Note: My internet access if limited so updates are coming as I can. That and I've been absorbed into another game which is typical of me. I really need to update more of my fics…

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Throughout the next day, her consciousness faded in and out. After hours of waking and sleeping, she concluded she was inside Renado's hut. She couldn't fathom how she got there but was thankful enough that she was out of The Abyss.

Once she was fully awake, it was no surprise to her that a whole day had lapsed. Thanks to the attentions she had received from Renado her muscles no longer ached. Standing at the door, she prepared to leave.

"Thank you again for your help. If you should see any of the Gorons then please pass to them my thanks and apology for meddling." She bowed and turned to leave.

"One moment, please."

Lily turned. The man's face was calm but there was a clear line of tension that ran through his expression. He moved his lips in phantom words before speaking his thoughts aloud. "I'm to understand that Farore herself visited you?"

Lily nodded slightly; expressing Renado's disbelief in her own expression. "Aye, she did."

He hummed thoughtfully. "It is legend that when the balance is threatened, a hero will come forth and set things right. Hyrule's future is in his hands and should he fail then all hope will be lost. That is the story passed through the ages. Yet, there is another myth not spoken of as it has nearly been lost in time. It is said that a time of darkness will descend and it would be more than a single hero alone could bear. A second will be chosen to aid the Hero and be known as the New Hero."

Lily simply blinked. "But I assure you I am no hero. Not even close."

His eyebrow rose slightly. "And of this you are sure?"

She paused hesitantly before replying. "Aye."

"And the pendant? What do you make of it? It is now in your possession."

Lily twisted one foot shyly on the ground and fingered the pendant subtly. The walls of the hut suddenly seemed to close on her and she wanted nothing more than to be out in the open. "I don't know. I'm only doing as I am told."

Renado chuckled. "Oh, as you were told? I would guess you couldn't turn your back on these orders then?"

Lily stopped breathing. The pull inside her was strong to continue on this quest – whatever it might be. As much as she wanted to convince herself that playing her lute was all she wanted in life, she knew something was amiss. This adventure scared her beyond words but it also filled-in a space in her life she hadn't been aware of until now.

"Could I stop if I wanted?"

"I'm not sure," she replied out loud.

He smiled fatherly at her and she knew he had no more questions for her. Trying her best not the break into a full run, she left his hut and made a hasty retreat toward the Western Gate. For the most part she wanted to be out in the open fields with Epona and no one around her. Her solitary tendencies were gnawing at her to be free.

But fate was not in the mood to accommodate her. No sooner was she free from the town when she spotted Epona. The horse was being petted affectionately by a blonde haired boy. Lily may have had the chance to take the horse away and ride off, but the boy was calling the horse by name. He knew the horse and the horse knew him.

This wasn't good. Lily had no idea how to get Epona out of there without looking like a thief. Still formulating what to say to the boy, she approached him slowly.

"Oh, hi!" The boy exclaimed seeing her before she was ready to be seen.

When Lily didn't respond, the boy crinkled up his nose and smiled. "You know...you remind me of a friend of mine. Hey, is Link here?" She could hear him hesitate with each word as if he was forcing himself to be sociable.

"Link?" Lily mentally slapped herself. He was just a kid and so far she sounded like nothing less than a fool.

"Well, this is his horse and I was hoping maybe he was here. There's something wrong with the Ordon Woods and we thought maybe he would check it out. A couple of guys from my village went to the castle to find him but I had to come here with dad instead. I thought maybe I would luck up and find him first." The boy talked so fast Lily had to strain to retain his words.

He wasn't use to speaking with strangers. Lily smiled at him and could tell that something in her smile put the boy at ease.

Lily detested lying so she did something just as bad...she bent the truth. "I haven't seen him here." There, it was honest though slightly misleading. When the boy gave her a disheartened look she quickly added, "I haven't been through the whole town though."

She winced but he didn't notice. He seemed like such a nice boy.

"Oh, by the way, I'm Colon. Sorry to run but I really need to find Link." He started to run off and turned short of the gate. "Oh, and don't worry about Epona. She'll stand right there and wait all day for Link if that's as long as it takes."

She waited until he was gone before mounting the horse. Inhaling deeply she tossed his words over in her head. Speaking aloud, she addressed the fairies tucked in her hair. "I guess this means I'm to head South toward Ordon?"

"Yes, yes."

She huffed as she tapped the horse with her heels.

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Deep in the desert the six sages exchanged looks of complete understanding. The story they had both anticipated and dreaded 16 long years ago was set in motion. Never would another tale as this be told for never had an adventure as this been done.

"We will watch from here and only intervene if necessary," one chanted.

"As was the wishes of Leafet," another added.

Hovering in a perfect circle, the six started to hum lightly under their breath.

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Lily nibbled on an apple as her journey to the woods concluded. Epona was more than happy to prevent her from littering by eating the core. Dismounting the horse, Lily patted her twice before following the fairies into the thick foliage.

"So, what are we after now?"

Neither fairy answered her. They were content with darting from shadow to shadow under the tree's thick canopy. She let out a long sigh as she set a comfortable pace. Then she halted when a sudden realization hit her with force. She should have stopped by the town and purchased some green or red potion first.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" she mentally chastised herself. "Then again, this is the first time I've been out on my own. I can't be blamed for forgetting. It's not like I'm use to this...Who am I kidding? I still should have thought about it if I don't want to end up dead!"

As if summoned by her thoughts an outdoor shop popped up from over the bushes. Two cauldrons adorned the simple shelter and a bright bird kept watch. The sign in front clearly marked the price of the cauldron's contents.

She entered and chose to fill her empty bottle to the rim. After crocking the bottle and stowing it in her pouch, she looked thoughtfully at the bird.

"Just one bird and no shop keep…Anyone could easily take what they wanted with no punishment…"

She shook her head. She was a Gypsy and not a thief. She'd met a thief once. Luck for her the thief was looking for conversation and not looking for a wallet. Not that she ever had a wallet. As for any rupees she chanced upon, they were tucked into her magic pouch with an endless bottom. She wondered how much the bag could hold. Would it simply take anything she placed in it? Where did the things go when they were inside? How was it she need only reach inside and could retrieve any item she wanted?

"LILY!"

The fairy's cry snapped her out of her daze. She deposited the rupees in the box and left. She really had to keep her head about her more. Perhaps after this whole ordeal was over she could go back to her care-free daydreaming ways.

Maybe…