The Sage of Life

Peach awakened in a dark room with only a flickering candle. She was lying under a sheet on a small bed, and Zelda sat next to her on the floor. She was in little more than a cloak.

"I see you're awake," Zelda said, opening one eye.

Peach yawned and stretched. "How long has it been?"

"About five hours," Zelda said. "We're at the Fortress right now. Nabooru is waiting to escort us back to Lon Lon Ranch.

"That's good," Peach said, shuffling around under the covers. "Um…Zelda?"

"Yes?" Zelda said, closing her eyes with a smile.

"Where is my clothing?"

"The Gerudo you took it from is an officer," Zelda said. "She didn't think much of asking for it back, so she took it back."

"And my bra?" Peach said a little more urgently.

"I told you they were thieves," Zelda replied.

"Zelda…"

"Don't worry. Nabooru made sure we would have something to wear, especially since you forgot your backpack at Lon Lon Ranch before we even went to the Water Temple."

"I was wondering where that thing went…"

Peach, Zelda, and Nabooru arrived at the entrance to Lon Lon Ranch on horseback. Actually, Peach simply rode Rico back. She was wearing a very plain pink dress with her brooch sewn into it. Zelda wore a lighter pink dress, but kept the gauntlets, much to the chagrin of a Gerudo guard.

At Nabooru's orders, other Gerudo's had already reclaimed the ranch and apprehended the Giga Koopas, while destroying the Stalfos. They were in the process of helping survivors out of the wreckage of the house. As she passed by, Peach used her Group Hug spell to heal everyone in the wreckage and made a note to return to revive the rest later. Nabooru stopped to help the others while Peach and Zelda rode to the silo. Zelda seemed terribly anxious to see Malon once again.

Once they entered the secret room, they could see the spirit of Malon's mother floating there in wait. "Good work, ladies. You not only restored the souls of Hyrule, but you did it without having to take life. I'm very proud of you two."

Zelda bowed slightly. "Thank you, Mrs…um…"

"There's no need for formalities," she smiled. "You may call me Mother Malon."

"It's strange that I never learned your name before," Zelda said, looking back down at her friend beneath the hay.

"I know I can revive her now," Peach said, cupping her hands.

"Before you start, I must first tell you that I used to be the Sage of Life."

"I don't remember anything like that in my studies," Zelda said, tilting her head to the side.

"I'm also sure you never heard of the Sage of Death," Mother Malon said. "You see, before you were born, athree of us awakened as Sages. We had no idea why, since no great evil was threatening the Triforce to our knowledge. It was just a war over Hyrule, as bad as that in and of itself may be. However, we all took advantage of our powers and eventually died under similar circumstances. I now realize that it was only through premature death that we are now able to help you."

"How?" Zelda and Peach inquired.

Mother Malon held out her ectoplasmic hand, and a rainbow-colored medallion appeared. "This is the symbol of my power. I was only able to reveal it recently. I bestow this upon my daughter, so that she may become the Sage of Life."

"I don't understand," Zelda said.

"Why would you do that?" Peach asked.

"Though I still retain the title, my current state disallows me from using my powers. Though Malon is currently dead, her body is still intact. Mine was cremated and scattered about this room. Peach's power to revive someone merely heals the body and returns the soul to it. She cannot revive me…but…"

"I can revive Malon…"

"Correct," she said, as the Life Medallion sunk into Malon. "There is but one thing I must warn you of… This…ancient Sage madness issue…"

"What is causing it?" Zelda asked desperately.

"I don't know," she said sedately. "What I do know is that it is like a hereditary allergic reaction, specific to only a certain type of people…in this case, Sages. It seems to be inactive when the Sage is dead, but if they are brought back to life…who knows? Peach, you broke the spell on Nabooru with your white magic. Considering the nature of this illness, I would advise that you be ready to use it on Malon."

"I understand," Peach nodded. "Zelda, you should probably stand…back?" Zelda had already scrunched herself back into the hole and looked from a distance.

"I know. Please, proceed."

"All right…Malon, Come Back!" she prayed. A holy light shined down on Malon's body and a star floated down and into her. Her stomach arched up and she gasped. Peach stood back as her wounds healed and she caught her breath.

"Malon…" Peach said cautiously.

