Chapter Six

More Than Happy

Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Zelda, if I did then I would be able to kill Bongo Bongo in Ocarina of Time on my first try. But, sadly, it looks like neither are going to happen any time soon. Sigh…

"Rise and shine, sleepy head." Laurel coos, "Come on, hon. We aren't gonna go through this again, are we?"
My eyes slowly open and I stretch, "Crap, I didn't sleep very well."

"I figured as much, you and Link just kept milking them dang cows. How come you guys like work so much?"
I laugh, deciding to change the subject before it get embarrassing, "This summer's been good, I can't believe June is all most over."
"Yeah, now get your lazy ass off that bed and get ready. We have to work."

I nod as she leaves the cabin; I'm alone. Why does this happen every day? How do these people wake up so early? Sighing, I dress in a baby blue cami with chickens on it- a gift from Malon- and shorts.

Walking outside my eyes immediately land upon Link. This entire month he's been keeping me out of trouble, we've become really close, much to Joelle's dismay. He reads me stories of the Hero of Time when we have breaks.

He nods to me with a bright smile, getting on Epona. "Okay, today I have a special treat for you all after we finish work. Don't rush, that will make everything disorganized. Just take your time and we'll get to do something really cool."

Malon smiles, she probably knows what's going on. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I can squeeze information out of Link.

He separates us into groups, myself in his group, like always. I love how he does that on purpose, and I especially love how Joelle glares at me when he does.

I catch up to him, "Morning, Link."

"Same to you, Zelda."
"So, what's this little surprise?"
"It's for me to know, and you to find out." He says to me, winking.

My face becomes warmer, "You're so mean."

He laughs as we approach the chicken coop, "I know, I know. There's no need to remind me."

Link hands each of us a bag full of chicken feed, most of the other campers entering the coop. Thankfully, they aren't afraid of chickens anymore. That brings me back to day two, when Joelle got attacked by chickens courtesy of moi. That was also the day that Link revealed himself as the descendant of the Hero of Time. If not for that day… I wouldn't have believed in any of this… the Hero of Time, my ancestors, or the fate that brought Link and I together. Not that we're a couple yet, but I still have hope.

"Hello, earth to Zelda…" Link waves his hand in front of my face, "Wow, did you get enough sleep, hello?"

"S-sorry… I was just thinking…" I stammer.

"I figured as much, just try to snap out of it." He smiles and hands me a bag of chicken feed.

Nodding, I throw the seeds, still wrapping my mind around the thought of everything that's happened since came here. How much I hated it on the first week but fell madly in love with the camp after words. Thankfully, Joelle stopped hurting me, but she obviously still dislikes me for being so close to Link. Most of the girls here hate me for that, actually. Who knew Link was such a ladies man? He doesn't seem like the type.

After my chickens seem content, I head back to Link. "So, what's up?"

"Still on the search for the Dark Lord, he'll show up, I just know it. He holds a part of the Triforce- Power. We have to watch our every move. I think I have a lead, but I don't know."

"Yeah, I understand. But how will we know him when we see him?"

"I'm not sure, I guess we'll have to get close to everyone we see, make sure that the symbol of the Triforce doesn't appear."

"That makes enough sense, but if this guy's evil… it wouldn't be so safe to get near him, would it?"
"It's just a risk we'll… I'll take."

"Link, why do you always sacrifice yourself?" I pester.

He smiles and grabs my left hand, causing my Triforce Symbol of Wisdom to glow, "I'll do anything for the Princess of Hyrule, just like those before me did."

My face becomes warmer, "I-I… thank you."
He nods, letting go of my hand, "It's nothing, really." He turns to the rest of our group, "All right, now for that surprise." Saddling up on Epona, he guides the group back to the house where Malon, Talon, and Ingo await us.

"Good job, Link. I've prepared everything as well." Talon says.
"Thank you, Mr. Talon. My surprise for you all is a trip around Hyrule Field on horseback."

Some people start conversations about how cool it must be, I'm shocked as well. I didn't think we'd actually go riding, and around Hyrule Field of all places. Hyrule Field has the most beautiful scenery in the country, especially after noon.

"Maybe, if we're fast, we can even go to Lake Hylia. How does that sound?"

"Very good." Malon pipes in, "Dad, Ingo, I think Link and myself can handle this trip. Go rest."

They walk off as we head to the stables.

"Zellie Bear!" Laurel calls, walking up next to me, "What's up, silly?"

