The three gems sit upon the table and flash in the candlelight. Malon reaches out and takes one in her hand, holding it up and admiring the sparkling flame inside. "It has been many months Link, since I saw you. My father and I are always happy to see you, but showing up in the middle of the night, dirty and haggard? What happened and why these three gems Link?" She looks across at a weary young man who sits a little slumped but bright with a smile. He looks older than he is and his eyes seem to stare past her at times to some distant horizon. She wishes he were staying longer and that she might be able to cheer him up.

"Malon! Let him eat! Come boy, have some milk and meat. Don`t worry about her questions, there`s time aplenty for that later." This from Talon who sits at the head of the table, thumping it with his mug at each exclamation. "Listen instead. Let me fill you in on the strange happenings in Hyrule. Why, not last week I passed by a small village on the way to trade our grain. Completely burned! Not a soul left alive! I`ll tell you I hurried by at quite a pace. I heard later it was famous for being host to many learned scholars of the spirit world. Not any more, huh? There`s word too in the marketplace that silk and marble from our neighboring nations have slowed to a dry trickle. Now, I ask you, what could be slowing such a valuable and expensive commodity like that? War, that's what I say, or treason or conspiracy! Hyrule is too dependent on foreign goods, always has been."

"Father, father!" Malon hastily interjects. "War is not always the reason for trade interruption. There may be plague or sickness preventing silk from being imported, or marble may be running dry at the quarries. It is not always the worst possible case. All doom upon the world counts not, as the sun still rises in the morning you know."

"True, my daughter, but it is my job as a man of this world to counter your youthful optimism with learned cynicism, is it not? Now the matter I am concerned about is the disappearance of Princess Zelda and no word from our King and Queen. I and my fellow merchants have petitioned many times for audience but we only hear the same old message, "They are travelling on business." I tell you, with these growing rumors we need the clear guidance of our royalty, not the pale-faced pleasantries of court lackeys!" Talon had risen in his seat and was nearly shouting into the quiet dining room. "Ahhh, but listen to me, going on like I was at some tavern bench. Link, have you had enough? Tell us then of what has happened."

Link sits up and takes a gulp of milk before replying, "It is true. There is a growing threat to Hyrule. I have been journeying to its borders in search for things which might aid us if trouble comes to our lands. Talon, what you tell me sounds right. I have learned that an army lies to the far east, advancing even now. I don`t know more than that but I know we have friends in secret who help us. I-," but Link could not speak of Zelda and her fleeing Hyrule. Talon has many friends and would spread the news, unintentionally or not. Instead he points to the gems and says "These are important to stopping this threat, how I cannot say but I trust that they will. Talon, how will you fare if an army comes against this ranch."

Talon laughs, loud and hearty. "My boy, it will not come to that! Hyrule is the mightiest nation of this realm. Why, we have the biggest army garrisoned by generations of young Hyruleans. This threat will never set foot upon our lands. And if it did, look at my walls! Built by my own hands, ten feet tall and three feet thick! Why, they`d have to have the might of the Triforce to knock my ranch down!"

There, that word! Triforce. It rings some distant memory in Link, something his father once told him as a small child. He rubs the leather glove on his hand and there is a small twinge of pain there. "What do you know of the Triforce?" asks Link. Talon shrugs and says "Triforce? Why it`s just a figure of speech, boy. Like telling small children "go to sleep or the Gerudo will get you." Just fairy tales." But Link pushes further, "and what is the tale of this Triforce? Please, I`m curious."

"Oh, it`s long and tedious, no need to get into it. Heck Malon here could probably recite the children`s chant, all 100 verses of it. Quite boring if you ask me. Let me cut to the quick. Basically the Triforce is an artifact left over by deities who created this world. Supposed to be made of three Qualities; Wisdom, Power and Courage. It was hidden after our world was created but it goes that whoever finds it must be of good will and intention or the artifact will shatter, scattering to three parts. But Link, it is just a parable, teaching us of the importance of right mind, learning and responsibility, only that. Why, if it was me I would prefer the three qualities of Good Ale, a Soft Bed and Plentiful Cows." And he laughs with gusto.

But Link quizzically reaches out and draws a shape in some spilled milk, three triangles interlinked. "Would it look like that?"

Talon looks down and says "Aye, just like that in all the picture books. But listen, enough talk lets finish dinner."

…………………..

Later after Talon goes to bed, Link and Malon grab a cup of heated tea and venture outside. Malon looks up at the sky and leans into Link. "You know, when you were gone I loved to look up into clear night skies like this and imagine where you might be and what you were doing. Is that too fanciful? However far apart we are the stars are the same and we only need look up to be together. Oh Link, you were gone too long and I missed you!"

Link smiles and hugs Malon, "It seems like years since I last saw you. Did you really miss me so much? Don`t you ever get other boys visiting you?"

"Boys? Suitors more like it. Father is constantly trying to arrange a marriage for me, thinking of my future and never of my heart. Sure they are nice and have a mind for the romantic but their eyes are on this land and my father`s business. Uggh lets not talk about huh? Hey, let`s go sit in the field where its most open."

They walk out into the open pasture and sit amidst the munching horses. Link, suddenly remembering his last visit whistles a sweet tune. "Huh? Where did you learn that?" exclaims Malon. Before Link can answer a young horse runs up out of the dark and starts to lick Link`s face. "Hah! Epona cut it out. I learned it from you, Malon, when you whistled it last. Well, she remembers me!" Epona huffs and trots off again to other parts of the field. "That is why I like you Link, you catch things most would miss. But let's be serious for a moment. What have you been up to, really? There is a bit of sadness in your eyes that your smile does not touch. Be honest with me, please."

