Well, here I go again. I promised the sequel to Knight of Shadow, and so far I am pleased with it. This story is more mature than the other, as I intended for it to be. I've been holding onto it for a while, personal reasons, but I think I'm ready to start publishing it now. This isn't really intended for kids, although nothing explicit will crop up in it. The subject matter though is something I don't expect younger audiences to be able to appreciate as thoroughly. It's not required that you read the prequel, but I recommend it.
Whispers of a Hero
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Part 1
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He often had nightmares about the time he spent suspended between dimensions, stuck in a world that was so similar to his own but so horribly twisted from his beloved Hyrule. To Link the different worlds were like living in hell, unable to simply abandon the people and stuck in a three day cycle that couldn't end until he was ready to defeat the mask. There had been a cold feeling, deep in the pit of his stomach the first time he discovered Romani Ranch on the third day. The blank look in the face that his mind called "Malon" haunted his sleep, and sometimes even his waking moments. It was only one of the many places he was forced to visit, but it was certainly the most memorable.
Link doubted that Zelda had really known what she was doing when she tried to send him back seven years. He wished that she hadn't done it, but he was never asked. Somehow, instead of sending him back to a world like he started out in, but without Ganondorf, Link was sent traveling through different layers that were sometimes copies of his own and often completely different altogether. He also discovered that there were several ways to end up in a different plane of existence. In one case, it was as simple as walking through the woods. He had wondered how the Skull Kid had followed him into the bizarre world of Termina, but he doubted that he had done it the same way that Link himself had. He had not thought anything of it until that strange parting when the troublemaker reminded him of Saria's song. The mask salesman also seemed to have his own way of shifting between dimensions.
It had been an unpleasant thing. Link had finally adjusted to being an adult in form and become accustomed to being able to fight with more strength and agility. Being forced back into his child body had made it difficult to save that land. Malon's sad eyes and lack of recognition were not the only things that bothered Link's sleep. The box under the bed contained an object that he had kept but feared with every moment that it was in his possession. It was far more powerful than his enemy in Termina had been. It was also more powerful than the goddesses of that land. Link did not know if it had more power than the triforce itself.
Using it had made him feel ancient, with knowledge of everything that had and would happen. He had seen the power rolling off of his blade in waves. The troublesome mask had not stood a chance. For a short while, he had become a god. The very thing that bothered him so late at night was the memory of that power and the pure evil that followed it. If he had been in possession of it while Ganondorf terrorized Hyrule, Link could have finished him off easily. It called to him. Link was afraid to answer.
The hero of time gave up all pretence of sleeping and bent over the side of the cot. The engraved wooden box was exactly where he had left it, sitting harmlessly just within arm's reach. A shiver ran up his back at the sight of it. He needed to get rid of it and soon. He was spending more time preoccupied with it than was healthy, and Malon had begun to worry.
He grunted in annoyance at his insomnia and rose from the pallet. Link didn't bother putting his boots or hat on and shuffled out of the barn into the clear night. The soft notes of Malon's song drifted over to him, and his body headed in that direction without conscious thought. Even though there was peace in Hyrule, Malon still insisted on coming out to the field every night and singing as she had when Ingo had taken over. The memory of that time would always cause him to tense in anger. He reached the fence of the corral and leaned against the smooth wood.
It seemed to him that Malon barely slept. Link truly wanted to understand her reason for returning every night to sing; he wondered if there could be more to it than he knew about. The farm girl had her arms stretched out as she swayed, face turned up to the moon. She was radiant; the beams from the white heavenly body reflected off of her skin. Link wanted to walk over to her, to not be alone in the night; however, something about the scene before him made the man wary of disturbing it that evening, despite having done so on many other occasions. He backed away slowly from his perch and made his way back to his bed.
It was only the influence of the goddesses that had kept him from seeing a young woman's tears that night.
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"Time to wake up, sleepy boy," a whisper managed to dig into his unconscious. Link groaned in protest of waking, but it was too late to stop the process. He stretched out as far as he could and yawned. A giggle next to him identified the source of his stirring. Link moved quickly without opening his eyes and snatched the cup of water he knew Malon would be holding. He sat up and took a long drink of refreshing spring water before letting his eyes crack open to see her surprised face. It was a good way to start a day, he thought.
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"So then Father tripped on his favorite cucco and had milk all over his face!" Malon grinned as she finished her story.
