Chapter 2: New Main Quest

Gaebora was watching Link suspiciously as Link took his usual seat across the desk.

"Did Chef send you again?"

"No, not this time."

Gaebora waited while Link sat in the chair, his feet dangling again. Gaebora was used to this. Whenever Link was in trouble, he would sit and stare at something until he was ready to talk. Usually the quieter one of that friend group, Link also had a penchant for getting into trouble. But when Link couldn't find the words to speak, Gaebora cleared his throat.

"So, you aren't in trouble? Is this about Mido?"

"I need to talk to the Great Deku Tree."

"Oh," Gaebora said, clearly surprised. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Link shook his head quickly. "I need the Deku Tree. It's important."

Gaebora leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Link, on the other hand, couldn't even pretend to be patient. His eyes scanned the entire desk of nicknacks, down to the bobble-headed cow candle. He fixed his hat, stretched his arm, and shuffled in the steat before Gaebora finally nodded his head slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on the boy.

"I can arrange something for you next week."

"No!" Link protested more aggressively than he thought. "It has to be today. I can't go another day without talking to him! Please, Gaebora."

"What is so pressing that you must go today? That's not a journey for a young boy to take lightly."

"It's not lightly. I need this." Link sighed. "I'll tell you everything when I come back. I just need to be told what's happening by the Deku Tree."

Gaebora stood up and slowly crossed the room. He sifted through a few sheets of paper before leaning against the wall, flipping each page. His eyes finally flicked up to Link.

"There is a bottle delivery leaving today for Lon Lon Ranch. The path to the Kokiri Forest is just off the road. You will stay with the wagon until the very last second, do you hear me?"

Link nodded vigorously.

"The wagon returns tomorrow. You will wait for it in the same place you leave it and return home with them. Is that clear as well?"

"Yes sir!"

Gaebora couldn't help but smile at the boy's lit up face. "Do you want one of your friends to join you?"

Shaking his head, Link headed for the door. "No. They want to, but I need to go alone. Besides, it's only half a day's journey."

Gaebora held the door closed before Link could run out. "You are not to return without that wagon. The Deku Tree will shelter you for the night. Even if your conversation lasts for less time than ours has, you are not to return alone."

"I know," Link sighed.

"You are nearly twelve, but that does not make you a full-grown man who can protect himself alone on the road yet. This is for your safety. I know you, Link. If this is the only thing you ever listen to, that will make me… well…. You should always listen to me, but this is the most important."

"I know," he said again, agitated.

Gaebora let go of the door. "They will be at the gate in an hour, so pack up."

Link stood with Saria, Fado, and Gaebora by the wagon as everyone loaded the boxes inside. Link double-checked to see if his slingshot was in his belt, and the sack of apples he brought was already stowed on the wagon.

Gaebora pulled one of the riders aside. Though Link couldn't hear everything, he knew he heard "that Link better stay with the wagon."

"You sneak away from the group two times and everyone thinks you'll always run off," Fido whispered with a laugh.

"That first time was as much yours and Saria's fault as it was mine."

Saria wriggled her eyebrows playfully. "Too bad we'll never be able to do that again."

"Seeing the Indigo-Go's in town was worth every second of that punishment, too."

Link could feel someone move up from behind him and he spun to see Gaebora judging the three of them. "Time to get going, Link."

The woman smiled as she watched Link. She patted the back of the wagon. "Up here, Little Man."

Grabbing the wooden gate along the side, Link hoisted himself up. The girl smiled at him. "I'm Cremia. I work at Lon Lon Ranch with my family. I'll get you where you need to go."

"Thank you," he said, watching his friends.

"Ready?" Cremia called behind her.

"Yepp!"

She urged the horses forward and Link waved at his friends as they slowly began to disappear from view.

"So, is this your first time on your own?" she called behind her.

Link scooted around the boxes to the small window between them so they wouldn't need to scream. "First time that far out, yeah. I've gone exploring around here a few times with my friends."

"Are you nervous, or excited?"

Link thought for a minute. "Both. I don't know why I'm nervous though."

Cremia laughed. "Being nervous means you're smart, not headstrong. I told my little sister, Malon, that before she rode her first horse. She didn't get thrown off that time, and I chalked it up to that saying."

"It makes sense."

"It does! I keep reminding myself of that. I've been living in town with my best friend, Anju, for years now, but she's about to get married, so I'm getting my own place. It's scary to be on your own, but exciting, too."

There was glass all over him. The bottles had shattered, and he lie trapped beneath the wagon. The horses were gone, and all he could see of Cremia was her lifeless hand. He struggled to free himself, but a pair of dark eyes stared down at him.

"Hey!" Cremia called.

Link felt himself shake and his eyes flew open.

"Hey, Little Man," Cremia said, smiling, alive. "You fell asleep on me! Was I that boring?" With a laugh, she waved her hand. "I'm kidding. We're here; this is your stop."

Link rubbed his eyes and jumped down from the wagon. Cremia rustled his hair. "I'll pick you up right here at about midday tomorrow, okay? Be safe, and have some fun while you're out here. I know you're on a secret quest, but enjoy yourself." She hopped back into her seat. "Do you need anything else?"

Link shook his head and waved to her. He waited and watched until she had completely disappeared from view before he turned around, ready to brave Kokiri Forest.