Author's Note: After reading over the last three chapters of the Return to Lon Lon Ranch I have come to the conclusion that the chapters were rushed and quickly thrown together. Link's behavior of being so patient was another factor in this, I have decided to revise the last few chapters to make a lot more sense as both of them have people they feel they must see.
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Ocarina of Time: Rebirth
Chapter Thirty-Two: Return To Lon Lon Ranch
Garen Sheikan dashed out of Kakariko as fast as his feet could carry him, his grip held the Goshinki that rested on the reverse of his belt. He stopped as he reached the bottom of the stairs and gazed out over the plains knowing that Lon Lon Ranch was roughly ten miles across the field. It would be dark soon and the monsters would come out, Garen looked back at Link as he arrived crossing his arms "Garen what are you doing?" Garen looked back at Link and gritted his teeth "I'm going to see her Link. If I don't I'll be of no use to you or the sages." Link looked at Garen not really understanding his meaning until Navi spoke up "What is going on? Normally you're the calm one." she pointed out.
Garen breathed before looking up toward the slowly darkening sky as a wind blew over the plains "Shortly before we left the ranch for the Temple of Time and you picked up that accursed ocarina, I promised that I would be back as soon as I could. That was seven years ago Link! I don't care if she is still waiting or not I made a promise, I plan to fulfill it." he said. He then slowly looked back at Link with a light smile "Besides, the Lost Woods is a dangerous place unless you've lived there. You'll probably be fine by yourself this time." he then started to walk into the field ready to travel.
Navi flew from the ridge of Link's cap and into the air covering the distance between the two boys turned young men "Garen! Wait!" Garen looked back "You may be his guardian Navi, you have no authority over me anywhere in Hyrule." he said coldly. Navi flashed orange with annoyance "I was just going to ask you to be careful but then again knock yourself out! We'll be just fine!" she shouted at him in her high voice. Garen smiled "Good to hear it. Once I've spoken with Malon I'll head to the forest and do whatever I can to help. Save a little action for me." Link nodded before he started walking south keeping along the river as the Stalchildren hated water. All the while Garen headed to the large structure in the middle of the field which could just be seen over the horizon.
Garen moved through the field taking only a few moments at a time to rest not wanting to be attacked by the monsters that now ran wild through the field. Eventually the night came as he found himself only miles from his destination when the ground was torn open by the Stalchildren. Garen's eyes went wide as he saw the difference, they possessed sharp teeth and their eyes blazed with anger and they now possessed claws on their hands. One roared in a high pitch before running at Garen who gasped before ducking, the demon child's claws slashed right over his head sending a few strands of his dark hair flying.
Garen growled as he looked back as the Stalchild passed. He moved his hand to his newest blade as he jumped to his few spinning, the Goshinki was drawn swiftly from its sheath before slicing into the neck of the Stalchild. It screeched as Garen spun completely, its body evaporated into evil flames before it had a chance to hit the ground. The others all prepared to attack as Garen unsheathed the Millennium Saber and went into stance with it and Goshinki the Stalchildren screeched before rushing them. Link stepped forward "Come on!" he shouted.
The battle between the two of them and the angry skeletons of the field lasted nearly a quarter of an hour as he continued his hike toward the silhouetted ranch. By the time he at the ranch arrived the blade of the Millennium Saber was covered in the rotting bone marrow of the wandering cadavers. The Goshinki had been used several times as a shield, but Garen for some odd reason didn't want to trust his life to another man's weapon. Fatigued and tired Garen cursed "So this is it? I'm to be killed by the brats of the undead?!" however the Stalchildren seemed to retreat at the smell of an area where Hylians lived.
As the creatures retreated Garen moved toward the gates finding that they had been closed for the night, there wasn't going to be any entering until the next morning. Garen braced himself up against the wall unable to go any further, his breathing was heavy and rasping. He leaned up against the wall sheathing the tanto, in this position he'd be ready to fight if he was awoken by the creatures. Closing his eyes falling fast asleep, as he slept the rain came over and woke him and he was forced to wrap himself in the thick cloak that amazingly still fit him, he sat there all night.
