Wow! This story has more response than I thought it would have.

Sam: Considering your writing skills, I wonder why people are reading.

Now my feelings are hurt. T.T

Sam: Cry baby.

Oh, and this from someone who cries from dirt on her shoes.

Sam:P

Alright, WINGS! You're up! Wings? Where are you?

Blaze: Points up Behind the cloud.

WINGS! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING UP THERE!

Wings: Hiding from you.

Fine. Looks like you're doing my shopping.

Wings: NO! All right. Blazestarre does not own anything. And that means YOU NO SUE!

You no sue? Um, Cally, some help?

Calthina: WINGS, IT'S YOU MAY NOT SUE! NOT YOU NO SUE!

I love being the boss.

WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH

"Talking"

"Animal talking"

Thoughts

Falling Apart

Hours after Malon's startling announcement, the orange glow finally disappeared into the stormy night sky. Epona had no idea who Ganondorf was and didn't really care in all the panic going on around her. Queenie had settled down but was still jumpy. The three human caretakers were in the house, most likely discussing what had happened. Epona was now intent to find out who Ganondorf was. Who ever he was he was not someone Epona wanted to meet after the fire. The only problem was that Epona had no idea on who to ask. The humans couldn't understand her and the other animals probably knew just as much as she did. So, Epona thought, I'll ask Mama.

"Do you know anything about this Ganondorf person?" Epona asked her mother.

"No more than you, Epona, no more than you." Epona snorted. This was getting no where fast. "But you could ask Knight." Of course! Epona had completely forgotten about Knight. Knight Prince was the only Royal Hylian Saddle Horse on the ranch. Knight Prince, or Knight for short, was the six year old, dun gelding Malon taken to the castle to find Talon.

Epona looked around the pasture for the dull golden coat of Knight. She found him, but he was in the other pasture. Epona did a half trot, half canter toward the fence bordering the two pastures, ignoring the many complaints of the other horses. She reached the fence and called, "Knight!"

The many other horses looked from their grazing, surprised that the quiet filly was calling for someone. Knight looked the most confused and trotted over to Epona. He cocked his head to one side.

"Epona? What is it? You usually don't communicate with us."

Epona ignored his last comment, mainly because of the word communicate, and said, "Who's Ganondorf, Knight?"

"Why?"

"Well, after what happened, I want to know who he is!"

"Well, I didn't exactly expect this from a foal," Knight said quietly, but Epona heard him anyway.

"I don't know why I'm interested, but I'm suddenly aware about things."

"Um, okay."

"Just tell me!"

"Well, Ganondorf is the King of the Gerudo. He supposedly came to create an alliance with Hyrule- an alliance are partners, basically- but he betrayed the King. He killed the King and Queen and took over the castle. I heard the princess escaped." Epona had stopped listening after he said betrayed. She didn't understand, but the content it was used in she could guess. He turned against the King. After making an alliance, too!

"Well, thanks, Knight," Epona said somewhat weakly. Knight slightly nodded and walked away. Epona trotted, not paying attention to where she was going. She eventually hit her small head on the wooden poles of the fence near the barn. She saw Ingo coming out of the house, looking a little too smugly for Epona.

He's up to something. I know it.

Three years. Three years since Malon met Link, three years since the castle fell under attack, and three years since Ganondorf started ruling under an iron fist. Talon was becoming lazier each day. Malon was depressed more than not. Link had not returned since Epona first saw him, Malon saying he went back to the forest most likely. Ingo was getting worst everyday. Epona had grown and was weaned from her mother. She and Knight had become good friends, despite the six year age gap.

Epona woke that morning feeling strange. It was the same feeling she had when Ganondorf took over. She got to her feet on the browning, somewhat damp grass. Nothing had been the same since Ganondorf. At least at the ranch. The rest of Hyrule was still a mystery to Epona. The ranch was in terrible shape. The wood was starting to rot from too much rain or six month droughts. The gates had to be closed unless someone was leaving or entering because of the monsters lurking outside. Epona bent down her long, bulky neck and tasted the bitter grass. While not appetizing, it was all she knew. Malon and Talon could not afford any quality hay.

