Stealing Away

Heeeeey guys. My first Zelda fic here, a little fluff between Malon and Link. It's a three part fic, and I'll have the next part up asap. Enjoy!

Part One

Malon absently hummed to herself as she finished brushing the fine grey stallion she was tending to. She laughed as he snorted in her face, causing her deep auburn hair to flutter. Her jobs for the night finished, the ranch-girl left the stables, carefully latching the door shut behind her.

The stars were out in full and the moon was a sliver of silver in the dark sky. A faint breeze ruffled the tree-tops and the skirt of the simple lavender and cream dress she wore.

"Malon?"

She gasped in shock and spun round. There, leaning against the rough stone wall of the house, stood a young man with shaggy, dark blonde hair and dressed in dirty green clothing. His fairy, Navi, barely had the energy to stay in the air. She hovered above his shoulder, occasionally resting there. His friendly mare, Epona, stood beside them, her warm breath morphing into clouds in the cold air.

Her face broke into a wide smile which quickly vanished. Something's wrong… "Link? What are you doing here?" she asked, inching closer.

Link shook his head and put out a hand to the wall to steady him. It took him a couple of attempts to form the words as he gasped in air. "Why… why are you in the Temple Malon? You should… go back. Too… dangerous," he croaked. He swayed on his feet, and she ran forward to catch him as he pitched forward.

She almost screamed in fright when she saw the extent of his dreadful injuries. His left eye was swollen and bloody. A long gash ran from his temple to his cheekbone, dripping scarlet onto bruised flesh. His once soft, velvety tunic had a red, slowly growing stain over his stomach, and the feathered shaft of an arrow was still protruding from his shoulder.

"Link! Listen to me – concentrate on my voice," she said loudly, clearly, desperately, as she held him steady on his knees.

X

Link's head felt like it was full of cotton wool. Everything was numb, save for the pain in his shoulder and stomach whenever he moved. With great difficulty, he tried to focus on Malon's soft, lilting voice that sounded muffled to him as he verged on the brink of unconsciousness.

"M-Malon?" He tried to reach for her, to tell her to get out of danger. A Temple full of monsters was no place for such a sweet, delicate young woman. He would hate for anything to happen to her.

X

"Link!" Malon cried as his captivating blue eyes slid shut. She heard a clattering coming from the Cucco coop. "Dad!" she screamed, her voice carrying in the still night air. She gently laid the young warrior down, mindful of his terrible injuries. "Come quick!"

Talon came running up, puffing and panting. He stopped short at the sight of the unconscious warrior. "Gallopin' geldings! What in tarnation happened here?!"

"I don't know. Dad, he needs rest – take him up to my room. I'll go get help!" Malon jumped to her feet and vaulted into Epona's saddle. Wheeling her round, she kicked Epona into a gallop and burst through the Ranch's gates, eating up the distance to Kakariko Village.

As Epona's hooves clattered over the bridge, she threw herself off and hurriedly looped the reins over the branches of the lone tree standing on the river bank. She breathlessly raced through the empty streets, stopping at a small house in the centre of the village.

"Eva! Eva! It's Malon! Open up!" Malon jumped back from the heavy wooden doors it was yanked open. An elderly woman with curly, greying hair was fastening a cloak around her neck.

"He's back, isn't he?" Eva asked. Malon nodded, biting her lip nervously. Eva sighed. "I thought as much. Don't worry lass, I'm a-coming."

"Thank you so much," Malon said to her as they hurried out of the village. Malon helped Eva up into the saddle, grabbed Epona's reins and leapt on too.

"Fly Epona," she whispered. The horse's chestnut ear flicked backwards, listening to her sweet voice. "Link needs us."

X

Link's head swam as he clawed his way back into consciousness. The flickering candle beside him caused his world to spin. "Malon…?" he croaked, searching for the angle-faced, sweet-voiced girl.

A soft pat on his arm told him he wasn't alone. "She's coming Link. She went to fetch some help for you. Don't you worry 'bout Malon." Talon's voice made his head ring and ache painfully. Slowly, the words invaded his consciousness. He tried to nod but stars, bright, painful, erupted in his head. As he slid back into the darkness, he relaxed and sighed softly, barely registering the throbbing pains in his shoulder and stomach.

Malon… she was coming.

Not much I know. It's more of a prologue. Part Two is longer and, as I said, will be up asap. Make my day and review!