The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina

Chapter Two

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As the lone boy trudged on the dirt path, winding its way along Hyrule Field, he reflected on the Deku Tree's last words and its assignment.

"In the Sacred Realm lies a powerful object known only as the Triforce, Link… and the greatest form of evil known is after it…"

The boy had nodded, adjusted the strap keeping his equipment on, and stepped forward as if to take this quest in stride.

"I—no, those of Hyrule—need you to go to the castle… and warn Princess Zelda…" the Tree had croaked, as if in great pain. The boy nodded again as the Tree shuddered, and ill looking leaves drifted down on the boy's head.

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"Link!" called Navi, fluttering about his head in a flurry. Link awoke from the recent memory and shook his head, clearing any thoughts about his old guardian.

"Navi," replied Link simply. The fairy flew in place as she continued.

"We're here," she said. Link thought he could have figured it out himself when he drew his gaze upward, to the sweeping façade of Castle Town (which he only knew the name of thanks to a nearby sign). A moat surrounded the town, keeping out any would-be intruders, since the drawbridge was up.

It was then that Link truly noticed that it was night out. The stars shone brightly against a purple-tinted, sunset-lit sky. "I guess we'll have to wait," Link said softly, adjusting the Kokiri tunic he still wore on his person.

He thumped down on a nearby rock while Navi zipped around, bored. It was only once Link had fully relaxed that the monsters came.

With a strange rumbling sound, the soft soil beneath Link's boots began to move. With a shocked cry, the boy leapt off the rock and over a skeletal head that had just poked out of the earth.

Link drew his Deku sword as a skeleton made its way out of Hyrule Field and faced him. It made an odd rattling sound before menacingly approaching the boy. Link held his sword out in front of him defensively, but inside he was trembling like a newborn. This was nothing like the inside of the Tree, with the spider-like monster—this was in the open, with a settlement within reach but barred from him. He could have salvation, but the fact that it was kept from him made him feel empty somehow. And more terrified.

The skeleton clawed for Link's left side, the one without the shield. Link rolled to the side, accidentally clocking the shield against his forehead. Link stumbled into a standing position and waited for the monster's next offense, for which he had a plan.

And come the next assault did—from behind.

Link had been so focused on the skeleton in front of him, he'd paid no attention to any other creatures rising from death. The next skeleton leapt out of the earth behind him and locked its arm bones around his neck.

With a shriek, Link slashed behind him. The sword struck over Link's head, sinking into skull. Sobbing, Link fell away from the again lifeless arms. Link yanked on the blade, retrieving it, and then sprinted away.

Navi dashed along in the air behind him, shouting "Hey!" and "Listen!" one after the other. Link paid no heed, and kept running for the nearest settlement he could see—an entrance between two rock walls.

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"Go away! My girl's sleepin', and she needs it!" said a gruff, masculine voice from inside the building.

Link stared at the wooden rectangle as he heard heavy boots thumping away. He turned, put his back against the wall of the housing area, and slid down. Of course he wouldn't be given admittance tonight. Who in their right mind would invite a strange boy in?

Navi settled on Link's long green hat with a sympathetic noise. Link patted her in gratitude, and the fairy shivered against his hand. The boy sighed, removed his hand, and lowered his head.

It was time to wait for morning.

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Link awoke to a sweet sound, a melody. It was yearning, sweet, and happy at the same time. In all, the song was beautiful. Link rose, wondering why no one had booted him off the premises yet, and adjusted his strap—his back was really uncomfortable from the shield pressing against it all night.

He made his way through the way made between the two buildings, and found himself in a ranch area. A horse whipped by in front of him, and Link smiled warily. What were these strange animals? Whatever they were, they seemed majestic.

The source of the music was none other than a girl, with long brown hair and chocolate-colored eyes. A goofy smile rested on her face as she sang. Link couldn't help but grin as he neared her, but she stopped abruptly when she noticed him.

Link took a step back, hands up to show his innocence. It apparently wasn't needed, as the girl gave him a shy wave.

"Hi," she said, "you're the silly who slept outside our house this morning. Why were you there?" She cocked her head and looked at him.

"I needed a place to sleep," said the boy softly, not beating around the bush. "There were some sort of skeletal monsters after me."

"Oh! Those were the Stalchildren—they've been plaguing the area for a while!" said the girl earnestly, her eyes shining. "Papa had Ingo put a protective spell on our ranch!"

"Which is called…?" inquired Link slowly, as Navi whirled about his head.

The girl giggled at the eccentric fairy, and then said, "The Lon Lon Ranch! You should talk to my papa! He'll give ya some milk!"

"Erm… thanks, I guess…" Link said, then searched about for something to speak about. His eyes fell on a beautiful female pony, trotting about the perimeter of the fence. "That's quite the creature," he said softly, using a Kokiri phrase generally reserved for a beautiful beetle. Somehow, though, it felt fitting.

The girl turned and saw the young horse Link was looking at. "Oh! That's Epona! She's a real good girl. She comes when she hears this song!"

Abruptly, she spiraled into song again. The pony came trotting toward her, mane flopping about excitedly.

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He stood at the edge of the old ranch, hearing faintly the song he'd learned seven years ago. The blue instrument sat in his hands comfortably.

"Link…" said Navi, landing gently on the Hylian's head. He felt a slight pressure on the top of his green cap. "We need to get going."

"No, Navi…" said Link, smiling softly. The gentle curve of his lips broke open into a wide smile as he raised the ocarina to his lips. "We have all the time in the world…"

And he broke the silence open with a beautiful song. The clopping of hooves announced the arrival of Link's faithful companion.

"That's quite the creature," Link murmured, burying his face into the soft mane of Epona.

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A midday sun shone on the face of the child boy of the forest as he waved goodbye to his new friend. A bottle of milk rested with his treasure trove, stowed away with the likes of Saria's ocarina.

"Thank you, Malon," Link said as he turned to the entrance of the Lon-Lon Ranch. The gentle contours of the melody Link liked to call 'Epona's Song' rested in his head.

Link raised his eyes to the fairy gliding along on the currents above his head. "It's time to meet Princess Zelda, Navi."

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DoctorZelda: Thank you for being my first review! I appreciate your kind words, and will check out your fanfiction ASAP.

teithant: Why, hello! Have we met? :P I can't wait to see either, and I hope you people are ready for the ride.