The young woman with long golden hair stood at the window. Her stone castle was nothing short of brilliance, and more importantly, safety. Her eyes were cerulean and deep enough to be mistaken as an ocean. The field behind the castle at which she looked at seemed to go on forever. And that's just where she wanted to go, a place of eternal beauty.
Her room was furnished with a large canopy bed with pink sheets and blanket. It had a white desk with paper and pen and a few books scattered among it. There were shelves for books everywhere, some were even scattered on the floor. A fine layer of dust covered them.
"Oh Zelda, are you going to look out there all day?" called a voice behind her.
The woman turned around.
"I'm sorry Eugeal," she said with compassionate eyes. "But it's not like there's much more to do."
"What about your books? You used to spend hours reading here in your room as soon as you learned how." Eugeal bent over to pick up an old dusty book on the floor. She blew it off, revealing gold letters spelling "Land of Hyrule".
"Books make me constantly envy the people that wrote them. They write about the world and their experiences while I am confined to this dammed place." Zelda gently placed her gloved hand on the frame of the window. "I love my people and would do anything for them. But does that truly mean I must live my life like a caged serpent?" She glanced back at her faithful servant.
"Oh Princess…."
The broad halls of the castle reached many feet above Zelda's head as she walked. The red carpet beneath her was thin, but soft. Torches lit much of the way deep in the corridor where windows could not be built. She wasn't really going anywhere. She was merely trying to pass the time. Usually, when she was younger, she would read the books in the library. However, being cut off from the outside, she could not get her hands on new books, so in a matter of years, she was able to read every last book there was. It would be hard for anyone that didn't live in the castle to believe that a mere child of nineteen read over one thousand books in a matter of years.
"Zelda!" Eugeal's voice called. It may not have been the thing Zelda wanted the most, but at least it was something to do, considering she was too young to make any political decisions. "You're needed in the dining hall. Its time to eat."
Zelda nodded.
After dinner, Zelda went to her room. It was night and torches illuminated her dim room. She sat at the window. An elegant red silk cloth and two red pillows decorated the area around it. She glanced back at the book on her desk, the one that Eugeal picked up. "The land of Hyrule…" she whispered to herself. She remembered reading this book three years ago, and two years ago, and one year ago. Come to think of it, she read that book every year since she turned thirteen. She flipped through the pages. She would've loved to see her land. She was the princess after all.
At that moment, Eugeal came in. "Are you ready for bed, Princess?" she asked.
"Eugeal, can I ask you something?" said Zelda, her gaze not leaving the pages.
"Of course, madam."
"What if I were to leave? I mean, for just a couple of days?"
"Why do you ask such a thing?"
"Nevermind that, just answer the question."
Eugeal gave a suspicious look. "Well…I would be really worried. I've never imagined you being anywhere else besides this place."
"That's just it, everyone expects me to be here. But I'm not some caged animal that is to be called on when they want me to perform. I want to see what's out there. I want to know the people of my country."
"Zelda! Why the sudden interest? Or at the very least, why the sudden talk about it all?"
"Eugeal, I'm going to do it! I'm going to see Hyrule!" Without hearing Eugeal's response, she walked to her closet grabbing a lantern. She smiled the whole time.
"Princess! This is crazy! You can't just decide to leave! In the middle night for that matter!"
"Why not? I'm the princess; I can do what I want!"
"Zelda lets be rational! You can't just decide to leave your home without even knowing where you're going to go!"
"Watch me!" Zelda paused to look at the look of despair in her eyes. She placed her hands on Eugeal's shoulders. She stared into her eyes. "Don't you want me to be happy? I need to see this place. I was born of the Royal Family to protect my people. Don't you think I deserve to at least know what kind of people I'm alive to protect?"
Eugeal almost cried. "Yes, my princess…I do. But you certainly can't go dressed in your princess attire. There're people to the east of here as soon as you leave the castle. They are desert people ruled by salvage women. They do not like us. They loathe our prosperity and peace. Please! Please, be careful."
"Don't worry about me. Those books of spells of ancient Hylians taught me something. I can't protect myself." Zelda went behind her changing screen and shed her clothes. Eugeal threw a dress over. It was green at the top and the short skirt was white. At the bottom, there was a beautiful deep blue ocean design. She came out from behind the screen, wearing the outfit.
"Put these boots on. They'll help you get across the places a horse cannot take you." Eugeal handed her a pair of brown boots.
