Yeah! I got the next chapter up! Thank ya' alls for reviewin' my story! And up with the next chapter!

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Seeing Truth

Chapter 3:

I felt the warmth of the sun against my face. The first thing on my mind was that it was finally a Saturday, and I had slept in. All of that passed by, when I felt a cold breeze run up my spine. I shivered and turned over on the bed, pulling the covers to my chest. I had no intention of getting up. I sighed dreamily, thinking of such possibilities that I was finally back home and not stuck in a video game, but that had become too hopeful. Sure, I had always thought what would happen if I were in a game. What would I do? Where would I go? How would I act? But, this was insane. What was I here for?

Minutes past, and I began to hear footsteps. I was sure of who it was, but I didn't care so much as to glance at the person in front of me. I felt a warm hand on my shoulder, beckoning me to get up. I only groaned and rolled onto the other side.

"Jade," I heard Link say as he shook my shoulder, "C'mon, you got to get up. It's eight o'clock."

"Hmm… Go away…" I said as I waved him off.

"No, we're heading over to the castle today…" he said, "C'mon, get up."

"Mmm… hmm… gimme five minutes…" I said as I curled up into the bed, pulling the covers over my head.

I heard Link sigh as he left the room. After a while, I finally decided to go on my word, I opened my eyes and glanced around the room. I felt refreshed, but not entirely. Sleeping on a cot is hard when you're used to sleeping on a huge mattress with hundreds of sheets and blankets and covers. I sighed sadly as I sat up. What was this day going to bring?

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I climbed down the ladder from Link's tree house. The clean forest air was refreshing compared to the air back home. I walked around the forest, enjoying the breathtakingly beautiful scenery. The tall trees towered over the small village, only allowing a fair amount of sunlight to pass through. Kokiri children were running around the community, their laughter heard throughout the area. I finally ended up at my destination.

The sweet smell of pancakes lingered in the air as I stood to the side of Saria's house. I could here the two familiar voices that I had heard from last night while eavesdropping. I wanted to just enter the house and act like old friends, but I hardly knew any of them. I began to hear the approaching of footsteps from the house. I panicked than quickly backed away a few feet from the house. I acted as casual as I could, thrusting my hands into the back pockets of my jeans, than walking as relaxed as I possibly could.

Link finally appeared from Saria's house and I pretended to just notice, "Ohia' Link!"

"Ohia' Jade!" Link said as he reached over to me, "Do you want to come and eat breakfast with me and Saria?"

"Oh sure! That'd be great!" I said fervently, still caught up in my fake expression. I willingly followed Link back to the house.

Once inside, the sweet smell of pancakes had grown stronger, and I couldn't help take a deep breath of it, and sigh dreamily afterwards. I gazed about the small house: a table sat in the middle of the room, with two beds in corners to the side of me, and the kitchen was to the left of me. A small, green-haired girl about the age of ten was standing over the counter, placing pancakes on three plates. Had they really expected me? The girl introduced herself as Saria. I, of course, was not surprised, but I guess the best thing to do would be to follow along. All three of us sat down at the table, and ate the pancakes in silence. After a few minutes, I began to form a small talk, maybe to start a conversation.

"These pancakes are really good," I said, "What flavor are they?"

"Blueberry." Saria said as she took another bite from her pancake.

"You should give me the recipe for this, but first I think I'll need a pancake maker thing, or do they only have waffle makers…" I had trailed off.

I had been staring at my plate for a few seconds when I realized it was too quiet. I looked up from my plate and realized they were both staring at me a bit wide-eyed. They both held their forks-with a piece of pancake dripping with syrup-close to their mouths.

"What?" I said as I looked from Link to Saria and back. Link shook his head and grinned, finally eating the pancake on his fork. I shook my head and finished my piece of pancake.

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After breakfast, we headed back to the treehouse. I followed Link back in silence, wondering what the day was going to bring.

"We'll pack quick and leave for the castle in about a few hours." Link said as we reached the top of the treehouse.

"Fine with me…" I said, still in my reverie.

I walked over to the bed and sat down, their wasn't much for me to pack, since I had been teleported here with only the clothes on by back. I sighed sadly, and gazed at Link as he gathered a few blankets and clothes from a dresser. I realized he was glancing at me time to time, and giving a worried expression.

"Is something the matter?" I heard him ask as he began stuffing everything into a large knapsack.

"Huh? Oh… No, nothing's the matter."

"Are you sure? You seem kind of worried…"

"Meh… I'm fine…"

"Alright, I think that's all there is to pack. We can leave, now."

