Malon has taken the injured Link into her home and is nursing him back to full health. But after seeing the way a greedy rancher treated her, Link became angry and murdered him in a quick and clean kill. What is happening to the Hyrulian Hero?

Chapter 4: Nightmarish Inferno

Zelda's POV

Finally, the tears have ended. Finally, I began to realize the truth. All of it was real, not some horrible dream that I couldn't wake out of. I thought back to the day that made me shatter. The day my father was murdered. It was the same day that my true love, Link, was named a murderer. How hard it was to see the soldiers break into my room and pull Link away from me and throw him into the dungeon. Then I learned that he escaped, now I don't know what to think. Was I glad he was out of the rat-infested basement, or upset he could escape punishment for killing my father? Was I in fear for my own life, or angry that anyone so could to the Royal Family could do such a thing? So many complex emotions filled my heart that I feared it would burst.

"Princess..." My thoughts were interrupted when Captain Christopher Julius spoke up. "We may be ready to search for him... but we need your consent." Christopher knew the laws well. No guard, not even the captain, could go on a search and capture mission without the King's consent. And since my father was... It was up to me.

"I..." I didn't know what to say. I wanted to say no, but it was the law that a murderer be found if he escaped. But it was Link, the hero who saved all of Hyrule, nay, the world. How could I take the responsibility knowing that I allowed him to be captured?

"I know it's tough, Princess..." Christopher said in a calm voice. Next to my Nursemaid, Impa, he was my oldest and most dear friend and advisor. Oh, Impa... How I wish you are here to help me... "Frankly, I don't wanna go after 'im either. But it's the law, right?" I didn't want to argue. What he said was true.

Then I realized something. Since my father was dead... I would become Queen of Hyrule. I would be forced to make decisions that affect the entire kingdom and not just myself. Why did my first decision had to be whether my love lived or died...?

"I...I...I don't know!" I shouted out before tears fell from my eyes again. "I just don't know what to say..."

Christopher nodded and turned around. "I... I'll wait. But whatever decision you make, I'll follow it. That's my vow to the Royal Family." He walked out and left me alone to cry. I needed to think about what I would do next, but now I wondered if these tears would ever stop...

Malon's POV

The sun's warm beams of light shone through the window of my bedroom and into my eyes. They slowly flickered open as I was now waking up for today. I smiled and climbed out of bed. Today was going to be a beautiful day. I made my bed, brushed my long hair and slipped into my favorite dress ready for today's work. But before I start, I need to make Link a hearty breakfast to help speed up his recovery. I walked out my room and headed for his, when I pasted the opened door of Duane's room.

I peered inside and saw that he was gone, the bed made, and all the things he brought were gone. "Thank goodness!" I said out loud. "He must have left early." Nothing pleased me more than Duane leaving the ranch and going back home to Triet.

I knocked on Link's door and waited to hear his voice. "Come in!" He said. I opened the door and walked in with a smile on my face.

"Good morning, Link!" I said in a cheerful voice. "Did you sleep well?"

"Actually..." He started to say. I could already tell he didn't get much sleep from the dark rings around his eyes. "I had trouble getting to sleep."

I shook my head. "You need to get sleep, Link, you won't get well soon if you don't."

He looked down at his chest. "I know..."

I smiled again. "Don't worry. I'll make you a nice breakfast today. Just wait a little bit, okay?" He smiled and nodded. I walked out of the room and closed the door. I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Let's see..." I said as I searched the cupboards for pots and pans. "I think I'll make..." I placed a small pot onto the lit stove. "Oatmeal." I put in all the ingredients and watched as it started to cook. I began thinking more about Link. What could have happened to him that would make him look so torn up? And that arrow I found that pierced his body, it had the insignia of the Royal Family. Only the castle archers could use those arrows. And all his other wounds... cuts from swords and stabs from spears were all over him when I found him. Whatever it was... maybe it would be best to keep him here for a little while longer. If the Princess was concerned, she'd send guards to search for him, right?

I snapped back to reality when something hot burned my hand. "Ouch!" I looked down and saw that oatmeal was over boiling. "Oops!" I quickly turned off the stove and let it cool down for a few minutes. While I was thinking about Link and the Princess, I left the oatmeal unwatched.

