The Promise
Link and Navi had to spend the night in the castle town since the gates closed at night. Thankfully they had saved up a few rubies, so they were able to get a room at the local inn. The conversation with Zelda went really well, and thanks to that Link learned more about what he was expected to do. Link was lying down on his bed thinking about the conversation and his destiny.
Flashback
"Ganondorf?" Link asked after Zelda explained who the man from the desert was.
"Yes, I get an evil feeling whenever I think of him. I know exactly what he's after," she said looking back to the window making sure no one was watching them.
"What?" Link asked. Zelda then took Links hand and escorted him to her room. From there Zelda walked over to her dresser which had a small blue and gold box. Zelda opened the box and showed Link what was inside, which was a beautifully crafted ocarina made of blue material that Link initially thought was wood. It wasn't until later that Link saw it was shiny, making Link think it was made of a jewel of some sort.
"This Link, is the Ocarina of Time, one of the keys needed to open the Door of Time, where the Tri-Force is said to be kept," Zelda explained.
"The Tri-Force..." Link mimicked. The Deku Tree told him and Navi about that.
"Along with this, you need the three Spiritual Stones. You have the Kokiri's Emerald. Now we need the Goron's Ruby and the Zora's Sapphire."
"Navi and I can get those!" Link said seriously. He looked at Navi, who apparently nodded. Zelda smiled a bit, and then walked over to Link.
"Once you get the remaining Spiritual Stones, meet me in the Temple of Time. I'll play the Song of Time, and we'll get the Tri-Force before Ganondorf does!"
"Got it!" Link said nodding.
End Flashback
"Thinking about what Zelda told us to do?" Navi asked, making Link turn to her.
"When you guys said that my destiny was to save Hyrule, I didn't think you meant to actually save all of Hyrule," Link said turning to the window.
"Look on the bright side. At least you'll have a lot of stories to tell that girl from the ranch," Navi taunted. Link however took that very seriously.
At the same time at Lon Lon Ranch, Malon was brushing her pony, Epona. She was singing the song that her mother had taught her, which she had dubbed Epona's Song because it was the only song that could calm her down.
"Malon," Talon called from the house, "Are you almost done?"
"Yes Daddy, I'll be inside in a few minutes," Malon said to her father. Talon smiled looking at his daughter for a few seconds, and then went back inside. Malon turned to Epona, "Guess what Epona," she said to her pony, who looked at Malon as if actually listening, "I met this boy in town this afternoon. I think he's from the forest," Epona made a noise like she was asking Malon a question, "Well, he was wearing green clothes, and he had a fairy," Malon lead Epona to the stable as she kept talking, "I hope he comes to visit soon. I told Daddy and Mr. Ingo about him, so they'll be keeping an eye out for him," once Epona was in the stable, Malon kissed her on the side of the face, "I hope you like him when you see him Epona," Malon ran to the door, "Good night. See you tomorrow," Malon then left the stable, and skipped to the house.
The next morning, Link and Navi wasted no time going to the ranch. Link had to see her before he left for Death Mountain. They walked for a few hours until they ran into a crossroads. They stood there for a few seconds looking around, hoping that they weren't lost.
"Okay, I was hoping we could avoid this," Navi said looking at the two paths ahead of them. Link saw a sign next to the right path. He went over to it to see what it said.
"Lon Lon Ranch," he read aloud, "Think that's it?" he asked turning to Navi.
"There's only one way to find out," she said, and the two of them walked down the path to the ranch.
The sun was setting by the time they reached the ranch. Link thought it was nice, if not small. As they walked forward they heard a sound like loud snoring. Link followed the sound to the large house next to the stable.
Inside they saw Talon, surrounded by Cuccos. Link walked up to Talon and tried to shake him up, to no avail.
"Sheesh, how did she wake him up yesterday?" Link said tapping his foot.
"I think she did something like this," Navi said flying over to Talon. She then took a deep breath, and screamed really loud, almost louder than Malon did. Talon shot up instantly, surprising Link.
