Whoop WHOOP! We've reached the big One-Oh! That's right, Hope Springs a Kernal is now in the double digits! On the subject of names, I got this one from "an old farmer's saying," to quote Denny Crane (Boston Legal). I had to find one that would allow, 'cuz they kept censoring my punctuation, plus Malon's from a ranch, so...yeah. Does that make sense? Eh, whatever. Chapter names are harder. And I do apologize for their shortness, will try to make them longer.
Interestingly enough, I still own nothing. Dedicated to everyone who noticed that owls in Hyrule are not nocturnal.
Firelight was distinctly unhelpful that night in making Malon feel safe. Even the warmth it exuded was minimal. She felt watched, and she thought she could see crows flying, black wings silhouetted against the moon. Which made no sense, because weren't crows daytime birds?
Even laying up against Desert Wind and wrapping a horse blanket around herself couldn't combat the bone-deep chill she felt. Another odd thing, because Hyrule Field normally wasn't cold.
The Hero did not get much sleep that night.
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The crow landed, perching on the gloved fingers of a figure leaning against a dead tree over Lake Hylia. It cawed raucously, and the figure listened before chuckling darkly.
"So...the Hero approaches. These Hylians are nothing if not predictable. If he thinks it will be as easy to defeat me this time...he's got another thing coming."
"You'll never ever defeat Link, you monster!" The voice of a young girl interrupted his musings. He walked around to the other side of the tree, where indeed a young girl was bound. In the moonlight, blue eyes glared daggers at the figure.
"I should have gagged you." he remarked absently. "You're wrong, of course, but I don't have time to argue the point with you, foolish girl." A wicked grin could be made out on his shadowed features before he turned and dived into the water, leaving her with just one cryptic remark.
"I'm going fishing."
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A Cucco's cry awoke Malon. She was rested, if not refreshed, and she had to get to Kokiri Forest. So after a quick breakfast of bread and cheese, she saddled up and galloped off.
It was midmorning when Desert Wind drew close to the hollow log that led into the forest. Malon wouldn't be able to ride well in the woods, so she dismounted and fastened his lead rope to a nearby tree. As she approached the entrance, she paused and murmured a prayer to Farore, for safe passage through the forest. Perhaps it was a touch superstitious, but tales of Hylians leaving the forest were much fewer and farther between than the tales of Hylians entering.
"Afraid of the dark, young Hero?"
Malon spun around. Perched on the tree her horse was tied to, was the biggest owl she had ever seen. Surprised, she stuttered a reply. "What? No! I just-uh, that is-"
"Hoot hoot!" The owl turned his head to the right, and Malon got the uncomfortable feeling that he was laughing. "My name is Kaepora Gaebora, and I have been watching your progress ever since you left your ranch. Your road is even longer than you imagine, young Hero."
Malon met this with a blank face. She'd never met a talking owl before.
"But you have little reason to fear darkness. The shadows are not evil, child, nor do all the creatures in them necessarily mean you harm. And you have all the courage you need in your hands." Now he twisted his head to the left. "Though you may not have much faith in yourself, young Hero, you were chosen by the goddesses for a great destiny. And although there will be times when the choices you may have to make will be met with disapproval and disagreement, even from your own mind, you must follow your heart, and know that the goddesses do not make mistakes."
"But Link gave me the Triforce, not them! What if he made a mistake? What if I'm not strong enough?" All the insecurities that had been gnawing at Malon all week suddenly raised their ugly heads and bit down hard. "What if I fail?"
"The goddesses are all-knowing, young Hero." Kaepora said gently. "And they don't make mistakes." He accentuated this by turning his head completely upside down, and rightside up again. "Do you need to hear all of that again?"
Malon shook her head. "I don't have time. I have to get the Spiritual Stones, so I can draw the Master Sword and save the Zora." For some reason, Kaepora's cryptic words had made her feel a little better.
"Sometimes, child, the cure is worse than the disease." said Kaepora mysteriously. "Ah well. Until again we meet, young Hero. Hoot hoot!" With a flap of massive wings, the owl rose into the air and soared away, into the sapphire sky.
Malon spent a moment wondering at the weirdness of crows flying at night and owls flying in the day, and then she turned and entered Kokiri Forest.
So, here's a little challenge for ya: can you name all three characters introduced in this chapter? If you can, you'll get a cookie when the villain's identity is revealed. Also, as this is the last chapter I'll add before All Hallows' Eve, allow me to wish you all a Happy Halloween a little early! ;-)
~Lady DM