A/N: Sorry for the wait guys, haven't… had the drive to write. Anyways, enjoy.
Redemption
Vincent walked through the marketplace alone, something he never thought he'd do in his time in Hyrule. He let out a held in breath, the cold air making it look like smoke from inside himself. He'd never thought that he would be so dependent on someone else to feel alive and joyful. But he did, he needed her. All the months he had spent with her, working beside her, having fun with her, all that led up to a point where he couldn't see himself without her. But then that time came when they needed to be separated. And that meant that he had to make sure that had to be fixed. He couldn't spend another minute away from her, away from the woman that he loved. When he fell, he fell hard. But he wouldn't have it any other way.
He walked, the heels from his boots making the soft clicking noise on the stone walkways of the marketplace. He had his hands in his pockets and looked down to the floor. It was early in the morning. Of course it was, he didn't wake up any later then when the cucco crows. The morning still had that chill that later times lacked, made all the worse by the winter weather. He did feel tired, though it was more from exhaustion in the first place. Waking up from sleeping on the floor wasn't the best way to get a good night's rest. But that didn't matter, what mattered was settling the situation he was in. Though, he was going to settle it quite early in the morning. There wasn't another soul in the market at that time, only him and the two swords he brought with him. He was felt like he was going to need them. He didn't know why but he knew simple request to be a knight wouldn't be all that it would take for him to become one. If anything, he wouldn't want that anyways.
The young Aegis passed the marketplace, something that never took too long anyways, and was on his way up the incline that would take him to the castle. He knew he wouldn't need to sneak passed any of the guards. All thanks to his blue blooded heritage. He could've done without his father always talking down to him but he admitted there were always perks to being insanely rich. Making Malon happy by getting her a necklace was one of them. As he was nearing the first post, the gates automatically opened as he neared. He raised an eyebrow to see an older guard on duty that morning. He stopped before the gate and turned to look at the experienced soldier. But all he did was smile at Vincent and waved for him to keep moving. Vincent shrugged it off but he couldn't help but wonder what that was about. If anything, Vincent knew that some of the older guards have had to be around when he and his father had paid the royal family a visit so many years ago. Vincent chuckled at his memory. He remembered that his father said that they were granted permission to come and go, the result of a truce his father and the king had set up. It was just a step in the right direction for expansion of the family business, nothing more.
But there was more back then. He remembered his father getting angry with him and making him walk the rest of the way to the castle. It was there he found a brooch. And then the owner of that brooch. It had been so long since that happened that Vincent had more or less forgotten about it. She was a cute girl. He wasn't sure how old she was, but he wasn't that much older anyways. He would've have had to been about eight years old. No older but maybe a little younger. That didn't matter. What mattered was that he found a little brooch when he was walking up the very same path he was walking then. But that was all that he remembered until he reached the second gate that sat right outside of the castle. With the drawbridge down and all, it came to him like a shock. That little girl, the little girl that he had given the brooch to had the same red hair that Malon had. He looked up at the castle and thought about that day. He had promised to marry her. He promised her that he would as a token of their budding relationship. He was young, she was young, but that didn't make it any less special. And the part that made it fit was that he was in love with that little girl who had grown up into the woman that had taken his heart.
Vincent looked back down and started walking. He, more than ever, had to accomplish his goal and become a knight. He would be able to prove his good name with it and be the man of Malon's dreams. That's all that mattered to him right then. And with more conviction and zeal than he had before, he was going to keep his promise to her. He was going to marry her and treat her like the woman she is. There would be no ifs, ands, or buts in Vincent's mind. He had his eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel. Once he proved himself then everything would be right back to what they were. If not better…
He walked through the grand foyer, crossing the suits of armors, the elegant drapes and tapestries, past all the decoration of Hyrule castle. If Vincent had time he would have stopped and admired the great décor of the castle but he was a man on a mission. And with the click of heels and the thud of his swords against each other and on his thigh, he walked without so much as a word or other noise. He stepped through an archway and came into the throne room. It was a long room with a velvet red carpet leading all the way up to the thrones. Light spewed from the windows from the eastern side that lit the way to it. Cracking his neck, he started walking the red carpet to the lone figure that sat on the throne.
