Chapter 4

"Make way for the Royal Guard!" The guard at the gate proclaimed in a booming voice. Trumpets blared forth in a synchronized rhythm and the large doors leading to the castle were opened. Raven entered the court yard, horseback and chin raised. Malon strolled beside the magnificent steed and looked around, surprised to see countless servants and some guards bow when Raven passed by. Was he really in such a high position? Blushing shyly when she noticed everyone give her curious gazes, Malon quickened her pace and stayed close to Raven. When they arrived at the castle's front doors, Raven dismounted and gave his horse over to some hired hand before going inside with Malon tagging along behind him. She followed him through a room full of doors and red velvet carpeting, past a hall with large armors, and outside along a long terrace until they arrived into another section of the castle. Random people acknowledged Raven and made meaningful looks at the amber haired female who accompanied him as they went on to complete their chores. Raven greeted them as well, never bothering to introduce Malon. In fact, she didn't even seem to exist. Malon frowned. How long did he honestly plan on being angry?

After climbing a long staircase, they arrived out doors once again, climbed more stairs and finally reached their destination, the large throne room. With all the walking that had to be done, it was impossible to gain weight. Now Malon saw how Zelda maintained her slim figure while doing nothing but staying home all day. But even more, she was awestruck by the magnificent throne and décor of the enormous room. The painting on the ceiling was striking and the marble flooring was exquisite. Malon's mouth was slightly ajar in her surprise. Unknown to her, Raven was watching with a smug smile on his face.

"Try not to touch anything Malon. After all, you've proved to be meddlesome enough already," he said. Malon frowned and looked at him while crossing her arms.

"Why'd you have to go and open your mouth? Everything was so perfect too…"

"Oh suck it up. You shouldn't be here anyway. Now close your mouth and look sharp. The princess should be here any moment." After Raven finished his statement and turned around, Malon proceeded to mock him with obscene gestures and faces behind his back.

"Oh my. Raven? Is that you finally?" Malon paused in mid motion when she heard the delicate voice of another female present in the room. Her blue eyes traveled to the throne where the princess began to descend with small steps that made her seem to be floating in her own grace. Malon's mouth dropped again.

"Yes Princess. I have returned," Raven said bowing lowly. He turned around and noticed Malon gaping stupidly at Zelda. He coughed to get her attention, but to no avail. He pulled her down by the collar of her shirt in a forced bow, but Malon lifted her head to see Zelda begin to walk towards them, hills clicking against the smooth surface of the floor as she did so. The blonde haired princess smiled warmly.

"You may rise," she said. Raven straightened up and released his friend's shirt.

"Did you bring the kinstone piece?" She questioned. Raven cocked his head towards Malon, indicating that she still possessed the golden piece. Zelda nodded knowingly, and turned her attention to his companion.

"Are you a friend of Raven's? It's a pleasure to meet you…," she said politely. Malon nodded stupidly.

"You're… you're…," the girl stuttered. Zelda giggled girlishly and then coughed into her hand to stop herself.

"Yes. I'm Princess Zelda of Hyrule. It is rare for Raven to bring any of his friends visiting. It's an honor to meet you."

"Y…yea…"

"Uh… Malon. Don't stand there gawking stupidly at her! Introduce yourself!" Raven ordered with slight irritation to his tone.

"Now Raven. There is no need to be so harsh… Besides, I already know who she is. Malon Lon Lon, the daughter of the owner of. Lon Lon Ranch.," Zelda said.

"You… you… you know who I am?? Oh my gosh! It's such an honor!" Malon exclaimed, bowing.

"Please. That isn't necessary…"

"Oh! Here! I have this for you… I took it from Raven because I wanted to meet you myself and everything… But anyway, here you are your highness…," the ranch hand cried as she pulled the piece from her dress pocket. It shined beautifully and Zelda stared at it gratefully. Taking it from her, she nodded her thanks and smiled.

"You've done a great deed by bringing this here. I'll have to inform the maidens of this development. I'm so ever grateful to you," Zelda claimed. She bowed slightly and then turned her back and began to walk away the way she came. Raven watched her graceful retreat and then looked at Malon, whose face was occupied with a silly grin.

"Listen. I've business to attend to. Do you think you can behave yourself until I get back?"

"… She knew… my name!"

"Malon! Did you just hear I word I said?" Raven cried angrily. Malon crossed her arms once more and turned her back on him.

"Yea I heard you… unfortunately. Just be gone already. You're an eye sore…," she said snidely. The Royal Guard grinned and flicked her nose, causing her to snort involuntarily.

"See that you do behave yourself. I'm under authority to do away with pests…"

"You're the only pest here!"

"You're so childish. Good-bye Malon," he said. Turning his back on her, he waved his hand over his head in a quick farewell and then rushed up the many stairs that led to the room Zelda just entered. Malon stood in the wide room all by herself, unsure of what to do, before she left the way she came and headed back to revisit the many rooms she'd past by when she'd followed Raven to the throne room.

