Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda.
Chapter 2
Link's mouth dropped open and he stared at Galan, then the kid, then Galan again.
"What?!"
Galan narrowed his eyes while Eric's own muddy brown eyes began to shimmer and he wrung his hands nervously.
"What's the matter? My son isn't good enough for ya?" Link shook his head, his hand covering his face. "No, it's not that..." he mumbled. He sighed. "Look, I'm no teacher. I don't think I could teach your son." Galan grabbed Eric by his shoulder and shook him. "I thought you might take the offer because it's a challenge," he said.
Link narrowed his eyes. "My son is a total clutz. He can't do anything right!" Eric blushed in embarrassment. "I thought, you being the Hero of Time and all, you'd accept such a challenge as turning this boy from a fool to a knight." Link flinched. He didn't like to be taunted, nor did he like the way this man was talking about his son like he wasn't even there at all. He sighed and placed a hand on his hip.
"Fine. I'll try and teach your son. Don't expect me to turn him into anything though." Galan nodded. "I don't expect miracles. But when you're done with him, I want him to be able to at least hold and swing a sword without breaking something." He clapped a hand on the boy's back causing him to stumble forward.
"Lessons start now," Galan said, before going inside the house and closing the door behind himself. Link scratched the back of his head, looking the boy over. Their eyes met for a moment before Eric looked away. "Um, so...I guess we should get started. Do you have a sword you could practice with?"
Eric nodded. "I do. I'll go get it," he replied in a quiet and timid voice. He dashed into the house and returned moments later with a plain short sword. Link held out his hand and Eric handed it over. The hero looked the sword over. It was rather homely, a simple brown hilt with a dull metal blade. He couldn't even see his reflection in it.
He sighed. "Alright, let's see what you can do," he mumbled, quite clearly displaying his reluctance to be there. Eric bit his lip, being hit with the full brunt of Link's unenthusiasm. "Um, what I can do?" he repeated. Link nodded, handing the sword back and crossing his arms over his chest. "So I know how much improvement you need."
Eric blushed once more, fingering the hilt. "Um, well....I don't know anything about using a sword," he admitted. Link's eye twitched. "You don't?" Eric nodded. Link sighed. 'This is going to be long day,' Link thought.
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Link sat on a rock a few feet from his new young apprentice who was practicing what Link had managed to teach him in a few hours. He had to admit that the boy certainly had potential. Eric had nearly perfected the technique that he had shown him only an hour before.
Link yawned, resting his elbow on his knee and his chin on his palm. It was now mid afternoon. He had left the castle reasonably early in the morning, a few hours after dawn, which meant that he had spent way too much time here. The hero glanced over at Eric, who was bent over with his hands on his knees, breathing hard. The blade of the sword was jabbed rather deeply into the ground, and from the looks of it, it looked like Eric had accidentally gotten it stuck.
Link sighed and came over, watching him briefly as he attempted to pull it out of the ground to no avail. The blond rolled his eyes and gently pushed the boy to the side. He gripped the hilt of the blade and with one tug, pulled it free. Link brushed a few dirt clumps off of the already dirty sword and rested it over his shoulder. Eric watched him, his eyes large with admiration.
"Thank you," he said, reaching for it, but Link didn't hand it over. "Do you have a horse?" Link asked. Eric tilted his head to the side. "Well, my father owns some horses, but I know he won't let me ride any of them," he replied. Link shrugged. "Fine. I'm heading for Lon Lon Ranch. You can get one there."
Eric's eyes widened with surprise and excitement. "I can have my own horse!?" he exclaimed. Link turned around and started walking, forcing the boy to follow. "Of course. How can you be a knight without a horse?" Link replied, casting a grin at him over his shoulder. Eric could hardly contain his excitement.
Outside of Kakariko village, Link removed the Ocarina of Time from his pocket and played Epona's Song. He waited patiently for his steed to arrive and smiled when he heard the even galloping of her hooves as she approached, crossing over the bridge in front of Kakariko. He patted her nose affectionately. Eric tugged on his sleeve.
