T-Lea: Brace yourself, 37-Page chapter. XD Please review to let me know how I'm doing!
Disclaimer: As always, I don't own LoZ. But, I do own.....=( Never mind, I own nothing. XD
Maron's Lament
Hyrule field was huge and vast. An endless stretch of land spread out before Link's eyes. A worn road lied beyond where he stood, and for the first time in his life, he could see the sky above without peering through the canopy of leaves from the trees in the forest. Although this new sight was magnificent and radiant, a strange trickle of fear began to take hold of him. It was too spacious and wide. It didn't feel safe somehow.
"It's eerie," he told Navi, as he took a step forward onto the dirt path beyond. "It's too spacious, and there aren't any trees around. It's almost like its open for an enemy to strike."
"You have only ever known the forest, Link," Navi replied. "Don't think too much about how open the land is. It is, after all, a field."
Link continued down the road with Navi fluttering along behind him. He threw his head this way and that, staring at the new sight that was Hyrule's fields. He knew Navi was right in him thinking too much about the place, but it still felt odd to him. There was just something ominous about it.
Suddenly, Link pulled on his tunic: The air was hot and dry, too.
"It's so hot out here, too," he groaned, pulling on the neck of his tunic to circulate some air-flow. "How can anyone stand living out here? And the field is so. . .blunt. It's flat and open! Who could stand having to live and travel out here?"
"The same thoughts would be said for the forest," Navi answered in his ear. "There are those accustomed to living in the forest, and then there are those accustomed to living in open space. It is the difference between each person and their habitat that make us unique. In good time, Link, you will grow used to this field, too, so do not think too much about it as you are."
"Yeah, but I wish I was back in the forest already," he grumbled under his breath.
"We must find the other two Spiritual Stones before we head to the mountains," Navi squeaked in his ear. "First, we must head to the market to find information on these Spiritual Stones. That would lead us to Hyrule Market Town!"
Link paused on the road, scanning the empty, wide field.
"Yeah, I don't see any market anywhere in sight," he grumbled to her a little irritably. "How do you know we're even going in the right direction?"
"Forgive me, I've lived most all of my life in the forest," she snapped at him.
"Yeah? Well, so have I!" he snapped back at her.
He stomped on ahead to leave Navi behind, but then paused as he remembered what the Great Deku tree had said: 'And Link, take care of Navi. From this day forth, you both shall stay together through every hardship. Do not become easily discouraged.'
Link spun on his heel. "Forgive me, Navi," he called over to her in sincere apology. "I should not have snapped at you."
"As am I," she replied in a tiny squeak, returning to his side. "I am sorry."
"No, don't be," he mumbled, holding his hands out for her to hover above. "I should know better than to treat a fairy with such poor respect. We will be together for some time, so we can't complain."
She nodded her tiny head.
"Here," Link took his hat off of his head, and then carefully slit a small hole in the top, "I think it would be best for you to hide in my hat through the journey through this field. Just in case anything were to decide to ambush us, I'll protect you."
She stared at him as he held the hat open for her, and then she dropped herself down on top of his golden crown.
"Thank you, Link," she squeaked to him as he placed his hat back over his head.
With Navi safely hidden from view, Link began down the road again.
He walked for hours in the hot sun, scanning the vast stretch of grass and dirt for any signs of civilization. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything in sight for miles. Finally, he dropped down on the eroded road with an exhausted sigh.
"It's too much," he huffed, wiping sweat off his brow. "It's too big. There's just no way I can find the market in time."
"Link, do not give up!" Navi squeaked, emerging from beneath his hat. "We must. You cannot lose hope."
"I know, Navi," he replied, getting back to his feet. "It's just that it's too hot and long. I don't think I can walk any further without collapsing."
"You must try."
"Yeah. I'll have to keep walking until my legs bleed."
Link began walking again with a sigh. He knew he had to get someplace soon, because the field had to end eventually. He just didn't know how long he could continue to walk until he would collapse from the lack of water. That was his main concern at the moment, but he had to hold out, and then when the sun would finally set and there still was no sign of any civilization, then he could collapse.