Zelda took off her gloves. She kept her 3-triangle earrings. Those, she never took off. No matter what happened to her, she would have everyone know she was a Hylian. Always.
Zelda stood at the window. "I'll only be gone a few days, Eugeal. Stop crying. If anyone asks for me, just tell them I'm sick. I'm pretty sure there will be no need, but there's nothing wrong with having a backup plan." Zelda perched over the frame of the window.
"Princess, be forewarned. The peace that you seek so much is not set in stone. If something upsets the balance at all, you must return at once." Eugeal looked at Zelda with sad eyes. Oh how she wished she could tell her. She had always been inside the castle walls. She knew nothing of what was really happening on the outside…
As Zelda inched her way down the vines that loomed around her window, she kept her eyes cautious to the people around her. There seemed to be…more people than she remembered. She slowly moved down the many stories, never losing her grip once. She stood on the firm ground. Her farm dress was already dirty, but she didn't care. She was happy that she was finally out for the first time in so long.
She moved away from the main castle, and then she came around to the guards that surrounded the castle. She loomed past the ones by the bridge easily. Then she moved toward the gate. It was late enough, so the darkness of night cloaked her well. She went up to the gate, there was another pair of guards. She heard them muttering to eachother, but she couldn't quite make out what he was saying to the other.
"…This has been happening long enough…" said the taller one. The other one was normal height but he had long black hair that stuck out of his helmet. Zelda wondered why: usually, to be a guard of anything pertaining to Hyrule, you had to meet strict requirements. And that included no long hair.
"You think I planned for this?" asked the long-haired one.
"No one did. And look what we're reduced to. We stand here all day. I can't believe the real guards actually enjoy this."
"What does it matter if they do or not? They're off fighting and getting to see all the action, and we're-" Zelda stepped on a dry leaf. Instantly, both guards turned around and peered into shadows.
"Whose there?" the tall one said. Silence. They reluctantly turned back around and back into their conversation. Eventually, Zelda made it around them both and walked down to the market.
For it being so late, the market was very crowded. But the people there weren't shopping, they were sleeping. Some were on the ground in blankets, others, she assumed, were in the tents around the shops. There didn't seem to be anyone awake. She tiptoed around the sleeping commoners. She had no clue as to why they did so, but she'd have plenty of time to ask questions when she got back.
When she arrived at the closed drawbridge, she moved to the left side of it. She often sneaked out of the castle walls at night when she was a child, but she only got as far as ten feet away from either Eugeal coming to retrieve her, or her turning back in fear of the creatures in the night.
She was still small enough to fit through the tiny hole in the wall covered by a pot. She couldn't believe it was still there after all those years. She stepped in the hole and was greeted by cold chilling water. Under the water, there was another hole that led to the outside.
Zelda pulled herself over the edge and took a breath of air. The water was freezing, and the wind that blew just as she was getting out was not any better. Her leather boots were soaked and they made squishy noises when she walked. She took them off and carried them until they were dry.
She walked on the side of the path since the dirt and rocks on it would hurt her bare feet. She liked the feeling of the grass on her feet. It was always soft and it even tickled a little. She walked on forward into the night. She heard a horse neigh near her.
"There you are," she said as she approached the steed. It had auburn hair and a pure white mane. She mounted the horse and rod off into the distance. Absolution of what would follow did not come.
"Link! Link! Wake up!" a small girl with green hair called. "Come on Link, you have to finish your chores and then you can go!"
A young man, well near his twenties, sat up in bet. His long blonde hair was frizzy like hay and his blue eyes were tired. He was obviously not ready to get up. "Come on, Saria…" the young man whined. "What's so important about today?"
"Duh! You're going to the lake and get the healing water!"
Link sprang straight upright. He didn't seem that tired anymore. "That's right! I've been so busy preparing, I nearly forgot about what I was preparing for!" Link chuckled at himself. "This sure is great, Saria. I'll be the first Kokiri to go there."
"Now Link, don't get too excited. The academy has only been around for so long. The only reason its there is because we are in dire need of its powers."
Link looked down as he laced the white collar of his undershirt.
"No one expected the fever to go on this long." Saria added quickly, seeing how she had hurt Link. "Link, I know you'll do find it there. You're always helping people with your bravery."
"I understand," said Link. "You have to say that to everybody."
