The Dawn of a New Day.

It was as if all time hit Link at once, knocking him out cold. All his years spent wandering caught up with him in a moments notice, causing more than a little growing pains. It all occured within an instant.

For Tatl is was easy, she didn't change. Fairies were immortal, mostly. So she felt the years pile on, but they didn't change her. For Link they ripped him apart.

A child's body with the mind of an adult was forced to grow to that of a twenty year olds within an instant.

Link gasped for air, the pain finally stopping. It felt like an eternity, but it was only a mere moment.

The world in front of them fast forwarded too--to the proper time, where Termina was trully living. Ten years was a long time, long enough for the terrain to seem fresh.

When Link opened his eyes, it was almost blinding. He'd never seem Clock Town so busy, so loud, or so alive. People of all races on the streets brightened the world, familiar faces and new ones. It was as if he had walked into a world straight out of fantasy. But Link knew not to doubt fantasy anymore, there was always a chance a story could come to life.

Tatl, too, was amazed by the sight. She grew up in Termina but never in her life had she seen so much commotion.

"It's so... Alive," she breathed out to Link. "What happened?"

"It was sudden, but I think we've just gained all our time back," Link replied, his own voice etched with a shock as well.

"Then what happened back there? I wanted to finally see the carnival!" Tatl whined, but her she couldn't help but be filled with joy. They made it.

This earned a chuckle from Link, "Well we've seen that scene enough. Plus, there's always next year."

"Wow the thought of waiting a whole year for the carnival," Tatl laughed, "that's almost surreal."

"Well, I guess it's just how it is."

Tatl finally got a good look at Link's face, aged ten more years. "Wow, Link, I never thought I would see you looking like such a man."

He raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?"

"Well you just didn't seem like you'd grown up, ya know? Like uh, well just not this."

He looked at his hands, which were much bigger. "Well it's just my appearance that changed."

"True but still." Tatl said, "You look so weird."

"I'm sorry...?"

"You don't need to apologize but wow, I don't know what I expected but certainly not this."

Link didn't understand her worrying over his appearance, it was just what time had brought him to look like. He didn't have a mirror, but he could tell his body had matured. His hair was longer, he was taller. Of course, he was still shorter than average, a trait he didn't mind. It allowed him more mobility and agility in tough situations, which he always seemed to find himself in.

"So if we returned to the right time here in Termina than what does that mean for Tael and our friends?! Does that mean we just were gone for ten years or something?"

"I have no idea," Link shook his head, "They'll remember us but I don't know if we had anyone to stand in for us during that time."

Almost as if responding to their dilemma, a boy of the forest approached them with a fairy companion. "Link, Tatl!"

"It's them!" Tatl rushed up to her brother. "Do you remember me?!"

"Huh? Are you alright? We just spoke a few hours ago..." Tael answered.

Link laughed, "Tatl, you should observe the situation before making a fool out of yourself. You could have figured your answer out without asking that way."

"You're one to talk! You would have asked if I hadn't already," Tatl defended.

This put Tael and Skull kid both in a curious situation, "You guys seem a little out of it," Tael interrupted.

"Oh, uh, we just had some memory loss, thats all. Mind telling us everything that happened over the last ten year's?" Tatl asked sheepishly, only for Link to attempt to swat her.

"Why would you ask that?" He whispered screamed to her, though everyone could hear.

"I don't know, but we need to know where we are!"

"We can just observe!"

"Not always!"

"But," this time he made sure no one else would hear, "I'm going to have to leave. Time in Termina has fast forwarded, but time in Hyrule has always been the same."

"Oh," Tatl paused her questions. "I understand. Do you wanna go now?"

Link looked at Skull Kid, and shook his head. "I'll go tonight. It's only been about half a day, technically, since I spoke with Zelda."

"That's true," Tatl sighed.

Tael, and mostly Skull Kid, didn't like being excluded. When they could hear them it was okay, but now? Not so much.

"Hey, no secrets!" Skull kid said.

"Oh, sorry," Link turned to him. "So how have you been?"

And so they spent the day together, it was Link's happiest day in Termina. Termina, in a way, had been a true home. And the people brought warmth, it was a shame Link couldn't see it for so long. But he's long since extended his stay.

After sunset, he broke the news. He would go, forever back to Hyrule. And for the time being, he would wait for Zelda at the tree stump, no matter how long it took her to arrive. She said she had a plan, and Link would put all his faith into that plan. Zelda always followed through, she was amazing.

The forest was always dark, as if fortelling Link that it held dark magic. But it also held hope. Link tried to stay awake so he would be there when Zelda came, but he couldn't manage.

It seemed forever. Days seemed to be drawn out as he awaited hee arrival, and Tatl would often visit and see if Link had gone yet.

"Link, is she really coming? You're worn out. You've been waiting for days, you should go get some rest and come back." She meant the best, for Link needed to at least live to see Zelda.

"No," he sighed, "I'm not leaving."

"But what about you health?"

"Zelda could come at any moment and I'm not going to take a chance," his breaths were soft, like the rustling of leaves. It gave Tatl a sense that it would be alright even if the physical evidence proved otherwise. "She will come."

Tatl didn't want to hurt this sense of hope Link had finally grasped, "Okay, I believe you."

"Thank you... Tatl, I may not he here when you return. So, can I ask a request of you?"

"Oh, uh, of course."

Link pulled out his masks--all twenty two that remained. "I never gave you the whole story, not that it matters. But each of these masks arent for me to have so... I give them to you. Could you, possibly, take them home for me once I'm gone?"

It was a request that was beyond strange, and Tatl didn't even understand it fully, but without a moments hesitation she answered. "Yes, I'll be sure to."

"Thank you, parter," Link smiled. The guilt of carrying the masks that hid his true face was finally lifted--of course, not by Tatl. She was a fairy, but a little magic could help that. She could hold them all, and she would bring them all to their rightful place. For Link. And more importantly, for Termina.

A place more than deserving to be called home.