Epilogue: The Hero and the Princess

The next day...

"My personal bodyguard?!" Tetra—or rather Zelda—exclaimed as she walked down the walls of the restored Hyrule next to the King. "Father, you cannot be serious! Link's an islander. He should go back home..." Even as the words left her mouth, her heart ached.

Daphnes turned and laughed. It was heart-lifting for Zelda to see him with a golden crown on his head again, and his robes undamaged. Her wish, alongside Link's had restored the land in a way that shocked even herself. Not to mention everyone else, including the sages.

"My dear, don't think I'm blind to your affection for him," he said with a pleasant smile. "I love you, and I know you can protect yourself... but think of this as an excuse to be close to him." He nodded. "Besides, neither you or Link can protect yourselves alone every time. Last night was firm proof of such."

Zelda looked at herself. She was wearing a dress similar to the one she wore as a child. But instead of a hood, she wore a gold circlet. Instead of tan skin, there was powdered white skin. Instead of curled hair, it hung down.

The dress carried the crest of the Royal Family on its front banner, and her arms were embraced by white gloves.

And yet, she still rolled her eyes.

"Fine, I guess," she said, masking her sudden joy. He's going to be here... with me. "Still, at least, he should be allowed to visit and stay at Outset once in awhile!" She placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. "That'd be unfair to him."

Daphnes put his hand on her shoulder. "My dear Zelda, everything will be fine. I promise you." He beckoned to her. "Come, I'm sure Link has finished changing."

"Changing?"

"If he is to be your bodyguard, then he needs the proper equipment, correct?" Daphnes said. He waved his hand at her again. "Come now!"

Zelda let out a groan and followed her father.

"And... you need to be more lady-like in the castle," he added as they walked down the white corridors of Hyrule castle toward the armory.

"Hey!" Zelda protested.

"I never said that you ought to be oppressed!" Daphnes responded with a chuckle. "You've changed... and while you must maintain an appearance of royalty to the people, I wouldn't desire that you could be anything else than yourself. You are Princess Zelda, and captain Tetra. I don't want it to be any other way."

Zelda sighed with relief. "All right,"

They reached the armory shortly after. James awaited their arrival, and he bowed. "Your Majesty, and your Highness." He glanced at Zelda. "I must say, I'm more used to you being a pirate than a princess," he added with a chuckle. He straightened himself.

"Where's Link?" Zelda asked.

"In the back," James responded. "He's still trying on the armor we made for him."

"Armor?" she asked. She had a sudden image of Link wearing plate mail and a steel helmet. "I don't like the sound of that."

"Oh ho ho!" Daphnes laughed. "It's not what you're thinking, daughter," he said. "You'll be quite pleased with the result."

Before she could respond, she heard footsteps approaching them. There was the light sound of clinking metal, but not heavy steel.

Link walked around the corner, and he stopped, staring at Zelda agape. She shared his expression.

"Link?"

"Tetra?!"

The hero was wearing green. Except his tunic had been changed; it was now a darker green, made of harden leather, and underneath his tunic, Zelda could see a chain mail shirt from behind his collar. His belt was made of fine, brown leather with a crest of the Royal Family set in silver. His cap seemed more robust than before.

He wore a leather gauntlet on his left arm, and a light bracer on his right, with a small glove covering his hand. The Master Sword was strapped and sheathed on his back as was his mirror shield.

"You... look so... strange in that dress," he remarked. And quickly added, "n-not that it's bad or anything. You look.. beautiful in it." He blushed a little.

"Relax, I'm not mad," she said. "But... they changed your hero's clothes!"

"Actually," James interjected. "The original set his grandma made for him are separate. We made this set of chain mail and leather armor based upon the original green tunic." He smiled. "The chain mail was made from the lightest, yet strongest metals. We have Khaga to thank for his fantastic job at forging the armor."

"Yeah, I still have the old ones," Link echoed the Sage of Earth. "So, I can swap back when I want to. But I gotta stay in this armor as long as I'm in the castle."

"And whenever he escorts you, Zelda, whenever you take on the role of the Princess," King Daphnes added with a nod.

An end of an era... and of a lifetime... she thought with mixed sorrow and happiness. She stepped forward, and then her foot snagged. "Gah!"

Then, she felt a pair of arms catch her, she looked up to see Link holding her in his arms. She smiled. "Oh you!" And she bopped him on the head playfully.

