A/N : Thanks to anyone who actually sat down and read this. This is my first story and it took me a long time to actually have the courage to submit it. I am in the midst of planning for more chapters so I thought it was time to share the first one and stop dragging my feet. Let me know what you liked and what I need to work on I would greatly appreciate that. Enjoy!

Chapter 1 - Zephyr

"The path I walk is that shrouded in death, misfortune, danger, pain, terror and the likes. I've never known a normal life, it always ends the same…"

My memory of this moment is a little fuzzy, I'm falling and no doubt to my doom, gravity pulling me further, faster and faster.

It was quite jarring falling with such velocity, I felt no wind against my skin, darkness flooded my eyes with the occasional cluster of lights, stars maybe? The air around me was thick as I gasped for air I choked, I couldn't make a sound.

For some reason I felt as though I should have been afraid, but nothing seemed to matter and I couldn't remember why. How I ended up here, why I felt so battered and defeated; I couldn't remember any of it. Now, I was going somewhere, but where?

Would I die upon arrival?

Would the fall continue forever?

These thoughts raced through my mind and with each passing moment bringing no end to the darkness I felt not fear but sadness and regret. Something I have felt before, though I don't know why. Hell, even this is something familiar.

I moved my hands slowly up and down my body, around my neck I could feel some kind of mantle, the fabric was rough and seemed to be a little tattered, my chest was laced with belts and holsters made of leather mostly empty except for a small knife in the second to last holster, right below this a belt with a small pouch on my right hip, my chest and legs were covered in a sleek, metal plated armor.

I could feel knicks, scars, dents, armor that was being chipped away. Clearly, combat was something familiar to me. Battle was something I knew very well but, what was I? What kind of warrior falls through what seems like space? Maybe, I was a noble with an ill, calamitous fate?

No.

Not likely that didn't seem to fit the bill but generic warrior didn't make a whole lot of sense either; whatever brought about my fate had nearly destroyed me, whatever force I failed to stop might have even sent me through this portal. Maybe I was locked away in some faraway realm. . Or maybe, this was the end and I was already dead and going to hell.

I slowly rose my hands to reach my head, no helmet but I had medium length hair down the center that gradually got shorter along the sides, it was gritty and felt coarse with a light grease to it. I felt a tad disgusted by this. I wanted to cleanse myself of the filth that coated my body.

I flexed my muscles one by one. My body was strong, not bulky but lean and they ached like they had been overly used.

Gradually, the realm around me began to brighten, the further I fell the more lights I began to see I looked up, or down depending on how you perceive it and saw more stars and plenty of them, something was changing, I felt as though I was somewhere new, though I couldn't explain why .My body began to heat up pretty drastically, I began to scratch at my skin the pain becoming unbearable I wanted to scream but my lungs were still damaged ,nothing but the lowest grunt of agonizing pain I could muster came, I began barreling faster catching fire, like an asteroid entering the atmosphere. Maybe TOO much like that I crossed my arms, grit my teeth and with one last look I entered an opening, a portal like entrance thousands of miles above what looked like a new planet's atmosphere I had broken through, quickly I head hurdling toward an open field, below me a lush green patch of grass. I began to brace myself closing my eyes and with a big crash I landed; the earth around me shook and a big plume of dirt, dust and smoke rose from my crash site. It was here I lay for hours. I'd like to say I rose from my man-made crater and began my journey into a new world, but truth be told I was broken, depressed, in pain; oh and afraid, yes fear had certainly returned. I blacked out hoping the cool hand of death would take me into the night.

As soon as my eyes had closed they'd opened again, my head was raging, and I was dizzy; I sat up slowly grasping my pounding head. Slowly I began to realize my surroundings, I was in someone's home, their main room to be exact the walls were covered from head to toe with pictures of a man standing with tons of "game", he was often standing with a young, smiling girl with red hair and freckles on her face. Though in each picture she appeared older and older. On the adjacent wall were the stuffed heads of said game on plaques above a crackling fireplace. My head and torso were wrapped in white cloth bandage and my wounds all over my body were treated with an ointment with a strong, displeasing odor.

