They arrived at late afternoon, thanks to Link's speed jumping and running down Death Mountain, and Epona's speed crossing Hyrule Field. They rode up the path onto the plateau, and into the gate of the farm. They found both Talon and Ingovard talking to each other. They had just finished brawling, after several days of awkward silence. They were just now reconciling their differences.
"You say you lost Epona to a stranger?" Talon asked?
"Yes, Talon! But he couldn't have been a stranger! He rode just like the Duke did in life! When I barred the front gate, thinking I could renege on my bet, he jumped the west wall just like the Duke always did when he was angry with the Gerudo! That, even more than fear of Ganondorf, opened my eyes to the treachery I had done!"
"But I did leave you open to it!" replied Talon. "Had I done as the Duke would have had me do, you wouldn't have felt like an abused employee! I was supposed to treat you like a brother, or a son! Instead, I didn't thank you for saving my daughter. I let all the labour of the farm fall on your shoulders! And I never even thanked you, much less paid you properly! I'll not even count the horse against what I owe you, for the years of neglect to your purse and spirit!
"But if Ganondorf expected that horse, we're both finished! Did you actually tell him you were going to give him a horse?"
"No, Talon! I'd planned that as a surprise! I wasn't going to present that horse until I had ridden her myself. And not even Malon could ride that horse!"
"Yet that stranger who woke me up was able to ride her the first time he sets eyes on her?"
"Must be. The guy must have some kind of magic to him. He was a Hylean, almost as tall as me. But he had a fairy! Maybe that had something to do…"
Just then, the two men noticed the mounted warrior with a battle fairy, listening in on their conversation. Both men became afraid!
"Who are you?" they asked as one.
Link answered, "I am the Duke of Hyrule. I have come to check on my legacy. I had thought I would find it wanting. But the two of you have remembered your duties to each other, if belatedly. Yet still, I wonder. Talon, why did you mistreat my squire these many years? And Ingovard, why did you curry favour with our sworn enemy, the man who laid my father in an early grave?"
"Strange warrior!" Ingovard exclaimed. "If you be who you say you are, I owe you my life for satisfaction. But, if you truly be the Duke of Hyrule, how are you alive? When I checked the house, on these very grounds, there was no way anyone could have survived that fire! And there was no word that you had been moved elsewhere! If you merely be a young man trying to gain a free horse in these troubled times, you had earned the horse, until you returned here! By coming this last time, you have earned a shallow grave! For I was noble, had turned corrupt, and may become noble again! But no one will jest of the memory of the Duke of Hyrule on these grounds, and live to boast of it afterwards!"
"My stable hand speaks for me on this, friend!" Talon added. "You returned my farm to me, and I thank you. But you have just insulted the memory of the man from whom I received this farm! I had promised my life in his service. If I die killing you for what you said, it would only be fair payment for the many years of pleasure I've had running this place."
Link answered "If your words are true, you'll recognize me soon enough. For you would have known both my father and mother. You will see them in me, and know me for who I am! If you recognize me, that will be a start towards your redemption. If you fail, it will be your doom!"
Link dismounted, and drew the Master Sword! He armed his shield, and approached the two men. As he did, he sensed a presence, but just for a moment. The two men, who had been ready to challenge him with bare hands, fell to the ground, shaking in fear. But did they fear him? They cried out "My lord! Please have mercy on us! Don't take us with you!"
Link felt the presence again, just for a moment. The two men got up, visibly relieved. They presented themselves to Link.
"My lord, we didn't recognize you," said Talon.
"We meant no offence!" said Ingovard.
Link sheathed his sword, and put his shield on his back. "I was not offended. But where was I going to take you?"
"Your father just appeared to us" Talon answered. "He said that we would follow you, or join him!"
Link said, "I believe you. But I will not have you help me out of fear of my father's ghost. Ganondorf is far more fearsome than any ghost or poe that wanders restlessly through the fields. I need your help. But I need you to help me through your courage, not your fear. Look at me! Listen to your heart, not my father, though he is right. Am I who I say I am? Does a man's word of honour still mean something in these times? Does kinship still matter to the Hyleans? Are there still people in this world who answer the call of duty? What say you, liegemen?"
The two men studied Link. They saw it almost at the same instant. They saw the colour of Junia's hair. The fine features of Link's face, which were a masculine rendition of Junia's, and a refining of Arliss's. The way he unconsciously turned his sword in his hand, which they had both seen the Duke do many times. And they saw his eyes. They had only known one man with eyes that blazed as sapphires. They had both sworn allegiance to that man, and his sons forever! They both genuflected to Link. Ingovard said "My lord! Honour and kinship do still mean something! I have been without both for so long that I had almost forgotten their comfort."
Talon continued, "Ingo and I had each blamed the other for the misfortunes that befell us. We have only now discovered how much we had lost doing this! You brought us reconciliation. Now, you bring us the chance to redeem ourselves completely from our shame at the loss of your mother. My lord, we pledge our lives to you!"
Link answered, "I'm glad you recognized me. I am duty bound to free this land from Ganondorf! I don't know where or when I will need your help, but I know that when I do, I will need it desperately. Can I count on you?" Ingovard replied, "My lord, we failed your father. We will never fail you, save our lives fail us!"
Link said, "Thank you. I would sup with you and spend the night here. Would that be all right?"
Both Talon and Ingovard nodded nervously, and led Link to the ranch house. When they got to the door, Ingovard walked silently towards the stable. Talon asked, "I thought we had settled our differences? You are welcome to sup with me."
The squire answered, "His Lordship's horse must be seen to."
Link said, "Be quick then, Ingo. Give her food and rub her down, but don't bar the gate to her stall, and leave the door unlatched that she may answer my call on her own. We shall wait until you join us to eat."
Talon and Link entered Talon's house, as Malon was setting out the dishes for supper. She said, "I see we have our benefactor as a guest, Dad."
Talon answered, "Yup. Right important guest, too! He's the Duke of Hyrule, who's daddy gave us this place, right after you were born."
"So, dad, is he going to take the traitor with him, or did he run off to 'The Great Ganondorf' all on his own?"
Link interjected, "Neither. He will not trouble you any more."
