Welcome readers! This is my fan fic for Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Just a couple things to point out before the story begins. This story takes place during the game, but it does not cover every single moment in the game. As such, having played the game completely will be a great help or else you may be confused (though I give a summary of what happens in the parts I skip), miss out on character growth that happened in the game, and run into some major spoilers. You read at your own risk! Also, any directions in this game are to go with the Gamecube layout. It was the version I played first, and was playing through when I started to think up this story. Oh, and the first chapter takes place the morning of the first day in-game. That's...all I have to say for now! Enjoy!

Oh! Don't expect Link to talk in this. I tried my hardest at finding ways around him talking, so, yes, it was all intentional. Now enjoy!

I

A Blacksmith's Warning

Warm rays of light shone down on the land. There was a cool breeze coming from the north that day. Down in Ordon, it was just what they wanted. These were peaceful times; one where people had to worry about the most mundane of things. It was almost too good to be true. But, no one stopped to think what could happen next. And, as each day was bright and cheery (even when it rained), it only strengthened people's beliefs that nothing was going to go wrong.

Wind in his blond hair, a young man rode up to the ranch at the southern edge of the village. Judging by his attire, he was no more than a simple farm boy. The again, most of the people in Ordon were country people. It was a simple place, not like the bustling and crowded streets of Hyrule Market. Those that lived here did not have to worry about that, just like the young man never even once thought what it was like. A gentle expression was on the his face, and a kind look to his eye, but there was a strength in them as well. He rode atop a strong auburn mare that had a white main and tail.

Urging her, the speed that was needed to jump the fence was gathered. In one smooth motion, the mare leaped over it and landed on the green grass. Other than several goats that were out in the pasture, the place seemed deserted. The young man steered the mare around the ranch, looking for something. He did not find what he wanted for quickly after, the young man turned his horse around and headed back the way he had come.

Villagers greeted him warmly as he rode on by. Every one here was kind to each other...well, save for some of the kids. The adults, though, were never rude to each other, and they knew that the kids would grow past all that. A cool breeze blowing up, his blond hair was tossed around as he looked over his should to the girl who had called out his name.

"Link!" A girl his age changed her direction and headed to the young man named Link. Her white dress and blonde hair shone in the light. Bright eyes smiled up at him as she drew near. Ilia; she was the daughter of the mayor of the village, and had been a friend of Link's for some time. "Shouldn't you be up at Fado's ranch?" she questioned. Link looked back towards the ranch, then shook his head. "Oh, that's right!" Ilia snapped her fingers. "He's coming back from Hyrule Market today. But...I thought he should have been back by now..." She scratched her cheek pensively. "Were you going to look for him?"

Nodding, Link switched his gaze back towards where he had been headed.

"All right then. Just be careful, and don't go pushing Epona too hard." Calmly, Ilia walked up and patted the mare on her neck. Epona snorted and yanked her head away. Slightly saddened, the Mayor's daughter took a step back. "Come back as soon as you find anything!" Waving, she headed off towards her house. Link waved back, and was about to continue on his way when his gaze fell on Ordon's blacksmith and the house attached to it.

Smoke was coming up from the chimney, signaling someone was working at the forge. Part of him wanted to go and say good morning to the person he hoped would be working. It was still fairly early in the morning, but she should be up by now; most of the villagers were. Eyes glued to a specific window, Link began to turn Epona towards the blacksmith. In mid-turn though, he thought better of it. There were some days where she slept-in longer than other villagers, and finding out what happened to Fado was a more pressing matter.

Reeling Epona back around, Link decided that he would greet his friend later. There was still plenty of time left in the day to see her. Heeling Epona softly, he headed off towards the edge of Ordon, where the Ordon Spring lay, along with the path that headed out towards the fields of Hyrule. If something had happened to Fado, hopefully he would be somewhere along the path, and not too far out either.

Link urged Epona to move a little faster as he passed his house that was near the edge of the village. With a glance back at it, he eyed the make-shift dummy and was reminded that he wanted to practice fighting some time that day. He then entered the small wooded area that was just north of Ordon, the spring just to the west. When he passed it, Link spared a glance at the crystal-clear waters that seemed to have healing properties. There were days when he and his good friend would just sit there at the edge for hours, letting time slip by. Shaking his head, Link continued on towards Hyrule Field.

Before the fields though was Faron Woods. These woods were a fairly peaceful place. Along with the spring, the forest was another place he and his friend came to play in. There were many memories for him in there. As he thought back, Link and Epona made their way through the woods. They neared the edge and the trees began to clear. Up ahead were the vast fields of Hyrule. As the woods ended, Link saw a wagon on the path ahead along with a man beside it.

It was Fado.

He must have seen Link coming up, for he raised a hand high and yelled out his name. Sighing in relief that Fado was all right, Link made Epona gallop the remaining distance to the wagon, Fado, and the goat that had pulled it.

"Link! Boy am I glad to see you," came Fado as the farm boy neared. Waving Link to follow, he headed around the cart. Quickly dismounting, Link patted Epona before squatting down next to Fado as he looked at one of the back wheels. "Seems the sprocket broke just before we entered the forest. I would have come for help, but I couldn't leave the cargo or poor ol' Blue here by himself. I swear, you came just in time, Link." He stood up, Link following, and held out the piece of the wheel that had broken. "Mind taking this back to Derak and see if he can replace it?"

