Sorry last about last chapter, I uploaded it too quickly and forgot to add author's notes. In this one we will get a lot of Richard's charter. He maybe a less know character in the legend of Zelda series but he is one none the less. For disclaimers please look at chapter one.

Sari and Romani could do nothing but stare at Richard Buchanan that evening, and Ruto blushed to the roots of her hair every time he glanced in her direction. Malon had never seen her sisters behave this way. She and exchanged more than one amused glance with Ralph as well as Richard.

When Richard first arrived with their father, he , Ralph, Bipin, Zelda, and Malon all ended up visiting in the living room, This younger girls where helping with dinner, but they thought of innumerable reasons to come and ask something of Malon or Zelda. At one point, Malon mentally shook her head.

A rancher by trade, Richard looked the part in his dark jeans and cowboy boots. His wavy, dark blue hair was a little long on his nick, but his eyes were light blue and clear as a child's. His teeth were startling whit e against his rugged features, and he was taller than Ralph by two inches. His manner toward the family was courteous and gentle, and Malon could tell that the girls felt very special when he spoke to them. Richard was very handsome, but the way her sisters were acting, she'd have thought they had never seen a man before.

Malon was relieved when it was time for them to go off to bed. Even Zelda, who had been the only one not staring, was sent on her way, and the adults were finally alone. Malon was on the verge of apologizing, but Bipin hadn't noticed a thing and began to question Richard about the cattle business.

"How many head do you have?"

"About 1500. It fluctuates."

"And to whom do you sell?"

"Whoever is buying. We drive cattle into the Labrynna stockyards and as far as Koholint."

Bipin leaned forward intently. "How many men do you have working for you?"

"That varies with the season. I need more hands during roundup and less in the winter months."

"Do you have trouble with thieves?"

Blossom cleared her throat, and Bipin turned to her and smiled sheepishly. "Am I monopolizing the conversion, dear?"

Blossom smiled in return. "Something like that. Romani asked of you would come up and kiss her good-night."

"All right. If you'll excuse me," Bipin said to the room at large and exited silently.

"I wonder if the girls will ever get to sleep tonight," Blossom commented. "It must be the wedding. I've never seen them this distracted."

Malon tried to stop herself, but at that moment she looked at Ralph and they both burst out laughing.

"What did we miss?" Richard asked as his confused gaze met Blossom's.

"I don't know," replied the equally confused hostess.

"Mother," Malon nearly gasped. "They weren't distracted; they were beheaded. And it's not the wedding; it's Richard. I've never seen Ruto blush so many times in my life."

They all laughed before Blossom changed the subject and asked Ralph if they were settled in at Error's.

"Yes, we are. It's very hospitable of him." Ralph hesitated. "He seemed tired, however."

"Yes," Blossom agreed. "I don't think he feels well. The winter is dragging on, and I think the wedding is on his mind. I might suggest he go see Doc Borville after the next weekend."

"He mentioned that he had something special for Malon and me."

"Oh, yes," Malon said, remembering that Uncle Error had said something to her before.

"He asked if we would come by sometime early next week and stay for dinner, just the two of us."

"Oh," Blossom said, and Malon turned to her and smiled.

"Do you know that it is?"

"Yes," Blossom smiled in return. "You're going to very pleased."

Malon was still smiling over this when Bipin joined them once again. They talked much too late. The following day was a workday, but a week was such a short time, they all felt anxious for ever moment.

Ralph and Richard finally made their way to the back door of the store, through the shadowy interior, and up the stairs to Error's rooms. His apartment had a door at the top of the stairs, but the main part of the living area was down a hallway, where the apartment split into several smaller rooms, all on one side. One room was a kitchen and dining area and one was Error's sitting room. The rest were bedrooms. Some of the rooms connected, and others stood alone. The original builder and owner had probably intended to rent the rooms out, but Error kept them for himself.

Now the two guests moved as silently as possible in order not to disturb their host. Once in their room, which sported tow small beds, they found he had left a lantern burning.

