Chapter One: Horse riding trouble

Disclaimer: I do not own Link, Zelda, or any other Legend of Zelda characters. Nintendo does.

Link had always been wondering whether it was just coincidence that he was named after the hero of time or not, but he never dreamed that it would be this big of a deal when they found out. He went on with his normal day in the village right outside the Zora's Domain. The village prospered because of the water and the watch of the Zoras.

Link had merely gotten into his life as an eighteen year old and was ready to be considered a man. His uncle, Ron, was teaching him the tricks of the trade in ranch keeping. He and his uncle were natural born horse riders and Link was being taught how to ride one at this very moment one afternoon. However, his horse proved to be more than just stubborn at the moment.

"Giddyup, Link! What's the matter?" Ron called.

Link was calmly trying to get his horse to go, and was feeling something of annoyance building inside of him. He said, "Come on, Epona. Get moving. We need to help my uncle with these herds of goats."

Epona moved, but she turned around and began walking the other way. Link sighed and dug his heels into Epona's back. Epona neighed and reared, sending Link flying off onto the ground. Then, Epona began to make her way across the yard, with Link giving desperate chase. He kept calling, "Epona! Epona!"

Ron chuckled at this odd sight, and then rode forward to help stop the horse so Link could mount it. He slowed the horse to a stop and said, "This sure is a stubborn one. I may have to get you one that's easier to handle."

Link replied, "Nah...I can handle this, uncle. Don't put me with one that's easier, that takes away all the fun!"

He leaped back on and dug his heels into Epona's side. This time, when the horse reared, he kept a grip on the saddle. Problem was, it wasn't on right, and this time he fell off with the saddele underneath him. Epona ran off again and Link gave chase, this time sprinting at maximum speed.

Ron sighed and though, Kids. It's all the same with them, even when they're men like he is. Oh well, lets see if he can catch this horse on foot.

Link did, and when he leaped on he neatly slid the saddle on and secured it. Then he began trying to steer Epona gently. It didn't work. He sighed and gave harder tugs and found that they worked easily. He began helping his uncle heard the goats into the barn, when Epona reared again in the middle of it. He grabbed the neck and managed to stay on, and then went back to guiding her.

They manged to get the goats into the barn and Epona seemed subdued. Link was tired and breathing hard, and Ron came up and said, "I think that's enough horsing around for the day."

Link grinned and asked, "You think?"

Ron chuckled and said, "Well, with that horse, I can say one thing. I know for sure that you're more than just a good horse wrangler. You're a-"

His comment was cut off when Epona suddenly bucked Link off in front of her. Link flew forward screaming, and hit his head against a rock. Ron sighed and said, "Dang, but is this horse stubborn and tough. I'll just have to get Link on it every day and tell him to handle her rough. That'll teach it a lesson."

He grabbed her reins and guided her off, sure that Link was alright. Link got up and shook his head to clear his vision. He called, "Hey, wait up, uncle!"

He ran after him and was just walked beside the horses all the way back to his house. Ron asked, "You sure you want to handle this horse?"

Link beamed and said, "Ha! I'll show this horse tomorrow. Don't worry about that."

Ron laughed and said, "That's my boy! You show this girl and make sure that she knows who's boss around here."

Link said, "I will, and I'm sure that she'll be cooperative after I'm done with her."

Ron said, "You show her, Link. Anyways, have a good night's sleep, I'll see you in the morning."

Ron left on his horse and Link clambered up into his house. He laid down on the bed and for a while just sat there staring at the ceiling. He wondered just how important his job was, and began imagining all of the achievements he could make. He dozed off shortly after, his face still beaming with the thought of wrangling that tough horse. He had always wanted a horse that stubborn, and was ready to make her cooperate, no matter how much effort it took. That is, if it took any effort at all after today.

Another story already going. I'm going to work at this one and it is going to be long...somewhere around thirty chapters is what I'm going to push for. Anyways, please review and tell me how I did. If it helps, it will make this story come faster.