Chapter 1: Where To Go To From Here
Okay so a friend of mine on tumblr got me to do a bunch of drabble requests for him concerning Malink. And I have to say, while Zelink is my OoT OTP, I always had a soft spot for Malink. However, I always had this headcanon (despite Zelink being my favorite of OoT pairings), that Link actually ended up marrying Malon, mostly because of a couple of things concerning Twilight Princess Link. But I digress, I'll get into that later. Basically this story is based on all those Malink drabbles I did on my tumblr. I'm going to have a bunch of little drabbles (though I guess it's really more a fanfic, because it's all going to have continuity after all, but I'm going to jump between years every so often and stuff) here and there, about bridging the gap between two games, but it will of course mostly focus on the life of Link and Malon. Though I do warn you, later chapters will get sad (because this is going to take place and tie together both games eventually so sad things are going to have to eventually happen). But I am quite excited for these.
Anyways enjoy guys!
Years had passed since Princess Zelda returned him to his original timeline, back as a child. Years since he traveled to the distant land of Termina and helped the people of its land.
Link was thirteen years old now, three years have passed since all that had happened, it was strange to say for him though. He remembered all the events that he went through, but going back in time, it felt weird...because he had all those memories when he was older, and all those battles he fought, but...those battles never happened technically.
At least not anymore. He was the only one who knew though.
Even though he was now the famed child who helped warn the King (with Princess Zelda of course) of Ganondorf's treachery, it still felt so strange, here—he was not known as the Hero of Time. Here, he was just a child who aided Princess Zelda in thwarting a man before he could betray the King.
But that was okay...he didn't mind.
Currently Link was just returning from the Zora's domain, as he walked down Hyrule Field, with Zelda's permission he retrieved all the spiritual stones and returned them to their origin. The princess felt it was best they kept the sacred realm closed up for good, even if Ganondorf was behind bars, rotting in some dungeon until the King and some sages (not the same ones he was familiar with from the other timeline...this whole time travel thing really threw him for a loop) decided what to do with him, she still felt it was best. Link agreed.
While the Deku Tree was gone, Link knew he could entrust the Emerald to his childhood friend, Saria, she would keep it safe. Her and another Kokiri that Link befriended—Fado—already had plans on hiding it somewhere deep in the forests where no one would find it.
The Gorons of course, Link knew could keep the Ruby safe as well, there was no doubt about that—but returning the Sapphire...Link winced not wanting to recall the memory of returning that—as he neared the castle. Yes Ruto was very displeased (understatement), and he felt terrible for it.
While she was high maintenance at times, Link actually did grow to like Princess Ruto as a friend, upsetting her was something he was not happy to do. She wasn't so bad, she was kind of funny and enjoyable in her own way. Despite not getting off to the best start when they first met, he actually did come to like the Zora Princess as a friend. The last thing he wanted to do was make her mad and hurt her feelings, even if it was unintentionally.
"Link, pay attention!" Navi cried out, as Link nearly walked into a tree.
Link snapped his attention immediately, frowned awkwardly at his fairy and waved at her with an apology, he heard her sigh in exasperation.
He walked into the town, it was as busy and bustling as ever, he smiled as he searched for a sign of Impa, he was supposed to meet her there so he could inform her he got all the stones returned, so that way Princess Zelda would know. The sun was finally beginning to set, but the town didn't seem like it was ready to settle down yet.
Link's elbow accidentally bumped into the side of an arm of a girl about his height, he turned to apologize, and his eyes widened just slightly as he realized immediately who the girl was.
"Fairy-boy? Is that you?" The girl who moved back, a big smile on her face.
"Yeah, but don't you remember I have a name Malon? It's Link." Link teased the red-head.
"I know that, but I prefer to call you Fairy-boy!" She laughed after sticking her tongue out at him childishly.
Link rolled his eyes but smiled anyway. Navi just sat on his shoulder and watched the two exchange small talk as they rested against the brick of one of the shops in the town square.
"I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been?" Malon asked.
"Oh, I've been okay, you know, just—"
"Off doing errands for her highness?" Malon interjected with a smile.
"Huh? How did you know?" Link blinked.
