A/N: Here's chappie 10. Have fun reading.
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^.^ Chapter 10 ^.^ - An Old Friend
"Which way to go?" Link asked.
Saria looked around quickly and pointed to one, "That one. It's a shortcut to Kokiri Forest."
Link nodded and steered Epona in the direction of the shortcut.
"Back, at last," Saria whispered happily.
Zelda did not share Saria's happiness and neither did Link.
"Where to?" Link muttered under his breath.
"The castle," Zelda replied heavily. She didn't want to go back, yet, she knew she had to.
Riding through the village of Kokiri, Zelda noticed that they all stayed away from them. Oh well, the more secret their arrival was, the more effective it would be.
"It's getting dark!" Zelda exclaimed as they left the forest.
Link nodded, "Yes…"
"Hurry!" Zelda urged Epona, "The draw bridge closes at sunset!"
"Hold on tight," Link told Zelda and Saria as Epona galloped in the direction of the castle.
Luckily, they made it in just as the draw bridge began to close.
"That was close!" Zelda said quietly.
Link nodded in agreement, "Which way to the castle?"
Zelda directed Link to the castle in an undertone, trying to ignore the curious looks the people in the market place were giving them. Link slowed Epona down as they reached the gates of the castle.
Taking on a tour guide pitch, Zelda gave a fake smile, "And, right in front of us, you will find the gateway to the Evil Realm, the residence of the Lord of Evil himself, my father."
"Don't speak that way of the king!" Saria said in a hushed voice, "If anyone hears even you talking of him that way, you would surely have to pay the consequences!"
Link looked at the gates, they were tall and had spikes at the top, "How are we going to get inside?"
Letting Saria slide off her lap, Zelda got off herself, "We take the secret entrance. It's the one I've used to get out of the castle on numerous occasions."
Link jumped off Epona, "Where is this secret entrance?"
Zelda walked away, back to the market place, "Follow me."
Epona grunted. It was clear that she didn't want to be left outside the gates of the castle.
"Where do we keep Epona? I don't want to leave Epona here," Link said, looking back at his horse.
"You can keep her with me Link," a voice spoke as a girl stepped out of the bushes.
"Who are you?!?" Link asked as he took his sword out in a flash and held it to the stranger's throat.
As the girl stepped back in submission, the moonlight fell on her face.
"Malon?" Zelda recognised the girl.
The girl nodded, "It's me."
Zelda smiled and hugged her, "It's so good to see you again!"
Malon returned the hug, "I came back to Hyrule and as soon as I came, I was told that you were gone!"
Zelda smiled, "I ran away, but you can't lecture me! That's the same thing you did."
Malon nodded, "I couldn't bear it Zelda, my father was so lazy and Ingo never treated me good."
"Um… hate to break up your little reunion, but don't we have something to do? And besides, how do you know my name?" Link asked.
Malon smiled, "Link, I'm not surpirsed you don't know me, but, I'm the one that gave you Epona."
Link gasped, "I remember you! I think. The little red haired girl!"
Malon grinned, "Yep, that'd most probably be me."
"Wow. Well, thank you so much. Epona's been my best friend ever since!" Link said.
Saria was feeling left out. She tugged at Zelda's cloak, "We should be going before it becomes day."
Zelda nodded, "We should. Malon, I'll visit you at the ranch later."
Malon nodded, "Okay, oh, and by the way, I think my father's asleep in the castle again."
"You want me to wake him up and tell him that you've returned?" Zelda asked.
Malon smiled, "Yep. And tell him not to bother coming home."
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A/N: Wow, can you believe it, I've actually written a fic without Zelda trying to rip off Malon's throat!! O_O lol. Well, anyways, please review, it **theoretically** improves my writing skills. Probably not in this fic, but probably in other ones. ^-^ have fun doing what you do, people.