"Link…" Saria sighed. "I'm going to tell you something. Sit down." Link sat down on his bed. It's not like there were many places to sit in the tiny house. "Link, you've noticed we are different, right?
Link nodded.
"Well, that's because we are. I'm a Kokiri and you're a…" Saria's words were choked back. She had kept this secret for almost twenty years. "You're a Hylian." She said finally.
Link's ears perked up. "What?" was all he managed to say.
"In the forest, nineteen years ago, I saw a young mother stumble into the forest. She was injured. I took one look at her and I knew that she was going to die. She asked me to protect you. I took you to the Great Deku Tree. He told me to protect you. And so I did. I knew there had been something different about you. Always."
Link looked up at his best friend. She had never aged. Even through the years, she still looked like a child. "I always wondered about my past…?" Link spoke quietly. "You know, I've always wanted to see Hyrule. I'd love to see the rest of the world. I had been training so that I could get to the Lake safely for months. Maybe this is my big chance."
"I want you to come with me." Saria stood up and motioned Link to follow her. She pulled back the curtains that acted as his house door. The light from the outside poured in. Now Link was really awake.
"What about my chores?" asked Link.
"Don't worry about those. You're leaving today, and I want you to have something." Saria led Link to her house. Hers was so much more feminine and cleaner than Link's. If you went in there, you could find almost anything easily. Link sat in a chair. Saria poked through a wooden chest full of various odd things. So maybe not everything was in order.
"What are you looking for?" Link asked, slightly impatiently.
"Just a minute…this!" Saria pulled out a beautiful blade, almost as long as she was. It was beautifully crafted and the steel looked like it could last for years.
Link stared in awe. "Where did you get this?" Link asked, in shock. It was certainly the most beautiful sword Link had ever seen. For years he had to carry around a very poor one he made himself. It was crooked and small and made from a stick. You'd have better luck tripping someone than using it for combat.
"I've had this for a while," Said Saria. She clenched the bow with her tiny hands. "You know I'm a strong believer in peace. And you know I think this is wrong, you going off to do what I clearly do not believe in. She felt her eyes well up.
"I will make my leave a quiet one. I know you're not the only one that thinks this," said Link. He knew he was probably the only one that was excited about going. "I am just going because this country needs me. I don't want to turn my back on the place that has been so good to me."
Saria handed him the sword. As she did, she placed her tiny hand on his as he gripped it. "You're going to be a great hero one day. Everyone here will miss you."
Link didn't want to hurt her anymore. He left her house after a quick hug. It was still early in the morning. Every one of his childhood friends were still sleeping. The sword was strapped to his back. He had on his boots and his green tunic that was finely stitched. He passed through the tunnel made of wood. After crossing the bridge, he looked behind him.
He didn't say word nor did he move. He almost cried, but couldn't. He was a man now and he wasn't going to be weighed down by such things…
The sight of Hyrule Field in the sunrise was the most beautiful thing Link had ever seen. He almost lost breath at the reflection of the sun in the small ponds and the trees. He took small steps until he was distanced from the forest completely. The field was vast and Link only knew that the lake was to the west. No one else knew what was in between.
Link walked until midday. By then, his feet were in pain and he sat under a tree. He had gathered an apple from a tree a few miles back and began to eat it. It was the only thing that he had to eat since he left. He had a bottle of water with him, and another glass bottle for the pure water. It was strange. He didn't seem to know much about it. All he could do is remember what Saria had told him…
"There is nothing to worry about," said Saria with a smile to the kokiri in the bed with a fever. "You'll be just fine." She placed her hand on the child's head. He was very warm. Link was beside her, trying his best not to get in the way, but trying to be comforting as well. "Link, lets leave him to rest."
Saria walked out of the house and Link followed her. When they were a good distance away, Saria burst into tears.
"Saria! What's wrong?" Link asked, placing his hands on Saria's shoulder.
"This is bad," she sobbed. "He has the desert fever. There is nothing here we can use to save him. Oh poor Ralden!" She sobbed on Link's chest.
"Don't think such things!" Link said, trying to sound as friendly as possible.
"But what can we do?" She looked up at Link with sad eyes.
"Giving up is not like you. I know it. There must be something we can do."
Saria led Link to the oasis in the woods. It was hidden unless you know the exact way to go, and only Link and she knew. It was a beautiful sight surrounded by flowers and quietness. Saria and Link kneeled on both legs and stared at the waters.
