III.

The ride to Kokiri forest was a two-day journey, Lake Hylia a day beyond that. They had agreed that they would push right through to the meeting with Evanna after spending the night in Kokiri – it was going to be a tight timeline. Dawn struck like a symphony and Link beat Sheik to the stables, which was rare. A few minutes after sunrise, the Sheikah slipped into existence next to Link, silent and invisible as a shadow. He look rather tired, something Link had to tease him about despite his own weariness.

"Up all night with that dust?"

Sheik just rolled his eyes. "Shall we?"

So they rode, Link on Epona and Sheik on his stallion, Kronos. Castle Town was quiet, only a few early risers setting up their stands for the day. Link had left a message with the new Captain of the Guard for Zelda, stating he and Sheik were going on an official visit to the village at Lake Hylia and would be gone a week. It was a lie, but Link couldn't tell the Captain what was actually going on. He left a more personal note for Zelda, hidden on her desk. He told her that, like her, he knew certain things that were happening that he couldn't disclose. Link only said that he and Sheik would be gone for a week and not to worry.

But she would worry nonetheless. If Zelda had any weakness, it was her boys leaving her for extended periods of time.

It wasn't until they were well into the field that real conversations came about. Link appraised Sheik on the conversation he had had with Zelda at the wee hours of the morning. Sheik seemed troubled by it – Link sharing the sentiment as soon as Sheik told him what he learned in his night of study.

"All manifestation magic needs a base, contrary to reaction magic such as your blast from last night. Reaction magics only draw from your Mana or life force, therefore requiring no base. Though manifestation magic isn't as common, most people in Hyrule use herbs or flaked ores from Death Mountain as a base. In the desert, we would use black sand from The Sea of Din or ores from our mountain. There are also a few compounds found in the forests and in the water of Hyrule; these are all very natural, viable bases," Sheik explained.

Link nodded. He was just getting to this point in his teachings with Zelda. She thought it prudent that he learn more reaction magics first and that definitely worked out in Sheik's favor considering the night they had had.

"The primary compound within the base of that Chaos magic…I've never seen it in my life. I consulted the library again and the only thing I found was a study on the powder form of a very rare, almost mythical ore brought into the world by a man named Foursky."

Link felt the tug of familiarity. "Foursky," he repeated, as if tasting the word. "Why does that sound so familiar?"

"Because it's a child's tale. It's rarely told anymore, but many still know it. Like all children's tale, it stems from vaguely recorded events," Sheik explained.

Then it clicked; Talon had told Link and Malon the story on one of the cold nights he took shelter at the ranch. "Wait, isn't that the Goron that went to another dimension or something?" he asked incredulously.

"He wasn't actually a Goron. It's been adapted for Hylian children to teach them about Gorons and their contributions to Hyrule – it was meant to help quell racism. The original account claims he was actually a Human with no magic in him at all. Foursky was fascinated with Death Mountain, specifically a large hole towards the base on the north eastern side of it. He went there to study it and, as fate would have it, fell in."

"Of course," Link commented.

"Anyway, he fell into what the texts claim is the Nether and he had many a misadventure there. Foursky the Goron brought back a magical stone that cured a sickness that had befallen the Hylians and thus the races became comrades. But the truth to the tale is that Foursky found an ore he called Vaspra, an ancient word for divine. It had magical properties and some say it's what created Chaos magic. Or at least the first form of it. It's evolved since then."

"So, you were attacked by the father of all Chaos magic?" Link quipped, raising an eyebrow.

Sheik shrugged a little. "It's a bit more complicated than that, but yes, in a sense."

"This has to tie in with Evanna somehow," Link said resolutely. "She's the only wild card in this entire situation."

A soft wind touched the field, pushing Sheik's stray hairs into his face. He brushed them back with a slight impatience and said, "Would you then imply that Evanna was responsible for the attack?"

Link gnawed on the inside of his cheek for a moment, weighing his words. He had never been the type to throw around accusations without substantial proof, but they were blind. There was nothing else to go on and, in his travels, Link had found that the most obvious answer was usually the truth. "I don't know. But she's connected – the timing is too perfect and we can't ignore that. There are no other suspects right now. Whatever Zelda's alchemists found, whatever attacked you, and whatever this danger is…it's all connected."

