A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
A Pair of Time
Chapter 4- A New Day, Part 1
Lon Lon Ranch; Day
"He should be coming now, I know it," Malon says to her other best friend.
This best friend is Malon's favorite horse. Malon is waiting for Link to show up as he promised. She stands on her usual spot before, inside the middle of Lon Lon Ranch's corral, singing with eagerness. The horse snorts briskly, showing Malon the nervousness in itself.
"Don't worry about a thing! He's kind and friendly. He's a nice boy. You'll like him!"
It's a while before she hears an angry voice come from the barn.
"Ah! You damn, useless piece of…" a man's voice bursts out of the barn. "Now, look! I have to clean it up all over again! ARGH!"
"Oh, our ranch hand always has a bad temper, doesn't he?" Malon asks the horse. "If only he didn't, maybe the animals will respect him better."
The horse snorts again, as if saying, "Yes, maybe. I don't like him that much. But, I can't blame him. He has to feed, brush, and scoop up our poop."
7:33. Link promised at least about an hour ago that he would come, but to Malon, it feels like forever. She's feeling light on her feet, knowing that Link must be on his way. A promise is a promise. And considering they're now best friends, it's important not to break it, or at least, that's what Malon hears. She continues singing, to pass the time.
Just then, a small, green-clothed figure enters the ranch, with a ball of light hovering around it. Malon gasps, knowing it could be no other.
Or could it? Could it be someone else? Doubt somehow comes early to Malon's thoughts. It's a moment before the figure enters Malon's house. Is it not Link? No, maybe it's a customer. A green-clothed customer. But, a green-clothed customer that has a ball of light following it? Coincidence? Malon couldn't move. She dares not. If she rushes inside the house to see who it is, she could be disappointed. Or it could be Link, but the running inside to check if it is Link or not might make him think she's desperate for a best friend, and might reconsider the friendship between them. No, it's best to stay glued on the spot and look from a distance. But, why does Link, if it is him, go into the house first? To see if she's inside? No, her dad's inside. Her dad can tell him where she is. Or, at least, have an idea. She goes around the ranch so much it's hard for her dad to keep track. And besides, she pretty sure he's too sleepy to care. What if he goes into the barn? Will the ranch hand go off at him? It's too much to think about, and too worrisome. Malon again continues singing, to help time move a little faster.
--
Link has a general idea what a ranch is. He read about such things while learning some farming techniques. But, this… He never knew a ranch would look like this. He saw the signs that point that it's definitely Lon Lon Ranch, but he was expecting that it's more like the Market. But, then again, this isn't home either. He should be more expectant of… the unexpected. Instead of a busy place crowded with people and tons of apartments and buildings, all he sees is a house on his left, a barn made of logs on his right, and an open field up ahead with a large corral. He saw particularly strange animals; four-legged creatures with a long neck and mane, and that their legs are powerful and well built, because he saw many of these animals gallop around the corral like it's a daily thing. Link shakes his head, wondering if Malon is inside one of these buildings, instead of out there with these… dangerous-looking creatures.
He opens the door, and went inside. An amazing sight greets his eyes. The main room is loaded with Cuccos, a numerous amount of them. They're scurrying around, crying their sharp, repetitive crows. A stairway is on Link's right, while some tools and chicken fodder are on the far left. Light fills the room through square holes in the ceiling. There's Talon, dozing off again, against what looks like the main table. Three Cuccos are on him, big-looking ones, with shiny feathers. Link walks up to Talon. Shrugging as Talon doesn't like to be woken up, he taps him on the shoulder.
"What the…" Talon wakes up, mumbling some words. He adjusts his vision. "Huh? I'm awake already!"
Talon is surprised when his vision shows him Link.
"What?" Talon said. "Well, I'll be! If it ain't the forest kid from the other day!"
"Er, sir. We just met, I think, an hour ago."
"Oh?" Talon laughs heartily. "Sorry about that! I tend to lose track of time when I doze off. Haw haw haw! Have ya met the princess already?"
"Yes. I managed to slip past the guards and had a talk with her."
"Why, you must be good as Malon says!" Talon laughs again. "So, what are you up to today?"
"Uh, I've promised Malon I'd play with her today. Do you know where she is?"
"Haw haw haw! Well, I think she's with the horses."
"… Um, do you mean those dangerous-looking, four-legged creatures out in the field?"
Talon responds to this with so much laughter he falls on his side. Link doesn't know whether this is coincidence or it runs in the family.