"How can someone so small make so much noise?" Link asked, questioning Farore's logic in giving fairies such powerful voices. He then walked over to Talon, who was just examining Navi closely. "Excuse me, sir?" Link said getting Talon's attention.
"Oh?" Talon looked down at Link and smiled, "You must be that forest boy Malon told me about," Talon said, confusing Link a bit.
"You don't remember me? I was with your daughter yesterday at the castle," Link said, questioning Talon's sanity a bit.
"Oh, you were? I don't remember seeing you..." Talon said trying real hard to remember Link.
"Um, I was the one who delivered the milk for you," Link said trying to jog Talon's memory, sadly to no avail, because he was pounding his head with his fist lightly.
"Nope, doesn't ring a bell," Talon said finally, making Link shake his head and toss his hands in the air lightly.
"Geez, and I thought Link was absent minded," Navi said shaking her head (at least it's assumed seeing how everyone only saw a blue ball of light with wings).
Talon lead Link and Navi outside to where the horses were, Malon riding around on Epona. Link ran up to the fence and was watching her ride around, amazed by how fast she was moving.
"Wow, what are those things?" Link asked excitedly, making Talon laugh.
"Never seen a horse, eh?" he asked. Link shook his head quickly, still watching Malon ride.
"He doesn't get out much," Navi told Talon making fun of Link. Normally Link would have shot back at Navi for that remark, but he was in another world at the moment.
Talon walked forward a bit, "Hey, Malon!" Talon called out, "Your friends from the forest are here."
Malon stopped instantly looking over to the fence where Link was standing. Her eyes lit up seeing him.
"I knew he would come!" she said to herself. She then jumped off Epona and ran over to them. Link turned to Malon smiling as well. There was something about her smile that made Link forget how nervous he was about his journey.
"Hi, Malon right?" Link asked. Malon nodded happily.
"I'll just leave you two alone. Play nice, you two," Talon said walking back to the house, probably to catch up on his sleep.
Link and Malon spent the entire day together. Link told Malon all about how he had to save Hyrule, and how he found the first Spiritual Stone. It was nightfall when Link finished telling Malon about Ganondorf and what he had to do to get the Tri-Force. They were sitting next to each other in the field where the horses ran.
"Wow..." Malon said, "Sounds like you have a big journey ahead of you."
"That's an understatement," Link said looking up at the moon.
"Sounds exciting. I wish I could go on an adventure like that," Malon said also looking up at the moon.
"Want to come with me?" Link asked, partially kidding, but partially serious. Malon looked at Link in shock, "Don't worry, I know your father would never let you leave the ranch and go on such a dangerous journey," Link said looking down and closing his eyes, "It's too bad though."
"Yeah..." Malon said softly. Truth was she really did want to go with him, but she knew that she would never be able to. She then began singing Epona's Song, catching Link's attention.
"That's pretty," Link said, making Malon stop.
"My mother taught me that song. It's the only song that can calm Epona down when she's upset," she explained. It was then that Link did something shocking. He pulled out a wooden ocarina, and started playing the song himself, while Malon continued to sing. Unknown to them Talon was watching them from the house, smiling.
Link spent the night at Lon Lon Ranch to rest up for his adventure. He was standing at the entrance with Navi flying next to him, Malon and Talon there to see him off.
"Lon Lon Ranch's Milk," Talon said handing Link two jars of milk, "This should keep you healthy on your journey."
"Thank you sir," Link said putting the jars in a brown bag that they gave him.
"You're always welcome here at our ranch," Talon said, "Please come by and visit anytime."
"I will," Link said before he turned to leave.
"Do you promise?" Malon asked Link sweetly, who stopped. For a few seconds Link was silent.
"Yeah, I promise," Link said finally, turning around with a confident smile, "No matter what, I'll always come back," and with that Link and Navi left the ranch. Malon stayed there the longest, praying to Din, Nayru, and Farore that her friend returned to her safely.
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