Link laughed lightly; few things amused him as much as Talon's sleeping and waking follies. They walked slowly together, carrying heavy crates of milk from the milk shed to the wagon. The last of the crates were stacked in the wagon bed, and the two workers climbed onto the bench. After a quick glance up at the overcast sky, Malon picked up the reins and urged the horse around the corral. The two rode in silence, but neither minded. The wagon reached the farmhouse, and Malon stopped the horse so Link could get off.
Link leapt off the wagon and turned to Malon. The sky had grown much darker during their brief ride, and he gazed up at it with concern.
"Perhaps it would be better to leave tomorrow?" Link suggested.
Malon glanced up too. She didn't fancy getting caught in a storm, but the next shipment of milk was already overdue in town. If she didn't deliver the bottles they were likely to spoil before she could even get them there. A very low rumbling started in the distance.
"Don't be silly, Fairy Boy. I've got to get this milk into town by tomorrow or it will spoil." She felt unease as the horse started to shift anxiously. "I'll be fine; a little rain never hurt anyone."
Link gave her a look that clearly expressed his opinion on that statement. "Maybe I should go with you?" he asked.
Malon giggled and shook her head. "I'll be fine, Link. I make this trip all the time. Besides, you just got back from a journey and should be resting." She snapped the reins and waved at him as the cart rolled toward the gates. "Take care of the animals for me!" she called out.
The young man couldn't help his worried expression.
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"Maybe this wasn't the best idea," Malon murmured to herself as a streak of lightning flooded the sky. Usually the steady clatter of the bottles in their wooden crates and the frequent snorting of the horse were enough to calm her nerves while traveling. For once, however, she was nervous about how very dark it had become so early outside. Instead of snorting with exertion the colt blew air out in fear, sidestepping against the yoke with anxiety.
The young woman jumped in her seat, startled by a lightning bolt. The horse was disturbed as well and tried to bolt from the wagon. Darik, a normally calm creature, fought the straps that held him. Malon called out to calm him, but the horse was too wild to hear her soothing voice over the rumble of thunder. She cried out in dismay when one of the leather ties snapped. Darik jumped away and took off at a run. In that same moment the clouds overhead broke loose and poured down onto Hyrule with the tears of the goddesses.
Malon sputtered as a torrent of water washed down on her. Within seconds she was completely soaked, and the wagon bed was rapidly filling up with rain. The mud slipped under her feet when Malon climbed down and ran to the back of the cart. The latch fought against her, her hands lacking grip on the wet metal. The water rushed out in a brief waterfall when she finally lowered the hatch. The crate tops seemed to be keeping water out of the milk, and luckily she had opened the back before the collecting rain had risen above the first layer of bottles. Malon tried to see in the storm to find Darik, but it was dark and obscured from the pelting drops. Lightning was filling the sky frequently, and the ground shook with constant thunder. She feared that the scared horse might have returned to the ranch, leaving her and the cart stranded. She was at least half a day's journey away from the ranch by horseback. It would take at least a day to return on foot, and the milk would be spoiled by the time she returned with another horse, if it wasn't stolen in her absence.
The rain continued at its harsh rate with no signs of letting up. Malon crawled under the wagon and leaned back against the wheel. Rivers of mud and water rushed up to her legs, but at least she wasn't squinting as the water beat at her eyes anymore. She groaned at her stupidity, attempting to make the trip against Link's and her own better judgment. It would be awhile before the town would have milk if she lost this shipment.
Lightening struck close to the wagon, and Malon jumped. She huddled in fear and cold, wishing over and over that she had been wiser than to leave for town in such weather. The sky grew even darker as night came, yet the rain continued to fall.
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Link had fallen asleep listening to the rain. Sleep was not being particularly kind to him that evening, and just a few hours after drifting off very vivid dreams came to the weary hero. His mind was conscious despite his slumber, and he knew the signs of a vision immediately. Another world in another time cried out for his help. He would have to leave very soon to help them; no one else was willing to journey through that land to save its people. As the dream faded out, a quick sight of Malon struggling with her horse in the storm came to him. The last thing Link saw was the young woman taking shelter under her wagon.
