Author's Note: Don't point out that Nabooru is not the age I give her as I think it will be more interesting. I know Lon Lon Ranch isn't much of a shopping place but I decided to change that. It will prove to be useful later in the story, namely to Link and Garen. Also all the spiritual stones are about the size of a grown man's fist.
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Ocarina of Time: Rebirth
Chapter Nine: Dropping in on Malon
Just as they expected night fell upon Hyrule Field before Link or Garen could even get close to Hyrule Castle or Lon Lon Ranch. Garen drew his saber "Get on your toes Masters." he advised. Link looked around and honestly didn't know what to think as several skeletons began to emerge from the ground. As they sniffed around mindlessly Garen explained that they are the bodies of the souls lost in the war years ago and that those who fought for something, as stupid as the race's pride are forced to wait in the field. And due to the anger they attack anything that moves or breaths, but putting them down was actually helping the soul.
Link frowned at this a little depressed at the news as his father could be out here somewhere "Well, it does say in most legends that having great pride for oneself or their race, is a sign of great foolishness, as it will be broken eventually." Garen nodded as they were spotted. "Hit and run Link. Don't look back!" Navi shouted. They both ran for Lon Lon Ranch slashing as they ran. Both ready to do some damage if they had to.
Link kept count as he ran slashing randomly at them as the almost harmless creatures took swings at him. His slingshot also proved useful in this, now that it had the ability to charge energy. Each shot fired was like a medium level explosive. Garen meanwhile, ran fast taking swipes at their mid-sections ignoring the shrieks of the walking dead. Link shouted as he cut another one as they approuched Lon Lon Ranch's gates getting closer with every kill they made. Garen looked back "We can't keep this up!" he shouted as he blocked another swipe with his shield then struck.
Navi looked up "Move for the ranch!" she shouted. After a few more kills, they arrived at the ranch and quickly jumped over the gates outside the main entrance and rushed inside to safety. Both of them breathed heavily as they finally reached safety after over two hours of running. Link looked up at the Stalchildren crowding around the main gates and went for another Deku Seed but found that he had already used the thirty his belt would hold. Link sheathed his sword as they began retreating.
Garen smiled to his partner "Nice work Link. It's obviously you have some natural skill. I hope that your princess is just as skilled with weapons." Garen stated as he withdrew his saber after wiping the rotting bone marrow from the blade. Navi groaned at Garen's words as she didn't think he should be mocking Zelda after she pinned him no problem earlier that day.
Link just smirked back "You do a pretty good job of taking care of yourself as well. But what else should I expect from a trained Sheikah?" he withdrew his own sword and walked into the ranch. He had never seen anything like it, a large ring was in the center and a few towers were along the wall. But the owner's house seemed to be completely shut down as there were no lamps lit, but there was a light snoring sound was coming through the front door. The house had two levels to it. Downstairs where the crew would have dinner and upstairs where Malon slept. Talon slept downstairs due to the fact he slept so loud, so to speak.
Garen sighed as he checked the moon from where he stood, he sighed as he calculated the time "We have about six hours to wait. Everybody wakes up around eight o'clock, then they get to work." Link sighed as he was checking out the barn. He hoped up ontop of a pile of crates and climbed onto the roof, they could probably keep out of watch of the Stalchildren and any other threats such as one of the ranch hands waking up and looking around. Garen suddenly spoke up "Actually there is a small hole in that tower over there. It is out of sight and in my visits and stays here I have managed to set up a few things." Link didn't listen as he layed back exhausted from everything.
The two of them spent a few hours talking about their lives. They found they both had alot in common, they both loved studying combat, they both wanted to see the world and both wanted to grow up as soon as possible. Garen found this hilarious as Link until only a day or so ago didn't even know he was Hylian. It was a good thing they could easily get along as they would probably go through alot together before they were finally able to finish this quest they had been sent on. They had better get used to it because as long as they were still in their younger years adventure would burn in their blood.
They woke up the next morning to the loud crow of a rooster that woke them both with a shook, Link nearly fell off the roof of the barn, but managed to catch himself. Garen looked around to see several of the ranch's horses and cows were out in the field, some of the horses were running laps and some of them were just grazing around. Garen also saw a few ponies in the field "What do you say we drop in?" Link said before sliding off the roof rolling as he hit the ground. Link not at all hurt, stood up stretching.
Garen followed him landing with a soft thump on the ground. Suddenly the barn door opened and somebody stepped out that didn't seem very happy. He was very slender with a very menacing mustache. He had a sinister gaze and he didn't exactly look friendly.
