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Another Chance

Chapter 7

It was time.

That's what repeated over and over in Link's mind as he stood outside the front door. Malon and Hayden had been inside for at least five minutes, waiting. But for some strange reason, Link wasn't quite ready. Even though he told himself he was.

He could just picture Hayden's reaction, but then again would it be a good reaction, or bad one? Hayden was only six years old, he would take his father's return as a good thing?

Why was Link so nervously all of a sudden? He didn't understand. He was ready to tell Hayden the news. Once the news is out, Link couldn't abandon Hayden, he had to be the father he was determined to become. He had to stick to his fatherly role, and yet being an important aspect to Hyrule. He was going to have two different lives, and had to manage both of them equally. Not only was he soon going to be the Prince of Hyrule, but he is also a father to a farm boy. His son.

They were two totally different lives, and he was apart of both of them.

Link rubbed his fingers through his hair, and took a deep breath. He was ready. He couldn't wait any longer. He couldn't have Hayden wait any longer. It was time for him to beginning his promise, and commitment.

The appearance inside the house hasn't changed much from six years ago. He still felt like he was home, because he still considered this place his home. Six years ago, he would stay here at least four times a week. Talon would always welcome the Hylian in his home, but now he wasn't so sure.

Inside, Malon was busy cleaning off the table with a damp rag. Link smiled. It didn't matter what time of day it was, she was always cleaning or working. Hayden was sitting at the table, talking to his mother about how fun, riding Epona was. He rested his elbows on the table, swinging his feet contently as they dangled.

Link steadily made his way over to the table. Malon finished cleaning, and rung out the rag tossing it back into the bucket. She wiped her hands on her apron, before removing it from around her waist and putting it neatly in the corner.

Hayden licked his lips, waiting patiently, as he watching his mother. Once Link took a seat next to him, a frown appeared across his face, like what they had to tell them was serious.

" Hayden, there is something Link and I want to tell you." Malon immediately began. She wasted no time.

Hayden briefly switched his glances between his mother and Link. " What is it?"

" Well, remember when I had told you that your father had gone away?"

Hayden nodded. His blue eyes steadily turned to Link. " …Yes."

Malon warmly smiled at Hayden, and stepped up to the table. " Your father returned a couple of days ago."

Link looked down at Hayden. Hayden stared at his mother, astonished. His mouth slightly hung open, as he blinked. " Really?"

Malon nodded. " Hayden, Link…is your father…"

Hayden blinked and abruptly looked over at Link. His mouth continued to hang open. Link smiled, trying desperately to ignore the rapid beating of his heart. The news was finally out…now all they had to do was wait for Hayden's reaction. Right now, it seems Hayden was too stunned to speak.

" Y-you're really my father?" Hayden managed to ask.

Link nodded, proudly. " Yes, Hayden. I am."

A smile immediately appeared on Hayden's face, as he leaped out of his seat and ran over to Link. The young Hylian held his arms out and jumped up onto Link's lap, embracing his father with a tight hug. Link's eyes widened, surprised at the young boy now within his arms. A loving smile appeared on Link's face, as he felt his heart beat return to normal. He returned the embrace, enjoying the feeling.

This boy in his arms…was his. He had a responsibility to Hayden, and was determined to do whatever it took to keep his son happy. He was going to protect him, and love him, like any father would.

Malon warmly smiled, and returned to her cleaning, while Link and Hayden continued to hug. Link listened to Hayden softly sob, noticing that his son was crying. Hayden pulled back from Link and immediately wiped his eyes to cover his tears, but Link clearly saw them.

" What's wrong, Hayden?" Link brushed back the strands of hair the fell in front of Hayden's eyes.

" I never thought I would meet my actual father." Hayden confessed.

" I know I haven't been there when you were born and for six years of your life, but I promise Hayden. I always be here for you now."

Hayden smiled and sniffed. " So now, we can all be a family, right?"

Link's smile suddenly vanished, as he once again became anxious. Hayden slid off of Link's lap, and walked over to his mother, causing Link to stand. Malon also heard Hayden's frightening question, and stopped cleaning, to turn and face her son.

Link frowned as he and Malon exchanged glances. How are they going to tell their son, that they can't be a family? How will Hayden take the fact that his parents can't be together?

" Hayden…" Malon called, dropping her arms to her side. She decided to tell him. " We can't be the family that you're thinking of."

Hayden frowned. " Why?"

" Link and I are both getting married to different people. It's just not that simple." Malon explained softly, placing a comforting hand on Hayden's shoulder.

" So, you're saying you don't love father anymore?"

Link choked, staggered by Hayden's question. He took a deep breath, waiting for Malon to answer the difficult question. His eyes lifted to Malon, as she refused eye contact. She lowered her head, and turned focusing her attention back to cleaning.

" Hayden…" She paused.

Hayden frowned and turned to Link, heading back to his father. Link finally looked away from Malon, and lowered his head to Hayden who had returned to his content mood.

" Father!" Hayden grabbed Link's hands. " Can you teach me how to ride Epona, again?"

Link smiled at his son. " I will, but I must head back to the castle."

Hayden frowned, lowering his head disappointed. " Aw, why?" He pouted, sticking out his lower lip.

" I have other important things to attend to as well." Link bent down so that he was eye level with the young Hylian. " I promise Hayden, I'll come back and we can do whatever you want, okay?"

This caused Hayden to smile. " Okay." He wrapped his arms around Link's neck, embracing him with a hug. " I love you, father."

Link's eyes widened, as a loving smile appeared on his face. It gave him goose bumps, just hearing his son say he loved him. Hayden already trusted, and loved him. He knew he couldn't abandon his promise. Hayden was looking forward to his return, and Link was content to say he felt the same.

" I love you too…" Link whispered.

Hayden pulled away and grinned, turning his attention to the door. " I have to go tell Ingo and Lucas the news!"

Link stood and watched as Hayden ran back out to the corral. The room sat in silence, once the young Hylian left. Malon continued to clean, refusing to look or speak to Link. Link took a deep breath, and walked over to Malon, standing next to her.

" Who's Lucas?"

" Hayden's horse. They're both the same age." Malon answered, bluntly.

" Mal, what's wrong?" Link crossed his arms, watching Malon.

" Nothing." Malon abruptly replied. " I'm just…exhausted. I didn't have a good night." Malon stopped cleaning, and glanced down at her hand. She could still feel the sting.

" Why don't you rest?" Link questioned. He reached over and grabbed the empty clean bottle of Lon Lon Milk from Malon. With the other hand, he took the rag from her. " If you work this much, you're going to pass out."

" Link…" Malon lifted her head to the Hylian.

" Why isn't Seth helping?"

" He's at work."

" He work's everyday?"

" Just about." Malon stepped away from Link, walking back to the table.

Link set the bottle and rag down, following Malon to the other side of the room. Malon surprisingly grabbed another rag, and began cleaning off the table. Link sighed, and snatched the rag from her hands.

" Mal! You need to rest."

Malon turned and faced Link. " Why are you doing this?"

" I'm worried about you." Link replied. " You shouldn't be over doing it."

" I'm not over doing it, Link." Malon smiled, holding her arms. " You're acting just like you did, before you left."

Link smiled. Malon was referring to when they were both together. Even then, Malon was a workaholic. She could never just take a break and relax, enjoying the day. Link was always vexed about her, and sometimes he believed she continued to do it, just for attention. She knew that Link wouldn't just sit back and watch her work so much.

" Do you remember those days?" Link questioned softly.

" What days?" Malon asked.

" Six years ago..." Link remarked.

Malon was silent for a moment, as she lowered her head. She nodded, speaking softly. " Of course, how could I not forget?"

Link smiled and looked down at the rag. " I'm going to finish working."

Malon's eyes widened as she immediately lifted her head. " But Link, don't you have to go back to the castle?"

Link smirked, and crossed his arms." Mal, it doesn't usual take me that long. You know that."

Malon laughed and nodded. " Yeah, I know."

Link stepped forward, and courageously gave Malon a hug. Pretty soon, his heart beat violently against his chest and he began to regret what he had done. He wanted to show his affection, to let her know that he still cared.

Once Malon returned the embrace, Link's nerves had calmed down. She wrapped her arms around his back, resting her head against his chest. She closed her eyes, as if reminiscing.

After moments of silence, she spoke.

" Thank you." She whispered.

" For what?" Link questioned, as they both parted.

" Coming back." Malon answered. " You made Hayden really happy today."

Link smiled. " I was only doing my job, and I promise Mal, I'll make it up to you."

" Link…" Malon shook her head, crossing her arms.

" Now you just rest." Link explained, as he stepped back about to head outside. " I will finishing working."

Malon sighed. " Okay."

" No working, promise?"

" Promise!" Malon laughed.

Link smiled and walked outside.

Malon took a seat at the table, and shook her head, smiling in return.

" We wait here." The boss replied.

The three bandits, stopped at the top of a hill, near Zora's River. It overlooked the path leading up to Kakariko Village. Their next target.

" Kakariko Village." Trey replied, as he dismounted his horse. He grinned. " Perfect."

Jack nodded. " This is perfect. We are gonna find some nice treasures here."

The boss nodded and dismounted his horse, turning his attention back to his two partners. " We wait until dark. Then we attack."

" What about that Hero of Time, sir?" Trey questioned. " Word has it, he returned."

The boss crossed his arms. " No Hero of Time is going to stop us. If we crash into him, let me handle it."

Jack grinned and nodded, putting another cigar into his mouth. " You handle the Hero of Time, and we get the treasures."

" No Hero of Time is going to stop me." The boss replied sternly. His fierce brown eyes glared at the castle in the distance. " I will get rid of him, once and for all."

A/N:

You guys had waited long enough, so here you go! The next chapter! The news is finally out! Oh man, heh.

As I re-read over the story, I've noticed that this isn't just a romance story. It's going to be a mix between romance and action/adventure. As you can tell, the three bandits at the end are the reason for the action/adventure. Don't worry, you can expect some Link/Malon moments, later on in the story.

Until Next Time!