The time has come that we have all been waiting for. Zelda and Link will reunite again! In a matter of speaking.

Link looked out his living room window at the neat front yard and then to the schoolhouse beyond and felt a thrill run through him. His school. He was going to be Mr. Taggart. School was not scheduled to start until September, and this was only mid-July, but the board had no problem with his arriving early and getting settled in. In fact, they were thrilled at his eagerness.

And he was eager. Never had he dreamed that the schoolhouse would be so new or the teacher's house so large. He'd been told that the first schoolteacher they'd hired had been a married man with six children. They'd built a house that would fit his needs. Link knew he would never fill these rooms with a wife and children, but he would still do everything in this power to make it a home. It was very exciting to him that his family would come and visit anytime they wanted, and he would have no problem putting them up indefinitely.

Link reached for the list in his front pocket. He'd written out the things he would need. He was going to have to be careful until his regular paychecks started. Although it would have been cheaper to remain at his grandmother's, once he'd graduated and been accepted as a teacher, he couldn't stand to stay in Labrynna. He let himself out the front door and moved around back to the stable behind the house.

Inside was the horse his parents had given him the funds to purchase. The man at the livery had been very helpful. He'd said her name was Epona, and Link had found her a gentle young mare. He saddled her and moved her to the front of the house to pull himself onto her back. From the saddle he took another long look at the schoolhouse. A moment later he turned and started Epona toward town, his heart thanking God for all that had come to pass.

(&)

"And don't let me forget the salt."

"But you have the list, Malon," Zelda told her. "If it's on your list, how can you forget it?"

"Oh, right. Well, anyway, head to the buggy, Zelda. It's out front."
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven- the count was immediately on in her mind. From the bottom of the stairs, to the front door, now across the porch. There was the first step. Eleven down, moving carefully. It was the same routine. Zelda told herself that someday she wouldn't have to count, but right now she would only add bruises if she tried it another way.

"Okay." Malon sounded breathless as she climbed aboard.

"Malon, what are you so upset about?"

"I'm not upset," came the genuine reply. "I just think I should have eaten a little more breakfast, and now I don't feel I have time."

"What's our hurry?"

Malon came to a complete stop, the reins in her hand. "Well, come to think of it, there isn't one." She began to chuckle, but other than a sight smile, Zelda didn't join her. She wasn't angry. But noting ever struck her as funny these days.

"Well, I'll get a big lunch," Malon said. "Shall we go to the hotel?"

"That's fine," Zelda replied apathetically. As usual Malon prayed for strength.

She thanked God for how well Zelda was doing. She was getting along very well on her own, but her lack of interest was completely disheartening to her sister. The two women made the ride into town in near silence and started their errands at the bank. They were there longer than they expected to be, and because Malon claimed she was starving, they ate next. The general store was the last stop.

Zelda was finally comfortable there. She now understood the lay of the tings and took a sight interest. The bolts of fabric were all down one wall, but sewing notions were in the third aisle.

"Did you put lace on your list, Malon?"

"Lace?"

"Yes. Didn't you say I'd torn some on my blouse and it would have to be replaced?"

"Oh, you're right. Let's go look."

It was after they'd stooped and Malon had handed some lace to Zelda that she spotter him. Noting could have prepared her for the sight of Link Taggart. Looking like a man in a dream, he was moving toward them. Zelda was intent on what she was feeling, and for the moment she required no assistance from her sister.

Malon couldn't utter a word. She watched Link approach, his eyes fastened on Zelda. She also watched and knew that he was just finding out the truth. He had snapped out of his earlier trance and own wore a look of defiant protection. Malon assumed it was his own heart, but Zelda's movements changed his face yet again. Thankful that no one else was in the aisle, Malon stood completely frozen as Link stepped up to within two feet of them. He stared at Zelda, and Zelda stared right through him.

"I think this one feels nice, Malon. What does it look like?" The sound of the store moved in and out of Zelda's mind, but noting else.

"Malon," she said uncertainly. "Did you leave me, Malon?"
The slightly alarmed tone in her voice got through.

"No, no," Malon assured her swiftly. "I'm right here. I don't know where my head is today."

"Malon, is something wrong?" Her sister's voice frightened her.

"No, of course not. Now which one did you like?"
"This one."

"Oh, yes." Malon was amazed at how normal she sounded with Link at her elbow. "This is very simple but elegant. It has large holes to the bottom, but at the top they're very tiny. Can you tell what I mean?"