"Ungh…" Malon moaned, sitting up. She wiped the straw off herself. When she caught sight of Peach standing there and Zelda slowly peeking out of the hole, she began to whimper and backed against the wall. "You again! Please, don't hurt me! Just leave me alone!"

"Malon, I'm sorry!" Zelda said, getting out of the hole.

Malon turned away and cowered against the wall. "Don't come any closer! What did I ever do to you?" Peach looked to her mother, who seemed somewhat bewildered.

"Malon, sweetie," she said gently. "These are your friends, Zelda and Peach. What did they do to deserve this?"

"I'll make it better," Peach said, casting her magic.

"You're healing me?" Malon said in astonishment. "You're just trying to trick me, aren't you? Don't be so cruel!"

"It didn't work," Peach said.

"She's not under the curse," Mother Malon noted. "The poor thing is just traumatized… Malon, please, just tell me what they did to you."

"Mother?" Malon whimpered. "They tortured me! They brought those turtle monsters here when the Gerudos had left! They humiliated me and…and hurt me…and laughed at me!"

"No we didn't…" Peach whispered.

"And then, Zelda killed me!" Malon cried.

"I'm so sorry, Malon," Zelda said. "It was a mistake…"

"Just go away!" Malon whimpered.

"Everyone calm down," Mother Malon said, raising her hands. "I understand now."

"Please, explain," Peach said, noticing that Zelda was crying as much as Malon.

"Impostors," she said. "Those other women were not Peach and Zelda."

"Other women?" Peach repeated.

"Yes they were!" Malon insisted. "They looked exactly the same and talked the same. They even knew everything about Zelda and me. How could they not…"

"How were they dressed?" Zelda choked.

"Like princesses!" Malon exclaimed. "Nothing like what you've been wearing. You just wanted to show off!"

"Therein lays the discrepancy," her mother said. "Malon, these two had just been ravaged. There clothing was in horrible condition. Peach's dress was full of holes. And Zelda was wearing a blanket because she barely had anything left."

"Huh?"

"Malon," Zelda said sadly, stepping forward slowly. "I would never do any of that to you…but I did accidentally kill you…I'm sorry…I was…I was trying toattack the Stalfos and Giga Koopa…but I hit you instead. I'm so, so sorry…"

"It's true, Malon…" Peach said.

"Was there anything else they did out of character?"

Malon cringed and choked, "They…they made out with each other…in front of me."

"They did what!" Zelda shouted. She squeezed her fist closed to the point it began to bleed. "Those evil…I'll kill them…I'll make them beg for…"

"Zelda?" Peach said, stepping away fearfully.

"You know damn well what damage they've done! They're the ones who've been setting me up this whole time! Oooh! They framed me! They maimed Ruto and killed her father! They invaded Death Mountain and killed Darunia's son! They ruined Saria! They're probably the ones behind Nabooru and Impa's states, too…"

"Why would they?" Malon said, still crying.

Zelda kneeled before her and took her trembling hands. "Malon, you know me. After all we've been through together, you know I would never do anything to hurt you on purpose. You know I would never commit such disgusting acts…"

"I don't know…"

"Please, believe me, Mal," Zelda cried. "You're the only one I have left in this world."

"She went through a lot for you, Malon," Peach said. "She threatened me when I couldn't revive you. She almost killed herself after she accidentally stabbed you, but your mother told us something was going on. We went straight to the Spirit Temple to get your soul back. Zelda's suffered so much, Malon. She…" Peach whispered into Malon's ear about Dark Link, though Zelda could hear her.

Malon was shocked. "That…can't be true…"

"It is," her mother said. "The Sage of Death told me herself. Zelda really does care for you, Malon. If she had not, she would have taken her own life immediately after the incident in Kakariko."

Malon looked to Zelda, who was covering her face, trying not to break down in tears. "Zelda…is that true?"

Zelda was too choked up to speak and merely nodded.

"…I'm the Sage of Life now…aren't I?" Malon said, now settled enough to recognize the power within her.

"Yes, my daughter," her mother nodded. "It is a great responsibility, but I'm sure you can handle it. I had planned for you to go with Zelda and Peach to revive the Sage of Death… Only you have the power to revive one without a proper body…"

"…Really?" Malon asked. Her mother nodded. Malon closed her tearful eyes. A rainbow of light shined about the room and her mother became of flesh and blood. She was surprised to be alive once again and felt herself. Then, she dropped to her knees and hugged her daughter.

