Hello readers! Chapter 131 is here, and it's time for a certain character you've all been waiting for to debut! Enjoy!

"Are we there yet?" Aviel asked.

"No." Nemisa replied.

"Are we there yet?"

"No..."

"Are we there yet?"

"If I say yes, will you shut up?!"

"Not unless we're actually there."

"Graaah!" Nemisa finally shouted out in frustration, putting her hands over her ears to block out everything and stomped ahead of the rest of the group.

"Was it something I said?" Aviel asked the others.

"Come on you two, cut it out. We're almost to our rest stop." Nabooru said rolling her eyes.

It was the middle of the afternoon, as Link, Nabooru and their friends had finally left the harsh desert land of Gerudo Valley and had made it to green land of Hyrule Field. Traveling from their home to Hyrule Castle Town took about a whole day's time, so Nabooru had arranged for them to stay at an rest place overnight before they finally arrive at the castle.

"It's a beautiful day out," Link said, "Reminds me of when I first left Kokiri Forest to stop Ganondorf. It was like the world had opened up so much to me that day."

"Yeah, I felt the same way when you let me go with you to Gerudo Town!" Saria said. She looked up at Sarami, "Are you holding up okay?"

"I'm quite fine. My exercises have been strengthening me to make this trip." Sarami took a deep breath and sighed out, "Back when I was exiled from Gerudo Valley I was too distraught to appreciate it..." she spoke somewhat distantly, she then sported a sweet smile, "But now I feel like I can realty enjoy this lovely weather once again!"

"Chio chio!" Sarami's pet ChuChu Chupil squealed out loudly, excitedly bouncing alongside her.

"Braaawkaaa..." Togau's pet cucco Imra shot the ChuChu a glare, making it stop bouncing and just moved along slowly.

"Hey, is Imra alright? She seems a lot more irritable than usual." Halei asked, looking up at the cucco riding on Togau's straw hat.

"Eh, don't worry none. She just got up on the wrong side of the nest this mornin'. She told me she ain't used to waking as early as we did to leave." Togau said.

"Oh yeah, that's right! Your Lynel powers give you the ability to speak with animals!" Halei recalled.

"Reckon course! But I don't need to understand her language to know she's been hittin' the seed a little too hard lately!" Togau snickered, poking her finger into the cucco's feathery body.

"Cluck-cluck!" Imra scowled, pecking Togau on the head.

"Yeow! Watch it ya dang feather-duster!" Togau shouted, getting into a squabble with the cucco.

Link chuckled at the two, he had always had troubling experiences with cuccos while growing up, and Imra was no exception. Regardless, he had to admire Togau's heart for being able to put up with Imra.

He turned to see Reirousa was carrying an absurdly large amount of luggage bags strapped together on her back, all together they looked to be the size of a large boulder.

"Hey Reirousa, you sure you're okay carrying all that?" he called out.

"Yeah man, I'm cool. This is nothin' for me." Reirousa assured him.

"Even carrying those two?" Nemisa asked baffled, pointing up at the top of the stack of luggage where Kesuta and Korume were both laying back sunbathing.

"Kee hee hee, now this is how to travel!" Kesuta said.

"This cool weather makes the sun much more tolerable for me." Korume said.

"Huh? How long have you been up there?" Reirousa asked looking up at the two.

"About five hours." Kesuta said, "Hey, could you move a little to the right? There's a cloud in the way of the sun where you're walking."

"Get down from there!" Nemisa scolded them both.

"They're right though, it is real nice..." Halei spoke blissfully as she spread her arms and allowed the gentle cool breeze to blow against her, "Having to live the desert for so long, I missed this weather so much." she sighed a bit sadly, "My father always loved running around these fields all day. I never understood why he did back then, I suppose I took this beautiful land for granted..."

"..." Togau yanked Imra off her head and glanced over at Halei, taking in what she said. She thought about what happened back at Lon Lon Ranch years ago, when she had pretended to be Malon in order to protect her niece from being banished to Gerudo Valley...

"You be good okay? Get big and strong so ya can help yer Pa with the ranch, and maybe someday you'll find a nice guy ya can be with... G-Goodbye Mally."

"Mally... I wonder if ya ever found him...?" Togau whispered to herself.

"Hey Togau, come on! Lady Nabooru said we're almost to our rest stop soon!" Aviel called out to the rancher, making her jolt out of her thoughts.

