The Legend of Zelda: The Regal Flame

Chapter 12: Resnaia

Link found that he and Epona were a great team, almost as if they were destined to meet. He barely had to tame her, as she immediately started galloping through Hyrule Field, easily and quickly responding to him.

Mari sat on Link's shoulder, holding on tight to the strap of his scabbard. "You're really good at horseback riding, Link!" She didn't have to yell over the wind; she was right next to his ear.

    "Thanks!" Link laughed. "This is my first time on a horse!"

    "Really?" Mari didn't believe it. "But you're riding like a pro!"

He laughed again. "Epona's doing all the work!"

Link tugged at the reigns lightly, slowing Epona to a stop. "Now let's see..." He pulled out his map, and checked it. "We're still headed in the right direction," Link looked up, and spotted the top of the castle.

"We're only a few miles east of Hyrule Castle, so we should travel south for about twenty more minutes. Then we should reach the edge of the forest."

Link rolled up his map, and Mari bounced up and down excitedly.

"This is so cool!" She cheered. "I've always wanted to go to the forest"

Link whipped the reigns slightly, causing Epona to calmly start walking. "I was wondering about that, Mari. Why is it you don't live in the forest, or know all about magic even though you're a fairy?"

At the slow pace they were going, Mari was able to just flutter in the air alongside him. "Well, a long time ago, a traveler caught me," She started. "Unfortunately, he was one of the few who made it out of the Lost Woods. He brought me to the Castle Town, and tried to sell me on the black market, but Impa saved me on Zelda's order. It was just something they did to return stolen valuables to their owners, but when she saw me, and how far I'd come from, Zelda decided to take me in. I've served her ever since."

     "That sounds rough." Link commented.

     "Not really. It's hard not to devote yourself if you serve under Zelda. She's such a kind person."

     "Yeah, but don't you miss the forest, and your family?" He asked.

Mari shrugged. "I don't know. I was too young, I barely remember anything about the forest."

Link smiled. "Well, let's go see what it was like! Hold on!" He then whipped the reigns, and Epona started galloping to the south.

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Impa sat on the step leading into the castle through french doors. She was out on the garden deck in the north wing of Hyrule Castle watching the little princess pick flowers. Suddenly, she held up her little hand, and turned around slowly, showing Impa the monarch butterfly that landed on her finger. "Look, Impa," she said calmly, so as to not scare the butterfly.

Impa smiled. "It's very beautiful. One day you'll be just like it, a beautiful monarch."

Zelda giggled, then shook her head, embarrassed. "Regis says he's going to be king!"

Impa pursed her lips. She loved both Regis and Zelda, but she always felt Zelda would make a finer queen than Regis would a king. She did have that sacred mark on her hand, after all.

Suddenly, the monarch flew off, and Zelda chased it. "Wait for me, Your Highness!" she yelled after it.

Impa chuckled to herself, and looked up at the sky. It was a deep blue, with clouds like artwork on the horizon. The white Snowpeak mountains kissed the heavens, and the warm sun shone down on the bright green fields. The smell of flowers filled the air, and she could hear the happy townsfolk go about their day, laughing, music playing. This was one of the beautiful days Hyrule was famous for.