A/N: I do not own The Legend of Zelda or Nintendo. Thank you to the reviewers of the last chapter. Really, I love these things; they're like candy, but for my writing mood. Also, to The Legend of Zelda Fangirl, I'm not entirely sure if I can do that for you, but I'll try. It might be slight reference for you, like a small part of the conversation where Sheik's trying to teach them a song and TP Link's like, "Hey, I know that!" and just rattles it off the Ocarina because he can. Also, now I'm wondering about the Ballad of Gales...which howl song is that? Snowpeak? (I went looking and I'm not sure...) Regardless, if he sings it, I have no idea why. It might resemble another song...but who knows?

Twilight Princess Link's Perspective.

Chapter Ten

Gambling

Link had nothing to say. As the Hero of Time constantly asked him who he was, he couldn't reply. He was too shaken. His mind was swimming with thoughts.

Did the Deku Tree sprout see me when I was sniffing around? Link wondered. Did he hear Midna? Did he see Midna? Goodness, what will I do if my secret is exposed? Will Link even allow me to continue helping him if he learns I'm secretly a monster from the future? Well…I am an Ordonian, who's also a Hylian, who's also a wolf, and I'm enslaved by a Twili…but I'm also a Hero, so I guess I'm not just a mutt…

He could see Midna in his shadow. She must have also been extremely concerned for their identities. If Link was revealed to be a wolf, Midna would also have to be mentioned. How much of a hindrance would that be for them? Would they even be able to complete their quest, or would they be executed? After all, Midna's kind was banished to the Twilight Realm because of their magic, and Link himself could be viewed as a monster. Death seemed a very likely possibility if the two's identities were revealed.

The Hero of Time and his fairy weren't helping Link's thoughts either. The poor ex-Kokiri was so confused that Link almost felt sorry for him. He kept asking the same question over and over, but rephrased.

"Link, who are you?"

And Navi would follow that up with, "Why did the Deku Tree sprout say you weren't of this world?"

But Link remained wordless. He bypassed several Kokiris, who all ran out to greet his now-Hylian companion. The one standing in front of the house with weeds growing around it told Link, "I feel like I've known you for a long time, mister!"

That cheered up the Hero of Time, almost enough for him to stop questioning Link. The Hylian Hero talked to another little girl, standing on the path in front of Mido's house that led to the house of the Know-It-All Brothers.

"Now that the Deku Tree's sprout is growing in the Great Deku Tree's meadow, the forest has returned to normal!" she exclaimed.

The Hero of Time nodded his agreement and glanced up at Link, who was fleeing for the exit so he could leave behind the forest, the people in it, and, most importantly, the Deku Tree sprout.

"Wait up, Link!" the Hero of Time called, dashing after his friend.

But Link wasn't listening. He was too preoccupied. Good for his companion to finally be recognized again, but if he himself were recognized here, the only results would be trouble. He still wanted to know what the signs in front of the houses read, but he bypassed them and walked through the hollowed-out log and across the fat wooden bridge. Everything he saw seemed to condemn him, reminding him that he didn't belong there.

The leaves floating in the wind seemed to accuse him of being an imposter. The thudding of his feet on the planks almost roared Monster! at him. The tree branches swaying with the breeze pointed accusing fingers at him, seemingly declaring insults: Freak, monster, foul beast, you don't belong…

But I do belong… Link thought. Maybe not here…not in this time…but I have a purpose, and that purpose is to save Hyrule…no matter what the cost. Twilight too…!

"Link, why won't you answer me?" the Hero of Time asked, concern lacing his voice.

"I can't," Link relented.

"But why?" Navi protested.

Link shook his head, still walking. He entered Hyrule Field and increased his pace to a run.

"Why not?!" Navi demanded, fluttering over to him.

The Hero of Time also caught up with him. "Link…we're just…we want to make sure danger isn't following you around."

"Are you the undead Stalfos warrior you told us about?" Navi asked.

Link slowed his pace to talk easier. "What? No… No, but my life must remain secretive…by the order of the Hyrulian Royal Family. Didn't I mention that?"

"But…!" the Hero of Time began, before he closed his mouth. "Very well then. But if you're facing some bad troubles, then just let us know. I can't guarantee we'll help—we have Hyrule to save after all—but, we can still try, alright?"

