Arranged Love

A Malon and Link Story

Chapter Nine: A Confrontation

Link finally pulled himself together and slowly made his way to Lon Lon Ranch in deep thought. 'Zelda and I. . . we were friends for so many years. She was my best friend, how could she do this? To me. . . to Navi! I just don't understand. . .' Link sighed. 'Maybe things will get better once I get to the ranch with Epona.'

When he made it to the front gates, Epona whinnied with delight. She sure was happy to be back home! Link patted the horse's back.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming closer, fast. Moments later, the gates burst open.

"Epona!" Malon exclaimed, completely not noticing Link. "You came back!" There were tears of joy in her eyes.

Link looked at the two, happy to be reunited. He momentarily smiled to himself before he realized she didn't know he was there! Link coughed slightly. This seemed to get her attention.

"Link." she frowned, angrily.

"I-I brought Epona." he said, weakly.

She just glared at him and started toward the stables with Epona.

"Wait. . ." Link said softly after her.

Malon turned around. "What?" she spoke rudely.

"I found and brought you back Epona, but I never stole her. I swear!" he said, evenly.

"Then who else could it have been? All the evidence points to you!"

Link started to get angry. Not really at Malon, but at the trouble that Zelda created. "Well, maybe it was your stupid princess!" he snapped.

A look of shock and anger spread across her face. "How dare you! How dare you blame Princess Zelda! She's the one who helped me discover your unfaithfulness and she's the princess of this land! I'm surprised she doesn't just arrest you or better, have you executed, but no, she's too much of a good friend and here you are, blaming her for your bad doings!"

Link's mouth hung open. How could she say such things? He just stood there stunned.

She scowled at him. "Nothing left to say?" she then angrily turned around and headed once more toward the stables.

"No, stop, you don't understand!" Link called out, but Malon just ignored him.

Link followed her and when he got close enough, he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. "Look, if you'll only listen-"

"No! I don't want to listen! I've heard enough!" she struggled to get away from his tight grip.

"But-" Link was cut short when Malon slapped him across his face. He let her go and she walked off in a huff.

"She just hit me. . ." Link said aloud. "Oh Navi, what should I-" he cut himself short when he remembered that Navi was gone. Gone. Forever. Tears once again stung the corners of his eyes.

Link hastily wiped them away. He had somewhere he had to go.

XxXxX

Link charged into into Castletown, with a frown stuck on his face. People stopped what they were doing to see where this determined man was going. People parted as he walked past them. Link normally hated attention, but today he didn't care. He had his mind set to one thing only.

As he reached the gates, the guard stopped him. "Halt! State your business!" the guard ordered.

Link let out an aggravated growl. He didn't have time for this. Why couldn't the stupid guard remember who he was?

"Just open the damn gate!" he bellowed.

The guard, immediately figuring out who he was, stammered. "Y-Y-Yes sir! Right away!"

Link charged into the castle. The guards stayed away, as they were afraid of what this man could do. He just walked and walked until he reached the Castle Courtyard, where unsurprisingly, Zelda was kneeling down to admire flowers.

Link, with what calmness he had left, walked over to where Zelda was bent down. A look of immense anger was evident on his face.

Zelda saw a shadow over her. She cautiously looked up to see a fearsome look on Link's face.

"Link! What's the matter?" she asked concerned.

He curled his hands into fists. He lowered his gaze and his face darkened.

Zelda got up and cupped his chin with her hand and tilted his head so his eyes met her.

"Don't touch me!" He shouted with such an edge, that Zelda took a step back and tripped, falling to the ground.

"L-Link! W-what's wrong?" she choked out, a bit scared.

"Why did you do this?! Why Zelda?" he said, slightly softer.

The princess gasped. 'He couldn't have found out could he? Wait! Where's that fairy?!' realization dawned on her. 'The spell! Oh no. . .' "I-um. . . What are you talking about?"

"You know fucking well what I'm talking about!" He yelled even louder than before. Link couldn't remember the last time he was as mad as this. He wasn't even sure if he was this mad at Ganondorf!

Zelda gasped. She'd never heard him cuss before or even be this mad! 'Oh, what should I do. . . I can't lie my way out of this. . .'

She took a deep breath. "Link. . . I'm so, so sorry. . ."

"You're sorry?! Is sorry going to bring any of what I lost back?" he said, brokenly.

"Link, listen I-"

"No! You listen!" he said, cutting her off. "You were my friend, no, my best friend, but for this. . . I don't think I have the heart to ever forgive you! You turned Malon against me, you killed Navi and you broke my trust! Why, Zelda?"

"I just. . . I wanted to be with you." she said quietly.

"Even though you knew I didn't love you like that?!"

Zelda solemnly nodded her head.

"Goddesses! Navi. . . you didn't have to force her into your damned plans!"

She just stood there quiet. She really had nothing to say.

"Malon. . . well, she just hates me now." Link shook his head. "After all this, what did you expect? Me to magically just fall in love with you? In case you didn't know, it doesn't work that way."

Zelda looked down. "I know. . . I was just jealous. . . I wasn't thinking right," she looked up at Link, "I'm sorry, Link. I've never been so sorry in my life, it was a huge mistake. . . please, please forgive me." she pleaded.

"Everyone makes mistakes, but Zelda. . . I never thought you could stoop this low." he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

They stood there for a moment, then Link turned around and started to walk toward the exit.

"Link, where are you going?" Zelda asked, worriedly.

Link heaved a sigh. "I don't know. I just don't know anything anymore." with that, he left.

She started to cry. Princess Zelda started to cry. 'Link. . . where has he gone? Oh, why do I feel so awful? I'm the most terrible person in the world! I deserve to be locked away more than Ganondorf does! Malon. . .she deserves to be with him. He loves her so. . . oh, what have I done? No, what am I going to do?' She dropped to her knees and started to pray for the answer.

When the answer came, she knew exactly what should be done and hurried to get it all done. It wouldn't be easy, but she had to do it. . . for Link!

XxXxX

Link walked aimlessly around for hours, unable to think clearly. Mixed up thoughts played through his head. He thought about the things Malon said to him, the time he fell off the horse, the accusations she made against him, everything.

When he finally stopped, he looked at where his legs led him. The bridge in Gerudo Fortress. He looked down at the ravine below. It was a long drop, probably unsurvivable. He took a deep breath. "What should I do?" he fell to his knees.

"Why are you doing thing this to me?!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, bitter tears running down his face.

He looked down once more. 'What have I got to lose? I've lost everything already. . . the woman I love more than anyone, hates my guts, I lost Navi, who was like a mother to me, the person I thought to be my best friend turned out to be nothing more than a liar. . . what else is there? I've nothing to live for.'

Link continued to sob. He was hurt, confused and broken. He had one choice to make: To jump, or to not?

XxXxX

--

Ah, Link! Don't jump! What a sad chapter. . . well, I wonder what Zelda has up her sleeve. . . hopefully not another plan that makes poor Link suicidal! Wow, I got this done on a Friday night. . . what a fun way to spend Fridays, eh? Only a few chapters to go. Weird, Link said the F-word. Hope nobody got offended by that. . . Whatever, enjoy!