Summary: Link realizes what happened and sees the future that resulted. The question becomes what can and should be done about it.

Link stood staring at the monument that summarized in a few lines his entire life with Mipha, a life he thought he was still in the middle of living. But the monument was worded as if that life had ended long ago. And his daughter, Mila, was apparently Queen of the Zora now.

He had this aching feeling that events had suddenly played another terrible trick on him, and his life had taken a tragic turn, all for a stupid reason. But the reality of it had not sunk in yet. At the moment, he felt like this was some problem he could work his way out of.

As he thought back to what had happened, it all started to make some sense. The stone he saw glowing was not a Luminous Stone, after all. It was a TimeShift Stone or something similar. And when it shattered, it left him in whatever time it transported him to, which was apparently the future, and with no way to return.

Now he needed to think. He started to take in what must have happened and its implications. He had apparently been transported to the future. So, from everyone's perspective back in his time, he had simply disappeared. Mipha and his family must have assumed he was lost somehow. Clearly that was what the monument said, that he was lost at sea. They must have lived on believing he was dead. And for all practical purposes, he was dead to them.

And then he thought about the pain that must have caused them, and Mipha especially. When he lost her, he had barely remembered her. His feelings for her grew as he recalled their time together, and he remembered the pain it had caused him. But for Mipha, it would be different, much worse. She already knew him and loved him all too well. And that would make it all hurt that much more.

And now he felt angry at himself for being so utterly stupid. He should have been more cautious. It was suspicious to see a Luminous Stone glowing in the daytime, and he should have realized that. But being angry at himself would solve nothing. Now, what could he do? He took a deep breath. He would eventually need to go to the Domain. And then what? He would be like a ghost, someone returning from the dead. But what else could he do? Well, the first thing was to pray to Hylia for help.

"Goddess of Time, You have already favored me more than I could imagine. But I ask you once more to please hear my prayer and help me to make this right. As ever, I remain your faithful servant."

Then he resumed his journey to Zora's Domain.

When Link arrived at the entrance to the Domain, he was stopped by one of the guards there.

"Excuse me, Sir," said the guard. "The armor you are wearing looks rather special. I can see it is a handmade set of Zora Armor. Do you mind telling me where you got it?"

"I received it from my wife," said Link.

He noticed the guard touched something he wore on his belt.

"I am not aware of any Zora princesses married to a Hylian of your age," said the guard. "So I ask you once again, where did you get that armor? Such armor would be very precious to any Zora and very valuable."

"What? You think I stole it?" said Link. "And if I did, I would be foolish enough to walk right into Zora's Domain wearing it? I received it from my wife, Princess Mipha. What more can I say?"

"Whatever you say, you can say it with more respect for Queen Mipha, someone whose memory is revered by all in our Domain!" said the guard angrily. "I am afraid I find your answers unsatisfactory and have summoned our Captain to discuss this with you. That is him approaching now."

Another Zora knight approached carrying a Zora spear, and Link noticed he had blue eyes. The knight looked at him for a few moments and eyed what he was wearing. Finally, he spoke.

"Hello, Sir," said the Captain. "My name is Lanka, and I am the Captain of the Guards. May I ask who you are and how you come by a set of such fine Zora armor? It is not often we see such exquisite work and are understandably concerned about how you obtained it."

"My story will be hard to believe," said Link. "My name is Link, and I am married, or rather was married, to Princess Mipha. I have traveled into the future somehow."

At this, the Captain looked startled.

"Well, that is certainly one mark of an honest tale," said Lanka. "No liar would propose such a fantastic explanation and expect to be believed. So, you claim your name is Link?"

"Yes, I do," said Link.

"That is the same name as my father," said Lanka. "And you say you are the Link once married to Queen Mipha? In other words, though you do not realize it, you are claiming to be my grandfather. My mother, Princess Tila, told me my grandfather died about 140 years ago at sea. So, how is this possible?"

