Link wakes up to the sun in his eyes. He sits up. Finding that his feet and arms are not hanging off the bed he is surprised.
"You'd make a terrible farm hand." Comes from the doorway. Malon walks in. "Cause you'd be late every day."
"How did I get here?" Link asks looking around. "Last I remember I was at the lake playing my ocarina…"
"I'll bet!" Malon smiles. "You dozed off with it in your mouth! Wasn't nothing I could do to wake you either. Eyes didn't open a bit when I carried you in here."
"Carried?" Link blushes a bit.
"Yep. You don't weigh much. Dropped you in bed an tucked you right in."
"Tucked me in?" Link asks nervously reddening some more.
"Mm hm. An you slept like a baby." Malon giggles. "Do all you elves sleep late?"
"Of course!" Link replies, hopping out of bed. "We sleep late and play all day. That's all we ever- Saria!" He says remembering his promise. "I have to go." He grabs his ocarina from the nightstand and begins to play the Minuet of the Forest.
"Well, you come back soon, okay?" Malon steps aside. Link nods and disappears in a green flash. "Why does he need a horse if he can do that?" She wonders in the wake of his sudden exit.
X
In the Sacred Forest Meadow all the Kokiri are gathered. It's a major event today and as always there is a big turnout for the slingshot competition.
"All right is everybody here?" Saria asks.
"All accounted for." Mido replies doing a head count. "Except-"
"Deku babas taken care of? Teams formed?"
"Done and done."
"All that's left is Link, where is he?" Saria wonders. "He wasn't at home. But he promised…"
"Going to start without me?" Link asks from the exit of the maze.
"Link!" Saria says happily. "You came!"
"Is that really such a surprise?" Link draws his slingshot. "What are the rules?"
"You and Saria are the best shots around so we get handicaps because you're on the same team." Mido says sulking. "We get to use Deku Nuts and shields too."
"Don't we get a handicap?" Link asks putting his shield away. "I've played this game before, flashbombs and shields aren't fair."
"Your team each member gets five hits out. We get only three. No doubles anybody."
"Our team is all girls." Saria says. "Mido's is boys." Link nods. "Are we ready? Scatter!" Everyone dives into the bushes and leaps away leaving Link standing alone.
"Five on five and I can't fit in all these tight spaces. No shield and flashbombs bad combination." Link thinks stalking stealthily. "Five hits out, like that evens things up. He hears movement in the bushes; he crouches down sling at the ready. Then he hears a girl scream from behind him. "That's one." He thinks glancing back.
That cost him as the deku boy in the bushes popped out and fired on him. Link counters quickly firing twice. First he hits a Deku Shield then he scores. His target flees back into the bushes, stung by a Deku Seed.
"Doubles!" Calls the boy diving back into cover.
"It isn't doubles unless the first shot hit!" Link yells.
"Link's right!" Affirms a deku girl. "Ow!"
Link slinks further. He reaches a clearing. Suddenly he's surrounded. He fast draws and fires on the first person he sees. He narrowly misses. The other two targets fire on him and vanish.
"Hey, friendly!" The girl admonishes hitting an escaping boy. "You nearly hit me!"
"Sorry." Link says to the girl. "Doubles!" He yells out to whoever is moderating the combat.
"It isn't doubles unless it's the same person!" Mido protests.
"Mido is right." Saria agrees grudgingly.
Down a narrow corridor a deku boy confronts Link. He doesn't see a sling but a deku nut. Sure enough movement behind him and he is cornered. Instead of drawing he hits dirt eyes shut. The flash goes off and he hears ow from in front of him.
"Sorry! I was aiming for Link!" He fires on Link and would've escaped but Saria blocks his path and shoots. They hit each other. "I'm out!" He says.
Not to be stopped the Forest Sage fires on the flashbomber as well. "I'm out too!"
"Link are you okay?" Saria asks helping him up. "How many points?"
"Four." Link whispers. "You?"
"Two."
"Let's stick together." They creep off as a pair intending to cover one another.
They come to the entrance. It's eerie, looking around they can't see anyone. It's strange because the maze should be alive with movements of young children. It is very suspicious. Upon closer inspection the only scenery is bushes, leaves and one kokiri hat.
"Ambush!" Link yells. "Cover your eyes!"
