Epona's hooves clopped loudly against the rough, worn cobblestones of Ambergates as Link rode her slowly into the city. The place was bustling with activity, people going about their daily business. Merchants shouted, women gossiped, children played while men discussed current events. As his blue eyes hunted through the sea of ever-moving bodies, he was dismayed that even Ganondorf's tall, broad form was hidden. The Gerudo man was so large; it was baffling that Link couldn't see him anywhere. Looking around some more hopefully, as if thinking that perhaps his eyes had deceived him and that in reality, the thief was most certainly within sight. Alas, this wasn't true, leaving Link at a loss as to what to do. Epona breathed deeply, still worn from the hard gallop to the city itself, her ears drooping to the sides of her head as she plodded along. The Hylian looked down at his once energetic steed, deciding that maybe they both deserved a break. Stress was putting a strain on the hero and it was passing onto Epona, which he hated to see. She hadn't asked to take on his burden.

As a pair of giggling children skittered past the mare's forelegs, Link made a decision as he gently soothed Epona, stroking her soft, albeit sweat-soaked, neck. He'd leave his horse at a stable and go through the city on foot. This place, while larger than Castletown, surely wouldn't be any more intimidating. He had braved great forests, deep lake depths, even ventured into a volcano! A manmade city surely couldn't bring him to fright. Feeling confident with this silent boost, Link decided it best to keep to the saddle, seeing that getting off of Epona to walk, while giving her a break, would only result in being pushed and shoved in the churning people. Clucking his tongue to provide the encouragement needed to get his horse into gear. Epona's head bobbed a little as she chewed her bit, weaving through the crowds with ease.

It took seemingly years to make any distance, Link feeling as though he and Epona were swimming through molasses, but soon he saw an inn. People flowed in and out of its open doors, the welcoming aroma of pastries wafting through. His stomach gave an angry growl, as if scolding him for having not eaten the majority of the day. Mouth watering at the tempting smells, Link shook his head as if to discourage such thoughts. He could get a bite to eat while he scoured the city thoroughly for his enemy. For now, he was focusing on Epona.
Guiding her onto the path that led back to the stables, he slid off of her back. One of the stablehands gave him a curious look, his attire foreign to the area, alongside the fact his horse looked like she had been running for days on end. Link, sheepish and a little guilty for Epona's condition, quietly dropped some rupees in the boy's hand, that enough motivation for him to gently take Epona's reins and lead her off. The rusty-colored mare didn't give any protest, so tired that she didn't mind parting with Link with this stranger.

Forlornly, Link watched this for a long moment before setting his jaw in a determined look, brushing back blonde hair as he readjusted his cap. Turning on his heel, he set off, a man on a mission few would take. But if it meant saving Hyrule, he was willing.

~x~

Unsurprisingly, Link's false hopes of the city being easier than Castletown to go through had been dashed. At this time of day, sifting through this crowd of people was a pain in the neck. By the time the sun was dipping closer to the horizon, he found himself slumped down in an alleyway, his only refuge from the people beyond. The soft shade from the buildings felt good on his hot skin; sweat beading up on his forehead. Removing his hat, he dabbed at his face, breathing out wearily as he drew his knees to his chest, eyes half lidded with disappointment. Even if he was nearing his nineteenth birthday, he still felt like he did as a child. Easily disappointed and easily frustrated. Despite his godly patience, he still couldn't help but find himself irritated when things didn't go exactly his way. The only good thing was that he didn't throw temper tantrums.

Besides his unluckiness in regards to finding Ganondorf, he at least had managed to get something to eat. But his wallet, strung to his belt at his hip, was starting to feel empty. He had checked to make sure, prior, that he had enough to rent a room for the night, but that would be it. One night.
He would have to go find a way to make some more money. Pursing his lips, Link's eye brows furrowed. It seemed that his repayment for keeping this land safe was just that. Keeping it safe. His lifetime would consist of saving Hyrule again and again with no relief, especially if Ganondorf or any other fiendish villain arose to try and take over. There was simply no one else eligible for the position.

"I see you are rather bothered, Hero."

