Hey all! This is one of my first fanfics, so I really hope you enjoy it. It's a bit of a recreation of the story of how our Hero, Link, met the sweet and caring Paya of Kakariko Village. I try to set the scene for our hero at the start, and setting up the characters for the story to come. I only intend for this to be a 3 part series... maybe... but if you enjoy it, leave some comments, show support, or follow me so I know what content you guys want to read next. Keep in mind, I haven't finished the game at this point in time, so if i get details wrong, please forgive me. But please enjoy everyone!

The wilds were calm today, the wildlife grazed the ground slowly as the wind blew gently across the grass. Unfortunately, for a small team of horses, such a luxury has escaped them. Bokoblins had mounted them and have been riding rampant, throwing around the belongings of the Dueling peaks stable; just shy of Kakariko Village. the stable hands as well as the other travellers and townsfolk visiting the stable had long since barricaded themselves inside of the stable, waiting for the Bokoblins to complete their rampage and be on their way.

Without a sound, a Hylian male with a hood over his head shifted through the grass. Fitted in all Hylian Attire, his face was shaded from the harsh sunlight. He loaded his bow with an arrow and crouched lower, putting his body in a low stance on one knee as he aimed his bow to the crowd of Bokoblins. Seeing them terrorise the townspeople and the wildlife, made young Hylian's blood boil. He shifted his weight one final time to ensure his stance was ready, he knew once he released his arrow from the security of his bow; he may take one out, but what of the other horses..? Will the Bokoblins harm them? Charge after himself? The horses seem in distress so waiting was out of the question.

SNAP

A small branch under foot snapped, the traveller looked to his foot in surprise. even through all the chaos at the stables, one of the Bokoblin heard the noise and instantly alerted the others. The Bokoblin grabbed his club from his back and screamed as he turned his horse to the Hylian in the grass. The horse was brown with white fur from the ankles down. Its now or never... Aiming to the Bokoblin without harming the horse would be a difficult feat. Even still, he let the arrow go. soaring through the air, the arrow whizzed past the horses face, narrowly grazing its mane, it pierced the heart of the Bokoblins and it fell on the ground defeated. The young adventurer dove out of the way of the horse as it galloped past him. His hood fell onto his back, revealing his medium - long hair to his enemies and those trapped inside the stable as it fell out and began to blow in the wind. He was Link, bearer of the master sword and descendant of the great heroes before him, champion of Hyrule.

Seeing the fate of their ally, the other Bokoblins turned and ran off with the horses. Whinnying in distress, the horses ran off with a fearful look in their eye. The young Hylian, Link, gave chase but catching the horses on foot would prove hopeless.. Suddenly, the horse that the valiant hero saved from the Bokoblin ran up behind and scooped him up to assist in saving his friends. The Hylian exclaimed in surprise, but soon realised the horses intentions, and readied his bow for the battle to come.

After some time the stable hands returned to outside of the building, looking around to see if the Bokoblins had met their fate, or if the horses were alright. The other animals at the stable were all in good heath, but just distressed. Galloping could be heard in the distance. Link had returned with all three horses following him. The stable hands and other travellers rejoiced and ran to thank him. Tasseren, the owner of the stable wrapped his hands around Links and shook firmly.

"Thank you, my boy!" he exclaimed. he looked at the horse that Link rode off into battle and smiled. "Horses don't typically thrust themselves into danger like that... I believe that this one trusts you quite a lot" he said with complete sincerity.
"Why not take her?" he asked "I'm sure an adventurer like you can use a steed."
Link looked at the horse as it approached him and nuzzled its head into his shoulder. Link excitedly nodded and mounted the horse, he petted its side to calm it, and show his affection and gratitude.
"... Head to Kakariko Village if your in the area, its just north of here..." Tasseren pointed ahead, down the road. "There are plenty of supplies there. I'm sure they will take you in". Link had business to attend to at Kakariko anyway, he was off to meet the village Elder, Impa.