And he merely smiled in response.

-S-

Link was surprised when he heard the King's request of Rashu. They stood in the throne room, and Tetra was sitting in her seat next to the main chair upon the dais.

"You wish for me to become your advisor again?" the moblin asked with a cocked head.

"Of course!" Daphnes responded. "I need a new one... and you are the wisest." He bowed his head. "Please, old friend, I will not make the same mistake."

There was a pause and then Rashu nodded. "Very well, I accept."

"Thank you."

"I must let you know, your Majesty," Rashu said. "The people of Hyrule are waiting for you and princess Zelda outside."

"What?"

"Apparently, many of them had been turned into Soul-less during Ganondorf's takeover," the Sage of Light explained. "However, the wishes of our two young heroes freed them immediately from their prisons. They only remember Ganondorf's attack, and awoke to find Hyrule in one piece. Some say they had a dream, but others who had not suffered a horrible fate told them that this nightmare was real. They've come... seeking truth."

"Very well," Daphnes said with a slow nod. He looked to Tetra and then Link. "We'll speak to them. Link, I wish for you to be with Zelda and I. After all, you are Hyrule's new Hero."

"Okay," Link responded with a short nod. I wonder if I'll ever see grandma, Aryll and everyone else again, he thought. Probably not.

-S-

The crowd outside the castle was massive. Link was amazed that—according to Rashu—over half of the hylian people had been turned into Soul-lesses. They looked upon their king and their princess with pleading eyes.

Then, Daphnes began his speech. He explained what happened, and told them to rejoice at the return of his daughter. And yet, he added, "I have been a horrible king to all of you. You, my people, who I should have sought to protect. Yet, I trusted in a man who sought to destroy all of Hyrule, and possibly our beloved world we call Hylia. … forgive me."

The people bowed before the king, and spoke kind words of forgiveness to him. Then, Tetra spoke. "I, too, need your forgiveness," she said to them. "I abandoned you four and a half years ago. I regret it, and yet I'm also glad. If I had not, who knows what would have happened to our fair kingdom? Still... I ask for your forgiveness."

Again, the crowd accepted; a woman cried out, "we're merely glad to have you returned to us, Princess Zelda!" The crowd stood and cheered, clapping their hands with joy.

The King raised his hands and lowered them to calm the crowd. "Today, I would like to introduce my daughter's new personal bodyguard." He gestured to Link. "This is Link, hailing from the island of Outset, and the master of the blade of evil's bane we have spoken of! Please, give him a warm welcome."

Link felt embarrassed as the people of Hyrule applauded him, and thanked him for his heroism. "R-really, T... I mean, Zelda helped, too! I would have died without her!" he exclaimed.

"We already know!" a man shouted over the crowd. "She's just as much a hero as you!" And again, they cheered for both Link and Zelda. He looked over and saw her throw him another wink.

-S-

"Yer kidding, us?!" Gonzo said, his jaw dropping.

Link saw Tetra with wide eyes stare at her father. "You are not serious," she said.

I agree, Tetra, Link thought.

"You trust them, do you not?" Daphnes asked her. "Besides... I was the one who sent them on a rescue mission all that time ago to Forsaken Fortress." He smiled. "I also trust them." He looked at Gonzo, Senza, Nudge, Mako, Zuko, and Niko. "I want you to be Zelda's attendants, just like you've always been."

"Wait, does that mean I'm important now?" Niko asked with a bright smile, his face filled with excitement.

"But... your Majesty," Senza said, biting his lip. "We ain't cut out to be part of the Royal Family. We're just pirates."

"And yet, you can still learn," the King assured them. "Rashu and I will assist you, and I'm certain you will all do a fine job. And... we will make some proper outfits for you six when you are attending to my daughter whenever she takes on her royal duties."

The pirates exchanged glances. And then Nudge bowed first. "I accept," he said. The other pirates looked confused for a moment, and then bowed, swearing their loyalty to the King.

"Arise," Daphnes said. The pirates did so. "Also, you'd make fine instructors for our sailors."

"Does that mean I'm not a swabbie anymore?" Niko asked.

"Only unless I make you," Tetra said with a smirk. The pirate looked crest-fallen. "I'm kidding! You knew that, right?" Despite her appearance as Zelda, to Link, she was still Tetra.

