I am rewriting/editing this story. A lot will stay the same, but you may notice some changes.

A special shout out to everyone who has reviewed and left encouraging words for me. You have been amazing and have helped me start writing again. I can't say there will be regular updates, but it should be more than once every four years.

I do not own Legend of Zelda

Updated 12/31/2015


She ran as fast as she could even though her five year old legs wouldn't carry her very far. He was getting closer. She had to hide, but where? Aha! She hid in the bushes just in time. She tried to slow her breathing as she saw her pursuer in front of her. He turned around to see if he could find her then walked off. She let a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Gotcha!"

"Link! Let go!"

"Haha, alright. You're it now," he said as he let her go. She just pouted at the six year old farm boy.

"Fine, but I can never catch you."

"Haha, you just need to try harder. I know you can do it," and he started running.

"Link!" and she ran after him. Soon after she started she tripped over some sort of root that didn't seem to be there before and right in front of her appeared a huge plant monster. It reared back its nut-like head to strike. She was so afraid she couldn't move or yell. She closed her eyes waiting for the strike to come, but then felt herself being picked up and carried. She opened her eyes to see her rescuer.

"Link!"

He set her down and turned back to the monster. He had a determined look in his eye that she had never seen before. The creature reared back for another strike. Link was ready. He pulled out a stick he had found on the way and defeated the monster. His stature seemed to calm a little and he turned back to her.

"Let's go home," and he held out his had to her. She took it a started to stand up, but when she stood she yelled out in pain and fell once again.

"What's wrong?" he looked at her worriedly as she held her ankle. She couldn't say anything because she was still held by the fear of the previous attack. Link didn't look at her as he bound her ankle. He felt so guilty. They knew they shouldn't have stayed out so late, yet he had persuaded her to.

"Link." He looked up at her.

"I'm so sorry. I should have been faster. I should have seen it. I .." she started to cry. Link held her close.

"I am sorry. " He made her look at him. "I will always protect you and do my best so that I can. I promise; I will always be there … Erin."

The seventeen year old girl woke with a start. It was the third time this week she had had that same dream.

"Does he still mean it?"

That day was so long ago she figured he'd forgotten it. They still remained best friends, though, and Link was still a farm boy. He loved working with Epona and the goats. She now worked with Rusl's wife and son, Colin. She helped with household chores and what not since Rusl was sometimes away and his wife was expecting. Colin was one of her dearest friends. He had a good heart that wanted to care for others and often tried to do so even though he was picked on by some of the other village children. He idolized Link and wanted to be just like him when he grew older.

She then heard the cuckoo call in the distance saying that a new day was here and she needed to get up.

"Alright, alright, I'm up you silly bird." She sighed as she got up to get ready for the rest of the day. She got dressed in her usual clothes. Her shirt was white with red lines at the bottom of the long sleeves. Her dress had slits and a belt with red lining. She also had navy blue shorts on under. She then brushed out her hair. It was a light sky blue that went to her lower back. Afterwards she brushed her teeth and climbed down the ladder that led to her front door.

It was a beautiful day; she loved the woods in the mornings. They were just so, magical. She started to walk into town to start her regular day. She passed by Link's house on the way and decided to see if he was awake. His house was closer to the village while hers was closer to Ordon Spring. When she got there, though, the children of the village were already there waking him up.

"Hey, wake up, Link! It's morning already!" They waved at the boy in the window and he waved back. She heard him come down the stairs and watched as he climbed down the ladder of his house. None of them seemed to notice her so she just watched the scene unfold.

"Link, did ya hear? Beth's parents have a slingshot in their shop, but she won't let us play with it."

"I told you, if you buy it you can play with it."

Link smiled at them good-naturedly.

She then saw Colin. He was standing next to the house petting and feeding Epona. He was a kind hearted boy whom Erin loved greatly. Link then appeared next to Colin and started talking to him.

"It's your day off today isn't it, Link?"

"Yes it is Colin, though I'm still going to go check back on the goats sometime today."

"Oh, if you go see my mom, she'll give you the fishing rod I made. I hope you like it; my dad said to not bring it up with me."

"Thank you, I'm sure it's perfect. See you later." He then left and it was just her and the children. They still didn't see her and she decided to leave it that way so she snuck around them to the entrance of the village. It really was a beautiful day.

The village was a quiet place; not many people, but it suited them. The people were friendly and happy, the air was nice and it was peaceful.

