Authors
note: I'm sorry it took too long to write this. This chapter is longer than the
others, much longer. You will not be disappointed! Enjoy!
Early
the next morning, Malon woke to the bright sunrays streaming through the
window. She tried to sit up, but Link's arm was around her and it didn't look
he was going to move. She lifted up his arm (with much difficulty) and moved
off the couch.
"That
wasn't the most comfortable position to sleep in, " she said to herself.
"You
got that right." Malon turned around to see Link, who was up and smiling at
her.
"
Good morning! Did I wake you?" Malon asked.
"Yea,
kind of," he said as he stretched, "Did you have a nice rest."
She
nodded and kissed him. They heard a loud yawn and turned toward the bed. Talon
was sitting up with his arms outstretched. "Hey kids! Nice morning, huh?" he
asked. They nodded and smiled.
"I'm
hungry! Malon, I'll go get some food while you start a fire, okay." Link said.
Malon
looked at him with mock anger, " Why do I have to start the fire?" she asked.
"Well, I have to find the food, and if you haven't noticed, nobody has been
living here for a while and we didn't bring anything with us." He replied.
"I
guess your right," she said. Link headed out the door and scanned the lake. He
rubbed his eyes and blinked, trying to see through the glare of the sun. "Geez,
it's bright out." He let his eyes adjust then stepped into the rowboat. He
rowed toward the small fishing pond near the south shore. It didn't take long
to get there and he was soon pulling the boat out of the lake.
He
looked into his wallet to see if he had any. "Let's see 10…13…15…ball of lint,
tree bark … ah twenty. Geez this is all I have? I'll have to get more money."
He put the wallet away and took a large pouch out of the boat. He fastened it
to his belt and walked in. It looked the same and the owner was still bald.
Link dropped the twenty rupees onto the counter and took a pole.
Near
the pole rack there was a new sign that said:
NO
ONE CAN TAKE FISH FROM THE POND.
"Well
that's new! I guess I'll just have to sneak them out. " He said. He walked over
to his favorite spot and cast the line. It didn't take long and he soon had a
nice sized fish. "Six pounds, this is a keeper, now to hide it," While the
owner wasn't looking, he stuffed the fish into the large pouch and tossed a
rock into the water to signify his returning the fish.
He
did this two more times and was soon walking out the door. " Hey buddy!" 'Damn'
Link cursed. "Yea" Link asked. "You forgot to return the pole." The man said.
"Oh, yeah. Duh forgot." Link said. He returned the pole and hurried out the
door.
"That
took longer than I expected, I'd better hurry." He said. He rowed back quickly
and almost tripped as he was getting out the boat. " I'm back" Link puffed as he
stumbled trough the door. "Are you okay," Talon asked from the table. "Yea, I
have to clean these fish now. Be right back." Link replied. He stepped out
again and hurriedly cleaned out the fish. While rinsing them with water he saw
watercress swaying near the shore.
He
grabbed a handful and went back inside. "Here's the fish and some watercress to
cook with it." He said as he handed them to Malon. "There's some tea on the
table if you want some." Talon said.
Link
poured himself some and drank it in silence. "Why so quiet, son?" Talon asked.
"Uh…no reason really" Link replied. "You don't have to be afraid to talk to me
you know, ask me anything" Talon said with a smile. "Okay umm…where will I
sleep?" Link asked.
Talon
chuckled and slapped him on the back, "Haw Haw, you can sleep wherever you want
to, my boy" Talon laughed. "What are you laughing about, dad?" Malon asked. "Ha
Ha! Link acts like I'm going to bite his head off or something" he chuckled.
"Aww,
leave him alone. The food will be done in a few minutes." Malon said. "We can
head back after breakfast." Link said, "I still don't really trust Ingo." "Yes,
your right son." Talon said. Soon the food was ready and everyone was eating
quickly. "I'm done. You guys hurry up and I'll clean up your stuff." Link said.
Malon and Talon handed him their plates and he cleaned them up. The fire was
put out and everyone walked outside to the boat. Talon and Link rowed while
Malon sang. They were soon out of the water and on their way back to the ranch.
When
they came close to the ranch entrance they heard loud, raucous voices from
inside. "You guys wait here and I'll check it out," Link said. Taking his sword
out of its scabbard he crept into the ranch. The voices were of many men inside
holding tankards of beer and chewing on various foods. The house was a mess and
he could see Ingo in there.
