A/N: To Philowen Aster (who shamelessly steals her cousin's account haha!), you have a very valid point; Link could transform into a wolf and scare Ingo, and as much as I would love to do that for you, I had already written this chapter so...sorry. However, another reason I can't do that is because A: Link refuses to transform in front of people and B: He refuses to scare people unless already a wolf. You get the message "You can't transform here! You might scare someone!" or something like that. Midna won't do that. Besides, I think the horses might get pretty ticked and try to trample him if he showed his face outside. On the other hand, I kind of wonder what all the animals would tell him as a wolf...
I do not own the Legend of Zelda or Nintendo.
Ocarina of Time Link's Perspective.
Chapter Eleven
Escaping the Ranch
Link spent about twenty minutes on Epona, just aimlessly wandering around the paddock. It was as if his legs had been grafted to the sides of the saddle and his feet melded with the stirrups; he couldn't get off Epona even if he wanted to. He steered her around the pasture, fully aware of Ingo's eyes fixed on his every move.
And the Hero of Twilight, where had he gone? Link had looked around the pasture for a full minute before glancing back and seeing his companion gone. He wasn't sure if Ingo had dragged him off, or if he'd fled. Either way, the other Hero was nowhere to be found.
But even if he was still around, what was he going to do? Climb the fence and drag Link over the top of it so both of them could flee? Good plan, but what about Epona? This whole endeavor had been all for her. If they were to just leave the poor mare behind, then the little misadventure would have been for nothing.
Link slowed his horse to a stop and sighed. Epona refused to jump the iron gate; he'd pushed her toward it several times, and each time yielded the same result; she slid to a halt in front of it, reared, then forcefully turned herself against Link's will. She wasn't stupid; she knew what she was going to jump, and what she was going to avoid.
Link stroked her shoulder, rubbing it to let her know he loved her.
"I'm not leaving you here," he told her. "But I need you to help me out of here…"
Epona stared at the high wall, as if asking Link to steer her towards it. Not sure of what else to do, he spurred her onward. She whinnied and kicked off the ground. Link was aware of Ingo's stunned face, and even the look of terror that replaced that look, but he wasn't able to be concerned about it. He felt himself go weightless for a moment, watching the world around him rush by at astounding speed. He saw the sky above, the clouds lazily drifting across it. The grass below him slightly rippled with the wind.
Link felt his hair blow out of his eyes and behind his ears. His earrings gleamed in the sunlight. The saddle beneath him creaked and groaned, the distinctive leather noise piercing the otherwise-calm air. He wanted to laugh with delight from the feeling, but he couldn't because he'd get a mouthful of Epona's snowy main, and he was pretty sure that wouldn't taste good.
Then gravity finally set in. Epona soared gracefully over the fence and the stone wall, only to begin falling toward the ground at frightening speeds. Link held onto her reins tightly and braced himself for impact. Epona's hooves slammed into the ground with jarring force, and Link was almost knocked clean off her back. He miraculously held on, even as she continued running along the ground toward the dirt paths.
Epona reached the path and thundered down it like a gorgeously deadly beast. Any monsters on the ground would have been trampled. Fortunately for them, they didn't choose to live near the ranch.
As Epona neared the wooden fence that randomly ran along a section of Hyrule Field, she reared up, Link gripping her reins tightly. She neighed loudly, triumphantly. Navi fluttered around Link's head, and he looked at her curiously as Epona's front hooves slammed back down onto the ground. He then turned slightly in the saddle to see behind him. He found no signs of pursuit, which was a relief.
"So," he asked Navi, "do you think we should go looking for Link in Kakariko?"
Navi was silent for a moment before saying, "We should search Castle Town first. If I were separated from you, I'd head there first. That's where we met Sheik after all."
Link nodded his agreement and turned Epona in that direction. He nudged her flank, spurring her onward.
Don't worry, Link, Link thought. I'm coming to show you I'm alright. If you're in Castle Town, just wait for me…
. . . . .
But Link wasn't in Castle Town. He wasn't going back there even if he was paid a thousand Rupees. No, he was still in the stable with Malon. He told her about the Hero of Time's well-being, but the conversation quickly switched to multiple things, causing Link to begin talking about music and consequently show her the Ocarina that the Hylian Hero had handed to him. She showed him how it worked, and soon enough he was playing the familiar melody of Epona's Song. The cows in the stable seemed to like it, as most of them were mooing at him.
"So you're a rancher too?" Malon asked, changing the topic once again.
Link nodded. "I'm actually a herder, but my job is on a ranch, so that makes me a rancher."
"Do you have any horses, or do you herd on foot?"
"I have a horse."
"Male or female?"
"Female."
"Does she have a name?"
Link laughed. "I think Ilia would kill me if I left her nameless. She's called Epona."
Malon gasped. "Just like my baby!"