"Ho ho ho ho ho! You really are somethin', forest boy! You really are somethin'!"
"Uh, okay…"
"Don't worry, horses aren't dangerous. In fact, Malon is close to one of 'em. You'll get used to 'em, and who knows, maybe even like 'em and ride on one."
"Um, ride on horses?"
"Oh, boy!" Talon still can't believe how little Link knows. "Yes, fairy boy, ya can ride on one. It's much faster than walkin'. You'll see when you're old enough."
"Um, sure. I'll try anyway."
"So, got some free time on your hands, you say?"
"I guess so."
"Well, how about a little game?"
Link decides that maybe one game before seeing Malon would do. Who knows, maybe this stocky man could throw a challenge.
"Okay."
"Now, that's a good spirit!" Talon puts on a big smile. "Now, listen up, forest boy. These three Cuccos I have here are special Super Cuccos! I'm going to throw these Cuccos into that there gaggle of normal Cuccos. If you can pick out these three special birds from among the normal Cuccos within the time limit, I'll give you something good. If you can't find them, I win. It'll be 10 Rupees… Want to play?"
10 Rupees? Just to find these three special Cuccos? I don't know… They do look easily blended in with the other ones. But, hey, this is Malon's dad. I'm sure it'll be easy to find them.
"Yeah, sure," Link says as he grabs 10 Rupees out of his wallet. "Here you go, sir."
"You have 30 seconds!" Talon says as he receives the fee. "All righty then, get ready."
Talon grabs all three Super Cuccos with both of his arms. He turns toward the coop of normal Cuccos.
"Here go the Super Cuccos!"
He throws them in the air, sending them hovering down among the normal ones.
"START LOOKIN'!"
Luckily, Link sees where one of them falls and runs up to pick it. It crows loudly, drawing Talon's attention to it.
"That's one of 'em!" Talon shouts. "Keep it up! Keep it up! Two more to find!"
The Super Cucco flies out of Link's hands. He searches around the spot where his eye caught the landing zone of another Super Cucco. He picks up one and looks at Talon. He shakes his head, indicating that it's not one of the special ones. Link quickly throws it and picks up the nearest one. Nope. The next closest one. Nope. The next closest one.
Wait, I already showed this one!
"16 seconds!"
Link throws the Cucco from his hands and picks up the next closest one.
"There's another! All right, now, the moment of truth! One more to find!"
With the Super Cucco flying from his hands, Link runs to the other side of the room. He picks one up. Talon shakes his head. Picks up another. Not the correct one.
"7 seconds!"
Link knows he has to be fast and witty if he's to find this last Super Cucco. He moves about, choosing which one is the best choice. He sees one dead ahead in front of him. Whether or not he's sure it's the last one, he doesn't have to know. This Cucco gives away its identity by simply running away from Link. Link's impulse moves ahead of his thought, and he dives in. It's getting close; he just needs to reach a little more… It's done! The Cucco is caught! Just when he counts to himself one second before the time limit reaches zero.
"Golly! I'll be darned! It's plum incredible! That's the last one! You've found them all! Come on over here!"
Link takes a deep breath as the last Super Cucco flies out of his hands. All three of the special Cuccos hovers down to Talon on their original spot before. Link walks up to Talon, who has a big grin on his face.
"Hey, forest boy! You've got the talent to be one of the world's best cowboys!" Talon laughs.
"Um, what ar-"
"Never mind that!" Talon laughs again. "Now, here's something to ask of ya."
"Yes?"
"How'd you like to marry Malon? Huh?"
Link's mind goes on deep freeze. He knows enough of marriage as it is. He read it in stories at home, how people can share their love to the fullest with marriage.
"I… I… I-I-I… Uh… Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…" Link is starting to breathe hard to where Talon could hear him.
"Haw haw! I was just kidding!" Talon laughs and says to Link's relief. "Just kidding! I think you're a little young for that, aren't you? Haw haw haw!"
"Oh, that's a relief!" Link takes a very deep breath. "For a moment, sir, I really thought you wanted me to marry Malon."
"Haw haw! You kids sometime take things too seriously!"
"Uh, yes. I guess… we do…"
"But, let me ask you somethin'." Talon leans close to Link. "D'ya like Malon?"
"Uh, what?"
"Just tell me the truth. I promise I won't tell her, forest boy."
"Uhhh… I just like her… as my best friend…"
"Oh, that's right, she just told me you're her best friend! Her first one! It's real nice of ya to be one for her."
"Um, you're welcome?"