"Agreed," Link said.

The two Heroes walked along in silence for a while after that. Link spied a high stone wall rising up, piercing into his line of sight and hiding Hyrule Castle Town from view. In front of it, a lone tree grew, no doubt hiding some secret. Lone trees were always suspicious, just like circles of stones or grass.

"Lon Lon Ranch," the Hero of Time muttered thoughtfully. "Link, do you mind a slight detour?"

"Lon Lon?" Link asked. "Actually, I wanted to stop by there myself. Apparently, it's called Ingo Ranch these days, and there's a girl there I'm supposed to meet with."

The Hero of Time wore a look of confusion. "But…no? It's called Lon Lon Ranch. And would that girl happen to be Malon?"

Link nodded matter-of-factly. "It's Ingo Ranch now. And, yes, I believe that's her name." He began to walk over to the tall stone wall with dying plants growing atop it. It was so tall that, when he walked through the entrance, he couldn't see over it. He was aware of the Hero of Time staggering behind him, muttering with Navi and trying to comprehend what Link had told him.

The two entered the ranch, and time seemed to freeze. The sun locked in its place over the world, similar to how it did in Link's own homeland. To his left was a large farmhouse with wooden shutters and a single wooden door allowing access to its interior. To the left, a wooden building braced the stone border, and four brown pots lined the front of it. A wooden door could be seen.

"Well, there are two buildings," Link said. "You go left, I'll take right…agreed?"

"Agreed," the Hero of Time said. "I want to see Talon anyway."

Link nodded and walked into the wooden building, greeted immediately by the smell of manure, hay, and…what was this? A smell he didn't recognize, accompanied by a sound he'd never heard.

"Moooooooooo!"

Link entered the stable, which was nothing like the barn he used to herd Ordon goats into. Stables lined the opposing walls behind him. A useless square wooden fence sat empty to his right, slightly in front of him. He could see several strange animals standing in their pens, chewing hay. They had white bodies with several black spots. Their noses were pink and slicked with snot. They smelled just as terrible as a Reekfish, but in their own unique way.

What are these? Link wondered.

"Oh…a visitor!" a voice called.

Link's attention was immediately drawn to the young woman about his age standing right beside the useless square fence. She was very pretty, with thick, long red hair and vibrant blue eyes. She wore a white shirt with a yellow cloth bound around her shoulders, clasped by a gold, turtle-head-shaped pendant. Blue Hylian—Link guessed it was old Hylian—adorned the sleeves of her shirt. Around her waist, a brown belt with a silver Triforce buckle could be seen. A long pinkish-purple skirt rested on her hips, so long it reached her shins. She wore an apron-like piece of leather covered with more designs. Brown leather boots adorned her feet, similar to Link's in design.

"It's been a long time since we've had a visitor here…" she told Link. "Where did you come from?"

Link approached her. "A place similar to this, I would imagine," he replied. "Why has business been slowed as of late?"

"Since Ganondorf came, people in the Castle Town have gone, places have been ruined, and monsters are wandering everywhere," she replied.

Link nodded thoughtfully. "That's certainly a reason. What of the ranches personal affairs, if I may ask?"

"Mr. Ingo is just using the ranch to gain Ganondorf's favor…" the young woman said distastefully.

Link glared out of habit. He'd grown tired of Ganondorf, even though he'd never met him personally. However, he'd hated Zant before he met him too, and when the two had their first encounter, it was just as pleasant as Midna made it sound: very painful and bitter.

"Everyone seems to be turning evil…" the young woman said quietly.

Link nodded again, still thinking.

"But Dad…" the young woman began. "He was kicked out of the ranch by Mr. Ingo…"

Ah, so this is Malon, Link thought. She's different than I imagined. I pictured her…less beautiful.

"Might I inquire what you're doing here, Miss?" Link asked her. "Why do you tolerate this Mr. Ingo when he has so brazenly disposed of your father?"

Malon looked on the verge of tears. "If I disobey Mr. Ingo, he will treat the horses so badly…" she told Link, her voice cracking with emotion. She was obviously torn between rebellion so she could reunite with her father, and subordination to make sure her beloved pets would remain safe. "So… There's nothing I can do…" she said, her voice no more than a mere whisper.

