Author's note: This will be a quicker update than usual since I already had the chapter written in rough, so here it is.


Saria kept her eyes closed tightly as they walked out onto the Hylian planes. Seeing the bright light of the sun on her eyelids, she slowly opened them. The deep blue sky and blinding sun were so overwhelming for someone who had been used to the yellow mists of the Forest all of their life, and they hadn't even gotten past the walls that surrounded the entrance yet. Feeling a little dizzy, Saria sank to the ground.

"Whoa, are you ok?" Link asked worriedly kneeling down beside her. Nori fluttered anxiously over her head giving some of his energy to her.

"Yeah I'm fine, the magic is a lot weaker out here that's all." Saria replied leaning against the giant stone wall behind her.

"I guess it takes time to get used to it, odd how it didn't happen to me though. Maybe that's because I never really was and never will be a true Kokiri…"

"You are inside and that's the only part that matters." Saria pushed herself up ready to go on. "Now, show me this famous field."


Zelda paced back and fourth on the drawbridge leading into the castle. She had requested to have it opened specially so the deliveries for the party could be made. Peering down the long dusty lane, she hoped something would be coming.

"Where the heck are they?" As if to answer her question, a small wooden wagon rattled up the road stopping at the tall iron gate to sign in with the guard. Zelda hurried over to it when it arrived at the drawbridge.

"Why hello there Princess." A short chubby man jumped off the wagon giving Zelda a cheery wave, "did you come to collect the milk yourself today?"

"Good morning Talon, you know me, I'm not the kind of princess who sits inside all day letting her servants take care of her every need." Zelda smiled going over to help take out the milk and to check they had brought extra for the party the following day.

"Morning Princess Zelda!" Talon's daughter Malon leapt out of the wagon to join them, her long autumn red hair swung neatly tied in a ponytail behind her.

"Hello Malon nice to see you, oh and please, there's no need to call me 'Princess', Zelda will do just fine. I like what you've done with your hair."

"Thanks, I decided I needed something to keep it out of my face in the wind but I would never cut it." Zelda and Malon weren't exactly friends since Malon only came up now and again with her father to deliver the milk but the two always enjoyed chatting. Zelda was hoping to get to know the horse loving farm girl better at the party.

The girls grabbed the loose bottles left in the back of the wagon while Talon placed a large crate on a trolley used to move milk crates short distances. "Let's take the milk round to the kitchens." He grunted pushing the trolley around the moat to the side door that led down into the castle kitchens.

"So why's the drawbridge down? I assume it wasn't for our benefit." Malon quietly joked nearly dropping the bottle she was carrying.

"I'm expecting some more deliveries later today, since the milk and food which is coming later need to go straight into the kitchens there was no need for you to use the main entrance."

"Waiting for anything interesting to come?" Malon asked as they reached the door to the kitchens. Talon dragged the crate off the trolley ready for one of the servants to come collect it. Zelda knocked on the door and waited for one of the kitchen staff to open it.

"Not really, just a few decorations for the ballroom and dining room to liven the place up a little. Hey, why don't you stay over and give me a hand getting everything ready?"

"Sure, sounds like fun." Malon agreed excitedly, apart from a few random children in the market, Malon didn't get many chances to spend time with people her own age and she was also intrigued by Zelda's down-to-earth personality which was very unusual for a princess. A young dark-haired man opened the door after hearing the knocking from down in the servants' chambers. He wore the standard royal servant uniform of a shabby red tunic with the Hylian Royal family's crest sewn neatly on the left hand side.

"Morning Princess, I see you're here with this week's milk supplies. Let me take those bottles from you." He offered politely taking the bottles from both Zelda and Malon before nodding to Talon to acknowledge the crate.

"That reminds me, I told my father I'd settle your payment for the delivery this week." Zelda mumbled searching through her dress pockets for the correct amount of rupees the king had given her.

