((Okay, so if you all haven't already noticed, this is my first story on fanfiction (whoo yay all that fun stuff) because of that I'll ask you all to be a little patient with my tech savvy skills until I get the hang of it. Other than that, feel free to bash and beat me with the truth as much as your heart desires. If you haven't already guessed, this story takes place about a week after Link destroys Ganon in OOT, no he doesn't go back to being a kid (obviously), and it's a Malink story. So don't go crazy Zelink shippers. I know it's hard to believe, but I don't own LOZ, like... at all. Anyways hope you enjoy this story! Tell me how you feel about it once your done reading.))
Ganondorf was gone.
The thought in itself was odd enough that Malon could scarcely believe it. For seven long, terrible years the gerudo had slaughtered, harassed, tortured, abused and mangled nearly all of Hyrule, it was almost impossible to think someone with so much power could be destroyed. Even harder to imagine a life without the constant tyranny shadowing over. And yet, that's exactly how it was.
Malon blinked up at the cheery blue sky above her, her legs shifting nerviously as she lay atop the cool grass. When she was younger, laying in the horse's fields had been calming. A nice getaway from the ever present list of chores demanding her attention. Now, it felt wrong. Like she was escaping from a reality that would only become more dangerous the longer she pushed it off.
Her lips pulled downward as she ran her fingers through the soft blades of slightly overgrown grass. Another way she'd changed from the careless little girl she'd once been.
A part of her wondered if it was Ingo's beatings that had taken away her ability to relax. But perhaps it had been the constant worry and work she'd put herself under to meet Ganondorf's high expectations. She hadn't taken a day off in years. The fact she had one now felt wrong.
She ran a quick list of things she would have done if things were the same: wake up at three to milk the cows and take care of the rest of the animals, make breakfast and clean the house before Ingo woke, cloth, feed, and clean him when he did, let the horses out into the fields to stretch, wait on Ingo, buy the groceries, sale the milk, make sure the animals were safe while she'd been gone, try to keep at least a rupee of the money she gave Ingo before he took it out gambling and drinking, scrub, chop, feed, dry, clean, sew, bake... the list went on and on, each one about as mindless and tiring as the one before.
About this time today she'd be serving fresh Lon Lon Milks to all of Ingo's buddies as they chatted about ways to help Ganondorf's search for the Princess.
Except Ingo wasn't in charge anymore.
Except the Princess was found.
Except Ganondorf didn't cast fear into their hearts anymore.
Malon stretched her arms and legs, yawning as she pulled herself up into a sitting position. It felt wrong being so lazy. Before seven years, she had been more than happy to be lazy. Now she felt restless. Like she needed to do something but there was nothing.
She'd already done everything though. The animals were more than happy, and she'd been banished from the house by Talon for 'working too well on cleaning the chimney'. Her fingers drummed against the dirt, her eyes wandering around the field wishing for something useful to come along so she wouldn't have to feel so useless, only to land on a horse grazing not six feet away.
Her lips pulled into a tight smile, she'd rarely been allowed to ride any of the horses when Ingo had taken over. Now, Boots, as was the bay's name, was free to stretch his legs whenever.
Malon pushed herself into standing, nearly running to the bay in desperation. Slinging a leg over his back, Malon couldn't keep the smile from her face as she propped herself up. The view was better sitting on top of her horse, the wind licked her red locks, brushing it wildly as the warmth of Boots nudged her calves.
Winding her fingers into his dark mane, she dug her heels sharply into his side's, squeezing her thighs as he took off into a full sprint. The wind went from playful to roaring as she sped away from her home, flying into the endless fields of Hyrule. It didn't make the looming feeling of uselessness go away, but riding Boots did lift her spirit enough to pull a small bit of joy out of her lips. More so than anything else at least.
She leaned closer to Boots, inhaling the scent of sweat and life from his beautiful brown coat. As restless as she'd been since hearing (and watching) the downfall of Ganondorf, she had to admit it felt good being free to roam around once more without fear of punishment. Pulling the bay to a stop a good ways away from her Ranch, Malon patted the horse affectionately, trotting aimlessly in circles before instinct began whispering it's warnings of what might happen if she didn't return to make supper in time.
