Author Noted: Reedited 5/21/2012

Chapter 2

I'm staring at the mountains in the distance, while riding a big beautiful white Gerudo Stallion.

I'm on my way to Lon Lon Ranch.

Even though I never travelled Hyrule by foot, I have studied maps of it and the typography in the library of the Sacred Realm.

It's so beautiful.

I never thought I could feel so free.

I stop for a second and jump down off my horse and look upon the horizon.

I close my eyes and feel the wind on my face.

This… I think, this is what I've waiting for. I finally got to see the sun over the horizon.

I was granted my every request.

I was given the time I was allotted.

I was given a substantial amount of rupees to board a room.

And I was given my Hylian disguise.

I would have to say of all the requests, this one was the most important to me.

I couldn't believe Impa thought I could be more beautiful than Zelda, I think shaking my head, that's preposterous.

Even still, the disguise she gave me was beautiful.

Who is this person? I wonder for a moment, not being able to stop smiling.

I was five feet six inches, with a slender, curvaceous physique. My creamy sun kissed skin was flawless, and I had a beautiful smile.

My eyes were like that of a cat, deep set, intense, and a deep dark blue. Instead of my short crop, I was given long green shiny waves of hair, down to my waist.

I was very happy about how the disguise turned out and fortunate I got to keep my natural hair color.

Impa, as a momentary precaution wanted to change the color of my hair, from green to blonde.

I emphatically said no.

How would Link know who I was, if there wasn't some way to recognize me? If there wasn't some inkling?

I needed at least one vital recognition that I was me, and my green hair was it.

Impa worries too much, I think, it's either that or she elicits too much control.

I walk over to the creek adjacent to the bridge near the entrance to Kakiriko Village and water my thirsty horse.

The Greudo Stallion was a beauty: she was graceful, she was regal, she was powerful, and she was my ticket into staying at the Lon Lon residence.

I couldn't just show up without a plan of action.

No, I had to be subtle in this approach, and let things happen organically.

The Link's take care of horses, I think logically, I have a horse to take care of.

It's very simple really.

Very simple.

I stroke the nose of my horse and sigh wearily.

I've always wanted to know what it was like to be a Hylian; to be grow up and be free; to roam the countryside and fall asleep under a canopy of stars without the fear of death from leaving the forest.

Now I have a little time to enjoy that, and maybe have an old friend enjoy a little of that with me.

I continue to stroke my horse's mane, and sigh again a little troublingly.

But... am I doing the right thing?

Is this really going to work? I wonder looking down at my reflection. Is this right coming back into his life like this? He's twenty-seven now with a family. What do I hope to accomplish?

I bite my lower lip as I think about this.

Do you still need me Link? I wonder. Do you want to rediscover our friendship again?

"There's only one way to find out," I say quietly to myself, patting my horse's nose.

After my steed rests and drinks enough water, I mount her and continue towards my destination.

My horse trots up the steep hill of Lon Lon over pass and neighs taxingly when I dismount once more.

I pet her nose softly and look into her sweet brown eyes calming her down.

"We're here to see an old friend," I whisper to her. "Relax and enjoy your stay."

I'm not here to cause discord. I tell myself. I'm here for closure.

Just then the door opens to the main house, and an adorable little redheaded boy comes running out. He looks about nine or ten years of age... and exactly like his father.

My eyes widen at the sight of him, not expecting to see such a striking resemblance.

Link... I think incredulously, but had to hold back my tears. He looks just like Link.

Soon after his mother, Malon comes following.

She has a big smile on her pretty face.

"Hi there," she says in a friendly manner. "You have to forgive my son, he gets so excited when he sees Gerudo Stallions and pretty women."

I blush at the compliment and raise my eyebrows at her friendly manner.

Oh no this is going to be harder than I thought. I think. I wasn't anticipating such a warm reception from his wife.

"That's alright," I say to her with a smile, "Maxere loves children."

"Is that your horse's name?" the little boy asks me.

I can't help but smile into his sweet face.

"Yes," I reply, "she's powerful, but if you give her sugar cubes and apple cores she's as gentle as a lamb."

"Oh wow!" he says enthusiastically, "Can I feed her some sugar cubes?"

The little boy comes up and pats Maxere on the nose.

"Sure," I reply.

Before the little boy can run off, Malon catches him by his collar.

"Not so fast young man," Malon says, "you put this young lady's horse in the stable first and then we'll talk about the sugar cubes."

I smile at Malon's paternal instinct.

The little boy billows irritably and comes to take Maxere's reigns.

"Yes ma'am," he states flatly.

I inadvertently chuckle at his characteristic untoward behavior.

Children... I think shaking my head.

"How old is he?" I ask his mother, turning my attention back to her.

"He's 10 years old," Malon says admirably, "he's a hand full."

