The following Saturday morning Zelda was sitting quietly in a kitchen chair while Malon trimmed her bangs. She kept her eyes closed but had a tendency to wrinkle her brow, and Malon kept telling her to hold still. Indeed, Malon really scolded her when Link's voice was heard coming through the house. He was talking as he walked, and it was clear that he had come in the front door and was heading their way.

"Just put them on the table, Link," Blossom instructed as she entered, the young man behind her. "I'll run upstairs and get those things for your mother."

"Well, now," Link spoke when his hostess had left, his smile huge. "Can I be next?"

"No," Malon told him without hesitation. "Zelda is the third one since 6:30 this morning, and I'm at my limit."

"My loss," Link announced and sat down to watch. "I think you're missing some on this side."

Malon smiled, her eyes still on her work, but Zelda couldn't see that.

"Oh, no!" Link exclaimed. "Look at that big mistake. And right in the front too!"

Zelda wiggled a little, a smile on her face as well, and Malon told her to hold still again.

"Watch it, Malon. Don't make it any worse," Link continued to tease as Romani came to see the commotion.

"Hi, Tag. What are you doing?"

Link opened his mouth to answer, but Zelda suddenly said, "Making a pest of himself."

Link's mouth remained open, but this time with incredulity. Both Malon and Romani where laughing, but he was sputtering like a boiling teakettle.

"A pest! She called me a pest!"

Zelda took a peek at him, her eyes brimming with laughter.

"Hold still, Zelda."

"Are you nearly finished?"

"Yes."

"She called me a pest," Zelda heard Link say again. "Well that's the least time I help you get a haircut, Zelda Fontaine!"

Zelda only smiled; glad that she could keep he eyes closed.

"All right, Link," Blossom said as she returned, "these are for your mother. Tell her I'll get the baskets back to her right after the wedding."

"Will do," Link told her. "Is there anything else, Blossom?"

"Are you heading into town or home?"

"To town."

"Can you run the girls to the store? They're already late."

"Sure."

"Great." Blossom thanked him with that one word and went to the stairs to call Sari and Ruto. They tumbled down a moment later, glad to be getting a ride but Zelda, who was now finished at the table, hung back. She had enjoyed teasing with Link when she couldn't see him, but now she felt foolish. The others had gone to bundle into warm tings, so Zelda found herself alone with Link.

"Did you want a ride?" he asked.

"No," she said with looking at him. "I have to clean up, so I'll just walk."

"The snow's pretty deep; I'd be glad to wait."

Zelda finally looked at him.

"Whatever you want," he added.

Zelda looked at him for a moment more. "I'll hurry," she said feeling oddly breathless and dashing for the stairs.

Link stood quiet still, his heart beating like a trip- hammer in his chest. Had he really seen something there, or had he just wanted to see something? Only time would tell.

(&)

A week and a half later Link was in the general store with a special gift in mind. Error was on hand to help him, but the older man seemed strangely preoccupied.

"Maybe I should get Zelda from the back," Error finally suggested.

"Oh, is she here? Why don't you? Tell her the pest is here."

Error smiled and moved away. A few minutes later Zelda emerged from the back, trying very hard not to smile herself. She knew her face was flushed, but Link looked and sounded very normal.

"Hello, Zelda."

"Hello, Link. Uncle Error said you needed some help."

"Yes. I'm looking for something for Ralph and Malon. My mother bought them a gift from the whole family, but I'd like to get a little something myself."

"Oh, that's a nice idea. Let's see. Zelda turned slowly and tried to think, her mind dealing with the facts. It was still unbelievable that when he was close, concentration was difficult. She felt as though she'd been rescued when she thought to look in the household goods.

"Actually, you have many choices," she said as she moved toward that counter. "If you want something practical, these cut glass salt and pepper shaker are five Rupees each: if you're after a little more decoration item, this vase is 38 Rupees."

Link studied all of them. "I wish I'd thought to ask Malon."

Zelda shook her head. "It wouldn't have done any good. I don't know what all women are like who plan to be married in ten day's time, but Malon's feet are not even on the ground."

Link chuckled. "She told me Ralph comes on Friday."

"Yes, and she's praying every day that the sown will begin to melt a little. She said she doesn't care if he and Richard get snowed in, she just doesn't want them snowed out."

Link was smiling, but as he watched Zelda his look was very intent. It rather unnerved her. Beginning to feel flustered, Zelda grabbed the closest thing and held it in the air.

"Potato masher." She waved the metal object in the air. "You could give her that."

Link laughed. "Oh, I don't know. I was thinking maybe a combination rat-and-mouse trap."

Zelda really laughed at that, but then turned serious. "I do know something she and Ralph would enjoy." Zelda reached beneath the counter and brought out a small box. "These are from Labrynna, so they're not al large as Hyrulan ones. They're teaspoons, and Malon loves to make tea. She would probably use them all the time. The only problem is the cost. I can't break up the set, and they're twelve Rupees each." She sounded apologetic.

"How many are there?"

"Eight. Would you like to see them?"

