Link placed the green cap on his head, the triangular point hanging down to the top of his back. It fit snugly, as did the rest of the Hero's Garb. The tunic, the armor, even the boots seemed to have grown to fit him, and Link accepted that as a matter of course. Who was he to say that there wasn't some kind of magic on them? That there was magic in the belt was obvious, how else could he carry so many legendary items? He wasn't a Goron.

He shrugged the Hylian shield onto his back. It had served him well, and even now had no dents to mar its surface. He strapped the leather gauntlets to his hands, fingers poking out the ends for grip, the bracers on his forearms marked with their fair share of scrapes. He glanced into the mirror in the corner and did a double-take.

The Hero of Light stood there. The last time he had worn this armor… was when he had returned the Master Sword. After Midna had left him. He drew in a breath, then let it out slowly, touching the most recent addition to his communication necklace. A dark obsidian bead, ran through with a vein of emerald. He had never expected to use it. Seeing her had been… unexpected. Pleasant, yes, despite the circumstances, and Link hoped, yearned, to see her again. Yes, he admitted to himself, he had loved her once.

But the Hero had moved on. He placed the simple band of gold over the glove on his left hand, the bright emerald shining even in the low light. Ilia was his betrothed, now.

Link carefully picked up a small jar of softly glowing insects, and placed it carefully in the saddlebags. He might not be able to see her himself, but he couldn't go to Castle Town without trying to deliver these small guests to Tabitha's ball. He had attended each annual celebration without fail, always to her delight. The memories of the strange young girl that loved insects brought a smile to Link's face. She was a young woman now.

Maybe he should send one of the boys, instead… The smile grew and Rusl's sword joined the shield on his back. He would see her again. Link shook his head, reached down and tossed the saddlebags over his shoulder, and climbed up the ladder. He passed through the main room of his house with barely a glance. There wasn't time to reminisce.

Outside, goodbyes were busy being said, illuminated by a few guttering torches. Most of the village was gathered to say goodbye, and Link was surprised to see Tali and Talo among the well-wishers. The small girl had her arms wrapped around Rone, the dark Gerudo having gone to one knee to embrace her in return. The bandage wrapping her blonde head did nothing to hide the tears running down her cheeks. Link leapt to the ground next to Colin and Talo.

"-and if you see my brother, whack him on the head for me. It's probably gotten even bigger since I saw him last, and he's always needed a bit of deflating." Talo was saying. Colin laughed and placed a hand on the large youth's shoulder carefully, avoiding the heavy splint that held his arm.

"No promises. He might set his goons on me-" Colin saw Link and his eyes went wide. Conversation faded to a reverent silence as Link walked towards the group. Rone stood, Tali holding to his hand, unafraid of the dark gauntlet she gripped. He wondered briefly why everyone was so quiet before realizing. He had always been Link to them, and even when he had been the Hero they had still treated him like a son and brother. But now he was leaving again, resplendent in the garb of the Hero of Light.

A frown came to Link's face. He hadn't been the one to save the village. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was people giving credit where it wasn't due.

There was only one thing for it. He took off the pointed green hat and stuffed it on Rone's head. Smiles came to faces, lighting eyes and bearing laughter. Rone's face reddened, and he let his hair fall in front of his face in embarrassment. It didn't save him from Beth's embrace, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, stifling his cries of alarm. The villagers of Ordon crowded around Rone to give thanks, and Link stood back, watching appreciatively.

Except one. Uli stepped up to Link, watching Colin thump his friend on the back before they were both engulfed in a hug from Bo. He turned to Uli, and saw the love and concern in her eyes that only a mother could have. "I tried to talk him out of going." Her voice was firm, but worry lay under her words like a fog. Link nodded, just watching her. "He wants to go, not for adventure, but for the only brother he's ever had." She looked up at him then, her clear blue eyes piercing him. "And his other father." Link's head lowered and he sighed, nodding.

