Link was happy to be out of the confines of Hyrule Castle. As he rode across Hyrule Field on his horse, Epona, he could not help but think some spell had been cast on Princess Zelda. The only thing she seemed to think about these days was her impending 21st birthday and the gala event that would celebrate it. All of Hyrule seemed to be in a frenzy over it: foreign dignitaries seemed to be suddenly popping up all over the castle, and the influx of new merchandise in Castle Town shops was overwhelming. He went into Dom's Weaponry & Supplies to merely buy some resin for his bow and was confronted with seven different kinds! Six of which were not there several weeks ago when Link went in last to buy resin.
Epona galloped swiftly across the plains of Hyrule Field. The feel of the fresh, cool wind against Link's face felt good in the heat of the summer sun. As Epona's mane whipped about in the breeze he could smell her familiar scent rising from her powerful body as she moved across the grass. It seemed Epona was as stifled as Link was in Hyrule's stables.
Link pulled back on her reins and Epona slowed down to a trot. Link spied a tree and shade by the river that looked just perfect for a nice nap. He dismounted from Epona and gave her a small treat from his side satchel. "Good girl," he murmured to her and she ate it from his hand. He loved it how her whiskers brushed against his palm and he looked up at her face and saw the familiar look of gratitude in her eyes. He patted her on her neck and she walked off to take a drink from the river.
Link looked around and for the first time in a while noticed how different it was in comparison to his quarters at Hyrule Castle. Out here on the Field, it was green, fresh and full of natural life. In the Castle and the town, things were crowded, dirty and loud. People were always shouting, haggling and bargaining among the stalls and tavern boys were routinely emptying pots of unsightly smells into the sewers of Hyrule. Link often wondered how those rats got so vicious. Out on the Field it was wide open and quiet. Sure there was danger lurking but it didn't seem as imminent as the danger of thieves, pickpockets and criminals who lurked about in the alleys and shadows of Castle Town. At least out on the Field enemies were usually following their instincts, not acting on immorality of one's own consciousness.
Link unbelted the Master Sword from his back and sat down under the tree. He leaned his head against the rough bark and closed his eyes. His floppy green cap gave him a bit of a cushion against the tree. Link was dressed in his usual garb: green tunic and beige leggings with his brown boots. Link wasn't wearing his arm gauntlets or chain mail since he wasn't expecting a battle but he did wear his fully loaded belt with his purse and bomb bag.
As Link closed his eyes, his thoughts drifted back to Zelda. After his adventure with Medli and the Twilight Realm, Zelda had asked him to stay at the Castle but Link refused. Although he had been triumphant over Ganon, he felt he had suffered a loss with the departure of Medli. His destiny had been fulfilled and by saving Hyrule he felt no longer had a purpose. Link left Hyrule Castle and began to lead more nomadic life wandering through Hyrule and its outlying environs. But over time the daily battle with monsters in the forests and fields took their toil. Although he missed Medli, Link's thoughts consistently wandered back to Zelda and worry began to take over him. He soon realized that he was probably better off protecting Zelda than trying to go looking for trouble all of the time.
So Link returned to Hyrule Castle and was given his own set of rooms in an unused part of the castle. Link didn't mind the solitude, in fact he craved it and he thought that it was probably Zelda's doing in giving him quarters in an isolated part of the castle. She often visited him there where they would talk and discuss issues of Hyrule. Zelda did most of the talking, informing Link of recent diplomatic problems and issues, or other worries on her mind.
Link had more official duties too. He accompanied the princess on several diplomatic missions abroad and served as her guardian. His job hadn't been all ease and diplomacy though. On three occasions the princess's life was in danger, all of which were assassination attempts. The most recent had occurred about three weeks ago while Link was giving Zelda her bi-weekly archery lesson. Link had finally convinced the princess that she should relieve some of her tension and stress through physical exercise. The princess was thrilled with the idea (not so much her mother). They were practicing in the Royal Archery field when all of a sudden Link heard a whiz through the air and an arrow landed at his feet. Link quickly glanced up at the hill facing them and saw a small figure atop the mound. He quickly got the Princess to safety in some underbrush along the forest which lined the archery field but by the time Link felt she was safe the small figure at the top of the hill was gone.
After that their archery lessons had ended (per order of the Queen) and Zelda became all but consumed with her party preparations. Link guessed it was other issues pertaining to the gala like the crowning ceremony and easing diplomatic tensions of neighboring countries who didn't get along but were going to be together over the long weekend. Still Link hadn't ever seen the Princess so distracted with a party. She was acting… well, like a girl!