He continued onward for some time as his hopes began to fade. Then, when the sun began to slant in the sky towards the horizon, Navi emerged from within his hat, and then stopped him on the road.
"What is it, Navi?" Link asked, blankly.
"Do you hear that? I think someone is coming."
Link quickly spun on his heel, and as he did so, he quickly jumped out of the way as a cart headed his way, throwing up a trail of dust behind it. As Link waited for it to pass, he gradually began to realize that it was slowly coming to a stop. Mind racing, he remembered the sword in his belt and placed his hand on the hilt in case of an attack. However, as the cart slowed to a stop, he began to realize that the one who steered it was not an enemy.
"Hello there, son," a plump, cheery man called down to him. "Lost your way, have you?"
Link stared into this man's flushed, round face. His cheeks were alighted with flush, and he was bald slightly balding in the front, and he had a bushy mustache on his face. He wore red and blue overalls, and had a strange pendant on his front that resembled a *reptile-man that was the main antagonist of a popular story among the Hylians.
"Uh, sort of," Link stammered in reply. "I was just. . .um. . ."
"You are a wanderer," Navi whispered in his ear.
"I am a wanderer," Link echoed her words. "I was looking for a market to. . .um. . .buy food and other necessary supplies."
"Oh? Is that so?" the man replied with a merry laugh. "Well, I just came from Hyrule Market Town"—Link's hopes faltered—"But if you need a place to stay, we have room at my ranch. You can stay there for the night, and then I'll take you there tomorrow morning. How does that sound?"
Link nodded his head: It was the best there was to offer.
"Thank you, sir," he said, scrambling onto the back of the cart.
"No problem," the round man replied, striking his steed to move forward once more. "After all, Maron was just talking about having some company over for a change."
"'**Maron'?" Link repeated under his breath. "Is he talking about a chestnut?"
"Shh, Link. I think he is talking about someone," Navi hissed. "Do not upset the one saving your life!"
"I won't, I won't," he whispered back. "I was just talking to myself in curiosity."
"Oh, while you're back there, son, how about trying a sample of Lon Lon Ranch's fresh milk?" the man called back to him. "It's refreshing!"
Link glanced around at all the boxes placed side by side. He spotted that one of the boxes was open, and inside this box were a few remaining bottles of milk.
"It should still be cool and fresh from the trip," the man called back to him. "Just drink some milk, son, and you'll feel all your energy come back to you."
Link cast Navi a quick glance in which she returned with an urging nod, and then he withdrew a bottle from the box and took a great big swig of the white substance within. In a matter of seconds, he could feel himself coming back to life.
"Wow, I feel like my old self again!" he breathed, staring at the half-empty bottle.
"Yup!" the man called back to Link. "That's Lon Lon Ranch's good milk, there! Guaranteed to bring you immediate relief with just half-a gulp of a bottle."
"Lucky we found a guy who sells milk with good quality such as this," Navi whispered in Link's ear.
"Yeah, it is a good thing," he whispered back. "Hyrule field is too huge, and at the rate I was moving, I would have never reached Hyrule Market Town."
"Although," Navi mumbled, changing the subject slowly, "didn't this cart come from the other side of the field—the way we were coming from?"
Link's face suddenly dropped in confusion. "Oh. . ."
"So, where are you from, son?" the man called back to Link.
Link stopped himself before he could tell the old man where he was truly from.
"Well, I'm a wanderer, so I have no specific home. . .um. . .or whereabouts," he replied, slightly unsure.
"Really? It's a good thing I found you out here, son. The weather these days has been rather odd. Why, just yesterday we had a really bad storm. . . Oh, did you hear about the forest? Apparently, there has been a rumor going 'round that the forest has been cursed."
This news aroused Link, and he made to jump up, but Navi pulled back on his hat before he could jump from the cart.
"Link, don't be so reckless!" she hissed in his ear. "The forest is fine for now. It is only a rumor!"