Garen was suddenly awoken was a swift kick to his side "What the hell are you doing?! Don't sleep at my gates!" a high, angry voice shouted. Garen's eyes shot open as he felt this. Was he being attacked? What was the attacker saying? It didn't matter. He swiftly jumped up and backed away grabbing the hilt of the Millennium Saber and glaring at his target. The target backed up swiftly tripping over his own feet to fall back on his ass. Garen moved up slightly holding his sword still, the man looked up at him seeing he was human "Are you crazy?!" he shouted loudly.
Garen narrowed his eyes as he looked at the man before he sheathed his blade, the constantly narrowed eyes and mustache could not be mistaken. It was Ingo, the ranch hand of Lon Lon. But why he was now wearing such fine cloths was a mystery to him. Garen looked at him "I could ask you the same thing old man. Or do you regularly kick travelers during their slumber?" Ingo got to his feet brushing himself off "Damn kid." he grumbled. He then started back into the ranch "You better watch who's property you 'slumber' on or the Great Gannondorf will hear about it." he threatened.
Garen Sheikan gulped as he heard this, he had only met Ingo briefly the first time but how could he ever show such respect for that man "Great Gannondorf?! Are you out of your mind?" he asked trying to keep from shouting. Ingo ignored him before he vanished with the sound of a slamming metal gate, Garen looked at the ground as he heard this thinking 'At least he hasn't changed all that much. The hard ass. But what the hell is he blabbering about? Talon would oppose Gannondorf and didn't really give much care to anything outside the ranch.' Garen looked up before looking to the ranch. This deserved checking out he didn't like the smell of this scenario, he casually stepped inside wrapping his cloak under his arm.
The ranch truly had changed since they had been there, for one the shops along side the house had actually been accepted by people trying to set up businesses. It seemed the Bazaar also had set up shop hear as well as a supply store, if Link were there they might have been able to pull their rupees into getting a Hylian Shield. The fields were still well kept but there was one thing that shocked Garen, the large painted letters over the first to words of the sign that were made to read out 'Ingo Ranch'. Garen glared at this it was obvious that Ingo had had some unfair dealings to have the ranch placed under his care.
Not wanting to make any sort of a scene he walked out toward the field only to spy Ingo again standing outside the horse corral. Ingo spotted him as they walked closer and groaned "Oh Goddesses. Its you again?! What do you want?" he demanded to know crossing his arms over his chest as if being professional. Garen stepped forward "Save it. Where is Talon?" he demanded to know in return. It wasn't the fact that he knew he looked a lot more threatening with this older and stronger body, he had never accepted being ignored easily and wasn't about to start with a fool like Ingo Long.
Ingo huffed obviously annoyed at his question "Oh I see. You haven't been around the last couple of years and just got back. Another one of those pioneers that goes through the desert? Or one of the explorers that went into the Lost Woods?" he said, Garen wondered if he would buy the true story. Ingo continued his ranting "Well if you listened to those slobs in Kakariko saying that I cheated Talon out of this ranch you wasted your time!" he shouted. Garen crossed his arms and listened unaware of a meek pair of eyes watching them from the stables.
Ingo paced around lightly speaking with unneeded amounts of pride "That Talon was weak! I the one time ranch hand Ingo poured so much effort into this place while he just lazed about having either me or his daughter run his errands. The Great Gannondorf recognized this and gave me control of this ranch. I don't need outsiders like you spreading bad rumors about MY ranch." Garen at this point felt like rushing him in an attempt of beating some sense into this head. Ingo waved his head annoyed "Look I have work to do getting these horses ready. Emissaries are coming some time this weak to pick out one for the Great Gannondorf. Stick around if you wish kid, its rare to see them out this far. Just stay out of the way!"
The half Sheikah scratched his head as Ingo walked back into the corral "Okay Ingo has obviously gone out of his mind." he thought to aloud. Yet he wondered where Talon had gone if he had been kicked out of his own home. His attention was then grabbed by the sound of a cow from the stables. He turned around wondering if they were the same however he turned just in time to see a shadow duck out of view from the window. Garen shrugged lightly at this 'Eavesdroppers.' his mind sighed. He began walking toward the slightly larger stables his hand ready on the tanto just in case.
Garen stepped inside his boot causing a light creek to come from the floor, it was lit up with the morning sun and there were several animals inside. Garen had to admit that the place was a lot cleaner, his mind lightly wondered where Ingo got the time to do all the scrubbing and scrapping. They then noticed as silhouette standing near one of the horse's troth whispering a few words as she placed a few wrapped bundles of hay and grass inside. Garen stepped up still in the dark as to who it was, he stepped up wanting a few answers as to Talon's whereabouts mainly because Malon was sure to be with him "Excuse me. Can I ask you something?" he asked.