Epona jerked her head up when she heard footsteps crunching on the dirt path. It was Ingo. He had a smug smirk on his face that Epona did not like at all. She followed him with her head as he walked into the barn. He disappeared and came back out with a fully tacked up horse, and it happened to be Queenie. Epona gave a quizzical look.

"Mother, what's going on?"

"Don't know, Epona."

"Be careful around him, Mother. I don't trust him."

"Oh, you. Just because he can be greedy, it doesn't mean he'll abuse me. He'll lose his job."

"Famous last words." With that, Epona turned around and trotted over towards Knight.

The next day, Ingo and Queenie returned. Ingo wore a grin on his face, like he won the Hylian lottery jackpot. Ingo tied Queenie to a post on the pasture fence, not caring to take off the heavy tack. Queenie gave a sad look.

"You were right, Epona, he couldn't be trusted."

"Couldn't? Mother, what happened? Where'd you go?"

"We went to the castle. Ingo, he-" She stopped. Epona was worried for her mother. Queenie never did this.

"What is the meaning of this, Ingo?" asked a confused Talon. He and Malon were being dragged out of their own home. He can't do that! Oh, Mother, what did he do?

"Ingo, how dare you!" Malon yelled.

"Well, Malon, I think I do dare, seeing as this is my ranch now."

Epona's snort of surprise echoed Malon and Talon's gasps. Ingo bought the ranch? How could he do that?

"What! How could you buy it without talking to us?" Talon asked.

"Oh, that's easy. I left to his highness's castle, talked with him, and he agreed you two aren't doing a good job here. So, he gave me the ranch."

Epona looked at her mother in surprise. Queenie was looking in the direction of the humans but not really looking. Epona found herself doing the same. Ingo owns the ranch! What was going to happen now?

"Now, Talon, you are on my property and I wish you to leave or I'll do it with force," Ingo said. Talon left, not wanting to argue. Malon started to follow but was stopped. "I don't think so, Malon dear. I need you to stay and take care of our products."

"Products?"

"The horses, stupid girl!"

"Ingo, I cannot and will not stay. I'll buy this ranch back myself if I have to."

"Have it your way." Ingo walked over to Queenie. Malon did not move, wondering what Ingo was up to. Queenie walked backwards but stopped when the reins didn't allow her to go any further. Ingo grabbed the reins and Queenie, in fear, reared back. Ingo grabbed a whip. Epona didn't like were this was going. Queenie kept rearing, whites of eyes showing, and Ingo whipped her. Something bad was going to happen. A flash of lightening streaked the sky. Queenie bucked, still being whipped. The long cord of the whip curled around Queenie's left hind leg. She lost her balance, 1500 pounds hitting the ground. Epona could only watch in fear as her mother fell, but she knew Queenie would not get up.

"Queenie!" Malon shouted in fear. She ran towards the mare, panic growing in her face. Malon kneeled and watched as Queenie's breath slowed from the injury and malnutrition. Silent tears streaked Malon's face. Epona felt her heart torn in two.

"Why, Ingo? Why did you do it?" Malon asked, almost too quietly to hear.

"Easy. She was a pain in the ass. She needed to be punished, this probably the best way."

"Is this how you punish all horses?"

"Well, if you stayed, they wouldn't."

Malon's face made a strange expression. Epona knew she was torn. The horses or her father? While Epona did not want to be with Ingo without Malon, she didn't want Malon to suffer. Please, don't stay Malon. Stay away. Unfortunately, Malon couldn't read minds.

"I'll stay."

Tbc

That was hard to write. Killing Queenie was hard, but it had to be done. I'm not sure if the death was realistic or not, but… Anywho, review time!

Ariana aka Nereid- Wow, suspense! I put this on my favorites list so I wouldn't miss an update. Please keep it up!- Glad you liked the suspense at the end. I hope this meets expectations!

RobinofYJ- Cute story.- Thanks! Obviously, not so cute now. But this was probably the darkest chapter.

Lisilgirl- Yey! You know what, I've always loved Epona. She's just so different that it adds a bunch to the story line of OoT. I like this view. You must continue with this!- I'm glad you like the view! Epona is an interesting character. I've always wondered what she would think, I now I'm doing it. I'm continuing!

And to the other readers (I know you're out there) you can review! It's not hard. But NO FLAMING! Thank you!