Malon blanched, but for but a moment. She answered Link, "I get no satisfaction from his death. But, he did deserve it, if anyone did."
This time, Link paled, as Talon exclaimed, "What? That man saved your live, child!"
After several moments of awkward silence, Link said, "Ingovard is quite alive. He no longer desires to cozen to evil, and will do his proper bidding here quietly."
Malon answered briskly, "And so long as he does, cousin, he will have no trouble with me! But there are some wrongs where no second chance is given. To me, Ingovard's taking Ganondorf's rupee was but one of many things like that he did.
"But enough of that foul beast, cousin! How do you like your horse? And why have you not visited for seven years, huh? Your life-mate wouldn't give you a 'kitchen-pass?'"
Link paused awkwardly. He said, "Your memory and wit are quite quick. I only found out a few days ago that our mothers were sisters.
"As for me, when I visited you, I had received a commission from… Queen Zelda. I was to claim the Triforce for her, to prevent Ganondorf from getting it first. I failed, though by the slimmest of margins.
"For the past seven years, at least some part of me was kept preserved in the farthest reaches of the Sacred Realm. I know that as I live time, I shall return at least twice to what is now the past. Because of this, I must be most careful about what I learn now.
"For if I hear good news now about what I did then, I may fail to do it then, and the world will be doomed. And, if I hear bad tidings, I may lose my courage at the wrong time, and that would be even worse! For fate oftentimes helps the un-doomed man when his courage is strong, but the coward quickly dies his thousand deaths and walks the earth no more."
Malon asked, "So, have you been back to your life-mate? After seven years, will she even take you back?"
"Of course she'll take me back, if I can rescue her from Ganondorf!" Link said ruefully.
Malon gasped in shock! Link said reassuringly, "Think not of it. I didn't know until a few days ago." Link barely managed to keep his voice level, and tears threatened the corners of his eyes.
Malon said, "I'm still sorry, Link. But you've never told me her name. What is it?"
"Saria" Link answered sadly.
"But she's the Wizardess of the Kokiri!" Malon exclaimed. She quickly added, "But as handsome as you were, and are now, that makes perfect sense! At least I've been told that Kokiri women choose their own husbands, and what woman in her right mind would not have you?"
Link sobbed, "She could have had anyone. Yet she took me, an outlander, with no money, and nothing admirable to my name. I was taken in as an orphan. No one knew I was the Duke of Hyrule, not even me…"
Link paused, and corrected himself, saying, "Saria knew something. For years, she would think of me as the 'Child of Destiny.' She only quit when she found that it hurt my feelings to be put up on such a high pedestal, when I only wanted to be an ordinary Kokiri, neither special nor an outsider.
"And she had to love me for me alone. For I was Hylean, and not a strong one. Yet, she loved me anyway, so much so that she even consented that I love her. We loved each other so much that it helped inspire me to my greatest achievement, our greatest achievement—I became Kokiri.
"It took most of my childhood to do it. It's only in looking back that I realize just how long it took, and how early it started, but that blessed event was finally complete on my eleventh birthday, the day boys of my race become men.
"Saria and I bonded just before I arrived here to visit you those seven years ago.
"And yes, we're still cousins, Malon" Link added, seeing traces of rejection on both Malon and Talon's faces. "I renounced my birth-race, not my relatives. You are my cousin. Though I don't say it openly yet, Talon is my uncle by marriage, and your mama is my…" Link paused, and said the Hylean word for "aunt" rather than the Kokirish "tántã."
Malon was awkwardly silent, not knowing what to say. The silence was broken only when Ingovard entered the kitchen/dining room from outside, having finished tending to Epona, and the other livestock. Malon glared at him, and left the room.
Talon was more friendly, saying, "So lazy have I been that I'd forgotten how long it took to see to the livestock by one's self. Why didn't you ask me to help? I stand by my word, but old habits be hard to break, 'specially at first."
Ingo answered, "You were busy entertaining his lordship, Talon. And it wasn't bad, really."
"Well, pull up a plate of stew… No, I'll serve tonight, seeing her majesty doesn't want to eat with the hired help!"
As Talon served the stew up in three bowls, Link heard something heavy crash against the wall of the next room, suggesting that something said had upset Malon badly.
The three men made small talk as they ate, mostly of Epona's qualities as a horse, and how amazing it was that only Link could ride her.
Malon came in wordlessly, collected the bowls and spoons, and set to on cleaning them. Malon stood up and announced, "Shut-eye time, y'all! I'm goin' up to my bed. Malon, help his lordship set up in the front room. You got your bed set back right in the barn, Ingo? And you sure that's where you want to stay?"
Ingovard answered, "It's fine, Talon. Even during the bad times, couldn't sleep nowheres else! Se ya in the mornin'?"
"Only if my daughter lights fire to my bed! But somethin' tells me she will. And you have my word, friend, you will think you see two of me workin' with you from now on!" Both men chuckled, and went their separate ways, leaving Malon and Link alone.
Malon asked quietly, "You think I'm being too harsh to the traitor?"
Link answered, "I see in his heart that he won't go down that road again, Malon. The beast thrives on disunity. I must do what I can to provide unity. If that includes pardoning a man who genuinely turned away from his wrongs, and whose wrongs didn't have a chance to kill anyone yet, I have to do it, no matter how offensive his act was."
"I'd be less offended if he hadn't been looking at me" she said in a quiet but matter-of-fact voice.
Link asked angrily, "When has he invaded your privacy? And why didn't you say before now?"
"Not so loud, please!" she said pleadingly. She continued quietly, "I'd love to lie, to get that traitor what he deserves, but it wasn't like that. He's never tried to see me without my clothes; he's just looked at me. And I wouldn't be so angry if I hadn't started looking back!
"Don't look shocked like that, Link!" she said at Link's astonished stare. "I am a woman now, after all, though still quite a young one. And some of my friends are already married. And I know he's a bit older than me, but that wouldn't have mattered. His vanity has always gotten on my nerves, but nobody's perfect. But, I could never comfort a traitor, nor forgive one!
"Please don't say anything about this, will you?"
Link answered soothingly, "Of course I won't, Malon."
