Of Course, Impa had been more Concerned about Zelda's safety then the treasury. even if the field and moat somehow kept most out the castle, the vaults were better guarded then the young hero could say Zelda was, as far as the normal soldiers went. So when he snuck in to see one of the few people he could genuinely talk with about some of his adventures, only to find out the Lens of Truth he'd returned to Impa had been stolen...
Safe to say, Link had to blink the ice out of his eyes. The Lens was a mighty tool, and not something some thief or Worse needed to own. It was a no-brainer to offer to hunt it down and get it (and the other stolen treasures) back.
There was a silent gratitude between them that the Ocarina was nowhere to be snatched at the time. That was safe and secure in his pouch. There wasn't much of a description to go by,a side from rounded ears, but it was no Gerudo. After all, the only Gerudo Male was in no position to be causing any sort of problems right now.
Granted, the mission itself was... taking a bit longer then Link had anticipated. this thief covered his tracks well, but not perfectly. not many camped in the wilds of Hyrule, and fewer still would have let smoke signal where they were to the creatures of the night. One of the few trees in the fields- Link had hopped off Epona behind a hill form where he'd seen the smoke, and was walking on his own boots. one thing about being a teenager was that most underestimated him, and the sword he strapped to his back as just show.
Surely this would be an instance of the same.
Anyways, if he was wrong, Link didn't want to come out bows drawn. traveling merchants were a thing, after all, but as it was his gut told him otherwise. So, hands empty, and expression steely, Link approached the lone campfire as the sun began to turn the sky such vibrant hues. a scan of the campsite definitely told him this was no merchant: there was no merchandise. It could still just be a traveler passing through.
That didn't mean he'd verbally announce himself in his approach, even if he was walking out in the open.