A/N: Sorry, this Chapter took longer than expected, but I doubt you'll be disappointed! 

Chapter 29: Freedom Without a Friend

Link walked on and on endlessly across the field. He didn't know where he was going; he just needed to get away. He couldn't stand to be with Navi, with the Kokiri, with the Deku Tree or Sheik, or anyone who needed his help. All he really wanted was to get away from everyone he could never escape: the goddesses and himself. The goddesses were the ones who had taken control of his life, and he had crashed it to the best of his ability.

Why had he run from Navi? She was truly trying to work through the troubles. It was too late now. He couldn't go back. He realized he was walking aimlessly in circles around the fields. There was a time when these fields welled up a great joy within him. Now, they were overcast with gloomy clouds and their grass was dead and dreary. They left him with only gloomy thoughts and shaded overcasts of his own life.

Why had he cried back there? So many times that day had been so emotional. It had to be that forest. So many memories, so many emotions, were stored between the trees of those woods. Navi didn't know. She didn't understand. And if she couldn't understand his history, his feelings, how could she help him now?

His worst enemy was quickly becoming himself. All of Hyrule's problems were caused by Ganondorf, and he could stop those easily. But his problems were caused by himself, and those couldn't be solved in a simple fight.

His legs started feeling weak and his eyes and mouth were dry. He had felt sick to his stomach most of the day, but now his stomach ached terribly. Was this all a result of his frustration, his pain, his fear? Every step pained his legs now, and every breath scratched his throat. He rubbed his eyes. Blinking wouldn't wet them. He had freed his eyes of all moisture earlier. And every second increased the aching in his body, from his stomach to his bones.

As the sun began to rise, Link stared into it with bloodshot eyes. Staring into it was like staring into another life, a better life, free of pain and sorrow. His knees buckled under him and he fell to his knees watching the rising sun. His whole body was so weak. He couldn't bring himself up again. He just stared into the sun, until he couldn't see a thing…

A radiant figure revealed itself in the white expanse. Her hair shone like the sun he had seen last. She raised him to his feet and led him away from the spot where he had dropped his body to rest. They walked toward Hyrule Castle Town together, and Link saw that it was in perfect condition again. As a rooster crowed, the castle town drawbridge lowered with that familiar sound that rang Link's fate with every clinking rattle…

Link awoke in a pile of hay. His mouth was no longer quite so dry, his eyes no longer stung from dehydration, and his body no longer ached so much. But his stomach still stabbed at him. He raised his left hand to rub his eyes, and found his glove was missing. On his hand was a faint, glowing symbol—the symbol of the Triforce.

"What is that?" he wondered.

"What does it look like?" a small voice in his head responded.

Link wondered where the voice came from, but felt no trouble speaking with it.

"It looks like the Triforce."

"Did it occur to you that it might just be what it appears?"

Link was suddenly very annoyed with this calm, questioning voice that greeted his awakening. "How could it be? Ganondorf has the Triforce, right?" He felt stupid confirming information with something in his head.

"Does he then? In any case, wouldn't it have to be a mark of the goddesses? Doesn't everything marked with their symbol have to be permitted by them?"

"I guess so. Well I don't want it then."

"Is that your choice?"

"It should be."

"But it isn't, remember? Your life isn't your choice. Those goddesses stole your life and bent it to their will."

Link couldn't stand this voice. It either questioned whatever he thought, or took a stand on those things he already hated. And it seemed to know more than he did, and more than it let on.

"Who are you?" he questioned. But the voice didn't answer. It remained silent for several minutes, until finally, Link gave up on its response.

He started scratching at the glowing mark on his hand. When nothing happened, he picked up some hay and started rubbing at it. Still, it glowed just the same. He started looking around for his gloves, but couldn't find them. Neither did he have his sword or shield, or any of his things other than his clothes. He realized he was in some sort of wooden stall, all muddy with a large pile of straw in one corner.

"Oh! You're awake!" a voice from outside the stall said quietly. It was the voice of a young woman, and yet the accent of the voice sounded very familiar. The stall gate opened, and a young lady in appeared in the entrance. She wore a plain, white gown with a leather, mud-stained apron. Her hair was very dirty, but some traces of its natural color were visible—bright orange. She had pale, delicate-looking skin that was also very dirty. There were some bruises on her face and arms, but she wore a welcoming smile.

"Malon?" Link said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. Have we met?" She looked somewhat confused. "Forgive me, sir, but I don't recognize you."