"I don't know how," said Link as he stared at Lanka. Now the blue eyes made sense. This was Linky's son. "But it truly is me. I need to see Mila."

"Queen Mila, you mean. It would be proper to show some respect. Yes, very well," said Lanka. "Let me alert Queen Mila, and please come with me. Whether your tale is true or not, Her Majesty will wish to see you no doubt."

They immediately began walking the rest of the way toward the throne room. The Domain looked very much the same.

"What is that device you are using," said Link as they walked together. "I gather my Tab no longer works?"

Your what?" said Lanka. "This is a STIP. It's what everyone uses now."

"Sorry, STIP?" said Link.

"Sheikah Technology Intelligent Phone," said Lanka. "I guess you really are from the past or an excellent actor."

They made their way up the stairs to the throne room, and then Link stopped and stood there. And Queen Mila stood up and stared at him. She looked like Mila, the same face, but of course older now. Then Mila slowly approached him as she kept staring at him. Finally, she reached out and hugged him, and he hugged her back. And she said only one word.

"Dad?"

"Yes, Mila, it's me," said Link as he held her. "I don't understand anything or how I'm here or what happened. But I know it's you, and I know I'm me. And I need your help."

Mila hugged him and hugged him and wouldn't let him go. And all she kept repeating was, "Dad, it's really you? Dad, it's really you?"

Finally, she composed herself.

"Come, sit down with me here," said Mila. "So, Mom was right after all. She said you would return someday. Tell me everything. I will let the others know you're here, though I may need to message them more than once, so they understand and believe what I'm saying."

Mila did something on her STIP as they sat down.

"There's not much to tell," said Link. "I saw this glowing stone I felt Mom would like a piece of. I thought it was a Luminous Stone. But it must have been a TimeShift Stone of some sort. It shattered when I struck it, and I woke up here and now. I read the monument you had made and knew what must have happened."

"Oh, Dad, that is so tragic," said Mila. "So much pain over something as little as that? I don't know where to begin. So much has happened. We all thought you fell into the sea and were lost. I so wish now that Mom was still here. It would have filled her heart with joy to see you once again, even in her old age. Anyway, the others will be here soon."

"Yes, I read that Mom is gone," said Link. "But it hasn't sunk in yet. None of this has. I know it will as soon as the shock of all this wears off. It's still unreal to me now, like a bad dream. And I know I will feel sick inside about it all over again. I feel so stupid. And I pray that somehow, I can go back. I gather that it has been about 140 years now since I disappeared? Is Linky, I mean, is he..."

"Yes, he's still alive," said Mila. "I haven't heard him called Linky in a long time! The anti-aging rune worked for him, too, Dad, and he used it several times. He married Princess Tila and spends most of his time in their Domain now. But you met his son, Lanka, who works here. He has a daughter as well. But we can catch up on things when everyone arrives. He and the rest should be here in a few minutes. We should meet at the house."

"A few minutes? From the other Domain?" said Link.

"He's taking an airship, Dad, not a boat," said Mila. "Sorry, I know we need to take things slowly. Come, let's go to the house. I told everyone to meet us there."

Mila, Link, and two guards made their way to the house on Mikau Lake. Being made of stone, the house had aged well and showed no sign of wear. When they entered the house, it was just as he remembered it. Even the pictures were still on the wall. He walked to the living room and sat down as Mila sat with him.

"Let me briefly fill you in on things until they get here," said Mila. "There will be time to meet everyone else later, like my husband and my children. Right now, let me concentrate on your close relatives. Midon is Zora Champion now and my right hand. He was out on the lake and will be here soon. He has two sons. Uncle Sidon is the leader of the Council of Elders. He never married and spent all his time working for and taking care of Mom. He was very devoted to his sister all those years you were gone. Uncle Sidon will join us later. Link, or Linky, is retired now. He was Hyrule liaison officer to Zora's Domain for many years. He married Princess Tila, and they have two grown Zora children, a son you met and a daughter. Lapha is in charge of Sheikah Technology here and is a senior member of the technology staff at Hyrule Castle. She married a Hylian knight she met on one of her visits to see Linky when he was stationed at Hyrule Castle. But the anti-aging rune did not work for her husband, and he passed away. She has a grown Zora daughter who works closely with her. That's it in summary. I don't want to overwhelm you."

