Author's Note/Disclaimer: I do not own LOZ or any characters, though sometimes I think they own me. Another short chapter.
Chapter 3 The Calling
Link folded the note and changed his tunic. Damn, damn, damn! It was a long way on foot to the castle, but if he left now, he'd make it to the ranch for a quick nap before the time came. Maybe Mal' would let him borrow Epona so he wouldn't be too winded? Euh! Focus Link! He scrambled to fit his gilded sword on. The blade wasn't as pesky as it used to be since he had grown into it's length, but it still made for an interesting dance as Link panicked to get it situated. Finally, the belt hung correctly about him. It was time to go. He glanced at the folded paper on his table and took the bunny hood out of a drawer.
He stuffed the paper into his tunic pocket as he rushed through the curtained doorway. He ran across the balcony, placed a hand on the railing, and vaulted himself over the side, rolling when his feet hit the ground. The last thing he wanted was a hurt ankle when he had to run cross-country. He caught his balance and fitted the bunny hood over his hat as he ran along the dirt path to the hollow, wooden tunnel. Mike cleared the way as Link shot through.
"Wonder what's got him all excited," he said aloud as Link disappeared into the dark of the passage.
Links boots fell lightly on the planks as he crossed the rope bridge, small echoes coming off of his souls. He felt light, he felt nervous, and –most of all –he felt a little sick as his feet found the dirt path of Hyrule field. Thanks to the bunny hood, the Stalchildren would stay asleep underground and he wouldn't have to lose time fighting them off, not to mention he was running nearly as fast as a horse. The dust picked up behind him. He could see the ranch in the bright, sunrise beams. It would still take a few hours to run all the way there, and it was already 7 hours.
…At The Lon Lon Ranch…
Malon was just getting around to feeding the Cuccos when Ingo began his normal, sour complaints. 'I work far too hard while your father does nothing' 'Why am I so unappreciated?' blah, blah, blah. Though, Malon did feel for the poor man. He did work hard, that was true. Her father was lazy, that was also true. But she worked just as hard as Ingo did. She ran the horses, feed the Cuccos, collected the eggs, milked the cows, and cooked the meals –and she was only thirteen! She rather wished he would stop complaining. She made herself smile. Everything was normal.
That was until she heard a familiar voice coming from the entrance.
"Yo' Mal!" The lanky youth came running in with the most amusing cap on his head. The yellow rabbits ears swayed as he ran up to her. Link was panting.
"You poor thing, you look exhausted."
"I am," he grinned, taking more breaths. "Can I crash here until about 3, please?"