A/N: Hey, everyone. Sorry for the awful delay - with a new job, and my past few weekends being eaten up by a wedding and a convention, my fic got put on the backburner. Things have stabilized for now, and I should be getting updates out more quickly. Thank you for your patience and for your warm responses to my story. They are well received. 3

The Princess, the Gentleman, and the Country Bumpkin

Chapter 4: The Letter

The storm came without warning, thunder crashing overhead in the skies.

Malon slammed the barn doors shut, panting. She was drenched in rainwater from her hair to her boots, and she could have sworn she hadn't been out there for more than a minute or two.

"Is that it, Dad?" she called across the barn.

"Yep!" Talon replied from the other side. "All the cows and horses are accounted for."

"Thank goodness," she said, slumping to the floor in a heap. She wrung some of the water out of her dress. Malon couldn't believe how quickly the rain poured and the thunder crashed through the skies. She couldn't recall seeing a more violent storm in her life, and she prayed that it wouldn't be accompanied by a flash flood.

Talon walked over to the barn door, but paused before he opened it. "Oh, that's right," he said, opening his yellow raincoat. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope, then extended it to Malon. "Here, this was for you in the mailbox this morning. I meant to give it to you earlier, but I forgot."

"Thanks, Dad," said Malon, taking the envelope from his hand.

He nodded and opened the barn door. He dashed as fast as Malon had ever seen him run towards the safety of the house, and slammed the front door behind him.

Malon decided it would be best if she stayed in the barn and comforted the animals while she waited for the storm to quiet down. In the meantime, there was that letter to read. She was a little excited – it wasn't often she got letters. She turned the envelope over in her hand and her heart jumped. It was unmistakable: the waxy seal on the envelope was the crest of the royal family. She knew who this was from.

She hastily tore the envelope open and pulled the letter out. She held it close to her face, inhaling the light scent of the princess' perfume. She felt a twinge of regret for how they had parted ways, but she was glad that Zelda still thought enough of her to write. After unfolding the paper, she read the letter:

Malon,

A storm is coming.

The boy from the woods has gathered all three stones, and he will be arriving at the temple soon. The fate of Hyrule lies in his hands now. There is not much time left, but I will explain what I can.

Ganondorf is going to usurp the throne tonight. Impa and I are going to escape, but we will have to go into hiding for a long time. I wish I could tell you how long, but I'm not sure.

Great changes are imminent. Things are going to seem grim for a while, but we will pull through. I promise that I will stay safe so I can see you again. I humbly ask that you do the same for me.

I'm sorry that I ended things the way I did. It was cruel of me to drop this all on you so suddenly, and I understand your resentment towards me. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me someday.

Time is running out. I must go. Know that you are in my thoughts constantly, and I eagerly await the chance to see you again.

Please don't forget me.

Your Zelda

P.S. – Keep on the lookout for a large owl with bushy eyebrows. He is on our side. I made sure Impa delivered this letter by hand so it wouldn't be intercepted, but I'll be sending my correspondence through him from here on out. I won't be able to share many details, but I want to stay in your life as much as I can without putting you in danger. I hope this will suffice.

Malon sighed deeply. She wasn't happy about it, but at least she knew now that Zelda really cared. She never really bought into this prophecy stuff, but maybe it was time to trust the princess to do this whole world-saving thing while she took care of the farm.

She hummed her mother's song gently, following with the royal lullaby. The cows mooed placidly from their pens, beginning to calm down from the storm.

Malon could hear the rain finally begin to subside, too. She cracked the barn door open and peeked outdoors. It was still overcast, but the showers had slowed to a steady drizzle. A few rays of sunshine cracked through the clouds, shining through despite the rain. Malon decided she would shine, too.

For the next few days, she would be spending plenty of time looking for owls.