I wasn't going to leave you hanging for too long ;)

Whispers of a Hero

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Chapter 11

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"Is this really allowed?"

Malon clutched the wooden edge of her seat as the cart jumped on a rock. She was nervous about their destination, but after the "incident" at the ranch, Link had grown much more serious about her safety. The main reason for this lay bound and gagged in the bed of the wagon, probably unconscious. The young woman did not want to look at him to find out; the crushed bones of his face made her stomach turn. Link had insisted on driving them into Castle Town. He had not told her the real reason for the trip, as she suspected he was keeping something from her, but he told Malon that she would be meeting Queen Zelda. The poor farm girl was terrified.

The previous two days had been the strangest in Malon's relatively short life. After the ranch had been rescued by Link, everyone around Malon had started acting very peculiarly- though that really only included two men, not counting the very wicked man tied up behind her. Her father had still been alive by the time Link arrived, and she silently sent a prayer of thanks up to the goddesses as she remembered how close it had been. If her friend had not happened to have a fairy on him at the time she might have lost her only remaining parent.

The young red-head carefully rubbed her arm, even though there was no evidence now of the knife that had been sticking from it before. Through the pain and fear she remembered Link holding her while he pulled the blade from her skin. There had been a flash of emotion on his face then, but Malon had no idea what it was. Regret was her best guess, since Link seemed to be blaming himself for all the events that transpired that night. He had been acting extremely odd. At first she thought he was mad at her, but at the same time his words were very kind, even if delivered in a very cautious tone.

After several minutes had passed Malon realized Link had still never answered her question. He was staring straight ahead with no sign of comprehension, and she sighed.

---

Link had far too many people talking in his head, yet they were all him. Thinking about that particular concept made his mind hurt even worse than the argument brewing inside had.

He had been touched that night- that wretched evening- by the goddesses. Their power was too much for a man, and Link wondered if they knew how they affected the people they came in contact with. His hands would still occasionally tingle from Din's power, but that was a minor consequence compared to what Nayru had done to him. He supposed she had not wanted to feel left out, and she had definitely left her mark permanently. The young man had decided that he needed to speak with her himself to understand why she had kissed him. It had brought too much knowledge and emotion at once for him to handle.

---

Malon had to worry about her father. As she followed Link up the stairs to the castle, the young woman tried to think of anything other than what she was about to do. She hoped Talon was having an easy time carrying out Link's instructions. Her friend had insisted that her father move the animals out of the ranch until he could be certain things were safe. He had written down a note to a friend of his and given it to Talon, instructing him to take the animals to the entrance of the Kokiri Woods. No one in Hyrule was brave enough to wander there for fear of never returning, but Talon had not shown any fear as he accepted his mission. Malon knew he was doing whatever he could to pay Link back for saving their lives and their home. She suspected there was a deeper plot being acted out in Hyrule than simple revenge on Link for perceived wrong-doing.

They paused just before the humongous castle doors, and Malon could feel her knees shaking slightly under her skirt. She had visited the castle many times to deliver milk but never gone inside. After Ganondorf's power had been destroyed, the sages worked together using holy power to restore this prominent place. The new castle was even lovelier than before, and Malon felt positively insignificant standing in front of it. Link went on ahead, totally unfazed, and casually strolled into the home of Queen Zelda. Malon realized she was being left behind staring at the threshold and hurried to catch up to her friend.

The castle was very open inside, not at all what Malon had expected. It reminded her vaguely of the Temple of Time. The tall windows made the space incredibly bright and reflected off of a perfectly polished marble floor. Royal banners in all hues lined the walkway, and even the ornate candelabras were brilliant and sparkling in the sunlight. She imagined that just one of the many pieces of art in the room could buy her whole ranch. Link took notice of her wide eyes and smiled slightly, the first she had seen in several days. His gaze followed hers to rest on a small intricately detailed statue on a pedestal of the triforce surrounded by three elegant women, the goddesses she assumed.

"That is the new symbol of the kingdom," Link answered her question without being asked. "This is the model; the craftsman is working on a much larger statue to represent the new era."

Before Malon could respond there was a rustling above from the dais, and a curtain next to the throne was pulled aside allowing a beautiful woman to enter the room. Without even thinking Malon dropped to one knee in a standard gesture of obeisance, the way all of the citizens greeted their royalty except for Link. He heard the rustling of her skirt from behind and turned to see her with her head bowed to the floor then bent down to gently pull her upright by the arm.

"There's no need," he whispered to her.

Zelda strode out and sat down in her throne, either unaware of Malon's reaction or carefully pretending not to notice to spare her dignity. The embarrassed young woman still felt that she would rather be bowing to the Queen, rather than standing before her as equal with Link, who was practically royalty himself in the eyes of most people.

"Welcome to Hyrule Castle," a very pleasant and steady voice called out to them. "You must be Malon. I have heard much about you and am glad to finally be introduced."

