((Back to the plot! Legend of Zelda is still not my thing to own. Obnoxious puns, dumb jokes and lots of cringe however, is my kingdom.))

Malon couldn't decide if the goodbyes came too fast or not fast enough. Everything felt rushed. Ingo and Talon's waking. Breakfast. Link's breakdown of where they were to go. Did no one else realize the absurdity of it all? One night's snap over the injustice of the fate of the Hero and suddenly she was being sent away to see the world. With the Hero.

Perhaps they did. She hadn't been the loving ranch daughter these past few months. Perhaps Talon had seen her outburst as a way of getting rid of her. Ingo had once threatened to sell her, maybe she'd underestimated Talon as well as the Hero in those aspects as she had once underestimated Ingo. She would not make the mistake of freezing in fear as she once had.

Stepping into the mornings sunlight, she eyed the small gathering warily. The dagger felt heavier hidden in her boot than it had seconds ago. Link spoke in soft tones to Talon while Ingo stood a few feet apart in his usual standoffish manner. Would she ever manage to meet his gaze without feeling like that scared little girl again? If months of working on it hadn't dulled the feelings, Malon doubted she'd ever truly be free of him.

Despite the obvious objections he'd laid out last night as well as their less-than-ideal morning, Link seemed completely at ease with the entire situation. He spoke freely and kindly to the man Malon could no longer call father. There was something about the sight that made them all seem like a family again. Perhaps it was the way Talon kept leaning in to whisper frantic worries to Link. The same way he had during a rare bit of soberness when they'd been children. Ingo was doing exactly as he would have seven years before. Leaning against the house, watching from a distance. The only difference was his silence where before he would have complained in impatience.

Malon studied Link's face a little more. He had changed much from their childhood. He didn't hold that air of puffed pride around him as he had as a child. Nor did he seem as sure of himself as he'd once been. Was that a good thing? Or ought she be worried that he'd taken to hiding himself and his agendas? Either way, he didn't strike her as one who would buy another to use for his pleasures. Had Talon forced him to take her? Too tired of their banters he'd thrust himself at the Hero's feet, pleading, begging for the Hero to take her from his Ranch? The image was easier to summon if she thought of him as the same man he'd been seven years ago.

"Malon, are you ready?" Link's questioning eyes on her tugged her from her ever spinning thoughts of wariness. He broke into that easy smile of his, stepping away from the picturesque scene to let her in. "I'll let you say your goodbyes." With a wave to Talon and a nod to Ingo, Link went over to Epona.

'Don't leave me with them please,' She pleaded silently. What was she to say to these two men? 'I'm sorry for not trusting you two more, but you're the two reasons I can't'? If she had more courage, she might have told Ingo how she felt about him and the things he'd done to her. Then again, if she had more courage she'd be calling out more than Ingo. Her father would be in there somewhere between the 'you betrayed me when I needed you most' part and the 'do you have any idea what that did to me as a child?' part.

Sadly, Link's turned back was all to familiar. She watched numb as he stalked towards Epona to check in one of the saddlebags.

Just as she'd feared, Talon was the first to speak through the awkward silence. "Now don't get into too much trouble. Stay safe and don't go forgetting us."

How did she answer that? She turned to face the two men. Talon gave her a tight smile, trying much too hard to keep the ease on his face. Surprisingly, she found herself wishing that it would break. That tears would come and some sort of sentiment would reach his lips. Would he truly miss her at all? Or was it a relief to him that she was leaving? Ingo kept shooting glances of uncertainty. Looking just as uncomfortable as she felt.

"The candied milk is about to go bad." Malon stated, reaching for the nearest topic she could say without ending in screams or tears or both. "Make sure to restock on those before next sells day. Esmia, Lorule, and Charlie all need to be covered tonight or they'll be skittish since it'll be a full moon. Cass and Leaf are both expecting anytime now so make certain to keep them well and comfortable in the stable. The cat needs a washing, she's been missing for two days now so if she comes back check for any bites or cuts in her fur. Talon, make sure you don't stay up too late, I've seen your lights on well past bedtime and now you'll be waking far too early from now on to keep that up. Make sure the pigs are fed, but no giving them any improper things you hear me? Montgomery is near ready to be sold, don't forget to take him to the market with you next time your in town. Whatever you two do, don't miss your sales. That's what we live off of mind you."

There was more warnings she could prattle off. Winterizing the place early, shopping list of necessities, and so on. But Link had already mounted and the day was only stretching longer. So Malon slipped past the two people she'd been wronged by and went to Boots. In truth, it was the horses she would miss the most. Loyal as they were, the thought of abandoning them left her wanting to wish farewell to them more than those two. To stroke their manes one last time. Whisper where she'd be should any worry.

Most thought her preference for the animals strange though. To tell Link she wished to hinder their leaving to say goodbye to the stables would only further give him reason to be cross with her. People were not kind when crossed.