"S-Sorry, I'm coming!"

"Um... Nabooru?" Link spoke blankly, staring at where she had brought them all.

"Well, here we are, we made it!" Nabooru said, her voice seeming to be trying to maintain her sense of bravado, "This is where we'll be staying until the morning we arrive at Hyrule Castle!"

"Nabs," Sarami spoke up with her glasses giving off an unreadable gleam, "Is this a joke...?"

"If this is a joke, I'm not laughing." Nemisa said with growing irritation.

When Nabooru told them that she had reserved a place for them to stay at on the way to Hyrule Castle, they wee expecting a five-star luxury hotel, or at the very least a modest inn...

"MooOooOo!"

Instead what they saw was a route through a front gate that led into a large fenced-in field; with cows, cuccos, pigs, goats, horses and various other animals walking around. There were Hylian people hauling supplies around like feed and hay. There was a large paddock that some of the horses were running around on. The most impressive building was a single two story house. There was also a large stone silo on the other side.

"Lady Nabooru... what's going on, why are we at a farm?" a solider asked.

"Hey now, it's not a farm!" Nabooru pointed up at the front gate which had a sign with 'Lon Lon Ranch' painted on it, "See? It's a ranch!"

"Uh, why are we stopping at a ranch then?" Reirousa asked, dropping the bags she was carrying off her back, making a loud thud and causing both Kesuta and Korume to fall off and impact right into the ground.

"Grk..." the mystic twins groaned.

Aviel meanwhile stared up at the ranch house, "Wooowie! Hyrule Castle looks a lot different than I thought it would, but it's real cute!" she saw a farmer carrying a shovel and slop bucket. She ran over to him, giving him a salute, "Hello royal knight, well met!"

"Uh, you here to haul off the cow dung?" the farmer asked cluelessly.

"We're at Lon Lon Ranch?" Link spoke, "Nabooru, what's going on here? I thought you said we were heading to a place to stay at overnight."

"Weeeeell, I don't know quite how to say this..." Nabooru trailed off, before she grabbed Halei and pulled her out in front of everyone, "So Halei here will explain it!"

"Um..." Halei looked down sheepishly, "T-This is kinda... sorta... where we're staying."

"...WHAT?!" exclaimed everyone.

"Meep!" Halei squeaked out in fear and hid behind Nabooru.

"What exactly is the meaning of this Lady Nabooru?" Korume spoke coldly "Don't tell me you got drunk again and forgot to book the reservation..."

"No, I didn't forget." the Gerudo leader protested, "The thing is, we did have a reservation at a nice hotel planned, but about a couple months ago we were notified that it was canceled. Me and Halei were scrambling to get another hotel, but they all turned us down."

"How odd, are we having money trouble that we couldn't afford it?" Sarami asked with concern.

"We have plenty, but the hotels didn't care about the rupees it seems. They wouldn't even give us a reason why." Nabooru scowled, "Sooo we had to resort to our backup plan, staying here at Lon Lon Ranch."

"You gotta be kidding me!" Kesuta exclaimed, standing up straight with some dirt and grass still on her head, "We're supposed to be royal diplomats! Who's going to wanna stay overnight with a bunch of smelly pigs and cows?!"

"This is..." spoke a voice, they all turned to see Togau was staring up at the front gate with wide teary eyes, "No way, I'm back... I'm really back home!" she ran right over and hugged Nabooru tightly, "Thanks Lady Nabooru, you're the best!"

"Figures she'd be okay with it..." Korume muttered, only to be jerked forward when Togau grabbed the arms of both her and Kesuta, dragging them both along with her.

"Come on girls, I wanna show y'all around!" Togau said cheerfully, sending Kesuta and Korume flailing around as Imra followed after them.

"Slow down you wild woman!" Kesuta shouted in protest.

"Howdy everyone! It's been a while, ain't it?!"

The Lon Lon ranchers looked up from their work to see all the Gerudo women there, most notably the one with the straw hat and short frazzled hair waving her arms excitedly.

"Huh? Who's that?" asked one of the workers, "She kinda looks familiar."

"Doesn't she look a lot like Talon's old wife...?" spoke a woman, "Oh my, I think that's Togau!"

"No way, she still kickin'? I thought she was exiled to Gerudo Valley!" said another worker.