A loud crack of thunder woke Link and startled him out of bed. He was on his feet and pulling his tunic on before his mind even engaged. Epona was staring at him from her stall and whuffling softly, waiting to be called upon. Link led her quickly out of the barn and climbed onto her back without bothering with a saddle. He urged her into a gallop toward the gate, but Epona whinnied and ducked to the side when another horse came dashing through the entrance to the ranch. Link felt a sinking sensation in his gut when he realized that the colt Malon had taken with the cart had just returned without her.
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The only indication in Hyrule that morning had arrived was the faint lightening of the sky. The storm was over, but a steady downpour still washed over the soaked land. Malon crawled out from under the wagon, stiff and aching from sleeping in such a position in the cold. She pulled her wet scarf from around her neck and used it to tie her hair back, annoyed that it kept flopping over her eyes. There was no sign of her missing horse, and no way for her to get the wagon to town on her own. Malon leaned against the wood of the hatch and tried to hold back tears of frustration.
She had no idea how long she remained that way before the sounds of a horse's gallop reached Malon's ears. She glanced up just in time to see a very familiar horse and rider rise over the hill. Relief filled Malon; everything was always better when Link arrived. Her spirits were lifted once hope that she could make the delivery had returned.
Link rode up and dismounted next to his friend.
"Link, I'm so glad to see you!" Malon was very tempted to hug him.
"Are you all right?" Link visually checked her for any problems.
"I'm fine, but my horse ran away and I need to get this milk to town," her voice sounded very weary.
Link led Epona to the front of the cart and examined the broken hitch. He backed her into the yoke and took off his shield, pulling its strap out from the metal loops that held it. He reattached the harness to the posts with it and jumped up to the bench.
Malon watched him, amazed at Link's resourcefulness. She grabbed his offered hand and joined him atop the wagon.
"Thank-you, Link," Malon said with a grin.
---
The rain had finally stopped some point that afternoon after they had dropped the milk off in town. They had headed back to the ranch immediately at Malon's insistence. She didn't like the idea of leaving the horses alone to Ingo and Talon's care for more than a day. Link had taken the reins again without bothering to ask, and Malon didn't seem to mind letting him drive. She gazed to the right and watched the sun set in the sky that was finally clear of clouds.
Malon had spoken a few times on the way back, but neither of them seemed particularly talkative. Link didn't realize she had fallen asleep until she slid against his side. A small smile crossed his face at the slack and calm expression on Malon's face. He gripped the reins with one hand and held the young woman in place next to him with the other, very content in that moment.
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Morning came with the sounds of cuccos crowing outside and the horses shuffling in their stalls. Malon sat up and realized she was on Link's cot in the barn, and the young man was nowhere in sight. She quickly checked the horses and found no sign that Epona had returned for the night either. She sighed and sat back down on the pallet, missing Link already. His gear was gone from the corner; the hero of time had gone to save someone else.
Her fingers grazed the rough blanket that had been covering Link before the previous night and plucked a stray golden hair from the fibers. It always made her worry to not know where he had gone or when he'd return. His adventures were extremely dangerous, something she had found out by following him on one once. Malon's eyes slid closed, and a faint line formed on her forehead as she tried to banish her fear for Link's safety. He was very capable at what he did, and she knew that. It was growing harder to find him missing every time it happened.
Deciding that she was silly for fretting over Link's blanket, Malon rose to open the barn door for the horses.
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"Malon!" the old woman that owned the new herb and flower shop in town waved wildly at the farm girl from over the crowd.
Red hair bobbed up and down from different spots as Malon dug her way through the busy street. She almost dropped the bag she was carrying and clutched it tighter in reaction. Realizing that Link would probably be returning soon, Malon had set off to replenish the food stores. Her bag was heavy with eggs and other products from the ranch to trade, as well as the small bag of rupees, earnings from the last milk delivery. With a sigh of relief she sagged against the wooden stall and smiled at the old woman. The number of people had increased greatly since Ganondorf's end, and the town was even busier than it had been before the evil man's rule.
The elderly woman gave her a toothless grin and rubbed her hands together. "So, what have you brought me today?"
Malon set her bag up on the rough wooden table and pulled out several bundles of dried plants. The woman hummed appreciatively as she examined each one, tasting bits of the leaves to sample the quality and freshness. Overjoyed with what the girl had brought her, she paid generously for the new stock.
After the rupees had been added to her little wallet, Malon knew it was time for the latest gossip.
