Certain Friends…

Death Mountain's final eruption had finally ended. The billows of smoke had caused a thunderstorm that had also passed by nightfall. Lon Lon Ranch was always quiet during the middle of the night. The only sound now was that of the persistent rain that had outlived the storm. Malon had once again invited them to stay in her secret room. Peach herself was sleeping very comfortably in the cozy, if humble setting. She was having a particularly nice dream, as could be told by the wide smile on her face. Unbeknownst to her, Zelda and Malon were not sleeping nor were they even in the crawlspace.

Instead, they were outside walking in the rain. Up to this point, Zelda had said nothing more than asking Malon to walk with her. Malon asked nothing, but was still curious. Zelda had been very quiet ever since first arriving. Neither seemed bothered by the rain as they continued into the pasture. Zelda finally stopped and sat down against the fence. She patted the ground next to her and smiled somberly. Malon took a seat next to her.

"Sorry for dragging you out here like this," Zelda said humbly. "I…I just wanted to talk. We haven't talked to one another for a while, especially since I've been gone so long."

"Don't worry about it," Malon said. "I'm just glad to see that you're safe…You've been looking down since you got here. What's wrong?"

"I don't want Peach to know this, but…I'm starting to have doubts…"

"About what?"

"Saving Hyrule." Malon's eyebrows raised, but Zelda stopped her before she could say anything. "Hear me out. I really do care about this land. I care about everyone who lives here, except maybe Ganondorf…But I don't think I can save it. It's so…difficult. Am I just being a coward?"

"Of course not, Zel. It's okay to be scared when you're going into evil's territory. But just remember why you're doing it: for your friends, your homeland, and for yourself. That's what Link always said."

"It's not that simple," Zelda said, feeling tears coming on.

"Just tell me what's wrong," Malon said, taking her hand.

"I haven't been going into evil's territory," Zelda said, counting on the rain to hide her tears. "Though the temples do have some of Ganondorf's minions…the real threats are the Sages themselves."

"You don't mean…"

"Both Saria and Darunia, the leader of the Gorons, tried to kill me."

"Why?"

"Saria believes I'm going to do something horrible. Darunia thought I killed his son. I was with Peach the whole time! I couldn't have!"

"I believe you," Malon said in a hushed voice.

"I'm not sure if I believe myself," Zelda sobbed. "I tried to reason with them…In the Forest Temple, I actually thought I killed Saria. In Death Mountain crater, she actually slew me. Peach used her magic to revive me…but only in time for me to kill Darunia before he was able to eliminate her…"

"Oh, Zelda…" Malon said, shocked.

"So far, I'm only proving Saria right," Zelda said, covering her face. "What if I did do horrible things? I don't even know when those four months passed by. That would have been plenty of time to…to…" Zelda could say no more, breaking down into full-blown crying.

"No!" Malon said, holding Zelda's face so that they looked into each other's eyes. "You're not a bad person, Zelda. I don't care what anyone says. You are my best friend. I know you. You would never do horrible things, especially not things that warrant your murder. Maybe Ganondorf warped their minds or used some sort of illusion…"

"Their souls were free of evil," Zelda said, looking away. "Ganondorf could not have done anything to them. I…I haven't even been really fighting evil here, just people who are supposed to be my allies and friends. What's worse, the things that Saria said about me…they were all dreams I had…or nightmares…maybe even prophecies…What if I have to kill Ruto? Or…Impa? I couldn't live with myself if…"

"Don't even think about it!" Malon said, bringing her into a hug. She was crying herself, but the rain had already wetted her face. "Just don't…You mean too much to me."

It had been a long time since Zelda had ever been embraced by Malon like that, yet it felt so familiar. She had a similar warmth and gentleness to Peach. Malon's full head of hair shielded her from the rain. The rain actually made her seem more beautiful. Zelda got a spark of jealousy. There was a distinct possibility Malon would be more attractive than her in Link's eyes. Zelda smiled and whispered, "Thank you, Malon. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Just do what you have to do," Malon smiled back. "That's what Link would say." She looked into the night sky and said, "It doesn't look like it's going to stop raining anytime soon. Want to head back inside?"

"Actually, if you don't mind," Zelda replied, "would it be okay to just sleep out here?"