Malon runs a hand through her shiny red hair and sighs watching her son pull Maxere into the barn.

She's very beautiful. I think, feeling a little unsettled about my plans. She's very kind too.

"I'm sorry I didn't catch your name," I say playing up to the Hylian greetings.

"My name is Malon," she replies, "my son's name is Sar. Don't ask me why my husband wanted the name Sar. I think it's because he wasn't a girl; he was bent on the name Saria for a girl."

When I hear that I could barely swallow.

My eyes widen from the subtle shock.

"S-Saria you say?" I repeat unbelievingly.

Malon looks at me a little puzzled by my reaction.

"Yes," she says with a nod.

I swallow hard and quickly look away.

I had to pretend to do something with my satchel so Malon wouldn't see the tears forming in my eyes.

Saria... I thought. He was going to name his daughter after me. All this time he was still thinking about me. Maybe not in the way I wanted, but this revelation is more than I could have hoped for.

Malon is a little uncomfortable with my reaction.

"Excuse me..." she says to me gently, "are you alright miss?"

"I'm fine," I say quickly, having to remember I can't turn into an emotional reck. "I just... I just knew a little girl by that very name; she died not too long ago."

Malon raises her eyebrows at my reply.

"Oh," Malon replies, "I'm so sorry."

What a terrible lie. I think guiltily.

"It's alright you couldn't have known," I say, wishing I could change how I reacted.

Why did you do that you idiot? I think upsettingly. Now she's going to think you're crazy.

There is a slight uncomfortable silence between us before Malon breaks it.

"Will you be staying the night at the inn?" she asks me suddenly.

"Yes if that's alright with you," I say, wanting to get back to the pleasantries, "I have some business I must attend to and need a lodge for the next few weeks."

"That's no problem," Malon says and then for some reason takes my hand in hers; it was a very kind gesture. "My family would love to have you stay. We don't get very many foreigners."

"How do you know I'm a foreigner?" I ask wishing it wasn't so obvious.

She eyes my hair conspicuously.

"I thought I had a dynamic hair color," Malon says. "I've never seen emerald green hair before in all my life. No one, not even in Kakiriko Village, has hair that color. You must be from another country."

I look at her in surprise.

"No one around here has green hair?" I ask perplexed.

Malon shakes her head and smiles.

"Not a one," she replies to me.

Maybe that's why Impa wanted to change my hair color, I think abruptly. I would be less conspicuous.

"Oh," I say trying to make light of it, and decided to go along with the thought process. "Well yes, actually I am from another country."

Another realm really, I think to myself.

Malon smirks at my peculiar nature.

"What's your name?" she asks me softly.

I look at her with a raised eyebrow and she laughs at me.

I'm a little surprised and I smirk at Malon.

"What's so funny?" I ask her.

Malon shakes her head.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you're a little... weird," she chuckles.

I sigh seeing her point.

"You're right," I reply, and then add, "that's what happens when you travel too much."

Malon rolls her eyes playfully and laughs again.

"So really, what's your name?" she asks me again.

I pause for a moment.

"My name..." I trail trying to think. "My name is Aria."

Malon raises her eyebrows and nods.

"Aria," Malon repeats, "that's beautiful."

"Thank you," I reply.

She really is a nice person. I think. She doesn't have one shred of insecurity.

Soon after Sar returns from the barn.

"Maxere's safe and sound mommy," he replies, "now can I feed her some sugar cubes?"

Malon sighs at her son's behavior.

"It's not up to me honey," Malon says to him, "you have to ask Miss Aria here."

Sar immediately turns his attention to me.

"Please," he begs.

I look into this boy's beautiful azure eyes and immediately think of his father.

He looks just like him. I think. The resemblance is uncanny. His face, his speech, his manner, it's like the second coming of his father.

I shake my head at the thoughts, and focus my attention back to what he was asking me.

"Tell you what," I start, "tomorrow morning I've got to get up early and go to town for business. Why don't you get up and feed my horse the sugar cubes then?"

Sar's face broke into a smile.

"That sounds great!" Sar says happily.

I smile at Sar's enthusiasm.

"Just be sure to be ready, I'm leaving at dawn," I say.

"That's fine," he replies, "that's when I get up to feed the animals."

I turn my attention back to his mother.

"You're certain it's okay that I stay here?" I ask for reassurance. "I wouldn't want to put anyone out."

"Oh no," Malon says, "my husband added rooms on years ago. We wanted to try this little enterprise to bring in some extra income. Times have been hard as of late.",

I nod seeing this as my perfect way in.

Sweeten the proverbial pot Saria. I tell myself.

"I completely understand," I reply thinking of the perfect segue, "tell you what, if you let me stay for the next few weeks I'll pay you ten thousand rupees cash, upfront, no holds bars."

