Link stood in complete dismay. It was hard to believe that his home remained untouched after all the time he was long. If what the Red Guardian said was true, then this place had also just recovered from a war, but it was hard to tell. Link began to stroll through the field, taking in the warm heat of the summer afternoon. Link still scanned the area, looking to see anything new. He looked near the Gerudo Fortress, an noticed something new. There was a huge black tower, one that was never there. It had a wide basin, with a pointed top. The top cut into the clouds, and it seemed like it was continuing to go higher.
“Avon, have you ever seen that thing?” Link asked.
“Well, I’ve heard rumors about a tower that was made to reach heaven, but I never took the time to investigate. So, where are we going to go first?”
“I plan to go see Zelda,” Link said without delay.
“Zelda? Go Link! How long have you been getting love from the Princess?” Avon asked. Link blushed, taken aback by the question.
“Whoa, it’s not like that! We’re just friends!” Link blurted. It must have looked incriminating.
“Yeah, right, sure. Link, be honest. You must have some kind of love for her,” Avon said.
“Listen, I feel something from her, but it feels like what you feel for a really good friend. Nothing more, end of discussion!” Link said with finality. Link began to walk in the direction towards the castle. Suddenly, Link snapped his head back.
“Oh, crap! I need to check on my horse!” Link exclaimed suddenly. Avon, from surprise, fell off Link’s shoulder, hitting the ground. Avon then flew up to Link’s face.
“What’s with scaring me like that? I thought that you remembered something important!” Avon yelled. Link chuckled.
“I see that your wing is all better,” Link said. Avon looked at both his wings, and grew silent.
“You’re right…I can fly again!” He declared with enthusiasm.
“So, I guess this is where our paths split?” Link asked. They had agreed to only travel together as long as Avon couldn’t fly.
“No! Come on, you need me! I could be you assistant in battle and stuff!” Avon insisted.
“Who ever said that I’m going to be in battle?” Link countered.
“Well, I can help you with the ladies!” Avon pleaded, “Nothing says sensitive like a man with a fairy!”
“Sorry to break you’re heart, but I don’t need help with the ladies!” Links said. He wasn’t cocky, but he knew women loved to be with him. He never let it get to his head though.
“Well, I…I…I can do this!” Avon began to do loops in the air.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Link asked.
“It’s just plain cool! Wait, I know how I can convince you!” Avon then flew over Link’s head and pulled his cap from his head.
“Hey, give that back!” Link yelled. He reached for it, but Avon flew out of Link’s reach. Link rubbed the exposed back of his head, and glared at Avon angrily.
“So, can I come along?” Avon asked teasingly.
“Avon…I’m going to kill you,” Link growled.
“I guess that’s a yes!” Avon put the cap back on Link’s head, and returned to his place on Link’s shoulder.
“Alright, let’s get to the ranch!” Link and Avon began to walk up the steep hill of the ranch. Link always wondered how they built this place on the highest part of Hyrule Field, and managed to keep it in order. It always confused him. It’s the hottest place in Hyrule besides the desert. Link just figured that the heat was for the horses. Link entered the ranch through the huge front gate. Inside, there were three or four wooded houses, and a stable, where all the horses were kept. Past all the structures, there was the gated field where the horses galloped and jumped. Link smiled as he remembered the time when Ingo made him and Epona, his horse, jump all of the gates, and race him. It was one of the most fun Link ever had. And if he remembered correctly, everyone here would remember it too. Link scanned the area for his horse. In the corner, he saw the reddish coat of hair that only his horse had. It had a white mane, with a white tail. It was about as tall as Link now, with a similar attitude. His horse was always daring and brave, sometimes Link believed that his horse and him shared the same mind. Another memory that came was the time when Link and Epona jumped the Gerudo Canyon when the bridge had collapsed. Link had his doubts, but Epona jumped over the gap without thinking, making it safely. Link walked into the pen, and over to his horse. He patted Epona a few times, and Epona looked at Link affectionately. Link smiled, and climbed onto Epona’s back.
“Hey, you there!” Someone yelled. Link turned to the direction of the yell, and saw a beautiful woman with short brown hair. She walked up to Link and Epona, and stared angrily. She wore a white shirt and a blue long skirt. Avon, flew to her and began to circle around her.
“Is there a problem?” Link asked.
“Yeah! I’m not going to let you steal my horse!” She yelled. Link’s mouth dropped.
“You think I’m a thief?” Link said, making the most innocent face he could, and he also pointed at himself.
“Yeah! You’re kind have been trying to steal our horses for months now!” She screamed. Link couldn’t have her screaming like that. He was afraid that people would think he was doing something to her.
“Hey, I own this horse! The ranch girl gave him to me as a gift!” He said.
