Chapter 2: Tomboy
"Hurry, Daddy, hurry!" cried the excited child, pulling on her father's hand.
"Why so impatient, Zelda?" he asked, smiling as he slowly pulled on his riding gloves, "You haven't had a horse for six years of your life. I think you can wait a few more minutes."
"But I can't wait a few more minutes!" the little princess did a twirl. "It's so exciting, Daddy! Soon I'll have my very own pony!"
He smiled at her shining eyes. "Then let's get going," he said, reaching out for her.
She hopped into his arms and he carried her to the stables. After placing her on his dapple steed and getting on behind her, they turned the horse to the castle gates. Her small hands held the reins, right next to his. She knew how to handle a horse well for a six-year-old. They went through the market place, people smiling at the sight of the little princess. Going through Hyrule field, the king thought of how it had changed. Just a few years before this had been a place of war and bloodshed. Now he could ride with his daughter without fear of an assassin's arrow.
As soon as they entered Lon Lon Ranch, a man approached him. His thick black hair was pulled back in a ponytail and his stylish beard was neatly kept. Despite his short stature, he was very strong and handsome.
"Hello, Talon," Alec smiled at his old acquaintance.
"Hello, Your Majesty," said Talon, reaching for Zelda, "And how's our little princess?"
"Fine," grinned Zelda, hopping into his arms as he let her down.
"We're here for a pony, Talon," said Alec, getting off the horse, "It's Zelda's sixth birthday."
"Well, well," smiled Talon, bending down to the girl's height, "That is cause for celebration."
Zelda nodded, grinning.
"See that pen over there," he said, pointing at a nearby fence, "There are five ponies in there with the other horses. You can have your pick."
"Hurrah!" cried Zelda, clapping her hands.
Before she ran over to the horses, her father stopped her. "Try to keep your dress clean or Impa will scold me again," he said.
"But Daddy, I like to get dirty," she frowned.
"Shh. Not so loud," he lowered his voice, smiling mischievously, "The fact that you're a tomboy is our secret, remember?"
"Oh, yeah," she replied solemnly, not getting his joke.
Zelda ran over to the fence and peered through the bars. She watched the horses, fascinated. She'd always loved horses. She looked over each of the ponies carefully. There was a dark black one, a brown and white spotted one, a white one, and a deep brown one. 'Wait a second,' she thought, 'that's only four.'
Just then she heard some galloping to the right of her. Sticking her head through the fence, she peered at the running pony. It was a beautiful deep red with a matching mane. Riding it was a girl whose hair was redder than the horse's. Zelda watched the two race the wind. The redhead controlled the reins with the air of someone who had been riding since before she could walk. As Zelda watched the two ride, she knew she had made her choice.
"How's the choosing, Princess?" came a voice from behind her.
She turned to see a tall man. He had parted black hair, a black mustache to match, and was extremely spindly.
"I got my choice," Zelda pointed excitedly at the red pony, "That one."
The man let out a short laugh, leaning on his shovel.
"You couldn't have made a better or worse choice, your Highness," he laughed.
Zelda stared at him, confused.
"That is, no doubt, our best pony," he said, now looking at the horse, "but also our wildest. Her name's Apei and no one can tame her but little Malon over there. She and her mother. Yep, Malon received her mother's gift with animals."
Zelda turned from him back to the horse. As she watched the redhead turn the horse expertly, she set her jaw firmly. She would have that horse. She headed for the open gate and went into the corral. Once among the horses she almost forgot her purpose. They were so large and majestic…and wonderful. Her mind came back with the thundering of hooves. She turned to find the red horse coming right at her.
"Whoa!" cried the rider, pulling up on the reins, just a few feet from the frightened princess.
The horse neighed and reared, then landed softly. Zelda's eyes filled with admiration.
"Hi there!" said the girl cheerfully, getting off the horse, "I'm Malon."
"I'm Princess Zelda," answered Zelda, holding herself up proudly.
"Oh, I've heard of you," said Malon, her voice nonchalant.
The two stood for a moment, not speaking.
"I like the horse," said Zelda.
"Oh, yes," smiled Malon, turning to the pony, "Her name's Apei."
"She's very pretty," said Zelda, reaching out to pet Apei's nose.
The horse neighed at the sight of the stranger reaching toward her and ran off quickly.
"She doesn't like strangers much," laughed Malon, "In fact, she doesn't like anybody much. Except for me and my mom."
"I bet I could get her to like me," replied Zelda with an air of importance, "In fact, I think I'll have my daddy buy her for me."
Malon's face went white and her mouth gaped in horror. She looked as though she had just heard the worst news in the world. The effect of her own words pleased Zelda. Malon, however, quickly got back her composure and smiled.
"Not even my dad can control her, so I doubt a beginner like you could," Malon sniffed slyly.
"A beginner?!" cried Zelda indignantly, "I've been riding since I was four."
"I've been riding since before I was two," Malon retorted.
"How old are you?" Zelda questioned, glaring at the other girl.
"Five."
"Ha. I'm six and have more experiments in the ways of the world."
"It's experience," giggled Malon, "and you still couldn't handle her."
Malon strutted off with a big grin on her face. Zelda's face contorted with fury.
"Could too!" she called after the retreating figure.