Link didn't bother turning around, already assuming what Eric was about to say. "Don't tell me. You don't know how to ride a horse either?" He glanced over his shoulder and sighed when Eric nodded again, looking sheepishly at the ground. "Goddesses, boy! Has your father been keeping you locked up in a cellar or something?!" Link exclaimed. Eric flinched and averted his gaze from Link.
The hero noticed this and wondered why he would react that way. He had only meant it as a joke! He frowned and grabbed the boy's arm, tugging him to Epona's side. "Come on, it's getting late, and Malon will be mad if I arrive at night to request buying a horse from her," he said, trying to change the subject. Link climbed onto Epona's back and pulled Eric up to sit behind him. The young boy gripped the saddle tightly as the mare started at a slow trot before picking up to a speedy canter.
They arrived at Lon Lon Ranch a few minutes later. Link dismounted and helped Eric off who was a little shaken up from the ride. Link chuckled and smoothed down the boy's hair that had been blown to stick straight up in certain places on his head. Eric didn't even notice.
Link headed out to the corral with Eric following. Several of Malon's horses were galloping by. A black female with a white mane noticed Link and, instantly recognizing him, trotted over. Link grinned and patted the mare's nose as she nudged him affectionately.
Eric watched with fascination and reached out a tentative to stroke her nose as well. To his surprise and slight fear, the mare pulled away abruptly from his touch and snorted. Eric squeaked and hid behind Link as the mare stared him down with her large dark eyes. Link laughed.
"Don't let her scare you, kid, or she'll always know that she can intimidate you. Ya gotta let her know who's boss," Link said, yanking the mare's head down by the nose and staring into her eyes. The horse began to fidget until Link released her.
He motioned for Eric to come closer, and the boy did, reluctantly. "Now, pet her." Slowly, Eric reached a hand up to pat her nose and this time she didn't pull away. Even closing her eyes as he stroked the soft hairs of her white mane.
"See?" Link said as his new apprentice became more comfortable with the horse. "I'd think since you're dad owns horses that you'd be more accustomed to them." Eric looked down at his shoes. "My father doesn't let me near the horses because I'm such a clutz. He thinks I might hurt them by accident or something," he replied. Eric glanced back up at Link and saw a sympathetic expression on his face. He decided to quickly change the subject.
"So, what's the name of this horse?" Link ran his hand along her smooth black coat. "Black Thunder. I think she might be good for you. She's a little pushy at first, but that's only because she wants to make sure her rider isn't a pushover. Once she gets to know you, she's really friendly and reliable."
Eric stared at the horse with wide eyes. "You're really saying I could have this horse?" Link shrugged. "If Malon could bear to part with her. She's one of Mal's favorites." The young teen looked the horse over with wistful eyes. "Would you like this one?" Link asked him. Eric nodded vigorously. "I like her."
He paused, suddenly realizing something. "I...I don't think I have the money to..." Link shook his head holding out a hand to stop him from continuing. "Don't worry about the price. You're my apprentice. You need a horse. All expenses will be my problem. You just worry about your training," Link replied, patting the boy on the back.
A young woman with long flaming red hair approached them then, holding an empty milk pail. She spotted Link and waved to him, hurrying over. "Hey Link! I was hoping to see you today!" She noticed Eric and smiled at him. "And who's this cutey?" Eric blushed as Link put a hand on his shoulder. "This is my apprentice, Eric. Eric, meet Malon, co-proprieter of Lon Lon Ranch," Link introduced.
Malon blinked at the boy, then at Link. Then back to the boy. "You have an apprentice, Link?" she repeated incredulously. Link scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, so?" Malon laughed, the sound ringing out melodiously in their Hylian ears. "Oh nothing," she replied, laughter still in her voice and twinkling in her eyes.
"So what brought you and you're snicker apprentice here to my ranch?" Link frowned, annoyed that she was making fun of the fact that he had an apprentice, but decided to ignore it for now, he'd get her later. "He needs a horse," Link answered simply.
Malon reached up and stroked Black Thunder's mane. "And you're thinking about getting Black Thunder for him?" she asked. Link nodded. "Yeah. What price are you willing to let her go for?"
Malon smiled. "How bout we head inside and talk about the price over some tea and cookies?" Link shrugged. "Sounds good to me. Come on Eric," Link replied, leading the young boy into the house behind Malon.