This was obviously fitting, as he noticed the pair in his way and began yelling "Whats up with you two? I don't have time to waste on you, I have things to do." "Who the..." Link started but was cut off almost instantly "I am the hardest damn worker around here!" Link took a step back. Navi glowed red slightly not likeing this guy at all. The man continued him rantings reminded Link of Mido in a way "That bum, Talon just lays around all day while I break my back for a pathetic fifty rupees a day." he sucked in a breath as he looked to the sky "It's hard to be a working man." he then shoved past them.
The two looked back at this guy who was obviously not a very pleasant man, either he wasn't respected or he just wasn't noticed for his hard work, but he could lighten up a little bit as far as Navi was concerned. Link looked to Garen "Who the hell was that?" he asked simply.
Garen looked back with him "That would be Hyrule's biggest hemroid, Ingo Long. And you don't wanna be around when he really gets mad. We'd better find Malon." Link nodded chuckling slightly at his partner's joke and they walked into the pasture where Garen expected her to be.
Malon stood in the field tending to a pair of horses that seemed to be pretty young, but they were both of champion blood and were both fit for knights, at least. Malon however, had other plans for these two in particular. But while this all went on she was being annoyed by a small group of Gerudos who seemed to be making offers for the two promising horses. But Malon wasn't at all interested in handing them over for any price, especially not to a race that made vicious animals made for war out of them.
One of the Gerudo women spoke "Fine how about 1500 rupees for both of them?" one asked. Malon simply turned and shook her head saying it was chicken feed as far as she was concerned. They made another offer "1500 for each of them. That's three thousand rupees, girl." Malon shook her head again, violently, as one of them, a light brown horse snorted at them. The Gerudo eyed this.
Malon watched this "And that would be a no." the horse did it again and again. Malon looked up "Could be hell no. I can't be sure with her." Malon giggled.
The Gerudo women were getting agitated and one of them dropped to her knee "Why won't you sell us these two? Our king is looking for a horse that will grow to be a champion. His horse already is, but you never know these days." Malon stood up from the silver gray pony's leg which she was taking bandages off and looked at the Gerudos with her deep blue eyes almost threateningly.
Malon spoke putting a hand on her hip "I'm sorry but they are too young to undergo your training and besides that the one you want is a female." the Gerudos looked to the horse Malon was just tending to "What about him?" they asked crossing their arms. They decided to forget about the brown horse for now, females didn't really work well with the Gerudo for some reason. Epona was clearly not suited for Gerudo training yet but this silver gray one looked pretty promising with it's threatening reddish-brown eyes.
Malon crossed her arms smiling slyly "That would be Diablo's son, Shen. Because Mr. Ingo delivered him we call him Shenlong. But predictably even if you did wait until it was full grown to give it to your king. He would want Shen out of his sight soon, as not even I can tame him at this point." the Gerudos were taken aback by this. Malon was a renowned horse trainer and if she couldn't ride this horse yet, it would be a waste to give it to Gannondorf as he wasn't much of a tamer. But Endbringer was easy for him to tame as both of them were tough on each other during the training.
A younger Gerudo around the age of thirteen suddenly stepped forward, she wore different cloths than the Gerudos. Instead of red or blue she wore, black with red and blue patterns on them, this showed she was a high ranking student. Her ruby red hair was pulled back and helding a ponytail by a large red gem. She spoke with command in her voice "Girls, forget it. Obviously they can't do business with any horses as this is the breeding season." she then looked to Malon "I'm sorry. We'll be sure to come back in a few months." the young Gerudo turned to follow the others but found herself running into something.
Both the Gerudo girl and Garen fell over as they crashed into one another. Garen never wanting to offend spoke "I'm sorry about that." he said as he got to his feet and offered his hand. The Gerudo girl looked up at him then to his hand as if it was an unnatural object, and narrowed her yellow Gerudian eyes that all of them seemed to have. She got up completely ignoring him and started off "I don't need any help from men. Even boys are worthless." she then walked off glaring back at Garen.
Sheikan was freaked out by this and turned to Malon "What in the world was her problem, what did I do?" Malon was a little shocked that Garen didn't know but then remembered he hadn't lived outside Catalina for very long. Malon smiled as she spoke "Don't you and Fairy boy know?" Link made a face a little uncomfortable with Malon's sudden nick name for him. He shook it off and listened as Malon spoke.
