The Colors Of The Sages Book 2: Farore

Part One: Sapphire

Chapter two:

As Malon slept that night, the goddesses visited her within her dreams. Malon was standing atop the highest peak of Death Mountain, gazing out upon the vast spans of Hyrule, contemplating the life she could live with Link. She suspected it wouldn't be any more different than what they had now, but Malon felt there could be more, remembering her younger days on the ranch with Link. She had always had a crush on him, from the moment she laid eyes on his untamed, golden hair, failing to be covered by that stupid wind sock that Link swore was a hat. As Malon thought of these memories, a soft voice entered her mind.

"Time passes, people move...

Like a river's flow, it never ends...

A childish mind will turn to noble ambition... Young love will become deep

Affection... The clear water's surface reflects growth… Remember these words my child for they will help you in your troubles. There is nothing in the world that is so permanent that time cannot change it."

The voice was soothing, reminding Malon of the feeling she got when her mother spoke to her. It felt as if the speaker was a mother to all creation, loving each one individually. Contemplating the words she was just told brought on memories of the long wait after Link had left to see the princess with the stones. Those seven years had hurt her, for every day she worried about her friend, worried that he would never return. During that time, she cherished the memories of the past, of the days they would play in the stables', harass Ingo and her father, of their duets during the night, of their friendship. Her hope for Link's return was the only thing that got her through the days after her father was thrown out of the ranch, giving ownership to Ingo. He would work Malon until her fingers bled from the many open blisters and cuts. He would almost always return to the ranch, drunk, eyes full of anger and hatred. He would always find a reason to beat Malon to the ground, always telling her that she was useless, that no one would ever think of being her friend. It hurt Malon to recall these memories, tears beading at the corners of her eyes. She felt a hand wipe them away as she looked up to see nobody there, only a voice in her mind, this one had the same motherly feel, but it had the sound of dominion, a sound of fire, as a mother would have when protecting her child.

"It is something that grows over time... a true friendship.

A feeling in the heart that becomes stronger over time...

The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power and through it,

You will know which way to go... You have been through so much my child, more than most men go through in their entire lives. When you feel as though the feeling of friends has left you, remember these words and they will help you in your troubles. Nothing can diminish over time, things can only grow. Like flowers in the field, friendship blossoms over time. It grows into something more, something that many people in this land have long forgotten."

This voice soon faded, leaving another bit of knowledge in Malon's mind. She thought over the words and sighed, remembering something Link told her not to long ago.

"The flow of time is always cruel...

Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it...

A thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days..."

These words soothed Malon and reminded her that her time spent with Link would never change, they would always be together no matter what. With this revelation, Malon awoke, rubbing her eyes and sliding out of bed. She walked down the stairs to the smell of bacon and eggs, the sound of her father's humming could be heard from the kitchen. As Malon sat down at the table, her father placed a plate of breakfast in front of her. Malon began to eat quickly so she could begin the chores for the day. She would need to get them finished early to have time for the festival.

"don't eat too fast, Malon" Talon said as he walked around the table to sit. He was wearing his good cloths today.

"daddy, why were you working in your good cloths?" Malon asked as she slowed down on her chewing. Talon chuckled,

"I wasn't working, I was getting the cart ready to go to the festival. I decided that we could skip chores for today." Talon said as he walked to the closet. He pulled out a dress, "oh, and link bought this for you, he said he wanted you to wear it when you went to the festival." The dress was a pure white satin wrap that seemed to sparkle and glimmer in the light.

"it's beautiful, I can't believe link bought this for me." Malon said, standing and taking the dress. Inside, she secretly thought, "I wonder how much he spent on me?"

Talon chuckled and set the dress down across the back of a chair, beginning to eat his breakfast. As soon as he finished, he began to make sandwiches for the cart ride. It would take them the entire day to reach Kakariko using the cart. Malon looked around the room and frowned a bit.

"Daddy, do you know where link is?" Malon asked, finishing her plate. She stood and brought the plate over to the sink as her father turned to reply.

"oh, Link is at his forest house, he said he needed to get ready for something. But not to worry, he said he would be at the bottom of the stairs when we arrived, ready to escort you into the festival." Talon smiled and wrapped the sandwiches up in a thin cloth, placing them in a bag and walking outside to place it in the cart. He already had a few cases of Lon-Lon milk to sell at the festival, but he wouldn't worry too much about it if they opened one to drink with the meal. As he reentered the house, Talon saw Malon looking the dress over, watching her eyes light up.

"You should get ready to go, we will leave in a few minutes." Talon said, smiling. Malon nodded and took the dress with her into the bathroom, putting it on after she got out of the shower and dried off. She opened her closet and pulled out a bottle with a blue fairy inside.

"Hey Mal, what's the big idea, I may be a fairy, but I have feelings." The little fairy shouted through the glass bottle, banging his little fist on the sides. Malon pulled the cork out and let the fairy fly out, watching him stretch his arms and legs.

"Sorry Tatil, you know I had to. You wouldn't come with me quietly." Malon scolded, putting the bottle away and capturing the fairy in her dress. Tatil's tiny form could be seen moving up the inside of Malon's dress, his tiny torso popping out from between Malon's breast.

"Well, I'm not complaining now. If you had captured me and shoved me here, I would have gone anywhere you asked." Tatil said snickering. Malon pretended to stretch her arms in front of her, squeezing the fairy in her cleavage.

"OW, OW, STOP, STOP IM SORRY JUST DON'T KILL ME." Tatil yelled, flailing his arms. Malon giggled and stopped, patting Tatil on the head.

"I would never think of killing you. I need you alive to bring someone happiness." Malon giggled, walking down the stairs, "just don't make yourself known until I tell you."

Malon hopped up into the cart and her father drove off towards Kakariko.