Summary: The Hero of Time is dead. Or so everyone thinks. When Link returns from his journey, he expects everything to be the same. He doesn't expect for Hyrule to be a different place, and he definitely doesn't expect the love of his life to be engaged to someone with a horrible secret. Can Link live life knowing that nothing can ever be the same again? In this story of love, trust, friendship and betrayal it asks the question; How far are you willing to go for love?

A.N. ~Hey dudes and dudettes (hehe always wanted to say that) CHAPTER 1 IS FINALLY HERE! I know I said it would be awhile until I updated, but I couldn't help myself, I just got the idea and I had to run with it. I think I'm happy with this chapter, but I feel like I should warn you before you read... UNHAPPY CONTENT! And I would like to thank all those who reviewed, your words inspired me to finish this early! please R&R NO FLAMES PLEASE!

Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Zelda.. it is owned by blank... I really don't know who owns it O.o sad... sad..


Chapter 1: Love Lost

Pain tore through his entire body as he staggered forward. Never in his life, had he ever experienced such agony.

He gripped the hilt of the sword that dug deep into his flesh and gave a hard tug. The sword slid out reluctantly, tearing muscle and breaking bones, leaving him gasping for air. He fell towards the cold ground with a pain-filled grunt. Lightning electrocuted the air, leaving him with a strange tingling feeling as rain poured over his opened wound.

He turned to the lifeless warrior beside him and sighed. He'd won. But he was going to die anyways.

It was weird, the things you think of before you die, before your life is stolen from you. He knew he should be thinking of Hyrule - It was his sworn duty to protect his homeland after all – but he wasn't. He wasn't even thinking about a way to save his life, and mask the pain tearing through his body. All he could think about was the promise he was breaking. He wasn't going to make it back. He reached into his pocket, groaning in pain, and pulled out the beautiful heart shaped pendant and held it to his heart, flooding the crevices of the intricate design with blood.

He couldn't stop the tears that streamed down his face now, mixing with blood and rain. He was the hero of time, he knew there was a chance that he wouldn't come back, and he knew he shouldn't be crying, but it hurt so badly. Everything hurt so badly. He was only 15. As prepared as he had been to give his life for Hyrule, he was still scared to death of what was going to happen. He didn't want to die.

Would Hyrule fall without him? Would the Princess be in danger? Would Saria and Ruto notice his absence? Would Darunia and Nabooru forget about him? Would they ever find his body?

He shuddered at the last thought.

His eyes closed and he allowed himself to drift. He would never forget her. He knew his heart would always go back to her. She was imprinted in his soul, his very being. Would she be able to live without him? Would she break down? Meet someone? Fall in love? Have children? Like she was supposed to do with him?

"I'm so sorry Mal..." He whispered to the wind, praying that it would carry his words to her.

He couldn't help but wonder how long the pain would last before he finally blacked out.

Malon...

As darkness finally began to consume him, he found himself with the sudden urge to fight. He needed to live, for her, if no one else.

Even with his new determination, he couldn't stop the darkness that over took him, and cast his un-beating heart in shadows.


Malon held her left hand towards the light and admired the silver ring in the scorching sun. The small turquoise gem glistened, turning suddenly into a shimmering drop of water. She smiled.

Malon leaned on the pitch fork that was still plunged in a thick stack of hay and sighed dramatically. "Why does this day get to be so perfect while you're not here?" She looked unforgiving at the sky, not a single cloud marred perfection this day.

She held her left hand to her chest, and fiddled with the gem. "Every day will be perfect from now on. I just know it."

"What in tarnation are ya doin' daydreamin' when ur s'posed ta be workin'?"

Mr. Ingo's voice rang painfully in her ear, nearly knocking her off balance. "Sorry Ingo." She pleaded embarrassed.

"Stupid teenagers." The very grumpy Mr. Ingo muttered, carrying pales of cow milk towards the barn. "Useless, every, single one of 'em."

Malon grimaced and stuck her out at him as he walked away. She wished she could tell the contemptuous ranch hand to leave, but decided against it. Though no one would miss Mr. Ingo's pretentious behaviour, they really couldn't afford to lose another ranch hand. They were already feeling the pressure after Link, their master herder, left, so she held her tongue reluctantly.

She wouldn't let Mr. Ingo ruin her day though. Nothing, she thought, would ruin her mood today, and frankly, she doubted anything could lift her spirits higher either – unless Link came back.

She smiled brightly to herself and continued on with her chores, singing a familiar tune.

She wondered briefly what her father would do when she told him about her and Link - she wouldn't tell him yet of course, she would wait until Link came back – he would probably be in shock. He may even be angry, and say that they were jumping into things, she thought dryly. But deep down, she knew that their love was real, unbreakable. She could feel it in her heart, and see it in his eyes. They were in love.

She smiled hopefully looking around the ranch. It would be the best place to hold the wedding. She would wear her mother's dress when she finally said "I do" to the only man she would ever love, and start a family of their own.

Malon blushed profusely at the last thought. She might only be fourteen, but she knew the conditions needed to start a family, and to be honest, wasn't very "experienced" in those aspects. But as far as she knew, neither was Link – at least she hoped so.