Raven followed Zelda into a secret garden entrance within the basement of the castle, the place where the mirror was sealed by the six maidens. Zelda stood, staring at its reflective surface before turning to look at her protector.

"… I like her. She's very lovely… though a bit young acting…," she told. Raven rubbed the back of his neck uncertainly.

"Who? Malon? I suppose… She has that affect on people…," he answered offhandedly. Zelda smiled and laughed.

"Yes! I am sure! Is that why you love her?" Raven blushed and began to distract himself with a vine that crawled up the archway entrance to the garden. The princess could only laugh more at his reaction.

"Come on now Raven don't be that way… It's as obvious as day. I saw it in your face when you looked at her. Besides, isn't she the one you haven't stopped talking about since I met you five years ago? I'm pretty sure…"

"I have no idea what you're on about Princess. Malon's my friend…," Raven claimed. He picked a blue flower from the vine and twirled it between his thumb and forefinger distractedly. Zelda smiled knowingly and decided she wasn't done teasing him just yet.

"Sure you do! I remember when I first met you, young man that you were, you said you wanted to become an important person in order to impress this fair, young, maiden you liked back home… It was so sweet actually. I remember thinking how noble a cause for a young boy to come all the way here by himself," she said airily, "Yes… you never stopped talking about her all throughout your training as well… I kept thinking how lucky is this girl to be loved so much, but a shame that she never knew so. Haven't you told her that you've done all this for her?" Raven stopped playing with the blossom and dropped it to the ground, stomping it in the dirt with his foot.

"No… I haven't told her anything yet… I don't know how. She was so angry to know I was alive when we first met after such a long time…"

"But Raven, you can't not tell her! She was only angry because she missed you. How unfair to work so hard for her and she not even know it…"

"Well, nothing in the job description said anything about this sort of thing. My duty is to protect you Princess. You are my top priority… I couldn't be with her when I'm due here to protect you…"

"Raven. I'd hate to be the reason you missed out on one of the greatest things of life…"

"It can't be all that good seeing as how it's damned you and Locke so much." Zelda's mouth clasped shut and Raven looked at her meaningfully. Neither spoke.

"… You should call the maidens…," he said after a long pause. Zelda nodded sadly.

"… Still. Love is worth fighting for. I hope you realize it… otherwise it will be such a wasteful life." Raven looked at his feet shamefully and Zelda proceeded to call the six maidens forth.

Somehow, Malon had managed to get lost in the many corridors of the castle until she stumbled upon a door that led to an outdoor maze. She was stuck. No matter where she turned, there was a large green wall blocking her path. After turning right in a last effort to escape the maze, she stumbled into a small gazebo that was decorated with millions of vines with some hanging aesthetically over the top. Malon sighed in exasperation and looked at the fortuitous green walls of entrapment with disdain.

"May I help you?" The voice was deep, and smooth. Malon hesitantly turned around and looked at the person who spoke with her. His face resembled the hero's a great deal but there was a sadness about it that made it stand out. His hair was dark and messy, his eyes still and cold. Malon gulped nervously and backed away subconsciously.

"I… I… got lost," she said. The man smiled dryly and closed the book that he was reading.

"Of course you did. You're lucky that you found your way here…," he replied. Malon nodded shyly.

"Uh… are you… are you the princess's fiancée?" The question was out of her mouth before she even realized she was saying it. Locke chuckled and nodded.

"Yes. I'm Locke. And you are?"

"I'm a friend of Raven's… I'm Malon…," she told.

"What a pleasure to finally meet you. Raven does nothing but talk about you constantly. I see why. You are quite lovely. But don't let Zelda know I said so. She's the jealous type…" Malon laughed and a look of confusion filled her face. Here she was, conversing easily with the one that everyone claimed to be a monster from the otherworld. He didn't seem at all as monstrous as people made him out to be… But then she remembered what Raven said and understood his words better.

"Are you confused?"

"Uh… It's just that… not everyone is too fond of you, but I don't see why. I like you. But you do come off slightly intimidating at first…," Malon responded honestly. Locke watched her for a moment before laughing.

"You're the first to say so in person! Why, I believe I'm fond of you as well Malon. Come on. How about I help you get out of here?" He offered her his arm with gentlemanly courtesy and Malon accepted with a bright smile on her face. He then proceeded to lead them through the maze continually taking one direction. Malon noticed this and her eye brows crumpled in perplexity. Locke saw this from the corner of his eye and smiled.

"The secret to this maze is that there's a destination at the end of any direction. The right leads to the gazebo, the center leads to the fountain and the left leads to the beginning. As long as you know where you want to go, you can't get lost," he explained.

"How strange. I've never heard of a maze designed that way before…"

"Yes. Mazes tend to be complicated, but this one's easy. You can't get lost unless you've no idea where you are or where it is you want to be." After saying this, the two of them exited the maze and were welcomed with the familiar sight of the castle. Malon sighed with relief and Locke smiled happily.

