Note: Hello everyone! This chapter, I'll admit, is more of a world-building chapter, in that Link is taught about certain things that he'll need to know in the future, as well as referencing customs and practices common in the 11th-15th century of Europe.

I also did some research on medieval cuisine, specifically German, French, and Italian, as I'm referencing those three countries to give Hyrule a contemporary feel.

This chapter begins with the viewpoint of the titular Girl from Castle Town, as she's been raised completely differently from Link, and she has some biases and prejudices she's unfortunately learned from the adults around her. But these do change with time, as she matures with time.

With that said, I hope you enjoy it!

A Day in Castle Town

It was at that moment that she realized she had no idea what she was doing. The girl who called herself "Gris" had snuck out of the Castle to come here and seek the one she had seen in her dreams, but upon reaching the settlement that lay past the stone walls of the Royalty's living quarters, the young lady found that she had only completed phase one of her plan. Now, she had to find the one she was looking for. But where should she start her search? There were several people here in the town square, many of which wore green, but none resembled the one she had seen.

All except the boy she had run into, but it couldn't have been him, he was much too young.

Her blue eyes surveyed the area around her, taking in every detail that she could. While she hadn't found the man she was searching for, she found herself steadily becoming lost in what lay before the girl's eyes. She had never been outside of the Castle grounds, so, even if she had a mission, the sights and sounds were overwhelming, as well as beckoning and tantilizing. Surrounding the blonde were stands selling various wares, some providing local products while others held more exotic items, surely from places outside of the country. Most likely Labrynna, given the land's kingdom was in good standing with Hyrule's, but there were a sparse few that contained objects and produce that hailed from areas outside of the King's land, a place full of arid sand and an endless desert.

Other nations surrounding Hyrule had set up trade routes that extended from the capital of their ally Labrynna to the more distant and less populated Holodrum. A good degree of spices and exotic items came from Labrynna, and they also provided provisions and troops during the civil war that took place. The Princess had yet to be born, the Queen having delivered her first and only child two years after the war's end. Since then, almost every settlement surrounding the Castle was destroyed in the ensuing chaos, the King had commissioned the town surrounding his palace to be expanded, allowing those without homes to find shelter within the new homes made for them. The girl didn't know exactly why, but she suspected that this was to make amends for the damage caused during the conflict that took place.

He's just trying to establish good relations with everyone, Gris thought. Even if she didn't agree with it, she knew the King just wished to avoid any more potential suffering for his people. Still, I think he's being a little too friendly with that man from the desert.

From every corner of the town square, people were selling their wares, Gris's vision engulfed by the multitude of colors and shapes before her. Familiar items such as seasonal fruit and vegetables, including cherries, squash, okra, and stone fruits (peaches, plums, apricots) were presented, but also food such as bananas, bitter oranges, and pomegranates. She had seen them before, of course, but she had only seen produce in such a state before it was cooked. Despite her father's adoption of what many were calling the "peasant's diet," all food was to be prepared before eating for reasons regarding health. After all, the old proverb "Beware of green salads and raw fruits, for they will make your master sick," was a belief held by everyone for years, even those that didn't live in the Castle.

Ms. Meg told her such as well, although she believed it was just to get her to eat her vegetables. No one but her had to follow her father's eating habits, and while some of the food hadn't been all bad, she would've much preferred the variety of pies and tarts being sold on other stands. Baked goods of dried and preserved fruit, ground-up chickpeas, cheese, or even a variety of meats. Still, the options would be more limited compared to what Gris had in the Castle, as everything present for sale was based on the season, and seeing as this was the month of July, the conditions allowed for specific crops to grow without much issue, but meat always required much more time. Even for her, it would be some time until she could have beef again, for the cows were still grazing and wouldn't be ready until the winter months.

Gris wasn't too bitter about that, seeing as she preferred pork anyway.

