Oulson stood before the waterfall, utterly baffled.

He knew this was the entrance to Zora's Domain. The stone tablet with the Goddesses Symbol gave that away. The only problem was the torrent of ice cold water overing the entrance. That was a big, wet problem.

He spun around, looking for some other entrance, with no success. Had he missed it? would he have to go back to his horse? Why did get the wet one?

"What are you-"

Oulson jumped back, almost falling into the river bellow. "Farore above!"

A Zora had appeared at the top of the waterfall, perched on a small outcrop shielding them from the full force of the current. "What's a Hylian doing here? This is Zora territory."

Oulson clutched his heart, struggling to put together words. It had been a stressful day.

The Zora pointed its nose skyward. "Answer yourself or go away."

He pulled the letter out from his bag. "The king has- ah, a message for the, um, Zora… King."

The Zora barked a laugh. "You, with a message from the Hylian King? You're quite the joker."

"I'm serious!" He pouted. "Look, this has the Hylian stamp and everything!"

The Zora glared. "Do I look like a fool? Leave, or I'll throw you in the river."

"Please let me in! This is important!" Oulson was almost begging. "You could be in danger!"

The Zora tilted his head. "What sort of danger? A flood?"

"No!" Oulson yelled. "Sorcerer! Mad magic man killing people!"

The Zora frowned. "What?"

"Evil magic sword man that teleported away!"

The Zora shook its head. "Thats just crazy. Or stupid." He paused. "Actually, both."

"Listen to me! I-" Oulson felt a hand on his should and he shrieked, stumbling away from whoever appeared behind him.

"Careful!" The Sheikah hissed behind his mask, grabbing Oulson's neck to steady the clumsy boy.

"Sheikah?" Muttered the puzzled Zora. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to collect the boy."

"Why is your hair orange?"

"Ginger, but we have that sometimes."

Oulson shook his head. "I haven't got the letter to the king yet."

"Sorry, Impa's word is final. It's too dangerous."

"Wait," The Zora leapt down, landing gracefully between them. "The boy wasn't lying?"

"No." She Sheikah confirmed. "There's a sorcerer thats amassing a power of sorts, by Lake Hylia. Could have started moving my now."

The Zora grimaced. "Oh, great. I'll get word to the King."

"Take the letter!" Oulsons hand shot out, offering it up. After a moment, the Zora grabbed it and turned to the waterfall, which opened up before him. Without so much as a nod, he leapt through the entrance and sprinted off as the waterfall covered the entrance once again.

The Sheikah grabbed Oulsons shoulder. "Time to go. Where's your horse?"

He pointed downstream. "Just down the river."

"Ok." Before he could protest, Oulson was hanging to the Sheikahs back as they left off the walls, arriving at his horse in a couple of seconds. As Oulson climbed down, he stumbled, grinning.

"That was amazing!" He gushed. "Can all Sheikah do that?"

Behind his mask, the Sheikah blushed. "Ah, well, yeah. But it took half my life to learn that."

Oulson grinned. "You're amazing."

"Aw, you're too kind." He gestured to the horse. "Get on. I recommend closing your eyes and prepare to get bucked off."

Oulson hopped up onto the horse and shut his eyes tight, preparing for the alien feeling of teleportation. He heard the Sheikah take a deep breath, and suddenly the light behind his eyelids disappeared and he felt a rush of wind and he was thrown onto the ground. Grunting, he got up and nursed his newly forming bruises. He opened his eyes and found himself in the courtyard with the Sheikah being dragged around by his horse. Eventually, he just gave up and fell to the ground.

The image of the unstoppable Sheikah warrior had somehow disappeared.

A different thought sprung into his head.

"Why was I sent back?"

The Sheikah stood up and dusted himself off. "Didn't you hear me? That sorcerer is going something by Lake Hylia."

"But I thought that no Sheikah could sense anything."

He readjusted his mask. "We all make mistakes. This one was trusting our abilities without bothering with our eyes." He gestured to the trainee barracks. "They'll be waiting for you in there."

After a small thanks, he jogged into the just in time to see Captain Graves screaming at a sheepish Diddy and Eshie.

"Where is Link?!"

Epona bolted into the ranch, almost crashing right into Ingo.

"Idiot!"

Link pulled sharply on Eponas reins, halting her instantly. "Sorry!"

Ingo glared. "What the hell was that?! Moving like Demise himself is on your ass!"

"I said sorry!"

"Link?"

Malon walked out, stunned. After a second, a grin spread across her face. "Link!" She sprinted over and pulled him off Epona to hug him. "What are you doing here?"

In spite of himself, Link smiled. "It's good to see you too." He tried to force her off. "Malon, please. Malon- Malon, get off!"

She laughed. "Nope, can't hear you."

"What's all this here commotion?" Talon grunted as he exited the barn. Upon seeing Link, he straightened up, blinked, and pointed at him. "Wha?"

"Talon!" Link tried to move over, but with Malon still clinging to him, the both toppled over.

"Link, what'd ya doing here? You're supposed ta be in the castle."

"Talon, I'm so sorry, but there isn't a nice reason." He tried to get up again, but Malon sat on him. "Malon!"

Talon rolled his eyes. "Malon, get of the poor boy."

Malon pouted. "Fine." She rolled off and allowed Link to stand up and dust himself off.

"Now son, what's this not nice reason yer on about?"

Link nodded and grabbed the letter from the pouch around Epona and handed it to Talon. "A sorcerer attacked at the Tournament and escaped. He's doing something magical now, somewhere, and you need to get out of here."

Talon took a moment to read the letter before handing it to Ingo. "Ya sure 'bout this, son?"

"Word of honour."

