Chapter Twelve: The Hero Remains

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Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art . . . It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. -C. S. Lewis

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Aega's child was born the next morning, a healthy boy.

When she saw us that evening I was relieved to see her in fair spirits as well, in her white sitting room, a single calla lily on the table. As she held the infant for us to see she told me his name.

"I have decided on Aurea, after Sangrel," She said solemnly, gazing with a bittersweet expression down at the baby.

I told her I was very glad that Sangrel had a legacy now. I took out the lens of truth, letting it dangle playfully over Aurea. He seemed to focus on it briefly, watching the amber glass spin above him.

"He should have it," I said to Aega. There was no third son now, but I saw Aurea as Sangrel's heir, and always would. She smiled and nodded, taking it carefully into her hand.

That night, as I was preparing to leave with Zelda the next day I knew Telon would seek me out. He would be traveling back to Denos with Sir Brana when he returned from his campaign in a few days, back to his father's estate. I did not have to wait long. Before the stars had fully come out he appeared at my window, playing with his short sword.

"Don't worry," I assured him, searching the small guest room for anything I might have missed, "I haven't forgotten my promise to you. Besides, when I visit my lady in the meantime I will be close enough to visit you all in Denos."

"That will be good," said Telon, swinging his legs back and forth on the sill. He was pensive for some time, one might say longer than usual for him. "So the prince was the friend you were looking for?"

"Yes," I managed to say without betraying the rising ache in my throat. I wondered what he thought of me after witnessing my open grief for the past few days. He had been quiet. My back was turned to him and I was surprised to feel his arms suddenly wrapped tightly around my waist in a fierce embrace.

"It's okay, you still have me."

His words brought me more comfort than I could have hoped to receive just then. I touched his head in thanks and he released me, darting out from the room.

Zelda's aunt and Sir Urbanus had been appointed guardians of the realm during Zelda's absence. They had kept Hyrule in good order, we found, when we returned. Zelda resumed her duties immediately. Three days after we returned she called me to her for a private audience in the very room where we had first met.

I hurried to the castle, the sunshine casting my hooded face in heavy shadow. I was hoping I would not be stopped. For the last few days I had been continually approached on the streets by complete strangers. They knew I was the friend of the Hero and the people of Hyrule could do nothing but speak good of him to me, telling me stories of how he had been of help to them, even in the smallest of matters. This would continue even years later and I would quietly revel in the memories of others, for it gave my friend life again.

Just outside the door I nodded silently to Aquila and Tristan who were standing guard. They were both wearing black sashes in remembrance of the Hero.

As I knelt before her in my burgundy cloak I had a difficult time placing the royal person sitting on the throne as my traveling companion with the wispy, flyaway hair and muddy clothes. She was once again Queen Zelda of Hyrule, dressed in a dark gown, a beautiful, collected woman of great intelligence and grace although she could not hide from me the grief that still troubled her eyes.

"I called you to talk about the position of Hero, Link," she said. She paused and I understood what she wanted to say.

"I won't take it," I said gently but firmly. "Hyrule loved Sangrel, Zelda, and he loved Hyrule and us. No one shows greater love than when he lays down his life for his friends. He was truly every bit the Hero and I will not take a drop of honor from his name." It would only lead to exposing him as a fraud, destroying his memory as well as putting into question Zelda's reputation as sovereign.

Zelda smiled, looking a little relieved. "Yes, I thought you would say that. Still, it felt right to offer." I nodded my appreciation and the young queen visibly relaxed, stepping away from her throne and sitting on the steps leading up to it. I rose and sat down next to her, she was just a woman named Zelda now.

"I am happy he was beloved here," she continued, sighing and laying her head on my shoulder. "What will I do without him? He was...well...I know we never told you about our relationship..."

