Two years of public servitude, that was to be Link's sentence for his crimes. For the next two years, he would have to assist Hyrule in some way, whether it be enlisting in the knight training program or merely helping with crop tending or building construction. None of those were what Link wanted. Even though he was fine with being tried, he wasn't about to forfeit two years of his life against his will just because he wanted to survive.

   "At least it's better than the five-year prison sentence you would have gotten otherwise," Zelda said, trying to cheer him up after the trial ended.

   Link sighed. While she was right, it bothered him immensely, and it was going to bother him for the next two years. "I... guess I could become a knight or somethin'." He looked at his maimed hands, frowning. "It'll be hard as hell, but I don't wanna farm or hunt or whatever."

   Zelda arched a brow, though the look in her eye was approving. "You, become a knight?" she questioned. "I can see it... but I don't know if you would want me to say that."

   "Nah, ya can, 'cause I dunno how I'd react if ya said I'd be better off as a farmer." Link then clenched his hands. "But I have a couple weeks to decide, an' I'll worry 'bout it then." To his shock and joy, it was allowed that he could return to Ordon to find his father under the watch of a guard.

   "That's the spirit." Zelda grabbed Link's hand holding it up and grasping it reassuringly. 'Now let's get going, we don't want to keep him waiting, do we?"

   It was Link's turn to arch a brow. "'We'?" he echoed

   Zelda nodded and grinned widely. "I'm meeting him as well, so yes, 'we.'"

   "If ya say so," Link said, a laugh escaping him.

   The trip didn't take nearly as long as it would have normally. With Ganondorf's permission, they were allowed to take a couple Corviknight to Marin Town. He didn't say a word to Link as he and Zelda left, but he gave him an acknowledging nod. Link was fine with that. A lukewarm relationship with the future king was better than a sour one.

   After two days of travel, the land gave way to familiar rolling fields striped with crop fields and dotted with grazing Pokémon. Some may have looked up to see the pair of great Steel birds soaring overhead, but they were moving too quickly for Link to know for certain.

   The closer he got, the more he realized that this was actually happening, he was going home. And not only that, his father was still there, surely waiting for him. A giddy, childish excitement rose in him, and it was difficult to keep his face straight. Finally, Marin Town came into view.

   It was strange to see the town from overhead, a little hamlet nestled beside one of the few forests in Ordon. From the air, it seemed like it had hardly changed. But Link would know for sure soon enough. The Corviknight touched down not far from the village entrance, far enough that not too much commotion would be raised.

   "Can I trust that you can lead the way?" the guard said, and Link nodded.

   Marin Town had always been a small place, just large enough to qualify as a town but never growing any larger. Dirt roads marked a village, and Marin Town had them. That was how it still looked to be now. Some buildings had become more worn-down, though there were several that were almost new, lining the main street of the town that also doubled as the market. The townsfolk browsed the quaint stalls, making conversation and taking their time. A traditional countryside village.

   Zelda seemed to be almost enraptured with her surroundings. She freely looked about, her eyes lit up with delight. "This is where you grew up? It's so sweet, Link! Everything looks so much cozier compared to Hateno."

   Link was sure she was right. Marin Town had always felt more cloistered, but in a good way. The townsfolk were starting to take note of them now, some staring pointedly at the Gerudo accompanying them but not saying anything. Link actually recognized some of the people, though they were obviously well-aged by then. There were of course those he had never seen before, and those who he thought he would have seen, but they weren't around.

   He himself was surely unrecognizable, no longer the wide-eyed boy with the messy hair, endless curiosity, and naïvete. He could hardly bring himself to look the passerby in the eye now. That didn't stop him, however, and his feet carried him through the village in a path he only vaguely recalled.

   A trio of children ran past Link at one point, chasing a Skitty that held something shiny in its mouth. They almost bumped into Fira, but Luce saved him by pulling him out of the way. Link remembered running through the well-trodden dirt streets with some of the other village children himself, getting into shipments from other towns, stealing the occasional bit of produce that was to be sent out, and spying on the adults. That truly felt like a lifetime ago to him.

   Finally, after walking all the way across town, they arrived at a cottage at the edge of the forest. Sturdily-built from stone, wooden roof, two windows framing the front door... this was Link's home. The only change appeared to be a small garden that was tucked up against the house, growing what looked like tomatoes and other bush-like vegetable plants.

   There was an aura present among the leaves, a little Fomantis that walked the thin rows. Its pincers scraped together to release shimmering green light that was absorbed by the soil. Upon the group's arrival, the Fomantis stopped and looked up at them with wide, pink eyes, the flower bud atop its head twitching.

   Link was momentarily confused, since he had never seen this Fomantis in his life before. "Uh, does a man named Hugh Renier live here?" he asked. The Fomantis chirped out a reply, nodding as it grew curious. "We know 'im," Link explained. Content with that answer alone, the Grass-type returned to tending the garden.

   "If this is the correct location, I'll station myself in the town's inn," the guard said. "If you're still here tomorrow morning when I return, I'll trust that you will remain in this town and leave you until your time is up. When I return after that period, report to me how you'll be serving your sentence."

   "I will," Link agreed, and the guard left.

