After the Battles are Done
Part 2
I woke up the next morning in one of the best moods of my life. Quickly, I got dressed in my favorite outfit and skipped to the barn. I arrived there to find that Link was already dressed and leaning against the door, an easy smile on his king-like face. My heart melted.
"Good morning Malon," he greeted
"Good morning to you too Link," I replied with a grin. "Good morning?" I thought "It's the best morning ever!" I breathed out and smiled again.
"So!" I said cheerfully "Are you ready for your first day of work?"
" Yes, ma'am!" said Link giving me the soldier's salute, making me giggle " What are your orders?"
Still giggling at soldier Link I said "At ease Captain," His hand dropped to his side. "Our first job is to milk the cows, bottle it and go to the market before the sun is up in three hours, so you ready?"
"All right then," said Link who went to open the door like a true gentleman. A true gentleman who actually seemed to have life figured out and confident about it unlike, well, a certain creep from the village named Sethe. Again I remembered my father's request for me to marry him and again I shuddered at the idea. Link glanced over.
"Chilly this morning?" he asked.
I shook my head. "No just an unpleasant memory," I looked over at him and put on a sly grin " Well Captain Link? Are you ready for your first day on command?" I teased.
Link put on a broad grin. "Yes Captain Malon," With that we headed inside the barn to begin the work day. We decided that I would milk the cows and that Link would filter the milk into the bottle. After about half an hour we were ready to head to the market. We put the milk in the portable ice box, then went to hitch the horses.
"Hey! Why don't we hook Epona up today? I bet she'd love the market," I suggested.
Link chuckled "Good luck, " when he saw my confused face he continued "Ever since we happened on a wild rancher caravan, who by the way worshipped Epona like she was a goddess, she's become more stuck up than a princess,"
I laughed " Okaaaay, then let's just hook up Kari and Irace. I take them to the market usually anyway,"
Link smirked, then went to get the bridles and harnesses. 10 minutes later the horses were hitched, the milk loaded and we were on our way to the market. While we were heading to the market over Hyrule Plain Link told me all about his adventures with the rancher caravan. He told me how they treated their horses equal with themselves and when Epona and he arrived they treated her like a goddess because of her beauty. I listened the whole way to the market and was amazed with his stories, hoping that I would get to learn more about him in the next few years.
When we got to the market (now held outside of Hyrule's gates) I directed the horses to our spot and we began to unpack. As people passed by our stall I heard whispers from the people and soon a buzz was going through the market that the great Link, favorite of the Princess Zelda, had returned and was in the market. I tried to ignore it and it looked like Link was doing the same. He smiled and was polite to the customers who came but that seemed to be it. Eventually the people calmed down and it seemed to be a normal day at the market.
"Good day to you, pretty Malon. Been thinkin' about you lately"
I groaned. This is the last thing I wanted to do today. Slowly I breathed out and turned to face Sethe. I plastered a fake smile on my face. "How many today Sethe? The usual three bottles for you and your family?" I asked beginning to put the usual order together.
Sethe grinned "Don't be like that Malon. C'mon, I now you're crazy about me. How about you leave "Mr. Hero" and join me for a little stroll?"
"I'm sorry Sethe, but we're rather busy today and frankly I'm just not interested. That'll be 30 rupees," I said handing him his milk.
He sighed and handed me the money, but while doing so quickly grabbed my wrist. "Now listen little Malon" he said in a whisper "If ya like it or not I will make you mine so why don't you just come along nice and easy,"
I tried to pull away but Sethe had a firm grip. "Sethe," I said, My temper blazing "Let me go right now!". When he didn't, I drew my wrist back, about to punch him straight in the mouth. I was about to snap forward when Link put his hand on my arm and in one fluid motion snapped his other hand in a chopping formation on Sethe's hand. Instantly Sethe let go and took a step back. Link then pulled me behind him and narrowed his eyes.
"Sorry about that," he said in a low voice "but it seems to me that Malon isn't interested at the moment. Maybe you can try again in a millennium or so,"
"You ass!" snarled Sethe "I will get you and then I'll take Malon as my own! I'll be back just you wait," and with that Sethe stormed off into the crowd.
I turned to Link. "Thanks for that. Sethe can be a real jerk sometimes. He seems obsessed with me though I don't know why,"
Link's eyes turned soft. "I think I can guess," he said, then turned and went back to work.
The rest of the day went pretty normally and soon we were packing up and heading back home. We rode in silence. When we got back we unhitched the horses, watered them, fed them and then fed the rest of the stock. I started heading back to the main house when Link called out
"Malon!" he called, " I just wanted you to know..." he paused.
My breathe caught. " What Link? What is it?" I waited for his response.
He took a breathe in. "Just know that no matter what I will always try to help you when you are in need of it. Good Night," and with that he went into the barn.
I started to head in, but paused in the door way. "Good night to you too Link" I whispered. I went in and closed the door and was just heading to my room when my father stopped me.
"So!" he boomed " Did you two have fun at the market today?" I smiled to myself
"No," I said "Just your normal day at the market. Night Father," Then I headed into my room and fell asleep, wondering what adventures tomorrow would bring.
"Wow," I thought "Things are going to be a lot different with Link around,".
I had no idea how right I was.
