Note: Special thanks to everyone who reviewed my story and encouraged me to write more!
Epona reared victoriously and Malon's hair flowed like a red flag. "We did it Epona!" she cheered as she gave the horse a hug around the neck while still atop her back. Malon looked around her. There were so many places to explore. She wanted to see all of Hyrule. She'd only ever been to Hyrule Castle Town and Kakariko Village on delivery trips with her father and sometimes they'd go pay respect to Malon's mother, who was buried in Kakariko. She'd loved these trips, but she wanted to see more. Malon had only seen a few Gorons and Zoras in her lifetime and had only heard of the Kokiri and Gerudo. She really didn't know where to start.
Ahead of Malon was a lush forest. It seemed like as good a place as any to explore. Malon galloped on Epona, leaping over a fallen tree branch on the way. The wind whipped through her flaming locks and Malon had never felt so alive. Eventually, sadly, the trees got thicker and Malon had to slow Epona to a walk. Epona snorted with discontent, as she was enjoying galloping as much as her Hylian friend. Malon laughed. "We can gallop again soon enough," she reassured the mare.
Epona pulled her head down to graze. Malon waited patiently and looked at her surroundings. Ahead the forest got thicker except for a small pathway that curved a little. Malon intended to follow it to see where it lead. She gently urged Epona through the pathway. It ended at a huge sideways hollow log that must have been seven feet in diameter. Malon dismounted to get a closer look. She peered through the log and saw a bridge that led to another log…
"What exactly do you think you're doing?" A small, glowing fairy was now in front of Malon's face.
"Exploring," Malon informed her. "What's in there?" she asked, trying to look around the blinding shiny ball.
"Absolutely nothing of your--" the fairy was about to continue when the distinct howl of a Wolfo was heard in the not too far away distance.
Malon's eyes widened and she looked to the fairy for help but it was no longer in sight. It had flown into the log. The red head had one foot in Epona's stirrup, when she felt an icy cold paw on her shoulder. She turned around slowly, and there was a large grey Wolfo starring her in the face. She shrieked with terror and tried to mount Epona. She was about to swing herself into the saddle when Epona reared, knocking her down. Malon lay defenceless on the ground and the menacing creature licked its lips. It prepared to lunge at her, but instead it fell to the ground. There was an arrow in its back.