"Thanks" she sighed in relief. She spoke with more of her normal cheer and enthusiasm, "And I'll make it up to you too, Link! But you'll have to beat me in a race with Epona tomorrow, as well. You will be able to stay tomorrow, won't you?"
"Yes, Malon. I won't have to leave until at least mid-afternoon tomorrow, so we'll have all morning to race, and to catch up on old times, at least as much as we dare."
"With what you said at supper, 'old times' will take about two minutes!" she answered in frustration.
"I guess so, Malon. But that leaves the rest of the morning for us to race, ride, and for you to tell me about the horse you gave me."
"Oh, Epona will tell you herself, if you know how to listen to her…" Epona tapped her nose on the window to gain Link's attention.
Link looked at the window and said, "No, you can't sleep in here, and I'm not sleeping in the stable with you!"
The horse snorted loudly, and moved her head as if to say, 'No, come out here, now.' Malon said, "Let's see what she wants." Link nodded silently in answer. He quickly put his sword, shield, and pack back on, and with Malon behind her walked out the door.
When they stood out in the main road, Epona snorted once, and walked out towards the pasture and corral. Link and Malon followed the horse. When she reached the end of the house, though, Epona turned left, toward the back of the house!
Link and Malon followed the horse to the back of the house. Link heard the familiar scratching noise, and noticed Epona looking at the top of the house. Link followed the horse's gaze, to find the curse spider he couldn't gain by any means seven long years ago, still spinning lazily in the moonlight, waiting for him.
Malon saw it too, and fearfully asked, "What is that monster on the wall of my house?"
Link answered quietly, "Just left-overs from a fight my papa had with Jardain the Banker when I was a baby." He took his hookshot from his pack, and fired it twice, the first time killing the curse spider, and the second time capturing and claiming the heavy gold token that materialized from the hideous arachnid's corpse.
Malon was struck speechless in awe and horror, trying to gasp out questions. Link answered her.
"Papa had asked Jardain and his sons to hide Mama and me around the time he and Mama were killed. Jardain refused. In his fury from the grave, Papa placed the curse on Jardain and his sons. I'm responsible for lifting it."
"But… But…" Malon stammered.
Link reassured her, "No. These curse-spiders neither cause nor help evil. They sometimes hide in places where evil has been done at one time, but this is only so they may hide in peace. Other times, they hide in perfectly ordinary places, like the back wall of your house.
The only ones they hurt by existing are the remaining two cursed sons of Jardain, and Jardain himself. They harm no one else unless approached. Then, they can hurt or kill you like any other spider of that size would, but they can neither pursue nor flee.
Malon recovered some of her nerve and asked timidly, "How many of them are there? Do you know?"
"There were one hundred when I started. I've already killed over thirty. When I've killed fifty of them, I'll have freed all of Jardain's sons. I'll have to kill them all before Jardain himself is free."
"Then may they live forever!" Malon exclaimed in rage.
"No, Kill them all!" answered Talon, who had quietly walked up behind them.
"Dad!" Malon exclaimed in shock. "Don't do that! You like to have scared me to death!"
Talon said in answer, "You are still my daughter! If you and Link had any 'ideas,' I'm still responsible to make him any keep any 'promises' he makes you."
Link laughed and said, "I'm sure you would, too. But she's my cousin, I'm not Gerudo, and I've too many women being foisted off on me with romancing any more, no matter how beautiful and smart they are!
"But why is it the business of either of you whether or not I hunt curse-spiders?"
Malon answered, "Because Jardain sold the mortgage on this place to Ganondorf! That's how he could 'give' Ingo the ranch!"
Talon interjected, "No, Jardain did no such thing! He was pressured, though.
"I found out from Jonathan what had happened after I was run off to Kakariko. He said that Ganondorf did try to buy the mortgage many times, in many different ways, but was always turned down. Finally, Ganondorf just gave up, and claimed he bought the mortgage anyway, when he hadn't. Then, he rounded up what Jonathan called…" Talon paused in thought trying to remember the term, then said, "…bank ride?"
Link replied, "Bank run, Talon." The Kokiri Warrior
shivered in fear for Jardain's livelihood and asked, "What happened then, Talon?"
Talon replied, "Jonathan said that you had already give them so much gold from those monsters, and so many rupees, that they couldn't give it all away, much less loan it out! He paid off everybody who said they had money with them, usury and all, and still had lots of gold and rupees left over without making anyone pay their loans off early! He even paid people who said they had money from before they were cursed, with usury, even though the King had already paid them all off years ago!
"Jonathan tried to get me to stay with him, but I ain't takin' no charity! And besides, spiders give me the creeps, even good ones like Jardain! He also tried to pay my bill at the inn, but like I said, I ain't takin' no charity!
"That reminds me, Link. When do I hafta pay you back for payin' my inn bill?"
Link answered, "You don't. And it's not charity, either!" he added seeing Talon's expression turn stubborn. "You've helped me a lot already, and will help me much more before I've killed Ganondorf for good. The least I can do is pay your inn bill.
"But that reminds me, Talon. How did you get this ranch?" Link asked, knowing the answer.
Talon answered nervously, "The King gave to me, right after your father died."
Link asked, "Did he have any right to do this?"
Talon thought about this for over a minute. He finally answered, tears in his voice, "No…"
Link angrily cut Talon off, saying, "Damn right, he didn't! He helped in Mama and Papa's murder. This ranch is mine! I give it rightly to you, Talon, Franklin of Lon-Lon, going back to the instant King Harkinian gave it to you wrongly! And, I claim the mortgage to it as my own debt, buying it at full price owed from Jardain. And I forgive that debt forever! Now, this is your ranch, Talon!"
Talon and Malon both stood in utter shocked silence for over a minute. Finally, Talon said nervously, "I don't know what to say…"
Link answered, "No problem, Uncle Talon. Just say goodnight, and let's get some sleep. It's almost midnight, and I'm quiet tired, as I'm sure you and Malon are.
"But, please don't go bragging that you're my uncle just yet, Talon. I am still a very dangerous nephew to have! Freely admit your loyalty, and do what is right. But until the time comes, and you will see it plainly when it comes for real, you are only a friend, and you are only loyal to me because it is right, not because of blood ties."
