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elda and Link left the Chamber of the Four Sword, Link's mind once again intact and whole from the removal of the blade's curse. Already, soldiers from all over the castle had been informed of Zelda's return and of the happenings within the Chamber, and so they clustered about the entrance to the Chamber where Link and Zelda emerged. Slowly, the King made his way through the throng of soldiers and attendants that had gathered, and, having heard of both Zelda's disappearance and just recently her return, a smile permeated his face with such intensity that the emotion sent ripples through the spines of all who saw it. "I have worried greatly for your safe return, and here you are, back already. Link, is her rescue your doing?"

Link nodded to the King in answer to the question, but it was Zelda who spoke first, explaining that which had happened to her, talking about Vaati the Wind Mage and Link's heroic rescue. Link was then questioned about his adventure into the foreign lands, and Link told them of the mazelike forest, the icy caverns, the heat of the volcano, and the city in the clouds. The King took all of this in, believing the two instantly for Link was the son of a trusted friend and Zelda his prophetic daughter. "Then all is well," he said in reply to their story. "Because of this joyous day, tonight we shall have a feast dedicated to these two in honor of their wisdom and courage."

Link returned home that afternoon to his uncle with the news of his adventure and of the upcoming banquet, and Llewelyn felt an immense pride for his nephew at the news. "Tonight, we shall go to the banquet as asked, and after the night is through, though you are still not of the proper age, it will be the night that I recognize you as an adult in my eye, for your deeds after just fourteen years have surpassed all of my deeds to date, and I am already thrice your age!" Link and his uncle shared a mutual laugh before heading towards the castle to prepare for the evening's festivities.

Link and Llewlyn arrived into the grand ballroom of the castle, dressed almost like brothers to royalty. As they entered the hall, the knights of the king created an aisle for them to walk through, saluting them with their swords in the formation of a long archway. Link was surprised to see such grandeur being attributed to him, but Llewlyn just smiled proudly, finally knowing the honor of being able to walk through such a display of arms. The king invited them to eat at the Royal Table, with Link's uncle sitting to the King's right as Link sat to the princess' left, her at the King's left. Once they sat at the table, the remainder of the nobles and elders within the hall sat as well, giving the hero his due respect for his deeds and accomplishments.

The King Yohnathan Hyrule then stood and raised his goblet to Link, giving him a toast of both praise and thanksgiving, and in turn Link's uncle and all others within the hall drank to Link's good health and fortune, wishing the best for him over the coming years. The King was not finished, however, for he invited Link to stand next to him, and Link did so willingly. He said aloud to the crowd, "It has been a time-honored tradition for years beyond counting that the Coming of Age of all children would be the age of sixteen, in honor of a Hero of Time who lives on only in our memories and within our hearts. Tradition, while a noble thing, oft finds itself willing to be broken in times of tragedy... and in times of greatness. Link, I have spoken recently with your uncle at length, and I have made a decision to part with tradition for a single day, for you have defied all expectations that have ever been placed upon you.

"Link, because of your extraordinary deeds, I wish to choose today to be your Coming of Age, and in so doing, I offer you the opportunity to join my knights in the service of knighthood."

Link blinked in disbelief as he heard the words of the king, and he could see the approving smiles of both his uncle and his friend, Princess Zelda. His blue eyes gazed into the benevolent eyes of the king before looking down slightly. "Your first offer to acknowledge this day as my Coming of Age, I can willingly accept, for if it is so in the eyes of my uncle and my king that I have risen to an adult, then that will shall be mine as well. However, I cannot accept your invitation to knighthood at this time for several reasons." Link paused for a moment, hearing a few hushed whispers sweep across the crowd. "I am already bound to a will higher than that of even the King of Hyrule, and that is the Triforce itself. So much about its history and its purpose in the world is completely unknown, and I have this... feeling within me that it was Destiny that led me to the Triforce, so that the ancient lore about the Triforce could be rediscovered. I can and willingly will be your servant so long as the will of the Triforce remains with you, my liege, but I cannot fulfill at this time the capacity of a knight for I do not yet know fully understand the will of the Triforce."

Link's admission stunned all those who heard it, the King included. Finally, a smile returned to the King's face, and he nodded towards Link. "Perhaps your Coming of Age has truly already happened and passed by without even your uncle's notice. Your answer is understandable, and I believe that such an answer more honorable than to be a knight itself. Instead then, rather than for me to give you my sword as one of my knights, let me give this sword to you in another capacity, for I believe you to now be my kindred and my blood because of your noble deeds, and, with your uncle's permission, I wish for you to allow me to make you my adopted son."

Llewlyn and Link looked at one another, and Link's uncle nodded to him with approval, urging him to accept this offer instead, and so Link accepted this new capacity. All Link could say was a sincere thanks for the new honor, and Zelda meanwhile smiled happily to him. Link knelt before the King, and the King placed his sword upon Link's head before raising it and then presenting it to Link. "Then, Link, no more shall you be a stranger to this house. Rise now as my adopted son, Prince Link." Link rose, and King Yohnathan Hyrule then handed him his sword, which Link held up into the air, followed by a loud applause from those congregated at the hall.

The remainder of the feast proceeded as planned as planned, with many toasts to both Link and Zelda as well as to the King and Link's uncle, all of them honored for their wisdom, bravery, and deeds. All dined until they were full, and then they were dismissed to return to their homes. Yohnathan Hyrule, however, invited both Link's uncle and Link to stay at the castle that night and whenever they wished, especially Link. Link nodded eagerly, wishing to become closer to both his new father and Zelda, but Llewelyn would only stay for the night, claiming he was already too used to the country life to live in such luxury for all his days. The four of them shared a laugh in unison as they walked to the royal wing of the castle to retire for the night, Link being guided to his new room and new home.

Perhaps fifteen minutes after everyone had retired, Link heard a knock upon his door. He rose from his bed and clutched his emerald robe about him and opened the door to find Zelda there waiting for him, dressed in a violet nightgown, hoping to gain the chance to talk with him privately. With the events of the day, she mused, she recalled how they hadn't managed to really have much of a conversation with one another, and that it was well past time for one. Link agreed with a small snicker and invited her into his room, and Zelda and Link walked out to the balcony beneath the starlit sky. Zelda thanked him once again for his troubles, which Link passed off as nothing, Zelda shaking her head bemusedly at the suggestion. They conversed for some length over idle chatter before both of them grew silent, the light breeze of the wind taking over their conversation.

Link finally found the words to break the silence. "So, I guess all of this makes you my sister then? Not by blood, of course, but a sister nevertheless?"

Zelda giggled lightly and nodded, placing her hand upon his own, resting them on the railing of the balcony. "Yes, it does. At the same time, though, I feel as if we've been brother and sister for much longer. After all, who needs a royal decree to negate the separation of blood between two kindred spirits? I've felt like you've been family since the day we met, and when you think about it, friends and family are really all the same thing. We've always been friends, we've always been family, and we always will be."

Link flushed for a moment at hearing those words, but very quickly he gathered his wits about him. She was very right, of course, and it warmed his heart to hear the words. "Of course," Link replied. "It is, after all, Destiny's hand which made it so. I see no reason to contradict Her will."