Link rode out of Zora's domain on Epona, in high spirits after his recent victory. Not to mention that he had been given some time to rest form his wounds. Numerous days of fighting had one very beaten up.
As he rode out onto Hyrule Field across the wide Zora's River, he espied something in the distance. Something.. burning. Was this an army of Ganondorf's? No.. That was Lon Lon Ranch! Dael was there!
Link hurried Epona on, racing towards the ranch at full gallop. Across the darkened fields he rode, speeding towards the ranch in haste. He got there after some time, and dismounted unceremoniously, racing into the ranch. The gates were burnt and destroyed. Scaffoldings, burnt and destroyed buildings... Blood, bodies. It lay everywhere. This place was a graveyard.
Link looked on in horror at the destruction. This had to be the work of Ganondorf. Link silently swore to himself to bring him down, even if it meant his own life.
There was absolutely no sign of life. Everything was dead. Most of the buildings were burnt, but not totally destroyed, although many had holes in them for some odd reason.
Link rummaged around, looking for signs of anyone familiar. After an hour or two of searching, he came upon a shed with a hole in the roof. There were signs of a great impact here. He entered, and there, on the bales of hay, lay a prostrate, bloodied Dael. His sword stuck in the ground next to him.
Link ran towards him. There was no way to tell if he was dead or alive, but his body was beaten up sorely. Arms were broken in multiple places, his legs probably couldn't function well, and his body looked devoid of life. He was surely dead. Link bowed his head. He carried him to Epona. At the very least, he deserved a proper burial.
As he strapped Dael's prostrate body to Epona's saddle, he spied a body, something familiar, in a nearby shed. He quickly ran in. There was a girl, staked to a pillar with a rake. Her body was limp, her head bowed. Link walked forward and lifted it up. It was Malon. Link stared for a moment there.
He hadn't seen her since the beginning of these calamities.. He had never had time to say goodbye. He had never even thought of her. He pulled out the rake and threw it on the ground. He brought her back to Epona as well. She couldn't stay here.
Link saddled up, and began the long ride back to Kakariko Village.
Link finally dropped off of Epona in the stables. Men came to help him. They carried the bodies to their one and only doctor.
After examining them, the doctor shook his head. "All the signs point to their death, but I can't be absolutely sure. The girl, however, has a very slight chance of living."
Link swore under his breath. He'd make Ganondorf pay. He strode out of the house, and into the night. He stared up at the stars. He had never really stopped to think since he had discovered the evil 'doctor's' plan. His mind had always been on the next battle, the next encounter, the next opportunity.
But now he put those matter, albeit urgent ones, from his mind. He thought of what he was fighting for. And after all this time of struggle, it eluded him. Was it justice? No, it couldn't be that. Justice felt different. He didn't feel the same way he had when he fought for justice against Ganondorf when he first pulled out the Master Sword.
Love? Then who? Link then remembered Zelda. She might be dead, or she might be alive. Link didn't know. But he was going to find out. And as he lay on his crude bed, his mind drifted back to his next strategy.. For Zelda.
"Sir, sir, come quick!" a voice exclaimed, breaking Link from sleep.
"W-What?" mumbled Link groggily.
"Come! You have to see this!" it was the doctor, beckoning for Link to follow him. Link snatched up his sword and ran out of the tent, following the doctor. The man stopped next to the medical ward, opening the door.
"Come!"
"What?" asked Link as the doctor led him in. There on the bed was Dael, and he was awake! Alive!
Link ran over to him. Dael coughed, wincing at the pain. His wounds were severe.
"What happened?" asked Link.
Dael mumbled some thing incoherently, and fell back onto the pillow, sighing. Link turned to the doctor. "How is he alive?"
"It appears he wouldn't stop living. Whether it be the will of the gods or the triumph of a man, I know not, but I know that he is alive."
"And Malon?" asked Link.
"by the grace of the Gods she too, will survive."
Link allowed himself a breif moment of relief before turning back to Dael.
"Sir," began the doctor, "He is not strong enough to spe-"
"I'm f-..fine..." gasped Dael, interrupting the doctor's speech.
"What happened?" repeated Link.
"Ganondorf.." began Dael. "The ranch.. It burned... Ganondorf.. Hurt... Her… I'll kill him"
As Dael's head fell back to the pillow, his head swam with grief. Death. Fire. Ash. Evil. Screams of pain resounded from within him, echoing in his mind endlessly, torturing his very soul. Why couldn't it stop?
"Dael!" shouted Link as the lad writhed on the bed, urging his heart to stop wailing.
In the throes of insanity, Dael looked over and saw Malon on the bed.. Smiling. He couldn't tell if it was his imagination, or his passing into slow death, but she was peaceful. Content. At rest. Her chest moved up and down slowly, he didn't really think about it but some small part of his tired mind registered it and he let himself be pushed back down in the bed.
Good, thoght Dael before passing into unconsiousness again, at least she's alive...