A/N: This chapter is kind of violent. Please, please, please, do not flame me; I've given you fair warning. Don't read if you are going to complain!
I know that we have found her when I hear her daughter scream from below the floor. A young woman is pleading with one of the generals to leave her alone, but she makes the mistake of saying 'us.' Link grabs my hand, pulls me inside, and silences the woman with one silent glare. He motions for the general to take her into custody, and she goes quietly. Link searches the house, yelling.
"Malon? I'm going to find you!" He opens a cupboard in the corner and nods. The
bottom has been removed and a stairway leads down to the basement where I can hear a young child crying softly. Link tells the generals and soldiers to leave him alone, but I'm surprised when he motions for me to follow him down.
"You. Come with me. Link grabs a lantern from one of his men and we go downstairs. I'm dreading what we are about to do and my hesitation doubles when he finds the young woman curled with her daughter in the back of the otherwise empty basement.
"Malon… pleasure to see you again." She looks at him with terror and he nods towards me. "Take the child." I look at him in shock, sure that he's not serious. "Do it, Aires." I walk over to Malon, and bend over to grab hold of Kierana.
"It's going to be okay," I whisper. "I'll take care of her." I nod reassuringly but she still holds her daughter tightly.
"Mommy? Mommy don't let her take me!" she screams, and I close my eyes before grabbing her. Malon makes an attempt to stop me, but I easily dodge her as she jumps.
"No!" she yells, reaching for Kierana. But I know that she's realized there isn't any hope. Wait. I am her hope. I take her daughter to the far end of the room and watch as Link attacks her mother.
"Now, Malon," he yells, almost deafening, "You are going to pay for keeping her from me." He tightens the grip on her shoulders and thrusts them back, knocking her on her back. He drops his six foot five frame down on her and pins Malon to the ground with his knees.
"Please, Link," she begs, tears streaming down her face, "Don't hurt me like this. You aren't like this! I know it was wrong that I didn't tell you about Kierana, but is that really a reason to do this?" He looks at her and puts one hand on her neck and the other on the back of her head. It struck me as a caring, almost romantic gesture.
"Malon," he says quietly, "I'm not going to hurt you anymore. But I am taking my daughter and leaving you here. Zelda's baby will need an older sister. And, sorry to rain on your parade, but she looks nothing like you. Anyone who doesn't know us will think she's Zel's and mine. Stay away from us, Malon. I don't want you near her." He stands up, and I practically cry. I know that I have to do something.
"Link…" I come out from the corner, Kierana still sobbing. "She needs her mother. Zelda won't be able to take care of a fussy four year old and a new baby." Link stares at me as if I had just smacked him, but I simply nod.
"What? Are you defying me?" I know Malon expects me to back away, but I stand up to him.
"Yes," I say, looking at him in the eyes. "Leave her here with her mother." Link just looks at me and walks forward. I stay where I is, but I can tell that there is panic that must show in my eyes.
"Aires!" He grabs Kierana from me and holds her tightly. Then he puts her down and she runs to Malon, hugging her mother tightly. But she's watching Link and I. He plants his feet and shoves me to the ground. I hit head on the wall, and everything blacks out.
Author's Notes:
Ooh, that's a cliffhanger! Remember, Link will have a reason to be bad, so don't yell at me for it. cowers in expectations of bad reviews JK. Please tell me what you think, but don't criticize me on that point.