A/N: Sorry for the delay! We-ell, here's the next chapter. My thanks goes out to Tori and the LOZ FF ml for all the support and help, and to all who've read this sucker and keep coming back for more. =) Thanks again.

Malon watched the birds twitter in the trees, their songs dancing through the afternoon air. A winsome zephyr tugged at her hair, twining the strands and making them join the breeze in its merry play. She brushed them into place and leaned backwards onto her arms, the thick carpet of grass softer than any bed she'd slept on. She could see why Link loved this place, why he wished to stay here.

Link. Her thoughts always turned to him lately. After his confession last night, she wondered how he had stayed sane. The imagery his words had formed cut into her heart, deeper than any knife. She would have to do her best to keep his spirits up and help in any way she could during this odd journey.

A glimmer of gold caught her attention. Looking away from her birds, Malon saw the Princess Zelda walking towards her. When Lure had told her who their guests were, she'd nearly choked on the bread she'd been eating. She, like the rest, had thought the royalty of Hyrule long dead. They'd certainly never made an appearance before now.

The blonde woman smiled in greeting. Malon waved hesitantly, unsure of how to act around Zelda. All dealings with the Royal Family had been her papa's business. "Good afternoon," Malon said to the Princess when she was within earshot.

"Good afternoon," Zelda returned. She folded herself gracefully to the ground, her every movement controlled and fluid. "I do love this place," she said, twisting her hair together so the wind wouldn't play with it.

Malon nodded in agreement. "May I ask you a question, your highness?"

Zelda smiled at her. "There is no need for formalities. Hyrule kingdom doesn't exist, though that shall not be true for long."

A wry smile played on Malon's mouth. "As you wish. My question is, how did you survive the Cataclysm?"

For a second, Zelda's eyes darkened, but the moment passed swiftly. "By the grace of the goddesses and my protectors." She gave Malon an assessing glance, then said, "I have the gift of prophecy. It runs in the Royal bloodline, and I saw the imminent destruction in my dreams. I could not convince anyone else, for such a thing seemed impossible. So I fled with those I could persuade and those who guarded me with their lives. We've been trying to rebuild Hyrule since then, with no luck. But Lady Saria has promised me she will aid us in all we do."

Malon nibbled on a strand of hair, digesting the Princess's words. They rang true, but felt incomplete. She had no right to think Zelda would tell all to her, but she wished she would. "If I may ask a question," Zelda said, her eyes on a small jay that alit near them. "Why are you following Link and his Guardian? What do you wish to accomplish by tagging along?"

She bristled at Zelda's words, her hands clenching though she tried to hide it. "I am not tagging along. Link needs my help. He can't do this all on his own, and I would never let him. He's been hurt so badly, he needs friends to care for him, to show him he's not the monster he believes himself to be."

"Well said," Zelda murmured. "But for your own safety, I do believe you should stay away from him. He will not be able to protect you."

This time Malon let her irritation show. "Thank you for your concern, but I can take care of myself. I won't be a burden to him, and I don't know why this should matter to you."

Zelda stood and brushed unseen dust from her skirts. "But it does concern me, greatly so." She turned from Malon and began to walk away, saying, "You are a burden, even if you will not admit it."

Standing up, Malon watched the Princess leave. She had so many retorts on the tip of her tongue, but she held them in check for civility's sake. Heaving a sigh, Malon decided to depart herself when a flash of blue turned her gaze. She gagged at the sight, trying her best to keep her stomach's contents down. The beautiful jay from before was a mangled lump of red meat intermixed with a scattering of feathers. How did this happen? she thought as she brought a hand to her mouth. The gentle wind rose up and grabbed hold of the feathers, bringing the blood-tinged plumage into its endless dance, and Malon fled to the Kokiri city.

* * *

"How in the Dark Realm do you do that?" Lure asked in exasperation.

"It's easy. Just put your fingers over the holes and blow. How hard can that be?"

Lure shot Link a scowl. He picked up the ocarina once more and proceeded to follow Link's instructions. A high, screechy note pierced the air, startling the birds from the trees. Link did his best to hide his grin, but Saria started to giggle and he lost all composure. "You wouldn't think it was so damned funny," Lure said, "if you spent years trying to work this thing out while others take only seconds to learn it."

"It wasn't seconds," Link said between laughs, "and I had a great teacher." Saria blushed at his compliment and waved it off.

"I don't understand why I can't figure this contraption out," Lure muttered as he turned the ocarina over in his hands. Disgusted, he threw the ocarina to Link, who caught it. "You play the thing; I want to hear how a master works."

"I haven't played in years..." he trailed off, seeing Saria's begging gaze.

"Please Link?" she asked, giving him those innocent eyes, the ones she always used to connive him into something. And it always worked. "Fine," he said. "But you have to play, too. It's only fair."

