Chapter 10: Only You
"How could you let him hurt his leg so severely? Are you a torturer of animals too?" Malon snapped at Link, her finger poking his chest offensively. Link snarled and grabbed her hand, twisting it away from his chest.
"Stop doing that! I already told you it wasn't my fault he's injured." Link frowned in anger and released Malon's hand. Malon rubbed her wrist carefully before snorting un-maidenly and rolling her eyes.
"Whenever a horse is injured, it's always the rider's fault." Malon said over one shoulder as she knelt back down and applied some sort of white paste-like balm to Dreaded's gash. Dreaded whimpered and watched Malon out of one dark eye, Malon just glared back. "Don't you start! You're just as bad as he is! Trying to push yourself so hard; trust me, he's not worth it." Malon reprimanded that horse who whinnied angrily and bit at her. But Malon was an expert; she read the movement and dodged appropriately.
"Don't yell at my horse Malon." Malon froze at the mention of her name. She looked up at Link, eyes wide in a mix of inquiring and shock.
"How'd—How'd you know my name?" Malon almost whispered. Link stood leaning against an adjacent wooden post. His arms were crossed, and he frowned down at Malon in irritation. His skin was much more luminescent in the moonlight, making it glow. His red soulless eyes glittering down at her as his silvery hair blew across his face. Inside Link was smiling in gratitude. Trust Malo to not only help the poor horse that reminded him so much of Epona, but to also catch him slipping like that.
"Why wouldn't I know the name of the prettiest ranch owner in all of Hyrule?" Link said silkily, giving her a charming grin. Inwardly Link was jumping up and down, begging Malon to recognize him through this shadowy mask. But he had very little hope that she, any of his other friends would. For the first time since he started his journey he was completely and totally, alone. Malon frowned, clicked her tongue irritably and turned back to the horse.
"Flattery on your lips is like sour milk." Link started, feeling like a knife had just been thrust in his side. Outwardly he put on a mocking hurt look, inwardly he sighed. The little spark of hope he'd felt before dying down again. Malon couldn't help being Malon.
"That stings my heart my dear."
"Good, I'm so glad." Malon stood up and walked over to the open water basin, washing her hands with the water that rested inside. Link watched her as she stuck out her tongue at him before walking over to the main house and slamming the door. Link continued to watch the house until he saw a light in one of the upper rooms blow out.
Link shook his head knowingly. Goddesses above, but she sure was a spitfire. Link turned back to Dreaded, who was looking up at him, a mix of longing and apology radiating from him. Link felt the darkness engulfing him break again, and he gave Dreaded Coming a genuine smile.
"How ya' feeling boy?" Link whispered as he knelt down and stroked Dreaded's head affectionately. Dreaded whinnied softly and nuzzled into Link's hand. Link smiled wider and stroked Dreaded's side, feeling shivers running under the skin. Link shook his head, "Cold there boy? I'll fix that."
Link stood up and walked over to the stables. Link shifted and he felt the lock click open. Link entered the stable. He grabbed the lantern off its hook by the door and made his way towards where the gear was kept. Link set the lantern on the floor and grabbed two heavy horse blankets, throwing them over his shoulder. He then knelt down and picked up the lantern with his other hand; he returned it to its hook as he left.
Link returned to Dreaded Coming's side and laughed quietly when he saw the horse watching him. Link dropped one blanket in the soft grass of the coral and covered Dreaded's back with the other.
"There, that ought to keep you nice and warm eh boy?" Link said gently as he patted Dreaded's head again. Dreaded laid his head down and watched as Link unfolded the other blanket, making into a makeshift bed. Link sat down on it and reached into his satchel. Link pulled out a loaf of bread and a bit of dried meat. He reached in again and pulled out a red apple. Dreaded lifted his head up, watching the apple hungrily. Link smirked and waved the apple, laughing darkly when Dreaded's head moved back and forth with it.