It didn't come to a surprise to Vincent that Zelda was awake so early in the morning. It was her duty now that the crown was soon going to be passed down to her. She would be reigning queen of Hyrule, and the people were sure that they couldn't ask for a better person to step up to the throne after King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule. Zelda's father was quite the ruler. Benevolent and what not, he was considered one of Hyrule's best kings. Vincent didn't exactly have an opinion on him, but he'd have to be a man of great gentile to have everyone to love him like they did. But it wasn't him on the throne that early morning. It was the young princess Zelda. Zelda, who probably had more in common with Vincent than anyone else due to their upbringings, sat there waiting. For who? No one can be sure but that was all she was doing there.
"Vincent?" she asked as he walked up to her. He got down on one knee to pay his respect. "Vincent, you know you never have to do that."
"Milady Zelda," he said softly. He was doing all he could to keep the mask of calm on him. He could've broken down at any time right then, being so close to what he was hoping to accomplish and all because he was sure he wasn't allowed Malon anymore. "I have a request to ask of you."
"What is it?" Zelda asked as she got up from her throne. She could tell something was wrong. She wasn't sure what but she knew something was wrong. Vincent was never that formal in his life. "What do you need?"
"Princess Zelda," Vincent said. He looked up to her, "I have to prove myself to someone and make something come true. Something I promised. I know this is a difficult thing to handle for you but I want to be able to be admitted into the Hylian Knight ranks. I need to become a Knight."
Zelda stood there a little stunned. She raised an eyebrow and kneeled down so she could be at his eye level. She made him look at her by moving his chin up with her right hand. She looked down on Vincent, "Why would you ask that Vincent? Why do you feel like you have to be a knight? I don't get it."
"Princess…" Vincent started.
Zelda put a finger to shush him. "Now, Vincent, you have rarely ever called me Princess Zelda. If anything you called me Zelda or Zellie. All fine by me but I feel so much more comfortable if you referred me the same way you always have. It makes me feel like something is really wrong."
"Zelda," Vincent said softly. "I need to become a knight… for Malon."
Zelda looked at him curiously, "Vincent, it doesn't have to be literal. You love her and that's all the matters to her. You don't have to be a knight to-"
"Zelda!" Vincent interrupted. "It's not that easy anymore, nowhere near easy. I have to do this because it is the only way that I can be with her. So please," his voice started to crack. "There has to be some way to bestow me that honor."
Zelda sighed and combed back some of his red hair. She put her forehead with his, "Vincent, I can help you. Just give me your sword right now and I'll just –"
"No, Zelda, I don't want that," Vincent said as he looked up to Zelda. "I need to prove it. That'd be a disgrace to the knight's honor and I couldn't take just becoming a knight with no trouble. You need to test me somehow, someway so that I actually can prove that I'm a noble knight to anyone. I don't need the title, I need the honor."
Zelda hugged Vincent tightly. "If that's what you want, I can make it happen." She let him go and stood up with him. She brushed off his white jacket, "How about a spar? You fight with someone and if you beat them in an equal match, you can be a knight. But now we need to find someone you can fight with. Someone who represents everything you want to stand for. How about Link? He's quite the swordsman you know. We can wait till he wakes up and I'm sure he'll agree to a friendly match for your knighthood. And he won't go easy on you. He has too much respect for people, especially you Vincent. You came along right when Malon needed someone most."
"Why disturb Sir Link with such a trivial matter?" Maxi's voice said from behind Vincent. The metallic clang of his armor reached Vincent's ears and he turned around to see the cocky Maxi walking up to him, a devilish smirk on his face. "I can easily be a match for this ruffian."
"Now Maxi," Zelda said. She turned back to Vincent, "Now, Vincent, we can settle this right now. Maxi is the best of the best of the Hylian Knights. He's in line to get inducted the Seraphim Ten. I don't know if you know what that means but the Seraphim Ten are the ten knights that are what they are, the best knights. If you want to wait for Link, than that's fine too."
"No," Vincent said as he turned around to face Maxi properly. He stepped away from Zelda and walked over to Maxi, his red eyes on Maxi's. "I think I want to go up against him than Link anyways. We sort of have something to finish."
"Something to finish?" Maxi asked. "Please, I had that little poppet in my hands most of the time. Oh, how were her legs made out of jello each time I was around. And I'm the knight in," he hit his armor. "Oh, what do we have here? Shining armor."
