Edit: I got third place!!!!

First place is : [link]

Second place is : [link]

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Link sat down in the thick grass with a sigh of relief. Taking off the Master Sword and his Hylian Shield, he placed them to the side, then looked up at the bright sky.

He'd been riding Epona for hours, and both of them needed a rest. His beloved horse grazed contentedly, switching her tail from time to time, or pawing at the thick grass beneath her large hooves.

Letting his mind wander, Link remembered the last time he had seen Princess Zelda. Seven years ago. It seemed like an age.

It was right after she had played the Song of Time, for the last time, sending Link back to his childhood. He had then gone to the courtyard of Hyrule Castle, and there she was, by the window, looking in on her father's Throne Room. Just like the first time he had ever met her.

Even now, seven years later, he remembered her words.

"Link, Hero of Time. You have redeemed this land, and I thank you, with all of my heart." Zelda smiled, and looked deep into Link's eyes. "Even though you and I are the only ones who know about it." She giggled, then became solemn. "Come back to me, in this courtyard, in seven year's time. It is then we will meet again, the way we would have, even if all of this had never happened."

She hugged him, and for a moment they were just two children...just two friends, who between them had a tale that was too glorious, too entrancing, and too dangerous to put into words.

"Go now, before the guards come. I will look forward to the day you come." And he had run, looking back only once, to see her raise a gentle hand in farewell.

Link shook his head to clear his thoughts. The warm sun was making him drowsy; he needed to get moving. Epona had ambled back over to him, chewing slowly. He looked at her and grinned, then his gaze swept over the beautiful field.

Knighthood. That was what Zelda had told him. She would give him the position as a knight to defend Hyrule.

And still, even though that was something he had always dreamed of as a small boy in Kokiri Forest, he was a little anxious. Having been through enough sword fights and battles to call for an entire volley of knights, he was an obvious choice for the promotion. But serving under Princess Zelda...no, he would never, ever fail her, or the Kingdom of Hyrule.

Standing up, he ran a hand down Epona's kind face and then, surprising himself, laughed out loud. He had waited so long to see Zelda again, he had so many new stories to tell, to share, to see her again! He had waited.

Seven years, in fact.

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My entry for *Clopina's contest!

I finally finally finally got it done! And you got a taste of my writing as well. I hope it's okay.

Behold my amazing title! If you know what it's from, for you.

This actually wasn't the picture I had in mind, but this is what I ended up drawing, so it worked out. The theme of the contest was "What happened after one of the Zelda games" and my picture isn't a what happened as much as a "what's going to happen."

And I know he wouldn't have the Master Sword, because in the game he returns it to the pedestal, but I drew it in because I feel like Link just needs it.

Not only does this picture have a person in it, it's a full body picture, and a full body picture in a really hard pose for me, and it's LINK!!!!!!! Yup.

I luff my clouds.

I know Epona's a little small, but I don't know what happened. I made her pretty large, but then when I saved it, she was small again. Let's just say she's standing a little ways behind Link.

I really do like how this came out, I feel like it really looks calm, and warm, and very "Hylian." Lol. And I just love drawing OoT Epona. She's so dang gorgeous. Her saddle doesn't like me though. It was giving me quite a hard time.

So anyway, I can't think of anything else to say. I hope this is an alright contest entry, as it's not exactly related to the theme. Thanks for looking!

P.S. does anyone want me to post a close-up shot of Link and Epona?

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Photoshop CS3 with my Wacom Tablet
Estimated Time: 5 hours
No references, except for colors.
Young Link and Adult Link images found on google.
Detail shot here:

No critique requested.

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time(c) and all related characters(c) Nintendo
Artwork(c) Me, =Twilight-Realm-Child
DO NOT TOUCH ARTWORK. EVAR.