A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
A Pair of Time
Chapter 25- The Old Times, Part 2
Hyrule Field; Day
I don't need her, Link said repeatedly in his mind, while rubbing his sore cheek. I don't need her at all. We were never best friends. She's just a farm girl.
If that's so, then why in the world are you sitting here? Navi asks.
The whole day has almost gone by, and Link hasn't gotten any farther than beyond the entrance of Lon Lon Ranch. He's sitting against the outer wall of the place, a tree nearby shading him.
I'm… I'm resting, Navi.
Oh, if that's the case, it's not night, you know.
Okay then, what do you want?
Aren't you going to do as you said? Save Hyrule?
Hyrule can't be saved in a second, Navi.
I wonder, can the Hero of Time save Hyrule without the Heroine of Time?
Hey, it doesn't say in the legend that both are needed to save Hyrule.
Well, it also says that to save Hyrule, the Hero of Time does not need to be on his rear like this right now!
Okay, okay, just… let me be for a moment, Navi.
I just can't help thinking… why both of you just did that. You two were close best friends, the closest I know… Maybe a little TOO close. But, you two threw it away…
Malon's not my best friend, Navi. She never was.
Right… Sarcasm punctures the void of the mind. Even with all the things you two have been through… Why do I even bother? This is a Hylian problem, not a fairy one…
Link's stomach growls. Being sealed away for seven years can really empty a stomach. Searching through his pack, he pulls out the standard bread and cheese meal, along with-
No, Link commands himself as soon as a Bottle of fresh Lon Lon Milk comes into sight. How did it get there? Cow? Malon's secret doing? He couldn't remember.
No, Link orders his hand to let go of the Bottle. I'll just…I'll just drink some water.
Link closes his pack, and is about to take a bite of the hard bread when a brown, worn book near the entrance catches his eye.
Oh, don't tell me… Link now hates the choice of staying around near the ranch. I can't believe she dropped it…
Link has no clue how Malon dropped her diary, nor how he didn't see it when he entered and left Lon Lon Ranch.
The Goddesses are toying with my fate again… I hate that. If it's possible, Link now has a personal grudge against the three. Every time something unexpected like this comes along…
Link sighs, then walks up to grab the old diary. He might as well, since he has nothing better to do. Let the Goddesses control his fate, even if it is personal. Eating while reading, there's more to each entry after the 6th one, mostly about Malon describing their adventure. However, a diary can also hold the writings of a person's feelings, private stuff. Skipping ahead, Link reads only parts of the diary.
'8th entry,
… Oh, boy, that was so scary down there at the Royal Family's Tomb. Those ReDeads… I could actually feel like I could die down there myself. Thank Goddess, fairy boy was there with me. I wouldn't be writing in this without him. Those ReDeads can scare you to being paralyzed. Fairy boy was grabbed by one and… well, I'm not going to explain. Anyway, Link saved me by throwing me from the ReDeads. But, he got himself hurt doing so. Luckily, it was my turn to save him. Let him drink some of my dad's Lon Lon Milk, and he's perked up! I felt so glad. He's my best friend, and him… going away would really be sad and painful for me… I don't want that. That makes saving Link even more the better. And I bet he felt the same way when he saved me…'
I… I did… Link remembers, then shakes his head. But, that's in the past. I don't care now. Malon's not my best friend… anymore…
Yet, you are reading this, Navi's voice pops out of nowhere.
I've got nothing to do. What else?
Okay, what are you going to do after reading Malon's diary?
Rest here, then go to the Forest Temple, of course.
But, what about the diary? What are you going to do with it?
Uh… Burn it?
Navi scoffs. Look, even though I'm no Hylian, I know something as meaningful and private as that should be returned, you know.
Later, later. I'll worry about it later.
'9th entry,
… Maybe I shouldn't have done such a thing to Link. I found a book of his called, How to Win a Girl's Heart and Love, and I sorta embarrassed him right there in his own house. How? I flipped to a bookmarked page of best friends' love. So, I thought it'd be funny if I tease him about it. I asked him if he loved me. He didn't answer, which makes me think that he's hiding how he truly feels about me. I stopped because it wasn't funny anymore. I felt so stupid teasing him on this subject. But, I wonder, how does he feel about me? Well, we're best friends, but it still leaves me wondering.
Anyway, he forgave me on such a thing. Another reason I'm glad for best friends. They can forgive and forget on anything. Because best friends know what each other thinks, how they feel and stuff. What to tease about and what not. Best friends know each other, because they're that close. And I know Link, and vice versa, whatever those words mean…
So, anyway, we explored his house, and he showed me-'
Really? Link goes over these words. Best friends know each other like that? I guess. She did stop teasing me on the love thing. Because she knows I don't go over too well with it. I went well to forgive her, because she's my best friend… Yeah…
Are you softening up? Navi asks curiously.
