Summary: Link attempts to reunite with the sword that seals the darkness. A menace from the past keeps advancing her goals one step further. Mipha and Link start putting together some clues about what has happened.

Link woke up the next morning, his excitement evident as he told Mipha of his dream.

"It's amazing. The last part of the dream was so clear," said Link first thing in the morning. "It was Fi's voice. I know it. She's telling me I need to go and reclaim the sword."

"Can I get our usual morning kiss first Mister Hero?" said Mipha.

"Sorry," said Link as they kissed. "I guess I am a bit over excited. I love you."

"And I love you. But are you sure about this?" said Mipha. "You said you couldn't understand other parts of the dream."

"Yes, that's true," said Link. "Parts of it were very confused with Zelda and the Great Fairy. But the last part was different. And what harm is there if I'm wrong? If the sword doesn't want me, it won't let me draw it from the stone. At most I wasted a trip to the Lost Woods. But if it is true, then this may be the answer, or at least part of the answer, to combating this evil."

"The evil we don't know anything about or that it even exists," said Mipha. "All of this just seems so uncertain at this point. All we have are dreams and limited information from the Great Fairy about a past evil. With Ganon, there were tangible warnings, like increased monster activity. But with this, nothing seems to be happening."

"I don't know," said Link thoughtfully. "Maybe things are happening and we aren't aware of them."

"Maybe," said Mipha. "Anyway, Zelda already alerted all the rulers and I shared the information with Sidon. And that's the best we can do right now. This being, assuming it does exist, is not going to be happy taking over people who have no influence. If it wants power and to stay concealed it will eventually have to target a ruler."

"Yes, that makes sense," said Link. "But to have the opportunity to secretly take over a ruler it will have to target someone close to the ruler first, a person the ruler is comfortable being alone with. And that most likely means close family. For you, that would obviously be Sidon and our children. And me too, I guess. I think we should keep two guards with all those people at all times. One guard isn't enough since the guard could be taken over first. You need three or more people together at a time."

"Do you want to tell Mila or should I?" laughed Mipha. "But I agree, and I don't care how many 'special moments' are ruined. I want us all to be safe and that's all there is to it. I'll just explain we continue to be in a heightened state of alert."

Mipha thought for a moment.

"As for the sword, by all means, go to the Lost Woods with my prayers for a safe journey," said Mipha. "I trust your judgment. At least about fighting evil, that is. My worry is how you will handle things if you're wrong. I can see you've gotten your hopes up very high about this. I think a couple of guards should travel with you. Aside from safety, as we just discussed, I worry you may be depressed coming home all alone if things don't go as you expect. They could provide some good company."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," said Link. "What reason do I give the guards for suddenly going to retrieve the sword now? Are they not going to suspect something is wrong?"

"If anyone asks just tell the truth, say that you don't know if there is any threat but that Queen Zelda has asked everyone to be extra vigilant," said Mipha. "I am meeting with Captain Larah later today to tell her exactly that and so she knows about the double guards."

"Alright, if it will make you worry less, then I'll go with two guards," said Link. "The sword location is secret, though, so no one but a member of the Hyrule Royal Family could go with me on the final part of the trip, though Zelda made an exception for you once when I returned the sword. So, I have to do that part of the journey alone in any case. But I doubt this evil being penetrated the Lost Woods and is waiting to ambush me."

"Do you think that's even possible?" said Mipha.

"If I return with the sacred sword, then you can be sure it's really me," said Link. "I think the sword would detect any evil within me and refuse to let me wield it."

"And if you return without the sword?" said Mipha.

"Then I think that only means my dream was not as real as I thought," said Link. "With the Deku Tree there I believe there is too much good magic in that place. None of Ganon's creatures could venture into the Lost Woods. And Zelda left the sword for me there precisely because that location was so safe."

"What are you talking about?" said Mipha. "Zelda never took the sword from you."

"Sorry, the wrong timeline," laughed Link. "That's one of my problems, I remember things that didn't happen anymore and I can't remember things that did. Anyway, I think the Korok Forest is quite safe."