-S-

Later, Link found himself face-to-face with Orca, Sturgeon, Aryll, and his Grandma in the throne room.

"Link, will we ever see you again?!" Aryll exclaimed, her deep frown tugging at his heartstrings. "I don't wanna live in this place! It's nice, but you gotta come home sometimes!"

"Well... I..." Link started. What could he say?

"You've become a fine lad," Sturgeon spoke up. "I was wrong to judge you weeks ago when you left for the tournament. You used the knowledge I taught you, and the skills my brother gave you. You represent the best of both the mind and the sword!"

"I agree," Orca said with a nod. "I'm proud that you were my pupil. I only wish you could return to Outset from time to time to spar with me."

"Um... I..."

"Do not worry," a voice said. Link spun and saw King Daphnes enter the room. "You four... are all family to him. Blood-related or not. Therefore, you have permission to come visit Link anytime you wish. And he has my permission to visit you as often as time permits. Granted, Zelda, or Tetra as you know her, will have to go with him." He smiled. "But I don't think any of you would protest."

"Only if she's a pirate!" Aryll said.

Daphnes chuckled. "Of course, of course. Her pirate self would be much more appropriate for your island."

"And I'll wear the hero's clothes I got for my birthday!" Link added. "I mean, this armor isn't suited for Outset."

"Agreed," Daphnes said. He walked over to Aryll and knelt down to her level. "Do not worry, dear child, you will see your brother again. I swear it."

Satisfied, she let out a cheer and gave her brother a hug.

-S-

Later... outside near the arena...

Link gazed upon the stone building that he had once fought in; where he had met Ganondorf, where all his adventure had truly been set into motion.

"Hey, how are you doing?" said a snarky voice. Link spun, and his eyes widened upon seeing the being floating before him. "Surprised?"

"The Hero of Time?!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking out your new armor. It looks great!" he said with a laugh.

"No, seriously, why are you here?"

The Hero of Time's expression grew serious—a little. "You're right. I'm here for something else. Something I must do before I rest," he explained. "You control the wind, and handle the Master Sword. It's only fitting that you have a title. The Hero of Time doesn't fit you, no sir! You didn't handle the Ocarina of Time, well, I think except once." He chuckled. "Therefore, you need your own. Link, you are the Hero of Wind from this time forth."

"The Hero of Wind?"

"Yup! Sounds awesome, right?"

"Err... well, I guess."

"You guess?!" the Hero of Time exclaimed. "Oh, I'm so wounded by your cruel words!" He smirked. "Ha! Your face! Anyway..." His face became serious again. "Thank you for honoring the Spirit of the Hero. Watch over this land, and make me proud."

Link smiled. "I will. Promise."

"Thank you..." And with that the spirit of the Hero of Time faded away.

-S-

Later in Zelda's chamber...

Zelda found herself staring out her bedroom window. "Link..." she spoke up.

"What is it, Tetra?"

She smirked. "Still calling me that, huh?"

"Well... I... I don't know if I could ever call you 'Zelda,'" he explained. "You're Tetra to me."

"Ha! Whatever!" she laughed. She looked at him and winked. "Thanks... I appreciate it. Though, I'm sure father will be a little miffed if you don't call me by my real name in front of the people, or even most of the guards."

"I guess so."

"Anyway," she said. She felt her frown and she turned to look out the castle window. In the distance, she saw the Great Sea. "I want to leave again. I know... it's wrong even though I just returned, but... I miss sailing already. The wind in my face, the smell of the ocean." She looked at him. "Don't you?"

Link glanced away for a moment, and then nodded. "Yeah, I do." Then, he smiled. "But... we don't always have to be here. Let's go sailing! We'll grab the others, and we'll sneak out! You can always come back when you need to, Tetra!"

A grin spread over Zelda's face. No, Tetra's face. She got off her chair and ran over to him. And she kissed him. "You're right," she said when she released. "Let's do it! We'll leave right now!"

"For adventure!"

"On the high seas! Go get the others!"

"Yes, captain!" And with that, he ran out of her room.

Tetra took a glance at the window. "I guess... that life has not ended... and never will. After all, who says I can't live two lives?" With an excited run, she went to her closet, and began to change.

She didn't have to abandon her life... nor her people. That was all that mattered.

THE END