Kokiri Village for an entire week now. It seems he's gotten used to this peaceful lifestyle.

I placed the Brown Rice Bowls, Vegetable Omelets, Honeyed Apples, Pickled Chestnut, Peppermint Tea, and Spring Water on the large wooden stump that was being used as a table.

"Ooh~ looks good~" Link grinned at Saria and grabbed his wooden fork and spoon.

Link still groggily sat on the chair and stretched his sentences.

"Link, you're still not a morning person huh?"

"Sorta, sometimes I have trouble sleeping. When I dream about my adventures in Termina."

"Well, anytime you have trouble sleeping. Just come and rest at my place, like last time."

Link asked if he could sleep with me tonight, a few days ago. Because of his nightmares of his former enemies and past regrets of the people he couldn't save.

I didn't mind; it reminded me of times when he was a toddler and we used to live together in my house.

"Thanks, Saria," Link replied and started eating his breakfast deliciously, alongside Saria.

I smiled wryly and picked up my wooden spoon and began eating.

"Delicious, thanks for the meal." Link expressed his gratitude toward Saria.

"Aww, your welcome Link," Saria replied, showing a smile on her face.

After finishing our meal and cleaning the dishes, we drank our cold tea as we discussed the plan for today.

"You want to go hang out in the forest? Play music on our fairy ocarina, scare Mido with one of your magical masks, or maybe a game?" Saria said, offering her suggestions.

"Saria, I think it's about time I visit Princess Zelda and tell her of my adventures in the parallel world of Termina."

"Oh…" Saria appears crestfallen and sad.

"But I'll see you again next weekend!" Link reassures her.

"Really?"

Link stared into Saria's warm emerald green eyes. That begging him to stay just a little longer. But Link knew deep down that has to leave once again.

"I promise Saria." Link said smiling. "But I have to go tell Princess Zelda and the rest of my friends that I have returned to Hyrule."

"I understand Link," Saria replied, and she smiled faintly. "Just please stay safe out there okay," Saria asked, as she embraced Link with a soft and loving goodbye hug.

"Don't worry Saria, we'll meet again at the forest temple entrance," Link replied, happily smiling into her hair, while they were hugged.

Finally, Link released himself from Saria's embrace and exited her treehouse.

The morning sun cast its light upon the village as Link passed through the assortment of hollowed-out tree houses with some hacked directly into the bases of trees and made into broken tree stumps that had been fashioned into the homes of dozens of Kokiri children, who wandered and played amongst the trees.

Eventually, Link passed the small stream that cut through the meadow and filled the air with nature and tiny forest spirits.

While motes of twirling and flying light, swirled around him as he rose and started running back to the opened green field where his treehouse stood and his trusty horse Epona stands awaiting him.

Link clambered up the ladder as fast as he could. Inside his house, he snatched up a lot of leftover food in his storage.

Such as his Simmered Fruit, Steamed Fish, Sauteed Deku Nuts, Mushroom Rice Balls, two Wheat Breads, and two bottles of Chateau Romani.

Then he gathered all his weapons and essential tools. Like his Great Fairy's Sword, Hookshot, Boomerang, Hero's Bow, Arrows, Lens of Truth, Bombs, Pictograph Box, and Pictograph Album.

The three Fairy bottles, all the masks from Termina, Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, etc.

All of his items were put inside his magical Kokiri Pouch with ease. The Kokiri Pouch can carry far more than its outside volume.

It is also able to keep items in a kind of stasis. Food items are kept from spoiling, and time seems to stop within its confines.

The maximum volume within the sack is unknown, as well as the limit of items one can carry. It may have unlimited storage space.

Once he gathered all his supplies. Link climbed down to the bottom of the ladder and embarked on his trusty horse Epona and galloped towards the forest exit.

Beyond the edge of the village, he said his goodbyes to the rest of his Kokiri friends. Then he continued to ride under the boughs of the forest, cutting a trail north, toward Hyrule Fields.

Within minutes, Link and Epona reach a wooden bridge spanning a deep ravine and ride through the tunnel. Departing Kokiri Forest and entering Hyrule Field.

The morning sun shines high over the cloudless, clear blue skies of Hyrule. As Link and Epona exited the tunnel, leaving Kokiri Forest and entering Hyrule Field.