"Hey Togau, you've grown a lot!" said a lanky man with long cheek whiskers.

"Na ha ha, great to see y'all!" Togau grinned ear-to-ear, as she ran up to greet the older workers, "Ratso, you're looking good! Biena, long time no see! Did ya finally lost that achy tooth Charlie?"

"Oh my, Togau looks so happy being back at her old home." Sarami smiled softly.

Togau then ran right up to one man and gave him a strong jab in the stomach with her elbow, making him wince and cough out, "I see ya still haven't lost that gut of yer's Samson!"

"H-Hey Togau... what brings you out here?" gasped Samson as he clutched at his stomach.

"Yeah, weren't you exiled on account of the banishment law?" Biena asked.

"Lady Nabooru brought me, we were given permission to come out to Hyrule and meet with the royals!" Togau grinned pointing out at the group.

"L-Lady Nabooru, the Gerudo leader?" exclaimed a worker with his jaw dropped, he nervously looked over at Link standing beside her, "Then that man must be the... the... the...?!"

"Course reckon! That's the Gerudo King Link!" Togau grinned proudly.

"Uh, hi?" Link spoke, waving to them with a sheepish grin.

"Th-The Gerudo King..." one of the workers spoke, backing up a bit, "Uh, we just remembered we gotta bunch of work we need to do... bye! Nice havin' you back Togau!" and with that they all ran off, leaving a dust cloud behind.

"Huh? Where you guys goin'?" Togau called out, looking around to see all the workers suddenly very distant and nervous.

"What do you think that was all about..?" Aviel asked.

"Maybe the same reason those mongrel knights at the boarder were giving us the stink-eye when we crossed the bridge into Hyrule." Nemisa scowled.

"I know the Gerudo haven't had a great reputation since the war, but something doesn't seem right here..." Link pondered.

"Well howdy there, I see you folks made it in one piece!" spoke up a new voice. They all turned to see a bald, portly man in overalls and sporting a big mustache, "You must be Lady Nabooru. I'm Talon Lon, the owner of this here place!"

Nabooru nodded, "A pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Lon, and thanks for accommodating us here, I know this was short notice, but we appreciate it."

"Oh course! Sorry again about the circumstances." Talon said rubbing the back of his head.

"It won't be a problem, they're all more than capable." Nabooru nodded.

"What do you mean by that exactly...?" Nemisa asked suspiciously.

"Talon-bro! There ya are ya big hairy lug!" shouted Togau, running right up and jumping on her brother-in-law from behind, hugging him tightly.

"T-Togau...?!" Talon spoke with teary eyes, he quickly hugged her back, "Togau! Bless the goddesses, you're back home!"

"Course recken! Feels good to be back again!" Togau said.

"I swear, me and Malon were worried sick about you after you were sent off to the desert! " Talon said setting Togau down onto her feet, "I didn't even get the chance to thank you proper after what you did for Malon all that time ago!"

"Na ha ha, don't worry about it Bro! I was fine thanks to Lady Nabooru!" Togau grinned.

"She's been a vital ally to our people for all these years, I couldn't think of how we would had managed without her ranching and merchant skills." Nabooru smirked.

"Sounds like she's come a long way s since then. I can't thank you enough fer what you've done for her." Talon said bowing his head, "Some people 'round these parts may not care for the Gerudo, but I trust y'all just fine."

"You even married Togau's older sister Murin." Sarami said, "I knew her back when I was younger."

"That's right, she was a great woman; strong but kind, and Togau here takes a lot after her." Talon spoke, smiling somewhat sadly, "Bless her soul, I hope she's resting well."

"Sis..." Togau whispered, gazing upwards into the sky.

"Well, enough reminisin' fer now." Talon wiped a tear from his eye and turned to see Link and noted the royal clothes he wore, "So that there's the new Gerudo King? He's a lot younger than I thought he'd be! Pleasure to make your acquaintance, your highly-ness!"

"Mr. Lon, you remember me right? It's me, Link!" he said pointing to himself, "I've known you since I was a kid!"

"...?" Talon just stood there with a blank stare.

"I'm... old friends with your daughter?" Link mentioned.

"..." another blank stare came from Talon.

"Uh, I was the one who borrowed Epona for seven years?"

"..." Talon continued to stare blankly at him.

"I..." Link looked to the others for a brief moment and sighed out, "...I'm the one you challenged to that Cucco finding game?"