Vincent narrowed his eyes, "You can stand there and be the load of man you claim to be or you can pick up your sword and let's get to this."
Maxi scoffed a bit and grabbed the long sword that hung from his waist. He unsheathed the extravagant sword and pointed it dead to Vincent. "Well, if you want me, come get me."
Vincent unsheathed one sword from his waist and held it in his right hand. He combed back the hair that fell into his eyes with his free hand and looked at Maxi. For the first time in his life, he was nervous beyond any explanation. He may not have liked Maxi but he knew that the Knight of Jackass was no pushover. He was the best knight for some reason and that was his swordplay. Vincent got a glimpse at how Maxi operated at the games so long ago. He used intimidation tactics. And they would work because of the person he was. But Vincent wasn't about to let himself fall for them, he had too many things at stake for him to lose. If he were to lose than Malon wouldn't be in the picture any longer. And he was head over heels for her, and he only wished that things didn't fall apart like they had. But he would fight, he would fight to be with Malon.
Vincent took a deep breath and then sprung into action, clashing his swords with Maxi. Through the sparks and steel they glared at each other. Vincent and Maxi were arrogant beings. The difference between them is that Vincent had someone to cherish, and that made his pride all the more different.
"I'm not going down anytime soon, kid," Maxi said.
"If you did, that'd take some of the fun away," Vincent added with a smirk.
Malon sighed as she fed the cucco. Vincent was gone. And that was the end of her happily ever after. Her father had chased off the man of her dreams faster than he could go to sleep. But she wasn't mad at him, she couldn't have been. He was her father, and he would always just try to look out after her. Nothing more. But she has wished that he had just heard her out and explain what had really happened. She would never lie and he would've known that. And if anything, the love she expressed towards Vincent wasn't anything to ignore. It was there, obvious as can be.
"Malon!" he called out.
She looked up from the cuccos and turned her head in the direction her name had come from. She took a deep breath and put down the feed off somewhere and walked around the house. She thought back to her first day with Vincent. He and the fowl simply didn't get along. And they laughed about it later that day. And that was so wonderful. He was there, flirting with her, laughing about the day. What more could she have asked for? Vincent was perfect from out the gate. And it didn't take her to reminisce to know that she was in love with him when he walked into the ranch. She didn't think about it when he had shown up but she remembered she didn't have to be anything else except herself around him.
Malon looked up to notice that the cart was loaded up. It was that day again for the ranch to sell their milk to the common folk. Talon stood there, smiling a bit with his best friend Ingo. Oh and how Malon really did not like Ingo right then. He was never on the top of her list of anything except slime balls but as of late, he had become the standard.
"Yes daddy?" she asked, her voice without much care in it. Not as exuberant as it used to be.
"Come on and get in the cart so we can go to the market and sell," he ordered, sitting on the cart ready to make the horse start walking.
Malon sighed and got on the cart. Her father started moving the cart so the ranch house began to move away. Malon looked out into the field once they were out there and wondered where and what was Vincent up to. She wished he could be there with him. Just to hear him once again. But she felt she was being foolish. So he had professes his love and she did as well, she was late on doing that. There was little chance he would be comfortable around her anymore. He would probably love being by himself. No longer tied to her, no longer wanting to love her. But she would do anything to be in his arms again, to be so close to him. But she couldn't have that anymore. That chance was ruined when he was chased out of the ranch. And as she thought that, a single tear fell from her eye.
The cart stopped in the usual spot that it stops at the market. It was just a td early in the morning, but it was late enough for people to start opening shops. And there were already people up and at them, ready to spend their rupees on different things. It wasn't long before the market became busy though but all that was just a thought in Malon's head. None of that mattered. All she kept thinking about was the time she and Vincent had gone to the market. All the times that they had gone, whether to sell milk or for some other reason. And each time she was happy, they always had a great time. But as she kept thinking about those times, she didn't feel the hand on her shoulder that shook her. That snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked up to see Link smiling down at her.
"Link!" she said happily. She wrapped her arms around Link and gave him a friendly hug. She stepped back, "What are you doing up so early? And at the market no less."
He lifted a finger up to his lips. He bid for her to come.
