To each their own, my friend xD Let me state this here and now, Rinku is in Ganondorf's clutches, Hero Garb and all. But having his Ordon clothes in his hero's shrinking pouch would be epic, haha. So many people want to hurt Ganondorf because he has Rinku now. Don't worry. Rinku is tough, hah.

-Horsing Around-

Link groaned, standing to his feet, wiping the sweat off his brow with his forearm. He glanced around again, for any sign of Rinku, but he never came back. A week ago when Ingo instructed him to paint the fence, Link went out to ask for Rinku's help, but he was gone. A week had past and he hadn't returned. Link was beginning to think that perhaps Rinku returned to his own time period or maybe he was in danger. The last thought he had was preposterous. His final thought was Rinku didn't want to be around a wimp like him.

Link shook his head, knowing that wasn't true. Rinku believed in him and he knew that. Rinku wouldn't have abandoned him, so where did he go? Navi came back and looked at Link. "No sign of him in Kokiri Forest, either. I don't know what to tell you, Link. But I think Rinku is really gone." Link bowed his head, hiding his tears from his fairy companion. The one person Link could finally relate to and talk to was gone. He let out a small sigh, shaking his head. He didn't want to think about it.

"Link!" Malon came running out, as Link looked at her. She looked frightened.

"What is it?" Link dropped the paint brush, looking at her with concern.

"Ingo is going to give Epona to Ganondorf," she reported through tears. Link's eyes widen when he heard that. Epona was Malon's horse, so the nerve of that guy to give her up.

"I won't let that happen," Link said through clenched teeth. "I'm done painting this fence." Link grabbed the paint can, as Malon and Navi followed him into the barn. He quickly changed back into his white lone sleeved shirt with chainmail over it, a pair of white tights, and his characteristic green tunic and floppy cap. He shoved on his gauntlets before looking at the girls. "I am tired of his tyranny. I am going to go talk to him."

"Please be careful," Malon whispered, watching Link left the barn with Navi hiding under his hat.

Link approached Ingo, who was standing by the race track, the horses on the inside with the gate shut. He smirked, looking at Link. "Hello boy, did you finish your task?"

"Yeah I did," Link retorted, placing his hand on his hip. "Tell me what happened here. This Ranch belonged to Talon when I came to visit 7 years ago."

"There are some people in Kakariko spreading rumors that I cheated Talon out of the ranch, but don't be ridiculous! That guy Talon was weak! I, the hard-working Ingo, poured so much energy into this place. I don't want any strangers like you saying anything bad about me!" Ingo glared at Link, who only straightened up a bit. "Listen, The Great Ganondorf recognized my obvious talents and gave the ranch to me! I will raise a fine horse and win recognition from the great Ganondorf!"

'So that's what it is,' Link thought. 'He wants Ganondorf to recognize him.'

Ingo was looking at him with little interest. "Say, young man, do you want to ride one of my fine horses? Pay me 10 rupees and you can ride." Link handed him 10 rupees and was allowed in the area where all the horses were. "Your minutes starts now." At the instant, Link withdrew the Ocarina Zelda left him and played Epona's song. The horse approached Link and he mounted her easily. He had her jump over fences and easily won back his money. As he was still mounted on top of Epona, he went over to Ingo.

Ingo was scratching the bottom of his chin an evil smirk on his lips. "Hmm...you're actually really good at this, young man. How about a little race with me? One lap around the corral with that horse. Let's make a little wager, say 50 Rupees? " Link only nodded, as he stroked Epona gently. She neighed happily, as they lined up just outside the corral. "Ready? Go!" He smacked his horse and took off.

Link breathed in heavily, keeping Epona a nose ahead of him. Ingo reached out his foot and kicked Epona. She neighed and jerked up. Link was caught off guard and fell off the horse. Then she took off after Ingo, causing him to fall from his horse. The horse he was on neighed madly, stomping the ground. Link groaned, as he got to his feet. He ran towards her, watching her. He played Epona's Song and managed to calm Epona down. He approached him and stroked her muzzle. He looked at Ingo, anger radiating off his eyes. "Why did you kick her?"

"I never said violence wasn't allowed," he got to his feet, wiping the dirt from his clothes.

"She's an animal that has feelings," Link shouted. "You don't disrespect your animals that way. And I demand we race again, because frankly that wasn't a fair one."

"Pay me 50 rupees again and we can," Ingo held out his hand. Link bit his tongue, as he took out a purple rupees, placing it in Ingo's hand. "If you win...you can keep...the horse." He whispered, but luckily Link's ears picked up every word.

"Very well," Link stated, gaining a glare from Ingo. Malon and Navi were watching by the gate, hoping Link would win.

"Ready?" He smacked his horse on the back very hard without saying go, causing Link to fell behind. Link narrowed his eyes in frustration, but pressed on. When they looped around the first pass, Ingo was in the lead by a nose hair. He did all he could to prevent Link from passing him. The second straight away Epona gained on Ingo's horse. Link leaned forward safely, watching Ingo from the corner of his eyes. They looped around the final straight away.

Epona was galloping with tremendous power throwing off Link's center of gravity for a moment. He regained his momentum and leaned forward to break through some of the wind and aerodynamics. Suddenly, Link had complete faith in Epona and she showed Ingo why they were the perfect pair. Epona accelerated at a rate so fast it created a force vacuum to everything behind it. Ingo inadvertently decelerated when Epona zoomed by, he had no chance.

Ingo passed the finish line a few seconds after Link. He was red faced, as he dismounted his horse. He walked over to the gate, gripping. "What's up with that horse?! Is that Epona? How did you tame that wild horse right under my nose?! I was going to present that horse to the great Ganondorf...but I bet it on the race and lost! Shooot!" Link grinned and he patted Epona's neck. Ingo took a deep breath and calmed down. He had a small grin on his face. "Hah ha hah! As I promised, I'll give the horse to you, however, I'll never let you leave this ranch!"

Link raised a brow, looking at Epona. "Why don't we show the self-centered mean guy that it'll take more than a gate to hold us back?" Epona snorted, as he pointed her at a fence. Navi dived into his hat. He noticed Malon waving goodbye, as he raised a hand in response. He tapped Epona's flank with his boots. She raced towards the fence. Epona bunched her muscles and launched into the air. Link leaned forward in the saddle. They clearly the fence clearly. Hyrule Field looked a bit brighter to him, as he smiled.

"Link, you did it," Navi chimed in excitedly.

Author's Note: Short chapter, but the reason being is this: Next chapter is going to be dealing with some scene that just wouldn't be right for this chapter. He won the horse and noticing that Rinku is gone/missing. Apologies for short chapter, but enjoy.