The air still smelled of hay and had the sweet tinge of sun-kissed grass. The buildings looked the same, the house to the left, the stable to the right. And out before him, past the narrow entranceway, he knew there would be the field. But, there was something wrong here, he decided, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Link turned to the house and, after a moment's hesitation, knocked gently. There was no answer. Link put his hand on the knob and swung it open.
The room beyond was empty. He was expecting to see Talon, leaning up against the wooden legs of the table. He expected to see the squawking, jerky chaos of dozens of cuccos littering the floor. He expected there to be a fire in the hearth and a delicious aroma in the air.
However, the room was completely empty. No Talon. No cuccos. No fire or cooking. No familiar tune being hummed in the air. He stepped further into the house and something a little desperate pushed him to climb the stairs to the rooms up there. These, too, were empty. The beds were nicely made and pressed, the rooms tidy and clean, but again he got the overwhelming feeling that something was wrong.
Link walked back out of the house and hesitated outside. Where was everyone? A deep sense of panic washed over him and he had to concentrate on breathing normally. He eased his thoughts, whispering comforts to himself before he began to breakdown. The stable door stared at him tauntingly. Link gripped the handle in a barely controlled fist and carefully pulled it open.
His steps were silent and the door was well oiled so the person standing in the stable, bent over one of the stalls, didn't hear him. He took in a deep breath, relief flooding through his system. His eyes wandered over the long, flaming red hair that cascaded over the slim back. She had grown, as he knew she had to have, but it was still odd to see the changes. The last time they had been together, she had been about his same height. She had grown, but he stood about a head taller than she did. Finally, she turned towards him and jumped a little, obviously not expecting there to be anyone.
"Oh! A visitor," she said.
Link furrowed his brows a little confused. After the first brief scan of her powder blue eyes, they had rooted themselves on the floor beneath her feet and from there they refused to move.
Link refused to believe this shattered shell of a girl was the same cheerful youth that he'd known years before. He stepped closer to her and she flinched, but stayed in her spot, gripping the pail in her hand with white knuckles. He saw then the true damage. Her voice was tattered and defeated. Her clothes were meager, sown and repaired hastily, but obviously well-worn. She was thin, painfully thin, and paler than he had ever remembered. Her eyes hurt him. They were afraid, unsure, not the hopeful, helpful blue orbs they had been in the past. When he focused on the spot he saw the remains of a bruise on her cheek that was just finishing healing.
"We haven't had a visitor in such a long time," she said in a small. "Welcome to Lon Lon Ranch. If you wish to speak with the owner, Mr. Ingo is outside. We have horses outside if you wish to ride."
But Link made to move to leave. Still Malon would not glance up. She shut her eyes and he realized that she was on the verge of tears. She was almost in a panic and suddenly he understood. No visitors were to see her and she had paid the price dearly the last time one of them had.
"Please sir," she pleaded in a shaking whisper. "Won't you please tour the outside premise?"
Link's face transformed to one of stony rage. His nostrils flared. Behind his eyes there was an intense, awful heat. His brain spun madly and all his muscles tensed. His clenched his fists. Perhaps it was better she didn't know who he was. Perhaps it was better that, for now, she held no knowledge that he had come back. He turned slowly, unable to make his feet go any faster, and walked out towards the pastures.
Standing by the corral, which was closed for the first time since he had ever seen it, was a pompously dressed Ingo. He had ditched the humble garb and was clad in satin, frilly clothes that were in bright, gaudy shades.
As Link stepped closer, little images played through his head. He thought of pressing Ingo up against the gate and pummeling him to a bloody pulp. He thought of pulling out his sword and beating him with the butt end of it. He thought of carving his name and a warning into his neck. He thought of breaking his arms and legs, of doing so many other things, but he knew, deep down, that he couldn't. Whatever it was he did, Malon would be forced to deal with the cruel consequences. He stopped before the disgusting little man, a cold, hateful mask in place.
"Well, hello," Ingo said, swaying confidently. He furrowed his brow and stared at Link. "I feel like I've seen you before. Anyway, welcome to my ranch, a tribute to the great Ganondorf. Some fools in Kakariko say that I stole this place from that lazy slob Talon, but it's not true. That's the story he tells. The great Ganondorf saw my obvious worth and greatness and gave me the ranch. I'm going to raise a fine horse and present it to the great Ganondorf as a gift. I don't want people talking bad about me. So, kid, would you like to ride for a while? Ten rupees."
Link hesitated, then, making up his mind, he pulled the money from his hand and put it ungratefully into the waiting hand. Ingo let him into the corral and closed it behind him. Link knew it would be a scam.
"You have ten minutes," Ingo said, looking at his pocket watch.
Link walked away from the dirty little man. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his ocarina. He put it to his lips and played the familiar tune, praying that his idea would work. As the last note reverberated through the air he heard a whinny and a neigh, then the nearby clop of hooves. The beautiful red mare stopped in front of him and nuzzled him, obviously remembering him.
"Epona," he whispered, kissing her nose lovingly and petting her. "Come one girl. We have work to do."
He climbed on the saddle and rode around, catching Ingo's attention. Ingo forced another ten rupees from him, then, as the ride was ending, Ingo called him over.
"You're getting pretty good, boy," he said, looking him over. "What do you say to a little wager? Fifty rupees on a horse race around the corral. Want to go?"
Link nodded stiffly. Ingo grabbed a huge stallion and swung up on it clumsily. The race was short and Ingo played dirty, cutting him off. However, he was an inexperienced horseman and Link soon gained the advantage. Epona gave her all and at the end, she and Link raced across the line victorious. Before he could even disembark, there was a yell of frustration and Ingo ran up beside his horse.
"No! How could I lose?" Ingo rage, gripping chunks of his hair. "Another round. If you win, you can… you can keep the damned horse!"
Link agreed, smiling to himself as they lined up. Ingo was angry and irrational. This round was even easier than the last, though Ingo did try to trip his horse and block his path. Link raced across the line and Ingo fell from his horse, falling to his knees.
"NOOOO! Is that Epona?! How could you have trained that wild horse right under my nose?" Ingo cried out. "I was going to present that horse to the great Ganondorf. I have nothing left. No, no, no!"
Link watched him as he yelled wordlessly for a few minutes, then crumpled. Finally, with a sigh, he stood, his hair still out of place, but he was smiling, grinning evilly.
"Like I promised, you can keep the horse," Ingo said in a soft, sinister voice. "However, I will never let you leave this ranch! BWAHAHAHA!"
Link watched helplessly as Ingo swung the main gates shut and padlocked it. Ingo watch Link carefully, expecting a raging fight, but Link kept his head. To this awful man, image was everything. The only way to take him down without hurting Malon was to knock him out of his highly esteemed position by causing a great loss. He turned from the man and headed to the high surrounding walls. He felt Epona's rippling muscles beneath his legs. He patted her flank and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"Come on, love," he said softly. "For Malon."
And with that, he spurred her on, giving her enough room to go full speed. Then, just as the horse tensed and leapt into the air, he turned to look at the man. He had a horrified expression on his face and he knew suddenly that he'd succeeded.
And there, just behind Ingo, stood Malon, watching in amazement. Their eyes met and held each other and he saw the flicker of recognition. Her eyes widened, the pail slipped from her fingers and clattered noiselessly to the floor. Epona flew over the wall and the sight was gone. She landed on the dirt road beyond the ranch walls.
He wanted to do more, he wanted to stay and make sure that everything was put back the way it was supposed to, but he couldn't. He had to move on. This was the most he could do… for now.