"Malon?" Cried Nayru, "Malon, can you hear us?" Nayru and Karzad knelt over Malon softly fanning her, trying to get her to come to. "Here!" Said Karzad, after rummaging in his satchel for a moment, "Put this under her nose," It was a small packet of powder, "smelling salts," he explained, "It should wake her," Nayru put the package under her nose, Malon inhaled a bit and her eyes suddenly sprang open. "Malon!" Nayru cried with relief, "You're awake!" Malon, nodded, looking around dazedly. Karzad helped her to her feet, and then sat her down in a chair. "Are you alright?" asked Karzad said with concern. "I'm fine," Said Malon, staring fixedly at Nayru. "Did you say that your father's name is Link?" Asked Malon slowly, "Yes," Said Nayru, "I suppose you're another one of his old friends?" she added. Malon nodded "We're very old friends, but the last time I saw him was at his wedding, and I haven't seen him since, how is he?" She asked. Nayru looked down sadly "To tell you the truth," she said softly, "I don't know myself," Malon looked a bit stunned, "What do you mean?" Said Malon earnestly, "I mean—he isn't—isn't…" "I don't know, Malon, I don't know at all, you see…He was kidnapped by—by someone, my father and my mother…I don't know if they live or not…" Nayru looked wistfully out of the window, at the blue sky, her eyes glistening. "I—I'm so sorry—I didn't know…" gasped Malon, "It's alright," Said Nayru trying to calm her voice, but choking on a sob instead. "Well…Let me give you somewhere to rest, yes, let me see, we have a room for guests in the cellar if you'd like it there," Said Malon uneasily. "Alright," Said Karzad, and he led Nayru down the stairs. They lay in feather beds. "Goodnight," said Nayru, looking across the room at Karzad, "Goodnight," he answered, and they fell asleep.

****

They slept through the day and woke up at about 1:00 a.m. The whole house was silent "Everyone must be asleep," Said Karzad, "Well I don't know about you," said Nayru, "but I need some fresh air," "Yeah," said Karzad, and he followed her outside. They went out and into the little pasture. Nayru sat in the grass and Karzad sat beside her. The moon was full and bright, and cast a bluish silver light over everything, and cast long black shadows behind them. Nayru flopped back on the ground and sighed, looking up at the stars. "I miss them Karxad," She said sadly "More than you can imagine." "I know," he said "I know you do, and I—I will do anything for you, for your family…" He trailed off, flinging his head back and looking up at the stars. "Karzad—" Nayru hesitated, "Yes Nayru?" He said, "Karzad—I—" but Karzad cut her off, "I know," He said, pulling her back up, and looking into her eyes, "I love you too," he said, and then they drew a bit closer, both of them shy and inexperienced. He put his hands around her hips, and she draped her arms up on his shoulders. They pulled a bit closer, until they nearly touched, and then they kissed, first hesitating, and then fully. They broke apart after a moment, "Karxad…" She said, but he put his finger to her lips, a deep understanding in his eyes, "I'll love you forever," He said softly, so surely, and yet so simply, and they kissed again in the moonlight. Malon awoke and went outside to find Nayru and Karzad strolling about the pasture. Nayru spotted Malon and walked over, "Malon, thank you so much for letting us use your room, but we really must be on our way," Said Nayru "Of course of course, I just have one thing I must give you," Said Malon, leading them into the barn. She led them over to a one of the pens. There, two horses stood. One was a black stallion with a white diamond on his nose, and the other a milky white mare, with reddish brown dapples. "This is Lapeze," She said pointing to the black one, "And this is Rahona," she said gesturing to the other. "I expect they will make your journey much swifter," She said "What?!" Cried Nayru "You're just giving them to us?" "And why on earth not?" Said Malon, "Well—I " Nayru began, but Karzad didn't seem to mind, he opened the gate, and was beginning to get friendly with Lapeze, while Nayru continued to stutter her thanks.

****

Soon after they were on their way out the gates on the horses. Their loads were lightened considerably into the saddlebags. "Goodbye!" Called Malon "Bye!" Cried Nayru and Karzad, as they rode out the gate. They galloped some distance in silence. "Karzad?" said Nayru slowly, She paused, "Do you think they're alive?" She asked softly. There was a long silence. "I don't know Nayru," said Karzad. "I don't care what you know Karzad, I asked you what you think…" There was a pregnant pause. "Nayru, to tell you the truth, I think that this is something that Ganondorf has been dreaming of for a long long time, and he won't show any mercy…" he paused "If you really want to know what I think…I think he's already dead or perhaps worse…but who knows…" He said softly…"I bet I know," Said Nayru slowly, as they continued on.

*****