Talon answered, "As you wish, my lord. But everyone knows that my dead wife and your dead mom were sisters! Everyone knowing the Duke of Hyrule rides again also knows I'm an uncle again! Besides, I ain't movin' nowheres! If Ganondorf wants to find me, he knows where to look… Right here on my ranch! Goodnight… my lord.
"Did I ever tell you that your mother was righteously pissed at Romani and me for getin' married?"
Link answered, "Probably didn't want a grown man bowing and scraping to his nephew. When it's just family, don't bother with it. Just don't forget that I am a Duke in public, or when Ingovard is around, even if in private I'm also a Franklin's nephew."
Talon nodded silently, and they all went back inside, Epona silently finding her way back to her stall in the barn.
This time, Malon quickly helped Link set up a pallet on the floor of their front room to sleep upon. Then she retired herself, leaving Link and Navi. Soon, her even breathing could be heard between Talon's snorts and snoring.
Navi said, "You did quite well today, Link. Your generosity would have made your mother proud, and I'm sure your father's ghost will be pleased, once he finds out. Now, it's time for you to get some sleep. Tomorrow is sure to be another long day.
But before he closed his eyes, he paused, remembering his conversation with Navi of several days ago.
He asked, "You said when first we left the Temple of Light that you would tell me of Mama and yourself, as well as Papa. You only spoke of him."
Navi answered, "I did. I will speak of your mother another time. Her story is difficult indeed. But, I will tell you more of myself.
"You remember the legends of Cahir Ivanhoe?" she asked.
He answered, "Yes. He turned against the Great Deku Tree. He wished to make the Kokiri a race of conquerors, and kill off the other races of the realm. But when he, his second, and his two chief men went in to fell the Great Deku Tree, the Tree fought them. In the end, Ivanhoe was defeated because you turned on him, and persuaded your sisters to turn on their hosts as well, or so the legends say. Did you?"
Navi answered, "Yes, I did what had to be done. Continue, child."
Link said, "As I remember the legend, all the Kokiri Warlords were killed, their kind never to walk the forest again. Why did you have to do this?"
Navi said, "Ivanhoe had done far more than the legends say. He had found the power to grant fairies himself a skill he sadly never let me learn, though he worked through my body to do it. He also found a way to make deku seeds and nuts feed many more people. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?" Link nodded in stunned confusion.
Navi spoke again. "It depends on how you use the knowledge. As you know, there are lands beyond the mountains. Ivanhoe planned to not only conquer and enslave all of Hyrule, he planned to conquer those lands as well. With his knowledge, he could have killed off native peoples, and replaced them with Kokiri loyal to him, all over the world, even where deku will not grow at all! But the Great Deku Tree opposed him. So, Ivanhoe planned to kill the Great Deku Tree.
"Ivanhoe was killed outright, along with the younger two of his three sons. His eldest son, Aleric, opposed his father, and sided with the Great Deku Tree. For this, Ivanhoe took his battle-fairy from him and bound him to an ordinary fairy, with such a bond that not even the Great Deku Tree could break it! This preserved his life, when his brothers fell. He eventually took a life-mate, and the line continued unto Sarchan, then Saria.
"Wazu, Ivanhoe's second, was cursed to a fate worse than death. You've already met him."
Link asked, "When? And how? With the Great Deku Tree dead, you alone live from those ancient times."
Navi answered, "In his youth, Wazu cursed two young boys. The boys had been disrespectful to Wazu. He beat the children cruelly, which caused an argument between Wazu and the father of the boys; this argument resulted in the boys' father dying before their very eyes!
"Wazu then cursed the boys, who were only five and four years old, more harshly than if they were men! He cursed them to wander the forest forever as straw effigies, with only the faintest memories of their previous lives. He pronounced that they would suffer that curse until the master of the Great Deku Tree himself freed them! And, his power as a wizard was such that not even the Great Deku Tree himself could break the curse, even had he been able to lure the two boys to his meadow. He tried many times over the years, and always failed.
"Wazu could not be touched while Ivanhoe lived, and tried to fight to the death at Ivanhoe's side. But the Great Deku Tree had other plans in mind for Wazu, even worse than death itself, and had Wazu taken alive.
"The Great Deku Tree cursed Wazu more severely than Wazu himself had cursed the innocent children. Firstly, he gave Wazu an ordinary fairy so he continued to live. Then, the Tree cursed Wazu to wander as the two boys he cursed did—until he could love another more than he loved himself, with child-like innocence and with no thought of selfish gain!
"You think this curse would be easy to slip, Link?" she asked him. He nodded assent, still somewhat in a state of shock from what he'd just learned of his guardian. Navi answered, "You might have a chance. But Wazu never thought of any save himself! He only followed Ivanhoe in hopes of riches and power when Ivanhoe triumphed! Though he was loyal to his liege-lord, his loyalty was bought!"
Link asked, "The skull kids said they were all brothers. How do they think this if it isn't so?" Navi answered, "They are brothers in a way, now. They share the brotherhood of a horrible curse, knowing they have lost and suffer, but not realizing just how much they've lost and just what they suffer! They've been their curse for over two hundred years! Wazu himself is all but forgotten, and he was a mighty warrior! The two boys are not known in their proper form by anyone save the two of us. Everyone the two boys knew is dead, and only I remain of Wazu's acquaintances. Time has abandoned them!"
"But back to me. After Ivanhoe's fall, I helped the Great Deku Tree guard the forest. For a time, I even became the Chieftain of the Kokiri themselves! But, eventually, I was no longer needed. A period of peace fell upon the land.
"That changed though when King Flynn, Princess Zelda's greatfather came to the throne. Old differences were remembered, and new ones were created. Skirmishes were fought, occasional wars were waged, and the Kokiri were again imperilled. And something else strange started to happen. The Kokiri lost the cunning of their minds. You know that only the two Helfdanes, Saria, and you can read the ancient Kokiri runes?"
Link answered, "Yes. And I didn't come by them that easily at first. They were harder than the Sheikah and Goron pictograms, and those were bloody murder!"
