Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Nintendo does. I garner nothing but fullfillment as an author in writing this.

Prologue:

The day was like any other. The sun beat down warm rays of light over the countryside and a cool breeze wafted through the air. The city kept its busy hustle and bustle night and day, as if to underlie the tone of time marching ever forward. A young man sat at the edge of the city's temple and watched as the people, his people, moved on with daily life. A small flower from a nearby tree floated down to his shoulder, landing there with a soft touch. The young man gently plucked it from its place and held it out to view. It was commonplace for most people to just dismiss this as a simple occurrence and brush the flower aside, but to this young man it meant so very much more.

A small sigh escaped his lips as he looked at the flowers simple beauty. Its soft white petals, vibrant and bold, spoke of the one thing that was now prevalent in the world that he had fought so hard to achieve: Peace. Peace now reigned over this country after the terrible battle that only a select few people remembered. One was sealed up in another realm, left to writhe and squirm in his own greed and darkness. The other now sat on Hyrule's greatest throne as queen.

Link smiled at this train of thought. The bond he and Zelda shared was now transcending even the bounds of Time itself. She had always been and would always be kind and compassionate to the hero, but there was one thing both denied even existed.

Their love for the other.

The smile that had once graced the hero's face vanished as sadness overcame the joy. Link looked to the flower in his hands. Gently and with all the care he possessed, he placed the fallen beauty upon the ground. Link knew in his heart that nothing of beauty could ever touch him again. He was too tainted by all the blood he had spilt and all the killing that was on his hands. He had fought for so long that he felt as if his very soul, his very essence, had become corrupted by all the blood that he had shed. All this was done in the name of bringing Hyrule to peace. Link looked to his hands, remembering every battle, every cut that he had inflicted in the name of justice. Even though the goal he had fought for was now a reality, he still felt his being had become twisted and tainted by the bloody one-man war he had waged on Ganondorf. That is why he refused to admit his feelings, because he did not want to twist such a beautiful woman.

With fluid ease, Link stood up. He looked longingly over his shoulder at the Temple of Time. It was the very hub of his life, but it could not keep him in Hyrule any longer. His heart filled with sadness as he descended the steps of the Temple. His pace kept a steady, but somber pace as he walked away from the temple. Soon he was surrounded by the sights and sounds of Castle Town. People passed him and went about their business, ignoring the fact that in their midst was a great and legendary warrior who had saved their very way of life. Link, however, was happy for the populace of Hyrule. They were allowed to forget the terrible events and live normal, happy lives. On the other had, he and the others were allowed to keep their memories of that time, each dealing with it in their own way.

Link continued through the crowd, ignoring the sounds of average life. No one like him should be allowed to partake of these simple pleasures. Time seemed to slow as the town moved around him. This would be the last time that he was ever near people that he had given so much for, but could not remember what he had done for them. His heavy hearted footsteps continued to take him closer and closer to his own self imposed exile.

"Good evening, kid," the gate guard hailed him as he approached the castle drawbridge. Link looked up from his musings, having barely heard the greeting. Link knew that this had to be done. With a pain in his heart, he walked over to the guard and handed him a simple envelope. Link looked deep into the guards eyes," Please deliver this to Queen Zelda. She should know what is in the envelope."

The guard gave the youth a very skeptical look. Link did not care to notice it," Please deliver it."

The guard took the envelope and placed it in a pocket very slowly," Alright kid."

"Thank you." Link hinted at a faint smile, but it never really came to his face. His last letter to anyone here in safe hands, he began his last walk out of Castle Town. The drawbridge seemed to stretch on for miles, but was only a few feet long. When dirt made its presence known beneath his feet, he glanced back at the guard," And tell her that I'm sorry."

The guard began to answer, but was interrupted by the shrill cry of the metal as the drawbridge began it slow ascent to close off the city. With the sun already beginning to set in the western sky, Link gingerly retrieved the ocarina he carried with him everywhere. Its brown kiln-fired surface rough underneath his calloused hands brought back so many memories. Some he would now sooner place in the back of his mind, to be locked away never to be remembered. Bringing the instrument to his lips, he began to play a song that was taught to him to call his horse to him. Soon the wild horse known as Epona answered her masters' call and came to him. He absently rubbed her head and neck then mounted his horse. One last longing glance towards the castle with a look of great sadness, he made a silent goodbye to the woman he loved. Then steeling his nerves, he quickly brought Epona to an out right run. The open field rushed past him as he sped off to the forest.

It took the better part of the night to reach the forest, but it was soon all about him, the trees closing in to make running Epona task for the fool hearty. Trees whizzed by at unbearable speeds, but never did he once slow his mount. Often Link had thought that this was his home, but now he no longer belonged. As war produces soldiers, peace makes them obsolete and unwanted. Of this Link knew to be the truth. He did not belong among the Kokiri. His very presence was a sacrilege to their very way of life. No, he could not stay with any one, not even the Gerudo thieves. He was a soldier, born to fight and destined to kill. He would never belong in Hyrule as long as peace reigned supreme, and for that peace to remain he would have to leave. Links heart had been hardened by countless fights, but he was never once prepared to deal with not having an opponent to fight him. Link let his mind drift to thoughts of Zelda, his one and only love. He knew that his departure would devastate her, but there was no choice for him. Link shook his head slightly, acknowledging the fact that any form of love was beyond him. This pain drove deep into his chest, burrowing its way into his heart. No, leaving was the only way for him to accomplish true, lasting peace in Hyrule.

The forest soon began to thin, and for the first time in hours he brought Epona to a more manageable pace. The trees soon faded around him, leaving him in the open air of the border land between Hyrule and the adjacent kingdom. He beheld the new countryside, bathed in the light of a full moon. Slowly and gracefully, he dismounted his horse, and with practiced ease, removed her harness and saddle. The horse looked at its master with quizzical eyes. Link came up to Eponas' neck, and stroked it lovingly," Epona, my dear companion. I'm sorry to have put you through so much, but now you can be free."

The horse looked at Link with saddened eyes, but knew that this was what its master wanted for her. Slowly, Link guided the animal to head back into Hyrule. With one last look at her master, the mighty horse sadly walked back into the forest. Link watched his companion as she walked deeper and deeper until she vanished from sight. He let a small tear roll down his face as he turned away from his motherland. He hefted a small bag over his shoulders and picked up a nearby stick sturdy enough to walk with. Link took one final look at Hyrule," Goodbye, Hyrule. May peace live in you eternally."

With a solemn step forward, Link crossed the boundary of Hyrule, never to come back.