Chapter 7: Takara

" I came from the future…ten years into the future to be exact. My parents, Link and Malon, gave me a special task, a warning that could possibly change the fate of the future…"

Durnal stopped for a moment, to catch a glimpse at everyone's faces. The room sat in complete silence; all eyes were upon him. Their reactions completely the same, surprised and perplexed. His parents had told him, that their reactions were going to be this way, so he was prepared for face the many questions they might throw at him.

Malon was the first to move as she quickly licked her dry lips going over what Durnal had said in her mind. His parents…Link and Malon…could it be true? Part of her didn't want to believe it, and yet the other part did. Durnal had just said that she and Link were his parents. Link was his father, like he had mentioned the first time she found him, but why didn't he tell her that she was his mother? Things were starting to make sense—unfold.

She couldn't explain the emotions she felt at the moment. She was content, yet a little tense as well. Finding out the news that she was going to have a son had brought her joy, but he did say that he was sent for a special task. Something had happened in the future, which meant, evil was on it's way.

Out the corner of her eye, Malon had caught a glimpse of Link to see his reaction. He had crossed his arms, his gaze never leaving Durnal, probably thinking things over. He heard clearly what Durnal had said, but was more focused on what has happened in the future than the fact that he and Malon both had a son.

Talon's mind couldn't get off the fact, that Durnal was Malon's son. Link and his daughter had actually hooked up? He didn't want to think about it, nor did he want it happening. He had pictured Malon with someone different, another farmer perhaps, not someone who looks like they belong in Kokiri Forest.

" What happened in the future?" Was the first thing that came out of Link's mouth.

" The future is terrible," Durnal stated miserably. " I was born and grew up in a world of misery and chaos. Hyrule had no chance for much survival and all of the races were at war. She ruled us all…"

" S-she?" Malon questioned.

" Takara." Durnal spat like saying the name had brought a bad taste to his mouth. " A witch from the Desert Colossus."

A witch…Link mumbled to himself.

" What about the Hero of Time?" Malon looked at Link, seeing that he still refused eye contact with her. She sighed softly; her eyes were upon Durnal. " Why didn't he stop her?"

" He tried but failed…" Durnal explained. " The Master Sword…was broken."

" B-broken…" Link almost failed to get the words out.

His eyes widened as he pondered…how could he fail at something? He's the Hero of Time, the world depends on him and yet the legendary blade is destroyed and he finally falls in defeat.

" So is that how it started?"

Durnal nodded. " Yes, my parents brought me back just a little before Takara awakens. Old tales were told that Takara had been sealed away inside the Desert Colossus, and very soon she escapes."

Talon shifted in his chair and looked at Ingo who sat deep in thought looking out in the distance. " I'm a little confused, but keep going." He urged, calmly, his mind still on the fact that Malon has a son.

" How can she be defeated?" Link questioned, sternly.

" A Gem Ruby she wears around her neck, that is what gives her the power…" Durnal paused for a moment and bit his lip knowing that he had forgotten something—something very important. " But…I was told something else…I can't remember."

" Was it important?" Malon felt anxious.

" I hope not…my father had told me something else, but I don't remember exactly what it was."

" What mistake was made that lead to the failure?" Link was determined to stop Takara, and make sure that the future turned out the way it was supposed to be, in peace.

Durnal opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. Was this what he had forgotten? It was the most important thing that would help change the future. " I don't remember. All I remember was my father telling me that the sword…um…was the key to destroying Takara. The Master Sword was the only item that held enough power to break her necklace. The Sages were useless without the sword."

" So that's why Takara ruled," Malon spoke out loud actually thinking to herself. " Because once the sword was destroyed, she had nothing that could defeat her."

Talon nodded slowly finally understanding everything that was said. " When does Takara escape from her seal?"

Durnal shrugged, " I don't know, very soon though. My father said it was about a week after his return from his personal quest."

Malon eagerly faced Link softly calling his name. Link placed his hands on his hips finally turning his attention to her. Their eyes had met. Malon's heartbeat picked up pace as he continued to stare at her. Now because she had figured out a little about her future, she's going to seem more uneasy around him, more embarrassed than she ever did before.

" How long have you been back?"

" About four days…" Link replied, his gaze never leaving her face.

" So Takara's escape is soon, in about three to four days." Durnal exclaimed with a frown on his face.

" Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Talon butted in, getting into the conversation. " You've been staying with us for a while now, you know."

" I was told not to tell until Link was here," Durnal confessed. He looked up at Malon, his eyes watered. " That's why I asked where he was so much. I figured you would know…"

Malon warmly smiled and walked over to Durnal. She noticed the small tears rolling down his cheek, the hurt on his face. Malon lightly placed her hands on his shoulders and bent down so that they were at eye level. She carefully wiped away the tears with her thumb and embraced him with a tight hug. She wanted him to feel special…

After all, he was her son.

Link quietly walked out of the house and began to pace around the ranch, with resentment. He wasn't mad at Durnal, or Malon, or anyone, but himself. He couldn't get over the fact that he had failed, and Hyrule had lived it's future in despair and ruins. He was the Hero of Time, the hero of Hyrule, the one who is supposed to save everyone. He saved the world from Ganondorf, but he had failed to protect everyone from a witch?