   Looking at the front door, Link's excitement turned on its head, becoming a nauseating worry and fear. His father was here, but would he actually be happy to see Link? For all Link knew, his father thought he was dead and had moved on. His worry was soothed by Luce looking at him and smiling, and he gave her a tight-lipped smile back, nodding. He'd come all this way for a reason. Raising a clenched fist, he knocked on the door.

   For a few moments, there was nothing. Then an aura in the home shifted, moving towards the door. Link's heart jumped into his throat when the doorknob turned, his stomach squirming in anticipation as the door swung open. And there, standing in the doorway was Link's father.

   Age had treated Hugh Renier surprisingly well despite him being forty years old now, if Link recalled that correctly. Gray streaked his dirty-blonde hair that was pulled into a small ponytail at the nape of his neck, wrinkles pulling at his forehead and the corners of his large, ice-blue eyes—eyes that matched Link's. His face had always been softer and rounder than Link's, showing that he had taken more from his mother there. Tiredness slouched Hugh's shoulders, though he still stood tall and strong, even if he and Link were the same height now.

   "Can I help you?" he asked.

   Link choked, so many words trying to leave him, all of them different. But he managed to grasp a few and spoke them. "'Bout thirteen years ago, your son went missin'," he started. "H-his name was Link? Sandy-blonde hair, pretty messy," he winced slightly, "large blue eyes."

   Hugh's face softened with confusion. "Y-yes, that's right. I thought he had gotten lost in the forest, taken by wild Pokémon..." Then the recognition started to take over, and his eyes widened.

   "I did get lost, but I-I finally found my way back, Pa," Link said. "It's me, Li—" He was cut off by his father stepping forwards and ensnaring him in a tight Ursaring hug. He remembered this clearly, his father hugging him like he was trying to squeeze the life out of him. Instincts rendered him stiff, but he relaxed seconds later.

   "I can't believe it..!" Hugh breathed, his voice growing raspy as emotion choked it. "We searched for months, the entire village, but we could never find you! I thought you had been lost forever, just like your mother..." He gently released Link, smiling at him with sheer relief and happiness. "Welcome home, Link."

   Welcome home... Yes, he was home, finally home after what he had done. Guilt upheaved in his stomach then, joy tangling with it. Tears were dripping down his face before he knew it, and he didn't even try to hide them. "I-I'm sorry for runnin' away!" he apologized profusely. "Ya always said that only cowards run, but I couldn't help it. I saw Ma on the ground like that, stabbed, and I ran. I-I was just so damn scared..." He wiped his eyes, and as he did, he felt his father grasp his shoulders.

   "Link..." His name made him lower his arm, looking at his father. "Don't blame yourself for running away. You were just a child, you didn't understand what was happening." He squeezed Link's shoulders, brow furrowing with a look of comfort and reassurance. "All that matters is that you came back, and that takes real courage to do."

   Link swallowed the lump in his throat as he wiped his tears again. "A-alright." His voice was a stutter, but his words held an immense relief he never thought he would be able to feel. It was never his fault. He took a breath to calm himself, those words further reassuring him.

   Hugh clapped Link on the back, grinning in spite of almost crying himself. "Now dry those tears, because it looks like you brought some friends," he said after clearing his throat.

   Zelda nodded, extending her hand to Hugh. "Yes, I'm Zelda Har... No, I'm just Zelda. I've been traveling with Link for a while now, trying to make it here. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Renier."

   Hugh smiled warmly as he took Zelda's hand, shaking it. "It's nice to meet you, too."

   Link finished the introductions. "Fira is Zelda's Pokémon, an'..." He looked at his longest partner. "This is Luce. She found me in the forest after I'd gotten lost, and she's been with me ever since that day."

   "Luce?" Hugh crouched down in front of the Lucario so he was eye-level with her. "Thank you for watching out for my son. You're forever in my debt."

   Luce's eyes widened as she shook her head, her aura flashing with surprise. "Rio!" She then smacked her fist against her chest, again shaking her head.

   Link laughed nervously. "She's not that kinda Pokémon," he said. "She could've left at any time, but she chose to stay with me. There don't need to be a debt."

   "If you say so. But come in, all of you. I was getting ready to make dinner, but it seems like I'll have to make extra tonight. Fomantis and I don't eat much."

   "I'll help," Zelda offered. "I'm not very good at cooking, but I can do a couple things."

   Hugh nodded. "That would be much appreciated," he said happily.

—~*~—

That first night with Link's father had been an exhausting one. Link did his best to explain what he had been doing for so long, trying his best to skirt around his life as the Illusion. Hugh had never seen Link's wanted posters because he hardly went into the town center anymore, not that thieves bothered to strike Marin in the first place. It was just too remote and small to not be of much interest.

   Everything involving the Holders was kept between Link and his friends. He and Zelda hid their Triforce markings, worried about putting so much new information on Hugh in one day. It was already enough that Link was back at all.

   Link and Zelda ended up sharing Link's old room together, not minding the slightly-more cramped space. It didn't matter to them since they spent a majority of their time outside with Hugh as he tended to his garden with Fomantis or shopped at the market. Soon, Link felt at-home again, a feeling he hadn't allowed himself to feel for so long but sorely missed.

