@A Fairytale In Reality@
ch.5-Link and Malon reunited
by:GoldenSilence
disclaimer:Zelda property of Nintento and that guy who's name I cannot spell ( emberassing as it is to admit.:))
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A/N=Wow!I didn't expect so many reviews for chapter 4.Thanks to...
- L and Mforever(great name;))
-sparky-you use mousepads as coasters too? What about books?They work even better, I swear!
- the ever elusive ????-you use my fanfic as a bookmark?Really..*blushes*..that's so cool!Sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter up, I know you're impatient.^ _ ^
-As well as every other reviewer who's names I can't remember(sorry, I have a memory span of about oh, two seconds.) You guys motivated me to get off my lazy butt and update this, so I hope you enjoy!! Just as a reminder, there are around two more chapters to this-and I might do a sequel, if anybody wants one.:)Does anyone?If you do, review and say so please.
Oh yes, for anyone that forgot(like I actually did) Ariana is Malon's new horse, kay??'Kay.
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Link came out of Hyrule Castle, a funny sort of uncertain smile on his face that caused several Hyrulian guards to give him sharp looks. It was when he actually began-oh horror of horrors!- whistling that the guards really started paying attention. The hero of time did NOT smile. He most certainly did not whistle.
At least, he'd never whistled or smiled in all the time since he had been made prince. And if being nobility and having tons of honors heaped on you wasn't enough reason to show a bit of joy-what was?
The guards, watching Link, immediately jumped to the conclusion that his smiling and whistling was the good omen they had been waiting for. In fact, a few select soldiers even made a point to congratulate Link on his fortunate luck with the princess as he passed.
Those that did were greeted with a joyful "You bet it's luck! The very best sort of it too. Nayru bless Zelda for all eternity! I'm free!"
One of the two guards that had congradulated Link raised his eyebrows. Surely that wasn't the typical response one made when one became engaged?
The other guard knew it was not, being a married man himself. Goodness, one became tied down when one became married..not free! The hero of time must have been seriously delusional. The guard decided to correct this ( he thought) sadly misinformed young man.
"With such luck comes responsibilities, if you'll pardon my saying so, milord."
Link just grinned even wider. "Responsibilities? Hah! The only responsibility I have it to make sure she never doubts my affection from now on!"
Both guards' eyebrows raised even higher as they watched Link walk languidly off across the piles of fallen leaves and past the scattering of wreaths and chains of flowers that still remained from the festival two nights before. The guards scanned the horizon and gently sloping hills for any young man trying to sneak past for a glimpse of the beautiful princess Zelda, their faces turned back to being as unreadable and blank as an unchiseled stone.
Whatever each guard personally thought of Link's behavior, they all agreed on one thing..the hero of time was acting most strangely that day-not to mention in a manner totally unbefitting nobility.
***************
Nobility and being proper was the furthest thing from Link's mind as he stroe out of Hyrule Castle's grounds and on into Hyrule Market. The crowd was a boisterous as ever, but the jumble of voices only came across Link's ears as a muted sound. Earlier that day, Zelda had said to him the words he had been meaning to say to her first. Ironic and a smidgen deflating to one's ego, but Link didn't mind at all. The reward, so to speak, was going to be worth the loss. If he could manage to gain it at all.
Now out of Hyrule Market and on the path towards LonLon ranch, Link felt his hands go clammy as he became more nervous with each step he took. How on earth was he going to tell Malon? They hadn't exactly parted on the most amicable of terms.
As he walked down the well worn road, Link squashed several variations of bugs beneath his boots and nearly stepped on a jackrabbit before it shied away, but he paid no heed to any of the small creatures in danger of being trampled. Just as he paid no heed to the perfect weather. There were far more important things to think of.
It truly was the best of weather. The sky was a cloudless cyrulean blue, and within it the sun was shining, neither too strong nor too weak a force. Malon scowled at it as she rode along on Ariana. If the sky had reflected her feelings, it would have been a dark blue with storm strewn clouds, lit up only by flashes of lightning.