"Well everyone knows about the noble little boy who uncovered and foiled the schemes of the evil Ganon-whatever his name, with Princess Zelda, the whole town talked about it." Malon pointed out.
Yeah that was true, everyone knew about that, but...
"Yeah but how did you know I was doing something for the Princess?" Link inquired.
"Well when I first met you, you were rushing to meet the princess for some reason, then when you stopped by the ranch, you told me about how you had to leave to go to the Zora's river after getting something over from the Gorons, because you needed to get some stone thingy, all for the princess because you had some important mission so that's why you couldn't play with me." Malon said dramatically.
"It was important." Link frowned.
"I know Fairy-boy, I'm just teasing you." Malon snickered.
Link sighed and stared at the clouds, Malon reached in her bag and pulled out a bottle of Lon Lon Milk and wordlessly handed it over to him, a big smile never left her face.
Link wasn't really thirsty, but he took it anyway and nodded to her, giving her a smile of thanks before drinking a little bit of it. Malon pulled out another and drank some herself, she stared up at the clouds and got all excited, she pointed out to Link how the shapes of some clouds looked like horses, cuccoos and cows. She was always so happy and energetic.
Link had to admit he enjoyed spending any time he spent with Malon, even in the other timeline, when he was older, despite all the bad things that happened, Malon still had a heart that was filled with hope and tried to look on the bright side. He really admired that about her.
"Hey Malon, how come you're here?" Link asked eventually.
"Oh, obviously daddy had to drop in some shipment of Lon Lon Milk to a couple of the shops here, and to Hyrule castle of course too, I begged him to take me. He is always going off delivering shipments here or to Kakariko, and he rarely takes me to town. Heck I've never even gone to Kakariko! I wanna see it! It's no fair you and daddy get to travel and I get cooped up with all the livestock!" She pouted.
"Hey, maybe I can take you there someday." Link offered.
"Really?" Malon brightened up at that suggestion, "Can you take me to see the mountain too?! I've always wanted to go there, I've never even been to a mountain! Or even Lake Hylia! It's no fun! I wanna visit them!"
"Yeah, I can take you to Death Mountain, and I could even introduce you to the Gorons, we're friends you know!" Link smiled.
Malon's eyes shined with such excitement, they were brighter than the Sun during noon of day.
"Yeah, the chief of the Gorons even named me an honorary brother for helping them defeat some dodongos!" Link boasted.
Malon's eyes were like shooting stars as she begged Link to tell her more about his adventures, and Link couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. Link could practically feel Navi rolling her eyes, even though he didn't see it, but he didn't care. Link wasn't one who often liked to brag, but really, no one other than Saria ever really asked about his adventures, but Malon...she seemed so enthusiastic about it, far more excitement and enthusiasm in her wants to know about Link's adventures, than his old friend had shown. (But not that Saria wasn't interested or liked hearing about it, she just wasn't as eager of a person like Malon was, nothing wrong with that).
Link felt...kind of happy, to see someone be so excited and this interested in his life and all the stuff he had to go through, so what if he was being a little bit braggy right now as he told her about his adventures. He isn't the one to brag normally, and once in a while, it's nice to actually do it when someone genuinely wants to hear what you have to say.
"Wow, that's so exciting...will you be doing stuff like that forever?" Malon asked.
Link blinked, and for some reason his mind came to a halt.
"What?"
"Hm? Like are you going to go on more adventures like this, what are you going to do now, that you know, your errands for the Princess are done." Malon clarified.
Link glanced over at his fairy and she didn't really have anything to say in response. Link was at a loss for words, he never really thought about it.
What was he going to do now that this was all over. He never really thought about it. He only left Hyrule after everything to find Navi after she disappeared, when everything was said and done, he was finally reunited with his fairy and happily found her. He returned the stones upon his return to Hyrule. Now what?
He couldn't exactly stay and live with Kokiri for the rest of his days. It was apparent when he visited them upon his return, that he had gotten older. He knew after everything that had happened from pulling the Master Sword that he was not in fact a Kokiri, he was a Hylian like the Princess, and Malon who was sitting next to him, blinking as she waited for an answer.
