The sun had already set an hour before Link arrived at the ranch. He had hitched a ride from a farmer on his way to a village near the ranch, and that had shortened his trip considerably. After almost a day of traveling, he was glad for it. Link thanked the farmer and walked through the familiar gates and up the path to the farmhouse. He heard the familiar sounds of cuckoos and horses further on in the corral. There was a light on in the farmhouse, so Link knocked on the door. He was greeted by a short, fat man with a bushy moustache and a balding head dressed in blue coveralls. The man squinted at him through sleepy eyes, but his face brightened when he recognized who was at his door. "Well clip my whiskers and call me a cow! If it ain't my old buddy Link! How ya doin' son? Say, what do you say to marrying Malon? Ha Ha!"
"Not today Talon," Link laughed, "I just came by to pick up Epona. I'm going on a trip, and I'll need her with me."
"Is that all? Heck, son, you don't need to ask me! But I'm afraid Malon took Epona with her to the Castle Market earlier today to run some errands. She should be back sometime tomorrow."
"No problem Talon, I'll go down to the market and meet her there."
Talon frowned and led Link into the farmhouse. "You'll do no such thing. You'll stay here tonight. We got a guest room that's fit for staying in, and you're stayin' in it. I won't take no for an answer…"
"I don't want to impose…"
"Boy, what did I just say? Now get your keester up them stairs…first door on the right. But first you'll sit up and have a drink with me."
Link had one drink. Talon, however, had many. They sat up for over an hour, talking about whatever came to Talon's mind, and Link was too polite to interrupt. Finally Talon acknowledged that he too was tired, and Link went up the stairs to his room. He absently glanced over his shoulder at the doorway across the hall. Malon's room. He hoped that he would see her tomorrow at the market. It had been a while since he had visited the ranch, and he counted Malon as one of his best friends. Sighing, he stepped into his room, dropped his satchel on the table by his bed, and collapsed onto the mattress. He was asleep in minutes.
* * *
Link dreamt that night. In his dream, he saw himself racing through a field on the back of Epona, desperately trying to evade some unseen pursuer, a passenger saddled behind him. The vision shimmered, and he was atop a rocky crevice, jutting out over a familiar ocean. He was bleeding from several wounds and was being approached by an ominous figure. Next, he was standing atop a tall tower, sword drawn, staring down a hulking opponent. Finally, as the dream changed for the last time, he stood in the Temple of Time, standing before the pedestal housing the Master Sword. As he gripped the handle a dark cloud filled the chamber; someone was laughing; and then he heard a sound like thunder as the roof collapsed onto him.
He awoke with a small cry, nearly tumbling out of the bed. Throughout his life, he had been plagued by nightmares whenever something was about to happen. If he had had any doubts about the Deku Tree's prediction, they had now vanished. He closed his eyes hesitantly, almost afraid of further dreams. Slowly, he fell back asleep, and dreamed no more.
* * *
Hyrule Castle Market was packed full, even at ten in the morning. Link shouldered his way through the busy square, making his way through the meandering streets that led to the roadway leading to castle, his eyes instinctively roaming the crowds, on the lookout for any possible threats, though he didn't expect to find any. If anything, he was the one being eyed suspiciously. He had hidden his sword as best he could under his cloak, but he still walked like a man who knew how to defend himself.
Also, though he was embarrassed to admit it, he searched for one particular head, topped with flaming red hair.
Suddenly, he felt an arm wrap around his waist. Without thinking he grabbed the thin wrist and threw his attacker against a nearby wall, pulling the longshot from his belt and holding the point to their throat. His attacker let out a small shriek, and only then did Link realize who it was and pulled the weapon away, releasing the attacker, who promptly slapped him across the face. He quickly tried to stammer an apology. "I—I'm sorry Malon, I didn't know it was you,"
Malon continued to glare at him for a moment, then laughed out loud and pulled him into a warm embrace. "You're getting jumpy fairy-boy, but I still love ya!"
She released him for a moment and he got a good look at her. She stood a head shorter than him, and her long red hair swayed with any movement of her head. Her clear blue eyes sparkled, as did a smile Link could never look at without smiling back. She was dressed in a white blouse and navy blue skirt with red trimmings, all of which was covered with a red riding cloak.
"It's great to see you again Link. I was wondering when you'd visit again," she exclaimed, moving a stray hair behind her ear.
"I'm sorry it hasn't been sooner, but I've had business back east; some stray wolfos were running around the Lost Woods."
Malon nodded, understanding. "Ah, I see. Mighty Link must save woods from evil dog-things." She tried to say this in a deeper voice, but the effect was lost in her giggling. "So what brings you here? Off to the castle?" she said this last bit in a different tone of voice, one Link had difficulty discerning.
"Yeah," he answered, "I'm going away for a while, and I needed to check up on some things before I left. Which reminds me, I'll have to take Epona, if it isn't too much trouble."
"'Course you can," Malon replies, "She misses you as much as I do," she said, faintly blushing, "But you'll need to take me home first, after I'm finished with these deliveries."
"That was my plan. How long do you need?"
"I only have one more stop to make, but I was thinking of looking around the market for a while. You can go to castle first, if you like, and I can meet you later."
Link nodded and smiled, "Sounds perfect. I'll meet you at the Bazaar in three hours."
"I'll be there," Malon giggled again, and Link never tired of it. "Incidentally, where are you going?"
Link hesitated, wondering whether to make up an excuse or tell the truth. Compared to others Link had met, Malon led a good life. However, she felt her life was boring and needed a little spicing up. On more than one occasion she had tried to follow him after one of his visits; chances were good that she might try again.
But then again, he didn't even know where he was heading, so it didn't matter what he said. "I'm not quite sure yet," he said. "That's partly why I'm going to the castle."
"Oh…" Malon replied, looking a little crestfallen, reading some hidden meaning to Link's answer that he couldn't discern. She covered it quickly, however, and smiled up at him. "Alright. Three hours it is. See you then fairy-boy." And with that she turned and headed towards a clothing stand. Link watched her go, puzzling over her mixed reactions. He had been surrounded by women of various ages and stations his entire life, had even been courted by a good number of them. Unfortunately, he feared, no matter how long he spent with them or how wise he might be in other aspects of life, women would always remain a mystery. A survival mechanism, maybe, to keep well meaning men like him on their toes.
Link shrugged and turned north towards the castle.