Hello to anyone who reads this, first of all, thanks for taking the time to read this story, I know it's going slow, but it's getting somewhere I promise! And I especially wanted to say thanks because this story just reached 100 views! (Though it dramatically rose in a day and is now nearly at 200, making this point kinda mute, anyway!) I know 100 isn't really a big deal, but I haven't written many stories before, so it makes me really happy, so big thanks, I really appreciate it! Especially the reviews, so thanks to anyone who did that too! xx
Link stands in the stables, smiling as he runs the horse brush through Epona's long, thick, blonde mane, carefully stroking it as he does
"You're a good girl Epona… let me see those hooves"
He carefully kneels down to the ground, turning Epona's feet over to clean out her hooves, before he smiles, taking a saddle from the shelves, taking care to strap it onto Epona's back. He lifts his leg into one of the stirrups and carefully lifts his weight into a seated position on her back
"You ready to ride girl? Come on, let's head out!"
He pulls gently on the reigns and Epona obediently trots out of the stables onto dry grass, barely covering the ground of Hyrule field, after carefully eyeing the surroundings Link pulls her into a canter, then eventually breaks into a gallop as he covers further ground between the tall, dark pine trees, laughing as the wind runs into him, adrenaline thriving in his veins as the sun sets, casting a deep pink glow over the skies, when suddenly, from the horizon, a figure appears, hurrying over the large open fields, Link squints, watching as the figures long blonde hair floats out behind her, her dress sweeping as she runs. Zelda…
Epona's feet pound on the ground as he hurries to Zelda, and as he draws closer, he pulls tight on the reigns, bringing Epona to a stop as she reels on the sudden impact, she settles, shaking her head a little
"Sorry for pushing you so hard girl…" He strokes her mane gently as Zelda approaches, smiling from ear to ear. He clambers down from Epona to meet Zelda
"Link! Look Link I got an A!" She grins, holding a paper out to Link
"I'm really happy for you! Come on, let's go for a ride to celebrate"
He hauls himself up onto the horses back, carefully lifting Zelda up too, so the two of them can ride off into the sunset together…
The sun sets and rises among the kingdom of Hyrule, dawning a new day. Bringing hordes of Hylian's to Castle Town, all being watched over by the tall and proud Hyrule castle. Gorons gather around the pillars of the entrance to the castle, selling their own goods to passing Hylian's. And centring the market place, is a tall, solid stone fountain, bearing the crest of the goddess Hylia as it pours sparking aqua into the fountain base. And sat around the fountain edges, are five teenagers, one sporting a green tunic, long pointed, and now clean, hat, and a golden ring twined around his finger
"So…" Asks Groose, finishing the last of his pastry "What do we want to do? Shall we play the star game?"
"Yeah!" Squeals Midna "Apparently that's meant to be really hard, let's try it!"
"Maybe some other day" Link murmurs "I've can't stay long, rehearsals"
"Oh yeah Peter Pan! Are you already in costume? Oh no, wait, that's your normal outfit!" Midna quips, forcing her and Groose into fits of laughter
"Hysterical..." Link replies, clearly becoming irritated with the constant ridicule
Suddenly Fi gets to her feet, grinning widely "Ghirahim's here!"
Groose sighs "You invited Ghirahim? Again? Seriously Fi, stop inviting him to our group outings, none of us like him!"
"I didn't invite him…" she mumbles as Ghirahim strolls over, flamboyant as ever
"Come on shrimp!" Ghirahim says hands on hips, looking down at Link disapprovingly "Everyone's waiting for you at rehearsal!"
"What! But we don't start for an hour!"
He rolls his dark eyes, flicking his hair "Keep up short stuff, they posted a new schedule in school yesterday!"
"Urgh, fine…" He says, reluctantly getting to his feet "See you guys all later" Link stifles a half-hearted wave before making his way out of castle town via the west alley with Ghirahim at his side
Sighing dramatically, Ghirahim says "I still don't understand their choosing of you as the lead, and then they give me lost boy number four… FOUR!"
"Yes Ghirahim, I get it, you're an unappreciated artist, please don't wheedle on!"
"Fine then, oh did I tell you I'm having a party?"
"You are?"
He laughs, smiling with his pale white lips "Of course, you're all invited, you can tell the others in the group"
"Umm… thanks?"
"It's ok Link, I know you don't get invited to many parties"
Link just laughs quietly to himself, not bothering to reply
Two hours later, and rehearsals are in full swing, Link jumps off the stage, having just finished a scene, and the first thing his spots is Zelda sweeping through the hall, he grins, running over to her
"Zelda! What are you doing here?"
"I just came to see how the rehearsals are going!"
"Oh, y'know, fine, just rehearsals!"
Ghirahim smiles, sauntering over to the two of us "Well hello there miss Zelda, have you done something new with your hair?"
"Umm… yes…"
"It looks great, seriously, you look amazing!"
Link frowns "Hey! Back off, that's my girlfriend!"
Ghirahim laughs "Please, don't flatter yourself Link, I just happen to appreciate good hair, besides, I have Fi"
Link nods silently, not totally believing it, but he doesn't like getting into fights so he lets it slide
Ghirahim laughs once again "Link, if you take it that badly when I give Zelda a compliment, I dread to think how you'll react if…"
Zelda frowns, suddenly curious "If what?"
He just smirks "Nothing… speak later, I've got some lines coming up"
And with that he sashays away, taking his place on the stage for his lines, leaving Zelda and Link feeling a little baffled
"What was that all about?" Zelda asks, frowning, clearly confused
"I have no idea…" Link mutters "But I don't like it one bit…"
Zelda swallows hard "Don't think about it, actually, I wanted to ask you something"
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I wondered if you know what's going on with Groose? You're his best friend, I just wondered if he'd told you anything?"
"No… do you think somethings wrong?"
"I don't know…" She sighs, looking down, her blonde fringe hiding her eyes "He's my friend, I'm just worried"
Link smiles reassuringly "Don't worry, I'll speak to him"