I'm not going to answer that.
Link flips to the next entry.
'10th entry,
… So, anyway, we're going up to Death Mountain summit. I don't know if I should write this down or not, because someone could read it, especially Link, and I do NOT want that. What exactly happened while we went up there… Well, there was this hole that fairy boy suggested that we could camp in. It was okay, I guess. But, Link acted all mean to Navi down there. Playing a prank on her by closing her in his green hat. All to show that she talks a lot, which she doesn't in the end. Link even made Navi cry. Gosh, I had to step in and make fairy boy apologize. You do NOT act mean or tease a lifelong friend like that. Even though I don't have a fairy, I know that treating them nicely is a must. I had to remind Link that. Anyway, it worked out in the end. Navi forgave fairy boy, and even comes so close as to hug him, which looks so funny and cute.
After that, we ate, though I couldn't say anything good for Link. He forgot to bring any food. Being his best friend, I shared my food with him. That made him happy, and made me happy, too. Being best friends is great. I never thought it would turn out so great having one. So great… that… that I don't want him to leave me. I never want him to leave me all alone… again… I don't want him saying that I'm not his best friend anymore. That would be so sad, and I wouldn't… I wouldn't like to go back to being lonely. No, not those days where they said no to me. I hate those times. Not the ones I spend on the ranch, but with those other people… I don't like to go back…
Oh, well, then, SOMETHING happened in that hole that was so… embarrassing… Link and I… we actually-'
Link quickly turns the page. He knows what happened in there. Bringing it up would be bad.
It is not, however, without his spirit feeling guilty about Malon's thoughts. He knows how much it hurts Malon (and him, yes) when they declared they were no longer friends, but he never knew she cared that much about their friendship, about him, about herself, about her with him… and then it came down to this… Suddenly, Link finds himself in deep regret. Strains begin to happen in his emotions. The feeling of heavyheartedness embraces him. Seconds thoughts come up strongly. What has he done? A horrible thing, yes. But, what can he do?
'11th entry,
… One of the best times I ever spent with fairy boy in my life is fishing. I know it sounds dumb, but I like fishing, and so does Link. We fished in the Fishing Pond in Lake Hylia. That was fun. We talked about things, things about ourselves. Like how we're going to be best friends forever even when I'm older and he's not. That's so nice. Even when I'm a lady and he's still a boy, we're still going to be close together because we're still best friends. That's what best friends are about, right? Sticking together despite these big differences, despite what problems, despite whatever happens to us. I told Link about my life before we met. All about those kids that wouldn't let me be their friend, or even play with them. I felt so bad remembering all this, but… Link… he made me feel better, like always. Because he's my best friend. Because that's what we are.
I made fairy boy blush so much when I told him how nice he is, and how great of him to be my friend. Even funnier when I said he's cute. Oh, gosh, I never said that to any boy before. He's the first one I've said such an embarrassing thing to. Oh, and how cute he is. He's the cutest boy I've ever met. And he made me blush when he said I'm cute. Now, that… I'm sure no boy ever said to me. And he meant it, too, like I did. Isn't he the sweetest? I'm so glad he's my best friend. I don't know how many times I wrote that, that best friend thing. A lot, I know that. But, it makes me feel better whenever I write and think of that, you know?
And, then, I… I… I said it. I said it to him. I said those words that I always wanted to say to him ever since. And to him, only. No other boy. Just Link, that's it… Oh, I should just write it down to get it over with. I said that I… I like him… It felt easier after that, but I was worried about what would happen. Then, he said it back to me. Those same three words. And, like before, he meant them, just like I did again. You cannot imagine how great I felt… Me, saying everything I felt all to him, the first one, and hopefully, my only one. And he said the same things back. So happy. I was so happy. It was… one of the best moments of my life. We liked each other… I hope he feels the same way I do about him. But still, like before, I'm just glad he's my best friend. It just… makes those three words, 'I like you,' better than the word… than the word 'better'… Best friend. I like… my best friend… and he… likes me…'
Link stops reading the last entry. He puts the diary down, then sighs sadly. Putting a hand up to his face, he recalls that very scene. How they said they like each other. It squeezes the blood in his heart warmly. Emotions of positive nature swirl around it, all for the same thing.
But, it goes back, he remembers. It goes back to them… being best friends. How could they… How could they… How could they not be… No, they… are. They still are. They're best friends. They're best friends no matter what.
Malon… You're my best friend, to the end, huh? Even after all we've been through… including this, So great is this realization. I just hope that you still think the same way I feel about you… best friend… But, why do I get the feeling you want to be more than that…? That… we… want to be more than that…?
Suddenly, Navi flies out, disrupting Link's train of thought. She flies over the wall to the inside of Lon Lon Ranch.
