Chapter two! Yes, I know I'm slow about it but I write when inspiration hits me and sometimes it takes awhile. Sorry about that. I hope there are some people who were looking forward to this, that would make the effort feel worth it. Please enjoy the reading and review.

Chapter 2: The Dark Wind Returns

Link gave the barn doors a hard tug, splintering them as the tore free of the hinges. The sight before him made him gasp. Part of the roof had fallen into several of the bar's back stalls and two of the timbers which had previously supported that half of the roof looked as if they had twisted until they had snapped.

But that wasn't what held Link's gaze. It was Malon, with her back against the wall and staring defiantly at a stranger standing before her. From behind link saw a long black cloak a long hat, much like his own but a dark shade of violet and with a delicate gold band, and his pale silver hair reaching to the figures waist. The stranger seemed to exude a dark presence and coldness Link wasn't familiar with.

Malon's eyes glanced to Link as he entered, a motion not lost on the stranger. Slowly, as if uncaring, the man turned his head ever so slightly to look at the green clad figure that had just interrupted him. As he turned Link saw his skin which looked both pallid and dark followed by a single crimson eye highlighted by a tribal marking. The effect was unsettling and Link felt a shiver run down his spine. The dark figure's eye widened as he took in Link's appearance, "You again," he said as if seeing a shadow of his past. Then the stranger shook his head, "No," he said after a moment. "Of course not, it has been far too long for that."

The stranger turned to face Link, sizing him up. Link drew his sword from its scabbard. He didn't trust the way the stranger's eyes ran over his body, he could almost feel there gaze on his skin as if he was more looking inside him than at him. Finally the stranger smirked up at Link.

"Do you mean to fight me?" he asked an edge of taunting in his voice. Link just glared down the figure, he was certain he had caused the barns collapse and that was no small feat. The figure took a step forward, within striking range. Link took the opening leading with his blade only for it to be halted by a cold steel blade in the stranger's hands. Link felt the surprise which was written on his face, he hadn't seen the stranger wearing a sword. No, he was certain the stranger had been unarmed.

Link managed to side step a thrust aimed at his heart, the stranger had used Link's confusion as an opening. This stranger was good with a blade.

"As fun as I would find it to dice you to pieces, I have other things which require my attention," the stranger finished with a snap of his fingers. Link suddenly felt as if there was a cold set of hands gripping his heart. Then he felt suddenly hollow, as he was missing something. A sudden noise behind him drew his gaze from the foe before him.

What stood behind him was just as frightening. Link Turned to face himself. Yet at the same time it wasn't him. It was Link's shadow with bright red eyes staring out from a pale face. Its hair was black as ink like the tunic it wore, cut the same as Link's own. It wore a smirk on its face, staring down at Link as if he was nothing. Maybe he was, the last fight with his shadow had been a victory that was hard won. But that shadow had been just that, a shadow. The figure standing before Link was something wholly different; it seemed to have true life and personality instead of the vague reflections of Link's shadow. This was more like a "Dark Link", the evil in Link given form. It was a terrifying thought.

Suddenly Dark Link leapt upon Link, his sword striking swiftly giving him hardly a moment to defend. The exchange of blows was swift, Link was keeping up but only just and he could already feel himself losing his breath. Finally Link's sword found an opening in Dark Links defenses, striking a hard blow to its shoulder. Dark Link leapt back swearing, "That hurt," it said placing its hand over its wound. When it pulled its hand away link saw it was stained by an inky black liquid that seemed to smoke. "You little ass! I'll get you for tha…" he began before being promptly cut off by a rake to the back of the head.

Malon stood behind him holding the cracked handle of the rake she had smacked Dark Link with. "Watch who you call an ass!" she yelled at it. Her glare didn't waver as it turned its blood red eyes on her. Link saw the opening and thrust at it. His strike caught it square in the heart (if it even had a heart) and it let out a loud yell in pain.

Suddenly the barn was filled with thick smoke as Dark link burst from the blow. The vapors moved as if possessing life and quickly vanished through the barns destroyed roof.

Then Malon was in Link's arms, "Are you ok?" he asked his voice thick with concern. "I'm fine," she answered quickly, the shaking in her voice contradicting her answer. "He was just suddenly there and then… he smashed the timbers… he was asking about the "woman of Hyrule"," she said struggling to remember. At this Link held her to himself tighter. "I have to go," he said with regret in his voice.

Malon looked up at him with emotion in her eyes, not confusion or fear but understanding and sorrow. She didn't want him to leave her; he didn't want to leave her. But he had to warn Zelda and Malon knew it so, reluctantly, she lowered her arms from his waist. She watched with unshed tears glistening in her eyes as Link mounted Epona and rode her through the gate and over the horizon for Hyrule Castle.

…

So that's chapter two up now! The villain in this story should now be obvious (if it wasn't obvious from the title or the last chapter). I won't say his name in case there are any readers who don't know yet though. Sorry about this chapter being shorter than the last one, It felt like I should stop here. I hope people enjoyed the (extremely brief) bit of action in this chapter, action is hard to write. Also, I didn't plan on this but I actually managed to explain my views on Dark Link (like four swords) versus Shadow Link (Ocarina of Time). I enjoyed this because in my opinion one of the functions of fan fiction is to explain or expand things left uncertain in the canon series. Any way sorry to bore any readers, please review (if you'd be so kind). Arigato Gozaimasu!