Thanks for the reviews!

Here is the next chapter. I'm sorry for a little wait.

Enjoy!

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Another Chance

Chapter 11

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The next morning, Link took Hayden back to the ranch earlier than planned. Hayden was still asleep on the ride home, lying comfortably against Link's chest. The night didn't go so well for Link, since it had taken him forever before actually falling asleep. His mind was focused on Malon, and her safety. Now since Link figured out Seth was the leader bandit, he knew Malon might be in danger. It is possible that Seth wouldn't hurt Malon, but Link wasn't going to take any chances.

It seems Hayden didn't figure out his soon to be stepfather was the same bandit who attacked his father. Link was content. Hayden didn't deserve to know, not yet. Malon, on the other hand, needs to know the truth and Link was planning on telling her when they reach the ranch. How to tell her, was what Link was trying to figure out.

Epona trotted softly across Hyrule Field, due to Hayden still being asleep. Link softly yawned as Lon Lon Ranch came closer into view. With one hand, Link held tightly to the reins. His other hand was firmly wrapped around Hayden, who was sleeping peacefully against him. Hayden had no trouble falling asleep last night, but since they had left a little before sunrise, the young Hylian still slept.

It was still early in the morning by the time the two reached the ranch. The sun was up, but the temperatures were lower than usual, causing it to be a chilly morning. The grass was still wet with dew, and bright white clouds partially covered the sky.

Epona neighed as she came to a stop near the house. Link woke Hayden, as he dismounted the mare. Hayden groaned lightly, his eyes heavy as he suddenly began to fall back asleep. Once Link was on the ground, he reach out and lifted the sleeping Hayden back to his arms.

The door opened just as Link stepped away from Epona. Malon walked out looking curious, already dressed and fully awake. Her eyes widened as she walked closer to Link and Hayden.

" Why are you back so soon?" Malon questioned, as she rubbed her fingers through Hayden's hair.

Link looked down at Malon. " We need to talk."

Malon noticed the determined, and serious look in Link's eyes. She didn't bother questioning anymore, and turned guiding Link to the house. " Okay. Let's bring Hayden up to his room."

Once Hayden was peacefully sleeping in his bed, Link headed back downstairs to where Malon was finishing her cooking. Link took a seat at the table, silently watching Malon as she fixed him a plate. Malon politely smiled as she walked over and sat the plate down front of Link. Link's eyes fell to the food in front of him, before he turned his attention back to Malon shaking his head.

" I can't."

" Come on, Link. I know you haven't eaten anything yet. Just take it."

Link warmly smiled and nodded, picking up the fork. " Thank you."

Malon returned the smile and walked outside. The room sat in silence, as Link finished eating, still thinking about how to tell Malon the truth about Seth. What he feared the most was how she was going to react to it. Was she even going to believe him?

Once Link had finished, he stood to his feet and gladly washed the plate for Malon. After tossing the rag back into the bucket, Link returned to his seat. After a few moments, Malon returned carrying a basket filled with bottles of milk. Malon sat the basket down on the floor, and briefly looked over at Link who was patiently waiting for her.

" Finished?"

Link nodded. " Mal, can we talk?"

" Of course, Link." Malon replied in her usual cheerful tone. She walked over and took a seat across from Link, resting her elbows on the table. " What do you need to talk about?"

" It's about…" Link paused. He sighed deeply. " It's about…"

" Link, what happened to your arm?" Malon questioned, interrupting him.

Malon immediately stood and walked around the table over toward the blonde hero. Link sat quietly, watching as she carefully grabbed his left arm. She lifted his black sleeve, to reveal the rest of the white bandage that wrapped around his wrist. Malon's anxious blue eyes widened.

" That's kind of what I need to talk to you about." Link answered. " I had gotten into a fight last night. The same three bandits robbed Hyrule Market." Malon stayed silent, as she lifted her head to Link. She watched him, listening carefully to the story. Link continued. " I had fought the leader bandit, who called himself Boss."

" Why do you have to tell me this?" Malon spoke softly.

Link opened his mouth and sighed deeply. His eyes lowered his arm, noticing that Malon had her hand placed on his. " I don't really know how to tell you this, Mal." Link raised his eyes back to Malon. " But…Seth is the bandit."

Malon gasped causing her to lift her hand away from his and cover her mouth. Her eyes widened, as she stepped away from the table. Tears began to build up in her eyes. Link frowned, hating himself for making her cry once more.

" That…can't be." Malon whispered. " No…"

" I know it hard to believe, but I have a strong feeling it's him. Hayden appeared and…"

" Hayden was at Hyrule Market while you were battling?" Malon's voice raised, astonished by this.

" No…well, I told him to stay at the castle, but he didn't listen. He somehow left, and ended up coming to Hyrule Market." Link stayed calm. " When Boss saw him, he immediately stopped fighting. He knew who Hayden was and ran. Seth is the only one, that I know, who knows Hayden."

" I…" Malon shook her head closing her eyes. " I can't…."

" Mal, answer this. Was Seth here last night?" Link questioned.

Malon shook her head. " No." She opened her eyes, refusing to make eye contact with Link. " He left saying he had to go and help out at work."

" Do you know what he does at work?"

" No." Malon answered once more. " All I know, is that he works at Lake Hylia with a man named Jack."

" Well there are two men he works with." Link corrected. " Why don't you think Seth tells you what he does at work? He's a bandit, Mal."

