I'm very very sorry for the lack of updates. I did manage to get busy and focus some more on this, so here is the next chapter. Again, I'm sorry.

Thanks for the reviews!

Enjoy!

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Another Chance

Chapter 13

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The night was just beginning.

Malon still didn't get over what Link had told her yesterday, about Seth being a bandit. She knew she should have questioned him, but refused every time she made an effort to. Unfortunately, like always he had left this morning. He has still yet to return, which caused Malon to believe Link's words.

How is she going to question him about it?

Malon continued to put away the horses, as she closed the ranch for the night. She was in the stables, giving the animals food with Hayden helping. It was quiet in the stables, despite the mooing of the cows and neighs of the horses. Hayden sat on a stool, silently watching his mother as she gathered up eggs and cleaned the stable.

Malon had her back to Hayden, as she listened to him shift on the stool. She looked over her shoulder, at her son who stared down at the ground. Ever since Link had left without saying good-bye, he had wanted to see his father again. Malon was content that Hayden wanted his father, because it showed how close the two had gotten over a couple of days. Though, she was upset because she couldn't do anything about it. Link had his other life to attend too…with the princess.

" When I will see father again?" Hayden questioned.

" Whenever he isn't busy, Hayden." Malon answered. " He has other important things to attend."

" More important than me?"

Malon smiled. " No sweetie, nothing is more important than you."

" Then why isn't he here?"

" Because the princess needs him." Malon explained, hoping he would stop with the questions.

" But, don't you need him?"

Malon stayed silent and sighed deeply. She turned around and crossed her arms looking down at her son. How was she going to explain it to him? " Hayden…listen…"

She opened her mouth to continue, but suddenly stopped at the sound of horses outside. She listened carefully, at the sudden sounds of footsteps, and faint deep voices. Hayden also heard the sound and stood running to the door.

" Who's here?"

Malon bent down and grabbed Hayden, telling him to stay quiet. They both were quiet as the voices were now easily heard. Two men were outside, but their business here was still unknown. Malon quietly ordered for Hayden to return to the stool. Hayden reluctantly did as told and walked back to where he was.

With him away, Malon carefully cracked opened the door with shaky hands. She peeked through the crack, and saw two men standing in front of her house. Both were dressed in dark clothing, with masks covering their faces. One was short with white hair while the other was large, dark and bald. In their hands were long blades.

Malon's eyes widened at the sight of the weapons. Her heart immediately began to pound against her chest, as she continued to watch the men confront the door. She listened their conversation, noticing Hayden steadily walking over to her from the corner of her eye.

" I don't like this, Trey." The large dark man explained.

" Shut up Jack!" Trey snapped.

" Jack…" Malon whispered. Jack was the same person Seth worked with. These were the two bandits, teamed with Seth. Why were they at the ranch? Seth wasn't here.

" You can't be so loud." Trey explained. " Our job is simple. Get the kid and leave."

Upon hearing that, Malon carefully closed the door and grabbed Hayden's hand. Hayden was about question once more, but Malon wrapped her other hand around his mouth. She brought him to the other side of the stables and shoved him into the extra empty pen. Malon then blew out the candles.

" What's going on mother?" Hayden questioned, fear clearly heard in his voice.

" Please, stay quiet Hayden." Malon whispered. " Don't say a word!"

Hayden nodded, but stiffened as the stable door was heard opening. Malon immediately stood, as Hayden backed away hiding underneath the hay. Malon's heart continued to race as she stepped away from the pen, not to give Hayden's position away. Trey, stepped into the room. He spotted Malon in the corner.

" Hey Jack, get over here!" Trey explained. He held tightly to his sword stepped deeper into the room. Malon noticed Hayden stirred in the pen, trying to get a glimpse of the man.

" What's the matter Trey?" Jack entered the stables and smiled at the sight of Malon. " This is her, isn't it Trey?"

Trey nodded in response.

" What do you want?" Malon questioned. " There's nothing here."

" We're here for your son." Trey explained. " Give him up!"

" He's not here!" Malon cried. " Go away!"

Trey frowned and stepped closer, causing Malon to step back. Pretty soon, her back was up against the wall. Trey held a devilish grin upon his face. Jack trailed behind Trey, as the two cornered Malon.

" We're not suppose to hurt her, Trey." Jack explained.

" Shut it!" Trey snapped. " Seth isn't here to save her, and neither is that pathetic Hero of Time."

" Leave now!" Malon shouted.

" What are you going to do about it?" Trey questioned. " Tell us where you're hiding your son."

" No, he's not here!"

" Jack, go search." Trey ordered.

Malon watched in dread as Jack walked around the stable tearing things apart. Luckily, he walked passed the empty pen, but there was no telling if he would return to it or not. For now, the horses and cows were going crazy at the sight of a large man terrorizing their home.

" And I'll…" Trey continued. " Deal with you."

Malon frowned, as she slid down to the ground. Trey laughed as he reached over, and violently grabbed her arm.

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Link sat at the fountain in the middle of Hyrule Market. He looked up at the clear starry night above. He listened to the voices behind him. Impa and Dariuna were silently talking to each other. A guard had informed them, that a bandit was seen around Hyrule Market. Sure enough it was a bandit, but not the one they were after.

Seth was the one he was determined to face, so far no word on him or his two goons.

" Link, I believe we should turn in." Impa suggested.

Link sighed and nodded. " You're right."

He stood to his feet and turned about to retreat back to the castle, but the drawbridge was heard lowering. Link and the two sages turned to find a guard riding up to them on his horse. He was night patrol, watching the grounds of Hyrule from Kakariko Village to Hyrule Market.