I stood albeit slowly and began to hobble my way from the main room to what looked like a kitchen, everything from top to bottom what made from a wood finish that looked impressive, almost custom. A small window behind the counter on the far wall caught my attention I moved closer to peer outside I could see a small ranch, it housed plenty of horses and off in the not so far distance a small barn where I could see a cow, no doubt others were kept there. Tons of farmhands moved through the farm, each with a purpose, these young men and women kept the farm in excellent condition, everything looked new and cared for daily. A small creak came from a wooden door to my side and in walked a red-haired woman, older than the girl in the pictures, the mother maybe?

She was relatively short standing a whole head shorter than me, her hair was long and a firey red, she had freckles on her face, and wore what looked like a farmers dress for commoners but her home insinuated she had wealth.

"Well I be dammed you ARE actually alive fella!," she said with a rather strong southern accent, her smell was the most peculiar it was like white pedaled roses and a bucket of sweat, she had dirt under her finger nails and her hands had scratches and cuts. "My names Malon and yer on my family's ranch, we found ya' er…taking a nap in a mighty fine crater? Do ya recall?" She asked in her rough accent

"MY NA-" I yelled out embarrassingly realizing I had my voice back in full she laughed

"Woah there cowboy let's use our talkin' voices and try that again, yer name?"

"Uh, Seth" I said quietly this time trying to gauge the sound of my voice a little better.

"Nice to meet ya' Seth! Man, when you got here you were packing some serious heat! I don't know yer business, but all yer tools and gadgets are safe upstairs if'n you want 'em?

"No…that's quite alright for now I'm in a lot of pain as it was. They'd be more useful to a toddler right now…" he said half joking, she giggled playfully.

"Fair enough," she skipped to the kitchen side of the counter "c'mon now you mus' be hungry and I'll even throw in some Lon Lon milk for free!" She said excitedly following the clanking of pots and pans

"What? You were going to charge? In my condition? Have mercy," I said teasing her a bit "Not to be rude but what's so special about this Lon Lon milk?" I asked curiously. This was a question I regretted almost immediately as Malon's head lowered her red hair draping over her cheery face, I began to look for the right words to apologize with, but how DO you apologize for insulting milk? With a great big burst Malon slammed her open palms on the table and stared up at me with an intensity I hadn't been expecting.

"Why, what makes it special?! Now if that ain't just the silliest question I'd ever heard!," she exclaimed wildly throwing her arms in the air "It's creamy, thick, delicious, perfect flavor, texture, color, refreshing, amazing, fantastic thing you'll ever drink! One would think you'd never had any!" She said this seemingly chiding me for not understanding the intricacies of milk. Although it was true I hadn't had any I still didn't understand how it could be that different.

"Well, I haven't," I said almost expecting an immediate outburst, but it was pure silence I was getting nervous "Ya' know had any of your milk I mean…"

At this moment my cheeks flushed hot red and I began to regret my choice in words. Again, a silence that seemed to last forever loomed over us. Malon stared for a long moment before her cheeks turned red, and she put her hand over her mouth I watched in horror as she turned away my embarrassment growing with each passing moment.

After what seemed like an eternity she let out a thunderous laugh, and an unladylike snort "Oh my goodness you really are a dolt," she said still trying to hold laughs in, I was red-faced and sulking like a boy sent into timeout "your reaction is priceless if I had a camera I'd hang this moment on my wall!" She continued

"Are you done teasing me?" I asked resting my head on one hand and looking off into a different direction.

"Sure, sure," she said bringing an end to her giggles she then slid a cup full of milk to me "here mommas' milk on the house!" She said laughing again.

"Oh, bite me!" I said sarcastically, I downed the fresh milk she put in front of me and I'll be dammed, it was the best thing I'd had. It was rich and full of flavor, fresh too.

