((Disclaimer: The Zelda characters aren't mine, but Eiry, Kiren, and Impa
II are.))
LON LON RANCH
The morning sun poked her head over the edge of the world, and cast a gold glow over the pasture of the Ranch. A warm wind blew fine dust from the track into the air, and the day felt hot, close, and sticky.
Malon went into the field and set about the morning chores. She replaced the hay in the manger, refilled the water trough, brushed down the three remaining horses and milked the cows.
Having completed these tasks, the auburn haired farm-girl ran to the stables and went inside. The highlight of her day was coming up. She crossed the room, scuffing her boots on the hay-strewn floor. A silvery- coated horse raised her head from the corner and whickered softly. Malon smiled, "Hullo Eiry!"
The foal of Epona snorted gently, nuzzling Malon with her nose. Malon led the mare out into the sunlight, and mounted up. She always rode bareback, having something of a gift with the horses. Eiry rarely showed Ingo or Talon any affection, seemingly reserving it all for Malon, Impa, and Link. Epona was stabled at the Castle with the Prince, but Link had given Eiry into the care of the Ranch. Technically, she was Princess Impa's horse, and the girl often came down to ride her; she was getting very good.
Malon urged Eiry into a gallop around the fencing. The wind blew in her hair and Eiry's grey-white mane, and Malon rode easily and proudly. She laughed in exhilaration as Eiry halted and reared with a wild neigh, "Calm down, lass!"
But Eiry had become restless of something. She pawed the ground and would not keep still. Malon, alarmed, slipped down from her back and tried to comfort her, "Come on girl, calm down now, shh." Eiry did not want to be calmed, and shied away from the gate.
In desperation, Malon began singing Epona's Song, in the hope it would quiet the edgy mare. Eiry's head stopped it's jerking around, her nostrils stopped their flaring and she calmed enough for Malon to lead her back into the paddock with a hand beside her ears.
Malon barely had time to wonder what had caused the mare to be so jumpy when a shout from the gate made her look up, "Hey, Malon!"
Malon grinned and waved enthusiastically, "Hiya Link!"
The Prince galloped in on his beloved Epona and dropped to the ground, grinning from pointed ear to pointed ear, "How goes it, Malon?"
"Pretty good, thanks. How's Zelda? And little Impa?"
"Fine, fine. In fact, Impa is with me now!" Link reached up to help his young daughter down from the saddle. Malon squealed, enchanted. The girl came up to her chest in height; had bright blue eyes and long golden hair. She smiled shyly as Link pushed her forwards gently, "Say hullo to Malon, Impa."
"Hi Malon," whispered Impa.
Malon smiled and took the girl's hand, "It is my pleasure, Princess Impa."
They shook, and Impa soon lost her shyness in the face of the bouncy farm girl. "Dad's been teaching me archery. Wanna see?" she asked, hoping the answer was yes.
Malon laughed, "Sure, sure!"
Impa reached into the quiver strapped to her back and produced a bow, then fitted an arrow. Malon's eyebrows rose, "Nice bow." Impa smiled and drew the arrow back, sighted along the shaft, and released. The arrow sped through the air and embedded itself in a knot in one of the fence posts. Malon stared. "Excellent shot!"
Link put a proud hand on his daughter's shoulder, "She's pretty good with a sword too."
"I'll take your word for it," said Malon hurriedly.
***
Kiren had paced himself, reaching the wall of the Ranch just as the day broke. All the while he had planned and thought about what he was going to do. And now he knew. He heard singing from the Ranch, and permitted himself a smirk as he rounded the corner.
He leapt back, rolled, and hid behind the L-shaped wall as a chestnut mare galloped up the slope. A quick glance revealed the rider, a young man with striking features and blonde hair, and a girl clinging to his waist. Her hair streamed out behind them like a banner, and Kiren was pleasantly surprised that his prey had come to him. He could take a horse in the same attack.
He crept out from his hiding place and ran across the field, hugging the wall. He waited a suitable interval, then slipped inside after the Prince and his daughter. No need to kill his half sister just yet. His longbow and beloved broadsword would be the tools he used to kill the Prince.
***
Epona stiffened and whinnied. Link put a hand on her neck, "What is it?" Eiry pawed the ground again, and Impa stroked her neck. She glanced around nervously, her horse's fear catching. In a fleeting glance, she saw a figure move in the shadows near the gate. She tugged Link's sleeve,
"Dad. there's someone near the gate."
Link spun, his hand going to the Biggeron Sword strapped to his back, since the Master Sword had been returned to the Pedestal of Time. He drew the weapon with barely a sound. The blade glittered in the light. Impa fitted another arrow, and Malon took both horses away to give her friends space. She plucked a pitchfork from a bale of hay and joined them in the centre. Impa fought to keep her hands from trembling. She was terrified.