Smiling, Link gave a firm nod and took the broken piece before heading back off to Epona. He mounted and quickly made Epona rear up before he dashed back to Ordon Village. With Fado found, it was best to get him back to the village as quickly as possible. There was no real danger, but one could never be too careful. The woods were quickly left behind them, and soon after they past the bridge and spring then were back in their village.

Hooves left footprints behind as he sped up towards the blacksmith. Smoke was still rising from the forge signaling someone was still there and working. He felt his heart nearly leap into his throat as he neared the home of his good friend. The piece still in his hands, he promptly dismounted and headed over to the forge. He paused for a moment outside and listened to the sounds the blacksmith made.

It was definitely her inside.

Most of the time, the sounds made from someone working at a forge was distracting and annoying at best. When his best friend, San, worked, Link swore that it almost sounded like music. A light but firm touch worked the metals. The bellows that kept the fire of the forge going created the beat. Noise from each time the hammer struck the anvil or metal were the notes. Link would bet all the rupees he had that there was not a person who could not like the noise made from San working.

Sighing softly, Link gathered his thoughts and entered to the forge. His assumptions were right: San was the one who worked the forge at the moment, the notes from her hammer making a continuous melody. Sapphire hair was pulled back, something she always did when working. Elongated ears were seen as she focused on her task at hand. Out of everyone in Ordon, he and San were the only ones to have such pointy ears. Not that the people there cared at all, or treated them differently because of it, but it did help with their bonds of friendship. He was only able to take a few steps forward before the music she could make stopped and she turned around.

Forest-green eyes met his blue ones. Though soot covered some of her face, it did not seem to diminish her looks one bit, and when she smiled, it made her look even better.

"Hey. What brings you here?" she asked, putting the hammer down and then placing a hand on her hip. Lips still curled in a soft smile, she waited for an answer.

Coughing once, Link held out the broken piece of the wheel and quickly explained to San what needed to be done. Running a hand along her chin, the young blacksmith took the sprocket and eyed the piece.

"It's not in too bad shape, just a little patchwork. And..." she looked over her shoulder at the walls, "afraid we don't have any spare ones at the moment." Reaching back, she let her hair down and put it back up since it had started to get loose. "Looks like I'll have to fix it; shouldn't take too long." Giving a quick grin, she tossed the piece in her hands once before heading over to the forge.

Link fumbled for his pouch. San must have noticed for she looked over her shoulder and held up a hand for him to stop. "If you mean to pay me, think again," commented San. Link opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off again. "I need the practice. This is on me." She gave a small wink.

The metal began to heat up when San glanced back over at Link, a serious expression on his face as he continued to hold out rupees in payment. "You that serious about paying for this?" He nodded. Sighing, dusted off her hands. "Fine, if you want to pay, you can go out and chop us some more firewood. Deal?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at him.

With a sigh, Link nodded and placed the rupees back in his pouch. Chuckling once, he looked back up at her and smiled with a nod before heading out. After a lingering glance on the farm boy, San returned to her work at the forge to fix the sprocket as quickly as possible.

Dashing around, Link quickly found where San and her father, Derak, kept their firewood. Lots had to be kept ready for the forge so it could reach the heats it needed to be at. A little distance away was the ax and cutting log. Clapping his hands together once, Link soon set off to work.

As he toiled about outside, San was hard at work inside. Once more her unique music reached his ears, and between the logs he cut, Link stole glances inside to see her work. He continued to work hard though, to make sure that she was paid for the job.

"Link!" San called out after some time. It only felt like he had started moments ago though. Wiping his forehead, Link looked back over to the forge. "You can stop chopping wood now! It's done." She waved him to come back inside as she walked away from the window.

Quickly, he finished chopping one more piece of wood and added it to the pile before going back inside. There San stood waiting for him, hands on her hips.

"I swear, sometimes you work too hard," she grinned at him. Link laughed softly, his eyes closing as he rubbed the back of his neck. When they opened, San was holding out the sprocket she had just fixed. "This should get Fado back nice and safely now. Should last a while longer, too. Though we'll make some new ones soon, and when we do, he should replace it just to be safe."

Nodding once, Link began to take the sprocket, but San quickly placed a hand over his before he could get away. Raising his eyebrows, he looked back at her questioningly. The smile had faded from her face, and was replaced by a serious, and almost sombre, look.

"Careful out there, Link," she began, eyes cast down. "I hope it's nothing, but I've been having this bad feeling on the back of my mind for a while now, and I just can't seem to shake it." Shaking her head, she looked up at him and forced a smile. "Sorry if I worried you... Just take it easy, all right?"

Smiling in reassurance, Link patted San on her shoulder, letting his hand rest there for a moment. He then pulled away with a wave, and headed back outside and to Epona who had begun to eat the grass. Taking a small break from her work, San followed him to the door and watched as he mounted up.

"She really has become a beautiful creature," praised San as she looked at Epona. As if hearing her comment, the mare nickered softly and bobbed her head up, producing a chuckle from both Link and San. "Say, Link?" Looking over at her, the farm boy raised his eyebrows to show he was listening. "Think I could ride her at some point? When you're not busy, of course." A smile spreading across his face, Link gave a firm nod before he heeled Epona. "And don't forget we gotta spar at some point, too!" San called out after him.

Raising his hand to show he he heard, Link sped back off through the village. Still standing by the doorway, San watched him until he could no longer be seen.

"Please...let me be wrong," she whispered before heading back in.