Link understood. He could imagine Ilia sitting quietly in the shadows to make sure Epona was alright. She would tolerate her own abuse, but once "her" horse was treated cruelly, Link had learned from experience that she had her own way of snapping, even though he hadn't even meant to mistreat his faithful steed.

He opened his mouth to provide words of encouragement, but found nothing to say besides, "I'll do my best to make sure that you have a choice." With that, he rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, then politely excused himself and left the way he had come from.

The Hero of Time emerged from the opposing building seconds later, his clothes and hair covered in feathers. He was grinning like a maniac, but his smile quickly melted away when he saw the look of anger and seriousness burning on Link's face.

"What's wrong?" the Hero of Time asked.

Link wordlessly pointed at the door leading to the stables before he stormed forward and entered the main part of the ranch, walking through the open iron-barred gates. He saw a tall fence bordering an inner section of the paddock, with a stone gateway forming an entrance. However, the iron gates prevented anyone from accessing it, and also kept the horses from freely wandering around the path. They were trapped inside the fence, neighing, whinnying, and rearing. Two stone-and-metal-bar fences made jumps, one higher than the other.

So, even though the horses were barred inside the fence, at least they could jump if they got bored. Link counted about five of them, roaming around the inside. Four of them had brown bodies, but one of them was sorrel in color. One brown horse, as well as the sorrel, wore saddles, but neither horse looked happy about it. Link wouldn't have been happy either. Who knew how long they had been walking around in the fence with the sun beating down upon them? At least he made sure Epona remained healthy, well-fed, well-groomed, and had her own shelter. He used to take her saddle off often enough, and, on occasion, even traded it out with a grey one sitting inside his house, collecting dust.

But these horses… Epona could wander around and eat grass, and other treats offered to her by the village children when their parents weren't looking, but these beautiful equines were all caged here, and for what?

Angry, Link stormed over to the man standing before the barred gate, leaving the Hero of Time to follow along in stunned silence. Fortunately for Link, he could still make a good poker face even when he was furious. It was only his eyebrows that had a will of their own; they were currently low on his face, just as they always were unless he was happy. In as pleasant a voice as he could muster, he managed to say, "Are you Mr. Ingo?"

The man, who was slightly shorter than Link was, wore a permanent scowl. His dark, bushy eyebrows and crooked evil-villain-like mustache were longer than his hair, which was trimmed short. Some hair grew up on his neck as well, but it was almost completely hidden by the hideous white collar of his shirt that spread out like the leaves on a Baba Serpent. He wore a reddish-orange vest over a blue long-sleeved shirt with white diamond-shaped pinstripes. White pants covered his belly, and green shoes hid his feet.

"There are some people in Kakariko spreading rumors that I cheated Talon out of the ranch, but…" the man told Link, which didn't exactly answer his question. "Don't be ridiculous!"

His words startled the Hero of Time behind Link, but the Hero of Twilight himself was too busy seething for Malon's sake to be frightened.

"That guy Talon was weak! I, the hard-working Ingo, poured so much energy into this place!"

So you are Ingo, Link thought. He was struggling to hold back his biting comments. Let him finish, Link, he mentally chided. Don't want to become as snide and rude as Midna, do you?

"I don't want any strangers like you saying anything bad about me!" Ingo declared to Link. "Listen. The great Ganondorf recognized my obvious talents and gave the ranch to me!"

I am so tired of hearing "the great Ganondorf", Link thought. Anyone like him doesn't deserve to be called great…

"I will raise a fine horse and win recognition from the great Ganondorf! Say, young men, would you like to ride my fine horses?" Ingo asked the two Links, seemingly remembering that he ran a business.

Link had to hold himself back from making any cruel remarks. He managed to calm his building anger to answer, "It would be a pleasure to ride one of your beautiful horses…"

An evil glint could be seen in Ingo's eyes as he told Link, "Pay me ten Rupees and you can ride."

Link reached into his wallet and clawed out ten green Rupees. It was all he could do to prevent himself from thrusting them into Ingo's hands and maybe his mouth.

I've been around Midna for far too long…Link thought.