Quick as a flash, Link brought the sword up in a block. A black-tipped arrow connected with the blade and rebounded, embedding itself in the ground a few feet away. Impa loosed off an arrow in the direction of the attacker, but it was blocked in a similar style. Link threw himself into a diving somersault as another arrow sped from the shadows. He sprang upright and launched himself towards the attacker, vaulting the fence easily.
A tall young man clad in black leapt from the top of the wall and landed in the grass. He straightened and drew a broadsword with a hissing sound. Link stiffened and went into a half crouch, readying himself for battle. He felt the old familiar emotions pour into his bloodstream. Tense and ready, Link was sure he could take anything the man could throw at him. Literally. He was the Hero of Time!
Kiren sniggered. The determination in his stepfather's eyes was apparent. However, he had not reckoned with the time and effort with which he had trained. Confidently, he imitated Link in his position, pretending to submit to the Combat Rules laid down by Hyleans. Then he let the disguise slip off and charged.
Link caught the blow on his sword and the force of it nearly knocked him down. He recovered and dodged the next swing in a back flip. He blocked and parried, knowing he was being forced backwards. Impa couldn't fire for fear of hitting her father. Feeling totally helpless, she and Malon watched the battle from a distance.
Link found himself opposite the entrance to the paddock. "Malon! Take Epona and get Impa out of here!" he cried, ducking under another vicious backhand and backed up against a wall. He tried to dart to the left, but came up against another wall. Cornered. how could he have been so stupid?
The man grinned and came closer to Link. Under the face wrapping, a pair of brilliant blue eyes glared at him. The man reached up and untied a knot, and the black cloth fell away, revealing a green tanned face, vibrant long red hair and a malicious smirk. Link stood with his spine pressed against the wall, lost for words. The Gerudo brought his face close, "You destroyed my father, the King of Thieves. Now his son seeks revenge."
***
Farore looked up in alarm from the water, "Din!" She looked back to the pool, murmuring in disbelief, "He's gone mad"
Nayru stood up quickly, "Don't worry, I'll get down there and protect the Princess." She looked quickly back to Farore, "Is that allowed? You make up the rules of this, after all."
Farore nodded, "Yes, quickly! But don't touch Link." As Nayru vanished, Farore plucked a Deku Nut from the plant next to her and dropped it into the pool. Nayru would take the hint.
***
There was a small thud and a nut landed next to Impa. Without quite knowing why, she pocketed it; her movements drew the Gerudo's attention. Link took this moment to lash out with his left boot. Kiren crumpled, a look of pained surprise on his face. Link shoved him backwards, darted away and ran to his daughter. "Malon! Get Impa out of here!"
"No. I want to help." Impa faced her father.
Link knelt, and Impa noticed his lip was bleeding, "Sweetheart, just go. This man is a lunatic, and if I don't finish this soon, he'll finish me."
Impa's bottom lip trembled, and Link wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, my dear, dear daughter."
Impa fought back the tears and clung to his tunic. Link held her for the last time and kissed her forehead. The love he put into that tender kiss left a tingling sensation on Impa's brow.
As Impa stepped back, Malon screamed. Link wheeled around just in time to see the blade dart through the air in a powerful thrust.
Link jerked, his face a mask of surprise and agony. A dark stain was slowly spreading from his chest where the Gerudo's sword had run him through. Impa stared in horror. Malon scooped her up and hoisted her onto Eiry. Link dropped to his knees, clinging to his pounding heart. Through a red haze, he saw:
Kiren shrugging and wiping off his blade in the grass. . .
Impa's face twisted in an echoing, heart-rending scream of pain and rage. . .
Tears chasing themselves down Malon's face. . .
Impa drew back her bow and fired, but her arm was shaking. She missed her target and the arrow embedded itself in the Gerudo's arm instead of his heart. He roared in pain and yanked the projectile out, flinging it with deadly accuracy in her direction.
Impa's pocket glowed blue, and from the nut burst a shield of shimmering blue light. It surrounded the two and Eiry, and the arrow entered the shield, disintegrating as it went, until only the flight remained. It fell to the grass and vanished in a second cloud of blue. Kiren stared, fought the fire burning in his left arm, drew his bow and fitted an arrow, but some force was stopping him drawing his arm back.
Malon kicked, and Eiry bolted for the gates, Impa turning and screaming and reaching for the shuddering body of her daddy.
Link let out his breath in a final sigh and crumpled over, sprawling face first into the grass. Epona came and sorrowfully lay down as Kiren launched himself in pursuit, astride a stolen Ranch horse.
