Disclaimer:  I'M CANADIAN, FEMALE, AND PROUD OF IT!  I'm NOT Japanese or male.  The owner of Zelda is.  Get it? Good.

ALERT!  There is romance in this chapter!  Just a warning…J

Thanks again to my reviewers.  J 29 whole reviews!  And a new reviewer! Welcome to my story, dawn bringer, and thanks for reviewing!  Happy me!

On with the Story!

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The Hylian Sun rose over the hills, but only one person was awake to see it.  A figure rode on a red horse in the morning glow, going as fast as he possibly could. 

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Link urged his horse on.  Zelda and Malon had disappeared this morning, and he knew they had been taken by force because of the blood he'd seen on the floor.  The only people he suspected were the Gerudos.

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When he finally arrived at Gerudo Valley, he saw a horrifying sight.  Zelda was standing completely still, and a Gerudo with a crossbow was aiming for her.  And Malon was hanging on to the edge of the cliff, the river rushing under her.  But to his surprise, the very Gerudo that had given him a membership card was standing there, smirking at him.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the famous Hero of Time."  She laughed.  "Goodness, Hero, looks like you'll have to make a choice."  "What do you mean?"  He asked, gritting his teeth.  "You see, Hero, when we say Go, an arrow will be fired at Zelda here.  See that crack right under her foot?  If you push her away and her foot stops holding the crack together…"  She gestured at the crack, then Malon, "The part of the ledge that the red-head is holding onto will fall off, throwing her off the cliff.  If she survives, some friends of mine down there will take care of her.  But, if you go to save the ranch girl, you won't have time to save the Princess from the arrow that we're aiming at her.  It has a poisoned tip, you know."  She giggled at the huge choice she was forcing Link to make.  "Why are you doing this?"  Link demanded.  "Hm, let's see.  If the arrow hits the Princess, then we only have to kill old Harkinian, then we can rule.  If we kill Ranch Girl over there, you will probably feel guilty for the rest of your life.  It will probably cause you to take your own life, or something similar.  Or we can take over Lon Lon ranch, and use it as our headquarters."  Link stared.  She was right.

"So, Hero, make your choice.  You have four minutes.  At the end of that time, we'll say Go, and you get to watch one of them die.  Hurry up."  Link rushed over to Zelda.  "Zel…I'm going to try and save you and Malon.  And if it doesn't work…all I have to say is, you're my best friend, and always have been."  He gave her a hug, careful not to move her foot.  "Thank you, Link.  Thank you for always protecting me."  And Zelda dashed the tears from her eyes.

Link stepped over to Malon, and knelt down.  "Two minutes!"  The Gerudo screeched.  Malon looked up at Link, her face stained with tears.  "Link, will you take care of the Ranch when I'm gone?"  "What do you mean, Malon?  You-you're not going to die, just wait and see."  "Link, that's not realistic.  Zelda is the Princess, and I'm just an ordinary person.  If I die, Hyrule would be so much safer than if Zelda died.  Please promise me something."  "What is it?"  "Never, EVER forget me."  "Of course I won't."  "And Link?"  "Yes?"  "I…I love you."  "Me too, Malon.  I really do."  Then Link leaned down and kissed her.  She smiled up at him, and then let go.

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