Hey people! This is the third part to what was supposed to be chapter 4. Um, yeah, you read that right. THIRD part is finally up. Sorry, but I've been laz- I'm mean, I've been busy. Now you're probably wondering where my muses are. Well… banging from a closet

Muses: T, let us out!

No! You insulted me and made me sad! T.T And you ain't coming out!

Calthina: AREN'T! GET IT RIGHT!

Geez, shut up Grammar Queen.

Disclaimer- I don't own Legend of Zelda or Epona. But if YOU do, I'll happily buy them!

"Talking"

"Animal Talking"

Thoughts

Racing Towards Freedom

Epona pushed her head into Link's chest and rubbed her head up and down, almost knocking him down. Link chuckled at her antics. If Epona wasn't so happy, she would have found it more surprising than humorous.

"Link! Malon and I have missed you!" Epona whinnied, ignoring the fact Link couldn't understand her. Then she realized something and pulled her head back. "All right, where have you been? You realize how worried we've been? You come, leave with no reason at all, and don't contact us to say you're okay! Then you suddenly come back like nothing happened? What is wrong with you?" As Epona kept going, Link jumped in surprised and Navi started to laugh. Link made a quick glance towards the barn and then looked at Navi.

"What is so funny, Navi? What did she say?"

Navi flew back at little ways in surprise and then gave a sound of understanding. "Sorry, I forgot you couldn't understand animals, like the ot-" Link glared at her. "Anyway, she was yelling at you for leaving. It was quite amusing. Like what Saria used to do." Link looked like he was about to retort when he spotted Ingo coming out of the barn with the tack.

"Navi, get back under the hat, now!" Navi quickly obeyed the order. Link had a worried look on his face but covered it when Ingo got near. Ingo glared at Epona then turned to Link, giving him a look as if to say "Are you sure you want this horse? She's crazy!"

"I told you she was trouble." Ingo said, but started putting on the tack. Epona saw Link observing how the tack was put on. Ingo started to tighten the girth. Epona pinned her ears back, clenched her teeth, and swung her head. Ingo ignored her and she took that as an advantage. She reached back and bit him on his hand.

"Ow! You damn horse!" He slapped her on the neck, hard. She ignored the sting from the slap to enjoy the drops of red on Ingo's hand. Link looked shocked, but there was a trace of a smile on his lips. "See, this always happens. I'll go clean this off." He walked over to the water trough. Once he was out of hearing range, Navi came out into the open.

"Link, what are you going to do? You can't ride!" she said harshly.

Link can't ride? Epona thought. This is going to be interesting.

"Yeah, I know. Hey, Epona?" Link said. Epona looked at the human. What was he going to ask? "Could you help me out here?"

"Oh, Link, she's not going to listen to you, especially after what she said."

"I'll help!" Epona said without thinking. Both Link and Navi looked over. Link had a confused look from her abrupt snort. He looked over towards Navi, silently asking her to translate.

"She- she said that she'd help," Navi said. Link gave a grin.

"Thanks, Epona. Now, all you need to do is change the gaits without me doing much, since I don't really know how to ride," he said, the last part very quietly. Epona swung her head up and down, though she was still going over why she agreed. While Link was a nice human, could he really be trusted? She could be bought by someone worse, even Ganondorf, but Link did disappear for seven years. She thought back to something her mother told her.

Epona was angry at Malon. She had turned one that day and Malon had completely ignored her. The girl finally showed up and Epona ignored her.

"Epona, this can't go on! You need to give Malon a second chance."

"But, Mama! It's my birthday and Malon didn't even come to see me!" Epona protested. Queenie looked at her daughter.

"Epona, you need to learn to give people another chance."

"Really, why?"

"Because everyone deserves another chance."

Epona had given Malon another chance and it turned out great. So why can't I give Link another chance? As Epona thought that, she knew the answer. The answer to why everyone avoided her. Because I'm an idiot and mad at the world. She knew she would help him. Of course, she needed to tell Link something first.

"Hey, Navi!" Epona nickered. Navi flew closer to Epona's face. "We need to figure out how I'll know to change gaits."

