AN: w00t. second chapter.
Somewhere outside of Hyrule castle:
He stirred, blinking sleepily. Something wet and soft was nuzzling around his ear, hot air blowing into his hair. Soon, the sturdy snout butted into his neck, and there was a soft whinny. He sat up slowly, dusting off his clothes. A pink tongue licked his cheek. "Stop it, Ep.." he stared in amazement. It was certainly not Epona. A white horse, its mane tinted the barest shade of blue, was looking at him, its tail swishing. But it wasn't the horse that had him so amazed. A pair of large bird wings sprouted on either side of the horse from it's shoulderblades, folded neatly on either side of it's body. Link admired them for a little while, before gently patting the horse's muzzle. "So you're my new horse.. actually- you're not a horse, you're a pegasi..." The horse snorted, licking his hand. Finally, Link cast a glance around Hyrule field to see what had changed about it after so many years. The paths were wider, and ruts from carts and wagons were in them. He turned to look at the castle. It was the same as it had been when he left, but there were now tall guard towers at the ends, and standing at the entrance to the marketplace were guards with spears. A young girl was in front of them, holding a pack mule by the reins. The guards were looking over some papers, before finally handing them back to her. "Very well, miss Halon." She thanked them, leading the horse inside. Link patted his pegasi's neck, leading it over to where the guards stood. They seemed to be ignoring him, and he brightened. Perhaps they couldn't see him at all! Maybe he could just walk in! He walked over the bridge, fully intending to do so- but the guards crossed their spears in front of him. "Please present your identity papers, please." Link stared at the guards. "But I'm Link- I'm a friend of Princess Zelda's." They looked at each other, then back at him. "Sir, -Queen- Zelda has been dead for 40 years now. And Sir Link has been dead for 50." The Hylian felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. He'd been dead for how long? "How can I get these papers?" The guards stared, although Link couldn't see under their helmets. "You recieve the papers annually after your birth certificate is made out when you are born. You should have some at your home." Link nodded, his eyes wide. "How long has this been going on?"
"For over 70 years now. Queen Zelda passed it as a rule as soon as she took the throne, and neighboring kingdoms have copied her." Link nodded his head. "Sorry to bug you- I will... umm... go get them." He led his horse away, chewing his lower lip. There was no easy way to do this- he would have to figure out how to sneak in, maybe at a guard changing, or forge the papers, which would be hard, considering he didn't know what they looked like. He sighed, looking at his horse, before hopping up onto her.
"Here- let's take you over to the ranch." The horse neighed her approval, and started at a canter towards the ranch, which had grown in size. As she moved, he continued pondering his problem. He had to get in- there were important things to buy, and vaults to break into. Speaking of buying- Link stopped his horse, and climbed off. "Stay here, girl." She bobbed her head, and began to eat some grass as he wandered into some bushes, scouting among them and ripping them up, finding plenty of coins and tucking them away in his satchel. "Now... anything else I should get for now?" he murmured, scanning the ground. He wandered through them, his foot striking something. Immediately suspicious, he pushed away the shrubs- to find a leather casing, with a piece of paper inside that declared "The holder of this paper is Into, song of Engo, and a ranchhand at Lon Lon Ranch." Link could hardly believe his luck at finding such a thing. He would put the horse away, then use the paper to enter the market and eventually sneak his way into the castle. He climbed back onto the pegasi, riding her into the ranch. The buildings were indeed bigger, and more sprawled out, and there was a well-defined path. Not to mention there were many more people- spectators, it seemed, all gathered in the horse corral and watching a woman on her chestnut horse. He snuck up near the front, to see what was going on. When he got a better view, the girl- who could have doubled as Malon's twin- was riding the horse bareback. She urged it on, jumping a fence, and turning it to quickly jump a second. Before it leaped, she planted her hands firmly on it's back and stood upside down. The horse made it easily, the crowd gasping and applauding wildly. Link applauded as well, his eyes wide.The people began to leave now, talking about the amazing show.
"She's rich from doing stuff like that-"
"I'm surprised she hasn't broken her neck!"
