Author's Note:
Hi, all! So I was actually reviewer-requested by an anonymous reviewer to write a MaLink (aka: Malon/Link) fic. So in future chapters, yes, this story will be a MaLink. But I wouldn't call it pure fluff or anything…the main genre will actually be adventure.
So this story takes place after the events of Majora's Mask, assuming that Link lived in Clock Town for seven years, unable to find his way back to his beloved Hyrule. Meanwhile a new evil begins to rise in Hyrule, seeking to destroy Link and everything he holds dear, all the while the threat of the Evil King Ganondorf rising again is prominent.
I know there's been lots of speculation over the course of the years as to whether people remembered the Hero of Time's tale due to Zelda resetting time at the end of Ocarina of Time, but for the sake of this story, we'll assume everyone remembers…plus in the intro to Majora's Mask, they say the legend is passed down in Hyrule, so obviously someone had to remember. :P
Anyway, this is my first attempt at a MaLink fic. When I first entered the world of fanfiction years ago, I was originally a MaLinker more so than a ZeLinker. But after reading an incredible ZeLink fic, I kind of crossed over to being a ZeLink fan. But after my reviewer request to write a MaLink fic, plus thinking hard about things (I mean, it's pretty cliché Link would end up with the princess, but they'd still make a good couple in my opinion…Malon and Link on the other hand, Malon is the underdog to Zelda, so it's inspiring to think that this guy could choose between a rich princess and a mere farm girl, and he'd choose the farm girl), I decided to try it. As for me, I'd say I'm currently neither a MaLinker nor a ZeLinker; I love both couples.
So enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Zelda or any characters or references to it. Any OC's that may appear are mine. Also, the beginning five lines of the prologue were taken from Majora's Mask. The last two italicized lines following the previous five are mine.
Prologue
In the land of Hyrule, there echoes a legend. A legend held dearly by the Royal Family that tells of a boy…
A boy who, after battling evil and saving Hyrule, crept away from the land that had made him a legend…
Done with the battles he once waged across time, he embarked on a journey. A secret and personal journey…
A journey in search of a beloved and invaluable friend…
A friend with whom he parted ways when he finally fulfilled his heroic destiny and took his place among legends…
The boy ended up embarking on yet another epic quest, which resulted in him saving another nation from destruction.
The boy never reunited with his long lost friend, and try as he might, was never able to find his way back to the land of Hyrule.
XXX
I've been wandering aimlessly in this dense forest for hours. This place is so thickly coated with trees that I haven't seen the sky for miles.
The chestnut mare I am riding snorts disapprovingly and her trot slows considerably.
"I know, Epona…I'm tired too." I tell her, patting her neck reassuringly.
We continue on for another good ten minutes or so before something in the distance catches my eye.
Is that…sunlight?
"Yah!" I shout excitedly, urging the chestnut beauty forward. With what sounds like an objecting grunt, she darts ahead anyway…probably excited to see fresh daylight.
Suddenly the trees clear, and the sight I'm met with amazes me significantly.
Not only have we finally made it out of that goddess-forsaken forest, but I have finally succeeded at what I've been trying to do for the last seven years.
I've found my way back home…
...I've found my way back to Hyrule.
"Ah! We did it!" I shout, tears springing into my eyes.
Epona whinnies excitedly and trots forward.
In the distance, I can see Death Mountain, Kakariko, the castle…
…But out of all the places I could go, I choose the place I've been wanting to visit the most.
The ranch.
"Yah!" I urge Epona forward.
When she sees where we're headed, she needs no further convincing.
She darts forward with incredible speed (they didn't call her Hyrule's fastest horse for nothing, after all).
As we near what was like my second home during my first quest, the light in the sky suddenly dims considerably. Epona skids to a halt in confusion.
I look up into the previously clear sky to see that dark sinister clouds have obscured the entirety of it.
Shrill screams pierce the air, and looking into the distance I see that Kakariko and Castletown are on fire.