"Yeah, but rumors usually tend to be based on truth," he hissed back at her, remembering what the Great Deku Tree had said about him being rumored to destroy the world when he reached manhood.
"It is fine," she assured him, slowly bringing him back down. "If the forest was in trouble, the Great Deku Tree would not want you to leave. For now, it is safe. And even if it were to fall under attack, Saria and the others would protect it along with the Great Deku Tree. Do not be so hasty to jump to conclusions, Link, for we have been granted a mission by the Great Deku Tree to get yourself to the mountains. Do not abandon his words."
Link nodded his head, dropping his shoulders. "You are right, Navi. I must heed his words."He changed the tone of his voice as he addressed the old man again. "So, do you really believe those rumors?"
"You're asking the wrong person, son," the old man called back. "See, I live in an isolated ranch close to the paths leading to the western deserts. I don't know much about the forest, nor much about talk in towns and markets, so I don't know what to make of it."
Link rubbed his chin thoughtfully at his response.
"But, you do have something in mind about it?" Link urged.
"Well," the old man made a sharp turn on the road, "I don't say much about my opinions, but I do think it could be useless gossip. 'Sides, everyone's thought of the forest being cursed from the day they were born. If you really want my opinion, I'll just say that everyone living around these parts don't know anything about rumors, 'specially starting ones that include an area already said to be what the rumor speaks of."
Link took this old man's words into consideration as he drained the remaining contents to the bottle. It seemed that the people outside the forest thought it cursed. And Link wasn't exactly going to mention that there were children living in the forest, just in case he was shot down with questions about acquiring such knowledge. . .
"It seems people outside the forest think it a cursed place," Navi whispered in Link's ear.
"Yeah, I know," he whispered back. "It seems that what people don't understand, they assume is bad news."
"That is why I told you to give the field some time," Navi whispered matter-of-factly.
"That's different," he grumbled. "I almost died out there!"
"People from this region must think the same way about the forest," she scolded him. "You have to give things time, Link!"
"Keh! Time," he mumbled, turning away from her.
The cart made a sudden turn, and in seconds they were surrounded by high walls leading up a steep ramp of a dusty, dirt road. Link glanced around as they emerged onto a thin road that was squeezed between two, wooden houses. One, Link noticed, was an actual house, but the other was a stable. The old man pulled his steed to a stop, and then hopped down off the cart. Link slid off the back, just as a small girl with a curtain of thick, orange hair, and wearing a long, white dress, came bounding towards the old man.
"You made it back in time, daddy!" she exclaimed, throwing herself in his arms. "I'm glad to see you remembered to not fall asleep!"
"Yeah," his response seemed slightly weary and nervous, "not after what happened last time."
The little girl smiled brightly. "I'm glad you remembered, daddy."
Link glanced around at the humble place. It wasn't that bad—at least the stable and house were strong enough—but Link still couldn't help but feel that it was still as open as the field.
"It's so eerie," he moaned.
"Oh? Who's that, daddy?" The girl just then noticed Link.
"Oh! Maron, this is a wanderer I picked up off the road," the old man replied, gesturing to Link with one of his large arms. "But, I forgot to ask his name. . ."
"Um. . . My name," Link mumbled, scratching the back of his head. "Right."
"Maybe they wouldn't know your name," Navi whispered in his ear. "After all, that rumor must have died out from so long ago. And remember what the old man said about the rumors? He doesn't know much about towns or markets."
"That is true," Link whispered back to her. "However, I do need to take caution. Perhaps I should use a different name?"
"Would that be wise?" Navi wondered. "Perhaps you should just use your original name. I am sure there are plenty more Links in the world beside yourself."
"That is true." Then, louder to the man and girl: "My name is Link. It is very nice to meet you."
"Oh, a green name!" the girl said, pushing past the old man and stepping up to Link. "Well then, I shall tell you my name. I am Maron, and the old man is my father, Taron. It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Link."
She stuck out her hand for him to take, and he took it without any hesitation.
"Oh, so you're Maron," he said, shaking her hand. "Your father mentioned you on our way here."