Link just stared at her, bewildered. She didn't remember him, either. The world had forgotten Link after his seven years of absence. No one recognized right off that he was the boy who had helped Hyrule so long ago, and everywhere he went he had to decide whether or not to reveal himself to these people.

"Wait," Malon said. "You are the fairy boy." She said it as though she were confirming a suspicion. She covered her mouth and laughed.

"Don't call me that," he said as he attempted to get up. When he tried to support himself on his arms, they collapsed under him.

"Why not? It's cute, fairy boy!" That time was deliberate. He had just asked her not to do that! "Oh, are you hungry?"

His stomach roared violently in response.

"No wonder you're so weak! When was the last time you ate? Honestly, sugar, are you gonna collapse from not taking care of yourself every time we meet? Always chasing down that princess… Well, I'll tell ya, no one's seen her in a while."

"I'm not looking for the princess. Can I eat something?"

"I got some carrots you can eat, sugar, but not much else. Then you can get back to looking for the princess, I guess."

"I already said I'm not looking for the princess!"

"You might say that now, sugar, but you said all kinds of things about her in your sleep."

"What did I say?"

"You kept saying something about the Princess of Destiny and seven years, and King Ganondorf, and Navi. It didn't make a whole lot of sense, but you can't fool me. Here ya go." She had gone away from the stall and come back with a bucket of very large carrots. He started eating them right away.

"I'd give ya some milk, but the cows haven't been milking much lately. Besides, my dad's the only one who knows how to make Lon Lon Milk, and he's…" She trailed off.

"I saw him," Link said.

"You saw him? What's he doing?"

Somehow it seemed wrong to tell her he was just sleeping in Kakariko Village. So he lied. "He's getting along well. Working things out. He misses you, though. He misses you a lot."

"Oh, I know he does. He didn't care about the ranch so much, it was me."

"What happened?"

"Oh it was so long ago… Where have you been?"

"Oh, out of the country," Link said plainly. "But I'm back, to fix things."

"You make it sound so simple! Since Ganondorf came, people in the Castle Town have gone, places have been ruined, and monsters are wandering everywhere. Master Ingo is just using the ranch to gain Ganondorf's favor."

"Ingo? Did he take over the ranch? He always seemed kind of… evil."

"Everyone seems to be turning evil. It's the way of the world now, fairy boy." He winced at this, but she continued without pause. "But Dad, he'd never turn evil."

"Why'd he leave?"

"He didn't leave, fairy boy! He was kicked out of the ranch by Master Ingo."

"Master Ingo? Why do you keep calling him that?"

"Well, don't take this wrong. He's not really a bad person. It's just this world, sugar, this world, and King Ganondorf. Ingo knew that when he took over the ranch, I'd go too, and he knew how well the horses acted around me. He didn't want to lose that. So he went behind Dad's back and legally made me his servant."

"How'd he do that?"

"I don't know all the details, but it involved an offering to Ganondorf. If I disobey Mister Ingo, he will treat the horses badly. I'm the only one who can control Epona, you know. She doesn't like anybody but me. And Ingo promised her to Ganondorf, as the offering for my slavery. So I have to care for her and tame her to solidify my servitude."

Her head bowed and she sobbed quickly and quietly. Link's anger was aroused against Ingo. He knew that stupid, one-time stable hand wouldn't stand a chance against his sword. He could win back the ranch for these good people.

He finished off the carrot he was eating, and said, "Don't worry, Malon. I'll get the ranch back for you and your father. Ingo had no right to take it."

"Oh, fairy boy, you're so brave, but so silly. You can't. If Ingo finds out whatever you're gonna do, he'll abuse the horses, and me. And you can't get it from him. He owns a fancy title deed from the king himself."

"That man from the desert isn't the king of Hyrule, and you know it Malon."

"If he isn't the king, then how did all this happen over the past seven years? There was a rebellion that was gonna take back the kingdom for your princess, but they all died in the castle town. All of them. No one's left to save this world!"

"I'm here, aren't I? I'll make everything better."

"Will ya? How do ya propose to do that? Aren't ya in a hurry again to find that princess?"

"No, Malon! I don't care about any princesses or stones or wicked kings right now. Right now, I'm here in…" He looked around quickly. "Here in a stable with a good friend of mine who's in trouble. And friends help each other."

"Oh really? You're so sweet, sugar! By the way, where's your fairy? By now she should have made fun of me or something."

"She… She's not my friend anymore."

"Oh. Something happen over all that time?"