She started to explain about the Gerudos "They are a group of women. Only one male is born every fifty years or so and he is to become the king of the Gerudo Thieves. They don't hold much respect for men and basically only use them as a means of increasing their number." Garen looked back at the beautiful young woman who had just denied his help. Malon noticed this "That girl, Nabooru is the best swordswoman of them all. Even though she is still under training. She has great respect for herself, but absolutely zero for anybody who can't match her. If somebody were to defeat her. Who knows how much she would respect them." Garen smirked thinking that he could take her.
Link broke in forgetting his manners "So she is a first class tomboy, right?" Malon let out a slight laugh "Not really she just isn't very misunderstood. She however is against Gannondorf's leadership even if she is his best student. He is a very respected swordsman himself, as well as a wizard. Even those who don't care for him like myself can't deny that he and his horse make a good team." this caused the two young warriors to gulp, this only made the guy only more dangerous.
Suddenly Malon remembered what Zelda had suggested to her "Oh yeah. I was hoping you would come because I thought you would be interested in something. Do you like these two horses." she asked motioning to Epona and Shen. Link looked at Epona who seemed to like him in the same way. Link stroked Epona's neck and in return she seemed to rub up against his chest. Link smiled as he let out a light laugh. Malon was a little taken that Epona liked him, maybe it had to do with him always have been living in the forest.
Shen and Garen seemed to look at each other in the same way. Shen was normally the rebellious type, but seemed to like Garen as he seemed to drop his defenses around him. Garen reached out and rubbed his hand down Shen's neck, the horse seemed to flex it's neck in liking. Malon blinked not believing as it seemed that both Shen and Garen had the exact same eyes, and from what she had seen the same attitude. They would get along perfectly I she had to make a bet on it. Garen had already noticed this.
Malon noticed how they seemed to like them enough and couldn't really believe that Shen actually took a liking to Garen. Malon smiled as she made her decision "Would you guys like to use these two horses?" she asked. They turned to see that she was serious, Garen mouthed out 'What?' at this.
Malon giggled "I know you guys will be needing them for your mission. Just don't let them get hurt." she said with a sly smirk. She got the exact reaction that she wanted, surprise. Garen gulped as she said this and stepped back from Shen knowing that he had somehow been caught by his friend "Malon I have no idea what your talking about? What mission?" he asked lying through his teeth.
Malon got right in his face smiling causing Garen to become nervous, Navi giggled as she saw this making Link feel out of place "You know Garen." she said as she winked at him "Your really cute when you play dumb. Zelda told me that your collecting the Spiritual Stones, so the Gerudo King doesn't get them." she looked around to make sure the Gerudos had left.
She continued showing her lack of knowledge "To what ends, I don't know. But I do not trust those people or their king. Garen I know that you will need help and I know that you are trustworth, so I'm going to let you guys take Epona and Shen with you as far as you need to use them. They will be of great aid and you will be able to send them back when you need to leave them behind." she then looked at the two and crossed her arms "And just considering, your going to need all the help you can get." Garen now could only thank Din that Malon didn't believe in oweing favors.
She stepped away from Garen and stood up strait bringing her hands to her chest "Listen. I know there is more to this than Zelda says but, it is probably for the best I don't know." she looked to the horses. She spoke as Garen approached Shen "It is strange that he never seems happy unless you around. And I've never seen them so pleased with others besides myself." Garen could understand with some of the characters running around the ranch. Malon eyed Link as Epona rubbed her nose against him "She seems to like you. While she isn't as aggressive as Shen can get she is often stand offish." Navi flew over the stand on Malon's shoulder and watch. She then spoke "Must be that minty forest scent." Link rolled his head running his hand over Epona's head.
Garen brushed some of Shen's over grown bangs that fell before his eyes before speaking "And what song did you train these two under, Malon?" he questioned and Malon breathed out lightly. She then looked up at him "Do you remember my mother's song Garen?" Garen nodded his head "Yeah. You used to sing it all the time." he said. Link was now beginning to understand just how close these two were.
She sighed looking at them as if haunted by a sad memory "I have taught both of them to trust one who is privilaged to this song. They will come to anybody who has learned this song and knows the trick to it. Shen knows Garen, but Epona could be a problem as Link has never riden her before. Do you have an instrument or something Link?" she asked. Link looked at her blinking a little surprised she'd ask that "Actually yeah." he said removing the small fairy ocarina from his pocket.
