A/N: I know I know I know...I haven't finished my other fics. This always happens though. I'll get a fic going hit a road block then start another. This is the last one until I finish my other ones. (sigh) So just enjoy okay.

Chapter 1

The autumn wind blew the fallen leaves around the blonde hero as he stood still, watching the last hints of sunrise. "Home sweet home…" he muttered before making his way toward the Hyrule Castle Market Town. Once inside the walls of the castle town, Link looked around. A few dealers and consumers were already out doing business. And by the time Link had reached the town square, a large crowd had gathered and the market was buzzing with life. Nestled in an alley, was a bar, The Sage's Tavern. Link made his way to it and pushed open the heavy wooden door. He smiled as he gazed around the empty room. He stepped into the room, the bell ringing as he pushed the door open wider. He took a step forward and a head popped up from behind the counter. The man staring at Link had bright blonde hair covered with bandages. His mouth had another set of bandages wrapped tightly around it. Sheik and Link had been friends since the two of them were seventeen years old. He was the only person Link felt he could tell anything.

"Hey Link!" Sheik shouted, his voice muffled by the bandages.

Link smiled and strolled over to the counter, "Hey Sheik. How's business?"

"Same as always. As long as people want to get drunk, I'll be here," Sheik replied with a laugh.

Link plopped down on an empty stool and Sheik set a mug down in front of him, "Ale?" he asked.

"No, just some cider will do," Link said, resting his head in his hands.

"What's the matter, Hero? Didn't you have fun out on the open seas? You were gone for a year," He filled the mug up with cider and Link sighed heavily.

"Yeah it was all right. Met some pretty interesting people. Fought some battles. Nearly blew myself to bits when I accidentally set off a bomb."

"Oh so it was the usual?" Sheik asked teasingly.

"You shouldn't expect anything less."

Silence filled the air as Link took a long drink from his cider. "…So have you been to see her?" Sheik asked finally.

"Her who?" Link looked up at Sheik innocently.

"Oh so you haven't been to Lon Lon Ranch yet…" He sighed, "That's good," he muttered.

"What was that last part?" Link asked, eying him suspiciously.

"Nothing, Hero. Ya know she was in here the other day, asking when you would be back."

"What did you tell her?" Link jumped from his seat, nearly spilling his cider in the process.

"I told her I didn't know! It's not like I'm your diary or anything," Sheik replied, picking up the cup before an accident could occur.

Link snorted and began marching toward the door. "Hey where are you going?"

"Where else? Lon Lon Ranch."

"Umm you might want to have a couple of drinks before you go…" Sheik called drumming his fingers against the counter.

Link laughed, "What would I need a drink for?"

Sheik shook his head as the bell above the door rang, "You'll see when you get to the ranch."

Link marched through Hyrule Field in a huff. He knew he had gotten upset for no reason. But when Sheik mentioned Malon, Link's heart nearly jumped from his chest. Link and Malon have been best friends since the two were ten years old. They were always seen together, getting each other in and out of some sort of trouble. He marched on into the ranch but stopped when the silence greeted him. Normally, he could hear Talon's snoring and Malon's singing. But today, Link swore he could hear Talon singing but no sounds of Malon. Knowing Malon's habits however, Link smiled as he opened the door to the barn. "Found ya!" he shouted jumping into the empty barn. No Malon. He looked around, confused. Where could she be? A familiar giggle rang from the top of the hayloft and Link smirked at the laugh. That had to be Malon. He began climbing the ladder to the hayloft, "Hey, Red…I'm home."

"…Link?" her voice sounded surprised and somewhat shocked.

"Yeah," Once he reached the top, he brushed the hay from his tunic and smiled at Malon. Then he gasped in utter surprise. Sitting next to the red head, was a dark haired young man, his arms wrapped around Malon's waist. Malon jumped from her seat, a wide smile on her face, "You're home!" she cried throwing her arms around Link, hugging him tight. Link responded with limp arms, his eyes glued to the young man. His eyes traveled from his torso and stopped at his green eyes. This mystery man simply smirked at Link as Malon broke the embrace and turned to the man, "Link this is ummm….Naru. Naru this is my best friend Link," she laughed nervously and pushed the young hero in front of her.

"So you're Link…" Naru stood, shaking his dark hair out his eyes, "Malon talks about you all the time."

"Strange, she hasn't mentioned you," Link replied flatly.

"Well I haven't seen you," she said, stepping beside her friend, "Naru and I met about a year ago down in the market."

"I see." No change in his voice was evident. Malon could sense the tension between her friend and this new person.

"Naru do you mind if I talk to Link alone for a minute?" she asked smiling at the other man.

"Sure thing. I'll go help your dad," Naru walked past them and kissed Malon's cheek tenderly. Link caught his wink as he descended the ladder. "He did that just to spite me!" Link's mind fumed, "You two seem awful friendly," he said curtly, once they were alone.

Malon laughed quietly, "Yeah. He's a great guy."

"When did you meet him?"

"A few days after you left. We needed help with the ranch so he answered the ad dad put on the market bulletin board," she replied sitting back down.

"You replaced me?"

"You left without as much as a goodbye. We didn't know where you were or if you were even coming back. So Dad just did the logical thing and found a replacement."

"So when are you getting rid of him?" He turned to her, his voice a bit cheerier than before.

"E-excuse me?" she jumped up, her facing flushing.

"When are you getting rid of him? I'm back. You don't need him anymore."

"You don't understand Link. We're not getting rid of him."

"What? You don't honestly think he's better than me at taking care of the chores. Nobody can handle the horses, sheep, and cows like I can."

"I know that Link but…Naru and I are getting married." Malon held out her hand, showing him the Zora Sapphire engagement ring on her finger.

The color drained from Link's face as his breath quickened and one word echoed in his mind: Married!