With each stride away from Hateno, the surer I became that this was the right decision. In all my ruminations, and in the way I could hardly pick a single direction to look in, it was all I could do to hold onto Link. With my arms securely around him, I was free to look around, and look around I did.

Midla Woods sat to our left, and Ginner Woods to our right, the only distinction between the two being the name. Growing up, perhaps it was my inclination to eventually leave, or perhaps just the result of my incredible amounts of free time, though maybe it was because of both, but I studied maps quite often.

In Hateno, maps of all of Hyrule were hard to come by, but at the very least, I knew the regions of East Necluda and Mount Lanayru relatively well, considering Hateno sat nestled between them.

Leaving the Necluda Sea in our wake, if we followed this road, we'd find ourselves nearing the Dueling Peaks and then, central Hyrule, where there sat the ruins of the Castle Town and Hyrule Castle. More specifics would have to wait until I could take out the long copy of a map I packed away.

So for now, I was content as we followed the road, with dappled sunlight dancing across our faces and the sound of rustling leaves in the wind about all we could hear, save for the pounding of the horse's hooves against the dirt.

Though I didn't want to break the serene sort of silence we had fallen into, I wanted to know more about Link, about the man who had saved me so kindly, the boy stranger than any other I'd ever met.

"So," I began, and I could practically see the way his pointed ears tipped upwards with sudden attention and interest. "What's its name?"

"Hm? What's whose name?"

"Your horse," I clarified, taking advantage of the horse's smooth gait to lean slightly to one side. Link dropped the horse down into an even trot and sat up straighter, peeking at me over his shoulder. "What's its name?"

"Her name is Epona," Link answered easily.

"Epona," I repeated, distinctly noting the way her ears turned back, as though to more closely listen to whatever it was we were saying about her. "The name suits her. It's pretty."

"Thanks," Link said, smiling now. "I came up with it, actually."

"Wow," I said, somewhat indulgently because it really seemed like this was something he was incredibly proud of. "What does it mean?"

"Oh, I've got no idea," Link replied. "Just seems like she's always had that name."

Well, that was a weird answer, if ever I'd heard one, but again, he was a weird guy, so I let it slide. We lapsed back into a strange sense of quiet, one not entirely comfortable yet not one wholly uncomfortable, either. Within the span of that quiet, we soon emerged from the dual woods, and rode out into the sunlight of afternoon.

If I had to guess, I'd think that Link was taking us along the quickest route to and through Fort Hateno. With the mountain ranges Hateno's foothills gradually led to, the roads had to account for them, but the ponds and cliffs waiting at the end of these woods were attractions in and of themselves. There were roads that wound through the trees of the smaller pockets of trees, around the ponds, and along the clifftops, offering scenic views of varying degrees.

These were natural features that I had heard about, for these were the woods where our hunters went and these were the clifftops where folks would forage, and these were the ponds in which some couples would hike out to and share a romantic meal, but I had never gone. I'd always been too scared to leave the town I'd always known.

Still, if my knowledge was dependable, and my recollection of their stories accurate, then if Link had turned right while tucked within the woods, then we'd be on a sure course for the Dueling Peaks, which meant that Camphor Pond would be to our left.

Only, it wasn't.

There was a body of water to our right, but it wasn't a pond. It definitely was not a pond. It was far larger, and likely far deeper, too. As the road rose in elevation, it offered us a stunning view of what I supposed must have been Lake Jarrah.

"Oh," I murmured, "how pretty..."

The way the sunlight of afternoon sparkled off the lake was beautiful, and the wind made the water ripple slightly. I could only imagine how the water might look if entirely still and like glass, as I heard it would be on certain moonlit, windless nights.

Even from way up here, I could see fish of incredible pigment swimming toward the surface of the water to greet the sunlight as it dipped in and out from behind puffier white clouds than I think I'd ever seen in my life. On the far banks, there was a small herd of deer peeking out from between trees to drink from the lake and graze in the grass, their hooves lapped at by water.

"Yeah," Link agreed, looking out over the lake as well. "Breathtaking, isn't it?"

Thankfully, Epona stayed true to the road, though she did nicker quietly as though to ask her rider to pay attention to where they were going. I, at least, vocalized the thought, or at least made to, but he spoke first.

"I don't think we're supposed to be going up, though."

"Not if you wanted the quickest way through Fort Hateno," I told him. "This is a popular route to ride, though."

"Oh? Have you been?"

"No," I answered. "No, I've actually never gone beyond the village gates."

"So, your whole life..."

"My only time leaving Hateno even partially is to go to the beach," I told him. "But even that's not far."

"No," he agreed, "it's not. You seem to know your way around, though. Why didn't you tell me we were going the wrong way?"

"Because it's technically not the wrong way," I told him. "The roads out of Hateno lead only to Fort Hateno. Some are just longer than others."

"Oh," he said happily, "then, if we keep following this road, we'll get there eventually?"

"Right," I affirmed. "It's not too bad of a detour. There's only one way to prolong it from here, and it's... that road, there."