Seeing
all the men laugh and Ingo's imitative movements, he knew that he was making
fun of him, Malon and Talon.
"Well
I'll end his fun in a second," Link growled. He went over to the door and
kicked it open, careful not completely destroy it.
"WHAT
THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE!" He bellowed.
There
was a short silence then all hell broke loose. Every man in the house screamed
and scrambled to get out of the house at the sight of the large sword in Link's
hand. "Oh my god! It's Link!" A man yelled before he ran straight
into a wall, out cold.
Link
moved aside from the door and all the men scooted out apologizing profusely.
Ingo tried to go with them, his head bent and between to larger men. Link saw
him and grabbed him by his collar. Link dragged him outside and called his
fiancée and her father to him. They came in a hurry with the horses in tow.
"What
happened Link" Malon asked.
"Ask
him" Link said as he dropped Ingo in front of him.
"Well?
What do you have to say for yourself, stupid?" Talon asked sternly.
"I...I
in ...invvvited some friends over and it kkkinda got out of hand." Ingo
stuttered.
"That's
a bunch of bullshit! Can we fire 'em dad? You don't need him since I'll be
living." Link said with a grin.
"You
know son, I think that might be a good idea," Talon said with a smirk.
"No,
wait please sit! Don't fire me! I don't have anywhere else to go. Please, give
me another chance, sir!" Ingo whined.
"Link,
please escort mister Ingo off the premises," Talon said as he walked into
the house.
"My
pleasure" Link grinned as he grabbed hold of Ingo. "NO! NO! PLEASE!
NOO!" Ingo squealed as he was dragged off. "Bye, Bye Ingo" Link
said as he tossed him outside the entrance. He closed the gate and enjoyed a
short laugh before he went back to the house to help clean up.
"So
what's the damage, honey?" Link asked Malon as he looked around.
"Well,
spilt drinks, garbage, overturned furniture and looks like everyone of them
spit on the floor simultaneously." Malon replied.
"Eww,
gross." Link said lifting his boot, "Well let's clean this shit
up." Each one grabbed a cleaning utensil and started on their messed up
home. Two hours later they were finished. The house was once again sparkling clean.
"Whew,
maybe we should have made Ingo clean this mess up first before we fired
him." Link gasped.
He
walked over to the window and looked out. It was a little after noon and he
along with the others were hungry, " What should we eat kids." Talon
asked.
"Well
let's see what we have." Link said. He went over to the kitchen and
beckoned Malon to him. "Come over here and help look for something to
eat," he said. Together, the two found a bunch of vegetables, which they
cut and put into a pot with water to cook into a stew.
"Looks
like vegetable stew for lunch" Talon said as he peered into the pot."
I thought there was more food in here."
"Ingo's
gang ate it all" Link said.
"We'll
have to go to the market off to lunch," Malon said.
Talon
pulled out his wallet to find only one. "I have no rupees at all. Does
anyone else have some?" he asked. They shook their heads.
"Hmm..
I have some money hidden somewhere in Hyrule field. I'll go get and be back in
a flash." Link said as he headed out the door. He called Epona and got
onto her back.
"I
know I left it near the Kakriko village entrance. "He said to himself. He
kicked the horse off into the direction of the village. He arrived in no time
and walked over to the lone tree west of the entrance. He tapped the area with
his foot then played the Song of Storms on the spot.
There
was a slight rumble and a hole opened in the ground. He jumped down and blinked
away the dust in his eyes. He saw the medium sized chest in the corner and went
over to it. Taking out a dagger he pried open the rusty lock. It popped open
with a squeak and he looked at the pile of glittering stones. There was close
to 50,000 rupees that he saved ever since he first traveled out the forest and
also the reward money from princess Zelda.
He
closed the chest and lifted the heavy thing out the hole with much difficulty.
"Now how in the hell am I supposed to get this back to the ranch." he
asked himself. He looked around and saw a few planks of wood stacked near the
entrance. Taking some rope that he had
kept, he lashed together the wood into a crude sled.
He
put the chest o it and tied it down. When he mounted Epona with the rope in
hand, started her off to an easy gait. The sled glided along smoothly and he
quickened the pace, watching the chest all the way back to the ranch. Once he
was back, he called to Malon and Talon and closed the gate.
"Wow!
Are all the rupees in that chest yours?" Malon asked.
"Yep"
Link said proudly.
He
opened and smiled at the amazed looks on their faces. "Wh-Wh- Whoa! That's
a lot of rupees!" Talon said, "How much is there."
