Chapter 4: Return

Link was pleased to be back home, in Hyrule. After being gone for over eight years, on a quest, that didn't turn out the way he hoped, there was nothing more exciting than seeing the beautiful land he loved. After his adventures in Termina, Link was getting a little homesick. Even after the new threat was over with, he continued his quest, before finally giving up and coming home.

Standing at the edge of the drawbridge, Link dismounted Epona. He brushed lightly on her mane, before turning his attention to Hyrule Market in front of him. Leaving the fully-grown mare out on the open field, Link headed inside to the market, checking up on the action to see if anything changed.

Hyrule Market was still in its full glory, to the many shops, the crazy welcoming people, and the many action that came with it all. Everything was same way from the time he left. The only difference was the big news that seemed to be spreading around. Link placed his hand on his hip, listening to two guys who continuously talked about some strange white light they witnessed a while back. Link reminisced, remembering that he witnessed a large falling star on his way back home, but that was it, nothing more.

As Link walked closer to the fountain, he remembered his very first trip here. He was heading to the castle, to meet Princess Zelda, after getting the Green Emerald, from inside the Deku Tree. It was the very first time he had met Malon, the young beautiful girl from Lon Lon Ranch. Just thinking about her made him want to see her again. He promised that he would return after his trip, but didn't think it would take this long. She hopefully hasn't forgotten about him. Although, how could she? He had taken Epona.

Link's pure blue eyes, fell upon the Temple of Time. The old temple was still there, and you could see the peak of Death Mountain, with the large gray ring of smoke circling the top. Everything was coming back to him, all the time he had when he was a kid.

Zelda's blue Ocarina was still in his possession. She had given it to him, for his quest as a gift. He had never thought that he would need to use the Ocarina, but the little instrument was what caused him his journey in Termina in the first place. He was proud to say he still had it with him, in good working condition as well.

The thought of where to head next pondered in Link's mind. He wanted to go to the castle, to greet Princess Zelda, but another part of him was telling him to head to Lon Lon Ranch first. He wanted to see Malon, he wasn't going to deny that, but he also wanted to see Princess Zelda. It was a difficult decision; he was surprised to say.

" Thief! Stop!"

Link turned his attention to a particular shop, where the woman's voice had came from. People backed away, as a tall man in black who wore a dark hat burst out of the store, carrying a full brown bag. He looked around at the nearest people staring at him, before darting into the back alleyway.

The owner ran out of the store, screaming at the top of her lungs, looking in all sorts of directions probably for the man's disappearance. She brushed the long red hair out of her face and held up the front of her strangely designed polka-dotted red dress, complaining that the man had robbed her.

" A robbery…" Link mumbled to himself. Before he knew it, he sprang into action.

There were never robberies before, in Hyrule Market. Maybe things have changed since the last time he's been here. People had mentioned something dangerous might happen soon. Luckily he returned at the right time. If there was danger, he was the one to stop it.

The man had noticed Link following him into the back alleyway. Eventually, the path will lead back out to the front, so the man would have to face all of the town folks. Link was only one man, so the guy might not take him so seriously.

As the man turned around the first corner, Link stopped remembering that all he had was his little Kokiri Sword and his bow and arrows. The sword was so light and small; it was difficult for someone like him to wield it. The Legendary Master Sword was locked away in the Temple of Time, where it belongs.

Link quickly took out his bow and arrows, and cautiously turned the corner, noticing the alleyway was empty except for a little white puppy. His muddy brown boots walked carefully on the brick ground as he made his way deeper into the open space.

He lowered his guard with his hand still gripped tightly onto the bow. He stepped passed the puppy who stood by a crate, and stopped looking further down the empty road. How did the man get away so quickly? Link frowned, at his failure. It had been a while since the events in Termina; maybe his heroic self had vanished with his youthful years.

" Bark! Bark!"

The young puppy seemed frightened by something near by. Link had guessed that it was him. In the past, dogs surely didn't appreciate him then. When he turned to face the young canine, Link found him barking up at something on the roof of the nearest house. The dog's tail wagged vigorously, as he bent down ready to pounce.

Before the elf had a chance to see what the dog was staring at, the man in black leaped off of the roof and collided straight into Link. Link helped the man's fall, but resulted in his own pain when he fell onto his back. The man didn't hesitate jumping off and darted further down the alleyway, leaving Link alone to recover.