"... ...Link! I didn't rightfully recognize you!" Talon exclaimed, he shook Link's hand with both of his own, "Been three years since you were last here, ain't it? Now lookat you, become a big shot king n' everythin'!"

"Eh, I wouldn't call myself a big shot..." Link grinned sheepishly, he took a look around the ranch, "It's great to be back at the ranch again, doesn't look like it's changed much since I was last here."

"I guess, though that ain't necessarily a good thing..." Talon said, looking out at the land, "I'll be the first to admit we've been falling on some tough times lately." he turned to Link and the Gerudo, smiling brightly, "But now that y'all are here, things'll be a lot different!"

"Again, what do you mean by that exactly?" Nemisa asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh..." Nabooru glanced away to avoid the sharp glare of Link's bodyguard.

"I gotta say Lady Nabooru, it's mighty kind of you to donate the help!" Talon said, "We have some lodgings for travelers, but not many of em're willin' to volunteer workin' while they're stayin' here!"

"... ..WHAT?!" shouted Link and the Gerudo.

"We're going to be working here, at the ranch?" Aviel said in surprise.

"Yesirre, three whole days of labor in exchange for room and board!" Talon said happily.

"T-Three days?!" Kesuta exclaimed, "What the hell's going on here Lady Nabooru?!"

"Nabs, what's all this about...?" Sarami asked sharply, "I thought it was only a day's travel to Hyrule Castle. Why do we have to stay here for so long?"

"Ah heh heh..." Nabooru forced a smile, "Yeeeaah, I um... had to break a deal with Mr. Lon here to get a place for all of us to stay at. I offered him rupees initially, but he wrote that he needed work hands more than cash at the moment, so I agreed to us all working here instead of payment. We're not actually due to arrive in Hyrule Castle for another three days."

"You've got to be kidding me... we just barely get to a nice place like Hyrule, and we have to sleep in a smelly muddy place like this, and work ourselves to the bone as well?" Kesuta complained, "I would have rather just camped out in the field!"

"That sorta thing's not recommended right now." Talon said, "Around this time of year is when the Stalchildren come out at night to attack travelers."

"I remember those things, they could be relentless." Link said.

"Yes, I'm afraid if we tried camping, we would instead be kept up all night fighting off those things." Nabooru pointed out, "But here we'll be able to sleep soundly and safely."

"It did feel like we left a lot earlier than we were supposed to..." Link said raising an eyebrow, "Still, I wonder why our hotel reservations were canceled...?"

"So we're gonna be workin' while we're here? Alright, no big deal." Reirousa shrugged, lifting up all the luggage with her two muscular arms again, "Just show me where I can dump everyone's stuff Mr. Lon."

"Wowie, you can sure haul a lot! Looks like you're going to be a big help to us!" Talon said as he escorted her off.

"Who the hell're you callin' big?" Reirousa spoke glaring down at Talon with an scowl, sending the ranch man running ahead of her in a panic.

"Heh... well everyone, you heard him. Get yourself settled in and go see what work the ranchers need done!" Nabooru said with a forcefully proud tone to the girls, "Show them that Gerudo spirit!"

"Uuuugh..." most of the Gerudo all moaned out in annoyance as they walked off.

"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Nemisa groaned, before she was grabbed by the arm and yanked off by Aviel.

"Come on Nemisa, this is gonna be fun!" Aviel chirped excitedly, "Let's go see the sheep!"

"Hey, let go of me!" Nemisa shouted as she was being dragged off, "You're going to make me step in animal sh-" they heard a soft squishy noise, "AAAARGH, look at this! All over my shoe!"

"Oops."

Nabooru let out a long sigh, glancing over to Link, Togau, Saria and Sarami, "Sorry about this everyone, I know these conditions aren't particularly ideal..."

Saria shook her head, "It's okay Lady Nabooru, I've been really wanting to see Lon Lon Ranch for myself after everything Link told me about it! I would love see the plants that grow here and how it makes these animals so healthy! You wanna come with me Faete?"

"Uh..." Saria's guardian Faete stared out at the ranch for a moment, before nodding, "Oh, sure. That sounds like fun!"

"That's the way to talk Saria!" Togau grinned widely, "This'll be like the old days for me, back when it was me, Talon-bro and Mal-!"