Navi thought for a moment. Then she said, "What if he gave a soft tap with his feet. Not too hard but just so you know to speed up. When he wants to go down, he'll slightly pull on the reins. Since that's how it's usually done, it won't be suspicious."

Epona thought about it. She liked the idea but wanted to make sure of one thing. "Just make sure he doesn't push or pull too hard." Navi bobbed up and down as a yes and flew over to Link. It looked like she told him but was cut short since Ingo was walking towards them and sped underneath Link's hat.

Ingo mumbled something that sounded like 'that damn horse! She'd be more useful as steak!' before he said to Link, "Well, let me get this bridle on and you'll be good to go." Epona knew this was typical Ingo, but he sounded like what he said was struggled. It sounded like he was worried that Link could ride her. Again, she asked herself why she was doing this. It felt right, she just didn't know why.

Ingo strapped the bridle on her face and pushed the cold bit into her mouth. She didn't put up a fight like normal and Ingo gave a suspicious look in her direction; Epona gave an innocent look back. Link was given the reins and mounted.

Well, this should be interesting.

Night had fallen on the ranch. Link and Navi's scheme to release Epona half worked. The riding worked, all right. It worked perfectly. Ingo was convinced Link knew what he was doing. After the ride was when the plan went wrong. Ingo's fear of losing Epona became evident to her when he said Link had to do one more thing. That thing was to beat him in a race the next day or come up with 500,000 rupees. Link agreed to the race, but his expression betrayed what he really thought. He was scared that Epona would go to Ganondorf. Epona was, too.

Malon had been doing chores in the barn and with the dairy cows. She had stayed away from the corral area but Epona could see her watching when Ingo showed Link the other horses. Epona looked at the barn and towards the house where Link was probably fast asleep. She thought back seven years before when Malon had the crush on Link. And I still don't know what that means! This thought made her think of her mother and her gaze changed to the sky and full moon.

A crunching noise from the barn jerked her out of her thoughts. Epona looked at the barn and saw Malon walking into the corral. She had a sad smile on her face.

"Hi, Epona. Ingo filled me in on that guy. I guess I'll lose you no matter what." She choked back a sob and gave Epona a tight hug. "I hate that guy for coming! I hate that Ingo caught us! I hope he loses that race tomorrow and Ingo gets injured from the race. At least that would give us sometime to get you away." Epona gave a reassuring snort, but half to convince herself things would be all right. A door slamming made the two friends to look up at the house. For just a second, Epona was worried that it was Ingo, but she calmed down at the sight of Link walking towards them. Malon wasn't as relaxed at the sight.

"Are you all right?" Link asked, worry on his face. Malon looked back, oblivious to his worried tone, and glared at him. If Link noticed the glare, he didn't show it. Malon decided to make sure he got her point.

"Am I all right?" she said sharply. "Oh, I don't know. Well, how would you feel if you found out your best friend was going to be taken from you?"

Link ignored the sarcasm and said, "You know, I might not win the race tomorrow." He walked into the corral.

Malon gave a small growl and formed a scowl. "It doesn't matter if you win or not! If you lose, which you most likely will, then Epona's going to Ganondorf! Even if you win, how could I even trust you?" She paused for a breath and that gave Link an opportunity to speak.

"Listen, Malon." Epona wanted to kick him. Malon didn't know he was Link. Malon's look of rage turned into a look of shock.

"How- how do you know my name? Did Ingo tell you?" Malon reverted back to being sarcastic. "Oh, wait, why would he tell you about me? I'm just a stable hand who's a wench!" Something else dawned on her after a pause. "How did you get Epona to trust you?"

Link sighed. "To the first question, I know your name because I've met you before. So that covers the next one. I don't know why Ingo would tell me. You know him better than I do. And the last question, you taught me how to get her to trust me."

Malon was confused. "What are you talking about? I've never met you, so how could I teach you how to get her to trust you…" She trailed off. She gaped a little then shook her head. "Nah, you can't be him. But that would mean he told you about us!" The anger was back.

"Who are you talking about?"