"I am still in shock, Mila," said Link. "Nothing could overwhelm me. So, Lapha is an expert on Sheikah Technology? I am hoping she can figure some way out of this for me."

"Yes, you can discuss that with her," said Mila. "If anyone can help, it will be her. But I hear someone arriving now."

Link stood up as he heard the front door open. And then he saw Midon standing there, wearing a blue Champion sash. He ran to Link and hugged him, and Link hugged him back.

"Dad! When Mila told me I thought I misunderstood, it sounded so fantastic," said Midon. "It really is you! And you look the same as I remember you, not a day older."

"Let's wait for everyone to get here before Dad tells his story, so he only needs to do it once," said Mila. "Come, sit down with us, Mido."

The next one through the door was Lapha. She had changed the most and looked more serious than Link remembered her. She too ran to him when she saw him, and they hugged.

"Dad!" said Lapha. "I cannot believe this! It really is you. You must tell me all about it. I am very curious what process was involved in your temporal transition here."

"Yes, we can get to that, Dr. Lapha," said Mila. "Let's wait for Link."

At last, the door opened again, and Link stood up. And then he was facing a version of himself, but an older version like someone in their early forties.

"Dad?" said Linky. "You look the same. It really is you!"

They hugged each other. Link was at a loss what to say.

"Alright, everyone is here now," said Mila. "So let's let Dad explain what happened."

"As I already told Mila, there's not much to tell," said Link. "I saw this glowing stone I thought was a Luminous Stone. But it must have been a TimeShift Stone of some sort. It shattered when I struck it, and I woke up here and now."

"Ah," said Lapha. "That would explain a lot. A shattered TimeShift stone can transport the individual to the time it was programmed for but will offer no means to return. That is one reason we do not like them. It sounds as though the stone you struck was a variable dimension stone, designed to propel one a fixed number of years into the future from whatever time it was struck. The fixed dimension stones transport one to a fixed date. It's a pity we don't have the stone. Studying its characteristics would be helpful."

Link remembered he had saved a fragment.

"I have a piece of the stone," said Link retrieving it. "Would this be any help?"

Lapha took it from him and examined it.

"Yes, it might be," said Lipha. "It is large enough for me to work with. I will take it to my lab tomorrow."

"I don't know what to say to all of you other than I am so sorry for my stupidity and the pain I must have caused all of you," said Link.

"It's okay, Dad," said Mila. "It was a long time ago now and was nothing you intended."

"I imagine I caused your mother a lot of pain," said Link. "And I will never forgive myself for that."

"She always thought you would return," said Midon. "She never believed you fell off a cliff and drowned. But why did you leave your sword? No one could understand that."

"It's nothing profound," said Link. "The sword was in my way. I took it off to reach the rock I was trying to strike."

"Dad, I can tell that you are still in shock, though you may not think so," said Mila. "You should stay here, and all of us will stay with you here tonight. Our wives and husbands will understand that we need to do this for you today. I am having a meal brought in, and we can all have dinner here. Tomorrow you can start to meet your grandchildren. And Dr. Lapha here can start analyzing the stone that brought you here. Is that acceptable to you?"

"Of course," said Link. "I am still waiting to wake up."

The meal consisted of talk about families. Link had trouble remembering most of it. His head was starting to ache, and it was a sign his mind was beginning to accept what had happened and where he was.

It was after dinner that the door opened again, and Sidon entered. Link stood and saw an old Zora standing before him. What a change from the young, energetic Prince Sidon he knew! But Link went toward him, and they hugged.

"Link, you really did return!" said Sidon. "My sister would never stop talking about this day. She never gave up hope, and it was her dream to see you again. But perhaps it is not wise for me to be discussing this now."

