This story is set during the events of OOT. It is a oneshot, so there will be no continuation of this story.

Link was walking across Hyrule field, chasing a group of Gerudo bandits. They had robbed a small shop in Kakariko village, and they had wounded the shopkeeper. And Link himself.

Luckily, Epona was faster than the bandits and riding put less strain on Link's side, where the wound was.

There they were!

At this point, the three bandits were starting to emerge into view, running as fast as they could. Link drew his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at the farthest one away. There was a slight tawng, and one of the bandits fell over with an arrow in their leg.

"Attack!" One of them screamed. Because the Gerudo wore loose desert clothes that were colored in bright oranges and reds, they were easy targets.

He dismounted as the two remaining bandits turned to face him, keeping Epona out of the way. Link drew his master sword and waited, his Hylian shield grasped in his right hand.

"Kill him!" The bandit carrying the bag of gold yelled. She then turned and looked at her other comrade, who was crying in pain on the ground. Ignoring the arrows in Link's quiver, they attacked.

Link readied his sword and charged as well, swinging his blade at the first bandit. At the last moment he tilted the sword so it would just knock out his target, not kill them. Now, it was Link against the stronger and better trained bandit. One wrong move and I'm dead, He thought, I'll have to execute this carefully and perfectly!

He moved his arm back, preparing to swing, then he felt a large pain engulf his side. He looked down and saw his green tunic stained red, a curved blade at the epicenter of the stain.

"I won't kill you." The bandit sneered, "I'll let you suffer forever, until you gasp your last breath and fade into nothingness."

Link fell to the ground and his vision faded to black.

"Hello?" A voice penetrated the fog that surrounded Link's vision, slowly making the hero stir. "Hello?"

Link opened his eyes and shielded them from the bright light. "What happened?" Still blinded by the bright light, Link couldn't detect who he was speaking to. "And who is talking to me?"

He felt a light hand on his arm and the voice replied. "It's me, Malon. I found you passed out by the gate of the ranch. You're in my house now."

Link nodded slowly. "Thank you very much, but I need to get going." He started to get up, pushing himself off the ground. A light but strong hand pushed him back down.

"You're staying here!" Malon snapped. "You can't just go off and do more hero stuff when your side just got stabbed yesterday!"

Link closed his eyes. "Where's Epona?"

Malon relaxed. "She's in the yard with the other horses." Link then felt Malon's hand press up against his forehead and the rancher gasped.

"Wow. That is one heck of a fever." Malon stated quietly. "Give me a second."

The door opened and Malon left, leaving Link alone in the room. He really wanted, no, needed to go and save Hyrule. Alas, Malon wouldn't let him go. If he did leave, Malon would drag him back until he healed.

Malon came back into the room, carrying a bowl and a towel. She dipped the towel in the bowl and pressed it against his temple, giving him a brief respite from the pain in his head. After repeating that for a few minutes, Malon got up.

"Come with me." She stated. "You should get some fresh air."

She grabbed Link by the hand and lifted him up, piggybacking him down the stairs. Even though she was generally small of stature, working on a farm her entire life made her just as strong as Link.

After they got outside, Malon sat down beside Link on a bench.

"You really need to take a break sometimes." She said. "Being a hero has taken up your life, and that's all I've seen you do." The red-haired girl then looked out at the horses. "Have you even thought of what you're going to do after you save Hyrule?"

Link sighed and absentmindedly rubbed a scar he had gotten seven years prior. "I….I don't know."

Malon got up and walked away, leaving Link alone on the bench. After thinking for a few minutes, he went to his bed and fell asleep.

Link awoke to the sound of birds singing. He shook the sleep out of his eyes and looked around. He was in Malon's room, laying on the floor. Malon was on the other side of the room, in her bed and softly snoring. Link slowly got up, taking his time to reduce noise.

"Link?" Malon asked sluggishly, "What are you doing?"

Link turned back at Malon, who was slowly crawling out of her bed. "I'm just going outside. I'll be back after I stay with Epon for a bit."

"Wait!" Malon gasped, "Give me a sec to change and I'll be right out there!"

Link slowly started to tap his foot as he waited. Malon turned an eye on him and blushed. "Wait outside, will ya?"

Link blushed in turn and left as fast as he could, embarrassed he forgot a common courtesy. I guess living in a different realm for seven years will do that, He thought.

After she changed, Malon stepped outside and walked toward Link, who was sitting on a fence.

"Hey, Link." The farmer called softly, "Mind if I sit with you?"

Link shrugged. "Go ahead."

Malon sat down, her legs barely four inches off the ground. Link kept looking off into the distance, his hair swinging in the light breeze.

Malon brushed her hair back and smiled at Link. "So," She began, "Have you decided on what you're doing after you finish your quest?"

Link waited a few minutes, then responded. "I think….that I want to stay with you."

Malon blushed and turned toward Link. "Come here you!" She cried out happily.

Link leaned into his friend and kissed her, the morning sun behind them.

Feel free to review your thoughts on the story. If you have any Legend Of Zelda oneshot ideas, feel free to PM me and tell me your idea(s).