"For someone I just met you may want to take me to dinner first, huh? Maybe wine?" She continued teasing

"After that I think I'll pass for today." I said still feeling some heat in my cheeks

"Darn shame. Well for today then I'll cook for ya' but no wine," she said turning on her stove and pulling meats and fresh vegetables onto the counter "but then I do have some questions for you if'n ya' don't mind."

"I guess not, ask 'em now if you want." I said as cool as I could

"Okay. Well I'll start with somethin' basic. Where ya' from?" A moment passed; an awkward silence fell upon us.

"I don't really know truth be told the last thing I remember was hitting the ground."

"That's another thing how'd ya' end up high enough to make such an impact? I mean most folks…ALL folks woulda died from somethin' that massive. Ya ain't part Goron are ya'?"

"Part what?," I asked confused at first, I returned to the subject "I don't really recall a lot of the incident I don't even remember how I could've been so high it's all a blur"

"Hmm, well I mean do ya' remember anything?" She asked persistent

"I remember having friends, but I can't remember them, I know there must've been a fight but I'm not sure I had anything to do with it, I remember feeling alone but not sure why.," I explained really trying to grasp anything I could, but my memories were like dreams, vaguely remembered but you knew you had them. It was like an itch I couldn't scratch.

"Maybe it's due to forgetting everyone and everything, I mean, surely there must be someone you wouldn't want to forget" I said fishing for any kind of sympathy really. I felt terribly alone right now, I was somewhere strange. Everyone was foreign to me, though I guess I should count my lucky stars Malon seems to be a good person.

She appeared deep in thought, with her hand to her chin.

"All I ever had was my Pa I can't imagine what it must be like to forget him" she said, probably sensing my desperation. While it felt shameful to rely on someone I just met It was nice, and her eyes became almost distant like she was accessing her own memories she looked up at me with sad eyes and I put my hand up.

"I appreciate your understanding, really I do, despite the situation, I feel a little better," I began to think deeply, where should I go? What should I do? The thought of being in a foreign land did make me nervous. Malon had her head cocked sideways waiting for me to continue "Where am I exactly?" I asked, this probably should have been my first question considering I was in a complete strangers home but I was tired and still in pain. You, like me could probably understand how nice it was to see a friendly face.

"How did I end up on the answerin' side?," Malon complained "It's fine; You're in the kingdom of Hyrule, home to the hard workin' Hylian people. And if I'm bein' honest we don't see much folk like you in these parts. Ya' don't seem like a bad fella although I do wonder about that brand on your chest." She said carefully, drawing my attention to it. It was a pattern in the shape on an eye with a palm in the center in place of the iris, the skin was contorted and raised, looking almost burned.

"It's a curse…" I answered quickly, almost unknowingly.

"A curse? But, how do ya' know that?"

"I don't know…" I said quietly, I began to become a little frustrated with the situation, everything was a mystery, it was as if I was beginning anew yet the memories of a past life were printed on my body. The world around me was so foreign yet familiar at the same time.

"Okay…well let's try something a little different then," Malon said changing gears, she began to flip something in a pan that began to sizzle, the smell was divine, the scent of many delicious meats invaded my nostrils. "What's somethin' you enjoy more than anythin'?" she asked. The question was vague, but it did make me consider many things.

"I like to fight, not just for the sake of it but the art, the movement, the flow, the adrenaline," I said off the top of my head, having answered the question I thought I should stop but I continued as it revealed things about me I wasn't so sure of at the moment "I love the sound of steel, the sharpness of a blade grinded to absolute perfection." I said with a glimmer in my eye. Malon placed her a hand on her hip while she was stirring something in a pot now.

"Ya' sound just like every, no-brained man I've ever met, out there every day carin' about nothin' but yer swords and any floozy that passes by," she said a little annoyed.