Stands were also selling fried delicacies and pastries, the blonde recognizing a great deal of them, although her consumption of the breaded treats was limited. Her father didn't wish for her to consume food made with animal fat, so her desserts mainly consisted of sliced fruit with a sparse spoonful of sugar. Speaking of sugar, spices that hailed from outside Hyrule were also displayed, ranging from well-known flavorings such as black pepper and cinnamon to rarer powders like nutmeg and ginger. Salted meat and summer sausage hung out, as well as freshly caught fish from the Zora's River, as well as some crustaceans and underwater plants, including seaweed. All of these and more were present at the market in Castle Town, and, upon seeing it all, Gris had momentarily forgotten why she had come in the first place.

"Hey! Thief!" until she heard a voice shout to the left of her. She turned to see that the boy she had run into was in the grasp of an enraged vendor, the man holding the green-clad youth tightly by the arm.

"Whoa, hey, mister! Let him go!" Gris shouted, running over to Link and the stand's owner, an array of cherries and other stone fruit presented for all to see. "What's the problem here?"

The vendor was a bearded man with an apron, green pants, and brown shoes, and, judging from his expression, very irritable. "This little brat here decided that he was just going to steal one of my fruit!" he answered the girl. He then held up the apricot the boy had replaced with an apple.

"That's not true!" Link protested, still trying to release himself from the man's grip. "I didn't steal it! I traded for it!"

Both Gris and the man were puzzled. "Trade? What are you talking about?" he questioned. Link opened his mouth, but it seemed that he was unable to produce the words needed to speak. The blonde girl looked on in confusion. What was wrong? He was talking fine just now, what had changed? "Look, I don't have time for your stupid games, kid!" the vendor told Link. "You pay for that with ACTUAL rupees, or I'll have that guard over there take you off to the dungeon!"

Gris looked over and saw that, indeed, there was a guard nearby, just one of several stationed around Castle Town to make sure that no one caused any trouble. Curses, she thought! She couldn't be seen, let alone potentially be recognized! If she was caught now, then all her efforts to sneak out would be for nothing! "If it's money you want," she said, stepping in and producing a small purse that was attached by a loop of leather around her shoulder. "Then name your price," she then opened up the purse and Link peered over, curious about the contents inside. "I think I've got this covered."

Link's blue eyes, as well as Navi's, grew large upon viewing what was inside the small satchel. They appeared to be small rocks or stones, yet unlike those he had come to know, Link saw that these objects were splashed with an array of colors. From greens to blues to reds, and even some purple, each stone was unique save for one feature that linked them all together. The rocks were all fashioned into the shape of an elongated diamond, where the mid-sections were longer, almost rectangular. Just as he wondered what these objects were used for, the boy in green watched as Gris pulled out one of the stones, a red one, and handed it over to the vendor.

"Would this be enough?" the blonde girl asked, the man swiping the stone from her hand and studying it.

"Hmm...all right, fine. It's twenty rupees anyway," the vendor said, handing Link the apricot. "But tell your friend to bring his rupees next time! Otherwise, he might not be so lucky!"

"Yeah, I'll do that," Gris answered. Then, she grabbed Link and pulled him away. "Don't worry, my father," she said, but quickly corrected herself. "I mean, the King, doesn't send children to the dungeon," she wasn't even sure if the Castle had a dungeon. "Still, I have to ask, what were you thinking? You can't just go and take things from people's stands!"

"I...I wasn't!" Link protested. "I t-traded!"

"Traded?" Gris questioned, raising a brow.

"Perhaps I should explain," Navi said, fluttering in between Link and Gris. "It's a system of exchange where he comes from," she told the girl. "It's a form of payment, in a sense."

Gris blinked. "Wow," she said. "You ARE clueless."

Link gasped, offended. "A-Am not!" he then took a bite out of the apricot, allowing the juices and texture to soak into his tongue. It was soft to bite into, and the flavor was sweet with a little bit of sourness.

Gris looked at him with abject horror as he consumed the raw fruit. "Well, that settles it," the blonde girl continued, taking Link by the hand, almost dropping the apricot. "It looks like I've got to watch out for you."

"Um, that's MY job," Navi interjected. Then she glanced at Link. "Although," the fairy admitted. "I am not too knowledgeable about the customs of this land."