And the ranch…
"NO!" I shout, slapping Epona's flank. The horse doesn't move. "Come on girl!" I shout, slapping her flank more firmly. Epona suddenly rears, and I lose my hold on her reins and tumble backwards off of her. She then takes off, likely spooked.
I shakily get to my feet, a shooting pain down my back from landing on it hard.
I hear rustling and evil laughter, but I see no one.
"Who's there?" I demand, my eyes darting left and right.
The laughter grows louder, but no one materializes.
"Show yourself, coward!" I order, drawing my sword.
Suddenly, my whole body goes rigid. I can't move a muscle, even though I'm trying.
A dark ripple forms in the distance, then heads straight towards me.
I can't move to dodge it.
It hits me square in the chest, and sends me flying and crashing hard into a tree.
The pain that was previously in my back increases tenfold, plus that of the magic which is now coursing through my entire body…and now I really can't move; not due to a spell like before, but because of the intense pain.
Looking up from my position on the floor, I can see the green leaves of the tree fade into black, and then disintegrate into nothingness.
The evil laughter continues.
With a grunt, I slowly get to my feet, searching for my lost sword.
Then I see it, lying several yards away.
Limping, I try to run towards it, but only succeed in falling to the floor weakly.
Knowing that I need to push my body past its limits at the moment, I urge myself forward on my hands and knees. I put a shaky hand on the hilt, and just as I'm about to attempt to muster up the strength to lift it, a black boot steps on my hand, crushing it.
I grimace in pain, and then look up to face my attacker.
He looks just like…
…Me, except with a black tunic, a black hat, raven colored hair, and crimson eyes.
He grins psychotically.
"So we meet again, Hero." He says 'Hero' spitefully.
Realization suddenly strikes me.
"Dark Link…" I whisper weakly. Dark Link laughs maliciously. He finally lifts his boot, causing me to immediately retract my throbbing hand.
Big mistake.
Dark Link kicks my sword far out of my reach and straight towards another figure.
The figure's face is obscured my darkness, but he wears a violet cloak. Long lavender locks flow down to his (or her) waist.
I see the figure smile evilly under the cloak and pick up my gilded sword. He walks forward and grins down at me, finally lifting his head up so I can see his eyes.
Blood red, just like Dark Link's.
The last thing I see is the figure bringing my own sword down on me, to finish me off…
XXX
"Link!"
"AH!" I shout, shooting up into a sitting position. I'm coated in sweat, and my heart is pounding rapidly.
"Link! Link! Are you okay?" a little purple fairy – Tael – asks me.
Taking in my surroundings, I realize I'm in the Knife Chamber at the Stock Pot Inn.
"Honestly, you must be the lousiest sleeper of all mankind!" a golden fairy – Tatl – says. She's trying to sound offensive (she's one of those types that constantly have to make rude remarks…but she means well. I never let it bother me too much because it's just her nature) but I can tell from her tiny facial features that she's genuinely concerned about me.
Good luck ever trying to get her to admit that, though.
"Were you having a nightmare again?" Tael – the first fairy (and Tatl's little brother) – inquires concernedly. I sigh.
"Yes Tael. But I'm fine." I tell him.
"Well anyway, we came here this morning with the Skull Kid. He's waiting down in the lobby for you. Anju sent us up to tell you that she and Kafei have a birthday surprise for you." Tatl interjects. I blink in confusion.
Huh?
Oh, right.
It's my birthday today…17.
"Okay, thanks you guys. Just let me get changed and tell them I'll be down in a minute or two.
The fairies zoom out of the room to give me some privacy.
Sighing, I get up and stretch before proceeding to pull on my tunic and tights.
I've been plagued by that same nightmare almost every night for the past month or so.
After Princess Zelda sent me back in time seven years to relive the childhood I missed out on, I accidentally came to Termina searching for Navi, my fairy partner from my first quest. She'd disappeared after I laid the Master Sword to rest in the Temple of Time.