Link climbed from his horse, taking her over to the girl. She was wearing a dirty shirt and a tan leather vest, and men's breeches, something Link had not seen women in too often. The young woman turned when she heard him approaching, and flashed a wide smile. "Hi- My name is Palon. How can i help you?" Link smiled back. "Um, yes- I was wondering if Malon is still around?" Palon looked at him in surprise. "No- she was my great grandmother. How did you know her? I have never seen you here before..." She peered closer, before leaning back and blinking in amazement. "Amazing! You look just like the statue in our town's square! Tell me- are you related to the great hero of all time? Or are you one of the contestants? Because you should totally win- except his tunic is green..." Link looked at his white clothing, then at her, blinking. "Umm.. I- I suppose you could say I'm related to him.." She gasped. "That's amazing... you are so fortunate." Link smiled sheepishly. "Thank you.. umm- could you please tend to my horse? She might be hungry- and I've just come into town." Palon nodded, taking the reigns. "Such a lovely horse- it's rare you see white ones. Your great grandfather got his horse here." Link went along with the little fib, though he felt guilty. "Yeah, her name was Epona." She nodded, smiling, before leading the equine over to the watering trough. Link followed.
"Epona had to have been one of our shyest horses. He and Grandma were the only ones who she would allow close. Grandma would smile and say that Link and Epona were truly made for each other." Link smiled at the memory of his horse. "I heard she was quite beautiful." Palon grinned. "Course she was. We always breed beautiful horses." As Link admired his pegasi, the girl was busy with horse soap and water, rubbing the animal down from head to tail. Link watched her for several minutes. "What about the wings?" Palon stopped cleaning, looking at him in confusion. "Wings?" She smiled uneasily. "Pardon me, sir, but... only imaginary horses have wings.." Link opened his mouth to argue, staring at his horse, but cleared his throat, changing his mind. "Of course- just a joke." He laughed , a bit too fake. "Sorry."
She stood up, wiping the soap away now. "Well, sir, you go on ahead with your business and just let your horse rest up. We'll take good care of her, I promise." Link nodded, giving her some money. "Thank you." She smiled in reply. "Thank you, sir."
He nodded to her, turning and leaving the ranch, feeling comfortable. As he was out in the open air, he could feel the warmth running through his veins, the sun heating him as it always had. He could hardly believe it. He was home again. Birds darted overhead, chirping as they went along, others singing as they perched in their trees. Small squirrels hid their food, rabbits leaping away. "Home.." he murmured to himself, stopping to take it all in.
"Home."
He started for the castle at a quicker pace, but gasped and leaped back as a cart went barreling by. It hit a harsh bump, and a bottle flew from the back. It clattered to the ground, rolling up to Link's feet, filled with a bright light. As he leaned down to get it, he could hear muffled shouting as the bottle jiggled. Link picked it up , pulling it open. The light was a tiny fairy, and she had a red tinge to her light. She was -mad-. The little ball flung itself at Link's face, screaming. "You! You pig of a mortal! You intended to sell me! I can't believe that you wanted to get rid of me!" Link stumbled backwards, dodging the fairy's weak punches. "I didn't trap you! I'm not about to sell you! Come on, it's alright!" The fairy stopped, looking at him for several minutes, and the red faded. "You let me go?" She trembled with happiness. "Thank you! Thank you!!" She latched onto him, squealing and bouncing in happiness. "Oh THANK YOU! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU SO SO SOOOO MUUUCH!!" Link smiled weakly, the fairy clutching the collar of his tunic. She looked up at him, and her face- she was that close- took on a puzzled appearance. She backed up, looking him over slowly. "You... you must be Link!" The Hylian nodded.
She squealed in happiness, bobbing up and down rapidly. "I was supposed to meet you! I'm so glad I have! You see, I was waiting by the Pegasi- who's name is Arana, by the way, when I thought I saw something suspicious out there. So I flew over there, and this GUY just jumped up and caught me in a bottle! I was so mad! He was teasing me and threatening to sell me, and threw me into the back of his cart. So to get back at him and keeping him from getting into the marketplace to sell me, I used my powers and flung his certificate from the cart. So he won't get in until he finds it!" She laughed, and Link stared at her. "Umm- just wondering- why didn't you just use your power to pull the cork out of the bottle?" She stared at him. "Well.. because it was really heavy." Link nodded. "So, what can I call you?" The fairy stopped darting around so often, and Link managed a good look at her clothes. She was almost a very tiny human being, besides the opalescent wings, wearing a white dress outfit with the hem at the bottom raggedly slashed, her hair white and curly, streaming down her back. "My name is Karavi. It's cool to meet you, Link." She smiled wide, and patted his shoulder. "So, where are we going?" Link sighed, looking towards the castle. "We have to get in there for my old weapons so I can start on my destiny." He set his jaw, and Karavi nodded. "Sounds easy. How are we getting in?" He smirked at her, pulling out the certificate he had found. "This should get us in." Karavi giggled. "You found it! That's excellent." She fluttered over his head, bouncing a little as they headed towards it.
