I'm sure it would be boring to read if Link had the same personality as in the game, so I've changed it a bit. But apart from his personality, the story should be more or less the same – but I might change the plot sometime if I feel like it!

Prologue

As the day grows older, two figures can be seen sitting before Ordon Spring. Both are men with golden-blonde hair, although one looks to be no older than seventeen.

"Tell me," the older man says, breaking the tranquil stillness, the rushing of white water from the spring creating the calm ambience. "Do you ever feel a strange sadness as dusk falls?"

The boy looks at the man, his startling blue eyes mirroring the shimmering spring. He does not have an answer.

"They say it's the only time when our world intersects with theirs…" the man, Rusl, meets the boy's gaze, his green eyes far away. "The only time we can feel the lingering regrets of spirits who have left our world. That is why loneliness always pervades the hour of twilight. "But enough talk of sadness," he says abruptly. "I have a favour to ask of you, Link."

Link and Rusl began walking back to Ordon Village, Link leading his beloved horse Epona by the reins. The horse carried bundles of kindling, hanging from its sides.

Link's mind was full of thoughts, and he found he couldn't think properly; excitement was making his head dizzy.

"I was supposed to deliver something to the royal family of Hyrule the day after tomorrow…would you go in my stead?"

Link couldn't help grinning. He had never been to Hyrule before; as a wrangler, he didn't get much opportunity. But at last, he could get what he had been wishing for from the moment he could walk – adventure!

The three crossed over the Ordon Gorge Bridge, a long, ominously swaying structure, Rusl pausing to lock the gate on the other side – it was too dangerous for the excitable children of Ordon.

A few minutes later, they reached a strange house, built atop a broad, flat tree. Rusl left for his waiting wife, Uli, and young son, Colin, who looked at Link admiringly before hurrying after his parents. Link climbed the ladder hanging from the front of the tree to the house – he had built it with the help of his mentor, Rusl, years ago, and he couldn't have asked for a better house. He didn't mind that it kept him so far away from the rest of the villagers; he enjoyed the peace and quiet.

"Ahh." Link fell back onto his bed, making it creak loudly, welcoming the flood of drowsiness that followed. He had barely shut his eyes, however, before he heard someone calling his name. Groaning, he rolled over until he fell to the ground. "Oof." Grudgingly, he trudged over to the window – a space cut out of the house – and peered out. His friend Fado stood at the base of the tree, calling up to him. "Fado, I'm trying to sleep!" he said. "I've spent all day gathering kindling –"

"Whatever!" said Fado. "You mind helpin' me herd the goats? They ain't listenin' to me lately! You're the only one who can control 'em."

Link sighed; Fado sure knew how to tickle his ego right. "Fine."

Ten seconds later, he was standing in front of his friend. Fado blinked, stepping back. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Get here so fast. I didn't even see you climb down the ladder."

Link gave him a dashing grin. "I jumped," he said. "Idiot."

Fado chose to ignore this. "Where's Epona?"

"Right here –" Link stopped, looking around. "I mean – she should be…" he faltered. The horse was nowhere to be seen.

"Well, we need her," said Fado, crossing his thick arms and tapping his foot impatiently. "You'll have to look for her."

Link nodded. "Yeah, alright." He scrutinised the dirt, searching for Epona's hoof prints. He soon found a faint trail, leading off to the right path where Ordon Woods lay. He set off, walking briskly, eager to finish this and get to sleep at last.

Presently, he was stopped short by the gate Rusl had locked, and through it he could see a distant Epona with a figure. He considered shouting at the person to open the gate, but then remembered that not only would they not have a key, but he could also potentially scare them away. With Epona.

Link knew that he could go around to a second set of gates, which should be open, but found he couldn't be bothered.

Sighing in frustration, he jogged back to the woods until he reached the eastern bank. He remembered Colin telling him about a secret entrance…now, if only he could find it…

"Aha!" His keen eyes landed on a small burrow, a hole cut through the side of the rocks and camouflaged by moss and overgrown grass. He brushed them aside excitedly and crouched down, wriggling through. The ground, slightly damp, pressed uncomfortably against his pants, hitting the top of his head on the low ceiling every time he raised it, but he felt too thrilled by the prospect of having discovered a secret tunnel that he wasn't bothered in the least by it. He reached the other side after about two minutes of steady crawling, leading as expected to the spring, and he winced at the sudden sunlight.

Link squinted at the person who had taken his horse before blinking in surprise. "Ilia?" he said.

His childhood friend turned around, her short brown hair accentuating bright green eyes. She paused, her hand on Epona's muzzle, before smiling. "Oh, hi, Link," she said. She stepped away from the horse. "I washed Epona for you!"

Link, recovering from his initial shock, smiled as well, walking up to her. Ilia always brought out the golden side of him, possibly because she scolded him if he treated her badly.

"Thanks, Ilia," he said. "That's very…" he stopped, wondering what to say. "Nice."

Ilia laughed. "I thought you were good with ladies, Link," she said.

"Yeah, alright," muttered Link, running his fingers through his hair.

"Oh, but listen, Link…" said Ilia, her eyes lighting up, "Can you use a piece of grass to play that song for me? You know, the one that Epona likes?"

Link found his smile grow wider. Ilia had always loved Epona, and what Epona liked, she liked.

"Sure," he said. He scanned the area before spotting a cluster of horseshoe-shaped grass. He picked one and closed his eyes, blowing gently into it. He had always had a knack of playing songs using grass, something that the village children were always jealous of.

A sweet melody filled the air, and a thudding of hooves told Link that Epona had been drawn to it. The horse gave an appreciate neigh, stopping in front of her master, and Link patted her chestnut neck. He swung himself onto the saddle, feeling inexplicably at home atop the horse.

"Bye!" said Ilia. Link waved back.

The boy kicked Epona's sides, and the horse cantered out of the open gates.

If you'd rather Link stayed in character, do tell me. I'm actually really confused as to whether or not I should just keep him in character, because then it'll be just like the game, but then again…who wants to read about the game when it's basically just like the game? And writing with a protagonist who doesn't talk is pretty hard. But, you know, it might work.

If this rocked your world, do tell me, because that would rock my world.