Alright, things are getting pretty hectic for me. My exams are slowly coming closer, I have family coming to visit for the next two weeks, my track season is coming to an end, I have a huge regional meet next week for two days, my soccer has just started up again AND on top of all my masses of homework I have to work. But guess what? I'm here updating… thinking about what test I could be studying for instead. Sigh.

Meh. I was always all right with stress. Hyperventilates.

Well, now I have for you the LONG awaited update. (I'm sorry it took so long, but please refer to the above list.) Enjoy!!!!

Sudden Hope

Malon's fifteenth birthday passed in a blur. She never really gathered many memories from her months with Ingo as her guardian. She remembered somewhat how happy she used to be all those years ago. But most of that was a blur now too. All that consumed her memory now was what Ingo didn't like her to do at certain times during the day, or what he enjoyed eating on the third day of the week, or how he was constantly looking for a reason to hit her. She had lost track now of how many time he would hit her… even in one week.

She had stopped going to see Sheik too. She hadn't seen him in months, maybe even in a year. Malon couldn't remember. She did, however, know that it had been a long time. Malon couldn't risk going out any more to see him. True, she could now almost tune out the pain that Ingo would give her physically, but he had noticed her and begun to threaten not only to hurt her, but the horses. They were the only thing that Malon had left, the only things she cared about, and she didn't have the heart to leave the ranch and let them suffer.

Ganondorf hadn't been to the ranch since Malon had made dinner for them. She didn't know whether this was a good thing or not. She did enjoy it, though, not seeing him for months.

Malon's chores were double what they used to be and she begun to notice that Ingo wasn't doing much anymore. In fact, she hadn't seen him do any work in weeks. He would just order her around and become angry with her during random points of the day.

That day, Malon had been hard at work again in the dismal looking stables. They were quite old now and the ranch had no money to fund a renovation. The whole barn house looked as though it would fall on top of her at any moment. Malon had grown used to her unease in the stables now and was working putting the cows in their pens for the hot, summer afternoon.

This task was a difficult one, as the cows were stubborn and Ingo hadn't offered to help her. She was all alone, trying to maneuver the large creatures into the tiny wooden stalls. She was in the middle of pushing and pulling a particularly fat one as Ingo slipped round the corner.

"I asked you to put the cows away a half-hour ago, girl." He spat. "They're going to get to hot out in the sun, now hurry up."

Malon bit her tongue. She wished that she had the will to speak up to him, but she knew the penalties of that… she had the bruises to show it.

"It's disgusting how slow you are." He went on. Malon tried not to show her annoyance. "I mean, honestly, if you were any good at all, this job would have taken you ten minutes."

Malon took a deep breath. She continued to push the cow. It mooed in protest.

"See? Even the cows don't like you." He laughed out loud, "That's how disgusting you are! I'm surprised the stupid horses listen to you."

Malon let go of the cow and turned around to face Ingo. She had had it. It didn't matter what he did to her. He could kill her and she wouldn't care anymore. Anything was better then just standing there and letting this happen.

"Do you know what I think is disgusting?" She said to him calmly.

Ingo's eyes flashed dangerously.

"You're disgusting." She said more loudly, "If you had one bit of decency, you get off your ass and work too."

Ingo stood close to her. He loomed over her like a giant and his eyes beat down at her. Malon stayed strong and didn't move an inch.

"If I were you girl, I'd have learned by now when to shut up." He said quietly.

"I've been shut up far too long." Cried Malon so loudly that the cows were becoming restless. "I've been working for hours now… For weeks on end! And you don't even help. You hit me all the time and I have no idea why I didn't say anything sooner because, believe it or not, this feels good." Yelled Malon, pointing at her face. She had a large, insane looking grin across it.

Malon felt a heavy blow to her stomach region. Ingo had punched her. She bent over slightly, hurt by the blow, but forced herself up again. "C'mon hit me again." Whispered Malon.

She felt another hard blow to her cheek. And another from another punch to the cheek. She staggered backwards a bit, then regained her footing. Ingo stepped quickly up to her, ready to strike again but…

Malon lashed out her leg with all her strength. It connected with Ingo knee and he cried out in pain. He dropped to the floor.

Malon looked wildly around for something, anything, she could hit him with. She hadn't the strength to do much more. Just in front of her, a large shovel lay in the hay. She quickly swooped down on it and turned back on Ingo. He was just about to get back up and he was covered in mud. He looked up at Malon. She raised the shovel high above her head.

"N-No… Wait! Stop!" He pleaded.

"Stop this." Malon whispered as she brought the shovel down to him. The flat part connected the top of his head with a dull thud. He slumped back to the ground and remained motionless.

Malon let the shovel clang to the ground. She began to shake all over as the realization of what she just did settled in.

"Oh Goddesses… Did I kill him?" She murmured. She dropped to her knees and turned his body over. His chest moved up and down slowly as his breath passed through. Malon let out a sigh of relief. At least he wasn't dead. But what would she do now? What would he do when he woke up? She began to pace nervously around trying to think of the answers.

She had no idea what to do. She looked down at her shaking hands. Malon tore away from the stables as fast as she could. She kept running and passed the house and the gate. She soon felt herself on the brittle grass of Hyrule Field. She was in a complete state of shock. A violent wave of panic overcame her. What if Ganondorf came and found out. He would surely kill her.

Malon dropped down to her knees. If only her father was there she could have asked for help. Why hadn't she told him about the plans before? Maybe all this wouldn't have happened. Maybe it would all be fine now. If only she hadn't been so stupid.

