Chapter VIII
“Ah,” I happily sighed. Dinner was amazing, we had tall glasses of apple cider, something that I had for the first time and absolutely loved. We also had turnip soup and for dessert we had ice cream and fresh apple pie, both things that I also haven't had before but now love. Both Link and Applejack took off their hats as a sign of respect. I’m not sure who they were respecting and when I asked they simply said that it was just a polite thing to do.
“I'm surprised you ate as much as you did, Epona,” Link said as he tugged off his shirt. We were in the barn where our beds were. I was already laying down on my back in my pile of hay and my head was resting on the pillow, Both of which were really soft. My blanket was under me so I wouldn't get stuck by hay needles, which was Link's idea.
“As am I, Link. As am I,” I said happily. I was very relaxed. After dinner we sat around the living room and Link told some stories. When little Applebloom started nodding off it was declared to be bed time.
“Ah! Hello Applejack,” Link said cheerfully. My eyes shot open at Link's voice. I must have dozed off for a few seconds.
“Howdy Link, Epona,” Applejack said, tipping her hat at us. “Ah just wanted to come by and see that y'all were squared away.”
“Oh, thank you. We got it all managed,” Link said with a smile.
“Alright, when ah get up in the mornin' ah will come by and wake you up too, we got a big day of farming in the mornin',” Applejack said.
“Sure, whatever you want us to do,” Link said with confidence.
I'm not too sure I share his enthusiasm.
“Um, look, ah have something that ah didn't tell you guys that ah should have before hoof,” Applejack said, looking like she just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
“Yes?” Link questioned.
“Well, at night these creatures from the Everfree forest like to come out. They are called Timber Wolves. They're these big wolves made out of wood. They only come out around this season, when it’s time to harvest the apples. They come out after midnight or so,” Applejack explained. “But don't worry, all the buildings are enchanted so nothing evil can enter them. So as long as you stay inside, you'll be fine.”
“Ok. Thanks for the warning, but to be honest I have fought worse than some wooden wolves,” Link said with a confident smile.
“Ah'm sure you have from the stories you tell, but these aren't normal wolves,” Applejack warned.
“Don't worry, we'll be careful,” I said.
“Alright, well ah'll let you two get some sleep,” Applejack said, turning to leave.
“Goodnight,” Link said.
“Goodnight, Applejack,” I said with a smile.
“Goodnight,” Applejack said, walking away.
Link stretched then made his bed close to mine. He blew out the lantern that was given to us and laid down next to me. We were only about a foot away. It was a little odd, to be honest. Not the distance thing, I'm used to him being closer, but being so small next to him. It’s bugging me. Only a bit of moonlight was shining into the barn, but it was still enough to make out Links face in the dark.
“Link?” I asked.
“Yeah?” Link replied, turning to face me. I paused for a moment.
“When can we go home?” I asked. To be honest I haven't really thought about how we are going to get back, as Link seemed to always know what to do. I was confident that Link knew a way to get us home. I mean, he does always come up with great plans in seconds.
“I have no idea,” he replied without hesitation with a smile on his face. Well, there goes my confidence. “To be honest, I never know what I'm doing I just go with the flow.”
I am greatly bothered by this new information.
“Oh.”
“Yeah, but the only thing we can do now is wait till morning. So it's best that we get some sleep,” Link said.
“Right.”
“Goodnight, Epona.”
“Goodnight, Link.”
~*~*~*~
My eyes shot open.
The first thing I noticed was that it was still night and Link was asleep. I waited and focused my hearing, listening for what woke me up.
Rustle Rustle Rustle
I shot up and snapped my head towards where the sound came from. Listening harder, I could make out the sound of paws on dirt. Wooden paws if i was right. Applejack did say something about wooden wolves.
I think she called them Timber Wolves.
I quickly nudged Link with one of my hooves and he shot awake. He opened his mouth but I silenced him.
“Shh, listen. I heard something outside,” I whispered to Link worriedly.
He closed his mouth and listened as well. His pointed ears were good, but not as good as mine. He still had no problem hearing the sound of rustling then a big crunch of an apple though. Silently, Link slipped on his boots and slowly drew the Gilded Sword.
“Stay,” he whispered, looking me in the eyes with a very serious expression.
Link then crept outside. I waited for a few moments in silence, my heart beating hard in my chest, waiting for what was to come. Then I heard Link yell and the sound of wood being hit. Then came the howls. Lots of them. Too many to count, as they started to blend together. I quickly ran to the barn door and kicked it open. I searched for Link, but didn't see him. I did see a group of wolves made out of branches with glowing green eyes start to run at a single point though. It didn't take long for me to figure out who their prey was. I heard more and more yells from Link and theTHWAK of a sword hitting wood. I shook my head to snap myself out of my stupor and quickly ran back inside. I dived for Link's pack, grabbed it with my teeth, and shook it around. Many things went everywhere but I paid them no attention until a silver item fell out and hit the ground. It was a long bladed dagger. I quickly lunged for its handle and pulled , freeing it from its scabbard. It was a dagger that Link was given for rescuing a blacksmith's pet cat. The blade was about 11 inches long and the handle was just long enough that I could hold it in my mouth.