"How I've missed being able to touch you," she said, tearfully.

"I missed you too, Mother," Malon said. Her eyes were drawn to Zelda, who stood in place. Zelda seemed happy for her, but also looked sad as well. Mother Malon noticed them gazing at one another. She smiled and released Malon.

"Peach, let's give them some time alone," Mother Malon said. Peach said nothing and merely followed her out. Once they were gone, it was just Zelda and Malon staring at one another.

"Malon…"

"Come here," Malon smiled, opening her arms wide. Zelda nearly tackled her and embraced her tightly. "Whoa! Try not to kill me again, okay?"

"You're all that matters," Zelda cried, overwhelming her with kisses.

"Okay, okay…okay Zelda!" Malon said, holding her back.

"I…I just missed you so much," Zelda whimpered.

"…Me too," Malon said, hugging her tightly.

Once they exited the silo, Peach began to walk toward the house, but Mother Malon held her back.

"I'm just going to revive the rest of the people in there," Peach explained.

"Please, don't," she said. "At least…not yet."

"Is something wrong?"

"My husband is in there," she said somberly. "I think it would be a bit stressful for him if he saw me suddenly alive again. It was such a difficult adjustment for him when I died. Let's at least wait until Malon and Zelda are done…Then, she can revive all of them at once."

"I understand," Peach said, sitting against the silo. She could tell that it was Mother Malon who would be stressed rather than her husband.

"You're so agreeable and friendly," Mother Malon smiled, sitting next to her. "Just like your mother."

"…You knew my mother?" Peach asked. "I do know Epona's Song."

"I taught that to her when I was about Malon's age," she said.

"When was the last time you saw her?" Peach asked hesitantly.

"Um…almost 20 years, I suppose," she answered. "Why?"

"Nothing."

"No, really. What is it?"

"…I haven't seen her for about that long," Peach said nervously.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Mother Malon apologized. "She was a great friend of mine. She even helped stop the war. I can't imagine a better…"

"I'd rather not talk about her," Peach said quietly. Mother Malon was stifled. So, they simply watched as the Gerudos continued their work in the distance. Eventually, Sofuru walked over.

"Is that you, Malon?" she asked. "Did you have a growth spurt or something?"

"Sofuru?" she replied. "It's me, Mother Malon."

Sofuru studied her and got a look of surprise. "Are you a ghost?"

"Not anymore," she said, rising to her. "I'm back!"

"Oh, it's good to see you again," Sofuru said, hugging her.

"Do you know each other?" Peach asked.

"I should explain," Mother Malon said. "Peach, I used to be a medicine woman. I dealt in herbal medicine, healing arts, fertility drugs, aphrodisiacs…even contraceptives. That's why I'm called Mother Malon."

"She's the reason I have two daughters," Sofuru smiled. "Before that, I was as barren as the desert."

"I see," Peach nodded.

"Where's little Malon and Zelda?" Sofuru asked, looking around.

"They're having private time inside," Mother Malon smiled.

"Oh…" Sofuru said.

"They've been in there an awfully long time," Peach said, looking into the twilight sky. "I know they needed time to talk and forgive each other, but it shouldn't take this long." Mother Malon sat down silently and had a content smile on her face. "Doesn't that worry you?"

"They're fine," Sofuru said, also smiling.

"What could they be doing?" Peach asked aloud. The other two simply smiled contently, knowingly teasing her. "I'm sure a little peek won't hurt." They made no reply. She was becoming frustrated with them. She simply walked through the door to check things out.

"She's a little more naïve than her mother," Mother Malon thought. Soon enough, Peach walked back out of the door and sat down.

"I wasn't expecting that," Peach said blankly. Then, she smiled. "Oh well. It's not like that's anything completely strange."

Zelda lay against Malon's chest, listening to the beat of her heart, as it rose and fell. Feeling fully rested, she figured it was morning by now. She noticed theserene smile on Malon's face and giggled at the many pieces of straw scattered throughout her hair. She knew that there were some in her own hair, though she did not bother with them.

"Finally awake, huh?" Malon said with closed eyes.

"You can't blame me for being tired," Zelda said serenely, laying back down on her.