The young woman finished what she had been doing and turned around to greet them, before her voice could speak Garen had already found himself met with those beautiful blue eyes. His heart sank as he saw her face. Those eyes along with fiery hair that even the Gerudo would envy. This beautiful young woman that stood just below his forehead couldn't have been anybody but Malon Moonstar. He had always admired those bright blue eyes that held that pure innocence though now it had matured into something else. He had forgotten that seven years had gone by and Malon had grown just as himself and Link. And now here he was, standing before her seven years later without an excuse that she would accept. What would she say? Would she hate him?
She began to speak without hesitation. Had she known who he was, she would have probably been ready to tell him to go straight to hell. Garen braced himself as she spoke "Oh hello. Can I help you?" Garen was shocked as she said this. Had she completely forgotten about him? Garen looked at her a few pieces of straw was in her hair, she was dressed much like she used to only it included a leather apron for working. Why was she still here?
"Uh. Excuse me? Are you alright?" she asked snapping her fingers before his face forcing Garen out of his trance. Garen stepped back lightly apologizing quickly understanding that she probably didn't recognize him in the least. His hair was longer than it used to be, his flesh had darkened and there was a matter of his over mature nature not being present as he had missed out on seven years of his life. He shook his head lightly "Sorry. It's early." he said. Malon smiled at this "I understand. Nobody looks forward to the next day anymore." she said sounding a little depressed.
Malon took at deep breath placing her arms at her hips obviously not in the mood to be taken off her chores by somebody she didn't even realize she knew. "So what do you want? I'm a little busy." she pointed out. Garen looked around slightly, he had so many questions he didn't know where to start, he couldn't just point out who he was. He decided on something else "What happened to this place? When did it grow so much and where is the old manager?" he asked trying not to sound as if he could guess each and every one.
The fiery red head breathed again as she crossed her arms over her abdomen, obviously this was not a favorite subject of hers, Garen noticed "I'm sorry. Never mind." she shook her head "No. Its okay." she said. She began to speak "It's just ever since Ingo gained respect with Gannondorf, everything changed. One day soldiers just marched in and literally dragged my father out and placed Ingo in charge. Since then so many of our horses have gone to serve the higher members of his army." she said folding her arms tighter. Garen swallowed lightly knowing that she was becoming more and more depressed with every passing second.
She continued her stories "If you don't know I'm Malon. Ingo allowed me to stay here because of my ability to tame our horses. He also keeps me here under threats that the horses will be mistreated if I don't." Garen didn't speak in response, he didn't know what to say. There were only two things he felt like doing in response, continue playing dumb or step outside and back fist Ingo across the face. Malon noticed the hesitant expression on his face "It may seem ridiculous to you but I've spent my life bringing almost every one of these animals up and I am not going to just let them be hurt if I can help it!" she half shouted at Garen.
He held up his hands in defense "I understand perfectly. They are like your family. I...knew Talon a few years ago. I know how few are in your family." he wondered how she would react. Malon turned walking to a nearby barrel placing her gloves on it rubbing her sore hands, it was obvious that Ingo had been forcing her to do ALL the work while he lounged around all day. It was a serious piece of irony. Malon spoke again "There are only a few I consider family anymore. I thought of Ingo like an uncle once. There is of course my father and then there was somebody else..." he noticed her fist began to clinch.
Garen walked up to her "What about them?" he asked softly showing that he wasn't trying to rub her life in her face. Malon breathed "Rumors say he was murdered by Gannondorf's troops in Hyrule Castle Town, before it burned." Garen felt his heart sink again. Garen breathed trying to get up his nerve to speak, he placed his hand on hers and she looked up lightly at him forcing the tears in her eyes to retreat. Garen spoke "Rumors are only rumors. Often they are not true." he said trying to give her at least a little hope. He knew that chances were he would die before they could confront Gannondorf.