Malon blinked, causing a couple of small tears to roll down her cheeks. " I don't understand…why would Seth…no…"

" I'm only trying to protect you Malon." Link explained. " I don't want anything to happen…"

" Seth would never hurt me." Malon replied. " He would never do something like that."

" You never know. He seems to lie to you."

Malon sighed and sat back down in her seat. " Seth loves me." Link stayed silent. " I've been with him since Hayden was three. If he was going to do something, wouldn't you think he would have done something by now?"

" Mal…please…"

" Seth wouldn't do anything, and I would definitely make sure he would never harm Hayden."

" Look…Mal…"

" If you came here because of your job, I don't want to hear it!" Malon cried as more tears rolled down her cheeks. " Once again, your job is more important."

" Mal, I'm sorry if you think that, but unfortunately I can't abandon my job. Whether I like it or not, I have to do it, and Seth is part of my job. I can't change who I am, Mal."

" Well then please take your job somewhere else." Malon explained. " Deal with Seth off of the ranch."

" Mal…" Link spoke softly, hating the fact that they were arguing once more. " Please, I don't want to argue with you and I never meant to make you upset, but what I'm telling you is the truth. I'm just worried about you and Hayden."

" Everything is okay, Link." Malon assured, she lowered her head.

Link stood and walked over to Malon, noticing that she continued to cry. Link sighed to himself, thinking of what to do next. He never meant to make her cry, but just wanted her to know the truth. He wished he could hold her in his arms, like he used to do when they were together, but he managed to control himself. Seth was here, and Link had no clue if he was awake or not.

Instead, Link bent down next to her chair and grabbed her hand comforting her. Malon sniffed, and finally looked at Link. He stared into her hurt, and miserable blue eyes, wanting to see her smile. A frown was held upon her face, as tears continued to roll down her reddened cheeks.

Link spoke softly, hoping to cheer her up. " Someone as beautiful as you should never shed tears."

This caused Malon to chuckle, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. He had said that to her every time she cried. When they were together, of course. " Link, I'm sorry I snapped at you."

" Hey, I deserved it." Link explained. " I guess, I do sometimes let my job take over me, but I want to you know that my job isn't the most important thing in my life."

Malon was curious. " What is?"

Link smirked. " You should know…"

Malon suddenly smiled. Link smile's vanished as he heard heavy footsteps head downstairs. He abruptly stood to his feet and stepped back letting go of Malon's hand. Malon frowned and looked over by the stairs as a figure stepped out of the darkness and entered the room.

Link frowned at the sight of Seth. This had been the first time he has seen Seth, since last night he had wore a mask covering his face. Seth's appearance was very similar to last night, except he had green eyes. He had worn the same clothes, with the exception that he had changed his green shirt to a red one.

The look Seth had given, clearly gave Link his answer. Seth knew who Link was, but Seth didn't know that Link knew about him. His fierce and stern green eyes averted over toward Link. He gave a look of disgust and fury that Malon had clearly seen.

The two men stayed silent, as Malon stood from her seat and walked over toward Seth. She grabbed his arm and began to introduce the two, even though the two knew each other. She guided Seth over toward Link, but managed to keep their distances.

" Um, Seth I'd like to introduce you to Link, Hayden's father. Link, this is Seth, my fiancé." Malon explained, a hint of anxiousness was heard in her voice.

Link crossed his arms as he continued to gaze at Seth. He had to speak to him. He had to say something, so it didn't seem like he hated him, even though it was the case. Seth was the bandit who tried to kill him last night. He was also the man who was going to marry Malon. Link had every rights to hate him.

" Nice to finally meet you, Seth."

Seth frowned and nodded. " Yeah."

Seth immediately turned and walked over making himself breakfast. Malon sighed deeply and walked over to Link, who still focused his attention on Seth. Seth took a seat at the table and began to stuff his face, his eyes switching glances from his plate to Link.

" So how long do you plan on staying?" Seth questioned rudely.

Link frowned, making a fist with his hand. He wanted to pull out his sword and just fight him right then and there, but a soft hand gently touched his shoulder. Link loosened up and turned to Malon, who held a frown upon her face. He sighed softly, remembering what Malon had said. Whether he liked it or not, he had to listen to her. Seth wouldn't hurt her, or Hayden. Link had to trust her words.

He couldn't believe what he was doing, but he had to do it.

" I was just leaving." Link spoke softly, as he turned and headed for the door.

Malon noticed the smile that appeared on Seth's face, before she turned and followed Link back outside to the ranch. She closed the door, keeping her back against it, as she watched Link walk over to Epona.

" I trust you Mal," Link explained, as he mounted her.

" Thank you, Link."

" But I will tell you now, if I catch him outside of the ranch, doing his bandit business…I won't hold back."

Malon was silent for a moment, before she nodded. " I know…it's your job."

Link frowned. " Tell Hayden I'm sorry I couldn't say good-bye. I will be back."

Malon nodded. " I will. Good-bye, Link."

" Good-bye, Mal." Link grabbed Epona's reins and abruptly kicked her sides.

Malon watched as Epona neighed and the two swiftly rode out of the ranch.

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A/N:

Probably not what most of you wanted to happen, but hey work with me on this. I know Link probably isn't the type to just walk away when his target/enemy is right in front of him, but he listened to Malon. Why? Because he loves her.

Ah, I don't have much to say about this chapter. I'm not too fond of it, but it's something and I wanted to update before I start school on Wednesday. Hopefully, I can get one final update before school starts, but please don't count on it. Heh. I'm not making any promises. This might be my last update until this weekend. Which is a three day weekend! Yah!

Until Next Time!