The Final Battle

Chapter 40: Epilogue: A Hero Reborn

The Hero of Wind, Ivan, Komali, and Joel lived in Kokiri forest. They stayed partying in Hyrule field though, for days. Princess Tetra Zelda also joined them there. She shook hands formally with the new hero. "My hero." She said proudly.

Saria's song played in the winds. Two trails of green sparkles made a twister to the floor of Kokiri forest, and took forms. The Hero of Time appeared first, looking around calmly, and then at the Hero of Winds. He grinned. The next sparkle took the form of Saria. She looked over at all the dancing Kokiri. Both remained sparkling in the green stars.

The Hero of Winds watched hopefully. The sparkles faded, but the forms… remained. The Hero of Time looked around at everyone. "I will always protect Hyrule, as I am bound for eternity to the land."

All Hylians, praying in the Temple of Time, looked up. Slowly, Daphnes appeared solidly as well. "I will always remain bound to my unified land of Hyrule. I will always rule this land, this country."

Eventually, the party, like all, stopped. All races returned home. Only the Hero of Time, Tetra, the pirates, Joel, Ivan, Komali, and the Hero of Winds remained in Hyrule field. "Well, this is goodbye." The Hero of Winds said to the Hero of Time.

"You're gonna go?" the Hero of Time asked regretfully.

"Sailing the seas is what I like," the Hero of Winds said. "But if you ever need me, contact me with the Ocarina. My Wind Waker will respond. I'll return at least every year, to see you and Hyrule again."

"Then, not goodbye," the Hero of Time said quite truthfully. "Just until the winds of fortune blow our way again. Still, only time will tell how long."

They two heroes hugged tightly. "I thought Saria was my best friend. Now I know she's my… girlfriend. You're my best friend. You… my partner, equal power and strength."

"I'll never understand how you came back," the Hero of Winds said, still hugging him.

The two pulled apart. The Hero of Time held up his hand, and showed his Triforce of Courage. "Must be this. For as long as this remains on my hand, the Triforce of Power remains in Ganondorf. He might never be fully destroyed."

"You showed true courage facing death fearlessly like that," the Hero of Winds admitted. "I might be a hero. But you're the courageous one. You're the hero who deserves more than I got. Yes, we'll definitely see each other again. Until the next time."

"Where to?" Tetra asked, letting the Hero of Winds, Ivan, Joel, and Komali onto the ship.

"I plan to rest at my bachelor pad for a few well deserved months. I'll return to Kokiri forest for a week, and then"-

"Yes?" Ivan asked eagerly.

The Hero of Winds grinned as he said, "Let the wind guide us."

They waved goodbye to Hyrule as it disappeared in the distance. The Hero of Winds nodded. "My home. Joel, Ivan, you two are with me. You're now my brothers."

Iva nodded. Joel thought for a bit. Zill was his brother. Still, somehow he knew… just for a bit. He was probably in Valhalla, a place where any warrior could see his loved ones again. Or he was in the afterlife, with his parents. Joel, he could live. Just for a bit would he be miserable."

Komali flew up a bit. "I'm off to Dragonroost. I left my kids with the Zora during the war. They'll all have returned to Dragonroost by now."

The Hero of Winds nodded happily. "Good luck, my old friend. Feel free to come by any time."

"Oh, but wait," Komali said, rising higher. "Let me know when you venture out on the Great Sea. I'll leave Quill in charge, 'cause I'm coming with you! Remember what we said?"

The Hero of Winds saluted a goodbye to Komali as he disappeared on the horizon. Not only did Komali's babies return to Dragonroost where they'd grow up and be raised by a true prince, still insisting on being called Prince. Valoo also returned to resting on his perch at the very top.

Tetra looked over at Link, the Hero of Winds. She smiled. "To the Oasis?"

"That's what I said Tets," Link said, smirking a bit.

"Link, I've told you not to call me"- but Link seized her head gently. Tetra looked scared, and Gonzo watched beside Senza and Nudge. "Link, we're too different people, I"- Link didn't listen. Komali hovered above, watching, before he flew away to Dragonroost. Komali grinned as they pulled each other into a big hug, and finally, the moment everyone was waiting for, came. The two kissed. Joel smiled up at the sky. He knew it. He kissed her mouth gently, and soon, Tetra went along with him. They hugged each other very tightly. Even the Hero of Time, who was far enough, too far to talk, saw it. Joel saw it. Ivan saw it, kind of annoyed.

The Hero of Time turned away, with the Ocarina of Time in his hand. He played a slow tune on it. Slowly, (think of the Zelda tune they play when Zelda appears in end of Ocarina of Time, and after Forsaken Fortress in Wind Waker.) He'll wait patiently. He could always write to Link via postman. Just one question remained… why did Ganondorf continue vanishing people when he knew they'd come back eventually to defeat him? It was probably to rebuild his power and strength. Then, when they'd return, he'd wield the true power to defeat him.

From high above, a flying figure perched upon a high branch near Kokiri forest, watching the young Hero of Time play his song softly on the Ocarina. The large owl let out a small hoot, and flew up. He hovered for a bit and when Link finished playing, he looked up. For a moment, they stared at each other, and then Link wove his hand in goodbye. The owl turned away and flew off towards the castle. For that time, for now, it was over.

All heroes were allowed a second chance. Link just got his. Next time… he'd proudly face death, and he knew fate would lead the Hero of Winds to die right beside him, as all young partner heroes were destined to do in Hyrule.

A/N: Kind of cheesy huh? C'mon, how many of those great Zelda games do you know that have many deaths in it, and they stay permanent? Only one is Wind Waker. I can't kill the important heroes. It just doesn't make sense in the Zelda series in games or written stories. What is the point of killing a hero in Zelda? I thought the best ending would be to have both of them survive, and work together for eternity to protect Hyrule. Originally, the Hero of Winds would've died in the last battle though. I changed my mind to the best ending for a Zelda fiction.

Bye

-Colin Creevey- (Diehard Zelda Fan)