"Yeah, something like that. Who cares about her? I'm here with you now."

"Listen, fairy boy, I know you want to help, but you can't. You just can't. Ingo will get Ganondorf in here, and things will get worse. And you can't hurt Ingo, either."

"What are you talking about?"

"He isn't really a bad person, Link. This world's been as bad to him as anyone else. Everyone's very selfish now, always looking inward at their own needs. I can't. Servants have to serve other people. I can see all the trouble all this selfishness is causin'. I don't want you to save the ranch, or hurt Mister Ingo."

"Then what do you want?"

"If you're my friend, you'll help my friend. I know you thought it was weird that I thought of Epona as my best friend, but it only made sense to me. She listened so well, when no one else would sit still long enough to listen. Everybody was always goin' about their business. I shared everything with her, and she comforted me. And we did everything together."

"So you want me to help your horse?"

"Yes. Epona's gonna be a gift to the king, and she don't want that. She's gonna be a seal on my slavery, and she don't want that. She wants to be free to run and play like any horse should be. Here."

Malon handed Link a wallet filled with rupees. "These are all yours now," Malon said.

"Malon, I can't…"

"Take it!" she said. "Don't ask how I got the money, just take it! Use it to buy Epona from Ingo. He don't know the horses well enough to tell her from all the others right off. Buy her and use the rest of the money to take care of her, and take care of yourself, for cryin' out loud."

"Thank you," Link said. "I'll do it. I can get you out of here, too, you know."

"No ya can't. Not without alerting Mr. Ingo, or making me a wanted person. Just get Epona outta here, fairy boy, and you will make me the happiest person you ever can."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded with a smile, but there was sorrow in her eyes. He knew she was right, though. There was little else he could do now. When he had taken down Ganondorf, he'd come back and finish this. But for now, he would please Malon as best he could. With the strength he received from the food he ate, he now got to his feet and started out of the stable.

"Wait," Malon said. "Don't forget your things." She handed him his bag. In it were all his possessions. "Goodbye, fairy boy."

"Goodbye." Then he walked out of the stable.

Link walked around the stable to the gate into the corral. He couldn't help notice that Ingo's ugly likeness was on everything in the ranch. The corral contained all of the horses. There were more than there had been seven years ago.

At the corral's gate stood Ingo, dressed in a wonderfully wrinkle-free doublet and leggings. His mustache was still askew, however, and that made the entire effort to look intimidatingly wealthy and handsome worthless. He still stood strangely, and Link was glad he wasn't walking around too much. The way he walked still made Link laugh when he thought about it.

"Mister Ingo, I'd like to buy a horse," Link said as professionally as he knew how.

"I'm not selling now, thank you very much."

"But I'm buying. Are you going to turn away a paying customer?"

"These are my horses and I'll do what I want with them, thank you very much."

"If you want to get technical, I'd say these horses aren't yours."

"And what would you know, young man? You must have heard rumors in Kakariko about how I cheated Talon out of the ranch."

"They aren't rumors, Ingo."

"Don't be ridiculous! That guy Talon was weak! I, the hard-working Ingo, poured so much energy into this place! I don't want any strangers like you saying anything bad about me!"

"Then how did Talon get kicked out, leaving you with the ranch?"

"Listen. The great Ganondorf recognized my obvious talents and gave the ranch to me!"

"Sounds like a big gift, Ingo. All he did was recognize your talents?"

"Well, I did promise to raise him a fine horse and win recognition from the great Ganondorf."

"So you'll raise a horse for the king, but you won't sell one to me?"

"Listen, kid, either stop whining or go away. This ranch is mine, and these horses are mine. Now, I will allow you to ride a horse for ten rupees, but that's as far as you go. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure…"

"Okay," Link said decisively.

"Okay what?"

"Okay, I'll ride a horse for ten rupees."

"You'd better not pull any funny stuff."

"Me? No sir."

"All right." Ingo took Link's money and opened the gate for Link. Then he shut the gate behind him as he entered. "Do you know how to ride, young man?"

"I can figure it out," Link said.

Ingo laughed, but allowed him to have his fun.

"Just choose one out and have a good time, I guess."

Link looked around at the horses. Seven years ago, Epona had been a red-haired filly, but by now she was fully-grown. There were several red-haired horses here. This could be quite troublesome. Then he remembered the way to pick her out of the crowds of horses.

Link pulled out his ocarina and began to softly play the song Malon had taught him so long ago, though it had felt like less than a week. He played it so quiet that he feared that she wouldn't hear it. But he didn't want Ingo to hear the song, either, in case he knew about it.