Instead, the weather radiated tranquility. It was the sort of lazy day that would find you laying down in a field of dandelions for hours with your back against a log and never noticing a moment had passed. Malon, as industerious as she had to be working for Ingo, still felt the lazy effects of the weather. Getting off the back of her horse, she led Ariana by the bridle, glad for a chance to stretch her legs.
In spite of this, her bad mood still refused to be lessened. To float on a cloud the minute his lips touched hers, only to have said cloud promptly snatched away from under her was just too cruel. For once it would have been nice to have someone that cared, anyone that cared. Link had never come after her after that kiss. Not that she had expected him to or anything, but... Stop thinking about him, Malon told herself fiercly. He's most definitely not thinking about you, so stop thinking about him.
Malon reached out with one hand to catch a few falling leaves and crumble them into small pieces with prying fingers. She had made up her mind to change her fate the day she had talked to her father-and change her fate she would. That very night. Little did she know that her carefully thought out plan would go awry, for the real change in her fate-and her mood- would take place not long after then.
*******************
Only one last day of this routine, Malon reminded herself, feeling a bit cheered by the thought as she checked that the containers of Lon Lon milk were still firmly placed in the horse's saddlebags and swung herself back up unto Ariana's back. The horse's ears raised up, alert as Malon whispered a command softly into them. In three trots, the command was anwsered by the beginnings of a gallop.
Malon was enjoying the sharpness of the wind as it slapped about her face and her clothes, tugging at her long braid and causing tendrils of it to come undone and wave merrily in the air. The feel of great freedom as the horse rode over hills both steep and gradual, the sound of bushes and rocks as they were stomped over by heavy hooves; the whole experience of riding a horse was cut short. Malon found her face buried into the rank sweaty hairs of Ariana's mane as the horse suddenly came to a halt.
Slightly dizzy from going from the fierce motion of a gallop to an absolute standstill, Malon dismounted and looked down the path for what could have disturbed Ariana. Other than the spirals of dust rising from her abrupt stop, there was no trace of a poe or any other thing that could have caused Ariana to spook.
Seeing this, Malon began checking her horse's hooves. Lifting the right hoof, she felt around until her small fingers found exactly what they had been looking for. She gripped the small rock stuck inside and pulled. Malon took the pebble and threw it as hard as she could. "There. All better."
Ariana only stamped and shook her mane in aggravation, telling Malon that something was still bothering her. "What is it?" asked Malon, puzzled. She tried to pick up the hoof that had had the pebble in it, only to barely avoid getting kicked in the face.
"Now, now, that's no reason to..." she began before realizing what was wrong. "Ooh. Oh no. Anything but this."
Malon was leaning over searching through the grass for Ariana's missing horseshoe so all she could see of the man that had walked up behind her was his feet, but that was all she needed to see. She would know that walk and stance of his anywhere. It was indescribable, yet it was own. How many times had she seen him walk just so as he entered the ranch to buy Lon Lon milk?
The horse was usually well behaved, but now, after trying to gallop minus one horseshoe, Ariana had turned irate. In response to the presence of another human, it reared its front legs into the air. Malon went flying forward unto her stomach to avoid Ariana's flailing legs. She took awhile before she looked up, wishing she could avoid the man's face as well.
Sure enough, the face that greeted Malon as the person held out his hand to help her stand upright was none other than Link's..as handsome as ever. Malon picked herself up and shook out her skirts, purposely ignoring the hand put out for assistance. If she had done so, it would have no doubt led to disaster. Such contact had happened at the dance and look where it had gotten them..
"Malon. What a coincidence. I was just going to the ranch to see you."
Malon stared at Link. If she rememembered correctly (and she was sure she did because her memory of that particular night was VERY clear) she had yelled at him to never visit her again..so why on earth would Link actually bother to seek her out?
"Sorry about sneaking up behind you like that. Are you alright?," Link asked.
Malon didn't answer his question directly. She knew Link was only asking because he had seen her fall forward, but the other implication that he cared about how she was coping after the kiss made Malon's heart quicken a beat or two.