The Hero of Time himself was struggling to decide if he wanted to ride the horses, but he too reached into his pouch and echoed, "A pleasure…" as he handed them to Ingo. His eyes became fixed on the red horse, knowing that it was the one he wanted.

"Do you want to hear how to ride?" Ingo asked them.

Both Links responded in unison with a quiet, "No."

"Thank you so much. Heh, heh!" Ingo said, taking a key and unlocking the gate for them. Both Links entered, only to hear him tell them they had a single minute to ride horses. That was fine. After all, Link really only wanted to make sure the horses really were being treated right.

Link walked over to the brown horse to his right. It had a dark mane and tail, black legs, and a black muzzle. On its back, it wore an elaborate and definitely heavy red and green saddle. As he approached it, he was aware of the Hero of Time behind him, chasing after the sorrel horse.

Link patted the muzzle of this horse in a loving, assuring manner, and it gave him no resistance as he swung his leg into the stirrup and gently nudged it forward. He spied the Hero of Time standing completely still, the Ocarina of Time locked in his fingers. The Hylian Hero raised the instrument to his lips and began to play a melody that sounded very familiar to Link. In fact, when he howled it as a wolf, he would toss his head up high, then lower it slightly, before making it parallel with the ground, dropping the pitch and lengthening the note. He would then repeat the pattern to call his favorite horse in the entire world.

In fact, this sound had the exact same effect. The sorrel mare stopped, reared, then looked at Link. Her coat gleamed in the light as she ran towards him, her black hooves stirring up dust in her wake. Her legs were sorrel at the top, black at the knees, then became white all the way to her fluffy horsefeathers. Her mane and tail were also white, but her tail was black at its roots. Her muzzle was black with a white blaze running down it. Her blue eyes seemed filled with intelligence.

The Hero of Time grinned and patted her muzzle affectionately, then pulled himself into her brown leather saddle. He rode beside Link, both of them spurring their horses toward the fences and allowing their mounts to leap them with ease.

So these horses are being treated well, Link thought. No thanks to Ingo… There was no doubt in his mind that Malon was the only reason these horses were strong and healthy.

The minute passed relatively quickly, and the Links found themselves being ushered off the horses and back into the rest of the paddock.

"Well, that was fun," the Hero of Time said with a wide grin. "Wanna do it again?"

Link considered it. He really didn't; he had better things to do, like have a chat with Midna, as well as figure out a way to return the ranch to Malon. However, because of the pleading look on his fellow Hero's face, he answered, "I'm not very impressed with the minimal amount of time provided to ride the horse. However, if you want to spend your money and ride the horse again, do as you wish. I'm not going anywhere…"

The Hero of Time practically leapt for joy. He ran back over to Ingo, Rupees already in hand. Link watched him from a distance. The melody that was Epona's Song drifted through the air. Link leaned against the wall, waiting, thinking.

"I don't suppose this guy's your ancestor?" Midna mused, rising from Link's shadow but remaining out of the Hero of Time's sight so that she would not be spotted by the Hylian Hero or his fairy companion. "How else could you two both know the same song?"

Link was silent for a moment before replying, "It's a possibility. However, I believe we have more pressing matters to discuss, such as the Deku Tree sprout back in the Kokiri Forest."

Midna's only visible eye narrowed. "I don't know how he knew so much about us, Link. And there's really no way to know which one of us he was talking to, either. After all, his words could be attributed to both of us."

Link quietly watched the Hero of Time gracefully leap a fence on his sorrel mount before replying with, "I hadn't considered that he might be talking to you."

Midna glared through her helmet. Her hair swayed in the breeze, but she didn't seem to notice. "Regardless of who he was talking to, the fact remains that we absolutely cannot disclose any potentially dangerous information to Link and his fairy. He believes the tree spoke to you, so we have to work on protecting your identity. Otherwise…"

Her thought went unfinished. The two watched the Hero of Time from where he rode, only to be surprised as his horse stopped running. The Hylian Hero began to call down to Ingo, but neither Link nor his Twilit companion could hear what was being said.

However, they didn't need to. Both of them saw Ingo enter the corral, accept something from the Hero of Time, seize the other saddled horse by the reins, and lead it out of the fence. The Hero of Time was also escorted out, and the gate was locked behind him.