The Queen rose from her seat and stepped carefully down the stairs from her platform to receive them on the same level. Before the farm girl knew it her hand was being clutched by the ivory smooth skin of Zelda. She stared into the clear blue eyes of her ruler and tried to form the words to return her greeting.

"Thank-you," was all she could manage, in a very airy and choked voice.

Link's contrasting tone broke her from the spell Malon had fallen under by Zelda's beauty and manner.

"I left the prisoner with the guards at the gate, Zelda." He glanced at each of the two women still clasping hands. "I'll try not to be gone long, but I cannot promise it. Malon, you are to stay here with Zelda."

"Where are you going?" Malon blurted, briefly forgetting that she was attempting to be quiet and polite in front of the other woman.

Link avoided her gaze and rummaged in his travel pack. "Nowhere important- I just have some errands to run. Take care." He glanced back at her as he said the last words, putting more emotion into that expression than she had expected from him. Link turned and strode out down the carpeted corridor with his ocarina clutched in his left hand.

---

"This is one of my favorite places."

Malon followed in awe as Zelda escorted her around the inner castle gardens, showing her the most brightly blooming flowers she had ever seen that were being danced upon by butterflies with wings as glimmering and vibrant as jewels. They came to stand before a small pond that had golden fish spinning around under the surface and darting between the lily pads. Zelda perched on a white marble bench positioned to provide a view into the waters.

"Have a seat," she invited, smiling at the nervous young woman.

Malon hurried to do as she was told and sat on the hard surface of the stone.

"I hope this does not come across oddly," Zelda spoke lightly, "but there are few things that Link talks about as frequently as his time spent at the ranch."

She giggled. "In fact, it is hard to get him to speak about much else in normal conversation, though I am sure you know what a reserved person he can be."

Malon was embolden slightly hearing that Link did not generally tell stories of his journeys to the Queen, though it was something that he shared occasionally with her.

"I had no idea-" the farm girl admitted, "no idea the ranch was that important to him."

"Sometimes it surprises me," Zelda responded, "the things he thinks about. He is a very considerate man; I think many people fail to see him as a normal person, not just a hero."

Malon nodded, but Zelda was staring into the pond, not at her.

"Link really is just a very honorable man who happens to have the ability to save the world," Zelda sighed almost inaudibly as she spoke. Her smile slipped for a moment, but she recovered before her companion could notice.

"-and other worlds," Malon added without thinking. She earned a surprised glance from the Queen, who had apparently not expected the extent of her knowledge about Link's adventures.

"Yes," she agreed, "many other worlds. He is truly the Hero of All Time, not just ours."

---

Link walked briskly across the desert sands lit ablaze by the setting sun. He was unsure if Nayru would be willing to speak to him so informally, but he was willing to try. He needed to understand her actions.

The young man crossed over the crumbled entrance to the fountain and into one of the most sacred places in the land. His footsteps echoed in the infinite room as he approached the altar and withdrew his ocarina again to play the royal melody. There was a crashing peal of laughter, and a blast of power shook him to the core as the great fairy appeared. It was not Nayru herself but close enough in his mind.

The magical being crossed her arms covered in living vines and leaned close to him, staring intently at the man who was quite small in comparison.

"You are not wounded or weary from battle. Why have you come here, Link?" she asked calmly.

Link thought carefully for a moment on how he wished to word his question. The last thing he intended to do was offend the goddess or her maiden; he did not want to come across as ungrateful for her aid.

"I want to understand why Nayru changed me."

The magical being drifted even closer, pausing so near to Link that he could feel the shimmering power flake off of her skin like dust. She stared deeply at him, examining his soul.

"Link," her tone had become very solemn, "the Goddess did not change you." She paused and waited for him to realize her words. "You know what has been growing in your soul. Nayru only gave you the gift to see into your heart without the scars of your past."

As hard as it was to grasp, he knew she was right. It had changed everything in his mind, now that he was finally able to understand himself as a man, not just a warrior or servant to the throne.

"The Goddesses care greatly for you, Link." He was surprised from his thoughts when she continued to speak. "You have given everything to save not only this land but any that cries for your help. Nayru did not want to let your heart cripple your spirit or ability."

"I understand, thank-you," he replied and bowed his head in thanks.

There was a ripple, and when Link looked up again the Great Fairy was gone.

---

The two women were so intent on their board game that they failed to notice that a man had entered the room until he cleared his throat, breaking their concentration. Zelda turned to acknowledge her servant who informed them that Link had returned and was waiting in the dining hall.

Malon and Zelda did not try to hide their excitement at the news and followed, arm-in-arm, after their escort. Over the course of the afternoon Malon's unease had subsided thanks to Zelda's friendly and open manner. The young Queen seemed genuinely happy to become acquainted with her, and Malon had begun to realize that it was rather lonely living in a castle without friends. There were people all around that adored their Queen, but Malon could see that there was always a distance maintained between them because of Zelda's royal status. Her nature was very open and agreeable, and it was clear that her way of communicating with others had made her worthy of her symbol as the Wise Queen.