"You spooked my horse." And me, added Malon silently in her head. She wished it was dark so that Link couldn't see the expression on her face.
Link's mouth turned slightly upwards. "So I see." He frowned as he looked at Ariana. "What's wrong with your horse? She's limping."
"Lost a horseshoe," Malon admitted. "Lucky she's not crippled from all the galloping I made her do before I noticed."
"There's a blacksmith in Hyrule Market that'll be able to fix that. I'll walk with you there."
It wasn't a question, but Malon protested anyway. Of all people, HE would have to show up to help her. Ugh.
"No, it's fine. I was born in Hyrule, so I can hardly get lost trying to find the way to the market on my own."
"TOf course. But there's always gerudos in the market. They might try to steal something from you."
"I haven't got a thing to steal. Besides, I hardly think..."
"I insist," Link said. He grabbed the reins of Ariana before Malon could protest any further and began gently leading the horse back unto the dirt path. Malon had no choice but to follow.
************************
The local blacksmith of Hyrule, Miguel, had been pulled aside and told by Malon in an urgent whisper to make a horseshoe and shod Ariana with it as quickly as he could manage because she didn't want to talk to Link any longer than need be. So naturally, Miguel was taking as much time as he could. Malon came in every now and then for something or other and the blacksmith had taken quite a liking to her. She deserved to be happy. If she and her young man were having an arguement, Miguel was sure it was nothing that a sound talking ( or yelling, perchance) wouldn't solve. Not that talking was something either one was doing tons of at the moment.
Malon tapped her foot impatiently as she watched the blacksmith stick the horseshoe under the bellows once again. Link was right at her side. Malon had thought he would leave her after they found the blacksmith, but since he apparently enjoyed her akwardness and discomfort, Link was sticking around.
"Don't you have more important things to do with your time?" Malon asked, trying to get her point across. She knew she sounded rude but either Link cared about her or he didn't-all this wavering inbetweeen was grating on her nerves.
Link leaned against one of the walls, looking perfectly comfortable and showing no signs of leaving. "Well, now that you mention it, I do have a dragon fight at noon and a battle against a Wolfos at three, but I think I can find a way to fit you into my busy schedule," he said sarcastically.
He changed his tone suddenly. "Talk to me, Malon. I've heard the rumors and well...I'm worried. Ingo hasn't..he hasn't.." Link's face went beet red. "Errmm..you know, has he?"
He hadn't, of course, but Malon didn't say as much. "I don't see why I should bother to tell you when I'm the only one who can fix the way things are."
She definitely sounded rude now and completely unlike herself, but Malon didn't care. Anything to get him away.
"No, you're not! I know I need to explain some of my actions towards you and I will, if you'll just let me instead of making pointed attempts to herd me out the door."
Malon and Link had both by this point all but forgotten about the blacksmith, who had put the tongs and the red hot horseshoe down and was watching them with interest.
"There's nothing to explain. I hardly expected an invatation to you and Zelda's wedding." Malon dared to stare straight into Link's blue eyes for a brief interval.
"That's just what I've got to explain!" Link suddenly noticed there were others in the room besides him and Malon. "Alright. That's it." He began pulling Malon towards the door.
"Just where do you think you're taking me?" she demanded angrily.
"Outside" was Link's reply as he kicked open the door. It shut behind Malon and Link with finality. Malon sighed. No friend to save her from talking to Link now.
Link spoke urgently. "Look, I know kissing you back at the festival was a mistake, but.."
Easiest way for him to explain it, thought Malon. "A mistake? Perhaps for you. That's not what I would call it at all. But if that's what you think it is..."
Link cut Malon off. "Just forget Zelda, forget the kiss, forget everything you are ignoring me for. Malon, none of it matters. What matters is that I..."
Link felt stupid. How could he have thought Malon would listen to him? He certainly wouldn't have if he were in her shoes and thought someone engaged was just toying with him.
