Chapter 3 is up and you start to get what kind of story this really is…

Link dropped Aryll off at the schoolhouse on the first day of September and told her to have fun. Their father was still not home; he'd been expected on the weekend so that he could take his daughter to school. Aryll had been disappointed but smiled at Link anyway and then walked toward the group of other students waiting for the school to ring.

They had a new teacher this year, a Miss Impa Bradley. None of the students had met her, but rumors were already circulating that she was strict. Aryll knew some apprehension over this, but is was forgotten as she looked over to see the Fontaine sisters approaching, There were four of them, all with different hair colors and eyes also in various shades and color. Aryll tried to remember their names. The oldest, the one she had met at the house, was not among them. She'd also met a younger sister and now spotted her, but still could not recall their names.

She was telling the Lord that she would make a good effort to get to know them today when she spotted her longtime friend, Kafei O' Brien. Aryll would have gone to him, but his attention was riveted on something. It took a moment for her to see that it was not a something, but a someone-the oldest Fontaine girl. Indeed, nearly every eye in the group was on her. Aryll's mind grappled with her name and finally came up with Zelda.

At the same time a spark of jealousy rose in Aryll's chest over Kafei's interest. There was no commitment between the two of them, but they had been very close for many years. Seeing him now as smitten as all the other boys caused a deep pain in her heart. She was saved from dwelling on this too deeply when the bell rang. The children went forward as one, but the Fontaine girls hung back.

"I wish we had net more kids this summer," Romani commented softly as she brought up the rear.

"I feel sick," Sari added, and Ruto put a hand on her arm.

Zelda didn't feel much better, but she wouldn't have admitted it under threat of death. She had been very aware of the eyes on her earlier, and where she usually enjoyed the attention, today she felt unsure about the style of her blue dress and wished she could have been invisible. It would have helped tremendously to have Malon along-kind, confident Malon-but she had finished her schooling in the spring while still in Ordana.

"Take your seats, please," the teacher's voice rang out. "Older students in the rear, younger near the front."

Zelda sat in the last seat in the row nearest the north wall and hoped she wouldn't be moved. Every boy she'd ever sat in front of pulled her hair, and she didn't think she could take one more year of that.

"I am Miss Impa Bradley," the tall, thin woman spoke from the front of the room. She smiled, but her eyes were serious. "I've written my name on the board so you can see how it is spelled, and now I wish to know your names. We will start with this row," she said, indicating the row nearest the south wall. "When I point to you, you will stand, state your full name and age, and then be reseated. Does everyone understand?"

There was a chorus of "Yes, Miss Bradley," and then they began. Romani was near the front but not in the first row, and as it was, Sari was the first of the Fontaine girls to give her name.

"Your full name is Sari?" Miss Bardley questioned her with a frown.

"No, ma'am," Sari nearly whispered.

"What is it?"

"Sariah, ma'am."

"Then Sariah it shall be. I do not use nicknames," she now told everyone. "We will proceed, and you will give your full name."

Again they were off. Red faces peppered the room as students with names like Bartholomew, Millicent, Danielle, Pardiac, Matilda, Susannah, and Jacqueline where announced.

For Zelda it was the start of a mooring that dragged. She was already hungry for lunch and tried of the looks the boy beside her was sending her way. How she envied Malon As much as Zelda hater stocking and dusting shelves, she wished she were at the store right now.

"Well, hello, Uli"

"Hi, Error. How are you?"

"Can't complain, can't complain. Yourself?"

"I'm fine, but I miss Rusl."

"When do you expect him?"

"Two days ago."

Error chuckled. "Say, Uli, have you met my family?"

"I'm sorry to say I haven't"

"Blossom, this is Uli Taggart," Error began.

"Of course," Blossom said as her hand came out. "Please forgive my lack of response to your gift, Mrs. Taggart. We're still trying to find things."

Uli laughed. "Call me Uli, and thing nothing of it. Moving can bring such upheaval. My Aryll has been sick, or I'd have been to see you much sooner."

"We met your son, and he told us about Aryll. Is she feeling better?" Blossom asked.

"Yes, she's at school today. Link told me he enjoyed speaking to you."

"He's delightful," Blossom told her sincerely. "Moe had a nice talk with him too."

"Your husband?" Uli questioned and received a chuckle.

"No," Blossom's eyes sparkled. "My oldest daughter."

At that moment Bipin and Malon made an appearance, and both met Uli. Bipin questioned Uli about Rusl's return, and because they where her closest neighbors, he told her to come if she needed anything, day or night. By the time Uli left, they had made plans to get together soon. She hoped Rusl would be home by then. She was missing him more than ever and asking God to bring him home soon.

"What's eating you?" Kafei O' Brien ask easily as he lowered him self to the grass beside Aryll.

Aryll looked at him for a moment and debated what to say. He'd been gawking at Zelda Fontaine for most of the lunch hour, and Aryll, in an effort to protect herself, had moved away so she didn't have to watch. In a flash, she decided on honesty.

"I realize Zelda Fontaine is pretty, but I'd rather not sit and watch all of you stare at her."

Sixteen, but mature for his age, Kafei looked thoughtful. Instead of teasing her, regarded her statement seriously.

"Yeah," Kafei answered his eyes on the calls of Clear Creek Canyon. "I guess we were all pretty obvious. It's like that with anyone new. It'll wear off soon enough. Were you jealous?" his gaze swung to her.

Aryll met his eyes squarely. "A little, but more than that I'm confused."

"Over what?"

"Over why boys attracted to a petty face no matter what the girl is like. I mean, look at Susie. She's the nicest girl in school, but she's not pretty so no one gives her a second look."

