I do not own the Legend of Zelda.

The town was packed. People everywhere, scrambling at every shop and stand trying to buy what they wanted before anyone else. And no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get through the crowd. His words and pleads to pass were drowned out by the noise, and the physical presence of a twelve year old boy isn't exactly something to take note of. So, he was ignored. He decided to try and push his way through, hoping he'd get lucky and end up on the other end of the crowd.

He struggled quite a bit, trying to make his way through the mass of people; constantly getting shoved or pushed, as few even seemed to notice he was there. After a few minutes of this, he was able to break through the horde of shoppers. He stumbled out of the crowd and knocked into someone. They both fell to the ground.

"Ow!" cried a voice.

He raised his head as he stood, and saw he had landed on a girl. And a pretty one, at that. Her red hair went down to her waist, and her blue eyes seemed to shine in the light shining down into the town square.

Lightning cracked across the sky. Link smiled at the memory as the rain fell onto his face. That was the first time he ever saw her.

"Malon…"

He helped the red-haired girl up off the ground.

"Sorry about that," Link apologized.

"It's okay," she replied, "It's probably pretty hard to get through there, huh?"

"Heh," Link chuckled, "Yeah, it kinda is."

"You know, you're dressed kinda funny. I've never seen clothes like that before."

A little ball of blue light flew out from under Link's hat. An oddly high-pitched voice came from it, "Hey! Link, we don't have time for this! We have to find Princess Zelda!"

"I know, Navi," Link replied, "You don't have to keep telling me!"

"Hey, you're one of those kids from the forest!" the girl said excitedly, as though she had just opened a Christmas present.

"Uh, yeah," Link smiled, scratching the back of his head, "I'm a Kokiri. Why?"

"I've hear stories about you! My mother used to tell me about the forest children-"

"Link!" Navi said again.

"I know, Navi!" Link responded, a bit annoyed.

"You need to find the Princess, right?" the redhead asked, "The castle is just up that road."

"Thank you," Link said, smiling. He began making his way down the road to the castle, when she called after him.

"Good luck, fairy boy!"

Lightning lit up the sky once more, and the thunder rang out loud and powerful.

"Fairy boy…" Link sighed. That was the first time she ever called him that.

"Oh, you want to see the Princess?" asked the guard, "You probably heard of her in town, and just HAD to come see her, right? Bah! The Princess is an important person, and she wouldn't waste her time giving audience to you. Go back home."

Link tried to object, "But I-"

"Go home!"

Link backed off. He turned back, unsure of what to do. He had to see the Princess, the Great Deku Tree needed him to. Then, a familiar voice caught his ears.

"Hi!" said the girl from town square, "Couldn't get in, huh?"

"No," Link replied, "the guard-"

"Wanna know how to get in?" she smiled.

"You know how to get in?"

"Uh-huh. I followed my dad in sometimes, when he'd deliver the milk," she led Link to some vines and roots hanging on a cliff wall. "You just climb up these ,and you can get past the guard. After that, you just have to wait for the guards to not look."

"Well, thanks," Link said gratefully.

The girl smiled back, giggling a little. "My dad went in to deliver milk, but he hasn't come back yet. He probably fell asleep. If you find him, tell him to come back."

Link nodded and began climbing the vines when she called out to him. "Hey," she said, "You never told me your name."

"I'm Link," he told her.

"I'm Malon."

Malon. A beautiful name. For a beautiful girl.

The rain began to fall harder. The rain drops that had fallen on Link's face had washed away all the dirt and soot. And they masked the tears.

He was escorted out of the castle by Zelda's bodyguard, Impah.

All he knew was that there was something horrible on the horizon, and he was going to help stop it.

"Hi again, fairy boy!" Malon's voice greeted.

"Malon," Link said in surprise, "You're still here?"

"My dad's finishing his deliveries," she responded, "So… did you see the Princess? Is she pretty like everyone says?"

"Uh… yeah, I saw her. And… and I guess she's…," Link stammered, blushing a bit.

"Malon!" called her father's voice, "I'm done, you wanna go home now?"

Talon's eyes turned to Link.

"Well, if it ain't the boy who woke me up!" Talon laughed, giving Link a hearty slap on the back, "Thanks, kid! I'd prob'ly still be sleepin' if you hadn't woken me up. Milk woulda gone bad, too."

"You need to work harder, daddy!" Malon said, a little disappointed, "Mr. Ingo's gonna end up running the Ranch if you keep doing this."