Link sighed out loud and tried to clear his mind. He didn't need to be worrying about the princess at the moment. She was safe and sound getting her finishing touches on her gown among her ladies-in-waiting. Link needed a little meditation to clear his thoughts and mind. He focused on the sounds around him: the quiet hum of a bee, the breeze blowing through the leaves of the tree, and the gentle gurgling of the river. Link breathed deeply taking in the peace around him. Then suddenly, Epona neighed loudly and Link could have sworn he heard steel on steel. He opened his eyes and looked out across the field. Much to his surprise he saw a small, lithe figure battling a much more imposing and larger moblin. They seemed to have just emerged from the forest along the edge of the field and it looked like the smaller figure was losing ground quickly.
Link unsheathed the Master Sword next to him and ran swiftly across the field. Running he thought to himself, "What did this kid get himself into?" As he got closer, he saw that the small figure was deftly avoiding the moblin's attacks, sidestepping and jumping randomly. Link realized the moves where not random but the boy was trying to get the monster off balance. As Link approached the two dueling, he saw that the young boy was wearing some sort of face covering and hood. As Link ran forward, he brought his sword down attempting to slice the monster's back. The moblin had heard Link approaching and anticipated the move, quickly turning from the boy to deflect the blow.
"Raaaah!" the moblin roared at Link.
"Leave it alone!" shouted the boy. "This is my fight!"
As Link was taken by surprise by the loud shout from the young boy, the moblin saw his opportunity and sliced his sword in front of Link's chest. Link was too quick from him though and jumped to the side. The distraction of Link left a wide opening for the boy who pierced the moblin's armor by driving his sword into the monster's side. As he drew his sword out and the creature fell to his knees, the boy suddenly jumped in the air and brought his sword down into the creature's back. The boy stood there for a moment while the moblin screamed out loud. He then withdrew his sword and the moblin slumped to the ground dead.
Link was surprised by the quick kill by the boy and stood staring for a moment. The boy quietly cleaned his sword on a rag he pulled from his belt satchel and then proceded to rummage through the moblin's belongings.
"What are you doing? Link finally asked.
"I'm looking for rupees or anything else that might be useful. What does it look like I am doing?" answered the boy.
Link didn't reply. He had forgotten the ways of Hyrule Field. Once you kill a monster you look to see what they might be able to provide you with: bombs, arrows, rupees. Link realized maybe he had gone a little soft in his days at the palace.
Link eyed the boy again. Maybe he wasn't so much a boy as a young man. He wasn't very tall but he definitely knew exactly what he was doing. Link saw the man wore a bow and arrow strapped to his back and saw among his belt Deku seeds and a slingshot. He was a hardened warrior Link realized.
The man stood up with a handful of rupees and a couple of arrows. He grunted with satisfaction and put the rupees in his purse. As he was putting his arrows in his quiver he said to Link, "Look, next time you see someone fighting a monster don't try to play hero, ok?"
Link was taken aback with the ingratitude. He had definitely helped him kill the monster by distracting him. "Well, it looked like you needed some help," Link said crossing his arms.
"I had it under control," the young man said. Then suddenly he grabbed his side and winced in pain.
"Are you ok?" Link asked concerned.
The boy winced again and said, "I'm fine. Just a little scratch." As he removed his hand from his side, Link saw it was covered in blood.
"No you aren't," Link said stepping towards him.
The boy turned sharply away from Link. "I'm fine!" the boy said firmly. Holding a rag against his wound he said, "I'll get fixed up once I get to Hyrule Castle."
Link could see that he wasn't going to get this kid talking to him very easily. He tried another approach. "Well, I'm heading back that way myself. I could give you a ride on my horse," Link said as he whistled for Epona. Epona trotted over to the two young men and gently nudged Link.
The boy looked with admiration at Epona. Link could tell he was impressed with Epona's beauty and strength. "Thanks," the boy said gentler now. "But I have my own steed." As he whistled in a high pitch tone, a beautiful black stallion emerged galloping from the woods where Link had first seen the boy and the moblin come out from between the trees. The horse trotted up to the boy and gently nudged him. Link thought he saw a smile on the boy's face.
"This is Ristan my horse and companion," the boy said looking at his steed smiling quietly to himself. The boy noticed that Link saw him looking at his horse and quickly his smile vanished. "Well, I should get going," he said awkwardly wincing while mounting Ristan.
"Well I'm riding with you," Link said matter-of-factly mounting Epona. He looked hard at the boy. "I'm Link," he said putting out his hand.
The boy looked suspiciously at Link and then at his hand. "I'm Vay," he said shaking Link's hand. And the two set off towards Hyrule Castle.