Sidon had noticed Link starting to wipe his eyes.

"No, sorry," said Link. "I know you mean well, brother. But I am living a nightmare right now, and hearing you describe the hurt I caused only makes me feel worse. I don't know what to say."

"I think you should rest, Dad," said Mila. "We have something you can drink to help you sleep, and I would like you to take it. You may not think you need it, but once you are quiet and alone with your thoughts, you will find that you do need it."

"Very well, Mila," said Link. "Let me take it now. I do want to sleep. I am just not sure I want to wake up."

Link took the drink then went to his room. He stared at the pool of water. He started to think about Mipha, then stopped. He needed to rest. And the medicine was starting to work. He climbed into the pool and was soon fast asleep.

The next morning everyone stayed for breakfast except Lapha, who said she was eager to analyze the stone fragment Link had given her. One of the guards arrived early that morning with something for Mila.

"Here, Dad, you should take this," said Mila handing him a STIP. "It works a lot like the Tab you had, just a lot better. But for now, let me show you how to send me a message or call."

Mila demonstrated the use of the phone. Then she said she needed to go back, but at least one of them would stay with him for now. Apparently, it was Linky's turn.

"Welcome home, Dad," said Mila as she hugged him. "I know it doesn't feel that way yet. But it is your home now and always has been. I will see you again later."

Link sat down with his son Link in the living room.

"Can you tell me a little of what happened to you?" said Link. "It will help take my mind off other things."

"Of course, Dad," said Linky. "Well, after I was a bit older than I was when you, um, when you left, I joined the Hyrule army. And, much like you, my combat skills were recognized. I inherited that special ability of yours. So, I entered the Hyrule Swordsmanship competition, and I won. It was actually the last time Queen Zelda said she would be giving out the awards. Her daughter would be doing it from now on. Queen Zelda became a bit emotional when she spoke before giving me the award. She said she remembered another person of the same name who had won the competition back when she was a princess and how much he had meant to her. And that he, meaning you, would have been proud to see his son winning now. Then afterward, she took me to the Korok Forest to attempt to draw out the sword that seals the darkness. She told me that my attempt was actually the first time she actually worried about the outcome. But the similarity ended there. The sword wouldn't have me. It sits safely back in Korok Forest. I ended up falling in love with Princess Tila from North Hyrule, who you may remember. She was a good friend of Mila's. We married, and Zelda assigned me as Zora liaison officer so I could split my time between the two Domains. Mom was thrilled I could be home again half the year and of course, so was my wife that we could live in the Domain. Eventually, I had a daughter and then a son, both Zora's. They are both grown now. I used the anti-aging rune a few times, or I wouldn't be here now."

"I am happy to hear that, and glad your life turned out well," said Link. "What of Zelda and her daughter?"

"Well, they are both long gone now," said Link. "It is a great, great, great, great, or something grandson who is the king of Hyrule now. Since I retired from the army, I haven't kept track."

"I see," said Link. Yes, of course, he realized so many years had passed.

"I don't know what else to tell," said Linky. "You met my son. You can meet the rest of my family, your family too, when you get more settled."

"Yes, I would like that," said Link. "I gather people travel by air now?"

"Oh, yes, that's right," said Linky. "That's new for you. Yes, air travel is common for longer distances now. I think you will like it."

Link was quiet. A part of his mind was coming to grips with what he was hearing. But another part of his mind was rebelling against it, telling him he didn't belong here, and it didn't want to start feeling comfortable here. It was telling him the less attached he was to the world of this time, the easier it would be to return to his own time. If he ever could return.

"Perhaps I could take a walk," said Link. "Just around the Domain, I mean."

"Of course, but I'll come with you," said Linky.

They walked together down the eastern path to the central plaza. The inn was still there, but all the stores looked different—more in keeping with the times he imagined. But the people all looked the same walking around. The basic structure of the Domain had been around for ten thousand years. Another hundred or so would not change it.