"Uhh well I don't think I'm that kind of person" I said defensively

"That's what they all say" Malon retorted with a roll of her eyes. I speculated from her reaction there was a touchy subject looming, she was aggressively moving from spot to spot in the kitchen now, and I began to regret answering so honestly.

"Well then what about you? What do you enjoy?"

"I'm glad you asked, I love to sweat it out on the farm, I love the animals, the work, I love cookin' and preparing feasts, I love to hunt and gather, I'm actually pretty knowledgeable of the flora 'nd other things around Hyrule; but, the one thing I love more than anything is horses, groomin, riding, racing, competing, feeding, lovin', EVERYTHING. I've had my horse since I was a little girl and she's never failed me we have a few others and a new one that is a handful"

"you'll have to show me how to ride one sometime" I said offhandedly, she lit up immediately.

"How about after dinner?! You don't have to get on, but I can still show you!," she said with a big smile and a clasp of her hands "Please, please pleeeeeease?" she begged, staring at me intensely; I looked into her glistening blue eyes and could feel the excitement, I sighed.

"Yeah, I guess that'd be fi—"

"YES!" she exclaimed interrupting me, while every bone in my body ached I couldn't help but smile at her reaction, to tell the truth I wasn't much in the mood to go through with it. But, she may teach me something invaluable here.

Before long I was enjoying the wonderful meal she had prepared, different meats smothered in gravy, fresh vegetables with a layer of fresh butter and a steaming bread roll that was fluffy and sweet. It had felt like a long time had passed since I enjoyed a meal with such flavor. I'd cleaned my plate so quickly Malon had wondered if I'd had enough, I assured her everything was wonderful, and I couldn't eat another bite. It wasn't long after we were on our way outside walking the ranch.

Immediately outside I could see her massive horse ranch, they were all standing around chewing away at grass, each one had a mane that glistened like polished marble, their colors varied some solid colors and others with spots, their hooves were filed to perfection . Around me were a ton of corrals I heard cows off in the distance and I could see plenty of men and women tending to them, all covered in what I assumed was dirt and mud. On our walk Malon had stopped and talked to a few of the farm hands who were curious of her earlier disappearance, each one greeted me most warm, some couldn't care less about my existence. The men had impressive physiques, most with well-toned muscle and sun bleached skin, the women were a sight to behold a lot of them were also in excellent shape, all of them wore their hair up in some fashion exposing their bare shoulder, I began to notice a thin veneer of sweat which left a light gloss over their chests.

I got a swift elbow to my abdomen; I nearly fell over from the pain

"Hey! Didja see that over there?!," Malon asked; whatever it had been I missed it "Oh, wait you were too busy droolin' over all the gals to notice" She said with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

I wore the saddest expression I could muster knowing I had been caught; Malon let out a sigh and motioned for me to follow her again switching back to her same cheery expression.

The ranch was well kept, lush and full of life, for these people this was a way of life something they enjoyed doing every day no matter how grueling it seemed.

"Alright, Seth I'mma show ya' how it's done then maybe if your bones ain't achin ya too much you can ride one, slowly. Have you ever ridden before?"

"No, I can't say I have for sure, but I can't imagine there's too much to it." I said probably sounding cockier than I had planned. Malon gave a playful smirk.

"We'll see about that city-boy I'mma show you how it's done then you can decide for yerself" She said teasing me

"City-boy? And what makes you think I'm a city-boy?" I asked genuinely curious of the answer

"Because only a city-boy would make an assumption this is easy," she explained; I figured I deserved the light lashing she just gave me, I ignored it though and watched as she made her way to a beautiful steed standing in the center that had locked eyes with her it was tall with a beautiful red color and a snow white mane. She was calm as Malon approached but looking at me she started to look uneasy. Malon began to pat her head slowly

"Hey, Epona don't worry about this city slicker he aint gonna ride ya' it's just me girl, nothin ta fear" she said again insulting me but the horse seemed to calm it's nerves, looking at Malon her eyes were soft when she was with Epona. I couldn't help but be a little jealous of the bond they seemed to share.

