Chapter Four

As Link rode on Epona across the fields during that morning, Anju sat behind him holding his waist. They had left Kakariko not long after they met at the hospital and briefly ate breakfast. She realized that while taking a carriage through Hyrule to get to Kakariko City, she had not even bothered to look at the Hylian Fields around her yet. It was very beautiful; green grass, flowers, and trees. 'This is a lot better than taking a carriage' Anju thought.

"So…Mr. Link, how long will it take to get to Castle City?" she asked, hoping to break the silence and have conversation.

"It won't be long. It takes just about thirty minutes to reach it from Kakariko. And please, it's just Link ok?" he said. "So how are you feeling?" Link went on to ask.

"I can move alright for the most part but I should be fully recovered in a few short days. Thank you for asking Mr…uh, I mean Link" Anju said calling him by just his first name for the first time. "Do you know why we're going to Hyrule Castle?"

"I don't know why, but Princess Zelda said she wanted to see me, so that's why I'm going. So you said you came here to find work? Where are you from?"

"Termina" she answered. "It's a country next to Hyrule. It's little but smaller though."

"I see. Well welcome to Hyrule and I hope you enjoy your stay" Link said.

"Thank you again…Link" she replied. Although neither of them realized it, Anju held on to Link a little more tightly and allowed herself to be snuggled more against him on his back.

Now they were there: At Castle City. At its entrance, the city was protected by a fortified wall and drawbridge. But in front of that, there was a group of carpenters at work, working on projects and buildings. Recently, it had been an objective of the royal government to focus on urban and domestic development, so Castle City was growing in size as well as Kakariko was. They entered the town and saw the streets were full of people, but yet there was plenty of room to walk around. The inhabitant or visitor could stroll along the one way street and choose from among a variety of shops or restaurants. They proceeded up to the town square where there were a couple other roads to go from, but it was clear where there destination was. Hyrule Castle was north of the city and there it was, nestled at the bottom of a sea of hills and gardens even further up north.

"We're in no rush, Anju. Since you're new to this place, let's look around for a little. Princess Zelda said that she wouldn't be busy today."

"…Uhm…that really isn't necessary Link. You should get on with your business."

"Alright. But later on, there's going to be a festival here. We'll come back later sometime maybe. But I think you'll enjoy the castle up there" Link said pointing to it.

They rode up the road on the path way. Here it was less active and much quieter. They stopped when a barred gate stood in there way guarded by soldiers.

"Halt there, sir" said the guard raising his palm. "Do you have any business with the castle here today?"

"I do" Link said and showed him the letter he got from Kaepora along with royal seal. The guard needed not to ask anymore.

"Ah, of course sir. Welcome to Hyrule Castle and hello. You may park your horse at the stable just a few steps over there. Do carry on."

They did as told and parked Epona and continued walking to the castle by foot.

"You can walk, can you?" Link asked just to make sure his companion was ok. Although her body was sore and not to mention injured, a simple walk wouldn't hurt so she said that she could.

"Hyrule's a beautiful country, Link" she said walking up with him to the castle. Outside the castle, a large, pretty garden was maintained neatly in squares or rectangles and trees had grown arranged in a straight line along both sides of the main road. The castle was large and looked similar on scale to the Great Fairy Hotel, but was larger and looked fancier, but for the most part, it appeared that castle was really just one building.

"Well, I'm glad that you like it."

Within the next few minutes, Link and Anju waited in the guest room sitting at the table. They were left with scrumptious refreshments and were told by an attendant that the princess would come shortly. 'So, it just seems that she's never not busy' Link thought, but yet didn't mind either.

"Tell me about your hometown Link" Anju said as she was eating some tarts. There was really nothing better to do so there was nothing wrong with talking.

"It's a medium-sized town. Not crowded, but yet active and the life there is simple. There's a lot of outdoor and indoor activities. There's a big ranch called Lon Lon Ranch nearby too you know. They allow visitors to come and I just happen to be a friend of its owner. We should visit some time" Link explained. "But Anju, I wonder… why are you here in this country?"

But before she could say anything, the door to the room opened and there, a young woman with blonde hair wearing a casual but silk, beautiful pink dress along with some jewelry. She was accompanied by another young woman also with blonde hair and a pink dress, but her clothes and hair were very different.

"Hello Link" the lady said and bowed. She noticed his companion sitting next to him. "Hello there to you as well. I am Princess Zelda. How do you do?"

"Nice to meet you Your Highness. My name is Anju and I'm from Termina."

"Link, Anju, this here is my friend Princess Peach. She's visiting here from the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Hello and nice to meet the both of you" she said. "I can see that you too have a knight just as Mario is mine!" Peach chuckled softly saying that to Princess Zelda.

Their stay at the castle was brief. All Princess Zelda wanted Link to do was to let Aratus the scientist, know that she wanted him to prepare fireworks for the upcoming festival. Aratus was an old man who used to live in a small house by Lake Hylia, but has since then moved to Magnolia Town where he still conducted research and experiments. He had a reputation as an odd, but friendly person and was welcomed by the townfolk.

"How far to Magnolia Town Link?" Anju asked as they were to exit the city.

"It's not very far. It takes about forty minutes from here. We should get there at noon" Link anwered.

Anju observed the bags and various equipment on Link's horse Epona. But the three most noticeable things she saw were a sword, shield, and a bow with a quiver of arrows. "Link, why do you have those weapons with you?" Before answering, Link let out a laugh.

"You're full of questions, aren't you Anju?" He went on to explain: "Well, I sometimes travel and travel alone so I bring it just in case…anything happens, I'll be able to protect myself."

"And where did you get Epona?"

"From a friend of mine at Lon Lon Ranch. In fact, it's almost like I own her and-"

"Help! Help!" cried a voice.

Link and Epona turned to see a long mustached man in blue overalls with green under clothes with a matching colored cap running toward them.

"What's wrong?" Link asked at attention.

"…M-my brother Mario…he was kidnapped by some ghost with a lantern!..."

To be continued...

(Make haste! The future of this fanfic before you is in grave danger! Ye must send a note of critical response, reception, or any other comments before it is too late! Review or do not review at thy discretion. But beware of the possible consequences that may follow from neglect of this forewarning… Even so, I thank thee for taking the time to read this. May the Triforce bestow upon thee the joys of reading. 'And reviewing'...)