"Good morning Link." Malon called as she stepped from the house. Link turned around to face the glowing smile of the girl. "Glad to see that you've returned again. Have you had breakfast yet?" Link shook his head, and Malon stepped forward. She lightly grasp his hand in both of hers, then lead him into the house.
The strong aroma of bacon and eggs filled Link's nostrils as he entered. It had been a long time since he had a good home cooked meal. Not really being able to belong any where, Link was left wandering the many lands. Though the castle, the ranch, and forest were his favorite places to travel, he felt that he didn't really fit in. Being that Kokiri was only for children, he couldn't stay there. However, growing up there set him to a certain custom that was different from the Market. He wasn't use to all the noise and people. Lon Lon Ranch was nice. There were few people, and he loved the horses; it was the frequent visitors that bothered him. He even spent time in Death Mountain, Gerudo Valley, and Zora's Domain. Though everyone always welcomed him with open arms, it just didn't seem like home.
"How long are you staying this time?" Malon asked as she set a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of him. Link shrugged and accepted the glass of milk she offered. "You know you're always welcome here." Malon added and turned toward the stairs leading up. "Father, breakfast is ready." Father. . .it was one thing that Link never experienced. He often wondered who his parents were. He knew his mother was dead. . .but what about his father? That was another reason that he continues to return to the ranch. He liked watching Talon and his daughter on a day to day basis. He envied what the two had. . .something he never could.
Thinking of this, his appetite eluded him. . .and his mind wandered back to the cloak. Who would want to follow him? It couldn't have been Gannondorf. . .he was still locked away. The seal hadn't been broken or weaken. . .if it had, Zelda would have surely told him before he left that morning. Since she hadn't said anything, he figured that it was someone else. . .but who? And how could anyone disappear into thin air without magic? Maybe that's what it was. . .a wizard or a sorceress. . .but then, the question of why they were following him continued to haunt his mind.
"Link?" He looked up at the sound of his name. "Are you okay? You have yet to eat." The blue eyes fell back to the meal before him. Not wanting to rouse suspicion or offense, he forced himself to eat what he could from the plate. Whoever was following him that morning will, more likely than not, do it again. This time, he would be fully ready for the person. . .or creature. . .or whatever it was.
Until then, he believed it wise to consult Zelda. . .meaning another trip back to Hyrule Castle. He glanced back up at Malon, hating to tell her that he was thinking of leaving again. There was no doubt that the ranch girl loved when he was there. Since she lived with her father and the farm hand, she didn't really have anyone her age that she could connect with; which was another reason she was always happy to see Link. On the same note, every time he left, she carried a habit of nearly crying. If there was one thing Link hated, it was seeing anyone in any type of pain. He knew from experience that loneliness was, indeed, one of the worse kinds. Thinking of this, he decided to head back to Hyrule Castle first thing tomorrow morning. That way, he could leave while she was sleeping and he wouldn't have to see her soft eyes mist over with tears. It would be wrong to leave without telling her, but then when she would wake in the morning, she would know what had happened. It wasn't the first time he had done it.
"So how was the Market?" Malon questioned lightly, in an attempt to start a conversation. Just as Link opened his mouth to answer, Talon came stumbling down the stairs.
"Why do we have to get up so early?" He grumbled as he scratched his neck. Malon giggled and pulled the chair out for her father to sit in.
"Because there is much work that needs to be done today father. Don't forget that we have a busy schedule to keep up." Nodding, Talon accepted the seat being offered. As the legs were scooted against the hard wooden floor, his eyes landed on Link for the first time.
"Oh Link. You're here. Come to help out?"
"Father. Link is our guest. . .not hired help. He's come to relax."
"This boy relax? Never. Isn't that right?" Link only half smirked at the comment.
"Father, you are not putting him to work today."
Link sat bolt up straight, heavily heaving, and sweat pouring. The image of his dream still lingered in his mind. The sight that he witnessed years ago, still haunted him. In fact, there weren't too many fights from his past that didn't cause him to wake in the middle of the night in fear. All the monsters he had destroyed. The horrific sight of their blood raining on him. The painful screams that eluded their bodies as they had taken their final breath of life. The last image that burned in his mind of them was of their mauled forms.
They were memories that he could have easily lived without. . .at the same time, he was thankful for them. At least, only he had to deal with them. Knowing that he was the only one suffering from those experience eased him. He had saved others from going through what he had. No matter how hard he tried to forget them. . .they seem to always return in his unguarded moments of sleep. The worse were of Barinade, Volvagia, Ghot, and of course, Majora. It was Volvagia that tormented him that night.
He sat in the still silence, holding himself and attempting to push the dream from him. However, the image of the decapitated head blazed in his memory. Finally, he settled himself. After waiting a few more seconds, he pushed from the bed of hay, and headed toward the ladder that would lead to the first level of the barn. Though Malon had insisted on him sleeping in the house, he was just as persistent to sleep in the barn. The main reason was because of his dreams. There were times that he woke screaming. . .he didn't want to bother Malon, Ingo, nor Talon. Besides, being in the barn would make it all that much easier to slip out and head toward Hyrule Castle.
Upon hearing the soft thuds on the wooden floor, Epona woke from her sleep. She neighed loudly as she always did when Link approached. He quickly closed the gap between them and rubbed her snout to silence her. He didn't want anyone to be disturbed. Once his friend calmed, he set to work attaching the bridle and saddle again. In a matter of minutes, all was set, and he lead the steed from the barn.
Surprise was with him as he noticed Malon standing just outside the door to the house. There was a sad look in her violet eyes. She stood in her night gown, staring intently at him, with unspoken questions. No words needed to be exchanged to know what those questions were. Sighing, Malon stepped from his path, and Link continued. She watched as he gracefully mounted Epona, and rode from the ranch.
No sooner had he emerged from the main gate, than he heard a familiar voice calling to him. Bringing Epona to a halt, he turned slightly to his right to find a bright light coming toward him. At first, Link thought his mind was playing tricks on him. The glowing light was a fairy. A fairy he hadn't seen in nearly eight years. It was Navi.
"Hey!" She called as she came closer. "Did you miss me Link?" The blonde only stared in confusion. He had searched every inch of the woods looking for her, but with no luck. After a year, he figured that she must have been assigned to another mission by the Deku Tree Scrub. "Articulate as ever, I see. Well, there's no time for that. The Deku Tree Scrub sent me to look for you. He wants to see you as soon as possible."
Navi sounded urgent. . .he couldn't ignore that. He glanced at the castle a moment, knowing that the question of the cloaked figure was going to torture him until he learns the truth. Only after a moment's haste, he directed Epona toward the entrance to the Kokiri village. Whatever mystery behind the cloaked figure was just going to have to wait. Navi quickly tucked herself safely under his hat before Epona broke into top speed, knowing that if she didn't, she would have to struggle to keep up like she had before.
For the first time in a long time, a smile pulled at Link's lips. Not a smirk, or half a smile; a full one. It was consoling to feel Navi's wings lightly brushing against the nape of his neck. It was comforting just to know that she was with him again. Navi was the only friend that fully understood him. He was thankful for that. As the hallow tree entrance came into view, Link once again wondered the possibility that Gannondorf had somehow escaped from the Scared Realm. What else could the Deku Tree Scrub want with him? He loathed the probability of another adventure like his last, and he also hoped for it.