The remaining deku boys emerge flinging Deku Nuts. The surroundings disappear in a flash of white light. "Now!" Mido commands. "While they can't see!"
Link opens his eyes to two boy perched on a wall slings cocked at him. He fires but wood stops him. They counter and the Hero of Time would've been taken out of the game but Saria jumps in and takes the hits for him. Then they fire in conjunction this time hitting both with Deku Seeds.
"Darn!" Squeals one.
"Crud!" Yelps the other.
"Thanks." Link says to Saria.
"Look out!" Saria screams looking past him.
Link turns around and Mido fires. He catches a Deku Nut between the eyes and his head snaps back with the impact of the projectile. It bursts on contact and the accompanying point blank flash coupled with the head trauma persuades him to fall unconscious.
X
When he wakes up he can hear Saria and Mido arguing. It's a heated conflict and it sounds like the boss of the Kokiri is taking it from the sage of the forest.
"It was a mistake!" Mido yells. "You've got to understand!"
"That was low, Mido. I didn't think you would do that." Saria sounds disappointed.
"I grabbed a Deku Nut by mistake! I meant to hit him with a Deku Seed!"
"All the advantages you had and you still cheated." The sage closes her eyes and shakes her head "The boys are good shots and fast. You had both shields and flashbombs. Not to mention Link can barely use a sling anymore no matter how good a shot he is and is easy to hit on top of that."
"Saria, did we win?" Link asks.
"No. Mido ambushed our backup before we got there." Saria says. "When you took the Deku Nut in the head I couldn't see so I got hit right after you."
"I can't see could you help me up?"
"Now Link is blind, are you happy?" Saria snaps at the boss of the Kokiri.
"I'll be fine. Just help me up."
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" The Kokiri girl asks worriedly. "Your eyes are wide open."
"Yeah, just take me to Goron City through the Lost Woods. I got to get out of the sun."
"Okay." Saria leads him to the stone doorway. "Straight ahead. Sorry."
"It's nothing. See you later, I hope." Link hobbles off.
X
After staggering around a few minutes in Goron City a helpful resident takes him to Darunia.
"Well if it isn't my sworn brother!" Darunia says loudly. "How are you?"
"Blind for right now." Link replies. "Had to get out of the sun."
"How did that happen?"
"Took a Deku Nut between the eyes from a sling."
"I see the mark." The Goron leader grimaces. "Why did that happen?"
"I was playing a game with the Kokiri."
"Aren't you too big for that, brother?"
"Yeah, hey can we sit down? Do you have any time to spare?"
"Sure." Darunia leads Link to his chamber.
Upon arrival in the chamber of the Fire Sage he is shown a chair and takes a seat, plopping down on the cushion wearily. Link launches right into the events of yesterday and today. Darunia listens nodding. After a time he stops.
"Nobody wants to listen. I only want to talk. What should I do?" Link asks the mountain resident. "If I don't come by and visit they'll think I'm stuck up and don't like them but if I do I could end up with a monument, a bride, and a funeral!"
"Tough choice. What's wrong with that last girl you mentioned, the redhead? You didn't say."
"I didn't? That's because there isn't anything!" Link exclaims. "That's the problem! If I hang out with her the others will think I'm avoiding them."
"They say 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.' You may want to take care."
"That's the kicker! What do I do?"
Darunia thinks a minute. He isn't certain what to say. The sages are his friends but Link is his brother so he is in a dilemma. "Give them another chance." He says at length. "I don't know what else to say. It'll put off making the decision a bit longer."
"But I can't take much more!" Link cries. "I can't be a playmate/hero/legendary bandit/fiancé much longer. Something's going to give and I'm afraid it's going to be me! Then I'll be down in Kakariko with Dampe the gravekeeper watching over me. That would be even worse. Slightly but worse."
Darunia chuckles. "You'll pull through. You'll figure something out. After all you aren't the Hero of Time just because of your fighting skills. There was more to it than monsters to defeat. There were puzzles and this one is a mind boggler."
"You don't realize what I'm going through." Link says rubbing his eyes. He starts blinking. Fuzzy mist starts to clear.
"You're right. Wouldn't trade places with you for all the rocks in the world right now. I really don't need that good a grasp on it anyway. I know you will think of something."
