A/N: Thanks to those few reviews that i got! Thanks especially to Paper Bear for the help! i really appreciate any reviews or comments no matter how small! Every bit helps! If you have any suggestions for the story, I'd be happy to hear them!

Disclaimer: I own no Zelda related characters, sadly.

Chapter 3: A Cold Empty Feeling

Darkness...overwhelming darkness. And pain...a lot of pain. Malon wandered through the seemingly endless darkness...looking. For what? She herself didn't know. Everything around her was dead, the plants, the animals, the many townspeople. All dead. The darkness stretched as far as she could see, covering and consuming everything in its path. In front of her lie Hyrule Field. The grass was dead and covered in blood. The only spot not covered by the darkness was a bright light shining brilliantly against the black background. Malon headed closer to the light.

As she approached ever so cautiously, the light grew into a figure...and the figure into a boy. A boy clothed in green. A fairy flew quietly above him. Malon's heart fluttered with relief. Link was safe. If only she could get to him. But every time she became closer, it would appear as if the figure was moving farther and farther away. Something wasn't right here.

"Fairy Boy?" She managed to say in a whisper.

The figure continued to move away from her. Retreating farther and farther back into the deafening darkness. Malon wasn't about to give up that easily. She began to walk faster, making careful note not to be left behind.

"Where are you going? Don't leave me!" Malon found herself running now as it was beginning to become harder and harder to see Link. " I'm afraid of the dark, Fairy Boy! Please, don't..."

He was gone; it was too late. Malon sunk to her knees and began to weep. That was when the darkness swallowed her and every piece of hope attached with her. She was alone...in the cold, unforgiving dark.

"Malon, darling? Wake up, sweetheart," Talon's gentle voice woke Malon out of her nightmare. "Are you alright?"

Malon sat upright in her bed, rubbing her eyes and yawning. " Why wouldn't I be?" Malon put on a fake smile.

"You had a bad dream, I reckon. You were screaming...and all I could make out was the name Link," Talon explained as he pulled his daughter close. Malon hadn't had a nightmare this bad since right before her mother had died.

"Oh..." That was all Malon could manage to say before adding." What time is it?"

"Almost noon. You slept in late." Malon tried to wiggle out of her father's arms but to no avail. "I think you should rest for the rest of the day." Malon was about to disagree when her father added, "You may play with Link, though. That is if he comes today."

"Of course he'll come, Daddy! He said he would yesterday...and he never lies," Malon stated confidently as she hurried to comb her long red hair.

"Ok, Malon. You gotta rest today so don't overdo it." Talon left to start helping Ingo with Malon's chores.

Malon could hear arguing and than grumbling. She hated to be a bother, but she could never win an arguement with her father. Ingo was most likely moping and grumbling about having to do her chores as well as his own. Malon decided against worrying about it, since Ingo was always grumbling about something. Deep down she knew he was a good person. Ever since her mother had died he has become more bitter and mean. Her mother could always bring the best out of people. Even a mean cranky person like Ingo.

Malon walked down the stairs, wondering when her friend would arrive. She was half way down the stairs when she got this cold empty feeling inside. Something was wrong. She walked outside and noticed both her father and Ingo were staring at the sky, which had now become pitch black. More angry clouds swarmed over the ranch and the rest of Hyrule field. Malon had a very bad feeling that Link was involved with this and she became consumed with fear that he wasn't going to come back, that he was injured...or worse.

Her father finally noticed her. "Malon get back into the house. Ingo, help me bring the horses and cuccos in. It looks like we might be up for quite a storm."

Ingo didn't argue or complain but merely hurried to get the animals inside and into safety. Then he called to Talon and they both hurried into the house. Malon couldn't help feeling guilty. After all, she was safe in her house...but Link was out there, all alone. Malon ran to her room and grabbed a blanket. Then she rushed past her father and Ingo and grabbed a couple of pieces of wood and ran outside before her father could catch her.

" Malon! Get back inside! What are you doing out there?" Seconds later, Talon had his answer. Malon had set the four poles into the soft dirt and put the blanket over it creating a small tent. Talon couldn't help smiling at his daughter's attempt.

"I have to wait for Link! He said he would come!" Malon said pathetically.

"Why don't you wait in the house?" Ingo cried out from behind her father.

"Because what if we don't hear him at the door? Or what if he's hurt? If we are all sleeping inside we won't hear him!" Malon said confidently.

Talon knew that there would be no changing his daughter's mind. And who was he to not let her stay outside to wait for her best friend, only friend, who had given Malon hope? Talon nodded. "Alright, Malon. But just tonight..."

Malon would have smiled if she hadn't been so worried about Link. Where are you? Please be okay...please be safe. Malon laid down on the grass and from out of nowhere Epona came and laid down beside her giving her more warmth. Epona nuzzled Malon gently as Malon reached up and stroked her neck.

"Good girl. I bet you are worried about him too, huh?" Epona neighed softly. "He'll be alright. He will... I just know it. He'll probably just come running in here tomorrow as usual saying that he got sidetracked or something like that, and everything will be okay."

It began to grow dark as Malon lay there beside her loyal horse, Epona. Her mind constantly worrying about Link. Soon after night fell, Malon fell fast asleep under the small shelter. Talon stared out the window out to the field. Malon was going to freeze out there. He would give her about ten more minutes to wait for her friend who obviously was not going to come. Talon pitied his strong-willed daughter. She was so determined and loyal. Her heart was going to shatter because of this boy.

" Malon, come here, darling. I'm going to take you inside now. It's getting real cold out here." Talon gently lifted Malon up into his arms. He motioned for Epona to go into the barn, which she did immediately.

"He...didn't...come." Talon could feel the warm tears soaking into his pajamas, as Malon wrapped her arms around his neck and cried.

"Ssshhh. I'm sure he had a good reason. It will be alright." Malon continued to cry softly.

" He...didn't...come, Daddy. He said...he would...he didn't...he lied...to me...he...was...my friend," Malon mumbled through her tears.

Talon tucked Malon into her bed. Her eyes were empty, full of sadness and pain. Something told him that Link wasn't coming back. Not for a long time...but he wouldn't say what he thought. It would break little Malon's heart.

"Night, Malon."

"Night," Malon said quietly, solemnly.

Weeks later, Talon would continually find his daughter sleeping outside by Epona. Every night, he would bring her inside and tuck her in...and every night he would find her back outside, waiting for Link. It broke his heart seeing his one and only child in so much pain, but there was nothing he could do. No potion, no matter how strong or potent, could heal...a broken heart.

A/N: Ok, I know...a bit depressing...but HEY! It had to be written! Almost to some good fluff parts so keep reading and reviewing. I will update as soon as possible...it's summer so I really have nothing else to do.