When it was nice and warm, I pour some into a small bowl and walked back to Link's room with it. But along the way there, I thought about Link again. How much I admired him for going on a long journey to find his fairy friend. But how much I was upset that he was leaving. But that was years ago, when we were both 12. I shouldn't have been thinking about the past. Link wasn't gone anymore, he was here... and injured...

"Breakfast is ready!" I said as I walked into his room. He looked at the bowl and me and smiled.

"It smells great." He said as I sat next to him. He was about to rise up to take the bowl, but I stopped him.

"Just lay back down." I told him. I didn't feeding him again. "I'll be careful." He did lay back down like I told him and just sighed. I could tell he was annoyed about me babying him, but why shouldn't I? He was hurt.

I scooped up some oatmeal from the bowl and gently blew on it to cool it down. Slowly, I pushed the spoon into Link's mouth and let him taste the food on it. Just to tease him a little, I pulled it back and rubbed it against his lips like I was cleaning off some stray food off a baby's mouth.

:"Malon..." He said with an annoyed frown.

"That's mama's little boy!" I teased him. I scooped up some more and feed him again. As I was feeding him, I began thinking about him yet again.

Link always made me happy. It didn't matter what he was doing or whether or not he spoke to me. Just knowing that he was around was enough to make me smile. What if he could stay here forever? After a long day of working to keep the ranch stable, we would go into the kitchen and enjoy a warm dinner and just talk. Maybe we would take a long walk around the Hyrule Field and go to the lake. Then we would return home...and he would take me in his strong arms and embrace me... while bringing his lips closer to mine...

"Ow..." I heard Link speak and it snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked and saw that I had spilled some oatmeal on his chest.

"Oh, Goddess!" I shouted as I quickly wiped off the stray food. I must have burned him, too. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention and..."

"It's okay." He said calmly. "It didn't hurt. It wasn't that hot. Besides, I felt worst things."

"Oh..." I said with relief. I looked again and saw my hand was still on his chest, more specific, over his heart. I could feel both the slow heartbeats and the warmth of his body. I didn't want to move my hand. I felt so much comfort, but Link must have felt awkward. I quickly pulled my hand away like I had touched fire. "I'm sorry."

"I...uh..." Link was struggling with words. I felt so nervous. He was quiet for a while. "Thanks for breakfast." He finally managed to say.

"Don't...mention it." I said as I headed for the door. "I have to start taking care of the horses... I'll be back in a few hours." I said with a smile as I slowly closed the door. I felt so lightheaded. Just a moment ago, my hand was on Link's chest, and even though it was accidental... it felt kind of right. Like if I wanted to touch him. But I can't let myself do it again. What would Link think? He has Zelda... I mean... Zelda has him...

Normal POV

Christopher walked in the crowded streets of the Hyrule Bazaar on his daily patrol. Although he was looking for any suspicious activity or people, he was also looking for Link at the same time.

"Dammit..." He thought to himself. "Too much has gone on too fast... Link murders the King, runs, now Zelda has to be the one to decide if we hunt him down or not... Whadda strange buncha days it's been..." He ignored all the townspeople greeting him and wishing him a good day.

"No way! He just gave it to you?" Christopher snapped to attention when he heard someone talking in the dark alleys. Without hesitating, he walked into the alley alone.

"No kiddin'." Christopher found who was talking. It was 2 shady looking men, one showing off a rather full rupee wallet. He spoke again. "I didn't pay for the food, so the owner was bout to call for a guard. All I said was that I was Ganondorf's cousin and he gave me his wallet and didn't say a word." Everyone knows, of course, of how Ganondorf betrayed the King's trust and attacked Hyrule several years ago.

"You know you ain't Ganondorf's cousin!" The other man said. "If Captain Julius finds out, he'll lock ya up!"

"He'll spare me!" The man with the wallet laughed. "Idiot probably believe it!" Christopher slowly walked towards them. He stood behind the thief while the other man yelled in shock. The thief turned and saw him. "Ahhhhhhhh!!! Captain Julius!" they both tried to run, but Christopher grabbed the thief by the shoulders and held him up.