"Yes. In fact, I was surprised to hear the sorrel mare's name was Epona. It brings back memories of my home. I wonder how they're doing…"
Malon would have asked him another question about his town, but she was cut short by the sound of rattling outside. Link looked at the door that kept them sealed inside the stables. He was just getting used to the smell of cow manure and hay. What did Ingo want with him now? Was he here to beat him? Link wouldn't tolerate that. He glanced at Malon, then glared back at the door.
If Ingo is here to hurt her…he thought, anger slowly rising in him. His muscles tightened with anticipation. The pressure of rage in his chest was increasing. What do you want, Mr. Ingo?
The door flew open as if by a whirlwind. Ingo came running in, his face ashen and full of fear. He slammed it shut behind him.
Link glared and instinctively pushed Malon behind him so he could protect her if need be.
But Ingo wasn't focused on him. Instead, he ran to the back corner of the barn and threw himself down in front of the back wall, crying, shaking, hands over his head. Link could very clearly hear his sobs, but he didn't dare approach. It could very well be a trap, a way to lure him close so Ingo could stab him in the leg and beat him to death.
But Malon must not have sensed this possible threat. She walked out from behind Link and called, "Mr. Ingo? Mr. Ingo, are you alright?" She took a step forward, only for Link to extend his arm and hold her back. She looked at him, confusion on her face.
Link just shook his head wordlessly. His expression said it all for him: Let me handle this. Stand back.
Malon was reluctant, but she relented and allowed Link to handle the matter. Link cautiously approached Ingo's trembling form, but he stayed three feet away just in case he needed to be able to flee. The door wasn't blocked anymore. Link could just take Malon and escape. But Malon was too nice; she wasn't going to leave Ingo all alone, even if he had been very mean to her.
"Mr. Ingo," Link began, "what troubles you?"
All he received in response were unintelligible cries and a massive amount of pleading.
Link tried again. "Mr. Ingo, what is the matter?"
More tears. More trembling. More indecipherable words. Ingo's voice was almost as jumbled as Midna's, but at least the Twili girl actually had a language that Link could understand.
"Mr. Ingo?" Malon asked, taking a tentative step forward.
Link held out his hand, halting her. He regretted his decision as he did it, knowing that he was making himself very vulnerable. Even so, if it wasn't him, then it would be Malon. At least he had a sword and shield. He knelt beside Ingo and rested a comforting hand on his back, gritting his teeth and preparing for any consequences…any blows that might come from this.
He could feel the cold sweat soaking Ingo's clothes. His hand shuddered because of Ingo's trembling body. The poor man just kept crying. Link tried for his most comforting voice, the one he used when one of the goats got its head stuck in the fence, or when Epona had an injury and he couldn't run to Ilia for help because she would definitely murder him.
"Mr. Ingo, please tell me the situation. Perhaps I can be of assistance."
Ingo finally managed a few words: "The great Ganondorf…he'll…he'll…" His voice broke as he continued sobbing, but at least Link had gotten words as a response.
"What will Ganondorf do?" Link prodded.
"He'll kill me!" Ingo whimpered. "Because of that…that Link…taking that horse and…and…leaping the fence and… I was…going to give it to the great Ganondorf. But…but…"
Link crawled in front of Ingo and put his other hand on the ranch owner's shoulder, trying to gain his attention. He squeezed his hands, causing the pitiful ranch-hand to look up at him. His eyes were swelling with tears and his nose was running. He was still shaking uncontrollably.
"Ganondorf will not kill you," Link assured him. "Did he ever mention doing so?"
"No, but—" Ingo began, but Link interjected before the ranch owner could find another reason to be afraid.
"Did he ever say that he'd kill you for not providing a fine horse for him?"
"No, but—"
"Did he tell you, 'If you do not bring me a fine horse, if you do not pay me back for providing this ranch for you, I will kill you!'?"
"No…?"
"Has he even visited this place since he turned possession of it over to you?" Link asked.
"No…"
"I don't think he even cares about you," Link told him. "I believe he simply wanted to cast Hyrule into even more chaos, and what better way to do that than stop the flow of products coming from this ranch? Listen to me, Mr. Ingo, do you see that girl over there?" Link pointed to a very confused Malon.
"Y-yes…" Ingo stuttered.
"That girl is very nice, do you hear me? I believe Ganondorf will be angry with you for losing possession of the ranch, and throwing this pitiful tantrum just because of a single horse. If you dare set foot outside this ranch, then you may be killed by him or his monsters. However, that girl over there, you may have hurt her, may have hurt her horses, but I think she may forgive you…"
"But…but why?" Ingo asked.
"Because she's very nice," Link said, which earned a nod from Malon. Good, she was on his side. "Now, I think that if you go back to being a nice, hard-working ranch-hand here, return the possession of this ranch to that nice young lady over there, allow her father to return, rip down the gates barring this place, she may forgive you. She may allow you to continue working here, and perhaps she will even give you a place to stay…"
Malon nodded silently.
