It is Only a Matter of Time

"What in Tarnation!" Talon exclaimed so loudly that Link half expected to be introduced to a shovel, hoe or various other tools contained within the chicken coop. Nothing could have prepared Link for what Talon said next. "I asked Malon to bring a young fellow home and what d'ya know? She goes and finds one to bring her home!"

Taken completely aback, Link had no response. Talon seized upon Link's shock. "At any rate, I better go retire. Tell Malon to feed the chickens in the morning. They've been clucking n' chirping so loudly a fellow can't get any shut eye around here!"

Link finally found his voice. "Sir, I found Malon unconscious in the field. She awakened for a moment, but-"

"Malon was asleep in the fields?" Talon interrupted. "You know, she's really starting to take after her mother. I would never do something like that!"

"Sir-"

"Call me Talon," he corrected.

"Listen," Link said impatiently. "I think Malon is injured..." he spoke slowly and paused so the words would sink in.

"What?" Talon barked, and Link was overcome with relief that Talon finally understood. That relief was short-lived. "Malon is used to fending off boys. A little shut eye will make'er feel better."

"But she may be injured!" Link protested.

Talon roared with laughter. "You're worried about that there bump on'er head? My boy, Malon's a true farm girl. She has it in her to take a few blows."

As if to reveal his confidence in that statement Talon collapsed in his wooden chair, propped his feet on a crate box and was snoring before Link could utter any form of protest.

He's more absent-minded than he was eight years ago, Link thought dejectedly.

Link was almost tempted to grab the talons of one of the snoozing chickens and awaken Talon, but he thought better of it when Malon's eyes twitched under the lantern's light. Cradling Malon closer to him so her head rest against his tunic, he began ascending the stairs. Each step creaked and strained beneath his weight, and on one particular step, Link feared the rotting wood would give. When he finally reached the top he had never felt so accomplished in climbing a dozen stairs.

A wooden door rested in Link's path which he gently kicked open. Surveying the room in the darkness, Link's eyes quickly adjusted so he could make out the outline of a wardrobe, a mirror and a bed. Finally satisfied that he remembered the room, he walked toward the bed and gently lay Malon down. He removed a handkerchief from deep within his tunic pocket and wiped the thick sheen of perspiration from Malon's face. Link did his best to quietly rise and leave so she could rest.

Furious, Lord Truce paced across the markets of Hyrule. The princess had not only denied him...she had lied to him! He saw Zelda and her lover embracing in the castle courtyard while Zelda smiled as if the sun shone just for the two of them. She glanced at him with a tenderness and admiration that was obvious to all but her lover. Not even a fraction of this glance ever passed between Truce and Zelda. As is typical for many individuals, Truce desired what he was denied but he was different in one way. His infinite patience and determination ensured that Truce succeeded where other individuals failed. He did not sit idly back watching as another achieved what he wanted. He especially would not remain idle while one as dense as Zelda's lover, who did not recognize nor return Zelda's feelings, was the one Zelda pined for. No, this man did not deserve Zelda.

But it is only a matter of time, Truce thought. However, this was a thought that had entered Truce's head on many occasions. It was at that moment that the truth finally dawned on Truce. It is only a matter of time if I let time resolve the matter.

Chuckling, Truce continued pacing across the market. He was like a caged animal plotting his escape, and only one man was daring enough to approach him.

"You won't get her thinking like that," a raspy voice spoke.

Enraged at having his thoughts interrupted, Truce sharply shot around to face an elderly man. The man's grey hair hung in nappy strands around his neck and face. He wore dark rags which clung loosely to his frail body. Any strength he had in his youth was now used for hunching over his cane to keep him upright. This was obviously a man who had spent the better part of his life living off of others.

The most despicable person, Truce thought. He lived an insignificant life and his death will not leave even the slightest mark on the universe. How dare he address me!

"What do you want? I have no need to converse with an old geezer."

The man seemed unperturbed by the comment. "Do not be so quick to judge me. I was once like yourself."

"I doubt that!" Truce interjected.

The man continued not showing any offense if he felt any. "I worked in the castle in my youth and desired the woman who eventually became queen. I failed to have her, which is obvious because of where I am standing now, but you can succeed."

Much to his surprise, Truce found himself taken with this man's story. "How?"

"It's only a matter of time." Before Truce could respond, the man turned his gaze and repeated, "It's only a matter of time..."

Truce followed the man's gaze to the temple beyond the market. He was somewhat familiar with the legend and what lay within, but he was never intrigued enough to enter. It just all seemed such a hoax. Was this man to claim otherwise? He turned to speak with the man, but found him absent. Truce scrutinized the entire market, but the man was nowhere to be found.

How could such an old geezer sneak away so quickly and without me knowing? Truce wondered. Shrugging the strange disappearance out of his mind, he glanced again at the temple. Well, I don't have anything to lose but time... With that last thought, he ascended the steps towards the Temple of Time.

Unable to sleep, Zelda leaned against her balcony railing and gazed ahead at the rising sun. It's funny, Zelda mused, that this sun will mark the start of a new day for everyone but me. Zelda sighed as she realized that the world did not care if she had slept well that night. Sure there were many soldiers, civilians and maids who claimed to care, but it was not long before Zelda learned that they only cared about her well-being as it mirrored Hyrule's well-being.