"You said we'd leave in a few hours."

Link shrugged, picking up the equipment on the floor and putting them in place, "I didn't think I'd finish packing that quick."

I rolled my eyes and leaned against the wall, watching curiously as Link sorted all the weapons. "Isn't it hard to move with all that stuff?"

"Not as much as it would to a normal human being."

"Excuse me?" I said, thinking he was talking about me.

"Well, I have magic and Farore's Courage. I'm not totally mortal."

"Oh…" I stood up and grabbed the knapsack as Link began out of the treehouse. I waited for him to climb down the ladder, than tossed the bag to Link as I climbed after.

After a few moments we finally reached the edge of the forest. The Hylian unsheathed his sword and began walking again. I followed close behind. I glanced around the forest; vines seemed to cover every inch of the woods, choking the beauty of the scenery. A few minutes past, and we had reached a clearing. I began to hear the soft neighing of a horse and immediately thought of an exact horse. Once we reached the clearing, I recognized the brown, chest-nut colored mare. Link sheathed his sword, and walked up to the stallion. He patted her neck and said a few inaudible words. He tied the knapsack to the saddle than turned to me, motioning for me to get on the mare.

I glanced from side to side, towards the saddle, than back to him. I shrugged, "What?"

"Get on Epona. She won't bite." Link stated.

"Uhh…I don't know how to ride." I said a bit nervously.

"I'll help you. It's not hard."

"What about you?"

"I'll be riding the horse, too." He said as if I should know, which I did.

"I…well…I think I'll just-umm- walk…yeah, walk."

Link gave me a disbelieved look, "What?"

"Just get on the horse, we'll get to the castle faster."

"I think I'll just walk. It'll give me exercise."

Link just stared at me. Without realizing it, I was slowly beginning to move towards the saddle, thinking to myself walking was better. I slowly lifted my right foot to the foot handle, than gained enough energy to pull myself up and swing my other leg over the saddle. Hopefully, that was the right way to get on a horse. I shifted myself as Link got on Epona.

"Hold on." Was the only thing he said, turning his head slightly towards me. He grabbed the reigns, but stopped when he realized I was still looking at him a bit confused. I shifted a bit on Epona, waiting for Link to reply. I glanced over to Link who I realized had just rolled his eyes. I finally placed my hands on his shoulders, but slowly.

"You'll slip off, just put your arms around me." He retorted a bit frustrated.

I placed my arms around him, still slowly. I locked my hands together and closed my eyes. I had never ridden a horse before, and I didn't know how it would do on rugged plains. I finally opened my eyes and realized that Epona had begun to gallop farther away from the forest and into the deep fields of Hyrule. The deep, light-green grass reflected a wonderful climate around the plains. Across the horizon, the sky hung low with the sun hovering lazily above the cluster of mountains that rose from the ground. Trees decorated the lowland with a summer return. I felt the warm breeze against my face and as it ruffled my hair. I sighed absentmindedly; it isn't every day that you can get beautiful weather like this to enjoy back home.

I could hear Link chuckle as he glanced to his side.

"What's so funny, Elf Ears?" I asked. Link stopped and I smirked.

"You just look like you've never seen the outside before." He replied.

"Meh, nothing at home, that's all." I said, gazing over Link's shoulder.

Hours passed yet neither of us had said anything to each other. I tried to fall asleep on Link shoulder, but his cold, Hylian shield prevented me from being anything but comfortable. Time passed, and we finally ended up resting near a river that was at least fifteen feet wide and twelve feet deep. I guessed it was the Zora River, but I wasn't too positive. I kneeled next to the clam river and splashed some water onto my face. It felt refreshing after the long trip and I did feel a bit frivolous. From the corner of my eye, I recognized Link not too far away, leaning over the water, ready to splash some water over his face. I snickered to myself and splashed the river water towards his face. I quickly craned my neck the other way, but didn't hear any response or protest. Just as I turned my head just barely to steal a glance at Link, I was pushed into the river.

The water was cold and I couldn't help shiver as I surfaced. I sneered at Link who only smirked and sat back. I rolled my eyes and raised my hand.

"Help me up, Elf Ears, would ya'?" I said. Link grabbed my hand and began pulling me up to the dry ground. I used my chance and steadied my footing on the side of the embankment, and pulled Link into the river. I heard a splash, and began laughing at Link who was clearly irritated. I leaned onto my back and closed my eyes. After a few seconds of my amused laughter, I realized it was too quiet. I began looking around for Link, when I felt a tug on my ankle and I yelped. I glanced into the water, and saw a figure in green.