"Yes. Is it very much?"

"I don't think so." In truth, she hadn't even looked. "Why don't we take some up to be measured? What would you say, a yard?"

"That should do it."

Malon forced herself to concentrate on her sister and just get home. She moved Zelda on her way without ever looking at Link. They went to the front and paid for their purchases, Malon needing three tries before the correct coins were offered and they could finally make their way toward the buggy. Malon couldn't stand it anymore. She looked back at the front of the store to see that Link had come to the door to watch them. He looked utterly devastated. Malon thought fast.

"Zelda, will you take the reins a moment? I need to run back for something."

"Oh, Malon, what if the horse moves?"

"Here," she took the reins back. "I'll tie the lines back again, and he'll just sit here."

"All right. Will you be long?"

"No. Just sit tight."
She climbed down from the buggy with the help of a passing gentleman and moved back to where Link stood transfixed. He didn't look at her at first. His eyes were still glued to Zelda. When he did look at Malon, his gaze was tortured.

"When, Malon?" he could barely manage the words.

"Months ago. Last September."

There was no other man, Link now realized. She stopped writing because of the blindness. There is no other man. His mind raced on.

"Is it permanent?" he asked, his yes drilling into Malon's. She could only nod.

It was awful. Experiencing the news with Link was almost as bas as learning about it all over again for herself.

"I've got to speak to her."
Malon shook her head.

"Link," she said in a low voice, "please wait. Come to the house tonight. Come late when Zelda will be in bed. Ralph and I will wait up for you."

He opened his mount to protest, but Malon shook her head.

"It won't work, Link, not like this on the streets of town. She wouldn't be able to deal with the surprise, and I won't do that to her. Please come tonight," she pleaded, praying that Link would understand.

Link looked once again at the back of Zelda's head. The buggy was parked a little way up the street. He had to force his eyes away.

"What time?"

"After nine. Do you know where we live?"

"I'll find it."

With that Malon turned and moved away. She forced herself to respond normally to her sister, but it was an effort. She was glad that Zelda wanted to sew that afternoon. Had she wanted anything more demanding, Malon would not have survived.

(&)

Ralph took one look at his wife's face and knew that her day had been rough. He also knew that she didn't want to talk about it in Zelda's presence. Her voice was just a little too cheerful as they ate and did the dishes, so as soon as Zelda went into the other room, Ralph speared her with his eyes.

Malon wouldn't look at him. She was not afraid, but she knew she was going to cry and that Zelda would hear her.

"Talk to me, Malon," he said softly, his eyes on her profile.

"Later."

"No. If you're this upset, I need to know what's going on."

Malon took a deep breath and shook her head.

Ralph gently took her arm and moved her out the back door.

It was private out on the rear porch, and Ralph could still hear if Zelda called to them.

"If you don't tell me what's going on, I'll be forced to ask Zelda directly. What has she done?"
Malon shook her head, and could no longer hold the tears. "Link Taggart is here," she whispered.

Ralph looked thunderstruck. "You saw him?"

"And talked to him."

He let this sink in for a moment, and then asked, "What did Zelda say?"

More tears choker her voice for a moment. "She doesn't know. He wanted to talk to her, but I discouraged him. He's coming by later, after she's retired. In all his time she's never said a word about him. Why is he here, Ralph?"

"Maybe he wanted to see her and tell her how sorry he was about the accident."

Again Malon shook her head. "He didn't know. When he saw her he was so shocked he could barely function. Why is he here?"

Light dawned very swiftly. "You never wrote to him about the accident, did you?"

"No, and I think my family has lost all touch with his."

"The school."

"What?"

Ralph took her hands in his. "I'll bet he's been hired on to teach school. I'm not involved, of course, but I know the board was looking for a new teacher."

"Oh, Ralph, what does this all mean?"

He now took her in his arms. "I don't know exactly, but if he's graduated and is now able to teach, then he might be the answer to our prayers."

"Malon," Zelda's voice preceded her as she moved slowly into the kitchen, something clutched in her hand. "Are you in the panty, Malon?"

"No," Ralph answered and stood back so his wife could enter. "We were just on the back porch."

"Oh. Well, I can't get this knot out of my thread. Will you help me?"

"Sure," Ralph offered, giving Malon a chance to compose her self. "I'll have to remove the needle, I think."

Zelda stood silently and waited. She heard Malon move then and spoke to her.