He would grow up, while all those children would stay just that. He didn't belong there, but where would he go?
"I...I never really thought about it." Link finally answered, he did his best to not look like he was distressed from this new problem revealed to him.
Malon frowned, sympathy in her eyes, Link wasn't happy about that, that meant he couldn't visibly hide his distress.
"You aren't going to go home to your forest?" Malon asked, but there was hesitance in her voice.
"I'm...I'm not really a Kokiri." Link revealed to his friend, "Kokiri are children, they never grow up, but I found out that I'm actually like you...you know, a Hylian."
"That would explain why you can age like me then." Malon wondered out loud, "Hey, cheer up Fairy-boy."
Link glanced back at her, she giggled and smiled as she put a tender hand on his shoulder, in an effort to comfort him, a cheerful and carefree expression on her face again.
"You know, you can always come live with me and my dad on the ranch." Malon offered.
Link blinked at the girl, he really didn't know what to say. Without a thought, Malon just offered Link that he could have a home with her family. Link couldn't help but smile finally, she was a really good friend.
"You don't think your father would mind?" Navi spoke up.
"Of course not! Daddy likes you Link! I'm more than certain you both would be more than welcome to come stay with us if you wanted too! You can work on the ranch and be a rancher like us if you wanted!" Malon giggled, "But whether you want to come with us or not, you still are going to take me to see the Gorons someday Fairy-boy, I'm going to hold you to that!"
Link chuckled back in response, she was not only offering for him to come stay with them, she was trying to cheer him up too with her usual style of teasing. It was then Link noticed Impa in town square, she was scanning the crowds, probably looking for him.
"Thanks Malon, I'm still not sure, I'll have to think about it. Anyways, I'll see you later, I have to go see that lady, she works for the Princess you see." Link pointed Impa out.
Malon glanced over at her and then nodded back at Link.
"Okay, well see you around Fairy-boy, when you stop by our ranch, just let me know what you decide, besides, you need to drop Epona off anyway, I miss that scamp, she's been away from home for a while." She waved as Link walked off, but waved the girl back.
Epona...that's right, he left her over by the Kokiri Forest, she looked tired, Link didn't want to drag her all over Hyrule field. So he decided to let her rest by the entrance while he went to deliver those last spiritual stone, by making a shortcut through the Lost Woods, Link knew he could be in and out of Zora's Domain, and to the castle by at least sunset.
He moved his way through the crowd and Impa eventually spotted him, as she made her way to the young thirteen year old. She nodded to the boy as a silent greeting. Link nodded back up to the Princess's caretaker and bodyguard.
"I got all the spiritual stones returned to where they were entrusted, just as the Princess requested." Link answered Impa's silent question that was in her eyes.
"Good job Link, you've been very helpful to the Princess, I'm sure she'll be pleased to hear this news." Impa smiled slightly.
"So what about the Ocarina of Time?" Link asked.
"Princess Zelda and I are planning on keeping that hidden treasure safe with us, and we will continue to guard it. With that traitorous Ganondorf locked up, and all the keys needed to open the sacred realm split up, there is nothing to fear anymore. You've done well for us Link, you have Hyrule's enternal gratitude."
Link and Navi smiled at each other and smiled up at Impa. Even if she didn't remember the events that unfolded from that future timeline, it was nice to know that Link was able to do some good not once, but twice for this land. Just hearing it put him slightly at ease.
"If there is anything you should need, Princess Zelda wanted me to tell you that she promised she will be happy to fulfill for you." Impa pat the boy lightly on the head.
She stayed for a couple of seconds, like she was in between leaving to go return to her princess, but remained briefly as if to wait and see if Link had anything he requested now, to take up on that offer.
Link stood in silence, but he still wasn't sure what he exactly wanted. A part of him would of liked to go to Lon Lon Ranch, but at the same time, after everything he's done so far, after everything he went through, could he really just be tied to a ranch? He could understand Malon's frustration, while it was dangerous, Link couldn't deny, that the adventures he faced changed him, and going back to anything remotely "normal" just felt weird for him.
But at the same time, he didn't really know what else to do.
