Chapter 9

Hey! This story is getting pretty long now. We're about half way through.

I'm SO sorry for this chapter taking so long to post… but as you can see, it's quite long.

Thanks to my reviewers, it was pointed out that there might be some other people in the game with red hair. But… erm… (Looks around for excuse) well, the clones of Malon in Majora's Mask don't count… and …well…

Oh well. Doesn't matter. I already posted that chapter anyway.

Now, I give you… Chapter 9

Shiek

One full year had pasted by now since Fairy Boy had disappeared and Ganondorf took over. It had been hard, and the now nine year old Malon was still struggling. She had managed to hold her tongue for the twelve months and it seemed to be paying off. Talon was still working at the ranch and Ganondorf hadn't been to visit them since the incident in Hyrule Castle Town. She was starting to believe that maybe happy times would soon follow.

Even Ingo, who had been acting darkly recently, had lightened up. He was no longer mumbling or speaking of Ganondorf at all and didn't seem to complain during most of his tasks.

The ranch itself though, was not doing as well as its owners. Sales had dropped dramatically. The fear of leaving one's house to go to the ranch and place an order, or even just to talk, was overwhelming. No one was ever seen wandering Hyrule field anymore. It wasn't safe. Ganondorf had placed gigantic poes all over the field and they would rob anyone who crossed them.

Despite all the misfortune, Lon Lon was still on operation. Talon had managed to scrape some money up so that they could support themselves. Life was hard, but Malon felt she could manage it.

Still, something was bothering her about the sudden decline of Ganondorf's power.

Malon brushed her hair out of her eyes roughly. She was tired and it was starting to get dark. She put the last of the horses in their stalls and locked all the doors. She rubbed her palms into her face and tried to make her weary eyes work better. Dragging her hands down her face, she left the stables and entered her home, thankful that she had finished the days chores.

She made a quiet surprised noise as she entered. Her father was not the only person sitting at the table. Beside him was a man that she had never seen before in her life. He looked a lot older than Talon and was very thin. He was dressed in white and was wearing bunny ears.

"Oh, hullo there Missy." Greeted her father, "Are you finished all you chores?"

"Yes dad." Responded Malon, "Is this a visitor?" She was stunned at the sight of another person, let alone one with rabbit ears.

"Yes, he's a traveler. He just came to stay so he could have somewhere safe to sleep for the night. You don't mind do you?"

"Not at all." Said Malon, still slightly taken aback about their strange visitor. He didn't say anything to her. He simply put his hand in the air and made a meeping sound.

Malon carefully took her seat next to her father for her first rest of the day. She hadn't had anything to eat all day and she was extremely hungry. Talon pushed her a plate of blackened chicken. Malon started to cut around all the burnt bits so she could eat the white meat.

"So, er… Mr. Traveler, sir. Where were we? Something about the field, was it?" Talon asked, trying to get back on the track of their conversation.

"Yes," responded the man in a high pitched voice, "Yes, I was just saying that it's getting worse. The number of poes had doubled at least. It's hard to find anywhere to stay. No one trusts anyone now. I can't say how much I appreciate this."

"Oh, it's no problem." Said Talon looking concerned, "So you say it's getting worse? I thought things were headed uphill. Ganondorf hasn't been 'ere for ages now, hasn't he, Malon?"

Malon nodded her head in agreement. She was now into the meat that looked somewhat like chicken and was to busy eating it to join the conversation fully.

"O' course he hasn't. Hasn't had time. All his efforts have been turned to that castle he's building… That and finding the poor Princess." The traveler's voice trailed off. He cast his eyes downwards.

Malon jumped at these words. "What do you mean, 'poor Princess'?" She asked, concerned.

The traveler looked up at them. "Haven't you heard yet? He got her. The poor little girl was on the run for nearly a year then… He got her. At least… that's what I've heard. They haven't found her body yet… Just bits of her clothes that were burnt. But, Ganondorf swears that he killed her." The traveler shook his head then added, "Poor girl."

Malon stood in shock. Now nothing was in Ganondorf's way. She had been their last line of defense. Malon leaned in towards the man. "How long has this been known?"

