Well, since my brain has been working away, I have figured out what to do with my second story idea. It will be a sequel, and it will have Link and Thalia working together. That is all I know so far, and it may change a little because of the new game that is coming out in Q4 2005 (that's October, November, and December of 2005 for people who don't follow games as much as I do).

(((((Kokiri Village)))))

Sheik nodded. Thalia walked over to the pond and uncorked a bottle. She filled it and started to leave, but her reflection caught her eye. She knew she would be different after four years, but not this different. Her hair, one at about her mid-back was now down to her hips. Her purple priestess dress had been altered as well. It was now darker, and made of a more durable fabric. Her sandals had also been replaced for sturdier and more comfortable leather. She looked at herself from the side. 'Are my boobs really that small?' Thalia mused. She then shrugged and headed back toward Sheik. 'I take what I can get.'

"Ready?"

"Yep. Oh, and Sheik. Thanks for tossing the bow at Gannon. He almost had me cornered."

"Actually, I was aiming for you."

"Sheik?"

"Yes, Thalia?"

"Don't throw things ever again."

"Yes, Thalia."

(((((Hyrule Field)))))

"Next, we need to go to Kakariko Village, and up to Death Mountain."

"All the way back there! I don't want to walk anymore, Sheik."

"Thalia..."

Sheik turned and his face fell into an irritated expression. She was looking up at him, eyes large and watery, mouth small and pouting away. She looked absolutely pathetic.

"Fine."

"Yay!"

"We'll go to the ranch. It's not far from here. We can rent out a horse or two."

"Yay!"

This time, Thalia pulled Sheik into a hug, squeezing him hard before running off towards the ranch. Sheik rubbed his sore arm as he followed her.

(((((Lon-Lon Ranch)))))

"HORSIES!"

Sheik looked on in horror as the girl tried to chase the horses around. He shook his head and looked around for someone to help them. Sheik reached out with a hand and grabbed Thalia as she came around.

"There doesn't seem to be anyone here."

"That's odd-"

"Hey! What do ya'll want?"

Thalia and Sheik watched as a tall, slightly rounded man with thin black hair and a thick moustache walked toward them. Sheik walked towards the man.

"We would like to rent horses for a time, as we are going to be travelling."

"We don't rent out horses. Only sell."

"Alright then. We would like to purchase horses."

Thalia went back to the corral to look at the horses. 'Hmm. What did he mean we? It looks like he's the only one here.' Just as Thalia thought this, she heard a slight humming. Thalia turned as she noticed a girl in the corral, feeding one of the horses. She had bright red hair, and was wearing a simple dress and apron.

"Hi. I'm Thalia."

The girl looked up. Thalia smiled brightly at the girl.

"They call me Malon."

Malon smiled as well. Before quickly turning back to her work. Thalia frowned then. Malon may have smiled, but she looked thin and tired. Thalia could see a long, bright red mark going down her arm as well. 'This girl hasn't been well taken care of.'

Thalia felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to come face-to-mask with Sheik.

"We struck a deal. Pick a horse."

Thalia nodded. She walked toward the now open gate to the corral and looked around. Her eyes wandered over all of the simple horses.

"Make sure you hurry."

"But I want a real special one."

Thalia said childishly and smiled brightly.

"You mean special like you?"

"I HEARD THAT!"

Sheik smirked. He watched as she chased around the horses some more. They all ran away from her, almost making Sheik laugh. A horse sauntered up to him and nuzzled his arm. Sheik rubbed its nose and turned to the ranch owner.

"I'll take this one... um, I never got your name."

"It's Master Ingo."

"I WANT THIS'UN!"

A shriek rang out from the middle of the arena. For once, Thalia found a horse that didn't run. She was hugging its neck and squealing.

It was a special horse, too. First, it wasn't afraid of her, as most other living beings were. Second, instead of the plain brown colour of the rest of the horses, it was a light chestnut colour, with a white mane and tail. It also had white stripe on going down its face.

Thalia jumped on its back and rode it over toward Sheik and Ingo.

"This one."

Thalia smiled.

"It's not for sale."

Thalia frowned.

"Why not?"

"This horse is being held especially for Gannon. It's a talented horse, and he wants her for his collection."

Sheik and Thalia looked at each other. SO this guy was working for Ganondorf. Thalia looked over her shoulder. 'No wonder that girl looks so lost.'

It was at that moment that the most random "blessing-in-disguise" happened. A crack of thunder sounded overhead and rain began to pour. Ingo screeched something about his expensive clothes before running inside. Sheik followed him. Thalia dismounted the horse and started to follow Sheik, but stopped and looked back at Malon.

Malon was struggling. Between the stubborn horses and the newly forming mud, she was having a hell of a time trying to get the horses back into the barn. Just as she felt her foot slipping, she felt a strong hand on hers. Malon looked over her shoulders to see Thalia.

"You don't have to help me."

"Oh, but I do. It's kind of my job."

Malon's eyes widened in surprise before she nodded, and went to grab another horse. Slowly but surely, the two girls got all of the horses into the barn. When they were done, Thalia took Malon's hand.

"What are you doing?"

"We are going to go into the house to dry off."

"I'm not allowed in the house."

Thalia looked at Malon with such a piercing stare that Malon almost felt obliged to follow her new friend. They quickly got through the rain and into the house. Malon came face to face with a rather peeved Ingo.

"What are you doing inside, girl? Get back to the barn!"

"I, uh... I-"

"My companion and I have decided to hire her for the night."

Thalia came up behind Malon defensively. Ingo backed down, but just barely.

"For the night?"

"We aren't going to leave in this storm. We will pay you 250 rupees for room, board, and servant for a night here."

Thalia could have sworn she saw rupee symbols form in Ingo's eyes. Suddenly he was acting a lot nicer towards them. Thalia smiled at Sheik. He shook his head, but did not contradict her decisions.

(((((Later that Night)))))

Thalia couldn't sleep. Her stomach was full of good food, and she was in a very comfortable bed, yet something was keeping her awake. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, Thalia's eyes shot towards the door, and she pulled the Master Sword. Someone was there. The door opened.

"Miss Thalia?"

"Malon. What are you doing still awake?"

"Ingo says that, since you are paying so much, I must stay up and cater to your needs."

Thalia looked away with a sarcastic smirk. Malon smiled sadly.

"You don't have the money, do you?"

"Nope. I was going to wait until you got up and had the horses ready for the day. Then we would sneak out with them. Obviously, 'Master Ingo' will not be up that early, since he doesn't actually do much around here, does he? This really turns things around."

"No it doesn't."

Thalia looked at Malon in surprise.

"Ingo is asleep. I'll fix up the horses you want, right now. Then we can leave, and you don't have to pay for anything..."

"... Yes?"

"There is one more thing that I ask. Please, take me with you."

Thalia's expression remained the same.

"Gannon kicked my father out of the ranch and pays Ingo to raise horses for him. I'm a slave, and I want to find my father again. I know that he's in Kakariko Village. I heard you and Sheik talking last night. I know you will pass through there on the way to Death Mountain. I promise that I won't be any trouble, just, please, take me away from here!"

"Of course we will."

"Sheik! How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough. We leave, now."

(((((TBC)))))

I though that I would leave just a bit of a cliff-hanger right there. To find out what happens next, you will just have to be patient. But here is a small preview.

Next chapter: Sheik and Thalia make their way to the Goron City, only to find it empty. They meet Darunia's son, Link, and his namesake, Link, where they find out that the original Link may still be somewhere in there...

Once again, please remember that I try to base the dungeons off of the Zelda no Densetsu manga, which means they will be slightly simpler. Thnk you.