"You gotta lotta brass callin' yourself Hyrule's most hated man's cousin!" Christopher shouted while shaking him by the collar of his shirt. "Now you're gonna walk back to the owner and give him his wallet back! And if I find you stealing people's money again, I'll wring your neck!" Even though Christopher said he would walk, he ended up dragging him back to the Bazaar.

"This is abuse of your power!" The man shouted to Christopher.

"It ain't power-abuse 'til I shove dat wallet up your..." Before he could finish, the guard in charge of watching the city gates ran up to him, looking shaken and surprised.

"Captain Julius!" The guard shouted before stopping and taking a breather.

"Bickson?" Christopher said the guard's name. "What's up wit you?"

"We found..." Bickson said between breaths. "a dead body!"

"What?" Christopher shouted while dropping the man he was dragging on the ground.

"In the fields! It was tied up to a horse and... the neck was broken and..." Christopher ran out of the Bazaar and headed for the fields.

"Don't let that crook outta your site!" Christopher shouted just before running on the drawbridge and out in the field.

Several Hyrule soldiers stood around the dead body they pulled off the horse and laid on the ground. One was trying to calm the spooked horse, but it was thrashing around wildly. Christopher arrived at the scene in just moments.

"Captain Julius!" The soldiers gave a salute to the Captain.

"At ease, men!" Christopher said as he walked up to the body. He looked at the shocked and horrifying face. It was obvious to him what has happened. He examined the neck. "He tried to scream for help... but it was cut off when the murderer snapped his neck bone in two. His head was twisted around... but it was twisted back to the right side shortly after the kill. Hmm..." He grabbed the victim's left and shook it. "He's starting to get stiff... he musta been killed just last night."

"Any way to tell who he is?" One soldier asked.

Christopher took a good look at the face. "Wait a minute... I know who that is..." Christopher looked at the soldiers. "Send a messenger to Triet! Tell em' that we found the Head Rancher of the Luna Ranch! Go!" The soldiers all scrambled for Kakariko. Christopher, however, stayed behind and looked at the neck of the body again. The grip marks on the neck were still there. "Only one person has that much strength, yet normal sized hands." He stood up and said in a grim and low tone. "Link..."

Link's POV

I couldn't stop thinking about last night. The way I choked that pathetic man... the way I snapped his neck... and the way I was able to fool Malon. I knew she was a smart girl, but even she didn't suspect that I killed Duane. But did it matter? She didn't like him at all. You could even say she hated him. So I didn't have any regrets, no remorse. He got what he should have gotten, right?

I can't believe what I'm thinking. Malon probably wouldn't have wished death on the guy. If she finds out that I killed him, what would she say? Would she report me to the Hyrule Guards? Would she hate me? Would she forgive me? A thousand questions burned in my head as was thinking about everything. How I murdered the king, how the guards attacked me, how Malon found me, how I killed Duane, and... Zelda...

I got up and looked out the window to see Malon carrying hay and water to the stable. She really was working hard, taking care of both the ranch and me. It's amazing, but when I look at her, I forget all about my problems. It's like I'm at peace when I see her. But one thought invaded my mind.

Zelda's words to me that night... 'Why... Link... Why did you...' I knew what she was going to say. Why did I kill him? Her father? I wished I could give her an explanation, but nothing could make justice for my actions. How could I honestly think that she loves me now?

"Link..." I was startled by a voice from behind me. I turned and saw Malon. Apparently, I was so deep in thought that she walked into the house and I didn't even know. "I'm sorry to bother you, but are you hungry? It's almost dinnertime."

I smiled and shook my head. "I'm fine. I don't have an appetite right now."

"Oh..." She said quietly. "Maybe later than. I better get back to work." She walked down stairs after our brief conversation, if you can call it that.

This was probably the only time where we had nothing to say to each other. Did she know? Did she suspect me? I just didn't know. If I could know what she was thinking right at that moment, maybe I could be calmer. But I guess, like always, I have to wait and see what happens...

Malon's POV

I headed back outside to finish my work for the day. I had a nervous feeling in my chest after I talked with Link. I could see that he was staring at me from the window a while ago. He didn't smile or move, just stared at me. I tried to wave to him, but I froze the moment I saw him. His unmoving green emerald eyes were staring at me.