"I knew," I said blushing. "The day we left for Cyril...It was an accident. Sangrel took so long I went looking for him..." Zelda didn't seem upset, she didn't even lift her head, so I went on. "I understand, I think. As a princess you didn't have much to yourself, you still don't. But what you and Sangrel had was personal...private. It didn't need a royal proclamation and it wasn't an official duty. You both had sanctuary in each other; holding secrets that you couldn't-or weren't ready-tell anyone else."

Zelda nodded, twisting the fabric on my shoulder.

"We wanted to get married..."

"Zelda, you are still very young. You don't know what will come to you in the future. Don't forget that Sangrel made you happy these past few years. He would want you to go on and be content...even if it is without him."

Zelda smiled, her eyes shining. "See, you have some wisdom too. Don't go too far from me, Link," she said. "What do you plan on doing now?"

I glanced down at my hands and was surprised how quickly I had clenched my fingers. I want to find the Triforce of Power, I almost said. Instead I shrugged, putting my elbows on my knees and leaning on my palms. "I'll take care of Hyrule in Sangrel's stead. I will be around unless I'm attending Lady Petalwood in the Cedar Wood."

"I suppose I can't convince you to accept a knighthood of Hyrule?"

I shook my head, but pleased at the offer nonetheless. "Thank you, but I feel I should keep what I have." I knew I had been bonded to the Cedar Wood, but I did not mention that to my friend. "My allegiance there is set, and the memory is important to me because I became something else over there, Zelda. I grew up, I guess."

We exchanged a knowing glance. For the both of us, so much maturing had happened indeed, and the price had been high. Hyrule still mourned for its fallen Hero, an amazing young man who was barely twenty when he died.

We sat there in silence for some time. The row of windows along the wall was open to a private courtyard and we heard birds singing.

Something that I had been forced to set aside came to my mind.

"What did you mean about Sangrel's wolf form being ironic?" I asked.

Zelda lifted her head, turning her gaze out the window. "Three hundred years ago, the first Hero, the Chosen Hero, spent some time as an enchanted wolf when Hyrule fell under darkness. Ever since, the Heroes were associated with the image of the noble wolf, but it is mostly forgotten lore. I wonder if it was merely a coincidence, or was it a sign that I had not been completely wrong in choosing him as Hero?"

An hour later I walked into the inner chamber of the Temple of Time where the pedestal for the Master Sword rested. Stepping forward with the sacred blade laid out in my hands I paused for a moment, reveling in the peace of the quiet room illuminated by a single leaded glass window. This is where it had begun with Sangrel, Zelda's decision that had brought us together for a brief time of invaluable and in a way, lasting friendship. I would not forget those years.

I sighed deeply, my heart heavy and my mind still tracing the memories. I felt the absence of my friend so keenly, as if a hole had been ripped into the sky. Sangrel had pulled me out of a dark place and taught me so much. But he had gone down a road where I could not follow; I was meant to continue on my own path for now.

"Farewell, friend," I murmured, lifting the Master Sword above my head and driving it home to its resting place. There was a slight feeling of loss as I pulled my fingers away from the hilt, but also a sense of preservation. The weapon had felt so spent, serving for years as a seal-keeper and used by hands it did not consider belonging to its master. Here it could rest and be restored, waiting for the next Hero.

Outside the Temple, Kuma stood waiting for me, chopping at the grass lawn. He raised his head and nickered to me. As I led him through the market the sound of the activity that had once mesmerized my senses bypassed me completely. Had it really been three years since I first came this way from Kakariko?

Beyond the city gates I swung up onto the big horse's back.

"Where shall we go, Kuma?" I asked him, rubbing his shoulder. "The apples are not ready, but maybe we should check up on Appleton?"

We headed out at a rhythmic walk and I pulled my flute from the saddle bag. The beginnings of a meandering song came easily to me as soon as I put it to my mouth. As we traversed the open field, the sun came down gently upon us, the blue dragonflies hovered up from the whispering grass and the notes from my flute lifted easily into the sky.

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THE END

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(a/n: Thank you for reading. Character design for Zelda has been added to the DA account.)