Malon's mouth nearly drops when she hears that.

"Ten thousand rupees?" she replies flabbergasted, "In cash? How in the world…? Who are you?"

I smile.

"That's really not important," I say, "let's just say I deal with precious rare materials."

"Oh wow," Malon says admirably, "so you really have travelled the world! I've always wanted to do that. My husband and I initially were going to do that, then I got pregnant, and life happens."

Malon's smile was radiant, and I suddenly feel little conflicted.

Why am I doing this? I abruptly wonder. It's clear she's head over heels in love with Link. Maybe I should go back and rethink this whole silly idea. Maybe I should-

"Malon!" a man's voice calls from behind me, "Come help me with these milk jugs!"

Malon looks past me and smiles.

"I'm coming honey!" she calls back, and then directs to me, "Will you excuse me?'

I merely nod and feel my body freeze as Malon let's go of my hand and goes over to her husband.

"Hi daddy!" Sar says jumping onto the wagon and giving his father a hug.

"Hey son," Link says hugging him back, "help daddy get these jugs down. I think we made a killing in Castle Town today."

When I hear Link's voice I nearly feel faint.

It's really him. I think nervously.

"Not the killing we're about to make," Malon states to her husband, pointing to me, "this is Aria, she'll be staying with us for a few weeks. She says she'll pay us ten thousand rupees Link. In cash!"

Link looks at his wife flummoxed.

"What?" he replies perplexed.

I turn around finally to match the face with the voice, and there he is: Link.

He looks older, he is definitely more handsome than when I last saw him, and he looked bigger, more muscular.

He changed his characteristic green suit for a flannel and overalls. His blond hair darkened slightly, but he still had the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen.

He is ruggedly beautiful, and suddenly I am taken back to the days when we were children.

We played in the Lost Woods and the Sacred Meadow of the forest. I taught him my song and promised to be his friend forever, but that seemed like a millennia ago. Right now, we are just two strangers in much need of a re-acquaintance.

I try to smile at him, but his expression is one of puzzlement, and then he stares into my eyes for a moment and it sends a shiver of electricity down my spine.

He still has a powerful effect on me. I think.

"Good evening sir," I say to him politely.

Link didn't answer right away. It was like he was completely caught off guard.

"Good evening," he replies to me quietly.

I wish I could explain what I felt when Link saw me again. His reaction was what I was hoping for.

He's trying to figure something out in that inquisitive head of his. I think.

His eyes grew wide ever so slightly, and he tweaked his head, as if trying to get a better look at me. He knew there was a familiarity, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Malon sees his reaction and is a little taken aback.

Of course she is. I think. He's staring at me as if he's seen a poe.

"What's wrong honey?" Malon asks Link abruptly, wanting her husband to stop staring so intensely at their new guest.

Link shakes his head trying to regain his temporary lapse of sanity.

"I'm sorry nothing," he mumbles more to himself than to anyone. "I just thought…"

Malon looks at him puzzled and narrows her beautiful blue eyes slightly.

"Thought what?" Malon asks again.

At this point I remain silent. I'm not sure what to say or do.

"That hair," I hear him whisper, and my heart accelerates.

"What?" Malon says perplexed and then turns back to look at me. "What about it?"

Link shakes his head again.

"The color…I…" he trails. "Miss can I ask where you're from?"

I swallow hard having to think quick.

"A province not far from here, a little island by the sea," I say as honestly as I could. "I'm a merchant, I sale rare precious goods."

Link nods very slowly.

"A little island by the sea?" he repeats with a slight undercurrent of doubt.

I merely nod, keeping up my front the best I can.

Link keeps staring at my hair and then takes in a thoughtful sigh.

"I'm sorry to stare, but I've only seen that hair color on one other person," he replies.

Malon looks at her husband in surprise at hearing him say that; apparently she never knew that. She tries to keep her smile, but I see the subtle shift in manner.

She might change her mind if he doesn't stop. I think worrisomely.

"Oh I see, that happens all the time I guess," I reply, I turn to smile at Malon not wanting to arouse her suspicions, so I decide to change the subject. "Maybe I could help you with your jugs and then afterwards you could show me to my room, and don't worry I'll pay you up front."

My intentions work, Malon returns to her friendly disposition, or at least a measure of it, and smiles at me.

"That sounds good to me!" she says looking back at her husband, "What do you say Link?"

Link stares at me again and has to shake himself out of another daze.

Come on Link. I think a little irritably.

"That sounds… fine," he says uncertainly and then discreetly narrows his eyes at me.

I avoid his gaze and focus on his wife.

"Great!" I say in unison with Malon.

My goddesses, Link don't make it so obvious. I think nervously. What happened to your astute nature? I guess that happens when you live in a time of peace, but then again you weren't expecting me were you?

Please tell me what you think.