Link lay in the barn with an annoyed look on his face as he listened to the rain outside. Malon had thought it would be great fun for the two of them to sleep out in the corral under the stars. Link didn't care either way - He had slept in worst places than a corral - or at least he wouldn't have cared either way if it hadn't started pouring. Now he lay in the barn, completely soaked, while Malon bustled around trying to find blankets they could use as beds.

"Silly isn't it? That the rain started?" She laughed.

Link was not in a joking mood. He was tired, he was cold and now he was wet. Part of him, the part that was cold and wet, told him to get up and leave. He couldn't get any colder or wetter at this point and he just wanted to get some sleep. He wasn't in the mood for a "slumber party." Finally he rolled over, away from Malon, and tried to go to sleep. It wasn't long before he heard Malon plop down next to him and felt her finger in his back.

"Whacha doin?" She asked.

Link felt like slugging her. "Sleeping." He grunted.

"Oh…" She said and lay down. Seconds later she poked him again. "Why?"

"Because I'm tired." He said through clenched teeth.

"Oh…" She said and again lay down. "But what-"

Link rolled over so quickly it caused Malon to squeak. "No buts Malon! I'm tired and I want to sleep, please!" He shouted and rolled back over.

Malon was silent for a while and Link was afraid he hurt her feelings. He sighed and sat up turning to her. "I'm sorry Malon, I was just-" He looked down at her and saw her crying.

Now you've done it…He scolded himself. He leaned down and pat her shoulder. "I'm…I'm sorry Malon."

Malon looked up at him with teary eyes.

"I just wanted to talk…"

Link sighed. He was still really tired and very annoyed but he couldn't have her crying like that. He sat down and looked at her. "Fine…what do you want to talk about?"

Malon beamed and suddenly her tears stopped.

"So do you like horses? I like horses. Epona is my favorite but I like Biscuit too. Oh, have you ever seen a fairy. Oh wait you have a fairy of course you have. You know, I heard there are Great Fairies around here and that they help you when you need it and…"

Link's jaw hit the ground as he listened to Malon ramble on and on about nothing. Every time he would try to interject she would talk faster. Finally he resigned himself to nodding at random intervals and eventually he fell asleep where he sat.

He woke up with Malon muttering something about cuccos in the bathtub as she lay next to him. He rolled his eyes and his inner man told him to get up and run as fast as he could to get away from her but the gentleman in his told him he should at least let her know he was leaving. He reached forward and shook her gently.

"Malon…" He whispered. "Malon wake up."

The eight year old groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She saw Link sitting over her and she smiled.

"Oh Fairy Boy, you're still here!" She sat up and took in a deep breath and Link suddenly felt fear clutch his heart as he realized she was going to start talking again.

"YesbutIhavetogo!" He shouted quickly before she could start.

She stopped and looked at him, "But…didn't you have fun last night?"

Other than the fact I felt like strangling myself with a bridal? Link thought gravely.

"Uh, yes, I did. But I have to go now. My friends will be worried." He said and stood up. He turned and walked out of the barn before Malon could complain and slammed right into the bulging belly of Talon. Link stumbled back and fell hard on his rear. Talon laughed heartily and reached down to help the boy up.

"Look here, Link." He said and Link realized he was holding the reigns of a horse, and not just any horse, it was Epona! "Link, I want to thank you for humoring my little girl." He handed the reigns over to Link with a smile. "Since you and Epona seem to get along so well, I want you to have her."

Link beamed and looked at his four-legged friend. He smiled warmly at Talon and laughed. "Thank you, Talon!" He smiled and hugged the man.

Talon laughed and playfully pushed the boy off.

"Anytime Link!"

Link smiled and then glanced over at Malon, who was only just starting to make her way over to him. Worried he would get stuck again, he mounted Epona, waved a quick goodbye to them both and rode off as quickly as he could. Feeling the fresh morning breeze whip his hair behind him made him smile. He loved the free feeling he got while riding. It was like being in another world. The feeling of riding clouded his thinking and before he knew it he was standing in front of Zora's Domain without realizing it. He and Epona paused and Link gazed down the long river path to Zora's Domain.

Maybe he could stay there. He chuckled to himself and shook his head. Ruto certainly wouldn't have a problem with it, that's for sure. He thought about it and decided that he didn't want to follow up on the whole engagement idea. If he was going to marry anyone it would be…Link shook his head. Thinking of Zelda wasn't going to help him find a place to live. Gently nudging Epona forward he decided it was best for him to stay in Kokiri Forest, at least for a few more years. Then he would be old enough to get his own place in Karakiko; or better yet in Hyrule Castle Town.

Too bad I can't live in Hyrule Castle…Link shook his head hard. No, he can't think of Zelda. He sped up trying to run the thought of Zelda out of his mind. Before he even realized it, Epona had stopped and he was standing in front of the large tree trunk that led to the magical portion of the forest that led to Kokiri Forest. He took a deep breath and turned to Epona.

"Are you coming?"

Epona dug her hoof in the ground nervously but she nodded heavily just the same. Link smiled and patted her snout lovingly. "Don't worry. You'll be fine." He said encouragingly before leading her through the tunnel. They reemerged into Kokiri Forest and were immediately surrounded by Kokiri children.

Oh that's right, they've never seen a horse before, have they? Link thought and smiled.

"This is Epona, everyone!" He said happily to his friends. He beamed as everyone pet her and fawned over her but frowned when he watched Mido walked towards them. The other Kokiri stopped talking and moved back to let him through. Mido stared at the horse in contempt and then turned to glare at Link.

"So this is what you were out doing? You went all the way out there for a stupid horse."

Epona reared up scaring all of the Kokiri children and making them run away. Mido even looked frightened as he backed away. Link calmed her down and turned to glare at Mido. Suddenly, he wasn't so scary anymore.

"Back off Mido!" Link shouted. "Just because your bigger than me doesn't mean you can pick on me." He said and led Epona passed him as Mido stood with his mouth hanging open.

Link smiled as he walked away suddenly feeling much, much taller.