“Wait, that’s not true! Some messenger just brought this here a few years ago! She hasn’t even thought about selling her!” The brown haired girl yelled.
“Why don’t we just ask her?” Link asked. He was trying really hard to keep his cool. She was ticking him off. Link got off Epona’s back, and walked towards the entrance of the Ranch. The brown haired girl led Link into one of the wooden houses, and she leaned against the wall. Link remembered this room. He played the super chicken game here. Now, all the chickens were gone, and there was a desk with two chairs across from each other. Link heard something crash, so he looked in that direction. There was a staircase, leading to door at the top. The door burst open, and a girl stumbled out.
It felt like time slowed for Link. The first thing Link noticed was the long flame red hair that fell to the middle of the girls back. It seemed to have natural highlights; making it look like the sun itself kissed it. Her eyes opened; and Link fell into her soul through the deep blue pools of her eyes. He skin was flawless, a delicate peach color. She wore a an outfit similar to the brown haired girls, but it seemed to flow better in Link’s eyes. Link’s heart jumped out of his chest from some unknown excitement. He could never remember a more beautiful woman.
She regained her balance, and looked into the room. Three men wearing cloaks all emerged. They all had blue hair and swords, the man in the middle had a gruesome scar on his cheek.
“Listen, Malon, we won’t be nice about it! Sell us that horse, or we’ll take it!” The scarred man yelled. Link’s eyes narrowed again, as his anger began to rise.
“No! I won’t sell Epona to common thugs like you!” Malon said. She scurried down the stairs, and grabbed a pitchfork from the wall. She held it to the scarred mans face. He merely strode to her spot, and unsheathed his sword.
“Listen, we’ve taken every other horse on this rundown ranch. We thought we were being nice, coming here, offering to pay for the red one. I guess we should have realized that you would be difficult!” He yelled. He then swung his sword, breaking the pitchfork, and tearing a cut in Malon’s shoulder. Malon screamed, either in shock or pain.
“That’s enough!” Link yelled. The blue haired men all faced Link and drew their swords. Link merely clenched his fists, not having a sword of his own.
“Wait! I know that glare!” The smallest man trembled, and pinned himself against the wall. “He’s the one from the stories! That man…Link, the Hero of Time!” The man yelled. Link cocked his eyebrow, mildly amused.
“Link? No, the stories said that Link left, never to return. This is just a look a like!” The scarred man reasoned. Link chucked under his breath.
“Why don’t me and you step outside and we’ll find out?” Link challenged. Link led the way, and he walked out to where the horses were. He stood in the most uninhabited place he could find, and waited for his opponent to get ready. The scarred man got in position, ready to fight. They both stared at each other, both wearing equal masks of disgust.
The scared man made the first move. He dashed towards Link, sword raised. Link dodged, and placed his hands behind his back. The guy swung again, and Link did a backbend to dodge. Every blow the man attempted, Link dodged. When Link tried rolling to dodge, the man got frustrated and tried to kick Link. Link smirked, and when the man tried to kick Link, Link did a sweep kick. He struck the mans non kicking leg, bringing him crashing into the ground. Link then leapt as high into the air as he could. When he reached his highest distance, which was clear over the houses, he came back down, using the momentum to strike the scarred man with hammer like strike. The scarred man’s body laid motionless; clearly knocked out from the attack.
“That attack probably damaged his back…I hit him with a lot of force. He won’t be able to walk for about a month,” Link said calmly. The man’s crew, who were at a loss for words, ran to their friend’s side and scooped up his lifeless body. The carried him out of the ranch, dropping him a few times. Link turned to Malon and the brown haired girl, and his eyes softened. He smiled sheepishly.
“Link, you finally returned!” Malon exclaimed. She ran to Link and hugged him. Link’s face felt like it was on fire. Link remembered Malon now. She was the girl who gave Link Epona. She looked more beautiful now then what she did in the past.
“Malon, how have you been?” Link asked.
“Up and down, It’s been easier since my assistant returned though!” She exclaimed, “Link, this is Pamela, my best friend and assistant!”
“We’ve met,” Link said, looking at Pamela with a smile. Pamela walked up to Link, very seductively. Link could feel a sweat drop on his forehead.
“I sorry about what happened earlier. Maybe I can apologize over dinner sometime?” She offered. Link took a step back.
“I’m going to be a little busy for the next week. Maybe some other time?” Link said.
“I’m Link’s faithful fairy!” Avon exclaimed He appeared behind Pamela, “I’m Avon, and I’m available 24/7! If you want, we can…” He then whispered something in Pamela’s ear. Pamela’s eyes grew big, and she quickly swatted Avon to the ground.
“Hey, you can’t do that, I’m injured…” Avon stuttered.