Suddenly the door was kicked open and Ingo's voice sounded loudly "MALON!" she quickly pulled back her hand back and turned to look at her employer. "What the hell are you doing?!" he then turned his glare to Garen "And what are you still doing here?!" he shouted. Malon stepped forward holding up her hands "He was only asking about the horses. He visited before and was just wondering about the changes." Ingo rolled his eyes before looking back at the young man "Its business! Build! Enhance! And Add on! For Din's sake! Malon just get back to work, your not hear to chat with non-paying customers!" he shouted before demanding Garen out.
Garen clinched his fist before he huffed and stepped forward out the door "And stay out." Ingo said before slamming the door hard. Garen looked back "Hard ass." he murmured before he stepped back toward the gates knowing he'd have to blow off some steam.
Ingo breathed as he turned to leer at Malon "And as for you! You are not to speak to him again! The Great Gannondorf wants a new horse soon! I don't need your mind on flirting!" Malon hardly showed any signs of shock or anger "I wasn't flirting. I was..." "I don't wanna hear it! Back to work now!" he shouted before he stormed out of the stables. Malon breathed before she reached up holding her hand to her chest tears coming up in her eyes. She hated herself for what she had become. Garen would never tolerate her as she was now. Weak. Scared. Afraid. Her fire was all but gone, she couldn't defend herself any longer. She slowly moved into a corner and sobbed.
Ingo breathed as he moved away from the table and into the house closing the door and immediately kicking over a table. He wasn't angry. The expression on his face showed that he was worried. Scared even! He remembered his agreement with Gannondorf: Supply horses to him when it is requested, 10 of all profit goes to the Royal Family for five years, and he was to make sure than Malon would not rebel. In Gannondorf's own words she was to remain depressed and only have her mind on bringing up the animals. She was once innocent yet rebellious, now she was weak.
He didn't understand why Gannondorf wanted it this way but he had been told that he was to meet these requirements of ownership of the ranch would be returned to Talon. However while Malon's depression kept her from seeing it, Ingo easily recognized that boy in the red and black outfit as the half-Sheikah that often came around. He knew just how well he and Malon got along and how close they were. If she was to realize who he was and they were allowed to rekindle this flame in her and she were to rebel he would be ruined. He couldn't allow it.
As Ingo went over this in his mind Garen had walked around to the rear stable that was at the base of the tower. He was just checking everything out wondering if he could find anybody else living at the ranch. He found a sign on the door that read 'Reserved Orders' obviously this was where the horses sent to Gannondorf were kept. Perhaps he could at least get an idea of what the higher ups would be riding on, possibly even attacking them from. He walked in not knowing what to expect, he was however more than ready.
He was greeted with the sight of two horses, one reddish brown one and one silvery gray one both of them apparently full grown. Garen looked down at the floor chains went from their ankles to the wall holding them in place, obviously Ingo could not keep them under control. The silvery gray one looked up at him, the eyes putting it over as a male he could tell. It moved closer getting a sniff of Garen's scent it took a second before it reared slightly. Garen then got a look of the horse "Shen?" he whispered surprised. He thought and then reached down grabbing his flute that was still the same as ever.
He played out a few notes all of them familiar, the same notes that Malon had taught them years ago still lingering in his mind. The horse suddenly reared up high, Garen laughed "It is you! Ha ha!" Garen shouted thrilled (as far as he goes) to be reunited with the companion that had taken him around Hyrule seven years ago. He then looked over seeing Epona, the gentle yet rebellious horse that for some reason only listened to Link and Malon. Epona tugged hard with her rear left leg hard at the chain obviously knowing that she was about to be shipped out. Shen huffed lightly where he stood.
Garen brought up his hand placing it on the space between Epona's eyes "Stop! You'll hurt yourself." he said sternly yet softly to the horse. It stared at him for a second before it did so placing the hoof down the sound of metal against stone sounding. Garen looked at Epona and Shen growling, Ingo was probably shipping off Malon's two favorite horses right under her nose "Don't worry you two. We'll get you out of here. Just hang tight." Shen huffed again as if he understood. Garen looked at him "Why you little...?" he chuckled. Shen straightened up standing about the same height as Epona. Garen looked at the two horses as he turned to step out "I'll see you soon." he said stepping out.
Next Chapter: NAME UNDECIDED
Garen goes to speak with Malon once again at least to get Ingo's plot into the air. With so much going through Malon's mind and her depression hindering her focus will she realize who he is? And even if she does what will happen when a group of Gannondorf's troop come for their cut of the profits as well as the horses.