"You'd catch a cold in this rain," Malon said, standing up.

"I mean under that," Zelda said, pointing to the horses' feeding shelter.

"Don't you remember what I said about sleeping outside?" Malon reminded her.

"Well, I was hoping…that you'd join me," Zelda said shyly. Malon was somewhat taken by surprise. "Just like old times…except here instead of my courtyard."

"But we had blankets and guards and…"

"Please?" Zelda asked sweetly, taking her hand.

"…All right," Malon said, as her face melted into a smile once again. They did not seem to mind the slightly muddy ground as they walked to the shelter. "It's been at least three years since we last slept outside. Are you sure you won't get cold, though?"

"You and your dress should be enough to keep me warm," Zelda said slyly as they sat down against the wall of the shelter.

"…Heeey! Are you calling me fat?" Malon said, folding her arms.

"No…" Zelda said, holding back a smile as she snuggled up against her. "I'm just saying you have a bigger heart than me…and I'm thinner."

"You better not tell the Gerudos about this," Malon chuckled, wrapping her arms around Zelda. "They'll start getting weird ideas about me."

"I wouldn't be surprised if some of them started flirting with you," Zelda giggled sleepily. "Goodnight, Malon. Thanks again."

"Night, Zelda," Malon said, giving her a peck on the cheek. "Sweet dreams."

Zelda awakened lying against the gentle rise and fall of Malon's breathing. Malon had used her brown apron as a makeshift blanket for the both of them. They were still quite damp from walking in the rain earlier. In fact, she could still hear the rain. Zelda soon realized that it was Malon's light, but annoying snoring that had awakened her. She placed her hand over Malon's mouth to stop the wheezing sound. She then, readjusted herself and laid her head back against Malon.

"Isn't that sweet?"

Zelda opened one annoyed eye and saw Sofuru, the leader of this particular group of Gerudos, sitting in front of her with her legs folded. "What do you want?"

"A large owl is sitting outside," she said with a raised eyebrow. "A large, talking owl… He requested the audience of you and the other blonde. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Don't get any funny ideas," Zelda said, closing her eyes. "This is a practice from our younger days. Certain friends are just so special…"

"Spare me the mush," Sofuru said, standing up. "The owl said something about Lake Hylia. You aren't planning on going there, are you?"

"And if I am," Zelda scowled.

"Admirable, but stupid," she replied. "Even if you took that Dodongo, Queen Ruto would wipe you out before you got anywhere near the lake. It hasn't' stopped raining…"

"Wait, did you say queen?" Zelda asked, trying not to wake Malon.

"Yeah," she sighed, standing up. "She's been queen for a while now. Ever since her father kicked the bucket. She's the one who's been flooding the land. This rain hasn't been helping either. We're being pushed back to the northwestern end of Hyrule."

"Thank you for the information," Zelda said.

"If we have to leave," Sofuru said, walking away, "I'll be sure to allow Malon, and perhaps her family, to join us."

"Ready to wake Peach?" Malon said, giving Zelda a gentle squeeze.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Since you tried to suffocate me," Malon chuckled.

Zelda and Malon returned to the crawlspace and found Peach still sleeping.

"She seems to be enjoying her sleep," Malon smiled.

"Oh, Mario," she sighed, beginning to blush.

"Perhaps a bit too much," Zelda rolled her eyes.

Peach began to make uncomfortable faces and grunted as she began to squirm around. "No…Mario, come back…Mario…AAAAHHHH!" she shrieked springing up with her eyes wide open.

"Are you okay?" Zelda asked, kneeling down to her.

"That must have been a nightmare," Malon said. "You okay?"

"Mario…I felt him."

"More than I needed to hear," Zelda muttered.

"No, I mean I sensed him," Peach said frantically. "As if he was nearby…I saw where he was…is? Was it…? Smiling…laughing… It's gone. "

"I know you miss him," Zelda said gently. "But it was just a dream."

"…You're right. Sorry."

"Our feathered friend is back. He wants to talk to us."

"Okay."

Peach and Zelda stepped outside the ranch and saw that they were in ankle-deep water. The floodwater had been rising steadily, just as Sofuru said.

"Hoot, hoot! Up here!" The owl was perched on the outer wall of the ranch, turning its head upside down. "I see you've noticed the flood. This is Ruto's doing."