Impa looked like she was ready to leave, as she turned her heels towards the castle, taking about two steps away from him, before Link actually rushed himself forward and grabbed the older woman by the wrist in haste.
She glanced down at the boy, her expression was the same serious one she always wore, but it was mixed with a tinge of curiosity, as Link noted she raised one of her brows. Link pulled his hand back immediately, he bit the inside of his lips, embarrassed at his haste.
"S-Sorry..." He said awkwardly, sure Impa was somewhat intimidating, but Link wasn't actually scared of her, but he was still embarrassed he did that, he had come to respect the woman.
"Is there something you needed?" She said, almost more gently.
Link blinked, perplexed at the sudden change in her expression, but then Link remembered this was Princess Zelda's caretaker. While Impa was a warrior and the Princess's bodyguard, she was still her caretaker. So of course, she had to have a soft side, it put Link a bit more at ease when he saw that softer expression.
He didn't really remember his mother...being only an infant when she died. He'd grown up never realizing he had one, til the Deku Tree told him about his true heritage, and about his past. However, as Impa knelt down to be more at eye level with him, as she placed a more comforting hand on his head as she lightly ruffled his bangs while giving him a tender smile, as she told Link, "It's okay, you don't have to be nervous, just tell me what's bothering you."...he couldn't help but wonder, if this is how a mother would talk to their child. Regardless, it managed to put him at ease.
"I...I'm sorry to bother you with this, but the truth is, I...I don't know what to do." Link breathed.
Impa frowned a bit, probably not sure what Link meant, he took a breath, realizing he should probably give the woman clarification. It was hard though, he usually only talked personal stuff like this with Navi or Saria. It was hard even talking that personal stuff to Malon earlier for him, he just normally doesn't do it. Navi makes him talk and Saria, well she was his oldest friend, she was patient and let Link talk when he was good and ready, she just knew how to deal with him.
But that still didn't make this easy, so he took another breath, trying to figure out how to say the words he wanted to say without feeling embarrassed, because he did feel a bit embarrassed. But he honestly didn't know what he should do. And Impa was an adult, and she seemed pretty wise, it probably wouldn't hurt to ask her for advice. Besides, who was she going to tell? Not like Mido or any of his friends would ever hear about this to make fun of him. And even if she did tell Princess Zelda, it's not like his royal friend would ever make fun of him for his uncertainty, she was far too nice of a person to do that.
"I...well, I can't really go home, because I'm not a Kokiri, you know...I don't really belong there anymore. And I finished completely the quest for the Princess, and finished her final errands she needed. Hyrule is safe and...what else is there left for me to do? I mean I don't exactly have a family, and my only family is back in the forest filled with people who can never age. I just don't know where I should go next." Link finally spilled out.
He didn't stop there though, the words just kept spilling out from his mouth, usually Navi was the more talkative of the two of them, but he couldn't hold it back.
"I mean Malon, she's this friend of mine from the ranch, she said I was welcome to come stay with her and her dad, but...I don't know...I don't know what to do. I just gotten so use to running around and doing all these quests and errands, fighting monsters and stuff...and now that it's over I just...I don't know...what can I do? Where can I go?" Link hated how lost and pitiful he sounded just then.
But he was a kid, he didn't exactly have any answers, and he didn't know where to turn, the Great Deku Tree was gone, and Navi didn't have any ideas judging from her confused expression she equally gave Malon earlier. So really, Link was about as lost as they came.
Impa smiled more tenderly, as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Link wondered if she ever did things like this for Princess Zelda.
"Probably..." He thought, dismissing his earlier wonder, after all, she was her caretaker.
"It's understandable at your age to wonder where they want to be, and what they want to do for the rest of their life. Especially considering your circumstances. Link what is it you like doing?" Impa asked.
"Well...I mean, I do like Lon Lon Ranch. That's where I met this really nice horse, Epona, it's her home and she does belong there...and well, Malon is fun too, she's a nice friend of mine, so I don't think I wouldn't mind staying there, but at the same time...I actually didn't mind traveling all over the place for the Princess, I mean yeah it was dangerous and I had to fight, but I got to see new places and meet people. And I like to help people. I'm pretty good at fighting too, even though I'm small. I guess, I just want to help people, I know I can help people if I worked on that ranch, but...I liked that I was helping people by helping the Princess too...and doing those quests while sometimes scary, I didn't mind the danger, it was an adventure. But I'm still a kid, so it's not exactly like I can be some knight of Hyrule or something, I just don't know..." Link moaned with a pout.