"There
should be close to 50,000 rupees in there." Link said calmly," If
your thinking about the many things you can buy with it all, your welcome to
it. You're my family now and my rupees are yours too. We can all pick ourselves
something when we go to the market."
"Thanks
Link! We really appreciate this, "Talon said
"But we can't leave the ranch here with
no one to watch it." Malon said.
"Don't
worry, I know how to keep it safe while we are gone," Link said, "
Now come on. I think the soup is ready."
All
three ate their soup quickly and were soon hooking up two horses to the cart.
Malon drove the cart out while Link and Talon walked behind. Talon got into the
cart and watched Link as he sprinkled some kind of powder on the gate and said
some words. Link stood back and a loud rumble was heard. The gate creaked and
groaned as it seemed to grow bigger and the wood turned into thick iron rails.
The
rumbling ceased and Link looked a padlock on the gate that then disappeared,
"Hmmm… where did you learn to do that." Talon asked.
"Some
gypsy told me. Now lets go!" Link said.
On
the way to the castle Link reopened the chest and distributed some rupees to
Malon and Talon. Once each person's wallets were filled to the brim, he closed
the chest and put it under the seat and curved it with a tarp. Once in the
market, they tied up the cart and headed toward the different shop stalls.
"Okay,
We'll split up and I'll go with Malon. Well get the food," Link said.
"Okay"
Talon said then rushed off into another direction.
"What
should we buy first," Link asked. Malon grabbed his hand and pointed to a stall
that was selling clothes. "Lets go there first." She said
Link
looked over to the stall and his face fell. He saw the crazy gang of girls that
had captured him the other day. He groaned and was pulled over to it. While
Malon looked around, Link tried his best to stay of the girls' vision.
While
he was avoiding the girls, he and Malon became separated. "Link, come here."
She called. Hearing the name of their object of desire, the girls looked around
for him. Link scooted toward Malon, avoiding the girls' searching eyes, "Malon
shhh… it's those girls that captured me the other day. Look! Their coming! Hide
me or something." Link hurried.
Malon
thought for a moment, and then pulled Link into a passionate kiss to hide his
face. She maneuvered them both behind some stacked crates and stayed there
until the girls moved past.
"The
coast is clear now." She told him.
Link
wasn't listening and was still kissing her neck and face. She tried to move
away from him, but he had a firm hold on her. "Link, knock it off." She said.
He grunted and let go. He grinned and moved from behind the crates. Malon shook
her head and followed him and this time Link stayed closer to her.
Malon
picked out a few dresses and Link bought himself some PJ's and work clothes.
"Let's
go buy the food now" Link said. They headed over to the stall and picked out
the food to that was to be bought. While workers were packing the food into
crates, Link headed to a merchant selling jewelry nearby. He bought a diamond
earring and necklace set and some gold bracelets.
He
put them into his waist pouch and went back over to were Malon was waiting for
him. "Lets get this all back to the cart." He said picking up the largest one.
Two other men helped with the crates and Malon tipped them.
"Where
too next" Link asked. "I don't know, you choose." Malon said. Link looked
around the market. There wasn't really anything he wanted. "Well lets just walk
around then" Link said then took hold of her hand. They walked along the busy
street, buying little trinkets along the way. They stopped by a flower shop and
Link bought Malon a dozen red roses. They continued to walk around until they
came back to the cart. Talon was already there, chewing on some jerky.
"Hey
you two! Ready to go?" he asked. They nodded and climbed in. While in the field
Link asked Talon what he bought. "Well I got myself some beef jerky, sunflower
seeds and a pipe and some tobacco along with some stuff for the ranch and some
gifts for you two." Talon said while pulling out the gifts. He gave Link a
dagger with an ebony handle and a blue gold blade and he gave Malon a
crystalline horse.
"We
also have gifts for you." Malon said. She gave Talon a small wooden box filled
with sweets and a Link gave him a silver dagger with a jewel-studded handle.
"Exchange
of daggers is it son?" Talon said
"
Hell, I didn't know what else to get ya." Link replied with a smile, "and for
you I have these." Link hand Malon the earrings, necklace and bracelets. "Wow,
they're so beautiful." Malon cried, "Thank you."
She
hugged him tightly, cutting off his hair supply. "Ack! Can't breathe, let go!"
Link gasped. "Oops, sorry!" Malon said then let him go," I got something for
you too."
