Disclaimer: I, the author, do not owe Legend of Zelda®: Ocarina of Time™ or any of the game characters used in this story. Original characters are owned by the author of this story. All Rights are reserved.

The forest was unusually cold that morning, the sun nowhere in sight of setting, only the setting moon giving light shining its pure reflection across the water. All the Kokiri had gathered to see their friend off. They were sad to see her go, yet happy at the same time. Happy with obliviousness of not knowing the real reason why the fallen hero's daughter must leave.

Before she was to leave, Airas was summoned one last time to the south side of the forest. Standing before the Deku Tree, grown into his awesome height of the former Deku before him, Airas waited for his blessing.

"The day has arrived," he said sternly, his voice deep and mellow. "It has come all too quickly."

"I am forever grateful for all you have done," Airas said, bowing her head.

"Airas, listen well to what I say. The vision you had yesterday of your father…remember there are always alternatives. Two paths instead of one."

Looking up solemnly, reminded of what she had tried hard to forget, her blue eyes glistened with deep thought over the Deku's words.

"What you had seen could be many things. It could be what might come to pass or what has already happened. If it is the former, than it can also be prevented."

"How can you be certain?" Airas asked. Her tone was that asking out of wonder, not testing the Deku Tree's knowledge. He knew this well.

"What you learn on this journey will teach you many new things. I can only say this, and this is all I am allowed. You are a child of destiny, Airas. You will continue to mature and blossom into something great and wonderful. Learn the tales of your father and remember them well."

"I will, Deku Tree. Thank you again."

After she had left the Deku Tree's grounds, she came back out to see only Saria now waiting for her, hand held out. Airas took it without thought, something she had done with Saria since she was old enough to walk.

"Only you and I, and of course the Deku Tree seem to know what's really going on," Airas said.

"Better to give a small lie now than let them worry," Saria replied. The two had walked out the entrance to the bridge, the farthest Airas had ever been. If she had known what was across these wooded steps, what waited for her on the other side, she would not have spent those countless hours wishing to venture through the tunnel one day.

Forcing a smile, Airas looked down to the sage and shook her head. "I thought you said it was wrong to lie."

Saria's empty smile came no easier. "Another lesson to learn."

"The right time when to reveal the truth, and other times to tell a better story?"

"Exactly. I believe it will come quickly."

Nodding, Airas fixed the strap of her bag over her shoulder into a more comfortable position. She only carried another change of clothes, a few provisions of water and fruit, and of course her father's ocarina, originally Saria's.

"You have the Kokiri Sword?" Saria asked, looking over the girl in front of her. It was hard to believe seventeen years ago this girl had been brought to her in a bundle of clothing, small enough for her to hold in one arm. Now the very same babe stood in front of her almost six feet tall. She was much taller than the average Hylian.

"Yes," Airas answered, drawing it from an ankle strap inside her boot. "Mido advised me to keep it hidden here, to draw less attention."

Saria blinked in surprise. "Mido saw you off as well?"

"He was the first to come and help me pack. At first I thought it was because he wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible, but the look on his face told me otherwise…like he was about to shed tears."

Saria's lips turned upward slightly at the corner of her mouth. "Really now?"

"Yes. Very odd behavior for him."

Saria muffled a giggle. "Still a few things for you to learn, I see."

Airas only titled her head and returned the smile. Seeing a heartfelt one was enough for her to feel some good cheer on this sad day. It diminished, however, when reality came back to her. "Will I ever see you and the others again?"

"That…" Saria sighed deeply, her chest heaving up slowly before exhaling, "is completely up to you and what you decide."

"My father…" Airas began. She was cut off by the wave of Saria's hand.

"Do not think of it. One step at a time now, Airas. Do not be rash. Remember, take your time and you will succeed in much more."

Nodding stiffly, Airas's grip tightened on her bag's strap.

"Now, after you pass through this tunnel, the world will be much different. You will come out to Hyrule field. It is vast at first, but you will learn your way around quickly. You are to head west for now. Lon Lon Ranch stands in the middle of Hyrule field. Go there and speak with a woman named Malon. Tell her who you are, and she should give you a horse to help make your traveling much—"

"Saria?" Airas interrupted.

"Yes?"

"What's a horse?"

Blinking, Saria could not help but to laugh. "I had forgotten. Malon will tell you. I think you will like horses."

"If you say so."

Nodding, Saria continued. "Now, north of here is Hyrule Castle. Queen Zelda reigns there, though it's very difficult to see her. Still, I believe if you tell the royal guards who you are, she will defiantly want to see you."

"Why is that?"

Saria only looked at her with a knowing smile Arias did not understand.

Sighing, Airas sagged her shoulders a little. "Guess I will have to explore that too."

"Better that you hear these things from other people, not just me always. You will learn more that way."

Slowly Airas knelt down onto one knee to be at eye-level. It was not a gesture to mock the height difference between mentor and pupil, but a notion of acknowledging one's wisdom and respect held for them.

