Okay, you guys didn't hate the 'battle' scene like I thought you would.

Sam FC-I'm surprised, too.

Thaaaanks, Sam. That's real encouraging. All right, here are Chapter 7 reviews:

Lisilgirl-WOOHO! FOREST TEMPLE TIME! I've thought of a great idea...rubs hands together Could perhaps the Kokiri um...take a ride on Epona? holds up hands as shield SORRY! just a thought...-HEY, it was a good idea to have the Kokiri to ride Epona. Why else do you think I'd use it? Oh, and to everyone else, if you have an idea about what Epona does while Link's in a temple, tell me. I'm always open for ideas.

Draco41111-that is a nice story-Thank you so much!

Arakina the Storyspinner-Ooh... cliffhanger! Could Epona meet the Deku Sprout, when it comes to that? And will Epona get to go into any of the Temples? I know she can't go into the Shadow, or Spirit Temples (entrance to shadow temple is too high, and you can't bring Epona across the quicksand in the desert), but can she get a saddle or a hood or a bridle that lets her breathe underwater and not get burned? Then she'd be able to go to the Fire and Water temples.
WRITE MORE, PLEASE!-Yes, for some reason I do cliffhangers by accident. I'm not sure if Epona will come into the temples. She might, but I'm not sure. I'll think about it.

Ariana, aka Nereid-Mido's still a complete jerk I see. Epona has definitly grown. How's she supposed to protect the Kokiri anyway? You sure they won't see her as a new plaything? She's new to them, that's for sure. Poor, brave Epona. :)-Yes, Mido is a jerk. He didn't show up last chapter, though. Ah well, doesn't matter. How she protects them? She beats up the monsters:D I think the Kokiri are mature most of the time, but a horse is something knew, so what you get is last chapter!

Thanks for the reviews!

Blaze FC-Um, T-bone, why don't you use that review reply thing?

'Cause this is easier for me.

Blaze FC-Riiiiiight.

Oh, yeah! Sorry about all the typos in the last chapter. As said before, I'm bad with that. Now, WINGS!

Wings FC- Yeah, yeah, whatever. Blazstarre doesn't own Legend of Zelda or she wouldn't be writing FAN-fiction. Notice the bold and underline.

"Talking"

"Animal Talking"

Thoughts

"Telepathy"

So Many Truths, So Little Time

"Link!" Epona yelled without thinking. She trotted up to him as fast as she could, favoring her injured leg. She felt like it was broken and was bleeding heavily, but tried to ignore the pain. All that currently mattered to Epona, now that the Kokiri were safe, was Link. She felt the many pairs of eyes of the Kokiri staring at her and she knew the children were confused at her yelling of their supposed-to-be-dead friend.

It felt forever to get over to Link, but in reality was only a few seconds. Bending her head down and nudging him, Epona saw that Link was unconscious. A small ball of light flew in front of Epona's face. Epona gave Navi a worried look.

"Navi, what happened? He looks horrible!"

"I could ask the same thing about you!"

They looked at each other. Neither was going to answer the question until the other answered.

"Epona, Navi!" A voice in their minds made them look around in surprise. "You won't find me in the village. Grab Link and come to the clearing. You'll find me there."

Epona and Navi looked at each other. Navi seemed hesitant to go to the clearing.

"I don't think it's a good idea," Navi said. "I mean, the monsters might still be there!"

"Don't worry, Navi! I've already been there. There're no monsters!" Epona looked over at the Kokiri. "I know this seems strange-"

"Yeah, it does!" Kade spoke for all the Kokiri. Epona gave an annoyed look at the girl.

"We'll explain it later, but we need to get to the clearing. Could you help get him on my back?"

The Kokiri looked irritated at the three travelers, but cooperated. Epona bent down, being careful about her injured leg, and let the children get Link on her back. The extra weight didn't help Epona's leg, but the mare was determined to get Link to the clearing. She didn't know why, but she felt like the voice was trustworthy and would help them. Epona limped all the way down the path to the clearing.

"Epona, you sure about this? Do you really think we can trust this person? What if they're trying to kill us?" Navi was becoming hysteric.

"Navi, I have two words for you, shut up! It'll be fine!" Navi either didn't hear her or was ignoring as she continued to talk hysterically. She even started to fly in circles. Epona stopped walking, lifting her injured leg. "Navi, shut your friggin' mouth up and listen to me! There is absolutely nothing that would hurt us!"

Navi looked at her and said calmly, "Wow, I don't know why you're so angry. I was just stating some facts we should be worried about."

Epona let out a snort and presumed walking. How does Link stand her?

They entered the clearing and looked around. There was no one to greet them. Maybe it was a trick. Navi was right! We are going to be killed.

"Don't worry, Epona," said a voice. The mare looked up at Navi but it wasn't the fairy that said it.

