AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey all. Brand new story in tow. Hope you like it. Please read and review! I really appreciate the feed back. Like always, I don't (nor sadly will I ever) own Zelda or anything to do with it. Hope you like.
The wind blew soft across the grass on the mound where the blue-eyed boy was sitting, overlooking the herd of goats. It was a warm breeze that caressed his cheek and ruffled his dirty-blond hair. Before him the goats bleated softly, showing their content. Today was the day. He had very little knowledge of the world beyond the borders of Faron Province. In fact, there was little he knew about life other than the life situated here in Ordon Village. There was an indescribable tension that has settled in the pit of his stomach. Something that was trying to tell him something. Something good? It has to be... right?
"Link!"
The boy turned his head at the sound of his name and watched as his friend trotted over to him. Fado was tall and wide and the best of people. Link gave a small smile and stood, brushing his pants off his his hands and waiting for his friend to reach him. Fado halted a few paces before him and gave an excited smile.
"Today's the big day, huh?" he asked, grinning wider.
"I guess it is," Link responded, looking out over the herd of goats again. One wandered close to them and he stepped forward to stroke her coarse coat. The goat bleated contentedly and munched some grass.
"Hey! Maybe you'll even get to meet the princess!" Fado exclaimed. "I'll bet she's real pretty. Wanna be a prince, Link?"
Link gave a small laugh and shook his head. "Let's not get carried away, Fado. I'm just dropping something off. The princess won't even be aware that someone from Ordon was in the town, let alone the castle."
"Maybe, but who knows? You could get lucky."
Link just raised his brows. The silence didn't intimidate Fado, he was used to his friend's lack small talk. Link had always been a quiet kind of boy. Very calm and reserved, with a fierce sense of loyalty and justice that endeared most to him instantly. Fado shifted from foot to foot.
"So, uh, Link," he started, looking back over the goats. "Seeing as you've gotta be going soon and all, maybe you wanna... I don't know..."
Link gave an amused smile. "Finish up early?"
"Well, if you insist," Fado sighed.
Link reached down to pluck a piece of horse grass from below his feet. Most people hated the little plant. Farmers considered it for the most part as a persistent and annoying weed, but Link had always thought it was kind of pretty and had found at an early age that if you cupped your hands and blew just right, you could whistle with it. He'd even made a song that Epona loved and responded to. He whistled it out now and the mare raised her head from across the field. Her ears twitch once, then twice before she turned towards the boys and came trotting up. He patted her neck and kissed her nose lovingly. Epona snuffled happily and allowed him to mount her. He shifted her around gently and with a quick, "Ha!" spurred her on towards the grazing goats. When he was done he walked back to Fado who had a grin on his face.
"Thanks a ton, bud," Fado said. "I promise I can handle everything else today, no problem. Hey, want me o set up the fences? One more round before you leave?"
Link ran his fingers through Epona's mane, but shook his head. "I don't want to push her today. Don't want to stress her legs."
"Right, gotcha. Well, you'd better get going before the mayor throws a fit." A malicious twinkle came into his eyes then. "Wait, what am I saying? He mayor adores the ground you walk on. He'd never get angry at you."
Link just rolled his eyes and his lips tilted into a smile and spurred his horse on towards the village. He waved a goodbye to his friend and started down the path that led past the mayor's home.
It also happened to be Ilia's house.