A/N: Hey guys. This is my first go at a Zelda fanfiction and I hope I do it justice. This fanfiction is really set during or after one of the games, however I'm using the map from Ocarina of Time. Also in this fic, Zelda has brown hair just like in Twilight Princess and my interpretation of Link may be a bit different. It's hard to tell what sort of personality he has considering he doesn't have any dialogue in the games. If there are any other questions about the fic, please ask. And I hope your guys can tell me what you thought of the first chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 1

Since the day she was born, Zelda had been taught all the arts of self defence and other various skills. Before she could be trusted with a sword, she was taught martial arts along with the tedious tasks of learning the politics and history of Hyrule. She was taught how to shoot a bow and arrow and play the ocarina. She was the best swords woman in Hyrule for her age of nineteen years as well as the most elegant ball room dancer the kingdom had ever seen. There wasn't a day where Zelda wasn't kept busy doing either of these things, though she never complained. She just hoped that one day she would be able to rule just as well as her father.

One afternoon, when Zelda was shooting arrows through blazing hoops in one of the many courtyards of Hyrule Castle, the King came down to watch her. However, Zelda knew there was something he was meaning to ask her. Her father never usually visited her during the day. Most of the time they would only see each other at night when it was time for their evening meal. Despite this she enjoyed the company of her father outside in the courtyard, and it also gave her an opportunity to show off how much she had improved her archery skills.

"Well done, Zelda," her father clapped his hands together, smiling proudly. "We ought to bring in some of the monsters of the forest into the castle, I'm afraid burning rings are becoming too easy for you."

Zelda laughed. "I think I'll stick with the burning rings then." Zelda walked over to a small table where a servant poured her a glass of ice cold water. Zelda took a sip, refreshing herself from standing out in the sun for so long. "Is there something you would like to speak to me about, Father?"

"Was I that obvious, dear?" He chuckled. "Yes, there is something I would like to speak with you about. Sir Oliver has brought to my attention that your swordsmanship has far exceeded his and you are in need of a more experienced teacher if you wish to improve. I must say Zelda, I'm not even sure if there is a better swordsman in Hyrule, but I shall do my best to find one for you."

"Oh," Zelda said, surprised. Sir Oliver often told her that she might need a new teacher, but Zelda just thought he was joking and being polite. Sir Oliver had been teaching Zelda how to wield a sword since day one and she had never even dreamt of becoming more experienced than even one of the knights of Hyrule. "Are you really sure that's necessary? I've been training with Sir Oliver for years and it wouldn't be the same with another swordsman."

"Oh you'll get used to him. But first, I must find this swordsman."

"And how do you suppose you'll do that?"

"I'll think of something..." he assured her.

The sun was setting down behind the mountains, turning the sky a golden tinge above Lon Lon Ranch. Link had spent the day practising jumps with Epona. As it was getting late, Link realised he needed to get back to Kakariko Village for the night. On his way out, Malon was inspecting the fencing of the Ranch. Over the years it had become rotted and in dire need of a replacement.

"Link, I don't know how I'm supposed to afford new fencing for the entire place. The animals need to be secure and I can't put this off any longer than I already have."

Link absently picked off a bit of the rooted fence, examining just how bad it was.

"Hey!" exclaimed Malon. "Are you trying to make it worst?"

Link chuckled. "How much would it cost for a new one?"

"A good quality fencing job is going to cost me 850 Rupees. It's ridiculous! Where am I supposed to find 850 Rupees? In the bushes?"

Link shrugged. "I'll get the money."

Malon turned around to face him, her dress twirling around with her. "What?"

"I'll get the money," he repeated.

"No way, I couldn't accept it," she said. "I'll find the money somehow."

"It's alright Malon. I want to help," he said.

"Well if it isn't any trouble..."

"None at all. What are friends for?"

"For paying for your fences?" She joked.

"Close enough," he laughed.

As Link and Epona were speeding across Hyrule Field to Kakariko Village, Navi popped out from Link's pocket. "Nice going genius! How exactly are you going to get the Rupees to pay Malon."

"I'll think of something," he told her. "Something'll comes up."

Navi sighed. They rode the rest of the way in silence. Link had no idea how he was going to manage the Rupees to pay for the fence, yet things had always seemed to work out for him in the past, so why not now? All the money he had at the moment was going towards the rent he was playing at the inn and for food and drink. Maybe he would have to search the bushes after all.

A dozen Cuccos were sitting by the entrance to the village and Epona ran straight through them. Clucking and making a fuss, they flew in every direction striving to get away from the great stallion. As long as they didn't start attacking Link, he was happy.

Link arrived at the inn just as the sun had departed from the sea. He walked Epona to the inn's stables and gave her some food for the night. "Night Epona. You did great today," he told her, brushing her mane.

The horse nodded her head at him, swishing her tail in respond.

Link walked round to the door of the inn and noticed the inn keeper nailing a notice onto the door.

"What's this?" Link asked.

"The King's holding a tournament in three days for the best swordsmen in Hyrule. You should enter, Link. I've seen you with a sword. You are quite extraordinary I must say. Where'd you learn to fight like that anyway?" the inn keeper asked.

Link shrugged. "Just picked it up, I suppose."

"Well let me tell you, you have a gift, and you should use that gift to win the tournament. Plus there's a reward in it for you, too. If only I had a thousand Rupees. A big long vacation is what I need," he said, walking back into the inn.

Navi flew over to the poster to get a better look. "Hey Link! You were right! Now we can pay for Malon's fence. This tournament should be a piece of cake for you."

"I told you, Navi," he said smugly. "If only you listened to me more often."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah."

When Link got into his room he pulled his green tunic off over his head, and collapsed onto his bed. It wasn't even that late in the night yet he was exhausted. He'd also need all the rest he could get if he was going to win the tournament in three days. He pulled his dagger from his belt and flung it onto the table beside him. He was very tempted to use the Master Sword in the tournament but he couldn't risk it being noticed.

When Link was a child, he was told by an old wise man that he was destined to become a great hero who would vanquish the land of all evil. The Master Sword was given to him to protect and guard until that day of the Hero arose. When wielding the sword, Link could almost feel the immense power pulsing through its blade. It was unlike any other sword he had ever encountered and he considered himself lucky to be the one chosen to wield it, for whenever that time came.

To ensure the safety of the sword Link had locked it under lock and key in a large chest he kept hidden in his closet. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, all of Hyrule would be doomed. So Link had no choice than to use his other blade instead for the tournament. It was by no means as powerful as the Master Sword, though Link could wield it just as well.

The more he thought about it, the more excited for the King's tournament he became. He had been ages since he'd been in battle with an actual person. Link only ever seemed to be using his sword in the woods to defeat monsters and Stalfos.

When Link fell asleep, he had a strange dream that he had to defeat a Cucco in the tournament. It was invincible! Whenever Link hit it with his sword, it would only get mad and start pecking at his head. Link tried to block it with his shield but the Cucco had suddenly called in for reinforcements and twenty more Cuccos appeared out of nowhere, surrounding him and pecking him all over his body. The whole crowd was laughing at him as he could hardly defend himself. Then he woke up, breathing heavily. It was only a dream.

"Bad dream, Link," Navi teased.

"I don't want to talk about it," he mumbled. He rolled over and soon fell back into a deep slumber.

TBC

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Please review.