It was midday by the time Link rode back into Lon Lon Ranch. Thanks to a quick stop along the way, Talon was now riding behind Link atop Epona as Navi flew alongside them.

Malon was carrying a box full of milk jars back from the stables when they rode in. She immediately set the box down and ran for the horse.

"Dad?!" she cried. "Daddy!"

Talon grinned as he leapt off of the horse and embraced his daughter in a tight hug. Link and Navi couldn't help but smile at one another.

Ingo heard the commotion and ran out from the chicken coop. "What's going on here?!" he asked bitterly. Glaring at Talon, he yelled "I thought I told you to never come back here!"

"Yeah, about that... " Link started, drawing a huge wallet from his satchel. Ingo eyed it suspiciously.

"There are 10,000 rupees in here," Link explained. "More than enough to buy the ranch back from you." His eyes narrowed. "I suggest you use the remainder to get out of Hyrule. Otherwise, I'll be perfectly happy to send the Gerudo after you."

Ingo flinched at the mention of the Gerudo, but he quickly got over the shock and grabbed the wallet from Link's hands.

"Let's see… purple… gold… hmmm… yes, I believe we can, uh… make a deal here," he said, staring into the wallet in disbelief.

"Good," Link replied curtly. "You can give the deed to him," he finished, pointing a thumb in Talon's direction.

Tears began to fill Malon's eyes. "Link... I… "

"I already told him that he was too generous," Talon told his daughter with a chuckle. "But he was extremely insistent."

Ingo ran into the house in search of the deed. Talon followed slowly, pausing to put a hand on Link's shoulder.

"Thank you, my boy," Talon said, warmth in his voice. "I don't know how we can repay you for this."

Link smiled at him. "You and your daughter have done more than enough for me. I'm just returning the favor."

Talon laughed and shook his head, turning to go inside.

"Link," Malon began. Link spun to face her, but before she could think of a way to finish, she just wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you so much."

Navi quickly winked at Link and flew off somewhere to get out of the way. Link shot her a grin as she darted off.

Looking down at Malon, he held her close against him. "It's nothing," he said, smiling as she leaned into his chest.

"No, it is something," she said, looking up into his eyes. "Daddy's right. Nothing we've ever done for you can compare to this. There's no way we can pay you back for what you did today."

Link pursed his lips. "Well, there might be a couple of ways."

Malon stare didn't waver. "Anything."

"Well," he continued, "I was thinking… maybe, you know, now that Ingo's going to be leaving… you might need an extra hand around here." Malon's face started to turn red, a smile filling her features. "And I was hoping," Link continued, "that maybe I could take his place and… live here. With you guys."

"I… " Malon began, and then she stopped herself. "Yes, of course, yes!" she said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'd love — I mean, we'd love — that is… we'll both be very happy to have you!"

Then, after a brief moment of elation, her face fell once more. "But what about your duties? With Zelda?"

Link turned away, looking in the direction of the castle, and shook his head. "I can still protect the kingdom from here," he told her. "And it's my decision to make. She's always done her best to be a good friend. She'll understand." He paused, nodding to himself. "She'll have to."

The smile returned to Malon's face, this one more confident and content. "This is so wonderful," she gushed.

Link grinned at her. "I think so, too," he laughed.

Still smiling, Malon looked at him questioningly. "What was the other thing?"

Link bit his lower lip, his face turning a little red. "Oh, that… I'm not sure exactly how to… it's actually nothing." He looked down at the dirt and sighed. "Forget it," he said, stonewalling.

Malon's face turned confused. "No, tell me. What is it? Just name it."

Her tone of concern broke Link's barrier down, and he smiled at her. Quickly, he swept her up into his arms and pressed his lips against hers, kissing her softly. Malon was startled and stiff at first, but soon sank into it, wrapping her arms around him tightly and pulling herself into him.

It lasted for several seconds before Link broke the kiss. Both of their faces were red from embarrassment, but they grinned in spite of themselves.

Malon was still breathing hard when Link said "You… we have a lot in common, you know? And I was thinking… do you want to try this?" he asked awkwardly.

She looked up at him, the embarrassment gone, and grinned wider still. "Nothing would make me happier."

Link grinned right back at her, and they stood there, smiling affectionately at one another until finally Malon heard her father's voice calling from behind her.

"Um," she started, "I should go and… tell my father the news." She grinned and turned, running away towards the house, tripping over her own feet along the way.

Link stood there alone for a moment, grinning happily as he watched her go. Then Navi flew back down and landed on Link's shoulder.

"Hey, you're blushing," she teased.

Link laughed aloud. "I guess I probably am."

"I always knew you were sweet on her, you know," she continued, elbowing him in the chin casually. Link just rolled his eyes and nodded.

"I'll bet," he murmured, turning to take Epona's reins.

"I did! I so did," Navi insisted.

"I'm sure you did," Link acquiesced. He started to walk towards the corral, leading Epona over to the other horses.

"What about the Gerudo?" Navi asked finally.

Link half-shrugged casually. "I guess their king will just have to tell them that the mystic destroyed all of our money," he said flatly.

"The punishment for stealing from the Gerudo is death," Navi noted.

"I guess I killed her, then," Link chuckled. "And once we're done with that, I can appoint them a new ruler and be on my way."

Navi nodded and smiled, satisfied with that response.

"You don't mind, do you?" Link asked her, concern tinging his voice.

"Living here?" she answered. "Not at all. I could use the fresh air." Navi took a deep breath and looked around the ranch in approval before turning back to Link.

"So," she continued, "do you think we can actually sleep tonight?

Link stopped walking. Slowly, he took in his surroundings. He looked over to the grazing animals and the rustling trees visible beyond the ranch walls. He breathed deeply, smelling the grass and flowers of the pasture.

"Yeah," Link answered her at last, smiling warmly. "We can."