"After Ralden, more are sure to follow. I'm sure of it…" said Saria.
"Well what can we do? If there's nothing here that can save him, what hope do we have?" asked Link as he gazed into the water.
Saria had a deep thought expression as she looked at the water. "There is something that can be done. But the only one that can carry out this deed is you and you may not be willing to do it…"
Link was a bit hesitant when Saria didn't avert her gaze from the water, but he still said, "I'll decide that for myself. Tell me."
"You know as well as anyone about the three goddesses that created this land. They all set forth to do something in the creation of this world. However, they did not descend to the heavens forever. It is believed that they came back and now reside in certain places in Hyrule."
"So you're saying that I have to find one of them and ask them for help?"
"No, not exactly. They do not have mortal form per se. They are just believed to have spirits that inhibit certain parts of this land. One that is known to me is the Goddess Nayru at Hylian Lake. It is to the west of here and the water there is believed to be pure. Such of which would be able to relieve the body of harmful things. However, you're the only one that can go and get it. I'm not sure why, but you are immune to forest sicknesses. It will be a while for you to get anything.
"But I fear that the others after Ralden will fall victim to it, even me. For the interval that you are gone, I must stay and take care of them until; I too, succumb to it."
"Don't talk like that, Saria! I'll get it by all costs before I let you fall to it! Where exactly is this lake? I'll get it now!"
The fierce passion in his words caused Saria almost to believe him. "It cannot be done that simply. It will take a while before you can just go."
"How long?"
Saria braced herself. "…Three months…"
To her surprise, Link did not say anything. He simply asked, "Why so long?"
"You have never been outside the forest. You can't just leave and expect to make it there safely. It takes time. You must prepare and learn the land. You've heard the stories about monsters that appear in the night. That is not fiction that is real!"
"I can do it!" Link said, promisingly.
"Yes…just not now…"
And here he was now. Sitting under the tree in Hyrule field. He never imagined a journey would be as simple as walking for hours on end. After an hour, he got up and began to walk again. The only way he knew time was going by was by looking up toward the sun. It was always in a different spot.
By nightfall, he didn't even make a fire. He merely slept under a tree by moonlight. He had eaten the sack of nuts and fruits he had taken from and gathered along the way. It wasn't enough to satisfy his hunger, but it was enough to keep his growling stomach from keeping him awake. He saw vast stretches of field ahead of him, so he thought it best to ration his food.
Even in the morning, he saw owls flying to the hiding of trees. It was an odd sight, but being out in the world for the first time, everything was an odd sight. Either way, he didn't come across any monsters. But all that changed when night came…
The sun had just set and the moon had just come out. The moon was so white and bright, Link could still see in front of him perfectly. He heard chilling and hollow winds blow past him. It was eerie. It was like they were calling his name.
He heard a strange noise behind. Quickly he turned around, drawing his blade. It was a strange sight. He saw the earth being dug up…from below the surface! He wasn't as scared as a normal person, but it still made him a bit uncomfortable. Just then, a large skeleton of a large man's stature emerged. It had a wavy blade in one hand and a worn out circular shield in the other.
"Heh," said with a chuckle. "Finally some action."
Link was not completely unskilled in the art of swordplay. He knew how to fight, very well actually. The monster swung his blade across his side, he ducked. If he hadn't, it would've taken his head. Link came up to slash diagonally from its shoulder, but it was blocked. He whacked the skeleton with his shield on the skull and knocked it off balance. Then, without hesitation, he thrust it through the heart that still beat inside the ribs.
Instantly, the monster fell apart. The bones disappeared in a soft, cool blue flame. Only the weapon and rusted shield remained. Neither would've been useful to Link, so he decided to leave them behind.
It was there that he decided to sleep. In the open and with no fire for drawback of enemies. He was not surprised in the morning that the shield and sword were not there anymore. They must've been taken away to the otherworld along with that lost soldier's soul. Such a thing made Link smile.
It took two more days to reach the lake. Or at least, see a sign saying you were close. Along the way, Link began to feel discouraged. Thought seriously that Saria was just trying to get rid of them. But then he remembered that they were in trouble and that he had to pull through for them.
The soil on the path leading to the lake felt softer. It was then Link knew he was getting close. By the end of the day Link had saw the sign, he saw the large fence in the distance. He excited and anxious until when he got closer, he lost all hope.