"Hey Dad, what's with all the commotion? Did those guests you mentioned arrive already?"

Link's pointy ears perked up at the voice coming from the nearby animal stable. It was a soft and sweet voice, with a hint of a country accent to it, one he recognized too well.

"Malon?" Link spoke, turning to see his old friend leaving the stable, only to do a double take.

"Hi! Just a minute!" spoke the young woman with a bright smile, setting down a bucket and rake she had been carrying and walking up to Link, Nabooru, Togau, Saria and Sarami.

In the dark future Link encountered Malon pretty early in his journey. Back then she had gone through a great deal of pain due to Ganondorf's authoritarian control on the land. Her bright blue eyes had dulled and her smile diminished. She perked back up a little more after Link had helped her and her father out of a situation in that time. She had grown up beautifully, with a dainty but slightly curvy body. One that caused Link to have strange feelings that his new adult body hadn't quite adjusted to, feelings he wouldn't fully understand until the time he kissed Lana...

But now as Malon came up to them, he could see she was a lot different than he remembered her in that time. Now her eyes were much brighter and bore a smile much perkier than he knew from the dark future. But what was even more notable about Malon was her figure; she was much curvier than in the dark future, with wider hips and a pair of very large breasts that seemed to bounce each time she took a step.

"Well hello there, welcome to Lon Lon Ranch!" Malon sported a big smile, "You two must be the new king and queen of the Gerudo! A real pleasure to meet y'all!" she turned to the tanned man with bleached hair and royal garments curiously, "Wait a sec, do... I know you from somewhere?"

"Weeell..." Link pulled out his ocarina and sported a goofy grin, "You remember me now Malon?"

"That's... wait you're..." Malon stared at him for a brief moment, beofre she gasped out loudly, "No way! Is that you... Fairy-Boy?!"

Link promptly faulted over at her nickname for him, making Nabooru burst out laughing as Sarami, Saria and Faete all giggled. Imra even let out a small snide clucking sound.

"Hey, I thought I told you have a real name!" Link protested.

"Hee hee, I kid! It's great to see you again Link!" Malon giggled, "So the rumors were true, you really are the new Gerudo King!"

"Big surprise, huh?" Link chuckled.

"You're telling me! Well, put 'er there!" Malon said sticking her hand out to Link to shake, but a second later she shrugged and said "Oh what am I doing?!" and quickly threw her arms around Link to hug him tightly, "You look great Link! It's only been three years since we last saw each other, but you've grown a whole lot!"

"Y-You've grown a lot too Malon..." Link spoke with his arms around her waist, as he could feel her large, soft breasts pressing against him.

Nabooru meanwhile was standing back with a slight knowing smirk on her lips, Sarami was observing Malon up and down curiously, while Saria just stood there with a blank stare at Link's old friend.

Malon took a step back, seemingly not even aware of Link's awkwardness, as she turned to see Nabooru and the others, "Sorry about that, me and Link go back a long ways! It's swell having all of you here with us! Y'all seem like a nice... lot of..."

The farmer girl's words came to a stop when she saw one woman in the group with a cucco on her head. She seemed familiar to Malon for some reason, before she was suddenly hit with realization.

"T-Togau...?"

The two stared at each other for a the longest time, Malon's eyes started to fill with tears, as Togau just grinned a little and waved her hand.

"H-Hey there Mally. I'm back!"

There was a brief pause between the two, before Malon and Togau both rushed right at each other and embraced tightly, screaming and crying out in happiness.

"Oh my goddesses Togau, it's you... it's really you!" Malon shouted.

"It's been ten long years Mally, I missed ya so much!" Togau cried into Malon's shoulder.

There were no more words to be said between them at that moment, they just hugged each other for what seemed like forever, united after so many years. The others looked on watching the two happily for the two.

As the others dispersed to wind down from the trip and prepare for the farm work they'd be doing during their stay, Malon took Link, Nabooru, Togau and Imra through the farmland to show them around. She eventually led them to the corral area where the horses were freely running about.

"...and here's the track where the horses race on. We set up these barriers for them to jump over to help improve their agility." Malon said. Two horses ran by along the road and gracefully leaped over the odd barrier or two.

"So they don't even leave the track when racing each other? Very impressive, you do great work taming them. I see the stories Togau told me weren't exaggerated." Nabooru said.