Navi said, "And only the Helfdanes, Saria, and you can read them as well. But in Ivanhoe's time, every Kokiri could read and write, in all the languages of the realm! Every Kokiri house had books, and every book was read! Learning has left our people!
"I have my suspicions as to why—suspicions so horrible, so blasphemous, so cruel—that I will not even think of them, lest you learn to read my thoughts, as you eventually will. But, we will see what happens once you've lifted the curse from the Forest Temple, and return to your brothers. Then, we will see if my suspicions have been proved. If not, we may have yet another curse to lift from your brothers of the Forest.
Link and Navi awoke at the fourth hour past sunrise to an empty house. He sat up, and noticed that some bread, fruit preserves, butter, milk, and water had been set for him in the kitchen.
He dressed quickly, repacked his bedroll, and set the pallet of blankets Malon had brought for him to sleep to order, folding the blankets neatly and individually, setting the stack on a chair in the corner of the front room.
"He walked into the kitchen and found a slate with a note written on it in chalk. It read: "We let you sleep in. Our noon meal is usually cold, though the stew from last night should be even better for lunch. I had to get to work out at the corral, so I set this cold meal for you to break fast. I'll see you out at the corral. Malon."
Link was quite famished, and he quickly ate the meal set before him, feeling the rush of healing energy as he drank the Lon-Lon Milk, and also noticing a similar effect putting the butter on the slices of bread with the fruit preserves as Navi told him to.
Having eaten every scrap, Link said, "Must be a healthy but extravagant lot, having healing potions to eat and drink every day!"
Navi disagreed, reminding him, "Not at all, Link. Only the produce of their cows has this effect, and only on Kokiri. Other people who raise cows also eat lots of milk, butter, cheese, and beef, because they have a lot of it! Corn farmers eat more bread, and people who grow many cabbages eat lots of cabbage.
"But why are you complaining?" the fairy asked.
"I've much to complain about, Navi! Just not with this wonderful meal, nor with the hospitality my uncle and cousin have given me. Seems most of my complaints have to do with a Gerudo thug whom I can't even try finding, much less pursue, for two more days!"
"Glad you see it, Link! That means that you can have Malon show you how to ride Epona better. Let's go now, budge along!"
Link grabbed his sword, pack and shield and put them on, glaring at Navi the whole time. The fairy asked, "What now, Link?"
The Kokiri answered sullenly, "Don't treat me like a child!"
"Then don't act like one! You are only eleven, still, no matter how big your body is! And even for your people, and even for you, that's still young. How many more years would it be before you could speak in council and be listened to?"
Link answered, "Seven years, if I were a normal Kokiri who'd lived a normal life."
"Right again. But you don't have seven years to finish honing your judgement and maturity. So, I'll keep you from making a fool of yourself as best I can, if you'll let me!"
Link regained his good humour as he walked out into the sunshine, answering in his mind, "As if I could stop you, Navi. Just as well, really. It's not like we have seven chances, either." Navi agreed silently to herself
Epona was once again waiting for them, having roused herself as she heard Link eating breakfast. Link mounted her, and rode out toward the corral.
Malon had indeed been busy that morning. In addition to tending to the horses and cattle they had grazing, and setting some of the feed corn out for the animals, she had taken some of the portable fence sections from inside the corral, and set them outside, where the racing track ran around the outside of the corral fence.
Link rode up to the corral gate, where Malon, mounted on her horse, waited. "Good morning, Fairy Boy!" she shouted as Link approached. When they sat on their horses next to each other, she added, "Sleep will? Was your breakfast ok?"
The large Kokiri answered, "Yes, thanks. Both my rest and my meal were wonderful. I folded the blankets and set them on a chair, since I won't be able to stay the night again tonight."
As Malon started to look sad, Link added, "I'll visit when I can, but I have to see Jardain tonight, to make sure he records your mortgage as 'paid in full,' and to see how his business is doing.
"But we have all morning, and most of the afternoon, to ride and visit, which as pretty as you are is probably more than Saria would approve of anyway, even with our being cousins!" Link finished brightly.
Malon's good humour returned, and she retorted, "Quit being mean to your life-mate, Fairy Boy! 'Specially since she's not here to defend herself!" She gasped in horror at hurting Link's feelings even as she saw him choke back the tears!
Link regained some composure and said, "Think nothing of it, Malon! I sense she's still alive and unharmed. Besides, I can't free her until I've had my father's sword re-forged, which won't be done until the day after tomorrow. So, I can either have fun with you, learn to ride better, and help with the farm chores, or I can sulk off somewhere and pout until then. Either way, three days is three days, and if I go without the sword, I'll die for sure, and Saria will never be freed.
Link finished back in full cheer, "So, you wanted to race me?"
Malon laughed, and answered, "Of course! But, this isn't like your race with Ingo."
Link answered, "Then you won't cheat, and I won't try to kill you?"
Malon laughed, and said, "No. But you will have to ride with some skill. See the fence pieces laid our around the track?" Link nodded. She said, "You and Epona will have to go around the track, jumping those fence pieces, and do it faster than me! And I've been riding far longer than you! Think you can do it?"
Like most Kokiri, Link wasn't nearly as chauvinistic as Hylean men were, and he knew he had just started riding. He also knew that Epona was a much better horse than most, and seemed to like jumping things. He answered, "Epona can beat you easily. Now, doing that with me riding her is a bit of a question, so let's try it."
They cantered over to the starting line, lining up with Malon on the inside to ride a clockwise circuit of the track. Malon asked, "Do you want to start us?"
Link nodded, saying, "Mark… Set… Go!"
Both riders took off in a flash, riding side by side at first! As they rode into the back straightaway, Link pulled into the lead, leaping over each fence as they rode along. The entered the last turn with Link ahead by one length. This grew into a length and a half as they entered the home stretch. Malon was just closing to within half a length as they crossed the finish line!
Malon exclaimed, "Great riding! Epona really likes you!"
"Not at the end, though" Link said. "The bridle and reins got in my way." Link dismounted, took the harness off of Epona's head, and hung it over the corral fence by the gate. Link said, "The horse is perfect, but the harness is a bit too much. You need it much more than I do."
Malon was amazed. She said, "You can ride without reins?"
