I managed to catch up to Link in time to hear Beth say, "Talo and Malo went chasing like crazy people after that monkey."

Link told her to head back to the village as we took off after Talo and Malo. We found Malo at the spring entrance right before the bridge.

". . . They went that way. The rest is up to you," he merely said as we headed for the bridge. Link led the way into Faron Woods since I had never been there before. We jumped a fence on our way in and I thought who would have a fence out here. We passed by another spring into a shady passageway until we reached an opening and headed left. We came upon a strange looking man by a fire and his home. Link got off of Epona and went over to the man.

"Whoa! An Ordonian! Hey, guys," he called out to us. "Listen, I'm not sure you should be wandering around these woods without a lantern. Just because its daylight doesn't mean it's safe. There are tons of caves and dank spots around here that get pretty dark even in the middle of the day."

I was staring at him as he talked and noticed something peculiar. Is that a bird's nest in his hair?

"Here! Go on, guys. Take this," he said as he handed Link a lantern.

"See, I sell lantern oil here . . . I'm trying to drum up sales by giving away free lanterns! It's a business tactic, guys! See, as long as you've got oil to fuel your lantern, you can light your way and set fire to stuff. They're the best! Yeah! You keep using that lantern anytime you feel the need. And if it runs out of oil, you come see me to get it refilled!"

"Thank you for the lantern and oil, but have you seen a little boy and a monkey by this way," I called out to him.

He thought over it for a minute, but shook his head and said, "There's a really dark cave over thataway. I'd check there and you can get some use out of your lantern there, for sure!"

I dismounted from Cibor and tied up the horses to a post. As we made our way over to the cave, a plant with teeth comes out of nowhere. I jumped back as Link headed in and sliced at it with his sword.

"What was that," I asked as we went into the cave.

"It's called a Deku Baba," Link replied as he picked up a wooden sword. That's Talo's.

Link pulled out the lantern and lit the posts so we could see. I had pulled out my daggers, or what I assumed were, that I had taken from the pack on Cibor. We encountered more Deku Baba, Keese, and rats as we made our way deeper into the cave. We finally made it through and into another portion of Faron Woods.

As we made our way through, we encountered several bokoblin that seemed to want to keep us out. Link pulled out the key to open the gates into the last part of Faron Woods where we found more bokoblins. As Link was so insistent, I let him handle them since my weapons were designed for close contact with my opponent and he had his sword.

We made our way in and spotted a shop with a bird sitting on a stand. The bird began to talk as we approached saying, "Woo! Hey! Woo! You're super! Now just buy something! Hey!"

Link went to get more oil for the lantern and was ready to leave. I cleared my throat as he looked at me. He gave me a confused look until I nodded my head towards the box. He gave me an exasperated look, but turned to pay for the oil.

"Thanks! Hey! Thanks so much! Come back sometime!"

"Next time you try that, you are on your own," I said to Link. We slowly made our way up a small pathway and saw Talo and the monkey at the top in a cage. Link handled the bokoblins as I tried to break open the wooden cage. I didn't get much done by the time Link was, so he sliced open the cage.

We slowly made our way back to the opening of the cave and Talo turned to Link and said, "If you guys hadn't come . . . Gee, me and that monkey would've gotten eaten, probably! She's actually a pretty nice gal, that monkey . . . She tried to protect me, so we got captured together. Um, Link . . . You're not gonna mention this to my dad, are you? He's always telling me to never, EVER go into the forest, 'cause he says it's dangerous . . . So you really can't tell him! Really! You have to promise!"

He began to run back towards the village as Rusl appears with our horses from the right.

"Link! Cera! My son told me Talo disappeared into the woods and had not returned. I came as soon as I heard . . . But it looks like you have brought him home already . . . I apologize. Such a task should not have fallen to you two. Have either of you noticed how strange the wood seems lately? I feel . . . uneasy about what may lie in wait . . . Anyway, tomorrow is finally the day. You two will be departing for Hyrule in the morning. I think it is a good thing I have given this task to you . . . Good luck and return safely. If you are lucky, you may even get to meet Princess Zelda!"

Once we reached Link's house, we split up with Link and the horses staying there, and Rusl and I heading to the village.

The next morning Uli and I were packing for the trip when Link came by with the horses. He knocked on the door and came in.

"Hello Link, you are just in time for breakfast," Uli said setting down an extra plate on the table.

"Thanks," he replied between scarfing down his food. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that he doesn't cook very often.

"What has you up and about Link? Usually you are still asleep at this time," Uli said as we placed the packs by the door.

He managed to finish his food before replying, "I came to pick up Cera. I have to go help Fado before we get the package from the mayor."

"Alright, but before you go Link, take these packs and load them up. There should be enough supplies in it for your trip."

"Thank you Uli," I said hugging her, well as much as I could hug her.

"You're quite welcome," she replied. "Don't be a stranger if you head back this way."

Meanwhile Link had loaded everything and called out for me to come on. We waved goodbye to Uli and made our way up to the ranch. We rested while watching the goats for a while until it was time to go.

"Hey! Link," Fado yelled out to us as he came running up to us. "So, almost time for you guys to get goin', huh? So how's about we finish up early today, bud?" We called the horses over and mounted.

"Gotta get them chores done. How about the both of you do it so we can get done? OK, then! Let's get started," Fado exclaimed. That is when I learned herding goats in is not fun. I imitated Link to get them to listen to me, but it doesn't seem like it worked very well as I ended up having a goat chase me around the field.

We slowly made our way down to the mayor's house and saw Ilia there talking with Bo. She came running to us and walked with us as we came closer.

