Disclaimer: MWA! I own Zelda. Heh. I'm also a liar.
Hey people. Does anyone still read this?
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Well, I'm getting kind of tired of it. Updates will probably be pretty slow, bear with me. I don't know...I would discontinue this fic if it weren't against my policy to do so. Please tell me if anyone still likes this fic...*cute chibi eyes* Oh yeah, and there will be a LOT of Malink stuff in this chapter. In fact, it was MADE for Malink stuff! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Link: RW, did anyone tell you that you belong in a padded room?
Me: Hehehe. I live in one, but I escaped.
Malon: *backs away* Um...ok...
Oh yeah, and I know that Kal, a character in this chappie that I invented, may seem like an annoying guy that ruins the Malink moment and has absolutely no use, but he's going to be very important later. I know, I know, I don't like him either, but he is useful...FOR MY PLAAAAAANS! BWA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
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"Link, how far to Kakariko?"
Link smiles tiredly. "Not far, Malon."
I frown. "You look really tired. Are you sure you want to go to the festival?"
"I think going to the festival would do both of us some good."
I accept Link's answer, suppressing my natural curiosity. We walk in silence, near the river, until I see the outline of the gate at the top of a small staircase. "Oh, Link, look! We're at Kakariko! I've never been here before!" I laugh and jump up and down excitedly. A grin slowly forms on Link's face. "Calm down, Malon, you'll hurt yourself!" Sure enough, I lose my balance, and Link grabs my waist to steady me, but we both fall into the Zora River anyway.
Link resurfaces first, spluttering. I poke my head out of the water and giggle. "Sorry, Link." Link's only answer is to laugh heartily. I start to laugh even more, but I suddenly notice Link's hands are still on my waist. Link notices too, and lets go of me. He climbs out of the water, and I try to hide my furious blush. I wonder why he didn't let go...
Still blushing faintly, Link helps me out of the river. I manage to land on the dry bank after a couple of slips, and we start towards Kakariko. I walk beside Link in silence. I wonder...why do I get such a thrill whenever I see him? I've really never felt like this before. Are you supposed to feel this way when you see an old friend? When I was young, and I first met Link, I felt so...safe around him. Safe, warm, happy. This new feeling is completely different. Yes, it is a nice feeling, but...I don't know. It's thrilling to just look at him, and...
I smack my head repeatedly. No! No! Stop it, Malon! Stupid! That's what I am, just plain stupid!
A hand appears out of nowhere and gently takes hold of my wrist. "Malon, what's wrong?"
"Umm...nothing, Link."
I walk through the Kakariko gate, Link beside me.
"Malon, what do you say we find an inn to stay at tonight...then...maybe we could, um, go to the new restaurant before heading to the festival."
I only smile and nod, as we walk into the Kakariko Inn. Link pays for a room with two beds, and he trudges up the stairs with me following. Once we get to the room, I sink into one of the two chairs near the fire, and Link takes the second one.
"Link, what are you thinking about?"
"I don't know. Mostly about this whole 'Hero' thing. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a hero or anything. I wish I could go back to being a kid."
"Doesn't everyone? To be small and innocent, not having very many worries...well, you did when you were a kid, you just had less worries back then I suppose. It's going to take some time getting used to the hero thing."
"What about when you were a kid, Malon? Were you carefree back then?"
"...I tried to be cheerful...I couldn't complain, I suppose..."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I didn't have any friends before you came along. All I had was this strange little wish that my mom wasn't dead, and that she'd come back somehow. Either that or that I could make a friend. That's why we met right near a fountain in the Market...I had just thrown my last rupee in and wished for a friend. Then, someone tapped my shoulder and you were standing there...you know, Link, you're way more important than you think. You could have fooled me when you said you weren't ready for being a hero, but I don't blame you for wanting to be a kid again."
"Thanks, Mal."
"No problem, Fairy Boy."
After sitting quietly for a while, my eyes start to close as the warm flames dance in front of me. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I slowly open my eyes. I'm still in front of the fire...not too much time has passed, fortunately. I jog into the bathroom and wash myself quickly, wondering where Link went. After I get out of the bath, I sigh and walk over to my bag, rummaging around for something decent to wear to the festival.
