Author's Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda or How to Train Your Dragon. I am earning no profit from this story other than the enjoyment of writing it and sharing it with others. I hope you all enjoy reading it!
Link
Link and Zelda rode the entire way to Hyrule in silence. Link's mind insisted on replaying Storm's death over and over again. Link had every detail memorized; the bravery in Storm's eyes as he gave silent permission to his rider to slay Vego, and then the flare of pain right before his eyes dimmed and he died. Link leaned his head against Reaper's neck and cried some more. He knew the description of the pain of being dragged out from the underworld was an understatement. It was the purest of agony, and words could not explain how much it hurt. Yet, Link knew Storm wished to be revived. He and his horse had been together for over a year, and neither could be without the other. Zelda only patted her hero on the back, knowing he liked to grieve in silence.
At last, Hyrule could be seen in the distance, and Reaper flew even faster. Link lifted his head, and directed the Dramillion towards Malanya's spring. Reaper landed a little ways away, and Link dismounted and began walking towards the horse god's home. Reaper started to follow, but Zelda gently patted him, signaling the dragon to stop. Link would prefer to do this alone. Link walked up to a huge, beautiful fountain. It looked like a gigantic, open flower with blue petals, a golden mirror set in the back, and water in the center. Link stopped on a ramp made of strange orange mushrooms. The water began to stir, and large hands with long, sharp nails grasped the edge of the flower. Reaper grunted loudly, fearing for his companion's safety.
"It's okay, it's okay," Zelda assured the dragon. Reaper still prepared to run to Link's side at the slightest hint of danger.
Suddenly, a huge, wooden horse head erupted from the water. It was painted to have eyes and a nose, along with many strange markings along its face and down its neck. The strange being shook itself off, and the hands floated around the head, revealing themselves to not actually be attached to the horse god.
"Oh, you again…" Malanya, the horse god began. "You didn't come here to revive a horse again, did you?"
"I'm afraid I did," Link replied sadly.
"I felt I was in your debt before since you freed me from that bud and all... but you didn't think I'd always help out, right?"
Link took a shaky breath. "Please, I need this horse back."
"I'm very busy!" Malanya retorted, flying right into Link's face, waving his fingers around like crazy. Reaper began running towards Link, but Zelda stopped him by pulling hard on his wing.
"He's alright," Zelda promised. Reaper snorted in disbelief.
"I jest," Malanya continued, laughing at its own joke. Link sighed in relief as the horse god backed out of his face. "I feel that there is respect in your heart... If you can bring me something, I would consider helping you once more."
"Some...thing?" Link repeated.
"I may not look the part, but I am the god of horses. I need that uh...that thing...A kind of carrot...One I've only eaten once in all my many years… An endura carrot!" Malanya demanded. "That is what I ask of you. Fulfill this request, and I will consider helping you."
Link's eyes brightened. "I have one now!" He dug through his belt, feeling around for the requested carrot. Finally, his fingers touched an endura carrot, and he pulled it out of his magically enhanced belt pouch. Link held out the carrot for Malanya to see.
"I see you have an endura carrot. Allow me to revive your horse," Malanya said, examining the carrot.
"Thank you," Link breathed, relieved. He had not expected to need to give Malanya something. All the other Great Fairies didn't need to be paid.
"Select a loyal friend to bring back," Malany commanded.
"Bring back Storm," Link replied.
"You would like me to revive this horse? Oh goodness! It sacrificed its own life to give you a chance to kill your enemy!" Malanya exclaimed. "This must have been one brave friend. Would you like to revive it and return it to your side?"
"Yes, please," Link pleaded.
"Ah, understood. Let me bring back this horse," Malanya concluded. The horse god crossed its hands, and began shaking its head. The hands began to circle around the wooden head, as the head itself turned in quick, small circles.
To the side of the fountain, a beam of light appeared over a small patch of flowers. Zelda gasped as Storm appeared in a sudden burst of light, replacing the beam. The horse reared, and whinnied loudly.
"I was successfully able to bring back the horse!" Malanya began again. "Next time, don't let the horse die! Horses are your partners. Don't forget that. If you're careless with their lives you may regret it...understand?" As the horse god said that last word, the being floated into Link's face again, fingers once again waving maniacally. Reaper tensed, but Zelda grabbed his wing again, silently telling him not to move.
"I jest...for now!" Malanya finished, descending once again into the strange, blue fountain. Link turned to Storm, finally finished with the conversation. They looked at each other for a moment, Link asking for forgiveness and Storm giving it. Then, Link laughed, ran to his best friend, and embraced him. Storm willingly accepted the hug, happy to be back with his rider.
"I missed you so much!" Link said, crying again, but this time from happiness. Storm whinnied, and Link let go. Zelda walked up to the two, Reaper following.
"I'm so happy for you, Link," she said, staring in awe at her hero's gargantuan horse.
"I guess you two haven't been properly introduced," Link said. "So, Storm, this is Zelda, my princess, and Zelda, this is Storm, my horse."
Zelda nodded politely, "Pleasure to meet you, Storm." Storm snorted and bowed his head in greeting. Reaper walked forward and sniffed the horse. Storm just stood there, watching the Dramillion curiously.
"Oh, and this is Reaper, my dragon," Link said. "Now that we're all introduced, let's begin rebuilding our country."
Zelda smiled, "Yes, let's. We shall go to Hateno Village first."
Link nodded, and mounted Storm. Reaper looked dejected. "I'll ride you when we leave Hateno Village, okay, buddy? But, for now let Zelda ride you to the nearest stable, okay?" Reaper nodded happily, and allowed Zelda to mount him.
Link commanded Storm to head to Highland Stable, the closest stable to Malanya's spring. Storm took off at a gallop, and simply followed the road. Reaper followed Storm closely.