Disclaimer:
I do not own Ocarina of Time nor any part of the Zelda franchise.
All rights go to their respective owners.
This story is a work of fiction and corresponds to the story line, but does not follow it exactly.
This chapter is rated: T
A/N: The words in italics are personal thoughts (either Malon or Link, respectively).
Chapter 8: Bête Noire
"Forgive your adversaries with the graciousness of a true hero."
-Melissa Szymanski
The walls of Lon Lon Ranch no longer seemed to loom over him, and Link could now see that the fortress was actually fairly shabby. Had age and Evil's rule caused this ruin, or had the walls surrounding the ranch always been this way? Link grazed his fingertips over a mossy stone, and flicked his wrist back when he felt the stone cave inwards. The mortar between the stones had worn thin and the walls were crumbling in places; even the tall, proud archway above the large wooden doors had been vandalized.
Welcome to Lon Lon Ranch had been replaced by Lord Ganondorf's Royal Stables.
Whatever the Hylian script was painted with had browned and faded around the edges; Link wondered if it was actual blood….the thought made him clench his jaw tight.
Link sheathed the Master Sword onto his back, then approached the large oak doors that had once been so inviting.
The interior of the ranch seemed unchanged, save for patches of peeling paint on the buildings or shards of a smashed pot along the ground. Link tilted his head back and soaked in the sight of the ranch; this was where Talon had given him shelter and Malon had tended to him. Malon...He wondered what became of the girl with freckles across her nose.
A figure stood at the gate of the central coral wringing its hands together. It turned whenever Link approached, and the blonde instantly narrowed his eyes. Ingo, that bastard.
Ingo smirked at his visitor and twitched his moustache side-to-side.
"Welcome to Lord Ganondorf's royal stable. I am Ingo, his trusted horse breeder. Have you come to gaze upon my polished steeds?" He asked haughtily. Ingo glanced over Link's form, then smiled a horrible, wry smile.
"You are a handsome young man...have you come to court my servant? She's a beautiful girl. If I hadn't known her since she was an infant, I'd marry her!" Ingo snorted. He turned his head and shouted in a sharp, piercing tone.
"Malon, come! A visitor is here."
Link steadied his quivering arms whenever Ingo shouted at Malon as if she were a dog. He wanted to punch this pompous old fart in the big, fat nose.
A young woman approached them with her eyes on the ground. She wore a long dress that nearly swept the ground when she walked, and carried a bucket of feed in her hands. She tucked a loose strand of burnt orange hair behind her pointed ear before she spoke.
"You called, master Ingo?"
"Yes, child." Ingo hummed. "A man has come to to court you. If, perhaps, we can settle on a payment, he will be your husband. Look him in the eye."
Malon exhaled slowly through her pursed lips, then glanced up to look at Link. She didn't recognize him, but he did notice that her eyes swept over his body and lingered at his arms and chest.
"Isn't he a handsome young man? He'll make a fine husband and produce some fine children, don't you say, Malon?" Ingo questioned, though his gaze was on Link's leather purse at his side. "And you, isn't Malon a beautiful woman? She is worth at least 500 rupees."
Link clenched his jaw tight, the mere thought of Ingo selling Malon made his blood boil. She wasn't livestock that could be auctioned off, especially not by a man who wasn't her father! Malon pressed her pale lips together as she studied their visitor's face. He was handsome, no doubt, (he was the sort of man a woman could only dream of) but something seemed...off. She couldn't place her finger on it, but this man was familiar to her.
Is he the knight whom I see in my dreams? The one who always loves me throughly?
She blushed at the scandalous thought. This man was a stranger, she shouldn't have such crude thoughts of him!
"I don't have 500 rupees." Link finally spoke, his voice far gruffer and more masculine than he remembered. Malon parted her lips oh-so-slightly and pressed her thighs together.
Oh, what a voice he has...it causes stirrings within me.
Ingo scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest.
"No money, no wife. Scram."
"Why don't we bargain?" Link couldn't believe he was negotiating this, but he had to give Malon her freedom one way or another. Perhaps if he wed her, or whatever Ingo wanted of him, he could chase that fat little bastard far away from this ranch with no obstructions.
Ingo narrowed his beady eyes slightly and snorted.
"You probably have no money to offer anyways."
Link held up his leather purse and shook it, making all the rupees within jingle.
"I have 99 rupees in my purse. Beat me in a horse race, and I will have rights to this young woman."
Ingo gave Link a cold, cruel smile.
"Kid, if you beat me in a horse race, I'll let you keep the horse and hand over the ranch to you."
"Then it is settled."
Link handed his pouch of money to Malon, then leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Worry not, I will beat this vile man. I swear it."
Malon tried to ignore the shiver that rolled down her spine whenever Link leaned in close and the heat coiling in her abdomen at the thought of this man becoming her husband.