"This must be yours then, eh boy?" Link laughed again and tossed the apple at Dreaded who picked it up with his mouth and nibbled it happily. The two ate together, watching the stars blink alive above their heads. Link finished eating and lay down on his back. He put his hands underneath his head, supporting it like a pillow.
It was almost peaceful here, and for a moment, Link forgot about all his problems. He forgot that he wasn't in his own body, but trapped inside of Dark's. He forgot that while he rested here, Dark was using his body to infiltrate Hyrule Castle. He forgot that, as each second passed he could sense the emotions in the world shifting closer and closer to the dark. He forgot all that, because for a moment, he was simply Link, and that was too precious a thing not to treasure.
Link smirked and closed his eyes. He'd just begun to drift off when he suddenly felt something brush his head. Link opened his eyes and looked up to see Dreaded Coming's head lying next to him. Link smiled and moved closer, petting Dreaded's head as he drifted off again.
That night he dreamt not only about being free of this living nightmare, but of his friends. He saw their proud smiles, heard their warm praise and felt their affection and love. The last thing Link remembered dreaming was Epona, riding towards him; her dark brown body and white mane all he could see. Link smiled when she nuzzled him, her soft whinny's mixing with the tender notes of her song, Epona's song.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
"Shadow? Wake up! Are you alive or dead? Seriously!" Link growled and stirred slightly.
"Go-go away." He muttered as he waved his hand in a shooing motion before turning away from the voice. But the voice wasn't done.
"No I will not 'go away.' So you might as well get up already." Link grunted when he felt someone poking his backside. His eyes snapped open and he jumped up, a snarl forming on his lips. Link's red eyes glinted dangerously, but he froze when he saw who'd awoken him. It was Malon, and she was very close.
Link leaned back away slightly, making Malon laugh lightly. Link gave her a quizzical look, well that sure was a change in her mood.
"Good morning Shadow, how'd you sleep?" Malon smiled at him as she straightened and turned her attention to Dreaded's wound. Link flustered for a moment in irritation before calming himself, standing up, and putting on a bored look.
"I slept fine considering it was the hard ground. You're a terrible hostess you know." Link snapped at her as he stretched. Link felt his bones crack and his muscles grow limber. He watched lazily as Malon turned her head to glare at him.
"My father raised me with good judgment then." Link frowned and rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure. But onto other matters, how's Dreaded's wound? Can he be ridden?" Link asked eagerly, leaning in to pet Dreaded. Malon froze beside him. He looked sideways at her from one glittering red eye, waiting for a response.
"His wound's not too severe, but it will take a bit to heal, at least a day." Malon looked up at him from behind her fiery red bangs. Link bristled, feeling anxiety and depression churn in his stomach.
A whole other day? This gave Dark close to two days to move unmatched. That defiantly wasn't good. Could Link really spare the time to wait for Dreaded to heal?
Malon watched quietly as Link thought. Link was silently freaking out, masking his anxiety with irritability. Malon stood up and gave Link a judging and disapproving look.
"If you have urgent business, such as being a shadowy bastard, I can lend you one of the ranch's horses." Link shot to his feet, fingers clenching in anger. He glared nastily at her, hiding the confusion and pain that he longed to express to Malon. Malon stood her ground, glaring right back.
The two stood there for a few minutes, neither wanting to give the other the satisfaction of victory. If Link had been Dark, Malon might have suffered then, might have been hurt. But Link could never, would never, hurt Malon. So instead, Link broke his glare and mumbled angrily under his breath. Link gave an irritated click of his tongue and sat back down.
"Don't be ridiculous, I'm going to wait right here until Dreaded is healed." Link snapped at the surprised redhead. Link then turned his attention to Dreaded Coming, ignoring the stunned silence that he had initiated with his response. Dreaded Coming looked back at him with deep dark eyes. "So hurry up and get better if you want to come along, got it?" Link continued to watch, smirking superiorly as Dreaded Coming whinnied and shook his head.