With the blade in my mouth I dashed back outside only to stop, taking in the sight before me. The wolves had been slimmed down in numbers, with only about ten or so remaining. Link was fending one off with his sword when another wolf went to attack him from behind. I abandoned all rational thoughts and dashed with all my might. I sped past the wolves and entered the ring. Using all the strength I could muster, I coiled my back legs and pushed out. I soared through the air and began to fall towards the wolf. When I got close to it, I tilted my head back and swung the blade of the dagger at it's neck, slicing through it with ease. I landed on my front hooves and slid along the ground as my back hooves hit. I looked up just in time to see the wolf explode in a shower of twigs. I heard Link get the wolf off him and then swing at it. A small explosion of twigs hit my hooves. I felt Link at my side and I looked up at him. He must have saw the determination in my eyes because he smirked and got his sword ready. Two wolves ran at us. Link ran to catch one and I ran for the other one.
I ran at it headlong, its gaping maw present to greet me. At the moment before we collided, I stepped to the side and swung my blade. I felt the blade cut along its barrel and I didn't stop. Instead I ran faster, even when I felt the blade leave the barrel of the wolf. I turned towards its comrades, still sprinting. A few of the wolves charged at me but with a thrust upwards, I stabbed my blade into the jaw of one of them and in an instant he exploded into a shower of twigs. Using the momentum of the stab, I spun around and slammed my hooves into the face of another oncoming wolf, this one also exploding into twigs. Spinning yet again, I turned to the last wolf, who was smart and stayed a small distance away. Using the momentum of the spin, I flung the dagger from my mouth at the wolf. It was going too fast for the wolf to react and he soon found himself with a silver dagger sticking out of his forehead. I smiled in triumph but that soon vanished when I heard a deep growling from behind me. I turned around to witness the wolf that I didn't kill lunging for my throat, but before it could leave the ground it found itself with a sword impaling its head. It too met the fate of all its brothers and exploded in a shower of twigs.
A brief moment passed, then something odd happened. From each pile of twigs rose a green orb that had a green contrail. They stayed suspended in mid air for a few seconds, and I could only see how beautiful they and everything else looked in the greenish glow. It was truly a magnificent sight. Then, as if startled, they shot off into the dark part of the orchard. My guess is that they are heading towards the Everfree forest. I looked towards Link and he looked down at me.
I expected anger for disobeying him, but instead I got a cheery smile. I smiled back, although a little hesitantly. Then I heard the clopping of frantic hooves on dirt and saw the glow of a lantern coming towards us. Soon both Big Mac and Applejack came into view.
“Link! Epona!” Applejack shouted when she saw us. “Thank Celestia you're alright!”
“Of course!” Link said with his trademark smile.
“What happened?” she asked when she saw all the piles of sticks and twigs.
“Timber Wolves. Me and Link got rid of them,” I said, puffing out my chest in pride.
“Ah told you two stay inside,” Applejack said.
“That you did, but we felt that you would like to keep your crops from getting munched on,” Link said, resting the Master Sword on his shoulder. Despite being so sharp it can cut through metal, the Gilded will never harm its wielder. Something about enchantments that Link put on it a while back.
“While ah am glad, ah wouldn't have felt too good if either of you had gotten harmed,” Applejack said, with sadness in her voice. She would have continued, but Big Mac put a hoof on her shoulder.
“What she's trying to say, is we appreciate you savin' our crops,” Big Mac said in his deep voice.
“Not a problem. I’ll watch for their return,” Link offered, but Big Mac shook his head.
“They won't come back for a long while if they get chased off, like y'all did tonight,” Applejack said. “Thank you.”
“Of course, I'm the Hero of Time, it's my job,” Link said with a bow and another smile. I also bowed.
“Well, ah think we should get back to sleep. Big day tomorrow,” Applejack said, turning around to leave. Big Mac gave a smile and a nod of his head before turning around as well. I watched them until they disappeared into the house.
“Where did you learn to use this?” Link asked. I turned my head and he had the dagger in his hand, inspecting it.
“Oh, um, well,” I stuttered. How to explain this... “I'm not sure. It just felt natural?” To my surprise, he chuckled.
“Yeah, I know how you feel. I felt the same way when I picked up my first sword,” Link said, chuckling as he walked back to the barn. I followed him. He gave me a smirk and an arched eyebrow at the mess I had made looking for the dagger. I blushed and tried to hide it. “Here.”
I looked back at him and he was holding out the dagger with its scabbard on. I looked at it in confusion.
“You know how to use it, pretty well even. I don't think I’m ever going to use it while we are here, and you need something to defend yourself with if you are ever alone. So here,” Link said, smiling softly down at me. I didn't know what to say so I just took it in my mouth. “I'll teach you how to clean it tomorrow, ok?”
I nodded. With a smile he turned around and started to pack everything away again. I walked to my bed and laid down. I placed my new dagger at my side, in case I needed it soon.
I looked back at Link and saw that he had everything packed away and was laying on his back.
“Ya know, I don't think I’m going to be able to get to sleep anytime soon, because of that fight,” he said. I nodded at him and turned away from him, but turned right back around.
“Hey, Link-” I stopped when I heard his loud snoring. I had to stifle a giggle and decided that I needed to get some sleep as well. “Goodnight.” I said to his sleeping form. I curled up and nuzzled deeper into my blanket and within seconds I was asleep.