Disclaimer: I do not own The Hobbit nor any aspect of The Legend of Zelda.

The Spirit of The Hero

Prologue: To Be a Hero

Link was restless.

He knew he had no right to be. His heroic actions had brought peace to Hyrule and desiring things to go back to go to the way they were was just the same as desiring a war. Link knew he should settle down, either in Castle Town or back in Ordon, but he just couldn't do it. Link was just too used to constantly fighting for his life and being on the road that he couldn't be truly happy with the peace he'd brought nearly single handedly. Nearly, as while he struck the final blow to Ganondorf, Link wouldn't have even made it out of his cell if it hadn't been for Midna.

Midna. Goddesses above how he missed her so. For a while he had believed that he loved her, and maybe he had, but he knew that they could never be. Not only was Midna a Twili, she was a princess and princesses had no business being with commoners even if they were heroes. For a long time after Midna had left, Link had been angry with her for leaving him behind even if he understood her reasons. Link was so hurt and angry that he refused to ever love another woman again. Even after he had let go of his anger for Midna, Link still kept his vow and never even looked at women twice anymore. Illia had been the only one to make him second guess himself, but he quickly realized that while he may have had feelings for her before, he could never love her. He was too angry, too jaded, too… feral for the mayor's daughter. Being a wolf for so long had changed him beyond measure, or maybe it was the constant killing of monsters that separated Link from others. Link didn't know and he honestly didn't care anymore.

What Link desired more than anything else, was to put his skills to use. He was a weapon of the Three, he knew and accepted that albeit a bit grudgingly though he never showed his displeasure. He had the capability to save people with his abilities, but now there was no one to save anymore. There were scarcely any monsters anywhere in Hyrule, even in the ruins of Arbiter's Grounds were he sat atop.

Arbiter's Grounds was one of the changing moments in Link's journey, along with the Temple of Time. Sure going into the Forest Temple had been a little unnerving, being the first Temple Link had entered he really had no idea what to expect so that was a given. And of course the Goron Mines had been rather precarious. Link couldn't count the times he had nearly fallen into the lava due to a misstep or the crumbling of rock beneath his feet. The Water Temple was only bad because of those stupid skeleton fish that appeared out of nowhere and kept taking little bites out of him, even the boss was preferable to those nightmares. After Link had entered Arbiters Grounds however, things began to change.

Thinking back on it, Link decided that it must have been the effects of holding the Master Sword. Link knew he was an incarnation of the Spirit of the Hero, and in another lifetime, or several, he had wielded this legendary blade. The blade itself must have some magic of its own – considering it does incredible damage to evil creatures Link thinks that it's highly probable – and holding onto it seemed to have reawakened part of his soul. When he slept, Link dreamt of places he'd never been and things he'd never seen. Sometimes it was of people, others it was of monsters. On rare occasions Link would soar through the sky as easily as any bird and rarer still were the dreams of when he'd sail the sea as easily as if he'd been born on it. Dreams of a forest filled with children were most common surprisingly enough, although Link wasn't sure why.

Another reason Link felt a shift in Arbiters Grounds was because his fighting skills started getting a lot better for no reason at all. Link felt as if a part of him had awoken and all of his 'poor' fighting from before was simply him being rusty. It was strange, but Link didn't question it even when Midna commented on his suddenly extremely proficient way of dispatching his enemies.

The Temple of Time had been another weird experience. When Link had arrived in the Master Sword's chamber in the past, something felt so terribly… wrong. Link almost felt as the chamber should look different, but he had never been there before so he knew he was being stupid. Still, Link could not shake the feeling and it nearly drove him to distraction before Midna could snap him out of it. Link tried to push the feelings of wrongness out of his mind, but he couldn't shake them entirely.

As much as Link hated to admit it, the world had lost its shine. Hyrule felt like a foreign place to Link, now that there were no enemies to fight and no threat of Twilight taking over. Very rarely would Link return to the Mirror Chamber that he used to travel to realm of the Twili with Midna, but whenever he did thoughts of adventure and heroic deeds would fill Link's mind more than ever before. By Farore, Link wished for nothing more than to be useful again, as he'd feared that now that he'd done his task, his life no longer had any meaning.

"All life has meaning, my Chosen," a feminine voice said softly. Link was on his feet next to the mirror with the Master Sword drawn in a heartbeat. "Even the smallest of insects have purpose."

What stood before Link was something he had never imagined he would ever see in his lifetime. Without thinking, Link sheathed his sword and knelt before Farore, Goddess of Courage and his patron Goddess. She shone so brightly with her own inner light, Link couldn't even tell you what she looked like beyond that she was beautiful and had long, flowing hair that was a similar shade of green to that of his tunic. The same colour of the forest.

"Rise, my Chosen," Farore said with the same soft tone as before. Listening to her voice was like listening to a strong, moving melody despite the fact that she was speaking gently to Link.