"Navi, where're you going?"
"Um, leaving you here to think for yourself," Link hears her reply. "You look like you need it. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine!"
Link blinks. What a strange fairy…
--
Lon Lon Ranch; Day
What a dumb idea it is to stay here, Malon thought as she sees Ingo walking pass the crate she's hiding behind to her house. I should have stayed elsewhere.
Ingo enters her house just as the sun's beginning to set. Instead of the same work clothes he had seven years ago, he wears a luxurious noble's suit, red with patterned blue sleeves. He also wears a white trouser that goes with his green shoes. But, his face still remains the same, a long face with bushy eyebrows, and a large mustache. The only difference is that he keeps wearing a smug look every time.
Night; Wolf cry
When Malon is sure that the light to her room to where Ingo is sleeping is off, she rises out from behind the crate. It's useless; she can't think of a plan.
Why's Mr. Ingo like this? Even I don't think he would go this far, Malon tries to think, as she hears two people snoring: one in her room and another in the barn. He's even sleeping in my room. MY ROOM! It's my room!
"Hello!" Navi greets, descending from the air.
"Navi!" Malon sees the bright entity. "What… What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing."
"Wait, if you're here, then…"
"Link is just outside, yes."
"Well, he can forget about coming back."
"Oh, sure." her voice again turns sarcastic. "I can't do a thing, because I'm a fairy. What stereotypical people the world is…"
"What do you want, Navi?"
"Nothing, like I said before. I just felt like visiting."
"Well, you're welcome to visit." Malon turns around. "Now, if you'll excuse me…"
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, nowhere, like you are."
Geez, Hylian people sure are weird, Navi thought as she exits. Oh, well. Let's see what Link is up to.
Malon silently walks to the corral, where she remembers those days singing. How she could just escape the reality of things with her mother's song. She leans against the entrance, seeing Ingo's new fences where he had set them up, or her father actually, if she thinks about it. Discarding the thought of Mr. Ingo like that, she focuses on the past, where he did work, but her father being lazy. That doesn't work out, so she goes back to remember her singing. As she remembers every note, she slowly makes her way to the same spot where seven years ago she sang.
All those days… gone. Just like that. Because of Ganondorf. How I want to get rid of him… with… with… No… I shouldn't think of him… I shouldn't think of fairy boy…
Her eyes wander to the storehouse on the upper right. Memories inside floats to her mind. She remembers the lazy cows grazing the hay instead of the pasture outside. There were heavy crates of Lon Lon Milk in the corner. How she heard the Cucco that lived somewhere behind there. How she and Link found its hideout. How they made it their hideout…
No! No… I don't want to remember! I don't! I don't want to think of Link!
Then, her mind seems to do the opposite, as all the memories of her and Link together flood back like a real one. The memory of swimming and fishing at Lake Hylia, the memory of them selling masks, the memory of the hole on Death Mountain, the memory of them here on Lon Lon Ranch, right down to the first one of them meeting for the first time at the Market.
No… Please! I don't want to… No…
She sobs, each moment of the remembrance shed in tears. She quickly runs to her singing spot, tripping and landing face down. She still cries, the ground grows wet. The world comes crashing down as she lets go of all of her feelings into this moment.
"You're my best friend! I want to go with you!" A young Malon appears in her mind.
"Well, that's great! I like it that you're coming along!" Young Link said.
"So, Malon is your, uh, lifelong friend, too?" Ruto somehow appears in Malon's mind, switching scenes.
"Best friends, actually, to the bitter end," Young Link answers.
"And you came along, fairy boy… My hope came true… I now have a friend." Young Malon's little hope at the Fishing Pond.
"Yeah, uh, well…" Malon could see Young Link's blush as clearly as if she was there again.
Young Malon goes over and leans against Young Link, as it was seven years ago.
"You're so nice, Link, even if you are weird. I… I… I like you, Link. Even if you're my best friend."
"Hey… I like you, too, Malon, the same way."
An emotion of pain envelops Malon, unbearable as it is. But yet, it becomes mixed with comfort.
Link… Oh, Link! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry… The strong confidence of a hero, but still, a delicate heart of a woman. I didn't mean… what I meant back there…
You're my best friend…
To the end…
Forever…
No matter what…
I need you…
I need a friend…
Please, come back…
Please…
Fairy boy…
For me…
For me…?
Malon picks herself up, her feelings a fleet of petals in the wind. She shouldn't cry; nobody she knows of likes a crying person, even Link. She slowly lets the tears move to her hands from her face.
He can't come back…
I told him not to…
And he…
Said the same…
What have I done…?