"I know, I know," Talon replied, "Sorry, Mal." He turned to Link, "Say, kid, you know where Lon Lon Ranch is? It's just south a' here. I owe you, so you ever wanna come and visit, you're more 'en welcome to."

Lon Lon Ranch. That place became his new home, practically. Every second he wasn't trying to save Hyrule, he spent at the Ranch. He'd help Talon and Ingo, but mostly, he'd spend time with Malon.

They grew close over the time they had spent together.

When they had free time, he'd play his Ocarina to accompany her beautiful singing.

She'd help him get acquainted with the horses, one of which took a great liking to Link.

They'd share stories of their lives. Link's tales of the forest and his adventures seemed like paradise to Malon, whereas her stories of farm life seemed like a perfect life for Link.

Link began imagining what his life would be like on Lon Lon Ranch. It looked to the perfect place to live. He practically lived there already. He only left to continue his quest or to help out Talon in Castle Town.

Mostly, however, he just thought of Malon herself. That kind, beautiful girl had helped him in many ways. He felt stronger, and he felt better around her. When he was with her, or when her encouraging words entered his mind, Link felt he could do anything.

Then came that day when he drew the Master Sword from its pedestal.

Seven years went by, but for Link, it was instantaneous. He drew the sword, blinked, and saw an old man in front of him.

He had been kept in an unconscious state for seven years, and he didn't understand why. Something about how the "Hero of Time" had to be of age. He didn't understand, as he wasn't supposed to age, but he tried putting it out of his mind. He told himself it was the magic of the Temple of Time.

But what he did understand didn't please him at all. In the seven years that had passed, Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves, had ravaged Hyrule. He had taken over, and either killed or imprisoned anyone who opposed or crossed him in some way.

As soon as he was released from the Sacred Realm, he ran to Lon Lon Ranch, trying not to let the sight of Castle Town distract or horrify him.

He arrived at the ranch, but Talon was nowhere to be found. He entered the stables and saw Malon.

"Malon!" Link called.

She looked up, surprised. "Oh, a visitor," she smiled as best she could, "How nice. We don't get many visitors these days."

Link could tell she was sad. He approached her, "What happened here? Where's your father?"

"What?" Malon asked, "My father, he's-"

"Malon!" called the shrill, demanding voice of Mr. Ingo, "The damn cuccos got out again, go catch 'em, and put 'em in their pens!"

"Yes, Mr. Ingo," she said. She hurried off to do what she had been told.

Link glared at Ingo. This man had been allowed to live on the ranch, and he was ordering Malon around like that?

"You!" Ingo pointed, "What are you doin' on my ranch? You got business here?"

"YOUR ranch?" Link asked.

"Yeah, MY ranch. Ain't you heard? King Ganondorf realized who was REALLY doin' the work around here, and gave the ranch to me. Talon never did anythin' anyway. I kicked him out. Now tell me, you got business here?"

"No," Link replied, "I was just leaving."

"You sure?" Ingo asked, "I got some horses out there, damn fine ones. Care to ride?"

"I'm fine, thanks."

"All right, suit yourself."

Ingo and Link walked out the door. Link began heading for the exit, thinking of how he could help. He turned back around when he heard Malon's singing. That angelic voice called to him.

Ingo heard it as well. He marched over to Malon. "What did I tell you about singin' that song? I told you to stop!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ingo-"

"Shut up!" he yelled, "Get those cuccos back in their pens, and then go inside!"

Link's rage began boiling over. He wasn't going to stand for this.

"Excuse me-"

"What?" Ingo asked, "Change your mind?"

"Actually-"

"Good, good. Ten rupees to ride, I'll let you pick the horse."

"That's not-"

"What, then? You wanna race? I'll race you. Hell, I'll even bet. 50 rupees."

"You don't understand-"

"Well, what is it? Is that not enough? Fine, you pick a horse. You win, you keep the horse. But, if I win, I get to pick anythin' of yours I want."

"Look-"

"Stop wasting my time! You doin' this or not?"

Link sighed angrily, "Fine."

"Good. Pick your horse."

Link walked into the enclosure. He was approached by a red mare. The same one that took a liking to him as a child. Epona.

"Epona? Ha!" Ingo laughed, "You're free to pick her if you want, but she ain't exactly easy to ride, son."

"She'll do fine," Link replied.

"All right, then. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Link placed the saddle on Epona's back, and mounted up. Maybe humbling Ingo in this race would be a good thing.

Ingo and Link both lined their horses up on a white line drawn on the outside of the enclosure.