Talon chuckled lightly when Zelda handed him the rupees. "You could run this place all by yourself." Zelda blushed slightly, organising a party and sorting out the deliveries was one thing but running a country was something she still had a lot to learn about. Malon asked her dad if it was alright for her to stay at the castle that night, after he willingly agreed, the girls waved goodbye to him then sat on the grassy bank near the drawbridge to await the next arrivals.


"It's so beautiful." Saria stood in awe looking out into the vast land of Hyrule. She looked east to see the clear blue waters of Zora River and the huge Death Mountain sitting far off in the distance. She looked west to see a small ranch resting in the centre of the field.

"Straight ahead is Hyrule Castle Town, it's too far away to see right now though." Link informed, he then pointed in each direction telling her what places were located there.

"It's going to take us ages to get there at this rate." Saria said looking in the direction of the castle sadly.

Link grinned taking out his ocarina, "not when you have a ride." Playing a song Saria had never heard, Link waited for a second before the galloping of hooves could be heard. As quickly as the song had been played, a medium sized chestnut red horse ran up to him nuzzling his face. "Take it easy girl." He laughed patting the horse's nose gently. Saria kept her distance staring at the animal in fascination. "Come on over Saria, don't be shy, Epona won't hurt you."

Saria slowly edged her way towards to horse, reaching out a hand she gave Epona a quick pat on the head then took her hand away. Epona shook her head up in agreement and moved towards Saria wanting more. Seeing a flying ball of light hovering above her, the horse tried to take a bite out of it.

"Eep!" Nori squeaked dashing onto Saria's head who couldn't help giggling.

"I knew she'd like you, you didn't even have to play her song." Link smiled watching Epona nuzzling Saria's hand playfully. Saria suddenly looked up at Link frowning. "Uh what's wrong?" He asked nervously not liking the look on her face.

"Speaking of songs, what have you done with the Fairy Ocarina I spent ages making for you?" Link gulped realising he'd been using the Ocarina of Time ever since he'd found it in the moat on the night Zelda had thrown it for him. He fidgeted around in his tunic pockets trying to find it. Luckily, it was tucked safely into the chest pocket.

"I keep it in here close to my heart." Link said swiftly taking the instrument out to show her. Saria knew he hadn't put it there with that thought in mind but it was nice all the same.

"I'll let you off this time, only because you're you." She took the ocarina from him to take a closer look, it looked as good as it had done when she first gave it to him on that bridge nearly three years ago.

"Well thank Farore for being me." Link sighed with relief taking his ocarina back from his friend then mounting Epona. Holding out a hand he motioned for Saria to get on behind him. "Hold on tight!" Link shouted as Epona began a calm trot which suddenly turned to a full blown gallop

"Is this safe?" Saria yelled into Link's back holding on for her life.

"Of course it is, you're with me aren't you?" He replied confidently turning to look at her, "we should be there a little before evening at this pace."


Malon was standing in the elegant royal ballroom admiring the décor. The room was lined with expensive gold tiles with a matching golden floor which sparkled in the light. At the front of the room was a small stage where a deep red carpet rolled down its steps onto the dance floor. While waiting for Zelda to change into something more suited for working, Malon took the opportunity to test out the floor.

"Tra la la la la." She sang as she expertly performed a series of jumps and spins along the tiles. Stopping to take a breath, she heard clapping coming from the door. Zelda entered the room looking totally different than the public normally saw her, wearing sky blue leggings and a light pink long sleeved top, Malon thought she looked like a regular Hylian girl.

"That was pretty impressive." Zelda complimented her, "where did you learn to move like that?"

It was Malon's turn to blush now, "My mom taught me before she passed away. I used to hate dancing after that but I came to accept she was gone and would want me to be happy so I carried on practising."

"I never got to meet my mom….she died in childbirth." Zelda wiped away a tear as she thought about all the pictures she'd seen of the mother who only existed in stories to her.

"Oh Zelda I'm sorry, I knew the queen had died but I didn't know it was like that. I wouldn't have brought it up if I'd realised." Malon felt suddenly uncomfortable which Zelda saw straight away.

