Hymn of the Forgotten

A/N: Welcome to my first Legend of Zelda fic. It starts out at the end of Ocarina of Time, and continues in another direction. The story revolves around the relationship between Malon and her knight, Link.

Please review the story!

Singer Malon

Chapter One: Calamity

Something wasn't right.

Malon looked up as a shadow covered Lon Lon Ranch. She expected to see a cloud covering the afternoon sun, but the darkness covered the whole sky like a blanket.

It was not time for the sun to leave.

Her father, Talon, stopped his work with the Cuccos and gazed up as well. His eyes finally leveled with Malon's and he shook his head. "It's close now, Malon. The boy's almost there."

Link... She closed her eyes and pictured him. He would always visit her. Whether it was nighttime or day he would appear so suddenly and would take the time to listen to her sing.

He loved to listen to her. Malon was well too aware. Sometimes he would take his ocarina out and play along with her while trying to match the right notes as she sang Epona's song.

Malon smiled sadly. He must be at the castle already, she thought. Everyone's fate is going to be decided today. His and mine as well.

"Go to him." Another voice stirred in the wind. Malon opened her eyes and looked around, but no one, including her father, was in sight.

There was darkness everywhere. "Father?" She called out, but nothing moved.. Suddenly a light shot down from above. Malon shielded her eyes and tried to move, but her legs were locked in place.

"Do not be frightened, young one." Malon looked up from her arm and saw a figure floating in the beaming light. She gasped as she noticed the stranger's long red hair and familiar eyes.

"Mother?" She asked, her voice filled with wonder and fear.

The woman shook her head. "I am not your mother but a person of a more similar mind and soul. Heed my words, girl. Go to this boy that you care for. Give him your courage in his direst moment."

"You want me to change fate?" Malon asked.

"No! You must be the bringer of fate. The hero is confronting the Lord of Evil as we speak. Go to him!"

Once again the light became unbearable to see, and when Malon opened her eyes she was back on the ranch with Talon looking at her questioningly and the Cuccos wandering around her feet.

She drew in a deep breath. "I have to leave, Father," she finally said.

"Yes," Talon said, fully understanding his daughter. "Be safe, Malon."

No... Let Link be safe.

She gave her father a kiss on the cheek and then ran to the stables. She went over to the stall of a mare she called Tassos and walked her out, not bothering with a saddle or bridle.

"Let me ride you," Malon whispered to her. "And take me to Ganon's Castle as swift as you can." She mounted Tassos and reached over to feed her a carrot. Within seconds she was galloping out of the ranch.

Malon had not stepped foot in the Market for years.

She halted Tassos once she crossed the broken bridge. Everything was destroyed. What once was a bustling town of lively people and animals was now a silent, haunted place of evil and death.

She noticed the uneasiness of Tassos underneath her, and she patted the side of the horse's dark brown neck comfortingly. "It's just a little further now," she said. "You are a courageous creature. Please help bring me to Link." As Tassos slowly continued to walk, Malon started to see what looked like shriveled human forms. They noticed her and began moaning. "Faster Tassos." The mare began to trot. One fo the monster's hands reached out and grabbed the girl's ankle as they went by. Malon shrieked and kicked the hand away. "Faster!" She cried to Tassos, and the horse picked up speed as they left the horror behind them.

Once they were on the path to the castle, Malon let out a relieved breath, but she knew what happened in the Market would be the least of her troubles.

What should have been Hyrule Castle was in full view now, and as the girl gazed upon the dark, crumbled walls she realized something:

Ganondorf's fortress was destroyed.

And there among the ruins were two figures; a tall, elegant woman that Malon knew for sure was Princess Zelda, and Link, the blonde-haired fairy boy that she had become so attached to. They seem safe enough, Malon thought. Did I come too late? But she still got off the horse and found herself climbing up the cliff to the castle. I have my strength. Link showed me where to find it. She tripped on the hem of her skirt and almost lost her footing, but she willed herself not to look down. He showed me just by walking up to me and telling me his name. He will need the same strength back.

Malon forced a smile as she pulled herself up onto the top of the ruins. Zelda had her back to her and was staring up ahead. At what? Malon looked and saw Link running towards the rubble.

She saw the flames before it even happened.

"Link, watch out!" She cried, and as Zelda turned towards her fire shot up from the ground, encircling Link and the ruins.

It was hard to think clearly. The princess was speaking to her rapidly, but she could not understand the words. The flames roared in her ears, and as her knees buckled to the ground she heard something land beside her.

It was Link's sword.

Before she even knew what she was doing, Malon picked up the blade with both hands and immediately felt the power of both ice and fire shoot up her arms. It was the most painful experience she ever encountered, yet her hands clenched the hilt even tighter. She felt a drop of sweat run down her face, and her teeth were clenched tightly together.

Suddenly the flames subsided, and right in front of her stood Link. Ganondorf... No, the evil being was far above that... Ganon was on the ground a little ways behind him and appeared to be stunned.

"Malon?" Link's eyes were wide.

"Take your sword, Link," she said. "Finish him off."

"Link!" He turned to Zelda's voice. "Give me enough time to call upon the other Sages," the princess said. "Hurry and take the sword from the- "

Malon wasn't sure what she saw next. In the middle of all this confusion rose Ganon from behind Zelda. He did not attack her, but instead released a dark shadow from inside him that passed into the princess. Zelda's mouth dropped open in silent shock. Her arms started shaking, and she looked at them in disbelief as they raised up to the sky. A dark, swirling mist began to circle around her, and suddenly engulfed her completely.

Link did not see this. Immediately becoming aware of Ganon's presence, he ripped the Master Sword from Malon's hands and charged towards him.

The releasing of such immense power drained everything inside the girl. Her body began to sway, and she was faintly aware that she was falling to the ground. Darkness took her without hesitation.

The Forgotten Sage. The same voice whispered to her again, only it was inside her head. You will rise up. It is not over yet.

She dreamt that she was bathed in light.