Impa chuckled and ruffled his hair again before standing back up.
"I doubt you'd want to come live as a servant of the castle." Impa mused.
Link and Navi both frowned at that suggestion, Link even more so, that sounded completely boring.
"I thought so. Well, if you do enjoy the ranch, prehaps you should go there, but only if you want too. However, you are right, you are too young to come serve as a knight of Hyrule, and there are rules to becoming a knight, they can't just knight anyone. You have to have the qualifications and training to be a knight...yes you can fight Link, but you have to be trained by someone who serves the royal family already, in order to do that." Impa began to explain.
Link blinked, as he tried to take in the explanation. What was Impa suggesting?
"So for the time being, maybe you should go stay with your friend, however, if you still would like to serve the crown of Hyrule and help it's people by serving it's royal family, then I want you to come see me, twice a week, and I will give you proper knight training. Then when you come of age, if you still desire, I'm most certain her highness will happily knight you...but again, that's only if you wish. You have to decide what you want Link. This life is yours, and you must choose the path you take. I'm certain you will discover it is what you want with your life." Impa nodded with a small smile.
"However that is my suggestion I give to you for now if you would like to do that. Whatever you do, is up to you. Now I have to return to my princess, but I wish you the best of luck, Link. If you wish for what I suggested, then come meet me at the front gate of Hyrule Castle, during the noon of the day, two days from now. Goodbye." She turned around and waved Link without looking back.
Link smiled at Navi, he wasn't hundred percent certain what he wanted to do, but for now, that sounded like a great suggestion, Link decided he was going to give it some serious thought tonight.
He turned and ran to see if he could find Malon.
"Where are you going Link?" Navi asked.
"To find Malon, I'm not certain exactly what I want to do, but maybe I'll think about it tonight, Malon said it was okay if we could stay. So I'm certain it's okay to stay for just one night while we make up our decision...and who knows. Maybe her dad will be okay with letting me stay there, and then also letting me come here to see Impa." Link said brightly.
"Sounds like you're really considering this."
"Well why shouldn't I?" Link turned to the fairy.
"Oh no, you should Link, it sounds like a good idea, you should give it some serious thought. But whatever you decide, you know I'll be with you all the way, okay?" She said.
Link nodded to his fairy, as he finally spotted a sight of red hair in the crowd, he ran over to the girl. She was twirling around and humming the song for Epona.
"Hey Malon!" Link cried out, waving over to the girl.
Why the heck did Navi disappear from OoT to MM? Why did she leave? I really don't know...whatever, well there was the first chapter of the sets of drabbles, I hope you guys enjoyed it. It was mostly innocent stuff and to kind of establish more things you'll eventually see to come. But you'll get some more Malink shippiness in the future, I promise :P
Along with a couple of other things I have headcanons about from both Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess...
But anways...
Hyrule Hystoria outright confirms that TPLink is OoTLink's descendant, which means OoTLink had to get married to someone. Seeing is how Saria is a forever child, Ruto is a Zora, and TPLink isn't royalty and is quite clearly a full blooded Hylian, not to mention he knows Epona's song, lives in a village that has a ranch, and he's even very skilled at horseback riding and ranching, this lead me to believe that TPLink is Link and Malon's descendent. Hyrule Historia just stating that he is OoT's descendant only made me believe this headcanon further.
Hey Link could of married some nobody that the game didn't introduce us too, but for me, the most likely contenders for him to marry were either the two princesses (Zelda and Ruto) or Malon. And as I stated, since TPLink isn't part fish, and isn't royalty, and other reasons I listed above, I feel that OoTLink married Malon. While my Zelink shipper heart is sad to realize this-because it IS my favorite OoT ship, my Malink shipper heart is more than okay with this.
(the troubles with multishipping lol)
But enough of my musing, hope you guys enjoyed this!