"My Lady," Link says quietly, voice hoarse and scratchy from misuse. It was the first time Link had spoken to someone without knowing them for many years. Even then, the most he had ever spoken in one time was when he informed the villagers that their children were safe after he found them in Kakariko Village. Only belatedly did Link remember her request to rise but the moment he did so he stood up instantly.

To Link's immense shock, Farore giggled at him. Link didn't know if Goddesses were supposed to giggle but he figured that since she was a Goddess she could do whatever she wanted.

"What brings you here, if I may ask?" Link asked carefully. He didn't want to disrespect Farore by making her think he was questioning her. Link honestly was just curious.

Farore laughed this time, instead of just giggling softly. "Curiosity is not a sin, Link. I am here because I have heard your wish, and have found a way for you to use your abilities to aid others once more."

Link was, quite simply, floored. Link had only barely thought that wish before Farore showed up, and suddenly she was able to do all this for him? Why would she do something like this for him? Farore just sent him a gentle smile when Link thought that and he couldn't help but feel warmth flood in his chest, the same he got as a child when Rusl told him that he was proud of something Link had done.

"My Chosen, Link," Farore started, "I do this for you because you have done so much for the world in all of your lives. Never have you asked for anything but to help people and to be of use, but you had never asked directly for my assistance before now so I was never able to give you what you desired most. Should you accept my proposal, you will be sent to a new world where your skills will be of great use."

Link's head was spinning. A new world? The idea appealed to Link more than he cared to admit. Shouldn't he feel more guilty about leaving Zelda, Illia, Collin and the others behind? Link decided to listen more before he made up his mind, but he knew in his heart he had already made his decision.

Farore just smiled knowingly. "There is another world, known as Middle Earth. It is a world similar yet different to Hyrule. Currently, there is a watchful peace over the world but evil is stirring and will not be quiet for long. You would be sent to join a quest that aims to take down a dragon that has displaced an entire nation of Dwarves. Following the quest there will be a rise in evil before a new quest will be undertaken, where more fowl beasts will be met and wars will be fought. You have the power to change the fate of many, and you will be given gifts from myself should you choose to accept.

"First, you will be allowed to take all of your weapons with you. Weapons such as bombs will have a limited amount, but I will give you more bags to carry them. Even the Master Sword can go with you, for it will not be needed in this world for some time. The weapons from the time you forgot will also be available to you.

"Epona will also join you in Middle Earth, and she will live as long as you do unless she is killed in battle. Your own life will be lengthened so that you may complete your tasks and live your life with the ones whom you love before your soul returns to its sleep once again. Another companion from a past life will also be given to you, a Loftwing you named Aella, meaning 'stormwind' or 'whirlwind'. I will give you sufficient memories so that you will know what to do when you need her even though she will be changed once you get to Middle Earth.

"Finally, I will restore all of your memories that you had forgotten before arriving in Ordon. Your memories had started to return on their own but I will reveal them all to you and give you time to process them."

Link could barely keep up. Dwarves? Love? Loftwing? Time forgotten? Link had no idea what any of that meant but he struggled to process it all. Link struggled for something to say and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Will I be able to change into a wolf?" Maybe speaking without thinking wasn't such a good idea after all. Farore was giving him the opportunity of a lifetime and he was asking for more. In his defense, that was one of the things he missed most about his adventure, and he greatly desired to be able to change into the sacred beast once again. It was incredibly freeing, running as a wolf, and quite indescribable.

Farore considered the question. "I had quite forgotten about magic altogether, that's more Nayru or Din's specialty. I will strengthen your capacity for magic, since you will encounter it in Middle Earth a fair bit. You'll be able to turn into a wolf using your own power, as well as use the magic from the time you forgot besides the transportation spells. You'll be able to create warp points with Farore's Wind and the power of the Ocarina of Time, but only a few. I'll give you a few other spells, as well as the knowledge of them, when I send you over, as well as strengthen your ability to resist subtle magic. Your Triforce Piece will help you with some of it, for it has its own power, but you'll learn about that later. The Wizards there will also be able to help you learn more magic, should you choose to learn more."

Link thought about everything. This was what he had been waiting for. But now that the time had come, did he really want to leave everyone behind?

"What if evil comes back to Hyrule while I'm gone?" Link asked. No matter how much the idea appealed to him, Link would not leave Hyrule if it were going to be in danger in his absence.

Farore beamed at Link, nearly blinding him with the radiance of her smile. "Yet again you prove why you are my Chosen," Farore said proudly. "Hyrule will be safe for many generations yet. No one will be harmed because you were not there to protect him or her."

That sealed it for Link. After receiving permission from Farore, Link wrote several letters to his friends so that they would not worry about him.