"She's gorgeous Malon. How long have you had this one?" I asked genuinely curious

"All my life, she's been here with me through everything thick and thin."

"You two must have some pretty good stories to tell" I said raising my hand to Epona, she turned her head away from me. I chuckled lightly, I expected her reaction and she didn't miss a beat.

"She doesn't like you at all," she said with a laugh "it's alright she don't like too many folks, but she is a good horse and she's fast nothin beats the feeling of the wind blowin through my hair when I ride 'er" she explained nostalgically. I looked around at all the horses curiously, they all seemed uninterested in everything going on around them, but one did catch my eye. A black and white spotted mare in the corner, middling height and being left alone by all the other horses. Ignoring all my senses I walked closer to the seemingly lonely steed. He locked eyes with me and made a huffing noise. The closer I got the more aggressive his poise, my senses returned in a flurry, I stopped, stood straight in preparation. Malon must have realized what was happening; behind me I heard a horses hooves battering the earth frantically.

"Woah there," she exclaimed almost launching herself from Epona, trying to come between the two of us "This one's still a baby he don't know any better be careful he's dangerous!" she said trying to warn me there was a long moment of tension she swallowed hard watching the two of us, despite her warnings I inched closer and closer; I couldn't tell you what really came over me in this moment the he almost seemed feral, I felt a terrible pain, that shook me to my core. He reminded me of a small child throwing a temper tantrum, no one knew why and that only upset him more.

I kept my eyes locked and my face went into what must've been a fierce scowl as I stopped about a fifty feet from him. It seemed for a moment, time had stopped, either he didn't care for the eye contact or maybe he didn't want to lose face, knowing this I refused to back down. The horse began charging forward toward me, his feet heavily clapping the ground each furious step sounding like thunder rolling across the sky, as it got closer I could hardly hear Malon yell in the background as the horse reached its teeth to bite me, I raised my arm allowing its teeth to sink and began shoving it back. It stumbled back, shocked, I rushed quickly feeling my wounds crying out in agony with each step and launched myself onto it's back.

It kicked wildly trying to eject me; I braced myself hanging onto its mane and gave no quarter.. for almost a quarter of an hour he thrashed wildly. He began to slow himself, not giving up per se; No, I'd say he decided rather to cut his losses, still grunting and panting I'm sure uncomfortable with my being on his back. In that moment everything came to a halt, I began to pet his mane gently, Malon watched in what looked like disbelief, horror and awe. She was silent, watching me closely, I turned my attention to my hand where the horse had bitten, it had barely broken skin, I considered this moment to be very fortunate.

I lightly tugged his mane, as we walked over to Malon she began toward me too stopping parallel to us.

"I….I can't believe you…," she said still in a daze "You do realize how stupid that was right?" she asked staring at me with grave urgency, her eyes narrowed looking at the young mare and motioned for us to follow her. The other farm hands gathered around the ranch cage and watched Epona, Malon and us walked side by side.

"I can't believe he calmed down for ya'…" she said not looking at me

"Well I'm just as stubborn as he is. Unfortunate for him."

"We'd been tryin' to get him to comply but nothin really worked. Who'd a thought we just needed to approach him like a barbarian…"

"Apparently that's a specialty of mine…," I said suddenly becoming aware of how that all must've looked. "He still doesn't seem to be comfortable with me though I think he just gave in 'cause he didn't expect someone stupid enough to come back at him" I said with a light chuckle

"You may be right… ya' know somethin?"

"What's that?"

"I didn't show you how to ride at all but yer posture, stance, handle, everything is spot on looks like this is somethin you've done before." Malon said inspecting me very closely

"Now that you mention it this does seem rather innate." I said nodding my head in agreement. We rode closely idly talking back and forth, from this moment the days seemed to pass; Me and Malon spent most of this time together, though things did start off rocky we became rather close.

