I'm very pleased that you all liked the first story so much. The one I'm writing currently ought to have two or three parts to it, so I hope you enjoy.

Oh, and just for knowledge sake: In both the previous story and the one's to follow, let it be considered that Link took Talon up on his offer to work on the ranch once he was older.

2- A Royal Mess, Part 1

Malon pushed her sweaty bangs away from her face as she leaned against the heavy scythe. Link had left on a special errand to Hyrule City a couple days ago, and her father and Ingo were too lazy to work in the field. That left her to do his chores as well her own. So far she had been out in the field for a grand total of ten minutes, and already she was tired.

"This little errand of his had better be important..." She thought outloud.

Picking up the scythe, she continued to work in the field until noon. By that time her entire upper body was sore, and it took all her effort to just walk out of the field and back to the house. Just as she was reaching for the door, she heard a voice behind her.

"Um, excuse me miss..."

Malon turned around to see a young messenger boy wearing red and gold livery-the Royal Family's colors. As he dismounted the steed he had been riding, he stumbled a bit. His dark brown hair appeared wind-blown, his eyes tired. He looked as though he had been riding all night.

"I have a letter and package for Lady Malon Astira. Would you please direct me as to where I might find her?" He asked, voice weak.

"I'm Malon." She said, feeling very sympathetic for the boy. At these words, the boy tilted his head in confusion, and took a second to study the sweaty, dusty, farm girl that stood before him. He then smiled, his eyes twinking with amusement.

"I apologize, Lady Astira." The boy said with a slight bow. He walked over his his horse and pulled a letter and package out of a messenger bag the horse was carrying. Taking it over to Malon, he brought a pen and sheet of paper as well.

"Would you please initial this as proof that you received the two?" He asked. Malon took the pen and initialed the paper. The boy nodded thankfully, and handed over letter and package. He gave another slight bow, mounted his horse and left.

"That was strange." Malon said to herself. Shanking her head, she walked inside the house and up to her room. Sitting down on her bed, she curiously opened the letter the boy had given her. She at once recognized Link's handwriting.

"Mal,

I know you're still probably cursing me for leaving you there to take care of my chores. However, I have a favor to ask of you: I would really appreciate it if you would come to Hyrule City. I can go into more detail once you arrive, but please, just consider it, all right? If you do indeed decide to come, I would hope to see you tomorrow morning around eight.

-Link"

Malon shifted unconfortably. "Why on earth is it such a big deal for me to just come to Hyrule City? I go there all the time..." She thought to herself. Reaching over for the package, she tore away the wrapping to reveal a beautiful violet dress. Tiny stones glittered around the neck and sleeves, attached to the front was a small note.

"If you decide to come to Hyrule City, I would greatly appreciate it if you would wear this once you arrive."

Malon frowned in realization. "He wants me to come to the palace." She paused, and it thought over. "Still, what's so bad about the palace?" She glanced over to the mirror in her room. A dirty face with tired blue eyes, tangled red hair and a torn work dress looked back at her. "Oh yeah..." She picked up the letter and read through once again, followed by yet another look in the mirror.

"Maybe I'll go and see what he has to say. It's not like he can make me go to the palace..."

-

"Link, I really don't want to go!" She pleaded her cause for the fifth time that morning. When she had arrived at the inn in Hyrule City earlier that morning, she had still been unsure of whether or not she really wanted to go to the palace, but now she was certain.

Link took her hands. "Malon, please. It's just a gathering with a few of my friends, and I would really like for everyone to meet you."

Malon rolled her eyes. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a farmgirl. I'm not used to being around kings and queens and princesses. Commoners just aren't ever around royalty, you know?"

"C'mon Malon, I promise they'll love you. Please." He begged. She gave a sigh.

"Fine."

At this he gave a bright smile and picked her up off ground. "Thank you Malon! I promise you won't regret it."