"This forest boy that I met seven years ago. I should have listen to my logic and not told him anything! He's just a little traitor!"

Link looked hurt at this. "Malon, what if that boy wasn't a boy any more?"

"What are you saying? That you're him? Yeah, right. Link's from the forest. The children there never grow up. Never!" Link didn't look like he was going to back down. "All right, if you are Link, prove it!"

"Okay." The answer was simple but Epona didn't know how he was going to prove it. A little light flew out of his hat. Duh, Epona! Navi! That's how I recognized him! Malon gasped at the fairy.

"N-N-Navi? Is that you?" Navi bobbed up and down. "You are Link!" Malon just gaped. Link gave a sheepish grin. "Hi, Malon. How have you been?"

Malon's gaping mouth turned into a smile and she started laughing. She ran up to him and hugged him. "Link! It's you! I can't believe it's you!" Link looked surprised at her outburst. Malon stepped back and stopped laughing, but a smile was still on her face. "Link, where have you been? And why are you not a child? I thought forest children never grew up."

Link chuckled. Epona was confused by that. What was so funny about those questions? Malon apparently was thinking the same. "Link, what's so funny?"

"Nothing! It's just you keep calling me Link."

"So?"

"What happen to Fairyboy?"

Malon and Epona realized the joke. Malon started to laugh and Epona gave a whinny of amusement. "Sorry, but it doesn't seem to suit you any more." Link nodded, understanding her reasoning. "But, really, Link. Did you go to the forest?" Link shook his head. Epona was confused and so was Malon. "What? But then where did you go?"

Link's smile disappeared. "It's complicated. I don't even understand it." He turned towards the pastures.

Malon moved in front of his gaze. "So, you're not going to tell me?"

Link shook his head. Malon was disappointed, Epona knew it. She was, too. "All right, Link. Everyone needs their secrets."

There was an awkward pause. The two humans avoided eye contact and Epona looked back and forth. Link broke the silence. "So, what happened here? When did Ingo take over?"

Epona dipped her head down and Malon mirrored it by looking at the ground, choking back a sob. Link realized his mistake as soon as he said it. "I'm sorry, Malon. I didn't realize it was a sensitive event."

Malon sniffed. "No, it's all right, Link. You have every right to ask. I mean, I was the owner's daughter, for Nayru's sake! I shouldn't be a ranch hand! Actually, I'm worse than that!"

"What are you here, then?"

"I'm practically a slave! I could leave if I wanted to, but Ingo will hurt the horses! But you're probably wondering how I ended up like this?" Epona knew the answer. "Well, it happened four years ago." And with that, she told the whole story. She began with the fire, explained when Ingo came storming on the ranch, declaring it his, Queenie's death, and all the way up to Ingo's plan with Knight and Epona. She never looked at Link the whole time. She finally did at the end of the story.

Link began to think and then snapped his fingers. Epona tilted her head one way, wondering what he had in mind. "I'll help you get the ranch back!"

"How? Make a bet with him?"

"Exactly." Navi flew in front of Link, her light turning a slight red.

"And what exactly are you going to bet? You have nothing!"

"Navi's right, Link. What will you bet?"

Link paused and thought. Then, "If I win the race tomorrow, I get Epona and you get the ranch back. If Ingo wins, he keeps Epona and releases you, Malon." Link continued before the three females could ask where he was going. "But he gets me in Malon's place."

"What!" Came the three shouts, or two shouts and a snort.

"Link, you can't do that! It's too much to risk!" Link looked over to Navi and she translated.

"Malon, you said Epona was the fastest horse on the ranch."

"But Link, Ingo will scheme his way to winning! He'll find a way to beat Epona!"

"You three are not changing my mind! I'm going to do it!"

Malon looked at Link, defeated. She sighed. "Well, be careful and make sure you win!"

"Hey, I will. Promise!"

Malon smiled, albeit sadly. Then she did something that Epona had only seen the girl do to her father. She kissed Link on the cheek. Link's eyes widened and went into a slight daze. He said a quick 'good night' and walked back to the house.