"Yes, daddy does that at times," she replied with a small laugh. "Of course, he only brings me up when he thinks he finds a suitable man good enough for me to marry." From behind Maron, the old man, Taron, flinched nervously at this. "Well, shall we go inside, Mr. Link? I just finished making dinner for my daddy, but I am sure there is plenty more for guests."
"Um, okay."
"Yes, I promised that he could stay for the night, Maron, and then I'd take him to the Hyrule Market Town in the morning," Taron told his daughter. "Would that bother you much?"
"Of course not, daddy," she replied with a high-pitched, sweet edge to her tone. "As long as you don't conspire about my marriage, I'd be happy to let Mr. Link here liv—I mean, stay the night. Tee hee."
Taron cast Link a nervous glance before climbing back up on the cart.
"Well then," he called down to them, "I must return the horses and the cart to the stable. I'll take a while, so don't wait up." Then, he steered the cart out towards a wide field further out.
Maron led Link into the house to the left of them. The bottom floor was rather small, but cozy. This room consisted of small mounds of straw thrown about, and cuckoos roamed this room in large packs. There were a few garden tools here and there, but the room mainly consisted of scattered straw and cuckoos.
"We won't be eating down here," Maron told Link as she led him to a staircase leading up to the second floor. "My daddy keeps the cuckoos downstairs, but we live upstairs."
Maron opened a door at the far end of the hall on the second landing. This room was much more livelier, with a rug that held a strange pattern, and a rudely-made table in the middle with three chairs, set neatly with a hearty meal. In the far corner there sat a solitary bed, and a dresser sat against the front wall directly opposite a window with the curtains drawn over it.
"It isn't much, Mr. Link, but I hope you enjoy it, anyway." Maron crossed to the table and plopped herself down in the smallest of the three chairs.
This is different, Link thought. Is she inviting me to eat with her family? Wait, I didn't see her mother around. . .
"Er, excuse me," Link called to her, "but, are you sure I am not intruding? I mean, there are three chairs there that are obviously meant for you, your father, and your mother."
Maron was in the process of loading her plate with meat, and at the mention of 'mother,' she dropped it back into its dish, and then retired her hands to her laps with a sorrowful look on her face.
"I don't have a mother," she replied quietly. "She died when I was very small."
Link began to feel dreadful for his outburst. "I-I'm sorry," he mumbled in apology. "I don't have a mother, either. She died when I was barely a year old."
Link silently crossed the room, and then dropped himself down in one of the empty chairs.
"It seems we both have something in common, Mr. Link," she mumbled quietly. "You see, my father is a very lazy man. He tries his best not to fall asleep, but because Mr. Ingo keeps the ranch organized and operating, my daddy doesn't seem to find much work. So, he usually sleeps most of the day.
"Since my mother's death, I've taken up basic chores that she used to do. I've worked since I was very little to keep this ranch running so that my father can sell milk at Hyrule Market Town. However, though I have managed to replace my mother for my daddy, it still isn't enough for me. My daddy is always trying to find me a man to marry, but I'll never allow it! I want him for once to listen to what I have to say, not what he wants for me. He wanted me to replace my mother, and that is what I did. Now, I want him to respect my wishes.
"Oh, but what am I telling a wanderer for," she added on a brighter tone, flashing Link a brilliant smile. "The life of a ranch girl can't possibly affect a wanderer." She loaded her plate with some food, and then took a bite of a roll. "But still," she added under her breath, "the one man I marry will be a knight who will come to save me from this ranch. I just know it!"
After Link had little to eat—only to spare a fair share for Maron's father—Maron led him into a shabby room that was placed at the right of the dark hall. This room appeared to be an old storage room, and it looked rather small and held a very suffocating, claustrophobic feel. In the far corner was a small, rickety bed, and a large window was held open to let in some air-flow.
"It isn't much, Mr. Link," Maron had told him, "but please accept it as it is. It's only for one night, so don't think of it as a bother."
"Don't worry too much," Link had replied. "I used to sleep in a similar room."