My childhood friend Saria said she could show me a shortcut through the Lost Woods that would lead out of Hyrule. She couldn't come with me though, because as one of the goddess-chosen sages of Hyrule, she'd been obligated to stay behind and protect the forest.
I ended up being attacked by the Skull Kid, who at the time was being possessed by an evil mask…Majora's Mask. He stole the Ocarina of Time and Epona from me, so of course I followed him. I ended up in Termina, and he cursed me by turning me into a Deku Scrub. When I came to Clock Town, I discovered that the town was cursed to be crushed by the moon in three days' time, also the Skull Kid's doing. So naturally, that led into a whole other quest.
I saved the town from the moon, and was able to retrieve the mask and destroy the evil inside. Skull Kid and I are now good friends.
Anju runs the Stock Pot Inn – an inn for travelers. When I first arrived here seven years ago, there were only two rooms available for rent. It was especially hard for travelers to book their reservations, especially during the annual Carnival of Time – a major tourist attraction. But she married Kafei Dotour – the mayor's son, and with his money he'd inherited from his father, he paid for the remodeling of the inn. It now has four stories – just as high as the Clock Tower – thus creating more rooms.
I had to help Kafei and Anju at some point in my quest, as they were also victims of the Skull Kid, and it had almost affected their relationship. But thankfully they pulled through (with my help) and I'm glad for that, because their relationship is inspiring to all who witness it.
Anyway, Kafei and Anju were so grateful, that when they found out I didn't have a place to stay, they offered me a permanent room in the inn. I've been living here the past seven years.
Don't get me wrong; I love Clock Town and all the people.
But the one thing I've wanted more than anything was to return to Hyrule.
I miss the Kokiri. I miss the sages. I miss the princess. I miss Saria…
…I miss Malon.
Malon…
It was because of that red-haired farm girl I was able to own Epona, whom I love to death. She's more than just a horse and means of transportation. She's my friend, and I'd swear it to anybody that she knows and understands how I feel most of the time.
During my quest, I spent a lot of time at the ranch. I'd first met Malon the first time I entered Castletown. She'd been standing by the fountain, singing cheerfully. She approached me, asking me about my strange clothes. I told her I came from the forest, which she took as inspiration to start calling me "Fairy Boy". Most men would be offended by such a term, and I would never let anyone else call me that. But with her, I was always okay with it.
It was her cute little nickname for me.
I'd helped the Lon Lon Ranch family on multiple occasions, once waking Malon's lazy dad Talon up to send him back home, and another time in which I saved the ranch from being owned by Ingo, who at the time was being influenced by Ganondorf.
I even saved Epona from being sold to the Evil King.
Malon always said after that she would be eternally grateful towards me.
Talon always treated me like a son. He even said once I was the son he'd never had, just like he was like the father I never had.
I had some of my most fun moments on the ranch, and I think it would be safe to say Malon is one of my closest friends.
Or, would be if it weren't for the fact I disappeared for yet another seven years.
Shaking off all my negative thoughts that I contemplate constantly on a daily basis, I pull on my boots and head out the door, not forgetting to grab my hat and put it on my head.
When I reach downstairs, I smell something cooking.
Heading into the kitchen, I'm greeted by Anju, who is currently pregnant with their second child.
"Oh, good morning Link! Happy birthday!" she says, giving me a hug. I grin and return the hug. When I pull away, I notice some concoction cooking on the stove.
I must have subconsciously frowned, because Anju says, "Don't worry, Kafei cooked it."
"Oh," I say, shaking my head in embarrassment over the fact I must have appeared rude.
It's a known fact that although sweet, Anju isn't exactly the best cook in the world…to put it nicely. I learned that the hard way.
Trying to change the subject, I ask, "So how did your appointment with the midwife go yesterday?"
I had returned late last night and Anju and Kafei had already been in bed, so I never got a chance to hear how her doctor's appointment had went.
"It went well. She thinks that the baby will be here by the end of next month!" she says excitedly. I smile.
"That's great, Anju." I tell her.