Link answered honestly, "Most Kokiri I know of who can ride never use them." He mounted Epona again, and they cantered back to the starting line, again with Malon on the inside.
Malon said "Two out of three?"
As Link said "Yes," Malon said "GO!"
Again they rode the circuit of the track. This time, they were half-way through the back straightaway before Link passed Malon, because of the four length head start she had given herself. This time, Link was two lengths ahead when they finished.
As they cantered back to the starting line, Malon asked "Three out of five?" Link nodded his assent.
"Four out of seven?" Malon asked the next time.
"Five out of nine?" she asked after the next lap.
"Six out of thirteen?" she asked after the next lap.
"Seven out of fifteen?" she sobbed.
"Can't you just let me win, for once already!" she exclaimed in frustration after the eighth straight loss.
Link answered, "Why don't we just canter slowly about and talk? Or, perhaps you can show me other things I'll need to do. I know I can ride fast, and jump over things. But that isn't all there is to riding, is there?"
Malon answered, "I can teach you to cloverleaf, but only if you promise not to beat me too badly, and help set up the fence pieces."
Link answered, "Sounds like fun."
Within half an hour, the two of them had quickly rounded up the fence pieces and set three of them up in a triangle formation. They both mounted their horses again, and Malon explained cloverleaving.
"Cloverleaving is also called 'barrel-racing,' because it's normally done with barrels. It means to ride around the fences in a pattern like the leaves of a clover, as fast as you can, without hitting any of the barrels, or in our case fence pieces.
For ranchers and herders, this is practice for using your horse to keep animals from straying away from the herd. For a fighting noblemen like yourself, this would help you to ride about to the weak side of an opposing mounted fighter to strike him with your sword, or to run down an enemy foot solder, closing with him from an angle where he can't bring his spear or sword to bear quickly enough."
Link said, "Sounds like great practice, especially with you. If I get better than you at this, I'd have to be better than any Gerudo.
Malon answered, "Not quite. The Gerudo are almost born in the saddle, and I heard they can even shoot arrows while riding! But, at least you will be better prepared. Let's try it!"
Malon rode through the fences first, to demonstrate to Link what he needed to do. Link then rode the course, weaving between the left column going out, and the right column coming back. He wasn't quite as fast as Malon seemed that time, but was real close.
On the second attempt, and each one thereafter, he was not only faster than Malon, but also got faster with each attempt! Link cantered up to Malon, slightly winded but more exhilarated and happier than he had been in ages. He almost gushed to his cousin, "This is the most fun I've had in ages! What else can you show me?"
Malon, who was facing towards the house and barn answered, "Not much. But Dad and…" she paused, making a grim face before choosing a name rather than an epithet before continuing, "…Ingo are bringing some of your father's old 'toys' out, and they'll probably show you quite a bit.
Link wheeled about to look. Sure enough, Talon and Ingovard were indeed coming into the corral. Talon was driving his horse cart. In it were what appeared to be several odd spears, and some strange contraption made up of wooden cross-beams. Ingo rode beside the cart, carrying one of the strange spears in his right hand, with the point up, and the base of the handle resting on a flat spot on his saddle. They stopped twenty paces from Link. Ingovard dismounted, and leaned his strange spear against the wagon. Talon climbed down from the wagon, and the two men set up the strange cross-beam device next to the wagon, weighting the base of it down further with cut-to-fit stones that each weighed seven stones.
The strange device stood as tall as a man on horseback. On one end of the crossbeam was a wooden mock-up of a shield, with a target painted upon it. On the other end of the cross-beam was a heavy looking leather bag hanging from a short length of rope. The device looked as if it had been refurbished expertly but the night before, having been neglected for many years before that. And, the appearances were entirely true.
Talon got back on the wagon and said, "Here's where I get out of the way, my lord nephew! I've never rode a day in my life! But, if you don't think I whupped on Ingo hard enough yesterday, here's your chance to see him whup himself!
Ingo looked at Talon and said, "That's entirely unfair, my lord!"
Talon answered, "You're still a squire, and you saved Romani's life. Talon will do. Besides, did you ever win against his lordship's contraption?"
Ingo answered, "I'm only a farm-hand, Talon, by my own offences. And you know I haven't. But today is a new day. Just maybe a farm hand will pass where a child-squire could not! The big thing is that his lordship defeat it!"
Ingo turned to Link, who was still mounted,
and kneeled flat to the ground. He
said, "Permission to speak to you, my lord?"
Link answered, "Stand up, Ingo. We'll talk about farm-hand or squire some
other day. But tell me now about this
strange machine, and the odd spears you carry."
Ingo stood up, and his demeanour changed to that of a teacher, albeit a teacher to a pupil of much higher social rank. "The machine is called a 'quintaine,' my lord. The 'spears' are called 'lances.' A lance is a special kind of spear used by horsemen. By galloping at full speed with the lance, and holding it firmly as you spear your target or opponent, you can kill or seriously maim them. The quintaine is a practice target used with the lance.
You charge the quintaine with your lance, aiming for the bull's-eye of the target. If you hit the bull's-eye squarely, and continue to charge at a steady speed, you do well. Hit off-centre, or slow down, and the leather bag full of sand hits you in the back and knocks you off of your horse. Let me demonstrate."
Ingo walked to the quintaine, and squared it up. He picked up his lance, and remounted his horse. Ingo rode briskly to the far end of the corral, wheeled about, and charged! He rode full-tilt at the quintaine, and struck it with his lance! But he hit it off-centre, and hesitated slightly, as he had always done. The quintaine cleanly unhorsed him!
Link dismounted and ran to Ingovard, shouting, "Are you all right?" as Talon and Malon both laughed heartily at Ingo's misfortune.
Ingo got to his knees, and said, "I'm alright, my lord."
He then looked at both Talon and Malon with hurt and anger in his eyes.
Sizing up the situation, Link shouted. "Be done with the laughing!" Malon and Talon both sobered up instantly. Link added, "I understand that old habits are hard to break, and that Ingo had wronged you grievously not many days before now. But, this quintaine appears to be a difficult task to master, one required by a man-at-arms, but neither a Franklin nor a herder!" Malon and Talon now showed, and felt true empathy for Ingovard's predicament.
