A/N: Aaand here's chapter eleven! The big reason the earlier chapters took forever to upload was because I was reviewing not just them, but these later chapters too. So thanks to the wait earlier, these later chapters need less editing before they are posted. Which means I post them faster. Yay! I know you're all dying to know what's happening next. Figuratively, of course. If literally, please go see a doctor about that.
Disclaimer: Due to my paranoia, you get to hear about how I don't own Legend of Zelda or any of these characters for the umpteenth time.
~11~
-The flow of time is always cruel…-
Zelda woke him lightly. "Sheik, I can sense Link on the mountain. I need to meet him in the crater."
Said Sheikah rolled his head with a light groan. As he opened his eyes, he analyzed his senses – the musty smell of hay and horses, the silence of sleeping animals, the predawn darkness muting every detail – and remembered that he had fallen asleep in Epona's stall. If he had to guess, he would say it felt like it was about three in the morning. He peered over to his side and found Malon's sleeping head against his shoulder. He allowed himself to admire her beautiful, peaceful face, wishing he didn't have to leave her, especially after her sufferings from the night before.
"I'm sorry, Sheik. We can return later. Here, place your hand on her check." Following Zelda's request, he touched the infected scratch lightly. Malon flinched but didn't awake. Feeling the magic pour through him, Sheik watched the wound heal from Zelda's spell. It closed and was replaced with new, pink skin. Along her arms, the dark splotches of bruises faded away. "There. Let's go."
Gently, Sheik pulled away and lowered Malon's head to the ground. He found a blanket and covered her small frame with it, taking the time to brush a lock of hair from her face. He stood to go, before he found another way to admire the girl. "Hold up. Leave a note for her. The Hero will come to take the horse today. Have her tack Epona and set her outside, ready for the call." Zelda sounded distant again. Her Triforce was giving her visions all the time now, helping her leave clues, hints, and help for the Hero of Time. Sheik jotted down the note and slipped it in Epona's tack. Praying that Malon would understand, he slipped out of the barn and ranch and ran to Death Mountain's crater.
Sheik watched as Zelda taught Link the Bolero of Fire in the boiling Death Mountain crater. His consciousness sat in a foggy area in his mind while Zelda's consciousness controlled his body. She had learned how to do this a month ago, testing her skills and readying for the Hero's return. It exhausted her considerably, but it was easier than having Sheik translate Zelda's words to the Hero.
This area of his mind was bare and boring. His eyes scanned the realm Zelda had lived in for seven years. It was like a sea of dense, grey fog. Well, I see why she teases me so much. This place is boring enough to drive a snail crazy.
He watched as Link finished the song and lowered his ocarina. The hero took a step forward. "Hey, Sheik, do you know where I can find..." He stopped when Zelda's magic created a wall of fire that burned between the two.
"Okay, this wall will slow him. Let's go." Sheik felt a pull and jumped forward, regaining possession of his body. He gave an experimental shake and threw a deku nut to hide his escape with a blinding flash.
He watched as the Hero glanced around bewildered as he hid on a shadowed rock. Magma boiled around his feet, daring him to fall from his small perch. He's not very clever sometimes, is he?
"He's clever! He's just… still a bit of a little kid inside." Zelda defended hotly.
Grinning, Sheik jumped to the wall behind him and began climbing out of the crater. Someone's a little fond of our Hero. I noticed you let him talk this time. Normally, we spilt before he can even move.
If Zelda could blush in his sub-consciousness, she turned beet red. She sputtered until she found words. "I didn't want to be rude, that's all."
Whatever, Princess. Sheik reached the ridge of the volcanic crater. He gave a whistle, and a huge brown owl flew by.
"Hoo-hoo! Need a lift to Kakariko?" The owl let Sheik grab his taloned feet.
"Yes, please, but only near the entrance, Kaepora. Thanks." They took off, soaring down the mountain as dawn slipped over the peaks.
Zelda rested as Sheik followed her instructions. He went to Zora's Domain, the home of the Zora-folk, and revived the Zora princess from the layer of ice Ganondorf cursed the people with. He brought the future Water Sage up to speed with the world's events and watched her head off to the Water Temple in Lake Hylia. After that, he waited in the dangerous Ice Cavern for Link to show up. Once he did, Zelda switched with Sheik once again to teach the Hero the Serenade of Water. Switching back, Sheik escaped before Link could utter a word.
He walked out to Hyrule Field and stretched. It was about noon. He nudged Zelda awake. What next, Zelda?
He felt her wake just enough to talk. The switches were taking a lot out of her today, as she wasn't used to controlling a body, much less jump in and out of consciousness like this. "Uh, nothing yet. I'm not sure what else we can do right now."
Go back to sleep then. I'll be waiting. Her presence disappeared and Sheik decided to go return to Malon. His insides fluttered at the thought of her. Why was that happening? Roughly disregarding his emotions, he made his way the Lon Lon Ranch.