"Much less eating habits," the blonde girl murmured. "Ok, then," Gris turned her attention to Link, who had finished the apricot. He held the pit of the fruit in his hand before putting it in his pocket. It looked like one of the Deku Seeds he used for his slingshot. Perhaps it could be useful as an extra set of ammo. "You heard the fairy. You're with me now." Before Link could protest or argue with either of them, the boy was pulled forward by Gris, being led around by the hand as she searched the ever-growing crowd of people, both buyers and sellers alike.

"If I may," Navi questioned the girl. "Just who are you searching for again?"

"I'm looking for the one that's been summoned here," Gris replied. "The Hero," she then looked back at Link. "But don't get me wrong, I'm looking for the Hero of Hyrule," she clarified. "You're just the Hero of the Kokiri, right?"

Link nodded. But still, if he wasn't the Hero she was looking for, then who was it? As if reading his mind, Navi asked for him. "And just what's so different between Link and him?" the fairy questioned. "After all, the Great Deku Tree himself tasked him with delivering the Kokiri Emerald to the Princess herself."

"Shh!" Gris hushed. "Don't talk so loud out here!" she chastised. "And any talk about stuff like that has to be private," she paused, taking a moment to look around the area, trying to spy for anyone that could've been listening in. "There may be spies among us at this very moment."

Link was surprised to hear this. Spies? From where? And who were they spying for? Was it the same enemy that the giant owl spoke of? He was about to reach for his sword, but Gris made a gesture to stop.

"No way! You can't take that out here! You'll attract the attention of one of the guards!" the girl gestured to one of the men clad in armor that was stationed near the entrance of the town coming from Hyrule Field.

"And just what are you two up to?" a voice asked from behind. Both Link and Gris turned and found themselves face-to-face with another pointed-ear man clad in armor, only the metal of his protective gear was shining white. His legs were covered by violet tights with golden lining down his outer legs, and portions of his armor were even cast in gold. He held a spear with a bright, red flag tied to the pointed end, and his eyes were concealed by a heavy helmet.

Link was startled at the armored man's sudden appearance, but Gris looked to be terrified. What was wrong? "C-Captain Viscen?!" she appeared to be familiar with the well-dressed knight.

"Yes, that's me," he said, raising a brow from underneath his helmet. "And who are you?"

Gris froze. She prayed he wouldn't recognize her voice. "Uh, well, I-"

"Is that a sword you've got with you?" the tall guard questioned Link, gesturing to the handle peeking out from behind the boy's back. "You're a little young to have that, aren't you?"

"Well, isn't it obvious, Sir?" an unexpected but familiar voice made itself known, and the guard turned to face a young, red-haired girl. "He's just getting ready for Princess Day."

Link was overcome with confusion. Princess Day? He looked at Navi to see if she had any idea as to what they were talking about, but she too had no idea. The most she could offer was a shrug. Yet Gris's seemed to light up as if the red-haired girl had just given her what she needed at that moment.

"Y-Yeah, that's right! Princess Day!" Gris told the Captain, nodding along with her words. "He's just trying out the costume his mom made him! He's wanting to dress up as the Hero!"

"The sword's just for show," the red-haired girl added. "It's not real."

"Yeah, I mean, look," Gris continued to talk, taking ahold of Link and turning his body, allowing the taller man to see his shield. "This is made of wood. He made this himself," she then looked at the green-clad boy. "Isn't that right?" Link looked at the other blonde, still puzzled as to what she was talking about. Then, he felt his hand receiving a tight squeeze. "I said, isn't that right?"

Finally understanding, Link faced the Captain and nodded, agreeing with the two girls. Yeah, that was it! He was dressing up as the Hero! Even if he had no idea what the Hero even looked like. Or anything else about him.

Captain Viscen gazed at the three children, pondering what he had just been told. After a few moments of debilitating, the older man accepted their answer. "Well, all right," he said. "Just keep that thing in its place while you're in Castle Town," he addressed Link. "I don't want you getting in trouble with your parents so close to Princess Day," he then turned away. "All right, stay out of trouble, you three!" with that, he marched off, leaving the boy and two girls alone. Along with one fairy.

"Whew," Gris sighed, wiping her brow to rid herself of some of the sweat she developed due to her nervousness. "That was close," she muttered. Even if he was a good man, it was clear to everyone that the Captain of the Royal Guard was a total dolt. Still, his inability to recognize her would serve her well, if she knew where to start searching. "Anyway, speaking of the Hero, come on," she said, grabbing Link's hand again. "We've got to get looking while there's still time!"

