Talon and Ingo

The next morning brought a chill wind from the south. The lad, shivering incessantly, reached for the sleeve of his blanket, as was used to in his home, but grasped only his own sleeve. Disappointed, he rolled over for the sun to beam on his backside, and then there was a muffled scream. Perked to surprise, Link rolled back on over to release his guardian fairy from bodily captivity underneath him, and then received a nasty smack on the nose for nearly crushing her. "It's time to be up, anyway," she grumbled angrily.

Now with daylight's grace his present environment was observable for memory. In the night he had hobbled into a forested path well maintained through constant traffic, as the hoof marks and wheel tread-lines had indicated through use. The canopy was thick to block Din's Eye from peeking through. Her rays' absence allowed the bitter wind no recompense for the cruel breezes that swept through. Link shivered.

"Get your cloak," said Navi, and Link obeyed. He still shivered and stumbled here and there over his aching foot as they proceeded through the forest. It was much more pleasant than the Lost Woods, that was for sure. Soon Din's Eye bore light enough to emanate the depths of the woodline, and its critters were visible from the road: cute, furry critters for the most part. Rabbits, deer and other game.

"Walking hurts, Navi," the boy said; "what do you get to whine about?"

"I can get hurt, boy," she said. "Just like you."

"Not that I ever see it: you must be immortal, you dern liar."

"Lie? Ha, hardly. If I hadn't woken that soon, you would have crushed my wings. You must be careful! I am like a graceful but tender butterfly."

Amid his grunts, Link spoke lowly: "Yet your 'tude is a bee sting."

"By the way, Link, take your canteen and wash your face: some of my gimti got on you. If you're not careful you may fall ill from it."

"Want to wash it for me?"

"Your fingers bear spirit: make them work your front!"

Night came and Link made camp while Navi scouted ahead. By the time she returned, the boy was struggling to sleep: his foot troubled him. "Here," said Navi, and she landed next to his leg and bade him to take off his boot. His effort was labored and slow, but eventually he discarded the boot to the side and let his feet breathe freely. "Seriously, no socks?" gasped Navi.

"I have to wash them, you know."

"Your logic is astounding, boy— how do you survive?"

"…what?"

"OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO WASH THEM. Gods, boy, did you learn discipline from frogs?"

"Shut up."

Navi smacked him across the face. "You watch your mouth, Link. That is not proper towards anyone." And then she fluttered back to his bare foot.

Rubbing his face, Link made no comment, simply laying back on his rucksack. Navi laid her hands upon his calf and eventually a warm sensation built up there which proceeded to coarse up and down his lower calf, as if warm water had been inserted into his foot that had started moving inside his leg. Each time it moved Link felt better, and soon felt lulled to sleep. When he eventually did, Navi then spent time to undo his other boot and let his foot breathe air again. She then nestled on his chest and fell asleep underneath his chin.

After they dismantled camp that morning they continued northward. Link said nothing of finding his other boot being undone, and this put Navi off. For the better portion of the morning, she remained silent in hopes that Link would warm up to the task; but, when he did not by the time Din's Eye rose above, she could not retain herself.

"Seriously?!" she barked, fluttering right in front of his face.

"What?" he spurted-

"I do your boots for you, scout the route ahead, I scare away the lesser creatures— and you say nothing in gratitude?" she spoke.

"…..I… um…"

"Link. I travel with you as is in line with my master's wishes. I am still with you for you are but a small child in the world, and if not for me you would be chewn asunder as the shroud of Hathindo. But for all my charity, I am not an asitaci monk: it is not for spirit, IT'S FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR HOME. So, for the love of that which is judge of all the world, which beholds the greatest of all wisdom, I DESERVE A SMIDGEN OF GRATITUDE! So quit—"

"Alright, alright, alright!" Link begged.

"No, no! You shut it lad. Shut it. Now, you had better start pulling some weight on this journey, or else I will leave you to your sores. I may even leave you to illness from the world. You understand?"

Link did not understand: he was carrying the rucksack, the weapon, and the Emerald. He was that the one older folk—well, anyone—talked to and assaulted. Navi simply just hit underneath his cap and— well, she does tell me what to say. But even then, he felt ungrateful for the fact that he still had to do the talking itself. And the walking and carrying.