"Haw haw haw! Must ya be so nervous all the time? Loosen up a little, forest boy!"
"I'm… I'm sorry, sir. It's just that you're asking me these questions."
"Ah, I'm sorry 'bout that. It's just that, I haven't seen Malon this happy in a long time, not since my wife… well, not since she can't see her mother anymore…"
"Oh."
"When I saw her with you, she looked so happy. And that makes me happy. Especially when I allowed her to talk to you alone before we went home. I peeked, you see."
"Oh, yeah. She was smiling a lot at me, after I told her we could be best friends and that I've promised to come over and play."
"Ah, that's right. She's waiting for you, fairy boy, outside. You shouldn't break a promise like I did."
"Thank you, sir."
"Ya don't hafta be so polite around me. Just say 'thanks'. Oh…! Which reminds me…"
Talon grabs a bottle of white liquid off the table and hands it toward Link.
"I'm proud to present to you a sample of our very own Lon Lon Milk." Talon presents with dignity. "You'll be energized the moment you drink it!"
"Thanks."
"After you drink it, you can bring back the bottle and buy a refill, anytime you want!"
"For how much?"
"30 Rupees."
Wow, for a bottle of milk? This is some good milk, then.
"Okay. Thanks."
"Haw haw haw! See? Doesn't hurt to not be much polite around me." Talon nods. "Feel free to explore around the house and ranch. If ya need anythin', ask me, Malon, or Ingo in the barn."
"Ingo?"
"Yeah, he's a ranch hand I hired. Careful, though, forest boy, he has a short temper."
"Okay."
Talon dozes off to sleep again. Link looks up the stairs, which leads to a room.
Maybe Malon's in there.
Link climbs up and opens the room. Nothing much, a regular room. It isn't occupied.
Hmm… where could Malon be?
He exits the house and goes into the barn. Inside is a tall man with a giant mustache and bushy eyebrows, who is carrying a pitchfork and a bucket.
"Who are you!" he demands.
"Um, I'm just a visitor."
Link seriously needs to work on his social skills outside of Kokiri Forest.
"Hmph. Visitors."
"Yes, I'm here to-"
"Does it look like I care, boy!"
"Uh, no," Link replies now that he thinks about it.
"Let me tell you something, kid," the tall man said. "I can't believe that I, the great Ingo, am working on this dump of a ranch!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Why? Because the owner is so lazy, I always have to do all the work around here!"
"Lazy?"
"Yes! Lazy, kid! I, the hard-working Ingo, should be in charge, not that lazy bum, Talon!"
"Um, did you ever tell him what you told me?"
"You think I didn't, kid? I've been telling him since the beginning of my job! But, no, he says, 'The more work that you do, the better the wage is.' Well, did he ever consider that I don't want to work more than I need to? That I don't care about being paid more? No… Stupid, lazy bum, Talon, doesn't really care what I think!"
"What about-"
"Shut up, kid! You're annoying me. Get out. Get out!"
"But…"
"I SAID, G'IT!"
And so, Link is out faster than he expects.
Geez, grouchy guy. Well, Malon isn't in there. The only other place where horses could be is out in the field.
Link steps out into the grazing and running area of the ranch. He decides that she must be somewhere out here, maybe in the corral.
Wow, these horses look cool up close. And gentle, too…
Distracted, he looks at one racing around the fence. He just walks far enough to hear a voice, a familiar one singing a familiar song…
--
Malon sees the figure exit the house after a while, then head into the barn. Whether this person is Link or not, this one sure likes to check everything out. A moment later, the figure runs out of the barn quickly. Malon guesses that Ingo probably scared the person. So, Malon's mind is racing once more. Is this person going to come here or leave?
No, it's still too much to think about. I might jinx it. Just sing. Who knows, that person might hear me.
And so, Malon sings, with her horse staring at her, thinking, "This boy certainly has her doing weird things." the horse snorts. "Just graze, I guess." She neighs as the figure moves… here. Malon's feelings are going into overdrive.
Is it him? Is it… fairy boy?
Malon shakes her head, trying to clear her mind, while still singing.
No, no, don't get all panicky now! Just… relax and close your eyes…
That's what she does. She closes her eyes, seeing the black envelop everything around her, while still singing.
Count to 3. One… Two… Three…
Her eyes slowly open. There he is, Link, inside the corral, curious about the horses.
He came! He came! Like he promised…!
"Yoo-hoo! Fairy boy!" Malon shouts out. "I'm over here!"