I gasp as a long, blue dress falls out of the bag. It reaches my ankles, and is made of soft cotton. There are white and very light blue flowers embroidered into the sky blue material, and it has short sleeves. I can only gape as a small note flutters out of one of the folds.
Dear Malon, I thought you might need something to wear to the festival. I don't have the best taste in clothes, so forgive me if I picked something ugly, but I really liked this dress. I hope you like it as much as I do.
Link
My eyes fill with tears. This is the nicest thing I've ever had. Since I grew up with two middle-aged men and no best friend, I was literally dragging myself through the various stages of womanhood, and it didn't help that I only had two old dresses. I sniff, then hesitantly pick the dress up. I change into it slowly, and marvel at how soft and light it feels.
I let out a giggle as it swirls around my feet, then let my hair out of its ponytail. I carefully brush my long, red hair out. I've never really thought about my appearance before, and I don't intend to in the future. But tonight is special, so I'll try to look my very best.
When I finish touching up, I gaze into the mirror hanging on the wall. I look so different in this dress...I think it's a nice kind of different. The flowers and overall blue shade of this dress compliments my hair and eyes. I don't think I've ever looked nicer. Now if only I could stop crying long enough to actually see through a non-blurry vision. I wipe my eyes quickly as someone knocks on the door.
Link comes in, wearing...a suit? No, wait, it's just black pants and a long-sleeved white shirt...and no hat?? His blonde hair is hanging loose for once. It's not very long, it's actually quite short...just a bit scruffy, and very cute.
"Malon, wow, you look really great!" Link babbles on for a minute then blushes and clears his throat. "Um, Malon, I need some help."
"With what?"
"Uhh...my hair. I'm not quite sure how to make it stay in place."
I burst out into a fit of giggles, but try to suppress it when Link pouts. I grab my comb and sit him down as I run the comb through the blonde hair.
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Finally, Link's hair stays in place and he stands up. "Link, you look very...handsome." I blush furiously.
"You look beautiful, Mal." He blushes too, but we link arms anyway and head down the stairs. The innkeeper winks infuriatingly as we walk out the door.
The new restaurant is very nice. The tables are polished, but old, and there are really nice wooden chairs. Link and me sit across from each other, and the waiter comes shortly. I order spaghetti, and Link orders this thing called 'meuniere' or something. While we wait for our meals, I fiddle with my hair.
"Link?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you. You know, for the dress and everything."
"You mean I didn't make a bad choice?"
"Not at all. This is the nicest dress I've ever had. Thank you so much!"
"No problem, Malon. And thank you."
"What for?"
"For being my friend, and not just because I'm a hero. You and Saria are the only people who really look beyond the whole Hero thing."
I smile widely. "No problem, Fairy Boy."
The waiter comes with our food, and the conversation turns to meaningless things like the weather, and the festival. I don't think I've ever been this happy before.
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Finally we finish our suppers, and thank the waiter. Link leads me excitedly to the Kakariko Festival of the Sun, and pays to get us in, despite my protests. The first thing he decides to visit is the Archery game.
"Malon, do you want to try?"
"Sure!"
Surprise...I miss every target except one, and nearly wind up shooting the guy who operates the game. Actually, that was on purpose...How dare he call me a 'defenseless little girl'?
Link grins and tries the game after I pester him. He gets every target, much to my amazement, and wins a bag of this stuff they call 'cotton candy'. Link urges me to try it, and even though I'm not completely thrilled about eating cotton, I find it delicious.
"So, Malon, where do you want to go now?"
"Hmm...Hey, look! There's a horse-riding competition!" I sprint over, and ask them if I can try. The man nods suspiciously, and hands me some riding clothes to change into. I run and change quickly, then he lets me into the stadium. Link smiles and takes a place on the sidelines.
"Okay, Lady and Gentlemen, here are the rules:
You can select a horse, then line up at the start line. When the whistle blows, you'll ride three laps around the stadium. It's a race to cross the finish line, and whoever finishes first will be given a wonderful prize. Now, let's introduce our contestants!"
The man walks over to a tall, skinny man with muddy brown hair.