Then, he was left in peace to sleep in the darkness. However, he sat at the large window instead, staring up at the large, dark sky above.
"It's strange not being in the forest," he told Navi as she settled down on his shoulder. "It's so. . .lonely."
"That may be, but think of the new friends you will meet because of your venturing away from your home," Navi told him.
"I know what you mean," Link mumbled, staring up at the large sky, "but for some reason, now that I'm alone, I feel as if. . .I'm empty inside. Like there's a hole in my chest. . ."
"It's your first day away from home, Link. Things will get better once you become familiar with this new landscape. Come; rest yourself, for you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow."
And Link listened well to Navi's words, and lied himself down on the rickety bed, staring up at the dark ceiling.
"Alone. . ."
He closed his eyes and immediately fell into a deep slumber. When he next awoke, he had found that he was drenched in sweat, and that moonlight flooded the room. He slowly sat up, dazed at the events that had taken place in the nightmare he had yet again, and then placed his hand on his forehead.
"That girl again," he whispered to himself. "Why. . . Why did I feel. . .like I had to chase after her? Why. . . Why does my chest hurt so badly? I feel. . .empty."
Saying the word actually made him realize he had felt that way almost all his life. Although Saria and Taters were around him most of his life to occupy that hole for a portion of his time with them, it was only when he lied awake in bed at night did he begin to realize the pain. Quietly, he crept out of his bed, and then out of the house without his traveling cloak. He made sure to leave his sword hidden in his traveling cloak, and to be as silent as he could so as to not disturb Navi as she slept.
Link stepped out of the house quietly, glancing around the dark property with bleary eyes. Then, he slowly made his way over to the large stretch of land just beyond the house and stable. However, he had barely gone a few paces before he heard someone singing a lovely lullaby.
He paused to listen. It sounded as if a girl was singing her very heart out, admitting all of her sorrows, pain, and concerns to the night air around Link. As he continued on, he emerged into the spacious land ahead, and he began to realize that there was a small figure within a large ***corral that appeared to be for horses.
The large moon sat high atop the sky, showing down on the small figure amid the training ground. Link listened well to the lullaby as he proceeded inward, determined to discover who the person was. As he stepped through the gates leading into the area, he stopped short at the sight of a curtain of long, orange hair that shown brightly in the milky glare of the moon.
"Maron. . ." he breathed. "That song. . . It sounds so sad."
He stood his ground, listening as she continued her appeal to the night air, telling a story of her concerns and affairs to the large moon that hovered low in the sky. Link could hear how her heart cried in sadness, and how the tears that did not show on her face flowed from her mouth. It was an elegant cry of acknowledgment, and Link knew exactly what the song was all about. He approached Maron from behind, but she knew of his presence, and spoke before he could.
"Please do not tell my father I am out here," she whispered, tears in her voice. "If you do not tell him, then I will tell you a secret."
Link did not speak nor move, and once he didn't, she turned to him with her hands pressed tightly to her chest, and a false smile on her face.
"I know you are a wanderer, Mr. Link, but I am sure you are curious about that song I sang." Link did not reply, but rather watched as her face slowly fell and her eyes avert. "When I was younger, my mother taught me that song. After her death, I made a habit of coming out here at night and singing it, so that maybe my mother could hear my voice from the heavens. I don't want her to feel lonely, so I always sing it for her whenever I can."
"That's very noble of you," Link said as Maron turned her back to him, and stared up at the sky. "That kind of commitment takes a great amount of dedication."
Maron shook her head.
"No," she whispered, "perhaps it doesn't. Maybe I'm not out here for my mother. Maybe I'm out here for another reason. . ."
"Is it because of your father?" Link asked her in a small voice.
"I think. . ." Her voice was so small, that Link wasn't too sure whether she had said something or not. "My daddy is always busy sleeping, and I'm all alone on this ranch. Maybe. . .the truth is. . .I'm a little. . .lonely."
This word pierced right through Link: He could understand why she would selfishly spend her time at night singing the lullaby her mother taught her when she was younger.
