A/N: So for those who have already read the story, I have mashed up the old chapter one and two into one fuller chapter. since those were both originally very short. For those who are new, welcome to chapter two, featuring Malon!

Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Zelda.

~2~

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

The rusty door of the barn swung open with a groan. Early morning light poured into the musty building, shining on the dull eyes of multiple drowsy cows. Malon, the resident farm girl at Lon Lon Ranch, smiled brightly. "Wakey wakey! Milking time!" She half-skipped as she grabbed a bucket and situated herself on a stool next to the first cow. Humming a happy song, she began milking the cow.

As usual, Malon allowed her mind to wander as she did her boring chores. She would be fifteen in a few days. Her pa, Talon, promised to let her do her first milk delivery alone once she was fifteen. She could hardly wait! She was so excited to finally be an adult.

She moved to the second cow as her thoughts drifted to a new subject. She loved visiting Castle Town. It was so lively there, compared to the lonely ranch. They've been getting fewer customers each year. Malon would hear Talon listening to whispered gossip about the king. Whenever Malon asked about it, though, her pa just shook his head and smiled. Don't worry, he would say, not your problem. He would never share the problems of the outside world with her.

Malon hefted the bucket of fresh milk away and grabbed a third bucket. She turned to the last cow and stopped. The cow itself was completely normal, if not lazier than the others. It was the thoughts that came with the cow that slowed Malon's actions. She gently stroked the cow and began milking as she remembered.

It was four years ago. No, almost five years ago. It was her birthday, and it was a very happy birthday. Other than the fact she lost her pa. Again.

He had gone to the castle to deliver milk like they always do. She suspected that he had fallen asleep somewhere. She laughed at the thought. She had tried to fetch him, but the guards turned her away.

She stomped her foot in agitation. Sighing, she sat next to a tree on the path to the castle and sang. This time, she sang her mother's song. Every note made her feel better.

She stopped and noticed that night had fallen. She began to pout when she heard a voice.

"Please don't stop. It's such a nice song."

She turned her blue eyes upward to see a boy in the tree above her. She screeched and jumped up. "W-Who are you?"

The boy jumped down from the tree. Expertly, he rolled to stop his fall. He stood up scarcely three inches from her and smiled. "I'm Link!" He said. He motioned the unnoticed blue fairy on his shoulder. "And this is Navi! Is this the way to the castle?"

Malon blinked at him and smiled. She liked this boy. "I'm Malon. Yeah, the castle's this way, but good luck getting in."

Link's blue eyes sparkled mischievously. He grinned. "No problem. Thanks!" He turned to go.

Malon caught his arm. "Wait a minute, Fairy boy. Could you look out for my pa? He's been at the castle for hours. I think he fell asleep. Can you get him for me?"

He blinked at the nickname and smiled. "Sure!" Malon nearly blushed at his infectious smile.

"Take this egg, then. It'll hatch real soon, and the cucco can help wake my pa up…"

Malon stood up and carried the milk bucket to her house. That was when she first met the Fairy boy. He had come to the ranch multiple times after that. After a few weeks, though, he had vanished, never to return again. It pained Malon to think of him…

Link and Malon were sitting in a pile of hay in her house. He was telling her about the fish people, the Zoras, which lived in the river to the east. Suddenly, he pa burst into the house. "Malon, get some water and rags. It's time."

Malon jumped up and grabbed some clean rags. Link followed her questioningly. "Time for what? Malon?"

"We've been waiting for Bessy's time to come for a while now. Go get some water, Fairy boy, and bring it to the barn. Hurry!" She ran to the barn as Link fetched the water.

One bloody hour later, a new calf was born. Link marveled at the miracle. He hugged the calf as it licked his face. "Can I name it?"

Talon laughed at the boy. "Sure. Why not? Name her something fitting like her Ma." He motioned Bessy, who was resting easily.

Link contemplated at the calf's brown eyes and announced "Missy! That's her name!"

Malon sighed. She missed her Fairy boy. When would he come back? He had promised her…

Looking up to the sky, she frowned. Dark storm clouds were rolling in. Hearing a low rumble of thunder, she ran to get the horses inside.

