Days grew into months and months turned to years. The sad blue eyed child that Talon had took into his small family, was now a grown young woman. He had watched her and was proud of what she had become, just as he was for his own daughter. Harkinian's child had well adapted to her new life, although he could tell she was unhappy. He was able to see through her disguise of the happy farm girl. He could see the turmoil that raged deep within her soul and the clash of having to have two personalities. One evening taking advantage that Malon was outside and Ingo in his room she had talked of going back to face Ganondorf. He had talked her out of it, pointing out that she would only get herself killed. Zelda had replied that to do nothing was just as bad as if her family had asked Ganondorf to take over the throne and destroy Hyrule. One day she would lead an army and lead her people to freedom, when the Hero Of Time would show up. Wishing to take those thoughts away and only wanting to keep his adopted daughter safe, he pointed out that no one dared to stand up against the Dark King and the story of the Hero Of Time was just a myth. To this day Zelda had never mentioned again to try and take back the throne. But of late she had grown unhappy, depressed, and restless.

Over the years Malon had come to understand that the orphan child was more than she let on. After the assault on the castle, Ganondorf had thrown the bodies of the king and queen onto the pavement of the town's square. He said he also had killed the princess, but her body had never been found. Rumours began to spread that the princess had escaped and went into hiding. Malon put the rumour and the mysterious appearance of the orphaned girl at their door together and figured that Mina was really Zelda. However she chose not to mention to Zelda that she knew her secret, she would keep this secret and guard it even from her own father.

So it was that both Malon and Talon worked unknowingly together to protect Zelda. However it was becoming harder since 'Mina' looked a lot like the late queen, and people were beginning to notice it and point to her when they went to sell the Lon Lon milk in the marketplace of Kakariko. Of late whenever an expedition to Kakariko was being organized 'Mina' told Ingo she didn't want to go and leave all the ranch work to him. Malon told her father 'Mina' didn't feel like going, and Talon would reply that she had told him earlier that she wasn't feeling well anyway. Today was yet another day like this one.

Zelda and Ingo loaded the crates of milk onto the wagon while Malon and Talon got the two horses ready. As always when it was Epona's turn for the outing she made things a little harder by showing her indignation of having to pull the wagon. She shook her head and pawed at the ground, making putting on the reins a difficult task. Thankfully the other horse wasn't like that. Once everything was ready Malon and Talon settled themselves on the driver's seat.

Malon waved. "Mina I'll tell you about everything that happened when we get back. "

"Including how many times you have to wake Talon before his snores scare away the customers? " giggled Zelda.

"Hey is that anyway of thanking me for taking you in,'' winked Talon. "Bye and don't cause Ingo any trouble. "

"I won't unless he does." Zelda waved as the wagon pulled out of the ranch grounds.

Ingo simply snorted.

"Ah come on Ingo, I only said that as a joke. Why do you always have to be so serious?" asked Zelda once the wagon was out of sight.

"For your information someone around here has to be serious for the survival of this ranch thanks to Ganondorf and the increase of the tribute tax and with the high cost for the permit of operation. It's a wonder this ranch is still operational. One of these days the ranch will have to close." With that added Ingo headed for the stables leaving a stunned Zelda.

"What is his problem? Sales are increasing monthly. " Zelda headed for the corral.

As Zelda cleaned up after the horses, countless thoughts roamed in her head. What Ingo had said did have some logic to it. One day the ranch will close. Ganondorf didn't like businesses getting too large. If a company increased that meant people were being influenced to buy their products, and if someone had that power they could easily use it to influence people to rebel according to him. This would put a threat to his rule.

Because of this the economy dwindled. Many shop owners in Hyrule Town closed because of this, or the 'untimely' death of the owner, or because of threats made by the Dark King's followers. Kakariko had now become the main village of Hyrule, as more and more people seeked to put distances between them and the Dark King.

And thus hope still remained and Ganondorf knew it. Just like he knew she still lived and was hiding somewhere waiting for the right time to come back and claim back her throne with the help of the Triforce Of Wisdom. Perhaps even with the Hero Of Time who just might have the Triforce Of Courage…the hero…Her thoughts turned to the Kokiri boy, Link.

She wondered what had happened to him. Did he still have the Ocarina Of Time? Had he escaped Ganondorf? Did he even still live? And if so where was he? Perhaps she should try to find him to take back the sacred relic. Leave this ranch and try to enter the mysterious Lost Woods and find her way to the Kokiri Village. Although no one has ever been able to find it, perhaps her Triforce piece would help her…if only she knew how to use it. It hadn't manifested itself since the day she first got it. She knew it was inside her because she sometimes felt it's warmth glow when she was sad, but that was all.