If only her mother was here, she'd give her some advice. Malon continued to shake viciously at what she had done. Her mother would have been able to calm her down. All she would have to do was to sing, and everything was all right. Malon tried to hum the tune to herself but could only remember the first bar. She sat and repeated it over and over in frustration as she couldn't remember the rest.

What could she do? She needed advice.

Malon thoughts clicked. "Sheik." She whispered to herself. She forced herself off the ground and up on her feet. Malon took off as quickly as she could and headed towards the lake.

The black gate was still standing and the old wooden ladder lead up it. Cautiously, Malon stepped up the ladder, rung by rung. It didn't look as safe as it used to. She clambered her way to the top and slid across the brick wall and back down the other side.

Malon came out into the lake's clearing and drew a deep breath. She hadn't been there in one year, and the place had certainly taken a turn for the worst.

There was hardly any water left in the lake now, in fact, it was more of a large puddle. Most of the grass had disappeared and all that was left was ugly, dirty patches. Malon stepped into the lifeless wasteland and looked around for Sheik's cave.

It still looked the same. It was still an overhanging cliff. It couldn't get much more ugly or older looking then what it was five years ago.

Malon walked over to it, the same way she had remembered she always did. "Sheik?" She called into the cave. There was no answer. "It's me. Malon. Remember?" Still nothing. No fire was to be seen in the cave.

A new panic spread over Malon. Was he gone? Did he leave or was he found by Ganondorf? Malon stepped away from the cave. Her breathing became heavy. What was she to do now? No one was here for her. Malon fought back tears.

She turned around and prepared to leave what she had hoped for when something caught her eye. Right in the middle of the lake, on the center island, stood a tall figure. Malon's heart pounded at the sight. That had to be Sheik.

She sprinted across the old, rickety bridges, not caring that they looked dangerous. They swayed from side to side in the intense winds of the lake.

"Sheik!" Malon called out as soon as she reached the island. There Sheik was, with his back towards her. It was definitely him. "I thought you were gone. I'm so sorry I haven't been to visit you lately but I-"

Malon stopped as Sheik turned around. He looked so different. He wasn't the little boy that Malon would come to talk to anymore. No, an entire year had passed since then. He was much taller then he had been then. Obviously, he had gone through some sort of growth spurt, but that wasn't all that was different. His one visible eye was cold and unreadable and his body had filled out. He was a man.

Malon felt a little intimidated. She swallowed hard and tried to continue but didn't have to.

"Malon?" He said. His voice was deeper then ever. There was some hint of emotion. A happy one hopefully. He didn't really let any emotions out. He always hid them a bit, but never to this degree.

Malon nodded. "I'm sorry I haven't been to see you lately." She repeated.

"I understand." He said softly. "I expect you have come to see me for some important reason then, since you haven't been able to come."

"Yes." Said Malon shyly. He was much taller then her now. He felt like a complete stranger.

"I'm still Sheik." He said, as though he had read her mind. Malon didn't doubt that he could do that now.

"You've changed, that's all." She explained.

"Many nights have passed." He looked her over. "Have you come to talk about that?" He asked pointing at her heavily bruised face.

"Sort of." Said Malon, "You see, I snapped today… and I… I hit Ingo."

Sheik nodded. "Good." He added shortly.

"That's not it though. I hit him… a lot. Really hard too." Malon said.

Sheik raised his eyebrow.

"With a shovel." Added Malon quietly.

Sheik face remained emotionless.

"I came to get advice. What do I do?" She asked.

Malon saw his brow furrow. "I suggest you tell him that he had an accident. Say that something hit his head." He told her.

Malon looked at him in disbelieve. "He'll never believe me." Maybe Sheik had lost his touch at giving out information. But then again, maybe she should try his advice. It was the best she had.

Sheik gave a large sigh and sat down. He leaned up against the black tree and closed his eyes. "It won't matter soon anyway." He said, "Tomorrow everything will change."

Malon looked him over. Was he trying to ignore her? Was he angry with her for not coming to see him? "How can you be so sure that everything will change?" She demanded.

"Because I've seen it." He said, deadpan, "I've been having this dream lately. A Hero is coming to save us all. I've been going down to the Temple of Time a lot now, to see if he's come. But I know now that I was wrong on those days. He'll come tomorrow."

Malon raised her eyebrows. What was wrong with him?
"Have you gone mad?" She asked.

"Mad?" Repeated Sheik, still in monotone, "I have not. It was all in my dream. I have to do my part and guide the Hero. He won't fit in. And to prove to you that I'm not mad, I'll get him to come and see you tomorrow. Then you'll see. Everything will change."

Malon continued to look down at him. Sheik gave out a sharp laugh. "After seven years to the day, the Hero will return."

"Well, it's been really nice to see you again." Said Malon, taking a step back. She had had enough.

Sheik got up slowly. "You may not believe me, Malon, but have some hope." He said seriously.

Malon nodded quickly and sped off from the island. She ran across the bridges again and climbed the black gate.

Sheik had definitely gone strange. Malon was apparently the only one left in Hyrule with some sanity. She continued to make her way back to the ranch.

When she arrived, Ingo still lay on the ground in the mud, shovel still beside him. Malon walked over to him, and reluctantly pick up his shoulders and dragged him into the house. She put him in his bed and tore off some material to cover the wound.

She sighed as she could think of nothing else to do but follow a mad man's advice and walked out of the room, trying to think of a good accident story to tell him.

Ta da!!! Well, another chapter done. I think that it's okay. But my opinion doesn't count, so review and tell me what you think! (Please don't yell at me for updating at an excruciatingly slow pace! Cowers in corner )

Thanks again for reading!