A green-clothed figure lying on the floor in a pool of red. . .
***
LON LON RANCH
The morning sun poked her head over the edge of the world, and cast a gold glow over the pasture of the Ranch. A warm wind blew fine dust from the track into the air, and the day felt hot, close, and sticky.
Malon went into the field and set about the morning chores. She replaced the hay in the manger, refilled the water trough, brushed down the three remaining horses and milked the cows.
Having completed these tasks, the auburn haired farm-girl ran to the stables and went inside. The highlight of her day was coming up. She crossed the room, scuffing her boots on the hay-strewn floor. A silvery- coated horse raised her head from the corner and whickered softly. Malon smiled, "Hullo Eiry!"
The foal of Epona snorted gently, nuzzling Malon with her nose. Malon led the mare out into the sunlight, and mounted up. She always rode bareback, having something of a gift with the horses. Eiry rarely showed Ingo or Talon any affection, seemingly reserving it all for Malon, Impa, and Link. Epona was stabled at the Castle with the Prince, but Link had given Eiry into the care of the Ranch. Technically, she was Princess Impa's horse, and the girl often came down to ride her; she was getting very good.
Malon urged Eiry into a gallop around the fencing. The wind blew in her hair and Eiry's grey-white mane, and Malon rode easily and proudly. She laughed in exhilaration as Eiry halted and reared with a wild neigh, "Calm down, lass!"
But Eiry had become restless of something. She pawed the ground and would not keep still. Malon, alarmed, slipped down from her back and tried to comfort her, "Come on girl, calm down now, shh." Eiry did not want to be calmed, and shied away from the gate.
In desperation, Malon began singing Epona's Song, in the hope it would quiet the edgy mare. Eiry's head stopped it's jerking around, her nostrils stopped their flaring and she calmed enough for Malon to lead her back into the paddock with a hand beside her ears.
Malon barely had time to wonder what had caused the mare to be so jumpy when a shout from the gate made her look up, "Hey, Malon!"
Malon grinned and waved enthusiastically, "Hiya Link!"
The Prince galloped in on his beloved Epona and dropped to the ground, grinning from pointed ear to pointed ear, "How goes it, Malon?"
"Pretty good, thanks. How's Zelda? And little Impa?"
"Fine, fine. In fact, Impa is with me now!" Link reached up to help his young daughter down from the saddle. Malon squealed, enchanted. The girl came up to her chest in height; had bright blue eyes and long golden hair. She smiled shyly as Link pushed her forwards gently, "Say hullo to Malon, Impa."
"Hi Malon," whispered Impa.
Malon smiled and took the girl's hand, "It is my pleasure, Princess Impa."
They shook, and Impa soon lost her shyness in the face of the bouncy farm girl. "Dad's been teaching me archery. Wanna see?" she asked, hoping the answer was yes.
Malon laughed, "Sure, sure!"
Impa reached into the quiver strapped to her back and produced a bow, then fitted an arrow. Malon's eyebrows rose, "Nice bow." Impa smiled and drew the arrow back, sighted along the shaft, and released. The arrow sped through the air and embedded itself in a knot in one of the fence posts. Malon stared. "Excellent shot!"
Link put a proud hand on his daughter's shoulder, "She's pretty good with a sword too."
"I'll take your word for it," said Malon hurriedly.
***
Kiren had paced himself, reaching the wall of the Ranch just as the day broke. All the while he had planned and thought about what he was going to do. And now he knew. He heard singing from the Ranch, and permitted himself a smirk as he rounded the corner.
He leapt back, rolled, and hid behind the L-shaped wall as a chestnut mare galloped up the slope. A quick glance revealed the rider, a young man with striking features and blonde hair, and a girl clinging to his waist. Her hair streamed out behind them like a banner, and Kiren was pleasantly surprised that his prey had come to him. He could take a horse in the same attack.
He crept out from his hiding place and ran across the field, hugging the wall. He waited a suitable interval, then slipped inside after the Prince and his daughter. No need to kill his half sister just yet. His longbow and beloved broadsword would be the tools he used to kill the Prince.
***
Epona stiffened and whinnied. Link put a hand on her neck, "What is it?" Eiry pawed the ground again, and Impa stroked her neck. She glanced around nervously, her horse's fear catching. In a fleeting glance, she saw a figure move in the shadows near the gate. She tugged Link's sleeve,
"Dad. there's someone near the gate."
Link spun, his hand going to the Biggeron Sword strapped to his back, since the Master Sword had been returned to the Pedestal of Time. He drew the weapon with barely a sound. The blade glittered in the light. Impa fitted another arrow, and Malon took both horses away to give her friends space. She plucked a pitchfork from a bale of hay and joined them in the centre. Impa fought to keep her hands from trembling. She was terrified.
