Chapter 2- Welcome Home

"Welcome home, Link. Welcome home." She said, hugging him fiercely. But she stopped. She wasn't a kid anymore.

Blushing, she took a step back. "Sorry."

"I guess it isn't a mystery what happened anymore?" Link asked uncomfortably. Malon nodded. What else could she do?

"Yeah, I guess not." She mumbled. "Look, I have to work. At my job." It came out a lot harsher than she meant it to. Link looked hurt.

"Look, is something wrong?" He asked, looking her in the eye. Malon felt like he was staring straight into her heart. An astonishing thought occurred to her. How did Link know how unsure she was?

"No. Nothing." She said, digging the ball of her foot into the dirt. Link looked at her quizzically, but he didn't push the matter.

"I'll meet you here tonight." He whispered, putting his hand on her shoulder. Malon nodded affirmatively, before they headed their separate ways.

Temporarily.

How long could this last?

Astonishingly, the day passed fairly quickly. Amazed, Malon shifted her gaze to the barn window before concluding that Mr. Ingo was asleep.

She hurried to meet Link in the pasture.

She hopped over the fence, and she managed to sneak up behind Link without his noticing.

"Darn!" He muttered. "What do you want me to say, Malon? This is so frustrating!" Spinning around, Link found Malon crouching.

"How long have you been there!" Link shrieked. Malon put her hand to his mouth.

"Shut it! If Mr. Ingo wakes up, we're doomed! Understand?" Link nodded through her hand. She dropped her hand back to down to her side. "Why don't we-" She gestured casually to the old wooden fence. Link nodded.

"Okay."

Once both of them clambered onto the fence, Link began to talk.

"Malon, there's a problem." He admitted, looking away.

"What?" She questioned.

"Well, I know this is hard to believe, but, when I picked up the Master Sword, I was instantly 'grown-up'. Inside," He pressed his hand to his heart, "I'm the same Kokori boy you met seven years ago. I…I haven't matured at all." He added solemnly. Malon stared at him with disbelief.

But she remembered her promise.

"I may not be able to come back for a long while. Please don't give up on me! Promise!"

"Don't worry! I'd even wait seven years if I had to!"

Malon, astonished by her discovery, continued to be lost her thoughts. How had I known that I'd have to wait seven years!

She voiced her discovery to Link.

"You're right, Malon, you're absolutely right! How did you know…?" The couple, lost in thought, continued to mull over the discovery.

"Is it some kind of sign?" Malon offered.

"Maybe…No." Link shook his head furiously.

"No what?" Malon asked cutely.

Link sighed. "I have to leave again, soon." Seeing the alarmed look on Malon's face, he smiled. "Maybe you're supposed to come with me." He announced.

"I can't!" Malon whined. "I have to work, or Mr. Ingo will torture the horses!" Her eyes got all big and shiny, as though she was about to cry.

"I'll find a way." Link promised. "If it was a sign, it wouldn't lead us this far just to force us to give up." Link observed logically.

Malon was studying his features again. His blonde hair still curled up in the back, but it was longer and messier. His eyes had remained the same shade of blue.

Malon sighed. Was she falling for newbie again? She teased herself.

"So Malon, do you think Mr. Ingo might accept money for you? I mean, like a slave?"

"The only way to find only would be to ask him personally." Malon said with a sigh. "But you'll have to wait 'till morning." Link nodded.

Both of them went into the barn, where Malon made Link a makeshift cot for the night. Either way, by silent agreement, Link wouldn't stay another night. Malon made herself a makeshift cot as well, but she didn't have time to think about anything before falling asleep.

Yawning, Malon stretched and sat up.

"I was wondering when you'd get up." Link said with a grin.

"Hey!" Malon said with a laugh.

"I've already spoken with Mr. Ingo." Link continued. "He told me he'd sell you to me if I paid him 299 rupees. Could cause a problem, eh?" Link mused, while watching Malon's jaw drop ½ a mile.

"Uh…yeah! Where are we gonna get 299 rupees!" Malon grumbled, pacing.

"You could just ask me." Link said seriously.

"I can't let you pay! I won't even be able to help you on your journey!" Malon yelled.

"Do you want me to leave you behind, Malon?" Link asked quietly.

Sighing, Malon agreed to let him pay. What choice did she have, anyhey?

Link departed to pay Mr. Ingo while Malon gathered up the few belongings she was bringing. Feeling unhelpful, Malon gathered a quiver ad bow from Mr. Ingo's room, and a change of clothes. She also snatched a few empty linen bags for storing things in, and she put it all, except the quiver and bow, into the backpack and swung it over her shoulders.

She met Link in the pasture by the fence.

"Guess this is it, huh? No more ranch, ever." Malon muttered quietly, watching the noon sun sail across the sky.

"Yeah." Link said quietly. "I have something for you." He said, a little louder. He handed her a painting of the sunset, one that Link had mad the day before he came to see her, and then to save her from Mr. Ingo. "Lets go." Link jumped the high fence, and landed on his hands and knees on the ground. Malon hesitated.

"C'mon! I'll catch you." Link assured her. Closing her eyes, Malon stepped off the ledge, plummeting to the ground. She held in her scream.

"Oof!" She announced when Link barely managed to catch her.

"Next time, Malon, try to jump towards me!" Link said, laughing hysterically.

A/N: This chapter came out sorta long! Anyway, please R&R since I'd like to know what my readers think! BYE! KLS :)