This is a romance set just as link returns to Hyrule after adventuring in Termina, and what he does (or more importantly who with) after that.
Email: (charleshillsw@hotmail.com) This is my first proper fanfic I reckon, I mean I have written stories before but never this long. In fact, this first chapter is longer than entire stories I have written before. Anyway, if you read this, please review. I won't beg but it's nice to know that work doesn't go un-noticed.
Disclaimer (what's the point): I don't own Zelda. I only own this story. You can be sure if The Legend Zelda were mine then not only would I be rich but also romance would feature much more heavily. I looove Zelda.
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Link noisily splashed through the river flowing out of the Zoras' Domain, noting the odd feel of the water splashing inside his boots. He dismissed that feeling as quickly as it came into his head. He carried on running towards the Kokiri village ignoring the short but strange feeling of something reading his spirit... What? He was almost sure that tree had just looked at him… Again Link dismissed this idea as fast as it came into his head. What he didn't know was that those three oddities had let three of his most close sage friends be filled with elation and joy in the knowledge that their Link was back.
But Link was not owned by any of those three sage women, or the two who did not possess such power. Not yet.
Saria had positively hurled herself from the log she was sitting on, shocking her fairy into action from its seating place on the log beside her mistress and making her flutter her wings as fast as she could to keep up. "I wonder what troubles her so?" the fairy pondered as she sped after Saria. The Kokiri girl, Sage of the Forest ran as fast as those young legs of hers would let her to the wooden bridge where she had handed Link the Fairy Ocarina all those years ago… Mido attempted to stop her to make conversation but she simply ignored the small boy; she hadn't the time for him. Her step faltered briefly. How could she dismiss Mido as 'small' when she herself was little greater than four foot in height? It was terribly cruel of her, but served to make her realise her great desire for Link and contempt for any other boy interested in her. "Anyway," she thought aloud to herself as she ran, "I have an adults mind. He does not." Confirmation of this came when she turned round to see him prancing around, shrieking in delight with some Kokiri friends.
Mido watched Saria sprint past him, his attempts at small talk falling flat on their face as she completely blanked him. It only made him feel more sorry for himself. Grumbling, he wandered back to his home, not anticipating the ambush he received from some Kokiri playmates. He let his happy side come out again and thoroughly enjoyed the games they played.
The Hero of Time was still some way from the entrance to the wooden village but his pace had slowed down. No more strange things troubled him; no trees turned to watch him, no longer did he feel like the water knew him and his spirit didn't feel invaded. He was beginning to tire, realising he had actually been running all the way since Epona left to go to Lon Lon Ranch. That reminded him. He pulled out his Ocarina and blew softly into it, rocking gently from side to side. The tune was Epona's song that Malon taught him all those years ago. The notes hung in the air for the tiniest of moments before they blew off with the slight wind.
Malon was sitting on Epona's back, marvelling at how strong she was. Riding at a slight canter, she noticed the horse's ears suddenly prick up… and with that, Epona was off into full gallop, faster than any other horse Malon had rode. She clung on for dear life but wasn't scared because she knew where the horse was taking her.
Link finished off the song and opened his eyes, slipping the Ocarina back into his pocket. He closely examined the horizon, knowing his faithful steed would appear at any second. Sure enough, Link spotted the horse tracing a path towards him. He also spotted a figure riding it… Link knew it could only be one person.
Malon was clutching onto the horse's silky mane and was examining the horizon, knowing her faithful fairy boy would appear at any second. Sure enough, Malon spotted Link, stood tall and strong… just the way she liked him.
Epona trotted up and gave her master a soft nudge with her nose. Link returned the gesture and patted her on the head. All the while Malon was sat on her back, transfixed with the wonderful man in front of her. Link looked up and said something, which she didn't quite hear in the fantasy she was currently submerged in.
"I said Hi," Link shouted.
"Huh? Oh… sorry," Malon giggled, her cheeks turning a light shade of red. "So, whatya been up to, Fairy Boy?"
Link spoke, choosing to ignore that name, "This and that. Travelling to an alternate dimension, battling a huge glowing mask with tentacles and whips… nothing much, really."
Malon giggled again, the red on her cheeks becoming more apparent by the second. Link hopped onto the horse infront of her, letting Malon's arms link around his waist. He gave her a quick ride back to the ranch. When he reached it five minutes later (with two people on her back instead of one, Epona's pace had slowed) he dismounted and looked back up at her to say his goodbyes. Upon noticing her blush Link chose to do something he had never done before… He picked her off Epona, leant down, kissed her lightly on the cheek, jumped back on Epona and galloped off towards Kokiri village.
Malon didn't move from that spot outside her home for an hour, her eyes wide with shock. She brought her hand up and lightly brushed the spot where his lips had met her. Eventually she managed to compose herself and started to walk back to her work, her fingers still touching her soft skin on her face.
Link was shaking with laughter as he rode faster than the wind towards the forest. He was sat on his hat, letting his long blonde hair flow freely behind him. "Go faster, Epona!" He yelled. The image on Malon's shocked face was etched into his mind and every time he thought of it he laughed some more. As he drew nearer Link dismounted and sent Epona to roam freely while he was in the land of the Kokiri.