Only a thin strand of trees separated Link and Epona from Hyrule Fields now, and Epona galloped between them with ease.

Leaving them further away from the tunnel. Then without warning, someone sat on top of a nearby tree and responded to him.

"Ho-ho-ho-ho-hoot! The Hero of Time and Savior of Termina has finally returned to Hyrule." Link stopped Epona and looked up to see Kaepora Gaebora, looking down at him from the top of a tree.

"It's nice to see you too, Kaepora Gaebora." Link greeted his wise owl friend. "This is perfect timing, I'm on my way to Hyrule Castle to report to Princess Zelda about my journey in Termina."

"I see, you're reporting to Princess Zelda and ready to live a peaceful lifestyle. Now that your journey has finally come to an end."

"Yes, I have been researching high and low for Navi for months in the Lost Woods until I gave up." Link sighed and continued.

"After everything, I went through in Termina. It was about time I let the past go and move forward. But I'm sure, you are not just here just to greet me on my safe return. There is something important you want to tell me?"

"Yes, I wanted to tell you that whenever you're longing to meet your old friends back in Termina. Just play the Song of Soaring and you'll see your friends once again."

"Thanks for telling me Kaepora Gaebora." Link smiled. "At least I know without a shadow of a doubt. That I can see them again."

"It was my pleasure, hoot-hoot. Until we meet again, Hero of Time."

The great owl's wings spread wide, and with a single tremendous flap, the owl was airborne. He soared off over the field, straight into the sky, and was soon out of sight.

"Come on Epona, we better get to Hyrule Castle. I'm sure Princess Zelda has waited long enough don't you think?" Link said to Epona.

Epona replied with a low, impatient nicker.

Eager to wander around Hyrule fields once again. Just in the good old days, before Link and herself left Hyrule.

"Yeah, I'm happy to be back home too," Link replied and smirked. While he and Epona rode across Hyrule Field's thin sandy road, leading toward Hyrule Castle Town.

The path was very old with weeds and grass on the sandy bridle path. Near the great grassland, the gently sloped low hills swathed with meadows that stretched beyond the plain fields.

Just above the rocky mountain and walls that surround Hyrule Fields. On occasion, Link would see the usual oak trees and maple trees growing by themselves, or as part of a loose grove, with little vegetation growing beside it.

Small leafy bushes or ferns grow in the shade of one of these solitary trees. Plants, flowers, and even solitary boulders wrapped around vines. Old crumbling stone walls or the rotting remnants of wooden fences that went nowhere and encircled nothing.

While the sun was shining without a cloud in the sky. It was a warm, beautiful summer day, and the breeze felt so good when riding on Epona. As the sun rays and wind caressed his skin as he continued riding, it felt quite nice.

Eventually, Link saw huge granite and stone walls surrounding the entire settlement, and a massive drawbridge lay gaping over a broad, dark moat.

He couldn't see what was itself within the walls, but even at such a distance, he could hear the bustle of business and commerce within the town. It was Hyrule Castle Town, and only a few minutes for Epona to ride there.

"There it is Epona! I can see Hyrule Castle Town!" Link said, feeling pumped up and excited to see old faces.

Finally, we reached the drawbridge. I can't wait to see Princess Zelda, Impa, the Happy Mask Salesman, and maybe even Malon too! Link thought, showing a happy expression.

As Epona rides towards the drawbridge and straight into Hyrule Hyrule Castle Town.

Link and Epona proceeded through the drawbridge, early in the afternoon. Until a Hylian guard stopped him from going any further.

The Hylian guard responded to Link and said. "Sorry kid, horses, and carriages cannot enter the walkway of the market. Please leave your horse in the stables, until you are ready to leave Hyrule Castle Town."

"Yes sir."

Link mounted off his horse Epona and directed her towards the stables and let her rest alongside the other horses.

Epona made worried whine noises to Link and he responded to her. "Don't worry Epona, I'll only be staying here for a day or two okay."

Link reassured Epona. Who long awaited to see Malon and Lon Lon Ranch. Afterward, the Hylian guard let Link pass through the Hyrule Castle Town Market.

Link gazed around the town's market as the warm sunlight surrounds the many buildings, such as the merchant stalls, residences, industries, and commerces.