That was before I ran up to check on him. I didn't know what to say or do. All I could ask was if he was hungry, then I left. Guess I still feel awkward after this morning when I touched his chest. But why should I let this get to me? It was an accident... was it?

Zelda's POV

I was sitting alone in the dark throne room. I stared nervously at the clock. Time was running out. I had to make a decision... whether to have Link brought to justice or let him escape. Either way, I can never see him again... but I don't want to!

He took away the life of my father! He killed him! I accept it. My love is a murderer. I can't... I can't let him be unpunished...

"He deserves to die..." A voice in my head said. "It's because of him that your father is dead. Have you forgotten that?"

"But..." I found myself actually arguing with the voice. "It can't be what it seems... Link would never..."

"Well he did!" The voice shouted. "He was so enraged by the King's opposition to your engagement, that he killed him in cold blood. He showed no mercy, and neither should you!"

"But I still love him!" I shouted, even though I was the only one in the room.

"Then don't love him..." The voice said in a low tone. "You are to be queen soon. And you cannot let your emotions interfere with your judgement. You father never let his feelings affect him." The voice spoke the truth... and has talking sense... "Tell me... Queen? Are you going to let a murderer loose in Hyrule?"

Another voice invaded my thoughts. "Princess Zelda? Are you in there?" It was Christopher. He was pounding on the closed door wanting to come in.

"Y-Yes?" I said nervously.

He walked in and kneel before me. "Princess... forgive me for disturbing you, but we need a decision... I'm sorry..."

I looked down at him. He kept his head down and was staring at the floor. I knew the next thing I'll say would get his attention. "Find him..." As I thought, he looked up at me. With his helmet off, I could see the shock on his face. "Bring him here..." I felt an unsettling smile cross my lips. "He is a criminal... and he must be punished..." The voice in my head convinced me to do what was right for Hyrule. "Kill him..."

Link's POV

There was uneasy feeling in my stomach. I felt nauseous, yet it wasn't any illness. I opened my eyes and found that I wasn't at the ranch anymore. I was falling... falling into complete darkness. Suddenly, I felt a strange warmness cover my hand. I stared at it and to my shock horror, I could see blood dripping off my hand in into the darkness. It flowed down my arm, making me more and more scared.

Suddenly, I stopped falling. I silently hit the ground, although I couldn't see it through the dark. Slowly, a bright light began to spread and I discovered where I was. I was on a wooden floor, my neck, arms, and legs were chained down, too tight. I couldn't breathe or feel my hands or feet.

I looked around and saw several crowds, screaming and throwing garbage at me. They were all screaming 'Death to Link!' and 'Murderer!' I could feel the floor I was laying on move. That's when I realized this wasn't floor... It was a wooden platform used to carry criminals of serious crimes to their public execution. I was being carried to my death!

I could hear one voice among the hateful screams of the crowd. It was Christopher's. "Queen Zelda..." Queen Zelda?! Did I hear right? Has she become queen so soon? "We have captured him... what is your decision?" What did he mean about her decision?

I couldn't see her, but I could hear her voice. It was no longer gentle... but was cold... "I have thought long about this... about what method would be best suited for the 'Hyrulian Hero'..." I could feel her cold and harsh word burn into my soul... "I wish for you... to burn him alive..." Her final words... I could feel my heart shatter as she said them. She really didn't love me anymore... not that I deserve her love.

Christopher walked over to me and undid the chains. He lifted me off the platform by the throat and thrust me towards 2 other guards. One tied a rope around my hands while the other tied another rope around my legs. I couldn't flee if I wanted too, but this is truly what I deserve... Suddenly, hear the sounds of someone screaming in protest. I looked over and saw someone pushing through the crowd, trying to get to me.

"NO!!!" The person screamed as she fought her way through the crowd. "PLEASE NO!!!" It was Malon! She must be the only person against this. "DON'T KILL HIM!!! PLEASE NO!!!" She kept screaming hysterically. "LINK!!! LINK!!!" She tired to hug me, but a guard grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away. "LET ME GO!!! LET ME GOOOOOO!!!"

