When Link entered the forest that gave way to his own house, he could hear the laugh of children in the distance. Link couldn't resist the smile that overtook him and the lightness that filled him. Illia and the children had made a picnic - there were fruits and meat and bread in a nearby blanket - and they were lauhing at Talo's antics. When they saw Link they all cheered and surrounded him.
"Gifts, gifts!" Link made as if he was offended and told them to wait till everyone got together. It was easy to fall into their rythm, Link realized, forgotten were his fears and apprehensions and he just enjoyed the known cheerfulness of his family. Link almost felt bad for fearing them.
They got together in the mayor's house, Illia had already told everyone to be prepared - as per Link's letter - and Bo had been more than glad to lend his house to what he thought was a celebration.
Link felt like a Great Fairy when giving out presents. No one was left without one, and Uli had pinched his cheek when she had received a bag full of rupees. Illia twirled around with her new dress in front of her body and Talo could see himself as a knight with his new clothes.
"You didn't have to do this, you know," Bo said that but he was more than happy with his new belt adorning his stomach.
Link smiled, "Yeah, but I wanted to." It made him feel less of a-
"Uli is gushing to anyone who is willing to hear her about you and your growth," Rusl had a soft smile in place and tousled Link's hair. "It's like the Goddesses day or something."
"Well, I'm sure Fado will be overjoyed to have you back," Bo crossed his arms and looked at Illia with a gleam in his eyes, "he's capable, all right, but you," he gave Link a pointed glane, "have a way with animals I haven't seen anywhere else."
"I'm not staying, though," Bo frowned and looked confused, "I've been given a job at the Castle."
Bo blew a raspberry, "Is it a joke?" Link shook his head. Bo looked at Rusl, who was as surprised as him. "Uhm," Bo started, "Didn't know that..."
Link gave a nod to the men, "Yeah, it's quite abrupt," Ulli was waving her hand to Link, "If you'll excuse me."
Rusl and Bo stayed where they were, looking as Link took Lily out of Ulli's hand. "Did you know that?" Bo asked.
Rusl shrugged, "Not really."
Link left Ulli's house late that evening. He had his stomach full of food, and though he was still hesitant about a bunch of things, his mind felt oddly calm. As if he had an objective again.
"Mind if I accompany you for a while?"
Link almost jumped out of his skin, the voice had been too close to him and Link gave a step back as quickly as his nervous self could make it. Malo was looking bored as always and had one eyebrow rised up. "You're supposed to fight the bad guys, right?"
"You almost gave me a heart attack," Malo rolled his eyes, and Link had no heart to tell him that he had been close to kicking him. So close. "What are you doing so late at night?"
"Waiting for you, obviously."
Link huffed and nodded, "Okay, how can I help you."
"I'm leaving with you, just tell me when."
Link stopped and frowned, "Excuse me?"
Malo turned and cocked his head, "I'm saying I'm leaving with you when you leave Ordon and go back to Castle Town."
Link nodded, "No, yeah, I got that, it's just... uhm, you were abducted and I'm sure your mother-"
Malo blew a raspberry, "I can't believe you would take me for someone unprepared. I have already told mother."
Link was at a loss for words. And Malo got closer and tugged at his sleeve. "Okay, hear me out. One, I have a business to attend to, you hear me? And me being here is not helping at all. Two, this place is as boring to me as it is boring to you, so don't make that face at me. Three, Talo will keep mother and father company, I have also already talked with him. And four," Malo glared at Link, "you can't expect me to stay here while you are being put to the ground by those people in Castle Town, you may be a simple minded person but you are a kind simple minded person who also happens to be my main investor and if I have to go back to Castle Town to protect your honor then by Hylia, Link, I will."
Link was half happy half horrified and though he nodded and told Malo that yes, of course he would take him back, it soon clicked that Malo knew about his ordeals back in Castle Town, and unless Malo had been there there was just no way- "Are you spying on me?"
Malo gave a step back and looked offended, "It's not spying if I'm a friend, is it?" Link made an unsure face, "But if you're implying that I'm paying someone to give me information about you, then yes, Link, I am spying on you. And you better thank me because I have kept everyone calm about you being in Castle Town."
It just really made sense to Link that people would be interested in him, it also made sense that Malo - a probable millionaire - was the one to pay for it, and it really made Link smile to think that Malo had kept all of Link's struggles a secret to everyone else. "Who are you paying, though?"
"Not even a thank you for protecting you image?" Malo gave him a stern look, "I tried to bribe Renado, but he vehemently turned me down saying that he was too far to give me accurate information, also he wouldn't take my money," Malo looked at Link as if that was the most unreasonable thing ever, "but he did gave me a name to ask to."
Malo remained silent and Link could feel the mischief. So he had tried Renado, who was too much of a honest person to be bought, but he gave Malo a name. A name who ought to be close to Link, or at least known... A person who was also close to Renado. Link put a hand to his head and chuckled out, "Telma?"
Malo gave a tiny smile, "Correct. It's really good to see that you have a keen sense to put things together." Malo patted Link on his thigh, "Well, that's it, don't you dare leave without me."
Link sighed and nodded, "Fine, but it's going to be at least a week before I go back."
Malo frowned and turned, "Your birthday is in two days, I though you were going back after that."
Link squinted his eyes, it was unerving that Malo knew so much, "Well, yes, but I have to return something first."
Malo looked at him.
"It's magic related," and Malo gave a big nod and turned.
"Go put it back where you found it." Link stood where he was, Malo turned a couple of steps away, "See you around."
Link raised his hand and snorted.
