Chapter 6
''Link!'' Saria yelled frantically. She ran clumsily after him as he walked back down to his own quarters, with the permission from Princess Zelda, to be let go. She tripped only once, but Link caught her and helped her to regain her balance. Saria clutched the stained material of his tunic in horror, obviously forgetting about what he had said to her yesterday. ''What happened to you?'' He grabbed her shoulders, and pushed her away slightly. ''It's not my blood. I'm fine.'' He said softly, seeing the concern in her face, his guilt building up again. ''I wish to be left alone, I really don't want to talk about it.'' At that, he left Saria there, and walked away to the security of his room.
* * * *
Link sat alone in his own room, thinking of everything Zelda had told him. The conversation went over and over inside his mind: ''You mustn't leave the castle while the evil still lurks about. I will not lose you. I wouldn't be able to bear it!'' Zelda had warned him, before he had left her quarters.
Since then, he had changed out of his bloody clothes, and bathed. He wore a thin, white long sleeve shirt, which was far too big for him, so the collar fell loosely over his slender shoulders. The sleeves were so large, that his arms felt naked. He had a brown leather vest to cover his shoulders, to make him feel less bare. His pants were light brown, worn, and very big. He tied the top of them with a neatly braided rope to hold them up just above his waist. His feet were bare, which made it difficult to walk across the cold stone floor. He didn't approve of the unfamiliar outfit, for it made him feel awkward to be seen wearing it, but nonetheless it was comfortable. At least it was something to wear, other than his bloody tunic, and he was very grateful for that.
He rubbed the soft, and neatly woven forest green cloth of his hat, nervously between his calloused fingers, as he thought deeply to himself. Even though he had changed and bathed, he still couldn't manage to get rid of the scent of blood, which clung to him, like flies to a horse. It was a light smell, not noticeable to anyone who passed by him, but Link could smell it. He knew it was there, and it disturbed him so much, that it made him sick to his stomach. The image of Malon's dead body haunted him, and the smell of her blood finally forced him outside. He still didn't care if it was dangerous to be outside of the castle. He didn't care at all what would happen to him.
He kneeled down on the flowing grass of the Castle Meadow, dug his hands into the damp earth, and let himself be sick. He coughed and sputtered for what seemed like hours, but he knew it was more likely only a few minutes. He kneeled there, his face pale, and his wave of nausea finally passing over. He stood back up, his legs shaking so uncontrollably; he almost fell back down to his knees. He leaned, hunched over, against the castle wall, shaking violently. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to relax himself.
He heard the sound of horse hooves on the ground. He looked up, and saw a castle soldier riding toward him, on a carefully groomed, and very graceful white horse. He straightened himself up, and tried his best to make himself look as if he wasn't sick. The soldier pulled back on the reins, and halted his elegant horse in front of Link. He looked down at Link's pale face through soft, dark blue eyes. Eyes as deep, and pure as Lake Hylia. His hair was brown like the leaves in autumn. It flowed in the slight breeze, pulled back into a very loose ponytail. He wore golden armor, and heavy leather gloves, which held the horse's reins tightly.
''Are you alright, sir?'' His voice was strong, yet soft; it seemed at the same time. Link nodded, and forced himself to smile. A smile pulled slightly at the corners of the soldiers' own mouth. ''You have someone waiting for you. He is waiting outside your room, and two soldiers are with him...'' The soldier paused for a moment, and then continued. ''The soldiers are for your safety, and the entire castle's safety as well.'' He added. Link nodded, getting quite annoyed with all of this protection, and the heavy watch he was under, even before Zelda had told him he was going to die. The soldier pulled on the reins, and the horse turned it's head around, ready to ride away. ''Oh...'' He turned his head around to face Link again. ''If you need any help, I'm always around. Just call on Curdey. I am willing to be in your service, sir.'' Link nodded again, thinking that if he spoke he would probably be sick again. ''Ya!'' Curdey dug the heels of his heavy boots into the horse's massive sides. The horse whinnied, and galloped off over the Castle Meadow.
* * * *
Link walked back through the castle to his quarters. He wasn't surprised to see someone waiting for him, but he was surprised at who it was. Tad watched Link steadily walk closer, through his sad gray eyes. He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the door to Link's room. Two soldiers stood a few feet away, and Link noticed it was the same two soldiers with curly black hair, that had found him with Malon, and had taken him to Zelda. Tad unfolded his arms, and straightened up, as Link stepped up beside him. Tad narrowed his eyes, and opened Link's door. He walked in first, followed by Link. The soldiers started to follow, but Link stopped them, wanting to speak with Tad alone. The soldiers were very hesitant at first, but finally agreed. ''We will be right outside if you need anything.'' The small soldier said. Link nodded, irritated, and closed the door behind him.
