Please read: If you read the previous chapter and were satisfied with the ending please either don't read this chapter or consider it a fanfiction of a fanfiction. It was a request that I write an epilogue to tie up some loose ends. This is, technically, not how the story ends. The story ends last chapter with Link and Zelda probably living happily ever after. Sad endings are fun to write but I'm a sucker for happy ones so this is what happened with the "epilogue".
However, if you were unhappy with the ending of the last chapter and you wanted a tangible ending, knowing exactly what's going to happen, read on and tell me what you think. This way I please everybody. (Other than the fact that I would have been happier if everyone had liked the real ending. I guess it's too Canadian for you Americans LOL)

I woke up in my bed. Sighing, I sat up, looking down. It had been so long since I'd been in my own bed that I'd almost forgotten what my house looked like. I stood up and looked down at my ten-year-old form. It was strange, seeing myself with a good layer of baby fat. I opened my chest and took out some breakfast: Deku bread and Deku butter. Funny how I used to hate the monotony of everything in Kokiri Forest. It seems that I had missed the simplicity of my old life more than I'd realized.

The fact that I remembered the other timeline was disorienting. It happened but it hadn't. I needed to talk to Zelda as soon as possible. Sure, I had missed the simple life but it seemed to be...not enough anymore. I knew Hyrule like the back of my hand and I could finally explore without being attacked by evil minions and monsters.

I felt like I was forgetting something.

I put everything away before going outside. I remembered the first day of my adventure: how I'd already been ecstatic about meeting Navi when Saria met me outside, all smiles and waves. But Saria was busy keeping Ganondorf in his place.

"Hey no-fairy! Way to sleep in!" I sighed, looking down at Mido. I couldn't hate him anymore, not after seeing how much he cared about me (though he'd never admit it when he knew it was me). Besides, I had an important mission. My best friend was missing.

Navi...

"Link? Are you okay?" Mido asked, sounding genuinely concerned. As soon as I looked at him and wiped the sad look off my face, though, he acted as if it hadn't happened. "The Great Deku Tree wants to see you. I don't know why he doesn't want to see the Great Mido, though. You don't even have a fairy, loser."

"Yes, Mido, I know," I climbed down my ladder, not feeling like back-flipping to the ground like I usually did. "Even if I hadn't realized on my own I'm sure your constant reminders would have clued me in eventually," I continued past him, towards the Deku Tree.

"Did you just admit that you're a no-fairy, or a loser?" he sneered after me.

"Both," I smiled sadly, though the Kokiri couldn't hear me.

I stood in front of the Great Deku Tree, thinking that he looked old. Old enough to be near a natural death, anyways. At least Mido wouldn't think it was my fault this time. I also found myself missing the Deku Sprout. I hoped I'd get to see him again, even though it meant the Great Deku Tree would have to die. Again.

"Link, thou hast many choices to make. Important decisions. Wilst thou choose wisely?"

"I can't say. I'm the bearer of the Triforce of Courage, remember?"

The Deku Tree chuckled, which sounded a lot like trees creaking in the wind. "Thou truly has been through great challenges. A carefree life is finally in thine future. Wilst thou stay and enjoy it in the forest a few years more?"

I shook my head. "I need to see Princess Zelda. I may stop by sometimes. Maybe I'll tell the forest folk of my adventures."

"If thou believes that telling them of the outside world is best."

"They're intelligent and many of them are older than most Hylians. Just because they can't see the rest of the world doesn't mean they can't know about it," I took a deep breath. "Can you please tell me where Navi is?"

His sigh sounded like the wind. "The fairy Navi did not return to Kokiri Forest. I do not know where she went, as she left in the other timeline. Scour the Lost Woods, Link, for she has left Hyrule. My magic cannot trace Navi, though perhaps Princess Zelda and the Sages, especially Saria, may be able to assist thou."

I nodded. "Thank you. See you later," I left his presence, pushing past Mido who, as always, was blocking my way.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" he followed me. "What did the Great Deku Tree say?"

"I'm leaving, Mido. I must see the princess."

"Forest folk can't leave, Link. You'll die out there, not that I care," he grabbed my hat and I rounded on him.

"I'm not a Kokiri, Mido," I took my hat back, putting it on. "I'm a Hylian. That's why I don't have a fairy. That's why I don't belong. I'll be back once I've finished my business with Princess Zelda," I left the forest, leaving Mido staring at my back.

I took a day to get to Castle Town. I missed Epona and hoped that Malon would lend her to me on my search.

Instead of sneaking in I asked the guard to let me in. He refused but I told him Zelda was expecting me. I got a private escort to the courtyard and Impa told him that I was telling the truth and sent him on his way. The princess wore her headdress as before but her hair fell behind it almost halfway down her back. I wondered what could have caused her to cut her hair the last time before I realized that I had even more questions for the princess. She turned, smiling. I walked up to her and bowed, going down on one knee.

