The forest was quiet as Epona made her way through the shrouded trees with just the lantern held on a rod and stuck in her saddle besides Link's leg. He didn't need to guide her with the reins, she knew the way. It was just as well given the situation he found himself in. Fern was sitting behind him in the saddle, her arms around his waist as she leaned against him. Link kept one hand against hers, holding her gently as he listened to her quiet breathing.

"The stars are beautiful tonight aren't they?" she asked, shifting against him.

Link looked up at the night sky through the tree branches, the moon hung low in the sky and around it in inky blackness thousands of stars glistened like gems in ebony fabric.

He gave her hands a squeeze. "Yeah, they are."

Fern turned, pressing her forehead against his back. "Thank you Link."

He didn't respond, instead lacing his fingers with hers as Epona's gentle gait carried them around the outskirts of the village towards his home. The light from the lantern rocked in its mounting, casting eerie shadows among the trees but somehow with Fern leaning against him the phantoms created in the night hardly seemed threatening.

"It was a lot of fun, the dancing." Fern said fondly.

Link smiled. "You're a good dancer."

Fern chuckled. "I had a good partner."

Link's smile broadened. "You just needed a little prodding."

She snorted. "You're cruel you know, I didn't want to dance."

He nodded. "That's why you had to, you were miserable."

"There's a good reason for that you know." she murmured.

Link's smile faded and he looked ahead as Epona continued her gentle course through the trees. "Do you want me to take you home?"

She shook her head, her arms tightening around his waist. "No."

They continued on in silence, the only sound being the soft treading of Epona's hooves on the ground and the distant hooting of an owl in the forest. Link kept his fingers in Fern's. Her arms remained around him, holding him as if she feared he might fade away if she didn't hang on.

After a time Fern spoke again. "I'm sorry."

Link frowned, his expression gentle as he gave her hand a squeeze. "It's not your fault, I shouldn't have teased you."

"No," she replied instantly. "I'm glad you did, I was miserable." her voice took on a suggestively content tone as she pressed against him. "This is much better."

Link's smile returned and he felt a heat rising in him, yes, this was much better than going home alone. Epona turned a bend in the path and ahead Link could see his house dancing in the firelight cast by the bobbing lantern. He tapped Epona's flanks with his knees, quickening her pace ever so slightly from the gentle walk to a quick paced trot which caused the lantern to bob and weave frantically on its poll.

"Link," Fern whispered. "The shadows are dancing too."

He looked around at the shifting shadows flickering on the trees and ground around them with a growing smile.

"Shall we dance?"

She poked him in the ribs. "I'm done dancing." she said playfully. "My feet are sore."

Link chuckled as Epona drew up to his house. It was a little awkward dismounting since he had to swing his leg over her neck and work it around the lantern poll to avoid kicking Fern but he managed to drop to the ground without incident. Turning, he offered his hand to Fern who regarded him with a raised brow and a snort before jumping off of Epona's back to the ground.

"I'm not that delicate." she said, sticking out her tongue.

He smiled as he took the poll from the saddle and planted it in the ground. "Not very lady-like though."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "I'm not helpless."

Link shook his head and began removing Epona's saddle and bridle, first untying the jug of cider he'd bought before the festival had concluded for the evening from the pommel. He looped the jug's strap under his sash and removed Epona's saddlery, tossing it over his shoulder as he led Epona to her stall where her food and water waited. After making sure that she had plenty of both and that the stall was clean, he returned to find Fern looking up at the stars as she leaned against the ladder leading up to his porch and door. He followed her gaze up and looked at the night sky through the patchwork of leaf covered branches.

"They're so beautiful," she breathed.

He smiled teasingly. "I can think of something else I'd rather look at."

She rolled her eyes and gave him an exasperated smile. "You're impossible."

He held up the cider. "Want a drink?"

Fern stood up and walked over to him, planting a finger in his chest. "I know what you're doing."

"What?" Link asked with an innocent smile.

"You're trying to get me drunk." she said accusingly though there was humor in her tone.

"I'm going to have some too you know." he pointed out. "If you don't want any that's fine."

She snorted and turned away, tossing her long hair as she did so. "I don't trust you."

Link smiled, putting Epona's tack on the ground. He walked up behind Fern, letting the jug hang at his waist as he slid his arms around her and pulled her close. She tensed, leaning back against him. She slowly reached up behind him and ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and nuzzled her neck, kissing her softly as he held her tenderly. Fern turned in his arms, her hands behind his head as she pulled his lips down to hers. The kiss was tender, tentative and he didn't try to force her into anything more. It ended almost as quickly as it began as she drew away. Link expected her to be upset—it hadn't been all that long ago when Kamaro had been killed hunting—when she looked up at him though, she looked annoyed rather than angry or hurt.

"I'm not that delicate," she asserted, her hands still behind his head. "Kiss me."

She pulled him down for another kiss and this time it wasn't a tentative affair as they kissed each other passionately. As the kiss ended, Link looked down at her with a warm smile which she returned mischievously as she reached down and touched the mouth of the cider jug at his hip.

"I'm cold; may I come in and have a drink?"

His smile widened, "of course."

A few minutes later they were sitting in-front of Link's fireplace on the grass-mat, feather pillows, and woolen blankets that made up his bed. The jug of cider and two clay cups sat before them as the fire crackled merrily, casting a warm light throughout the main room of Link's home. Fern reached over and pushed the jug; it toppled and rolled on the floor in a narrow circle without spilling any liquid.

She looked at Link lamentably. "We're all out."

He smiled down at her, running a hand through her hair as she nuzzled against his chest. "Did you want something else?"

She nodded, holding onto him as he shifted in an attempt to get up.

He smiled. "I have to stand up you know."

Fern kissed his chin. "I know. Hurry back."

Link stood and walked over to lantern hanging by the front door; he checked the oil and then lit it with the attached flint. He passed by Fern, nestled in the blankets and pillows and watching him intently and headed towards the cellar. He attached the lantern to the hook on the pulley and lowered it down the hole before descending the ladder. Finding what he was seeking, he returned with a bottle of mead to find Fern standing and waiting for him by the fireside. She turned to him with a playful smile as she tugged the sides of her dress and let it fall away to the floor. Link stopped and stared at her, feeling his face heat up.

"I—I brought some mead." he said stupidly, holding up the bottle.

Fern giggled and crossed over to him, taking the bottle and putting it on the floor. "Later." she whispered as she kissed him.

As they kissed, she undid his sash, and helped him off with his vest and shirt before she moved back to the bed, looking over her shoulder with a smile, her hair cascading down her back and shielding her body from him. Link went to the fireplace and covered the flames with ash, diminishing the light in the room significantly as he covered the embers with more ash. He doffed his pants and turned to Fern who lounged amongst the pillows and blankets on the floor. He crawled into the bed atop her, kissing her tenderly and running his hands over her skin. Fern breathed deeply, running her hands through his hair and over his back, looking into his eyes fondly.

"Shall we dance?" she asked teasingly.

Link snorted, shaking his head with a smile as he leaned down and kissed her, entwining their bodies as the moonlight shone through the smoke hole in the ceiling, casting a silvery glow across their passion.