"It's ok, although I never actually got to meet her, my father told me many stories about what a great person she was, he says I get more and more like her everyday and I have Impa who although isn't biologically related to me feels like a member of the family. Anyway enough of that, let's get this place looking amazing!"


After most of the shop owners had packed away for the night, packs of stray dogs roamed the cobbled streets of Hyrule Market searching for scraps of anything they could find. Castle guards stood at each of the entrances watching out for anyone up to no good. Outside the market by the large drawbridge that was about to close in a few minutes, Epona came to a stop throwing her head up to show she knew they were there. Link slid off the horse while Saria tumbled off headfirst.

"I won't be doing that again in a hurry." She jumped up dusting herself off.

"You'll get used to it, we'll have to get Malon to give you some proper lessons, starting with dismounting." He began to laugh which resulted in him getting a whack on the arm. Suddenly stopping, Link gave Saria a puzzled look. "Did you grow? I was sure you were only as tall as my shoulders but now you're up to at least my chin."

Saria glanced at Link then at herself. "The Deku Sprout said I'd grow quite quickly to catch up with my Hylian age, didn't realise it would be this fast."

Entering the market just in the time, the pair got to see the gate guard closing the drawbridge for the night to stop the wandering stalchildren from entering.

"Travelling rule number two - whenever you reach a town look for a decent inn." Link headed down one of the market alleys where an inn ran by an excitable woman named Clara he stayed in now and again was located.

"Rule number two? What's number one?" Saria asked trying to keep up with him.

"Wear sturdy walking shoes of course." Link replied as if it was an obvious thing then paused to tap his shoes on the ground. "Hmm these are a little worn, time for some shopping tomorrow I think. You could do with some new ones too." He pointed at her green Kokiri lace up boots.

"What's wrong with them?"

"They must be about eight decades old by now." Link knocked on the inn door.

"They are not! They're ten decades old actually." Saria corrected him sticking her tongue out.

"Thus proving my point." A jolly round woman opened the door to greet the two happily welcoming them in. The inside was humbly furnished with comfortable armchairs accompanied by a warm crackling fire in the corner of the room giving it a family feel. An elderly Hylian man sat in one of the chairs drinking freshly brewed tea while enjoying the warmth of the flames. Looking up, he gave the new guests a friendly wave.

"Hello there Mr Link!" The woman exclaimed in a foreign accent rarely heard in Hyrule, "I see you have found yourself a girlfriend and a very pretty one at that." She chuckled bustling about behind a desk searching for room keys.

"Erm she's a friend that's a girl but it's nothing more." Link blushed hoping the floor would swallow him whole right about now.

"Yes yes! You will be wanting a double room then?"

"One room with two beds." Link put emphasis on the word two to make sure the woman heard what he wanted.

"Yes yes! I have one of those, please follow me!" She moved clumsily around the desk sending a plant pot smashing to the floor causing damp soil to splatter all over Link.

"Don't say a word." He warned Saria who was making an effort not to giggle. Clambering up the stairs, he went to their room to get cleaned up. Giving Link some privacy to change, Saria took a seat in the living room where the old man was still sipping his tea.

"Evening young lady." He smiled watching her sit opposite him on a long sofa. "Would you like some tea?" He offered reaching for the silver kettle sitting on a table next to him. Never having tasted Hylian tea before, Saria accepted his offer carefully pouring a cup for herself

"Mm this is very good." She took a sip sitting back down again.

"Sure is." The man agreed, "So have you travelled far to reach here?" He asked genuinely interested seeing as the girl didn't wear the usual Hylian garments and the fairy sitting on her shoulder was a giveaway.

"You could say that." Saria answered as Link returned from freshening up in a clean tunic, taking some tea for himself he took a seat next to her.

"Back in the day you would never see anyone of another race around here, of course, that was thanks to that scum Ganondorf. I heard he mysteriously disappeared a few years ago, good riddance if you ask me!" The man rambled angrily on until Saria dropped her cup spilling tea all over the rug. Standing up, she ran out of the room holding her head in pain.