"Ha, ha. Very funny…"

"What is so funny?" I waited a few seconds than heard a voice behind me.

I had literally jumped in the water. I could clearly see Link under water, but who could be asking me a question. I was afraid to turn around, but I did. I immediately recognized the person behind me. It was a Zora with all the recognizable features. Blue and green speckles were decorated along the -what I would call- a fish tail on its head and arms. He had deep blue eyes and seemed to grin.

"Ohia' Zeke!" I heard Link say as he resurfaced next to me. I glanced over to Link with the corner of my eye and gave him a frustrated look.

"Oh, right. Jade, this is Zeke. Zeke, Jade." Link said, motioning with his hand as the other cleared his matted hair from his face.

"Hi!" I said simply as I held out my hand to shake hands. The Zora stared at me for a few seconds than glanced down at my hand.

I glanced over to Link who was watching with a smile.

"What are you doing?" Link asked with an amused grin.

"Don't you people shake hands in this little world of yours?" I asked.

"It looks like you want him to kiss your hand." Link retorted. After Link had finished the sentence I brought my hand back to my side, or allowed it to float carelessly in the water.

"Ugh… What?" I retorted, "Are you crazy? You don't know what a handshake is?"

"Nooo…" Zeke returned, his head giving the signal that he didn't understand.

"See…Look…" I said grabbing Zeke's hand. "Ok…See… You take your one hand and hold the other person's hand and…shake…See?"

"Ok… What does it mean?" Link said a bit confused.

"You shake someone's hand when you've met them, but you don't always have to since…well, you get the picture."

"Ahuh…" I heard Zeke say as I finally let go of the Zora's hand, finally finishing my little demonstration.

"That's interesting…" Link said.

"Ay, alright, I should get going, but I'm glad I ran into you, Link." Zeke said.

"What is it?" Link asked.

"Ruto hasn't been acting much like herself for quite a while, ever since her powers began fading. We're afraid of Ganandorf returning, but Ruto hasn't been able to communicate with the other sages. Her father, the king, is afraid to let her leave the domain, and none of us know what do."

"Well, it's not big news. Saria has been losing some of her powers, too, and we are not taking any chances. We are on our way to the castle. So, I'll see what Zelda has to say."

"Ay, well, that's good." Zeke said as he turned towards me, "It was nice to meet you, Jade, and you both are always welcome to come to our little domain."

"Nice to meet ya', too, Zeke." I said raising my hand up again and we shook hands.

"Alright, bya'!" he said as he dived into the water and disappeared.

"Oy, matee! What's ya' lookin' at?" I turned to Link who was staring at me with a bemused expression on his face.

"I have a feeling I'm going to feel this confused and irritated with you more than once." Link replied as he began swimming to the edge of the river. I stuck my tongue out at him and splashed water at him.

"Blah, blah, blah." I mimicked as I swam after him.

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"Ugh, how long before we reach the castle?" I asked Link.

We were still heading for Hyrule Castle and it seemed like we had been riding for weeks, but it was only until sunset did we finally set camp.

"It's not that far away. If we continue by tomorrow morning, we should be there by early evening." Link replied as he threw a few more rather large branch sticks into the fire. The night seemed to have passed rather quickly while I had gathered the wood for the fire and Link had created the fire and set out the food to cook.

We sat in silence for a few hours at least, but it didn't really matter. I lay down on the soft, woolen blanket with my hands behind my head and gazed up at the stars. The night sky was clear, and the stars were countless millions. I sighed in relief from the day. It seemed as though as I was making friends everywhere I went and it felt nice to know you aren't alone. I glanced over to where Link was, and found him laying only a few feet away from me.

"Why are you so quiet?" I asked Link as he craned his neck to look over at me.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean… Why are you so quiet? Say something."

"I don't know… I am just thinking…" he said as he turned his head back up to the sky.

"… About a girl?" I said, finishing the sentence off.

"No…" he retorted, turning to face me again.

"Sure…" I smirked.

"Aye, I'll never make you understand anything."

"Blah, blah, blah…"

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Yikes! Seven whole pages. Yipee! Hope everybody liked this chapter, and yay! I made up a new character! Zeke! He's supposed to be kinda' funny and has a piraty kind of accent with the Ay, and stuff like that. Anyway, I want to know everybodies opinions on this story and the others if you read my other stories, cause I want to know what people like about the story and my writing etc and don't like…ahem… but please no flames. Soooo, pleeeease review! Thank you all for reviewing and I'll try to update soon:)