"I know. You went through a lot for me. Thanks again. But your time in Hyrule hasn't been all bad, has it?"

"What are you getting at?"

"You've really been one-upping me since you got back," Malon said, holding her close.

"Like what?"

"Technically, you beat me to Link," Malon smiled. "And it sounded like you enjoyed him. And now, here we are…"

"There was nothing to be jealous about," Zelda replied somewhat bitterly. She wondered to herself how apparently everyone in Hyrule had heard her. She couldn't have been that loud...could she?

"Not even the honeymoon?" Malon teased her, nudging her.

Zelda giggled. "You know that's not funny…"

"Then, why are you laughing?"

"Because you make everything so pleasant, Mal," Zelda said, sitting up to stare down onto her. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Yeah, I love you too," Malon giggled. "Now, let's get going."

"Why bother?" Zelda said lazily, falling back onto her. "This is much more comfortable."

"For you, maybe…" Malon winced.

Once they had finally gotten themselves together and exited the silo, they found that the house had been completely rebuilt. There were bodies lined up in front of the house, with Gerudo guards standing by. They walked over to investigate.

"Good morning, girls," Mother Malon said, exiting the barn.

"Morning," they both replied.

"Malon, I'm sure you know what to do."

"Yes," Malon nodded. She raised her arms and a rainbow swirled about the bodies. Soon enough they were all alive once again.

"Zelda, would you excuse us?" Mother Malon asked, looking towards Talon.

"I understand," Zelda said, stepping back. She walked into the barn and found Peach eating a few mushrooms.

"Hey, Zelda," Peach greeted. "I'm happy for you and Malon."

"Thank you…for everything," Zelda smiled.

"You don't have to thank me," Peach giggled. "Being able to have a good night's sleep is enough."

Zelda smiled despite feeling a bit insulted by the comment. "Well, that was a different situation… Besides, you slept pretty well after that Big Knuckle situation."

"Oh, well," Peach smiled. "I'm just glad you didn't make any noise this time…"

Zelda's eyebrows furrowed as she went into brief thought. Her eyes widened in realization. "Wait a second… Are you implying something about Malon and I?"

"You must really be in love since no one could hear you and there wasn't any cursing or…" Peach said, still smiling.

"Whoa, hold it. Maybe I'm hearing something different from what you mean. Exactly what do you think Malon and I did yesterday?"

Peach, still smiling, blushed. "There's no need to be so coy. I'm truly happy for you, Zelda."

"All right, seriously…Answer my question."

"Well, when you were taking so long to come out," Peach said, still feeling happy, "and Mother Malon and Sofuru weren't answering me about it, I took a little peek. Before I saw that, I thought you and Malon were just amazingly close friends. Now, I know that it's so much more. It's really sweet what you two have."

Zelda's eyes had widened even more, until her face went flat and she muttered, "You think I had sex with her, don't you? Well, let me tell you that is simply ridiculous. We were just…"

"Having private time and sleeping with one another," Peach winked.

"Yes!" Zelda said. "Literally. Nothing more."

"Oh, come on," Peach said. Her smile was becoming increasingly annoying to Zelda. "I saw you rolling in the hay…literally."

"Yes, literally!" Zelda said. "We were just playing! Hmph…I know that must sound silly, but we were simply having a nostalgic moment."

"Oh?"

"Not like that!" Zelda boomed.

"So…was that your first time doing that with her?"

"Yes…no…I don't how to answer that…Wait, no! I mean, yes! I mean…I did not have sex with Malon."

"I never said you were," Peach said, now obviously teasing her. "But you were definitely making love."

Zelda sighed. "You're twisting the meaning of that and you know it. We were just playing."

"You were kissing, too," Peach said, not understanding her combativeness.

"We've kissed before!" Zelda said without thinking. "…I mean…in a friendly way."

"On the mouth?"

"Yes! On the mouth!" Zelda said irritably. "I guess people from your world don't do that, but in Hyrule we do."

"…You've never kissed me before," Peach said innocently, to which Zelda arched away from her.

"It's not between just friends," Zelda said, giving her a strange look. "Only certain friends."

"Have you ever kissed Link that way?" Peach asked, no longer teasing her. "…The real one?"