He walked into the log entrance and almost immediately was brought to the ground by the very force of Saria throwing herself at him.
"Where have you been?" Saria demanded, grinning from ear to ear as she sat on top of his chest. Link, in the jubilant mood he was in, decided to play a trick.
"Who are you?" he asked, forcing confusion on his face. Saria simply sat with her mouth open.
"What do you mean who am I? Who am I?! I am Saria! I was your friend for…" She paused mid-rant, noticing the smile creeping at the corners of Link's mouth. Saria's face turned from one of rejection into one of happy childlike glee at the realisation that he hadn't forgotten him and that he was just playing.
"Got you!" Link laughed, pushing Saria off him and rolling with her on the bridge. To any bystander this would have looked extremely odd, what with an adult rolling with a girl of no more than 10 years old. But to Link and Saria it was just like old times. Standing up and dusting themselves off, Link filled Saria in on where he had been, ending with, "…and that's why I came. I need a bow." Link was puzzled as to the sad expression on the young girl's face. "And of course I wanted to see you," he added quickly, perking Saria up no end. "Phew… that was close," he thought, his arms pulling her into a friendly embrace.
"Oh goddess… he is so… tall!" Saria thought as she wrapped her arms around him. "Thank Farore he can't see me," she thought, as her eyes started to well up with tears of happiness.
Link thought that was all just a bit of fun, not knowing that Saria thought it was a little more. "He loves me…" she said over and over in her head. "Even though I am as tall as his belt, he loves me…"
Link greeted Mido only to have the young Kokiri glare daggers at him. Link shrugged it off before briefly visiting his old home. After he had checked on that, he went to see those pair of know-it-all brothers to ask them where he could get a bow. As they were about to tell him, Saria rushed in with something between her arms. His old Fairy Bow. Saria managed to simultaneously beam with delight and squeal with laughter as she presented it to Link. He picked her up in those strong arms of his and hugged her. She told him that she had found it in the Lost Woods. Link thanked her again and made to leave the forest. He became aware of a small tugging at the end of his tunic. "Huh, Saria? What's wrong?"
"Why are you leaving?" She asked, tears welling up.
"I have to. I have lots of things to do. Besides, I can't stay in this forest forever. I need to swim in Lake Hylia, climb on Death Mountain and… well, just live."
"No! You can stay with me and let me love…" She had said too much. At that, Link realised her true feelings and he couldn't help but smile.
"Saria, I can't. You are little more than half my height, and you are my friend. Nothing more." And with that, he turned and left. Saria stood and watched her love turn and walk away from her life for the second time. She was sobbing now, collapsed to the floor and struggling to stop her small self chasing him. Her fairy was concerned and fluttered round her face. She didn't like seeing her fairy sad so Saria did her best to perk up. She stood up and returned to the only home she could ever have.
Link returned to Hyrule field and inhaled deeply. He loved the forest but could never imagine living there permanently. He enjoyed life too much to stay holed up with people half his height. He summoned Epona again and started riding just for the joy of it. He needed to sort himself out. Unbeknownst to him, there were others doing some sorting out of their own…
Princess Ruto was sat in her chambers, preparing herself for Link. Her fins fluttered at the thought of him. She knew he simply would have to visit her; after all, she was a Princess. And when he did visit, she would be prepared. Even though she was already incredibly beautiful, she wanted to make herself look perfect. She wore a deep blue necklace, which complimented her azure skin tones perfectly. After some more minor touch-ups she looked at her reflection in the sparkling water and smiled. The sight of a nearby male Zora fainting after seeing her made her giggle. Now all she needed was her Link.
Nabooru, Queen of the Gerudo, had whipped her people into a frenzy. She knew they disapproved of her lust for Link; after all he was just another man. "That's what they think," she chuckled to herself. She was preparing the Gerudo for his arrival and, after that, his permanent residence there. She just knew he would fall for her when he saw how stunning she was. Her silky red hair was draped around her shoulders and she had left plenty of toned midriff on show. She knew that made men go crazy for her. She had billowing white trousers held with a deep gold chain tied around her waist and, as usual, plenty of purple eye shadow. She looked at herself in the mirror and knew she was stunning. Again chuckling, she knew she would soon have her Link.
Zelda was sat on her castle window, peering out over the land. She could see as far as the town drawbridge and just beyond it. Every night she did this, waiting for Link to return to her. She knew he would. Her Hero of Time would sweep her off her feet, and she would let him. She sighed. What was the use of dreaming? Link was gone and gone for good… Wait. Who was that? She saw a lone figure dressed in a tunic, sending a horse off for the night. He had a long, green hat with blonde locks peeping out from under it. No, it wasn't. No, it couldn't. It was. Her Link.
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Hrmph… Don't worry about Saria, she isn't out of the picture yet, even though I was kinda mean to her. Ah well. I always seem to end like that (points upwards) but bleh, that's me. Thanks for the kind reviews so far.