Mere seconds before she nudged Boots into more running however, a distant, but distinct sound of galloping sounded as a familiar voice called out her name.
She stiffened, debating for a brief moment whether or not she should pretend not to hear and race away, but she knew Epona was faster and so the effort would be futile.
So she pulled back on Boots mane, pulling him to rest as she waited for the inevitable.
Epona was her favorite horse, as much as she tried not to pick favorites. So she couldn't keep the proud smile from approaching as she watched the beautiful horse zoom towards her faster and healthier than she had ever been. Her rider came with a similar smile, though his seemed much more friendly then proud.
"I didn't expect to see you out here." He said. The castle had been treating the two of them well. Epona looked healthy and strong, with small beads flourishing her white mane in beautiful small braids. Link looked just as healthy if not more.
He was breathing semi-hard, each breath coming in small, happy puffs of air. The bags that had once always accompanied his brilliant eyes were gone, the look of overwork and stress replaced by look of fortune and a bit of pride. His smile, which had once been taut and unsure, now held firm ease. Both looked content and happy, a look Malon envied.
"I was about to say the same." She said softly, imitating his look as best as she could. "Aren't you staying in the castle? Castle Town's the other way fairy boy." The teasing nickname lightened her sour mood a few pints, her shoulders easing as Link's lips stretched wider. Curiosity knotted her brows, "are you on another mission already?" It wasn't like Zelda to be careless and cruel to her knights, but neither was it like Hyrule to place so much trust and faith on a young boy. Desperate times changed people. Malon probably knew that better than anyone.
"No, I was just-" for a flash, his smile faltered, the look of uncertainty and insecurity Malon had seen on him so many times revealing itself. Then, it was gone. Replaced back into the look of happiness and security. "I was just out on a ride." Epona shifted under him, as if sensing his mistake.
Malon blinked at the Hero of Time's slight slip, her own mask of trying to look like a go-happy farm girl who's dreams had all been granted falling out as concern punched her gut. "This far? That's a long ride."
Immediately she wished she hadn't talked. Both knew riding was mostly used for distraction and in calling him out, she had partially called out herself. Shoving the fact that both knew the other had something on their mind into a spotlight that couldn't be escaped. Though what could possibly bother a man as glorified and loved as the Hero of Time was beyond Malon.
"D-do you mind if I ride with you for a bit?" Malon asked, fighting down a blush at her lack of tact. "I'm curious about what the castle must be like." She lied, trying frantically to change the subject before it got too uncomfortable.
Link nodded grateful for the save. Or so she hoped. He looked disappointed though so she couldn't be completely sure.
Both kicked their horses into a trot, Malon pulling Boots up to Epona's side. When she did, Link's face was back to that warm carefree.
"Ask away." There was something in the lilt of his voice that made his remark come off sarcastic. Making Malon wish she could shrink away and go back to her home where the nearest companion was a horse or a pig.
"Um..." She racked he brain, trying to think what a girl would normally want to know about the castle. In truth, the castle had never really caught her attention like it did to others her age. It wasn't like she'd never wanted to leave the Ranch. But she certainly didn't see the appeal of living among the rich. It felt out of place and uncomfortable to imagine her swaddled in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry. Even more wrong to imagine millions upon millions bowing at her feet. Finally a generic wistful 'what if' question came to mind. "Is the food there as good as people say?"
Whatever sarcasm he had had before seemed to fade away into amused patience as he passed her a smile. "It's as abundant as they rumor..."
She waited, leaning towards him only slightly as she realized he was hesitant to continue. "But is it as good?" His avoidance perked her interest though she really couldn't care less about how the castle worked.