"Of course, the horses here are one of the greatest prides of our ranch!" Malon said, she brought her hand up to one horse who nuzzled against her affectionately, "They're full of fire and spirit, yet can be so gentle and sweet. I'd do anything to keep them and all the animals safe..."

Link saw the longing stare in Malon's eyes as she pet the horse. It was clear she hadn't changed much at all from the days they spent together as kids. He glanced over at Togau, who seemed to be somewhat bothered by something...

"So who's your little friend here Togau?" Malon asked, bending over at the cucco by Togau's feet, "You're a pretty little one!"

"Oh, this here's Imra!" Togau said picking up the cucco and holding her in her arms, "Raised her from a little egg! She can be a bit ornery at times, especially with Link, but she's a strong one!"

"Braawkaaa..." Imra stared up at Malon with her eyes narrowed.

"Believe me, I know all about how Link is with cuccos!" Malon grinned, "He could be the bravest guy in the land, but falls apart when he has to deal with these cute little ones!"

"Hey, enough with the teasing already.." Link said annoyed, as Nabooru snickered.

Malon reached her hand out to pet Imra, who went into a defensive stance at first, but Malon sported a blissful smile, and when she put her hand gently down on the cucco, Imra started to take to the petting sensation quickly.

"Cluuuck... clucka..." Imra swooned out.

"Aw, she's so sweet!" Malon giggled.

"Hmph, show off." Link grumbled.

"Oh don't be so jealous." Malon stuck her tongue out mischievously, "I know who you'll get along with real easy!"

Malon took a deep breath, and from her lips came a very familiar and sweet melody, the same song she taught both Link and Togau so long ago. Imra clucked as she took to the melody herself.

"Lala-laaa...lala-laaa... lala-la lala..."

'Wow, her singing's gotten even better.' Link thought to himself.

"Neeeiiggh!" they all heard a loud, excited noise, and saw an adult horse with a rich light brown hair color come running right up to them.

"Hey, it's Epona!" Link exclaimed, running up to the horse. Epona quickly recognized Link despite his new look, and immediately started nuzzling him affectionately, "Good to see you again, girl!"

Epona neighed happily, before bringing back her neck and headbutting Link right in the forehead. He staggered back a bit and looked up at Epona who was sporting a big toothy grin, before he grinned right back and and butted his own head against her. Epona snorted out in Link's face and he just laughed.

"So that's the fine steed you told us about before Link." Nabooru said, running her hand along Epona's hide, "It's good to finally meet you Epona, I owe you a lot for looking after my friend and king."

Epona looked down at Nabooru for a moment and nodded, snorting out and clomping her hooves.

"Wow, I've never seen Epona take to anyone besides Link so quick like that!" Malon said astonished.

"We Gerudo used to train horses to assist in navigating the desert, and I always loved riding them. I even set the record for horseback archery at the fortress." Nabooru explained. "Unfortunately we lost a number of them during the war... and after the banishment law came into effect we had a hard time getting more."

"Ah yeah, that banishment..." Malon whispered, remembering her father explaining to her about how Togau took her place in order to protect her from being deported.

"If it's possible I'd like to speak with your father about establishing trade deals to acquire some of your finer breeds." Nabooru said, "We're willing to pay good rupees or supplies for them."

"I'm sure he'd be happy to hear that..." Malon said, "But I don't know if that would even be possible right now. The Hyrule army have been coming by here a lot lately, looking to get our horses for use in their army..."

"What?" Togau shouted. "Why don't you just tell em to get lost?!"

Malon said, "Unfortunately they're really putting pressure on us. I'm sure you all know that besides the horses, one of the most famous things we're known for here is the 'Lon Lon Milk' our cows produce..."

"Indeed, we even get it imported over to Gerudo Town." Nabooru nodded.

Malon spoke sadly, "Well, there's been some strange happenin's lately. The cows have been disappearin' from the ranch... the workers have searched everywhere, but they're nowhere to be found."

"Yer kiddin' me." Togau said, "How many have gone?"

"At first it was just one or two, so it wasn't a huge deal. But lately more cows are disappearing, and because of that milk production's at an all-time low..." Malon's voice sounded more strained with each word, "I wish I knew what happened, I'm so worried about them all..."

"Any idea what's causing it? Maybe bandits?" Link asked, feeling a strange sense of deja vu.

