Part 13: Run Free…
Link finally sees the green grass of Hyrule field. It slightly stuns him, since he has not seen any grass since he lost his memory. He sees a tree nearby the border and sees a red horse waiting there. The horse looks at Link then raises her head as she neighs, recognizing her master and friend.
"Epona…" said Link reverently in a low whisper.
"The best horse around." said Nabooru as she bumps his shoulder. "See, your memories are still there, waiting to be rediscovered."
As he walks up to Epona the horse waits, as if waiting for a command. Link then remembered the special phrase and whispered it into her ears. Epona tossed her head, turning so that he could ride. Link puts his foot in the stirrup on the other side.
Nabooru stares admiringly at him, his grace and finesse on a horse was almost too alluring, Link looks back, a boy-like sparkle in his eyes. He then gently presses Epona's sides as they go sprinting off. She quickly tells the others to head to Hyrule castle and she will meet them back at their camp once she has helped him finish his quest. She then spurs her own animal onward to catch up with Link.
Link was enjoying the exhilaration of riding, to be free of the desert, to feel a gentle breeze on his face and through his dusty hair. Epona was happily racing across the land. She was born to run. Link let go of the reins and stood up in the stirrups, holding his arms out, enjoying the sensation.
"Link!" Nabooru shouts, though Link can barely hear it.
He turns to see what is wrong then sees she is very far away; he forgot that not all horses and animals can run as fast as Epona. e sists back in the HHe sits back in the saddle, slowly slowing Epona to a stop. Epona gives Link an annoyed flick of her mane. After Link smoothes down her hair he whispers "I want to run free too Epona, but unfortunately Nabooru's animal is not as fast as you." He said as he patted her neck. She finally catches up with Link, breathing heavily like her animal.
"How… can… you… ride… that… fast?" she asked out of breath. Her animal went fast enough to take the breath out of her.
Link smiles a big genuine smile.
"Epona and I both like to go fast."
"I can see that." said the queen as she finally got her breathing back to normal. "Do you know where you are going?"
"Of course I do." He points toward the west. "Everyone knows the Kokiri forest is east of the Gerudo desert."
"Then lead the way." she says as she gestured with her hand for him to lead on.
Link gives the signal to Epona to start walking again, but this time only a walk. She neighs with slight annoyance. He rubs her neck, knowing that once this is all over, he is going to have to make it up to Epona later.