Oh man, people. That was a long time with nooo update. *Sorry* But I just found some free time after finishing homework, and was like "hey, what about Solace". So without further ado!

Chapter 6

xxx

It is something that grows over time... a true friendship.

A feeling in the heart that becomes even stronger over time.

The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power

and through it...

you'll know which way to go.

xxx

My legs are sore from riding yesterday, but it's a good mental feeling. Just knowing that I got up and did something. Went somewhere. I love how I still get sand falling out of my hair, and my feet are filthy. I feel so unharnessed..

And so I bake cookies, in hope of being able to treat either the man that I'm in love with, or maybe Sheik to thank him, if either one of them comes before Ingo gets back.

When I'm finished, I do the daily chores in my bare feet, singing all the while.

xxx

Link hasn't come after a whole month. Sometimes I worry, but then I correct myself, remembering that he's just really busy.

My heart aches for him.

Besides, Sheik sees him often to give him guidance and advice. He comes in the morning every now and then when I'm alone in the field and Ingo is asleep, and we talk and laugh.

I don't know how I would survive. I haven't ever been able to talk to someone like I do with Sheik. Of course I had friends when I was a kid, but there's a difference between child playmates, and an adult fellowship.

I'm consoled by the new assurance of having someone to talk to and joke with. It's like a mental relief.

xxx

One day on my way out of the storage room in the afternoon I spot a man on horseback talking to Ingo in the coral. I walk up to the outside of the tall fence and place my yoke on the ground next to me to get a better look. Walking up to them would be forward of me, especially in front of Ingo. I squint my eyes.

The man is Link, and he's on Epona!

My heart starts up immediately, and so many question race through my head. Before I have time to react, they leave the coral and set up their horses at the line of the obstacle course.

They are going to race.

Before I know it, I'm in a panic, and I pick up the heavy yoke and run towards the storage tower to get out of the way. I don't know whether I should watch, or run and hide. I get so nervous that breathing becomes harder, and my lungs begin to burn. What are the stakes? What if Link loses? My back falls against the hard brick wall.

I get myself into such a fit, and then...

...there's nothing.

XXX

"Malon?"

I wake up with a splitting headache. My eyes crack open and someone with blonde hair hanging down is hovering over me. He has a soothing voice. I stir and move my arms to push myself up, but I'm still too weak to lift myself.

"Don't strain yourself, I've got you." He says. My wait shifts, and I'm lifted off the ground as if I was a feather. My head rolls limply into his chest. The material of his shift is rough, but the closeness his body warms me to the core, it swells through me. I'm bemused.

I see a hazy light coming from where ever I'm looking towards and a warm glow that seems like its the general air around me. Theirs a fuzzy light that bounces off different objects creating a dim color. I hear a warm musical laugh. It resonates through and out. And then someone talking in an affectionately low tone. I don't hear any specific words of this hazy conversation, but only like the sharpness was taken out, like in a dream. A sweet murmur, and a cloudy coo, and I feel contentedness and a sort of low pitched joy.

But it slowly becomes too quiet for me to hear anymore.

And the realistic senses come back to me, and I hear the sound of the ranch once more.

I put two and two together and I know I'm in my love's arms.

The back of my head suddenly throbs in pain and I press my head against it for pressure. I feel that It's only a bump though.

"Are you doing okay?" he asks nervously. I sigh as a response. He sets me down on a bail of hay and kneels down to looks at my eyes fixedly.

I lose it for a second and start to tilt over to the side.

"Woah!" he exclaims as he holds me steady. I murmur and let out a short laugh.

"Thank you," I say as if I'm just waking up, with a crooked smile on my face. And I finally the glaze comes off of my sight. And I see him looking at me with concern.

I reach out my hands and rest them on the sides of his face. He grins.

"I won, Malon!" he says with excitement. "The ranch is yours again!"

We jump up at the same time and I throw my arms over his neck in laughter. He holds me and spins me once. He sets me down and disbelief runs through me.

"It can't be true!" I say trying to stop a tear from falling down my cheek. "I've been waiting so long!" My happiness extended out of me and I kiss him with a big smile on my face.

At first time stops and I can feel him stiffen. But then he kisses me back.

I feel his arms tighten around me as we realize the actuality of it all, and my knees begin to buckle. After a moment he stops, and presses his forehead against mine. Our breath is heavy from all of the excitement. He kisses me quickly once more.

"Sorry," he says before brushing my forehead. I give him an inquiring look. My heart pumping."I have to go," he says slowly before stopping my words with another kiss.

"What? Why?" I panic. He holds my face in his hands.

"I can't stay," He says, he looks at me pleadingly. "I'm on a really tight schedule." He combs back my hair with his fingers.

This is happening so fast. But I remember Sheik, and what he told me about Link. That he has a job to do. It would be foolish of me to hinder him. The tear rolls down my chin.

"Take Epona," I say. His eyes widen, he about to say no. "You need her," I say with determination.

He relaxes his hold on me and nods, breaking a smile. Epona's already tackled and everything. All he has to do is jump on and leave. He turns to go but stops half way and comes back to me.

"Just wait for me, I'll come back," he says with an encouraging smile before kissing my cheek and leaving for good.

And he's gone. And my legs are so wobbly that I could fall over.

Things are finally going well.

A/N: Short chapter, I know. But the next one will be up promptly, I think, so stay tuned! Review!