Link tensed up, recognizing the voice of the one he had been hunting for. Slowly, he looked up. There, at the edge of the alleyway leaning against the wall was the darkly-clad Gerudo, a smirk creasing smooth lips as a feral gleam entered those yellow eyes. Gritting his teeth, Link's previously sluggish, weary movements turned to fast and quick, the hero leaping to his feet as his hand reached back for his sword. But, surprisingly, he paused as the tan man lifted a hand as a sign of peace. Baffled, the blonde let his hand hover where it was as Ganondorf began to speak, voice as smooth as silk and sweet as honey. If the circumstances had been different Link might have found such a tone appealing, but coming from such a vile man it left a sick feeling in his stomach.

"I didn't come here to pester you into a fight in this city. No, that would be stupid, what with the multitude of people about." Ganondorf, lazily, looked around as if in observation. As though he were estimating how well the city's structure could withstand against his power. "I am merely here to commend your perseverance. Any other would have given up, but you have always remained so determined," the Gerudo chuckled, tone turning dark. Link, slowly, let his hand return to his side, but he kept decent distance from Ganondorf and kept his gaze steady, not about to be caught off his guards.

Ganondorf seemed to realize this, knowing just how much Link didn't trust him, but cared little for that fact. He was still speaking, and didn't plan on taunting Link's caution just yet. If at all, that is. "But, while I do appreciate your fierce determination, it is quite a dilemma in my big scheme of things." Giving a melodramatic sigh, the Gerudo King slowly strolled forward, Link immediately withdrawing the Master Sword, lips peeling back in a fierce snarl as he started to back up with each step that Ganondorf took forward. The taller man's smirk broadened into a grin at that, twin rows of pearly white blatant against his dark skin. "Why not simply join me? It would be a much more fruitful life than serving that princess of yours." Link tensed at this proposition, feeling every muscle in his being seize as he gazed as Ganondorf, trying to find the lie in his words or body language.

He saw none, left in a baffled silence as he merely gawked at the other man. Ganondorf seemed to realize that the blonde couldn't comprehend what he was offering, thus taking the opportunity to move swiftly forward. Taken aback by the sudden rapid movement, Link had little time to react, but he was surprised by the fact that Ganondorf wasn't attacking him. Instead, the sword was forced down to a lowered position so that it provided the Gerudo with no threat, though the man was careful to touch Link's gauntlet rather than the sword itself. He wasn't stupid and he didn't particularly want to scorch his hand. Giving Link that devilish smile that was practically his trademark by this point and time, Link felt chills ripple down his spine.

"I realize you are still surprised by my offer. So, I will give you time to think it over. Use this time wisely, I will find you again in a week's time," Ganondorf stated every word with emphasis and meaning. Leaning back, looking back behind himself thoughtfully. A light breeze picked up, teasing the fabric of his cape. "Stay in the city. You should be able to solve your money problem here." The Gerudo glanced back at Link, smirking. The blonde gaped, sputtering.
"W-wait, how did you know—?" Link began in confusion, but Ganondorf was already gone, turning around the alleyway. He still found it odd, how quick on his feet the larger man was. With that build of his, he would expect him to be slow and sluggish.

His thoughts immediately went back to the situation at hand, remembering Ganondorf's order. Stay in the city for a week. Why should he?
The nagging voice at the back of his head scolded that he had to, if he planned on eliminating the foul man. Otherwise, he would have gotten right out of there, not wanting to be a part of Ganondorf's plans in any way. But maybe he could infiltrate them from the inside…?
Chewing over the idea in his thoughts, Link finally just sighed. One thing he knew was that it was getting dark and he needed to get to that inn before it was pitch black. He was exhausted and needed a bath, that the first thing on his list of priorities as he turned around and rediscovered the path back to where his temporary home for the week was.

AUTHOR'S NOTE; ;

DUN DUN DUUUN.

After a long-ish hiatus of blanking on how to proceed this story, I DISCOVERED SOMETHING! Huzzah! Anyways, my most sincere apologies for my absence. More apologies in my bio, but really, I am sorry ;_; School + Lack of inspiration = Zombie disappearing. At least this chapter provides a bit of substance! Heh. But, for those who care to review, what would you like to see in this story? Well, not an entire plotline of course, but like little tidbits and things you never see in any other stories. I may take a couple ideas into consideration, considering that this is kind of thing is rarely done and most plots are overused over and over. So, what do you guys never see and wouldn't mind seeing? C: