Thanks for the reviews!

I'm really sorry once again I didn't get to update this sooner. I've been busy with work and I wanted to finish my other story. Now that my other one is coming close to an end, with only a couple of chapters left, I can focus on this one.

I deiced to make it up to you all, by making this chapter a little bit longer than normal.

Enjoy!

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Another Chance

Chapter 9

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Once Link arrived at Kakariko Village, the bandits have fled. Luckily no major damages were done, except for the attack on the local supply stores. Only a couple of injuries were made, and no fatalities. The only thing they couldn't uncover was the identities of the three bandits.

The storeowners and a couple of witnesses all have claimed the three bandits wore masks, covering their faces. One of them was called 'boss', while the other two refused to speak each other's names. One was claimed to have white hair, and the other was tall and dark. The so-called 'boss' had brown hair. Those were the only physical appearances the witnesses were able to give.

They weren't too helpful for the Hero of Time, but anything was enough.

Link stepped out of the store and sighed deeply, looking up at the dark starry sky. The night was just beginning, but Link was still exhausted. Bandits are attacking Hyrule, which meant another threat needed to be stopped. The hero business never dies in Link's life. With a son to care of, a wedding to plan, and a new threat to stop, Link knew his life was just beginning all over again.

Link walked down the ramp, and headed over to the lone tree at the entrance to Kakariko Village. Impa silently waited, with her arms folded, tapping. Link stopped in front of the Shekiah, and turned back to the store up on the hill. Impa stayed silent, waiting for the hero to speak first.

" No one has seen the identities of the three bandits." Link explained. " They were wearing masks."

" They don't seem like a big threat." Impa replied solemnly.

" What do you mean?"

" Nothing big compared to…" Impa paused briefly. " Ganondorf. Robberies happen all the time. It's nothing to worry about. We will just have the guards be on full alert and to report if anything suspicious appears."

Link agreed and nodded, as the two walked out of Kakariko Village. " You are right. Robberies happen everyday. It's nothing big…"

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Link woke early the next morning, fully ready and prepared for the day ahead. He had made a promise to Hayden, that he would return so the two could spend the entire day together. He was going to keep the promise, like he had planned. This would be the perfect opportunity for some fatherly/son bonding, and he can get to know his son a little more.

Due to the King and Princess Zelda's busy schedule, planning the wedding had to be postponed for the day. Of course, it had given Link a day to spend with Hayden, as promised. Even though he was spending time with his son, he was still going to keep an eye out for any signs of the bandits. He still had to stick to his job.

Link arrived at Lon Lon Ranch, just a little before noon. He dismounted Epona, after seeing Hayden run across the corral, chasing a couple of young mares. Link felt a smile form in his lips as he took a couple of steps deeper into the ranch, stopping right in front of the house.

The door opened, as Malon stepped outside. She warmly smiled and walked closer to Link, looking down the corral at Hayden who still failed to notice his father here.

" Morning." Malon greeted.

" Morning Mal, how are things going?"

" Smoothly today. Hayden surely couldn't wait for this day to come."

Link couldn't help but smile. " Really?" Malon nodded. " That's good to hear."

Malon suddenly frowned, lowering her head as she fiddled with her apron. " I heard about the robbery over in Kakariko Village." Link's eyes widened as he stared down at the redhead. " Is everything okay?"

" No one was severely hurt." Link replied. " It's was just a normal robbery, but keep an eye out, okay Mal?"

Malon nodded. " You have nothing to worry about, Link."

Link was silent for a moment, as he noticed Hayden running in their direction. " Is…Seth here?"

Malon nodded, a little perplexed by the sudden questioning of Seth. " Yes, he's upstairs sleeping, why?"

Link abruptly shook his head. " No reason."

" Father!"

Link smiled and held his arms out, welcoming the young boy into his arms. Hayden smiled brightly as he tightly wrapped his arms around Link's neck. Link stood, lifting the boy off the ground. Malon laughed, and smiled, as she watched the two embrace.

Hayden pulled away, keeping one arm around Link's shoulder. " So what are we going to do today, father?"

" Anything you want." Link replied.

" Can you take me around Hyrule?"

Link nodded. " Of course."

Hayden clapped, as Link put him back down on the ground. Hayden abruptly ran over and gave his mother a quick hug before quickly running over toward Epona grabbing her reins ready to mount her. Link crossed his arms, and laughed, watching as Hayden whined for him to hurry.

Malon shook her head, smiling. " I can see he's excited." Link nodded. " Take care…and please let nothing happen to our son."

Link chuckled and shook his head. " Don't worry Mal. You're forgetting who I am."

" Right…" Malon whispered. She waved her hand in the air. " Good-bye Hayden. Have fun."

" Bye mother!" Hayden waved his hand in the air.

Link turned and walked over to Epona as Malon returned inside. Link grabbed Hayden's waist and lifted him onto the saddle. Once Hayden was on, Link mounted her, sitting behind his son. Without much hesitation, Link kicked Epona's sides, causing the mare to neigh and gallop out of the ranch.

As Hayden requested, Link took Hayden around Hyrule Field. From what Hayden had told him, he had only been out of the ranch twenty times in his life. Most of the time when he was younger, so Hayden barely remembered the sights Hyrule had to offer. Link felt sorry for his son, that he was unable to explore Hyrule. Of course, he could understand why. Malon was being protective over their son. She knew the danger the lurked in Hyrule and wanted Hayden to be safe.

Link had first taken Hayden to Kakariko Village, to show him the busy yet peaceful and quiet town. He pointed out Death Mountain in the distance, which Hayden immediately wanted to explore, but Link abruptly refused. The next spot was Zora's River, and the two actually hiked all the way to the entrance to Zora's Domain. On the way to the Zora's home, Link had begun to tell Hayden some exciting stories he had when he was boy. Mainly of the trips he was sent on. Hayden seemed really fascinated by them.

After the small trip to Zora's River, Link took Hayden across Hyrule over toward Lake Hylia. The day was steadily coming to an end, and Link wanted to make sure they visit the vast lake, before he takes him back home. The two ended up spending a couple of hours at Lake Hylia, just sitting around and talking.

Epona trotted around the small field behind them, while Link and Hayden sat on the grass, near the edge of the water. Link silently watched Hayden walk up to the lake, splashing his boots in the water.

" This is so cool." Hayden remarked. He briefly stopped playing and stared at the lone tree in the middle of the lake. " What's that?"

" Just a tree. You can go out there and see a better view of the lake." Link replied. Hayden smiled as he watched the two long bridges stretch across the lake. " Hey Hayden, I have a question."

Hayden looked back at his father. " Yes?"

" Do you like Seth?"

Hayden frowned. " I just want him to like me."

Link sat up. " He doesn't?"

" I don't think he does." Hayden explained walking away from the water. " He yells at me a lot."

Link frowned, feeling his anger rising. " For what?" Hayden shrugged. " Does your mother like Seth? Does she like the way he treats you?"

Hayden stayed silent, shrugging once more. " She yells at him, when he hurts my feelings... " The young Hylian confessed. He took a seat next to Link, looking out at the lake. " D-do…you love mother?" He looked up at his father, his big blue eyes shimmering.

Link smiled, and stroked his son's hair. " I love you, Hayden."

Hayden suddenly frowned, and pulled away from his father's touch. " Loving just me isn't enough." He murmured.

" Excuse me?" Link raised an eyebrow.

Hayden abruptly shook his head. " Nothing."

Link stayed silent, clearly understanding what Hayden had said. He didn't bother asking his son again. Link loved Malon, but he couldn't tell Hayden that, not just yet. He feared Hayden would tell his mother about it, or worse, someone who doesn't need to know.

Link patted Hayden's back and stood to his feet, walking over to Epona. He grabbed Epona's reins and patted the mare's sides, comforting her. He turned back to his son, noticing the sun slowly setting in the distance. " Let's go, Hayden. Time to go home."

Hayden frowned and whined standing to his feet. " Aw, already?"

Link nodded. " We have to get you home."

Hayden ran over to his father. Link lifted Hayden and sat him down on the saddle. After Link mounted the mare, they were off heading back to the ranch. On the way home, as they were heading across Hyrule Field, Hayden had questioned his father.

" Where do you stay every night?"

" At the castle." Link replied, kicking Epona's sides.

" Can I stay with you for tonight, father?" Hayden questioned.

Link was silent thinking about Hayden's question, before a smile appeared across his face. " We have to ask your mother, Hayden."

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" Stay at the castle?" Malon's eyes widened astonished.

Hayden nodded and pulled on his mother's arm. " I promise, I will be good mother. Can I? Please?"

Malon opened her mouth to speak, but only found herself looking up at Link who stood in front of the door. Link smiled and nodded his head. Malon smiled and softly chuckled looking back down at her son. She stroked his hair out of his face and bent down kissing his forehead.

" Okay." She whispered. " You can go."

Hayden smiled and jumped up and down excitedly, running back to his father." Did you hear, father? I can go!" Hayden then, ran up to his room. His footsteps pounding as he ran up the stairs.

Link laughed and pushed himself off the door, walking closer to Malon. " You sure this is okay?"

Malon nodded. " As long as you can keep him out of trouble."

" Of course, Mal." Link assured. " You never have faith in me."

" Only because I know how you are. I don't know if you have noticed…" Malon explained walking over to the table and cleaning it off. "…But he's just like you when you were a kid."

Link crossed his arms and followed Malon. He stood behind her, leaning closer to her. " Charming, good-looking and courageous?"

Malon laughed softly, and turned. The two silently stared at each other, as if locked in each other's gazes. Malon was the first to return to reality, as she lowered her head and playfully pushed Link away. " Of course, but I was thinking about adventurous…curious…and could never stay in one spot for long."

" That's me for you." Link joked.

Malon laughed and grabbed a rag cleaning the plate. Link followed Malon once more and stood next to her, so closely that their arms were touching. He watched her silently, until she put the clean plate away and tossed the rag into the empty bucket.

" You know…there is one more thing, Hayden and I have in common…" Link explained softly.

Malon shook her hair out of her eyes and turned, facing Link. " And what's that?" She whispered back.

Link stared down at her, smirking. The room sat in silence, as to draw out the moment longer. Link opened his mouth, about to speak, but Hayden's noisy footsteps were heard once more coming down the steps. Link and Malon both stepped back from each other, and turned to their son.

Hayden walked down the steps, carrying a small brown bag. " I'm ready!"

Link smiled and nodded. " Ok, great!" He stepped away from Malon and grabbed the bag Hayden carried, tossing it around his shoulders. " Now, say good-bye to your mother."

Hayden ran over to Malon and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a tight hug. " Thank you mother. Good-bye."

" Good-bye sweetie." Malon kissed his hair. " I'll see you in the morning."

Hayden nodded and hurried out the door, to where Epona waited. Link trailed steadily behind Hayden and stopped at the door, turning back to Malon.

" We'll continue later..." Malon explained softly.

Link nodded. " You bet. Good-night, Mal."

" Good-night Link." Malon waved.

Link nodded and stepped outside, softly closing the door behind him.

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A/N:

Not my best chapter, but it is something after not updating for a while. I just wanted to let you all know I wasn't dead, and that I have not forgotten this story. I will update this soon, because the next chapter is going to be interesting.

Hayden is staying the night at the castle. What's more interesting than that?

Also, I'd like to see if anyone is able to guess what Link was talking about. When he said to Malon, that him and Hayden have one more thing in common. Let's see if anyone can guess it right.

Until Next Time!