"Where do you suppose they're going?" Midna asked.

"Ten Rupees says they're about to race," Link said.

Midna rolled her eyes. "Ten Rupees says you're full of pumpkin soup."

However, much to Midna's dismay, the Hero of Time and Ingo steered their horses side-by-side behind a white line, waiting. After a few seconds of hesitation, Ingo's horse dashed forward. Nevertheless, the sorrel mare was not to be outdone. She thundered alongside Ingo's horse and then overtook them, running the back stretch of the corral.

Link held out his hand and snapped his fingers twice. His message was clear: Pay up.

Midna growled. She snapped her own fingers and a yellow Rupee appeared in her tiny hands. She pressed it angrily into Link's hand, then plopped down beside him to watch the race.

"So…if you have a secret stash of money, why don't you ever lend me any when I'm in dire need?" Link asked.

Midna snorted. "Why would I give you my money? Hyrule is full of chests and pots and grass. I have to buy things too in Twilight."

Link nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose it never dawned on me that your people and mine might share the same currency." He watched the sorrel horse thunder past the finish line and skid to a halt. He stood up, ready to greet his companion and go to their next dungeon.

However, Ingo had other ideas for them. As Link approached, he saw the Hero of Time dismount the mare and begin talking with the ranch owner. He stepped close enough to hear Ingo's yelling.

"Sh-shoooot!" Ingo shouted as he held his head and began stamping his feet angrily on the ground.

"Looks like you're not the only sore loser," Link whispered to Midna, who had disappeared back into his shadow. That comment earned him a strange tickling sensation in his feet, which caused him to stomp down on the ground. "Stop tickling my feet, Midna!" he hissed.

"If the great Ganondorf found out about this humiliation…" Ingo told the Hero of Time. "Hey, you! How about another race! If you win…"

The Hero of Time waited eagerly.

"You can keep…the horse!"

The Hero of Time immediately accepted the challenge and remounted the sorrel mare.

Ingo himself stormed over to his own mount and climbed on top. He jabbed a finger at Link and snarled, "You keep track of the race as the official witness to what I said!"

Link nodded wordlessly, then returned to the wall and sat back down.

"Wanna gamble again?" Midna asked him.

"Depends…" Link said.

"Fifty Rupees says Link wins this."

"I was gonna vote for Link too. So…bet's off."

Midna snorted. "No, it's still on. If Link loses, then we pay the money to Malon."

Link gave her a surprised look before he smiled and nodded. The two silently watched the race. It wasn't looking good for the Hero of Time at first, but he managed to free his mount from being pinned against the iron fence, and they thundered past Ingo.

"Go, Link!" Midna said, her strange Twilit voice barely audible, even to Link. As the Hero of Time passed the finish line, Link fist-bumped Midna and rose to his feet, only to see something strange happen before him.

Ingo leapt off his horse in a fury, then stormed over to Link and roared, "Get out of this paddock!"

Stunned, Link reluctantly obeyed and walked just outside the gate. He was followed by Ingo, who prodded him away from the bars and turned to glare at the Hero of Time, who was rapidly approaching them, still on horseback.

Ingo ripped out some of his hair as he practically screamed at the Hylian Hero, "What's up with that horse?! Is that Epona?"

Link flinched at the mention of his own horse's name. He looked back at the sorrel mare, studying her. He wanted to kick himself, but it wouldn't do him any good. Why hadn't he noticed that she shared the exact same intelligent glint as his own horse? They were even the same breed, for Hyrule's sake! The only difference was their color!

"How did you tame that wild horse right under my nose?!" Ingo demanded.

Link tried to step forward and take a closer look at Epona, but he was forced back by Ingo and given a murderous look. He didn't want to get on the rancher's bad side, just in case he tried to hurt Malon, so he backed up and watched from ten feet away.

"I was going to present that horse to the great Ganondorf…" Ingo muttered. "But I bet it on the race and lost! Shooot!"

The Hero of Time wasn't sure what to make of that news. Neither was Epona, apparently, because she lowered her head, pawed the ground, then looked up again.