Link looks down at his steaming mug, takes a sip and looks up at the stars. He thinks "I have always been able to trust her. She deserves the truth as well. So he takes her hand and says "Promise you will keep this between us?" "Link, look at that bright star in the northern sky. It is always present in the early night, burning bright and strong. Let that be our star, for however long we are friends. I will promise to be always as faithful as that star, friends as long as it burns." Link smiles at this passionate outburst by his friend, always so expressive. But it is a promise.

And so he tells her of Zelda and her flight; of this strange link they share and how she inspires him to help save her. He tells her of his journey into the mountains and through the deep forests. He touches on the forest girl he so briefly loved and how he almost died defending her. Malon is silent through this and sheds a few tears when hearing of how spears cut through his ribs. He tells her finally of his father`s midnight departure and of the strange tattoo he had on his hand. "Malon, that tattoo glowed on my father`s hand that night and it drew him out to his death. What of me and my future?" Link takes off his glove and shows Malon the Triforce that glows with a gold halo. "Malon, sometimes I feel afraid that I have some death awaiting me because of this tattoo, that destiny has already written my every action from now to eternity.

"Oh Link I had no idea!" She takes his hand and holds it against her own. "Link, I may be young but I know that destiny is not written so firmly. You must choose and everyday and every action is up to you. I know you and know that there is courage inside you, enough to bear up under this destiny." Link smiles again and says "I take strength from that. Thank you."

They sit silently for awhile, finishing their tea and listening to the breeze rush over dry stalks of grass. A full moon rises above the crests of distant mountains and there is a silver sheen over all. Malon turns and asks "What do you know of love Link?"

Link takes his hand from hers and cups her face, "It is not my right to know love when there is so much to be done. I tried to love and there was only pain. My father tried to tell me this before and he was right." "But Link! If there is no place for love then what do you fight for? You shouldn`t close your heart so. You will grow cold and cynical, untouched by the warmth of life. You`ve seen my father and he is better now but when he lost his wife he was so cold. Please don`t shut your heart to love." A very desperate plea from Malon that Link truly thinks about it and indeed, it seems that he was shutting himself off from such feelings. "I know, but if I, if we are not successful then there is no point." This from Link who is struggling with swirling thoughts.

"Did your father die so needlessly? Do you think he died without thinking of the future and what could be? Link, it sounds as if your father loved you enough to give his life. So what if you are in his shoes again, and so what if it looks bleak. At least you have this life, right?" Malon suddenly pushes Link to the grass and falls on top of him. She leans over and kisses him hard and tight. After a pause she gets back up and says "You`ll also have my love as well. Maybe after everything is settled we can talk about it more. Good luck, Link." Malon strides away towards the house and Link is left staring up into the sky, bewildered but intensely happy.

……………………….

A streak of pink flows over the horizon as Link stands on the porch packing the last of his supplies. Malon and Talon still sleep and he figures it best to leave before they awake, especially after what Malon has told him. He still cannot figure out what to do about that. Before heading out the gate he walks into the field and pulls out his ocarina. He fails a few times but eventually Zelda`s Melody floats out. Link plays it with the air of a reverence to dawn, full of passion and respect. In the pale light of dawn the ghostly figure of Princess Zelda appears. She looks tired and there are dark circles under eyes. Her golden hair is cut short and she wears tight, leather clothing for travel.

But her blue eyes light up when they spot Link, as if he suddenly was the only one in the world for her. His heart aches at her gaze and he wants so badly to reach out to her. Instead he greets her, "Princess, it is good to see you. Are you okay?"

She smiles and her fatigue seems to fade. "I am alive and that is enough. And you? Last we spoke you were traveling into the deep forest. Do you have the gems?"

Link holds them up, "I am fine as well though a little confused as where this is all going. I have all the gems of the spirits. Is there some purpose to them now, some magic that can defeat this man and his army?"

Zelda grins again and says "that is great news, Link! I am sorry for keeping you in the dark about our plans but trust me, it is for the best. This man I told you about, Gannondorf, his army draws even closer to Hyrule and I am having trouble reaching the garrison and our military leaders. The Sheikah have received word that Gannondorf has disappeared. Without adequate information I am afraid we are in dire danger! My guess is that he too seeks these gems for power over our kingdom. Link, we cannot let him have them! I must ask you to travel to Hyrule Castle and seek out my captains. Let them know they must be prepared to defend our land!" Zelda looks away, unable to meet his eyes, "Link I must ask you one last favor. After notifying my captains, take the gems to the Temple of Time where they will be safe. It is the great stone building at the foot of hill next to my castle. You need only place them inside and they will be protected. I have confidence Hyrule`s army can protect the land though. Afterward, come and meet me. We have much to talk about."

Link nods and the vision fades. He packs the ocarina away and starts for the gate. He shuts it behind him and thuds down the path that will lead to Hyrule Castle. "The Temple of Time, huh? I`ve never been there before," he thinks. He feels good then and his feet fly over gravel and grass. "Maybe this won`t be so bad, deliver the gems and then I can go help Zelda. Maybe by next spring I can come back and see Malon." Happy thoughts carry him onward.

…………………

Far off, Zelda sighs and whispers "I`m sorry Link."