When I awoke the next morning, I was in my bed. My legs were slightly sore. I looked over towards my door and saw Link, slumped over in his chair, breathing slowly and steadily. He was sleeping, and, what's more, he had fallen asleep watching over me. I was touched.

Link stirred and I lay back down and I closed my eyes and acted like I was sleeping.

Through my squinted eyes, I saw Link get up and strech. He took off his hat, ruffled his hair, and put his hat back on his head. He scratched his side and yawned. He looked at me just as I closed my eyes. I heard his footsteps fade away, and I opened my eyes. Link was gone.

I sat up, yawned, and got dressed in my work clothes. I went downstairs and had a breakfast of eggs and ham. Then I started my daily chores.

I mucked out the stalls, refilled the water troughs, and groomed the horses. Then I fed the cucoos and collected the cucoo eggs. I checked the medical condition of Epona, Link's horse, who was pregnant. After Epona got a metaphorical seal of medical approval, I tended to a lame horse, who had gotten wounded slightly when he had jumped over a fence. After that, I had a lunch of cucoo meat. Then I spent the rest of the day riding the more energetic horses.

That evening, Link said "Good night," and I went off to bed.

When I woke up, it was still dark. At first, I wondered why I had awoken, but then I heard yelling.

"I can't leave the stables! Epona is about to give birth! She means more to me than anything!" That was Link.

"But you must! If you don't . . . heck, who knows what will happen! Plus, Rheana knows how to birth a horse! Epona'll be fine!" I didn't recognize this voice, but it was male. "Link . . ."

I heard an exasperated sigh. "All right, all right . . . I'll go."

I heard chairs scooting, footsteps, and the door opening and closing.

The next morning, Link was still in the house, even though, normally, he was out tending to the animals before we woke up. Rheana was in the house too. Link looked very serious.

"You're up," Link said.

I grumbled. "Mmmrrrr . . ."

Link lowered his eyes and poked his fork into his eggs. "I'm leaving."

"You're WHAT?" Rheana and I said in unison.

Link nodded. "I have to join the war against Ganondorf." He said this last word with pure anger. "My . . . ah . . . military advisor insisted that I go. And I will. I have left a list of duties . . ."

"Take me with you!"

I covered my mouth. "Did I just say that? Did I really, truly just say that?"

Link raised an eyebrow.

I decided to play along with myself.

"I can fight! You've been training me; I'm getting better!"

Link shook his head. "Rebecca . . ."

Tears started forming in my eyes. "It's the adventure I've always wanted . . ."

"Rebecca, it's too dangerous for a woman, especially a miniature one, even one trained in the art of swordsmanship. I'm sorry, you can't go."

Link wiped his face, and I noticed that he had cleaned his plate. "I'll be leaving now. Hold down the fort for me, will you?" He smiled. "Goodbye, Rheana. Goodbye, Rebecca. I'm . . . sorry." He got up, and his gaze lingered on me for a moment. Then he left.

That night, I made up my mind.

I was packed, set, and well-rested. I had provisions a plenty and a fast horse to boot. I was wearing my travel clothes; a blue tunic, leather padding (because chain mail was expensive) and a white undershirt. I was wearing white pants and leather boots. My hair was tied back with a ribbon; and FIRESTORM was in its sheath on my back, along with my shield. I told Rheana of my plans. She said I was crazy, but I did it anyway.

I was leaving.

And I didn't know if I was coming back.