"Navi, who was that?" Navi gave a light laugh and circled around Epona's head. She then flew over to the pinkish tree in front of the dead Deku Tree. There was something different about it. It was no longer a pinkish color but a creamy brown and the eyes were open! It gave Epona a smile. She limped slowly towards it. She bent her head down and asked quietly, "What are you?" The tree gave a small laugh.

"I'm the Deku Tree Sprout," the tree said, "and you, my young friend, are Epona." Epona gave him a look. She hated being called young. The Sprout chuckled again. "Deny it all you want, Epona; you are still young, just like Link is."

"Wait a minute, if you're the Deku Tree, then what's that?" Epona pointed towards the gray tree with her nose.

"Oh, that's the other Deku Tree that died seven years ago. You've heard of him, no?" Epona nodded her head. "Well, in due time, probably a few months, that tree shall disappear leaving me room to grow. But now I am getting off topic."

Yeah, you are. Anyway, why are you just now talking to me? Epona thought.

"I didn't talk to you before because of the curse on the forest that caused me to sleep, so quit complaining! Yes, I can read your mind when I want to."

Epona gave an annoyed look. Navi flew up to the Sprout.

"You're really different from the old Deku Tree."

"Well, I'm still a young sapling. The other one existed since the creation of the forest. Okay, now we're really getting off topic! I'm sure you're curious why Link disappeared for seven years, came to get you, came here, and came back injured. Now, before I explain this, let me get you and Link healed." He then called for someone and a pink healing fairy came from the trees. It circled around Epona's injury, then around Link. While the blood remained on him, Link's injuries disappeared. Epona decided to test out her leg. She put her weight on it and was surprised that there was no pain.

Epona looked up at the Sprout and saw that the fairy had left. "That's amazing. How'd that happen?"

"Magic, of course! It's wonderful, isn't it? Now, can we get back to the topic I was trying to talk about? You just had to nag me about being healed." The Sprout gave an irritated look.

"But you were- ah, never mind."

"I'm just messing with you!"

"That's not funny! You know, you're really starting to get on my nerves!" She made a gesture as if to stomp him. The Sprout gave a panicked look.

"All right, I'll stop joking around! You're just like your father, you know that?"

Epona gave a surprised look. "What! You know who my father is?"

"You know him, too. You just don't know that he's your dad, my young friend."

"All right, then who is he?" Epona stomped her foot on the ground. This tree was really getting on her nerves.

"In due time, Epona. Be patient."

"She probably doesn't know what that is," Navi said. Epona gave a glare. She felt like a mouse trapped in a corner.

"Navi, as I said before, shut up! Now, you tree, what do you want to tell me?" Navi turned red at Epona's rudeness, but the Deku Tree Sprout didn't seem to mind.

"Well, Epona, do you ever wonder why you were the fastest horse on Lon Lon Ranch?" Epona nodded, wondering where the Sprout was going with the conversation. "It's because of your bloodlines. You are a Royal Hylian Saddle Horse."

Epona was startled at this remark. "I'm a what? That- that's impossible! Knight was the only Royal Hylian Saddle Horse on the ranch!" But as much as she denied it, she knew it was true.

"Let me explain something to you. You are only half the Royal saddle breed. The other half of your bloodline is the Desert War Horse, which your mother was." Epona was really startled by this. The Desert War Horse was the only breed to match with the Royal breed in both agility and endurance. Hylians never owned them as they were only found just outside the Haunted Wasteland and only the Gerudo domesticated the breed. To be of both breeds would almost be like being unstoppable.

"My mother? But why didn't she tell me?"

"I'm not sure if she knew herself. Just days after her birth, the Gerudo took her. A traveling salesman, over flowing with rupees since he always scammed people out of their money, bought your mother for the price of 200,000 rupees! He then sold her to a couple with a very spoiled daughter. The couple had no idea that she was a Desert War Horse, but still bought her at the price of 450,000 rupees. They were very rich, but just a few months later were robbed of the majority of their fortune and couldn't keep your mother. Though the girl gave many tantrums, the couple sold your mother to Lon Lon Ranch for only 5,000 rupees. It was Malon's mother's request and she named your mother Queen of Hearts, for she was a sweetheart to everyone. That was five years before your birth." The young tree paused, leaving Epona time to think.

Five years before she was born, Malon's mother had died. That must have been why Malon cared so much about her and Queenie. It would also explain why Malon was so different after Queenie's death. Epona had assumed it was because Malon cared a lot about horses, but she'd never guess how deep it really was.

"Then who was my sire? Surely no one would breed with a horse whose breed was unknown," Epona said to break the silence.

"I'm surprised you haven't figured out who it was that sired you, Epona. I'm very disappointed." Epona's anger was starting to rise again. She stomped her foot once again. "Sorry, sorry! If you must know, your father was Knight Prince."

Of all the startling things she had heard in her life, this one beat every one of them. How could Knight Prince be her father? He was a gelding for Farore's sake! He couldn't breed!

"That's impossible, you know that? He's a gelding!"

