The gentle, sweet melody seemed to float along the breeze that rustled Link's hair. Approaching the humble ranch for the first time, he had never heard such a sweet song. Exhausted from defeating the enemies in Dodongo's cave, Link wanted to do some exploring. Lon Lon ranch was the talk of Hyrule Castle Town, famous for their sweet milk. Link wanted to get a bottle or two before setting off to the famous Zora's domain. But he hadn't expected a lovely tune, one that was almost hypnotic as he approached.

He walked through the buildings, and there in the middle of the clearing of horses, was a young red-headed figure. It seemed to sway back and forth to the gentle song and the red a few seconds later. Coming closer, he realized it was a girl who was not much younger than himself singing the song. She smiled at the horse next to her with bright eyes, as it looked at her intently. But once Link was a few feet away, the horse scurried off. The girl's eyes opened wide, and once the horse had run off, she turned to greet him.

"It's ok," she giggled, "Epona's considered wild to most people. She's only really comfortable with me." She scrunched her nose up slightly and looked Link up and down. "Oh my goddesses, I can't believe I didn't notice before! You're the fairy-boy from the castle that helped me get my dad!" Link blushed, remembering the incident, and embarrassed that he hadn't remembered her sooner.

"Y-Yeah, that was me, I meant to-" as Link was bending down and pointing his toe inward, the red-head had threw her arms around him in a big hug. Link's eyes grew wide as subtle pink returned to his cheeks.

"Thank you so much," she said smiling, pulling back. "Oh, I'm Malon! My father is Talon, the owner of this ranch." Link almost laughed when he heard the odd resemblance of Malon's name to her fathers. "What brings you here, fairy-boy?"

"Actually, my name is Link. I'm here because I just finished an errand for Princess Zelda and I wanted to get some Lon Lon Milk." Malon smiled at his words kindly.

"Wow fairy-boy! For the Princess? You must be very heroic!" She smiled enthusiastically. Link grumbled a little at the fact that she was still calling him that silly nick name, though it didn't bother him like it usually did when people gave him nick names. He actually kind of liked it.

"Yeah, I'm helping her on a special mission. I can't really say more about it though, it's kind of a secret," he whispered in her ear, causing her to blush. Link leaned backwards and smiled at her pink cheeks and disappointed pout. "What was that song you were singing a minute ago? It's different from anything I've ever heard." Malon smiled proudly, as a light flickered in her eyes.

"It's a secret, I can't say more about it!" Link gasped a little, and then frowned. Was she mocking him? "But," Link's head snapped back towards her, "I will tell you and teach you if you are willing to exchange secrets." Although he knew he wasn't supposed to tell, he felt like he could trust her.

"Ok," he said cautiously. Malon smiled big as she twirled happily.

"Ok fairy-boy, my song is how I tamed Epona. She loves it, although whenever someone else tries and mimic it, she doesn't seem to like it as much. Here, it goes like this: Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh-ooooh ooh." Link watched her, entranced that such a beautiful song could come out of someone his own age. He quickly pulled out his Ocarina, and played it back the best he could. Malon gasped.

"Wow, that's sounds amazing! What a beautiful ocarina… you're so talented…" She stared at him until she noticed Epona run over to his side. Link fell backwards in surprise.

"Aahh! She's attacking me!" Malon giggled and helped the small boy up.

"No silly, she likes you too!" Her smile was the biggest Link had ever seen, almost causing him to fall backwards all over again. "I can't believe you were able to tame her too! Not even my dad could do that…" Link pet the horse gently, and after a few moments of silence, he soon turned and saw Malon was staring at him. He blushed darker than he ever had.

"W-What's that look?" She just smiled and shook her head, petting Epona side by side with him as they had a casual conversation. But still, all Link could think of was the look she was giving him. He had never seen anyone give that look before. … He would never understand girls. They were so weird.

Malon was awoken from her slumber by a gentle shake of her arm, urging her to wake. She rubbed her eyes, a faint voice in the background that sounded slightly familiar…

"Malon! Wake up, it's me, Link! I'm back from the Zora temple!" Malon quickly sat up and wrapped her arms around Link in a tight hug.

"I missed you so much, Link! How was it, did you kill the bad guy?" Link nodded smiling.

"I'll tell you all about it, but first, come up to the roof with me!" Link, with an adventurous grin, pulled Malon's arm out of her window as he climbed up to the roof and pulled her up. Malon blushed as Link and her sat on the soft straw roof and looked out to the stars. As he exchanged his adventures with giant fish, the exotic Zora, and a needy princess, Malon barely noticed the stars. His eyes were glowing and glistening with such happiness and excitement… she couldn't take her eyes off of him. Link, laying back on his elbows, looked over to her.

"Malon? Are you ok?" Malon shook her head once again and nodded. Link smiled as he leaned over and grabbed her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, and looking into her eyes. Her heart seemed to beat fast.

"I have to go to meet Zelda tomorrow, but I promise I will return to you, and tell you more of my adventures… I swear, with all my heart…" he muttered, as he grabbed her other hand, and locked the other fingers. This was a Hylian sign of ultimate promise, one that could never be broken. She knew he meant it. Her eyes met his, as he noticed she was giving him that look again.

"I promise, I'll wait for you. There will always be a place for you here!" she said, hugging him tight. Link waved a small wave, before jumping off the roof. He was halfway out the gate before Malon ran up to him, and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.

"That's my promise to you Link, I'll wait." Link blushed, confused at a strange feeling he was having. He touched his hand to his cheek, before running off into the darkness. Malon watched until his shadow disappeared, not knowing that was the last time she'd ever see him.