"Forget the kiss? It meant so little that you can forget it? Well then, you can forget you ever meet me as well. After all, it'll make things much less complicated-and that's what you want, isn't it?"
Link's heart sunk. Did Malon really think that?
It was at that inoppurtune moment that Miguel the blacksmith chose to open the door and call to Malon and Link, who were standing on the side of the street.
"Well, the horseshoe is done and Ariana is as good as new. By the way, if you don't mind me saying so, you and your young man remind me of your parents when you were young, Malon."
Link's gave a wry look towards Malon. "They must have been at each other's throats alot then."
The blacksmith chuckled. "You don't know the half of it. They couldn't have loved each other more, though-always worked out their little spats in the end. Some swear they argued just for the sake of argueing."
He gave a wink in Malon's direction and went back into his shop, shutting the door. Link watched him leave with a raised eyebrow. "If I didn't know better, I'd think Miguel was making us wedding bands in there instead of a horseshoe. He seems dead set on us as a couple."
"He doesn't know what he's talking about. You're engaged and the way things are going, I'm going to end up being a nice old spinster carting wool."
Malon made to run away but Link cupped her face in his hands, a gesture that sent a pleasant shock from Malon's head all the way down to the tips of her toes.
"Din's fire, this is difficult. I'm going to talk and tell you what you seem to want to prevent me from telling you. Please listen..you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, just listen."
Malon nodded. She didn't think she could say anything with his hands holding up her face anyway. Luckily, Link dropped his hands back to his sides before he spoke. It wasn't the right time or the right way he had envisioned telling her, but it couldn't be helped. He wouldn't let her think he was engaged to another. Especially not Zelda of all people!
"I love you."
"But you love her more." Malon's voice came out chocked as she quickly opened the door and dissapeared inside the blacksmith's shop. Link simply stood where he was until Malon came back out and began walking away from Hyrule Market, her figure becoming a tiny dot in the distance. No last words were exchanged between the two of them.
Link went back to see the blacksmith now that the coast was clear. He and Miguel were good friends. Had been for quite some time. Miguel had helped forge Link a set of new armor, one thing had led to another, and the next thing you knew, the two of them had been trading outrageously exaggerated versions of the battles and fights they'd been in.
"She doesn't love me," Link said bladly to Miguel by way of an entrance.
Miguel laughed. "I doubt she ever said that. Malon may be mad at you now, but I guarentee the sweet lass isn't as mad as all that. In fact, I would say from the way she stormed in here a few minutes ago that she loves you a good deal."
"Any more and she would have kicked me in the kneecaps again. Everytime we meet it ends with her running away."
"Yes, you're right..I can see how that could be a problem at the wedding," pointed out Miguel in mock seriousness.
Link sighed. "There's not going to be any wedding."
Miguel grinned mischeviously. "Oh, there will be, you can rest assured of that."
He waved something in front of Link's face that Link realized was Malon's shawl. "I think Malon'll be wanting this back."
Link took the shawl in one hand and gave Miguel a questioning look. Miguel placed something else in Link's other hand. "Oh yeah and take these. May I suggest you put them to good use as soon as possible?"
Link glanced down at his palm in wonderment. There, resting on the bundle that was Malon's shawl were two identical silver rings, engraved with a vine running through them.
"You don't mea-?"
"I do," said Miguel firmly. He shooed Link out with a gesture of his hands. "So what are you waiting for? Go catch her, idiot."
Link needed no further urging. Once outside, he put his ocarina to his lips, played Epona's song, and was off across town upon Epona's back to find Malon. He would tell her he loved her and not Zelda as many times as it took for Malon to get the message through her head. Unless she outright stated that she did not return his regards, Link wouldn't give up. Malon had been through enough misery-she deserved happiness. All the happiness in the world, if Link had anything to say about it.
Rescueing her from Ingo wouldn't a bad way to prove his love to start with. Link felt the rings now tucked safely into his tunic and gave a determined smile.