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Chapter 2
Link's mouth dropped open and he stared at Galan, then the kid, then Galan again.
"What?!"
Galan narrowed his eyes while Eric's own muddy brown eyes began to shimmer and he wrung his hands nervously.
"What's the matter? My son isn't good enough for ya?" Link shook his head, his hand covering his face. "No, it's not that..." he mumbled. He sighed. "Look, I'm no teacher. I don't think I could teach your son." Galan grabbed Eric by his shoulder and shook him. "I thought you might take the offer because it's a challenge," he said.
Link narrowed his eyes. "My son is a total clutz. He can't do anything right!" Eric blushed in embarrassment. "I thought, you being the Hero of Time and all, you'd accept such a challenge as turning this boy from a fool to a knight." Link flinched. He didn't like to be taunted, nor did he like the way this man was talking about his son like he wasn't even there at all. He sighed and placed a hand on his hip.
"Fine. I'll try and teach your son. Don't expect me to turn him into anything though." Galan nodded. "I don't expect miracles. But when you're done with him, I want him to be able to at least hold and swing a sword without breaking something." He clapped a hand on the boy's back causing him to stumble forward.
"Lessons start now," Galan said, before going inside the house and closing the door behind himself. Link scratched the back of his head, looking the boy over. Their eyes met for a moment before Eric looked away. "Um, so...I guess we should get started. Do you have a sword you could practice with?"
Eric nodded. "I do. I'll go get it," he replied in a quiet and timid voice. He dashed into the house and returned moments later with a plain short sword. Link held out his hand and Eric handed it over. The hero looked the sword over. It was rather homely, a simple brown hilt with a dull metal blade. He couldn't even see his reflection in it.
He sighed. "Alright, let's see what you can do," he mumbled, quite clearly displaying his reluctance to be there. Eric bit his lip, being hit with the full brunt of Link's unenthusiasm. "Um, what I can do?" he repeated. Link nodded, handing the sword back and crossing his arms over his chest. "So I know how much improvement you need."
Eric blushed once more, fingering the hilt. "Um, well....I don't know anything about using a sword," he admitted. Link's eye twitched. "You don't?" Eric nodded. Link sighed. 'This is going to be long day,' Link thought.
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Link sat on a rock a few feet from his new young apprentice who was practicing what Link had managed to teach him in a few hours. He had to admit that the boy certainly had potential. Eric had nearly perfected the technique that he had shown him only an hour before.
Link yawned, resting his elbow on his knee and his chin on his palm. It was now mid afternoon. He had left the castle reasonably early in the morning, a few hours after dawn, which meant that he had spent way too much time here. The hero glanced over at Eric, who was bent over with his hands on his knees, breathing hard. The blade of the sword was jabbed rather deeply into the ground, and from the looks of it, it looked like Eric had accidentally gotten it stuck.
Link sighed and came over, watching him briefly as he attempted to pull it out of the ground to no avail. The blond rolled his eyes and gently pushed the boy to the side. He gripped the hilt of the blade and with one tug, pulled it free. Link brushed a few dirt clumps off of the already dirty sword and rested it over his shoulder. Eric watched him, his eyes large with admiration.
"Thank you," he said, reaching for it, but Link didn't hand it over. "Do you have a horse?" Link asked. Eric tilted his head to the side. "Well, my father owns some horses, but I know he won't let me ride any of them," he replied. Link shrugged. "Fine. I'm heading for Lon Lon Ranch. You can get one there."
Eric's eyes widened with surprise and excitement. "I can have my own horse!?" he exclaimed. Link turned around and started walking, forcing the boy to follow. "Of course. How can you be a knight without a horse?" Link replied, casting a grin at him over his shoulder. Eric could hardly contain his excitement.
Outside of Kakariko village, Link removed the Ocarina of Time from his pocket and played Epona's Song. He waited patiently for his steed to arrive and smiled when he heard the even galloping of her hooves as she approached, crossing over the bridge in front of Kakariko. He patted her nose affectionately. Eric tugged on his sleeve.