Malon wasn't sure what did he want but she decided to follow him. He had never led her wrong before. Link was always a great friend and he always looked out for her. So she had no worries as she walked with him to what she knew was the path to the castle. She wasn't sure why he was taking her there but he was. And he wasn't explaining or saying anything, he stayed silent the rest of the way there. Sometimes that got on Malon's nerves. She had no idea how Zelda took Link's silence most of the time. Sure most women want a man that can listen but Link was just overdoing it. And it still made little sense when he led her into the castle. But as they walked the halls, she heard the noises of metal against metal.
Without Link, she ran passed him and into the throne room, which for some reason was the arena for the two to fight in. Link knew that Zelda wasn't going to be happy with that later on. Malon watched as Vincent was rammed into the farthest wall, struggling against the strength of Maxi, his sword against Vincent's. Malon turned her head and Zelda had walked over to her. Malon looked back at the fight, watching as Vincent pushed off Maxi with his boot and retaliated with his own attack.
"Zelda, what's going on?" Malon asked, as she turned half her attention back to Zelda.
"Link, didn't you explain it to her?" Zelda asked, turning to Link.
He shrugged apologetically.
"Ugh, Link," Zelda said. She turned back to Malon. "Vincent came to me this morning. It must've been hard for him but he came in and asked me to become a knight. He wouldn't take a simple knighting, he say he needed to earn the title instead of just getting in. He didn't tell me everything but he had this look of determination in his eyes and I couldn't deny him. So, right now he's fighting against Maxi to prove himself."
"No," Malon said. She looked back to Vincent. "He wouldn't, there's no reason. Why is he doing this?"
"Is there something both of you aren't telling me?" Zelda asked. She grabbed her best friend by the shoulders and made her stare her in the eyes. "Malon tell me."
She started to tear up but she kept herself under control. "Vincent… said he loved me."
Zelda smiled, "That's wonderful Malon! But I'm not sure if that explains anything."
Malon shook her head. She looked back up to Zelda and took a deep breath, "But I hurt him right when he said. But we managed to work that out. I love him Zelda. There's no doubt about it. But – but – but my dad, he must've thought something. Ingo was acting real smug when it all happened. But my dad kicked him out of the ranch, all too make sure that he won't see me or hurt me again. But…" Malon's hand drifted upwards and touched the necklace. "He wouldn't hurt me. He's trying to make himself look better in my father's eyes so he can be with me."
Vincent blocked a sword attack with his, his right arm trembling with all his strength to keep Maxi from getting closer. Vincent didn't have any protection for the fight while Maxi was in full body armor. He couldn't afford to get cut up, it would hurt after all. But he had to keep himself in prime condition so that he can see Malon right afterwards. That was all that mattered. That was what kept him going during the fight. That was what gave his right arm the strength to fend off Maxi's incredibly powerful attacks, that was what fueled the fires in him to bring Maxi down, that was what kept him fighting. There wasn't a thought in his head about losing. He was going to win and he was going to be with Malon. But as he was fighting, he felt himself grow weary. Maxi was an opponent he hadn't fought before. Vincent was able to take down more others easier and faster but Maxi did go down. Maybe the years that Maxi wore the armor gave him a boost to his endurance and stamina. All Vincent knew that he would have to end it quick.
But as Vincent was defending himself, he didn't see that Maxi raised his knee and brought it to a intimate touch with Vincent's stomach. Pain shot through like hot fire and Vincent dropped his sword. He gasped and collapsed on the floor on all fours. The pain was deafening, leaving Vincent completely open.
Maxi smirked and walked around Vincent. "Oh what's the matter? Can't get up? Are you hurting yet?" And without a second though, Maxi delivered and armored booted kick to Vincent's ribs, flipping him over so that Vincent faced upwards.
"Maxi!" Zelda yelled out. "That was a cheap shot."
"Vinnie!" Malon said right afterwards. She was worried about him, no doubt about it. But she didn't stand idly by. She ran forward and kneeled down next to the sprawled Vincent. He had his eyes closed for the moment, seemingly trying to get through the pain. But Malon knew better. She looked down to him but she wasn't sure what to do next. "Vinnie," she said softly, placing a hand on his face."Vinnie, you don't have to do this. Please just stop."
"Malon?" Vincent asked. He turned his head, "You are here? Why are you here?" His voice was weak, very weak. Sounded like he was having a hard time trying to keep conscious but he didn't want to give up.