Sheik had no comment for this; he agreed, of course, Link knew. They agreed on nearly everything except maybe combat forms.

With plenty to haunt their thoughts, they rode over the sloping landscape of Hyrule's fields in familiar silence. Death Mountain watched their backs as they crisscrossed paths and took turns sharpening weapons, much to the annoyance of their horses. Link had sent word ahead that they would stop at Lon Lon to deliver some things while they were passing through and Malon would probably bully them into a quick meal too. She had taken quite a liking to Sheik, though not as distastefully as the ladies of the court did.

Malon, amazingly, got so quiet around Sheik that Link's jaw nearly hit the floor the first time it happened. Nothing shut Malon up except the Sheikah, apparently. Sheik was oblivious, Link didn't have the heart to meddle, and Malon didn't have the nerve to ask. Link was glad for her hesitance because he worried what the answer would be – Sheik had never shown any interest in being with anyone. Link wasn't even sure if Sheik would ever have any interest; the only people he dedicated his time to were Link and Zelda. He more-or-less avoided everyone else.

Lon Lon was reached by midday. They arrived to find a mare running loose and the moment she saw Epona, Link had to dive off his stead to avoid getting caught in a very violent and loud reunion. He heard Malon laugh before he saw her come around the corner as the two mares pranced in circles and whinnied like foals.

"Hey Fairyboy!" Malon called, using the nickname he would be stuck with for assuredly the rest of his life. She was determined to call him that even though Navi had long since returned to the Forest to help the Deku Sapling. "Sorry about Dinah. She's been pretty unruly lately." Her eyes flitted over to Sheik and her expression shifted in only a way Link would notice after being her friend for so long. "Hey Sheik."

Sheik just bowed his head to her and dismounted next to Link.

"I've got your stuff," Link started, gesturing to the pack full of leather and small metal bits for saddles. The blacksmith in Market Town had an arrangement with Talon, a pact made from years of drowning in spirits together. As her father got older, Malon started making the trips to Market Town on her own and the protective instinct in Link reared up despite the dark times being long over. Anytime he could spare her the journey, he did it willingly.

"And your food is ready," Malon chimed in, grinning. "Are you ready?"

Also, her cooking was a huge factor. The castle cooks had nothing on her, Link and Sheik had both agreed.

He just laughed. "Of course."

They made their way inside to wash up and relax. They wouldn't have the luxury of couches when night fell in the field, so they sat gratefully while Malon rounded up plates. Talon came in right around the time the food made it to the table and he elected to over-inform them all of the hardships of horse breeding, a topic Link desperately wished to stay ignorant of. Sheik was quiet through all of this but Link could tell by his eyes that he was amused.

Dinner was finished quickly and before they could leave, Malon pulled Link aside, making up a hardly-convincing excuse for him to look at something in the barn. Link knew where it was going instantly and he prepared himself for what was to come.

In the dimness of the barn, Malon fidgeted, hay crunching beneath her feet. She was stunning; she had been since their first meeting at seven years old. Her face was sun-kissed and full of freckles, her hair wild and as red as dawn. She was so strong and tall and lean from her work on the ranch, and much Like Zelda, nothing about her was that of a damsel in distress. She'd be the first to get into an outright brawl if someone had the audacity to start problems with the people or animals she loved. As Link watched her push her hair out of her face, endearing in her nervousness, he almost didn't understand why Sheik wouldn't want her-

"I've been meaning to talk to you about something for a really long time, Link," she began, holding her hands tightly behind her back and looking more unsure than Link had ever seen her. "I know this isn't a good time, but in your life, it's never a good time."

Link furrowed his brows. The conversation he had predicted was beginning to unfold very differently. "What do you mean?"

"You're always off saving the world," Malon clarified, giving him a knowing look. "Like you are now, I'm sure."

He shrugged. "I don't know about saving the world," he muttered. "But look, this isn't about me. If you like Sheik, maybe you should just tell him, Malon."