"Alright, but I still worry how you will handle it if your dream proves wrong and you don't get the sword back," said Mipha.

"Don't worry, I can handle rejection," said Link.

"Really?" said Mipha. "I've never seen you be rejected. Can you name one time?"

"Well, um, ....," said Link thinking back and unable to recall any such event.

"See what I mean?" said Mipha. "I don't think you ever experienced rejection."

"Maybe it happened and I'll plead memory loss," laughed Link.

"Nice try," said Mipha. "Do Tabs work in the Lost Woods?"

"No," said Link. "The Royal Family tested that. Something prevents any signals getting in or out. As I said, the magic there is pretty strong. I'll be fine. And I'm pretty confident I will return with the sword."

"Let's have our breakfast family meeting after the children wake up and Sidon joins us," said Mipha. "And knowing how much you want to stay on good terms with Daddy's little girl, I'll be the one to give Mila and the rest of the family the bad news."

"In the meantime, I will let Zelda know my plans," said Link pulling out his Tab.

Link: Zelda, A dream last night said I need to get the sword. Traveling there today.

Zelda: Oh! That is interesting and concerning. I will pray to Hylia for you and us. Be well, hero.

Mipha's breakfast meeting went about as expected.

"Now I have some unwelcome news," said Mipha. "Queen Zelda has asked us to increase security and so two guards will accompany you now. And I don't want to hear any arguing about this. It is very important."

Mila and Midon both wore long faces hearing the news, but their mother's tone left no doubt that arguing about it was only going to make her angry and not change the outcome.

"I'll stay with Linky," said Lapha. "Besides the guards, we can watch out for each other."

"That's right, Laff," said Linky. "We'll guard each other, too."

"That would be great," said Link. "I knew you two would understand."

After the children left for class Mipha, Sidon and Link continued their meeting.

"Sidon, I had a dream about the sword last night," said Link. "I'm going to head there after our meeting is over."

"Interesting," said Sidon. "So, you think, or your dream does, this threat requires the sacred sword. I wish you well for all our sakes. You going alone?"

"No, two guards are coming with me," said Link. "That will make your sister happy."

"You know that's all I care about," laughed Sidon. "Safe travels then."

Back in North Hyrule Queen Faray was having her meeting with some of the key people in her Domain. The attendees included her sister Princess Tila, Ambassador Laray, the head of their Council, and their Royal Secretary.

"I have some information from Queen Zelda," said Faray. "Some of it is confidential and I can only share that part with Tila, which I already have. But Zelda has asked us to come to a higher state of alert and so I will have two guards accompany key people at all times. That includes all of you, so I hope you'll understand. I'm sorry I cannot say more at this time. And Zelda has canceled all in-person meetings. Any such meetings will be held by Tab now. And I'd like all of you to remain in the Domain from now on."

No one had any questions since Faray had made it clear she couldn't say more. The rest of the meeting covered normal activity around the Domain. When Laray returned from her meeting, now accompanied by two guards, she found her sister Tiray reading a book on Hyrule history.

"Tiray, you're becoming quite the history scholar," said Laray. "I never knew you were so interested in that."

"I do find it interesting," said Tiray looking up and noticing the guards. "Is something wrong? Why the guards, Laray?"

"Orders from Queen Zelda," said Laray. "She has some concerns and Queen Faray wants key people guarded. But the bad news I wanted to share with you is that Zelda has indefinitely canceled all in-person meetings and plans to hold them by Tab, and Queen Faray wants me to remain here in the Domain. So, I won't be able to take you on that personal tour of Hyrule Castle I had hoped to."

"Oh, that is too bad," said Tiray. "I was so looking forward to it."

"You know they have public tours of the castle," said Laray. "You could go with a friend or alone if you feel up to it. You wouldn't be able to visit all the areas of the castle I was planning to take you, but you might still enjoy it."

"That's an idea," said Tiray. "Let me think about it."

