**** 7 years later ****
Malon was in the stables cleaning up the hay as Ingo had ordered her to do, now that he oversaw the ranch now.
What is up with Ingo Malon thought. Ever since that strange man Ganondorf came Ingo's been acting weird. Malon watched him as he was whipping the horses and yelling at them. I hope someone saves me and my horses Malon thought. Once Malon was done she went back outside to go inform Ingo that she finished. She was too absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice she bumped into someone.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry I was lost in thought," she said turning to face the person.
"Oh! It's the fairy boy! I haven't seen you in such a long time," Malon said smiling.
"Yeah it's been a while," Link said nodding.
"So what brings you here fairy boy?" Malon asked.
"Well I was hoping that you might let me use Epona for travelling across Hyrule, the field is huge and it tires me out," Link explained.
"Well if you can somehow convince Ingo to let you take Epona, good luck," Malon said gesturing towards him. Link looked towards him.
"Since when is Ingo in charge of Lon Lon Ranch?" Link asked confused.
"Ever since Ganondorf came he's been acting like he is brainwashed," Malon said. Link nodded and stretched his arms.
"Well what do I have to do to get the horses," Link asked. Malon shrugged not having a clue.
"I'm pretty sure you have to beat him in a race," Malon said not quite sure. Link thought about it, then stretching again he looked at Malon smiling.
"I've never raced anyone before! Well wish me luck, Malon" Link said winking at her. Malon felt her heart go into hyper drive. Did he just wink at me Malon thought blushing? She walked and watched at the gate. Malon could see Link and Ingo talking. She could hear Ingo laughing.
"You think you can beat me young man?" Ingo asked. Link shrugged.
"I have no idea, how about let's find out," he said stretching his shoulders.
"I'll accept your challenge," Ingo said. He called his black stallion and mounted on. Link pulled out his Ocarina and played Epona's song. Glad to see he still remembers her melody Malon thought. She watched as Epona trotted up to him and he climbed up on quickly and talked words of encouragement to her. She whinnied and they lined at the starting line.
"If you can beat me in a lap around you'll get to keep the horse," Ingo explained. Link nodded smiling.
"When the gun sounds we start," Ingo said pulling it out and pointing it at the sky.
BANG
The two men were off on their horses. Ingo was first in lead for half the way until Link managed to get Epona in front of him. He looked back at Ingo and smiled leaning down to talk to Epona.
"Woo! Go Link, come on you can do it!" Malon said cheering him on. She was cheering from the gate and she could see Ingo give her a deadly look. Link smiled as he galloped across the finish line. He trotted towards Ingo with a glowing look.
"Well looks like I beat you," Link said.
"Well y-yes but that was o-only round o-one," Ingo said quickly.
"If you beat me this lap then I promise you can keep the horse!" Ingo said. Link nodded and they lined up again.
BANG
They were off again and Link was well ahead of Ingo until they came neck and neck but Link finally made it across the finish line before Ingo.
"Nice one Link! You beat Ingo!" Malon said jumping up and down like a little girl.
Ingo looked defeated as he got off his black stallion. He walked towards Malon and pulled her inside the gate with him.
"Yes and as I said you can keep the horse, although you won't be allowed to leave!" Ingo cackled evilly knowing that he fooled Link. Malon gasped and looked at Ingo then at Link. Links expression was fool of confusion then shrugged it off. Ingo still cackling walked into the house leaving Malon at the gate.
"Umm, Malon? Can Epona jump that gate?" Link asked. Malon looked at the gate and shook her head.
"It's too high for her to jump!" Malon said. Malon looked around for a way for Link to escape the ranch. Her eyes landed on the stone wall that bordered the ranch. She knew her father made it the right height so that horses could jump it.
"Link if you jump the ranch wall you'll be able to escape," Malon said pointing towards the wall. Link looked and nodded.
"I'll give it a shot, thank you Malon," Link said. Link leaned down to talk to Epona again and whipped the reins and was off. Malon watched with anticipation and waved when she saw that Link was going to make it. Good luck on your quest Fairy boy Malon thought.