"Time for what?" the redhead questioned.

"Oh, uh, nothing," Gris answered. "Nothing important."

"Sounds important," the other girl remarked. "Where are you from? I don't remember ever seeing you in Castle Town before."

The blonde, red, and pink-dressed girl shifted in place, trying to conjure up a response. All the while being completely ignorant of the fact that her "partner" was fascinated by what was occurring a short distance away. And whatever it was, it was certainly more interesting than whatever this Gris person had going on. And just what was this Princess Day?

"I...I'm Gris," Gris began, the gears in her mind spinning, trying to produce a satisfactory answer. "I... just moved here. Last year," she told the redhead. "From Labrynna."

"Labrynna, huh? That's quite far away," the other girl questioned. "I'm Malon," she introduced herself. "I live at the ranch outside of town."

Despite his interest being on what was going on ahead, Navi listened in on the conversation between the two girls. She then saw Link beginning to try and release himself from Gris's grip without her noticing.

"The ranch?" the blonde, short-haired girl asked. "Oh, so you're the girl that helps deliver milk to the Castle!" she said with realization. She then paused when her eyes fell on the other's hair. "I didn't know you were a redhead though," she muttered the last part, hoping to keep it under her breath.

"Huh?" Malon asked. "You say something?"

"Oh, nothing!" Gris assured her. From what she could see, this Malon didn't appear suspicious or shady, yet the blonde remembered that she had to be careful. The war was over, yet everyone knew what it meant for someone to have red hair. The King actively discouraged what he called "outdated and prejudiced beliefs," but some of these ran deep and began when the Kingdom of Hyrule was first established. Or, as the legends say, Gris was unsure.

"Hey," suddenly, the blonde girl became aware that the green-clad boy's fairy was speaking to her. "I'd hate to break up your conversation, but my boy has gone missing."

At last, he had arrived! He knew he recognized those kids from earlier! Especially the one with the feather in his stupid hat! When he had seen some other children clamoring over a stand not too far away, Link found it much more fascinating than what was going on with the two girls talking to each other. He wouldn't go far, he could still see Gris and the red-haired girl, Malon, a short distance away. He'd be back soon, Link told himself. Besides, girls usually never talked about anything interesting anyway.

"Eep!" Navi yelped, hiding underneath Link's cap. "If you're going over there, then I'm staying in here!" she then lay flat in his blonde hair, peeking out from underneath the green hat to see what was happening.

"Come on, Otto! Fire!" Liam cheered, the feather-caped boy aiming a slingshot similar to Link's own at a board with targets set up to fire at, all standing up and slowly moving on a small pathway, forcing the one with the slingshot to react fast. Unlike the targets back in the Kokiri Forest, they were smaller and there were several of them, all painted to resemble the stones Gris contained in her purse.

"I need that mask for Princess Day!" Eda added, watching as Otto continued to fire.

The mask in question was one of several faces carved out of wood, all painted and shaped into a menagerie of varying shapes. The faces were hanging on three boards near the small shooting area, divided into three sections, each with a painted stone attached to a wooded sign above each. Some were fashioned to appear human while others were based on animals, both those Link had seen and those he had not. Otto was on his last shot, and the green-clad boy saw that he needed to make it count. Then, with one pull and release, the shot hit one of the targets, one that was painted to resemble a green stone, although the brunette boy didn't seem too pleased with this.

"Shoot!" he hissed, cursing his luck. The targets stopped moving, and Otto sighed in disappointment.

Then, Link noticed a figure step out from the surprisingly deep shadows in the small shooting gallery, a man taller than all four children, yet possessing a surprisingly childlike smile. His eyes were small and almost appeared closed, and his hair was bright red, almost as red as Malon's. He wore clothing consisting of purply dyes and wore cuffs and a neckpiece of gold. His skin was fair and he bore pointed ears, signifying that he was a Hylian, but even still, Link couldn't help but think this guy was from somewhere far away. The redheaded, well-dressed figure turned his attention to Otto, Liam, and Eda.