"Saria!" Link yelled as she vanished up the stairs, placing his own cup on the table, he dashed off after her.

"Was it something I said?" The man asked to an empty room.


"There, finished!" Zelda announced as she put the last balloon in place. Taking a step back, the girls admired their hard work. Colourful balloons and streamers hung all around the room, but the main attraction was a large gold and silver banner covering the high part of the walls at the front of room which read 'Happy Birthday' in sparkling letters that Zelda had cut and stuck on herself.

"A job well done by the amazing duo of Princess Zelda future ruler of Hyrule and Malon the world famous horse rider!" Malon did a little victory dance.

"It must be nice to plan your own future." Zelda sighed chucking the loose packages the decorations came in into some boxes.

"No one's future is written in stone you know." Malon tried to console her new friend.

"Oh mine is. No, seriously it is." Zelda saw the confused look on Malon's face. "My father had a will engraved in stone that if anything should happen to him I shall be the new ruler."

"Wow, way to take an old saying and totally mess it up."

Impa appeared in the doorway to collect the girls for the evening meal. "I'm impressed, this all looks lovely." The Sheikah commented on their handy work.

"Thank you Impa." Zelda smiled putting a stepladder to lean near one of the walls, "did you need us for something?"

"I came to tell you food is being served now, after it we should go and pick out a dress for Malon to wear at the party tomorrow, I assume you already have yours ready?"

"I get a dress?" Malon asked curiously.

"No offence Malon but you can't turn up looking like that." Zelda looked the farm girl up and down, she was wearing her usual working overalls which were great for normal days but wouldn't do tomorrow.

"Hmm yeah I guess you're right, I have one or two dresses back home but if you don't mind me borrowing one."

"No of course I don't, now come on let's eat." Zelda grabbed Malon by the arm dragging her to the dining room.

Pushing open the old oak double doors, Malon gaped at the massive dining room. A long wooden table took up the main portion of the floor, chandeliers hung from the ceiling magically lit to illuminate the place in yellow light. The table itself was covered with various dishes the chefs had prepared earlier that day. Malon wiped her hands nervously on her overalls tapping Zelda on the shoulder.

"I can't eat with the royal family looking like this!" Zelda couldn't help laughing.

"It's ok Malon, it will only be us and Impa this evening, Father has gone out on business and won't be back until later. Besides, we never dress formally for dinner unless we have guests from another country."

Feeling a little more at ease, Malon took a seat next to Zelda waiting for the meal to begin. A servant entered the room followed by Impa who was carrying the party checklist. The servant placed some cutlery on the table, bowed then left. Zelda lifted the lid of one of the dishes.

"Ah good, Bella cooked my favourite meal tonight, ever tried Octorok Stew Malon?"

Malon peered into the bowl catching glimpses of what she assumed were pieces of octorok. "Only once or twice since we don't get many octoroks around the ranch due to the fact we live nowhere near the lake."

"Father usually brings some back when we go on visits to Lake Hylia or the Zoras send them as gifts when King Zora and Princess Ruto come over for meetings." Zelda explained while filling a spoon full of stew to put in her own dish dripping some on the tablecloth. "Oops, this is why we don't have stew when other royals come over, I always end up spilling some." Zelda could hear Impa's muffled laughter coming from behind the party list

"At least I wasn't the one who tripped over their own shoes landing face first in her birthday cake last year." Zelda said loudly, smirking wickedly like a teenage daughter would.

"You know I had a bad leg that day." Impa countered before the two started laughing, Malon joined in too so she wouldn't feel left out. "Anyway, I was just checking over your list." Impa continued, "everything seems to be ready now."

"That's great, it means we have most of tomorrow to ourselves. Fancy a bit of shopping Malon?"

"Love to, we can pick up some last minute things for tomorrow night." Malon suggested chewing forcefully on a piece of octorok meat.