Now she wondered if this extra security had anything to do with her. She didn't see how, though. She had sensed some Great Fairies reaching out and searching the other day, but she had simply blocked them with her magic. She knew they hadn't detected her. But what made them search in the first place? Did they do that regularly or was it because of her? It was time to be extra careful to avoid detection. But at the same time, she also needed to find a way out of North Hyrule to the larger region of Hyrule. She did not want to stay here indefinitely. She would just have to wait for the right opportunity.

Back at Zora's Domain Link met the two guards assigned to accompany him.

"Do you mind if we go by horse?" said Link. "I would like to ride my horse there and you can rent a couple at Foothill Stable."

"That's fine, Link," said one of the guards. "We know how to ride, but don't often need to."

The road toward the Lost Woods was not a heavily traveled one and so was not scheduled to be paved for some time. They headed to Foothill Stable and Link collected Epona while the guards rented two horses. Then they headed back toward the road to the Lost Woods.

"Have you been to the Lost Woods many times before, Link?" asked one of the guards.

"Only twice," said Link. "The first time I went there was over twenty years ago after I won the Hyrule sword competition. That was the visit I found out to my surprise that the sword had chosen me. The second time was around five years ago when I returned the sword."

"Those woods have a bad reputation," said the guard. "I was always told it was very dangerous to enter them."

"That's true. You can get completely lost if you don't know the way," said Link. "But I know how to navigate it and will have to go by myself for the last part of the trip. You can both wait at the entrance. I won't be very long."

"This may be out of place, but is there a reason why you are suddenly returning to get the sword now? Are we in some danger? There hasn't been any alert sent out to the guards," said the second guard.

"We don't know, but Queen Zelda has asked everyone to be more alert, and I had a feeling perhaps the sword would be helpful," said Link. "Now I have to learn if the sword agrees with me."

As he rode to the woods, Link reflected on the current state of Hyrule. Time had marched on for the people he knew best. Zelda was Queen now and had a nine-year-old daughter. The original Champions were still active but had passed on their Champion duties to others by now. Except for Sidon, he didn't really know the current generation of Champions. He had met the generation after their generation in his old timeline. Daruk's son Darno was the Goron Champion now though Daruk was still involved in Goron activities. He would like to see Daruk again. He was a good-natured person and understood things better than he let on. Urbosa was still Chief of the Gerudo but there too there was a new Champion, her cousin Balaria. And the Rito had a new Champion as well, though Revali was still active, giving combat flight lessons at his school. Thanks to Purah's rune, he was one of the original Champions who was still young. In a real sense, his memory was older than his body. And Mipha was still young too, of course, thanks to Zora longevity. But even she had passed the Champion duties on to her brother Sidon. So, a new generation was taking over. Such was life.

When they arrived, Link lit a torch and followed the secret path into the Lost Woods toward the Korok Forest. The Lost Woods was as creepy as he remembered it. Dense fog was everywhere and ominous looking trees with open mouths filled the woods. The trees looked angry, ready to swallow any unlucky traveler. An occasional squirrel or other small animal scurried out of his way. Finally, he passed through the Lost Woods and into the Korok Forest as the fog cleared. He made his way to the pedestal containing the sword and stopped to look at it. It was just as he left it, the blade stuck into the stone and the three beautiful Silent Princess flowers blowing gently in the breeze. There was no other noise. It was time. He took a deep breath and walked up to the sword. Then he gripped it with two hands and began pulling. At first, nothing happened and he started to believe he had been mistaken. Then the sword began to move and slid out of the stone. His dream had come true, literally and figuratively! He closed his eyes, overcome with the moment, and held the sword before his face as if to kiss it. But instead, he said a silent prayer.

"Hylia, thank you for trusting in me once again. I won't fail you," he thought.

Then he raised the blade skyward and he saw it shine again in all its glory. It truly was evil's bane, the sword that could seal the darkness. With Hylia's blessing and his courage may it destroy whatever new evil we face. Then he lowered the blade and swished it back and forth twice.

"Welcome back," he said to the sword. "I won't deny I missed you. I have felt so closely bound to you since the days we trained together. Now, with Hylia's blessing, let us work together again to destroy evil."