But unsure of what to say, Link simply nodded and agreed.

"Alright?" Navi said. "Alright. Well, the village is a little bit farther. With your foot, we'll be in town before nightfall."

And onwards they went.

By the afternoon they had left the forest and come to open hillands again, which had led them around inclinations that snaked towards the north. Soon the skies purpled with the coming of evening and so had their destination. The wind from the morning persisted, and Link's knees wobbled as he shivered. The town was more developed than the previous with structured buildings out of lumber. A tall picket fence encircled this establishment, with the road leading in the village with a common man and a spear equipped in hand. He was middle-aged and bore only a set of shoulder pads and a leather helm: otherwise, he looked like one of the farmers impersonating a soldier. As the boy approached the entry point, the guard intercepted him with an open palm halting his proceeding: "Oy, who comes hinter?"

"My name is Link. I am here to meet Flaba the Smithy? I have a paper for him." During their journey, Navi had told him to use that as a reason to enter a town: 'Even if he's not there, the town should feel obligated to find you a place to stay because you're just a lad. Hopefully." Hopefully they had come to the right town!

"No one I know of that name, boy. What's this, you campin' or just lost?" said the man.

"Unfortunately I am lost," he said, under Navi's direction. He shook feverishly. "And my home is so far. Can, can I get a place to s-stay?"

The man paused to think a moment. "Hrm… well, you should find the farm on the other side of town. You have money? Ahh, phooey, here's a two-er," and he gave the boy what were two blue rupees, two gemstones each the size of his thumb smooth and cold to the touch. By their feel, they had been carved and fashioned to bear edges and design.

"I was gonna grab me a brew, but I figure a lad could use a shelter. It may not be a room at the Lon Lon, but maybe the farmer will be kind. Business is slow, so you might be a light in dark for him. Well, get on, now."

Link passed through the quiet town watching people sitting in rockers upon their porches sharing gossip and stories from the day: men and women alike, while the children played in front of them. It was a nicer town than before, and Link was at ease.

The stars sparkled in the heavens and Nayru shone within her orbit by the time Link came to the edge of town. Quite a walk away from town, the ranch was nestled on the outcrop of a hill on an outlet path leading away from the main road. At the top was a farmhouse with a red-paneled roof, a one-leveled barn, aged and grey in the wood, positioned across from the house, and an fenced pasture with a windmill to its side.

Link beat upon the door of the house twice to no avail. After another set of knocks, he heard stumbling from the other side, and then the door swung open to reveal a foul scent. It made Link cringe and his nose felt on fire. Despite the smell, he could feel the warmth of the fire from within the house.

The man at the door was but a tad taller than Link, but was larger around the waist. Bald at the head and with a brown beard half-braided and flourishing untidily upon his chest was dripping with some clear liquid. A strap of his overalls was unhooked and dangling as he moved, and his obtuse nose was uncannily red. The man gripped a bottle in his free hand as he leaned on the open door. The man seemed to have lost any control of his legs, for they sometimes kept him up and other times left his command.

"Eyyyeh?" he slurred. "What is it, Darlyn? Ssit time for me to come home?"

"Um, sir, my name is Link, and I was—"

"'cuz she better know this…" he leaned in and beckoned Link to follow thus, like to share a secret. Link inclined, and this is what the man said: "I'm already home." Then there was an awkward pause as the boy felt lost for words. Then the man laughed to himself: "See, I fool her again." And then he slammed the door.

A harsh wind whistled past Link and reminded him of the chills of the wild. He knocked again feverishly. The door opened again, this time a new greeter. This was another man in overalls with one lapel unhooked. This man was lanky and tall and bore a frazzled mustache. His eyes were partly open and he leaned on the door with more care than his counterpart.

"Oye, boy, I'm sorry fer my partner's drunkenness. He is not a saint tonight. What do ye want at this hour?"

"Sir, my name is Link. I've been traveling a while and I need a place to sleep. I have money," and he presented the rupees.