Link sighed deeply and walked out to the middle of the ranch and leaned up on the backside of the house. It was dark, the stars filled the evening sky. The half orange moon lit the ranch, due to the ranch lights not being on. Since everyone was inside to hear the talk from Durnal, the horses still freely trotted around the ranch.

Sitting down against the house, Link pictured in his mind what the future had looked like to him. He imagined everything looking like Hyrule Market when Ganondorf took over. Everything was dark and gray, no life what so ever. Houses and buildings were in debris and people were scattered around, searching for places to live and hide. No one was safe, and each race had stay away from each other, because of the war Durnal had mentioned.

Then his mind went here, to Lon Lon Ranch. In his mind he saw horrible visions of everyone surviving off of little food, all of the animals dead and everyone barely making it through the day. Malon was miserable, her father was dead, and Ingo was missing. And he had to imagine, Durnal growing up in a place like that. Link couldn't bare it. He didn't want to believe any of it, but sadly—it was true. It would be his life, if he didn't do something about it.

I can't let Hyrule live it's future like that. I must do something; I must stop Takara.

Link closed his eyes went he felt the rush of wind caress his face. He shook his hair out of his eyes, and stood walking over to the stables where Epona awaited. He had to go to the castle; he needed to talk to Princess Zelda about the whole situation. She was the only one who could help; she usually has prophecies about these things so hopefully can explain more.

Epona whinnied once Link entered the stable. He gently rubbed her face to quiet her down, before untying her reins. Once outside Link fixed her saddle and mounted her about to head to Hyrule Castle. He lifted his legs to kick her sides, but a familiar voice appeared behind him.

" Link…"

Link pulled on the reins forcing Epona to turn around and face the young redhead. He sighed deeply, about to leave without a single good-bye.

" Leaving so soon?"

" To Hyrule Castle, I must speak with Princess Zelda. I need to know more…"

Malon nodded slowly. Her body tightened when Link explained that I must speak with Princess Zelda. She wanted him to at least stay the night, but after finding out that Hyrule is in danger, Link wouldn't stay put.

" I guess…if you must…" Malon lowered her head.

" I'll be back…" Link protested, steadily. " I promise…"

" I know you will," Malon spoke softly. " You never break a promise…"

Link nodded and turned about to head out, but Malon refused to let him go again.

" Link!"

He stopped looking back at Malon once more. " Yeah?"

I—I…love you…

" Be careful, riding at night is dangerous, you know." Malon explained with a small smile.

" Don't worry, I'll be there by sun rise, so the drawbridge will be down. No need to worry."

" I know…"

" See you when I get back," Link turned and swiftly rode out of the ranch.

" Good-bye…" Malon whispered, the fear of not seeing him again raced within her mind.

He'll be back…She closed her eyes believing so… He'll be back.

" Move! Out of my way!"

Nabooru finished climbing the tall ladder, at the top of the watch post and carefully glanced out at the desert. She covered her eyes as the wind sent sand and dust flying in her direction. Her eyes moved from left to right, scanning the distance carefully, for what she was looking for.

" Nabooru!" A young Gerudo cried, from the bottom of the ladder. " It was coming from the east, around that area!"

Nabooru listened to the Gerudo's directions. Her eyes widened when she saw a bunch of strangely colored lights in the distance, the location very close to Desert Colossus. Nabooru sighed deeply and bit her lip, fearing that their worst nightmare has just come true.

" Princess Zelda was right…" Nabooru whispered. " Hyrule is in danger…"

" Nabooru?" The guard standing next to her called, her voice quivered in fear. " Is everything okay?"

Nabooru shook her head. " Not anymore…" She spoke softly. " Takara will soon be free…"

A/N:

Hmm…hopefully that explains a little more. Luckily for all of my favorite readers, I actually updated a lot sooner than I imagined. I decided not to leave you all hanging with such a dreading cliffhanger. I did though write this chapter, instead of reading for my summer project that's due on August 31st. So be grateful, this doesn't happen often.

Zeldafreak123: Thanks again! It seems all of them are cool. LOL.

Xakattack: From here on, it will probably seem like the chapters will get a little more exciting, and interesting. Thanks! Always looking forward to your reviews.

Black Light Princess: Sorry for keeping you waiting, hopefully this reaction was what you're looking for. More MaLink stories are getting out there! Yeah! Let's keep up the good work on getting more! LOL.

NaruNaru.O.K: Yeah! Another chapter! Hopefully you're nails aren't short now! LOL.

Liz0888: Thanks for your review; I do believe the plot is well thought out, my mind truly wonders sometimes…I guess you got this chapter a lot sooner than you imagined.

ShifterK: You should have seen my older stories I wrote when I was just starting out. I have truly progressed over the years, I'm happy to say. And hopefully I will get a story published, maybe…Thanks for the review!

Tuskon: Thanks for the review. It seems that Malon was too wrapped up in other things to probably have noticed or maybe she did know and just didn't want to admit it…who knows?

NoOnSh: I will trust you being a faithful reviewer, and I promise you that this story is not going to be a dead one. One of my other stories is, but this one will definitely not be. Once I start a story, I will finish it, it's not what a good author does leaving their readers hanging without finishing it. I will not disappoint my readers. This story will be finished!

Thanks for the reviews, everyone!

Until next time!