"Go boy, choose your stead! I'll be waiting at the gate." Ingo laughed heartily.
Link stepped into the coral and every horse made a wide arc around him whenever he approached it. He had no riding experience, and it was evident that horses still were skittish around him-the same as it had been in his youth. Link sighed and brushed his blonde bangs from his eyes, then he noticed a caramel mare grazing in the center of the coral: Epona. She'd grown into a beautiful steed, with powerful muscles and a shiny coat. Link knew better than to approach her, and instead pulled out his ocarina.
He played the song Malon taught him all those years ago and gently swayed as his fingers nimbly danced upon the instrument. Malon held a fist against her chest and tried to find the breath that escaped her.
Could it be…? No, he died all those years ago…
Epona raised her head gracefully, then slowly walked towards Link and allowed him to rub her muzzle. The mare snorted in a greeting, and the Hylian smiled in return.
Hello Epona. I need your help, will you allow me to ride you just this once?
He thought quietly towards the horse. As though she understood, Epona nudged him with her snout.
Link mounted the mare barebacked and rode her gracefully towards the gate, where Ingo waited with his mouth agape.
"That damned horse won't let anyone near her besides Malon. I don't know what you did, but it won't matter."
Ingo whistled for his stallion, and a large golden gelding galloped over. Ingo mounted the monstrous horse, then clicked his tongue.
"Two laps, boy, first to cross the finish line wins."
Malon watched the race with a faraway glaze over her eyes. That man was a natural with Epona, and even though Ingo fought dirty and his horse was far larger, the blonde won the race by a nose.
Ingo dismounted his stallion and kicked a fence post in a frustrated huff.
"Fuck! Fuck it all! That goddess-damned horse was supposed to be a gift to the great Ganondorf himself…"
The older man paced and mumbled to himself whilst his hands were knotted up in his hair.
Link dismounted Epona and rubbed her flanks. He walked over to Malon and put his arm around her shoulder protectively.
"It is done. You must relinquish everything to me now." Link said flatly. Ingo gave the boy a poisonous glare, then pulled a dagger from his side.
"I think not, boy. No one cheats Ingo."
Link drew the Master Sword from his back and poised it at the coward's throat.
"I've cheated no one. We made our terms, now you must abide by them. Leave this place immediately, unless you don't want me to be so careful with my blade."
Link dug the tip of his sword underneath Ingo's chin, and watched the other man swallow then lick his lips.
Ingo left in a cowardly rush; Link mounted Epona and guarded to entrance to make sure he was gone for good.
Malon timidly approached her knight in green and offered him a gracious smile.
"Thank you, Hero, for chasing that bad man away. After Ganondorf rose to power, he threw my father out and took the ranch for himself."
"You no longer have need to worry, miss." Link said plainly. "He won't bother you again."
Link turned to leave, and Malon emitted a squeak from the back of her throat.
"O-Oh please wait! It's getting dark, and you must be starving. Please come inside and share a meal with me. It's the least I can do."
Link nodded, then unmounted Epona and led her towards the stables with Malon at his side. The redhead blushed feverishly at Link's presence, and the blonde began to worry if she was ill.
"What do you go by, Hero?"
"Link." He answered simply while he fed Epona a carrot in her stall. Malon dropped the pouch of rupees she'd been holding, and money spilled out onto the floor. Tears brimmed up in the corners of her eyes, and her hands shook whenever she touched his arm.
"Fairy boy…?"
Link held Malon in his arms while she cried into his chest. They'd moved into the kitchen/dining area of the farmhouse, and Malon still wasn't over the fact it was really him.
"Please Malon, no more tears. I'm right here."
"I-I," She whimpered, then broke into soft sniffles. "I can't believe it. The Link whom I knew died in Hyrule Castle Town when it burned to the ground."
Link was surprised to hear that, but he stroked her hair to comfort her.
"It is I, Malon. Believe your old friend. Do you require proof?"
"Yes." She whimpered. "Prove you're real and not a ghost or a dream."
"Very well."
Link gently pushed her into a chair of her own, then unbuttoned the belt around his tunic.
Malon's face turned red as the Goron's ruby; she turned her head. Link didn't understand her embarrassment and continued to undress. The tunic fell into a rumpled pile on the floor, then he started to undo the buttons on his undershirt. He left on his tight leggings, but exposed his hard, mature chest. The lichtenberg figure left by Barinade still marred the skin surrounding his heart.
"Look at me, Malon. Do not be afraid."
Link reached out and gently took her hand, then placed it over his beating heart. Malon felt dizzy and flushed, but tore her eyes from the ground to look at Link. By Din, he was gorgeous. His skin was taut and defined over muscles, and deep v lines dipped into his leggings. Even his nipples, coral in colour, were beautiful and arousing to her. She felt the steady flutter of his heartbeat, but her mind was far away. Oh how lucky was she to have Link as her husband...he did plan to stand by the deal, didn't he?