The storm was fierce one. It didn't let up for three days with lightning flashing and thunder roaring the entire time. Malon had hated storms her whole life, and this was no different. She was positively miserable.

The fourth day dawned with a pale sun. Malon was excited. Talon needed to go into town to deliver milk today and she had convinced him to let her do it. She was going to town alone!

Her pa was worried, naturally. He double checked everything four times and quizzed her about haggling for an hour. By mid-morning, though, she was driving the dark blue roan horse and wagon to Castle Town.

She drove the wagon over the gate-bridge. Noticing something, she yanked the horse to a halt. The town was silent. The town had never been silent.

Nervously, she climbed off of the wagon seat. The air was thin and dark. She shivered, finally noticing the freezing temperature.

"Wait here, Cobalt." She stroked the fidgeting horse and wandered into the town.

The place was completely desolate. Parts of the cobblestone road were broken apart. Buildings were in disrepair. Nearly all the windows Malon saw were shattered. She could see that inside the houses and stores furniture was broken and curtains ripped. Malon walked into the town square, hoping to find someone. She saw the center fountain in pieces and the stagnant water turning green and brown. The marketplace stalls were still there, but were shredded and ruined. The bright canvas was dark and stained. Everything in town seemed broken and forgotten.

The wind whistled around Malon as she shivered. What had happened here? Where are the people? She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted "Hello? Is anyone here?" Save from the wind, silence answered her. She shivered again and walked over to a destroyed stall. She used to buy candy from this stall. Tears of dread and longing began to well up in her eyes. She gripped the shredded canvas and fought back the tears. Inspecting the cloth, her eyes fell on a large, dark stain. It was brown – no more like a rusty brown, with tints of red. Her eyes focused past the cloth and saw a corpse under the stall.

She let go of the cloth and stumbled away. Her breath was heavy and fast – working on hyperventilation. "No…" She mumbled to herself. She almost screamed in her fear. But the sound stopped dead when the corpse moved.

Silent horror gripped Malon as the corpse shifted and stood. The monstrosity 'looked' up at her with deep black pits of eyes. It moaned. More moaning filled the air around Malon. She whipped her head around and saw other undead creatures rising. The first one took a step towards her.

Two thoughts came to Malon's mind: Scream. Run.

She did that.

Her scream cut through the dead air and reverberated off the sides of Death Mountain, far to the east of the Town. She ran in a direction: she wasn't sure where she was going. She ran into an alleyway, thinking that the monsters were far behind. She was wrong. The alley had multiple creatures too, and she turned and ran from those too. She sobbed as she ran, avoiding outstretched hands.

Malon came across a large building and tripped in front of it. The animated corpses got nearer. Breathing heavily, she tried to get up.

She stopped, literally paralyzed with fear when one screeched. She listened to them shuffle closer. One cold hand touched her back. Another grabbed her shoulder.

Malon screamed once more before she blacked out.

"Darlin'! Wake up!"

Malon cracked an eye open. Her pa leaned over her, holding her tightly. Relief flooded his face when she awoke. "Malon! You're okay!" He hugged her tightly.

Many people would have cried from the experience. Most would have explained it. Malon didn't. She just hugged her pa tightly and silently. She didn't know why she didn't speak about it, she just couldn't.

Talon let her go and they stood up. They were at the entrance gate, next to the wagon she had left. Cobalt was just fine and wagon was intact and Talon's own horse stood nearby. The air was chilly and heavy with dark clouds gathering over the land.

Talon squeezed his daughter's shoulder. "I suppose we'll find another market. Let's go home." He led her on to the wagon, wrapped her in a blanket and cracked the reins.

As the wagon pulled out of the gate, Malon gazed back with dull eyes. She wondered what had happened. Did someone save her?

The foreboding clouds above began to let loose their rain once more.

That was fun. This is all going on the idea that Castle Town was abandoned quickly and suddenly. When? No idea. But because of that, Lon Lon Ranch didn't know what happened.

Anyway, that be chapter two! It gets so much better from here. Review, or hold off and review at the end! Please and thank you very much!