The man screwed his face up. "Oh, about a month now. That's when I heard. You hear a lot of things when you travel. I always said that-"

"- But they haven't found her body?" Malon interrupted.

"No, they haven't, not yet."

"Then it can't be true. I refuse to believe such a drastic rumour." Stated Malon.

"Believe what you want. But, let me ask you this… If she wasn't dead, then why hadn't she shown her face? Why did she just leave her people to suffer? I see no reason behind it. And if she did just abandon us, then she'd be as good as dead if she ever tried to return." He said to her.

Malon let this sink in. So Zelda really must be dead. She held her hand to her chest. It was true.

The man smiled and leaned back. "I'm very tired. Would you show me to where I am sleeping, kind Sir?"

"Yes, of course." Said Talon. He pushed his stool out behind him, making it scratch along the stone floor. Malon winced at the noise it made. Talon led their guest out of the kitchen.

Malon pushed the half eaten chicken away from her. She had lost her appetite. All the hopes that she had built up over the past months had been destroyed by the traveler's news. Ganondorf was not ready to stand down at all. He was just laying low. Bidding his time. And now that Zelda was out of his way, he could take the throne, unchallenged. Malon began to wonder how long it would be until his inspections started up again.

Her father entered the room again. He sighed and sat back down on his stool. "Look's like we're back to square one again." He said quietly.

"How long do you think it'll take him before he finishes his castle?" Asked Malon.

"By the sounds of it, not very long. He's a slave driver. The castle should be finished in under two years."

"Then, he'll come to us again, won't he dad?" Asked Malon, scared.

Talon gave no response. Malon knew what he meant by it. She turned to go upstairs to her bedroom.

"Malon." Said her father. Malon turned her head to look over her shoulder at him. "It'll be fine. We'll get through this."

Malon smiled back at him, although she didn't feel as confident as Talon words had sounded.

That night, Malon had a nightmare. She dreamt that Ganondorf came and took her father away from her, despite the fact that she had kept his secret. She was all alone at the ranch. She had no one left.

***

Malon awoke and drew in a sharp breath. She tore the blankets off her and ran to her window. She pushed the curtains aside and let the warm sun rush in. It seemed to be well into the morning. Malon scanned the corral below her, looking for her father.

He was in the middle of the field looking after the horses. Malon let out a sigh of relief. Her father was still there. The dream had seemed so real. She felt as if he wasn't ever going to be there again.

She watched her dad potter around the corral doing various chores that he had to do that day. It seemed he was more uptight now. He wasn't his usual carefree self that Malon could remember. The rule of Ganondorf had effected him. It had effected them all.

Malon snapped out of her daze. She realized that she must have slept in. She dashed down the stairs and out into the stables where she was supposed to have been.

"Good morning." Ingo said bitterly as she entered.

"Morning Ingo." Replied Malon, "Sorry I'm late. I slept in."

"Apparently."

Malon picked up a bucket and proceeded to milk one of the cows. She heard the door open behind her. She turned and saw her father enter.

"Oh." He exclaimed as he spotted her, "You're up then. I was just going to come and wake you. I wanted to let you sleep in."

"Thanks anyway dad." Said Malon. She looked around her father and noticed that someone was missing. "Dad? Where's that man from last night?"

"He left early this mornin'. Said something about urgent business. I don't know though. Maybe he just felt like he didn't fit in."

"Oh." Said Malon, a little disappointed that she couldn't ask him any more questions about Ganondorf.

"Well, just came to tell you that I have to go into town today-"

"-Can I come?" Interrupted Malon.
"After what happened last time? No." Said her father. "You're going to stay here and do your chores. I'll be back at around…" He paused to think, "Before tomorrow." He added lamely.

"Fine" Said Malon, knowing that Talon was right about not letting her go. But that didn't stop her from being a little angry with him for not letting her go. "I'll see you when you get back then."

Talon smiled and left the stables. Malon continued to milk the cow. She was still slightly mad and the cow mooed in protest as she milked it perhaps a bit too roughly. She stopped and stroked its neck to calm it down again.

"There, there girl." She cooed to it.

"Hurry up and get that cow milked, Malon, so you can start on the next." Ordered Ingo. He was currently sitting on a crate, relaxing.