I got to know Malon I knew she was a sucker not just for foals but men with a muscular physique one who wasn't afraid to get dirty, I also learned she had quite a few less than successful attempts at romance causing her to question if it was even worth the effort, I learned she dreamed of starting her own farm eventually explaining how she'd 'change things up', add her own twist of efficiency, she didn't know if she believed in any kind of gods or goddesses all her life she'd been raised to believe such things but until she got older she didn't know why she should believe such things. It wasn't just her, I myself did some self-exploration too; I got to know the farm hands pretty well after hard days of work the guys would wrestle in the mud, surprisingly I was able to handle myself rather well, I found myself winning most bouts, I learned how to handle the animals milking cows, grooming horses, bathing them, tossing hay bales, anything I could really help with. Malon made me a wooden sword, though crafted crudely it was sturdy enough, ,blunt at the edges and light. I practiced slow motions, swings, counters; the improvements I made couldn't be understated, my movements became more complex by the day. Malon eventually asked me to tutor her, she was clunky and really had no skill with a sword, but no matter how badly she appeared to do she continued to sweat it out and when we sparred she gave no quarter, although I disarmed her every time and yet she always congratulated me on a good match. In turn, she rode with me; my "companion" made this very difficult at first. For some time, I had to fight with him, I can't tell you how many times I'd been kicked off, ignored and bitten. However, he did become comfortable with me, on each occasion he became a little tamer.

Soon we were racing Malon and Epona though we didn't win, not once. Malon was incredibly talented whereas we were too erratic, and my control was a lot clunkier than hers when it came to racing. This ended in a lot of poorly placed bets where I ended up being at the ass end every time. I can honestly say I'd felt as though Malon took great advantage of this making me work like a dog under the sweltering sun. Every night ended with the two of us taking a walk under the stars.

After a few weeks I had become pretty familiar with this way of life, but I knew one thing for sure, my body no longer ached and I was still in a world I knew nothing about though I had grown to love this place the time for my departure was coming and I knew I needed to approach Malon with this. I had been looking for her, but she hadn't been in her room, the cages or with the horses. I walked toward the center of the ranch and faced the house. I knew when Malon was upset she had one place she'd go. There, I could see her silhouette against and ivory moon hanging low in the sky.

I climbed to the roof as quickly as I could and once I gained my footing I walked closer to her. The moonlight was bright against her pale skin, she was like an ember in the night catching my gaze; there was a silvery streak along her cheek she placed her head into her knees. I walked slowly behind her, she jumped startled and relaxed immediately when she noticed it was me.

"Jeez Seth you 'bout made me jump outta my skin!" she said annoyed, when she looked up at me she immediately turned her head away and began wiping her eyes along her sleeve.

"Is it something I can help with?" I asked curious, I took a seat next to her hanging one leg off the roof trying to keep it as casual as possible. We sat for a minute or two while she collected herself.

"I got to thinkin' today 'ya' know he's looking pretty alright now'…Seth are you gonna leave soon?," she asked looking up at me with her big blue eyes, I began to scratch the side of my head and fidget, it appeared as though we had the same thing in mind, I wasn't particularly good in these situations and the answer must have been obvious, Malon gave a melancholy smile "I always knew the day would come, I couldn't keep ya' here forever I know that. But, it still hurts ya' know? Like one of my own is goin' off and I'm never gonna see 'em again. My heart hurts Seth, it hurts…" she said before her tears began to trickle down again. I looked down quietly.

"I'll never forget about you…" I whispered

"What was that?"

"I won't forget you; I won't forget anyone here. Your hospitality, acceptance, friendship," I gritted my teeth a little and my face became flush "You're the best friend I have in all Hyrule, Malon. Without you I'd have probably died out there, in pain, hopeless and no one would have cared. I love it here; I love seeing you all every morning but somethings missing. I need to find that something, whatever my calling is." I caught myself speaking in almost a frantic tone and Malon's eyes were wide open. I turned my head embarrassed.