Link didn't bother turning around, already assuming what Eric was about to say. "Don't tell me. You don't know how to ride a horse either?" He glanced over his shoulder and sighed when Eric nodded again, looking sheepishly at the ground. "Goddesses, boy! Has your father been keeping you locked up in a cellar or something?!" Link exclaimed. Eric flinched and averted his gaze from Link.
The hero noticed this and wondered why he would react that way. He had only meant it as a joke! He frowned and grabbed the boy's arm, tugging him to Epona's side. "Come on, it's getting late, and Malon will be mad if I arrive at night to request buying a horse from her," he said, trying to change the subject. Link climbed onto Epona's back and pulled Eric up to sit behind him. The young boy gripped the saddle tightly as the mare started at a slow trot before picking up to a speedy canter.
They arrived at Lon Lon Ranch a few minutes later. Link dismounted and helped Eric off who was a little shaken up from the ride. Link chuckled and smoothed down the boy's hair that had been blown to stick straight up in certain places on his head. Eric didn't even notice.
Link headed out to the corral with Eric following. Several of Malon's horses were galloping by. A black female with a white mane noticed Link and, instantly recognizing him, trotted over. Link grinned and patted the mare's nose as she nudged him affectionately.
Eric watched with fascination and reached out a tentative to stroke her nose as well. To his surprise and slight fear, the mare pulled away abruptly from his touch and snorted. Eric squeaked and hid behind Link as the mare stared him down with her large dark eyes. Link laughed.
"Don't let her scare you, kid, or she'll always know that she can intimidate you. Ya gotta let her know who's boss," Link said, yanking the mare's head down by the nose and staring into her eyes. The horse began to fidget until Link released her.
He motioned for Eric to come closer, and the boy did, reluctantly. "Now, pet her." Slowly, Eric reached a hand up to pat her nose and this time she didn't pull away. Even closing her eyes as he stroked the soft hairs of her white mane.
"See?" Link said as his new apprentice became more comfortable with the horse. "I'd think since you're dad owns horses that you'd be more accustomed to them." Eric looked down at his shoes. "My father doesn't let me near the horses because I'm such a clutz. He thinks I might hurt them by accident or something," he replied. Eric glanced back up at Link and saw a sympathetic expression on his face. He decided to quickly change the subject.
"So, what's the name of this horse?" Link ran his hand along her smooth black coat. "Black Thunder. I think she might be good for you. She's a little pushy at first, but that's only because she wants to make sure her rider isn't a pushover. Once she gets to know you, she's really friendly and reliable."
Eric stared at the horse with wide eyes. "You're really saying I could have this horse?" Link shrugged. "If Malon could bear to part with her. She's one of Mal's favorites." The young teen looked the horse over with wistful eyes. "Would you like this one?" Link asked him. Eric nodded vigorously. "I like her."
He paused, suddenly realizing something. "I...I don't think I have the money to..." Link shook his head holding out a hand to stop him from continuing. "Don't worry about the price. You're my apprentice. You need a horse. All expenses will be my problem. You just worry about your training," Link replied, patting the boy on the back.
A young woman with long flaming red hair approached them then, holding an empty milk pail. She spotted Link and waved to him, hurrying over. "Hey Link! I was hoping to see you today!" She noticed Eric and smiled at him. "And who's this cutey?" Eric blushed as Link put a hand on his shoulder. "This is my apprentice, Eric. Eric, meet Malon, co-proprieter of Lon Lon Ranch," Link introduced.
Malon blinked at the boy, then at Link. Then back to the boy. "You have an apprentice, Link?" she repeated incredulously. Link scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, so?" Malon laughed, the sound ringing out melodiously in their Hylian ears. "Oh nothing," she replied, laughter still in her voice and twinkling in her eyes.
"So what brought you and you're snicker apprentice here to my ranch?" Link frowned, annoyed that she was making fun of the fact that he had an apprentice, but decided to ignore it for now, he'd get her later. "He needs a horse," Link answered simply.
Malon reached up and stroked Black Thunder's mane. "And you're thinking about getting Black Thunder for him?" she asked. Link nodded. "Yeah. What price are you willing to let her go for?"
Malon smiled. "How bout we head inside and talk about the price over some tea and cookies?" Link shrugged. "Sounds good to me. Come on Eric," Link replied, leading the young boy into the house behind Malon.
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