“Perverted fairy,” Pamela muttered. Link laughed, but tried to cover it in a cough.
“So, how has Epona been while I’ve been gone?” Link asked. A few years back, Link had Epona delivered back to the ranch.
“She’s grown to be one of the most beautiful horses we have!” Malon exclaimed. Link smiled, looking back at his gorgeous horse.
“Where’s a hero like you going after this place?” Pamela asked.
“I’m going to the castle to see how Zelda’s doing. Then I’ll probably look for somewhere to get a house built,” Link said. He hadn’t thought too much on where he was going to live.
“How about you room here while you’re house gets built?” Malon offered.
“I can?” Link asked.
“Yeah, we have that extra house. We only really use it for a monument, there’s plenty of room! Besides, we could use the extra help around here,” Malon explained. Link nodded, and flashed Malon a thankful smile.
“Sure, I’ll come by after my visit with Zelda,” Link turned, getting ready to leave.
“Link, be careful. There are a lot of Palinons in Hyrule now,” Pamela warned.
“Palinons?” Link sounded truly confused.
“Yes, there the race that lives far, far to the east. They are a fighting race, so every one of them is cunning and ruthless in a fight. Palinons all have blue hair, and most of them carry their weapons everywhere,” Pamela explained.
“Those guys I fought were Palinons, weren’t they?” Link asked.
“Yeah, they were weak though. They got their kicks from harassing women and stealing. Some, like the legendary Kitapos Elite Palinon, can kill entire armies in minutes,” Pamela warned. Malon looked at Link terrified.
“Kitapos? I’ll have to look out for them. If they’re as bad as you say, then I may be in trouble. Well, see you girls later! Avon, get up, it’s time to go,” Link said. He wore a confident look, so the girls wouldn’t worry.
Link and Avon walked to the front gate of Hyrule. The huge wooden drawbridge was down, making it easy to get into the market. Inside the market, dozens of people sold goods and bought goods. Occasionally, a thief would grab something, only to get caught the next minute. Link noticed that as he walked through, it got quieter. People looked at him curiously, some pointed, and occasionally the words “Hero of Time” would escape someone’s lips.
Link also noticed the startling number of blue haired people, the Palinons. He had never heard of one before, now they were everywhere. They all were in sections by themselves. No normal Hylian dared to get near them. And just as Pamela said, they all had weapons.
Link walked past the market and into the castle’s front entrance. Link could never get over the sheer beauty of the castle. He never understood how Hylians could make this godly structure. It baffled his mind.
As he approached the front gate, the guards looked at him with dismay. One dropped his spear in surprise.
“Hello, I’m here to see Princess Zelda,” Link said.
“Follow me!” The one who dropped his spear said. They pulled back the gate without hesitation, and the guard led Link to the drawbridge that separated the castle from the
“Why are you so nervous?” Link asked.
“I’m just curious…are you Link?” The guard asked.
“Of course he’s Link!” Avon yelled.
“Yes, I’m Link,” Link answered.
“Oh my goodness! My wife is going to be so surprised! She said I was in a nowhere job, but now I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the Savior! My names Dierro!” He exclaimed.
“Nice to meet you Dierro. I need to see Zelda, but maybe we’ll have a chat after my meeting,” Link said. Dierro took a step back in shock.
“I’m honored, but I need to hurry home after this. I work two jobs, trying to sustain a good life for my daughter. You know, trying to make ends meet!” He said.
“How old is your daughter?” Link asked.
“She’ll be one year old in a month. She’s such a wonderful bundle of joy. Even with her condition,” Dierro said.
“Condition?” Link inferred.
“Yeah, she was born with a defect. She’s mute. It’s hard not hearing her laugh, and knowing that she’ll never do so, but it’s what the goddesses intended. Maybe she’ll be a great scientist! You don’t need to talk to do that!” Dierro said. Link truly felt sorry for this guy.
“You’re a strong man,” Link said.
“Not anywhere near as strong as you!” He complimented.
“You’re right. You’re even stronger, my brother,” Link said. Link swore that he saw a tear swell up in Dierro’s eyes.
“Link, you have no idea how much it means to hear that from you! I’ll work three times harder to be even stronger for my daughter!” He said. He scurried back to his spot to stand guard. As Dierro scurried, the drawbridge of the castle opened. Link walked inside, and side the inside of the castle for the first time.
The inside was draped in different family crests and chandeliers. The carpet was plush purple and gold, the colors of Hylian royalty. The walls were a shiny blue marble, with a reflective quality. Link gasped as he took in the sight. He was a little confused on why there were no guards. He looked around, trying to figure out where to go. There was a door to the left, with a sign saying meeting room. Link walked up to it, and placed his hand on the handle. When he did, his mind was flooded with emotions. He swallowed his spit, and opened the door.