Quick as a flash, Link brought the sword up in a block. A black-tipped arrow connected with the blade and rebounded, embedding itself in the ground a few feet away. Impa loosed off an arrow in the direction of the attacker, but it was blocked in a similar style. Link threw himself into a diving somersault as another arrow sped from the shadows. He sprang upright and launched himself towards the attacker, vaulting the fence easily.
A tall young man clad in black leapt from the top of the wall and landed in the grass. He straightened and drew a broadsword with a hissing sound. Link stiffened and went into a half crouch, readying himself for battle. He felt the old familiar emotions pour into his bloodstream. Tense and ready, Link was sure he could take anything the man could throw at him. Literally. He was the Hero of Time!
Kiren sniggered. The determination in his stepfather's eyes was apparent. However, he had not reckoned with the time and effort with which he had trained. Confidently, he imitated Link in his position, pretending to submit to the Combat Rules laid down by Hyleans. Then he let the disguise slip off and charged.
Link caught the blow on his sword and the force of it nearly knocked him down. He recovered and dodged the next swing in a back flip. He blocked and parried, knowing he was being forced backwards. Impa couldn't fire for fear of hitting her father. Feeling totally helpless, she and Malon watched the battle from a distance.
Link found himself opposite the entrance to the paddock. "Malon! Take Epona and get Impa out of here!" he cried, ducking under another vicious backhand and backed up against a wall. He tried to dart to the left, but came up against another wall. Cornered. how could he have been so stupid?
The man grinned and came closer to Link. Under the face wrapping, a pair of brilliant blue eyes glared at him. The man reached up and untied a knot, and the black cloth fell away, revealing a green tanned face, vibrant long red hair and a malicious smirk. Link stood with his spine pressed against the wall, lost for words. The Gerudo brought his face close, "You destroyed my father, the King of Thieves. Now his son seeks revenge."
***
Farore looked up in alarm from the water, "Din!" She looked back to the pool, murmuring in disbelief, "He's gone mad"
Nayru stood up quickly, "Don't worry, I'll get down there and protect the Princess." She looked quickly back to Farore, "Is that allowed? You make up the rules of this, after all."
Farore nodded, "Yes, quickly! But don't touch Link." As Nayru vanished, Farore plucked a Deku Nut from the plant next to her and dropped it into the pool. Nayru would take the hint.
***
There was a small thud and a nut landed next to Impa. Without quite knowing why, she pocketed it; her movements drew the Gerudo's attention. Link took this moment to lash out with his left boot. Kiren crumpled, a look of pained surprise on his face. Link shoved him backwards, darted away and ran to his daughter. "Malon! Get Impa out of here!"
"No. I want to help." Impa faced her father.
Link knelt, and Impa noticed his lip was bleeding, "Sweetheart, just go. This man is a lunatic, and if I don't finish this soon, he'll finish me."
Impa's bottom lip trembled, and Link wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, my dear, dear daughter."
Impa fought back the tears and clung to his tunic. Link held her for the last time and kissed her forehead. The love he put into that tender kiss left a tingling sensation on Impa's brow.
As Impa stepped back, Malon screamed. Link wheeled around just in time to see the blade dart through the air in a powerful thrust.
Link jerked, his face a mask of surprise and agony. A dark stain was slowly spreading from his chest where the Gerudo's sword had run him through. Impa stared in horror. Malon scooped her up and hoisted her onto Eiry. Link dropped to his knees, clinging to his pounding heart. Through a red haze, he saw:
Kiren shrugging and wiping off his blade in the grass. . .
Impa's face twisted in an echoing, heart-rending scream of pain and rage. . .
Tears chasing themselves down Malon's face. . .
Impa drew back her bow and fired, but her arm was shaking. She missed her target and the arrow embedded itself in the Gerudo's arm instead of his heart. He roared in pain and yanked the projectile out, flinging it with deadly accuracy in her direction.
Impa's pocket glowed blue, and from the nut burst a shield of shimmering blue light. It surrounded the two and Eiry, and the arrow entered the shield, disintegrating as it went, until only the flight remained. It fell to the grass and vanished in a second cloud of blue. Kiren stared, fought the fire burning in his left arm, drew his bow and fitted an arrow, but some force was stopping him drawing his arm back.
Malon kicked, and Eiry bolted for the gates, Impa turning and screaming and reaching for the shuddering body of her daddy.
Link let out his breath in a final sigh and crumpled over, sprawling face first into the grass. Epona came and sorrowfully lay down as Kiren launched himself in pursuit, astride a stolen Ranch horse.
A green-clothed figure lying on the floor in a pool of red. . .
***