Link stands. "Thanks, I guess." He rubs his eyes again. A semblance of vision has returned. "I'll see you later." He turns to leave.
"Come back and tell me how it goes!" Darunia says laughing heartily.
X
In the Temple of Time Link suddenly appears in a yellow crackle of energy. He's on a mission and nothing is going to stand in his way. Except maybe common sense.
"Give them another chance, what is he crazy?" Link wonders walking out. "That has to be the stupidest idea I've ever heard! Which explains why I'm doing it."
Link walks into the market place. All the usual hustle and bustle and customary shoving but no festivities. "At least there is no parade…" He walks up to the castle.
"Good afternoon." The doorman greets Link. "The princess has been expecting you."
"Has she now?" Link says absently.
"May I?" The doorman reaches for the champion's equipment.
"No." Link walks into the great room. "No parade, trumpets, banquet…what is she up to?"
"Link! What a wonderful surprise!" Princess Zelda rises to greet him. "Meet Calle." She gestures behind her. A young Gerudo lady waves at him.
"Hello…" Link says uncertainly looking at Zelda for an explanation.
"She's a biographer. She would like to immortalize your story in a book."
"What?"
"She wants to tell your story for ages to come. Could you start from the beginning?" Everyone looks at him expectantly.
"Why don't you tell her?" Link thinks annoyed. "I've told you enough times."
"I'm ready anytime, sir." Calle says pen at the ready.
"Okay…" Link clears his throat. "It all began…" Then he tells the story of how he saved the kingdom. It is a long tale and to add insult to injury he has to repeat some parts to clarify things and some of the journey that he would rather not remember.
"…And that's how it happened." Link concludes three and a half hours later.
"Thank you very much Link sir!" Calle gushes. "It was an honor to interview the male bandit!"
"That was interesting." Zelda says.
"Wasn't it?" Link replies. "Think I fell asleep a few times." He remarks to himself. "May I be excused?"
"Most certainly. Thank you again."
X
Sliding through Hyrule Field on Hover Boots Link walks toward Gerudo Valley. The sun is almost down. Though it signifies that the day is ending the Hylian doesn't feel like things are getting any better. He's got a terrible feeling of trepidation and it's almost killing him.
"Still don't get why I'm doing this." Link says to nobody. "I've got to be an idiot. She's probably going to put me in the Sprit Temple where I'll be certain to get companions to today's concussion from pots and floor tiles heading my way. Eerie place the Spirit Temple." Link arrives at the bridge to Gerudo Valley. "I know I've got something better to do…"
The guard isn't there. Link can't see anyone. "Not a good sign, I should go home but…" He draws his sword and moves in warily. He sneaks in silently as the boots don't touch ground and notes a crowd. Suddenly they all turn and look his way. He puts up his shield ready for anything.
"There he is! The male bandit, the best swordsman of all Gerudo!" Nabooru yells. "Even now he's ready for battle!" The Gerudo cheer. "Do you think he's ready for me?"
"Nabooru, what's the big idea?" Link asks sheathing his sword, Biggoron's Nail (Master Sword for all intents and purposes)
"Just in time Link! Our tournament is about to start!" Nabooru replies. "It would be perfect if we could kick it off with an exhibition match between us. What do you say?"
"Not really. Can't do much fighting against someone like you in these boots." Link replies easily. "No traction."
"I took care of that. Got your old ones fixed. You left them yesterday." Link's Kokiri boots, freshly patched with Gerudo leather, are presented to him. "Shall we go?"
"What else can I say?" Link wonders, slipping on his old footwear. "Excuse is no good." He draws Biggoron's Nail.
"I've been looking forward to this." Nabooru draws her twin scimitars. "We haven't crossed swords before."
"In the Spirit Temple we did." The hero of Time reminds her. "You may have been preoccupied with something else at the time, being an Iron Knuckle and all…"
"That doesn't count. Make this good." Nabooru advances. Everyone else fans out, making a ring.
"Rules?" Link asks not taking his eyes of the leader of the Gerudo.
"First to three points wins." Nabooru replies. "Or first to fall." She slashes forward. "Don't be shy."
"I won't." Link says deflecting then thrusting. He grazes his opponent.
"One point, Link!" The judge says. The crowd watches silent.
