Dawn's rosy tendrils stretched across Hyrule slowly. The waters of Lake Hylia shone like a stained glass window in the pink light, and there were already a few Zoras surfacing to watch the sunrise. In Castletown, curtains were being drawn back from front windows, and merchants were groggily setting up their stalls in the market. Inside the barn, horses and cows were beginning to stir sleepily, and the Cuccos were hopping off their nests to stretch their wings.
The first pale rays of sunshine had begun to creep up the bed when Malon blearily opened her eyes. She glanced towards the window. It was time to get up and get the chores started, she knew. But with the morning chill pervading the house, and Link's warm arm draped over her, she really couldn't find any way to convince herself to get out of bed. So she shut her eyes again to block out the light and nestled closer to Link, who in turn, wrapped his arm more securely around her.
Malon cherished mornings like this. Any other responsible adult would have been up long ago, but the serenity of the moment always kept her spellbound. Besides, she didn't want to wake up Link. Not yet, anyways. This was the only time she got to see him with his guard down, completely at peace. No monsters, no fighting, no darkness that clawed at his heart and kept him from speaking too much for fear he'd somehow let it out. Right now, he looked just like the innocent little boy she'd met all those years ago. The turmoil was gone from his face, his breathing deep and relaxed, his arm thrown carelessly around her to keep her close even as he slept. She longed for the day when he could put his past behind him and look like this all the time, if it were to come at all. For now, she had to treasure these moments when the past seemed so far away, like the memory of a dream. In the light of day, it was hard to forget the shadows cast over their hearts. But the light of dawn was so subtle, it seemed to mingle with the shadows, making them blurred and faint. It didn't hurt as badly during moments like this.
She knew eventually, she wouldn't be able to put it off any longer. The sun would climb over the horizon and she would have to begin her work. Link would go back to being cautious and silent, and they would both inevitably reminisce on harder times past. But for now, she would savor this time, when they didn't have to be the Hero of Time or the ranch girl. Right now, they were just Link and Malon. And she couldn't think of anyone she'd rather be.
A/N: This scene actually plays itself out in my head every time I listen to the Opening Theme from Ocarina of Time. So I figured I may as well share it, even if it's not much.
Ciao!
-Niki Bogwater