"You know, Karavi, you're the only person who seems to see that my horse is a Pegasi. Everyone else sees it as an ordinary horse." Karavi flew along in front of him. "It's simple. Only the undead who died with pure hearts, and magical creatures- you and me- see the wings." Link nodded. "I get it now... that's how no one was in shock whenever I would show them the horse." Karavi nodded too. "We're almost there now... come on." They headed back across the drawbridge, the guards once more crossing their spears. Link pulled out the certificate, and they looked it over carefully, before nodding. "Go right on through, sir." They uncrossed their spears, and Link entered the marketplace for the first time in 50 years. It had grown dramatically- even the surrounding walls had changed from their ordinary brick to having immensely tall guard posts at each corner. The buildings were bigger as well, and there was more of a variety. Even the colors of the people had changed. Some were immensely pale, others were dark, clearly of Gerudian descent. But the temple of time was still there, as tall and proud as it had always been. "Everything is so much bigger now." he muttered to Karavi, who nodded her agreement. "Everything's grown since you died. Here- what did you say you needed?" Link looked around the market some more, excusing himself as he walked through the crowds of people. A few of the younger girls stopped to watch him go by, blushing. Link lowered his eyes, and Karavi glared at them. "Let's see..." she turned her attention back to Link. "You need a shield." Link smiled a little at her. "Why was that the first thing you thought of?" Karavi blushed pink.
They headed into the back alleyways that were wider now, and had more buildings. "I know that- but I don't know if I can afford to buy one. Maybe we should just go to the castle."
"Well, we need to get in somehow."
There was the sound of someone approaching them from behind, and Link whipped around, his hand reaching, once more, for a sword that wasn't there yet. A bald man with multiple tattoos all over his body slunk out of a dark doorway, walking towards him. "Excuse me..." he hissed. "My father is a carpenter, helping to build onto the castle. He is head carpenter. I'm supposed to be helping as his son, but I'm not good with tools." He paused, looking Link over. "you look pretty strong. Here. These are the papers that will get you into teh castle." Link took it, looking it over. "Thank you." The young man nodded. "My dad will think you're the help he hired, so dont worry about having to explain yourself. Have fun in the castle..." he smirked. "I hope you find some good stuff." He laughed quietly, the sound turning into a harsh cough. Link thanked him again, feeling uneasy, but turned, walking the rest of the way. Karavi occasionally pointed something out, and Link would stop to see what she found. At one point, he found a small green crystal that wasn't money, but a delicately carved gem. He pocketed it, turning into the main courtyard. A woman rushed by him, ringing her hands, looking completely panicked. "I can't believe I lost my birthday present so soon! I'm so stupid! How could I have lost it?!" She fretted passionately, looking ready to cry. Link reached out and touched her shoulder. "Excuse me, miss." she whirled around to stare at him, gasping and covering her mouth with her hands. "My Goddess, you look just like our statue! What an excellent job you have done on this!" She stroked the material of Link's tunic, and he blushed. "Thanks- uh-" Karavi hid in Link's hood so the young woman wouldn't see her burning with anger. "You were saying you lost something?" he asked. She blinked, and nodded rapidly. "Yes! Yes I did!" Link reached into his satchel, pulling out the crystal and holding it out to her. "Is this it?" She gasped, taking it and hooking it back onto her necklace. "Yes! Thank you so much! I do not know how I will ever repay you! You see, my name is Anra, and I forge precious metals. This was a gift from my husband; this stone. He said that it was a chip from the actual legendary emerald of the forest." She smiled, admiring it.' "So you see, I was very panicked when I lost it. But thank you for finding it for me! " She hugged him tightly, and he blushed. Karavi hunted for matches to set her dress on fire. "I do not have much to give you in return, but... here." she pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil, scribbling on it. "If you ever need help with metals, be it fixing a sword or anything, just come to my shop and I'll fix it for you for free. My signature is on this, and its very hard to forge, so they will know its for real if I'm not there." She thanked him again, before turning and walking away. Karavi fluttered out, snuggling against Link's neck. "Link..." He blinked. "Yes?" "You don't -like- that mortal, do you?" Link shook his head. "No.. why are you being defensive?" She flushed. "I'm -not-... I just... well.. she's not good enough for you, is all." Link smirked. "So you dictate who I can and cannot like?" Karavi flittered. "Of course not!" Link shook his head. "Let's just hurry to the castle." She nodded, tucking under his hat.
"Your hair smells really good."