Ingo managed to regain himself, clasping his hands behind his back. A new glint appeared in his eyes, and it was just as cruel as that of a monster. He laughed, a dreadful, "Hah ha hah!" No doubt he had schemed something devious.

Link took a tentative step forward, then sent a warning with his eyes at the Hero of Time. His alert was reflected back, but with a different meaning. The Hero of Time had a much better view to see the evil in Ingo's face; he wasn't sure what was going to happen, but Link was no safer than he was. Just because Link himself hadn't won the race, he was not exempt from any evil that Ingo might want to inflict upon the Heroes. And the Hero of Time was sending him the caution, just to let him know that he should run, lest he be harmed.

"As I promised, I'll give the horse to you…" Ingo said. His voice was far too calm, far too controlled…

Far too evil.

"However…" Ingo began.

Here it comes, Link thought.

"I'll never let you leave this ranch!" he declared.

Both Links couldn't have made a more surprised expression as the iron gates groaned and slammed shut. The Hero of Time shot another warning at Link, then charged the fence. Ingo didn't budge, not even fazed, but Epona refused to jump the iron bars.

"Run, Link!" the Hero of Time declared, turning Epona around and running around the paddock in search of an escape route.

Unfortunately, his call reminded Ingo of Link's presence right behind him. He turned around, the evil glint still in his eyes. He took a step towards Link, who backed up slightly and drew his weapons.

"Do not charge me," Link warned. "If you do…"

He was abruptly cut short as Ingo seized him by the front of his tunic. His chainmail clinked in response, and the leather on his outfit made its distinctive groaning noises with the movement.

Despite Ingo's evil, Link couldn't bring himself to strike back. After all, the ranch owner might still be a nice Hylian, just made evil by Ganondorf's "generosity". If Link impaled him now, he'd be no better than the Gerudo King of Thieves: a murderer. The Hero of Twilight only killed monsters and phantoms, but people were entirely out of the question. Ingo hadn't murdered anyone yet. He deserved another chance.

Link refused to release his weapons as he was dragged over to the house where Malon was. The door was opened and he was thrown inside, with his weapons still in his possession. Ingo slammed the door shut behind him and barred it from the outside, leaving Link alone except for Malon and her strange animals.

She looked up at Link as he stood up and dusted himself off. "Back again?" she asked.

Link grunted and sheathed his weapons, walking over to her. "I may have successfully gotten myself locked in here…so you're trapped too. My apologies, Miss."

"Please," she began, "call me Malon. Besides, it's no trouble at all. This won't be the first night I've spent in this stable." She laughed halfheartedly in an attempt to lighten the mood. "At least I'm not all alone with the cows this time, though."

Link stood there, confused. "These are called cows?" he asked.

Malon nodded. "Have you never heard of them?"

"I'm from a very distant land."

"I see." The two were silent for a moment before Malon added, "Might I ask you your name, stranger?"

"Link."

She was silent again before exclaiming, "Really? Link! That's what I thought! You're the fairy boy from the forest! That was years ago!"

Link shook his head. "You have me confused with someone else. In fact, the Link of whom you speak is the reason I'm in here in the first place."

The happiness in Malon's eyes seemed to fade. "Oh…I'm sorry."

Link waved it off. "Easy mistake. We look the same and we have the same name."

Malon nodded. "How is he doing?"

"Considering that he's going to be stuck here for all eternity too, I'm guessing you'll get to meet him again and see for yourself."

Link stared at the door, trying to will it to open with his eyes. Unfortunately, wood didn't register that the death glare roughly translated to, Get out of my way… It still remained in its place, and he debated blowing it up or reducing it to splinters with his Ball and Chain. Instead of doing either, he just sighed and relented, resting his hand on the doorframe.

Forgive me for not running away and finding help for you, Link, Link thought. I hope you can somehow make it out of here safely…

But there was really no way for him to know.

. . . . .

A/N: Hehehehehe...you weren't expecting this, were you? Also, heads-up warning, there might be a little TP LinkxMalon in the next chapter, but that was a bit unintentional and probably won't happen again... Probably... Especially since OoT Link is the one who marries Malon so that TP Link can come to be, so it'd be incredibly weird to have TP LinkxMalon. Yeah I'll try not to let it happen again.