This was all Erin had known. She was found by Rusl at the Ordon Spring as a baby. He took her in and she was raised by the village. Raised next to her was Link. His parents were both strong leaders within the village. His dad was kind and brave. His mother was beautiful and loving. They were well respected and well loved in the village. Sadly, when Link was two and Erin was one, goblins and other creatures came into the village. Link's parents fought bravely and saved the village, but did so at the cost of their own lives.

Rusl was Link's dad's best friends and had promised to look out for the boy. That is where Erin and Link's friendship really began.

"Yep, this is where it all began." She made her way to Rusl's house to begin her day. She saw Rusl's wife carrying a wood cradle that she herself had help make.

"Oh Erin, how are you doing this morning?"

"I'm doing wonderful, thank you."

She suddenly slipped; Erin caught her in time, but the basket fell in the river.

"Are you, alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you Erin, for saving me."

"Oh, there goes the basket. I'll go get it, you stay here okay?"

"But …. oh that girl."

She ran down the stream hoping to catch it before it got too far, but it looked like it was too late. She was standing near the village store that was owned by Beth's parents and on a high pillar in the middle of the lake nearby a monkey was holding the cradle.

"How am I going to get it now?" she sighed. She heard a quiet, light whistle followed by a hawk's cry. Looking around she spied the culprit. It was Link on another pillar not too far away. Suddenly the hawk flew off towards the monkey and caught the basket. After Link had thanked it and given it a treat he picked up the cradle and headed back up the river. She thought that she'd catch up with him but as she got closer her dreams kept on playing in her mind. They had kept her awake many times and often crowded her mind. She had convinced herself that it was so long ago that he had forgotten all about it, but a part of her always wondered. For now she was reluctant to talk to him face to face and decided that it would be best if she just followed from the shadows.

He made his way back to where Rusl's wife was still waiting.

"Oh Link! You found the cradle, thank you. Did you see Erin though?"

"No, I didn't see her, but I'm sure she's okay; don't worry."

"That reminds me. Could you please come to the house with me? I have something to give you."

"Alright. Here; I'll carry the cradle. Don't worry."

"Thank you, Link."

They walked up to the house not knowing about their little shadow.

"Here we are. Collin made this with the help of his dad. He really does admire you. You will look out for him, won't you?"

"Of course I will. Thank you. Have a good day," he said as he walked off. When Link had left, Erin decided that it would be best to get back to work.

"Erin, there you are! When you didn't come back after a while, I asked Link to help. I'm glad you're okay."

She just smiled and said, "Yes, I'm alright, I'm sorry I wasn't able to get the cradle, but it looks like Link already got it for you."

"Yes he did, I know you tried. Thank you."

Erin smiled and started to go into the house.

"Where are you going, Erin?"

"I'm going to go get started on the work," she said sounding surprised that she would ask such a question.

"But, honey, today is your day off. Don't you remember? I reminded you yesterday before you left."

"That's right. I forgot. Are you sure you'll be okay though?"

"I will be fine; you go have fun. Enjoy today."

"Thank you. Send for me if you need me, though."

"I will."

Erin had completely forgotten that she had been given the day off. She decided that she would go and see what the kids were up to. As she made her way back to Link's house she heard the kids yelling. They sounded really excited about something. When she got there, she could see why. Link had gotten the slingshot and was now letting the kids see it. What was she going to do with him? He loved the kids and was one at heart.

"Oh, Erin, I was just looking for you."

"It's good to see you, Rusl. How can I help you?"

"Well I just dropped off a package for Link, and had one for you as well."

Erin looked at him in surprise. "For me?"

"Of course. You've been working so hard to help us and never accept payment in return."

She smiled up at Rusl. He was her father figure in the village. Though everyone helped raise her and Link, Rusl was the one who she was closest to.

"I could never accept payment from family."

It was Rusl's turn to smile down at her. "I know, that is why I made this hoping you would accept it as a gift from family," and from behind his back he pulls off a newly carved bow and quiver full of arrows.

Erin's eyes widened as she slowly stretched her trembling hands to accept the gift. She could see it was hand carved by Rusl himself from his mark at the bottom. "Rusl, I don't know what to say. It's beautiful."

Rusl's smile widened, "Thank you is all I need."

Erin threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you!"

"You are very welcome. We love you Erin," he said as he hugged back. "Now I need to get back to Uli and Collin, but you have a wonderful evening."

"Thank you. You as well," and she watched as he walked down the road while holding her gift to her chest.


Don't forget to review. I will update all the current posted chapters and hopefully have a new one out soon.