He wasn't giving up that quickly. Link stood putting the pain behind him and swiftly aimed his bow and arrow down at the man's calf. With the lift of his fingers the arrow soared down the alleyway into the back of his leg. Link smirked, as the man fell to the ground in treacherous pain. Putting his bow and arrow's away, he grabbed the brown bag from inside the man's coat and helped the man to his feet. Just as the arrow was removed the swelled bloody leg, castle guards had shown up at the right time.

" Here miss," Link held out the brown bag, handing it back to the grateful owner. " I believe these are yours."

" Why thank you so much young man," the woman opened the bag roaming through making sure all of the stolen items were present. She abruptly stopped glancing up at Link. " I don't know why but you see so familiar…"

Staying silent, Link sheepishly smiled.

" I really don't know what to give you in return."

Link shook his head stepping back away from the woman. He headed toward the door, knowing that as long as the items were returned, then he was happy. He wanted nothing more than to satisfy others.

" Everything is okay, I'm just happy to help."

Link had his hand on the doorknob, but the woman quickly pulled him away. " Nonsense," The woman grabbed Link's hand and carefully handed something to him. Before Link had a chance to catch a glimpse of it, she closed his hand. She leaned closer to his ear, causing Link to lean away unaware of what she was doing. " Give this to someone special. A thanks from me to you."

The woman lightly patted Link's hand, and turned back to her desk. He watched as she grabbed the brown bag, and walked into the back office, closing the door behind her. Link felt the item in his hand, before actually seeing what it was. It was soft, very smooth and heavy. A chain was hooked to it, a necklace perhaps.

" What…"

Link was lost at words when he finally glanced down at the accessory in his hand. What he believed to be a normal necklace that was probably sold in the store, had turned out as the very rare and expensive, white crystal ball.

" Calm down girl, we're home…"

Malon lightly patted Serena, the white mare, as they entered the ranch. Serena had been the new horse, Malon had favored, ever since Epona left with Link. Though Serena was just as cute and caring, Epona was still her number one favorite.

Malon had been taken care of Serena, ever since she was born. Her father was going to give Serena away to the king, and Princess Zelda, but somehow she managed to chance his mind. Instead of taking Serena, her father gave away, Luna, Serena's mother. Luna was old, but had the strength and looks of a youngling. Luna was a perfect choice.

Serena was brought into the stables to be fed, and groomed. After rides, the routine is always the same. They didn't get to have a long enough ride around Hyrule Field, due to the time of day and Durnal. Malon somehow doesn't think her father will look after Durnal for long. Like she had sworn, she was responsible for taking care of him.

A smiled formed in Malon's lips as she poured Serena some water. As the horse began to drink, Malon grabbed the brush she used for Epona, and began to comb through Serena's brown mane. Five days had passed since she found Durnal unconscious in their ranch. He had been getting better, but still seems a little weak. He developed well on the ranch, almost like it was his home. The only problem that Malon had was him not telling her much about his past, but he seemed to have ventured away from Link in the mean time.

" Mal? You home?" Talon entered the stable, noticing Malon grooming Serena's hair.

" Yes, father, I decided to come home early. It was getting late and I didn't want you to have to watch Durnal the entire time."

Talon chuckled as he grabbed two buckets full of milk. " He's alright. He's been playing with the horses ever since you left. I say the young boy is adapting well."

Malon grinned in response, as her father left the stables. At least he's getting use to Durnal being around. She noticed that the other horses were very calm and comfortable around Durnal. They had never warmed up to people this quickly. It was almost like, Durnal knew how to get them to trust him. Malon blinked looking at all of the hair the ended up on the comb, and laughed putting it away.

" You like Durnal, don't you Serena?" Malon lifted Serena's face so that they both were looking at each other. Serena neighed in response. Malon softly laughed and kissed Serena's nose. " I knew you would."

Talon carried the buckets of milk inside the house over to Ingo who sat at the table. Ingo raised his eyebrows in response at Talon's actions. He bit his lip, watching carefully as Talon sat the buckets near the table and headed back outside. A few seconds later, Talon returned with hands full of empty milk bottles. As Talon sat them down on the table, Ingo couldn't keep quiet any longer.

" Talon, what are you doing?"

Talon took a deep breath and wiped his forehead. " Since you won't go out and do the work then I'm bring the work to you."

" Come again?"

