Chapter 4: Silence

"Epona, check it out!" Link said holding his new sword up.

"The Master Sword! It's our new partner. Let's go back home and show the guys!"

And so, Link and Epona did just that. On the way, Link thought about Epona. "Remember back then? Just a couple years ago when I got you?"

-Flashback-

"Link," said a knight, "Happy Birthday!"

"Birthday?" Link thought, "Since when did they celebrate my birthday?"

"Guess what? We got the permission to find a horse for you! What great use someone like you would have for horseback combat," said the knight.

"A horse! What? No way! Thanks, guys! I don't know what to say," Link said.

"But... you have to catch it yourself," said the knight.

"Catch one myself?" Link asked.

"Yes. Luckily for you, there are some in Hyrule Field," The knight told Link.

Link went to Hyrule Field. He saw one horse. "Your mine!" Link yelled as he jumped on the horse. The horse simply kicked him off. Link tried again and again... but to no success. "What do I have to do?" Link wondered aloud. He saw the horse wasn't interested in running from Link at all. Instead, it was attempting to reach an apple in a tree. Link walked next to the horse. It looked ready to shake Link off once again. But Link went up in the tree. The tree was rather tall but it didn't matter. Link plucked the apple from the tree. Link was about to climb down but... he didn't know how to get back down. "Uh... help!" Link yelled. No one could hear him. The horse looked at Link and stationed itself under Link as if it were saying to jump. Link did just that and to his surprise, the horse didn't shake him off. "You want this apple?" Link asked. He held up the apple and the horse ate from his hand. The horse affectionately rubbed its nose against Link. "Epona... I'm calling you Epona... assuming you're a girl that is. Like that name?" Link asked. Epona neighed as if to say yes.

-End of Flashback-

Link looked up and saw the front of the castle. "Oh, guess I got sidetracked. Wow, the day goes by fast," Link commented. Link rode Epona up until the knights could see Link once more. Link stopped Epona who kicked her front legs in the air while Link held his sword up.

"No way! Link actually found it! The Master Sword!" One knight yelled. Link jumped of Epona as she left to return to her stable. King Rhoam himself came out to congratulate Link. A feast was held in his honor. They raised him up and chanted, "Link! Link! Link!" Meanwhile, Zelda was ever so slightly jealous of the whole thing. She knew of the prophecy and that Link would surely fill his role when the time came. She wasn't sure about herself. Then she remembered her mother's words, "Zelda, my love, all will be well in the end. You can do anything."

The next week the queen died. Though many shed tears, Zelda did not. Instead, she looked at the small yet powerful boy. On his back was the sword of legend. Zelda looked at the sword with resentment. She would show them all that she was just as capable of fulfilling the prophecy.

Link stood in silence. Not noticing Zelda, but every tear shed. He swore, later that day, that no matter what he would dedicate himself from filling the prophecy. No more, or at least not much, emotion needed to be shown. He knew the people of Hyrule would soon look at him for help. No more did Link speak to anyone with the purpose of conversation. No satisfaction, no grief. Only a hi, a bye, yes, or no.

Well, at least, he tried to keep silent. Few people got him to say anything of meaning. One of those being Mipha.

"Link," she said the next time Link came to her, "Why do you not speak?" No answer. "Did I do something?" Link shook his head no. "Are you playing a game?" Again, Link shook his head no. Finally, when Mipha seemed hurt, Link spoke up.

"I should be strong for the people who will look to me for help. If they see a weak little kid, then what should they think?" Link said.

"Link, don't put pressure on yourself. No one will think you are weak. You should speak to your hearts content," Mipha replied. Link, once more, shook his head no.