"Congratulations," the man in purple told Otto. "Pick your price from the board over there, please."

Otto looked at the selection, disappointed. Link was unsure why, as, from what he saw, all of these masks looked pretty cool! But when he looked at the girl in the yellow dress and white cap, the boy in green saw that she too was looking through the selection. And she seemed just as disappointed as Otto had. Then, the man in charge of the stand spoke up. "Oh, just a moment," he said, coming out from behind the stand with an object in his hand. It was an extravagant mask painted to resemble a woman's face, yet with bright red lips and various colors on a canvas of white. "I just remembered, I meant to put this one on the green board. Although," he then handed it to Otto. "I think I can suspect which one you want."

Otto's eyes brightened, this turn of events unexpected, but welcome. "W-Wow, Mister! Thanks!" he then turned and gave the hood to Eda, who promptly put it on. She indeed very much resembled the Princess. Or, at least what the Princess might've looked like. No one knew exactly.

"Thanks, Otto." Eda thanked the boy, giving him a small peck on the cheek.

"Eda? Eda! Come on!" a voice shouted in the distance. "We've got to help round up the chickens for Ms. Anju!"

"Coming, Mom!" the girl answered. But before she went off, she looked back and winked at Otto.

The blush on the boy's face was obvious. "Oooh!" Liam teased, Otto's face brightening into that of a strawberry.

"Shut up!" Otto barked back.

"You like her!" Liam stuck out his tongue and ran off, Otto following suit.

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

Do not!"

The two boys went into other parts of the square. "You're not from around here, are you?"

Link was somewhat startled, the man giving him a knowing smile. How did he know?

"In fact, you look like you come from a place with lots of trees and greenery," the man continued. "Perhaps you've seen some of the Forest Children," he then looked at the boy's hat. "Maybe you've even met a few fairies yourself."

Link was frozen in place. Just who was this guy? He didn't answer, unsure of whether to confirm or deny the man's claims. But it seemed that the boy was caught, unable to worm his way out of this.

"I'm no enemy if that's what you're wondering," the man told the boy. "You could say that I'm here just when you need me to be."

Link had so many questions, all of which related to just who this guy was, and how did he know so much? Navi wondered this as well, yet instead of curiosity and intrigue, she gazed at the purple-clad individual with suspicion and caution. She was debating whether or not to say something, but before either the fairy or boy could speak, someone else did so for them.

"Hey!" At first, Link had believed it was Navi, yet turning in the direction of the noise, he saw that the fairy hadn't emerged from his hat, and the voice had belonged to Gris. The blonde girl ran to Link, clearly displeased. "What's up with you just going off?! You promised that you'd help me look for the Hero!"

"Well, maybe he's in the right place," both Link and Gris turned to see Malon approaching, the redhead having been drawn to this area as well. She then turned her attention to the man by the stand and the displays of masks. "This is a shooting gallery, right?"

The man shrugged. "More or less," he confirmed. "I'm setting up shop here, yet I still need to do some advertising. I'm a mask salesman, you see," he explained. "The fine fellow that runs the actual shooting gallery in this town suggested that I set out a game for people to try out," he then gestured to the masks. "And, depending on which target you hit, you win some of the extra products I have. "All three children looked at the display of carved faces, some beautiful, some hideous, and terrifying. But all of them seemed to have a specific meaning to them, even if none of them understood what they were. "Although, if I'm correct, I heard that you are looking for someone?" He asked, turning his attention to Gris.

The blonde girl was unprepared to be put on the spot, but she knew that she would have to stretch the truth a bit if she wanted to complete her objective. The whole Kingdom of Hyrule, perhaps even the world, depended on it. "Well, yes," Gris answered. "But, it's no one important. He's a servant at the Castle, and he's in trouble for sneaking out." It was ironic she would say that, considering what she was doing. "He liked to come here and play games, but I'm not sure where he is now."

Malon rose a brow, sensing that the girl was lying through her teeth. Still, she believed Gris when she said she was searching for someone. Someone she called the "Hero" to be exact. But still, why was she being so secretive? What was she trying to hide?