"You don't have to do that, silly! We're closer than that," she embraced me and I hugged back, though I wasn't sure if I meant it. Her enthusiasm wasn't contagious but I felt bad if I didn't reciprocate.

"I have some questions, Zelda. Could we sit?" She nodded and we sat on the stone steps. "Where's Sheik?" I looked into her eyes, which she quickly averted.

"Who?" she asked. "I told you, Link: Sheik was never real. He was an evil entity that Ganondorf was able to implant in me as soon as he got his piece of the Triforce. He used 'Sheik' to play us, especially you. I was able to get rid of him, though it alerted Ganondorf to my position."

"No, I'm pretty sure it was your blatant use of your Triforce, Zelda. If Sheik was created by Ganondorf when he entered the Sacred Realm then why didn't you cut your hair this time?"

She gasped, touching her long hair. "I - I...I don't remember cutting my hair. I had it tucked up under my headdress the first time. I just didn't feel liked doing that this time around."

I decided to come back to it later and changed the subject. "The Great Deku Tree told me that Navi may be outside of Hyrule, past the Lost Woods. Please, help me find her."

Zelda shook her head. "I'm sorry, Link, I'm the Sage of Time. I have no jurisdiction over Navi and the forest fairies."

"Then can I talk to Saria?"

"Why don't you talk to her using the - oh."

"May I speak to her in person?"

A flash of green light came from the heavens and Saria came down, landing in the middle of the courtyard. "I'm perfectly capable of coming on my own, Link," she giggled.

I smiled in relief and ran to her, giving my oldest friend a hug. "I missed you," I said before sitting cross-legged in front of her. She sat, too, and we held hands, transferring energy just like she taught me so long ago.

"Can you help me find Navi?" I asked.

"I can try," she smiled, glancing at her own fairy. The fairy sat on Saria's shoulder, feeding her energy through us as well. "The Great Deku Tree was right; she's not in Hyrule. She's past the Lost Woods, in a country to the East. It will take a sacrifice to get there, as someone long ago put a ward on the country - Termina, it's called. It's inhabited mainly by Humans so protections were put around Termina so Hylians would stay out both for the Humans' protection and their own."

"What's the sacrifice?"

"I do no know but I'm sure you'll take it in stride," she redistributed the energy before we stood up. "You can always talk to me with the Ocarina of Time. I can re-teach you Saria's Song," she turned to Zelda. "You know he'll need the ocarina again. The sooner you give it back: the sooner he can come home."

"You're right," Zelda took the ocarina out of her robes and gave it to me. Saria taught me her song again (funny how stuff like that needs to be re-taught) and we hugged one last time before she went back to the Temple of Light.

"Are you going to tell me what happened to Sheik?" I asked Zelda.

"He's gone, Link. He'll never bother us again."

I scowled at her. "If you won't tell me where he is then I'll find him."

"And how, pray tell, are you going to do that?"

"I'll follow my brain to find Navi, and my heart to find Sheik. Who knows; maybe they'll lead me to the same place."

"He was using you, Link! How could you possibly have feelings for such a deplorable, despicable, disgusting, evil - ! She clamped her hands on her mouth, turning pale.

"If I don't find him, he'll find me," I gave a pointed look to the spot right behind Zelda's eyes. "I hope I've made her uncomfortable enough for your liking," I said before turning and leaving, planning to stop at Lon Lon Ranch before heading to Termina.

I stirred deep within Zelda's mind, rising enough to catch Link's last words. She was in control. She was talking to him. He was talking to me. I could have laughed again but instead I prayed. Link was the only person I'd ever cared for as an equal. I had no trouble admitting it to myself anymore and, as soon as the Three granted me my own body, I'd tell Link too.

"What am I going to do?" Zelda asked aloud as she felt around in her mind, trying to find me.

I'd recommend going to the ranch, I said, evading her senses again. That farm girl's totally your type. You know, if you don't mind a vagina and all. I laughed as I snuck back out of her consciousness, praying that Nayru could forgive me, a repented man.

I'll never use Zelda's body again. I'll never talk to her again, even -

That won't be necessary.

A green figure pulled me close to her. I couldn't move, as I almost didn't exist in that state. You've allowed my chosen to melt your heart, the Goddess Farore smiled. Wait and leave Zelda alone. Not only will it please Nayru but it will worry her chosen. I do enjoy playing pranks on my comrades. You'll be out soon enough. Din's always had a soft spot for me. It should only take a couple of years to convince her to help me create a body for you. You'll want to look like you do when you take over, yes?

I nodded, unable to speak.

Then I'll see you in a couple of years. Until then, stay secret. Stay safe.

And she was gone.

I smiled, truly happy. I felt my self falling asleep slowly and I was comforted that, when I woke up, the Goddesses would have a new life ready for me.

This time; I wouldn't waste it.