Malon woke up stiffly. She had fallen asleep in the barn again. Stretching, she remembered what had happened the night before. She sat up with a blush. A blanket that had covered her, keeping her warm, slid off of her. Looking around, she realized Sheik was gone again, much to her bitter disappointment. The girl frowned until she spied Epona's tack. She saw a little note hidden under the girth strap. She got up and grabbed it.
She read the note quickly. The words were written hastily and barely legible. Tack Epona and put her in the corral. Trust me. I'll be back later. For a signature, a little drawing of a bird adorned the corner. Malon recognized it: it looked like the necklace she got the other day.
She hesitated to tack Epona. If she did that, customers would try to ride the mare, and probably get seriously hurt. Deciding to trust Sheik, she tacked Epona. The mare was giddy and hopeful for attention. After strapping the reins on the horse, she led the mare to the corral. It was late morning and the horses were all in the corral. Malon had spied Ingo walking inside and she took the opportunity. She jogged to the gate with Epona in tow. Ingo must have had a really bad hangover because the gate was unlatched. Malon let Epona free in the corral, closed the gate, and fled back to the barn.
She breathed easily in her sanctuary. She didn't want to listen to Ingo today, not after last night. Her hand strayed to gingerly touch her cheek. Eyes widening, she scoured the barn for a mirror of sorts. She used a water basin instead and focused on her reflection. Her cheek was healed. Completely. She continued to inspect her arms, finding that the bruises she was positive she had gotten were gone.
Baffled by the miraculous recovery, she gaped at her reflection until she heard a loud cry outside. Peering out of the barn, she gasped as she watched Ingo start a horse race. He had his head lulled to the side, an indicator that he still wasn't in his right mind. He bolted in front of his competitor. Malon watched as Epona, her own mare, reared and thundered afterwards, attentive to her rider.
Her Fairy boy rode the wild mare. He gained on Ingo and brushed next to him. Furious, Ingo shoved his horse against Epona, forcing her into the corral fence they circled. The mare neighed indignantly and fell behind. Even from across the ranch, Malon could see determination set into Link's eyes. Skillfully, like he has been riding horses his whole life, Link galloped around the outside of the track, around Ingo, and turned into the track to cut him off. Ingo's horse pulled back with surprise as Epona crossed the finish line.
Malon hadn't even noticed she was cheering. She watched as Ingo screamed something and stormed away. She ran to meet her Fairy boy. "Link!" she shouted.
He smiled at her brightly. "Malon! I won!" He dismounted and faced the panting girl. "He bet the ranch and lost! It's yours again!"
Malon grinned with joy. "Oh, Link, Thank you!" She jumped at him and hung around his neck. He laughed as he spun her around. She put her feet on the ground and gazed up at him. She blushed at his grin, which she realized was really close to her own face. His smile melted as he realized the same thing. Acting on impulse, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. Malon's eyes widened.
She had thought about her fairy boy for years. He had been her crush ever since she had met him. Some nights, she had even humored the thought of kissing him. And now that it was happening…
Well, it just didn't feel right.
Link pulled away abruptly. He was bright red and seemed very embarrassed. "Malon, I…" He was at a loss of words.
Malon smiled sweetly and said bluntly "That was weird."
Link sighed in relief. "Oh, good, it wasn't just me." He stepped away from her and eyed her apologetically. "I'm really sorry."
Malon shook her head. "No, it's okay. Really. This won't change our friendship one bit." She was relieved to see Link nod happily.
"Thanks." He inspected the ranch's exit. Ingo had closed the gate. He couldn't leave. "Uh-huh. So, do you wanna get out of here?"
"What? How? The gate's locked." Malon watched his familiar mischievous eyes return.
"We'll jump the fence." He ran into the corral and grabbed another tacked horse. Malon realized with joy that it was Cobalt. The two mounted, Link on Epona, Malon on Cobalt. With a whoop, Link galloped Epona to the ranch's wall.
Malon shook her head and let out a yell. "I hope you know what you're doing!" She kicked Cobalt to follow.
Both horses jumped the fence. They landed with a graceful thud in the verdant grass of Hyrule Field. Looking around the beautiful hills with a wild grin, Malon could barely believe what she was doing. She hadn't been outside the ranch in years! Link turned Epona towards Lake Hylia and kicked the mare forward. Malon laughed and guided Cobalt to follow.
It's fairly undeniable, through game and manga, that Malon probably had a thing for Link. So I stuck with that. But she honestly doesn't know the kid, and I feel that it would become blatantly obvious to her that she is only infatuated with our hero, especially after becoming very close to someone else.
By the way, has anyone noticed those lovely quotes that begin each chapter? I wonder where they're from? *wink wink*
Anyway, thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the next chapters!