I'm…
Lonely again…
I never thought…
I would go back to this…
What hope Malon has left is now but a small flame, ready for the wind of loneliness to blow it out. She has lost her best friend, her only friend, Link. Now, it's back to those terrible moments of people not having anything to do with the farm girl. Back to feeling depressed… disappointed… and then, loneliness…
It's times like these that Malon wants to do the one thing; sing.
Sing…
That always works…
Sing my mother's song…
Epona's Song fills the air, the soothing comfort of Malon's mother surrounding her. It's the only thing she could depend on, when nobody wants to talk to her, when nobody wants to do anything with her, when nobody wants to be with her…
Suddenly, out of the blue, a soft, clear tone combines with hers. An instrument most familiar to Malon is playing. Slowly, she gradually stops singing when this tone is in exact tune with her. Someone else besides her knows Epona's Song, but the only person that she knows of that knows this song is…
"Link…" Malon says his name without turning around. "You… you came back…"
"Hey, Malon…"
There he is, the young man in green, holding the Ocarina of Time in his hand. Malon gives a small smile.
"You… remember my mother's song?"
"Yeah, how could I forget it? Cows give me free milk every time I play it."
"Link…" her face becomes serious.
"Okay, okay, it was because… it reminded me… of you."
How sweet. Sweet enough to make Malon do her famous giggle. "So, are you so cheap as to get free milk instead of buying them from me?"
"Yep. You know I am."
"So cheap."
"I'm not that cheap."
"Oh, yes, you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"No."
"Yes…" Link then hears his word. "Uh, wait, I mean…"
Another giggle. "You have a tendency to lose to me, don't you, fairy boy?"
"Is that a trick question?"
"Tee hee." but, there is that question now that Link is here. "So, Link, why… why did you come back?"
"Because… you dropped this."
He pulls out her diary.
"Oh… my diary…" Malon slowly takes it from him.
"You… uh, write pretty good."
"Well, I was taught by Mom." she shakes her head. "You should know that, reading my diary…" Malon adds in.
"Yeah, I did."
"How much did you read?"
"To your last entry."
"Oh, the one where we fished?"
"Yes."
"How… How much did yo-"
"I read enough… to know that we're still…"
Link takes a deep breath.
"Best friends. We are, right? From the time we met to the day we die?" Link asks.
"Not the best way to put it in words, but yeah. We're best friends, Link, forever. I… I realized that, too."
Malon's eyes fill up with tears again. She couldn't take it no more. She grabs Link and wraps her arms around him.
"Oh, Link! I'm… I'm so sorry! I didn't mean what I meant earlier!"
"That's all right…" Link does his comforting, both verbally and physically. "I… sort of knew you really didn't mean it, either."
Malon sniffs. "Liar," she said a while later.
"Okay, fine. You're the best actress I know of, then."
"Would you… would you try to…"
"You're my best friend, I've got to help you. Else, that's not really what it's all about, is it?"
Malon lets her head look up at Link's eyes. Blue connects blue.
"Thanks, fairy boy… Best friends forever?"
"Best friends forever."
"Okay, then."
Malon gives a punch to Link's stomach.
"Ow!" his face of rare joy turns to common pain. "What was that for?"
"Because I felt friendly."
"Oh, ha ha. Very funny."
"Not as funny as this!"
Malon then shoves him to the ground, laughing as he sees what's happening.
"You see, Link? Now, wasn't that funny?"
Link starts to get up, but Malon jumps down on him, again with the scene of Malon on top of Link. Like before, she keeps him down by preventing any means of a counter.
"I win again! I just keep on winning!"
"Urgh! I should have known, but I keep falling for the same trick." Link then feels Malon's hair on his face. "You have nice, long, red hair, you know that?"
"I do, do I? I guess that's one thing I should expect as an adult."
"Now, could ya get off?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because… you're my best friend, Link. Thanks."
"Uh, you're welcome?"
"I'm still not getting off anytime soon." Malon has a naughty look on her. "I wanna torture you a bit."
"For what?"
"For calling me an annoying farm girl and spoiled girl. You didn't think I'd forget what you called me, did you?"
"Uh…"
"Now, let's see," Malon fingers Link's nose, "where's your most ticklish spot, fairy boy…?"
In the night, Malon tickling Link for a long time is one of the most horrible tortures Link has ever had.
A/N: For those of you reading (or rereading), I decided that leaving songs in the profile is too much. So, here…
1. 'Maybe I'm Amazed' by Jem. No, not the male version, but the female version. Listen closely… This describes Malon's situation right now. She's all confused and lonely, having no one to care for her… except… one. This one person, this one young man, we all know who it is. Malon then goes over her times with Link and remembers him for his personality and their closeness to each other.
2. 'Goodnight & Go' by Imogen Heap. It's too hard for Malon to forget Link. She can't, not with her memories with him, even with what they did to each other. A hope starts to come for Link to come back.