Disclaimer: I don't own LOZ

A Narrow Escape

Link and Lania were just on the outskirts of the Castle Town Market place (also known as Hyrule City). This town was situated within the walls of the castle of Hyrule where the royal family lived. Link dismounted off the bare back of his mare and came around in front of her.

"Epona, I want you to take care of Pirate okay, and especially take care of yourself, I don't want to be dealing with a foal on your part," Link murmured to Epona, as he pulled the bridle from her head. Epona snorted in disapproval at Link's absurd lecture. Link laughed softly, knowing that Epona was a leader not a follower and she wouldn't let a stallion stand in her way.
Lania observed and was surprised that Epona hadn't run from Link. She wondered what the story was behind the intense loyalty between the two. Lania dismounted and lead Pirate over to a tree and loosely tethered him to it knowing that if the need should arise he could break free.

Ok, two rules, don't get caught and don't steal from the poor people. In fact give some of your findings to the poor, they need it more than we do." Link said laying down the rules to Lania.

"Got it Sir!" Lania saluted. Link just rolled his eyes and left Epona and he stealthily entered the town. He was wanted and he had to be sneaky in the presence of any Hylian guards. He carefully went past them and entered the busy streets of Hyrule City. Looking around he could see that he had picked a good day. It happened to be a day when a prince from a distant land would head to the castle and ask for the hand in marriage of the fair Princess Zelda. He hadn't seen the prince yet but by all the people gathered around he knew he was in the market. He also knew that this prince would likely come back out of the palace without the princess. It seemed to be the fate of all the princes' that came to the castle.

Anyway, Link carefully blended in with the crowd and started to sneakily steal things off of people that had fairly valuable riches. Eventually he came across the Prince; he had a beautiful green gem that was tied securely to the horse's saddle.

Link looked at the gem and for some reason felt drawn to it. A sudden picture of a girl with green hair and eyes to match came to mind. She had a golden light about her and a cheerful face as well. Link wondered why for a moment but decided that it wasn't worth thinking about.

He carefully moved even closer to the gem and wondered if he would be able to get it right out from under the Prince's nose without him noticing. Walking alongside the horse, Link slipped a small dagger out of his belt and quickly sliced the ropes that held the gem to the saddle. After he had the gem in his hands, he carefully slipped back into the crowd, and away from the Prince.

He had made it to the alley that lead to his hideout when he heard the shriek and the shout and he also heard the utter chaos break out as the Prince found that his precious emerald had been stolen. He quickly stole his way through the alley to his hideout, that way he could see what was going on in the square.

Once there he quietly observed what had happened. He could usually hear really well up there because of the way the square echoed, he heard that the emerald was a gift for the princess and now he was really going to have it. The guards had no idea of where to start looking for the thief. But they also had a guess that it was the street bandit, A.K.A. Link.

Link chuckled quietly from his perch on the crumbling stonewall. He took the moment to examine the treasure he had been able to pick up. But unfortunately for him, the sun beamed a ray of light off of the gem that went right into the face of the head Hylian guard.

"Up there on the roof!" Came the shout and Link virtually had to bolt. "Shit!" Link muttered as he tucked the jewel away and made a dash for the rooftop. Soon he came to a merchant stand with a cloth shade cover and he vaulted onto it and onto the ground on the square.

"Damn it, where is the kid!" Link swore. "LINK!" came the shout of a girl. He caught sight of Lania on the run as well. She was already running for the entrance to the town. Link followed. Soon they hit the open road and Link gave a shrill whistle that made even the guards who were chasing them wince. They knew what was coming, Link's rescuer, Epona.

Just outside of the town Epona and Pirate both heard the whistle and they ran for the town. The two horses also heard the shout for the drawbridge to close.

Link and Lania kept running, hoping that the front guards would be easy to get through. They stood in their path but before they could be reached, Epona and Pirate barrelled through the front guards and came to a fast stop in front of the duo. Link and Lania wasted no time, as the back guards were hard on their heels. They mounted and they headed at a fast gallop for the drawbridge.

To the horror of all four characters, the drawbridge had been raised to a forty-five degree angle. Link after a moment's hesitation asked Epona to keep going with a firm squeeze of his legs. She responded willingly.

"Get ready to jump Epona!" Link shouted as they neared the edge of the bridge, Pirate right behind. Lania heard Link's shout and visibly paled slightly, she didn't know if Pirate knew how to jump. Link collected Epona and she gracefully sailed off of the bridge onto the dirt path on the other side of the moat. Pirate also jumped much to Lania's surprise and it almost cost her. Pirate had taken off clumsily and she had almost lost her balance, but as soon as he landed they were off heading to the southwest at a fairly fast gallop all the same.

Soon they were within a league and a half from the drawbridge of the town. Link slowed Epona down using his legs since he had no control over her head. She slowed and so did Pirate. Both horses were breathing heavily but Epona was ready to go within a couple of minutes.

"So, why were the guards chasing you?" Link asked looking at the Gerudo girl that had also been on the run. Lania turned red and a sheepish smile came across her face. Link raised an eyebrow in question. "I tried to… and he… called on the guards," Lania stuttered. Link shook his head wryly at the girl. But he then noticed something.

Pirate was now only standing on three legs and was still breathing very heavily. Link noticed this and slid off of Epona's sweaty back. He carefully felt Pirate's swollen leg tendon and found that he had pulled it when he had jumped, not to mention the crazy run afterward.

"Lania, was that the first time Pirate's jumped with a rider?" Link asked, concern filling his voice. "Yes, it was, why is something the matter?" She asked concern also in her voice. "I think he's pulled a leg muscle," Link said grimly, "You keep going but walk beside him instead of riding, I will act as a rear watch ok, we aren't out of the woods yet.

Epona gave a small low whinny as she head the opening of the drawbridge in the distance. "Get going Lania and take it easy with him," Link instructed, as he jumped back up on Epona. He steered her towards the top of the hill. He saw that a black horse was entering the town and knew that they were safe for the time being because the royal advisor would occupy the guards for a while. Turning back down the hill he and Lania headed into the setting sun on their way back to the Gerudo Valley, much more rich than they had been earlier in the day.

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