Later, our silent hero had arrived at the village, he spent some time meeting the towns people and exchanging information. He dismounted his horse and let it graze the grounds in the centre of town. Buying supplies, he asked where the village elder was to the shop-keep. "Impa? Oh! Our gracious elder is in the tall building on the eastern side of the town, you cant miss it." By this point the sun had began to set, the lustrous sky was painted in a beautiful pallet of colours. Link approached the stairs of the building and was held up by the guards, asking what business he had here. Link was a man of few words, but he explained that he has acquired the Sheikah Slate and he needed to consult with the old guardian of this village. The guards saw his slate and recalled the legends of a hero 100 years ago that wielded one during the fight against Ganon. The two guards nodded to one another and let him through, up the stairs he walked, keeping his eyes down in respect and nerves as he approached the door of the building.

"OH!" a shy yelp was heard. Links eyes shot up and noticed there was a young girl standing before him. She was dressed in traditional white and red Shiekah attire. She had long soft flowing hair down her back, and hair loopies near her ears. Hair was also rolled on top of her head in a unique way that grabbed links attention. One her face was a strange painted symbol which contained an eye with a drip of ink running from below. To Links understanding, it was traditional and acted as if a symbol of the Sheika people, though he did not know much about it.
"OH... Uhhh.. A MAN!" she exclaimed, burying her head into her hands. she slowly peaked up from her shyness to inspect the boy standing before her. Her heart was pounding as she slowly scanned up his figure.
"Is that... a Sheika Slate?" she inquired.

"Could you be the hero my grandmother spoke to me about...? What was his name? Li.. Lin.." her speech trailed off and faded away in embarrassment. By this point even Link was blushing. he took his hands off his hips and stood with a more approachable stance, as opposed to his typical confident one.
"I - I'm sorry... It's not like i forgot your name, I'm just not so good with speaking..." she took a long breath and rested her hands on her chest. "As for me... my name is "Pa... Payyyy-" she shook her head in frustration.
"My name is PAYA!" she yelled, forcing herself to say it. Silently under her breath, she spoke "Phew, I got it out... I just can't... with his eyes looking at me like..." she stopped herself and covered her face, hoping he didn't hear what she said.
When she looked up, Link was inspecting the lodge, but keeping his body turned towards her. She sighed in relief, thinking that perhaps the boy didn't hear her. "U-Umm.." Links full attention went back to her "I- know I should be able to say that easily seeing as it IS my own name and all". She rubs her hands together in nervousness. Looking at the ground she mumbles "I'm so sorry." She said in a disappointed tone of voice. Link stood on the stairs with a gentle smile on his face. Something was so warm and inviting about how he smiled like he does. With the beautiful luminous sun setting behind him, bringing out more of his features, Paya whimpered and blushed heavily.

"A- Anyway, my grandmother has been awaiting your return since I was little. Please hurry inside" she once again sheltered her face from him, turning her feet inward as she waited for him to move inside. But, when she looked up, she found he was standing inches away from her, same gentle smile from before that made her heart skip a beat.
"AHHHH!" she yelled. "Master.. Master Link! You're very close to me right now! I- I just... What can I help you with?" She tried to be as accomidating to his needs as she could. She figure he had a long journey to arive here.
Finally the boy spoke "This place is beautiful... Tell me about it?" he asked politely while slightly tilting his head to the side. Payas' legs were trembling and she felt as if they were about to give out at the sight of his soft hair hanging loosely like it was. She took a mental note about how deep his eyes looked as he stood there smiling at her. 'Wow... he looks just like the hero I've always imagined' she thought to herself.
"M- Master Link!" She gripped her legs to ensure she didn't fall over
"I really think t- that you should see Grandmother now!" she looks to the ground again.
"I- I'll talk with you later... Okay?" she asked gently. Link silently nodded his head with a smile and moved on into the main room. Paya could hear her grandmothers solemn but passionate greeting to her old friend from outside. She rubbed her hands together again hoping that Link didn't think she was too rude, aquitting herself from the question he asked.