"Well," said Malon snappishly, "Could you help me? You don't seem to be doing much and there are a lot of cows. If we both work we'll get it finished faster."

"Don't seem to be doing much, eh?" Repeated Ingo. "I, my dear, am taking a break because unlike some people, I have worked all morning. You will milk the cows and I will sit and watch you to make sure you do a good job. It's called supervision. Get used to it."

A bubble of rage swelled up inside Malon. "What? I don't think so. We both have to work."

"What are you going to do? Tell your daddy?" Spat Ingo.

Malon stood up as tall as she could and tried to look intimidating. "Yes." She told him.

"Then what?" He asked, "Then what, eh? All I have to do is call Lord Ganondorf and then you father won't be any trouble at all. He won't even be anymore."

Malon winced at this. "But… but you haven't even spoken about him in ages… How could you? How could you just switch sides so easily? How can you betray my dad?"

"Easy. He's lazy and good for nothing. And, as soon as Lord Ganondorf decides to take him out… The ranch'll be mine."

Malon smiled at this. "You're wrong." She said defiantly. "You're dead wrong! This ranch is under our name… My name. If you get rid of my dad, the ranch will go to me."

Ingo matched her smile. Malon tried to look unaffected by his confidence. "I don't believe it will, what with you only being… What? Seven? You're too young. And I am the only one listed as your secondary guardian, making the ranch and you belong to me. So… I suggest you get to MILKING THOSE COWS!" Spit flung from his mouth as he screamed. It made soft splattering noises as it hit the muddy floor.

"My father will fire you for this!" Cried Malon.

"Your dad won't do anything because you won't say a word." He picked up an empty bucket from the floor and threw it full force at Malon. It came into contact painfully with her shoulder. She gave out a small yelp of pain as the bucket clanged back to the ground.

"You… You hit me." Stuttered Malon in disbelief. "You hit me!"

"I'll do it again, you stupid wench, if you don't get to work!" His raised his hand threateningly. Malon winced and prepared for the blow. It never came. She opened one eye. Ingo was looking down upon her dangerously. His eyes flashed. "You don't want your dad to leave now do you? I promise that if you're a good girl I might let him stay as a farm hand. How about that, then, eh?" He face twisted into a grotesque smile. "We won't even hurt him for you, alright?"

Malon twitched fiercely. "There's no promise that you can make that I'll believe now! You… You… traitorous worm!" She finished lamely, but still managed to sound vicious.

The next thing she knew, Malon left cheek was on fire. She felt her body hit the floor. Mud was now covering her entire back. She held a boggy hand to her sore cheek. She looked up from the floor. Ingo was standing over her with his hand raised. He had struck her across the face.

Malon proceeded to cry in pain. Ingo picked her up roughly from the ground and threw her into a stable door. "Stop that! Or I'll hit you again! Now, get out of my sight! I don't want to see you for the rest of the day. And if you tell your daddy about this…" He let his voice trail off. He waved a fist in the air. "I know plenty of other ways to hurt you without anyone finding out."

He picked her up be her collar and dragged her over to the door. He swung her back and threw her out onto the grass. Malon hit the floor hard on her side and continued to cry loudly. He slammed the door behind her.

Tears poured down her face freely. Her face hurt, her side hurt, her arm hurt, she was covered in mud and she knew that she couldn't tell anyone. Not even her father… Otherwise, he would be killed, and Malon would be left alone with Ingo.

Malon's sobs caused her shoulders to shake violently. How she wished her father were here. How she wished she could tell him. She wiped away her tears from her red cheek but continued to wail in pain.

An angry growl was heard from within the stables. "I told you to leave me! Get!"

"Where do you want me to go!" Squealed Malon miserably.

"I don't care as long as I don't have to look at your obscene little face!" He snapped from inside the building.

Malon got up of the ground and ran in the direction of Hyrule field. She didn't know where she was going but she didn't care. She'd come back at around dinner time and if her father was there she would tell him she was simply in the storage house.

She ran blindly out into the green field and collapsed to catch her breath. The grass tickled her nose as she tried to breathe through it. She felt free out in the field. Like she wasn't confined by all her secrets. She sighed heavily as she rubbed her cheek. It was still hard to believe that he had struck her.