His cheeks warmed, his eyes flicking towards her sheepishly as he slowed Epona enough to free his hand and scratch his neck. "No," he admitted eyeing her carefully to see her reaction to this. "Don't get me wrong, the cook makes wonderful meals," he continued as if worried he had offended her with this revelation. "But... there's something off about it... I don't know how to put it into words. It's like the food there is... missing something."
She watched as those intelligent eyes of his clouded into thoughts. A frown tugging his posture down. Something about it gave her the feeling it wasn't just the food he was talking about. But she was quick to dismiss that notion. It was the castle. Even if it didn't appeal to her, it certainly appealed everyone else. The thought that Link, a boy who was literally becoming a legend around the entire kingdom, was unhappy with his place right now was impossible. "Missing what?"
Her voice jerked him from whatever thoughts he was lost in and just like before, he was back into that look of happiness, the look of a hero who's only role now was to live happily ever after with the Princess of Hyrule and was succeeding this expectation very well.
"I must be missing. I should get back before Zelda- I mean, her highness notes I'm gone. Thanks for talking with me Malon." There was that warm smile. Once upon a time, it had made her heart flutter. Now, it only made her uncomfortable.
"Of course, you know you can always talk with me." Except she knew he wouldn't. Not anymore. Maybe he would have before, when he was nothing but a fairy boy from the forest and nobody knew, or cared about him. Things had changed. And they would continue to change. He had a place in Hyrule now, by Princess Zelda's side. Together they'd accomplish great things. Wonderful things.
And she would fade into memory like the rest of his adventures. Eventually, he would forget about that one farm girl who had sung a song for him. About that weird redhead who'd been kind enough to give him a horse.
She didn't blame him for that. She probably would have done the same if their roles were switched and she fell in love with someone else who would give a thousand horses and a thousand songs.
Liar. She knew deep down if the roles were switched her fickle heart would have chosen him. Link was better than the thousand songs or coins or horses. But then that was probably why he was the hero and not her. And he'd chosen the Princess. It was clear by the way he didn't even refer to her by her title anymore. Malon was determine to bless them when the inevitable wedding announcements came, just the rest Hyrule would bless them. He deserved this.
Link looked at her closely, as if he didn't entirely believe her promise. To be honest, she wasn't entirely sure if he should. Was it wrong to tell a courting man you'd once crushed on that he could talk to you? It was a bit like telling someone to spend time with you. What if she said or did something she would regret? Maybe she should have just told him a farewell and left him to his own devices.
But her days with the fairy boy from the forest were becoming fewer and fewer, and she wanted to at least keep a few more memories to fawn over when he became her king and a stranger. "You're always welcome to visit the Ranch. Our door is always open." Was she sounding too inviting? At least it seemed less of a personal invite compared to her previous statement. This one would include Talon and Ingo.
Whatever Link was looking for, he seemed happy when he found it. A genuine smile perked his handsome face. And he seemed to ease into his saddle as if she'd just cured all his fears and doubts. "I might take you up on that."
His words awoke an old familiar rush of elation from her chest. Just as it once had when she had checked the barn and found him hiding in the stalls to visit during the latter of those seven years. Of course, she quickly stomped the feelings down, shifting uncomfortably on Boots.
Her shift must've been taken as a sign for Link's dismissal because he gathered Epona's stirrups and cast Malon a farewell look. "I'll stop by later this week, it's been too long. We definitely need to catch up. I'll see you later Malon." He was wrong, it had only been three days since he'd last been there. She wondered what those three days consisted of for him to think it had been a long time. But before she could ask, the Hero of Time had already kicked Epona into a full gallop and was speeding away.
She sighed as the feeling of restlessness fell back onto her shoulders. He would be back this week. Talon would be over the moon about that. Ingo would make himself scarce as Malon suspected he wasn't completely over the embarrassment of Link showing him up. Still, he was coming, and that meant Malon had work to do. He was the Hero of Time after all, if the people found out she'd served him ill, and they would find out, they'd blackened the branch's name and business.
Perhaps she should feel burdened by this, but in truth she was relieved. Finally, she had something to do and a reason for doing it. It felt nice to have a purpose.
It felt nice to have something.