Angry that a peasant girl could think herself better than the princess, Zelda sulked around the enclosure. She found her way to a small roofed area and leaned against the outside wall, a pout still hanging on her lips. Before she could dwell more on her loathing for that girl, she heard a faint snort. It came from behind the wall. Curious, Zelda edged her way around the wall and peeked round the corner. To her delight, there was the red pony. It had its back to her and was busy drinking from a trough.
Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. Looking around, she saw the redhead girl next to her dad on the other side of the enclosure. What would that little girl think if she galloped up riding Apei?
Careful not to make a sound, she inched closer toward the pony. She was close enough now to make a quick run for it. She counted down in her head. Three… two… one! Zelda burst off running toward the horse. She saw its ears prick up, but knew that she'd get on it before it reacted. As she vaulted herself onto the horse, she felt its body give a startled shudder. She grabbed for the reins, only to find there were none. As the horse burst into a run, she snatched instinctively for the mane. 'That stupid girl was riding with no reins!' she thought angrily.
Holding on tight to the hair, she stifled a scream as the horse raced wildly around. When the horse turned so sharply that she nearly fell off, however, she forgot all dignity and let out a piercing yell. This startled the horse more, causing it to rear up suddenly. As if in slow motion, she felt her hands slip from the mane and her body fall backward. She reached out, hoping to cushion her fall with her hands. Her right arm hit the ground first and she felt all her impact shock it. She cried out in pain. Her father rushed quickly to her side.
"Zelda, are you all right?!" he cried, his face pale.
Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, "M-my arm."
Talon, Malon, the tall man, and a beautiful woman hurried over. Malon ran over to calm Apei. The woman kneeled next to Zelda. "Let me see it, dear," she said softly, reaching gently for Zelda's arm.
"I think it's broken," cried Zelda.
"Talon! This is all your fault!" Alec cried, turning to the man, "Why didn't you warn us about that horse?"
"I warned her, your Majesty," piped the tall man, "I told her that it is a wild horse and to stay away from it. It truly is wild, sire. There's no way in taming it. It was none of Talon's fault at –"
"Enough, Ingo," said Talon, looking worried but staying calm.
"That horse needs to be punished severely," Alec went on.
Zelda cast a quick glance at Malon as the woman checked her arm carefully. She was holding Apei's neck with a look of panic on her face. She soundlessly mouthed the word "No."
"In fact," Alec ranted on, "that horse is a danger to everyone. It should be put to death."
Objection rose to Talon's mouth, but he fought it back down. Zelda looked back at Malon. The girl had her head buried in Apei's neck and was shaking with sobs. Though Zelda knew that she ought to feel pleased at giving her enemy so much pain and that the wild horse would soon be gone, all she felt was sorrow…and pity.
"I demand it, Talon!" cried Alec, "I demand it! That horse is wild! I demand that you—"
"Daddy, no!" cried Zelda, wiping the tears from her face.
Alec looked sharply at his daughter, now standing up.
"You can't do that, Daddy!" Zelda said, "It was all my fault. That man did warn me, and so did Malon. They told me I couldn't handle her, but I ignored them. I sneaked up on the horse and jumped on it. I had to grab its mane 'cause there weren't any reins. The horse was just scared, Daddy. My arm's not broken. Don't kill her, Daddy!"
Alec stared at his daughter's imploring eyes, astounded. He had never seen her show so much unselfishness before. He glanced toward Malon, her tear streaked face staring gratefully at Zelda.
"You are all right?" he questioned softly.
"Yes, Daddy. Please…" her voiced faded.
"Okay."
Then he knelt down and embraced his little daughter. Letting go and holding her shoulders, he began to reprimand her.
"You know better than to sneak up on a horse, Zelda. They're strong animals, even as ponies," he said sternly.
"I know," sulked Zelda, "I just wanted to prove that I was a good horsewoman."
"And instead, you proved the opposite," he smiled softly, standing and turning toward Talon.
Zelda stared after him, pondering over his words.
"Um…" came a voice behind her.
She turned to find Malon standing behind her, looking sheepish.
"I…well, I wanted to…" she reached out and hugged Zelda, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," smiled Zelda, "but it really was all my fault."
"No, I spurred you on," frowned Malon, "I kept saying you couldn't handle her. I just, well…I love Apei. I didn't want to lose her."
"Well, you were right," said Zelda, "I can't handle her."
"There are four others. They're really nice," replied Malon, "I'll take you to them and tell you about them."
"That'd be great," smiled Zelda.
Zelda and her father left the ranch late that afternoon.
"Are you sure you don't want to ride your pony home?" asked Alec, smiling at the girl sitting in front of him.
"No, I think I've had enough, um, alone riding today," she smiled up at him, "You still have the rope?"
"Yes," he said, holding up a thin rope.
Zelda looked back proudly at her pony. Its white hair was gleaming in the sun as it strode passively behind them.
"So what did you think of Malon?" her father asked.
"She's okay," beamed Zelda, "We kind of argued, though. We both wanted the same thing, but she won. This time."
Her father let out a hearty laugh. "So you think you'll contend with her again?"
"I think it's… inedible," she answered, "We both have the same liking."
Alec forced himself to hold back a smile. "I think you mean inevitable," he said, "I do admire your attempts at big words, Zelda, but if you don't know what you're saying, you can just ask."
Zelda blushed and giggled. Leaning back, she kissed her father's cheek. "I love you."
He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you, too."
~*~*~
A/N: Hehe… I love this little confrontation.
Well, PLEASE REVIEW!!!
-Ady
