Chapter Two: And on This Farm, They had a Horse…

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Disclaimer: I only own Rae and the changes to the storyline.

A/N: Okay, I promise that this will be the last chapter that will bore you to death. It'll be really short, so then we can get to the action.

*OracleVortex*

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It was late afternoon by the time that they reached the ranch. They dismounted, and Link led Epona through the gates. Navi was let loose, and she roamed freely, for once not pestering Rae.

"Hey!" Link said, raising his arm in greeting. Rae looked in the general direction that he was facing, seeing a homely young woman waving cheerfully back. Her hair was bright red, tucked neatly behind pointed ears, and she wore a simple homespun dress, covered by a cream-colored apron.

"Faerie-boy!" She welcomed him. "Back so soon?"

Link nodded. "Malon, I'd like you to meet Rae. Rae, this is Malon."

The two women shook hands. "Hello Rae."

"Hi."

Link went on. "She'll be travelling with me, so I'm going to need another horse." He paused. "Would you sell me one?"

Malon winked at him, nodding. "Of course, faerie-boy, but I'm going to have to charge you for this one."

Link blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Hey…I won Epona fair and square."

"I'm only teasing, faerie-boy."

Rae blocked out the light banter, gazing around the ranch. It was pretty much identical to the Lon Lon Ranch of her memory. There was an oval corral in the centre of the field, and the barn and house were near the entrance. There were cuccos nearby that roamed free, but pretty much stayed in their one corner, and Ingo stood off to one side; his appearance so…weird…that it could only be him.

"…Well, how about this one?"

Rae turned back to Link, and saw that Malon was leading a beautiful cream-colored mare their way. It was sturdy and proud, but yet it had a gentle air about it.

"Meet Carina." Malon said proudly, patting the mare's nose. "She's been my pride and joy ever since Link came and whisked Epona away." Malon pressed the reins into Link's hand.

"She's beautiful." Link handed the reins to Rae, pulling out his rupee purse. "How much for her? Saddle and all?"

Malon thought for a moment. "Well, since you're a good friend of mine…no less than 210."

"…Sold." Link started to count out rupees into the farm girl's hand.

Rae stared at the horse. She seemed gentle enough. Maybe if she were extra careful, the horse wouldn't dump her on her first ride. "Hey, there, Carina. I'm Rae." The horse whinnied and butted her head against her new mistress. Carina nosed around at Rae's coat pockets, probably looking for a treat. "Sorry, girl, I don't have anything." Carina managed to look the tiniest bit saddened at this.

Link chuckled, coming up behind Rae. "Here." He put a lump of sugar into her hand. Rae fed it to the mare, giggling as the horse's tongue tickled her palm. Link guided Rae to stand beside the horse. "Time to learn to ride."

"Now?" Rae exclaimed, panic edging into her voice.

"Hold onto the saddle." Link instructed patiently. "Foot in the stirrup…"

Rae followed what he said to do, almost catching the hero in the side of his head as she swung one leg over the horse. She looked down at Link, nervously mounted. "Now what?" Link led her through the basics of riding, teaching her to jump, gallop, trot and control without using the reins. Carina, on her part, was very agreeable and not too hard to manage.

When the wolfos began to howl at the moon, Link finally decided to call it a day. Malon, who had been watching the whole time, offered them both lodging for the night. Rae staggered to the house, leaning on Link's arm.

"Are you alright?" Link asked, trying hard to hide a smile.

"My butt hurts." Rae complained, rubbing her tender behind. "How can you ride all day?"

"Practice." Link tossed at her, opening the door and letting her go first.

Malon, who had obviously heard Rae's question, winked as she set out plates and cups. "He neglected to mention his Buns-o-steel." Rae's mouth dropped open, delighted at the use of a familiar term. She laughed out loud.

"What's so funny?" Link asked, sitting down at the table, confused. This only made Malon burst out in giggles, and Rae laugh harder.

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The next day, after thanking Malon profusely, Link and Rae set out at the break of dawn. Several bottles of milk were jingling in Carina's saddlebags, and there were enough food for many days accompanying it.

Malon was there to see them off. "Good luck!" She called as they left. "And if you see my father, be sure to send him home!"

"We will!" Link promised. Then they went at full gallop, heading for Kakariko Village, Death Mountain, and the Fire Temple.

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Yay! Another chapter done!! Thanx to all that reviewed, you are all such angels to me!! :P

Next Chapter…or maybe the next one…will see the coming of my ALL TIME FAVE ZELDA CHARACTER!!! I'm not going to tell you who it is, though. J

I've put up three – yes, 3 – new stories! One's a digmon fic, one's a Cardcaptors and one's a Harry Potter! Be sure to check them out!!

*OracleVortex*

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