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A Week of Love

Chapter 9: Silent Heartbreak

" Malon!"

I heard my name being called from behind, and I knew it was Link. But I refused to look back…I refused to stop running.

Instead, I continued to run through the castle, back toward the entrance--toward my freedom. I was so distraught that I didn't want to face Link, I couldn't dare let him see me. I know he desperately wanted me to come, and at first I was enjoying myself. I was planning on telling him how I felt and about the fortune, but now there was no point. I feel like getting prepared for this ball, and getting Anju's hopes up were all for nothing. Link didn't know about the announcement, so I'm not blaming him for anything.

Once I had reached the drawbridge leading outside, I figured out Link had stopped following me. I wiped the tears that rolled down my cheeks, and looked around at the dark gloomy Hyrule. The dark low clouds filled the sky and the rain continued to fall with no end. It wasn't storming out, but just heavy enough for me to get soaked by the time I reach Hyrule Market.

Taking a deep breath, I lifted the front of my dress and began my journey down the wet, long road toward Hyrule Field. By the time I had reached Hyrule Market I was soaked, like planned. My hair was messy, sticking to my face and my make-up had washed off. The dress stuck up against me like glue, giving me a difficult time as I continued to walk. At some point, it had ripped on the ends. The dress so heavy that I could barely hold it up and my heels had stepped down on it, causing it to tear.

Nothing could be worse than walking home in the pouring rain, wearing a ball gown, after figuring out the one you loved was getting married. To top it off, I had gotten a fortune that I was going to die in two days. My life couldn't get any worse than that, but as I had gotten closer to the drawbridge leading to Hyrule Field, I knew I was wrong.

Of course at daybreak everyday the drawbridge goes up. Even though there is a ball going on at the castle, they still had to follow orders. I remember reading on the invitation that once you enter the ball you have to say until the end, that is if you live outside of Hyrule Market.

I steadily made my way to the bridge, and looked up at the sky. My tears began mixing with the rain that fell onto my face. My arms fell to my side, as I lowered my head. I felt like collapsing to the ground at that very moment, and crying hysterically, but luckily I managed to control myself.

" Excuse me ma'am?"

I turned my attention to the sudden voice that appeared. A guard walked out of the house surprised to probably see me standing here. He examined me closely, before looking over at the castle.

" Can you please lower the bridge, I want to go home." I faced the guard, pulling back the chunk of red hair that partially covered my face.

The guard frowned and shook his head disappointed. " I'm sorry ma'am, but I can't lower the gate until the ball is over or unless given orders from The Royal Family."

" Please? I was planning on staying the entire time, but there is a change of plans."

The guard shook his head once more. " I'm sorry ma'am. If you'd like you can stay in here until it's time."

I forced a polite smile and shook my head, refusing the offer. " No thank you, I'll just head back."

The guard nodded and apologized once more before heading back inside. Even though I said I was going to head back, I didn't really mean it. Instead, I walked back to the middle of Hyrule Market, and stood by the fountain.

The rain continued to fall, but this time it was a gentle shower. I rested my hands up against the fountain, and looked down at my reflection. The ripples had made it difficult to see myself, but I could easily imagined how I looked. I looked like a woman who had lost everything, which is mostly the case. I lost my mother, my faith, my love, and pretty soon my life.

I was afraid to admit, that from here on is going to be nothing but an empty road of sadness. My happiness was never going to return, because on this night--it had all died away. I was so content at the beginning of this week, thinking that I was going to have an ordinary life. Who would have thought that a single fortune would have caused so much commotion? I spent my entire last week to achieve one goal and that's to be loved.

A Week of Love…

But now, the entire week was pointless.

I lifted my head and shook the hair out of the face, spotting a canopy in the distance. Since I had to wait for a while, I decided to get some shelter from the rain, so I don't freeze to death or get sick, which wouldn't really matter in the first place.

I made my way under the canopy and took a seat on the create stacked with a bunch of others. I sat there silently, listening to the soft rain hit up against the canopy and watching the ripples form in the small puddles scattered around Hyrule Market. The smell of moisture filled the air, and the streets were slick. A couple of small black dogs playfully jumped in puddles, causing me to chuckle, but it wasn't enough to pull me out of my depressed state.

It felt like I was sitting around for ages, when only an hour had passed. I had no clue when the ball was supposed to be over, but something told me I still had a long wait ahead of me. I sung Epona's Song to try pass the time and get rid of my worries, but nothing seemed to work. Eventually I began dozing off, but the occasional thunder had kept me awake.