"When you're alone, sometimes it is best to sing something that you learned a very long time ago from a friend," Link said, instinctively pulling out the ocarina that Saria had given him before he left. "If you play a song that reminds you of them, then they're sure to hear it."
He raised the instrument to his lips, and immediately began to play the song Saria had played so many times before when him and Taters played in the Lost Woods with her.
"Oh, how pretty," Maron cooed, as she turned to Link once again. "You have an ocarina. Would you like to play my mother's lullaby with me, Mr. Link?"
Link paused, and then nodded. As Maron sang her mother's song again, Link followed along on his ocarina. Then, the new song created by these two different instruments hovered up to the moon, expressing great sorrow for the loss of their mothers. Before either of them knew it, they were playing on into the late night, and early hour of the morning.
"I thank you for playing with me tonight, Mr. Link," Maron whispered to Link as they gazed up at the moon. "It has been quite some time since I had any company over, and it was very nice to meet someone who can play the ocarina."
"I can understand your sorrow," Link replied as he stared up at the milky moon. "I, too, have lost many friends to my wandering ways. Although, it wasn't much of a choice."
"I see," Maron said from his side. "I won't ask you of your own personal business, but I will say that I am grateful that you became a wanderer and happened across my daddy in Hyrule field. If you hadn't, I would probably be out here alone for another night."
"To be truthful, I'm glad too," Link replied with a bright smile. "It was my first time in Hyrule field, and I was a bit lonely, myself. It isn't easy leaving your friends behind, let alone your home, and coming here today has made me feel slightly better about my situation."
"The moon will soon set," Maron told Link, changing the subject to a brighter note. "Come, we must hurry home before my daddy wakes. If he realizes I've been out here all night, he will give me an awful scolding."
Together, Link and Maron walked back to the cozy house opposite the barn. Then, Link bade her a good night, and retired to his own room with a slight twinge in his heart. He felt alone again, but he knew that he still had Navi by his side. Quietly, he crept back to his bed, and though he lied awake for a few more hours into the silence and darkness, he managed to fall into a restful slumber before the sun could rise.
In the morning he awoke to the crowing of a rooster—or perhaps it was a cuckoo—and he clumsily stumbled out of the rickety bed and fastened the sword in his belt again, and then threw the traveling cloak over his shoulders to hide the weapon. Link found that Navi was sitting at the large window, staring out at the bright ranch before her.
"You finally awoke," she called to him. "Maron came to wake you, but you would not budge. I told her that you are lazy, and she left you in peace."
"'Lazy'," Link repeated a little offended. "Hey, Navi that isn't right! I am not lazy; I just had a rough night, is all."
"So it seems," she replied coolly. "Perhaps you should stay in bed next time, rather than wander about someone's property without permission."
Link flushed a deep red in the early-morning sun, but then turned away from her with a slight nod. "Right. That was. . .a mistake."
"However much of a mistake it was, it was still wrong," Navi corrected him, removing herself from the window and coming to his side. "No matter. . . Worry not of it any longer. The old man has prepared his cart for Hyrule Market Town. You shall hurry with yourself, and meet him on the road. I do believe Maron is eager to meet you again."
He flushed even darker at these words.
"Of course," he grumbled under his breath, slightly flustered. "We must hurry. Come, Navi."
Link hurried out of the room, and then sprinted down the stairs and out onto the road. Once there, Link scanned the premises for Maron, but she was nowhere to be found. Luckily, this gave him enough time to conceal Navi again.
"No one seems to be about, Navi, so we should take advantage of this time in hiding you again," Link told her, removing his hat from his head. "I know the Great Deku Tree might not want this of you, but I think it wise. If people in this region truly believe that the forest is cursed, then perhaps they will see you as a fairy and think I am out to destroy Hyrule."
"That is a great assumption, Link," Navi said, also in thought, "but I do not think that is the case. However, I will heed your words."
Navi placed herself on Link's golden crown again, but before he could throw his hat over his head, Maron appeared from behind the cart—and at the sight of the fairy—she bounded forward with a wide grin across her face.