"Take it, or don't?"

"Depends," I said, glancing up the rockier road that went ever upwards, towards the Stinger Cliffs. "It circles the Firly Plateau. So, if you want to see them, then sure."

"Great, then," Link said, surely smirking mischievously as he tugged on Epona's reins.

Dutifully, the horse obeyed, and up that road we went. It was a sharp turn, and something about the promise of further adventure must have excited Link because he kicked into Epona's sides to bring her back up into a canter. With long strides, Epona crested the hill and even once the road evened out, she did not slow. Her rhythmic gait allowed for a smooth ride as we took in the sights around us.

This road was one with frequent turns, but Epona didn't seem to mind. For our part, Link and I just took it all in: the higher cliffs looming to our left, the downward slopes leading down towards Lake Jarrah to our right. Groupings of trees came and went, and soon, one rose up on our left, only a short trek off the road.

"Oh, perfect," Link said, looking up towards the trees. "Lunchtime!"

I didn't even get to vocalize my surprise before it was cut off with a startled oof as Link slowed Epona suddenly. With a neigh she slowed almost completely to a stop, then as instructed, she turned and bounded up the hill and into the trees.

The oof was only the result of such a sudden stop as my chest slammed into Link's back. He didn't seem to mind that, nor did he seem to mind the way I grasped onto him tighter so as not to fall off Epona's back.

"Link," I exclaimed as Epona finally slowed to a stop now that we were on even ground within the trees.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"A little more warning next time might be nice," I muttered, though I couldn't doubt the rush of adrenaline flowing through my veins at the slight bout of excitement. As everything calmed back down, Epona pawed the ground and Link looked at me over his shoulder once more. When he met my eyes, his smile only grew.

"Sorry," he muttered sheepishly, though I could tell he really wasn't sorry. And really, there was no reason to be, because now that I was smiling too, it was clear I hadn't minded it at all. "Just a part of adventuring, (Y/n)."

"Right," I said with a laugh, detaching myself from him.

"Now then," he said almost triumphantly, "it's time for me to eat."

"...You didn't eat something earlier?"

"Oh, sure I did," he said, carefully getting off Epona and dropping to the dirt. He then turned and, with bright eyes of cerulean that seemed to glow even though he was shaded by the trees, reached towards me. Taking the hint and his hand, I allowed him to help me from Epona's back and he only let go when I was standing securely on my own feet.

"Hungry again already, then?"

"Yep," he replied easily. With even steps, he crossed the small clearing we found ourselves in to reach one of the trees. After stepping over an impressive criss-crossing of roots, he set his hands on his hips and looked up towards the tree's branches. "Those apples up there should do the trick."

"What are you going to do, climb up there?"

"I can," he said, backing away from the tree now, "or, I can do something much more fun and impressive."

"Impressive," I repeated almost incredulously, but it was more playful than anything. "And just who are you trying to impress? Epona? Hasn't she been subjected to enough of you and your antics already?"

As though understanding me, and agreeing, Epona snorted. I reached up to scratch her neck, and together we watched Link detach his bow from his shoulder and pull an arrow from the quiver at his hip.

"Very funny, you two," he commented. "But we'll see who's laughing in a moment..."

Epona and I shared a glance, then returned our attention to the boy before us, trying to put on a show. Slowly, with all the concentration in the world, Link nocked the arrow, lifted his bow arm, drew the arrow back, let out a breath, and...

Completely missed the apple he was aiming for.

Alright, I couldn't help it. I laughed. I laughed, but I did try to hide it behind my hand. Epona did nothing of the sort, and actually seemed to let out a loud braying sort of noise that sounded like laughter, which in turn made me laugh some more. Honestly, I didn't know a horse even could laugh.

Link turned to us in a huff, but at the sight of us laughing, seemed to deflate a little. "Ok, ok," he said, setting his bow over his shoulder. "I get it. It's funny. Mind easing up now?"

"I'm sorry," I said, sobering up. I lifted one hand to wipe the tears that formed in my eyes away. "Just wasn't expecting Epona to laugh, that' all."

"Oh, sure," he muttered. "Blame it on the horse."

"Anyway," I said, choosing to ignore his comment, "hold on a minute." Curious, Link watched as I reached into one of my packs. "I packed a few things away. I was planning on saving them for later, but if you need something to hold you over until dinner, then..."

Link's eyes widened as I produced two small pastries from my pack. A smile erupted onto his face, and he rushed over. I handed him one, and before I knew it, he had me by the wrist and was bringing me over to where a log had been cut down long ago. Though rotting on the ends, and surely covering up all manner of bugs, the log was sturdy and provided a good place to sit, and so that's what we did.

I unwrapped my pastry far slower than Link did, but I didn't realize he would finish his before I could even take a bite of my own. I paused in lifting the snack to my lips out of pure astonishment that any Hylian could eat so quickly.

"Mm," Link hummed happily. "It's really good!"