The farmer gazed at the rupees for some time as if they told him a story. Then when the boy shivered, the farmer regained his senses. "Oh you been out a while, I see. And ya leanin' like that, shiftin' and all, you musta hurt yaself carrying that rock. We ain't got an extra room, 'mfraid…" then he looked over the boy and pointed past: "But we can setcha up in the barn. There's a stall with fresh hay, and we've already set up a fire…. Though, does remind me to ask 'er to check— anyway. MALON! MALON, get 'ere!"

Moments passed and then the hurried furry of footsteps thumped down the stairs lightly, stopping partway as someone leaned over the railing, a ream of bright red hair hanging over thusly. "Watcha want, Messer Ingo?"

"I'm drunk. Yer father's drunk. Poor boy needs a place to stay. I cannai find the barn."

"Not my fault you can't find yourself in the dark."

"It'll be yer fault if the lad freezes to death, and you got the key to the barn."

"Alright! Alright, fine. What kinda lad issee?" the footsteps moved down the stairs and towards the door behind Messer Ingo.

"Ye tell me, girly: tho he's dressin' up like a forest kid. Talon, is it Hallow's Eve yet?"

The girl who came up beside Ingo was as young as Link. From her head a stream of crimson hair flowed down to her feet behind her. She too was in overalls, although much too large for her. They actually made her look adorable. Her pointy nose made her that much more cute if not the emerald glow in her eyes that brought up some familiarity with her within Link's mind. She carried herself tiredly as the hour was deep in the night, fatigue and sleep stifling her.

"I dunno, Ingo, I can't even find me face— I tink it ran off," mused Ingo.

"Just grab ya beard and crawl up—it can't've gone fahr," mumbled Talon.

The girl, meanwhile, was looking Link up and down. "You look queer."

"…um, what?" Link asked.

"Yer green. Little, too. You a fairy boy or in costume?"

"…yes?"

"Hmm. Well," she posted her arms akimbo for a second before smirking. "You also dirty and all. I'll call ya booger. Come with me, booger," and she grabbed a lit lantern from the shelf near the door and brushed past him. Navi giggled underneath Link's hood, repeating 'booger' tauntingly.

Inside the barn were stalls that lined with the interior walls which ran rectangular-like from the door then-on. Bales of hay were strewn all over the ground, even moreso within the vicinity wherein the beasts lived, of which caught Link's curiosity… that is until he picked up their smell. Link's face cringed as the foreign airs swathed him. When he remarked upon it, the girl looked at him sternly.

"Ain't you ever been in a farm? That's my livelihood you smellin', boy. Don't make fun of my only career opportunity."

He asked her what she meant.

"Simply put," she said as she set the lantern on a keg marked 'xxx.' "There are well-off folk, decent folk, and workin' folk. Those well-off do things with paper and ink or some sort. Decent folk get to talk to travelers and foreigners while they change hands for money and goods," she started piling clean hay into an empty stall. "My pappy and I? Well, I warn't raised in the better classes of our wonderful kingdom, so I am but destined to live in the outskirts of society to satisfy both of other;" then she pointed a finger at Link. "But heed you so, booger, that unbeknownst to many my father's business is important to this said kingdom, much so that its defense is important to it. Although a peasant, I am yet blessed that one day my hand will set my father's tradition in raising the King's Steed. Oh, you dunno what that is?"

Link shook his head.

"I'll be, you are from elsewhere," she said, standing her arms akimbo at the waist. "You really a fairy child?"

Link hesitated a moment hoping Navi would emerge. He then bobbed his head a bit to prod her. "Just tell her. I don't feel like coming out," the fairy whispered. Link said yes.

"…really?" she said. "From the Lost Woods? How's that so?"

And so Link spent the next hour of the night explaining his story to her. At some point near the start, the girl stopped him to find some stools so they can sit. Here Link took off his rucksack and took the seat provided to him, whereupon the rancher's daughter also procured some bottles from some cupboard that, when opened, seem to expel some kind of cold mist from within. As she drew near to the light, Link saw that the bottles contained some white, thick liquid.

"Here, some Lon Lon brand milk," she said; "try it."

Unawares as to what it was in the first place, he slowly raised the bottle to his lips and imbibed it cautiously. When the taste of it entered his mouth, a shudder came from his stomach and his throat expelled the substance abruptly and he choked. The girl, bless her heart, laughed.