''So, what brings you all the way to the castle, Tad?'' Link knew very well why he came, but he couldn't think of much else to say to start off the conversation in a pleasant way. Tad walked over to a window that looked out over the rolling plains of Hyrule Field. He watched a few white doves fly from the outside sill of the window, and stared longingly into the bright blue sky. ''I heard of Malon's death, and I heard that you were her murderer.'' His heavy accent slurred his speech, so it was rather hard to understand his words. Even though Tad's back was facing Link, he could see his sad gray eyes in the reflection on of the window. Link turned his head, his gaze wandering away from Tad, away from the sad reflection in the window. ''I didn't kill Malon. I would never kill Malon. I would never kill anyone.'' Tad clenched his fists so tightly, his knuckles turned white. ''I want to believe you Link. But you were found with her body, covered in her blood...'' Tad's words were choked with tears, so it made it even harder to understand him. He unclenched his fists, and pressed his left hand against the cool glass of the window. He leaned his forehead onto the window as well, and cried.
''The world is cruel. I prayed to the Goddesses every single day for her safety. When the news came she had died, I thought I had lost my only happiness...'' Link's heart fell to pieces. He was at a loss for words. He felt himself at the verge of tears himself, but managed to keep himself calm. Tad turned around, and wiped the remaining tears on his cheeks, away with his sleeveless arm. Anger burned in his dull eyes, almost hatred it looked like. ''Do you realize, how much I cared for her? Do you realize how much I loved her?'' Link was taken aback with his words. He was enraged that Tad didn't trust him. ''I didn't kill Malon! How many times do I have to explain this to everyone?!'' Tad turned back around, his back again facing Link. He tried desperately to keep himself calm, and keep himself from strangling Link.
Tad ran his left hand through his silvery hair, and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He shifted his weary gaze back to Link, and looked him straight in the eye. Lightning seemed to clash between them. Tad's dull gray eyes flamed angrily. Link's bright blue eyes narrowed in frustration. Finally, after about five minutes of intense staring, Tad couldn't take the suspense any longer. His stare faltered, and he collapsed to his knees, and wept again. Link's eyes softened, a strong wave of guilt for yelling, and a sharp stab of pity overcoming him. He couldn't blame Tad for accusing him. If Saria was killed and Tad was found with her body...
Link shook the idea from his head, and kneeled down by Tad, placing a hand on his shaking shoulder. ''I'm sorry for your loss. I know how much you cared for her. I know how much you loved her. A blind man could see the love you felt for her.'' Tad placed his own hand on Link's, and looked back at him. He blinked, and a few more tears fell, and rolled off of his face. Tad wrapped his thin fingers, around Link's hand, pursed his lips together, trying to hold back any more sorrowful tears. "I cared for her as well. I loved her as a friend. She was one of my few friends." Link helped him slowly to his feet, their hands still clasped together. ''I will try to trust you Link. I want to trust you. You were Malon's friend, and I would like to be your friend as well.'' Tad shook Link's hand firmly. ''But until this is over, I will not rest.''
Malon's body was washed down, and sterilized. She was dressed in her regular clothing, but the royal tailors made it more elegantly, in honor of the only ranch owner in Hyrule. Her fiery red hair was twisted into two braids, and coiled around her ears. She was buried in the shade of a tall tree, which grew in the horse pasture she spent so much time in. A hand made wooden cross marked where her body lay at rest. Tad himself had carved the cross, and had carved her name into it.
A small funeral service was held. Tad, Saria, Link, and an old priest, attended. Talon was too ill to attend, so he stayed in his bed. His steady breathing was the only sign he was alive. Link sat far away from the small group. He sat on the flowing grass of the pasture, Epona standing next to him, occasionally nuzzling his head, and messing his blonde hair. Saria and Tad stood at the grave, their heads bowed as the priest spoke. Link watched, and waited, and thought. Just the other day he had told Malon nobody close to him had ever died. Just the other day she was her cheery self, humming sweetly, talking so much is was enough for the both of them, grooming her horses happily.Link sighed heavily. How many more people are going to be killed before they knew who was doing it?
* * * *
The next day, after Saria and Link returned to the castle, a message came from Lon Lon Ranch. Talon was dead. It was said he had died more from grief of his daughter's death, than from sickness. And the ranch was now under the care of Tad, the last worker alive, and the only person now in Hyrule that knew how to breed horses. Link crumpled the message in his hand. Saria sat next to him, her eyes full of concern. She placed one of her delicate hands onto Link's, in an attempt to comfort him. He was so grateful that she was alive, and that she had came now.He couldn't hold everything he held in anymore. He wrapped his arms around her body, and let the crumpled message fall to the floor, to be forgotten.