With Hylian people working and wandering about the stoned tiled streets. Bargaining, trading, playing music, and a few entertainers at every corner of the town.

The entire town was lively, with people shopping, and living their peaceful lives. While ignoring the world beyond their vast walls.

Link also browses through the many new and old shops that made up the walls in the central marketplace and the other districts inside Castle Town. Link knew he could easily afford any of their wares and attractions, but he read them with delightful curiosity:

"Shooting Gallery"

"Bombchu Bowling Alley"

"Big Willy's Bazaar"

"Happy Mask Shop"

"Kado and Rido's Blacksmith Shop"

"Sheikah Fortune Teller House"

"Goddess Hylia Temple"

"Aqua & Lizalfos Tavern"

"Hylian Military Barrack"

"Vincent's Artisan Shop"

"Stacy's Tailor Shop"

"Medicine Shop"

Mixed in with the crowd were many animals. Small barking dogs, cats sunbathing on the rooftops, and Cuccos pecking on the ground for leftover food on the floor.

"Oh, it's you!? My old friend."

The man spoke in a calm, yet surprisingly loud voice to get Link's attention.

He was a small, thin man, with neatly-combed red hair and an immaculately groomed yellow-and-violet costume.

His slanted, thin eyes rested over a small, perpetual grin as he quietly rested his forearms on the counter.

The man responded to Link and he instantly made eye contact with him. "Hey, it's good to see you again, Happy Mask Salesman," Link replied to his grinning old friend.

Link and the Happy Mask Salesman continued their conversation inside his shop.

"It's been awhile, hasn't it? Hero of Termina?"

"How's business going so far?"

"Ha ha ha…. Pretty good, even since I collected new masks from Termina. They'd been selling like hotcakes. So what brings you back to Hyrule."

"I'm here to settle down and live in peace. But first I need to see Princess Zelda and my other friends who missed me."

"Ah, I see. You're putting away the sword and shield. Heeding my advice on returning home and how partings need not last forever.

Yes, I remember, Link thought as he reminisced the words the Happy Mask Salesman said. Before he departed from Termina.

"Whenever there is a meeting, a parting is sure to follow. However that parting need not last forever… Whether a parting is forever or merely for a short time… That is up to you. With that please excuse me…"

"Yes. But should evil ever return to Hyrule or Termina again; I'll gladly raise up my weapons to save my friends and loved ones."

"I see, anyway is there something I can do for you?" Happy Mask Salesman questioned Link.

"Yes actually, when the time comes I'll give you some of the masks that I collected from Termina."

"Really, but why only some of them? Hmm."

"After giving away the Deku Child Mask to the Deku Butler. I realized that only someone who holds a precious connection to the spirits within these masks. Should hold on to them and mourn the passing of these innocent victims."

"That's very mature of you, Link. I think the spirits within those masks would feel really grateful to you for returning them to a friend or loved ones."

They deserve to know the truth about what happened to Darmani, Mikau, and the others. Link thought.

"Thanks, maybe I'll see you again next time," Link replied and exited the Happy Mask Salesman shop.

I should go see Princess Zelda. Link thought as he proceeded to walk down the cobblestone market streets and towards the trail that leads to the Hyrule Castle.

When he reached the Castle Grounds, Link gazed at the humongous castle that was more stunning from a small distance away.

When they came closer to the wrought-iron gate in the middle of the trail. A single tiresome guard stood before the massive gate.

Link walked up to him and began to speak, but the soldier cut him off.

"Sorry, little boy, but I can't let you in."

Link opened his mouth and handed the guard an old letter with a stamp sigil of the Hylian Crest on it. "Princess Zelda has granted me permission to enter Hyrule Castle. I'm a guest and loyal friend of the Hylian Royal Family."

The Hylian guard grabbed the letter, opened it, and began reading. His eyebrows start rising in disbelief until he sees Princess Zelda's autograph signed on it as a royal decree at the bottom.

He handed Link the letter back. "So, you're that boy, then? The child who revealed Ganondorf's coup d'etat, two years ago?"

Link replied politely to the guard. "Yes, my name is Link. Please notify the princess that I have returned and await to see her."

"Sure son, just stays close and follow me this way." He opened the gate and then led Link into the Castle Grounds.