***************
A/N#2=Sorry if this chapter is a bit on the short side!
ch.5-Link and Malon reunited
by:GoldenSilence
disclaimer:Zelda property of Nintento and that guy who's name I cannot spell ( emberassing as it is to admit.:))
-----------
A/N=Wow!I didn't expect so many reviews for chapter 4.Thanks to...
- L and Mforever(great name;))
-sparky-you use mousepads as coasters too? What about books?They work even better, I swear!
- the ever elusive ????-you use my fanfic as a bookmark?Really..*blushes*..that's so cool!Sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter up, I know you're impatient.^ _ ^
-As well as every other reviewer who's names I can't remember(sorry, I have a memory span of about oh, two seconds.) You guys motivated me to get off my lazy butt and update this, so I hope you enjoy!! Just as a reminder, there are around two more chapters to this-and I might do a sequel, if anybody wants one.:)Does anyone?If you do, review and say so please.
Oh yes, for anyone that forgot(like I actually did) Ariana is Malon's new horse, kay??'Kay.
-----------
Link came out of Hyrule Castle, a funny sort of uncertain smile on his face that caused several Hyrulian guards to give him sharp looks. It was when he actually began-oh horror of horrors!- whistling that the guards really started paying attention. The hero of time did NOT smile. He most certainly did not whistle.
At least, he'd never whistled or smiled in all the time since he had been made prince. And if being nobility and having tons of honors heaped on you wasn't enough reason to show a bit of joy-what was?
The guards, watching Link, immediately jumped to the conclusion that his smiling and whistling was the good omen they had been waiting for. In fact, a few select soldiers even made a point to congratulate Link on his fortunate luck with the princess as he passed.
Those that did were greeted with a joyful "You bet it's luck! The very best sort of it too. Nayru bless Zelda for all eternity! I'm free!"
One of the two guards that had congradulated Link raised his eyebrows. Surely that wasn't the typical response one made when one became engaged?
The other guard knew it was not, being a married man himself. Goodness, one became tied down when one became married..not free! The hero of time must have been seriously delusional. The guard decided to correct this ( he thought) sadly misinformed young man.
"With such luck comes responsibilities, if you'll pardon my saying so, milord."
Link just grinned even wider. "Responsibilities? Hah! The only responsibility I have it to make sure she never doubts my affection from now on!"
Both guards' eyebrows raised even higher as they watched Link walk languidly off across the piles of fallen leaves and past the scattering of wreaths and chains of flowers that still remained from the festival two nights before. The guards scanned the horizon and gently sloping hills for any young man trying to sneak past for a glimpse of the beautiful princess Zelda, their faces turned back to being as unreadable and blank as an unchiseled stone.
Whatever each guard personally thought of Link's behavior, they all agreed on one thing..the hero of time was acting most strangely that day-not to mention in a manner totally unbefitting nobility.
***************
Nobility and being proper was the furthest thing from Link's mind as he stroe out of Hyrule Castle's grounds and on into Hyrule Market. The crowd was a boisterous as ever, but the jumble of voices only came across Link's ears as a muted sound. Earlier that day, Zelda had said to him the words he had been meaning to say to her first. Ironic and a smidgen deflating to one's ego, but Link didn't mind at all. The reward, so to speak, was going to be worth the loss. If he could manage to gain it at all.
Now out of Hyrule Market and on the path towards LonLon ranch, Link felt his hands go clammy as he became more nervous with each step he took. How on earth was he going to tell Malon? They hadn't exactly parted on the most amicable of terms.
As he walked down the well worn road, Link squashed several variations of bugs beneath his boots and nearly stepped on a jackrabbit before it shied away, but he paid no heed to any of the small creatures in danger of being trampled. Just as he paid no heed to the perfect weather. There were far more important things to think of.
It truly was the best of weather. The sky was a cloudless cyrulean blue, and within it the sun was shining, neither too strong nor too weak a force. Malon scowled at it as she rode along on Ariana. If the sky had reflected her feelings, it would have been a dark blue with storm strewn clouds, lit up only by flashes of lightning.