She stepped up to Link examining it and nodding her head claiming that it was acceptable and then stepped back "Epona is my baby, Fairy boy. She won't listen to anybody else unless they know this song and she herself trusts them. Think of it as needing my approval before playing with strangers. Try to follow along with me." Malon closed her eyes and sang a few beautiful perfect notes that seemed to make Epona nay in joy.
Link raised his ocarina to his lips and played out the notes following the sound of Malon's voice as a guide until he managed to iron himself out, it was a lovely song that seemed to spill with the essense of nature. It echoed in his minds and felt like it has been inscribed upon his soul. As he lowered the ocarina, Epona nayed before forcing her head under Link's arm rubbing against him. Link having had no experiance lightly stepped back, Malon laughed "Looks like Epona has grown fond of you Fairy boy." Link grimaced at this name, but he said nothing.
Malon giggled at this and then spoke "I want you to take them with you, they should allow you to get around easier than walking." she smiled stroking Shen "Because you have been taught and played that song they know that I trust you, so they trust you. Please don't let their loyalty go to waste." Garen nodded his head before hugging Malon lightly, Navi took notice that she virtually melted into his arms. Link asked one very important question having to do with their health "Oh don't worry. If they get hurt or tired just order them back to Lon Lon Ranch and they will return." Link smiled at this and put his ocarina away and stroked Epona's neck.
Suddenly Malon held out her hand to Link passing him some sort of book "Here Fairy boy. You haven't any experience riding a horse yet, so you may need this. Unlike others it speaks in Hylian you can understand." Link took the book and stuffed it in the Sacred Realm making sure it was out of sight. Malon then approached both of them looking them in the eyes "But if they do get hurt, don't think I won't take it out of your hides!" Link nodded a little scared.
Suddenly Garen walked up to Malon and spoke as he remembered what the Deku had told him, he really didn't want to ask anymore of her but had no choice. He looked at her "Malon, do you know if your mother, while she was still around ever got anything from the Deku? A silvery stone of some sort?" Malon stepped back and reached for her pendent that was attached to her bandanna she wore around her neck. It was in the shape of a strange monster's head, she had once told Garen that she heard it was a monsterous turtle from legends. The artist of the pendent called it the Bowser or something.
She opened it to reveal a small gray stone that sparkled in silver, it also had the Deku's racial emblem on it "My mother gave it to me for my seventh birthday saying it would bring me good luck. She died the next day." Garen breathed in slowly as he saw saddness start to appear "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up. But I'm afraid I have to." Garen said taking her hands in his own. Link stood off to the side knowing this was something personal.
Malon looked down at his hands that held hers "Garen. It's okay she is in a better place now. I can feel it." Garen shook his head as he looked into her perfect blue eyes with his intense red-brown ones "No. That stone is one of the spiritual stones, if I'm correct. The spiritual stone of lightning. Me and Link need it. I'm sorry. But we'll go to any means to possess it." Malon slowly brought her free hand up to the stone and removed it from her pendant where it expanded in size becoming larger, around the size of a fist. Just like the Kokiri Emerald.
She didn't know what to do. Her mother had told her to use it as something special, another holder of a spiritual stone, a royal zora was going to use a spiritual stone in her possession for something very serious, Malon didn't know though. She looked at the stone, it truly was the spiritual stone of lightning because deku scrubs came from the earth from the rain that poured into the craters made by lightning and to inherit such a thing was unheard of. But she wasn't gonna hand it over to that rat bastard, Gannondorf. Her mother would never allow that if she still lived.
Malon suddenly placed it in his hand "Take it Garen. Just promise me one thing. That you will visit more frequently, your one of my best friends and I hope you will consider telling me what all of this is about after your done." she suddenly brought her hands around his neck "Just don't do anything crazy. I don't wanna lose you." she then pecked him on the cheek and Garen suddenly felt feelings for his beloved friend he never felt before. Link closed his eyes and smiled at this knowing that Garen was probably feeling pretty red right now.
Garen turned his head to Link and tossed the stone to him, it flashed in a silvery gray over Link's head as he held it. This was the only stone in Hyrule that Zelda didn't know about and most likely the same went for Gannondorf. Malon spoke still holding Garen around his neck spoke "I'm hoping that when we get older, maybe I'll be less busy. And we can be more than friends. What about you?" Garen smiled at this telling her that he would like that. Link felt as if he was going to bust as he saw just how truly red Garen's face was.