Suddenly, a loud commotion beckoned her to the ranch entrance. Hearing a familiar whinny, Malon rushed to the noise, her heart soaring.

She cocked her brow at the scene playing out in front of her. Talon, Mr. Ingo and two Hylian knights were all attempting, unsuccessfully, to calm the distressed horse.

Quickly, Malon grabbed her horses' reins, and pulled her down so that her forehead rested on the horses' snout. Se hummed a few notes from her mother's lullaby until the violent thrashing stilled. "It's alright, my sweet girl. It's alright." She cooed to the horse until her breathing returned to normal. Malon led the horse into the barn with the other horses - not wanting her to be stressed out any more than she already was – her hands shaking all the while, before she returned to the painting group of men.

"Wow Mal." Her father beamed. "You've sure been gettin' good at handlin' dem horses."

He turned to the two Hylian knights. "Now what in tarnation's goin' on here?"

The two knights ignored her father and turned towards Malon. "I'm afraid we've some... unsettling news for you."

"What do you mean, 'unsettling'? Why is Epona here? Where's Link?" Her voice was shaking as she choked out each question, fearful of the answer.

"Come, now Mal. It's sure he's fine." Talon laid a comforting hand on his daughter's arm.

"It's been a while Malon." Malon turned around and felt her spirits lift. A beautiful blonde rode gracefully towards her on a gorgeous white mare. Malon smiled as green eyes, met deep blue.

"Zelda!" She could feel everyone bowing around her, but she remained standing, too much in shock to do anything. Zelda gracefully dismounted the mare and Malon instinctively wrapped her arms her old friend. "Goddesses Zelda, What's going on? What happened to Link? When is he coming home?"

Zelda pulled away from the hug, and held her friend at arm's length. "It's wonderful to see you again. The troubles of ruling a kingdom often leaves little time for socializing. However, I only wish our meeting were not under such... troubling circumstances."

"Where's Link?" Malon asked again slowly.

The princess looked down and shook her head. "We found his horse outside of Hyrule, she was rather upset..." She paused for a second, as if giving Malon time to take in the information. "...and covered in blood."

"Blood..." Malon breathed out the word, still trying to digest what she was hearing.

Zelda nodded. "A lot of blood, though none her own."

"Oh goddesses!" Malon felt like she was going to throw up. She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head slowly. "No..." She felt warm tears caressing her cheeks. "No, you're lying!"

Zelda continued. "We found this awhile way from where we found Epona." She reached behind her as a knight held a bundle of cloth towards her, before she handed it to her hysteric friend.

No... Her mind was screaming. It wasn't fair to be happy one moment, have everything so perfect, just to have it torn apart in one instant. She ran her fingers along the seams of the hat she had sewn herself, once green, now covered in red.

"I'm sorry" Zelda said slowly. "He was my friend too. But I understand how much harder it must be for you."

Malon watched as small drops of water, turned the fabric of the hat a shade darker. "Daddy..." She cried her back wrenching in uncontrollable sobs. "Where is he?"

"Oh Mal." Talon pulled his daughter into a tight embrace. Zelda joined in wrapping her arms around her neck.

"No!" Malon screamed, thrashing against their hold, but Talon and the princess held tight. "You have to keep looking! He's ALIVE, and you need to find him before its too late!" She bit her lip, drawing blood.

"We'll keep looking." Zelda reassured, "but I can't make promises"

"But he promised Zelda." She screamed, holding onto her father's shirt desperately. "He promised we were going to get married. He can't!"

Talon tensed against his daughter, realizing the reason behind her reaction. He'd known of their relationship – they didn't exactly hide it – but he hadn't realized how serious they'd become. "I'm sorry Mal"

"Link was strong." Zelda whispered against her ear. "He loved you. Just know he fought to stay with you. Even in death he – "

Malon thrashed against the two confining bodies until she was free. "Why do you keep saying that? He's not dead!"

Malon turned towards the house and locked herself in her room, grateful that no one followed her. She held the green fabric to her cheek, and breathed in the familiar sent.

Link will return. She touched a finger to the turquoise gem. He promised, no matter what. Forever and always. She convinced herself, holding onto hope that he would open her bedroom door and sooth her aching soul, telling her that it was all a lie. He would hold her and promise that he would always be there. He had to, he would.

He never did...


A.N. ~ This chapter was really hard to write, for obvious reasons... I almost gave up while writing Link's death scene. This chapter was actually only supposed to be Link dieing, but that was too short and there was no way I was going to prolong Link's suffering... But yeah... I really hoped you enjoyed this, I kinda rushed the end, so I'm not too happy about that so tell me if I made any mistakes and I'll fix them, but none the less, I think it turned out alright... :) PLEASE R&R!

And oh yeah... I'm kind of having trouble deciding the name of the dude Malon's going to be with, I was going to make it one of the original characters, but I really cant think of which one, so I'm making an original character... I was thinking about making it Dark Link though, but I really cant see it fitting... or maybe it will... tell me what you think! Any suggestions?