"And I am happy for him, you know that. Colin's grown so much, because of you. But this… this is different." Uli shivered, sliding her short blonde hair behind an ear. "You did not see the power that Rone used. We love him, but by Ordona, it scared me. It scared all of us. You do not speak, but you can answer. Will you make me a promise?"

Link looked away from her, to where Colin was kneeling next to his sister as she wove a red flower into his hair. He had given up protesting. Link nodded.

The words burst from her. "I know you will protect him, but do you promise to keep him from danger? I know all you are doing is going to Hyrule, but please, do not let him risk his life." Link stared silently at the blonde boy as he enfolded Tali in his arms. He nodded once, then looked to Uil with a grim smile.

She smiled uneasily back. "You'll try your best?" He nodded again. "That's good enough for me." Uli reached out and took his hand, smile becoming more certain. She gestured to the ring on his finger. "And congratulations. I knew it was coming." He laughed and embraced her.

Link retrieved his cap from a beleaguered Rone and mounted Epona, who was waiting quietly at her post, but he could tell she was ready to be away. Rone mounted Cloud, a fiery gray mare that had belonged to Rusl, and trotted beside Link with a nervous smile. Colin jumped on Toil, the only goat in Ordon that let anybody ride him, and the shorter animal pulled up beside them as well, a wide grin on Colin's face.

"You're going to ride him all the way to Castle Town?" Rone stated, incredulous.

"Of course! He'd get lonely if I didn't bring him, and you know we don't have any more horses! Don't you worry, Link, I've been training him so he'll keep up just fine." Link laughed and urged Epona to the small passage that led out of Ordon. He stopped suddenly.

Ilia stood there, waiting for him. The light breeze brushed through the trees, blowing her blonde hair behind her. The light from the flickering torches cast shadows across her face, obscuring her eyes. She reached up to stroke Epona's neck. "Bless you, loyal horse." She said quietly. "Guide your rider safely home." She looked up and took Link's hand, and the light of the fire sparked in her emerald eyes, and Link saw fear there. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "For he has something very important to return to." Link squeezed her hand reassuringly, and touched her bead on his neck. They shared a moment, then Link looked up at the assembled villagers. He let go of Ilia's hand and drew his sword. It glittered in the firelight, and the citizens of Ordon bowed in reverence.

With a shout Link brought it down, leveling it at the darkness of the woods. Epona leapt forward, followed closely by the two others, and the three warriors charged into the shadowed trees. The pounding of their hooves, along with Colin and Rone's excited cries, covered Link's single grunt of pain, one that struck straight at his heart. He clutched the bead on the necklace. He would see her again. He would.

…

Colin unbuckled the straps from off Toil's back, muttering peaceful words to the tired goat. They had ridden for hours at speed, and by his reckoning, they had only a couple hours more before they reached Castle Town. He set the bags on the ground and guided the goat to lay down next to the already-sleeping Epona, feeling the fatigue weighing on his bones. But Master Link was right. They needed rest, especially if they were really going to see the Queen tomorrow.

Even in his tired state, an excited smile grew. He was going to meet Zelda, the Queen of Hyrule, the Light of Hylia! Colin had dreamed of this day for years, even before Link had taught him to swing a sword. She was said to be the most beautiful woman in the world, and… His smiled grew wry. And she's what, ten years older than me? Shaking his head, he collapsed on the ground next to Link's lantern, across from where Rone had already fallen asleep. A boy could dream, right?

Besides, his cheek still tingled where Beth had kissed him. Red crept up his face again.

He looked down to Rone, and his smile faded. How could he be so happy when his friend was cursed? The piece of metal on Rone's arm was still there, a scar of darkness that had taken away his friend's joy. Colin's eyes narrowed, and he rolled out the long piece of fabric that passed for a bedroll. His friend had always been reserved to some degree, but now there was a darkness in his eyes that had not been there before. Rone's face twisted in his sleep, a wince at a pain that Colin could only guess at.

