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Another Chance

Chapter 16

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Link opened his eyes and abruptly sat up in bed. He groaned lightly, rubbing his eyes and frowning at the pain developed within his head. He looked down, and noticed his bare chest was exposed. A white bandaged was wrapped numerous times around his chest to stop the bleeding.

After a while, Link realized that he wasn't alone in his room. Zelda sat on the edge of his bed with a loving smile across her face. Impa stood in the corner with her arms crossed. Over by the table near the window, Malon sat on a chair with Hayden on her lap. Once the young Hylian noticed his father awake, Hayden jumped up and ran to his father's side.

" Father!"

Link warmly smiled. " Hayden…"

" You're okay." Hayden smiled; his blue eyes glistened.

Link nodded stroking his son's hair. He survived in the end. Seth. He remembered Seth falling in defeat. Most of what happened last night was a blur.

" You were out for the entire night," Zelda explained. She placed her hand on top of Link's. " It's good to see you recover, Link."

" What happened after I was out?" Link questioned. He turned his head over toward Malon who waited sat silently in the chair.

" I had gotten help." Malon explained softly. " We brought you back to the castle."

" And Seth?"

Malon remained silent as she lowered her head. Words didn't need to be said. Link could tell by her expression that Seth had died. He remembered apologizing to Malon about it. He tried to reason with Seth, but the bandit wouldn't agree. Link didn't have the heart to kill Seth only because he was set to marry Malon. He doesn't quite remember why he attacked afterwards.

" Link you need to rest." Zelda stated. " Your wounds need to fully heal."

Link nodded in response.

Malon stood from the chair and walked over toward Hayden. She gently rubbed her son's back, causing Hayden to stand and lean against her. " We must be going Link." She explained softly. " I hope your recover well."

Link's eyes widened. " You're leaving so soon?"

Malon nodded. " I have to clean up the farm. Ingo isn't going to do it all on his own."

Link frowned. He knew he couldn't keep her from that. " Okay. Take care."

Hayden stepped forward and carefully gave his father a hug. " I love you father."

" I love you too." Link replied.

Hayden pulled back and grabbed his mother's hand. Malon smiled at Link and nodded. " Thank you Link. Good-bye."

She turned and said her good-byes to Princess Zelda before heading to the door. Link watched them carefully as they left the room. He sighed deeply and leaned back against the wall. He thought about what happened last night after Seth's fall. Malon came to Link's aid, kissing him and being affectionate.

Link's eyes widened.

He remembered this. She didn't care about Seth. She only cared about his safety and came running to him. She wanted to make sure he was the okay. She did love him. She proved her feelings to him last night. Malon didn't show her feelings here, because of Princess Zelda.

Now aware of the sudden discovery, Link swung his feet around and stood up from the bed. He tugged on his black pants before putting on his brown boots. Zelda stood with him, her eyes wide by the sudden surprise of him wanting to get up and leave.

" Link, you need to rest."

Link nodded. " I know, but there is something I have to do real quick."

Link abruptly hurried to the door and ran down the hallways ignoring the pain that developed within his chest. He managed to catch Malon before she fully left the castle. Her and Hayden were walking across the drawbridge out into the warm, beautiful Hyrule.

" Malon!" Link cried.

Malon stopped and turned back to Link. She lightly gasped astonished to see Link right behind her. " Link, what are you doing here?"

" Malon, I love you." Link confessed speaking softly so the guards wouldn't overhear.

Hayden smiled from behind his mother.

Malon opened her mouth to speak, but found herself unable to say anything. Once again Link was left looking like the fool, because he confessed his love and didn't get a reply. He didn't want Malon to hide her feelings anymore. He wanted to hear her say how she felt.

" Link…" She shook her head. " Look…this can't…"

" Malon, please…" Link stepped closer to her. " I remember what happened last night…you were going to say something to me. What was it?"

" That I…" Malon paused. She closed her eyes and shook her head. " I'm sorry Link, I have to go."

She turned about to leave, but Link grabbed her arm preventing her from moving. " Malon, don't run away from me."

Malon stopped and faced Link once more. She spoke softly. " Look Link, I may not be getting married anymore, but you still are. You need to go and show Zelda that you care about her."

Link shook his head. " But how can I when I have no strong feelings for her?" You were the only one I truly loved Malon, and you still are."

" Link…" Malon took a deep breath.

Hayden looked up at his mother. " Mother…"

Malon sighed deeply and grabbed Hayden's hand turning to leave. " I…I love you Link." Link's eyes widened. Malon turned around and faced him, smiling. " I do love you, but we can never have another chance." She frowned as her eyes began to water. " Good-bye…" She whispered.

Link opened his mouth to reply, but stopped. He stood in silence, watching as Malon and Hayden walked across the castle grounds toward Hyrule Market. He was so close to having her again, but he just let her walk away. They now had two separate lives, and were heading in two different directions.

Link was forced into a life he didn't want to live. He couldn't back down.

He had no choice, whether he liked it or not.

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A/N:

Don't think this is the end, because it's not. I know I said last chapter that there was only one chapter left, but I decided to make two more. The only reason why this chapter is so short is because I wanted to split the ending up. The next chapter is the official last chapter of Another Chance.

So expect the conclusion soon, and also check out my next story Twisted Love if you haven't done so already.

Until Next Time!