"H-How did you get this scar?" Her voice came out higher than she intended. Link didn't seem to notice, nor did he notice that she was still touching him.
"I fought a beast within the belly of a creature known as Lord Jabu Jabu. It had the powers of lightning, and struck me. I nearly died that day, were it not for the care of the Zora princess."
"Zora princess…" Malon muttered lowly, then pulled her hand away to rest on her lap. "Well.," she forced a smile, "I'm certainly glad you didn't die."
"As am I."
Malon served a simple vegetable soup for dinner, peasants' dish really, but Link didn't mind one bit. He ate with enthusiasm and praised her for her cooking skill. Malon flushed at his friendly compliments, but modestly tried to brush them aside.
He helped her clean the dishes after they finished eating (Link sure had a bottomless stomach), then he followed her to the bedroom. Malon nervously fiddled with her flowing skirt as Link looked around the now grown-up room. Long gone were the drawings she made as a child.
Does he intend to bed me now? I am his promised wife, after all. Am I ready for that? I've never felt the touch of a man before…
She caught a glimpse of his handsome profile with the innocence of a child still gleaming in his sapphire blue eyes. Her heart fluttered.
Of course I am. I've dreamed of him since I was a girl. Even after I thought he was gone.
It was shameful to admit she had dreams of the handsome fairy boy visiting her during the night and woke with wet undergarments. It was also shameful to admit she thought of him whenever she-ahem-pleasured herself. No other man had stuck her the way Link did all those years ago. Never in her wildest fantasies did she imagine him so handsome though, or so close to her.
Link glanced back over his shoulder at her and offered a shy smile.
"Your face is red, Malon. It matches your hair."
"Is it?" She questioned lightly as she traced patterns onto the bedsheets. "Link, Ingo offered my hand in marriage to you, then you won the wager. That means I am your wife to be...how do you feel about that?" She bit into her bottom lip. The male Hylian shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not know exactly. I took the bet in order to buy your freedom from that man, but I suppose you're right. You're my wife now." He said easily. Malon raised her brows; how could he be so carefree about this?
"Do you understand what it means to be husband and wife. Link?"
"No, not really. I've heard the terms numerous times before, though. Will you explain it, Malon?"
"A-Alright...come sit with me."
Link came and sat by her side. Malon kept her eyes on the ground.
"When a man and woman fall in love, they decide to be wed then become husband and wife. They then live together and help each other...and sometimes, with time, they have children."
Link listened to her quietly, and an awkward silence hung in the air.
"I don't think I can be your husband, Malon. I can't be here with you all the time like a husband should."
"That's okay, Link, I understand. You can still be my husband, though. I don't mind."
"Really?" Link gave her a gracious look. "Thank you, Malon. I will do my best."
"Just...remember to come home and visit me on your journey. Epona will need tended to, and you'll always have food waiting on you."
Link smiled gently and closed his eyes.
"That sounds lovely."
Link yawned, and Malon couldn't help but smile. Even though he was now in this manly form, he was still a child. She didn't think he completely understood, but who was she to ruin his innocence?
"Rest, fairy boy. You deserve it."
Malon let him crawl under the sheets and waited until he started snoring before she joined him. Her body felt hot being so close to him, but part of her felt guilty for feeling this way. Link was still just a little boy, after all. She sighed and rubbed her eyes.
I'm a selfish woman to keep him as my husband when he doesn't understand...curse my heart. It feels however it wants, despite logic. I'll just have to support him and play the part of a good wife and companion. Perhaps one day he will understand...and he will love me in return.
Malon sighed dreamily at the thought and cuddled closer to Link. He was a hero with a heart of gold and the purest of intentions. At least now she had hope of not only a brighter future for Hyrule, but for herself as well.
"Sleep, my dearest husband. Rest, because tomorrow I know you have to leave and save the world. Come home to me, Link. I'll always be waiting patiently."
She hesitated, then placed a light, airy kiss on his cheek, and smiled at the small noise Link exhaled in his sleep.
A/N: Hello readers, I'm SO sorry for the long delay on this chapter. I'm also sorry if it seems a bit rushed, I wanted to make sure you guys had something new to read.
Bête Noire means "a person or thing that one particularly dislikes". I thought it described Ingo well.
I know this chapter strayed quite a bit from the main story in Ocarina in Time, but bear with me dear readers, now the plot is thickening.
Link is still a clueless kid, poor Malon. Hang in there, sweetie! I'll make a man out of him eventually. *starts to sing Mulan*
Loved it? Hated it? Reviews make the story better and the author happy.
