The young girl timidly stepped out from behind the bush, never taking her eyes off Link. A quick glance at the young female told the hero that she meant him no harm. Another quick glance allowed Link to identify her.

"Malon!" he exclaimed, "What are you doing this far from Lon Lon? Doesn't your father need you?"

"Actually Link," replied the farm girl, "Daddy sent me out to Arpotia to see if I could get anything for this little guy here. Link, meet Disdoru."

At that Link noticed the reptile at Malon's feet, sniffing. As if on cue, the little dinosaur-looking creature ran over and began to nibble on Link's boot.

"That's a dodongo!" he shouted, "You are trying to sell a dodongo at the Arpotian Bazaar? Who would buy that?"

"I'm selling him as a beast of burden, he's quite strong, you know. But in the last couple of weeks, I've begun to feel kinda attached to the little guy." At this the baby giant lizard let out a small little gurgle and began to lick one of the bags on Link's belt.

"I'm not sure if he likes the dodongo-hide bag, or the bombs in it," chuckled Link, "but I sure hope he doesn't plan on taking it by force.."

"I think I'll just tell Father to let me keep Disdo here. I've decided to accompany you home to Hyrule."

"Good, it gives me someone to talk to besides Epona. And now I have someone who talks back." Link reached down and patted Disdoru on the head. Link then walked back to the fire and lay down next to it. "I bid thee good night, milady." With that, Link drifted off into a peaceful sleep.


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Link awoke next morning to see Malon boiling some vegetables over a new fire. Without alerting her of his awakening, Link quietly reached over and picked up his ocarina. He began to play a tune which startled Malon and caused Epona to wake up with such as start that she hit her head on a low branch of the tree by which she slept.

"I see you still remember my song," laughed Malon, "So does Epona, it seems." She spooned a bit of the vegetable soup into Link's bowl. "Eat up. I've been awake since first light gathering the ingredients and fetching water from that stream over yonder to feed you lazy oafs."

Within the hour the two had broken fast as Epona grazed nearby. The two packed up, putting most of their supplies on the back of Disdoru, who awoke with a start when Link pounded the ground near his ear. The four travelers began their trek together to Hyrule, lighthearted and happy. They knew not that mere miles away, two vile powers were about to combine.