Ninety-six rupees. Link's brain was calculating fast. If he looked at them and liked what he saw, he'd have a hard time saying no, but one hundred rupees was a lot of money out of his pocket right now.

"I'll look at them," he said after a moment, and just as he suspected, they were beautiful. He was putting aside literally every rupees for his schooling in the fall, but Malon and Ralph were every special to him.

"I'll take them," he said at last, and Zelda offered to wrap the box.

Well satisfied with his purchase, Link left the store just a few minutes later, his mind still on Zelda. She had definitely changed toward him, but he could tell she wanted to keep things lightherted. She called him a pest when he thanked her for the help and had swiftly turned away to busy hierself with the shelves behind the counter. Link wondered if he would ever really know where he stood with that girl.

(&)

Old Doc Borville stared across the room at his patient, knowing it had to be the other man's decision but not agreeing with it.

"What if it were Bipin? Wouldn't you want to know, Error?"

"Yes, but then my daughter's not getting married in a few days. I won't do anything to spoil that joy."

The old doctor nodded. He could hardly argue with that.

"Well, take it easy. Maybe that old ticker of yours will give us more time than we think."

"I'm already taking it easy," Error told him calmly. "Have been ever since Bipin and Blossom came."

The doctor pursed his lips, his eyes thoughtful. "I wish I could do something for you."

"Thanks, Borville, but I'm not worried. I've something better waiting on the other side."

Doc Borville smiled. He too believed in life after death for those who understood and believed in the work done on the cross.

"I can give you something for the pain. Are you interested?"

"How bad is it going to get?"

"It might get very bad, or you might just drop down dead," came the doctor's blunt reply.

Error thought a moment. "I'll take the bottle, Borville. I don't want anyone to know until after the wedding, and I was pretty uncomfortable last night."
Doc Borville rose and filled a small bottle from his sideboard dispensary. He headed it to Error and then waited while the other man stood. They shook hands, and Error took his leave. He walked out into the cold, glad the snow was starting again. It was early in the day, and had the weather been better, more folks would have been out and he might have been questioned. Malon's wedding was a week from Saturday. Error wasn't ready to talk about his need to see the doctor until sometime after the day, if ever.

(&)

Malon's heart thundered in her hest as the knock sounded at the door. She put a shaky hand to the lace at her throat. It might not be Ralph and Richard, but Malon was certain that it must be. She walked with unsteady steps to the front door, and her heart melted within her as she saw him standing there.

"Hello, Malon," His soft, deep voice came to her ears, and Malon couldn't help herself. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him with all her might.

"I didn't think you'd ever get here," she whispered close to his ear as he bent to hold her.

"It felt like years, but now. Now I can hold you and take you home with me."

Malon moved slightly away from him so she could see his face. He was smiling at her.

"We're heating the out-of-doors."

"Oh! Right! Come in and get warm."

Not until Ralph was inside did Malon notice he was alone.

"Where's Richard?"

"We stopped at the store to leave out gear at Uncle Error's. Richard said he'd come home with your father this evening. He had some idea that I might want to see you alone."

Malon smiled. "And did you?"

"Yes."

Malon bit her lip. "Mother's in the living room. Would you like to come in and see her?"

"Not yes," Ralph told her, and the smile fell from Malon's face. Ralph was taking her in his arms again and kissing her in a way that made her forget she had a mother. When Malon came up for air, she could only stand and look into Ralph's eyes. She had prayed that he would arrive safely, and God had seen to the task.

"I'm so glad you're here."

"As am I. How are you?"

"Fine. Ready to be your wife."

"No last minute plans to chase after?"

"No. Everything is ready, so we can enjoy my family this week. We have only to see Pastor Sahasrahla at some point and work at keeping my nerves at bay."

Ralph smiled and kissed her again.

"Malon," her mother now called from the next room. "Bring Ralph in so I can say hello."

"All right, Mother," She answered and turned to her finance.

"Lead the way," he offered, and Malon thought he was such a gentlemen. She'd have laughed if she'd know he did if for himself; Malon was as delightful from the back as she was from the front.

"Welcome, Ralph." Blossom stood and offered her cheek as they came into the room. Ralph gave her a warm hug as well, and they sat down to reacquaint themselves. Blossom told of how she received a letter from Ralph's family and had already answered in return. Ralph seemed very pleased. There was so much to share. They talked an hour before Blossom rose to get them some refreshment.

"I'm looking forward to meting Richard," Malon told him. "I hope Father comes soon after the girls get home."

"I don't know if I'll be ready by then," Ralph commented, but he was smiling.

Malon cocked her head to one side. "Now, what did that mean, Mr. Langley?"

"Only that you feared I would fall for one of your sisters, and now I think I just might lose you to Richard."

Malon laughed and Ralph joined her.

"Well," she said primly, still smiling at the man she loved. "That is not going to happen."

"Are you sure?" He was still teasing.

"Yes. Aren't you?"

"You haven't seen him, Malon."

"Good-looking?" Malon's brows rose with feigned interest, but this time Ralph didn't answer. He smiled at her, however, and picked up her hand. Malon knew it had all been in fun; nothing could change her feeling for Ralph, but she did wonder what the other man looked like.