"That's it for today!" Shouted Link to the trainees. He was in charge of training soon to be knights of Hyrule in the castle training ground. He enjoyed teaching the teens how to use the sword after years of using one to help protect Hyrule even if no one would ever know about it
"Finally" groaned Terance, a fifteen year old boy with dark hazel eyes and bright red hair,as he trudged over to the armory to put his sword and shield away.
"Terance!" Called Link to the soldier in training, "Is there something wrong with the way I teach?"
"N-no, SwordMaster." Terance stuttered surprised by the question.
"Then stop trudging around, put your stuff away and go!" Link yelled. Other trainees started giggling as Terance quickly walked over to the armory, red around the cheeks. After the Short exchange Link took out his Ocarina and played his horse's favorite tune.
A neigh could be heard and the sound of hooves on cobblestone.
Link sighed climbing on the mounts back. With that Link and Epona dashed towards the forest where he lived. Zelda and even the king had tried to convince him to move to Hyrule town so he would be closer in case of an emergency but he always declined, having to much of an emotional connection to the strange woods where he grew up. Stopping at the drawbridge, Link turned on his horse to stare at the castle. He longed to see the princess of Hyrule but knew he had to keep his feelings for her lower on his priorities list. He righted himself and flicked the reins to continue their journey towards his home. Picking up speed, the duo crossed Hyrule field in an instant to the entrance of Kokiri forest.
The hero hopped off his ride and entered the woods. The tree tunnels and life around him was calming and comforting to him. Seeing Kokiri village he quickened his pace but stopped short. Looking near the ground he saw something reflecting the remaining sunlight available. Link took his sword and swung at the ground. A satisfying chik and two thuds were what followed. Stepping through the rest of the tunnel, he looked left to see Mido slowly sitting up and rubbing the back of his head. Looking right he saw one of the know-it-all brothers fixing his green hat and glaring at Mido.
"Mido,you know these pranks will never work." Link said feeling annoyed. Mido had been trying to prank him for months but they never succeeded. The hero heard a crunch and spun with his shield out to see another know-it-all brother jumping off the top of the tunnel aiming to hit Link with a deku stick, but got nothing except a hard clang on the hyrulian shield. The small child fell to the ground with a yelp of surprise. Link sighed and started walking towards his own house
"Link!" The adult kokiri spun on his heel to the friendly call. The man in green let a smile cross his lips as his childhood friend was dashing towards him. Even though she was still physically a child they talked like they were both adults
"Saria." He whispered to himself.
He crouched down to her height as she ran into his arms.
"Good to see you." She smiled as he hugged her tighter
"You too." Link was glad Saria was back from her week-long journey to gather the sages and discuss the problem of Ganondorf's prison weakening.
"How'd it go?" He asked curious to know if he had to beat The King of Evil again.
"It's fine, the binds were just running out of energy so we just powered them up, to put it bluntly."
"Good." Link felt for some reason disappointed that he couldn't destroy Ganon again, but happy to know that Hyrule will be safe.
"By the way there's a surprise in your house." Saria giggled. "Hero of Time." She added winking at him.
Link raised his eyebrows as he thought what it might be. Another prank, no she wouldn't do that, his favorite food, no it's to rare. Maybe something absurd like a party, not that Link was particularly fond of them. Link kept thinking while he rose and continued his walk towards his house. He climbed his ladder and entered expecting something but got nothing. He looked around and found nothing.
"The whole thing was a prank!" He thought somewhat mad that Saria would do that. He removed his shield and sheath and placed them in the corner. As he was putting them down, there was a bright flash behind him where he spun with his sword in hand, but did not see what he expected.
"Zelda!"