Without even really thinking about it, I held the pastry towards him. "Here, then."

"Huh?"

"Take it," I said.

"No," he protested right away. At my silent refusal to accept his protest, concern found his eyes. "(Y/n), are you sure?"

"Yeah," I said surely. "Go ahead. I had a big lunch."

"And... you're sure?"

"Link," I said with a laugh, "I already said yes, so take it!"

Link allowed himself to smile, and though still seeming hesitant to do so, he took the pastry. He looked at it for a moment, then... split it in half. When half was presented my way, I did little more than balk at him for a moment. "Take it," he said, echoing my words from before."

"Link," I said, "are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," he said, laughing openly. "It's not even my place to give it away!"

"You're the one who was hungry," I argued. "As I said, I had a big lunch and-"

"(Y/n)," he said surely, "just take it. Please?"

I had no reason to say no to him, and honestly, the gentle smile on his face and earnest gaze made it impossible to even try.

So, I took half, and now satisfied, Link ate his piece. I did as well, and now happy and somewhat well-fed, Link leaned to one side and unclipped from his belt a strange tablet. It was the one I saw before, made of material I'd never seen before. Its surface was impossibly smooth, and when it started to glow from a source I couldn't even hope to understand, I couldn't help but lean forward to see it better.

"What's that?"

"A Sheikah Slate," he answered, using the pad of his finger to seemingly navigate through it. Before I knew it, a map encapsulated the whole screen, and I let out an audible wow before I could even stop it. "Cool, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I breathed out. "Sheikah Slate... so, what is it, exactly?"

"Uh, a lot of things," he told me. "It was the only thing given to me when I... Well, I've had it for a while. And it has a map, and I can pin things I see to it, and-"

"How? And what do you mean pin?" I hadn't meant to interrupt, but now it seemed there was no end to my curiosity on the one single topic. "Hyrule is huge; do you mean to say you see something in the distance and guess its location? And I suppose a pin is a marking on the map, but it's so small and can you even see the roads when it's so-"

"(Y/n)," Link said, cutting me off now. Thankfully, it didn't seem he took too much offense to my interjection. "It's a lot more involved than you think. Here."

He held the tablet towards me, and carefully, so carefully, I took it in hand. But whereas a moment ago it was illuminated and glowing, when it was settled in my palm - no, before that, it was actually as soon as the tablet made contact with the skin of my fingertips - it went dark.

"Huh? Strange," he said, taking it back.

No sooner did Link's hand touch the tablet did it begin to glow once more. We tried once more, but it seemed it would not allow itself to be used in my hands. It was confusing, but didn't deter Link.

To mitigate the problem, he slid closer to me on the log and leaned closer so I could see more clearly as he navigated across the map. He could zoom into certain sections, leave markings to point out things he had seen, and then he demonstrated the pins.

Lifting the tablet up in front of his face, it took little prompting from him for the tablet to become a lens of sorts. I'd never seen anything like it. It was as though the screen didn't exist, for he seemed to look right through it, only amplified. And he tapped the screen at a tree and there, in that exact location on the map, there now glowed a pin.

"Incredible," seemed to be the only word I could think of, and so I said it. "Link, that's... incredible. You said it was given to you? Who could make something like this? Oh, the lab director maybe," I mused, without even really realizing that I was rambling again. "I've got no idea what she could possibly be getting up to in there, but to think that something like this even exists is incredible."

"It's less that I was given it and more that I found it, actually," Link clarified. "It wasn't lost or anything though, and I didn't steal it, if that's what you're thinking. At least... not that I know of."

Cryptic though the words were, I found it in me to laugh. "The fact that you're so sure is reassuring," I said playfully. With little else to say, I returned my attention to the map just as Link did.

"Thank goodness you know your way around here," Link said, his intent focus still centered on the tablet. "I can't believe I almost got us lost so soon, and all because I was trying to show off..."

I chuckled lightly. "You were showing off?"

"Yeah," he answered, now sounding a bit offended that I hadn't noticed. "Kinda just trying to make adventuring seem like a lot of fun..."

"Well," I said, pretending to consider it, when I knew damn well that I already had my answer, "I think it might have worked."

At that, he beamed, and I hid the true extent of my smile by looking away.

"I guess not checking my map is a good thing, sometimes," he said.

"At any rate," I said, pulling my paper map out from one of my pockets, "it certainly puts mine to shame."

Link chuckled, then looked down at his map once more. Figuring I should let him focus for a moment, I stood and crossed the clearing to where Epona was grazing peacefully. This was a serene place, with the gentle sounds of nature all that found us. Birds sang to each other, and the wind brushed through the leaves, and somewhere, a woodpecker was carving a hole for itself.

It was peaceful, and it was calm, and it was beautiful. I was just reaching into my pack for a carrot to give to Epona when I caught sight of movement, and heard movement, and froze. I didn't know what to do, for a moment, as my body and mind caught up with my instincts.

The movement was close, far too close.

But I knew within that moment that already, it was far too late to act.