"Why is she doing this?" Zelda asked, having to yell it over the sound of rain.

"She's trying to flush you out, literally," he said, turning his head back right side up. "She must be stopped today."

"How? I refuse to kill her."

"I can't give you any solutions, my dear, hoot. However, I can provide transportation. She has also placed a barrier around Lake Hylia, just like the previous sages you've encountered. You won't be able to warp there."

"How can I face her?" Zelda asked quietly.

"Zelda," Peach said. "If we just try to talk to her, she might come around."

"That wouldn't be a bad idea," Kaepora said. "Even if it doesn't work, you could still get a clue as to exactly what is causing this strange behavior in the sages. Hoot, hoot!"

"…Maybe we should eat first," Zelda said, turning back into the ranch.

"Very well, Zelda," the owl hooted. "But be warned; the longer you stall, the more danger you place everyone in. And be sure to eat lightly. You wouldn't want to get a cramp out in the water, now would you? Hoot hoot! I'll be here when you think you're ready."

Zelda and Peach ate in the tavern, watching Malon sing on a stage of crates. Every person and monster watching was completely enthralled by her. Zelda was equally captivated, but her face revealed more sadness than awe.

"Cheer up, Zelda," Peach said, handing her another glass of milk. "Everything will be all right."

"They certainly don't feel all right," she said, staring at Malon. "I feel like something horrible is going to happen. Perhaps I should just give myself up to Ruto. At least then, Hyrule would be safe."

"You don't even know what she has against you," Peach scolded her. "Stop being so pessimistic!"

"How does it feel, Peach?"

"What?"

"To be in a world like this…" Zelda said distantly. "In your world, you had plenty of friends with resources and magical powers to help you. Here, most of my friends are against me. There are no armies or machines to help. Just magic that can only cause pain and suffering."

"Zelda, you're still child," Peach said softly.

"Excuse me?"

"A very mature and wise child, but still a child nonetheless. You have to realize that terrible things happen just about everyone sooner or later. Sometimes there is no good reason why they happen. They just do. A child will cry and complain, and then give up easily. An adult, on the other hand, will take steps to fix the problem. And if she doesn't get it right the first time, she'll try again and again until she does…Bowser kidnapped me for the first time when I was around your age. I was so scared; I didn't know what to do. I almost gave up hope. But then Mario and Luigi came and rescued me. They told me how difficult it was to reach me. They told me about sleepless nights, bitterly cold winds, blazing heat, and never-ending barrages of hammers…"

"You almost had me," Zelda muttered.

"The point is they never gave up," Peach said more sternly. "When Bowser kidnapped me once again, they saved me again, speaking of even more difficult challenges. The fact that they would do all that for me, while I sat there and did nothing…It really means that they were adults when I was not. Ever since, I've been trying to help them however I could, regardless of whether or not I had been kidnapped. I grew up. Now, it's time for you to grow up. Do you understand?"

"I will do what I have to do," Zelda said, repeating Malon's words. "I think I'm ready. I'm just a little scared…"

"There's nothing wrong with that," Peach smiled. "Besides, I'll be there for you."

"Thank you."

Zelda looked back over her shoulder as Malon waved goodbye from the increasingly distant ranch. Kaepora held Zelda and Peach tightly in his talons and swiftly flapped higher into the sky. They could see that the floodwaters had submerged nearly all of Hyrule outside of Lon Lon Ranch and Gerudo Valley. She could see the path to Kakariko Village almost completely flooded, though the Shadow Barrier was still up. Once they were above Lake Hylia, which was no longer a lake because of the flood, they could see dozens of Zoras about. The Lakeside Laboratory had collapsed into the lake. Many Zoras looked up toward the three. Kaepora let them down on the island in the center of the water. It was just above the water.

"I'll be in the area," he said, swooping away.

"All those Zoras…" Zelda said, staring out at the numerous river folk. "How do we get to the bottom of this water, let alone without getting marauded by Zoras?"

"Can't you swim?" Peach said, jumping in.

"I can only dive so far."

"I'll swim you down then," Peach offered.

"…Alright," Zelda said, noticing that none of the Zoras were approaching. She slid into the water and held onto Peach. Before they could do anything more, they were sucked down to the floor of the lake and into the Water Temple.