"Tell me...do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls?"
Link resisted the urge to say, "Yes. I cry myself to sleep each night", considering Rusl's thoughtful, sad expression. Instead he shrugged. "Do you?"
Rusl gave a slight nod of the head. "They say it's the only time when our world intersects with theirs...the only time when we can feel the lingering regrets of spirits who have left our world."
As soon as Rusl said this, Link thought of his grandmother, who had raised him. She had died five years ago with the words, "You should know, Link...You aren't who you think you are. But you will figure it out one day," on her deathbed.
Link closed his eyes, remembering the way her shaking fingers had then gripped his left hand, which possessed a strange, glittering mark on the back made up of three triangles, which he'd had since birth. "You are destined for great things," she'd whispered. But when she saw him shed another tear, she added, barely audible, "Just don't let your hot head get you into any trouble..."
Link smiled. He rubbed the back of his hand absentmindedly.
"That is why loneliness always pervades the hour of twilight..."
Link looked down at the ground as the sun slipped lower into the sky. Maybe he could feel it...just barely. Maybe there was more to the world than what was plainly seen. But it only crossed Link's mind for a second.
"But enough talk of sadness...I have a favor to ask of you, Link."
Link turned to look at Rusl in the eye.
"I was supposed to deliver something to the royal family of Hyrule the day after tomorrow..."
Link sat up straight. "The Hyrule family?" That couldn't be right. "The Royal family?"
"Yes, it was a task set to me by the mayor, but...would you go in my stead?"
Link's eyes widened, and a grin cracked his face. This time, he couldn't resist: "No thanks, I mean, it's only the Royal family of all of Hyrule. No big deal, right? I'd much rather sit around at home wondering what Hyrule's like."
Rusl just rolled his eyes. After seventeen years he was used to Link. "You have never been to Hyrule, right?"
"I've always wanted to go," Link said, trying to stop grinning, but to no avail. As much as Link loved Ordon Village, he already couldn't wait to see Hyrule.
"In the kingdom of Hyrule, there is a great castle, and around it is Castle Town, a community far bigger than our little village..."
Link began to zone out. "Are you sure you want me to go?" he interrupted
.
"Far bigger than Hyrule is the rest of the world the goddesses created. You should look upon it all with your own eyes." Rusl stood up and stretched. "It is getting late. We should head back to the village. I will talk to the mayor about this matter."
Link smiled again and stood up. He followed Rusl over to Epona and lifted a stack of logs onto her back. He buried his face in her mane, taking in a deep breath, then said gently, "C'mon, girl," pulling his horse's reins after him.
They crossed the long, swaying bridge and Rusl locked the gate behind them. They soon reached the village, and Rusl bade Link goodbye as he came upon his wife, Uli, and son, Colin. Colin looked back at Link with a smile before walking away.
Sunlight poured through his windows, and Link eased open his eyes.
"Hey!"
Link groaned hopped out of bed and to his window. Fado stood in his yard. "Link! You there?"
