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The setting sun bathed the field in creamy orange light, ending another peaceful day in Hyrule. Not a soul could be seen throughout vast field, and not a sound could be heard other than the quiet caressing breeze that rustled through the still blades of grass, gently nudged the flowers. As the sky grew darker, the wind seemed to cease blowing, and the quietness hung in the air, heavy and thick.

Hours passed as the warm sunshine turned into cool night, the star freckled sky hanging overhead, as if waiting. And then, all at once, the quiet broke as a lone rider came galloping into the field, its presence seeming to bring the night to life.

Bathed in the moon's milky glow, a young man rode atop a beautiful chestnut mare with his head hung down, his face in shadow. They seemed to move as one as the horse ran through the field, crushing grass and flowers beneath its hooves as it stared intently ahead. The horse moved with power and determination, as if it had a mission to complete. And it did. Its master needed to be home, and home it would take him. But suddenly the young man looked up, and gently pulled the horse's reigns.

"Whoa, girl."

He spoke very softly, whispering the words in her ear. The horse whined affectionately in protest, stating obviously that it wanted to get going. The man patted her gently on her nose, and then removed a small glass bottle from the loop around his belt. The bottle contained fresh cold water, and he had been thirsty. He unscrewed the cap and brought the bottle to his lips, as he took a large refreshing swig of the water.

As he drank, his gaze fell upon Hyrule Castle. The tall, stony white towers loomed overhead, and they filled the man with gloomy thoughts and memories. He sighed, and poured some of his water into his hand, which he allowed the horse to drink. Satisfied, he screwed the cover back on, attached the bottle back onto his belt, and gently nudged the horse's sides with the heels of his boots. It was time to get going.

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The young man arrived at a hut located at the very back of a quiet village. Having leaded his horse into a small stable behind the house, he opened the door to his own home, his shoulders slumping in exhaustion. He entered with the strong feeling of somebody watching him. From the corner of his eye he saw a shadow skitter in the darkness. A prowler?

He drew his sword out from behind him and held it steady, just in case. He could handle a prowler any day, he was thinking. And besides, what did he have that someone would want to steal, anyhow? He didn't have anything valuable, or too valuable…at least, nothing anyone would know about.

He laughed to himself as he pictured a thief holding Din's Fire, and throwing it aside as if it were a dirty pebble in the grass. The sound of careful footsteps came from behind him. He grinned, anticipating a fight. He swerved around and lashed out his sword, using up a good fraction of his magic power. The blue glow from his sword showed him the face of a kind and gentle girl.

"Saria?"

He stared at her in disbelief. He pulled back his sword, wincing at the power that he had swallowed back that now pulsed painfully through his veins. His cheeks blushing in embarrassment, he turned on the sitting room light, a sheepish grin on his face. In the light, the man's features were visible. He looked to be no more than 17 years old, and he was incredibly good looking. His eyes were a bright blue and very alert. He had messy, long gold hair partially covered by a floppy green cap, and big elfish ears, each pierced with a hoop earring. He wore a green tunic over a slim muscular body, with pouches dangling from his waist, and a large shield across is back.

"Saria, what are you doing here?" He sat down on the small, hay-stuffed couch and motioned for her to sit next to him. "Link, I…uhm…oh nothing. I just came for a friendly visit. Care for some, uh, tea?" the short girl waved her hand, and a jug of steaming herbal tea appeared on the table. Link stared at her. "Saria, we both know you wouldn't come down from the forest temple to have a cup of tea. Tell me, why are you here? Really." He eyed her carefully, regarding the blush on her face.

"Oh Link, really, its nothing." She curled a lock of green hair behind her ear. "I just wanted to say hi!" She smiled nervously, hoping that her cheeks weren't as crimson as she thought they were.

She sat down on the couch and poured the tea into two mugs that had appeared out of nowhere. "Do the other sages know you're here?" He stood up and took of his shield, hanging it on the wall above the fireplace. "Oh of course they do…" She pushed a mug towards Link and inhaled the aroma coming from her own, the smoky tendrils caressing her face. "They uh…sent me." She picked up her mug and took a long sip, enjoying the feeling of the hot tea running down her throat. Link hung his sword on the wall as well.

"Let me get this straight…the sages sent you to say hello to me, and to have a cup of tea?" He removed his belt and the many pouches and weapons tinkled as they knocked against each other. He placed it on the trunk near the fireplace, tossed his hat on top of the pile, and then kicked off his brown hard hide boots before sitting back down on the couch. He ignored the tea but continued to stare at Saria, his blue eyes intense. "Uh…funny, isn't it?" She forced a laugh and it sounded like a hiccup. Quickly, she brought the mug back to her mouth and stared at the floor.

"I don't understand. Why on earth would they send you here? And don't lie to me! The Sages have jobs to do, Saria. They don't just stop by to say hello." Link sounded impatient, and Saria began to feel nervous. "Oh Link; I dunno, maybe…oh…actually, they sent me because…oh gosh Link don't look at me that way!" Saria's hands began to tremble. Little splashes of the steaming brew ran out of the mug, and tickled the cold palms pressed against the sides. She set it down on the table, rubbing her hands on a cloth lying on the arm of the couch.

Link folded his arms across his chest, knowing the girl was keeping back more than she was telling. Why would the sages send her here? Especially now, at such a dangerous time? The temple would be so empty and unguarded, and any demon could enter without Saria's protection…he shook his head, his shaggy blonde hair obscuring his vision. The temple was safe; he was being paranoid. Looking back at Saria, he studied the frightened, nervous pinch in her smile, the strained look of anxiety in her eyes. What was she to be afraid of?

She didn't go against evil beings, risking her life for a town that barely knew her. She didn't set off for missions, knowing it would be her last. She didn't feel the pain and darkness of death, looming closer for the last flick of his enemy's sword, for the spill of warm blood spilling out beneath his body, staining his clothes, staining the floor, seeping into every crack and crevice…He shuddered, and came back to reality. Perhaps the sages thought there was something wrong with him, after his last journey. If they felt so much pity for him that they had to send Saria to check up on him, than why didn't they just do the job themselves, and leave him alone?

Link sighed, knowing that his thoughts were pointless. "By now, Saria, the Sages should know not to send someone here after…after…well, they especially shouldn't send someone like you. So go on, and let me be alone." He leaned back, hoping that Saria would just leave. He really did need some sleep. But the girl stood up, quickly, and her mug dropped out of her quivering hands, shattering, and the remaining tea spilled out over the furnished wood floor.

"Oh Link, why can't you just…what's wrong with me? I'm not good enough for you?" Her face crumpled with hurt, and tears sprang out of her large eyes. "The sages sent me here to tell…oh forget it. What's the use? I can't help it that I…Oh!" She broke down in a fit of sobs before waving her hand an disappearing in a flash of green light, leaving Link sitting straight up in bewilderment, his feet soaking in a puddle of herbal tea.