They approached the dining room and could see that Link was already seated with his back to the door. As they came to the table he stood and greeted them. Malon could tell something was different; he seemed more expressive and relaxed than he had been the last two days. He smiled gently at her, and the anxious tension in his face was gone and replaced with something calmer: relief, resignation, and other emotions that she could not identify. She felt unsure of the cause of his new demeanor, but it was definitely an improvement.

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Malon stood alone, staring in disbelief at the quality and splendor of a simple guest bedroom in the castle. The bed alone seemed as large as a room from her ranch house, and the carpets and tapestries were all finer than anything she had witnessed in her life. Link had explained to her that most of the items in the castle had either been hidden away before Ganondorf's rule or given as gifts of thanks at the restoration of the throne. Zelda had been slightly embarrassed at that point, confirming that she would not have lived in such luxury by her own wishes.

The fire in the hearth reminded her that the weather was getting cooler. The rainy season always brought a period of dry and cold to compensate for all the water shed. Malon rubbed her arms briskly as shivers ran up her spine as the cold stone of the castle did not improve the feeling of comfort. She moved to look out one of the windows and appreciated the incredible view from the tower. The castle was the tallest location in Hyrule other than Death Mountain, and Malon had never been so close to the heavens before. She was then broken from her reverie by a quiet knock on the door. Her bare feet padded across the room softly to answer the summons. The young woman slid the heavy door open just far enough to see the figure of her dearest friend waiting patiently.

"Link," she called out, surprised to see him coming to her this late at night.

He pushed the door open further with his palm and took a half step into her chambers.

"If you are not too tired, would you like to take a walk?"

Malon blinked at him then her mouth broke into a grin. "Just let me get my shoes."

Link wandered the rest of the way into the room while she scampered to find her boots. "You may want a shawl as well; the temperature is dropping rapidly."

---

The night air had a bite to it that evening; Link had been right. The young man and woman wandered out one of the castle's side entrances, greeted by a castle guard, and headed down the path towards the town. The occasional wild dog crossed their path, wanting to play briefly before it ran off to find its companions. Malon was delighted at the boisterous little animals, and Link watched her chase them with amusement in his eyes. They continued into the center of town in the midst of the sleeping shops.

"Are we going anywhere in particular?" Malon asked finally.

"Not really," he replied, "I did not want to be alone tonight."

Link glanced up the stars and an expression fell on his features that gave Malon a quick flashback to a scene from many days before. She had picked up a wooden mask that bore his resemblance but was filled with the feeling of intensity and age. The man before her bore that same face and she reached out to touch his arm in concern.

"Link?"

"Something evil is happening in Hyrule, Malon," he answered. "I cannot see yet what it is; I only know that the danger is real."

The young woman felt herself sitting down on the edge of a planter as his words sank her heart. She had known that suspicious events were occurring, but the reality was not easy to accept. "Why?" she asked.

"Not everyone is happy with peace. Many people suffered with Ganon's defeat."

Malon's mouth made a silent "oh" in understanding.

"I would like you to stay at the castle for a bit. Ingo seems to be part of this plan, and you are not safe at the ranch until I catch him," Link's voice grew harsher as he spoke, clearly steeped in memories of both the recent and long-ago unsavory events at the ranch.

"What about the horses?" she immediately responded.

Link almost chuckled at the way her mind worked. "They should have reached the Kokiri Forest by now. If you would like I can check on them tomorrow. I know it is hard to understand, but your life is more important to me than the horses."

She bit her lip in confusion, not entirely sure what he truly meant with that statement. An awkward silence fell over them until Link crouched down and plopped his bottom on the ground next to her feet. He rested his head back against the stone wall she sat on and stared up at her.

"I know a lot of strange things have happened lately. I need you to trust me."

Malon smiled down at her best friend and responded, "I always trust you, completely."

Link relaxed; with Malon safely residing at the castle he would be comfortable riding out alone to face down whatever was causing trouble in his beloved Hyrule.

"Wherever I travel," he spoke suddenly, "whatever time I venture to, no place welcomes me the same way as this land."

Malon murmured, "Of course it does. Nowhere else are there so many people that care about you, even the Goddesses and the animals." Link grinned at her inclusion of what he was certain were the horses in her meaning.

They sat in silence for a time staring at the stars. Link's head unconsciously slid to rest on the side of Malon's knee. The red glow from the crater of Death Mountain was barely visible over the tops of the town's buildings, but the constant cloud of smoke rose much higher into view. The night was peaceful, but Link's spirit could not rest. Even relaxed and accompanied by his friend the sense of lurking danger penetrated his mind.

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tbc