One red horse's ears perked at the soft sound and came rushing over to Link from across the corral.

"Ain't ya gonna ride, boy?" Ingo said. Link quickly thrust the ocarina into his tunic as Epona galloped toward him.

"Yeah," Link said. "Just wanted a good horse."

Epona bowed her head to Link and he petted it gently. She chattered her teeth in appreciation, and then lowered her neck further, as though to emphasize his riding her.

"Can we saddle this one up?" Link asked, noticing that she was not wearing a saddle.

"Sure, sure," Ingo said. He pointed to a stack of unused saddles in one corner. Link led Epona to them and she followed him.

He spread a soft blanket across her back and placed the saddle atop it, strapping it underneath her. He'd never done any of this before, but Epona motioned to him at each step, as though she were instructing him silently. He reached for a bridle, but she shook her head and snorted. She didn't mind him riding her, but she didn't want to be restrained. Link could understand that.

Finally, she scraped a hoof and shook her back, indicating the saddle. Now was the moment of truth. Link stuck one foot in the stirrup and threw the other leg over the saddle. He grabbed hold of her neck easily to steady himself. Suddenly, being in the saddle felt as natural as standing up or lying down.

Epona started off at a simple trot, easing Link into the feeling of riding. The shifting of the saddle and bounce of the trot discomforted him at first, but he quickly became accustomed to it. She built into a canter as he settled in, and then charged into a gallop around the corral.

Other horses attempted to race her as she went, but none could keep up. Link held firmly but gently onto the side of her neck and her mane to stay on, but let her guide him around. As they rode, a plan developed in Link's mind that seemed practically flawless.

She slowed as she came around toward the gate and stopped in front of Ingo.

"You know, if I were to buy one of these horses, this might be the one," Link said. "She controls really well."

"Yes, she's always been the easy horse," Ingo said, pretending like he knew. "Is that Haze?"

"Perhaps. I don't know these horses' names, Mister Ingo."

"Hmm… Well, do you feel comfortable then? Most people have trouble getting started."

"Oh, she's just fine. Just fine."

"Is she then? Well, your time's about up, young man. You only paid ten rupees. You've played around long enough!"

"Oh, I'll pay more if I have to. You know, I always dreamed of being in a horse race."

"Horse races are for professionals, kiddo. Now get outta here!"

"You should work on that temperament, Ingo. You won't have many returning customers."

"Good. Less snoops and mockers. Now get off the horse…"

"Ingo, would you like to race me?"

"Race you?" He spat on the ground. "Why would I do that? I like a challenge. I, the hard-working Ingo, do not like to be mocked by amateurs!" He turned his nose up in the air.

"Right. What if we made it interesting?"

"Interesting? I'm already interested…"

"What if we put fifty rupees on the race?"

"Fifty rupees huh? You mean, like one lap around the corral, loser gives the winner fifty rupees?"

"Yes sir! How about it?"

"Well, I'd have to get some things ready, but…" He pretended to think about it hesitantly. "All right, I guess so. Let's do it!"

"Now you're talking!"

"Okay, first I'll need to suit up, and get equipped, and then we'll need a referee…"

"Certainly the great Ingo isn't without a servant in his presence?" Link said.

"Oh, certainly I do have one! Why not get her in here?" He called out loudly, "Malon!"

Malon came running out. "Yes sir, Master Ingo?" She bowed slightly in greeting.

"You will referee a race between myself and this valuable customer! Make him comfortable while suiting up my horse!"

"Yes sir, Master Ingo, sir!" she said, and rushed over to Link and Epona.

"What's going on?" she whispered, while pretending to tighten Epona's saddle strap.

"I've challenged him to a race. Winner gets fifty rupees. But I'm going to lose."

"What do you mean? Epona's the fastest horse in all of Hyrule, and possibly the world!"

"Yes, and she does whatever she wants, so is there a way to tell her that she has to lose?"

"I still don't get this. You intend to lose? What good will it do to gamble away half the money I gave you?"

"You gave me a hundred rupees?"

"And some change. 'Bout a hundred and ten."

"I already gave him ten."

"Then you'd better be able to support yourself and a horse on fifty rupees." She looked at him as though he were doing the stupidest thing ever. "Epona probably already knows. She listens real well, but we need to tell her what's going on just to be sure. Come here."

Malon practically pulled Link from the saddle and around to face Epona. She began feeding her some oats while Ingo went to put on some racing gear. She caressed Epona's head gently.