   The days flew by once things became more routine, and soon it was the evening before the guard would return to the village for Link's answer. He had all but decided he would enlist as a knight, since that was truly what he would be best at.

   As the sun set, Link decided to take a walk through the forest. He and Luce had walked the forest a few times, reliving old memories and finding quiet places to spar; just because he wasn't living on the run anymore didn't mean he'd lost any desire to fight. And until he could return to Kokiri Glade to place the Master Sword in its pedestal, the forest was where it lay, in a spot where only Link could find it. All he would have to do was follow its aura.

   While Link did feel some trepidation walking through the forest alone, it was borne of old fears and past experiences. He was nothing except capable now, confidence in each and every footfall. He truly could navigate the trees with his eyes closed.

   His feet took him to a familiar spot in the forest, the bank of the creek he used to be afraid to cross. He jumped it easily now, but he didn't go any further. With a sigh, he sat down on the bank, content to watch the sun ripple across the water until it set completely.

   Link was alone for a time. Even the wild Pokémon gave him a wide berth, but that was fine with him. When the air grew chillier, he merely summoned Farore's essence to warm him. He could stay out here all night if he wished to. But of course that wouldn't be an option, not when he sensed Zelda's approach.

   She emerged from the trees onto the bank across from him. "Oh, there you are," she said with a small sigh. "Your father was looking for you. Dinner's almost ready."

   Link nodded, stripping a fallen leaf from its stem. He let the bits of leaf go into the creek and watched them float downstream,  "I'll be back in a couple minutes." Zelda didn't leave, instead jumping the creek herself and taking a seat next to Link. Her presence was soothing like always, and Link found himself relaxed in seconds.

   "Thinking about tomorrow?" she asked, looking at him.

   "Yeah." He picked up another leaf and began to methodically rip it. "I'm gonna be a knight. After all, I'm good at it."

   Zelda's eyes grew downcast, her smile sad. "I figured that would be the case. I was going to tell you over dinner tonight that the village healer here is willing to let me work as his apprentice." A corner of her mouth lifted. "After all, you suggested it to me. But that means I'm going to be staying here."

   Link's brow furrowed. "Oh..." He knew he shouldn't be acting like that, not when it was clearly what Zelda wanted. He forced a smile. "That's great," he said warmly, even though he began to feel cold inside. They would be apart for two years...

   "Thank you," Zelda replied. "But I can tell you're not happy about this."

   Brief guilt, then irritation as he felt called-out. "No, really, I'm happy for ya, but... I'm also not." Heat began to creep up his neck as he said that, his face beginning to grow warm. "I don't wanna leave ya for so long." Why was it so difficult to say that aloud?

   Zelda tilted her head, confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"

   What about that was difficult to understand? "It's exactly that, I don't wanna leave ya!" he repeated. The heat flooding him now wasn't from Farore's essence, so why was he... Iigo's taunting words returned to him then, and his face flushed even warmer than it already was. That damn Rito..! Zelda's sudden laughter snapped him out of his thoughts, and he glared at her. "What's so funny?" he asked, his voice cracking halfway through the statement.

   Between giggles, she got out. "I've never seen you flustered like that before, it's cute!" Link was appalled by that. Cute? That was the last thing he ever wanted to be seen as! But what was even worse was that coming from Zelda... he didn't mind it. Then everything seemed to slow as Zelda drew close to him, placing a hand on his shoulder as she whispered into his ear, "I... don't want to leave you either, Link."

   Link's heart leapt as he turned to look her in the eye. "Ya don—" His words were then stifled when Zelda's lips pressed against his. Surprise burst inside Link, eyes widening. Warmth beyond that of anger and Farore's essence, a quickening of his heart that begged for this to continue. And Link obliged. He closed his eyes and leaned in, allowing himself to drown in Zelda's beautiful, tranquil aura.

   Link didn't know how much time had passed before he and Zelda broke apart. Their faces were both flushed, and a laugh bubbled in Link's chest, one of sheer bewilderment at what they had just done.

    "I didn't think you would ever admit anything, so I decided to do it instead." Zelda's grin, while nervous, was hopeful as she gazed at Link. "I-I hope that was okay?" she asked cautiously.

   "It was." He smiled sheepishly. The laugh finally escaped him, and Zelda's grin widened as she too started giggling again. Sudden and reckless, they could have had it no other way. "A-and I'm glad ya did," Link said.

   Things were peaceful after that. They sat beside each other on the creek bank, Zelda resting her head on Link's shoulder as his arm was wrapped around her waist. The sun had almost completely set by then, and the sky above the trees was flooded with purple and blue. A Noctowl's lonely hoot echoed through the trees.

   "I'll tell ya now that I ain't gonna stay in Castle City," Link then said, his voice just above the babble of the water. "I'll come back when I can. An' when I'm done, I'll come back for good."

   Zelda nodded, further pressing herself into Link. "I'd love that," she said. Their hands found each other, and they grasped together tightly. In that quiet moment, they weren't the Holders of Courage of Wisdom, nor were they a former thief and heiress. They were simply Link and Zelda.