"Ready…"

Link grabbed hold of the reins in his hands.

"Set…"

The sweat began pouring from his head. He HAD to win.

"Go!" Ingo shouted, "Hyah!" His horse took off.

Fortunately, Link started at the same time. However, something dawned on him that dampened his mood.

He had no clue how to control a horse.

Epona bolted off, and certainly was as fast as Ingo's horse, but her movement was erratic and chaotic. She darted around, taking time, and giving Ingo the lead.

Link tried to straighten himself on the saddle, but had a hard time of it. He thought to himself, "I have to win. I HAVE to win!" But it didn't seem to help. "I HAVE to win! For Malon."

He found strength in that thought. He managed to straighten, seize the reins, and take control of Epona. The horse straightened her path, and focused. She took off.

Link began catching up with Ingo. Soon, there was no gap between them. And while Ingo's horse was tiring, Epona had energy to spare. Within seconds, Link had passed Ingo, and was closing in on the finish line.

Epona crossed the line. Link had won.

"AAAARGH!" Ingo shouted, "That… that horse! Epona! She doesn't listen to anyone except Malon! How… how did you tame her right under my nose?"

Link merely grinned.

"I was gonna give Epona as a gift to King Ganondorf! If… if he hears about this…. Aaargh!"

Then, Ingo calmed significantly, "Fine. You can keep the horse, like I promised. But…," the ranch gate closed. "You're NOT leavin' this ranch!"

Ingo smiled in victory as he began walking away. He thought that he had won.

He was wrong.

Link frowned, and mounted up once more. He backed Epona up, then charged forward. Epona leapt over the gate and they fled the ranch.

"WHAT?" Ingo yelled in disbelief. He was angry now. And he knew who he was going to blame. "Malon…"

He marched to the cucco pens.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Ingo yelled.

"What…?" Malon asked, confused.

"That boy just waltzed off my ranch with Epona! That horse only listens to you! What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything!"

"DON'T YOU LIE TO ME, YOU BITCH!" Ingo shouted, then he slapped Malon. "WHAT. DID. YOU. DO?"

"Excuse me," came a voice from behind.

"WHAT? Can't you see I'm-" Ingo turned to face the newcomer. Link's fist sent the rancher to the ground.

Link approached the downed Ingo, and seized him by the collar.

"You EVER touch her again, I swear, I will make you regret it," he snarled, "Do you understand me?"

Ingo stammered. He was too scared to actually say anything.

"Do you understand me?" Link repeated.

Ingo nodded.

"Good," Link said, tossing Ingo back to the ground, "Now go change. A ranch hand shouldn't be wearing the owner's clothes."

Ingo began crawling away, slowly getting up before taking off.

Link turned to Malon. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine…" Malon said, looking up, "Who are you? Why did you help me?"

Link looked somewhat saddened. "You really don't recognize me, do you?"

He brought out his Ocarina, and pressed it to his lips. He played a song. The song Malon taught him seven years ago.

"...Link?" Malon's eyes widened. She began crying tears of joy, and embraced Link tightly.

The lightning flashed once more. The thunder rang throughout the skies. The rain dropped to the Earth quick and hard.

Link stood there, whistling the song she taught him. Their song.

"Link…," she began, "W-where have you been? Why didn't you ever come back?"

"I've been gone, Malon," Link said sadly, "I don't know where. All I know is, I'm back now. That's all that matters."

Link loosened the hug. He gazed deeply into Malon's beautiful blue eyes, and she gazed into his. Their faces drew closer together, and they fell into a deep, passionate kiss.

That was months ago, before he had made himself an enemy of the Gerudo King of Thieves.

All his meddling, all his interference, he had never thought THIS would happen.

Link stood in front of the burnt ruins of Lon Lon Ranch.

ARRGH! I hate myself, I hate myself, I HATE MYSELF! HOW COULD I KILL MALON? AARGH!

It was also pretty hard for me to have type like a kid would talk. See, I have a bad habit of giving a lot of my characters my own vocabulary, and I don't remember how I spoke back then. Also, I say everything I type how I "picture" it said, so it was a little weird talking like that.

And "as though she had just opened a Christmas present" seemed a bit too excited, but I couldn't think of anything else. Whatever.

My apologies to those of you expecting a Wasteland update after all this time. I have to split up my work, or I else I begin to lose interest. And a hiatus is better than a discontinuation, right?

Anyhow, here you go. Tell me, what do you think? Was it good? Was it bad? How so?

Thanks, and hope to update again soon.