"Well, what do you think?" Ralph whispered as both men sat on their own beds to undress.

"I think you're marrying the kindest woman God put on the earth."

Ralph smiled, his chest filling on a huge sigh of contentment. "She's wonderful. That big house had been just plain lonely with out her."

"It isn't long now."

"No."

The men were silent as they continued to ready for bed. Ralph was under the covers fist and said, "It's too bad Zelda's not a little bit older."

"It wouldn't matter, Ralph; she would still seem too young. Even Malon seems young."

Ralph rose up on one elbow as stared across the room.

"I don't know what you mean, Richard. You're younger than I am by three years."

"It's not a measurement in years, Ralph. Malon is very mature, and she's going to make you a wonderful wife." Richard fell silent then, and Ralph gave him a moment. "I haven't shared a lot with you, Ralph, but my life before Christ was pretty worldly. I did a lot of wandering. I look into the eyes of those sweet girls, and I know they haven't seen anything of what this sinful would has to offer."

This Ralph could understand. A man wanted a wife who would understand him, and even have an understanding of what he was thinking before he said it. Malon had done that on countless occasions in her letters; she could read between the lines and guess Ralph's thoughts before he voiced them. Richard was not saying he wanted a worldly wife, just one who would understand where he'd been.

"I'm glad you told me, Richard."

"Yeah, me too. Good-night, Ralph."

"Good-night, Richard."

(&)

"Now," Error's eyes sparkled, his color looking better than it had been all week, as he locked the front doors of the store and turned to his niece and Ralph. "I've made some dinner, but first I want to give you your gift."

Malon smiled in anticipation. Error's mood was infectious.

"My gift to you is to pick out anything you'd like."

Malon gasped. "Oh, Uncle Error, how sweet." She turned to Ralph. "How shall we ever decide?"

Ralph looked surprised as well and shrugged helplessly. "I don't know."

"Well, there must by many things you need, settling into a new home and stating a life together," Error said with vigor as he began to move about the store. "You're sure to need this satchel, Malon. And here, Ralph is your shaving brush in good shape? This hairbrush is a good one; I've carried this brand for years. And these gloves, Malon. Even if yours are in good shape now, you could louse one on the trip to Hyrule."

It took Malon and Ralph a moment to realize he meant anything and everything they needed. Malon was shaking her head, but Error spoke with the firmest voice she'd ever heard from him.

"I want to do this, Malon. You're my niece, and I have a store full of goods that you won't be able to shop for in the future. I will do this."

Both Ralph's and Malon's protests stopped in their mouths. They nodded and let Error move about the entire store, selecting things for their home or their own personal needs. Malon was feeling overwhelmed but managed to mention the shipping cost.

"There's no need to worry about that," Error told them. "I've tow trunks in the back that belonged to your Aunt Marin. We'll load those up, and they'll go with you."

Malon's sigh was heartfelt, and she hugged Error tenderly.

"You'll have to come and see us, Uncle Error, to see how we've used all these things you've given us."

Error patted her back. "I'm getting a little old to be traveling about, honey."

Malon only smiled. "Well, we'll be back often, and we can write and tell you everything in between."

Error only smiled.

"I'd better run to check on this dinner you have started," Malon offered, moving toward the stairs with graceful strides. Error watched her go, but then looked back to see Ralph studying him intently. The younger man thought about Malon's words but saw the truth in Error's eyes. The older man was every aware that he'd been found out. It took a moment, but his voice finally come low and solemn to Ralph's ears.

"I don't want anything to spoil this Saturday for her. Do you understand that, Ralph?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

Error's hand came out, and they shook. Ralph thanked him, but it was an effort to push the words around the tightness in his throat.

"Uncle Error, Ralph, I've put supper on."

"We'll be right up," the older man called. With one more glance at each other, they started toward the stairs.

Hope you enjoyed it and all the other chapters to come.