Again Kafei stared at her. Personally, he thought Aryll was the nicest girl in the school and pretty to go with it, but he saw her point.

He was not able to tell her, however, since Ruto and Romani wandered by just then. Romani gave them a shy hello, and when both Kafei and Aryll greeted them in a friendly fashion, they stopped.

"I can't remember your names," Kafei told them honestly.

"I'm Kafei O' Brien, and this is Aryll Taggart."

"Would you like to sit down?" Aryll asked.

The sisters exchanged a look and then sank down under the tree.

"You're new in town, aren't you?" This came from Kafei.

"Yes. We used to live in Ordana"

"What was it like?"

"Oh, nice," Ruto commented. "We've lived many places, so in some ways, Ordana was just another town."
"Where all have you lived?" Kafei. Who cold not remember ever being out of Kakariko Village, was intrigued.

"Hyrule, Lake Hylia, and Lanayru," Romani informed him.

"I've lived in Termina, as well," Ruto added.

"I have a friend that I write to in Termina!" Aryll exclaimed, and the two had an excited exchange until the bell range. Romani ended up walking back to the schoolhouse with Kafei, and because he was the youngest in his own family, they found quiet a bit to talk about.

"My brothers have all moved away."

"It's a good thing they don't all leave at once. It can be pretty lonely when that happens."

Romani nodded as they went up the steps. Her light blue eyes sought out those of the handsome, dark-haired boy and gave him a sweet simile when he gently tugged on her braid.

The letter began Dear Ralph, and Malon concentrated with all her might to make every letter and space perfect. She wrote about Kakariko Village and the things that had been keeping her busy but hesitation over anything too personal. She had been tempted to write Ralph since she had received his letter the pervious week, but she wanted very much to take time to think and pray. Asking a man to come and visit you was in a way an invitation for something very personal. Malon wanted that something personal very much, but she was hesitant to be the initiator. She had proceeded with caution and more prayer and decided that now was the time to plunge in.

My father has been uncertain of your corresponding because he and my mother have never met you. I do not want to presume upon your interest or go the other way and make you feel as though your letters are not welcome, but my father asked me if you'd ever expressed a desire to visit Kakariko Village.

Malon frowned at what she had written. "I sound like a little girl."

"Says who?"

Malon jumped at the sound of her mother's voice.

"I thought I was home alone."
"I just got here. You much have been so intent you didn't hear me."
Malon sighed.

"What is it, dear?"
"I'm writing to Ralph."

Blossom's brown rose. Why did I think you would have done that long ago?"

"I wanted to, Mother, but when you ask a man to come and see you, well, I just didn't want to—"Not knowing how to go on, she stopped.

"I think I understand," Blossom told her softly. "Are you a little uncertain of his feeling for you?"

"Yes."
"He sounds quite smitten to me."

Tears filled Malon's eyes. "Oh, Mother. He's so wonderful, and I just can't think what he sees in me."

Blossom's arms went around her oldest child a lovelier, sweeter Christian girl she had never known, but Malon always believed herself homely next to her beautiful sister, Zelda. Indeed, Zelda was lovely, but Malon didn't realize how lovely she herself was. Blossom pulled a scented lace handkerchief from her pocket and tenderly wiped her daughter's face. She cupped her daughter's soft cheeks in her smooth hands and spoke earnestly into her deep blue eyes.

"Ralph Langley was blessed by God the day he walked into your Aunt Cremia's home in Hyrule and saw you sitting there. I've talked to my sister, and she said he was enchanted before he could take his next breath. He wouldn't have felt that way about a little girl. She said he couldn't keep his eyes off you. And what did you tell me he said?"

"That he'd been waiting for me for a very long time."

Blossom smiled. "Finish your letter, dear, and run downtown to post it."

"Thank you, Mother."

Blossom was on her way from the room when Malon spoke again.

"Why are you home?"

"Because your father wants me to meet the girls every day and school lets out in less than an hour."

Malon hadn't realized the time. She finished the letter, saying just what she'd wanted, and then grabbed her bonnet and rushed for the door. She wasn't overly tall, but her stride was swift, and in less time than she would have expected, she was at the post office and pushing her coin and letter across the counter. The postmaster smiled warmly at the lovely young woman, and Malon beamed at him before turning to go. She was on her way through the door when a voice stopped her.

"Good afternoon, Miss Fontaine."
Having recognized that vice, Malon turned with a ready smile.

"And to you, Mr. Taggart."

"What are you up to this warm afternoon?"

"I was mailing a letter. How about yourself?"

"I was doing the same."

"Someone special?" Malon asked with a cheeky grin.

"Business," Link told her dryly. "How about you?"

Malon bit her lip, her eyes sparkling. Link would have been blind not to recognize the look.

"What's his name?"

"Ralph," she breathed. "Ralph Langley"

"Where does he live?"

"Hyrule."

"I see. And does he tell you that he's been looking for you the whole of his life?"

"Oh, Tag," Malon breathed. "How did you know?"

Link's smile was tender. She was a girl in love, all right. He thanked God that he hadn't lost his head the first time they'd met.

"God was smiling on Ralph Langley the day he found you, Malon Fontaine."

"That's what my mother says."

"And she's right." Link suddenly flipped he watch out of his pocket. "I've got to run. I told Aryll I'd give her a lift home. Would you like a ride?"

"No. I have to get to the store."

"Good day to you then, Miss Fontaine."

Malon threw him a beaming smile and swung sway. Link placed his had back on his head, climbed aboard the wagon, and swung the team toward the schoolhouse on the hill.

Hope you have enjoyed it, until next time…please r&r.