The gate was tall and he could not climb it. He couldn't tunnel under it, that would take days and he had no clue how deep into the ground the gate went. There weren't large enough holes in between the steel that would be able to support him. Before Link could start to think about it too much, he heard a woman's scream in the distance.
He ran towards the sound, thinking that he would find a woman in danger. But when he approached the scene, it was far from what he thought. He saw a young woman, very close to his age, in a green skirt that wasn't very reasonably lengthened and a white shirt. It was very similar to his own, but hers was different…more…formfitting…
She blasted blue beams from her hands and sent the demon she was fighting, much more powerful and lager than the one Link had fought, back twenty feet. It did not move anymore. Link watched the whole thing from behind a tree. The woman turned to walk away but Link caught sight of the demon reassembling itself. It was quiet, but it still leapt at her back. She didn't even know.
Without hesitation, he jumped from behind the trees and ran after her. He drew his blade and came up behind the demon. It was holding a large battle ax and was about the strike her. Link jumped to its side and kicked out of the way of her. It was then that she turned around. She ducked.
Link swung his sword deep into the demon's heart. Again, like the demon before, it disappeared in a blue flame. "Carry on, lost soul," Link quietly said to the fallen armor.
"Who are you?" asked the young woman.
Link took a good look at this woman. She had long blonde hair, sapphire eyes and a face white as the moon. She had all of the womanly features Link didn't know much about. But from what he saw in the forest, she was gorgeous. "I'm Link. I'm from the Kokiri Forest."
"Hmm, the Kokiri Forest, eh?" she said. "East of here. That's where the Great Deku Tree guardian resides is it not?"
"Yes…but how would you know any of that?"
"I know much about this land. I did not spend long traveling it, but I did read much about it."
"I see…and why is a young woman of your…state, out all alone." Link grew a bit nervous. "Not that you can't take care of yourself, I saw how you handled that demon. But it almost attacked you."
"Oh yes, I must thank you for that. I would've been gone for. I am Pri-" Zelda stopped herself. "My name is Holly Blue."
"That's an interesting name." Link raised an eyebrow. "So, why are you out here?"
"I've never seen this land. I escaped from my home to see this place."
"But you're earrings bear the insignia of the Hylians. You're from around here are you not?"
"Yes, but I lived a very sheltered life. This is the first I'm seeing the world. But my time out here is limited. I just wanted to see the foremost parts of this land. Like the Lake that is near here."
"Well, what a coincidence. I was heading there too. But I think you're out of luck. There's a huge wall as you can plainly see, blocking the only way in."
"Not true," Zelda pointed to a ladder on the side. It was camouflaged so well that you wouldn't think to look there unless pointed out to you. "We can climb up there."
"Hmm…how did you know that was there?" Link asked, impressed.
"I am very educated about the things around here." She began to walk to the ladder and climbed up of the wall.
Link waited until she was over completely. She probably didn't realize how short her skirt was, but just because she didn't know, didn't mean he could look and get a good look out of it all. But once she was over and on the ledge of the stone, he climbed up after her.
They made their way over the ledge and climbed down the ladder on the other side. Upon landing on the ground, Link said, "You know, I'm really glad I met you. You've really helped me a lot."
"It was no problem. It was the least I could do after you saving my life. But I must ask: what brings a forest boy out here? I was almost certain that Kokiris couldn't leave the forest or they would die."
"Well you're right, but I'm not a Kokiri. I'm a Hylian. My living there was fate. I was there since I was very young and grew up there. And now, there is something bad happening. All of my caretakers are getting sick and dying. The only way to save them is by getting some water from the lake. They say it will help them."
"That's so noble of you. Please, let me help you!"
Link looked at her with confusion. "You just met me. Why would you jump to such a task?"
"You saved my life," she smiled. "I owe you my life. I don't need to go back home. Everyone is busy enough there and won't notice."
Link didn't really want to argue. A companion would help his company a lot. "Ok, you can come with me. I just need to fill my bottle with some water and get it back to my friends as fast as I can."
"No problem. I know this place very well. I can help you get through here."
And so, Zelda led him to the shore of the lake. The smell of wet lilies filled the air. Link wouldn't mind staying a while, but he knew what he had to do.
The lake was vast and the moon's reflection had to do. He went down to the shore and Zelda followed.
"Be careful, demons are more plentiful here than on the other side of the wall. They are lost soldiers that protect these waters from those that would abuse it. Its no wonder why there'd be more here than out there," she said.