"Jeez Seth, ya' sound like yer breaking up with me," she said with a light chuckle, she began to play with her hair "Will ya' come back and see us again at the very least?"

"Without a doubt in my mind. I couldn't stay away" I said, we sat there silently for a few moments staring at a starlit sky. If I'm being honest I'd have to say this was one of the best times I had with Malon, I was going to miss her but I needed to find out what I was here for; it couldn't just be coincidence I ended up here. I shifted gears trying not to focus on this gloomy situation "Hey, Malon is there like a capital city or something in this land?"

"Well of course there is. Problem is I couldn't tell ya' where it was. Not off the top of my head"

"You've traveled outside the ranch; you've never been to the capital city?"

"Yeah I've been there before but not for more than a hot second. That city life ain't for me. My pa's been there a lot though"

"I've never seen him here before though I was beginning to wonder where he was."

"Well me and him had found you but while you were havin' yer beauty sleep he had to leave on business, he left me to run the place; he should be back already, but somethin must be holdin him up."

"Something worrying?" I asked not really understanding the inflection in her voice.

"Maybe. It wouldn't be the first time he's had trouble with bandits and the like. But, there aint nothin' to worry about he usually has caravan guards with 'em," she said trailing off, she seemed deep in thought "He'd also be able to maybe point ya' to places where you could find this callin' of yers"

She told me his name: Talon. I had a sour feeling in the pit of my stomach, I began to wonder if I should seek Talon wherever he was. If the roads were treacherous it'd destroy Malon if anything happened to her father. We waited and waited, and still no sign of Talon. According to Malon he wasn't one to be particularly punctual but never this late either. She had mentioned he could be rather lazy at times, sometimes falling asleep on the job but he would always come home to her at a semi-reasonable time.

Another morning came and I woke up to a rooster's crow and still no Talon. I strapped up all my gear Malon had kept for me, she'd even tried to repair some of the damages, everything had been sowed back together and there was some patchwork that'd hold up 'til I could get it looked at. Everything fit like a glove.

I took one look around Malon's home everything from the fine wood finish to all the hunting trophies, the pictures, the design felt like home to me too, now. It felt like someone gripped hard around my heart, I turned and walked out the front.

I moved toward the front gate, rounding the corner; I stopped staring everybody from the farm in the face and Malon was in the center. There was a cool breeze, and the sun began to rise over Malon's cabin, everyone moved aside revealing not only the gate out but the horse I had struggled with so much. He walked forward stopping before me, I pet his head lightly

"Are you going to find my pa?" Malon asked in a low voice

"Yeah, I'll make sure he makes it back one way or the other" I said with a cold confidence, we stared at each other for what seemed like forever, I noticed a lot of the guys and gals had tears in their eyes.

"I'm leaving this little guy to you," Malon said, she reached behind her back and lifted something wrapped in brown cloth over her shoulder "and this."

I opened it revealing a sheathed sword, it was a mercenary blade, usually made cheaply but in the right hands trustworthy.

"Malon I don't know what to say…" I said quite honestly stunned by her kindness

"What ya' could tell me is this little guys name, he still don't got one." She said waiting patiently, focusing on me.

I thought for a long moment; he was fast, reckless for sure but hearty and brave. He was a tempest and I was his guide, the only one who could control this "wild" stallion.

"Zephyr" I said decidedly, Malon laughed a little at the name and gave a reassuring nod

"I aint never heard a name like that for a horse before but that's what it is! Nice to meet ya' Zephyr!" she said in her most welcoming tone. I jumped on top of Zephyr, checked everything was fastened and gave one last look at Malon.

"Come back to us safe ya hear? So, we can give you a proper send off." She had a serious expression, I gave a nod, they gave me his normal route to Hyrule castle, I scanned the scribbling they had gave me and with a crack of the reins I was off.