The yell catches Link's attention, who is really listening more to the song that is abruptly stopped by Malon. He looks around the corral, then sees Malon waving at him. He runs up to her, putting a smile on his face and hers, but at the same time makes the horse next to her neigh rather loudly.
"Hi, Malon. I came, as I promised."
"Yeah, I'm glad you did. So, how did you like the castle? Did you see the Princess? Hee hee!"
"It was okay, if there weren't more guards inside. And yes, I saw the Princess. I had my meeting with her."
"What didcha two talk about?"
"Um, my… Don't laugh when I tell you this, but… we were talking about the future of Hyrule, how evil is coming, and how she and me are going to save it!"
"Save Hyrule...?" Malon's head turns a bit. "From who?"
"A wicked man from the desert named Ganondorf, the King of Thieves. He… cursed the Great Deku Tree back at the forest. And, because of that, the Great Deku Tree… died…"
Malon gasps. "Oh, what a horrible man! Why? Why did he do that?"
"Because he was coming after this."
Link pulls out the Kokiri Emerald, giving off a greenish glow. Malon gasps. This… is the figure that she saw… when the clouds above the forest disappeared. A boy that had a fairy and was holding the Kokiri Emerald. And right now, this is no illusion.
"He wants to open the gate to the Scared Realm," Link explains, "and obtain the Triforce."
"Triforce? You mean, the legendary…"
"Instrument of the three goddess? Yes."
Now, that's a lot of power. The forces of the three goddesses that watch over Hyrule in three golden triangles.
"No…" Malon lets the word sink in. "You mean…"
"Yes, Ganondorf plans to rule the world with the Triforce."
This boy… he's… very different. He's trying to stop a madman from taking over the world.
"Wha…" Too much has to sink in Malon. "And the princess. What did she say?"
"She knows about it. And now, you."
"But… Link… how… how would you stop Ganondorf? If he's this powerful to get the Triforce…"
Fear grips Malon as she realizes what horrible things could befall on Link.
"Me and the Princess are going to try to get the Triforce first. If we can do that, we can stop Ganondorf."
"But… how?"
"I need the three Spiritual Stones that the three other races of Hyrule have. The Princess has the fourth item, the Ocarina of Time."
"And that, you already have the first one?"
"Yes, this I'm holding here is the Spiritual Stone of Forest, or Kokiri Emerald." Link stashes it back into his pack. "I'm going up Death Mountain for the next one. I think it's the Goron Ruby."
"But… but… aren't you scared of doing this?"
"I am." Link sighs. "I'm really scared right now. But, I have courage. And that's what pushing me to get these stones!"
"Well, I hope you have good luck on this journey."
Silence befalls them. They tear their gaze from each other. Malon couldn't believe it; Link is going to save Hyrule, despite what hidden dangers lay ahead. He has courage, something that Malon… admires from him.
NEIGH! (What's with the silent treatment?)
"Oh, yeah," Malon takes advantage of this, "I have to introduce you to my other best friend, fairy boy!"
"Hmm? Who's this other best friend?" Link sees the advantage, too.
"She's this horse. Her name is Epona. Isn't she cute?"
Link's eyes fall to the horse she was talking about. Oh, yeah, it's cute, all right. It has a deep reddish-brown coat contrast to the white mane it has. But, it's still a foal.
"Hey, do you want to touch her?" Malon sees the soft interest in Link's eyes.
Strangely enough, Link does want to. He stretches out his hand to pet it, but it rears back with a NEIGH! (Don't touch me, you! I don't know you!), and starts to run away from Link.
"What…"
"It seems like Epona is afraid of you, fairy boy…"
"Oh…"
Malon giggles. "That's okay!"
Malon starts to sing again, seeing this rather funny scene unfold as Epona looks at Link with what looks like a leer. Link rubs his neck uneasily, still keeping his eye on Epona. He knows he's a little scared of these magnificent creatures, but one of them being scared of him?
Oh, well. Like Talon said, I'll get used to them, Link thought.
Easing his mind of taming Epona, his mind is now slowly breaking down and flowing… with… Malon's song? It sounds so peaceful and it somehow makes life… even Link's quest for the three Spiritual Stones, a little easier.
"Hey… you sing really nice…" Link compliments. "And I really like your song."
Of course, this doesn't surprise Malon much. Everybody loves her song, the customers, the people of the Market, Talon; even Ingo has a soft spot for it. But, just to have a best friend say he really like her song makes Malon feels like she's lying on a heavenly cloud.