"Epona, you listen to me," she said. "This is Link. You remember Link, the fairy boy?"

Epona chattered her teeth again.

"He's your new friend. I'm gonna stay here, but Link will get you out of here."

Epona nuzzled Malon and made a soft whinnying sound.

"I know, but we'll meet again, I promise. We won't go through life apart. I promise. But Link says he has a plan to get you away."

Link stared, amazed. This horse actually understood Malon! His eyes were large as he gazed at the two of them conversing in their strange way, Malon gently petting and speaking softly, and Epona responding in the manner of horses. They knew each other so well. They really were best friends.

"But listen to me, Epona. You're gonna have to lose this race. I know it don't make no sense, but Link says he has a plan and it involves you losing this race."

Epona snorted.

"Epona, you're gonna have to trust him. He's gonna take good care of you. You gotta take good care of him, too. And if that means you have to lose one race in your life then what does that mean you're gonna do?"

Epona backed up slowly, and then galloped around Link and Malon. She stopped about ten yards away from them and raised her front quarters in the air, kicking and neighing.

"I think she understands."

Link stared in bewilderment. This horse was the most incredible thing he'd ever seen. Malon walked slowly away to a light brown horse and started getting it ready for the race. When she was done, she brought it out of the corral and Link and Epona followed. She closed and locked the gate. She grabbed some paint from the stables and painted a white mark on the ground in front of the gate as Ingo came back out, walking in his manner as though something was stuck up his hindquarters.

He was wearing a riding cap and gloves, and a light leather vest over his red doublet. He now wore some boots that seemed way to large for him, as well, and walked over to his horse.

"Malon!" he said.

"Yes sir?"

"You didn't suit up our customer?"

"Well, I…"

"I didn't want to suit up, Mister Ingo," Link said.

"Right you didn't." He snorted, and mumbled something that sounded like, "Amateur."

"Alright, riders mount!" Malon said, standing at the white line.

"You don't tell me…" Ingo started.

"I believe you told the young lady to referee, did you not?" Link said smoothly.

He snorted again. "Right. Well then."

After two or three tries, Ingo got into his horse's saddle and grabbed the reigns tightly.

"Whip!" He ordered, holding out one hand, engulfed in a glove.

"But Mister Ingo, the horse…" Malon started, but Ingo wiggled his hand as though he didn't hear her and was waiting impatiently.

She turned and grabbed a large, long, leather strap from the side of the stable and put it in his gloved hand.

"Thank you, dear," he said mockingly.

Epona motioned for Link to get in the saddle and he did.

"Horses at the starting line!" Malon issued.

Link and Ingo pulled their horses up to the line of white paint and waited.

"Horses ready!" Malon said. "Riders steady! Aaaannnndd… GO!"

They took off around the outside of the corral fence. Epona was enjoying the run, and was obviously not pouring her heart into it. She knew where to go, but didn't pull out her incredible galloping speed. Ingo took the lead on his horse and beat them around the corral, back to the white line.

"Ha hah!" Ingo laughed. "Amateur! Cough up those rupees!"

Epona stopped beside Ingo's horse.

"Hmm… I'm almost sure I could win…" Link said.

"Are you kidding? Did you not see how far behind you were?"

"Yeah, but something… I don't know. I think I might be able to do it this time."

"There isn't a this time, young man. Cough up the money."

"How about double or nothing?"

"Nope."

"Then how about a barter match?"

"A what? I've never heard of such a thing!"

"Oh it's the newest thing in the pro races. They call it a barter match. Loser gives up something incredibly valuable, instead of money. Of course, the winner could sell whatever the prize was in town, but why not keep it as a trophy?"

"I'm listening. What do you have of value?"

"How about this?" Link reached in his tunic and pulled the chain that held the ocarina. Hanging from the chain were also the two medallions he had received.

Ingo stared greedily at the Ocarina of Time, and Malon stared at it in awe as well.

"I mean, perhaps you know how to play and perhaps you don't, but it's a fine jewel either way, right?" Link said. The ocarina and the coins glittered in the sun and they truly looked like incredible gemstones.

"Hmm… even if I didn't consider it a true trophy, how much would that be worth in town?" Ingo asked.

"Oh, I'm betting five, six thousand rupees… maybe more." Link was never sure how much a thousand was, but in Kokiri Village it was identified as the grand finale, top number in the chain, and anyone who dared someone times a thousand obligated the other to fulfill the dare.