Some time passes and Link runs out of the Lodge, he seemed so resolved, perhaps to fulfil a new purpose? Paya hardly listened to Link and Impa's convisation, she was busy scrubbng the deck of the lodge. As she went inside she consulted with her grandmother
"Grandmother Impa, was that truely the boy you spoke of all this time?"
Impa chuckled "Hmhm yes my dear. He is the one trhat i have told you of after all this time. He is young, and has much to learn before taking on the horrors that Ganon possesses." she pauses, "But that fighting spirit of his is one that i can put my faith in... Dont tell him I said this however... unless you wish for me to tell him about how you got your namesake.." she teased.
"GRANDMOTHER!" Paya yells. "where is he off yo now?" Paya asks once she takes a breath.
"He has gone to quell the rage of the Sacred beasts... However, I also told him to meet my sister, your Aunt Purah." Impa laughs. "I will only advise him... it's up to him with what he is to achieve with his abilities.

Several days later,
the sun was setting over the small Village. As the Sheikah people turned in for the night, the sky was once again abundant with beautiful colours as the leaves of the trees showered the ground slowly. At this point Paya was tending to the guardian shrines just outside the lodge. She spent some time cleaning them and scraping any dirt that had accumulated over the course of the past few days. She typically cleans them fairly regularly, and today she was using them as a bit of a distraction. She had almost forgotten about the boy that travelled through her village today as she applied herself to her work. she felt a presence behind her, she spun around and saw link was crouched down looking at her and the statues.
"Oh! its you.. Master Link." she took a deep breath to calm her now beating heart. "Please dont sneak up on me like that..." she stood up and properly greeted him.
"Is something the matter?" She asked.
He looks at the statues and back at her again. "Whatchya doiin'?" he said in a curious tone, speaking to her as if hes known her for quite some time. Paya was not used to this and she smiled at the ground and laughed slightly. "heh.. Uhh,I was just polishing the Guardian Deities."
Link took a surprised stance and smiled to himself "It seems like a pretty thankless job. Tell me about these Guardians" He asked gently.

Paya gripped her hands together, almost uncharacteristically confidently "Think of them as... signposts that guide us through our lives..." she looks at them and smiles to herself too. "Master Link, I want you to know that the path your walking down, the path you made yourself is one we can all stand to learn from." her words seemed sincere to Link, noticing that when she talks about stuff like this, she becomes more open and her shy qualities seem to dwindle.
"And what about you? Are you walking the path you want to follow?" Link asked genuinely curious for her answer.
Paya nods her head "of course... Well, i hope I am." she looks at the ground again "I want to help you free this land, Master Link. You have an amazing ability, one that's so unique and precious, that you should treasure. I can't do much to help you, but please know if you need anything at all, come and see me?" Link smiled and nods softly.

"Oh!" Paya exclaimed. "Have these..." She reaches down and grabs some apples she had offered to the deities. "They are typically used for the offering, but I'm sure you can use them on your path. I know the deities would want to help you too." she smiled genuinely. Links horse approached from behind and grabbed ahold of one in its mouth. Link jumped back in surprise. Paya began to laugh and she covered her face again. "What a cute horse!" she smiled shyly, returning to her timid nature. "D- Does she have a name?
Link stops and stares at the horse in a worried way, he hadn't even taught of a name yet...
"Oh Master Link, you need to name her if shes going to accompany you on your journey." Paya said in a soft voice. "Let's see... I once heard of a legendary horse named Epona... she helped a certain hero on his journey many years ago, Grandmother told me about her in the stories of old."
Link spoke the name to the horse "Epona" and she trotted on the spot in excitement as if she understood what was being said. Paya laughed again with link. "O- OH! It's far too late. I must be going. Goodnight, M-Master Link" He smiled at her and quietly waved her off. "Goodnight.." he said, once again making her heart flutter. She ran up the stairs into the lodge and into her room. Her legs were shaking again.. "Oh... this is not good... why wont my heart stop beating... I - I must have eaten something... It can't be..." she looked out the window and saw him crouched by the fire place outside. "But.. I talked to him!" she celebrated. "I really talked to a boy!"