She felt tears prickle her eyes again but held them back. Malon pushed herself from the ground and walked slowly around the perimeter wall of the ranch. Everything looked peaceful enough. All the grass was a pure green and the sky was still its usual blue. Malon looked around her inattentively.

Malon ran her hand along the course surface of the wall, bouncing her fingers off the ridges. She mindlessly kept walking, not really knowing where she wanted to go. She was still in shock about what had happened.

It was in this trance-like state that she saw an opening in the mountainous wall of Hyrule Field. It was closed off by a huge black gate and tall, stone pillars. It was not very far away. Maybe even only a few miles. Malon was immediately drawn in to it. She had never been through that gate. She began to wander over to it. How could she have never paid attention to it before, Malon wondered.

When she came closer to the gate, Malon realized that it was too high to climb herself. It had large, sharp spikes coming out from the top. She tried to look for a way around it and see if she could somehow squeeze through a crack or something. She walked over to one of the huge stone pillars to see if there was a gap.

Malon, however did not find a gap. Instead, leaning up against the pillar was a wooden ladder. Malon hesitated for a moment and looked back at the ranch. What had she got to loose? She gathered her strength and climbed all the way up the ladder. At the top, the stone joined the rocky wall and formed something of a path. She walked along it slowly, being careful not to loose her balance in the wind. At the end of the ersatz path, Malon found another ladder leading down to the ground again.

"Thank you Goddesses for giving me some luck." She whispered to the sky.

She clambered down the ladder, still careful not to loose her balance. Her feet touched the floor and Malon felt a wave of happiness. She then thought it strange that she could feel happiness. Malon walked away from the pillar, feeling that with every step, she became further away from her problems.

She kept walking until she came across a breathtaking site. A vast lake spread out in front of her. It was crystal clear and had smooth ripples that licked the grassy shore line. In the middle sat a large island with a towering tree positioned atop it. The wind blew and caused the glassy surface of the lake to break.

Malon ran to the edge of the water and looked into it. Her cheek was red and puffy. Her eye was slightly hidden from the swelling. She bent down, scooped up a large handful of water, and splashed it against her sore face. The cold water felt like ice on her skin. She coughed loudly as she shivered at the temperature.

Malon rubbed her cheek yet again. She felt better now. The water had defiantly helped her. She peered into the water again and examined her face. It hadn't changed much. The redness seemed to be less evident now because the water had caused the colour in her face to darken.

Malon brushed her hair out of her eyes and smiled weakly at her reflection but her attention was soon drawn to something else. A face had appeared behind her own in the water. She stared at the reflection and gasped. Malon turned around quickly and found she was face to face with a boy.

His messy, blond hair hung down into his red eyes. His lower face was covered in a white cloth. He was garbed in tight blue material. Malon let out a small scream and fell back into the shallow water. A loud splash filled the silence.

"What are you doing?" Demanded the boy in a deep voice, "How did you get here?"

Malon breathed heavily as she thought her answer through. "I- I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone …er, lived here. I'm Malon, from the ranch. I never meant to-"

"How did you get in?" Interrupted the blue-clad boy.

"I- I climbed a l-ladder." Stuttered Malon, beginning to become affected by the cold water . The boy sighed angrily. "I never meant to come and invade your space. I just needed some time… You're not that mad are you?"

The boy stared at her with his piercing eyes. Malon felt like he was doing more than just looking at her… He was reading her somehow.

"What happened to your face, girl?" He asked, pointing.

"Oh…" Said Malon. She hadn't thought about what she was going to tell people what had happened. She decided to wing it. "I fell… Coming out of the stables."

The boy looked at her again. "No." He said. "That's not it at all, is it? Who did that?"

Malon tried to looked offended that he suggested something so absurd. He seemed to see through it. "I did it. Didn't you hear me?" Said Malon.

The expression on his face remained hidden. "Alright then…What did you say your name was, girl?" He demanded.

"Malon."

"Right. Sorry for getting worked up. These are not the happiest of times." He cast his gaze to the ground. "I didn't know if I could trust you." He held out his hand to Malon. She took it and he helped pull her up from the water. She wiped her dress down and the water dripped from her body freely. The wind picked up and she shivered as goosebumps began to appear.