Instead, the weather radiated tranquility. It was the sort of lazy day that would find you laying down in a field of dandelions for hours with your back against a log and never noticing a moment had passed. Malon, as industerious as she had to be working for Ingo, still felt the lazy effects of the weather. Getting off the back of her horse, she led Ariana by the bridle, glad for a chance to stretch her legs.
In spite of this, her bad mood still refused to be lessened. To float on a cloud the minute his lips touched hers, only to have said cloud promptly snatched away from under her was just too cruel. For once it would have been nice to have someone that cared, anyone that cared. Link had never come after her after that kiss. Not that she had expected him to or anything, but... Stop thinking about him, Malon told herself fiercly. He's most definitely not thinking about you, so stop thinking about him.
Malon reached out with one hand to catch a few falling leaves and crumble them into small pieces with prying fingers. She had made up her mind to change her fate the day she had talked to her father-and change her fate she would. That very night. Little did she know that her carefully thought out plan would go awry, for the real change in her fate-and her mood- would take place not long after then.
*******************
Only one last day of this routine, Malon reminded herself, feeling a bit cheered by the thought as she checked that the containers of Lon Lon milk were still firmly placed in the horse's saddlebags and swung herself back up unto Ariana's back. The horse's ears raised up, alert as Malon whispered a command softly into them. In three trots, the command was anwsered by the beginnings of a gallop.
Malon was enjoying the sharpness of the wind as it slapped about her face and her clothes, tugging at her long braid and causing tendrils of it to come undone and wave merrily in the air. The feel of great freedom as the horse rode over hills both steep and gradual, the sound of bushes and rocks as they were stomped over by heavy hooves; the whole experience of riding a horse was cut short. Malon found her face buried into the rank sweaty hairs of Ariana's mane as the horse suddenly came to a halt.
Slightly dizzy from going from the fierce motion of a gallop to an absolute standstill, Malon dismounted and looked down the path for what could have disturbed Ariana. Other than the spirals of dust rising from her abrupt stop, there was no trace of a poe or any other thing that could have caused Ariana to spook.
Seeing this, Malon began checking her horse's hooves. Lifting the right hoof, she felt around until her small fingers found exactly what they had been looking for. She gripped the small rock stuck inside and pulled. Malon took the pebble and threw it as hard as she could. "There. All better."
Ariana only stamped and shook her mane in aggravation, telling Malon that something was still bothering her. "What is it?" asked Malon, puzzled. She tried to pick up the hoof that had had the pebble in it, only to barely avoid getting kicked in the face.
"Now, now, that's no reason to..." she began before realizing what was wrong. "Ooh. Oh no. Anything but this."
Malon was leaning over searching through the grass for Ariana's missing horseshoe so all she could see of the man that had walked up behind her was his feet, but that was all she needed to see. She would know that walk and stance of his anywhere. It was indescribable, yet it was own. How many times had she seen him walk just so as he entered the ranch to buy Lon Lon milk?
The horse was usually well behaved, but now, after trying to gallop minus one horseshoe, Ariana had turned irate. In response to the presence of another human, it reared its front legs into the air. Malon went flying forward unto her stomach to avoid Ariana's flailing legs. She took awhile before she looked up, wishing she could avoid the man's face as well.
Sure enough, the face that greeted Malon as the person held out his hand to help her stand upright was none other than Link's..as handsome as ever. Malon picked herself up and shook out her skirts, purposely ignoring the hand put out for assistance. If she had done so, it would have no doubt led to disaster. Such contact had happened at the dance and look where it had gotten them..
"Malon. What a coincidence. I was just going to the ranch to see you."
Malon stared at Link. If she rememembered correctly (and she was sure she did because her memory of that particular night was VERY clear) she had yelled at him to never visit her again..so why on earth would Link actually bother to seek her out?
"Sorry about sneaking up behind you like that. Are you alright?," Link asked.
Malon didn't answer his question directly. She knew Link was only asking because he had seen her fall forward, but the other implication that he cared about how she was coping after the kiss made Malon's heart quicken a beat or two.