She gave him a puzzled look, brows knitting together deeply. "Wait, what?" For a long moment, Malon appeared utterly stumped and Link would've laughed at the expression if he weren't so confused himself. Then it passed and she broke into laugh. "Oh, no. You think I have feelings Sheik?" She shook her head. "No, Link. It's you I have feelings for."

He couldn't help but stare in shock for a few moments. He really was as thick-headed as Zelda told him he was when it came to emotional matters. All this time…he thought it had been Sheik. Well, that's what he got for missing seven years of his adolescence. A hot flush invaded his face and he could only manage a strangled groan paired with a palm slapped to his forehead."Malon, I'm such a moron. I'm sorry. I saw the way you were looking at Sheik and I thought-"

Malon shook her head again and smiled in a reassuring, shy manner. "No, Link. I was looking at Sheik like that because I'm still not comfortable around him – not like I am with you. We've been friends for years. I've only known him for a little while. And I honestly didn't expect you to notice, Link. It's okay. You've always had a lot going on, too much to notice a farm girl. But I just wanted to…I just wanted to know if you…if you..."

She became too flustered and Link felt a pang of sadness. Malon was being so honest and was so unsure and he didn't know if he could ever give her what she wanted. And he was still reeling over the idea of someone really feeling that way about him. Forget the vagrant ladies of the court; this was more real than they could ever be.

Malon took a breath to steady herself. "I know I'm not Queen Zelda, but you've been my best friend for a long time. I don't like not telling you things, Link, and I've been keeping this from you for ten years."

Link didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to make her happy, how to not hurt her, or how to explain that all of this was so new to him and that he didn't know what to do with it. But it was Malon and he had to try. After all she had done for him, she deserved it. Link let out a long breath and Malon just watched him, visibly teetering on the edge of happiness and disappointment.

"Malon, of course I care about you. You've been a part of my life for a while now, in the most confusing and scary times I've ever had," he started, watching her face slowly start to fall. "I think…I could I feel the same. But I'm honestly not sure. I keep forgetting that I'm missing a huge chunk of my life. I missed the years where I learn about love. I'm not good at any of this stuff. The only thing I'm truly good at is starting a fight."

Malon laughed, the hurt leaving her eyes and understanding replacing it to Link's relief.

"I'm just now starting to understand what all…this means," he waved his hand, circling it around them. "So, please don't think I'm just rejecting you, Malon. It's nothing to do with you. I'm just…not ready."

Link didn't know what else to say, so he shut his mouth, Malon staring at him for a moment, face unreadable. Then she broke out in a heavy smile, full of sadness and disappointment, but it was clear she understood. Link knew she did. She wasn't happy with his answer, but his honesty had lessened the hurt somehow and he was grateful for her maturity.

"It's okay, Link. I do understood," she said quietly. "I forget, too, that you missed so much of growing up. You act so mature and I know the war had a lot to do with it. I think part of me disregarded it because I was afraid you would fall for the Queen. I know you and her are close. I guess I've just been feeling sort of jealous. And now with you being her Guardsman…" Her eyes went wide for a moment. "By the way, Link, I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to the ceremony!"

Malon was rambling and Link had only heard her do it a few times either from an unexpected compliment or in her rare moments of clumsiness. He grinned at her and shook his head. "It's fine, Malon. You have a ranch to run."

Malon nodded, wrapping her arms around her waist and giving him an anothershy look. The feelings were out now and he could feel an almost real tension between them. A nagging part of him wanted to do something, anything to wipe a bit of that dismay off her face. He didn't know the first thing about romantic relationships, but he could start with familiar ground.

Link crossed the distance between them in two strides and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close like Zelda did to him on rare occasion. Malon went rigid with shock, her hands flat against his chest as though she were about to stop him. Then, after a moment of hesitantly settling his arms around the curve of her waist, she seemed to come back to herself. Her arms went around his shoulders and she pressed her face into his collarbone, her warm breath on his skin, sending chills up and down his spine from the newness of their proximity. His whole body reacted to the embrace and he suddenly felt like he was buzzing.