"You're good." Nabooru slashes quickly in succession. All blocked by the Mirror shield. "But I'm better." She goes for a leg sweep. Link jumps aside but a follow up slash catches him in the arm. An odd shade of purple forms on his Zora tunic.
"One point Nabooru!" The crowd cheers.
"Messy technique." Nabooru says. "You can do better." She dances forward spinning gracefully.
"You should talk." Link says thrusting forward again.
"Not quite." He narrowly misses her back.
"Really?" Link finishes by bringing the sword up and catching a shoulder with the tip of the blade. She counters with a backspin that leaves a mark in the studded red gauntlets of her opponent.
"Armor everywhere, lucky bastard." She scoffs enviously.
Link shrugs and walks forward shield directly in front. "If I can just make her fall…" Nabooru slashes madly giving ground against the shiny arm mounted wall. "She won't get hurt." Link makes his move. He leaps at the retreating Gerudo with his trademark two handed slash. "Stumble…" He commands silently.
His prayer goes unanswered. Instead of retreating further and slipping on the sand Nabooru has decided to meet Link halfway. She joins him in the air and showcases the Gerudo signature slash. She spins, knocking Link's sword out of the way and lands a strike. Continuing the attack she scores another hit with her other blade that brings him down to the ground on his back hard. She lands with one foot on top of him with one sword at his face.
"Nabooru is the winner!"
"You win." Link says from beneath Nabooru's foot. "Let me up."
"Good fight. I thought you were better though." She helps him up. "Get this man some medicine!" Medicine is procured and Link feels a bit better.
"That was fun…" Link thinks sarcastically as the sting of the antiseptic sets in. "I almost don't completely regret that…not!" He turns to address his hostess. "I guess I'll be going." He says limping off.
"You should stay and watch. I fight the winner of the-" But Link has already left.
X
On Hyrule Field Link is calling Epona. Walking actually was a big mistake and he's paying the price by falling to his knees nearly passing out. As the mount makes her normal, prompt arrival he staggers to his feet one more time.
"This is worse than yesterday." Link thinks darkly. "At this rate visiting Ruto will make me a Zora prince. I'm skipping that no matter what Darunia said." He mounts Epona with a good deal of difficulty. "Give them a second chance. Yeah that worked. Now I'm battered and lacerated." Epona begins to walk. "Wait'll Malon hears this."
X
At Lon Lon Ranch Malon is in the yard singing in the moonlight. A favorite pastime of hers it is just past seven thirty and the moon has just risen.
"Wonder where Fairy Boy is with my horse?" The redhead wonders. "He'd better not-what in tarnation?"
Epona clops in with someone hanging off her. The rider looks to be in pretty bad shape. Malon runs over to investigate and finds just whom she was speaking of.
"Speak of the devil- what done got hol' of you?" She asks, noting the bruises from the Deku Seeds and his blood-soaked clothing. "You still with me?"
"Yeah…" Link replies, sliding the rest of the way out of the stirrups. "…Just tired." His knees buckle and he collapses onto the ground.
X
When Link wakes up he's in the same bed he was in that morning. This is still a cause of mystery for him as this is the second time he's been brought here and doesn't remember.
"Huh?" Link looks around. "How?" He notices he's wearing his Kokiri tunic.
"Epona brought you in." Malon says entering the room. "You were all cut up an bruised. You passed out. I carried you in here an changed that suit you had on. That one was the only one you had half decent. The other was burnt up, had to throw them both out. Had to stitch you up 'cause you was still leakin'. You been sleep a while." She sits down next to him on the bed. "Now tell me what happened."
Link tells her what happened from beginning to end. Her reactions range from surprise to anger at what just happened. She does not understand it all that well because it doesn't actually make any sense.
"You been takin' a pretty bad run of things lately." Malon says when he finishes. "But bad advice don't help much."
"But you don't-" Link begins.
"Understand? Understand what? You looked like you lost a fight with a tornado the last two times I done seen you! You had better leave them people alone. Don't look like they know how to treat nobody."
"But!"
"Come on out here, stretch your legs." Malon walks out. Link follows her. She takes her place in the center of the yard in the moonlight. "Now what were you sayin'?"
"But I can't just not visit them!"
"I don' see why not."