"Is that you, Malon?"

"Yes."

"I think this is my last one. I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow with nothing to sew or mend."

"We'll think of something," Malon assured her.

The thread now adjusted and the needle back in place, Malon offered Zelda her arm. It wasn't often that they led her around or waited on her, but Malon felt desperate need to touch her sister. She didn't know how she could act normally until Zelda went to bed and Link arrived, but Ralph came to the rescue. He'd picked up a letter from Bipin and when he left the bank. The women sat across the living room from while he read.

Dear Ralph, Malon, and Zelda, business is booming and is seems that new strikes are found almost daily. As usual, we sell more mining supplies than food. Once of the mine owners stopped his team of mules in front of the store recently and left a huge mess for me to clean, but as I said, business is good.

New houses are being built as well, and the latest is a bright yellow one almost next door to us. A young couple has moved into Uncle Error's apartment. They have a small baby, and your mother frets that the little guy will fall down the stairs. You were all raised around stairs; she's starting to sound like a grandmother.

We miss you, Zelda, very much, but are thrilled you're getting out. I would enjoy seeing the general store there in Hyrule. It never hurts to check out the competition. Miss Impa Bradley has left us, but the new schoolteacher has already been installed. A man this time, and he has two boys and a girl who match the ages of Romani, Ruto, and Sari. They've gotten to know each other some, and your mother has met his wife at church. His name escapes me right now, but I'll think of it later.

Your mother and Ambi are making a quit together, and she is there now because Ambi has a large quilting frame. I'm supposed to be helping Romani with her math, but she fell asleep and I carried her to bed. Oh, I think I hear your mother coming in now. I'll close and let her write more to you later

Love to each of you,

Father

Ralph set the letter aside and smiled at his wife. Zelda did not comment, and not long after she took herself upstairs for the night.

(&)

Link had never experienced anything like this. He heart felt as if it had been torn in two. One half rejoiced that Zelda was not in love with someone else, but the other half could hardly bear the pain of what had happened to her. He wasn't angry; indeed, he thought he understood. If it had been him, would he have assumed that Zelda wanted a blind husband? The question took some real soul-searching.

His stomach growled as the house came into view. He hadn't wanted anything to eat after he talked to Malon, and even now his stomach felt a mite queasy. Not with revulsion but with pain.

He was at the house now. Link tied Epona's lead to a bush and climbed the front-porch stairs to the door. Darkness was falling fast, but he could see his way. He knocked and waited. How could he get this close and not see her? Malon said she would be in bed, but Link hoped she would be wrong. Malon opened the door, and without words she stepped back and let him enter. A large fireplace sat against the right wall of the entryway and to the left was the double-doorway to the living room.

"I'll take your hat, Link." Malon spoke softly, bringing Link's eyes to hers just briefly. If he was here out of pity for her sister, she'd tell him to leave. Malon herself didn't know where this fierce, protective attitude came from, but Link could see that his hostess was ill-at-ease.

"Ralph is in the study. If you'll just-" Malon stopped, and her head twisted around.

Slowly descending the stairs was Zelda. She was moving with deliberate care, her hand on the railing. Malon shot a swift glance at Link, but he had eyes for Zelda alone. Malon nearly panicked, thinking he would speak and ruin everything. They were bout watching the blind girls when she missed the last step and fell into a heap.

Link moved so quickly to help her that Malon had to step in front of him, arms outstretched. She spoke swiftly to cover the noise.

"Are you all right, Zelda?"

"Yes." She sounded more angry than hurt.

"Do you want some help?"
"No." Her answer was clipped.

A moment of silence passed, and Zelda turned her head slightly. "Are you alone, Malon?"

"No." Again she tried to sound normal.

"Male or female?"

"Male."

"Are my legs covered?"

"Yes."

Zelda came to her feet then, feeling her way carefully. Malon said, "I thought you were going to bed."
"I am, but I forgot my water glass."
"I'll get it for you."

Malon moved off quickly, but not before she gave Link a look that told him he had better stay quiet. She was back very swiftly an empty glass in her hand.

"Here you go."

"Thanks, Malon."

"Good-night, Zelda."

"Good-night."

Once again they watched, only this time Zelda eventually moved from view. The look on Link's face broke Malon's heart. With nothing but compassion she took his arm and led him to the study.

Twice they were in the same room so it does count. I would like it if more people would respond to the chapters, but I am glad that you are reading it at least.