"You sure are smart," Link said, taking the bottle out of his pocket. The glowing water filled the bottle when he submerged it. Suddenly, a hawk flew overhead and made an ear-shattering screech.
At that moment, a dozen monsters with bat wings emerged. They flew in all different directions in the air. "They're called Vampire Hawks!" Zelda said as Link drew out his sword.
"Well let's take them out with steel!" he said confidently.
"That won't do any good. Stabbing it in the heart won't do it alone. These aren't lost soldiers; they are beings that sold their souls so they couldn't die. You have to blind them with light!"
"Well the sun's not coming up for a good while, so what do we do for light?" Link asked, rattled and impatient.
"I know a light spell. It will destroy them if not immobilize them for a long time. But it takes a long time for it charge and I require complete stillness and meditation."
"Well get going! I'll cover you!"
Zelda sat on the ground and began to meditate. She muttered under her breath and had her hands cupped at her chest. One by one, the hawks came down and tried to attack her but Link slashed them away and they retreated back into the air just as another one came down.
Link had kept it up for ten minutes straight and even though it was not a long time, he was beginning to feel exhausted. Very exhausted. Then the hawks began to rethink their techniques. As one came in to attack, another came in from behind and grabbed him. It flew him up into the air with its talons. Link could feel some sort of venom injecting into his soldiers and she tried to struggle free. It flew far over the water and dropped him in the center.
He was so exhausted from battle that he couldn't even gather enough strength to swim and began to sink. The hawks retreated back to the sitting Zelda, who at that moment, stood and spread her arms out, releasing rays of light as if daytime. Instantly, all of the hawks were vaporized and disappeared bit by bit. She looked around when it became dark again. She waited for her eyes to adjust and didn't see him anywhere.
"Link!" she called. It didn't take her long to come to the conclusion that the demons had taken him somewhere in the lake, but she didn't have a clue where.
Link was so sore and tired that the only thing that could work well was his mind. He knew he was under water and sinking. He couldn't move his arms or legs anymore. "Those damn hawks must've numbed my whole body," Link thought to himself.
He said silently in his head, "I'm sorry, Saria…I didn't make it…I tried, but I guess it was not my fate…"
He would've cried if it weren't for the water already around him. Just then, he saw a bright white light from behind his eyelids. He opened them. There was a brilliant figure in front of him. A lady with long flowing blue hair and a triforce mark on her forehead was swimming up to him and smiling. She had blue tear tattoos on her cheek as well. She was wearing elegant garbs and was barefoot as she swam up to Link's body.
She grabbed his hands and Link suddenly felt better. He wasn't tired or weak anymore.
"Who are you?" he asked, not ever realizing that he could breathe again.
"You are the first mortal I've seen come by here with a pure heart," she spoke so softly.
"You're here to help me?" Link asked.
The woman just smiled at him and touched his face. Her hands were as soft as silk. So much so, Link shut out his other senses so he could feel them all the better. He felt his body being dragged through the water ever so gently.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Zelda over his body. Link coughed and sat upright. "Are you alright, Link?" Zelda asked very concerned.
It was already day and Link felt not the slightest fatigued. "Holly Blue, what happened to the demons?" Link asked, just as concerned about her as she was about him.
"I took care of them. I think one of them used his venom to poison you."
"A nice detail that would've helped me beforehand."
"I didn't think it was going to happen so suddenly."
"But what else happened. Didn't you notice I was gone?"
"Yes, and I came to the shore to look for you. Then you came ashore. And you were breathing fine, so I stayed here until you woke up."
Link thought back. "She carried me…The guardian goddess carried me…Nayru…" Link thought. He smiled at her kindness.
"We should head back now. I have what I need," Link said.
"Very good," said Zelda.
Link and Zelda headed back to the ladder and when over the gate and wall. When they landed on the ground, Link said, "It's a long walk. Are you prepared to make that journey?"
"Walk? Are you mad?" asked Zelda. She whistled so loudly, birds from nearby trees flew away. In the distance, a horse with the auburn hair and white mane came into view. "This is my horse, Epona. She's been in my family for years."
Immediately Link was drawn to it. She was so friendly towards him. Zelda mounted him first, and then Link. They rode off in the direction of the forest. Link had never had his arms around a woman like this before. But he pushed the thought aside and began to focus on why he was there in the first place.
As they rode off, Link thought, "Don't worry Saria…I'm coming…."