Saria widened her eyes in surprise. If only the truth was known, she should rightfully be bowing.

"Thank you for all you have done, Saria. I will never forget."

The two embraced each other for a moment than, Saria finding it hard to let go. "Be well."

And as she had watched Link leave seventeen years ago, again she looked on as the Hero of Time's daughter turned and walked out of her life as easily as she had entered it.

Once out on Hyrule Field, Airas bit on her lip to keep from turning around. She knew if she would, she would not be able to leave, running straight back to Saria and her friends, begging to stay. Instead, she walked tall with her head held high and passed by the leafless trees guarding the entrance of the Kokiri Forest.

She was taken aback by what stood before her.

The field was indeed vast and open, with few single trees here and there. Ahead she could already see what seemed to be Lon Lon Ranch, set on a hill with torches burning to guide the way. Thinking it over, she smiled and breathed deeply. If the ranch was the landmark center of Hyrule Field, than she should have little trouble finding her way around.

Her slender legs took long strides, and with each step she came nearer to her destination. She stopped suddenly, when she had reached the top of the first hill and looked to the north. A giant stone wall that ran along the outskirt of Hyrule Field with a wooden bridge drawn up by heavy, thick chains. Above the bridge on the lookout wall, she could just barely make out the three triangles lighted up by torches. The symbol seemed to be everywhere ever since she had given herself a name, yet she shuddered as she remembered it had also been below her father's feet when saw him impaled. Struck through, with a blade also holding the same symbol. She knew not what to think of it.

"Hyrule Castle," she whispered. "My next destination after I am given…a horse?"

Continuing to walk, she passed the time thinking of what a horse could be. From her lessons with the Deku Tree, she had been taught many things that reigned outside Kokiri Forest, yet she could only imagine such things she had never seen with her mind. The Deku Tree had tried his hardest to explain and give visual aid, yet Airas had still come up with some monstrosities to downright silly looking creatures.

A horse, she thought over. An animal, she knew that much, yet anything else was unknown to her.

Airas mentally kicked herself for not paying better attention now. She winced remembering she had instead spent the hours of lessons daydreaming of the outside world. How strange that she would regret it all now within a day's time.

Before she knew it, she found herself standing in front of the entrance to Lon Lon Ranch. Two wooden outposts stood on both sides, the trail inside suddenly running steep upward. Walking in, her steps became closer together, taking her time to look everything over, in search of anyone.

She walked between a rather large house two stories tall and a smaller one opposite of it. She knocked on the door to the first and waited patiently to be acknowledged. When no one came for her, she tired to push the door inward.

"Odd…" she said. "It seems to be stuck."

She took hold of a circular object poking out from the side of the door and pulled on it instead. Her hand slipped as she found she could turn it. Still it would not budge. Turning it again, she tried once more to push it in and almost fell forward when the door swung open, having used too much pressure.

Stumbling inward, she caught herself and looked around, the room lighted up by candles lit, sitting on a circular rail hanging from the ceiling. There was a wooden table in front of her with a staircase leading upward beside it to another door. On the other side were some strange things she had never seen before along with a pile of hay. Out of the hay she saw something white stick out.

"Hello?" she called out. "Anyone here?"

Again, she waited for an answer, but no one replied.

Shrugging, she went over to the hay pile to investigate her new discovering. She saw than she had seen white feathers and reached over to touch them. The moment contact was made, there was a horrible sound of something screeching, a sound she never heard before. Connected to the feathers was a small creature with a large body and a tiny head, flapping its wings in fright. It had a yellow beak with something red on top of its head, its black beady eyes shifty left to right in haste to find somewhere to run.

Alarmed at the odd animal, Airas ran toward the table and leapt to the other side, waiting behind it until she heard only the rustle of wings. Peeking over, she found the white animal now walking around on yellow stick-like legs, once in a while making a "clucking" sound.

"What in the world is that?" she asked herself. Knowing she would not get an answer, she waited until the animal was turned the other way and dashed toward the door, slamming it shut behind her. She prayed silently it did not know how to open doors.

After her heart stopped racing, she decided to check the other house, when she stole a glance to the right and saw the area opened up again. Another meadow?

Walking out, she saw metal bars encircling more strange creatures, much larger than the one she had just encountered. Awed by their size, she approached the bars and looked them over, hoping she was at a safe distance.

Most of the creatures were a light brown with long necks and muzzles, black hair coming out from behind their head, along their neck. They had pointy ears that stood upward, some flickering their ears back and forth. They stood on four legs instead of two and had tails matching their manes. Large black orbs served as their eyes, some half-closed, as they seemed relaxed where they stood.

Airas had the sudden impression that these creatures were the horses Saria had spoken of.

One horse caught her eye out of the rest. It was a horse with fur a bright red, and a mane and tail pure white. It was much larger than its kin with rippling muscles and broad, sturdy legs. The tip of its muzzle tinted to a dark gray, shinning in brilliance of the rising sun.