Link looked back to Ingo and asked, "Did you see what you did wrong?"
Ingo shook his head, and answered, "No. I never do, and whilst he lived, your father never told me, my lord."
Link answered, "If the understanding of the quintaine I have is true, you missed your mark. In frustration that didn't come to the surface of your heart, yet was there still, you slowed in embarrassment and frustration. This made you an easy mark for the weighted bag. Let's see how well I do."
Link squared up the quintaine. He took a lance from the back of Talon's wagon, and remounted Epona. He rode a short distance away, wheeled about, and charged! He rode like the wind on fire to the quintaine, struck it dead on, and continued to ride! The quintaine missed him by several feet, as it should have.
He shouted to Ingovard, "Square the quintaine!" Ingovard did so, and Link continued to ride to the far side of the corral. He wheeled about, changed the lance to his left hand (the first time he had held it in his right,) and again charged the quintaine at full tilt!
This time, he visualized the target as being Ganondorf himself, and gave no quarter at all to it! He struck the target, again dead-centre! But this time, the lance literally exploded in a cloud of splinters! Link hesitated slightly at this, and instinctively leaned forward. The weighted bag missed him, but he felt its passing, and had he not leaned forward he would have been struck.
Ingovard and Talon both shouted loudly and merrily in acclimation! Malon wasn't nearly so enthusiastic, but clapped merrily just the same. As he slowed, Link asked silently, "What did I do wrong, Navi? Why did the lance burst? And why are they cheering me for it?"
She answered in his mind as he slowed Epona and turned her around, "You slowed down slightly when the lance broke. Fortunately, you also leaned forward, so the bag missed you by several inches. Otherwise, it was a perfect run! When practicing with blunted spears with either the quintaine or other riders, to break a lance is actually a good thing. It suggests that the power of your charge was more than the lance could bear, and makes you look even better! Just don't go breaking lances in a real fight, if we ever have to use them."
Link rode up to the three Hyleans. Malon shouted, "Bravo, Link! Just don't slow down to admire the splinters next time!"
Ingovard exclaimed, "Best charge I've seen since the last time I watched your father practice." Link suddenly had a thought, and rode to Ingo.
Link said, "But I want to see one better than that. Mount your horse, Ingo!" Ingovard quickly mounted his steed. Link then said, "Grab a lance, and ride with me!" Ingo was stunned, but did as Link told him.
Link shouted to Talon, "Square it!" as he and Ingovard rode to the far side of the corral. Link said to his father's squire, "I'll coach you to hit the target correctly. If I find need of your lance, I'll need it desperately. Better now than then to give you a quick lesson, eh?" Ingovard nodded, his mouth now dry as cotton wool.
Link commanded, "Wheel about!" Ingovard turned to face the target. Link commanded, "Lance down!" Ingovard lowered his lance. Link commanded, "Charge!" and both horsemen were off!
Link constantly coached Ingo as they charged, having him adjust his speed and aim. Ingovard struck the target almost dead on, sped up slightly, and rode clear! He had finally beaten the quintaine!
The two riders slowed to a canter, turned around, and stopped facing the quintaine again. Link shouted, "Square it!" Talon squared the quintaine. Link said quietly, "We've proved you can do it, Ingo. This time, it's all you. Get a good aim, don't second-guess your aim, and don't slow down for anything! Go"
Ingo charged the quintaine again, this time by himself! He rode at the target at full-tilt, struck it cleanly and dead on, and rode away unscathed! He slowed to a canter, turned, and rode back to the quintaine. He and Link met at the quintaine and dismounted. Link said, "Enough of the quintaine today. I'll need to rub Epona down quickly, and I want to dine with you all again before I leave for Kakariko." Link, Talon, and Ingovard worked together and loaded the quintaine and lances back into the wagon. Talon took the wagon, with Ingovard following, and rode to the stables to put the stuff away.
Link and Malon remounted their horses and rode slowly towards the stables. Malon asked, "How hard does the quintaine hit back, anyhow?
Link answered, "The bag weighs over five stone, and hits very quickly. Ingovard is not a small man, and it took him cleanly off of his horse! I think I know what you're wondering—don't even think of trying the quintaine yourself!"
They arrived wordlessly at the stable, and put away the horses, or at least Malon put away hers. She showed Link, on her horse, how to remove the saddle and saddle blanket, and how to check the horse's hooves, brush them, and see to their health. Only then did she let her horse drink from the trough. Epona, though not bound or handled in any way, had also not drank, until the other horse started. Then, she too drank.
Malon shook her head in wonderment and said, "Link, your horse is almost 'maintenance-free.' It's a wonder horses still live wild, anywhere. They will drink too soon after working hard, get sick, and die. They will eat too much of the wrong kind of food, or just eat too much sometimes, and again get sick. Epona's never been like that, unlike every other horse I've ever seen!
She doesn't need to be brushed, checked, or watched! She eats only what she needs, drinks only when it won't hurt her, and has never been sick a day in her life!"
Link answered, "Just the horse for some idiot from the woods who would kill an ordinary horse from neglect in less than a day?"
Malon retorted, "I didn't mean that!"
Link answered, "Well, I did! Thank the goddesses, and you, that you gave me Epona. I haven't a clue how I'd take care of an ordinary horse and still have the time to do what I have to!" Link chastely kissed Malon on the cheek.
She blushed deeply, and said, "You're welcome, Link. Did that mean anything?"
He answered, "Nothing romantic. Kokiri kiss romantically only on the lips. A kiss on the cheek shows especially strong gratitude or especially strong emotions of affection to a brother, sister, or a cousin. A kiss on the forehead is given to your own child, and on rare occasions to a niece or nephew. Otherwise, Kokiri don't kiss at all."
They walked to the other end of the stable, where Talon was tending to the horses, and Ingovard was finishing putting away the quintaine. Beside where the quintaine stood, Link saw the remaining lances, and two suits of armour.
Both suits of armour were in the Roman pattern, which Hyleans of the day favoured. One was obviously Arliss's spare set, because of the size. The other one, though, looked as if it would fit Ingovard rather well. Both suits of armour were freshly polished, and looked as if they'd never seen want of care.