Malon shook her head, "Not at all. We lock the entrance to the ranch up at night so nothing can go in or out, and we've even had some of the workers go on overnight watch duty, but they never see anything."

"How strange..." Nabooru pondered, she narrowed her eyes, "And rather than actually help you, I'm going to assume that the Hylian Parliament are instead taking advantage of the circumstances?"

"That's right Lady Queen Nabooru." Malon nodded, she ran her hand along Epona and rested her head against her, "They said if we don't do something about the milk production soon than they might take our horses instead."

"What? How can they do somethin' like that?" Togau said in a fit.

"It's as she says, things have been rough." Talon said walking up to the group. They noticed he had a few bumps on his head, "But not as rough as that muscular friend of yer's King Link, she packs a tougher wallop than a stampede of bulls, even if you compliment her!"

"I'll have a talk with Reirousa later." Link said, "So what are the knights trying to do with the horses?"

"Well according to them if we don't step up the milk production, they're going to start trying to get some of our steed as collateral payment for failing to uphold our end of the contract we signed." Talon sighed, "Unfortunately I may not have read enough of the fine print in the paper work, cause one of the collateral turned out to be Epona herself."

"WHAT?" Link exclaimed, "Why her?"

"Well it seems Captain Andreas has a lot of interest in having Epona fer himself." Talon said, "If things keep going the way they are, we may not have much choice but to surrender her."

"That's awful!" Togau snarled, her eyes briefly turning to Lynel ones.

"I can't stand the thought of Epona being used by that horrible man..." Malon said sadly, "I helped Dad look over the paperwork, and we're certain there was nothing about taking the horses! For them to trick Dad like they did... Oooooh! Dishonest people are the absolute worst!"

"Well, I'm not going to let that happen, and there's no way I'll let them take Epona!" Link said narrowing his eyes, "Especially leaving her to that bastard Andreas!"

Epona neighed out cheerfully and nuzzled Link affectionately from hearing that, and Malon looked to the two with a light smile.

"Sounds like there's going to be a lot more for us to talk about at the meeting than I thought..." Nabooru said, "When are they supposed to meet with you again?"

"In about three days to check in on the milk production." Talon sighed, "But without the cows we don't have much to hand over to em. Still can't make heads or tails of where they all went off to."

"Hmph, isn't it obvious? Those cows probably ran off because of the way you've been running things here ya lazy good-fer-nothin'!"

They heard a new voice speak up in a surly tone, as everyone turned to see a tall lanky man with a mustache and a permanent scowl on his face, carrying a bucket and shovel. He was someone that Link knew all too well from his time at the ranch as a kid and even in the dark future,

"If I was runnin' things 'round here we'd be shipping milk by the crate-full and raking in the rupees!" the man said jabbing the shovel into the dirt.

"Ingo..." Talon said, "Come on now, we got visitors."

"Oh yeah, yer the Gerudo, ain't ya?" Ingo said, scowling at the desert women, "You don't know what hardship yer people put us through during that war! Don't know how you managed to get the Hylian Parliament to let you go roaming free around our land like this, but I don't trust ya!"

"Hey, we're here as royal diplomats!" Togau snarled, bringing up her fists, "You wanna have a go?"

"If you're a royal diplomat, then don't go around picking fights with the locals!" Nabooru whispered.

"Yer..." Ingo paused, "Wait a sec, you're... Murin's sister Togau ain't ya?" he stared at her for a long time, before he turned and walking off with a huff, "Hmph. It'd be better if you rats go scurrying back home to the desert is what I say!"

"Grrr... I never liked him." Togau fumed, "How can ya stand still havin' Ingo around here, Talon-bro?"

"He can be a pain sometimes, but I can't deny he's a mighty big help to have around" Talon said, "He does a lot of the grunt work around here the older folks can't handle." he looked up into the sky, "Though I sometimes wonder if he's right. Maybe he would be better at runnin' things here than I do..."

"Hey, don't say that Dad!" Malon said, "I told you before not to let him get you down!"

"She's right Mr. Lon." Link spoke up, "You don't just put your muscle into running this ranch, but your heart and soul as well. As far as I'm concerned, there's no one here other than you or your daughter that are fit to run this place."

"That... means a lot, Your Gerudo Highly-ness." Talon spoke, "Murin would be so happy to hear you say that. She's the one who helped me put this whole place together all those years ago."