"It was certainly a treat to be in the company of such a woman as you Malon. You're refreshing for the soul. Now I know why Raven is so fond of you…" Malon felt the heat rise to her cheeks and she looked at her companion timidly.

"Wha… what? Raven's just my friend…," she claimed. Locke raised an eyebrow inquiringly and then shrugged.

"I'm sure he is dear. Please excuse me while I go return this book to the library…"

"Oh wait! Locke, could you take me with you… I don't want to get lost again…"

"… Certainly. Follow me." They walked on to the library chatting friendly the whole way.

Mean while, Zelda and Raven were in company of the six maidens who looked serious as they conducted their business with the assistance of the kinstone piece. The eldest of the maidens, Mei, stood in front of the mirror looking into it to see the next step. In the mirror's reflective surface was an island and on the island was a large tree that was bearing a magical nut from its branches. Mei frowned slightly, concentrating on the image, but it disappeared and the kinstone piece stopped glowing.

"It is just as you predicted Princess… we must enter the Mystical Deku Nut Festival and obtain the Deku Nut before we can repair the rip in dominions…," the woman said with a deep voice. She gave the kinstone piece back to the awaiting princess who nodded.

"Yes…"

"You must pick a capable representative and send them to the Forest Haven immediately. Someone you trust can win the nut…"

"Don't worry… I've got the perfect person…," Zelda said and she looked at Raven meaningfully.

"Raven…"

"I would be honored Princess…" The maidens exchanged looks before looking at the man sternly.

"Hyrule's destiny is in your hands young man. Do not disappoint us…," Rei, the third eldest maiden said. Raven nodded with determination. The maidens looked at Zelda one last time before warping out of the garden through the use of the mirror. The princess let out a long and steady sigh, evidence of the stress that had been building within her since the maidens' arrivals. Her and Raven exchanged looks and then she said, "Inform everyone at once… Hyrule is participating in the festival this year."

"Yes your highness…"

By dinner time, the whole kingdom of Hyrule knew about the country contesting in the Mystical Deku Nut Festival, the celebration that occurred once ever ten years and consisted of harsh competitions for the Deku Nut. The Deku Nut was said to hold the purest magic still available to the common man and capable of great things. The kingdoms competed in order to obtain the Deku Nut fairly, each sending a representative to the Forest Haven to compete. It had been twenty years since Hyrule entered the festivities, never before having need for the Great Deku Tree's magical nut… until now.

Even though the circumstances for entering the contest weren't very likable, Malon couldn't hide her excitement.

"Raven! Oh Raven I can't believe you're honestly going to be participating in the festival! It's so great! I've never traveled on the sea before… I can't wait to go to the Forest Haven either!" Raven stopped polishing his boots and looked at the girl.

"… Who said you were coming?" Malon stopped dancing around the room and looked at him sadly. The both of them had returned to the ranch after the news had been released, and feasted to celebrate Raven's nomination as the country's representative. It was a big deal. Now that they were full of food and the family had fallen asleep, Malon was helping Raven pack his belongings for a long trip. She was thinking about getting started on her own packing, but now it seemed she wouldn't have to be packing at all.

"But… you said you'd take me places… You promised!" Raven stared at her, flinching slightly from her accusing tone before he returned his attention to his boots.

"I know… and I will. But not this time," he said. Malon plopped down on his mattress, stricken pale with shock and disappointment.

"But… this is as good a time as any!" She cried.

"Stop being so dramatic! You really think you'd get to go after that little stunt you pulled earlier? Huh? I can't trust you Malon…"

"Yes you can! Zelda still got the kinstone piece and if it weren't for me you wouldn't even be in the contest! You owe me!" Raven threw his rag down and looked at her angrily.

"Do you think this is just about the fun and games Malon?? It's not! This is Hyrule's future we're dealing with; any wrong move could be the end for all of us… Hence the reason the task is mine and not yours!" Malon's bottom lip trembled slightly at his harsh tone and she broke eye contact. Raven noticed her change in attitude and sighed.

"I'm sorry Malon but… there will be other times for adventure… If you came now you'd be jeopardizing your life and I won't allow it." There was silence as Malon contemplated his important words.

"…Malon?"

"You're a liar Raven and I hate you!" She screamed before she ran out of his room in a blind rage. Raven watched after her and shook his head sadly.

A/N: Despite my lack of feedback, I will continue to produce more chapters for this story. I think it's honestly a piece of work writing a Malon/ Dark Link and Zelda fic because there aren't many out there. Besides, I'm having fun so I'll put the lack of feed back on the fact that I've updated this story at the most lousiest times of the day and it's gone off the first page before many ppl can get the chance to read it. Anyway, leave a word or two to let me know how it's coming along in your opinion.

Thanks to all you who did review though! I'm grateful!