Footsteps announced Link's return. Colin did not look up from removing his boots, and Link sat down near him.

"Nothing going to kill us in our sleep?" He asked, semi-jokingly, and Link grunted a short laugh. They were entering Bublin territory, and while they weren't as much of problem in this area, Link thought it never hurt to be sure. A hand settled on Colin's shoulder, and he looked up at his master, puzzled. It was strange, seeing Link dressed like he had all those years ago, when he had taught Colin what strength really was. His eyes had been bright, then, even under the burden of curing the land of Light. But now… His blue eyes were haunted.

Link touched the red bead on his signal necklace, and pointed at the gauntlet on Rone's hand with a grunt. "What did it do to him?" Colin queried, and Link nodded. It had taken years to understand meanings in Link's simple communication, but it could be done, and Colin ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure how best to describe the events of only hours earlier. He sighed, placing his boots next to his sword in case they had to wake up quickly.

"After you got knocked out was when it really started." He sighed, placing elbows on his knees, fighting back the urge to shiver. "He killed a red koblin with only his hands, and then a large black sword just… appeared. His eyes started to glow red, and darkness surrounded him like a cloud, it was like …" Involuntarily, his arms wrapped around himself, and the fear that he had felt began to return. Colin looked up to Link. "He had forgotten who he was, Link." A shudder ran through him. "Rone looked at me, and he didn't recognize me."

Link silently put his arm around Colin's shoulder and drew him close. He gestured for him to continue, and Colin took a deep breath to calm himself. "He started carving his way through to the large one. Nothing stood in his way, it was like he was cutting the grass. He stopped the big one from killing you and Ilia just in time. He was so fast, the giant couldn't even touch him, and his blade couldn't be stopped by anything. Bo helped us regroup, but by then the smaller koblins were starting to run, and when Rone killed the large one, they completely broke and just fled." Colin stopped and stared at the light flickering in the lantern in the center of their makeshift campsite, the dancing flames trying to lull him to sleep. He shook himself, trying to stay alert.

"After they left, Rone was left kneeling on the ground, gasping like someone had punched him in the stomach. Ilia was the first to go see if he was all right." He hugged himself, a sudden chill gripping him. He looked to Link. "Do you really think that Zelda can help him?" Desperation crept into his voice. Link's arm retreated, and his blue eyes gazed into the heart of the lantern. He did not reply, but Colin knew from experience that only meant he was thinking.

Link reached up to rub his forehead, a long sigh escaping. "You don't know?" Colin asked, leaning forward in shock. Link's eyes narrowed and came to rest on Colin, who drew into himself in shame. Link's hand took the golden bead on the necklace and held it up, clenching it in his fist fervently. Colin nodded hastily. "Yes, master, I know if anyone can help Rone, she can. I didn't mean to-" Link cut him off with an impatient wave. "Yes, master." Colin bowed from his cross-legged position anxiously and moved to back away, but Link stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

He gave a long sigh, and looked up at Colin. The sound held exhaustion in its depths, and the eyes held the strength and resolve that Colin knew to be courage. But there was something else, that Colin had never seen before in those fierce blue eyes.

Fear.

Link drew Colin close. He let himself be held, and Link took two bead from his necklace and held them up to him. One, made from a light wood, grain easily seen in the lantern light. And the other, carved from rock the color of dark crimson, reflecting light hardly visible. Link touched the beads to his forehead, then to Colin's.

Whatever was bothering the Hero, it went deeper than Colin could know. But in that moment, the respect and love he had for his mentor, his brother, welled up within him. "I won't doubt again, Link. I promise." Being strong was more than being able to hold a sword. It was going through the fear.

Link's tired smile returned, and let him go. He nodded to the bedroll, and Colin nodded gratefully. He tucked himself into it, relished the relative comfort of the soft grass of the Field. But before his eyes closed, he caught a final glimpse of the Hero.

Face drawn, aged beyond his years, he gazed into a green bead.

And the fear had returned to his eyes.