"Sis told me about that." Togau spoke, "About how the two of you picked out this land to set up the farm because you felt it was the perfect place to cultivate."

"That's right, she had a feelin' that there was somethin' magical to this land, and we could raise top quality livestock here." Talon spoke, kneeling down and rubbing at the grass with a twinkle in his old eye,

"Hm, I think I understand your situation now, and why you asked for our assistance as payment instead of money." Nabooru nodded, "You need the extra help to step things up until the Parliament arrives."

"Sorry about this, I know it's a lot to ask of y'all..." Talon said bowing his head.

"Jees Talon-bro, you could have just said so from the beginning!" Togau said slapping him across the back, "Course everyone'll help you out!"

"Besides that, I think it'll be a good chance for the girls to get better acquainted with the Hylians before we go out to Hyrule Castle." Link said, looking out at Aviel dragging Nemisa over to some sheep, and greeting one of the ranchers tending to them, "It's a good first step towards us forming a peace treaty with the royal family."

"That sounds real swell Link." Malon smiled, I can't thank you enough as ti is fer takin' care of Togau while she was stuck out in the valley."

"Not a problem, I'd do anything for her." Link smiled, putting an arm around Togau's waist and holding her close.

"Hey, come on Lover-Boy! Not in front of Mally and Talon-bro!" Togau blushed heavily, smacking at Link's chest.

"L-Lover-Boy?" Malon spoke with wide eyes, looking back and forth between Link and Togau, "Wait what?! Get out of here, yer sayin' you and Link are...?"

"Oh, didn't I mention it before? Me and Link are goin' out!" Togau said grinning, "I'm gonna be marrying him soon enough!"

"What in taranation? Yer seriously gonna hitch up with Togau?!" Talon exclaimed, "Well congrats to both of ya!"

"Wow..." Malon spoke. She put a hand to her chest, hesitating for a moment, before smiling brightly at the two, "T-That's amazing! I'm so happy for you both!"

"That's right," Link grinned, "We fell in love a long time ago. And after we settle things with the peace treaty, she's going to be one of my queens of Gerudo Town."

"Wait, 'one of your queens'?" Talon asked in confusion.

"Reckon course!" nodded Togau, "It's not just gonna be me, he's taking on a whole harem of women that he's chosen to be his future queens!"

"Well dang, you've sure become a real player, haven't ya Link?" Talon spoke in surprise.

"T-That's..." Malon spoke in shock, before frowning a little, "W-Well anyway, I have something important to check on. We'll meet up later to catch up on old times... alright Link?"

"Sure thing." Link nodded, though he noticed she seemed bothered by something.

The group watched as Malon walked off, while Link was unable to tear his gaze away from how her generous hips were swaying left and right as she walked.

"So it looks like your little childhood friend grew up pretty well." Nabooru nudged him with a mischievous wink, "She's quite a looker, I can see why you couldn't tear your eyes off her in that old future."

"H-Hey now, I just have an eye for beauty is all." Link whispered back in an annoyed tone, "It's weird though, I don't remember her having that kind of figure in that time..."

"Besides that, I'm sure she's got a nice guy she's datin' now!" Togau said defensively, "I mean who wouldn't want a piece of that! She's got curves in all the right places!"

"Little jealous Togau?" snickered Nabooru, poking at her flat chest.

"B-Button yer yap Lady Nabooru!" Togau shouted.

Meanwhile as Malon walked off, she took a small glance over her shoulder to see Link and Nabooru standing alongside each other. She could see an eager, bright expression in Link's eyes as he was chatting with Nabooru about his adventures with Epona.

'He really has grown a whole lot...' Malon thought, 'But to think he's going to do something like...'

She paused for a moment, before she gazed back up at the second story window of the house, and gave a deep sigh before walking off.

'I wonder though... what will he think of me, when he finds out about you...?'

And that ends this chapter! I knew you all wanted to see Ingo after so long, so I'm glad I was finally able to deliver!

Kidding aside, I hope you're all happy to see Malon. For her personality, I wanted to make her energetic, but more subdued than Togau.

Next time, Link and his friends start their work in Lon Lon Ranch, aware of a certain secret Malon has, and a strange mystery is about to unfold...

Thank you everyone for your continued support! Please feel free to leave a like, follow, comment or just send a private message at your leisure! Your feedback is always encouraged!