"I'm sorry I can't give you what you want right now, Malon," Link whispered between them.

"It's okay, Link. This is enough for now," she replied, her lips moving against his tunic.

Letting go was hard and when they parted not much space separated them. Malon's hands lingered on his chest, her fingers tangled in the strap of his baldric and the folds of his Guardsman tunic. She stared into the fabric, as though memorizing its color and texture. Finally she met his eyes, a surprisingly attractive blush on her cheeks and before Link could say a word, she rose up on her tip-toes and softly kissed his cheek, whispering, "Please be safe, Link."

Then she was gone, leaving him stranded in a dim barn to watch her soft dress sway as she walked out the door.


Later, back on the path to Kokiri forest, his mind kept wandering back to his conversation with Malon, the way her body felt against his. It was almost embarrassing how well he could determine every line of her form from their contact and it ignited a heat in him he was unfamiliar with but could only assume was desire. It was a feeling he had never explored, both due to the war and then his duties thereafter. Many Guardsmen had attempted to take him to brothels, to rid him of his virginity as though it were a burden to him, but he found no appeal in his first experience being with a stranger. Now, having had his first real experience of the exhilaration and excitement of being that close to someone…

He almost wanted to turn around and go back to Malon. But then, something about returning to her, touching her, kissing her...it didn't feel right. It didn't feel wrong, either, but something within him couldn't picture her at his side as a lover. Then again, how would he know? He had just had his first experience with romance; perhaps he needed time to sort through his emotions.

"Link?"

He snapped back to attention for the umpteenth time. "Sorry."

"Something occurred between you and Malon," Sheik finally stated, the man knowing him all too well.

Link sighed and gave a short nod.

"If it's troubling you and you'd like to talk about it, I will listen," Sheik supplied. Link knew the request came from a place of friendly concern but it also came from Sheik's deep inquisitive nature. But he wouldn't pester Link like Zelda would. He didn't know if he wanted to tell Sheik what happened…but the man was his closest friend. If anyone would be able to understand lack of social finesse, it was Sheik.

"She has feelings for me. I've never encountered any sort of romance before so I'm very out of my depth. I don't want to hurt her feelings but I don't think I can return them," Link said, watching the sun sink below the mountains in the distance, the descent casting a cacophony of rose and copper across the dome of sky above them. "I feel like a child."

"You're not a child. Even if you had been awake those seven years, you would not have had time to mature in that aspect considering the war."

"Did you?"

Sheik shook his head. "It's not the way of the Sheikah to focus on such things. Like all people, we crave companionship and love, but it's not the core of our culture. I was far too busy training with Lady Impa and keeping the Queen – then Princess – safe. I was kept in isolation. I was never exposed during that time to relationships with people other than that of which I had with Impa and the Queen."

"What about before the war?" Link probed, shocked that Sheik was for once opening up and not wanting to let the oppurtunity go.

Sheik gave the horizon a long look, silence stretching between them so long that Link thought he might be ignoring the question. But then he let out a quiet sigh and said, "Before the war started, before Impa summoned me to serve the Royal family, I was living in what was left of the last Sheikah tribe, beyond the desert."

"What was left?" Link interjected. "You mean even twenty years after the Sheikah genocide, your numbers still dwindled?"

Sheik nodded. "Many of the women were under great strain from the genocide and the Great Civil War– it left some of them barren. Even a generation later, children were scarce and our bloodline was waning. There weren't many children for me to play with and Sheikah training starts at age seven." He paused to push his hair back, the evening breeze pulling it around his face; Link idly thought how glad he was that Sheik stopped hiding it under that wrap.

"There was a girl named Kalyh. She was the most powerful fighter, even before we began our training. We were drawn to each other, training together whenever we could. Our elders saw how close we were and joined us as warriors. We were very compatible, both in personality and in physicality."

Sheik had always presented himself with the title the last of the Sheikah; Link almost didn't want to ask what happened to her. He wondered if there were still any other Sheikah out there, the title just a saying, but held his tongue to avoid ruining the rare moment of reveal.