Ingovard turned and said, "I've never seen either of you here before, but look about. This, my lord, is your father's spare suit of armour. I've kept it up well over the years, why, I'm not sure. Your father gave the other set to me. He only guessed that I'd grow into it someday. It actually fits quite well. But as I'm sure you'll need it…"
Link interrupted, "Kokiri don't wear armour, Ingo. We don't need it. But you might. Keep up the good work. Are we almost done here, Talon?"
Talon, who himself seldom entered that part of the barn, answered, "Right you are, my lord! Let's go eat!"
The three of them walked back to the house, and into the kitchen in turn. Link washed up quickly. Talon and Ingovard also cleaned up, after Malon told them coldly, "No clean, no bean!" Malon then served up the 'bean,' in this case more of the stew from the evening before, along with a bowl of brownish beans in a brown gravy. Link looked at the beans doubtfully.
Malon told him, "Apart from some of their horses, this is the only thing of value the Gerudo produce! They call these beans, 'Pinto.' They cook up as easily as other beans. They can also be mashed into a paste after they've been cooked, cooked again in a skillet with bacon grease, and make a rather tasty meal all by themselves."
True to Malon's word, the pinto and stew, along with bread, water, and milk, made a sound and filling feast. Link helped Malon clear the dishes away over her protests as Talon and Ingovard continued to sit at the table. Link quickly rejoined them as Malon cleaned the dishes alone, at her instance.
Link asked, "So, Talon, what did you borrow money for?"
Talon answered matter-of-factly, "Horses, my lord. And I paid back a lot of the money, too. Got caught in hard times though.
"Can't tell you much, because of what you said last night. I can tell you this. I bought the horses from the Gerudo, before everyone knew fer sure they was in on what happened to King Harkinian. They overcharged me, and tried to cheat me too! But, I made 'em honour their bargain, and they sold me some of the finest young stallions and mares they had! You seen I got a lot more horses now? Well, I planned to raise 'em myself, as good or better than the Gerudo themselves! An' I did, too! You seen Malon's horse, and Ingo's, and the other horses! Can't hold a candle to Epona, but she's one strange horse!
"Couldn't breed her, couldn't have her pull things, no one could never ride her! Kept her like you'd keep a cat, just because you liked her, not because she would ever do anythin'!
"But she showed what she is good for, all right! She's good fer bein' your horse! An' that's good enough fer me!"
Link turned to Ingovard and asked, "Can you read?"
He answered, "Not a jot, I, nor Talon, either. We were never taught how, and never found the need to learn on our own. Malon has done what book keeping and book learning was needed."
"Ingo, Did Ganondorf give you any papers when he said he gave the ranch to you?"
"Yes, My lord. I gave them to Talon, though, because it's his ranch."
"Talon, may I see the papers?"
Talon answered Link, "Sure. Can you read?"
The Kokiri answered, "I read Hylean, Sheikah, Goron, Zora, Gerudo, and Kiriál, the language of my people."
Ingo and Talon both exclaimed, "Shooot!" Talon added, "You Kokiri must be much smarter than they say, and even smarter than they used to say!"
Link said, "I wouldn't go that far, but I can read. May I see the papers?"
"Sure, Link. Let me get 'em."
While Talon went for the papers, Link asked silently, "Navi, what did he mean?"
She answered in his mind, "We already talked about that. Remember?" Link nodded to Navi as Talon brought the papers down. Talon handed the papers to Link, who looked at them carefully.
He didn't need to know what mortgages and royal land grants looked like to know he held neither. They would fool someone who couldn't read, but anyone else would plainly see that one was a "Royal Proclamation for a Happy Samhain," and the other was a rather ornate score sheet for a card game between the Earl of Lake Hylia, the Lord Mayor of Hyrule Castle Town, the Lord-Mayor of Clock Town, and King Harkinian! Link laughed riotously at the papers, causing Talon and Ingovard some concern.
Link looked up and said, "Relax. Both papers are fakes, though rather clever ones. The real proclamation of ownership for this ranch, unlike most such documents in this realm, is safe in Jardain's counting house! As is the mortgage itself. When I arrive in Kakariko tonight, I will see that the mortgage is taken care of. I'll have Jardain hold the deed to this place until Hyrule Castle Town is set back to rights, and it can be put back in the Hall of the King's Records. May I have these?
Talon answered, "Sure! I have the real ranch, I have your real word on it, take all the fake papers you can carry!"
Ingovard looked even more morose than he had. Link, guessing the reason, said, "To betray what is right, to sell out to evil for anything is wrong, Ingovard. Whether Ganondorf gave you the real deed or not, you would have held this place only at his pleasure. Such men don't honour their word except that it pleases them at the moment.
Link stood and pocketed the papers. He put his sword, shield, and pack back on and said, "But today, Ingovard, you're not only forgiven of your wrongs, but you've bested the quintaine! The care of your duties has been seen! You may yet become a knight of the realm!
"Be honest and brave. Do what is right. Doing this is truly its own reward. Yet, the flashier things may still honestly come to you in these hard times! Be ready to do your duty, and do it; you will be cheered in this land by all who are righteous." Link solemnly shook Ingo's hand.
He turned to Malon and said, "You gave me my horse seven years ago, a gift you honoured again but days ago, when it was truly needed. You showed me great compassion and hospitality without any thought of reward. Thank you cousin." He shook her hand, and again kissed her chastely on the cheek. She blushed in utter embarrassment.
Talon said, deflating the moment, "So, yer hittin' the road, nephew. Come back soon. Shake my hand too, though I don't see how I've earned it! Jes' don' kiss me, unless you want the road hitting you first!" They all laughed at that.
Link said as he shook Talon's hand, "You've shown me real kindness and hospitality, túncl." Link added with just a touch of embarrassment, "And, you've done even better than my fairy at not letting me get too pompous." They all laughed again.
Link walked to the door. As he walked out, Malon shouted, "Go with fortune, Fairy Boy!"
He answered, "And all of you, kinsmen!" as he mounted Epona. He wheeled about and broke into a full gallop as the sun started to set over the west ridge of the plateau.