"…No," Zelda said defeatedly. "But…he doesn't visit me as often as I like and…I'm not even sure if he knows how I feel about him. I'm sure Malon has the same problem. Thus, we have no need for such a…strange relationship. It is unique, yes, but not…"

"Then, why were you touching each other like that without any clothes on?"

"How long were you watching anyway!" Zelda screamed.

"What's going on in here?" Malon asked, stepping through the door with her mother.

"Peach thinks we had unholy relations with one another," Zelda sighed.

"Oh?" Malon giggled. She wrapped her arms around Zelda's waist and pecked her on the cheek.

"Oh, Goddesses, don't encourage her…" Zelda sighed, laying her head against her. Malon simply giggled.

"Peach, may I have a word with you outside?" Mother Malon asked, also amused. Peach followed her outside and they stood near the entrance.

"What is it?"

"Well, first there is the matter of your next destination. I've already briefed Malon and she is informing Zelda. The Sage of Death is the next Sage to be revived. Malon will be able to restore her and it will be Zelda's job to accompany her…for certain reasons which will become apparent later. Since the curse has apparentlystopped,you are actually non-essential to this mission."

"I'll go anyway," Peach smiled. "It's a promise Zelda and I made a while ago."

"I was expecting you to go anyway," Mother Malon smiled. "The other matter is about Zelda and Malon's…relationship."

"I know what I saw…but Zelda says it's platonic. Do Hyrulean people really do that with special friends?"

"Rest assured, Peach," Mother Malon said. "It was what it looked like. As for Zelda, she is likely in denial…or she's just a brilliant liar."

"But why?" Peach asked. "Love is such a beautiful thing… Is it because Malon is a peasant and Zelda is royalty? I've read that in medieval times, the upper class couldn't even socialize with commoners."

"Oh, heavens no," she laughed dismissively. "It does concern the difference between our worlds however. You see, in Hyrule, it is socially unacceptable for people of the same gender to even have such feelings for one another, let alone make love."

"But what about the Gerudo?" Peach asked, pointing to a nearby guard.

"I don't swing that way, lady," the guard said, glaring at her. She walked away muttering obscenities.

Mother Malon had a reserved, but still amused face. "Well…you're partly right. It isn't unusual at all for Gerudos because their population might as well be considered totally female. The way they isolate themselves from other races and men…it would be ridiculous ifsome of them weren't…"

"We get the point!" the same Gerudo guard shouted from afar.

"This is a private conversation!" Mother Malon called back. The guard went inside the house and slammed the door shut. "Anyway, Zelda is simply protecting her reputation and perhaps her self-esteem. It would be best for her if you simply didn't mention it."

"What about Malon?"

"Oh, she doesn't care," she shrugged. "But she knows Zelda's feelings enough not to make it overt in front of others." Just then Zelda and Malon exited the barn. Peach noticed that they were holding hands. Mother Malon nudged her and she stopped staring.

"Well, Peach," Zelda said, folding her arms. "Did she tell you?"

"Um, yes," Peach said, smiling.

"Then, lead the way," Malon said.

"Huh?"

"You met the Sage of Death yourself, didn't you?" Zelda asked, taking out her lyre. "You're going to have to lead us to her." Peach looked to Mother Malon.

"Oops…" she said, shrugging. "I forgot about that…Well, it's a good thing you're going anyway."

"What about you?" Peach asked.

"I wouldn't be of much use to you. Besides...Talon and I…" she said, looking back to the ranch, "have some catching up to do."

"Ew," Malon said, destroying the mood of the moment.

"Oh, please!" her mother said with her hands on her hips. "The man sleeps too much for that. Now, take your weapons, bags, and whatever you need and go. We're on a schedule here."

"Is there any temple or warp song for…Life?" Zelda asked.

"Nature needs no temple," she replied. "If you must return quickly, Farore's Wind will do."

"Where is Nabooru?" Peach asked.

"I sent her on another mission. She claimed that you weren't the only ones she had trouble taking souls from. There were others, including Ganondorf. She said that one of them was definitely Link's."

Note: Now, I know some people get really uncomfortable with what might be going on between Malon and Zelda. Rest assured, I intend to make it ambiguous for the comfort of more than one audience. Either way, it is definitely...unique. In other words, just because a characters says so, doesn't mean it's true.