''Link!'' Saria yelled frantically. She ran clumsily after him as he walked back down to his own quarters, with the permission from Princess Zelda, to be let go. She tripped only once, but Link caught her and helped her to regain her balance. Saria clutched the stained material of his tunic in horror, obviously forgetting about what he had said to her yesterday. ''What happened to you?'' He grabbed her shoulders, and pushed her away slightly. ''It's not my blood. I'm fine.'' He said softly, seeing the concern in her face, his guilt building up again. ''I wish to be left alone, I really don't want to talk about it.'' At that, he left Saria there, and walked away to the security of his room.
* * * *
Link sat alone in his own room, thinking of everything Zelda had told him. The conversation went over and over inside his mind: ''You mustn't leave the castle while the evil still lurks about. I will not lose you. I wouldn't be able to bear it!'' Zelda had warned him, before he had left her quarters.
Since then, he had changed out of his bloody clothes, and bathed. He wore a thin, white long sleeve shirt, which was far too big for him, so the collar fell loosely over his slender shoulders. The sleeves were so large, that his arms felt naked. He had a brown leather vest to cover his shoulders, to make him feel less bare. His pants were light brown, worn, and very big. He tied the top of them with a neatly braided rope to hold them up just above his waist. His feet were bare, which made it difficult to walk across the cold stone floor. He didn't approve of the unfamiliar outfit, for it made him feel awkward to be seen wearing it, but nonetheless it was comfortable. At least it was something to wear, other than his bloody tunic, and he was very grateful for that.
He rubbed the soft, and neatly woven forest green cloth of his hat, nervously between his calloused fingers, as he thought deeply to himself. Even though he had changed and bathed, he still couldn't manage to get rid of the scent of blood, which clung to him, like flies to a horse. It was a light smell, not noticeable to anyone who passed by him, but Link could smell it. He knew it was there, and it disturbed him so much, that it made him sick to his stomach. The image of Malon's dead body haunted him, and the smell of her blood finally forced him outside. He still didn't care if it was dangerous to be outside of the castle. He didn't care at all what would happen to him.
He kneeled down on the flowing grass of the Castle Meadow, dug his hands into the damp earth, and let himself be sick. He coughed and sputtered for what seemed like hours, but he knew it was more likely only a few minutes. He kneeled there, his face pale, and his wave of nausea finally passing over. He stood back up, his legs shaking so uncontrollably; he almost fell back down to his knees. He leaned, hunched over, against the castle wall, shaking violently. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to relax himself.
He heard the sound of horse hooves on the ground. He looked up, and saw a castle soldier riding toward him, on a carefully groomed, and very graceful white horse. He straightened himself up, and tried his best to make himself look as if he wasn't sick. The soldier pulled back on the reins, and halted his elegant horse in front of Link. He looked down at Link's pale face through soft, dark blue eyes. Eyes as deep, and pure as Lake Hylia. His hair was brown like the leaves in autumn. It flowed in the slight breeze, pulled back into a very loose ponytail. He wore golden armor, and heavy leather gloves, which held the horse's reins tightly.
''Are you alright, sir?'' His voice was strong, yet soft; it seemed at the same time. Link nodded, and forced himself to smile. A smile pulled slightly at the corners of the soldiers' own mouth. ''You have someone waiting for you. He is waiting outside your room, and two soldiers are with him...'' The soldier paused for a moment, and then continued. ''The soldiers are for your safety, and the entire castle's safety as well.'' He added. Link nodded, getting quite annoyed with all of this protection, and the heavy watch he was under, even before Zelda had told him he was going to die. The soldier pulled on the reins, and the horse turned it's head around, ready to ride away. ''Oh...'' He turned his head around to face Link again. ''If you need any help, I'm always around. Just call on Curdey. I am willing to be in your service, sir.'' Link nodded again, thinking that if he spoke he would probably be sick again. ''Ya!'' Curdey dug the heels of his heavy boots into the horse's massive sides. The horse whinnied, and galloped off over the Castle Meadow.
* * * *
Link walked back through the castle to his quarters. He wasn't surprised to see someone waiting for him, but he was surprised at who it was. Tad watched Link steadily walk closer, through his sad gray eyes. He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the door to Link's room. Two soldiers stood a few feet away, and Link noticed it was the same two soldiers with curly black hair, that had found him with Malon, and had taken him to Zelda. Tad unfolded his arms, and straightened up, as Link stepped up beside him. Tad narrowed his eyes, and opened Link's door. He walked in first, followed by Link. The soldiers started to follow, but Link stopped them, wanting to speak with Tad alone. The soldiers were very hesitant at first, but finally agreed. ''We will be right outside if you need anything.'' The small soldier said. Link nodded, irritated, and closed the door behind him.