Saria sat huddled on her bed staring at a blank spot on the wall. Her face had drained of its usual colour worrying Link even more when he entered the room. Sitting next to her he put an arm around her shoulders.

"What happened back there?"

"I saw him." She answered barely audible. "I saw bodies of innocent people laying mangled in the dirt of the market. He was stood laughing over them all, evil yellow eyes gleaming with triumph."

"You saw Ganondorf in the market? That must have been the time when he ruled over Hyrule during my seven year sleep, but that's in another timeline, only me and Zelda remember, unless it's something to do with you being a Sage. I'll ask her tomorrow."

"I only saw one scene of that place but it was enough. How do you deal with it? You must have seen so much cruelty, so much pain." She shuddered picturing the bodies again. The average Kokiri had never seen a corpse or much suffering before, seeing a whole market full of them in a minute wasn't easy to take in.

"You learn to cope with it. The market was an awful place during those times but it was nothing compared to the Shadow Temple. The voices, the shadows, the never ending darkness that sucked out every inch of hope my soul had." He went on to talk about the redeads, mummies, wall masters and other hideous things that lurked in the temple. Saria had heard the story before but this time she realised something she hadn't seen until now, Link may be a child on the outside but inside, he had become a man who had experienced more trials than most men would ever experience in their entire lives. "I was Hyrule's final chance, if I had cracked under the pressure none of us would be here." Link finished, one of his fists clenched tightly in anger.

"You've grown so much." Saria smiled flicking a stray strand of hair out of his eyes. "We should get some sleep, big day tomorrow." Sliding off the bed ,she kissed him on the cheek. Link put his hand to his face returning the smile watching her leave the room to apologise for the mess on the rug.

Morning came too soon for the residents of Castle Town when the sun rose over the peeks of Death Mountain bringing with it a new day. Market traders unpacked their stalls or opened their shops ready for the early customers.

Link rolled over in bed sleepily opening his eyes to find the sun streaming in through the curtains. Looking over at the bed opposite his own, he noticed it was empty. Pushing the covers off, he quickly put on his boots and headed downstairs to find Saria happily munching on a cooked breakfast in the kitchen. Nori as usual was sitting faithfully at her side, Link had noticed the talkative fairy had been very quiet lately.

"Morning birthday boy." She waved. Link stifled a yawn sitting at the table next to her. "Some things never change, I'll give you your present later if that's ok."

Link nodded still half asleep pulling a plate towards himself.

"I hear it's somebody's birthday today!" A loud voice screeched through the house, Clara bounced into the kitchen carrying what looked like a wilted plant. "I have a present for you!" She shoved the plant in his lap, "isn't it pretty?"

"It certainly is something." Link stared at the thing stuffing it in one of his pockets managing to seem slightly thankful for it.

After eating, the pair left the inn going into the market to buy some new shoes. Link stopped to tie a loose lace leaving Saria to wander into the now crowded market. Not watching where she was walking, she nearly tripped over someone sitting on the ground

"Please sell me something with C." A beggar on the floor pleaded flailing his arms in the air. Never having seen a homeless person before, Saria jumped back in shock, turning around a group of them appeared behind her clawing for anything they could grab.

"Back off!" Link growled tossing a deku nut into the cluster of desperate people. Blinded by the flash, the beggars disappeared back down the alleys they crawled out of.

"What's C?" Saria asked an annoyed Link.

"I have no idea, whatever it is, he has no reason to be there nagging for things to buy on the street. If he has so much money he should get himself a decent house." He pointed her in the direction of the clothes and shoe shop while he popped into the Shooting Gallery to make some extra rupees.


Zelda wrapped a blue Sheikah cloak tightly around herself glancing in the mirror to make sure it looked convincing. Over the last few years, Impa had been teaching her the secret combat skills of the Sheikah. Since there was no threat of danger, the training hadn't been as rushed as it had been back in Ganondorf's days so Zelda wasn't quite ready to be able to transform into her alter ego Sheik yet. For now, she had to make do with a long cloak disguise which she wasn't allowed to wear often in case people got suspicious of who she really was. Pulling the hood down over her face, she patiently waited for Malon on the castle steps.