" Fill the bottles with milk and bring them back out to the stables when you're done."

" You're kidding, right?"

Talon shook his head, " Good-luck."

Outside, Talon watched as his daughter walked out to the middle of the ranch where Durnal ran around with the horses. He leaned onto the house, watching as Malon sat down on the ground with Durnal in her lap. Over the days that Durnal had been here, he noticed the two had become really close. Not brother and sister related, but more in the line of mother and son. He remembered that Durnal had acted the same way as Malon did when she was baby. Even though Malon was younger, their actions were completely the same.

Things had been changing ever since they witnessed the white light in the sky. Malon had been busier with work, and acting like the mother of the house. Ingo had been lazy and careless, while Talon was actually working and up most of the time. After listening to the people of Kakariko and Hyrule Market, change is in the air. Hyrule might not be at its peaceful state any longer.

All Talon wanted was Malon to be happy, and right now she doesn't seem like it. The work is probably too much for her, but then again, she had been working for a long time. When that boy she talked about all the time was still around, he saw the true shine of happiness in her. After he left with her horse, it's almost like; her happiness went with him.

" You know Talon, I've been thinking…"

Talon jumped startled, that someone was behind him. Ingo laughed and walked up to him holding a full bottle of milk in his hands. How long had Ingo been standing there?

" What if the reason why your daughter wanted the boy to stay was because he might actually be the son of Link?"

Talon eyed him perplexed.

Ingo shrugged. " I've had a lot of spare time on my hand."

" Well that let's me know that you need more work…"

" Have you noticed?"

" Notice what?" Talon questioned. He blinked realizing that Ingo was supposed to be working. " Are you finished, all ready?"

" No, wait—I can't believe you haven't noticed! You're her father, I just work here and I noticed."

" Ingo!"

" Um…excuse me?"

Talon and Ingo turned to find a young elf in green standing behind them. Ingo greeted the man like he was a normal customer or visitor, but when Talon realized the horse he was riding, he knew exactly who the man was.

" …M-malon?"

Malon looked down at Durnal and continued to stroke his hair while the other hand stretched back behind her keeping them both balanced. Durnal leaned onto her fiddling with his necklace, as the horses galloped around the open area.

" Will you sing Epona's song to me?"

" How do you know about Epona's song?"

" You sung it to me all the time…" Durnal quickly remarked as he gazed at the beauty of his necklace.

Sung?

Malon seemed confused by his statement. The only time she remembered singing it to him, was the night she figured out he was Link's son. Of course, she thought he was sleeping. It was still the only time; he was acting like she sung it constantly to him.

" Durnal, I have a question…"

Durnal sat up and turned facing her anxious. She noticed the look in his eyes, like she uncovered something that was supposed to stay hidden. He nervously licked his lips; his hands lightly shook as he placed them in his lap.

" Malon! Come here please!"

With an aggravated sigh, Malon stood. Every time something like this happens, her father is always the one to ruin it. He always has to interrupt at the right moment.

" Wait here, Durnal."

Durnal nodded, as Malon hurried across the ranch over toward her father and Ingo standing in front of the house. She held up the front of her dress, so that it doesn't get ruined. As she got closer, she saw that her father was talking with someone, but the most important thing she saw, was Epona.

Malon stopped letting her dress fall. She took small steps, looking carefully, to see if it was really Epona or not. Once close enough, she hummed, Epona's song, only to find the brown mare reacting quickly to her voice.

" It is you…" A smile formed, but stopped when her father stepped to the side. Malon's eyes widened as she gasped, covering one hand over her mouth. Was it too good to be true?

"…L-Link?"

A/N:

Yes, another chapter completed! Hopefully things are moving a good pace for you readers. I was kind of dreading writing about Malon and the ranch, so I finally brought Link into the story. I hope you guys are happy.

To help you guys out, if you didn't know the meaning of the last chapter, Within her Heart, it was about Malon and her feelings for Durnal, and Link. She was upset before for yelling at him but then learned her true feelings. I wanted to clarify that, just because some people were confused by the title.

Also, thanks zeldafreak123 and harrypotterfanfor your reviews, I really appreciate it. Even though my hits for this story are high, I was hoping that I got a little more reviews just so I know how I'm doing. Reviews help…so please R&R.

And it will be a while before another chapter is up. I'm happy to say, I'm going on vacation! I'm going chill with Mickey! Haha.

Until Next Time!