"Thanks." Malon smiles. "My mother composed this song. Isn't it nice? Let's sing together."
"Oh… sing? I'm not… a good singer."
"Oh, Link, at least just try! You'll like it!"
"Um…"
Link thinks for a moment, then an idea pops up.
"You don't mind if I use an instrument to play your song?"
"Oh, go ahead! Anything just to hear you play this song."
"Okay."
Link pulls out a light brown ocarina from his sack, and puts the mouthpiece, well, in his mouth.
"Oh, cute ocarina! Is that what you're going to be playing with?"
"Mmm-hmm," Link said through the mouthpiece.
"OK? This is the Song…"
She sings a note, then descends it down to the third note, a smooth transition of music. She sings it again, completing the Song. Link has the first four notes right, but on the fifth one, he strikes a lower note.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Link said sheepishly. "I think I messed up."
"Hey, don't worry about it! As long as we can try again, right? C'mon!"
"Okay. I'm ready."
She sings it again, just as clearly as before. This time Link get all six notes right, going from it to the next part of the Song.
"Hey!" Malon said happily. "You've got it!"
Link pulls out his mouthpiece and smiles. Malon returns it the exact way. She continues singing again, for this song is all so important to her, Epona's Song… A large, brown owl flies overhead, and immediately Epona comes rushing back toward Link. She nuzzles him in the face, then starts chewing on his pointy hat.
"Hey, I like you too, Epona!" Link said. "But, I'd appreciate it if you don't eat my hat."
Malon giggles at this. Link takes his hat off, freeing his blonde hair to the world. He tries to save it from being chewed upon, but Epona keeps her mouth closes to it.
"Oh, Epona! She's grown fond of you, fairy boy!"
"Yeah, I can see that," Link laughs a bit. "So, is there anything else to do at this ranch?"
"Yeah, I think so. We have a storehouse over there, you see?"
Link nods, for he sees a tall building erected at the upper right side of the ranch.
"It has some cows in it, and hay and tools and crates of milk. But, I keep hearing Cuccos in it. I don't know why. I was hoping that I…" Malon pauses, "that is, we would find out today?"
"Sure."
"Thanks!"
They got inside the storehouse moments later. It is as Malon explained it; cows, hay, tools, and crates of milk.
"I think I remember hearing Cuccos from somewhere in the crates…"
"Then, we should move them!"
"Move them? But, I don't think I'm strong like a boy like you!"
"Ah, c'mon! These are easy to move!"
The both of them manage to shove all the crates to the lower right, leaving open space on the upper left. During the process, Malon has some struggling, so Link suggests help. Unappreciative, yet curious, she reluctantly lets Link help her move the crates.
"Alright," Link said. "We moved the crates."
"C'mon! Let's see if anything's there!"
Malon climbs up the crates, then drops down to the open space.
"Ooooooo. So, that must be where the Cuccos lives."
"Live where?" Link says as he drops down next to her.
"In that hole!" Malon points.
At the far corner of the upper left, there is a small opening, which is small enough for a Cucco to walk through.
"Let's go in and see what's inside," Malon says as she crouches down to crawl through.
Link follows suit, crawling on all fours. On the other side is a Cucco's nest, but no more to be found, except for a Piece of Heart lying there.
"Wow! It sure is comfy in here!" Malon looks around.
"A Piece of Heart. Now, how did a Cucco get this?"
"I don't know."
"Hey… do you want it?"
Now, that's a weird thing to say. He just offered a Piece of Heart for Malon.
Doesn't he know what he's doing? He's offering me… a heart!
"Um… Um…" Malon forcing herself not to say with haste, "no thanks…"
"Okay."
Whew!
"Sure is nice in here," Link comments as he sits down in the nest.
"Yeah…"
Malon goes over and sits down with Link, thinking of what she could do with this abandoned nest.
"Hey… why don't we make this our secret hideout?" she suggests.
"A secret hideout?"
"Yeah! Just for the two of us! It'll be fun!" Malon smiles. "We can talk, play, you know, have fun in here!"
Link thinks it over.
Hey, why not? Only you and her know of this hideout. And it's only for you and her, too. Two best friends…
"Yeah, sure!" Link replies.
"So, it's going to be our hideout?"
"Yep!"
"Yay!"
Malon then remembers the same thought that she had earlier at the castle.
"Do you promise you won't tell anybody of our secret?" Malon asks.
"Only if you don't."
"Then, it's a promise! Nobody shall know of our secret hideout!"