A delighted smile lit up her face. "Wonderful, let us try the..." her words trailed off, something pulling her attention away. Following her gaze, he saw Malon running towards them and the house, her face pinched and wan. A million scenarios sped through his head, each one more gruesome than the next. "Malon!" he called out, trying to grab hold of her arm as she rushed by. He managed to catch her shirt sleeve, and he pulled her back into him. "Malon, what's wrong?"

She shook her head, trying to push away. "It's nothing, I just need time to think." She stopped struggling and looked up at him. "Please let go."

He reluctantly obeyed and she rushed inside. "What's wrong with her?" Lure wondered, concern etching lines onto his face.

"Perhaps she feels ill," a new voice said. Link saw Princess Zelda standing nearby, one hand pushing the hair away from her face. He saw Saria exchange glances with the princess, but he couldn't discern their meaning.

"How are you today, highness?" Lure asked, oblivious to the tension Link felt flicker in the air.

Zelda smiled. "Wonderful, though you may dispense with the formalities."

"Old habits die hard, and I refuse to believe Hyrule will remain fallen."

She gave him a pleased look. "If only more shared your stalwart beliefs, then the capital would have risen years ago."

"I must see to the Great Deku Tree," Saria said, rising from her seat. She looked at Zelda and said, "Shall we continue our discussion later?"

"If we must."

Saria's eyes narrowed imperceptibly, and she nodded. "We will have to continue our impromptu concert another time," she said with a smile to Link.

He returned the grin and nodded. "You've but to ask, my lady, and it shall be done."

"Wish he'd do the same for me," said Lure with an exaggerated sigh.

"You turn into a female and I just might."

Lure snorted. "If that day comes I'll have all the men of Hyrule after me. I won't need you."

"This conversation brings up the unpleasant imagery of Lure in a dress," Link said. "I think we should end it."

"So you're saying I'm ugly?"

Link shoved Lure forward, towards the house. "Move it before my breakfast decides to reappear."

* * *

"You cannot ask this of him."

"Why not?"

"It is not fair, that is why not!"

The sound of voices raised in argument broke the peacefulness he always associated with the Kokiri Wood. A week had passed since he had returned to the Wood, each day like a dream filled with a happiness he had thought unattainable. He wondered who broke the calm with their heated quarrel. Judging by the sound, it had to be...

"Saria, you gave your word long ago, did you not?" He rounded the corner, aware that he was eavesdropping and not caring. Before the entrance to the Deku Tree's meadow, Zelda and Saria stood, the scene reminiscent of a mother trying to cajole her child into something she did not wish to do.

"Yes," she said, looking away as she did.

"Then why the sudden protests?"

Her face snapped up to the princess's, the pained emotion in her green eyes blatant even to him. "I didn't know..."

"Know what?"

"I didn't know him."

Link cocked his head, wondering who, and what, they were talking about. A twinge of guilt nagged at his conscious, but he shoved it away. He knew Saria held knowledge about the Death Riders. Maybe Zelda did too.

Zelda sighed softly and knelt before the Kokiri. Placing her hands on Saria's shoulders, she said, "I know it must be hard, but it has to be done. You cannot go back on your word, especially considering who you are."

Saria turned her head away. She murmured something too soft for him to hear and Zelda responded by brushing a comforting hand over her cheek. What would've happened next, Link would never know, for a sudden tap on his shoulder startled a yelp from his mouth before he could stop. Saria and Zelda both looked in his direction before he darted behind the safety of the house.

"Something the matter?" Lure said, watching Link's actions with raised brows. Marek, beside him, was silent, his gaze intent on Link, who shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny.

"Absolutely nothing," Link said, trying his best to feign nonchalance. Judging by Lure's look of disbelief and Marek's sigh, he knew he failed.

"Something we can help you gentlemen with?"

Link jumped again, hearing Zelda's irritated voice. He chanced a glance over his shoulder and knew they knew he had overheard them, though neither said a word. "Pardon our intrusion, highness," Marek said. "We did not mean to interrupt your conversation."

"I am sure," she said. Link thought he saw her eyes flicker to him, but it was gone before he could be sure. He felt like the proverbial kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Lure suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and began to drag him forward. "There's something I need to say to you, in private. Let's go for a walk, shall we?"

Realizing Lure's ploy, a rush of gratitude swept over him. He set off, trying his best not to break into a run. When they'd turned a street corner, he no longer had that crawling feeling of eyes watching him, and he let out a relieved breath. "You going to tell me what that was all about?" Lure said as they continued on.

Link cracked a small grin. "Got caught sticking my nose in other's business is all."

"Didn't seem like that was all." Lure paused to tug his shirt sleeves back to their rolled up position. "Saria had this odd expression and both Zelda and Marek looked slightly peeved."

"Marek? But he was with you."

