~Kara's POV~
The sun's heat bore down on the back of my neck as I trudged on,taking no shortcuts this time. "Ugh,why does it seem so much farther away than last night?" I complained to the dusty road,trailing away through the mountainous region. And its so darn hot in the daytime! I glance longingly at the shallow wetlands situated across the field from me. Giant twisted trees cast shade on the grass beds around them at the edge of the cool pools of spring water. Stopping,i think "just for a few minutes" After I take off my leather boots I soaked my sore feet in the cool water,thankful for their soothing effect. I squish the mud between my toes,thinking of how Mother would reprimand me. "I kind of like being out of my parents sight." Just when I decided to stay a while longer, a distant whistling sound surprised me. I whip around to see where it's coming from,I must always stay on my guard,Hyrule is not the safe country it was a century ago. I squint my eyes,and scan the area in the direction of my hearing,and spot the source.
Underneath a gnarled oak,a boy laid in the wispy grass. His eyes were closed,and he held an ocarina to his lips,blowing a strange and enchanting tune,Not far from where I stood
"Who is that?" I queried in my mind
He must not have heard me,I'm naturally quiet when I'm alone... "I'm just going to quietly step out" Ok one step... his eyes are still closed. Two steps... doing good.
Thr— "AHHH!" My foot slipped out from under me in the slimy mud,and with an unnecessary scream I go down. I hear the boy gasp,as I catch myself with my hands. I look slowly over at him,trying to hide my red face. He was looking at me wide-eyed,gripping his sword. I laugh nervously and try to stand up,failing and wishing Hylia would take me now.
He stood up also,and apparently didn't believe me to be a threat,leaving his sword in its hilt.
I analyze him warily,remembering stories of Yiga Clan members disguising themselves as common people. I guessed him to be close to my age,and a few inches taller. His tousled blonde hair hung around his elfish face,and he wore a bright blue tunic.
But what really grabbed my attention was his eyes. I've always been a sucker for eyes. Big,clear blue orbs,and thick lashes.
My word stop Kara! I push these thoughts away and realized this guy looks familiar! I've seen him... In the village! He's the owner of the old house across the bridge,rarely living there. What did the sign in front of his house say... Leo? Lonk?no...Ll- Link!
He comes to me and reaches his hand down for me,smiling slightly. I almost accepted but then noticed my mud covered hand. I showed him,but he just laughed and shook his head. So I let him pull me up,noticing his unexpected strength,using one arm to effortlessly pull me out of my muddy predicament. "How embarrassing" I think
Link then awkwardly looked at his feet,rubbing the back of his neck, "You're Link right?" He was visibly caught off guard,and stuttered "Y-yeah..." I try to salvage my clumsy first-impression by acting confident and unfazed,holding out my hand that I just now remember is dirty too. "Kara you idiot" I start to perspire,having humiliated myself once again,but I went on "I'm Kara Hateno." He simply smiled and shook my hand,looking down at our now equally muddy hands. "Oops. Heh,sorry bout' that..." I forced a smile that probably made me look like I was baring my teeth at him,but he just chuckled and said "uh...I-ive seen you before,y-you're... Mr.Hatenos daughter?" I hid my hands behind my back "Heh heh,yup!"
Link sat back down on the grass and patted the spot next to him. "Um,y-you can also rest here I-if you want to." I thought for a moment,it wouldn't hurt,my parents don't know how long it takes right? I accepted and plopped down beside him. Looking sideways at this mysterious (and cute) young man,questions start to form in my mind. "I wonder if it's ok to ask..."
But before I could muster the pluck to inquire about him,he timidly asked "So... why're you so far from town?" I closed my eyes,not wanting to think about that. "Should I tell this stranger?" For a moment we probed each other eyes, and a feeling of trust settled the atmosphere. He didn't speak much,but I felt that he was sincere,and trustworthy.
And something more than just a regular Hylian boy.
He listened to me open up my heart,and spoke nary a word as I told him every detail of what happened. I finished up my story by saying "But maybe Pele was right... Perhaps there is hope in the darkest of times."
Link leaned his head back,brooding over his words. He then turned on his side and stared into my eyes. "Kara,Pele was right. She's been a close friend to me,and I trust her wisdom as a gift from Hylia." He quietly told me.
I whispered "Thank you..." Link nodded and leaned against the tree trunk. "Say,Link,how come you don't stay in Hateno very often?"
For probably 3 hours he told me all about his adventures,and I told him about my dreams to have my own. I felt like I'd known him for years,and we'd only just met. The more we talked,the more he opened up,but when I asked him what he wanted to do in the future,his eyes turned stony and he said nothing.
The sun was setting already. I felt a bit bashful,getting up and putting my boots back on. "Well,er- I'd better get back home. I wouldn't be surprised if my family's putting together a search party." Link packed up his stuff and said he was coming. "I'm headed there anyways." And so he walked beside me all the way back.
It was nighttime by the time we got to the village,and I felt like I could just drop and go to sleep right in the middle of the road. I noticed that up the hill,at my house,all the lights were on. "I hope I don't get in trouble..". I walked with Link until we got to the bridge. I stopped and looked around awkwardly. Link looked down opened his mouth to say something,closed it,turned around,then back around again,and stared straight at me. "K-Kara? " he rubbed the back of his neck frantically "I hope we can b-be friends!" I suddenly felt all warm and fuzzy inside, "Of course Link!" I gave him my sunniest smile "I want to hear about all of your adventures!" He looked relieved and happy,and smiled back. I started feeling embarrassed again,and I waved goodbye and started running back to my house "See ya Later!" I yelled halfway up the hill. He was still standing on the bridge and waved back. I had forgotten all about my sadness until I walked in the house where my whole family was sitting at the cleared table,discussing me.
I groaned inwardly "I have to explain again."