"Boots and I won't be as fast as you and Epona." Malon warned, slinging her leg over the horse. At least she would have Boots and Epona with her through it. Did Epona still hold fondness for Malon? She hoped the tempered beastie had forgiven her for giving her away. Seeing her off to a better life had been one of the hardest moments Malon had ever lived through.

"You set pace then." The amusement in his voice made it clear he'd seen her eyeing the silver bay. Her gaze jumped to his before falling to her own horse.

'Forgive me Boots, you are just as lovely as Epona,' She thought leaning forward to fully stroke the bay's neck. "You better make sure Epona's alright with that statement first Fairy Boy. Unless that's not the same horse, Epona's not one who takes those sort of executive decisions well."

"No, she doesn't does she?" His voice held as much admiration of the sentiment as Malon had when she'd been the proud owner. A realization most would put into jealousy, but Malon put to a remembrance of the secure choice in leaving the silver bay in his hands. He accepted the horse's unrelenting stubbornness. Something Malon would always hold well in her heart. "Perhaps we will simply have to allow these two to figure out their pacing on their own."

Ha. Knowing Epona, she'd either bite Boots to get him going faster, or leave both behind in the dust. Still, Boots was more the pleaser than the aggressive type. The first few days would be a sore between the two, as all new horses struggled when put with Epona. But Malon could think of no other horse who'd adapt quicker to her demanding nature than him.

"No taking any backroads Link." Talon's teasing voice tensed her buzzing emotions once more. She stiffened as her father finished the last of his joke. "I may have given permission to let you marry her, but that doesn't mean I've given permission to anything else understood?"

Of all the things to bring up. It was almost as if he was trying to make her more scared than she already was. She watched Link closely reactions to such jabs were key to finding more information than one would think. This was a man set to be their next King. Would he plunder that title as a use to enjoy his last 'escapade' or would he dismiss it? Did any man dismiss those sort of temptations? It was a little depressing to realize Malon hadn't ever met a man who didn't.

The oddest pale set in his expression. As if the thought of merely touching Malon was as terrible as the horrors he'd undoubtedly seen.

Malon didn't know what to think of that. Perhaps he thought himself above her. 'Which is a good thing' she reminded herself as her posture on her saddle seemed to shrivel a little. If he was disgusted with her, she may last the trip without having to unsheathe her dagger on him. An optimistic view if she'd ever had one.

"I'll... try not to." Link said with a tight smile.

"Good answer." Talon nodded.

Since when did Talon ever care for those things? As a child, she'd been free to roam dark alleyways in the middle of the night in search for him. Perhaps he'd been too drunk at the time to remember how many people he'd promised her to. Some, simply for picking up a dropped jug.

"Glad to know you care." Malon mumbled under her breath. It was sarcasm if she'd ever said any. Though spoken too low she doubt he truly heard. Link, however, tilted his head in question at her.

A blush escaped before she could hide under her bangs. The ranch had always been a private place. Being untoward to her father was nothing new, yet there was something embarrassing about the fact that she'd been caught by a stranger mouthing off to her father. Especially when that someone was Link.

"Goodbye papa." She spoke louder, the words sounding like a lie on her tongue. This was not a 'good' bye. In fact, Malon wasn't sure if they'd ever had anything good between them from the beginning. "Take care of the ranch for me." She offered.

Before he could return the fake sentiments with his own 'adoring father' routine, Malon dug her heels into Boots' belly and sped out of the ranch. Sounds of Epona catching up to them filled behind her. Still, she ignored the sorry lurking in the back of her throat at leaving Link behind, and instead squeezed her eyes shut and lifted her head to feel the wind.

Her lungs filled with it's fresh bursts, color sliding into her vision more acutely than she'd seen in a while. Boots ran in beautiful galloping beats across the fields. Trees and flowers and greened grass flush around her.

As she grew further from the ranch, freedom began taking it's hold on her. She'd shriek in delight if she were alone. Slowly, her gripping hands slipped from Boots' heaving frame. Lifting to trace lines into the cutting winds of autumn. Nothing had felt more good in that moment.

For the first time in seven years, Malon felt alive.

((There ya go, another day, another chapter. Hoped you liked it 3

Thanks to you peeps out there reviewing and favoriting and following and doing all that wonderful supporting stuffs you are angels! Thanks to those too shy (I too am too shy so I getcha) for viewing this and sticking with the story! Hope to bring you more next week... or maybe the week after? Haha I honestly can't say. But hope for it to be soon!

Not sure where you live right now, but over here things are shutting down again. So here's the message y'all are probably tired of hearing. STAY SAFE YOU IMPORTANT BEANS! If you're sick get well soon because people are missing and worrying about YOU!

Don't forget you're lovely smile cutie

-Fangirlingurlzzz