Lure tapped Link's head. "You're getting senile, aren't you?"

"Oh." He had forgotten about the bond between a Guardian and their charge. Marek would know Zelda's every movement and thought, if she wanted him to know. "They were talking about some sort of promise Saria made to Zelda. It feels like they know something of what's happened to this world."

"You want to follow them?"

"Huh?" For a split second he imaged he and Lure, sneaking behind Marek and Zelda as they moved about, constantly ducking into the shadows. He let out a little chuckle.

"I mean go with them, if they'll let us. Maybe we'll learn something along the way."

"If they'll let us. I wonder if Malon will still want to go."

Lure smiled knowingly. "Nice try, but you're not going to be able to store her away here. She doesn't want to be protected, she wants to help you."

You'd think you'd have learned that by now. Link jerked his head to the source of the words. Epona watched him, a bemused expression in her eyes. Malon stood with her by the outskirts of the town, the boundary between forest and city almost indecipherable. "What would you know, horse?" he said to Epona with a grin.

Ignoring the surprised faces Malon and Lure made, he walked over to Epona and gave the mare a hug, burying his face in her mane. She'll come with you, Epona said, nuzzling his back. And I think it's a good idea if she does. She'll help you if you start to lose control.

He pulled back and smiled in greeting to Malon. "I wish I could hear what you two say to each other," she said, a wistful expression on her face.

"You wouldn't want to," Link said. "She's got a horrible temper, an awful sense of humor, and she whines constantly." Epona shoved him away with her nose. Bratty faery boy.

"Sounds like someone I already know," Malon said.

"Hey!" Link said, faking an offended look. Dropping the act, he said, "Must be why we get along so well."

"Who? Me or Epona?"

"Both."

A play nip from Epona and a smack on the head from Malon followed his remark. "Women," he said, ready to dodge another attack.

"I'm surprised you stay with him," Malon said to Epona, who tossed her head. Seeing the two interact startled Link. He was unused to someone else seeing Epona as more than a horse, though it shouldn't have come as a surprise that Malon would. Still, it gave him a warm feeling to know that someone else knew about him and still accepted him, cognizant horse and all.

"Now that the ladies have worked out their aggression," Lure said with a grin, "shall we continue to discuss our plans?"

Link scowled at Lure, knowing why he brought this up in front of Malon. "What plans?" Malon said, looking appallingly eager.

"We're thinking of ways to convince Princess Zelda to let us tag along. They're heading back to Kakariko, and we think we might pick up some information along the way."

"Let's ask her."

"Always taking the easy way, aren't you?" Lure turned to Link, the question apparent in his gaze.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt," he said with a slight shrug.

"Especially if she planned on asking you." All eyes turned to the new presence. Marek leaned against a lamp post, his wild hair made wilder by the wind. Seeing that he had caught their attention, he straightened and walked closer. "Her Highness was hoping you would accompany her on her journey."

"That makes things conspicuously easier for us," Lure murmured to Link, who shot him a puzzled glance. Lure shook his head, saying, "Never mind."

"And I thought I was the paranoid one."

Lure grinned slightly. "Must be rubbing off."

Malon said, "Are we only to follow you to Kakariko, or does her Highness have something else in mind?" Link looked at her, startled. There was a note of wariness and cynicism in her voice that he hadn't expected to hear from her. Maybe I really am rubbing off, he thought.

"I believe she wishes for you to accompany her on her journey until she accomplishes her mission."

"So we follow her until Hyrule is a country once more?" Malon said with a slight raising of her brows. Epona shifted beside her, as if she'd rather be elsewhere. Their conversation probably bored the mare.

"Only if you wish to," Marek said, pushing his hands into the pockets of his tan greatcoat.

Malon absently stroked Epona's neck for a moment, then said while jerking a thumb in Link's direction, "I go wherever he goes."

"Same for me," Lure chimed in with a roguish smile.

"Thanks you two," Link muttered. "When did I become the decision maker?" Not expecting, or receiving, an answer, he said, "We'll go with you."

A pleased look swept over Marek's face before it returned to its normal stoic expression. "I'll let her Highness know; she'll be very happy to hear it."

After the Guardian left, Link said, "I hope that's all right with you guys."

"A little late to ask, isn't it?" Lure said.

Link scowled at his friend, who held up his hands in a gesture of appeasement. "Sorry, sorry. What I said before is true; I go where you do."

"And you're not about to get rid of me," Malon said, her hands on her hips. "We're a team now, we've got to stick together." Epona snorted in agreement.

"I just hope we don't run into any of those Hunter people," Lure said. "I don't feel like tangling with them. Might muss my hair."

Both Link and Malon stared at him. Lure's smile widened. "Someone's got to keep the humor in this group; might as well be me."

Malon sighed and Link said, "If it's that kind of humor, you're staying behind."