"MALON!!!" I shouted as I tried to run to her, but Christopher pushed me against a wooden stake. He tried as fast as he could to tied the final rope around the stake, and me but I kept fighting back. It took 4 guards to hold me back so that he could tie the last knot. "I HAVE TO SEE HER!!!" I pleaded. "PLEASE LET ME..." Christopher punched me hard in the jaw, causing it to snap. I screamed more, but the pain my mouth suffered wouldn't let me.

They spread a bundle of hay around my feet and backed away. Christopher was given a burning torch and I knew what would happen next. He rose it over his head and was ready to finish the job...

"Wait!" Zelda shouted to the Captain. He immediately froze and looked at her. She walked towards him and took the torch from him. What was she doing? What was she thinking? She walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me. "Link..." She whispered gently into my ear. I looked up and saw a very pale-skinned woman standing right behind her.

Her skin was so pale, it made her look as if she was dead. She wore a hooded, long-sleeved, burgundy dress. A long, gold robe was tied around her slender waist. She also wore a black amulet around her neck that had a bright shine in the sun. Although she was standing right in plain sight, no one noticed her. She held in her pale hands a crystal ball that gave an eerie glow from it.

I stopped looking at her when Malon's voice screamed again. "LINK!!!" She ran through the crowd again and grabbed me arm, trying to pull me away. She gasped as she looked at Zelda.

"What!?" I shouted as I saw Zelda holding the flame over the hay. "ZELDA!!! NO!!!"

"Do it..." The hooded woman commanded. Suddenly, Zelda dropped the torch.

"MALON!!! GET AWAY!!!" I tried to push Malon away, but it was no use. The fire hit the hay, causing it to burst into flames. Malon screamed as the flames started to burn get higher, but she refused to pull away. All three of us, Zelda, Malon, and I were trapped among the fire. Zelda still hugged me, while Malon tried to pull me out of the fire. I could feel the pain of the inferno burn me alive. Malon and Zelda were also being burned.

The woman's green eyes glowed when I looked at her again. The flames burned even wilder and engulfed all of us. I looked at Zelda and saw that the flames had burned her to death... "No..." I looked at Malon... she was still barely alive, but was still pulling.

"Link..." That was her final word when she let go. Her body fell onto the burning hay. I knew already that she too had died... I could hear the woman laughing evilly as she slowly vanished.

This couldn't be... no... why!? My love and friend, both dead! NOOOOOOO!!!

"AHHHH!!!" I found myself in a different place again. I looked around and realized where I was now... I was in my bedroom in Lon Lon Ranch. I looked out the window and saw that it was also nighttime. I was sitting up in the bed with sweat pouring off my face. I was breathing heavily, trying to get my breath back. "I looked at my hands... no blood... no burns... no Zelda... That whole ordeal was just a horrible nightmare. I wished I could be relived... but I was more scared now than ever.

Malon walked into the room. "Link?" She said gently to me. She wasn't burned alive... she was standing right before me, wiping the sweat off my face with her handkerchief. "It's okay... calm down..."

"I...I..." I slowed my breathing down so I could explain to her what had happened. "I had a horrible nightmare... I...I thought it was real and..." I could feel her wrap her arms around me... her warmth covered my cold body.

"It's okay..." She said while stroking my back. "I was so worried... that you might have been hurt... but please calm down..."

I wrapped my arms around her... letting her console me. I felt safe in her arms... like she could protect me. I didn't want to tell her what I dreamt... what I suffered... I just wanted to be in her arms... I was so glad that she wasn't hurt at all. But... I felt terrible too... I remembered that during my dream... when she tried to pull me away... when the fire spread... that I was more worried about her than Zelda... With what's been happening lately...Could I be... Am I starting to fall in love with Malon?

Gamerctm: Looks like the end of another chapter! Our hero is now realizing the feelings he has for Malon... but what about his fiancé, Zelda? Is he starting to forget what she means to him? What about this mysterious woman that appeared in Link's nightmare? Find the answers to these and other important questions on the next chapter! By the way, very special thanks to Skye Agony, who allowed me to use her character, the mysterious woman, in my fic! I'd tell ya the character's name... but I don't like ruining surprises! Catch ya later!