Without even bothering to hide her excitement about spilling all the latest juicy tidbits, the old woman broke into a long and fascinating story about the Queen's journey into the town square the previous day. The saleswoman from the next stall heard bits of the story and wandered over to add her pieces of information. Malon said nothing, content to absorb everything they were willingly sharing.
"-and she told the town that she would be coming out to visit more often to talk to the citizens and hear their concerns. I must say," the middle-aged woman from the next stall over stated with authority, "Zelda is certainly the best ruler this land has seen for many a year. Not only is she the most elegant woman but the wisest. She really cares for her people!"
The old woman nodded in fierce agreement. "There are rumors now that the Queen will be wedded too! She has reached the appropriate age, and I know that her council has advised her to do it soon."
"I can't wait for such a magnificent wedding," the younger woman sighed dramatically. "It will be the most glorious event this town has ever seen. We all know of course that she must marry the Hero. It is obvious that they are intended for each other!"
Malon ignored the lump in her throat that rose at those words.
"Indeed, there could not be a better match in all of Hyrule." The old woman gazed at Malon and asked, "don't you agree?"
"Oh yes!" Malon couldn't help the slight quiver in her voice. "Thank-you for the business, but I must finish my errands before night."
She waved and set off into the crowd again, avoiding the curious looks of the two women.
---
Alone on her horse, Malon finally had time to ponder what she had heard that day. Her bag was now full of food and supplies that the ranch couldn't make on its own. Ever since Link had started living in the barn she had found it necessary to purchase extra food to keep him fed as well. It was a bit of a strain on the money, but Malon could never imagine it being any other way. However, from what gossip she heard from several different vendors during her shopping, the town was certain that Link would be marrying Zelda before the year was finished. She wouldn't have to worry about feeding an extra person then, working into the evening to earn enough to cover the costs. The garden she had planted that year was solely for the purpose of having a bit of extra flavoring in the cooking and herbs to sell in town. She never would have bothered if she only had to feed her father and Ingo.
She was glad that Link had taken to calling her barn his home; all the effort she had to make was worth it just to have him around more frequently. He certainly helped out as well when he wasn't traveling. Malon briefly considered what it would be like when things went back to the way they had been just after Ganondorf's defeat when Link was gone. She knew it would be that way when he married Zelda. Frequent trips to Lon Lon Ranch wouldn't be appropriate for the Queen's new husband, if he even had any wish to visit after he became the ruler.
Malon sighed and urged the horse to move faster. Sehiro snorted in the light breeze, sidestepping slightly as he picked up the pace. All of the horses were precious to Malon, but a few held a special place in her heart. Epona and Sehiro were both wonderful horses, siblings. Sehiro was older and had started to show his age. Still, he was her favorite to ride and had been one of her comforts for many years.
Peace filled her as the young woman gazed up at the star-filled night sky. Even though Link would have to leave one day to live in the castle, Malon could still enjoy the time she had now with her friend.
The moon rose steadily and passed overhead as the hours dragged by. Malon had taken to humming softly while she rode, and the soft notes of her mother's song floated pleasantly past Sehiro's flickering ears. She could almost imagine it was her own mother's sweet voice instead of the rough tone she believed she possessed. Her memories of a beautiful woman with red hair and soft features made the song very important to her. More than once she had found herself gazing into the mirror, trying to see her mother in her own face hardened by outdoor labor and neglect.
The seller's words from that morning came back to Malon sharply, driving deep just how much she was wanting compared to others. Queen Zelda was such an elegant and beautiful woman, like her mother had been. Malon gazed down at her own calloused hands where they gripped the leather bridle. The soft notes of her song faded as she found she lacked the heart to sing it at the moment. The lump in her throat had risen again, making it difficult to swallow, and a strange force had constricted her chest and made her breathing shallow.
She would have to learn to accept the fate she had been given. It had never bothered her before to be simple, and even now she was awed by the thought of a woman like Zelda, so perfect in everyway and able to rule Hyrule so capably.
The thought of losing her best friend was painful, but she didn't quite understand why it hurt so much. She had known for quite some time that it would happen; having the reality of it so close made any prior knowledge of it useless. Link would leave one day, and rightfully so. He deserved the chance for happiness, and only a woman as deserving as Zelda could possibly be his match. Malon smiled to herself at the thought of seeing her best friend happy on his wedding day and vowed to herself that she would give no indication that she was in pain during the ceremony. No one deserved it more than Link.
tbc