The girls entered the market unnoticed with ease, taking a brief look around, a small clothes shop caught Malon's eye. Clutching Zelda's arm she dragged her friend into the shop. Inside was warm and welcoming. Clothes of every colour hung neatly around the room lined with fine pine panelled walls to create the warming feel. Bustling into the sea of clothes, Malon emerged with a yellow woollen scarf perfect for those cold days working on the ranch. Noticing the owner was busy with another customer, the girls took a seat on the ledge near the window where a manikin robed in expensive dinner clothes stared out into the crowded streets. However, there was someone else also sitting on that ledge who shifted over a little to make room for them.

Running her fingers through the scarf, Malon lost herself in its softness. Being the polite young lady she was, she turned to say hello to other the person realising she was wearing clothes she'd seen before. Taking another look she remembered where she knew them from.

"Are you from the Forest?" She blurted out forgetting all about manners in an instant. The girl had a comfortable aura about her and the emerald-coloured hair intrigued Malon even more.

Not expecting to be spoken to, Saria gave Malon a smile nodding her head. "That's right. I guess the clothes and Nori here are a giveaway. I'm Saria nice to meet you." She held out her hand for the shocked Malon who shook her head then excitedly took Saria's hand shaking it vigorously.

"Saria, Link's best friend Saria right? My name's Malon from Lon Lon Ranch. I'm a good friend of Link's, he told me Kokiri couldn't leave the forest though so how are you here?"

"Let's just say I'm a rare exception." Saria made a very long story short for the time being, a local shop was no place to be telling stories like hers.

All the while Malon and Saria were getting to know each other, Zelda sat huddled in her cloak. The mental wheels in her head were spinning faster and faster after each word was spoken. Her worst fears had come true, the girl Link would always talk so dearly about had somehow left her home and by the looks of it she was growing up into nothing less than an attractive young woman. It was obvious to her even if they didn't know it themselves what was going to happen. They'd end up falling in love, leaving her back where she started; just when she thought she had a chance to be with Link, this had to happen.

Wiping away a single tear, Zelda stood up whispering for Malon to hurry up with paying for the scarf. Saria watched the two leave not having a clue who the hooded figure was, but she gave them a wave anyway which Malon happily returned.

Link entered shortly after carrying a bag of rupees ready to pick out some new shoes. Saria filled him in on her meeting with Malon and the cloaked person. Sitting down next to her, he scratched his head thinking who it could have been.

"Oh, I remember, Zelda likes to wear a cloak when she goes out without Impa or any guards." He said in a low voice not to attract attention to the idea that the princess was out alone.

"She seemed distraught seeing me. I don't think she likes me."

"Don't be daft, how could anyone not like you? You're so kind and caring, besides, Zelda probably had a lot on her mind. That brain of hers is always working overtime." Link shrugged it off leading Saria to the travelling boots section where they both picked out a pair of boots similar to the ones they already had. Saria used the excuse that she needed green boots not to break the trend which Link rolled his eyes at, but didn't stop her if she was happy. Not knowing what weather in other countries would be like, Link took a glance at the jackets spying some Hylian mountain fleeces made especially for the hardcore traveller. The material was an unknown type to Link but it felt so soft in his hands. Slipping a dark red one off its hanger, he tried it on admiring himself in one of the shop's full length mirrors.

"It suits you." Saria smiled coming over carrying their new boots in a bag the owner had given her. Going back into the row of coats, Link found a few more of the same design, thinking Saria would need one too he picked out a forest green one not to break her 'trend'. Insisting she try it on, Link went to pay for them telling her the cost didn't matter.

Stepping out into the daytime sun, they caught a glimpse of Zelda and Malon strolling into the Bombchu Bowling Alley. Deciding not to bother them at that time, they made their way back to the inn for some lunch. Link had a feeling the night ahead was going to be a very eventful one.