" Sir! Trouble!" He cried.

Link immediately reacted to his voice. " Where?"

" Two bandits were seen heading to Lon Lon Ranch." The guard informed.

Link felt his heart drop. " No…" He whispered. Malon and Hayden were in trouble. Link snapped back into action and hurried over toward Epona mounting her. " I'm on it!"

He swiftly rode out of Hyrule Market without another word. After learning that Lon Lon Ranch is being targeted, he couldn't help but think Seth was behind it. Malon believed that Seth would never hurt her, but maybe she was wrong after all. Seth was determined to show his revenge some how; then again the guard did say two bandits. What if Seth isn't apart of this, but his two partners are? Whatever the case was, Link was determined to stop it.

As Lon Lon Ranch came closer to view, Epona began to gallop faster. Link's heart raced as the wind blew against his face, causing his hair to fly out behind him. So far, Lon Lon Ranch looked untouched, but the action could be deeper within.

He hoped he wasn't too late.

Just as Epona entered Lon Lon Ranch, Link immediately dismounted her, by leaping off. He landed safely on the ground and pulled out his sword. Two unknown horses were seen standing in front of the corral, which meant the bandits were here.

Just as Link was about to enter the house, the stable door opened. Link immediately turned, hearing the shouting and cries coming from inside. Trey walked out of the stable, with his hand gripped tightly on Malon. Jack followed, with the undiscovered Hayden in his arms. Hayden was kicking and shouting, but nothing seemed to pry him from the large man's grasp.

Trey spotted Link, and immediately stopped. He gasped. " The Hero of Time!"

" Link!" Malon cried, tying to get Trey's hand from around her arm.

" Let them go!" Link cried, gripping tightly to his sword.

" Never! We want our revenge."

" Revenge for what?" Link questioned.

" Father!" Hayden shouted. " Father!"

" You killed our fathers!" Trey explained. " Our father's worked for Ganondorf and you killed them with your own two hands."

Link's eyes widened, surprised they were avenging their father. If they were working with Ganondorf, then Link didn't feel so bad. Ganondorf was nothing but pure evil, which lead him to believe their father's were the same.

" Let them go!" Link repeated. " Or you will end up the same fate as your fathers."

Trey chuckled. " Not without a fight. Jack go!"

Link watched as Jack turned and ran over to his horse near the corral. Hayden's scream echoed as they steadily left the ranch, galloping passed them. Link was about to chase after him, but immediately stopped once seeing Trey toss Malon against the stable, lifting his sword about to strike. Link ran over toward the white haired man and swung his sword in. Trey immediately countered, causing their swords to clank loudly into the air.

Malon stepped back, watching as Trey and Link continued to battle. Their swords continued to clank loudly, as they moved about the area. Link had to admit, Trey wasn't as difficult as Seth, which made it an easy battle. In no time, Link knocked the sword out of Trey's hand and stabbed him in the chest. Movements stopped, as Link removed his sword causing Trey to fall back to the ground.

Link took the time to catch his breath as he looked down at Trey. Malon stood to her feet, finally realizing Jack had taken Hayden. " Link!"

Link nodded and put his sword back in his sheath as he ran over and mounted Epona. Malon followed and mounted the brown mare after him, sitting behind him. Link kicked Epona's sides causing her to immediately gallop out of the ranch.

Out on Hyrule Field, Link spotted Jack and Hayden heading toward Kakariko Village. They were just a little in front of the bridge as Epona began to gallop down the large hill. Knowing they wont make it in time, Link took out his bow and arrow and aimed it at Jack. He took a deep breath and fired the arrow, watching as it soared and hit Jack in the back upper shoulder. The horse immediately came to a stop as Jack hunched over and fell off the horse. Hayden jumped off and began to run passed Jack toward his parents.

Epona came to a stop keeping distance from Jack. Link and Malon dismounted Epona. Malon embraced Hayden tightly, while Link walked up to Jack, who recovered from the arrow after pulling it out of his back.

Before he had a chance to react, Link grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling out his sword. " Did Seth send you to do this?"

Jack shook his head. " No…it was all Trey's idea! Seth had no part in it."

For once, Link was relieved. " Where's Seth?"

" Lake Hylia…" Jack answered. Link stayed silent. " Please don't kill me!"

" No one messes with my son and lives." Link replied as he pushed Jack to the ground and stabbed him with his sword.

Malon held Hayden tightly, making sure he didn't witness his father kill Jack. After Link walked away from Jack and put his sword away, Malon let go of Hayden. Hayden turned and ran to his father, hugging him tightly. Link smiled, returning the embrace. He looked up at Malon.

" Are you okay?"

Malon nodded. " Yes, I'm fine. Thank you. Was Seth apart of it?"

Link shrugged. " The bandit said no, but he could have been lying."

Hayden pulled away from Link, but continued to stay by him. Link rubbed Hayden's head, turning his attention back to Malon. " I'd feel much better if you and Hayden stayed at the castle for tonight, just to be safe."

Malon was content Link was worried about their safety, but she didn't feel comfortable staying at the castle. Seeing the big smile upon Hayden's face led her to believe that he wanted to stay, and she knew Link wasn't going to let her refuse.

" Okay," Malon replied with a smile. Link smiled in returned. " We'll stay."

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A/N:

I promised action and romance in the up coming so here was the action! Woot! Woot! Romance…well I'm not going to spoil that. It's coming up soon, I promise. The story is coming to its end soon.

I will try to update soon, but you the usually school, work, etc is keeping me from writing. Who knows, if I see a lot of people demand for me to update then it will be a lot soon. I'll try to get some writing in during my short free time, or tomorrow.

Until Next Time!