"Well, only the time you've known him. Though humans don't realize it, horses like you do fall in love. When Queenie and Knight met, they became instant friends. After five years, they fell in love. Then at night, they did, well, I'm sure you get what I'm saying." Epona made a look of disgust. "Hey, Knight was a stallion, after all. And when a stallion's in love, who knows what could happen. When Talon found out that Queenie was expecting a foal, he took Knight up to the castle to be 'fixed.' Hey, Knight was the only stallion at the time."

"I still don't know if I should trust you," Epona said, though she knew what the Sprout said was true.

"Epona, you know it's true. Don't deny it." Then he added, "Well, why else would he be protective of you?" Then Epona realized it. Knight had watched her even before Ganondorf took over. He always watched out for her. But realizing this made her eyes tear up. Her father now belonged to Ganondorf. The Sprout looked on her with eyes of sympathy.

"Don't cry, my young friend. You shall see him again soon."

Epona nodded and tried to pull herself together. She succeeded and became her usual sarcastic self. "Now what does this have to do with Link disappearing?"

"Well, it has more to do with your part in this adventure of his."

"Adventure? I was told of no adventure!"

"Link is the legendary Hero of Time."

"He's the what of what, now?"

"The Hero of Time. He is the one who is predestined to defeat Ganondorf and hold the Triforce of Courage."

"Okay, and this has to do with me because…"

"You were predestined to be his companion through this dangerous adventure. He has to awaken the six sages to defeat Ganondorf. Two have already been awakened."

"Then what do I do?"

"You protect the people when he cannot and you protect him. That is why you bloodlines are so important. I'm sure you noticed that you can tell when bad or good things will happen, no? This is only some of your power."

"Can you teach me the rest then?"

"Alas, I'm forbidden to. You must discover it on your own." Just as the Sprout said that, Link stirred from his sleep. Looking from the human to the mare, the Sprout said, "Why don't you go and explain to the Kokiri what's going on? I need to tell Link some things." Epona nodded and walked trough the pathway, left to her thoughts.

Upon entering the village, the Kokiri trapped her from leaving without an explanation. As she looked around the group, she noticed Mido had returned.

"All right, listen here," Mido said, taking on a bossy attitude, "explain to us why you called that Hylian Link! And why does he have a fairy? He can't be the same one who killed the Deku Tree!"

"Oh, shut up, will ya! Just listen to me! Oh, and he didn't kill the Deku Tree from what I've heard from Kade. So you want an explanation, right?" The Kokiri nodded. So Epona told them what little she knew about Link and his destiny.

Mido didn't seem convinced. "Then why is he an adult if he's the same Link we knew?" The other Kokiri looked around at each other and nodded in agreement.

"I don't know but what more proof do you want? He dresses the same, has a fairy, looks the same, and knows and song Saria teaches only to her friends." This seemed to convince the Kokiri. Well, all but Mido. But Epona just thought he was just denying it. Just then, a crunching noise came up from behind them. Link was walking up to them.

The Kokiri, excluding Mido, all had grins and ran up to young man, much to his surprise. Simultaneously, the Kokiri yelled, "Are you really Link?"

Link laughed and looked at Epona. "You told them, didn't you?" Epona whinnied in return. Link turned back to the Kokiri. "Yeah, I'm Link. But I really should leave."

"But it's almost nighttime! At least stay for tonight," Kade begged. Then Oadi did something that seemed to surprise everyone.

"Please, Link? We really missed you." That seemed to convince Link.

So the three travelers stayed for the night.

Tbc

Well, that was a lame ending. And we know more about Epona!

Now I need to hurry up with reviews since it is 12:22 AM.

Ariana aka Nereid- Maybe Epona should have taught them something else too... like what happens when they make a horse mad :D At least they finally let her have some peace and quiet. Awesome job against the Wolfos. After that fake surrender and after attack, I'm glad Epona reacted. That Wolfos was a total coward.-If she taught them that, then she wouldn't gain their trust. Also it would ruin the fun for me having them torture her. ) Glad you liked the fight, though I didn't like it. Yeah, the Wolfos was a coward. But he was up against a horse!

Araknia the Storyspinner- Yo, great chapter! Wish there was something about Phantom Ganon, though... By far, he's the coolest boss! Maybe P.G. follows link back to the forest... Your story, though (even though I wish it was mine. This is better stuff then I could come up with, though!)-The bosses would be interesting. I do have an idea for one creature from the dungeons to come out. Try to guess! Mwhahahahaha!

Lisilgirl- !.!.! OH MY GOSH!THAT WAS AWESOME! MAY I REPEAT: AWESOME! WHAT HAPPENS TO LINK? X.X I hope he shtill livesh. Well duh, what a dumb question! You must, must, must update soon!-GLAD YOU LIKED IT! Sorry! Couldn't resist! Obviously, Link is alive. Anywho, here's an update.

Now review people! Or I shall sick my evil pigs of doom on you! Mwhahahahahahcough-hack-wheese.