* * *

The day of their departure dawned chilly and bright, the epitome of an early spring day. A fine mist snaked its way around the trees, the rising sun not yet able to make its presence known in the thick forest. Morning birds caroled out their joy for the new day, and Link reveled in the noise. The Kokiri Wood was the only habitat where animals could still be heard. None of the outside world's silence hung here.

Laying a hand on the mossy surface of the wall, Link entered the meadow before the Forest Temple. Saria had asked him to come here before he left. He figured she had something to tell him, and he had something he wished to ask her, something he hadn't had the nerve to ask before.

"I'm here," he said, feeling a little awkward at calling out to nothing. A sparrow peeped its greeting from the dead tree, breaking the reverent stillness. He grinned at the tiny bird, who hopped onto a higher branch and fluffed out its dark feathers, letting out another chirp. An indigo bunting, its iridescent blue feathers catching the sparse sunlight, fluttered to a stop near the sparrow. It began to warble its fast song, countering the sparrow's melody. He chuckled softly at the sparrow's affronted look before the smaller bird flitted off, leaving the tree to the bunting.

"You always enjoy watching the birds," Saria said from behind him.

Link turned to see her on her favorite perch. He walked over to the tree stump and sat beside her. "Saria, before you begin, may I ask you something?"

"Sh'vell, of course you can."

"Have you seen Kafei or Anju? I sent them to you so they could be safe. I hope you don't mind."

"No, on both questions. But you already knew the answers."

"K'or iies, I guess I did. I still had to ask."

They were both silent, listening to the wind brush against the treetops. The sparrow returned with a quick warble, alighting on Saria's knee. The tiny bird cocked its head at the Kokiri and let out a sharp peep. Saria chuckled and ran a gentle finger over the bird's breast. The sparrow hopped onto her finger and she placed the bird on Link's head.

Link mock-glared at Saria before letting out a yelp. The sparrow, mistaking his hair for dried grass, had tugged on a beak full, trying to yank the strands free. "Nesting season will be here soon," Saria said, trying to keep a solemn face.

"Yeah, and it looks like my head's going to be its new home."

Saria laughed gently, then her eyes took on a faraway glaze, as if she did not see her surroundings but gazed upon something not meant for mortals to see.

"Something the matter?" Link asked while the sparrow flew off in search for more suitable nesting material.

"Everything and nothing," she said, her voice distant, like her mind. Shaking her head, she seemed to pull away from her thoughts. "I wanted to give you something before you left." She reached into the little pouch she wore on a belt around her waist and withdrew a tan, oblong ocarina, its surface worn to a dull shine. She proffered it to him, her green eyes insistent and compelling.

He took the instrument from her hand and looked up at her, the question clearly visible in his eyes. "You promised me we will play together," she said. "I do not wish for you to forget all you have learned and be unable to fulfill that promise." She paused for a moment, then continued. "I also want you to understand that there is power in music. Music can be used to soothe an ailing soul, can bring an end to anger and hate, move an unyielding heart to love or sorrow." She placed a hand over his, capturing the ocarina between their palms. "It can also harness magic, open doors in a seemingly dead-end, bring gods to their knees, if you learn the right notes. Capture the magic in a song."

"Why do you tell me this?"

A hesitant smile played on her lips. "I have a song I wish to teach you; will you learn it?"

Link nodded, and Saria slowly released her hold on the ocarina and his hand. Closing her eyes, she sang out a soft, short melody, the lilting notes carrying easily in the still air. The birds stopped their song to listen to the rising and falling of her voice. When she finished, she said, "Now you play it."

Unsure if he even could, but not wanting to disappoint her, he complied. Bringing the ocarina's mouthpiece to his lips, he searched for the notes, wincing as he fumbled. But the melody was in his memory, the tune flowing through him, as if it wished to be brought out of his mind and into reality through the ocarina.

Confident in the notes now, he played the song over again, enjoying the way the piping of the ocarina seemed to bring the music to life, making him wonder if he opened his eyes, would he see the notes manifest themselves into physical beings?

"What song is that?" he asked after the final notes trailed off into nothing.

"The Minuet of Forest. I learned it a long time ago, and if you play it right, it will bring you back to this spot."

"Bring me back?"

"You will find out if the need ever arises," she said, the tiniest traces of a knowing smile on her lips.

"I wish there was something I could give you in return," Link said, racking his brain for some idea.

"You should return before they become impatient with your absence."

"I guess so," he said. He frowned, then smiled suddenly. Leaning forward, he planted a kiss on Saria's cheek before grinning and dashing off. Surprised at his sudden actions, she could only sit as he disappeared from the meadow, leaving her behind. A lone tear fell, tracing the contours of her face; she raised a hand to her cheek to meet it. You have already given me more than I deserve, she thought. And the only way I will repay you is through deceit.

* * *