"But you will do these things, and you will be a good worker. You will not mistreat her animals, or you can expect your own mistreatment. You will obey her and her father. If you continue being subservient of Ganondorf, and he learns of your failure to maintain this ranch, then you can expect no place to hide. But this girl and her father, I believe they will protect you. Because she wants to protect her animals, and her father wants to protect her, so they should do the same for you if you yourself are beneficial to them. However, the decision rests on her shoulders of whether or not she wants to allow you to stay here."
Malon entered the conversation. "I will forgive you, Mr. Ingo, if you do as Link says. However, I have my own request to add to that."
Ingo stopped sobbing and listened closely.
"Please go back to being the lovely hard worker my daddy and I were so proud of having employed here!"
Ingo practically tripped over himself as he rose to his feet. "I will, I will!" he exclaimed.
Link backed away as Malon shook Ingo's hand in agreement. He smiled as Ingo hugged Malon and apologized again and again to her. His job was done. He was free to leave, and leave he would. He needed to find the Hero of Time, after all. Besides, he didn't belong here; Malon and her worker needed time to fix the damage that had happened between them.
Link walked towards the door and opened it, listening to the wood scrape the dirt ground he had probably spent thirty minutes sitting on, chatting with Malon. He exited the building, cast a glance at the empty paddock that should have held his companion. He noted that the horses were still locked inside the smaller pen, but that was alright. Malon would probably order it torn down, and her horses would be allowed to roam again, if they roamed at all.
The door opened behind Link.
"Wait, please!" Malon called, running toward him.
Link stopped, turned away from the path that would lead him out of the ranch, and looked at her.
"Thank you so very much!" Malon told him. "Please, you must allow me to give you something so I can express this gratitude."
Link just shook his head. "I really didn't do anything; that was all Link. He's the one who rescued Epona and got Mr. Ingo to go into that room. Besides, he already took Epona with him. That's payment enough."
Malon wouldn't allow him to refuse. She grabbed hold of his left hand and held it, not letting him leave. "Link may have saved my horse, but you saved my ranch, my father, and you even spared Mr. Ingo. He threw you in there. You had a sword and shield but didn't hurt him, even though you could have. You…you made him a good person, and I can't let you leave without first giving you something to express my thanks."
"But—" Link began, only to have Malon rest her finger on his lips and silence him. His eyes widened. If Ilia learned of this…but she was only keeping him quiet…!
"Link took my favorite horse, but I have others. The one who stands saddled in that corral, take him with you on your journey. I won't let you decline."
Link hesitated, then took her finger off his lips and said, "I will accept the horse, but you must allow me to make my own request."
"Name it."
"You must allow me to return the steed to you after my quest is completed."
Malon looked surprised. "Why?" she asked.
"Once my quest here is completed, I will return to my homeland, back to my own horse. I won't need yours."
Malon shook her head. "Keep him. Bring him back to your Epona and have them make cute little baby foals."
"Are you really sure you want me to raise a bunch of horses when I don't even know what a cow is?" Link asked her.
Malon laughed. "Bring back the horses to your ranch and raise them with whatever you normally herd."
"Ordon goats," Link informed her.
"Ordon…what?"
Now Link laughed. "Looks we have our own diversity. A goat is a creature kind of like your cow. It has horns that curl back into each other, and it's really fluffy and it's as blue as the sky. But, when you make it mad, it turns red and charges into your horse and knocks you off."
Malon smiled. "Tell you what, after your quest is completed, if you bring me this strange 'goat', then I'll trade you a cow, and we can have our farms full of diversity. However, I have one question for you, what all does a goat do?"
"Well, you can milk it, and you can make cheese from the milk. Its thick fur makes excellent blankets and clothes, and it tastes pretty good."
"I'll trade you two male cows and two female cows for two male goats and two female goats."
Link nodded. "If it's possible, I'll try to get that for you."
"I'd like that."
Link allowed Malon to bring him to the corral, where she brought the brown horse out for him. He climbed into the saddle and shifted in it, trying to get comfortable. How long had it been since he'd last ridden, besides the minute Ingo allowed him? How long had it been since he'd rode his own horse? A week? Probably. Why did it feel like so much longer?
"Go save the world…if that's what your quest is," Malon told Link.
Link nudged the horse forward. "I'll be sure to do just that…" He spurred the horse onward, cantering out of the ranch, leaving Malon and Ingo all by themselves. The ranch girl couldn't hear Link complete the last of his sentence as he thundered down the path.
"…For both of them…"
. . . . .
A/N: Ohmygoodness! A horse for Twilight Princess Link in the past! I always wanted that one...more than Epona actually, after I'd beaten the game twice. Entering Gerudo was killer because that other gorgeous beauty with that green saddle just...argh! I wanted it sooo bad! So I gave its look-alike to TP Link. And yes, I have currently decided that he'll actually take the horse back with him to Ordon, so he does keep it. Unless that decision changes, this horse will be his forever.