The first letter Link wrote was to Zelda:

Your Highness,

The Goddess Farore has asked me if I would use my skills to help others in need. Since Hyrule is now at peace and will remain that way for many generations – Farore herself has said it will be so – I have decided to leave Hyrule and do what I do best, save others by destroying evil.

I thank you once again for all of the assistance you gave Midna and myself during our quest. I am truly sorry we could not have done more for you to protect you from Ganondorf.

May your reign be long and prosperous,

Link, Hero of Twilight

Link didn't like using his titles, but for formal matters it was necessary. Link held no ill will against Zelda, but for some reason he felt a bit distant from her ever since he started having dreams of his past lives. This distance was reflective in his tone and Link wished that he could've written a slightly more heartfelt letter to the one who had done so much for him. Zelda would understand though, she had the Triforce of Wisdom after all and would see what Link couldn't put into words.

Next was Rusl, the man who was like a father to him:

Dear Rusl,

I could never hide from you how difficult it was for me to settle back into a simple farm life after everything was over. You understand me better than anyone and knew that in my heart, I would never again be happy as a simple ranch hand.

Farore has heard the desire in my heart and given me an offer I can't refuse. There are other worlds out there beyond Hyrule and even Twilight, believe it or not. One of these worlds needs my help and I could not deny them even if I wanted to. You, more than anyone, know that I cannot stop myself from trying to save everyone and my adventures have only strengthened that trait.

I can never thank you enough for everything you have done for me in my life. You were everything I could ever hope for as a father and I will never forget you no matter how far away I am.

I leave all of my possessions to you. I only ask that you buy Collin a horse of his own when he is too large for his pony… using my money of course.

Thanks again… Dad.

Love,

Link

Link struggled to write that letter and his eyes burned suspiciously when he wrote the last bit, but he didn't allow the tears to fall before he moved on to the next letter. If he broke down now he would never get them all written.

Link had three letters left to write now, one to Collin, one to Illia and one for the rest of the village.

Collin,

I've been asked to help save some more people, just like how I saved you and the others not too long ago. I'm writing you this letter to say goodbye and to tell you how much of a little brother you are to me.

You are the bravest person I've ever met Collin, not even the Princess is as brave as you. I am proud to have known you and I know you will grow into a great man one day.

There is nothing left for me to teach you anymore. You are becoming an expert rider, all you need is more practice and you are already so responsible so I know you will do it. I ask that since I will no longer be able to, could you look after the others for me? I just want everyone to be happy and I know I can count on you to take my place as the village hero since I am leaving.

Being a hero doesn't mean you have to fight with a sword, it just means that you do what you can to help others. You were a hero the day you saved Beth from being trampled and you were a hero the day you helped herd back a goat that had gotten lose. You are a hero every day to your mother when you help with your younger sister and I hope that you never stop doing these acts of kindness.

I love you, brother, and I wish you all the best in the world.

Link

Link didn't try to hold back the tears anymore. He just let them fall.

Illia,

I'm… I'm sorry that I couldn't make things work between us. Despite everything we've been through, you're still so innocent and I've changed too much. I know you might think these excuses are weak but I don't know what else to say.

I'm leaving Hyrule, and I won't be coming back. I'm taking Epona with me and we are going off to new lands to help people that need my help. I can never be truly happy unless I'm fighting for the light. I know that now. I would never wish war on anyone and Hyrule will be at peace for a long time so I must go out and find a new cause to fight for.

I'm so sorry.

Link

Another letter that Link wasn't too happy with, but couldn't find a way to change it. Link wanted to say so much more to Illia, but he didn't know how. Perhaps this was best, though. Link had always been a man of few words, so why should his goodbye be any different?

Link wrote a brief, general letter for the rest of the town and whoever else was interested. He explained what he was doing and why and that he wished them all well and that it was nice knowing them. Link briefly considered writing a letter to Renado or Telma, but figured that they would find out on their own and would understand. After sealing the letters, Link turned to Farore.

"I'm ready."

Farore smiled at Link before closing her eyes and starting to chant. Link had no idea what the language was but it sounded quite beautiful in his opinion, but that could just be because it was a Goddess who was speaking it. Link could feel the buildup of magic in the air, swirling around him and even through him. He had no idea why, but the magic felt vaguely familiar for some reason. Almost as if he'd used it before.

The chant came to a close and before Link could even blink, a multitude of swirling lights appeared around him. The lights shone in every colour imaginable and flew around him once, twice, then he was gone with the lights of magic shooting off into the sky, never to return to Hyrule again.

Farore smile and gracefully picked up the letters Link had dropped.

"Goodluck, my Chosen," Farore said to the empty air before she too, vanished in a swirl of lights.

LoZ x The Hobbit

SapphireFireStar: Here we go, another story. I'm writing this mostly just for fun and as practice, but I would still appreciate any feedback be it positive or negative. Hope you enjoyed it :)