"What's your name, sir, and why did you want to compete in this race?"
"I'm Jaron, and I entered because I love racing and I want to know what the 'wonderful prize' is." A couple people laugh and everyone claps politely.
Then he smiles at a short, bald guy.
"And you?"
"I'm Azin, and I'm trying to prove that short people are better than all you tall people out there!"
A cheer arises from the shorter people in the crowd.
Next in line is a medium-height teenager with short red hair.
"My name is Kal, and I'm racing because I've been brought up racing horses and racing comes as second nature to me!" Again, he receives polite applause.
Last in line is...me.
"So, our final contestant is a lovely young lady. Tell me, miss, what's your name and why is a girl entering a horse racing competition?"
"My name is Malon, and I'm entering because, like Kal, horse racing comes as second nature, and I really don't think it matters if you're a lady or a gentleman, because anyone who loves horse racing like I do should be able to compete without being questioned, even if you're a lady!"
A cheer arises from all of the women, and a few of the men. Link cheering the loudest.
"And there you have it, people! Our four brave contestants may now choose a horse, but be warned: Diaron is the wildest horse and the hardest to tame, but the fastest. If you really care more about speed than safety, he's the horse for you, but you'll be lucky if he decides to obey you and start when the whistle blows. So, people, choose your mounts!"
Kal quickly chooses Diaron, so I jog over to my second choice, a beautiful, black mare called Zanoh. Azin hops onto a huge horse that dwarfs him, and the short people give another whoop. Finally Jaron chooses a red, medium-sized horse.
We line our horses up on the stating line, and surprisingly Diaron is obeying Kal quite well. My heart beats like a drum as the man puts the whistle up to his mouth. I lean forward, focus my eyes on the track, get into proper riding posture...
TWEET!
I take off like a shot, riding just behind Diaron and Kal. I lean forward, urging Zanoh on with my heel, then dart to the right. Zanoh's speed increases a little more, and soon I'm racing neck-to-neck with Kal.
Azin, with his huge horse, is gaining on me. Jaron is taking the rear, but getting faster.
Azin suddenly passes me, and now I'm right beside Jaron. Diaron suddenly slows, taking up the rear again.
The first lap is over!
I dart to the left this time, and thunder away from Jaron. I'm beside Azin...I think I'm taking the lead...No, wait! Diaron has sped up again! Me and Azin are in second place, Jaron still in the rear.
The second lap is finished!
The order stays the same, but Diaron is getting a little slower. Zanoh seems tired, so I slow down until I'm taking the rear, to the disbelief of the crowd.
As the finish line approaches, and Zanoh's breathing returns to normal, I suddenly cross over to the right, but still in last. Then, I put on a sudden burst of speed...thundering past Jaron...darting past Azin...neck to neck with Kal again! Diaron is getting tired, I can tell, and is starting to fall behind my mare.
A meter away from the finish line, Zanoh puts on a last swell of speed, and we pass Diaron! The audience screams wildly as Zanoh crosses the finish line.
Kal and Diaron cross second, Azin in third, and Jaron in last. I climb down exhaustedly, and stroke Zanoh's nose before heading out of the stadium after the man announces the winners.
"Wait, miss! Don't you want your prize?"
"No thanks."
Kal is awarded with some prize money, and a pretty new saddle, but not as nice as Epona's. Link disappears from the sidelines, and appears right in from of me.
"Mal, you won! You won! That was incredible!" Link exclaims, and picks me up and twirls me around.
"Link!" I laugh, as Link hugs me tightly. I hug him back.
"Wait a second," I call back to him as I run to get changed. I return shortly in my dress, and with my hair brushed again and my face washed. "That was fun."
"I'll say, now I can brag that I know the best horse-racer out there!"
"That's because you weren't in the competition, silly." We link arms again.
"Congratulations, Malon." I whirl around to see Kal standing there. "That was one heck of a good race. You're really talented."
"Hey, you're really good too! I didn't think you could get Diaron past the start line, but he obeyed you!"
Kal blushes a deep red and thanks me. Then he sees Link.
"Holy! Are you the Hero of Time?"
