Legend of Zelda; Twilight Princess (Link's Journey)

A young boy blinked the sleep out of his large, crystal blue eyes. He turned to the small window by his bed. Sunlight poured into the room. The earthy scents and musical bird calls were accompanied by a man's voice. "Link! They need you up at the ranch, you should probably bring Epona." The boy hopped out of his bed and stuck his head out the window. His auburn hair shone in the early morning light. He waved at the man, nodded, and smiled.

Link pulled his head back into the house. It was carved into the heart of a massive tree. He was on the top floor with a simple bed and a dying lantern that rested on a roughly carved bedside table. He turned the lantern off and slid down the ladder to the second floor. He quickly dressed and went outside. He noticed his horse, Epona was missing. Link sighed. "Oh, Collin." he muttered to himself. Link jogged over to the small clearing framed by trees to the left of his home. He followed the dirt path and found a small pool. There stood his horse, glimmering softly from the water that hadn't completely dried off her soft fur. "Oh hi Link. I washed Epona for you. She's a beautiful horse." Collin said softly. The child was quiet and brooding therefore the other children bullied him. Link nodded at the boy gently and led Epona away. Her thick, light brown fur gleamed in the sun. Link saddled her and then quickly swung his left leg over her back. "Alright, work then." he whispered to himself. He rode Epona through the small town of Ordon, his home.

He stopped to speak to Collin's mother. She told him about the fishing rod that Collin was building with his father. "I think he plans on giving it to you, Link." she told him. "He really looks up to you." she continued. Link nodded and said his farewells. Work was calling. Epona carried him up to Ordon Ranch where the sheep herd was struggling to, well to herd his sheep. "Link! Oh thank goodness! The man rushed to Epona's side and addressed Link. "The sheep are a little ansy today, maybe you could just send them in and we'll call it a day. Link nodded and began to steer Epona toward the large group of sheep. Slowly he managed to get all the sheep into the barn before noon. "Thanks, Link. How about I set up the fences so you could practice with Epona. Also, I think Collin came by earlier saying that his dad wanted to speak to you." The rancher said happily. Link nodded and helped him set up the fences for some midday riding before going back to the little village.

After a good hour of riding, Link led Epona back down to the village. There he saw Collin's father, the same man who woke him up earlier. "Ahhh, Link. Good work up there in the ranch, we could use more men like you." the compliment made Link's face shine with pride. He was of the few older teenagers in the town. Actually there was barely anyone in the town to begin with. Population suffered when Link's parents died. Right now, Collin's mother was about to have a baby and the entire town was excited. Ilia was the other teenager in town, but she was the mayor's daughter and was always caught up with work in her study. "So I was wondering if you could deliver in my stead, you see I've been quite busy with helping my wife and I'd really appreciate it." the man asked. Link smiled and agreed. Delivering the sword and shield from Ordon to the King shouldn't be too hard, especially with Epona's help. "Great! I'll see you tomorrow then!" The man rushed off, presumably to deliver the news to the mayor.

Link walked off to the small store run by one of the families. "Oh, hello. Sorry, I'm not too thrilled today, it's my cat you see. He ate the fish that was meant for dinner yesterday and now he won't come back. Oh I feel so bad. Did you want something honey?" The woman rambled. Link gestured toward the crafty-looking slingshot. "Aren't you a little old for this dear?" the woman continued. Link grinned and handed her the money and took his prize with him. Slingshots may seem rudimentary, but they are incredibly handy around the forest. He exited the small shop and blinked in the bright sunlight that came with the afternoon sun.

Link walked over to the stream that ran through the center of the town. In the near distance he saw a jumping figure carrying an item that vaguely resembled a basket. Link raced to the towering rocks sheathed with vines and began to climb up. When he had reached the top he saw a baboon carrying a cradle. Link frowned slightly, wondering how the animal could have gotten hold of the object. He jumped across to another cylinder-shaped boulder and picked up a small plant and blew into it. A beautiful call floated out from behind the small grains. When Link had finished the call he dropped the plant and held out his right arm. A magnificent hawk rested there, it's beady, alert eyes searching Link's face. Link sent it towards the primate. When the baboon caught sight of the carnivorous bird flying towards it, he dropped the cradle and scampered off. Link quickly fetched the cradle and returned to Collin's house. "Here," he said awkwardly to the mother. "Oh thank you so much!" she showered him with praise. Link blushed slightly, but nodded. She handed him a rough imitation of a fishing rod. "Here, Collin made it just for you." she smiled happily. Link accepted the gift and murmured polite farewells before heading to the pool to test his newest belonging.

He stopped in front of the deep end of the water and cast the fishing line. He could see the various shapes swimming around and hoped to catch one. There was a satisfying tug on the fishing line. Link pulled back and gazed up at the fish. It was a small green gill. Link smiled happily at his catch and set it down gingerly on the floor beside him. Suddenly, a tortiseshell cat scooped it uo in his jaw and ran off. Link chased the animal to the little shop and realized that the cat must belong to the lady. He skidded to a stop and watched as the cat entered through the cat door.

The sun was setting and it was high time Link went home. He gathered all his supplies and walked out from his fishing spot. He noticed that he was passing the mayor's house. He saw the lights flickering inside and blinked in understanding. Whatever Ilia did, she never stopped working on it. "Oh, hello Link. They tell me you will be delivering the sword and shield this year. You're a good one to represent Ordon." The mayor puffed. He was a large, burly man with a wild, walrus mustache. How he was related to Ilia, Link could not understand. "Thank you, sir. It is an honor." Link replied. "We'll see you off tomorrow morning then." The mayor waved as Link continued on his way.