Leaving the ranch…she knew that Malon and Talon would be sad and also afraid. After all, in the state Hyrule was in it was now dangerous for a woman to travel alone. Most of all she knew they would be afraid for her safety since they knew who she really was. She had figured out they knew years ago even though they tried their best to hide it from her. She could tell them she would be gone for only a short time and then would come back. Perhaps they'll even lend her Epona, her favourite horse.

What was she thinking, Epona had been promised to Ganondorf. As a matter of fact with Epona's training completed he could come any day now to claim her. Another reason why she must leave. Fate had made it that she wasn't there the day he came demanding a horse to be raised for him. She wouldn't tempt her luck a second time.

Zelda ran to the house but stopped short near the stables and hid behind a barrel, her heart stopping. Her worst fear had come true, there stood Ganondorf in his black armour. His red cloak fluttering in the wind. Two elderly Gerudo women stood on each side of him, she recognized them to be his aunts, behind them were several Moblins and two Re-Dead. She could tell Ingo was just as afraid as her for his knees were shaking.

Suddenly panic seized her. What if Ganondorf wasn't here for the horse, what if he had found out she had been here all these years. Zelda made herself as small as possible and listened to what was being said.

"…left with Epona, " she heard Ingo say.

"How dare they! That horse belongs to me! I asked her to be trained as a war horse not some stupid cart pulling farm animal. They shall be punished dearly, " the enraged Dark King bellowed.

"I warned them, I really did! They said they didn't care…they're planning a rebellion I am sure. This is just the start of it, " said Ingo gaining back his courage.

From her hiding place Zelda shook with rage. That lying traitor! Thank goodness he had no idea who she really was, or he would have given her away.

"Is that so. Thank you for the information. Might I inquire which inn they are staying at ?"

"The first one when you enter the village, your majesty…If I may say the daughter is just following the father. I am sure if you separate them the daughter will redeem herself and become a loyal subject. "

"As a reward for such honesty and loyalty I make you sole owner of Lon Lon Ranch. In addition the girl will be brought back here and is permitted to continue working here. "

Ingo got on his knees and grovelled at Ganondorf's feet.

Zelda couldn't believe it, she thought Ingo had always enjoyed working on the ranch and liked Talon and his daughter. He was always cold to her but she thought it was because to him she was just an employee.

Suddenly her Triforce scar began to glow, and noticed Ganondorf's was doing the same. Were the two pieces calling out to each other? If they were did that mean Ganondorf knew she was hear. He looked in her direction and Zelda froze. She had nothing to defend herself with and didn't know how to use her Triforce, where as Ganondorf knew how, was bigger and stronger, and had his minions. She was alone and it certainly wasn't going to be Ingo who would help her. Ganondorf came forward and looked around, he shrugged and went back with his escort. Zelda let out the breath she had been holding in. That had been too close, for sure he would have recognized her.

Ganondorf and his minions left and Ingo went into the house. Zelda waited what seemed to her to be half an hour and casually entered the house as if she hadn't witness what had just occur.

Ingo was sitting at the kitchen table, his feet resting on the table. "Looks like you'll be working for me now. "

"And why is that? " asked Zelda pretending to be curious as she climbed the stairs to go to the room she shared with Malon.

"It so happens that his majesty, King Ganondorf was here to claim Epona, and made me sole owner of the ranch when he found out Epona wasn't here. "

"Is that so? Why did he do that and what about Malon and Talon? "

" I simply told him where they were and where he can find his horse. As for Talon I don't want that lazy slob around here anymore. Malon can stay if she wants, at least she's a hard worker unlike her father. You can also stay, you're good with numbers and good at keeping track of things and balancing the book. "

"Talon won't let you just take over you know, " Zelda said with mock concern.

"We'll see about that. "

Once in her room Zelda quickly shut the door and gathered all her belongings in a canvas bag. It was clear to her that she must leave, the ranch was no longer a safe place for her if Ingo was now a follower of Ganondorf. Ironic, after that speech he gave her about Ganondorf's economical laws.

Once again destiny was against her, as quickly as it had put an end to her palace life so did her peasant life end. Zelda found herself wondering what she would do now. For sure she would go to Kakariko to warn her adopted family of what happened and then try to get to the Kokiri Village, but then what? Perhaps Talon would have an idea.

Zelda heard Ingo go to his room, she took her chance and quietly left. Once outside she went to the stables and spotted Lightning, the ranch's fastest horse, in his stall. She quickly put on his horse tack and packed her bag in the saddle bag. She then led the horse out. Picking up his rider's need for silence, Lightning stayed quiet. The other horses neighed softly as Zelda closed the stable doors.

Zelda waited until she was away from the ranch grounds and at the entrance of Hyrule Field to mount Lightning. She coaxed him to a gallop, hoping that by the time Ingo realized she had left she would already be half way to Kakariko.