Chapter One

Link eyes jolted open and he looked around his room. His tunic was sticking to his body and he was lying on the floor beside his bed.

"Why do I always fall off the bed?" Link grumbled as he grabbed his hat off the floor beside him. He stood up and walked over to the ladder leading down to the ground floor. He had been having these dreams more frequently since the day that Midna had left. He opened the door and left his house. The sun was just starting to rise over the trees and the sky had a beautiful orange glow. Link sat on the porch just outside of his door and wiped his eyes, staring into the sky where Hyrule castle's highest peak was barely visible over the trees surrounding his home. Why was he so stressed? The world was at peace; after all he had saved it himself. Link lost himself in thought until a whinny startled him. Link looked down to see Epona stomping at the bottom of the ladder. Link jumped down from the ladder and landed on Epona's back with a thud.

"Let's go for a ride." Link smiled as Epona snorted and started to trot forward. He rested his head on her mane and stroked her back.

"Epona what am I going to do about this growing dread in my mind? When I try to ignore it, it seems like it spreads more into my dreams getting worse and more detailed." Link sighed and closed his eyes.

"Link you have to stop worrying about nothing. You're just upset because you don't get to see Zelda as often." Ilia flashed a sly smile. Link shot up on Epona's back.

"Ilia you scared the crap out of me how long were you watching me"

"Well you're the one who wondered in here without any warning, I was here first. Was it Epona who lead you in here?"

"Ya, I let her lead. She must come here often when she's stressed."

"I take her here every morning. Well I'll wash her and you can sit down and tell me about these dreams."

Link jumped off Epona and sat on the edge of the pond.

"It's nothing Ilia, nothing you need to be worried about anyway I think it's just the aftermath of fighting Ganon."

"I don't know Link… I think you're lying to me to keep me out of it. You sounded like you meant it."

"Ilia… why do you have to see through me all the time? Fine. I'm planning to go see Zelda this afternoon to see if she's having dreams too. After all, we're connected through the triforce, if these dreams mean anything she'll know."

Ilia turned to look at Link.

"Link, tell me the truth, is Hyrule in trouble again?"

"I don't know yet Ilia but I will later today. I'm going to get ready for the trip, when you're done could you just bring her back to my house?"

"I… I guess…"

"Thank you."

Link got up, wiped the dirt off his pants and headed towards the exit of the fountain.

"Link?"

Link turned his head to the side to show he was listening.

"Don't just rely on your dreams, okay? Remember you still have this place to worry about … and, well, Colin wouldn't survive without you … no one here could."

"Don't worry Ilia it's just a dream this will all be over soon."

Link continued walking until he reached his house. The orange glow had faded into the usual pleasant sunshine and Link couldn't help but lay down in its glorious rays. The light proved too bright for him and he closed his eyes. Link felt a wave of peace flow through his body. Finally, a relaxed moment to just enjoy the sunlight and forget all about his growing distress. Link slowly drifted off to sleep only to be woken up moments later by Ilia and Epona.

"She's all washed and ready. She finally relaxed just now."

"Thanks Ilia, I'm gonna go now. I'll see you later."

"Come back safe…. And treat Epona well!"

Link took Epona's saddle and fitted it on her back. She snorted quietly as if acknowledging the fact that they were once again on a journey. He mounted his horse and urged her forward into the path to Hyrule.