He placed the sword in his sheath and began to work his way back to the entrance and out of the Lost Woods.

"I have the sword," said Link to the guards upon arriving back at the entrance. "Let's go home."

But first, he sent Mipha and Zelda messages that he had the sword.

Upon returning home Mipha congratulated him.

"I am happy for you," said Mipha. "I know how sad you were when you returned the sword. But you know it is not yours forever, right?"

"Yes," said Link. "I always knew that but losing it was like losing a loved one. I tried my best to look at it the way Zelda told me, that losing it meant danger had passed and there was no need for it. But I had grown so very close to that sword during all the time I spent with it. I know Zelda is probably right, but I need the sword in some sense to be who I am supposed to be. Without it, I don't feel complete. I know I should be grateful for all I do have, including the wonderful life and family I have with you. But that's how I feel. Anyway, now that I have the sword I am not sure what will happen next."

And, nothing did happen as three weeks went by.

Back in North Hyrule, it had been three weeks since Faray had informed Tiray about the heightened security and she was getting impatient. She needed to get to Hyrule proper to move forward. Tourists came to their Domain every now and then, but they were almost all Zoras or came in pairs and stayed together. She didn't want to jump to another Zora and have to be near water all the time. Then she finally saw a possible opportunity when she noticed a lone Gerudo walking around the Domain. This might be worth pursuing. But first, she had to strike up a friendship. Seeing the Gerudo pause to look around, Tiray approached her.

"Sav'otta," said Tiray. "Are you here alone?"

"Sav'otta," said the Gerudo. "You understand my language? That is very unusual for a Zora! Yes, I am traveling alone. My name is Darnia."

"My name is Tiray and I have an interest in Gerudo culture," said Tiray. "''The Gerudo, a strong desert flower' as the saying goes. You are here on tour?"

Her interest in the Gerudo was only that her mother had served Twinrova, and she had learned some Gerudo growing up back then.

"Yes, more of a self-guided tour," said Darnia. "We Gerudo often travel alone and like to visit other parts of Hyrule. I wanted to see this new addition to our land. I very much enjoy traveling and, if it happens, to possibly meet a nice Voe along the way. I am just here for the rest of the day and return on the late ship after dinner. But it's a pity you can't visit the desert, given your interest in Gerudo culture. I think you would enjoy it."

"Yes, that is a shame," said Tiray. "Maybe someday. But if you don't mind my company, I could show you around our Domain. And I am considering traveling on tonight's ship as well to start my own tour. I was hoping to see Hyrule Castle. So, perhaps we could travel back on the ship together."

"That would be fine," said Darnia. "Some company would be nice and you can practice your Gerudo with me if you like. Lead the way."

Tiray proceeded to show Darnia around the Domain and they got along quite well. At one point they ran into Laray.

"Laray, please say hello to Darnia," said Tiray. "Laray is my sister. I think I will go to the main part of Hyrule with Darnia on tonight's ship and arrange for a Hyrule Castle tour tomorrow or the next day."

"I am pleased to meet you, Darnia," said Laray. "This is quite sudden, Tiray. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I'm sure," said Tiray. "I've been wanting to take that castle tour for some time, and meeting Darnia here has motivated me to finally do it."

"Well, be safe and don't forget your Tab this time," said Laray. "I'd like to know you are alright."

"Of course, Sis," said Tiray. "Darnia, let's get some dinner before the ship leaves. We have some very tasty fish here."

Why not be kind to Tiray for her last meal?

"So, Darnia, what can you tell me about the Gerudo these days?" said Tiray as they sat down to dinner.

"Well, we are pretty much the same as always. Our Chief is still Lady Urbosa, one of the legendary Champions who defeated the Calamity over twenty years ago. But we have a new Champion now, a cousin of hers, name Baleria. The Chief is getting older and we expect Baleria will become Chief when Lady Urbosa retires."

"I see, that is interesting," said Tiray. "I am not up on recent events so that is good to know."

"But what first prompted your interest in Gerudo culture?" said Darnia. "I still find that very strange for a Zora."