Pretty soon, I wasn't alone.

" Mal?"

My head jerked up when I heard Link's voice. My heart raced when I spotted Link running in my direction. He stopped running once he was safely under the canopy away from the falling rain. I looked up at him, at little happy that it was raining so he didn't notice my tears. He stood next to me, catching his breath. His tunic was soaked, and his boots squashed with every step he took. Rain continuously fell from his wet blonde ends, and hat.

" How did you know I was here?" I managed to ask.

Link licked his lips and looked back at the castle. " A guard had told us some woman was waiting in Hyrule Market." He turned his attention back to me. " I figured it was you."

" I want to go home." I spoke softly, hoping he didn't hear me, but I knew I was wrong.

" Why?" He took a seat next to me. " Why did you leave, Mal?"

" Because…" I sighed deeply, lowering my head embarrassed to tell him the truth. " I don't really know…I was…"

" Was it because of the announcement?" I looked at Link, our eyes met. I guess I didn't have to tell him, and hopefully he didn't notice I had strong feelings for him. I didn't know what to say, so I stayed silent. Luckily he continued. " I was totally surprised by it…probably as much as you."

" You never knew?" I questioned, playing with my fingers. " I mean, how could The King keep a secret that you are going to be…" The word was stuck in my throat. I never knew how hard it was to actually talk about something like this. "… Married?"

" I know, but I guess it has to happen."

" What do you mean?"

" I have no choice." Link replied.

" So…you don't want to marry Zelda?"

" W-well…" Link stuttered. " I'm not saying that…but I mean I wasn't ready for this."

I frowned. Maybe he did want Zelda, just not now. Our relationship was nothing more than friendship, just some brotherly/sisterly love. Zelda meant more to him than I ever did.

" I hope you two have a good life…" I whispered.

Link looked in my direction. " What?"

" Nothing…"

" Come back to the ball Mal. We can find another dress for you, it will be--"

I shook my head interrupting him. " I want to go home, but the guards won't lower the bridge."

Link bit his lip. " I can tell them to, but I really want you to come back."

" I'm sorry Link…"

Link was silent for a moment. " Are you sure?"

I closed my eyes and nodded. " Yes."

Link took a deep breath and nodded standing to his feet. I opened my eyes, watching as he walked by, heading back toward the drawbridge. I abruptly stood to my feet and followed him.

The guard returned from the building once seeing Link. He stood still, saluting Link. " Link sir, what can I do for you?"

Link stopped and crossed his arms." Lower the drawbridge for me. A friend wants to go home."

The guard nodded. " Right sir."

I walked next to Link, as we both watched the drawbridge lower. I spotted Lon Lon Ranch in the distance, and saw Sasha still by the moat where I had left her. I felt content, and ready to head home, but I didn't move. I stood next to Link, almost as if I was waiting for something.

Link turned to me. " Well, it's down now."

I nodded. " Thank you…"

" Thank you for coming." Link lowered his head, disappointed.

I frowned and lightly touched his shoulder. " I'm sorry for leaving Link, and congratulations."

Link nodded. I took a deep breath and continued across the bridge toward Sasha. Link stood in his spot, watching me. Even though I hated it, I had to go. I couldn't stay any longer. I wanted to run back to Link and embrace him, but I didn't. I forced myself not to.

" Hey Mal!" Link called. I stopped and looked over my shoulder. " It might be a while before we see each other again, so take care, okay?"

Just hearing him say that, I felt like I would die. I wanted to break back down into my crying mode, because this will probably be the last time I see him. So I took one last good look at him, to remember him for who he was and what he was to me. He was Link, my secret love and the Hero of Time, but most importantly he was my best friend.

I forced a smile and blinked, causing another new tear to roll down my reddened cheek. " I will…" I whispered.

Link smiled and waved his hand in the air. " I have to return to the castle. See you later Mal, good-bye."

" Good-bye Link…" I replied, loud enough for him to hear me.

Link nodded and turned walking back toward Hyrule Market. Shortly after, the drawbridge began to rise. I frowned, as more tears rolled down my cheeks. I turned and walked over toward Sasha, prepared to take on my last two days.

I never thought it would end this way, since the beginning of the week I pictured everything happening differently in my mind. But in the end, it was sad to say…that Link and I were both heading in different directions.

A/N:

I know this chapter isn't long, sorry about the length. Nothing much happened, so it seems like a slow sad chapter. When I was writing the part about Malon at the fountain looking at her reflection I was listening to the song "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera, so it really helped me get into the mood.

Well that's all I have to say!

Until Next Time!