Arranged Love

A Malon and Link Story

Chapter three: A Reunion

The next day, Link rode Epona back to the ranch. Malon told him that he could call the horse whenever he needed her, but to be sure to keep her safe and sound. Link was more than happy to take excellent care of Epona because in return he'd get the privledge of riding her around Hyrule.

'This should make travelling much easier!' Link thought, relieved.

In the afternoon, Link went to Castle Town to meet an old friend: Princess Zelda. He hadn't visited her for at least two years!

'Goddesses! Time sure goes by fast! I hope she isn't angry!' Link anxiously thought.

He finally reached the castle gates, where he was stopped by the guard there.

"Halt! Who are you? What is your business in the castle?" he barked.

Link stayed calm. "I am Link de Temps, a skilled and respected knight and a close, old friend of Princess Zelda. Do you have any idea, now, who I am, or shall I go on?"

The guard gasped. "S-Sir Link de Temps! My g-greatest apologies! Please, Pass!" he signalled the guards atop the gates to open them.

Link smirked and went through.

Inside such a large and elaborate castle, one would have no idea where to start looking for the princess, but Link had a feeling he knew exactly where she was.

He walked through the corridors, not stopping until he reached his destination. He didn't stop until he was in front of a short tunnel constructed from grey, stone bricks. This tunnel led to the Castle Courtyard.

"Ah! Here at last!" Link triumphantly said before going through.

He saw the figure of a beautiful girl picking flowers. She had long golden hair, slightly curled at the end and she was clad in a flowing and elagent sapphire gown.

"It's been a while, eh princess?" Link chuckled

The figure let out a gasp. "that voice. . ." she muttered "It couldn't be. . ."

She cautiously turned around and dropped the flowers she was holding. "Link!" she cried.

"The one and only, Link." he grinned.

The figure, now known to be Princess Zelda, ran to Link and tightly wrapped her arms around him.

"Heh, nice to see you too, Zel, but I need to breathe!" Link said in a strained voice.

Princess Zelda turned pink and quickly let go of him.

"Goddesses, Link! It's been much to long since you've vistited!" she exclaimed. "Do you know how lonely I've been?!" she suddenly realized what she said and blushed again. Then, she started firing him with questions.

"Where have you been?"

"Why didn't you visit?"

"Has anything happened to you?"

"And for Goddesses' sake, are you still wearing that same green tunic?"

Link's eye twitched at that last question. "Er. . . I apparantly have nothing but green tunics."

Zelda stifled a giggle. "Okay, go on. You haven't answered verything yet."

He took a deep breath and started. "As for where I've been, the answer is basically, well everywhere."

The princess nodded for him to keep going.

"I never visited because, well, I've been. . . looking for something. . ."

"Bu-" Princess Zelda started, but was cut off by Link.

"But what? I felt like something- or someone, was missing from my life. Her."

Zelda's eyes widened. 'Link. . . in love!? Could it be with-'

"I searched far and wide for the missing part of my heart, even though she was always close by." Link paused before continuing then slightly smiled at Zelda. "Then, I found- or was reunited with her."

Zelda's heart hammered in her chest. 'Could this girl be-'

"I have always loved her, even at the time of when I was battling Ganondorf. Back then, I knew she loved me too, but now, I don't know. Perhaps it will take some time for her to realize it again. . ."

Princess Zelda was a bit confused when he said this, but what didn't confuse her were the feelings she felt for him. It's true, the young princess of Hyrule loved Link to no end; with all the things he was saying, she felt he had equal feelings for her.

"This girl, it drives me crazy how much I love her! I'll do anything to gain back her love!" he exclaimed.

'It was never lost. . .' Zelda was grinning so widely, that one would think her face was about to crack.

Link smiled warmly and began to blush a bit. "This girl, that I'm so incredibly mad about is. . ." his voice trailed off. He cleared his throat and tried again.

The princess' heart did a leap. This was the moment of truth. Could this really be happening? Could Link really love Ze-

"Malon."

"Huh?" Zelda said, completely broken from her trance.

Link's blush turned darker. "I said, I. . . love. . .Malon du Pré."

It finally sunk in for the now heart-broken princess.

"And Zelda, you are my most oldest and dearest friend, so I was wondering if. . . you could, maybe, help her um, like me."

Zelda's sadness dissolved into anger. Then, she smiled deviously, for she had a plan forming in her mind.

'Miss Malon, you shall never love Link or I'm not the princess of Hyrule- soon to be queen once you get away from my Link!'

Zelda agreed to help Link and when he left, she began to plot her evil plan.

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