The guard was in utter disbelief when Link had returned fully garbed for battle. With a triumphant smirk, he waved the guard off like a door man and walked outside. He gasped at the sight. Crisp, green grass rolling over the hills as far as the eye could see and clean waters entered the castle, only to leave from the other side. He was overcome with a boyish desire, running full tilt through the grass as a hunt of laughter left him. Grinning like a fool, he walked on with a heaving chest and sore legs. How free and willing he felt compared to the cramped confines experienced at his awakening.
In the distance, Link's eye caught a strange looking wall which seemed to harbour a few buildings. He started towards it, astonishment on his face at the sight of it as if he was seeing the world for the very first time. A sign hung over the entrance depicting the head of a cow. Shrugging, he entered through the main passage. There was a gasp and the sound of water sloshing out of a dropped bucket, A girl with long, flowing hair the colour of hot fire stood with a hand concealing her lips. Bright, eager eyes looked at the young man's way as she lowered the hand.
"It has been such a long time since we have had visitors…" There was a pause, the cute voice hung in the air like the ring of a church bell. From her body hung a dress, no where as elaborate as the princess' had been but beautiful in its own way. Blue decorated the main portions, along with a scatter of white. Sewn into the hem was a white lace that seemed to match the dress perfectly. "Welcome, to Lon-Lon Ranch." She took a bow before him then upon returning to stand she smiled, matching the cuteness of her tone. "I am Maron. I live here with my father, Talon. I… take care of the horses." She was a light pink in the face, obviously taken back by the young male.
Still feeling somewhat boyish, he returned her bow before a smirk rolled across his face. "The name is Link. I just came from the castle. According to the uh… 'Higher ups' I am supposed to be some kind of here." He laughed mockingly as he shook his head. "I spotted your ranch and decided to drop in."
Malon's face remained ever bright, a small nod proceeding her words. "My father will be very glad to have company, or maybe even business again." She moved closer to him as her tone dropped slightly in pitch. "I really hope you are a hero, than the monsters will leave and we can sell to the town again."
"Maron, you talking to the horses again?" A voice, no doubt belonging to a plump male (defined by the cheery tune which would remind someone of Saint Nick), sounded through the curtains. Sure enough, the short man hobbled down the stone doorstep coming in a hurried trot to the taller girl. "Eh, Company? Handsome man too, maybe he would make a good husband."
"Oh! F-Father! Quite embarrassing our quest!" Although, by the tone of Maron's cheeks it was easy to see she was the one embarrassed. "Please excuse him, he is obsessed with finding me a nice boy."
A deep laugh filled the air, just a note lower from being sinister. Link's voice, an echo of the laugh, followed. "Well don't get your hopes up, I am not a very nice boy." The ring of cold steel registered as quickly as eyes spotted the shining blade. Malon almost screamed, clamping fingers to her lips as the edge moved towards her body quickly diverting with a 'whizzing' sound. It came to stop after severing half a fence post. Maron's face was white with fright while she applauded.
"Wow! That was incredible!"
Talon added in his own praise. "Yes, well done m'boy. Almost thought I'd need a new daughter. Gets the blood going, that's for sure."
"Where did you ever learn to wield a sword like that?"
Link's face was confused, his eyes focused on the glinting blade. "I… don't know. It was as if it was second nature."
Talon suddenly cut in." Well we aught to stop bothering you and let you get on with business." He practically threw admiring girl aside. "Er… what is your business, anyways?"
"I am supposedly some kind of 'Hero' sent to vanquish evil. I really don't know where to start."
Malon nudged the plump man, Talon nodding in agreement. "Well we did send out a cart of milk to Kokari Forest bout our farm hand has yet to return."
"Let me guess. You expect me to risk my ass to go and look for him?" His cocky tone had returned to him, his smirk directed at the little man.
Malon suddenly burst in, hands clasped together and eyes sparkling like diamonds. She had moved rather close so he could not look away from her. "Please, please find them. He has my horse, Epona. Please… It would mean the world to me. I would be eternally grateful."
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Author's Note: Sorry about the slow post on this story, but I have been really busy with school. Grade 12 this year and teachers don't let you slack for the slightest second. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it during math class.