"I should ask you that, you idiot," Malon said, a few stray tears fell. "You don't have to do this Vincent. We can just go up to my father together and we can explain the whole thing. You don't need to beat yourself up, or let someone beat yourself up so we can be together."
"No, Malon," Vincent said. He began to sit up. With great pain and struggle he got up onto his knees. He looked over to Malon, "I love you more than anyone else in this world. We can do that but then I still won't be able to make your dream come true. I want to be with you, I promised you so long ago that I will be the knight that you would want to marry. I want to make that come true."
"What promise, Vincent?" Malon asked. She was confused. She had no idea what promise Vincent was talking about. She didn't remember a promise when they had met.
He got up to his feet and brought Malon up with him. He looked into her eyes, "The promise we made when we were kids." He kissed her cheek softly. He bent and picked up his fallen blade and went after Maxi, who had decided to take the time out and have a little breather.
Malon's eyes widened. She completely forgot and even then, she didn't remember it clearly. But she knew what he was talking about. The promise he had made to her when they had been younger. She hadn't thought that far back in years. But she remembered. Vincent was the young boy she had met when she was outside the castle. He was the one who was willing to be her knight in shining armor. And even to that day, he was still willing to be it. She turned around and watched as Vincent blocked a downward slash from Maxi with his second sword, the one he hadn't unsheathed in the beginning. And with his second sword he brought close to Maxi's neck.
"There, that was easy," Vincent said.
"Not yet," Maxi said as he grabbed Vincent's sword with his gauntlet and pushed it away. He took his long sword back in both his hands again and swung at Vincent once again. Vincent quickly raised his left sword to block the razor edge that could've taken off his head. He ducked below and tackled Maxi, making him slam into the wall. Maxi felt his body bounce off the metal suit from within, and he looked at Vincent. "Cheap shot."
"Not as cheap as you were," Vincent said. He jumped back and brought his two swords together as one. He took one look at Maxi before he swung them in unison at him. But the loud clang made Vincent guess that he didn't hit Maxi, and once he saw both swords against Maxi's long sword, he knew that it still wasn't over. But instead of backing off of Maxi, he fought to keep his dominance over Maxi. He figured that since Maxi managed to fend him off when Vincent was using only one hand and he was using two, that he wouldn't be able to fend him off if Vincent used both of his. But what could've been his advantage wasn't turning out like he had hoped.
Maxi still stood his own against Vincent, matching him in strength, but he didn't know how strong Vincent was. But he wasn't about to lose to some hopeless romantic that came out of the blue. He had way to much pride to lose to anyone like that. But he felt his sword being pushed back and looked at Vincent's eyes. He saw the intense determination that Vincent held within in his eyes. And then he felt his strength slipping, his sword getting intimate with his armor.
Vincent saw his chance and with his last bits of strength, he pushed Maxi back, making him fall down to the floor. No doubt that Maxi had hit his head hard when he fell. Vincent breathed deeply and walked up. He boot on top of Maxi's breast plate and pointed his sword at Maxi's throat. "Check and mate."
Maxi looked away from Vincent and passed out.
Vincent sighed and got off his fallen opponent. He tilted his head back and breathed in deeply. He dropped his swords to the ground and fell onto his knees. A few tears began to fall from his eyes, he did it. He beat Maxi fair and square. That meant he was a knight. That meant that hopefully, everything will fall into place. Hopefully…
"Vinnie!" Malon yelled out as she embraced Vincent from the back and buried her face on his back. She held him tight, not daring to let him go. She cried softly and finally let her fears go. She felt his hand cover her interlocked hands. She looked up to see Vincent looking at her. She felt him get up with and then felt him pull her up with him. She kept her head down as he stood looking down at her. He put a finger under her chin. Gently she lifted her head up so she could stare at those passionate red eyes that she fell in love with.
"I did it," he whispered softly.
She smiled at him. Malon didn't want to say anything that could ruin the moment. Not like she was able to once she felt his lips on her. He was always going to be a little unpredictable. And that didn't matter. She kissed him back, closing her eyes. She was finally going to be with him. And it didn't matter if he would've lost or not. There was going to be nothing that can was going to separate them. She was never going to let Vincent be taken away from herself ever again. She would do anything to keep them together.
And then he pulled away from her, "I love you, Malon."
"I love you too, Vincent," she whispered back.