The Lake
The sun was beating down as it was almost noon now. Its blazing rays hit Links sword and left beams of light trailing behind him. Link hovered his head past Eponas mane to see it she was in need of a rest. Her large black eyes mirrored the emerald green grass and the tainted blue of the cloudy sky. All at the same time fiery speckles of red appeared from reddish brown hair that swaddled her neck could be seen hidden beneath the swirl of color. Link saw the moisture collecting with her eye lid like windy tears. He decided it was time to stop.
They had reached Hylian lake. A cool breeze came from the waters as they approached. The temperature of the early spring air dropped slightly. Link spotted a large oak nearby for him and Epona to rest under. He snatched at his water jug held up by a thin line of leather from Eponas saddle and took a huge gulp. The droplets of water mixed with his sweat as they raced together toward the tip of his chin, both crawling over his slightly pink lips and distinguished jaw line.
Link sat and thought again about Zelda. He had few memories of her. Her long blonde hair and flowing dress. To him she was the untouchable. The unreachable. He remembered her hopeful spirit and bright eyes. It was never the expression in her brows or the curve of her rose lips that stuck in his memory. Her face was a beacon of light. Its bright rays shone hope even into the heat of a young
boy. A boy who was barely even a spec on the earth at the time, and believed he would remain as such. To him, and the kingdom, she was royalty. Anything she did was important. Little did he know of her captivity at the time. Her station left her to live a dictated life.
As the waves rolled and swept the sand clean he couldn't help but wonder why she would be calling for him again. It had been years since their bond had been broken by time and war. Gannon had been defeated once more, and the kingdom had returned to peace. His life was steady now. He was quite the wanderer. Epona as his companion and the wilderness as his home. It was a peaceful life, but not right for a person of links abilities.
The afternoon swept on. The light motion of the waves hitting the sandy shore across the way put link to sleep. He felt his eyelids drift downward at each metronomic motion upon the beach. Fighting the feelings he had, as well as the oncoming slumber, he fell into a deep sleep. All of a sudden he was running, running as fast as he could. Link looked down at the trail in front of him. Each blade of grass and bustle of weeds blazed past him as he pressed on. He looked down at his short stumpy arms and realized he was a child. His little green hood bounced as he ran. It was night at he could hear the cowl of owls. He could feel the flicker of torches behind him as if they had arms to grasp him. He looked back and saw ugly beasts chasing him. They were gaining speed. No skin upon their bones only tattered robes covered in soil and death. He felt for his long sword but it was not there. All he had was a small short sword. Something he would not even consider as a sword now, a knife maybe. This would not help him. He ran toward the Castle. The drawbridge was just closing as he reached the wooden sign in front. The soil seemed to crumble beneath him as he came closer to the drawbridge. One strong leap and he made it. He grasped the wooden beam and crawled on top. His balance was impeccable. He stood several minutes on the edge of the teetering bridge as two guards slowly lifted it upwards. They did not notice him there he was too short and too dark to see. The edge of the wooden bridge clanked against the stone when he reached the top. The click, click, click of the chains at the side was almost deafening as the guards locked down the castle court for the night. Link waited several minutes before standing at full height once again. Though he was a mere four and a half feet, he felt his agility would give him away. Once thegate was clear of life, and death, he slid down the side of wooden plank and felt his feet hid the cobble stones of the kingdom square.