"Yes! Kafei's hoping it's a boy, since we already have our little girl…but I don't care, as long as it's healthy." She says with a shrug.
As if on cue, their four year-old daughter comes tumbling in to hug my leg, the closest thing to her height she can reach.
"Happy buoythday, Link!" she says in her high-pitched voice. I grin and pick her up.
I love this little girl as if she were my baby sister.
Like her father, she has violet locks of hair. Her eyes are an interesting mixture of her mother's blue and her father's garnet, so her eye color blended into more of a lavender color. Her darker purple hair compliments her brighter-colored eyes well though, and she's adorable.
I really connect well with children. Many children actually stop me in town sometimes just to hear of my heroic tales, and I really enjoy taking the time to explain to them in a kid-friendly and entertaining way, even if I'm busy running errands. I never knew my father, and I know that wasn't his fault, because he was killed in war sixteen years ago. So I always vowed that if I ever had children, I'd do my best to be there for them and be the best father I could be.
"Thank you, Violet!"
Yes, she was appropriately named Violet.
"Wow, someone's getting BIG!" I say exaggeratingly, pretending to almost drop her and causing her to giggle. "I don't think I'll be able to lift you up like this anymore if you grow any taller!"
"No!" she says, laughing. "You're the Hero! You're supposed to be STRONG!" she says.
"Really? Well if you say so, Kiddo. Let me tell you, though. If you keep growing as fast as you have been, then by next year, you might be as tall as the Four Giants!"
She giggles uncontrollably.
"No way!" she says disbelievingly.
"Way!" I shout back with a grin, sending her into a fit of even more giggles. Laughing, I kiss her forehead and plant her down gently.
Anju laughs, patting her daughter's head as the little girl runs off. Just then Kafei enters.
"Ah, Link. We were wondering when you were going to get up." He says with a grin.
I smirk.
"Yeah, well you know me. Every chance I get to sleep in, I take it."
"I'll say." Kafei says in a joking manner, gesturing to the stove. "The food is ready. It's a family recipe on my mother's side. You know, before she began wasting away at the milk bar every single night, she used to home-cook lovely meals for us often."
Kafei often talks negatively about his mother – the mayor's wife – but he does love her. They just have a love/hate relationship at times.
"Thank you." I say.
"No problem. Oh, and before I forget…" he pulls out a pouch. "Happy birthday." I take the pouch and open it.
"Is this what I think it is…?" I ask, holding up a bottle of golden liquid. Kafei nods.
"Yep. That's Elixir Potion. Evidently, I hear not only does it heal physical wounds, it also restores your stamina and temporarily gives you a boost in strength."
"Kafei! Where in Din's name did you find this stuff?!" I shout disbelievingly. Kafei laughs loudly at this.
"I have my connections." He says nonchalantly. "Well, I thought it might come in handy for, well…you know. Your search."
It's a well-known fact around these parts that I want to go back home to Hyrule. Obviously, I'd visit Clock Town often, but people who are close to me – such as the Dotour's – speak awkwardly about it. I guess they wouldn't be used to not having me around often.
Skull Kid threw me off course that day I was searching for Navi, and I'd become completely lost. He feels bad about it, and has vowed that he'd help me continue looking for a path back to Hyrule.
"Oh! The Skull Kid!" I shout, remembering that the fairies had told me he was waiting in the lobby. "Excuse me for a minute, guys. Thanks, by the way!" I shout, pocketing the potion and darting to the lobby.
"Link!" Skull Kid shouts excitedly and running up to hug me. "Happy Birthday, Buddy!"
"Thanks!" I grin, patting his head. "How are you doing?"
"Great! I have an AWESOME birthday present for you!" I laugh.
"Oh yeah? What's that?" Skull Kid giggles.
"I think I might have found a path back to Hyrule."
XXX
Author's Note: So the prologue was pretty long…and not too eventful besides the fact Link is finally going to get to return to Hyrule…but I needed to get all that out of the way so the main plot could unfold.
So what did you guys think so far? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks again!
~Green Eyed Gerudo