The sun was waning over the blossoming trees of the lost woods as the horseman emerged from the shadows. He slowed his horse down to a gentle trot and took a deep breath of Hyrulian air, ah how he'd missed it!
His trusty mare pranced forward, obviously excited to be back in their home country.
''Yes Epona'', the rider sighed, ''we're home. After a year, we're back from Termina! I just hope nothing has changed, like this ancient forest.''
The rider lifted his head to the treetops as his mare continued, all the while enjoying the breeze on his tunic, something he had not been able to do with the harsh winds of Termina. While they continued forward, he was able to pick out a familiar tune he had learnt a long time ago from his oldest friend, Saria.
''I wonder what she will say when we bump into each other?'' he thought, ''it has been a year, she may have some news of what has happened elsewhere in Hyrule, maybe even of LonLon, and Castletown…''
As he was pondering, a sudden gust of wind blew his long hat off and starting tumbling down the track he was following. Feeling incomplete without it, he gave chase to it. Having tracked it down, he vaulted off his horse and reached out to grab it. He met with a surprising amount of resistance when he tried to regain it. Perplexed, he looked up and realised that one end of it was being held by a familiar small girl with green hair, with a few tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.
Without warning, she tackled him to the ground whilst letting out a high pitched whine. The rider chuckled, and returned the hug, while whispering to her, ''Well at least I know someone missed me while I was gone!''
The small girl looked up and cheekily replied, ''Oh shut up Link!"
After a few uncomfortable minutes on the ground and still trapped in the small girl's arms, Link murmured, ''Uh Saria, can I at least stand up and take us back the village? Epona and I have travelled a long way today, and I'd prefer collapsing in my old house, rather than in the middle of the woods…''
''Well, technically Link, the village is in the middle of the forest…''
Face palming; Link replied "You know what I mean Saria".
Giggling to no-one in particular, Saria sighed and released her old friend. "Sure", she replied, "as long as you tell me why had to go for so long this time while we travel"
Link smiled and called Epona over, who had clearly been watching her master tackled to the floor by a small girl with some mirth.
"Oh don't you start" Link growled playfully, flicking Epona on the nose.
Once they were both on Epona's back, Link began his lengthy story, beginning with the reason he left in the first place.
"Erm, a one year break from doing nothing might be a bit over the top" Saria grumbled.
"Yes, but I didn't intend to stay for a year, I got caught up in some problems that the Gorons were having over Snowpeak, and killing vicious Zora hunters that were hunting them for their fins." Link muttered. He knew that he could have left earlier, as he had dealt with problems quickly, due to his masks. The catch was that he was very good at dealing with the problems, so the Termininians had begged him to stay for a while longer, to ensure the troubles did not arise again.
"It's always some sort of violence that you're involved in, isn't it?" Saria sighed. "Even when it was meant to be a break for you, you still managed to get stuck in, and…"
"Saria, calm down. I'm still here aren't I?" Link teased, trying to lighten the mood, knowing where her words were going
"Just, try to not get involved in anything massive while you are here," she said. "I haven't seen you injured yet, but just the idea of you lying in bed…"
"Hey!" Link retorted, "I don't find danger, it just seems to find me…"
"Just promise me that you won't get hurt. As a friend, it would hurt me too much…" Saria pleaded.
Link sighed as they entered the Kokiri Forest and let both riders off Epona. He turned to Saria and embraced her. "As long I still live, I will strive to not upset you too much…"
Saria giggled. "I'm glad I finally got something out of you. I take it that you are leaving for the castle tomorrow then?"
"I am leaving tomorrow, but most likely stopping at Lonlon for the night, as I am sure Malon will be even clingier than you were…" Link smirked.
"Impossible", Saria laughed. "Well, I'll make sure the rest of the Kokiri see you off tomorrow. Mido might even turn up…"
"Oh I hope not," Link joked.
"Link!" Saria shrieked. "He does consider you a friend now…"
"I know, I know!" Link laughed, "I just wanted to see if I could get that shriek out of you!"
"Oh you idiot!" Saria growled, punching him lightly in the knee.
Link chuckled as he turned and started to climb the ladder to his home. He turned his head back to the small girl and smiled widely. "Night Saria!"
"Welcome home, Link!" Saria smiled, as she turned and walked into to her own house.
Checking that Epona was comfortable and secured, Link entered his old home, where he had spent his childhood before his great adventure had begun, through mountains, Jabu-Jabu, and even time itself, before being sent back by the Princess, to regain the childhood he had lost.
After preparing a small but honest supper, Link lay on his bed, which he now did not fit, as his legs sprawled over the end of the bed. Letting his mind recall the events of his trip to Termina, and the joyful reunion with Saria, and the promise that he had made her. He couldn't help get involved with danger. He just felt a duty to help those in need, which often led him headfirst into fights with Stalfos and other evil doers. Sighing, he closed his eyes and let his tiredness claim him in blissful sleep.