As Laurel stared into the stranger's eyes, he noticed they were coloured an unusual crimson red. Ningan gazed back and the two were locked in a trance of curiosity.
"I'm the last surviving member of the Sheikah tribe." Ningan explained. "My mother was once the Princess's attendant. I've took her place as Royal Advisor. I'm also trained in combat, and I've been sent to test you."
"To test me?"
"You want to become a soldier, don't you? Why don't you show me some of your fighting skills?" The ninja nodded to the wall behind him. "Choose your weapon."
Laurel turned and scanned the vast array of swords, spears and axes. He selected a silver sabre and twisted it in his hands. When he turned back around, Ningan was already wielding his daggers.
"Let's fight."
He took Laurel by surprise as he lunged forward and struck his sword. Laurel took a moment to process what was happening before launching his own attack. The two engaged in a fierce battle until Laurel dropped his weapon in defiance.
"I don't want to fight you." he declared.
Ningan stepped back with a look of confusion and suspicion combined.
"I'm not ready to fight." he explained. "And I certainly don't want to injure you."
"But you want to be a soldier?" Ningan frowned.
Laurel nodded. "But I only fight the bad guys."
The ninja interpreted the statement then warily inserted his daggers into his belt. Laurel half expected him to draw them again and point them at his throat, but instead, Ningan folded his arms and nodded.
"Test complete. You can return to Ordon now. We'll be in touch."
Laurel retrieved the sword from the ground and placed it carefully back on the wall. He went to leave when Ningan extended his hand.
"It was nice to meet you, Laurel. I'm sure it won't be the last time."
Laurel shook his hand with good will and sportsmanship. However, when he went to retract it, he found Ningan's grip scarily tight. He read Laurel's expression with those piercing red eyes before eventually letting go.
He never expected anything to come of it. He honestly felt as though he had proven myself a coward and a failure by refusing to fight. Yet, Laurel was amazed to receive a letter the following week form the Princess herself, announcing that he had been appointed not only as a recruit in the Royal Hylian Forces, but a Commander-in-Training. Apparently, the Princess foresaw great things for him, and before long, he was awarded a bedroom at the Castle. But before he bid Ordon Village farewell and began his training as a Hylian Knight, Laurel decided to pay a visit to an old friend.