Chapter 1: Helping out

"N…no…don't…" I murmured in my sleep, rolling my head side to side.

Something abruptly flashed into the sky as if it was surrounding something. The person that was on an animal's back gasped, turning around to face it. It was horrible; the animal even agreed when it snarled while the person bared its teeth in anger.

With that, the two went to a path that gave the direction from the person.

The scene quickly changed into another one. This one was a bit more disturbing. An evil throaty laugh filled the air as it raised what it looked like a sword with a crackling yellow ball, forming on the tip of its sword; it then released it. However, the other person deflected the ball back to its foe. It got struck from the yellow crackling ball, giving out a horrible screech.

And then…

Two pair of red glowing eyes came into the dark.

With a jolt, I fumbled with my bed sheets before falling off the bed with a THUD. I stared blankly at the wooden ceiling, letting the strange nightmare slowly sinking into my mind.

What was that about? Why was there an animal and a weird-looking person?

To be honest, that person looked hard to describe though I couldn't really describe it since it didn't really fully showed itself.

"LINK!" the sudden voice made me to give a yelp of surprise. Muttering, I climbed another ladder that led to a small balcony.

I smirked when I saw Fado calling me. He almost always needs help to control his goats.

"Are you there?!"

"Obviously I am or otherwise I wouldn't randomly stick myself out at the balcony." I called back.

Fado blinked. "Oh. You mind helpin' me herd the goats? They ain't listening to me lately."

I gave a short nod but he called back saying where's Epona just as I left the balcony. I sighed when I knew who took it.

Ilia.

Like me, she was obsessed with that horse. Sometimes, when I have a day off or for whatever reason, I would let her ride it. Of course, Epona still prefers over me as I am her master but I think she is slowly taking a liking into Ilia.

I muttered, struggling to get my boots on.

"Um…is it Backwards Day or something?" Fado asked, curiously once he saw me coming down.

"Huh?"

"Erm…you kinda got your clothes backwards." he pointed.

I looked down and saw that I had indeed put my clothes backwards. Groaning, I trudged up the ladder though very clumsily I might add and opened the door widely before slamming it. A few seconds later, I came out—properly dressed—then jumped down instead of using the ladder.

Fado shook his head while having an amused look. Rolling my eyes, I went down to a path that led to Ordon Spring. The thing that I loved about the spring is its magical water healing abilities. It really knows how to soothe you, especially if you're under a lot of stress.

I stared at a girl who looked nearly about my height as she made her way towards Epona who neighed softly. She lifted her hand towards her nuzzle to pet her.

As if sensing that someone was there, she turned around and saw me staring.

"Oh, hi, Link." she slightly giggled.

I stared deeply at her slightly green eyes, making me totally unaware that she was talking to me. She's so pretty…she had that laugh as if it was music to my ears…okay, that mighta sound a bit too cheesy but I'm just describing what I hear.

"Link." she repeated, giggling. "LINK!"

With a snap of her fingers, I blinked.

"What?" I blinked. "Oh. OH! Erm…h-hi." I stammered like an idiot.

She smirked. "Took you long enough. Anyways, I washed Epona for you!"

I gave a small smile, appreciating that she did that. I just realized that I had never have the time to do that anymore. I was just lucky that I have Ilia…

"So you finally woke up, huh. Who was your alarm clock?"

"Um Fado." I gave a sheepish grin.

She grinned back. "I swear. You must be one of the laziest boys here. All you ever do is sleep." she giggled.

I frowned while putting my hands in front of me, waving in self-defense. "No way. I do like my sleep but I actually help."

"Yeah that's why you fell asleep when you did one of Fado's chores and a goat woke you up."

I grimaced at the painful ram. "Don't remind me. I think I still have that bruise on my rib."

She laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement before shaking her head. "Anyways, you might want to head back and help Fado. But before you go, mind playing one of those melodies? You know, the one that Epona likes."

I grinned, nodding my head as an answer then gave a short jog towards the Horsegrass. I picked one up, placing it on my lips and a nearly high-pitched beautiful music came. Epona neighed happily as she trotted towards me.

"Hey, girl. Missed me?"

She nipped my ear affectionately. After that, I rode Epona to the village in which I call it home. It wasn't much but it had satisfied me as I had easily settled in. The village consisted few buildings; Uli's and Rusl's, Jaggle's house, Haggle and Sera's house and lastly, the mayor's house.

Up ahead, was the ranch; Fado was the owner of it. There would be a small stream of water between the grounds and a windmill rotating around in circles. I saw Rusl standing on a platform near the stream, practicing his sword movements while Uli and Colin was watching him.

Epona galloped up a path that led to the Ordon Ranch. It was a relatively size ranch with a few goats here and there. Fado stood near the building, watching the goats.

"Fado." I called.

Fado looked up and saw me on Epona trotting towards me. "Hey Link! Sorry to get you over here in such a hurry, Link."

"Doesn't matter." I could already feel the sunset beginning to sink down yet again.

"These guys have been awful skittish lately. They won't listen to a word I say. Sorry to ask, bud, but how's about you an' Epona herd'em into the barn real quick? We ain't got much time, so you think you can do it for me?"

I nodded. "Sure. It will be done in a jiffy."

"Much obliged there, bud! Ok, then, go on an' herd all these little scamps into the barn for me!"

Smirking lightly, I started to whoop at them which caused them to run away. This would be a piece of cake. I started to make them into groups of three or four so that it would be easier. Pretty soon, the task was done and Fado told me that he can cover everything tomorrow.

I didn't really need to do any fencing practice which was why I set out to go back to my treehouse as the night had fallen.