"And what would I be giving you, or do I get to choose?"

"Actually, I guess I kind of cheated you. You see, in a barter match, each contestant gets to choose what they want from the other person. Did you want something else?" Link said.

Ingo caught some drool leaking from his lip as he stared at the ocarina. "No, I think I'm satisfied. What would you consider of equal value to that ocarina of yours, son?"

"Well, actually, I'm willing to go for something of lesser value. Say, this horse I'm riding?"

"Hmm… Well, no horses are for sale at this time, but on account of your gracious offer… I guess I could make an exception. Do you want to do the same race?"

"Sure, but can we rest the horses a moment? I'd hate to do this race with our horses in less than top condition."

"Words of wisdom, young man!" Ingo said. "I'm gonna get me some water. Come with?"

"Oh, no thank you. I'd prefer to make sure my 'trophy' is taken care of properly."

"Suit yourself." Ingo hopped off his horses and wobbled away, whistling. He was certain he would win this race and get Link's ocarina.

Link dismounted, and Malon ran over to him as Ingo entered the farmhouse. She threw her arms around his neck. "Fairy boy, you're incredible! Never would I have dreamed of this plan! Oh, you're gonna get Epona for free, and get outta here!"

"Well, not quite free. I did pay ten rupees to ride her at first." They laughed.

Malon rushed into the stables and came running back out with a big bucket. It was filled to the top with carrots. She dumped them into Link's bag on the ground.

"Take these with you. If Ingo finds out about it, I'll get in big trouble, so I have to do it while he's not around."

"That's fine. Malon, I promise to come back, and I promise to free this ranch."

"It's okay, fairy boy. I could die happy right now. You're gonna save my best friend! That's all I could ever have asked for!" There were tears in her eyes. She led Epona to water.

"Fairy boy, you're incredible!" she said again. "I think… I think I might just be in…" She trailed off.

"Be in what?"

"Oh, uh, be in heaven, right now," she stuttered as she blushed. "This… this is amazing."

Ingo came back out with water dribbling from his crooked mustache. He was still whistling gaily. "Are we ready, young man?"

"Uh, yeah," Link said.

"Then let's mount."

This time, Ingo only fell out of the saddle once while trying to get in. They rode up to the starting line. Then Link remembered that Epona didn't know what was going on. Or did she?

"Listen, Epona," he said softly, brushing her mane and patting her neck. "We're getting out of here now. But what you have to do is when this race. Can you do that?"

"Go!" Malon ordered again, and Ingo was off. Epona gave her reply to Link by bucking high. Link held her mane tightly as she did so, and noticed that Ingo was getting a fair lead.

"Epona! Let's go!" Link said. She put her front hooves down and took off. Link still clung to her as she ran. Ingo was reaching the half-point around the corral, and they still had a way to go. He was rounding it now as they touched the half point. They were gaining on him, but could they catch him before he reached the white line?

He rounded the final turn around the fence and hit the final stretch. They were just a second behind him. They were rapidly approaching. It was so close…

"Finish!" Malon shouted as they hit the line just ahead of Ingo. "And it's Epona by a nose!"

"Epona!" Ingo shouted. "What do you mean?"

Ingo and Link brought their steeds to a stop.

"That's Epona!" Ingo exclaimed. He hopped down from his horse and hobbled over to Malon. "You knew all along!" He raised his hand and slapped her face with the back of it.

"Ingo!" Link shouted, hopping off of Epona.

"Fine," Ingo said, dragging Malon out between the house and the stable with him. Between them was the open gate, and he closed it firmly. "You know kid, I'm a man of my word. Sure, you can have the horse. But I promised her to the great Ganondorf. I have to be a man of my word, right? So you'll stay here until the great Ganondorf arrives, and the two of you can work that out! Until such a time, you'll stay here! See? There's no way out!"

Epona nuzzled Link. She knew. She knew they couldn't stay and wait for Ganondorf. Link grabbed his bag and threw it over his back.

"Alright, Ingo," Link said. "You wanna see what Ganondorf is missing out on?" He hopped into Epona's saddle, and she rushed out across the ranch, toward the back fence. The fence was at least twelve feet tall. Could a horse make that jump? Well, they had to try, at least. This was the final moment of truth.

Link caressed Epona's neck as they ran, and whispered in her ear. "Alright Epona, show me what you can do!"

She leapt high into the air, over the fence and out onto the fields of Hyrule. She stopped, bucked and whinnied. Freedom. She knew she was now free.