"Well, it seems that this young lady here has the right idea," the mysterious, red-haired man said, looking at Malon. "For who you're looking for would probably be around here somewhere. Especially someplace like this," he explained. "Everyone's preparing for Princess Day, you know."

"Yeah, Princess Day," Gris answered, nodding. "He'd probably want to try and win a mask for himself."

"Well then," the smiling "Happy Mask Salesman," said. "While you're waiting for him," he then went back into the stand. "Would you like to try?"

Linked pointed to himself as if questioning what the salesman had just said. He wanted the boy to try his hand at the game.

"Here," the smiling man turned his attention to Malon. "You look like you have a good shot. Try your hand at it, would you?"

"Oh, uh, sure," the redheaded girl agreed. "Although, I'm supposed to be waiting for my dad," she then muttered, "Even if he probably fell asleep along the way."

"Still, you look like a fine candidate to show how the game works," the Happy Mask Salesman told Malon. "I have a feeling about you."

"Well, if you insist."

With that, the cheery, purple-clad man got back into the stand and activated the mechanism that moved the targets. Then, to the bewilderment of the three children, seemed to vanish into the shadows cast by the overhead section of the stand. Link looked at both girls, confirming that he hadn't imagined it. Just who WAS this guy? Better yet, from what they've seen, was he even human?

After a few moments of silence, Malon took the slingshot and reached into the small, circular container that held tiny pellets used for ammunition. To the shock of both Link and Gris, struck several of the targets painted with a red stone. Just what were those called? Rupees? Link believed that was what that vendor said who nearly got him in trouble. Although, if Navi wasn't hiding, she probably would've lectured him on how social customs in foreign lands are different, so he should be respectful. Even if she didn't know any of the customs of these people either.

After the timer had run out, the mechanism stopped, and the Happy Mask Salesman emerged from the shadows once again. "Congratulations!" he exclaimed, celebrating Malon's successful shot. He then moved from within to behind the stand, gesturing to the displays of masks. "You can pick from any of these masks, as you've got the highest score."

Malon went over and surveyed the selection before her, taking in each crafted face as well as the colors that covered the wooden base. Then, she settled on one of the masks from the display with the mall blue rupee sign. It wasn't so much a mask, but rather, a hood of some kind fashioned to look like a rabbit. Its ears were long and its texture was soft, almost akin to the fur of the animal it was based on, and it had large, black eyes sewn onto the head, giving it a young, bright-eyed look of wonder and innocence.

"Ah, that one," the Happy Mask Salesman said. "That's the Bunny Hood," he then studied Malon's features. "Yes, that would suit you nicely. You look like someone good with animals."

"Well, living on a ranch helps," Malon said. She then took her mask and went off. "Thanks!" but before she went away completely, she turned back to face Link and Gris. "Sorry, but I do have to wait for my dad. He's supposed to be here any minute now. But, if we're lucky, maybe we'll see each other around sometime!" she then ran off into the distance. "Bye!"

Now Link and Gris were alone together, the Happy Mask Salesman eyeing both children. Even if his eyes were small, they had a knowing look to them, as if he could read what was on the children's minds. "Well, how about you, dear?" he turned his attention to Gris. "Would you like a try at it?"

"Me?" Gris questioned, gesturing to herself.

"Of course!" the red-haired man nodded. "After all, Princess Day is coming up, and you'll be wanting to look festive for the occasion," then went back into the stand. "Go on, shoot!" then, once again, he faded into the shadows.

Even if he hadn't done anything yet, Link still wasn't entirely sure if this Happy Mask Salesman was a friend or foe. And it seemed that Navi didn't either. "Keep an eye on him," she whispered. "He could be with the enemy."

The same enemy that had cursed the Great Deku Tree, Link thought. Well, he was here now, so he could deliver the green stone to the Princess. When he helped Gris find who she was looking for. Still, whoever this "Hero of Hyrule" was, he hoped to find him soon, as Link didn't want to wait too long to go to the Castle. He didn't want this "enemy" to gain any further advantage.

"Um, hello?" Gris's voice broke Link out of his musing. "Aren't you going to shoot?"

Oh, right! But he needed some ammo. But when he looked, he had seen that the small container containing the small pellets had been filled up again. Pulling back the slingshot, Link released a few shots, all of which hit the green rupee-painted targets.