Suddenly she wanted to get closer, a desire of running her fingers through the beast's soft hair overwhelming her. Her feet guided her through the opening of the bars further down, the other horses looking up at her with shifting eyes, now alert and ready to run at any sudden movements.

Noticing their uneasiness, Airas took caution with each step, taking her time, showing them she meant nothing rash. Slowly she made her way across the field toward the majestic horse. It only looked up, lifting its head that towered over her when she was but few feet from it. Holding out her hand, she smiled and made soft cooing noises to calm it.

Oblivious to everything around her, only focusing on what stood in front of her, Airas did not see a red-haired woman walking up from behind, stopping at the entrance of the bared circle, watching with bright eyes.

"Hey there," Airas whispered in a sweet voice, mimicking how Saria had always spoken to her whenever she had been in a sour mood. "Do not worry. I mean no harm."

The horse's ears shifted back, than forward, its tail whipping around in thought. Airas stopped just an arm's reach from the beast's muzzle and waited until the creature was comfortable with her nearness. Slowly she felt the tension in the air between her and the horse diminish, and smiled at her victory as the horse's muzzle came forward, burying its nose into her palm. A large tongue came out and licked once over her skin, tickling her fingers.

"Good," Airas cooed. "Nice to meet you."

Slowly she lowered her hand to her side and looked into the horse's black eyes with her blue. The horse only stared back until it threw its head side to side in a shake, than lowered back down to continue grazing on the grass.

"Is that what you like to eat?" Airas asked, resting her hands on her hips. "Well, there seems to plenty here for you."

She had been accepted by the beast, yet she had not satisfied her desire. Walking closer up to the horse, Airas came to its side and gently with one hand ran her fingers through the thick, black mane. It was slightly tangled, yet she brushed through it easily, parting the strands with care not to hurt the creature.

The horse only gave a snort now and than, continuing to dine of the sweet blades of summer's grass.

Airas continued brushing through the mane, smiling to herself until she heard a voice behind her. "It seems Epyon has taken a quick liking to you, miss."

Startled, Airas whirled around so face it scared the horse beside her, causing the creature to take off. Airas turned back around in dismay, almost wanting to run after it.

"Oh," the woman said. "I am sorry. I did not mean to frighten you. I was just surprised. Usually he does not warm up to anybody but me."

"I-it's all right," Airas said quickly. "My fault for coming here uninvited. I apologize."

Their eyes met than and the two looked over one another in silent study. Airas did not know what the woman was thinking of her at that moment, but she herself was both amazed and slightly disappointed.

"My name is Malon," the woman said suddenly, smiling softly. "I owe Lon Lon Ranch."

"My name is Arias. I owe…well, my name and the belongings in my bag."

Blinking in slight puzzlement, Airas was afraid she had already messed up with her first real introduction with someone else not Kokirian.

"Excuse me," Airas began. "Are you a Hylian?"

"I am. I have lived here on this ranch all my life."

It was than when Airas felt Malon's eyes on her again, looking over her clothes. Airas saw the woman was wearing a long tunic that ran all the way down to her ankles, the material sewn with many different bright colors into it. Suddenly Airas felt very self-conscious with her bare legs and simple attire.

"A green tunic," Malon whispered. She looked up at met Airas's eyes, even though she barely came to the girl's shoulders. "Are you from east of here?"

"Y-yes. I am from Kokiri Forest."

Airas watched as Malon's face grew a little pale before recovering with a forced smile. "I…I see. You lived with the Kokiri folk?"

"Yes. Saria sent me here, to look for you."

"For me?" she asked in dismay. "Did she say why to come here?"

"She said you would give me a horse to help aid in my journey."

Nodding rather stiffly, Malon looked away, becoming interested in the ground. "Ah, now I understand."

"Oh, I'm glad because I do not," Airas admitted.

Again, Malon gave Airas a quick look-over before turning, gesturing her head toward the houses. "Let us talk inside."

Nodding, Airas followed behind, looking over her shoulder once at Eplon, who raised his head to watch them go.

I'll be back, Airas thought, smiling.

Inside once again, Airas took extra care not to go anywhere near the side of the room where that squawking white thing was roaming around. Noticing Airas's uneasiness, Malon shooed the animal outside through the door.

"You not like chickens?"

"Is that what they are called?" Airas asked instead. "I suppose they do not like me, is the issue. I scared it earlier when I pulled at one of its feathers."

"Why on earth did you do that?" Malon asked.

"Well, all I saw was the feathers when I was hiding in the hay pile, and I did not know what it was, so when I walked over, and just pulled at it and than…Malon, what is so funny?"

Malon had wrapped her arms around her sides, giggling with uncontrollable laughter. "I am sorry. I do not mean to be rude. I forgot that in the forest, you hardly have any animals."

"Except for wolves."

"Wolves?" Malon cried out.

"Yes. I only found that out myself when I was attacked the other day. They seem easy enough to handle though." With a very serious, stern look, she added, "chickens are another matter though."

Malon almost hit the floor in tears.