"Who are you?" Asked Malon, intrigued by this stranger.

"I am Shiek." He told her shortly.

"Oh…" Said Malon through a shudder. "It's nice to meet you."

"Come. You'll freeze if you stay out here much longer. Lake Hylia is much colder than it should be this time of year… Strange."

He began to walk in the direction of an overhanging cliff face. He turned and beckoned her with his hand.

Malon stood quite bewildered on what exactly she should do. That boy, Shiek, had even said that trust was hard to find. She wasn't sure about whether she could trust him.

The wind picked up again and Malon quivered. She was going to freeze trying to walk home. She weighed out her options. She could try to go home and get changed… if she made it there. But, what if Ingo was there? What would he do to her?

On the other hand, she could go, follow that boy and take her chances.

She began to follow Shiek to the overhanging stone face. A large shadow was cast below it and Malon could make out the glow of a fire in the far corner. Shiek crouched down, the angles of his face were accented by the dancing light. He poked at the fire slowly.

"Stand close to the flame. You'll warm up faster." He told her.

Malon followed his instructions and inched closer to the hot fire. Silence followed. Malon looked for someway to break it.

"Thank you." She said. "Kindness isn't very abundant these days. I really appreciate this."

Shiek made a grunting noise in his throat. Malon took that as a 'you're welcome' and she decided to press on.

"Do you live alone?" She asked. "How long have you been here?"

"Sometimes." He said. "I've been here for a little while I guess. I'm really not sure how long."

Another long silence.

Malon nodded. "What do you mean you're on your own sometimes?"

"It's just what I said. Sometimes I'm by myself."

"That's odd. How old are you?" Malon asked.

"Eleven." He said shortly.

Malon waited for him to ask her for her age. He, however, never did.

"I'm nine." She told him.

He looked into the fire, apparently uninterested. He got up and walked over to the edge of the overhanging stone. He peered up to the sky.

"It's getting late. You should get home. Go now and you'll get there just after your father." He said.

Malon stood next to the fire, stunned. "How… How did you know about that?"

He shrugged his shoulders. Malon walked back out into the cool air. Her dress was nearly dry now and she felt that she was ready to walk home. But, would she get there at the right time? Shiek had said… but how would he know. She didn't tell him anything about her father.

"I'll get going now then. Thanks again."

"Oh, and Malon…" He called as she was walking away, "If you ever feel like talking to someone… about anything… you can find me here."

Malon stood staring, slightly puzzled. What did he mean by that?

"Just… If you ever feel like telling me something that you can't tell others… You can trust me." He held out a bandaged hand.

Malon took it and shook. She smiled at him. He reminded her of Link somehow. She let go of his hand and walked away.

As soon as she was at the ladder again, the fact that she had made a friend hit her full force. She smiled to herself and was reminded again of Link. She remembered how she had felt when she had become friends with him. Her smiled faded as she dwelled on Link's memory. The poor child.

She walked across the high path and climbed back down into Hyrule field again. She noted that the sky was beginning to darken and sped off home.

She reached the surrounding wall of the ranch and walked round to the gate. The ran up the path to her house, deciding that she could slip by Ingo and go to her bedroom to stay away. She opened the door and slid inside, only to find her father sitting at the table.

"Hullo, Missy. Just got home. How was your day?" He asked smiling.

"Oh, pretty boring really." Malon lied.

Talon brow furrowed. "What happened to you?" He asked, pointing to her face.

"I was in the storage house and a shelf fell down and struck me." Malon made up on the spot.

"Well… It doesn't look too bad." Said Talon.

Malon sat down across from her father. "Dad," She said, "I'm not hungry. I'm gonna go to bed now, alright?"

Talon looked outside the window. "It can't be eight o'clock. Are you sure?"

"Yes. I had a long day." She gave him a kiss. "Night Daddy." Malon then walked up the stairs, now under the believe that she would soon have to become quite an experienced liar.

Well, that's that chapter done. Again, I'm really sorry for the wait, but the message was like "You can't login because we have heavy traffic." So yeah… I have an excuse.

So, review me! Hope to hear from you all. I'll be updating faster next time. Bye for now.