"No,
I don't need anything. Your love is a good enough gift for me." Link said.
Malon smiled and kissed him. Talon rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"How
much farther do we have to go" Link asked. "We are halfway there. We should get
there by nightfall." Talon replied.
Link
settled back in the cart and closed his eyes. Malon watched him with loving
admiration. " Doesn't he look too cute when he does that." She asked her
father. "You would have to ask another girl for that opinion. I wouldn't know
what to say really." He replied.
Malon
smiled and settled back onto Link's arm putting her arm over his chest. Link
put his arm around her and nibbled her left ear. She giggled and lightly pushed
him away. Talon looked back at them and shook his head. 'Silly kids' he
thought. The rest of the trip past in silence. Link fell asleep with Malon in
his arms and Talon dozed lightly in the driver's seat. Loud neighing from the
horses woke Talon and signaled that they were home.
Talon
shook Link awake and he unlocked the gate. Talon drove the horse drawn cart
into the ranch while Link relocked the gate. He ran up to the cart and took
hold of the crates that Malon passed down to him. The few crates they had were
soon unloaded and the horses and cart put away. "*Yawn* what time is it" Linked
asked groggily. "I think it's about…19:00" Malon replied.
"It's
still a bit early" Link said, "We'll let's get this stuff unpacked." The food
was unpacked first then the clothes, and last the new ranch equipment that
Talon had bought. New black leather saddles, feed bags, ropes and brushes were
taken out of the crates. "We don't have enough room for all of this stuff, dad"
Malon said.
"Hmmm…
we could build a storage shed tomorrow if that's okay." Link suggested "Sounds
like a good idea we have some extra boards and stuff in the shed on the other
side of the ranch." Talon said, "We can start that project tomorrow morning."
The
equipment that was left was put into the barn until later. Since they were done
unpacking, Malon started dinner. Talon sat on the couch and lit his pipe while
Link built a fire in the fireplace. After the fire was burning cheerily, Link
went over to the kitchen to help Malon with the food.
"What
are you making" Link asked while looking g at the ingredients. "I'm making a
beef pot pie and a peach cobbler." She replied.
"Mmm…
sounds good. Can I help?" he asked. "Sure, you can cut up these veggies and the
beef." Malon said.
While
the young couple was preparing the meal, Talon sat at the fireside and watched
the flames 'After those two get married, there will never be a quiet moment in
this house again.' He thought, 'but at least I'll have plenty of grandkids. Not
too many though.'
"Hey
Talon" Link shouted. Talon jumped and frowned at Link, "Don't do that!" he
said. "Sorry. Why are you staring at the fire? It's not good for your eyes."
Link said. "Oh nothing, just thinking." Talon replied.
"About
what?" Link pressed as he sat down. "Oh, about after you and Malon get
married." He said.
"Is
there something wrong?" Link asked.
"Well…
It wouldn't be quiet in the house anymore, being as you will try to have sex as
often as possible."
Link
blushed, "Oh… Haha yeah, we could figure something out to solve the noise
problem." Link said. Link got up and went back to the kitchen. He told Malon
and she started to giggle, "Poor dad, we could always go somewhere else in the
ranch to do that." She said.
"Yea,
is the food almost done?" Link asked. "Almost, it should be done at …21:00."
She replied. "Oh hmm… I'm thirsty do you want something to drink?" Link asked.
Malon nodded and sat down on a stool.
Link
took a couple tankards from the table and headed outdoors to the pump. He
pumped some water into a tankard and drained it. "Ah yeah! That hits the spot.
He proceeded to fill it up again when he heard voices coming from the corral.
He put the tankards down and pulled out his new dagger.
He
crept toward the corral gate and saw a group of men standing in the middle
holding torches. He heard Ingo's voice and crept closer into the shadows and
craned his neck forward to hear what he was saying.
"Okay,
first we kill Talon then tie up Link. We'll have our way with Malon then kill
them both, that clear." Ingo said. "Yeah!" they said in silent unison. "Okay,
let's go." Ingo said. Link ran back to the main house.
"Malon,
Talon! Turn off the lights and go upstairs." He said.
"Why"
Malon asked.
"Ingo
has brought a group of men to attack us!" Link said, " I want you two to go
upstairs, Malon, take my dagger. If they get past me, you know what to do."
Tears welled in he eyes and she hugged Link. She kissed him and ran upstairs
with her father. Link picked up his sword and hid in the shadows, prepared to
fight.
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