Epona woke up at the same time as she normally did, two hours after sunrise. She looked around for the familiar light, but couldn't find it. She cocked her head. There was a flash behind her and a loud crash. The wind picked up and she felt a something hit her back, then another one, and another. It was raining.

That's weird. I would have known that a storm was coming. She saw Link and Malon standing in the barn door frame, talking quietly. Ingo could be seen inside through the window of the house. Link had already told him, Epona guessed. The rain came down harder and harder. Why couldn't there be a tree here?

The rain felt like it came down for hours, but it was only twenty minutes. Then it stopped as quickly as it began. Epona thought to the race track and realized that the track would be muddy. She wouldn't be able to keep her footing! Could this get any worse?

Two hours after the short storm, Link was mounted on Epona and Ingo was mounted on another mare, Erma. Malon stood to the right of the starting line. She brought her hand up and yelled 'go' as her hand went down. Epona and Erma took off. Erma had better footing because of the shoes that were on her feet. The shoes came before Ingo took over. Shoes were rare on horses and Ingo didn't want to do anything on Epona's feet.

The twists and turns of the track caused her to slip and she came close to falling many times. She came close to the send of lap one. This was the worst part of the track. She saw the mud, but didn't do anything and slipped. She regained her footing fast and ran towards the first checkpoint. Ingo was about seven feet ahead. Epona started to speed up. By the end of the second lap, Epona cleared the muddy spot and neck and neck with Erma. Epona was breathing hard and felt herself starting to slow.

Erma and Epona looked at each other. "This is fun, isn't, Epona?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm just crying out in joy."

"You know, Epona, I think I'll let you win."

"What? Why?"

"Because I'm too old for this and I want to see Ingo kicked out of here."

Epona nodded and sped ahead. Erma started to slow and she heard Ingo yell and whip Erma. She saw the bad spot and ran up to it.

"Epona, what are you doing?" she heard Link ask. She ignored him and jumped over the almost ten-foot jump. She crossed the finish line.

Link jumped off, laughing as he did so. Malon ran up and hugged him. "That was great, Link!"

They heard hooves on the grass and mud coming up. Ingo jumped off angrily. "You may have won, but none of you are leaving this ranch!" He ran towards the gate to lock it, Link trailing behind him. Link grabbed the sword on his back and hit Ingo on the back off the head with the hilt. Ingo was knocked unconscious and Link dragged him over to the corral.

Malon ran over. "Link, is he dead?"

Link shook his head. "No. There was something that doesn't feel right." Epona had to agree. She looked at Ingo, observing him from head to toe. She notice something in his ear.

"Hey, Link. Look at this," she said, pointing at Ingo's ear with her muzzle.

"Thanks, Epona. Look at this, Malon." He grabbed a little green gem that was wedged in his ear.

"What is it?"

"Do you know, Navi?"

Navi flew down and looked at it. "Yeah. It's a mind washing emerald. The Gerudo witches called Twinrova use them. They control people with them. They must have made Ingo act like he did."

"That would make sense," Malon said. "But why would they do that?"

"I don't know," Link answered. Epona didn't either.

Link was mounted on Epona, ready to leave. Malon stood by the gate, saying good- bye.

"Good luck at whatever you're doing, Link. And please find my father."

"I will, Malon. Bye! I'll visit soon!"

With that, he and Epona took off.

Tbc

Wow! That was long! Anywho, reviews!

Linklover-I luv this story! Its very well written, and i like how you did it in eponas view! keep writing! i want to read more!- Thank you! Here's more!

Ariana, aka Nereid-LINK! (About time the lazy bum...) :D Ingo really needs to be in some kind of intense pain. Certainly after hitting Malon. Please more!-Yes, Link is very lazy. Sleeping for seven years, naughty boy! Hope this clears up Ingo being a b-------

Lisilgirl-Yey! I love, LOVE ,LVOEOOEOOVEOOE this story.- Thanks!

Araknia the Storyspinner-LINK! Hope Finally Returns! Update soon please!

I Love this game!

-The Great and Mighty STORYSPINNER- Yes, hope as come back! Here's the update.

REVIEW OR YOU SHALL FACE MY WRATH grabs lightsaber