"Oh my!" she said; "never seen a barn nor had milk! My, my, you really are home schooled, ain'tcha?"

Link nodded, feeling a weight on his neck drawing him down.

"Oh, man, you got the sheep jumping fences there," she said. "Well here, lemme help you settle in for the night."

To the rear of the barn she collected more fresh hay and bundled them on the floor. "I'll go back to the house and grab some sheets for ya: don't go anywhere—and DON'T stir up the animals."

When she left, Link's eyes gazed down on the bundle of hay, and by his instinct he crumbled facedown onto the bed, Navi gripping his hair buds tightly and then rebounding off his head from momentum.

"Aene boq'aydh en'Narya!" she cursed, smacking him on the head. "Let me know when you do that! I could have pulled—… Link?"

Link's eyes had been closed and his weariness had drifted him off to sleep.

"Meh," the fairy said. She then snuggled into Link's tunic so that the rancher's daughter wouldn't see her as she came back in.

The last thing Link remembered before falling asleep was seeing a small red animal, resting in a bed of hay but feet away.

A cuckling cry brought Link awake in a fright and onto his feet, throwing Navi about underneath his tunic in surprise.

The shriek came again, startling the boy, but now bringing his attention to its source. In a line of small, wired boxes screening the wall across the barn, were round-chested birds that clucked and cuckoo'd while pecking at bits of kernels laid in front of their cages. In particular a cage was set apart wherein was a larger kind of these birds who bore a large tuft of feathers upon its hair and a tufted tail. It cuckoo'd loudly once again.

Navi pulled herself out from within the tunic. "Well! I'm awake now. Didn't need the rooster."

Link asked what it was.

"Okay, rundown time: Those are poultry, Link. Chickens. Those are the horses, those are the swine, that's dirt, and this is a pitchfork. Good enough? Good, let's get breakfast."

He then realized that he was barefoot upon inspection, with his boots neatly placed near his rucksack placed against the wall near the door. His socks hung from a coatrack near extra pairs of overalls. His sword was still attached to the sack.

"By the way, lad," Navi continued; "we need to work on your wake-up skills."

"What?"

"Every time something makes you feel in danger, you should be reaching for your sword. First instinct. That starts now." With that, she smacked him in the face.

"What was that for?!" he cried.

"I'm a danger—reach for your sword!" she smacked him again.

"Stop that!"

"DO something about it, then!"

She smacked him incessantly for about a minute while the boy tried fending her off. "Grab your sword! Grab your sword!" she kept ordering. When he finally did, she stopped.

"Good, that's a start. We'll train later."

Link was a few steps outside the barn when the farm girl came outside, wearing the same overalls.

"Ahh! Top o' the morn, boog— oh, do forgive me, I can't stray that name off my lips. What should I call you? … Link, eh? Fair 'nuff. Call me Malon. Everyone calls me that, so it's not like calling me 'booger.' Breakfast?"

She led him inside the house. The house seemed to compose itself into one single space: a kitchen, a place to eat, and a place by the fire. Rudimentary, the kitchen provided a stove and burner with a small cabinet almost like the one in the barn. A table sat in the center of the house enough for five people to eat off of. To the side where the chimney sat were two rocking chairs. A set of stairs sat to the right leading upwards to the second floor of the barnhouse.

The smell of cooked meat permeated the air unlike any Link had been accustomed to before—it was unlike the wolf he cooked in the wild. Regardless, the smell was enticing. It originated from the stove, in front of which was set a footstool.

At the table sat the two farmers, who were both clutching their heads and moaning.

"Papa, you wanted the eggs scrambled?" Malon spoke gleefuly as she strode past him into the table.

"Yeahhhh, yeah, just fine, Mally-dally," the shorter farmer said. "Just set the coffee."

"And set another one for coffee, mind ye," said the taller farmer.

"Do pardon their habit," Malon said as she ascended the footstool and peered over the pan on the stove, picking up a kitchen utensil nearby and using it to prod what was cooking. "They're hungover."

"Oh, please, make it sound so small a thang," said the shorter. "It's not like my mind has lost a few whatevers in the particulars."

"Is it all gone pappy?"

"There's some left, but I won't touch it," he said. "I am better off dead today."