''So, what brings you all the way to the castle, Tad?'' Link knew very well why he came, but he couldn't think of much else to say to start off the conversation in a pleasant way. Tad walked over to a window that looked out over the rolling plains of Hyrule Field. He watched a few white doves fly from the outside sill of the window, and stared longingly into the bright blue sky. ''I heard of Malon's death, and I heard that you were her murderer.'' His heavy accent slurred his speech, so it was rather hard to understand his words. Even though Tad's back was facing Link, he could see his sad gray eyes in the reflection on of the window. Link turned his head, his gaze wandering away from Tad, away from the sad reflection in the window. ''I didn't kill Malon. I would never kill Malon. I would never kill anyone.'' Tad clenched his fists so tightly, his knuckles turned white. ''I want to believe you Link. But you were found with her body, covered in her blood...'' Tad's words were choked with tears, so it made it even harder to understand him. He unclenched his fists, and pressed his left hand against the cool glass of the window. He leaned his forehead onto the window as well, and cried.
''The world is cruel. I prayed to the Goddesses every single day for her safety. When the news came she had died, I thought I had lost my only happiness...'' Link's heart fell to pieces. He was at a loss for words. He felt himself at the verge of tears himself, but managed to keep himself calm. Tad turned around, and wiped the remaining tears on his cheeks, away with his sleeveless arm. Anger burned in his dull eyes, almost hatred it looked like. ''Do you realize, how much I cared for her? Do you realize how much I loved her?'' Link was taken aback with his words. He was enraged that Tad didn't trust him. ''I didn't kill Malon! How many times do I have to explain this to everyone?!'' Tad turned back around, his back again facing Link. He tried desperately to keep himself calm, and keep himself from strangling Link.
Tad ran his left hand through his silvery hair, and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. He shifted his weary gaze back to Link, and looked him straight in the eye. Lightning seemed to clash between them. Tad's dull gray eyes flamed angrily. Link's bright blue eyes narrowed in frustration. Finally, after about five minutes of intense staring, Tad couldn't take the suspense any longer. His stare faltered, and he collapsed to his knees, and wept again. Link's eyes softened, a strong wave of guilt for yelling, and a sharp stab of pity overcoming him. He couldn't blame Tad for accusing him. If Saria was killed and Tad was found with her body...
Link shook the idea from his head, and kneeled down by Tad, placing a hand on his shaking shoulder. ''I'm sorry for your loss. I know how much you cared for her. I know how much you loved her. A blind man could see the love you felt for her.'' Tad placed his own hand on Link's, and looked back at him. He blinked, and a few more tears fell, and rolled off of his face. Tad wrapped his thin fingers, around Link's hand, pursed his lips together, trying to hold back any more sorrowful tears. "I cared for her as well. I loved her as a friend. She was one of my few friends." Link helped him slowly to his feet, their hands still clasped together. ''I will try to trust you Link. I want to trust you. You were Malon's friend, and I would like to be your friend as well.'' Tad shook Link's hand firmly. ''But until this is over, I will not rest.''
Malon's body was washed down, and sterilized. She was dressed in her regular clothing, but the royal tailors made it more elegantly, in honor of the only ranch owner in Hyrule. Her fiery red hair was twisted into two braids, and coiled around her ears. She was buried in the shade of a tall tree, which grew in the horse pasture she spent so much time in. A hand made wooden cross marked where her body lay at rest. Tad himself had carved the cross, and had carved her name into it.
A small funeral service was held. Tad, Saria, Link, and an old priest, attended. Talon was too ill to attend, so he stayed in his bed. His steady breathing was the only sign he was alive. Link sat far away from the small group. He sat on the flowing grass of the pasture, Epona standing next to him, occasionally nuzzling his head, and messing his blonde hair. Saria and Tad stood at the grave, their heads bowed as the priest spoke. Link watched, and waited, and thought. Just the other day he had told Malon nobody close to him had ever died. Just the other day she was her cheery self, humming sweetly, talking so much is was enough for the both of them, grooming her horses happily.Link sighed heavily. How many more people are going to be killed before they knew who was doing it?
* * * *
The next day, after Saria and Link returned to the castle, a message came from Lon Lon Ranch. Talon was dead. It was said he had died more from grief of his daughter's death, than from sickness. And the ranch was now under the care of Tad, the last worker alive, and the only person now in Hyrule that knew how to breed horses. Link crumpled the message in his hand. Saria sat next to him, her eyes full of concern. She placed one of her delicate hands onto Link's, in an attempt to comfort him. He was so grateful that she was alive, and that she had came now.He couldn't hold everything he held in anymore. He wrapped his arms around her body, and let the crumpled message fall to the floor, to be forgotten.