Gris watched, a little puzzled. "Uh," she said. "You DO know that green rupees are almost worth nothing, right?"

Link stopped his firing and gazed at the blonde girl, raising a brow. "Really?" He had just been shooting at the green targets because he preferred their color.

"Yeah, really," Gris responded. "Look," she then pointed at the targets. "A green rupee means you have one unit of currency. Or, in this case, one point," she then paused for a moment. "That IS right, right, Mister Salesman?"

"Correct," the Happy Mask Salesman's voice answered, but his figure didn't emerge from the shadows. "Please, continue."

The children and fairy were somewhat unnerved, but the girl went on explaining. "The blue rupees are worth five," she pointed to the blue-painted targets. "And the red rupees are worth twenty." There were also purple rupees that are worth fifty, as well as silver and gold that were with hundreds. Yet it appeared that the game only had the three most common gems represented.

Well, if that was the case, then he had better show what he could do! With that new information, Link directed his attention to the targets of red, which were partially blocked by the moving targets of blue and green. To the amazement of Gris, however, the boy had no trouble hitting them. It seemed that he was quite experienced in using a slingshot, much less using it efficiently. After a short time, the mechanism ceased moving, and the Happy Mask Salesman emerged.

"Congratulations!" he told Link. "Please, select your prize."

Link went over and gazed at the selection, eyeing each one. Truth be told, all of them looked pretty cool. Yet then, his eyes spotted a face painted white, shaped to look like a skull with small horns protruding from the sides of its head.

"Ah, the Skull Mask!" the purple-clad salesman exclaimed. "That's a fine mask," he told the boy. "It tells of childhood innocence and playfulness," he then paused, noticing Link's face as the boy studied it. "And perhaps pleasant nostalgia."

Link looked up at the Happy Mask Salesman, once again taken aback by the figure's keen intuition.

"So, how about it?" the redheaded man questioned. "You want it?" Link nodded. "Then, it's yours, my friend." he then handed the mask to the boy, who immediately put it on.

He turned to face Gris, who, to his surprise, was startled by the sight of the carved skull with horns. "Uh, well," she said, unsure of how to respond. "That mask is...unique." she honestly had no idea why the boy had chosen that one.

"So, what about you, young lady?" the Happy Mask Salesman questioned Gris. "Will you try?"

"Me?" the blonde girl debated the man's offer for a few moments before shrugging her shoulders. "Sure, ok," she answered. Besides, perhaps she would be able to draw the attention of the one she was looking for. After all, someone like him would have to have good aim.

But the boy she was with couldn't be the one she was looking for. He didn't match the one she had seen.

Gris had taken the slingshot and began firing, but, to her dismay, she found that her aim was awful. Shot after shot, she failed to hit anything. One attempt resulted in the pellet bouncing off the side of the stand and going off into the distance, a cry of pain echoing from across the square. The girl winced in guilt, yet hoped that no one knew where the pellet came from. Still, after a short time, the mechanism stopped. Had the timer gone out? Usually, from what she had seen during Malon and Link's runs, the targets moved for a little longer.

Then, the Happy Mask Salesman emerged, but from within the stand this time. "It seems you're having a bit of trouble," he observed.

Gris bit her lip. "Uh, yeah. I guess so."

"It's all right, not everyone is perfect at first. It takes practice," he said. "Still," he eyed the girl. "It would be a shame for you not to have a mask of your own," he then whispered. "After all, you shall need it in the future."

"Huh?" Gris asked, believing that the salesman had said something.

"Oh, it's nothing," he said. "Tell you what," he then gazed at Link. "I'll let that young man fire on your behalf," he said. "But, given the circumstances, I get to decide what mask I shall give to you."

Gris was puzzled. "Why?"

The salesman smiled. "Because just any mask won't do. Not for you," he told her, smile growing wider. As if he knew a deep, dark secret that she was keeping. Gris froze, unsure of what to say. Could he know who she was? "Would that be all right with you?" he asked her.

The blonde girl was silent for a few moments. "S-Sure," she said. "Ok."

