A/N: Did I just post two chapters at once? Yes, yes I did. More story! Yay! Also, This chapter contains heavy allusions to abuse, so fair warning to all.

Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Zelda. Just this sad headcanon idea and story. I don't even own the characters to the story. *sigh* It's really sad actually.

~10~

-A feeling in the heart that becomes stronger over time... The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power-

Malon awoke to Ingo's yelling. She groaned and got up, sore and weary from the night before. She hadn't slept this late in months, either. Ingo was bound to be furious.

She made breakfast, trying to ignore Ingo's venomous words. She fled to the barn just as she did every morning and started work, already very tired.

By noon she was beyond exhausted. She had trouble seeing clearly as she walked between the barn and cucco coop, and thus bumped a customer rather hard.

She blinked and rubbed her shoulder, apologizing with her head down. She startled when the customer spoke to her.

"Malon?"

She looked up at the young man. His blond hair was covered with a strange hat, and he wore a green tunic. A sword and shield were strapped to his back, and a blue fairy rested on his sword's handle. He had sparkling blue eyes, wide with wonder. She gasped, recognizing those eyes anywhere.

"Fairy boy?"

He laughed and hugged her, spinning her around. "Malon, it is you! I couldn't recognize you!"

"Where have you been you silly boy? It's been so long!" She laughed.

Link pulled away and seemed puzzled for a moment before grinning childishly. "Right. It's been seven years!" His confusion was baffling – how can one forget seven years of no contact? - but his smile made her blush nontheless. He continued, "So what happened here? I couldn't find Talon anywhere."

Malon's smile vanished and her face spelled fatigue again as reality returned. "Ingo ran Pa out a few years back. He's been so mean. I work so much, and he only yells at me."

She was surprised by Link's sudden change in demeanor. He became very serious and spotted Ingo, who was standing by the closed corral. "I'll see what I can do, Malon." He walked over to Ingo and they started talking. Malon, not sure what to think of that, shrugged and continued to the cucco coop.

As she left the coop, finally done and carrying eggs, a loud yell of frustration sounded. She almost dropped her delicate load in surprise. Link sauntered past her, smiling smugly. "I'm working on it Malon. Don't you worry. I'll be back tomorrow." She blushed again at his smile and nodded. He bid farewell and left the ranch.

Malon finished putting the eggs away when Ingo stormed past her. He curtly informed her that he was heading out. After saddling a horse and locking the gate, Ingo galloped away.

Malon huddled in the barn, crying softly. She sat under Epona, who fussed over her excessively. Life was so hard! First Sheik, then Link, and now this! She wasn't sure if she could stay at the ranch anymore.

Malon gasped in fear when she heard a footstep. Epona bellowed loudly and protectively. The newcomer made shushing noises in a futile attempt to calm the horse. A hand reached out to pet Epona, but she snapped her teeth at it. Calmly, a low, musical voice echoed softly in the barn. It sang Epona's song, the song from Malon's mother. It made the sorrowful girl cry again. Epona calmed down and turned her attention back to her troubled mistress. Malon stared teary-eyed as the person leaned over the stall door.

"Malon?" It was Sheik. She could see his troubled eyes, red shining brightly in the dark. She wanted to run to him, but held back in fear. "Malon, are you alright?"

She sniffed and gave a small moan. She meant to say 'yes', but it sounded like a 'no'. Her friend slowly climbed over the gate, wary of Epona's glare. He reached for her, touching her shoulder gently. "Malon…" He whispered. His mask was down, and she could see his face lined with apprehension. He sounded so convincing, so sure, so confident. So worried. His fingers edged around her arm and encouraged her out from under the horse with a feather-light, reassuring touch.

Once she was out, she crumpled into him, sobbing into his chest. He smoothed her back, humming a soothing tune, trying to ease her pain. When Malon began to run out of tears, he spoke softly again. "Malon, what's wrong?"

She froze and mumbled something into his chest. "What was that?" Sheik asked her.

"No."

She pulled away, hanging her head. "Why should I tell you? Why should I let myself bother you? I can't return the favor. You never tell me what's wrong with you. All those times you came here dying, you still didn't tell me what was wrong. You wouldn't even let me know you were hurt - I had to force it out of you."

Sheik lowered his arms. "Is this about yesterday?" She turned her head away. "I'm really sorry. I really am. I shouldn't have left you like that, but I had to. I can't tell you everything, but in a nutshell I'm helping save Hyrule. Remember Castle Town? I'm helping to fix that. I'm even helping to stop the man that allowed Ingo to take the ranch." He took a shaky breath and took her hands. "It's hard. I can only do so much. My hands are tied by a responsibility I shoulder for Hyrule. But please believe me: I would do anything to give you back the ranch. Anything to make you smile. If only I could risk my life for you." Seeing tears fall down her face, he reached up to wipe her face. "Please Malon…"

She flinched away, but he had felt it. Eyes cold, he softly grabbed her chin and turned her face up to him. A shallow, jagged cut blemished her smooth cheek. The skin around it was red and inflamed. His face hardened as he began to notice a number of bruises on her arms.

"Who did this to you?" His voice was so quiet and deadly, Malon pulled away in alarm. "It wasn't Ingo, was it?" He didn't raise his voice, but she could feel the anger building inside him. He started to stand.

Malon tried to hold him down. "Sheik, no. It's just a cut and bruises. He was just drunk, that's all. I'll avoid him next time. I'll be careful now." Sheik turned to her, his face cold and vicious with fury. His crimson eyes burned with a hatred and anger she didn't think was possible in a human. She shivered at his likeness of an enraged beast. "You said yourself. You need to stay in hiding. There's only so much you can do. You've got a responsibility. Don't throw that away."

She watched sadly as his eyes waned from anger and waxed into forlorn despair. He fell to the ground against the wooden wall. He moaned in frustration and held his head. Crawling over to him, she sat next to him. "I…know how you feel. Sometimes, I want to give Ingo a piece of my mind. But then I remember that he would turn his anger to the horses." She hugged her legs. "I don't know everything you're talking about, but I understand. Sometimes Pa wouldn't tell me something so I wouldn't worry. But," Malon turned her blue eyes to Sheik. "Can you tell me someday? Maybe not today, but when it's all over. I worry more when you don't tell me things."

Sheik looked at her and leaned his head back. He took a deep shuddering breath and closed his eyes. "Malon…"

"Yes?"

He glanced at her expecting eyes before moving his gaze to the ground. "I…" He swallowed thickly, glanced at her again, then sighed and put his arm around her. She scooted closer into his hold. "I'm glad I met you."

She sighed contently, relishing the security he gave her. "Me too."

Zelda: Aww Sheik were you about to proclaim your undying love to her?

Sheik: W-What? N-no! Of c-course not!

Malon: Why are you so red, Sheik?

Sheik: N-NO REASON!

Aww, ain't that cute? Anyway, onward!