"Yes." Link nods and grins. The two shake hands. "Hey...have we met before?" Link asks suspiciously.
I look at the two, utterly confused. I have the feeling that I've met Kal, too...
::Flashback::
"So, Fairy boy, you think that I'm 'just a girl'? Well, then, I double dare you to come with me to Gerudo Valley and make fun of the guard at the gate!"
"You're on, Malon!"
Link and Malon joined hands and ran in the direction of Gerudo Valley. An hour later, they reached it, panting and wheezing, but Malon shook it off and walked towards the small bridge over the pond that lay just before the big one. Link was following close behind, but suddenly Malon let out a little scream as a red blur sped towards her. There was a bang, and soon Malon's head emerged from the pond, blinking confusedly. Another red head popped up beside her.
Link stared at the two. They both had coppery red hair and large blue eyes. The same nose, the same freckles, but the one that wasn't Malon was a boy. "Who are you and why did you knock Mal into the pool?"
The little boy pouted. He looked about the same age as Link and Malon, which was ten. "My name is Kal, and my nanny was mad at me so I ran away. That'll teach them...but she was in my way." He gestured to Malon, who was now being helped out of the water by Link.
"Oh. My name is Link and she's Malon."
Malon was about to help Kal out of the water, but a scream was heard.
"KAL! Where are you? Get back here!"
Kal's blue eyes widened even more. "That's nanny!" He whispered. "Pretend you never saw me!" He grabbed a hollow reed and dove underwater, breathing through the reed.
A fierce-looking Gerudo stalked up to the terrified ten-year-olds. "Have you seen a little boy around here lately? He has red hair, blue eyes and freckles..." Her eyes grew wide. "Actually, little girl, he looks just like you!"
"No, we haven't seen anyone that looks like Mal."
The Gerudo gave them a suspicious look before continuing to Hyrule Field. Kal's head popped out of the water, but a second too soon.
"KAL!" The Gerudo screamed and charged towards the terrified little boy. She grabbed his ear. "You're coming with me. And you owe me an apology."
"Sorry, Nanny. Bye, Link and Malon." With that the Gerudo dragged him back to the Fortress.
::End Flashback::
"Hey, I have met you two before!" Kal laughs.
Link smiles happily. "Well, Malon, we'd better be going."
"See you, Malon and Link!"
"Bye, Kal!"
For the rest of the evening, me and Link wander around, trying new games and watching small shows. My favorite one was about the Goddesses, and how they created Hyrule. It was really well done, and I couldn't pay attention to anything else.
Finally, we arrive at a small campfire. We're greeted happily and invited to join, so I sit down on the ground and Link makes himself comfortable beside me. I close my eyes against the dim, orange, flickering light, and listen to the chuckles that fill the air as a very silly ghost story finishes.
Now that I finally have time to think, my mind wanders to a common topic: Link. I really don't know how I feel about him. I think...that maybe I want to be more than his friend, but I don't want to ruin our friendship. I think, no...I know that I have at least some romantic feelings for Link...Am I in love?
I am in love.
A startling conclusion, but it will probably break my heart. I know that Link loves Zelda, but I'm not sure if it's as a friend or as a girlfriend. Zelda is a gorgeous, blonde princess. She is gentle, kind, smart, wise, brave, independent and dependent at the same time, caring, cool and colleceted, and rich. Me? I have medium looks, and I live on a ranch. I'm rough, smart, sarcastic, impulsive, headstrong, overreactive, live by common sense and a quick wit, and on top of all that I'm a ranch girl. I wonder who's easier to be around, me or Zelda?
And that's just my sarcastic side.
I wonder, though...I know Link cares about me, he's shown it on more than one occasion. How am I ever going to figure this out?
I'm startled from my jumble of thoughts as an arm carefully encircles my shoulders. I unconsciously lean back
into the arm, and slowly realize that it belongs to the one and only Hero of Time. I glance at Link out of the corner of my eye, and he looks like he's lost in thought. Without thinking, I lean my head on his shoulder. His hand takes mine gently.
I know now that I love Link, the Hero of Time, with all my heart. Zelda doesn't matter now. All that matters is that now there's hope.
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