"The sky!"

She laughs, "I never would've guessed. I've only been under it my entire life."

"See, I'm smart like that."
"Yeah… whatever you say, Zel."
I shake my head, "What do you want, Laurel?"
"Well…" she says, her eyes widening a bit, "I was going to ask how you and Link were doing and tell you to go up there and talk to him, but someone beat you to it. And by someone, I mean the Devil herself."

Upon hearing that, I look to Link. Joelle's walking up next to him on Epona, they're talking about something important. I can tell because of the way Link's eyebrows are furrowed, which usually doesn't happen unless he's in a serious situation. I decide to walk closer to the two, trying to listen in on their conversation.

"Please, Link. Why can't I?"

"Joelle, I've told you this a million times, Epona won't accept you."

"But I'm very good with horses!"

"That doesn't matter, Epona doesn't like anyone but me."

She fumes of anger, "You selfish little pig!"

I glare at her, how dare she? Link isn't being selfish, he just wants to keep his horse happy.

Link lets us each borrow a horse for the day. I got a black speckled white horse, a standard-bred, I think. It's called Spot, what an original name. Laughing, I grab the reins and begin to saddle up, mounting like this was no big deal. I took riding lessons when I was twelve.

Link looks to me in shock, "Good job, Zelda. Have you ever gone riding before?"

I nod, "Yeah, when I was twelve. It's only been four years so… it's like riding a bike I guess."

He laughs, helping everyone else onto their horses. The entire ride through Hyrule was beyond amazing. We even have enough time to go to Lake Hylia, and that's where we're headed now.

Link and Epona ride up to Spot and myself. "Zelda, when we get to the lake, I'd like to talk to you privately."

"It doesn't have anything to do with… you know…"

"Yeah, he's the one I have to talk to you about. It's nothing to terribly urgent… at least, not yet."

I gulp, the idea of having the descendent of the King of Evil coming up in conversation isn't entirely pleasing. Actually, it's quite frightening.

We dismount at the lake, looking so beautiful as the sun begins to set. I follow Link to the island above the ancient ruins of a temple; the Water Temple that the Hero of Time entered to save the Zoras, a race of aquatic people. I blame Link for my sudden vast knowledge of these things.

"Now, what about the Dark Lord?" I ask, putting my feet into the cold water.

"I think it might be him… someone suddenly called yesterday and said they'd like their son enrolled in our camp. He's about a year older than us, seventeen. His name is Ganondorf Dragmire."

"Sounds like the guy…" I shiver, telling Link that it's merely the cold water that caused me to shake.

"Zelda… I also want to ask you something. Would you… um." He ponders over something for a moment, then opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by a piercing scream.

We look back to the group, seeing Epona take off to Hyrule Field. Joelle was the source of the scream, she probably tried to ride Epona but she flung Joelle off.

Link chases after the horse while I grab Spot and quickly mount him. "Link! Get on!"
He nods and I stop to let him climb on, "Thank you, Zelda."

"Don't mention it." I allow him to take the reins and steer Spot as I hold onto his waist.

"Found her." Link states as he catches sight of his red mare, kicking Spot indicating him to run faster. "Epona's fast, too fast."

He hands me the reins and I look at him for a moment, "What are you…?"

"Just steer!" I listen to him as he plays the Ocarina of Time, letting the beautiful melody the Hero of Time played for his horse come alive. I smile when Epona stops and looks back to us, whinnying happily when she sees her master.

I sigh, "Good." Slowing Spot down enough to let Link dismount, I decide to get off as well.

He smiles brightly as she nuzzles up against him, "Oh, Epona. You crazy gal. I know she spooked you, just try not to run off like that again."

Just seeing this scene makes my heart skip a beat. He's so caring, to chase after his own horse which he treats tenderly and with affection.

Turning to me, I can see the sweat running down the sides of his face, "Thanks."

"No problem, really Link."

He nods, "I'm happy to call you a friend, princess."

"I'm more than happy to call you a best friend, hero."

We chuckle and mount our horses, trotting over to the lake as the moon begins to rise.

Wow, thanks everyone for all the reviews. You people make me so happy! I'm going on a trip tomorrow with my class so I might not post… and then I have a two day vacation back to my hometown sometime soon. Tomorrow's my last day of work for about a week cause I'm taking a break to plan my next few days of teaching. Please review, cause it makes the chapters come quicker.

Oh, and everything in this chapter will make sense soon, just you wait.