"I knew it!" she exclaimed, placing her hands on Link's shoulders and shaking him violently. "I knew that, with a green name like Link, you were from the forest! You must be a Fairy Boy!"
"A. . .Fairy Boy?" Link repeated, slightly dazed at his being caught. "Uhn. . . No! Maron, you mustn't tell anyone about this! You mustn't tell anyone about me being from the forest and having a fairy."
She blinked a couple of times blankly before agreeing with an enthusiastic nod of her head.
"I won't," she promised, pulling him into a tight hug, "because you didn't tell my daddy I was out in the training grounds. I thank you for last night, Link, and that you didn't tell my daddy about anything."
Link flushed a deep color in the morning sun. "It wasn't a bother at all, Maron. I'm glad that you taught me your mother's song, and that you are so compassionate about playing it to her whenever chance you get. You have a good heart."
She pulled away from him with an almost-sad smile. However, she had barely any time to remain that way, for the old man, Taron, came around the cart; and Link threw his hat over his head before he could even catch a glimpse of Navi.
"Well, Link, this is where we part," Taron called over to Link.
Link bowed his head to both Maron and Taron. "Thank you for your hospitality," he told the both of them.
"It was our pleasure!" Maron replied with a wide grin. "However," she added under her breath as she leaned in closer to Link, "do you promise to come see me again sometime? It gets lonely with just daddy and Ingo around."
Link rubbed the back of his head in nervousness. "Okay. I promise I'll come visit you," he replied in a shaky voice.
"That's great!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms up in delight. "Then I will await your arrival."
"Uh. . .sure," he stammered, still rubbing his head in nervousness. Although I might wind up breaking that promise by accident, he added mentally.
"Come now, son!" Taron called to Link as he climbed into the cart. "It is time for us to head to Hyrule Market Town!"
"Right. See you around, Maron," Link said, extending his hand for her to take. She shook it without any hesitation.
"I'll be expecting you," she replied with a sweet smile. "Just live up to your promise, okay, Fairy Boy? I don't like liars."
Link's heart skipped a beat, but he nodded his head without showing it.
"Well, I'll be seeing you around, then."
He clambered into the back of the cart, and then fixed himself securely between two empty crates. Then, Taron struck the steed, and they were headed off.
"I'll see you around for sure, Mr. Link!" Maron called to him, chasing after the cart as it began to gain speed.
"Yeah, definitely!" Link called back, waving. Then, in a smaller voice for Taron to hear, "Is your daughter violent at all?"
"What, Maron? No, of course not. Well, she doesn't like people who don't keep promises. . . 'Course, I've never a met a person who has kept a promise with her, and then broke it."
Great, I'll be the first. Wonder what happens if I do. . .?
"Bye, Mr. Link! Until we meet again. . . Stay well!"
"Um, suppose you do make a promise with her and you do break it?" he asked the old man.
"Maron can get pretty haughty at times," the old man replied in deep thought. "I'd say you'd probably have a mess to deal with when you decide to keep to your promise. Why? Did you make a promise with her, son?"
Suddenly, Link wasn't feeling too good, and it wasn't just because he skipped breakfast.
"No," he replied in a small voice, as the ranch began to fade away from view. "I just. . .mentioned that I might come to visit again someday."
From in the front, Taron began to laugh as he steered the horses down into Hyrule field, and onto the dirt road beyond. Even though Link didn't understand what was so funny, he chuckled to himself—though it was ever-so nervous—and then fell to staring at the sky. For what he knew awaited next, was his trip through Hyrule Market Town, so he couldn't worry about a small promise, because he had to one day return Saria's, Taters', and Mido's, and in the process, Maron's, as well.
*Bowser from the Mario Series (refer to OoT or MM to see for yourself)
**Maron is Japanese for Chestnut.
***Carrol could be for goats or horses, or maybe even cattle (in case some of you read it and thought, 'Duh, corrals are for horses, what else?'
T-Lea: If I screwed up on any of the parts, sorry. I kinda rushed through this with the editing. I hope you enjoyed! Next chapter is soon to come
