Chapter 4

Reunion

The heroes were on the move once again. They passed several young Hylians on their ride passing each one in a blur. Link thought he noticed the speedy postman and the Happy Mask Salesman. All of a sudden he noticed a green object in the sky attached to a red balloon. He rolled his eyes in embarrassment and annoyance.

"Don't look now, but it's Tingle! Initiate evasive maneuvers!" he shouted in alarm.

Gandalf and Aragorn looked at him with looks of complete bafflement. They clearly had no clue who Tingle was. Midna just sat there with glee. Her one visible eye was gleaming red once more and she was hissing with squeaks of laughter. Link rolled his eyes. Midna was worse than Navi!

"Tingle is an annoying little creature who thinks he is a fairy. He tends to sell maps to lost travelers at prices not even Zelda could pay! I tend to avoid him. It all started with that one day in Termina. I was so stupid!" he explained with a peeved look.

"Oh, one more thing, whatever you do, do not shoot him down! He'll just try to sell you something at his outrageous prices.

Gandalf and Aragorn nodded in understanding.

"It's a shame we don't have young Baggins with us!" Aragorn joked.

That sent Gandalf and Link into gales of loud laughter. The travelers sped on and had soon passed the hovering fool in the sky. They soon reached Lon Lon Ranch. Link lifted his fist in the air in a moment of triumph. They had escaped Tingle. He breathed in relief as he took of his cap and ran a hand through his hair.

"One adventure after another!" he laughed.

"Or as we say, out of the frying pan and into the fire!" Gandalf added with a heartfelt laugh.

Link raised his eyebrow at the wizard.

"It's a long story, which I'll tell you later." Gandalf said.

Link nodded as he put his cap back on. He led them through the broad gates and into the ranch. The travelers had their horses at a trot as they reached the first few buildings. As they neared a barn, a door of a nearby house opened. Out stepped a lovely young women with long red hair dressed in a lovely dress. She glanced up at the travelers and instantly smiled as she laid eyes on Link and Epona.

She ran over to the young hero with a broad smile. Link smiled as he jumped off Epona. He embraced the girl for what seemed an eternity.

"Link, where have you been all these months?" the woman asked.

"I've been on another quest, Malon." Link replied with a small smile.

Malon blushed in embarrassment. She eyed the other travelers with wide eyes.

"I know Ilia, but who are the others who travel with you?" she asked.

Link motioned for his companions to hop off their steeds. Gandalf was the first on the ground after a mighty leap. Malon looked shocked.

"You may call me Gandalf. I am a wizard from the not too distant land of Middle Earth. This is my loyal steed and faithful friend, Shadowfax; he has helped me through many dangers. Well met indeed, Lady Malon." He said with a smile.

Malon chuckled. She had an instant liking to this mysterious wizard. Aragorn hopped off his horse next with a mighty leap of his own. As he landed on the ground he bowed to Malon.

"I am the Lord Elessar, King of Gondor, but you may call me Strider. This is Brego, my loyal steed, he has seen much action in Middle Earth, including the War of the Ring." He said with a warm smile.

Malon chuckled once again. Strider reminded her of Link. She bowed to the Lord in return. Ilia leapt off Epona shortly after and embraced Malon.

"It's been far too long since our last meeting, Malon! You look the same as ever. How's life at the ranch? Has Talon been slacking on his duties again?" Ilia said with a laugh.

Malon shook her head, sending her beautiful long red hair in every direction.

"Everything has been fine. Dad's been working like a horse these past few months and I have missed you as well." Malon replied with a chuckle.

Midna floated gently to the ground beside Link. Malon raised an eyebrow at the Hylian.

"Where's Navi? Have you finally trapped her in a bottle? Or did you just kill her?" Malon asked in puzzlement.

Link laughed at the questions.

"Navi is on a quest of her own right now. She's in Middle Earth in fact, with friends of mine." He said with a smile.

Malon turned her gaze to Midna with an eyebrow raised.

"Who is this? A replacement?" she joked.

Midna seethed in anger and her one visible eye gleamed red in warning. Malon backed off.

Link gave Midna a stern glare. Midna calmed down and hovered back to her seat on top of Epona.

"That's Midna; we don't know exactly who she is yet. We met her in the twilight realm a few days ago. She's quite a mystery." Link explained as Malon laughed at his joke.

Link gave her a sly grin. Malon giggled and winked at him.

"So, is this a girlfriend of yours, Link?" Aragorn asked with an eyebrow raised.

Link shuffled his feet.

"We've been together since childhood. She gave Epona to me as a gift after our relationship began." He said with a small smile.

Aragorn gave him a sly grin and patted him on the back. Link grabbed Malon's hand and smiled.

"Well, Malon, would you like to join me on my new quest?" he said with a broad smile and a wink.

Malon could hardly believe her ears! She beamed up at him with joy.

"I'd love to! Well, there is one problem." She replied.

Link raised his eyebrow.

"My father." Malon replied to his questioning look.

Link led her into the stables, where they found Old Talon cleaning up from a long day's work. Talon looked up as he heard the door shut. When he spotted Link, he smiled and walked over.

"Link, my boy, long time no see! Been on another quest, have you?" he said as he embraced the Hylian.

Link laughed.

"Well, I am still on that quest and would like to ask if Malon may join me and my other companions." Link said as he leaned against a stall.

Talon rubbed his chin as he thought about it.

"Why not? You are the Hero of Hyrule. If you can't protect my daughter, then nobody can!" he said with a laugh.

Malon and Link laughed as well. Talon gave Link a couple bottles of his famous Lon Lon milk. Link thanked his several times. Talon chuckled and waved them off. Link and Malon dashed out of the stables with smiles. As they ran out, they stumbled upon, none other than Ingo! Link got up and helped Malon up as he brushed himself off.

"Ingo, I am so sorry! Are you alright?" Link asked in concern.

He may have a grudge against Ingo but he didn't wish him any harm. Ingo glared at him with eyebrows crossed in anger.

"You foolish kids! Always running and never looking where you're going! One of these days, you're going to end up killing someone!" he grumbled as he got up.

Link sighed under his breath. He handed Ingo a few thousand rupees.

"Will this help?" he said as he handed it to Ingo.

Ingo's eyes widened in surprise.

"You are most generous! Yes it will!" he said as he accepted the hefty bag.

He stuffed the bag in his pocket and continued on his way to the stables. Malon gave Link a curious look.

"What was that all about? You've never gave Ingo anything in your life! What's with all this kindness? You've changed!" Malon said in respect.

Link told Malon he would explain everything to her on the ride to Kokiri Forest. Malon nodded as she followed him to his companions. Aragorn looked up from sharpening his sword as he saw the two approach. He raised his eyebrow in question. Link nodded his head with a small smile. Aragorn sheathed his sword once again and got back onto Brego. Link helped Ilia up to a seat behind Aragorn. Link helped Malon climb Epona, shortly afterwards he made a mighty leap and landed with ease in front of her. Malon looked awed. Link winked at Aragorn. Gandalf was already on Shadowfax with Midna at his side. The travelers kicked their steeds into action and rode off into the sunset. They soon passed the gates and were once again in the fields of Hyrule.