Malon felt a part of her pry free of the rest of her. She watched Link quietly, her thoughts on what she'd seen the night before. She hadn't believed it then, and she didn't believe what she was seeing and hearing now. But there was no mistaking the song she'd heard the Shadow hum last night, and there was no mistaking the tenderness that swum in his soulless red eyes. Malon continued to stare, maybe just one more test.
Link looked up at Malon who was still looking at him as if he'd suddenly grown an extra head. Link smirked nastily. "What the Hell are you gawking at?" Link snapped as he crossed his arms and legs, preparing himself for the wait. Malon started and colored, turning her head away to hide her blush. There was no way, was there?
"Nothing at all, I wasn't gawking." Link smirked, sensing he'd struck a nerve.
"It sure looked like you were to me. What is it? Find yourself attracted to me?"
"Not on your life, you slimy keese!"
Link laughed, making Malon blush again in frustration. Malon again felt a wash of doubt hit her. But still, from what Link had told her about Dark he was heartless through and through. So why would he take the time to not only lead his horse to her ranch, but wait for it to be healed?
"Stop making fun of me!" Malon cried. She curled her hands into fists, placed them on her hips, and stomped her right foot. This of course made Link laugh even harder. Then, for the third time in the last day, Link felt himself rise to the surface again, and the darkness seemed to lessen. It was as if for a moment, all the goodness, all the warmth, all that was Link surfaced. Malon paused and caught her breath. Link smiled at her, his expression warm despite the moonlight skin and the soulless red eyes. Malon shook her head in disbelief, for how could it be true?
"Now what's the issue?"
Malon started again and sat down suddenly. Her doubts were gone; the expression that had danced across Link's face when he'd laughed had convinced her. Link jumped back slightly at Malon's unpredicted movement. He looked at her, his red eyes perplexed. Malon watched him out of the side of her eyes.
"Where exactly were you going when your horse was injured?" Malon asked quietly, still watching Link. Link blinked and re-crossed his arms. He looked back at Dreaded, who was sleeping soundly.
"I was on my way to Hyrule Caslte."
"Going to see Zelda?" Link froze slightly. He turned to look at Malon who was watching him blankly. Her expression didn't give anything away. Link probed at her mind, but he couldn't seem to break in, but then Malon wasn't a normal person. It's what made him love her, she was strong.
"No—there was another reason."
"I thought there might be."
"If you knew then why'd you ask?"
"I want to hear you say it."
"What do you want to hear me say?"
"I think you know." Link froze again. He could feel his heart thrashing in his chest; feel the inner part of him that was still good beginning to hope. Could it be possible that Malon had figured out who he was, who he actually was?
"I'm going to Hyrule Castle to stop Dar—to stop—stop, Link from doing something terrible." Malon smiled and shook her head. Link blinked, feeling his chest tighten.
"Why are you going? Tell me the truth." Link blinked again and grasped Malon's hands in his own. He wanted to hug her, to kiss her, to never let her go. Outwardly, Link could only grin darkly, but inside he was rejoicing.
"I'm going to stop Dark and get my body back." Link whispered. Link felt his souls urge up, as nothing but pure happiness and joy rushed through him, making his moonlight skin almost glow. He felt freer, like he had been holding his breath, but now he could breathe again. Malon squeezed his hands and he squeezed hers back. She leaned in to him and brushed his lips lightly with her own.
"Oh, my Link." She whispered. Link smiled and leaned his forehead forward. He felt her shiver as their foreheads touched, his skin colder then death.
"When did you know?"
"Last night when you cared for Dreaded—I was watching you. At first I didn't believe it but then today, when you—when you were willing to stay here for him. It was unselfish and didn't seem right." Malon looked up into his eyes tenderly, and Link looked back, feeling his deep affection for Malon well up. "But Link when you laughed just now, that's when I was certain. Only you could ever laugh like that Link, so full and carefree."