Arranged Love

A Malon and Link Story

Chapter Six: A Visitor

The sun rose and the rooster called his morning cry, which meant it was time for Malon to wake up. She awoke with a yawn and peered out of the window in her bedroom.

'It's such a beautiful morning! I have a feeling it's going to be a great day today!' she thought as she began brushing her hair. 'Especially with that gentleman, Link, coming over!' she sighed dreamily. She was awaken from her daydream when she tripped over her boots, carelessly discarded on the floor. She sighed once more as she sat on the floor, rubbing her head.

'I shouldn't be thinking of him like that so soon. I hardly know him!' she shook her head.

Sure, Link was a great guy and all, but she'd only met him a few times. Who knows what he's really like?

'Thank Goddesses he takes good care of Epona!' a feeling of relief washed over Malon. She didn't know what she'd do if anything happened to her prized horse and companion!

After getting ready, Malon grabbed a few slices of of toast and Lon Lon Milk and started her chores.

Around the late afternoon, Malon was done her work for the day and decided to relax in the corral where the horses were. Malon stopped when she heard hoof beats behind her. It was Epona and Link.

"Hello, Malon." Link said, leading Epona to the young rancher.

"Hi there, Link!" she replied, cheerfully.

A moment of silence.

Link coughed. "So. . . um, hows everything?"

"Oh, fine. Every thing's fine."

"Good, good." he nodded his head. Then he remembered something. "Oh, yeah! About our meeting tonight,"

Malon nodded her head.

"Well I was, uh, thinking of bringing a close friend with me. Someone I'm sure you'll like. Is that okay?" He inquired a tad nervously.

'I hope this is a good plan, bringing Zelda with me. What if Malon gets the wrong idea?' thought the hero uneasily.

"Um. . . okay, but," Malon started

'Goddesses! I hope she doesn't ask w-'

"Why?" she tilted her head in wonder.

'Shit.' Well, what should he say?

"Okay. . . well this person is a good friend of mine and I told her about you," his voice wavered a bit.

But fortunately, Malon didn't seem to either notice or care. "Go on." she stated simply.

"Y-yes. Um, she really wants to meet and get to know you, so I invited her to join us. That's alright with you, right?"

Malon smiled. "It's okay Link. It's always great to meet new people. But-" she couldn't continue because a fit of giggles came her way. "You should have seen yourself trying to explain everything! Were you afraid I would be angry? Hm, and here I thought you were some great knight!" she joked.

"Hmph. . . you laugh now, but the truth is clear: you totally want me!" he grinned.

Still laughing, Malon didn't completely take in what he said and spoke without thinking."Yes, of course I do, I-" then she realized what he'd said and what she was saying. "I mean, I is,um. . ." her voice trailed off to nothingness.

This time, it was Link's turn to laugh "Don't worry! I'm just playing with you!''

Malon gasped "Mr de Temps! You are evil!"

"Why, thank you!" Link said, doing his best impression of and evil laugh.

Malon folded her arms across her chest. "Keep that up and you'll go back to a horse-less life."

"Aw, come on! I'm sorry!" he was on his knees begging to her.

Malon giggled "You take everything seriously, don't you?"

"Well. . . maybe." He shrugged. "I probably should get going now, but I'll see you tonight." he winked at her and proceeded to exit the ranch.

Malon could feel the familiar blush creeping onto her face. 'Why is it that every time he comes I feel so. . . strange?' she sighed and went to prepare for the evening.

XxXxX

It was dusk and Link arrived with his special guest, none other than Princess Zelda. She wore a gorgeous ruby red gown that had many extraordinary designs on it, she wore a gold necklace with earrings to match and her hair was in a neat bun. Link was wearing. . . something that actually wasn't green! He wore a black tunic that was quite stylish and far from plain. His hair was still unruly but it was hat-less and he actually put some effort into combing it.

Malon just finished getting ready, when she heard a knock on the door of the house. She opened the door and was surprised at who she saw with Link at the door.

"P-Princess Zelda! It's such an honour to meet you! You look lovely tonight!" She said softly and shyly. Malon's was always shy when it came to meeting new people.

"A pleasure to meet you too, Miss Malon du Pré. You look just stunning in that dress!" Zelda said, in of course, a fake sweet tone.

Although, Malon did look beautiful that night. She was wearing a cerulean blue dress that really brought out the colour of her eyes, her hair was open with a blue ribbon in it and she wore her silver locket.

"Thank you, but just call me Malon." she said, smiling.

Zelda laughed. "Will do Malon and call me Zelda."

"Yeah, and you can call me Link. Are we just going to talk about are names all night or eat dinner?" Link said with slight annoyance in his voice.

Malon just laughed and the princess rolled her eyes. "That's Link for you, always thinking about his stomach."

Link stuck his tongue out at her. Malon playfully slapped his arm "Stop that!"

He sighed in defeat."Fine."

And so they went in for dinner, which was: Apricot Glazed Cucco, Pear Salad and more assorted vegetables.

"Wow, all this food looks delicious!" Zelda exclaimed.

"Well, there's only one way to find out how it all tastes." Link grinned.

"Thank you Zelda!" Malon said cheerfully then chuckled and added, "And you weren't kidding about Link and his um, 'eating issues'"

"Hey!" Link frowned.

Malon smiled warmly and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm only joking."

Link looked into her eyes and leaned in closer to her face.

Zelda cleared her throat, which of course ruined the moment.

Malon quickly took her hand off his shoulder; Link looked away.

"Um, so let's eat!" Malon said.

So, the trio ate and conversed until Princess Zelda excused herself from the table.

"I'll just be a moment." she said and went outside.

"She seems like a really great person, I think she makes a great ruler." said Malon.

"Yeah, I think so too." Link said.

All of a sudden they heard a loud crack of thunder. Malon grasped Link's shirt. She then blushed and briefly let go.

"Sorry." she muttered.

"It's okay, really." Link smiled.

The door flew open and in came Zelda. She hid her harp behind her, muttered some words and it disappeared.

"Zelda!" Link exclaimed. "What happened out there!"

"Link, I don't know. It just got really stormy out there, I really don't think we should leave tonight." she had a worried look pasted on her face.

"Well, Malon?"

Malon quickly nodded her head. "Yes of course! But, there's um, only one guestroom."

Zelda cut in "How about, Link takes the bedroom and you and I share a room?"

"Oh! Well are you sure, it's not that big of a space." said Malon, unsurely

Zelda grinned. "Yeah! It'll be just like a sleep-over!"

"Well, when you put it that way. . . okay!" Malon agreed.

"Fine with me." said Link, shrugging his shoulders.

"We'll have lots of fun, you'll see!" Zelda exclaimed.

When Malon left to show Link the guestroom, Zelda's eyes darkened. "We'll have lots of fun, indeed."

XxXxX

--

Hmmm Zelda had a harp. What song do we know that creates rain. . .