"Oh, done herdin' for the day, Link, Cera," he asked as Link dismounted to go talk to Bo.

"Well, nice work. The royal gift Rusl told you about is ready, so you should get ready for your trip to Hyrule Castle. Now, the royal family requested this gift specifically, so it's real special. It'd be . . . bad . . . if the representative of Ordon were to be late for such an occasion, you get me, lad?"

Ilia was telling Epona that, "The path before you is a long one, my sweet horse . . . but please bear Link safely along it. Wait . . . what's this?"

I leaned over to see Ilia rubbing on Epona's front right leg. "What's happened? She's injured, isn't she?"

Link got this ashamed look on his face. When did she . . . Oh, when we went after Talo.

"Link! How could you! You were pushing Epona too hard again! I bet you hurt her leg jumping fences, didn't you!"

"Now, now, Ilia. There's no need to get so hot with him," Bo told his daughter.

"FATHER! How can you be so easy on him? You're the MAYOR! You should start acting like one! You poor thing . . ."

Bo and Link slowly looked at each other until Ilia had passed them. "It'll be all right, Epona. I'll take you to the forest spring right now. Once we soothe you in the spirit's spring, you'll feel better in no time!"

They both watched her as she led Epona away until Bo said, "W-Wait! Ilia! Why, without Epona . . . The gift won't get delivered in time! Oh, this won't do . . ."

Link turned back to me and said, "Let me ride with you, so we can catch up with her."

I simply smirked down at him and replied, "Oh, I do believe that I told you next time that you would be on your own." He had a confused face until he realized what I was talking about.

I urged Cibor to take off after Ilia and Epona while leaving Link in the dust.

"Hey Ilia," I yelled out to her as she made her way. "Wait up."

"Are you here to stop me because I'm . . ."

"I'm not here to stop you. I'm here to join you," I said joining her on the trip to the spring.

"Why," she asked looking at me suspiciously.

"Payback," I simply said.

She smirked and convinced the kids to hold up Link as long as they could.

Link made his way up the hill and ran into Colin.

" . . . Link, are you going to see Ilia and Cera? Maybe it's just me . . . but those guys don't normally let people through . . . Um, Link, you think . . . You think we can go to see Ilia together?"

They made their way over to Talo and Malo. "Hey, we've been waiting for you, y'know, Link," Talo said.

"Yesterday was soooo much fun! Yeah, chasing that monkey was great! I was just telling Malo here about how we wanted to show it to him, but we let it go instead! Oh, Colin! Way to spoil everything by telling your dad. Nice job."

"Yeah, thanks a lot! We got scolded by our dad something awful. I thought it was never gonna end," Malo said.

"I bet you're trying to go see Ilia, aren't you? Well, there's no way I'm gonna let you pass! Oh, hey, neat! Link! Lemme borrow that wooden sword! C'mon! Let me borrow that wooden sword right now!"

Link let Talo have the wooden sword and then turned towards Colin.

"Link. Thanks . . . Those guys are always teasing me . . . What's so fun about swinging something like that around, anyway? I hate it . . . It's scary . . . But when I grow up, I'm gonna be just like you, Link! I don't want to learn about swords or anything, but could you teach me how to ride a horse sometime? Can you?! You have to promise," he said running off into the forest.

"So you plan on locking him out," I asked as Ilia locked the gate once Colin was inside.

"Mmm-hmm," she said going back to washing Epona.

"Link," Colin said as Link came to the gate and I turned towards it.

"If you came to take Epona back, you can FORGET it! Why don't you think about what you've done for a change! I won't open the gate until you change your attitude!"

"Ilia, you don't know what happened yesterday . . . Listen, I don't know if she'll listen to me, but let me try to explain about Talo and the monkey, OK? You crawl in here through the tunnel in back while I do, Link."

Link ran off to find the tunnel as Colin and I told Ilia what happened. "I had no idea . . . I hadn't heard the details about Talo's capture . . . But, Colin," Ilia said as she turned towards Link.

"So you still prefer your master over me, huh, Epona? Don't worry about your horse, Link. Fortunately, it looks like the injury isn't too serious. You can go on together."

She turned to me and asked, "Can you make sure that he doesn't try to do anything out of his league?"

I nodded as Link gave her an exasperated look. "Just come home safely," she said to him.

We suddenly heard hooves coming towards us and I pushed Colin behind me. A huge bullbo with bulbins came running into the spring. I pulled Ilia and Colin further into the spring as Link jumped to get out of the way. An archer fired arrows and hit all three of us while knocking Link out. They managed to hit me on my injured shoulder, so I blanked out for a minute or two. They grabbed us as King Bulblin and Lord Bullbo came into the spring. He blew on a huge horn and opened what looked like a portal.

They pulled us onto the bullbo and took us with them. I tried to make it difficult for them by fighting them off, but since the arrows were drugged, I wasn't completely aware. I managed to get knocked off the bullbo as they ran, but realized that was a bad idea when I slammed into the ground. I laid there dazed until I heard somebody running towards me.

"Cera," Link yelled as he got down on his knees to help me up. He was able to get me upright, but had to help support my weight. He wanted to rush, but didn't want to leave me behind. We made our way across the bridge and stopped in front of the entrance to Faron Woods. A gold outline surrounded the entrance with a black liquid in the middle that moved back and forth with golden symbols in it. All of a sudden, black hands reached out and grabbed us, and pulled us through.

Two beasts held us as we struggled and then suddenly flung us on the ground. An intense wave of heat and pain flooded my body and from the looks of it, Link was experiencing the same thing. He tried to get up, but then all I could see was white and I heard howls before I passed out.