"You spooked my horse." And me, added Malon silently in her head. She wished it was dark so that Link couldn't see the expression on her face.
Link's mouth turned slightly upwards. "So I see." He frowned as he looked at Ariana. "What's wrong with your horse? She's limping."
"Lost a horseshoe," Malon admitted. "Lucky she's not crippled from all the galloping I made her do before I noticed."
"There's a blacksmith in Hyrule Market that'll be able to fix that. I'll walk with you there."
It wasn't a question, but Malon protested anyway. Of all people, HE would have to show up to help her. Ugh.
"No, it's fine. I was born in Hyrule, so I can hardly get lost trying to find the way to the market on my own."
"TOf course. But there's always gerudos in the market. They might try to steal something from you."
"I haven't got a thing to steal. Besides, I hardly think..."
"I insist," Link said. He grabbed the reins of Ariana before Malon could protest any further and began gently leading the horse back unto the dirt path. Malon had no choice but to follow.
************************
The local blacksmith of Hyrule, Miguel, had been pulled aside and told by Malon in an urgent whisper to make a horseshoe and shod Ariana with it as quickly as he could manage because she didn't want to talk to Link any longer than need be. So naturally, Miguel was taking as much time as he could. Malon came in every now and then for something or other and the blacksmith had taken quite a liking to her. She deserved to be happy. If she and her young man were having an arguement, Miguel was sure it was nothing that a sound talking ( or yelling, perchance) wouldn't solve. Not that talking was something either one was doing tons of at the moment.
Malon tapped her foot impatiently as she watched the blacksmith stick the horseshoe under the bellows once again. Link was right at her side. Malon had thought he would leave her after they found the blacksmith, but since he apparently enjoyed her akwardness and discomfort, Link was sticking around.
"Don't you have more important things to do with your time?" Malon asked, trying to get her point across. She knew she sounded rude but either Link cared about her or he didn't-all this wavering inbetweeen was grating on her nerves.
Link leaned against one of the walls, looking perfectly comfortable and showing no signs of leaving. "Well, now that you mention it, I do have a dragon fight at noon and a battle against a Wolfos at three, but I think I can find a way to fit you into my busy schedule," he said sarcastically.
He changed his tone suddenly. "Talk to me, Malon. I've heard the rumors and well...I'm worried. Ingo hasn't..he hasn't.." Link's face went beet red. "Errmm..you know, has he?"
He hadn't, of course, but Malon didn't say as much. "I don't see why I should bother to tell you when I'm the only one who can fix the way things are."
She definitely sounded rude now and completely unlike herself, but Malon didn't care. Anything to get him away.
"No, you're not! I know I need to explain some of my actions towards you and I will, if you'll just let me instead of making pointed attempts to herd me out the door."
Malon and Link had both by this point all but forgotten about the blacksmith, who had put the tongs and the red hot horseshoe down and was watching them with interest.
"There's nothing to explain. I hardly expected an invatation to you and Zelda's wedding." Malon dared to stare straight into Link's blue eyes for a brief interval.
"That's just what I've got to explain!" Link suddenly noticed there were others in the room besides him and Malon. "Alright. That's it." He began pulling Malon towards the door.
"Just where do you think you're taking me?" she demanded angrily.
"Outside" was Link's reply as he kicked open the door. It shut behind Malon and Link with finality. Malon sighed. No friend to save her from talking to Link now.
Link spoke urgently. "Look, I know kissing you back at the festival was a mistake, but.."
Easiest way for him to explain it, thought Malon. "A mistake? Perhaps for you. That's not what I would call it at all. But if that's what you think it is..."
Link cut Malon off. "Just forget Zelda, forget the kiss, forget everything you are ignoring me for. Malon, none of it matters. What matters is that I..."
Link felt stupid. How could he have thought Malon would listen to him? He certainly wouldn't have if he were in her shoes and thought someone engaged was just toying with him.