She suddenly recalled the time that she discovered a swan in the courtyard pond. It eyed Zelda cautiously as it bathed and drank from the pond, and Link, upon his visit, suggested they feed it. Zelda requested some bread from one of her servants which she and Link tore and tossed into the pond. One more swan even came to join them, and Zelda gleefully exclaimed that she would keep them as pets. She and Link even gave them names. The fun continued until all that remained of the bread were a few minuscule crumbs. The swans waited a moment before their interest was demanded elsewhere, and then they both took off. Zelda was distraught, but both she and Link learned a valuable lesson.

Zelda had to lead Hyrule with the expectation that her citizens would only come to her in need and want. Link had a similar situation as the Hero of Time. Both of them had to be careful to not be deceived by the flattery of those individuals who were like the swans. It was then that Zelda realized how much she cherished Link, her dear friend who had always remained by her side even when she had nothing left to give.

Malon awoke and immediately arose forgetting her injuries. Her body objected to this sudden movement and alerted her with several aches and pains. As she began recalling some of yesterday's events, her curiosity got the better of her and she strolled to the mirror to observe the damage. Malon gasped when she saw the person reflected in front of her. Her flawless complexion was now scratched and caked with dirt and sweat. A pair of normally intelligent and lively eyes were overcome with fatigue. Rosy lips that were usually full and enticing were now cracked and bruised. Sighing, Malon stripped out of her clothes and rinsed as much of the dirt from her face as she could.

Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she started towards the door but paused as she vaguely recalled the man who rescued her. Who was he? Certainly not her father for he would never be able to remain awake. So who? Her question was answered as soon as she glanced out her window.

There was a man outside brushing a horse while he sat propped on a crate. Curiously, she sauntered downstairs and crept past her snoozing father. Realizing after she closed the door that she could have marched downstairs and her father would not have even stirred, she stifled a chuckle. Her thought was abolished as she gazed again at the stranger. He did not notice her yet, so Malon took this opportunity to stare. She was immediately met with a faint recognition for this stranger and his horse, but as much as she struggled to unravel the mystery of his identity, she could not. She reasoned that he reminded her of an old friend, which she would either figure out eventually or would forget entirely when she learned more of him. Suddenly he turned, and Malon blushed for he had caught her staring. He stood and reached for his hat, placing it over his longish blond hair.

"Hello, I'm Malon..." she paused to consider her words.

He studied her for a moment as if expecting her to continue, and when she didn't, he grinned revealing a set of perfectly aligned teeth. "Hello, I'm Link. I am glad to see you are feeling better."

"Yes, thank you..." Malon again found herself at a loss for words, and she was at once grateful that Link had not been in the room when she regained consciousness. His absence had given her the necessary time to collect herself and prepare for this encounter. She did not need the immediate embarrassment that she owed Link for his help. What could she offer him that he could possibly want? Unless...Malon almost gasped as the thought entered her mind. He couldn't expect- no...he didn't strike her as that type of man, but was he?

"Malon?" Link's voice stirred her from her reverie. Link waited until she turned to glance at him. "Can you remember what happened?"

Glad to be rescued from her shock, she shook her head. "No...just that I was hit on the head."

He nodded and seeing that she had nothing more to offer, he spoke. "It's alright if you can't. It may take awhile but it will come to you."

His gentle voice reminded her of a dream she had that night. She recalled it was a lucid dream and she had been frantically searching for some distant memory. Though she had searched every corner of the dream, she had not found the memory she sought, but she would not give up. At one point her infinite motivation scared her so much that she feared she would be lost forever. It was then that a gentle voice spoke her name, freeing her from her motivation's hold. Though she did not recognize him in her dream, she had not forgotten his voice. Malon was certain it was him and she spoke without thinking.

"You are the man of my dreams..." Malon immediately blushed at her error. "I mean..."

"I was in your dreams," he finished the sentence for her.

Malon nodded, grateful that he had not sought to embarrass her. "This may sound odd, but I feel as if I know you from somewhere. Have we met before?"

"No, but I feel the same way Malon. I'm sure it will come to us in-"

"Well there ya two are!" Talon spoke with laugher in his voice. "I knew you already swept my Malon off her feet, but I thought it was a bit early for you two to be eloping!"

"Father!" Malon protested.

Talon acted like he hadn't heard. "At any rate, Link, my boy, I am happy to have such a strong lad as yourself workin' for me. I know Malon is pleased and-"

"Father!" Malon protested again, then turned to Link. "Link, don't listen to him. I know you went out of your way for me and I thank you. You are free to leave when you please."

"Actually Talon," Link interjected. "I am interested in your offer unless you already have someone else in mind," he turned to Malon. "In that case-"

"Oh no!" Malon placed a hand on Link's forearm, then realizing what she had done, immediately pulled it back. "I just didn't want to interfere with any plans you had or any maidens you had to save." She intended the comment about the maidens to be a joke, but it was instead relayed flirtatiously. What is wrong with me? she wondered.

"In that case," Talon said, picking up where Link left off, "it's settled!"

Link quickly extended his hand before Talon had the chance to make another embarrassing remark. "Thank you both."

As Link shook Talon's hand, he was overcome with excitement. He would finally have a place to live as well as the time he needed to consider his future direction. No longer would he need to aimlessly roam through Hyrule and reflect on his past. Feeling another wave of excitement, Link realized that he had to share it with someone. He knew who that person would be without having to think. His closest friend and confidant Zelda. Only she would be able to truly rejoice in his excitement and happiness.