"Ya realise what yer askin'? Abandon the Ranch? What we'd be leavin' behind?"

"This is just in case!" Link shifted uncomfortably. "It'll be fine for a day or two, right?"

"Ya don't understand the scope of these things son."

"I don't know Talon." Ingo interjected. "Link doesn't lie, not to you anyway. I say we go with him, just for a few days."

Malon turned to Link and mouthed "What?" He just blinked. Ingo was screaming at him just a minute ago, so he was even more baffled.

Talon sighed. "Yeah, yeah, suppose your right, just…" He shook his head. "What're we gonna do, huh?" He was silent for a second. "Malon. Pack yer stuff. As much as the horse can take. Without hurting them, ya hear?"

"Yes dad." With a last glance at Link, she ran into the house.

"Ingo, get the horses ready. And find some food for Epona here." Wasting no time, Ingo grunted and moved off.

Talon turned to Link, who was calming Epona. "Link," He waved slightly to catch the boys attention. "I'm gonna head inside and pack ma bags. Could ya help out Ingo?"

He didn't hesitate. "Of course."

"Alright son." He smiled. "Malon and I'll be ready in five minutes."

"Got it." Link waved and ran after Ingo. When he had left, Talon took a look around the ranch. He hated to leave his home, but he'd rather Malon was safe then staying here. He opened the door and moved towards his room. Now where did he put his pack for occasions like this?

"Mr Ingo!"

Ingo looked back and scowled. "I don't need your help."

Link ran up to his side. "You still need to pack. The faster we do this, the faster you can get your stuff together."

Ingo screwed up his face and forged ahead. He didn't mind the help, and Link brought up a good point, but he didn't like people thinking he needed help. People need to do there jobs, or end up fat and lazy. Like Talon.

"You get some carrots for your horse. You need to take care of your own steed."

Link smiled and moved to the trough. Ingo looked at the horses, assessing them all. He needed a tougher and stronger horse for Talon, most likely the troupe leader. That stallion would be able to cary him to the ends of the earth. But probably not back. For himself, he selected a strong mare with golden coat, one that could carry Ingo and all his belongings rather well. As for Malon, he considered her sharing a horse, but decided against it. More steeds would allow speed and more belonging to be brought along. He chose a small piebald colt. Not too big, not too young. Just within her boundaries. He looked over to Link, who was shoving carrots into the pouch that previously held the royal letter. "When you're done, help me get the saddles and reins. We'll need a large, small and average, got that?"

"Yes, Mr Ingo."

"Good." He singled out the horses and led them to the stable, with Link following behind. When they arrive, Link took a moment to lay out the carrots for Epona before meeting Ingo in the stable.

"You know how to strap on a saddle boy?"

Link made a face. "Come on, you know I can."

"Then get a move on." He paused. "You might need that." He said, indicating to a wooden step.

Link ignored him. "You can go pack your stuff, Mr Ingo. I can handle this."

Ingo raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He dropped the saddle he was holding. "Don't keep us waiting then." The boy needed to learn not to make promises he couldn't keep.

Link scoffed. That was rude. He picked up the saddle and went to put it on the horse, but was too short. Begrudgingly, he dragged the stool over and, with a grunt, threw the saddle over the horse and started started tightening the straps. Once he was satisfied, he moved to Malon's horse, after feeding him a stray apple. It was easier with this one. Reminded him of when Malon first taught him to set up a saddle on Epona. It took a lot less attempts this time. She'd be proud of him. With a final nod, he slung the final saddle over his shoulder and threw it into the stallions back. Just as he was finishing, he felt his hat slipping from his head. He turned just as it fell from the horses mouth. "Hey!" He shouted. "Don't do that!" He pulled his hat back down and went back to tightening the final straps, only to see the horse to try it again. He glared. "Don't you dare."

The horse whinnied and stole his hat. Link yelled and tried to get his hat back, only for Ingo to come in that very second.

Of course.

"Well, you got further then I expected, I'll give you that."

"The horse has my hat!"

He rolled his eyes. "Convenient excuse." He picked up the reins and opened up his hand, and the horse dropped the hat into his palm. "Easy." Link swiped his hat back and shoved it onto his head. Ingo jerked his head at the other reins. "Stop dawdling!"

"Up ya go!"

Talon helped Malon onto her horse. She slipped into her stirrups and beamed, shifting to get into a comfortable position. Ingo was already on his horse, and held a pitchfork in his off hand. Talon moved over to his horse and, with a heavy grunt, climbed onto their back.

Link stroked Epona. "Come on girl. Time to go." He prepared to hop onto her when he felt a dull pain in his sword hand.

Talon frowned. "Ya ok son?"

Link looked south, where the darker clouds were forming. There was a sound, a distant rumbling.

"Son?"

"Shh!" Link listened, trying to place what it was, because it sure wasn't thunder.

Regardless, he didn't trust it, and climbed onto a now rested Epona. "We need to go."

"Sorry?"

"I don't know, but we need to go!"

He didn't wait for a response. He urged Epona to move, to lead them away. Whatever that sound was, it was the herald of bad things.

The dark clouds trailed behind them as fled Lon Lon Ranch, with the dull sound echoing behind them.

Hello!

As I said in a previous post that is most likely deleted by now, I will be taking a small Hiatus to focus on personal projects. Also stuff I have no say in and I have to do because MONEY WAS PAID DAMNIT. The worst part is this thing I have to do is on the same day as when Metroid Samus Returns is released. So I can't play it for a week. I hate everything.

Also, I once again ask for help with the editing of previous chapters that have been deleted from my doc manager. If anyone could send me something about that in the reviews or something, you would be my hero.

Anyway, enjoy!