"If the war hadn't happened, I'm sure we would've married. But as it was, the war did happen and my village was destroyed. Impa, my aunt, came to look for survivors. She found me miles from the village, covered in the blood of my people and the blood of the monsters I had slain. The last person I saw die before I was driven from the village was Kalyh, felled by one of Ganondorf's monsters. It is Sheikah way to abandon those who fall, to not allow them to weaken one's resolve. But..."

They rode in silence, the unspoken heartbreak in Sheik's story almost too much. Link knew there was nothing he could say to make the quiet any better. They would soon be stopping for the night and Link wondered how many nights Sheik dreamt of Kalyh, if he would dream of her tonight.

It surprised Link when his companion suddenly continued.

"It was painful. But it was a necessary evil. The anger of her death drove me to focus on my skills, in hopes I would avenge her one day. Over the years, however, I grew and the horror of my loss dulled in comparison to what I saw in the face of Ganon's true evil and savagery. I realized revenge was an evil just the same. I still miss her, but it gets easier every day. Since her, I have not pursued another romantic relationship. Not that there are none I admire, but the opportunity has never seemed right and I've never been sure if I'm ready. Between the war and my nature as a warrior, I don't know if I could ever keep the darkness out of a relationship with someone."

"Thanks, Sheik," Link said after a moment of hoof beats and the snorting breaths of their steeds. "Thanks for telling me all that."

"Anytime," he replied, some of his amusement slipping into his voice.

They made camp for the night and, if anything, Link felt more distracted than before. Not only was he analyzing still what happened with Malon, he was now thinking about what Sheik had said. Curiosity gnawed at him as he tried to figure out who the Sheikah admired. There were plenty of Ladies of the court that were smitten with the both of them, but Sheik had never seemed interested with them. It was entirely possible that some of the males were candidates too, but Sheik didn't speak with many guards or Lords.

It wasn't until they were settled around the fire under a small oasis of trees, dried meat now smoking over the flames, that Link finally asked.

"I've never heard you gossip before. I have no intention of telling you that," Sheik replied with a bark of laughter.

"Oh, c'mon, Sheik," Link nearly whined. "I don't gossip."

"But you do tell the Queen everything under the sun," he said with a quirked eyebrow.

"Because she's one of my best friends, just like I tell you everything."

"Which I still think is inappropriate."

"Why?"

"Because eventually she will have to marry. When she does, you will no longer be allowed to be so close to her," Sheik explained patiently.

"I'm aware of this. Hence why I'm enjoying the time we still have." Link felt a spark of annoyance. Of course he knew Zelda would marry. It would most likely be arranged by the Cabinet and made to be beneficial to Hyrule and whatever country she married with.

"Regardless, I'm not going to tell you who the candidates are."

"Give me a better reason than 'you'll gossip' and I'll leave you be," Link teased,

"Because it's not relevant. I may pursue it at some point, but for now, there are far more important things going on," Sheik said with a finality to his voice.

"Fair enough."

They fell into a comfortable silence, watching the meat slowly become edible. Sheik reached forward to turn the stick when he said, "So. What are you going to do about Malon?"

Link let out a disbelieving noise. "Hey! If you get to be evasive, so do I." He elbowed the Sheikah in his side.

"But I'm not the one who had a secret meeting in a barn with a pretty girl."

"Don't turn this into something perverted. We just talked. She told me she had feelings for me," Link said defensively, kicking some more branches into the fire, coaxing it higher.

"And?"

Link gave him an incredulous look. "And you say I like to gossip! I gave her a hug, told her that I'm not ready for a relationship and that was that!"

Sheik just gave him a skeptical look.

"You're terrible!"

He got laughed at for this comment and Link really couldn't help but join in eventually.


As always, huge thanks to my rockstar beta's Cherry (sheikofthesheikah on tumblr) and the mysterious buttmunch. And thank you for reading and supporting this nonsense. The response so far makes me feel like the year I spent writing this was well worth it. Chapter 4 is being edited as we speak and should be up shortly.

sincosma on tumblr if you wanna say hi!