"They'll think I don't like them!"
"I don' see why you do." Malon says simply. "I'm still tryin to figure that one out."
Link is speechless. Mouth agape no sound coming out. He wants to defend his choice but cannot think of a thing to say. Considering the events of the day he has to admit it does sound pretty darn dumb.
"My mother said that people should be nice and treat each other with respect." Malon continues. "She used to stand here and sing too. She said horses were nicer than people. Now I think she's right."
"You don't know them! They're nice once you get to know them!"
"You ain't said a single nice thing about one of em that I done heard."
"But-"
"Just settle down. Sit down and take it easy. You took some pretty bad scrapes."
Link is quiet and he stops straining his mind trying to continue the argument. It isn't even that important to him right now. Thinking about it why even bother with it? He looks up at the full moon and breathes easy. "You know what?" He says at length.
"What?"
"Moonlight makes those magic beans grow."
Malon giggles. "Be serious."
"I am. They really do grow into flying lily pads. It takes about seven years but still I'd be careful if I were you."
"What do you mean?"
"I wouldn't be standing in the moonlight if I were you."
"Like this?" Malon says opening her mouth wide staring at the moon. "Ahh…"
"Nope, wouldn't advise it." Link says studying the satellite some more.
"I see why." Malon says calmly.
"Because it's silly?"
"Because I just shouldn't."
"Hmm?" Link looks back at Malon. Or up as it would so have happened. Malon is twenty-five feet tall. "Can this day get any worse?" He wonders backing away eyes wide. "I'm beginning to have my doubts."
"Don' be afraid." Booms from above him. The horses are alarmed now.
"She can't be serious! The horses have the right idea!" Link begins stepping backwards quickly.
"I won' hurt you." The earth quakes as she takes a step in his direction.
Link's eyes bug out even more as Malon in motion is taken in through them. He is stunned and very nearly terrified. He turns to bolt.
"Just wait." Malon says plaintively. "Please."
Link stops. "She's scared too." He realizes. He turns to look at her. "I can't leave her like this." He waits at the gate.
"Thank you." Malon whispers. She walks towards him.
It takes all of Link's willpower to stand his ground as her ponderous form moves towards him. All the other horses run away and sit at the extreme other end of the enclosure; some jumping the fence but Link holds his position. He double takes a bit as she tries to sit next to him, eyes glued to her at the critical moment she hovers above him. He knows true terror then but it passes in an eye blink as she situates herself next to him easily.
"You know, I think you were right." Malon says trying to make light of the situation. "Moonlight just might've made those beans grow."
"I-is that so?" Link asks trying to calm his nerves.
"Yep. Sure is somethin' isn't it?"
"Y-yeah. Suppose Talon heard?"
"Nope. He can sleep through you beatin' him with a stick."
There is silence for a while. Malon is sitting there looking around thinking. Link is staring at her.
"What the heck just happened?" Link wonders. "I must have missed something. This can't be right. Stuff like this doesn't just happen!" He continues to stare at Malon. "I'm looking but I can't believe my eyes…I must be losing it."
"Well if this ain't a big surprise?" Malon thinks to herself. "Can't say I was lookin' forward to this happenin'. Sure can't fit in the farmhouse now." Malon glances at Link. "Fairy boy's fixin' to burn holes in me the way he's eyeballin' me. He might be a tad more surprised than me though and I guess I understand that. Still feel like I'm on the spot." She smiles a bit. "I better get used to that."
"Are you all right?" Link asks at length.
"No, not really." Malon admits. "I'm scared of what's gonna happen next. I'm sad the horses are afraid of me. I even feel a little lonely cause you're afraid of me too, standing way over there."
"It'll be all right." Link says unsteadily.
"You don' have to be afraid of lil' ole me. I'm just a big softie."
Link walks over to Malon and leans against her. She places a hand over him. He flinches a bit then relaxes. "She's only Malon." He realizes. "Nothing scary there." This insight brings him tranquility and he unwinds somewhat.
"See, I don' bite." Malon reassures him.
Link nods. "It'll be alright." He agrees.
"Nice of you to say that, Fairy boy. It's somethin' I really need to hear. Fairy boy?" Malon looks down at Link. The weathered hero is fast asleep leaning on her. She smiles. "Thanks anyways."