"Very good!" he then turned his attention to Link. "Now, here's the catch: you can only use one shot. And it cannot be any of the pellets I have."

What? Link had no idea what he was supposed to do. How could he fire without ammo?

"I think you have something," the salesman said. "Check your pockets."

Link checked the pockets of his tunic and found the pit of the apricot he had eaten before. Would it work? It was the only thing he had that he could make use of, so it would have to do. The targets began to move again, and Link loaded the stone of the stonefruit into the slingshot and fired, watching as the pit soared through the air. The shot hit a red rupee right in the center.

"Well done!" the Happy Mask Salesman proclaimed, emerging from the shadows, but instead, he didn't come to show Gris the masks. "Now, as I said, I shall decide the mask for you," he told the girl. Then, he studied her, taking in her features, but that wasn't all. Even if the girl wasn't entirely sure, it felt as if the man was searching through her very soul, as if he could see right through her. "Mhm, I see," he said, rubbing his chin. "Yes, I think I have just the thing for you," he then pulled out a mask and presented it to the girl.

The mask in itself was simple, fashioned to look like an animal Link had never seen before. It had a snout and black nose, along with slanted eyes and large ears. The majority of the mask was painted a bright yellow with black inner ears. Gris took the mask and viewed it, surprised at what the man had given her.

"A Keaton mask?" she said aloud.

"Indeed," the salesman said. "From what I heard, that's quite a popular mask here. It seems even the legends of Keatons extend to even here."

Legends of Keatons? What was that, Link wondered. Sensing his confusion, the Happy Mask Salesman explained. "I haven't seen one myself, but I heard that they resemble foxes with golden fur and multiple tails," his gaze then fell on Gris. "Although, I heard that they sometimes take the guise of people, particularly women."

"Oh, is that right?" Gris asked.

"Indeed," the man responded. "They hide their true selves from everyone else, especially those that they find themselves drawing close to. They believe that no one would love them if they knew who they were, so they conceal their appearance and identity. And you seem to be someone who likes disguises."

Gris said nothing, growing nervous. If he let it slip who she was, then everything would be ruined!

But, surprisingly, he merely said. "Well, congratulations to both of you! Please, visit the shop when it's open!"

"Uh, yeah! Will do! Thanks!" with that, Gris pulled Link away, the Happy Mask Salesman watching the two children go off.

"Oh yes," he said quietly to himself. "Your ruse cannot go on forever," his smile then faltered and he shook his head. "You will just bring yourself more pain."

Well, there was no sign of him. Gris sighed in frustration. "Where is he?" she wondered aloud. "He has to be around here somewhere!"

"Hey, simmer down," Navi told her, emerging from Link's hat. "I'm sure he's here," she assured her. "Although, just why do you think this Hero you're looking for is here specifically?"

"I-" Gris began, but then corrected herself. "The Princess, she said she knows he's here."

"How does she know?" Navi questioned.

"She...just does," Gris answered. "I don't entirely get it either, but she just knows," she said. "And even if he isn't here right now, he'll be coming soon," she bit her lip. "All of Hyrule is counting on him. And her."

Link was silent. This sounded serious.

"And she needs to find him," Gris continued. "She needs to find him before something terrible happens," her bottom lip then trembled. "No one believes her," she said. "No one but me, that is," she added for clarification, hoping Link and Navi would buy it. "So I have to help her. Because I don't want something bad to happen either." she tried to contain herself, but she felt her eyes growing wet, the beginnings of tears developing. Then, she felt a hand place itself on her shoulder. She looked up to see Link smiling at her.

"It's ok," Navi told the girl. "We'll help you."

Gris's teary eyes widened. "R-Really?"

Link nodded.

"Well...ok. Thank you," Gris then looked around. "Well, where do we look first?"

Note: Stopping here, but rest assured, there will be more moments with these two in the next few chapters. It's pretty obvious who Gris is, but please don't spoil it. They hang out for a bit more time before they take a trip to somewhere important, though I don't want to reveal what that is until next time.

I'll also explain what Princess Day is, as it actually is sort of a real holiday (in the Netherlands, even if it's now King/Queen's Day)

Thank you all for reading! Please let me know if you catch any errors, and I hope to hear from you!