"Funny considerin' you need to start packing…"

"OH no no no, don't remind me Malon. Say, is that the 'booger lad' from last night?"

"Daddy, this is Link—Link, this here's my father Mr. Talon Batt, and my uncle Mr. Ingo Luin. Pappy owns the farm and uncle here tends to it."

"Owns it, but ye hardly clean the dern place, Talon," muttered Ingo.

"Oh Ingo…" grumbled Talon as he hid his face.

"…which reminds me to send a page for Nester. He still owes us our pitchforks for when he borrowed during the Harvestyule. Silly codger can't never repay a debt to Lon Lon Ranch. Or Cary Hunnigan."

"I thought ya already did that?" said Malon.

"…I'm hungover, as well," Ingo grumbled into his palms after some meditation.

Malon simply shook her head as she scooped some contents off a hot pan frying with sauces and some butter onto four plates. "Link, my family is also my work."

"And we blessee to this day," Talon muttered as his plate was offered on the table.

"I know," Malon said, as if by habit, as she then laid Ingo's and Link's plates. She then motioned to the lad: "Come join! I'll grab some cups for juice and milk."

Link then sat at the table with the grownups as Malon returned to the pantry for said drinks. The two men paid no attention to Link as they grumbled under their breaths about business and farmlife, even though the lad himself tried to listen in. Their subjects were too "grown-up" and complex for him to understand, and yet he persisted in witnessing such words shared between them in hopes to comprehend by merit. As Malon returned, the conversation ended and Link felt himself as confused as the beginning and having not understood a single thing the two men talked about. The only thing he could understand well enough was that anything had to do with rupees and the obtaining of such currency. It was very popular, and there was emotion connected to it.

Malon's return prompted different conversation as per her talking, mainly to involve Link. "So Link, where were you from again?" she began. At no resistance from Navi, Link told the story he had told everyone else. The two men seemed to have some interest, if only to occupy their attention as they focused more on the breakfast and drinks. Then Malon prompted Link to consume what she had prepared: "Eggs, bacon and ham" she called it. As the lad consumed such things, he was amazed. It was delicious. Absolutely delicious, and he asked for more. Malon laughed and obliged, especially with the bacon (to Link's gratitude). The men asked for more bacon than the lad did, which only made him want to eat more of it as well.

"My, my!" said Malon; "have you eaten anything in the past week?"

Link shrugged; "Bits of what I've carried from home."

"I'll hafta check your stuff before ya leave," she said; "maybe set you off with more supplies to last you until… well, to where you're goin'."

"Thanks. I dunno how far Hyrule is."

"Yer in it, boy," Ingo spoke between bites.

"You mean the city, oy?" asked Talon, his eyes off his food. Link nodded.

"Could he go witcha, pa?" Malon inquired.

"I could use an extra hand on the carriage, particularly for the milk," said Talon; "what with Ingo off to town to that meetin' or sumtin."

"Which should be your task, man," said Ingo; "but then again I'm doin' half the shite yar doin'."

"And I'm doin' yours, so w get fair share!" smiled Talon as he slurped up a sliver of ham. Ingo merely shook his head, as he had done so many times before.

Malon giggled, "My boys." She nudged Link. "These are my boys."

"Well if ya gonna help me, Ingo 'r Malon'll find some work for ya to do: we dun leave for a bit since the milk pots aren't all full," said Talon.

"Ever milked befahr?" said Ingo. Link shook his head. Ingo merely nodded to himself, and Talon did likewise.

"Dun worry, uncle," said Malon; "I'm sure he kud be obleeged to do some chores if I show 'im the ropes. Oh but don't let that put you off: you can do what you want, but I daresay travelin' with my paps will be safer than goin' alone. Robbers and sort take up the highway as you get closer to Hyrule City."

Navi muttered in agreement. Link nodded to agree as well; "I dunno much, tho'—"

"Happy 'nuff!" she said chirpily as he scooped up hers and Link's plates; "I'll startcha off with the cows. It'll be fun!" and scampered into the kitchen. Ingo and Talon merely left their plates on the table, cleaned of food of course, wiped their faces and then left to attend business. They started bickering as they went out the door. Malon returned and grabbed Link by the hand, whisking him out said door into new venture.