"Forget the kiss? It meant so little that you can forget it? Well then, you can forget you ever meet me as well. After all, it'll make things much less complicated-and that's what you want, isn't it?"
Link's heart sunk. Did Malon really think that?
It was at that inoppurtune moment that Miguel the blacksmith chose to open the door and call to Malon and Link, who were standing on the side of the street.
"Well, the horseshoe is done and Ariana is as good as new. By the way, if you don't mind me saying so, you and your young man remind me of your parents when you were young, Malon."
Link's gave a wry look towards Malon. "They must have been at each other's throats alot then."
The blacksmith chuckled. "You don't know the half of it. They couldn't have loved each other more, though-always worked out their little spats in the end. Some swear they argued just for the sake of argueing."
He gave a wink in Malon's direction and went back into his shop, shutting the door. Link watched him leave with a raised eyebrow. "If I didn't know better, I'd think Miguel was making us wedding bands in there instead of a horseshoe. He seems dead set on us as a couple."
"He doesn't know what he's talking about. You're engaged and the way things are going, I'm going to end up being a nice old spinster carting wool."
Malon made to run away but Link cupped her face in his hands, a gesture that sent a pleasant shock from Malon's head all the way down to the tips of her toes.
"Din's fire, this is difficult. I'm going to talk and tell you what you seem to want to prevent me from telling you. Please listen..you don't have to say anything if you don't want to, just listen."
Malon nodded. She didn't think she could say anything with his hands holding up her face anyway. Luckily, Link dropped his hands back to his sides before he spoke. It wasn't the right time or the right way he had envisioned telling her, but it couldn't be helped. He wouldn't let her think he was engaged to another. Especially not Zelda of all people!
"I love you."
"But you love her more." Malon's voice came out chocked as she quickly opened the door and dissapeared inside the blacksmith's shop. Link simply stood where he was until Malon came back out and began walking away from Hyrule Market, her figure becoming a tiny dot in the distance. No last words were exchanged between the two of them.
Link went back to see the blacksmith now that the coast was clear. He and Miguel were good friends. Had been for quite some time. Miguel had helped forge Link a set of new armor, one thing had led to another, and the next thing you knew, the two of them had been trading outrageously exaggerated versions of the battles and fights they'd been in.
"She doesn't love me," Link said bladly to Miguel by way of an entrance.
Miguel laughed. "I doubt she ever said that. Malon may be mad at you now, but I guarentee the sweet lass isn't as mad as all that. In fact, I would say from the way she stormed in here a few minutes ago that she loves you a good deal."
"Any more and she would have kicked me in the kneecaps again. Everytime we meet it ends with her running away."
"Yes, you're right..I can see how that could be a problem at the wedding," pointed out Miguel in mock seriousness.
Link sighed. "There's not going to be any wedding."
Miguel grinned mischeviously. "Oh, there will be, you can rest assured of that."
He waved something in front of Link's face that Link realized was Malon's shawl. "I think Malon'll be wanting this back."
Link took the shawl in one hand and gave Miguel a questioning look. Miguel placed something else in Link's other hand. "Oh yeah and take these. May I suggest you put them to good use as soon as possible?"
Link glanced down at his palm in wonderment. There, resting on the bundle that was Malon's shawl were two identical silver rings, engraved with a vine running through them.
"You don't mea-?"
"I do," said Miguel firmly. He shooed Link out with a gesture of his hands. "So what are you waiting for? Go catch her, idiot."
Link needed no further urging. Once outside, he put his ocarina to his lips, played Epona's song, and was off across town upon Epona's back to find Malon. He would tell her he loved her and not Zelda as many times as it took for Malon to get the message through her head. Unless she outright stated that she did not return his regards, Link wouldn't give up. Malon had been through enough misery-she deserved happiness. All the happiness in the world, if Link had anything to say about it.
Rescueing her from Ingo wouldn't a bad way to prove his love to start with. Link felt the rings now tucked safely into his tunic and gave a determined smile.
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A/N#2=Sorry if this chapter is a bit on the short side!