Garen after being turned loose, walked back over to Link and looked at their newest Spiritual Stone. It was the Deku Moonstone and was most likely the greatest symbol of Malon's friendship. Garen took the stone placing it in his utility belt. Link chuckled pointing at his friend "Look Navi I think he's blushing." Garen glared at him with a smile "Watch yourself, Fairy boy." he said.
Link calmed down and stopped laughing "Sorry. But seriously, your face is matching your tunic right about now." he pointed out. Garen gave a smirk "I guess all my good karma is finally paying off." Link chuckled at this.
Malon walked over to them "Be sure to come back soon. If you get injured be sure to come back. One of the other ranch girls knows all about first aid. Take good care of Epona and Shen." she handed Garen a piece of paper "This is a list of people who will hold the horses in the local areas. And if anything happens to them. You'd better hope you can run faster than Diablo. Our prized horse." Link glanced at her "Why is that?" he asked. Malon suddenly walked up to Link, winking at Garen.
She put a hand on the tip of his hat "Because, my dear fairy boy if anything happens to them. You'll end up fearing me alot more than you could ever fear Dragmire." she said before sharply pulling his hat down and walking back to Garen. Link straightened his hat "I see your point. Tough girl." Garen nodded saying Link didn't know the half of it. As Malon set Epona and Shen up with some reigns Link and Garen decided to check out the building that was just outside the house. It was very large and still under construction. Behind the counter was none other than Malon's father, Talon who Garen had helped escape Malon's wrath just the day before.
Garen rolled his eyes at Talon sleeping. He then noticed one of his Crucos, the ranch's nickname for the land's unique hens and chickens. He looked to his friends "Cover your ears." he said. Link did so as Navi flew under his hat. Garen pulled sharply and the Hylian hen released a sound splitting call that sent Talon up. He looked up all around on his toes.
But upon seeing them and was overjoyed "Oh there you are, Garen. Thanks for distracting Malon yesterday. It's pretty hard to get her out of a bad mood." Garen chuckled. Talon then looked at him "But listen sonny. I wish you'd learn how to shake a sleeping person, it's alot easier." Garen simply smirked. Link meanwhile was looking around when Talon spoke up "Kind of big for the simple business shop I have going here but I'm getting there." he explained that a few local friends were going to set up buisness here soon. Talon chuckled "The ranch will have several shops set up right here. A weapons shop, supply shot, milk bar and other stuff." Garen figured that was a good idea.
He looked around not really finding anything of use as all Talon had of the supply shop right now was basic stuff which they either didn't need or had no use for. They didn't have bows to fire arrows, they didn't have any intrest in the heavy Hylian Shield, and they didn't really feel up to buying any animals. Garen thought this was going nowhere until he spotted a bottle on the upper shelf. When Garen asked about it Talon told him that those were unbreakable bottles able to hold just about anything, unfortunatly only a few of them around now and they are very hard to make.
Garen shrugged "Oh well. With our luck we'll come across one or two." Link took some time to buy full ammunition for his slingshot and then walked out to join Malon. He also bought a first aid kit from Talon which contained bandages, disinfectant, ointment, and other useful items. But still it wasn't the same as that Red Potion stuff he had gotten earlier from the guards.
As Garen left Talon called him over "Hey Garen. Your getting pretty close to my girl and your a pretty tough cowboy. Let me just ask: You wanna marry Malon?" Garen smiled and nodded knowing he was obviously joking. Talon chuckled "Just kidding, just kidding. I think your a little young." he then leaned forward. Garen noticed he was serious "But come back in a few years and I'll see." Garen smiled bidding the friendly man farewell and left.
They left the shop and ran right into Malon who stood with Epona and Shen "Well I guess this is goodbye for now guys. I was sure to fix you guys up with some fruit and milk. But be sure to reuse the bottles as they are the very strong kind. The kind Dad had on sale earlier." Garen gasped as he checked the bottle the milk was in. It seemed durable enough and was made out of the purest glass around. Link nodded as he took the large sack of fruit and bowed to Malon. She kissed Garen once again on the cheek as he mounted Shen holding the reigns. Link bid farewell while Garen looked at her "Farewell, M'lady." he said kicking Shen and left. Malon waved as the two partners took off into the distance heading for Death Mountain.
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Next Chapter: Staying at Kakariko
After meeting up with Zelda, the trio goes to Kakariko where Impa offers her hospitality. They also recieve an new intresting weapon along with another Spiritual Stone. More is explained about Garen's character and they get further along. About why he is called by his peers the "Shiekah of Solitude". Fans of Majora's Mask will know what I mean in parts of this. But it isn't required to know it.