The Legend of Zelda
Ti'ana's Story
__________by Ti'ana MYST
Chapter Eleven
The moon rose high above the land of Hyrule. All were sleeping, all was silent and calm. A lone man sat in the middle of the dirt road. His name is unknown to many, though he responds to Jacques. He is known as the running man of Hyrule. On this particular night, Jacques had stopped to rest just before the entrance of Lon Lon Ranch. At this time, all was usually silent, so you could imagine his surprise when the sound of horse hoofs against the ground. He glanced about frantically, and saw a black stallion leading a band of four or five others on similar horses; they were all on a collision course with the running man.
Terrified for his life, Jacques ran back towards Gerudo Valley as quick as a jackrabbit.
The leader reared her horse back. She turned around to the others. "I will find the horse that I want." She jumped off of the horse and led it into Lon Lon Ranch by the reins. Suddenly she stopped.
"Do you hear that?" she rasped.
Nikita, one of the woman accompanying Ti'ana, listened closely. "Yes, Ti'ana! It is someone singing!"
Ti'ana knew very well who it was, and dropped the reins of her horse. "I want you all to head back to Gerudo Fortress."
One of the Gerudo's on horseback started, "But my lady..."
Ti'ana held her hand up. "Do not talk back to me! Do as I say!" At those words, the four other women headed back to their home.
Ti'ana listened more intently. The singing had stopped. Then started another song, one which was all too familiar to Ti'ana.
"Flicka," she whispered softly, her eyes filling with tears. She wiped at one of the tear drops which had rolled down her cheek. She wasn't crying because of the horse, but more because Malon was singing her song. She didn't hate Ti'ana after all!
Ti'ana drew in her breath sharply. Leaving her other horse standing by the stables, she quietly stepped towards the corral. She could clearly see the red hair of Malon, who was facing away from the entrance of the ranch. Flicka and Epona were chasing each other around the fence and quickly trotted back to Malon.
Breathing deeply in and out, she stepped behind her old rival. Making sure her veil covered much of her face, she tapped Malon gently on the shoulder.
The frightened girl whirled around with a loud yelp. "Who are you?" she cried.
Not saying a word, Ti'ana stepped up to Flicka and stroked her neck. She hugged the horse and patted in between its ears. She turned to Malon, who gasped.
"Ti'ana? Is that you?"
The girl in the Gerudo clothing nodded slowly. "'Tis I."
Malon cried out and hugged Ti'ana. "Where have you been! I've been waiting for seven whole years to say how sorry I was!"
Ti'ana hugged her back. "And I wanted to say sorry as well. I was an immature child, I admit." She let go of Ti'ana. "Have you seen Taabu lately? I miss him like crazy!"
Malon nodded slowly. "I saw him and Link together the other day. Boy, you should see how much Link has grown! He..."
"I know," Ti'ana cut in. "He found me at the Gerudo Fortress earlier today."
"Speaking of the Gerudo's, WHY are you wearing Gerudo clothing?"
Ti'ana sighed. "Well, I'm sure Taaby's told you about the day I was taken by Ganondorf's henchman.. Er.. henchwoman."
Malon shook her head. "I've been waiting for you to come! You must take Flicka with you! Ever since you've been gone, even now after seven years, she's been whinnying all the time. She won't obey anyone else but me." She paused. "That in itself is a rarity."
A loud cry was heard from the entrance of Lon Lon Ranch. "We've been seen! Back to the Fortress!!" Quickly following was the sound of four horses running at breakneck speed.
Ti'ana sighed. "They've taken two of your horses, Malon. I'm so sorry, I only came here for Flicka. I didn't think I'd see you out this late."
Malon smirked. "You know I've nothing better to do, and I never sleep at night. I'm always out here singing."
Sighing, Ti'ana took out her ocarina, the same one she had when she first met Flicka. The clay was rather scratched up, but the instrument itself was in good condition. Slowly, she began to play the melody she played years before. Flicka still had the same reaction as when she was a foal. Running around the ranch, then trotting back to Ti'ana and nudging her arm to play more.
"Gosh, Flicka really missed you, huh?"
Ti'ana shrugged. "I guess. Maybe it's just the song. I don't know. She's your horse, though."
Malon took hold of Flicka's reins, and took Ti'ana's hand. She pressed them against her palm. "Take her," she said softly. "Flicka belongs to you now."
Smiling, Ti'ana clutched the reins in her hands. "Thank you, Malon. Thank you so very much." She quickly embraced her friend. "I can't stay long, they're expecting me back at the fortress."
"Why don't you stay here for the night?" Malon simpered. "Taabu'll be coming in first thing tomorrow."
"Sounds good!" Ti'ana dropped Flicka's reins and scratched the mare behind her ear. "Such a good horse."
Chatting away and giggling, the two girls walked into Malon's small house where Ingo and Talon both slept soundly.
From behind the stables, a small gasp sounded. The Gerudo woman hiding in the darkness shook her head angrily. "I must tell Ganondorf!" Nikita mounted her horse and sped back to the Gerudo Fortress.