Haunting Shadow of the Past

Part 3

Leaving the forest wasn't nearly as hard as entering. Link had a korok to guide him who was always referring to him as "Mister Hero". That's how all the koroks had been addressing him. Link had never felt so confident and nervous at the same time. Before he got the sword it was just a thought in his mind of being responsible for assisting the Princess in sealing Ganon but now it was an actual responsibility. At least his father wouldn't feel disappointed and even though Link never really knew his mother he felt like he had done her proud.

As soon as Link emerged from the woods the little korok waved goodbye and ran off. While in the forest Link hadn't realized how late it was. But now he saw that the sun had dipped behind the mountains and stars littered the sky. Epona trotted over to Link and nudged him. Link smiled and stroked her muzzle. "Guess what," he whispered to her, "I got the sword." Link gestured to the sheathed weapon on his back. Glancing up at the sky one more time Link rested his hand on Epona's muzzle. "We should probably head back to the castle and inform my father and the king about what happened."

Epona turned for Link to climb onto her when suddenly an arrow flew out of nowhere and grazed Epona's leg. Epona freaked out and started running with Link just barely managing to grab hold of her reins and pull himself onto his horse. Another arrow came out of the darkness and ricochet off Link's chest plate. Link flicked Epona's reigns and started directing her sprints down the path. Up ahead a moblin stepped out from so bushes to intercept and Epona, instead of charging, skidded to a stop. Without missing a beat Link jumped off his horse and started running towards the monster. It was time to see what this sword could actually do.

Link unsheathed the sword and he felt the same awakening feeling. The moblin raised his club and swung it just barely missing Link. Grinding his teeth Link took a swing at the enemy and slashed the moblin across the chest. The beast let out a ferocious growl and stumbled a few steps back. Link went in for another hit and slashed it across the chest again causing it to fall to the ground. Link then spun the sword before impaling the moblin.

Just before Link put his sword away an arrow thudded to the ground a few feet from him and he looked up and saw a bokoblin training an arrow on him. Link managed to just barely dive out of the way as soon as the arrow was released and then he charged the monster. The creature snarled and knocked another arrow. Before the bokoblin could let the arrow fly Link was on top of it slashing a wound open on it's bare chest then finishing him off with a final blow.

Link, breathing hard, looked around expecting another enemy to jump out at him. Nothing. Link let out a sigh of relief and put the Master Sword away. How had the monsters known that Link had been in the forest? Shrugging off the question Link whistled for Epona who immediately came running. Link stroked her muzzle. "Are you okay?" Epona responded by turning so that Link could hop on her back. Link hoisted himself up and took one last look around to make sure there wouldn't be another ambush. Once he was satisfied he flicked Epona's reigns and she started a quick trot. If they continued at this pace they would reach the castle around early morning.

...

Link was alert the entire journey from the lost woods to Hyrule Castle. He kept expecting something to jump out in front of him or something to shoot at him. Fortunately the trip was quiet and Link let out a sigh of relief when they reached castle town without an incident.

When Epona got to the castle stables Link was fighting to stay awake. His alertness had prevented him from getting tired during the night but now that he was relaxed he could feel his eyelids drooping. Link hopped off Epona stretched to see if that would help him wake up. It didn't. Link then sluggish guided Epona into her stall where she started munching on some feed.

As Link exited the stall he bumped into someone and immediately became more alert while reaching for his weapons. He stopped when he recognized who it was.

"Whoa," the man chuckled, "you alright there, Link? Either you woke up a little too early or you got back from something really late."

Link let his arm drop to his side while he blinked away his grogginess. He then focused on his father's long time friend, Xander, standing in front of him dressed in the royal guard armor. It took Link a moment to remember that nobody except the king, Princess Zelda, his father, and his sister knew he had gone to the lost woods. "I'm so sorry," Link apologized, "I'm just exhausted."

Xander let out a hearty laugh. "I completely understand. You should go get some rest, I can get Epona settled."

Link mumbled a thank you before walking out of the stables. He wished he could get some rest but he had to report to the king and his father. While walking Link kept trying to shake off his exhaustion. It would be embarrassing to go before the king looking and acting the way he was. When Link was halfway to the throne room his father came around the corner and smiled when he saw his son.

"Link, glad to see you're back. The king is anxious to know what happened but-" Lian paused and looked Link up and down before giving a soft chuckle," you can go rest first. I'm sure you had quite an eventful 24 hours and as much as we would all love to hear about it you should probably get some rest."

"But-" Link started.

Link's father cut him off "No, no 'buts' go get some rest, Link, you've earned it."

Link sighed before turning around and walking up to where him and his father stayed. When he finally got up to his room he walked over to his bed and collapsed onto it. He was asleep before he even had a chance to remove the master sword.